Today: Zoom Huddle 10-11; Prayer for Trunk or Treat with Revival church, noon-12:30 on Zoom (all welcome) Link: Today Noon and 6:30 pray with Revival Church for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. Link: 

Topic: Light in the Night Prayer Call Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet every Tues at noon and/or 6:30 PM 

 Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9852381129?pwd=V2oXjq2YIpVu2btu0b7Nk4j2Bax7Wl.1&omn=84653669862

 Meeting ID: 985 238 1129 Passcode: prayer

Good Morning Lavishly Sowing Prayer Warriors and Servants of the Lord! Oh please keep or start sowing lavishly for revival, new connection points, new ministry opportunities, Light in the Night, and for God to lead new families and children to our fellowship in prater and actions. Our fervent, lavish prayers do produce His plans and good fruit to come alive. Check out a few devos on that today and keep praying! We need your prayers! God answers your prayers because you are clothed in Jesus' righteousness. Amen! Pray for His Kingdom to come and will to be done. Pray for our vision team to see and hear and make His plans for the rest of the year and into 2025. He has great plans for us and fruit is budding. may we see, follow and produce good and lasting fruit as we sow lavishly in prayer and action. May we be the best stewards of all His blessings and follow Jesus well! Amen! Come Jesus! Lead us today and always to be lavish sowers and great fruit producers for Your glory. Amen! And join us as we pray through the day and serve always and incarnate Jesus daily. I'm sowing lavishly over you, our Church and ministries. May God use us well! Amen

TWFYT:

CS:

ODB:

UR: Teaching Children

Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6 (CEB)

Evelyn is my 10-year-old daughter. For a while now, when I sit to compose meditations to send to the editorial office of El Aposento Alto, she has sat down beside me. One morning, to my surprise, I found her writing a few paragraphs about our family. When I asked her about it, she said she was composing some meditations she plans to send to the magazine with the hope that children around the world would place God at the center of their family life and experience the goodness of God.

Today’s scripture from Proverbs immediately came to mind. God always surprises me. For a while I had wanted to teach my daughter the ways of God, but had, to my dismay, found it easier for me to quote that verse rather than put it into practice. But the good Teacher taught me a great lesson. Evelyn watches what I do and does the same. She writes a few lines, checks the scripture verses in her Bible, and sits with me while I write and edit my own meditations. I will continue to let scripture guide me as I seek to train my daughter in the ways of God, remembering that she is watching me.

Today's Prayer

Inspire us, God, to set a good example by sharing your teachings with our children so that they may gain wisdom and be nurtured in faith. Amen.

Good Morning Worshipers! May all we do be an act of worship poured out before our awesome God from hearts sold out and on fire for Him and His glory! Amen! Yes PTL! Rejoice! May all we think, say and do be an act of worship. May our lives lived well in Christ be a sweet aroma to God and draw many from the stench of this world. Pour out your life and praise before God today as you prepare to come and worship in Spirit and Truth. Enter His courts with praise and thanksgiving! Cry out for revival for you, us, His Church, our communities and this nation. May we be His people who repent, turn from our wicked ways, humble ourselves in worship and obedience and walk in His ways that He would come and even use us to restore this land. Come! May He come and inhabit our praise this morning and fill us with His Spirit and Love to overflowing! May we shed the old and step more fully into our new in Christ nature and invite Him to use us for His glory. It's time for surrender and earnest praise and living! Come Lord! Use us as You have planned from long ago for such a time as this! Holy Spirit activate Your people! Come! Amen!

Last night Karen and I had an awesome night of worship, praise, repentance, prayer and dwelling in the Holy Spirit's presence during an amazing concert! May that overflow to today and continue through us as we offer ourselves as an offering to God. May He refine, prepare and send us into the harvest. May we have many stories to share of how God moved in, through and around us to revive us and our community. May this overflow as He builds a house of prayer in our building. He has great plans for you and us for such a time as this--custom made plans from long ago. Amen! Come Holy Spirit. Ignite a fire in me, us and all who gather to worship and prepare us to go in Your name to bring revival to this nation. Come! Fill us! Prepare us! Send us! Amen!

Yesterday was quite the day for me of abiding, learning, worshiping and inviting Jesus to come do His thing in through and around me and us. I spent some time in learning, encouraging and prayer with some church planters and disciple makers late yesterday morning. That time flowed from my morning worship, blog writing and sermon refining. That led to an afternoon of resting in the Lord before heading to the concert. I expect all of that to overflow into my day today and our worship. God is speaking and moving and He wants you to join Him in the plans He has for you today and this week as you prepare your hearts and feet to go and love like Jesus. Amen! Come! I'm praying for you and us to become the people God created us to be and to be doing all He has for us for such a time as this. Prepare yourself to be His vessel of revival and worship! I can't wait to see all He has for you and us and the stories He is writing for each of us to share. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He lives in me/us! PTL! May His way come alive in and through us as we earnestly pursue Him and offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise! COME! May we glorify You and Your holy name, Jesus! Amen!

Here are some devos that thread through this and all God is and will do as we offer ourselves to Him and live our lives as an act of worship. He will inhabit our praise and lead us to His perfect plans. Be still, know and follow as you surrender all for His glory. It's time to pour ourselves out like a drink offering before the Lord! It's time for revival and for Jesus to come! Are you ready for both? Let us prepare to follow Him together as each of us earnestly steps into our custom made parts. May we encourage, spur each other on, pray like crazy, travel together and build His Kingdom! All for Your glory Lord! May God pour His Spirit out upon us and use us well for His glory as we worship, praise and follow Jesus! Come! Amen!

What is God saying to you--leading you todo? What will you do about that? Who are your partners? What story is He writing through your life lived well in Christ? Let's talk about, process, pray into and plan to go live and love like Jesus! More of You and less of me Lord! Come!

Sarah Young:

Joyce Meyer:

The Word for You today:

Charles Stanley:

Upper Room: God Always Listens

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

In 1985 my father was suffering from pneumonia. The doctor told me to contact my relatives, but I had no way to reach them. I was young and in my last year of school, and my father was our family’s primary income earner. I was unsure what I would do if he did not recover. Late that night, the doctor told me that my father’s condition had deteriorated and he might not survive. I was shaken and broken, and I felt alone.

My parents always taught me to trust in the Lord and to pray earnestly because God listens and answers our prayers. So I knelt by my father’s bed, read Psalm 23, and prayed, “Lord, I am too young and helpless to take care of my family. I love my father, and I know he is very sick. But you are a kind and loving Lord who can do anything. Please give my father five more years to live.”

When I awoke the next morning, my father’s condition had improved. He was discharged days later, and he lived for 10 more years. I completed my academic degree and started working so I could help support the family and give my father all the comfort I could.

When we pray, God answers us.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for listening to all our prayers and for loving us unconditionally. Amen.

Our Daily Bread:

Harvest:

October 13 - DAY 17 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION    Praying For Transformation In Schools And Universities “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).   Only one-third of young adults believe they know a caring adult who believes in them. A huge percentage of Generation Z is missing a biblical worldview. Reports also show a high percentage of young people who grew up in church walking away from their faith when they leave their homes either to go to college or enter the workforce. The next generation needs our prayers!   But we have seen God move and there is great hope among our schools and college students! Most of us heard about the Asbury revival and the effect it had on students at other colleges across, not only the nation but the whole world. Here is a hope-filled commentary: “What’s happening at Asbury is not  everything but it is something, and right now we need something to shock the system so that this generation can experience for themselves the life-changing power of God,” wrote the founder of 24-7 Prayer International Pete Greig. “We need repentance and holiness. We need the kind of outpouring of the Spirit on campuses that can incubate and detonate a new generation to preach the gospel with greater confidence, fight injustice with greater defiance, and transform society with greater intelligence.”   God of the generations, keep us focused on praying and mentoring our youth. Help the testimonies happening in schools and on college campuses to be more broadly seen across the media so everyone can have hope for the youth! Keep the enemy far from them and guard their hearts and minds in Christ! Thank You, Jesus, that You are on the move in the hearts and lives of young people! Help all believers to run alongside them with encouragement and much prayer! Prayer Points Pray Jeremiah 29:11: God knows the plans He has for them – plans for good and not for evil, to give them a future and a hope. Pray that when students lack wisdom they will ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach (James 1:5). Pray that these young people will trust in the Lord with all their hearts rather than leaning on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Pray that in all their ways they will acknowledge God so that He will make their paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Good Morning Good Soil, Faithful in the Little Things, Fruitful Followers of Jesus! Yes Lord! May that be us always! You have great plans for us may we be good soil that produces good fruit as we stay faithful in all the little things You have for us along the way. Thanks Lord! Come! May we be about You and Your business daily. Amen! Are you making room for God to do what He has planned for you? Maybe turn this song into your prayer this morning as you ask Him to come have His way with you and use you for His glory. Make Room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxubPpU-iIA

Humble yourself before the Lord and ask Him to come have His way and lead you to His perfect plans for today--always! Make room for Him today! I awoke singing that song this morning! And God led me to a deep time of surrender with Him. We have defined discipleship as the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you. Ask Him for that today. He does have great custom made plans for you! Can you say, "I am who I am because I am allowing I AM to be who He is in and through me"? That's being good soil ready for God to sow into that will produce abundant fruit. Heaven knows this nation and world need more of us followers of Jesus to embrace this and step more fully into it. Check out some of our devos for today that talk about this and thread through God's custom made plans for you and us as His Body. What's God saying to you today? What will you do about it? Who are you processing and traveling with in your journey to become more like Jesus? That is our goal. Amen! A dynamic movement who have a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost for His glory!

This morning as I arose God brought a thought to me that may have me tweaking His message to us for tomorrow from Col. 3:1-17 (maybe prayerfully engage with that in preparation today). He reminded me how we are to hate evil and do good. He brought to mind the thought about how we all hate the state of this nation. Can you imagine how God feels about those created in His image running to the darkness, embracing, endorsing and pushing evil in His sight. The thought breaks my heart. It is a reminder and call to repent and ask God to have control of you, to inform and convict and change your disgust to crying out in prayer for this nation and then allow Jesus to use you to do your part in pulling the ones God is drawing from the grasp of darkness. We have work to do. We need to be like Jesus and how He responded to the darkness of His day and how the early church responded to evil times. Are you willing to lay your life down for Christ? Pray for boldness to pour yourself out and follow Him to His perfect plans for you to change the world one soul at a time and with one step of faith at a time. He is faithful and will be with you and will use the good soil of your souls to produce good and lasting fruit! Amen! Please Lord! Come! Send me/us for Your glory to Your perfect plans and purposes in these last days. May we have our thoughts fixed on things above and be ready to follow You as we work on being faithful in the little things. Amen!

Pray through this song: Honest Offering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqqIDnjDKY

Charles Stanley:

ODB:

UR: Always Enough

Everyone ate until they were full, and the disciples filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. - Luke 9:17 (CEB)

Many years ago, as a young pastor serving a small rural parish, I was honored to host Chief George and his wife from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference as guest speakers at our church.

When the service was over, I learned that I was supposed to provide a Sunday dinner for my guests before they traveled to speak at another church later that afternoon. I panicked. I had never, ever entertained anyone for a meal. But that wasn’t the worst of it. I had only a small roast in the slow cooker — more than enough for one but surely not enough for three.

Taking a deep breath, I invited them over to the parsonage to relax. I then rummaged through my cupboards to see what I could add to the meal. I found a box of instant mashed potatoes and two cans of green beans. I also found a box of instant pudding and prayed that there was enough milk in the fridge to make both the potatoes and the pudding.

As it turned out, we had a wonderfully filling and pleasant meal, and my guests were nourished before their next event. Every time I read the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, I am reminded of my meal with Chief George and his wife. That day I learned that with God we always have more than we think we have. Even when there seems to be too little, if it is served with love, there is always enough.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, help us to trust you to know our needs even before we ask and then to accept your gifts graciously. Amen.TWFYT:

Harvest prayer:

Thanks for understanding about canceling last night and for praying for Karen and me. Karen is rebounding and I have been on the fringes of sickness and mostly sleeping a lot. We didn't want to contaminate anyone. We will be good to go by Sunday. Thanks again!

I picked up donuts yesterday and set up and then left. I have no report of how things went but when I left at 10:15 there were at least three tables full of people. I'm sure God was at work and used those that were there. Thanks for all who helped clean up and minister!

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Good Morning Cloaked in the Armor of God and Righteousness of Jesus Warriors! God is sure allowing some of us some stretching, growing in faithfulness and trust and teaching us to persevere opportunities. Keep your focus up and keep putting on that armor in prayer. God is with you and working all things together for good. He has plans for you and your loved ones that we can't often comprehend, yet we know in our heart of hearts that He is there with them and us and holding us all in His strong right hand. Amen! The enemy is prowling about trying to destroy our faith and tempt us to loose hope and walk away from God and His plans. Let us keep covering and encouraging each other in these journeys we are traveling through.

I read a devotional on season 4 of the Chosen this morning that talks about how we resist and try to get out of suffering ASAP. Yet, God uses such times to grow us and our faith and they are often a part of His plan to grow us and bring about His good plans through a refined, redeemed people. They remind us to keep sinking our roots deep into God and His Word and remain steadfast in hope. They remind us to get this deep into the fiber of our being so that we can draw on it as needed, "God is faithful and can't be anything but good and loving and purposeful and sovereign and present and perfect in knowledge and wholly committed to our sanctification. And He loves you. And He sees you. And He's for you. And He's got you in the palm of His hand and at the center of His will." Chew on that a bit. Sanctification is the process of making something holy and set apart. God is always at work in us and working all things together so keep focused on and trusting Him when things seem hopeless and dark. He is still there holding you. Lean on Him and allow Him to carry out His plans. It's never easy to travel through some of the things we have to face in this fallen world. It's helpful to remember Whose we are and that no matter what, He is there and always loves us even as He is working some hard things into good.

How do we bring hope to the hopeless and depressed and distraught? Pray like crazy and just be present and loving. And if you are on the dark side of things, please allow some in to walk with you. And keep redirecting to things above. Try counting and recounting blessings as a way to redirect. It's hard but God is with you and we are here for each other. Reach out and love someone and allow some in to your journey.

Our devos for today kinda thread through all of this. Check them out below. The Word for You Today reminds us of the schemes and relentlessness of the devil who loves to keep kicking you while you're down. But we, in Christ, are overcomers and always His. Amen! Charles Stanley reminds to pray on the armor and stand firm through all the battles we face and to keep praying for victory. The Upper Room reminds us to sink our roots deep in God and His Living Word and draw in that Living Water that will strengthen and sustain you. Our Daily Bread uses Psalm 103:8-17. Here's a passage to sink your roots into and take into your heart. Read it prayerfully on your own. It begins, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love." Amen! Dwell there some today. It ends with this truth, "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him..." ODB discusses Love when we are deeply hurt and they ask "How has God shown you mercy for the wrong things you've done? And "How can you respond to His mercy and love today?" Talk to God about that and process that with some close friends. God is there and wanting to love on you and through you even in the darkest of times. I end with Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devo about trusting God, fixing your thoughts on things above and allowing Him to work things together right before your eyes as you still yourself and allow Him to.

I'm praying for you all and here if you need to talk or pray and so is Sarah. Dwell in deep love today and take in the Living Water that will sustain you through it all. Ask Jesus to come be your Lord and Shepherd today and to lead you to those green pastures and still waters and to walk with you through the darkest valleys. He is there and will! Amen! May God cover you with His shalom and help today and always. Amen!

TWFYT:

CS:

UR: Deep Roots

[Blessed is the one whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers. - Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

My wife and I took a late summer hiking trip through northern New Mexico. The scenery was quite a contrast to the lush, green vegetation of our home state of Michigan. The New Mexico landscape is brown and arid — except for a few green trees that caught our attention. We were intrigued. How could these trees be so green, while all the other vegetation around them was so dry?

Farther down the trail we came upon a placard that explained that the trees we were looking at were junipers. They have a unique root structure that allows them to thrive in arid lands. While the root systems of most plants are shallow, the roots of the juniper tree can go down 25 feet and spread 100 feet in search of water. Their root system allows them to survive drought, while other plants wilt.

This made me wonder: What is our ability to survive spiritual droughts? How deep are our roots? What can we do to help our roots find the source of life-giving water?

Regular study of the Bible, prayer, devotional literature, and participating in the church community are some of the practices that help us remain deeply rooted and spiritually green in arid seasons!

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to grow deep and wide-spreading roots that search for your life-giving water in all seasons. Amen.

ODB:

SY:

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Yes PTL for your salvation, forgiveness and new life in Christ activated by the Holy Spirit. Thank Him for His love, grace and mercy. Begin this day with thanksgiving and praise and continue through this day in a constant state of prayer and praise as you watch for God to be at work all around you.

Did you see the northern lights last night? I was in bed, but Karen did and I got to see some pictures from people all over facebook. May many be attracted to the Light of the World, Jesus, and seek after Him like they did the beauty of His nature.

Good Morning Lighthouses! May we shine bright for Christ and live Christ all day every day as we allow God to use us to lead people out of the darkness to His Light. Amen! Come! Use us as Your Lighthouses today! Shine Jesus shine! Attract many like moths are attracted to light at night. Go before us with favor for our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. May we light up the darkness and point many to You. Provide for our needs and protect us. Thanks! May all of our ministries reflect You and Your love and care. Raise up harvest workers as you send in the harvest. Thanks! Lord raise up our building as a house of prayer for the nations and unify us as brothers and sisters in Christ to light the way to unity and brotherly love. Thanks! Come Jesus Come! Send me/us and use us for Your glory. Amen!

God took me sort of on two tracks this sleepy morning. I've had a week to rest and sleep and recover from my cold. All I wanted to do was sleep last night but I was roused by a barking crazily dog and unable to sleep much after that. I have so much to do today and this weekend and I just want to go back to bed. I feel like I was a slacker this week. BUT GOD! He says we should work from rest and He knows what lies ahead with crazy busyness from now until the new year. Could He have set Karen and I down to rest and reload for that? Sure! He does things like that when we ask Him to be our Lord and Shepherd. My concern is that as I'm aging I'm loosing my mojo and get up and go. I'm concerned I'll become a couch potato and not keep after the things God has for me. We know that His assignments and purposes for us are age and ability appropriate but I don't want to come to a dead halt and miss His plans. I discovered this week that I will go stir crazy if I retire, even though I still have many house projects to keep me busy. I need to keep busy being about my Father's business and living Christ to really be healthy in the Lord. Chuck Swindoll and Joyce Meyer devos below stirred me to remembering the importance of staying yoked to Jesus and following Him at my age-appropriate ability and with His supernatural empowerment to complete my race well. Keeping active is physically healthy too. Help me Lord to stay connected and doing what You are leading to each day. Help me to rest in You and work from rest. Help me to shed the peripheral things and focus on what You have for today. Thanks Lord! May I live today in anticipation, prayer and action as You lead. Thanks! Help me to stop running ahead and/or lagging behind. Please move me to Your plans for today and to complete Your mission for me well. Grant me holy mojo. Thanks! You promise that You have great plans for me and to be with me always. May Your Kingdom come and will be done today in, through and around me. Keep me active in Christ for Your glory and according to my age and circumstance appropriate call. Thanks! Amen! 

So all of that flowed into the rest of our devotionals about praying, praising and doing what we can with what we've been given as we shepherd the generations behind us. For many of us, our age and situation appropriate mission is to pray. Please don't take that lightly. Prayer is the key for God to move. He and we are counting on your powerful and effective prayer, righteous one of the Lord! Check out Our Daily Bread, Charles Stanley, The Upper Room and The Word for You Today as they teach and speak into our call to pray and to do what we can for the next generations. God hears and responds, empowers, directs, activates, draws, saves and so much more through our prayers! I am finding that as my physical abilities are decreasing my prayer time is increasing and God is using that in mighty ways! Thanks Lord! Inform our prayers and raise up prayer warriors and a House of Prayer for the Nations. help us to develop more corporate prayer times too. help us live each day in a state of prayer and praise as we see you at work and feel the call to pray. Come! Fill us Holy Spirit and may we overflow with powerful prayers and much thanksgiving for all You are doing! Thanks! Amen! Yes Come Jesus Come!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu4VV54ZcFo

Keep Turning your thoughts to God in praise too as you count your many blessings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjWYgq9QfM

God knows you and your abilities and circumstances. He's calling you by name to come to His loving embrace and to be empowered to do what He has for you today, one step of faith at a time. Until He calls us home, He has a custom made daily plan for you. Seek Him first and allow Him to empower and use you well. Yes Come Lord! Have Your way with me today. Be my Lord and Shepherd, inform my prayers and use me for Your plan and purposes well. Thanks! I love You Lord and trust You always. Come and help me to see the blessings in each day with you as I follow well! Amen!

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

ODB:

CS:

UR: Peace Lily

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 (NIV)

As I sat at my desk, my heart ached from the hurt and disappointment I had been carrying. Resting my chin on my hands, I let out a long sigh. Just then, my attention was drawn to the peace lily blooming beside me, and the words from John 14 quoted above came to mind. I knew that my heart was indeed feeling troubled about many things. I was feeling afraid and overwhelmed, but here in this verse Jesus was reminding me of the peace he offers.

In this passage of scripture, Jesus shared these words to bring comfort to his disciples at the Last Supper. They were about to enter a very troubling time, and knowing what was to come, Jesus promised to leave them peace.

As I gazed again at the blooming plant beside me, its single white spathe rising above a dark green base of leaves, I decided in that moment to surrender my troubles to the Lord, to let go of fear, and to embrace the peace that Jesus offers.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to surrender our worries to you. Amen.TWFYT

This week: Tues:

10-11 Zoom Huddle all welcome

noon-1230; 6:30pm Zoom prayer for Light in the Night: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9852381129?pwd=V2oXjq2YIpVu2btu0b7Nk4j2Bax7Wl.1&omn=84653669862

 Meeting ID: 985 238 1129 Passcode: prayer

Wed: 10-12 Donut day at the Bread Ministry

6-8pm Dinner Huddle for adults and family ministries

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Good Morning Standing on the Rock, Abiding in the Vine, Fruit Bearing, Servants of the Lord! Please Lord! Help us to be fully Yours and these things! We are facing many things. Come! Be our Rock, our Deliverer, Our Strong Tower. May we stay connect to the Vine always and draw in Living Waters and fill us to overflowing that we may bless others with Your Love, joy, peace and help. Come! bring the Fruit of the Spirit alive in and through us! May we overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Thank You! Come be our gentle shepherd and lead us through this week for Your glory. Come! Teach us to live and love more like Jesus. Help us to turn off all the noise and cast our anxiety upon you. Help us to receive your peace beyond understanding as You grow our faith and trust. Help us to breathe out the junk and breathe in a fresh breath of Your Spirit. Come! Help! Refine! Guide! Amen!

IDK what God has in store for today for me but it sure is flowing from rest as I slept over ten hours and am refreshed and ready for today (except for the dentist visit shortly to fill some cavities--YUK!) Sometimes God's best for us requires the drilling out of some rottenness and the patching over the holes in us to become healthy again and ready to continue our purposes. I had a bunch of devotionals to share today that I just put away. They all point to the same thing God is revealing to me today: Turn off the noise, walk away from the chaos, receive His grace and peace, listen for His still small voice in the storms, put on His armor and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. God's got this. Release all to Him and take the next step of faith on your journey to Christlikeness. he knows you and all you are facing. He os calling you by name. he will deliver you and use you for His glory. Focus on Him and dwell in the Vine today. Allow Jesus, invite him to be, your Lord and Shepherd today. Amen Give all to God and watch what he will do as you grow in trust and obedience to the only One who really knows you and cares! he created you for such a time as this, is with you and has great plans for you. PTL! Amen!

Harvest:

October 7 - DAY 11 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION    Praying For The Lost To Know Christ   “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite’” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV).   Oswald Smith relates: “Several members of Jonathan Edwards’ church had spent the whole night in prayer before he preached his memorable sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.’ The Holy Ghost was so mightily poured out, and God so manifest in holiness and majesty during the preaching of that sermon, that the elders threw their arms around the pillars of the church and cried, ‘Lord, save us, we are slipping down to hell!’”   Not many churches are calling their people to spend an entire night in prayer seeking God in preparation for Him to show up in their midst. Yet, here we find a powerful example of just a few members of a church “preparing in prayer” prior to the preaching of a message about sin. And, the Spirit showed up so powerfully in Jonathan Edwards’ church that even church leaders were convicted of their sins.   Merciful Father, we are a sinful people saved by the grace of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! You made this salvation possible through Your kindness and love. Help us not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that by testing, we may discern Your good, acceptable, and perfect will. May the churches in our nation repentantly cry out to You as the Psalmist in Psalm 85:6: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you!” “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me”  (Acts 26:18 NIV).   Jesus ties together prayer and evangelism in Matthew 9:37-38: “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’” The instruction of Jesus to His disciples regarding reaching the lost is that it begins with prayer. There is certainly more to do after we have prayed. But evangelism will never be truly effective apart from the biblical beginning place of prayer.   Dick Eastman said it this way: “God’s ultimate purpose for mankind, the completion of Christ’s bride and the establishing of His eternal Kingdom on earth will result only from the release of the prayers of God’s saints.”   In his book, Revival! A People Saturated with God, Brian Edwards emphatically states: “In times of revival Christians go out spontaneously. You cannot stop them. Nobody can stop them. Revival is a spontaneous combustion of evangelism. And this is one of the things we must long for when we long for revival.”   Lord of the Harvest, You love every person on the planet, and You have called us to go and make disciples of everyone we can! Show us how to focus on lost people in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and those across our nation! Give us the overwhelming love that You have for the lost, Lord Jesus. We want to see the lives of people transformed and our society changed because of it! We long for You to receive Your inheritance from the Father – the nations! Prayer Points Pray for the salvation of those who have yet to attain an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:8-9) Pray that God will remove the blinders that the Devil tries to put on the eyes and minds of unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to raise up more workers to send into His harvest field. (Matthew 9:36-38) Pray that the Father will draw lost people to Himself. (John 6:44) Pray for the blessing and peace of God in every person’s life. Pray prophetically that God will work in every new believer’s life, and that the Holy Spirit will enable them to fulfill their redemptive purposes. (Philippians 2:13) To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Today: Zoom Huddle 10-11 Link:

Pray for Light in the Night with Revival Church Noon and 6:30pm Link:

Tomorrow Donut Day at the Bread Ministry 10-12. Chosen Dinner Huddle 6-8

Sarah Prayer update below--lots of hard things to cover in prayer!

PTL! We will have insurance for when ours expires on the 15th and can stay open! Thanks Lord! And all who helped make this happen! We are still working on having some minor roof repairs but it is in process. Keep praying for God to guide and supply.

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Good Morning Persevering, Worshiping in the Storms, Drawing Close to God, Children of the God Who Knows, Cares, Is There and Is Calling You by Name! He is our Help in Times of trouble and our Peace beyond understanding. He is our Redeemer and Deliverer! He is our Friend. Amen! Be still and know and keep worshiping and drawing close!

Man, these times sure feels like a tidal wave of grief, hard times, hurts, fears and uncertainty. If we aren't careful and continue to focus on God, we can easily slip down some deep, dark holes and into depression and hopelessness. BUT GOD! Jesus stilled the storm that was raging. Peter walked on water in the midst of a major storm until He took His eyes off Jesus. As an empathetic person, I feel so deeply for many of you that I pray in tears as I feel like Jesus is weeping with you. I ask for how I can bring comfort and peace into some very hard things! The storms are raging around us for sure and many are in the midst of some very, very hard things. Keep praying for them. I'm here and so is Sarah if you need to chat or pray. We are praying for you. Check out Sarah's prayer email below for just a few to cover and maybe reach out and encourage. God is there always. May we keep our focus on Him! Help me/us Lord to keep our eyes on You in these storms. Deliver us. Heal us in Jesus' name. Bring shalom and strength for our journey. COME! Redeem! Heal and deliver as only you can! Thanks! Use me as your agent of healing, hope and comfort. Come! Amen!

It feels like bad news and heaviness is compounding lately, doesn't it. It's like this heavy wet blanket of despair is hanging over me as many I know are facing very hard medical and life circumstances. Then add to that the weight of the election process and the state of this country and the world and hurricanes. A few years ago we could never imagine the heaviness of the end of times or even think we would experience it. What if this compounding heaviness is the precursor of the end of times? The Bible says that like the increasing intensity of birth pangs we can expect an increasing of some very hard things as the end draws near. Are you able to keep you eyes fixed on things above and persevere in faith until your race is complete? Just as we prepare for coming storms, we need to prepare our hearts and minds to choose to always, no matter what, keep our focus on Jesus in the storms lest we sink below the waves. Don't be caught off guard! The Boy Scout motto is be prepared. Are you?

God sees you, knows you, loves you, and is calling you by name. You are His and He promises to redeem. He may not always deliver us from the storm or it's aftermath, but He promises to walk with us through it. Keep focused and keep worshiping. We have the ability to choose joy in all things. Not for them but the joy that comes from a faith that knows God is with us and working all things together for the good of those who believe and are called according to His purposes. Amen! Our Daily Bread reminds us to run to Jesus always and the Upper Room reminds us of the hope we can find in Christ. The Word for You Today has been teaching about Satan's schemes and how he is trying to drag you down and away from God. Choose faith instead and PUT ON GOD'S ARMOR IN PRAYER TODAY. I've been studying about hope the past few weeks. We know or can choose hope always. Start by studying God's promises that are always true. Pray with thanksgiving and get out those gratitude lists we have been working on because God does inhabit our praise and praise helps to change our focus away from the storms and back to God who is with us always.

I'm here and so are some of your friends. Lean on God and us. Reach out and bless, encourage and pray for someone today. Who has God put on your heart that needs some hope, joy and peace right now. Go! Love like Jesus and stand strong in Him always! Amen!

5 Prayers for Difficult Days by Kin Butts: 5 Prayers for Difficult Days, Seasons and Situations

Sarah Update:

Good evening, warriors......

There are many that are in need of our prayers.....

Today, we received a few that are really struggling:

Chris Muiks is requesting prayer for his sister, Linda, that we have been praying for....she has been released

from the hospital, and now has received the news that her son-in-law, Jeorge, who was only 34 years old, was

killed in a motorcycle accident in Bethlehem.   Let's please pray for Linda, and her daughter Lauren and her 

children, during this very difficult time.

Mike Laise - is requesting prayer for his father.  Mike's father has learned that his cancer has returned, and it

is now in his lungs.  Prayers for his medical team and the family as they support him during this challenging time.

Pray for those down south, that are feeling the effects of Hurricane Milton.  Mary Lou's son and wife are trying to work

their way out and travel inland to other family members.  Highways are jammed and in gridlock.  Prayers for a safe travel, and that all may be able to get out of the pathway of the storm, to safety.

Diane Huber/Schwenk - she is waiting on an upcoming doctor appointment, on the 14th of October.

Prayers for her medical team as they are working on a plan to help her through this difficult time. Also keep

Brittany and Tracy in your prayers as they support her.

Houston and Gail will meet with his medical team, to hear what is next....and what will be the best treatment

plan for Houston.  Keep this meeting in your prayers and for family also, as they support one another.

Thank you warriors, for lifting these folks up in your prayers!

Have a great 'sleep' and a good Tuesday!

 Blessings,

   Sarah

Worship at 10 today live and on Zoom. Today is Worldwide Communion Sunday (Zoomers prepare your crackers and juice) We are also collecting for Everlasting Life Ministries.

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Good Morning Thirsting after God, Sold Out, Worshipers of our Ever-Present God! May that be me and Your people Lord. Set us on fire for You and Your ways. May we draw close as we trust and follow You. May we be worshipers in Spirit and Truth today. Come! Fill us to overflowing and send us to be Your vessels of transformation. Revive us and our land! Thank You for being with us always and  for wanting to grow us and change the world through us for Your glory. Come! Amen!

Oh what a glorious day this is shaping up to be as we gather to worship and commune with God and each other, reload, and go to live and love more like Jesus. PTL! God has some custom made plans for you, His set apart child! Amen! Hunger and thirst after Him and His ways. Humble yourself and be available and move towards being fully His. Oh what a day this can be and will be as we earnestly pursue Christ and our created purposes. Yes COME! Produce good and lasting fruit in and through us. Amen!

I'd love for you to interact on your own and with some friends with the devotionals I used this morning and in Gal 5 that we will discuss this morning during worship. God has threaded this together for me as verification that as we surrender fully and seek to follow Him earnestly, He will lead us to the green pastures beside the still waters and restore our souls and then inform our steps as He leads us to His perfect custom made plans. Amen! We begin with Harvest Prayers blogs about revival in our souls and churches and among the people of God as we cry out for Him to come and heal our land. Then we thread through some great devotionals about our parts of crying out, praying, receiving and going to live and love more like Jesus. That will change the world! Amen! He has great plans for you, me and us and His unified Body that are budding and coming to life in these end of times. Trust Him. Prepare your hearts. Determine to seek and follow well. May He be glorified in all we think, say and do as we live a life of sold out worship for His glory alone! Amen! What's He preparing you for as your part in His Good News Delivery Company? What will you do about that? Who are your teammates? How can we pray for and help each other to move towards our fuller created potential and God's purposes for us for such a time as this? COME Lord! prepare and send me! Amen!

Harvest:

October 6 - DAY 10 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION    Praying For Revival In The Church “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite’” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV).   Oswald Smith relates: “Several members of Jonathan Edwards’ church had spent the whole night in prayer before he preached his memorable sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.’ The Holy Ghost was so mightily poured out, and God so manifest in holiness and majesty during the preaching of that sermon, that the elders threw their arms around the pillars of the church and cried, ‘Lord, save us, we are slipping down to hell!’”   Not many churches are calling their people to spend an entire night in prayer seeking God in preparation for Him to show up in their midst. Yet, here we find a powerful example of just a few members of a church “preparing in prayer” prior to the preaching of a message about sin. And, the Spirit showed up so powerfully in Jonathan Edwards’ church that even church leaders were convicted of their sins.   Merciful Father, we are a sinful people saved by the grace of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! You made this salvation possible through Your kindness and love. Help us not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that by testing, we may discern Your good, acceptable, and perfect will. May the churches in our nation repentantly cry out to You as the Psalmist in Psalm 85:6: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you!” Prayer Points Ask the Spirit to help you understand the power of the One we are addressing in prayer so that our faith will grow and we will begin to pray in a way that moves the hand of God towards reviving His people. Confess any sin that has compromised your life with God. Ask God to have mercy on His people and move in power in your church in response to repentant, fervent prayer! Pray through revival Psalms such as Psalms 63, 64, and 80 and petition the Lord for revival with both variety and the power of Scripture behind your requests. Ask God to awaken His people to the reality of His presence in our midst and in doing so, transform and shape our lives into the character of Christ. To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. Connection Prayer Devotions Sign Up

Sarah Young:

Upper Room Close Communion 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. - Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

On a recent Sunday morning, as the worship service was about to begin,

I saw a toddler a few rows in front of me curled up tight in the arms of his father. The small child leaned in so close to his father’s face that it seemed as though they were breathing the same breath. I could see the love they shared. Then the child pushed closer still and kissed his father’s cheek.

This scene made me think about Communion in a new way. Communion is not just about recognizing Christ’s sacrificial gift or simply confessing our sin and asking for his wonderful grace and forgiveness. It is also about coming in close and feeling the warm presence of Christ as he offers us new life.

Because of this simple demonstration of love between father and child, Communion will now forever bring me closer to Christ’s deep, abiding love. Christ desires close communion with us, not just at these special times but each and every day.

Today's Prayer

In the special times and in our everyday living, O Christ, may we feel your abiding presence breathing new life into us. Amen.

Chuck Swindoll:

Our Daily Bread

Joyce Meyers

Charles Stanley:

TGIF...Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Worship! Adore! PTL! Celebrate your forgiveness and God's great love, mercy and grace!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragements! They are powerful and mean so much! 

Please know and celebrate that God is hearing and responding to our prayers for the roof and insurance. Things are looking promising to have new insurance by the 15th and minor roof repairs being scheduled. PTL! Keep praying with thanksgiving! More updates Sunday!

Don't forget Sunday is Worldwide communion and we will collect for Everlasting Life Ministries too.

Pray for our Clothing Closet and workers tomorrow to be God's vessels, to connect to and bless clients, to draw clients to God's love and for protection. Thank God for all our servants!

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Good Morning Receiving, Releasing, Informed, Empowered, Pray-ers and Followers of Jesus! Amen! So be it Lord! raise up prayer warriors and a house of prayer for the nations at St. Matts. Inform and hear our prayers. Thank You! Amen! Check out the Harvest Blog at the bottom and pray for our church leaders. Wed. during the Bishop led EC Day of Fasting and Prayer, he prayed for our pastors and leaders during this month set aside to honor our leaders. harvest continues those prayers. We need you to pray! Thanks!

This morning God led me to some different devotional thoughts and resources as He was preparing me to write this blog. PTL! He is speaking all the time and I was able to hear and sense the thread through these as I focused on Him. I'm going to start here with 1 Peter 2 as two devotions used parts of it. Reading them reminded me of our discussion Wed and yesterday about Peter and his new name and the weight of being called to leadership. We are to draw close to our Vine, stay connected and receive His life giving sap of wisdom, love and direction.

1Peter 2: 4-9 and 21-25: 

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
    chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
    will never be disgraced.”

7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.”

8 And,

“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
    the rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

22 He never sinned,
    nor ever deceived anyone.

23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,

    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
    who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
    who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,

    the Guardian of your souls.

So, what's God saying to you as you meditate on His Word this morning? 

I'm reminded that following Jesus sometimes doesn't lead to comfort or happiness. We are to be like Jesus who suffered and endured all kinds of things so that we could be set free and united with Him for eternity. PTL! Dying to self and taking up cross--crucifying some things hurts sometimes, and following Him and His example is a command. Daily we have things to take to the cross and things to meditate upon and bring to prayer and action as we dwell in His Living Word. Help us Lord! We are to turn off the noise and fix our thoughts on things above as we seek to follow Jesus each day. And God is faithful to be with us always and promises to work all things together for good. We are to be thankful always--not for things like sickness, death, cancer, broken relationships, etc. But to be thankful that God knows, promises to be with us always and at work. PTL! As we shift our focus through praise and thanksgiving, God comes and inhabits our praise and helps us to receive His shalom and directions. Thanks Lord! Help us to turn off the noise and focus on you more quickly as we renew our thinking through praise and worship. Thanks You!

OUR Daily Bread reminds us of the urgency to have the same attitude as Christ and to seek to respond like Him to all the hard times. They use 1 Peter 2:21-25 as the basis for that teaching. Check it out below. Joyce Meyers reminds us that we are saved from sin! TGIF! Amen! And that Jesus understands what we are facing. he is our High priest even as we are all priests unto the Lord for others. Charles Stanley reminds us not to be conformed to this world but to allow our Savior and the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking and help us to repent (turn the other way). Where might you need some mind renewing today? Ask the Father and receive it and His mind. We have the mind of Christ in us. It's time to start using it, thinking like Him and allowing Him to direct our steps. Don't lean on your own understanding but trust God and follow Jesus with all your heart. He is faithful to lead us well! Amen! He sets us free of sin and guilt and redirects us to His good ways. Thanks Lord! And the Upper Room speaks about lifelines and God's good plans for us that lead to a future and hope, even in spite of all the hardships. We always have this to cling to. Amen! We need others and each other to pray, help us redirect our thinking and focus, hold us accountable, to pray and to point out weak spots. Who is your buddy? Ask God for some and how you can be one and do something about that. Who do you know that could use a lifeline of love and hope and help right now? God saves us to go be Jesus in the flesh to others. He has a custom plan for you, just as you are. PTL! Seek first His Kingdom and cling to Jesus always and you will be on your way to the abundant life He promises. Amen!

ODB:

JM

CS

UR: Lifelines

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Our twin granddaughter and grandson were born ten weeks early during an emergency procedure. They weighed two pounds, ten ounces and three pounds, respectively. Within hours of their birth, they were transported to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a larger hospital. Multiple wires and tubes attached to their tiny bodies monitored their vital statistics and helped them breathe and take nourishment. These lifelines kept the twins alive for two months until they could survive on their own.

During this frightening time, I also had lifelines that sustained me. My relatives, friends, and church family checked on the babies’ progress daily and offered many prayers for them, their parents, and the hospital staff. I have never prayed as fervently or as often as I did during those months. I told myself over and over that “God’s got the little bitty babies in his hands.” This thought brought much comfort to my anxious soul.

When we are in a terrifying situation, we may forget to pray or we may turn to prayer as a last resort. But prayer offers us assurance that God is with us, caring for us through it all. God not only wants us to survive; God wants us to thrive!

Today's Prayer

Healer God, we trust that you have plans for our present and future. Thank you for caring for us and being with us always. Amen.

Harvest Prayer. Please keep praying like this!!! Your prayers determine our future. Thank you!

October 4 - DAY 8 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION    Praying For Pastors And Church Leadership   “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7 NIV).   There is a well-known story about Charles Spurgeon, an English preacher in the 19th century known as the “Prince of Preachers.” One day, a group of young ministers came to visit his church as thousands of people were coming to Christ through his preaching.   The young men asked Spurgeon about the effectiveness of his powerful preaching and the “secret” of the success of his ministry. Before answering, he ushered them down to the “boiler room” in the basement of the church. There were about 100 people earnestly praying under the area where his pulpit was located on the floor above. He said to the young men, “Now you know the ‘secret’ of my ministry. My people pray for me.”   The ministry of your church’s leadership will only be as effective as the prayer that fuels it. If you want joyful, Spirit-filled shepherds, who confidently lead their congregations into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, then you must pray for them – and for their families!   Father, pour out an urgency to pray over my pastors and church leadership daily! They sit on the front lines of battle and the enemy wants to do damage to them and ultimately the body of Christ! Help me to intercede for these leaders and their families so that You will continually guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! Keep them strong and protect them from temptation! Give them all the tools they need to lead, disciple, encourage, and train our church to be all You are calling us to be! Prayer Points Ask God to prompt you to intercede daily on behalf of your church leaders. Pray that your pastors and leaders will deepen their passion to know Christ more intimately. Pray that your pastors and leaders will minister from the Spirit’s power, being persons of prayer and doers of the Word (Acts 6:4). Pray for the marriages and families of your pastors and leaders to be strong and fulfilling. Pray for deep friendships and wise counsel for your church leaders, as well as protection against the temptations and schemes of the Devil. To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.