Come To The Table

The Bible encourages you in several places to “love your enemy”. Easier said than done, isn’t it? Even today, in the Old Testament, long long ago – God is giving this same command. The Israelites were supposed to demonstrate this difficult aspect of love, setting them apart yet again from the world around them. Does that mean you need to as well? Pastor Mark tells you today that of course, it does...

As Pastor Mark continues to walk you through the laws God gave to Moses, you’ll see a theme emerging: God protects the vulnerable. Many of His commands had to do with this idea – caring for the widow and orphan, protecting women from unjust situations, and making provisions for those who have been wronged. It’s fascinating to see how again and again, God wants to show the love to each person that...

It’s easy to look at some of these bizarre laws in the Old Testament and wonder what God was thinking or wonder if He condones some of the things you learn elsewhere are sinful. But Pastor Mark has a different take on these odd topics, especially with how it relates to women. Pastor Mark reminds you that the people of Israel were living very much in the world of the Egyptians – absorbing and parti...

Are you worshipping God, or the religion that includes God? That may seem like an odd question, but Pastor Mark really wants you to examine your own heart today. If WHERE and HOW you worship the Lord is more important than the Lord Himself, then you may have a problem! Today, take a look deep inside yourself and really analyze why you do what you do when it comes to God and your involvement with H...

Some of the Ten Commandments seem pretty easy to follow. Don’t steal – check. Don’t murder someone else – check. Honor the Sabbath Day – well, most of the time, check. Honor your parents…well now we’re getting into some uncomfortable territory! Pastor Mark tackles this potentially awkward topic today by reminding you that there’s a difference between honoring your parents and liking them. You can...

Old Testament versus New Testament. God versus Jesus. Ten Commandments versus salvation through Christ. It’s easy to separate each of these things and even pit them against each other, picking a side and condoning the other. But as you’ll learn today through Pastor Mark’s study of the Ten Commandments, that’s not how the Lord works. It’s not one versus the other – both are true and relevant, alway...

Moses may have been naïve, but he’d learn – the Israelites would not be the easiest group to lead through the wilderness. It’s easy to shake your head at these rebellious chosen people…but really, we’re not much different. People today rebel just as quickly…we’re just not being written about in God’s Word! Instead of scoffing at the wayward Israelites, Pastor Mark will remind you today to learn fr...

If you’ve given your life to Christ, you belong to Him! You’re His – because He paid for you with His own blood. It’s the greatest act of love you can find – a sacrifice of self, for YOU! And that’s something that everyone deserves a chance to know today. Pastor Mark will share today about Moses and the Israelites preparing their hearts to follow God. They didn’t know the sacrificial act that Jesu...

If asked, how would you rank the various activities in your life by order of importance? Is work coming before family? Is God taking a backseat to everything else in your life? If all of that is reversed and you’re following God’s prescribed priority structure for your life, then great! Keep it up – it’s not always easy to do. For the rest of us, Pastor Mark will be emphasizing today the importanc...

Pastor Mark will take you on a quick recap of Moses’s journey on today’s edition of Come To The Table! He’ll remind you where Moses came from and what his first 40 years of life looked like. You’ll again follow Moses back into his time away from Egypt, another 40 years of learning and working, and beginning to discover his next steps in following the Lord. Pastor Mark will also remind you that wal...

God wants you to be free from the sin that’s holding you back. It doesn’t matter what it is, or how big – it’s what the Bible refers to as “flesh” – and it’s something that can be conquered! Today you’ll join Moses and the Israelites in a literal battle against a sinful nation, but Pastor Mark will share that it’s a picture of this war on flesh that every Christian needs to wage! When God opens yo...

Today the Israelites face a battle – they’re coming against a nation that doesn’t seem to care if this chosen nation lives or dies! The Israelites can’t move forward until they are defeated either – so a war ensues. Today Pastor Mark will talk with you about the people involved, and how this literal war paints a picture of the war each believer faces against the spiritual realm! As the Israelites...

When you want something to drink, you go in search of it. And when you find it, you quench your thirst. But as you know, that doesn’t last forever. You’ll be thirsty again, and you’ll continue to need refreshment. Today Pastor Mark will share of a spiritual thirst everyone has – and where you can find lasting and perfect refreshment! Jesus is the answer to what you’re seeking spiritually! He’s exa...

Ever been through a spiritual dry spell? It’s a time when you thought you had it all together – you’re following God, you’re reading the Word, but nothing seems to be happening. Pastor Mark will suggest some possible reasons for it today, but one of those might just be that God’s asking you to wait! The thing you’ll be waiting for is refreshment like you’ve never known – water that’s sweeter and m...

The idea of Sabbath isn’t one that’s easily accepted in today’s culture. Society says, “Work, work, work!” “Achieve! Don’t stop!” – and so rest tends to take a back seat. But that’s not how God designed us to function, and as you’ve likely observed, it’s not working well in your own life. So why not rest? Pastor Mark will talk today about the reasons God set up a Sabbath in the first place, and it...

The Word of God is filled with things to learn – characteristics of God, stories of His interaction with the world, ways to love other people, personal applications, and much more. But the only way to actually learn these things is to READ the Bible! Today Pastor Mark talks about the importance of daily time in Scripture – and he truly means DAILY. It’s the same idea as the Israelites gathering th...

Being rested and refreshed– sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? You may be imagining a vacation sitting on the beach, with no worries or obligations. Maybe sitting by the fire with a good book or just sleeping as late as you want and not bothering to set an alarm. But did you know that the GREATEST refreshment and rest are found in Jesus? Pastor Mark will explain that idea more today as you listen. The...

People come to Jesus from all walks of life – you may have learned about him at an early age, or you may be brand new to faith today. You may have a rocky back story, or maybe you were basically good but missing something…whatever your story, there’s been a change in your lifestyle! Pastor Mark will be addressing the goodness of God today. He’ll be reminding you where the Israelites have been and...

We’ve all got someone who just drives us up a wall – and I’ll bet someone just popped into your mind! Well, what Pastor Mark just said is true – God has placed the person or people in your life for a reason! It’s tough to think of it that way, isn’t it? You’d rather blame them for your bad mood or for circumstances not going right. It’s a heart condition we all must work on. Now, Pastor Mark’s not...

Again today, the book of Exodus points us to Jesus! The Israelites have come to a place of difficulty – they’re in an unknown place and have no idea where their next meal, or even drink, will come from! It’s a bitter place, filled with grumbling and worry – but God will turn it around, as you’ll discover today. And just like God fixes this place of bitterness, so too does Jesus fix our situations...

The Israelites have escaped Egypt. They’ve celebrated God’s incredible victory over their enemy, and now they’re heading to an incredible future – but first, they need to get there. And that journey quickly proves to be a test of faith. Today Pastor Mark will share how this nation, blessed as they were by the Lord, falls quickly into an attitude of despair. They forget what God has done and begin...

Everyone has times of difficulty in their life. Yours may not look like someone else’s, but it’s still significant. And it’s a chance for you to trust God. Pastor Mark will be sharing a difficult circumstance the Israelites find themselves in and how their reaction may not be one we want to copy. Yet even in their complaining, God comes through. When trials enter your life, is your first response...

The parallels between the Old and New Testaments continue today as Pastor Mark teaches from Exodus 15. God is leading His people, the Israelites, to a promised place. He’s sent someone to rescue them – Moses – and now is preparing a home for them, a land where their needs will be met, and they will thrive. What a beautiful picture of His plans for all of humanity! Pastor Mark will remind you of th...

Think right now about the moment you realized what Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection mean to you. It wiped away every sin in your life – EVERY sin. You got a blank slate, and a guarantee of future forgiveness. You get a home for eternity with Jesus. And you’re part of His family! You’re a son or daughter of the King of the Universe – and that comes with all kinds of blessing and inheritance. W...

When you give your life to Christ, a whole new world is opened up to you! You become a child of God, a son or daughter of the King of Heaven. With that comes promises and inheritance, and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach you. You have hope for eternity and a direct connection to supernatural help! It’s an incredible thing – but it’s ONLY for a believer. Pastor Mark share...