Devotional Blog

Refiner’s Fire

2/22/2018

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 that 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 your 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)

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 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.

(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

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Ashes

2/14/2018

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This week marks the beginning of Lent. Most of our culture knows more about Mardi Gras than Lent, just as most of us would prefer celebration over repentance. But both have their place in the seasons of life. Lent reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tested by temptation and purified and empowered by prayer. Lent comes right before Holy Week and Easter as a time for people to focus on faith and remember all that Christ endured on the cross that we might know true forgiveness and love. It also reminds us of the good news of the hope of the resurrection and new life. Ashes have long been a symbol of repentance and humility. From early times, many Christians have used the ashes of burned palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday, to mark the sign of the cross on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and prayer and as a witness of their faith. Even more important than the roots of these wonderful traditions, is the power of prayer. It is easy to look around our world and see great needs that touch our hearts. But let us discover anew the power of prayer. There is no power equal to the power of believers gathering together to seek God and pray. Challenge yourself to a special time of prayer for yourself and the needs around the world. Discover a fresh renewal as we pray for our world and for our lives that we may be filled with God's love and empowered by God's Spirit to reach out with a whole new passion to others in need. Open your heart anew to God's love and power. Discover the power of prayer!

(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 upon 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. (Jeremiah 29.11)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for the privilege and power of prayer. Help me to discover in prayer your great love and help me to let your power touch my life that I may face the challenges and adversities of life with hope and peace, and be a light in your world. Amen.
Have a great week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
A little faith and a great God is enough-- Alf Stanway

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Valentine’s Day- Love Note . . .

2/8/2018

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Valentine’s Day is coming up and many people give gifts as expressions of love and dedication. Love is a wonderful thing, and blesses our lives in so many ways. Human love is sometimes fleeting and fickle, but God's love is always deep and dependable. Jeremiah's words echo God’s words to each of us with a clarion call: “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (31.3). God gave us a great gift of love. God made an ultimate expression of love for us in Christ, who came to share our life and show us the way to life; and then in love beyond words, Christ laid down his life that we might know true forgiveness and new life. God’s love is deep and true! God loves you and cares for you more than you could ever imagine. Open your heart to the greatest love ever --God’s love. Let God's love bring you new hope and fresh joy. Listen to these words of Jesus:

(Verse of the week)
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15.9-13

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, help me to know a new depth of your love that is so strong that hope and joy burn bright within my heart. Bless me that the hope and joy in my heart may not only bless my life but also be a candle of hope touching others’ lives. Amen.
Have a great week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Do small things with great love --Mother Teresa

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Super Sunday (Super Bowl)

2/2/2018

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Super Bowl Sunday is coming...The Game . . the Competition . . . the intensity...the big matchup . . .the crowd cheering . . . most of us will watch with anticipation, decked in our team colors, singing and cheering enthusiastically. We love the game and all the hoopla surrounding it. Count me in! But what if we came with that same enthusiasm, dedication, and camaraderie to worship God! We have so much for which we can be thankful, and far more is on the line than even a championship. Listen to these challenging words from the Bible and challenge yourself to take your worship to a new level:

(verse of the week)
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm . . . But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven . . . Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12.18-28 selections)

(Prayer of the week)
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of another new day. Help me to grow deep roots that will help my life stand the storms of time and bear fruit that will last for eternity. Rnew and strengthen my faith that I have a firm hope and confidence in your love and power. Help me to find strength in your Word and your Spirit. Help me to work for things that last for eternity. May I show your love to someone today. Amen!
Open your heart to God's amazing love!-Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulty. Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within-Helen Keller

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Refiner’s Fire

Ashes

Valentine’s Day- Love Note . . .

Super Sunday (Super Bowl)

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