"Passion"
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ."
In other words, do everything with spiritual passion, with your whole heart. Passion can do a lot. Here are some examples of people who directed their passion to serve the Lord.
Passion pursues like David.
Passion pledges like Ruth.
Passion confronts like Elijah.
Passion produces like Nehemiah.
Passion persists like Jeremiah.
Passion prays like Daniel.
Passion protects like Mary.
Passion moves like Peter.
Passion motivates like Paul.
What could your passion for the Lord do?
Whatever you do, do it for the Lord with passion.
Passionately,
Pastor Fred
Monday, July 31, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
"Good Things"
Luke 2:52 "He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empy-handed."
Essentially this piece of Mary's sharing happens right after John the Baptist as a preborn leaps in Elizabeth's womb as he recognizes preborn Jesus in Mary's womb. Mary shares a lot of cool stuff but this is part of the truth that inspires her as she is humbled to serve the Lord. Here is a contrast between satisfied and unsatisfied, fulfilled and unfulfilled, filled and empty, good things and nothing.
Jesus fills, fulfills, satisfies and gives good things. Riches leave us empty, unfulfilled, unsatisfied and wanting more and more things. In order for Jesus to live in us, like Mary, we must receive from Him what satisfies and fills. A good lesson. I am rich in Him and unfulfilled by riches. Hope this causes your spirit to leap with recognition of His timeless truth.
Satisfied,
Pastor Fred
Luke 2:52 "He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empy-handed."
Essentially this piece of Mary's sharing happens right after John the Baptist as a preborn leaps in Elizabeth's womb as he recognizes preborn Jesus in Mary's womb. Mary shares a lot of cool stuff but this is part of the truth that inspires her as she is humbled to serve the Lord. Here is a contrast between satisfied and unsatisfied, fulfilled and unfulfilled, filled and empty, good things and nothing.
Jesus fills, fulfills, satisfies and gives good things. Riches leave us empty, unfulfilled, unsatisfied and wanting more and more things. In order for Jesus to live in us, like Mary, we must receive from Him what satisfies and fills. A good lesson. I am rich in Him and unfulfilled by riches. Hope this causes your spirit to leap with recognition of His timeless truth.
Satisfied,
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
"Glory To His Name"
Psalm 115:1 "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your Name give glory, Because of your lovingkindness, because of your truth."
This verse is speaking something new to me today. Of course we should reflect His Glory and not become self aggrandizing receptacles of desiring glory for ourselves. But when you defer to God, meaning give glory to Him when people affirm you or see Him in you.... why not go the step further? Tell why you give Him glory. This verse says why. Because of His lovingkindness, because of His Truth. So instead of trying to be humble, which can too easily sound phony, why not give some details about God. He is amazing, He is wonderful, He is perfect. I am going to try this. Glory to God, because He is life and breath and love.
Amen,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 115:1 "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your Name give glory, Because of your lovingkindness, because of your truth."
This verse is speaking something new to me today. Of course we should reflect His Glory and not become self aggrandizing receptacles of desiring glory for ourselves. But when you defer to God, meaning give glory to Him when people affirm you or see Him in you.... why not go the step further? Tell why you give Him glory. This verse says why. Because of His lovingkindness, because of His Truth. So instead of trying to be humble, which can too easily sound phony, why not give some details about God. He is amazing, He is wonderful, He is perfect. I am going to try this. Glory to God, because He is life and breath and love.
Amen,
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
"Overflow"
Psalm 64:9 "You visit the earth and cause it to overflow.."
God is life. All life comes from God. Human life, plant life, animal life. All life. After all, He is the way and the truth and the life. He conquered death and He is the Author of life. He is pre-existent, He is eternal. I see His handiwork in everything, particularly those things untainted by us humans and our sin. The earth overflows with His touch. With His goodness to us. I see Him in my grandson's pet praying mantis. I see Him in my other grandson's pet Venus fly trap. I see Him in in the things that my new friend from Soledad prison used to make decoupage artwork. In His recent letter to me he explained how he finds plant life that blows into the prison yard and uses it to make art from what he calls the "overflow if God's blessings". I see Him in the beauty of a prisoner's artwork. God makes things overflow.
We just have to look and see. Notice it today. God is here and everywhere and making it overflow. If we get with His flow, we will experience His overflow. Hope you are in the flow of it and enjoying it.
Amazing,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 64:9 "You visit the earth and cause it to overflow.."
God is life. All life comes from God. Human life, plant life, animal life. All life. After all, He is the way and the truth and the life. He conquered death and He is the Author of life. He is pre-existent, He is eternal. I see His handiwork in everything, particularly those things untainted by us humans and our sin. The earth overflows with His touch. With His goodness to us. I see Him in my grandson's pet praying mantis. I see Him in my other grandson's pet Venus fly trap. I see Him in in the things that my new friend from Soledad prison used to make decoupage artwork. In His recent letter to me he explained how he finds plant life that blows into the prison yard and uses it to make art from what he calls the "overflow if God's blessings". I see Him in the beauty of a prisoner's artwork. God makes things overflow.
We just have to look and see. Notice it today. God is here and everywhere and making it overflow. If we get with His flow, we will experience His overflow. Hope you are in the flow of it and enjoying it.
Amazing,
Pastor Fred
Friday, July 21, 2017
Today’s devotion has been borrowed from Joyce Meyer. I always like her daily devotions whenever I stumble upon them, and I thought this one was particularly timely for the season of life I’m experiencing now. Whatever task we’ve been given in life, let’s work at it as if doing it for the Lord, even if it might not make sense at the moment or to anyone else. :)
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.
—Colossians 3:23
Life wasn’t meant to be dull and boring. We are not created by God to merely do the same thing over and over until it has no meaning at all. God is creative. If you don’t think so, just look around you. Many of the animals, bugs, plants, birds, trees, and other living things are unique, out of the ordinary, and totally amazing.
You were created to be unique, out of the ordinary and totally amazing too. That is why I think it is good to occasionally do something that seems outrageous to people and perhaps even to you. Do something that people won’t expect. It will keep your life interesting and keep other people from thinking they have you tucked away nicely in a little box of their own design.
One great woman who was seventy-six years of age said that her goal was to do at least one outrageous thing per week. Isn’t that a great idea? If you purposefully do something out of the norm on a regular basis, this will keep you from getting stuck in a rut, bored and unenthused about your life.
What outrageous thing will you do today?
In love,
Gabrielle Botts
Thursday, July 20, 2017
"You Belong"
Ephesians 2:19-22 "So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in Whom the whole building being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, and whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."
Lots of rich truth here. As a believer you belong. You belong to The Universal Church, His Body, made up of all believers everywhere. You are part of the family of God throughout all history, from the beginning of time. Also you individually are being built as a dwelling place of His Holy Spirit. So we are "in Him" together and individually and collectively. Plus, you should belong to a local assembly of believers where there is fellowship, discipleship, stewardship and ambassadorship. Where there is mutuality in the Spirit and His Body is being built up together in love. Do you have all that He wants for You? All that is His design for you and us? Each of us and all of us and places like Grace Harbor too?
You belong. I belong too,
Pastor Fred
Ephesians 2:19-22 "So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in Whom the whole building being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, and whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."
Lots of rich truth here. As a believer you belong. You belong to The Universal Church, His Body, made up of all believers everywhere. You are part of the family of God throughout all history, from the beginning of time. Also you individually are being built as a dwelling place of His Holy Spirit. So we are "in Him" together and individually and collectively. Plus, you should belong to a local assembly of believers where there is fellowship, discipleship, stewardship and ambassadorship. Where there is mutuality in the Spirit and His Body is being built up together in love. Do you have all that He wants for You? All that is His design for you and us? Each of us and all of us and places like Grace Harbor too?
You belong. I belong too,
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
The Weak and Strong Together
Romans 14:1 "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."
A few bulletpointed reflections on what Paul encourages the Corinthian church about today.
• Be receptive, even to the weak.
• Be receptive, even to the strong.
• Don't conflict over the small stuff.
• Limit your disputes to really important stuff, if necessary at all.
• Try not to dispute with believers especially.
This particular dispute Paul was addressing was about meat and vegetables. The enemy seeks to cause disputes about doubtful and petty things. Resist participating. Maintain the unity of the body. I recommend a serving of humility with meat and/or vegetables.
With His peace,
Pastor Fred
Romans 14:1 "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."
A few bulletpointed reflections on what Paul encourages the Corinthian church about today.
• Be receptive, even to the weak.
• Be receptive, even to the strong.
• Don't conflict over the small stuff.
• Limit your disputes to really important stuff, if necessary at all.
• Try not to dispute with believers especially.
This particular dispute Paul was addressing was about meat and vegetables. The enemy seeks to cause disputes about doubtful and petty things. Resist participating. Maintain the unity of the body. I recommend a serving of humility with meat and/or vegetables.
With His peace,
Pastor Fred
Monday, July 17, 2017
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Friday, July 14, 2017
| DAILY DEVOTIONAL by Charlotte Adams “Invitation, Confession and Pardon”- Another Perspective I have always found it enlightening when I have had the opportunity to visit other Churches when we are away from home. Those of you who know me are aware that my husband and I return every year to Northern Virginia for our Annual Family Fourth of July Picnic the first Saturday in July, which is a fantastic gathering of my many relatives and friends of our families (hundreds of us). This year, our family was pleased to welcome Donald & Yolande Lowe, who also happened to be visiting friends back East, and their friend, Narcisse, to share the event with us. While back there, we have often attended Church with our Nephew, who worships at a Baptist Church, but this year decided to attend Church with my older Sister, as a sort of continuing celebration with her of her 80th birthday. She is a member of a Methodist Church, which is about 144 years old, formed post-slavery by ancestors of many of the attending congregants. On this particular Sunday, July 2nd, it just so happened that her Church was merging with a nearby Sister Church, adopting the new name Agape United Methodist Church. Their service was quite different than what we are accustomed to, as it consists of a number of responsive readings. Also, it was Communion Sunday, so the service was about two hours long, as they conduct Communion quite differently than our Church. Before Communion, their Pastor gives the Invitation and the Congregation responds with a Confession and Pardon, which I decided that very day that I would want to share with you as my next devotional because it spoke to me. I hope that it speaks to you as well. The Invitation: Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another. Confession And Pardon: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart . (Deut. 6:5, Jer 9:13, Mat 22:37) We have failed to be an obedient church. (Acts 5:29, John 14:23) We have not done Your will.(Matt 6:10,, Matt. 26:34) We have broken Your law. (Psa 19:7) We haverebelled against Your love. (1John 4:16, 1John 4:7) We have not loved our neighbors , (Mark 12:31) and we have not heard the cry of the needy. (Is 58:10-11, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Luke 12:33-34) Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (I’ve added some Scripture verses on point , and there are many more because His Word speaks volumes, and invite you to search them out and be refreshed). The Pastor and Associate Pastor greet each communion taker. As each taker comes forward, their Pastor presents and says an individual blessing over the wafer (the Bread) which is then dipped in the cup (the Wine) held by the Associate Pastor. Their Church is obviously a much smaller Body than our Church, and so they are able to conduct their Communion in this fashion, but to have shared in this time of Communion with fellow believers, from another perspective, was truly a blessing. Wishing you a very blessings-filled weekend and week. We welcome you to join us Sundays at Grace Harbor for Children’s SundaySchool and Adult Bible Study at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Love In Him, Charlotte |
Thursday, July 13, 2017
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
by Angie Wahl
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
God always finishes what he starts! Many times we cant see the end, or have any idea where it is going or how it will look when it is done, but He does.
I am working on VBS sets right now, and looking at them in the process, you cant even tell what it is or will be. I have a bunch of circles and triangles out of cardboard, and large background pieces with dark blue paint. It looks like chaos, but I know it will be rocket ships and a star filled night sky.
Even when we can't see what God is doing in our lives or why, we have to trust Him to finish the job and make something beautiful out if chaos.
Trusting in His guidance,
Angie
by Angie Wahl
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
God always finishes what he starts! Many times we cant see the end, or have any idea where it is going or how it will look when it is done, but He does.
I am working on VBS sets right now, and looking at them in the process, you cant even tell what it is or will be. I have a bunch of circles and triangles out of cardboard, and large background pieces with dark blue paint. It looks like chaos, but I know it will be rocket ships and a star filled night sky.
Even when we can't see what God is doing in our lives or why, we have to trust Him to finish the job and make something beautiful out if chaos.
Trusting in His guidance,
Angie
"Behave Like A Christian"
Romans 12:9-18 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
This passage, though long, is so clear. I do not know how the title of this section of scripture became to be "Behave Like A Christian". But, after I read it I was convicted by the title too. Rather than another word of commentary on my part, I am choosing to read it again. Please join me and let's all behave like Christians.
Amen?
Pastor Fred
Romans 12:9-18 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
This passage, though long, is so clear. I do not know how the title of this section of scripture became to be "Behave Like A Christian". But, after I read it I was convicted by the title too. Rather than another word of commentary on my part, I am choosing to read it again. Please join me and let's all behave like Christians.
Amen?
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
"Four Things To Do"
Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."
Wonderful inspiration here. Two dyads. First, "trust in the LORD and do good", meaning... get your head and your heart and hands in the right place. Head... put God first. Heart... respond by planning righteousness. Hands... do something that blesses somebody. Head, heart, and hands, trusting God and doing good.
Next... "dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness", meaning... live your day to day life, where you are planted and let God bring a harvest out of your life. That is how to be faithful. Hope this gets you thinking today. What can you do after you get your head straight? You have a purpose, so do I. Let's do something meaningful that makes an eternal difference today. Trust Him, do good, live and bloom, however He leads you.
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."
Wonderful inspiration here. Two dyads. First, "trust in the LORD and do good", meaning... get your head and your heart and hands in the right place. Head... put God first. Heart... respond by planning righteousness. Hands... do something that blesses somebody. Head, heart, and hands, trusting God and doing good.
Next... "dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness", meaning... live your day to day life, where you are planted and let God bring a harvest out of your life. That is how to be faithful. Hope this gets you thinking today. What can you do after you get your head straight? You have a purpose, so do I. Let's do something meaningful that makes an eternal difference today. Trust Him, do good, live and bloom, however He leads you.
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Monday, July 10, 2017
"Return To Me"
Zechariah 1:2-3 "The LORD was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return to me, declares the LORD of hosts that I May return to you," says the LORD of hosts."
Three observations about these two verses....
• The LORD "was" angry... how encouraging that His righteous anger can be past tense.
• "Return to me" is a consistent theme and an offer that is always open to us. We should take Him up on His offer as often as we need to.
• If we will even "turn again" towards Him humbly, He will accomplish the rest.
We are so blessed to have such a gracious, forgiving and loving Father. O LORD, Please help us return to you so you will return to us. We need you now.
In Him,
Pastor Fred
Zechariah 1:2-3 "The LORD was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return to me, declares the LORD of hosts that I May return to you," says the LORD of hosts."
Three observations about these two verses....
• The LORD "was" angry... how encouraging that His righteous anger can be past tense.
• "Return to me" is a consistent theme and an offer that is always open to us. We should take Him up on His offer as often as we need to.
• If we will even "turn again" towards Him humbly, He will accomplish the rest.
We are so blessed to have such a gracious, forgiving and loving Father. O LORD, Please help us return to you so you will return to us. We need you now.
In Him,
Pastor Fred
Friday, July 7, 2017
Hello Grace Harbor friends,
Got something to smile and laugh about? I do; every time I think of Jesus and realize how much He loves me. Do you wonder why some people are always smiling and laughing? It may be that Jesus is in their constant thoughts, which sounds pretty good to me to be thinking of Him 24/7.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord had done great things for them” ~ Psalms 126:2
Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities--things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain. Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly. ~ Jesus Calling: June 17
So go ahead and laugh, chuckle, giggle, crack-up, rejoice. He loves it. He loves you!
Betty Pinto
Got something to smile and laugh about? I do; every time I think of Jesus and realize how much He loves me. Do you wonder why some people are always smiling and laughing? It may be that Jesus is in their constant thoughts, which sounds pretty good to me to be thinking of Him 24/7.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord had done great things for them” ~ Psalms 126:2
Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities--things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain. Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly. ~ Jesus Calling: June 17
So go ahead and laugh, chuckle, giggle, crack-up, rejoice. He loves it. He loves you!
Betty Pinto
Thursday, July 6, 2017
"Don't Be Misled"
Job 13:16 "With Him are strength and sound wisdom, The misled and misleader belong to Him."
I am reading Job again. When I go to Job in my personal devotions it is usually because I am feeling frustrated or impatient and want to identify with him. After all, he really went through a lot, right? Or, I want to hear him confess and reread God straightening him out, which also helps me, right? If I just read Job without a specific motivation to, I get some great nuggets of truth that I otherwise gloss over. Like this one, reminding me that strength and sound wisdom come from Him. Then also reminding me that the misled and misleader belong to Him. The victim and the perpetrator too. The oppressor and the oppressed too. The counselor and counselee. The pastor and the pastored.
The list goes on. Feel free to add more. All belong to Him. He sees and hears and knows it all. He is so strong and ultimately wise. Nothing gets by Him. He knows the foolishness or innocence of the misled and the manipulation or the foolishness of the misleader too. Don't be misled. God knows.
Humbled and encouraged,
Pastor Fred
Job 13:16 "With Him are strength and sound wisdom, The misled and misleader belong to Him."
I am reading Job again. When I go to Job in my personal devotions it is usually because I am feeling frustrated or impatient and want to identify with him. After all, he really went through a lot, right? Or, I want to hear him confess and reread God straightening him out, which also helps me, right? If I just read Job without a specific motivation to, I get some great nuggets of truth that I otherwise gloss over. Like this one, reminding me that strength and sound wisdom come from Him. Then also reminding me that the misled and misleader belong to Him. The victim and the perpetrator too. The oppressor and the oppressed too. The counselor and counselee. The pastor and the pastored.
The list goes on. Feel free to add more. All belong to Him. He sees and hears and knows it all. He is so strong and ultimately wise. Nothing gets by Him. He knows the foolishness or innocence of the misled and the manipulation or the foolishness of the misleader too. Don't be misled. God knows.
Humbled and encouraged,
Pastor Fred
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