Monday, September 1, 2014

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.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

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.



Monday, August 4, 2014

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.


Saturday, August 2, 2014

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.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

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.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

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.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

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.