Devotional Blog

Waiting for Dawn

8/26/2021

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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Beginnings

8/19/2021

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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

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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Forever

8/12/2021

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King David the Shepherd King reminds us in the final verse of this deep and beautiful psalm that God's goodness and mercy or love will follow us all the days of our lives. King David had risen from a lowly shepherd to a victorious war hero and finally a legendary king. He had experienced incredible success and blessing along the way. He had also experienced personal failure and God's forgiving grace. But more than anything else he knew that through all the vicissitudes of life, God's blessing and goodness and love had been with him. And even facing death, he knew that God's abiding presence and love would see him to the other side of eternity where he would be in the eternal presence of the Shepherd of Love.
God promises His blessing and goodness and love to each of us, too. We will experience adversity and difficulty along the way, but rest assured God's abiding love and goodness will surround you and uplift you. Whatever you are facing, trust God to see you through. Have faith in God's love and power. The Easter miracle reminds us that God’s love is greater than any failure or obstacle and Christ’s love and presence will be with us forever. Open your heart and life to God's amazing love!

(Verse of the week)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

(Prayer of the week)
Heavenly Father, Shepherd of Love, lead and guide me through the challenges and adversities of life. Thank you for your goodness mercy and love. Help me to trust in your love and power. Through your power I am strong and well-able to overcome. And through your love I know forgiveness and true love. Open my heart to your love and make me a blessing to others every day, through your power and to your glory.
Amen.

May you feel the grace and love of God in a special way this week!—Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else—C.S. Lewis

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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Table

8/4/2021

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We have been looking at the simple yet deep and profound 23rd Psalm - the shepherd's psalm. The Shepherd-King David reminds us that life is like a journey, where the path leads us along scenic vistas, sometimes winding over treacherous cliffs and then again along quiet waters.    He also reminds us that enemies do sometimes surround and assault us, but God will protect us and even prepare a table of His blessing before us in their presence. God's provision is not thwarted by enemies and those who would undercut or seek to destroy us. Instead we can have full confidence in God's bounteous provision. Don't live in fear, live in faith. God's plan and power will see you through. When we have fought long and hard in the heat of the day, God's Holy Spirit will be the oil of healing. And when we feel depleted God will pour a cup that overflows with love and mercy, and restores our soul. God's presence is with us to guide and uplift us and fill us with hope and peace.   The images remind us to invite others to sit at table with us and to allow the oil of God’s Spirit to overflow and touch their lives. Amid challenge and adversity, reach out to others. Share grace! Know that come what may the Shepherd of Love leads the way and will see you through.

(Verse of the week)
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious Lord, Shepherd of Love, lead and guide me through the challenges and adversities of life. Protect me from that which would destroy and guide me that I may always follow your way and grow each day. Prepare a bounteous table that I may share with others when difficulties threaten. Help me to trust your power to see me through. 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.

Blessings in Christ--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
    Words to live By-Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, ill-logical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
  It was never between you and them anyway!

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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