Posts

Serve Like Jesus | A SOAP Devotional by Pastor Jamie

Image
    Read Matthew 20 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=Matthew+20& version=NLT   Matthew 20:24-28- When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   As Jesus was preparing Himself and His followers for His death on the cross His closest associates were busy going high and asking for special favors. The ten other disciples were indignant only because John, James, and their mother had beaten them to the punch to ask for such special consideration. We see the disciples engaged in a game of "one-u...
Read more

The Light Shining in Our Darkness | A SOAP Devotional by Pastor Jamie

Image
  Read Isaiah 29 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=Isaiah%2029& version=NLT   Isaiah 29:13, 19- And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel .   In 1 Laodicea 2:4 it says, "Don't humble yourself. Don’t stand out. Hide who you are. Blend into the culture as much as possible. Play it safe. Live out your faith as quietly as possible and so no one can see it.” Of course, I'm joking as this isn't a book of the Bible and there is no verse like this! Isaiah declared there was plenty of evidence of the people he was speaking to of having a significant gap between what they said and what they actually did, a gap between their words and deeds. In order to experience "fresh joy" humility and repentance was re...
Read more

Humility - Our Greatest Friend | A SOAP Devotional by Pastor Jamie

Image
  Read 2 Chronicles 32 https://www.biblegateway.com/ passage/?search=2+Chronicles+ 32&version=NLT   2 Chronicles 32:7-8; 24-26 -  “Be strong & courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.   In this chapter we see a movement from humility to pride and then back to humility. King H...
Read more

CR Picnic '26 Recap!!!

CR PICNIC ’26!!! WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS !!! This is one of the most joyful events on our CR social calendar, and you all made it that way! It was a little like counting ants, but we would estimate somewhere between 120 and 130 folks showed up! So many highlights, and so many folks to thank, I just know I’m going to forget someone/something…please forgive me if I do!!! ·         God! – for all of it, and more!!! ·        Stephanie – our Food/Events Ministry Coordinator Extraordinaire! ·        The Angel Tree Service Team!!! – for helping keep the food areas straight, the welcome table, the Scavenger Hunt, etc, etc, etc! ·        Mike and Matt - for manning the grill, and busting out great tasting hamburgers and hot dogs at a furious clip! ·        The great food and desserts that you all brought! Scrumptrulescent! ·    ...
Read more

Praising God and Gratitude Are Acts of Humility | A SOAP Devotional by Pastor Jamie

Image
  Read 2 Samuel 22 2 Samuel 22 NLT - David’s Song of Praise - David sang - Bible Gateway   2 Samuel 22:1-3, 28- "David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: 'The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.' You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them."   Yesterday we talked about the dangers and temptations of prosperity to lead us to be prideful and think of all we accomplished in our own power. Today we see the other side of the coin. This chapter is essentially Psalm 18 as well. Before David details his many near death experiences at the hands of King Saul, he joyfully and exuberantly proclaims his victory is from the hand of the living God. David wants everyone to know that in the midst of the wors...
Read more

Begin By Descending | A SOAP Devotional by Pastor Jamie

Image
  Read Psalm  138 Psalm 138 NLT - Psalm 138 - A psalm of David. I give - Bible Gateway   Psalm 138:6- Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.   As we've seen over the last two weeks, the Bible has a lot to say about pride (it's against it!) and humility (it's for it). On occasion "pride" has a positive connotation, but it like when Paul speaks of "boasting in the Lord" or being grateful for God's people. On one occasion, for instance, Paul spoke with appropriate pride about particular people serving well in the church in Corinth: "They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well." (1 Corinthians 16:18). One of the most famous verses on pride is found in another 16:18 in Proverbs, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Here David affirms that God- in all of His goodness...
Read more