Posts by Matthew Shorack
Sharing Blessings During Times Of Suffering?
Sharing Blessings During Times Of Suffering? What connects more with non-believers, achieving prosperity or surviving adversity? Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to…
An Encouragement For A Daily Devotion
An Encouragement For A Daily Devotion 1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Why we do what we do, is important to God. God told Samuel, It’s possible to do the right thing but with the wrong attitude. When we meet with God in our quiet time, God is looking at our heart. Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my…
Empowering Others (Series)
What will happen with the people you love when you pass away? What will you leave behind? Are the people in your life prepared to mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually to succeed? When you move on with another job are the people who follow you prepared for success? Join us as we look to God’s word and discover how to empower those around us. We will be looking at leaving a legacy of faith, hope, success, and kindness. Make your…
Don’t Let Guilt Control You
Don’t Let Guilt Control You Psalm 51:10-12 How does guilt affect our lives? Guilt is a thief and an oppressor. It will steal your joy and leave you mentally broken and depressed. Eventually the sickness will go from your mind to your body as stress gives birth to high blood pressure, and other physical ailments. Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore…
When You’re Angry…
When You’re Angry… Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Growing up, how did your family deal with anger? There is such a thing as righteous anger. The problem with righteous anger is it usually doesn’t stay righteous very long. As we think about what made us angry, we often stir in self-righteousness, with just a hint of blame and condemnation, until our angry stew is fully…
Don’t Let Satan Toy With You
Don’t Let Satan Toy With You Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. We don’t have to give in to Satan’s attempts to control us through temptations. We are able to live victorious lives if we know how to prepare for the battles. We are called to guard our hearts, and we do that by not being undone by negative emotions. Negativity truly is the devils playground. What negative emotions does Satan use…
Don’t Live As A Puppet To Sin
Don’t Live As A Puppet To Sin John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What is it that we are freed from?Being in ministry for almost Thirty years, many with children, I’ve worked with puppets a fair bit. The puppet only does whatever you decide it should do. We don’t have to live as puppets…
Acting On What You See
Acting On What You See Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Why do we hesitate in helping other people who are in need? Last Sunday we looked at the Parable of the Good Samaritan. How important it is to love others, even…
The Harvest Is Worth The Work
The Harvest Is Worth The Work Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Good employers know, you don’t hire someone just because they look good on paper. You want someone who won’t leave when things get tough, because…
The Joy Of Being Truly Loved
Why would God’s never-ending love give someone joy? Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God won’t stop loving you no matter how bad or confusing life gets. Weather things are going well, or nothing seems to be…
Conquering Stress, Anxiety And Fear: Parables Of Jesus (Series)
Why does Jesus teach in parables? Can short stories really help us see God’s truth? It’s been over a year of isolation and confusion because of Covid-19. People are lonely, angry, confused and stressed out. How can we experience God’s joy, peace and purpose in times like these? Join us as we find a pathway through the highs and lows of this difficult journey we are on.
A Bad Taste At The Last Supper
A Bad Taste At The Last Supper Luke 22:24-30 24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. A few days after Palm Sunday, these disciples who have been following Jesus, watching Him heal and teach so many, were oblivious to what was truly important during their last meal together. They were so focused on themselves and their own importance that were arguing with each other over who was the greatest. It…
Prayer That Is Real And Effective
Prayer That Is Real And Effective Praying on behalf of others requires vulnerability. Let’s take a look at Daniel 9:4-15 to see how we can become more authentic and effective in our prayers for our family, friends, co-workers and country. (Read Daniel 9:4-15) Daniel’s prayer of confession: I prayed and made my confession. We must confess, not only the sins we are guilty of, but our lack of faith in God and dependence on Him and our commitment to stand…
Anger Destroys
We’ve all seen people do really stupid things because they were angry. Anger can be relationally, emotionally, mentally, and physically costly. It breads mistrust and fear and can cause decades of damage in people’s lives. Many people live in fear and can’t cope with simple challenges. Proverbs 11:29 The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.” How has anger impacted your family? How are the relationships in your life? Is there anyone…
The Tempter Uses Leverage
The Tempter Uses Leverage Are there any negative emotions that regularly leave you exposed to Satan’s attacks? There is a TV show called Leverage. It’s about a team of thieves who come together with a cop to help people who are being used and mistreated by someone in power. They bring justice by finding a weakness and using that leverage to destroy their lives and take away their power. This is what the demonic forces try to do with us,…
Social Distancing Together
Social Distancing Together As we are in our second year of social distancing. Mental, emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual exhaustion is affecting more and more people. I want to encourage all of us not to give into the temptation to cave as a way of dealing with isolation. It looks funny on paper, but we often deal with depression and discouragement by stepping away form others. We are created in the image of God and that means we are highly…