Converge
Trust
A good friend let me down by diluting the potency of trust that I had in him. I realize now that I can worry about worldly situations like that, or I can resist fear by putting my trust in Jesus. After calming the storm, "He (Jesus) said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"-Mark 4:40. Have faith and trust only in Jesus! -Pastor Mike
Fan or Follower?
All of us are fans. I love Manchester United, dark chocolate covered nuts, and worship and praise music. But few of us are followers. Being a follower is more than knowing about something. It is entering into deep relationship. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." -Jesus in Luke 9:23 -Pastor Mike
Tasty
When we speak about Christ, our conversations need to be gracious and courteous. If they aren't, then we lose our effectiveness. "Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:6. Make sure when you tell the Gospel story that it is seasoned to encourage further dialogue. -Pastor Mike
Thanks
It's easy to give thanks when you get a gift or someone rewards you with praise. Ever give thanks for pain? While God does not expect us to thank him for problems, do thank God for the strength he is building up inside of you to face them. "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:20. -Pastor Mike
Prayer
Don't pray meekly, afraid to ask God to meet your needs, but don't approach him flippantly, giving little thought as to how to address him. Come with reverence, because he is our King. "Let us appraoch the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:16. -Pastor Mike
Holy Ground
Recently, I was privileged to stand on "holy ground" in a number of situations. Many people were eager to learn about how to make positive, God-inspired change while "wandering throught the wilderness", whether in a group of 3, 13, or 300. "Do not come over any closer," God said, "Take off your sandles, for the place you are standing is holy ground." -Exodus 3:5. -Pastor Mike
Helpless
Helpless is a state that we really do not want to be in. The world tells us that we need to be in control, the "top dog", rulers of our destiny. In reality, we were dead in sin, unable to do anything, until God rescued us through his son Jesus. "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." -Romans 5:6. -Pastor Mike
Teacher
I am thankful that I have be loaned the gift of teaching. While I do believe that I do a good job instructing individuals according to their learning styles, God is the Master Teacher. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." -Psalm 32:8. Listen for the "still, small voice" of the Master Teacher! -Pastor Mike
Growth
A friend spoke with me about the importance of meeting regularly together with believers. Another felt that struggle is a growth opportunity. "Pereservence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:4. God wants us to support each other, but also to realize that we grow through struggle. -Pastor Mike
Knowledge
Knowledge is important to teachers. Without it, we don't have much to pass on to our students. Jesus is a Master Teacher. By presenting his teachings to us, he has made our lives more stable and thusly full in the joy of knowing what to expect. "You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence." -Acts 2:28. -Pastor Mike
