I've been informed that I will be in the hospital until at least
. when if I am dried out enough they will attempt he cardio version again to get my heart back in rhythm. Before that I am being infused three times a day with Lasik IV's to drain me. Needless to say between that and tests and blood draws, I am sleeping very little. Besides being exhausted, I often have upset stomach and lots of knee and ankle pain because my pains meds have been halted. I appreciate your prayers and my privacy. Thank you!
So, I am going to take the next few days off from blogging and trying to rest and be ready to be healed and released. Thanks for understanding! It's kinda weird anyway doing
's blog at 11PM and before all the devos drop on line.
Hope you all have a great weekend and hope to see you soon! Shalom!
Thank God I'm Forgiven! I've used that more often than I'd like to as I need forgiveness all the time! We all do and God is gracious and will forgive us repentant humble followers. Thanks Lord! This week in the hospital I have had several opportunities to remind people of God's patient loving forgiveness. Have you had the opportunity to share that truth with someone lately? We all often need the reminder that we are and can be forgiven and repeatedly! Thanks Lord! Thank God I'm forgiven and working on not needing that forgiveness as often as I learn and want to walk more like Jesus. Amen! Now with that comes a new command from Jesus love others as I have loved you which actually includes forgiving as we've been forgiven. WELL Thank God I forgiven because that's a hard command to keep. But one we can keep working at. And the Holy Spirit will help us too! PTL!
Thank God I'm Forgiven
opens the door for all kinds of meditations and thanksgivings! What's the Spirit saying to you? What will you do about it?
Good Evening/Morning Forgiven and Forgiving Friends--Jesus in the Flesh! That's you! PTL! So I am writing
blog at 10:30
evening. Why? Well the docs decided to double dose me with diuretics at 4:40 and then after I went to bed at 9. That means I'll be spending the evening purging fluids. They really want to dry me out and I seem to be retaining fluids yet. So, I am writing this before all our devos post online. That's OK as you will have time to spend yourself with God and them in the morning while I hope to be sleeping. They plan some tests etc around 3 am and sleep will follow, Lord willing.
I started contemplating purging, cleansing, repenting and even dying to self. (Lifestyle change is in process already for me!) Loving and forgiving as Jesus has for us requires those as well and taking up cross to be ready to follow Him and live and love more like Him. Jesus address the crowds expecting a conquering king that would overthrow Rome with a different kind of thinking. He washed the feet of the disciples who were jockeying to be first in the kingdom and said He gave an example to follow. Have we embraced that and the new thinking Jesus imparted about what the Kingdom is really like and are we choosing to live it? Jesus said, "If anyone wants to be my disciple he must deny himself, take up His cross daily and follow the Jesus way." That means forgiving, loving, serving and maybe even dying like Him. Thank God I'm forgiven!!!
Really pray into this and ask God to reveal ways we can spur each other on to really love like Jesus. May we earnestly pursue becoming the church the loves like Jesus as we bless God and many others and lead them to this amazing love, grace, mercy and forgiveness! Help us Lord! Amen!
Thank you all for loving so well and your patient love with me! We are love and love lives in us and is coming alive through us! Amen! keep it up! I'm praying for you and me and thanking God we are forgiven too! Shalom!
6-26-25 (Noonish): Plan is to get me home and on track soon and maybe before
. I have AFib that didn't respond to cardio version
. I am now in the cardiac floor at Lehigh. Great team of docs and others from cardiology and other needed docs. Plan is to get me dried out (I've been over load with fluid--congestive heart failure) and trying some new affordable ad more effective meds and send me home to heal and get ready for the future cardio version or oblation. Mentally I am doing well and being patient. PTL! I am also sleeping again. Pray that continues. With the weak heart I am sleeping a lot more and need to. If possible we will be at the brunch but if not, knw we are praying for you all and anxious to get back it!
Good Morning Purposeful Pursuers of God and His Plans! Amen! Is that really you? I know for many of us that gather at St. Matts, we want to know and pursue God and His purposes that He created us to do. He does have great plans and purposes for us to discover, put on and walk around with as His vessels of light, love, hope, and help. We are custom made for custom purposes. There are the big over-arching purposes to achieve over your whole life (like being a pastor for me). There are also little age and circumstance daily or weekly or monthly purposes too. Most of life is paying attention daily to God and walking with Him to His plans for you for that day and that will build to your lifelong purposes. Check out the ODB devo below relating to this as it all begins with keeping Christ our priority, putting on His easy yoke and walking with Him daily. Sometimes those daily plans and purposes are simple and easy but very important as well. Things like holding a door, praying, encouraging, smiling at someone--easy stuff. Sometimes the purposes are more heavy like opening the Bible with someone or some serving caring ministry. No matter because they all matter and are part of God's plans for you and maybe part of us together. The main thing is keeping Christ first and following Him daily and that may (usually does) require dying to self and taking up cross daily and then following Him. That's being a Purposeful Pursuers of God and His Plans. Amen. Help us with that Lord!
Now, God has some adjustments for us along the way! Have you experienced that ever?
I have and am in one of those adjustment periods where God is reminding me to hold looser, trust more, die to self, crucify some things and allow Him to mold and lead. He does have perfect plans that I have been assuming upon a bit and maybe even forcing some things according to my plans. And He said, "Whoa down Donald!" Rest. Abide. Listen. Follow. Hold loose. And do what you can with what you've been given. That's all I expect. That's His easy joyful yoke! Amen
So again, as in the past God gets my attention with hospital visits. I usually come out obeying but in short order end up back where I was. Thick-headed just like the disciples and wanting to do my things my ways. We are called to be followers of the WAY not people forcing my way. Think we'd learn! Thank God for patient love, mercy, grace and forgiveness! And for new starts. I am beginning again to allow Him to lead me to His plans and purposes at His pace--doing what I can with what I've been given for such a time as this. Pray into that with me! Maybe some of you need some adjustments too? I'm praying for you and would love to chat and plan some time soon! His plans are best and easy and a joy. When you start getting bogged down, angry, forcing things--stop! Be still, abide, find joy and peace and follow His Way well. That's life abundant we are promised. And man it is really good when we find that sweet spot! After meditating on this check out the Upper Room talking about our life long friend, Jesus, who promises to be with us always! PTL! Focus on Him and allow Him to lead and things will go smoothly and really be a joy! And He is our healer, deliverer and restorer too! Amen!
So thoughts to pursue with God and some friends
are to be: Purposeful Pursuers of God and His Plans where Christ is our priority and walking with Him at His pace for such a time as this is first on our agendas! And we will need each other to do that well! Come Jesus lead us and unite us with likeminded and those You have for us
. Thanks! Amen!
ODB
Christ Our Priority
Jesus replied, “ . . . That is why I have come.” Mark 1:38
“May we invite you to be the main speaker in our nationwide church leadership conference?” After Jose read the invitation from the renowned organization, he replied, “Please let me pray about it first.” Later, when he turned down the offer, he told a friend, “I knew God was calling me to editorial work on a mission’s project, and the speaking engagement would take time and energy away from that. I said no so I can do what God wants me to do.”
What God wants me to do—that was Jose’s priority and what determined his decision. Jesus also made God’s purpose His priority. The morning after healing many in Capernaum who were sick and demon-possessed, Jesus went to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:32-35). The disciples came, saying, “Everyone is looking for you!” (v. 37). Some of those seeking Him were likely requesting healing. Christ, however, didn’t allow urgency or His sudden popularity to determine what He’d do next. “Let us go . . . to the nearby villages,” He said, “so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (v. 38). Jesus followed His priority—a ministry that covered the rest of Galilee, and one that included preaching (v. 39).
How may we know God’s purpose for us? We can approach Him in prayer, be led by His wisdom found in the Scriptures, and seek counsel from people who uphold His ways. Let’s spend our life doing what God wants us to do.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you be intentional about asking God to lead you? How have you seen God help you live with His purpose?
Dear God, please show me what You want me to do.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Mark 1:38 declares that Jesus’ mission is to preach the gospel. On a few occasions in the Gospels, Christ reveals in a deep and intimate way that He understands His mission. In Luke 4:18-19, He quotes the prophet Isaiah (61:1-2) to reveal to those listening in the synagogue who He is. Christ’s ministry included both the preaching of forgiveness and spiritual freedom as well as freeing those who were bound by various physical infirmities. During the years of His ministry, He never veered from that dedication. And He also entrusted that ministry to His disciples. He empowered them to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. They even drove out demons (see Matthew 10; Luke 10). Before Christ returned to the Father, He entrusted His mission to all His followers (see Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). God continues to show us what He wants us to do and how He wants to use us to share the gospel with others.
J.R. Hudberg
UR: Life Long Friend
Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20 (NRSVUE)
I never had a best friend growing up. I was a child of a career military officer, and my family moved 10 times by the time I was 13 years old. It seemed that as soon as I made a friend, my father would get orders to a new duty station, sometimes thousands of miles away. I vividly remember the hugs and tears during several partings with childhood friends. When my family settled in an area for several years when I was a teenager, I had a difficult time keeping friends. I held them at arm’s length, refusing to get too close emotionally. The hurt from all those childhood good-byes truly impacted my life.
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior as an adult, I found him to be the lifelong friend I had never had. He is always with me, guiding, rescuing, helping, protecting, listening, and loving me. Jesus provides all of us with everlasting joy, hope, and peace. He has promised never to leave or forsake us. We can get to know Jesus by reading his words, following his example, and praising his name. Whatever life throws at us, we know we have Jesus, our friend who is just a prayer away.
's PrayerDear Jesus, thank you for your presence with us. Help us to stay conscious of you in all circumstances. Amen.
Good evening friends. Thanks for praying, encouraging and being there and flexible! Keep praying and trusting God to lead me and us to His perfect plans . He does have good plans for us even when it may seem anything like it.
Update: God is in the process of turning my heart of stone to one of flesh. He's renewing my thinking and helping me to make much better health, life and leadership choices. It's like I've been given a second opportunity to get it right with health choices and trusting God choices too. Thanks Lord. May I not be so slow the next time to catch on and correct! And may I choose much more wisely moving forward.
I have cardio version to fix AFib. Then a whole bunch of follow up and new specialists appointments ahead. I will be recovering at home next few weeks. We will restart things after
. In the meantime ask God how you can bless Him, each other and those He is drawing. Step into your anointing!
God is teaching me a lot and working on my heart and bringing all things together for good. My job is to turn off the noise and focus on Him and follow well. It's gonna be much more of doing less...really just doing with what I've been given as I follow Jesus at His pace. So maybe there will be blogs and maybe not for awhile. Just know I am seeking, listening and following Him as I travel through this journey. And know I'm praying for you all too. God loves us, is with us always and has great plans to discover. Amen
Thank you all for your prayers and support!!! God is for us! Amen
Hi all! Thanks for you prayers! My cardio version did not work
. It will be attempted in the future as new meds take effect. I will be in the hospital until at least
. I will be very tied up and ask for no visitors please! Thanks for understanding! They told me that I will be "living in the bathroom the next few days."
I am getting massive doses of Lasik/diuretics and some new meds they are experimenting with. They say my heart is weak and my body is flooded with fluids. They are working on improving that and getting me ready to try to fix the A Fib. So we know some more and have some more to discover--much like our journey with Christ! My journey now is to slow down, listen, learn and adjust lifestyle. Oh yeah, that's like following Jesus as well! Good and healthy things of God do carry over into everyday life!
There is still much to learn, discern and apply for me and for us as a church! God does have great plans for us that come alive as we surrender, receive and step out in faith! Can't wait to see where this all leads! I'm praying for you all and I know you are praying for me and I fell it! Let us keep choosing well and healthy in Christ and life! Amen!
I'll update you sometime as more becomes visible. Until them keep trusting the Holy Spirit to help you to go live and love like Jesus! And keep praying and sharing your stories!
Good Morning Spirit-Filled Worshipers! What a joy it is to sing, dance, celebrate and worship our amazing God!!! Have you told Him lately how much you love and appreciate Him? Have you lifted a song of praise or danced before our Lord. That's your assignment for
: worship, celebrate sing and dance before our King! When's the last time you just dwelt in His loving presence worshiping? What joy we know and get to share as we abide and he inhabits our praise! Check out the Sarah Young devo below that led me to this thinking
. I need to just worship and allow Him to lead be beside the still waters, sink my roots deep in Him and be restored! Joy does (or it can, if you choose) come in the morning! Yes Rejoice! He is enough and will supply all our needs! PTL! He is working all things together for good! PTL! he is with us always! PTL! He has unique plans for unique you! PTL! How about lifting some psalms
?
Psalm 16:5-11
New Living Translation
5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.[a]
My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead[b]
or allow your holy one[c] to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.[d]
Good Morning Worshipers! Prepare your hearts to worship
and pray that we worship in Spirit and truth and enter His courts with
! Amen! There is so much we have to worship about! Let us prepare to lift a sacrifice of praise!
Sometimes like these sleepless, wondering early mornings, it can truly be a sacrifice to lift praise. Why Lord needs to be replaced with OK Lord, You've got this! Hallelujah! Another visit to the ER
for a fluttering heart answered no more questions than five weeks ago. So, causes have yet to be discovered, BUT GOD! He knows, cares, loves me and is working all things together for good! PTL! I have been preparing my heart since midnight to enter His courts with praise and to allow Him to lead and use me. And maybe I can get an hour or two nap in yet! PTL! God's got a perfect plan and has allowed this all for a reason...PTL! Maybe it's to slow me down and to spend some time abiding in the Vine for a season? PTL! PTL for all the servants and patient friends at St. Matts as they step in and fill gaps in my absence to heal. Yes PTL!
Ok enough of that. Check out our devos for
that really tie to my life right now. Start with TWFYT's reminder to not be afraid of aging. I'm not afraid but coming to the reality that I cannot do as much as I used to or for the same periods of time. It's a season to abide, discern and only do what he has for me
. And that's enough and an act of worship...doing what I can with what I've been given according to His plans and timing. Amen! And Sarah Young's devo flows right from this. Be thankful always. Lift those sacrifice of praise and receive a better attitude! The UR is all about what I strive for...hearing well done from God some day as I complete my race well. Guess what, that takes adjusting as we go to age, circumstances, provisions, etc. Yet God is still pleased as we do what we can with what we got! PTL! And ODB wraps things up with the reminder to leave it all with God and trust Him. He is able! he is Jireh! he knows and cares! PTL! He is our Rock and sure Foundation! Amen! Turn off the noise and focus on Him and His perfect plans for you
...
has enough of it's own worries. Put on that easy custom made yoke and walk with Jesus as you worship
and everyday ahead at His pace for you. And keep worshiping as we aim towards completing our races well! Yes PTL!
What's God saying to you as you process these devos and/or open your Bibles? he is speaking and He does have a word and plan for you. Seek Him with all your heart and process with some friends as you team up to finish the race. And keep praising--even in the storms!
TWFYT
Sarah Young
UR: Living in Mercy and Hope
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” - Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
I like sitting quietly in the pew in our small church before the worship service. The sunlight filters through the beautiful stained-glass windows, depicting stories from the Gospels. Long ago, such artwork helped people who may not have known how to read learn and remember the stories of Jesus. They continue to prompt me to reflect on their messages for my life
.
On a recent
I was sitting in my usual spot between the windows illustrating the parables of the prodigal son and the good and faithful servant. I observed that in both stories the main characters are welcomed and embraced. One is forgiven for his past errors while the other is affirmed for his correct choices.
I thought about how living to serve Jesus is often a struggle. We have to start afresh each day in gratitude for God’s mercy and seek God’s help through the Spirit to love God and one another. It isn’t always easy.
Oh, how much I hope to hear those words from Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” But I am grateful for the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness that I see in the story of the prodigal son. I can seek to serve the Lord by also extending mercy and forgiveness to others in my life.
's PrayerMerciful God, help us to extend mercy and forgiveness to others as we remember the mercy and forgiveness you have given us. Amen.
ODB:
Leave It with God
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2
Perched high on the climbing wall, Sarah could feel panic rising as her weakening fingers began losing grip on the handholds. Just how hard will I hit the ground? she wondered.
But the instructor kept calling out assurances from below. As the “belayer” tethered to the other end of the rope tied to Sarah’s harness through a pulley, his weight would hold her if she fell. “I’m much heavier than you!” he yelled. “Just let go.”
So she did—and simply swung away from the wall to dangle safely in the air.
The incident gave Sarah a new perspective of the picture of God in Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock . . . my stronghold.” Sarah observed, “God is so much heavier than all my problems. I can let go of my worries and fears, and He’ll catch me.”
King David sang the words of Psalm 18 after God rescued him from “deep waters”—these were his “powerful [enemies]” looking to bring about his “day of . . . disaster” (vv. 16-18). Even if his troubles didn’t disappear, he knew he could trust his all-powerful Savior and that God was holding on to him tightly.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What does it mean, in practical terms, to “let go” of a worry and leave it with God? How can you learn to surrender your fears to Him?
Dear Father, thank You that I can let go of all my worries, fears, and anxieties, knowing that You’re in complete control of my life and will keep me from falling.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the superscription to Psalm 18, we read that David wrote this psalm and sang it to God “when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” David was on the run from King Saul for more than a decade. Some estimate he was pursued for fifteen years. After David returned from killing Goliath and the Philistine army was destroyed, the women came to greet him and sang this song: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). This so aroused Saul’s anger and jealousy that “from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David” (v. 9). In Psalm 18, David’s love for and trust in God is immediately evident in his names for Him. He calls God his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold (vv. 1-2). This same God can be trusted to help us as we leave our fears and worries with Him.
Good Morning Eternal Children of God! AMEN! We wrapped up 1 John
with the reminder that God is life and eternal life is found only in Jesus. John wrote this letter to assure the new generation of believers of their promised eternity and to remind them that God is Light, Love and Life and He wants to bring His Light and love alive through us. He also wrote to battle some false prophets and to help the church turn off that noise and focus on Truth and Life in Christ. Check out TWFYT below and how it ties to this word. I love when God does that! And then there's the ODB reminder that we can throw off all that entangles us and keeps us from God's best and learn to run our races well with Christ.
God loves you, made a way for eternity with Him and a way to forgiveness. We just have to choose to open these free gifts, repent, renew our thinking and pursue Jesus as we run our races until we are called home. And when we are what joy we will find in God's Light, love, life and presence! Amen!
TWFYT
ODB:
Entangled
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1
Watermelon vines had overtaken my garden. They snaked across the stone path, climbed the fence, and—worst of all—tried to choke my favorite vegetable plants. I knew the garden wouldn’t thrive unless I took action. So, one evening I went to work uncurling tendrils from stems and leaves. When the coils grew back, I kept removing them until the vegetable plants finally matured and produced plump tomatoes and shiny peppers.
Sins like greed, lust, and hate can overtake our lives like the vines that tried to dominate my garden. Left untended, the seed of a wrong thought may develop until it controls our desires and actions like a “sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1) and holds us back from growing spiritually.
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders” so that we can “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (v. 1). To break free requires that we acknowledge we need help to handle the sin. This can be difficult if we’ve convinced ourselves and others that it’s not a serious issue.
Once we sincerely admit the problem, Jesus welcomes our prayers of confession and forgives us immediately (1 John 1:9). He can show us how to change our life patterns and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to overcome the bondage that prevents us from flourishing.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY
What sin has the power to make you fall repeatedly? How does God want you to address this problem?
Dear God, please forgive me for the actions and attitudes that grieve You and help me change from this point forward.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The original audience of the letter to the Hebrews was Jewish believers in Jesus who may have considered reverting back to Judaism or were straying toward false teachings (see 2:1-4; 3:1-4). Many scholars believe the book was written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in ad 70 because it includes references to Jewish ceremonies and sacrifices. The author understood that the readers would need perseverance to face trials and persecution. Hebrews encourages believers to endure and hold fast to Christ (2:1-4; 3:7–4:13; 5:11–6:2). In chapter 11, known as the “Hall of Faith,” the author commends the many men and women of the Bible who lived by faith and sometimes died because of it. Therefore, because of their witness and example, believers in Christ are prompted to “throw off everything that hinders”—including sin—and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (12:1).
Thank God I am forgiven! Loved, forgiven and restored. Amen!
Good Morning Forgiven Much Children of God! Yes let all that I am, praise the lord! He alone is worthy of all praise, and glory, and honor! Lift up a sacrifice of praise
!
As I contemplate this forgiveness
, something came to mind--humility. Jesus humbled Himself before the Father's will and allowed the pain, mocking and cruel cross for you and me. I don't think I could endure what He knew was coming, yet He humbled Himself, prayed, prepared and bore our sins. If that doesn't lead to
, nothing will! Jesus died to self, took up Hs cross and trusted God to lead Him to the Father's perfect plans and we are all beneficiaries of the humble faithfulness! PTL!
Check out the Upper Room and the reminder that we need to humble ourselves, crucify some things nd allow God to prune us so we can produce better and lasting fruit. How's that working out in your life
? Have you humbled yourself? Are you willing to die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus? Talk to God and some friends about that
. he has great plans awaiting your humble surrender and obedience! Do it! And then share those stories ad struggles with some others. Amazing fruit is awaiting! Amen!
I'm praying for you and available to chat or discuss any of this! Humble yourself and follow well
!
UR: Clearing the Way
Jesus said, “[My Father] removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.” - John 15:2 (CEB)
The buzz of chainsaws and the roar of wood-chipping equipment filled my ears as I slowed my car to a halt. A work crew was lopping off big limbs of trees that had stood along this rural road for decades. Some of the trees were being readied for complete removal. At first, I felt sad to see these noble trees removed; then I recalled frequent power outages caused by branches falling on power lines or even falling on vehicles due to high winds or ice.
The pruning was necessary to keep the roadway clear and safe.
Sometimes aspects of our lives need pruning to help us stay aligned with God’s will. Like Jonah, we may not be happy about what God is doing. We may not understand the plan or the route to get there. Often I am reluctant to give up an attitude or habit that is detrimental to my faith journey or to others.
Through prayer, meditation, and study of scripture, we can come to trust that God is our protector. When we welcome God’s clearing work in our lives, we can stay faithful and remain safely on the road we should travel.
's PrayerAlmighty and all-knowing God, help us accept your ways and acknowledge that you know what is best for us. Amen.
Good Morning Abiding Warriors! Abiding in Christ Prayer warriors. One of my prayers is that would be me and all of you. Being still, listening, receiving, releasing in powerful prayer! Satan wranglers of Christ following in His ways! Amen! We abide, load up, release and follow as we go live, love and serve like Jesus and as we battle against the enemy. We know as we are pulling people from his grasp, he will be prowling about after us. But we just can't stop! Our mission is to go make disciples and rescue the lost. Although this sounds tedious, dangerous and like hard work, it need not be for Christ is with us always working all things together for good. He created you for such a time as this and has activated you to do your part. Plus He has gathered us with a full Body of believers that pray, encourage and serve together. Really that is Jesus' easy yoke He invites us weary ones to put on and then to walk with Him in. And that is a joy that brings peace to our souls and impacts the world around us for good. We are finishing up 1 John
. He reminds the new generation of believers that God is Light, Love and Life and assures them of their eternity with Him as they trust, obey and follow the Jesus way. That's our call too. Love God. Follow Jesus. And enjoy life! I pray that all falls into place for you and us. God does have great plans for us! Let's boldly and joyfully receive them and step into them. I'm praying for you! Doing what we can with what we've been giving, loving God and people and enjoying life! Sounds pretty good to me! (Check out the devos below relating to all this as you abide and load up for
!)
Upper Room: God's Help
The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)
At one time in my life, I was surrounded by many social and economic issues. I was stressed day and night, and it was quite unbearable. When I tried to handle the problems on my own, it only seemed to make things worse. I felt helpless.
Then one day I received a call from a man of God who asked me to join a prayer meeting. Even though the meeting was at a location far away from me, I decided to go. When I arrived, I was heavily burdened. I joined the group in worship and prayer, and as I did so, I began to receive peace in my heart and my heaviness was gone. I believe God led me to that place.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, KJV). God can perform miracles when we think there is no way forward. We can trust God to help us in all our circumstances.
's PrayerGracious and loving God, thank you for strengthening us to face difficult situations. We pray in the name of the One who saves the world and whose grace is abundant. Amen.
Bread 10-12; Possible Dinner Huddle (Pastor Don is again/still struggling with health and no sleep. Watch for shout out if we cancel)
Good Morning Very Loved, Guided Children of the Most High God! Just think about that and all it means to you, your life, our church! WOW! Amazing Love! I'm just including Sarah Young's devo
. Really sink your roots into this and maybe even process with some friends. What's God saying? He's calling you by name to receive this and incarnate it too. Turn off the noise and focus on drawing close to and following our God who is always good and kind! Amen. Time to try to sleep. Please Lord! I'm tired of this! Guess sleeplessness is part of aging. This is part of my unique journey right now. God knows, loves me and has a plan. Amen! May we all find His plans and purposes for each of us and us as His body and go love like Jesus! Amen! Shalom
Sarah Update below (and info on men's and woman's prayer groups)
Pause and Reflect
Oftentimes, it’s easiest to look to the next “thing” and rush by what God has been saying to us. Take time
to review what God has said to you over the past seven days.
The work God has begun in your heart can spread to others. Our prayer is that revival spreads from an individual (you and me) to a church, then to a community, to a nation, and beyond.
God has so much He wants to do in and through your life as you follow Him. This is a great time to seek the Lord and ask Him for opportunities to share with others. Watch for those opportunities to arise, and then follow through.
Good Morning Contemplative, Prayerful, Followers of the Way! Jesus is the way and there are many layers to mine for what it means to be in Him, of Him, for Him and His reflection. What's He saying t you? How might He be wanting to release revival through you? What will you do about that? Talk to Him and some others and don't shrink back. You were made for such a time as this! God's got some miracles for you to release and some people awaiting your prayers of salvation and encouragement. Live and love like Jesus and even laugh and enjoy this life in Christ! What a thrill ride we are on!
I've been up most of the night. This time because our Maggie really hurt herself before bed and I've been trying to comfort her and then was just too awake to sleep. It's a little after 5. Time to head back to bed before our ZOOM HUDDLE. Take some time to abide in our Vine, take in nourishment, meditate on what he's revealing, pray in power for Him to use you, draw many and unite you with some co-laborers, and release some miracles. he'll do that if your heart is right and you are willing to follow His plans and way. DO IT! Begin with abiding worship
! And prepare for a day of joining God as you go. He's got some great custom made plans for you for such a time as this! Rejoice! Trust! Obey! And follow the Jesus' way. Check out the link to this praise song as you abide, worship, pray and prepare: The Jesus' Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARSGgC9iQb0&list=RDARSGgC9iQb0&start_radio=1
Shalom! We are followers and bringers of the Way! Amen!
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, warriors,
I wanted to remind everyone of those that are in need of our prayer support and upliftment:
Ed Rohrer - had a liver biopsy
. They are waiting for the results in the next week or so.
Barb Somers - asking for prayer for her sister who is on hospice, and is preparing to enter her eternal home
Please keep Barb and the family in your prayers as they will miss her very much
Debbie and Gerry Siegfried's fur baby, Challa. She is having some health issues and the Vet staff and medical team
is working diligently to find out why she won't eat and isn't feeling well.
Gary Bastan is asking for prayer for his friend, Dave Mercer - Dave is hoping to remain in remission for 6 to 24 months
so he can then have a T cell procedure.
Continued prayer support for Matthew Stauffer - experiencing some ups and downs with his health situation.
Prayers for our young people, kids and our grads. Richard Paul (Larry and Enol's oldest son) will be attending
Lehigh University in August. He will be studying Accounting.
Lori Rohrer - she will have the fusion of her right SI joint on
. Pray for her and her family and
medical team as they prep for this procedure.
** ** **
Prayer plays a valuable role in our Jesus journey. Prayer is the way we communicate with our Heavenly Father.
It's a way we share our joys, our sorrows, our anxieties, our needs with God. It's the way that we can talk with
God at any time; day or night.
It's important that we pray for one another. That we, St Matthew's become a house of prayer, where all of our church
family members are praying for one another; praying for our outreach programs and opportunities; prays for pastoral
staff; praying for those that are willing to serve in many different aspects within the church and/or out in the community.
Ladies, that were present on Mother's day - received a mug and were divinely put into prayer groups. You also received
a card with the women's names on it that are in your group. You are to pray for each other, in your group. You also have
their email addresses and they are placed into a group that you can email your requests for prayer. Or share some moments
of JOY with each other; or share something that you read in your devotions that day. Lift up our church and what God is
doing within each of us and all around us. Pray about what is next....what does God want us to help Him next.
Connect and stay connected with one another.
There are four groups of Sisters in Christ: Deep Blue, Light Orange, Light blue, and Orange. And several of you are already
communicating and sharing with your group. That's awesome!
If you have not present to have been put into one of these groups, but would like to be part of a group, please let me know and I will get
you into a group.
** ** **
Men,
if you were in worship, you received a gift and a name of another man within our church family.
All we are asking is that you would be in prayer for that guy that was taped to the lid of your box. Pray for him daily,
pray for him when the Lord lays his name on your heart. You do not need to call this person, unless the Lord leads you to.
You do not need to email him, unless the Lord asks you to. We are asking you to just pray for him. Pray a great way
to support each other. You never know the pray you whisper for them, may help them make a wise decision, help to heal him,
keep him safe...... remember, if you aren't sure what to pray for your person, just whisper his name to God. God knows what his needs
are......
If you were not at worship
, guys and would like to be part of our mens prayer warriors, let me know.
** ** **
Praying that you all have a great rest of your
.....
If you have a prayer request, and would like our Warriors to pray for you, let me know and I will make sure your request gets
(Please note that due to my fluctuating health conditions
evening dinner huddle could be cancelled at last min. Keep an eye open in case this happens again this week. Thanks for you understanding and patience!)
Happy Late Morning Greetings to You, My Teammates, Co-Laborers in Christ! God is good and with us always and has great plans for the week ahead for you and for us as His gathered and sent Body. Invite Him to come abide and lead with open hearts, hands and minds and willing feet to follow Him.
we explored 1 John 3-4. We continued to hear John teaching of the importance of love, loving one another, loving God and others, dwelling in and following love and allowing our God who is Love to love through us. They WILL know we are Christians by our love! We were reminded of all the anti-Christ types in the media and around us speaking lies and spreading false teachings and how they will be aligned against us because they refuse to believe or follow God and don't want to be reminded of their sinful choices and ways by the example of us following God and living and loving well. We also saw how some of these false teachings invaded the church in John's days and how that is happening
with many churches trying to scratch itching ears and water down the Bible or alter God's teachings to fit their lifestyle choices and how they try to force us to affirm those choices because they feel guilty and shameful. And we say "NO!!!" We will always stand on Biblical standards, God's teaching and commands and follow His holy and righteous and good ways. AMEN! May that be us and our denomination always! You alone Lord. The Bible alone! Your holy and perfect ways alone! Amen. And may we always stand firm against false teachings, sin, lies and hate. May we seek You always, check all teachings against your Word, like the Berean's, and follow you and Your ways alone and lovingly help others to find you and walk in your ways. Thank You! Come fill us and lead us to live and love more and more like Jesus and to walk in Your good ways always. Thank You! Come! Lead us! Amen! May they know we are Christians by our love and by our walk and fruit. You are all we need and Your ways are perfect! PTL! Help us to choose well and shine bright into the darkness around us. Bring revival and protect us from the evil one and foolish choices. Amen!
Perfect mid day prayer and beginning of week commitment! God is Love. Love created us to love and lives in us to love through us. Think about how that may be playing out
and this week and follow Jesus with much joy and
and of course overflowing love! Who might He have for you to process with, pray with, plan with and go with? Pray into that and do something about that. Maybe with the woman's prayer teams or men prayer partners? We are united in Christ as His Body and we need each other. What's your part in this love machine? Step into it boldly!
I had an amazing night of peaceful and restful sleep and slept until 8
. I am just wrapping up an amazing quiet time. (the first in over a month) God sure has been speaking. I could share like 7 or 8 devos threading through the above and for you, but God said let them fend for themselves
and seek me with all their hearts. Please check out the second part of my
. blog and pray a covering over me, you and us. Pray on that armor and prepare to stand firm in Christ. The enemy is prowling about trying to kill, steal, destroy, derail and side track those God is using. God is using us and has great plans. Stand firm and be prepared for the hate of the world, attacks of Satan and God's deliverance and leading forward to His perfect plans. They are coming alive as we are coming alive in '25 and as we move closer to becoming that dynamic movement of God. We need each other and covering and encouragement. Let us unite, stand firm and commit to follow Jesus well the rest of the year! God is enough and His plans for us are perfect. Amen and PTL! Now time for some brunch! God loves you as do I and He has gathered our loving Body to go love well. That's our mission and it's coming alive! PTL! and shalom! They will know we are Christians by our love! May we choose to live and love well together! Amen!
Good Morning Worshipers! Happy Father's Day, especially to our awesome Father in heaven! Father is Love and we love because he first loved us. Turn that into worship
because life in Christ lived well is really all about love! No time for a blog
. Worship! Read 1 John 3-4 that we will study and see what you might discover anew about love and then go live and love like Jesus
Good Morning House of Prayer for the Nations and Disciple Makers! Keep on prayin', receiving and following Jesus! There is power in your prayers and things God is awaiting our releasing in prayer. We draw near to God as we pray. He informs our prayers and steps for the day. Praying is something we are all expected to do (fasting too) as well as making disciples (well, doing our part with that). However, some of us have the Good News Deliver Company role of prayer warrior, watchman on the wall, worshiper and all of those are positions as pray-ers. And we all have a part in His Good News Delivery Company! What's your part? Let your roots sink deep into God, His Word and the Living Water that nourishes and leads to great fruit. Yes, keep on prayin'! And keep surrendering and following too.
I'm sharing two devos below: Our Daily Bread and The Upper Room. They really were speaking to my heart
about our relationship with the Father and the abiding in Him that leads to deep roots and eventually good fruit. I love the thought of how much God wants to hear us yelling, "Wait Daddy, I'm coming." He loves when we seek after Him to just hang out with no agenda but to be with Him. And then as we hang out, our roots sink deeper into Him and He will prepare us and lead us into His plans for the day. Amen! He really does have some great plans for you (and us as His Body) to discover that become clearer as we abide and then are activated through our prayers and choices to follow Him forward at His pace and with hearts prepared and wanting to join Him and hang out. He will then use that to show us our purposes and ministry opportunities as we go with Him. That's His easy yoke! Put that on
as you abide, receive, sink deep roots and determine to just hang out, watch what He's doing and then join Him. That's also doing your part in His Good News Delivery Co.
Since we've been talking about prayer and how I shared how I need your covering and prayers and help, I want to share something God made apparent as I was trying to fall asleep. Three times over the past 20+ years someone while laying hands on or pointing to my stomach has prophesied over me that streams of living water will flow from me. And they have and continue. PTL And I'm sure there is more of that to come as God uses me to teach, lead and make disciples and as I pray in power. Now within the past year and a half two church members had dreams about my big belly. The Word that came to both in the dreams was that I would be birthing a new thing our having a baby of new ministry coming. Pray into that please because it is coming alive and because that is where Satan has been attacking. My congestive fluid retention and bad pains are in the stomach area. God is on the move and using me to bring living water and we have begun the process of planting a church. Satan is ticked and after me. I need your covering and prayers for deliverance! Maybe God has allowed some testing over the past two months or so and maybe Satan has set out to deter me and maybe even incapacitate me. BUT GOD! He has other plans and I need to be leaning fully on Him and seeking and following Him alone. I was or Satan was leading me down some rabbit trails too. I've caught on and caught myself (with the help of some accountability from some of you! Thanks!) and have begun repenting and renewing my mind as I abide, sink my roots deeper, pull in nourishment for the journey and crucified some things to allow space for God to mold and lead me forward. Please, please please...keep praying for and covering me. Then ask God how you might need to adjust, correct and/or repent then put on that armor and join me as we follow Him together to what He has for us and our church each day. He does have very good plans for us just as we are. But remember, coming just as you are does not mean staying as you are. He is always wanting us to come hang out with no agenda and to allow Him to mold and lead us forward. Amen! And Satan will be ticked and attacking as we advance the Kingdom. So, let us cover each other, process together, celebrate what God is doing, allow Him to mold and lead us and praise Him in the storms and for the good fruit that's on it's way! Amen! Yes streams of living water are flowing and new life is being birthed! PTL and prepare for battle! God is making a way as we abide, pray and determine to follow Him just as we are, armored up and with open, ready hearts. Yes, PTL!
ODB
What Your Father Wants
The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Romans 8:15
Steve grabbed his chainsaw and headed out to the woods. That’s when he heard five-year-old August. “Wait for me, Dad! I want to come!” Grabbing his toy chainsaw, work gloves, and earmuffs, August followed Steve out the door. Steve set out a couple of logs for him a safe distance away. After ten minutes, August was worn out. Cutting logs with a fake chainsaw is hard work! But he was happy to “help” his dad, and his dad was delighted to spend time with his son.
Isn’t this how it is with our heavenly Father? We suppose we’re helping. “Wait for me, Dad! I need to get my chainsaw!” But our chainsaw is the least important thing about us. We’re not helping as much as we think. God cares far more about the first part, “Wait for me, Dad!” He doesn’t need our output.
If you love His Son, Jesus, God has adopted you into His family and given you His Spirit. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship” (Romans 8:15). You’re not a servant who earns his place by hard work. You’re a child who’s loved by your Father, no matter what. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
Our heavenly Father is delighted when we serve Him. But He doesn’t need us. He simply wants us.
By Mike Wittmer
REFLECT & PRAY
What do you think of when you consider what God wants from you? How will you spend time with Him
?
Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family as Your child.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In John 14-16, Jesus revealed the work of the Holy Spirit, whom he called “the Advocate” and “the Spirit of truth” (14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13). In Romans 8, Paul tells us more about the importance and the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer in Christ. Calling Him “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ,” the apostle says that if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit, “they do not belong to Christ” (v. 9). He’s the source of our life (vv. 10-11); He’s the seal and deposit guaranteeing that we belong to God (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14). Through the Spirit, God now lives in every believer (Romans 8:11) and we’re called “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (v. 17). The Spirit enables us to affectionately call out, “Abba, Father” (v. 15), empowers us to live godly lives (vv. 5-13), and helps us to pray by interceding for us and with us (v. 26).
K.T. Sim
UR: Firmly Rooted
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
I studied the slender branch in our garden. My father-in-law had taken the cutting from his parents’ blackberry bush and replanted it in our tiny garden. I anticipated sharing juicy berries with my two preschool-aged sons.
Approaching the garden, I inspected what I hoped to be the beginning of my thriving blackberry bush. However, no buds were visible on the delicate plant. As I stepped closer, something wasn’t right. I wiggled the plant and, much to my shock, it popped right out of the ground! Upon further observation, I found that my sons had pulled it up and replanted it multiple times. The branch no longer had roots. Since the plant had not stayed firmly in the dirt, roots could not form.
Sometimes I get busy and don’t pray or study the Bible, and my spiritual roots shrink like that of the plant. In Colossians 2, Paul encourages believers to continue to follow Jesus and let their roots grow down into him. When we spend time with God in prayer, Bible study, and regular worship with other believers, we build our lives on Jesus. Only then will we have roots strong enough to hold our lives steady and allow the fruit of God’s Spirit to be seen in us.
's PrayerDear Lord, help us build our lives in obedience to your will for us. Guide us as we pray and study your word. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, church family,
Hope you are all having a good
.....hey the Lord has brought us through another week!! We look forward to worshipping together, on
. Praying you all are able to join us.
Larry and Enol Paul and their sons made it safely home, and we are looking forward to seeing them
very possibly, in worship,
.
A prayer concern:
This past week, Pastor Adam Robert's niece suddenly passed away and walked into the arms of Jesus.
His Sister, husband and children are devasted at Emily's passing. Please keep The Roberts and the Snibbe
family in your prayers during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed.
Thank you for your prayers for one another.....continue to pray for our communities and for all those that serve
our community and our country.
is flag day.....commemorates the adoption of the official flag of the United States by the Continental Congress on
Thank God I'm Forgiven! Man, there are so many facets to that to begin your day in praise with! Try it! List a bunch and add to you gratitude lists! Thank God I'm forgiven. made new, redeemed. restored, filled, enabled, His, being prepared and sent to share this Good news. Thank God for love, mercy, grace forgiveness, help to repent, transformed! And so many more! What are you thankful about
? Lift it! Share it!!
Good afternoon Love Church, Joy Church, Church of the Redeemed, God's Church! And the praise can continue as His love overflows from us into our Body and put of our walls! yes, thank God I'm forgiven! Amen! We are God's masterpieces. (Eph. 2:10) Made new in Christ, gifted, filled, empowered, enabled, gathered and sent to do all the things He created us to do. Discovering and walking with Jesus toward it is the easy yoke of Christ we long for and that brings joy and peace. Amen, meditate on these things and process them and pray into them with your teammates and our Body!
So God has heard. answered and is delivering me from my sickness, attack and testing. PTL! He broke through my thick skull (I heard the voice you used with the disciples..."You thick-headed! How long must I put up with you?) He is teaching me and delivering me and hearing and answering your and my prayers. Check out the thread of devos below as God highlights what is going on and His wise plans and ways to me, you and us. I'm learning, being refined and being delivered and transformed more into His image. PTL! I slept 11 hours, have new CPAP settings which helped, have been affirmed and corrected by our leadership team. They have shared your concerns about my health and choices as well. I am a new man in Christ, renewing my thinking, repenting and being led to healthy new choices and ways of Christ. PTL! Thank you for the love, patient prayers, concerns and encouragement! God has truly blessed me with an awesome Body and call! I love you guys! Thak you! We have much to celebrate as God is helping us to use what He's given us to do what we can as he leads us to His perfect plans and easy yoke! PTL! We'll discuss this more another time. Just keep praying, trust and doing your part and God will bless us, hear our prayers and lead us to His plans and our Promised Land. Amen!
Time to get to the day ahead.
is usually my day off and
, I slept until after 9 so time to get to some things I need to do. Just know that I have been still, praised, reloaded and am walking with Jesus as he leads into His plans for me
. And they will be perfectly fitted just for me and where I am in my journey to Christlikeness. Amen!
Check out the Sarah Young Devo! So perfect for
. We could just stop and meditate on that for awhile--I did!. The I to We devo continues to remind us how we all mater in God's Body and all have an age-appropriate, circumstance appropriate and ability appropriate role to play. We are family and we do need each other. What's your part and God's plan for you
? Process that with some friends and walk with Jesus as your Lord and Shepherd! ODB, UR and TwFYT continue to flow with words of wisdom from God. Put on that armor, easy yoke and offer your open and willing heart to God
. he loves you is with you, will lead you and give you stories to share and celebrate as we go! Amen! Let's keep it simple, work at being who we are created to be and doing what we are created and gathered to do and commit to doing what we can with what we've been given. Then celebrate a lot for who God is, who He is in me/you and His perfect easy yoke! Yes PTL! He does have some perfect things for you and us to discover and step into! Rejoice!
Love you all! God has truly called me to the perfect Body and great friends to love, encourage, grow and go together! Thank you for making pastoring such a joy! You guys are Christ in the flesh and bringing His love and wisdom alive! Keep it up! I'm praying and praising for you always!
Praise God and pray into what my fortune cookie says. Invite someone to come experience the love and joy and God's Word with us!
Sarah Young
I to We
ODB
Standing Firm in Faith
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. 1 Peter 5:8-9
On my walk to catch the train to work a few years ago, I saw a woman with a ferocious-looking dog heading toward me. I grew up around pet dogs, so I’m usually not afraid of furry friends, but this one looked menacing. As the dog got closer, he barked at me. I tried to laugh it off. But then he lunged at me, so I screamed. Thankfully the dog couldn’t harm me because he couldn’t reach me. His owner held on tightly to his leash.
That scary encounter reminded me that as believers in Jesus, Satan is also “on a leash” but waiting to attack if we give him the opportunity. In 1 Peter, the apostle Peter warns us, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (5:8). He growls and snarls and lunges at us to try to scare and intimidate us and to paralyze us with fear, but we can stand firm in our faith and “resist him” (v. 9).
When you feel the enemy taunting or tempting you, remember this: He’s no match for Jesus. We can cry out to Him and He’ll help us. He “will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (v. 10).
When we’re under spiritual attack, we can choose faith over fear because Jesus is always with us.
By Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT & PRAY
How do you react when you feel the enemy taunting or tempting you? How can you focus on Christ during spiritual battles?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always being there for me even during the toughest trials.
There’s a stark difference between how believers in Jesus are to relate to God and how we’re to respond to the devil. To confuse the two is unwise and dangerous. Humility—to trustingly bring oneself low in non-anxious dependence—is always in order before God Almighty (1 Peter 5:6-7). On the other hand, we’re to be “alert and of sober mind” and must “resist” the devil (vv. 8-9), for he’s a prowling spiritual predator—the adversary of those who believe in Jesus. James’ words echo those of Peter: “ ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:6-8). Revelation 12:9 speaks of the devil as “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” In Christ, however, by faith we can resist the devil and stand strong.
Arthur Jackson
UR: Peace in the Storm
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
As I
by the window, raindrops splattered against the glass. The storm outside mirrored the chaos I felt inside. Uncertainty, fear, and doubt engulfed me. I turned to the Bible, seeking solace. Psalm 46 spoke to my soul. How comforting it is to know that in the midst of life’s storms God stands as our unwavering anchor, offering refuge and strength.
In that moment, a memory surfaced of a time when I had been caught in a storm while hiking. Lost and soaked to the bone, I prayed for help. Suddenly, a stranger appeared and guided me to safety. Reflecting on that encounter, I realized that God’s presence is like that stranger — near to us and leading us through life’s tempests.
I felt God nudging me to seek peace through prayer, so I poured my heart out to God, releasing my burdens and fears. I discovered that talking to God felt like talking to a trusted friend who listened with compassion and understanding. A sense of calm washed over me. God’s promise of refuge and strength is a profound truth we can anchor our lives upon.
Now, when I hear the patter of raindrops, I am reminded of God’s constant presence. Storms will come and go, but God’s love remains unshaken. When we seek refuge in God during life’s trials, we will find a peace that surpasses all understanding.
's PrayerDear God, thank you for your abiding love and for being with us always. Amen.
Good MorningPraying, Seeking Jesus and Longing to Follow Him Well Friends! AMEN! May that be us Lord and may we do so in the way of Jesus for Your glory alone! Amen!
There has been some breakthrough for me the past two days as God spoke, I listened and began processing and He answered my/our/your prayers! PTL! I slept through the night! Now I feel rushed as it's been over a month since I was able to have morning quiet time and I have to get going to get the donuts and set up for
. BUT GOD! He knows, cares, loves, is with me, and has a perfect plan ahead for this day. So, I trust Him as I surrender, die to self, crucify me and allow Him to lead. Come Lord! Your will. Your way. Your timing. I am your servant and ready to watch ad follow. Thanks! Come and continue to breakthrough and deliver me. Amen!
The past few nights as I lie awake I started turning this song into my confession and prayer, begging God to break through, deliver me and bring sleep. Why not start
I am and was desperate for a move of God, crying out for help and deliverance and begging for sleep and He answered! PTL! What are you desperate for? Have you cried out with broken and humble heart? God knows, cares, hears and respond to the desperate, broken, repentant heart. Come Lord! We are desperate!
There is so much I want to process with you but time does not allow
. maybe you'll hear some at donut day or dinner huddle
. Reread my blog from
, that is where the break through began as I realized I have been striving in my own strength and kept banging against the closed door of my plans my way. It's like Paul's scales fell from my eyes and I can see clearly now and have some repentant, seeking, abiding work to do now. I also have some processing to do with some of you, including our support team at our meeting
. Please pray into that. And embrace this: stop striving in your own strength and for your own plans. God made you for such a time as this and he has transformed you, equipped and activated you to do His plans in His time. Hold loosely to your plans and agendas. be still and watch for how He wants you to join Him
. Receive His deliverance from the weariness of striving and don His easy yoke as you watch for and walk with Jesus
. he will refresh you and lead you to His perfect plans for you. he does know you and what you are made to do
and
and next year. trust Him. Surrender. Repent. Trust. Follow. Amen! Let jesus build His Church and be available to allow Him to use you according to His plans for such a time as this. It will be good, a joy and easy yoke to bear. Amen! Follow Jesus' way and example to a healthy, fruitful, enjoyable life of living and loving like Him. He made you for
and the Sabbath for us to learn to abide and rest in Him and be ready to go with Him when the time is right in ways that are custom made for us. Amen! he did tell me to stop forcing things and striving to please Him with my own ideas and AGENDAS AND JUST WATCH FOR WHAT HE'S DOING IN THE MOMENTS OF THE DAY AND ALLOW HIM TO USE ME AS I AM for HIS plans! Let us all pray into that for each other and encourage and walk with each other in love and accountability to it. Amen
Are you honest with God?
Confession means agreeing with God about our sinful ways. If He has told us in His Word that something is sinful, then it is. Open your heart to the probing of the Holy Spirit; let Him reveal what aspects of your life need to change and what sins need to be confessed. Then repent and trust AS you walk with Him.
Ok gotta fly but if able you may be able to thread through and piece together some of all God has revealed to me
after 9 hours of sleep and stillness in Him. Amen
If you see me
and God spurs you, let discuss and pray together. he has perfect plans that bring peace and joy and fit you perfectly. Stop forcing things! I think of my grandmother who had fluid bloated feet saying, "Well, that's a lot of foot for that shoe!" Yet she tried to force it on and struggled with uncomfort, even pain. God has a custom fit day for you. Step into that! I'm praying for you, me and us! Come Jesus! Lead us!
Betty is ready. She began following Jesus as a teenager and has taken opportunities her whole life to serve and please Him. She attends Bible studies, worship services, and prayer meetings. She’s taught studies, visited mission fields, worked in the nursery, served alongside her pastor-husband, and she loves being with God’s people every chance she gets. And remarkably she’s 102 years old and is still ready to do whatever pleases God. She’s an inspiration to many who might not feel like gathering with other believers some days. Then they remember, Betty will be there. I certainly can get there! Betty now says she’s eager to get to heaven to be with her Savior. She says, “I’m ready to see Jesus; I love Him so.”
The apostle Paul said he “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). But he knew God had work for him to do in encouraging believers in many churches (Philippians 1:23-24). So he kept serving and living “by faith” and “not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Paul remained ready and kept serving under God’s direction.
Whatever our age and stage in life, let’s ask God to help us make it our heart’s goal “to please [Christ]” (v. 9) and stay ready. Betty is ready. And if someday she isn’t ready, it’s because she’s already seeing Jesus face-to-face.
By Anne Cetas
REFLECT & PRAY
In what ways can you practice answering God’s call to service? How can you become more ready for His call to heaven?
Dear God, I love You with all my heart and want to please You in whatever ways You want. I look forward to seeing You soon!
In 2 Corinthians 5:6-9, Paul describes the tension of living on earth (“at home in the body,” v. 6) and life after death for believers in Jesus (“at home with the Lord,” v. 8). Metaphors like “jars of clay” (4:7) and “earthly tent” (5:1) point to our mortality. But Paul assures us that “we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself” (v. 1 nlt). We will “put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (v. 2 nlt).
As we answer the call to serve Christ, our goal is “to please” Him (v. 9). We’ll receive or suffer the loss of rewards depending on how we’ve lived (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). And by staying ready and serving in God’s strength, we’ll truly live well.
K.T. Sim
UR: Getting It Straight
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. - Proverbs 4:11 (NIV)
I was in a hurry as I pulled into the parking lot. I spotted an empty parking space near the entrance and quickly maneuvered my car into it, intending to dash into the store for the one item I needed and back out again. But, try as I might, I could not get the car parked straight. After several unsuccessful attempts, I got out of my car to determine what was wrong. I realized I had been using a vehicle next to me as a guide, but the car was parked almost diagonally! Instead, I should have been using my side and rearview mirrors to align my car within the markings on the ground.
Even though it has been quite a few years since that incident, every time I think or talk about it, a larger lesson stands out for me: Be careful whose life you try to align your life with. When we look at other people who seem to be successful or who are living a life that we aspire to, we may feel that we need to emulate them to achieve the same level of accomplishment. But doing so may lead us in a direction we don’t want to go.
While there’s nothing wrong with having good role models, we should strive for our lives to line up with the word of God above all else. When we focus on Jesus and pattern our lives after his, he will guide us in the way we should go.
's Prayer
Thank you, God, for your promise that when we pay attention to your words you will keep our paths secure. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Good Morning Ministers of the Lord, Co-Laborers in Christ! That is you and we are united in Christ and gathered and then sent to minister together. We are all custom made for custom purposes which includes being unique ministers. Have you ever thought about that? We are gifted to spur each other on. That's ministry. We are created as prayer warriors and we all are called to pray. That's ministry. We are called to be givers--ministry. We are called to make disciples--ministry. We are called to lead, teach, sing, clean, mow--ministry. What's your ministry or ministries? We all have at least one we are gifted and empowered to do. And it's our role too in God's Good News Delivery Co. We all need each other! And we are all ministers. Check out the I to We devo about this. This is one of my big prayer requests--that we all discover and step into our roles, purposes and ministries and that we train others to take over for us someday as we make disciple making disciples of Jesus and as we become a House of Prayer for the Nations. Amen!
ODB discusses having a generous heart and doing good as we bless others. Hey, that's ministry! But I am going to include the Hebrews passage tied to it to contemplate prayerfully as well right here. Think about this passage because I do often. Your church leaders and pastors are going to be held accountable to a higher standard. That is part of what drives me to keep pushing to expand the kingdom, become a House of Prayer, become disciple makers and try new things. And we need your prayers and help to make our ministries a joy. Sometimes, especially when we are forging ahead or lagging behind or we are getting complaints and pressure, it's not always a joy. But for the most part, my call to pastor St. Matts and serving with you is a joy. Just realize that sometimes we push because of the higher accountability we will face. One of the most important questions I am facing and we all must is are we doing what we can with what we've been given? Our we stewarding our lives and God's blessings well? We need to do that before we move on to new things. I think many of us are and as a church as well. Let's keep at it--doing what we can with what we've been given. And remember we also do serve a miracle working God that provides as we go and grow. Amen! TWFYT has been discussing the crowns we can receive and
's ties to pastors and minister as well. What's God say into you as you engage with it? What might He want you to do about all of this? Pray and process with your teammates. God's got great custom plans just for you--minister! I'm praying for you and us! Join me!
One last thing to remember and embrace--abide before fruit and work from rest and this too...
Hebrews 13:15-21
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.
20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,[a]
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
I to We
ODB
A Generous Heart
Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Hebrews 13:16
When soccer star Sadio Mané from Senegal was playing for Liverpool in the English Premier League, he was one of the world’s highest-paid African players, making millions of dollars per year. Fans spotted a picture of Mané carrying an iPhone with a cracked screen and joked about him using the damaged device. His response was unflustered. "Why would I want ten Ferraris, twenty diamond watches, and two jet planes?” he asked. “I starved, I worked in the fields, played barefoot, and didn't go to school. Now I can help people. I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing. . . . [Give] some of what life has given me."
Mané knew how selfish it would be to hoard all his prosperity when so many of his neighbors back home struggled under crushing conditions. Hebrews reminds us that this generous way of life is for all of us, not only for those who are wealthy. “Do not forget to do good and to share with others,” the writer says, “for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (13:16). Nurturing a generous heart isn’t only the right thing to do, but according to Scripture, generosity also makes God smile. Who doesn’t want to make God pleased?
Generosity isn’t defined simply by how much we give. Instead, generosity refers to the posture of our heart. One thing we can do that’s “pleasing to [God]” (v. 21) is to simply open our hands and share what we have.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you shown generosity? What helps you cultivate a generous heart?
Dear God, thank You for the generous heart You’ve shown me. Please help me to be generous too.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The letter to the Hebrews is anonymous. This, however, hasn’t prevented centuries of scholarly speculation as to the identity of the author, which includes Paul, Luke, Apollos, as well as Barnabas, Priscilla, Silas, and Philip the evangelist. While human authorship can be debated, the divine authorship of the Holy Spirit is unquestioned. The audience for the letter was Jewish believers who’d been through great hardship and were in danger of abandoning their faith in Jesus the Messiah due to their struggles. This letter encourages them to keep on believing and trusting in God, with a series of warnings to that effect (2:1-3; 3:7–4:11; 6:4-6; 12:25-26). To encourage them, the author sets out to show the superiority of Jesus over everything—angels, Moses, Joshua, the priesthood, the sacrificial system, and more. And not only is He superior; He’s also the model of true sacrifice and generosity. As we practice generosity, we reflect His heart.
Good Evening/Morning! I started this before midnight. Tried something new for sleeping that didn't work so might as well do this so, Lord willing, I can sleep in
. You know in my quest to try to discover what's causing this sleeplessness, the thought came that I may be trying to hard. Now I'm not positive that this is from God because I haven't ha time to pray and process. However, it makes sense, at least during my sleepless stupor.
Then I opened the Sarah Young devo and boom! This sure sounds like me--ever planning, busy doing all I can to advance the Kingdom and bless God's church and others. I started thinking about the several (too many really) times God had to set me down to get my attention and remind me to be still and watch and know as I hold more loosely to what I think I need to be doing. I don't mean this as a pat on the back, but man, it can be very wearying be a servant leader. There are only so many hours in a day and only so much that God really does have for me to do. I can't do it all, but sure try too often! Forgive me Lord. God did bless us with a great refreshing vacation and then I was slammed down and pretty much incapacitated for over a month now. I love the line from the devo that feels like it's right from God's heart to mine..."Give your mind a break from planning." As if! Wish I could! I have lists for my to do lists. My mind is always planning. Now that is not why I can't sleep. I'm usually in that empty box and thinking of nothing but trying to sleep. BUT I do need to slow it down and allow God to lead for awhile. Maybe we are doing all we're supposed to be doing for such a time as this? Maybe we are to enjoy and celebrate how God has been using us and allow Christ to build he church, not Donald. So, I'm going to try a more hands off approach and juts watch for where God wants me/us to join Him as we go. Pray for that for me please! Thanks! It's time to let His Spirit lead more without all the planning, maybe. May I choose to rest and abide, trust and obey all day, daily.
It's too early to be posted yet, but ODB reminds us to plan prudently. Now that's a good word for me and us! "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways." Amen! Help me plan with You Lord--prudently according to Your perfect plans and timing. May my choices honor You and follow the way of Jesus who worked from rest. Thanks! Amen! Check out the devo if you have it. Good stuff! Ok that's enough for now and gives you some prayer requests for me and us and some accountability opportunities to check in on me with. Jesus said, come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest for your souls." Yes please! Amen and shalom to you all too!
Sarah Young:
Wagner's Update
Greetings Friends,
Crazy to think that we are half-way through the final term of this school year! Here’s what we’ve been up to since our last update.
African Field Studies in Cape Town
During our week-long school trip with seven juniors and seniors, we learned about the history of South Africa from early settlers to the end of apartheid, marveled at the diverse natural history and neighborhoods in and around Cape Town, experienced current ministries going on in the area, and were challenged by the complexity of contemporary issues facing South Africa and ways those issues are being addressed. We also thoroughly enjoyed tasting traditional South African cuisine!
Term Break Blessings
We had two glorious weeks of heart-filling joy, laughter, and fun with our grandson (& his parents), Micah & Lynnsi, as well as dear friends and RVA alumni at a marriage celebration! We returned to Kenya with tired bodies, thankful hearts, and special memories from our time together.
Third Term, Part 1
Here are some of the highlights from the first half of this term!
Ways to Pray
Brian is currently Stateside scoring AP Calculus exams while Missy is single parenting our nine boys as RVA heads into the final stretch of the school year. PRAY for good health, strength, and restful nights at the end of long days.
The senior class is experiencing their *lasts* with graduation just five short weeks away. PRAY for good closure as they make final memories together and excitement as they look ahead to where God is leading them next.
In the same way, current RVA staff will be leaving while new staff are preparing to come. As we look toward starting a new school year in August, there are still needs for teachers, dorm parents, and support staff. PRAY that God will graciously fill these needs with the right people at the right time.
Family News
Rachel & Luke (along with Bibi & Babu) are anxiously awaiting the birth of their second baby (grandbaby) any day now! PRAY for a safe delivery and that this sweet addition to the family would arrive in plenty of time to receive love and snuggles from Babu before his return trip to Kenya. PRAY for a healthy baby and a smooth transition to a family of four.
Along with grad school classes and church commitments, Hannah & Jamie are preparing for a long-awaited trip back to their childhood homes in Kenya! They’re looking forward to arriving in time for RVA’s alumni weekend, spending time with both sets of parents, visiting special people and places, and vacationing together at the Indian Ocean. PRAY for good health and safety in travels, along with making fun new memories together.
Micah successfully finished his second year of teaching middle school math & Lynnsi is fully funded and excited to begin her new role as a TCK Specialist with Interaction International! Check out her website to learn more: https://lynnsiwagnertckspecialist.my.canva.site. PRAY for all they have going on this summer between grad school courses, week-long camps for TCKs in transition, and preparations for changes in their jobs.
We’re so grateful for an amazing team of prayer warriors over many years of life and ministry at RVA. You are a blessing!
May the Light of God fill you to overflowing and gush forth from you driving back that darkness that seems to have a stranglehold on our neighborhoods. Sarah Youngs devo for
flows from
's message to next weeks (God is Light 1 John 1-2/ God is Love 1 John 3-4) What's God saying to you as He invites you to come dwell in His Light and Love and what will you do about that? May we be radiant with the Light of His presence!
Sarah Young devo:
You know this doing my blogs between 1-3 is becoming norm. But I question often why God is allowing it? Is my faith being tested? Am I under spiritual attack? Is there some heart issue that needs surgery? Or maybe some sin that needs repenting? IDK but my aim is to stay faithful and cease the moments I can to abide and hang out with Him. I'm actually becoming more alert during these wee morning hours before he allows me sleep. Check out ODB and ask God if you need some heart surgery. Do you have a heart of flesh or stone? Are others noticing the change in you from that surgery? Remember, we are made new and being made new in Christ when we submit to Him and stop leaning on our own understanding or ways. Ask for a supple heart, an open heart for Him to operate upon. Then watch the transformation as he leads you to much better things and ways. He does have great plans for you and us he is in the process of working together! PTL and cooperate!
ODB:
Heart Surgery
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. Ezekiel 36:26
Some years ago, after exchanging heated words, Carolyn and I resolved our conflict through compassion and love for each other. I confessed my wrongdoing, and she prayed for me, referencing Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I sensed that God was conducting a form of spiritual heart surgery on me, taking away my fears and bitterness as He enfolded me in His love.
God delights for us to engage with the Scriptures as I did back then, but it’s important to note the passage’s original context. Ezekiel spoke on God’s behalf to His people with the promise that He would cleanse them. Why? “It is not for your sake . . . I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name” (v. 22). God would do His purifying work among His people so that all the nations would revere Him and know that He is God.
God works His purposes in our lives not only to help us flourish and grow, but so we would bring Him honor. Even as He gave the Israelites the promise of a new heart and a new spirit, so through the inward work of the Holy Spirit, God replaces our cold and hardened hearts with those that receive and share His love and life.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced God’s “heart surgery”? How have others noticed the changes that He’s brought about in your life?
God of all life, thank You for changing me, for forming in me a new self that’s rooted in You. Please pour out Your love on me
Ezekiel, exiled in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1), ministered to the exiled Jewish community during and after the destruction of Jerusalem. God promised restoration and a bright future to His people if they’d repent of their covenantal unfaithfulness. He’d forgive them and transform them into a holy nation. Only with a new heart and a new spirit would they be able to honor God (36:26-28; see 11:19-20). This new heart and spirit are central to God’s redemption plan.
The prophet Jeremiah also prophesied of God’s new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34. And Jesus spoke of “the new covenant in [His] blood” (Luke 22:20) hours before He died on the cross. He’s the mediator of the new covenant through “the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness” (Hebrews 12:24 nlt). And He alone can change our hearts.
K.T. Sim
Might as well wrap up with The Upper Room's speaking into trusting and following God and our Proverbs 3:5-6 verses. Hold loosely and allow God to have His way. Die to self, take up cross daily and follow Jesus prepared and ready! Amen!
UR: Right Conditions
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
“Sorry, Cindy, but the compost you were going to use is unsuitable,” the school custodian apologized. “The sunflower seeds will die before they have the chance to grow.” Disappointment and frustration flooded me. The children and I had been looking forward to planting our seeds during our lesson, but we would have to
wait for some fresh compost to arrive. Instead, the children drew pictures of sunflowers and wrote facts about their life cycle.
A few days later, when someone else was covering the class, I was able to plant the seeds with individual children. It turned out to be a calmer experience than trying to teach and plant seeds at the same time.
I thought about how often I have prayed for a goal or dream and wondered why God didn’t answer my prayer at that particular time. The truth, I later discovered, was that the conditions were wrong and I wouldn’t have been able to grow as a person on my journey. If the circumstances aren’t right, our dreams and hopes, like the seeds, can fail. Sometimes God calls me to trust, wait, or even change direction completely. I have to trust and obey God. It is still a learning process, but I know with God’s help I can improve.
's PrayerCreator God, your timing is mysterious but perfect. Help us to trust and wait for your guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, church family,
What a great day of worship
. Glad you were able to join us either in house or by way of Zoom. If you were unable to attend
, we pray that you are okay, and look forward to seeing you
.
Pastor Don shared from 1 John 1,2. Read through these two chapters and see what God is sharing with you.
** ** **
Praises shared
:
Debbie Siegfried is praising God for the safe and healthy delivery of her and Gerry's second grandson, Arthur John. Prayers for Michele, Michael and AJ as they grow together as a family of three.
Gary Bastan's praising God for his relatives receiving some good news: Mary - there is no cancer present in her stomach. Howie - is home and on medication to continue to heal blood disease. He is doing very well!
Lisa Wenner praising God for increasing the weight of the second twin that her niece, Lauren is carrying. Both twins are doing well!! They will continue to give her ultrasounds every two weeks. Praying for momma and babies.
Pastor Don is thankful for the tee shirt someone purchased him - it says " This Pastor has an awesome congregation". He is praising God for
each of our church family members!
Sally Williams is praising God that her grandson, Gaven, is graduating High School! Prayers for what the future plans are for Gaven.
Kay and Nancy are praising God for the safe traveling of Larry, Enol and their sons. They arrived home here in the states
, They are all looking forward to a time of rest. We hope to see them
in Worship. Richard will be attending Lehigh University,
beginning in September. Please keep Richard and his family in prayer as they get him settled in for college life.
Prayer needs:
Harry Waterman has several neighbors that have some health issues and is requesting prayer for them:
Goldie Graber (97 years old), Doug Beachim, Ronald Boyer, Dan Casey.
Millie Flexer's husband had his procedure this past week, but needs another procedure later this month. Prayers for healing.
Amber Sosa's mother's Aunt passed away - they are asking for prayer for the family during this difficult time.
** ** **
What's happening at St Matthew's this week:
- 10:00am Zoom Huddle/discussion
- 10 - 12pm Donuts/Coffee/Conversation - you are all welcome to come and hang out and make some
connections with those who enter our FH doors.
- 6:00pm FM/Adult gathering, beginning with a meal at 6:00pm followed by study and discussion.
All are welcome to attend.
Pray for on another; Sisters in Christ groups continue to pray for one another and communicate your prayer needs
with one another.
Have a great week, choosing JOY !!
Blessings,
Sarah
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Good Morning Worshipers! Prepare your hearts to worship in Spirit and truth and to enter His courts with
! Worship can be a 24-7 thing as we live our lives for Christ and pour ourselves out like a drink offering. Obedience is an act of worship too. Spending time in constant prayer is an act of worship. Being who you are created to be, doing what you are created to do, maturing in Christ are all acts of worship. So, how might you worship God
? This week? In the weeks ahead? He is so worthy of our worship, praise, glory and honor! Yes, hallowed be His name!
Days like
can trouble me. I haven't slept yet and it's 3:30. How can I honor God and bring His Word alive when I'm half asleep? BUT GOD! You see, He has allowed this sleeplessness for a reason and I spent the time with Him in study and prayer. Hopefully a few hours of sleep will follow after hitting the send button. He knows what lies ahead and will carry me. And I have little choice ahead but to lean hard on Him and allow Him to lead and use me
. It wouldn't hurt if you threw a prayer up for me (even if you read this and do so after church, because he is sovereign and other worldly and all prayers count and are used.)
we begin a study of First John and look at God being Light and THE Light of the World. I'm only including one devo below that ties to that in a way and ties to me and my journey as well. Sarah Young reminds us that we can be filled with the Light of God's presence. Are you? Have you allowed Him to drive all the darkness from you? His Light is cleansing and transforming. Soak in His Light
and go shine bright for the world to see as we unite to drive back the darkness. God has a plan for you and for that. Let's seek Him and His plans together and work at shining brighter each day as we dwell in His pure Light. Amen!
Good Morning Unified, Focused, Body of Christ! PTL! That is you and us as we come together as His Body for His purposes, learning to die to self and work for the better good of Kingdom advancement together. And that is built as we seek to become the people we are created to be, ding what we are created, gathered and empowered to do ad built on the foundation of Christ and informed by His Living Word. Amen! Pretty cool stuff! One in Christ, gathered, activated and sent to transform the world as we bring Christ and His Word alive, as we live and love more like Him! Amen! Now that is plenty to contemplate, process with some friends and pray through this morning. What's God saying to you and will you do about that? he does have great plans for you and us and they are coming alive in '25! PTL!
Just a very brief update: I had a great nights sleep as did Karen. Today we are involved (and thrashed some this morning as Karen is already out the door) in the baby shower and dedication of the 3 month premature twins of her boss that we have been praying for. What a miracle! They were born before they could have the baby shower. So today is that and why not dedicate the babies as well. Fun but busy morning. The coming together of friends to host this reminds me of the coming together of our Body to encourage, spur on, plan, pray and go love. many parts coming together for one big happy day and event. I pray and contemplate how God may want to do that with us as we consider some new opportunities and connection points where we get to, want to, go live, love, share the Good News and make disciples of Jesus and in His way. The cool part is we get to be who we are in Christ and do what we are gifted and inclined to do anyway to make it all happen. Pray into us seeking, hearing, processing, planning and doing His will. He is working all things together for good--including us. And He has some awesome things to discover and enact over the next few months. What ideas, dreams and visions is bringing to you? Let's start praying and planning! We are family, united in Christ and better together as we follow Him! Amen!
Check out these devos as you prepare your heart this morning and abide before going in Christ. We do need each other. Let us stay unified and focused on Christ and His mission of love! Shalom
I to We
ODB
As One
Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26
A seemingly plain table with thirteen simple cups divided across separate panels make up the contemporary painting, “That They May All Be One,” which hangs in Wolfson College at Oxford University. Its simplicity actually emphasizes the significance of the event: Jesus’ last supper with His disciples. The most prominent panel, containing bread and a cup representing Jesus, is surrounded by twelve individual panels to signify the disciples’ presence.
The painting is a beautiful reminder of the meal where Jesus took bread and a cup to start a new celebration for all His followers, the practice of communion. And I appreciate the row of empty panels that complete the picture because the space seems to invite the viewer to join them at the table.
Paul encourages us that “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Everyone who believes that Jesus’ death and resurrection provides the way for peace with God has a space waiting for them at the table.
And when we proclaim, or remember, Jesus’ sacrifice when we take communion, we act as one community of believers across the world and throughout time. It is as a beautiful image of the unity of the church.
By Lisa M. Samra
REFLECT & PRAY
What is meaningful to you about communion? How does communion point to believers’ unity in Jesus?
Jesus, as we take part of the celebration You gave us, remind me that we do it as one community.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s use of the words “on the night [Jesus] was betrayed” (1 Corinthians 11:23) underscores the serious nature of the matter he was addressing. It was Christ who implemented the first Communion (Lord’s Supper), and He did so on the Passover night before His crucifixion. Paul revisits the importance of this ordinance to correct a serious error in the church at Corinth. He leads into this section by saying, “In the following directives I have no praise for you” (v. 17)—stern words to hear from an apostle of Jesus. The apostle pointed out how there were “divisions” among the people (v. 18). Some were eating too much while others went hungry, and some were even getting drunk. Paul found such behavior appalling and warned of God’s judgment on those who were offending in this matter (vv. 27-32). He concluded by appealing for their renewed unity (v. 33)—a unity we can enjoy today with other sisters and brothers in Christ.
Tim Gustafson
UR: Grow in Faith
The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. - Acts 17:11 (NIV)
After waiting three hours to have some blood work done, I went to a vegetarian restaurant close to the hospital. When I went to the register to pay, I placed the book I had been reading in the hospital by the counter. Quickly, the person standing behind me read the title and said aloud, “Clement of Alexandria. How interesting!” When the person asked what had motivated me to read the book, I responded that I wanted to know how the ancient Christians expressed, argued, and lived their faith in a diverse society.
The scripture for today tells us that the early Christians dedicated themselves to the study of scripture. They did not simply limit themselves to listening and believing what Paul preached. They “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
We live in a diverse society with a wide variety in the ways people think, live, and believe. When we delve deeper into scripture and supplement our reading with works by Christian writers who faced great challenges because of their faith, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live and share the gospel. As Christians, we must nurture our spiritual needs so we can express, live, and share our faith according to Jesus’ teachings.
Today's Prayer
God of all knowledge and wisdom, guide us to your truth according to scripture. Grant us wisdom and increase our understanding so we can bear witness and share your good news with others. Amen.
Connection Blogs
June 7 - The Father Is Good!
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)
The Fatherhood of God was at the core of the teaching and prayer life of Jesus. In His own prayers Jesus continually referred to God as Father. In Matthew 7:7–11 Jesus teaches the multitudes to ask, seek, and knock. He taught them that there is a loving Father that is eagerly waiting to meet them at their point of need.
This poses a problem for many people in this generation. Because there has been so much abuse of children by fathers, the term father can have a negative, perverted connotation for some believers. Jesus teaches, however, that the nature of our Father is goodness. He is a good Father, perfect in His goodness. He said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, emphasis added).
Everything about the Father is good. It is in His nature to do good to His children. When we focus on the goodness of the Father, it makes miraculous changes in our attitudes toward life.
Father, how often I act like a spoiled child, trying to get my way. Your heart is to shower me with Your goodness if I will only receive it! Forgive me for the times I have questioned Your love for me when things go wrong or when people I love are hurting. Teach me how to be consistently aware that my life is in Your hands, and that Your plan is always for my good, even when things look bleak. Father, change my attitude to one of complete trust in Your ability to guide my life into Your purposes for the glory of Your kingdom!
--Adapted from The Prayer Factor by Sammy Tippit. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Prayer Points
Praise God for being sovereign, all-powerful, just, and gentle—all at the same time!
Thank him for dealing gently with you in your faults.
Confess times of lashing out at others.
Commit yourself to reflecting the gentleness of God to those around you, and ask God to produce that part of his Spirit’s fruit in abundance in you.
Pray that Christians who differ with one another will present a positive example to the world of how to gently disagree in love. Ask God to present that example also through you in your own conflict situations.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Again Praying Friends! It's been awhile since I included a Connections Blog in my blogs because they are not on line yet when I blog very early (like this morning). However, with our focus on women's prayer teams and our emphasis on striving to become a House of Prayer for the Nations, we need to focus on some prayer teachings and opportunities to learn to pray in power. Praying Scriptures leads to praying in power. And we know the prayers of a righteous person (you) are powerful and effective.
As I arose the third time this morning, the Connection blogs were posted. As I read through them, God nudged me to send them to you for your reading and application and even praying. Open your Bibles and pray Scriptures as you practice and absorb Scriptures to pray at other times as needed. Wield that double-edged sword in prayer! For the women's prayer teams, talk to your team about doing this and practicing powerful prayers for our church, our outreaches, for new ideas and connection points to neighbors and even for our communities and nation and leaders. God is right there with you listening and as you lift biblical prayers He respond with powerful and effective answers. His Kingdom will come and His will is done! Amen!
Try it! And keep praying and practicing and incorporating Scriptures as you pray. Then share those stories of how God answers. He will and in power! I'm praying for you! Shalom!
Connections:
June 6 - Experiencing the Fullness of God
Prayer concerns a relationship with God and reflects His active choice to communicate with us. Communicating with God involves our thoughts, words and gestures as we reach beyond our earthly limitations toward His transcendence. In short, prayer helps us to experience God in all of His fullness. Furthermore, practicing daily prayer and Bible reading is like having two arms that reach longingly toward the heavenly Father. Such a “praying person” receives God’s loving embrace as He answers through prayer and the Scripture.
George Müller learned that “the safe guide in every crisis is believing prayer in connection with the Word of God.” Müller discovered that the power for spiritual empowerment lay in Bible reading and that once his soul was filled with God’s Word, he was able to test his daily walk with the principles from God’s Word. What was true of a crisis in his life was true in every detail of his life. He literally walked throughout his day with scripture and prayer on his lips.
Like Müller, we also recognize the value of prayer and study of the scripture as two core inward spiritual disciplines that we practice in order to comprehend and to apply the will of God. Yet, his attitude in such prayer informs me. He seemed to pray always with his entire soul opened before God. I believe “praying the scripture” includes a vital attitudinal difference; namely, that something more is longed for in my inner person. Praying the scripture refers more to being than to doing and the application of the scripture’s “two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12) with prayer implies that I long for the Spirit’s moral activity to be operative within my heart in dramatic ways. The result of this attitude of prayer provides me with a holistic approach where my entire being is linked to God in Christian communication.
Lord, so often I have neglected Your word in favor of other pursuits. Help me to employ the “two-edged sword” as I pray, having an attitude of prayer that flows from Your heart. Allow me to walk through any storm, struggle or situation standing firmly upon Your promises and precepts. May I discover, as Müller did, the spiritual empowerment for everyday life that comes from prayer that is embedded in Your word.
Praise your faithful God! Give thanks for God’s faithfulness to you even when you are unfaithful to him (2 Tim. 2:11-13).
Spend a few minutes asking God to help you think through your life and confessing any unfaithfulness he brings to your attention.
Commit yourself as God’s image-bearer to reflecting his faithfulness in your own.
Pray that Christians will be faithful to use individual and corporate outreach opportunities. Ask for the vision to see opportunities and the loving determination to follow through.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Thank God I'm Forgiven! Real life begins and flows from that special gift from God. How many benefits and praises can you lift from that truth as you begin your quiet time. Try it! Yes, thank God I am forgiven because...
Good Morning Thankful Worshipers! Been thinking a lot lately about Job's great praise through his troubling times, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise be the Lord! I wonder why he allows only one night of sleep out of 20-30? But hey, Praise be the Lord because He has a plan and purpose for allowing it. PTL because I have to lean more on Him. PTL because I have to slow down and rely on others. PTL because others are stepping into their purposes. Thank God I'm forgiven and can know His love, grace and mercy no matter what I am facing or enduring! Yes, PTL!
This mornings devos really spoke to me and thread together to remind us of God's loving presence and how He works all things together for good. he is faithful--always! He doesn't waste our pain and wants to use it to grow us and the use us. he makes us new and sometimes that is through hard times. But because we are saved, we are activated and empowered to do the things He made us to do. We are His masterpieces. And the masterpieces become beautiful and useful as He pieces our lives together. Amen and PTL!
Spend some time in His loving presence today and soak in His love. he is working all things together for good! Amen! I heard Him and responded by spending time with Him and now I am very tired and praying He allows some sleep. If not, He has a plan in that. PTL!
UR: Eternal Faithfulness
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSVUE)
This verse is one we can turn to when we feel overwhelmed, and I imagine overwhelmed is what Jeremiah must have been feeling when he wrote Lamentations. Things were the worst they had ever been for Israel. Many people had been slaughtered in a losing battle, while others died of starvation.
But Jeremiah tells us that he had hope because he called to mind God’s promises. He remembered how God’s steadfast love had not changed or been altered by the sins of the people. It was based not on their performance but on God’s unchanging heart. Next, Jeremiah tells us that God’s mercies never come to an end. Even though his nation had been defeated and the enemy had burned down the temple, God continued to be merciful to them. God hasn’t stopped being merciful to us either.
God is willing to forgive anyone who cries out for mercy. Jeremiah tells us about God’s great faithfulness. He had hope because he knew that no matter what was to come, God would faithfully provide for God’s people. Today, no matter what we face, no matter what has been torn down, we can call to mind God’s promises and put our hope in God.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for inspiring us with your word. Help us to have hope in all circumstances. Amen.
ODB
No Wasted Pain
The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people . . . and I am concerned about their suffering.” Exodus 3:7
She looked into my eyes and said, “Don’t waste your pain.” My mind immediately returned to the time years prior when I’d led the memorial service for her young adult son whose life was taken in a car accident. She knew what she was talking about. She knew pain. But she also knew how God could use it to honor Him and help others—something this friend had done so very well. And as I heard her words, they comforted and encouraged me as I faced a serious cancer diagnosis. She was reminding me that God heard my cries and lament, and that He was with me in my pain and might use it to help others in a new way.
Moses also learned that God was with His people in their pain. “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt,” God said. “I have heard them crying out . . . and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exodus 3:7). The Israelites, like us at times, must have felt alone in their pain. But God assured them He had a plan to “rescue them” and that “the cry” of their hearts was heard (vv. 8-9). He would ultimately use their pain to grow their faith, defeat their enemies, and bring Him honor.
In Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses, he declared that even though our “best years are filled with pain” (v. 10 nlt), God’s “unfailing love” is with us “to the end of our lives” (v. 14 nlt). He lovingly won’t waste our pain—and neither should we.
By Tom Felten
REFLECT & PRAY
What does it mean for you to know God hears your cries? How is God using your pain to help others?
Loving God, thank You for hearing my cries and using my pain to help others.
“God to the rescue!” is a major biblical/theological theme in Scripture and history. Because of His person and His promises, He’s mindful of the plight of His people throughout the ages. He’s loving, merciful, and compassionate; therefore, He sees the dilemmas and hears the groans of His people (see Exodus 2:23). And because He’s a promise keeper (v. 24), He acts for the well-being of those who belong to Him. We see this same dynamic in God’s ultimate rescue plan through Jesus (Galatians 4:4-5). Mary sang about such things in Luke 1:54-55: “[God] has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” And God was with Mary and Abraham as they experienced pain in life, just as He’s with us in our pain.
Arthur Jackson
I to We (I really love how this devo keeps affirming what I am hearing form God and His plans for us!)
Good Morning Children of the Prayer-Hearing, Miracle-Bringing, King of the Universe! I gotta fly, but PTL! He has allowed me the miracle of sleep--ten hours last night--in response to your prayers and releasing His miracle power in prayer! Thank you and PTL! (Maybe it was the Rita's Ice! We had 30 of us gather and fellowship last nitght! Fun night!)However, that leaves little time to chat this morning as I have Anna Mae's funeral and then latter pre-marriage counseling. Sat I have the baptism of twin miracle babies we have prayed for. God is awesome and always on time! Check out the I to We devo below. Just as I've been saying and taching, we all have a place and a part and on part is too small to not be needed. You were created and are activated for such a time as this! Step boldly into your anointing today. There are a few devos below that that tie through it. We need givers, pray-ers, all kinds of servants to become God's dynamic movement. And we need each other! What's your part? What will you do about it? Praying for you! Keep on praying, believing and following Jesus! I'm praying for you and us and believing there are many more miracles to come--including many new lives in Christ! Pray and believe and do your part with me! Thanks!
I to We
ODB
The Gift of Giving
Each of you should give . . . not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
In his 2024 address to 1,200 university graduates, billionaire businessman Robert Hale Jr. said, “These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving. [My wife and I] want to give you two gifts: The first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.” His words were followed by the distribution of two envelopes each to the unexpectant graduates—five hundred dollars to keep and five hundred to give away to a person in need.
Though Robert Hale’s wealth has allowed him to share like this on more than one occasion, generosity isn’t reserved for those with great means. Believers in Jesus in ancient Macedonia gave out of their poverty so the needs of believers in Jerusalem could be met. Paul said of the Macedonians, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). He commends them because “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (vv. 3-4).
Those who recognize that they’ve been given much grace from God through Jesus can respond with generous hands to the needs of others. With God’s help, let’s give after the example of the one who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
What can you offer generously to someone? How have you been the recipient of another’s generosity?
Heavenly Father, please help me to give generously to others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
A fitting label for the “Macedonian churches” (2 Corinthians 8:1)—Thessalonica and Berea—is “Exemplars of Grace.” These churches were planted by Paul on his second missionary journey in Philippi. Second Corinthians 8 describes these believers in Jesus. They weren’t content simply with being recipients of God’s favor (v. 1); they became channels of generosity. Furthermore, they didn’t allow their destitution to excuse them from sharing with others: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (v. 2). As recipients of God’s grace (v. 1), they viewed their participation not as an obligation but as a “privilege” (v. 4). Finally, the giving of their material possessions was the result of their having given themselves first to Christ (v. 5), who, “though he was rich . . . became poor, so that [we] through his poverty might become rich” (v. 9). As we give sacrificially to others in need, we reflect His giving ways.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” - Genesis 28:16 (NIV)
Filling the watering can, I became aware that I was not alone. Two large antennae appeared at the top of the can.
Slowly but surely a gray neck became visible and then a magnificent shell, glistening and pristine in various shades of brown and cream. This scourge of the garden was a truly wonderful example of God’s creation.
The glory of God is visible even in the humble snail.
The appearance of the snail was just one of many occasions when I have gained a deeper appreciation of everyday things — when God and the wonder of human existence and creation made a strong impression upon me.
Jacob had such an experience when he awoke from sleep at a place he named Bethel. Jacob had not been looking for this experience; it happened quite suddenly. Each day and in ordinary ways God’s glory is revealed. Paying close attention to what is going on around us can be a transforming experience. God’s glory fills the earth and skies. May we be granted the vision to see it.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the surprising beauty of your creation. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear your work in the world. Amen.
Good Morning! Please keep praying for me. I had one full night's sleep yesterday in over a month. Today seems to be back to no sleep. Gonna try again as soon as I hit send. This is really getting old! Satan be gone!
We had a great day of worship, sharing, and praying yesterday. Keep praying for our church to experience and bring revival and new life and learn to live,, love and make disciples like Jesus! Ask God what your part is in His Good News Delivery Company and step out in faith and with some friends. He has great plans for you and us! Amen! Kathy verified yesterday that we are very much growing to become the dynamic movement God and our bishop have called us to be for such a time as this. PTL!
Check out these devos. Do you see the thread? Is God speaking to your heart? Who are you processing that with? Many need deliverance and healing today. Sarah Young's devo spoke to my heart today about relaxing in God's healing. Chuck Swindoll reminds us of the importance of trusting God completely and how that can bring much inner peace. Our Daily Bread talks about persevering and running our races well and of God's loving mercy and grace when we fall short. The Upper Room reminds us how we can be part of something bigger God is doing and stepping out to advocate for and bless our neighbors. Try it!
OK. Enough! I thin God has spoken and I am now able to sleep. Please Lord!
“Not winning is in fact more powerful than winning,” Professor Monica Wadhwa argues. Her research reveals that people tend to be most energized and motivated not when they win but when they almost win. Falling just short of one’s ambitions tends to give people the motivation to keep growing and striving. Easy victories, on the other hand, tend to cripple energy and motivation.
Wadhwa’s perspective gives fresh insight into Paul’s analogy used in two passages that compare following Christ to running a race: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Philippians 3:12-14. In both instances, Paul emphasizes that believers ought to give their pursuit of Christ and the gospel their all, “straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13) and running “in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
The paradoxical truth is that what we’re striving for—faithfully sharing the gospel (v. 23) and knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8)—aren’t things we can ever say we’ve achieved. We’ll always fall short. We’ll never be able to say we’ve “already arrived” (v. 12).
But that’s okay—because it’s the experience of drawing ever closer to Christ that matters. It’s only His strength that empowers and motivates us to pour our whole hearts into pursuing Him—the one who will one day carry us to victory.
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced growth through falling short? How can falling short encourage you to rely on Christ?
Dear God, thank You that I don’t need to fear falling short, but that You use these moments to continually draw me closer to You.
The athletic imagery of running a race used in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is also seen in Hebrews 12:1-2. The Greek word trechō, translated “run,” is used in both passages. We’re to “run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24) and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). The “great cloud of witnesses” (v. 1) included the “sometimes winning, sometimes losing” Old Testament believers. Though perfection will continue to elude us, as we “[fix] our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v. 2), we can grow in faith and endurance.
Arthur Jackson
UR: Advocates
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NRSVUE)
Montez Bailey and his two friends were shot in my quiet neighborhood park. Montez died.
The community didn’t want revenge against the gang initiate who was responsible. They wanted healing. Several people in the neighborhood began to advocate for the area. They wrote grants. They lobbied. They urged the neighborhood council to take action.
Before long, they turned a run-down park into a gathering place with expansive lawns, soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, a splash fountain, a playground, and picnic areas. The city agreed to establish The Forgiveness and Peace Garden — the only city-supported public garden where local people can tend a garden plot. Now families and groups enjoy a safe and peaceful time at the park.
The city built a community center nearby, one which had originally been planned for a wealthier area. My neighbor, one of those involved in this effort, told me how it impacts the lives and attitudes of the local teens. They now play sports in the park or go to the community center to hang out, study, and pursue fitness.
Advocacy is powerful. This is the heart of what it means to follow Jesus, our advocate in crisis and brokenness. Jesus is our source of peace.
Today's Prayer
Healer of all things, give us the courage to stand with others to advocate for justice and peace. Amen.
Good Morning Disciples that Jesus Loves! That is so true, but would you describe yourself that way? John did. Maybe if we did, we would be a bit more earnest in pursuit of and living for Jesus. we are so very loved by the God who is love and then saved, empowered and sent to love like Jesus. That is our mission that transforms our lives and of those around us. How's that going? Has God revealed someone to you that needs His love? Has your team discerned someone to love like Jesus loves you. Has the Holy Spirit given you dreams and visions for how to? be bold and courageous and step into your anointing today. God has great plans just for you! Rejoice, trust and follow well!
I was able to get three solid hours of sleep and some 10-30 minute naps before that. However, I need more rest as I cannot keep my eyes open right now. God has led me in a step in the right direction. That flows form abiding n matter my circumstances and then trusting and following well, just as I am. Check out the UR's reminder that as we allow what breaks God's heart to break ours we will reap with joy. What's breaking your heart right now? What are you doing about that? Ask God for eyes to see, ears to hear and for His heart and mind to step into your purposes today. Ask for willing feet and hands that hold loosely to your agenda for this day. Find someone to pray about this, to discern with and to plan and then cover you and help you. That is God's plan for you! Yes rejoice and come as you are and allow Him to move you closer to what he has created you to be and do. Amen! TWFYT asks a simple question that Jesus asked and still asks, "Do you want to be made whole?" How you answer that will determine what happens next. Choose Jesus! Choose love! Choose to trust and obey. Choose to die to self, take up cross today and allow Him to lead you to His best. He's waiting for you! And we are praying into us discovering and stepping into our purposes boldly and ready. May it be so Lord! Come! Amen! The harvest is waiting! Revival is at hand! Amen! Shalom shalom! Know perfect peace as you trust, surrender and follow today!
UR: No Labor Lost
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. - Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
At an annual event that rewards hard work and excellence across sectors in Africa, our organization won an award. I went to receive it. As I stood on the podium, the chairman named the feats we have achieved over the years, and the crowd cheered. It was a spectacular moment because the hard work we thought had gone unnoticed was finally rewarded.
Reflecting on that moment, I thought of the future time when God will honor the saints, the martyrs, the unknown heroes of faith, the peacemakers, the generous givers, and others who work tirelessly for the cause of God’s kingdom (see Matt. 16:27). Even when we feel our service has gone unnoticed or seemingly unrewarded, God takes note.
Realizing that God sees my effort even when the world does not instills in me a fervent desire to serve God and humanity. I look forward to the day when I will stand before God among the cheering saints and hear God say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
Today's Prayer
Dear God, when our heart and hands are weary, strengthen us. Amen.
TWFYT:
Sarah Update:
Good evening, all.....
What a gorgeous day it was today. Looks like the next couple of days are going to be the same.....sunshine and warmer temps.
Hope you all are able to find some time to enjoy the outdoors.
CONGRATULATIONS to Grandparents Debbie and Gerry Siegfried. They are celebrating the birth of their
second grandson, who was born this morning. Mommy and baby are doing well and Daddy is very proud.
Baby's name is Arthur John. Let's uplift this new family in our prayers as they begin this adventure together.
Parents of Arthur John are Michele and Michael Schuler.
Gwen Jones will be having surgery tomorrow morning (Tuesday) to have her pacemaker inserted. She is forever
grateful for all your prayer support, brings her comfort.
Anna Mae Diefenderfer's funeral will be at Trexler Funeral Home on Thursday, at 11:00am, viewing hours will be from
10:00 - 11:00am. Pastor Don will be officiating at the service.
Millie Flexer's husband had a heart procedure today (Monday) Continue to pray for him and the results.
Howie - Gary Bastan's relative is dealing with a blood infection. Prayers for healing.
Lisa Wenner is asking for prayer for her nephew's wife Lauren who is pregnant with twins. One of the twins is not
gaining weight as they should. There will be an ultrasound this week, and then a decision will be made as to what sort
of treatment is necessary. Prayers for an answer and wisdom for medical team.
Kay Paul and her daughter Nancy as asking for prayers for safe travel for Larry and Enol and their sons. They are due back
into the states this week. Let's pray them home safely.
Also keep Richard, their oldest son in your prayers as he transitions to college life at Lehigh University.
Also don't forget if you are not doing anything this Wednesday, we will be gathering at Rita's ice, in Emmaus, at 6:00pm.
Where your St Matthew's tee shirt, if you have one. Come one come all!
Thank you all for supporting one another in your prayers.
Good Morning Purposeful Listeners! Is that you? I always aim to be, but am not always successful. It takes focus to listen intently, discern and fulfill your revealed purposes of each day and for life in Christ. Going on a month and a half of sleeplessness and health issues finds me hard to stay focused and listen. It's even hard just to keep my quiet time alive. This morning is another example of that. 3:00 and still no sleep. A very long day lies ahead and I need to be on my game and following my purposes intently, yet I just want to sleep. Only God knows what stretching or correction or growing is allowing this season. Or maybe it's Satan trying to sift me or a test of faith. Sometimes it takes all you have to seek, focus, listen and follow God. I'm trying!
Two devos for today really tie to this. The Upper Room's titled "Listen" And TWFYT's about finding your purpose. You can't find your purpose if you don't seek, listen, surrender and follow God. One of our purposes is to seek and listen to God. They go hand in hand. Check them out below and seek God with all your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding and allow Him to lad you to and through your purposes for today. he does have great plans for you. Step out in faith, boldly into them!
One of my purposes right now is to cling to God and not my own devices and allow Him to lead me beside the still waters and to the green pastures. I have to choose to let Him carry me there. I am at the end of me and totally exhausted. I hear several of you are enduring this too. May we spur each other on, keep covering each other in prayer, and just allow God to have His way with us. Better days are ahead and until then commit to seeking, knocking, listening, discerning and following just as you are and as best as you can. That's all God expects!
So, shalom shalom...perfect peace to you and yours. God does have a plan no matter what you are going through and He is always there upholding you in His strong right hand. Amen! Speak Lord. Your servant is listening and wanting to follow you to my purposes for today. Come! Have all of me! Amen
UR: Listen
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” - 1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)
I eased back into bed hoping for a few more minutes of rest before another long day began. My original plan to sleep late had been interrupted by an early summons to attend to my husband’s healthcare needs. Although I am usually able to return to sleep quickly, that morning sleep evaded me. While I lay still in the pre-dawn quiet, I became aware of the caw of a crow, trills from a songbird, the patter of gentle raindrops, and the soft sounds of breathing. Nothing exciting. Just restful reminders that God surrounds me with small gifts of peace and joy when I take time to listen.
The day’s responsibilities still stretched before me. My body still ached for rest. Nevertheless, God’s message of hope helped me rise to begin my day with assurance that I did not have to face it alone.
As Samuel responded to God in the middle of the night, I want to remain ready to listen when God speaks. May we never allow the busyness and bustle of daily life to mute the voice of the One who loves us beyond all measure.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, grant us listening hearts, ready to respond whenever and wherever you call. Thank you for the peace of your presence. Amen.
Good Morning Worshipers! Let us prepare our hearts to worship in Spirit and Truth and to enter His courts with thanksgiving! What praises, thanksgivings, and Kingdom stories do you have to share and celebrate with us today? I know God has used some of us and given us stories to share, tests that have become testimonies, and supernatural workings of God we all need to hear and celebrate. Come! Let us worship!
I'm thankful God is delivering me and preparing me to lead today. May has been quit the journey! BUT GOD! He has used it and will lead me from it pruned and ready for some good fruit production. PTL! He is the Potter. We need to remember we are the clay and to stay supple and moldable in His artistic hands. For we are His masterpieces, made new in Christ, to do the things he created and gifted us to do. What's you part in His Good News Delivery Company, masterpiece? What are you created, gifted, molded, and empowered to do for such a time as this? Let's discuss that, discover together and stay committed to praying into this! Check out the I to We devo about this below. I love how God often affirms what He's been saying and leading us to. Eph. 2:10 is one of our foundational purposes and we are His masterpieces, made new to do what we are created for. PTL!
Today we will pray, seek to grow in our connection to the Vine and discover some of our purposes as we pray and discern together. Our fruit grows from staying connected to and abiding in the Vine before and as we step out in faith to His plans. That often takes dying to self and crucifying our comfort to follow Jesus better. How's that going? How can we help each other? Check out the Upper Room below about this. Stepping out in faith and releasing our comfort for His stretching can be fear causing. Fear not for God is with you--always and he is always working all things together for good. lean not on your own understanding. Trust God to lead to His best plans for you and then be bold and courageous as you step out with Jesus and some partners. Check out The Word for You Today below about trusting God and stepping from comfort zones that will lead to good and lasting fruit! And then wrap up with the Connection prayer blog as you still self, seek and abide in preparation for what's next. I'm praying for you and God is cheering you and us on! Come! let us enter His courts with praise!
I to We
UR: Divine Connection
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5 (NIV)
In this age of the internet, it can be difficult to go about life as usual when connectivity is suddenly lost. All communication seems to come to a standstill. This happened to us when our home internet connection was interrupted. There was a loud pop, and then our Wi-Fi cut off. We couldn’t do any work on our computer or laptop. We had to depend on our limited mobile-phone data to complete our work and connect with others. Later we figured out that the Wi-Fi had been cut off due to a faulty power adapter.
Just like an internet connection, our spiritual connection with God can break down too. Unresolved sin in our lives can build up and make us feel distant from God.
If a strong internet connection is so important to our daily lives, how much more crucial is our spiritual connection with God! Without it, we can do nothing. We are like branches without a vine, a tree without its roots. But we can maintain a close connection with God by reading scripture, acting on our faith, and sharing the love of God with others, especially those who need hope in their lives.
Today's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the connection we have with you through Jesus Christ. Draw us near to you, and help us to rely on you. Amen.
TWFYT
Connection
June 1 - Kingdom-Minded Prayer
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)
Even as a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17), our “natural man” spirit (sin nature) fights against any prayer practice—much less allowing a habit to form—that would seek to put our own prayer agenda in a secondary and submissive posture to anyone else’s, even God’s!
However, as we grow in our Christian walk with the Lord, we begin to note the prayer priorities of not only Jesus, but also men like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Paul, James, Peter, and John; and women like Hannah, Esther, Ruth and Mary. Time and time again each of these individuals put the agenda and will of God at the top of their prayer list. Unashamedly and unhesitatingly they acknowledged that they preferred God’s will for their life more than their own. Additionally, their prayers for others focused much more often on their spiritual rather than physical needs or desires!
The Apostle Paul was totally committed to this “kingdom-minded” prayer habit; opening and closing his nine NT letters to churches in various cities with a “spiritual blessing” prayer. Is there a sweeter or more submissive-to-God’s-will prayer than that of the young woman, Mary, who prayed—when she was told of her Holy Spirit conception—“Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38). Is that not the same kingdom-minded prayer commitment Jesus expressed in His final Garden of Gethsemane prayer. Knowing the crucifixion was imminent, He prayed: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lk. 22:42).
Lord God, You have blessed me with so many amazing examples of kingdom-minded pray-ers who lived their lives yielded to Your will. Heal me of my selfish desires that would focus upon my own wants and needs rather than Your plans and purposes. Help me to remember to pray with the mind of Christ because my life is now hidden with Him. Not my will but Yours be done!
It's thank God I'm forgiven Friday! Much to praise about that for sure! What amazing love and grace we know and get to share! Yes PTL!
Sarah update below
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Good Morning Praising Worshipers, faithful friends! Amen!
The hymn that goes, "I need you, oh I need you. Every hour I need You." Keeps rattling around in my head this very early morning. Yes we do need Him--every hour! And I keep singing "Peace like a river attended my way" As good as yesterday was, this day, so far, not so much. It's almost 3am and no sleep in sight. So I came down for quiet time and to write this before hopefully grabbing a few Z's before a doc appointment today. Please Lord!
It's so early the on line devos have not posted yet. I encourage you to engage with Our Daily bread and The Upper Room. They are speaking to my heart form God this morning! Thanks Lord! God does know best. We cannot see all he does nor the end like He does. We just have to trust and stay faithful. he is with us always and working all things together for good. Amen! And the UR discusses walking through those dark valleys like I've been trodding through with God by my side. PTL! I need Him--every hour and peace like a river can flow through that dark valley of we choose to keep our focus right. I'm trying! He is upholding me in His strong right hand and does have some great plans yet for me 9and for you too!)
He's looking at you and calling you by name to come abide in His love and rest. Do it! he will carry you or walk with you through whatever and peace and joy can be chosen as we cast all anxiety on Him. Amen!
Funny, God-thing, note: I pronounced that I was taking off for the month of May. I believe God is making sure I do. Just wish I was more refreshed to be still and abide and listen and receive. Seems almost everyday since our vacation (which was great and refreshing) has been a battle and very wearying---BUT GOD! Keep your eyes upon Jesus! There's just something about that name too! Jesus. Jesus. Jesus! Come! Fill us. refine us. prepare us and deliver us! Amen!
ODB just posted Find your Upper Room!
In the Depths
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up. Psalm 69:15
San Fruttuoso Abbey is nestled in a cove off Italy’s northwest coast. Accessible only by boat or foot, it’s a secluded gem. But even more treasure hides in its bay. As divers venture into the sea and descend fifty feet down, the figure of a man starts coming into view. This is Christ of the Abyss, the world’s first underwater statue, placed in 1954. The bronze figure depicts Jesus in the depths, His hands raised to heaven.
The depths. Maybe you’ve experienced them. “I sink in the miry depths,” Psalm 69 says, “I am worn out calling for help” (vv. 2-3). Mocked by his foes and estranged from his family (vv. 4, 7-12), the psalmist found no comfort in others (v. 20) and feared his misery would “swallow” him up (v. 15). Whether it’s sin or sadness that takes us there, the depths are life’s moments of dark despair.
Thankfully this isn’t the last word on the depths. For while they’re cold and lonely, there is one who can be found in them (139:8). And He will rescue us from their chilly waters. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths” (30:1).
As that sculpture reminds us, when we’re sinking under the world’s weight, we’re not alone. Jesus by the Spirit is there in the depths, His hands raised high—ready to meet us and lift us out in time.
By Sheridan Voysey
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced “the depths” in the past? How might Psalm 69:15 be pivotal in getting through them?
Dear Jesus, thank You for meeting me in the depths. Please lift me out with Your love, grace, and power.
Psalm 69’s vivid description of a “servant” (v. 17) of God enduring unjust suffering parallels Isaiah’s description of a suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Although the psalmist refers to personal “guilt” (Psalm 69:5), this could be an indirect way of confessing general innocence—that is, God knows everything the psalmist is guilty of and knows none of it could justify such treatment.
In the New Testament, Psalm 69 is frequently quoted in reference to Jesus. He was hated without cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:25), consumed by zeal for God’s house (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17), carried insults intended for God (Psalm 69:9; Romans 15:3), and given vinegar to drink as He neared death (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:29). Jesus knew “the depths” as no one else could, and He helps us as we face them.
Monica La Rose
Sarah Update
Good evening,warriors,
We were praying for Jim Handfest's friend Bruce who was battling cancer. They informed me today that Bruce has passed away today. They are
asking for prayer for his wife and their daughter during this difficult time.
Anna Mae Diefenderfer who is a homebound member of our church. She passed away on Tuesday. She was 92 years old.
Her service will be at the Trexler Funeral Home on Thursday June 5th, at 11:00am. There will be a calling period beginning
at 10:00am. Pastor Don will be officiating at the service.
Continue to keep Pastor Don and Karen in your prayers. He is feeling better and did get some sleep last evening.
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