WoW! What an awesome Service we had on Sunday. If you missed it go back and view it. Click here to view it. Don’t forget about Our Christmas Eve Service Don’t miss it. Mark your calendars.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (King James Version)
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
On Saturday November 28, 2009 my wife and I celebrated 11 years of marriage and counting. In a society where people are giving up on marriage, being unfaithful, I wanted to share with you some practical wisdom on how to have a thriving and successful marriage; no matter what life throws at you.
First off - marriage is work and fun. Living together without being married; is the pleasure of marriage without the work. The reason is there is no commitment. Marriage is commitment between you and your spouse and God. If you cannot commit to God, it’s going to be hard to commit to each other.
Commitment strands from being fully persuaded and trusting. Trusting comes from loving. You cannot truly love someone without trusting him or her. If you cannot trust the individual, you will not be able to truly love them. Most people cannot commit because they have had their trust violated, and so it’s hard for the individual to commit. They will commit only to a point. But without full commitment, you will never be able to have a thriving and successful marriage.
My wife and I do not argue, we simply have discussions; no, really, arguing leads to nothing more than confusion and disputes. Don’t debate everything, learn to work together and find each other’s strengths. The enemy will always show your partners weaknesses, but God will always expose the strengths and the potential he or she has in Christ. Never put your spouse down. No matter what he or she says. The bible states Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He goes around putting people down making them feel like a loser because he is one himself. Hebrews 10:25 states for us to encourage one another. When you encourage one another, you will see the strengths each one have; come out.
Men, take your wife on a date once a week, a minimum of once a month. Regardless of your schedules; make time for it. Let her know how much you love her. How you really feel about her. Women encourage your husband. Let him know that he is the superman in your life. When you encourage him and pump him up, there is nothing he will not do for you. Even when things are not going well for him, let him know you are for him and with him and that God is with him and for him. If you marriage is on the rocks, know that you can come to Jesus and He is the rock. Rest in him, lay your issues at His feet, ask him for answers, creative solutions.
Maybe you are at a point where your marriage has become almost “platonic”. Can that happen? Well platonic means to be intimate and affectionate but not sexual. When having kids, juggling your career, schedules, meetings, travel time, sometimes it feels like you have nothing left to give.
Revelations 2:4 shows us God telling Ephesus (the church) he knew their works and labor but one thing was missing and that was they left their first love. They needed to come back to God. Today take some time to evaluate where your love life is at between you and God and you and your spouse. If it is lacking decide today that you are making a come back. Change whatever you have to change in your schedule, create a new routine and work it in.
When we put God first in our life, we are able to trust that He is faithful. He can work out what seems to be broken and not going well. That includes a marriage.
Tomorrow I will continue this with Faithful in an Unfaithful World.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Point
WOW what an Awesome Service! If you missed it. Click here to view it.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (New Living Translation)
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
This week is Thanksgiving. What is thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is giving thanks. Giving thanks in every area of our lives.
When we begin to thank God, He redirects us and points us into the right direction.
I encourage you today to take the time and write down 10 things that you are thankful for. You cannot stay ungrateful, when you begin to thank God.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (New Living Translation)
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
This week is Thanksgiving. What is thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is giving thanks. Giving thanks in every area of our lives.
When we begin to thank God, He redirects us and points us into the right direction.
I encourage you today to take the time and write down 10 things that you are thankful for. You cannot stay ungrateful, when you begin to thank God.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Friday, November 20, 2009
Forfeit
WOW what an awesome week we have had so far. We have a new radio program. It’s called Breath Of Life Morning Show with the Pastors. M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Isaiah 1:19 (King James Version)
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
When a team forfeits a game, they loose, even though they never played the game. We can forfeit things in our life because we are unwilling to follow through in every thing God speaks.
We have to be willing and obedient. You might say is there a difference? Yes! You can be obedient, but not willing to do what you are obedient in. Example, you may tell a child to take out the trash. They know if they do not obey they will suffer the consequences of their disobedience. Even though they obey, they are not willing to do it. Willingness deals with the heart. If your heart is not in it, then you are simply going through the motions.
Make sure your not going through the motions. Take a self-evaluation so that you will not forfeit what God has planed for your life. Face what it is that would cause you not to be willing and obedient. Is it pride, fear, doubt, selfishness, insecurity, failure, the list can go on and on. Give what you have faced to God and begin to replace it with the Word of God by speaking what He has spoken in His word. Moses forfeited the promise land because of his disobedience, and His unwillingness to completely follow through on everything God had instructed him to do. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
Today, don’t forfeit everything you have worked for just because you think you have arrived or what you have not seen yet come to pass.
Remember, What God has promised will come to pass as long as we continue and not forfeit what He has spoken in our lives.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Isaiah 1:19 (King James Version)
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
When a team forfeits a game, they loose, even though they never played the game. We can forfeit things in our life because we are unwilling to follow through in every thing God speaks.
We have to be willing and obedient. You might say is there a difference? Yes! You can be obedient, but not willing to do what you are obedient in. Example, you may tell a child to take out the trash. They know if they do not obey they will suffer the consequences of their disobedience. Even though they obey, they are not willing to do it. Willingness deals with the heart. If your heart is not in it, then you are simply going through the motions.
Make sure your not going through the motions. Take a self-evaluation so that you will not forfeit what God has planed for your life. Face what it is that would cause you not to be willing and obedient. Is it pride, fear, doubt, selfishness, insecurity, failure, the list can go on and on. Give what you have faced to God and begin to replace it with the Word of God by speaking what He has spoken in His word. Moses forfeited the promise land because of his disobedience, and His unwillingness to completely follow through on everything God had instructed him to do. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
Today, don’t forfeit everything you have worked for just because you think you have arrived or what you have not seen yet come to pass.
Remember, What God has promised will come to pass as long as we continue and not forfeit what He has spoken in our lives.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 16, 2009
Led
WOW what an awesome service! if you missed it, click here to view it.
We have a new radio program that started last week. It’s called Wake up with the Pastors. M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Matthew 4:1 (King James Version)
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
There is a difference between being led and being pushed. God will always lead you to where you need to go and see good success. Our flesh will push us to where we think we want to go, but in destruction.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness. This is where Jesus was placed by God to be tempted and overcome. The Holy Spirit led Him there and He will also lead us. The good news is just as He over came, so will you and I.
This process is unavoidable. He knew the best was yet to come. He had to face it, trace it, erase it and replace it with the Word of God. He knew going into the fight, that it was fixed. As long as He spoke the Word, He would come out winning.
Today, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you and I to the place where God can make us. Make us able to withstand all that the enemy has been prevailing. It might be a negative attitude. Maybe it’s over eating, being prideful, or maybe it’s just the lack there of. Whatever it might be, know just as Jesus was tempted and led of the Spirit into the wilderness and over come, so will you and I over come and come out ahead.
You have what it takes, not just to survive, but also to thrive in life.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
We have a new radio program that started last week. It’s called Wake up with the Pastors. M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Matthew 4:1 (King James Version)
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
There is a difference between being led and being pushed. God will always lead you to where you need to go and see good success. Our flesh will push us to where we think we want to go, but in destruction.
Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness. This is where Jesus was placed by God to be tempted and overcome. The Holy Spirit led Him there and He will also lead us. The good news is just as He over came, so will you and I.
This process is unavoidable. He knew the best was yet to come. He had to face it, trace it, erase it and replace it with the Word of God. He knew going into the fight, that it was fixed. As long as He spoke the Word, He would come out winning.
Today, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you and I to the place where God can make us. Make us able to withstand all that the enemy has been prevailing. It might be a negative attitude. Maybe it’s over eating, being prideful, or maybe it’s just the lack there of. Whatever it might be, know just as Jesus was tempted and led of the Spirit into the wilderness and over come, so will you and I over come and come out ahead.
You have what it takes, not just to survive, but also to thrive in life.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Friday, November 13, 2009
Who's That
Wow what an awesome service we had this past Sunday. If you missed it, click here to view it. If you missed Friday November 6, 2009, then click here for highlights.
We have a new radio program that started this week, It’s called Wake up with the Pastors M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Judges 6:12 (New Living Translation)
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
Have you ever told a child to do something, and they looked at you like you were crazy? They have not discovered they have the ability to do it, but they just need someone to pull it out.
God is saying to you today, “You mighty hero, God is with you!” I want you to think about that. If you know that you are a hero and God is with you, nothing anybody or anything does to you will cause you to loose focus on what God has spoken to you. I want you to say it, I am a mighty hero, and God is with me, for me, and not against me.
No matter where you are in life, nothing is impossible for God to do in your life. He is with you, for you, and not against you.
Today, know that you are a mighty hero and God is with you. Go and accomplish everything God has spoken for you to do. There are more with you, then against you.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
We have a new radio program that started this week, It’s called Wake up with the Pastors M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Judges 6:12 (New Living Translation)
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
Have you ever told a child to do something, and they looked at you like you were crazy? They have not discovered they have the ability to do it, but they just need someone to pull it out.
God is saying to you today, “You mighty hero, God is with you!” I want you to think about that. If you know that you are a hero and God is with you, nothing anybody or anything does to you will cause you to loose focus on what God has spoken to you. I want you to say it, I am a mighty hero, and God is with me, for me, and not against me.
No matter where you are in life, nothing is impossible for God to do in your life. He is with you, for you, and not against you.
Today, know that you are a mighty hero and God is with you. Go and accomplish everything God has spoken for you to do. There are more with you, then against you.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 9, 2009
Growth Connection Factor
WOW what an Awesome Service if you missed it click here to view it. If you missed Friday November 6, 2009 then click here for highlights.
We have a new radio program that started this week. It’s called Wake up with the Pastors. M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Ephesians 4:16 (King James Version)
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love..
The Phrase, “fitly joined together,“ is one Greek word –sunarmologeo. It means, to fit or frame together, be fitly framed, join closely together.
The NIV says it like this, joined and held together by every supporting ligament. These ligaments enable the body to grow and build itself up in love, as each part does its work.
What and who we connect with will be the direct result of whether or not we will grow or not.
Colossians 1:23 (King James Version)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
Growth happens as we continue with Him grounded and settled, and not moving when the times get hard, or weak.
Just like a tree the deeper the roots, the harder it is for that tree to move. I encourage you today to take the time and stay connected to leadership, but committed to Him. Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
We have a new radio program that started this week. It’s called Wake up with the Pastors. M-F. 7am -9am. Click here for more information.
Ephesians 4:16 (King James Version)
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love..
The Phrase, “fitly joined together,“ is one Greek word –sunarmologeo. It means, to fit or frame together, be fitly framed, join closely together.
The NIV says it like this, joined and held together by every supporting ligament. These ligaments enable the body to grow and build itself up in love, as each part does its work.
What and who we connect with will be the direct result of whether or not we will grow or not.
Colossians 1:23 (King James Version)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
Growth happens as we continue with Him grounded and settled, and not moving when the times get hard, or weak.
Just like a tree the deeper the roots, the harder it is for that tree to move. I encourage you today to take the time and stay connected to leadership, but committed to Him. Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Give Up on Giving Up
Wow what an awesome service we had yesterday! Click here if you missed it.
II Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Is life hard? Yes. Is Christ stronger and able to get us through? Absolutely. Do we feel like we want to give up sometimes? Sure we do.
But I want to encourage you today that Christ's strength is greater then any weakness we may have. His courage to face and make it through another day is unbeatable. Your tomorrow will be a better day.
I want to encourage you to give up on wanting to give up. There is hope. I pray that today, whatever you are going through God places hope in your heart. I pray that He gives you hope for tomorrow, joy for your sorrow and strength for what you are going through.
I want you to know that your best days are ahead of you. Now is your time. It doesn’t matter where you are at in life, what opportunities have passed, or how you were done wrong. Make the decision today, you are pressing on. Decide today you are moving on, the past is over, and the future holds a brighter season.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
II Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Is life hard? Yes. Is Christ stronger and able to get us through? Absolutely. Do we feel like we want to give up sometimes? Sure we do.
But I want to encourage you today that Christ's strength is greater then any weakness we may have. His courage to face and make it through another day is unbeatable. Your tomorrow will be a better day.
I want to encourage you to give up on wanting to give up. There is hope. I pray that today, whatever you are going through God places hope in your heart. I pray that He gives you hope for tomorrow, joy for your sorrow and strength for what you are going through.
I want you to know that your best days are ahead of you. Now is your time. It doesn’t matter where you are at in life, what opportunities have passed, or how you were done wrong. Make the decision today, you are pressing on. Decide today you are moving on, the past is over, and the future holds a brighter season.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Trading One Addiction for Another
Wow what an Awesome Week. Don’t forget about November 6, 2009 our faith based night. Click here for more information. I look forward to seeing all of you this weekend.
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When we begin to make changes in our life for the better, to honor God, to improve our Christian walk, some changes are not always for the best. I want to challenge you today to consider the following:
Have you traded one addiction for another?
Drinking for an eating disorder (over eating – under eating)
Cussing for indirect put downs (thinking they are not as bad)
Partying/Fornication for controlled seductiveness (turn on & off when you want)
What have you traded, modified or think you have controlled?
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When we begin to make changes in our life for the better, to honor God, to improve our Christian walk, some changes are not always for the best. I want to challenge you today to consider the following:
Have you traded one addiction for another?
Drinking for an eating disorder (over eating – under eating)
Cussing for indirect put downs (thinking they are not as bad)
Partying/Fornication for controlled seductiveness (turn on & off when you want)
What have you traded, modified or think you have controlled?
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 2, 2009
Until
WOW! What an awesome service. If you missed it, click here to view it. Don’t forget about November 6, 2009 our faith based night. Click here for more information.
2 Kings 5:14 (King James Version)
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Naaman was a commander of a great Kingdom. He had brought many victories, but he had contracted an incurable disease, leprosy. He came to Elisha. Elisha was the prophet at the time. Elisha told him to go and dip in the Jordan river seven times and on the seventh time he would be healed. The only problem was the Jordan River was at the time the dirtiest river.
Naaman said can’t I go to another river and do it. No replied Elisha. The key to success in our life is obeying exactly what God has spoken. He has the exact plan and strategy to accomplish what he has placed in our heart. Naaman walked away because it was not the way he wanted to receive his healing. This meant that death in his life was going to happen.
How many times does God instruct us to do something that will give Him glory? God was humbling Naaman. Finally, Naaman went and dipped in the water seven times and on the seventh time came out purified.
Don’t stop obeying what God has spoken for you to do until you get what you have set out to do. If Naaman had stopped at the 6th time, he would not have received his healing. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
What have or are you asking God for? What has He spoken for you to do? Do it UNTIL what you are believing for happens.
Remember our success is predicated upon our obedience of what He has spoken.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
2 Kings 5:14 (King James Version)
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Naaman was a commander of a great Kingdom. He had brought many victories, but he had contracted an incurable disease, leprosy. He came to Elisha. Elisha was the prophet at the time. Elisha told him to go and dip in the Jordan river seven times and on the seventh time he would be healed. The only problem was the Jordan River was at the time the dirtiest river.
Naaman said can’t I go to another river and do it. No replied Elisha. The key to success in our life is obeying exactly what God has spoken. He has the exact plan and strategy to accomplish what he has placed in our heart. Naaman walked away because it was not the way he wanted to receive his healing. This meant that death in his life was going to happen.
How many times does God instruct us to do something that will give Him glory? God was humbling Naaman. Finally, Naaman went and dipped in the water seven times and on the seventh time came out purified.
Don’t stop obeying what God has spoken for you to do until you get what you have set out to do. If Naaman had stopped at the 6th time, he would not have received his healing. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
What have or are you asking God for? What has He spoken for you to do? Do it UNTIL what you are believing for happens.
Remember our success is predicated upon our obedience of what He has spoken.
God Bless,
Pastor Mark
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