Friday, June 14, 2019
Video Devotionals
Thursday, June 13, 2019
The Choice is Yours
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Let God Transform You
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Live in the Now
Monday, June 10, 2019
Made On Purpose for a Purpose
Friday, June 7, 2019
The God-kind of Life
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Ask God for Guidance
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
All-in with God
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Live for What Lasts
Monday, June 3, 2019
Created for Good
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Managing Emotions
| 1:16 MIN READ |
Emotions, everyone has them. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to manage them.
An emotion is a feeling based on a way of thinking. Contrary to what most people perceive, your emotions aren’t random, nor are they always accurate. They are children of the way you think. Negative thinking births negative feelings. The opposite is also true.
To manage your emotions, you must manage your mind. One of the most dangerous feelings is anger. Look at Solomon’s words describing the impact of anger in Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV) “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit; for anger resides in the lap of fools.” The Message paraphrase reads this way, “Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.”
It doesn’t get much clearer than this! Angry emotional reactions are almost always destructive. When we’re quickly provoked, things are said and done that create pain, and cause more problems; sometimes long-lasting problems. The answer? Take control of angry thoughts before they become angry words and reactions. Slow down. Be quiet. Take a deep breath. Think. Put things into proper perspective. Pray. Then, and only then, are you ready to respond.
Don’t let anger get the best of you!
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Receiving and Giving Comfort
| 1:04 MIN READ |
We’ve all been in distressing situations. In times like these, we’re blessed when someone comes near and comforts us. A gentle hand on our shoulder or word of encouragement in our ears can help us navigate the toughest moments in life.
One of the descriptions of God in the Bible is “the God of comfort.” David, Israel’s second king, wrote about this in Psalm 86:17 (NIV) “Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord have helped me and comforted me.”
Through the ups and downs of life, David discovered that God was a Comforter! Many times, God put His loving arms around David and spoke encouraging words to him. God kept David going when no one or nothing else could. What He did for David, He’ll do for you! But comfort shouldn’t stop with you. After receiving God’s support, you’re called to become one of His comforters! What you have received, God calls you to give.
Maybe you need some comfort today. Go to God. He’ll comfort you. And as He comforts you, share what He’s given you with someone who needs it!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Warning Signs
| 1:29 MIN READ |
Signs are beneficial. They provide direction, information, inspiration, and instructions. Paying attention to them is wise.
One type of sign especially important to see and obey is a warning sign. Heeding warning signs keeps you from lots of trouble. One of the constant mistakes of God’s people in the Old Testament was their consistent disregard and outright rejection of God’s warnings. Look at the following passage that describes this pattern in 2 Kings 17:13-15 (NIV) “The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’ But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, ‘Do not do as they do.’”
The rejection of God’s warnings eventually cost Israel their nation. It was a high price to pay. They ended up dispersed and broken.
God sends us warnings too. Primarily through His Word. What we do with His advice is up to us. His warnings are an expression of His love for us. Pay attention to God’s warning signs.
Pastor Dale
Monday, May 27, 2019
Conquering Confusion
| 1:08 MIN READ |
Lots of things are confusing. When you see them or experience them, you can’t make sense of them. Merriam-Webster defines confusion as, “being perplexed or disconcerted.” I’m not sure this is very helpful! We really don’t need a dictionary, we all know it when we feel it.
Problems can confuse us. Circumstances and situations can confuse us. People can confuse us. But there’s one thing we need to remember. God will never confuse you! Paul, the apostle, reminded us of this in 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV) “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…”
Confusion paralyzes us. It distracts and frustrates us. It brings disruption and disorder. It leaves us in a fog of indecision. Confusion turns friends into enemies. It turns co-laborers into competitors. Confusion in the heart, mind, or relationship always messes things up!
When confusion shows up, remember to see it for what it is. It’s something to be dismissed and ignored. God never brings confusion, He always brings peace! When confused, step back and wait on God to order your thoughts, bring peace to your heart and mind, and show you a clear way forward!
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 24, 2019
Taking Care of Your Temple
| 1:30 MIN READ |
Your life is run by your habits. Your spiritual habits determine the direction of your life. Your mental habits affect your choices and emotions. And your physical habits impact all of the above.
Take a look at the words of the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (Message) “May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.”
Paul reminded us that God is interested in us being healthy and whole; spirit, soul, and body. Yes, God is concerned about your body. He created your body and expects each of us to take care of it. In fact, the Bible reminds us that our body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” which means it certainly is important. Here’s that reminder found in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 (NLT) “Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
Good physical habits help us spiritually and psychologically. They strengthen your relationship with God. They help you think and relate in healthier ways.
Are you taking care of your temple? How’s your diet? Are you getting any exercise? Are you taking time to rest and renew your body? Are you consuming substances that erode your health?
Taking care of your body is one of the ways you can honor God!
Pastor Dale