Devotional Blog

Keep the Fire Going

1/25/2024

Like much of the country, last week we were in the midst of a snowstorm, with snow piling up faster than many of us can shovel it out of the driveway and sidewalk. I do enjoy an occasional snowstorm and the beauty of the snow swirling and sparkling in the night sky. I like the way the morning sun glistens off the snow-covered branches like white lace covering the trees. I like the smell of wood burning in the fireplace and the sound of children laughing as they build snowmen or pull each other on sleighs.
I also think it is good for all of us to slow down a bit and enjoy family time, help a neighbor get unstuck from a snowdrift, or share a hot chocolate with a friend. And there’s nothing quite like sitting around a good fire in the fireplace and enjoying its warmth.
It’s also a good time to think about what keep us warm in the deepest part of our soul. The Apostle Paul reminds us to keep the fire of faith going in our hearts, for it is the source that sees us through the fiercest storm and darkest night. May we all stir the embers of our faith, and keep the fire burning bright that we may stand strong and others may see and be touched by God’s love.

(verse of the week)
Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, rekindle the fire of my faith and love that it may burn bright, and I may share your love in the darkest night. 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

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Trust

1/18/2024

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It’s easy to get caught up with our culture’s focus on power and prestige. We sometimes find it hard not to covet the sumptuous lifestyles of people we so often read about in newspapers and magazines. Nice cars. Big homes. Fame. Fortune. But Paul reminds us that the most important thing in life is not what we have or don’t have, but the one in whom we put our trust--Christ!

(scripture of the week)
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being in content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4.12,13)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to be content with both the blessings and the burdens of life. In all things let me be thankful, and help me to lean into your strength, knowing that through you, all things are possible, amen.

Blessings in Christ!–Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances—Martha Washington

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

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Perspective

1/11/2024

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There are a lot of books and articles on the benefits of positive thinking and having a positive outlook. But few really have insight or guidance on how to change our deep inner selves where attitudes are generated. Paul’s challenge and encouragement is quite different. Writing from a cold, dark prison cell, where he is imprisoned for his faith, Paul challenges people facing adversity and even persecution, to anchor their faith and life in Christ, who alone can hold us secure through any of the storms of life. Only Christ can give a deep peace through the most turbulent times. With that in mind, Paul challenges us to focus on what is true and noble and all the positive aspects of life, confident that God has a plan and a purpose and God has the power to see us through. Listen again to Paul’s words of challenge and encouragement:

(scripture of the week)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4–9 NIV11)

(prayer of the week)
Gracious God, in this new year, help me to have confidence in your plan and purpose for my life, even when buffeted by the storms of life. Let my life be anchored in Christ, knowing you alone bring peace amid the storm. Give me vision to see the plan you have more my life, and faith to trust you to fulfill it, through your power and to your glory, amen.

Blessings –Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe—St. Augustine

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

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Starry Night

1/4/2024

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God put a star in the night sky to guide the wise men to where the Christ child lay. God still puts stars in the sky to light our night and guide our way. On that first Christmas challenges had to be overcome, long distances had to be traveled and a king tried to deceive and misguide them, but through it all God guided the ancient magi with a star. The star was a sign of God's love to all people in all places that God's love was reaching out to them. Through darkness and adversity, God will guide you, too. In your darkest night, through your greatest trial, God will never leave you alone. God will put a star in the night to break through the darkness and guide your way. Your star may take on different forms, but take hope and know that God will shine through the darkest night to show you love and life. How can we trust God's love for us? -Simple, because God cared enough to share all of our life with us in Christ born in a humble manger, and then in Christ to show us the way of love and new life.
Whatever challenge you face, however dark your night, take heart! Follow the star, and kneel before the Christ child, and know the peace and hope and love that only He gives. Know that in the greatest darkness God's love shines brightest, and God loves you!

(scripture of the week)
The wise men went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. (Matthew 2.9-11 NIV)

Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas, open your heart to God's amazing love . . . and the miracle of Christmas! And then let the miracle last the whole year long—Pastor TJ

(Prayer of the week)
Loving Heavenly Father, I open my heart to your amazing love, let the light of your love shine into my life. Forgive me of failures of the past, and give me new life through the miracle of Christ. Fill my life with the true gifts of Christmas--your hope, peace, love and joy. May I find a new purpose in life and a new promise for the future, through your grace and to your glory. Amen.

(quote of the week)
Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!--Charles Dickens

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

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Happy New Year!

1/4/2024

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The new year is a time for resolutions and goal setting. We celebrate the accomplishments of the past. We let go of those things where we fell short. We treasure the memories we shared. But with the new year, we look forward to setting and accomplishing some new goals with renewed strength. Strengthened by our faith in Christ, we press forward to use our gifts and talents to accomplish some goals that will honor God and bless others. The Apostle Paul shared all these experiences and expresses it beautifully in this passage written from a prison cell to people facing challenge and adversity, yet it rings with a positive note:

(scripture of the week)
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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 NIV11)

(prayer of the week)
Loving God, thank you for a new year! Thank you for the blessings of the past, and thank you for your grace for the shortcomings of the past. Bless our life with goals that honor you and bless others, and renewed strength to serve you and others. Grant us a fresh vision of life as you intend it, guided by your Word and empowered by your Spirit, through Christ Our Lord, amen.

(quote of the week)
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man--Benjamin Franklin

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Keep the Fire Going

Trust

Perspective

Starry Night

Happy New Year!

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