YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AND UNIFY MEN'S GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY!
Thank you for supporting HUNGRY FOR HOLINESS MEN'S FELLOWSHIP! CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR THIS DYNAMIC MAN AFFIRMING MINISTRY!
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. PSALM 42:4
Prepare: Make something ready for use or consideration.
Friends - My wife and I have been priviledged to attend a number of churches in various states. I have been honored to preach for a number of organizations and serve in various capacities over the years. We want to point out a startling and expanding problem in our Apostolic movement; one that is having a direct effect in the success and growth of our churches. That problem is the lack of proper preparation for service to our God. The volume of conversation, the tone and focus of it, is beginning to drown out the moments of reflection, worship and praise that sets the tone for the remainder of the service itself. We are being distracted from God and giving God our best, and it is having a direct impact on our results (growth and spiritual endurance).
While the Bible does urge us to make a joyful noise before the Lord, there is a noise that serves little purpose in the church-house, but it is a noise that is arising separate from the good report, the worship and the spirit that God wants to find in His house. Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
NOISE: (n.) Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report. In so many assemblies we are seeing the social interaction of a church overtaking the preparation of worship and service. Time and again we hear the conversations, the 'catching up' consuming what should be the true focus of our time in pre-service - God. It seems more and more that the time we used to spend worshipping, praying, and focusing has become a time instead to do what we should be doing all week long - checking up on our brothers and sisters. God is shoved into the last two minutes prior to the "service starting", with a hearty "PRAISE THE LORD", which ironically we should have been doing all along. Suddenly there is music and everything falls into place - we shove sudden and unprepared worship at God, expecting that he'll be pleased with our "sacrifice", when all we are doing is performing a ritual of repetition from one Sunday to the next.
PSALM 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. His gates (the doors of the church) should be entered with thanksgiving - his courts (the sanctuary) entered with praise. Be thankful UNTO him and BLESS his name. Ask yourself this: "When you sit silently before the actual service (which we have somehow convinced ourselves is a separate time and event in living for God, rather than an extension of what we do every day), what do you hear?" Listen to what is happening inside the sanctuary, on the inside of the gates, just before service. How much time is being given to God, and how much time is being given to your neighbor? What does the sanctuary sound like? There is such a difference between the sound of corporate worship, and the noise of general conversation.
It's time to remember the art of preparation. 2 CHRON 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD. Working as ONE - making ONE SOUND. What a difference! In preparation for God's house being visited by God Solomon sets his trumpeters and singers in order first. He gets them doing the very thing they are set to do - worshipping. They begin to focus, to zero in on the spirit realm and sure enough God shows up. When they lifted their voice WITH (ALONGSIDE, IN CONCERT WITH, IN UNION WITH) the trumpets, a unified effort got God's attention.
Now we are not saying that you don't enjoy the anointing and visitation of God during services in churches where conversation has replaced preparation. But we ARE saying that your visitation could be so much deeper, and so much more anointing could be realized, if we reversed ourselves and got back to PREPARING an atmosphere for God. Atmosphere is the key. JOHN 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. I suspect that God is not in heaven chatting with his angels until moments before he comes to get us, then throwing something together that he can call heaven! It sounds funny, maybe sarcastic, but I expect God is truly making something ready for us! I believe he is focused and establishing something that will be unlike anything we have ever experienced down here. And if he is doing that for us what should we do for him?
Think about the souls of visitors or backslidden or lost folks who will come into the gates with you. Think about the one that needs a miracle, or deliverance, or salvation! What of them? How will they feel the God they need to feel if we don't set the proper atmosphere for him to work? If we continue giving him second-best, back handed worship, how can we expect his best? Are you seeing more or less victories than you used to before the sanctuary became a social networking site? Isn't it easier to pray someone through to the Holy Ghost in an atmosphere of praise and preparation? We think so. More importantly, it is a requirement that we enter with thanksgiving and praise, rather than handshakes and conversation. There is time for that later. Give God his due.
We are in the endtimes, friends. We are fighting distractions on every level. From children running and playing havoc during the preached Word, to adults having their minds wander onto the conversation just prior to service. Shepherd's Flock's motto is "Don't begin your worship here, just perfect it." This means our time before service is reserved for prayer, reflection and worship. I don't allow conversation in the sanctuary until after church. Why? To set the minds of members on God and let God set the pace. Instead of coming in fixed on what has happened over the past week, we are trying to focus on what is going to happen today! Check yourself about this issue. Not controlling our environment is causing many to fall away. It is allowing Satan to get a foothold in our service and forcing God to accept second place in our lives. We urge you today to reconsider how you enter the sanctuary. It has gotten so bad in some services that my wife and I were forced to go into the fellowship halls just to find a place of peace and quiet, where we could clearly hear God and focus our minds. Is this what your church has allowed? Do you recognize this? If so, you can be the one to make the difference. Enter and kneel. Worship and pray. Get your spouse to help, then your friends. Before you know it the church will be with you and on its knees in prayer! God will pay attention, and the spirit will rise.
Want revival? Revive the lost art of preparation!
IN love -
Elder Mark and Elder Dana Neddeau
Last Updated on Sunday, 13 May 2012 23:53
FEAR - THE MOVING EMOTION
Written by Mark Neddeau
Sunday, 01 January 2012 05:34
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, movedwithfear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. HEBREWS 11:7
FEAR IS a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. But is that all fear is? In the scripture above, Noah became an heir of righteousness through faith. That is, by means of moving with fear and preparing an ark to save his house, Noah became an heir of righteousness. So, fear - the condition of being afraid, is more than just a distressing emotion. In fact, fear can be a great motivator of people to do great deeds or become more than they currently are.
People in fear act differently. Fear motivates compliance and can be used to gain control over a selected target. In the case of Germany, for example, fear led to one of the greatest slaughters in the known history of men. In other cases, however, fear can be a positive motivator. A soldier fearing for the loss of his comrades, can move with heroism to defend them. You can be frozen with fear, or you can decide to use fear as a tool to keep your senses tight and focused. In this discussion I want to point out that the definition above is not the only one applicable to the word fear. The word FEAR as used above, comes from the greek word "eulabeoma" (yoo-lab-eh'-om-haee)..which means CIRCUMSPECT; BY IMPLICATION, TO BE APPREHENSIVE or RELIGIOUSLY TO REVERENCE. It brings a whole new light to the word fear, yes? To religiously reverence is to faithfully, and through devotion, show respect for something or someone. So in this case when Noah was moving with fear, he was actually devoting himself faithfully and with respect to God's word of the impending doom to come. In point of fact, though he had experienced a distressing emotion aroused by by impending danger he was not cowering in the corner, or feeling the fear that most associate with that word.
When you and I hear the Word of God come forth, a question must accompany it. Do we faithfully devote ourselves to that Word through circumspect, cautious, or watchful attitudes, or do we simply cower in fear? The difference is found in our relationship with God himself. Do you know him? Can you say as a blood relative, buried with him in baptism, as an heir to righteousness which is by faith, that you are moving as Noah did? Are you accomplishing the work that is needed in order to be prepared for the time when God's Word comes to pass in your life? Noah did not sit idly by worrying and fearful. He moved WITH fear. He acted circumspectly, and for 120 years prepared the ark for the saving of his family and the mercy of God in the flood.
It (Noah's circumspect action) depended entirely upon Noah's faith that God, as his merciful but righteous judge, was going to destroy the world. Noah knew God well enough to know that the destruction would occur. When was not the question. Why was not the question - WHAT was the question. What must he do to prepare for the time God had given him for the saving of his own life and the lives of his family? Noah's actions were based entirely upon his faith. In light of that, dear friends, can you look at your current situation and say conclusively that you are moving WITH fear, or sitting still IN fear? Are you struggling with the WHY or just moving in the WHAT? Circumspect action at this time in your struggle, now at the moment of your prophecy or promise, is the preparation necessary to position you and your household for the time of deliverance. Sitting idly by in terror of the coming judgment or in the face of the trial is not getting the job done!
DO YOU HAVE FAITH? DO YOU TRUST IN GOD? If so stop asking why, stop looking for the when, and just accept the what. Like Noah you may know some of what you face, and may right now be in the middle of a situation that has caused fear and brought the emotion of fear to the forefront of your life. But also like Noah, you can master that fear and move in faith. You can overcome anything by understanding the difference between the fear that binds and the fear that faithfully devotes itself to God. We urge you today to set aside your hesitations, your questions and your fear. Move in faith and fully realize your inheritance. God will not fail you. God will not abandon you. God loves you.
1 JOHN 4:18 says "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear"......believe it, receive it and trust it. You have an appointment with your ark. You have a safe haven that will carry you even if the situation seems hopeless. God has prepared a place for you and your family, a place that you can get to if you prepare yourself with faithful devotion. It won't be easy; it wasn't for Noah. But learn the difference between the emotion of dread and the emotion of apprehensive reverence and you will overcome. We pray with you this week and for the new year that God will strengthen you through your faith, in your faith, and by your faith and that you will overcome all fear and see the glory and deliverence of God in your life this very day.
In Love,
Elders Mark and Dana Neddeau
Last Updated on Sunday, 08 January 2012 22:29
Our Fundamental Doctrinal Statement
Written by Mark Neddeau
Thursday, 13 August 2009 14:12
Our basic and fundamental doctrine is and shall be:
Repent of your sins, be baptized (fully immersed in water) every one of you in the Name of Jesus (the) Christ for the Remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, with the initial sign of speaking in other tounges as the Spirit Gives the utterance.
ACTS 2:38
Last Updated on Sunday, 22 May 2011 23:48
WANT TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE?
Written by Mark Neddeau
Friday, 07 August 2009 17:30
Hello...simply create an account! Once we have activated your account *usually within 24 hours*, click on SUBMIT ARTICLE . From there, select a TITLE, then a SECTION (PICK THE MOST OR CLOSEST APPLICABLE SECTION TO YOUR THEME). Usually a CATEGORY will AUTOMATICALLY be selected. From there, enter the body of your article (cut and paste works well) and then edit it using the board up above your writing area (if desired).
Once done, select SAVE and you are in! Once you have saved it, a notification will be sent to us and we will review it, and post it. We appreciate you and your faith. If you have a question regarding this site, or the Oneness of God and the monotheistic view of the Godhead, please contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Also, if you have difficulty posting or contacting us, please pass that along as well using regular e-mail channels. ANY feedback we can get helps tailor this (your) website to your needs and makes it a better, smoother, and more fun environment for us all.
God Bless You,
Mark and Dana Neddeau
ps - we reserve the right to edit your article for grammatical error, size and content as needed, as well as the right to reject your articles if deemed necessary.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 July 2011 19:47
We are Apostolic in doctrine, Organizational in association
Christ-like in fellowship
