Come To The Table

Knowing right from wrong, knowing what to do and who to trust, isn't found in the world or in ourselves; it's found in the Word of God! The Bible is the literal words of God, so how could you not trust and follow the same words that brought life to the world and breath to your lungs?!?! In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that there is still time to obey God's Word and change your habits! You have an opportunity today, our nation has a chance today, to repent and turn back to the Lord! We get to choose what our future in eternity will look like by our choices today…so, will you choose God?

Whether you have kids or not, you influence some little one! Raising or helping to raise children according to the Word is vital! Parents have possibly the most important job of all! Biblical parenting is raising them in the ways of the Lord and showing them who Christ is through the Bible and through your own actions. In today's message, Pastor Mark will share a little about how he raises his daughters to know the Lord, and he sets the example of spending time in the Word with God! Today is your opportunity to have faith like a child and share the Word of God with your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews!

Thinking back to all the bad things we've done can be overwhelming. It's impossible for us to even recall everything, let alone pick out what was good enough to outweigh the bad; It's simply not possible in the sinful world we live in. No amount of good deeds we do can cancel out the bad in our wake. In today's message, Pastor Mark will share this seemingly devastating fact, while highlighting that, yes, our good deeds mean nothing, but the actions of Jesus on the cross mean everything! We are now washed clean, and the price of our record has been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Can you imagine treading water for twenty hours?! Sometimes our lives can feel like we're constantly treading water and putting in all this effort for someone to come save us… It's exhausting! It's tiring to not know when rescue will come; It's tiring not knowing when you can simply rest for a few moments! In today's message, Pastor Mark will sympathize with you as you're feeling like you may want to give up. Pastor Mark will challenge you not to give up!! But to seek God, pray, and encourage others to just keep going! Keep your eyes on the Lord, and He will never let you sink!

With the direction that our nation is going right now, we're headed away from God. We can already see by the wars, the conflicts, and the overall disagreements that it's chaotic! In the center of all that craziness, we find sin. We can see the byproduct of not only our own sin, but the sin of our whole nation. In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that you're not to look towards the world or look like the world; you're to look like God, as should our nation! When everyone starts looking more like Jesus, that is where you'll see peace and unity among all the nations and people!

Maybe you're not as picky as needing certain M&M colors, but Christians can, unfortunately, be needy and sometimes demanding. We may not expect it, but we're not entitled to anything; everything we own, everything we are, even all our followers on social media, are God's and God's alone! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you not to lose sight of what real Christianity is all about…serving! Remember that it's not about you…it's not the “Me show”, it's the God show!!! It's all about what Jesus has done for you and sharing that overflow of love to others in your everyday life!

This may sound like a tongue-twister, but…when we move from just knowing about God to actually knowing God, that is being known by God. There is more to religion and life than what you may expect; There is a real-life transformation when you have an intimate relationship with the God who knows you! In today's message, Pastor Mark will explain the vast differences between the religions of the world and the relationship that Jesus offers, called Christianity! Many people claim to be Christians because they're scared of hell, but declaring Jesus is Lord and creator of the universe is what real Christianity is!

True restoration is something I think we all need in today's society. We all need forgiveness, new chances, and transformation in the name of Jesus! In today's message, Pastor Mark will teach the steps to restoration according to the Bible, and according to the story, you will hear about Samson! Step one: repent from your sin. Repentance means turning the other way. We must do a full 180 from our sin! Step two: allow God to humble you and make you new! Humility is a necessity when we're ministering and simply living life! We all need humility before the Lord, but true confidence in the Lord!

Samson made some poor choices, and he fell into some serious sin…and he paid a heavy price for it. While Samson was learning his lesson, he began to understand the weight of his sin, and he repented to God! He turned back to God, he trusted God, and guess what God did? God blessed Him more than before! In today's message, Pastor Mark will share that there is SO much that we can learn and identify with from the story of Samson's life. Even when we sin, we can ALWAYS turn back to God, we can ALWAYS repent! God will be waiting, He will forgive, and He will bless us and use our experience to bless others!!!

We all know that sin starts as fun. Sin is a quick shot of dopamine, it's a fast hit of satisfaction, it's what you want…right now. But as we all know, that feeling, that satisfaction, ends, and it ends quickly!!! Sin is a fun time until we try to stop. That limited enjoyment depletes quickly!! In today's message, Pastor Mark will highlight the story of Samson and how he was blindsided by the repercussions of his actions; He was surprised by the toll it had on him and his life. Sin was a literal prison for Samson; don't let your desire for quick satisfaction be your prison!!!

Samson is one of my favorite examples that God gave us to understand how sin can conquer even the strongest people. No one is immune to sin, but followers of Christ have a secret weapon against sin…do you wanna know what it is? It is Christ! With God giving you your strength, you can conquer your sin! In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you of your secret weapon: the power, strength, and endurance that the Holy Spirit gives! Jesus defeated death, and He defeated sin…so live like that is true in your life…because it is! You have ALL power over ALL sin through the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

It's hard to read the story of Samson and Delilah and not be amazed at the incredible recklessness of Samson.  How could Samson tell Delilah the means by which she could kill him?  WHY would he do such a thing???  Surely you wouldn't be so brazen in the face of obvious destruction… would you? The answer, according to Pastor Mark today, lies in the alluring power of sin.  You may think you can flirt with sin, and then step back before it gets a hold of you.  You might even do some things and be saved from the consequences a few times.  But at some point, as with Samson, your ability to escape will be depleted.

The scourge of “physician-assisted suicide” has been spreading through the world at a rapid pace.  As Christians, we know it's wrong to take our own lives.  And we know it's wrong for anyone – a medical professional or anyone else – to take someone else's life.  But is it possible to assist someone else in committing “spiritual” suicide? Today, Pastor Mark illustrates from the tragic story of Samson and Delilah, not only how Samson killed his own spiritual life, but how Delilah assisted him in doing so.  Hopefully, you're not committing spiritual suicide with your sins.  But you also need to ask yourself: are you helping someone else to commit spiritual suicide?

Reflect for a moment on that deplorable modern tragedy known as “human trafficking”.  Now, imagine that a person who was a victim of such trafficking was somehow liberated from that bondage and was able to establish a free, happy, and prosperous life.  Do you think they would ever want to go back? Today, Pastor Mark explains that if you're a Christian, you've been liberated from something even worse than human trafficking: the bondage to sin.  Surely you wouldn't want to go back to that… would you?  It's easier to do than you might think.  But there are some practices you can follow to protect yourself from that danger. 

Most people have heard the story of Samson and Delilah.  And if nothing else, they know that somehow, she tricked Samson into telling her the secret of his great strength.  And then she brought in some of his enemies, and they captured him.  But how did he get into that position in the first place?  What went wrong? Today, Pastor Mark describes what he calls “The Samson Effect”.  It's where you start with some teeny, tiny compromise with sin.  And you're sure you can handle it without getting into trouble.  And sometimes, God will even rescue you from your own folly.  But – as Samson found out – tragically – that's not always the case.

I remember my son's baseball coach would tell his fielders: “On every pitch, be saying to yourself: ‘hit it to me! hit it to me!'”.  Why did he say that?  Because he wanted them always to be ready.  So when the ball is hit to them, they'll field it successfully and make a good play.  Confidence is a good thing! In today's message, Pastor Mark doesn't want to discourage confidence, but he does want to warn you about overconfidence.  You may be a strong Christian.  You may think you have the strength to handle some “risky” temptations.  But… remember Peter.  Remember David.  And today, as you'll hear: remember Samson.

How many times have you heard someone describe a situation they were in, and it was all somebody else's fault?  “This other driver did such-and-such.”  “My boss is incompetent.”  “My parents did a bad job raising me.”  It's much easier to blame someone else than it is to look at yourself honestly. Today, Pastor Mark explains that as long as you're looking at somebody else, you'll never solve the real problem inside.  And that is: you're responsible for your own choices.  And when you acknowledge that, and submit yourself to God, you'll be able to stay out of situations that could be destructive to yourself or others.

Have you ever had someone ask you a really ridiculous question about God?  Something like “could God make a rock so big that He couldn't pick it up?”  What's at the bottom of this?  Is it someone's sincere, genuine request for a better understanding of God?  Or is it really just a feeble attempt to dismiss Him? Today, Pastor Mark has another really ridiculous question that some Christians ask.  “If God's so powerful, why hasn't He freed me from my sin?”  But all the time, they're just holding on to the same old habits that keep them in that sin.  What questions are you asking God?  Are they good questions, or subterfuges?

There are always plenty of things to worry about.  I won't mention any right now, so you won't start worrying about them.  But what, exactly, is “worry”?  It's a feeling – yes.  But the feeling is only a symptom.  There's a reason some people worry while others don't, and it's not primarily a personality trait. Today, Pastor Mark has an antidote for worry – and that's transferring the problem up the ladder.  Maybe you've had a problem at work, but when you told your boss about it, he said, “Don't worry about it; I'll take care of this”.  So, pass your problems up to the Top of the Top of the Ladder – the God of the Universe.

You know it well… whether it's from a video you've watched, or it was your own child… the moment you catch her with chocolate on her face, even though she didn't eat that last donut. “No, daddy, I didn't eat it. It must have been Rover.” Dad smirks and tries to keep his cool, knowing his little one is lying right to his face. In today's message, Pastor Mark encourages us to be honest about things we know to be true. Even if there are consequences, it's better to be truth tellers and allow God to handle the rest. Otherwise, we'll be the toddler lying about chocolate on our face, digging deeper and deeper holes for ourselves. 

God created everyone with unique talents and gifts; Maybe sometimes you look at yourself and can't see what yours is. You can see giftedness in others, especially when it's something outward like musical or athletic ability. But keep looking, because there is something inside you that God wants to use for His glory. Today, Pastor Mark encourages us to use our passions and gifts for Christ.  Are you good with kids? Can you skip rocks on the pond 7 times? Or maybe people see you as an encourager or a teacher. There's absolutely something you have that God needs you to use. Figure out what it is, and He'll give you opportunities!

My wife and I love to leave the windows open - to air out the house, especially in the fall and spring when the temperature is just right. However, as it gets into summer… that's when the flies start to come in. At first, all of the buzzing is miserable, but after a while, it doesn't seem to bother us as much anymore. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that sin is kind of like those flies. At first, it eats away at you and ruins a good thing. But after a while, the good thing is still ruined, yet it doesn't bother you nearly as much as it used to. Today, if God is convicting you of a sin, maybe it's time to close the windows.

Spring cleaning is a much-needed time of the year. It's a time to reflect on all the valuables we have, all the garbage we need to get rid of, and address the pile of things sitting on the counter that we've grown to ignore. The more we clean, the more we realize just how much we've gotten used to living in a mess. It's really easy to want to think you're living in a clean home, but you don't realize how dirty it's been getting right under your nose. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that sin works in the same way. It creeps in, and even though you think you're doing well, you've been lowering your standards time after time.

One of the greatest joys in life for toddlers is a nice, warm cup of milk. It's even more refreshing after a nice, long nap. The problem is, sometimes that's all they want. Dinner may be getting close, but their impatience means that the only thing their taste buds will really get to experience is milk. Today, Pastor Mark teaches that we have natural desires, but often get too impatient for them to be filled in God's timing. Maybe for you, “dinner” looks like a promotion at your job, but your “milk” is quitting and finding a job elsewhere. Don't let your fleshly desires be the ruler of your life when God has better things in store for you.

An evening ritual my wife and I share is fresh popcorn. It didn't start that way. It used to be that occasionally, I'd offer to make some for both of us, and since she'd decline, I would only measure out enough kernels for myself. However, I'd only get to enjoy half of what I made… thus, the portions increased, and the habit was formed. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that there are far too many instances in life where you might be tempted by your surroundings. If you really do not want popcorn… well, it's really hard to abstain when you can smell it and reach it. Sometimes, it may be better off if you leave the room before it consumes you.

The heaviest deadlift ever recorded exceeded an insanely heavy 1,120 pounds. For context, the lifter could have been holding a nine-foot grand piano, and the player. It also means that the record holder could have lifted an adult horse all by himself. Talk about strength! I can barely lift myself out of bed in the morning! In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that too often, we try to rely on our own strength. The fact of the matter is, no matter what your deadlift record is, sin will still be too heavy for you. You can't overcome it by sheer force. It can only be overcome by the blood of Jesus, who died on the cross to set you free.

Did you know that the average credit card debt per cardholder in the U.S. is around $6,000? Maybe you have more, or maybe you've been disciplined enough to have less. The promise of instant gratification has led to debts looming over the heads of many, and they end up paying more in the long run. Too often, people believe that, since they can't afford that new toy right now, they can swipe their American Express and pay it back later. In the same way, Pastor Mark teaches today that many believers have a hard time waiting for the treasures of heaven, so they indulge in sin now, racking up a debt that only Jesus could pay.

Manoah was blissfully unaware that his spiritual journey wasn't aligning with where God hoped he would be. So, what did that lead to? God decided to share His messages through His wife, who was truly in tune with her spiritual connection to Him. When you start to drift away from your relationship with God, you might find that you're not quite in sync with the amazing plans He has for your life. In today's message, Pastor Mark invites you to take a moment to reflect on your spiritual life and explore ways to deepen your connection with God. When you're in harmony with Him, everything around you will align perfectly.

Dealing with teenagers can sometimes feel like navigating a tricky maze, and as a parent, you might find yourself in a mental tug-of-war! As a believer, it can be truly tough to watch your kids drift away from their faith and rebel in their own ways. But does that make you lose all hope? Today, Pastor Mark has a heartfelt message for all the parents out there—he's inviting you to lift your spiritually lost kids in prayer. It seems like you may have missed the chance to build a solid spiritual foundation. But your prayers have the power to unlock those stubborn hearts to embrace God's love. It's never too late to come back to Jesus!

When constructing a skyscraper, the crew always ensures that the foundation is rock-solid. That takes away the worry of earthquakes and wind causing any harm to the building. In the same way, being a parent gives you the chance to guide your kids through life and get them ready for what's coming next. But have you taken the time to build that spiritual base in their lives? Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to build a strong foundation by guiding your children to walk with God from a young age. Even if they do stray away from Jesus at some point, He will find a way to reach out to them and bring them back to Him. 

Samson, huh? He's quite the character, isn't he? Famous for his incredible strength, he stood out among other Bible characters. So, you might be curious about the kind of diet that boosted his strength to such impressive heights, huh? Guess what? It was all God! His trust in God filled him with an amazing strength. Yet, as he wandered from God and led a sinful life, his strength began to wane. In today's message, Pastor Mark shares insights on how to stand firm against sin and lean on God's strength. Unlike Samson, be mindful not to let sin get in the way of that beautiful bond you share with your Creator. 

What drives you when you're doing something, whether it's playing music or lending a hand at church? What's the spark behind your actions? Are you doing it as a way to honour God, or is it more about impressing others and making them think highly of you? It's interesting how, even within ministry, there are individuals who seem to prioritise their own interests while claiming to serve God. In today's message, Pastor Mark invites you to open your heart to worship and to serve God with sincerity and a joyful spirit. God truly knows what lies within your heart and the motives behind your actions. Be true to Him!

When parents tell their kids to hang out with the right crowd, it matters a lot! Being in the wrong crowd can affect you, too. If you notice your church leaders behaving in ways that don't quite match up with God's Word, it might be time to consider exploring a different fellowship instead of sticking around in a situation that doesn't feel right. Being involved with that deceptive group can really lead to some serious repercussions for you, too! Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to stay alert to false teachings and to seek out a community where you can worship God authentically and freely alongside fellow believers!

When we consider what Jephthah's daughter faced, it's natural to question why she didn't opt for her own freedom and carve out the life she desired, don't you think? The generation we're living in seems to lean towards a different path, doesn't it? What Jephthah's daughter did was viewed as an act of obedience in the eyes of God. Sometimes in life, you find yourself facing a tough choice that you didn't really want to make. Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to stay true to your promises to God. Even if it brings challenges your way, always choose to do what's right. God will honour you in just the right way at the right time!

These days, it seems like our generation has a habit of swearing by God for even the tiniest promises we make to one another. Often, our promises end up feeling empty because we struggle to follow through on them. Have you ever thought about the fact that not keeping those promises you make, particularly to God, might lead to some serious judgment? Today, Pastor Mark tells you to hold onto your promises, no matter what! It's wise to steer clear of making vows, but if you find yourself in a situation where you do promise something to God, be sure to follow through. God treasures this more than you might realise!

Many of the conflicts we encounter today are due to rude, unwanted judgment. People don't want to be judged, obviously; I mean, you can imagine what that's like from your own experiences…it's usually not fun. So, how do we navigate telling people about sin without judging them harshly? In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that it is God's job to judge… it is not yours! You are called to inform people about sin, in grace and truth, but you are not to judge them. Why? Because we're all sinners! Who are we to judge another person when Jesus has been so forgiving and kind to us?!

Disputes with co-workers, arguments over little things when we're tired, and family conflicts are, unfortunately, unavoidable. We may have seasons where we're at peace with everyone, but eventually, we will need to make amends with another person; thankfully, there IS a biblical way to do so! The Bible says that we're to be at peace with everyone to the best of our ability; so, how do we do that? In today's message, Pastor Mark will show you some of the biblical tools you need to settle arguments. The main tool is simply communication. Seek God to give you the right words, and He WILL come through!

Unfortunately, the world we live in is dark and is only getting darker every day. But fortunately, as Christians, we have the light, and we can be light amidst the darkness! We can shine for Jesus by staying positive, calm, and steady so our family, friends, and co-workers can see exactly who our God is! In today's message, Pastor Mark will show that you have an opportunity to share Jesus with those when life gets hectic. When the world is spiraling, and you stay confident and unwavering in your God, people will notice, and you then have an opportunity to share why you do not need to worry!!!

Families can be a complicated thing. Whether you have a good earthly family or not, it can be a difficult thing to navigate. Thankfully, God has adopted you into His heavenly family! God wants you to know that He accepts you, He chooses you, and He will never mistreat you or leave you! In today's message, Pastor Mark will recognize that families can be a touchy subject and a difficult thing for most people. Pastor Mark will teach that God uses family trauma or even healthy families to grow us spiritually and to give us a greater understanding of how much He loves us and cares for us!

Confession and repentance are used quite often in Church, but what do they really mean, and how are we supposed to be doing them? Confession is verbally speaking your sin and apologizing; Repenting is an action! We must take action to change our thoughts and habits; that is where the spiritual change happens! In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that real-life transformation comes from the Holy Spirit's intercession and your actions! You've probably heard that, “if nothing changes…then nothing changes”… You must do something different so you don't get caught up in your sins again!

Everything God does and says has a purpose, and a purpose that is beyond what we can imagine. It's hard to comprehend God's sovereignty and plans, because they are so far beyond what we can understand…that is where our faith comes in! We must have faith that God has a plan that will be fruitful! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you as you may be doubting, misunderstanding, or unsure…God has a plan for your life! What the Lord has said and done has all been for your betterment and growth! Don't concern yourself with seeing the full picture, just trust God in His faithfulness!

The Bible teaches that we're the salt of the earth…but what does that mean? In today's message, Pastor Mark will explain what being salt means for you and me. The Bible teaches that we're to be like a seasoning that God can sprinkle where He wants and however much He wants. We must be willing to season according to His will! Being the salt of the earth means that you are an honest, kind, and loving person; you are someone who is seasoned in your faith, and you're wise with your actions! So wherever God calls you, you go, and you go to be a balanced blessing and a steady voice among the chaos and lies we encounter today.

One thing we need to understand is that we serve a just God. Everything He does is balanced, thought out, and successful! God isn't going to do something just because; He is going to do something to serve a godly purpose that benefits us! In our limited minds, we can't always see what that purpose is right away. In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that when you're upset, confused, or frustrated with the present world, seek God on how you may need to repent first! It's easy to just be mad at others; it's a lot harder to take a look at your own actions; real change happens with YOU first!

The best method I use to make friends is to try to find something we relate to each other with. When we relate to each other, we can grow closer in friendship because we have common ground. Well, a good way to get to know Jesus is to understand how He was betrayed. The same way we understand the new friends we make.  In today's message, Pastor Mark reminds you that at some point in your life, you'll be betrayed or you'll go through suffering. It's not because God hates you, but because it's the best way to understand how Jesus felt before going to the cross. Luckily, you will never have to live what Jesus went through on the cross!

Have you ever been good at one sport, and then tried to learn a different sport, and you were just terrible at it? For example, being super good at soccer, but then being bad at tennis. That's not your fault; you were just given the blessing of foot-eye coordination, but not hand-eye coordination. That's how God made you! In today's message, Pastor Mark says that you should know your gifts and callings, and that it's important to USE those gifts and callings to God's glory. And if you don't have it, then don't try to force it. God has made you the way He wants you to be. The best way to further God's kingdom is to stick to what He has blessed you with. 

I grew up playing soccer, and I always looked up to my coaches because everything they taught me, they could demonstrate well. But when I went to watch them play in their games, they made the same mistakes as I did. I learned that even though they taught me everything I know, they were still humans who weren't perfect. In today's message, Pastor Mark talks about the importance of not idolizing pastors or other Church leaders. If they made a mistake, then it would be easy for you to doubt your ability to stay holy. It's important to remember that even though someone is in a leadership position in the church, they aren't immune to sin.

Sometimes, I have a bad time saying “no” to my friends. Whenever they want to hang out with me, I just can't resist saying no, and I go and hang out with them. Then, I start to get exhausted from this, and I don't have time to rest and recharge. The inability to set boundaries can be detrimental in your walk with Christ. In today's message, Pastor Mark talks about the dangers of falling away from God. He says that sins like adultery don't happen overnight, but it's a slow regression of someone saying “yes” to things that aren't of God, and then what seem like small excuses turn into a huge spiral of sins that can hurt you or other people.

Growing up, I always wanted to be popular. I would look at the popular kids and try everything I could to fit in. My worth was put into others' approval. But, over time, I realized that it doesn't even matter how many people know me. God will always know me, and He sees me as the most popular and favored person! In today's message, Pastor Mark says that even when you feel like a nobody in this world, you AREN'T! YOU are SO important to God. He sees you as someone so important that he wants YOU to help grow His kingdom. Don't let the lies say you mean nothing, because you are everything to Him! What a joy it is to be highly favored!

When I volunteer in the kids' ministry, I often see the kids acting or doing things without thinking. Although it's very silly, as they grow up, they learn how to think before speaking or acting. Now, their actions are well thought out. This is an important skill to use even when discerning the difference between the enemy and the spirit.  In today's message, Pastor Mark warns you about the enemy using you. Sometimes, it's easy not to see it happening, but other times, you might feel called out from God that what you said was not from Him. It's important to stay cautious and be aware of whether you're speaking through the spirit or through the enemy.

Growing up, I've gotten so many “wise words of advice” from people, some I didn't listen to and figured out the hard way, and others I took very seriously in my life. I can recall so many good nuggets of advice I've gotten from people over time, but the biggest nugget I've gotten was the Gospel, which changed my life!In today's message, Pastor Mark is encouraging you to stand up for your faith! Why stand back and say nothing when you can be outspoken and let people know about how God has changed YOUR life? Any action, big or small, can truly change how someone thinks.

Has your boss ever asked you to do something that just seems absolutely crazy and then just left you alone to figure it out on your own? That can be extremely frustrating, especially when there's no guidance whatsoever. Luckily for you, that's not how God functions; He doesn't just send you on a mission and ditch you. In today's message, Pastor Mark says that when God calls you to something, He has already gone before you and completed it, and all you have to do is be obedient and follow in His calling. God wants to set YOU up for success, not failure. He is always with you. What has God called you to that you need to be obedient to?