Come To The Table

Behind every immaculately trimmed lawn and hidden trash can in the city's finest subdivision is a wonderful thing called an HOA covenant. They keep cars from parking on the street and make sure all house modifications fit the theme of the neighborhood, but they sure keep things looking great! Today, Pastor Mark teaches that many believers treat tithing like paying HOA dues and expect church membership to keep them looking nice on the inside. However, the reality is that the outside of your house can look clean while the inside is a mess. Only a relationship with Jesus can get your house in order.

It's so easy to take our food for granted. If you think about the quickest meal you can probably get – a McDonald's cheeseburger – consider how long it took to be created. The cow for the patty had to grow for several years, as did the wheat for the bun. The lettuce, tomato, and onion didn't just appear overnight! In today's message, Pastor Mark isn't talking about burgers, but he will teach you that spiritual growth takes time. As seeds are planted and watered, one day, enough spiritual formation happens that the results are completely unrecognizable from the initial seed. Transformation is a slow, daily process.

In society, there are all kinds of false gods and idols. Whether it's social justice issues, sports, food, or social media… all of them can become gods that separate us from the one true God. They creep in and steal our attention, drawing us away from Jesus. It's often said that if the devil can't get your heart, he will make you busy. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that Paul sets an example for all of us. He didn't just sit idly by while these things captured the heart of those around him. He stood up boldly and challenged people to turn to God. Will you follow suit? Will you stand firm in your faith and point people towards Jesus?

People used to walk miles…not steps, not just to the other room, but miles just to read the Word of God and fact-check what they heard to what God said. That is unheard of in today's society. More often than not, people just take what they hear and either forget about it or take it with the accountability of a person. In today's message, Pastor Mark will challenge you…how often do you read your Bible? At what lengths are you willing to go to just to make sure you are in right standing with God? Do you spend more time on your phone than you do in the Bible? You can take that step today, make being in the Scripture your #1 priority!

God works in ways that are incomprehensible to our minds. But He gave us His word, the living Bible, to be able to understand a sliver of what He has done, is doing, and even will do! The Bible is a way for us to accept the unknown and learn to trust God because He has proven trustworthy over and over again! In today's message, Pastor Mark will invite you to fact-check everything you come across in the Bible. Whether you're making a simple choice or receiving advice or guidance from pastors, check if it aligns with what God has clearly said and stated in HIS Word! The Bible is applicable today…use it!!!

Whether you're already a Christian or still on the fence, God has amazing things in store for you! Look to God in awe, in patient expectation of what He IS going to do in your life, and He will show up! Simply keeping your eyes on the Lord and trusting He has complete control over your life will bring rest! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you to worship, to focus on the good God has done in the trial! While you wait for the storm to pass, worship the Lord! It can be difficult to center yourself and trust God while everything is going wrong. But God is faithful, and He will be with you through your storm!

No matter what it is we may be facing, whether anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, worship is our best option. Worship will always be our way out of darkness and a winning weapon against the devil. Praising God even in our struggles will literally drive satan away in fear of who our God is! In today's message, Pastor Mark will recognize that stress, anxiety, and depression are all very real aspects of the human experience. But you serve a gracious and powerful God that the devil fears. Acknowledge the goodness of God and thank Him in the midst of your suffering, and watch the devil flee!!!

It's almost unthinkable to sing, to praise God, to worship in the midst of our suffering. Life can be really hard sometimes. It was really hard for Paul and Silas, and yet they found the strength to thank God with their voices, despite their circumstances. Despite the agony they were experiencing. In today's message, Pastor Mark will show you how God is that strength. God is your strength when you are hanging on by a thread. Maybe that's you today, maybe you need a miracle, you need supernatural power to continue on..God will be that. God is for you and He is with you, ready to comfort and support you in all areas!

Spiritual warfare is a very real thing we face in today's day and age. The devil uses everything and anything he can get his hands on to pull you away from God and the things of God. Distractions, such as screaming kids, busy schedules with no time to relax, are all meant to stress you out and drag you from God. In today's message, Pastor Mark will share that, as real as those battles are, God has a way out! There is hope to endure life; simply ask God to give you patience, rest, and strength. He may not provide an immediate way out, but He will give you or be everything you need to endure your struggles!

In today's message, Pastor Mark shares about the missionary journey that Paul and his companions took. One remarkable thing about their journey was that as they sailed by ship across the sea, they were able to take a straight course. This really was noteworthy because typically, the wind direction would work against them, but on this particular voyage, it was exactly what they needed. Have you ever stepped out in faith to do something that God was calling you to do? It might not always be smooth sailing, but when God wants you to do something, He will make a way. If God is calling you to step out in faith, then He will equip you.

Life is FULL of decisions. Every day, we have to decide what we want to eat, what clothes to wear… and those are just a couple of the choices we have to make. There's also plenty of BIG decisions in life; where to live, what career path to follow, who to marry… Pastor Mark encourages you in his message today to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that you can know which way God is leading you. Not every option is pleasing to God, and sometimes the right choice is the most difficult one. The important thing is to ask God and allow Him to lead you; You never know, He may lead you in a direction you never expected.

You know, one can imagine what it's like to be a king on some remote island somewhere… Servants everywhere, some bringing you food, some waving palm branches over you to keep you cool. All day long, you just do whatever you want, and your servants are there to wait on you hand and foot; A life in the lap of luxury. Today in his message, Pastor Mark shares with you that being part of the body of the Church isn't about what the Church can do for you, but what you can do for Christ. The Church isn't about consumerism, but it's about believers in Jesus coming together, serving each other, and worshipping God together.

Going through life without guidance can be a real challenge. That's why it's so important to have people like parents, grandparents, mentors, and pastors to pour into the lives of others, especially those who are younger. There's so much wisdom that can be passed along that will save many from having to learn things the hard way. In his message today, Pastor Mark is going to tell you about how Paul poured into the life of Timothy and encourage you to do the same for others. Look around you, is there anyone in your life that you can impart some of the wisdom God has given you? That's a great place to start!

Are the spiritual leaders and mentors in your life teaching doctrine that agrees with the Holy Spirit? Does their teaching agree with everything that's in The Bible? Today, Pastor Mark will explain how the first church was inspired directly by the Holy Spirit moving through all the members and doing great works. The Holy Spirit should inspire the teaching and leadership in any church today, too. The teaching should always agree with what's in the Bible, since the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself! Always consider if what you hear is from God or if it's false doctrine. Then stick with the truth, and reject what's false.

The ultimate source of the Scriptures and their meaning is the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit, Who moved in people's hearts, to reveal to them what to write down. Everything you read in the Bible is trustworthy, because even though man wrote it down, the Holy Spirit inspired it. Any doctrine that's contrary to what God's Word says is false, because it's not of the Holy Spirit. In today's message, Pastor Mark will point you in the right direction to find the truth about anything that you hear being taught. As you investigate these things, make sure that what you listen to is in alignment with God's Word.

All it takes to be saved and inherit eternal life in heaven is faith. A faith in Jesus, and that His sacrifice was enough to wash you clean of your sins. The same faith that Paul talked about right after the days of Jesus is the same faith that leads to salvation now. And it's meant for everyone to receive, no matter your past. God made it clear that His Word is meant to be preached to all people of all nations. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was to save all who believe in Him for eternal life. Today, Pastor Mark will show you how God's Word needs to be shared with as many people as possible, because it's meant for everyone.

Jew or Gentile, slave or free – salvation is for everyone. Jesus made a way for all to get to heaven. No matter someone's background or where he or she came from, God can move. No matter what nationality, race, size, or age someone is, God can move in his or her heart and give that person eternal life, too. Jesus died for everyone when He was sacrificed on the cross. Pastor Mark wants you to know through today's message that the good news of Jesus and salvation needs to be shared with everyone, because that's who it's for. Jesus didn't die for just a select few; He died for every single human being.

If God is for you, who could stand against you? When you commit your life to service for God and spreading the Good News of salvation, you have nothing to fear. Whatever obstacle comes your way, you can get through it because God will make a way. You just have to trust that He will when the time comes. Pastor Mark is going to encourage you today to face your obstacles and hardships with confidence. When God's on your side, He'll provide everything you need to go where He's called you. Even if you have nothing to offer, God can still use you, right where you're at. And He'll take care of the details.

Just like a soldier trains for the battlefield to be prepared for times of war, a Christian soldier should train to be ready for times of spiritual warfare. While times are easy, you should be learning and memorizing God's Word, so you can draw from those Scriptures when the days get harder in the battles. Today, Pastor Mark will encourage you to put in the work behind the scenes in your walk with God. In your alone time, spend time in prayer. Spend time in God's Word. Grow your faith so it's unshakable when it's time for you to face the war. You can go into battle with confidence that God will get you through it.

Opposition to the advancement of God's Word always follows revival and movements of God. Satan, the enemy, doesn't want to lose more people doomed to hell with him. He wants them to serve him and ultimately have the same judgment he does. When God moves, so does Satan. You need to be ready for it. In today's message, Pastor Mark will warn you to be on the lookout for Satan's opposition. Living out your faith isn't guaranteed to be a walk in the park, and Satan will do what he can to make sure of that. But if your hope is in the Lord for salvation, and you keep your heart focused on His will, you have nothing to fear.

Opposition will eventually come when you commit your life to serving God. Satan won't just sit by and idly watch people be saved without doing something to interfere. It might be big, it might be small, but he moves wherever God moves. Your heart needs to be ready for those times when they come. Today, Pastor Mark is going to prepare you for the times of the enemy's attacks. They usually come when it will hurt the most, but it's not the end. Make sure you soften your heart to God's Word and harden it toward sin, and keep your focus on serving God and doing His Will. He can bring good out of anything.

There is always hope while you're still breathing – you can be saved simply by placing your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. But, as Pastor Mark will warn in today's message, it doesn't get easier as you get older. The more you resist His invitation and say “no” to the offer Jesus extended on the cross, the more likely you are to continue down that path. You do not want to continue to put off this decision. None of us knows the time we have. Many don't get the luxury of knowing when they'll enter eternity. It could be decades, or it could be a matter of hours from now. Eternity is not something to gamble with.

Have you ever talked with a devout member of the Mormon church or perhaps a Jehovah's Witness? They may offer some of the most challenging conversations you'll have in sharing the Gospel. They often have very strong convictions and a comprehensive understanding of their own religion, along with a playbook for every argument you may try to present. As Pastor Mark will point out in today's message, Paul faced a similar challenge, likely even harder, as he confronted his fellow Jews with the Gospel. They were very stubborn in their beliefs and had strongly rooted convictions about the expected Messiah. 

Before you start going around examining others' lives, it's important that you dedicate time to some honest introspection. What kind of fruit are you bearing? Would the people around you say that they see Jesus in your words, actions, and attitudes? If you're following Him, you won't live a perfect life, but your life should demonstrate a trend of growth in the fruits of His Spirit. As Pastor Mark continues our study in the book of Acts today, he'll challenge us to be bold in our love for the people around us. When you humbly approach them, allow the Spirit to provide discernment, as you seek to draw them closer to Christ.

In a battle, the element of surprise brings a massive advantage to the attacking party. Even an outnumbered, outgunned force significantly increases its chances of victory if its enemy is caught off guard. As Pastor Mark will warn us in today's message, we're entrenched in a spiritual battle, and it's crucial that we're alert and ready for the attacks of the enemy. Our enemy loves to lull us into a sense of comfort and ease. When we relax and start to think this journey is smooth sailing, that's when he sees his chance. He'll draw us into compromise and introduce deceptive thoughts that lead to destruction.

Do you remember the last time God spoke to you? I'm not talking about an audible voice coming down from Heaven, that's rare… but when's the last time you heard His voice speak to your heart? For many believers, it's a challenge to remember a moment like that. It isn't something unique to the people we read about in Scripture; God will speak to you if you give Him the opportunity. As Pastor Mark will challenge us in today's message, we need to set aside time with our Father. His Word is more readily available today than it's ever been, and He's ready to listen and speak to you when you dedicate time in His presence. 

Following the leading of the Holy Spirit can be a real challenge in this life. As Pastor Mark points out today, as a young believer, or in a situation where you really don't have any other choice, following the Spirit may come naturally. But in day-to-day practice, it's easy to rely on yourself and ignore God's guidance. To follow Jesus and allow His Spirit to move through you requires faith and intentionality. You'll need to slow down on a routine basis, allowing time to listen for God's still, quiet voice. You'll also need to dig into Scripture and lean on your fellow believers for discernment and encouragement.

This account of King Herod's untimely death is not only presented in Scripture, but in the records of Josephus – a well-respected historian of the time. It offers a warning to any who would try to take glory that should be directed to God while also persecuting those He loves. We may not see people bowing down before leaders today, but the fervor some have for their political icons can be a form of worship. As we'll be warned in today's message from Pastor Mark, we can have confidence that God and His Word will always prevail over these attacks, and we'd much rather be on the winning side of this war.

When you lose someone to death, it hurts. Words fail to express the inner turmoil and pain you experience in that moment. Even the knowledge that they're with God in Heaven may only be a small consolation. You want them here with you now. As Pastor Mark will explain in today's message, those feelings are natural, and God can handle your pain in that moment. Why doesn't God stop us from experiencing loss and heartache? He didn't design us to go through this originally. Our pain is the result of sin, and sin still reigns in this world. But you can have hope; God has secured victory, and He will bring good out of all of it.

An important part of your development as a follower of Christ is learning patience. This will test your faith, and you'll find it easy to allow your passion to wane as you wait on God to lead you to the next step or open that next door for you. As Pastor Mark will point out today, you're not alone in that. In today's passage, we see that even the Apostle Paul had periods of waiting on God to lead him into His next mission. So what do you do while you wait? Just sit around and read your Bible and pray? Of course not – those are healthy practices, but God wants you to be actively sharing the Gospel right where you are.

Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and you can likely think of a few more holidays we celebrate as Americans that have nothing to do with Christianity. Is there any harm in participating in these? As Pastor Mark will point out in today's message, as long as they don't become idolatrous or seen as a requirement for faith, it's not wrong to take part in these kinds of things.  As we'll find in today's passage from the book of Acts, the Apostle Peter struggled to separate Jewish rituals and rules from his faith. It was fine for him to follow those convictions for himself, as long as he didn't place that burden on others.

There've been many examples in the history of Christianity, as well as in Judaism in general, where man has added conditions or even entire new laws to the Law that God ordained in Scripture. In today's passage, we'll witness Peter struggling with this and stepping into God's New Covenant with faith. Peter struggled to accept God's new work, which expanded the boundaries of his religion to invite all people, not just Jews, into God's Kingdom. As Pastor Mark will point out in today's message, many of us struggle in a similar way when we see God working in people we assume are too far gone for Jesus.

We aren't saved by our obedience to the Law found in Scripture. If we could keep it perfectly, we could earn our place in God's presence, but as Pastor Mark will remind us in today's message, that simply isn't possible. So, if it's impossible to live by the Laws that God set in place, how can we ever be worthy to be in His presence? Are we doomed to a life of sin, separated from Him? …No, that's where Jesus comes into the picture. He died in our place as a perfect sacrifice once and for all. This doesn't mean we just throw away the Law, though – we're still called to live by it in loving obedience to our Savior. 

When you spot a guy covered in tattoos, it's easy to picture him as someone who might be a troublemaker. So, rather than chatting with that person or spreading the gospel, you'd probably choose to head in the opposite direction, wouldn't you? Have you ever thought that the story behind that guy's tattoos might be tied to his emotional pain and suffering? Today, Pastor Mark shares a heartfelt reminder: don't hesitate to connect with others, even if they seem indifferent. Many folks are going through tough times, and what they truly seek is that divine peace that only Jesus can provide. Share God's love with them!

So, here's the thing: God gave Peter the green light to eat pork, which totally threw him for a loop! You see, he had been raised on the idea from the Old Testament that munching on unclean animals was a no-go. Quite the twist, right? Today, Pastor Mark dives into the intriguing reason why God gave Peter the green light to eat what was considered unclean. In the Old Testament, God had a special mission to keep the family line of the Messiah intact. He orchestrated everything just right to ensure that Jesus would emerge from a pure lineage. Once salvation became available, God lifted the restrictions He had previously set!

Picture this: you're sitting in the exam hall, and that one answer is just dancing on the tip of your tongue, teasing you to remember it. Even if you give it your all to recall the answer, what happens if it never crossed your path during your study sessions? You'll never see that answer coming! In the same way, you might want to reach out to God and have a little chat. So, do you take some time to dive into His Word? Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to get into the Word of God and spend some quality time with it. As you dive into your Bible and dedicate more time to prayer, you'll find that God begins to engage with you in wonderful ways!

So, when you're brewing up some green tea or pouring yourself a cup of black coffee, guess what? The star of the show is water! It's versatile enough to mix seamlessly with both tea leaves and coffee beans. Have you ever thought about giving that a go with another liquid? It won't be that easy, right? In the same way, you could be navigating your life by your own cherished traditions. But what if today is the day God nudges you toward a whole new adventure with a fresh set of rules? Are you open to transforming yourself in order to serve God? Today, Pastor Mark invites you to embrace spiritual flexibility in every aspect of your life!

Do you know how pessimistic people think? They always start by imagining the worst possible outcome in everything they tackle. So, when you're sending up a prayer for someone, how often do you feel like it's going to make a difference? You tend to assess things by observing the situation and imagining the worst-case scenario. It seems like your faith in God takes a blow during that time. Today, Pastor Mark is here to inspire you to strengthen your faith in Jesus. Why not shift your mindset? Instead of dwelling on the negative, embrace the power of prayer with confidence and faith, trusting that God knows the right step!

A soldier needs a bulletproof vest that's crafted from top-notch materials. If he's rocking a fake vest or none at all, that soldier's putting himself in serious danger, even from a less powerful weapon. Just like that, when you're out sharing the gospel, you might run into some pushback and rejection from folks you encounter. If you're feeling a bit spiritually and mentally fragile, it can really hit you hard when things go south. In today's message, Pastor Mark talks about the importance of having a strong will and a heart that's ready for anything. Even when rejection comes knocking, you can keep your faith strong and unwavering!

When you open a toolbox, do you expect to see twenty identical screwdrivers? Or would it make more sense to see a variety of tools, each one suited for a different kind of job? In the Kingdom of God, people with different talents and different gifts are assigned to all kinds of roles to accomplish the work of the Gospel. In today's message, Pastor Mark wants you to realize that comparison is a dangerous game. If you focus on how God is using other people around you, it can make you lose sight of the purpose that God has given specifically to you. You have a calling on your life that only you can fulfill.

Your life isn't a surprise to God! Think of all of the struggles and trials you've gone through in this life. Think of the things that have gone wrong since you woke up this morning. God knew everything that would happen to you on your journey today, and yet He chose you for such a time and place as this. Pastor Mark reminds you today that God uses people from unusual backgrounds and circumstances to do unusually great things for the Kingdom! God isn't concerned with your skillset or your work history. He is concerned with one thing in particular: your willingness to say “Yes” to the things He calls you to do.

If you've ever seen someone bungee jump, you know that the guide will lead the jumper to the edge of a platform, but then allow them to take the leap of faith on their own. God wants you to take the leap of faith in your own life, trusting in Him to bring you safely through the ordeal set in front of you. Pastor Mark teaches you today that God will sometimes require you to show proof that you trust in Him. Many times, this is done by putting you in a situation where you have to make that first step. By trusting in God, like you trust in a bungee jump guide, you prove that your trust in Him is greater than your fear of falling.

Have you ever seen a potato grow? Well, you probably haven't because they grow completely underground! It's impossible to tell how a potato is growing because it needs to stay in the ground to properly form. You need to have faith that everything is going as it should be, even if you can't see the results until the harvest. Pastor Mark wants you to realize today that Saul was one of those people who didn't produce fruit immediately. Instead, the word of God worked deep into his soul, and over time, he was made into a new creation. An encounter with Jesus changed the trajectory of Saul's life, as he became the Apostle Paul.

It always seems like a huge and scary thing to share the gospel with people. The reality is, it is scary, and it is a big deal. BUT, God sees that…God sees you in your fear, and yet He still calls you to share about His love! Because you have experienced it first-hand, who else better to share the gospel, to share Jesus?! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you to trust in the Lord, even when something seems scary and daunting! Sharing the gospel will become easy when you know the God you're talking about. The more time you spend with Jesus, the easier it will be to tell someone about Him and what He has done for you! 

If God calls you to preach the truth to people, trust that He will give you the intelligent words to speak and the right tone that communicates respect and kindness! God will absolutely send you somewhere that you're not qualified to go…that is the whole point! He will equip you to go and represent Him well! In today's message, Pastor Mark will share how God doesn't call the capable; He calls the willing. If you're willing to trust God and let Him guide you where He wants you to go, then He will be with you and give you the knowledge, strength, and courage to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ!

When we work through bitterness and unforgiveness toward someone and release it to God, we can begin to heal. Whatever happened to you, you CAN recover from it. Your heart may not mend instantaneously, but with time and a lot of Jesus, there's hope and healing in your future! Today, Pastor Mark will recognize that forgiveness isn't easy. Handing over that personal and painful memory, including that unforgiveness, takes some time and processing in your heart. But I can tell you that it WILL be worth it! The full healing, unexplainable peace, and gentle love from Jesus on the other side is absolutely worth it!!!

We cannot, in our natural form, turn away from sin in our own strength. We NEED the power of the Holy Spirit to help us get that sin, that separation from God, out of our lives. Now, here's the good news: if you've given your life to God and have been baptized, you already have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside you!!! In today's message, Pastor Mark will share a little about that good news! AND, how you can fully step into ALL God has called you to be, when you lean on the Holy Spirit! Let Him strengthen you, guide you, and encourage you to turn away from your sin, and turn toward the calling God has put on your life!

God has personally given each and every one of us a gift - a talent, or something that we're good at - that we can use to edify the body of Christ. Maybe you're musical, maybe you're good with kids, or maybe you're good at making people feel seen. No matter what it is, YOU have a gift that God wants to use for His people! In today's message, Pastor Mark will tell you a little about how God used him and his gift, and he will show you how you can practically use your gift. God didn't just bless you so you can sit in the back of the church. He's blessed you so you can literally go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus where you live!

God works in the most wonderful ways to lead people to salvation. He does not want you to live in uncertainty about your relationship with Him. Scripture encourages us to examine our lives to ensure we are grounded in the faith. In today's message, Pastor Mark reminds us that this was addressed to believers. We should not live with doubts about our salvation. Without assurance, we cannot achieve victory or experience true joy. It's normal to sometimes have doubts, but for the most part, our spirit should affirm the presence of God in our lives. If you are in doubt, pray and seek God's wisdom to settle the issue today.

Salvation is a heart decision that results in a changed life. A person's spirit must bear witness as a devoted believer in Christ. In today's message, Pastor Mark warns that many simply give mental assent to the gospel but are not truly saved. It is common for people to believe with their heads but not with their hearts. The Bible teaches that even demons believe in Christ, but they will not enter heaven. Simply believing the facts about Christ is not the same as truly believing in Him and committing oneself to Him. It is essential to ensure that your salvation is genuine and that you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are the dangers of drifting away from God? In today's message, Pastor Mark discusses the decline of Samaria into darkness and its vulnerability to Satanic activity. The Samaritans had intermarried and adopted a different religion. They had rejected their faith. They were suffering the results of sin. As demonstrated by the nation of Samaria, when we abandon the light of God, darkness prevails. This serves as a warning to us today: when we neglect prayer and Bible study, we become more vulnerable to satanic influences. As America turns its back on God, we become susceptible to perversion, sin, and destruction.