In this devotional monologue, M.t. Clark shares a personal update on his recent Freedom in Christ ministry work, including leading eight men through individual appointments, supporting the Celebrate Freedom group at Starpoint Church, attending Peter Markovich’s Way of Escape course, an Advanced Encouragers Practicum, and preparing to support a new men’s ministry. He reflects on the joy of serving, the need for continual discipleship, and the importance of a non‑boring Christian life lived in the Spirit. Clark meditates on Psalm 23:4, offering comfort for those facing death and darkness, and presents a devotional excerpt from Stephen F. Alford on John 10:41, emphasizing testimony over miracles. He confesses his past selfishness, expresses a desire to be known only for speaking about Jesus, and urges listeners to pursue the fruit of the Spirit. The message concludes with an invitation to visit mtforchrist.org, follow him on social media, and a heartfelt prayer for the listeners’ spiritual growth and God’s guidance.
Chapters
To see today's photo, go to mt4christ.org or follow me, M.t. Clark, on Facebook or Twitter. Good morning! Today's photo of an outcropping of rock, green treetops, and blue skies comes to us from an unknown Facebook friend who shared this scene on social media on or around June 5th, 2021. If this emerging photo is yours, give me a heads up and I'll update the blog to to photo credit you after the fact. Well, it's Friday, thank God, and there is nothing quite like hiking up a mountain or hilly trail and reaching the place where you can finally see that you have made it to the top. You have arrived. And that's how I feel this morning as I completed the last scheduled Freedom appointment for the free— the online Freedom in Christ course that had had its last meeting last week. I was blessed to lead 8 men through the Steps to Freedom in Christ in individual appointments this season, and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the body of Christ in this ministry of reconciliation. There is nothing quite like coming alongside others as they seek to be set free of the burdens of the past and to experience their freedom in Christ. And as demanding as my schedule can be during quote-unquote "freedom season," I can't think of a better use of my time. But, with that said, part of the joy I have this morning also comes from being able to say "it is finished," as I can take a moment to relish a job well done and go into my vacation this week to rest and spend some quiet time with the Lord. However, I should be clear that I'm not done. This path of Christian discipleship doesn't end. And my ministry will continue as the Celebrate Freedom support group at Starpoint Church is continuous, meeting on Wednesday nights. And I'm attending Peter Markovich's Way of Escape Freedom in Christ course on Tuesday evenings throughout June. And I'm attending an online Advanced Encouragers Practicum tonight and tomorrow. And I have agreed to attend and support Scott Salvador's new men's ministry at Starpoint Church that will be starting in May. Monday nights. And somewhere in the next few weeks or months, I have plans on finishing my training with Deeper Walks, uh, School of Prayer Ministry. My cup is full and running over with opportunities to serve and to be further equipped to serve God's kingdom, and I'll be on the lookout for whatever other opportunities that the Holy Spirit guides me into. Christian life should never be boring, as we are called to live in God's presence and to to do the good works that He has prepared for us to walk into. What good works? That's for us to find out and walk into when we walk in the Spirit. So as happy as I am to have a measure of rest this weekend and next week on vacation, uh, let me encourage you to do something that will bring you closer to God as you seek to grow into the person He created you to be and to fill— and to fulfill His purpose for your life. A life of walking in the Spirit is a thrilling adventure, but you have to be intentional about picking up your cross and following Jesus, um, where the work is just as likely to be about changing you as it is about helping others as we serve the Lord. We call that a win-win-win situation because we are victorious in Christ. So celebrate the weekend after work today, but Also celebrate the relationship you have with the living God through your faith in Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the freedom and purpose that God freely gives to those who seek him. Today's Bible verse comes to us from the Quick Scripture for Counseling Reference Guide by, um, or actually it doesn't say guide, it's just a Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling by John G. Kruis. This morning's meditation verse comes from the section on death Death and Eternal Life. And today's verse is Psalm 23:4, which says, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Today's verse falls under the first point of our Counseling Reference Guide's resource section on death and eternal life. And that first one, uh, first point is you can face death without fear. Today's verse is the call to courage and faith that has been spoken and prayed by many Christians who have faced challenges, trials, tribulations, and who have suffered loss and who face death. Though we walk through dark times of darkness and death, we are given courage and peace when we remember that the Lord is there to comfort, guide, protect, and correct us as we seek his way through the pain and fear. When we draw close to God, he draws close to us, for he is near to the brokenhearted and gives strength to the weary. So keep on walking and talking with God, brothers and sisters, for he is with us and he will see us through, even through the valley of the shadow of death. As always, I invite all to go to mtforchrist.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. Today we continue sharing from According to Your Word: Morning and Evening Through the New Testament by Stephen F. Allford. And, uh, Allford's devotional directs us to read a chapter of the New Testament, uh, in the morning and the evening. Today's chapter is chapter 10 from the Book of John. And from the Book of John, he shares chapter 10, he shares verse 41, which says, John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this man were true. And Stephen Alford writes, what a testimony to covet. In the light of this one verse, it is clear that John the Baptist was not known By miracles, that which can be seen with the natural eye or superhuman outward manifestation. By the supremacy of self, for he spoke of another, but he was known by his testimony concerning the Lord Jesus. Notice, all the things that John spoke about this man were true. He shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:27. He was a true and faithful witness. And Alfred ends by praying, May I be known only by what I have to say concerning you, O Lord. Amen. Amen. Yeah, um, my ministry is to point you to Jesus, um, not what I do, although I did talk about all these ministries I do. It's I'm pretty prideful about that, but it has to do with my relationship with the Lord. So, and it's an encouragement that you should do likewise. There's not enough people serving the body of Christ and who's living the empowered life of walking in the Spirit to, you know, basically make their life purpose to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to follow and proclaim the goodness of God. And so that's what we do here. Through all the different ministries we do. They're all the same vein, you know, to proclaim our freedom in Christ. We get salvation, we get free, we repent, and we serve the Lord. That's what our new life's purpose in Christ is supposed to be. And in that, you have great peace because you're doing what you're created to do, to give glory to God. And may I be known only by what I have to say about Jesus. I really don't want to be remembered for the things I did before I came to Christ because they're pretty bad, pretty selfish. I mean, granted, I don't think everything I did was bad, but I know myself in the darkness I lived in, even though I didn't try to hide, you know, I didn't try to show it to the world. I know my testimony. And I was pretty selfish. I tried to be a decent person, I guess, by working a regular job and raising a family, and with mixed results on both. But I am trying to be faithful to follow the Lord now. And I repent of my old ways and point people to the new path that leads to the fruit of the Spirit: joy, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, love, patience, and self-control. And they all develop in your life when you answer the call to follow God's will for your life. So thank God it's Friday, and thank God he's brought us into the kingdom. And let's pray. Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank you for another day in your kingdom. Lord, we thank you so much for the life you've given us in Christ and the purpose you've given us in the body of Christ to encourage others to follow you. Um, just call me a signpost for Jesus because that's all I want to do is point people to you. And Lord, we pray for anyone who's listening or reading today's message that you'd come alongside them and their prayer requests and bless them and encourage them in their walk of faith, Lord. And as always, we pray for you to go before us today Open our eyes to the things you want us to see and lead us in the way we should go. Because all we want to do is represent you and your kingdom here on earth, Lord, to the best of our abilities. And, uh, we're not very good at it, so we need your help. Please help us, God. Lord, we thank you, we praise you, we love you, and we pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
