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SELAH Daily Devotional by Pastor Mark Evans

To Be or Not to BE

This is "THE" Question...

..we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.2 Corinthians 4:1

Probably the greatest obstacle to understanding God's purpose for the need of brokenness in our lives sometimes, is this: Most believers think of Christianity as something we do. We pray. We read the Bible. We go to church. We sing. We give money. We do and do-and assume that's the Christian life..... It's not.

Authentic Christianity Is About Becoming Rather Than Doing. 

The life of faith that God designed involves receiving Jesus into our hearts "and" allowing Him to change our habits, mindset, beliefs, interests, and concerns so we become more and more like Him.

Realizing this will change our perspective on the heartaches we sometimes must endure. You see, when we recognize that the Christian life is about Jesus' persistent work of "re-creation" in our lives, then the role of brokenness makes more sense. It's the process God uses to strip us of things that have become, or may one day become, an obstacle to our growth. The Lord also uses this tool to address issues we may have declared "off limits" to Him, such as unhealthy behaviors or relationships that we rationalize.

God doesn't want to be Lord of most of your life; He wants to be Lord of all of your life! So He zeroes in on areas of self-will and self-sufficiency to remove everything within us that relies on "self." He uses brokenness to remove those inclinations so that we can live moment by moment, day by day, in full dependence on Him.

Father In Heaven, Today I Open my heart, and ask You to reveal any selfish strongholds. Break in me any unhealthy behavior patterns...... Change Me; Mold Me; Make Me into who You "Need me BE" so that I can "Do What You need me to DO" ... In Jesus Name. ~Amen

SELAH - Pastor Mark Evans New Life, Trumbull CT

How to Beat the Odds
 
God Will Not Look You Over For Medals, Degrees, Or Diplomas, But For Scars. ~Hubbard
 
The Lord said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel boast about themselves against Me, saying, My own hand has delivered me. ~Judges 7:2
 
Have you ever felt backed up against a wall, with the odds stacked against you? In situations like that, Christians too often refuse to acknowledge an important truth. That is, they fail to recognize that God may actually be the one who is orchestrating their challenging circumstances.
 
You may think, No way. God protects me from such things. The world and Satan are doing this to me. Perhaps. Yet maybe, just maybe, God is trying to tell you something-and He first needs to get your attention.
 
Time and again in Scripture, we see that the Lord uses difficulties to build faith. It's easy to trust in Him when things are going our way. However, God often removes comforts and false securities from our lives to remind us that He is the true source of our strength.
 
Gideon was ready to lead a powerful militia of 32,000 men into battle against the enemy. However, the Lord stepped in three separate times, whittling the Israelite army down to less than one percent of its original size. We may have replied, "What? It's impossible to defeat enemy forces with just 300 men!" That's probably true; 300 men alone couldn't do it. But the Lord can-which is the lesson of Gideon...... (Read the whole story: Judges Chapter 7)
 
When the odds are not in your favor, don't think that God has abandoned you. Your friends, money, and success may disappear, but those won't win the battle anyway. Stand your ground and keep your eye on the Lord. With everything else stripped away, you'll be amazed at what your heavenly Father will achieve.
 
Father In Heaven; Well, It looks like it's Just YOU & ME.. Let's DO THIS!! ~Amen!

SELAH - Pastor Mark Evans

All About Viewpoint

 

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. ~Romans 8:28

 

Life is hard............. How often we forget that this is the way it is supposed to be. We push against the difficult circumstances in our lives instead of allowing them to work God's character in us. We act as if the good life is what we deserve.

 

Everything we are going through is for a purpose......... God does not waste any experiences on us; He uses everything. There are no qualifiers on this. It doesn't say everything except the stupid things we do, or everything except when we blow it, or everything except for our sin; it just says "everything." No exceptions.

 

The only reason this isn't always tremendously good news for us is the little clause: "according to His design & purpose for us." We forget that it is His purpose that is being worked out in our lives, and the only time this would be a problem is when His purpose is not necessarily ours. At issue here is who defines the success, fulfillment and purpose we are seeking-our culture or the Lord?

 

We get into trouble when we use our culture's definition of fulfillment/success and apply it to our understanding of God's purpose for our lives. We often assume God is blessing us when things are going great, and God is cursing us when things are going poorly when the opposite could very well be the case. God's hand and His love are hidden in the difficult things. We should actually be wary when things are "easy," for this world is not our home nor is it a place to seek the comforts of life. These are culturally defined, not spiritual.

 

The spiritual things in our lives have to do with what builds character in us, and these are most often the more difficult things...

So when things are going well for you or things are going poorly, the first things you should ask is "According to Whose Viewpoint?"

 

Father In Heaven; Help me to LIVE OUT .. let ME be full of joy now!.. and triumph in MY troubles and rejoice in MY sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character. And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. ~Romans 5:3-4 AMEN!

SELAH Pastor Mark Evans - LOVE

Love is The Greatest of These

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love."
~Mother Teresa

If I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ~
I Corinthians 13:2

Loving God and others is what life is really about. No matter who you are or what you do, it comes down to whether you'll live a life of love or not. And there is a vast difference between the two. One is priceless...and one is meaningless.

Love is the most important ingredient to any meaningful relationship. It is fundamental to true significance. Your quality of life is directly tied to the amount of love flowing in you and through you to others. Though it's often overlooked, love is infinitely more valuable than riches, fame, or honor. They will pass away, but love remains. You can be fulfilled without these, but not without love.

The absence of love leaves a devastating void. When it is not present, your spirituality becomes superficial, your benevolent deeds self-centered, and your sacrifices insincere. In any relationship where love is not your motivation, you can expect it to feel bland and unfulfilling - if not meaningless. When asked to identify life's greatest command, Jesus summed it up this way: to love God with all you are and to love your neighbor as yourself. Will you embrace a life of love?

Father In Heaven, Where Would I be without Your Love? Please Teach me what Real Love is and Make me a Loving Person. In Jesus name. ~Amen


Nancy V iPhone
God's Worshippers John 4:23-24

SELAH Pastor Mark Evans New Life, Trumbull CT

Choosing The Right Circle

To accept good advice is but to increase one's own ability.

But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.  

~2 Chronicles 10:8

Today's Thought   (from The Maxwell Leadership Bible)

Be careful what kind of inner circle you choose! King Rehoboam had the benefit of his father's inner circle, men who gave him wise counsel. But the foolish young king rejected their advice and instead looked for advice that agreed with his own opinion. Horrible move! He should have gone with a core team who possessed the qualities of a solid inner circle:

1.  Experience: People who have been down the road of life and understand it.

2. Heart for God: People who place God first and uphold His values.

3. Objectivity: People who see the pros and cons of the issues.

4. Love for people: People who love others and value them more than things.

5. Complementary gifts: People who bring diverse gifts to the relationship.

6. Loyalty to the leader: People who truly love and are concerned for the leader.

Father In Heaven, I want to have an inner circle that is good for me and pleases you!  I need your Help to identify those who should be a part of that.   In Jesus name. ~Amen


Nancy V iPhone
God's Worshippers John 4:23-24

SELAH Pastor Mark Evans

Monday!

Only Human Beings Can Alter Their Lives, Their Situation By Altering Their Attitudes Of Their Minds....

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. ~1 John 4:4

It's Monday! Someone wants to ruin your day! Maybe you!

I don't know why Monday's can be so difficult, but either me or someone near me will typically start off the day in a bad mood. If the weekend was really good, then it is more than likely going to be me.

Many times, however, it seems that this world is the reason for my lack of joy on Mondays. I look at the week's calendar that is full before it gets started. I realize I didn't finish last weeks "to do" list. People, want to know what we are doing next weekend already. And, don't forget, I have "obligations" to my church as well. I can tell this is not going to be a good week....can't wait until Friday.

Why do I allow myself to suffer this way? Don't I realize (don't you) that my life is worth more than this? I am an overcomer of the world! I am not some helpless, weak, meaningless structure of skin and bones that has no purpose in life.

I am a child of God! I was created in His image. I received the promise of eternal life in Heaven when I accepted Christ as my Savior. God has place within me His Holy Spirit as the helper in my time of need. I am not at the mercy of this world! I am in the tender loving care of the Creator of the Universe!

This world can't get me down on Monday or Tuesday or the rest of the week for that matter...if I will only rely on what has been invested in me; if I will live up to the hope of my calling!

My God is an awesome God, and He has positioned me to overcome the world!

Are you with me?

Let's be overcomers...today!

Father In heaven; Today I will Overcome "Me" .. My Negativity... My Disappointments... My Bad Attitude.. My Rotten Outlook!! I will Live Up to the Hope of my calling in Jesus Name... AMEN


Nancy V iPhone
God's Worshippers John 4:23-24

Devotional

Here's Today's Devotional from The Vine...

Martha Going To Jesus

Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. - John 11:20

When Jesus arrived at the home in Bethany home that day, He had never been so welcome. It is the same in any believers home, even in those where He is most loved. Christ is never so dear and precious to us than when we are in trouble. Our need reveals His importance to us. Many people who do not think twice to seek the company of Christian friends when things are going well are often quick to seek them out when hard times come calling. This was not Martha's way, however; she had welcomed Christ to her home in the happy days when there was no sorrow, and that was what made His arrival such a blessing to her now.

We get this lesson - that the only true preparation for trial is personal intimate relationship with Christ. If we never turn to the Bible for comfort until some great grief is upon us, it will not give us much light; but if we have it when things are going well, and its words are hung up then like lamps in the rooms of our heart, when it grows dark the light will shine out and change night into day.

Some people do not think when they are moving along in joy and gladness, that they need Christ; but eventually it grows dark in some path of sorrow, and then they learn the blessing of having Christ beforehand. If they have Him in their hearts, they find themselves surrounded by light. If they don't have Him, their gloom turns to despair.

Apply This To Your Life Today... Delelop a regular practice of prayer so that when the hard times come it won't seem like something strange to seek God's attention.

With love in Christ,
Nancy V iPhone
God's Worshippers John 4:23-24

SELAH - Pastor Mark Evans of New Life Trumbull, CT A.G.

Know Your Bible
 
Someone once said that there are three classes of people in the world today: those who are afraid; those who do not know enough to be afraid; and those who know their Bibles.
 
Fear may be an appropriate reaction to certain circumstances. It's the "fight or flight" emotion that gives wings to our feet and strength to our fists.
 
But at other times, the crippling "we might as well lie down and die" outlook is devastating.
God knew His people would experience times of great fear. He inspired the prophet Isaiah to write these words of encouragement: Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. ~Isaiah 41:10
 
Don't be afraid. Why? "I am with you." God's presence is always with you, the source of your hope.
 
Don't be depressed. Why? "I am your God." Your God. Not only do you belong to Him, but He belongs to you.
 
Don't feel weak. Why? "I will strengthen you." He is the ultimate power source.
 
Don't feel lost. Why? "I will help you." He is your guidance.
 
Don't give up. Why? "I will uphold you." He is the Rock for you to stand on.
 
When you add it all up, there's no reason to fear. God is with us. Who in the universe can come against Him and win?
 
Fear cannot stand against the Word of God.
 
Father in Heaven, Thank you for Presence, your Strength, and your Guidance. Help remember Today that according to your Word, I have NOTHING to fear. In Jesus name. ~Amen.

SELAH - Daily Devotional Pastor Mark Evans NewLife Trumbull, CT

Action

Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. ~Ecclesiastes 5:3

Perhaps there is something you've been talking about doing, thinking about doing, even daydreaming about doing. Perhaps it's time to make a move!

Whether your dream is related to your work, relationships, finances, health or spiritual life, it will only come to life when you take action! So what is it time for you to take action on?

Your Work

- Is it time to change jobs? Change careers? Change your attitude about work? Ask for a raise? Launch your own business? Take your existing business to a new level?

Your Relationships

- Is it time to move past fears or past heartbreaks so that you are healthy and ready for love in your life? Is it time to forgive a family member or friend against whom you've been holding a grudge? Is it time to carve out more time for the people you love? Is there a conversation that's long overdue?

Your Finances

- Is it time to stop using those credit cards that you don't pay in full every month? Is it time to set up an automatic debit from your checking into an investment account so that you can finally bring your savings goals to life this year? Is it time to start Tithing? Is it time to stop spending money to impress others?

Your Health

- Is it finally time to get serious about exercising consistently? Or is it time to cut back on the sugar or fried foods, or add more vegetables to your diet? (Yuck!) Is this the time to finally Break that addictive habit or behavior that is not glorifying to God and poses serious health risks?

Your Spiritual Life

- Is it time to trust God in a particular situation or area of your life? Do you finally need to start attending (Regularly) a "church home" that nourishes you in the way that you need to be nourished? Is it time to get serious about studying God's Word?

Whatever it's finally time for you to do, make a decision this week to do it. It's time to make a shift and recognize that the time has come for a change.

Action Is The Antidote To Despair.

Your dreams can come true, but your job is to take action! It begins with a decision and continues with each step you take forward.

It is essential not to begin by overwhelming yourself with multiple, large changes and goals. Get clear about what's most important and focus your actions on it.

My challenge to you this week:

Identify the "thing" that it is finally time for you to do. Then take action!

Questions To Ask Yourself:

What has kept me from taking action on this particular circumstance or issue in the past? What will I need to do differently to make it easier for me to accomplish my goal? What is my goal in this area for last quarter of 2011?

Father In Heaven; Forgive my Procrastination. Help me to Get Organized and Motivated. I want to Be all that I can Be. I want to Do all You need me to Do. I will become a Person of Action! Today! In Jesus Name. ~ Amen.

 
           
 
  

SELAH - Pause & Meditate

SELAH - Pause & Meditate
Pastor Mark Evans, New Life A.G., Trumbull, CT

Do I look like a Quitter?

Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul....
 
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done. ~2 SAMUEL 10:12
 
In 1902, a 28-year-old aspiring poet received a rejection slip from the editor of the prestigious Atlantic Monthly. Returned with a batch of poems he'd submitted was this curt note: 'Not one worthy of publishing.' That poet's name was Robert Frost.
 
In 1905, the University of Bern turned down a dissertation by a young Ph.D., calling it 'fanciful and irrelevant.' The name of that physics student was Albert Einstein.
 
In 1894, a 16-year-old boy found this note from his speech teacher in Harrow, England, attached to his report: 'Hopeless-seems incapable of progress.' That boy's name was Winston Churchill.
 
There's a message here for you. Even when others offer you no hope or encouragement, refuse to quit!
 
Listen to the words of Joab, who led King David's army: Be courageous! Let us fight bravely... May the Lord's will be done. ~2 SAMUEL 10:12
 
Joab knew that as long as you stay on the battlefield, God can give you victory. But if you quit, what more can He do for you? Never give up when you know you're right!
 
Believe that all things work together for good if you just persevere. Don't let the odds discourage you; God's bigger than all of them! Refuse to let anybody intimidate you, or deter you from your goals!
 
Fight and overcome every limitation! Remember, every winner, every one of them faced defeat and adversity; and you're no different!
 
Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit....
 
Father In heaven; I will NOT Give Up; I will NOT Give In; Today my Victory starts! This is MY MONDAY! THIS IS MY WEEK! This is My HOUR! .... I will not be Discouraged or Disillusioned.. or Distracted from the Prize.. Victory will be mine through Prayer, perseverance & Persistence! In Jesus name! ~Amen.