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.

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.  

Divine Mentor - What Will History say About YOU? by: Laila Wahba, PHD

Numbers 26. 8-12 

And the sons of Pallu:Eliab. The sons of Eliab:Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. But the sons of Korah did not die.

Numbers 26. 60

And to Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.

Proverbs 22.1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

Isn’t it amazing that thousands of years later, we read what these people did?

 Every time their names are mentioned, the same thing is said about them. WOW!

This makes me think, what will history say about me? 

When people speak about me what will they say? 

Even if you have made mistakes, as long as you are still in the flesh, you can still change what others will say about you many years from now. 

Will they say,”She is the one who left her husband and children for another man? She is an adulteress.” or will they say ,” In spite of having a difficult marriage, she did not want to leave her husband and her kids because she believes that the marriage covenant is till death do us part”? 

Will they say,”Though she was in dire need, she never stole, lied or embezzled”? or will they say, “She is a liar and a thief”?

How will history remember you?

We have become so sensitized to sin- yes, I know we do not hear this word much nowadays- that we feel it ’normal’ , or even our right to do like the world does: have affairs, lie, steal, revenge, unforgiveness.

Just the other day, a born again Christian woman was trying to convince me that since her sister is a widow, it is her right to live with a man without marriage. “They are both consenting adults”, she said.When this comes from an unbeliever, I would understand it, but coming from a believer shocked me. “This is called fornication. It was never right and never will be”.”I don’t want to judge them”, she said. “Neither do I, but we need to call sin by its name. 

God has the door of repentance open for them. Jesus died for them. He will receive them with open arms when they repent. I am not judging them, but we need to call sin….SIN”. How will we be light and salt to the world if we act, think, speak  and look the same? 

Yet, we need to be careful not to turn into hypocritical pricks, into Pharisees, who judge others and accuse them, making us feel ‘holier than thou’.

 Jesus is our role model. He loved sinners, he attracted sinners, they felt comfortable around Him; they felt accepted; they knew that the door of forgiveness was open to them.Yet they knew where His stance was concerning sin. It is a fine line between a saint who attracts sinners to Christ, and a prick who drives others away from Jesus. 

Watching sin, should bring us to our knees, saying like Paul in Romans 9.1-3, "I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh”.

Oh Jesus, I pray today that you would give me YOUR eyes, YOUR heart, YOUR emotions, YOUR ears to see and hear and talk and feel to those around me.

I pray that You would always make me hear clearly and obey Your voice when you tell me 

Isaiah 30.21

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left

Divine Mentor: God's Will: By: Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: Job 16, Acts 21-23(Oct. 25)

Lately, I have been busier than ever.  All the things I do are good - and I have questioned myself - should I be doing all these good things?  Many times at the end of the day, I am exhausted.

I exhaust myself - thinking about everything I have to do.(this is totally relying on myself and not God)

These passages about Paul really spoke to me about God's Will for my life.
Paul's friends begged him not to go to Jerusalem.  They knew he would be in danger and possibly lose his life. Paul knew God's will for his life was to go to Jerusalem and he was obedient.

Paul is a great mentor to me:  Thru these verses, I learned lessons about God's Will for my life:

1.  What matters is God's will for me not what others think I should do.

2.  Spiritual focus is to be vertical.

3.  Spend time in the WORD and listen for the Lord to speak.

4.  To realize God's Will -- may not be what I want.

5.  Do not settle for merely knowing His Will - Do it, in His strength and for His 
     glory.

6.  Surrender to God's Will - be Obedient!

The Power of God - Ephesians 3:20 - by Debbie McGrath

June 7, 2013 
Today's Reading:
Eccl. 4-6,
Psalm 18
Ephesians 3

This verse that I have read many times but it really spoke to me today!!

S: Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.

Observation:  
Paul celebrates the power of God.  This verse is powerful!!!!
This verse tells me that God can do more than we ask.  God gives us His Spirit so we know what to ask for.  Because God is omnipotent, He can do more than we think, imagine or conceive in our minds.

Application:
I serve a big God and my prayers should be HUGE!!! I should expect more, ask for more, and I should be encouraged by what God has already done in my life.
When I look back on my life - God has already done way more than I ever dreamed!  Even though God has already done so much for me, I can still ask for more.  Having this knowledge - strengthens my faith!  

Prayer:  Today, I will pray bold prayers!!!
Today, I will ask God to do mighty things in my life!
Today, I will praise God for what He is going to do in my life!

Paul the Encourager

Today's Reading:  Numbers 7, Psalm 23, Acts 27

Paul the Encourager: by Debbie McGrath

Scripture that spoke to me: 
Acts 27:25 - So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God
 that it will happen just as he told me.

Observation:
Paul was a prisoner on a ship along with 276 other men. While on this journey, they spent 14 days in the middle of a northeaster.  For 14 days, they were in total darkness - no light of sun by day and no stars by night.  Everyone gave up hope of being saved except Paul. Paul was anchored in God's presence, he did not panic in the storm because he knew he belonged to God!! Paul, a mature Christian, could encourage others because he knew God was in control.

Application: 
If we are anchored in God's presence like Paul, no matter what is going on in our life - we should be able to encourage others.  Daily, we should encourage and comfort others because our hope is in Christ. A godly mature Christian is an encourager.  God has called Christians to be encouragers.
 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Encourage one another and build each other up.  By being an encourager, we can change someone's life.  Encouraging others is a ministry, it cost nothing and we have an unlimited arsenal of encouragement at our disposal.

Prayer:  
Dear Lord, today and everyday remind us to encourage everyone we come in contact with - giving them hope. Let us remember, a word of encouragement can change someone's life.

"To live is Christ and to die is gain." The Apostle Paul

Feb. 19 - 2013

Numbers 5, 6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

 Debbie McGrath

Title:  To live is Christ and to die is gain - The Apostle Paul

Scripture that spoke to me: Acts 26:24

At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense,

“You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted…

Observation: 

As Festus was listening to Paul’s testimony, he thought Paul was a nutcase!  Festus would never believe in the resurrection of a dead man.  Festus could not understand why anyone would choose a life that brought less pleasure but more suffering. We all know how Paul felt: - “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Those on the outside thought this was crazy.

Application: 

In the world we live in today, it is acceptable to be crazy over wealth, power, science, pleasure and athletics. But to be fervent about spiritual things is madness.  How I desire to live like Paul!!  His eyes were fixed on the eternal and not the temporary.  Paul and I have the same beliefs - but I have not carried my faith to its logical end like Paul.  I desire, to have a spiritual resemblance of Paul.  I am here for the purpose of reaching others, so that they will open their eyes and turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.  That is my high calling and privilege. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to worry about what people think – I would love for someone to say I am crazy about Jesus.  Remind me daily of who I am and who I am in Christ.  Give me the courage to speak the truth of the gospel to those who need to hear it so desperately. 

Paul a Great Mentor!

Feb. 12, 2013

Debbie McGrath

Today's Divine Mentor Reading:

Lev. 18, 19; Ps. 13 Acts. 19

Scripture that spoke to me:

Acts 19:11

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.

Observation:

Paul was speaking boldly and arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God in Ephesus, which was the center for black magic and occult practices.  Paul made tents, taught the Word, pastored, watched over God’s people, evangelized, planted churches and encouraged his new disciples.  What a servant of God! Paul was always expending himself for others. He could only keep up this pace thru prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Application:

We are called to live like Paul  - to abide in the Word and to serve the Lord even when we grow tired, weary and frustrated. Wherever we go, we must do our best to share the gospel with others. Serving the Lord is the total opposite of the world we live in - we live in a world of Me-ism and hedonism and leisure. God has called us to be His Servant – do die to self – from experience, this is the most rewarding life we can chose to live.  There is no greater joy than serving God and others.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for a mentor like Paul. Thank you that we serve you – an all-powerful God!  Help us to walk in your strength, not in our weakness.  Make us bold with truth, aggressive in our walk and generous with your love.