Never Judge

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Mark Shields

The third message in the new sermon series titled “Never-Never Land” was presented last weekend at the church I worship at. The title of the sermon brought to us was “Never Judge”. Here is a link to the Sermon Podcast.

Like last week, the message this week was about the “Woman at the Well” in John 4. The passage teaches us that Jesus is not looking for perfect people. We should never judge but build up and encourage. Worthiness is built upon grace as we accept His mercy and His blood sets us free.

The Podcast can be seen live around 9:30 each Sunday morning. Also, you can watch past worship services at any time or place thereafter by clicking the button next to each sermon, clicking on video, and then starting the video that appears.

Podcast Link

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Believe and Receive

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Mark Shields

As written about in the post No Greater Power, the Pharaoh of Egypt wouldn’t let the Israelites go and Moses confronted Pharaoh about the situation; even told him what God would do and when He did it, Pharaoh was amazed but then it didn’t take long for him to forget. Each time, another plague was sent to force Pharaoh to do what God wanted.

Pharaoh just didn’t get it; that the earth is the Lord’s – that there is no greater power than God. All it took was him to believe in God’s greatness and listen. There is grave danger for not believing yet many refuse God’s gift of grace.

Here’s a song to inspire believing and receiving today: We Believe – NewsBoys.


Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell your children about it, let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. – Joel 1:2-3

Devotionals

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No Greater Power

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Mark Shields

In previous passages, we learned that there were several plagues God caused in Egypt because the king of Egypt would not let the Israelites go. The Israelites were slaves and Pharaoh would not let them go for a few days to worship. About now, you say to yourself, “wow Pharaoh is slow … he’s just not getting it”. Most people would have understood by now that the earth is the Lord’s – that there is no greater power than God.

But Pharaoh hardened his heart each time God caused a plague so as documented in Exodus 9; there were more catastrophes brought on in order to show Pharaoh who was in charge and to force Pharaoh to let the people go. There were more plagues like the plague of livestock, the plague of boils, and the plague of hail. The plague of hail affected all of Egypt except the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were (v. 26). Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them that he had sinned and that the Lord was in the right and that he would let their people go (v. 28).

There was danger in not listening to God back then and this danger still exist today. Unfortunately, many in society today are like Pharaoh and no matter how many amazing things God does, they harden their hearts and resist His greatness. They resist in believing that God has something for them. They resist that a sustaining faith is possible if there is a connection to the Vine.

This day with You Lord, we believe in the crucifixion and that it conquered death. Let our faith be a sustaining faith. We’ve experienced Your greatness before and we believe it will happen over and over again. We believe You want something for us and this gift is for everyone. Jesus made it possible and grace race is what you give. Amen.

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Being Smart By Trusting

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Mark Shields

As written about in the post Perfect Guidance, the King of Egypt didn’t want to let the people go to the wilderness to worship God. He just wouldn’t give in even after several plagues but it’s not unlike how many are today at times.

There are many that will suffer through life because they are stubborn and refuse to open their heart and mind to listen to God. Maybe there is some unconfessed sin that has to be dealt with or some other character flaw.

All it takes is asking God for help by accepting Christ into the heart which is the main thought from this song: The Heart of Worship – Matt Redman.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Devotionals

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Perfect Guidance

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Mark Shields

Several more plagues are documented in Exodus 8; the plague of frogs, the plague of gnats, and the plague of flies. As Pharaoh began to see that the one true God of Moses and Aaron was greater than his own magicians, he began to turn more to Moses and Aaron for relief.

Many times, we may do just as the Pharaoh did and rely on people that will tell us what we want to hear rather than the truth. It’s alright to listen to those that can give advice but can we count on them 100% percent? We really can’t and that’s why prayer and living by God’s Word is so important because with God, we receive the perfect guidance. There are things we can learn from history, from experiences of life, and from each other that help us in making decisions but the ultimate authority is our Father in heaven.

Father God, let us remember that the problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that You provide sure signs of a brighter future. Open our heart and mind so we can take in Your perfect guidance. Amen.

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