October 31 Devotional

Posted on October 31, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

I find that most people just want to be listened to.  Sometimes folks get frustrated, angry and upset, but what they really want and need is to be validated and listened to.  Even if the situation is out of any one’s control, folks just need to vent sometimes.  As Christians, we are called to be Holy Listeners.  You will have opportunities today, in person, on the phone, at work or at home, to be a Holy Listener.  What a privilege!  Don’t go it alone.  Read below so that you are equipped to be the mouth and ears of God!  Love, Scott
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Learn To Listen To Me even while you are listening to other people.  As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground.  You need the help of My Spirit to respond appropriately.  Ask Him to think through you, live through you, love through you.  My own Being is alive within you in the Person of the Holy Spirit.  If you respond to others’ needs through your unaided thought processes, you offer them dry crumbs.  My streams of living water flow through you to other people.  Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.

Exodus 3:5 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

 1 Corinthians 6:19 19Do 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.

 John 7:38-39 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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October 30 Devotional

Posted on October 30, 2012 by drscott
Dear Friends,
No matter what, Jesus is with us and God is Big Enough!  Go lightly through this day knowing this truth.  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am With You.  I am with you.  I am with you.  Heaven’s bells continually peal with that promise of My Presence.  Some people never hear those bells because their minds are earthbound and their hearts are closed to Me.  Others hear the bells only once or twice in their lifetimes, in rare moments of seeking Me above all else.  My desire is that My “sheep” hear My voice continually, for I am the ever-present Shepherd.

Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice.  Beginners need a quiet place in order to still their minds.  As you advance in this discipline, you gradually learn to carry the stillness with you wherever you go.  When you step back into the mainstream of life, strain to hear those glorious bells: I am with you.  I am with you.  I am with you. 
 John 10:14  14″I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

 John 10:27-28 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 
 Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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First Concert Series~ Lauran Lawson and Ali Bankston

Posted on October 29, 2012 by drscott

Saturday, November 17, 2012, 7:00 PM –  8:00 PM

First Concert Series presents vocalists Lauran Lawson and Ali Bankston in concert on Saturday, November 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Former semi-finalists on the singing competition X Factor, these talented young ladies perform everything from country to pop to sacred hymns, as well as original compositions. Special guest artists will join them throughout the evening.
Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased online or at the door.

 

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October 25 Devotional

Posted on October 25, 2012 by drscott

Dearly Beloved,

It is good to know we are never alone.  Never.  So, rejoice in this truth and call upon His name in all circumstances.  Be blessed!  Hugs, Scott
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I Am God With You, for all time and throughout eternity.  Don’t let the familiarity of that concept numb its impact on your consciousness.  My perpetual Presence with you can be a continual source of Joy, springing up and flowing out in streams of abundant life.  Let your mind reverberate with meanings of My Names: Jesus-the Lord saves, and Immanuel-God with us.  Strive to remain conscious of My Presence even in your busiest moments.  Talk with Me about whatever delights you, whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind.  These tiny steps of daily discipline, taken one after the other, will keep you close to Me on the path of Life. 
Matthew 1:21 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:23 23″The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”


 Acts 2:28 28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. 
 Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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October 22 Devotional

Posted on October 22, 2012 by drscott

Dear friends,

I do love this devotional and the message it brings.  Often we judge our day as “good” or “bad”.  I think we should focus on having “God Days”–days in which, regardless of our circumstances, it was given to and lived in the presence of God.  That is where true joy is found.  God loves you and understands everything you’re going through.  Talk to Him.  He’s a GREAT listener!  Hugs and Love, Scott
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No Matter What your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence.  On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight.  On days like that, being content is as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step.  Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless.  Dull, gray rocks greet your gaze and cause your feet to ache.  Yet Joy is still attainable.  Search for it as for hidden treasure.

Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence.  Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not.  Then, start talking with Me about whatever is on your mind.  Rejoice in the fact that I understand  you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing.  As you continue communicating with Me, your mood will gradually lighten.  Awareness of My marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day.

Psalm 21:6  6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

 Proverbs 2:4 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure 
 Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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October 18 Devotional

Posted on October 18, 2012 by drscott
Dear Friends,
These are beautiful words that help us deal with all of those problems that seem to trip us up along our journey.  Visualize, if you will, a large rock peeking out in a flowing stream.  Notice how the water flows around the rock.  Flow with God and be at peace!  Hugs, Scott
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Go Gently Through This Day, keeping your eyes on Me. I will open up the way before you, as you take steps of trust along your path. Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course. Instead, focus on Me, the Shepherd who is leading you along your life-journey. Before you know it, the “obstacle” will be behind you and you will hardly know how you passed through it.

That is the secret of success in My kingdom. Although you remain aware of the visible world around you, your primary awareness is of Me. When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch. My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence.

John 10:14-15:14″I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Isaiah 26: 7 The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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October 15 Devotional

Posted on October 15, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

It was great worshiping with you all yesterday!  For an hour, we all had our focus on God and His will for us and our lives.  I always feel good after worship don’t you!  Being in the presence of our heavenly Father and other followers is totally where it’s at!  Hugs, 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 on Jesus, 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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October 12 Devotional

Posted on October 15, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to please people so that they’ll “approve” of you.  During this election year, there are many polls out there that make an attempt at measuring how folks feel about others and certain issues.  The media perpetuates this insane practice and we tend to buy into what the poll says, regardless of what the facts are.  So, here’s a poll that I know for a fact is true:  God’s Love for You is 100% unconditional and eternal.  No debate on this one.  It’s a FACT!  Be blessed friends, Love and Hugs, Scott
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Beware Of Seeing Yourself through other people’s eyes.  There are several dangers to this practice.  First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you.  Moreover, their views of you are variable, subject to each viewer’s spiritual , emotional, and physical condition.  The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry.  Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes.  My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin.  Through My eyesyou can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved.  Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth. 
 Hebrews 11:6 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

 John 4:23-24 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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October 11 Devotional

Posted on October 11, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

Defining “wants” and “needs” in our lives is often a difficult task.  We are constantly fed information that attempts to define us and, through the use of advertising, suggest that we need certain things in order to be happy and fulfilled.  Lies! Lies! Lies!  Be at peace dearly beloved and know that what you need, you already have and have in abundance–our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Read and be blessed friends.  Hugs, Scott
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I Am The Culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is, and was, and is to come.  Before you knew Me, you expressed your longing for Me in hurtful ways.  You were ever so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world.  But now My Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms.  I have lifted you out of darkness into My marvelous Light.
Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential.  Receive My blessings with open hands.  Enjoy My good gifts, but do not cling to them.  Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things,and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me.  The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: My Presence with you.

Psalm 62:5-8 5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  7 My salvation and my honor depend on God  ;he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 

 Revelation 1:8 8″I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 1 Peter 2:9 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

 James 1:7 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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Orchestra Agenda October 10

Posted on October 11, 2012 by drscott

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