Video Devotionals

Thursday, September 20, 2018

How to Start Your Day

| 1:22 min read |

Starts are important. Ask anyone who runs races or is engaged in swimming competitions. They know that how they handle themselves at the starting block can be the difference between winning and losing. Poor starts immediately put you in catch up mode. You’re behind from the beginning.

While we often think of how we start relationships, jobs and other significant commitments, it’s also important to bring the concept of strong starts to our day. When you start your day the right way, you’re more likely to have a successful, victorious and positive day.

Jesus gave us an example of the right way to start our day. Take a look at this description of what was, most likely, His daily pattern. Mark 1:35 (NIV) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Jesus started His day with God. He began His day by opening His heart to His Heavenly Father. In these early morning times with God, Jesus was strengthened, directed and empowered to do His work.

If Jesus needed this time with His Father, how much more do we? While schedules may not always allow an early morning appointment with God, connecting with Him at the beginning of our day is the way to get a good start.

During these times we’re strengthened, directed and empowered to do God’s work too!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

What to Remember When You’re Rejected

| 1:33 min read |

Certainly, you’ve been rejected at some point in your life. You can’t live very long without experiencing the pain of someone’s rejection. It happens at school, at work, and in all human groups and interactions.

The fear of rejection is one of the most common and strongest fears we experience. Many people will go to great extremes to avoid the possibility of having someone reject them. People do all kinds of things they would not normally do, just to be accepted by others.

While we shouldn’t intentionally seek to be rejected, we should understand that it can’t be avoided. It’s going to happen to you. The key is to know how to handle it when it happens.

The best way to handle rejection is to have an internal base of affirmation and approval that no rejection can rob from you. This kind of base can only come from God, and the love He has for us.

John, the apostle, wrote these words reminding us of God’s love in 1 John 3:1 (NLT) “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! …”

John experienced his share of rejection as one of Jesus’ followers, and one of the leaders of the early church. He knew the pain of people hating him for his faith. John not only survived these rejections but thrived through them because he knew how much God loved him. No matter who rejected him, he was loved, accepted and approved of by God!

The same is true for you. Rejection by people isn’t the worst thing in the world. You’re loved by one who never rejects you. Find your security in Him!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

How to Make Yourself Miserable

| 1:39 min read |

A fast way to misery is through comparison. When you compare your circumstances, opportunities, experiences and resources to others, you’ll never be happy. There will always be someone who seems smarter, more popular, more likable, wealthier, enjoying life more fully than you.

Comparison is a social epidemic. It’s creating lots of frustrated people. Social media is contributing to this. Viewing the social feeds of friends and acquaintances we see their lives as far more exciting and fulfilling than our own. Their children look perfect. Their meals look delicious. Their vacations look fabulous. Overall, their lives seem so much better than our own! What we fail to remember is that social media feeds are usually the highlight reel of a person’s life. We don’t see the ugly, mundane, and plain parts of their lives. Comparing our lives to others is unfair to us and to them.

Jesus addressed this issue in Peter’s life. After Jesus explained what kind of life and death Peter would experience, Peter immediately went into comparison mode. Take a look at his interaction with Jesus in John 21:20-22 (TLB) “Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following … Peter asked Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord? What sort of death will he die?’ Jesus replied, ‘If I want him to live until I return, what is that to you? You follow
me.’”

Jesus had to adjust Peter’s thinking. He fell into the same trap we frequently fall into. He was worried about John, when he should have focused his attention on himself and his relationship with Jesus.

Do you want to be happy? Stop the comparisons and your joy will increase!

Pastor Dale

Monday, September 17, 2018

Upbeat or Downbeat?

| 1:25 min read |

In music there’s a difference in an upbeat and a downbeat. Upbeats and downbeats set the rhythm of a song.

These musical terms are often used to describe our emotional rhythms also. When we’re happy, positive and cheerful, we’re upbeat. When we’re discouraged, down and gloomy, we’re downbeat.

You can improve your life by becoming more upbeat. This happens when we get rid of the thoughts, attitudes and words that bring us and others down.

Nothing brings us down faster than grumbling and complaining. When these become habitual, we consistently view life through negative lenses. This robs us of joy, faith and hope. It makes us unpleasant to be around. It hinders our progress and restricts our productivity.

This is why the Bible warns us about these patterns. Look at Philippians 2:14 (TPT) “Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves.”

It’s interesting that we’re told that a cheerful life is actually a choice we make. It’s determined, in large part, by the amount of complaining we do. Complaining steals our cheer.

Complaining can easily become a habit. And like any habit, it can be changed. Stopping this bad habit starts with awareness. Are you a complainer? Do you spend a significant portion of your life grumbling? Are you an upbeat person or a downbeat person? Stop the complaining and you’ll change the course of your life and relationships.

Pastor Dale

Friday, September 14, 2018

Available?

| 1:49 min read |

Are you available? This question is used in many ways to determine the status of someone? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “available” as “present or ready for immediate use.”

One of the main requirements for being used by God is availability. In fact, God seems to be more concerned about our availability than our ability. God can and will take someone who is available to be used by Him, and put them to work in His Kingdom, even if they’re short on ability! Why? Because God can easily give you whatever ability is needed for the assignment, but only you can provide the availability.

Samuel the prophet learned this lesson early in his life. As a young boy, being raised by Eli the priest in God’s house, Samuel was awakened one night by the voice of God. God had a plan for Samuel’s life and wanted to communicate His plan to the young boy. Eli told Samuel how to respond when God spoke to him in 1 Samuel 3:9, 10 (NIV) “So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”

Samuel received an education that night in spiritual availability. He made himself ready to respond to God.

How often does God give us an opportunity to be used by Him, to bless or help someone, to share an encouraging word with them, or to make a difference through our willingness to serve others around us or in the church? Yet we miss the moment because we’re not available. We’re not ready. We’re not willing. We’re not listening.

Let’s stop worrying so much about our abilities and work on our availability. That’s when great things for God will get done through your life. Are you available?

Pastor Dale

Thursday, September 13, 2018

When Everything is Said and Done…

| 1:32 min read |

We live in a world of words. Practically everyone has something to say, a message to share, and an agenda to promote. Social media and the online world are saturated with ideas, comments, opinions, and the like. It’s easier than ever to have a voice. All too often the positive results of all these words are hard to measure. Sadly, they sometimes do more harm than good.

Years ago, I heard and fell in love with a short phrase that describes how I want to live my life. Perhaps in our world of words, it’s a good mantra to adopt. The statement—When all is said and done, may more be done than said!

This statement zeros in on a tendency we all have. To talk bigger than we walk! Although we might say that actions speak louder than words, we live as though our words speak louder than our actions.

Jesus addressed this issue in us. After giving the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made this statement in Luke 10:36, 37 (NLT) “‘Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’”

Notice that Jesus didn’t say “Go and talk about mercy.” He said, “Go and do the same.” The key word is “do!” Take action. It’s as though Jesus said, “Stop talking so much about your theological ideas, go and do things that show others God’s love.”

When everything is said and done, may more be done than said! What good will you do today that will speak louder than anything you might say?

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Grace Changes Things

| 1:09 min read |

I appreciate grace. Grace is far more than a Bible concept. Grace is a real-life experience. When you receive it, you know it! When grace shows up, forgiveness flows, condemnation and judgment go, fresh starts happen, the mistakes of the past are released and hope for the future rises. When you get grace, you know you don’t deserve it, but you deeply appreciate it, and enjoy it.

Grace is a very good thing. It’s freeing. It’s empowering. It’s motivating. It’s transformational.

Grace is something we need to live and grow in. The more grounded we are in grace, the more love we’ll have for God and for people. This is why Peter, the apostle, wrote these instructions to us in 2 Peter 3:18 (TPT) “But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ …”

Notice that grace is something we’re told to grow in. Over time, we need to experience and appreciate more and more of God’s grace, which Jesus Christ has made available to us. We’re also called to become more gracious toward others. Growth in grace changes us, and it changes the way we treat others.

Are you growing in grace?

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Words that Change Lives

| 1:19 min read |

Words are powerful. One short statement can make or break someone’s day. I have experienced both. There have been times when someone’s short encouragement propelled me forward with hope and faith. There have also been times a person’s harsh, negative or critical words continued to pummel my heart and mind for days, robbing my confidence and peace.

Some people are experts at discouraging people. They have honed their harsh, judging, demeaning and belittling skills to the point of “perfection.” They can take others down and out with a quick slice of their tongue, and seem quite proud of themselves for doing so.

There are other folks who are great at encouragement. They speak just the right word at just the right time. Their comments lift, inspire and energize others to be and do their best. They serve other people well with their words.

The writer of Proverbs made this observation about our words in Proverbs 16:24 (TPT) “Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, lifegiving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits.”

Do you want to change someone’s life for the better? Speak words that lift, inspire and energize them. You’re called to serve others, and there’s no better way than by speaking life-giving words!

Pastor Dale

Monday, September 10, 2018

Change Your World for the Better

| 1:24 min read |

Most people have a desire to make a difference. The challenge is in translating this desire into reality. While we want to make a positive difference in the world, we need to know that we can, and how we can do it.

Jesus gave us the way, and it’s actually simple. During His last meal with His disciples before His crucifixion, Jesus did something no one expected Him to do. After supper, Jesus got up and washed the feet of the 12 apostles. It was a stunning moment. Seeing the Lord of the heaven and earth on His knees washing feet is not something you expect. But Jesus was giving us a lesson about changing our world.

After finishing the foot washing, Jesus made a powerful statement recorded in John 13:14, 15 (NIV) “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

In these verses, we find the key to making a difference—washing the feet of others. Making a difference starts with having the attitude and actions of a servant. You can change your world for the better by simply serving people. Your humble acts of care and kindness toward others are powerful. They communicate love and make a positive impact in their lives.

Look around you. Pay attention to the people in your world. Serve them, and as you do, you’ll change your world for the better.

Pastor Dale

Friday, September 7, 2018

Passing the Test of Blessing

| 1:28 min read |

How do you handle the good times in life? As surely as life has its share of heartache and adversity, there are also moments of blessing. God blesses us with miracle moments and seasons. At any time, God can break into your world and pour out blessing on you.

The Israelites experienced a miracle moment as they crossed the Red Sea. In a matter of 24-hours, their lives were completely and positively changed. In a few short hours, they went from slaves to free. They were blessed by God. Their prayers were answered!

It’s been said that the two greatest tests of character are the test of adversity and the test of prosperity. When life is hard, our character is tested. And when life is blessed, we’re tested.

When life is blessed, it’s important to guard yourself against 4 specific temptations:

• Your humility will be tested. If you are going through a good season in life, make sure and stay humble.
• Your priorities will be tested. When life is good it’s easy to let other things become more important than God.
• Your passion for God — your love and the intense need of Him in your life will be tested. You know you need God when life is hard, but you also need Him when life is good.
• Your generosity will be put to the test. It’s sad to see how people become less generous after God has blessed them abundantly. Don’t let blessings in your life rob you of a generous spirit.

Guard your heart when life is good. Pass the test of blessing!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, September 6, 2018

The Purpose of Blessings

| 1:03 min read |

There are two main tests of a person’s character: adversity and prosperity.

Some folks don’t survive tough times. In the midst of difficulty, they give up and bail out on God and others. The opposite is true also. Seasons of blessing can also ruin people. Just as we need to be on guard in the tough times of life, we need to be spiritually guarded in the good times of life.

Understanding why God gives blessings to us helps us guard our hearts in the good times. Here are 7 reasons God blesses you:

● To show you how much He loves you.
● To remind you of His grace and power.
● To prepare you for future opportunities.
● To resource you so that you can bless His Kingdom and others.
● To encourage other people.
● To encourage you to love and obey Him in a deeper way.
● To grow you as a worshiper.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, across the Red Sea into the Promised Land because He loved them and had a future for them. There was purpose behind His blessing.

There’s purpose behind your blessings too. Don’t lose sight of it!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Hold On, Help is on the Way

| 1:23 min read |

It’s amazing how quickly life can take a turn for the worse. In a matter of days, hours or minutes, we can go from “life is good” to “life is really bad;” from “life is easy” to “life is really hard.” When life is hard, we need to hold on to hope. We need to keep our hope alive.

While the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, God was at work — He was preparing a man named Moses for a mission. God was forming him for the task ahead. At the right time, God brought Moses on the scene, and the end result was the exodus of God’s people from Egypt. This story of deliverance is still celebrated today.

Job learned the power of hope. Through years of pain and suffering, Job held on to hope. And his hope wasn’t disappointed. When we come to the last chapter of the book that bears his name we find these worlds in Job 42:12 (NIV) The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first …

Paul reminded us of the power of hope in Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

When life is hard, hold on to hope. What is now will not always be. There is something wonderful ahead! Hold on to hope, help is on the way!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Don’t Do Life Alone

| 1:32 min read |

We live in a socially isolated world. Although we’re better connected technologically than any time in history, we are less connected relationally. Loneliness is at an all-time high.

The impact of isolation is especially felt when we go through tough times. Hard times can cause people to run away from God. It can also cause them to run away from people. Difficult situations can lure you into isolation.

One strategy of the adversary is to isolate you. If he can isolate you, he can destroy you. To survive and thrive in hard times, you need others.

The Israelites are examples of the power of togetherness. During their 430 years of slavery in Egypt they survived. How? They made it because they stuck together!

Take a look at Exodus 1:11 (NIV) “So they put slave masters over them …” Note the pronoun “them.” It’s plural. It’s inclusive of the whole group. God used the harsh conditions of the Israelites to bond them together as a nation, as a people, as a community. In their time of trouble, they learned to lean on each other.

The Apostle Paul understood the power of connection when life was hard. Notice 2 Corinthians 7:6, 7 (NLT) “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.”

When life is hard, let its hardness bond you to others, not isolate you from them. Don’t do life alone!

Pastor Dale

Monday, September 3, 2018

How to Deal with Pressure

| 1:12 min read |

Have you experienced pressure recently? Pressure makes life harder. It depresses your thoughts, attitudes, and perspective.

In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we find God’s people facing a time of great pressure. For 430 years they were subjected to slavery under the hand of the Egyptians. The Bible tells us that during these 4+ centuries the Israelites “groaned” under the pressure. Their situation caused them to continually cry out to God for help.

God heard their groaning. At just the right time He showed up on the scene and delivered His people. He turned their sighs of pain into songs of joy. As they looked up to Him, He looked down on them with compassion and helped them.

What should you do when the pressure of life come down hard on you? Keep looking up and crying out to God. Turn your eyes and heart toward the One who can and will help you.

The psalm writer reminded us of this in Psalm 121:1, 2 (NIV) “I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Keep looking up. God is at work, even when you can’t see Him. In the toughest times, God can still be trusted. He will help you!

Pastor Dale

Friday, August 31, 2018

6 Things To Do When God Blesses You

| 1 min read |

All of us pray for blessings, but are we prepared for them when they come? Do we really know what to do when we’re blessed in some way by God? What is the right way to respond when God blesses us?

Here are six things we need to do:

• When blessed, make sure to give God all the glory and praise.
• When blessed, record the miracle in some way. Don’t forget what He has done for you!
• When blessed, commit yourself to God in a deeper way.
• When blessed, tell others about the goodness and love of God.
• When blessed, grow your trust and confidence in God’s faithfulness.
• When blessed, share your blessings with others—become a channel of blessing to others. Paul reminded us of this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 (LB) “Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help.”

Are you in a good life season? Remember, God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Praying With Confidence

| 1:48 min read |

Most, if not all of us, have experienced the loss of confidence at some point. Confidence often fades after a serious disappointment, a series of failures or a bout with doubt and insecurity.

Sometimes we lose our confidence in prayer. We wonder if God is listening and if He will answer us when we pray. This crisis of confidence can cause us to stop praying, and sometimes to allow distance to develop in our relationship with God.

It helps to be reminded that prayer does make a difference. Even when we can’t see immediate answers, it’s always better to pray and trust that God hears and answers in His time and way, than it is to become a prayer “drop out.”

During a very tough time in Israel’s history, God’s people learned the power of persistent prayer, even when it seemed like God wasn’t listening or answering. As the Hebrews faced the pain of Egyptian slavery they continued to cry out to God. Look at the following verses that show us their dedication to prayer:

Exodus 2:23, 24 (NIV) “During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning…”

Exodus 3:9 (NIV) “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.”

Instead of giving up on prayer, the Israelites pressed into prayer with greater passion and commitment. They didn’t let the delay in God’s answer rob them of their confidence in the power of prayer. And eventually, their answer came.

What about you? Have you lost confidence in prayer? If so, it’s time for a revival of confidence. If God heard the prayers of the Israelites and answered them, He’s also listening to you! Keep praying. An answer is on the way!

Pastor Dale