I decided to move my blog to a website. Type tmichaelwilkes.com in your address bar or click the title of this post to get there.
mw
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Behind The Scenes
A few days ago my oldest daughter was talking about what she wants to be when she grows up with her Nanna (grandmother). She ultimately decided she wants to catch bugs for a living. She learned that entymologists study bugs but decided she didn't want to study them, she just wants to catch them. This decision came after she decided she no longer wanted to make movies. She said, "I really want to make movies when I grow up, but that might take too long. When we made that little movie with daddy it took a looong time." Then she learned that real movies can take up to a year to make before they are released. So, she said she couldn't do that.
We watch movies but rarely think about all the hard work that goes into making that 2 hours of video. There are hundreds of specialists spending thousands of hours doing what they do best. Most of them are never seen in their work but their skill adds to the quality of what is seen.
I thought about this as I read Hebrews 1 this morning. The chapter is about the superiority of Christ over all created beings. The last verse reminded me of something that brought my heart to worship our Triune God for the awesome way he works in my life and yours.
Speaking of the role of the subordinate role of angels the author says:
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
So, the picture is that like all the specialists working behind the scenes to make a movie great, God has commissioned angels to work in the unseen realm in our lives. Their focus is ultimately to help us realize the fullness of the power and presence of Christ. It is a mind-blowing thing to try to understand what is going on that we cannot see. Remember Elisha and the chariots of fire in 2 Kings 6. Elisha prayed that he servant's eyes would be opened to what was going on behind the scenes. They were and he was amazed. God opened the eyes of my mind today and reminded me that he has created and commissioned angels to serve and fight for us to know the salvation of God in Christ. I don't know what they are up to at this moment but I know they are sent by God for you and me. When you feel like nothing is happening or things just aren't going well. Remember God's got this and his specialist are working diligently behind the scenes to display the glory of God through your life to all who will watch it.
We watch movies but rarely think about all the hard work that goes into making that 2 hours of video. There are hundreds of specialists spending thousands of hours doing what they do best. Most of them are never seen in their work but their skill adds to the quality of what is seen.
I thought about this as I read Hebrews 1 this morning. The chapter is about the superiority of Christ over all created beings. The last verse reminded me of something that brought my heart to worship our Triune God for the awesome way he works in my life and yours.
Speaking of the role of the subordinate role of angels the author says:
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
So, the picture is that like all the specialists working behind the scenes to make a movie great, God has commissioned angels to work in the unseen realm in our lives. Their focus is ultimately to help us realize the fullness of the power and presence of Christ. It is a mind-blowing thing to try to understand what is going on that we cannot see. Remember Elisha and the chariots of fire in 2 Kings 6. Elisha prayed that he servant's eyes would be opened to what was going on behind the scenes. They were and he was amazed. God opened the eyes of my mind today and reminded me that he has created and commissioned angels to serve and fight for us to know the salvation of God in Christ. I don't know what they are up to at this moment but I know they are sent by God for you and me. When you feel like nothing is happening or things just aren't going well. Remember God's got this and his specialist are working diligently behind the scenes to display the glory of God through your life to all who will watch it.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
I'm gonna miss my NCBC family
October 9, 2011
My Dear Family of New Covenant Baptist Church,
On September 9th I received a letter from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Wake Forest, North Carolina stating that I have been accepted to the Doctor of Philosophy program in Applied Theology.
This means Melissa and the girls and I will be moving. This move is something God has put on our hearts and confirmed in many ways over the past few months. We also believe that God has called me to pastor one of His churches. Currently we are waiting on His leadership and trusting that he will bring us to a church that we can love and that will love us as we work together to make disciples.
I would not move my family if God was not leading us. It is no easy thing for me to leave this church family. You have loved me. You have loved Melissa. You have loved our family. 12 years ago, it was through the ministry of New Covenant that I came to know the Lord Jesus as my savior. It was by members and ministers here at New Covenant that immediately I began to be discipled. On December 31, 2000 I was baptized at New Covenant. It was here, as a senior in high school, after preaching my first sermon (which was to the youth group), that I met the woman of my dreams.
It was you who helped counsel Melissa and me as we moved into marriage. You have celebrated with us as each of our four beautiful daughters was born. You have watched them grow with us and helped us understand what biblical parenting and a godly home looks like. It is here at New Covenant that I was trained for ministry, and ordained.
The summers of 2000 and 2001 I served here as an intern, as did Melissa in 2001 (we were not allowed to date then, so we weren’t technically, we just got married the following summer). In 2003 I started serving part time as high school youth pastor while in college. In 2004 I joined the pastoral staff officially. We have shared our lives with you, but we want you to know that you have shared SO much more with us. You are our family and you always will be.
I can remember so clearly when over 7 years ago, I had graduated college and had been serving as the part-time youth pastor here at New Covenant Baptist Church. It was time for me to take the job I had been preparing for as a Software Engineer. I went to the office for one day and knew in my heart that I was not free to take the job. I knew I would serve the Lord wherever he placed me, but I was reluctant to say that I was “called to ministry.” There was no clarity of a calling, just a burden to serve.
I came to the elders and they were gracious and gave me the opportunity to serve as the youth pastor and an associate to Bro. Keith. As I have served over the years along side you all, I have had the opportunity by God’s grace to make a difference in many of your lives while you have greatly impacted mine. Some of you have heard from the Lord as I have shared his Word with you. Some of you have spent many hours working through Bible studies with me in my home, here in my study, and around town. I have counseled with some of you and tried to help by seeking God’s will and God’s presence with you through tough circumstances. We have been to many camps, retreats, conferences and mission trips together. We have partied together, we have prayed together, we have worked together, we have grown together.
I hope, by God’s grace, this season has been a blessing to you church family. It has been to Melissa and me. Because of all that we have been through over the years we have learned and grown a great deal. We want to express our deepest and most sincere Thank You to you. Thank you for bringing us in. Thank you for investing in us. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve here. Thank you for supporting us. Some of you gave sacrificially to help us financially over the years for different needs—not the least of which was to get through Seminary in New Orleans. Because of your help, I know with certainty that God has called me to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2), and to mobilize the members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Now, I hope that you will send us out. We are still co-laborers with you in the Kingdom. In this new direction that God has given us what weighs heavily on my heart is that we will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and honor you New Covenant. We want your investment in us over these past 12 years to matter and to multiply.
So, in a couple of weeks we begin a new journey. We will not be here but you will be with us in our hearts and in our work. We are sad and we are happy. Please pray for us. There are things for us to finish up here and doors that still need opening in North Carolina. We will always look forward to the opportunities that God gives us to come home and enjoy the sweet fellowship of our family at New Covenant. And we are excited to see the great things that God has ahead for New Covenant as you serve Denham Springs the gospel.
In Christ, For Christ,
Michael, Melissa, Laney, Allie, Kierstyn, and Sophia Wilkes
My Dear Family of New Covenant Baptist Church,
On September 9th I received a letter from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Wake Forest, North Carolina stating that I have been accepted to the Doctor of Philosophy program in Applied Theology.
This means Melissa and the girls and I will be moving. This move is something God has put on our hearts and confirmed in many ways over the past few months. We also believe that God has called me to pastor one of His churches. Currently we are waiting on His leadership and trusting that he will bring us to a church that we can love and that will love us as we work together to make disciples.
I would not move my family if God was not leading us. It is no easy thing for me to leave this church family. You have loved me. You have loved Melissa. You have loved our family. 12 years ago, it was through the ministry of New Covenant that I came to know the Lord Jesus as my savior. It was by members and ministers here at New Covenant that immediately I began to be discipled. On December 31, 2000 I was baptized at New Covenant. It was here, as a senior in high school, after preaching my first sermon (which was to the youth group), that I met the woman of my dreams.
It was you who helped counsel Melissa and me as we moved into marriage. You have celebrated with us as each of our four beautiful daughters was born. You have watched them grow with us and helped us understand what biblical parenting and a godly home looks like. It is here at New Covenant that I was trained for ministry, and ordained.
The summers of 2000 and 2001 I served here as an intern, as did Melissa in 2001 (we were not allowed to date then, so we weren’t technically, we just got married the following summer). In 2003 I started serving part time as high school youth pastor while in college. In 2004 I joined the pastoral staff officially. We have shared our lives with you, but we want you to know that you have shared SO much more with us. You are our family and you always will be.
I can remember so clearly when over 7 years ago, I had graduated college and had been serving as the part-time youth pastor here at New Covenant Baptist Church. It was time for me to take the job I had been preparing for as a Software Engineer. I went to the office for one day and knew in my heart that I was not free to take the job. I knew I would serve the Lord wherever he placed me, but I was reluctant to say that I was “called to ministry.” There was no clarity of a calling, just a burden to serve.
I came to the elders and they were gracious and gave me the opportunity to serve as the youth pastor and an associate to Bro. Keith. As I have served over the years along side you all, I have had the opportunity by God’s grace to make a difference in many of your lives while you have greatly impacted mine. Some of you have heard from the Lord as I have shared his Word with you. Some of you have spent many hours working through Bible studies with me in my home, here in my study, and around town. I have counseled with some of you and tried to help by seeking God’s will and God’s presence with you through tough circumstances. We have been to many camps, retreats, conferences and mission trips together. We have partied together, we have prayed together, we have worked together, we have grown together.
I hope, by God’s grace, this season has been a blessing to you church family. It has been to Melissa and me. Because of all that we have been through over the years we have learned and grown a great deal. We want to express our deepest and most sincere Thank You to you. Thank you for bringing us in. Thank you for investing in us. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve here. Thank you for supporting us. Some of you gave sacrificially to help us financially over the years for different needs—not the least of which was to get through Seminary in New Orleans. Because of your help, I know with certainty that God has called me to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2), and to mobilize the members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Now, I hope that you will send us out. We are still co-laborers with you in the Kingdom. In this new direction that God has given us what weighs heavily on my heart is that we will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and honor you New Covenant. We want your investment in us over these past 12 years to matter and to multiply.
So, in a couple of weeks we begin a new journey. We will not be here but you will be with us in our hearts and in our work. We are sad and we are happy. Please pray for us. There are things for us to finish up here and doors that still need opening in North Carolina. We will always look forward to the opportunities that God gives us to come home and enjoy the sweet fellowship of our family at New Covenant. And we are excited to see the great things that God has ahead for New Covenant as you serve Denham Springs the gospel.
In Christ, For Christ,
Michael, Melissa, Laney, Allie, Kierstyn, and Sophia Wilkes
Friday, September 23, 2011
Listen to me God...?
I read Psalm 54 this morning and verse two struck a chord in my heart. "O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. Ps 54:2
I know you, like me, have wondered if God hears our prayers at times and what we could do to 'get his attention' or increase the probability that he will hear and act. As I thought about this wrestling of the soul regarding prayer, I remembered what Jesus taught about prayer that will be answered in John 14.
If you or I want to be able to pray effectively, like James speaks of the effective prayers of a righteous man, we must first believe in Jesus. This is belief that sits at the core of our being and shapes our values and everyday behavior. If we believe in Jesus, that he is Lord of the universe--Creator, Sustainer, and the One and Only Savior--then we live with passion for him that is observable to others and a sense of urgency that keeps us focused on his mission. In short, according to these verses, if we believe in him we will do the works he did (and even greater! what a statement, and quite a mystery indeed). What you believe is what you live, the rest is just religious talk.
This faith in Jesus gives us opportunity to have an audience with the Triune God. He answers the prayers that we pray "in his name." This is no magic formula that you can tack on to the end of your prayer in hocus-pocus fashion that guarantees its effectiveness. The key to understanding what Jesus means when he teaches that we must pray "in his name" is found in what he says next: "this I will do that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Prayer in the "name of Jesus" is prayer that is in line with the heart of Jesus. It means to pray God's will, for God's glory, not just to ask God to meet our selfish needs.
God, give us your heart. Teach us to pray effectively in Jesus name. Grant us life-transforming faith so that our lives will reflect you and show hope to the hopeless surrounding us everyday.
I know you, like me, have wondered if God hears our prayers at times and what we could do to 'get his attention' or increase the probability that he will hear and act. As I thought about this wrestling of the soul regarding prayer, I remembered what Jesus taught about prayer that will be answered in John 14.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
If you or I want to be able to pray effectively, like James speaks of the effective prayers of a righteous man, we must first believe in Jesus. This is belief that sits at the core of our being and shapes our values and everyday behavior. If we believe in Jesus, that he is Lord of the universe--Creator, Sustainer, and the One and Only Savior--then we live with passion for him that is observable to others and a sense of urgency that keeps us focused on his mission. In short, according to these verses, if we believe in him we will do the works he did (and even greater! what a statement, and quite a mystery indeed). What you believe is what you live, the rest is just religious talk.
This faith in Jesus gives us opportunity to have an audience with the Triune God. He answers the prayers that we pray "in his name." This is no magic formula that you can tack on to the end of your prayer in hocus-pocus fashion that guarantees its effectiveness. The key to understanding what Jesus means when he teaches that we must pray "in his name" is found in what he says next: "this I will do that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Prayer in the "name of Jesus" is prayer that is in line with the heart of Jesus. It means to pray God's will, for God's glory, not just to ask God to meet our selfish needs.
God, give us your heart. Teach us to pray effectively in Jesus name. Grant us life-transforming faith so that our lives will reflect you and show hope to the hopeless surrounding us everyday.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Nicaragua Mission Trip
Please be in prayer for Melissa and Me. We are with a team from Southside Baptist Church and Mr. Perry Verret in Nicaragua. Our work this week will be to distribute food and Christmas toy packs as well as gospel tracts and Bibles in different villages here. We are staying at the NCO compound (www.nchristo.org) in Diriamba.
Here is our tentative schedule for the week...
12/4/10 ‐ Saturday
Pickup at Airport
Go to Eskimo for late lunch
Go to compound and upload and unpack
12/5/10 ‐ Sunday
Devotional time
Begin organizing toys/gifts
Purchase and deliver beans and rice ‐ May have to purchase on Monday 12/6
12/6/10 ‐ Monday
Devotional time
Organize toys/gifts
Sack beans and rice
Trip to Oriental Market for remainder of needs/Bibles
Pickup Minden group
12/7/10 ‐ Tuesday
Devotional time
Distribution at School
Reset for next day deliveries
12/8/10 ‐ Wednesday
Devotional time
Distribution at Tuestepe and Tipitapa
Reset for next day deliveries
12/9/10 ‐ Thursday
Devotional time
Distribution at La Palmeria
Meeting with BMDMI children ( afternoon/evening )
12/10/10
Devotional time
Delivery to Ms. Connie ( toys )
Free day
Prepare/Pack for departure 12/11
12/11/10 ‐ Saturday
Depart to airport no later than 8:30 am
Here is our tentative schedule for the week...
12/4/10 ‐ Saturday
Pickup at Airport
Go to Eskimo for late lunch
Go to compound and upload and unpack
12/5/10 ‐ Sunday
Devotional time
Begin organizing toys/gifts
Purchase and deliver beans and rice ‐ May have to purchase on Monday 12/6
12/6/10 ‐ Monday
Devotional time
Organize toys/gifts
Sack beans and rice
Trip to Oriental Market for remainder of needs/Bibles
Pickup Minden group
12/7/10 ‐ Tuesday
Devotional time
Distribution at School
Reset for next day deliveries
12/8/10 ‐ Wednesday
Devotional time
Distribution at Tuestepe and Tipitapa
Reset for next day deliveries
12/9/10 ‐ Thursday
Devotional time
Distribution at La Palmeria
Meeting with BMDMI children ( afternoon/evening )
12/10/10
Devotional time
Delivery to Ms. Connie ( toys )
Free day
Prepare/Pack for departure 12/11
12/11/10 ‐ Saturday
Depart to airport no later than 8:30 am
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
In Prayer
O Lord, in prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel disappointments never appears so inconsiderate as then.
In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after Thee with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to Thee. Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem.
In prayer all things here below vanish, and nothing seems important but holiness of heart and the salvation of others.
In prayer all my worldly cares, fears, anxieties disappear, and are of as little significance as a puff of wind.
In prayer my soul inwardly exults with lively thoughts at what Thou art doing for Thy church, and I long that Thou shouldest get Thyself a great name from sinners returning to Zion.
In prayer I am lifted above the frowns and flatteries of life, and taste heavenly joys; entering into the eternal world I can give myself to Thee with all my heart, to be Thine for ever.
In prayer I can place all my concerns in Thy hands, to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.
In prayer I can intercede for my friends, ministers, sinners, the church, Thy kingdom to come, with greatest freedom, ardent hopes, as a son to his father, as a lover to the beloved.
Help me to be all prayer and never to cease praying.
-----------------
I was reflecting this morning on my need for God's Spirit in my life and was led to think about my prayer life. I found great encouragement in the things that Jesus taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and in this writing on prayer from the Valley of Vision. If you do not own this book I encourage you to get a copy. The language forces you to read slowly, but it is worth it.
I was convicted today as I prayed of what I will call the sin of Simon. In Acts 8 Simon say the power of the Spirit working through the Apostles and offered them money (v. 18-19). Peter rebuked him severely. I have never thought of myself as committing this terrible wrong, but today I realized it is the same thing to desire and ask God for the powerful working of his Spirit for self-centered reasons. How foolish we are!
God, make us more concerned about your glory through our lives than our glory. Make us more concerned about your Spirit being grieved than our own grief. Help us truly be led by the Spirit, and not try to just "lead with the Spirit"--it won't work. Take control!
Father, make us most concerned about "holiness of heart and the salvation of others." We get so distracted by the things of this world and the everyday tasks that we must do. Yet, we realize that the tasks you have for us are primarily a means for our sanctification and that others will encounter you through us.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Our New House
What a testimony of God's faithfulness...He led us to sell our house in walker that we built over four years ago. Yesterday we were able to purchase this house in Denham Springs for a great deal! God has led us in this direction and has been good and faithful to provide. Buying this house already allows us to be more free to serve in God's Kingdom. It is a hobby Melissa and I have developed to build and remodel. We are excited about the journey and the opportunities it opens up for us in following Christ. We look forward to beginning the work and moving into the house. Anyone who wants to help do some work...I'd be glad to give you a chance ;-)
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