Yesterday I received this great email devotion from Rick Warren. It was so encouraging to know that God is planning great things for each of us… I wanted to share part this great devotion from Rick Warren:
God's Promises for You

The Bible has over 7,000 promises from God to you – promises of success, confidence, health, prosperity, strength, wisdom and more. Why does God make these promises?

Because he wants you to learn to trust him.

When you set a goal, don't focus on the problems, focus on the promises. Find a promise in God's Word that will take you to your goal.

This is what Abraham does when Eliezer, his servant, starts to worry about accomplishing the goal he is given. In today's verse, Abraham tells Eliezer about the promise he received from God: "He'll [God] send an angel before you so that you can find a wife there for my son" (Genesis 24:7b NCV).

You don't need an angel because dozens of time in Scripture God has said, "I'll be with you no matter where you go." God is always with you whether you feel it or not. You just need to plug into the power.

The size of your God determines the size of your goal. And godly goal-setting always starts with a promise of God. Don't look at your limitations; look at the promises of God.
Rick Warren

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The Temple
Feb. 8
Mark 11:15-19
The temple area Jesus entered was the only place non-Jews were allowed. It was the only place they could come for reflection and prayer; a place where they could find God. During this most sacred festival of Passover, what is it they found?
Jesus began to clear the area and in doing so, he challenged the Jews' sacrificial system, the means for them to come to God. This was the beginning of Jesus preparing the way into the presence of God for everyone.
Unless a person is holy – made clean and set apart for God – they cannot come into God's presence. The wrongs done must be accounted for and payment must be made to cover those wrongs. This was the purpose of the yearly Passover festival. Jesus was soon to become the Passover Lamb that would make the needed payment for all peoples everywhere for all time.
Have you been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus? Do others experience the presence of God through you? What in your life hinders someone from knowing God? Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you to be a vessel He can use so others will find their way to God.

Feb 9
Read Mark 11:12-14, 20-33
The middle-eastern fig trees bore two kinds of fruit, nodules which were abundant and good to eat followed by the figs. The nodules indicated life; without them the tree signaled diseased or even death. (p160)
Growth without fruit is not natural. The fig tree was a metaphor for the nation of Israel. Uselessness invites disaster. We need to live out our life in Christ. Profession of faith without practice is dead just like the fig tree.
Refresh your profession today through the prayer of faith. Talk to God about being a living testimony. Come to Him ready to accept His guidance. Prayer is never a mere formality or ritual without hope. When you ask, He hears and answers. Get ready to live a fruit-filled live.

The Feast
Feb. 11
Read Mark 12: 1-12
In this passage, Jesus is talking in allegory and parable. The listeners were well acquainted with the scene. The vineyard represents Israel. The people in Jesus' parable represent God the Father (the owner), the rulers (the cultivators), the prophets (servants) and Jesus (the son). Why does Jesus tell this story?
What do you learn about God your Father? Jesus knew He would soon die. He also knew that ultimately he would triumph over death. What do you learn about yourself? The privileges and responsibilities of faith have been passed on to us, the Gentiles. Are you fulfilling your duty in God's vineyard?

Feb 12
Read Mark 12: 18-27
The Sadducees were wealthy aristocrats who held only to the written scriptures. (They did not accept the oral law and traditions of the Pharisees.) Yet, they did not believe in immortality. Their question was designed to make the resurrection look ridiculous. Jesus responds that the life to come cannot be compared to what we know here.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has the heart of man conceived want God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor. 2:9) What are you expecting in heaven? How has your view been influenced by the world? Spend time reflecting on Jesus' words, " I am the God of the living, not the dead."

Feb. 13
Read Mark 12: 28-44
A teacher of the law who was listening to Jesus asked him which commandment was the most important. Jesus summed up the entire law by combining two commandments. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and second, love your neighbor as yourself."
The teacher was not challenging Jesus but genuinely wanting an honest answer. Do we come to Jesus with a desire to know the truth? Jesus' answer is – love! We cannot love unless we first know and respond to the love of God. It is His love that enables us to forget about ourselves and love Him wholeheartedly. When we love with our entire being – heart, soul, mind and strength, we love others. We follow Jesus' example and we sacrificially lay our lives down for others.
At MCC, our motto is to love God and to love people. How are you doing? Are you keeping the greatest commandment? Ask God to make you a radical lover of God and people.

Feb 14
Read Mark 13
A day is coming… the Day of the Lord. The Jewish people have never doubted that God would one day intervene in history on their behalf. That day would be followed by the new world, the new age, and the new glory. This chapter contains both prophecy and warnings. Destruction, persecution, and dangers will come. Does that strike terror within you?
Those who are wise are prepared and ready for the Day of the Lord. What does it mean to watch? Are you ready? We are told to be watchful, ready, and confident the Lord will return. For those who are ready, it will be a day of eternal joy!

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Prayer and Praise for our Worship Arts Community;

Ali Main – Give thanks and praise that her surgery went so well.
Sandy McKee – Prayer for the families of two RN's that took their lives from Bethesda North Hospital
Kim Reese- Transition of medicine for her children.
Julie Dickerson- Grandpa Ray is recovering from complications of liver cancer
Melanie Kuehner- Boss Brenda (2 years breast cancer survivor) is having surgery 2/15 on new issues found in tests.
Wanda Langdon – her daughter Tiffany is battling cancer and suffering with pneumonia.
Agnes Spurlock – her daughter Sherrie is back in the hospital (fighting cancer)
Pray for the upcoming fast starting Feb. 22.
Pray for the series and worship this weekend.
Pray for a safe return for our Missions trip from Nicaragua this evening.