Psalm 91:1-2 Where Do You Dwell? on this week's Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.4/26/2018  The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of April 23, 2018
Where Do You Dwell? Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Beloved, where do you dwell? Notice that I did not ask you, “Where do you live?” because for most of you I know that you live in San Antonio and other locations. But when I ask you, “Where do you dwell?” I am asking you where do you place your life and thoughts and concerns? “To dwell” can mean a couple of things. It can be the place where we live or it can be the place where we place our thoughts. It can be a place of happiness or one of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction. For many of us we dwell in the meditation of worry or in the narcissism of self-preservation. When trials hit we run to our fears and often allow them to overwhelm us. The Psalmist however asks us to consider another place to dwell. He tells us that we should be dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. The shelter of the Most High is an intimate place of divine protection. The use of “Most High” for God emphasizes that no threat can ever overpower Him. Therefore, when we dwell, when we place our thoughts and emotions on God, He will protect our thoughts and us. We must also remember to stay at that place of protection for the Psalmist says that we must “abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” To abide means to remain and to stay. We are to take our thoughts captive and return them to the One who cares for us most. We then can say that God is our, “refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Beloved, do not allow the trials of this life to pull you away from the Lord. Remain steadfast clinging to Jesus for your protection. There is no better place to be! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Christ, Pastor Joe
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 The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of April 16, 2018
Trusting God Through Difficult Times John 13:7, “Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Beloved, we studied this verse and others in John 13 yesterday as we focused on washing the feet of others. We learned that first we need to take a bath (be born again), have our feet washed (be cleansed from continual sin) and then we can wash the feet of others. It was a great study but there was one verse that really spoke to me, which was John 13:7. I understand that many of you and all of us from time to time struggle with the events, situations, and hardships that come into our lives. Some of you are struggling today. God is placing you and your family through the ringer and life seems out of control. I want to encourage you with John 13:7, “Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Beloved, the work that Jesus is working in you today whether it is through blessing or hardship has a purpose. We may not understand what God is doing and that is ok. We may question the manner in which God is working and that is ok as well. What we need to comprehend is that we can trust an unknown future to a known God. So how can we trust God through difficult times? (1) We need to surrender ourselves and all of our troubles to God. We can move from worry to worship by realizing that God is in control of every circumstance in our lives. We need to let Him be the Master of us and of everything in our lives. Once we stop trying to do things in our own strength, God will take over and lift us to new heights. (2) We need to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Our thoughts are extremely powerful and they can affect things like our mood, our attitude, and yes, even our actions. We can do this by committing to memory a favorite scripture. For example: Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (3) We need to ask God to give us patience. It’s a fact that God will come through for us at just the right moment. He’ll never fail us. We need to stay in prayer during this time because our faith will be tested. During our trial we can ask God for patience and help to trust that He knows what’s best for us. I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Jesus Name- Pastor Joe Luke 9:51-56 "Walk with a Purpose." on this week's Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.4/2/2018  The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of April 2, 2018
Walk With Purpose Luke 9:51-56, "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55But he turned and rebuked them. 56And they went on to another village.” Good Morning! Beloved, Jesus was on a mission to go to Jerusalem and finish what he had started! He knew that what lay ahead was the Cross but also the redemption of all who believe. Hence, He set face as flint and walked with purpose to fulfill what the Father had designated to Him. In like manner we also have a calling or a walk with God. Our walk consists of our relationship with the Lord and determining what God has called us to do in the time He has allotted for us here on earth. We, like Jesus, need to learn to walk worthy of the calling God has given us. Beloved, we are not to look to the right nor to the left but straight ahead into the glorious grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We are to walk with purpose, determined to finish what God has called us to do. On this walk people may not receive you and you may wish to rain down fire on them. Beloved, do not be tempted to be led astray by the affairs of this world- rather set your face as flint and walk straight ahead. 2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” We must also remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Jesus Strong Love, Pastor Joe |
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