DAILY  DEVOTIONAL
"Tea For Two " - Happy Father's Day

“With God as our Father, brothers and sisters all are we”…One of my favorite traditions is hosting or attending a tea party.  I love to curl up in my “comfort zone” with a nice cup of tea in a china teacup and spend time with my Father.  Coffee in a mug works, too!  As a little girl, I would watch for my Daddy to get home from work. No matter how tired he was, he would always join me for a cup of tea at my little table and chairs for two, while Mother put supper on the table.  He always wanted to hear every little detail of my day.   Daddy went home to our Father in Heaven in December 1981.  Now I have tea with my Father and reflect on those precious memories with Daddy.

As a Mother of two sons and Grandmother of three grandsons, tea parties were put on hold!!!  My precious husband, Ron, enjoys having tea, too.  When we moved to Orange there were several lovely tea parlors and we had tea at each one of them.  Regrettably, there is only one left.  So, we share tea and/or coffee on our patio and study God’s word, read devotionals from our Upper Room and pray.  Sometimes, we just listen to the birds as if they are in a choir singing our favorite hymns.

I know not everyone reading this has happy memories of times with their Daddy throughout the years; but, we all (every man, woman and child) can have a wonderful time in the presence of our Father  Our Father longs to hear from us every day, every little detail, every joy, every pain,  EVERYTHING! “With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you; it is no secret what God can do”.

I would like to share with you a devotion from Woman of God Moments of Grace entitled “Heredi-Tea” which is the sum of qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one’s ancestors.

“Scientists and psychologists have debated the question of heredity versus environment for years.  Which is more powerful in determining how an individual turns out?  The issue has never been resolved.  Like father, like son?  My family history is full of stories about feuds and shootings, murderers, moonshiners, and outlaws.

I’m glad I’m not bound by my genes.  I am not limited by my DNA.  How do I know?  Because God promises that in Christ, I am free to become all that He wants me to be and to achieve my full potential.  Adopted into God’s family, we have a new ancestry, a divine and royal legacy, as heirs and children of the King. ”I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty”  
(2 Corinthians 6:18).

As God’s children, we embody His love for our world.  We see people as though through His eyes.  We help, as though with His hands.  We love, as though with His heart.  All so that others will see Him in us and trust in Him.

Have you ever thought about our legacy to those who come behind us, to generations not yet born?  I pray each of us will leave behind a heritage of grace, of assurance, and of thankfulness that reflects the love of God in all that we do.”

Our sons and grandsons do show things we saw in their great grandparents, in Ron and me and for our grandchildren, we also see things we saw in our sons. “All these inherited qualities and more have been passed down to them, but these are not their most important inheritances.  Just like me, they have inherited a place in the family of God.  Each day they are learning to be more like Him.  I praise Him for it!  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come”    
(2 Corinthians 5:17).

God Bless Us Everyone,
Linda Hodge

"The Benediction Of Hebrews" 

Sometimes not a whole lot needs to be said on certain days in our lives. Today is such a day. So I give you the Benediction of Hebrews which I believe to be written by Paul. Wonderful words that should bless, encourage and convict us all. Helped me today.


Hebrews 13:20-21   "Now the God of

peace, which brought up from the dead

the great Shepherd of the sheep through

the blood of the eternal covenant, even

Jesus our Lord, equip you for every

good thing to do His will, working in us

that which is pleasing in His sight

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the

glory forever and ever. Amen."

Enough said today.

Amen,
Pastor Fred

"Bless Us To Be A Blessing" 

Psalm 67:1-2 "God be gracious to us and bless us and cause Your face to shine upon us. That your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations."

We want God to bless us. Bless us with favor and success and good fortune. Bless us with health and happiness and easy times. Maybe with should ask God to bless us for His purposes.... "That His way may be known on the earth and His salvation among all nations."

Isn't the main purpose of our being blessed so that we will be happy and satisfied? So others will see how God favors us? Maybe a little to show His glory and purposes I think we would be even more blessed if we were blessed to be a blessing. Even when we don't think so or don't feel like it.

Blessings are wonderful, but that is not all the verse speaks of. It also asks for His graciousness and for His face to shine on us. I have an idea. Know His Grace, see His face, then be blessed to be a blessing. I think He would be glorified and we'd be even more blessed.

His Blessings to you,
Pastor Fred

"Safe Haven" 

Psalm 107 29-30 "He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven "

The motto of Grace Harbor is "Come in from the storms of life, and see what God is doing." I am contemplative about Grace Harbor these days. I believe God is with us. Through the storms of the grief of loss of those who have gone to heaven, through the storms of sadness over missing those who have moved away and moved on, through the storms of conflict, disagreement and misunderstanding about what His future plans for us might be. Also through the storms the enemy has fostered and festered between us. We remain a lighthouse of hope, healing and restoration.

We are a safe haven, part of the family God with a vision and a mission to be here, reach out and praise Him through it all. God knows His plan for us and we should pursue it and surrender to it as He reveals it. Whatever storms come and go, He remains. He is our Rock. So today I am glad because He once again has calmed the storm in my mind. He is now guiding me again to my desired haven. Which is only to be His servant, to lift Him up in Grace Harbor so that anyone can come in from the storms of life and see what God is doing.

With hope,
Pastor Fred

DAILY  DEVOTIONAL
"Your Confidence" 

Hebrews 10:35-36 "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

Our confidence must be based on Him and not us. At best, it should be based on Him in us. The previous verses speak of former days and how God gave the ability to endure in the midst of conflict and suffering. Under great persecution and reproach the people of God were joyful to be kind to others being persecuted and faithful even during tremendous unfairness.

This character trait should serve as a reminder of Christ in us, for us and with us. Therefore our confidence should rise because we live righteously through Him. We should endure under whatever circumstances, because He who is in us is greater than anything that comes against us. The promises and rewards will come, but for now we are confident because God is good and we know He is with us.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

Devotional - "How are you today?"

What would be your response if you were asked the question “How are you today?” I’m sure everyone would have a very simple or unique expression on how they are feeling physically and emotionally.  The most common response I’ve heard is “I’m ok.”

Life is filled with all sorts of trials and tribulations…a death of a loved one, a debilitating illness, loss of employment, addictions, unresolved marital issues, and the list goes on.  Yet no matter what your education level, social or economic status, physical or mental ability, we are all subject to life’s trials and tribulations.  For some the season is short, for others the seasons go on to where there seems to be no end in sight, or it may be an entire lifetime.  There are indeed circumstances that are beyond our control, yet there are others that we have weaved a pattern of habit that has lead us to where we are today. 

Rest assure, no matter the situation our God is in control, and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8: 28) no matter how distressing it may be. As we all know, choices are part of our everyday, which is our free will to do as we deem according to our beliefs, needs, wants and desires.  Please know that if your burdens are heavy today, you are not alone. And if the sense of loneliness fills your mind and emotions, know that God is with you right now, and He will always be with you.  Our Heavenly Father desires for each of us to seek His face, so allow yourself the opportunity through this time to draw closer to our Lord, our Savior, and our Redeemer.  Seek Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and also continually seek Him through your good times, too. And if you are in a joy filled season, continue to encourage, support and pray for our brothers and sisters in need.  Through all your earthly trials and tribulations, and even through your joy filled times…lift up your hands in worship to God, give Him all your praise, give Him all honor and glory, and above all, be full of gratitude toward Him for all things, especially the precious gift of life.

Again, I ask “How are you today?”   May you be encouraged today to draw closer to God and be filled with His peace, joy and love.  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

God’s abundant blessings upon our Grace Harbor Church family and have a very blessed day.

Written by my friend and Sister in Christ - Terrilynn K. Monzon

Made In HIS Image <><  David L. Cunningham     

"Generations To Come" 

Psalm 102:17-18 "He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer. This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD."

I praise the LORD today for who He is. He is a compassionate God. How does David come up with this stuff 3,000 years ago, 1,000 years before Christ is even born? Generations come and go and more will come and go, yet the steadfastness of the LORD endures forever. Here we are thousands of years after David acclaims the LORD regarding the prayers of the destitute.

Indeed, it has been written and we read it again today and it will be read for generations to come, the LORD should be praised for His unfailing love and care. Even those yet to be born someday will praise Him, because we will keep telling of His compassion. He has no end. The Truth has no end. Who He is will be forever, deserving of our praise.

By the way, to answer my own question. David writes this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it is the Word of God. We will share it from generation to generation and keep praising the LORD, for He is greatly to he praised.

Praise the LORD!!
Pastor Fred