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Daily Devotionals & Blog
| Daily Devotional Blog Blog | | | By Jenn Stiles Williams | | | Posted on 6/2/2010 2:38:12 PM | Last Updated on 5/12/2011 9:01:42 PM | | | Please leave your thoughts on the Daily Devotions. What strikes you? What encouraged you? Sharing in this community allows us to grow and learn more from one another.
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| Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed | |
| | Douglas C | | We are mistaken when we say "WE use our Spiritual Gifts," I believe, (and have felt)my spiritual gift of Intercession "USE, me!" It's pretty cool to look into a person's life, and know precisely for what to pray; we are ALL called to pray.
God uses those with the "Intercessory Gift" to give (power-filled) comfort to the Body. | | 1/22/2013 10:21:51 PM | | | | | Douglas C | | (the story continues) Now, we get to see WHY Esther was successful in "saving her people;" the Israelites(instead of just TALKING ABOUT,IT) got REAL HELP from God, who AGREED with their plan.
In fact, He had ALREADY ORDAINED, it! | | 11/16/2012 12:07:31 PM | | | | | Douglas C | | Examine the life which God has provided, you. Those "Spiritual Gifts" which He has provided are WORTHLESS until they are given away!
And, don't you realize that (being a Christian)you no longer "live for yourself" but SHARE in Jesus' resurrection power (having also died with Him)
Who knows if YOU, haven't been brought to Orlando and "placed in your Community, family and "Body of Christ" for "such a tme, as this!" GET EXCITED! YOU are one of God's favorites. | | 11/14/2012 10:47:24 AM | | | | Lord Jesus, keep bothering me | |
| | Douglas C | | Now, to whom (other than Jesus) would you ask to do this? Since He is Love, Jesus cannot go against His Divine Nature.
I would go the next step and request "meddling" even "interupting;" like He needs my permission! ;) | | 9/7/2012 1:10:55 PM | | | | UNITY flows when Christ's Mind is Shared | |
| | Douglas C | | I hope that I have shared the idea of God being a DIAMOND:
God is a Diamond
Yes, God is Crystal Clear; but as we each given a “unique God- given angle” from which to see Him. He becomes BRILLIANT, as we add other “Bible-verified perspectives” to our own.
This is evidenced by how the disciples recorded THE SAME crucifixion.
We know their backgrounds, from when Jesus called them:
Luke was a physician, Matthew, a (despised) tax collector, John (surprisingly) was a fisherman (Matthew 4:21) with a heart for relationships [so much so that he was “the John the beloved.”]
EACH of these perspectives is EQUALLY valuable; they have each survived some 2000 years.
Common people redeemed and restored; you probably know a few; you see one in the mirror!
| | 8/27/2012 9:18:59 AM | | | | Let every day be a day of Pentecost, Jesus. Amen | |
| | Douglas C | | Because we "leak" by inviting others into the MARVELOUS LIGHT, we must always be attentive to being refreshed and refilled.
Bible Study,Fellowship with other believers and Prayer accomplish this work (JOY)! | | 5/30/2012 11:47:57 AM | | | | | Douglas C | |
... now, THIS is a PROMISE!
“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.
Will you join me in receiving its SIMPLICITY? | | 12/27/2011 9:44:20 PM | | | | ...just when you think you've GOT IT FIGURED! | |
| | Douglas C | | Different CAN Be Good
I TRULY FEEL for those First Century Jewish believers; I mean, they “HAD IT ALL, FIGURED OUT!” They had wrapped the “10 commandments” in over 200 Levitical Laws; the priests had a fairly secure income collecting sacrifices of atonement and forgiveness of sins from an “IMPOSSIBLE to comply with” system.
Then Jesus shows up, claiming to be God’s Son. REALLY? What were His credentials? They thought that he was the son of Joseph, the carpenter and his young wife. And, (it’s not for me to say, but “word on the street” is that, well, she’s “with child”)
Jesus was “shaking the traditions” even before His ministry started. He interrupted time for all of ETERNITY; is it so hard to believe that schedules are interrupted at this time of year?
Isaiah had described Him so well, in fact, that some of those writings are used at Christmas (Isaiah 7:14 reads “for behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and will call his name ‘Immanuel’”) and then again, at Easter!
| | 12/20/2011 8:32:22 AM | | | | Community of Hope (8-3-11 Devotional) | |
| | Dave C | | Today's devotional hit the nail on head for me: "This new community held onto the hope that they were a part of something bigger than themselves, something that enabled them to both enter into and transcend the sufferings of the world because of their connection to the one who had done it first, Jesus Christ."
It's well and good to speak and write beautifully about "hope", but when it's dark inside and it hurts, I need God to "put some skin on" for me to feel love and have hope of something better. I need to see Christ and to "put my finger on his wounds". How can this happen without a supportive community of faith, hope, and love?
I'm learning more and more that the Bible, as transformative as it is, is not a "self-help" book. I grow and thrive through relationship, both earthly and heavenly.
Kudos to today's devotional writer! =) | | 8/3/2011 1:38:30 PM | | | | Too Used to the Holy Spirit? | |
| | Douglas C | | Imagine a World without the Holy Spirit's Guidance and "everpresent Help!" We know that when we pray, "Father, speak to me in a thousand ways. Encourage me always. Let me be as a child so to better hear your sweet, life-giving voice. - Amen.
that it will be answered BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS, because the Father has been waiting to hear these very words!
| | 7/28/2011 7:24:09 PM | | | | True Freedom through InTERdependence | |
| | Douglas C | | InTERdependence vs. Independence
I am WONDERFULLY DEPENDENT, on God. Americans pride themselves in being “independent,” unique and strong. The truth is at “some level” we are ALL DEPENDENT – when did you last grow wheat, then mill it into flour for your bread or raise, then slaughter a steer for your hamburger?
This message SELLS many products. Just think about how many services and products make you, “STAND STRONG or ”STAND OUT.”
But, this ISN’T God’s way! I celebrate, with Paul, who recognized that God is GLORIFIED, not in our strengths, but in asking him to heal our infirmities! His writings are full of this “backward logic.” You’ll find discussions of it, in Romans 8:26, 1 Co 12:9, and (the “kicker”) 2 Corinthians 12:10.
I’m glad that God has designed “His Bride,” so that we MUST WORK, together. Examine the “Body of Christ” described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31; lingering in verses 21 and 22, to laugh (mostly at the ridiculous dialogue between parts)! I know that we’ve “been here,” before but ‘tis the season.
Once again, July Fourth with its fireworks and other DISTRACTIONS prevent us from focusing on the “true message of FREEDOM”
Read Hebrews 4:14 -16 to see how much God wants to meet Him in our WEAKNESS; the Summary verse being 16 which BLESSES US with: "that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
HAPPY IN(TER)DEPENDENCE DAY!
| | 7/4/2011 1:30:49 PM | | | | The Validity of the Bible | |
| | Douglas C | | I believe that a story which has been PRESERVED for some 3000 years reveals God's Hand in it. "Lies" don't last that long; and, think of how we make a "party game" out of passing a phrase around a room full of people; WE certainly CAN'T preserve "truth!"
The writer of the devotional REALLY NAILS this "enduring TRUTH" idea and adds the essential MYSTERY (WHY do we still worship?) | | 6/12/2011 10:16:29 PM | | | | | Douglas C | | “Enabling,” Jesus, style
The word “enabling” has received much negative press. But, boiled down to its roots, it is a powerful word.
The prefix “en” means “to give.” Even the English (usually weak) is power-packed for the “main word” “ABLE.” It indicates “talents and strength.” So, the word “starts off” as GIVING another, Strength. Jesus ENABLES by “coming alongside, “then giving, strength” to rise above the challenges in your life.
This is where “the World” and Jesus, part. We “come, alongside;” unfortunately, it becomes more of our fleshly nature, to STAY, THERE! It has morphed into “coming alongside, IN SIN!”
Jesus’ SOLUTION (and INVITATION) is to a supernatural life, filled with His Love, and His Indwelling Holy Spirit, to guide, you. Its ONLY cost is OBEDIENCE, to the God-given laws, laid out in the Bible.
So, Jesus invites you to be enabling, in His Image. It’s called “Kingdom Building.”
When Jesus BRINGS US THROUGH something, it DEMONSTRATES HIS POWER over the World; for us not to share that is a waste of "True Witness." Remember, this is how we can "Count it pure joy when you come upon trials of various kinds" (James 1:2) which should NEVER be read unless continuing with James 1:3 & 4, which offer WHY "because perseverance leads to patience and she will have her perfect work in you." | | 5/24/2011 9:56:20 PM | | | | | Kathy Levreault | | Andrea leaves tomorrow for the Dominican Republic with the Wesley Foundation for 8 days. She will be working with Vacation Bible School. They are expecting over 100 children. | | Unregistered User | | 5/12/2011 7:22:10 PM | | | | "We must turn St. Lukes inside out...". | |
| | Buck Allen | | I think Jenn put it right. What do y'all think ? Peace, Buck Allen | | Unregistered User | | 5/9/2011 11:06:57 AM | | | | Good Friday's Sacrifice COMPLETES Easter | |
| | Doug Cooper | | The commentary to today's Devotional mention's the TOO LOUD NOISE at the conclusion of a "Catholic Mass." Tonight's presentation at St. Luke's will include (if it is as in past year's an "almost eirie hollow bell sound" and dismissal in SILENCE. The CUSTOMARY GREAT FELLOWSHIP which usually follows, in traded for REVERENCE.
I will probably NOT make it to this evening's service because of a prior commitment, but the "seed of experience" planted in prior years, will rise again and BLESS me. | | Unregistered User | | 4/22/2011 9:48:20 AM | | | | Finding my part in God's "Great Dream" | |
| | Dave Contos | | What an intimidating task, to try to figure out my role to play in this life. There's so many parts to it: child, student, friend, lover, advocate, teacher, the list goes on. At some point though, I do think we get to that place where all of these important parts of our life must take a back seat to that higher calling, that vocation, that mission/purpose. I wish there was some sort of course we could take or sage we could consult to give us that instant answer. I have the feeling God wants me to get my hands dirty. To take a stab and make mistakes. To use prayer, community and scripture to better keep Christ as my true north, my polestar. I know this Lenten series is about guiding us as a church, but I'm learning many things about myself too. Thank you all! =) | | Unregistered User | | 3/30/2011 11:09:25 AM | | | | | Doug Cooper | | When Jesus' hearers heard this parable, they knew that in addition to merely FLAVORING food, SALT has a PERSERVATIVE quality. Looking towards "Eternity," ONLY Jesus can "properly prepare (and present us as worthy)us for and/to our Heavenly Father! | | Unregistered User | | 3/28/2011 3:11:41 PM | | | | | Debbie S. McNary | | Over my life time God has communicated with me in some very revealing dreams about my life to come. When I was sixteen and was asking God to let me die because I didn't want to live any longer he gave me a vision of my life with my husband ( I felt how powerful that love was going to be. I have been unemployed for two years, last Friday night he gave me a dream that showed me 3 people want to hire me when funds become available. I believe he is preparing a new position for me and I am waiting with patience because I trust God with all my heart. This is a great devotion, thanks for your time and talent. | | Unregistered User | | 3/28/2011 9:46:41 AM | | |
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