Video Devotionals

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Living with Longings

| 1:08 MIN READ |

What are you longing for? A longing is something you want, desire, and crave consistently. It usually refers to something you ache for in your heart. It represents a need or perceived need in your life.

Most folks have longings. It’s part of being human. No one ever has everything they want in life.

Actually, longings are good for us. They make us think about what’s really important in life. They develop perseverance in us. They help develop the discipline we need to live faithfully, in the face of disappointments and emotional pain.

The greatest potential benefit of longings is allowing them to lead us to God. David, the psalm writer, learned this lesson. Look at what he wrote in Psalm 38:9 (NIV) “All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.” The Passion Translation reads this way, “Lord, you know all my desires and deepest longings. My tears are liquid words and you can read them all.”

What are you longing for? What are the unfulfilled desires of your heart? Take them to God. Pour out your inner pain to Him. You’ll find He’s more than enough. He satisfies, and He saves!

Pastor Dale

Monday, January 13, 2020

Turn Pressure Into Prayer

| 1:27 MIN READ |

What pressures are you facing? The word “pressure” refers to “the burden of physical or mental distress; the constraint of circumstance; the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention.” (Merriam- Webster Dictionary).

Pressure comes in many forms—mental, financial, emotional, and relational. It wears away at our strength and energy. It muddies thinking and distorts our perspective. It drains us.

What’s the best way to handle pressure?

We get some answers to this question from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. The first chapter of this book tells the story of a lady named Hannah, who was under great pressure. Although she was deeply loved by her husband, she was unable to bear children. While this created certain pain and pressure for her, it was made worse by her husband’s second wife, Peninnah. She was a cruel, belittling woman.

Take a look at the pressure Hannah faced from her nemesis. It’s recorded in 1 Samuel 1:6, 7 (NIV) “… her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year … her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.”

How did Hannah respond to this kind of pressure? The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 1:10 (NIV) “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”

Hannah turned her pressures to prayer. When she did, God heard, answered and helped her!

Are you under pressure? Take it to God in prayer. He’s the One who will get you through it!

Pastor Dale

Friday, January 10, 2020