July 16 devotional

Posted on July 16, 2013 by drscott

Dear Beloved,


Depression is a serious disease that affects over 15 million Americans every day.  Research has found that 1 in 10 suffer from some form of depression.  Aside from the disease though, many of us, at one time or another, engage in self-pity and the “poor me” syndrome that so easily traps us in a web of narcissism that’s hard to break.  For me personally, I call it “the funk”.  I can get into a “funk” every now and then.  Fortunately, it doesn’t last long.  Maybe a day or two.  But I hate it when I’m in it!  One of the best ways to get out of self-pity and self-absorption is to help others.  You’d be surprised how a simple act of helping or giving to others makes you feel better.  And remember, Christ is always there to pull you up, dust you off and make you whole again.  Peace and Love, Scott


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Self-Pity Is A Slimy, Bottomless Pit.  Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper and deeper into the mire.  As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound.

Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence shining down on you.  Though the Light looks dim from your perspective, deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth.  While you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss of despair.  Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand.  I will pull you out into the Light again.  I will gently cleanse you, washing off the clinging mire.  I will cover you with My righteousness and walk with you down the path of Life.

Psalm 42:5  5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior.

Psalm 147:11  11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Daily Devotional is from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 15 devotional

Posted on July 15, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


What is reality?  “Reality TV” has been popular for years now.  What is our obsession with watching others “live”?  Their “reality” is not our reality.  Reality for a Christian is knowing that regardless of our circumstances, God is with us.  Through prayer, our bond with Christ grows so that we are keenly aware of His presence each and every day.  Christians are tuned in to Christ, in other words.  As we practice tuning out the world, our reality is focused on that which can not been seen, but only felt through the Holy Spirit.  This is faith.  Practiced.  Lived. And tested each and every day.  May you feel His presence today.  Hugs and Love, Scott

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I Am Nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments.  You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever.  However, you may sometimes feel alone, because your union with Me is invisible.  Ask Me to open your eyes, so that you can find Me everywhere.  The more aware of My Presence, the safer you feel.  This is not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate reality.  I am far more Real than the world can see, hear, and touch.  Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.

Acts 17:27-28 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) 1NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 11 devotional

Posted on July 11, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


I’ve always had an issue with the words “jealous God”.  To me, jealousy is such a negative, human emotion that destroys people and relationships that I can’t associate it with my Lord and Savior.  So, I did a little research to see what other people thought about it.  Seems I’m not the only one having difficulty wrapping my mind around a “jealous God”.  I think the easiest way to deal with it is to substitute “zealous” with “jealous”.  God is passionate about us and our relationship with Him.  He knows that if we worship other idols, we will hurt out relationship Him and eventually hurt ourselves.  He loves us with an everlasting, passionate zeal.  That’s pretty amazing when you really think about it.  Makes one feel special and important.  And you are!  So, be blessed and be careful of putting anything or anyone above the One who loves you like crazy.  Hugs, Scott

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Worship Me Only.  Idolatry has always been the downfall of My people.  I make no secrets about being a jealous God.  Current idols are more subtle than ancient ones, because today’s false gods are often outside the field of religion.  People, possessions, status, and self-aggrandizement are some of the most popular deities today.  Beware of bowing down before these things.  False gods never satisfy; instead, they stir up lust for more and more.

When you seek Me instead of the world’s idols, you experience My Joy and Peace.  These intangibles slake the thirst of your soul, providing deep satisfaction.  The glitter of the world is tinny and temporal.  The Light of My Presence is brilliant and everlasting.  Walk in the Light with Me.  Thus you become a beacon through whom others are drawn to Me.

Exodus 20:4-5 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.

2 Samuel 22:29 29 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 10 devotional

Posted on July 10, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


There is nothing better than having a true friend or spouse with whom you can be yourself.  That unconditional love was first modeled in the relationship of God and Adam.  We were created for worship and relationships.  It’s in our very DNA.  Yesterday I challenged you to find some quiet time with your Lord.  As I sent that email out, I also went to the sanctuary for some quiet time.  As I sat on the pew and closed my eyes, I found it difficult to quiet my mind.  I thought, maybe if I lay down on the pew, I’ll be able to focus better.  I almost fell asleep!  Can’t be listening to God if I’m asleep!  After some time, I was able to quiet most of my mind and just listen.  It’s not easy!  But, Jesus honors our efforts none the less.  Be at peace and relax in Him.  Hugs, Scott


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Relax In My Peaceful Presence.  Do not bring performance pressures into our sacred space of communion.  When you are with someone you trust completely, you feel free to be yourself.  This is one of the joys of true friendship.  Though I am Lord of lords and King of kings, I also desire to be your intimate Friend.  When you are tense or pretentious in our relationship, I feel hurt.  I know the worst about you, but I also see the best in you.  I long for you to trust Me enough to be fully yourself with Me.  When you are real with Me, I am able to bring out the best in you: the very gifts that I have planted in your soul.  Relax, and enjoy our friendship.

Revelation 17:14 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

John 15:13-15 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 9 devotional

Posted on July 9, 2013 by drscott

Dear Beloved Friends,


Quiet time with God is sacred indeed!  And, being one who is constantly on the go and at others’ beck and call, it’s difficult to find this time.  Seek and you will find is a promise from our Creator.  So, today I challenge you to make 5, 10, 15 minutes of alone time with God.  Notice I said “make”, not “find”.  We have to make this time for too often we say “I could not find the time to be with God”.  Make it a priority and I promise you will be blessed!  Let this be intimate.  You don’t have to tell me or anyone what God says to you.  This loving relationship is precious.  Enjoy!  Love and Hugs, Scott

p.s. our sanctuary is always open to you.  can’t promise it’ll be quiet, but most of the time it is during the day.  Just fyi….that’s where I’m heading now.  peace…


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Stop Worrying 

long enough to hear My voice.  I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being.  Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion.  As My thoughts rise up within you, they become entangled in those sticky webs of worry.  Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only “white noise.”

Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts.  This ability is an awesome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image.  Do not be deafened by the noise of the world or that of your own thinking.  Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts reprogram your thinking.

Deuteronomy 30:20 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Genesis 1:27  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Romans 12:2 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 8 devotional

Posted on July 9, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


“When your joy in Me meets My joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy.”  Having just seen some wonderful fireworks this 4th of July weekend, this sentence has a fresh new meaning to me.  It truly is magical, spiritual and heavenly when our joy and the joy of the Lord come together.  That sweet, mystic communion makes me feel as if I’m floating sometimes.  I feel lighter than air and filled up with the Holy Spirit at the same time.  I pray you find time to be with God today and every day.  I can’t promise a transcendence from earthly realms to heavenly realms, but I can promise you that if you seek Him, you will find Him.  Be blessed in this knowledge and anticipate the great communion of you and your Lord, Jesus Christ.  Hugs!  Scott


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When You Seek My Face, 

put aside thoughts of everything else.  I am above all, as well as in all; your communion with Me transcends both time and circumstances.  Be prepared to be blessed bountifully by My Presence, for I am a God of unlimited abundance.  Open wide your heart and mind to receive more and more of Me.  When your Joy in Me meets My Joy in you, there are fireworks of heavenly ecstasy.  This is eternal life here and now: a tiny foretaste of what awaits you in the life to come.  Now you see only a poor reflection as in a mirror, but then you will see face-to-Face.

John 15:11 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

1 Corinthians 13:12 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 7 devotional

Posted on July 8, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


Thoughts are powerful.  Our thoughts are the seeds of action.  Controlling our thoughts is a very difficult task, but can be done with practice and prayer.  Read on for inspiration friends!  Be blessed.  Hugs and Love, Scott


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Trust Me In All Your Thoughts. 

  I know that some thoughts are unconscious or semiconscious, and I do not hold you responsible for those.  But you can direct conscious thoughts much more than you may realize.  Practice thinking in certain ways-trusting Me, thanking Me-and those thoughts become more natural.  Reject negative or sinful thoughts as soon as you become aware of them.  Don’t try to hide them from Me; confess them and leave them with Me.  Go on your way lightheartedly.  This method of controlling your thoughts will keep your mind in My Presence and your feet on the path of Peace.

Psalm 20:7 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

1 John 1:9 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 1:79  79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 3 devotional

Posted on July 3, 2013 by drscott

Dear Friends,


I hear the words of our anthem “Not Guilty” when I read the devotional below.  Christ was very clear on being judgmental of others.  It’s so easy to see the fault in others while missing the log stuck in our own eyes!  Read on and be blessed!  Hugs, Scott________________________________________________

My Children make a pastime of judging one another-and themselves.  But I am the only capable Judge, and I have acquitted you through My own blood.  Your acquittal came at the price of My unparalleled sacrifice.  That is why I am highly offended when I hear My children judge one another or indulge in self-hatred.If you live close to Me and absorb My Word, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct you as needed.  There is no condemnation for those who belong to Me.

Luke 6:37 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

2 Timothy 4:8

8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Titus 3:5 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Romans 8:1  1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ JesusDaily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 2 devotional

Posted on July 3, 2013 by drscott

Dear Beloved,


What a joy to know that God is indeed in control.  As we pray continually, we indeed can relax a bit, knowing that the Divine Artist is weaving a perfect day for us, regardless of circumstances and physical conditions.  Have you given this day to God?  Or are you trying to control everything and everyone around you?  And, how’s that working for you?  It’s not too late to start over.  He’s waiting with open arms hoping you’ll rest there a while.  Peace and Love Friends, Scott

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Let Me Show You

My way for you this day.  I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present.  Living well is both a discipline and an art.  Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist.  Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life.  Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me.  Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you.  Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me.  Underneath are the everlasting arms!

Psalm 5:2-3  2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.  3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Deuteronomy 33:27  27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 1 Devotional

Posted on July 2, 2013 by drscott
Dear Friends,
It’s so easy to make anything an idol.  I watched a short music video this morning during our worship leadership staff planning and it brought home just exactly what an idol is.  We sometimes think that an idol is some object or image that was worshiped during the ancient Roman times.  I saw some of these idols and temple ruins during my trip.  As I marveled at the craftsmanship, engineering and architectural skill demonstrated in constructing these temples, I was still viewing ruins.  The buildings and worshipers were no longer there.  Our God never dies.  The temples we build are inside our hearts and souls.  This is where our focus should be.  Anything that occupies your mind completely is an idol.  Anyone that dominates your every thought and desire, is an idol.  Any job that completely dominates your life, is an idol.  It’s easy to slip into idolizing other things, even if successful according to the world’s standards.  But,  just like the ruins in Rome, these things will pass away.  Focus on life eternal and our Christ who gives us this abundant living.  Be blessed friends!  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am Life And Light In Abundance.  As you spend time “soaking” in My Presence, you are energized and lightened.  Through communing with Me, your heavy burdens are transferred to My strong shoulders.  By gazing at Me, you gain My perspective on your life.  This time alone with Me is essential for unscrambling your thoughts and smoothing out the day before you.

Be willing to fight for this precious time with Me.  Opposition comes in many forms: your own desire to linger in bed, the evil one’s determination to distract you from Me; the pressure of family, friends, and your own inner critic to spend your time more productively.  As you grow in your desire to please Me above all else, you gain strength to resist these opponents, Delight yourself in Me, for I am the deepest Desire of your heart.

Psalm 48:9  9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

 Deuteronomy 33:12   12About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

 Psalm 37:4  4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Daily Devotional From “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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