Have you ever had someone ask you a really ridiculous question about God?  Something like “could God make a rock so big that He couldn’t pick it up?”  What’s at the bottom of this?  Is it someone’s sincere, genuine request for a better understanding of God?  Or is it really just a feeble attempt to dismiss Him? Today, Pastor Mark has another really ridiculous question that some Christians ask.  “If God’s so powerful, why hasn’t He freed me from my sin?”  But all the time, they’re just holding on to the same old habits that keep them in that sin.  What questions are you asking God?  Are they good questions, or subterfuges?

There are always plenty of things to worry about.  I won’t mention any right now, so you won’t start worrying about them.  But what, exactly, is “worry”?  It’s a feeling – yes.  But the feeling is only a symptom.  There’s a reason some people worry while others don’t, and it’s not primarily a personality trait. Today, Pastor Mark has an antidote for worry – and that’s transferring the problem up the ladder.  Maybe you’ve had a problem at work, but when you told your boss about it, he said, “Don’t worry about it; I’ll take care of this”.  So, pass your problems up to the Top of the Top of the Ladder – the God of the Universe.

You know it well… whether it’s from a video you’ve watched, or it was your own child… the moment you catch her with chocolate on her face, even though she didn’t eat that last donut. “No, daddy, I didn’t eat it. It must have been Rover.” Dad smirks and tries to keep his cool, knowing his little one is lying right to his face. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages us to be honest about things we know to be true. Even if there are consequences, it’s better to be truth tellers and allow God to handle the rest. Otherwise, we’ll be the toddler lying about chocolate on our face, digging deeper and deeper holes for ourselves. 

God created everyone with unique talents and gifts; Maybe sometimes you look at yourself and can’t see what yours is. You can see giftedness in others, especially when it’s something outward like musical or athletic ability. But keep looking, because there is something inside you that God wants to use for His glory. Today, Pastor Mark encourages us to use our passions and gifts for Christ.  Are you good with kids? Can you skip rocks on the pond 7 times? Or maybe people see you as an encourager or a teacher. There’s absolutely something you have that God needs you to use. Figure out what it is, and He’ll give you opportunities!

My wife and I love to leave the windows open - to air out the house, especially in the fall and spring when the temperature is just right. However, as it gets into summer… that’s when the flies start to come in. At first, all of the buzzing is miserable, but after a while, it doesn’t seem to bother us as much anymore. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches that sin is kind of like those flies. At first, it eats away at you and ruins a good thing. But after a while, the good thing is still ruined, yet it doesn’t bother you nearly as much as it used to. Today, if God is convicting you of a sin, maybe it’s time to close the windows.

Spring cleaning is a much-needed time of the year. It’s a time to reflect on all the valuables we have, all the garbage we need to get rid of, and address the pile of things sitting on the counter that we’ve grown to ignore. The more we clean, the more we realize just how much we’ve gotten used to living in a mess. It’s really easy to want to think you’re living in a clean home, but you don’t realize how dirty it’s been getting right under your nose. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches that sin works in the same way. It creeps in, and even though you think you’re doing well, you’ve been lowering your standards time after time.

One of the greatest joys in life for toddlers is a nice, warm cup of milk. It’s even more refreshing after a nice, long nap. The problem is, sometimes that’s all they want. Dinner may be getting close, but their impatience means that the only thing their taste buds will really get to experience is milk. Today, Pastor Mark teaches that we have natural desires, but often get too impatient for them to be filled in God’s timing. Maybe for you, “dinner” looks like a promotion at your job, but your “milk” is quitting and finding a job elsewhere. Don’t let your fleshly desires be the ruler of your life when God has better things in store for you.

An evening ritual my wife and I share is fresh popcorn. It didn’t start that way. It used to be that occasionally, I’d offer to make some for both of us, and since she’d decline, I would only measure out enough kernels for myself. However, I’d only get to enjoy half of what I made… thus, the portions increased, and the habit was formed. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches that there are far too many instances in life where you might be tempted by your surroundings. If you really do not want popcorn… well, it’s really hard to abstain when you can smell it and reach it. Sometimes, it may be better off if you leave the room before it consumes you.

The heaviest deadlift ever recorded exceeded an insanely heavy 1,120 pounds. For context, the lifter could have been holding a nine-foot grand piano, and the player. It also means that the record holder could have lifted an adult horse all by himself. Talk about strength! I can barely lift myself out of bed in the morning! In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches that too often, we try to rely on our own strength. The fact of the matter is, no matter what your deadlift record is, sin will still be too heavy for you. You can’t overcome it by sheer force. It can only be overcome by the blood of Jesus, who died on the cross to set you free.

Did you know that the average credit card debt per cardholder in the U.S. is around $6,000? Maybe you have more, or maybe you’ve been disciplined enough to have less. The promise of instant gratification has led to debts looming over the heads of many, and they end up paying more in the long run. Too often, people believe that, since they can’t afford that new toy right now, they can swipe their American Express and pay it back later. In the same way, Pastor Mark teaches today that many believers have a hard time waiting for the treasures of heaven, so they indulge in sin now, racking up a debt that only Jesus could pay.