Will you consider taking up the Hebrews 11:6 Challenge in 2023?

About the Book: 

The spark that ignited the writing of HE IS! is Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). Will you consider beginning the Hebrews 11:6 adventure? In his deepest trials of life, Mark embarks on a quest to know God more fully and intimately through prayerful meditation on the Scriptures. He confesses that he has been a part of three main groups in this world: those who deny that God exists, those who don’t know if there is a God, and those who believe in God. Each meditation includes reflection questions that ask readers to consider topics such as whether they find comfort in sometimes not understanding God, how they feel about awesome truths regarding God, and how knowing a particular attribute of God might change the way they think and act. Ignite your faith, learn more about who God is, and help spread the Word with this book of devotional meditation by inviting others to join you in a group study. 

Awards:

American Writing Awards 2022 Finalist in the Religion Category 

About the Author:

Mark R. Worden is a lifelong learner and a student of God’s Word. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bible and Teaching Bible. He has served as youth pastor, missionary, and teacher at a Bible institute in Manaus, Brazil, and pastored a local Montana church for six years. Along with being a licensed property manager, he is a self-employed handyman, and enjoys woodworking on the side.

Excerpts from 3 Editorial Reviews:

• Readers’ Favorite – 5 Stars by Edith Wairimu I loved the personal anecdotes included which help expand the work and show how knowing God applies in everyday life. The reflection questions included at the end of each meditation allowed me to pause and internalize the messages. I also found the scriptures included for further reading and meditation helpful in learning more about each attribute of God. Ultimately, the work guided me in developing a more intimate relationship with Him and reminded me about who God is. I loved that the work is backed by biblical passages that support its discussions. I also found the work uplifting as it shows God as personal, all-knowing, and merciful. He Is! Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R Worden is a powerful and hope-filled work that expands on who God is. Recommended to any reader who wants to grow in their knowledge and relationship with God. 

• Reader Views – 5 stars by Lily Andrews “He Is!: Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations” by Mark R. Worden is a landmark volume and a one-stop believer’s guide, well-choreographed and presented to elucidate the character and personality of God, backed up with over eight hundred biblical scriptures and well-researched phrases. [It] is a precious read and is a stunning tool that leaves you meditating on God’s word. It is not a “feel good” devotional, rather it is blissful with substance and content challenging the followers to dig deeper into their relationship with the Creator. It is truly a resource that edifies and liberates your heart. 

• BookViral – 5 Stars by anonymous Mark Worden offers us his own personal spiritual reflections in ‘He Is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’. Taking phrases and passages from scripture and pondering on each ‘God is’ phrase, Worden encourages his readers to reflect deeply on the multi-faceting representation of God found in the Bible, how God is evident in nature and creation, and in how he interacts with humankind. Worden interweaves frank and self-sharing personal experience into his writing, demonstrating how belief in God and who he is can have a profound and last long effect on life and happiness, as well as presenting him as an all-encompassing being who can have a powerful influence in and on lives, and who works through others to support and provide. ‘He is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’ could be ideally studied in sections as a group Bible study guide, or alternatively as a personal journal from which to springboard to personal scriptural meditation and is highly recommended.

More information:  www.heisministries.net

Will you consider the Hebrews 11:6 challenge for 2023? A slow read through this book may be of help and could be life changing. Find more information here: https://www.heisministries.net/

It has been years since I have posted on this old blog: I recently published my first book - Blessings!

HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations can probably be considered devotional theology that is inspirational in nature. I share from my own stories of life and ministry like a grandpa would tell his grandchildren to make the devotionals relatable to life and practical. At the end of each devotional there are reflection questions and more suggested Scripture to read for one's personal meditation and spiritual growth. I took the challenge of Hebrew 11:6 to seek God seriously by looking for all the God is statements that I could find in the Bible and discovered that God clearly reveals who HE IS throughout the history and stories of the Bible. Each chapter is a HE IS statement about God that helps us to know Him better as we mediate on each attribute of God. I suggest that readers do a slow reading of the book through the year by taking one chapter each week, so they have time to really pause and think about who God is. However, a quick read can also be enlightening as one is exposed to approximately 800 quoted verses of Scripture through the fifty, HE IS meditations. Of course, I like my grandpa stories that are spread throughout the meditations, but the meat of the book is the Bible Scriptures that tell us who God is being pulled together in each chapter to focus on one particular attribute or work of God. Each chapter can be read independently, however there is a flow to the order of the chapters and A few chapters build upon the proceeding chapters. After reading the book after publication in preparation for a speaking engagement I realized that there is a sub theme of God being our Heavenly Father and we His children through faith that ties it all together with a crescendo in Chapter 47, HE IS OUR FATHER. I believe for the one who takes the time to read this book slowly it could be life changing. My life changed in the research and writing of it and this happened over many years as shared in the Preface. Blessing to anyone who chooses to read this book and take the Hebrew 11:6 challenge.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and a Message on Grace!

Bible Messages by Mark Worden

Psalm 18 – Waves of adversity and God’s deliverance

Have you ever been caught in the waves of life’s adversities?

In Psalm 18 David expresses his Love for God and profound appreciation for God’s deliverance from oppressive and life threatening enemies that assaulted him like powerful waves.  He uses a number of picturesque analogies in describing his relationship with God.  He says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (vs.2).   He then exclaims, “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (vs.3).

In your waves of adversity, are you calling upon the LORD?

In your trials of life, do you recognize God as worthy of praise?

If you have called upon God and offered praise in the darkest moments of your life, no doubt you have a testimony of God’s deliverance to share! Will you share it in a way that reflects God’s gifting in your life?  Not everyone is a poet like David who sets his verse to music.  Maybe you can share your story in a small group, paint or draw a picture, or write in a card or blog post a testimony of praise to God that will encourage others.  How will you share a testimony of God’s help in you life?

Last week I was asked to minister at a memorial service and found myself way to emotional to be of much help.  I called on God for help, praised Him in my heart, and felt the strengthening grace of God fill me to minister in ways beyond my own ability.  God is my Rock when I am weak!  He is worthy to be praised!

During my trip to help my friend, I had the opportunity to view and walk along the Oregon beach.  I picked up a small stone, shell, and piece of driftwood for each of my three oldest grandchildren.  These treasures were more beautiful because they had been buffeted by the waves.  Are not our lives more lovely when we receive the grace of God during the polishing waves of life’s adversities?

Forgiveness is a process and a way of life