Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotion Sept. 20, 2023

”Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).

     In the book, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells about an incident that taught her how to give thanks in all things. During WWII, Corrie and her sister had been hiding Jews in their home. They were subsequently arrested and imprisoned at the infamous Ravensbruck Camp. The barracks were extremely crowded and infested with fleas.

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Daily Devotion Sept 19, 2023

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV).

     I recently had arthroscopic surgery. The surgeon skillfully repaired a torn meniscus on the interior portion of my left knee. I am amazed and grateful for the advances modern medicine continues making.

     Yet I recognize the value of my partnership in the healing process. The exercises prescribed by a physical therapist have proven invaluable to my recovery. The physician has done his work. It is up to me to do my part, as well.


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Daily Devotion Now Available as a Podcast

So many of the St. Paul Family look forward to reading Pastor David’s Daily Devotional blog and people have been asking if we could make it available as a podcast. Yes! We can and we have. Introducing the Daily Devotion from St. Paul Community CUMC. It includes the exact same content that is already in the blog or email but comes in a form that allows you to keep your hands free and your eyes on something else.


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Daily Devotion Sept. 6, 2023

Pastor David is need of a break of “rest and renewal”.  He will resume Daily Devotions on Tuesday, Sept. 12th.
 


Daily Devotion Sept. 1, 2023

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10, ESV).

     I am a fan of the television series NCIS. I also am intrigued by Gibb’s ninety-one rules. Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictitious naval investigator played by actor, Mark Harmon. Gibb’s inherited a list of ninety-one rules from a mentor as a means of guiding his decisions from day to day. Included in the list are:


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Daily Devotion August 31, 2023

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collection” (Matthew 18:15-17).

     Conflict is nothing new to humanity. Disagreement has been with us since the days of Cain and Abel. Whenever two or three are gathered together, our human differences are certain to arise.

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