The Divine Mentor Reading: It is not About Me! by Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: Job 19, Mark 1 & 2

As you know in the book of Job - Job loses everything - family, friends, possessions and health.
But through it all - He never lost his faith.  Through the hardships and suffering he stayed focused on God.  Love what Job wrote in verse 25-27 -

 I know that my Redeemer lives

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed

yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him 

with my own eyes-I, and not another

How my heart years within me!

His focus was on God - not himself!  When you get to Mark 1- we are introduced to John the Baptist.

John was baptizing in the desert region and preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.

In verse 7 He says: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  He points others to Christ, not to Himself.

When I read these chapters, I am reminded of what Max Lucado wrote:

God does not exist to make a big deal out of us.

We exist to make a big deal out of Him.

It's not about you.

It's not about me. 

It's all about Him!

The Divine Mentor - Jeremiah the Prophet who never gave up! by Debbie McGrath

Our ladies class is using the Divine Mentor Plan to read thru the Bible.  We just finished the book of Jeremiah and there is so much to learn from this great prophet. 

Jeremiah is gone but the words he wrote are still with us.

One of my favorite verses: 
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of our God stands forever.

Jeremiah was a true prophet and he suffered persecution because of it.  He knew the greatest problem of Judah was it's sin. Today we believe our nation's greatest problem is unemployment, inflation, lack of defense, etc.  America's greatest problem - Sin.

Jeremiah did not give a surface, happy message.  He taught people so their hearts and minds would be transformed.

By human standards, Jeremiah's ministry was a dismal failure.  He preached for over 40 years and only a few believed.  He only had a few friends who stood with him and encouraged him.  Jeremiah may have thought he failed but God saw him a a faithful servant and that is all that really counts.  Jeremiah could have quit but he didn't.

I love this quote by Edman:  "IT'S ALWAYS TO SOON TO QUIT."

Jeremiah became like Jesus which is the greatest reward of ministry.

-Both 

were accused of being traitors

suffered physically

arrested, beaten and confined

wept over Jerusalem

rejected by their own families

misunderstood, rejected and lonely.

In the difficult times of life - Jeremiah was conformed to the image of Christ.

The same Lord who enabled Jeremiah enables us!!

Salvation = Jesus by Deena Serafin

Divine Mentor Reading

September 1:  Ezekiel 15-16; Psalm 70; Rev. 6

Salvation = Jesus

Ps. 70:4 "But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'"

Salvation in Hebrew is yshuwah. Yeshuwa means "he will save". Yeshuwah - Jeshua - Jesus

Jesus is the only salvation- our only hope - our peace - my peace. He died for my sin -- my selfish, arrogant, demanding, self-absorbed sin. No one else could have done this for me. No one but my Yeshuwa , my Jeshua, my Jesus. 

Thank You, Father, for having a plan for my salvation before I even existed. Thank You, Jesus, for being my salvation. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for drawing me to Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

The Divine Mentor: Unraveling World by: Deena Serafin

August 21, 2014

Jeremiah 27:22  " 'They will be taken to Babylon, and there they will remain until the day I come for them,' declares the Lord. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.' "

God tells His people in Jerusalem that it is HIS plan that they be captured and carried off to Babylon. They are not to fight back, nor are they to try to remain in Jerusalem. They are to go and to stay there until He comes for them and brings them back. 

It is difficult to look at our world and not believe we are rapidly approaching the end times. God's Word is complete and sufficient.  He was in control in 586 BC, and He is in control in 2014. Just as He kept His promise to bring His people back to Jerusalem, He will keep His promise to us to bring us home to Heaven.

I John 2:25  "And this is what He promised us, even eternal life."

Father, this world is out of control and getting worse. Keep me focused on loving, serving, and sharing You in this temporary world until You come for me and take me to my true home where I belong! Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid by Teresa Houle

Scripture: John 6:20 ..."I am here! Do not be afraid"

Observation: Jesus had just fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish and his disciples were waiting for him to come down from the hills. As darkness fell, they decided to get in the boat and head back to Capernaum when the sea grew very rough and they became afraid.

Application: This scripture was without a doubt a word from God today as I was extremely overwhelmed with anxiety as I prepared for my first day on the phones at my new job.  As I went for a run shortly after reading this scripture, a thought came to me of how Jesus must have felt as he anticipated being hung on the cross.  What I was facing was no where even close to comparison! I was reminded that God brought me to this job; therefore, He will equip me with the knowledge that I need to succeed in it and to not worry because He is with me every step of the way.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for speaking to me today and for reassuring me that you are with me always. That you for the opportunity to also share your words with a co-worker as well to help calm her nerves. Help me to continue to share you word with others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 2: The Knowledge of God- Reading God's Word: Laila Wahba

Proverbs 2:1-5

“My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

 making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

 yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

 if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God”.

Knowing God is no easy task but oh such a worthy task. It needs willingness on our part, a discipline and an effort.

Here, the writer of Proverbs tells us of  seven things we need to do to get to know God:

1.   Receive God’s words: God has given us His word, all we need to do is receive it  but not just as a Bible that is leather bound and has your name etched on it, no you need to

2.   Treasure God’s commandments: When you treasure something, you put it in a precious place, you talk proudly of owning it, you want to take care of it, maybe even build a special place to display it for everyone to see. So what are we doing with God’s commandments? Treasuring God’s commandments might sometimes make people jeer at us, make fun of us. That is why as we do this, we need to

3.   Make your ear attentive to wisdom: Here comes our part. What are we going to do about the treasure that God has given us? Make your ear attentive. In this world and the cacophony of voices that bombard us from every corner: TV, radio, internet, YouTube, friends, phone. God is urging us to willfully make our ears attentive to WISDOM. I personally find it difficult, but it is a training, a daily training. If we train to be physically fit, how much more should we train our spirits to be fit.

4.   Incline your heart to understanding: Now comes the heart. WE cannot just hear God’s words and leave it at that, but when we hear, we need to react. So incline your heart to understanding; willingly. This will never happen in haste, this takes time; time spent in God’s Presence, sitting on His lap, putting my face in His shoulder like a child shy and afraid of a new place an new people.

5.   Call out for insight: calling out has a note of insistence, of perseverance. Lord I am calling out for perception, for understanding, for vision, for discernment.

6.   Raise your voice for understanding: and as if calling out is not enough, I will raise my voice even more, until I get what I need from God: understanding, wisdom, knowledge.

7.   Seek understanding like silver and search for it like hidden treasures: Pursue it whatever it costs, whatever you need to sell to get it, whatever you need to give up, whatever time you spend, cause only then, will you achieve…

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.

Going to Church - Is it Important? by Debbie McGrath

June 14, 2014

This past week, I was having lunch with two girlfriends, whom I would consider Christians. We were talking about church and one of my friends says, "I am going to retirement church."Immediately I asked, "What is retirement church?"
I quickly learned that retirement church is when you stay home and watch church online.  Both of my friends, were now staying home and watching church services online.  I asked them - what happened-you both used to be so active in church?

 Answer/Excuse:  When we go to church all we do is sit down, listen to message and then go home.  We can do the same thing at home.  

I quickly responded with there is nothing like singing worship music with other believers. Personally, I can't wait to get to church, meet new people and see my friends.  

When you read the New Testament it is obvious Paul was a believer in the local church - meeting of believers. I also know that Beth Moore makes it a point to be at her home church on Sunday mornings.

The Bible is very clear about meeting with other followers of Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward the love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

From my own experience, I went thru a time of not going to church and my walk with Christ went backwards quickly.

What would your walk with Christ be if you didn't attend church?

God expects us to meet with others believers:
to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to teach others, to give and in some cases to die for the sake of the gospel.

Cross Pointe Women - Desiring God's Word: by - Debbie McGrath

Desiring God’s Word

In the year of 2011, I attended one of our Women’s Ministry meetings at church; little did I know that God would use that night to change my life. When I look back to that day, I know it was a divine appointment from God. During that meeting, the leader was talking about reading her Bible through in a year. While she was talking, I could hear the excitement and passion in her voice and the joy she had in her heart—it was contagious! I remember sitting on the back row that night and how the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with conviction, to the point at which my heart hurt.

My mind began to think, “Here I am, a women’s Bible study teacher for the past six months, and I have not even read the Bible cover to cover." I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home and living in a country where I could read my Bible anytime. My mind fast-forwarded to meeting God for the first time and I imagined Him saying, “Debbie, I gave you 47 years on earth to read My Word and you didn’t have time. I had so much to tell you.”

I prayed that night that God would give me a hunger for the Word like never before. I knew from past attempts, I couldn’t do it in my own strength. March 6, 2011, began my journey of reading the Bible from cover to cover. I can say to you today that God has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined! He didn't bless me financially or materially, but with joy, peace and an appetite to have an intimate relationship with my Savior.

When I read my Bible now days, it challenges me, provokes me and changes me. I can’t remain the same after a morning with Jesus. Reading our Bibles should not be our last thought but our first. Every morning I look forward to spending time with the Lord. God has answered my prayer and He has given me an insatiable hunger for His Word. We live in a world turned upside down and we desperately need to saturate our minds and hearts with God’s Word so we can live right side up.

Begin you journey through the Bible today at www.crosspointechurch.com/resources/bible/page_bible_main.htm.

The Divine Mentor: Pray for Boldness: by Debbie McGrath

Todays Reading: June 10, 2014
 Song of Solomon: 1-4, Ephesians 6

When I was reading, Ephesians 6:20 really stuck out to me.

S: Paul says: 
Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Observation of the Scriptures: 
Paul is in prison writing an encouraging letter to the believers at Ephesus.
Even though Paul was chained to a guard 24/7, he was more interested in the well-being of others than himself. Paul encourages them to pray at all times for each other.

Application:  
Amazing that Paul was so single-minded in His walk with God that He did not even ask others to pray for his release, comfort or safety.  He asked them to pray for the effectiveness of his witness and ministry.  Paul even asked for prayer to be bold for Christ.  If Paul prayed for boldness in his witness, how much more do I need this prayer.

Prayer:  Like Paul, I pray the exact same prayer.  That I may speak the gospel without hesitation and boldness.  

The Divine Mentor: Do you believe God? by Laila Wahba, PHD

Title: All

Do you believe God? Do you believe God? Yes, this is not a mistake.. I did write it twice :0

In Psalm 145, the word ALL is mentioned many times, and if you believe the Bible is God’s word, then you also need to believe all the “All” in the passage.

Let us have a look at them:

 “The Lord is good to all,

and his mercy is over all that he has made”

This means that whatever is going on in your life: setbacks, problems, good times, bad times, financial overflow, financial need, joblessness, job. Lord teach me to see your mercy in ALL, in everything you put my way.

.

 “All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your saints shall bless you!

 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom”.

When we give thanks to God in ALL situations, God’s mighty deeds will be made known to our children.

Lord, may my children and children’s children and all our generation to generation know your mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words

and kind in all his works.]

 The Lord upholds all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down”.

 

God is the only eternal One, He is the eternally faithful One. He keeps His words. If He has spoken, He need not repeat what He said for He said once, Let there be light, and since then He did not need to repeat it. Think today, what did God say to you? Are you looking for Him to uphold you in your weakness?

"The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

 You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

 The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and kind in all his works.

 The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.”

God is righteous, that is his essence, he cannot be otherwise, He is kind, He is near. 

 “He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.

 The Lord preserves all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,

and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.”

God will preserve all who love Him.

God will destroy all the wicked.

These are facts that we sometimes cringe when we hear, but it is true, yet right before these two verses, He insures His salvation: Hears and saves” What a mighty and wonderful God we have.

So ask yourself again today, Do I believe God? Then hold on to Jesus our all in all.

The Divine Mentor: Becoming More Like Christ: by, Debbie McGrath

How do we become more like Christ?

Ephesians 4:22-23 – This verse gives us a start:

Get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to. 

 Your old self was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.

If you want to be more like Christ verse 23 tells us - you must be made new in the attitude of your minds. You must begin by changing the way you think

Your thoughts are the autopilot of your life.

Romans 12:2

We are to think like God:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

To be like Christ – you have to change the way you think

Change is equal to repentance –which means make a U-turn. 

Here is a personal question:

 What old ways of thinking do you need to change?

Philippians 2:5 –

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

 How do we press on –day after day – to become more like Jesus.

Fill your mind with the bible, God’s truth.

If you want to be more like Christ- you have to read the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is God-breathed.  And is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Bible teaches us what is true and shows us what is wrong in our lives. The Bible corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  

 The Bible prepares and equips us to run the race to be more like Christ.

If you are serious about changing your life in any significant way, you are going to have to get into the Bible.

Divine Mentor: Are You Living in the Past? by Debbie McGrath

Forgetting the Past:

Are you living you in your past?  When you live in the past - you can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.  There are many people today who aren't experiencing victory today because they are focused on yesterday.  People who live in the past - close their eyes, they don't see their dreams for tomorrow; they only see the devastation of yesterday!

One way to know if you are living in the past - do you have bitterness or anger toward someone you can not let go?  

Holding on to bitterness and anger. Not forgiving those who have hurt you:

Is there someone you have ill feelings for – they have abused you or betrayed you.

Has a friend betrayed you or used you?

Have you been so hurt by your spouse that your marriage couldn’t survive and ended in a divorce?

Has your child been ungrateful an unloving?

When you hold on to those feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness you are not hurting that person –

 you are only hurting yourself.

Unresolved bitterness is an anchor that doesn’t just hold you back,it drags you down. 

 It causes you to stay in the past, reliving that hurt every day, pulling you farther and farther from God.

Many times we can’t move forward in our relationship with God because we hold on too:

Hurt

Lack of trust

Bitterness

Betrayal

Being judged

Resentment

Abandonment

Anger

When you forgive that person, you allow God to deal with the person who hurt you. 

 You remove yourself from the position of judge and you let God handle the sin that was perpetrated against you. 

Forgiveness is a choice. It doesn’t happen accidentally. 

 You will be amazed at how much better you will feel – physically, emotionally and spiritually

when you choose to let goof the bitterness of unforgiveness. 

You must decide that you are going to resist the devil’s attempts to keep you living in past hurt

and then you will have to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you as you strive

 to be obedient to God’s word.

Forgiving the person who hurt you is a choice. It is also an act of obedience to God. 

 Forgiveness is a gift: and really no one deserves it.

To help you forgive others remember:

God forgives me for much more than I will ever have to forgive others for.

Forgiving those who hurt you –Is one way to get past your past!