Good Morning Abiding, Trusting, Obedient, Followers of Jesus! Amen! Trust and obey for there's no other way. That's how the hymn goes. How about for your life choices? We had a great week of ministry so far. How has God been speaking to you--leading you? How have you been responding? Be still and know! Seek, listen, receive and follow are commands we know and want to obey but sometimes the chaos of life, the drudgery of the day and maybe even lack of faith or fear drown out God's whispers to you or zap your motivation to go love. Or maybe, we just loose focus and motivation to follow as we seem to be stumbling against some closed door or wandering down some rabbit trail and give up.

Stop! Release the junk and distractions and even fear and confusion to God. Exhale and give Him whatever has you sidetracked from His best. Refocus. Sing some praises. Allow Him to renew your thinking and encourage you and even put a bounce back into your step. He does have some great things for you for such a time as this! Rejoice! He is whispering His loving directions and encouragement to you. Can you hear it and feel it in your bones? Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and He will add to you all you need to complete all the big and small things He has for you as you move toward your call to become more like Jesus today. Remember, we define discipleship as the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you. How's that look for today and what will you do about it? His command is "Fear not!" and "Follow me!" Amen!

God awoke me very early this morning to speak to my soul and spirit and to direct my steps for today, which includes helping me write this blog as a love letter and reminder to you and me and our gathered fellowship of His truths, calls and commission. He opened up some extra devotionals (below and ordered as He has led--engage with them and God!) and informed my prayers, thinking, writing, and plans for today to go live and love more like Jesus and to invite some people to join me on the quest to know God more and become more of the person He created me/us to be. He has custom made plans for all who will come, with open hands, surrendered their hearts, being still, listening, receiving and stepping out in faith today and every day! Is that you? Who are your partners or someone God wants you to invite along on the great adventure of life in Christ?

Spend some time with God today--all day! Receive, watch, listen and join Him along the way! He really does have some cool things to discover and to encourage you today! Yes, rejoice, seek and follow well! I've already prayed for you and for today to be a special encounter with our Lord, Savior, Guide and Encourager and for you to discover who He has for you to invite in and join with. He really loves you and you do matter. And remember, His plans usually are just little things along the way like smiling and saying hi to someone or holding a door or offering some encouragement or prayer. And sometimes it's something bigger. But usually it's just those little steps of faith and obedience that add up for you and your journey to Christlikeness. So, love God and others, follow Him today and enjoy this life He created you to live. Amen! Fear not for He is with you always and always working all things together for good! PTL! and Amen! Smile! God really loves you and is with you right now!

Sarah Young

I to We

Max Lucado

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

UR: Fully Equipped

David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. - 1 Samuel 17:39 (NIV)

I am a teacher and a sports coach, and my wife had our first child a few days before the start of the school year. Taking care of a newborn — who seemed to be nocturnal — while also trying to teach and coach left me beyond overwhelmed. As a new father, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome. It’s hard to be a good father, husband, teacher, and coach. It’s been exhausting.

At the end of every sports practice, we do a prayer spotlight. One day my players spotlighted me, thanking me and assuring me that my work wasn’t going unnoticed. My students reminded me of my purpose and why I do what I do.

Today’s scripture reading reminds me that God is our strength and that we can trust that God has equipped us for the purpose God has called us to. Each of us has been given unique attributes, strengths, and gifts from God. Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God has given us what we need, and we can trust God to see us through.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to trust you and to use the unique gifts and talents that you have equipped us with to glorify you. Amen.

TWFYT

ODB

Connections Blog:

March 27 - Launch Out into the Deep When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)   This command was given to Simon Peter. It took place by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was pressed by the crowd, so to create a situation in which they could all see and hear Him, He got into Simon’s boat, asking him to put out a little from the land. Then He sat down and talked to the people from the boat.   When he was through speaking, he said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon hesitated for a moment before he obeyed this command. Maybe he thought he knew more about fishing than did this strange man. Fishing was his business. “Master,” he answered, “we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (v. 5).   Maybe the teaching Simon had just heard made him feel he should do what Jesus commanded. So they pushed out into the deep, and when they let down their nets, they had such a huge catch of fish that the nets began to break. They beckoned to their partners in another boat to come and help them. Verse 10 in this same account says that James and John were their partners, and came over to help. They filled both boats until they were about to sink. Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the size of the catch they had taken. The account says they forsook all and followed Jesus. They had let Jesus use their boat, and He rewarded them. But this was more than a thank you for the use of the boat; it also contributed to their life support so they could now give their lives to Jesus. When Simon Peter saw this, he was so convinced that this man Jesus was extraordinary that he fell down before Him and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (v. 8)!   While this command was given to a specific person in a certain situation and is not to all people for all times, it has been quoted many times to illustrate a truth that is often the theme of missionary conferences. There is much to be learned from the story of this command. First, Jesus is interested in our temporal needs. He is willing to give practical help. Second, it will be rewarding for us to do what Jesus suggests even if we have tried before and failed—even if it seems unreasonable to try one more time.   There were other instances when Jesus showed an uncanny knowledge of fish. Remember when He sent Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish so they could pay their taxes? (See Matthew 17:26–27.) After His resurrection, Jesus again stood by this same sea and told His disciples to let their nets down on the right side of the boat, and when they did they received a huge catch (John 21:4–7). Although Jesus became a man, He was obviously still God and was all knowing. He would have been a great friend to take on a fishing trip!   Billy Graham had an experience like Peter’s experience. He was coming to Los Angeles to conduct an evangelistic crusade in 1950. He had been through many evangelistic meetings before with varying degrees of success. As he and his friend and associate Grady Wilson were driving through the desert, Billy asked Grady to drive to the side of the road. There, for some period of time, Billy prayed. Jesus seemed to be saying to him, “Launch out into the deep.” He could have argued that he had tried before and nothing special had happened. But in obedience, they went to Los Angeles, hired a big tent, and erected it in a major downtown district. The meeting went many weeks longer than planned, and God gave Billy such a large catch that the nets almost broke.   William Carey, the pioneer of the modern missionary movement, said, “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” Many leaders of great missionary advances have followed that advice.   The promise of this command is a large reward. The warning is that if we fail to obey Jesus, maybe because of past failures, we will miss the great reward.   Lord Jesus, help me to stay alert for Your voice so I can obey when You tell me to launch out. I pray I will not miss the blessing You have for me by failing to obey. Give me the courage to launch into deep water when You are the One calling me there. Thank You for taking care of all my needs as I walk in obedience to Your Word.    --Adapted from Encountering Jesus: Praying the Commands of Christ into Your Life by Norval Hadley. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Good Morning Shaped by the Potter, Gifted, Sent Ones in Christ. Amen. That is us! YOU! I am late. Overslept today. Off I go. But before I do check out the devos below. We just finished up our gifts class for now. Pray we step into and use them well. Pray all of us are fertile soil where roots sink deep and much good fruit grows. Pray for our God and father to send us and use us well as we seek new connection points that may lead people to Him. He knows you, loves you, is calling you by name. He made you and gifted you for such a time as this. You matter and we are His team that needs each other to go make disciples and spur each other on to live and love more like Jesus! Amen! GO! Love!

UR: God never Fails

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

I started journaling 23 years ago on my fiftieth birthday. Each year, I fill a journal with my thoughts and feelings about daily life. It helps me de-stress and keep track of major events in my life.

On my birthday, I add a gratitude list to that year’s journal. After completing the list, I go back to the first journal and read every journal I have. The pages contain discussions of what I’ve experienced, God’s presence, gratitude, praise reports, and prayer requests. I am always astounded to see so many prayers answered, and I feel God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy anew.

Reading the journals also makes me feel better about aging. I focus on what I can still do instead of the discomfort and changes in ability that have come with aging. I see where I have helped others and tried to be God’s hands and feet. This always lifts my spirits because it reflects 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” My journals remind me of all the good God has done in my life, the blessings God has helped me provide for others, and God’s presence with me always.

Today's Prayer

Gracious God, help us to see and feel your presence and to show your grace and love to everyone we meet. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

ODB:

Connections

March 26 - Determining a Need Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. —Psalm 103:1-5   When visiting my home last week, my nephew said, “I’m really hungry!” Without too much thought, I knew that he had noticed the empty candy jar in the living room. He wanted some chocolate—his and my favorite.   I wonder how he would have responded if I had offered to get him some broccoli? That wouldn’t have fed his “hunger.” A hamburger probably wouldn’t have done the trick either. Neither would a hot dog. My nephew was looking for chocolate! His need wasn’t really an empty stomach. His parents feed him regularly. No, his need was related to his “sweet tooth”—something I can strongly identify with.   When sharing about Jesus and his gospel message with your neighbor, it’s very important for you to be sensitive to your neighbor’s individual, specific need. If I had given my nephew some broccoli or a hamburger, I would have missed his real need. Jesus comes very intimately, very sensitively into each of our lives. He meets us exactly where we are. He’s available to meet each individual need.   As you continue developing a relationship with your neighbor, start asking yourself this question: “What area, what concern, what question in my new friend’s life is most in need of the presence of Jesus?” You don’t have to go far to find a possible answer to that question. Answer it for yourself. You have more in common with your neighbor (even your unsaved neighbor) than you might care to admit. Your neighbor most likely has some financial concerns. Don’t you? Your neighbor may not be feeling appreciated at work. Have you ever felt that way? One neighbor may be concerned about her youngest child. Another may be concerned about his oldest. Maybe you know what that’s like.   Or perhaps your neighbors had a major scare last week when their doctor told them the results of a physical exam. Or maybe your neighbor lost her mother to cancer last fall. You know these things could happen to you, if they haven’t already. Your neighbor’s needs are similar in many ways to your own. This week, ask the Spirit to help you be sensitive to what those needs are. Look for opportunities to help your neighbor in specific ways.   Prayer Starters for Praying Psalm 103:1-5 • Praise God and thank him for all his benefits in your life. • Celebrate God’s creativity, thanking him for the way in which he takes into account our unique personalities as he reveals himself to us. • Thank God that he loves all of us enough to meet us right where we are. • Ask God to help you understand your neighbor’s unique personality. Invite God to open your mind to the specific way in which your neighbor would be most open to hearing or seeing or experiencing the things of God.   --Adapted from Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood (Developing a Prayer, Care, Share Lifestyle in 30 Days) by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Sarah Prayer update below

This Week:

Tue 

10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome!

6-7:30 Wrap up of Spiritual gifts dinner study

Wed

10-12 Bread Ministry

6-7:30 Dinner Huddle. All welcome

Sun. Brunch after worship 11:30

Please continue to pray into these, for God to use us, raise up harvest workers form the harvest, and for new connection points into our neighborhoods

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Good Morning Praying Friends!

Thank you for your participation with our circle up prayer time yesterday! I felt God moving and informing and leading us in prayer. I am praying expectantly and with thanksgiving for all He has planned in response and for all we have released in the heavenlies and on earth as we cried out for His Kingdom to come and will to be done and to use us. AMEN! I will be working on a new April prayer calendar this week. Please use them as we agree together in prayer and release God's power and answers as one in Christ from our knees. I expect God is leading us to do something like this at least once a quarter and for Him to raise up some prayer teams, especially with those He is raising up who are called to pray for such a time as this. That can be done over the phone and/or emails too. Where two or three are gathered, He is present. PTL!

Check out the Connections blog and prayer and prayer starters for today. The Martin Luther quote is one that has come to life for me over the past several decades, beginning my day in His presence and prayer and preparing for the busyness of the day ahead. “I have so much to do [today] that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” —Martin Luther AMEN! Try it! and it doesn't have to be three hours. It may grow to that but the key is stilling self, abiding in Christ in prayer and receiving strength and directions for the day. He has always redeemed whatever time I spend in His presence in prayer each day and has allowed what He planed for me to be completed as I pray, trust and follow Him--even praying without ceasing through the day ahead. AMEN!

I will include our devotionals for the day below for you to use as a springboard into His presence. We are called and commissioned to go make disciples. That is launched, empowered and comes to life as we abide and pray. Cast all your fear on God for He cares for you. Trust Him and offer yourself for Him to use today. he does have great plans for you that will glorify His holy name!

A question were posed to me from my I to We devo that I am asking you to prayerfully contemplate: "What could it mean to abide in Christ together to see prayer as both an personal and shared activity?" Talk to God about that and your part in corporate prayer flowing from your prayer time. The author reminds us, "Sheep do really well hanging out together with the Shepherd rather than as lone rangers." So ask God to reveal the partners He wants you to join as you hang with our Shepherd together and in prayer! We took a step towards that yesterday. may God continue to unite us in prayer and on mission! he does have great plans for you, for your teammates and for us as His Body! Amen! Seek first His Kingdom...

Connections:

March 24 - Come Out of the Shadows Father, I’m so grateful that through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death! Thank You, Jesus, for willingly becoming my sin-offering; that my sins have been forgiven and forgotten; and that You have given me Your righteousness is beyond my ability to understand, but I am so very thankful!   And now Lord, knowing that I am Yours and that the Holy Spirit lives in me, may my mind be set on what the Spirit desires. I ask in Jesus’ name that You break all residual strongholds of my sinful nature, that my mind be controlled by Your Spirit and produce life and peace in me.   I choose this day to put to death the misdeeds of my body that I might truly live! Thank You for the Spirit of sonship, that I am Yours and call You “Father” is more than I can comprehend! Empower me to live as Your child. (Pause and consider that you are a child of God!)   How I thank You, Lord Jesus, that while I was still captive and imprisoned by my sin, You came and proclaimed freedom! Forgive me for the ways that I live as if Your sacrifice for my sin is not enough. Truly my sin is great, but Your grace is greater still, and You have given me Your robe and ring and have invited me to feast at Your table! Forgive me Father, for the ways that I think, speak, or live that are as if I am a slave in Your house, instead of Your child! Forgive me for living in the shadows.   Empower me, this day, by Your Spirit that is at work in me, to live boldly in the freedom that You have provided for me, in Christ. Transform my living and fill me with Your joy! Thank You that where the Spirit is, there is freedom. Words are inadequate to express my thanks, Lord Jesus, for destroying the curse of sin and setting me free!   Thank You for this glorious freedom! Strengthen me to come out of the shadows of my living, and walk in Your great light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   Romans 8:2-17; Galatians 5:1; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; Luke 15:11-31; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 8:21   --Adapted from Pray the Word: 31 Prayers that Touch the Heart of God by Tiece L. King. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God because he is the encourager and comforter of his people. Give thanks that God loved you and by his grace gave you eternal encouragement and good hope (2 Thess. 2:16). Ask forgiveness for all those times when fear and anxiety replace the courage that God gives. Commit yourself to seeking God’s encouragement to face every obstacle in your life. Ask God to encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2:17). Ask God to lead your church to care about welcoming newcomers and including them in the life of the church. Pray that no one be neglected in this important ministry.    Prayer Pointer “I have so much to do [today] that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” —Martin Luther 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

ODB:

UR:  Good Intentions

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSVUE)

We have dense scrub at the edges of our property, and feral cats pose a danger to the many native animals and birds that reside here. So we set out humane traps to catch and remove the cats. However, we often find a native animal — perhaps an echidna or a currawong — caught in the trap and awaiting release.

One morning, a trap had caught a powerful Rosenberg’s goanna. As I approached the trap to release the lizard, he opened his jaws wide. Thrashing about in the cage, he hissed and glared at me. He was terrified of me, and every effort I made to release him made him more hostile. After I finally managed to open the trap, I left him alone to find his way out in his own time.

How often do we similarly fail to understand that God’s only intention is to help us? We may fear God’s tender and loving approach and struggle against it because we don’t realize that all God wants is to love us and set us free. As the prophet Jeremiah reminds us, God’s intention is not to harm but to prosper us; to release us from our captivity and from all fear.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, loving God, for your unwavering love for us at all times. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to your love and to remember that your only intention is to bless us. Amen.
Sarah Young

TWFYT:

Sarah Update:

Good evening, family,

Praying you all have had a good weekend..... we will be praying for those of you that will be heading into

work tomorrow; praying for those of you that will be working around  your home and praying for each of you to 

stay healthy and safe throughout this week, until we meet together again, next Sunday.

   Hey next Sunday is our brunch following worship in our Fellowship Hall.   Who will you invite to come?

Here are those in need of your prayers:

Continue to keep those that are going through Chemo/Radiation/doctor appointments: Diane Huber, Houston 

Lichtenwalner, Sandy (Darlene Geiger's sister), Mike Laisce's dad, Matt Stauffer

Bread Ministry is being blessed with other volunteers to assist with this outreach. On Tuesday, Gail will be 

training a new volunteer the 'ropes'. Linda does participate in the ministry, and she has been attending our 

Wednesday evening gatherings. Pray for Gail as she shares Jesus' love and pray for Linda as she becomes

more involved with St Matt's church family.

Marylou has asked for prayer for her son, Brian and his wife Michelle.  Life has its challenges, and they are

currently dealing with some difficult situations in their lives.  Pray for God's redeeming love to surround them;

that God will put some strong Christians into their lives to help and support them through this difficult time.

Pray for Marylou, as she continues to pray for her son and family.     May we not Stop Praying!

Prayers for Lori and team as they prep for our monthly brunch this coming Sunday, and for those that will be

attending.

Pastor Mike Laisce requested prayer for a good and safe racing season. This coming Saturday is practice day

for the drivers. Mike enjoys working on his car with his Dad, and he is asking for prayer that his dad will feel 

well enough to attend the races and help Mike out in the pits. 

Also keep Pastor Don in your prayers as he serves there at the Race Track, sharing God's love and words of

compassion and hope.

Praising God that Winnie Iobst, and Sandy Ritter were healthy and feeling well enough to join us for 

in house worship!

Just a reminder of what God used today, to prayer us through.....

Don't forget, all welcome to attend our Wednesday evening family gatherings. Starts at 6:00 with a meal.....

Have a great week everyone!

  Blessings,

   Sarah

Good Morning One in the Spirit and One in the Lord Co-Laborers! Amen! Jesus prayed for us to be one as He and he Father are One and that has, is and will be true today for those in Christ and called to His Body, even specific Bodies like ours at St. Matts. Unity in Christ is a critical element for today's Church! Well it has always been and always will be too. We are One--right? We have one Spirit, one mission, one God and we are called to oneness. Praying together, serving together, worshiping together, encouraging and spurring each other on to good deeds God has for us is all part of that. We are to love as we have been loved. Oneness often requires dying to self and refocusing away from ourselves to God and others. We are growing at that for sure, but we always need to be vigilant to stay united in Christ and mission. We need each other! We need others with differing gifts and abilities to achieve all that God has gathered and is sending us to do. We need to be one. Keep praying into that and for us to stay focused on Jesus and our mission together! Amen! 

And keep praying expectantly with thanksgiving for all God is and plans to do in and through us. United in Christ, prayer, worship and service. United in love! Check out the devos below as you spend some time meditating and praying into these things. God loves you, is calling you in love by name for the things He has prepared for you today. prepare your hearts and seek out your partners. Then go live and love like Jesus and God will work out the rest! Amen!

Sarah Young:

ODB:

UR: Two Words

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. - Matthew 6:7 (NIV)

It’s been over 50 years, but I still remember my sixth-grade Sunday school class like it was yesterday. That’s because it changed how I experienced church and how I prayed. After spending years in basement classrooms, I moved to the sixth-grade classroom, which was up in the steeple of the church. And the class was taught by a man — the first male teacher I had ever had.

His lesson on prayer has stayed with me all my life. He recounted a time when he was driving on an icy, country road and his car spun out of control and careened toward a tree. He told us that he prayed a two-word prayer: “Not now!” Though he didn’t have time to embellish his prayer with formalities, God heard his prayer.

In 1 Kings 18, the prophets of Baal thought they would be heard because of their many words. When God’s prophet Elijah prayed, his prayer was only a couple of sentences long, yet God heard him and answered his prayer. We don’t need to concoct long, fancy prayers in order to pray. From the first syllables we utter, God listens to us.

Today's Prayer

Whether our prayers are long or short, you, O Lord, hear the cries of our heart. We thank you for your constant presence with us. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.

Harvest Connection prayers

March 25 - An Attitude of Prayer It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them beside the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you” . . . And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.   Then Jehoshaphat . . . said, “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’”   Now all Judah . . . stood before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah. . . . “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. . . . You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.  2 Chronicles 20:1–4, 6–7, 9, 13–15, 17–18   D. L. Moody said, “We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man.” In this section of Scripture, we find Jehoshaphat and all Judah under attack from the world, the people of Moab and Ammon. Jehoshaphat was outnumbered and all looked hopeless. He was afraid.   Faith does not keep us from fear, but enables us to seek God in spite of our fears. To seek God simply means we pursue God. He is preeminent. That means He is not merely a priority, but everything is around Him. When we seek God, we desire more than anything the “face” of God, His presence. We desire intimacy with Him more than anything else. Our lifestyle is that of pursuing, learning about, and communing with God. It takes time, energy, even resources to seek God.   Our attitude determines if we receive God’s Word or not. According to James 1:21, we are to have an attitude of meekness to receive the implanted (engrafted) Word of God. All of this is a result of our having a hunger for the approval of God more than the approval of humans.   Jehoshaphat put aside everything in order to seek God. This was not a spur of the moment decision. We see in 2 Chronicles 19:3, he had removed the wooden images and prepared his heart to seek God. He did this before the invading army showed up to battle against him.   American evangelist R. A. Torrey, who was a contemporary of D. L. Moody, said: “The reason many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. . . . Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” Jehoshaphat succeeded in battle because he had already positioned himself to seek God. Likewise, we must remove from our hearts and lives anything that is offensive to God and distracts us from Him. Then we can fully seek God on our knees.   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for seeking and saving the lost. Give thanks that Jesus is “the good shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11). Confess those instances and ways in which you ignore the voice of your Shepherd. Commit yourself to learning to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11). Ask God to give you the fullness of life which comes with following the Savior. Pray for those who serve in law enforcement, that the stress of their jobs will not be too much for them to bear. Ask God to give them special strength to do their jobs well. 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

Hi all. No Internet so no blog today. Prepare your hearts to worship. Be ready to share some praises for how you have seen God at work recently. He's always at work! Are you seeing and joining?

We're off to visit our son's house. They invited us and we love to go to them and grands. That's just how it is as we invite God to come! So come! Speak to our hearts, inhabit our praise and lead us today! Amen! Shalom!

Good Morning Praying Friends! Get your worship on and join us for a powerful time of worship, praise, study and praying this morning at 10!

God has really been speaking to me and us about becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations and about becoming prayer warriors. Some of us have assignments in His Good News Delivery Co. as pray-ers and intercessors. However, we are all called to pray. Jesus' disciples asked Him to tach them to pray and He gave the model we can follow that we call the Lord's Prayer. Pray without ceasing is a command for all of us. Today we will learn more about prayer and the practice of it. Check out the blogs and devos below, prayerfully. God is teaching us to pray and wanting to answer our prayers! The prayers of a righteous person (anyone clothed in Christ and His righteousness/us!) are powerful and effective! Amen! May we be a people of prayer and of power because we pray! Amen! See you soon! Start to prepare as you prayerfully engage with God through this song: Looks Like Somebody Prayed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0QXi7cLwI

Connections Blogs:

I to We Devo:

ODB

My Prayer Starters book:

Let's get that worship on! Thank God I'm Forgiven! Praise and thanksgiving should overflow from that truth!

Sarah Update below. Spring Sarah, really?--bah humbug! Thank God we are washed white as snow and may get some snow this week! However, new life of spring is cool! (Just wish that started around Aug and fall started in Sept!) BUT GOD! I can praise no matter the weather and through the storms of life!

Good Morning Praying, Praising Friends! Yes get your praise on and prepare to worship and pray with thanksgiving! Just one devo today. Well two days of my I to We devo. Check 'em out as we confess our sins, receive forgiveness and lift much thanksgiving! We are very loved and always forgiven! Get your hearts right and PTL!

I to WE Day 2 and 3 on Acts Praying: (they tie to TGIF!) Confession and Thanksgiving!

Sarah Update: Happy Spring!

Hi Church family,

I love the season of Spring - New life appears before your eyes.....

Flowers are pushing their way among the fallen leaves; the deer are reappearing with their fawns; the birds are calling for their mates; the grass is showing a beautiful green, in color; farmers are beginning to turn over their fields in preparation for planting and bears are waking up from a long winter's nap - and they are hungry......as Neen and I can attest to from the bear that visited our bird feeder the other evening and had fun mutilating the feeder. 

I think the air smells fresher - New Life.....

When we receive or renew our relationship with Jesus - it's like a "spiritual Spring" taking place in our heart.  While on our Jesus Journey, there are times in our lives when the "old" creeps in, causing us to become distracted from the Words and Voice of Jesus.

When our Father sees this happening, in our lives, He may say to us..... "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps 46:10)

God is encouraging each of us to find STILLNESS ~ and be reminded of who God is and what a relationship with Him is like...... "Taste and See that the Lord is Good" (Ps 34:8) ~ God is also encouraging us to remember and personally experience and recognize again, God's goodness through our faith and our trust in Him.

So as we begin to leaf blow or rake those fallen leaves, to reveal daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus ~ and we get so excited to see the new growth ~  May we also take a spiritual Rake to our Jesus Journey, removing the "old" and allowing new growth blossom by reviewing our relationship with our Father!

** ** ** **

Hope you all have a great rest of your week and weekend.......looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday at 10:00am

worship!!

Blessings,

Good Morning Sold Out, Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus, Praying Co-Laborers! Amen! May that be us Lord and teach us to pray like Jesus and as we are created and gifted for such a time as this! Thanks! Amen!

We've had some awesome days of ministry already as we have gathered several days as parts of God's Body to eat, fellowship, study, pray, encourage each other and learn what it means to become the people and church we are created and gathered to be. PTL! I am stoked! Three verses are primary for who we are in Christ and for how we are building our church and learning to do more of what we are created and gifted to do: Col. 3:11, "In this life Christ is all that matters and He lives in me..." Eph. 2:10, "You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ, to do the things He had planned for you from long ago." and Acts 2:42, All the believers gathered together, studied the apostles teachings, fellowshipped, ate together and prayed. And God added to their numbers daily those who were being saved." AMEN!!! We are learning to be and do more like Jesus and as we are custom created, gifted, gathered and sent to do. PTL! We are becoming a dynamic movement of God! Amen! Keep praying earnestly into and following the Holy Spirit to your parts in His Good News Delivery Co. and over these verses as you meditate on them and seek God for His plans for you and us.

Since we are building our lives on our potential to become more like Jesus and doing what He created and gifted us to do, it behooves us to study and compare our lives to His. The Jesus shaped life is evidenced in a balanced triangle with equal parts of UP (his relationship with the Father)-IN (His relationships with the disciples and the gathered followers) and OUT (his relationships with reaching out to the lost, needy and seeking). How balanced is your and our triangle? Start with what Jesus did--get away from the noise and chaos, stilled Himself, sought God in prayer and followed Him from there to the day's assignments. Then spend some time processing and praying with your teammates before launching out into the world to share the Good News and make disciples. Love God wholeheartedly, love others and make disciples of Jesus and enjoy this life in Christ! That's always our marching orders. And as we do that as we are created and gifted, we don that easy yoke of Jesus and get inspired and affirmed as we truly enjoy this life in Christ doing what we are created to do as we are. Try it! You'll love it! Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things you need will be provided each day!

I've been earnestly praying into Sunday's worship service and what I think I am hearing God say to do. I spent some extra time with Him this morning processing before I work on the final draft. He wants to answer our prayers and teach us to pray. He wants to release His power from heaven to earth and even in the spiritual realms as we pray. We know that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (we are considered righteous because we are in Christ and have put on His righteousness and thus our prayers--all kinds of prayers--are powerful and effective. AMEN!). So pray earnestly! Keep knocking! God's plans and the works of our church and each of us are empowered and released as we pray. Our steps are informed for each day as we pray. And God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. Sunday we will learn more about prayer and get to experience and practice some Kingdom praying. Prepare your hearts!

You have to start with the connections blogs for today! We discussed some of this last night. Those of you that were there, check it out! What's God saying about the things we discussed like praying, preparing and standing firm on the Word and in Christ always. Our Tuesday Zoom Huddle has been studying and praying through the Lord's Prayer the last few weeks and several of our devotionals have been teaching about it. Pray the Lord's prayer with fresh hearts and minds, not from rote. Maybe use a different Bible translation? We should always be praying earnestly for His Kingdom to come and will to be done. That actually ties to Mike's dangerous prayers as we die to self, take up cross daily and prepare to follow Jesus. Then check out how God is speaking to us through some other devotionals today. Keep seeking! Keep knocking and keep praying and practicing prayer that is powerful, effective and will change the atmosphere around us and lead us to our parts for revival. God is on the move! And He will partner with us as we pray and step out in faith watching for how He is responding. And then pray some more and keep following. Yes PRAY--early and often--without ceasing! God is listening and will answer according to His perfect plans and timing! Amen! What's He revealing to you today? What will you do about it? I'm praying for you! Be still and know and then go and follow Jesus as He shapes your life and teaches you to pray and prepares you to go live and love like Him! Amen!

Connections Blogs:

March 20 - Seeking Him Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:12–14)   It takes practice to become good at anything, and we must practice pursuing God’s presence, seeking Him every day until pursuing Him becomes the norm for our lives. Seeking God is a key in revival times.   It would do us all good to pause and examine our lives, seeing what we really spend our time seeking after. J. Vernon McGee said, “What is your ambition in life today? Is it to get rich? Is it to make a name for yourself? Is it even to do some wonderful thing for God?   Listen to me, beloved. The highest desire that can possess any human heart is a longing to see God.” Many people seek the wrong things and then want to add God to the end of their list. People seek comfort and convenience, but not Christ. They seek pleasure and pastimes, but not a personal relationship with Christ. Most people look for a church that has the right appeal: good music and children’s and youth programs. They seek the church with all the answers to their problems or needs.   For many, they confuse this with seeking God; this is not the same thing. Many have been led to believe they can seek God at their own convenience, but you cannot. Many a professing believer has been hurt, or gotten angry with the church or God, and left. Others have remained in the church but are filled with bitterness. They refuse to examine their lives in light of the Word of God, nor do they yield to the Word of God. Instead of turning to God, they have turned away.   After weeks, months, or even years of not seeking God, a crisis comes, an emergency, and then they expect a dead faith to work in their time of need. It does not happen.   We are commanded in Scripture (Jeremiah 29:12–14) to seek Him diligently and with urgency.   When we seek God, we are volunteering ourselves for judgment. We have reached a point in our lives where we are willing to be honest with the Word of God and how we live. It means we humble ourselves before God and also the one whom God uses to bring the message of the Word of God to us. Then, we adjust our lives to God’s standards.   Search me and know me, O Lord! Help me to seek Christ with all of my heart. May I denounce the idols that keep me from Your Presence. Help me to examine my life in light of the Word, and to yield to the power of Your Word. I sense the urgency of this hour, Father. Increase my faith, fill me with the humility of Jesus and allow me to lay my life beside Your purposes.   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise the Lord, who is your strength, your rock, your fortress and your deliverer (Ps. 18:1-2). Give thanks that “the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Cor. 1:25). Confess your desire to rely upon your own strength. Commit yourself to doing everything through him who gives you strength (Phil. 4:13). Ask God to cause you to serve him with the strength that he provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 4:11). Ask God to remove habits which destroy and limit relationships among your family and friends, and to replace these with habits which are life-giving and Spirit-led. 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

I to WE devos:

The Upper Room: be still

[The Lord] says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

In August 2021, I began a months-long healing journey following spinal surgery. I had to stop working and to alter many activities in order to heal properly. My heart was in a hurry to recover so that I could get back to my regular life, but my body was clearly letting me know that this would take time. Part of my physical therapy included walking in my neighborhood, which became spiritual therapy as well.

During one of my daily walks, I noticed a flock of egrets standing serenely in the marsh grass, preening. I stopped to watch and be still with them. Suddenly, without taking a step, one of the birds gracefully bent his neck toward the water and picked up a passing fish. Then I noticed another egret walking briskly through the marsh, his long neck oddly bent with one eye toward the water. He seemed to be frantically searching for a fish.

The contrast between the two egrets was stark, and I felt God speaking to me, telling me to be still and trust that the healing I needed would come in good time. I should not be like that frantic egret. During the following months I have found God to be faithful, and I have done my best to be still and receive.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to be still and wait on you. Even when we do not understand the journey, we trust that you will provide what we need for our good and for your glory. Amen.

TWFYT:

Good Morning Friends! See Sarah Prayer update below.

I overslept this morning and went right into my pastor's zoom huddle, which just ended. I have to hit the road to purchase food and start cooking for tonight before Bread Min. at 10. Don't forget to pray for and join our dinner huddle tonight at 6. This is almost becoming like a church plant within our church as about half of the attendees are not members but are seekers of fellowship, food and the Word. They are finding Jesus and His love among us! PTL!

Today (everyday) God is singing over you. He is speaking love to you. He is wanting to lead you and grow you more like Jesus. Turn off the noise for a bit. Abide in His loving presence and listen. Then go and watch for what He has for you to join in with Him today. he does have some great custom made plans for you that He has created, gifted and empowered you to accomplish. PTL! Seek and follow well today. Also, seek some friends to journey with! I am so excited to see God on the move among us and for many of you ad you process who and Whose you are and the plans He has for you and then are more committed to seek and follow! Praying for you all! May the God who is the Way, Truth and Life, be that and more to and through you today! Then let's process that soon.  Shalom!

Sarah update:

Good afternoon, everyone!

 Today, the sun is sooo warm. I was out on the deck for a bit, absorbing my Vitamin D.  Hope some of you have been 

able to get outside for a bit.

Todd (Lisa Wenner) - he has gone into A Fib a couple times, the last time being Sunday. Please continue to pray for Todd and his family as they are going through this challenging time.

Chris Muik - had two surgeries this past week. He is going ok but in alot of pain. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He may be going to a rehab facility soon.   Also keep his wife Yvonne in your prayers through this difficult time.

Randy Schmidt spent a few days in the hospital. He is currently at home recouping from his leg edema and swelling

Goldie, the 97 year old neighbor of the Waterman's was taken to the hospital early Sunday morning.  Haven't received an

update - continue to keep her in your prayers for healing.

Darlene Geiger is asking for continued prayers for her sister Sandy, who is currently stable.  She is also praising God for healing from hers and Jim's colds.

Marylou shared that she spoke with Rachel who attends bread ministry. Rachel is very thankful for St Matt's, as she comes to get bread - very one is so nice and loving.  Rachel requested prayer for her 15 year old daughter, Lorelei. She was in a bad accident  and is experiencing physical and mental health issues. Lorelei is having difficulty adjusting to her current health issues. Please keep Rachel and Lorelei in our prayers of encouragement and healing.

Dean requested that we pray for rain.  More rain would help to cut down on the brush fires and replenish the creeks

Continue to pray for one another, and for our homebound members.  Also keep our first responders in our prayers - for their safety and wisdom when handling situations.

Don't forget our Wednesday night family meal and gathering. Starting at 6:00. Everyone is welcome!

Hope you all have a great rest of your week.

   Blessings,

   Sarah

Good Morning House of Prayer! God has been leading me, to not only speak to us about prayer, but to actually practice praying together. Mike got a Word from God to preach on dangerous prayers and the thought to ask God to use, send, and break you. God has put on our hearts the importance of becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations and to the motivation to begin that earnestly over the next few months. God has led me from childhood to be a pray-er and has allowed me over the years to learn to pray and to see the results of the powerful and effectiveness of praying in Jesus' name. PTL! Many of you can attest to that as well. God hears and answers the earnest prayers of His righteous ones. (That's those in Christ who pray according to Hs character and will) Everything and anything of importance begins with, is empowered through and flourishes by prayer. For many of us, our calling for this season of life is to be a prayer warrior. However, we are all called to pray. We have looked at the example of Jesus and the importance of prayer in His life. We have witnessed the disciples begging Jesus to teach them how to pray and His willingness to do so. So, let's start there today! Jesus, teach us to pray! Thanks! Amen!

Did you pray that earnestly with a heart desiring to learn how to pray and pray more effectively? If not, go back, humble yourself before Almighty God, and ask Him to give you a heart to pray and to open your heart and mind to learn how He wants to teach you to pray and ask Him again to do so. He has great plans for you and us that are discovered, released, and empowered as we pray. And sometimes, we are to be the answers to our prayers or the prayers of others.

Last week our Tuesday Zoom huddle began looking at prayer and the how to of it. (This week we begin study how to read our Bibles and use His Word in prayer) Even the most devout and effective pray-er can learn to pray better and according to God's will more often. This week we had planned to continue to learn about prayer and the how to. Big God thing today for me! I have been praying for a long time for God to teach us to pray, stir those who are called to pray for such a time as this to be revealed and rise up and for our church to become a House of Prayer for the Nations because Jesus said that is what His Church should be. Today, I prayerfully began my quiet time journaling my prayers for the day. Then I spent some time with God prayerfully in His Word and through our devotionals for today. As I wrapped that up and prepared to allow God to write this blog and asked Him to lead me this week and for Sunday's message, I encountered the Harvest prayer Connections and Tuesday blogs (see below and click link and engage with God as He teaches us about prayer and some how to's of it)

Exhale all the junk that has you bound up and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit, Turn off the noise and focus on God. Ask Him earnestly to teach you to pray and to inform your prayers for today. Repent of any sin that may be hindering Him from hearing or responding to your prayers and commit to doing what He reveals as you pray. He has great plans for you--even to teach you how to be a powerful and effective pray-er! And remember, we are all unique and we will not all pray in the same ways, nor does God always have the same prayer focus for each of us for each day. But, He has called us to pray and promised that as we pray in His name, He will hear and answer according to His perfect will and timing. PTL! Amen! Start with the Connections blog then click the link below that and spend some time with God learning to pray! We will continue this focus for a season as God leads. What's He teaching you about prayer? How can you join with one or two others to pray? Ask Him as you still yourself. He will speak to you and inform your prayers and steps for today. Amen! And know this: I am earnestly praying for you to step into your created, custom made prayer role in His Good News Delivery Company and for you to pray powerful prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen! May we soon have some great stories about the good fruit being produced through our prayers and lots of praise and thanksgiving to lift from them! Amen!

Connections:

March 18 - Prayer – the Direct Link What does kingdom praying entail? Kingdom praying includes that dimension of intercession that reaches beyond our immediate surroundings. Praying about personal, local matters often happens more naturally and more consistently for most of us. My problems, my work, my family, my needs, and the concerns of those close to me—these tend to come more spontaneously to my heart and mind. Of course, personal, local praying is valid. In fact, it is essential. God longs for us to bring our personal burdens to Him.   Yet kingdom praying is a level of praying that reaches beyond us. Kingdom praying, then, seeks to discern what God wants to happen in His kingdom, and prays for that to take place. In kingdom praying, we seek to attune our hearts to His heart’s desire and pray for its fulfillment.   What is God’s heart’s desire? He expresses it throughout the Scripture: “that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations” (Ps. 67:2). God wants all people saved! Peter expressed it very plainly that our Lord is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9, NIV). Our Lord’s heart’s desire is for all people to love and worship Him and become a part of His kingdom. Thus, His desire, according to His Word, must become the mission of every follower of Christ, the mission of every church.   The staggering fact before us is that at least two-thirds of the world’s population do not know and love God’s Son. What can God’s people do? Throw up our hands? As a matter of fact, yes, like Moses did—in intercession.   Hear again the psalmist quoting God: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance” (Ps. 2:8, NIV). In one of the most astounding statements in the Bible, God makes a connection between our asking and the nations being saved. He declares a direct link between the prayers of His people and the accomplishment of His heart’s desire. He reveals that kingdom praying is a priority strategy in making Christ known and loved.   Sovereign Lord, today I am asking for the nations! This is a huge request, but one I know is upon Your heart and is completely in Your perfect will, for it is clearly stated in Scripture. If Your desire is for the nations to bow before You, this is now my desire also. Keep my mind and heart fixed upon Your kingdom purposes as I pray…don’t allow me to continually be tempted to default to the little prayers of my own kingdom! Thank You for the privilege of prayer…and that You allow me to ask You for things of eternal significance! I praise You that I am able to change the world one prayer at a time!   --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer (An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry) edited by Dan Crawford; (Chapter 73: Kingdom Praying by Minette Drumwright Pratt). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Harvest links: look at and spend time with God in prayer through both blogs today, ask for forgiveness, offer it and pray for our church as you engage with these.

https://mail.yahoo.com/n/list/folders=1&listFilter=ALL_INBOX/messages/242184?.src=ym&reason=myc 

Our Daily Bread (some of us are gifted to pray. We are all called to pray) Raise your hands like Moses in praise and prayer today!

Upper Room: Excited to Serve (are you excited to serve God--even as a prayer warrior?)

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. - Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

As I planned the upcoming meeting of our Christian fellowship group, I gave one friend the job of welcoming people as they arrived. Following our meeting, I received a message from her: “Sister,” she said, “can I take on this ministry again next week? I loved doing it.”

Welcoming people is a simple ministry, but my friend was excited to do it. I could see in her heart that she would do whatever she could to be the hands of God.

That same desire was in the apostle Paul’s heart, even in prison. The letters he wrote while in prison have blessed generations of people.

The desire to serve God grows out of the belief that “it is God who works in [us] to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” If we can embrace the same excitement and desire to serve God as my friend did in our fellowship group, we will be doing fruitful labor for God. God entrusts to us many opportunities for service. Following my friend’s example, whatever work I can do for God, I will be excited to do!

Today's Prayer

Dear God, continue to show us that our lives are filled with opportunities to reveal your love and purpose to your people. May we serve joyfully. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I to We: (Don't forget to rest and abide and recharge! Prayer is hard work!)