Editor’s Note: The new article below, by Pastor Keith Forni, is CORE’s final report on the 2018 Encuentro event and well worth a quick read.

Click here to read the article.

“You appoint darkness and it becomes night, in which all the beasts of the forest prowl about.  The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.”  (Psalm 104:20-21)

The times, seasons and instincts of all creatures is known by God.  We do better to seek to understand better the mystery of all that God has made than to continuously question why He has done what He has done.  The provision of the Lord is so far, wide and deep that a thousand lifetimes would not be enough to explore the depth of God.  He provides for all living things.

Lord, I can only begin to see the magnitude of all that You have made.  Lead my mind away from the way of this world, which simplistically dismisses things, to understand the depth of Your wisdom.  You have marvelously made all things and they are in Your hands.  Guide me, O Lord, in Your wisdom that I may learn from You and grow in knowledge and understanding.

Lord Jesus, You have come to impart the truth of all ages.  May I learn from You and grow in the only wisdom there is, knowing that only through You and the grace You give may I gain wisdom.  Help me this day Lord Jesus to see through the false knowledge offered by this world to live into the eternal wisdom You grant.  By grace, lead me in faith today to seek the eternal truth always.  Amen.

“The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the shephanim.  He made the moon for the seasons; the sun knows the place of its setting.”  (Psalm 104:18-19)

Look at the seasons.  See the ways in which the Lord provides for all that He has created.  Everything has order.  The Lord has a purpose in all things.  Come into the Lord’s presence and know that He has purpose for you as well.  The goodness of the Lord shows forth in all that He has created.  In Him is life and that life is provided for in His goodness.  He who watches over the goats in the mountains will watch over you.

Lord, You know the plans You have made for all of Your creatures.  You have marvelously made all that exists.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of understanding that I would see the world around me with wisdom.  Help me now and always to look to You and see the goodness of the work of Your hands.  Lift me up to be in Your presence now and forever that I would walk humbly in Your ways.

Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see and my mind to understand that all is needed has already been provided for.  Lead me in the way of thanksgiving that I would rejoice in all the goodness that is present.  Lead me through the evil that is around me to know that Your goodness prevails.  Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory and the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted, where the birds build their nests, and the stork, whose home is the fir trees.”  (Psalm 104:16-17)

We often do not think of the reality of all of the provision that is around us.  The wonder of what God has made and how all life is sustained.  Marvel at the work of the Lord.  Hear the good news of great joy which He has given to all who will listen.  Know that He has called you by name and has given provision for you as well.  The Lord is good and share His goodness with those who turn to Him.

Lord, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear the truth of Your goodness which is preached every day with the life that is around me.  Guide my heart to be open that I may not reject what I hear and what I see.  Lead me into a life that rejoices in You and whose hope is upon Your Word and Your promises.  May I journey this upward path in Your presence and by Your power.

Lord Jesus, You have paved the way for all who will turn to You to see, hear, know and witness the goodness that is all around.  Yes, there is plenty of evil in this world, but You have overcome the world.  Lead me in grace to follow in Your footsteps that I may now and always walk according to the way for which You have created me to walk.  In Your Spirit, guide me now and always.  Amen.

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine which makes man’s heart glad, so that he may make his face glisten with oil, and food which sustains man’s heart.”  (Psalm 104:14-15)

Look carefully and you will see that God did not create things just so we could merely survive.  He gave us those things He knew would bring us joy.  Many long for times when they can enjoy themselves, and they do.  What brings that joy?  Is it not what the Lord has already provided?  Look to the One who has provided all things and know that in Him is hope, life, joy and goodness.

Come, Holy Spirit, and help readjust my attitude that I may see that in all that has been made is the joy of life.  Goodness is all around me.  Help me see through the evil in this world, brought on by humanity’s rebellion, to see the goodness that has always been here.  Lead me in the upward journey to understand that You are good all the time and that You will guide me into the way of peace with God and neighbor.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for leading the way through this world filled with heartache to show that life wins in the end.  Guide me in grace to see others the way You see them and to learn how to love as You love.  Lift my spirit to see through every circumstance and know that all things will work together for good for those who love You.  By Your grace and according to the Father’s purpose, lead me, O Lord.  Amen.

“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they lift up their voices among the branches.  He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.”  (Psalm 104:12-13)

Have you ever listened to the song of birds?  Have you thought that maybe they are singing praises of the One who created them?  Have you listened to the songs of nature, the waves crashing on the beaches and the water falling from the heights?  God created them all and they sing of His good work and the provision He has given for all that He has made.

Lord, open my eyes to see things differently.  Amidst all of the struggles and turmoil of this world, all around me is the truth of Your creation and the goodness that You have set into place.  Guide me, O Lord, according to Your goodness to see what is around me and to realize that all around are signs of what You have created.  May I join with Your creation in living a life of praising You.

Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray always.  Often I think of prayer as simply asking for what I need.  Help me to understand that prayer is continued conversation and that I can just as easily pray songs of joy and thanksgiving.  Lead me, O Lord, into a life of devotion that is thankful for all the good gifts that are all around me that I may be one who thanks You always for all things.  Amen.

“You set a boundary that they may not pass over, so that they will not return to cover the earth. He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.” (Psalm 104:9-11)

There are boundaries the Lord has set in place from the beginning. No mere mortal will ever cross over the boundaries that are set. Yet One has come that the insurmountable boundary of death may be overcome by His grace. All are called through the Anointed One to come in grace and mercy to the place that otherwise is impossible to come to. Be one who shares in the living water.

Lord, it is so simple, and I make it so complex. You have called me into Yourself now and forever. Help me shed all of the trappings of this world that I may walk in the way You have created me to walk. Guide me in Your ways to break through the insanity of the rebellion of this age in order to walk with You in all of Your ways. Teach me to listen to You always that I may do what is pleasing in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, I need the salvation that only You can provide. I need to learn from You and never be distracted by anything that keeps me from walking alongside You. Lead me this day in those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight. Help me through the obstacles that will come to choose the better path and live according to the righteousness that You have given me that I may walk in the way of salvation. Amen.

“At Your rebuke they fled, at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away. The mountains rose; the valleys sank down to the place which You established for them.” (Psalm 104:7-8)

The power of thunder reminds all from young to old the power of nature. Yet this is a pale comparison to the One who created all things. He who is able to raise mountains out of the sea is also able to raise sinners from death into life. Stop rebelling against the One who created you, come into His grace and mercy, and see the goodness of the Lord. His love endures forever.

Lord, You know the state of my heart and what is needed. Lift me up, if even with a clap of thunder, that I may be amongst those who trust in You alone. Guide me according to Your goodness to walk in Your ways all the days of my life. Lead me from where I am to where I need to be that I would not flee, but embrace Your purpose and presence now and forever.

Holy Spirit, without Your absolute guidance I can do nothing. Help me, I pray, to live into the goodness before me, and as You lead, that I would come into the presence of the Father lifted up as one of the mighty rocks that reflect His eternal power. Establish me in the rock of salvation that I may hold fast to the only thing that endures forever. May I abide in Your love and mercy all the days of my life. Amen.

Second Mini-Newsletter – Late November 2018

“He established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters were standing above the mountains.” (Psalm 104:5-6)

Have you ever pondered at how well the earth is made? We have done many things to it, but it works around what we do and continues to provide all we need. Will you let the Word of the Lord govern how you think of His creation in this age that promotes that we are in control? Will you see that the Lord has made all that you see? Come into wisdom and understanding and know that this is God’s creation.

Lord, the world is hostile to Your message. They deny that You are the Creator of all that exists. Guide my thoughts to see more clearly the truth of Your Word that I may rest in the truth. Your Word will never change, for it endures forever. You are the One who has made all things. Only in You is there confidence, hope and assurance. Guide me, O Lord, into the truth of Your ways that I may abide in You.

Lord Jesus, You came into this world You made that we may abide in Your eternal presence. Lead me in the upward journey to walk in the will of the Father, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by Your example. May I now and always realize that all things are in Your hands and that nothing is to be added to, or taken away, from the truth You have spoken from the beginning. Amen.