Devotional Blog

Roots

7/28/2016

No matter where we find our self in life, we often face new adventures and challenges. The challenges we face are opportunities to grow. Paul encourages us to grow spiritually as well as personally. As trees reach their branches toward the sky and bear fruit, it is important that their roots sink deep in the ground and stay connected to the source of life. We also need to stay rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, as we continue to learn and grow. Stay rooted and grounded and Christ, and discover new dimensions of God's love and plan for your life. Only then will you bear fruit that will last.

(scripture of the week)

And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ--Ephesians 3.17-18

(prayer of the week)

Gracious Lord, help me to stay grounded in you. Help me to have deep roots that draw on your love and strength that I may bear fruit that will last, in the name of the Lord of Love, Christ Jesus, amen.

Blessings in Christ!
--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
O God, my Father, don't let me die without having really lived and really loved. John Powell

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Joy

7/21/2016

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How is your heart? Are you full of joy? Nothing great is accomplished without work. Labor is central to the purpose of life, however we cannot let our labor strangle our joy of faith and life. In the middle of his labor of love, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah had to be reminded that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah reminded those around him whose strength was flagging in the face of challenge, of this great secret and their strength was rekindled. At the very outset, God set down the principle of rest and relaxation-of re-creation-by resting on the seventh day of creation. It is a way for each of us to keep love of God and care for ourselves and our faith central. It is also a secret to keeping the joy of our faith and lives fresh. Give pause to rest and refocus, and give thanks for all that God has done in your life and the lives of those around you. Trust God. God loves you, and God will see you through. Open your heart to God's love, and find new strength and a rekindled joy.

(scripture of the week)

Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, For his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3.20-23

(prayer of the week)

Loving Creator, you showed us the importance of both labor and rest. Help us to work for things that last for eternity, but also learn to lean into the rhythm of sacred rest. Breathe anew in us your Spirit of Life. Re-create us. Help us to rest in your love, that we might be renewed to live more fully in all we do. Renew our deep joy for life and love. We ask all this through Christ our Lord, amen.

(Quote of the week)
What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it -Rick Warren

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Love Note

7/15/2016

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There is nothing like a little love note or note of encouragement from someone who cares for us to brighten our day. Perhaps it is just a surprise note left in your mail box, or slid under your door, or just a quick e-mail. It reminds you that someone cares for you, or someone is praying for you. It makes you smile and it brightens your day. Here is a little note from God to place where you can read and remind yourself that God cares for you!

"You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . .I love you"-- Isaiah 43.4

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

(prayer of the week)
Loving Lord, so often in my busyness I forget your great love. Help me to look up from the duties of the day and find a fresh glimpse of your love. Help me to lean into your love and grace, for in Christ you loved me so much that you gave your life that I might know forgiveness and love, in your name we pray, amen.

(quote of the week)
Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark - Rabindranaht Tagore

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Fire & Anvil

7/7/2016

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Imagine for a moment that you are watching a Master craftsman at work crafting a piece of metal. You feel the heat of the furnace as the craftsman puts the metal in the fire, burning off impurities and refining it until it is red hot. Then he puts it on the table and begins to hammer and shape it on the workbench. The hammering continues until out of the block of metal comes a work of beauty, strength and usefulness.

Life is full of trials and tests-personally, spiritually, relationally. They test who we are and they test our mettle to see what we are made of. God uses tests in our life to refine us and strengthen us so that we can grow personally and spiritually. Know that wherever you are in the tests of life, that God is with you and will see you through. Most of all know that no matter how hot the trials or how painful the hammering, the Master craftsman loves you and has you secure in the palm of His hand, and He is at work in your life sculpting a work of great beauty and usefulness.

(scripture of the week)
Consider it pure joy, my sisters and brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything....
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1.2-4,12)

(prayer of the week)
Gracious Lord, help me to trust you in the tests and trials of life. Help me to look to you for strength and grant me wisdom for understanding. I trust you to see me through, in Christ's name, amen.

Blessings in Christ!
--Pastor TJ

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

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