Control

Rebecca Pippert, in her book, "Out of the Salt Shaker and into the World" says, "We are control freaks.  We seek to live our lives calling all the shots instead of answering to God's rule.  We've been created to be God centered, and we are hopelessly self-centered.  Sin has left us addicted to ourselves."  This is a great definition of what sin is! - Pastor Mike

Gifts

When a person comes to Christ, God gives them two gifts.  The first is a seal of ownership to show who our Master is and the second is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit guarentees that salvation (forgiveness of sins) is ours now.  The "deposit" (see 2 Corinthians 1:21-22) guarentees that we enter eternal life now and should become faithful servants. - Pastor Mike

Caring

Caring for others is often a task that people shy away from.  Galatians 4:13-14 tells about how the Galatian churches welcomed Paul even though he was sick and was somewhat of a burden to them.  Jesus has called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick, and imprisioned.  How is God calling you today to help those who are in need? - Pastor Mike

Teaching

Remember the worst teacher that you ever had in school?  Why didn't you like him or her?  Unprepared?  Boring?  Unpassionate?  Just plainly not teaching the correct facts?  Jesus warned his disciples against wrong teaching.  He compared the bad teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees to yeast...a little can "rise" and affect many people. - Pastor Mike

Mission

In John 19: 25-17, Jesus called from the cross to John, to take care of his mother, Mary.  Just think about how things would have been if John didn't stay at the foot of the cross or was talking to someone and missed Jesus' words.  Are you fully present and listening to what Jesus wants you to accomplish in his name? - Pastor Mike

Pizza

When it comes to pizza, it is awesome that there are so many different combinations of toppings. I like mine plain with just cheese, but some people like theirs with many different veggies and meats. Likewise in worship, it is awesome that we can feed ourselves spiritually and praise God in various ways, "plain or loaded". - Pastor Mike

Fire

A number of youth and young adults went to the Acquire the Fire event in Lansing on Friday and Saturday.  We were able to learn more about what it takes to come to Christ as a new believer, continue to transform as a follower of Christ, and to rededicate ourselves as a believer in Christ.  "Normal is not enough" is our battle cry! - Pastor Mike

Appointment

I made a point of greeting an employee at Panera Cares.  God had been working on my heart to make an appointment with him to have coffee and talk about our life stories.  I am praying that this conversation eventually leads to a spiritual side and that I will be able to share the gospel with him.  Who does God want you to have coffee with today? - Pastor Mike

Final Step

Mark 6:45-52 tells of Jesus walking on water.  His disciples were afraid because they lacked the faith to believe that Jesus was the son of God, that they were chosen as his disciples, and the purpose of Jesus coming to Earth.  Miracles occured 2,000 years ago and still do accure today. Have faith! Miracles happen on a daily basis.- Pastor Mike

Branches

The wind has knocked a bunch of branches off our trees (nature's way of pruning).   Jesus has told us in John 15 that God is the gardener who cuts off every branch that does not bear good fruit.  We must be productive followers of Christ and show others by our changed  behavior (bearing fruit) how Christ has changed us from the inside out. - Pastor Mike