Do you even own an apron?

I'm laughing because I don't. But I know several grill masters that do & you use whenever you're working your magic in the kitchen or own your grill. Did you know that Peter encourages everyone to have an apron? 

In 1 Peter 5:5 his instructions to each of us is that we are to "clothe ourselves with humility toward each other, because (here's the reasoning behind the instruction) God is actively against proud or arrogant people but shows His favor or Grace to those who are humble in heart."

Paul is using the image of a person putting on an apron to serve a meal to others when he says we are to "Clothe Ourselves with Humility". We are to put on the apron of service towards others. When we in humility consider others to be better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4) that's no easy task. It's gonna get real fast. We're gonna get dirty. Serving people is Messy. It's hard & it's risky. They hurt. They're rude & inconsiderate. 

The verbs Peter uses are present tense which simply means they are a continuous action. This is the daily reality for Jesus followers. To look for ways in which to serve one another in Love. For God is openly hostile towards arrogant people. God does not care for people filled with pride. Why? Well consider:

• Prideful people won't listen to others and certainly don't listen to any sort of correction. The thought of Jesus being "Lord"??? That's not gonna happen. They might look good outwardly, but Jesus said their "hearts" were a million miles away. They give a head bob to scripture but they're not humble enough to follow it. 
• Prideful people don't ask for help for fear of how it will make them look weak or insufficient.
• Prideful people never make mistakes (in their eyes) sooo, they never need to apologize. Any problems that arise must be someone else's fault. Only the weak admit wrong.
• Prideful people resist authority. Whether at work, in the church or in the home. I mean unless it's them. Then others must bow the knee to their power. Arrogant people are a threat to unity for they see everyone existence as to serve them. They are not team players, rather they only care about themselves.

These people are in the church. They are in your families. They are where you work. They are on your HOA's & school boards. But here Peter is writing to Christians. So he says, "You follower of Jesus, HUMBLE YOURSELF" (v.6).

Humble people are grateful and you'll frequently hear them say "Thanks". Humble people look for ways to include others. Because their eyes are off themselves they're eager to serve others (v. 2). Humble people ask questions. They want to learn. They are curious about others. The people God favors are helpful to others. They don't look to use their position to leverage power for themselves. Rather, they're thinking how can they use their influence to build into those around them. 

This Thanksgiving get your apron on! Get Dirty serving the people Jesus loves. Live gratefully because of all that God has done for you in Jesus. Say Thank You loudly. May God give you the grace to see the subtle forms of arrogance that have taken root in your heart. Admit it, serve Jesus, and He will exalt you in His right time.

Happy Turkey Day!

Pastor Mike 

If you know me, you're aware I'm probably at a certain golden arches most mornings, through the drive thru. But if I'm gonna splurge, well that place with that serves breakfast all day long isn't a bad choice either. What about you?

In John 21 Jesus is on the beach with the disciples. They've been fishing all night and haven't caught a thing. Jesus tells them to try the other side of the boat and wouldn't ya know it.... Peter instantly realizes it's the Lord (John 21:7). He swims to shore and once the boat arrives, they find Jesus already has breakfast cooking. Some loaves and fishes. (If it sounds like deja vu, it's cuz it is). Over a charcoal fire. 

Now catch the scene. Jesus already has breakfast cooking, but he says to the guys, "Hey bring some of your fish over here". I got questions popping all over my mind... Where did Jesus get the fish & loaves? Did he bring em from home? Did he make some up while waiting for the men? Why does he ask them for their fish? Did he underestimate how much he would need? Good thing they caught a whole bunch eh? 

And finally, why was he making breakfast in the first place? Didn't he have a sermon to get ready? A teaching to unpack maybe? 

Let me answer the last one. I think the reason Jesus made breakfast for his friends was... they were hungry. Jesus likes to see people fed. The boy with the loaves and fishes in John 6, to feed the crowd when the disciples wanted to send everyone away. I think Jesus wants to see you and I fed. Both physically and spiritually.

And his plan is to use everyday people like you and I to be the source of nourishment for others. When we offer a cup of cold water in Jesus name. Every time you share what you have to be a blessing to others in the name of Christ, you help to feed and nourish someone else. Our goal is 500 cans of soup in 30 days, so we might provide 500 meals. Real food for real people.

We also "feed people" when we tell them about the hope we have in Jesus. When we share the Gospel. When we remind people Jesus loves them and gave His life for them. When Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my lambs... Take Care of my Sheep... Feed my sheep", He was telling Peter, feed and nourish my people. Help them to grow in faith.

Sunday we're going to celebrate God's faithfulness to us. He is our Good Shepherd. He uses human "shepherds" to help us grow. To feed our hearts as well as our stomachs.

"Come Have Breakfast", Jesus said. We're gonna do that on Sunday. But come to church also to feed your soul. Your heart. To be refreshed! 

See You Sunday!
Pastor Mike

In Psalm 23 David uses the imagery of a Shepherd watching over his flock as a picture of how God watches over and cares for His people. One of the things about sheep is that they won't "lie down" to rest if they don't feel secure.

Sheep are easily frightened. If they don't feel safe from predators, they won't sleep. Sheep are very much a social animal and if there is friction within the flock, they have a hard time sleeping. Sheep have no way to ward off flies and pests that seek to bed themselves in their wool & around their face. If the shepherd isn't carefully looking after the flock, the sheep won't rest. Finally, if sheep are hungry & thirsty, they have a hard time resting. It isn't that they don't know how to eat, it's that they won't move on to greener pastures after they thoroughly ravage the land they are on. The Good Shepherd has to lead his sheep to a different path and continue to rotate the areas they graze on for them to be satisfied.

A lot like people eh? Did you know that almost 50% of people admit to being tired and not having enough rest. In 2022 almost 30 BILLION dollars was spent on pills and stuff to help us sleep. 

David says, the Good Shepherd leads us to REST. The Good Shepherd is one who RESTORES our SOUL. But how?

• He removes our guilt and shame by forgiving our sin to those who would ask Him.
• He gives us the remedy for conflict with others. As much as is possible WITH YOU, Paul says, LIVE IN PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER. Choose the peace path whenever you can. The evidence of God's Spirit living within you is LOVE, JOY and PEACE to name 3.
• One last way the Shepherd RESTORES YOUR SOUL- is when you spend time in God's Word and prayer. By coming out of the "noise" around you to be in quiet with the Great Shepherd of Your SOUL, He speaks and we are able to listen.

Come to Church this Sunday. Worship with others. Listen to God's Word as we remind ourselves again of the Shepherds great care for all of us. The LORD is MY SHEPHERD was David's proclamation. You won't be in need as long as you're under His care!

See You on Sunday!
Pastor Mike ​

​It's strange how we now have more ways to communicate with others, yet people feel more isolated than ever before.
What's about you? Most of us crave connection with at least one other person and you'd think that with a cell phone attached to us that would be so easy to do. Yet studies show we are increasingly more lonely than ever before. There are stories of growing numbers of adults and teens alike turning to chat bots for real, intimate conversations. We hear stories of people doing incredibly evil or dumb stuff and their family and friends say, "that's not like them... that's not the person I knew!" 

Enter Jesus. In John 10 in perhaps one of his most famous talks, He said He was like a Good Shepherd in that He KNOWS HIS SHEEP and His SHEEP KNOW HIM.  (John 10:14). In Jesus day, and still true today, good shepherds have names for their sheep. They have a certain "call" that they use and sheep will come to the sound of the shepherds voice. Sheep are trustful of the Shepherd. Into this culture Jeus said He knows us by name. He knows what concerns us. He is willing to lead us to safe places and a full life if.... if we're willing to listen and follow. (John 10:4,10)

How does this work? That's the question I've been asking myself. Last night I heard the story of one of our guys who talked about how much his life has changed since following Jesus. It's been about 3 years.  A friend of his recently commented to him how much they like the "new person" he's become. Less anger. Less cynicism to his life. He's much more willing to lend hand. He's looking for opportunities to help others. He mentioned he really does spend more time listening for the voice of God to direct Him in life. His life has literally changed. God cares and wants us to have a full, beautiful life. 

How might Jesus lead us? Guide us? One way is listening to the Word of God. When we read, listen.  If we're in church or listening to a sermon podcast, listen. God speaks thru His Word.  Another way is through the counsel of Godly friends. If we ask for help from people who are walking with Jesus, I believe Jesus uses those individuals to speak to our hearts. It's a matter of us being receptive. 

This Sunday we're in a new called, The Good Shepherd. Over the next 4 weeks we'll see all the ways in which Jesus is Good to Us. Reasons we have to be thankful, grateful people. Because of the Goodness of God. 

I hope you'll be in church this Sunday!

Pastor Mike 
PS: This week we have the awesome privilege of witnessing 4 being baptized as followers of Jesus. 2 of our kiddos',  One of our middle school students and one of our adults. Join us at 9:33am.