Come Alive (Audio)

Most parents love to bless their kids. They may work hard to make money that allows for great experiences or possessions that they think will make life better. Or they invest their time and energy into their relationship with their children. Whether a parent is financially capable or not, they do their best to fulfill the desires of their kid’s hearts. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, there’s nothing wrong with giving your kids good things, but we need to make sure that our top priority is teaching them the truth about their Creator. All the material blessings in the world mean nothing if they don’t have Jesus.

How should we react to trials in our lives as believers? So often, we will worry and fret, racking our brains, stretching the limits of our reason and strength to try to solve the problem. In those times, we may not feel like praying, let alone worshipping. As Pastor Mark continues to examine the story of Hannah in today’s passage, we are reminded of the power of praise in the midst of hardship. We know from the example of Job that despite the worst circumstances, we don’t have to lose faith in God. Satan will purposefully test our dedication, and God allows it as an opportunity for us to grow in our faith.

How should we react to trials in our lives as believers? So often, we will worry and fret, racking our brains, stretching the limits of our reason and strength to try to solve the problem. In those times, we may not feel like praying, let alone worshipping. As Pastor Mark continues to examine the story of Hannah in today’s passage, we are reminded of the power of praise in the midst of hardship. We know from the example of Job that despite the worst circumstances, we don’t have to lose faith in God. Satan will purposefully test our dedication, and God allows it as an opportunity for us to grow in our faith.

We live in a culture that nurtures discontent. The advertising industry is one of the most financially prosperous industries out there, and it entirely revolves around making people want what they don’t have. As we seek after material belongings, we think that those things will make us happy, yet within a couple weeks, we find ourselves longing for the next big thing. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, money and possessions are only temporary. They often become more of a curse than a blessing. When we trust in God, even though we may be lacking from the world’s perspective, we are rich in Him.

We live in a culture that nurtures discontent. The advertising industry is one of the most financially prosperous industries out there, and it entirely revolves around making people want what they don’t have. As we seek after material belongings, we think that those things will make us happy, yet within a couple weeks, we find ourselves longing for the next big thing. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, money and possessions are only temporary. They often become more of a curse than a blessing. When we trust in God, even though we may be lacking from the world’s perspective, we are rich in Him.

It’s hard to see being without as a form of prosperity. We typically associate prosperity with financial or material wealth, but in God’s kingdom, those things simply don’t matter. Hannah did not feel prosperous or blessed as she struggled with her barrenness. She felt bitter and defeated. Yet, as Pastor Mark helps us understand in today’s message, sometimes in those times of lacking, those times of longing, we can gain prosperity of an eternal nature. God can teach us patience and we can learn what it means to fully rely on Him and find joy despite the temporary struggles of this life.

It’s hard to see being without as a form of prosperity. We typically associate prosperity with financial or material wealth, but in God’s kingdom, those things simply don’t matter. Hannah did not feel prosperous or blessed as she struggled with her barrenness. She felt bitter and defeated. Yet, as Pastor Mark helps us understand in today’s message, sometimes in those times of lacking, those times of longing, we can gain prosperity of an eternal nature. God can teach us patience and we can learn what it means to fully rely on Him and find joy despite the temporary struggles of this life.

Most of us have smiled with a feeling of justice as we pass a reckless driver who’s finally been pulled over by the police. Yet, when we push the speed limit or violate the law, we hope that the officer will just let it go. We all like when things are fair, at least as long as it pertains to others. All of us love to receive grace, but we are not nearly as quick to give it. We live in a very unfair world. Bad things happen to “good” people and the wicked prosper. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, we all have been given an incredible gift of grace. We deserve death because of our sin, but Christ offers us eternal life and freedom.

Most of us have smiled with a feeling of justice as we pass a reckless driver who’s finally been pulled over by the police. Yet, when we push the speed limit or violate the law, we hope that the officer will just let it go. We all like when things are fair, at least as long as it pertains to others. All of us love to receive grace, but we are not nearly as quick to give it. We live in a very unfair world. Bad things happen to “good” people and the wicked prosper. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, we all have been given an incredible gift of grace. We deserve death because of our sin, but Christ offers us eternal life and freedom.

Most of us have smiled with a feeling of justice as we pass a reckless driver who’s finally been pulled over by the police. Yet, when we push the speed limit or violate the law, we hope that the officer will just let it go. We all like when things are fair, at least as long as it pertains to others. All of us love to receive grace, but we are not nearly as quick to give it. We live in a very unfair world. Bad things happen to “good” people and the wicked prosper. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, we all have been given an incredible gift of grace. We deserve death because of our sin, but Christ offers us eternal life and freedom.