Steve Sikes Blog  

Why does God need anyone’s forgiveness???  God is perfect; He can’t even lie (Titus 1:2)!  He never manipulates His people or tempt s them to sin (James 1:13).  God is indeed good all the time and all the time God is good!  So, I ask again – why does a holy God need anyone’s forgiveness?
. Several weeks ago I presented a lesson on forgiveness.  We looked at “4 Truths about 4giveness”: 
. 1)It’s not easy to lay aside someone’s sin against us;
2)Laying aside other’s sin against us helps keep Satan from getting a foothold in our heart;
3)It’s best for us to lay aside sin;
4)Forgiveness and trust are not the same!  Forgiveness is given; trust is earned.
. I ended the lesson by asking two questions:
. 1) Can I be saved if I am unforgiven (Acts 2:36-40)?
2) Can I be saved if I am unforgiving (Matthew 6:14-15)? 
. The answer to both of these questions is a resounding “NO!”
. But how many of us, like the psalmist, have cried out in pain and frustration, “God, why did You abandon me?”  “Why didn’t You:  listen to my prayers; save my loved one; protect my child; take away the disease…”  I’m guilty.
Feelings and faith can go in opposite directions, especially in moments of great turmoil and tragedy.  Who gets the blame?  Not Satan, the deceiver and father of lies and manipulator of evil…. but a good and gracious Heavenly Father!  Isn’t it time to forgive God and release our mistaken feelings?  God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve

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In my office I have a sign that reads, “Wise men still seek Him!”  Amen!  I believe it! 
. Who are they?
. 1.  Wise Man #1: This brother just started a Bible study at his workplace; he already had a prayer time going!  He also just completed a ten-week study of the Gospel of Luke at a local High School (a continuing education class entitled: Spiritual Growth)!  This wise man is one of our prayer-warrior deacons and continues to be extremely active in our senior saint’s ministry, especially in reaching out to our neighbors living at Parke Place – an assisted living facility.
. 2. Wise Man #2: This wise man (who is also one of our deacons) was greatly influenced by wise man #1!  In turn, this brother went to his supervisor and asked permission to begin a time of noon prayer at his work place.  His answer was yes!  Thank You, Lord!  Last week was his first meeting with anyone wanting to just come together and pray.  This brother has a heart to preach, evangelize and reach out to others; he heads our feeding the homeless ministry.  He is also active in our men’s leadership class and regularly brings one of his co-workers to class.
3.  Wise Man #3; this wise man ministers each Sunday with wise man #1!  He prepares Sunday morning lessons at Parke Place, greets and meets as many as he can at both of our Sunday morning services and helps out whenever needed!  He and his wife definitely have the gift of giving!  Just two weeks ago, this brother called a couple he had missed seeing on a Sunday morning.  During their conversation, they shared with him that they were studying the book of Job.  This brother went straight-way to the local Christian bookstore and purchased two study books on Job and delivered them to their house!  He did the same with two of our young people baptized last month by giving them each a brand new study Bible as a gift!
. Who are these three wise men?  Jay Schneider, Kareem Rutledge and Doc Kistler!  Yes.  It is true – WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM! God is good all the time!  Mr. Steve
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Usually I don’t give a preview of next Sunday’s bulletin, but I am today!  I’m working on a front page article entitled   “3 Wise Men.”  However, I would like to talk about a 4th wise man – Dan Cooper!
. I am so proud of Dan Cooper!  Dan has consistently put himself second, third or last, whatever was needed to Glorify God and get the Good News out!  Just his working on a Masters Degree for ten years (while deeply involved in ministry) tells you where this brother’s heart is!  As you know, Dan has the unique work ethic of doing three or four things at once while keeping an open door policy!  He continues to model leadership “Jesus style.”
. I’ve read Dan’s thesis, a couple of times.  It is filled with wisdom, insight, encouragement, hurts and helps.  Dan’s paper will make a significant difference with churches that want to grow and break the “200 barrier” – or for that matter, the “400 barrier!”  I’m glad Dan’s writing has taken him as long as it has; God will use his experiences over the last ten years to teach and encourage so many others!  Go God!  Thanks for gifting Dan with wisdom, heart and perseverance!  GIGATTAATTGIG!  Mr. Steve
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Jordan Luke, our oldest child of four, was born on April 5, 1981.  We just celebrated his 28th birthday last Sunday.  I was 28 when Jordan was born and now he is becoming a father for the first time at the same age. 
. When Jordan was four years-old, our little family took a trip to Ann Arbor, MI where I was going to officiate a wedding.  However, we had only gone a couple of miles before Jordan exclaimed, “Dad, I can’t get my seat belt to work.”
. I pulled off the road, opened up the back door of the minivan and leaned over to help Jordan with his seat belt.  Sure enough it was stuck and wouldn’t extend out of its sleeve.  I worked with it for about 5 minutes before Jordan said, “Dad, we haven’t prayed for God to fix it.”  My heart sank.  My son truly believed that God could do anything!  I did too… up to a point, but I knew I didn’t have “seat belt faith” so I said, “OK, son – you pray.”  Jordan prayed and then reached over and clicked his seat belt on like it was brand new! 
. Over the last 28 years I have learned so much about God through the faith of my children.  That’s just one of the reasons I’m looking forward to having grandchildren – I still have so much to learn!  GIGATT!  Mr. Steve

There is someone in my past that told half-truths about me as if they were full-truths, and seemingly went about with the aim to discredit me in front of a large number of people.  What was I to do?
. Years ago, when I was 27 something similar happened.  I remember going to my Dad in tears asking for his advice.  I had never had anything like this happen to me before – someone spreading rumors that were untrue but were being believed by some.  My Dad listened patiently and then asked, “Steve, are you praying daily for those who are spreading these rumors?  If you don’t, you’ll end up harvesting a bitter root that will negatively affect your relationship with Christ and compromise your effectiveness in ministry.”  My Dad went on to say, “Steve, you cannot go around defending yourself.  It will never work.  People are going to believe what they want to believe.  You’ve got to just let it go, keep going forward and forgive.”
. I took Dad’s advice and over the next two years prayed daily (by name) for those who had sought me harm.  First I prayed for God to forgive them, and then I prayed again and again for God to allow me to forgive them!  Complete forgiveness eventually took place – first in my mind (by decision) and later in my heart (by emotion).  Ahhhh – forgiveness is one of God’s greatest gifts; I know because I’m forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15)!  God is good.  Mr. Steve
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