July 24 Devotional

Posted on July 24, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Having an attitude of gratitude in ALL things is probably one of the most recognizable Christian traits one can demonstrate.  It’s also one of the most baffling to non Christians.  It doesn’t seem logical or even practical to the world.  But we are not of the world!  Amen to that!  In the musical “Annie”, our little orphan finds herself in a Hooverville looking for her parents.  She been waiting and looking for 11 years.  As the current residents of Hooverville complain about various aspects of their life, Annie turns each negative into a positive.  Empty pockets are a blessing for cold hands and fingers.  Sleeping on newspapers allows you to read in bed!  So, keep that attitude of gratitude and find something positive to say and do every day.  Blessings abound!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Thankfulness Opens The Door to My Presence.  Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice.  I have placed a door between you and Me, and I have empowered you to open or close that door.  There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective.

Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust.  When thankful words stick in your throat, you need to check up on your foundation of trust.  When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me.  I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances.  See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings.  I will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you.  Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness.

Psalm 100:4   4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

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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July 23rd Devotional

Posted on July 23, 2014 by drscott
Dear People of Light!
What a great privilege to be people of Light to reflect the love and light of Christ dwelling within you.  So, I say to you good people–Shine On!  And be blessed as you bless others.  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am The Light Of The World.  Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness, but all the while I am shining brightly.  I desire each of My followers to be a Light-bearer.  The Holy Spirit who lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you.  Ask My Spirit to live through you, as you wend your way through this day.  Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side.  The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I am.

John 8:12  12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14-16  14″You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 3:1818 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Exodus 3:14  14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 22 Devotional

Posted on July 22, 2014 by drscott
Dear Beloved,
There’s a lot in today’s devotional and scripture passages.  In striving to please God, you can find freedom from your own expectations and the expectations of others.  Many times we can enslave ourselves through self inflicted pressure to please others and our own internal expectations.  God knows you and your abilities above all else.  You’ll find Him patient and willing to help you achieve His perfect will for your life, if you only let Him.
The second part of today’s devotional cautions us on being “authentic” in our actions and worship.  As worship leaders, we are called to be open and transparent in our worship so as to lead others to do the same.  Worship is such a personal act that it can be a bit scary (for me anyway!) to allow others to witness my worship of God.  But, you and I have to allow our faces, voices and bodies be conduits of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us.  It’s a high calling and “fakes” can be spotted a mile away!  Be real.  Be yourself.  And allow God to use you in an authentic way.  Peace and Love!  Scott
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Find Freedom through seeking to please Me above all else.  You can have only one Master.  When you let others’ expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds.  Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy.  I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not.  Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it is in My “service.”  Concentrate on staying close to me at all times.  It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence.

Ephesians 5:8-10  8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord.

Matthew 23:8  8″But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.

Matthew 6:1  1″Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 17 Devotional

Posted on July 17, 2014 by drscott
Beloved,
Don’t be too busy and forget God!  Easy to do in this frenetic world we live in.  Be blessed!  Love and Hugs, Scott
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Come Away With Me for a while.  The world, with its nonstop demands, can be put on hold.  Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Me.  But the longer people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder it is for them to find Me.

You live among people who glorify busyness; they have made time a tyrant that controls their lives.  Even those who know Me as Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world.  They have bought into the illusion that more is always better: more meetings, more programs, more activity.

I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest Joy.  It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised.  However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you.  Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.

Song Of Songs 2:13  13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.   Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

Luke 10:42 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 16 Devotional

Posted on July 16, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
I pray this devotional blesses you as you make time for being with God.  It’s awesome to think that you and I can be in communion with the Creator of the universe just by stopping what we’re doing and asking Him to be with us.  Holy Spirit, thou art welcome here!  Peace and Love, Scott
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I Am Your Father-God.  Listen to Me!  Learn what it means to be a child of the everlasting King.  Your richest duty is devotion to Me.  This duty is such a joyous privilege that it feels like a luxury.  You tend to feel guilty about pushing back the boundaries of your life to make space for time alone with Me.  The world is waiting to squeeze you into its mold and to crowd out time devoted to Me.  The ways of the world have also warped your conscience, which punishes you for doing the very thing that pleases Me most:  seeking My Face.  Listen to Me above the clamor of voices trying to distract you.  Ask My Spirit to calm your mind, for He and I work in perfect harmony.  Be still and attentive in My Presence.  You are on holy ground.

Isaiah  9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Zechariah 9:9 NKJV 9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.

Romans 8:15-16 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

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.” 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Upcoming Anthems

Posted on July 15, 2014 by drscott

We hope everyone is having a wonderful break! To get you excited and ready for starting back the first week of August, here are recordings of our upcoming anthems. Many of these are new, so get a head start by listening to them now!

Aug 3   In the Calm ( click here to listen to a full length recording)
Aug 10   I Surrender (NEW!)
Aug 17   God Is Working
Aug 24   We Are United
Aug 31   Not Afraid (NEW!)
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July 15 Devotional

Posted on July 15, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
I remember my fist day in my Chinese philosophy class at Furman University inGreenville S.C.  The professor, a professing atheist, pointed to a chair in the room and asked us if it was real.  We then debated for 30 minutes on our perception of reality.  Entire movies have been created based on this notion of reality verses false perception (remember the Matrix movies?)  Anyway, it eventually comes down to one word: Faith!  Good ol’ doubting Thomas had to see, hear and touch the Savior to believe.  Blessed indeed are those who have not seen and yet believe!  What do you believe and why?  Two good questions to ponder until we see each other again.  Really!  Hugs and Love, Scott
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I Am Nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments.  You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever.  However, you may sometimes feel alone, because your union with Me is invisible.  Ask Me to open your eyes, so that you can find Me everywhere.  The more aware of My Presence, the safer you feel.  This is not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate reality.  I am far more Real than the world can see, hear, and touch.  Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.

Acts 17:27-28 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) 1NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 14 Devotional

Posted on July 14, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
On our faith journey, the number one rule is this: Don’t give up!  We may stumble and fall at times, but keep on keeping on.  We may grow tired at times, so rest a while and then keep on keeping on!  The path may seem dark and scary, but through Christ, we can overcome fear.  May God grant us all the faith and courage we need to keep on keeping on.  Amen!  Peace and Love, Scott

Keep Walking with Me along the path I have chosen for you.  Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My heart.  I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you.  Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain.  The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak.  Someday you will dance light footed on the high peaks; but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy.  All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction.  Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend.  Stay on the path I have selected for you.  It is truly the path of life.

Psalm 37:23-24 23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 23:2-3 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 10 Devotional

Posted on July 10, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
It has been lonely here on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings without you!  It never feels “right” in church without the choir, orchestra and handbells present.  Can’t wait for August 3rd to get here so that we can once again serve and lead our congregation through music.  Our friendship is indeed special and sacred to me.  Jesus as a friend and not just Savior, is also something sacred to be enjoyed on a daily basis.  No one knows you better than Jesus, who is the author of unconditional love.  So, relax in His presence and be yourself!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Relax In My Peaceful Presence.  Do not bring performance pressures into our sacred space of communion.  When you are with someone you trust completely, you feel free to be yourself.  This is one of the joys of true friendship.  Though I am Lord of lords and King of kings, I also desire to be your intimate Friend.  When you are tense or pretentious in our relationship, I feel hurt.  I know the worst about you, but I also see the best in you.  I long for you to trust Me enough to be fully yourself with Me.  When you are real with Me, I am able to bring out the best in you: the very gifts that I have planted in your soul.  Relax, and enjoy our friendship.

Revelation 17:14 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

John 15:13-15 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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July 9 Devotional

Posted on July 9, 2014 by drscott
Beloved,
Quiet time with God.  It’s one of the most difficult things to find. Even here at church, it’s often hard to find a quiet place away from noise and people.  Of course, we love having people around!  Kinda what church is!  So, the challenge comes to you to find some quiet time with God each and every day.  Be blessed in your quest!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Stop Worrying

long enough to hear My voice.  I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being.  Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion.  As My thoughts rise up within you, they become entangled in those sticky webs of worry.  Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only “white noise.”

Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts.  This ability is an awesome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image.  Do not be deafened by the noise of the world or that of your own thinking.  Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts reprogram your thinking.

Deuteronomy 30:20 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Genesis 1:27  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Romans 12:2 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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