Devotional Blog

Joy of the Lord

2/24/2022

Have you ever gotten tired and worn out of working on a perfectly wonderful thing? Even when working for the Lord we sometimes get tired and weary. Nehemiah had given up a life of service in the royal palace to come and rebuild the walls the holy city. The people threw themselves into the labor. But soon the weight of the walls, outweighed the joy of the vision. Nehemiah reminded them that they were not just rebuilding walls, but rebuilding the place of God's blessing. He reminded them of the vision, and he reminded them of the attitude of service: "the joy of the Lord is your strength!" With a renewed purpose and vision, and a new attitude of joy the people completed the task for the glory of God! It is a good lesson for each of us. We do sometimes grow weary in well- doing, but there is hope! Remind yourself of the vision and purpose of our labor and life-showing others the love of Christ; and remember the attitude that inspires- "the joy of the Lord is your strength."

(Verse of the Week)
"The joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8.10)

(Prayer of the Week)

Lord, thank you for the gift of life and your great love. Renew a joyful spirit in me and give me a fresh appreciation for faith and life and all you have done for me and others. Amen.

Blessings!--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude—Karl Barth

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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Deep Calls to Deep

2/17/2022

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Most of us have a deep inner longing for God. The trouble is we stay so busy in life that we are often not in touch with that yearning until we are forced into quiet solitude or loneliness or desperation by a crisis in life. Then we feel the void deep inside and the quiet tug of eternity on our heart. But we can also quiet ourselves from the busyness of the world, of deadlines and demands—and simply listen for the still small voice of God. Listen for a moment and feel the quiet whisper of God’s love in your heart; feel the steadfast strength of His grace encircling you. Like the woman at the well, we may discover that our spiritual thirst leads us to Jesus the living water who quenches our thirst and renews our faith and life. Listen to these words from the psalmist:

(Verse of the week)
As the deer pants for streams of water,
       so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
       When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
       day and night,
     while men say to me all day long,
       “Where is your God?” . . .
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
       Why so disturbed within me?
     Put your hope in God,
       for I will yet praise him,
       my Savior and my God.
Deep calls to deep
       in the roar of your waterfalls;
     all your waves and breakers
       have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love,
       at night his song is with me--
       a prayer to the God of my life.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
       Why so disturbed within me?
     Put your hope in God,
       for I will yet praise him,
            my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42.1-11 selections)

(Prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to slow down from the busyness of life and quiet myself in your presence and love. Fill me with your strength and grant me grace to face life with hope and joy.   And strengthened by your love may I touch others with care and compassion. May others see your love and grace in all I do. May I be a blessing to others, through your power and to your glory. Amen.

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

(quote of the week)
It is not how long you live but how well you live –Ben Franklin

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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Super Sunday

2/10/2022

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Big Game. Big Day. Super Bowl Sunday is this Sunday! We love Game Day! The Competition. The intensity. The big matchup. The crowd cheering. Most of us will watch with anticipation, displaying our team colors proudly, cheering until we are hoarse. We love the game and all the pageantry surrounding it. Count me in!
What if we came with that same enthusiasm, dedication, and team spirit to worship and serving God? We have so much for which we can be thankful, and far more is on the line than even a championship. Jesus challenges us to bring passion to our faith focusing on the Great Command:

(verse of the week)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30,31)

(Prayer of the week)
Lord, help me to live and love and serve you and my neighbor with the passion of a great athlete. Help me to love your with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Rekindle my faith and love in you and help me to be empowered to worship you and serve others. 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

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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Keep the Fire Going

2/3/2022

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Like much of the country we are 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

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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Joy of the Lord

Deep Calls to Deep

Super Sunday

Keep the Fire Going

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