Dr. Scott Ferrell

Dear Friends,
Today’s devotional is packed with LOTS of truth.  It is human nature to compare ourselves to others.  Competition is encouraged and applauded, literally and figuratively.  So, it’s understandably very easy to fall into the trap of judging ourselves and others.  Instead, remain faithful to the journey Christ has set before you.  It is YOUR journey and yours alone.  All you can be sure of is the everlasting love of the One you follow.  In His eyes, there is no condemnation, only love, grace and forgiveness.  In Him, you will find peace.  Be blessed friends!  Love and Hugs, Scott

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Stop Judging And Evaluating Yourself, for this is not your role.  Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people.  This produces feeling of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both.  I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her.  Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations, or those of other people.  The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love.  Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation.  This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness.  When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity.  Immerse yourself in My loving Presence.  Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.

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.

John 3:16-17 16″For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Isaiah 61:10 (NASB) 10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,
It is so easy to loose focus as we become more and more mired in daily struggles.  As we often remind ourselves, God does not bring us more than we can handle, provided we hold fast to the hand that calmed the raging seas, blessed us with healing and took the nail for our salvation.  Read on beloved and be blessed as you continue to serve Him faithfully.  Scott

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Keep Your Eyes On Me!  Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up.  As your circumstances consume more and more of your attention, you are losing sight of Me.  Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand.  I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow.  If you try to carry tomorrow’s burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat.  You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today.  It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens.  Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.

Psalm 73:23 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

1 Corinthians 10:13 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,
This devotional points out that worry is an act of rebellion against God.  That’s pretty intense, but oh so true.  For if we worry, then that indicates that we do not trust God to take care of us.  Now, it doesn’t mean that we’re not active and pro active in our own lives, but we also have to keep in mind that God has our future in the palm of His hand.  So, work hard, be faithful and trust God to do His part.  Peace and Love, Scott

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I Am Leading You, Step By Step, through your life.  Hold my hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day.  Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy-even precarious.  That is how it should be.  Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things.  When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you.

Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me.  I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that.  Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.

Deuteronomy 29:29  29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Psalm 32:8 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Rest In My Presence, allowing Me to take charge of this day. Do not bolt into the day like a race horse suddenly released. Instead, walk purposefully with Me, letting Me direct your course one step at a time. Thank Me for each blessing along the way; this brings joy to both you and Me. A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I shower upon you daily. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven’s throne room when they are permeated with thanksgiving. In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you.

Colossians 4:2  2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

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

Dear Friends,
This devotional reminds me of “I Need Thee Every Hour”.  It’s true!  Sing, read and be blessed.  Love, Scott

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You Need Me Every Moment.  Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength.  Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up.  Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice-deep dependence on Me, or despair.  The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence.  Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment.  Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence.  Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 17pray continually

John 16:24 (AMP) 24Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,
It was wonderful making music with you all yesterday.  We had about 70 choir members make it to the rehearsal and about 15 in the orchestra.  We made a joyful noise indeed!  I can’t thank you enough for making the effort to come to rehearsal.  We got a lot done towards our Good Friday and Easter services.  Thank you! 
The first paragraph of this devotional is taped to my computer screen on my desk.  I read it just about every day.  I hope it resonates with you as well.  Be blessed as you bless others.  Peace, Trust and Thankfulness, Scott

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Trust And Thankfulness will get you safely through this day.  Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing.  Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining: those “sister sins” that so easily entangle you.

Keeping your eyes on Me is the same thing as trusting Me.  It is a free choice that you must make thousands of times daily.  The more you choose to trust Me, the easier it becomes.  Thought patterns of trust become etched into your brain.  Relegate troubles to the periphery of your mind, so that I can be central in your thoughts.  Thus you focus on Me, entrusting your concerns into My care.

Colossians 2:6-7 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Psalm 141:8  8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young