Devotional Blog

Thankful

11/25/2015

Psalm 136 is a wonderful psalm with a wonderful refrain "His love endures forever." Try reading it aloud and feel free to add a few lines of your own. It is wondrous how a thankful heart opens your life to the love that is around you from God and others and stirs the joy within. A thankful person shines light and love where they go, and touches the hearts of many. Take a moment...rejoice. And may you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
who made the great lights-His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136

Happy Thanksgiving-Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
Giving is the highest level of living --John Maxwell

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Reach for the Stars

11/20/2015

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Reach for the stars and keep your feet grounded in love -- it is a great adage and a great goal for all of life. Paul challenges us to be rooted and established in Christ's love and that relationship will help us grow strong and become fruitful in all we do. We can keep growing in the love of Christ through all of life, and have confidence that our relationship to God gives us a firm foundation to use our gifts and talents to pursue great dreams that serve others and honor God. Reach for the stars and keep your feet rooted and grounded in love --and hold on to the hand of the Lord who loves you and will be with you always. Open your heart to God's awesome love...and trust God to take you places you never even dreamed of... then fasten your seat belt for all the thrills, adventure, and joy of a lifetime!

(Verse of the week)
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3.17,18)

(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. Help me to keep my life grounded in your love and help me reach for the stars and be all that I can be. In everything I do may others see your love in me through your grace and to your glory. Amen!

Have a great week! --Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
O God, my Father, don't let me die without having really lived and really loved --John Powell

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Storm

11/14/2015

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There are times when each of us feels caught in the wind and waves of a great storm. We feel like the disciples in a boat tossed about by wind and waves in the middle of the night. But then Jesus comes to us and his presence calms the storm. If, like Peter, we are floundering in the waves, then Christ reaches down and pulls us to safety. In the tumult and turmoil, there is still the Lord of Love who comes to us to still the storm and calm the seas. He still reaches out to take hold of us with His arms of love. In Christ there is a peace that passes all understanding and a hope that lights the sky like a rainbow following a storm. Take a moment and listen in your heart for His voice and reach for His hand.

(Verse of the week)
God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Though its waters roar and foam And the mountains quake with their surging. Be still and know that I am God . . . (Psalm 46.1-3,10)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious God of love and mercy, thank you that in any storm there is stillness in your arms of love and hope surrounded by your power. Strengthen me to face the challenges of life. And may your love fill my life that I can be a beacon of hope to those around me. In everything I do may others see your love and grace in me. Amen.

Have a great week! -Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised -- Norman Vincent Peale

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Refiners Fire

11/5/2015

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In the workroom of the blacksmith, the fires burn hot and the sound of hammering echoes in the street. The steel is softened and refined in fire, hammered into shape, then heated again, re-worked, and finally hardened in the shock of water and steam. It seems a hard process from fire to hammer and anvil, and finally to the water vat; and yet the master craftsman knows his work. A work of beauty and usefulness is created. Peter likens God's work in us to that of a master craftsman at work. God fashions us and refines us with the fires of trial, but a work of beauty and faith is being crafted that will last the storms of life and reflect God's love, giving "praise, glory, and honor" to Christ. Know that no matter how hot the fire, or how hard the hammer of adversity strikes, the water of the Holy Spirit will sustain you, for God is creating a work of enduring beauty and you are safe in God's skillful care. Your faith is more precious than the finest gold! You are in the loving hands of God the Master Craftsman.

(Verse of the week)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that you faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1.6,7)

(Prayer of the week)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the challenges of life that refine, mold and strengthen us. Give me faith to trust in your plan and your strength. Refine me that others may see your true reflection in me. May I be joyful in all things, and may I be loving to all people, that others may see the light of your love in me.    Amen.

Have a blessed week!  -Pastor TJ

(quote of the week)
It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving   --Mother Teresa

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