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Proverbs 1:2-7
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. 5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Commentary: In the Old Testament you will find the book of proverbs and it is full of useful teaching on how we should live. Just look at the 3rd verse where it says that it will teach us to live disciplined and successful lives. In verse 6 there is a key to all Bible study. It says “By Exploring the meaning…” As you read scripture slow down and explore the meaning of what each verse or story is saying so that The Holy Spirit can show you what He wants you to get out of it. Prayer: (Here is an example of praying with key pieces of scripture.) Father God, give me insight, knowledge and discernment. Help me to become wiser and guide me. – Amen Tip: What are you going to do for yourself this weekend? I would love to hear from you. Take a few minutes and email me back to let me know how you are doing. Love, Max
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You are free.
Ephesians 1:7-11 Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Commentary: Do you feel free? Sometimes we all need to get reminded of what the scriptures say about us. Here in Ephesians God's Word tells up we are free of penalties and punishments. Abundantly free! Through Jesus, God had a long range plan and you are part of that plan. As we learn more and more about Jesus we discover more about who we are and what we should be living for. Prayer: Thank you God that I am saved, I am safe, and I am free. Help me to walk in this freedom. I want to know more and more about your plan for my life. - Amen. Much Love, Max John 14:25-27
The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. Commentary: Jesus said He will give you The Holy Spirit and He will help you to understand everything Jesus taught. The key is to know what Jesus taught. When you read the 4 gospels over and over you will continue to gain wisdom that is essential to living your best life. The evangelist Billy Graham read the entire Bible once a year. But He read the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) every week. He had the words and teachings of Jesus fresh in his mind. Think about how easy it would be for the Holy Spirit to make everything clear to him as he was trying to help the thousands of people he ministered to each year! Prayer: Holy Spirit, I want to have the same level of understanding of the Gospels as the great men and women of faith that I have heard about. Teach me how to act. How to react. How to be a blessing to anyone that needs your help. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Amen. Tip: If you don't feel like you have the gift of the Holy Spirit than it is time to seek that gift. Read Acts chapter 1 to see where Jesus talked about sending the Holy Spirit. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts1&version=NLT Read Acts chapter 2 and you will learn about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NLT Acts 10:44-46 is where the Holy Spirit was is given to the gentiles. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10&version=NLT Such good stuff. Much Love, Max You are a conqueror! You may have had set backs but you are not going to be defeated!
Romans 8:31 (Msg) With God on our side like this, how can we lose? He One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Commentary: God is on your side. Nothing can separate you from Him. During this 40 days of renewal our main goal is for God to Renew Your Strength. You are re-connecting with Him through his Word and with Prayer each day. Everything else is a bonus. Eating healthy, exercising, getting good sleep and making time to enjoy the things that fill you up are great. But the main thing is the main thing. Your personal relationship with God. Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for giving your life for me. The past 15 days I have been re-connecting with you more and more. Help me to grow stronger in my understanding of our relationship over the next 25 days. Renew my strength. Spiritually, emotionally and physically. - Amen. Tip: Find a worship song or two that you really get inspired by. Play it over and over this week. Get the truth that is being sung into your spirit. God can use things like this to help fuel you and elevate you into a higher walk with Him. Here are some that I suggest. It's A New Season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDUrIVGak-A Saved (Bob Dylan wrote this) DD and I flew to Florida to the Brownsville Revival 20 years ago. Around 2.5 million people visited that church. It was incredible. They had service almost every night for 5 years! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcjuC016c68 Oceans: This is from the Hillsong N.Y.C. Conference. Some of us were there. So powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vKSR_4sucY Spirit Move: Such a powerful song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-wvSGOJA_c Chain Breaker: If this doesn't move you when you watch it then please book a counseling session with me. I will bring my stethoscope to make sure you have a heartbeat. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WtV1XtqsW0 I could keep going. There are so many powerful songs. But this should get you started. Love, Max Psalm 1:1-3
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Commentary: You can be strong and prosper each season of your life. To do this we draw strength and wisdom from God's Word each day, just like a tree feeds from the river. Want to have more joy in your life? Make a decision today to start taking delight in your time each day in God's Word. Prayer: Holy Spirit teach me your ways. Give me fresh understanding and strength the next time and every time I open your Word. -Amen Tip: We are about to start a new week. Time to re-focus on Rest, Exercise, Good Nutrition, Educating yourself by reading your Bible and enjoying the things that bless and refresh you. (Wellness.) Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Commentary: When I help someone, (good deeds) two people are impacted. The person we help is blessed, and we are blessed. Your light is meant to shine. Psalm 94:19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. God will use you to be a blessing for those who's mind is filled with doubts. Try increasing your focus to renewing others as you renew yourself. Acts 20:35 I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Prayer: Father God, Thank you for giving me Your light. Help me to shine bright so that you will be glorified and people will be blessed. I want to give more than I receive. - Amen Jesus said in John 8:36 If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
2nd Corinthians 3:16-18 Whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Commentary: Freedom is something I think about often. I can recall every time I have visited someone who was locked up. No matter how many times I have gone to prisons and jails the feeling of walking to my car after the visit is over still feels incredibly intense. Knowing that the people I just saw cannot leave, and I can, is humbling. Jesus wants us to walk in the freedom He purchased for us. Do you feel free? Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the freedom you have given me. I am sorry that sometimes I haven't walked in that freedom concerning my own health and wellness. This weekend I am going to meditate on my freedom from sin and my freedom from being controlled by anything that is not Your Spirit. I will choice healthy thoughts, living fresh food, and fully trust you with everything when I go to sleep. - Amen. Tip: The prayers I write are simple, short and flow right out of my heart as I write them. Try thanking God throughout your day for your freedom. Start by thanking Him right when you wake up for a new day. Keep it simple. Hope you have a very nice Memorial Day Weekend. If you are traveling don't miss the opportunity to visit a new church. It's so fun to see how other churches operate. Love, Max I read something today that I totally agree with -
"Beauty is being the best possible version on yourself." - Audrey Hepburn Psalm 134:14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous In the Message version it says, " Body and soul, I am marvelously made! Commentary: If you have been hard on yourself. Tearing yourself down. Today is the day you stop doing that. Keep speaking Psalm 134:14 over yourself. To me beauty is much more than what is on the surface. It is what is on the inside of you. Choose to be the best version of yourself. I think we all need a sign in our home that says, Body and soul, I am marvelously made! Prayer: Father God, thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. I am grateful for my life. Help me to appreciate who I am on the inside and the outside. - Amen. Tip: The weekend is almost here. Do you have a Sabbath planned? On Day 5 I mentioned The Sabbath. It is important for your health. Spiritual and Physical. Take time this weekend to thank God for the marvelous work He did in creating you. Show Him gratitude by following His instructions and only working 6 days. The 7th day is for rest. Much Love, Max Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. Commentary:If you get to the place in your heart and your mind that you agree with verse 1 of Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need), you will have reach a level of maturity that most people never attain. In verse 2 & 3 He talks about rest and renewal. With total trust and faith comes rest and renewal. The second part of Psalm 23:3 says, He guides me along right paths. Trust + Faith = Rest and Renewal and that helps us to hear and do the right things God has planned for us. No trust + no faith = exhaustion and weakness. That leads to hearing and doing the wrong things. More on the rest of Pslam 23 another day. This is plenty to meditate on for today. Prayer: God help me to have the kind of trust and faith that the psalmist has in Psalm 23. I want to be completely satisfied. Give me rest and renew my strength. - Amen. Tip: Tonight when you get ready to go to sleep, pray for total trust in God. Let go of every worry and put your faith in Him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. Commentary: What you do today effects your future. Think about some of the decisions you made recently. Do they bring you life? Are they resulting in you reaping the rewards of blessings? Here in the book of Deuteronomy you will find much wisdom for your life. You will also see that the way you live your life will effect your loved ones. The key is to define who you are and what you do. Then define who you are not and what you do not do. We do this by basing all of our decisions on God's Word and committing our life to Him. Prayer: Dear God. Help me to define myself by your Word and your Spirit. Show me how to live and how not to live. I want to be healthy and strong both mentally, physically and spiritually. - Amen. Have a great rest of your day. Love, Max |
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Elevation Chapel
Pastor Max Marcoux
150 Lowell Avenue
Newtonville, MA 02460
elevateyourlife@gmail.com
617-447-5077
Pastor Max Marcoux
150 Lowell Avenue
Newtonville, MA 02460
elevateyourlife@gmail.com
617-447-5077