Mick Martin

Can't see the forrest through the trees

This is one of those stories in Jesus ministry that you hear so much about - the feeding of the 5000.  It's a great story of Jesus demonstrating His power and teaching His disciples a valuable lesson…

John 6:14 (NLT), John 6:15 (NLT), John 6:22 (NLT), John 6:23 (NLT), John 6:24 (NLT), John 6:25 (NLT), John 6:26 (NLT), John 6:27 (NLT), John 6:28 (NLT), John 6:29 (NLT), John 6:30 (NLT), John 6:31 (NLT), John 6:32 (NLT), John 6:33 (NLT), John 6:34 (NLT), John 6:35 (NLT), John 6:36 (NLT), John 6:41 (NLT), John 6:42 (NLT), John 6:52 (NLT), John 6:66 (NLT), John 6:68 (NLT), John 6:69 (NLT)

Small Beginnings - slow and steady wins the race

Zerubbabel's journey to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem is not a flashy story. In fact it would seem as you read it in Ezra, it takes them an aweful long time (almost 20 years) to complete the project,…

FAITH out LOUD

We all know the story of Daniel and the lion's den. If you ever went to church as a child, you no doubt heard this story portrayed in many ways...in books..on flannel graph..in video..etc. It's a GREAT…

Daniel 6:10 (NLT)

Our Spiritual Reality in America

"My people are foolish and do not know me," says the LORD...They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!" I read this verse and it struck me as a telling description…

Jeremiah 4:22 (NLT)

A Tragic Ending

The story of king Asa had such a wonderful beginning. A young king who decided to trust God and follow him with all his heart. Unlike his father who only followed the Lord half heartedly, Asa went all…

2 Chronicles 16:10 (NLT), 2 Chronicles 16:12 (NLT)

Parenting 102 - Discipline

David was a GREAT man who loved God, but he made some terribly unwise decisions in his life, and several of those unwise choices involved his children. David, despite his tremendous leadership skills…

2 Samuel 13:21 (NLT), 2 Samuel 13:28 (NLT), 2 Samuel 13:29 (NLT), 2 Samuel 13:37 (NLT), 2 Samuel 13:39 (NLT), 2 Samuel 14:21 (NLT), 2 Samuel 14:24 (NLT), 2 Samuel 14:33 (NLT), 2 Samuel 15:10 (NLT), 2 Samuel 18:14 (NLT), 2 Samuel 18:33 (NLT), 1 Kings 1:6 (NLT)

Precious enough to GIVE it to God

I love to read the stories of the mighty men who surrounded David. They are mighty warriors who's exploits could just as easily have come out of a comic book (the older comics) - courage, honor, prowess…

1 Chronicles 11:17 (NLT), 1 Chronicles 11:18 (NLT), 1 Chronicles 11:19 (NLT)

Signs of Insecure Leadership

Saul started out as a good king, humble and yet zealous for the Lord. He had the makings of a great king. But then the wheels fell off the wagon. Somewhere along the way, Saul allowed his HUMILITY to…

1 Samuel 13:8 (KJV), 1 Samuel 13:9 (KJV), 1 Samuel 14:24 (KJV), 1 Samuel 14:29 (KJV), 1 Samuel 14:44 (KJV), 1 Samuel 15:17 (KJV), 1 Samuel 15:18 (KJV), 1 Samuel 15:24 (KJV), 1 Samuel 15:30 (KJV)

The End doesn't justify the Means!

Once again (see Joshua 9)  we find an example of FEAR and INSECURITY driving IMPATIENCE which leads to disaster. Just like Joshua, Saul allowed his fear and insecurity in the moment to rush him to do…

1 Samuel 13:8 (NLT), 1 Samuel 13:9 (NLT), 1 Samuel 13:10 (NLT), 1 Samuel 13:11 (NLT), 1 Samuel 13:12 (NLT), 1 Samuel 13:13 (NLT)

Fools Rush In...

As I read this passage, the famous 18th Century quote by Alexander Pope comes to mind. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Joshua and the rest of his leadership team acted the fool and rushed…

Joshua 9:14 (NLT), Joshua 9:15 (NLT), Joshua 9:16 (NLT)

Testing our Faith

Whenever I read of the Lord testing Israel, or others, I often sit back and wonder why. If God is omniscient (knows everything) - which He does, then why the need for a test. And then it hit me. Our…

Judges 2:22 (NLT), Judges 2:23 (NLT)

Don't get a swelled head!

This is a great little reminder that we are all blind beggars...some of us have just found the bread. Sometimes we let the blessings of God in our life cause our heads to swell with pride...."Wow, look…

Deuteronomy 9:4 (NLT), Deuteronomy 9:5 (NLT), Deuteronomy 9:6 (NLT)

The Heart God Loves

WOW, this verse just hit me. The Lord said "Oh, that they would always have hearts like this..."(vs 29). When the Lord says something like that, it makes me sit up and pay attention. What kind of heart…

Deuteronomy 5:23 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:24 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:25 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:26 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:27 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:28 (NLT), Deuteronomy 5:29 (NLT)

Pride, Rebellion and Leadership

This story is a sad reminder of how pride can reap havoc in our lives. Korah was a Levite, and obviously a high ranking leader among the Levites. He and his tribe were set aside for the Lord and used…

NUMBERS 16:1 (CEV)

Sin Always Has Consequences

This is a sad moment in the life of Israel. The Lord had done so much for them...so many miracles, and yet they still lacked the faith to believe that God could do anything. That lack of faith is demonstrated…

NUMBERS 14:20 (CEV), NUMBERS 14:21 (CEV), NUMBERS 14:22 (CEV)

Unity - the Key to our Effectiveness

Let me ask you a question. What do the non-believers around you think about Jesus? Not about you, or the church, or religion...what do they think about Jesus? Was he just a good guy from history, or a…

John 17:21 (NASB)

Pastor...Are You A Shepherd or Hired Hand?

As a pastor, I am often saddened by how some churches treat their pastors.  I know that there are plenty of examples of pastors who abuse their authority and their flock for their own gain - and those…

John 10:12 (NASB), John 10:13 (NASB)

Is Your Eye Envious?

I see this a lot with my kids.  One child gets something special - a toy, your attention, a special privilege - and the others automatically believe they are entitled to the same thing. And if they don't…

Matthew 20:15 (NASB)

The Father's Generosity

I absolutely love this story, but what just hit me was this verse. As the prodigal son returns and bows before his father, his father responds with tremendous compassion and grace. He runs to him and…

Luke 15:22 (NASB)

How Compelling Are You?

This word "compel" just jumped off the page for me. Jesus is using a parable to teach us about the importance of spreading the Gospel of Christ. It would appear that the first 2 groups represent 2 different…

Luke 14:23 (NASB)

How Real and Genuine is Your Faith?

This story of Jesus returning to His hometown always amazes me. These were people who knew Jesus better than most. They watched Him grow up. They witnessed His unique childhood (the perfect child). They…

Luke 4:16 (NASB), Luke 4:17 (NASB), Luke 4:18 (NASB), Luke 4:19 (NASB), Luke 4:20 (NASB), Luke 4:21 (NASB), Luke 4:22 (NASB), Luke 4:23 (NASB), Luke 4:24 (NASB), Luke 4:25 (NASB), Luke 4:26 (NASB), Luke 4:27 (NASB), Luke 4:28 (NASB), Luke 4:29 (NASB)

The Basic Tenants of our Faith

When it comes to our life as a Christian, it can often get convoluted and complicated, especially if you've been a believer for a while.  What I love about this passage is that Peter breaks it down very…

1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)

What Compels You?

This passage is a healthy reminder that the death and resurrection of Christ is more than just an answer to "what's next?", more than just security after death. What Jesus did for us, His love, should…

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV), 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

As I read this passage, this famous quote from Spiderman came to mind. Truth is Peter Parker's uncle didn't originate this idea, it comes from scripture. In Luke 12:48, Jesus says, "From everyone who…

Luke 12:48 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 5:12 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 5:13 (NIV)

Comfort or Glory

This prayer struck me today, not so much because of what they prayed for, but what they didn't pray for. The apostles were arrested and threatened by the very people who put Jesus to death. The threats…

Acts 4:29 (NIV), Acts 4:30 (NIV)