March 27 Devotional

Posted on March 27, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Spiritually is all in your head!  Well, maybe not completely in your head, but according to today’s devotional, unless we get our mind right with God, then the heart doesn’t stand a chance of connecting to our Lord and Savior.  It may be that our first initial longing for Christ came from the heart, but to be in relationship with Him, we’ll need to get our minds straight.  How do we do that, you might ask?  Sit still.  Be quiet.  Ask for God’s guidance.  And listen.  Sounds simple enough, right?  It’s the hardest thing in the world for me to do!  My mind is constantly racing with things to be done, places to go and ideas to explore.  I give thanks for that, but also, wish that my mind could be emptied every now and then.  Maybe you feel the same.  Keep searching.  Keep trying.  Don’t give up!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Be Still In My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention.  Nothing is as important as spending time with Me.  While you wait in My Presence.  I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind.  If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you.  Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you.  Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts.  Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love.  When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry.  As you wait in My Presence, receive the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of glory!

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.

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

Colossians 1:27 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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March 25 Devotional

Posted on March 25, 2014 by drscott
Dear Faithful Ones,
God has, and always will be, faithful to us.  It is His nature and God can not do anything that is not His nature.  It is why grace is so freely given, for only through the power of grace can God be in a loving relationship with His children.  It is grace that allows us to enter into the holy of hollies. Be thankful for what you have and do not despair what you don’t have.  For in reality, you have it ALL!  Let the joy of this truth lead you and guide you each and every day.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Let Thankfulness Temper All Your Thoughts.  A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty.  Thankfulness is a safe-guard against this deadly sin.   Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life.  Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy.

1 Corinthians 10:10 

10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Hebrews 12:28-29  28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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March 24 Devotional

Posted on March 24, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
I want to thank each of you for your faithfulness during this Lenten season.  Your presence on Sunday mornings is SUCH a blessing to me and others.  It is an honor for me to witness the Beatitudes being lived out in your lives.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  As you read today’s devotional, think of all of those things that might be holding you back from a stronger relationship with your Lord.  It could be bitterness or anger that you might be holding on to.  It might be a person (living or dead) that you’re holding on to as well.  Ask God what it might be.  He’ll tell you and help you let go so that you can truly be free in Him and with Him.  Remember, God can’t bless a closed fist.  It has to be open to receive the blessings He has in store for you.  Peace and Love, Scott
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This Is A Time in your life when you must learn to let go:of loved ones, or possessions, of control.  In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.  Take time to bask in the Light of My Love.  As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care.

You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence.  The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.  As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand.  Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Hebrews 13:8 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

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.


Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Orchestra Agenda

Posted on March 20, 2014 by drscott

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Chancel Choir Agenda

Posted on March 20, 2014 by drscott

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March 19 Devotional

Posted on March 19, 2014 by drscott
Dear Beloved Servants of Christ,
The beauty of today’s devotional is pure, unconditional love.  So many reject the love of Christ because the noise of self condemnation is louder than the gentle words of peace and forgiveness.  Living in Love and through the Holy Spirit is what Christ wants for all His children.  He died that we might have this peace of mind and joy in living close to Him.  Be blessed friends.  Love, Scott
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I Speak To You From The Depths Of Your Being.  Hear Me saying soothing words of Peace, assuring you of My Love.  Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from Me.  I speak to you in love-tones, lifting you up.  My Spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame.  Let the Spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception.  Be transformed by the truth that I live within you.

The Light of My Presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of Peace.  Let My Light shine in you; don’t dim it with worries or fears. Holiness is letting Me live through you.  Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy.  Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you.  Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living.  I want to inhabit all your moments-gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.

Romans 8:1-2  1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through ChristJesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 6:19 19Do 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;

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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March 18 Devotional

Posted on March 18, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Know anybody with “trust issues”?  If you’ve ever been let down by someone else or hurt by a friend or loved one, you probably had difficulty trusting people after that hurt.  It’s human nature.  Too often, we confuse God’s nature and human nature.  Take each day as it comes, trusting in the One who has never failed you nor will ever fail you.  Read on for encouragement and inspiration.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Trust Me One Day At A Time.  Trust keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will.  Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded.  My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor.  Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to his prompting.

Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances.  Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence.  I will equip you to get through this day victoriously, as you live in deep dependence on Me.  Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself, don’t get tangled up in its worry-webs.  Trust Me one day at a time.

Psalm 84:12 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Matthew 6:34 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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March 13 Devotional

Posted on March 13, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
The first sentence of today’s devotional reminds me of my mantra that I have written before:  Live below your means and above your circumstances.  Sounds easy, but it’s not.  It’s a daily discipline and mindset of focusing our hearts and minds on Christ and the people that really matter to us in this world. Problems come and problems go.  Christ remains, now and forever.  Love endures, now and forever.  On Christ the solid rock I stand!  May you be blessed today and always, in all ways.  Peace and Love, Scott
p.s.  Our prayers go out to Tom Stoker and his family.  Tom was our producer for our Bass Hall benefit concerts and is the music director at Arborlawn UMC.  He has liver cancer. If you’d like to send him a note of encouragement, he has a caring bridge account.
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Learn To Live above your circumstances.  This requires focused time with Me, the One who overcame the world.  Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world.  Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.

As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart.  Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances.  You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.  Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you.

John 16:33 (KJV)  33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:22 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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March 12 Devotional

Posted on March 12, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
Have you ever heard the phrase “God helps those who help themselves”?  I’ve always liked that saying.  It’s not really from the Bible, per se, but it does resonate with me and how I go about life.  It takes a lot of patience and effort for me to simply “wait on the Lord”.  Maybe it’s because I drink too much coffee?  Whatever the case, waiting is not my general mode of operation.  Maybe you’re like me and are more of a “doer” than a “waiter”, but God is often a slow moving, percolating kind of God.  You can clearly see this in the stories of the Bible.  Really BIG deals usually took years, not days, to fully materialize.  In this fast-passed world, do your best to simply “wait on the Lord”.  See what He does when we get out of the way and let Him take full control.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Waiting, Trusting, And Hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.  Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.  If you mouth the words “I trust You” while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hollow.  Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven.  However, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present.

Because you are Mine, you don’t just pass time in your waiting.  You can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust, Keep your “antennae” out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of My Presence.

John 14:1 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Psalm 27:14  14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Hebrews 6:18-20 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling”  by Sarah

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March 11 Devotional

Posted on March 11, 2014 by drscott
Dear Friends,
This little short devotional is packed with power!  The Holy Spirit, working in us and through us, is indeed limitless in power and possibilities.  Those of you who have been serving along side of me through the years have witnessed this truth first hand.  I recall the looks on all of our faces when something happens that is truly supernatural, we step back, mouths open,  tears welling up and we just say “Wow!  Look what God did!”  It is an honor to be used in this way–fearless, limitless and bold–just the way God created us to be.  Walk by faith friends and see what God can do!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Walk By Faith, Not By Sight.   As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you.  If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you.  When I gave you My Spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability and strength.  That’s why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you.  The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless.  By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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