Posts by Matthew Shorack

Posts by Matthew Shorack

Don’t Focus On Yourself

Don’t Focus On YourselfLuke 22:24-2724 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered tobe greatest.Only a few days after Palm Sunday, these disciples who have beenfollowing Jesus, watching Him heal and teach so many, were oblivious towhat was truly important during their last meal together. They were sofocused on themselves and their own importance that were arguing witheach other over who was the greatest. It wasn’t the food that left a badtaste that night. Not…

Don’t Be Ruled By Anxiety And Fear

Don’t Be Ruled By Anxiety And Fear Is fear or anxiety keeping you from stepping forward in faith? Fear and doubt cause us to shut down emotionally, physically, and relationally. 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 stop being spectators and get into the game of life with purpose and passion, then we need God’s truth, healing,…

When God Is Silent

When God Is Silent Ephesians 6:18    18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  Why should we keep on praying when God doesn’t seem to respond? One of the greatest gifts of prayers is being dependent on God more than we are on ourselves. God doesn’t need me to remind Him of anything, but committed prayer reminds me of my dependence on Him. When I’m…

Be Grateful

Be Grateful   The other day I was complaining in my mind as I sat at a stop light. It had gone through the cycle twice already, but my turn lane never turned green. You see an ambulance had passed through the intersection and caused me to have to wait. I felt the frustration building when a firetruck went through the intersection. Great, now I had to wait for another two cycles before my light turned green. I didn’t stop…

DEFEATING THE LIES OF THE ENEMY

DEFEATING THE LIES OF THE ENEMY I just blew it by getting frustrated with a family member and returned hurtful words with my own hurtful darts in response. As soon as I said these words, I knew they hit their mark and I had hurt someone I love dearly. I desperately wanted to change how I responded in anger and how I felt, but that’s not the real issue. I realize I need to change what I believe. 2 Corinthians…

The Forgotten Person Of The Trinity (Series)

The Forgotten Person Of The Trinity (Series) Romans 8:5-6    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. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.   Experience healing, wholeness, joy, and peace of mind through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Throughout history there…

Living A Restored Life

Living A Restored Life What does a restored life with Jesus look like? Jesus loves all believers including those who are struggling. He wants us to experience being free in Him, through real repentance and faith. So why are so many Christians living in bondage to sin? Galatians 5:1   It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. I believe one of the main reasons…

The Cost Of Rebelling Against God

The Cost Of Rebelling Against God  When speaking about ungodly people, who pervert God’s word,                                                       to get what they want, Jude, James’ brother wrote Jude 1:11 about three C men, Cain, Balaam, and Korah, who rebelled against God’s authority.   Jude 1:11   Woe to them!  They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error;  they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. Being religious without faith is the “way of Cain”. It is the way of pride,…

Which Door Will You Choose?

Which Door Will You Choose? John 10:9-10   I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  When Jesus said, “I am the door,” He was stating Eastern custom of shepherds guarding the sheep by acting as a gatekeeper by spending the night lying down across…

The Blessings Of Obeying The Lord

The Blessings Of Obeying The LordActs 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him [whoever trusts in and relies on Him, accepting Him as Savior and Messiah] receives forgiveness of sins.” Even if you can fool everyone else, you can’t fool yourself for very long and you can never fool God. If you violate your own conscience, you’ll have to pay a serious price for that. But if you allow God’s truth…

Trust Never Comes Easy

Trust Never Comes EasyColossians 2:8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a…

Is God Even Listening?

Is God Even Listening? James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” God reaches out to the humble, because He knows we are teachable when we are free from pride and arrogance. Our attitude is connected to our ability to joyfully follow His leading. He also loves us enough to give us opportunities to grow in our humility so we can hear His truth and…

Why Would God Allow Christians To Suffer?

Hebrews 5:7-10 While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal…

Do You Struggle With Fear, Loneliness, Or Depression?

Deuteronomy 31:6 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Fear, loneliness, and depression are the symptoms, not the disease. Genesis 3:23-24 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim…

Don’t Let Rage Become Your Identity

Ephesians 4:29-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving…

We Only Get One Time Around

Ephesians 5:15-17                                                                                   15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  I would hate to hear at the end of my life that I had a lot of potential. We all want to have an impact on our loved ones and communities, but it doesn’t happen by accident. What we spend our time…