https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jemfu-1b2f352

Today, Mike looks at the longest and shortest sentences in the Bible. He also discusses the history of chapter and verse markings, which were not in the original manuscripts and were introduced over 1200 years after the birth of Jesus. 

Colossians Chapter 1 — We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints– the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 1For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 1For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-h2kht-1b1eece

In this episode, Mike continues the series entitled As He Leads. Mike turns on the microphone and speaks from the heart, without any prepared notes or even expectations of what will be said. Perhaps what is shared will be helpful for you or for someone you will soon meet. 

Remember the words of Jesus: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t86xw-1afbbc1

The writer of Hebrews seems to have had much experience with ships and sailing, employing several nautical terms to convey spiritual truths. Today, Mike looks at those terms, their meaning and application our participation in the Kingdom of God.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.“

“Christ was faithful as a Son over His house–whose house we are, if we hold fast to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”

“We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. “

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

“Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us.”

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-v8ypc-1aeee17

Being or Doing? Today, Mike again looks at the principle of Abiding as he brings sailboats into the conversation.

Followers of Jesus do things, but only as a result of abiding. If we abide in Him, then we will bear fruit. If we don’t abide, then in God’s eyes we cannot do anything.

——–

Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6ny35-1ae412b

Do you have doubts? Many do. In this episode Mike looks at what the brother of Jesus says about doubting. 

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. — James chapter 1

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ypwnz-1ad54f2

How does the Lord use His people to comfort those who are going through very difficult times? Today, Mike talks about one example of God’s comfort being given and received. 

God wants to use you as an agent of His comfort and grace. Listen, then speak. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-j5bg6-1ab6b25

What is success in God’s eyes? Do you want a fruitful life? What does it mean to abide in the Lord and for Him to abide in us? In today’s episode, Mike responds to listener mail and talks through the scripture on abiding — what the Lord says and the results of abiding in Him. 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” — John chapter 15

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-d8c9e-1aa0802

In today’s episode, Mike talks about guiding principles and personal mission statements — their value and how they help us discern the will of God. 

One definition: Guiding Principles are broad, strategic guidelines that help people make decisions and operate in alignment with their core values and mission. They serve as a framework for behavior and decision-making.” 

“Be completely humble and gentle. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  — Ephesians 4

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-mf6v4-1a64790

Moses, Elijah and Jesus met on a mountain and spoke about the departure of Jesus. In this episode, Mike takes a look at this departure and what it means for us — for those who follow the Lord. 

Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. — Luke 9

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion. — Psalm 84

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-7uh5x-1a5b124

Do you believe in the gifts of the Spirit?Have you heard conflicting teaching on this topic? Do you want to know more about how God uses these gifts? 

Today, Mike shares examples of how the Lord has been at work, expressing His gifts among His people. 

‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Joel 2; Acts 2

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.— 2 Timothy 2