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Saturday, January 13 2024
Sarah Prayer Email below
Good Morning Forgiven, Restored, Commissioned, Protected, Empowered, Sufficient in Christ, Bringers of Good News! Well Pastor Don, that sure is a mouthful! Maybe, but it's truth to pronounce over you, our church and God's Body! We are custom made for our custom part in bringing the Good News. We are made new and empowered by the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ to do all He has created us to do. (Eph. 2:10) What might that be? The Great Commandments and Great Commission--Love God, others and each other as Jesus loves and go make disciples in His way. That's our purposes. And their custom made for us and our gifts, abilities and circumstances, empowered with new everyday mercies. PTL! I think of Jesus' easy yoke for us weary and striving in our own strength--come to Him and find rest for your souls. Yoke to Him as you learn to walk in His gentle and easy ways. I think of Proverbs 3:5-6 and the reminder to stop leaning on your own understanding. God is always doing new things, new ways and all we need to do is trust Him and allow Him to direct our steps. I think of Solomon who said in Ecclesiastes how meaningless life is without God. And he would know as he pursued all kinds of things to find meaning and purpose for his life to no avail. He teaches that we should love God and enjoy life. We love God! Thank Him for His love and your faith. And we can enjoy this custom made life as we surrender to God and Jesus' ways and just allow Him to use you, as you are, for His plans today. And as you do He will grow you more fully into your created potential and use you as you grow into the greater things He has for you. PTL! So, stop striving in your own strength and follow God's lead, provision and peace (Jesus' easy yoke) and love well and enjoy life! Find soul satisfaction that you are God's forever and He is well pleased with you, His faithful child! AMEN! Go team!
We've been on this journey the past several years to become more like Jesus and to doing more intentionally the things He has for us each day. We are making progress and seeing some good fruit from that! PTL! The fruit showed up yesterday as we fellowshipped, ate some donuts together, shared the Good News with some, prayed with some, encouraged some, served all who God sent and loved well during Bread and Donut day. And like Acts 2:42-47 (read it prayerfully today!) the Lord added to their numbers daily. PTL! God is doing that through us as several people that we have connected to and are connecting to God have expressed interest in joining our church. And many others keep coming back to be fed by the Living Bread being distributed by His faithful servants weekly. God is on the move and using us as we love Him and others and enjoy this life we've been given. What JOY we are experiencing as God uses us just as we are with what He's given us! His grace and provision are sufficient! PTL! (our next donut day is Feb 14th...come and see what the Lord is doing! Or come and see at our next brunch Sun Jan 28th after worship and bring a friend! These new disciples are coming because someone saw God at work in them and invited them to come) Keep praying into all God is doing and for some new connection points for us this year as we seek to Become More in '24...more of Christ and His way and less of me! More Love! More Holy Spirit Power! More growth as disciples of Jesus. And more doing of the things He did! That's our mission as we learn to live and love more like Jesus everyday!
I am still processing our vision team meeting the other night. God spoke to us in volumes as He began to show us some open and some closed doors and some things to build upon. Thanks Lord! Continue to lead us and help us to hold loosely and follow well. It can be a wild ride as we "fly the airplane while building it"! But that is God's way as we let go and trust God to reveal as we follow Him step by step in faith. He reveals and provides as we take those daily steps of faith from our comfort zones and allow Him to lead us on the thrill ride of our lives! He's created us to accomplish our parts of His plans and purposes. He's given us the Holy Spirit and gifts to accomplish these as we follow Him into the unknown but promised awesome future. Tighten those seatbelts and your helmet of faith straps tight. Love God! Be all you can be in Christ, doing all He has for you--your custom made part in His Good News Delivery Co. that only you can do. And Enjoy the ride!
God has a plan and purposes along the way for each of us and us as His Body. He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, even those yet to come. We know who we are (or are discovering that as we step into our new natures more fully and our custom made purposes along the way to becoming more like Jesus). And we know Whose we are and are assured that He is with us always and we will be with Him always. Come Jesus Come! Send me! That's your prayer for today as you commit to let go and let God have His good way with you and use you well. Check out our devos for today below that thread through all of this as you spend some time with God today. Turn off the noise and chaos all around you. Be still and know He is God, He loves you and has great plans for you. And step into your anointing today! Love God and enjoy this life He's given you and live it with gusto and for His glory! Amen! Check out today's Harvest Prayer Revival prayer for today too talking about praying expectantly for a vision for revival. Yes, Come Jesus come and use me well today! Amen!
We are: Forgiven, Restored, Commissioned, Protected, Empowered, Sufficient in Christ, Bringers of Good News! (Did you notice how everyday since Kathy shared her "restored" testimony on Sunday how God brings up restoration every day in our devotionals! God is calling us to be restored and to become restorers of broken down lives all around us!) Come Jesus! Send me and use me for your glory as you revive and use me to bring love, joy, peace, hope, help and revival alive--Christ and His ways incarnate through me! Come! Amen!
Harvest prayer for Revival:
January 11, 2024 - Praying for Revival (Day 11): Ripe for Revival
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What might spiritual awakening look like in our day? Let’s keep it simple. Acts 1–2 reveals the qualities present whenever the Spirit revives His people and awakens the lost. In Jerusalem, Pentecost’s transforming power of the Spirit on His people arose out of sustained and earnest prayer. The transformation produced powerful preaching. That preaching resulted in profound repentance and faith. And that profound faith launched and sustained a radical way of life that impacted every facet of the city.
There are hopeful signs of a coming spiritual awakening. We should be deeply impressed with the quantity and quality of prayer being mobilized across our nation. The bride of Christ is waking up to the dangers in front of her. A unity, unlike any in previous generations, is forming. This unity is diverse, multiethnic, and multinational. The one thing missing, however, is vision.
I believe God will provide it, but we must pray for that united vision. I believe we are, indeed, ripe for revival and spiritual awakening. Let’s ask God to give us the vision to see what its fulfillment would look like. And let’s ask God to give leaders the wisdom to embrace it.
Lord, I praise You that there is always hope for another Great Awakening in my nation! Inspire my prayers with belief that it is in Your heart to do it again, in my day! Alert and prepare Your Church to pray with urgency and in great unity for a coming spiritual awakening. May the leaders in my church and all others be ready to embrace this vision. Show me how to pay attention in Your word, especially in Acts 1-2, to the ways Your Holy Spirit poured out life and power in the Church. Would you do it again, Father? Help Your distracted and complacent ones to become focused on praying hopeful prayers and give us a vision for revival that is diverse, multiethnic, and multinational. I long to see You pour out Your Spirit, Lord!
Pr a y e r Po i n t s:
• Praise God that there is always hope for another Great Awakening in our nation! Ask God to inspire your prayers with belief that it is His heart to do it again.
• Praise God for how He is alerting His Church to pray with unity and urgency for a coming spiritual awakening. Pray for your leaders to embrace such a vision.
• Pray through Acts 1–2 by paying attention to the ways the Holy Spirit poured out life and power to the Church. Ask Him to do it again.
• Pray that your church will be inspired to lift up hopeful prayers that go beyond distracted and complacent faith.
• Pray for a vision of prayer for revival that is diverse, multiethnic, and multinational.
--Adapted from Day 11 by Bob Bakke: Do It Again, Lord (30 Days of Hope-Filled Prayer for Revival) compiled and edited by Carol Madison. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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“Please clean the front room before you go to bed,” I said to one of my daughters. Instantly came the reply, “Why doesn’t she have to do it?”
Such mild resistance was frequent in our home when our girls were young. My response was always the same: “Don’t worry about your sisters; I asked you.”
In John 21, we see this human tendency illustrated among the disciples. Jesus had just restored Peter after he’d denied Him three times (see John 18:15–18, 25–27). Now Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!” (21:19)—a simple but painful command. Jesus explained that Peter would follow Him to the death (vv. 18–19).
Peter barely had time to comprehend Jesus’ words before he asked about the disciple behind them: “What about him?” (v. 21). Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Then He said, “You must follow me” (v. 22).
How often we’re like Peter! We wonder about the faith journeys of others and not what God is doing with us. Late in his life, when the death Jesus foretold in John 21 was much closer, Peter elaborated on Christ’s simple command: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:14–15). That’s enough to keep each of us focused on Jesus and not on those around us.
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
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How are you tempted to compare your faith walk with others? How will you keep your focus on Jesus today?
Heavenly Father, please continue to conform me into the image of Your Son.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After His resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for forty days before ascending into heaven. During this time, He “proved to [his disciples] in many ways that he was actually alive” (Acts 1:3 nlt). The New Testament records some eleven post-resurrection appearances of Christ. The risen Jesus met with different people for different reasons. He had unfinished business with all His disciples. The Passover weekend was a traumatic one for them, and every disciple had “deserted him” (Matthew 26:56). In fact, Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times (John 18:15-27), but Christ restored him (21:15-19). His disciples needed to be forgiven, restored, reinstated, and recommissioned to do God’s work.
K. T. Sim |
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UR: Love One Another
Put away . . . all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:31-32 (NRSVUE)
My day started with hurt and irritation from a friend’s critical remarks. While I ran errands my anger grew, and I began to develop a grudge. The grocery store parking lot was full, but I spotted an open space one lane over. I sped up and rounded the corner to grab it but then saw a car approaching with its blinker flashing. I scowled as I waited for the other driver to park. But to my surprise, the man stopped and waved me into the parking spot. I was grateful but unmoved by the gesture.
I raced through the store and found myself behind the same man in the check-out lane. He turned, smiled, and began emptying my cart for me while the cashier scanned his items. I stood amazed. I returned the smile and thanked him for both good deeds. He shrugged and said, “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice.” I cringed and felt my face go red as I remembered Jesus’ command: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn. 13:34). I realized I was angry over something trivial, and a sudden rush of gratitude swept over me. I am thankful for the man whose acts of kindness had an impact on my attitude.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to focus on being kind when things don’t go our way. May we always remember to love one another no matter what the circumstances. Amen.TWFYT:
Sarah Prayer Email:
Good evening warriors,
Here are a couple of prayer needs:
Friend of Lisa Wenner's, Carol is asking for prayer for her sister Lori Barefoot, and for Carol's father Mark Trimber.
Lori has been having episodes of tingling and numbness in her face and hands. She has had a number of test done,
but no answers yet.
Mark is in the hospital and has tested positive with COVID. He is extremely fatigued and weak, and has a bad urinary tract infection.
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Praising God for Harry Waterman's surgery going well. He is going good and is spending the night in the hospital, and hopes
to be discharged tomorrow (Thursday).
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Pray for those that are dealing with water in their homes. This can be very stressful to many. Thank God for people that
have and are coming to the 'rescue' of those in need.
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Praise God for Coffee, Donuts and Conversation time today. Good conversations and prayers were offered.
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Continue to pray for those mentioned on Sunday:
Barbara Shade, Howie Barley, Gladys Ketner, and any other church family members that may come to mind.
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Tim Schware made it safely to Eric's in Maryland and then the next day to Virgina. There were areas that were a bit
rough and he did see several accidents along the way but Yay God, He put a hedge of protection around him.
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The Vision team had a good meeting last evening. Please continue to pray for your Vision team as they seek God's
guidance and direction for 2024 and the future.
Have a great rest of your week, everyone!
Blessings,
Sarah
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision (no revelation of God and His word) the people are unrestrained.
But happy and blessed are they who keep the law of God.
Saturday, January 13 2024
It's DONUT DAY!!! Come and see what the Lord is doing through this ministry today at 10 and enjoy a treat, coffee and some conversations and prayers!
Sarah Prayer email below
Good Morning Sold Out, Intercessors and Prayer Warriors of the Lord! God is on the move in response to our praying and Jesus is busy interceding for us and releasing His will in, through and around us as we pray. Thanks Lord! Our devotionals today speak into praying! Check them out and know that your faithful prayers are power and effective! Keep up the good work! For many of you, praying is your part in our Good News Delivery Co. Thank you for your faithfulness. For some of us, God reveals His will and plans and what to release in prayer. Keep asking for God to guide your prayers to His plans and will and for stick-to-itiveness. Check out Charles Stanley's devo about our Intercessor, Jesus. He is able! PTL! And He wants to inform our prayers, decisions and ways as we pray and listen and process. Speak Lord, Your servants are listening! Bring Your dreams, visions and plans alive! Come Jesus Come! (check out this song as a prayer starter: Come Jesus Come! (Sometimes all we can do is fall to our knees and cry out for Jesus to come...and He will. he's able!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UViC6DllCeA
We had an awesome Vision Team meeting. Thanks for praying and serving. Thanks for being faithful to seek God, adapt and your willingness to seek Him for more and adapt as we follow the Holy Spirit! God will restore and redeem as we heed His call to pray. He knows what we need even before we ask and even informs our praying. How cool is that! As we come with fully open hearts, seeking His plans and best, he loves to answer and work all things together for our and those who will come good. Come Jesus Com! have Your way with us! Enlighten our prayers. Give us Your heart, mind and spirit to pray and serve well. Thank You for leading and growing us. May we be Your people, always seeking more of You and following You more fully in the year ahead. Come Jesus Come! Use us well and grow us to your best and greater things! Amen!
Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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Abraham Lincoln confided to a friend, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” In the horrific years of the American Civil War, President Lincoln not only spent time in fervent prayer but also called the country to join him. In 1861, he proclaimed a “day of humiliation, prayer and fasting.” And he did so again in 1863, stating, “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God: to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.”
After the Israelites had been captives in Babylon for seventy years, King Cyrus decreed that any Israelite who wanted to return to Jerusalem could return. When Nehemiah, an Israelite (Nehemiah 1:6) and cupbearer to the king of Babylon (v. 11), learned that those who had returned were “in great trouble and disgrace” (v. 3), he “sat down and wept” and spent days mourning, fasting and praying (v. 4). He wrestled in prayer for his nation (vv. 5–11). And later, he too called his people to fast and pray (9:1–37).
Centuries later, in the days of the Roman Empire, the apostle Paul similarly urged his readers to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Our God still hears our prayers about matters that affect the lives of others.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
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Why do you think God calls His people to pray for everyone? Who beyond your own circle can you pray for?
Dear Father, we’re in trouble. Please help and heal us.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In response to hearing about the struggles of the exiles who’d returned to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-3), Nehemiah prays a prayer of repentance for both his own sin and that of his nation (vv. 5-11). In his prayer, he finds hope in God’s past promises to restore His repentant people. In verses 8-9, the writer lifts up God’s promise to return repentant exiles to their land where they’d flourish once more if they’d fully commit to serving God (see Deuteronomy 30:1-4, 9-10).
Learn about the work God can do in us when we pray.
Monica La Rose |
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UR: Before We Ask
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23 (NRSVUE)
As I write, my beloved wife is undergoing her seventh surgery for breast cancer in just over three years. She has also endured 13 months of chemotherapy. After checking in at the hospital this morning, we prayed together.
Once she was taken back for anesthesia and surgery, I prayed earnestly for her and for all the doctors, nurses, and technicians involved in her surgery. I then read my daily devotional. When I completed that reading, it occurred to me that in my prayer life I have asked for many things. Although I do thank God for the gift of grace through Jesus Christ and for the many blessings of my life, I feel as though most of my prayers ask for a particular outcome for my loved ones, for those in need or suffering, or for myself.
I wondered if God ever tires of my many requests. So I turned to the Bible. In numerous passages I received assurance that God desires my prayerful requests. Those prayers tell God of my true and abiding faith in God’s grace. Paul said it well in his letter to the Philippians, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). That is exactly what I am doing today. God is love, and I am most thankful for that and for God’s listening ear.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, you know what we need even before we ask. May our prayerful requests reveal our sincere and abiding faith in you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.TWFYT:
Sarah Prayer Email:
Good evening, Church family,
Jim Handfest is at Phoebe Rehab however he tested positive for COVID. He does not have any of the symptoms, but
has to remain in his room alone. And if you know Jim he is a people person. Please pray that he will heal soon, and that
they will continue his different therapies during this time. Also keep Kay in your prayers as she goes back and forth to
visit him.
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Tomorrow, at 9:30am, Harry Waterman is to report to the hospital for his valve transplant. He is very grateful
for those of you that called him to let him know that you are praying for him. He feels very blessed. Keep
Millidine in your prayers also. Keep his medical team in your prayers
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Vision team met this evening. We had some good discussion and ideas that we are praying on and into 2024.
So will you pray along with us to Seek God more in 2024; See what God wants us to do; Where does God want
to lead us into; help us to follow God's leading even though it sounds 'crazy'
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Gladys Ketner has pneumonia in one of her lung lobes. She is breathing okay, so symptoms are
minimal. Let's all pray for her healing.
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Okay everyone, stay dry!! Pray for those that may be experiencing water in their basements or leaky roof
May the Lord meet their needs.
Night and sleep well!
Sarah
Oh yea, don't forget to stop by the church tomorrow, between 10-12pm for coffee, donuts and conversation!
Harvest Prayer for Revival:
January 10, 2024 - Praying for Revival (Day 10): When God Doesn’t Respond
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Many believers today are getting desperate. Seeing the moral and spiritual free fall in the world around us and the declining condition of the Church in our land drives us to cry out to God. We need Him. We need His manifest presence. We need revival in the Church and spiritual awakening among the unbelieving. We need our nation to be restored to its Kingdom calling as a mighty, gospel-sending station to the world.
According to Scripture, the precursor to any great movement of God is always humble, repentant prayer.
Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking to learn that some things in our lives prevent our prayers from accomplishing what is so desperately needed? Wouldn’t it be devastating to find out that all our hard work in prayer is doing nothing to advance the Kingdom?
While Scripture contains hundreds of positive promises regarding answered prayer, God also outlines many things that will hinder our prayers. No one prays perfectly, and God is not playing with us. He does not make intercession so unattainable that only the super-spiritual can be effective. He understands our weakness. But He is also very clear about those things that can hinder our prayers.
Are we willing to evaluate the effectiveness of our prayer lives? And when God shows us areas of need, we can turn to Him in repentance and take the necessary steps to adjust our lives to encounter Him afresh in prayer.
Oh God, I praise You that You established this nation with a Kingdom calling to spread the gospel to the world. I rejoice at how the Holy Spirit is drawing more and more people to pray for revival and spiritual awakening. Help me to encounter Jesus in fresh ways in prayer that will revive and restore my soul. May my own church see more people praying with greater faith and belief than ever before, seeking God for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit throughout our nation.
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Tuesday, January 09 2024
Two prayer updates: Sarah's friend, Tara, that we have been praying for stepped into the arms of Jesus, fully healed and restored, yesterday afternoon. Pray for Sarah and Tara's family for peace, comfort and strength for the journey. Jim Handfest as been diagnosed with COVID even though he is showing no symptoms. He has been transferred to Phoebe for rehab and is in isolation in a small room. Pray for peace for he and Kay and for a speedy recover. Pray for wisdom for Kay as she oversees his care.
Dec. Financial Statement below.
Good Morning Restored, Visionary, Followers of Jesus! Living and loving like Jesus, just as you are. Seek Him for direction and guidance with willing hearts, hands and feet. Repenting and being restored and renewing your thinking as you seek Him and ask Him to examine your heart and ways is part of the process of becoming more like Jesus. We are making great progress but there is always more work to do on ourselves and for God's Kingdom to grow until we are called home to our next assignments. PTL for being with us, restoring us, speaking to our hearts, directing our steps and helping us all along the way! Rejoice!
"Restore" seems to be the theme since Sunday when Kathy shared her testimony. Check out today's Our Daily Bread below. The Jeremiah passages talks all about God's restorative love. His love is beyond measure yet very personal, always alive and active, cleansing, purifying, correcting, directing and overflowing from us. Who needs some love? Restoration? Salvation? Help? Pray into donut day tomorrow as that has been some of what God uses us to do as we bring the Bread of Life alive. Pray for courage to overflow God's love to someone He brings to mind today. Praise God for His love and keep building those gratitude lists. ODB reminds us that "Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's restorative love, giving peace and rest to those who turn to Him." Know Christ and His love and allow His love to come to life in and through you! We are reminded that many reject or turn from His love. But His love relentlessly pursues those who will respond, like me after I walked away from God. Ask Him to open your eyes to those He is pursuing and wisdom and courage to be His vessel. Or maybe you are being pursued. Stop running. Humble yourself and receive His restorative, forgiving love. What joy awaits you! PTL!
Tonight, Lord willing and electric stays on, is our vision team Zoom meeting. Please continue to pray into this. God has great plans for us to discern, receive and sow into as we steward well all His blessings and provisions. Thank you! And thank you to the vision team (our leadership teams) and your willingness to seek God, listen, prepare for tonight and willingness to help us continue on His path for us! It seems like the rest of our devotionals flow from our church being restored and led on its way to revival and speaks to our hearts about Jesus and His way. Charles Stanley reminds us Jesus is the key. And He is--always!!! Col. 3:11 reminds us that in this life Christ is all that matters and He lives in us and wants to love through us and grow His Kingdom. Seeking to discern how well we are doing with that is part of tonight's meeting and where He is leading us to from where we are with that. He has a good plan for each of us and us as His Body with many little purposes we get to join Him in daily and along the way. May we keep discerning where He is at work and where and how He has created and prepared us to join Him.
The Upper Room reminds us that God is our guide. Is He your guide? Is He guiding our church and what we are sowing into? That's some of what we will assess tonight. I know He is faithful to guide His willing servants and St. Matts has many willing servants choosing to do what they can with what God's providing. Thank you! They remind us, "It becomes crucial to allow God to guide us through the twisting and turning passageways of life so that we can find the path that will lead to joy that only God can offer." Yes we seek to choose joy always as we trust in God to lead us. We have experienced how He brings joy to those who ask and trust Him. PTL for we see that and experience that often coming alive through us at St. Matts. Thinking about that triggered the thought of all the joy-bringers that are engaging with many desperate, hurting people God is sending to us. And we see joy overflowing to many. PTL! It also triggered a reminder of the prophesy of Rosa who said that we should rename our church JOY Church. Would that bother you if we got rid of the antiquated saint name that many people reject and take on the name JOY that many are seeking and being drawn to? Pray about that. Every time we say our church name it would be pronouncing Joy over us and our ministries. We are really good at being people with overflowing love and joy that is drawing many to God! Thank Him for that! And remember, others experience joy and joy grows in us as we choose J-O-Y living: Jesus first, then Others, then Yourself. It's agape love of Jesus coming alive!
We are God's family on mission to reach, save and disciple His sent ones. (with much love and joy!). The Word for Your Today reminds us of some of the difficulties of growth: blending families, loving the unlovable and grafting them into our blended family. St. Matts, like this nation is a melting pot. We are already a mixture of many different people and God is drawing many more to our fellowship. Let us prepare ahead and plow the fields with prayer that love and joy would always be at the forefront of our DNA as we learn to live more and love more like Jesus, who welcomes all who will come into His family. May we become a House of Prayer for the Nations. That has been one of my and some of your prayers. For that to happen, all kinds from all tribes become part of our family. We are preparing to receive some new members and pray for many more to come. PTL! May we always be a welcoming, loving, inclusive Body of Christ overflowing with love and joy! Amen! TWFYT reminds us to prepare ourselves for more different types to join our family, listen to understand others needs and what ministers to them. and pray, pray, pray! Ask God to give you His plan for loving well as we meet needs and disciple many.
God has a plan that is coming alive before our eyes! PTL! Let us pray to, prepare to and plan to follow God as we live well in Christ and love, like Jesus, all who He is sending and grow His Kingdom exponentially. Pray for love and joy overflowing to continue to be what we are known for! And pray to be adaptive and inclusive as we travel with Jesus because we are building the airplane while flying it and some of His plans have not been revealed yet. We will also be encountering many fresh out of the world new believers that God has just begun working on. That involves the patient love God has shown us as He continues to restore and change hearts and grow us all to His best and His plans. Oh yes God is speaking! PTL! What's He saying to you and what will you do about it as you continue your journey to become more like Jesus, and doing more of the things He has for you, His way. Man, I'm excited! God is on the move! Rejoice! Choose joy! Love well! May we be known as JOY Church where Love and Grace abound and Jesus is alive! Amen!
ODB:
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“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Those words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese are among the best-known poetry in the English language. She wrote them to Robert Browning before they were married, and he was so moved that he encouraged her to publish her entire collection of poems. But because the language of the sonnets was very tender, out of a desire for personal privacy Barrett published them as if they were translations from a Portuguese writer.
Sometimes we can feel awkward when we openly express affection for others. But the Bible, by contrast, doesn’t hold back on its presentation of God’s love. Jeremiah recounted God’s affection for His people with these tender words: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3). Even though His people had turned from Him, God promised to restore them and personally draw them near. “I will come to give rest to Israel,” He told them (v. 2).
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s restorative love, giving peace and rest to any who turn to Him. From the manger to the cross to the empty tomb, He’s the personification of God’s desire to call a wayward world to Himself. Read the Bible cover to cover and you’ll “count the ways” of God’s love over and over; but eternal as they are, you’ll never come to their end.
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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What are some of the ways God has loved you? How can you return His love today?
Thank You for loving me so fully and personally, Jesus! Help me to love You with my life today.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
For the first twenty-nine chapters of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet warned the people of Judah of God’s punishment—the destruction of Jerusalem and their seventy-year exile to Babylon—due to their chronic unfaithfulness (see 1:14-16; 5:15-19; 6:22-23; 25:9-11). But then Jeremiah speaks words of comfort, encouragement, hope, and restoration. He prophesied of God’s people coming back to the promised land and to God (chs. 30-31). God promised: “The days are coming . . . when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess” (30:3). He would bring them back from exile (vv. 8-17), restore their land (vv. 18-24), and restore the people to Himself (31:1-6). “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people” (v. 1).
K. T. Sim |
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|
|
Charles Stanley:
UR: God Is Our Guide
You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. - Psalm 16:11 (CEB)
I remember one time when my children were young, we walked a maze. We followed the walled path; but when we neared what we thought was the exit, there was another wall. We had to back up and look for another way out. It was a bit difficult to reach the end, but with perseverance we reached the goal.
Life is like a maze. Many times, we ask God why certain things happen to us. We try to grasp difficult situations but are unable to understand them. We hurry here and there looking for the right path. Obstacles stop us in our tracks, and we don’t understand why we must backtrack or even face those obstacles in the first place. It becomes crucial to allow God to guide us through the twisting and turning passageways of life so that we can find the path that will lead to the fullness of joy that only God can offer.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Almighty God, show us the path that leads to the fullness of joy in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
TWFYT:
Year-end Financial Statement:
St Matthew’s Financial Update
|
December
2023
|
Monthly
Revenue
|
Monthly
Expenses
|
YTD
Revenue
|
YTD
Expenses
|
|
General Fund
|
$18,089
|
$18,886
|
$156,143
|
$185,212
|
The figures for the “General Fund” include all revenue and all expenses for the month. This includes all revenue from offerings, rent, and other income. The expenses reported above are actual expenses for the month. The totals reported for Missions and the Rebuilding Fund are also included in the “General Fund” figures.
|
Missions
|
$902
|
$2,030
|
$10,981
|
$16,360
|
|
Rebuilding Fund
|
$150
|
$0
|
$4,347
|
$8,224
|
Tuesday, January 09 2024
Sarah prayer email and Kathy Canfield's awesome testimony from yesterday below. Thank you Kathy! What an awesome testimony and example for us all. You stirred many to rethink their word they are working on and what God is doing! Thank you for the transparency and for sharing! (When do you want to preach again?)
Good Morning Maturing Followers of Jesus! May we always be maturing in faith, growing in Christ and doing more of His plans for us! Amen! Some of us are seasoned saints. Some of us are relatively infants in faith and many fall somewhere between these. Yet, we are one in Christ--His family--His Body. He is the head and we all fall in somewhere as a Body part. What part are you? We all need each other and are only as strong as our weakest member. How are we helping each other to mature and reach our fullest potential? Who needs to come be a part of this body? How receptive are we to newcomers and moving to God's new things? Pray for us to hear God and clarity of His answers as we prepare to meet as a vision team tomorrow. What's now and what's next that we can build on from who and where we are in Christ? How do we make disciples better and more of them? Is Christ the cornerstone of all we do? Where's His provision? Are we following the provision? Many things rattle through my head most mornings as I seek God for what's now and what's next. What is His plans for you and us and are we sowing into them? My Charles Stanley devo (below) started me deeper into this thinking and prayer as I prepare for our vision meeting tomorrow and the year ahead. What's God saying to you about the state of the Good News Delivery Co. called St. Matts? What might your part be? I'd love to hear!
As I read the Upper Room prayerfully today, Kathy's testimony and many of your stories came to mind. Life is hard and then we die--right? BUT GOD! He is with us, has great plans for us, gives us the opportunity to chose joy despite our circumstances and is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called to Him. PTL! What helps you get through? How has God carried you? Who needs to hear your story or experience God's love, care and encouragement through you? Are you able to refocus by counting your many blessings, looking for the blessing and choosing joy as you continue to persevere in faith and trust God? Check out TWFYT below about persevering. How can we help each other through the hard times to persevering faith? God is LOVE and has great plans for you and knows what you need to endure to get where He wants you. He is with you always. He wants to restore what the enemy has stolen and restore your soul! Will you let Him?
We will be working on Seeking More in '24, Becoming More in '24, Doing More in '24. Blessing More and being Blessed More in '24! How does God want to mature you in faith and grow you into the person He created you to be, doing more of the things you were created to do? That will be revealed as you seek Him more and listen more, receive more and go live and love more like Jesus in the year ahead. And that will involve friends on the journey with you and maybe even all of us working together. We are God's Good News Delivery Co.--His Body! He has great plans for you, His very loved child and He is at work. Will you allow Him to mature you and use you more in '24? Let's work on that together! Maybe God has some friends and accountability partners for you? Let us commit to working together to bless God, each other and others more in '24. Pray about the words God would like you to work on this year and share them with us and a few close friends. And then commit to working on them--working out your faith with fear and trembling is how the Bible challenges us. Become More in '24! That's God's plan custom made for you and us! Let's roll! Daylight's burning! One step at a time in faith daily leads to our destination in Christ! PTL!
Charles Stanley:
UR: Blessings with Burdens
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
At age 22, our son, John, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, had surgery to insert feeding tubes. Loss of muscles, including those that control swallowing, created a condition that contributed to frequent pneumonia. John had also lost weight.
Two months after the surgery, with Thanksgiving approaching, I felt despondent because John could no longer join in family meals with us. The scripture reading at church about Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead took on new meaning, however. Instead of lamenting that John couldn’t eat, I thanked God that he was alive. How wonderful that God gave people the knowledge and skill to put all nutrients needed to sustain human life in a can!
John could not enjoy family meals as he once had, but he could laugh, talk, play games, defend his views, give advice, tell jokes, and watch his favorite football team. Although the ingenuity underlying tube-feeding that restored his life differed markedly from Christ’s miraculous raising of Lazarus, it allowed John to be with us for 11 more years and live to see his younger sisters become adults.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for helping us see how you can use even heavy burdens to restore life. Help us live one day at a time, trusting you to provide for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
TWFYT:
Sarah prayer email:
Good evening, church family,
Hope you are all doing well tonight and resting...especially those of you that helped with snow shoveling and/or
removal of snow from vehicles.
We had a nice day of Zoom worship, with 38 of you. It was great to have Kathy Canfield share with us how God has been
working in her life through 2023.
Here are some prayer requests that were shared today during worship:
Gary Bastan has asked for prayer for some of his relatives:
Barbara Shade - she is going through cancer testing and treatment.
Howie Barley - is experiencing vision loss and memory loss.
** ** **
Harry Waterman will be having aorta valve replacement surgery on Wednesday. Please pray for his medical team, and
for Harry and his family. May God's peace surround them.
** ** **
Gladys Ketner - she is at Lehigh Center.....let's have a card shower for Gladys, to remind her that her church family
is praying for her and thinking of her. The address is: Lehigh Center, Gladys Ketner - resident, 1718 Spring Creek Road,
Macungie PA 18062.
** ** **
Praises from Darlene Geiger - She is praising God for all your prayers and God answering them regarding her AFIB. She is also
amazed how God always provides for our needs, at just the right time.
I think we could all agree with Darlene and praise God for this too.
** ** **
Barb Schware has asked for prayer for her son Tim, as he leaves tonight/tomorrow (Monday) depending when you are reading this....he will be driving to Maryland to see Eric, and then leaves Tuesday to drive to Virgina, where he is attending college, and then attend class on Wednesday. May God put a hedge of protection around him....Safe travels Tim!
** ** **
Chris and Yvonne Muik are asking for prayer for their family. Several members of their family are going through some difficult
times. Chris and Yvonne have cared for foster children, and within the last week, the children they were caring for have been moved
out of their care. The children's biological mother has recently passed away, and for the children, it's a lot to process and deal with. May God be with them and those that will be making decisions.as to the future of their care. Praise God for the love of Jesus, that Chris and Yvonne has shown to the children.
Also Chris and Yvonne's daughter in law's uncle recently passed away and the family is dealing with a difficult and rough situation.
We have been asked to pray for this family, asking for God's wisdom to help and aid them as they have some decisions to make.
May we also continue to keep Chris and Yvonne in our prayers as they come along side of these family members, praying for them and offering their love to them. Chris and Yvonne both know that God is with them and He is in control.
** ** **
Tara Walters - friend of Sarah's is currently in ICU, very sick. She is tired and ready to go 'home to be with Jesus'. Please pray for God's mercy on her and lift up her family, for God's peace to surround them during this difficult and stressful time.
** *** **
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your testimony and journey that you experienced through 2023. For those of you that missed her
sharing, Kathy will be writing it down so we can share her journey with you in the very near future.
** ** **
Please pray for our Vision Team as they will be meeting on Tuesday at 6:30pm
Also don't forget Coffee, Donuts and conversation on Wednesday from 10 - 12pm, in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Hope you all have a great week!
Blessings,
Sarah
Kathy Canfield testimony: Restored
In December of 2022, when Don & Sarah started talking about goals for 2023. They asked us to think about a word that we could work on in 2023. The idea was to become more Me in '23. Focus on how Christ would want me to live. I sat in the pew and processed. I prayed about it. And then I really prayed about it. I prayed that no one, especially Don and Sarah, would notice my eyes roll, because the last thing I needed was another thing on my plate! I certainly didn't need to work on a "word" for 2023.
The first week in January of 2023 seemed to unfold quietly. Caleb, our grandson, was home from the hospital. Danielle, Caleb and Alex were growing into a cute little family. Caleb was born at 24 weeks gestation and spent about 3 1/2 months in the hospital. Mike and I were enjoying our retired life together.
So, I thought about a word for 2023.
Restore seemed like a good word to work on. That's a word that might bring life back to normal. I like normalcy. And since I prayed about it, RESTORE was the word. But, truly, I didn't even know what that meant in respect to God. I thought about those shows on TV that take an old home, rip it apart room by room and put it back with an updated modern look. You know, restore it. OK, Lord, You know what You are doing, whatever You think. But I should have known better than to think that RESTORE would mean going back to normal. Going back to the way things were. God doesn't ever "go back". He's always moving us forward, teaching us, growing us.
I knew that Caleb still had a lot of work to do developmentally and Danielle would need some help taking him to doctors and therapists. But that would be doable for me. I loved being a Grammie. I was ok helping her.
On the 10th day of January, our lives began to unfold, unravel. That terrible phone call basically told us that Danielle was moving back home. With Caleb. God gave them 6 weeks in their little home, together, as a little family. Six short weeks. Alex passed away. Twenty-four year old, soon-to-be son-in-law. Dead. How could this possibly be true?! But it was.
THIS is how we are starting 2023?! This is how You are going to work on RESTORE?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME, LORD??!!
Well, life just became more confusing, more complex. I became more isolated, yet busy. I focused on helping Dani. Helping Caleb. THEY needed me more than EVER! Forget this ridiculous word thing. Just put my life back to normal, Lord. I went into survival mode. I'm really good at tasking. I attended church, sometimes, came to Donut Day. Did my women's bible study at another church. I read Don's morning blogs.I would text Don & Sarah when we needed prayer for Caleb. Or Dani. But never me. I didn't need prayer. This lady, Kathy Canfield, never doubting God, strong, faithful, grew-up in the church, life-long, baptized believer in Christ Kathy! I didn't need prayer. Or anything for that matter.
BUT, I was confused. I didn't understand what was going on. I was depressed and my life was spiralling out of control! Chaos!! I wanted my house RESTORED! You and I agreed on this word, Lord!! You said this would happen! This was the 2023 focus word. Why is it not happening?? Restoration seemed so far away. I didn't want to go through any more pain. More so, I didn't want Dani to go through more pain. I just wanted NORMAL!!
My family started to notice. They were concerned. They would talk to me. So, I started to look at my life. I feel like Don and Sarah started to notice, too. Don started asking, "How is Kathy?" I would give the usual response, "I'm fine." However, I did start to change my attitude a bit. I started looking at things a little more positively.
Then in December, Pastor Don asked me, "How's Kathy? How's that word doing?" I seriously remember rolling my eyes. But then, at that moment, God opened my eyes. I said to Don, I didn't even know what RESTORE meant before! I was looking at it all wrong. Restore didn't mean going back to normal. It didn't mean getting "my house" in order. I should have been focusing my word on THE WORD. Christ's Word! The source of truth and The Living Word!!
I was so wrong!! I spent a whole year focusing on the wrong thing! Always get IN the Word, Kathy, get IN the Word!
So I did. A passage I memorized as a kid in Sunday School.:
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
HE RESTORES my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Ugh! Lord, forgive me for not trusting You and that You would take care of me through it ALL! You wanted me to give my soul to YOU to RESTORE!
And then, in Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Don't cast me away from your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. RESTORE TO ME THE JOY of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.
I was thinking RESTORE meant something completely different. But when I started looking at things through God's eyes (and stopped rolling mine!), I realized I didn't need to be strong anymore. I don't need to have all the answers. I don't even need to know what's coming next in my life because God knows. God's strength is my strength. And God hears my cries! He wants to restore my soul, make it new, and then restore it to JOY. Inner JOY. Oh, Lord, yes, please!
Maybe that should be my word for 2024, JOY.
I'll pray about it.
Tuesday, January 09 2024
Let it snow! I always think of being washed white as snow when it snows! Maybe that's why I love it so much!
Good Morning Snowflakes! (I know some of you are thinking, "What a flake he is!" Maybe I am but I am a very loved, forgiven much, custom made, child of God. PTL! (So are you!) I am sent to touch many with God's love and help them to understand the Good News that they too can become white as snow. (So are you!) (Use me/us Lord!) And I think about how the harvest fields are white unto harvest and how God is bringing in the harvest and how we need more harvest workers and to sow lavishly so we can multiply the harvest. Are you a snowflake? Touching many with God's purifying love, beautifying the dead landscape around you, watering the sown seeds? Oh that we would become a dynamic movement of God doing those things and multiplying His harvest!
When I think of snowy days, I see a piling up of many blessings too and praise God for how blessed we are. I am also reminded of how eventually, like the melting snow, we are to use up His provisions until we have poured ourselves out and offered wisely, patiently our all for His glory. He has great plans for you, even on snowy days. What's He saying to you as you get to spend some time in His peaceful loving presence. Turn off the noise! (What's it matter if we get all rain or 100 inches? God is in control and has a plan.) All I see and hear when I tune into the hype is an example of the enemy's tactics to distract, rile us up, have us be all worried about things we can do nothing about. Turn off that noise! Be still as a snowy field. Know that He is God and that He is bringing His shalom to the chaos. Take advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with God, to encourage others and pray, to be still and receive, and to rest and renew. It's a great opportunity to focus on your blessing, praise God and build those gratitude lists. It's a great opportunity to thank God for the word He gave you to work on this past year, the growth towards it as you pursued His best for you, and to talk to Him about what words He may want you to focus on this year.
I love how God comes to life as I write these blogs after inviting Him to come write them through me! My original plan was to use our devos (I'll let you use whatever you have) to talk about how God is always with us working out His plans. My original salutation was going to be "Good Morning Followers of Jesus and Practitioners of His Way." WWJD? He loved well, made new life available, trained some disciples to carry on His Kingdom plan as they spread the Good News and He taught them the Way to do it but allowed them to do it the way they were created and then gifted and empowered to go love well like Him and make disciples. And here we are today! PTL! He has a plan for you and us and is making a way for fruit to come as we trust, obey, love well and go make disciples His way, just as we are with what we got. Let's pray into that and work on that more in '24! How can we help each other follow His way more in '24? How can we become more of who we were created to be and doing more of the things we were created to do? Talk to Him about that today and in the weeks ahead. Ask Him to give you two words: a "BE" Word to work on becoming more of who you were created to be and a "DO" word, a word to work on that will help you do more of the things you were created to do for such a time as this.
God has a great plan for you, just as you are. He has greater things instore as you follow His Way and grow into your purposes. PTL! Cry out for God to grow His Kingdom through you and us that we would see it multiplying dramatically like a blizzard and not just adding a dusting of new believers, Pray that we would become a dynamic movement of God and a disciple-making hub of prepared, equipped and sent out disciple makers. Pray for our vision team to understand where we are and where God is leading and to join Him on His mission for us. Thank Him for all He is and will do! What's He saying to you as you pray? Write it down and let's pray and discuss it. Come Lord! Revive us and bring revival. Prepare us and move us to follow You well into the future You have planned for us. Help us to sow lavishly of ourselves and your provisions and see exponential, blizzard-like expansion of Your Kingdom. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in, through and around us. Father, thank You! Jesus, we ask in Your name, to be our Shepherd, Teacher and Leader as we learn to live and love more like You in the year and years ahead. You are the Way and You bring the Word of Life. Bring them alive in and though us for Your glory. Thank You! Amen!
Yeah, I'm pretty cool with being a snowflake! I am different. That's how I was made. And I am not of this world. PTL! God has custom plans for me just as He created me. And the same is true for each of you. May you seek Him more in '24 and allow Him more access in '24 to you and His guidance! May you know His shalom more in '24 too. be still and know! Understand and follow well. That's His plan for you, snowflake!
Enjoy this day as you get to have more time with God and more time to encourage and pray for others! Allow His Shalom to fill you today! And worship!
Below are some words to pray about possibly working on this year: God has a plan just for you!
These are the words some of worked on in '23:
Faith, hope, peace, time, value, understanding, bold, change, patience, pause, energy, stewardship, useful, courage, relationships, restoration, rest, agape and discipleship
Here is a chart of Spiritual Gifts. Maybe there is a word there God is stirring you to explore and work on? (We will begin talking about spiritual gifts next week)
Biblical and theological overview
The New Testament contains several lists of spiritual gifts, most in the Pauline epistles. While each list is unique, there is overlap.
|
Romans 12:6–8
|
1 Corinthians 12:8–10
|
1 Corinthians 12:28–30
|
Ephesians 4:11
|
1 Peter 4:11
|
|
1. Prophecy
2. Serving
3. Teaching
4. Exhortation
5. Giving
6. Leadership
7. Mercy
|
1. Word of wisdom
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healings
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing between spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation of tongues
|
1. Apostle
2. Prophet
3. Teacher
4. Miracles
5. Kinds of healings
6. Helps
7. Administration
8. Tongues
|
1. Apostle
2. Prophet
3. Evangelist
4. Pastor
5. Teacher
|
1. Whoever speaks
2. Whoever renders service[10]
|
Saturday, January 06 2024
Let it snow! I always think of being washed white as snow when it snows! Maybe that's why I love it so much!
Good Morning Snowflakes! (I know some of you are thinking, "What a flake he is!" Maybe I am but I am a very loved, forgiven much, custom made, child of God. PTL! (So are you!) I am sent to touch many with God's love and help them to understand the Good News that they too can become white as snow. (So are you!) (Use me/us Lord!) And I think about how the harvest fields are white unto harvest and how God is bringing in the harvest and how we need more harvest workers and to sow lavishly so we can multiply the harvest. Are you a snowflake? Touching many with God's purifying love, beautifying the dead landscape around you, watering the sown seeds? Oh that we would become a dynamic movement of God doing those things and multiplying His harvest!
When I think of snowy days, I see a piling up of many blessings too and praise God for how blessed we are. I am also reminded of how eventually, like the melting snow, we are to use up His provisions until we have poured ourselves out and offered wisely, patiently our all for His glory. He has great plans for you, even on snowy days. What's He saying to you as you get to spend some time in His peaceful loving presence. Turn off the noise! (What's it matter if we get all rain or 100 inches? God is in control and has a plan.) All I see and hear when I tune into the hype is an example of the enemy's tactics to distract, rile us up, have us be all worried about things we can do nothing about. Turn off that noise! Be still as a snowy field. Know that He is God and that He is bringing His shalom to the chaos. Take advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with God, to encourage others and pray, to be still and receive, and to rest and renew. It's a great opportunity to focus on your blessing, praise God and build those gratitude lists. It's a great opportunity to thank God for the word He gave you to work on this past year, the growth towards it as you pursued His best for you, and to talk to Him about what words He may want you to focus on this year.
I love how God comes to life as I write these blogs after inviting Him to come write them through me! My original plan was to use our devos (I'll let you use whatever you have) to talk about how God is always with us working out His plans. My original salutation was going to be "Good Morning Followers of Jesus and Practitioners of His Way." WWJD? He loved well, made new life available, trained some disciples to carry on His Kingdom plan as they spread the Good News and He taught them the Way to do it but allowed them to do it the way they were created and then gifted and empowered to go love well like Him and make disciples. And here we are today! PTL! He has a plan for you and us and is making a way for fruit to come as we trust, obey, love well and go make disciples His way, just as we are with what we got. Let's pray into that and work on that more in '24! How can we help each other follow His way more in '24? How can we become more of who we were created to be and doing more of the things we were created to do? Talk to Him about that today and in the weeks ahead. Ask Him to give you two words: a "BE" Word to work on becoming more of who you were created to be and a "DO" word, a word to work on that will help you do more of the things you were created to do for such a time as this.
God has a great plan for you, just as you are. He has greater things instore as you follow His Way and grow into your purposes. PTL! Cry out for God to grow His Kingdom through you and us that we would see it multiplying dramatically like a blizzard and not just adding a dusting of new believers, Pray that we would become a dynamic movement of God and a disciple-making hub of prepared, equipped and sent out disciple makers. Pray for our vision team to understand where we are and where God is leading and to join Him on His mission for us. Thank Him for all He is and will do! What's He saying to you as you pray? Write it down and let's pray and discuss it. Come Lord! Revive us and bring revival. Prepare us and move us to follow You well into the future You have planned for us. Help us to sow lavishly of ourselves and your provisions and see exponential, blizzard-like expansion of Your Kingdom. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in, through and around us. Father, thank You! Jesus, we ask in Your name, to be our Shepherd, Teacher and Leader as we learn to live and love more like You in the year and years ahead. You are the Way and You bring the Word of Life. Bring them alive in and though us for Your glory. Thank You! Amen!
Yeah, I'm pretty cool with being a snowflake! I am different. That's how I was made. And I am not of this world. PTL! God has custom plans for me just as He created me. And the same is true for each of you. May you seek Him more in '24 and allow Him more access in '24 to you and His guidance! May you know His shalom more in '24 too. be still and know! Understand and follow well. That's His plan for you, snowflake!
Enjoy this day as you get to have more time with God and more time to encourage and pray for others! Allow His Shalom to fill you today! And worship!
Below are some words to pray about possibly working on this year: God has a plan just for you!
These are the words some of worked on in '23:
Faith, hope, peace, time, value, understanding, bold, change, patience, pause, energy, stewardship, useful, courage, relationships, restoration, rest, agape and discipleship
Here is a chart of Spiritual Gifts. Maybe there is a word there God is stirring you to explore and work on? (We will begin talking about spiritual gifts next week)
Biblical and theological overview
The New Testament contains several lists of spiritual gifts, most in the Pauline epistles. While each list is unique, there is overlap.
|
Romans 12:6–8
|
1 Corinthians 12:8–10
|
1 Corinthians 12:28–30
|
Ephesians 4:11
|
1 Peter 4:11
|
|
1. Prophecy
2. Serving
3. Teaching
4. Exhortation
5. Giving
6. Leadership
7. Mercy
|
1. Word of wisdom
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healings
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing between spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation of tongues
|
1. Apostle
2. Prophet
3. Teacher
4. Miracles
5. Kinds of healings
6. Helps
7. Administration
8. Tongues
|
1. Apostle
2. Prophet
3. Evangelist
4. Pastor
5. Teacher
|
1. Whoever speaks
2. Whoever renders service[10]
|
Saturday, January 06 2024
Good Morning Humble, Forgiven Much, Repentant, Thanks-Living, True Children of God! Thank God we are so loved and so forgiven! Ask for God to reveal sins and places you need to repent and conviction to do it. Live as true children of God and for His glory! Cry out for this nation and revival and even personal revival. We are truly very blessed people, chosen by God for such a time as this. Thank Him and follow Him well!
Check out the devos below reminding us of our hope, how to pray and seek God for direction and wisdom at our crossroads as we seek to follow Him to His new things for us and how to steward well all His blessings. Ask Him to keep us off rabbit trails and to choose His best over the good and better things. God has great plans for you and us that we were custom made to do and now are gifted, enabled and empowered to complete in Christ. PTL! What's your purposes? What may God want you to work on to Become More of who you were created to be doing more of the things you were created to do. Talk to Him about that and ask for a word or two to work on and for people to work through things with and be accountable to.
IMPORTANT INFO:
Sun. Worship: We will make an announcement at noon tomorrow (Sat.) regarding if we will be in person or Zoom only for church Sunday. Watch for email and one call notices. (Indications are at this point to be Zoom only. If we open, chose wisely and safely.)
Year End Giving Statements: If you would like your statement please contact Debbie Siegfried at
Thank you (copy and paste this link in your email or text her at 610-657-5762)
Last chance to update your directory information: Email Lori, our secretary at,
(Copy link in your email or text Lori at 610-657-0583)
Everlasting Life Offering will be collected next in person worship service.
Giving Envelopes: The 2024 offering envelopes are available for pick up when we next gather. They are on a table in the rear of the sanctuary.
Christmas Cards: The next time we gather please check the mailbox in the main entrance lobby as there are many cards still there. (We did mail some along with some offering envelopes to homebound and Pastor Don delivered some)
One Call phone updates: If you'd like to be added to our One Call phone directory to be informed of important information, urgent prayer needs and reminders, please contact Sarah at 610-392-8778 and she will add you. (Helps to know if building is closed for snow!) We try to use this system only for urgent needs.
Okay, so running very late with this as God allowed me to sleep in until 4 this morning and I spent an awesome quiet time with Him. He's there speaking to us all. Are you listening and responding? He loves to hang out with you and prepare you for the day as He speaks to your heart. Be still and know He is God and is with you always! Worship, trust and obey! God loves you and is calling you by name! Do you hear Him? He is the one who brings the word of life, even to things that are like dead! He speaks shalom over the chaos. He speaks comfort and encouragement. He loves you and loves to bless you as you hang out! Rejoice!
Harvest Prayer for Revival:
January 5 - Praying for Revival (Day 5): Our Sin Is Great
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As Isaiah looked at his nation, he understood the depths of the depravity of his day. He didn’t cry out, “Lord, bring Your blessing.” He cried out, “Woe to me! . . . I am ruined!” (Isa. 6:5).
Isaiah was shaken to his core with the sight of God’s holiness and his own brokenness. His only response: “I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (6:5).
Is it possible that God has not brought revival to our county because we expect Him to do so, as though we were entitled to that grace? Perhaps God is waiting for His people to show greater remorse and repentance on behalf of the nation. The larger Church also appears to lack deep contrition. Historically, intercession has included a sense of mourning over our personal and collective sins.
Can you imagine what would happen in this country if the Church came together with holy hands, sacrificial fasting, and the worship of God in a way that brought unity and a desire only for God’s glory?
This is what it takes for a nation to be healed. Repentant, desperate prayer is what it will take for certain blessings to be released.
Lord, I humbly acknowledge Your unsurpassable holiness, and I am broken in Your presence. You are good and just in all You do. Wake up Your Church to be obedient in her role of mourning for the sins of our nation and repenting before You. Teach me and my faith community how to embrace hearts of contrition, sacrificial fasting and anything else You wish us to do to demonstrate deep humility before Your holy presence. May our urgent, passionate intercession change the course of history and bring healing to this nation as we repent and desperately seek Your face in this dark moment. Release the undeserved blessing upon us that will result in multitudes of people turning to Jesus!
Pr a y e r Po i n t s:
• Humbly acknowledge God’s unsurpassable holiness—and our brokenness in His presence. He is good and just in all He does.
• Ask God to wake up His Church to be obedient in her role of mourning for the sins of our nation and repenting before our holy God.
• Pray that your church will embrace hearts of contrition, sacrificial fasting, and other ways to demonstrate deep humility before God.
• Pray for healing of this nation through repentant, desperate prayer that changes the course of history.
• Pray for God’s mercy to release undeserved blessing upon this nation that results in multitudes turning to Christ.
--Adapted from Day 5 by David Kubal: Do It Again, Lord (30 Days of Hope-Filled Prayer for Revival) compiled and edited by Carol Madison.
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Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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After days of illness and then spiking a high temperature, it was clear my husband needed emergency care. The hospital admitted him immediately. One day folded into the next. He improved, but not enough to be released. I faced the difficult choice to stay with my husband or fulfill an important work trip where many people and projects were involved. My husband assured me he’d be fine. But my heart was torn between him and my work.
God’s people needed His help at the crossroads of life’s decisions. Far too often, they hadn’t adhered to His revealed instructions. So Moses implored the people to “choose life” by following His commands (Deuteronomy 30:19). Later, the prophet Jeremiah offered words of direction to God’s wayward people, wooing them to follow His ways: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). The ancient paths of Scripture and God’s past provision can direct us.
I imagined myself at a physical crossroads and applied Jeremiah’s template of wisdom. My husband needed me. So did my work. Just then, my supervisor called and encouraged me to remain home. I drew a breath and thanked God for His provision at the crossroads. God’s direction doesn’t always come so clearly, but it does come. When we stand at the crossroads, let’s make sure to look for Him.
By Elisa Morgan
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Where do you need direction today? How might God be revealing Himself to you?
Dear God, when I’m uncertain, help me to stand at the crossroads and look for Your provision.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, that generation (except for Caleb and Joshua) disqualified themselves from being permitted to enter the promised land because they failed to trust God (Deuteronomy 1:32-37). The book of Deuteronomy (the name comes from a Greek word meaning “second law”) addresses the younger generation about to enter the land. In it, Moses teaches them God’s law and stresses the importance of fully obeying it.
In chapter 30, Moses urged them to enter into a covenant, or binding commitment, to be wholly devoted to God (vv. 15-20). Through this covenant, the new generation would pledge anew their devotion to God and His law. In the ancient Near East, covenant ceremonies would typically include calling on deities as witness to the promises made. Since God is the only true God, in this covenant, His creation—heaven and earth—is called as a witness (v. 19).
Study Deuteronomy as God brings Israel to their crossroads.
Monica La Rose |
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UR: Intent on Giving
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4 (NRSVUE)
After a snowstorm and dramatic drop in temperature, a thick layer of ice and snow covered the ground. Although it was blisteringly cold, my husband, Solomon, went out to clear the sidewalk in front of our house. It was hard work, but he slowly began to carve a path.
Solomon had leaned back on his shovel to take a brief break when a man passed by. He was dressed inadequately for the weather and looked gaunt, but he offered to help Solomon shovel the snow and did so with gusto. As the man shoveled snow, he and my husband struck up a conversation. Upon hearing that the man was homeless, Solomon’s heart was grieved. He knew that during the harsh winter, many people were in dire need of shelter and provision, yet this stranger had approached Solomon with a heart intent on giving. Working together, they cleared the sidewalk. In return for his kindness, Solomon gave the man a gift before bidding him farewell.
Afterward, Solomon ruminated on the lesson God had shown him — that help can come in unexpected ways and we should be open to receiving it. We each have God-given gifts that we can use to lift each other up and provide hope.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Merciful Father, help us to receive the gifts and assistance of others. Show us how to use our gifts to provide hope and help to those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
TWFYT:
Don 
Thursday, January 04 2024
Good Morning Reached and Reaching, Incarnating Love, Servants of the Lord! Oh we are so loved! PTL and thank Him that His love was irresistible to us. Thank Him for using us to reach others as we incarnate His Love, Hope, Shalom and Help. We were custom created by Love to love, help, disciple, bring peace and hope alive. And PTL that God is using many of us to do that well. Thank Him for sending those in need of these things to us as well. Ask Him to keep up His good work in, through and around us. Amen! Some think they are coming for bread, but the Bread of Life has more in store for those He is sending. PTL and keep praying into that!
I am telling you that if you want to see God at work and/or allow Him to use you, just show up any Wednesday during Bread Ministry. I am constantly amazed how God sends just the right people to the right people and how He is drawing many to Him just because we are there and care. I just sit there and God sends people. Plan to join us next Wed. for donut day from 10-12. And keep praying for God to bless and use this awesome ministry. Seriously, you need to check this out! You will experience Jesus' easy yoke as we just be ourselves and love like Him, pray, encourage and help. Pray for God to lead us to some other connection points to those He wants us to love and minister to. We are doing what we can with what God provides through willing servants and God is using this! Come and see!
Check out the thread through our devotionals below as we learn to seek God for more, be available, trust Him and allow Him to lead and use us. Life in Christ and as a disciple is just being you, being available and willing to be used. And the benefit is that we are grown towards Christlikeness. It is so rewarding as we are blessed by being a blessing and blessed to be more of a blessing.
Yesterday I visited Jim Handfest at the hospital and Kay was there. He is bouncing back towards normal but still is undergoing some testing. Kay has an ear infection I prayed for as well. Jim is eager to get home. Continue to pray for healing for both and for wisdom and shalom for Kay. I stopped to visit Nancy Bahr but her floor is under COVID lockdown. Pray for protection and deliverance and for an opportunity to visit soon. I also visited Glad Ketner. She's always happy to see me. She seems to be communicating better. Pray for healing, patience in the process, wisdom for staff and family for next steps and for shalom over her and Linda. She says hi to all and that she misses you. She's worried about her family too. I did get a big hug before leaving. While i was at the hospital, I talked to a patient transport person and prayed for her. She said it is so busy and staff is really stretched and stressed. She said 70 people were in ER awaiting beds. She said they were opening some closed floors to try to accommodate the need. Continue to pray a covering of protection and health over us and for deliverance and healing for all who are sick right now. 'Tis the season, as they say and probably a really good thing we did Zoom only last week for church as many of us were exposed to things over the holidays. It may be God's will and timing that we have another week of Zoom and worship from home as the snow is coming. Watch for info on Sat. regarding our worship plans for Sunday. Pray for our Support Team meeting tonight and our Vision Team meeting Tues. Ask God to reveal His plans, bring wisdom and that we would plan and steward well and follow well all His blessings. Thanks! Pray for wisdom for me as I begin sorting through what Medicare plan to choose. (I'm open for your input on medigap or advantage plans). Please pray for favor for today as I try to sell my broken car and that I get a fair value for it. Thanks!
Ok here's todays Word from God for you...be still and know! He is God and He is speaking all the time. He has great plans for you that are custom made for you to discover and grow into. Seek Him more in '24 and work on becoming more in '24 too. Turn off the noise and live this life in Christ for Christ alone. That's all that really matters. And when you get to heaven your stored rewards will be based on how well you did with living and loving like Jesus. So choose well, listen, trust and follow well. God's cheering you on and I'm praying for you. Shalom is available as you come to know Christ more and make Him known more better! Revival starts with prayer! And you all are critically needed prayer warriors. What's God saying to you? How does He want you to pray? Who does He have for you to love well today! Seek Him more earnestly and listen more intently with the plan to follow His lead more often. He's preparing you and the way, so rejoice and relax in Him!
Harvest Prayer Blog for Revival:
January 4 - Praying for Revival (Day 4): There’s Something More
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One of my favorite revival stories comes from the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland during the years of 1948–50. A couple of homebound elderly sisters, one who was blind and the other who was severely hampered by arthritis, were instrumental through their prayers. The sisters, grieved by the decline of the church in their community and especially by the lack of interest among the young people, prayed faithfully, often late into the night. God implanted a vision for revival in their hearts, and they began to cry out with faith and hope.
As the leaders of the church joined in prayer, God began to move in tangible and powerful ways. The pastor and elders repented before God and humbled themselves in desperation for their community. In one of the prayer meetings, it was reported that the home shook, much like in the Book of Acts (see Acts 4:31).
The presence of God descended upon their community and surrounding villages throughout the Hebrides. Stories emerged of people coming under such strong conviction of the Holy Spirit that they fell to their knees in the streets, begging forgiveness. Eventually, no village was left untouched by the presence of God.
It all started with the faith and conviction of two sisters who simply offered themselves and their prayers as catalysts for revival!
Pr a y e r Po i n t s:
• Praise God that He responds to the prayers of His people and delights in displaying His glory.
• Humble yourself before the Lord, invite Him to reveal ways you need to repent, and ask Him to bring you into alignment with His Kingdom plans.
• Pray that you will be a prayer catalyst for revival—and will inspire others to pray with faith and boldness.
• Ask the Spirit to prompt your church to pray with a 2 Chronicles 7:14 vision of seeing your city and nation healed in the truth and power of Jesus.
• Pray for the revival of your church, the spiritual awakening of the lost, and the transformation of your community.
Father, I praise You because You respond to the prayers of Your people and delight in displaying Your glory! I humble myself before You in this moment and invite You to reveal anything in me that displeases You so that I can repent and realign my life with Your kingdom plans. May I be a prayer catalyst for revival and inspire others to pray with great faith and boldness.
Holy Spirit, please revive my church, spiritually awaken the lost, and transform our community for the sake of Your glory!
--Adapted from Day 4 by Carol Madison: Do It Again, Lord (30 Days of Hope-Filled Prayer for Revival) compiled and edited by Carol Madison. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount on the book.
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Charles Stanley:
Upper Room: The Power of Love
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. - Psalm 36:7 (NIV)
When our family relocated to the desert southwest, about the only relief from the relentless heat of the summer months was a trip to the public swimming pool. My parents enrolled my brothers and me in swimming lessons. I can still recall the fear during some of those first lessons, especially when we were taken into the deep end of the pool. But our instructors were kind, and we trusted them to keep us safe.
Many years later, my wife and I had three small children of our own, and we needed to teach them to swim so that they could be safe in and near the water. My wife, being a certified water safety instructor, taught them. I recall some thrashing, splashing, and even some crying, but our children knew their teacher was always there to support them and keep them safe from danger, and that she would not let them go. Eventually my children swam very well, competed on swim teams, and were rewarded with ribbons and trophies.
Now, in my later years, I sometimes reflect on how those swim lessons are similar to my relationship with God who is my teacher and is worthy of all my trust. Yet there are times when I thrash about and feel consumed by fear. But then I remember that God is love and will not let me go.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your everlasting love that surpasses our understanding. Help us to remain devoted to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Our Daily Bread:
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I didn’t notice him at first.
I’d come down for breakfast at my hotel. Everything in the dining room was clean. The buffet table was filled. The refrigerator was stocked, the utensil container packed tight. Everything was perfect.
Then I saw him. An unassuming man refilled this, wiped that. He didn’t draw attention to himself. But the longer I sat, the more I was amazed. The man was working very fast, noticing everything, and refilling everything before anyone might need something. As a food service veteran, I noticed his constant attention to detail. Everything was perfect because this man was working faithfully—even if few noticed.
Watching this man work so meticulously, I recalled Paul’s words to the Thessalonians: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands . . . so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12). Paul understood how a faithful worker might win others’ respect—offering a quiet testimony to how the gospel can infuse even seemingly small acts of service for others with dignity and purpose.
I don’t know if the man I saw that day was a believer in Jesus. But I’m grateful his quiet diligence reminded me to rely on God to live out a quiet faithfulness that reflects His faithful ways.
By Adam R. Holz
REFLECT & PRAY
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How should your faith affect the way you work? In what ways is being a faithful worker a powerful testimony?
Father, please help me to remember that there are no small jobs in Your kingdom and to faithfully serve You each day.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Waiting for the second coming of Jesus is a consistent theme in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2:1-12). The subject of work is also prominent (see 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12). Paul’s labor for the gospel resulted in the establishing of the church, but he also labored with his hands: “We worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). “Waiting” and “working” should characterize believers in Jesus until He returns.
Arthur Jackson |
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The Word for You Today:
Thursday, January 04 2024
Note: We are aware of the potential for snow Sat. and Sun. Sat. at noon we will make a decision if we will open the doors or be Zoom only. If we do open, choose wisely and safety first!
This is the Day of Fasting and Prayer called by our bishop for us to cry out to God for revival of our denomination, churches and people. Pray that we would become a dynamic movement of God led by pastors and laity with a burning passion for God and a missionary zeal for the lost. Pray for revival in Emmaus as well and through our ministries. (While you're fasting and praying ask God to reveal your part and somethings He'd like you to work on as you seek more of Him and growth in Him.)
Good morning. As you fast and pray, as you empty yourself and cry out for a movement of God in and through you and our church, be still, turn off the noise, listen, receive and worship. We are all called to pray and for some of us that is our purpose God has sent us to St. Matts. Thank you prayer warriors and servants of the Lord! Check out Charles Stanley and the Upper Room devos below and pray through them and the Harvest Prayer Blog on praying for revival today.
Pray expectantly with thanksgiving. God is on the move, hearing our prayers and preparing to ignite the revival fires! He is also preparing you for such a time as this to be His vessels of revival! PTL! Amen! can't wait to see what God has for us today and beyond!
Harvest Prayer:
January 3 - Praying for Revival (Day 3): He Can Do It Again
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Sometimes prayer doesn’t just precede a revival. Sometimes prayer is the revival.
It seemed to be a normal Tuesday in February 1970, when students at Asbury College in Kentucky filed into Hughes Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. for their regular, required chapel service. Some, however, sensed the presence of the Spirit upon entering—almost as if the room was being transformed into holy ground.
The school’s academic dean was in charge of the service that day. He decided not to preach, but instead gave his testimony and then invited the students to come and share what God was doing in their lives.
One student came, followed by another and then another. The 50-minute chapel service lasted 185 hours non-stop, 24 hours a day. It was not planned in advance. There was no predominant leader. No one wanted to leave.
Students were weeping, publicly confessing their sins, praying in small groups, seeking out and asking forgiveness from others they had wronged. Some sang quietly in small groups. Everyone was polite and orderly.
Arms raised. Knees bowed. Face down. Hearts broken. It is never too late to ask the God who longs to redeem to do the seemingly impossible.
What God has done in the past, He can do again. This is the hope we have for our nations, cities, friends, and loved ones.
Lord Jesus, would You continue to send more movements of confession and repentance across campuses in our nation today? Many school campuses and churches are beginning to come to life right now – especially after you brought another season of spiritual awakening to Asbury University and many other colleges again more than fifty years after You visited in 1970! You ARE doing it again, Father! Give my heart a renewed hope that no matter how dire or dark it appears, You have no limits about how You might break through in revival again! God who redeems, keep doing the impossible in me, my family and in the next generations!
Pr a y e r Po i n t s:
• Praise God that He is the same faithful God today as He is of the past.
• Praise Jesus that He continues to intercede for you, your church, and our nation. Pray that He inspires even greater prayer in you.
• Pray for a movement of confession and repentance across campuses in our nation today. Ask God to do it again!
• Pray for renewed hope in your own heart that no matter how dire or dark it appears, God has no limits in how He might break through in revival.
• Ask the God who redeems to do the impossible in your family and the next generation.
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Charles Stanley:
The Upper Room: Sense of Purpose
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSVUE)
I didn’t intend to retire, but I lost my job at 64. Then we moved because my husband changed jobs. Shortly after our relocation, I was able to take two extended trips to be with a family member in crisis and later to welcome my new grandson. These would not have been possible had I started a new job. But I missed the sense of purpose and the structure that my profession had provided, and I wasn’t sure how to fill my days. I realized that I could keep mourning what I had lost or choose to actively nurture a new sense of purpose for my life.
We choose each day how to live out our discipleship. I do not believe there are days when nothing important happens. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians of God’s will for our lives: We are to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. But such simple directives are impossible to follow when we focus on what is wrong rather than what is right.
I now choose to begin and end my day in prayerful reflection, paying attention to the goodness of God that surrounds me. I review the day with gratitude — even the parts that were difficult — and deliberately name the joys. When I choose to rejoice, pray, and give thanks, I can see beyond my circumstances, and my heart is oriented toward God’s purpose.
TODAY'S PRAYER
O God, we pray that our words and actions will reflect gratitude for your presence and provision on this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday, January 02 2024
Prayer update from Sarah:
Prayers are requested for Jim Handfest. This morning he fell and they were unable to pick him up. He is in LV Hospital,
being checked by the medical team. He has a couple other health issues also. Let's keep Jim and Kay in our prayers.
Continue to pray for one another, as some are still dealing with respiratory issues and colds that make daily activities a bit exhausting
Please continue to lift Glad Ketner for healing from her stroke and COVID.
Good Morning Praying Co-Laborers! Lots to pray about and consider this morning as we get back to our normal weekday routines. It's so awesome to begin each day, each week, each month and each year with prayer and time with the Lord! It's the very thing that enables, empowers, refreshes and informs your steps each step of the way through the day, week, month and year. Jesus got up early and got away to a quiet place to pray and reload and He is our example. Sometimes I wonder how early He got up and how long He prayed, especially when I keep waking up at 2 am. I have to testify that the wee hours of the morning spent with the Lord are so sweet, powerful, informative and good for the soul. I truly value this time and can understand why Jesus got up early and got away to be with the Father. Time spent with the Lord is always time well spent! And however long you spend at His feet, He somehow redeems and allows you to accomplish His plans for you for the day--not always your plans but for sure His! Be still and know that He is God. He is speaking to you. He wants to hear you, encourage you and empower you for the day. More of You Lord and less of me! Empty yourself and let go of your agendas and sit at His feet a spell. He knows the plans He has for your day and they are plans to prosper and not harm. Invite Him to be the Lord of you, your time, day, week, month and year!
I talked about fasting and prayer as something some of us do at the beginning of each year. It gives back to God the first fruits of the year and prepares us as we offer a sacrifice of praise. Yesterday I received a reminder from EC Center and our Bishop about His call to fasting and prayer for revival of our nation, denomination, churches and individuals. He's called us to fast and pray the first Wednesday of every month. (Thank God it's not donut day!) Karen and I plan to start with the first one tomorrow and see where God leads us. We do something similar with fasting as the bishop and Carla with skipping two meals. You may choose something different. that's ok. Talk to God about what would be a sacrifice to allow you more time at His feet (maybe turn off the TV? Get up early? Skip one meal or fast a week?) Here's a link to his invite and challenge to us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKvWSqMJUAk
Okay, still with me? Check out the thread through our devotionals for today. In Ecclesiastes (from ODB passage) we hear the Eeyore like whining of woe is me. Life stinks and there is no meaning to anything I do. We are born and die and that's it. Unfortunately, many don't know our Hope and it's showing up in the darkness prevailing all around us. No wonder people are so selfish, evil, lazy, and depressed. BUT GOD! Our mission is to bring light and life and love and hope alive! Yes without Christ there is no hope. Solomon encourages us and teaches from his experiences of pursuing all kinds of meaningless things that "In this life meaning can only be found in God, so love God and enjoy life." Paul puts it another way in Col. 3, "In this life Christ is all that matters and He lives in me." He goes on to remind us of our mission of love, hope and help as we are sent to light up the world. Revival begins with prayer! Revival comes alive as we die to self, take up cross and follow Christ. And revival comes alive through us as we live and love like Christ! Are you seeking Him more and following Him more intentionally as a world changer, joy bringer, and our Hope introducer? That is our mission and focus this year as we earnestly pursue more of Christ and more of our created purposes. (Oh, this is beginning to sound like Sunday's sermon! Can I get a "preach it brother!" and a chorus of "Amens"?)
You'll find our devotionals for today below. Ponder and pray through them. What's God saying to you today? What will you do about! May I suggest to follow Jesus and go love well! Stand tall (UR) and chose joy no matter the trial, trouble, hardship and even in the good times. Keep first things first (TWFYT). We are working on becoming who we were created to be. Be before doing is a teaching we've embraced. However, part of growing into who you were created to be is doing God's will for you and that includes loving and serving others, just as you are. God will use you just as you are and grow you into His greater things as you humble yourself and allow Him control. And Charles Stanley reminds us that God does have plans for each of us, as unlikely as that seems. What's His plan for you? You can discern that as you spend time with Him and allow Him to invite you in to what He is doing today around you. And yes come just as you are. He knows you, is calling your name and reminding you how much He loves you and how good His plans are. Reach out and take His hand today. Put on His easy yoke weary and heavy burdened child of God. Keep following Jesus to God's best for you and allow Him to use you to change your little corner of the world He placed you in for such a time as this! Revival is coming! May it begin in each of us! Amen!
ODB:
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Ernest Hemingway’s first full-length novel features hard-drinking friends who’ve recently endured World War I. They bear the literal and figurative scars of the war’s devastation and try to cope with it via parties, grand adventures, and sleeping around. Always, there is alcohol to numb the pain. No one is happy.
Hemingway’s title for his book The Sun Also Rises comes straight from the pages of Ecclesiastes (1:5). In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon refers to himself as “the Teacher” (v. 1). He observes, “Everything is meaningless” (v. 2) and asks, “What do people gain from all their labors?” (v. 3). Solomon saw how the sun rises and sets, the wind blows to and fro, the rivers flow endlessly into a never satisfied sea (vv. 5–7). Ultimately, all is forgotten (v. 11).
Both Hemingway and Ecclesiastes confront us with the stark futility of living for this life only. Solomon, however, weaves bright hints of the divine into his book. There is permanence—and real hope. Ecclesiastes shows us as we truly are, but it also shows God as He is. “Everything God does will endure forever,” said Solomon (3:14), and therein lies our great hope. For God has given us the gift of us His Son, Jesus.
Apart from God, we’re adrift in an endless, never satisfied sea. Through His risen Son, Jesus, we’re reconciled to Him, and we discover our meaning, value, and purpose.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
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What occupies your time and what meaning does it hold? How might you change your priorities to follow Jesus?
Loving Father, help me find my fulfillment in You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The author of the book of Ecclesiastes is unknown, but many Bible scholars believe it’s Solomon. The writer refers to himself as Qoheleth, a Hebrew word commonly translated as “the Teacher,” or “the Preacher” (1:1). As a “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (v. 1), he certainly qualifies. And as a king with the reputation as the wisest and wealthiest, he would’ve lived the themes of the book; hence, he becomes the plausible choice. Regardless of authorship, along with Job, Proverbs, and the poetry books of Psalms and Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes makes an invaluable contribution to the Bible’s Wisdom Literature.
Tim Gustafson |
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UR: Standing Tall
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. - James 1:2-3 (NIV)
When we moved to our current home, we learned that the redbud tree is very common here. They are often oddly shaped with gnarled trunks. Many have broken branches from storm damage. But in the spring, they are the first trees to bud; when their flowers open, they bring vibrant color to the dull, winter landscape.
One fall, my husband transplanted a redbud sapling into our yard. Within a few months, a storm had broken its tallest branch. However, the young tree made it through the winter, and its remaining branch bloomed in the spring. It continues to grow tall to this day. God made the redbud tree to withstand all sorts of adversity, and it continues to be resilient.
I want to be like those beautiful trees. When I am faced with hardship, I want to trust in God my Creator. God has much good planned for us and can turn our struggles into blessings if we persevere. When hard times attack me, I want to be strong enough to say to them, “You are helpless against me because God made me and I can overcome anything through God’s power.” With this faith I can stand tall like the steadfast redbud trees.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Father God, thank you for models of resilience and strength in nature. Empower us to persevere through our struggles. Amen.TWFYT and CS
Here's the Harvest Prayer blog for today for prayer for revival as well (seems to be a theme as we begin this year!)
January 2 - Praying for Revival (Day 2): Praying An Ancient Pattern for Revival
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If you knew God only wanted you to do two things before blessing you with a revival of His presence—would you do them?
What if they required real sacrifice? A rearrangement of priorities? What if you’d have to give up things in your life, your household, your relationships, and even in your future?
The Bible is full of such calls to absolute commitment: “deny yourself and follow me,” “give up everything you have,” “sell your possessions and give to the poor,” or even “pray without ceasing.” So, what if the road to revival is paved with the same kind of surrender—radical, full-life obedience?
Let’s destroy our idols, worship God with all we have, and pray for revival!
I praise You, Lord God, that Your heart is to restore Your people and pour out a fresh blessing of Your presence. Reveal the idols in my life and in our nation that need to be destroyed and give me a renewed commitment to sacrifice that moves You and other believers to radical, full-life obedience! May spiritual awakening and a revival of pure, God-focused worship spread throughout the Church in our nation resulting in new life and the transformation of churches and communities across our land.
Pr a y e r Po i n t s:
• Praise God that it is His heart to restore His people and pour out a fresh blessing of His presence.
• Ask God to reveal the idols in your life and in our nation that need to be destroyed.
• Ask for a renewed commitment to sacrifice that moves you and other believers to radical, full-life obedience.
• Pray for a revival of pure, God-focused worship throughout the Church in this nation.
• Pray for an outpouring of revival and spiritual awakening that results in new life and transformation of churches and communities.
--Adapted from Day 2 by Dan and Melissa Jarvis: Do It Again, Lord (30 Days of Hope-Filled Prayer for Revival)
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