NEW MESSAGE: INFLUENCES

The internet and social media have birthed a vast number of voices asking young and old alike to “follow” and “subscribe.” We live in an age of influencers, but the sad reality is many of these influencers are worldly, ungodly people who are leading a generation far from God. 

An influencer is someone who has the power to affect the decisions of those who pay close attention to their views. Influencers do this by targeting their listeners’ minds (how they think) and their hearts (how they feel, what they desire, ultimately what they are devoted to). To accomplish this, an influencer must have those who associate with and listen to them regularly. Thus, I ask: Who influences you, your children, and grandchildren? Who do they give their minds and hearts to? 

In Isaiah 1:2-6, the prophet described the spiritual condition of the people of Judah as a rebellious nation that did not know God, associate with Him, or listen to Him. They failed to recognize God as the One who provided for them. They were called a sinful nation: “people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him” (vs.4). Isaiah said of them, “… the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint” (vs.5) and “...they are filled with influences from the east…” (Isa. 2:6). Again, I ask: Who influences you, your children, and grandchildren? Are they filled with the influences of the ungodly? 

God’s people were not seeking to be taught by God concerning His ways, but instead they regarded and esteemed man and were filled up with the influences of the ungodly. God had enough (Isa. 2:11) and stated clearly, “I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly...even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen” (Isa. 2:13, 15). God called His people to repent, “cease to do evil, and learn to do good” (Isa.2:16-17). He went on to say, “Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; for why should he be esteemed” (Isa. 2:22). God reminded His people that in the last day, on the day of reckoning, He alone will be exalted and man will be humbled (Isa. 2:9,11,12,17). Why cast aside now the One who will one day alone be exalted? Who do your children and grandchildren regard and esteem, the LORD or man?

This message, developed in much more detail in a four part series that includes Dan. 1-3, is what the LORD has me preaching to teens and young adults in upcoming events. Please join me in prayer for these times of preaching.  

- Mike Thibodeaux

MEN OF SIMPLICITY (MOS)

2023 Winter Term - Watchman



During this winter term, I will speak to the men from the book of Ezekiel. Our focus is the specific calling that leaders have to be watchmen. This idea also is articulated in Heb. 13:17 “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. . . .”

In chapter 1 of Ezekiel, he records a vision he has of the “appearance of the glory of the Lord" (vs.28). This vision clarifies that it is God who is sending Ezekiel. Likewise, it is God who is sending men, as watchmen of their families. The vision of the Lord is a reminder of the glory, majesty, and holiness of God. A leader’s responsibilities as a watchman rest on the holy character of God and cannot be watered down. God not only sends, but empowers by the Spirit, the watchman for his duty. The watchman must be obedient to speak the Word of the Lord whether the people listen or not (Ezk. 2:7). Rebellious people need to be confronted with the Word of the Lord about their rebellion, warned of the consequences, and called to repentance. 

What rebellious people do not need is an easy, comfortable, supported path to destruction! They need the “obstacle” of the Word of the Lord on their path of sin. They need to hear the Truth. The most unloving thing that can happen, is for people in rebellion not to hear the Word of the Lord. Therefore, a watchman must not fear the words of those who hear or be dismayed at their presence (Ezk.2:6). A faithful watchman must listen to the Word of the Lord carefully. God will feed His watchman His Word. Before a watchman speaks, he, himself, must eat of the Word of the Lord.

As the divinely appointed leader of a man’s home, men are to be watchmen for their family. As a watchmen, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers must hear the Word of the Lord and warn both the “wicked” from sin and the “righteous” not to turn away from righteousness (Ezk. 3:18-21). Men should warn the “wicked” with the right motive, not to destroy or harm them, but that they may hear and turn from their sins and save their lives. A man should also warn the "righteous" not to turn from doing what the Lord requires or the consequences will be devastating. He should always speak the Truth in love. 

If leaders are obedient to warn those they lead, they have done what God holds them accountable to do. The watchman is not responsible for what the listener does or does not do with the warning. But if he does not warn them, then the people will die in their sins, and God will hold the watchmen accountable. It is costly and unloving to withhold the warning of God!

Leaders, do not be silent. Speak the Word of the Lord. Be a faithful watchman. “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” James 5:19-20. 

SMALL CHURCHES - “the forgotten places”

Over the past 22 years of ministry in the Northwest, Simplicity Ministries^® has been a friend and partner to small churches. At the beginning of my call to full-time evangelism and discipleship ministry, the Lord spoke to me a phrase that has buoyed my ministry focus year after year. The phrase was “the forgotten places.” This was God’s reminder that small churches in remote places can be forgotten and overlooked by the Body of Christ. They are not, however, overlooked by the Lord and should not be overlooked by Simplicity Ministries^®. The people in those communities are important to God.

On December 11^th and 18^th, I filled the pulpit at Cornerstone Baptist Church, a small rural church of 15-20 people in Battleground, WA, who is looking for a pastor and a new beginning. (I was last there on October 2^nd and 9^th.) On January 8^th, I preached at Evergreen Baptist in Vancouver, WA, another small church seeking to be rekindled and used of the Lord. Thanks for your support as we serve. 

2023

• Jan 16 - Weekly Monday MOS Discipleship resumed
• Feb 2 & 26 - Leadership & Discipleship Training for Rwandan Pastors via Zoom
• Feb 3 - Open Door Christian Academy - Chapel - New message series “Influences”
• Feb 17-19 - Fearless Conference - Western Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Convention - “Influences”
• Mar & Apr TBA - Leadership & Discipleship Training for Rwandan Pastors via Zoom
• Mar 17-18 - Christian Youth Summit, Bend, OR - Teaching two breakout sessions
• Apr 21-23 - Richland Baptist Church, Richland, WA - Youth Event - “Influences”
• Apr 29 - NWBC Disaster Relief Round Table - Evangelism Training

Booking for 2023 & 2024

Zach, Michaela, Jordan, Debbie, and Mike

Christmas 2022 - Together!

Calling generations of all nations to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ!

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