Author Archives: Mark Cole

About Mark Cole

Jesus follower, Husband, Grandfather, Worship Leader, Writer, Pastor, Teacher, Founding Arranger for Praisecharts.com, pickleball player, blogger & outdoor enthusiast.. (biking, hiking, skiing). Twitter: @MarkMCole Facebook: mmcole

A Small Book with a Big Message: Introducing Obadiah

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Mark Cole

The book of Obadiah may be the shortest book in the Old Testament, containing only one chapter and 21 verses, but its message is powerful and deeply relevant. It reminds us that God sees the pride of nations and individuals, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God | Tagged Book, compassion, consequences, day of the Lord, deceptive, Edom, Edomites, Esau, hearts, humility, Jacob, justice, kingdom, message, Obadiah, Old Testament, pride, relevant, servant of God, the Lord sees, violence | Leave a comment

The Power of Praise in the Midst of the Battle

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Mark Cole

There are times in life when the battle in front of us seems bigger than the strength within us. King Jehoshaphat knew exactly what that felt like. In 2 Chronicles 20, Judah was facing an overwhelming crisis. A vast army … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership, Worship | Tagged Army, battle, battle is the Lord's, faith, fear, give thanks, God is faithful, God is greater, Jehoshaphat, keep singing, look to You, musicians, peace, power of praise, praise, problem, singers, trust God, Worship, worshippers | Leave a comment

The Blessing Of A Life Deeply Committed To God

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Mark Cole

“He was deeply committed to the ways of the Lord.” — 2 Chronicles 17:6 There are many things in life that can capture our commitment. We can be committed to our families, our careers, our health, our goals, our hobbies, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership, Love, obedience, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged attitudes, blessing, choices, clear conscience, committed to God, decisions, direction, fellowship with God, flourishing, forgiveness, forgives, fruitful, generosity, God is with us, God's ways, God's Word, healthy, His wisdom, influence, know Your ways, legacy, loves God, our hearts, prayer, priorities, purpose, relationships, say yes, serve, serves, serving, speech, testimony, way we live, ways of the Lord | Leave a comment

The Blessings Of A Heart Fully Committed To God

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Mark Cole

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9 Imagine that for a moment. The eyes of the Lord are searching throughout the entire … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Health, Leadership, Wisdom | Tagged approval of God, blessing, courage, direction, eyes of the Lord, follow Him, fully committed, God sees, God with us, God's will, God's plans, heart, His strength, not alone, obey, peace, seek Him, trust God, trust Him, wisdom | Leave a comment

Where the Spirit of the Lord Is, There Is Freedom

Posted on August 28, 2026 by Mark Cole

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 Freedom is something people deeply desire. We want freedom from fear, worry, guilt, addiction, shame, painful memories, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, humility, Jesus, Leadership, obedience, Prayer, Worship | Tagged attitude, courage, fear, forgiven, forgiveness, freedom, God's love, guilt, habit, Holy Spirit, made new, power of God, Presence of God, pressure, shame, Spirit of the Lord, transform, true freedom | Leave a comment

An Introduction to the Book of 2 Chronicles

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Mark Cole

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven…” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 The book of 2 Chronicles is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership, obedience, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged David, decisions, failure, follow Him, God first place, hear from heaven, His Word, humble, Israel, Jerusalem, Judah, new beginnings, pray, relationship with God, repentance, restoration, seek first, seek Him, seek My face, seek the Lord, seeking the Lord, Solomon, spiritual, temple, Worship, worship Him | Leave a comment

An Introduction to 2 Corinthians: Strength in the Midst of Struggle

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Mark Cole

The second letter to the Corinthians is one of the most personal and heartfelt letters Paul ever wrote. It gives us a glimpse into the heart of an apostle who loved people deeply, endured tremendous hardship, and yet continued faithfully … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership, Prayer, Teaching | Tagged 2 Corinthians, arguements, comfort, Corinth, faithfulness, forgiveness, forgiving, generosity, generous, grace, hardship, immorality, Jesus, love, love people, ministry, mission, people, pressure, pride, reconciliation, relationships, struggle, suffering, weakness | Leave a comment

If You Seek Him, You Will Find Him

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Mark Cole

“Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership, Love, obedience, Prayer, Worship | Tagged Bible, David, desires, disappointments, dreams, find Him, His voice, His ways, His Word, hopes, Know God, know Him, knows your heart, our fears, our struggles, prayer, questions, relationship, seek Him, serve Him, small voice, Solomon, whole heart, willing heart, willing mind, Worship | Leave a comment

Conflict: Learning to Fight for Your Marriage, Not Against Each Other

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Mark Cole

One of the subjects covered in the Alpha Premarital Course is conflict. It may not sound like the most romantic topic for an engaged or newly married couple, but it is one of the most important. Why? Because every couple … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, God, Healing, humility, Love, Wisdom | Tagged Alpha, angry, attack, communicate, communication, conflict, disagree, family, forgive, forgive me, forgiveness, healthy, healthy marriage, honor, honour, humility, I'm sorry, listen, listening, love, marriage, money, no record, parenting, pray, premarital, problem, quick to listen, sex, slow to become angry, slow to speak, speak, speech, spouse, words, work, wronged, you always, you never | Leave a comment

You Don’t Have What You Want Because You Don’t Ask God for It

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Mark Cole

“You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” — James 4:2 There is something remarkably simple about this verse, yet it contains a profound spiritual truth: sometimes we lack what we need simply because we … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Family, God, Health, Holy Spirit, Jesus, obedience, Prayer, Wisdom | Tagged answer, ask, ask God, cares, dependence, desires, future, God, God's help, He cares, healing, help, help me, lack, needs, provision, receive, seek God, seeking, striving, trust God, weakness, wisdom, worries, worrying | Leave a comment