Posts by Matthew Shorack
Stronger Together
Stronger Together Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your…
The Power Of Prayer
The Power Of Prayer 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. Prayer isn’t about making selfish requests of God for our current desires; it’s about realigning our will to His. When we desire the things that God desires, we start praying…
Don’t Growl Be Grateful
Don’t Growl Be Grateful Many of us will soon be sitting around a table with our families sharing with each other what we are thankful for in our lives. For some this will be easy, but others will find this impossible because their joy tank is empty. John 16:24 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Focusing on what has gone wrong or what could go…
Why Church? (Series)
Why Church? (Series) Is it really that important to be a part of a local church? Can’t I just have a personal faith and that’s enough? We jokingly call these Christians, “Bedside Baptists” when I was growing up. I did my best growing up to always be sick on Sunday mornings. Sometimes my mom would buy it but usually I would end up having to with my mom and my brothers. Before I received Jesus I didn’t like going to…
Justified For A Purpose
Romans 4:4-5 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. The justified believer is declared to be free of the demands of the law since they have been fulfilled in Christ and they are no longer subject to the penalty of the law. They are justified, set right by God, and placed…
Dont Settle For Isolation And Loneliness
Don’t Settle For Isolation And Loneliness 2 Timothy 4:16-18 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be…
Leverage Used At Our Expense
Leverage Used At Our Expense Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. What are the negative emotions that regularly leave you exposed to Satan’s attacks? Anxiety, fear, guilt, lust, or anger. If he can just find a foothold into your life, he will exploit it in every way possible and then heap guilt on you, so you beat yourself up. The enemy…
God Will Anoint You For What He Asks Of You
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, God thoroughly equips and empowers us through faith to complete every task in His will, before He ever asks us to do things for Him. This anointing through the Holy Spirit allows us the ability to accomplish…
Are You On The Right Path?
What is it that causes you to get a little stuck in life, unable to make decisions and weighed down by stress? Indecision can cause anxiety and frustration so it’s important to have clarity of thought as we are moving forward on the right path that God has for us, but that requires that we trust Him more than we trust ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.…
Preparing To Launch (Series)
Preparing To Launch (Series) (The Upper Room Discourse) When a parent has that last week before they take their daughter or son to university, they are so full of emotion and love. They have conversations that help their teenager prepare for the challenges ahead. They also know that all their experiences together, both good and bad, have been a training ground for a successful launch. Jesus has spent the last three years with the disciples preparing them to become church…
How We Live Affects Our Prayer Life
How We Live Affects Our Prayer Life When we add prayer to our recovery process, our habits and hurts start to heal. The truth is true recovery requires prayer. Still many people try to change their lives in their own strength, but lasting recovery requires prayer. So why is it that so many people’s lives start to change and then they hit a wall and start going back to their old ways again? Why do some people seem to…
What Causes Hesitation And Uncertainty In Your Life?
Is there anything you believe God wants to do but you’ve let fear and doubt keep you from stepping forward in faith? Fear and doubt cause us to become complacent or anxious. Either we give into our fears and become a bump on a log, or we live in fear and doubt with restless worry and nervous concern. If we want to get off the sidelines and into the game of purpose and passion, then self-doubt needs to be delt…
Maturity Is Not About Knowing More
Maturity Is Not About Knowing More Why is it that some Christians who know God’s word are so critical, meanspirited, and judgmental? They’ve obviously studied God’s word for many years, but they have what I call a Pharisaical mindset. They are grumpy, arrogant, and act as though they don’t ever struggle with sin. They are unapproachable and cause nonbelievers to hate Christianity, the church, and Christians in general. Jesus had some choice words for these haters that might surprise you.…
Do you Struggle With Anxiety And Feeling Defeated?
In what areas of your life do you feel defeated and anxious? Is there anything that you can do to be freed from these condemning thoughts and feelings so that anxiety can be replaced with peace and joy? Sometimes we feel so discouraged and defeated in our Christian lives. We all struggle with temptation and sin and then the guilt and shame that follow can cause us to cave and think defeated thoughts. Then our emotions can become our guide…
Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future
Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future When John Travolta has a new part in a movie, he said he starts with the walk. All his characters have a different walk and that helps him find his new personality for the movie. When Jacob was a young man, he was a fraud, a scam artist, and a con. When he finally humbled himself and confessed his sin one night, God gave him a new identity, blessed him, and gave him…
A Power Struggle: Isaiah (Series)
Isaiah is known for its beautiful and poetic literature. Isaiah was enabled by God to record incredible prophecies that were focused on the Messiah who would come to save His people. Isaiah lived during a time of great conflict. Israel was enclosed by rivals with invading armies. It was a time of danger and destruction. It was during this time that God sent Isaiah to tell His people why they were experiencing such despair and suffering. He doesn’t just leave…