Video Devotionals

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Cry That Makes A Difference

| 1:21 MIN READ |

Many times in life we find ourselves facing needs bigger than our resources. What we do in these moments is important. While we’re tempted to panic, the better response is to pray!

We learn a valuable lesson about this from the story of an unnamed lady in the Bible. Her story is found in 2 Kings 4:1, 2 (NLT) “One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, ‘My husband … is dead … now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.’ ‘What can I do to help you?’ Elisha asked.’ Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ ‘Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,’ she replied.”

Here is a lady in a lot of trouble. She is facing great debt and is about to lose her sons to slavery to pay what was owed. What did she do? She cried out to Elisha. Actually, her cry to Elisha was a cry to God. This prayer was the turning point in her life. It was this cry that resulted in receiving God’s guidance and miraculous provision. It was a cry that made a difference.

Unfortunately, we often spend lots of time crying about our problems. While crying about painful things in life is natural, and even very appropriate at times, we shouldn’t stop there. The best and most productive cries go to God. Instead of only crying over the tough things in your life, cry to God about them. He has the answers and solutions you need!

Pastor Dale

Monday, October 14, 2019

Outsourced!

| 1:21 MIN READ |

It’s happened to everyone at some point in life. We’ve found ourselves with a need that is bigger than our resources. It’s called lack. It may be more month than money or more work than workers, or more hurt than healing. Lack comes in lots of different forms.

There’s a story in the Old Testament which gives us insight into how we should handle lack. The story is found in Genesis 22. God tested Abraham’s faith by telling him to take his only son, Isaac, the seed of the nation God promised Abraham, to the top of Mount Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice.

As Abraham and Isaac ascended to the top of the mountain that morning, Isaac astutely noticed something lacking in the sacrificial supplies. Look at his question to his father, and his father’s answer in Genesis 22:7, 8 (NLT) “Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.”

Abraham had absolute confidence in God as a Provider. And indeed, God provided a sacrificial ram at just the right moment!

How should you handle the lack in your life? Outsource the need to God! He is your Provider. He’ll certainly meet your needs, as you trust in Him!

Pastor Dale

Friday, October 11, 2019

One Great Word!

| 1:11 MIN READ |

I love language. I love words. Words are the way ideas are conveyed and understood. Words are the core of communication.

What’s the greatest word of all time? Many words might qualify for such a list. While terms like love, friends, hope and the like certainly should be included as word stars, I would propose another one — THANKS!

Expressing gratitude is something we do far too infrequently, especially when we consider the good that comes when we do. Saying thanks strengthens relationships. It also decreases selfishness. It moves us outside of our own world and includes others and their positive impact and influence on us. It demonstrates careful and conscientious thought. You’ve got to think before you can thank! When you think about the blessings in your life, your natural response will be to give thanks!

Thanks is an important word to God also. It connects us to Him. The New Testament writer, Paul, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, writes in Ephesians 5:20 (NIV) “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There are many great words that should regularly be spoken, “thanks” is one! Who do you need to thank today?

Pastor Dale

Thursday, October 10, 2019

What’s Worrying You?

| 1:38 MIN READ |

What’s worrying you? If you are worried about something, you’re in the majority. According to some, there’s more anxiety in our world than ever before. Worry is everywhere.

What are people worried about? Studies reveal several common concerns that consistently trouble people’s hearts and minds. Here are a few things people worry about:

• Finances
• Relationship issues
• Health
• Aging and death
• Acceptance by others
• Job security
• Personal and family security

Worry is a mental activity that has emotional consequences. When we worry, we project potentially negative events into our future. It’s actually an irrational thing, but something we all do. We fool ourselves believing that entertaining “what if” possibilities in our future helps. It doesn’t. As Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.” Well said!

What did Jesus say? Look at His words from Matthew 6:31-33 (TLB) “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.”

Jesus’ message to us about worry can be summarized in these five words, “So don’t worry at all…” How much better would your life be if you obeyed this one instruction of Jesus?

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Use Your Gift Cards!

| 1:18 MIN READ |

Do you have one in your wallet? I’m talking about an unused gift card. Every year $1 billion in gift cards go unused. Many of these cards will never be redeemed. Lots of blessings and resources left unclaimed.

While these statistics may surprise us, there’s something even more surprising and troubling — unclaimed promises of God.

God has provided us with many great promises. God’s promises are linked to resources He longs to release to us. God wants us to benefit from His promises. He is committed to doing for us everything He said He would do.

God’s promises are realized in our lives by active faith. They must be claimed — made personal — through prayer.

Look at what the apostle Peter wrote about this in 2 Peter 1:3, 4 (MSG) “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.”

To claim God’s promises you must know them. There’s a promise from God for every problem in your life. Look for them. And when you find them, claim them for your life!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Don’t Diet

| 1:15 MIN READ |

We’ve all heard statistics addressing the epidemic of obesity. I recently read an article describing the crisis. According to the author, studies reveal that 70% of Americans are overweight! A staggering stat.

The usual response to dealing with extra pounds is a diet. You’ve got the paleo, the keto, the Mediterranean, the low-carb, the intermittent fasting, the South Beach, the North Beach, the no beach…! Diets, diets, diets!

While most of us could benefit from a diet plan, there’s one part of your life that should never be placed on a diet. There’s an area in your life where the more you eat, the better you’ll be — your spiritual life.

While our waistlines are too frequently expanding, our hearts are shrinking — malnourished and emaciated. Our spirits need to be fed. Our souls need to be fat.

Your spiritual life is sustained and grows through faith, and faith has to be fed for it to grow! Look at what Paul, the apostle, said about this in Romans 10:17 (NKJV) “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The more you read, reflect on and apply God’s Word, specifically His promises, the stronger your spirit will be, and the bigger your faith will grow. When it comes to your spiritual life, don’t diet!

Pastor Dale

Monday, October 7, 2019

You’ve Got It

| 1:07 MIN READ |

People who are successful in certain careers, especially high performance or highly demanding careers, often possess a mysterious “it” factor. We say things about them like this, “They’ve got it!” The “it” may be charisma, a special unique skill set, or a key attitude that elevates and empowers them to get a job done well.

When pursuing a strong and growing relationship with God, we need a critical element. We need “it.” That “it” is something called faith. The New Testament book of Hebrews reminds us of the need for faith. Look at Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

You’ve got to have faith to please God. Here’s the good news, you’ve got it! Every day you exercise faith. Faith is simply relying on someone’s word, promise or character. It is counting on someone or something’s strength and integrity. You got “it,” you only need to direct it toward God and His Word and use it by believing in and claiming His promises.

You’ve got faith — use it!

Pastor Dale

Friday, October 4, 2019

You Don’t Have Because…

| 1:07 MIN READ |

I’m a grandfather. My primary job in life, when it comes to my grandkids is to say, “yes!” Of course, I’m kidding (kind of)! There are times when I say, “no” to one of their requests, but I do take great pleasure in saying, “yes!”

We sometimes need to be reminded that God takes pleasure in saying “yes” to us, too. Certainly, God says, “no” to the foolish things we request that could destroy us. But God is also a “yes” God. Many times in His Word He encourages us to come to Him with our needs and desires. He actually tells us to confidently ask Him for help, answers, and resources.

Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; … If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Asking is the key to receiving. Believing is the key to asking. Failure to ask is the reason we sometimes miss out on resources, blessings, and opportunities our good Heavenly Father has for us!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, October 3, 2019

House Visits

| 1:18 MIN READ |

When was the last time God showed up at your house?

Whether you realize it or not, your house is important to God. In our English translations of the Bible, the word “house” is found hundreds of times. The many references to people’s houses remind us of the value God places on your house.

By house, I’m not just talking about the physical structure where you live. While your house includes the roof over your head, it’s more than that. It includes all the people, relationships, activities and attitudes found there. God wants to show up at your house, and when He does, He makes a difference there.

We find a great story about God showing up at Peter’s house one day in Matthew 8:14, 15 (NIV) “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.”

Peter invited Jesus to his house because there was a problem there. His mother-in-law was seriously ill. The problem provided an opportunity to bring God into his house. When Jesus came in, the problem was resolved.

Too often we continue to suffer needlessly with issues, problems, and pain, all because we haven’t invited God into our house. When He comes to your address, life always improves! Invite Him to your house!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

It’s Possible, With God

| 1:24 MIN READ |

“I can’t! It will never happen! Nothing’s going to change! It’s impossible!” Most of us are quite familiar with these statements. We hear them, and perhaps regularly make them. But are they true?

Certainly, there are limitations in life. There are problems that perplex us and seem to defy solving. There are situations that need to be accepted as they are. However, there’s another side to the story. As we contemplate our limitations, ongoing problems and challenges, and the impossibilities we face, we must never forget God. God is the One that disrupts standard life equations! Numerous times in the Bible you find impossible situations redefined by one key phrase, “But God…!”

These two words are far more powerful than we often imagine. It’s the acknowledgment that God is the difference-maker. Jesus reminded us of this in Luke 18:27 “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’”

It’s easy to read these words and discount them. We consider our issues as “special cases;” too hard, too long-standing, too deep-seated to be included in the “possible with God” category. Maybe God helps others, but we’re not sure, and perhaps we’re even doubtful that He’ll do miracles for us.

Here’s today’s lesson. Never discount what God can and will do. Never underestimate what God can and will for you! God is Almighty God, and nothing is impossible with Him!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Supernatural

| 1:25 MIN READ |

Who are you? This question goes beyond superficial interest in your name or job. When someone really gets to know you, they know something about you — the real you. They understand your personality, your character, your values, and your nature.

The same is true with God. To say that we know Him is to affirm that we’ve learned something about who He is. We’ve experienced His nature. We’ve encountered His character. We’ve learned something about His values.

One of the key qualities of God is His unmatched, incredible power. He is the supernatural God — the God of miracles. Supernatural means, above and beyond the natural. Natural is what normally happens based on the ordinary laws of nature and life. But God isn’t constrained by the natural. He created the natural, and can certainly override it whenever He wills.

Why is this important to us? When we know God and live in relationship with Him, His supernatural power is available to us too. This means that whatever your problems or challenges are in the natural circumstances of your life, there’s One who can step in and do miracles. This is part of the purpose of prayer. Prayer is inviting the supernatural God to bring His power to bear on the natural course of human impossibilities.

Remember the words of the psalm-writer, David in Psalms 17:6 (NIV) “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.”

Pastor Dale

Monday, September 30, 2019

A Praying House

| 1:17 MIN READ |

What is your house known for? We can be known for lots of different things, but one of the best is to be known as a person of prayer and to create an atmosphere of prayer in our houses.

Jesus taught us the importance of this. There was a day He came to the temple in Jerusalem and discovered all kinds of activities in God’s house that were inappropriate and counter-productive to people’s spiritual health. This aroused His righteous anger and moved him to drive out all the money-changers and insincere riff rafts. He then made this statement, recorded in Mark 11:17 (NIV) “And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Notice that God wants His house to be known as a house of prayer. He wants the same for your house!

How do we make our house a prayer house? Here are some simple suggestions:

• Make mealtime a brief prayer time. Pray over your meals.
• Pray with your children when you send them off to school in the morning and when you prepare them for bed at night.
• When problems, pressures, or challenges show up at your house take them to God in prayer.

Make prayer a habit in your house. Be known in your neighborhood with your family and friends as a house of prayer!

Pastor Dale

Friday, September 27, 2019

Pray it and Say it!

| 1:21 MIN READ |

What you pray about and talk about reveals a lot about you. If it’s important or concerning to you, you’ll likely talk to God and others about it.

Hopefully, one of your greatest concerns is the kind of life you are living and the kind of house you are building. I’m not talking about a physical house, but your spiritual house. We need God’s help to live the life, He wants us to live, and to build the spiritual house He wants us to build. Prayer is the way we find and connect to His help.

We have a lot more confidence in prayer when we’re sure we’re praying the right way. When we pray God’s Word, we pray the right way!

Over the years I have learned, and continue to learn the power of praying the words of Scripture over my life and household. I’ve learned that these kinds of prayers allow me to pray with deeper faith and conviction. And when praying them, they often become more than a request for God to do something. They become a proclamation of confidence, declaring that God will do what His Word says He’ll do!

How do you do this? Start by searching the Bible passages and promises that reflect the core of your heart for your house. Use them as your prayers. Read them out loud, to God. But don’t just pray the verses, say them — proclaim them — as God’s promises to you and your household, trusting God to do all He said He will do!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Clean Up!

| 1:21 MIN READ |

Life is messy. Let your house go a few days or weeks without cleaning, and you’ll see. It’s called “a mess.”

The only way to keep a mess out is by regular cleaning. Perhaps one day someone will create a completely self-cleaning house, but until then, the job falls on us!

Your life is a house too. Through the daily influence of our evil world and the sinful choices we make, our spiritual house gets dirty. If we don’t have a regular cleaning process, the spiritual filth accumulates and becomes harder and harder to remove. Eventually, uncleaned houses become dilapidated houses. The unaddressed dirt, grime, and germs destroy it.

Paul, a great leader, and teacher of the first-century church wrote about the kind of regular cleaning of our spiritual houses. Look at his words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV) “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

When a house is clean, it’s not only a more pleasant place, it’s a more usable place. When our lives are cleansed from evil they too are more pleasurable and useful for God! What clean up do you need to do?

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Keeping the Mouse out of Your House

| 1:16 MIN READ |

You probably had the problem — A mouse in your house! It’s an unpleasant discovery. Hopefully, it moves you to action.

When it comes to mice in your home, the old proverb of Benjamin Franklin is appropriate, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The best way to keep the mouse out of your house is to plug every possible access point. Give the critter no entry. The smallest openings have to be filled vigilantly and diligently.

There’s a spiritual lesson in all this. Our enemy the devil, is looking for ways to get into our houses — our lives, families, and relationships. Sadly, we have often thrown out the welcome mat to him. We give him unchecked access points.

How does this happen? Through the media we consume! Music, movies, computers, and all potential access points of our spiritual adversary into our house. The enemy of our soul brings into our lives spiritual germs, diseases, and filth because of the choices we make.

Peter, the apostle, reminded us of the potential invasions and what we should do about them in 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Do everything you can to keep the spiritual mouse out of your house!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Emotional Management

| 1:24 MIN READ |

How are you feeling? It’s a common question that usually gets a superficial answer. Yet it reminds us of a very real part of life — emotions.

Emotions are our “inside feelings.” They are important because they often affect our actions. When our thinking is right, our feelings improve. The opposite is also true. A mess in our mind creates a mess in our emotions.

The biggest mistake we make with feelings is letting them lead us, rather than us leading them. Feelings make lousy leaders. They are up and down. They can drag you from one extreme to another one in a matter of minutes. To have a better life we must become better emotional managers.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “manage” this way, “to handle or direct with a degree of skill; to make and keep compliant; to exercise…supervisory direction of.”

Managing emotions is a responsibility you’ve been given. You are responsible for managing your own emotions. You’re the boss of your feelings. You can’t always control what you feel, but you can control what you do with them. Paul the apostle, reminded us of this using the example of anger, he reminded us of our responsibilities to manage our emotions well in Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

You have been given the life responsibility of emotional management. Do it well!

Pastor Dale