A Standing Invitation

God is inviting you into something deeper. Are you going to God only when you need Him, or are you seeking Him daily?

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.”
(2 Samuel 6:2)

Think about how an ATM works. You can only withdraw what has already been deposited. If there is nothing in the account, nothing comes out. In the same way, you cannot keep giving out love, mercy, wisdom, faith, and strength if God’s presence is not first filling you. Many of us are worn down, not because we are doing too much but because we are trying to give what we have not first taken the time to receive.

The problem is not that God’s presence is unavailable, but that we often treat what should be considered holy as common. We live in a time when there is very little respect or regard for the things that matter most to God. His name is used casually, His presence is approached lightly, and His holiness is often crowded out by the noise and distractions around us. When we lose our sense of awe, we lose our sensitivity to God. Scripture reminds us that the fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. Without reverence, worship can become routine and our faith shallow.

God’s presence is not something to be managed, rushed, or controlled. He is inviting us into something deeper. He is calling us to slow down, to make room, and to live with a holy awareness that He is near. When His presence fills your life, it changes what flows out of you. You become less hurried, more attentive, and more aligned with what truly matters. So pause and take an honest look at your life. Choose to slow down and intentionally make space for God’s presence, allowing Him to fill you so that what flows out of your life reflects His heart.

Bold Step Challenge:
This week, choose to receive before you try to give. Set aside intentional, distraction-free time to be in God’s presence. Ask yourself honestly: Am I going to God only when I need Him, or am I seeking Him daily?

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve rushed past You or treated what is holy as ordinary. I confess my need for Your presence. Fill me again so that my life isn’t running on empty. Renew my awe of You and teach me to dwell with You every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: series title here

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Ministry Update from Mark

Here we are at Moody Bible Institute’s spring break, and I find myself reflecting on how we began this semester. Before the classes, deadlines, and long nights, we started on our knees, consecrating the semester to God and acknowledging that true formation begins not with effort but with surrender. That moment set the tone, reminding us that God is the One who shapes hearts, clarifies calling, and sustains us for the work ahead.

As our students pause for this brief break, my prayer for them today is the same as it was then, that God would continue His transforming work in them and carry them through to the finish. I pray they would return strengthened in faith, resilient in the face of challenges, and anchored in God’s purposes. May they finish this semester strong, marked not just by what they have learned but by who they are becoming as they live fully on mission.