Posts by Matthew Shorack (Page 5)
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…
Victory In A Spiritual Battle
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. We can live victorious lives if we know how to prepare for the battles. We don’t have to give in to Satan’s attempts to control us through temptations. We are called to guard our hearts, and we do that by God’s truth renewing us and cleansing us from negative thoughts and emotions. Fear and guilt truly is the devil’s playground. Are there any negative…
God Uses All Situations To Bring Blessings
God Uses All Situations To Bring Blessings Our most powerful testimonies come from our times of struggles. Because God meets us in our brokenness and brings comfort and healing. The prosperity gospel churches try to show their spirituality by having lots of stuff and financial success. True spirituality produces people who are mentally, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually whole during times of adversity. That means our joy and peace doesn’t depend on our circumstances. Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to…
The Wake of Anger Behind You
The Wake of Anger Behind YouLook behind you. Is there a wake of broken relationships that keeps growing? Is there anyone who has experienced your rage and is still fighting to move on? How has anger impacted your family? How has anger impacted your co-workers, and friends? Proverbs 14:29 People with understanding control their anger, but a hot temper shows great foolishness. When we lose our temper, everyone around us gets hurt. Parents might be able to make their children…
A Different Weapon For A Different Kind Of Warrior
A Different Weapon For A Different Kind Of Warrior 2 Timothy 2:25-26 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. We all face opposition because of our faith in Jesus. It’s important to understand that the source of this opposition isn’t a coworker,…
Enjoying Prayer
Enjoying Prayer Many people feel uncomfortable praying, so they rarely do it, let alone enjoy it. Prayer has the potential to be something you look forward to every day. It’s where intimacy with the Lord can be experienced time and again. Do you struggle sometimes with how you should approach Him? Don’t overthink it. Be real with what you are thinking and feeling. Share what’s on your mind or what you’re anxious about. Sometimes I intentionally let scripture guide me…
Does Your Joy Depend On Your Circumstances?
We worry and are concerned about how to make our lives more comfortable, while God is focused on our character. We think that comfort will bring peace of mind, but we see example after example of those with more than they could ever want, living lives of depression and shame. There is only one thing that can bring eternal hope which leads to joy and that’s finding your identity and purpose through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 15:13 May the…
Who Am I Really?
Galatians 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. In a world full of secrets, habits, and fears, it’s difficult to truly feel free. The pressures we struggle with lead us to live lonely broken lives that hide who we really are. Is there any sin that you are a slave too? God has a plan for you to be free in…
Don’t Bully Your Bullies
Don’t Bully Your Bullies Hebrew 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.When we are harassed moment, of course we want to fight back. It takes faith to overcome the flesh. Only through our faith can we battle darkness with light. Our Savior suffered greatly at the hands of evil men. Instead of summoning the angels to come…
Seven Different Ways Of Worship
Seven Different Ways Of Worship Revelation 2-3 John was the only one of the disciples who was not martyred for his faith. Instead, he was exiled to the barren island of Patmos. During this time the Lord spoke to him in a vision about future prophecies and specific messages for the seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches were given serious corrections and they were also encouraged to continue growing in truth and love. All seven churches are located in…
Can We Ever Get Rid Of Our Guilt And Shame?
Romans 3:10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one”. We all have a good reason to feel guilt and shame. Not one of us is righteous. We are all selfish and we hurt the people around us, especially those closest to us.God is holy, and sin and God cannot go together. When we try to hide our feelings of guilt from God, anxiety and shame become our closest friends. Are we destined to the discouragement…
Will We Honor God Or People?
Will We Honor God Or People?We are surrounded by people trying to appear to be something they are not. Honesty and integrity stand out because there is so much hypocrisy in our culture today. Authenticity is what God is asking of us and not just with each other but also with Him.Do we desire God’s approval more than the approval of people? Hypocrisy is an old acting term that means pretending to be what you’re not. So often we want…
Life Transformation Starts With Our Thoughts
Life Transformation Starts With Our Thoughts Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. We tend to make a few resets in our lives when we want to make a new start. We experience justification at salvation, but we continue to be transformed in our sanctification. The Journey we are on, while working out our…
The Costs Of Misplaced Anger In Your Life
Road rage is out of control. Someone beeps at a car, and they end up in the hospital. Uncontrolled anger has a painful price tag. We’ve all seen too many examples of stupidity unleashed in anger. Proverbs 29:22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. The Bible is very clear on the cost of anger. The one who gives in to anger creates a multitude of sins. Anger usually gets a response. It grows…
The Power Of Scripture
The Power Of Scripture It was the summer of 1984, and I was at Lakeside Bible Camp. I had just accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior the previous day. For the first time in my life, the word of God was important to me. The verse I was challenged to memorize in my devotional time was from the book of Galatians that day. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ…
Trust God To Be Your Defender
Trust God To Be Your Defender Most of us waste a lot of time and energy worrying about what could happen if things don’t go as we have planned. Anxiety can take its toll as we strive to defend our plans, decisions, and failures. How can we find peace of mind when things go sideways, and our efforts come up empty? Psalm 25:1-5 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let…
