“What’s In a Job Title?”

 

Date: 12-31-14

Text: — Nehemiah 1:1 — O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Do not let your job title hold you back from fulfilling what the Lord has laid on your heart.

My Thoughts: 

Nehemiah closes off the first chapter with his job title, “I was cupbearer to the king.” Yes, he was highly trusted. He would taste the wine and the food before the king would eat it. He was the poison detector, if you will. A high risk job, eh? This means, on one hand, he was highly trusted, but on the other, highly expendable. I wonder if Nehemiah made friends in high places to prevent any poisonings; what do you think?

Many have pride in their jobs, but some live for the job title, the glamour of high powered titles like CEO, CFO, president, vice president, ‘pastor,’ reverend, etc…. But as Jesus said over his shoulder to the Pharisees, “Surely they have their reward” (Mt. 6:5 ESV).

As Lifestyle worshipers, we need not live for the job title; nor do we need to be held back by “it”. I have personally seen that janitors have a larger ‘pastoral’ role in some church settings than the pastor himself. So to all of us who feel expendable, take note of Nehemiah: Do not let your job title hold you back from fulfilling what the Lord has laid on your heart. He had the humility and the courage to act on the burden for his people. The Lord gave him favor with the king and with the people, and I’m sure that whatever situation we may find ourselves in, when the Lord prompts us to do something, He will not only empower us, He will also grant us favor with both those over us and those we will lead.

I pray this same confident blessing to you as you start this New Year with a renewed hope!

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

— John 15:15-17 (NIV)

   And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”

— Luke 1::46-48 (NIV)

  For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

— 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)

Heavenly Father,  may I be faithful with the ‘job title’ You have placed on me. By the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, may I accomplish what You have designed me to do.  In His Name, Amen.

“What’s In a Name?”

Date: 12-30-14

Text: — Nehemiah 1:1 — The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Nehemiah, whose name means YHWH (Bless His Name) comforts, lived out his name in his mission.

My Thoughts: 

We’ve all heard Shakespeare’s famous quote: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” And perhaps in the context of the play, this may be true—to a degree. But I believe to some extent what someone calls herself or himself defines who s/he is, be it a nickname or a formal name. …

I have found a fascinating parallel with the names of the prophets and leaders of the Scriptures that often their name sets the focus their ministry. I see this in Elijah, Joseph, and even with Nehemiah, whose name means YHWH (Bless His Name) comforts. Nehemiah lived out his name in his mission and comforted the people by offering clear director through strong leadership.

Lifestyle worshiper, maybe you do not like your name or the nickname(s) you were tagged with. I understand. I had a few nicknames throughout the years that were less than flattering. But just as YHWH (BLESS His Name) gave Jacob the new name, Israel, and the Lord Jesus gave a new name to Simon, Peter, so too He has a new name for you: A name known only to you and Him. A truly personalized name that will not only be a term of endearment between you and Jesus, but will also define who you are in relationship to Him.

I do like my name, Michael, and I know it is the most popular name of my generation, but I also know that I will most definitely like the name the Lord Jesus has created for me. I pray this same confident blessing to you as you start this New Year with a renewed hope!

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

— Revelation 2:17 (NIV84)

  For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

— 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV84)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

— John 16:33 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  I am overwhelmed by the thought that You will give me a personalized name known only to me. The intimacy is staggering; the joy indescribable. I praise Your Name! Lord Jesus Christ, overcome the world in my soul and in my sphere of influence so that I may live out the meaning of the name You will reveal to me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Which Star; Which Light?”

Date: 12-17-14

Text: — Matthew 2:1-2 — After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Take an honest inward look to answer these questions.

My Thoughts: 

There are many lights in the sky. There are many voices in the crowd. But which do we follow? To which do we listen?

Lifestyle worshiper: we need to take an honest inward look to answer these questions. Sometimes the voices we listen to are from the past—past failures, past guilt, all of which have been confessed and forgiven. Some of the lights we follow are bright enough to offer some guidance, dimly lighting our way, but do we join the magi in follow His star (v. 2)? The Light of this Star is faithful, leading on paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. It leads us to the Voice that calms the sea and forgives the adulteress. “This Voice that is calling you and me.”

Is your light bright enough? Is it His Star? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

— John 8:63 (NIV)

   When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

— John 8:12 (NIV84)

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

— Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

Heavenly Father,  I commit to follow the true Light that has come into the world, Your Son,  the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray I faithfully walk in the Light as He is in the Light. May I hear His voice alone and obey His promptings. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life that is pleasing to You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

No Joke, Really”

Date: 12-16-14

Text: — Matthew 2:1-2 — After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Open your eyes and pursue the Light in your winter.

My Thoughts: 

It has been joked about and maligned a lot, but it is really no joke, at least not to the wisemen. In their long pursuit over hundreds of miles, they moved toward the light: They traveled by faith in the dark searching for the Light of the World as they followed the lights of the heavens.

(Now we know that the stars do not tell the fate of people but the Story of God, the creator, and this is what the wisemen unveiled as they interpreted the glory the heavens reveal. (See Psalm 19:1ff.))

Lifestyle worshiper: Are you pursuing the preverbal Light in your winter? Are you getting closer to the Light?

In one of Larry Norman’s songs he said, “You can’t see nothing when you close your eyes.” Indeed, it is heard to see the Light with our hands over our tightly closed eyes in fear of the dark.  But when we open our eyes, they slowly become accustomed to the dark, and, in fact, the slightest light becomes ever so bright. And sometimes that slight, small light is merely a very bright light in the distance. We just need to walk through the darkness by faith towards it. It is then we will see what the Light reveals: The reward of our pursuit of the Light through our winter. Join me by opening our tightly closed eyes, and taking that first step of faith in the darkness toward the Light.  Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

— John 1:4 (NIV84)

   When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

— John 8:12 (NIV84)

 When [the Magi] saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

— Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  strengthen my feeble knees as I take firmer steps toward Your Son, the Light of the World. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Don’t Isolate Yourself”

Date: 12-14-14

Text: — Luke 1:39-42 —  At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” [NIV84]

The Big Idea: If we step out with the same faith we entered this winter, we will not only discover the one, but the many who will support us.

My Thoughts: 

Mary just received some life-changing news: She is going to have a baby. Now, under “normal” circumstances this would be very exciting news, news she could gladly and openly tell her husband and family, but under these circumstances, we have an entire set of risky factors—one being stoning for adultery.

Instead of isolating her self, Mary seeks out support for this angelic vision from someone else in her family who has just received a similar life-changing announcement—“but at least she has a husband!” The above passage captures for us the moment these two meet. Immediately, Mary’s angelic visitation is confirmed by Elizabeth’s response: And this is before Mary could even tell her!

Lifestyle worshiper: Are you tempted to isolate yourself in your winter as I am? Do you fear seeking out support only to discover those who add colder wind to your winter? Surely, the Lord provided Elizabeth as a support for Mary. Someone who knew her, watched her grow up, and understood the step of faith she had taken. …

By faith, I’m going to step out on a limp: I believe that if the Lord led you into this winter you are presently in—as He did Mary, He will also provide, at the very least, one other to support us in and through your winter. The hard part is overcoming the temptation of isolation. We cannot find this one if we isolate ourselves. Ah, but if we step out with the same faith we entered this winter, we will not only discover the one, but the many. Remember the shepherds and wisemen? Oh, and we best not forget Joseph. Join me in stepping out of our isolation into the Lord’s consolation.  Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV84)

  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. — 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NIV84)

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.— Hebrews 3:13 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  forgive me for isolating myself. In faith, I step out of my perverted comfort zone to find true comfort from those You have provide. They offer me Your true consolation. Praise Your Name for Your Faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Any Good Out of Winter?”

Date: 12-13-14

Text: — Luke 2:4-7 — So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Mary is rejoicing in spite of  the winter that she is about to experience because of the ultimate Good that is born.

My Thoughts: 

For some, using this winter analogy isn’t quite working because you like the season of winter—the snow, the skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. So when I ask “Can any good come out of winter,” your answer will differ a wee bit from the analogy….

With this in mind we must indeed ask ourselves: “Can any good come out of the winters of our lives?” Lifestyle worshipers, to really grasp this question, we must truly appreciate Mary, her faith and the culture in which she lived. An in depth  presentation is infeasible in such a brief devotion, but suffice it to say, we dare not minimize the contempt, ostracization, and ridicule she had to endure, perhaps most of her life because of this virgin birth miracle. Small villages have few secrets and a lot of gossip.

But the good that came out of this winter is the Good for the whole world. Does this speak to you as it does to me? Mary and her faith were willing to endure all this contempt, ostracization, and ridicule—beyond what could imagine—for the joy of being chosen to give birth to the Messiah. (See above passage.) I’m speechless…

Does this give you hope of good coming out of your winter? It does for me, and it gives me pause to praise the Lord. How about you? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

— Luke 2:19 (NIV84)

  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, [Jesus] mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

— Luke 2:34-35 (NIV84)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name….”

— Luke 1:46-49 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  You have blessed me with Goodness in and through this long, cold winter I’m in. The most precious blessing of all is Your presence. I know that You will never leave me nor forget about me. Praise Your Name that Christmas is coming! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Identify Your Support Team”

Date: 12-10-14

Text: — Luke 1:39-45 — 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: I know you have at least one member of your support team.

My Thoughts: 

When Mary’s life entered a rather strange winter, she sought out a strong support team. The winter she entered was strange because it started with a ‘joyous’ promise through a heavenly messenger. She humbly and graciously accepted the news, but it would plunge her into a 9 month winter. She needed a support team. …

Lifestyle worshipers, have you identified your support team in your winter? A close friend or relative, like Mary had in Elizabeth? I know you have at least one member of your support team: Our faithful Lord, who sends His messengers to convict others that you need support during your winter. Yes, the Lord sent Joseph an angelic dream to convince Him that Mary was truly a godly young girl and that she was being used as a vessel for His Holy Son (see Matt. 1:20-21 below).

Oh, one final thought: Are you part of someone’s support team? They really do need you in their winter. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 But after [Joseph] had considered [putting Mary away quietly], an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

— Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV84)

   Who is the one to condemn? It is the Messiah Jesus who is interceding on our behalf. He died, and more importantly, has been raised and is seated at the right hand of God.

— Romans 8:34 (ISV)

 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I praise You for being part of my support team during my winter. May I be as faithful as You in supporting those You have placed in my life whose winters are long and cold. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“How New Is New?”

Date: 12-07-14

Text: — Jeremiah 31:31 — “The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Lifestyle worshipers, has the New Covenant lost is freshness to you?

My Thoughts: 

The new smell of a new car, the leathery aroma of a new baseball glove, the papery smell of a newly purchased book: All these are smells that bring fond memories to me. How about you? But after a while that fresh, new smell fades. Some books still have it and my Australian leather glove still has a wisp of that fresh leather smell, but not as before. It never really gets old for me, though.

Lifestyle worshipers, has the New Covenant lost is freshness to you. How New is “New”?….

Perhaps like my older books and very old baseball glove, the newness has faded a bit. I pray not. My prayer this morning is that each time you receive Holy communion—whether it is daily, weekly, monthly or seasonally—the newness of the New Covenant will be refreshened to your souls. You will be reminded afresh of what the Lord Jesus promised to do and has done in the New Covenant promises: “I will remember their sins no more” (Jer. 31:34). Why can I pray this? Because the promise of Jesus’ birth was kept, He will and does most definitely keep this promise as well. He fulfilled the Old Covenant and sealed the New Covenant all at once with His blood. What a marvel!

Borrowing the words of a famous advertisement: Try the New Covenant again for the first time. Let the table of communion be refreshen yet once again.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

— 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV84)

  In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”

— Luke 22:20 (NIV84)

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

— 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (NIV84)

 Heavenly Father, by the shed blood of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and through His power, I forgive myself for making the table of communion a common ‘thing’. I ask You, Lord Jesus Christ, to bear the consequences of my feelings & actions. Remove the pain and shame I have caused Your Name. Be that part of my Life that has been disobedient to You. I release myself into your hands. Grant me a right Spirit so to more fully appreciate what You did in the New Covenant. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Don’t Doubt in the Darkness”

Date: 11-26-14

Text: — Isaiah 7:10-14 — 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Your winter may be dark and cold, but our Lord’s promise of Christmas is bright and warm.…

My Thoughts: 

A while back I was at a conference where I heard the keynote speaker, Neil Anderson, bring a message with the big idea: “Don’t doubt in the darkness what God told you in the light.” It was a message I needed to hear then…, and now.

Lifestyle worshipers, we all walk through some valley of the shadow of death. Some valleys are darker then others; some are longer, but no matter how dark the valley or long the night, the Lord’s promises are not diminished, delayed or detoured. He is right there with you. Your winter may be dark and cold, but our Lord’s promise of Christmas is bright and warm.…

I have often reminded myself (just the other day, in fact) about the story of the disciples getting into the boat. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” (Luke 8:22). He didn’t say, “let us stop in the middle of the lake and drown”; no, He promised they would get to the other side. Meanwhile, the Master took a nap and the sea boiled. The disciples entered a dark valley. The fishermen especially knew of the serious danger they were in: No wimps here.

Jesus said they were going to make it to the other side; He just didn’t say how or when. Brothers & Sisters, perhaps this story will encourage you to not doubt in the darkness what the Lord told you in the light? I know it does me. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

—2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV84)

  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

— 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope..

— Jeremiah 29:11 (ISV)

 Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for doubting Your promises to me. We will make it to the “other side.” I know You are ‘in the boat’ with me. My confidence is in You. As I wait for Your promised rainbow to appear, strengthen my inner most being. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike