What Are You Thinking?

Posted on Dec 27, 2016 in Devotions |

Just because you think it, doesn’t make it true, does it?  Just because someone says something about you, doesn’t mean it’s ‘you’. When you believe all of your thoughts, you are going to suffer. Why? Because thoughts can be deceiving. If you understand and embrace this single concept in your everyday life, you won’t take things so seriously and your mood will lighten. Just because you think it, doesn’t mean it’s true. 

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is [gracious and winsome] and of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things [fix your mind on these things]. 

Let’s bring this down to something simple as an example: Here’s a fact – you ate a bowl of ice cream. It’s a fact, right? No argument. But then you start thinking you are disgusting because you ate the bowl of ice cream, or you believe you will never lose weight because you can’t control yourself around ice cream and sweets. A belief is just a repeated thought, so if you walk around telling yourself things like, I’ll never be able to stop eating sweets, I’m not good enough, will never be thin enough, successful enough, happy enough, …….you begin to believe those things. We cannot always control what thoughts pop into our mind, but you CAN choose whether or not you will dwell on those thoughts and speak them. It’s kind of tricky at first because most of us aren’t even aware of our thoughts. Why? Because we are so used to believing everything we think!  
 
How do you start to change? Begin to question your thoughts. If they do not match every one of the categories in Philippians 4:8, practice stopping the thought! If you want to get over feelings of doubt and despair, this is the place to start. Your feelings come from your thoughts and your words. Remember – the words you speak and dwell on will either put you over in life or hold you in bondage. 

“Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.” “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Lord.”
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry

You Have Been Called to Serve

Posted on Dec 13, 2016 in Devotions |

On the day that David brought down the giant Goliath and emboldened the armies of Israel, do you know how his day began?  It began with running errands for his Dad.  He was at the battlefield that day because his father asked him to deliver food to his brothers.  His obedience to a menial task had him right where God needed him to be.  Had he told his father that this errand was beneath a future king of Israel, he would have not met Goliath or turn the tide of the war.   And do you know what David did right after being anointed the next king of Israel?  He went back to tending his father’s sheep.  Tending sheep was a job with little honor that was reserved for servants or the youngest (and frequently the least respected) son.  But David knew that the Lord’s will was for him to honor his father and mother (Exodus 20:12) and this included doing chores that he was asked to do at home.  Perhaps it was because of David’s humility that God selected him to lead Israel and to call David a man after God’s own heart.  

 
Colossians 3:23 says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”  Do you ever feel like what you are being asked to do is beneath you?  Ever feel like you are not being used for the Lord in a way that utilizes your talents?  The first ministry that I volunteered for at TGPA was not working with the youth or leading intercession, it was cleaning the bathrooms.  I didn’t do it because I enjoyed it, but because I felt that God wanted me to get involved with this church and scrubbing commodes is what needed to be done.   Do you feel called to be more involved with this church body?  Are you willing to do whatever is needed to help our church change lives and reach the lost?  Sometimes a simple act of obedience will put you right where God needs you to be so that He can use you for something greater.  

Love, 

Pastor Jonathan

WELL-FORMED LOVE

Posted on Nov 30, 2016 in Devotions |

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life-fear of death, fear of judgment-is one not yet fully formed in love. – 1 John 4:18 (Message)
 
Fear. It’s something we all deal with from time to time. The crazy thing about fear is that it hits each of us differently. Some are afraid of the dark, others fear small spaces, while others fear speaking in front of people or being alone. There are lots of different varieties of fear, but the thing that all fears have in common is that they stop us.
 
Fear stops you from doing more, saying more, being more. It holds you back and if left unchecked, fear will keep you from doing the things that God is calling you to do. So, how do you go about curbing the fears that hold you back?
 
A great way to do that is to begin to focus on God’s love. Look at what this verse shows us. It shows us that well-formed love banishes fear. That means that the more we focus on the fact that God loves us, and that He’s provided everything we could ever need to do what He’s called us to, the more we realize that fear doesn’t have a hold on us any longer. Fear can’t be effective in our lives if we’re so focused on God’s love for us. God’s love drives out all fear. It shows us that God will take care of us in every situation and every circumstance.
 
So if you’re struggling with fear today, take some time to begin to think on God’s love. Find scriptures in the Bible that tell you how loved you are and stories that show you how God came through for those who loved Him. As you focus on these things, fear will have to leave your life!
 
Love,
Pastor Gina

For Such a Time As This

Posted on Nov 23, 2016 in Devotions |

With this past election, it seems fear and uncertainty surround the lives of people in our country. The unknown is a scary place to be, yet the known, having a God who loves us and declares good things for our lives brings peace during uncertainty.   I was talking with Pastor Gina about the election and all of the fear and reactions that people are having and what I kept hearing as I prayed was, “Esther turned the heart of the king”.
 
You see, I love the story of Esther. It really is how God can influence history by one person. Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl who was plucked from obscurity, and became the queen of the kingdom. Then there was a wicked man named Haman, who hatched a plot to have every one of the Jews put to death. It was Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, who came to her and described the plight of her fellow Jews, saying, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
 
I believe that our influence when cloaked in love is a powerful force. I also know that our prayers for God to change a leader’s heart is even more powerful.  I have been praying that God would surround our new president with a bunch of Esther’s, those who can influence him in positive ways.
 
Don’t use all your energy on fear and frustration, but instead, focus it on prayer and we can see God turn and change hearts. Esther was the queen who saved a nation. She used her influence with the king, the plot was averted, and the people were saved. Then, in perfect poetic justice, Haman, the guy who hatched the plot, ended up hanging on the very gallows he had erected for others. She was there behind the scenes, for such a time as this.
 
Blessings,
Pastor Keith

Rocks

Posted on Nov 16, 2016 in Devotions |

Did you ever collect rocks as a child? I did, and so did my mother.  We collected many a rock; some dark, some light, some rough, some smooth, some tiny, some large.  We put our rocks in a bag, and every once in a while we would dump out all our rocks, admire them, examine them, wash them, hold them and eventually put them back in the bag. 
Some of us still carry around our bag of rocks:  our problems, unforgiveness, sour attitudes, complaints, failures, even our accomplishments.  We take them out of the bag every so often, examine them with a fervent determination to get rid of them, change them, or clean them up, but then we put them back in the bag.
 
Folks, we all have rocks.  They are all around us.  You can see rocks inside your house, in your yard, on your street, at your work, at school, in the church.  Rocks occur naturally; even the earth’s crust is made up of rock. So there is no escaping rocks, but it IS time to stop dumping out your rocks, looking at them and then  putting them right back in your bag.  It’s time to take them to THE ROCK, Jesus, and lay them at His feet. There is only one real Rock anyway, and he is your Rock of refuge.
 
Psalm 31:3, 4  “You are my Rock and my Fortress; therefore for Your name’s sake lead me and guide me……..You are my Strength and my Stronghold.” 
 
Psalm 18:2  “The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.”
 
Take all your rocks to Him, no matter what they are, and believe with confidence that He is going to take care of the situation. “When my heart is overwhelmed and weak, Lord, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
 
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry

Got Calling?

Posted on Oct 25, 2016 in Devotions |

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”  Romans12:1MSG

As we experience God’s goodness in our lives, I think it’s natural that we want to respond to that goodness- we want to DO something. I think that’s amazing. I also think that we are often misguided in our idea of what that response should be. Many of us feel that we have to assume a position in a church, join an organization, or run off to a developing country in order to respond to God’s goodness. Those things seem like appropriate service, right? Well, maybe. And maybe not. 

Paul seems to think it’s a lot more simple than that. He writes to the Romans to simply continue living their lives, taking steps as God leads as their service and offering to God. Maybe those steps will include a church ministry, and maybe they won’t. Maybe opportunities to serve will look more like being a good friend or mentoring a young person than like a mission trip. Maybe the offering God wants from you today is to be kind to the difficult person in your office. Maybe God will put a child in your life to love or even raise. Maybe being a dependable employee and trustworthy friend is your opportunity for a season. 

Look at what’s already around you as your opportunity to serve the Lord. Your everyday, ordinary life is what God is using every day to build the Kingdom. Mother Teresa said, “We cannot do great things, only small things with great love.” I think this is what Paul means, too. 

So let’s get to it! Our calling is already around us. 

 
Love,
Pastor Deb

God’s Opinion Is The Only Thing That Matters

Posted on Oct 18, 2016 in Devotions |

God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. – Romans 8:16 (MSG)

This Bible verse talks about one of the most important things you can know in life, who you really are. When you know who you really are, it changes how you feel about yourself, how you treat others, and how you relate to God.
 
Who you really are is who God says you are. Your value comes from what God says about you. It’s no longer about what you’ve done or what has been done to you. It’s all about your value to God.
 
So, when you feel unloved, when you feel like no one cares, you can take comfort that God always does. He always tells us who we really are. When we get a picture of how God sees us it will change what we think, say and do. God sees you through the cross and the blood of Jesus. He sees you as someone who has value because He was willing to give everything He had to know you.
 
Today be encouraged by what this Bible verse tells us. We are a Child of God.
 
Love,
Pastor Gina

Walk in Faith

Posted on Oct 12, 2016 in Devotions |

Many of you know that I am a “News Junkie”.  My favorite channels to watch are CNN and HLN, because they help me stay aware of what is going on in the world.  Unfortunately, it is hard to watch very long, these days, without being gripped with fear. With stories about ISIS, bombings, North Korea, the economy, crime and even natural disasters in the headlines day after day, the world seems to be in a continuous state of war and crisis. With all that is going on around us, how do we keep fear under control?  Well, here is the answer in a nutshell:  each day you have a choice of two paths to walk – faith or fear. Which path will you choose?  
 
As Christians, we all need to know that fear has no place in our lives; it’s impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God at the same time. Said another way – you cannot both obey and disobey Him, because partial obedience is disobedience.
 
We have to come from the premise that God is Sovereign; and that He is in control of our lives. We also have to trust His Word, that He has good plans for us, and that He wants to give us a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).  One day, you may hear bad news, such as someone lost their job, and begin to allow that fear to creep into your mind.  You can think, “If that person lost their job, I could lose mine too!” When you allow that thought to reign in your mind, instead of the thought that God is your source, then you can become defeated, and allow fear, instead of faith, to control you.  If Satan can get you to think like this, he has won the battle for your mind.

 Instead, take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), and focus on God’s good plan and promises rather than these circumstances.  Keep reminding yourself whenever faced with challenges, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and a sound mind!” (2 Tim. 1:7).  Trust me, if you do this, no matter the situation, you will always win!  
 
It is a choice we all have to make each and every day – do we walk in fear or walk in faith? So today…. let’s all choose to walk in faith!
Blessings,
Pastor Keith

Look for the Hole in the Wall

Posted on Oct 4, 2016 in Devotions |

Most everyone remembers Dr. Charles Stanley, right? I haven’t always agreed with his ideas, but he tells a story that I like about a conversation he has as a youngster with his grandfather. He had been talking to his grandfather about spiritual things. His grandfather told his grandson that if God told him to run into a brick wall he should head straight for the wall. By the time he gets there God would have made a hole in the wall. 
 
Have you ever felt as if God has told you to go straight for the wall? Sometimes I feel as if God tells me to do some utterly impossible things – forgive that person that just wronged you….be the first one in a relationship to say you are sorry……..don’t complain for one whole day……..tithe even though you don’t thing you have the money…….. If I sense that I have truly heard from God, then I head (sometimes hesitantly) straight for the brick wall. And guess what – by the time I get to the wall, there is a custom-made hole just for me. 
 
God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see….God will make a way for me…… And for you….. 
 
The Message – I Cor. 10:13 “….
All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” 
 
God will make a way…..
 
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry

When in doubt “zoom out” !

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 in Devotions |

Have you ever looked through a tube like a paper towel tube, or something like it? When you look through it you can only see what your eyes are zoomed in on in the circle at the end of the tube. But when you move it you can see the whole big picture. It’s perspective!  

In life we go through things like changes, trials, growth, pains, gains, losses, etc.  They are inevitable and unavoidable, it’s just life! It is so very easy to get caught up in them and be so focused on just what we see through our own eyes and perspective. But when we take time to “zoom out” and see the bigger picture it helps us to realize that even in our bit of difficulty, change, or challenge there is a much grander plan that is taking place and another perspective we should consider other than our own. God’s perspective! 

You see, He sees the beginning to the end; He has the complete and perfect perspective. We only have bits and pieces but as we seek Him and ask Him, He comforts us and reveals new parts of the plan along the way. But we have to be willing to zoom out and see the bigger picture and know that just what our eyes see is not always the way things really are.  When we are too close to our problems we only see the problem, not the plan and the solution. Two scriptures help me when I am “zooming out” to get a new perspective.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord” Isaiah 55:8 NIV

So we you need to zoom out and gain some new perspective ask yourself this. What is God’s perspective on this? How can I see this situation differently?  Ask Him and he will help you! When in doubt ZOOM OUT! Gain a new perspective and it changes everything.
 
With love,
Pastor Ginny
 

« Older Entries