Come To The Table

At some point in your life, you've definitely had a blast with a water balloon, right? One minute you're casually holding it, and the next, bam! You're hit with a splash of water all over you. God's joy is a bit like that. Today, Pastor Mark invites you to trust in God's plan. It seems like you could be facing some trials, and those plans of yours might not be unfolding as you hoped. But do you believe in the timing that God has in store for you and the plans He's laid out for your life? Once you do, you'll experience this amazing rush of joy in your life that only God can provide. He'll definitely make His way to you, my friend. Hang tight!

When someone throws shade or insults you right to your face, you definitely don't just sit there in silence, do you? You find your voice and stand strong against the hurtful remarks. That's just how people tend to be. But have you ever thought about why Jesus chose to stay silent when He was insulted? Why didn't He fight back when people were spitting on Him? Today, Pastor Mark shares a heartfelt message about how Jesus embraced all the shame with humility, all to save you. While He faced insults and torture, the one thought that filled His mind was you! His love for you fueled him with the strength to endure all the shame!

It might seem like you can just drop off your tithes and offerings to God and then carry on chasing your worldly dreams and ambitions. So, how much of yourself are you willing to share with Jesus? How often do you find yourself reflecting on how to serve Him through your life?  Today, Pastor Mark shares an enlightening insight into how much God longs for your commitment to Him. When you put your own dreams and desires on hold to wholeheartedly serve Jesus, you can trust that God will do amazing things in your life! God notices your willingness to serve, and He'll bring to life all the desires of your heart!

As you dive into the Bible and explore its insights on future world politics, there's one figure that really grabs your attention. It's the antichrist! The Word of God shares that in the final days, the West will triumph over nations such as Russia, Iran, and China. Have you ever thought about how the antichrist might just be the one to breathe new life into those fallen nations once again? Today, Pastor Mark shares insights on how the antichrist is set to seize control of the world through the influence of fallen nations. He'll rally the army to conquer the globe, using them to spread his propaganda against all those who believe in Christ. 

God loves you. His love for you is so great that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to be sacrificed for your sins. He loves you so much, He'll meet you right where you're at if you turn to Him, despite Him being the most powerful being there is. He doesn't have to interact with you at all, but He does, and much more. God loved you when you were a sinner. He loves you as a believer. Nothing can separate you from His love. In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that there's nowhere you can run from God's love. He said He loves you. All His words are true, and that includes the things He says concerning you.

When God gets involved in something, you won't doubt that it's Him. When He gave prophecies to Isaiah, it left no doubt that it was from Him. Everything He said came to pass, and some are yet to happen. But you can be sure that everything is true, because it's undeniable when God starts to move through someone. In today's message, Pastor Mark will show you that you don't have to doubt what God's Word says. It's not true in some parts and not in others. All of it, from Genesis to Revelation, is 100% true. The prophecies will come to pass. The stories are accurate. You have nothing to fear or doubt when it comes to God.

There's no God like the God of the Bible. He's omniscient, omnipotent, and knows everything about you. He's the source of everything and can do anything. That's the God you serve. That's the God Who won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He's all-powerful, and still intimately involved in your life. The world's gods and myths can sound interesting, but they aren't God. They can't do what He can do. Today, Pastor Mark will make sure you have no doubt that God is powerful and actively works in the lives of modern believers. There's nothing you need to fear with Him on your side. No one is greater than God.

If God gives someone a prophecy, it's true. He's all-knowing, so everything coming from Him is completely accurate. The Holy Spirit lives inside believers today and can give the gift of prophecy. If you want to know the truth, ask God. He can reveal it. He can lead you through all the moments of your life if you let Him. When you read the prophecies in the Old Testament, you're reading truth. The only ones you can't prove haven't happened yet, but they will. Today, Pastor Mark will make it clear that God is the source of all truth, power, and wisdom. What He says is always true. There's no deceit in Him, and He only speaks truth.

Prophecies given by God are accurate – 100% of the time. In the Old Testament, it was a position God gave you to be a prophet. If He wanted to move in someone, He did. And when He did, it was with specificity and boldness. God knows all and is everywhere, so when He spoke through a prophet, you could be sure it was true.  You don't see prophecy today like in the Old Testament, but there is a gift of prophecy from the Holy Spirit. As you'll get to see today with Pastor Mark, God can speak into your heart things that you can know for certain are true. That's why there aren't prophets now – everyone can be led by God and hear from Him directly.

God will destroy the earth someday, along with all the false gods and idols that have ever been made. He'll show that He truly is the one true God that you can trust to save you for eternity. There's no one like Him, and He has all the power to save and destroy. He knows all, sees all, and is everywhere at all times. There's no God like God from the Bible. He's still actively working in the world now, just like He was way back then. In today's message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that you serve a God Who's so great, you can't comprehend Him. So don't get distracted by the other false doctrines of the world. Look to God.

Besides God, there is no God. There are lots of distractions out there trying to pull your attention in different directions. Despite the daily deluge of doctrines and dogmas, one God remains in control through it all, and that's the God of the Bible – the one true God that can give you eternal life if you turn to Him. Pastor Mark is going to remind you in today's message that God is the only true God. With so many beliefs and doctrines in the world today, it can be overwhelming just to know what's true. That's where faith and the Bible come in. You'll know the God of the Bible is the true God when you experience the joy only He can give.

The God of the Bible is the one true God. He formed the earth and everything in it, and no creature or person is as powerful as Him. That's the God you serve. That's the God you can put your trust in to not only save you for eternity, but also guide and direct your steps here on earth. God's an amazing provider. There's nothing you need to fear when God's on your side. In today's message, Pastor Mark will point your focus to God. That's where it should always be. The world has all kinds of doctrines about other gods and reality, but they all fall short of bringing purpose and eternal life to your soul like the God of the Bible.

Revival can start anywhere. God can move anywhere at any time.  He changes hearts, fills people with everlasting peace and joy, and with His Holy Spirit. You just have to ask Him to fill you. Ask Him to come into your life and guide you with His wisdom. He'll give you a joy unlike any that the world could ever offer. In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you to turn your eyes to Jesus. Look to Him for the forgiveness of your sins. God moves through the lives of people, not afraid to go when He calls. Revival happens when the individual turns to Jesus and shares Him with others, so they can experience that joy and peace, too.

God is a God of healing. He can restore you from your old past life of sin. He can take away your guilt, shame, and condemnation. He can make you new and full of joy. All you have to do is come before Him and ask. He's waiting to make a change in your life that you won't regret. What's stopping you from asking? You can be filled with The Holy Spirit and have your joy restored. God can grant peace in your soul and make what has happened in the past as if it never did. In today's message, Pastor Mark will point you to where you can experience that healing. It's not money. It's not relationships with people. It's not material. It's God.

The LORD should be the center of everything you do. He gives your life. He blesses you. He makes a way for you to enter Heaven to spend eternity with Him. The focus in any church should be on the Holy God Who's the reason for the church in the first place. Without Him, nothing would have been made that's been made. In today's message, Pastor Mark will show you the importance of keeping God first in your life. Others shouldn't have their attention on you when you're worshipping in church. Worship is about God, and to praise and glorify Him. Does how you worship distract others from God? He deserves all the glory and attention.

People are going to think all kinds of things; every single person is going to have their own set of opinions and beliefs; That includes making opinionated comments and decisions based on their interpretation of the Bible. Everyone thinks differently; that is a beautiful gift, but the Bible doesn't change based on what you want. In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you to seek God and to read His Word so you can know the truth. Don't take what a pastor, a website, or even a friend says to heart as fact; fact-check against God's Word! The Bible hasn't and won't change, so base your truth on the faithful Word of God! 

It isn't as normal, or rather heard of, to make idols or to worship other gods. We don't live in a society where everyone goes to a pagan temple once a week to make their sacrifice and worship Baal. Don't get me wrong, some people do still worship pagan gods, but nowadays we have made all kinds of new idols. In today's message, Pastor Mark will teach that anything can be an idol. Traditionally, you may think an idol is just a physical object or person that someone idolizes, but anything can be idolized…Your phone, your job, and even your family. Anything that you value more or put above God is an idol.

The Lord is a mighty lion, but He is also a righteous and gentle lamb. The Lord is a strong leader who will protect, AND He's also a tender leader who guides us and teaches us along the way. When we don't know what to do, when we're surrounded on all sides, He is there to both guide and protect. In today's message, Pastor Mark will reveal some of the many characteristics that the Lord has and is. Whatever you need, whether a gentle touch or a shove in the right direction, God is there to help you grow! Even when things aren't going well, God will provide a way for you to endure or move forward!

True and full surrender to God can make all the world of difference when it comes to your faith walk. God can do whatever He wants, but He still gives us the space and the opportunity to choose Him. He will never force anything. He will always give you the choice to obey and to walk with HIM! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you to invite God into your life! Allow God to truly rule and reign over all your decisions, over your mindset, and over all you do! When you surrender to God, there is nothing that can stop Him from blessing your life beyond your imagination!

God isn't limited in any way by any means. There isn't anything that can put parameters or even understanding on the ways of God. He is outside of what any person could imagine, control, or tame. The Lord's ways and His thought process are far greater and more powerful than what a human could comprehend. In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that God is outside of the natural; He isn't confined by human nature as you and I are. He is supernatural, meaning everything He does is done without the worries and limited understanding that you and I have to live and make decisions based on.

The unfortunate reality is that God does allow hard times to come our way. He does. The reason He does so is to grow our faith and trust in Him. It is so detrimental to our growth as Christians that we trust God to come to our rescue, whether it be physical protection or mental peace during turmoil. In today's message, Pastor Mark will share a little bit of how God came through for him when he trusted His guidance. God will show up; He never leaves His children alone or abandoned. So, whatever you may be going through, remember that God is with you always and will save you in your time of need!

Just like we'll see with Hezekiah, God sometimes allows difficult things to happen so His faithfulness can shine through! God uses hardships to shape us and to reveal His goodness to us and to those who witness what is happening. Our lives, including the ups and downs, are a testament to God's goodness! In today's message, Pastor Mark will remind you that when people question or challenge your beliefs, God will back you 100% of the time! When hard times come, and they will come, people will ask where your God is, and the way you allow God to shape you will be proof of His love and faithfulness!!!

The world can be a scary place; lots of things happen that can be detrimental to our way of life and to our peace. But the Lord says not to be fearful! There is no reason to fear the things of this world, because He is always in control and His plan will come to fruition! God remains in control no matter what happens!!! In today's message, Pastor Mark will encourage you through whatever it is you may be facing. God is in control! There is no reason to fear any disasters because God is the god of peace and protection! If you've accepted Jesus, there is a place for you in heaven; death isn't in your future!!!

Preaching the Word and sharing the Gospel isn't about sharing your opinions or viewpoints. Sharing about Jesus is about sharing about Jesus. Nothing more, and surely nothing less. Anytime you get the chance to hear or share about Jesus, you should always fact-check with the Word of God! In today's message, Pastor Mark will share that you should even fact-check what he preaches. You shouldn't take any pastor's word for it; you should always check with the Bible and see what truth is and what may be an opinion. There is no mistaking the Bible, so make sure you know the Word, so you can share the Word!

What does it mean to fear God? Are we supposed to live in fear of being struck down because of our sins? No! In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that fearing God is a respect and understanding of reverence for the creator of the universe! It is knowing who He is and what He is capable of! Fearing the Lord isn't supposed to make us live an anxious life; it is supposed to keep us humble. Yes, at any moment God can stick us down. But, because of what Jesus did, we can live in right standing with God! We are forgiven from ALL our sins and can live holy by the blood of Jesus Christ!

How often do you find yourself being generous or going out of your way to serve someone else? Is it daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly? The Bible tells us that God loves a humble and generous servant! God wants to bless and honor the righteous person so they can overflow onto all people!!! In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that God isn't a vending machine. You can't put in good works and get blessings and good fortune out. God wants your heart to be honest and humble, and that person, He will bless beyond their imagination! So, how can you humbly serve someone else today?

Have you heard about the Passover festival that the Israelites celebrate? The whole idea revolved around the blood of the lamb that was applied to their house doors, and that's what kept the folks inside their homes safe from the death angel's visit. It represents how the wrongdoings of the people are hidden away by the sacrifice of the innocent. Have you ever thought about how this mirrors what Jesus did to save you? Today, Pastor Mark shares how Jesus saved you by laying down His life on the cross for your sins. Thanks to His sacrifice, when the heavenly Father sees you, He sees righteousness shining through!

Ever notice how, when your to-do list is overflowing, your brain just kind of hits the pause button? It's like a little mental vacation, isn't it? When you finally get home, you feel completely drained and a bit fed up. Yet, when you drift off to sleep at night, you might find that you wake up with a burst of fresh thoughts and creative ideas. Finding refuge in God feels quite similar. Today, Pastor Mark shares some insights on how God can bring you rest and rejuvenation. With Jesus by your side, you'll find a fresh strength to tackle your challenges head-on. Regardless of the hardships the enemy tosses in your direction, victory will be yours!

The way sin impacts us can be quite intense, leading us to search for a clever workaround to take advantage of. One of those tricky ideas is thinking that God will just forgive me no matter what, so I can keep doing my thing and then just ask for forgiveness later. Hey, have you thought about how your actions might come back to you down the road? Today, Pastor Mark has an important message for you about steering clear of a sinful life. It might feel like those tempting urges are beyond your control. But Jesus is there to help you push back against your sinful nature and keep it from taking control of your life. 

There's this ongoing conversation about creation and evolution that just keeps getting more interesting. Scientists are really determined to show that evolution is the journey that shaped us into the humans we are today. So, what's the deal with some real evidence? Looks like they don't have it, huh? On the flip side, creation really gets its due, not only from a biblical angle but also from a scientific viewpoint. In today's message, Pastor Mark dives into a lively discussion about creation versus evolution, sharing his thoughts on why he believes creation holds more weight than evolution. You've been crafted in the very image of God!

As you read in the Bible, you'll find plenty of connections between yourself and the people from the Old Testament. Just like you, they were a bit puzzled by the book of Revelation, too. The final book of the Bible definitely has a way of capturing our interest, doesn't it? Have you ever thought about how God wants to share the secrets of the world's final days through that book? In today's message, Pastor Mark dives into the fascinating world of the book of Revelation and why it's so crucial to understand its meaning. The Holy Spirit is here to guide you in grasping what's inside the book. God definitely wants you to know!

With everything going on in the world—the crimes, the chaos—it's hard not to pause and think about why God seems to be taking his sweet time with the judgment, right? The world seems to be overflowing with negativity, filled with sin, hatred, and violence all around us. What do you think God is waiting for? In today's message, Pastor Mark shares insights on why God seems to be taking His time with the judgment period. He wants everyone to have the chance to hear the gospel, because He's a fair and just God. He would make sure that no one had to face judgment without first giving them a chance to find salvation. 

You've probably caught those Jurassic films, right? When you gaze at a dinosaur, it's hard not to ponder the reality of these incredible creatures, isn't it? Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about the closest thing to a dinosaur? Today, Pastor Mark looks into the topic of the Leviathan. In the Bible, Leviathan emerges as a colossal sea creature, striking fear into the hearts of other marine life with its immense size, often depicted as a fearsome dragon. Isn't it fascinating how Satan gets compared to a Leviathan? It embodies that sense of terror. But don't worry, God's got everything under control!

According to the Bible, those of us who believe in Jesus will receive a new body once the judgment period wraps up. But did you know it also talks about those who didn't pick Jesus? Pretty interesting, right? Today, Pastor Mark dives into the fascinating topic of the resurrection of our bodies. If you believe in Jesus, you'll get a glorified body—something totally transformed and different from what you have now! However, for those who turned away from Christ, a different kind of body awaits them—one designed to endure the relentless flames of hell for all eternity. So, which one are you thinking about picking up?

Imagine you're stuck in a tiny, dark room, no light, no room to stretch your legs. It would be pure torture, right? So, picture this: what would it really be like to find yourself in that bottomless pit from the Bible? Just picture it: even the demons are too scared to set foot inside, so you can only guess the sheer terror of being locked up in that place. Today, Pastor Mark tells you about the Abyss, sharing insights on how Satan and his followers will ultimately find their place there. When the judgment period wraps up, it won't just be Lucifer and his crew heading there; those who turned their backs on Christ will join them, too! 

Well, it seems like there's a big reckoning coming for the world, doesn't it? The signs are all around us, with pollution and global warming taking centre stage as the main culprits. It feels like a message from above, doesn't it? So, as a believer, do you ever find yourself concerned about getting caught up in that chaos, too? Today, Pastor Mark is diving into a fascinating topic: the event known as the rapture! When the time of judgment arrives for the world, Jesus will return and gather the church, bringing all the believers of Christ along with Him to heaven. No need to stress about what's ahead; everything is in God's hands!

You might have noticed that our planet's environment is gradually heading towards a state of degradation and destruction. Have you ever thought about global warming and pollution, and all those other things that contribute to it? Well, what if I told you there's a divine hand behind it all? Have you ever thought about why God might choose to destroy the world? In today's message, Pastor Mark dives into the reasons behind the environmental changes you're witnessing and what they mean for you from a spiritual perspective. It's just God's way of showing judgment on the people and their pretend deities.

There are times when God's presence in your life can be overwhelmingly real.  You're certain of His love for you; His will for your life is clear, and you have no doubt of His Providential care.  And then there can be other times, when things don't seem to be as simple.  God may seem distant.  What has happened? Today, Pastor Mark suggests that God may allow dry times to come into your life for a good reason.  He doesn't want you to trust in Him only when things are going great.  He wants you to experience His care during those tough seasons as well.  And that's when you know you really love Him for Who He Is, not just for what He does.

“Eat, drink, and be merry”.  Most people probably don't say it quite so obviously, but their overarching rule of life is to think about what they want – today.  Everything in this world is designed to keep your attention fixed on the NOW.  And especially, don't worry about what may come after this life. Today, Pastor Mark shows that this present world culture isn't really anything new.  And he illustrates it with an incident that happened to an overconfident king named Belshazzar*.  What's your focus?  Yes, take care of what you need to in this present world.  But always keep your vision locked steadfastly upon God. 

People today have a lot of different ideas about the Bible.  Those who haven't read it think it's just a bunch of outdated laws and rules.  Some people have a dislike for it because it doesn't keep up with the changes they'd like to make in the culture.  It may sometimes be intimidating to say that you believe it's the Word of God. Today, Pastor Mark shows that doubting God's Word is not just a modern invention.  During the time of Isaiah, as well as the time of Christ, a lot of people didn't take too kindly to the words of the prophets.  But when you put your trust in the Word of God, it doesn't matter what other people say; you're looking for His approval.  

The industry and infrastructure of our planet are pretty amazing. The articles you buy are literally manufactured all over the world.  You can go to the grocery store and buy food from every inhabited continent.  Your house has electricity; your car has gas; and you even have a cell phone.  What could go wrong? Today, Pastor Mark reminds us that, although humans seem to have complete control of the earth, that's not exactly true!  God has given us minds and hands to create.  But one day, God will show us that He rules over everything we've made.  Isn't it wonderful that He's got the whole world, including your life, in His Hands?

When you look at all of the religions in the world, it can sometimes feel discouraging.  Even two thousand years after Christ's time on earth, there are many who do not believe in Him.  Some haven't heard of Him.  Others have heard but have rejected Him.  And there are many people who are outright hostile. Today, Pastor Mark assures us that God has everything exactly under His control.  What has happened in the past has occurred according to His will.  And He holds the future as assuredly as He holds the past.  Most importantly for you, you can be confident that He's in complete control of whatever is going on in your life.

Sometimes our perceptions of God can be quite distorted.  Some people see Him as a stern task-master who's trying to keep them in line.  Others see Him as a kind of “Force” – distant and impersonal.  But when we read the Bible, we see an abundance of descriptions of God that show He's eminently personal. Today, Pastor Mark describes both God's sternness in justice and His compassion in mercy.  The characteristics that you see in Jesus during His earthly life are the human expressions of Who God Is.  You can relate to God personally, because He created you personally, and you are made in His Image.

If you've ever looked at a map of the modern-day Middle East and wondered where the names came from, the history can be both fascinating and enlightening.  Did you know that “Palestine” is actually just a different spelling of “Philistine”?  And yet, there aren't any actual descendants of the Philistines living there. Today, Pastor Mark takes you on a journey through the history of the Middle East.  All of the countries and peoples you've read about in the Bible can be mapped onto current national boundaries.  And there are messages for you in each people-group.  Messages of family, and messages of mercy.

Who would you say that people in our culture worship?  It may be the political leaders whom they believe will make our country better.  Maybe it's the technologists who are making our lives easier.  A lot of people worship movie stars, or rock stars, or star athletes.  Some just worship their own prosperity and popularity. Today, Pastor Mark describes an incredibly glorious creation of God.  Surely, this “being” would be happy to be in the place God had put him.  But no, Satan wasn't satisfied.  He wanted equality with God.  You might want to thank God that He didn't make you more awesome than you are.  It might not have turned out much better.

If you were to try to imagine the worst possible sin that any being could commit, what would you come up with?  Certainly, there have been some horrific crimes committed throughout our planet's history.  Dictators have killed millions.  Serial murderers have taken dozens of lives.  What could possibly be worse? Today, Pastor Mark describes the ultimate sin.  And that's the attempt to become equal to God.  It was first committed by that “being” whom we call Satan.  And he's been tempting humans to do the same, ever since Adam and Eve in the Garden.  But you have someone more powerful than him: the Lord Jesus Christ!

It's not hard to look around at the world and see that it's filled with evil.  We see it internationally; we see it in our country; and we see it in our own hearts.  We might wonder: Why is God letting this happen?  Does He not care?  Is He not in charge of the universe?  It can be baffling and frustrating to think about. Today, Pastor Mark will set your concerns at ease.  Yes, God does care.  Yes, He is in control.  And yes, He will take action.  God has a plan for how He will bring His justice to the earth.  Whether or not you can know every single detail, you can know what's of final importance: God is faithful, and His Word is trustworthy.

What an incredible day that will be when the pain of this world is gone, and we get to walk the streets of gold praising our Father in heaven. If you have ever experienced the feeling of worshipping alongside thousands of believers at a conference, you know just a little glimpse of that future that waits for you. Today, Pastor Mark will tell you about all the things prophesied in Isaiah that you have to look forward to after the events of Revelation. As a Christian, you will get to experience the glory of God and Jesus as you spend eternity living free from the heartache and pain of this world. What a glorious day that will be!

Parents, you know that one of the hardest things to do is discipline your children. The cliché saying, “This hurts me more than it hurts you,” is so true. It breaks your heart to see them doing wrong, and it breaks your heart again to punish them, knowing that their pain or anger is because of you. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that the way that you feel when disciplining your child is how God feels when He has to correct Israel and the Church. He doesn't love to do it, but He loves you so much that He does it anyways. When you feel the sting of God's hand, know He loves you and wants what's best.

We were not made to walk through this difficult life alone. Often, it throws us into circumstances where we need to seek wisdom from those with more experience or confide in those who are trustworthy. It's tempting to view life as a solo mission, but it's really better off as a team experience. In today's message, Pastor Mark teaches that when life has gotten too challenging to tackle on your own, why not confide in Jesus? Isaiah calls Him Wonderful Counselor after all! Jesus can give you all the answers you seek, and will provide the wisdom you're after… so trust His words.

The Day of the Lord is near. We've heard this for centuries, as far back as the Old Testament prophets. But someday, it will literally come to pass, and doesn't it seem like maybe it's getting close? Pastor Mark encourages us today that the thought of Jesus returning should bring joy to our hearts!  After all, isn't this the reason we believe in our Savior? He came to make a way for sinners to be reunited with their heavenly Father. One day, He will return and reign on this earth. What a privilege it would be to be part of the generation that is taken up in the clouds. Each day brings us closer to this glorious promise.