Video Devotionals

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

No More Neediness

| 1:28 min read |

What are some of the things that damage, hinder or potentially destroy relationships? One thing is neediness.

There is a big difference between appropriately needing people as friends, and in being a needy person. The first is healthy, the latter isn’t.

Neediness in a relationship happens when one person looks to another person to meet their deepest, unmet, and oftentimes overwhelming emotional needs, that are impossible for anyone to meet. These needs become expectations. And the failed expectations become disappointment and anger, and lead to tension and conflict.

Many problems in marriages and friendships happen because of neediness—expecting and trying to get someone to meet needs that are unrealistic for any person to meet, or that the other person is unable to meet because of their own personal issues.

What’s the solution to neediness? It’s spiritual and emotional maturity. It’s recognizing that you’re placing expectations on people that are not fair and not appropriate. It’s acknowledging that you’re hoping other people will meet needs in your life that only God can meet.

The Psalm writer said it this way in Psalm 16:5 (NIV) “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.”

Only God can meet our deepest needs for love, acceptance and security. When we stop expecting others to do what they can do, and trust God to do for us what He can do, our lives and relationships become much more peaceful.

Pastor Dale

Monday, June 25, 2018

Overcoming Insecurity

| 1:28 min read |

Everybody has personal challenges that hold them back, hinder their progress and frustrate their desires. We all have “issues!”

One “issue” that afflicts many of us is a sense of inadequacy, insecurity, and for some, even inferiority. These feelings run like malware in our minds, keeping us from giving and being our best. They get in the way of our relationships, work, and happiness.

Insecurity shows up in different ways in different people. Often highly successful people are driven by their insecurities. They live with the fear of their inadequacies being discovered. This is sometimes referred to as “the imposter syndrome.”

Sometimes insecurity paralyzes a person and keeps them from any success. They live far beneath their potential because of the messages in their mind that rob them of personal confidence.

What’s the answer to insecurity? How can we overcome it?

Take a look at the following Bible verse. As a follower of Jesus Christ, this is who you are, Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

To break free of the driving force of insecurity, we need to know that we’re a masterpiece of God. Think about that for a moment. You are a masterpiece! Let this truth start sinking into your thinking. Let it dictate what you believe about yourself. It will free you from the haunting, nagging feeling of never being enough!

Pastor Dale

Friday, June 22, 2018

Help

| 1:19 min read |

In 1965 The Beatles released a song, written by John Lennon named Help! The song became super popular. The lyrics resonated with one of the needs we all have—the need for help from others. Here’s part of what Lennon wrote:

“Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone …

Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ‘round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me?”

There are times in life when we need help — support. One of the characteristics of a good friend is their willingness and ability to help. It’s been said that a real friend is someone who comes in when everyone else walks out. That’s support!

While we need support, we also need to learn how to give it. What does supporting someone look like?

We support people by:

• Being present in times of trouble and need.

• Listening in ways that are positive, productive and helpful.

• Praying with and for them.

• Showing loyalty.

• Being gracious and forgiving.

• Encouraging.

• Believing in them and God’s plan for their lives.

• Giving guidance and input when it’s welcomed and wanted.

You can make a big difference in someone’s life by developing your support skills. Who do you need to come beside today with support? Be a helper.

Pastor Dale

Thursday, June 21, 2018

T.H.I.N.K. Before You Speak

| 1:33 min read |

Maybe you have the same problem I have at times. Sometimes I speak before I think! It’s a common failure.

A key ingredient in mature, healthy relationships is the discipline to think before speaking. God says it this way in Proverbs 10:19 (NLT) “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” The Living Bible paraphrase brings this verse to life, “Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!”

How true! Just a bit more self-control in our conversations would save us a lot of pain and help us avoid lots of relationship problems. We just need to think before we speak.

What does this mean? It means that, before we say something to someone, we need to filter it first. Here are some great filters to consider before saying things you could later regret:

• T = Is it true? If it’s not true, I don’t need to talk about it.

• H = Is it helpful (and healthful)? If not, you will be hurting someone.

• I = Is it inspiring? Does it put wind into someone sails for good, or take it away?

• N = Is it necessary? Much of what we say really isn’t necessary to say. We often say things to others more for ourselves—to get someone off our chest—to “give someone a piece of our mind”—rather than for their benefit. (Always remember, when you give someone a “piece of your mind,” what does it leave you with? Less of a mind!)

• K = Is it kind? How can I communicate in ways that reflect kindness and care?

When you think before you speak, your friendships flourish!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Tenderize Your Tongue

| 1:12 min read |

Most of us have experienced that disappointing moment when we bite down on a food item expecting it to be soft and tender only to discover that it’s tough and gristly. The texture doesn’t match the appearance or fulfill our expectations.

Gristly food isn’t appetizing. Neither are gristly words! Unfortunately, there are too many hard words bantered about in our homes, workplaces, and culture. The results are broken relationships, misunderstandings, hurt feelings and bitter divisions.

To build good relationships and build lasting friendships, we must remove the gristle from our words. What does this mean?

Gristly words are:

• Angry and harsh words.

• Insensitive statements.

• Sarcastic and belittling comments.

• Tactless words.

• Ill-timed words.

The Bible calls us to tenderize our tongues. Look at what the writer of Proverbs said about this in Proverbs 15:4 (NLT) “Gentle words are a tree of life…” The Hebrew word translated “gentle” literally means words that bring health, healing, remedies, restoration and that cure illness.

It’s time to tenderize our tongues! As we do, we become healers in a hurting world. Tender tongues build friendships!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Develop Good Ears

| 1:42 min read |

Everybody needs friends. The best way to have friends is to be a good friend to others. What’s one of the best ways to be a good friend? By listening. We need to be people with good ears!

The Bible is the best relationship manual that exists. Take a look at what God says about listening in James 1:19 (NIV) “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

In this verse, there is one “quick” and two “slows.” The one thing we’re told to be quick about is listening! Our promptness in listening to others helps us build healthy relationships with others. We need good ears!

Here 7 actions and attitudes that will make you a better listener:

• Be sincerely interested in others. You can’t fake true listening.

• Make eye-contact, positive tones in your voice, and a body posture that communicates “I’m paying attention to you!”

• When someone is talking, encourage them with phrases like, “Tell me more!” or “That’s interesting.” Let them know you’re tracking with them and are interested in them.

• Ask follow-up questions, without interrogating people.

• Give feedback on what you’re hearing—affirming what you’re hearing and seeking greater clarification on what’s being communicated.

• Stop personal conversations in your mind when someone is engaging in in conversation with you—stop thinking about your reply or your story and listen to them.

• Practice, practice, practice listening. The practice will make you better!

One of the keys to strong friendships is the ability and willingness to be a good listener. Develop good ears, and you’ll have some good friends!

Pastor Dale

Monday, June 18, 2018

You Need a Friend

| 1:28 min read |

In 1995 Disney/Pixar released a movie called Toy Story. The rest is history. Woody and Buzz Lightyear became household names. The animated hit film spawned several sequels and an entire line of Toy Story products. The theme song of the movie, written and sung by Randy Newman, was titled “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.” Do you remember the lyrics:

“…You’ve got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you’re miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me…

…you got troubles, I’ve got them too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and see it through
Cause you’ve got a friend in me…

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way I do
It’s me and you, boy

And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You’re going to see it’s our destiny
You’ve got a friend in me…”

This song exalts the beauty of best friends. Everybody needs one. And there is One who really wants to be your best friend. His name is Jesus. He’ s a true blue, never-let-you-down kind of friend. the Bible describes Him this way in Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

If you haven’t met Him, welcome Him into your life today. If you know Him, let Him know that you appreciate His friendship!

Pastor Dale

Friday, June 15, 2018

How To Pray For Your Future

| 2:42 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray For Your Future

What are your future plans? Most of us spend some portion of time thinking about what’s ahead for us? Much money and energy are spent by people and organizations trying to predict future behavior, trends and conditions.

One of the best ways to prepare for the future is through prayer. When we pray the right way, we’re setting in motion the things today that will make us ready for our tomorrows.

To illustrate this, let’s take a lesson from Jesus’ life. There’s a great verse that shows us Jesus’ developmental process — what took Him to His future. Take a look at Luke 2:52 (NIV) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Jesus “grew” into His future through His daily relationship with God.

This is important to understand. The best way to secure your best future is to pursue your best now! What you do today, how you grow today, how you are developing as a follower of Jesus Christ today will determine what your tomorrows look like.

To be prepared for your future, here are 4 things to pray each day:

● Pray that you will grow in wisdom. Pray for the capacity to understand things that you need to understand. The more wisdom you gain today, the wiser you’ll be tomorrow!

● Pray for increased stature. While this literally refers to physical height, let’s think of it from a different perspective. Let’s consider spiritual stature. Spiritual stature is a mark of maturity. It enables you to stand taller and stronger, and to see farther. The more spiritual stature you develop, the more long-range vision you’ll have. Spiritual stature increases your ability to see right and wrong. It helps you understand the difference between good, better and best.

● Pray for growing favor with God. While you’re already favored by God because of His love for you, growing in favor with God means that you become more and more aware of the goodness, grace and mercy of God directed toward you. The awareness of God’s favor toward you will give you confidence, peace, and hope. It allows you to live in forward gear, anticipating good things in your life.

● Pray for favor with people. God has a purpose for your life. A major part of that purpose is to influence other people positively and to lead other people to Jesus Christ. You can’t influence someone unless you have favor with them. Favor in someone’s life is what opens the door of their heart to you. Favor in someone’s life allows you to make a difference in their lives.

Your future is determined by what you do with your present. The right prayers today will get you ready for your tomorrows!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, June 14, 2018

How To Pray For Your Family

| 2:03 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray For Your Family

Families are the spiritual and emotional incubators of life. So much of who we are and what we become is determined by what goes on in our families. Healthy families generally produce healthy people.

One of the keys to a healthy family is the presence and power of God. God loves families and wants to work in them and through them to advance His work in the world. He wants to be a part of our families.

To be part of our families, God must be invited into our families. One of the ways we do this is through prayer. When we pray for family members the right way, we are creating conditions for God to work.

What is the right way to pray for our family members? Here are some suggestions:

● Pray for yourself first. Pray that you would be a positive influence of love and godliness to your family. If your life doesn’t demonstrate Jesus, your prayers for others will be hindered.

● Pray with love. Effective prayers are motivated by love, not anger, resentment, hatred or revenge. Your attitudes toward family members will determine how you pray for them—either in a loving way or in a condemning way.

● Pray specifically for your family members. Call their names and needs out to God in prayer.

● Pray consistently and persistently for your family members. While random, occasional prayers are powerful, consistency in prayer is even more effective.

● Pray God’s promises over your family members. Pray for their salvation, their growth in Jesus Christ and in God’s Word, for the discovery of God’s will and for the flourishing of their lives according to God’s plans and purposes.

● Add “hands and feet” to your prayers. Speak words of encouragement, blessings, and life for the members of your family. Let your prayers for them change the way you relate to them.

As a husband, wife, mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, or in-law, you are called to add strength and value to your family. Prayer is one way you make a difference!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

How To Pray When Nothing Seems To Be Changing

| 1:49 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray When Nothing Seems To Be Changing

Have you ever prayed for something, and nothing seemed to happen? Sometimes it seems that God isn’t listening to us, or answering our prayers. In these moments it’s easy to lose faith and hope and give up on prayer.

Jesus addressed this temptation in Luke 18:1 (NIV) “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Jesus taught us that prayer often is a long-term, intense process. But it’s always better to keep praying than it is to quit praying!

Persistence in prayer always pays off. As we keep on praying, things change in us, and things change around us. Although the changes may be imperceptible at times, they are still happening.

George Muller was a Christian evangelist who lived in the 1800’s. He was a great man of prayer and faith. He founded the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England. Over his lifetime he took care of 10,000+ orphans. The daily supplies of food and clothing for the children came through his faithful, persistent prayers.

Muller’s persistence in prayer is seen in his prayers for the salvation of 5 men he was acquainted with. He put them on his prayer list and prayed for them daily. After a number of months, the first one came to faith in Christ. A decade later 2 more made the decision to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ. After another 15 years of prayer (25 years in total), the fourth man came to faith. He continued to pray for the fifth man for a total of 52 years. This man accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior a few months after Muller’s death. That’s persistence in prayer!

Don’t quit praying. Only time and eternity will tell the difference it will make in you, and in the people and circumstances you’re praying for.

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

How To Pray For Others

| 1:37 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray For Others

Every week people ask me to pray for them. Sometimes these requests for prayer are very specific. They might be a health or financial situation a person is dealing with. It could be a challenge at work, or a difficulty in a relationship that is causing stress or that needs resolution or reconciliation. I’m sure you’re asked to pray for people too.

How do you handle the prayer requests of others? Here are a few things that help me when someone asks for prayer:

● If possible, pray with them when the request is made. Take time, that moment, to pray instead of promising to pray later. There’s no better time than that moment.

● If you promise to pray for someone, make a note of it and follow through.

● When praying for someone, put yourself in their situation emotionally. This is called empathy. It will allow you to pray with greater care and passion.

● When promising to pray for someone, give them hope. Let them know that you are believing with them for answers and help from God.

● When praying with and for someone, pray the promises of God over them. Help lift their faith and confidence.

● Ask the Lord to remind you of them so that you can continue to pray for them as He leads.

● Be confident that God hears and answers.

One of the best ways you can help someone is by praying for them. Prayer really does something powerful and positive. It invites the resources of heaven into the darkest places of a person’s life. Be a person who exercises the ministry of praying for others. You’ll be blessed as you do.

Pastor Dale

Monday, June 11, 2018

How To Pray For Protection

| 1:58 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray For Protection

All too often we complicate things in life. We make them harder than they really are.

This is true with prayer. Many people don’t have a consistent prayer life because they don’t really know how to have one. They are intimidated by it.

Jesus gave us a beginner’s guide to prayer. One of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them about prayer. In response, Jesus gave us The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to be recited. It is actually a simple pattern of prayer that teaches us exactly how to pray in a way that gets results.

An important part of prayer includes praying for protection. Jesus included this in His teaching about prayer. Look at what He said about this in Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

To be effective in prayer, we must understand that we’re actually in a daily spiritual battle. We are targeted by our spiritual adversary, the devil, every day, with temptations, and with evil attacks. While we shouldn’t live in fear of our adversary, neither should we be naive or dismissive of his devices and schemes.

This is why Jesus included this focus in His teaching on prayer. He wanted us to remember that we’re in a battle. He also wanted us to take advantage of the resources He has offered to us that help us overcome every strategy and tactic of darkness against us. Our daily prayer should include asking God to keep us away from things that deceive, trick and tempt us. It should include asking God to shut down and free us from any plans the enemy has to target us. Daily prayer is an opportunity to seek God for daily protection!

Pastor Dale

Friday, June 8, 2018

How To Pray For Your Relationships

| 1:49 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Pray For Your Relationships

All too often we complicate things in life. We make them harder than they really are.

This is true with prayer. Many people don’t have a consistent prayer life because they don’t really know how to have one. They are intimidated by it.

Jesus gave us a beginner’s guide to prayer. One of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them about prayer. In response, Jesus gave us The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to be recited. It is actually a simple pattern of prayer that teaches us exactly how to pray in a way that gets results.

A key part of prayer includes prayer about our relationships—our relationship with God and our relationships with others. Jesus included this in His teaching about prayer. Look at what He said about relationships in Matthew 6:9-12 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors…’”

Our daily prayer time should include a time of reflecting on our relationship with God. This involves asking God to show us any sins that need to be owned and confessed to Him. It involves asking God for forgiveness for the things we do, say, think or fail to do that hurts God’s heart. As we confess these to Him, we should also gratefully accept the forgiveness He freely offers us.

Another part of reviewing our relationships is reflecting on our relationships with others. We must be willing to forgive others in the same way God forgives us. In prayer, our hearts can be cleansed from lingering hurt, anger, resentment and bitterness toward others.

We need daily prayer to keep our relationship with God fresh, and our relationships with others free and harmonious!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, June 7, 2018

How To Ask God To Meet Your Needs

| 1:38 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Ask God To Meet Your Needs

All too often we complicate things in life. We make them harder than they really are.

This is true with prayer. Many people don’t have a consistent prayer life because they don’t really know how to have one. They are intimidated by it.

Jesus gave us a beginner’s guide to prayer. One of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them about prayer. In response, Jesus gave us The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to be recited. It is actually a simple pattern of prayer that teaches us exactly how to pray in a way that gets results.

The part of prayer we’re most familiar with is the part where we ask God for certain things we want or need. Jesus included this in His teaching about prayer. Look at what He said about asking in Matthew 6:9-11 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread…’”

Jesus encouraged us to ask for the things we need each day to do God’s will. It is that segment of our prayer time when we focus on the resources we need for the day to do what we need to do, and to do it well. I believe that “daily bread” is an intentional reference by Jesus to the Old Testament provision of manna for the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness. Manna was the “daily bread” that kept God’s people strong, resourced and capable of their daily walk and work.

Take time in your prayer to specifically ask God for your “daily bread.” Although He knows what you need before you ask Him, He wants you to ask, and to expect Him to faithfully answer!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

How To Surrender To God In Prayer

| 1:42 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer: How To Surrender To God In Prayer

All too often we complicate things in life. We make them harder than they really are.

This is true with prayer. Many people don’t have a consistent prayer life because they don’t really know how to have one. They are intimidated by it.

Jesus gave us a beginner’s guide to prayer. One of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them about prayer. In response, Jesus gave us The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to be recited. It is actually a simple pattern of prayer that teaches us exactly how to pray in a way that gets results.

An important part of prayer is surrendering ourselves to God. Jesus taught us this. Look at His instructions in Matthew 6:9, 10 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven… ’”

The prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom is all about taking time in your prayer to invite God to have His will in your life, in your “earth,” the “world” around you and beyond you. It is a prayer of surrender. It is saying to God, “I trust You, and I want You to do what You want to do in me, in my circumstances, and in all things that are part of my life. Your will is more important to me than my will.”

Take 1 or 2 minutes in your daily prayer time opening yourself to God’s will and surrendering yourself to His wisdom and guidance. Let go of control and trust Him. As you do, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit guiding you in any specific things you need to release to God. Surrendering to God’s will with trust in Him is the pathway to peace. It’s how you pray your way into God’s peace!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

How To Praise God In Prayer

| 1:30 min read |

A Beginner’s Guide To Prayer: How To Praise God In Prayer

All too often we complicate things in life. We make them harder than they really are.

This is true with prayer. Many people don’t have a consistent prayer life because they don’t really know how to have one. They are intimidated by it.

Jesus gave us a beginner’s guide to prayer. One of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them about prayer. In response, Jesus gave us The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to be recited. It’s actually a simple pattern of prayer that teaches us exactly how to pray in a way that gets results.

Take a look at the first lesson of prayer Jesus gave. It’s found in Matthew 6:9 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’”

Jesus taught us to begin our prayers with praise. Before you ask God for anything, start by thanking Him for the blessings in your life. Pause, think and then verbalize your love to God for all He has done for you, and for who He is. Honor Him for His greatness, His power, His love, and His wisdom.

I encourage people who are beginning a daily prayer habit to start with 1 to 2 minutes of praise. Simply tell God what you appreciate about Him and what you’re grateful for. It is called “hallowing God’s name!” You’ll soon find that praise lifts your spirit and adjusts your perspective in a very positive way. Before long, your praise time will grow. It will become a key part of your daily time with God.

Pastor Dale