Guest Devotional - Alexis Albright

You know the phrase, " the grass is greener on the other side?"

Well, it is, right? Sure. "If I just had that job then finances wouldn't be 
tight and that would solve many of our problems." Or "if I was thinner then I'd 
be prettier and my husband would desire me more." And " if I knew the Bible 
better, I'd be able to be used."

If you're like me, you find yourself saying phrases like these.  In these 
moments my flesh is in control rather than my Lord.

God commands  us to be content right where we are. We are to live with a 
grateful spirit - an attitude of gratitude.  He uses us just as we are and in 
the situation we find ourselves. And He purposefully allows us to be in these 
specific circumstances for our good. 

So, what if we embrace our plight and trust that He has our best interest at 
heart?  The grass is greener right here where I am because it is where He has 
placed me.

And because I know this is true, I can live in the now, making a difference for 
tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34 states it so clearly... "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and 
don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you 
deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Guest Devotional - Connie Smith

February is about Valentine’s Day and it reminds us of…love. Love for our spouse, our family, our friends, and God’s love for us.

Sometimes I find it difficult to love when a family member or friend disappoints me. It is a constant effort for me to stay positive when many people at work are negative and unhappy. It is only with prayer that I can build an attitude of love and forgiveness. I try to remember 1 Corinthians 13: 4 “Love is patient, love is kind.” Some days…not so much for me.

Don’t you wish we could always love like a child, completely and uninhibited? When I hold my grandchildren or my nephew, I can see the love flowing in their eyes. That’s how God loves us, completely and without reservation. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We just need to believe in Him and receive the forgiveness that He offers. He doesn’t expect perfection, only faith.

Remember how we handed out Valentine’s to our classmates and friends at school as children. Candy with “Be Mine” and “I Love You” etched on hearts. That is what God is telling us through the Bible. He wants to etch on our hearts “Be Mine” and “I Love You”.

I pray that God will help us learn how to love Him completely and without reservation. And that we will learn to love others as God has loved us.

Women's Breakfast Sat, Feb 13th

Join us Saturday, February 13th for breakfast at the Atlanta Bread Company in Citrus Park! We'll meet at 9 a.m. for a chance to grab some coffee and time to chat! Email catbladies@churchatthebay.com to confirm.