Pastor Marcus Mecum's Blog

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

Lets really focus on verse 11, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time”.

Verse 1, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”. To everything in life there are phases and seasons.  If you don’t understand that, you’re going to be a disappointed person, and a confused person.  You’ll give up on the plan of God for your life, if you don’t understand God moves in phases.

There are four seasons to every aspect of your life: there’s winter, spring, summer, and there’s fall or harvest.  Life is composed of seasons, and it’s important for us to understand this.  The Lord really dealt with my heart about this Scripture because if you don’t understand the seasons of life you’ll prematurely give up.  The urge to quit on the promise and purpose of God for your life increases dramatically when it doesn’t seem like anything is visibly happening in your life.

Don’t panic when every thing seems lifeless.  Don’t panic when the birds are not singing.  Don’t panic when the harvest is not coming in.

I want you to apply this to your business.  I want you to apply this to your marriage.  I want you to apply this to your calling, to your ministry.  There are seasons in every area of life that seem fruitless, negative, and unproductive.  There is tremendous potential in these times because God shows His faithfulness to you even when you’re really not faithful to Him.

It’s in the winter time when you just feel like giving up on it all.  It’s in the winter time that His ministry keeps you alive, not your ministry keeping Him alive!!  In the summer time it’s easy to praise because all kinds of wonderful things are happening to you.  It’s the times God is keeping you alive spiritually by His power  that brings in you another level of understanding the faithfulness of God.

Everything is beautiful in His timing!!!!

my apologies for not making prayer saturday 10a.

Fasting Thought

I was asked by someone who commented to keep this coming beyond the fast.  I think it would be a good resource for our church.  I will continue to post at least a couple challenges of the day every week.  I think I’ll be more strategic in providing things to study surrounding a series we’re in thou.  There will be no rhyme or reason to which days I choose to post.  The best way to not have to keep looking throughout the day or week for the blog is subscribe or follow me on twitter where I’ll always send a reminder out for this blog.  I will also tweet random thoughts & quotes that I hope will encourage everyone.

Prayer – Talking to God

Use Psalm 91 the entire chapter for todays prayer pattern.  Use each verse as a guide.  Amen!

Bible Reading – God talking to us

Read the book of Romans.  Its a great book.  If you haven’t kept up no worries just pick up where you left off.  I’m finding this personally very difficult as well.

Memory Verse – Remembering what God said

“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Action Idea – Doing what God says

Not saying church is a commandment but would love to see you tonight.

Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together

Saturday 10a corporate prayer I want to have a prayer walk.  We’re going to open up all the classrooms and we’re are going to loose everyone to pray over every possible area of our church.  Walk our property and declare and dedicate Gods house as a space for grace.

Fasting thought

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen?… That you break every yoke.” Isaiah 58:6

God promises that fasting can break self-destructive habits.  We are not born with mental or emotional habits. They are acquired as we grow.  A habit is defined as a behavior pattern formed by frequent repetition and can be reflected in regular or increased performance. Life is a choice, choose to overcome negative behavior patterns.  If you struggle with depression fast from the negative thoughts and activities that take you to a dark place.  You can do this not overnight but one day at a time.  You can begin to thank God for a renewed mind, life, light, and laughter.

Prayer – Talking to God

Use Isaiah 58:6-9 as your prayer pattern for the day.  Take each verse and pray as you’re led.

Bible Reading – God Talking to us

Acts read the whole book today.  I know this is a little much so do what you can but reading entire books in the Bible in one setting or within a day can refresh your spirit. This will take a solid hour. Again just do what you can.

Memory Verse – Remembering what God said

Go back over the last two weeks and write down the memory verses on a piece of paper and slip them in your Bible.  Read over them before you pray.  In time you will have hidden them in your heart.

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Action Idea – Doing what God said

Write down some of your friends or family members names that you know are not right with God. Commit to target them in prayer this year.  Your prayers will reach them before anything else.

Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together

I would like to end the fast with corporate prayer.  I have something special in mind that I’ll explain over the week.  It’s on saturday at 10a, we are going to have a major time of prayer.  I want everyone that can to be there.

Fasting Thought

Fasting is abstaining for a spiritual purpose.  What purpose?  To deprive yourself of something you love, and to move the hand of God and pursue something you don’t have.  What do you want to see God do in your life this year?  Are you willing to push your plate back & push the pause button on life as normal to receive it?  Fast on purpose!

Prayer – Talking to God

Prayer pattern to use is Philippians 4:4-9.  Starts with praise and ends with peace!  The way our time with God should always be.

Bible Reading – God talking to us

John chapters 5 – 21 its an easy read around 12 pages.  Great job if you finished the gospels thats a really incredible accomplishment.

Memory Verse – Remembering what God says

“No one can say that Jesus Christ is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 12:3 (paraphrased)

Action Idea – Doing what God says

Go to website and find a connect group!  Life is better together!

Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together

Again if you can make it I would love to see you at 10a prayer on Saturday.  See you in the morning!

Fasting Thought

Sunday is the 14 day mark for many of you.  I’m done officially tonight but I’m going to keep going for a little while.  My point is the last week goes by really fast and you start wandering did I really seek God like I should.  If you pulled back keep going, you’ll be glad you did.

Prayer – Talking to God

John 17:6-26 is our prayer pattern for the day.  This has been said to be the only prayer Jesus ever prayed that has yet to come to pass.  It’s a prayer about many things but its primary focus is for the body of Christ to be in unity.  Pray each verse as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Bible Reading – God talking to us

Luke chapters 21- 24 & John chapters 1 – 5 when we finish reading John we’re about half way done.  It starts moving a little quicker from here.

Memory Verse – Remembering what God says

“But for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Action Idea – Doing what God says

Thanks for the ideas.  I like the being thankful idea!  Nothing like not eating like you normally would to make you thankful for things we take for granted.

Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together

I missed out on last saturday prayer because of something I had to take care of.  I plan on being at saturday prayer at 10 am.  Would love for you to make it if you can.

update

If I miss a day give me grace.  Read ahead if you can or take a break and we’ll finish the New Testament together.  I’m not trying to be polished,  trying in a real raw way to help keep the focus of your fast on the right things.   Thanks

Fasting Thought

Throughout history, God has had a place where He meets with His people.  Although this place is no longer limited like at times in history to a specific geographical spot, the place may be, identified by assembling, fellowshiping and seeking His presence.  Today we seek to gather in a place where God dwells among His people, the Church.  The Church isn’t a building or a denomination it’s an assembly of people where Jesus Christ dwells in their midst. (Matthew 18:20)  There is strength in gathering!  During this fast I encourage you to increase being at church as often as your schedule allows when we have a service.  No pressure to feel shame if you can’t make it, I just know this will help you greatly at all times, but especially during the fast.

Prayer – Talking to God

Today I’m going to push you a little more.  Partly because I’m in a hurry but also because I’m hoping to help you have confidence concerning The Word of God and prayer.  I want you to grab your Bible and turn to Ephesians 1:15-23.  It’s a prayer for spiritual wisdom.  Take one verse at a time and meditate and pray as you sense the scripture is directing.  This is one of my favorite prayer patterns.  There is so much to it so don’t worry if you meditate more than you talk.  Prayer is not just talking, it’s listening, thinking, and dreaming.

Bible Reading – God Talking to us

Read Luke chapters 11 – 20 if you’re trying to read the New Testament.  I’ve kicked the 21 day pressure to the curb.  Let’s just read it together if you can keep up – SWEET, if not just make it your goal to finish 1 book or 2.  If Matthew is too much find Jude it’s one page and go after it.  You can climb the staircase without seeing the top just take it one step at a time.  Staying flexible and agile are a big key in life.  The goal is set don’t beat yourself up over the journey.  When you stop enjoying it because of self-imposed pressure you need to look again at what & why you’re doing this in the first place.  Happy Reading!

Memory Verse – Remembering what God said

“I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”  Philippians 3:13

Action idea – Doing what God says

Thanks for the ideas,  I’m going with Heather today.  Pray with someone not for someone, if they mention a major issue ask them if it’s O.K. to pray.  If you know of someone who has a need and you can’t talk to them directly, write them a written prayer.  Love it, keep the ideas coming!

Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together

Be at church tonight! Cold and rain excuse is for light weights!  Oh yea, its salsa night as we receive new members too!

Sorry about falling behind I had a crazy weekend.  I will post a new blog by monday around noon. I’ll give you some catch up tips. Thanks for understanding! Much Love Marcus