Recently in this new season of my life I have become more burdened than ever before for the souls of men and women. I realize that there are many who are praying for my healing and daily sustenance and for that I am humbled beyond words. My heart though, aches deeply for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Recently, while reading Romans I came across Romans 1:21 “for although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened.” It is clear the wisdom of this world would declare that we are more educated, enlightened and enjoying the best time in history, but the word is clear that if we do not honor, praise and prize God as Preeminent Lord of our lives, that we are truly living as lost men and women, with a knowledge of God but not a relationship with Him as Sovereign Lord. So much of Europe with all their castles speak to the age of kings and castles. There is no question that in those days the king’s word was law and his seal was the authority of his word. There can be no in between or half in and half out, either Jesus is King and Lord or He is not. As I was praying for a dear friend the other day the Lord put a man on my heart who is at our gym, who knows God but has not honored Him as Lord. He is not his Savior and Lord. The Spirit of God led me to pray these words, “Lord, before my healing please save this man at the gym.” Immediately, it became clear that we needed to invite him to lunch to share God’s goodness and grace with him. He has accepted our invitation and we are looking forward to the opportunity of sharing the gospel with him. We are each surrounded daily by people who are lost and will one day be separated from God forever. My prayer is that everyone who reads this blog and prays for me will put as their first priority, to be used by God to pray for and share the good news with those who do not know Jesus as Lord. What the enemy intended for evil, God can use for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Please send me messages of witnessing opportunities the Lord is giving you because of your asking Him to put in your path those who need Him as Lord. In addition I would be honored to pray for people on your heart who need Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. If you will send me their names, our BridgeBuilders prayer ministry will join me in praying for their salvation. It is my joy to know that this cancer can be used to advance the gospel and the gift of eternal life.
Medically, we went to Dr. Konduri today to get the results of our latest C.T. scan. Our last scan was done in October. The scan shows that the bottom tumor in my right lung is basically nondescript or no longer a tumor. The upper tumor has reduced in size another 20%. This means that from the beginning of our treatment this tumor has shrunk 90%. We give God all the praise for this recent report. The Tarceva will typically work like this for 12-16 months and then the cancer comes back stronger. We praise God for our treatment in Germany that is boosting my immune system through my own blood and additives that we will be taking for the next 6 months. It is our prayer that God will use the blood to bring complete healing. We believe God is able and we commit more than ever to share His good news of His love and healing to anyone who will listen. We are humbled by the gift of your love and prayers. Remember – Salvation first. When you are led to pray for me, ask the Holy Spirit to put someone on your heart who needs the Lord and let us, together, see a harvest of souls that will join us in the work of God and experience the gift of eternal life. You are a blessing.
Mike- Praying for you,your family and bridgebuilders, faithfully. Thank you for the prayers for the unsaved. Please pray for my son-in-law, Sam Johnson’s salvation. Also, he returned to Germany from Iraq in November and has been suffering from PTSD and injuries to his back and legs which he will undergo surgery for in the next few months. God bless you as you continuously bless so many.
Love you brother.
Miss Gina
Mark 9:23
Dear Mike,
For quite sometime, I have been ministering to Bryan Hughes who is currently studying to be a chiropractor here in Dallas. Bryan is a member of Gold’s and I have known him for almost two years.
Bryan has struggled with the idea of his girlfriend moving in with him. Both his brother, who is a youth pastor at NW Bible Church, and I have shared with him God’s word about the subject. Upon many instances Bryan has become rebellious over the issue only to see God’s discipinary love manifest itself in his life.
Bryan was to be with us this coming Sunday; however, God has lead him to live in accordance to “His” word. Because of such, Bryan will ask his intended, Jennifer, to become his wife this weekend in the home of their parents in Oklahoma City.
When Bryan told his brother and I we were both elated that he has elected to live the scriptures of Christ and not the writings of man.
At this point, we both have talked to Bryan and Jennifer about living in one accord in Christ as husband and wife. Since neither of the happy couple has ever made a decision to accept Christ. We now pray that this occurence will bear fruition for only in God’s time will such occur.
We praise God for all the wonderful works that has touched this young man and his fiance and pray that God touches both of these individuals into the Holy Womb of matrimony through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Beautiful stories such as this begins with “Earthly Angels”. It is we as God’s people to lead the lost through prayerful works, nourish the lost through prayerful sustinance, and mostly urge the lost to become saved through the miracle working blood of Christ!
Until Sunday, Glory to God!
Submitted with a humbled heart,
Jim Whitfill
Salvation first. That’s really what we are here for… to be saved so that our eternal life can begin. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Mike. Your selfless, outward look at your circumstances encourages, motivates and drives us to move “onward toward the goal.” Praying for complete healing for His glory. We believe! The Clarks
As my very first Sunday School teacher at Prestonwood many years ago at the old facility, you and your family hold a very special and dear place in my heart. I read you bolg and pray for you and your family. Since you have asked, I request that you pray for my son’s father ( my exhusband ) and his entire family. When he walked away from our marriage and family 16 years ago, he walked away from the church. He and his new wife say they know God, but thier walk speaks otherwise. His parents say they know Christ, but their walk shows otherwise. I was hopeful for the past few years that the walk had turned, but with the passing of our son Ted this past summer, it’s as if they really have closed the door on Christ. There is so much anger and revenge, that is really saddens me. Thank you Mike, for taking the time with all you are going through to pray for others. God is with you and walking with you and your family at this time. My verse has always be Romans 8:28 and continues to be so even though I have had to bury my 20 year son. Love to you and your family
Sam Foster
Mike, I had the privilege of teaching a Bible class at Lackland Air Force Base. I taught the class three times(to a total of about 230 airmen) this morning and had 9 professions of faith – God’s word is quick and powerful! Then I had the double portion blessing of going to the Alamo to pass out tracts and witness with some members of my church and residents and volunteers from the ministry at Wheatley Courts. Although it was cold and fewer people were at he Alamo I reminded one of my children that someone will die today so we must be urgent with the Gospel. So even though it was cold we must be faithful to declare the excellencies of our Glorious King of Kings. The word does say that we are to endure hardship as a good soldier…sad to say I have endured more hardship as an earthly soldier than a Kingdom soldier. May we press on by His grace and the power of His Spirit.
Mike,
I am so happy to hear that you are doing better and you are such an inspiration to me!
Mike,
Basking in God faithfulness and answered prayers. Prayer continues to go up until it is completely gone.
Class was amazing yesterday, we clung to your every word.
We love and adore you,
Joy and James
I just wanted to say happy birthday. You really mean the world to me.
Mike,
So glad to hear of your results. It’s like Paul said, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
As I pray each morning, asking God to send me on a miracle mission, I will also ask that He put in my path those who don’t know the Lord so that I can witness to them.
This comment is not quite so spiritual but, there is a man who is running for congress in Eddie Bernice Johnson’s district which I think encompasses Turner Courts. Stephen Broden is the pastor of Fair Park Bible Fellowship. Don’t know if you know of him or not but I met him back in August at a tea party. His website is http://www.BrodenforCongress.com. He was actually arrested for praying at the White House (?). Anyway, I know the Bible teaches about being politically involved when you have a personal issue and I thought you might know some folks who may want to help him in his campaign.
Pray for us as we go on the Jr Hi Mission Trip next week end that we can impact not only the people we minister to but also the kids on the trip. Hopefully they will learn to share Christ with the people around them that have no hope!
Glad you’re back!
Joanie Rutherford
Hey dad. I just want to give God praise for what HE is doing in this world, and in our community. And you know with you also. I just want to Pray for Anthony and Charleston Reese in the Machine Shop class. They are my cousins and we talk and God want to work through them. Pray they make themselves avalible to hear and be used by God. I Love you and thank God for YOU!
Mike:
You make me feel so unworthy. I can never be as good a follower of Jesus as you are. Just not good enough.
We pray for you and the Bible class we attend at St Andrew is praying for your healing. Praise God for allowing Olivia and I to have been touched by your faith.
I can’t go on … Love you Mike.
Mike,
My husband Doug and I sang in the church choir and were baptized together at Prestonwood over 20 years ago.
We moved to Virginia in 1996. Last year we were able to visit the new facility on a trip back to Dallas. It was amazing.
This morning for some reason I went to Prestonwood’s website to see what was “going on” and saw that you will be honored with the Zig Ziglar service award. I thought: “I know Mike!” and another quick search brought me to this blog.
I am so moved by your posts and your humble spirit. Thank you for sharing your journey in this way. It has touched me deeply and made me want to get on my knees in a way that I haven’t felt in many months. I had some disfiguring facial surgery for skin cancer this past year and am still healing from it. So often I feel sorry for myself, but you have shown me how to take the focus off of my own issues and put it where it belongs.
Thank you.
Sara James
A person that I casually new 7 years ago, I saw recently 2 times in the past several months at the grocery store. We stopped and talked each time after which he extended an invitation to come to his house, which is just a few blocks from where I live. I accepted his invitation and we are going to have lunch soon.
Pray that he will have an open heart for the gospel. I truly believe that he was put in my path.
Hi Mike, I am praying for your healing. It seems it is true of Christians that we all must take up our cross ,and though we are not promised an easy path, we ARE promised Jesus is always with us and will never forsake us, regardless of the hardship of our trials..I have come to know of your ministry through an ex-prisoner Ricky McFan, who took part in your Optical Training course, when he was first released from prison 18 months ago. Unfortunately he could not be placed in that work after training and until recently has been employed in tele-marketing..Could you and your members please pray for him..He has been laid off his job because of the poor economy, and I don;t know how he is coping, or even if he has a home to stay at.Last time I spoke with him was 2 weeks ago,and he had no government support, and no money…please pray for his circumstances, that he will find work..He is a strong Christian(his daddy was a Pastor) but iI know he needs Christian fellowship,and as with many ex-prisoners, he is a very private person ,and won’t ask for help..so I am asking for him..please keep Ricky in your prayers, God bless you all.. Anne