Video Devotionals

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Gentle Answer

| 1:01 MIN READ |

This week we’re talking about a very important topic — our relationships. There is nothing that can cause more joy or pain in your life than your relationships. God cares about the quality of your relationships. The Bible is a relationship book. It not only teaches us about how to have a relationship with God, it also shows us how to relate to other people.

The greatest blessing in any relationship is peace. When conflicts stop and peace reigns, good things can happen. Trust grows and communication improves. To create peace in a relationship there are certain wisdom principles you must apply. One is found in Proverbs 15:1 (TLB) “A gentle answer turns away wrath [anger], but harsh words cause quarrels.”

What is your response when you’re confronted with someone’s angry words? Do you add fuel to the fire, or do you respond softly and kindly? Your choice in the face of someone’s anger is either “gasoline” or “water.” You make things better or worse. Choose to make things better. Promote peace.

Pastor Dale

Monday, March 23, 2020

Inner Peace

| 1:07 MIN READ |

This week we’re talking about a very important topic — our relationships. There is nothing that can cause more joy or pain in your life than your relationships. God cares about the quality of your relationships. The Bible is a relationship book. It not only teaches us about how to have a relationship with God, it also shows us how to relate to other people.

What do you want more than anything else in your relationships? What makes a good relationship? One word — peace! When we have peace with others, life is easier to handle, trust flourishes, and conversations are more fun and fulfilling. God wants you to experience peace with the people in your life. To have peace, you must be a peacemaker. It’s important to understand that peace doesn’t start with the other person, it starts with you. It starts with you being at peace internally, and it starts with you being willing to make peace with people.

Here’s today’s question: How peaceful are you? Are you a stormy person, always creating disturbances with others, or does your presence bring peace. Find peace in God, and make peace with others!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 20, 2020

Darkness or Light?

| 1:33 MIN READ |

Most of us have experienced some of the wounds of darkness. You’ve likely gotten up from sleep in the middle of the night and had a few of the “toe against the bedpost” accidents. Maybe, like me, you’ve walked into several walls or stepped on a few legos left on the floor by your kids. Walking around in the dark is dangerous.

While these accidents aren’t super-serious, there are other kinds of accidents of darkness that wreck lives. Spiritual darkness causes lots of bad life accidents.

This is one reason why the coming of Jesus is so wonderful. He came as “the Light of the world!” John, the gospel writer, reminded us of this in John 1:4, 5 (TLB) “Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Because Jesus came, died for the sins of the world, and rose from the grave, we no longer have to live in darkness. He is available to anyone who will call on Him and put their faith in Him. When we do, He lights up our life. He helps us to see things more clearly and make wiser decisions. He lights up our way so that we can avoid destructive hazards and pitfalls.

Has your life been a little dark lately? Has your spirit been suppressed under the shadows of discouragement or despair? Have you had a hard time seeing the sunrises of new tomorrows, new hopes, or new possibilities for your life? If so, call on the name of Jesus, with faith! Remind yourself that He’s your light. Put your trust in Him. He knows how to light up your life!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 19, 2020

What’s Your Impact

| 1:17 MIN READ |

Impact is real. You know it when it happens. Impact refers to a force that is not only noticeable, but transformational, either positively or negatively. It changes things.

One of the important truths Jesus taught His disciples is the truth of impact. Every follower of Jesus is called to make a positive impact on others.

Here’s one of the statements Jesus made about this, found in Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The reality is, everyone impacts others, for good or bad. Jesus called His followers to pay attention to their impact. He reminded us to intentionally be a positive influencer. We are to be like salt, seasoning the world around us. We’re called to be light-shiners, brightening the world of people we encounter.

What kind of impact are you making with your life?

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Which Street is Your Street?

| 1:17 MIN READ |

What’s your address? Your address is the city and street location where you live. It’s unique to you, and those living in your household. It pin-points you.

In life, we have a spiritual address. Whether you realize it or not, you’re located on a spiritual street. The Bible describes only two potential spiritual addresses. Listen to what Jesus said about this in Matthew 7:13, 14 (NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Where you live physically involves a choice. You also make a choice about your spiritual address. You can follow the crowd taking the wide road most folks take, disregarding God. There’s also another option. You can turn onto a different road. This other road is narrow. It’s not crowded. It’s not popular. Taking it is a more challenging decision. It leads in an altered direction from the masses.

It’s important to remember whatever road you take; then it takes you! Roads go somewhere. Before you choose a street, it’s important to know where it leads. Jesus said, the wide road leads to destruction, and the narrow road leads to life. The wise choice is obvious!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Who Are You Listening To?

| 1:17 MIN READ |

Voices are all around us! It’s hard to go anywhere nowadays without the noise and voices. Even our gasoline pumps have screens!

Voices have power. Words impact us. What or who we listen to forms our thinking and determines our actions. With all the different voices, we must become better listeners — more selective in the voices we let into our souls.

The psalm writer David references this in Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

David reminded us to be selective in our listening. He warns us about taking advice from people who ignore, reject, or mock God and His Word. He’s talking here about refusing to seek spiritual advice or life input and direction from people who fail to take into account God’s perspective.

Additionally, David points us to God’s promises for people who turn their ears to Him. Shutting out the God-rejecting voices and tuning in to the God-centered voices makes a difference in our destiny. It assures us of a better future!

Pastor Dale

Monday, March 16, 2020

In Style?

| 1:13 MIN READ |

Have you looked at any old photos of yourself recently? It’s an interesting process. Not only have your looks changed, but your clothing choices have too! When viewing the old you, you’ve probably said something like, “I can’t believe I wore that!”

Why do we wear the things we wear? It’s called fashion. It’s about being in style. As times change, the dress codes of the culture change, and we all tend to follow along.

While there’s certainly no reason to reject certain fashion trends purposefully, there are other cultural trends we would do well to question and reject. The Bible warns us about the culture of the world and how it often influences us in ways we’re not even aware of. The flow of the culture around us can imperceptibly take us away from God, His Word, and His will for our lives.

Paul, the apostle, wrote about this in Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

It’s good to remember, no matter what style of thinking and behaving we see in the world around us, it’s always better to be in style with God!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 13, 2020

Blessed!

| 1:10 MIN READ |

God wants to bless you! What a statement. It’s true. God is a God of blessing. He wants His blessings to be evident in your life.

The biblical word for “bless” means, “to pronounce a wish of happiness to one; to express a wish or desire of happiness; to make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns; as we are blest with peace and plenty; to set apart or consecrate to holy purposes; to make and pronounce holy; to consecrate by prayer; to invoke a blessing upon.” (KJV Dictionary)

The first significant occurrence of this word in the Bible is found in Genesis 12:1-2 (NIV) “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing …’”

God promised Abraham a blessing. But the blessing on Abraham’s life was not for himself only. God wanted to bless Abraham so that Abraham could and would be a blessing to others!

God wants to bless you. Ask Him to bless you. But when you do, remember this, He blesses you for a reason—so that you can and will become a blessing to others!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Filled and Overflowing

| 1:28 MIN READ |

You can’t give what you don’t have. This is a simple, obvious fact. To share something with others, you must first have it yourself. It is as true in the spiritual realm as it is in the material realm. When you’re bankrupt, depleted, drained, or emptied of resources, it is hard to be generous to others.

This is often seen in our relationships. An absence of love in our own lives usually results in a lack of love in our relationships. People lacking love can’t effectively give love. People with low love levels in their souls have nothing to draw from in their interactions with others.

For our relationships to improve, our personal love levels need to rise. We need a source, a supply of love continually flowing into us, filling us, and ultimately overflowing from us. When our love tanks are regularly replenished, our relationships benefit.

John, the apostle, described this principle in 1 John 4:7 (TPT) “Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him.”

No person will ever love you the way you need to be loved. We’re all broken and often love-starved. We can’t give to others what we don’t have ourselves. There is a Source of love that supersedes human love—an abundant, unending Source. He never runs dry. When you are secured by and filled with God’s love, you’ll have love to give away—overflowing love!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Think about His Love

| 1:43 MIN READ |

Your thoughts are powerful. They affect your emotions and actions. It’s important to make sure our thinking is healthy.

The best way to improve your thinking is by reflecting on God’s love. Take some time to read and reflect on one of the apostle Paul’s prayers about the love of God:

Ephesians 3:14-20 (TPT) “I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!”

Think about His love!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

A Gift for You Today

| 1:11 MIN READ |

Throughout the year, most folks have gift moments—birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, anniversary gifts, and the like. Receiving a gift is a blessing. It reminds us we’re valued. It makes us feel special. It creates gratitude for those who were thinking of us and generous toward us.

God has gifts for you too. He loves you and provides a new gift for you every day of your life. Jeremiah, the prophet, spoke of this gift in Lamentations 3:21-23 (Msg) “But there’s one thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!”

What a difference it would make if every morning we remembered what Jeremiah remembered. What if we started each day with the awareness that God is giving us a gift—the gift of His “loyal, merciful love.”

Every day is a gift day for you. Each morning when you arise, God delivers a fresh package of love and faithfulness to you. But like any gift, it’s of no value unless it’s received, unwrapped and enjoyed. Reach out and take the gift of a new day, new mercies, new beginnings, new hopes, new starts—today!

Pastor Dale

Monday, March 9, 2020

Power Lines

| 1:06 MIN READ |

Throughout the year, we usually experience one or more power outages in our home. Whether it’s from a snowstorm, thunderstorm, or some other weather event or accident, suddenly the power goes out. When this happens, we realize how dependent we are on electricity. Frantic calls are placed to the utility company to make sure repairs and restoration of power are in motion.

Just as your home needs electrical power to function, your life needs power also—spiritual power. Many people live without any spiritual power source or a sufficient and effective one.

To live your best life, you need a Source of power that is entirely reliable, more than sufficient, and continually available. God is the power Source needed. The psalm writer said it this way in Psalm 62:11 (TPT) “God said to me once and for all, ‘All the strength and power you need flows from me!’ …”

How do we receive this power? Connection! Communication with God, responsiveness to Him and faith in Him connects you to all the power you’ll ever need to live the life God designed you to live. Take time today and connect!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 6, 2020

Lean on God

| 1:21 min video |

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Wisdom in Relationships

| 0:57 MIN READ |

This week we’re going to talk about a very important topic — our relationships.

There is nothing that can cause more joy or pain in your life than your relationships. God cares about the quality of your relationships. The Bible is a relationship book. It not only teaches us about how to have a relationship with God, it also shows us how to relate to other people. God knows how to make all or your relationships better.

Proverbs 24:3-4 states, “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge, its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.”

It takes wisdom to build relationships. There are principles, truths, practices that, when learned and applied, make relationships grow, and when ignored, cause them to fail.

What are you doing to increase your relationship wisdom? The more wisdom you gain, the better they will be. Make a decision to increase your Relationship Quotient!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Managing Your Anger – Part 3

| 1:21 min read |

Has anger ever gotten the best of you? The answer is likely, yes for most, if not all of us.

Anger is one of the most dangerous and destructive emotions we can experience. It produces bad actions, poor decisions, hurtful words, and broken relationships. The effects of a brief moment of anger can impact us for a lifetime.

How do we handle anger so that it doesn’t get the best of us? Overcoming anger involves seeing it coming and proactively addressing it before it takes control of your emotions. It involves delving into its causes — answering the question, “why am I feeling this way?”

Conquering anger also includes learning to resolve the issues that are causing it. This requires us to take responsibility for settling our anger before it damages us or others.

Look at Paul’s words warning us about the impact of unresolved anger in Ephesians 4:26, 27 (NLT) “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”

Here we’re reminded that we need to resolve our anger positively and productively. How? Through prayer, through forgiveness, through reconciliation, and by removing ourselves from situations that are fueling the fury in our soul.

Don’t give the devil a foothold in your life. Resolve anger before it ruins you!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Managing Your Anger – Part 2

| 1:27 min read |

Has anger ever gotten the best of you? The answer is likely, yes for most, if not all of us.

Anger is one of the most dangerous and destructive emotions we can experience. It produces bad actions, poor decisions, hurtful words, and broken relationships. The effects of a brief moment of anger can impact us for a lifetime.

How do we handle anger so that it doesn’t get the best of us? It’s helpful to learn to sort through our anger.

When anger shows up in your life, it’s much like a garbage truck backing up and dumping piles of emotional trash into your soul. In these moments, we’re overwhelmed with frustration, irritation, and offense. Our initial angry thoughts multiple into a barrage of bad thoughts and feelings. In a very short time, we’re lost in the mess or these emotions and begin reacting in hurtful ways.

When this happens, we need to engage our emotional emergency brakes and quickly sort through the trash we’ve allowed into our hearts and minds. We need to think through what is causing our anger. Are we angry because:

• Our pride has been offended?
• We’re not getting our way?
• We feel threatened or intimidated?
• We’re hurt?
• We’re jealous?
• We’re misunderstood or judged?
• We’re blocked from our objective or desires?

It’s amazing how few people take the time to analyze the roots of their anger. When you know why you’re angry, you are better prepared to know how to overcome it!

Pastor Dale