Category Archives: Mike’s Blog

10/29/23 MondayMatters: Seek to Serve

10/29/23 MondayMatters: Seek to Serve

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https://youtu.be/Vb8pA3OQBvw?feature=shared

The discipline of serving changes us like no other. When we realize that our lives are not about us but rather, about Him and them, we begin to experience the “abundant life” that Jesus offered.  We serve in three areas. We serve God. We serve people. And we serve the church.
In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “When you’ve done this for the least of these, you’ve done it for me.”

Mark 10:45 “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. And to be a ransom for many.”

Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another.”

Seek these seven ways to serve: 1. Service in small things.  2. Service of helpfulness.  3. Service of encouragement.  4. Service of affirmation.   5. Service of guarding a reputation.  6.  Service of listening.   7. Service of bearing one another’s burden.     Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

“Lord lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me. And may I always do my part, to win that soul to thee.”

10/22/23 MondayMatters: The Discipline of Study

10/22/23 MondayMatters: The Discipline of Study

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Paul says, “Study to show yourself approved…” (2 Timothy 2:15) Whatever the subject, being intentional about study makes us more proficient, more productive, and more prepared to share our wisdom. Study, specifically study of our faith and the Word of God, improves our walk, informs our talk, and enhances our life in Christ. Here are… Continue Reading

10/16/23 MondayMatters: Keep It Simple, Saints

10/16/23 MondayMatters: Keep It Simple, Saints

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One of the often overlooked disciplines of the spiritual life is the discipline of simplicity. Here are 6 steps to help you choose a more austere, perhaps Christ-centered life in the days ahead. For a daily thought about this and other topics, subscribe at branchesblog.com, or follow on Facebook or Instagram. (Did I say that… Continue Reading

10/2/23 MondayMatters: Seeing and Being A Means of Grace

10/2/23 MondayMatters: Seeing and Being A Means of Grace

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https://youtu.be/Q_bodGHiFmc?feature=shared   God gives us disciplines, sacraments, and encounters as opportunities to experience His grace. When we do what He tells us to do we experience what He wants us to experience. We call those things “means of grace.” And interestingly enough, at the same time He very often uses us to be a means… Continue Reading

8/28/23 MondayMatters: The Hard Truth About Forgiveness

8/28/23 MondayMatters: The Hard Truth About Forgiveness

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At the root of most of our “hurts, habits, and hang-ups” is an inability or an unwillingness to forgive. Forgiveness is the cornerstone of healing, recovery, restoration. But it is hard to do. Here are some thoughts that might help move you along the path from unforgiving to forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a license. I… Continue Reading

8/21/23 MondayMatters: The Hearts of the Children

8/21/23 MondayMatters: The Hearts of the Children

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Nothing could be more heart breaking, I imagine, than the estrangement of our children. And yet it happens so many time. I meet couples all of the time that are suffering from separation from their children, sometimes without knowing why. The one thing we cannot do is lose hope. Here are some thoughts about God’s… Continue Reading

7/31/23 MondayMatters: Grandparenting

7/31/23 MondayMatters: Grandparenting

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How do you connect with your grandkids? How do we talk to the younger generation in general? Here are five things to remember when you are working with the young people in your life. Remember they are people. Remember they have personality. Remember they have parents. (And you are not them.) Remember they are the… Continue Reading

5/8/23 MondayMatters: Testimony

5/8/23 MondayMatters: Testimony

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5/8/23 MondayMatters: Testimony. Perhaps the most important words that will ever come out of my mouth is my testimony. When it is done right; centered on Christ, current, all about change, it has the power to change lives for generations to come. Here’s a quick testimony about testimonies. #MondayMatters #takeaminutemakeadifference https://youtu.be/iHFmeGTwzHY Continue Reading

ALL IN: Day 9

ALL IN: Day 9

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The walk with Jesus is a walk of discipline. That is why we are called disciples. That is why following Him is called discipleship. But discipline is not gritting your teeth and doing what you do not want to do. Discipline is having a heart open to being led by God. It is having a… Continue Reading