Video Devotionals

Monday, September 9, 2019

Following The Right Building Codes

| 1:11 MIN READ |

People living in areas prone to natural disasters often build houses differently. They follow a set of building codes and requirements specifically designed to increase the chances of structures surviving things like hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. The potential threat of destruction prompts more conscientious building.

The Bible talks a lot about houses too. In the New International Version of Scripture, the biblical language words for “house” is found over 900 times! The words refer to your life, physical home, family, household, and work. Frequently we’re reminded of how important it is to build our houses well.

Jesus described this in Matthew 7:24 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Jesus continued in this passage by describing how such a house stands strong when storms rage against it. The strength and endurance of a house are determined by how it’s built.

What kind of house are you building? Does it have durability and endurability? Are you using Jesus’ building code for your house? The way you build makes a difference.

Pastor Dale

Friday, September 6, 2019

Need Some New Friends

| 1:27 MIN READ |

“I don’t have any friends!” Have you heard this before? Have you thought or said this before?

One of the mental health epidemics of today’s culture is loneliness. Our digital interaction, which is supposed to increase our connections to others, is actually hindering them. The word “friend” has taken on an entirely new meaning. The term once reserved for the people we were closest to in life now refers to someone who happens to look at our social media feed — people we may not even know. We’ve replaced quality for quantity (how many), and depth for shallowness.

This is a diabolical plot. The enemy of our soul seeks to isolate us — from God and others. This isolation breeds discouragement and depression. What should we do to counteract this?

Here are some suggestions:

• See social media for what it is, and what it’s not. It’s a superficial way to connect with others, not a replacement for face to face meaningful interaction and friendships.

• Get outside of yourself. Join a group at church. Serve on a team. Get around people.

• Be friendly. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV) “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…”

• Improve your relationship skills. Be a better listener. Be genuinely interested in others. Be confident. Respect boundaries. Take appropriate initiative!

• Finally, put a period on your pity party! Stop raining on your own parade!

Do these things, and get ready, you’re going to find some great friends!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, September 5, 2019

How Do You Spell Love?

| 1:06 MIN READ |

Spelling is tough for some folks. One of the greatest inventions of technology is spellcheck. It’s saved me embarrassment and errors numerous times!

Sometimes the concept of spelling a word goes beyond the appropriate letters and placement of them. Spelling can refer to how we define the word.

A good example of this is the word “love.” We spell it “L-O-V-E.” But how do we really spell it? How is love communicated to others?

There’s no better way to spell love than “T-I-M-E.” When we give someone time, we’re giving them the greatest gift of all. Why? Because your time is a portion of your life. Who and what you give your time to, you’re giving your life to. It’s a big deal!

When the apostle Paul writes his first letter to Christians at Thessalonica, he reminded them of how much he loved them with these words found in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT) “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”

When you lean into your relationships by giving others the gift of your time, you’re truly giving the gift of yourself. Give someone this gift today!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Bringing the Devil through the Door

| 1:12 MIN READ |

A thief is planning to break into your house! Do I have your attention?

Jesus clearly described our spiritual enemy, the devil, as a thief. Look at what He said in John 10:10 (NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The problem with a thief is, they are sneaky. They never announce their plans or arrival time beforehand. They wait for the opportune moment and strike. Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 24:43 (NIV) “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.”

It’s one thing for a thief to break into your house. It’s quite another to open the door of your house and welcome the thief in!

In the spiritual realm of life, we’re often bringing the devil through the door with us. Through bad attitudes, anger, resentment, bickering, strife, hatred, destructive words, we let our spiritual enemy into our homes, and the result is stolen peace, joy, unity and harmony.

Whatever you do, don’t bring the devil through the door of your house! He’s a thief, and when he comes in you always lose!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

House Wars

| 1:36 MIN READ |

Most often we think of war as something affecting nations or groups with opposing ideas, agendas, or deep antagonism. The truth is, war happens at lots of levels. People have internal wars. Friendships sometimes turn into battle zones through misunderstanding and hurt. Many households are war zones, filled with hatred, strife, and unrelenting conflict and resentment. Why do our relationships experience so much turmoil?

The answer to the question is spiritual. We are actually in a bigger battle — a spiritual battle! Paul, the apostle, wrote about this in Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Here we’re told to make a major paradigm shift about our interpersonal conflicts. More often than not, the real culprit stirring up the trouble isn’t people we see, it’s an invisible spiritual enemy. We end up targeting the wrong “enemy.” You never win a war when you’re fighting “the wrong” enemy!

How different would your life and relationships be if you stopped fighting people, and instead, directed your efforts against your spiritual enemy? He’s the divider. He’s the antagonist. He’s the one who takes pleasure in keeping the war going in your house! Rise up and resist him, through the power of Jesus’ name and obedience to God’s Word!

Pastor Dale

Monday, September 2, 2019

How Secure Are You?

| 0:57 MIN READ |

One of the realities of today’s world is the pervasive need for security. Billions of dollars are spent annually on it. From home and corporate systems focused on physical security to sophisticated systems addressing cybersecurity, it’s clear that security is something we long for and need.

Security is needed in our personal lives also. When it’s absent, we’re afflicted with worry and fear. We can’t be our best or live our best life when we’re insecure. We can’t build strong, healthy families, or work productively if we continually feel threatened or intimidated. Personal security is essential to a fulfilled and fruitful life.

Security is important spiritually and emotionally because it leads to peace. The more secure we are, the more peace we feel. The more peace we feel, the more peace we create around us. Disturbed anxious people create tumultuous environments. Peaceful people create peaceful environments.

Pastor Dale

Friday, August 30, 2019

The Myth of Experience Education

| 1:31 MIN READ |

How many times have you heard, “Experience is a great teacher?” We often talk about learning by experience. I have noticed in my life, and the lives of others, that no one learns by experience. Alone, experience teaches you nothing. It’s not experience that teaches you; it’s examined experience that leads to wisdom.

Only when you reflect on your experiences will you learn anything of value. I have known people who have been at their job for 20 or 30 years, claiming 20 or 30 years of job experience. In reality, all they have is one year of experience 20 or 30 times! They’ve never actually grown, learned, or developed over time.

Part of being a good student is being a learner. You can expose people to the highest knowledge and wisdom in the world, but without the desire and discipline of learning, they come away ignorant. One of the best things that could ever be said of you is, “He or she is a learner!” Learners examine their experiences for meaningful life lessons.

Solomon, the wise and Spirit-Inspired writer of much of the Old Testament book of Proverbs has a lot to say about learning. Look at his words recorded in Proverbs 19:8 (TPT) “Do yourself a favor and love wisdom. Learn all you can, then watch your life flourish and prosper!”

What kind of life student are you? Are you a learner? Do you examine your experiences for essential lessons? Are you asking God for wisdom and applying yourself to get it? As you do, you’re on the way to the wisdom that will cause your life to flourish!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Pay Me Now or …

| 1:52 MIN READ |

You’ve heard the phrase before, “Pay me now or pay me later!” It refers to the tendency we have to take short cuts in life. Our desire to get certain things done quickly or cheaply often results in skimping on the necessities. Short cuts come with consequences. They don’t last. We redo what we did, many times at a higher cost! It’s been said, “If you don’t have time to do something right, when will you have time to do it over?” (John Wooden)

What’s true in the natural realm of daily life is also true in the spiritual realm. We will all want quick spiritual growth, immediate spiritual results, and quick spiritual answers. What we don’t want is to do the long-term work that is required. We prefer not to make the full investment needed for enduring results.

Jesus gave us a lesson about this in Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.'”

Jesus illustrated the downfall of short cuts by contrasting the construction of two houses—one built on rock, the other on sand. Only one lasted. The house built on a rock took longer, cost more, and required greater effort, but stood the test of time and storms. When the wind and rain showed up, the house without foundation didn’t make it. It costs additional time, money, and effort to rebuild what could and should have been built right the first time.

Are you playing the short cut game with your life? Pay the price to build right now. You won’t regret it!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Put Your Foot Down

| 1:45 MIN READ |

Have you ever been frustrated by a repeating set of problems or lack of response to your needs? Maybe you’ve given your children some instructions they repeatedly ignore. Finally, you come to a firm decision to see something change. We have a phrase we use for times like this, “I’m putting my foot down!” It’s a statement of resolution and authority.

When God prepared Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, He instructed him about putting his foot down. Look at God’s word to Joshua in Joshua 1:2, 3 (NIV) “‘… Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan into the land I am about to give them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.'”

Joshua was charged with leading God’s people into a land filled with enemies. His task was to drive out all the anti-God inhabitants and possess the land God had promised His people. To do this required great resolve, and recognition of God’s backing and authority to do so. He was to go in and put his foot down! He was to walk the land and claim it as God’s territory.

We too have spiritual enemies that occupy specific segments of our lives. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are an overcomer. God’s power, backing, and authority are given to you to drive out evil and usher in good. This will not happen without you “putting your foot down” with a sense of resolve and authority against the spiritual forces seeking to invade your life and family.

This is what James the apostle referred to in his instructions recorded in James 4:7 (NIV) “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Put your foot down against all darkness in and around your life. It’s the first step toward victory!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Reorder Your Priorities

| 1:34 MIN READ |

Have you ever worked diligent preparing a report or document, and forget to save it? I’ve lost quite a few of these over the years. I, for one, am deeply grateful for whoever invented auto-save!

No one enjoys working hard to create something that’s lost or destroyed. We want our labor to last.

There’s a story in the Old Testament of a group of people who experienced the continual loss of their efforts. It’s found in the book of Haggai. Look at God’s word to this group describing their predicament in Haggai 1:5, 6 (NLT) “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets with holes.'”

What a sad set of circumstances! Why was this happening to them? The problem was misplaced priorities. They had neglected building God’s temple of worship. Instead of building God’s house, they turned their time, attention, and resources to build their homes. The solution was clear. God told them how to change their situation, Haggai 1:8 (NLT) “‘Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house …’ “

Once the people reordered their priorities, God’s blessings flowed again. When they recommitted themselves to building God’s house, God helped them with their houses.

Maybe you need to reorder your priorities. Remember, when you commit to building God’s house, He helps you build yours!

Pastor Dale

Monday, August 26, 2019

Take Charge of Your Passion

| 1:24 MIN READ |

What’s the one thing you most enjoy? What’s the one thing you think about most often? What’s the one thing you’re willing to sacrifice other things to have or do?

All of these questions point to your passion. Everybody has it. Passion is a deep inner drive and desire for something. It’s that “thing” that gives you great pleasure and fulfillment. It’s usually connected to your work or your hobbies.

Passion energizes us. Passion focuses us. Passion inspires us. Passion affects our priorities and pursuits—positively or negatively. Disciplined passion for the right things is a great asset in life. Undisciplined or wrong-directed passion can wreak havoc on relationships and bring pain and ruin in someone’s life. The good news is this; passion is changeable and developable. You can get rid of a destructive passion and grow a healthy one.

Among all the things we can be passionate about, one thing is most positive and fulfilling. It’s the choice to develop a passion for God.

How does this happen? David, the biblical songwriter, told us how in Psalm 34:8 (NLT) “Taste and see that the Lord is good … “ This is the secret to developing a passion for God. The more you pursue Him, the more passion you’ll have for Him! As you taste His goodness, your appetite for Him increases!

Take charge of your passion. Among everything you’re passionate about, make sure God is first!

Pastor Dale

Friday, August 23, 2019

The Right Way to Build

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Find Freedom

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Change Your Future

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Deal with Past Baggage

Monday, August 19, 2019

Plant Good Seeds