Sin usually has consequences in some way or another. Jacob’s sin was deceit and in a chain of events, he lived with polygamy. He was married to two sisters, Rachel and Leah. Can you imagine? How they battled for his love, affection, and time is weird. They had a baby race as Pastor Mark tells us today. I want to leave you with some food for thought. What are your steps to attaining love? Do you base it on emotion? Or does it grow and develop because you’ve accepted that God has a reason for what He does? Leah had to learn this. And maybe we all need to depend on God MORE than others for the love we seek.

You reap what you sow, but if if you don’t sow anything, then all you’ll have to reap are weeds. If you’ve ever seen a garden that was left untended for long enough, then you know that sometimes it’s almost impossible to ever realize it was even a garden at all. If you ever want to see it bear fruit again, you’re going to have to put on some gloves and get out there and start pulling. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages you to take stock of what seeds you’re planting in your life and relationships. Are you sowing seeds of love and kindness? Or are you allowing the weeds bitterness and ill content to overrun your life and relationships?

Water is essential to all life. The earth is made up of two-thirds water. The human body is made up of two-thirds water. Without water, all life on earth would cease to exist. Plants need water to grow. People and animals need water to drink. We don’t just need any water, but it’s vital that the water we drink is clean and free of anything that would cause us harm. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches you about a parallel between the physical water that your body needs, and the spiritual water that’s necessary for the life of your soul. What well are you drawing water for your soul from? Is the well you drawing from pure, life-giving water?

Do you know that feeling when you just close your eyes for a “second” and when you wake up your world has completely been changed? It was daylight when you started and suddenly it seems that hours have gone by and twilight has set in. It can really shake you up, but you know what? The world doesn’t stop when you do. The clock keeps ticking and the earth keeps spinning. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches you that God never stops working. Even if you’re not aware of what He’s doing and even if you’re asleep, spiritually speaking - God’s always at work. He’s always doing something. Sometimes you just need to open your eyes.

Have you ever tried so hard at something and realized that you were just way over your head? Maybe this is a little silly, but imagine trying to fly by flapping your arms. It’s ridiculous right? You can flap as much as you want, and you can train and condition and develop your technique, but you’re never going to fly. It’s just not Going to Happen. In today’s message, Pastor Mark teaches you that religion is no replacement for a right relationship with God. You can practice piety ‘til you’re blue in the face, you can sell everything you have to the poor, and do good deeds to everyone you cross paths with - but it will never make you right with God.

Are you exhausted from the relentless burden of carrying the heavy load of your past mistakes and regrets, as if shackled to a never-ending chain of sorrow? In today’s message, Pastor Mark talks about how there are two different types of sorrow: Godly sorrow, and worldly sorrow, and how one will set you free. Worldly sorrow makes you feel guilty, ashamed, or simply fear the consequences. Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is a transformative power that brings growth and renewal. When you embrace Godly sorrow, you acknowledge your wrongdoings with genuine remorse, seeking forgiveness and a change of heart.

In a fast-paced world, it's all too easy to get caught up in the noise of daily life, chasing temporary pleasures and material gains. Everything is fighting for your attention so that it can control your life. But, as Pastor Mark talks about in today’s message, your main focus in life needs to be on the Lord. The Scriptures remind us that when we seek first the Kingdom of God, all else falls into place. By making our spiritual walk with the Lord the top priority, we discover an unwavering source of strength, hope, and love that sustains us through life's challenges. When you place your faith in Him, He will provide. 

Are you tired of being led astray by your emotions? Do you feel like you are being pulled in two different directions - what you feel you should do, and what the Lord calls you do to? In today’s message, Pastor Mark talks about how feeling will deceive you, and that you should anchor your life on the foundation of the Lord. How often have we let our feelings dictate our decisions, only to find ourselves adrift in a sea of doubt and confusion? The Scriptures warn us that our hearts can be deceptive, leading us astray from the path of righteousness. But fear not, for the Lord's Word is a beacon of light in the darkness.

Are you seeking guidance on how to navigate life's complex decisions? While God calls us to obey all authority, there is one exception. In today’s message, Pastor Mark talks about how you need to obey all authority, except for when the authority is demanding you turn your back on the Lord. We are human, and at times, the directions given by those in power may diverge from God's will. It is during these crucial moments that we must seek His discernment and courageously stand for what is right, just, and aligned with His divine plan. At the end of the day, you must align yourself with the path of the Lord. 

As Pastor Mark continues his teaching series through the book of Genesis, he’ll be challenging you to spend intimate time with the Lord on a daily basis. Living in this world is difficult, the only way you can properly serve the Lord is by being in the Word and in prayer along with fellowshipping with other Christians. When people encounter you, do they sense the Spirit of the Lord? When you open your mouth and speak, is it seasoned with grace? You should stand out as a bright light in this very dark and wicked world. Don’t allow the enemy to mold you into another hypocritical Christian. Be molded into the image of Jesus!