Video Devotionals

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Did You Say “Quit”?

| 2:04 MIN READ |

You’ve heard it before — “Winners never quit and quitters never win!” The famous American football coach Vince Lombardi frequently reminded his players of this life principle — you won’t win if you quit too soon.

Days, weeks, years, decades of working and waiting, with little to show for it, can take its toll on your heart and soul. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to keep going when everything inside you is screaming “quit!” While there are times to “throw in the towel,” there are many more times when we need to “remain in the ring.” Many people “leave and lose” when victory is right around the corner. The sad reality is that many of these pay-offs never come simply because people give up — they quit too soon.

There’s a great story in the Bible that reminds us of the power of persistence, especially in our obedience to God. It’s the Old Testament story of Naaman. Naaman contracted the deadly disease of leprosy. He was directed to the prophet Elisha for a miracle cure. Elisha gave Naaman instructions that he didn’t like. These instructions confronted Naaman’s pride and tested his patience. He was told to go and dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. God promised that in doing this he would be healed. After much protest, Naaman finally agreed to obey God’s instructions, 2 Kings 5:14 (NLT) “So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!”

It’s very important to see that Naaman’s healing happened after the seventh dip. Dips one through six seemed to make no difference in his condition. Nothing improved and nothing changed until Naaman completed his seventh immersion in the muddy waters of the Jordan. But his persistent obedience paid off. On the seventh dip, healing came, breakthrough happened, the victory was won.

What if Naaman had stopped on dip two, or four, or five, or six? His story wouldn’t be in the Bible. We know about this man because he didn’t quit too soon!

Pastor Dale

Monday, April 1, 2019

What Has a Grip on You?

| 1:22 MIN READ |

One of the things God consistently warned His people about in Scripture, and one of the things that quickly incited His judgment, was idolatry. What is idolatry? Idolatry is anything that comes between us and God — anything that replaces our worship of God, our obedience and submission to the Word and will of God, or anything that has a controlling grip in our lives.

Even good things can become idols, if they take a place of priority in our hearts. A relationship, a job, a possession, a person, a position, a pursuit all of these represent potential points of idolatry.

In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, God pleads with His people about their idols. Note this warning on Jeremiah 25:6, 7 (NLT) “‘Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you. But you would not listen to me,’ says the Lord. ‘You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer.’” The idolatry of God’s people in the Old Testament resulted in great pain and heartache for them, and eventually led to seventy years of exile in Babylon.

Do you have any idols in your life? The only solution to idolatry is repentance — letting go, giving up whatever you have exalted above God in your life and unconditionally surrendering yourself to Him again!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 29, 2019

Know Your Season

| 1:29 MIN READ |

I’m blessed to live in a part of the world that experiences all four seasons. In Maryland, USA, our Fall colors are gorgeous, Winter is cold and occasionally snowy, Spring is alive with fragrant blossoms, and Summer –– well, Summer is humid and hot! Approximately every three months, things change.

Life has seasons too. Knowing the seasons is one key to living a successful and fulfilling life. Missing or misinterpreting a season can have a negative long-term impact on us.

The writer of Proverbs reminds us of the importance of knowing seasons, and using them well in Proverbs 20:4 (Msg) “A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.”

This verse points out something every farmer gets. There are agricultural seasons. What you do in one season affects what happens in the next season. Plowing, sowing, cultivating, harvesting and resting are the cycles of farming. If you don’t understand this, you’ll not be in business very long. If the farmer doesn’t know the difference between plowing and harvesting seasons, the right work won’t be performed at the right time, and failure will be the result.

Different seasons require different tools and equipment. They also require different kinds of work processes. When the right work is done the right way, at the right time, we’re set up for success!

Pay attention to the seasons of your life. Do the right things, in the right ways, at the right time, and you can expect a fruitful life!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 28, 2019

RSVP

| 1:34 MIN READ |

You’ve received invitations that require an RSVP. The acronym represents a French phrase, “respondez s’il vous plait,” meaning “please respond.” The person holding the event wants to know if you’re coming. They want to prepare for your presence.

There’s an essential truth in this for our spiritual lives. God sends out invitations to us with a “please respond!” Salvation in Jesus requires an RSVP — a response from us.

The response required is personal, and necessary. Take a look at a couple of Bible passages reminding us of God’s RSVP invitation. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 (NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” The apostle Paul also pointed us to our RSVP responsibilities with God in Romans 10:9, 10 (NLT) “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”

The invitation for free salvation through Jesus Christ is offered to everyone, but it calls for a response. The offer must be acknowledged and personally received. No one can RSVP for you. God asks for a response from every person.

Have you personally responded to Jesus’ invitation? Have you personally acknowledged your faith in Jesus Christ and your commitment to Him? If you have, you can be sure the gift of salvation is yours, and a place is prepared for you in heaven!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Eternally Secure

| 1:12 MIN READ |

Where will you spend eternity? The Bible is very clear about life after this life. Everyone’s going to spend eternity somewhere.

How can we know where we’ll spend forever? We have an authoritative source called the Bible. It answers our questions about eternity.

Take a look at a couple of Bible passages describing eternal life. The apostle John gave us these words of assurance in 1 John 5:13 (NLT) “I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” Jesus said in John 10:27-29 (NIV) “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. This sense of significance and security extends beyond this life to eternity.”

Sincere faith in Jesus, as God’s Son and Way of Salvation, promises us eternal security. You can move forward with confidence, knowing Jesus did everything needed to secure a place in heaven for you. When you truly believe in Him, you can be sure that “… you will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3;16)

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

An Inside Job

| 1:32 MIN READ |

There’s a big difference in religion and Jesus. Most people don’t understand this difference. Religion involves a set of rules and rituals you follow to be acceptable to God. Christianity is about a Savior who fulfilled all the requirements for you and then comes to live inside you. This is a game-changer!

When you sincerely open your life to God through Jesus Christ, Jesus will change your life from the inside out. Real belief in Jesus changes your heart. It transforms the way you think, and the way you live. Not because you’re merely following a set of external religious rules and rituals, but because you have a new nature inside of you. God lives in you.

Religion is an attempt to externally conform your behavior to some code of conduct, set of rules or the practice of rituals. A relationship with God is something that impacts and transforms you at a heart level.

Genuine faith and commitment to Jesus Christ changes our desires. Now it’s not a demand that you have to please God, it’s now a true desire, you want to please God. Your affections change and you genuinely love God and want to obey Him. Take a look at 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV) “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Being a Christian is not a religious thing; it’s a relationship thing. When Jesus is in your life, your life changes for the better. Not because you have to, but because you want to!

Pastor Dale

Monday, March 25, 2019

Happiness Is

| 1:15 MIN READ |

I would be happy if!

Two of our basic needs are significance and security. We need to know we matter, that there is purpose and value to our lives. We also need to know that we are accepted and valued. These are the things that fulfill us — that bring us true happiness.

The need for significance and security sometimes leads us down wrong paths — dead-end roads. We’re convinced that significance and security are the results of achieving a particular position in life, acquiring certain possessions in life, or becoming popular with people, only to be deeply disappointed.

The reality is, nothing on earth brings us the significance and security we’re looking and longing for. You’ll never arrive at the right destination if you take the wrong road. You’ll never find what you’re looking for if you’re shopping in the wrong place.

The prophet Isaiah asked probing questions that go to the very heart of our deepest needs in Isaiah 55:2 (CEV) “Why waste your money on what really isn’t food? Why work hard for something that doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods.”

This verse reminds us there’s only one thing worth pursuing — a personal relationship with God! We find true happiness there!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 22, 2019

Religion vs. Relationship

| 1:30 MIN READ |

Christianity is unique. Contrary to what people often think, Jesus didn’t come to earth to start another religion — the Christian religion. Jesus came to earth to do away with religion! Jesus introduced an entirely new pathway of life, not based on religious forms, formulas, and functions. He came to personally connect us to God!

Look at Jesus’ own words in John 3:16-18 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins — for all the wrongs that stand in the way of a relationship with God. Through His resurrection, Jesus proved that sin and death had no hold on Him. When He rose from the dead, He proved He was who He said He was — the Messiah, the Savior, our Redeemer, the true way to God.

Jesus didn’t come to give us a set of religious rules to live by. He came to change our hearts. He came to bring us into a real, personal relationship with the God who loves us so that we would love and obey Him in return!

Don’t be trapped by religion. Open your heart to God’s love and grace by putting your faith in Jesus Christ. Enjoy a personal relationship with your Creator.

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Getting Even

| 1:39 MIN READ |

When was the last time someone offended you? Perhaps their actions or words hurt you deeply, left you bleeding emotionally and ignited anger in your soul. Now you can’t get the situation out of your mind. Something inside of you, if you’re honest, longs to pay them back for what they did to you. You want them to feel some of what you feel.

Grudges, revenge, resentment, malice, and hatred live in the hearts of many. We spend our time brewing, stewing and spewing about the painful things we’ve experienced, and how someone should pay for our pain.

The truth is, emotional wounds happen in life. People are treated terribly by other people at times. The pain is real, and at one level, the desire for revenge is a normal reaction. However, it’s not the right response.

The writer of Proverbs gives us God’s perspective on emotional pain. Look at Proverbs 20:22 (TPT) “Don’t ever say, ‘I’m going to get even with them if it’s the last thing I do!’ Wrap God’s grace around your heart, and he will be the one to vindicate you.”

When it comes to the damage inflicted on us, either we can pay back other’s hurtful actions, or we can let God pay back, but we can’t do both. For God to pay back, we must refuse to pay back. When we pay back, we get in the way of God’s justice. Our call is to walk in grace, love, and forgiveness, and leave the rest with God.

Martin Luther King, Jr. astutely and accurately reminded us of the foolishness of revenge when he said, “The old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.” Resentment, anger, and revenge blind us. Grace, love, and forgiveness open our eyes and hearts to God, and frees God to do what only He can do!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Long-term Living

| 1:58 MIN READ |

In 1967 a new breakfast and snack food was introduced to the world. We know it as Pop Tarts. At some point, you’ve probably tried one.

The attractive thing about the Pop Tart is how quickly you can prepare it. Here are the instructions for microwaving: “1. Place pastry on a microwave-safe plate. 2. Microwave on high setting for 3 seconds. 3. Cool briefly before handling.”

Yes, in 3 seconds it’s ready to eat! Or, if you prefer them room temperature, skip the microwave and sink your teeth in immediately! Fast, quick, immediate, now — all these words explain part of the popularity of the Pop Tart.

Our need for speed doesn’t stop with food; it’s part of modern life. We want what we want, and we want it now. Don’t ask us to wait. Don’t ask us to defer gratification. We have a “3-second rule!” Give it to us now.

The problem is, not all things are good for us right now. Some things are better later! This is what the Bible teaches us in Proverbs 20:21 (TPT) “If an inheritance is gained too early in life, it will not be blessed in the end.”

Solomon reminded us that back-end success is better than front-end success. A success quickly gained on the front end of life can be squandered and lost by poor choices along the way. Success gained on the back-end of life is likely accompanied by wisdom and character gained by time and experience. This allows a person to handle the blessings better.

We’ve all seen examples of this. Someone gets a big inheritance or financial opportunity at a young age, and in a reasonably short time, it’s gone — wasted. Why? They lacked the wisdom and experience to handle it.

We gain wisdom through time and experience. Indeed, there are plenty of old fools, and we’re all vulnerable to stupid decisions at any age, but quick, early prosperity has taken down many.

The lesson? Live for the long haul. Don’t spend your life focused on success. Focus on wisdom instead. If you get wisdom, you’ll discover true success in the end!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

What Are You Accumulating?

| 1:19 MIN READ |

From time to time I go through my closet and get rid of clothes I no longer use, or, in many cases, clothes that no longer fit me! It’s easy to accumulate things we don’t need. It’s a good thing to winnow them.

We also accumulate things in life; spiritually, mentally, emotionally and materially. Sadly, we seldom take time to consider what we’re getting and keeping.

Take a look at what the writer of Proverbs says about this in Proverbs 20:15 (NLT) “Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.”

Quite often our attention is focused on accumulating material things — the “gold and rubies.” While the Bible never condemns possessions, it does regularly remind us to keep them in the right priority and perspective.

This verse tells us we’re better off getting wisdom rather than possessions. Good sense is something you can never have too much of. It positions us for genuine success in every realm of life.

Solomon understood this. As Israel’s new king, God gave Solomon an opportunity to ask for anything. Solomon asked for wisdom! God reminded Solomon that wisdom opens the door for every other life blessing.

What are you accumulating? Don’t go through life getting and holding on to things that aren’t of the highest importance. In your accumulations, first and foremost, get wisdom!

Pastor Dale

Monday, March 18, 2019

Loyal Friends

| 1:40 MIN READ |

What kind of friend do you most appreciate?

Friendships come in two categories — fair-weather friends and rainy-day friends. The differences are worth considering.

Fair-weather friends are people who come into your life with an agenda. They perceive that you have something they want. It might be influence, prestige, position or possessions, but they’re looking for a connection with you because it might benefit them. Folks like this are not always evil or destructive, they’re merely self-focused. As a general rule, once they get what they want, or discover you don’t have what they’re looking for, they are on their way to the next “friendship.”

The rainy-day friend is the person who’s not looking for what they get from you but desires to give, bless, help, support and encourage you. They’re with you when the sun’s shining and when the storms are raging. They’re loyal and trustworthy.

Take a look at the following verse that points to these two categories of friends in Proverbs 20:6 (TPT) “Many will tell you they’re your loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly trustworthy?”

One of the principles of life is the law of attraction. We tend to attract what we are. It’s not always the case, but when it comes to friendships, it’s important to ponder. If we’re fair-weather friends to others, the odds are that we’ll attract the same to us. And, if we are committed to others as true, rainy-day friends could it be that people with a similar heart will be drawn in our direction?

What lessons do we learn from all this? Three simple ones. First, set boundaries for fair-weather friends. Second, value your rainy-day friends. Third, be a loyal friend!

Pastor Dale

Friday, March 15, 2019

Winning Favor

| 1:33 MIN READ |

When was the last time someone did you a favor? Favor is a wonderful thing. We don’t get very far in life without favor along the way.

To impact the world and experience greatness, we must grow the attitudes that win favor –– the favor of God and man. There’s a wonderful story in the Bible about a lady who attracted favor. Take a look at the following verses in Esther 2:15-17 (NIV) “When the turn came for Esther … to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes …Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

Esther was presented to the king of Persia with the possibility that she could become the next queen. Her moment was successful because of the attitudes she practiced during the preparation process. She faithfully prepared herself over time. Her good attitudes didn’t start the day of her presentation, they were a consistent part of her days of preparation. Her attitudes prepared her for favor. At the right time, favor showed up because she had proven favorable!

What’s the lesson for us? Value your present opportunities by practicing the attitudes that attract favor. If your attitudes are consistently favorable, favor will show up in your life. People with favorable attitudes win favor!

Pastor Dale

Thursday, March 14, 2019

A New View of You

| 1:35 MIN READ |

How you view you makes a big difference in the choices you make. The Old Testament story of Esther reminds us of this.

Esther was part of the remnant of Jews left in Persia from the time of the Babylonian Captivity. She lost her family and was raised by an older cousin named Mordecai. Esther could have allowed her disadvantages and difficulties to spiritually, mentally and emotionally cripple her and disqualify her from the possibility of being queen.

She didn’t do this. She refused to get caught in the terrible trap of stinking thinking about herself. Esther was able to respond well along the way because she was secure. She was not searching for security or identity, she was secure in who God created her to be.

There’s a powerful principle for us in this. Look at what the psalm writer said in Psalm 139:14 (NIV) “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” David rejoiced in who God made him to be. He recognized his uniqueness, and notwithstanding his failures, weaknesses and needed areas of growth, he believed God had a special plan for his life. He was secure in his identity.

God wants you to be secure in who He created you to be. He wants you to know that you are loved by Him and, because of what Jesus Christ has done for you, and your faith in Him, you are secure in Him.

There is something lovely, attractive, and rich with possibilities and potential about your life. Believe that God has placed beauty in you! He sees beauty in you! Get God’s view of you. It will change the way you live!

Pastor Dale

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

React or Respond?

| 2:01 MIN READ |

Every situation in life comes with choices. We either react or respond to them. Reaction is emotion-driven. Response is thought and principle-driven.

There’s a great story in the Bible about two individuals named Mordecai and Esther. Esther came on the scene of history after the Persian king, Xerxes, deposed his queen in a moment of rage. A plan was put in motion to find a new queen. Esther was chosen to be a part of the beauty pageant that would determine the next Persian queen. She was a young Jewish girl living in a heathen environment. As a part of this process, Esther was expected to prepare to potentially spend the rest of her life with a king who was arrogant, demanding and temperamental.

It’s interesting to read how Esther prepared to meet this man. Look at this part of the story in Esther 2:8b-9 (NIV) “…Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.”

Thrown into very unusual and intimidating circumstances, Esther made a choice. She yielded herself. She became the best student Hegai had. Whatever he suggested, she did.

Although she didn’t realize it at the time, God had a plan for Esther. The Lord knew that one day a man named Haman would hatch a plot to destroy all of the Jews in Persia. God needed someone in place and prepared for that day. Esther’s preparation for that moment depended on how she responded to her situations along the way.

Because Esther responded well and cooperated with the process, she was prepared to shine when presented to the king. Because she chose to respond to her challenging situation, rather than negatively react to it, God’s plan unfolded for her life, and she was used by God to save a nation from annihilation.

Never underestimate the power of the right response!

Pastor Dale

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Attitudes That Lift You Above Your Limits

| 1:22 MIN READ |

Human history has left a record of men and women, in both the limelight and obscurity, who made their world a better place! The Bible tells about two of these history changers –– Mordecai and Esther. They were used by God to rescue the Jews from destruction at a critical time in history. You can read their story in the Old Testament book of Esther.

What enabled these two people to change their world? They had the right attitudes. Instead of sulking, blaming, resenting, hating or self-destructing, they did something positive with their lives. Although they were in a very difficult environment and were limited by their background and heritage, their attitudes lifted them above their limits.

We all face adversities from our past, and challenges in our present. These can make or break us. They can destroy or develop us. They can make us sad and sour, or shape and strengthen us. We choose. Mordecai and Esther’s response to their situations made them history changers!

How do we turn our failures, frustration, and limitations into spiritual fertilizer? Make a decision to stop sulking, blaming, resenting, hating and self-destructing. Make the most of your lot in life. Believe that God will transform your pain into something positive, to help and bless others. Change your attitude. Develop the attitudes that lift you above your limits!

Pastor Dale