Devotional Blog

Spring

4/24/2024

Spring is such a glorious time! The cold and barrenness of winter gives way to the new life of spring. Trees begin to bud. Flowers begin to blossom. The air is filled with the songs of birds. Everywhere there is life springing up. It seems so fitting that springtime follows Easter. The Easter miracle is not just a symbol of new life, but it is the power to find new life in a Risen Lord. Past failures are forgiven, guilt and shame are washed away, power for living is found in God’s loving grace, as we open our lives to God’s plan and purpose for our lives.

(verse of the week)
Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and have life abundantly” (John 10.10)

(prayer of the week)
Loving Father, thank you for forgiveness in Christ which lifts and restores me when I am weak and broken and offers me new life through the power of the resurrection. Help me to surrender my life to you and follow you in grace and love, amen.

(quote of the week)
Where there is no vision, there is no hope—George Washington Carver

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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Waiting for Dawn

4/18/2024

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Have you ever been up late at night while you were camping and just decided to wait for dawn? There is that sense of expectancy as we wait in the darkness, then suddenly, color lights the sky as the sun breaks over the horizon. Faith is like the promise of the new dawn in our hearts when the night is yet dark. It is a firm trust that comes from knowing God has a plan and purpose for our lives and even in the face of adversity. The psalmist encourages us to wait on the Lord and trust in God's power and strength. As we rely on God's strength and power, we find we are strong and well-able to meet the challenges of life. If you feel as if you are in the middle of darkness now, whether financial darkness, or the darkness of relationship difficulties, or dark clouds of illness or loss, or struggling against the darkness of injustice, or simply experiencing the dark night of the soul, remember that God often whispers in the night to wait for the coming light. Lean into God’s strength and hear the gentle whisper: "It is not how able we are but how able God is."

(Verse of the week)
I would have lost heart unless I believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord,
Be strong and take heart
And wait for the Lord-- Psalm 27. 13,14

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God of love, thank you for your strength and power. Strengthen me to face the adversities and challenges of life. Help me to trust in your plan and your power. Renew the joy of living and the power of faith in my life and may your love flow through me that others might see you. Amen.
Have a blessed week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Salt and light live and work by sacrificing themselves not by trying to preserve themselves-- Helmut Thielicke

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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Solar Eclipse--Beauty and Wonder of God’s Creation

4/11/2024

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My daughter, Savannah, and I took a trip out west some years ago and had a wonderful time touring many of the great National Parks. The beauty of nature and the wonder of creation inspired us everywhere we went. The one place my daughter was not looking forward to seeing was the Grand Canyon. I tried to show her photos of the beauty of the Grand Canyon, but none quite captured the magnificence. She would just respond, “Dad! It’s just a big hole in the ground!” But finally, the day arrived, and we drove all day and arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at sunset, walking out to the edge of the rim with the all the beauty of shades of oranges and purples spilling into the Grand Canyon with spectacular color and beauty. We both just stood there in awe and wonder trying to take it all in; she was so moved she said, Dad it’s so beautiful—it's like nothing I have ever seen. The photos just can’t capture it. It’s the most beautiful place we’ve ever seen!” I couldn’t help but feel a little of the same emotions as I watched the total solar eclipse a couple of days ago. The wonder and beauty of creation was incredible as the moon marched across the face of the sun and we experienced the magic of darkness in full day, and the beauty of the sun bursting around the rim of the moon, along with eight planets aligning in the sky adding to the beauty and wonder and magic of the moment. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the plaque Savannah and I had seen on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:

OH LORD,
HOW MANIFOLD,
ARE THY WORKS!
IN WISDOM HAST
THOU MADE THEM ALL:
THE EARTH IS FULL OF THY RICHES

Father Almighty, wonderful Lord,
Wondrous Creator, be ever adored;
Wonders of nature
sing praises to You,
Wonder of wonders—I may praise too!

Amen!

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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Easter Isn’t Over

4/4/2024

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I love Easter with the surprises and celebrations and family dinners. And I love Easter worship with sunrise services, beautiful flowers and victorious hymns and messages of hope. Easter is a wonderful and blessed day to celebrate. But Easter isn’t over. The resurrection is not just about Easter worship once a year. For the follower of Christ, the resurrection is something we celebrate each day, as we daily walk with a risen Lord who cares about us. Peter writes that because of the resurrection we have a living hope that sees us through the darkest night or the most difficult trial as we persevere knowing and God has a plan and a purpose, and most of all, that God is there and God cares! And because of this hope in a risen Savior, we have an inexpressible and glorious joy.

(verse of the week)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had 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 and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1.3-9)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you that you have brought forgiveness and grace in your gift of love on the cross, and promise and hope through the power of your resurrection. Help me to accept your love and grace, and share your love with others, through Christ Our Lord, amen.

(quote of the week)
Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime—Martin Luther

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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Spring

Waiting for Dawn

Solar Eclipse--Beauty and Wonder of God’s Creation

Easter Isn’t Over

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