Devotional Blog

Be On Guard

2/28/2024

All of us at some point will find it easy to stray from the path along which God is leading us. Like a hiker distracted by some sound or sight, we easily find ourselves looking this way or that and straying from the path Christ has marked for us. Life has its hills and valleys, but the most important thing is to focus on Christ and follow him as our guide. Paul warned his listeners to be on guard and to stand firm in the faith—words that were used by those who stand watch in the military. Likewise, we need to be vigilant, guarding our faith, keeping ourselves focused on our guide, the source of love itself, Christ Jesus. In this Lenten season, we are reminded that Jesus faced many distractions, but was able to focus on the sacrifice he must make on the cross in Jerusalem. Even the disciples tried to hold him back. But with a heart of love, he remained focused on his divine destiny on Calvary. Challenge yourself this week to keep your focus on Christ and his great love.

(scripture of the week)
Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be men and women of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16.13)

(prayer of the week)
Loving Lord, help me to push aside the busyness and distractions of life, and focus on you. Let my heart be open to the wonder of your love so great that you would share our life, and redeem humanity through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(quote of the week)
You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you– 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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Deep Roots

2/21/2024

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Most of us have challenged ourselves to grow personally and spiritually over the next year. Whatever the challenges and obstacles we have faced; and whatever the joys we have shared, most of us would like to look back and see personal growth in our lives over the next year. The secret?--Deep roots. Deep roots come from regular worship and Bible reading, and taking time for prayer. Come sunny skies or stormy nights, like a tree planted by the water we only grow stronger with time, when we nurture our life in God. Listen to the psalmist:

(verse of the week)
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on God's law they meditate day and night.

They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever they do prospers. (Psalms 1.1-4)

(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. Renew 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)
Do small things with great love—Mother Teresa

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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Hearts and Ashes

2/14/2024

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Today is Valentine’s Day! Happy Valentine’s Day! May love fill your heart and life! Today, is also Ash Wednesday, which 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. Both have their place in the seasons of life. But all of us value love as we should. Love is the highest value for all of us and gives us the greatest meaning of life.
But here is where hearts and ashes come together. The ashes of Lent remind us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tested by temptation and purified and empowered by prayer to live out a life of love. 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. 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 forgiveness and love as well as the good news of the hope of new life and the promise of the resurrection. And that is the greatest heart of all. A heart from God on our lives.
Just as our lives need both hearts and ashes, so too our world needs hearts and ashes. Hearts of love, and ashes of prayer. It is easy to look around our world and see great needs that touch our hearts. Let us discover anew the power of prayer as our hearts are moved.
Challenge yourself to a special time of prayer for yourself and the needs around the world. Rediscover acts of kindness and share a heart to others near and far. 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.

(Verse of the week)
The greatest command . . . Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10.27)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, help me to rediscover the power prayer and your great love and help me to love and serve you and love and serve my neighbor sharing your light in your world. Amen.

Have a great week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
“Do small things with great love”—Mother Teresa

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More Trust

2/1/2024

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(scripture of the week)
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in
Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4.19)

When you first read those words from the Apostle Paul, you might think he
was writing from the comfort of a safe, secure suburban home. But he
was not. Or you might think he was writing to a group of people safe in
the comforts of life. But he was not.
In fact, Paul was writing from the confines of a prison, where he had
constant surveillance and where he knew he could easily loose his life for
his beliefs. And he was writing to a group of people who also were in the
throes of persecution. And yet through it all he could write with
conviction: "And my God shall supply all your needs according to his
glorious riches in Christ Jesus." The Apostle Paul had great trust in God. You can, too!

(prayer of the week)
Loving Lord, help me to trust you through all the hills and valleys of life. Let every blessing fill me with thankfulness, and every challenge deepen my trust. In all things, let me follow you and share your love with others, through your power and to your glory, amen.

(quote of the week)
“. . . it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done—Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle

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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Be On Guard

Deep Roots

Hearts and Ashes

More Trust

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