Will you begin the Hebrews 11:6 Adventure in 2023?

About the Book:

The spark that ignited the writing of HE IS! is Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). Will you consider beginning the Hebrews 11:6 adventure? In his deepest trials of life, Mark embarks on a quest to know God more fully and intimately through prayerful meditation on the Scriptures. He confesses that he has been a part of three main groups in this world: those who deny that God exists, those who don’t know if there is a God, and those who believe in God. Each meditation includes reflection questions that ask readers to consider topics such as whether they find comfort in sometimes not understanding God, how they feel about awesome truths regarding God, and how knowing a particular attribute of God might change the way they think and act. Ignite your faith, learn more about who God is, and help spread the Word with this book of devotional meditation by inviting others to join you in a group study. 

Awards:

American Writing Awards 2022 Finalist in the Religion Category 

About the Author:

Mark R. Worden is a lifelong learner and a student of God’s Word. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bible and Teaching Bible. He has served as youth pastor, missionary, and teacher at a Bible institute in Manaus, Brazil, and pastored a local Montana church for six years. Along with being a licensed property manager, he is a self-employed handyman, and enjoys woodworking on the side.

Excerpts from 3 Editorial Reviews:

• Readers’ Favorite – 5 Stars by Edith Wairimu I loved the personal anecdotes included which help expand the work and show how knowing God applies in everyday life. The reflection questions included at the end of each meditation allowed me to pause and internalize the messages. I also found the scriptures included for further reading and meditation helpful in learning more about each attribute of God. Ultimately, the work guided me in developing a more intimate relationship with Him and reminded me about who God is. I loved that the work is backed by biblical passages that support its discussions. I also found the work uplifting as it shows God as personal, all-knowing, and merciful. He Is! Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R Worden is a powerful and hope-filled work that expands on who God is. Recommended to any reader who wants to grow in their knowledge and relationship with God. 

• Reader Views – 5 stars by Lily Andrews “He Is!: Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations” by Mark R. Worden is a landmark volume and a one-stop believer’s guide, well-choreographed and presented to elucidate the character and personality of God, backed up with over eight hundred biblical scriptures and well-researched phrases. [It] is a precious read and is a stunning tool that leaves you meditating on God’s word. It is not a “feel good” devotional, rather it is blissful with substance and content challenging the followers to dig deeper into their relationship with the Creator. It is truly a resource that edifies and liberates your heart. 

• BookViral – 5 Stars by anonymous Mark Worden offers us his own personal spiritual reflections in ‘He Is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’. Taking phrases and passages from scripture and pondering on each ‘God is’ phrase, Worden encourages his readers to reflect deeply on the multi-faceting representation of God found in the Bible, how God is evident in nature and creation, and in how he interacts with humankind. Worden interweaves frank and self-sharing personal experience into his writing, demonstrating how belief in God and who he is can have a profound and last long effect on life and happiness, as well as presenting him as an all-encompassing being who can have a powerful influence in and on lives, and who works through others to support and provide. ‘He is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’ could be ideally studied in sections as a group Bible study guide, or alternatively as a personal journal from which to springboard to personal scriptural meditation and is highly recommended.

More information:  www.heisministries.net

Phrases that Pop!

When you read the Bible, have you ever had a phrase leap off the page and into your mind and heart?

It happened to me for the first time while sitting on a church bus way back in 1978.  The church youth group had camped-out one night to attend the Oregon State Fair.  I got up early that morning and was enjoying the sun on my back as I sat in the bus to avoid the wind.  I opened my Bible to John chapter 14 and started reading Jesus’ words as He talked with his disciples, foretelling of His pending death.

When I came to verse 27, I knew that God was speaking not only to the disciples but to me:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  (John 14:27 ESV)

The world did not make any sense to me until I had come to faith in God through Jesus. God had given me a peace that I had never known and one I didn’t fully comprehend.  I did not know what was ahead for me as a new Christ follower. However, according to this promise from Jesus, my heart did not need to be in turmoil and I did not need to fear.

What comfort in my soul as I sat worshiping my Savior while soaking up sunshine as God’s light brightened my day and life.

What was good for me 38 years ago is good for me today.  I can trust in a good God who cares for me.

Is there a verse or passage that has helped sustain you that you need to remember?

I would love to hear about your verse or phrase from the Bible that brought peace and hope to you.

 

 

Put it on him!

At our men’s gathering on Thursday morning, I had the privilege of reading from Luke 15:11-24 about the downfall and up-pull of a son who was loved by his father, commonly known as the prodigal son.

As I read, a phrase evoked some vivid images in my mind. What the Father said to his servants as he welcomed his son home, came home to me!

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

I envisioned the many time my mom purchased clothing for me as I grew-up.  Her clothing gifts were always the best and made me feel loved.

I remembered how just a few years ago my Mom bought me a red and black plaid vest and how now when I wear it I feel like I am getting a hug from my mom.

I pictured how my little 3-year-old grandson feels when I cover him with his special blanket his mother made for him.

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

Amazingly, God has done this for me in his gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

The gift of covering means I am loved and cared for by my heavenly Father!  God provides a covering of white garments for those who are overcomers in the Lord Jesus Christ:

Jesus said, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ ” (Revelations 3:5-6). NKJV

Have you received God’s covering for you? He desires to cloth you in the Righteousness of Christ:

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”  (Romans 4:3-8 ESV)

And finally, like the father in Jesus’ story, is there a “covering” you could give to someone to help them up?

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

Words for Focus in the New Year!

If you have read my recent posts, you know that my word for change in 2016 is ALIGNMENT. However, our pastor has been giving the word HOPE to our church for this year:

H = healing – both spiritually, emotionally, and physically – Yes, I need this . . .

O = opportunity -for spiritual growth and  service of God and others . . .

P = prayer/promise – clinging to God’s promises in vigilant prayer  . . .

E = experience – a closer relationship in sensing the presence of God . . .

O Lord, please bring healing to my soul and body, help me see and not shrink back from the opportunities before me in 2016 for personal growth and selfless service,  give me grace to cling to your promises in constant prayer, and help me to experience your presence in my life in a new and thrilling way.  Lord I need you!  Come and fill me with Your Spirit to be all that you want me to be in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior.

I have hope that my thinking can be aligned with God’s Word and will for my life in 2016.  May He be glorified and magnified in my life.

I would love to hear if God has given you a word for 2016 that brings you HOPE!

A Thanksgiving Service and Message

Opening Prayer:  Give thanks to God in prayer!

Hymn: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Responsive Reading

Pastor: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Congregation: “Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.” Psalm 65:9

Pastor: “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.” Psalm 65:11-13

Congregation: “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth . . . O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Psalm 104:14 & 24

Pastor: “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.   Psalm 107:8-9

Everyone:  “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” Jonah 2:9

Chorus: “Thank you Lord for saving my Soul”

Chorus: “God is so Good”

Testimonies of God’s goodness:

Hymn: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”

Testimonies of God’s leading, provision, or protection:

Special: Children’s Choir

Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King” – Stanzas 1,3,5

Devotional
Occasions of Thanksgiving and Praise
in the Old Testament

1.  When David brought the Ark of God into the City of David
(I Chronicles 16:1-12).

 2.   Levites were to thank and praise God ever morning and evening
(I Chronicles 23:30).

3.  When Solomon dedication  the Temple  (2 Chronicles 5:12-14).

4.  When the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid (Ezra 3:10-11).

5.   When the wall of Jerusalem was dedicated (Nehemiah 12:27, 31).

Conclusion:  The example of one can effect many: Mattaniah –Nehemiah 11:17

Challenge:  Will you be a Mattaniah in you home and be the first to begin the thanksgiving in Prayer?

Recite Psalm 100: “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Closing Hymn: “O Worship the King”

Closing Prayer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hindrances to Thanksgiving

Introduction: There is no season on Thanksgiving – The Bible says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” ( I Thessalonians  5:18).

Theme: 7 monstrous attitudes that keep us from being a thankful people.

1.  The monster of discontentment:

 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”   I Timothy 6:6-10

 2.  The monster of impropriety:

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”  Ephesians 5:4

 3.  The monster of worry:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”   Philippians 4:6

4.  The monster of worldly philosophies:

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, bounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ”  Colossians 2: 6-8

 5.  The monster of Christless motives:

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”   Colossians 3:17

6.   The monster of prayerlessness:

 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2

 7.  The monster of not seeking God’s kingdom first:

 “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”   Hebrews 13:14-15

Conclusion: What monster attitude are you facing in your life this Thanksgiving season? Allow the Lord to slay the attitudes that are not pleasing to Him– and be thankful!

 

Ten Commandments Bible Study: Commandment 7

“Thou shalt not commit adultery”

Exodus 20:14

 1.  Understanding the prohibition against adultery:

• Meditate on  Hebrews 13:4

 2.  What are the consequences of breaking this command?

•   Leviticus 20:10
•  Proverbs 6:20-35
• I Corinthians 6:18-20

 3.  Christ’s teaching on adultery:

•  Luke 16:18
•  Matthew 5:27-32
•  John 8:2-11

 

Commandment Six – “Thou shalt not kill.” What about self-defense?

Hebrew Definition – “Kill” – raw-tsakh’ –“A primitive root; properly to dash in pieces, that is, kill (a human being), especially to murder: – put to death, kill, (man-) slay (-er), murder (-er)” (Strongs def.).

English Definition – Murder – “1. The act of unlawfully killing a human being with premeditated malice, by a person of sound mind. To constitute murder in law, the person killing another must be of sound mind or in possession of his reason, and the act must be done with malice prepense, aforethought or premeditated; but malice may be implied, as well as express” (Noah Webster, 1828).

1.   Examples of self-defense that resulted in killing others:

• Genesis 14:14-16

• Esther 8:11-14, 9:1-6

2. Christians are to obey every ordinance of man that is not contrary to God’s Word – Romans 13 – Self-defense that leads to the death of the one who threatened your life is not considered murder under the laws of our land.

3.  We must be careful not to take vengeance into our own hands – vengeance that leads to the death of a person who wronged you is not self-defense:

• I Samuel 25:21-35
• Isaiah 34:8
• Nahum 1:2
• Hebrew 10:30
• Romans 12:19

In matters of an offense we need to turn the other cheek:

• Matthew 5:38-39

Conclusion:  Romans 14:23 “ . . . whatsoever is not of faith is sin”

Ten Commandments Bible Study: Commandment Six

“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 5:13

I.  What does this command forbid?

 Define – “Kill” – raw-tsakh’ –“A primitive root; properly to dash in pieces, that is, kill (a human being), especially to murder: – put to death, kill, (man-) slay (-er), murder (-er)” (Strongs def.).

II.    First murderer recorded in Scripture:    Genesis 4:8-13

III.   What is God’s punishment for breaking this command?

•  Genesis 9:5-6
• Leviticus 24:17
•  Numbers 35:15-34
•  Revelation 21:7-8

IV.  This command does not forbid capital punishment – the death penalty for certain crimes. Under God’s law, Israel was to put people to death for the following sins against God and man:

• Exodus 21:16 ______________________________
• Exodus 35:2             ______________________________
• Numbers 35:31 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:2 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:9 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:10 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:11-12 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:13 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:15-16 ______________________________
• Leviticus 20:27 ______________________________
• Leviticus 24:16 ______________________________
• 13:6-9             ______________________________
• 21:18-21 ______________________________

V.   The New Testament teaching on this command makes it clear that we can be guilty of murder in our heart without committing the outward act:

• Matthew 5:21-22
•  I John 3:15We have only our own wicked hearts to blame when we sin!

• Mark 7:20-23

VII.    Can a murderer be forgiven by God or is there no hope?

• Barabbas was a murderer – Luke 23:18-19

• Murder is listed as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21

• Murder is left out of this list: I Corinthians 6:9-11

 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

• Paul testified that he persecuted believers to death:

Acts 22:4, I Corinthians 15:9

• Revelation 9:20-21 indicates that murderers can repent.

• Paul lists murder (Romans 1:29) along with many other sins against God’s law that causes us to become guilty before God (Romans 3:19-20). This guilt can lead us to understand our need of God’s forgiveness through faith in Christ’s provision for sin (Romans 3:21-31).

Praise God that Christ’s provision for sin covers the actual act of murder and the murder in our hearts when we are angry enough to kill. Otherwise there would be no hope for all us murderers.

Ten Commandments Bible Study: Commandment Five

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12).

When God gave the Ten Commandments he specifically directed one command to the family. He did not address the father and the mother, as one might expect, but the child.

Deuteronomy 5:16   “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee”

Ephesians 6:1-2 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Honour: Lit. Hebrew – to be heavy, be weighty, To give something or someone it’s full weight or stature. English – “1. To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to” (Noah Webster, 1828).

Is there anyone who is exempt from this command?

 

Why is it difficult to honor one’s parents?

 

What are the rewards for honoring your parents?

I.  Four attitudes that do not honor parents:

1.  _________________ Proverbs 30:17, Deut. 27:16a

2.  _________________ Exodus 21:17

3.  _________________ Deuteronomy 21:18-20

4.  _________________ Exodus 21:15

  II.  Five attitudes that do honor parents:

 1.  ________________ Leviticus 19:3

 2. ________________ Proverbs 17:6

 3.  ________________ Proverbs 4:1

 4.  ________________ Ephesians 6:1-2

 5. ________________ I Timothy 5:3-4, 8

 III.  Old Testament examples:

•  Deuteronomy 21:18-21
•  Jeremiah 35:18-19

IV.  Our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching on this command:

•  Matthew 15:4-6
•  Mark 7:10-13