Pasadena Park Nazarene Church
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The Church on Upriver Drive-8822 E Upriver Dr Spokane WA 99212 (509) 926-5858
Want to hear some good news? Come to church Sunday and you'll hear some great news! Every week there is great news!! See you on Sunday and 10:45
More messages from Romans 8
"Being Led By The Holy Spirit"
Pastor Mark
God is giving us more and more ministry partners!
Philippians 1:3-6 NIV
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is doing something very special in my life and in my church right now! He is bringing more and more ministry partners into my life and my church! I'm so encouraged by this work of God! I'm going to simply follow this passage and keep praying for my all the partners in ministry. God always provides, leads and fills our hearts with assurance of his completing work! Thank you for your partnership and prayers.
Living the crazy life of freedom in Christ!
Pastor Mark
Hearing Good News In the Faith!
1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (NIV)
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
I love to hear good news about how others are doing in the faith! All of us have people we pray for daily and desire God's best for them. Receiving good news about their progress in the faith is a true touch of God upon our lives! Keep praying for others, and may you receive a word of encouragement about their faith. God is working in many lives today!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Commit To The Way of the Lord
Psalm 37:1-9 (NIV)
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
This passage is the way to a better understanding of our world these days. If we trust in the way of the Lord, He will lead, bless, and protect us. This passage is a great way to live! I have found this to be so true! Try it out, you'll see!
In the love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Always Complaining About Something!
Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV)
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
In Christ were are a blessed people. If we are so blessed, why do we grumble and complain about so many things? In this passage there is a call to have a "Jesus Attitude" and stop the grumbling. I believe a person that is always complaining is in big spiritual trouble! Their witness for Christ is not good either. Life is about Christ, not my daily comforts! May our actions and speech reflect the mind of Christ today.
In the Love of Jesus and the power of God.
Pastor Mark
Where Your Heart Is
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus makes it clear about where our hearts should be concerning earthly treasures. How honest are we with this passage in our lives? Seems like there's a tremendous amount of storing up of earthly treasure these days. How many more storage units will be built in Spokane? This issue truly reveals a persons heart to others and God. People think they can cover this up, but they can't. The value system of your heart will show up in all you do in life! Where is your treasure, here or heaven? Be honest!
In the love of Christ,
Pastor Mark
Make Things Right Today!
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)
2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
I have seen so many people live with bitterness over broken relationships. They put off the healing that God wants to bring. I have seen the same thing happen with people's approach to God. God wants to heal their hearts and free them. Sadly, they put that work of God off for another day or time. They willfully reject the love of God. The truth is that our time is very limited and God wants to restore us today! Yes, out time is very limited!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Keep Humble Before God and Others
James 4:7-10 (TLB)
7 So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. 9 Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, he will lift you up, encourage and help you.
I love the book of James! This passage is one of my favorites because it offers some daily truth that I need. I must give my life daily to the Lord and walk in humility before Him. This world can really promote spiritual arrogance and self management as the end all in life. That's the quickest way to ruin a relationship with God, and many do this. God will lift us when we walk in humility and surrender to His will. That is the truth!
In the love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Living Above the Worldly Way
1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
The world and all the trappings of the world have a great lure for many. We can easily get caught up in the world's ways and may not realize it. Our passage gives a very strong warning about the things of this world. If you look closely you can see the world fading away. If you look into a heart that loves and knows God, you see eternal life and renewal. This is our choice and our warning.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Christian Living
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
I love this passage! This is my goal today in all I do. Christian living is not meant to be complicated and burdened down with little details. Christian living is to live and follow the teachings of Jesus and His message of hope. We need to keep the focus on the Gospel of Christ.
In the love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Follow the Truth For Freedom
Galatians 5:7-9 (TLB)
7 You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God who has done it, for he is the one who has called you to freedom in Christ. 9 But it takes only one wrong person among you to infect all the others.
God saves us in Christ and frees our heart to follow him. We then can grow in the things of God in the way the Spirit leads. But there will always be people that think they know better than God the ways and actions of Christianity. They can lead you into spiritual bondage and defeat. We must be very careful not to listen to them. The Word of God is the truth we follow. Stay true to the leading of the Holy Spirit and live free in Christ.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Be A Loving Person In All You Do
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
I love this passage about living out our faith with others! I believe this is a daily pattern to be followed in all we do. I still find it amazing that the Lord has forgiven me. This allows my heart to be free of guilt, shame, and bitterness. This freedom means I must treat others in the way that Christ has blessed me. There are people all around us that need love, acceptance, and forgiveness. May this be our practice in all things.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Build Others Up In the Faith!
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (TLB)
9 For God has not chosen to pour out his anger upon us but to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ; 10 he died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return. 11 So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.
We need to daily practice encouragement! As the days become more stressful we need to encourage others more! Personally, I'm working on becoming a better person in this area of my faith in Christ. So many people that need a kind word and a boost in the faith! Please join me in this pursuit and may we see some Jesus results in our world.
In the Love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Saving Grace!
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Last night I was part of a study group that talked about the saving grace of God! Our study was taken from this passage and the this video. It was a great teaching on the grace of God in our lives. As you listen to this great teaching may you respond to God's call upon your life.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Thank You Mom!
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
When I read this passage I think of the way my mother treated me my whole life. When I was a baby, my mother accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. I wasn't just raised by my mother, I was nurtured in the love of God through her. Even in the days of her medical and mental struggles she love me like Jesus would. This Mother's Day I honor her memory and think once again of this passage. Our world need more people applying this passage in their lives! I'm so glad that my mother did!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
The Love of God Today
John 3:16 Living Bible (TLB)
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
What is your view of God? I view God as loving in all His ways. The passage tells us the plan of salvation was God acting in love. I believe this day that God has given me is another act of His love. I believe every word of the Bible describes the God of love for His people. If we accept the love of God in your hearts we'll have eternal life! Then we'll live, work, and walk in the love of God every moment of our life!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Christian Holiness
1 Peter 1:13-15 (NIV)
Be Holy
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
My father truly believed in the call to holiness. He knew the Holy Spirit could sanctify him and present him holy before the Lord. He loved to study passages about holiness. He also read several of the great teachers on the subject. He really enjoyed it when I would preached on holiness. The above passage is a call to live a holy life before God and this world. May we all seek this truth in our life with the same passion my father did.
In the Love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Read The Bible Everyday!
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
My father truly followed the Bible. He knew is as God's voice in his life. My father was very active in the Gideons, the ministry that places Bibles in motels, prisons, and hospitals. Dad knew that the Word of God could changes lives for all eternity. I think our world would be better if people would read the Bible more and watch the news on television less. Grab and Bible today and feast on the Word of the Living God!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God Must Come First!
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
My father helped make Christianity easier for me to understand by simply putting God first in all things. I watched my father over the years make decisions that put the things of God first. The passage makes it clear that leads to a blessed life. When we make God first we will see God move in our lives, as He has promised. Our hopes, dreams, and priorities must all be inline with the will of God.
In the love of Jesus ands the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Keep Loving Others to the Very End
Romans 13:8-10 (ERV)
Loving Others Is the Only Law
8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9 The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.” All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” 10 Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law.
Another lesson I've learned from my father's life was to love people to the very end. Dad put others before his needs so many times in his life. He was truly loving them in the love of Jesus. The Lord enabled my father to never give up on people. This was a powerful life lesson for me that the passage above is all about. Please don't give up on others, keep loving them in Jesus to the very end!
In the love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God Will Supply For Your Needs
Philippians 4:19-20 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
With the upcoming memorial service for my father Gerald Van Bebber this Saturday, I would life to share some small spiritual truths I learned from his life. Time and time again I watched the Lord provide for the needs of my father and our family. As dad walked with Jesus, God took care of him and our family. Dad was a very generous man, because he knew what Christ had done for him. As he gave his life and resources to help others, God poured out His blessings upon my father in too many ways to count. If you trust in the hand of God, He will provide for you! What do you need today? God has the answer!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Seek the Wisdom of God Today!
James 3:13-18 (NIV)
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
We need the wisdom of God today! I'm very tired of all the experts in this world showing off their shallow form of wisdom. Only God can lead us in true wisdom. The above passage reveals true wisdom for us. Many claim wisdom and knowledge, but their lives reflect selfish ambition. We need Godly wisdom today! Be careful who you think is really wise?
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Do What the Bible Says Today!
James 1:19-25 (ERV)
Listening and Obeying
19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. 20 Anger does not help you live the way God wants. 21 So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you.
22 Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.
When we read God's Word it is meant to move us more and more in the way God has for us. God's word reflects our true self to us. God's Word is meant to be lived out in our daily lives. We need to process the corrections in our lives that the Word of God has revealed. That is being honest before God! Please read God's Word this very day and do what it reveals to you! You'll be a better person if you do!
In the Love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
A Bible Study Group Is Great!
James 1:2-8 Living Bible (TLB)
2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.
5 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; 7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.
Last night I had the joy and privilege of meeting with a great group of people to study the Bible. For the next seven weeks we'll be in the book of James. We had some great discussion about the passage above! If you are not in a Bible study group let me encourage you to find one and take part! This passage really spoke to the difficult times we live in and how we our faith can become stronger in the process. So grab a Bible and get some people together and grow in the Lord!
In the Love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Being Watchful and Thankful
Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
This passage is a call for prayer. As we live in an attitude of prayer through the day, we must be watchful and thankful in all things. Be watchful in what others need and be thankful in the power of God's blessings upon us. We have a great message to share about the love and power of God! May we be watchful and thankful this very day!
In the love of Jesus and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Who Jesus Is!
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
I often read this passage to help keep my daily focus on Jesus! When my attention gets scattered I'm in big spiritual trouble. I can't serve Jesus very well if I don't remember life is about Him, not me. The world is so clever at pushing the focus on self. When self is the daily focus, trouble is on the way! When Jesus is our focus, things are in their proper place. Jesus is the one that changed my life and has given me hope! That needs to be my focus today!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Reach Out To Jesus For Comfort
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
We all need help at times in our lives. Jesus is there to help and comfort us in anything we are facing. God has used Gospel music over the years to comfort me. The following song on video is a song of comfort in the Lord. This is my sister, father and I in 1985 at the Walla Walla Church of the Nazarene. May God bless you this day!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
"Part the Waters"
Carol Van Bebber
Freedom In Christ
Colossians 2:16-19 (CEV)
16 Don’t let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don’t let them say that you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival. 17 These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real!
18 Don’t be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires. 19 They are no longer part of Christ, who is the head of the whole body. Christ gives the body its strength, and he uses its joints and muscles to hold it together, as it grows by the power of God.
When we are connected to Christ we live in freedom with God! Christ becomes our focus and guide in all things. Sadly, there will always be people ready to tell you "How to be a Christian...according to their rules." They think they're really spiritual, and have all the answers of the faith. The passage tells us they have lost their way. Our relationship with Christ is real and the only thing one needs to follow in living as a believer. Rules of others hurt lives....relationship in Jesus...saves lives!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
The Peace of Christ Our Guide
Colossians 3:15-17 (CEV)
15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.
Christ is our peace in these troubles days. My goal today is to let the peace of Christ be my guide in thinking and actions. I can't control what happens around me, but the peace of Christ can control what happens in me. May my actions today be a refection of the peace of Christ in me. May I give thanks all day long in the name of Jesus!
In the love and peace of Christ,
Pastor Mark
Looking Up More These Days
Psalm 121:1-2
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
121 I look to the hills!
Where will I find help?
2 It will come from the Lord,
who created the heavens
and the earth.
In Spokane last night, my wife and I noticed a beautiful sunset painted by the hand of God. Looking up at this beautiful sunset reminded me of God and all His help in my life over the years. The passage reminds us that our true help comes from God. With so many distractions in our lives these days we need to look up and see God more! This very hour I am receiving help from God at the passing of my father. Yes, there is help from the creative hand of God! Look Up, you will find help!
In the Love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
The Work of Christ for Our Salvation
Romans 5:18-21 (NIV)
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today is another opportunity to pause and reflect on what Christ has done to bring salvation for all. This song shares the message so powerfully for us today.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
In Christ Alone
Jesus Paid the Price For Our Sin
On this Good Friday we stop and remember the work of Jesus on the cross for our sin. As a gospel piano player growing up I would play the song, " I Should Have Been Crucified" and think of Jesus on the cross for me. Please take a moment to read and listen to the message of this great old gospel song.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
I Should Have Been Crucified
I was guilty with nothing to say
And they were coming to take me away
When a voice from Heaven was heard that said
"Let him go and take Me instead"
Oh I should have been crucified
And I should have suffered and died
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace
But Jesus, God's Son, took my place
That crowns of thorns, the spear in His side
And the pain, it should have been mine
Those rusty nails were meant for me
Yet Christ took them and let me go free
Songwriters: Gordon Jensen
I Should Have Been Crucified
The Last Supper
Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Today is a day to spend some quiet time remembering the words and actions of Christ during the Last Supper. He was preparing for die for our sins and teaching about the love of the Father. The following video gives some great thoughts on this important day in history. God be with you during this special time.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
What is Maundy Thursday / Holy Thursday?
Christians Friends Are Important!
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Getting Close To God
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we can enter into the loving and powerful presence of God! This means we can get very close to God in our personal relationship with him. The following video will explain the wonderful process that God provided for us to draw near to Him.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
What was the Holy of Holies?
Who Are You Praying For Today?
March 27, 2021
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I love this prayer! This prayer fills my heart with hope and needed encouragement. I have a good friend that is dealing with ALS disease. He speaks of becoming weaker and weaker as time passes. I can't begin to imagine what he is going through. Over the years, God has blessed this man in many ways. His family has loved and supported me for over 35 years. This prayer today is for my brother in Christ and his lovely family. May God strengthen you today! Who are you praying for today? There is so much hurt, pain, loneliness, and suffering in our land today. As we pray, may God heal and comfort our loved ones this very day!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Don't Feel Lost In This World
March 26, 2021
Psalm 25:12 (ERV)
12 When people choose to follow the Lord,
he shows them the best way to live.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Have you ever sensed the Lord pushing you towards something you don't understand? Well, get used to it, this is His way of growing our faith and service in Him. When we trust the Lord, He makes sure to lead us (Proverbs 3:5-6) in His prefect path. When we trust in the world... we will get lost in the world! When I was five years old somehow I became separated from my parents in a huge department store. I was so sacred and lost that I thought my life was over. Someone finally helped me find my parents. When I saw my father and mother I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace, hope and security. So many today are lost in the world and are sacred to death! God wants to show them way home!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God Really Knows What You're Doing!
Matthew 6:1-5 (NIV)
Giving to the Needy
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
To me, the most important things that happen in our lives are the things that God sees! He sees If I care and pray for others. He sees if I truly give attention to the needy. He sees if I really want to go to church or not! He sees if I love His Word or not. I have played piano in church over 50 years and I can tell you not one person in church has ever heard the music God hears in my private playing. Only God sees my true passion and love for him. We believers need to follow this passage more and learn what it means to serve in secret for God! This will make us better to serve the world out in the open! Try it!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pasto Mark
Look at Yourself First for A Great Church!
March 24, 2021
Romans 12:3-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
This passage speaks of something so very important that could change every church for the better. So many are always evaluating the success of the church and never the success of their walk with Jesus. When we evaluate ourselves before God first, we have a better picture of how we can work with others to be the church that Christ has called us to. This is what the passage says! The church is not made of superstars but people who truly know the personal value of grace in their lives! I sure wish more churches would see it this clearly!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God's Spirit... The Path of Life
March 23, 2021
Galatians 5:19-25 New International Version (NIV)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
As our country continues in acts of hatred, rage, and violence our hearts break for the people of Boulder Colorado. The passage tells us that acts of the sinful nature lead a person down the path of death. The shooter in this crime has been going down the sinful path. The path of the Spirit of God leads to life. I will personally continue to let others know about the Spirit's path of freedom and life. I will also continue to pray for the hurting and pray for God's fresh out pouring of His Spirit on our land.
In the name of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God's Spirit.. The Path of Life
This is the Prayer People Need Today
March 22, 2021
Ephesians 1:15-23 New International Version (NIV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
This prayer of the Apostle Paul has always moved me to pray for others in a much deeper way. This is the type of prayer people need today! I sure hope someone is praying like this for me! Prayer like this changes things! Please pray for others today!
In the Love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
I Want the Church To Be The Church Today!
March 19, 2021
1 Peter 2:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Once again, a passage from the Word of God that tells us what the church is to be. I want the church today to be the church today! The world is always putting peer pressure on the church to be something that's it not. The following article is very telling on how this pressure from the world is at work in the church today. God has a better way and has provided all the tools for the "Church to Be the Church Today."
3 WAYS CONSUMERISM IS KILLING THE CHURCH
Written by Justin Karl on October 13, 2014
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Hold On to This Passage!
March 18, 2021
Psalm 23:1-3 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 23A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
My life is in a difficult place right now. I'm holding on to this verse with all my heart! I can't make it without the Lord being my good shepherd. He has proven time and time again that He is there. The most important person in my life is fading and losing his mind right in front of me hour by hour the past few days. I owe everything I have and will ever have to my father. As a boy he was "Superman" to me! His love and heart for people is bigger than mine could ever be. He never gave up on me and has been my biggest fan in ministry and music! I have watched him help countless people over the years. He was always there for anyone! This world is really hurting right now and families need each other more than ever. Please, take the time to let your loved ones know you love them. I know that I will make it through this because the Lord is my shepherd.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
What Discipleship?
March 16, 2021
Mark 8:34-35 New International Version (NIV)
The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
How important is discipleship in the church today? It was the last thing Jesus spoke of on earth! The following article will will get you thinking about this and other issues facing the church today.
In the love of Christ and the power of God
Pastor Mark
What Is Killing the Church in America?
March 15, 2021
Ephesians 2:19-22 New International Version (NIV)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
The Church today needs a move of God! There is something wrong! The above passage gives a description of the church that I can really embrace! The church of today doesn't seem to be like this? Has the church given into the world?
In my current reading and study my heart has been hurting for the lack of power in the church today. I'm just another seeker looking for some helping grace from God. The following article has some interesting thoughts on this issue.
HOW CELEBRITY, CONSUMERISM & COMPETITION ARE KILLING THE CHURCH
May we see God move and help us in this time of need.
In the Love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
The Church Today Is In Big Trouble
March 13, 2021
John 14:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Without people being filled and led of the Holy Spirit, the church is in big trouble. I love being a pastor and preaching the Word, but I see many spiritual problems in the church at large today. There is a huge lack of self surrender to the true will and purpose of God, including me! There are too many personal agendas and not enough God agenda! In my reading the other day I came across this interesting thought. This was written around 1981.
One's man's evaluation of the church today is thought provoking:
"If God called His Holy Spirit out of the World, about 95 percent of what we are doing would go right on, and we would brag about it."
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God Takes Very Good Care of His People
March 11, 2021
Philippians 4:19 New International Version (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
What do you need today? What is God doing about that need in your life?
I really, really, really believe in the power of this passage! God knows what I need and He will handle it! This has been true everyday of my sixty two years of life. This has been true during the COVID time. Too many are looking in the wrong places to have their needs met. We must learn that what God provides is the best we will ever experience. When we settle for less or some type of quick fix, we are spiritually starting to die. I have seen this way to often as a pastor. God provided for my salvation and power to live for Him. All else has been bonus time! Right now in your life, God in Christ is taking care of your need! Praise His Holy Name!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Complaining Is Not a Good Witness For Christ
March 10, 2021
Philippians 2:12-16 New International Version (NIV)
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
This passage reminds me that the way believers act and behave is very important to the sharing of the message. Complaining shows that a person still has some personal agenda issues that need to be given to Christ. When I read chapter two of Philippians I see what that my attitude should be like Christ's would. I know that talking about Christian's personal behavior is not very popular for filling up churches, but it is Biblical truth! We are to be like Christ in all things!
When you feel like complaining...look at the Cross of Jesus Christ, you'll have to stop and reflect.
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
God's Truth Is Always There!
March 9, 2021
1 John 3:19-24 New International Version (NIV)
19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
The Spirit of God works very deeply in our hearts. We cannot hide from His inner workings. The world is full of people that think that can fool God and hide from His cleansing truth. Is your heart fully at rest with God this very moment?
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Free to Live By Faith
Mark 8, 2021
Galatians 2:20-21 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
20 I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. 21 I don’t turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness. If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die.
When Christ died for our sins he also died to enable us to live by faith in Him. God's grace frees us to live by faith and not have to try so hard to "Be Christian" as many do. When we die to ourselves and live by faith in Christ, we become extremely spiritually free! We need more free believers and less tired believers. Freedom in Christ is what the Gospel message is all about! So...live by faith and sore with the freedom that Christ brings!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
The Comforting Words of Jesus Today!
March 6, 2021
John 14:1-6 (ERV)
Jesus Comforts His Followers
14 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
I can't begin to tell you how often I reflect upon this passage. Knowing that Jesus is the way to the Father and eternal life stirs up hope in me! Having a personal walk with Christ brings me comfort in the deepest way! Jesus wants us to know His peace and comfort. He does not want us to be troubled! These words of Christ reflect the heart of the Father concerning us. Jesus has comfort for you today!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
Kari Jobe - Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)
We Are Not Weak!
March 5, 2021
Ephesians 3:14-20 (NIV)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
What a great prayer from the Apostle Paul! The world would be a better place if we all prayed like this! Paul mentions God's power that is a work in every believer. We are so weak without God, but become extremely strong in his power! We can face the day and all that lies before us by the power of God that is working with us! I wonder what God's power will accomplish in your life today? We are strong in the Lord! We re rooted in His love!
In the love of Christ and the power of God,
Pastor Mark
A New Day Is On The Way Soon!
March 4, 2021
1 Peter 1:3-7 New International Version (NIV)
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
This past year during the COVID 19 issue my faith has gone through the fire. The passage says it would! I now have a new vision for our church! Our lives and our church will be different as we open things up in the coming weeks. I think God is giving us a fresh start! The passage tells us we have an eternal living hope! We have much to look forward to, and it begins today in our heats! All of this will end in praise and glory to God if we are faithful and follow His leading. I pray that God has brought His freshness of Spirit to your life!
In the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Mark
REFINER'S FIRE FT. BRIAN DOERKSEN & TWP BAND
God Is Not Done With You!
March 3, 2021
Philippians 1:3-6 Living Bible (TLB)
3 All my prayers for you are full of praise to God! 4 When I pray for you, my heart is full of joy 5 because of all your wonderful help in making known the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.
This passage reminds us that God still has some great work to do in our hearts! God is not done with us yet! Hold on to the hand of God, because He is doing great things your life! Take a moment to worship the Lord as you listen to the following video. May God assure you today that He is not done with you! In the Love of Christ, Pastor Mark
Much Hate Out There!
February 13, 2021
1 John 2:9-11 New International Version (NIV)
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
There is so much hate in our world today. A heart full of heart leads to a slow and awful spiritual death. I have seen this happen way too often. We must deal with this issue! The following video gives some help in dealing with this issue.
Pastor Mark
God Comes First
February 12, 2021
Matthew 6:33 New International Version (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So many things pull at us for our attention and energy. Our priorities can really get messed up. When God is first in our lives, life comes together in a beautiful way. The following video teaching makes this point very clear.
Pastor Mark
Give Your Life To God
February 11, 2021
Romans 12:1-2 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)Give Your Lives to God
12 So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
How dedicated am I to God's will for my life? Am I holding things back from God? Can I give my whole life to the Lord?
How can I live a godly life in a sinful world? These are important question and the Word of God has the answers!
The following video will help to answers these questions.
Pastor Mark
Give Your Cares To God Today!
February 9, 2021
1 Peter 5:7 Living Bible (TLB)
7 Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
Don't let the burdens of life ruin your day...give your struggles to the Lord. He loves and cares for you!
Pastor Mark
We Are A Bunch of Sheep!
February 6, 2021
Psalm 23 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
(A psalm by David.)The Good Shepherd
23 You, Lord, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields
of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name,
and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys
as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod
makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast,
while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love will always be with me
each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
Here are some great thoughts on Psalm 23. I'm so glad the Lord is my Shepherd! Listen to following video for more teaching on Psalm 23.
Pastor Mark
Prayer and Power
February 5, 2021
Ephesians 6:18-20 Living Bible (TLB)
18 Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere. 19 Pray for me, too, and ask God to give me the right words as I boldly tell others about the Lord and as I explain to them that his salvation is for the Gentiles too. 20 I am in chains now for preaching this message from God. But pray that I will keep on speaking out boldly for him even here in prison, as I should.
We need to be people of prayer. The Word tells us about the power in prayer. What are we praying about these days?
The following video will help us understand the power in prayer!
Pastor Mark
Maturity In Christ
February 4, 2021
Philippians 3:10-14 New International Version (NIV)
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Maturity in Christ is a topic that needs more attention these days. I found this great thought on spiritual maturity;
The road to spiritual maturity is a lifelong journey offering a bounty of benefits along the way. The strength you gain from spiritual maturity helps you overcome hardships by emboldening you to trust that God causes all things to work together for your good ( Romans 8:28 ). Author Unknown
The following video has some great thoughts on this important topic.
Pastor Mark
A Fruitful Christian
February 3, 2021
John 15:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples
We are called to be fruitful followers of Christ. God's Spirit in us produces good fruit! The following video will shed some light on this vital spiritual work of God in us.
Pastor Mark
Following Jesus Today
February 2, 2021
Mark 8:34-35 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
34 Then Jesus called the crowd and his followers to him. He said, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. 35 Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me and for the Good News will save it.
What does it mean to really follow Jesus? Can we truly follow Jesus in these crazy times? The call to follow Christ is clear in the Word of God. Learn about this truth in the following video lesson.
Pasto Mark
Time With God Is Worship
January 31, 2021
Psalm 46:10 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
10 God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God!
I am the one who defeats the nations;
I am the one who controls the world.”
Today some will go to church and some will have church online. The best thing we can today is "be still" before God and know that He is in control! Giving God time is worship!
Pastor Mark
A Whole Lotta of Foolishness Going On!
January 30, 2021
Proverbs 19:1 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
19 It is better to be poor and honest than to be a liar and a fool.
Growing up my mother would not let us call anyone a fool. She had a strong Biblical view on this word. To be a is fool is a terrible thing according to the Word Of God. Foolishness is all around us and we need to have a clear understanding of this spiritual problem. The following video teaching will help.
Pastor Mark
The Fire of God!
January 29, 2021
Matthew 3:11 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
11 “I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The fire of the Sprit is powerful in our daily lives. May God cleanse and empower us with Holy Spirit fire! Listen to the following video to learn more about this fire!
Pastor Mark
Don't Be A Fool!
January 28, 2021
1 Timothy 6:6-10 New International Version (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
There is a powerful message for us in this passage. Our world is consumed with getting and having more! All we have comes from the blessings of God. We must in return be a blessing and not a hoarder! The following video lesson is a needed message in our world today.
Pastor Mark
Living In the Spiritual Mess!
January 27, 2021
2 Timothy 3:1-5 Living Bible (TLB)
3 You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. 3 They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. 4 They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. 5 They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that.
This passage has always spoken to me about the culture in which we live. I have seen every word of this passage to be true with my own eyes! By God's power we must live, love, and be strong in the current pain that is before us. We must learn to see the world as God does, and learn our approach for living today from Him only. Paul told Timothy to watch out for trouble, but keep growing in the Lord. God's ways are greater than the world's way!
Pastor Mark
Praying for God's Power!
January 26, 2021
Ephesians 1:15-23 New International Version (NIV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
This prayer of the Apostle Paul is for the power of God to changes lives! We need prayers like this today! May we learn to pray for each other at a much deeper level such as this prayer.
Pastor Mark
Spiritual Maturity Is Needed Today!
January 25, 2021
2 Peter 1:3-11 New International Version (NIV)
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We live is a very troubled time of blaming, shaming, and excuse making for our problems. What we need to do is accept the power of God in our lives, trust in Him and spiritually grow up! If we really believe that God is God, then our trust in Him should reflect a deepening of our spiritual lives! If I'm not maturing in the Lord, then I'm not really giving him my whole heart, soul and mind. My lack of maturity is my fault! When I'm not maturing in the Lord, may actions will effect others in a negative way. I can really help this world by growing up in the Lord! Help me Lord to mature in you! God provides ALL that we need to grow up in Him!
Pastor Mark
Thinking About the Holy Spirit
January 23, 2021
John 14:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
I was blessed to be raised in a church that taught about the Holy Spirit working in our lives. I can't get enough teaching and conversation on this great topic! All I know is the Holy Spirit is real and working because Jesus told us this truth! I have seen and felt the moving and leading of the Spirit! Open your heart to the deep inner working of the Holy Spirit! Here is another short video teaching on this moving subject.
Pastor Mark
Are We Listening To God These Days?
January 22, 2021
Psalm 119:105 New International Version (NIV)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
There are so many voices out there and we must learn to listen to God more! The following video brings up some great questions about listening to God. Open you heart for this important word for our day!
Pastor Mark
Keep Asking God!
January 21, 2021
Matthew 7:7-12 Living Bible (TLB)
7 “Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Anyone who seeks, finds. If only you will knock, the door will open. 9 If a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, will he be given a stone instead? 10 If he asks for fish, will he be given a poisonous snake? Of course not! 11 And if you hard-hearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children, won’t your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask him for them?
God has the answers we need! We must never stop seeking those answers from God. This passage reminds us of that! I think we need this reminding these days! Whatever is on your heart this day, ask of the Lord and you will receive from His heart! The following video has some great teaching to help us keep seeking of the Lord.
Pastor Mark
What God Meant For Us To Be
January 19, 2021
Ephesians 4:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The passage above speaks of the our old life and our new life. In Christ, God is restoring the original purpose of creation in us. The following video is a great lesson on this important spiritual truth. Open your heart to what God wants to restore in you!
Pastor Mark
Keep Praying!
January 16, 2021
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
16 Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.
Prayer and more prayer! We need to pray and keep praying! How's your prayer life? The following video shares some great thoughts on prayer! Keep praying!
Pastor Mark
Answered Prayer
January 15, 2021
1 John 5:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
God has blessed us with the joy and power of prayer. We need to be people of prayer. When the Holy Spirit was poured out the people were waiting for the promise of God in prayer. God answered those prayers in a mighty way! We need to have the assurance in prayer that God does answer our prayers! The following video will help us understand this better. Keep praying and never give up!
Pastor Mark
Can There Be Unity Today?
January 14, 2021
Ephesians 4:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
There is much talk today about unity and people coming together so we can go forward. That would be great! Even in the church unity has not always been there! The church has become so divided in so many ways. This passage calls us to unity in the name of Jesus and by living for him. We as the church must show the divided world what unity looks likes and what unifies us. May true believers lead the way in unity today!
Pastor Mark
The Wind of the Spirit is Upon Us!
January 13, 2021
Acts 2:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
There is a huge wind storm this morning in Spokane. One of our church members had a tree fall on his house that came very close to harming him. Praise the Lord that he is safe! This mighty wind today reminds me of the wind of the Holy Spirit that that came when God poured out His Spirit on the believers in the New Testament. That same Holy Spirit power is working today and can empower us to do might things for God! The following video will help us understand this mighty wind that came and the might power there is for us!
Pastor Mark
Speaking and Sharing the Truth These Days
January 12, 2021
Ephesians 4:15-16 Living Bible (TLB)
15-16 Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Our world is in big trouble right now! We hear and see blaming, judging, shaming, and hurting of others. We need the truth more than ever these days! Believers need to speak the truth and share the truth. Walking in obedience with Christ is living in the truth. We are not to judge others, but we must share the truth! The following video is a great lesson on this important topic for our times. May we have the wisdom of the Lord today!
Pastor Mark
No Fear of the Future!!
January 11, 2021
1 John 4:17-18 Living Bible (TLB)
17 And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.
18 We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.
Are we getting close to the end? How bad will this world get? When we walk with Jesus there is no fear concerning these questions. The following video helps us see how to walk Christ even in the end times?
Pastor Mark
The Mighty Name of Jesus!
January 9, 2021
Acts 4:12 Living Bible (TLB)
12 There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.”
In this passage Peter was proclaiming life, power and truth in the name of Jesus! The people has seen a miracle of God! Peter made sure that the power of the God as seen in the resurrection of Christ was was given the credit! Power and boldness were evident when Peter proclaimed salvation alone in Jesus Christ! What a wonderful and great name, the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! The following video will teach us more about the wonderful names given to our Lord.
Pastor Mark
Do You Know My Jesus?
January 8, 2021
John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The more we know about Jesus the better our lives will be! We cannot settle for anything less than the entire truth about Jesus. Please take time to listen to the following video teaching about "Who Jesus Is" and let God's truth fill your life! Do you really know Jesus? He is the only way to true life! Don't fall for lies!
Pastor Mark
To Be In Christ!
January 7, 2021
Philippians 3:7-10 Living Bible (TLB)
7 But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile—now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, 9 and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith—counting on Christ alone. 10 Now I have given up everything else—I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with him.
Being in Christ is the core of life and Christianity. Until you understand this better there will be more religion with God than relationship with God. The above passage is the way to walk in Christ. Paul tells it like it really is! He wants Jesus and he wants to be found in Christ! The following video will help our understanding of this important truth!
Pastor Mark
Knowing God Better
January 6, 2021
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
God knows everything about us! What do we really know about God? What a wonderful journey we are on getting to know God better and better. The following video will help us understand how to know God better. God knows us!
Pastor Mark
The Wonderful Living Water of The Spirit
January 5, 2021
John 7:37-39 Living Bible (TLB)
37 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me.” 39 (He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him; but the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet returned to his glory in heaven.)
Today our church is having a new water main line installed. We are blessed with wonderful fresh water in Spokane! Jesus speaks of living water in the our lives when we come to him! The following video teaching will help us to understand this wonderful blessing from God. By the way, to get the water line installed at the church cost several thousand dollars! To receive living water for your thirsty soul you must get connected to Jesus by placing your faith and trust in Him. God wants to fill you with living water today!
Pastor Mark
Pleasing The Lord Today!
January 4, 2021
Ephesians 5:8-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
My focus today is to please the Lord! Not myself or others. We have way too many "People Pleasers" out there, even in the church! We need more "God Pleasers" walking in the light of the Lord! Trying to make everyone happy around us never works! It always has a bad ending! In Christ the darkness in our hearts has been replaced with the pure light of the Lord. Wow, what a change that brings! What a life of possibilities in the grace of God going forward! Pleasing people is still living in the dark. Pleasing God produces good things! Pleasing God helps us to be true "People Helpers" in the light of God!
Pastor Mark
Our World Needs Faithful People!
January 2, 2021
Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
There are so many needs in our world today! Our world needs more faithful people! People that are truly committed to God and others. This is a great work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. All I know is that the culture sure needs more faithful people. I want to be one of them! The following video gives some great thoughts on this passage.
Pastor Mark
I Don't Want To Be A Grumpy Old Man!
January 1, 2021
Proverbs 10:27 (NIV)
27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Welcome to the new year! May the coming year be full of God's riches blessings! One huge goal I have as a person is to grow old happy! I don't want to become a grumpy old man! I sure hope I'm not headed in that direction! I don't know what the future holds, especially living in this very troubled world. I must continue to follow the Lord without hesitation in all things of life! If my health completely goes down the tube, I must continue to follow Him. If I end up all alone the final years of my life, I must continue to follow him! The following video has some interesting thoughts on the above passage.
Pastor Mark
Another Day to Follow God Without Hesitation!
December 31, 2020
Psalm 1 Living Bible (TLB)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. 2 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.
3 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.
4 But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind. 5 They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.
Today and tomorrow no matter what the year is called is another day to follow God! The passage reminds us to daily seek the will and direction of the Lord in our lives. We are to follow God and NOT people! Following people has a very bad ending! The ways of God and His grace for us should consume our thoughts all day long! This is the ONLY way to have a great 2021. As the old gospel songs says, one day at a time sweet Jesus! Today I'm not thinking about the new year or the calendar, I'm thinking about the ways of God! Besides, I'm getting older and closer to Heaven! Amen!
Pastor Mark
Let God Change Your Thinking Part 2
December 30, 2020
Romans 8:5-9 New Living Translation (NLT)
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
The above passage has some great news for our day! If we let the Spirit of God lead our thinking, there can be life and peace. The blood of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit gives us victory over the flesh! As we approach the new year we must be certain that the Spirit of Christ is in us and that we are led by the Holy Spirit. If the flesh is in charge the new year is already on a path of defeat and spiritual death. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've have seen this passage be so real in our daily lives! The path for a great year and life is in the Spirit of Christ! As the old hymn says, "Holy Spirit Be My Guide" is so true for today!
Pastor Mark
Let God Change Your Thinking
December 29, 2020
Romans 12:1-2 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Give Your Lives to God
12 So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
Only God can truly change a person from the inside out. That change process has much to do with the bad and wrong thinking we get caught up in. Only God knows what's in our minds! Over the years so many have tried to mold me and change me. Well, that didn't work very well! God has been changing me and will continue that work in me as I dedicate my life to Him. I like how this version uses the word "beg" to get our attention concerning the great mercy of God. Paul has opened his heart by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to put these words of God in this letter. We are to offer our lives to God and let Him change us! The world is changing people everyday and they don't realize the inward damage that is taking place. May we not try to be like everyone else, but become what God molds our hearts and lives into. The time and day is here for this passage to be applied by faith in our lives! I beg you in the name of Jesus to go this way in the Lord!
Pastor Mark
What A Time For Unity In Christ!
December 26, 2020
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The Lord calls us to be work together and have a unified message of His grace and mercy. Many people comment today about how divided people have become in this world. Sadly, even in the church there is division. We must come together during these troubling times! Jesus made this clear. May the following video teaching lead us to unity in the Lord!
Pastor Mark
Christmas Means A Better Future!
December 24, 2020
Romans 8:18 (NIV)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
When Christ was born God was offering a better future to all who would believe in Him. We are going through some difficult days, but in Christ there is a better future ahead! The message of salvation at Christmas is about going forward by the grace of God. Glory to God for the future that awaits us in Christ!
Pastor Mark
Christmas Means Relationship With God!
December 23, 2020
Romans 8:15-17 Living Bible (TLB)
15 And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, “Father, Father.” 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
God has done everything He could do to have a personal relationship with us. We are reminded of this at Christmas time. We must accept His gift of salvation and let our relationship with Him grow deeper everyday! Too may people practice religion, when they need to walk in relationship with God. Religion is a burden on the soul. Relationship with God is a joy to the soul. With Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit we walk with God in holy relationship!
The following video has some great teaching on this.
Pastor Mark
When Did This Holiday Begin?
December 22, 2020
Matthew 2:1-2 (ERV)
Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus
2 Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. 2 They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.”
When did the holiday of Christmas begin? The following video will give you some great information about this important time of year. Have a great day in the Lord!
Pastor Mark
The Real Meaning of Christmas
December 21, 2020
Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God's love in shown to us in the Christmas story. God's love means life all who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The following video gives a short, but very clear message about the true meaning of Christmas. God does love you!
Pastor Mark
The First Noel
December 19, 2020
Luke 2:8-14 New International Version (NIV)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
There are several beautiful Christmas songs that fill the air this time of year. The following video will give you some interesting information about a song we sing quite often. May these wonderful songs of Christmas be a praise to God and a message to the needy world!
Pastor Mark
The Story of God's Love
December 18, 2020
1 John 4:7-12 Living Bible (TLB)
7 Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. 8 But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life through his death. 10 In this act we see what real love is: it is not our love for God but his love for us when he sent his Son to satisfy God’s anger against our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us as much as that, we surely ought to love each other too. 12 For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger.
God loves you! Our world needs to hear that over and over. The birth of Christ is a story about God revealing His love to the world. All works of grace and salvation are due to the love that God has for us! I don't know what you may be going through today, but I do know that God loves you! We are to live a life of love in this messed up world. God revealed His love in the mess. He didn't with for people to shape up. We must love in the same way. Yes, the story of Christmas is all about God's love, real true love! God loves you!
Pastor Mark
The Christmas Message From God
John 1:1-14 (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In the Christmas story this passage is very important to grasp hold of. As you learn more about this passage you will have a larger picture of what God was really trying to accomplish in the birth of Christ. This passage gets to the heart of the Christmas story and should be planted deep in our hearts. The following video is a great lesson on this passage.
Pastor Mark
God With Us!
December 16, 2020
Matthew 1:22-23 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
22 So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
The Christmas story is full of fulfilled promises of God. One of the greatest promises... was the presence of God among man in the the birth of Christ. The same is true today in our hearts through the promise of the Holy Spirit in us. The following video gives some insight into the word Immanuel. May God help us to go deeper into the meaning of this word.
Pastor Mark
The Wonderful Name of Jesus
December 15, 2020
Matthew 1:18-21 Living Bible (TLB)
18 These are the facts concerning the birth of Jesus Christ: His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph, her fiancé, being a man of stern principle,* decided to break the engagement but to do it quietly, as he didn’t want to publicly disgrace her.
20 As he lay awake considering this, he fell into a dream, and saw an angel standing beside him. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for he will save his people from their sins.
The name of Jesus is so important in our lives. This Christmas I encourage you to focus on and learn about the wonderful name of Jesus! The following video message will give you some great insight into the name of Jesus!
Pastor Mark
Why Do People Reject Christ?
December 12, 2020
John 3:16-21 New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
There is a very sad element in Christmas story that tears at my heart. While Christ came to give eternal life and be light in our dark world, many reject that hope and peace. I will never fully understand this or ever be at peace with. I must continue to share the message of hope in Jesus, even thought many turn away. Truly there is a narrow road that Jesus spoke of. That it very clear in our culture today. Jesus has come to save, heal and restore. May many receive Christ today!
Pastor Mark
Celebrating the Blessings We Have In Christ At Christmas
December 11, 2020
Ephesians 1:3-6 New International Version (NIV)
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Are we celebrating the blessings we have in Christ enough? When Jesus was born, God was blessing the world with His grace and presence. This passage reminds us that the plan of God is a blessing that comes to our life in Christ!
In Christ, God is blessing us daily! The Christmas season reminds us to count our blessings and share our blessings with others in need. God is a God that loves to bless us! Cherish the blessings of God today!
Pastor Mark
What Kind of Witness Are You?
December 10, 2020
Philippians 1:12-14 New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Even in jail, Paul was a true witness to the grace of God and the gospel. When we moan and groan about the current problems of the day, what kind of witness are we? Personally, I wish our church could go back to normal ASAP. If I as a church leader start breaking rules and restrictions, what type of witness am I? Many will disagree with me on this, but I have to be true my Lord. Paul's true witness of a real relationship with Jesus advanced the Gospel! COVID restrictions on the church can never stop a TRUE witness of relationship in Christ! I only pray that in all of this mess and pain, our witness will be true! Maybe this is a great time for believers to get back to real witnessing outside the church walls? People are watching!
Pastor Mark
God Loves You and Can Change Your Life
December 9, 2020
John 3:16 Living Bible (TLB)
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
At Christmas we are reminded of God's love and offer of eternal life. The following poem from one of our members says it so well. Thank you Vicki Moffat for these wonderful words.
Pastor Mark
Who is this Jesus?
December 8, 2020
Colossians 2:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
How well do you know Jesus? Do you know who is really is? Do you fully understand what Jesus can do in your life? These are some key questions that we must settle in our hearts! The above passage opens a window for us to see who Jesus really is. During this Christmas season take the time to answer these questions in your heart. I would encourage you to read the entire book of Colossians and you will learn more about who Jesus is!
Pastor Mark
Have You Talked to God Lately?
December 7, 2020
Psalm 25:15-21 Living Bible (TLB)
15 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me. 16 Come, Lord, and show me your mercy, for I am helpless, overwhelmed, in deep distress; 17 my problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! 18 See my sorrows; feel my pain; forgive my sins. 19 See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! 20 Save me from them! Deliver my life from their power! Oh, let it never be said that I trusted you in vain!
21 Assign me Godliness and Integrity as my bodyguards, for I expect you to protect me
There are times in life when you just need to cry out to God! God will listen and always be there! God will make a way for every concern you may have! When times are tough...pour our your heart to God! Don't delay!
Pastor Mark
There is a Place of Peace For Everyone
December 5, 2020
John 14:1-4 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Jesus Comforts His Followers
14 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Wow, what great words of comfort that Jesus brings the troubled hearts of that day. We need these words today! This passage has always been a word of peace and comfort in my life. Jesus tells us that there is a place of peace for all if they trust in Him. Jesus has a place for us, no matter what is happening in the world! This place that Jesus speaks of is His way of reminding us He cares and loves us in all circumstances! Remember, trusting and living for Jesus is the way to this peaceful place!
Pastor Mark
Having Real Peace With God
December 4, 2020
Romans 5:1-2 Living Bible (TLB)
5 So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
If our relationship with God is not right, there can be no peace in our life. This passage makes that very clear. When Christ was born the peace of God was coming into hearts to make people right with God. What a wonderful way God has chosen to make things right between Himself and broken people! When we put our faith in God through Christ we are made right with Him and receive peace! May multitudes of people this Christmas respond to this healing work of God in Christ and be made right with God! God's peace is here for all in Christ!
Pastor Mark
Thinking About Good Things These Days
December 3, 2020
Philippians 4:8-9 Living Bible (TLB)
8 And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Are you getting weary from hearing bad news all the time? There are many good things to think about when we walk with Christ and trust in Him. It seems that the bad news is not going away anytime soon. May we not become victims of bad news. May we become victors in Christ as we think of good news and good things of God. Look around, there is much good to focus on!
Pastor Mark
The Joy of Knowing Christ
December 2, 2020
Philippians 3:7-11 Living Bible (TLB)
7 But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile—now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, 9 and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith—counting on Christ alone. 10 Now I have given up everything else—I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with him. 11 So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead.
The message of Christmas is about Jesus Christ and getting to know more about Him. There is nothing more personal that the connection we have with God through Christ. Paul proclaims there is nothing more valuable than that relationship! If your goal in life is to truly know Christ, you are on the right track of joy, peace, purpose and hope! Get to know Christ better and you'll be better in all concerns of life!
Pastor Mark
Jesus, Brings Peace Into Our Situation
December 1, 2020
2 Thessalonians 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
Paul’s Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
I love how the Apostle Paul in his letters is always mentioning the peace of God in Christ. I have learned over the years that the only real and true peace comes from the Lord. This peace is given to us as we trust in the Lord. We never earn or develop peace in our lives, we receive it as a holy blessing of God! The Lord's desire for your personal situation is His peace. God will give you peace as you seek His way and receive His love. When Christ was born, God was giving peace to the troubled world at that time in the plan of salvation. He is doing the same today. If we will look to Him, His peace will come into our troubled situation also. Peace has come in Christ! Receive His peace today!
Pastor Mark
Thinking About Jesus More These Days
November 30, 2020
Hebrews 3 Living Bible (TLB)
3 Therefore, dear brothers whom God has set apart for himself—you who are chosen for heaven—I want you to think now about this Jesus who is God’s Messenger and the High Priest of our faith.
2 For Jesus was faithful to God who appointed him High Priest, just as Moses also faithfully served in God’s house. 3 But Jesus has far more glory than Moses, just as a man who builds a fine house gets more praise than his house does. 4 And many people can build houses, but only God made everything.
5 Well, Moses did a fine job working in God’s house, but he was only a servant; and his work was mostly to illustrate and suggest those things that would happen later on. 6 But Christ, God’s faithful Son, is in complete charge of God’s house. And we Christians are God’s house—he lives in us!—if we keep up our courage firm to the end, and our joy and our trust in the Lord.
Jesus is our hope! The passage calls us to think about Jesus! We need to fix our thoughts on Jesus more and more these days. When we think too much about the daily grind we lose our sense of Hope. Real hope is in our focus on Jesus! May this Christmas season be a special time of thinking more about Jesus and His holy work in our lives. May the sights and sounds of the season help you to think more about Jesus!
Pastor Mark
Christmas...A Life Full of Hope
November 28, 2020
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The hope we have in Jesus is real and can be experienced even in troubled times! God wants to fill us with hope. God wants His hope to be involved in every step of our lives. When Christ was born, hope became personal! For years people talked about hope and that was wonderful, but Jesus made it personal. Jesus made hope personal in every life that would accept him as Lord. Over the years I have seen this real personal hope from God in broken lives! I've seen this hope in hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, ball games, and classrooms, etc. Hope in Jesus is real! As we trust in the real Jesus we have real hope! This is my heart and prayer for you today...real hope in Jesus.
Pastor Mark
Christmas, The Season of Hope
November 27, 2020
Psalm 130 New Living Translation (NLT)Psalm 130
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
2 Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
6 I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.
As we enter the Advent season we turn our hearts toward the hope that is in Jesus. The passage reminds us that when a nation is in sin and far from God there is hope of healing and restoration in Jesus Christ. That is the message of Christmas. God wants to forgive and heal our hurts as a people. The passage say that God's redemption overflows! With all the struggles of 2020 we need a message of hope today! May we place our hope in God's heart of forgiveness and healing this Christmas season. Hope is here in Christ! Well, I never should have stepped on the scale this morning!
Pastor Mark
Thankful for the Peace That God Brings
November 26, 2020
Philippians 4:4-7 New International Version (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Today we give thanks for our many blessings! We are truly a blessed people! Even though we're dealing with some very tough issues, God is blessing us! I have so much to be thankful for and my list is very long. Lately I have been discouraged and felt closed in with all the bad news of the day. I'm happy to report that after some prayer and time with God I have His peace! It was always there, I just got lazy not trusting in His ways. Yes, we ministers fall into that trap. I'm so thankful for the special peace of God that He brings when we pray with thanksgiving! May this same peace be upon your home today! May you eat all you want and can guilt free today! Pass the potatoes!
Pastor Mark
Being Thankful With Prayer
November 25, 2020
Philippians 1:3-6 New International Version (NIV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I am so thankful for the many in my life that help me share the message of Jesus! The passage reminds us that when we think of these folks we should give thanks in a prayer. This pray must be from a heart of true gratitude for the other person. So this week give a prayer of thanksgiving for the helpers in your life! Pray for God's best upon their them! Once again, thank you for helping me in sharing the message of hope in Jesus! I can't wait for the wonderful smells of Thanksgiving that will be coming from the kitchen tomorrow! I'm sure our dog Buddy is excited also! Have a great day and God be with you.
Pastor Mark
Thanking God For the Many Victories In Life!
November 24, 2020
Psalm 118:15-21 New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the Lord.
20 These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there.
21 I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!
Today I'm thanking the Lord for all the victories He has brought in my life. Verse 21 says it so well, thanks for giving me victory! I'm so thankful for the strength of the Lord as we face so many battles in life. God is always there and has a way to victory for every concern! Just think about how many times God has brought a victory in your life! Who might want to sing a verse or two of "Victory In Jesus" this Thanksgiving week! Enjoy the life we have in Christ and let us give thanks for the victory! My wonderful wife is baking pies this week!!!!! Praise the Lord!
Pastor Mark
Let Us Be Thankful!
November 23, 2020
Psalm 7:17 Living Bible (TLB)
17 Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good. I will sing praise to the name of the Lord who is above all lords.
I'm excited about this special week of "Thanksgiving" I have so much to be thankful for! This passage reminds us that thanksgiving is a time to remember the goodness of God and His plan for our lives! God has been so good to us! God has a plan for your life because He is good! Have a great "Thanksgiving week" and may you feel the presence of the Lord in all things.
Pastor Mark
The Fine Art of Patience At Costco! Really?
James 5:7-11 New International Version (NIV)
Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Nobody knows how long the COVID 19 struggle will last. Seem likes we have a long way to go! We do know that has humans our patience doesn't seem to last very long. I'm always amazed to see how so many are in a hurry to go nowhere! We live this wonderful life God has given us way too fast! Could be a false sense of accomplishment by getting so much done in such a short time? The minute you arrive at Costco, the race begins! I'm not a big fan of this approach to life! What is God teaching us about being more patient during these days of the COVID? The above passage says it all! I won't be going to Costco today, I'll have my loving wife go!!!!!
Pastor Mark
Having Fun With Your Fear?
November 20, 2020
Psalm 37:1-4 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
A song of David.
37 Don’t get upset about evil people.
Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong.
2 They are like grass and other green plants
that dry up quickly and then die.
3 So trust in the Lord and do good.
Live on your land and be dependable.
4 Enjoy serving the Lord,
and he will give you whatever you ask for.
It breaks my heart to see so many people living in fear. They can't see the spiritual chains wrapped around them. They can't see the damage that is happening to their hearts. They can't see the joy in the Lord they're missing. Fear is the focus and fear has become a lifestyle for many. This lifestyle of fear is the worst thing we could teach our young people. Young people learn by example and need to see strength and hope. They need to see adults trusting in God and not giving into the fear of the day! Yes, I have my own set of fears, but they will not be my new God! I have a fear of heights that I have to give to God every time I travel to high places. I guess I could just stay home in the basement. I have seen God help me as I have to pray going over a high bridge with sweaty hands on the steering wheel. I will not let fear become a lifestyle! Jesus didn't not walk in fear, he spent time alone everyday with the Father. Please give your fears to God with an open heart. Tune out the daily message of fear in the media. Spend time with God and He'll get you over the highest bridge as in my case. I'll put on my mask, I'll do everything thing I'm asked to do to help the COVID problem. The one thing I won't do...is LIVE IN FEAR. Jesus has given me way too much life to wait around in fear! Another thing I won't do... be a messenger of fear!
Pastor Mark
Don't Lose Focus Over COVID!!!!!
October 29, 2020
Hebrews 12 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I posted the following on Facebook this morning feel led of God to say these words.
Good morning friends, hope the COVID journey is going well. After 37 years of ministry thought I'd offer a thought that has got me through and works every time in every spiritual problem and pain in life.
The lowest time in my life is when I focus on myself, my wants, my needs and hurts. Some very low times!!!!
The highest time in my life is when I focus on Jesus, His mission, and others. Some very great times!!! Hope this helps!!!
I deserve nothing, or have earned any right to expect this life to treat me fairly. Everything I have and am are a gift from God! Every time I have been in a pit or a pity party, only God was the one that could help! Time to go to the piano for some praise music!
Have a great day! Looking forward to better days and Heaven!
Pastor Mark
Enter the Day with Praise!
October 28, 2020
Psalm 100:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
I love this passage about the goodness of God! It reminds me to praise the Lord for his love and goodness. The video below has a great message about praising God in this challenging times.
May this song touch your heart today and encourage more praise to our Lord! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Praise The Lord"
The Imperials
Fear and Worry Will Bring You Down! Give Your Burdens To God!
October 27, 2020
Problems come and problems go, but God always makes a way through! When you start doubting that, you're in big trouble spiritually! It seems that many are struggling to believe this in their hearts these days. God will make a way and get us through the problems of today! Worry and fear is in the air and on the move, sadly even among believers! The following message speaks to this issue. This message is from our church service a couple of weeks ago. May God use this message to help us realize that God wants to help us and lift us, if we'll stop living in worry and fear.
Pasto Mark
How Much Are You Growing!
October 24, 2020
1 Peter 2 The Message (MSG)
2 1-3 So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
This passage reminds us to get rid of the spiritual baggage in our lives and get growing in the Lord! This is very difficult for some to do, because they focus on the flawed people in their lives and not the pure Word of God. We need a hunger for all things God! We need to feed on the good spiritual food God provides for us daily. How much am I growing?
A great day to spend some time in the Word of God. Don't let the bad news of the virus be your focus today!
Pastor Mark
What Will Last In Your Life?
October 23, 2020
1 Peter 1:22-25 Living Bible (TLB)
22 Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts.
23 For you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ, God’s ever-living Message to men. 24 Yes, our natural lives will fade as grass does when it becomes all brown and dry. All our greatness is like a flower that droops and falls; 25 but the Word of the Lord will last forever. And his message is the Good News that was preached to you.
The work of Lord in giving us new life in Christ is the one thing that will last forever! Just look around, this world is fading away and dying a slow death. The passage reminds us that we have new life and it can directly from the love of God. I don't like watching things fade away, but I know that the Word is true. We must decide between living of drying up dry brown grass. Some spiritual food for thought.
Love the snow today! Don't let the virus mess with your faith in Jesus!
Pastor Mark
Who's To Blame for COVID and All The Problems?
October 22, 2020
Colossians 3:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
The quickest way to destroy your spiritual life is to hold a grudge against someone or some group of people. Bitterness kills the soul and personality of a person. A person becomes spiritually ugly. After years of ministry, I can say I've seen this happen too often. Also, it can happen to anyone! This COVID time is full of "Blaming and Shaming" which can be a root for anger. Anger never spiritually ends will. I guess some forget that Jesus forgave them for every sin they committed against God and others. No one has all the answers! We live in a fallen world! Everyone deserves the forgiveness of God! Blaming...shaming....anger...bitterness kills more everyday than we'll ever know! And there is a proven cure for this ill! The precious love of God in Christ cures the broken lives that are all around us! When God sees us acting out in anger I wonder how that goes over? This is a season to truly show others that forgiveness in Christ is real! I have wounded others because I'm human! Others have and do wound me all the time. I choose forgiveness! I would rather COVID kill me than bitterness! By the way, I've come too far with Jesus to let this COVID issue destroy me or others! Some words from a pastor dealing with hurting people. Also dealing with the hurts in my own heart! As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I know God will get us through!
In the love of Christ I says these words today.
Pastor Mark
Good Words for These Crazy Times
October 21, 2020
1 Peter 3:8-12 New International Version (NIV)
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
We sure hear some crazy words being thrown around concerning the times we're in. No matter our view or opinion of the world today, we should never speak in an evil or deceitful way. What we say during these difficult times will either help or hurt someone. The Word is clear that we are to be humble, loving and compassionate with one another. Some may non agree with this, but the Word of God is clear! This passage needs to be applied to our day! Some spiritual food for thought!
Have a great day in the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down! I'm praying for some that are down from the the virus.
Pastor Mark
Don't Forget...COVID is NOT...the End of The Story!
October 20, 2020
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Living Bible (TLB)
13 And now, dear brothers, I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those are who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died.15 I can tell you this directly from the Lord: that we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. 17 Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. 18 So comfort and encourage each other with this news.
I'm getting very tired of the "Gloom and Doom" message that is everywhere today. This passage is clear that our future in Christ is great! There are some very good things in Christ to look forward to! COVID 19 or any other earthy mess that we may have to endure is not the final story! Hope...Help...Healing...Heaven... is the message people need! A relationship with Christ offers that hope! Nothing can change that truth! May we comfort each other with this truth and may we never spread..."Gloom and Doom." My church likes to sing, "Our God Saves" and yes He does!
May this day be full of blessings from God. Please don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
With Christ You Can Really Live!
October 17, 2020
John 10:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
We must never forget that with Christ we can really live! May we live life to the fullest according to Jesus during these crazy and confusing days! We should never shrink back from life, but listen to Jesus and live! My live is in Christ, not the stresses of the world! That's a promise that Christ proclaimed in this passage!
Have a full and wonderfully full life in Christ day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
This World Cannot Save You...Only Jesus Can!
October 15, 2020
1 Peter 1:17-21 Living Bible (TLB)
17 And remember that your heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge you with perfect justice for everything you do; so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven. 18 God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver as you very well know. 19 But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but only recently was he brought into public view, in these last days, as a blessing to you.
21 Because of this, your trust can be in God who raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. Now your faith and hope can rest in him alone.
When times are tough we must trust in the true path of salvation. That is God's plan for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his life so that we could have life! The world has nothing to do with that. The world is simply a huge distraction on our true journey of faith in Christ. Many believers struggle with this truth and their lives show it. Some spiritual food for thought.
What a beautiful day it is in Spokane WA. Don't let the virus get you down.
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
Be Still...Restless Soul!
October 14, 2020
Psalm 46:8-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
May we apply this passage to our day! May we be still before God and dwell on his greatness! The following video will bless you as you are still before God.
May God touch your heart today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 Keys for Jesus)
Is My Faith Being Tested Right Now?
October 13, 2020
1 Peter 1:3-9 New International Version (NIV)
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This passage always reminds me to give thanks for my salvation in Jesus Christ! It also reminds me about my faith!
How is my faith during these difficult days! How is your faith doing today? Our faith might be going through the cleansing fire of the Spirit of God? The passage says that is good! The passage reminds us how valuable our faith is, especially during a season of suffering. Think about your faith today. Going forward is all about our faith!
May we live out the living hope before others today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
We All Need To Learn This ASAP!!
October 10, 2020
Philippians 4:12-13 New International Version (NIV)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Times are tough! They may get worse! Time for folks to learn how to be content with life as God provides! It really doesn't matter how messed up the world gets, as long as we have contentment within out hearts that comes from God. Paul had this, and he went through things much worse then the issues of this day. He learned that God was there providing everything he needed and more. This one passage should be a whole college course today, because our world simply is looking in the wrong place for inner peace and contentment. Things are not going to get better till people find contentment in the right place. The world actually teaches people to never find or reach contentment. Broken lives prove this everyday on the streets where we live. The world blames others for lack of contentment. We could discuss this cultural mess for years, and we have. Nothing seems to improve! Once again, the Apostle Paul found it and so can we. God is right in front of us...look up! Don't focus on the mess...focus on the fixer! God is right here in the mess!
What wonderful fresh air the rain is bringing today in Spokane! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Lord, Teach Me Today!
October 6, 2020
Psalm 25:4-5 Living Bible (TLB)
4 Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. 5 Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.
I want to learn something new everyday, especially from the Lord. We simply ask for His leadership and wisdom. When we open our hearts to Him and put our hope in Him, new lessons are there everyday! Yes, something new can happen today, get ready!
Praise the Lord for health and healing! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
God Clearly See Our Needs and Provides
October 2, 2020
Genesis 2:18-20 New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.
Adam was a busy man doing the work of the Lord! The creator God could see that Adam needed a helper. So God provided and the world has never been the same! The creator we worship puts all things together in such a way that display his love and purpose for his creation. In the New Testament we are told that Jesus Christ holds all these things together! God gave us life, help, purpose and the right people in our lives to bring it all together! What a wonderful creator God! God works in our lives in ways that are... just right for us.
The days are a wonderful gift from God...enjoy them to the full! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Doing Something Good For God!
October 1, 2020
Romans 12:4-7 Living Bible (TLB)
4-5 Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can—as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.
The passage tells us that God gives everyone a special ability in grace to help the church and others! This passage reminds me how important it is to use and apply that ability now! I have to "do my part" because God has blessed me with a spiritual gift! May we all use our gifts and do our part in the master plan of God!
May God increase your joy this very day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Help Me Lord!
September 26, 2020
Psalm 119:25-31 Living Bible
25 I am completely discouraged—I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. 26 I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. 27 Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles.
28 I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. 29-30 Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. 31 I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things.
Have you ever talked to God like this? I think we all have at some point in our spiritual journey. Daily seeking help from God through His Word is the best thing we can do under any circumstances. God desires to use His Word in our inner being to transform our outlook on life. His Word can open our eyes and hearts to our true path and purpose! Some spiritual food for thought.
Today is a wonderful day to spend some extra time in God's Word! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Being Honest With God
September 25, 2020
1 John 1:5-10 New International Version
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
This passage speaks of being honest with God. To walk in the light of God's way is to live with total honesty before God.
How sad it is that our culture seems to down play honesty these days. You can't get away with that before God! Before we complain about all the moral corruption of the day, may we all get honest with God first! As we live before God in total honesty, His light with lead us on! Some spiritual food for thought!
The rain falling today is wonderful! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Key Spiritual Disciplines
September 22, 2020
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
This passage reminds us of some of the key spiritual disciplines we need to daily process. This is key given the times we are in today. I would encourage each of us to read through this passage and ask God for his leading and strength in living this way!
So glad the sky is clear! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
God Loves to Give!
September 19, 2020
Psalm 37:4 New International Version
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
This verse has always been somewhere in my thinking process. I don't want to make walking with the Lord a heavy and complicated project. I know some see the Christian life that way! To me, I simply strive daily to make the things of God my joy and delight! It is amazing how God has filled my life with his goodness over and over again! Find delight in the will of God and you will receive from God everything you need!
Have a wonderful day in the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Family of God is Great!
September 18, 2020
Romans 8:14-17 Living Bible
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, “Father, Father.” 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
It is so good to be in the family of God! I cannot begin to share the blessings that have been mine because I'm in the family of God! The passage reminds us of the deep and personal work of the Holy Spirit in our adoption as children of God. It is good to be a child of God! Celebrate that today!
I'm very blessed in so many ways thanks to the grace of God! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
Share the Gospel Anyway You Can!
September 12, 2020
Romans 1:16-17 Living Bible
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone, but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. 17 This Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it, “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”*
Don't be afraid to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the message of hope the world really needs. Learn how to share in a way that would please God and be used of God! All of us can share this message if we have experienced the hand of God in saving our lives! I have preached for over 36 years, but I've probably shared the message more on the piano than I have from the pulpit. The point is...just share the message and don't be afraid! How will you share the message? Do you have the boldness like Paul in this passage? Where's your faith? A great passage for our times!
Looking forward to church on Sunday! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
It is Great to Be Spiritually Alive!
September 10, 2020
Colossians 3:1-4 Living Bible
3 Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. 2 Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. 3 You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. 4 And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories.
This Sunday morning our worship service will focus on the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. We were not able to meet in the building this year for Easter and that was sad. We will celebrate and focus on the life that God's brings to us because Christ arose! This passage has always reminded me that I'm alive in Christ and that is where true life really begins and goes forward for all eternity. Looking forward to a great day in the Lord!
What a beautiful time of year it is! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The "More" Principle
September 8, 2020
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 New International Version
Living to Please God
4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
We must live to please God in all we do. The passage reminds us to never stop living this way. In fact, we are to live in the process of more and more and more. Keep on living to please God! I call this the "More" principle. The "More" principle keeps us focused on God's heart and God's grace for us, rather that what other expect from us. We can please God by his grace and in his love. We can never full please others! Practice the "More" principle and you'll see a great change in your view of life!
Snow is on the way! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Give People the Gospel Truth!
September 5, 2020
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 Living Bible
3 So you can see that we were not preaching with any false motives or evil purposes in mind; we were perfectly straightforward and sincere.
4 For we speak as messengers from God, trusted by him to tell the truth; we change his message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts’ deepest thoughts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you very well know, and God knows we were not just pretending to be your friends so that you would give us money! 6 As for praise, we have never asked for it from you or anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to some honor from you.
People really need to hear the full and true message of the Gospel! This is the only hope for the mess we are in! We must tell it to them will proper motives and no hidden agendas! We must tell people the complete story of Jesus! We must never water down of change the message for anyone! In sharing the Gospel with the world me must never seek any praise for our efforts! Some spiritual food for thought.
Have to mow the lawn today which is a great time to talk with Jesus! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Be Careful Who You Listen To
September 4, 2020
Galatians 5:7-9 New International Version
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
When a person comes to Christ all is new and a wonderful life in God has began. Sadly, there seems to always be a "cold water committee" there to try and hinder the freedom in grace. In this passage the Apostle Paul tells the church to watch out for those who don't have the things of the Spirit in mind! God blessed me with a musical gift that I have dedicated back to him with all my heart. Several times over the years there have been believers try to tell me my style on the piano might not be the best for church. At that point I would listen to there concerns, but always moved forward listening to the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace! We are free in grace! We are gifted by the Holy Spirit in grace! Don't let any voice out there hinder what God's grace is trying to do in your life! Keep running the good race in the grace of God! If God wills, I will play the piano for Him until my fingers won't work anymore!
Praise the Lord the Longhorn BBQ in Spokane Valley is back open! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
The One True Goal!
September 3, 2020
Philippians 3:12-14 The Message (MSG)
Focused on the Goal
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Knowing Christ and everything that means is our "one true goal". This is the only goal in life that has true meaning and brings real results! How well do you know Jesus? Don't compare yourself with others! How well do you truly know Christ? Paul knew that he had a ways to go in this goal, as we all do. He trusted in the power of God and pressed on in this goal of knowing Jesus. May we all do the same!
Have a great day getting to know Jesus at a deeper level. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Being in Full Discipleship Mode
September 2, 2020
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 New International Version
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
The Apostle Paul was full of joy as he wrote about the contagious faith this group of believers displayed. They heard the Word of God, received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and off they went with grace and power! It is awesome to see believers in true discipleship mode! They were simply imitators of Jesus and spirit led leadership from God. How are we doing today? That's something we need to talk with Jesus about!
I'm looking forward to the "Hymn Sing" tonight. God is teaching us great truths through scared music! This is a great time for us to work on our faith and discipleship!
Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (88 keys for Jesus)
Getting Saved in A Messed Up World
September 1, 2020
Romans 5:15-19 Living Bible
15 And what a difference between man’s sin and God’s forgiveness!
For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this one man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s mercy. 16 Adam’s one sin brought the penalty of death to many, while Christ freely takes away many sins and gives glorious life instead. 17 The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to be king over all, but all who will take God’s gift of forgiveness and acquittal are kings of life because of this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s sin brought punishment to all, but Christ’s righteousness makes men right with God, so that they can live. 19 Adam caused many to be sinners because he disobeyed God, and Christ caused many to be made acceptable to God because he obeyed.
September is my favorite month in Spokane! We can never forget that we live in a sinful fallen world. Many don't want to face that spiritual truth. We also leave in a time when the gift of salvation from God is open and ready for any heart to receive. Man keeps thinking he will get better and improve social ills. The passage tells us different! This passage gives us a clear picture of our problems today and the cure! May we help all to see this truth!
Today is a great day to get outside and take in the beauty of God's creation! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Have You Noticed How Good God Is Lately?
August 29, 2020
Psalm 147:1 New International Version
1 Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
Now is the time to proclaim the goodness of God to the nations! Man's problems are because of man's sin, not God. God is great and will help us if we turn to him! We need to praise Him today! Listen below to this wonderful version of "How Great Thou Art" by Carrie Underwood.
Have a great day and don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
God Will Lift Us Up!
August 28, 2020
1 Peter 5:6-11 Living Bible
6 If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.
7 Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
8 Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. 9 Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
10 After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever. 11 To him be all power over all things, forever and ever. Amen.
It can seem like everything is headed in a spiritual and cultural downer. That's what Satan wants us to think and notice. As we give our cares to God in humility, we're actually be lifted by God to a higher place! We must never forget the care of God is with us always! We can't lift ourselves only God can and does! The old hymn, "Higher Ground" says this so well. Take a moment and read the words to the song below.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Am I A Messenger for Jesus?
August 27, 2020
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 The Message
5-6 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
As I read the Apostle Paul speaking of his ministry I'm reminded of the power of the Gospel. We can't make others follow Christ. We have no power to do that! We are messengers of the true light and power of God that is in the Gospel! I like the way the this version refers to us as errand runners from Jesus to others! My message can never be about me, my church, or my talents. My message must always be about Jesus and his saving ways! What message are you proclaiming?
Have a wonderful day in the light of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Am I A Follower of Jesus?
August 26, 2020
Mark 8:34-38 New Living Translation
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Am I a true follower of Jesus according to this passage? Jesus make it crystal clear how we are to follow him! Give up my own way for the way of Jesus? Is that even possible today many ask? It it always our own way that hinders our life as a follower of Jesus. What is the goal of my life? To gain much and have people notice my achievements or to be a follower of Jesus? Once again, Jesus shows the way and the path moving forward as a true follower. People who follow Jesus get to where God wants them to be! People who insist on their own way get lost and hurt. I have never been able to avoid the powerful message of this passage over my lifetime. Even today the question remains... am I a true follower of Jesus? How about you?
Have a great day listening to the Holy Spirit. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Is Division and Strife the New Normal?
August 22, 2020
Colossians 3:12-13 Living Bible
12 Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. 13 Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
This passage gives a clear path for people to treat each other better. Until we truly follow that Word of God and the leading of the Spirit there will be no getting along? Grudges and other selfish ways will always cause division and strife.
Watching our culture fight with each other is the saddest thing I've seen in my lifetime. Dealing with believers who refuse to forgive and move on is the toughest stuff I've ever dealt with! We must remember that everyone needs the forgiveness that Christ has brought into our lives! God has given us a better way!
Snow is on the way! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Who Is An Expert on Worship?
August 20, 2020
Hebrews 12:28-29 New International Version
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
There is a clear call to worship that God has placed in our hearts! We must worship God in his holiness! A sad condition in the church today is that "worship" means music and music done in a certain way. There are many that try to corner the market on the meaning of worship and how it must be processed. The only person that is qualified to speak on worship, is the Holy Spirit! Reverence and awe does not need music to happen! Sometimes music is just noise that can keep us from really hearing from God. I'm sure in this culture today many would disagree with my comments here. I have no personal knowledge of true worship. I can only follow the Word and the Spirit. Sometimes that means there is a song. Sometimes that means there is silence. Sometimes that means there is sacrifice. Sometime that means there is service.
Some spiritual food for thought!
I'm extra grateful for my loving wife on her birthday today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Music is Good for the Soul and the Church and the world and the broken ones!
August 19, 2020
Ephesians 5:19-20 Living Bible
19 Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. 20 Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has blessed us with beautiful music for our spiritual health. I believe God uses music to reach deep into our souls. Music is a natural expression of what's going on inside of our hearts. This passage reminds us that we are to share with one another in this deep spiritual experience of music. Tonight at our church we are going to practice this passage with the hopes of healing, and growing in the deeper things of Jesus!
Playing my song for the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
A Great Way To Live!
August 18, 2020
Psalm 1 Living Bible
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. 2 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.
3 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.
4 But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind. 5 They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.
This passage is truth for a great life! God's way is better than men's advice and the crazy ways of the world. Following God refreshes the soul and brings new life. Keeping up with the world wears you out! Following God leads to eternal life with God. Chasing the world brings doom and pain! Following God is a great way to live! Follow the ways of God and you'll experience the joyful difference than the stress of the world!
Have a wonderful day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Follow the Example of Jesus Today!
August 17, 2020
John 13:12-17 Living Bible
12 After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Master’ and ‘Lord,’ and you do well to say it, for it is true. 14 And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you. 16 How true it is that a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. 17 You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.
Jesus was a servant! He gave us the example of serving. He gave us the reason to serve. He gave us the path of blessing. He also gave us a mandate! So...I must be a servant and follow his example of Jesus today in all I do!
May God bless you as you serve him! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Can You See Jesus?
August 15, 2020
Colossians 1:15 New International Version
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
My son and I were driving home from Liberty Lake golf course on Friday and saw a terrible auto wreck on the freeway near the Pines exit on I-90 heading west. The car was upside down facing the wrong way. The roof was completely flat and caved in. Our hearts hurt for the pain this family went through! Everyday we see so much pain and heartache in our land. Maybe you are in pain this very day from the mess of our world? We need to see Jesus! God has made a way for that in our lives, if we will look to him by His grace. I had the joy of playing piano for a wonderful lady in the Lord that had been blind since birth. She was a former nun and really loved the Lord. I was moved by the way she could see Jesus! This world has blinded so many to the loving truth of Jesus. We need to see Jesus today! I pray that we open our eyes and seek the face of Jesus more than ever before! Don't be blinded by the mess of the world...see Jesus and be renewed today!
I encourage you to take a few moments to listen to the following song with your heart!
Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Time to Get Praying!
August 13, 2020
James 5:13-18 New International Version
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
This passage reminds us of our need to be in prayer during these difficult days. How much time and effort am I putting in seeking God in prayer? May we pray for the fresh rain of the Holy Spirit on this dry and weary land!
Have a great day in prayer with the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Are You A Control Freak?
August 12, 2020
Galatians 5:22-25 Living Bible
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.
24 Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.
25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Am I control freak? That is a very important question we have to answer! This passage gets right to that point! What great blessings there are when the Holy Spirit is in control. Our selfish ways must be put to death and never show up again! Christ died for that, so we could be free of that sinful carnal way that hurts everyone in its path. Usually when people are struggling in their faith, it's a personal control issue. One never reaches their spiritual potential until they let Christ and the Spirit lead. The Holy Spirit will always lead us closer to Christ. Our sinful desires and controlling ways will always lead us in a painful and destructive way. I would love to write about this for hours and hours and we need this message today, but God needs to break through in our hearts! Some spiritual food for thought! Am I a control freak?
God is so good, He so good to me! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Breathe In... Praise Out!
August 11, 2020
Psalm 150 Easy-to-Read Version
150 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his Temple!
Praise him in heaven, his strong fortress!
2 Praise him for the great things he does!
Praise him for all his greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpets and horns!
Praise him with harps and lyres!
4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing!
Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise him with loud cymbals!
Praise him with crashing cymbals!
6 Everything that breathes, praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
God breathed life into man! Every breath we take is a gift from God. The passage tells those who breathe this life from God should return that life with praise to God. When a child is born, the joy the parents feel when that child takes their first breath can never be replace! That joy is real and that joy is because of the breath of life from God! When my wife and I went through birthing classes for our first child, it was about about taking breaths during labor. Let me tell you, when the time came my wife was talking breaths! I watched how breathing and the hand of God brought new life into our lives and this world! This process still amazes me! Does the breath of life every moment from God still amaze you? Well, then praise the Lord will all your being expressing the breath of life!
Have a wonderful day full of special God moments. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Most Important Question In Life!
August 9, 2020
Mark 8:27-29 The Message (MSG)The Messiah
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”
28 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’”
29 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”
Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”
Who is Jesus? That is the most important question we need answer in life! Do you truly know who Jesus is? Do you know him personally? Do you hear the question from Christ in your life like Peter did? The very essence of our daily life and eternal life rests on our answer! We answer from the heart in a personal way! Look how Peter got his answer. God moved in Peter's heart! People can argue with me over many life and religious issues of the day. The one thing I know in my heart and mind is...Jesus is Lord! People need to hear about Jesus today more than ever. They also need to know who He truly is! Jesus is seeking our answer to this question...Who am I? I was reminded in church yesterday of the importance to simply walk with Jesus, because He is with me! Thank you Pastor Larry for that timely truth!
Walk with Jesus today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
A Gift From God
August 8, 2020
Ephesians 2:8-10 Living Bible
8 Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. 10 It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.
So many easily forget that salvation in Christ is a gift from God! Salvation and the life we have everyday is a plan of God and a work of God in us. I can't brag about or show off my "Christianity" which many do. I must bring honor to God for giving me the gift of life. Some spiritual food for thought.
Snow is on the way! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Here Comes the Judge or Not!
August 6, 2020
Matthew 7:1-5 New Century Version
Be Careful About Judging Others
7 “Don’t judge others, or you will be judged. 2 You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you.
3 “Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. 5 You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.
Way too much judging others goes on! If you want to push people away, just have a judgmental spirit! I think we simply forget how good grace is and how bad sin is! How can we judge others when they are a work in progress according to the grace of God? One thing I've learned in ministry... there is not one person without problems! Remember, God always looks at a person's heart. We should and can do a better job of that! Some spiritual food for thought!
Praise the Lord for the fresh rain this morning! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
We Need God's Love Today!
August 5, 2020
John 3:16 New Life Version
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.
People need to accept and experience the love of God in Christ more than anything else! I often think of the words of this old pop tune from the sixties. My life changed for the better when I accepted and believed in the love that God has for me in Christ! This is what the world need now! Listen below...you might get hooked on the tune for the rest of the day!
Have a great great day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Dionne Warwick - What The World Needs Now (1966)
Let the Message of Christ Fill Your Day!
August 4, 2020
Colossians 3:15-17 Contemporary English Version
15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.
I love this passage! It gets down to our daily life and the choices we make everyday! This day should not be about me, but about Christ! Whatever I do or say today may Christ be glorified! This is a wonderful way to live! Try it!
Have a great day lifting the name of Jesus! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Focus!
August 3, 2020
Philippians 4:8-9 Living Bible
8 And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Today is a new day to walk with God and get to know Him better. What a privilege we have in grace to walk with God! God is there with us in the all the "stuff" we deal with! God is good and his plan for us is good! We have to think more about the goodness of God and less about the troubles of the day! We have to make a choice to "fix" our minds on the good things that God has planned for the day! This always makes the day better!!!!!
Good day for a triple cheeseburger! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Awesome Freedom In Christ!
August 1, 2020
Romans 8:1-4 Living Bible
8 So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 For the power of the life-giving Spirit—and this power is mine through Christ Jesus—has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. 3 We aren’t saved from sin’s grasp by knowing the commandments of God because we can’t and don’t keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours—except that ours are sinful—and destroyed sin’s control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.
How great it is to be filled with the Spirit which enables us to follow Christ in freedom! Every person needs to read and meditate on Romans 8! Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and sin will not be your master! That is true spiritual freedom! Praise the Lord!
Have a great day in the Lord! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Great Plan of God!
July 31, 2020
Ephesians 1:3-10 Living Bible
3 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ. 4 Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love. 5 His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to! 6 Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favor that he has poured out upon us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7 So overflowing is his kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved; 8 and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace—for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. 9 God has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long ago; 10 and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are—in heaven or on earth—to be with him in Christ forever.
How much do you think about God's master plan? If you read the Word of God and follow Christ... you will see the plan happening!
God's plan is perfect in His love and wisdom. His plan is directed at our very lives. The troubles of the world don't change the plan of God! I think we should be praising God daily for His plan! No matter what the world says remember, God has a plan!
Have a great day and remember, snow is coming soon! don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Christ Lives In Me!
July 30. 2020
Galatians 2:20-21 New International Version
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
This passage has always spoke to me in a very personal way. Am I truly crucified with Christ? Does my heart show this to the world? Is my life about the grace of God, or am I still trying to earn favor with God and others? Is Christ living in me, or am I living for myself? Am I honoring the death of Christ, or am I bringing dishonor to it in my actions? These questions must be answered in our daily lives! May we NEVER set aside the grace of God! Some spiritual food for thought.
Today is a great day to celebrate the wonderful grace of God! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Only God!
July 29, 2020
Psalm 62:5-7 Contemporary English Version
5 Only God gives inward peace,and I depend on him. 6 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe,
and he is the fortress where I feel secure. 7 God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.
We must come to the place in our lives when ONLY God is the way we see things! If I want true inner peace it will come from God and God alone. ONLY God is the true mighty rock! ONLY God can save and keep me! Some spiritual food for thought! ONLY GOD!
Try and stay cool today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Faith, Love and Hope
July 27, 2020
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 New International Version
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Motive in ministry is very key. This passage gives us a great path to follow. Faith, love and hope. This group of believers were making an impact in their community by having the right motives in ministry. Try this pattern in your life and God will bless your service in the Lord!
Stay cool the next few days! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Are You Using Your Spiritual Gift?
July 25. 2020
Romans 12:3-8 New International Version
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
This passage reminds us how important every person is to the work of the Lord. Too many are not using their gifts. This passage boldly proclaims believers to use their gift! We need to ask God to use us with a sense of urgency!
God has a special gift work for you to do now! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Reverent Fear of God
July 24, 2020
1 Peter 1:17-21 Living Bible
17 And remember that your heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge you with perfect justice for everything you do; so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven. 18 God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver as you very well know. 19 But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but only recently was he brought into public view, in these last days, as a blessing to you.
21 Because of this, your trust can be in God who raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. Now your faith and hope can rest in him alone.
I was raised to live in reverent fear of God. I owe my very life to the loving hand of God. How I view God, his love and his justice is very important. Our world today needs to learn how to live in reverent fear of God. This is done through a loving relationship with Christ. When people put down God, they will put down others! When people hate God, they will hate others. The passage tells us there is a judgement to come concerning this. Some spiritual food for thought!
May we see the glory on God in His plan for us! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Good Things From God
July 23, 2020
James 1:16-18 Living Bible
16 So don’t be misled, dear brothers.
17 But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. 18 And it was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family.
God sure gets the blame for many terrible things these days! Over the years, I've seen people in difficult times try to blame God for all their problems. Blaming God is always wrong and spiritually unhealthy. This passage reminds us of the true good works of God upon our life. This passage also reminds us that God doesn't change with the times! We live in a fallen sinful world that hurts people everyday! God has grace and mercy for us to overcome this messed up world! Open your heart and receive His grace today!
We serve a loving God in these crazy COVID days! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Power of Humility
July 21, 2020
James 4:7-10 Living Bible
7 So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. 9 Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, he will lift you up, encourage and help you.
Many are looking for a powerful and awesome move from God. That would be great and I pray for that quite often. This passage reveals a process that is so powerful and true. The process of humbling ourselves before God with a true and submissive heart. This means we are totally ready and willing to do as the Lord says! What a great promise from God in verse ten!
Praise the Lord for BBQ!!! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
What a Great View of Life!
July 21, 2020
Philippians 3:7-11 New International Version
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul had a wonderful view of life! He had a great value system! To him life and everything that it involves had to lead to knowing Christ in a deeper way. We would certainly worry less if this was our view of life. Also, we would be more effective in our witness and service. What is your true, deep. honest spiritual value system? I think Paul is on to something that we need today!
Have a great day and enjoy the warm weather! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Deep Work of Love
July 18, 2020
Ephesians 3:14-21 Living Bible
14-15 When I think of the wisdom and scope of his plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God—some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth— 16 that out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. 17 And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; 18-19 and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.
20 Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. 21 May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ.
We need the deep work of God's love in our lives!. We need to know it, experience it, and stand on it! This is my prayer and hope for all today!
Today is a day to work in the yard and take care of the flowers the Lord brought us. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Know the Real Jesus!
July 16. 2020
1 John 4:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
We must know the real Jesus! There is phony religion going around these days! I can't believe how easy it is for some to fall into a phony Jesus trap. We must be on the watch and pay attention to the phony things the devil is trying to get way with these days! The real Jesus is true love, true power, and truly of God! The real Jesus is the winning way in this hurting world! Watch out for the phony baloney faith that is going around!
Today is a great day to enjoy the comfort of air conditioning! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Love In Action
July 15, 2020
1 John 3:16-18 Modern English Version
16 By this we know the love of God: that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 Whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him, how can the love of God remain in him? 18 My little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
God's love is a call to action. God's love calls us to help others and lift them in their needs. God's love calls us to do more for others and talk less about it. God's love calls us to open our hearts to others in compassion. We can't run and hide from this passage. The world can see if we are avoiding the truth in this passage! Some spiritual food for thought.
Today is a good day to learn more about the love of God. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Dealing With Hatred
July 14, 2020
1 John 2:9-11 New International Version
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Growing up my mother would not let me use the work "Hate". I never really questioned her on that, but she knew what she doing. There is so much hatred on display in our world. The passage speaks of living in a dark place because of hatred. This passage should stir our souls and cause us to reflect on God's truth. Am I leaving in darkness or in light?
The passage is very clear how the light gets turned on! Please take time to reflect and act according to the Spirit's leading.
Today is a great day for a donut run...see ya later! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Looking Within Ourselves
July 13, 2020
1 John 2:3-6 Living Bible
3 And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? 4 Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. 5 But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. 6 Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.
Believers must look deep in their hearts on a regular basis. We have to know in our hearts if we are in obedience to Christ! This is far more important than several spiritual disciplines we often process. This is very important! Some spiritual food for thought!
Have a great day walking with Christ. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Do You Obey God?
July 11, 2020
1 John 3:19-24 Easy-to-Read Version
19-20 That’s how we know we belong to the way of truth. And when our hearts make us feel guilty, we can still have peace before God, because God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything.
21 My dear friends, if we don’t feel that we are doing wrong, we can be without fear when we come to God. 22 And God gives us what we ask for. We receive it because we obey God’s commands and do what pleases him. 23 This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. 24 All who obey God’s commands live in God. And God lives in them. How do we know that God lives in us? We know because of the Spirit he gave us.
Am I obeying God? That is the most important question we must answer everyday! Answer that question honestly before God and others and it will change your life forever! Some spiritual food for thought!
Today is a great day to enjoy the sunshine! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Fading World
July 9, 2020
1 John 2:15-17 New Living Translation
Do Not Love This World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
It seems to me we are watching the world fade away right before our eyes. Too many have put their hopes and dreams on the things of this world. Sadly, some even love the way of the world! Love for God is the only way through this mess we find ourselves in. Maybe this would be a good time to check where are true affections are?
How great it is to know the love of God in us! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Light of God
July 8, 2020
1 John 1:5-7 New International Version
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
This passage describes the believer's life as walking with God in his perfect light. This is the truth! Walking in the light is the pure way to live that develops deep fellowship. In all things we must be truthful before God in His light.
Have a wonderful day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Loving Never Ends
July 7, 2020
Romans 13:8-10 New Living Translation
Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
Believers must daily remind themselves to love others as Christ would. This is a daily obligation that pleases God and does some powerful things deep in our hearts. We see hatred everywhere right now. Hatred will kill you from deep within. Love will produce what God has for you.
May the love of God be seen in us today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Help God!
July 6, 2020
Psalm 60:11-12 New International Version
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Sometimes I feel very helpless in this daily spiritual battle. I must remember that God will help and bring aid to my side! I am so week without the the Spirit of God to help! Cry out to God this day for help!
Have a wonderful day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
We Are Not Alone
July 3, 2020
Romans 15:13 New International Version
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is hope in the Lord as we realize that He is with us in the Holy Spirit! We are not alone in this spiritual journey!
Keep going in the hope of the Lord! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
You'll Never Walk Alone
David Phelps
The Power of Encouragement
July 2, 2020
Hebrews 3:12-14 Contemporary English Version
12 My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. 13 You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. 14 We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let’s hold tightly to our faith until the end.
When I played baseball as a teenager one of my coaches would tell me to go out and get a single when I was up to bat. For some reason he really thought I could do that! His words of encouragement sure helped and still help today. All of us can be a coach of encouragement to someone today. Hitting a curve ball it not easy and neither is life! Someone in our life today needs a word of encouragement. May we use this powerful spiritual tool God has given us! By the way, I never hit a home run...but I hit several singles into right field! How did I do that?
Thank you for your words of encouragement! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark (I played center field)
"Centerfield"
John Fogerty
Time To Rest!
July 1, 2020
Psalm 37:7-9 Living Bible
7 Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act. Don’t be envious of evil men who prosper.
8 Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don’t fret and worry—it only leads to harm. 9 For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing.
Every time I slow down and rest in the Lord, something good always happens in my life! God will fix all things in His time. He wants us to be still before Him and know His will. This seems difficult to do, but spiritually we must! God has something special for you today if you'll rest in Him.
I'm getting my BBQ ready! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
God Is With You
June 30, 2020
Psalm 139:7-12
Living Bible
7 I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 9 If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. 11 If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. 12 For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.
We must never forget that God is with us and knows everything we are going through. The video below is a wonderful reminder that we are not alone.
Have a wonderful day trusting in the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
I Am Not Alone
Kari Jobe
Faith And Love
June 29, 2020
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 New Living Translation
Love Is the Greatest
13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
This passage gets to the heart of our faith. Where is my faith concerning love for others? We all want to do big things for God in our faith. This passage tells us the way to do that! Some spiritual food for thought!
Thank you Lord for the fresh rain this morning. Thank you Lord for friends that BBQ steaks for me!! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
God Will Provide!
June 27, 2020
Philippians 4:19 New International Version
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
We have to trust that God knows what we need! We have to trust that He will provide! Stop trying to understand this world and and all the details of life. That will spiritually wear you out! God knows us and knows what we need! Trust in Him!
Have an awesome day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
I Will Trust In You
Lauren Daigle
Try This Today!
June 26, 2020
Romans 12:12 New International Version
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
These are great words for this day! I'm going to do my best to apply this to my life today. Would you join me?
Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The video below will bring a smile to your heart!
"O Happy Day"
Voices of Hope Children’s Choir
The Holy Spirit Leads
June 24, 2020
Galatians 5:22-26 New Life Version
22 But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, 23 being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The Law is not against these things. 24 Those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our sinful old selves on His cross. Our sinful desires are now dead. 25 If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things. 26 Let us not become proud in ways in which we should not. We must not make hard feelings among ourselves as Christians or make anyone jealous.
This passage is about the leadership in our lives! The Holy Spirit must be our guide! Several problems in our world today are due to bad leadership. The same is true in the life of the believer. This is revealed in bad fruit. If we desire to see the great fruit of the Holy Spirit, we must let Him lead our lives! This is very clear! Some spiritual food for thought.
Have a wonderful day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Don't Be In A Hurry!
June 23, 2020
Isaiah 40:31 King James Version
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Our life in Christ is not meant to be in a hurry. God is faithful in His timing in our life. May this passage and song encourage you to wait upon the Lord!
This is a great day to be outside praising the Lord! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"They That Wait Upon The Lord"
The Lighthouse Quartet
The Light of the Lord
June 22, 2020
Ephesians 5:6-9 New Living Translation
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
I'm so glad for the light of the Lord in my life. In Christ, we live in His light. We don't live in the darkness anymore! We are called to live as people of light and share this light! Listen to this old classic gospel song and praise God for the light of Christ today!
Have a great day in the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Lighthouse
Give Your Burdens To Christ!
June 20, 2020
1 Peter 5:6-7 New International Version
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Life is hard and full of pain. I'm hurting for two dear friends right now that are very ill and need a touch of healing from God. I can't handle this on my own. I must tell Jesus about my burdens and I must hand them over to him! This following song is a great reminder for us to give our burdens to Christ.
Thank you Lord for always being there! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Lay Your Burden Down
Christ Died For Our Salvation and Freedom!
June 19, 2020
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 New International Version
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
May we never forget the importance of Christ dying on the cross! We are free because of the saving work of Jesus Christ! As a teenager, when I would visit with my grandmother I always played the song in the video below for her. This song was her favorite. I believe that God was speaking to her heart through this song. The cross stills make the difference in broken lives today!
May God's peace be with you today! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Gaither Vocal Band – The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference
He Is My Savior!
June 18, 2020
Galatians 2:20 New International Version
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Let me be a bit personal today. Looking back over my life and saying goodbye to so many loved ones recently I'm so glad that Jesus saved me! I am and have nothing without Christ! I've had played piano for 49 years and loved every song along the way. Of all the songs I've played or heard in my life this is my favorite song! The words fill my heart every time I hear it. Is he your Savior today?
Have a wonderful day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
The Cathedrals - Oh, What A Savior
The Peaceful Rive of Life
June 17, 2020
John 7:37-38 New Living Translation
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
Just a reminder of what God can do inside a person's heart! Fresh....Living....Water!!!
God's presence is near! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Peace Like A River"
Don't Worry...Pray!
June 16, 2020
Philippians 4:4-7 New Living Translation
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
The passage make is very clear what we must do! His peace is on the way when we pray!
Please take the time to pray and seek God's will in all things!
Are you enjoying the rain? Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"I Don't Worry I Can Pray"
JD Sumner & The Stamps
The Root of The Problem
June 15, 2020
Ephesians 4:25-32 New International Version
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
This passage reminds us we have to deal with the issue of anger in our lives. Over the years I've seen too many lives hurt or destroyed because of anger. Anger is on full display daily in the news. There is a godly way to deal with anger and we must seek that way today! Some spiritual food for thought!
May the Lord be close today. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Life In Jesus Forever!
June 13, 2020
1 John 3:1-3 New International Version
3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
If you have trusted Jesus for your salvation...someday you are going to meet in Heaven!!!! Just a pastoral reminder of what is come that this world cannot give!
Thank you for your love God! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Look For Me At Jesus' Feet"
The Booth Brothers
Times Are Tough!
June 11, 2020
James 1:2-8 New International Version
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Our faith is being tested in ways never seen before. This means we need wisdom from God in a huge way! God has the answers we need! God is working perseverance in our life! We must seek Him and NEVER doubt his provisions! May we not be unstable, but in faith seek God's wisdom NOW! Some spiritual food for thought!
Have a great day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Standing On The Solid Rock
June 10, 2020
Matthew 7:24-27 New International Version
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
A great passage for the times we live in. What is your foundation made of! We can stand on the truth in Jesus Christ!
Let the words of this classic hymn encourage and strengthen your heart today.
It is good to know Jesus! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
Fountainview Academy
Getting Ready For Heaven!
June 9, 2020
Romans 5:1-2 New International Version
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Today I'm working on messages for two memorial services I will officiate this coming weekend. Both of these loved ones had made peace with God years before. They were ready for Heaven! the passage tells us how to have peace with God. Please make sure that you are ready for Heaven!
Have a wonderful day of peace and hope in the Lord. Don't let the virus get you down.
Pastor Mark
"On My Way To Heaven"
Dennis Quaid
Faith Is The Victory!
June 8, 2020
1 John 5:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Where is our faith today? Listen to this song and reflect upon this passage of scripture about faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a great Monday with Jesus! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Faith Is the Victory"
Fountainview Academy
Time To Read The Word!
June 6, 2020
Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
This passage reminds us that God's Word will lead and guide us during these troubled times. May we all spend more time in The Word!
Have a great day as God is near! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Thy Word"
Amy Grant
To God Be the Glory!
June 5, 2020
Psalm 71:19 New Living Translation
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
Today I offer a song on the piano as a praise to the Lord. I have played this song since I was thirteen and the message is still fresh today in my heart!
"My Tribute"
Andrae Crouch 1971
God's Love Over Fear!
June 4, 2020
1 John 4:16-18 New International Version
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
In the love of God we have nothing to fear! May this song be a blessing for your day and remind you of the God's goodness over fear!
Have a great day with the Lord! don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"The Promise"
The Martins
Jesus Is The Answer!
June 3, 2020
Colossians 2:9-10 New International Version
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
The passage reminds me who is in charge around here! Only Jesus can bring and give what people need today!
Get close to Jesus today! The song below has been a blessing in my life since I was a teenager. It has a clear powerful message for our day! May you be blessed as you listen
May God increase your joy this very day! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
We Need To Pray!
June 1, 2020
This song reminds us we need to pray! Our nation is hurting and only God can heal our land!
May God bring answers quickly. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"If My People"
Terry Blackwood and The Imperials
Get Rid of the Spiritual Hang-Ups!
May 31, 2020
Romans 14:17-18 Living Bible
17 For, after all, the important thing for us as Christians is not what we eat or drink but stirring up goodness and peace and joy from the Holy Spirit. 18 If you let Christ be Lord in these affairs, God will be glad; and so will others.
Too many believers fight over things that God doesn't care about! What a waste of time and spiritual energy! The passage makes it clear what is most important. Some spiritual food for thought!
I feel like having a huge double cheeseburger with bacon and all the works! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
This is the Truth!
May 28, 2020
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Living Bible
16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 17 It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
This passage makes it clear where we get the truth! We don't have to wander through these crazy days looking for answers. I have no idea how people live their lives without the guidance of the Word of God? The Word even corrects us in a godly way. This world needs to get the dust off the Bibles and get some truth! Some spiritual food for thought.
How many Bibles are in your home? Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Everyone Has An Opinion This Days
May 27, 2020
1 Timothy 6:20-21 New International Version
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Seems like there is plenty of "godless chatter" these days! We need to avoid this at all cost. We also must be careful not to be adding to the problem. We must guard the gifts and blessings of salvation that we've been given in Christ. Some spiritual food for thought.
Enjoy the beautiful weather! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Looking At things We Can't See
May 26, 2020
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Living Bible
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. 17 These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! 18 So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
This is a passage of deep truth for us today. It reminds us that our troubles will fade away. It also reminds us that the work of God in us gets better everyday! That's some great news! I can't see what the things of the future that God has, but I need to keep looking that way! Some spiritual food for thought.
I think I will be mowing the lawn today the God made grow! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
"Heaven Waits For Me"
Jenny Simmons
A Tough Passage?
May 25, 2020
1 Peter 2:13-17 Living Bible
13 For the Lord’s sake, obey every law of your government: those of the king as head of the state, 14 and those of the king’s officers, for he has sent them to punish all who do wrong, and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power. 16 You are free from the law, but that doesn’t mean you are free to do wrong. Live as those who are free to do only God’s will at all times.
17 Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.
Have you read this passage lately? This is a very difficult issue during our current season. That's why believers need to completely trust in the Lord and wait upon His leading. May God give you wisdom in these challenging days
.
I was treated to one of the best steaks I've had in years last night! Thank you for the great meal my friends in Christ! You guys are a living testimony in trusting God! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Live Like A Christian...Somebody Is Listening
May 23, 2020
Ephesians 4:29-32 New Living Translation
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you
.
Well, this is the way live if we call ourselves believers! That's the truth and the thought for the day! I don't care what the world is doing or what our cultures says. This is the way believers are to live! Some spiritual food for thought!
Can't wait to go out for some ribs with my friends! Don't let the virus get you down!
Time to Get the Joy Going Around Here!
May 22, 2020
Psalm 100 New Living Translation
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy. 3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Listen to the video below and get lost in some time of joy with our great God!
Turn it up loud and enjoy! God is good!
"Joyful Joyful" Sister Act 2 ending scene-Lauryn Hill
We Want A Plan Now!
May 21, 2020
Psalm 33:6-15 New Living Translation
6 The Lord merely spoke,and the heavens were created. He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born. 7 He assigned the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. 8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him. 9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command. 10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes. 11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken. 12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.13 The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race. 14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth. 15 He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
It seems like everyone is calling for a plan to get us out of the current mess we are in. Sometimes, I get very frustrated and tired of man trying to come up with another plan. I think I'm sick of the very word "Plan" as if man really knows what he is doing. This passage reminds us that God has a plan that works! If people would trust in the Word of God and follow God's plan in Christ, things would change! Some spiritual food for thought!
What are you planning today? Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Tough Times Have Been Around Forever!
May 20, 2020
Psalm 25:15-20 Living Bible
15 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me. 16 Come, Lord, and show me your mercy, for I am helpless, overwhelmed, in deep distress; 17 my problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! 18 See my sorrows; feel my pain; forgive my sins. 19 See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! 20 Save me from them! Deliver my life from their power! Oh, let it never be said that I trusted you in vain!
When reading the Book of Psalms it can be easy to focus on all the "Praise the Lord" there is. There are many passages that speak of dark times. In dark times we need to seek God for help. Now is the time to cry out to God for help! He is there with His grace, mercy and love to help. I think several are feeling some of the pain mentioned in this passage. Look to God for help...He is there!
In God, help is on the way! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Hope on Display!
May 19, 2020
1 Peter 3:13-17 New Living Translation (NLT)
Suffering for Doing Good
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
This passage speaks to us about living out the hope we have in Christ, especially during the trials of life. This is a great time to put our hope in Christ on display. The hope that people are looking for will be seen in how we handle suffering.
Sometimes we suffer for doing good, that is the sinful world we live in. Some spiritual food for thought.
God's reward is true and right! Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Sharing The Comfort of Christ
May 18, 2020
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 New Living Translation
God Offers Comfort to All
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
Feel like you're going through a tough time lately? God will comfort you through! God's grace is so good that as He helps you, you will help someone else. I believe the comfort of God is moving across the land during this virus situation. Everyday I hear more stories of desperate people who need the comfort of God. May we receive the comfort of God and may we like Paul, share it!
Have a great day in the fresh rains of the Holy Spirit. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Time to Obey The Lord!
May 16, 2020
John 15:9-14 Living Bible
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. 10 When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. 11 I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow! 12 I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. 13 And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; 14 and you are my friends if you obey me.
I cannot tell you how many times I have read and reflected on this passage. These are powerful and deep words of Christ just prior to his dying for our sins. There are many sermons in this passage, but the clear message is obedience!
Is my relationship with Christ about obedience to him in love? Jesus made a wonderful promise about joy which is very moving. He also gave a clear command to obedience in love to him and others. Which is more important? Which one means more to you? Which comment of Jesus should be our focus? Some spiritual food for thought.
Today would be a great day to have coffee and donuts, God's simple blessings. Don't let the virus get you down!
Pastor Mark
Trust and Obey-Don Moen