Unplugged and Uncompromised

  6/30/25 Good morning, Friends,  Matthew 5:14-16 -[14] “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. [15] No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 1[6] In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. There's a a major difference between a "sparkling" ✨ versus "shining". A sparkle is an intermittent flash of light whereas, a lamp radiates a light source that is steady, constant, and continuous.  Disciples of Christ are the light of the world, because Christ shines through us. This beacon of transformation cannot hide.You can't play hide and seek becuase it will ALWAYS BE FOUND! Christ Jesus is meant to shine 24/7 through our entire being, which gives glory to the Father. Ever wonder why people compliment your character? Or when they talk to you they feel so encour...

  6/28/25 Good morning, Beloved of God,  Proverbs 12:16 - [16] A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Nothing tells a story like a person ready to snap at every opportunity. A walking boiling pot,  a volcano, bubbling with lava ready to erupt, a walking accelerant ready for someone to light a match, the last of the straws, the only nerve left, a balloon floating in a room of needles, the pinnacle of frustration, a ball of tension wrapped around a weary brain, anybody can get it is the motto!! Sound familiar? Have you ever seen these descriptions in yourself or other people?  The Holy Scripture states that a "fool" is quick-tempered. This type of person didn't become this way during one moment of frustration. This is built-up emotions over a sustained period of time that has caused such emotional, mental, social, and spiritual chaos that it is at the point of total devastation. This is a weapon of mass destruction: a quick-tempered indiv...

  6/27/25 Good morning, Friends,  Matthew 5:13 -[13] “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. If you've done any cooking or handled any type of seasonings, you are well acquainted with the properties of salt. In the ancient world, salt was essential for flavoring and preserving food. Jesus uses this metaphor to drive the point that his followers are essential to this world. Christ followers have been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. This transformation is to glorify God through Christ in the world, following God's commands, and thus brining him glory.  If the salt (Christ followers) are not operating in loving obedience to the Word of God, they are not only out of order but they have no effectiveness at all. They are simply useless, good for absolutely nothing. They are spiritual talkers, producing nothing but drama, gossip, ju...

  6/26/25 Good morning, Friends,  Genesis 45:4-5 - [4] “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. [5] But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. Life can get out of whack sometimes. Certain things unfold and boom, you feel like you've hit rock bottom. One situation can tumble into multiple situations, which can lead to discouragement and bitterness. However, in these Scripture verses, we see Joseph revealing himself to the brothers that sold him into slavery. Their jealousy drove them to nearly killing him but ultimately they decided to sell him. They covered up their treachery by telling their father that Joseph was killed by a wild animal.  During his time in slavery, Joseph faced many obstacles and hardships as well as blessings and favor. He ultimately was put in...

6/25/25 Good morning, Friends, 1 Thessalonians 5:25 NLT [25] Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. In the final greeting in this letter to the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul request prayer, as him and his team continue on their journey. It probably doesn't seem like a big deal because many times people ask us to pray for them. These requests come from folks from various walks of life, cultures,  neighborhoods, situations, circumstances, experiences,  upbringings, backgrounds, religions, regions, ideologies, and personalities. The bottom line is that they feel comfortable enough to ask for prayer. A person who may not know you, or the status of your relationship with the true God, seeks your help with getting a message to the Most High. (Pause) Wrestle with that thought for a moment. Hear the prayer request. Listen closely. Active listening is a skill developed through practice and intention. The intention is not to respond but to purposefully extrapolate the true meaning o...

6/24/25 Good morning, Friends,  Colossians 2:2-4 NLT [2] I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. [3] In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.  As the day begins, think closely on Paul's words to the Colossians. God's mysterious plan is solely about Christ Jesus. Paul urges the Colossians to have complete confidence in the understanding of God's plan. A person with understanding of God's plan in Christ will not be deceived by the the arguments of those who oppose Christ.  Friends, be confident in what you know about Jesus Christ. But don't stop 🛑 there! It’s not enough to just know about Him—we need to live by what God has taught us through Him. There are people out there who will try hard to shake your faith. They come up with ...

6/23/25 Good morning, Friends, John 17:14-15 NLT [14] I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. [15] I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  Friends, we are not of this world. Jesus Christ makes it clear. The world hates true followers of Christ. Specifically those who live in opposition to the world system, which values material possessions, power, sex, riches, greed, lustful passions, pride and a host of other forms of self-worship.  Jesus had put his disciples on notice that the world would hate them. In this prayer to the Father, Jesus is again highlighting the fact that the world hates his followers because his followers don't belong to the world, just as Jesus himself didn't belong to the world.  His prayer is not that his his followers would be taken out of the world, but that they would be kept safe from the evil one. ...

6/21/25 Good morning, Beloved of God, Acts of the Apostles 20:24 NLT [24] But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Paul communicated a glaring truth, so integral it bears repeating "but my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus..." Not only was it a  major declaration but Paul stood on business !!! He knew that he would never see the saints in that region again. He knew the road ahead of him led to incarceration and ultimately, death. But....he only seems concerned about whether he finished the assignment the Lord Jesus gave him.  Friends, this is a bold message. A message of deep encouragement that transforms our will to the Holy, magnificent will of God.  Imagine what your life would be like if lived solely according to the direction we received from the word of God. Imagine a ...

  6/20/25 Good morning, Friends,  Proverbs 11:1 (LSB) - A deceptive balance is an abomination to Yahweh,  But a just weight is His delight. Proverbs is considered biblical wisdom literature. The book of Proverbs is filled with wise sayings that can help a person avoid the pitfalls of common everyday life. However, embedded in the book of Proverbs is a sharp contrast between "wisdom" and "foolishness". In this devotional verse, the text examines our business practices, but on a large scale, it examines our character.  Some folks back in the day were slick with it—they had two sets of weights. One they used when buying things, which made the weight heavier so they could get more stuff for less money. Then when they sold things, they’d flip it and use lighter weights so people ended up paying more but getting less. Straight-up scammin’. Friends, don't get it twisted, the same shady behavior is still going on today. it's not just in business either—you see it i...

6/19/25  Good morning, Beloved,  1 John 1:8-9 NLT [8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. [9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  One of the most humbling acts is the confession of sin and the acknowledgement of breaking God's law. Sin is not "making a mistake. Making a mistake is more like submitting the wrong paper for your class assignment or purchasing a shoe in the wrong size. These do not equate to sin. Sin is a violation of God's law, an offense so vile and disturbing to God, certain sins were biblically punishable by death. In fact, in Romans 6:23, the Bible records that the very price of sin is "death". Trying to be a good person won't change that!   In the modern era, sin is often taken lightly. Many people don't understand or appreciate its seriousness. Just think for a moment.... Sin was so egregious to God t...

6/18/25 Good morning, Friends, Psalms 33:6 NLT [6] The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. When reading the Holy Script do you ever become awestruck at the creativity of God? The psalmist declares the wonder of God's word in creation. Merely speaking a word to call into beauty a starry sight, revealing his splendor. This magnificent display is for His own glory, and at the same moment, it captivates our complete focus. A reality so exquisitely profound that in an instant it brought "void" into "design". A mural of morality, with the hanging backdrop of planets that are held together just by his sheer will. As we contemplate how amazing God is, take a simple look at his creation. It will cause you to pause in admiration, humility, joy, worship, and praise.  Drink the Kool-Aid !!! #IYKYK Drink up! Maranatha (The Lord is coming)   Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) - Grace & Peace Pastor Trent

6/17/25 Good morning, Friends,  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT [3] All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  Many of our comrades are experiencing tough times. Some are carrying heavy burdens, and others are experiencing various avenues of hardship. As the Apostle thoughtfully shares his understanding of the human need, he masterfully communicates this truth, "God comforts us. We comfort one another."  Comforting one another begins with the appreciation of the comfort extended to us by God. The result of God's comfort isn't blanketed with providing the answers to all of our prayers. In a deeper display of true comfort, God embraces us with his presence, his love, his understanding, his companionship, and his will. To the person who overlooks these ...

  6/16/25 Good morning Friends, 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT [6] Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. [7] After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. [8] So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. In this time, there were apparently people who did not obey the truth of God and believed that practicing religion was a way to make money. Plain schemers! The Apostle Paul is sharing with Timothy the essence of spiritual wealth. The cataclysmic combination of godliness and contentment is the key. Godly character coupled with quiet satisfaction and peace is clutch and highly underrated!!! A person who is spiritually lost is often more motivated by material things, than spiritual wealth. True satisfaction comes from godliness, not money, material possessions, business mergers & acquisitions, retro Jordans, lace fronts, bitcoin, expensive restaurants, world travel, low-riders, red-b...

6/14/25 Good morning, Beloved of God, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT [4] Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud [5] or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. [6] It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. [7] Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Boom!!!! What a way to begin the morning!!! One of the greatest evidences of a person whose life is committed to God is that they are walking in love.  This is not about piety, wearing long church dresses, freshly pressed Sunday suits or how eloquent one speaks. This canvas of love displayed by the Apostle Paul is purely about what love looks like. What it looks like in our conversations, in our homes, on our jobs, when we're out and about.  Let's take the love test. In the above scriptures where you see the word love, put your name there and reread it. Are y...

  6/13/25 Good morning, Friends, John 12:42-43 NLT [42] Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. [43] For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. Human approval is not necessarily a bad thing. However, loving anything more than God is never a good thing. Here, we see many people who did believe in Jesus, as the son of God, the Messiah. But their fear of the Pharisees was greater. They did not want to be put out of the synagogue for believing in Jesus Christ, so, they chose to be secret believers to avoid persecution.  Friends, there is definitely a cost to trusting in Jesus. There will be consequences for your allegiance to him. Everyone, every system, every organization, everything that is opposed to him will find offense when you are truly submitted in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Messiah. If you faced no persecution, no reject...

6/12/25 G ood morning, Beloved, Matthew 7:3-5 NLT [3]  “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? [4] How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? [5] Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Sometimes it's far easier to focus on the small frailties of others and desire to get them on the right track while overlooking and/or being in denial about our own larger frailties. Christ Jesus is making the point that we are far more tolerant of our own sin than the sins of others.  We can make excuses for our behavior, but we don’t give others that same grace. In doing this, we miss the bigger issue: before trying to fix someone else, we need to honestly face our own faults and deal with them first. Only then can we truly help others in a loving and humble way....

  6/11/25 Good morning, Friends, Matthew 5:43-44 NLT [43] “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  Now, just wait a minute !!! Yea, I can imagine you squirming in your seat, wanting to skip this devotional text in favor of a less challenging one. But I exhort you to carefully examine the words of Christ Jesus. Contextually, Jesus continues in this chapter, by further teaching his disciples the radical difference between how Christians operate and how the world system operates. News flash , there's a major difference. Friends, this command can be challenging at times, but it is nevertheless a command. We are called out from the world as followers of Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit has completely changed us, and now we rely on Jesus even more in the areas where our human nature fights back the hardest.  But King Jesus showed us how to love our enemies by living ...

June 10, 2025 Good morning Friends, Isaiah 26:3 NLT [3] You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! With all the chaos in the world, the unrest, the political uncertainty, and worldwide panic and anxiety, a mind at peace is priceless. Here, we see the certainty of peace for all who trust in God. This trust is not a trust based on condition, but it's an unconditional trust, a complete confidence in God.  When you put your trust in God and keep your thoughts on Him—like really focusing on His goodness and promises—He promises to give you a peace that’s solid as a rock. It’s the kind of peace that doesn’t shake, no matter what’s going on around you. When your mind is fixed on God, you don’t have to worry or stress because you know He’s in complete control.  Focus on God & Chill Out!!!  Maranatha (The Lord is coming)   Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone) - Grace & Peace Pastor Trent