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7/30/2020

Have you ever been so busy with the day to day activities you forgot to look up? Then suddenly a cloud formation catches your eye or a bird lifts your gaze above the horizon and you feel lifted in spirit as you wonder at the beauty of the sunrise or sunset and all that is above you. Looking up can be such a blessing.
Sometimes we may subtly believe that God wants to hold us back or push us down. But the opposite is true. God wants to lift us up. God wants us to achieve great things. It is an empowering thought when we remind ourselves that God has a plan and purpose for our lives. God wants us to do great things that honor God and serve others. God knows the best way to use our gifts and talents --after all God created us. Trust God to open the future to you and use your strengths in wonderful ways. God has a hope and a future for you. Trust God to reveal His plan and purpose to you and take you places you never even dreamed of...

(Verse of the week)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD (Jeremiah 29.11)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of this day and the gift of life itself. Thank you for the gifts and talents you have given me. Please reveal to me the best plan and purpose for all of my life and give me the faith and courage to follow you. In everything I do may others see your love and grace in me. Amen.

Have a great week—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do --Freya Madeline Stark

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

7/23/2020

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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.   Renew the hope in God’s love and grace and rekindle the song in your heart. 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 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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Awesome

7/16/2020

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Have you seen the comet light up the sky in the early morning sky this week? The comet Neowise is lighting up the early dawn and won’t return for another 6,800 years. So, if you haven’t seen this comet lighting up the dawn be sure and check it out. The psalmist reminds us that God's love is even more magnificent than the beauty and majesty of creation that God designed and brought into being. God lights the night sky with stars from distant galaxies, and designed the lush rainforest teaming with life. The same One who sculpted the masterpieces of the canyons and paints each sunset; the same One who limns the mountains with the first light of dawn and intricately designed each living creature, loves you! As you face the storms of life, remember that God loves you and He will provide protection and power. How absolutely awesome is the love of God. Trust God. God loves you!

(verse of the week)
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the sky.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the ocean deep.
O Lord, you preserve both people and animals,
How priceless is Your unfailing love.
Both high and low among people
find refuge in the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 36.5-7)

(Prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for the many blessings with which you have touched my life. Thank you for the beauty of creation, and the depth of your love. Give me strength to face the challenges and adversity of life. Give me faith to trust you in all I do. Fill me with your love, and may others see your love in my life in all I do, and give you thanks. Amen.

Open your heart to God’s awesome love!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The challenge is to be a light, not a judge; to be a model, not a critic –Stephen R. Covey

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

7/9/2020

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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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Re-discover Song

7/3/2020

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Have you ever had a song that kept going over and over in your mind? Or maybe you just couldn't keep from singing it. There is great power in music and song. It buoys us up in the midst of trouble and difficulties. Music makes work easier; and fun even more fun. It brings joy. Others begin to join in and sing the tune. Don't just sing a praise song on Sunday. . .discover the power of praise all week long. It can change your life.

(verse of the week)

O sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things.
God's right hand and his holy arm have gotten the victory. . .
God has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth,
Break forth into joyous song and praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre
With the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King,
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it,
the world and those who live in it,
Let the floods clap their hands,
let the hills sing together for joy. Psalm 98

(prayer of the week)
Lord, renew a song in my heart. Help me to rediscover the joy of faith and life. And help me to share that song and the joy with others, through your power and to your glory, amen.

Open your heart to God’s awesome love—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
If you can't see the bright side, polish the dull side-unknown

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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