Devotional Blog

Waiting

7/31/2025

How are you on waiting? If you are anything like me, not very good! But perhaps we look at waiting the wrong way--we think of crowded checkout lines at the store or other places, and the frustration and exasperation that brings. For most of us, waiting time is wasting time. Not in God’s providence. For in God’s plan, waiting time is not wasting time, but a time when we learn to trust God and God forms and fashions our heart and mind. Often that waiting time is a key time of rest and renewal that will sustain us for the tough journey ahead. Take some time and renew yourself this week. Find an oasis of renewal in the desert of busyness. Drink from the waters and renew your heart and mind. God will restore your strength and renew your courage.

(verse of the week)
I would have lost heart unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
And He will strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27.13,14 (NKJV)

(Prayer of the week)
Loving Great Shepherd, lead me beside the quiet waters, and help me to find the green pastures for quiet rest. Let me lean into your love and grace. Restore my soul. Renew my mind. May I feel your arms of love around me. As I rest in you, and you restore my soul, help me to learn to reflect your love to others that they may see your image in me. Amen.

Blessings –Pastor TJ

Be the change you want in the world -Ghandi

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

0 Comments

Diving into the Deep

7/24/2025

0 Comments

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. It is a life that chooses making a difference rather than making a dollar. 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

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

0 Comments

Fruit of the Spirit

7/17/2025

0 Comments

This week our theme for our youth for Vacation Bible School is the “Fruit of the Spirit”—one of the most memorable and practical of bible truths. It’s not just for youth, but also for each one of us. Mature trees with deep roots that are watered and have plenty of sunlight bear fruit that we enjoy—apples, cherries, bananas, and more. In the same way, as we mature in God’s Spirit, drink the water of the Spirit, allow our spiritual roots to grow deeper, and bask in the sunlight of God’s love, we in turn bear fruit that truly blesses others. The Apostle Paul writes:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23).

Lord, help us to grow deeper roots and taller branches that we might bear fruit that blessed others, through Our Lord, amen.

Have a great week!—Pastor TJ
“The fruit of the Spirit is not about doing more for God—it’s about becoming more like Christ.”— Anonymous

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

0 Comments

Journey

7/10/2025

0 Comments

Have you ever been on an uncertain trail and didn't know where you were going? It can be unnerving and frustrating. What a difference when we have a good trail map and know the weather is good and the trail is safe-we can enjoy the hike and the beauty nature has to offer. That is just the image the psalmist calls to mind when he writes-"I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws." Choosing God's path puts us on the right path, and also gives us confidence that we are not alone-Christ our Lord travels with us. Therefore, we can "run in the path" for our hearts have been set free! At the beginning of this fall season, let us all give pause and set our course along the path that god would have us travel. Only then will we know the true freedom and love that following God’s plan and purpose for our lives brings.

(verse of the week)
I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free (Psalm 119.30-32).

(Prayer of the Week)
Eternal Loving Shepherd, lead us along the paths of life, whether mountain high, or valley low. May we trust your wisdom and guidance. Teach us to trust your guidance in green pastures and to drink from still waters. May we lean on your strength and grace. Quiet our hearts and restore our souls. May we trust your protection and provision, feasting at your table even when enemies threaten. Remind us that your love and strength will be with us even in the darkest valley, in this life and the next, as we journey with you, O Lord Our Rock and Redeemer. Amen.

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

(quote of the week)
“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it –Rick Warren

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com

0 Comments

Independence Day

7/3/2025

0 Comments

This week we pause to celebrate our freedom and honor those who have fought to give us freedom, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is a wonderful time to celebrate and remember and to realign our lives to the highest aspirations of the past and the loftiest goals of the future.
As Christians it is well to pause and remember the great sacrifice Christ made on the cross that we might know God’s love and grace, giving us new life and hope for the future. It also reminds us to realign our aspirations and our lives to the highest goal—to love and serve God and neighbor. Paul puts it beautifully in this scripture passage:

(verse of the week)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-15, NIV)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, thank you for your great sacrifice of life and your forgiving grace. Help me to accept your love and grace and to love and serve others joyfully in your name. Amen.

Happy Independence Day!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others–Gandhi

Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney YouTube & YouTube
Podcast on Spotify: Inspire Messages
http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/

0 Comments

Waiting

Diving into the Deep

Fruit of the Spirit

Journey

Independence Day

Author

Archives

Categories