October 21 Devotional

Posted on October 21, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,

We’re off and running with our newest sermon series and stewardship campaign.  It’s an exciting time in the life of our church.  I really appreciated Mike’s sermon this past Sundayand the questions he asked: 1. What do you really want in life? 2. What are you looking for? and 3. What should we be looking for?  It seems the older we get, the more simple our desires become.  I also agree with Mike’s affirmation that our society thrives and promotes discontentment.  Every ad or commercial perpetuates this sentiment.  Peace and contentment seem to be the way to live a fulfilling and Christ-centered life.  May it be so for you and for me!  Be blessed loved ones.  Scott

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To Live in My Presence consistently, you must expose and expel your rebellious tendencies.  When something interferes with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interference.  Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem.  Don’t push those unpleasant feelings down; instead, let them come to the surface where you can deal with them.  Ask My Spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings.  Bring them boldly into the Light of My Presence, so that I can free you from them.

The ultimate solution to rebellious tendencies is submission to My authority over you.  Intellectually you rejoice in My sovereignty, without which the world would be a terrifying place.  But when My sovereign will encroaches on your little domain of control, you often react with telltale resentment. 

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Remember that all good things-your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time-are gifts from Me.  Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude.  Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!

Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

1 Peter 5:6 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Job 1:21 (NASB) 21He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.  Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” from Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

Posted on October 17, 2013 by drscott

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Chancel Choir Agenda

Posted on October 17, 2013 by drscott

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October 16th Devotional

Posted on October 16, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,

Continuing what we read yesterday, this devotional reminds us once again that God is always with us, guiding us and speaking to us no matter where we are.  It is the one constant that we can rely on, regardless of our circumstances.  Be it in a hospital room, foreign country or in your car driving down the road, God is with us.  Talk to him.  Listen. And know that you’re never alone.  Peace and Love, Scott

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Look To Me Continually

 

for help, comfort, and companionship.  Because I am always by your side, the briefest glance can connect you with Me.  When you look to Me for help, it flows freely from My Presence.  This recognition of your need for Me, in small matters as well as in large ones, keeps you spiritually alive.

When you need comfort, I love to enfold you in My arms. I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others.  Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it.  

My constant Companionship is the piece de resistance: the summit of salvation blessings.  No matter what losses you experience in your life, no one can take away this glorious gift.

Psalm 34:5 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 105:4 4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3Praise be to the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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October 15 Devotional

Posted on October 15, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,

Today is a new day!  Rejoice and be glad in it as you walk with God, our heavenly Father.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be in constant communion with Christ in every situation, in any room, at any moment.  This is supernatural to say the least!  I pray for God’s hand of protection to be upon each and every one of you as you go about your daily lives.  I pray for peace, comfort and for faithfulness to guide you as you seek and serve Him today and every day.  See you Wednesday!  Peace and Love, Scott

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Try To Stay Conscious Of Me as you go step by step through this day.  My Presence with you is both a promise and a protection.  My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always.  That promise was for all of My followers, without exception.

The promise of My Presence is a powerful protection.  As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way.  Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way.  A few steps away from your true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will.  If you take your eyes off Me and follow another’s way, you are in grave danger.  Even well-meaning friends can lead you astray if you let them usurp My place in your life.  The way to stay on the path of Life is to keep your focus on Me.  Awareness of My Presence is your best protection. 

Matthew 28:20 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 12:1-2  1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes onJesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

Posted on October 10, 2013 by drscott

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Chancel Choir Agenda

Posted on October 10, 2013 by drscott

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October 9 Devotional

Posted on October 9, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,

You never really know a person until you go on a trip with them.  That’s why I love choir tours so much.  I really get to know you–the real YOU!  It’s during adversity, trials and difficulties that true colors show.  And, while on tour, things aren’t always going to go your way.  It’s just a part of the journey.  Kinda like life!  Our human tendency is to complain, grumble and insist on our way.  God has something totally different in mind.  We are to “shine like stars in the universe”.  So, let’s all keep shining and sharing the love of God to the world. Amen!

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You Have Been on a long uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent.  Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me.  There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain.  You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following.  I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you.  You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you to see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether.  It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage.  Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out.  As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

Jeremiah 31:25  

25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Philippians 2:14-15 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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October 8 Devotional

Posted on October 9, 2013 by drscott

Dear Beloved,

God sees us differently than we see ourselves.  We see what’s on the outside and some of what’s on the inside.  And in looking inside and out, we tend to judge ourselves (and others) as humans often do.  We all come up short don’t we.  But, thankfully, God sees altogether differently.  He sees us as He created us–beautiful, perfectly made and spirit-filled.  But time, circumstances and sin cloud who we really are inside.  As we are re-made in Christ, God sees with forgiving eyes, loving eyes and a timeless acceptance.  Embrace the Grace Freely Given!  Amen!

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I Love You

 

with an everlasting Love.  The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy.  Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me.  Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing Love.

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you.  This awareness of My Presence strengthens you, as you receive and respond to My Love.  I am the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Let My Love flow into you continually, Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love into you.

Jeremiah 31:3 3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Exodus 15:13 13 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Hebrews 13:8 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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October 7 Devotional

Posted on October 7, 2013 by drscott

Wow!  This devotional is one you might want to print off and hang up somewhere where you’ll see it as you start your day.  The first line alone is worth memorizing: “In order to hear My voice, you must first release all your worries into My care.”  It seems that the clutter, noise and weight of worries tends to push aside the still small voice of God.  I have to admit that during my prayer time, I sometimes wander mentally and spiritually.  I have to stop myself and say “oops…gotta get back to God and not me.  This is my time with God!”  So, if something’s bothering you, release it to God and then you’ll be able to better hear what He wants you to hear.  Read on for some words of encouragement and be blessed!  Love, Scott

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In Order To Hear My Voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My face unhindered. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My Presence, allowing My Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you.

Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made,trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstance.Trust Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

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

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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