Thank God I'm Forgiven! How often I proclaim that--especially when someone catches me sinning or straying! Thank God for His saving love, seeking grace and mercy, and forgiveness and for a sinner as great as me. It's humbling and such a blessing to be known by LOVE that sent His Son for me, you and all who will come. Yes, TGIF! What are you thankful for and how will that overflow to others around you that need to experience the Good News of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice and how His forgiveness, mercy and grace has transformed you? God has someone for you and/or in the weeks ahead to love like Jesus and share the Good News. Pray into that. Prepare. And go live and love like Jesus starting right now! That is an act of worship and obedience. Pray for revival and to be part of it. There is a groundswell of many seeking and coming to Christ, especially young people. How might you help them find your Savior and receive forgiveness and new life? How does God want to use you to disciple a new believer? Thank God I'm forgiven! Yes Lord and help me to go share the Good News in a relevant way to those You are drawing. Help me to disciple new followers and connect them to you better. May I seed, water, fertilize, and if it's Your will, help to harvest many new lives in Christ. Thanks! Amen and thanks for forgiving me when I fail You or those You are sending. Help me to repent and follow You better. Thank You for saving and using a wretch like me! May Your Kingdom come, will be done and revival explode all around this nation and even my neighborhood. Thanks! Amen!
Good Morning Kingdom Working Revivalists! Amen! We all have a part in His Good News Delivery Company! He has created and gifted you for such a time as this! PTL. Repent and go! I'm praying for you and for God o use us well according to Hos perfect plans and tming o be His revivalists and to do our parts. Amen! Talk to God and your team about this and go live and love like Jesus before a watching, thirsty world. Check out the things below that flow through this and ask God to speak to, prepare and send you, His servant revivalist. Amen! I'm not ashamed and trying to do all God has for me and praying for His heart and mind. Join me as we worship through this video one of you sent me !
“No matter where you are, what you’re going through; use what you have and make the most of it,” said the young woman in a TV interview. Her words prompted me to listen carefully to the full story. I learned that she was one of six sisters working toward nursing degrees. They were once homeless and struggling, yet they worked together to reach their common goal. And at the time the story aired, all six sisters were completing the nursing program at a local university.
Numbers 27 tells the story of another group of sisters who worked together and supported each other. The five daughters of Zelophehad made an appeal about an inheritance law. They gathered together and stood before Moses to plead their case, saying, “Our father died . . . for his own sin and left no sons. . . . Give us property among our father’s relatives” (vv. 3-4). God answered with this revolutionary statement: “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance” (v. 7).
The five sisters came together and sought God’s mercy as they stood before Moses. And God provided what they needed as they banded together before Him.
Working together isn’t always easy as believers in Jesus. But as we seek God’s wisdom and direction with humility, we’ll find He can help us serve well together in Christ.
By Katara Patton
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you work better with other believers in Christ? How does it encourage you to serve with others?
Dear God, please show me how to work with other believers to accomplish goals that honor You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Numbers 27:1-7, Zelophehad’s five daughters act as one in their request to receive their father’s inheritance in the promised land. Their boldness in making the request (they followed proper protocol in approaching the leaders at the tent of meeting) is an example of both faith and humility. There was no provision in Israel at that time for women to receive an inheritance; it was only passed through the men.
Moses models the character of a good spiritual leader in responding to their request. Since there was no precedent for women to receive an inheritance, he inquired of God, who said, “You must certainly give them property” (v. 7). The courage of the women and the character of Moses led to a positive solution where the good of the people was served. As we face challenges , we can seek God’s wisdom for ways to serve together well in Christ.
J.R. Hudberg
Upper Room: Holding On to God
I am the Lord your God, who grasps your strong hand, who says to you, Don’t fear; I will help you. - Isaiah 41:13 (CEB)
My granddaughter is just over one year old. She is standing and taking tentative steps but has not yet tried to walk on her own. When she wants to move from one spot to another, instead of crawling she will look around for someone she trusts and hold out her hand. If one of us responds to her, offering her our hand, she will use it to steady herself as she stands and then will walk with us to where she wants to go. She doesn’t walk anywhere without holding on to the hand of someone stronger and steadier than herself.
It is a wonderful thing to know that we don’t have to walk through life alone. Whether we feel confident or unsure, brave or fearful, joyful or sorrowful, God is always with us, strong and steady for us to hold on to.
We can always reach out for God whose guidance, understanding, and protection are always there for us. God wants to walk with us at all times. Just like my granddaughter will take my hand in trust, knowing that I love her, we too can hold on to God, trusting God’s steadfast love to keep us from falling.
's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for loving us and for your steadying presence that holds us up and helps us along whatever path life takes. Amen.
I to We
Connection Blog
- The Reality of Christ’s Presence and Power
Revival, interestingly enough, was a shared experience by saints in both Old and New Testaments. There was a difference, however, between the two eras in how the experience played itself out.
In the Old Testament, the reviving of Israel was usually characterized by a look back, as the nation sought to return to previous high‑water marks in Israel’s religious pilgrimage. Note how Elijah on Mt. Carmel challenged Israel to return to days of spiritual faithfulness before Baal worship had taken over (1 Kings 18). Or recall how Hezekiah refurbished the time-worn temple and reinstituted the ancient Passover tradition, shaping the revival that emerged under his watch.
In the New Testament, however, revival is characterized much more as a look forward. It is focused on fresh extensions of Christ’s reign among His people and into the world. Consider the prayer meeting of Acts 4: what they prayed, how God answered, and the aftermath in the succeeding stories of missionary advance—all forward-looking. In a Christ‑dominated revival, the Holy Spirit increases vision for what’s ahead. He deepens our yearnings for greater approximations of the coming Kingdom.
In New Testament-style revival, Christians are aroused to a reality of Christ’s presence and power already theirs, but currently overlooked. They are summoned not only to recapture their first love for Christ (Rev. 2), but also to discover a passion for Him that surpasses whatever they have known before (Eph. 3). Reawakening us to greater dimensions of His glory, New Testament revival is ultimately about recovering and enlarging hope in Christ.
Gracious God, awaken my soul to Your power and presence! Revive Your people Oh God! Wake up Your sleeping Church to the reality of Jesus in her midst so we might look so much like Him that our culture changes in significant ways! Give us the hope of glory that is already our inheritance…but which we have forgotten in our thirst for things that are of this world rather than of Your kingdom. Increase our vision and keep us looking ahead with expectation, all the while participating in the kingdom that is both now…and not yet!
Good Morning Passionate and Zealous Servants! Amen! God gives us passions for things we are created and gifted to do and that leads to our wanting to do them--our zealous responses. PTL for these! It's all part of the easy yoke of Jesus. It's all about NOT striving n our own strength or leaning on our own understanding. It is all about seek, honoring, focusing on God and His good plans for each of us and us as His Body.
We are custom made for Hos custom purposes and the Holy Spirit has gifted us to be able to do those good things for His glory. What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What things might the Spirit be stirring you to passionately pursue? Those are the things we need to determine and commit to. Usually there will be some teammates to pray with, plan with, go with who have similar passions. Our God is a passionate God and He affirms us and our choices when they are done according to how we are created, the things He has planned for us and things we really want to do to honor and glorify God. That is part of loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength as commanded and most likely includes loving other as Jesus has loved us (sacrificially want to love--agape love).
We are bearers of Good News--the BEST news! We get to be ourselves and do things that click with us because we were made, gifted and prepared to do them. Yes an easy yoke we get to put on as we travel with Jesus to His best for us and those He is drawing and redeeming. What joy and peace this brings too! PTL! God has made, saved and gifted us and activated us for such a time as this! PTL! And we get to passionately and zealously pursue Him and blessing others! PTL! So, go! be you as you bring the Good News to someone and receive His peace and joy. Amen! Who did He bring to mind right now? Pursue what He has for you and them. If no one comes to mind, talk to God and your teammates about that and keep praying and preparing! Then step out in faith to pursue your Christ-given passions zealously! I'm praying for you! Shalom shalom!
I to We
ODB:
Of First Importance
What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ . . . was raised on the third day. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Thomas de Mahy was one of many aristocrats executed by rioting mobs during the French Revolution of the late eighteenth century. According to one legendary account, upon reading his death warrant, de Mahy responded, “I see that you have made three spelling mistakes.” If true, de Mahy pointedly disregarded a drastically more significant matter—his imminent death.
we’re in danger of unintentionally missing a crucial point, one that concerns the body of Christ (the church). There are those who would distort its purpose. Maybe we see the church as a political action committee or as a place to be served. Perhaps we see it as a mere religious institution. The church’s priority, however, has always been the good news of Jesus.
Paul told the believers at Corinth, “What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). While other things may have an appropriate time and place, the gospel is of first importance.
How can we be agents of God’s good news to a world so saturated with bad news? By asking God to empower us to share this good news whenever possible.
By Bill Crowder
REFLECT & PRAY
How was the gospel shared with you? What could you do to be prepared to share that good news with others when the opportunity arises?
Gracious God, thank You for bringing me to You through the gospel of Jesus. Please help me share that good news with others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After Paul’s dramatic conversion, he joined other eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ but as “one abnormally born” (1 Corinthians 15:8). Jesus’ physical resurrection was important to early believers in Christ and to us because our own bodily resurrection depends on the “firstfruits” of His resurrection (v. 20). But eyewitnesses also provided an invitation to others to believe in Christ and receive eternal life that begins now. As the apostle John put it, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). The gospel of Jesus is the most important thing. God will empower us and help us to share this good news with others.
: Bread Day with Weis supplies 10-12 Come out and be a part of the blessings! Then 6-8 Chosen Dinner Huddle. Join this new expression of worship!
Good Morning Confident and Loving Servants that Walk By Faith! Meditate on that salutation. Talk to God about it and process with some friends how to express your faith in love and engage confidently in faith. Christ is our confidence and the Spirit will give us the words as we determine to go live and love more like Jesus. You have a few opportunities to try it on and grow in love, service, faith and confidence! See below and choose to do it! God has plans just for you and that shows up in allowing Him to love others through you! rejoice and go love and watch your faith and confidence grow as God comes alive in and through you! Who needs some love ? Ask God to lead you to them and the step out in faith, love and confidence for he is with you always! he promises! Amen!
Gotta fly! See you soon!
Upper Room: Be Confident
The Lord said to Moses, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” - Exodus 4:12 (NIV)
While traveling for missions in South America, I struggled to learn a new language. I had no confidence when it came to communicating, but I pushed myself, knowing the Lord wanted me to share the good news with others.
However, one time when a young woman asked me to lead her in a prayer of confession and commitment, I almost gave up because my Spanish was so bad. I told her that I was going to find someone else to help her, but she shook her head in protest. She told me that she understood me completely and that she was ready to accept Jesus into her life. The Holy Spirit had been at work between us in spite of my feelings of inadequacy about my language skills. I didn’t have to be fluent for God to make a difference. I needed only the willingness to be a channel for God and to be confident in God’s ability.
I can empathize with Moses’ hesitation at God’s command for him to go to Pharaoh and ask for the Israelites’ freedom (see Ex. 3:7-11). In ’s scripture reading, Moses insisted that he was not eloquent enough for such a mission, and he felt that God should send someone else. When I became a Christian, I realized that God is with me wherever I am, and the assurance God gave Moses also extends to you and me.
's Prayer
Dear Father, you are able to do far more than we can even imagine. Help us to speak up and share your goodness with others whenever we have the opportunity. Amen.
Good Morning Passionate, Jesus-Like, Servants! PTL that is you and our church! I began my quiet time with my I to We devo (below) They teach about passionate serving. First of all you guys and our serving ministries and givers and prayer warriors came to mind and I had to thank God for His blessings, resources, and provisions (you and His provisions too)--Thank You! But as I meditated on this devo, the denominational challenge to become a dynamic movement of God came to mind. That goes like this: "May we become a dynamic movement of God lead by pastors and laity (you) who have a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost." Burning passion and zeal! Some of us are there and some on the way and some are experiencing the results of that through our love and care. PTL! God is using you and us as we invest ourselves and His resources in loving Kingdom service! PTL! Now remember we all have a part to play and gifts to use to encourage each other and grow God's Church. Do you know yours? Process and pray with your team and/or Sarah and me. God made you for such a time as this and as you step out in faith to the things God made for you to do that passion and zeal come alive and produce good fruit and even great joy and peace in you as you do what you can with what you've been given within the parameters of who you are created to be and how you are custom gifted. That makes me just PTL for how I experience that in you and through you (and in and through me)! God is so good and has blessed us abundantly! PTL! He has an easy yoke just for you! PTL! Step out in faith and taste and see just how good, kind, loving and providing God is! You will love it! The Holy Spirit will lead you. Don't thwart His help or directions.
Check out the Upper Room as they continue this train of thought with how God's love and care for us should overflow to loving and serving others and investing in those not yet in the Kingdom or discipling those new converts and those of little faith He is sending our way. Sit at His feet a spell and chat about these things and receive His love and directions for . Fill up to overflow! And the Word for You reminds us of the truth that God always gives His best and leads us to His best and expects us to give our best always. Thank God for mercy and forgiveness for the times we don't but keep praying into being ready and able to do so more and more and to live and love like Jesus and walk in His best ways more and more. He has created you and gifted you for such a time as this! PTL! He has great plans for you that won't end here on earth until He calls you home and then continue as he has prepared you and you prepared too. Keep moving into those things with his grace and His help. Keep investing the "talents" He has given you. Don't bury them! Thank Him for those and steward well all His blessings and pray we, as His Body, do the same.
We are created and gifted and activated in Christ and by the Holy Spirit to be His...Passionate, Jesus-Like, Servants. PTL! So, what does He expect of you and what will you do about that? Who are your teammates? Pray. Prepare. Then go live and love like Jesus passionately and with zeal! Amen!
I to We
UR: At the Feet of Jesus
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Recently, a friend of my son came to visit us. He is an officer in the Indian army. As he came in, he greeted everyone. When my son introduced me as his mother, his friend came to touch my feet. In keeping with an ancient Indian tradition, young people often greet their teachers and elders by touching their feet as a mark of respect and to receive a blessing.
Luke’s Gospel records the story of a sinful woman anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume (see Lk. 7:36-50). Her action drew criticism from the people: Does Jesus not know what kind of woman this is?
I wonder how we would have responded. Do we feel more deserving of God’s grace than those rejected by society? Jesus extended grace and forgiveness to everyone, including those forgotten by society. In fact Jesus lauded this woman’s extravagant act of love as an anointing, and he blessed her. She found consolation, acceptance, and respect at Jesus’ feet. Not only that, but she received forgiveness.
Are we willing to extend grace and respect to those who have been rejected and judged by family or society? Before we answer, we need only think of the grace and love we receive from Jesus.
's Prayer
God of grace and mercy, help us to love and forgive one another as you love and forgive us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Boyertown, PA 19512
Bread Ministry and food giveaway 10-noon; 6-8 Chosen Dinner Huddle All Welcome! Come and see! Many stories of God's faithfulness, His using us and many blessings given are being shared weekly during both of these ministries. God is using us, providing for many and being glorified! PTL!
Sarah Update Below
Good Morning Thankful, Storytellers for Christ!
What are you thankful for and about? Keep sharing those stories! Someone needs to hear of God's love and faithfulness and our joy and faithfulness through the storms of life as we trust and allow God to carry us through.
Karen and I were discussing how back when God called Abram and Sari out of UR to to trust and follow Him on an adventure to new lands, they only had stories about God to lean on. There were no Bibles. Someone had to share these stories of hope, love and faithfulness God brings that led to their faith to trust Him! And they trusted God and followed Him and God wrote some of the stories we now find in our Bibles through them and their faithfulness and even failures along the way too.
So this got me thinking about how I ask you to share where you have seen God at work so we can be encouraged and celebrate God's helping presence with us . Someone needs to hear your story to activate or even affirm their faith in our God who is enough, able and with us always. We need to celebrate! We need to lift more than a day or a few weeks. And someone needs to hear your story! What are you thankful about? Who needs to hear that? Ask God for wisdom, courage and reminders of stories He has written in and through you and wants to bless you and others by your sharing them and celebrating. Maybe you were one of the 100 God found and restored? Maybe He provided in time of need. Maybe He healed. Maybe He didn't do any of that yet was still with you faithfully upholding and helping you to some new thing? Doesn't matter what, we know He is faithful and He is with us always working all things together for good. Let us determine to share those things with each other so we can celebrate, pray, come alongside and help and glorify God together. And let us share with others that need to hear these stories. Yes let us be a people living thankfully always and sharing those stories. And rejoice always with a thankful heart! (Write down your stories if you are too timid to share and give it to Sarah and me. We all need those stories to flourish, be encouraged and keep following well! and we will share some each week of Nov)
Think about this...if suddenly our Bibles were outlawed and confiscated, would you have stories and lessons from it, and your life about God and His faithfulness and the Jesus Way in your life to share and encourage and lead others to Christ? God has prepared stories for you to share and He is preparing someone He will send to you to hear those stories. Get ready and be bold and courageous!
Here's one of my stories and updates from the past week...God is so good! He has used a surgeon to heal my heart. That surgeon even called me and encouraged me to have the surgery when I was trying to cancel it. PTL for the surgeon's dedication and wisdom! He was God's mouthpiece because he realized I need to be pushed a little to receive healing. Thanks Lord! I've been in a funk lately, sort of depressed because of not being able to do the things I used to do and I even lost the mojo to lead you guys...BUT GOD! PTL! This surgery has allowed deliverance from that. Karen even says I am different (well you all know I'm different and as my shirt said "Get used to different" PTL your are!) But God used that surgeon and my surgery to heal and bring me back to my old self. PTL I was able to get off of a med that may have been causing the depression too. Another thing that has happened is that for the last ten years I have been on the only pain med that worked for my severe arthritis pain. I was taken off of it due to my meds and the possible interaction. No matter what was tried, even narcotics, nothing worked. PTL that through the last two years my kidney function has not been affected by taking that med and after a blood test I was informed that the Doc has reordered the med I need. PTL! Not having pain sure helps attitudes and allows me to resume some activities with much less pain. So that's my story for this week. God has answered your and my prayers! PTL! And He is faithful to carry his faithful servants through some valleys, desserts and hard times and lead us to the Promised Land and the new things he has created us for! Yes PTL!
So what has God done for you or someone you know that someone needs to hear about? Talk to God about that and ask for the wisdom and courage to share that! PTL for one more thing--sleep and rest through the time change. Usually turning the clocks back ruins my sleep. I awoke at 1:30 and went back to sleep until 6am (that's why this is so late) PTL for answering your prayers for me to sleep, rest, abide and be ready to follow well each day! God is good and heard our prayers and blessed me! May I now bless and encourage you! Trust God. seek Him first and always. And allow Him to do His corrective, healing, delivering work in and through you. Allow Him to write His story through you too and then go share it! Is your part in God's Good News Delivery Company that of storyteller? Maybe! Try it and see! I'm praising God and praying for you all! What a church He has gathered us to be part of! PTL! Invite someone to come and see and experience His love in action through us! Amen!
Sarah Update:
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share the praises, and prayer needs that were mentioned during our Worship time ......
Thank you to everyone for giving towards the Everlasting Life Outreach, this month. They will be preparing take-home meals for the less
fortunate of inner-city Allentown. We are able to send them $400 towards these meals to help out. YAY GOD!!!! Thank you !!! Keep
all the workers and preparers in your prayers and the pick up day is . Keep all those that will be receiving the meals
in your prayers also.
Winter is coming - as you bring out your winter garments, boots, gloves, scarfs, hats.....and see some that you won't be wearing or that you can't 'wear',
please consider donating them to our Clothing Closet. We will be starting to get families coming to the closet in need of these items. If you have any questions
please reach out to Amber and Arianna Sosa.
Chris and Yvonne Muik wish to thank all of you for your prayers, thoughts and food drop offs. They are forever grateful.
Rosa - who has been healing through our prayers.....was in worship !! She was well enough to walk to church and join us!! Yay God - thank you for
answers to our prayers, for healing for Rosa
Lisa Wenner's nephew's wife Lauren (momma of the twins) is in the hospital with an Autoimmune flare up. Praying for healing. And keep Grandmother and daddy
in your prayers as they care for the twins.
Dean's friend Jeff - who is healing from surgery. Also pray for him to have patience and peace as he goes through some changes in his life.
Caleb has had a stomach bug . Praying that he is feeling much better
Kathy Canfield is requesting prayer for safe travels for her niece as she drives from Texas to the Lehigh Valley. Also prayers for her family as they are
experiencing some relational issues
Harry Waterman shared with us that Ron Boyer who has been in the hospital for a long time has passed away this past week. Please keep his family
in your prayers during this difficult time
Josie has asked for prayer for her friend Dottie. She has had back pain for a long time, and now she is moving into an assisted living facility. She will
be well taken care of and watched over. Please pray for Dottie to work through the transition.
Dean's friend's son, Christian who is 15 years old, has completed his first round of chemo and will have his second round this week. As a 15 yr it's hard not
being able to participate in school and athletic activities. Continue to keep him in your prayers, and his family as they support him.
Thank you Warriors, for praying for these needs.
Praying your all have a great week....don't forget to stop and say thank you for the blessings God has placed in your lives.
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Prepare your hearts to enter His courts with and praise! Hallelujah! What are you thankful about? What have you experienced this week that is praiseworthy? Sing it! Share it! Lift it!
Did you remember to turn your clocks back??? See you at 10 live or on Zoom.
Good Morning Living Water! The Living Water of God has flooded our souls and overflows to all around us bringing life. PTL! We are vessels of revival and God wants to use us as His sweet aroma and living water daily. Keep praying for revival, living water to flow from you to be part of the watering of this dry and weary land, and for God to fill our physical and spiritual aquifers. Spend time with Him being refreshed and readied. Allow His Spirit to anoint and wash you clean so you are prepared. Soak in THE Living Water. Then go! Flood the land with Good News and Living Water of God. Be part of the revival! Pray for many to be open to things of God and release those that think we and our faith are a stench. God is preparing you and someone for you to water and refresh. You are the aroma of God and His vessel of Living Water! Be who he made you to be and do your custom part in His Good News Delivery and Revival Co. Amen!
Connection Blogs:
- A Picture of Revival
Death Valley is an expansive desert in California, known as the lowest, driest, and hottest location in all of North America. It is a barren, desolate place that holds the record for the highest recorded temperature in the Western Hemisphere—a mere 134 degrees Fahrenheit!
Death is obviously a fitting description. Not much survives in Death Valley, whether vegetation or any human life exposed to the elements. But that doesn’t necessarily mean life is not possible.
In 2005, a rare torrential downpour deposited six inches of rain into the cracks of the rock-hard valley floor. Suddenly this lifeless desert blossomed with abundant and gorgeous flowers that had not been seen in 20 years! Dormant seeds, sitting underneath the soil for years and barely hanging on to life, were suddenly awakened when saturated with life-giving rain. The desert was alive, much like the promise of Isaiah 44:3-4:
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.”
This is a picture of revival—when the Spirit saturates a church with God’s Word about God’s Son so that God’s people come alive to His glory in whole new ways.
Living Christ, please come and pour out the life-giving rain of Your Spirit upon me, my family, my church and my nation! May Your people everywhere be saturated with Your Word so that we will come fully alive to Your glory! Revive us for the sake of those whose lives are lifeless and dry. Empower us to be Your hands and feet to those who hunger and thirst for the Living Water.
Praise the sovereign God who opens doors for the gospel of Christ (2 Cor.2:12).
Thank God for leading you “in triumphal procession in Christ” and using you to spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2:14).
Confess any lack of desire to be part of this procession.
Commit to joining this great procession, and ask God to use you to bring “the knowledge of him” to your areas of influence.
Pray for those for whom “the aroma of Christ” in the “triumphal procession” is “the smell of death,” asking God to work his grace into their hearts to change it to “the fragrance of life” (2:14-17).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
we will collect for Everlasting Life Ministries, Study thankfulness flowing from Ezekiel 34 and share where we have seen God at work this week and celebrate. Where have you seen God at work? Write it down to share or prepare to share.
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Good Morning Unique Followers and Worshippers! Yes PTL we are all unique and custom made for custom purposes for such a time as this? How does that play out in and through you? Are you thankful and worshipful in response to being God's masterpiece, activated in Christ to do your unique purposes and those that you are created to play a part in with our Body and your team? Talk to God about these things and come with an open heart ready to follow . He has some awesome plans just for you and for us as His gathered and sent Body. Rejoice, seek and follow well! I'm praying for you! There is a flow with all of this through our devos. Check them out below. What's God saying to you? What will you do about that ? Who do you know that might be waiting an invite to come see and feel the love of God through you and us? You are uniquely made and gifted for such a time as this! Pretty cool, huh?
You know this time of year and especially during the month of Nov our focus is often on being thankful and sharing why and celebrating with family, friends and church family. From now until the end of the year our focus often shifts to giving, blessing and serving. It's also a time to focus on our budgeting for home and church. And it is a time to start seeking God for His vision and plans for next year and preparing to enter the New Year ready to roll with Him. Have you/are you experiencing any of these? Talk to God and some trusted friends about these and evaluate your fruit and God's plans and how to enter into them through the end of the year and into next. What vision has God given you? Who will you share an process that with? How can we help each other achieve fruit from the vision? What part(s) does He have for you--unique you? What parts does He have for you to team up and accomplish with others and even our Body? How does He want to you to pray, give, help? What do we need to celebrate from the year past? Who needs to hear this Good News? I always ask these questions and process with God and others, but especially as we enter the sprint to next year. Pray for us to seek and follow God well and to know how to produce the fruit He has for each of us and as His Body.
I can't wait to pray and process and plan together. I can't wait to work, serve and give together! I can't wait to celebrate and glorify God as He moves, answers our prayers and leads us to be His dynamic movement and Good News delivery Co. Amen! Prepare to lift many thanksgivings and celebrate who He is and all he is doing. He is producing great fruit in and through us! PTL! What can you share about your experience with that? Share and let us all celebrate! Amen! Be you and do what you are created to do and watch for and celebrate all the great fruit as we don Jesus' easy yoke and travel the rest of the year with Him and each other!!
UR: Confidently Me
We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
For years, I lived in fear of what people would think of me if they really knew me. Everyone else seemed to know the Bible better, pray more, and know how to speak church language better than I could. I worried that I would lose the respect of my friends, especially my Christian friends. This lack of confidence transferred to my everyday life, and I was afraid to be myself.
I asked God to help me overcome this feeling of inadequacy. As I read the Bible, I came to realize that God loves me and forgives me. I truly began to believe that I was who God created me to be. I wasn’t ashamed anymore; I was the daughter of the King!
My new attitude helped me become confident in who I was, and I began to live in a more open and honest way. Living confidently as a Christian means reflecting Jesus and acknowledging you are a child of the living God. When we allow the love of Jesus to transform our self-image, God’s light can shine through us for others to see.
's Prayer
Creator God, thank you for loving, forgiving, and empowering us. Help us to live in a way that shows your love clearly to the world around us. Amen.
TWFYT
ODB
A Great Multitude
There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9
In 2010, nearly four thousand believers in Jesus gathered in Cape Town, South Africa. Participants from 198 countries were represented at the conference—a gathering considered to be the most representative meeting of the Christian church in the two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth.
There will come a day when a gathering needn’t be “representative” because all believers will be together. John, in a vision from God, describes it this way: “I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb . . . and they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne’ ” (Revelation 7:9-10).
Our local churches may not always reflect the diversity that exists in God’s eternal kingdom. Sometimes that’s the result of factors outside our control—other times we may be drawn to worship with those we perceive to be similar to ourselves culturally, generationally, politically, and economically.
But we honor God when we embrace—and even seek out—the beautiful differences He has endowed to His children. They offer a foretaste of that diverse, heavenly gathering when all those who trust in Jesus’ sacrifice will worship Him together.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you better embrace those who are different from you? How might those differences grow your understanding of God?
Thank You, God, for the opportunity to worship You with those who are different from me—both now and in eternity.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The Lamb, who is their shepherd (Revelation 7:17), is the theme of the words the diverse crowd is crying out (v. 10). This Shepherd/Lamb will be the center of the throne and will guide His flock to springs of living water. These words echo David’s “Shepherd Song” (Psalm 23) and Jesus’ teaching in John 10 that He’s “the good Shepherd” (vv. 11, 14). As we ponder the wonderful diversity of human beings in heaven, we’re also reminded that the focal point there will be the Lamb and God. The Lamb will guide us, and the Father will dry the very tears from our eyes (Revelation 7:17). The reality of the presence of the Lamb is the true key to what makes heaven so wonderful and what causes the crowd to worship. As we embrace the diversity of God’s children on earth, it’s a reminder that one day we’ll all worship the Lamb together in heaven.
***Attention!!! Don't forget to turn your clocks BACK (Fall Back) . Evening!
Worship is 10 am (not 9 or 11) We will collect for Everlasting Life Ministries and we will begin a month of focus on things we can be and are thankful about. We will start with working through Ezekiel 34. (Read ahead and see if you can find things to be thankful about). We will also have a time of sharing about . and all the things God did so we can lift and praise. (If you were part of . prepare to share how you saw God at work and if too timid write it out for us to read) Please keep praying for God to show up and use us on Wednesdays and for many to see Him and glorify His name. Amen!
Thank God I'm Forgiven! (and for an extra hour of sleep)! I am so thankful for God's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. I am so thankful we get to dress in Jesus' righteousness and God's armor. PTL! What are you thankful for about your salvation and new life? Share that with God and someone who needs to hear it !
Good Morning Forgiven, Empowered, Praying Disciples of Jesus! Amen! There was much in our devotionals I thought I was to share with you and God may still lead me to that but then I got to my Connection online blog and was stopped in my tracks and taken deeper into His presence with praise and prayer and my focus shifted as again God affirmed the things He has led us to become--a House of Prayer for the Nations and a disciple making hub. Check out their blog below. Engage prayerfully with God and your prayer partners as you ask Him and seek help to process and put a plan together to bring this to life. What's God saying to you and what will you do about it?
We have to start with how we define disciple and disciple making. There are many interpretations of this word and ministry in our church and denomination and throughout Christendom. What is a disciple, a disciple making disciple and the process to make one and are we doing that? Where's the real fruit? Tough questions! The basic answer is a disciple is a student learning from Jesus and true Jesus followers to become like Him. We have been defining discipleship as the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were me. So, are you in process to become a disciple making disciple? Are we leading others to that and is that leading us to do our parts in His Good News Delivery Company and to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. Check out what the Connection blog is teaching us . I's love to hear your thoughts! remember discipleship is different and deeper than evangelizing. We are saved and transformed and refined when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. That is the beginning of becoming a disciple. Discipleship is more than doing the "right" things. It is becoming who we are created to be and becoming more like Jesus and then going to make disciples and doing the things Jesus would do if He were you. We all a have a custom made part and for many in our aging fellowship it is to be a prayer warrior, encourager, helper and imparter of life stories of God's faithfulness and good ways. We are called to reach the generations for Christ and help them to become disciples in the way of Jesus that make more disciples. We are called to pray in and multiply His Kingdom and to become more and more like Him until He calls us home. How's that going for you and us? That's the fruit we need to keep assessing and adjusting to produce well.
We are on a journey and together we can grow, produce good fruit, make disciples as commissioned by Jesus and become a dynamic movement of God as challenged by our bishop. We all have a part and are created, saved, gifted and empowered to do the things we are created to do which includes praying, process together and doing your part. Let us pray and encourage each other and figure out the next steps for us to go and make true disciple of Jesus that walk in his ways and make more disciples. Amen! TGIF is the beginning of our age, circumstance and custom gifted journey that never ends until we are called home. Let us not grow faint or weary or give up. let us run our race with endurance and our focus always on God. May we be about Him and His business and shine bright as we go! Amen! And don't forget your partners! Seek to be one like Jesus. He has great plans for you and us that are blossoming and beginning to bloom! PTL! May the fruit continue to ripen and multiply! Amen!
Connections Blogs:
- Blinded Unbelievers
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
Maybe your story is like mine. I became a believer as a teenager, but nobody taught me to be a disciple of Christ. My church told me what I needed to do (like read the Bible, pray, and witness), but it did not show me how. Nobody told me how to walk in truth, righteousness, and faith (see Eph. 6:11-17). As a result, I lived a defeated Christian life for far too many years.
The enemy aims his arrows at young believers who have not been discipled. He strikes them with doubt and discouragement. Sometimes he hits them with loneliness, as they move away from their non-Christian friends and try to fit into a church that is unfamiliar to them. At other times, he lures them with the same temptations they faced as non-believers. Whatever his strategy may be, he wants to strike at new believers before they are solidly planted in the Church.
This issue is related to prayer in at least two ways. First, many new believers are never taught how to pray. What they are told to do, they are not taught to do—and the result is a frustrated believer who longs to pray but does not know how. The enemy thus wins when the new believer gives up trying. This failure to disciple is, in my estimation, a primary cause of prayerlessness in the Church .
Second, undiscipled believers often live defeated, sinful lives that hinder praying in the first place. Both Isaiah and the psalmist (Isa. 59:1-2, Ps. 66:18) knew that God chooses not to respond to the prayers of those who live in sin. It is the fervent prayer of a righteous man that makes a difference (Jas. 5:16), not the prayers of one living in unrighteousness.
How, though, does a new believer know how to stand for righteousness and fight against temptation unless the Church teaches him? An undiscipled believer may realize that his praying is ineffective, yet not know enough to understand why—and he gives up on the power of prayer. The enemy again wins.
A brief summary is in order here. The enemy seeks to keep unbelievers blinded to the gospel, thus holding them in bondage. He further schemes against believers, striving to discourage and defeat them so their faith is weakened and their prayers are ineffective. Powerless, prayerless believers make little difference in the war inherent in evangelism.
Father, my heart grieves for the generations of young believers whose spiritual condition has been disregarded or ignored by parents, pastors and brothers and sisters in Christ. Ignite our hearts to embrace the young people in our churches; to come alongside of them with encouragement and to pray fervently for their spiritual growth and ministry! Prick our hearts for our children and turn our prayers and attention towards them with intentionality and the desire to grow them into disciples whose hearts will not turn away from Your Truth!
Praise Jesus Christ, the Lord, the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4-5).
Thank God for making “his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (4:6).
Confess times of disinterest in knowing God fully.
Commit yourself to thinking daily about him and his glory.
Ask God to make his light shine more fully in your heart.
Pray for God to shine through you to your family and friends, even though they know you well enough to see your weaknesses. Thank God that this shows even more clearly that the power is from him rather than you (4:7).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Children of the Ever-Present, Active-, God Almighty! Amen! God had me challenge you to watch what He was doing and be willing and ready to join Him and allow Him to use you in the moments of the day. That should become a daily practice as we work at forgetting what lies behind and focus on what God is doing now and as we prepare for the new things He has for each of us and us as His gathered and sent Body. So what does God have for you ? Who is He sending your way or you too? Talk to Him and process with your teammates and pray into this day and the days to come. Thank God for being with you always and always wanting to lead you to the new things He has planned. Thank Him for all He has done and is doing and will do. Keep praying expectantly. He hears, cares and is able. He has great plans for you and us awaiting willing and prepared servants. Are you one? You can be! Just show up with open heart and mind and eyes on Jesus with a willing heart and moving feet. Amen!
People need to hear stories of the faithfulness of our Almighty God and the things He did and will do to develop faith and hope to face this day and join Him in faith for what is to come. Who might He have for you to help with that? Will you? He has and continues to write His story through you. PTL! What's He up to? Who can you process and plan with? Who needs to hear these things? How might you pray ? Be still and know. Prepare and go. Step out into faith to the new things God has for you. I love the line from the Chosen, "I was one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was [Jesus]." What's His new plans and ways for you to step into ? Talk to Him and follow Him as you prepare your willing heart to get to do His perfect will and plans custom made for you where you are and as you are.
God showed up in many ways at bread ministry and during our Chosen dinner huddle. So many ways! PTL! There are so many personal stories to share of His presence and His using us and us as His Body to bless, teach, pray and help many. PTL! God is doing big things in, through and around us on Wednesdays! PTL and come and see! He has plans for you too. Just show up ready to join Him and watch what He has planned for you and for others through you and just worship! We are entering the month we focus on . We need to pause each week to share with thankful hearts and praising mouths as we recount all He is doing. Come and see! Miracles are happening. Healing and deliverance is happening and in process. New life and living water is coming alive. People are being served, helped and loved on. Joy is rising. And many are feeling loved, accepted and valued. And so much more! PTL! God is writing His love story through us! Come and see! And share those stories! We all need to hear them as we grow to trust our God who is able and who is at work always in and through us! I think about how we began this year praying for 30 new attendees. They are showing up on Wednesdays! PTL! Come and see the new things God is doing and has for you! Amen!
Check out the devos below for that spoke to my heart from God's. Think about Isaiah 43 where our Abba Father says, "Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine! I will be with you always." Amen! Sarah Young reminds of His ever-present love. He speaks this truth over you and our Body, "I am with you." ALWAYS! PTL! The Upper Room asks, "God has given me this day; how best can I use this gift?" We get to do the things God has for us and He promises to go with us and hold us in His hands. Reach out and hold His hand as you step into this day trusting and in faith. Walk with the Holy Spirit and watch for what has been prepared for you. Go! Live and love like Jesus, doing the things you were created for. And never forget the reminder from Our Daily Bread. We all were one way being transformed to another as God moves our willing feet and repentant and willing hearts to the new things He has made us for and planned in advance. He repurposes us and never wastes anything He has allowed us to go through. Will you allow that? Will you hold His hand and walk into this day and new story He is writing for and through you? I'm praying for you, expecting His Kingdom to come and will to be done and watching for the new things on the horizon as we walk into what is . He is leading, holding and preparing you for and His future plans! PTL! Yes rejoice! Thanks Lord! Come! Hold us, prepare us and lead us to the things to come. Glorify Your holy name! Amen! I was/we were one way and now another with much more to come! PTL! Trust and follow and allow God to write His story through you and share that Good News with someone ! And just worship!
Sarah Young
UR: Hold and Step
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. - Psalm 63:8 (NRSVUE)
The youngest member of our family was learning to go up and down our very steep front steps on her own. As she made her way up and down, whoever was with her would remind her to keep a tight grip on the handrail, saying, “Come on, Laila! Hold tight and step.”
Some time later, after a lengthy hospital stay, I came home and was still very unsteady on my feet. As I stood hesitating at the top of the steps, a little voice piped up, “It’s all right, Grandma. Just hold tight and step.” She kept on encouraging me until I reached the ground.
What a wonderful life lesson! We may not be floundering in deep water as Peter was in Matthew’s Gospel, but whenever we are experiencing trouble, fear, or weakness, all we need to do is firmly grasp God’s hand and move forward in faith. Out of great love for us, God will provide the strength that we lack.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your love and grace. Remind us that when we reach out in faith, you will always be there to help and sustain us. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
ODB:
Repurposed by God
[Joseph] kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Genesis 45:15
In the early 1930s, Cleo McVicker came up with a product that could be used as wallpaper cleaner. Back then, most homes were heated by coal, and walls became covered in soot. Cleo’s invention could be rolled over wallpaper and would pick up the grime. Well, the wallpaper cleaner never became popular, but decades later, a teacher used Cleo’s product in her classes to create ornaments. From that was born a new company—Rainbow Crafts—and the wallpaper cleaner was repurposed as a children’s toy: “Play-Doh.”
On a far greater scale, God has a way of repurposing people. We remember the biblical story of Joseph and his “coat of many colors.” As a young man, he was a lowly shepherd and was sold into slavery by his brothers. But God led Joseph through great difficulties and into the top ranks of government. Eventually Joseph became “repurposed” as “the ruler of all Egypt” (Genesis 45:26). Yet Joseph’s calling was not about power but about grace—something he extended to his brothers as he forgave them (v. 15).
In a sense, all of us are “failed products.” It’s through “the grace of a Son,” Jesus, that we are repurposed into greater things. As you do life , think of your higher purpose and remember to extend grace to others, just as Christ does for us.
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT & PRAY
How has God repurposed you in your life journey? What might you learn from the example of Joseph’s life?
Dear God, if I’ve forgotten the grace You’ve called me to, please remind me and help me extend it to others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Genesis 45 describes a beautiful experience of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph had risen from being a slave in Egypt to someone with incredible power as Pharaoh’s second in command (41:43). Joseph could have chosen to exact revenge on his brothers for selling him into slavery. Instead, he offered grace: “Do not be angry with yourselves” (45:5). The reason Joseph gives is that God had still brought about good even through their wrongdoing—saving the lives of His people (v. 7). His story is a reminder that even when people fail, God is still at work for good. Because Jesus has extended grace to us, we can offer grace to others.
Good Morning Remembering, Celebrating, Trusting, Faithful, Worshipers of the Most High God and Good News Story Tellers and Hope-Bringers! Amen! We remember and celebrate who He is and all He has done and is doing! We trust Him always (or are working on that) as we faithfully follow Him! And we are worshippers that share the Good News and bring hope alive! Amen! Is that you? What may you need to work on? Who is helping you discern and is accountable to you and you to they? What is the Good News for the one God is sending to you and are you seeking to share that Good News with those longing for some? Are you bringing hope? We have much hope and Good News and stories of God's faithfulness to share! PTL! So how does God want to use you for these and what will you do about it? May many hear the stories of Who He is to us and all He has done and is doing and will do. May many experience our hope as we celebrate and worship and share with exuberance. May many be drawn to our God through our joy, hope, love and worship together. Pray for many to experience these things and be drawn to God and the Jesus' way. Pray for courage to join God in His plans for you . Amen!
I was reminded that we all have before stories to share and stories of how God has transformed us, situations and our worship. But too often we focus on our before story and not the what-God-is-doing-now stories. Too often we dwell in the past instead of worshiping in the present and trusting for the future. As we point to God and all He is and all He is doing, may we share this Good News with those who need some. So what is God doing ? What is the Good News for those we will encounter ? God has changed us all from glory to glory, from one way to another and the thing in between what was and what is is Jesus and His transformative power. PTL! How might God want to share His work through you and how will you respond?
Meditate on our devotionals as you spend time in the Living Word with are Living and active God and then go share some Good News with those who need to experience the hope of a God who knows, cares, is able and will transform lives with His love. I'm praying for you to see Him, join Him and bring Him and His Good News alive! Thanks Lord! Come! Speak and lead us! Amen!
Our Daily Bread reminds me of the altar we made up front at church with our family rocks we painted. We covenanted together as we placed those rocks on our altar of remembrance to go live and love more like Jesus and to share the Good News together and make disciples. When future generations and new members ask about this altar or your rock, you will have the opportunity to share your story and the Good News of how God saved and revived and transformed you, your family and our church. The Upper Room reminds us to keep trusting God even through the hard times. We can always count on Him and lean on Hs promises and we have the stories of His faithfulness to buoy us up in the deep waters and to bring Living Water to life for someone. And the Word for You reminds us to never give up. Stand firm and keep moving with Jesus--even through the darkest valleys. He promises to be with us always and never to waste whatever we experience and then transform it all for the good of those who believe (or will come to faith). We all have stories to share and reminders, like our altar of His presence and faithfulness ! What's God up to now? Ask Him and share that and also ask what's next and for help to be ready to follow Him there. Amen! God has great plans for you and us and many need to see that come alive with joy and faith in us and experience His love through us. Amen! We are...Remembering, Celebrating, Trusting, Faithful, Worshipers of the Most High God and Good News Story Tellers and Hope-Bringers! Believe it and and bring that to life ! I'm praying for you! I can't wait to hear your stories of what God did ! Shalom shalom!
ODB:
A Tribute and Reminder
Each of you is to take up a stone . . . to serve as a sign among you. Joshua 4:5-6
Shortly after his father’s unexpected death, Aaron gifted his mother with a framed, poster-sized photo of dozens of items that encapsulated his dad’s life—collectibles, photos, rocks, books, artwork, and more—each holding special meaning. Aaron spent days collecting the items and arranging them, and then his sister Rachel captured the arrangement in a photo. The gift was a visual tribute to their father, who despite his decades-long struggle with self-loathing and addiction, never left his love for them in doubt. It also attested to God’s love and miraculous healing power that led to their father’s victory over addiction in the last decade of his life.
When after forty long years God’s people crossed into the promised land, Joshua chose a man from each of the twelve tribes to gather a stone from the dry riverbed to “serve as a sign among [them]” (Joshua 4:1-6). Joshua used these rocks to create an altar and lasting tribute to God’s power and provision (vv. 19-24). The Israelites’ journey hadn’t been easy. But God had been with them, providing water out of rocks, manna from the sky, and a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night to guide them—and clothes that never wore out (Deuteronomy 8:4)! The memorial pointed to Him.
God does amazing things! As He provides, may we leave behind a lasting tribute to His love and power.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
Where do you see evidence of God’s work? What kind of tribute could you leave attesting to His work?
Dear God, thank You for the evidence of Your love that surrounds me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the Bible, tributes or memorials—like the stone memorial in Joshua 4—aren’t expressions of wistful longing for the past. Rather, they’re reminders of God’s previous faithfulness to help us trust Him in the present. The Torah—the “law of Moses” itself (8:32)—was rewritten on stones as a memorial (vv. 30-35). God’s rescue of the previous generation from Egypt was remembered at the annual Passover feast (Exodus 13). Similarly, Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is a reminder of the broken body and shed blood of Christ on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). , as we remember God’s faithfulness in our lives, may we leave behind a lasting tribute.
Tim Laniak
UR: Trusting God's Plan
Jesus said, “Do not worry about , for will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
In the months after my wife’s death, anticipation has deepened my grief. Special occasions and traditions established over 50 years of marriage — birthdays, anniversaries, holidays — loom like dark walls hiding everything beyond. As each date approaches, I pray, “God, how do I endure this?”
God has helped me through the first few of these occasions, and now I see how worrying about future pain just makes present pain worse. This helps me face the most painful challenge of all: how I’ll spend the rest of my life without my wife.
The Jewish exiles in Babylon must have felt something similar after being displaced from their homeland. Facing an unclear future in a strange place must have been terrifying. But Jeremiah assured them that God had a plan for them to thrive and to remain connected to their Creator. They just needed to be patient, make the best of present circumstances, and trust God.
I find immense comfort in Jeremiah’s words to the exiles. I don’t know what a future without my wife will be like. But I can trust God and let the future worry about itself. I know I can rely on God’s plan — whatever it is, for however much time remains.
's Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for giving us hope in our darkest moments with your assurance that you know the plan you have for us and that it is good. Amen.
TWFYT:
Connection blog:
Prayer Points
Praise God for his faithfulness (2 Cor. 1:18).
Give thanks that “no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (1:20).
Confess any reluctance to trust God.
Commit to consciously remembering that God has “anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (1:21-22).
Ask him to lead you in celebrating this faithfulness in worship.
Pray for the actions and attitudes of God’s people as they go out into your community to impact the unsaved. Ask God to use the faithfulness of his people to draw many to himself.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good News! Surgery went well. I cane home late afternoon and am doing well. Doc said it was a success! PTL! Thanks for your prayers! I'm a bit tired from anesthesia but nothing a nap or two won't fix . I should be able to resume normal activities (except lifting over ten pounds until .) we will have our Zoom huddle at 10. Join us
Good Morning Standing on the Solid Rock, Delivered Child of God! Amen! He is our Rock. Our fortress. Our deliverer. PTL! 2 Sam. 2:22 came up a few times for me as God spoke to my heart during my quiet time..."The Lord is my Rock and my Foundation and my Deliverer." Amen! Meditate on this verse and ask yourself, first of all, "Is Jesus my Lord? My Rock on which I build my life? My strong foundation on which stand? My Deliverer?" I pray so! He has delivered us from sin and death! PTL! Check out Our Daily Bread below relating to this and Sarah Evans devo and spend some time with God this day. he loves you and delivered you and made a way so you can hang out. listen and process with the Holy Spirit and like-minded followers. I'm praying for you and praising God for you and this truth and reminder . Shalom shalom. Know His peace and love and go live and love like Jesus . he is our Rock! Amen!
ODB
Sure Foundation in Christ
[That house] . . . did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25
American football quarterback C.J. Stroud is young, talented, and an unashamed believer in Jesus. In a profession where the average career span is just 3.3 years, Stroud has been outspoken about where his trust lies. “Football has a lot of . . . twists and turns. But, at the end of the day, it’s all about your foundation. And something that’s set my foundation is my faith.”
Football, or any other profession, isn’t the only sphere of life with ups and downs, twists and turns. Jesus’ story in Matthew 7:24-27 features two houses, each pummeled by rain, floods, and wind. But only one survived the storm: “because it had its foundation on the rock” (v. 25)—Christ’s metaphor for His teaching (vv. 24, 26).
Yes, storms happen in this life. Sickness and countless other dilemmas can leave us spinning. Life isn’t “stormproof,” but building our lives on Jesus and His teaching—our sure “foundation” (see 1 Corinthians 3:11)—makes the difference. Those who refuse to embrace Christ are more vulnerable when life’s storms come. But those who listen to His words will find stability: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:25). Indeed, it’s all about our foundation.
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
How “storm-ready” is your life? How have Christ’s teachings helped you to remain stable during difficulties?
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for building my life on things other than Jesus and His words, and help me to rely more on Him.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)—His first major public preaching event—begins with words of blessing in the Beatitudes (5:3-12) that welcome us into the life of the kingdom of God and conclude with a statement of assurance about what gives stability to kingdom life in this broken world (7:24). Being “poor in spirit” (5:3) helps us to recognize our great need of Him. But that need is ongoing and continual. It’s not just needed at the outset of our walk of faith but every single day. Living as we do in a turbulent, confusing, and chaotic world, we’re to build our lives (our “house,” 7:24) on the solid rock of Christ and His words to strengthen and sustain us every day. Trusting in Jesus as our firm foundation prepares us for storms before they come.
Bill Crowder
Sarah Young
Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Boyertown, PA 19512
484-338-0009
Good Morning Faithful Worshipers! Prepare your hearts to worship and enter His courts with and praise! Ask God to allow us to worship in Spirit and Truth and pray for Sarah as she brings the Word and Mike as he leads the kids. Pray for no hindrances for those God is drawing. Pray for our Acts 2:42 (They studied the Apostle's teaching, fellowshipped, ate together and prayed) church to come alive and for many to find His love and joy flowing from us. Pray for our leaders and for wisdom and courage to trust and follow God and His provision. Thank God for those provisions and blessings and ask that we would steward all well while trusting and following Him to the new things He has planned for us. Praise God for who He is and all He is doing and for revival and new life coming our way and to this nation. Ask God to position us to be hope and light to many being drawn to Him. PTL for all the answered prayers (even the no and not yet answers) Thank God He knows best. Thank God for gathering and gifting and sending us for such a time as this. Thank God we get to choose obedience and joy and for being born in this nation. Thank God for all our servants and the blessings our serving ministries are bringing. Pray for our brunch to connect to many seeking neighbors and for us to connect well to them. Pray for His kingdom to come and will to be done and for us to do our part in that. Amen!
Check out the flow through our devotionals for about wisdom, joy, hope and trust in the Lord. Pray for us to see and move with Him. Pay for courage and wisdom to do your part. We all have one! What's yours and who are your teammates? We are created, saved, gifted, molded, gathered and sent to make a difference for the Kingdom for such a time as this. God has given us all we need. PTL! May we choose to follow well and do all we can with what we've been given as His ambassadors, living and loving like Jesus, and all for His glory. Amen! And shalom shalom! See you in a few days, Lord willing. I'm praying for you and for our church to become a dynamic movement of God as He leads. What's your part and what partners do you need? Ask for wisdom and willing feet.
Upper Room: Hope from Cut Flowers
The Lord said, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Less than a year after retirement I was diagnosed with cancer. I was shocked to realize my life might be significantly shorter than I expected. I had always taken good care of my body. Additionally, no one in my family has ever had cancer, and my mother is alive and well and in her late eighties. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me. I’m a faithful Christian. I’ve been able to participate in more activities at church since I retired. Was God done with me?
One day during this time of questioning, I purchased some cut flowers. I put them in a clear vase on my dining table where I could enjoy them. I didn’t expect them to last long. Cut flowers may be attractive, but they usually die within a week. Imagine my surprise, however, when leafy buds began blooming on the flower stems even as the flowers on top began to die. As I drank my coffee one morning, it occurred to me that God was putting my mind at rest with the appearance of those leafy buds.
Like cut flowers, my lifespan may be shorter than I anticipated, but new growth can still happen while I’m dealing with cancer. Reconciled now to the situation I’m facing, I’m curious to see what God has planned for me.
's Prayer
Thank you, God, for reminding us that you bring new life to what may appear dead to us. Amen.
Our Daily Bread
The Work That Matters
[Mephibosheth] always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet. 2 Samuel 9:13
There’s a poignant scene near the end of Frederick Buechner’s historical novel Brendan. The character Gildas stands up to reveal one of his legs missing from the knee down. As he reaches for his walking stick, he loses his balance. Brendan leaps up and catches him.
“I’m as crippled as the dark world,” Gildas says. “If it comes to that, which one of us isn’t?” Brendan replies. “To lend each other a hand when we’re falling. Perhaps that’s the only work that matters in the end.”
In 2 Samuel 9, we find King David desiring to show kindness to anyone still living from the house of Saul (v. 1). There is one, Mephibosheth, “a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet” (v. 3). Mephibosheth is ushered into the king’s presence, where he hears these words: “I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table” (v. 7). And he always did.
Scripture is full of unforgettable stories of David and giants and armies and kings and kingdoms—the stuff of movies. But the Bible also remembers this poignant kindness shown toward a person in need—the story of someone lending a hand to another.
After all the big, flashy scenes fade, it’s possible that kindness such as David extended to Mephibosheth is the work that matters most in the end. Lending a hand is the kind of work you and I can be about each and every day.
By John Blase
REFLECT & PRAY
Who is a Mephibosheth in your life? How can you lend a hand to that person?
Compassionate God, please show me the one in my life that I can lend a hand to.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Mephibosheth was five years old when his grandfather Saul and father, Jonathan, perished at Mount Gilboa (2 Samuel 4:4; see 1:5-6). When his nurse heard the news, she “picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled [lame in both feet]” (2 Samuel 4:4). He was the last surviving member of the house of Saul (9:3). Even though David had been Saul’s bitter enemy, David and Jonathan had loved each other like brothers and were “one in spirit” (1 Samuel 18:1). So, to honor his friend Jonathan, David showed great kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. In response to the great kindness God has shown us (Titus 3:4-5), we, like David, in gratitude can show kindness to others.
Alyson Kieda
The Word for You
Sarah Young
Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Boyertown, PA 19512
484-338-0009
Worship at 10. We will honor first responders. Invite some! Then Brunch at 11:30. Bring a friend!
Note: This may be my last blog for a few days as I am scheduled for my heart ablation at 6am . I'll be back soon enough, Lord willing! I do appreciate and feel your prayers! Thanks!
Good Morning Longing Pray-ers! Amen! May we continue to long in prayer for the things that God desires and help to over come the things that break His heart by doing what we are created and gathered to do for such a time as this and for His glory. Amen!
Are you content with the way things are in your life, household, church, nation? We can choose be content with God and still be discontent for the things that break His heart and pray and act for them to be resolved. What's your part? Crying out in tears. Reaching out to change? Both? God provides all we need. PTL! (not all we want). God answers our prayers according to His will and timing. God brings joy and satisfaction as we trust and obey and choose Him and His ways. Amen! Sometimes we need t be content with being discontent. It's a Holy Spirit thing that moves us to action. And sometimes we just need to choose to be content with the way things are some we can know peace as we choose joy that flows from knowing God is with us and has a plan. So seek God and His righteousness and kingdom above all else. Spend time abiding in His loving presence. Then pray informed and step into this day ready to do what you can with what you've been given for His glory. Are you content for the things of God? Probably not. So, what will you do about it? Are you content with what you've been given? You can be and can work at being the best steward of all he has given. pray for that and choose joy and trust as you follow Him! Amen! I'm praying for you! Shalom shalom--perfect peace to you and to follow peace and be content. And for when to know to be discontent and act. Shalom shalom is available. Choose it as you trust and obey . Amen
TWFYT
Connection:
- His Mission…Our Prayer
Pray for God’s kingdom to come! The disciples must have asked Jesus how to pray. After coaching them on their motives for prayer, Jesus told them to pray like this: “Father, Your name be praised and honored. Your kingdom come and Your will [Your mission] be done” (Mt. 6:9-10, italics and paraphrase mine).
Jesus, the son of God, tells us to pray for God! For His glory, His name, His fame, His kingdom, and His mission. God desires our praise. He wants us to participate in His mission of a blessing for all peoples (Gen. 12:3-4) as He establishes His kingdom on earth and forever in heaven.
So, pray for God to call out His laborers into His harvest fields more than ours. Pray for the establishment of His Church, more than our mission organization or denomination. Pray for the reputation of His name, more than our recognition. It is no accident that the most effective missionaries are often standing in the background, not upfront in the spotlight. Pray for the Holy Spirit to convince unbelievers through His teachings more than our clever arguments. Pray for new believers to obey His commandments more than our traditions. Pray for the new church to find answers from His Word, more than our words. When we pray like this, He inevitably will surprise us. After all, it is His mission. And He will accomplish it.
Son of God, teach me to pray as You did with Your first disciples! Draw me into Your school of prayer for the sake of God’s mission! Posture my heart in an attitude of complete humility and dependence and train me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness before my own! May Your thoughts, words and actions take the place of my pride-filled ideas, plans, and speeches. Forgive me, Lord, for my arrogance and engage me wholeheartedly in representing Your name with integrity. The mission is Yours alone…my only job is to faithfully pray and obey!
Thank God for the wisdom to apply that knowledge in everyday situations.
Confess times of leaning “on your own understanding,” not acknowledging him (Prov. 3:5-6).
Commit to acknowledging God in all your ways.
Ask him to help you trust in him with all your heart.
Pray for neighbors who do not yet “fear the Lord.” Ask God to open the eyes of their understanding to know him.
Prayer Pointer
“Through intercessory prayer God does something that would not otherwise be done.” —Maxie Dunnam
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Thank God I'm Forgiven! How often I say that each week. Thank God I am forgiven! I am a sinner saved and transformed by grace. PTL! And He continues to mold and shape me more and more into His image because I continue to humble myself before Him and repent of all things that offend Him. Help me Lord to repent sooner and need to less and less as I become more like You. Yes forgive me! Thank You!
Good Morning Repentant, Faithful Followers of the Way! Jesus is the way and He died so you can be forgiven and spend eternity with Him. PTL! He formed you for such a time as this and is faithful to help you and all repentant sinners to grow in Him and like Him and to fulfill their created purposes faithfully. Contemplate that , PTL, and repent and believe the Good News! Amen!
I've been wrestling with God about some things I'm not even sure I can fully put into words. I know I'm made for more and to be more like Jesus and do more of what he created me to do, yet I resist and choose to live for self too often. Sometimes I do my own thing or move at my speed and not His. Forgive me Lord! Sometimes, I have a solid sense (or so I think) of His plans for me and us and then I rely on my own strength or move at what I perceive to be His pace when he just wants me to wait, abide and await His provisions and timing. Help me repent and move with You, yoked to You, for Your glory! Amen! He wants us to know and dwell in, He actually said He gives us, His peace beyond understanding. As we abide in His peace and love and presence, he will inform our prayers, prepare us, provide for us, protect us and then lead us to His perfect plans and purposes. Amen! Check out Sarah Young's devo for below about this. What's God saying to and expecting of you? What will you do about it? Let Him lead you to green pastures, still waters and His promised rest!
I then opened my I to We devo. This put into words much of what I am experiencing and some of my hurdles to peace and help to understand my need to team up with some people that are opposite of me and to wait on the Lord before plunging ahead. Check it out! I am sent and a doer. I rest by doing. I have a pretty keen sense of many things God wants to do in and through me, you and us. And too often I move alone or surge ahead because I am gifted and able to do so. Too often I get frustrated at the lagers and anchors that hold me back. Yet they are just the ones I need to stay on God's pace, They are often His provision for keeping on track and on pace to follow to His new things in His perfect timing. And sometimes I need to come alongside and encourage those lagging behind to get moving. Discerning the difference is a Holy Spirit helps thing as I abide, seek, humble self, wait or move with the Lord. Hope that makes sense? I know God has great plans for me, you and us that requires being filled with and following Him as His sent team of ambassadors and servants. If you think you may be lagging or shying away from something God has for you and us, talk to me and let us pray and reason together as we seek and want to follow well together. We do need God and each other always. What's your part? Determine to be Repentant, Faithful Followers of the Way and ask for help from God and others. Amen! Yes TGIF!
The Upper Room then reminds us to Trust God. I trust Lord but help my unbelief. Right? Unbelief shows up when we forge ahead, lag behind and do our own thing, presuming on God/ Forgive us Lord! Help us repent, trust and follow well! Amen! Thank You for forgiveness and help! Amen! And then the Our Daily Bread (both below) helps us to understand how to grow strong in God as we seek, wait and follow to His best together! help us Lord! I'm praying for you! trust and obey and know His peace ! Amen!
Sarah Young
I to We
UR:
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NIV)
I was going through a difficult and painful breakup. All my thoughts focused on the rejection and loneliness I felt, and as a result I began to suffer anxiety attacks. The pain and feelings of emptiness were deep, and I thought nothing could assuage those feelings. But then I attended a retreat sponsored by my local church and found Jesus. From that point forward, everything changed. Jesus transformed my life and gave me the assurance that I am not alone and that the way forward is to trust God.
Trusting God in moments of crisis challenges our faith. The cares of the world often generate within us an anxiety that prevents us from trusting God fully. The good news is that we, the children of God, know that Jesus has overcome the world. To trust is to believe that God cares and watches over us — that God is greater than any problem, illness, or crisis. God is the Creator of all. Whatever our situation, God loves us, God supports us, and God will help us see a way forward.
's Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for scripture that provides us the assurance that we can find refuge in you. Rekindle our faith to trust fully in your love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
ODB
Growing Strong in God
Fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience. 1 Timothy 1:18-19
As a boy, I loved reading stories about pirates. How those adventures spurred my imagination! Now I live in an area where one of the most infamous of those pirates—Blackbeard (real name, Edward Teach)—had his headquarters. Shipwrecked in the waters off the coast here is Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
We can easily romanticize the wrecks and the high-sea adventures of history. The apostle Paul, however, wrote about a very different kind of shipwreck that provides us with a caution and an exhortation. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul warned his son in the faith to “[hold] on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:19). What is this “shipwreck”? Two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, had in some devastating way departed from the true faith, and the apostle turned them over to Satan “to be taught not to blaspheme” (v. 20). Paul desired them to repent, but the consequences of their actions were dire.
Our faith isn’t static, nor can it exist in a vacuum. We must actively nurture and cultivate our relationship with God to grow strong and healthy in faith and good conscience. May we join with other believers, yield to God’s Spirit, and allow Him to work in us. We can avoid shipwreck.
By Bill Crowder
REFLECT & PRAY
How would you describe your relationship with Jesus? If you’ve drifted from Him, what’s the first move you can make back to Him?
Wise Father, may Your Spirit work in my heart to keep me close to You and growing in my faith.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to work with the young and troubled church there. Although Timothy was to aid the church in its struggles against false teachers (1 Timothy 1:3-7), Paul instructs him that he also needed to grow in his own faith (vv. 18-20). He was to “fight the battle well” (v. 18), most commonly referring to spiritual warfare (see Ephesians 6:10-18); “[hold] on to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:19), referring to trust in Jesus (see Titus 1:1-3); and maintain “a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:19), keeping his actions commendable (see Titus 3:14-15). The journey of discipleship is lifelong. Actively nurturing our relationship with God helps us grow strong in our faith and avoid spiritual shipwreck.
J.R. Hudberg
Connection blogs:
- Devote Yourself to Waiting
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4
The nations that surrounded Judah worshipped an array of pagan deities, none of whom were concerned about those who worshipped them. Alone among these false gods, the One True God of Israel had compassion on His people and desired what was best for them. Among the people of the nations, it was hard to even imagine a God who acted on their behalf.
It is important for us to notice that God intervenes on behalf of those who wait for Him. Throughout the Bible we are commanded to wait for the Lord. It is precisely this waiting that allows Him to freely move in our lives. Those who wait, have submitted their desires to the One for whom they are waiting. They have chosen not to act until God acts. Rather than being a time of inactivity, waiting on God means intense focus that demands everything we are. As we cry out to God for revival in these days, it will mean devoting ourselves to waiting upon Him.
I wait for You Lord. My soul waits, and in Your Word I put my hope. I have set You before me always. Help me, Lord, not to run ahead… impatiently trying to do things for You without You. I have done way too much of that already. Teach me to patiently wait upon You so that I may then see Your amazing work on my behalf.
Praise the Lord, whose name is a strong tower to which the righteous run and find safety (Prov. 18:10).
Thank God for the safety he has brought to your life.
Confess any area in which your walk is not consistent with bearing Christ’s name.
Commit to living all your life under God.
Ask him to give you the courage that comes from knowing he cares for you.
Pray for those in your care to be under the strong tower of God’s care. Ask God to assure them of their safety in his strong and tender presence.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Earnestly Seeking and Following Disciples and Apostle of Jesus! Amen! Seek and you will find! keep knocking and the door will be open for you. Don't lean on your own understanding, but acknowledge God in all your ways and He will direct your steps. Go! Make disciples for He is with you always. Love as Jesus has loved you and everyone will know you are His disciples. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience kindness, faithfulness, goodness and self control. Carry each others burdens and in this way people will know that we are fulfilling our call in Christ. Treat others the way you wanted to be treated. Live and love like Jesus !
Meditate on these and process them with your teammates. These are things we get to do and the measure for how well we are following Jesus and obeying His will for us. I witnessed (and some outsiders noticed too) God's love coming alive through us, us doing what we can with what we've been given to go live and love like Jesus, and the Fruit of the Spirit coming to life. AMEN! God is drawing some through us! PTL! What's God revealing to you and what will you do about that? Who are your accountability partners and teammates? What's your/our fruit looking like? Where can we improve? What can we release? Many questions to ask God and process with your team! God awoke me early with many things rattling around in my head that I am still processing almost three hours later. Is He doing the same for you? He might be! What do you get to choose to do about that? Will you? I'm praying for you! There are a few threads through our blogs and devos for below. Start there and call a friend to pray, process, plan and go.
at Bread a man asked me how and why do our people have such love and confidence in Christ that overflows through them as they go? I shared it's because Christ lives in us. God is love. And we allow love to live through us as we go daily. This man has little biblical knowledge and asked even if Jesus and Moses ministered together. A month or so ago I gave him a few devotionals. He's using them and the Bible I gave him to try to figure things of God out. he asked me about Matthew 5 and 6 and said they sound like the ten commandants. Man did God open doors of understanding as we processed together with open Bibles. These passages are the sermon on the mount and Jesus' teachings that stirred this man to try to understand how to move from the law to the new covenant of grace. He's struggling with the simplicity of grace and that he can be forgiven of his many sins. He is a work in process that God keeps sending to us. Who is He sending to you to explain truth and to love on like Jesus? Seek the Lord and not your own plans and allow Him to open doors and the Holy Spirit to give you the words and motivation and to affirm you. You are His chosen and a priest of the Lord sent to bring love and truth alive! Go! Allow God to use you and the Holy Spirit to lead you.
We discussed this at our amazing Chosen Huddle. (Almost 40 people came again and over half are not members! PTL!) God continues to draw and provide and speak through us! PTL! And keep praying for Him to keep bringing in the harvest and using us! The reality for most people , and many are wrestling with the implications of this or rejecting it, is the Truth. We need to focus on the seekers God is sending. When Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples asked, "Who is this man that even the wind and the waves obey Him?" (Matt. 8:27) That is the question everyone is seeking the answer to, even if they don't realize it. Who is this man and how does that affect my life and choices? In reality much of the Chosen is about trying to answer those questions. Who is this man, Jesus, to you? How does that affect your life? Is there something He is leading you to do, something to repent of, something to pray about or someone to share with about how He has impacted your life? Will you trust and obey? ? Do you have teammates to pray and plan with and hold you accountable? What's God revealing?
There is one more thing to consider...how do we measure success and going and following well as we make disciples? FRUIT! James said people will see our faith by our actions and deeds. Many are experiencing this through our ministries (and Clothing too). Are we doing what we can and are made and activated to do with what we've been given and as we are for such a time as this? (Read that again and begin processing) Are people (and us) seeing and experiencing the fruit of our choices...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness and self control? That is our measure. And yes that man from noticed some of these, especially our supernatural love as have many others! Keep up the good work team! Keep praying and processing with some friends, and keep going to live and love like Jesus. He has great plans for you and us and we are doing our part to bring His kingdom and will alive ! PTL! Ask if there is more? What's your part? Will you trust and obey? I'm praying! Share those stories of all the seemingly "little things" God is using and doing in and through you and the fruit you are living! And go! Man, I can taste the good fruit already! Thanks brothers and sisters, co-laborers in Christ and for doing all for His glory. He is glorifying His name through us! And we get to keep being who He created us to be and doing what He has created, gifted and empowered us to do! PTL! Go know His peace as His love continues to come alive and change the world around and through us! Yes! Live and love like Jesus! Amen! And thank God we are His students, sent as we are and we get to do that His way and with His help, as we are for such a time as this! Yes, rejoice, seek and follow !
Connection Blogs:
- Unveiling the Kingdom of God
“…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
Because the King has come, the kingdom has come. Because the King is still to come, the kingdom is still to come. Because the King is here, the kingdom is here. But the King is here in veiled form, the kingdom is ordinarily present in veiled form. Is that not why Jesus so often speaks of “having eyes to see and ears to hear”? Not everyone recognizes His already-ness. So not everyone will recognize the already-ness of the reign of God.
You can see that the term “second coming” is a bit misleading, for He is not coming from some far away place. He is breaking through from behind the veil of hidden-ness. When He does, the already present, but ordinarily hidden, kingdom of God will be manifest to all and will overcome and replace all other kingdoms.
So, what does it mean to pray, “Your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven”? It means something like “Living God, even before the Day of the Lord, reveal what is invisible, manifest what is hidden.” Can you handle that? That is what those words mean. We ought to pray the words standing on tiptoe!
We mere human beings . . . we can ask for the unveiling of the kingdom of God? Yes! If the Church of Jesus has been given this privilege then why haven’t we exercised it more intentionally? Perhaps it is because we have not understood the privilege. Perhaps it is that we have not wanted to submit our lives to the King. We may have wanted the benefits and blessings of the kingdom but we have not been willing to align our lives with His rule. Or perhaps it is that we know the coming of God’s rule means the end of our rule. Perhaps the Church has not fervently prayed for the kingdom because we know it is dangerous to do so; the King just might answer and start turning everything upside-down!
Lord Jesus, forgive me for continually longing for the benefits of Your kingdom without submitting to what it truly means for Your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven! May I have my eyes opened to see the truth of Your presence in my life at this very moment. Help me to bow my heart before Your sovereignty in complete and utter humility so that my prayers become aligned with the purpose of Your kingdom over and above the desires of my own.
Praise the Lord, who is able even to weigh your motives (Prov. 16:2).
Thank God for times he has brought conviction to lead you to needed change.
Confess any sinful actions, words, plans, or motives the Spirit brings to your attention.
Commit to the Lord whatever you are planning to do, asking that he then make your plans succeed (16:3).
Pray that the leaders of your church will be motivated by love, faithfulness, and the fear of the Lord rather than pride (16:5-6). Ask God to keep your heart pure toward your leaders and to use you as an encourager for them.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Louise, a project manager, regretted taking on the freelance job. Both the client and designer were testing her patience. Why is it so difficult? she wondered. Why can’t these people get it together?
Weeks later, as she read Proverbs 27, verse 17 stood out—“iron sharpens iron.” “You can’t file down rough edges with something soft, like silk,” she told her small group soon after. “You need something hard, like iron.”
Louise realized that the challenges in the project were smoothing down some rough edges of her own. She was learning to be more patient and humble, and to adapt to different working styles. God, she concluded, was using the project to expose her flaws and teach her new lessons about working with others.
Much of the book of Proverbs extols the value of godly wisdom, but this wisdom doesn’t come easily. It needs to be sought after with obedience and discernment (3:13; 13:20; 19:20), and refined in crucibles and furnaces, with mortars and pestles (27:21-22)—situations that may mean temporary pain and suffering.
Yet the Bible reminds us that challenges come with rewards: In seeking God’s wisdom diligently and obeying His ways, we’ll find true security, satisfaction, and blessing (vv. 26-27).
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What lessons can you learn from difficult situations you’re facing? How might God be refining and shaping you to be more like His Son, Jesus?
Loving Father, please grant me strength to endure my trials and a humble heart to learn from life’s challenges. Thank You for shaping and molding me each day.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Learning to view troubles and trials as instruments in God’s hand is an important key to our spiritual growth. His goal for us isn’t that we have an easy or pain-free life, but rather that we “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). As fire purifies gold (Proverbs 17:3; 27:21), so the heat of trials can be God’s tool to purify us and make us more like Jesus. Christ’s half brother James affirms this in his letter: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:3-4). Part of walking by faith is trusting that God doesn’t waste anything. We can be sure that when difficult times come, He has a purpose for those trials in refining and shaping us to become more like Jesus.
Good Morning Joyful Co-Laboring Followers of the Way! Amen! Karan I were discussing choosing joy. She mentioned that HGTV start Jasmin Roth has a clothing line she wears on TV that has "Build your happiness" on it. Now that's talking about physically building something that makes you happy and implies material things like houses or kitchens. But can we build happiness in the spiritual realm? Well, yes. The Bible says to choose joy. Isn't that building joy and helps with our happiness and attitudes. Can you build peace? Well God can in you and that comes about as you choose joy as you trust Him with whatever you are facing. That helps lead to happiness. Amen! So in Christ, we have the ability to chose joy always and receive His perfect peace beyond understanding as we cast all anxiety upon Him. Often that begins with casting praise to Him and building our joy levels. Many times we need the help of some co-laboring friends to help us redirect or stay on track. And joy and peace do come as we trust and follow Jesus. yes build your happiness --always as you trust, follow and praise our Lord and Savior! Check out this thread that God gave me ...Build your happy place by choosing joy and moving to Son-shine street! Remember that joy is a fruit of the Spirit! So the Spirit will help you choose it, live it and build your happy place in Christ! Amen! I'm praying for you! You are God's masterpiece made new in Christ and activated to choose and bring joy ! Shalom shalom--know His perfect peace!
Sarah Young
ODB:
God Understands
[Jesus] shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death. Hebrews 2:14
In his Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, John Koenig offers a collection of new words, each invented to give a name to complicated feelings we previously lacked a word for. His book includes words like dés vu, “the awareness that this moment will become a memory,” and onism, “the frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at one time.” Koenig says his mission is to shed light on all of the unique and strange experiences of being human, so that people can feel less alone in those experiences.
While we might not always be able to find a word for what we’re going through, believers in Jesus can take great comfort in knowing that God values and understands what it’s like to be human. He values people so much that He chose to entrust humanity with caring for creation (Hebrews 2:7-8). And because of Jesus, God understands completely what it’s like to live as a human. Christ is God made fully human, which means other believers are called Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” (v. 12).
Christ not only understands all our experiences and temptations (4:15) but He has also broken “the power of death” over our lives (2:14). Because of Him, our experiences need not cause us to feel afraid or alone. Instead, we can celebrate the gift of being human.
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
What experiences do you sometimes struggle to find words for? How does it encourage you to know God understands and values your experience?
Dear God, thank You that You value being human and empathize with all that I experience.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Hebrews 2:6-8 references Psalm 8:4-6. In this psalm, David is in awe of God for creating and caring for creation, particularly people: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (v. 4). It likewise amazes the psalmist that God entrusted the creation into our care (vv. 5-8). The author of Hebrews references Psalm 8 to point to Jesus, who, by becoming a man, lowered Himself so that He could die for our sins (Hebrews 2:7, 9). He loves us that much—and understands all we’re going through!
Alyson Kieda
UR: The Kindness of Others
By their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:20 (NIV)
I volunteer by delivering meals in my mountain community. After a major winter storm with single-digit temperatures and power outages, I drove up a steep, snow-covered road to check on an elderly woman who lived alone. When I saw snowmobile tracks leading to her house, I worried she might have had an emergency. I was relieved to find her healthy, content, and warm beside a wood fire in her stove. When I asked about the tracks, she told me, “Oh, some kid stopped by to check on me.” Even though she didn’t know the person, she knew someone had made the effort to confirm she was safe.
I don’t know who the snowmobiler was either, but on some level I feel that I do. This person’s selfless act reflected the care, concern, and grace our Lord shows us every day. We all are on a journey to our eternal home and, at one time or another, we all need a helping hand. As Jesus, our Savior and Guide, said, “Do you love me? . . . Take care of my sheep” (Jn. 21:16). May each of us be ready to respond to those in need and be equally ready to accept the help others offer us.
's Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for the kindness we see in others, which is an extension of the grace and mercy you bestow on us. Amen.
Hi all! I've been having major computer issues since I returned. I can't copy and paste or include devos. Anyway...God loves you an so do we! We are praying for you and that you find and step ino your gifts, pourposes and partnerships. We pray that God uses you as you simply get to go live and love like Jesus and that he sends you to those He is drawing. May God bless you as you spend time daily in His Word and our devos! Shalom shalom
It was a great day at Bread Ministry . We have started to receive 'extra' sweets and other items from the Weis market in Emmaus. On the first and third and (if there is a fifth)
Wednesdays, Weis market will be donating their sweets and other items to our bread ministry. was the first day of sharing those sweets and they were a 'HIT' !!!
We had approximately 70 people walk through our church doors and receive some HOPE, LOVE and bread!!!
Continue to pray for Enol and Larry Paul as they continue to experience some extreme weather. Please read the update from Larry's sister:
I saw on my brother's fb that now the Philippines are experiencing moderate earthquakes throughout the region, with the government cancelling all schools for today & tomorrow. These earthquake magnitudes are 4-7 on the richter scale for reference, with many aftershocks continuing. They just can't seem to catch a break - however they are right over that Pacific ring of fire so I guess it's to be expected. Reading some articles about it, these earthquakes are due to the plates shifting rather than volcanic activity which is good?
Please continue to keep all in your prayers and we will keep you updated as we hear anything.
Pastor Don and Karen are having a good time, as you can tell in the picture below, he is enjoying his lobster!!!
Good Morning Children of the Most High God! Rejoice! Worship! Enter His courts with praise and ! This is the day the Lord has made and we get to gather, worship, study, pray and fellowship together! Yes rejoice!
This week will be one of escape, refreshing, renewal and lots of driving and lobster for Karen and I. Vacation started for her already and starts for me after church. Can't wait! Just a reminder...No blogs this week as I will be totally disconnecting! (Help me Lord!) Sarah is available if needed. Adam Roberts is preaching . Keep them in prayer and us for a safe, fun, healthy and lovely week. Thanks!
There will be no zoom huddle or evening Chosen gathering. Bread and Clothing carry on as scheduled.
we will study 2 John and 3 John as we wrap up John's letters to the church. John called himself the apostle that Jesus loved...that's all of us! PTL! We are His custom made masterpieces, made in love to go to our special love missions through out our lives. We know the God who is love and are filled with His love. he loves through us and wants to change the world with His love. We all know how much this world could use some love! Let us be salt, light and above all--LOVE! I'm praying for you and Karen and I thank you for your prayers and encouragements and we are praying for God to use us in a very dark region of the country to incarnate Jesus and His love! Don't forget to wear red , in remembrance of Charlie Kirks birthday. Go! Be the Light and love like Jesus! I'll be praying for you!
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