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Marlon Seifert | Spiritual Growth

@mrlnsfrt

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I have been studying Genesis 3-4 for the last few weeks, and there is just so much packed into these two chapters. Regarding Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel, the biblical text isn't clear about why God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's.

In the post above, I share a thought that I came across that makes sense to me. I am still studying this story (Genesis 4), but I wanted to know your take.

Why do you think God respected Abel and his offering but not Cain and his offering? taken in Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church by @mrlnsfrt

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2 days ago

What does the first judgment in the Bible reveal about God’s character?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God. They tried to cover their shame, shifted the blame, and faced the consequences of their disobedience. But God didn’t abandon them.

He came looking for them. He asked questions. He brought their actions into the open. And even in the midst of judgment, He offered a promise of hope and provided a covering for their shame.

Genesis 3 reminds us that God takes sin seriously, but His desire is not simply to condemn humanity. He wants to redeem us and restore the relationship that sin has broken.

The question isn’t whether we have something to hide. It’s whether we’re willing to come out of hiding and allow God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Don’t hide from God. Come to Him.

Read the full article, The First Judgment: What Genesis 3 Reveals About God’s Character, at PrMarlon.com. by @mrlnsfrt

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13 days ago

One gospel. One Savior. One redemptive story.

When we hear the phrase “the everlasting gospel” in Revelation 14:6, it can sound like something reserved for the final days of earth’s history.

But the everlasting gospel didn’t begin in Revelation.

It runs through the entire biblical story.

From God’s promise in Genesis 3:15, to the gospel preached to Abraham, to the promises and symbols given to Israel, to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the same story of redemption continues to unfold.

The Old Testament looked forward to Christ.

The New Testament looks back to Christ.

And Revelation points us toward the culmination of that same gospel as it is proclaimed to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

That matters when we study the biblical covenants.

The covenants should never be understood as competing plans of salvation. They are part of God’s unfolding redemptive story—the story of His desire to reconcile humanity to Himself and restore what was lost.

The gospel is everlasting because God’s purpose to save and restore humanity has never changed.

What part of the biblical story most clearly demonstrates the continuity of the gospel to you?

#EverlastingGospel #Revelation14 #Gospel #Jesus by @mrlnsfrt

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19 days ago

I see a beautiful consistency in this. Salvation always by grace, always through faith in Jesus alone. If there were any other options Jesus would not have had to die on the cross.

The way I see it, from the fall or humanity, until then day Jesus comes again, all who are saved and will be saved will only be saved because God so loved that world that He sent His one and only Son to die for them.

Salvation is found in Jesus alone. In the Old Testament they looked forward to the day Jesus would come and die for them. The sacrifices never saved them, the sacrifices only taught them that someone would have to die in their place. Now we look back on the cross and resurrection of Jesus and we have our assurance of salvation in Him.

The law was never meant as a means of attaining salvation. by @mrlnsfrt

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19 days ago

Apparently today is international daughter day. So here is a picture of my girls. My wife (@vanaseifert) and my daughter. This is an old picture but, in my opinion, a great picture. I am incredibly blessed to have these two ladies in my life. There's something special about being a girl dad. It changes how I see the world and how I see myself. I pray that I can be a good father to her all the days of my life. taken in Brownsville, Texas by @mrlnsfrt

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22 days ago

If salvation is a gift of grace, why should we obey God?

The criminal on the cross reminds us that we don’t earn salvation through good works. Our salvation rests entirely on what Jesus has already accomplished.

But grace doesn’t make obedience irrelevant.

When we truly trust Jesus, obedience becomes something different. It isn’t a payment we make for salvation. It becomes a response to the Savior we love.

The question isn’t simply, “What rules do I have to keep?”

A deeper question is:

“Do I trust Jesus enough to believe His way is better than mine?”

Obedience is about relationship. It’s about allowing Jesus to transform our character, abiding in Him, serving others, and surrendering the things that compete for our hearts.

Salvation isn’t the reward for obedience.
Obedience is the response to salvation.

I don’t obey Jesus because I’m afraid He won’t save me.

I obey Him because He has already saved me—and I love Him.

For more, see my blog “How Then Shall We Live?” (Link in Bio)

#Christianity #Jesus #Grace #Salvation #Faith Obedience ChristianLiving Discipleship Surrender BibleStudy taken in Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church by @mrlnsfrt

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23 days ago

You can’t raise the dead—but you can move the stone.

When Jesus stood before Lazarus’s tomb, He asked the people around Him to do something they could do: “Take away the stone.”

They couldn’t raise Lazarus.
They couldn’t create the miracle.
They couldn’t control the outcome.

But they could do what Jesus asked.

Sometimes we get so focused on what we can’t do that we overlook what God has already placed within our responsibility.

We can’t control the outcome.
We can’t change hearts.
We can’t perform miracles.

But we can pray.
We can act.
We can serve.
We can forgive.
We can take the next step.
We can move the stone.

Jesus does what only Jesus can do. Our calling is to be faithful with what He has given us to do.

And when the situation looks hopeless, remember: Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

The answer is not just a favorable outcome to your situation; the answer is a personal relationship with a loving God.

#Faith #TrustGod #Jesus by @mrlnsfrt

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2 months ago

Today @vanaseifert and I celebrate 19 years of marriage! What an amazing experience it has been to be married to such an incredible woman. Together we have accomplished far more in life than I could ever have on my own. Together we have celebrated the victories and happy moments. And in the difficult moments, we have comforted and encouraged each other. Our relationship is not perfect, and our life has not been easy, but I can’t think of anyone else on this planet who I would rather have by my side as we face life together. May God continue to bless our marriage and our home. I thought I loved @vanaseifert when we were dating. Then I thought I loved her when we got married. Now, looking back, I realize I had some idea of what love was, but 19 years later I am still discovering the full depth and breadth of our love. May God continue to bless us with the love we need for each other. With God at the center of our marriage, I look forward to many more years together celebrating all the joys and facing all the trials together.

I love you @vanaseifert, even more today than at any previous point in our lives. by @mrlnsfrt

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2 months ago

Have you ever wondered…

If Jesus loved Lazarus, why did He let him die?

It’s one of the hardest questions in the Bible—and one many of us ask when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we hoped.

John 11 reveals a powerful truth:

God’s apparent delay is never evidence of His absence or lack of love.

Before Jesus delayed, John reminds us that Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. And after the delay, we read one of the shortest yet most profound verses in Scripture:

“Jesus wept.”

The God who delayed is also the God who entered into their grief.

If you’re walking through loss, disappointment, unanswered prayer, or simply wondering why God seems silent, I pray this carousel reminds you to trust His heart even when you don’t understand His timing.

Swipe through the slides, and let me know in the comments:

What has helped you trust God during seasons of waiting?

Save this post for a difficult day.
Share it with someone who needs encouragement.

#Bible #Lazarus #Jesus #Faith taken in Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church by @mrlnsfrt

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2 months ago

I came across this quote while studying John 11 and the death of Lazarus.

“God’s love for His own is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love. The fact that He loves us, and we love Him is no guarantee that we will be sheltered from the problems and pains of life. After all, the Father loves His Son: and yet the Father permitted His beloved Son to drink the cup of sorrow and experience the shame and pain of the Cross. We must never think that love and suffering are incompatible. Certainly they unite in Jesus Christ.”

-Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 334.

Perhaps not a comfortable truth. But a biblical truth.

What are your thoughts on the story of Lazarus (John 11)? taken in Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church by @mrlnsfrt

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3 months ago

🎉 In January, I turned 42. (yes, I began writing this back in January 😅 )

That milestone caused me to pause and reflect on God’s leading throughout my life. Looking back over 19 years of ministry, six churches, four states, countless sermons, Bible studies, road trips, and friendships, I can clearly see God’s guiding hand.

One lesson stands out above the rest: people matter.

More than the places I’ve lived, the positions I’ve held, or the programs I’ve led, it is the relationships I’ve built that have had the greatest impact on my life.

In my latest blog post, I share:
📖 Lessons I’ve learned from 19 years of ministry
❤️ Why relationships matter most
🙏 The best decisions I’ve made
✍️ Skills that have shaped my life and ministry

I’d love to hear from you:

What is one life lesson you’ve learned that has made a lasting impact on you?

Read the full post through the link in my bio. Or comment “lesson” below and I'll send it to you.

#Faith #Ministry #ChristianLiving #LifeLessons #Leadership taken in Idaho by @mrlnsfrt

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4 months ago

Studying the fourth chapter of the book of Jonah in the Bible got me thinking about God’s plans and how they compare to our plans.

What are your thoughts on Jonah’s attitude?

I’ll have a blog post on Jonah 4 up soon. taken in Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church by @mrlnsfrt

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5 months ago