Sunday August 30th 2020

Pastor Mike

Thursday August 27th 2020

Adds Value

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Adds Encouragement

1 Samuel 23:16 (NIV) And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength(A) in God.
Adds Much-Needed Tough Love

Proverbs 27:5-6
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

We need to spend small group time to challenge each other in finding ways to initiate relationships and deepen friendships that are just starting.

Pastor Mike

Sunday August 23rd 2020

Pastor Mike

Thursday August 20th 2020

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things,
and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things,
and we by Him” (I Corinthians 8:4-6).

The Bible Reveals God

In the Hebrew Bible and Judaism, Elohim, Adonai, YHWH and other names are used as the names of God.

Genesis 1:1,2
1 In the beginning God create the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Our Countries Founders Reasoned Him

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Words of God

John 6:63, NIV
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. … The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Matthew 5:39-44
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in Heaven.

Conclusion: Never man spoke like this man.
Jesus said things that humans could never think up
let alone accomplish.

Pastor Mike

Sunday August 16th 2020

Pastor Mike

Wednesday August 12th 2020

Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
¹ How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
we’re falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

The Word of the Lord is Unifying

I paraphrase John Wesley when I say,

“We may all think differently, but we can all love alike.”

I know there’s differing Christian denominations, differing doctrines and traditions, but we should be united in our connection with Christ and with each other through Him.

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.

John Wesley

This is my favorite quote from John Wesley

The World is divided and does not have a unifying love. Patriotism, philosophy and ideology will fall short at some point. But love triumphs, and love has its best expression in Christ.
John Wesley

Through the para church ministry known as the Walk to Emmaus , I’ve been blessed to work with clergy and laity of many different denominations. All working together on the same thing at the same time. It always amazes me when they take the microphone and declare, “I always knew it could be this way, I just was not able to be in the place to see it until now.”

May we all be so infused with divine love!
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Pastor Mike

Sunday August 9th, 2020

Wednesday August 5th 2020

"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires." NLT

Always wanting more

Changing Our Thoughts About Stuff
If you change the way you think about stuff, you can break your mindset of always wanting more. Consider your needs, the environment, and others’ needs. Make a point to critically consider the products you purchase. Will they benefit you? Will they get used regularly? Are they environmentally-friendly?

Ecclesiastes 5:10 GNT
10 If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want.

…
Always wanting better

We’re unhappiest when we become dissatisfied with what we have and decide that we want more. We’re unhappy when we feel the pressure to buy more consumer goods like it will satisfy. We can be unhappy when we feel that we should be earning more money and have a bigger house or a better car, or when we decide that our jobs—or even our partners—aren’t good enough for us, and we should be “doing better for ourselves.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8 GNT
6 Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 7 What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! 8 So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us.

…
Always wanting different

Always looking away to something else causes us to miss what’s right under our nose.

Embrace the here and now. It’s the little things in life that make us happy. We should drink them up, cherish them. We can Indulge ourselves in things that don’t cost a penny – take a walk, read a book, join a library, have a hot bath, do some exercise, or light some candles.

Phillipians 4:11-12
11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. 12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little.

Pastor Mike

Sunday August 2nd, 2020

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