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Saturday, January 18 2025
Today is Donut Day at the Bread Ministry 10-Noon. Come and see what God is up to and pray for Him to use you and us to connect others to God.
Good Morning Known, Redeemed Children of God! I had my pastors huddle this morning and slept in until right before that so I only have time to develop and share one thought this morning and that is you are know and redeemed by God. PTL! Check out Our Daily Bread below discussing Jesus our forerunner. You know since He rose victorious from the grave and overcame death for us, no one every remains in the grave. In the blink of an eye we are in His presence in paradise or in torment. We get to choose which. He became death for us. PTL! We discussed Sunday how He was our firstborn in that He put on His resurrection body and stepped into eternity as our Lord and Savior. He is the Way--the only way to eternity in His presence. Worship Him! Draw near and abide in His love today and always. Share this Good News with others too. Contemplate and celebrate all thius means to you and those you love. We have been saved by grace and all who come to Jesus have that same opportunity. Our job is to become more like Him and to show others the way. We are His Good News Delivery Company and we all have a part to play. We are created to love and for such a time as this! God loves you and has great plans for you. PTL! Process that with someone today and pray and then go share His love. I'm praying for you and our church to become His dynamic movement doing just that. Cone and join he party! Amen!
Remember there is someone only you can enter into their world and reach for Christ. Ask God to show you who and the Way. Amen!
ODB:
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To improve her sign language skills, Leisa immersed herself in the world of the Deaf. Soon she learned the problems they face. The Deaf are awkwardly ignored by hearing people, expected to lip-read flawlessly, and routinely get passed over for promotions at work. Most public events go uninterpreted.
Leisa’s signing steadily improved to the point where she felt at home with the Deaf. At a party, a Deaf person was surprised to learn Leisa could hear. Before Leisa could respond, another friend signed, “She has a Deaf heart.” The key had been Leisa’s willingness to live in their world.
Leisa didn’t “condescend” to be with the Deaf. Except for her hearing, she was like them. But Jesus did stoop to reach all of us—to live in our world. He “was made lower than the angels for a little while” (Hebrews 2:9). Christ “shared in [our] humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (v. 14). In doing so, He freed “those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (v. 15). More than that, He was “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (v. 17).
Whatever we face, Jesus knows and understands. He hears our heart. He’s with us in every way.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
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What does it mean to you that Jesus has experienced the same hardships you face? How might you step into someone else’s world for a while?
Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Son, who brings me into Your family.
For further study, read Walk with Me: Traveling with Jesus and Others on Life’s Road.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Why does Hebrews 2:10 say that Jesus was made “perfect”? As God in human flesh, wasn’t He perfect already? According to scholar Marvin R. Vincent, the Greek word translated “perfect,” teleioō, literally means “to carry to the goal” and possesses the connotative meaning of “consummation.” The idea is that Christ was made “complete” by His suffering and death. He understands in the fullest way possible what we face in this difficult world. This provides us with a greater understanding of His words from the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30). He’d completed the mission His Father gave Him to do.
Tim Gustafson |
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Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning Friends! I love you and so does God. He loves better than me but I try to love as commanded by Jesus, "Love as I have loved you..." That is agape love, sacrificial love, putting others first love, dying to self love and I think we can all struggle with that. The Greatest Commandment as identified by Jesus is our goal in life: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength and love your neighbor as you love yourself." We say we love God and others and often do so pretty well, but, do we love ourselves? And I don't mean in a vain way but in the way that God loves us. This is a word from God to some of you today: "Be still in my presence and know how much I love you always and no matter what! I have created you for my love and to love and be in relationship with Me and others. I have and am calling you by name. You are mine! I have redeemed you and will continue to as you come to me in humility and repentance. Nothing will ever separate you from my love--NOTHING! I am Love and I love you and my love lives in you. Be still and know. Come to me weary child and find rest for your soul. You are mine and I have and will forgive you and not remember and my love never ends. You can't fully fathom or measure my love for you but I would have sent my Son to save you even of you were the only one on earth. Come and abide in my love today and know my peace beyond understanding. Come! And know this, you are created for such a time as this, just as you are to go love as I have loved you. Receive my love and go share it as I love you and love through you. I am with you always. I really love you!" WOW! Meditate on that! I asked God to write this blog and He used my fingers to speak to your and my heart. What Love!
This morning has been an amazing and deep time for me dwelling in God's love and wisdom. Thanks Lord! There's so much I want to share and yet, maybe, what I have shared is enough. Dwell in His love this morning (always too). Receive His forgiving, healing, restoring love today and know His peace. Some help to focus on God and begin your day abiding in His love come from our devotionals below. As I finished my quiet time I encountered Harvest Prayer's Kim's blog. Please engage God with praying through that. She summarized what I have been feeling and praying for me, you and us. We are very loved and sent to love. We are gathered as God's Good News Delivery Company and we all have our parts to play. That all comes to life as we abide in His love and allow Him to lead us always. May this be so Lord! Come! Inhabit our praises. Refocus us as we count our many blessings and help us to love as we have been loved--even ourselves! Thank You for loving, healing and using me! Thank You for Your patient love! Come! Fill me to overflowing with Your love. Amen!
I'm putting Our Daily Bread at the end and asking you to pray through this and maybe read and prepare Matthew 2 for Sunday. Yesterday I went deep in with the part where Herod had all the babies killed in Bethlehem in hopes of eliminating Jesus. He failed in that but not in causing deep grief for many. Job and His loss came to mind as I pondered and am preparing to share God's heart in response to what many non-believers and atheist's often ask, "How could a loving God allow evil or kill people?" This is a question we all need to wrestle through and overcome to stay rooted deep in Jesus and God's love. God is Love. He loves you. And yes evil is in this world and filtered through His hands. Yet He is Love. Contemplate His response to Job and ask for wisdom and His heart to minister to those who are devastated by loss. And determine in your heart to always keep your heart fixed on the God, who is love, no matter what evil you may face in the future. Also ask God to redeem your loss and use you to go love as you have been loved. Someone needs you and God's love. Help Lord! Amen! And pray for me as I wrestle with this and prepare for Sunday. Thanks! Check out the link in ODB about suffering: https://odbu.org/topic/ca211-01-lecture/?utm_source=Digital&utm_medium=ODB+Email%2C+app%2C+website&utm_campaign=2025+Jan+7th+ODB+Insight+-+Ten+Reasons+Suffering
But start first with praise and worship and abiding in Love! I'm praying for you right now!
Sarah Young
TWFYT:
UR: Garden of Grace
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.” - John 15:5 (NRSVUE)
One of my favorite memories is of my dad sitting on a fresh bed of pine straw in the middle of his rose garden. With an unlit pipe in his mouth, he would spend hours clipping, spraying, and caring for his rose bushes. He grew the most beautiful fragrant roses imaginable. Dad loved to take them to work and put them on all the office desks. He also spread them throughout our house. I remember the rich fragrance of roses throughout our home, and every time I smell a rose, I think of Dad.
The problem with rose gardening is that rose stems have thorns. Every now and then Dad got pricked, and then he might say something I won’t repeat here. Still, he continued to love and care for his roses.
Through our scripture passage I understand Christ as the gardener in our lives. For me, the fruit is God’s grace growing within us and also allowing us to make a difference in the lives of others. Yet, like rose stems, our lives have thorns. Sometimes thorns prick me pretty good, and sometimes my thorns prick others as well. I find I need some time each day to focus on God’s grace in Christ. Jesus invites us to abide in his love, and I hope we can all find our own unique ways to do that each and every day.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for caring for us with the attentiveness of a gardener. Help us to abide in your love so that we may show grace to others. Amen.
Harvest Kim's Blog
PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR by Kim Butts
I have been prayerfully reflecting upon this past year and looking ahead to what God is holding in His heart for me in this new year. His faithfulness emerges so clearly out of the difficult places of the past season of my life. Psalm 86:11 begins, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness…” The way of Christ was to rely fully upon His Father for all things…nothing He did or said was apart from His Father. I’ve done plenty of things apart from God over the past few months, relying on my own ideas, strengths and wits rather than yielding myself fully and completely to the purposes of God so that He can show Himself faithful in the midst of all of my everyday circumstances. Fortunately for me…and I imagine for all of us, God is not only faithful, but also forgiving! “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you” (Psalm 130:3-4).
Our Father is faithful and forgiving. His faithfulness can be fully relied upon as we seek to learn His ways, as Jesus did. In the midst of difficulty, struggle, pain, loss, grief, joy, victory, transition or celebration – God is present. As I mentioned, there have been multiple times this past year when my record of wrongs – things done or left undone – needed to be submitted to God so that I could once again serve Him with reverence. How grateful I am that God is faithful to forgive me when I confess things that must grieve His heart. Renewed determination to be more like Christ this year has gripped me anew. I am focused on walking more carefully in the steps of Jesus day by day, keeping my eyes fixed upon the Faithful One.
Here is my prayer as I head into this New Year with a new resolve to be the person He has called me to be, the servant He desires me to be, and the child He loves no matter how many times I mess up: Teach me Your way, Lord, so that I may continually rely on Your faithfulness from moment to moment. Help me to keep short accounts with You whenever I fail to extend the love of Jesus to others, or when I find myself in weak moments that cause my heart to turn away from complete obedience to Your word and Your ways. Give me the strength to press into Your heart for lost people and nations, and to cry out to You for spiritual awakening, beginning in my own heart! Thank You, Father, for Your faithful, loving-kindness towards me so that I may serve You with reverence. May I be more faithful in this New Year to be Jesus to those I encounter, so that nothing I do or say strays from Your kingdom purposes. I ask this in the Name above ALL Names! Amen!
ODB:
Kenny stood before the congregation he’d left years before after he’d lost faith in God. He shared that his belief had been restored. How? God had touched his heart through the beauty and design he saw in creation. Kenny was in awe of Him once more through the witness of God’s general revelation seen in the natural world, and he now embraced the wisdom found in the special revelation of Scripture. After sharing his story, Kenny stepped into the tank of water at the front of the sanctuary. His father, tears of joy in his eyes, baptized him based on his faith in Jesus.
After he’d lost much in life, Job’s faith had also been shaken. He said, “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look” (Job 30:20 nlt). God “spoke to Job out of the storm” (38:1), declaring that it wasn’t about Him not seeing Job but that Job’s vision needed to be expanded as he considered God’s amazing, intricate creation. The “earth’s foundation” and the “morning stars” (vv. 4, 7) and all the creatures, plants, and waters found between (vv. 8-41), pointed to the one whom Job could trust—the God of amazing love and power. Job responded by saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (42:5).
When doubts threaten your faith in Christ, consider the magnificence of God’s creation. He reveals Himself in it if we only have eyes to see.
By Tom Felten
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How has God revealed Himself in creation? How are awe of God and faith in Him linked?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Job’s friends insisted that his suffering was caused by his sins (Job 3-37). Job relentlessly defended his innocence and sought his vindication from God (23:1-7). Instead of answering his questions, however, God asked Job a series of questions pertaining to His creation (chs. 38-41). Instead of providing an explanation as to why He permitted evil and suffering in this world, God revealed His character.
Job didn’t need to fully understand God’s ways, for no man can (Isaiah 55:8-9). He only needed to humble himself, seek to know God deeply, and trust Him wholeheartedly. His suffering taught him to run to God as the only sure place of refuge—the safest place to go for comfort, sustenance, and strength (Job 42:2-6). Job wasn’t given a reason for suffering, but he discovered that when life comes out short, God is enough (see Psalm 23:1, 4).
Find out more about why we believe in a God who allows suffering.
K. T. Sim |
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Don 
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning Washed-White-As-Snow Bloggers! I love snowy mornings like this as they always remind me of God's amazing grace, loving mercy and sacrificial forgiveness! Yes, by God's grace, we are washed white as snow! PTL! and Amen! It's sometimes hard to believe that He would love me so much as to make a way to be forgiven and allowed into His presence. But it's true! What love we know and get to share! Start there with your worship today and this week. Amazing grace how sweet the sound...and reality! PTL!
This morning began with an awakening from the dogs and then them waking Karen early. This allowed God to redeem this time by allowing us to share a couples devotional we were going to start yesterday. I love beginning the day with God, Karen, Love and yeah, even sometimes dogs! Then it started to snow while I was engaged in my own quiet time in my prayer closet and Karen the same in her quiet space. God has been speaking as I stilled myself at Jesus' feet for a spell. That respite has continued for three hours and has led me through a great time with Karen, God and now to sharing what I heard with you. Isn't God great and loving and ever-present!
So where has He led today? As always there is a thread through my devotionals that I use and it is a thread that some of you are to process as well. Do you realize how intimately God is involved with your life and with our church Body? He is always speaking and directing. He uses us just as He created us and has gathered us to encourage each other, build up His Church and to team up to go love and make disciples like Jesus. I often contemplate that Good News Delivery Company idea that God led me to develop and I continue to allow Him to tweak. We are gathered for His purposes and we all matter. We all have custom made roles to play according to how we are created, custom gifted, and according to our season in life and circumstances. Thinking about that should lead to the idea of Jesus' promised easy yoke for all who come to Him. It leads me to worship, praise and deeper exploration of what He has for us now and next? As always during a new year, I tend to spend more time exploring, asking, listening and receiving from God what His plans are and then for how to plan, who is included and what are the next baby steps for some of you, me and some of us together. How does He want to use each of us to move towards our fuller potential in His Good News Delivery Co.? I know He wants to develop some new small groups and ministries in the next few weeks/months and I continue to seek Him for who, what, where and when. Please pray into this and ask How He may want you to partner with some to move to the fuller potential and greater things He has for you and your team and our Body. Then talk to me or Sarah and let's start pursuing this earnestly. This is the next step in becoming a dynamic movement and for coming alive in '25! Thanks Lord! Stir us. Lead us to dreams, visions and ideas and unite us in small groups and as a Body to keep seeking, discerning and following You well. Bring us alive in '25! Amen! Be earnest in your pursuit of Him and His plans and open and supple in His hands and watch what He will do!
So how does this thread through our devotionals below? See for yourself. Be still, humble and open as you engage with God prayerfully through them. He is speaking to you and may have a word for our Body or your small group as well. Thanks Lord! Expect the unexpected and start praying for BIG GOD things that may seem impossible for nothing is too hard or impossible for God! He is ABLE! Interesting to note that I thought I had plans laid out for our preaching calendar until Easter, BUT GOD. Two weeks ago He led me to change things. Yesterday we discussed Simeon and Anna and the people of faith God gathered that day to proclaim the Messiah had come and to prophesy some things. There were actually 5 gathered who were people filled with, touched and led by the Holy Spirit before the Holy Spirit was given to man. Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Today two devos discuss he Epiphany or the coming of the wise men and next Sunday, instead of the plans I had, God has led to our discussing these events. (I was supple, God redirected and now affirmed to me that I was listening and chose to adjust from my plans to His. May we all be better at that!) The Holy Spirit comes to us as we step into faith in Jesus and He gifts, empowers, corrects and leads us to God's best. He leads us to go live and love more like Jesus and make disciples and teaches us to pray and fulfill our purposes in His Good News Delivery Co. PTL! Thank You Holy Spirit! Come and lead us to the best and perfect plans and our unique purposes and all for God's glory! Amen. We are united by God for His purposes and to reflect His love and light today! Let us be about His business as we take that Good News and His love to many! Come Lord! Have Your way with us and unite us in love and lead us to go love like You. Bring revival and new life alive all around us! Thanks! Amen!
Upper Room: The Unexpected
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
The magi traveled far looking for “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” They sought him in Jerusalem, but King Herod sent them to Bethlehem where the chief priests and teachers of the law said the Messiah was to be born. There they found the baby Jesus, not in a palace but in a house, with his mother. Had I been one of them, I might have been disillusioned, but scripture gives no indication that they were disappointed by the humble scene.
When God’s answers are not what we expect, it can be disappointing. Our church experienced this during the long process of finding a new senior pastor. The church elders scheduled guest preachers for a couple of months and then arranged for an interim pastor to serve for a year while a search was conducted. But two weeks before the interim pastor was to arrive, he informed us that he would not be coming. We were back to square one!
This was not what we had expected, but it was a wonderful opportunity to practice trusting God. God’s answers may not be what we expect, but they are always perfect. Like the magi, we can receive them with joy.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your awesome power and for your perfect, unexpected answers to our prayers. Amen.Sarah Evans:
Our Daily Bread:
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Phillips Brooks wrote the lyrics to the beloved carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” after visiting Bethlehem. Brooks, pastor of a church in the United States, was so moved by his experience that he wrote this to his Sunday school students: “I remember . . . on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church at Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with the splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices that I knew well, telling each other of the ‘Wonderful Night’ of the Savior’s birth.”
In 1868, Brooks put his thoughts into a poem, and his church organist set it to music. The song spoke stillness and peace into the unsettling aftermath of the American Civil War: “O little town of Bethlehem / How still we see thee lie! / . . . The hopes and fears of all the years / Are met in thee tonight.”
Matthew wrote of our Savior’s birth in Bethlehem in Matthew 2. When the “Magi from the east” (v. 1) followed the star to Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), “they were overjoyed” to find Jesus (Matthew 2:10).
Today, as we celebrate Epiphany, we too need the glorious news of our Savior’s birth. As the hymn reminds us, He came to “cast out our sin and enter in” and “be born in us.” In Him, we find peace.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
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Where in your life do you need the peace the Savior offers? What aspect of Jesus’ story touches you most?
Dear Jesus, thank You for the hope and peace You’ve brought to me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Matthew’s gospel emphasizes gentile (non-Jewish) inclusion into God’s redemption story. His genealogy, for example, highlights three gentile women—Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth (Matthew 1:3, 5). And Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, was previously married to a gentile, Uriah the Hittite (v. 6). In Matthew 2, gentiles—the magi (who may have been members of the Persian royal court)—come to worship Jesus (vv. 1-2). By highlighting gentile inclusion in Christ’s story, Matthew leads his readers to the good news that God’s redemption is for all people and His followers are called to “make disciples of all nations” (28:19).
Monica La Rose |
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The Word for You Today:
PrayerStarters
Saturday, January 18 2025
This Week:
Wed 10-12 Donut day at the Bread Ministry
Good Morning Worshipers! Let's get our worship on this morning! We remembered all God's blessings during 2024 and now look forward with expectation for all He has planned for each of us and us as His Body! Were some things hard, even very hard? Yes. Will that be the same in 2025? Yes. However we can and should still worship. praise and expect God to move in mighty and mysterious ways and even use the hard things to grow us, shape us and open the door for His loving presence, help and new things. Amen! So, get out those gratitude lists and let's worship and pray with expectation and thanksgiving! What are you thankful about? PTL! Prepare your hearts to come to worship in Spirit and Truth and enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise! Hallelujah!
This morning we are wrapping up our season of fasting and praying. The first thing I did was flip my Max Lucado calendar to find God speaking to my heart from this entry for today:
As one who is good at operating in my own strength and with a history (one that's being repented of) of forging ahead of God, I was reminded to whoa down, seek, listen, focus and follow the Holy Spirit at God's pace. I was reminded of my prayer to not be sent to a place where I could do things on my own, but one where I have to rely on God. He sent me to St. Matts. in response to that. As long as I stay attached to the Vine and focused and moving with God, things are great. He guides and provides. I am learning to go to that place first before over-reacting or running ahead and it is the perfect place to be. Fasting helps me to re-center and seek first His Kingdom and not lean on my own understanding. That is the perfect place to be: empty of self, seeking and dependent and moving with God in His strength. Thanks Lord! Are you connected to the Vine and moving or waiting with and on the Lord? He has perfect plans just for you and for us as His Body that come alive as we do. Be still and know, receive and follow well my friends in God's strength and timing. That is a goal for us as His Body as well. That is the only way to be about our Father's business and doing the things we are created, gifted and gathered to do well. Amen!
The rest of my devotionals flowed from that calendar reminder. Sarah Young reminds of the importance of deep fellowship and dependence on the Lord and the good fruit that comes from that. I can get very anxious waiting on the Lord and impatient as well. Chuck Swindoll reminded me that I often have to give all my junk thinking and anxiety to God. He is faithful to take that as His Word promises and bring peace. We can all struggle with feelings of inadequacy, especially because our best work and efforts come when we are weak and leaning on God. Joyce Meyer has a great quote to embrace and remember, "If you have done your best God will do the rest." We should all write that down and put it somewhere we will see it often. Are you doing the best you can with what you've been given? If so, PTL, relax and allow Him to lead you and provide as He guides. He knows the desires of your heart and the plans He has for you. Be still and know and let Him have His way with you and the situation. That is where trust and peace and joy can grow. He is able! Amen! TWFYT wraps up this session with the reminder that God is the answer and solution to any problem. Draw near to Him first or as soon as you realize that you need to refocus on Him. Then trust Him and allow Him to intervene and redeem the situation, you or whatever problem you perceive is happening. Nothing is too hard for our God! Amen! Draw near, worship, and trust Him. Then do what you can with what you've been given and He will lead you step by step to His better and greater things! Amen!
Today during my message we will encounter four people of deep faith. These four received the Holy Spirit and were guided by Him and His dreams and vision before the Holy Spirit was given to mankind as a result of faith in Jesus. We will look at Simeon and Anna and Mary and Joseph in Luke 2 today. We can know God and trust as they did for Him to answer. Often in unexpected ways. BUT GOD! He knows you, created you for such a time as this and is calling you by name to come to Him in faith and walk with Him one step of faith at a time. He really does redeem things and have great plans that flow even from the hardest of things. Trust Him and worship! Amen!
Sarah Young:
Chuck Swindoll
Joyce Meyer
TWFYT:
Saturday, January 18 2025
Tomorrow: We are colleting for Everlasting Life Ministries
Worship with Children's Church at 10
Wed. 1012 is our next donut day at the Bread Ministry. Come and see what God is doing through us!
Annual Congregational Meeting is Sun Jan. 19th after worship in the sanctuary and on Zoom. Remember you must be a member in good standing to vote. (Good Standing is when you attend worship regularly, give, and commune at least 2 of the 4 times a year with us.)
*Congregational reports will be distributed shortly to review before the meeting
Sunday Jan 26th is our next Two Peas in a Pod brunch. Look for sign up sheets or let Lori know you will attend. Brings some friends!
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Good Morning Fasting, Praying Servants of the Lord! We have two days left in our season of fasting and praying. What's God been doing in and through you during this time? He's been speaking and directing me and releasing some things in the heavenlies for sure! If you haven't spent any time fasting and praying, I'd like to encourage you to do so today and tomorrow. Maybe skip a meal or turn off TV for a half hour or hour and spend some extra time at Jesus' feet listening, receiving and releasing. We are fasting and praying to offer ourselves, our ministries and our church to God and to invite Him to be our Lord this year. We are seeking and praying for God to direct us to Come Alive in '25, for us to become a dynamic movement, for new connection points and ministry opportunities, for harvest workers, for some small groups to start and for His Kingdom to come and will to be done as He molds and shapes us for such a time as this! He has great plans for you and us as we draw close, invite Him in and allow Him to lead us. Amen!
Today I will list a few devos below for you to engage with or use your own Bibles and whatever for your drawing close to God and listening. The Upper Room reminds us to make room for Him. Sarah Young asks us to start a new habit of proclaiming (and out loud) our trust in God! TWFYT reminds us of the shaking that God is doing in you, around you and this nation for His purposes. Dry Bones are coming to life as His fresh breath of the Spirit moves about. And ODB reminds us that we are created to be givers--of self, time, talents, finances, as they are all gifts given by God to be used for His glory. We are learning to live sacrificially (agape love) and love lavishly (pour ourselves out for others) like Jesus. We receive our marching orders as we still ourselves, offer ourselves and earnestly follow His Spirit. Trust and obey as you receive. That's giving back to God what He's given. All we are asked to do is to do what we can with what we've been given in this season. Seek First His Kingdom and He will reveal, guide and provide all that's needed. Receive it and share it with love and in faith today! And this year! We will be His dynamic movement and we all have a part. What's yours? Ask Him as you empty yourself and open up to receive all He has for you and step out in faith and trust! Amen! I'm praying for you!
UR: Making Room
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. - Matthew 3:2 (NIV)
There’s something about the new year that feels full of hope and possibility. The anticipation of something new gives me the desire to clear out the clutter and create space — both physically and mentally — for what the year will bring.
John the Baptist was called to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah. He preached a message of repentance, urging people to turn their hearts toward God by clearing their lives of sin and making room to receive Christ. We, too, are called to prepare for Christ because God has work for us to do! We can prepare our hearts by repenting of our sin and giving our lives fully to God — clearing out the clutter that keeps us from following the Lord wholeheartedly.
If we want to see God at work in our lives, we must make room for God’s presence. What clutter do we need to clear from our habits, our schedules, or our hearts to create room for God’s Spirit to move in? God wants to begin something new in us, so let’s anticipate that gift by making room for it!
Today's Prayer
O God, show us what we need to clear from our lives to make more room for you. Amen.Sarah Young
TWFYT
ODB
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One year, the leaders of our congregation invited us to give gifts, in addition to our regular weekly offerings, to build a new gymnasium—a space we could use to minister to the families in our community. After prayerfully considering the medical expenses caused by living with a disability, I asked my husband, “Are you sure we can do this?” He nodded. “We’re not giving God anything that’s not already His,” he said. “He’ll provide all we need.” And He did! Over a decade later, our church family still has the privilege of serving Jesus by serving people in that facility.
In 1 Chronicles 29, King David showed the leaders of Israel his commitment to support his son Solomon as his God-chosen successor and the builder of the temple (vv. 1-5). Everyone followed suit, “gave willingly,” and “rejoiced” (vv. 6, 9). David praised God and declared that “everything in heaven and earth” belonged to Him (v. 11). He prayed: “Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you” (v. 16).
As we consider all God has done and given to us, specifically the gift of a personal relationship with Jesus, we can express our worship and show our gratitude and love by simply giving back to God, the Giver of all good things!
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How does acknowledging that all things belong to God change the way you view giving? How can expressing your gratitude through giving change you?
Loving God, thank You for being a generous and faithful provider.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
David gathered “all the officials of Israel” (1 Chronicles 28:1) to address the temple project (ch. 28; 29:1-9) and to crown Solomon as king (29:21-25). David provided large amounts of the kingdom’s resources and also gave “[his] personal treasures of gold and silver . . . over and above everything [he’d] provided” (v. 3). Following his example, the leaders also gave their resources “freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD” (v. 9). He then led the whole assembly in heartfelt worship—praising God and extolling His greatness, eternality, power, glory, and sovereignty (vv. 10-13). David humbly acknowledged that God owns everything! Whatever they gave back to Him was simply returning to Him what He’d generously given to them in the first place (vv. 14-16).
K. T. Sim |
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Friday, January 03 2025
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Can it be Friday already? The holidays sure have messed up our conception of days. But one thing for sure, very day can be a TGIF day as we thank God for His mercy grace, and forgiveness. Begin your day there--worshiping and overflowing with thanksgiving for all God is and has done for you! Every day we are forgiven! PTL! We are sinners saved by grace! PTL! God loves you so much that he made a way for you to be saved, made right, cleansed and ready for eternity with Him. Amen!
Good Morning Bold and Courageous, Carried By God, Faithful Ones of the Lord! Amen! What blessings we know and get to share because we are so loved and have stepped into His Love! Amen! With the short week, I have much on my Donald's Do List for today and gotta fly. But not before leaving you with some thoughts to ponder and pray through today. God is with you, knows you, calls you by name, loves you beyond measure and carries you when needed. he is our helper and friend and also our Potter that molds and shapes us and uses all kinds of sources for that end. He created us for such a time as this. he gifted and empowered us to change into Christ's image and to be change agents in this world. That all opened up on that cruel cross and became available to you at rebirth. What an awesome God we serve! he never leaves you nor forsakes you and walks with you through the darkest valley an celebrates with you on the highest mountains. PTL!
I've been seeing all these posts about people who couldn't wait to put 2024 behind them. Are you one of those who had a hard year? Well, in my mind, every year is hard, BUT GOD! We know that life will get progressively more vile, evil and dark, yet we know The Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, and our Help in times of trouble. We can and are enabled to choose joy always as we grow in trust that God knows, is with us and is in control. Sometimes we need to just stop and remember that. Sometimes we need the help of others to refocus. Sometimes we need to dig out those gratitude list and begin there and count our many blessings. Instead of focusing on the bad and hard things, what if we refocused to God and His multitude of blessings. Would your year end review be different? Joy to the World and Peace beyond understanding opened up when we received forgiveness and new life. We have something the world can never know because of our faith in Christ and His work for good on our behalf. Trust Him! Count your many blessings. And rejoice--again, I say rejoice, because you are able to choose joy and trust always! Amen!
Check out the devotionals bellow and refocus on god today as we continue our time of fasting and praying. God is right beside you with open arms and he is upholding you in His strong right hand. He has forgiven you and is working all things together for good! PTL! and Amen! What's God saying to you today and who are you processing that with and praying with. he has some teammates just for you and you for someone too. reach out share the love and receive it. You are very loved, redeemed and empowered children of our Savior and the King of the universe! Amen!
ODB:
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Fear woke me at 3 a.m. on the first day of the new year. The year ahead weighed heavily on me, overwhelming me with dread. Illness in the family had long wearied me, and now, thoughts of the future made me afraid. Will more bad things happen? I wondered.
Jesus’ disciples understood the fear of bad things happening. Even though their Master had prepared and reassured them the day before He died, they were still afraid. They fled when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56); Peter denied Him (John 18:15-17, 25-27), and they went into hiding (20:19). Their fear during the upheaval of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, as well as of persecution, led them to act contrary to His command to “take heart” and His promise, “I have overcome the world” (16:33).
But Christ’s death and resurrection proved His authority and power over life and death. He has the ultimate victory. Even though the sinful state of our world makes suffering a certainty, we can rest in the truth that all things are subject to the authority of our wise and loving God. Jesus’ presence is with us (16:32-33), just as it was with His disciples, who later confidently went on to share the gospel to the world. May God’s promise that He’s in control strengthen our hearts to trust Him in this new year and be courageous even when we don’t know what the future will bring.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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What’s your response to difficulty, suffering, and trials? What would “taking heart” look like for you?
Thank You, Jesus, for helping me with my fears and for showing me how to live courageously.
Visit ODBU.org/OT315 for further study on suffering and trials from the book of Job.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In John 16, as Jesus addressed His disciples’ fears and the grief and suffering that would come during and after His death, it’s noteworthy that nowhere did He suggest they’d be rescued from experiencing fear and pain. As Christ faced death, they’d abandon Him in terror—“leave [Him] all alone” (John 16:32). The grief they’d experience from His death was unavoidable—they’d “weep and mourn while the world [rejoiced]” (v. 20).
Instead of a comfort based on escaping suffering, however, Jesus offered His disciples hope rooted in His resurrection (16:22). They couldn’t avoid the pain they’d experience, but because Christ has “overcome the world” (16:33), their suffering would be like that of childbirth—the pain wouldn’t be purposeless but would “turn to joy” (v. 20)—tremendous joy that “no one will take away” (v. 22).
Monica La Rose |
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Sarah Young
Upper Room: In Everything
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. - Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
When I was a child, I often saw Javan munia birds in rural rice fields. Farmers consider these birds pests because they eat the rice. Sometimes farmers shoot at the flock with air rifles. Interestingly, when the birds hear the shots, they panic and bump into each other or get stuck in tree branches, causing their own demise.
When sudden change happens, sometimes I’m just like those birds. I react poorly out of shock and panic, and I run into problems. Once when I heard a rumor, I reacted in panic — only to realize later that the rumor was incorrect. Likewise, often when I heard good news, I would get too excited and make snap judgments that I ultimately regretted.
Then I read Isaiah 30:15: “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Instead of putting panic and emotion first, I learned that it is better to remain calm and trust God. As Proverbs 19:2 says, “Hasty feet miss the way!” So I learned to be still, try to think clearly, and pray. I learned to trust that even if I stumbled, God would not allow me to fall.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us not to follow our panic but rather to trust you in all circumstances. Amen.
TWFYT
Friday, January 03 2025
Fast and Pray: We begin a season of fasting and pray from today through Sunday. How is the Holy Spirit leading you to fast and pray the next few days? Do it earnestly! Maybe fast a meal or two a day? Maybe fast TV or some activity for an hour or two per day? Maybe fast food for the next few days? However you are led to fast and pray, the purpose is to empty yourself of something for a time daily to focus on God in prayer, listening, surrendering, receiving, releasing and contemplating with God. The purpose for our Body is to seek God for His plans for us for 2025 and to offer the first part of the year to Him in surrender and worship and to open space for Him to speak an direct us to His perfect plans. Be still and know. Empty yourself and listen. What's He saying? What will you do about it? Who are you processing with? One other reason is to seek Him for me/us to discern how to start some small groups that He is leading us to start soon. Ask for wisdom to do what He desires with those He is preparing to partner together. Ask for Him to stir some leaders. Pray for wisdom and discernment for me to invite some in to a deeper training and equipping. Seek for His plans and for them to come to life as He stirs us to His new and perfect plans to keep St. Matts growing and producing disciples of Jesus. Thanks! Then let us commit to process together what we are hearing and God is planning. Who are your teammates? What are His plans for a few of you to go live and love like Jesus? Where are some new connection points that will lead us to the 30 we are praying for Him to send in 2025. How does He plan to bring us alive in '25? Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and He will provide all we need and answer our prayers and direct pour steps. I'm praying for this to be a dynamic time with God as He continues to lead us to become a dynamic movement. Pray for revival for you, us, our area and the nation and for your part in His Good News Delivery Co. to come alive.
Maybe begin with these songs to help you release yourself and focus on God? Maybe use these the next few days to begin your time of fasting as you turn off the noise and focus on God? I know these have helped me to focus this morning.
Open: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA8VEKviMAE
Make Room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxubPpU-iIA
Crowns Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pogDXVoLGLU
Good Morning Church! I want to encourage you to earnestly pursue God the next few days (all year really). He has created you for such a time as this. He is calling you by name. He has redeemed you. You are custom made for His custom purposes and He has great plans for you and has gathered us as His Body for some special purposes as well. We are His agents of change and vessels of love. Seek Him as you offer yourself to Him to have His way with you. Then let's process this together and with maybe a small group of others and work on bringing to life His perfect plans. I'd suggest using the daily devotionals as you open your Bible and seek Him with open heart and listening ear. He longs to reveal Himself, His plans and fill you with His love and wisdom overflowing. Will you still yourself and seek Him? Please do! I can't wait to process this with you in the next few weeks and to begin some small group ministries that He will use to lead us to some new connection points and His perfect plans! Amen!
Father, we still ourselves and offer ourselves, our church, and this year to you. Come! Fill us. teach us. Stir us, Your Kingdom come and will be done in through and around me and us. We long to glorify you and be about You and Your business of loving people and making disciples. Here I am Lord! Teach me. Prepare me. Send me. Be glorified. Amen!
Friday, January 03 2025
Happy New Year! PTL for the promises and opportunities opened up for the year ahead as we walk with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the new things He has prepared for each of us and us together! Amen! May we come alive in '25!
Good Morning Fellow Travelers! Spend some time as we enter into a season of fasting and prayer to empty yourself and invite the Holy Spirit full access to you, your choices, and resolve to follow Jesus. He made you for such a time as this and has great plans for you to discover and step into. he also has great plans for our church as we unite as His Body and allow Him to lead us to His perfect plans for the year ahead. It's a year of promise and faithfulness of God for us to embrace and earnestly pursue. May we commit ourselves, our Church and our choices for the year to God today. May we invite Him to come be our Lord, Shepherd and be determined to follow Him well. Amen!
Many blessings to you and yours for 2025! maybe begin with some time in our devos below! God loves you and has plans to prosper you. Trust Him and invite Him to come have His way! Amen
What's God saying to you and what will you do about it! Let us commit to earnestly follow Him to His best! And may we all know the love, joy and peace we have and have to share! Amen
UR: A New Beginning
If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
I glanced out my front window, and the street was quiet. It was just another day. Last night, however, was much different. We heard the whistle and pop of exploding fireworks, the cheers of excited children, and the shouting of jubilant well-wishers ushering in the New Year.
For many, the start of a new year is a time for resolutions, marking a new beginning and starting with a clean slate. We might give up a bad habit, begin a new exercise regimen, eat healthier foods, mend a broken relationship, or improve some other aspect of our daily life. We do this in the hope of having a happier, better, and more fulfilled life.
Every New Year’s Eve reminds me of my own new beginning in 1967 as a young teen. My new beginning wasn’t a resolution to change one or two undesirable traits but complete repentance, and it transformed my life. The Lord Jesus Christ did all the work. I became a new creation. What joy there is in serving Jesus!
While salvation is wonderful, it doesn’t stop there. As Christians we must continue to grow in faith. We must be diligent in reading and following God’s word. Let us be examples to those around us and glorify God with our lives.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to grow in relationship with you. May others see our good works and glorify your name. Amen.Sarah Young
TWFYT
ODB
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Most people have never heard of Kate Hankey, but she was a remarkable woman. A teacher, evangelist, school organizer, missionary, and poet, she faithfully served Jesus in 1800s England. In 1867, Kate contracted a serious illness. During her recovery, she penned a lengthy poem in two parts: “The Story Wanted” and “The Story Told.” The poem expresses in a very personal way her relationship with Jesus and the events of His life.
All Scripture points to Jesus and tells His story. John begins his epistle reminding readers how they had personally experienced Jesus: “That which . . . we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim” (1 John 1:1). Because of our experience of Him, the apostle writes, we’re telling the Jesus story: “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it” (v. 2). Later, John makes the fascinating comment, “The word of God lives in you” (2:14). In other words, the Jesus story is our story too. We’re called to tell the story of Christ in light of our own experience with Him.
This is what Kate Hankey did in her poem. Eventually, the two parts of her poem became these beloved hymns: “I Love to Tell the Story” and “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.” Perhaps we might, like Kate, find our own words and share our Jesus story with others—the unique way in which He loved us, came to us, and rescued us.
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT & PRAY
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What is your story with Jesus? How did He come to you and rescue you?
Dear Jesus, thank You for rescuing me and doing Your loving work in my life.
For further study, read Jesus Is in the Room.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Many scholars believe that the apostle John, the author of the gospel of John, also wrote the three letters that bear his name. He wrote 1 John to refute false teachers who taught that Jesus is neither God nor human and points to His incarnation to show His humanity: “[Jesus] was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1:2). John had personally heard, seen, and touched the man Jesus (vv. 1-3), demonstrating that Christ is a real human person.
To prove that Jesus is the preexistent creator God, John begins his letter with the words “that which was from the beginning” (v. 1), echoing Genesis 1:1 (“in the beginning God”) and John 1:1 (“in the beginning was the Word”). Jesus is “the Word of life” (1 John 1:1), who “spoke” life into every living thing (Genesis 1; John 1:1-2). He’s “the eternal life, which was with the Father” and He’s “[God’s] Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:2-3), the promised Messiah.
K. T. Sim |
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Friday, January 03 2025
Sarah Update below
Bread Day today 10-12
Good Morning Worshiping, Thankful, Praying, Faithful, Trusting, Moving Forward, Followers of Jesus! Amen! That is us and we are working on growing into these things earnestly. We are moving from what was through what is to the new things God has in store for us in 2025. We have worked on becoming the people we are created to be and doing more of what we are created to do as we seek to have more of Christ and His ways and less of ours come alive in and through us and we are praying this all comes alive in '25! Please Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me and us! Amen! So what are your thankful for from this past year and what new things does God have planned for you? Are you willing to step out in faith and trust to receive them and allow Him to bring them alive in '25? Pray into that! Surrender, receive and seek to earnestly follow Him into His perfect plans for you and us! I'm praying for me, you and all of us to seek and follow well. Thanks Lord! come! Have Your way! Amen!
Check out the flow of this through my devotionals below. God laid these out just for me and for some of you as well. Then engage with the links to the Harvest Prayer stuff as we seek to become a House of prayer for the Nations and releasing God's plans and power in prayer in the year ahead. Start with the Upper Room's reminder to be grateful and use those gratitude lists often in praise of God and all He is doing and even to refocus when times are hard or we feel distant from Him. The rest of the devos flow to knowing peace, trusting the hand of God, trusting God's plans for you as He leads to new things we are waiting to come and step into, and then the reminder that we are not in this alone but a team of servants seeking and following together--spurring each other on to the new things God has for us! What a great year we have traveled through! PTL! And PTL for the good plans He has for us as we seek to come alive in '25! Then just worship!
Maybe begin by offering yourself to God with this prayer song. This song may be helpful throughout our fast time from the 2nd to the 5th. Make Room. Open yourself. Surrender and offer all of you to Him as He leads you to his best and perfect plans for you and us--His new things! Amen! Make room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxubPpU-iIA
Be honest, open, and willing! God has some great new things instore that will come alive in '25! PTL!
Upper Room: A Grateful New Year
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. - Psalm 106:1 (NIV)
I keep an old coffee can on my dining room table. Every day I write something I’m thankful for on a small slip of paper and place it in the can. This discipline of gratitude has become part of my spiritual practice. Sometimes I write down how God has answered a specific prayer request. Other times I record a simple pleasure, such as a phone call with a friend. By New Year’s Eve the can is so full I can hardly stuff another piece of paper in!
On New Year’s Day I empty the can and read through all these expressions of gratitude. By the time I’ve gone through all of them, I realize how much God blessed me over the past year. I can look forward to the new year with hope, trusting that God will continue to bless me. I just need to fix my attention on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” (Phil. 4:8).
Today's Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for a new year and for the blessings of the year that has just passed. We thank you for this new year and trust you will be with us every day. Amen.
Sarah Young:
ODB:
In 1939, with the recent outbreak of war for Britain, King George VI sought in his Christmas Day radio broadcast to encourage citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to put their trust in God. Quoting a poem that his mother found precious, he said: “Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. / That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.” He didn’t know what the new year would bring, but he trusted God to “guide and uphold” them in the anxious days ahead.
The image of God’s hand appears in many places in the Bible, including in the book of Isaiah. Through this prophet, God called His people to trust that He as their Creator, “the first and . . . the last” (Isaiah 48:12), would remain involved with them. As He says, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens” (v. 13). They should put their trust in Him and not look to those less powerful. After all, He’s their “Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (v. 17).
Whatever we face as we look toward the new year, we can follow the encouragement of King George and the prophet Isaiah and place our hope and trust in God. Then, for us too, our peace will be like the river, our “well-being like the waves of the sea” (v. 18).
By Amy Boucher Pye
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As you consider the new year, what situations or relationships could you entrust to God? How does the image of His hand speak to you?
All-powerful God, You created the heavens and the earth and yet You cherish me. I place my trust in You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Isaiah warned that God would discipline the Israelites for their idolatrous unfaithfulness. He prophesied about one hundred years before the destruction of Jerusalem, their temple, and their seventy-year exile in Babylon (Isaiah 39:6-7; see Jeremiah 25:11-12). Isaiah also prophesied that God would bring His people back, restore them, and bless them (chs. 40-66). In Isaiah 48, the prophet affirmed that whatever God had purposed for His people, He would bring to pass. For He’s the only true, everlasting God—the almighty Creator who chose them to be His people (vv. 12-15). He’s also the “Redeemer” (v. 17) who will teach and guide them (vv. 18-19).
K. T. Sim |
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Chuck Swindoll
Joyce Meyer
TWFYT
Sarah Update:
Hi everyone,
We had a great day of worship on Sunday. It was so good and encouraging to so many praises that were shared by our brothers and sisters in Christ.......also hearing the ways God encouraged some of us to bring HOPE to some folks in need with the $50 we were using for our Christmas Blessing challenge.
Some of you also felt inspired to give to your money to The Kindness Project.
Many folks have been blessed by St Matthew's church family! May God continue to use us in reaching out to our community to share God's love and hope!
Here are some of the prayer needs/praises shared on Sunday:
Darlene Geiger has asked for prayer for her sister - she will be having a biopsy done and let's pray for the results to be negative.
Kay Paul - continue to keep her in prayer, for healing and strengthening. As we learn more we will let you know. Also keep her family in prayer also.
Kathy's 14 year old granddaughter has a heart condition. Her name is Sophia. We have been asked to pray for Sophia, that her medical team with be able to find ways to help her and that she will be able to physically be able to continue on with her activities that she enjoys.
Lori Rohrer - was in the ER due to being very dehydrated. She is doing better and is at home. Continued prayers for her healing and strengthening.
Kay (Karen's Mom) is asking for prayer for her friend Arlene, who is having upper respiratory problems and has been admitted to the hospital.
Gail L shared that she is praising God for how much better Houston is doing this month, compared to last month. He was able to spend some quality time with his family, during Christmas. In three weeks, they will meet with his medical team to discuss how things are coming along.
Kids Church update: Starting January 19th we are going to start the Armor of God series in Kids church. Each week, the kiddos will learn about a different part of the armor, and there will also be a craft to build the part of the armor that they learned about that week.
We want to encourage the kids to come each week so that they don't miss out on building their entire armor suit!
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Starting next week, many of our activities will start back up for the new year.
Tuesday Huddle at 10:00am starts up on January 14 - via Zoom
Coffee, Donuts, Conversations will be on January 8th from10 - 12pm
Clothing Closet will be opening back up on Saturday, January 18th from 10 - 1pm.
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be on Sunday January 19th, following our worship service in the
sanctuary.
Our next 2 Peas in a Pod Brunch will be January 26th following worship.
Okay, I believe that's all the updates for now......hope you all have a good rest of your evening and a nice and safe New Year's Eve!
Blessings,
Sarah
Psalm 38:34 Put your HOPE in the Lord. Travel steadily along His path.
He will honor you by giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed.
Friday, January 03 2025
Today is a special day for me...23 years ago today, God saved a wretch like me and I was born again, forgiven, cleansed and made new. I was one way and in the blink of an eye another. Since then I have traveled the road of transformation that comes as I continue to draw close and follow Christ. What a blessing! Thanks Lord! Come have your way with me and continue to transform me more and more into Your image and move me to do the things I was created to do for Your glory! May I live, love, teach, lead and make disciples like Jesus! Come! Have Your way with me! Amen!
Good Morning Saved By Grace, Born Again in Christ Brothers and Sisters! Do you remember your born again story? Who might need to hear it? God has custom made us for such a time as this. He drew us and when we received Jesus as our personal Savior, we received the Holy Spirit in us, His gifts customized for us and empowerment to become the people we are created to be, doing what we are created to do. We are also gathered to His Body to unite and go love like Jesus and make disciples. Who are you in Christ? What are your purposes? That's what we want to work on in 2025 as we seek to come alive in '25 and bring new life alive to all those God is sending us to or to us. What's your part in His Good news Delivery Co.? Who are your teammates. We will be trying to figure all that out over then next few months. Ask God to draw you close, speak to your heart and direct your steps and pray for us to become His dynamic movement of disciple makers. Amen!
There are so many devotionals and things I thought I was to share today as I always go real deep in devotional quiet time on this day. Today we will discuss some of the plans God has for us during our worship time. It will sort of be a kick off for where He may be leading us into the New Year and a recounting of all His blessings in 2024. He does love you and has gathered us to go love well in His name and for His glory. That is really coming alive in and through and around us. PTL! Can you see it and sense His work coming to life? It is and we can rejoice that God is with us always and always working all things together for good. May we commit to trusting more and following earnestly into 2025 and beyond. Revival fires are lit! Let us fan them to flame and may an inferno of His love overwhelm our neighborhoods! Amen! And we all get to be part of that! How cool is that! I can't wait to see what He has for you, me and us in 2025 that's waiting to come to life!
God has spoken to me today and is speaking to some of you as you encounter Him through these devotionals below. Be still and know. Abide then thrive. he has perfect plans just for you and then for us united as His people on mission! Amen
UR: Rejoice and Give Thanks
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. - 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Since I was a child, I have attended Sunday school. I have always enjoyed it. In my youth, I embraced the opportunity to teach a preteen Sunday school class. For more than 40 years, my calling has been Christian education in different ministry areas of the church.
In July 2022, at 73 years old, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I can already feel the effects of the disease. But I have promised, by God’s incomparable grace, to continue to be in ministry as long as I am able.
The Lord has blessed me with long life, my family, and the fellowship of countless brothers and sisters in the Christian faith. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” God has been my teacher throughout my life, and I will remain grateful to God until the very end.
Today's Prayer
Generous God, thank you for your many blessings and for giving us opportunities to serve. Lead us into your kingdom. Your will be done. Amen.CS:
SY
CS
ODB
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When I was a young boy in Ohio, we lived near several construction sites. Inspired by them, my friends and I gathered leftover scraps to build a fort. Borrowing tools from our parents, we hauled wood and spent days trying to make our material serve our purposes. It was fun, but our attempts were poor reflections of the well-constructed buildings around us. They didn’t last long.
In Genesis 11, we encounter a major building construction project. “Let us build ourselves a city,” said the people, “with a tower that reaches to the heavens” (v. 4). A big problem with this effort was that the people did it to “make a name for ourselves” (v. 4).
This has been a recurring issue for humans; we build monuments to ourselves and our achievements. Later in the biblical narrative, this story is contrasted with Solomon’s motivation for building God’s temple: “I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God” (1 Kings 5:5).
Solomon understood that what he built needed to point to God and not himself. This was such an important lesson that he even wrote a psalm about it. Psalm 127 opens with “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (v. 1). Like my childhood fort-building, what we build will not last, but God’s name and what we do for Him has lasting significance.
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
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What are you building with your life? How is your life bringing honor to God?
Father, please forgive me for the times I’ve focused on myself and not on what You’re doing in the world.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The Hebrew word rendered “build/building” in Genesis 11 is banah (vv. 4, 5, 8). This term can refer to a physical building—whether rebuilding or establishing something—and metaphorically to building a family. Both usages occur in 2 Samuel 7 (see vv. 5, 7, 13, 27). Psalm 127:1 includes the word twice: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Daniel 4:30 includes the Aramaic counterpart to banah from Nebuchadnezzar: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” In the New Testament “to build” is a metaphor for the work of Christ in establishing His church (see Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22). Building plans that fail to consider Jesus as the master builder (see Hebrews 3:4) are subject to fail.
Arthur Jackson |
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JM
TWFYT
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