Video Devotionals

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

Monday, November 5, 2018

Need Directions?

| 1:17 min read |

Do you remember the “pre-Google Maps” days? I do! Years back, every journey to an unfamiliar destination required a map—a real paper map! You would mark your route and read the map to get where you were going.

Inevitably, map reading included an additional element. When the map was unclear, or road changes had been made, you had to stop and ask someone for directions. Hundreds of times over the years I have gone into gas stations, convenience stores, or stopped somewhere along the way to ask for help finding my destination. The map and the asking worked together!

The same is true in getting direction from God. We need a map, which is the Bible, and we need prayer, which is the asking. The Bible clarifies the road we are to take, and prayer helps us discover the adjustments we need to make along the way.

James the apostle referred to what we should do when we need guidance from God in James 1:5 (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.”

We all need guidance. We may need to make a decision that we’re unsure of making or face a decision about an opportunity that we’re unsure of taking. In all kinds of situations, we need to know what to do—what path to take.

Pastor Dale

Friday, November 2, 2018

Give-away Day!

| 1:14 min read |

Most people love giveaways. Walk through a mall or grocery store and you’ll notice people adjusting their path toward employees giving out samples—especially free food!

As believers in Jesus, we’re called to distribute free samples of God’s goodness to others. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 10:8 (NIV) “… Freely you have received; free give.”

Every day should be a give-away day for us. We should look for opportunities to distribute free samples of God’s love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and favor. We should look for people we can encourage, inspire and support. We should give away faith and friendship. We should be the kind of person that people adjust their path to be near, knowing that something good and life-giving is always in our hearts, hands and mouths.

When we give, we should also remember that good comes back to us. While we don’t give to get, the law of reciprocity works. Jesus taught us this in Luke 6:38 (NIV) “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Go ahead and give! God will take care of you! Make every day a give-away day!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Faith—Full

| 1:39 min read |

A while back I had surgery on one of my knees. As a part of recovery, the doctor prescribed physical therapy. I was amazed at how quickly the muscles supporting my knee atrophied. In a matter of days following the surgery, I had lost a significant amount of strength that needed to be restored — muscle tissue needed to be rebuilt.

The remedy was the right exercises. During my physical therapy sessions, I was taken through muscle-building routines and sent home with a list of exercises to do. The promise was—“do these and your strength will return.”

It’s something we all know, muscles develop through use. They’re enlarged through exercise. Lack of exercise = lack of development.

The same is true of faith. Faith is like a muscle. It’s meant to be used. It grows when it’s put under pressure and stretched. This is what the apostle James was talking about in James 1:2-4 (TLB) “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you’ll be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

The pressures and stresses of life are a gift of God to you. They’re God’s way of making your faith grow. They’re God’s way of developing you into a person you never dreamed you be, with a faith you never dreamed you could have!

God is committed to helping you become “faith—full!” Full of faith in every area of your life! Stop cursing the tough times. See them as exercises that increase the strength of your faith!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

How Patient Are You?

| 1:21 min read |

I suppose most of us would likely give ourselves low marks on the patience scale. We like quick. We like fast. We like immediate.

The truth is, the greatest things in life take time to grow and develop. Compare a mushroom with an oak tree. The mushroom sprouts quickly and disappears quickly. The oak tree grows slowly but endures centuries. Our problem is, we want oak tree strength at mushroom speed!

To get oak tree strength you need oak tree patience! This is what the apostle James was talking about in James 1:2-4 (TLB) “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you’ll be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

The Greek word for “patience” can also be translated “perseverance.” It means “to remain, endure, hold out, and wait on.” (TDNT) It describes the commitment of someone to stay the course, keep on working and waiting until problems are solved, battles are won, and challenges are conquered.

Patience has a pay-off! James says that when you develop it “… you’ll be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” Sounds like the kind of people we want to be!

Pastor Dale

Monday, October 29, 2018

The Choice to Rejoice

| 1:09 min read |

One of the most common questions people ask when going through a tough time is “why?” The “why am I going through this” question actually has an answer.

The apostle James give us that answer in James 1:2-4 (TLB) “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you’ll be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

Problems are a part of life. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t insulate you from them. It gives purpose to your problems. It changes your perspective of your difficulties. Instead of trying to “squirm out” of them, we’re told to rejoice in them, knowing that trials provide an opportunity to use our faith. Problems put our faith to the test, proving that our faith is genuine and real—that it really works.

Are you going through a hard time? Make the choice to rejoice. Change your perspective about your problems. See them as an opportunity to prove that your faith is real, and it really works!

Pastor Dale

Friday, October 26, 2018

Are You A Worshiper?

| 1:14 min read |

Are you a worshiper? The truth is, we’re all worshipers. It’s just a matter of who or what we worship!

Worship is all about the priorities and allegiances of your life. It’s about who or what you’re primarily devoted to. Some people worship their work. Some worship money. Others worship pleasure. The list could go on and on.

The Bible makes it clear that worshiping anyone or anything other than God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is known as idolatry. Yes, idolatry! Kind of heavy isn’t it? It should also be sobering.

We don’t usually consider ourselves to be idolaters, but the truth is, anytime anything takes priority over God in our lives that person or thing becomes an idol to us. And idolatry never ends well. It always leads to disappointments and an empty life.

The cure for idolatry is true and right worship. There is only One who is truly worthy of worship. There is only One who deserves our allegiance and obedience.

Look at what Jesus said about this in Luke 4:8 (NLT) “Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Note the “only” in this verse. True worshipers remove all over “gods” and worship the only One who is worthy. Are you a true worshiper?

Pastor Dale

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Tis So Sweet …

| 1:22 min read |

Anyone who has been around church any length of time is likely familiar with an old hymn written by Louisa M. R. Stead around the turn of the 20th century. Here are all 4 verses and the chorus, and they’re worth reading:

1. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Chorus: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.

3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.

4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

The one word that resounds throughout this song is “trust.” The author continually reminded us that there’s something incredibly sweet about trusting in Jesus in every area of life. Our trust in Him brings life, rest, joy and peace.

Maybe the supply of rest, joy and peace have been running low in your life? What’s the remedy? Renew your trust in the One who cares for you. Have confidence in His promises for your life! It is sweet to trust in Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Whose Burdens Are You Carrying?

| 1:22 min read |

A while back I arrived at the church office with several items I needed to take into the building. I loaded myself down with these things to the point of barely being able to see. Navigating into the building was going to be a challenge. And then it happened. Someone saw me, over-burdened with my load, and offered to help. The relief was on time, and deeply appreciated!

One of the callings we have as believers in Jesus Christ is to be burden-bearers. Look at Paul’s words, inspired by God’s Spirit, in Galatians 6:2 (NIV) “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Think about it. There’s a way we can “fulfill the law of Christ.” How? By helping others with their burdens!

How does this relate to “the law of Christ?” Burden-bearing is what Jesus did for people. Remember His words in Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

When we help others carry their burdens, when we lift loads from others, we’re actually doing the work of Jesus; we’re acting like Him!

How can you become a better burden-bearer? It starts with awareness. We must pay attention to people around us who may be struggling with a heavy load in their life. If we don’t see the strugglers, we’ll never step in to help them carry their burden.

Whose burdens are you carrying?

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Attached or Detached?

| 1:17 min read |

Certain things only function well when they’re attached. A trailer can’t move forward without being attached to a vehicle. A passenger or freight car on a train can’t reach its destination without being connected to an engine. Fruit can’t be produced without being attached to a tree or vine.

Jesus used this latter illustration to describe the greatest need in our lives — the need for attachment to Him. Look at what He said in John 15:5 (NLT) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

The last phrase in this verse should arrest us, “… apart from me you can do nothing.”

What if we really believed this? What difference would it make in our lives? What would we do, and what would we do differently if we truly understood that detachment from Jesus results in fruitlessness in us?

Jesus is calling us to be deeply connected to Him and dependent on Him. He wants to be included in all that we do. He wants to be a vital part of every activity, every decision, every relationship in our lives. And when He is included, and when we do depend on Him, positive things are promised and produced.

How about you? Are you living an attached or detached life with Jesus?

Pastor Dale

Monday, October 22, 2018

How to Be Humble

| 1:21 min read |

I’m sure you’ve met arrogant people during the course of your life. There’s nothing quite as repulsive as encountering someone who’s totally impressed with themselves and their “accomplishments.” The name-dropping, boasting, and sense of self-importance create a nauseating stench around such a soul. They may even mask their pride with “humble brags,” trying to appear non-conceited. The problem with “humble brags” is that they lack the reality of the adjective in the phrase—humble! It’s still simply a “brag!”

Arrogance, pride, and self-conceit are not only disgusting to us, they’re disgusting to God too. Look at what Scripture says about this in James 4:6 (NLT) “… God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

This verse alone should motivate us to develop humility. To develop it, we must first define it.

What are the characteristics of a humble person:

• They know they need God.
• They know they need others.
• They’re teachable.
• They’re listeners.
• They’re flexible and adjustable.
• They celebrate the successes of others.
• They’re servant-hearted.
• They’re sensitive and responsive to God’s correction.

Humility is an interesting quality. Thinking you have it is usually a sign that you don’t! Truly humble people are humble people. They’re not “trying” to be humble, it’s a part of who they are, and God honors it with His favor!

Pastor Dale

Friday, October 19, 2018

3 Ways to Be a Better Friend

| 1:10 min read |

There’s nothing quite as comforting and encouraging as a good friend. When life is tough, it’s great to have someone show up to help and support you. When things are going well, it’s great to have someone who rejoices and celebrates with you. Friendships make life richer, and better.

While we all long for good friends, it’s equally, if not more important that we learn how to be one. Good friends have certain characteristics. Good friends are “can” people. Here’s what I mean:

C = Good friends are genuinely COMMITTED to you. You never have to worry about the loyalty and love of a true friend. You can count on them always.

A = Good friends are consistently AVAILABLE for you. They are there when you need them. They are on standby to help at the slightest mention of need or opportunity.

N = Good friends are NOURISHING. Great friends make you better. They build you up. They strengthen your character. They lift your perspective. They guide you in positive, right ways.

When it comes to developing friendships, Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:12 (NLT) guide us, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you … “

Be a CAN do friend!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, October 18, 2018

What’s God Like?

| 1:24 min read |

Your thoughts matter. According to the Bible, your thoughts are shaping your life! Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

One of the areas of thought that seriously affects every part of your life is your beliefs about God. How you view God makes a big difference in how you approach Him, and in how you live your life. Faulty perspectives of God cause us lots of problems.

Here are a few things to remember about God:

• He’s eternal. He has always been and always will be.
• He’s holy and perfectly righteous. Everything He is and does is right.
• He never changes. There is no fickleness or lack of predictability about His nature. What He is, He is, and always will be.
• He has no needs. He is the ultimate Provider—fully sufficient.
• He’s all-powerful. Nothing is impossible or too hard for Him.
• He’s all-knowing.
• He’s ever-present.
• He’s all-wise.
• He’s completely faithful, reliable and trustworthy. He will never fail you.
• He’s totally good. Everything He is and everything He does is good.
• He’s completely just. There is no “unfairness” or injustice in Him.
• He’s loving, merciful, gracious, kind and compassionate.
• He’s great and majestic.
• He’s transcendent—nothing or no one on earth or in heaven compares to Him—He is above and over all!

Be careful how you think about God. Your thoughts about Him shape your relationship with Him!

Pastor Dale