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Saturday, March 08 2025
This Week:
Tue Zoom Huddle 10-11
Wed:
Bread Ministry 10-12
Dinner Huddles: 6-7:30 (Pizza Party Fellowship and planning night)
Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet
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Good Morning Praying Co-Laborers! That's us! Praying and doing our parts in God's Good News Delivery Company. Upholding each other in prayer, encouraging and spurring on to the plans God has for us. Thanks for praying and serving with me! I think about Moses who was called to pray for victory for God's people and how they would be winning while he stood above the valley praying. But when his arms got weary and dropped they started loosing. Arron and Hur, sat him down on a rock and held his arms up for him all day and the victory came for God's people. I have become weary in praying and leading. You are my Arron and Hur, upholding me in prayer. I just took a week to rest and reload. (more on that next). I think of how Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, encouraged Moses to raise up some co-leaders because Moses became weary from doing it all and how God raised up some leaders to assist His people and refresh Moses. I've been thinking about how we recently studied in Acts how the Apostles picked some spirit-filled leaders to deal with the mechanics and politics of the church so they could focus on prayer, teaching and leading. My retreat was supposed to be a time for me to get away, like Elijah when he became weary and depressed and to allow God to minister and whisper to me and prepare me and send me to His next mission.
I said that was supposed to be the plan with my retreat, but that never fully materialized. I was sick at the beginning of the week, cancelled my end of week retreat to Twin Pines and most of the week was focused on church work and planning and dealing with several church issues that seemed to come my way all week. A pastor is never really off the clock, even when trying to get away and refresh. However, the week was not without profit. I was able to get away from some of the tyranny of the urgent and for the first time in awhile was able to draw deep into and abide in God's loving presence as I have not been able to do for a few months. And God continues to draw me deep in, help me sink my roots deep in Him and to hear His still small voice through the fires and winds, like Elijah. I still have a long way to go in this journey, as we all do. If you hear nothing else today, hear this: Make an earnest effort to be still, abide in Christ and sink your roots deep daily! Even through the busyness and chaos, it is essential and critical to abide in Christ and receive all you need from Him. Today I started at 5 and am writing this at 8:45 after abiding deeply and sinking deep. God has great plans for you and us and we need to keep seeking, knocking and choosing His Kingdom above all else before we enter each day. In this life, Christ really is all that matters! I'm trying to remember that and make it a priority. Are you? I need you! God has plans for you and us. May we seek and follow well together and more earnestly. Please! Try it! Thanks! Who are your partners? Think about Acts 9 from yesterday. Peter healed and raised from the dead just like He saw Jesus do. He was with Jesus and learned to do what Jesus did in his context. He even began going to the outsiders and "unclean heathen" because he knew that's what Jesus did and wanted them to do as they carried on the mission. May that be us! And as one, united in Christ, and His well-oiled machine of salvation and disciple making! Amen!
One thing that became evident this week is the reminder that God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. We need to be a praying people. Check out the Connections blogs below and draw close and listen to that still small voice. What's God saying to you? How can we help each other learn to pray and how can we make more opportunities to seek and pray together? Would you support that? We need to start there! And we need each other to step into our roles in His Good News Delivery Company and to pray together more! Big and small things are awaiting us because nothing is small or wasted in God's Kingdom and He made you for such a time as this, gifted and empowered you and made you for His purposes of growing His Kingdom. Please pray into that and prayerfully engage with the devos below. God is speaking. I need you to hold my arms up in prayer, come alongside each other, and for us to seek, discern, plan and step out in faith together! What's Jesus have for you today? Do it and share your stories and insights. You matter! God loves you and has great plans for you and us! Let us seek and follow together--earnestly! Thank you! I am praying for you! (Note: as part of my drawing close and not allowing the tyranny of the urgent and Satan to get me off track, there will be days with no blogs. They will come as God spurs me to share with you, His and my heart)
One final thing...God has given each of us spiritual gifts to use to walk with Him, spur each other on and grow His church. Some of you have asked about discovering, studying and learning to apply these gifts. I shared a link twice and asked you to send me your results. I have only heard from four of you. We will be spending some of March discovering, learning about and apply our gifts which God has custom blended for you and His purposes. Here's the link again. Please email me your results and we will figure out a few different days and times to apply these together. Thanks! This is how His church will grow and we will connect to 30 new people this year. It's time to come alive in '25! Link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test
Connections Prayer Blogs:
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February 24 - The Miraculous Power of God
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The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 1:5)!
Maybe I personally am going through a tough time. In the midst of it, I try to pray with trust and faith, but it is difficult because I only see the issue. If I go and pray with others, however, what happens? As I listen to others pray with more faith than I have, my faith grows. Here’s how it works in a corporate situation. Let’s say our church is planning to build. I’m an elder who is skeptical of the plans because they are beyond what we can afford to do. I go and begin to pray with others regarding this. God can now put a heart of trust in me, He can bring me to unity with others, He can give me the faith to believe Him for the miraculous—His vision and plan for my church. When I only pray by myself, that is less likely to happen.
Churches that do not pray together still minister in whatever ways they can, given their resources, abilities and sacrifices. But churches that pray together begin to see the miraculous power of God at work in their midst. It goes beyond what they can and should do into what God wants to do through them.
Jehovah Jireh, teach me to pray with great hope and fill me with faith to believe that You are at work to orchestrate the best circumstances of Your will for my life and for the lives of those whom I love and care about as well as for those I will never meet this side of heaven. Give me a heart of grateful trust in Your goodness and Your mercy, for You love Your people more deeply than my human heart could ever comprehend. Show me how to continually posture myself as a dependent child seeking the heart of my compassionate, all-powerful Father.
--Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf. Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God for his controlling presence everywhere.
- Give thanks that no circumstance in life—even death itself—is beyond his loving control.
- Confess your desire to act according to your own timetable rather than God’s.
- Commit yourself to drawing closer to God in every way and waiting patiently for him.
- Ask for the ability to live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
- Ask that members of your church family will have the humility and gentleness to consider others better than themselves. Pray that believers will not only look out for their own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com |
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These really speak into my week and what I have been enduring, persevering through and talking with God about. He is with me always and working all things together for good! I trust Him to redeem this past week and lead me forward. And he will do that for you as well! Rejoice, abide and sink deep!
Upper Room: Why Are You here?
[Elijah] came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. - 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
Elijah had humiliated King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Terrified for his life because of Jezebel’s vow to exact revenge, Elijah fled. In his exhaustion, he uttered a phrase my heart has felt many times: “I have had enough, Lord!” I can imagine the relief welling up in the prophet’s heart as he entered into the safety of God’s mountain after his long, arduous journey. But before Elijah could catch his breath or gather his thoughts, God asked, “Why are you here?” On one level the question implied that Elijah should be elsewhere, completing the work the Lord had given him to do. On another level, it prompted him to consider his heart’s motivation.
Like Elijah, I sometimes find myself crying out, “I’ve had enough!” while facing resistance in ministry. Unconstructive criticism on how I teach Sunday school or lead music wears me down. Parents disrupting the teen ministry frustrates me. Volunteers failing to follow through is discouraging. In these moments I, too, have to answer God’s question, Why are you here? I ask myself, Why am I really doing what I’m doing?
Reminded of God’s holiness, Elijah was refreshed and went on to fulfill an extraordinary destiny. When we pause to evaluate our motivations and realign them with God’s will, we can find renewed zeal in our service to God and others.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us align our motivations with yours so that we can be refreshed and strengthened as we work with you. Amen.
TWFYT: (Don't label yourself or put burdens n yourself that are not from God! And tell Satan to scram when he stirs this chaos and noise in you)
Sarah Young: ABIDE, sink deep and restore!
Friday, February 21 2025
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! What are you thankful about? Tell God and share with some others!
Today is a unique day in my history. Feb. 21, 1998 my father passed. He had told my mom he was praying for me to turn from my addictions and come back to God. Dec 29th (his birthday) 2001 that happened. Then on Feb. 21st 2002 God answered a life long prayer to lead me to a good Christian woman to marry. I was "struck by lightning" when I shared with one of my candy truck customer, Karen, that I was saved and she said so am I. Now she didn't feel the lightning. Another man was the furthest thing from her mind that day--the day her divorce became final--but God had other plans that eventually resulted in our marriage.. PTL! I am blessed beyond measure! People sometimes ask how I got a woman like like and my reply is always God! It sure wasn't me! So today, I have many things to be thankful about: the assurance that because my dad believed and was baptized that he is in heaven, answered prayers, my salvation, and God's gifts to me including Karen. My prayer is that I would continue to learn to agape her better and die to self to bless her and others always. I am truly thankful for all the facets of my salvation and the answered prayers. God is always good and always at work. PTL! Who needs to hear your story?
Good Morning Forgiven Much, Thankful, Followers of Jesus! Meditate on all the facets of that today and rejoice with much thanksgiving!
I hope this email comes out ok. My computer is getting whackier and changed all my emails. I can't highlight or change fonts etc anymore.
Check out our devos below. God was speaking to me today and drawing me close. may He speak to you as well! Pray for us as we complete this week at home and for Sarah as she brings the Word Sunday. And pray for each other. God has custom made plans for you and us for such a time as this! Rejoice!
Well, you're on your own. This dumb new email won't let me copy and past my devos either. Giess I need to work on that today! The thread was that God loves, you always, has great plans for you and wants to enlarge our territory. I remember a few years ago when Sarah shared how she was praying into that. God is hearing and answering as we both have been praying for that. PTL! Pray He continues to do so and grow us and all who will come into the people we are created to be and doing more and more of what we are created to do. God is with us, for us and has great plans for you and us! PTL! let us continue to pursue Him and His plans and allow Him to mold, shape and prepare us for the days ahead--and all for His glory! Amen!
Friday, February 21 2025
Don' t forget about taking your spiritual gift inventory and emailing to me. As people do so we will decided when and how to meet to discuss and learn how to apply.
Here's the link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test
Good Morning Praying Friends! Check out the connection blog on the importance of corporate prayer. Praying churches are growing churches! We are seeking to become a House of Prayer for the Nations and that is birthed from prayer. All we do is birthed, guided and empowered through prayer. May we be a praying church. Talk to me if you would like some help in learning to pray or praying out loud or even joining a church prayer team that will be starting soon.
I'll just put my devos below for you to process with God and some others. God loves you and wants you to dwell in His love, love Him and go love others. He even wants you to love yourself. That comes alive as you abide in His love and flows from quality time with Him. The Word He sends today is, "Tell them I love them and want them to abide in my love, fill up with love and go love as they have been loved." Meditate on that as you abide in His love today. I'm praying for you. He sure is refreshing me and filling me to overflowing with His love! Amen! May it be so for you and your partners in prayer. Amen! Be filled with His Love, joy and peace as you go live and love more like Jesus! Amen!
Connection Prayer:
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February 19 - Faith Grows as We Pray Together
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Praying together increases the faith of a congregation to believe God for the miraculous. In Matthew 17 and Mark 9 there is the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples. They could not cast it out. The boy was taken to Jesus, who spoke a word and the demon left. Later the disciples come to Jesus and they were baffled. Why? Because they knew how to cast out demons. (The story takes place after they had been sent two-by-two into villages casting out demons and healing the sick.) They asked Jesus why they couldn’t do it. Jesus said two things: “because you have so little faith” (Mt. 17:20), and “this kind can come out only by prayer” (Mk. 9:29).
I wonder if the disciples attacked this demon issue cavalierly or routinely. They knew the words to say, the steps to take. But nothing worked because they were not prayed up enough. Their faith was not there as a result. There is a clear connection between prayer and faith (beyond the fact that we are supposed to pray in faith).
I believe the most significant thing that is lost in a church that does not have corporate prayer is faith. The main reason most churches are stagnant and do not see God at work in miraculous ways in their midst? Most churches and individuals do not know what it is to pray in faith anymore. But faith grows as we pray together.
Father, forgive my lack of faith! Release me from the stronghold of my own unwillingness to pray with others. Increase my faith to see You work in the midst of Your people…and even through my own life. Help me to see my faith grow as I stretch myself to willingly pray with other like-minded believers.
--Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf. Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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ODB:
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As a child, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ben would say, “I want to be like Dave.” Ben’s older brother was athletic, sociable, and an honor student. Ben, on the other hand, says, “I was clumsy in sports, timid, and struggled with a learning disability. I’d always wanted a close relationship with Dave, but he didn’t. He called me ‘the boring one.’ ”
Ben spent much of his life pursuing his older brother’s love in vain. It was only when Ben became a follower of Jesus that he learned to rest in the love of his Savior instead.
Leah, the first wife of Jacob, spent much of her life pursuing her husband’s love (Genesis 29:32-35). Jacob, however, remained devoted to Rachel. But God saw Leah’s plight and made up for the rejection in her life. He blessed her by allowing her to be a mother, a great honor in her culture at that time (v. 31). Leah, unseen and unheard by her husband, was lovingly seen and heard by God (vv. 32-33). She gave birth to a daughter and six sons (35:23), one of whom was Judah, a forefather of Jesus Himself. She said at his birth, “This time I will praise the Lord” (29:35). Leah lived a long life in Canaan and was buried in a place of honor—with Jacob’s family (49:29-32).
When we experience rejection, let’s find comfort in Leah’s story. We can rest in the love of God, who makes up for what we lack.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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How can you rest in God’s love when you’re rejected? How might you entrust your pain to Him?
Dear God, thank You that Your love heals me in all the places where I’ve been rejected.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Genesis 29:31–30:24 and 35:16-26 tell of the births of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose name means “deceiver.” His name was later changed by God to Israel, which means, he “struggled with God” (32:28). Jacob’s life was characterized by favoritism (29:18, 30), spousal neglect, jealousy, and rivalry (29:31–30:1). That God would name His chosen nation after Jacob and use his twelve sons to become the ancestral heads of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel points to His covenantal love and unmerited grace (see Romans 9:10-18). Equally noteworthy in Leah’s sad story is that two crucial institutions of the nation of Israel—the Aaronic-Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:1-7) and the kingship (Genesis 49:10)—come from her third and fourth sons, Levi and Judah (29:34-35). These two sons were from a marriage in which she was unwanted and unloved. Yet God honored Leah and graciously looked after her (vv. 31-35; 30:17-21).
K.T. Sim |
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TWFYT:
UR: Joyful Service
Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. - John 13:17 (CEB)
On the first morning of our cruise, my wife and I were eating breakfast in the cafe. We overheard a conversation between a busboy and the people seated at a nearby table. It soon became apparent from their dialogue that the man clearing the table was not a busboy but the ship’s captain! Despite his important position on the ship, he occasionally waits on tables, allowing him to engage with all the passengers on the voyage.
In today’s familiar passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet to teach an important lesson: if he, our Lord, is willing to serve others, we need to be willing to do the same. He said, “I have given you an example.” He then added that happiness comes from following his example. Jesus’ teaching contradicts society’s norm by telling us that happiness comes from serving others, not from others serving us. There is a special joy that accompanies serving others in a spirit of humility. It is not enough simply to agree with Christ’s teaching; we must also follow his example.
Today's Prayer
Loving Lord, help us to follow the way of life you lived on earth. Show us whom we can serve today, and give us the humility to do so. Amen.
Friday, February 21 2025
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Clothing Closet shortened hours today due to coming snow. Open 10-12 today.
Sunday worship 10am in the sanctuary and on Zoom. Thant's the plan as of now. However, if we find the walks and parking too icy in the morning, for safety reasons, we will cancel in person and move to Zoom only. Determination will be made around 8am Sunday. Watch for One Call, email and info on WFMZ. As always, please choose what you are most comfortable with. We always want to err on the side of safety. We thank God for our capabilities to worship via Zoom as His Body! We encourage you to choose what makes you comfortable and keeps you safe. Follow His peace!
Sarah update below
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Good Morning Friends of Jesus and my Friends too! Shalom shalom=perfect peace...mind, body, spirit and circumstances. May God overwhelm you with His perfect peace today!
I slept in this morning and am taking some personal time today. Just wanted to update you with happenings for today and tomorrow. Prepare for tomorrow with reading and meditation on Acts 8. What's God saying to you? How may He be wanting to lead our church out the doors? Who are your partners to go live and love like Jesus? We are custom made and gifted for such a time as this! May God lead you to His plans for you. Those plans will find you right in the middle of His perfect peace because you will know you are in that sweet spot of following well to His perfect plans. Pray into that! See you all tomorrow! Shalom shalom!
We will begin in March learning our spiritual gifts and how they apply to you, our Body and fruit production. Gifts are given to help us repent and walk more fully in our new nature and with Christ. They are given to be used to bless others and grow His Church and are evidenced in good fruit we produce. If you are interested in participating talk to pastor Don or Sarah. We have not yet set up meeting times but expect to have several opportunities to discover and grow into your gifting.
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, everyone........
What an exciting day.....we will share more about that on Sunday. We are keeping an eye on the weather and for the weekend, especially Saturday night into Sunday and what it will be like when we all wake up. We will keep you posted. We may need to wait until Sunday morning to determine if the parking lots and walkways are safe for walking. We will send out a OneCall, it will be on WFMZ Closing/Delays, if we do determine we should do zoom. Stay tuned.
I have a couple of prayer requests to share:
Melissa Sullivan is requesting prayer for her cousin's daughter, Serena. She has some serious health issues.
Also Chris, Serena's partner is having a bone marrow transplant on the 28th of February. Will enter the hospital on the 21st to prep for the transplant.
And she is asking for prayer for her stepsons, and their living arrangements.
Yvonne and Chris Muik - there are some health issues that need to be resolved. Prayers for God's peace to surround and help them both preserve and keep their faith strong.
Lisa Wenner's brother and his wife are celebrating the birth of their grandson, Cayde. Both mom and baby are doing well. Please keep this new family in your prayers as they adjust to having Cayde in their lives.
Joan Fenstermaker is asking for prayer for her health. She appreciates your prayers of encouragement and support.
Remember to keep those on our Homebound list in your prayers. During the winter months it's difficult for many of them, as they are unable to get outside or take rides with families. If you have time, why not send them a card or perhaps give them a call and chat for a few minutes.
Blessings to all of you......
Sarah
Also tomorrow, the Clothing Closet will have abbreviated hours due to the weather.....10-12:00pm.
Friday, February 21 2025
We are a go for in person worship in the sanctuary and on zoom today at 10! Thanks Tim Derr for having everything cleared and ready! See you soon!
Good Morning Worshipers! May we prepare our hearts to worship in spirit and truth today! Please choose well and err on the side of safety if you have concerns about driving. It's still icy at my house but melting and warming.
Check out Our Daily Bread's reminder that the Golden Rule still applies as we learn to die to self and love like Jesus and bless others! May we be know for our love! And take love everywhere we go! Living and loving like Jesus! Always!
ODB:
A Finnish soldier in the three-month Winter War with Russia (1939-1940) lay wounded on the battlefield. A Russian soldier walked his way, pointing his rifle. The Finn was certain he’d met his end. However, the Russian handed him a medic kit, then kept moving. Remarkably, the Finn later found himself in a similar situation, only the roles were reversed—a Russian soldier lay wounded and helpless on the battlefield. The Finn handed him medical supplies and walked on.
Jesus gave us a central, guiding principle for our lives: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Can you imagine how different our world would be if believers kept this one simple principle? Can we calculate how much oppression would end if we collectively obeyed Jesus’ wisdom? If only, as He guides us, we would give others the same compassion and mercy we’d hope to receive ourselves. As we “give good gifts” to others, we reflect the heart of our “Father in heaven [who gives] good gifts to those” He loves (v. 11).
It’s vital that we see others as not merely enemies or strangers or people with whom we compete for resources or opportunities. Instead, we should see their need for mercy and kindness just as we need it. And as we do, our posture and perspective will change. Then, as God provides, we can freely offer them the love He’s freely offered to us.
By Winn Collier
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Why is it vital to treat others the way you’d like to be treated? How can Jesus help you?
Dear God, please help me reflect Your mercy and love in how I treat others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) wasn’t His first public address. Matthew 4:13-17 tells us that His teaching ministry had already begun: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum . . . . From that time on Jesus began to preach.” The Sermon on the Mount, however, was His first recorded public message. He shares what life in His kingdom looks like—in sharp contrast to the kingdoms of this world. The Beatitudes (5:3-10) show that His kingdom values people and things differently than the surrounding cultures. It describes how we’re to impact the world around us and relates to issues of the heart (as opposed to the letter) of the law. It even calls His kingdom citizens to love their enemies. Life in His kingdom is characterized by care for the poor, prayer that rests in God’s good will, and a trust in the Father that precludes the need for worry. A very different kind of kingdom indeed!
Bill Crowder |
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Friday, February 21 2025
I will offer several opportunities over four weeks to gather in person and/or on Zoom to help you understand and grow in your gifts. Sessions will be about an hour. Plan to attend all four weeks.
Tuesdays 6PM in person with dinner in Fellowship Hall March 11,18, 24, April 1 (Maybe on Zoom too?)
Wednesday Noon with lunch in person after Bread Min. and on Zoom March 12, 19, 24, April 2
Possible Wed, Evenings with dinner huddle (in person only) Same Wed. dates. Depends if group wants to pursue this. We will discuss next Wed.
***Please let me know of your interest and availability!***
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Good Morning Fellow Journeyers! Yes I am on a spiritual retreat (of sorts). God has rearranged our plans but I am finally able to get away, abide and listen and receive from God--well for the first time this morning and man has it been good! I've been busy, very busy the past few weeks, feeling pressured to do more, and definitely under attack by Satan. Some of the problem has been not stilling myself, abiding and reloading for the day or not taking time to put on that armor in prayer before stepping into the battle zone of each day. Some of the stress comes from doing things that are not mine to do and that robs some of you from your call and using your gifts This retreat is to rectify some of that and to reload for the journey through Easter. I had to start at the cross this morning and crucify some things as I die to self and abide in Christ's love and wisdom. We all need to reload after pouring ourselves out and prepare to go do it again. It's best to do that daily but also to take some seasons to recharge as well. Jesus took naps and got up early to pray and fellowship with the Father before stepping into the day God had ordained. God rested on the 7th day. That's why we need to sabbath as well. He made the sabbath for us. Are you taking time to abide and rest in Christ? Are you spending time daily in refreshing prayer and fellowship with the Father? Start there--daily. Die to self, take up cross daily is a command to be prepared to follow Jesus well. AMEN! I was sitting with my dogs praying this morning and God reminded me of His unconditional love for me, just like the dogs show. They are always happy to see me and hang out. But they can also feel neglected and sad when I get too busy to notice them or spend time with them. It's the same with God. he loves when we can't wait to run to Him and hang out and he notices when we get too busy for Him too. I pray that my tail is always wagging to come to God and hang out! Sometimes, that means making time. But man is it worth it!
I could share all my devos from this morning with you because God sure used them to speak to my heart and refresh me for today. He wanted me to share this with you. It is critical for all of us to be still, abide, reload and then go as we follow Jesus to the plans for each day. Sometimes even a nap during the day is needed as well! We tend to take on more than is intended for us and allow the tyranny of the urgent and our busyness to rob us of God's best and of peace and joy. I was headed there and would have crashed and burned had I not scheduled this week for me. I know many of you can relate. I have learned from experience that if I don't catch myself in time and take time, God will give me the necessity to rest in a hospital bed or sickbed. I don't want to go there again! I was sick over the weekend and am recovering today as I still myself and abide. Yes God is good and I am learning. Are you? I want to bless Him and choose His best and hang with Him all day. (That's putting on Jesus' easy yoke and walking at His pace to what he has for me)
As I ended my deep quiet time today God led me to Dave Butts blog (below) Please spend some time with that! THINK ABOUT OUR CHURCH. We were on the track of decline like most churches. But God heard our prayers and witnessed our earnest hearts to change that crash course. Something rare is happening as we were able to let Him steer the rudder and turn the ship around. God is growing our fellowship and prospering our ministries as we pray, listen, trust Him, make His plans and allow Him to grow us into the people we are created to be and doing what we are created for more earnestly. PTL! And thank you all for allowing God to use you and us! May we continue to seek and follow well. He does have some great things ahead for us to discover and grow into! I feel it in my bones! Do you? We are learning to live and love like Jesus and it shows! we are becoming His dynamic movement and He has plans for us to come alive in '25! PTL!
With all of that, Satan notices and hates it. He attacks and tries to derail God's work through disrupting our unity, love and commitment. I think about Dave's blog and discussing Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. We need to put on that armor and be ready always for attack as we rebuild the church. We need each other--all of us--to do our parts and to uphold, cover, pray for and encourage each other. Say it with me...Satan BE GONE! Turn off the noise. Pray on that armor. Focus on God and may we continue to seek His Kingdom above all else and choose His healthy ways as we steward well all His blessings--mind, body, soul, spirit, gifts, time, talent and finances. May we be about our Father's business of growing His Kingdom, making disciples and helping each other! May we truly live and love more like Jesus and keep abiding and following well. Amen! I'm excited! I'm praying for you and those yet to come. Join me in that.
Join me! Let's start with those spiritual gifts tests and classes. I also have a great study that I'm willing to do with those of you God is drawing. It's a 30 days of drawing close, learning to pray and to offer yourself more fully to God. Talk to me! What's God saying to you? He said to me to abide and prepare to roll! He does have great things ahead! And He has plans for us to build His House of Prayer for the Nations and disciple making hub as we continue to seek, follow and work together. We are His Body and we need each other! Let us continue the journey together!
Sarah Young
Joyce Meyer
Chuck Swindoll
Upper Room: I AM
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” - Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
One day I decided to change the background images on my desktop. While I explored the possibilities, I found a series of photographs, each featuring a path winding through woods, climbing high mountain passes, or twisting through dunes toward the seashore. Each photograph seemed to explore a facet of creation — each a beautiful moment captured in time. Like Moses in front of the burning bush in Exodus 3, I stopped and marveled at each scene.
Too often on our life journeys, we become preoccupied by negative past experiences or anxious visions of the future and don’t appreciate the beauty of the present. In doing so, we miss much. God is not simply I was or I will be but I AM.
There is more richness around us than we realize. Perhaps we will catch the song of a blackbird, the glow of a fiery sunset, the movements of a caterpillar, or the aroma of fresh bread. And as we do, we may also glimpse something of God: creativity, majesty, goodness, even humor. God knows our struggles but has a plan for us and promises to be with us. Even now, God may be calling us toward new challenges and a chance to make a difference.
Today's Prayer
Father God, give us eyes to see the wonders around us and the courage to respond when you reveal yourself. Amen.
Our Daily Bread (Read the Ephesians passages! God is speaking!)
A ride-sharing customer shared that he had endured a driver eating the world’s smelliest fruit, another driver who was bickering with a girlfriend, and one who tried to get him to invest money in a Ponzi scheme. In each case, instead of a poor rating, he gave the drivers five stars. He explained, “They all seemed like nice people. I didn’t want them to be kicked off the app over my bad rating.” He gave false reviews—keeping the truth from the drivers . . . and others.
For different reasons, we might withhold the truth from others. But the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian believers to lovingly speak the truth to one another as new creatures in Christ. This required cultivating habits of “righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24)—living lives that were set apart for Him and that reflected His ways. They were to replace lying with telling one another the truth because lies divide and disrupt, while truth unites us as believers. He wrote, “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (v. 25).
Jesus empowers us with the courage to resist lying and giving one another “fake ratings”—things that can disrupt our unity with other believers. Living a life of love, as He guides us, will lead to our sharing “kind and compassionate” expressions of truth (v. 32).
By Marvin Williams
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When are you tempted to withhold the truth from other believers? Why is it vital to share what’s honest and true?
Dear God, please help me to be authentic in my relationships out of love for You and others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul contrasts the deceptive ways of ”the devil” (v. 27) with the truth of God’s ways. The “Gentiles” (who don’t believe in God) are lost in “the futility of their thinking” (v. 17) and “darkened in their understanding” (v. 18). Paul notes how this “ignorance” is “due to the hardening of their hearts” (v. 18). This reflects their conscious choice to reject God’s truth. In contrast, we’ve been “taught . . . the truth that is in Jesus” (v. 21) so that we will “put off [our] old self” and “its deceitful desires” (v. 22). We’re to live in God’s truth.
Tim Gustafson |
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Shalom shalom! God loves you and so do I!
Friday, February 21 2025
Good Morning Drawing Close to God, Powerful Praying Servants! Amen! Check out the Connection blogs below and pray through them. Pray for our Vision team meeting tonight that we would seek, hear and plan God's plans. Check out TWFYT below that as it speaks into the new things God is doing and our discerning and following well. Praying for you all! Have a blessed day abiding in Christ and following His lead. Shalom shalom--perfect peace to you!
Connection blogs:
February 13 - Tools in the Hands of a Mighty God
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“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” (Psalm 67).
Every year almost 700,000 international students flock to college campuses in the United States. They are far away from home, many for the first time, navigating a strange culture and attempting to take classes in a language different from the one that is most natural to them. Many of these students want to impact their nations in a significant way, but most are not Christians. These students are a huge untapped resource for the cause of Christ, but about 70% of them will never see the inside of a Christian home unless we reach out to them. The reality of this situation is staggering when we consider that these potential kingdom workers already know the language, customs and layout of their own countries. Through hospitality and acts of love, our families and churches can become the hands and feet of Christ to them, bringing many into the Kingdom of Light! Then, by training them to reach their own nations for Jesus Christ, these young men and women can become incredible tools in the hands of a mighty God.
Gracious Lord, please give me a heart for the nations, for I long to see all the ends of the earth fear Your Name! Help me to see the big picture of how reaching out to one young student can change the world for Jesus! Let me be one of many in my church to seek to build relationships with young men and women from all over the world so that they might have an opportunity to see the living Christ in our homes! Teach me to stretch beyond what is comfortable to learn from and minister to these young students, so that they will see Jesus in me and know that I care about them.
--Adapted from Revolution on Our Knees: 30 Days of Prayer for Neighbors and Nations by Dave and Kim Butts. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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Praying through the President’s First 31 Days
Day 25
Pray that the Office of the President will exemplify honesty, integrity, and transparency.
O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken (Psalm 15:1-5).
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- Praise God, the changer of times and seasons (Dan. 2:21), who is in control of all of history.
- Give thanks for this new day.
- Confess any misuse or waste of time.
- Commit yourself to taking hold of today’s opportunities and to enjoying the special pleasures God provides during this season.
- Ask him to guide you to make wise and efficient use of your time.
- Pray that your church leaders will be protected from overloaded schedules. Ask God to give them wisdom as they lead the church and care for their other concerns.
Prayer Pointer
“When we say to people, ‘I will pray for you,’ we make a very important commitment. The sad thing is that this remark often remains nothing but a well-meant expression of concern.” —Henri Nouwen
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
TWFYT:
ODB: It ties to the Connection blog! May God bless you eith shalom/peace today
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“Sometimes I just feel so . . . invisible.” The word hung in the air as Joanie talked to her friend. Her husband had left for another woman, leaving Joanie with young children still at home. “I gave him my best years,” she confided. “And now I don’t know if anyone would really see me or take the time to actually know me.”
“I’m so sorry,” her friend responded. “My dad walked out when I was six, and it was hard for us, especially Mom. But she said this thing when she tucked me in at night that I never forgot: ‘God never closes His eyes.’ When I was older, she explained she was trying to teach me that God loved me and watched over me always, even while I slept.”
The Bible presents words God gave Moses to share with His people during a challenging time, when they were wandering in Sinai’s desert: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). The blessing was to be spoken by the priests over the people.
Even in life’s wildernesses—those places where we wonder if anyone sees us or truly understands—God is faithful. God’s favor—His shining face and enduring love—is always turned toward those who love Him, even when we can’t feel Him because of our pain. No one is invisible to God.
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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How does it comfort you to know that God truly sees you? Who can you share that comfort with today?
Thank You, Father, for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me. Please help me to turn my face to You always!
Hear more from James Banks on how God sees our needs and hears our prayers.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In showering the people with His favor, God instructed the high priest to bestow on them the blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26. “The Lord make his face shine on you” (v. 25) is rendered “the Lord smile on you” in the New Living Translation. God smiling and turning “his face toward you” (v. 26) expresses the idea that the people have God’s special attention and approval. This benediction, pronounced by many pastors at the end of church services today, affirms that God provides for and protects His people, assuring us of His presence, pardon, and peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) is all-embracing and includes the concepts of completeness, security, health, wealth, tranquility, contentment, friendship, and peace with God and humanity.
K.T. Sim |
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Friday, February 21 2025
Good Morning Loves!
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday and Valentine's Day wrapped up in one word--LOVE! God is Love. he loves you and works in love in and trough and around you and us. PTL!
A lovely read and meditation awaits as we encounter the "LOVE" chapter of the Bible. (This passage came up in two of my devos today)\
Spend some time here today and build those gratitude lists and then choose to go love like Jesus. He has great plans for you today that will flow out of your gratitude and time with Him in His Word
Thankful for LOVE
L= Love that is eternal, unfailing, forgiving, God's character, that comes alive in and through me
O= Overcoming Love in me
V=Victorious Love
E=Everything flows from Love!
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c]
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
ODB:
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At Meredith’s wedding, her mother read a beautiful Scripture from 1 Corinthians. Often called “the love chapter” of the Bible, the thirteenth chapter sounded perfect for the occasion. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (v. 4). Listening, I wondered if modern brides and grooms knew what prompted the apostle’s stirring words. Paul wasn’t writing a love poem. The apostle penned a plea to a divided church in an effort to heal its raging divisions.
Simply put, the church at Corinth “was a mess,” says scholar Douglas A. Campbell. Seething problems included incest, prostitution, and rivalry among leaders. Lawsuits between members weren’t uncommon. Worship was often chaotic—with those speaking in tongues competing to be heard first, and others prophesying to look impressive (see 1 Corinthians 14).
Underlying this chaos, says Campbell, was “a basic failure in relating to one another in love.” To show the more excellent way, Paul preached love because “love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away” (13:8).
Paul’s loving reminders can certainly encourage a wedding party. May they also inspire all of us to live out love and kindness too.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do you show kindness and love in your relationships? How do you show love in the body of Christ?
Your love never fails, loving God, so please guide me in relating to all with the excellence of love.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known chapter of love so often recited at weddings, Paul defines love not as an emotion but as an action (vv. 4-8). These verses call to mind the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, also written by Paul. We can’t love as the apostle calls us to love without a relationship with Jesus and the work of the Spirit in our lives. This is the process of sanctification, whereby we grow to become more like God. Paul compares it to becoming an adult and leaving our childish ways behind (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). Just as we need to do today, the Corinthian church needed to learn to love as Christ called them to love and to use their gifts to serve others (see ch. 12). Spiritual gifts are temporary (13:8-12) and will disappear (v. 10), but “faith, hope and love” will remain and “the greatest of these is love” (v. 13).
Alyson Kieda |
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Friday, February 21 2025
Check out our devos below that flow through this truth. The early church grew and prospered through prayer and perseverance. May that be us as well. What's God whispering to you? How does He want to use your testing, trials and stretching to grow you and His Kingdom? What will you do about that?
Good Morning House of Prayer for the Nations. May we strive to become just that. May we develop prayer times with and for each other, our community, nation and for revival. That is a passion God has instilled in me. And prayer is critical for us to hear, release, follow and for God to move in and through us. Check out the blogs below on prayer. Join me in praying through them.
Harvest Prayer: 10 ways to pray for your pastor: Ten Ways to Pray for Pastors to become Catalysts for Prayer
Connection Prayer
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February 11 - A Life of Prayer – Together
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Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. (5:13-16, NAB)
Sharing of one’s concerns could be seen as complaining, attention-getting, or pleas for sympathy. To come to church was a time to show oneself off at one’s best. In public worship some of the expectation was to look good, as if everything was all right even when it was not.
In this context, the notion of the church as a community was not fostered in my own spiritual life. “We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear” was not as normative as “Before our Father’s throne, we pour our ardent prayer; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.” Dominant was the sharing of personal concerns with God possible through the work of Christ, private prayer; much less fostered was the notion of sharing concerns with the community and having the community also pray on behalf of the person (praying together). Of course, when someone was in the hospital, the prayer of the community was formally offered. But in my day-to-day life, most everything of a deep personal nature was between me and God.
At times, prayer and praise is an individual response. At other times, it is a response within the community. Mutual confession of sins and prayer for one another is considered to be a vehicle God in Christ uses for healing. God’s Word, the voice of the Church, and our prayers belong together. So we must now speak of common prayer. Bonhoeffer states: “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they may ask, it will be done for them of Me in heaven” (Mt. 18:19). There is no part of common devotions that raises such serious difficulties and trouble as does common prayer, for here we must ourselves begin to speak. We have heard God’s Word, and we have been permitted to join in the hymn of the Church; but now we are to pray to God as a fellowship, and this prayer must really be our word, our prayer for this day, for our work, for our fellowship, for the particular needs and sins that oppress us in common, and for the persons who are committed to our care.”
Father, You desire to hear my voice lifted up before Your throne, and You also desire to hear Your people praying together in community. May we, Your Church, discover the loveliness of the fellowship of corporate prayer as we set aside our discomfort and uncertainty. Help us to emulate the Church in the book of Acts, who gathered together constantly and continually to seek Your face. Forgive our pride and strengthen our resolve to lift our sins, needs and intercessions before You as the Body of Christ.
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 46, Praying Together Vs. Private Prayer by Bruce M. Hartung). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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Praying through the President’s First 31 Days
Day 23
Pray that our president would exemplify a spirit of meekness as he addresses crucial issues daily.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
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- Praise God that he is completely trustworthy and that he has never failed anyone (Jn. 14:1-23).
- Thank God that Jesus Christ is preparing a place for you at this very moment.
- Confess any reluctance to trust God in everything.
- Commit yourself to living with your heart as Christ’s home.
- Ask the Lord to do great things through you in the power of the ascended Lord.
- Ask that our society will respect the value of human life at every stage of life. Pray especially for people who today are making decisions about the life of another.
Prayer Pointer
“Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble.” —Philippe Melanchthon
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com
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TWFYT:
ODB:
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For years, Evan struggled with an addiction that kept him from drawing close to God. How can I be worthy of His love? he wondered. So, while he kept going to church, he felt that there was an unbridgeable chasm that kept him separated from God.
Yet, whenever Evan prayed earnestly for something, God seemed to answer him. God also sent people to encourage and comfort him in difficult times. After some years, Evan realized God was constantly pursuing him and showing that He’d always loved and cared for him, and that’s when he began to trust in God’s forgiveness and love. “Now, I know that I’m forgiven and can let God draw me close to Him, even though I’m still struggling with my addiction,” he said.
Ezekiel 34:11-16 tells us of a God who pursued His people. “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them,” He said, vowing to rescue them and provide for them abundantly (v. 11). This was after their human leaders had abandoned them, and they themselves disobeyed their true Shepherd (vv. 1-6). Whether we’re helpless victims of circumstances or struggling with the consequences of our own sin, God pursues us in love. In His mercy and grace, He draws us back to Him. If you’ve forgotten God, turn back to Him. Then, as He leads, continue to walk with Him each day.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has God shown you that He cares for you and loves you? How can you let Him draw you closer to Him?
Dear God, thank You for always loving me despite my struggles and doubts. Please teach me to trust in Your love anew.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet, prophesying from 593 to 571 bc. He was among the ten thousand captives brought out of Judea to Babylon in 597 bc, which included officers, soldiers, skilled workers, artisans, and eighteen-year-old King Jehoiachin and his family (2 Kings 24:10-15; 2 Chronicles 36:9). In Babylon, Ezekiel had his first vision at age thirty by the Kebar River (Ezekiel 1:1-3). He prophesied to a people who desperately needed to hear from God. The book’s main themes include the holiness of God and the sin of the people (36:22-23), which included judgment on those who turn away from God and mercy and hope for those who repent and trust in Him. During Ezekiel’s captivity (586 bc ), Babylon besieged Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and burned down the city, carrying away the remnant of the people. The captivity lasted seventy years (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:21).
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Constant Motion
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. - John 3:8 (NIV)
As I sit on the patio, the breeze brushes against my face, and I can feel the wind and hear it as it swirls through the trees. I have learned to see and enjoy God in everything. Like a gentle breeze, God’s presence is all around. God fills the space around us and is in constant motion — always working, always breathing life into us.
Scripture tells us in 1 Kings 19 that Elijah was disturbed and confused after a spiritual battle that sapped his strength. As he stood at the mouth of the cave where he had taken refuge, God spoke in a gentle whisper to him that gave Elijah new strength and direction that his life needed. No matter what life brings, we can be certain that God is in constant motion, filling the space around us, as the impulse of the Holy Spirit inspires and guides us.
Today's Prayer
Spirit of the living God, teach us to recognize signs of your presence all around us. Even when we do not know the direction your Holy Spirit is taking, inspire us to believe and follow where you lead. Amen.
Friday, February 21 2025
Bread Ministry Donut Day is on from 10-12.
Dinner Huddle Cancelled for tonight. And off next week.
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Good Morning Friends! Check out the devos for today. Spend some time with Daddy. What's He saying to you?
Join us for Donut Day of able. We will try to have snow removed by start time. Shalom!
Off to clear some snow and loving it!
UR: My Dream Job
In all your ways acknowledge [the Lord], and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:6 (NRSVUE)
A family member once asked me to describe my dream job. I was a sixth-grade teacher at the time, but my honest answer was “to become a mother.” I now have that job, but there are moments when it doesn’t feel like the dream. When family members are tired and cranky, when loads of laundry pile up and multiple errands must be run, it becomes easy to lose sight of the blessings.
During these times, I must acknowledge God’s presence in my life, refocus, and remind myself how truly blessed I am — doing just what my heart desired. It is a privilege to take care of those I love day by day.
Therefore, when our sink is filled with dishes and laundry baskets are full, I am thankful for food to eat and clothes to wear. When my house needs a thorough cleaning, I am grateful for the lives that move within it each day. As I clean up after pets or pull weeds in the garden, I become aware of the beauty of God’s creation. When I am completely exhausted, what a blessing it is to end a long day by snuggling my sweet son as he falls asleep and talking with my husband in the quiet of the evening! In the midst of life’s busyness and day-to-day tasks, let’s remember God’s many gifts to us.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, when we feel worn down, help us to be grateful and to see each task we do as a gift from you. Amen.
ODB:
Many years ago, my husband decided to take a trip to Africa with a group of people from his church. At the last minute, the group was prevented from going on its journey. Everyone was disappointed, but the money they’d collected for airfare, lodging, and food was donated to the people they’d tried to visit. The people used it to construct a building that would shelter victims of abuse.
Recently, at a prayer breakfast, my husband met someone who lived in the village he’d almost traveled to so many years ago. This person was a teacher who said he walked by the building every day. He confirmed that God had used it to provide for the most vulnerable people in the area.
Our plans and desires don’t always match what God has in mind. For His “thoughts are not [our] thoughts, neither are [our] ways [His] ways” (Isaiah 55:8). God’s ways aren’t just different from ours; His ways are “higher” and better because what He does is consistent with who He is (v. 9). This truth gives us hope when our efforts to serve Him don’t turn out the way we’d planned.
It might be years before we’re able to look back and trace God’s influence through certain situations. For now, though, as we continue to reach out to the world in His name, we can remember that God is always powerfully at work (v. 11).
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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When have you felt disappointed with an experience? How might God use this to teach you something about Himself?
Dear God, You’re the all-knowing one. When I don’t understand what’s happening, please help me to trust You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Isaiah is the first of the five books referred to as the Major Prophets, so named because of their length, not their importance. The other Major Prophets are Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Isaiah is the sixth longest book of the Bible, and two other prophetical books—Jeremiah and Ezekiel—are even longer. Isaiah contains many prophecies related to divine judgment and many others about the coming Messiah. J. A. Martin in The Bible Knowledge Commentary points out: “Isaiah had a lofty view of God. The Lord is seen as the Initiator of events in history. He is apart from and greater than His Creation; yet He is involved in the affairs of that Creation. Whether in his dealings with sin or his promise of redemption, Isaiah portrays God’s greatness as above all that he has created.”
Discover more from the book of Isaiah.
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
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