God knows our hearts and if we, for some reason, think we can go before the King or before others and act spiritual, we are dead wrong. Right before Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He tells them what to do when they are about to pray. Go to their room and shut the door. You don’t have to impress God by using super cool words or stand in the streets to show people you are praying. Go, humble yourself, and pray to God.

If today you say to yourself, “But Joshua, I don’t know how to pray.” Good! God doesn’t have a prescribed method. Just go humble yourself before your King in your secret place and talk to Him. Tell Him what is on your heart. There is no need for secret code words or words with multiple vowels. Just give Him your heart and He will hear your prayers.

Joshua Navarro

The Lord intends to reign His love and mercy upon you and me. Why would we allow anything or anyone to stand taller in our view than Him? That’s a question we must ask ourselves today. What I regard is important, especially if it is taking up room in my heart that displaces the Lord. My idols (material possessions, self-pride, perfect health, that new [insert latest and greatest thing here], etc.) will bring nothing of eternal value to my life.

Today, let’s recognize this: Turning towards anything other than our Maker in the worship cathedral of our hearts leads to our own lack. We forsake the mercy He longs to provide to us. He is building us to last, and we need more of Him, not less. Thank you, Lord, for Your beautiful, satisfying mercy.

Jeff Deal

Fear is certainly something that everyone has experienced in one way or another. Sadly for many, fear becomes a paralyzing force that keeps them from realizing their full potential and keeps them from being all God wants them to be. That was the case here in Exodus 14 as God’s people were frozen with fear, with mountains on either side, the Red Sea in front of them, and Pharaoh’s army bearing down on them. God was taking them to the Promised Land but the fear of man stopped them in their tracks.

Don’t let the fear of the man or the circumstances you find yourself in keep you from accomplishing God’s will for your life today. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” It’s God’s will and plan for you to live a life of victory over your fears as you trust in His ability to overcome anything that troubles you.

Be assured today, God honors those who believe Him enough to step out in faith. He is faithful and all-powerful and, if need be, He will part the sea for you as you simply fear not and put your trust in Him.

Pastor Doug Hardin

If you are alive during the time I am writing this, you are probably very much aware that peace between people seems to be at an all-time low due to our polarizing political culture. Unfortunately, this is also leaking into the church. It may not be about world politics as much as church politics, but nonetheless this arguing only mirrors the rest of the world when we are called to be in this world but not of it.

Paul, writing to the Roman church, exhorts them to live peaceably with all men. He understands that isn’t possible with everyone, but as much as depends on you. When people look to the church, they should see men and women that are loving like Jesus and are living the truths of scripture where we read, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” It doesn’t mean there will always be peace, but it does show that we have a bigger battle than these petty things that bring great division. Imagine what a difference it would be if we as Christians were fighting the real battle, fighting for Christ, and if at all possible and as much as depends on us, lived peaceably with everyone.

Blessings,

Pastor Sean Boehm

It may be hard to admit, but all of us at some time stray from the path on which Jesus is leading us. To get back on that path, we are called to confess our sins and repent. In these verses, Amos gives us the steps to repentance and they are simple and straightforward. Seek and love what is good and hate and do not seek what is evil.

The promise that comes with repentance is that our relationship with God will be solid, and also that no matter how evil your country, state, city, or neighborhood is around you; you can be a remnant that through repentance finds the grace and forgiveness of God.

So seek the Lord today and ask if there is anything you need to turn from.

In humble submission,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw

Deuteronomy starts by telling us these are Moses’ words to all of Israel before they entered the land of Israel. Moses himself was not going to be able to enter because of his disobedience to the Lord. However, there was plenty of disobeying around, because this trip to the Promised Land which should have taken 11 days took 40 years.

It was a whole new group of people to which Moses talked this day because God had used the 40 years for the first group of people coming out of Israel to die out. The only ones to survive were those who actually trusted in the Lord and believed Him, Joshua and Caleb.

I wonder if we sometimes find ourselves going in circles because we aren’t trusting the Lord. Oh, we’ll tell people we do, but truthfully we have our own plans and beliefs we follow. Let us take this example and trust in God so that He can keep us on the straight and narrow path and not the long and winding road.

Keep my foot upon Your path, Lord,

Pastor Ron Kitchell

This portion of scripture which describes Apollos’ ministry continues on to verse 28. We are told that Apollos taught accurately, spoke boldly, and helped greatly. The foundation of his ministry was a thorough knowledge of scripture and a strong relationship with God. From this foundation, he was able to step out boldly and preach the gospel as well as minister powerfully to the body of Christ. He knew scripture and doctrine so thoroughly that he was able to vigorously refute the false doctrines that he encountered in opposition to his ministry (Acts 18:28).

The word “mighty” in verse 24 can also be translated powerful or capable. Apollos became powerful by hearing the word of God to the point where he was indoctrinated in the ways of God. He was diligent in his study of scripture which gave him the ability to accurately teach it, and he maintained an intense, personal relationship with the Lord (“fervent in spirit”).

Can we duplicate this pattern in our own lives? Yes! We can attend a Bible study during the week in addition to Sunday service. We can diligently study scripture daily as we seek to know our God better, and we can pray that the Holy Spirit teaches us. Let’s be diligent in seeking the Lord like Apollos and then step out boldly and minister. May each of our lives be marked by a powerful ministry.

Jeff Mericle

Decisions. Decisions. We all face tough decisions in life. Like which cellular service has the best coverage; regular or decaf; soup or salad; do I want fries with that? Don’t we wish every choice was really that easy? However, we can take comfort in knowing the Lord already knows our needs before we ask. He simply desires that we would involve Him in every aspect of our lives, the big and the small. James instructs us to seek counsel from the Lord before making decisions. Ask the Lord and He will gladly tell you. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to get caught up in the moment of inquiry by seeking man’s counsel before simply asking the Lord. We’ve all done it. But have you noticed that by avoiding the Lord as our true source and solution, we only bring on further confusion and uncertainty?

Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We need to pray with expectation that He will hear us when we call. If you are faced with challenges and mounting confusion over a situation in your life, remember to cast your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you. From the simplest to the most complex, may we find ourselves today in a place of asking the Lord for wisdom, guidance, and help. Make Him your number one source in life, for He indeed is the source of it!

Lord, I need your help,

Tom Moore

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: “Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”

1 Chronicles 17:16

How quickly the years pass as now we find ourselves on the precipice of yet another decade. The year 2020 is just around the corner and we step closer to the coming of the Lord. Years ago, at a time of great revival and spiritual devotion, King David decided he wanted to build God a house in thanksgiving for all He had done for him and for the nation. Hearing of it, the prophet Nathan initially encouraged David but was told that night by the Lord that David could not be allowed to build it since he was a man of war. Yet the prophet had glorious news from the Lord as well: “You shall not build a house for Me, but here is what I am planning to do for you.” God then went on to review David’s humble beginnings, spoke of his current place as king, and promised him a future that included the Messiah coming forth through his lineage. It wiped King David out and he quickly went to sit before the Lord proclaiming: “Who am I, O LORD God and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” (1 Chronicles 17:16).

This Christmas season we too look back with awe and amazement at God’s continuing work here at Morningstar the past 35 years. The growth God has brought, the lives that continue to be changed, the mission fields far and near filled with laborers, and even now a need for a larger facility that our God is providing. Thank you Jesus for coming to save us and offering life to all who call upon Your name. May our message this Christmas overflow with the love for our Savior and may His goodness leave us bowing before Him in awe and love.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Jack Abeelen

Here in this chapter, Israel’s enemy, the Philistines, hear that Israel is gathered around Mizpah. So the enemy goes up to battle against them. The children of Israel hear of it and they become afraid. They cry out to Samuel and tell him, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” If we are familiar with the story, Samuel offers a whole burnt offering to the LORD, cries out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. The LORD thundered and the enemy was confused and overcome by Israel.

Samuel then takes a stone and sets it here between Mizpah and Shen and calls its name Ebenezer. The word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” This stone was put there to mark where God helped Israel defeat the Philistines. I’m willing to bet that if we all look back at our lives, we probably have a few Ebenezer stones. Stones to show where we cried out to God and God helped us defeat the enemy. It’s always good to remember these victories and hang on to the promise God makes to never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8) especially when you see the enemy drawing near, and you are overwhelmed with fear. Cry out to the Lord and remember those Ebenezer stones that are along the way.

“Thus far the LORD has helped me”

Joshua Navarro