Posts by Matthew Shorack

Are You Ready?Are you spiritually ready for when Jesus comes back to take all His beloved home? Do you believe that Jesus is Lord, or are you waiting to see which way the wind is blowing? We read about Christ coming back like a ‘thief in the night”, with no one knowing when it will take place. Matthew 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the…

When you watch the news or pick up a paper does it feel like we might be getting close to the End Times? As Christian should we fear that we will suffer God’s wrath during the Tribulation? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we…

How We Think Now MattersRomans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.Why is it so important that we learn how to govern our minds? “What Does Your Life Say About Your Faith”, was what Elder Aaron preached on last Sunday, when he asked us to examine our lives, through the scriptures. So,…

Let Perseverance Finish It’s WorkJames 1:2-4Are there any lessons you have learned in your life when God’s timing isdifferent than yours? During this time of the Covid-19, it’s hard to be patientwhen you’re tired and frustrated. We’re all feeling weary from the madnessof the pandemic. Now that new variants are coming on the scene it can feellike this season of isolation and face coverings will never end.Galatians 6:8-9Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay…

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are different kinds…

In what areas of your life does pride have your number? How did the enemy get this foothold in your life, and what can you do to go from being devoured by the enemy, to experiencing victory? 1 Peter 5:5-11 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s…

Proverbs 8-9 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. How’s your integrity affected when you know the right thing to do but you choose not to do it? A wise person of integrity doesn’t need to babble about themselves, instead they can humbly listen to wise counsel, so they keep in step with the Holy Spirit. But a fool…

Wise Or Woke?When you confuse being woke with being wise, it’s easy to get lost. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows…

We Are In This TogetherDaniel 2:17-18 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.Sometimes God’s tests come through people who ask you to do something difficult. It’s so important to first go to God in prayer…

Knowing What To Pray ForDo you feel completely comfortable praying to God, or do you struggle sometimes with how you should approach Him? Don’t overthink it. Be real with what you are thinking and feeling. One way I’ve experienced real depth in my prayer life, is when I’ve intentionally let scripture guide my time of opening myself up for God to search me and tell me where I am missing out on His truth in my life.Romans 8:26-27 In the…

Relating to the Holy Spirit more like Jesus! Isaiah 11:13  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,    the Spirit of counsel and of might,    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. If we understand the how the Holy Spirit worked in Jesus, we can learn from that relationship, and we can grow in how we hear…

Don’t Let Your Wounds Define You! Colossians 3:12-14 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Hurt people, hurt people. So, stop holding onto your wounds as your…

Hebrews 13:5  “I will never fail you.    I will never abandon you.” Sometimes we find ourselves complaining about feeling like God is absent. Most of us are familiar with the poem “Footprints”, but we know from scriptures like Hebrews 13:5 that God promises to never leave or give up on us. One thing God never promised was that we will always feel His presence. Psalm 22:1-2   My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?    Why are you so far from saving me,    so…

How do you know if something is true or not?                                       Ephesians 4:20-24  That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like…