Video Devotionals

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Promises

| 2:04 min read |

Isaiah 7:14 “… The Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanue—‘God is with us.’”

These words were spoken through the prophet Isaiah approximately 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. It is one of many prophetic promises that were fulfilled on that first Christmas Day.

Promises are only as good as the person who gives them. Promises are appreciated when they are backed by a person’s integrity and power. We can count on promises only when the person making them has the resources to fulfill them and the reliability of character that assures us that they will stand behind their word.

When integrity and power undergird a person’s pledge, we have something secure to hold on to. Even before the promise comes to pass, we know that it is as good as done.

Christmas is all about God fulfilling His promises to people. When Jesus was born, God did what He had promised to do – send His Son into the world to show us His love and salvation. Because God fulfilled His promise in sending Jesus the first time, we can be sure that He will fulfill His promise that one day, Jesus will come again.

Christmas also reminds us that all of God’s promises are good and can be counted on. He is always faithful to His Word. God’s promises are backed by His integrity and power. He never lets His Word fail.

Pause and praise God for fulfilling His promise in sending Jesus Christ to earth as our Savior. Express your faith in God’s promise that Jesus is coming back again. Give Him thanks for all the good promises found in His Word that carry you through each day and every circumstance in your life.

PRAYER

Lord, how grateful we are that you fulfilled the many promises spoken through your prophets about the birth and ministry of your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the integrity and power that backs every promise you make. Help us to continue to rest in, and receive the benefits of, the many wonderful promises in your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Dale

Monday, November 26, 2018

Advent

| 1:33 min read |

Matthew 2:6 “O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”

The word “advent” refers to the coming or arrival of someone or something. It is traditionally and liturgically connected with Christmas. Christmas is about an arrival—the most significant arrival in history. It is about the Advent—the coming of Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 2:6 we see that the Advent of Jesus is associated with Him ruling and shepherding people. He has come to rule our lives and to shepherd our souls. He is the true Shepherd-King.

When we invite Jesus Christ into our hearts, He establishes His rule over us. He helps us understand what is good for us and what is destructive to us. He provides us with principles to live by and boundaries to live within. His rule over us is one of love. He guides us tenderly, as a good shepherd oversees his sheep.

Take a moment to give praise and thanks to the Lord for coming as your Ruler and Shepherd. Determine to give Him unrestricted reign over your mind, will and emotions. Choose to trust and follow Him wholeheartedly as your Heavenly Shepherd. Thank Him for His Advent in your life!

Prayer

Lord, how grateful we are that you have come to rule over us. Left to our own rule, we always make a mess of life. Thank you for bringing guidance, truth and structure to us. Thank you that you rule as a loving Shepherd, always looking after our needs and providing for our best. Jesus, thank you for coming! In your name, Amen.

Pastor Dale

Friday, November 23, 2018

The Path To Peace – Part 5

| 1:18 min read |

How are your relationships going? It’s a big question and an important one. The quality of our relationships directly affects the quality of our lives. Your relationships can greatly enrich your life or create some of the greatest pain in life.

Unfortunately, many times our relationships are draining life from us. We find ourselves in conflicts with others, dealing with rejection from people and betrayals from folks we thought were our friends. Instead of peaceful experiences with others, we find ourselves living in an emotional and relational war zone.

While we cannot always control what other people do to us, or around us, we do control our response to them. God gives us some instructions about how to handle the painful things people do. Look at God’s Word that addresses this in Romans 12:18, 19 (TPT) “Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody’s friend.”

When people hurt or disappointment you, don’t live in the pain. Choose to forgive. Choose to move on. Choose to keep your heart free from the anger and bitterness that will poison and destroy you, and people around you. “Do your best to live as everybody’s friend.” It’s not always easy, but it preserves peace in your heart!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, November 22, 2018

The Path To Peace – Part 4

| 1:41 min read |

The brain is an amazing organ of the body. Physiologically, it’s the central operating system of your life. It regulates the functioning of all living systems.

Another interesting aspect of your brain is that it’s programmable. Psychologists refer to this as the elasticity of the brain. Through the things you see, hear, experience, read and contemplate, your brain forms thought pathways that create certain actions, reactions, and emotions. This is the work of your mind. We might say that your brain is your physical hardware for thinking, and your mind is the software that has been programmed there—it’s how and what you think.

Unfortunately, our minds can be programmed with untrue, painful, worrisome and dysfunctional thinking. This is sometimes referred to as “stinking thinking!” This kind of thinking steals our peace.

To experience consistent peace, we need to work on our thinking. We need to police our minds and arrest the thoughts that are robbing peace from us, replacing stinking thinking with holy, healthy, and wholesome thoughts.

Take a look at what Paul the apostle said about this in Philippians 4:8, 9 (TLB) “… Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.”

What thoughts in your mind need to be arrested and incarcerated, permanently eradicated? You’re in control of your thinking. Put the right filters on your mind and your heart will be filled with God’s peace!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The Path To Peace – Part 3

| 1:19 min read |

How much time have you wasted worrying? It’s sad to think of all the minutes, hours and days that have been stolen from us by worry. It would seem that we’d learn our lesson that worry doesn’t work. No problem has ever been solved by it.

Jesus spoke about worry. Matthew 6:25 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life …” Strong, straightforward words from Jesus—“Do not worry!”

Paul, a key leader of the early church talked about this issue too. Look at what he wrote in Philippians 4:6, 7 (TLB) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”

The psalm writer David wrote about how to live a worry-free life in Psalm 55:22 (TPT) “… Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.”

God designed you to function best when you’re at peace on the inside. To have this kind of peace we must give God our worries and surrender the control of our lives to Him. We must trust that God’s got us! He cares for you, and He’ll take care of you! Peace!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

The Path To Peace – Part 2

| 1:14 min read |

Some people have a negative view of God. They perceive Him as a “cosmic killjoy”—a kind of grumpy old man in heaven, looking for ways to make us guilty, and our lives miserable.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. God is not interested in killing your joy, He’s all about helping you find and live in it. He’s all about showing you a path to peace that goes beyond anything good you’ve ever imagined. He’s committed to being with you in the toughest and roughest of times, strengthening, comforting and sustaining you. He’s good—totally good—always good—good good!

One of the ways God guides us into His peace is through the principles and commands of His Word. God’s instructions about life are designed to help us discover the best way to live life. His Word gives us wisdom that leads to a life of peace.

Take a look at what the psalm writer wrote about this in Psalm 119:165 (TPT) “There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.”

Think about it. Loving and living by God’s Word doesn’t restrict our life and joy, it expands and enlarges it. The path to peace is found in the pages of God’s Word, knowing what He says, and living by what He says!

Pastor Dale

Monday, November 19, 2018

The Path To Peace – Part 1

| 1:27 min read |

Environments are important. They’re the difference between productivity and waste, joy and sadness, inspiration and despair.

We live our best lives in an environment of peace. When peace rules, better work is done, more happiness is found, and every aspect of health improves. God designed you to function at your peak in an atmosphere of peace.

The big question is, how do we find peace, and how do we keep peace in our hearts, our homes and in the many relationships of life?

The first step on the path to peace is critical. It can’t be skipped or replaced. It’s essential. Peace is the result of a right and good relationship with God. It comes when we know that we are loved by Him, forgiven by Him and accepted into His family through faith in His Son, Jesus, Christ.

Paul the apostle wrote about this in Romans 5:1, 2 (TPT) “Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means that we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!”

Do you have this kind of peace—real peace with God? When it’s in you, it can flow through you to the people and environments around you!

Pastor Dale

Friday, November 16, 2018

Slippery Slopes

| 1:45 min read |

You’re likely familiar with the term “slippery slope.” Metaphorically it describes “a course of action that seems to lead inevitably from one action or result to another with unintended consequences.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

This phrase is almost always used to describe a negative sequence of events that started ignorantly or innocuously, and yet ended tragically.

There is no slippery slope story more tragic than the story of Judas Iscariot. Jesus invited Judas to be one of his12 closest disciples—and appointed him as one of the first 12 apostles during His earthly ministry. It’s safe to assume that Judas had some level of love for Jesus, at least initially. He obviously made a commitment to become one of Jesus’ followers.

But little by little, over time, unresolved spiritual issues surfaced in Judas’ life. His greed, rebellion, and his opinionated nature are revealed in various situations. Without realizing it, Judas was on a slippery slope that climaxed the night before Jesus was crucified.

Look at how John described the moment in John 13:2 (NIV) “The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.” We all know the rest of the story, and the tragic end of Judas’ life.

The sad part of the story is that Judas’ bad ending was the result of small bad decisions along the way that opened him to the influence of evil. His journey down the slippery slope came to a very ugly crash. His little spiritual compromises caused him a big spiritual problem.

Are you on a slippery slope? Are you making small spiritual compromises, thinking they really don’t matter? Hop off the slope and get back on solid spiritual ground!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Overcoming Resistance

| 1:40 min read |

Change is a key part of life. Somewhere I read that failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change can be! I agree. When something needs to change in us, we’re foolish to avoid it. We’re also foolish to resist it.

Resistance to change is a big problem with lots of people. For a variety of reasons, we push change away from us. We put up walls against it.

This was the case with the apostle Peter. On the Thursday evening, before Jesus was crucified, Jesus spent time with His disciples around a meal. After dinner, Jesus did something astounding. He got up and began washing the feet of His 12 closest followers. He was giving them an example of true leadership. He wanted to change the way they thought about loving and serving one another.

When Jesus came to Peter, Peter resisted. Look at his reaction in John 13:6-9 (NIV) “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’”

Peter’s first response to Jesus’ plan to wash his feet was resistance. Peter’s resistance almost cost him one of his most precious experiences with His Savior. Jesus confronted Peter’s resistance in a very firm but loving way, and Peter changed his mind. Peter then allowed the Lord to do what He wanted to do in his life.

Where are you resisting Jesus’ plans? What price are you paying for your resistance? What good things is resistance robbing of your life?

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

An Enemy Called Apathy

| 1:48 min read |

Maybe you’ve heard the old joke about the man who asked his friend, “What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?” The friend replied, “I don’t know, and I don’t care!” His response inadvertently answered the question. Ignorance is what you don’t know. Apathy is a lack of concern or care.

The word apathy comes from a negated form of the Greek word “pathos”—“a-pathos.” It means, “without feeling or emotion.” It includes the idea of a lack of action or responsiveness. Apathetic people distance themselves from emotions about important priorities. They have no urgency to address essentials. They make few or no commitments to things that really matter. They’re indifferent.

One of the root causes of apathy is comfort. When we become comfortable as we are, we don’t care about changing. We casually drift through life maintaining status quo.

God addresses apathy in lots of places in the Bible. One example is found in Haggai 1:5-7 (NIV) “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’ This is why the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways.’”

The context of this message is important. God’s people had returned from Babylonian Captivity to Jerusalem. They were supposed to rebuild the temple, but instead, they focused on building their own homes first, and had become apathetic about God’s House. God confronted their indifference. He reminded them that there’s a price to pay for spiritual apathy.

We have an enemy called apathy. Don’t let indifference shrink and impoverish your life.

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

What You Don’t Know…

| 1:22 min read |

You’ve heard the statement before, haven’t you? “What you don’t know can’t hurt you!” I’m not sure who comes up with some of these crazy ideas, but the truth is, what you don’t know can hurt you. Ignorance can and will ransack your life.

God warned us about the consequences of ignorance. Hosea 4:6 (NIV) “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge …”

It’s helpful to have a little history about this verse. Hosea spoke this to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. They drifted from God’s Word and laws because the religious leaders of their day hadn’t taught the Scriptures to them. This deficit of spiritual knowledge resulted in some very bad choices. Their lives were being destroyed because they didn’t understand some things they should have understood.

What you don’t know can cost you greatly. It can destroy your life, your marriage, your family, your health, and your finances. It can steal your life’s possibilities and potential. This is why you need to be a student of God’s Word. That’s why you need to be a part of a local church where the Bible is taught. That’s why you need people in your life who inspire you to live God’s way. That’s why your children need to be taught God’s Word. Education, especially spiritual education, will save you from lots of bad choices, and the consequences that accompany them.

Pastor Dale

Monday, November 12, 2018

Making a Change

| 1:27 min read |

Life is filled with changes. We live our lives in stages. From childhood to youth, to young adulthood, to middle age, to senior status, life is all about changes.

Changes aren’t always easy. Especially if we are unprepared for them, or resistant to them. Yet change is essential for growth. It’s part of maturing.

Change is a big part of our spiritual lives too. God is continually calling and challenging us to make the right changes in the way we think and live. He wants to move us forward into greater maturity and responsibility, which requires leaving old things behind.

The truth is we’re always changing—for better or worse. The choice is ours.

The right choice is to change for the better. The key to this kind of change involves our attitudes and mindset. Changing your thinking for the better is actually how you change your life for the better.

Take a look at this familiar verse from Romans 12:2 (GW) “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”

In what ways is your mind stuck in a rut? What thoughts are holding you back from the life God planned for you? How has worldly thinking infiltrated your mind and restricted you from loving and serving God and others to your fullest potential?

Choose to change your thinking. God will show you how, and He’ll help you do it!

Pastor Dale

Friday, November 9, 2018

Are You Content?

| 1:36 min read |

Discontentment is a very common human ailment. Through constant messages from marketers, and the prevalence of social media influences, we’re continually reminded of the things we don’t have. When we look at our lives in the light of celebrities, or in contrast to the highlight reels of our peers on Facebook and Instagram, we can easily become frustrated with what we “lack.”

One of the major strategies of the devil is to agitate us and make us restless with life. His tactics include creating discontentment in our souls. Discontentment poisons our perspective and robs us of the appreciation and joy we have in the opportunities and gifts given to us by God. If we’re not careful, we’ll be sidetracked by our frustration and rendered useless for God and miss His purpose for our lives.

The apostle James reminds us of the blessings we have from God, and the gratitude we should express because of them. Note what he wrote in James 1:16, 17 (NIV) “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

The cure for discontentment, and the pathway to contentment is an awareness of all your blessings, a recognition of the Source of your blessings, the genuine expression of appreciation to God for every blessing He has provided. You’ll never be content without gratitude. When you’re grateful for what you have, and continually thank God for every blessing in your life, you’ll be more contented person. And contentment is a good thing!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Staying Strong

| 1:16 min read |

How strong are you? I’m not talking about physical strength, I’m referring to spiritual strength. How spiritually strong are you?

The beginning point of developing spiritual strength is actually counterintuitive. To be strong in spirit you must first acknowledge your weakness—your spiritual vulnerabilities. When you realize how spiritually weak you are, you’re motivated to become more aware—more vigilant—against the temptations that can take you down and out.

James the apostle reminded us of this in James 1:13-16 (NIV) “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my brothers and sisters.”

Here we’re told that all of us can easily be lured into trouble by the attraction of sin. If we think we’re beyond the pull of temptation, we’re deceiving ourselves. Spiritual strength starts with acknowledging our weakness. When you realize your spiritual weakness, you’ll be better prepared to overcome the temptations that can lead you astray.

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Press In and Press On!

| 1:27 min read |

Have you been under pressure recently? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “pressure” as “the burden of physical or mental distress; the constraint of circumstance; the application of force to something; the stress of urgency of matters needing attention.”

We really don’t need a formal definition to understand pressure. We know when it’s affecting us. It pushes forcefully and painfully on our mind and soul. We feel the weight of it in our hearts. We battle under the dark cloud of the worry and weariness it generates.

What’s the best way to handle pressure? You must press in and press on! Look at what James the apostle wrote about this in James 1:12 (NIV) “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The key word in this verse is “perseveres.” To persevere is to keep going when everything is pressuring you to quit. It’s to bear up without resignation, with hope and confidence of eventual victory. It’s tenacity of faith, steadfastness in service, strength of heart and depth of commitment that causes you to stay the course.

Perseverance is all about pressing in and pressing on when life pressures come your way. It’s holding on to the promise that you’re going to make it, when it feels like you’re done. Don’t forget, people who press in and press on are rewarded for their perseverance!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Overcoming Confusion

| 1:35 min read |

Decisions are a part of life. We make choices every day about all kinds of things, from the simplest decisions to very complicated ones. Nothing hinders good decision-making more than confusion.

Confusion is mixed or contradictory ideas and opinions about something. It is a lack of clarity about a direction. It creates emotional distress and frustration. Confused people get stuck in the paralysis of analysis.

The Bible uses a phrase that aptly describes this condition. It’s called “double-minded.” The apostle James spoke about the dangers of “double-mindedness” in James 1:5-8 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

The original Greek word for “double-minded” refers to “someone with two souls or two minds” competing against one another. One part of their mind pulls in one direction and a second part pulls in another. Indecision, inactivity and ineffectiveness are the results. This person lives a “flip-flop” life, tossed around by the emotions of the moment. They are confused.

The cure to confusion is a mind filled with faith and focused on God’s promises. When our hearts and minds are full of faith, we can move forward in the face of questions and uncertainty. Confusion is conquered by faith!

Pastor Dale