November 19 Devotional

Dear Friends,
It seems everyone I know is going through some sort of transition in their lives.  Some of these changes are things we anticipated and some are not.  Such is life right!?  But no matter what, Christ is with us, guiding us, comforting us and reassuring us that He’s got it under control.  Thank God!  So, chill a bit.  Leave it to God.  And enjoy the moment, whatever it is, in the “now”.   I give thanks for each of you today and every day!  Peace in Christ, Scott
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Leave Outcomes Up To Me.  Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out.  Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion.  Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me.  When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help.  When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence.  Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.

You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes to Me.

Psalm 27:13-14 13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Exodus 15:13
13 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 11 Devotional

Dearly Beloved,
I have, like all of you, experienced what today’s devotional is all about–dependence on the power of God each and every day.  What I found interesting is the fact that power is given to those who ask and in the amount needed to complete the tasks set before them.  This past Sunday, I needed a LOT of power and stamina to complete the courses set before me.  I truly felt your prayers and the power of God sustaining me and getting me to and through the finish line.  Go God!  Today is no different.  I will need and will call upon God to get me through this evening and all that it entails.  I know I won’t be alone–you’ll be here, God will be here and all of our wonderful veterans, both on earth and in heaven, will be here as well.  It’s going to be a beautiful night.  Blessings, Scott
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Do Not Let any set of circumstances intimidate you.  The more challenging your day, the more of My Power I place at your disposal.  You seem to think that I empower you equally each day, but this is not so.  Your tendency upon awakening is to assess the difficulties ahead of you, measuring them against your average strength.  This is an exercise in unreality.

I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly.  The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help.  Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual.  Look to me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do. As your days, so shall your strength be.

Ephesians 1:18-20 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

Psalm 105:4 4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Deuteronomy 33:25 (NKJV)
25 Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Upcoming anthems

November 8-

November 11- (Veteran’s Day) A Tribute to the Armed Forces

November 15- A Mighty Fortress– Prelude (choir comes in at 3:50),  The Call (Anthem), He’s Been Faithful (Giving card offering)

November 22- Festival Anthem on Ellacomb (text on recording is for Palm Sunday- we are singing the general words “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”)

November 29- Still The Lamb

December 6- Son of God

December 13- The Christmas gift

December 20-  Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child

December 23/24- A Baby Changes Everything

 

 

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November 3rd Devotional

Dear Friends,
We all experience days, weeks, months when things just don’t seem to go “our way”.  As difficult as it may seem, we are to give thanks during these times and really lean on God for reassurance, guidance, peace, courage and healing in our lives.  Maybe we should call them “divine difficulties” instead of problems?  I don’t know…worth trying!  Peace and Love in All Things, Scott

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Every Time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me.  This practice has several benefits.  The first is obvious: talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship.  Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good.  This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity.

Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life.  It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence.  When you reframesetbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost.  It is only after much training that you can accept major losses in this positive way.  But it is possible to attain the perspective of the apostle Paul, who wrote: Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, I consider everything I once treasured to be as insignificant as rubbish.

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

Philippians 3:7-8
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 2 Devotional

My Dear Friends,

Once again words can not express my gratitude for your faithfulness and courage last night.  Our All Saints Service was truly spirit-led and heaven-sent.  In our weakness, God is made strong.  After all that we have tackled together, finally God was ready to take over and make something truly amazing from our feeble efforts.  Thank you all again for trusting me, supporting pastor David by agreeing to lead in worship last night and, especially, for honoring those that have finished the race and won the prize of eternal life with our heavenly Father.  To all of you here and to the great cloud of witnesses there, I say “well done good and faithful servants”.  Hugs, 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
15 This 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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October 29 Devotional

Dear Friends,
I just took a little test to calculate how long I’ll live.  None of the questions mentioned my spiritual practices, only physical ones and family history.  I believe our spiritual practices are just as important as our physical ones when it comes to living a balanced, healthy life.  How we handle stress (FROG=Fully Rely on God!) and fellowship with one another are great spiritual practices that improve our quality of life.  I’m not going to tell you what my “score” was.  Let’s just say I plan to be around a LONG time, Lord willing!  But, in the mean time, quality time with our Creator makes each day special.  For that I’m grateful!  And for you as well.  Be blessed!  Hugs and Love, Scott
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Linger In My Presence A While.  Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day’s activities.  Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success.  A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle.  Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you.  Only I know what will happen to you this day.  I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way.  If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart.  Relax with Me while I ready you for action.

Ephesians 2:10 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Hebrews 12:3
3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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