Devotional Blog

Memorial Day

5/26/2016

We celebrate Memorial Day this weekend in remembrance of all those who serve and protect with courage and honor and we remember in a very special way those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for freedom and justice. We pray for all the loved ones who still feel the pain of loss. We pray for our world that we might all work toward a world where freedom and justice prevail and peace may reign. We are also reminded that God Himself gave the greatest sacrifice of all, willingly taking the penalty of our sin and shortcomings upon himself and suffering a cruel death on the cross that we might know forgiveness and the promise of new life. John's Gospel reminds us that "there is no greater love than this that a person lay down their life for another (15.13)." Christ motivation was simple and profound -love!

(Verse of the week)
"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life. For Christ came not to condemn the world but to reconcile the world to Himself."
(John 3.16)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious Loving Father, we thank you for those who serve in the armed forces. Bless and protect them and their families, and provide peace and hope to those who have lost loved ones. Help us all to work for peace and justice in all places near and far. And may your love touch and change my life and may I be a blessing to others, through your power and to your glory, Amen.

Blessings in Christ!
-Pastor TJ

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

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Teamwork

5/19/2016

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It's incredible to see what a team can accomplish when they work not as individuals striving for their own good, but as a team, striving together for the good of the whole team. That's really what the concept of synergy is all about--a team is greater than the sum of the individuals. And when those individuals really care about each other, even greater things can be accomplished. Just being a part of that group is a tremendous joy! That's the way the Apostle Paul envisioned the church! Christian fellowship is a greater joy than even being part of a great team-because it is being part of a great team that really cares about one another. Even more than a team, the church is a family - a family of faith. Listen to what the Apostle Paul had to say:

(scripture of the week)
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." (Philippians 2.1,2)

(prayer of the week)
Loving Lord, help me to find my place in your family of faith and learn to use my gifts and talents to serve you and serve others with a spirit of love and unity. Help me to discover the joy of giving and serving in your name. And help me to encourage someone to discover their gifts and talents and learn to use them as part of your family of faith, through your love and grace, Amen.

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

You need teamwork to make a dream work! --John Maxwell

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Diving into the Deep

5/12/2016

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What kind of a person are you? What kind of person do you want to be? Where are you on your spiritual journey? If life were a sea, where would you be? Safe on the shore? Moored in the harbor? Hugging the shore? Or off sailing the deep blue seas? All of those places have merit, but there is something to be said for sailing into the blue, or diving in on the deep end of life and living life to the fullest. Jesus was a person passionate about life and sharing life with others. Jesus reached out to the sick, the lame, the poor, the needy, and those who just needed someone to listen. Jesus sailed with fishermen, journeyed with a group of unlikely but promising disciples, stopped at the most unlikely places, and reached out to those often overlooked. His life was a life of passionate love. And having showed us the most intimate face of God, Jesus then showed us the ultimate act of love, laying down his life willingly in a cruel death on a cross, that somehow bridged the gap between our failures and God's love. Jesus beckons us to follow him in a life journey that is incredible, moving, never dull, sometimes stormy, but always worthwhile. It is a life that chooses significance over success, and living for what will last beyond time. God has a plan and purpose for your life, and God has the power to see you through. So go ahead, wade in if you will, but why not jump in on the deep end and follow God, wherever Christ might lead....

(scripture of the week)
Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life - life abundantly!" (John 10.10)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help us to follow where you lead, whether quiet pastures and still waters or daring mountains and stormy seas. We know your Presence will lead and guide us and your Spirit will empower us. Fill us with courage and faith, and most of all your love, in the name of Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Open your heart to the awesome love of Christ!-Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Earth is crammed with heaven But only those who see take off their shoes The rest stand around and pick blackberries ---Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Earth Day

5/5/2016

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We recently celebrated Earth Day, when we appreciate our world and all its benefits and also reflect on how we care for it. In Genesis "the book of beginnings" chapter two God placed people in the garden to work it and take care of it. We are literally commissioned by God to steward the earth like a gardener or farmer would their garden or field of crops. It is never ours, it is only entrusted to us, to use wisely and appreciate. How are you doing with God's commission to steward our world? It is full of bounty and blessing, for us to enjoy, but we are also to be stewards of creation for our Creator.

(verse of the week)
The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it, for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. (Psalm 24.1,2)

(Prayer of the week)
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for the blessing of the universe and all that you created and the special blessing of our world. Help me to be the steward of all that you have blessed us with, and may I also steward each day of my life giving back to you by the way I use my gifts and talents. May your Holy Spirit fill me and make me a new creation empowered by your grace and love. Fill me with your love, and may others see you in all I do, and give you thanks. Amen.

Blessings -Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;. . . Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs - Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings, -- Gerald Manley Hopkins, "God's Grandeur"

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