Devotional Blog

Teamwork

9/29/2016

Football season is here! It's incredible to see what a team can accomplish when they work as a team, striving together for the good of the team, rather than individuals striving for their own good. That's really what the concept of synergy is all about--the team is greater than the sum of the individuals. And when those individuals really care about each other, even greater things can be accomplished. Just being a part of that kind of group can be a tremendous joy. That's the way the Apostle Paul envisioned the church. Christian fellowship is a greater joy than even being part of a great team—because it is being part of a great team that really cares about one another. Listen to what the Apostle Paul had to say:

(scripture of the week)
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." (Phil. 2.1, 2)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help us to reflect your love by having a spirit of teamwork and unity so that we can truly be your living presence to all those around us. Fill us with your Spirit and guide us with your Word so that we may be like you through your grace and to your glory, amen.

(quote of the week)

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours

--Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

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Unity

9/22/2016

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Unity

What would happen if all of us as Christians, regardless of denominational or cultural boundaries, treated each other with the love of Christ? How exciting to find that we share so much more than we realized? After all, the greatest thing we can share is the love of Christ. It should not surprise us that others often see things differently, just as family members often have differences of opinion, yet remain united by being a family. The Apostle Paul wrote:

(scripture of the week)
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then. . .I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one person for the faith of the gospel. . .(Phil.1.27)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, give us a spirit of unity that embraces our deep love for you in all we do, and a deep appreciation to honor the differences of others so that we might truly be the family of God, through Christ Our Lord, we pray, amen.

Have a great week! -Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity" -St. Augustine

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Depth

9/8/2016

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Did you ever have one of those days! You know what I mean--one of THOSE DAYS! Everything seems to be going wrong. You are facing challenge and adversity at work or school or home. Or maybe you say the wrong thing. Or you say the right thing at the wrong time. Nothing is going right. It happens to all of us. Fortunately, not all the time. It even happened to the Apostle Paul. He was in prison. The government was looking to put him on trial and possibly execute him for his faith. Now that's really a bad day!
What was Paul's response?--To be joyful and to uplift others! Paul had an attitude of thankfulness and a spirit of joy. He also took time to write a letter of encouragement to those facing adversity. What a response! That's precisely the situation when Paul was writing the Philippians. And he writes them that he has THEM in HIS prayers. It is also a prayer for each of us and a great lesson on how to deal with challenge and adversity. Paul writes:

(scripture of the week)
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God!" (Phil.1.9-11)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, facing the greater challenges, help me to know your love and grace in a greater way. Help me to take the time to encourage someone today. With the Apostle Paul I pray "that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God!" Amen. Have a great week!--Pastor TJ

(quote of the week) "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving happier"-Mother Teresa

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Start with the End in Mind

9/1/2016

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For many families it is the start of a new school year. Anticipation. Anxiety. Stress! Excitement! Opportunity! All rolled into one--for both students and parents. There is a great adage that we should to start with the end in mind. In other words, don't let the smaller things in life distract you from the end goal. Instead, let the end goal help set the priorities for the day and energize your daily activities. It is true for our life at work and school, and also true for our faith life. Let us each be reminded of the things that last for all eternity and align our priorities with that in mind. The Apostle Paul was in prison for his faith but he was able to write words of encouragement to others facing challenge and adversity. He lets them know they are in his prayers and that God will see them through to the end. The Apostle Paul writes these words:

(scripture of the week)
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with JOY because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being CONFIDENT of this, that God who began a good work in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1.3-6)

(prayer of the week)
Lord, help remind me that the things that matter most, are that which lasts for all eternity. Help me to live each day living out your purposes for me, confident that you will strengthen me through Christ, amen.

(quote of the week)
"Begin with the end in mind"-Stephen Covey

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