Hello Holland First Family, It’s going to be a wonderful weekend at Holland First… *Saturday, Dec. 22nd very IMPORTANT Christmas rehearsal (just for kids K-5th ), they’ll be practicing their Christmas songs from 10am-Noon. *Sunday morning at our 10am service we will go into week 4 of Advent (JOY) plus have the kid’s Christmas program! Pastor Mike Houser will continue in his series, “Beyond All Expectations…CHRISTmas” *We also have Life Groups on Sunday. Radiant Youth’s life group will meet after service and go until 2pm. Every student should bring $3 for pizza and pop AND a White Elephant gift for the gift exchange! No need to purchase anything just have them grab something hilarious from home. *Offices will be CLOSED Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24th and 25th Have a BLESSED time with family. *Don’t forget to join your Holland First Family on Monday, December 24th at 4pm for our Christmas Eve service. Candlelight and Communion. Pastor Mike Houser will share a message entitled, “This Changes Everything!” www.hollandfirst.com

New Winter Electives begin Dec. 5th at 7p.m.

Hello Holland First Family, We begin our new “Winter” electives tonight at 7p.m. • There will be a men’s class taught by Pastor Mike Houser in the Prayer Room. It is a book study by Chip Ingram, “Living on the Edge.” It’s a daring proposition to live a life without regrets, to discover God’s best, to learn who you are...and who you are not and then live that life with abandon. This is living on the edge. Join this exciting class and turn the routine and mundane into the eternal. • We will also have a Ladies’ class taught by Pearl Garcia in the Sanctuary. She will be doing a book study by Joyce Meyer, “Change Your Words, Change Your Life.” Words are a big deal. They are containers for power, and we have to decide what kind of power we want our words to carry. Join this heart challenging class and increase your level of joy. • Plus ministry for youth and kids with Radiant Youth Ministry for 6th-12th grade with Pastor Chad & Kate Zudweg and Royal Rangers and Mpact girls’ clubs for Prekindergarten – 5th grade. Nursery also available for newborn-2yr old. Hope to see you here tonight!

The Blessing of Suffering

November 28, 2012

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. In 1 Peter 1:6-9, we’re introduced to another blessing—the blessing of suffering for the sake of Christ. There is a lot of confusion about this question of suffering for Christ. There are different types of sufferings in the world. There’s a suffering that is a consequence of our sin. There are sufferings that are the result of Satan’s attack. There are sufferings that are the result of other people’s stupidity. And there’s suffering just because we live in this fallen, sinful world. None of these are what Peter is talking about here. Peter is speaking about suffering as a direct result of your obedience and commitment to following Jesus as Lord in your life. If you lose your job or you’re passed by in a promotion or if you lose a business deal simply because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are suffering for Christ, and Christ will reward you for that. But if you lose your job simply because you are lazy or incompetent, that’s not because of your faith. That’s not suffering for Jesus. If people call you names and they drag your reputation in the mud because you are a follower of Jesus Christ, that is suffering for Jesus Christ and He will bless you through it. When you are allowed to go through suffering that is specifically directed at you because of your unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, God will use that suffering to bless your life in ways you can never understand otherwise. God will use that suffering to refine your life like precious metal. If and when the time of suffering comes, we will be able to count it a blessing to suffer for Christ. Peter said these times of sufferings are “for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6). But in the midst of those times you will experience joy beyond human comprehension. Prayer: God, thank You that when we suffer because of You, we are promised that You will bless us through it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).

News & Notes

Hello Holland First Family, Here are some reminders for this HOLIDAY week and next week….  *NO Wednesday classes tonight in light of Thanksgiving. Classes will resume Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm *Offices will be CLOSED Thursday and there will be NO men’s fellowship at Rich Hardenburgh’s house. Happy Gobble, Gobble Day! *On Sunday, Pastor Mike will finish out his series “The Mount” with a message entitled, “Build On The Rock” *Sunday is also Life Group Sunday. Note: Kris and Lisa Horton’s Life Group will not be meeting. Continue the journey through Soul Detox on Sunday, December 9th at their home from 1-3pm. *Help NEEDED with “Hanging of the Greens.” Come out and help decorate the church for CHRISTmas Mon-Wed, Nov. 26th-28th from 8am-3pm or 6-9pm. *WeR3 couples movie night Friday, November 30th at 7pm. Bring a snack and beverage to share. Childcare is provided! *Don’t forget to grab a tag from the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the narthex. Purchase a gift and return it unwrapped by Sunday, December 16th!!! Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving!

Great devotional by Dr. Michael Youssef

Reflecting vs. Correcting the Culture By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

When we look at the life of Samson, we find him to be the reflection of his culture and society of the day. If there’s one verse that summarizes the entire book of Judges, it is Judges 21:25 “. . . everyone did as he saw fit.” Samson represented that attitude. When I think of Samson and how he became a reflection rather than a correction of his culture, I think of how many Christian leaders today are reflecting the culture instead of correcting it. We have become a reflection of the culture instead of standing up against the culture. Israel continued in a downward direction, so much so that even God’s men became part of the sin. Let me summarize Judges 13: Israel’s heart had become so hardened, to the point where they were occupied by and harassed by the Philistines, but they did not cry to God for deliverance. Beloved, that is what you call the bottom of the barrel—when you are seeing all of the pain and suffering of sin and oppression, but you cease to cry to God. Prayer: God, I pray that I would not be a reflection of the culture, but rather, would correct the culture by standing up for Your Truth. Help me to always be humble before You and to be aware of my desperate need for You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them” (Matthew 13:15).

Power devotional from David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson Today THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 THE IMPOSSIBLE MISSION by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011] "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Christ said, "I came into this world for one reason — to reach and save lost souls." Yet this was not only the mission of Jesus, He made it our mission also: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Jesus was speaking here to a small band of believers, about 120 people who had gathered in the upper room. And what an impossible task He laid before them! "Go to foreign nations, live with the people and study their languages. Lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, proclaim the good news. Go to the very seat of Satan and preach the power and victory of the risen Savior." We must realize that Jesus was talking to ordinary, insignificant, uneducated men and women. He was placing the very future of His Church on their shoulders. They must have been overwhelmed. Can you imagine the conversation that must have taken place once their Master ascended to heaven? "Did I hear Him right? How could we start a worldwide revolution? We're penniless and the Romans are beating and killing us. If we are treated this way here in Jerusalem, how will we be treated when we witness and preach in Rome?” Another might have said, "How does our Lord expect us to go into all the world with the gospel when we don't even have enough money to go to Jericho? How are we to learn languages when we haven't been educated? This is all impossible." It was indeed an impossible mission. Yet our challenge today is just as daunting! If all who read this message would allow the Holy Spirit to make this word real to them — to seek Him for His burden and guidance — there is no telling what kind of harvest the Spirit might reap. The truth is, the greatest works for eternity are done not in mass crusades, but with one saint reaching one lost soul.

Holland First News!!!!

Hello Holland First Family, Here are some reminders as we head into the weekend… *Men’s Lunch tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 20th) at Buffalo Wild Wings – Noon *Corporate Prayer in the sanctuary Saturday at 7pm *This Sunday is Missions Convention! At 10am we have Tim and Joyce Jarvis missionaries to Tanzania and at 6pm Bob and Bette Sue MacIsaac, missionaries to Lithuania. Plus in the evening we have Food from Around the World. Take a tour of different countries sponsored by our Life Groups and get a taste of some of their food. Hope to see you soon!

October 14th at 10a.m. "Come on In...it's open!" Message from Pastor Mike Houser in his current series, "The Mount"

Becoming a Giant with God

by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011] “Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). You must consider your daily appointments with God more sacred and important than appointments with any other people — no matter who they are. How embarrassing it must be for heaven to see the way we Christians fail to highly regard the majesty of our God, the King of Glory. We are often flippant in the way we keep Him waiting. And at the drop of a hat, we will suddenly cancel plans to meet with Him in His courts, all for the most trifling thing! Can you imagine someone keeping the Creator of the universe waiting while he lingers to view his favorite TV program? Yet that is what many of us do! Even worse, we often do not bother to show up in God's presence at all. It is not that we forget our appointment with Him but we willfully refuse to appear before Him! Isaiah lamented, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3). When I allow interruptions to come between me and my appointments with the Lord, I am hiding my face from Him and not appreciating Him as I should. The truth is, it is impossible to waste time when you are seeking God in prayer. Furthermore, outside the secret closet, the praying man or woman accomplishes more in less time, with less hurry and less effort and sweat. The most effective work for God we will ever do is on our knees. While the prayerless run helter skelter, to and fro, attempting great things, the praying Christian is hard at work moving kingdoms, shattering strongholds, doing great things and, in the process, becoming a giant with God.

Welcome our new Youth Pastors- Pastor Chad and Kate Zudweg Their first Sunday will be Sunday, September 16th, but he will begin at Holland First on Monday, Sept. 10th. Welcome Pastor Chad and Kate. Glad to have you at Holland First. Also, they have an adorable little girl named Sophia!

Pastor David & Shirley Krist here Sunday, Aug. 19th at 10a.m.

Don't miss this wonderful and historic day. Pastor Krist will be ministering in the 10a.m. service and then after the service we will all head outside for the dedication of our Holland First cornerstone at the center island. Pastor Krist and a team of men built the original Holland First church on Clover Street and he had the cornerstone erected there. Now it has been brought to our present facility and he will be dedicating it once again to the Lord at its new permanent place. Then come back at 6p.m. for our evening service for a time in the Word, followed by S.N.A.C. Night (Sunday Night After Church). This week it's a potluck fellowship. Simply bring a dish to pass and everything else is provided. See you Sunday! Pastor Mike Houser Senior Pastor www.hollandfirst.com "Loving God, Lovin

g People"

What's Your Jericho?

Come this Sunday, July 29th @ 10a.m. and receive your breakthrough. God has given me a powerful message that any Jericho in your life must fall! I hope to see you this Sunday @ Holland First. You'll be glad you came in Jesus name!!!!!

Holy Spirit Conference coming to Holland First

Tim and Rochelle Enloe August 10-11 @ 7p.m. August 12 @ 10a.m.

Blessed Nation by Wisdom Hunters Ministries

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 God blesses a nation because of its prayers, not its power. He blesses a nation because of its character, not its commerce. He blesses a nation because of its trust in Him, not its advanced technology. God blesses a nation because of its fear of the Lord, not its fear of man. God blesses a nation who loves God and expresses that love in caring for the impoverished and diseased. God blesses a nation because of His church, not the size of that nation’s economy. Prosperity may be the result of a God-fearing nation, but it is not the cause. People believe in God when they get enough of themselves and realize there has to be more to this life than simply meeting their every need. God blesses a nation when individuals gather corporately in vibrant Christian worship; the church is God’s means to awaken a nation. Nations who try to control the church lose God’s blessing. God’s blessing cannot be governed. Every time government intercedes to manage faith, the faithful become more marginalized. Countries that restrict church competition and rely on a state-church monopoly miss the mark. The church is meant to be released to restore the ravished character of culture. Christians are “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-14) in the midst of decayed and darkened nations. When believers gather together in a bond of love they create a thirst for righteousness and shed light on the ways of the Lord. Wise nations encourage competition among churches. Freedom of religion feeds faithfulness in God. God expects His church to grow and engage with the culture. This is how He changes a nation. When countries have church choices, they can compare and choose what is best for their families. A church that drifts into irrelevance and isolation is of little concern to Satan. He wants religion to come across as ambiguous and antiquated. Churches that are alive and well serve a mighty and compassionate Christ. These types of trusting institutions make a difference in their communities. A church that is alive and growing becomes a catalyst for good things. Indeed, God blesses nations where the church is allowed to compete. Stewardship trumps entitlement. Sick churches are not kept alive by outside funding. They either change or close. God blesses nations when His bride’s worship is alive, engaging, and relevant. Therefore, avoid churches where membership is just a status symbol. Attend church where God is loved and feared, and worship where you see the Lord high and lifted up. Soak up the teachings of the Bible that transforms your life. Band together with a group of believers who are disciples and who disciple others in the faith. Choose a body of believers where the character lessons you teach your children at home converge with their small group lessons on Sunday. If church is not working for you, then pray to find one that works best in this season of life. God blesses nations who humbly seek Him. “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Incredible devotional about Afflictions

David Wilkerson Today WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012 GOD IS MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN YOU! by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011] When a parent sends a child to college, it requires a great investment. Obviously that parent hopes his child will apply herself to the rigors of her training. Why? Does he hope she will graduate, come home, hang her diploma on the wall, then sit around the house watching television? No! That parent hopes his child will make his investment pay off by starting a good career. Likewise, when the U.S. military offers a free education to an enlisted soldier, those years of education are considered an investment. The soldier is told, "After you're educated, your nation and government want a certain amount of your time." That trained soldier is expected to serve in the armed forces for a number of years in order to justify the investment. So it is with the Lord and our afflictions. Everything you go through as a Christian is a training exercise behind which God has a divine purpose. He did not save you so that you could cruise into paradise on a luxury liner; He saved you to prepare you to be of use in His kingdom. The moment you were born again, He enrolled you in His school of suffering. And every affliction, every trial, is another lesson in the curriculum. Some Christians are in kindergarten. Their afflictions are not difficult to understand and their tests are much easier to endure. Others are in grade school, and they quickly learn that their tests have become a little tougher to face and harder to understand. Others are in college, and their afflictions are much more severe and more difficult to figure out. Still others are in postgraduate school, with years of hard afflictions behind them and many difficult tests looming before them. Their afflictions are the toughest of their lives, and they realize they need Holy Ghost strength to deal with them all. My point is, God wants veterans of spiritual warfare — people who have been through many afflictions — to prove His faithfulness to the next generation. And every affliction we endure is an investment He is making in us as His veterans. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

Newcomer lunch, Sunday, June 3rd (Noon)

If you have been coming to Holland First for 6 months or less we want to invite you to a free lunch in your honor. It will take place this Sunday, June 3rd right after the morning service. The luncheon will be in the youth room upstairs. Come and meet our leadership team.

HARD PRESSED!!!!

Perhaps like Paul, you are being pressed beyond measure, tested beyond your endurance. Your strength is nearly gone, and you are on the brink of giving up. You want to run, but there is no place to go. Now you say with Paul, "This is above my strength!" So, what is the way to victory? All I can tell you is how God continues to bring me out. Here are two important truths He has given me: 1. Don't think you are experiencing some strange, unique battle. On the contrary, you are in good company. Recall Job, Jeremiah, Elijah, David, Paul — even me. What you are going through is common to believers throughout the centuries. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13). 2. When you think you can't go on another hour — when everything looks absolutely hopeless — cry out to God with all that is in you, "Lord, help!" Consider the counsel of the psalmist in the following verses: * "As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me" (Psalm 55:16-18). * "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. . . . In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears" (18:1-2, 6). * "O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit" (30:2-3). Here is a key verse: "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper" (72:12). Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to be your helper and He will not turn a deaf ear to your cry for help!

Special Mother's Day service this Sunday at 10a.m.

Be sure to be at Holland First this Sunday at 10a.m. for a wonderful Mother's Day service. We have some exciting things planned. BRING YOUR MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are not already in Mike & Rose Rodriguez's Wednesday night class, Pastor Mike Houser would like to invite you to the 2nd half of his Men's class that meets in the prayer room. "Fathered by God" wrapped up this past Wednesday so Pastor Mike will be ministering on different subjects pertinent for men for the entire month of May! Tomorrow's class (May 2nd) will include a video about Tim Tebow; quarter back for the New York Jets and recipient of the Heisman Trophy. He also has been named greatest collegiant of all time. So come out and be a part of this exciting men's class. And bring the family!!! There is Wednesday ministry for everyone. www.hollandfirst.com

Powerful devotional from David Wilkerson Ministires

David Wilkerson Today

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

TRUE GRACE
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

Let me give you the heart of the true grace message: It is not a permissive
gospel but one that teaches holiness!

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus
Christ" (Titus 2:11-13).

According to Paul, we are not walking in grace until we have broken from
worldly corruptions. Unless we are endeavoring through the power of the Holy
Spirit to lead godly and righteous lives, looking for the Lord's coming in our
every waking moment, we do not know God's grace.

Many Christians want forgiveness, but that is all. They do not want to be
delivered from this present world, because they love it. They are attached to
their sins, not wanting to give up the pleasures of this earth. So they cling
to a doctrine that says, "I can live as I please — as long as I say that I
believe."

They do not want to hear about obedience, repentance, self- denial, picking up
their cross, taking on the yoke or burden of Christ. They simply want to be
excused on Judgment Day — to have all their iniquities overlooked. They
expect Jesus to open up the pearly gates, put His arms around them, and lead
them down a golden street to their reserved mansion, even though they have
never broken from the spirit of this world!

Paul writes, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). We are to break from this world completely
and be conformed to Christ alone!

Jesus justifies us through faith for a purpose: It is to embolden and empower
us to resist the devil and overcome the world.
"[Jesus Christ] gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians
1:4).

Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday info

Join us for our Good Friday service at 6p.m. and our Resurrection Service on Easter morning at 10a.m.

www.hollandfirst.com

Attention Holland First Family!!!!

Men's Breakfast this Saturday, March 31st at 8a.m. at the church with special guest, Pastor Glenn Smith with Pathway to Joy Ministries. Then at 11a.m. the ladies will have a brunch at the church with Donna Smith. Then on Sunday, April 1st at 10a.m. Pastor Glenn and Donna Smith will be ministering. Don't miss this exciting weekend of ministry!
www.hollandfirst.com for more details!!!

Spring Classes begin Wednesday, March 7th!!!

Spring Electives start tonight at 7p.m.!!! Come out for ministry for the entire family!!!
• Men's Class: Fathered by God. Taughty by Pastor Mike Houser in the prayer room
• Ladies' Class: David, Seeking a Heart Like His. Taught by Pearl Garcia in the sanctuary
• Co-Ed Class: The Transformed Life. Taught by Mike and Rose Rodriguez upstairs in room 218
• Plus Soul Purpose Youth group with Pastor Mike and Christina Kelley for youth grades 6th-12th
• And SPLASH Zone for kids newborn - 5th grade

Newcomer Lunch this Sunday, Feb. 19th after church

Hello Holland First,

This Sunday, Feb. 19th we have a newcomer luncheon for all those that have been coming to Holland First 6 months or less. It will take place right after church upstairs in the youth room. You don't have to bring a thing. It's our treat.

Hope to see you SONday!!!!!!!!!

Pastor Mike Houser
Senior Pastor

Visit us online at www.hollandfirst.com

LEARNING THROUGH AFFLICTIONS! by David Wilkerson

The psalmist writes, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may
learn Your statutes" (Psalm 119:71). You may wonder, as I have, “What kind of
theology is this? Is it actually good to be afflicted?”

The Hebrew word for affliction here means "abased, chastened, defiled, hurt,
humbled, weakened, depressed." When you put this meaning into the verse,
suddenly it reads: "It is good for me to have been chastened, humbled,
weakened, depressed—so that I could learn the Lord’s statutes." The word
statute means "engraved law." The psalmist is saying, "It is good that I went
through these troubles because in the process, God was engraving His laws and
ways in my heart."

The Lord allows trials to come our way to test us, but that is not His primary
purpose. Rather, our afflictions are to teach us to walk rightly before Him.
The Bible says: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous . . ." (Psalm
34:19). According to the psalmist, the point of all our afflictions is for us
to learn from them.

One of our missionary couples wrote about the situation in the African nation
where they are working. One of the poorest on earth, its situation has been
worsened by the long, bloody civil war there. The missionaries recently drove
to this desperate country in a truck with a group of Christians from a
neighboring country. They were delivering a load of supplies and were scheduled
to attend a meeting that night across the border. About five miles from the
border, their truck started slowing down. The driver floored the pedal, but the
truck’s speed kept dropping. The team was dejected as they watched the car in
front of them pull away into the distance.

Finally, the team arrived at the border and instantly the truck’s engine died
and simply would not move. Everyone on the team wondered, "Lord, what is going
on?" Suddenly, the border guards started racing about, shouting excitedly,
"There was an explosion across the border not far from here! One of the warring
factions blew up a car that had just driven in." The missions team realized the
car that had been attacked was the one directly in front of them. If the
missions truck had been running properly, they also would have been attacked.

The next morning, the driver from the missions team turned the key in the
ignition—and the truck started right up. In fact, it ran fine all the rest of
the trip. They recognized that God’s purposes had been accomplished through
this seemingly troublesome circumstance.

Sunday, Feb. 5th at Holland First

Join us Sunday at Holland First at 10a.m. and 6p.m. At 10a.m. Pastor Mike Houser be continuing his series which I began last Sunday entitled, "A Mighty Church Awakening", with a part two message entitled, "The Danger of Becoming a Professional Church." Also, come back at 6p.m. for a great time of food and fellowship as we watch the Giants vs. Patriots on the Big Screen. (www.hollandfirst.com)