Calling generations of all nations to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ!
NWBC Student Conference  
Apr 28-29

Forgiveness Breakout at NWBC Student Conference
 
Here's an unfortunate reality: you are going to be hurt by other people.  When you get hurt, you will do something, but what?  Some will do evil for evil, but God says do something else -- something that heals the wound!   This was the description for my Breakout Session titled, "You Hurt Me! Now What?" shared on Friday night and Saturday morning at the NWBC Student Conference on April 28 & 29. 74 students attended the breakout session.  7 expressed brokenness after the session and committed to forgive their "enemy."

When wounded, we can choose to return evil with evil or to love - just like Jesus loved - and forgive, returning evil with good.  The path we choose rests on whether or not we will trust God and love beyond human limits by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness is an act of obedience.  When we are hurt and angry, we choose not to hold onto that anger, not to do evil or seek revenge, not to do "nothing."  Rather, trusting in God, we choose to freely give grace and kindness, and to do good: to be a blessing to and to pray for the one who hurt or offended us.  

Sat. Breakout Session-Forgiveness
But, what is the basis for forgiveness?  Forgiveness is exten ded first on the basis of the cross.  If the person who wounded us is a Christian, his sin is already covered by the blood of Christ.  We forgive on the basis of the work of Christ's death on the cross.  If the person who wounded us is not a Christian, forgiveness is again extended on the basis of the cross as a demonstration of God's love for all sinners, with the hope that it may ultimately lead the lost person to repentance and faith in Christ.  Then, in Christ, his sin, like our own, would be covered by the blood of Jesus.  However, should the lost who wounded us not trust Christ, then we extend forgiveness and do good on the basis of the throne.  We are trusting that on the Day of Judgment God Himself will punish his sin. Upon the basis of the cross and the throne, forgiveness does not minimize or justify sin.  The true evil of sin against us is seen in light of its punishment in the death of Jesus Christ or on the Day of Judgment.
 
You Hurt Me! Now What?  First, ask God to search your heart and reveal if you've returned evil for evil or evil with nothing.  Confess the sin revealed.  Scripture is clear: Leviticus 19:17-18 "'You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD."  Second, trust God and express forgiveness to the person who hurt you.  Choose to freely give grace, kindness, to do good, to be and speak a blessing, and to pray for the one who hurt or offended you.
MOS Skype Connect - Testing for Fall Launch

Over the last couple of months, we have been conducting tests for connecting groups of men remotely to our weekly MOS meetings in Gresham, using Skype for Business. This type of connection allows us to have two-way communication and interaction between groups. Such a relational component is necessary in the discipleship and equipping process. Our friends in Spokane at North Addison Baptist Church have been helping with the tests. Please join us in prayer as we seek the Lord's direction regarding MOS Skype Connect as a possible means to expand the equipping and discipling of more men through MOS. If you have an interest in participating in this project this fall, please contact Mike.

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Debbie and Mike Thibodeaux
Thibodeauxs Celebrate 18 Years of  Marriage  

According to Eph. 5:22-33, marriage is patterned after Christ's relationship to the church and the church's relationship to Christ. As such, it is to be a witness to the Gospel of Christ and should be held in high regard and honor. Nurture it and protect it. Invest in keeping your marriage strong and biblically healthy!
To that end, every year on our anniversary, Debbie and I plan a weekend away; no kids, just the two of us. When I asked Debbie to marry me, I committed then to these romantic escapes. It was then, is now, and will
Jedediah Smith Redwood
State Park
continue to be an investment in our marriage. I strongly encourage married couples not only to schedule regular date nights each month but to schedule an annual weekend away.             

After I led and preached a revival in Rogue River Oregon in March, Debbie and I decided to head there for our annual anniversary getaway. We spent a 4 day weekend there, with a day trip into northern California to see the Coastal Redwoods. We were amazed by these majestic giants. These trees are the tallest in the world.

 
Big tree left is 297ft high;
19ft diameter!

As we drove out toward the redwood trees in Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park on Saturday morning, Debbie shared her morning Psalm with me.
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Pra ise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away. 7   Praise the LORD from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; 8 Fire and
Our 2006 Honda Odyssey is
6 1/2 feet wide 
hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars ; 10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. (Psalm 148:1-13)
   
We joined with all of these voices of creation to praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for our salvation and that of our kids, for 18 years of marriage, for three kids, for Debbie's health, for 16 years of ministry in the great Northwest and so much more!!!!

Don't wait! Husb ands, ask your bride on a date and start planning your weekend away. - Mike 
Upcoming Ministry Events | Our Prayer List
  • Mon - Gresham MOS each Monday - Gresham, OR
     
  • Wed - Open Door MOS each Wednesday - Troutdale, OR
     
  • Thurs - Lake Bible MOS every other Thursday - Lake Oswego, OR
     
  • May 13 - Coulee Baptist Association MOS - Wenatchee & Moses Lake, WA
     
  • May 14 - Quincy Baptist Church, Morning Worship Service - Quincy, WA
  • May 27 - Ukrainian Baptist Convention Student Service - Federal Way, WA
Visit our website for booking info and scheduling Mike to preach or equip at your next ministry event.

View Full Ministry Schedule
New Recurring Donation Option

A number of our ministry partners have requested an easy way to set up a recurring monthly donation on a credit or debit card. Now you can set it up once and have the donation recur each month on the same day.  
 
With the redesigned donation page on our ministry website, you will now see two giving options: 
  • The first button says "GIVE NOW-(ONE Time)" and will connect you to PayPal to make a one time donation.
  • The second says "GIVE NOW-(RECURRING)" and will connect you to PayPal to make a donation that will be recurring monthly. 
Check it out for yourself:   Donation Page
  Simplicity Ministries® | Mike Thibodeaux | 971-219-6964 | P.O. Box 388 Fairview, OR 97024 | www.simplicityministries.org
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