Devotional Blog

Journey

7/10/2025

Have you ever been on an uncertain trail and didn't know where you were going? It can be unnerving and frustrating. What a difference when we have a good trail map and know the weather is good and the trail is safe-we can enjoy the hike and the beauty nature has to offer. That is just the image the psalmist calls to mind when he writes-"I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws." Choosing God's path puts us on the right path, and also gives us confidence that we are not alone-Christ our Lord travels with us. Therefore, we can "run in the path" for our hearts have been set free! At the beginning of this fall season, let us all give pause and set our course along the path that god would have us travel. Only then will we know the true freedom and love that following God’s plan and purpose for our lives brings.

(verse of the week)
I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free (Psalm 119.30-32).

(Prayer of the Week)
Eternal Loving Shepherd, lead us along the paths of life, whether mountain high, or valley low. May we trust your wisdom and guidance. Teach us to trust your guidance in green pastures and to drink from still waters. May we lean on your strength and grace. Quiet our hearts and restore our souls. May we trust your protection and provision, feasting at your table even when enemies threaten. Remind us that your love and strength will be with us even in the darkest valley, in this life and the next, as we journey with you, O Lord Our Rock and Redeemer. Amen.

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

(quote of the week)
“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it –Rick Warren

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

Independence Day

7/3/2025

This week we pause to celebrate our freedom and honor those who have fought to give us freedom, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is a wonderful time to celebrate and remember and to realign our lives to the highest aspirations of the past and the loftiest goals of the future.
As Christians it is well to pause and remember the great sacrifice Christ made on the cross that we might know God’s love and grace, giving us new life and hope for the future. It also reminds us to realign our aspirations and our lives to the highest goal—to love and serve God and neighbor. Paul puts it beautifully in this scripture passage:

(verse of the week)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-15, NIV)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for your great sacrifice of life and your forgiving grace. Help me to accept your love and grace and to love and serve others joyfully in your name. Amen.

Happy Independence Day!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others–Gandhi

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/

Storms of Life

6/26/2025

There are times when each of us feels discouraged. We feel we are not a match for the storms of adversity that swirl around us. Take heart! It is not our own strength that will get us through the storm, but the strength of Christ. The Holy Spirit is there with us to strengthen us and to encourage us and to see us through. As the disciples rowed hard against a fierce storm in a small boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came walking on the water and said, “It is I, do not be afraid!” And the Apostle Paul often faced storms of adversity, from shipwrecks to prison, and yet he could write with confidence these words that still encourage us today:

(verse of the week)
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4.13).

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to lift my eyes to you like Peter and the disciples as they saw you walking across the stormy sea. Help me to remember that you are Lord of all, and through your strength I can overcome all that I face. Thank you for your love and grace and strength, amen.

Blessings—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night—George Herbert

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

Father’s Day

6/12/2025

When she was younger my daughter, Savannah often asked me to lift her up, “Up high!” Daddy, “up high!” she would say smiling, wanting me to lift her on my shoulders and carry her. It was fun for both of us. I enjoy her playful laughter, and she enjoyed being high and safe on her Dad’s shoulders, and of course, my love and attention. Now that she is older, I no longer lift her high on my shoulders, but I still try to lift her high by filling her with love and encouragement, and I still want her to know she can always lean on my shoulder. I truly want her to do great things that lift her high. There is a wonderful place in the Bible where God’s people were facing tremendous adversity and God says, “There you saw how the Lord your God carries you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place (Deut.1.31). This Sunday is Father’s Day. We honor fathers and celebrate family. When Jesus gave the disciples the prayer we now call “The Lord’s Prayer,” he told them to pray to God as “Abba”, a word of endearment for Father much like we use Daddy. Jesus also encouraged us to pray regularly sharing our daily needs as well as our deepest desires with our loving Heavenly Father. Sometimes we think of prayer as something stern and full of ritual, or something we do in complete desperation. But true prayer is our deepest heart reaching out to the heart of God, our loving Heavenly Father. Open your heart to the heart of God who truly loves you like a loving parent loves a child. Take time today to seek God in prayer, and remember the power and privilege of prayer each day. It will make all the difference in all of life. Open your heart to God’s amazing love…

(Verse of the week)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you…(Jeremiah 29.11 )

(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father of love, help me to open my heart to you and your great love. Open my life to your purpose and plans, and give me strength to follow where you lead. Hold my hand to guide my path and open my heart to your deep heart of love for me…and when needed carry me on your strong shoulders of love. Amen.

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

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Open the Windows!

6/7/2025

Pentecost is this Sunday, and we are reminded of the Spirit descending in the Upper Room, with women and men, young and old filled as the winds of the Spirit blew through the open windows and everyone was filled with passion and power and spoke so that people of every place and race could understand the Good News of Jesus Christ was to all people. Pentecost is not just a Sunday remembering the founding of the church, but also an ongoing season of renewal. We challenge you to wear red this Sunday to symbolize the fames of fire of the Spirit as well as dedicate time to renewing your faith life and passion for loving and serving God and neighbor. Let our hearts and voices ring with, “Come, Holy Spirit! Come!”

(verse of the week)
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

(prayer of the week)
“Come, Holy Spirit! Come!” Stir our hearts! Renew our faith! Reignite the passion of your Spirit in every heart and life that we may share your love boldly. Amen”

Let us remember Pentecost isn’t just a day, it’s a season! May we continue in the season of Pentecost filled with God’s Spirit and our hearts on fire with God’s love! Wishing you and yours a great week!--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen –Mother Teresa

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Renew

5/29/2025

Spring again gives us pause of the beauty of budding trees and blossoming flowers. We hear again the singing of birds and enjoy the summer sun. Were it not for winter perhaps we would always take these great miracles for granted. Our faith is that way, too. Were it not for adversity, we would forget the miracle of God’s infinite love and grace. Take a moment and remember God’s great love for you. Lean into God’s strength. Whatever else may come and go, know that God’s compassion never fails. God’s love is new every morning. Let your heart say again, “Great is your faithfulness!”

(verse of the week)
For this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for God’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3.21-24

(prayer of the week)
Lord, like the prophet, let our hearts rejoice and say, “Your compassions never fail. Your love is new every morning. Great is your faithfulness!” Fill my life with your forgiveness and grace. Fill my heart to overflowing with faith, hope, peace, joy and, most of all, love, that others may be touched by your grace in my life, through Christ Our Lord, amen.

(quote of the week)
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong—Abraham Lincoln

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Memorial Day

5/22/2025

We celebrate Memorial Day this weekend in remembrance of all those who serve and protect with courage and honor and we remember in a very special way those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for freedom and justice. We pray for all the loved ones who still feel the pain of loss. We pray for our world that we might all work toward a world where freedom and justice prevail and peace may reign. We are also reminded that God Himself gave the greatest sacrifice of all, willingly taking the penalty of our sin and shortcomings upon himself and suffering a cruel death on the cross that we might know forgiveness and the promise of new life. John’s Gospel reminds us that “there is no greater love than this that a person lay down their life for another (15.13).” Christ motivation was simple and profound –love!

(Verse of the week)
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life. For Christ came not to condemn the world but to reconcile the world to Himself.” (John 3.16)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious Loving Father, we thank you for those who serve in the armed forces. Bless and protect them and their families, and provide peace and hope to those who have lost loved ones. Help us all to work for peace and justice in all places near and far. And may your love touch and change my life and may I be a blessing to others, through your power and to your glory, Amen.

Blessings in Christ!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Giving is the highest level of living –John Maxwell

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Congratulations!

5/15/2025

For many this is the end of a semester of hard work and dedication as well as the end of high school or college or graduate school, and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Congratulations! We applaud your dedication and hard work!
There will be many times of transition in our lives. We must learn to be thankful for our accomplishments, let go of our disappointments, and celebrate the future as we open our lives to God leading us in new directions and new possibilities. Continue to open your life to God’s Spirit through worship, Bible reading, and prayer. Wherever your life leads, use your gifts and talents to serve God and others. Know that whatever you do you can have an impact on the lives of others. Always live out your faith in whatever work you find yourself and take time to share the love of Christ.

(verse of the week)
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain if it is in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15.58

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help us to celebrate the milestones of life and help us to be open to the new chapters of life with energy and enthusiasm. May all we do, serve others and give honor and glory to you, through Christ Our Lord, amen.

Blessings--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world; Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; Yours are the hands with which He is to bless now--St Teresa of Avila

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Spring

5/8/2025

Spring is in the air! Spring is such a glorious time! The cold and barrenness of winter gives way to the new life of spring, trees begin to bud, flowers begin to blossom, the air is filled with the songs of birds. Everywhere there is life springing up. It seems so fitting that springtime follows Easter. The Easter miracle is not just a symbol of new life, it is also the power to find love and new life in a risen Lord. Past failures are forgiven, guilt and shame are washed away. Our relationships are made new with God and with others. Power for living is found in God's loving grace, as we open our lives to God's plan and purpose for our lives. Open your heart and life to God's amazing love!

(Verse of the week)
Jesus said--I have come that they might have life, and
have life abundantly! (John 10.10)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you your great love and the promise of new life found in Jesus. Help me to open my life to new strength and life found in
your amazing love. Thank you for the gift of today. And may my life touch others with love like a candle in the night. Amen.

Blessings –Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
It is not how much you do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving --Mother Teresa

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages

Forever

5/1/2025

Forever

King David the Shepherd King reminds us in the final verse of this deep and beautiful psalm that God's goodness and mercy or love will follow us all the days of our lives. King David had risen from a lowly shepherd to a victorious war hero and finally a legendary king. He had experienced incredible success and blessing along the way. He had also experienced personal failure and God's forgiving grace. But more than anything else he knew that through all the vicissitudes of life, God's blessing and goodness and love had been with him. And even facing death, he knew that God's abiding presence and love would see him to the other side of eternity where he would be in the eternal presence of the Shepherd of Love. God promises His blessing and goodness and love to each of us, too. We will experience adversity and difficulty along the way, but rest assured God's abiding love and goodness will surround you and uplift you. Whatever you are facing, trust God to see you through. Have faith in God's love and power. The Easter miracle reminds us that God’s love is greater than any failure or obstacle and Christ’s love and presence will be with us forever. Open your heart and life to God's amazing love!

(Verse of the week)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father, Shepherd of Love, lead and guide me through the challenges and adversities of life. Thank you for your goodness mercy and love. Help me to trust in your love and power. Through your power I am strong and well-able to overcome. And through your love I know forgiveness and true love. Open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others every day, through your power and to your glory.
Amen.

May you feel the grace and love of God in a special way this week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
“Faith is the bird that feels the dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark” –Rabindranath Tagore

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at YouTube &
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Podcast: Inspire Messages