Devotional Blog

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8/28/2015

Sometimes we may subtly believe that God wants to hold us back or push us down. But the opposite is true. 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

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Beginnings

8/22/2015

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As school and college get started again, it brings to mind a great truth. "Begin with the end in mind"--That's one of Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." It is sound advise. . .for families and career people and most certainly students. Set your sights on goals that last, then live each day focusing on the priorities that live out those goals. It is also true of faith. Paul challenges us to make faith In God a top priority in our lives. As we live in faith we will find that faith empowers our daily life in incredible ways, enabling us to face challenges, live more abundantly, live with right priorities, and love more deeply. Make faith a priority in your life, and ask God to help you strive for things that last for all eternity. Trust God to give you strength to overcome the challenges of life and take you places you never even dreamed of. . .
(Verse of the week)

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3.12-14)

(Prayer of the week)

Gracious God, help me to rediscover the joy of living in faith and trust in you. Help me to focus on things that last for eternity. Help me to trust in your love and power. Through your power I am strong and well-able to overcome. Open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others every day, through your power and to your glory. Amen.

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

(quote of the week)

Faith is a living daring confidence in God's grace. It is so certain that a [person] could stake his [or her] life on it a thousand times." -Martin Luther

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Deep Call to Deep

8/15/2015

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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)

Heavenly Father, 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

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