Monday, June 10, 2019
Video Devotionals
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
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Soul Health
| 1:40 MIN READ |
We’re all creatures of habit. We have regular routines and rituals. Some are good, and others, not so good.
To improve your life, you must upgrade your habits. One habit that needs attention for most of us involves our thinking habits.
The Apostle Paul referred to three dimensions of our being where we form habits 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.”
The second area Paul identified as critical to a healthy and whole life is our soul. To be a healthy, whole person, we need healthy soul habits. The Greek word is “psyche.” Your soul is the essence of your personality. It is your thinking, your choices, and your emotions.
The most important activity of your soul is your thinking. Your thinking leads to your choices and determines your feelings. To change your choices and feelings for the better, you must change the way you think.
Think about the things you regularly think about. Are you a chronic worrier? Do you entertain unrealistic expectations of life and others? Are your thought patterns prone to negativism, childishness, brooding, brewing and stewing? Do you tend to focus on the things you lack or long for? Are your thoughts filled with grumbling or gratitude?
Unhealthy thinking leads to an unhealthy life! Pay attention to your thinking. Get to work on improving the quality of your thoughts. Meditate on God’s Word. Let the Spirit of God raise your thoughts to a higher level. You’ll be happier and more useful to God and others!
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
The Habit That Really Helps
| 1:29 MIN READ |
Habits are part of life. They are things you regularly do, often without thinking. They are a part of your life rituals. Some habits are good, and some are bad. Some good habits are better than others. And there is one habit that is the best.
Paul the apostle wrote about this best habit 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.”
It’s important to pay attention to the order of Paul’s words here. He described the first place to start when it comes to healthy habits. A healthy and whole life begins with healthy spiritual habits.
At the core of our being, we are spirit––spiritual beings. Although it’s not visible, your spirit is a real part of you––it’s the part that lasts forever.
Because our spirit is invisible and difficult to define, it’s often overlooked. We have a tendency to neglect our spiritual needs. When we do, we suffer in many ways. When your spirit is well-nourished, strong and healthy, you have a foundation for a peaceful and productive life.
What nourishes our spirit?
- Quiet times with God.
- Worship with other Christians.
- Sharing our faith.
- Giving of our resources.
- Serving God by serving others.
What’s the condition of your spirit? The best habit is to do everything possible to be strong in spirit. It’s the habit that will really help you!
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Things To Remember
| 1:32 MIN READ |
There are some things we need to forget, and other things we need to remember. Our problem is, we tend to forget the things we need to remember and remember the things we need to forget! Remembering the right things is especially important when going through tough times. Here are a few things to keep in mind when life is hard:
- God is on your side.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are in covenant with God, and He is in covenant with you! You are special and precious to Him. You are under the covering of His blood. He is for you, not against you!
- God knows what you’re going through.
God is aware of your problems and pain. He’s not ignoring you. He knows and cares about what you’re facing.
- God’s in charge of your case.
Your case has God’s attention and action. His eyes are on your situation. He’s your Advocate.
- God’s got a plan, and He’s accomplishing a good purpose.
When stressed we become very short-sighted and myopic. All we see is the present difficulty. We use a telephoto lens on our problems, while God uses a wide-angle lens. He sees what we can’t see. He’s working out His plan, and it’s a good one.
- God’s power will deliver you from your problem or safely carry you through it.
God’s power is greater than any demon or demand we are facing. Be confident in the ability and authority of Almighty God. The demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in the past are proof of His promised faithfulness today and tomorrow.
When going through tough times, don’t forget the things you need to remember!
Pastor Dale
Monday, May 20, 2019
Confidence That Conquers Stress
| 1:26 MIN READ |
How stressed are you? Lots of things cause us stress. Stress is both a psychological and physiological response to adverse events or events negatively perceived. It could be a health issue, relationship problems or some other situation that feels challenging or threatening.
When stressed out, we’re emotionally and spiritually vulnerable. If we’re not careful, we make bad decisions that create turmoil and trouble for us.
Dealing with stress is something we must learn to do to live a successful life. One thing that helps us handle stress is confidence in God.
What is confidence? It’s the strength that comes from trust. Webster defines it as, “the state of being certain.” The confident person is sure of something. They possess an internal certainty that affects their outward functioning.
Strong spiritual confidence causes us to be our best, in all realms of life. It stimulates peak performance, generates healthy emotions and improves our interpersonal relationships. The psalmist David spoke of the importance of strong spiritual confidence during stressful times in, Psalm 4:3 (NLT) “You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.” David was confident in God. He knew that God would help him in his time of need.
Spiritual confidence is the beginning point to overcome stress. Don’t less your circumstances shake your trust in God!
Pastor Dale