CREW
Waiting
I hate waiting. Waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, even waiting for our computer to boot up...I am an anxious guy! But waiting on the Lord means trusting him to do what needs to be done, in his timing. "I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." -Lamentations 3:24 -Pastor Mike
Release
Is it hard for you to release your fears and concerns? In order to do this one must rest in God's presence. What does that mean? It means to do your part, let God do his, and rest secure in the fact that the situation will turn out fine. "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -Isaiah 41:13.
Hamburgers
Yesterday Chris and I cooked up a bunch of hamburgers for the Youth Groups at Lake Erie Metro Park. We had a ball with the teens! At one point, I flipped a burger, the grease exploded, and a few drops painfully landed on my ankle. It made me realize that we need to keep alert to attacks from Satan, the author of evil, who is always trying to steal our joy. -Pastor Mike
T & T
Trust in the Holy Spirit and thankfulness for what Jesus has done for us are two attributes that we need to practice each day. Trust allows God's peace to flow through us and thankfulness lifts us above our curcumstances. "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." - Psalm 95:1. -Pastor Mike
Thanks
We need to thank God daily for filling us with his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides us freedom from sin and condemnation (Romans 8:1). "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." -2 Corinthians 3:17. I am thankful that I do not have the burden of trying to earn my own freedom from sin, because I would fail! -Pastor Mike
Trust
The toughest thing for someone who has been deeply wounded is to put their trust in another. We often worry that the person will let us down. Jesus wants us to trust him. "Therfore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 7:34. Depend on Jesus. -Pastor Mike
Strength
Are you into body building? No, me neither. While I do keep in shape through running each day, I never was one to working on becoming massive. God has always been my strength, ever since I turned my life over to him. Dependence on God is where I shed my weaknesses. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13. - Pastor Mike
Disciple
I recently began to work with a young man on his spiritual path. While always considering himself a Christian, he recently decided that he wanted an intimate relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. The speed of his transformation is amazing, and I give God all the glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about this. Take time to read it today. -Pastor Mike
Trust
Do you really trust God? Do you feel confident that he will make things happen in his time frame? Or do you push ahead, trying to make things go your way? Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." - John 14:1. Listen and watch for God's presence. He is with you right now! -Pastor Mike
A Shield
The word of the Lord is flawless and impenetrable. The word of God and belief in God is not a crutch as some people would say it is, but rather is a shield that can protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials. It also strenghtens us to be ready to go out and battle evil. "...He (God) is a shield for all who take refuge in him." -Psalm 30b. -Pastor Mike
