Podcast
Hello Pastor Mike!
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Say "Hello Pastor Mike!" As a Pastor (since 1986) and Police Chaplain (since 1995), I am often invited to join people on their life journey. I´m the lead pastor of Palm Harvest Church in Costa Mesa, CA.
If you are interested in growing spiritually, in your relationship with God as well as with those in your world, I encourage you to dive into some of my video conversations.
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https://www.palmharvest.com
27episodes
Episodes
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Can Christians Eat Any Food? | Hello Pastor Mike
1w ago00:30:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Pastor Mike Decker dives into Mark 7 to address the "Church Wars" that often arise from our own traditions and personal preferences. Using relatable, lighthearted examples—from how we squeeze toothpaste to how we load the dishwasher—Pastor Mike illustrates how small differences can lead to significant judgment if we aren't careful.Jesus was often critical of the religious leaders of his day, and his message to them still speaks to us today. We explore three specific "polluting attitudes" that can hinder our faith and our relationships with others:Tradition Idolatry: When our rituals become more important than the people they are meant to serve.Comparison Spirituality: Focusing on the "speck" in someone else's eye while ignoring the "log" in our own.Food Vilification: Understanding that it’s not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of the heart.Join us for a message on extending grace, prioritizing people over rules, and a guided "Grace Prayer" to help align your heart with the heart of Christ.Connect with Hello Pastor Mike: Subscribe for more weekly teachings and insights on living a life of grace and faith.
Transcribe →The Difference Between Superstition and Real Faith
2w ago00:32:45Tap to summarizeFinding Courage in Life’s Storms | HelloPastorMikeIn this episode, Pastor Mike explores the profound message of Mark 6, focusing on Jesus walking on water and what it means for our own "storms" today. Whether you are facing a personal crisis or just feeling overwhelmed by the world around you, this message offers practical, biblical truths to help you shift from a place of fear and superstition to a place of true spiritual courage.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why even faithful followers face intense hardships.The difference between superstition and true biblical maturity.How Jesus meets us exactly where we are in our moments of greatest need.The significance of Christ's authority over the circumstances of our lives.Join us for a journey through the scriptures that will challenge your perspective and embolden your faith.Connect with HelloPastorMike: If this message encouraged you, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs a word of hope today. You can also find more content and join our community on YouTube by searching for HelloPastorMike.Timestamps: (00:00) Jesus is with you (00:43) Are you superstitious? (04:00) Scripture Reading: Mark 6:41-56 (08:08) Truth 1: Courage is honed through hardship (15:40) Truth 2: Maturity is stunted by superstition (24:05) Truth 3: Courage is emboldened with understanding (29:48) A Prayer of Trust and Following
Transcribe →Exhausted After Witnessing God Move? Here's Why
3w ago00:33:58Tap to summarizeHave you ever experienced a spiritual dry spell right after a major victory? In this message, Pastor Mike Decker explores the concept of "faith fatigue" through the lens of Mark 6. Using the story of the feeding of the 5,000, we learn why our faith can falter even after seeing God move and how we can find our way back to spiritual strength through community and intentional rest.Chapters:00:00 - The Power of Community in Faith 03:00 - What is Faith Fatigue? 04:01 - Mark 6: Jesus Sends the Twelve 07:05 - The Challenge: Feeding the 10,000 09:16 - Truth 1: Faith Fatigue is a Kingdom Enemy 10:56 - Truth 2: Why Attacks Follow Victories 14:53 - Truth 3: The Power of Intentional Escapes 18:04 - Truth 4: The Trap of Self-Sufficiency 20:33 - Truth 5: Minimizing Fatigue in Community 21:51 - Celebrating the Palm Harvest BBQ 26:12 - Counterbalancing Fatigue with Prayer 27:15 - A Guided Faith Fatigue Prayer 32:47 - Final Blessing and EncouragementLet me know if you’d like me to adjust any of these titles or add more detail to the summary, HelloPastorMike!Subscribe to my channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZY4btkddllimoqsKuHGg?sub_confirmation=1
Transcribe →5 Biblical Steps to Bounce Back After Rejection
4w ago00:22:54Tap to summarizeRejection is one of the most painful human experiences, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your story. In this episode, Pastor Mike Decker dives into Mark 6 to see how Jesus handled being rejected by those closest to Him.If you’ve ever been fired, gone through a "busted marriage," or felt pushed away by friends, this teaching offers five practical, biblical action steps to help you process the pain, find your footing, and keep your heart open.Key Takeaways:Feel the "Suck": Why acknowledging the pain is the first step toward healing.The Power of "Us": How interdependence protects your emotional health.Outward Focus: Why serving others is the ultimate cure for a pity party.A New Chapter: A guided prayer to help you release bitterness and move forward.Don't let rejection shrink your heart. Tune in to learn how to bounce back with God’s help.Connect with Hello Pastor Mike: http://www.hellopastormike.com
Transcribe →The "Small Thinking" Trap: Why New Ideas Offend Small Minds
Jun 2300:31:37Tap to summarizeThe "Small Thinking" Trap: Why New Ideas Offend Small MindsIn this episode, Pastor Mike Decker explores a powerful story from Mark 6 where Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth—only to be met with surprising skepticism and rejection.Why do the people who know us best sometimes have the hardest time seeing our growth? Pastor Mike breaks down five key truths about how God transforms our lives and how we can navigate the "small-mindedness" that tries to keep us anchored to our past.What you’ll learn in this message:Transformation is Inevitable: When Jesus is active in your life, change is the natural result.The "Circus Elephant" Analogy: How to identify if you are being held back by past experiences and "small thinking."Navigating Rejection: Why growth often offends others and how to stay focused on your mission regardless.Strategic Influence: Learning when to move on and invest your energy where it is most valued.The message concludes with two intentional prayers: a Discernment Prayer to help you distinguish truth from falsehood, and an Encourager Prayer to help you see the God-given potential in others.Connect with HelloPastorMike: If this sermon spoke to you, be sure to follow the podcast for more weekly encouragement. You can also join our community on YouTube for the full video experience: https://youtu.be/_wdBiusKWAA#Faith #SpiritualGrowth #Mark6 #PastorMikeDecker #Sermon #Podcast #EncouragementEpisode Description
Transcribe →When Life Hits Twice: Finding Faith in a Crisis
Jun 1700:28:42Tap to summarizePastor Mike breaks down five core truths about how crisis impacts our relationship with God:Perspective: Crisis shifts us from being critics to seekers. Jairus, a religious leader, set aside his status to plead at Jesus's feet.Action: Desperation drives us to bold steps. The woman who suffered for 12 years pushed through a crowd just to touch Jesus’s robe.Outlook: In the face of bad news, Jesus encourages us to "not be afraid, just have faith."Faith: Crisis often pushes us into "miracle territory," where our faith is forged and strengthened rather than broken.Community: Jesus was selective about who entered the room for the miracle, reminding us that crisis filters our friends and highlights the need for supportive companions.00:00 - Introduction: Two Different Crises 02:11 - Jairus: The Crisis of a Dying Child 03:39 - Truth 1: Personal Crisis Shapes My Perspective 09:10 - The Woman with a 12-Year Crisis 10:43 - Truth 2: Personal Crisis Drives My Actions 15:15 - Truth 3: Personal Crisis Influences My Outlook 19:29 - Truth 4: Personal Crisis Forges My Faith 22:04 - A Trust Prayer: Seeking Your Miracle 24:19 - Truth 5: Personal Crisis Filters My Friends 27:18 - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Transcribe →The Man No One Could Tame: What Jesus Does With Our Messiest Parts
Jun 800:31:23Tap to summarizeEver felt like you were 'up against the wall' or just too banged up for a comeback? In this episode, we’re looking at a guy from the Gospel of Mark who was so far gone that people literally tried to chain him up in a cemetery. But here’s the big idea: Jesus is an advocate for the underdog. Whether you’re dealing with a mess in your marriage, drowning in debt, or just fighting a habit you can't kick—restoration is on the move. Let’s talk about how Jesus 'moves the chains' in our lives even when the situation looks hopeless."
Transcribe →Small Seeds, Big Momentum: Finding Faith in the Storm
Jun 100:34:43Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: Do you ever feel like the "storms" of life—financial stress, health issues, or spiritual burnout—are too big for your faith to handle? In this episode, Pastor Mike dives into the Parable of the Mustard Seed from Mark 4 to show us that God’s Kingdom doesn't always start with a roar; it starts with a seed.Join us as we explore "Mustard Seed Momentum" and learn three foundational truths about how God works incrementally in our lives, how our growth becomes a shelter for others, and why no storm can halt the momentum God has set in motion.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why "small" starts are the secret to massive spiritual impact.The difference between life's "gunk" and the Fruit of the Spirit.How to speak peace to the chaos in your life using Jesus' example.A practical "physical anchor" exercise to help you stay grounded in trust all week long.Key Scripture: Mark 4:30-41Connect with HelloPastorMike: If this message encouraged you, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs to hear a word of peace today. You can also find the full video version of this teaching on our YouTube channel, HelloPastorMike.“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’” — Mark 4:39
Transcribe →The 4 Hearts: Diagnosing Your Spiritual Vitality (Mark 4)
May 2600:24:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Dr. Mike Decker explores the powerful "Parable of the Sower" from Mark 4, identifying the four types of hearts we can have when encountering the Word of God. Through this teaching, you’ll learn to recognize the signs of a hard, shallow, or overcrowded heart and discover how to cultivate a "Growing Heart" that experiences true spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.It’s time for a spiritual reset. Ask yourself: "What kind of heart does the Holy Spirit encounter in me today?"✨ Connect with Us:Official Website: Visit www.palmharvest.com for more resources, event updates, and to join our community.Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our channel for the full video sermons and more content: HelloPastorMike on YouTube📖 Inside This Episode:The Mirror of God's WordThe Hard Heart vs. The Growing HeartOvercoming an "Overcrowded" lifeA guided prayer for a spiritual resetIf this message blessed you, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review to help us reach more people with the Word of God.#HelloPastorMike #PalmHarvestChurch #ParableOfTheSower #SpiritualGrowth #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney
Transcribe →Jesus’s Kingdom Activity: People Over Tradition (Mark 3)
Apr 2800:34:51Tap to summarizeHow does God’s kingdom work challenge our traditions and invite us into something deeper?In this episode, Pastor Mike Decker explores the powerful story of Jesus healing the man with the deformed hand on the Sabbath from Mark 3. This message, "Jesus's Kingdom Activity," reveals how God often pushes against our comfortable traditions to prioritize what matters most: changing lives and valuing people.Pastor Mike breaks down four life-changing truths:Attracted to Spiritual Hunger: Discover why God is drawn to those who are actively seeking Him.Welcomes Our Participation: Hear how Jesus invites us to step out in faith and participate in our own restoration.Exposes Our Hearts: Learn how our response to God’s work reveals our true motives.Demonstrates God’s Priorities: A reminder that God values people over legalism and tradition.This episode also features a special guest, Kirk Bower-Meister, who shares a personal testimony of stepping out in faith. To help you apply these truths, Pastor Mike leads two powerful guided prayers: the "Spiritually Hungry Prayer" and the "Miracle Territory Prayer."Connect with us: Visit our community online at http://www.palmharvest.com to learn more and find additional resources.
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