January 14 Devotional

Posted on January 14, 2014 by drscott
Dear Blessed Ones,
In this world where glitz and glamour are worshiped more than what is real and eternal, it’s difficult not to get caught up in the quest for maintaining outward appearances.  Phrases like “I’m fine” or “I’m okay” you and I use every day, but sometimes things aren’t “ok”.  God knows our heart, and that’s a very comforting thing to know.  He also knows our weaknesses.  The good news is that He can turn our weaknesses into strengths.  Think about that for a moment.  Not only will our weaknesses be gone, they’ll become our strengths!  Only God can do that.  So, be blessed today as you open your heart to God and all He has to offer you.  Peace and Love, Scott

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Let Me Bless You with My grace and Peace. Open your heart and mind to receive all that I have for you. Do not be ashamed of your emptiness. Instead, view it as the optimal condition for being filled with My Peace.

It is easy to touch up your outward appearance, to look as if you have it all together. Your attempts to look good can fool most people. But I see straight through you, into the depths of your being. There is no place for pretense in your relationship with Me. Rejoice in the relief of being fully understood. Talk with Me about your struggles and feelings of inadequacy. Little by little, I will transform your weaknesses into strengths. Remember that your relationship with Me is saturated in grace. Therefore, nothing that you do or don’t do can separate you from My Presence.

1 Samuel 16:7 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”

Romans 8:38-39 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 13 Devotional

Posted on January 13, 2014 by drscott
Dear Holy Ones,
What?  You don’t consider yourself “holy”?  Ah…but you ARE!  And the more time you spend with God, the more you realize what your calling is.  Indeed, take time to be holy and holy you shall be.  Thank you all for being the faithful worship leaders God has called you to be.  It is an honor to serve with you.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Take Time To Be Holy.  The word holy does not meangoody-goody; it means set apart for sacred use.  That is what these quiet moments in My Presence are accomplishing within you.  As you focus your mind and heart on Me, you are being transformed: re-created into the one I designed you to be.  This process requires blocks of time set aside for communion with Me.

The benefits of this practice are limitless.  Emotional and physical healing are enhanced by your soaking in the Light of My Presence.  You experience a nearness to Me that strengthens your faith and fills you with Peace.  You open yourself up to receive the many blessings that I have prepared for you.  You become a cleansed temple of My Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through youimmeasurably more than you ask or imagine.  These are just some of the benefits of being still in My Presence.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Psalm 27:4   4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19  19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Ephesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 10th Devotional

Posted on January 10, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
At the funeral of Mary Jordan’s mother in law earlier this week, I mentioned the fact that she invested in this church and in the lives of others.  This is the kind of investment that always yields 10-fold what we put in.  Not only here on earth, but also in heaven.  When we stop and think about where we’re putting our time, energy, talent and attention, doesn’t it make sense to invest in something that pays huge dividends and will last through out eternity?!  Trust God to deliver as you are faithful to Him in all things.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Every Time You Affirm Your Trust In Me, you put a coin into My treasury.  Thus you build up equity in preparation for days of trouble.  I keep safely in My heart all trust invested in Me, with interest compounded continuously.  The more you trust Me, the more I enable you to do so.

Practice trusting Me during quiet days, when nothing much seems to be happening.  Then when storms come, your trust balance will be sufficient to see you through.  Store up for yourself treasure in heaven, through placing your trust in Me.  This practice will keep you in My Peace.

Psalm 56:3-4 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

 Matthew 6:20-21 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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Benefit Concert for Philipe

Posted on January 9, 2014 by drscott

♫♪♫ Benefit Concert for Philippe Bertraud ♫♪

Sunday, January 26 at 5:00pm at Ridglea Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth

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January 9th Devotional

Posted on January 9, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Knowing God’s will for our lives is, for me, the most difficult thing to do on a daily basis.  For one thing, I have a strong will!  Sometimes I get my will and God’s will mixed up.  How do I know the difference?  Pastor Mike says “don’t do anything God can’t bless”.  So, I ask myself some questions:  “Who will be blessed as a result of this action?”  Is it for me or others?  Does this reach people, bless people and witness to the Spirit living in me?  Would God be pleased?
I just finished a meeting with folks about the 2013 Mansfield Christmas Spectacular.  We always want to bring our best to the Master, so this was a “what can we do better next time” kind of meeting.  There are always things we can do better, but was this production “in God’s will”?  I have to say “Absolutely!”.  I give thanks for each of you and what you brought, in faithfulness and selflessness to the production.  We will have a DVD of it to view soon.  I’ll keep you posted as to when.  I, myself, know very little about the show visually.  Can’t wait!
As we journey together in this new year, I challenge you to ask yourself some of the questions above and let the Spirit guide you as to what you will do and say in 2014.  I love being in ministry with you all and the lives we change because of your faithfulness.  What a blessing!  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am With You And For You.  When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.  You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don’t be discouraged-never give up!  With my help, you can overcome any obstacle.  Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.  One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events.  If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.  Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Romans 8:31 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 Psalm 46:1-3  1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,  3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God. 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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Rehearsal schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration

Posted on January 8, 2014 by drscott

9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

January 19, 2014

Music Rehearsal Schedule

Thursday, January 9–7:00 p.m. –9:00 p.m.

Sunday, January12–3:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 18–11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. (refreshments will be served)

Sunday, January 19–Call Time: 4:00 p.m.;Program: 5:00 p.m.

*rehearsals and performance will held at Bethlehem Baptist Church 1188 W. Broad St. Mansfield, Tx

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Upcoming anthems

Posted on January 8, 2014 by drscott

ANTHEMS

Jan 12  Be Thou My Vision (arr. Bovee)
Jan 19   The Love Of God (arr. Bovee)
Jan 26    O Taste and See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtv3-b3tQ0
Feb 2   Thou, O Lord (new one…during offertory) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtDVYOb-fw
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January 8th Devotional

Posted on January 8, 2014 by drscott
Dear Beloved,
Today is a cold, wet, rainy day.  Some folks like days like this, especially if you can curl up inside your warm house by a nice cozy fire!  Alas, that is not the case for many of us.  But regardless of our circumstances or the weather, we have God, gently calling our name saying “Talk with me.  Be with me.  Let me ease your pain and burdens.”  What a loving and patient God.  I pray that as you go through this day, you will allow the presence of the Almighty to be with you and guide you.  Can’t wait to see you all tonight!  Peace and Love, Scott

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Softly I Announce My Presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate remember that I am your ever-present Help.

Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I hear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness. 

Psalm 46:1  1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Romans 12:12 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:13  13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Martin Luther King Jr Celebration

Posted on January 7, 2014 by drscott

Below is a note with some information and links to hear the recordings of the music.

“Thank you all once again for accepting our invitation to participate in the community choir at the 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. The theme for this year’s program is “The Audacity of Hope!”. The celebration will be held Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the T.M. Moody Gymnatorium, 1188 W. Broad St. Mansfield, Texas.

Attached you will find the musical selections that will be used during the program (sheet music and mp3 recordings) and rehearsal schedule.
If you have any members that would like to participate in the orchestra I have the the score sheet and can email them to you.
Please let me know the instrument and how many you plan on participating.

If you would like to forward the YouTube links to your members the songs can be found at the links below:

Oh Taste & See – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtv3-b3tQ0

For Every Mountain – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ5dO2NGwJQ

Thou Oh Lord – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtDVYOb-fw

We Shall Overcome – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlIzWaV-dU4

We look forward to worshiping with you and celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Mansfield community. “

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January 7th Devotional

Posted on January 7, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Praise.  Gratitude.  Adoration.  These are acts and attitudes that are given to a loving, all-powerful God.  God, who has given us everything, wants nothing in return.  However, He knows that when we freely give love, praise, adoration and thankfulness in response to these gifts, all is in divine order.  Be blessed as you practice these acts each and every day.  These are great habits to establish for a bountiful 2014!  Peace and Love, Scott
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It Is Impossible To Praise Or Thank Me Too Much.  As it is written, I inhabit the praises of My people.  Sometimes your adoration is a spontaneous overflow of Joy, in response to radiant beauty or rich blessings.  At other times your praise is more disciplined and measured-an act of your will.  I dwell equally in both types of praise.  Thankfulness, also, is a royal road to draw near Me.  A thankful heart has plenty of room for Me.

When you thank Me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all blessings flow.  When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty is a showpiece in invisible realms.  Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving.  This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My Presence. 

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)  3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalm 146:1-2 1 Praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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