Blogs
Listen
How many times has someone said to you, "Are you listening to me?" We need to focus in on God in prayer and listen to what he wants us to do. While planning is a good thing, don't become a slave to planning...it can be an idol of control. "My sheep listen to my voice.; I know them and they follow me." -John 10:27. Listen for Jesus. -Pastor Mike
Mind
The human mind is amazing with the dreams and imagination that can churn out of this mass of molecules! Paul writes, "Those who live according to their sinful nature have their minds set on what nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." -Romans 8:5. Set your mind on what God desires. -Pastor Mike
Storms
My friend has just been diagnosed with cancer and will beat it with her faith in Christ. Storms come in many shapes and sizes in our lives. We can worry and assume that Jesus no longer cares, or we can battle fear with the knowledge that we can trust him. "Who is this, even the wind and the waves obey him?" -Mark 4:41b. It is Jesus, our Savior! -Pastor Mike
Performance
We are often our own worse critics. At times we may feel unworthy of the occupation that we have, our finantcial resources, or even God's love. Our accomplishments as Christians have no bearing on the love that God has for us. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness." -Jeremiah 31: 3b. -Pastor Mike
Confidence
Peace is a gift that God gives to us on a daily basis. Just like the Israelites who could not store up manna, we cannot store up peace. It needs to be doled out on a daily basis. This is good, because it makes realize that we are dependent on God. We can be confident that this gift of peace will be given out on a daily basis. Read Hebrews 4:16. -Pastor Mike
Ring!
Cell phones can interrupt our awareness of each other. Have you been with somebody in a face-to-face conversation when their cell phone went off and they felt compelled to answer it? What stimuli interrupts our awareness of God? Listen for God, and not for a ring-tone. "Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live." -Psalm 116:2. -Pastor Mike
Critisism
When we criticize or complain to God, we are saying that we can run our lives better than he can. God knows our future and we don't. "We live by faith and not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5;7. We need to acknowledge God's soverignty by giving him thanks in all circumstances, realizing that his timing and methods may be different from what we are expecting. -Pastor Mike
Trust
I like things that are predictable. That last piece of cherry pie will be there for me. My barber will use a number 4 on top of my head and not a zero. My car will start when I turn the key. Life is not always predictable and that is why we need to rely on God. Isaiah 12:2 reminds us to trust God for our strength. He is our "rock". -Pastor Mike
Salvation
The law of God was not intended to save people, but simply to point out sin and point people to Christ. Salvation (the forgiveness of our sins by God) comes through Jesus dying on the cross as a sacrifice for us. We don't earn forgiveness by what we do. It is a free gift from Christ when we accept him as our Savior. Read Hebrews 7:18-19. -Pastor Mike
Merge
As a child, I remember a friend of mine telling me that, in his mind, he read the traffic sign, "Merging Traffic" to read "Murdering traffic". Merging, when done correctly, can be simple and nearly painless. Jesus tells us in John 15 that, "I am the vine and you are the branches...if you remain in me...you (will) bear much fruit." Merge with God today! -Pastor Mike
