Come Alive (Audio)

As you get older, continue to shine your light in this world! In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches the importance of elders, and the wisdom that they offer. We never out grow serving the Lord. No matter how old you get, you can still be used by God, to shine His light into this dark world. There are younger people that need your wisdom, words of encouragement, prayers, and the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to you. You might not be able to be as active as you once were, but you still carry God's presence. See who you can come alongside to mentor and disciple, for God's glory, and His radiance.

Are you going to stand for the things of the Lord, or are you going to stay in the boat? In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches that it is important to stand for God's Word and His will. Sometimes it can be easy to want to stay in the boat, where it is safe and comfortable. However, God desires for you to step out of the boat, and to step out of your comfort zone. Fear of offending others, or “rocking the boat,” is not worth missing the potential opportunity, for you to reach someone with God's love and truth. Don't be afraid to share the Lord and His truth, with others. He is with you, and He will give you everything you need!

Can you be like Jesus, and forgive the people who have rejected you? In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches you to love those who have rejected you, by offering them forgiveness. When you have been rejected and hurt, it's easy to want to rebel and turn aside from those who have rejected you. However, Jesus knows exactly what it's like to be rejected. He was turned away from the very people, that called themselves His chosen people. Jesus could have easily turned away and rebelled from God's call to the cross, but He chose to lay His life down for you. Forgiveness is not easy, but with the Spirit's help you can extend it!

What is causing pain in your life? In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches that whenever you experience rejection, it allows space for you to stop and take inventory of your life. There are things that are helpful and needed within your life, and things that are not. For David in the book of 2nd Samuel, he had unhealthy attraction towards women. David needed to set aside the pursuit of women in his life, in order for him to walk closer with the Lord. When you grow spiritually, you will start to recognize the things that are drawing you away from the Lord. Set aside whatever it is, that is stunting your growth with the Lord.

There are a lot of comfortable people in the church! In today's message from Pastor Mark, he encourages you to get involved within your church. Often times, there is a good majority of the same people, that volunteer to help meet the churches needs. Typically the same people that came to help set up for an event, are the same group of people, that are helping to tear down. When this happens, it's easy for those people to start to feel worn out. The church is to be a body of believers. Which means in order for the church to function well, it needs all of its parts contributing, to help keep it healthy. Be active in your home church!

We all want to claim the precious promises of God, but do we want to be conformed to His image? In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches you that being conformed to the image of God, comes through seasons of suffering. Christ had to endure hardship, and so will anyone who claims His name. When you go through seasons of suffering and trial, remember that God uses these times to transform you, to look more like Him. God uses the mountains you have to climb and the walls you run into, and transforms them for your good and His glory. He can use theses hard seasons, to grow and strengthen you spiritually.

Forgiveness comes easier when you remember the times in your past, when you were forgiven! In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches you to forgive others. Every person on this earth, has fallen short of the glory of the Lord. Forgiveness is not always easy, but you are called by God, to extend it. All of us have had times where we have worn our emotions on our sleeves, and we've said hurtful things that we shouldn't have. When you recognize that someone has come to you to be reconciled, extend to them the forgiveness you too have received. Always try to extend forgiveness, love, and grace to others.

Emotions are contagious! In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches the importance of guarding your emotions. Emotions, have the ability to rub off on others. Guarding your emotions, especially for leaders, is very important. When you are in a role of leadership, you can't storm around wanting people to feel sorry for you. You are to lead others by example, in showing them what it looks like to control their emotions. People look to leadership, to help them know what is and is not acceptable. As a leader, you can't defend your rights to lash out. You are called to pick up your cross daily, deny yourself, and follow the Lord!

God gives you the time you need, to prepare you for what He has! In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches you that God's reasons are always better than your excuses. God will reason with you through His Word, to get you prepared for where He wants you to go. He might be calling you into a specific area of ministry that you feel ill-equipped for. However, when you come to Him with excuses, He will show you through His Word, that He has the power to overcome your excuses. His power through His Spirit in you, is stronger than any excuses that come against you. Trust that His reasons for you, are better than your excuses!

As a Christian, are you willing to persevere until the end? In today's message from Pastor Mark, he teaches you to be like David's men, and persevere until the end for Christ. To be a servant for Christ, means that sometimes you will have to endure hardship and persecution. However, the pain and trials you may have to endure, will be nothing in comparison to the glory and joy, that will come to you in the Lord. To follow the Lord whole heartedly, always carries a cost. However, that cost far outweighs any potential suffering. Keep pursuing the Lord and sharing Him with the world. Persevere and finish your race well!