Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
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The mission of Immanuel United Church of Christ is to present God’s love to all people, to invite everyone to respond to this love with faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to educate, encourage, equip, and empower people to make a positive difference in our world.
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
3d ago
Have you ever been up late at night while you were camping and just decided to wait for dawn? There is that sense of expectancy as we wait in the darkness, then suddenly, color lights the sky as the sun breaks over the horizon. Faith is like the promise of the new dawn in our hearts when the night is yet dark. It is a firm trust that comes from knowing God has a plan and purpose for our lives and even in the face of adversity. The psalmist encourages us to wait on the Lord and trust in God's power and strength. As we rely on God's strength and power, we find we ar ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
1w ago
My daughter, Savannah, and I took a trip out west some years ago and had a wonderful time touring many of the great National Parks. The beauty of nature and the wonder of creation inspired us everywhere we went. The one place my daughter was not looking forward to seeing was the Grand Canyon. I tried to show her photos of the beauty of the Grand Canyon, but none quite captured the magnificence. She would just respond, “Dad! It’s just a big hole in the ground!” But finally, the day arrived, and we drove all day and arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
2w ago
I love Easter with the surprises and celebrations and family dinners. And I love Easter worship with sunrise services, beautiful flowers and victorious hymns and messages of hope. Easter is a wonderful and blessed day to celebrate. But Easter isn’t over. The resurrection is not just about Easter worship once a year. For the follower of Christ, the resurrection is something we celebrate each day, as we daily walk with a risen Lord who cares about us. Peter writes that because of the resurrection we have a living hope that sees us through the darkest night or ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
1M ago
Are you anxious or frustrated your prayer seems to go unanswered? Don’t lose heart. Just because you do not yet see the answer to your prayers, does not mean God does not hear you. Wait! The Lord is working. Waiting time is not wasting time. Waiting time is time for God to mold us and strengthen us and deepen our relationship with Him. God is at work. Trust God! God will see you through. God is at work even though you might not be able to see it. Hear again these encouraging words of the psalmist, David, who many times in his li ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
1M ago
All of us at some point will find it easy to stray from the path along which God is leading us. Like a hiker distracted by some sound or sight, we easily find ourselves looking this way or that and straying from the path Christ has marked for us. Life has its hills and valleys, but the most important thing is to focus on Christ and follow him as our guide. Paul warned his listeners to be on guard and to stand firm in the faith—words that were used by those who stand watch in the military. Likewise, we need to be vigilant, guarding our faith, keeping ourselves focused on ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
2M ago
Most of us have challenged ourselves to grow personally and spiritually over the next year. Whatever the challenges and obstacles we have faced; and whatever the joys we have shared, most of us would like to look back and see personal growth in our lives over the next year. The secret?--Deep roots. Deep roots come from regular worship and Bible reading, and taking time for prayer. Come sunny skies or stormy nights, like a tree planted by the water we only grow stronger with time, when we nurture our life in God. Listen to the psalmist:
(verse of the week ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
2M ago
Today is Valentine’s Day! Happy Valentine’s Day! May love fill your heart and life! Today, is also Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Most of our culture knows more about Mardi Gras than Lent, just as most of us would prefer celebration over repentance. Both have their place in the seasons of life. But all of us value love as we should. Love is the highest value for all of us and gives us the greatest meaning of life.
But here is where hearts and ashes come together. The ashes of Lent remind us of the 40 days Jesus sp ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
2M ago
(scripture of the week)
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in
Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4.19)
When you first read those words from the Apostle Paul, you might think he
was writing from the comfort of a safe, secure suburban home. But he
was not. Or you might think he was writing to a group of people safe in
the comforts of life. But he was not.
In fact, Paul was writing from the confines of a prison, where he had
constant surveillance and where he knew he could easily loose his life for
his beliefs.  ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
3M ago
Like much of the country, last week we were in the midst of a snowstorm, with snow piling up faster than many of us can shovel it out of the driveway and sidewalk. I do enjoy an occasional snowstorm and the beauty of the snow swirling and sparkling in the night sky. I like the way the morning sun glistens off the snow-covered branches like white lace covering the trees. I like the smell of wood burning in the fireplace and the sound of children laughing as they build snowmen or pull each other on sleighs.
I also think it is good for all of us to slow down a bit and enj ..read more
Immanuel United Church of Christ - Devotional Blog
3M ago
It’s easy to get caught up with our culture’s focus on power and prestige. We sometimes find it hard not to covet the sumptuous lifestyles of people we so often read about in newspapers and magazines. Nice cars. Big homes. Fame. Fortune. But Paul reminds us that the most important thing in life is not what we have or don’t have, but the one in whom we put our trust--Christ!
(scripture of the week)
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being in content in any and every situation,
whether well fed ..read more