Tag: Followers

“The New Life: Radiant, Deeply Rooted and Growing”

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame— Psalm 34:5 NIV84

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness —Colossians NIV84

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers—Psalm 1:3 (NIV84

The New Life that begins to burst forth from the earth in March & April begins to flower by May. The New Life is Radiant, Deeply Rooted and Growing. 

    • It is Radiant because we are looking to the Lord Jesus in all our moments and activities. His Glory is merely being reflected in and through our lives in this New Life
    • It is Deeply Rooted because we are constantly seeking the Lord Jesus, His Word and His People. Our roots are growing deep and this New Life is noted as stable and sure, not whimsical or capricious because its roots are growing deep into the Lord.
    • It is growing because we are getting plenty of Son-shine and Water of the Word. Plants that get plenty of these elements tend to grow and mature. And this maturity is seen in the Fruit this New Life bears: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. 

Join me in nurturing and tending this New Life that is Radiant, Deeply Rooted and Growing. Truly, this demonstrates the Resurrected Power of the Lord Jesus!

Shalom In Life,

Pastor Mike

“A New Life = A New Walk”

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. — 1 Peter 2:21 NIV84

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. —Romans 6:4 NIV84

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ—1 Cor. 15:57 (NIV84

As I continue my thoughts on following Jesus and walking in His steps, I want to focus on living in the Power of the Resurrection. Yielding to the Lord Jesus’ Resurrected Life in our life produces a walk (i.e. a lifestyle) that, indeed, can walk on water… But as Rich Mullins sings in his song, “We are not as Strong as We Think We Are,” 

“When you love, you walk on the water 

“Just don’t stumble on the waves 

“We all want to go there somethin’ awful 

“But to stand there it takes some grace

“‘Cause oh, we are not as strong 

“As we think we are… “

Basically, Rich is reminding us that, yes, there are sometimes we are walking on the water in victory, but more often than not we are walking on the earth in the dust of the Cross—following in the footsteps of our Master. Truly, the Cross precedes the Resurrection, but the Resurrection definitely comes after the cross! And in those moments when we are carrying the cross through dusty and painful times, it is always in the power of the resurrection we endure the dust and pain of the cross. 

So, this Resurrection Sunday, remember: Whether we are walking on the water or on the earth, it is all in the Resurrected Power of the Lord Jesus! Rejoice, He is Risen! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

Shalom In Life,

Pastor Mike

“I Remember When I Was Young”

As I am reading through the New Testament this year, it gave me pause when I arrived (catching up as it were) to the main text below. Yes, I remember when I was young. I remember reading this passage over and over again, spurring me on to “set an example.” …

Now that I am not so young and have fewer years ahead of me than behind me, I humorously thought: “Now that I’m not young, I don’t need to set an example any more…! I can be a crotchety old man, constantly complaining of the youth of today, etc., etc., etc….”

I pursued that fantasy for just a bit and thought of all the men in my life who had been this very person…. 

Then I thought of the dear men in my life who were truly an example of Jesus “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (v. 12). I thought of these men who continued well into their 80’s and 90’s who committed themselves “to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (v. 13). 

It is these men who were pleasant to be around. These men who had the fragrant aroma of a Loving Deliverer. It is these men who (paraphrasing v. 16) “watched their lives and doctrine closely; who persevered in them, … who saves both themselves and their hearers”—and me.

It is these men I desire to be like when I am gray and old and I am well on my way with the latter. Besides, I still feel pretty young from the waste up, hehe.

Main Text— 1 Timothy 4:12–16 (NIV)— 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.—2 Corinthians 6:4–10 (NIV84)

  Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.—Hebrews 12:3 (NIV84)

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.—2 Timothy 2:10 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, empower me to finish strong. Overwhelm me with a sense of Your Love as I sometimes limp to the “finish” line. Strengthen me to run and not grow weary; to walk and not faint; to mount up with renewed strength as the eagle. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Being a Good Sheep”

Lord, I truly desire to be a good sheep. I strive to do the things that please You. But You have convicted me this morning. Through Your voice in the main text, You have made me acutely aware that You desire me to be a good sheep well before I do good sheep things. I see in verse 3 that You desire me to be a good listener; to listen to Your voice.  In verse 4 I see You desire me to be a good follower; to follow You where You lead. And in v. 5, You desire me to be intimately attentive to Your voice; to know “it” so well I will not even recognize a stranger’s voice. …

But I struggle with putting the doing in front of the being. Pondering these three simple desires of Yours, I am sure You want me to focus on being in Your presence. I am to rest in the safety of the sheep pen as I enter the gate: You are the Gate. (I see this in v. 7.)

It is in You I find green pastures. It is in You I find still waters. It is in You my cup overflows.

Out of this overflowing of being in Your Presence—in You— the doing comes, but this doing is not out of duty or obligation. Not out of fear of disappointing You or fear of “doing it wrong”. Rather it is out of Love for You. When I Love You, I will do the “things” that please You, right? All this because You are transforming me to be a good sheep.

Main Text— John 10:1–5 (NIV84)— 1 I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.—1 John 4:18 (NIV84)

  If you love Me, you will obey what I command. …  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.—John 14:15 & 15:12–13 (NIV84)

Let us then approach 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 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I praise You that You are the Good Shepherd. Empower me to be a good sheep. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike