Devotional Blog

Beginnings

8/18/2022

As school and college get started again, it brings to mind a great truth. “Begin with the end in mind”--That's one of Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." It is sound advice. . .for families and career people and most certainly students. Set your sights on goals that last, then live each day focusing on the priorities that live out those goals. It is also true of faith. Paul challenges us to make faith In God a top priority in our lives. As we live in faith, we will find that faith empowers our daily life in incredible ways, enabling us to face challenges, live more abundantly, live with right priorities, and love more deeply. Make faith a priority in your life and ask God to help you strive for things that last for all eternity. Trust God to give you strength to overcome the challenges of life and take you places you never even dreamed of . . .

(Verse of the week)
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3.12-14)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God, help me to rediscover the joy of living in faith and trust in you. Help me to focus on things that last for eternity. Help me to trust in your love and power. Through your power I am strong and well-able to overcome. Open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others every day, through your power and to your glory. Amen.

Open your heart to God’s amazing love!-Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Faith is a living daring confidence in God's grace. It is so certain that a [person] could stake his [or her] life on it a thousand times--Martin Luther

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Awesome

8/11/2022

How absolutely awesome is the love of God. The psalmist reminds us that God's love is even more magnificent than the beauty and majesty of creation that God designed and brought into being. God lights the night sky with stars from distant galaxies and designed the lush rainforest teaming with life. The same One who sculpted the masterpieces of the canyons and paints each sunset; the same One who limns the mountains with the first light of dawn and intricately designed each living creature, loves you! As you face the storms of life, remember that God loves you and He will provide protection and power. Trust God. God loves you!

(verse of the week)
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the sky.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the ocean deep.
O Lord, you preserve both people and animals,
How priceless is Your unfailing love.
Both high and low among people
find refuge in the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 36.5-7)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for the many blessings with which you have touched my life. Thank you for the beauty of creation, and the depth of your love. Give me strength to face the challenges and adversity of life. Give me faith to trust you in all I do. Fill me with your love, and may others see your love in my life in all I do, and give you thanks. Amen.

Open your heart to God’s awesome love!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The challenge is to be a light, not a judge; to be a model, not a critic –Stephen R. Covey

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Behold I am Doing Something New

8/4/2022

Have you ever felt like life was hopeless or that there was simply too much pain to bear, too much brokenness to ever see new life again? Or too much pain to ever experience joy again? Many of us have experienced very painful chapter is life or perhaps you are even in one of those chapter now. Know this God can bring life into the dry desert and a candle of hope to light the darkness. God can even break through the darkest night with the glorious dawn. God can lead you through the wilderness to find the new land of promise. Trust God. Lean on his understanding. God is at work in the darkest night and the driest desert. Listen to these words from the prophet Isaiah:

(scripture of the week)
Behold I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

(Prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you that you are with us in the driest desert and the darkest night, we trust that you will see us through and bring hope and new life, through Christ our Lord, amen.

(quote of the week)
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else—C.S. Lewis

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Brokenhearted?

7/28/2022

Are you hurting or brokenhearted? Sometimes the wounds of the heart can hurt more and be more overwhelming than physical wounds. The emotional and relational wounds we suffer often last for years and can cloud the joy of the present. The good news is that God promises to be there with us in our pain and hurt and heartbreak. The psalmist writes, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) and “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Christ took upon all the hurt of the world when he went to the cross including our heartbreak, hurt and loss. Jesus promises us:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).

(Prayer of the week)
Lord, we know that you understand and are with the brokenhearted and hurting, so we pray your peace and healing that only you can give that heals hearts and binds the wounds of the spirit as well as the body, amen.

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Waiting for Dawn

7/21/2022

Have you ever been up late at night while you were camping and just decided to wait for dawn? There is that sense of expectancy as we wait in the darkness, then suddenly, color lights the sky as the sun breaks over the horizon. Faith is like the promise of the new dawn in our hearts when the night is yet dark. It is a firm trust that comes from knowing God has a plan and purpose for our lives and even in the face of adversity. The psalmist encourages us to wait on the Lord and trust in God's power and strength. As we rely on God's strength and power, we find we are strong and well-able to meet the challenges of life. If you feel as if you are in the middle of darkness now, whether financial darkness, or the darkness of relationship difficulties, or dark clouds of illness or loss, or struggling against the darkness of injustice, or simply experiencing the dark night of the soul, remember that God often whispers in the night to wait for the coming light. Lean into God’s strength and hear the gentle whisper: "It is not how able we are but how able God is."

(Verse of the week)
I would have lost heart unless I believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord,
Be strong and take heart
And wait for the Lord-- Psalm 27. 13,14

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God of love, thank you for your strength and power. Strengthen me to face the adversities and challenges of life. Help me to trust in your plan and your power. Renew the joy of living and the power of faith in my life and may your love flow through me that others might see you. Amen.
Have a blessed week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Salt and light live and work by sacrificing themselves not by trying to preserve themselves-- Helmut Thielicke

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Eagle’s Wings

7/14/2022

An eagle has the ability to lock its wings and look heavenward and allow the winds of a storm to lift it above the turbulent storm clouds. God has promised us that if we trust Him that God will help us to soar on wings like eagles. It doesn't mean that we will never experience adversity, but it does promise us that as we face challenges and rely on God's strength, God will see us through and even help us to know His presence and power in greater fullness. It is not how able we are, but how able God is. In the storm, look to God for renewed strength and direction.

(Verse of the week)
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40.29-31)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God of love and mercy, thank you for your strength and power. Strengthen me to face the adversities and challenges of life. May every
obstacle be an opportunity to know you in a deeper way. In everything I do may others see your love and grace in me. Amen.

May God’s strength lift your life!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
One and God is a majority –A Stanway

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Always There

7/7/2022

When we surrender our lives to God, we find that no matter where we go, we are in the hands of a loving and Almighty God. The psalmist reminds us that even when we find ourselves in the far side of the sea, seemingly floundering for direction or buffeted by winds of doubt and discouragement, God is there with us. God will not abandon us –God’s promises are true, God’s love is deeper than the ocean and wider than the sky, and God will see us through. Whatever challenges you are facing in life, take a moment and look to God for strength and love. God promises that He is always there to guide and direct us. And God promises that his hand will hold us secure in the fiercest storm, for God’s hand is a nail-scared hand of strength and love and grace.

(Verse of the week)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I go from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle in the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139.7-10)

Open your heart to God's awesome love!—Pastor TJ

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life as well as the joys--for in the challenges we grow in strength and wisdom, and in the joys we are renewed. Give me strength to face the challenges and grace to celebrate the joys. Most of all give me love to share with others that they may be touched by your love in me. Amen.

(quote of the week)
"If you look at the world you will be distressed. If you look within you will be depressed. But if you look at Christ you will be at rest." - Corrie ten Boon

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Arise, Shine, Your Light Has Come

6/30/2022

This week our youth have enjoyed Vacation Bible School, VBS as most of us call it, and it has been great to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the youth. The theme is Adventure Island, and the scripture focus is from Isaiah “Arise, Shine your light has come for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” I can’t help but think of the glorious sunrises that light the sky with color and bring hope for a new day. You can’t help but feel your heart and soul lifted as you experience the glory of the morning sunrise. Perhaps that is the image the prophet Isaiah was reflecting on as he penned this beautiful promise and likened the light of God’s glory coming into our life for a new day and a new chapter of life. Pause for a moment today or in the morning sunrises to come and accept the gift of God’s light in your life for direction and inspiration. God’s glory brings a new day, a new dawn of God’s love in your life.

(scripture of the week)
Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1).

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help us to accept the promise of a new day and the glory that only you can bring as we open our lives to you. Amen.

(quote of the week)
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart--Hellen Keller

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Lamp

6/2/2022

Sometimes the journey of life can seem darkened by the storms of life or challenges we face. Other times we simply long for direction and guidance.
The psalmist reminds us that God’s Word gives direction and insight like a lamp along the pathway of life. Take a moment each day and allow God’s Word to light your path and give you strength.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path (Psalm 119.105)

Gracious God, help me to find light in your Word and follow your pathway in life. Nurture my spirit with your guidance and may your Word give true direction in my life. May your light be reflected in my life that others may see your image in me, through your power and to your glory, Amen.

Open your heart to God’s amazing love!–Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love—Sophocles

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us

Uvalde-Tears and Prayers

5/26/2022

Like so many my heart was broken by the tragic and violent loss of life in Uvalde made even more horrific by the loss of so many young children. My hope is that rather than creating a deeper divide on what solutions can be pursued we will instead unite to work together toward solutions that can make a real difference that other parents don’t have to endure such horrific loss and grief. Amid this, some have diminished the role of prayer. I would like to lift up the power of prayer as a source of comfort and strength to parents and loved ones struggling with loss, as a source of strength to first responders and caregivers, as a source that truly can unite us, and as a way of listening to the Almighty for guidance and encouragement. Whatever else we do, we should all shed tears and pray in whatever way seems best, and perhaps light a candle in the nighttime of our grief, remembering, honoring, hoping, praying . . .

May the peace that transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds . . . (Philippians 4:6)

Lord, we lift all those who have lost loved ones through violence and pray that your peace and love that transcend all understanding would lift their hearts on eagle’s wings to see above the storm and to provide the comfort that only you can provide. May all of us unite to work toward solutions that can make a difference in our world and working toward peace and justice and understanding. Amen.

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us/