Devotional Blog

Not Alone

2/25/2016

You are not alone! If there is one message that comes to us over and over in the Bible, it is that one message ringing clear-- you are not alone! We were not created to be alone, but to have fellowship with God (Genesis 1,2). And when we blew it and failed, God came looking for us (Genesis 3). Even when friends forsake us, God is there (Job). God's Word lights even the darkest path (Psalm 119). Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we may have peace because God is with us --God's hand holds ours (Psalm 23). Jesus came that we might know forgiveness and reconciliation with God (John 3.16). And Jesus very words give us this blessed promise of the Spirit's presence.

(Verse of the week)
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever --the Spirit of truth . . . You know Him, for that Spirit lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you alone . . .Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. (John 14:16-18,27)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you that you love me and your presence is always with me. Help me to open my heart to you and your great love. May your love touch and change my life and may I be a blessing to others, through your power and to your glory, Amen.

Have a great week!
-Pastor TJ

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

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Waiting

2/18/2016

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Waiting is a hard thing for most of us. We are a fast food, high speed internet, overnight delivery kind of people. We think of waiting time as wasted time. But so often our rush just runs us in circles; we run without true purpose or direction and we soon find that our strength alone is not enough. God has a different view of waiting. Waiting is a time we tune our spirit into God's Spirit. Waiting time is a time we reflect on Christ's love and listen to His still small voice in our hearts. Waiting time is a time that God molds and makes us. Like a tree growing steadily from sunlight and soil as its roots dig deeper and its trunk grows stronger, waiting on God is one of the true secrets of life and a source of true strength. Discover the true source of life!

(verse of the week)
"They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40.31)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for your great love that reaches out to us and forgives us and gives us new life and hope for tomorrow. Help me to learn to wait on you as a source of strength and love. Open my heart and mind to trust in your plan and purpose for my life. Open my life to your power that touches and transforms life. May your gifts of love, hope, peace, and joy grow within me as I draw my strength from you. And let your love burn within me that others may see you in all I do. Amen.

Wishing you a great week! --Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
There is no greater power in the universe than prayer. Prayer can change the world, because prayer puts us in touch with the One who made the world.

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Refiner's Fire

2/11/2016

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In the workroom of the blacksmith the fires burn hot, and the sound of hammering echoes in the street. The steel is softened and refined in fire, hammered into shape, then heated again, re-worked, and finally hardened in the shock of water and steam. It seems a hard process from fire to hammer and anvil, and finally to the water vat; and yet the master craftsman knows his work. A work of beauty and usefulness is created. Peter likens God's work in us to that of a master craftsman at work. God fashions us and refines us with the fires of trial, but a work of beauty and faith is being crafted that will last the storms of life and reflect God's love, giving "praise, glory, and honor" to Christ. Know no matter how hot the fire, or how hard the hammer of adversity strikes, the water of the Holy Spirit will sustain you, for God is creating a work of enduring beauty and you are safe in God's skillful care. Your faith is more precious than the finest gold! You are in the loving hands of God the Master Craftsman.

(Verse of the week)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(1 Peter 1.6,7)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life that refine, mold and strengthen us. Give me faith to trust in your plan and your strength. Refine me that others may see your true reflection in me. May I be joyful in all things, and may I be loving to all people, that others may see the light of your love in me. Amen.

Blessings in Christ!
--Pastor TJ

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

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Stormy Seas

2/4/2016

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He still calms the seas and stills the storms. Like Peter we are often caught in the teeth of the storms of life. Battered by wind and wave, we take our eyes off of the only one who can offer us true hope and peace--Jesus. Our Lord never told us we would not be buffeted by the storms of life; rather Jesus has promised us that amid the storm his presence would be there to strengthen us and offer us peace and hope. In the storm, look to Christ, He will see you through!

(Verse of the week)
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; The waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107.28,29

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you that you care about me and love me. Fill me with your peace and power. Help me to trust you that you have the power to still every storm and you will guide me all of life. Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you!--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved -Helen Keller

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