November 8 Devotional

Posted on November 8, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

We all deal with difficulties in life.  Christians are by no means immune to these, however, the way in which we handle life’s hardships reflect our faith in so many different ways.  Often, non Christians are amazed at the faith of those who face adversity with confidence, peace and a courageous outlook.  Their act of faith is a witness to all of those around them.  I have been inspired so many times by friends and family who daily live their faith, no matter what.  You are my inspiration!  May God bless each and every one of you as you continue in your faith journey. peace and love, Scott
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Learn To Appreciate difficult days.  Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way.  As you journey through rough terrain with Me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything.  This knowledge is comprised of three parts: your relationship with Me, promises in the Bible, and past experiences of coping successfully during hard times.

Look back on your life, and see how I have helped you through difficult days.  If you are tempted to think, “Yes, but that was then, and this is now,” remember who I Am!  Although you and your circumstances may change dramatically, I remain the same throughout time and eternity.  This is the basis of your confidence. In My Presence you live and move and have your being. 
Isaiah 41:10 10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Psalm 102:27 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

 Acts 17:28 28’For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

 Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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November 7 Devotional

Posted on November 7, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

I think this devotional is a perfect “post election” devotional.  After months of campaigning, polls and politics, it’s great to remind ourselves where our focus should be–on being with God and our Savior Jesus Christ.  So, regardless of how you voted, give thanks that our country can still model for the world how a true democratic society can vote for our leaders without fear as a free people.  It’s a beautiful gift won by the blood of men and women who fought for our civil and human rights through many battles over our nation’s history.  We will celebrate and honor our veterans this Sunday night at 7pm.  I hope you’ll join me and others for this special service.  Tell your neighbors, friends and co-workers as well.  And, in the words of  Romney, I hope you’ll join me in praying for our country, the leaders we’ve elected and Obama and his family during the next four years.  And, yes, God Bless America!
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Worship Me in the beauty of holiness.  All true beauty reflects some of who I Am.  I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being.  My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession.  Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away.  I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that-abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way.  I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence.  This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will or the moment.  Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive.  Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.

Psalm 29:2 (KJV) 2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

 Psalm 27:4  4One 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. 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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November 5 Devotional

Posted on November 5, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

Please read this beautiful devotional and be blessed knowing that you are not alone.  Hugs, Scott
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You Can Live As Close To Me as you choose.  I set up no barriers between us; neither do I tear down barriers that you erect.

People tend to think their circumstances determine the quality of their lives.  So they pour their energy into trying to control those situations.  They feel happy when things are going well, and sad or frustrated when things don’t turn out as they had hoped.  They rarely question this correlation between circumstances and feelings.  Yet it is possible to be content in any and every situation.

Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence.  Don’t let your well-being depend on your circumstances.  Instead, connect your joy to My precious promises:
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  I will meet all your needs according to My glorious riches.  Nothing in all creation will be  able to separate you from My Love. 
 Philippians 4:12 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

 Genesis 28:15 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 Philippians 4:19 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

 Romans 8:38-39 38 For 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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November 2 Devotional

Posted on November 5, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

Be blessed as you go through this day, dependent upon the Lord!  Peace, Scott
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Grow Strong in the Light of My Presence.  Your weakness does not repel Me.  On the contrary, it attracts My Power, which is always available to flow into a yielded heart.  Do not condemn yourself for your constant need of help.  Instead, come to Me with your gaping neediness; let the Light of My Love fill you.

A yielded heart does not whine or rebel when the going gets rough.  It musters the courage to thank Me even during hard times.  Yielding yourself to My will is ultimately an act of trust.  In quietness and trust is your strength. 
Psalm 116:6 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Ephesians 5:20 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


 Isaiah 30:15 15This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

 Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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500 Years since Sistine Chapel ceiling was revealed!

Posted on November 5, 2012 by drscott

500 Years Ago – October 31, 1512 – Michelangelo unveiled the newly painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to Pope Julius II.  The masterpiece represents the height of Renaissance art and theology and underscored a new vision for a city that had languished over the centuries.  The next 150 years witnessed countless projects that transformed Rome into one of the most exciting cities of Europe – with great works by Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, Caravaggio and others.

Rome is unparalleled as a place to explore ancient Rome, early Christianity, medieval Christian art and, of course, the great monuments of Renaissance Rome.  Many have increasingly discovered the value of travel to places of great historical and religious significance.   The experience of traveling together is deeply transformative.  Participants return with a new sense of their place in a historical tradition, a renewed commitment to their faith and local congregation, stronger bonds with fellow sojourners, and a greater understanding of other belief systems and cultures.

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November 1 Devotional

Posted on November 1, 2012 by drscott

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful time of fellowship we all had last night.  I couldn’t keep from laughing!  Your costumes looked great, you looked great and you sounded wonderful.  Thanks for making this a Halloween I’ll not soon forget!  Love you all!  Peace, Scott
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Do Not Be Discouraged by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me.  I know that your heart’s desire is to be aware of My Presence continually.  This is a lofty goal; you aim toward it but never achieve it in this life.  Don’t let feelings of failure weigh you down.  Instead, try to see yourself as I see you.  First of all, I am delighted by your deep desire to walk closely with Me through your life.  I am pleased each time you initiate communication with Me.  In addition, I notice the progress you have made since you first resolved to live in My Presence.

When you realize that your mind has wandered away from Me, don’t be alarmed or surprised.  You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you.  Each time you plow your way through the massive distractions to communicate with Me you achieve a victory.  Rejoice in these tiny triumphs, and they will increasingly light up your days.

Romans 8:33-34 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

 Hebrews 4:14-16 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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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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