Not one of all the LORD’S good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:45
Here’s another fabulous statement about God that could be overlooked. It’s the last verse of the chapter—buried at the end of the story, so to speak. But it’s certainly not an afterthought. This is the line that the narrative builds up to.
And notice, it’s not, “God kept all of His promises.” That’s too casual. Most of us know at least one person that we consider very trustworthy, someone whose word is as good as gold. But I doubt any of us thinks there is anyone who never, ever broke or forgot a promise. No, it’s more like, “There was not a promise that God made (and He made quite a few) that He did not keep—not a single one!”
On top of that, God’s promises were significant ones—promises that only He could fulfill; worthy and good promises. That’s standard behavior for God.
You and me, if we can keep most of our promises, we feel pretty good about ourselves. That’s standard behavior for us.
I’m so glad that we serve a faithful, larger-than-life God. Nothing is too difficult for Him and we can always depend on Him.
Lord, thank You for keeping Your promises to Your people. I praise You that I can always trust in You, no matter what.
Have a blessed day,
Jim
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Loving Jesus
"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!" 1 Corinthians 16:22 NIV
Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is to love God with every ounce of your being (Matthew 22:37). Paul was so passionate about loving Jesus that he declared a curse on anyone who does not also love Him. Paul was not just declaring his own passionate opinion but he was speaking God's truth. Those who love Jesus are blessed with full life and adventure in following Him. Those who do not love Jesus know neither this fullness of life nor the joy of doing His will.
The chief purpose of our life is to love Jesus. We are not called merely to a life of religious duty and worship but we are called to love the Lord who loves us. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Here is the heart and soul of the Christian life: in love we give our self fully to the One who in love gave Himself fully for us. In daily receiving His love and giving our self to Him in love we live in Him and He in us and we know the meaning of abundant life.
Father, stoke the fire of love for Jesus in my heart today. Forgive me for complacency toward Your Son and My Savior and fill me with passionate devotion to Him with ever increasing intensity.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is to love God with every ounce of your being (Matthew 22:37). Paul was so passionate about loving Jesus that he declared a curse on anyone who does not also love Him. Paul was not just declaring his own passionate opinion but he was speaking God's truth. Those who love Jesus are blessed with full life and adventure in following Him. Those who do not love Jesus know neither this fullness of life nor the joy of doing His will.
The chief purpose of our life is to love Jesus. We are not called merely to a life of religious duty and worship but we are called to love the Lord who loves us. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Here is the heart and soul of the Christian life: in love we give our self fully to the One who in love gave Himself fully for us. In daily receiving His love and giving our self to Him in love we live in Him and He in us and we know the meaning of abundant life.
Father, stoke the fire of love for Jesus in my heart today. Forgive me for complacency toward Your Son and My Savior and fill me with passionate devotion to Him with ever increasing intensity.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, June 28, 2010
The End of the Story
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
This verse concludes an amazing chapter on the resurrection. Christ is risen! Therefore, we who are in Christ anticipate resurrection. "Let nothing move you" from this belief or from continued trust in the risen Lord. Trials will come and we will walk through discouraging days on the way to resurrection but we know the end of the story and we stand fast in faith and hope.
And keep in mind that what you do for the Lord in these days will last for eternity. It is not "vain" (i.e. empty, useless) to serve the Lord. We spend so much time, energy, and resources on things that will not last and will not matter in the end. View your life in light of the end of the story and pour yourself into those things that will last beyond this life.
Father, I thank You that Christ is indeed risen and that faith in Him is not empty. Help me to live with the confidence and joy that accompany the certainty of resurrection and to serve You faithfully today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
This verse concludes an amazing chapter on the resurrection. Christ is risen! Therefore, we who are in Christ anticipate resurrection. "Let nothing move you" from this belief or from continued trust in the risen Lord. Trials will come and we will walk through discouraging days on the way to resurrection but we know the end of the story and we stand fast in faith and hope.
And keep in mind that what you do for the Lord in these days will last for eternity. It is not "vain" (i.e. empty, useless) to serve the Lord. We spend so much time, energy, and resources on things that will not last and will not matter in the end. View your life in light of the end of the story and pour yourself into those things that will last beyond this life.
Father, I thank You that Christ is indeed risen and that faith in Him is not empty. Help me to live with the confidence and joy that accompany the certainty of resurrection and to serve You faithfully today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, June 24, 2010
What's Love Got To Do With It?
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13
What's love got to do with it? - Everything!
What good is it to have incredible understanding? Or great faith? Or to be extremely generous? None, if you don't have love. Without love they are all meaningless. Love is the authenticator of our faith and actions (1 John 3:18-19). Love is the distinguishing characteristic in the life of a person who knows God (John 13:34-35). Christ modeled love for us (John 15:13). 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 defines the kind of pure and undefiled love God has for us and that we are to show one another.
This chapter is often read at weddings to characterize the love between a husband and a wife, and to challenge them to spend their lives showing this kind of love to one another. But God doesn't reserve this kind of love for husband's and wives. This is the kind of love we are to show all people; all the time (Matthew 22:39). God has shown you and I this kind of love. He loved us enough to send his Son. So now we are called to do for others what Christ has done for us - infiltrate a hurting and broken world with the kind of radical love that transforms lives and redeems hearts.
Father, thank you for showing me such great love. Help me to embody that same kind of love as I live out my life for the sake of others.
For His Glory,
Matt Moore
What's love got to do with it? - Everything!
What good is it to have incredible understanding? Or great faith? Or to be extremely generous? None, if you don't have love. Without love they are all meaningless. Love is the authenticator of our faith and actions (1 John 3:18-19). Love is the distinguishing characteristic in the life of a person who knows God (John 13:34-35). Christ modeled love for us (John 15:13). 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 defines the kind of pure and undefiled love God has for us and that we are to show one another.
This chapter is often read at weddings to characterize the love between a husband and a wife, and to challenge them to spend their lives showing this kind of love to one another. But God doesn't reserve this kind of love for husband's and wives. This is the kind of love we are to show all people; all the time (Matthew 22:39). God has shown you and I this kind of love. He loved us enough to send his Son. So now we are called to do for others what Christ has done for us - infiltrate a hurting and broken world with the kind of radical love that transforms lives and redeems hearts.
Father, thank you for showing me such great love. Help me to embody that same kind of love as I live out my life for the sake of others.
For His Glory,
Matt Moore
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Body of Christ
"All these [spiritual gifts] are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.... But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." 1 Corinthians 12:11, 18 NIV
God's design for the church is amazing and awesome. The church is the body of Christ with many individual members working together as one unit to do the work of Christ in the world. Every member is gifted to serve. Every member is needed for a healthy, fully functioning body. Together the many serving side by side can do far more than one or a handful of extremely gifted people could ever accomplish.
Each one of us has been given a significant and necessary role in the body. Each one of us has been entrusted with an important piece of God's kingdom work. It is an amazing privilege and an awesome responsibility. But remember it is the Spirit who distributes the gifts and empowers us to use them in ministry. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you discover, develop, and deploy your gift for the glory of Christ.
Father, it is awesome to realize that You have gifted me and trusted me with a significant role in Your kingdom work. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to know my role and to be faithful in it to the glory of Christ, the Head of the body.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
God's design for the church is amazing and awesome. The church is the body of Christ with many individual members working together as one unit to do the work of Christ in the world. Every member is gifted to serve. Every member is needed for a healthy, fully functioning body. Together the many serving side by side can do far more than one or a handful of extremely gifted people could ever accomplish.
Each one of us has been given a significant and necessary role in the body. Each one of us has been entrusted with an important piece of God's kingdom work. It is an amazing privilege and an awesome responsibility. But remember it is the Spirit who distributes the gifts and empowers us to use them in ministry. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you discover, develop, and deploy your gift for the glory of Christ.
Father, it is awesome to realize that You have gifted me and trusted me with a significant role in Your kingdom work. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to know my role and to be faithful in it to the glory of Christ, the Head of the body.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Sun Stood Still
The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand.
Not one of them will be able to withstand you." ... The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel.
Joshua 10:8, 13-14 NIV
God promised to deliver the inhabitants of the land of Canaan into the hands of the Israelites and He delivered. So determined was God to fulfill His promise and carry forward His purpose that He even lengthened the day in response to Joshua's prayer to allow Him to finish the conquest.
God can and will literally move heaven and earth on behalf of His people to accomplish His purpose through them. What stands between you and the fulfilment of God's purpose in your life? Call out to Him and He will either remove it or enable you to hurdle it so that He might be glorified in you.
Father, You created the heavens and earth and You are able to move them as it pleases You. Create in me a faith like Joshua's that believes Your promise and lays hold of Your faithfulness.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Not one of them will be able to withstand you." ... The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel.
Joshua 10:8, 13-14 NIV
God promised to deliver the inhabitants of the land of Canaan into the hands of the Israelites and He delivered. So determined was God to fulfill His promise and carry forward His purpose that He even lengthened the day in response to Joshua's prayer to allow Him to finish the conquest.
God can and will literally move heaven and earth on behalf of His people to accomplish His purpose through them. What stands between you and the fulfilment of God's purpose in your life? Call out to Him and He will either remove it or enable you to hurdle it so that He might be glorified in you.
Father, You created the heavens and earth and You are able to move them as it pleases You. Create in me a faith like Joshua's that believes Your promise and lays hold of Your faithfulness.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, June 21, 2010
Don't Forget to Pray
"So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the LORD."
Joshua 9:14 NLT
The Israelites had been instructed by the LORD to completely conquer all the inhabitants of Canaan (the Promised Land). They were to make no treaties and allow none of the inhabitants to remain so that their pagan religions would not become a snare to the Israelites. The Gibeonites outwitted the Israelites. They pretended to have journeyed from a far country by wearing worn out clothes and packing dried and moldy bread in their bags. They convinced the Israelites to enter into a treaty with them. The leaders examined the bread which seemed to indicate they had traveled from far away but they did not seek the Lord's guidance.
Things in this world are not always as they seem on the surface. Satan is the "father of lies" who master's in deception. He draws us away from the will of God in much the same way the Gibeonites drew Israel away from God's will. If we are to stand firm and not be "tricked" into sin we must keep ourselves in tune with God through prayer. Prayer is more than a religious duty. It is our spiritual lifeline. Through prayer we are able to see with spiritual eyes and so recognize the enemy's deceitful schemes. Don't forget to pray!
Father, I have too often relied on my own judgment and failed to consult with You. Help me to be mindful to pray and seek Your counsel through this day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Joshua 9:14 NLT
The Israelites had been instructed by the LORD to completely conquer all the inhabitants of Canaan (the Promised Land). They were to make no treaties and allow none of the inhabitants to remain so that their pagan religions would not become a snare to the Israelites. The Gibeonites outwitted the Israelites. They pretended to have journeyed from a far country by wearing worn out clothes and packing dried and moldy bread in their bags. They convinced the Israelites to enter into a treaty with them. The leaders examined the bread which seemed to indicate they had traveled from far away but they did not seek the Lord's guidance.
Things in this world are not always as they seem on the surface. Satan is the "father of lies" who master's in deception. He draws us away from the will of God in much the same way the Gibeonites drew Israel away from God's will. If we are to stand firm and not be "tricked" into sin we must keep ourselves in tune with God through prayer. Prayer is more than a religious duty. It is our spiritual lifeline. Through prayer we are able to see with spiritual eyes and so recognize the enemy's deceitful schemes. Don't forget to pray!
Father, I have too often relied on my own judgment and failed to consult with You. Help me to be mindful to pray and seek Your counsel through this day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Doing it God's Way
"Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go in or out. But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors.'" Joshua 6:1-2 NLT
The first obstacle in Israel's path to possessing the land of promise was the strongly fortified city of Jericho. But God said, "I have given you Jericho." When God promises, He delivers! However Scripture He reminds us, "My thoughts are completely different from yours. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine" (Isaiah 55:8 NLT). God doesn't always do things the way we would do it if we were in charge.
God's method for taking Jericho was one of the strangest battle plans in the history of warfare. March around the city seven days, blow trumpets, and shout??? Wouldn't it be a much more reasonable strategy to catapult rocks into the walls, send repeated barrages of flaming arrows over the wall, and then put ladders against the crumbling walls to scale them? God does things differently than we might do them but His ways are effective for accomplishing His purposes. In this case it was as important for the people to learn trust and obedience as it was to conquer Jericho. When God's ways don't make sense or our ways seem more reasonable will we trust and obey Him anyway? This is the critical question that makes all the difference.
Father, I want to trust Your ways and obey Your commands even when they go against my own reason and the ways of this world. Help me to learn to trust and obey today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The first obstacle in Israel's path to possessing the land of promise was the strongly fortified city of Jericho. But God said, "I have given you Jericho." When God promises, He delivers! However Scripture He reminds us, "My thoughts are completely different from yours. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine" (Isaiah 55:8 NLT). God doesn't always do things the way we would do it if we were in charge.
God's method for taking Jericho was one of the strangest battle plans in the history of warfare. March around the city seven days, blow trumpets, and shout??? Wouldn't it be a much more reasonable strategy to catapult rocks into the walls, send repeated barrages of flaming arrows over the wall, and then put ladders against the crumbling walls to scale them? God does things differently than we might do them but His ways are effective for accomplishing His purposes. In this case it was as important for the people to learn trust and obedience as it was to conquer Jericho. When God's ways don't make sense or our ways seem more reasonable will we trust and obey Him anyway? This is the critical question that makes all the difference.
Father, I want to trust Your ways and obey Your commands even when they go against my own reason and the ways of this world. Help me to learn to trust and obey today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
What a Mighty God we Serve
"Then Joshua told the people, 'Purify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.'" Joshua 3:5 NLT
The great wonders God did was to hold back the waters of the Jordan River and dry up the ground so that His people could walk through the waters and into the long anticipated land of Promise. What a great day indeed! What a great God!
The God we serve today is one and the same God who did these mighty works. His abilities have not diminished. His commitment to lead His people in His will has not altered. Do we expect great things from the Lord our God? Do we prepare ourselves for great wonders from God? Joshua said, "Purify yourselves..." God works in the midst of and on behalf of His people when they have purified themselves from sin and are earnestly seeking Him. God is able! Are you ready?
Father, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. As I see You have worked in the past through the pages of Scripture help me to trust You to do great wonders in this day. Cleanse me of sin and draw me near to Yourself so that I may experience Your might working today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The great wonders God did was to hold back the waters of the Jordan River and dry up the ground so that His people could walk through the waters and into the long anticipated land of Promise. What a great day indeed! What a great God!
The God we serve today is one and the same God who did these mighty works. His abilities have not diminished. His commitment to lead His people in His will has not altered. Do we expect great things from the Lord our God? Do we prepare ourselves for great wonders from God? Joshua said, "Purify yourselves..." God works in the midst of and on behalf of His people when they have purified themselves from sin and are earnestly seeking Him. God is able! Are you ready?
Father, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. As I see You have worked in the past through the pages of Scripture help me to trust You to do great wonders in this day. Cleanse me of sin and draw me near to Yourself so that I may experience Your might working today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
God with Us
"No one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." Joshua 1:5 NLT
"I will be with you." What incredible words for God to speak to a person! When Moses questioned God's call for him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God responded with the promise, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). Now that Joshua was taking the reigns of leadership and answering the call to lead God's people into the land of promise, God assured him, "For I will be with you as I was with Moses."
The promise God made to Moses and Joshua is the same promise Jesus makes to everyone of His followers. "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NLT). This promise is attached to the Great Commission. God told Moses and Joshua I will be with you as you answer my call. Jesus has told us I will be with you as you answer my call. His presence is realized as we step out in faith and obedience to do His will. His presence will guide us, sustain us, and empower us to do His will. God is moving in the direction of His will and when we join in doing His will we will find ourselves in His faithful presence.
Father, I thank you for Your promise and Your faithfulness to be with me as I follow Your call. Today help me to be faithful to Your call and realize Your faithful presence.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
"I will be with you." What incredible words for God to speak to a person! When Moses questioned God's call for him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God responded with the promise, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). Now that Joshua was taking the reigns of leadership and answering the call to lead God's people into the land of promise, God assured him, "For I will be with you as I was with Moses."
The promise God made to Moses and Joshua is the same promise Jesus makes to everyone of His followers. "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NLT). This promise is attached to the Great Commission. God told Moses and Joshua I will be with you as you answer my call. Jesus has told us I will be with you as you answer my call. His presence is realized as we step out in faith and obedience to do His will. His presence will guide us, sustain us, and empower us to do His will. God is moving in the direction of His will and when we join in doing His will we will find ourselves in His faithful presence.
Father, I thank you for Your promise and Your faithfulness to be with me as I follow Your call. Today help me to be faithful to Your call and realize Your faithful presence.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, June 14, 2010
Only One Moses
"Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. There has never been another prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face." Deuteronomy 34:9-10 NLT
Moses was unique. He had a unique relationship with God and a unique role in the history of God's people. There will never be another Moses. But Joshua was unique also. He was the right man to step in and lead in the next phase of the journey of God's people.
Each one of us is a unique person with a unique relationship with God and a unique role to play in the life of God's people. Joshua did not need to be a Moses. He needed to be the Joshua God created him to be. We do not need to be like someone else in order to serve God. We need to be who God created us to be and walk with Him so that He can use as He desires. Be Yourself, walk with God, and trust Him.
Father, I thank You for making me unique, giving me a unique relationship with You, and calling me to a unique role in the life of Your people. Help me to realize that one else can be me and I don't need to be any one else in order to serve You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Moses was unique. He had a unique relationship with God and a unique role in the history of God's people. There will never be another Moses. But Joshua was unique also. He was the right man to step in and lead in the next phase of the journey of God's people.
Each one of us is a unique person with a unique relationship with God and a unique role to play in the life of God's people. Joshua did not need to be a Moses. He needed to be the Joshua God created him to be. We do not need to be like someone else in order to serve God. We need to be who God created us to be and walk with Him so that He can use as He desires. Be Yourself, walk with God, and trust Him.
Father, I thank You for making me unique, giving me a unique relationship with You, and calling me to a unique role in the life of Your people. Help me to realize that one else can be me and I don't need to be any one else in order to serve You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Small Miracles?
"For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. You had no bread or wine or strong drink, but he gave you food so you would know that he is the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 29:5-6 NLT
Where do you buy new sandals in the desert? Where do you find a supermarket to restock the pantry? These seemingly small issues are of great magnitude when leading hundreds of thousands of people through a desert for forty years. But when God is leading the way He takes care of even the smallest details.
Even the best pair of sandals made from the finest materials would not last 40 years under normal conditions but God cause their sandals to last 4o years under harsh conditions. God held their sandals together and provided their food so that they could make the journey on which He was leading them. If we step out in faith after God in the journey of doing His will we can trust that He will have even the smallest details in hand.
There really are no small miracles and if we are not observant we may not recognize some of the wonderful ways God sustains us when we are following Him. The ultimate end of God's provision for Israel was "so you would know that he is the LORD your God." God reveals Himself in our lives through small things that show He is present and active with us.
Father, I thank You for having the smallest details in hand so that I can follow as You lead me in the journey of doing Your will. Help me to trust You and recognize Your "smallest" miracles that I may glorify You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Where do you buy new sandals in the desert? Where do you find a supermarket to restock the pantry? These seemingly small issues are of great magnitude when leading hundreds of thousands of people through a desert for forty years. But when God is leading the way He takes care of even the smallest details.
Even the best pair of sandals made from the finest materials would not last 40 years under normal conditions but God cause their sandals to last 4o years under harsh conditions. God held their sandals together and provided their food so that they could make the journey on which He was leading them. If we step out in faith after God in the journey of doing His will we can trust that He will have even the smallest details in hand.
There really are no small miracles and if we are not observant we may not recognize some of the wonderful ways God sustains us when we are following Him. The ultimate end of God's provision for Israel was "so you would know that he is the LORD your God." God reveals Himself in our lives through small things that show He is present and active with us.
Father, I thank You for having the smallest details in hand so that I can follow as You lead me in the journey of doing Your will. Help me to trust You and recognize Your "smallest" miracles that I may glorify You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
God's Deep Secrets
"And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit0 so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." 1 Corinthians 2:12 NLT
The Spirit reveals "God's deep secrets" (2:10 NLT) to His people. God desires us to know Him, to know His ways, to know His purpose for us, and to know "the wonderful things God has freely given us." In order for us to know these things God has given us His Spirit to reside with us and reveal to us the "deep secrets" of God which the world can never know but are revealed to us as His children (see 2:14).
Wow!!! Let this sink in. God has "deep secrets" and "wonderful things" that He wants to let You in on! He is ready to reveal these things by His Spirit to those who come to Him with attentive minds through prayer and Scripture. May we be like Mary of Bethany who "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he taught" (Luke 10:39 NLT).
Father, I am truly amazed that You, the God of the universe, desire to reveal to me "deep secrets" and "wonderful things." Thank You for giving me Your Spirit to reveal these things. Give me an attentive mind and heart to receive these things today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The Spirit reveals "God's deep secrets" (2:10 NLT) to His people. God desires us to know Him, to know His ways, to know His purpose for us, and to know "the wonderful things God has freely given us." In order for us to know these things God has given us His Spirit to reside with us and reveal to us the "deep secrets" of God which the world can never know but are revealed to us as His children (see 2:14).
Wow!!! Let this sink in. God has "deep secrets" and "wonderful things" that He wants to let You in on! He is ready to reveal these things by His Spirit to those who come to Him with attentive minds through prayer and Scripture. May we be like Mary of Bethany who "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he taught" (Luke 10:39 NLT).
Father, I am truly amazed that You, the God of the universe, desire to reveal to me "deep secrets" and "wonderful things." Thank You for giving me Your Spirit to reveal these things. Give me an attentive mind and heart to receive these things today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
God's Gifted Program
"Through him [Christ Jesus], God has enriched your church in every way... Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:5, 7 NLT
My daughters have both been in the gifted education program at school. I never was so they must take after their mother. However, every one of us is in God's gifted program. These verses tell us that God provides every gift His church needs in order to serve Him faithfully in this world. These gifts are provided by Jesus through the Spirit in the life of each believer. You are gifted! You are part of God's plan to enrich and enable His church to be faithful in these days as we serve Him and await the return of Jesus.
What a privilege! What a responsibility. We do not have the right to withhold our gifts from the Lord and His church. We have an obligation to discover, develop, and deploy the gifts God has given us for the building up of the church and the blessing of the world. Your life and relationship with God will be enriched as You enrich His church. We are blessed as we bless others.
Father, thank You for gifting me and enriching the life of Your church through my life. Help me to fully recognize my giftedness and to fully utilize it for Your glory in the life of Your church.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
1 Corinthians 1:5, 7 NLT
My daughters have both been in the gifted education program at school. I never was so they must take after their mother. However, every one of us is in God's gifted program. These verses tell us that God provides every gift His church needs in order to serve Him faithfully in this world. These gifts are provided by Jesus through the Spirit in the life of each believer. You are gifted! You are part of God's plan to enrich and enable His church to be faithful in these days as we serve Him and await the return of Jesus.
What a privilege! What a responsibility. We do not have the right to withhold our gifts from the Lord and His church. We have an obligation to discover, develop, and deploy the gifts God has given us for the building up of the church and the blessing of the world. Your life and relationship with God will be enriched as You enrich His church. We are blessed as we bless others.
Father, thank You for gifting me and enriching the life of Your church through my life. Help me to fully recognize my giftedness and to fully utilize it for Your glory in the life of Your church.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, June 7, 2010
Two Things
"To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen."
Romans 16:27 NLT
This short verse contains two deep thoughts. First, God "alone is wise." Wisdom belongs to God and comes from God. Man thinks he is wise but his wisdom leads to destruction. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). God's wisdom leads to life. The wise person is the one who humbly seeks God's wisdom in Scripture and through prayer and walks in it.
Second, all glory belongs to God forever and this is the passion of Jesus Christ. Jesus was committed to the glory of the Father in His earthly life and He is now committed to bringing glory to the Father through His church. As fully devoted followers of Jesus our one supreme aim is to bring glory to the Father. "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8 NIV).
Father, grant me the humility to seek Your wisdom daily and the strength to bring You glory in all things.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Romans 16:27 NLT
This short verse contains two deep thoughts. First, God "alone is wise." Wisdom belongs to God and comes from God. Man thinks he is wise but his wisdom leads to destruction. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). God's wisdom leads to life. The wise person is the one who humbly seeks God's wisdom in Scripture and through prayer and walks in it.
Second, all glory belongs to God forever and this is the passion of Jesus Christ. Jesus was committed to the glory of the Father in His earthly life and He is now committed to bringing glory to the Father through His church. As fully devoted followers of Jesus our one supreme aim is to bring glory to the Father. "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8 NIV).
Father, grant me the humility to seek Your wisdom daily and the strength to bring You glory in all things.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Judging Me
"Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." Romans 14:12-13 NLT
Why is it so much easier for us to judge other people than to judge our self? We can quickly see and condemn what we believe to be short comings in the lives of our fellow Christians but we are blind to our own faults. Yet when we stand before God we will not give an account of our neighbor's life but rather we will "give a personal account" of our own life to God. Our time is much better spent easing up on our neighbor and examining our self more closely to ensure we are ready to stand before God with confidence. No one will arrive at perfection but God will judge with grace the life lived in pursuit of pleasing Him.
Father, help me to judge myself correctly in Your light so that I may be prepared to give an account and hear You say "Well done!"
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Why is it so much easier for us to judge other people than to judge our self? We can quickly see and condemn what we believe to be short comings in the lives of our fellow Christians but we are blind to our own faults. Yet when we stand before God we will not give an account of our neighbor's life but rather we will "give a personal account" of our own life to God. Our time is much better spent easing up on our neighbor and examining our self more closely to ensure we are ready to stand before God with confidence. No one will arrive at perfection but God will judge with grace the life lived in pursuit of pleasing Him.
Father, help me to judge myself correctly in Your light so that I may be prepared to give an account and hear You say "Well done!"
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
"Never sacrifice a sick or defective ox or sheep to the LORD your God, for he detests such gifts." Deuteronomy 17:1 NLT
It would have been a temptation for the Israelites to offer the culls of their herd to God since as an offering they would die anyway and they were of no use to the farmer. But cast offs are not acceptable to God. What has no value to the worshiper has no value to God as an offering. He desires the best one has to offer and He is worthy of the best.
We face the same temptation to give God our leftovers. Leftover money after we have bought all we desire with our money. Leftover time after we have accomplished all we intended with our time. Leftover ability after we have done all we could to profit our self with our abilities. But God desires and deserves our first and best not our last and least. What we offer Him speaks of how we value Him.
Father, You are worthy of the best I have. Forgive me for when I have brought you the leftovers rather than the first fruits. Today I will give you the best and first recognizing that all I have comes from You and belongs to You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
It would have been a temptation for the Israelites to offer the culls of their herd to God since as an offering they would die anyway and they were of no use to the farmer. But cast offs are not acceptable to God. What has no value to the worshiper has no value to God as an offering. He desires the best one has to offer and He is worthy of the best.
We face the same temptation to give God our leftovers. Leftover money after we have bought all we desire with our money. Leftover time after we have accomplished all we intended with our time. Leftover ability after we have done all we could to profit our self with our abilities. But God desires and deserves our first and best not our last and least. What we offer Him speaks of how we value Him.
Father, You are worthy of the best I have. Forgive me for when I have brought you the leftovers rather than the first fruits. Today I will give you the best and first recognizing that all I have comes from You and belongs to You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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