Monday, February 16, 2009
Listen Up
The teaching this week is the last in the series “Hearing God” as taught by the Holy Spirit through Pastor John Michael Milgate. It is also Pastor John Michael’s final message to A Community of Grace…
before he turns his sites on the vision that the Lord has given both to him and to his wonderful bride and gifted hostess Paula. For many years, A Community of Grace has been blessed by Pastor John Michael’s shepherding of this flock of Jesus followers. Jesus has equipped us through John Michael to be filled with grace and truth and fully prepared to proclaim the gospel to those who belong to Jesus, but don’t know Him yet.
While we will truly miss them as they venture forth at God’s calling to minister to students in the Seattle area, we are at the same time excited for the students that they will minister to. We all step forward in faith to a new adventure...John and Paula in Seattle to fan the Holy Spirit’s flame among the students there and we in the Diablo Valley that believe we are witnessing God’s work among all His people in the Valley. The Milgates, as well as we, have been equipped, prepared and treasure the opportunity to be a part of His vast plan.
May you always be filled with Jesus’ grace and truth.
Ron
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Sunday, February 08, 2009
Insanity
Albert Einstein is credited with the quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” That might mean, to continue to try to live life “in your own strength” and failing every time is not the way of life God intends!
Yet, to talk about “hearing God” might expose us to a different kind of accusation of “insanity.” People with “auditory hallucinations” suffer from a type of insanity as well. Is this what we claim for ourselves as followers of Jesus who claim to “hear God”? Perhaps we should join the ranks of American Christians who assert that ‘God spoke before the Bible was complete, but He doesn’t speak today!’ To continue to pursue ‘hearing God’ is just “Crazy Talk!”
May God make Himself known to you.
Pastor John Michael
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Friday, January 30, 2009
On Call
Some tasks are best handled by a team. When lives are at risk, a coordinated response is often critical.
How do you understand your roll within the body of Christ? Do you think that you are a “lone ranger,” or do you see yourself as part of a team? Do you live that way, or is it just words? Remember—“We don’t believe what we say we believe; we believe what we do!” So, when God calls to me I can ask: “Did You Hear Him Too?”
May you enjoy hearing Him in your brothers and sisters!
Pastor John Michael
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What Do You Think?
I have a hard time with ‘talk radio’ because it’s just talk! It’s not that people shouldn’t share their opinions, but I want hear what they’re doing about it!
Sometimes we treat God like a ‘talk radio’ host. We are willing enough to read, pray, and even plead for Him to ‘speak’ with us, but all we’re really after is some way of seeing what we already want to do as what God wants for us. I doubt that God ever gives us His ‘opinion!’ He speaks truth always, but I think He reveals His plans only to those who are already determined to do what He says ‘no matter what.’ Are you living what you know, or do you feel as if God is always saying “Read My Lips!”
May you allow His Spirit to move you to action.
Pastor John Michael
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
Not Just Words
You may remember the old elementary school sing-song, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” What a lie!
Words are important because they not only convey meaning, they often also affect our own sense of worth and our willingness to grow rather than withdraw. So, in the context of hearing God, what words or ideas do you attribute to Him? Do you think of God as demanding and never satisfied, or as challenging us to more and encouraging us to go on? This is way more than theory! Consider the character of God, and don’t be afraid to ask “Who Said That?”
May God encourage you in your walk of faith, as we seek to live what we believe!
Pastor John Michael
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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Caller ID
If you have a cell phone it is most likely that you have used ‘caller ID’ to ‘screen’ your calls. It’s not that you’ll never talk to that caller, but now is not a good time to talk!
Maybe you have a similar approach with God! Maybe you have found some ways to not listen when He calls! You wouldn’t be alone! Hearing from God, understanding what we heard, and acting on what He said is not always easy. Often it’s not convenient! This week we start a new series entitled “Can You Hear God Now?” In this first week we will consider Joseph’s dreams and his brother’s reactions to gain some insights into life in Christ as we ask “God Said What?”
May your heart be open to what He says to you!
Pastor John Michael
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Beyond How
Paula (my bride of 38 years on the 19th) sometimes shares about her childhood and her (now engineer) brother’s explanation of special effects ‘ruining’ a movie. In an increasingly technological culture, we learn ‘how’ something ‘works’ and think we understand. We are no longer amazed at the ingenuity, creativity, or perseverance involved, we are satiated by a simple explanation of the mechanics.
Such a limiting of our experience of life is nowhere more damaging than in relation to God. For example, we read ‘the Holy Spirit will come upon you’ and the marvel of the incarnation becomes another point of theology and doctrine. In such a brain based existence, “Is There Any Wonder?”
May God grant that we think enough to wonder!
Pastor John Michael
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What’s in a name?
One of the joys of parenthood is the naming of a new child. Even in America, where the meaning of names is not a prominent thought, countless hours are spent joyfully anticipating what to name our new baby.
There are times when waiting is necessary, so how do you spend the time? Are you filled with irritation, frustration, and anger (like many at a crowded intersection), or do you allow yourself to become excited about how great it will be when . . .? What role does love play in transforming our waiting into excited longing? Lets learn to “Enjoy the Anticipation!”
May God fill you with joy in believing.
Pastor John Michael
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Expectancy
For many “expectancy” is all about awaiting the birth of a child. But in reality “expectancy” is about much more than the child, it includes an array of ideas, hopes, and dreams about life itself and how it will change when . . .
Over the next few weeks we will talk about expectancy, anticipation, and wonder as appropriate not only in the Christmas season, but every day of our life. As you have probably guessed, we begin this week with “expectancy.” Those who are “expectant” have certain people, events, or things that they envision as soon to arrive. As we will see from the Scriptures, our preconceptions of how God will act do not always match up with His fulfillment (which may put us ‘at risk’ of missing His work in our midst)—“What Are You Waiting For?”
May He open our eyes to see Him in unexpected places.
Pastor John Michael
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Friday, November 21, 2008
Witness Protection Program
To be a ‘witness’ you simply must truthfully tell what you have seen and heard. However, sometimes to be a ‘witness’ can cost you your life!
As we come to the end of Acts 28, we find the Apostle Paul under ‘house arrest’ in Rome, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the real King—The Lord Jesus Christ. Whether in the 1st Century or the 21st, those who live empowered, responsive, beyond themselves, and on the edge remain God’s “Living Witness.”
May Jesus live through you today!
Pastor John Michael
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Eye Contact
It has been nearly a year since I saw that man in San Francisco who just stared dejectedly at the ground as his sign asked for money. When you want to help somebody with more than a little coin, you need to connect in some personal way.
By Acts 27 the Apostle Paul has become ‘just another prisoner’ aboard a ship headed for Rome, lost at sea in a two week storm. All 276 persons on board were literally ‘in the same boat’ and their lives hung by a thread. It wasn’t his seafaring experience which made Paul stand out, but his faith shown in “Encouraging the Hopeless.”
May God grant you boldness to speak of Jesus to those without hope.
Pastor John Michael
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Power
We contain some rivers with dams and convert some of the water’s inherant power into electricity as it is released. Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia river in Central Washington is the largest concrete structure in the United States and the our largest hydroelectric facility!
Jesus told the woman at the well that the Holy Spirit would be like a spring of water, flowing from within each follower of Jesus (Jn. 4:14). As with water in our rivers, tremendous power can be released by God as He fills us and flows through us. His power knows no boundaries. As we near the end of Acts, Paul before The Council, Festus, Felix, and Agrippa demonstrates that God’s work through us may be “Contained, but Not Restrained!”
May He touch others through you today!
Pastor John Michael
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