Daily Devotional: Friday, Feb 26

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannons by Phil Wickham; You'll Come by Hillsong.

Read: Hebrews 10: 32 - 40; Matthew 25:23

Think: As Pastor Rick taught about the grafting process I wondered about those dead branches that were pruned, just lying there on the ground. How does someone end up there -  pruned from the Tree of God? Can that ever be me? Those thoughts crossed my mind - how about yours?

According to the Bible those pruned and broken branches are simply there because of unbelief... They refer to those who were God's chosen people from the very beginning, but who rejected Christ. Though they waited expectantly for their Messiah, they did not believe in Him - Jesus - when He showed up.

For those of us who believe in Jesus, God promises through the words of the apostle Paul "I'm absolutely convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love..." (Romans 8: 39) Did you catch that? We grafted branches can't be un-grafted because of any sin we commit, any trouble, any sinister intervention...nothing!

I know there have been seasons in my own life where discouragement or just plain old being tired threw me off track with my relationship with the Lord. And there were times my own poor choices led to sin that all but halted my walk with Jesus. Those times were among the lowest of my life - but God never gave up on me. And thankfully never put me in danger of becoming that dead branch! And that goes for you too.

We do have to remember though that the Christian life is for the long haul. We are in a race that is much more a marathon than a sprint. We are moving toward a finish line that is so far beyond what we can imagine, so glorious that it will be worth all we endure: Heaven! So don't give in to the temptation to give up, don't let sin sweep you away, but stay firmly grafted to our God. Bloom, grow, mature so that we can one day the Lord's commendation will greet us: Well done good and faithful servant. Come share your master's happiness!

Do: Rest knowing that once you are God's, nothing can take that away from you! Keep heaven in your sights and live today for the Lord.

Pray: God, I am so thankful that Your love for me is strong and steady. I wait eagerly for the day I get to spend eternity with You. But until then help me to be focused on living for You. Help me to stay dialed into your purpose and plan for me. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Feb 24

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Foreverby Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannonsby Phil Wickham; You'll Comeby Hillsong.

Think: As we have been looking at Romans 11 this week we find the Apostle Paul teaching some Christians who had fallen into some wrong thinking and had become prideful. We get the sense that somehow these early followers of Christ were operating as if their position and their status as Children of God was somehow because they earned it. And Paul gives a much needed spiritual kick in the pants: In v. 23 and 24 he says "don't get to feeling superior...Just be glad you're in the tree". I love that!

Spiritual pride is so easy to fall into - just look around! Paul's admonition should serve as a warning for us who can tend toward pride... Don't fall into the false thinking that somehow our favor with God is something we deserve or are due. God has shown us favor beyond our ability to earn - and has allowed us to be grafted to His tree NOT because we've earned it, but because He loves us.

The branches (you and me) draw life from the root and the tree (God). It's not the other way around. We are completely dependent on Him for all our needs. We are totally at His mercy for our next breath and heartbeat. When we remember His gift of grace then we can keep a heart of humility.

Do: Check your spiritual attitudes and disposition - Do you see any signs of spiritual pride? 

Pray: God, I know there is nothing I can do to earn your favor or to deserve salvation. Thank you Jesus that when I placed my faith and trust in You I received the right to become a Your child. I come humbly and so grateful for your mercy and grace. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Feb 23

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannons by Phil Wickham; You'll Come by Hillsong.

Read: Romans 11:16-18; Hebrews 12: 1-11

Think: Every good parent takes the time to teach and discipline their child. It's an act of love when done in the right spirit. Through that discipline and training the child learns self-discipline and the tools to become the best person he/she can be! In the same way a parent often allows their children to go through tough experiences - even those we could rescue them from. As adults we understand that those experiences help form their character, give them compassion for others and develop their strength.

As Pastor Rick shared, there are times when God is working "behind and under" (Romans 11:16) our lives. Much like the Penn and Teller story he shared, God is busy at work behind the scenes for our good and to make us more like Him. As the olive oil is the precious commodity from the pressing and crushing of the olive, so are the Fruit of the Spirit the product of the pressing and crushing experiences we go through this side of heaven.

God disciplines and teaches us, His own sons and daughters, because He loves us. Sometimes this happens directly or He allows life's difficulties to melt us, mold us, and make us more like Jesus. In Hebrews 12:6, we're assured that "It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects." But it sure doesn't feel very loving while in the middle of it does it? But sometimes its the way our loving Father rescues us from our selfish, stubborn, rebellious ways.

God's discipline trains us for right and holy living (vv.7-11). Rather than resisting God's correction or hiding from life's difficulties, we can yield to Him in the middle of it, and rest assured that His goal is our transformation and spiritual growth. Whatever our circumstances, God knows the seriousness of our troubles and is working powerfully behind the scenes for our good.

Do: What troubles are you facing today that God just may be using to mold you and make you more like Jesus? Choose today to cooperate with the process instead of fighting against it. Ask God to show you what He wants to do in your heart through the difficulties.

Pray: God, I see the troubles in my life but sometimes I can't see You "behind or underneath" them... Help me to trust that You know all that I am going through and that you are doing a work in my heart and that something good will come out of them. Father help me to cooperate in the process of you making me to be more like You. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, Feb 22

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannons by Phil Wickham; You'll Come by Hillsong.

Read: Romans 11: 11-18; Romans 5: 6-8

Think: I'm kind of a medical show junkie. I love the real ER stories and the Discovery Health Channel programs on the oddities and amazing things that happen to the physical body. My family can't stand to watch with me because they feel queasy just seeing the commercials. But for me, watching reminds me of just how amazing the human body is!!!

Not too long ago I watched a show about the process surgeons go through to reattach a severed limb... What blew my mind was that they were actually able to reconnect all the tiny vessels, muscles, ligaments, and tissues. And even more, many times the patient would actually get sensation and function back in that once detached body part. Fascinating! Amazing! Miraculous!

Pastor Rick talked about another amazing reconnection, another grafting process that is even more miraculous... the re-attachment of the human heart to the Almighty God!

The Bible teaches us that God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners (cut off from the tree, dead, rotten to the core), Christ died for us and made it possible for us to be grafted onto the living root - Jesus Himself (Romans 5:8, Romans 11:17). At the very moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive a new living spirit to replace our old dead spirit. God performs a spiritual reconnection in an instant - in the time it takes for us to say, "I believe."

Now that's a miracle.

Do: If you've never taken the opportunity to connect to Christ, today's the day! It really is as simple as a heartfelt "I believe". If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus at some point, remember what a miracle that is. Don't allow that spiritual grafting to become mundane. Remember again the price that was paid and celebrate the connection you have with the Father.

Pray: God you do not want any of us to live apart from You. Thank you for the great lengths you have gone - to the point of sacrificing your own Son - so that we can be connected to you. Lord don't let me ever take it for granted or allow my relationship with you to grow stale. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Friday, Jan 1

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: First Things First

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Break My Heart by Mike Flathers; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong.

Read: Psalm 51:12; James 1: 22-25

Think: This year I promise to... In 2010 I really want to... I resolve to...Maybe I won't make any resolutions this year after all-I never keep them anyway. I have great intentions but not such good follow through. I realize I'm not alone because I know the gym is packed January and February each year but by March there are plenty of treadmills to go around.  

New Year's is a great time to set goals and make some needed changes though. Maybe my track record isn't great overall, but there is one resolution I make and keep each year: To pursue Jesus with fresh enthusiasm.

We have a natural tendency to let our relationship with Christ get stale. It's been a problem for God's people throughout time - even the fathers of our faith had seasons of doubt, seasons of rebellion or just times of spiritually drought. When those times come, we are called to fight against it - and renew our faith! Just like King David prayed, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:12).

As this New Year begins, resolve to do what it takes to recapture that joy. How that looks will be different for each of us. Maybe it's time to step up what you normally do for your time alone with God. Maybe it's keeping a journal. And this one is a definite for all of us, "Do not merely listen to the word... Do what it says" (James 1: 22).

Pursuing Jesus with fresh enthusiasm is one resolution we won't ever regret!

Do: Evaluate how you're doing in your walk with Christ. Step up your game and make any course corrections or commitments to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly and passionately.

Pray: God, I want the joy of your salvation to fall fresh on me again. Show me anything that is standing in the way of that joy and help me to take care of it. I commit again today, the first day of 2010, to pursue You Lord! In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, Dec 31

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: First Things First

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Break My Heart by Mike Flathers; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong.

Read: Psalm 39:4-5; Jeremiah 29:11

Think: Every Christmas letter we received begins with the same sentiment... "I can't believe it's this time of year already, where did the time go?" When my kids were babies, so many older folks we'd meet would say things like, "Enjoy this time, they grow up so quickly." And I have never been to a funeral where the phrase "it was much too soon" wasn't spoken.

It's so true that "time flies" isn't it? We're all being carried along by that mysterious force called time. But as each year comes to a close we're given a fresh awareness of life's brevity  - which I think was by design - for it encourages us to trust God even more. As we reevaluate life and reestablish our focus on what matters, we are convinced again of the importance of God's plan and purpose. In the Psalms it says: "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am... Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor... And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You" (Psalm 39:4-5, 7).

Yes, time is fleeting!  But God wants to use every moment of this life to draw us closer to Him, to change us more into His image and to give us a life better than we could ever have dreamed it to be! Jeremiah 29: 11 says it so well: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Don't lose sight of the fact that time is passing. Resist the urge to settle for less than His best... Measure your days and allow God to have His way in your life, His perfect way.

Do: Live today and everyday like it's your last!

Pray: Jesus, I want my life to count, to make a difference for your kingdom and your glory. Thank you Lord for the gift of life - show me how to use it wisely! Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Dec 30

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: First Things First

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Break My Heart by Mike Flathers; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong.

Read: Luke 10:38-42; 2 Thessalonians 3:10         

Think: Over the weekend, Pastor Paul touched on the biblical account of Mary and Martha. As we think about priorities there is a great principle we learn from Jesus' interaction with these two women. In Luke chapter 10 it says Martha was "distracted with much serving" (v. 40) but Mary took the time to sit "at Jesus' feet" and listen to His teaching (v.39).

I identify so much more with Martha's viewpoint. In the Book of Proverbs there are many verses that chastise people who are lazy. And when some first-century Christians quit working and started to freeload off others in the church, the Apostle Paul laid down the rule: "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10).

But as I think about the situation I wonder if perhaps Mary realized that she wouldn't have many more opportunities to learn from Jesus. She knew the value of time spent with her Lord. And Jesus' reply confirms it -- he said "Mary has chosen what is better" (v. 42).

Sometimes responsibilities/projects/to-do lists need to wait so that we can spend time with the Lord.  Work is important, but we can't allow it to crowd out our priority: worshiping God and spending time with Jesus and his Word.

Do: In your planner or calendar write in an appointment with Jesus everyday.

Pray: God, my time with you is precious and I want to make it (keep it) a priority. I know you want to meet with me each day, and I know it is so good for me in so many ways! Help me Lord to set aside my plans and honor that appointment each day to be with you. Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Dec 29

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: First Things First

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Break My Heart by Mike Flathers; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong.

Read: Psalm 25:4-5; John 17:4; Mark 8:34-35

Think: I was having dinner with a long-time friend and catching up on life. She is incredibly giving and has always been involved in all kinds of things... volunteering with Big Brothers and Sisters, helping an elderly neighbor, tons of ministries at her church, devoted to her kids and family like no one I've ever seen.... You get the picture. As we were talking about the New Year she said she'd really like to settle into a good schedule and not be so busy all the time.

That's a familiar desire isn't it? And as Pastor Paul talked about establishing priorities on Sunday, I think that's really the key to handling busyness. Max Lucado, a well-known Christian author and Pastor says this in his book, Walking with the Savior:

Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness. Being busy in and of itself is not a sin. But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside-that cannot be pleasing to God.

Lucado continues on to encourage us to devote ourselves to the things that give us joy and to do what matters! A benchmark I often use in deciding what to put my time into is simply asking this: Is there an eternal impact if I do this? Everything I spend time on I want to be used by God to help someone come to know Him or to grow in Him. I want to be able to answer God just as John the Apostle answered:  having accomplished the work that you gave me to do, I brought you glory on earth. John 17:4

Do: There are so many things tugging on our time... Let's decide today to invest in what is truly important. That may mean trading in some good things we do in order to do some great things for Jesus.

Pray: God, I want to be used by you to make an impact in this world. Help me to see what I need to change in my schedule in order to make room for the great things you want to do through me. Amen.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org