Dr. Scott Ferrell

Dear Friends,

I printed this off a couple of years ago.  It’s right in front of my face at eye level and I read it every time a difficulty comes up.  I read it all the time!!  J  I pray it guides you and gives you comfort as it has me.  Be blessed as you live a frog-like life (FROG= fully rely on God)

__________________________________________________

Do Not Resist Or Run from the difficulties in your life.  These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth.  Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them.  View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me.

When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me.  Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us.  Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom.  Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.

John 15:5  ⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 ⁸We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

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

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,

Just read this short devotional and giver yourself a break!  Blessings!  Scott

_________________________________________________

Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself.  I can bring good even out of your mistakes.  Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret.  This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration.  Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me.  Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes.  Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride.  Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses.  Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me.  I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes.  Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do.

Romans 8:28   ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

 Micah 7:7  ⁷ But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,

We all have trials and tribulations.  It truly is a part of life on earth.  But, take heart.  Jesus has overcome the world!  Read on for inspiration.  Peace and Love, Scott

_________________________________________________

Do Not Long for the absence of problems in your life.  That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble.  You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven.  Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.

Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter.  The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours.  Discuss everything with Me.  Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle.  Remember that I am on your side, and that I have overcome the world.

John 16:33  ³³“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

Isaiah 41:13 ¹³ For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 

 Philippians 4:13 ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful reminder to “fear not”!  Jesus, Angels and Prophets constantly reminded us that we were to “fear not”.  God is in control and we’re not.  And that’s a good thing….Peace, Scott

________________________________________________________

If You Learn To Trust Me-really trust Me-with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace.  Everything you endure can be put to good use by allowing it to train you in trusting Me.  This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you.  Joseph was a prime example of this divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way.  Concentrate on trusting Me and on doing what needs to be done,  Relax in My sovereignty, remembering that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day.  Fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter.

Genesis 50:20 (NASB)  ²⁰“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Psalm 23:4  ⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Beloved,

I love serving with you!  Thank you so much for your faithfulness as you continue to remember your first love—that name above all names….Jesus.  Peace, Scott

p.s. see you at City Hall!

________________________________________________________

You Cannot Serve Two Masters.  If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others.  If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them.  People can be harsh taskmasters when you give them this power over you.

If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First Love.  Your serving is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional Love for you.  The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you up into intimate relationship with Me.  The Joy of living in My Presence outshines all other pleasures.  I want you to reflect My joyous Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me.

Matthew 6:24  ²⁴“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 

Revelation 2:4 ⁴Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 

Ephesians 3:16-17 ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

Psalm 16:11  ¹¹ You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,  with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Dear Friends,

No matter what you’re going through, God is with you and He’s big enough to see you through it.  Peace and Love, Scott

_____________________________________________________

Living In Dependence On Me is the way to enjoy abundant life.  You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness of My Presence.  Tasks that you used to dread are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy My closeness.  When you feel tired, you remember that I am your Strength; you take pleasure in leaning on Me.  I am pleased by your tendency to turn to me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.

When you are with other people, you often lose sight of My Presence.  Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus.  When you realize this has happened, whisper My Name; this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong.  As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others.  This is abundant life!

Proverbs 29:25  ²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. 

John 10:10 ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young