"...how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"
Matthew 7:11
God is a giver! He delights to give good gifts to His children. Does He have good laid in store for me which I have not yet received because I have not asked? "Ask and it shall be given to you... (7:7). God is willing and the invitation is open. We must avail ourselves of the oportunity and receive His good through faithful prayer.
Father, teach me to seek and revecive the good which You delight to give.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
"Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:4, 6, 18
Jesus repeated this refrain to drive home a key truth concerning our walk with God. Like an iceberg that is partially seen above the surface but mostly hidden in the depths of the ocean so our walk with God is to consist of much hidden devotion to God. Our "acts of righteousness" (6:1) are to be done primarily for the eyes of God. It is necessary and appropriate to worship and serve God before the eyes of people in the context of the church and community. However, if the bulk of our devotion to God is done before people's eyes we may become empty religious performers ("hypocrites"). Beneath the surface of our public acts let there be a deep, hidden walk with God that is for His eyes only. Such a walk will recieve the Father's reward in the form of a rich relationship with Him and abundant grace from Him.
Father, help me to develop the deep and hidden devotion that You delight in that I may know the rich relationship and favor with You that You have caused my heart to desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jesus repeated this refrain to drive home a key truth concerning our walk with God. Like an iceberg that is partially seen above the surface but mostly hidden in the depths of the ocean so our walk with God is to consist of much hidden devotion to God. Our "acts of righteousness" (6:1) are to be done primarily for the eyes of God. It is necessary and appropriate to worship and serve God before the eyes of people in the context of the church and community. However, if the bulk of our devotion to God is done before people's eyes we may become empty religious performers ("hypocrites"). Beneath the surface of our public acts let there be a deep, hidden walk with God that is for His eyes only. Such a walk will recieve the Father's reward in the form of a rich relationship with Him and abundant grace from Him.
Father, help me to develop the deep and hidden devotion that You delight in that I may know the rich relationship and favor with You that You have caused my heart to desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Friday, January 9, 2009
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
I want to see God! I want to see Him not just some day in eternity but now, today, in this life. I want to be keenly aware of His presence with me and alert to His activity around me. I want to walk in true fellowship with Him. A pure heart is the way--a heart of undivided loyalty, sincere motive, and holiness.
Father, grant me such a heart before You that I may not miss You today but that I might live this day fully with You.
I want to see God! I want to see Him not just some day in eternity but now, today, in this life. I want to be keenly aware of His presence with me and alert to His activity around me. I want to walk in true fellowship with Him. A pure heart is the way--a heart of undivided loyalty, sincere motive, and holiness.
Father, grant me such a heart before You that I may not miss You today but that I might live this day fully with You.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
"'Come follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4:19-20
The call to discipleship is so simple--"Come follow me." And it is inviting--to be with Jesus. Yet it is costly. It means leaving an old way of life. It requires laying aside once cherished things to go after Jesus. The fishermen made the sacrifice without question or delay. Is there anything still holding me back from fully following Jesus?
Father, reveal any hindrance in my life to full devtion to Jesus. Help me to lay aside cherished things that I may live the higher calling of fellowship with Jesus and service to Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The call to discipleship is so simple--"Come follow me." And it is inviting--to be with Jesus. Yet it is costly. It means leaving an old way of life. It requires laying aside once cherished things to go after Jesus. The fishermen made the sacrifice without question or delay. Is there anything still holding me back from fully following Jesus?
Father, reveal any hindrance in my life to full devtion to Jesus. Help me to lay aside cherished things that I may live the higher calling of fellowship with Jesus and service to Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Matthew 3
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance....But after me will come one who...will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (3:8, 11)
To live close to God requires repentance. We cannot remain in sin and walk with Him. Genuine repentance from sin results in a change of life that is evidenced by the fruit of righteousness. But I cannot by my own desire and diligence produce the kind of lasting change that God requires. I need the Holy Spirit whom Christ has given me. He alone can effect real change from the inside out. By repentance I join in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to produce the change that God desires in my life.
Father, thank you for not leaving me to change myself from sin to godliness. Give me a heart that is responsive to the conviction of sin and that is yielded to the Holy Spirit's work of producing the fruit of righteousness in me.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance....But after me will come one who...will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (3:8, 11)
To live close to God requires repentance. We cannot remain in sin and walk with Him. Genuine repentance from sin results in a change of life that is evidenced by the fruit of righteousness. But I cannot by my own desire and diligence produce the kind of lasting change that God requires. I need the Holy Spirit whom Christ has given me. He alone can effect real change from the inside out. By repentance I join in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to produce the change that God desires in my life.
Father, thank you for not leaving me to change myself from sin to godliness. Give me a heart that is responsive to the conviction of sin and that is yielded to the Holy Spirit's work of producing the fruit of righteousness in me.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Matthew 2
A star, prophets, dreams, and angels.
Through these God guided the Magi to the Christ and He guided Joseph and Mary in His will. God guides those who seek Him! He want us to know Him and His will even more than we want it. If we seek His presence He will guide us to Himself as He did the Magi. If we seek to do His will He will guide us in the way as He did Mary and Joseph. We have the distinct advantage of the written Scriptures as God's primary vehicle to serve as a light to our path.
Father, give me a heart that seeks you and is receptive to your Word of guidance so that I may live near you and may do your will always.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
A star, prophets, dreams, and angels.
Through these God guided the Magi to the Christ and He guided Joseph and Mary in His will. God guides those who seek Him! He want us to know Him and His will even more than we want it. If we seek His presence He will guide us to Himself as He did the Magi. If we seek to do His will He will guide us in the way as He did Mary and Joseph. We have the distinct advantage of the written Scriptures as God's primary vehicle to serve as a light to our path.
Father, give me a heart that seeks you and is receptive to your Word of guidance so that I may live near you and may do your will always.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, January 5, 2009
Let the journey begin!
Matthew 1
"...David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife..." (1:6)
In the geneology of Jesus we are confronted with sin and grace. David's wife, Bathsheba, had been Uriah's wife. David stole her through dark and deplorable acts of sin. David was a man who was mostly loyal and deeply devoted to God yet he was deeply flawed with sin. He and Bathsheba typify the reason Jesus came. "...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (1:21). His very name means Savior! David needed a Savior like Jesus. I need a Savior like Jesus for I too am a man flawed by sin whose only hope is God's grace.
Father, I thank you for providing through David's line an unflawed Savior for flawed people like David and like me. I recieve and rejoice in your grace today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Matthew 1
"...David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife..." (1:6)
In the geneology of Jesus we are confronted with sin and grace. David's wife, Bathsheba, had been Uriah's wife. David stole her through dark and deplorable acts of sin. David was a man who was mostly loyal and deeply devoted to God yet he was deeply flawed with sin. He and Bathsheba typify the reason Jesus came. "...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (1:21). His very name means Savior! David needed a Savior like Jesus. I need a Savior like Jesus for I too am a man flawed by sin whose only hope is God's grace.
Father, I thank you for providing through David's line an unflawed Savior for flawed people like David and like me. I recieve and rejoice in your grace today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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