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

It had been a long night of fishing with nothing to show for it. Done for the day, empty nets washed, Peter had no intention of going back out. But back out into the deep Jesus asked him to go. And they soon caught so many fish that those same nets were at the breaking point.

Like Peter, we can be doubtful at times whether the Lord is truly directing us in a way that makes any sense. To us, it might be the opposite of what we think is a sane approach. But, also like Peter, you and I are about to embark on the perfect path when we can say, “Nevertheless, at Your word I will…”.

The circumstances don’t have to be right. What we think we know may be challenged. Yet listening for the Lord’s voice, and then following through, will bring the results that He wants for our lives. I don’t want to miss anything that Jesus has for me, because it will be absolutely correct and absolutely good. Join me today in seeking to be actively obedient to our Lord.

Jeff Deal

Here in chapter 8, Matthew records many miraculous works that Jesus did — cleansing lepers, healing a paralyzed servant, and delivering many who were demon-possessed. All of these people are in desperate need, but in the middle of those accounts, Matthew writes of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law who we are told “was sick with a fever.” Dr. Luke writes in his Gospel that she had “a high fever.” So Jesus takes her hand, heals her, and she gets up and starts making lunch for them. This wasn’t done in front of the crowds that followed Jesus and we aren’t told that she was “sick unto death”, she was just sick and Jesus healed her.

It should encourage us to pray and allow God to be involved in every part of our lives. We have a tendency to pray and seek the Lord when things get really bad, when we encounter an illness that is severe. But when we wake up with a headache, we go right to the medicine cabinet for the Tylenol. Now there is nothing wrong with taking medicine, but why not pray?

He cares about every part of our lives, the big things and the little. So we should pray without ceasing, giving God the opportunity to glorify Himself in our weakness and at the same time, to build our trust in Him.

Pastor Doug Hardin

Have you ever felt weak and overwhelmed by a task or a trial? In this portion of scripture, the people of Israel were read the words of the Lord and they felt overwhelmed and sorrowful. After they heard the words of the Law, they came to the realization that they could not live according to the Law by their own strength. It was then that Nehemiah reminded them that the joy of the Lord is their strength. When a task or a trial makes you realize that you are not able to overcome it by your own strength, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength.

For the King,

Daniel Batistelli

There are many things that change as we grow up. One thing that can never seem to leave us is this sense of getting even. We watch kids and hear about them and think it’s childish that because so-and-so called me a name, I can punch them. But as we grow up, does that really change? The circumstances do, for sure, but our flesh doesn’t.

We are told if there is evil done to you, don’t repay them with the same! In fact, we are called to not only love them still and bless them, but to have an outstanding reputation of only good things before everyone. We represent the Lord and in all things, we want to do our best to be His ambassadors. As such, we want to display the same love in repaying evil with good as the Lord did for us at the cross. We were in great evil towards God, yet He gave us Christ and died for us. When in this tough situation, take a second and reflect on what Christ did for you and let the peace of God overwhelm you with the hope of winning over a soul for Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Sean Boehm

I think far too often we forget that, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Joel here reminds us that the Lord’s roar and voice is so powerful that it causes both the heavens and the earth to shake. Then we get that reassuring phrase, “But the Lord…” That mighty sovereign roar that unnerves the world is a comfort, a shelter, and strength to us, His people. So when the enemy comes in like a flood, remember God is roaring and like a lion cub, we can have peace and confidence in our Father knowing that He is greater and on our side.

Snuggled in His strength,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw