January 14 Devotional

Posted on January 14, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
With God, it’s all about the heart.  His heart for us and our heart for Him.  This is where peace, love and hope is found.  In the world, it’s often the outward appearances that seem to matter most.  But, eventually, truth will reveal itself.  We are people of truth and light!  So, let your voices be heard and your light shine in the darkness.  Be blessed in this.  Love, Scott
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Let Me Bless You with My grace and Peace. Open your heart and mind to receive all that I have for you. Do not be ashamed of your emptiness. Instead, view it as the optimal condition for being filled with My Peace.

It is easy to touch up your outward appearance, to look as if you have it all together. Your attempts to look good can fool most people. But I see straight through you, into the depths of your being. There is no place for pretense in your relationship with Me. Rejoice in the relief of being fully understood. Talk with Me about your struggles and feelings of inadequacy. Little by little, I will transform your weaknesses into strengths. Remember that your relationship with Me is saturated in grace. Therefore, nothing that you do or don’t do can separate you from My Presence.

1 Samuel 16:7 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”

Romans 8:38-39 38For 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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Upcoming anthems

Posted on January 13, 2015 by drscott

January 18- Shine on Us

January 25- Be Thou My Vision

February 1- There is a Fountain

February 8- To God be the Glory

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January 13 Devotional

Posted on January 13, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Do you remember the song “Take Time to Be Holy”?  A beautiful reminder of the importance and the benefits of our prayer time.  Be blessed as you set aside time for Him today and every day.  Love, Scott

  1. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
    Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take Time To Be Holy.  The word holy does not meangoody-goody; it means set apart for sacred use.  That is what these quiet moments in My Presence are accomplishing within you.  As you focus your mind and heart on Me, you are being transformed: re-created into the one I designed you to be.  This process requires blocks of time set aside for communion with Me.

The benefits of this practice are limitless.  Emotional and physical healing are enhanced by your soaking in the Light of My Presence.  You experience a nearness to Me that strengthens your faith and fills you with Peace.  You open yourself up to receive the many blessings that I have prepared for you.  You become a cleansed temple of My Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through youimmeasurably more than you ask or imagine.  These are just some of the benefits of being still in My Presence.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Psalm 27:4   4 One 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.

1 Corinthians 6:19  19 Do 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;

Ephesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 12 Devotional

Posted on January 12, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
First of all, let me say a whole-hearted, spirit-filled “Amen!” to our worship yesterday!  I was overjoyed with the response we received for our efforts.  I truly feel as if we led in worship with an eye towards God.  I hope you felt affirmed, uplifted and inspired with our epic hour of holy worship!  Thank you, thank you thank you for your faithfulness!  Our church is blessed because God loves the servant hearts of FUMC Mansfield!
I love today’s devotional.  It’s perfect timing as we enter into yet another new phase of our kingdom work through this church.  The only thing we know for certain, is that change happens.  It has to!  However, some are worried about our beloved traditional worship.  Let me tell you now, beautiful, heart-felt worship will never “go out of style”.  We, as traditional worship leaders, will keep doing what we do best–lead in worship with our voices and our instruments!  As long as folks keep coming, we’ll keep singing and playing for the glory of God.  Both Mike and David have a deep respect and admiration for traditional worship.  They love it (and you!).  So, relax and let’s get ready for Sunday worship, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter etc. etc. etc.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Let Me Prepare You for the day that stretches out before you.  I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it.  You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey.  You’d feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead.  However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey.  My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way.  Stay in continual communication with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts.  Thus, you can walk through this day with your focus on Me.  My abiding Presence is the best road map available.

Exodus 33:14 14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

John 15:4-7 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  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. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 8th Devotional

Posted on January 8, 2015 by drscott
Dear Beloved,
Thank you all again for your faithfulness in leading in worship this upcomingSunday.  I really appreciate your servant hearts and know that God will bless our efforts (and our sacrifices) in a very special way.  I have not been this excited about a single worship service since we hosted the ordination service last year for annual conference!  I still have the long list of the bishop’s favorite hymns and contemporary praise and worship songs (both lists were equal in # btw…) and enjoyed serving our diversified attendees.  Wherever two or more are gathered in His name…God is there!  And God will be with us this Sunday too.  Count on it!  Be blessed!
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Softly I Announce My Presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate remember that I am your ever-present Help.

Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I hear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness. 

Psalm 46:1  1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Romans 12:12 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:13  13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 7th Devotional

Posted on January 7, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Praise, adoration and thanksgiving are truly all we have to offer our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  What else could we give the King of the Universe?  So, it makes sense to thank Him in all circumstances.  I remember Ceasar Rentie talking about his aunt who would say “Thank you Jesus” no matter what was happening.  If something broke in the house or the car wouldn’t start, she’d say “Thank you Jesus!”  At the time, he thought it really strange, but now, as a mature Christian, it all makes sense.  May you be blessed in His presence in all circumstances.  Peace and Love, Scott
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It Is Impossible To Praise Or Thank Me Too Much.  As it is written, I inhabit the praises of My people.  Sometimes your adoration is a spontaneous overflow of Joy, in response to radiant beauty or rich blessings.  At other times your praise is more disciplined and measured-an act of your will.  I dwell equally in both types of praise.  Thankfulness, also, is a royal road to draw near to Me.  A thankful heart has plenty of room for Me.

When you thank Me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all blessings flow.  When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty is a showpiece in invisible realms.  Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving.  This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My Presence. 

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)  3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalm 146:1-2 1 Praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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January 6th Devotional

Posted on January 6, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
A beautiful reminder to not put human limitations on our Lord and Savior and to live in the limitless spirit realm.  Be blessed!  Hugs, Scott
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I Am Able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine.  Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish.  Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me.  Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered.  Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark.  The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation.  Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention.  Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.

Ephesians 3:20-21 20Now to him who is able to doimmeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Romans 8:6 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Isaiah 40:30-31 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!”


Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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January 5th Devotional

Posted on January 5, 2015 by drscott
Dear Friends,
A very happy new year to you all as we embrace 2015 with boldness and courage!  Where does this come from you might ask?  Our faith and trust in God!  So many books have been written on how to be successful in life, how to live the victorious life and how to be a “winner” in life.  Our book is the Bible and our champion is none other than Christ Himself.  Read on for encouragement and enlightenment and may you have a blessed year in Christ.  Peace and Love, Scott
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You Can Achieve The Victorious Life through living in deep dependence on Me.  People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes.  But those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me.  It is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness, that you learn to rely on Me.

True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do.  It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you.  I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach.  You know that in yourself you cannot achieve such a goal.  Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me.  It is a faith-walk, taken one step at a time, leaning on Me as much as you need.  This is not a path of continual success but of multiple failures.  However, each failure is followed by a growth spurt, nourished by increased reliance on Me.  Enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life, through deepening your dependence on Me.

Psalm 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV 7 We walk by faith, not by sight.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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December 29 devotional

Posted on December 29, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
I hope you are all enjoying some well-deserved time off and rest.  One of the things I love to do during the holidays is catch up on some reading.  My mom sent me a book called “Killing Jesus”.  I know, the title is a bit jarring to say the least, but it has been on the NY Times best selling list for a while now and is written as an historical account of the life and times of Jesus.  I’m only half way through (I’m a terribly slow reader) but what trikes me is the hedonistic and brutality of the Romans during Jesus’ time.  I knew it was bad, but the book goes into more detail about the common practices of the Roman soldiers, the rulers of the day (including the Jewish ones) and the fate that awaited anyone who would challenge the authorities who ruled with an iron fist.  There was no love, forgiveness, grace, peace etc. until Jesus came along and preached it!  Thank you God for coming into our world to preach the Good news and for giving your life for us.  A Merry Christmas indeed!  May God bless you all today and every day as you trust in Him.  Peace and Love! Scott
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Trust Me with every fiber of your being!  What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me.  One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or major decision.  Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times.  Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust in Me.  People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly.  Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into the stupor of self-sufficiency.

I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith.  You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything-and rejoices.  Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence.

Psalm 40:4 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Psalm 56:3-4 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?

Psalm 62:8  8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Isaiah 26:3-4 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Go Tell it on the Mountain

Posted on December 17, 2014 by drscott

Here is the recording for this week’s anthem:

Go Tell It On The Mountain

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