July 13 devotional

Dear Friends,

It indeed was strange, as it always is, not to have the choir and orchestra leading in worship on Sunday. You were greatly missed! But, I do know that a little break is always nice to get caught up on family time, vacation time, etc. After our amazing July 5th extravaganza, I’m sure many of you needed a little break! People continue to stop me and tell me how wonderful it was. I’m simply passing along the kudos to those who did all the work and were faithful on the 5th–YOU! Thank you all again for making the sacrifice to lead in two worship services in celebration of our nation under God. I was SO proud of you ALL and was transported to a heavenly realm many times as I conducted. Euphoric is the word that comes to mind. May God bless you all as you catch up on some needed rest! Hugs and Love, Scott

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I Want You To Experience the riches of your salvation: the Joy of being loved constantly and unconditionally. You make a practice of judging yourself, based on how you look or behave or feel. If you like what you see in the mirror, you feel a bit more worthy of My Love. When things are going smoothly and your performance seems adequate, you find it easier to believe you are My beloved child. When you feel discouraged, you tend to look inward so you can correct whatever is wrong.

Instead of trying to “fix” yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of my soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love.

Ephesians 2:7-8 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Hebrews 3:1 1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Psalm 34:5 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 2 Devotional

Dear Friends,
My, my!  What a wonderful rehearsal we had last night!  It’s thrilling to be able to share great music with you all.  Our guest musicians repeatedly stated how impressed they were with you all.  Makes a lowly choir director proud!  Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication to our church, our community and our country.  May God bless you all now and forever and may God bless the USA!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Let Me Show You

My way for you this day.  I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present.  Living well is both a discipline and an art.  Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist.  Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life.  Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me.  Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you.  Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me.  Underneath are the everlasting arms!

Psalm 5:2-3  2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.  3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Deuteronomy 33:27 
27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 1 Devotional

Dear Friends,
Time with God and our Lord Jesus Christ is time well spent.  LOTS of distractions in the world we live in, so be diligent in carving out time for Him who gave His all for us.  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am Life And Light In Abundance.  As you spend time “soaking” in My Presence, you are energized and lightened.  Through communing with Me, your heavy burdens are transferred to My strong shoulders.  By gazing at Me, you gain My perspective on your life.  This time alone with Me is essential for unscrambling your thoughts and smoothing out the day before you.

Be willing to fight for this precious time with Me.  Opposition comes in many forms: your own desire to linger in bed, the evil one’s determination to distract you from Me; the pressure of family, friends, and your own inner critic to spend your time more productively.  As you grow in your desire to please Me above all else, you gain strength to resist these opponents, Delight yourself in Me, for I am the deepest Desire of your heart.

Psalm 48:9  9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

Deuteronomy 33:12  
12 About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

Psalm 37:4 
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Daily Devotional From “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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June 30 Devotional

Dear Friends,
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating Independence Day, the day we declared ourselves a free and independent country.  John Adams writes, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”  It’s one thing to declare independence, but another to be grateful for deliverance.  We are free to be dependent on God.  It is Christ who redeems us and sets us free.  So, this Sunday, we have much to be thankful for–freedom in all its many forms and deliverance from sin and death.  I hope you’ll join me at 9:30 and 11 for what will be a glorious time of celebration!  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am The Truth: the One who came to set you free.  As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully, you become free in Me.  You are increasingly released to become the one I created you to be.  This is a work that I do in you as you yield to My Spirit.  I can do My best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me.

Let My thoughts burst freely upon your consciousness, stimulating abundant Life.  I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.  As you follow Me, I lead you along paths of newness: ways you have never imagined.  Don’t worry about what is on the road up ahead, I want you to find your security in knowing Me, the One who died to set you free.

John 8:32 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Philippians 2:13
13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

John 14:6  6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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June 29th Devotional

Dear Friends,
I wouldn’t exactly call myself a “morning person”.  Those of you who faithfully serve at 8:15 each Sunday know this full well! On Sunday mornings, I have to admit that my first thought is not “must have God”, but rather “must have coffee”!  But, it is God’s presence with us that gives us the courage to face another day and any and all problems or situations that might arise.  Together, we truly can handle anything that comes our way.  God is Big Enough and He’s on YOUR side!  Peace and Love, Scott
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As You Get Out Of Bed

in the morning, be aware of My Presence with you.  You may not be thinking clearly yet, but I am.  Your early morning thoughts tend to be anxious ones until you get connected with Me.  Invite Me into your thoughts by whispering My Name.  Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly.  You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.

You gain confidence through knowing that I am with you– that you face nothing alone.  Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: “If such and such happens, can I handle it?”  The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs.  It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully.

Psalm 5:3 3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 63:1 1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

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

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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West Side Story

MCT is excited to present WEST SIDE STORY in July!

We have an incredible cast with a live Orchestra!
You don’t want to miss this show!

One weekend only so get your tickets now for best seating.
Tickets are also available at the door.

Click Here To Purchase Tickets
Saturday July 18th 2pm & 7pm and Sunday July 19th 3pm
Kennedale Performing Arts Center
901 Wildcat Way / Kennedale, Texas 76060

Young lovers are caught between prejudice and warring street gangs.
From the first notes to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. ROMEO AND JULIET takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments.

Presented through Music Theatre International
Based on conception of JEROME ROBBINS, Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS,
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN, Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Entire Original Production Directed and choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS
presented through Music Theatre International

 

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June 25th Devotional

Dear Friends,
It amazes me to think that the God of the universe would even consider me, let alone love me unconditionally.  This alone is reason enough to rejoice and give thanks for the gift of life and the gift of love in our lives.  When you think about it, how could you NOT have a great day!  Be blessed in this and have a fantastic day beloved ones.  Hugs, Scott
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Open Your Hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me.  I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence.  By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you.  I eagerly await your first conscious thought.  I rejoice when you glance My way.

Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me.  Because I am God, from whom all blessings flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me.  Sing praise songs to Me; tell of My wondrous works.  Remember that I take great delight in you;  I rejoice over you with singing.

Psalm 118:24  24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 95:2
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Zephaniah 3:17 
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”


Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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June 24th Devotional

Dear Friends,
Dependence and trust in God are common themes in the Bible.  It seems God is always giving us opportunities to grow in our faith through trusting and depending upon Him in all things.  I remember when my kids where little, the first thing I would say when we’d get out of the car in a parking lot or other public place is “hold my hand”.  This wasn’t a control issue, but a desire for me to protect my children from getting injured in some way.  And so it is with our heavenly Father.  Be blessed as you hold tight to His hand today and every day.  Love, Scott
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Hold My Hand-And Trust.  So long as you are conscious of My Presence with you, all is well.  It is virtually impossible to stumble while walking in the Light with Me.  I designed you to enjoy Me above all else.  You find the deepest fulfillment of your heart in Me alone.

Fearful, anxious thoughts melt away in the Light of My Presence.  When you turn away from Me, you are vulnerable to the darkness that is always at work in the world.  Don’t be surprised by how easily you sin when you forget to cling to My hand.  In the world, dependency is seen as immaturity.  But in My kingdom, dependence on Me is a prime measure of maturity.

Isaiah 41:10 10 So 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 62:5-6
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.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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June 22 Devotional

Dear Friends,
Ever just get angry at the world and want to blame God for all the troubles that you are experiencing?  It’s ok.  God understands and can handle it.  However, the Bible says to thank God for all things–even difficult times.  It could be just turning your focus to what blessings are in your life rather than the trials.  Be blessed as you give thanks to God for all things, even trials!  Love, Scott
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Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you.  You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shaking your fist in My Face.  You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaining about My treatment of you.  But once you step over that line, torrents of rage and self pity can sweep you away.  The best protection against this indulgence is thanksgiving.  It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time.

Thanking Me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first, but if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart.  Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems.

Psalm 116:17 NKJV 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.


Philippians 4:4-6  4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

 

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Tomorrow night’s rehearsal

I just wanted to remind you that it is super important that if you are planning on singing on July 5th to be present for rehearsal tomorrow night!!!!!!

It is our last rehearsal before that special service! The worship arts year end party is the 24th (and if you are coming and have not let kathleen know, please email her at kathleenp@fmcm.org as soon as possible!) and then July 1st is our dress rehearsal for the 5th!

You now have recordings of all  of the music for that day, so please listen to them! It will really help!

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