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Saturday, March 02 2024
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! PTL! What are you thankful for today? Forgiveness and God's love is just the beginning of all we have to be thankful for!
Please pray for Darlene Skinner and family today. Darlene is having spinal surgery today. Pray for success and shalom.
Pray for our Clothing Closet tomorrow. Thank God for our servants and pray He uses them well to bless many.
Pray for our Sunday gathering to worship with Children's Church and on Zoom Sunday at 10. Sunday we will be discussing Church and receiving new members. New members have rocks they are painting with their family name and a verse to add to our Family Covenant Altar. 16 of our families added rocks in July 2021 and have covenanted together to love God, others, make disciples and serve together as we seek and follow God boldly. Maybe some of you would like to paint a rock and add it as we renew that covenant on Sunday and add our new members to our family altar and fellowship. Praise God for these new members and pray for new connection points to those He is drawing and for courage and wisdom to invite someone to come and see and experience His love through us. Pray for the kids and teachers of Children's Church as they begive a five week journey to the cross and empty tomb. Who is God stirring you to invite to our Palm Sunday worship and brunch and/or Resurrection Sunday festive worship and communion service.
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Good Morning Forgiven Much, Restored, Equipped, Empowered, Powerfully Praying, Stewards of All God's Blessings! Is that you? Is that our Church? It can be. Pronounce that in prayer over you and our fellowship. As we hurtle towards Holy Week and the celebration of the resurrection. May we always remember, thank, and offer ourselves back to God as an act of thanksgiving and worship. He doesn't want bulls and rams. He wants our redeemed hearts, hands and feet offered back for Him to use as we steward well all the blessings He has given us. Many of us struggled through the loss of electricity but we never lost connection to our Power Source! PTL! He has equipped, empowered, is using our prayers and stewardship of His blessings to grow His Kingdom and our fellowship and He is revealing His plans for what's next as we follow Him through the "what's now" in faith with thanksgiving. What lies ahead? Only God knows, but we can know that He is with us always and always at work working all things together for the good of those who believe. We believe! Amen.
Talk to God today as you open your Bibles and our devotionals below. Listen, receive and follow well. His Word does not come back void and accomplishes His purposes including equipping and directing us. Ps. 119 used in the Upper Room reminds us that we are blessed as we walk according to God's revealed way (His Word--our Bibles). Open them and be blessed, directed and informed for powerful praying of God's will. You are God's provision for His Church and for those who need to know Him and grow in Him that He has prepared for you. Everything we have is a gift from God. ODB asks, Are you an owner or steward? Which are you? Are you giving all back to God for Him to use? Are you trusting Him to do some unexpected new things as you hold loosely or let go of some things and give them back to Him. Sunday we will discuss what Church is and our part. Are we stewarding well and sowing lavishly with what God has given? Well, yes and no. Our tight fisted PA Dutch heritage and growing out of the Depression hanging on to things may hinder some of that trusting God and sowing lavishly part--the holding loosely, letting go and allowing God type of stuff. Our rational minds often get in the way of seeing miracles or trusting God to provide where He guides. Talk to God about that. How do we steward and sow lavishly at the same time well? How do we develop deep trust? What is He doing that He wants us to sow into or serve with? What is He wanting to do with you and all the blessings He has given you? Pray for us to be good stewards as we sow lavishly in faith. Check out TWFYT as they speak into moving forward with God. He has great plans for us! Custom made plans for you and us to discover and step boldly into as we sow lavishly in love, service and help. How is God wanting to use you? Grow you and your faith? Expand your thinking? Suit up in His armor and prepare to follow Jesus to the new things ahead! We are on our way to becoming a dynamic movement of God. Let's celebrate and spur each other on as we learn to hold loosely and trust more! Amen!
Charles Stanley:
UR: Patterns of Prayer
Blessed are those . . . who walk according to the law of the Lord. - Psalm 119:1 (NIV)
My husband, Gary, and I enjoy morning walks. We enjoy the fresh air, vent about problems, and make plans for the future. When I walk daily, I am eager to get out and move — and I have more energy. But on days when the weather is bad, I tend to hunker down inside, letting Gary walk alone. The longer I avoid walking, the less enthusiasm I have for it.
My prayer life follows a similar pattern. When I simply offer a few quick prayers during the day, my prayers tend to skitter along the surface like a flat pebble across a lake. However, when I spend the time in longer, deeper prayer, I become more eager to reach out to God again. Prayer then becomes a regular and meaningful part of my day.
We all have places in our lives where we could improve spiritually. I find it helpful to set a specific goal — for example, reading a chapter of the Bible each day or praying for a set amount of time every morning — then finding an accountability partner to hold me to it until the habit becomes a natural part of life. Morning walks can improve our health, but walking with God enriches the soul.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Faithful God, thank you for all the ways we can draw closer to you. Help us to walk daily in the presence of your Holy Spirit. Amen.ODB:
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“Am I an owner or a steward?” The CEO of a multibillion-dollar company asked himself that question as he weighed what was best for his family. Concerned about the temptations that can come with vast wealth, he didn’t want to burden his heirs with that challenge. So he gave up ownership of his company and placed 100 percent of the voting stock in a trust. Recognizing that everything he owns belongs to God helped him make the decision to allow his family to earn a living in exchange for work while also using future profits to fund Christian ministry.
In Psalm 50:10, God tells His people, “Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” As the Creator of all things, God owes us nothing and needs nothing from us. “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,” He says (v. 9). He generously provides everything that we have and use as well as the strength and the ability to earn a living. Because He does, as the psalm shows us, He’s worthy of our heartfelt worship.
God owns everything. But because of His goodness, He even chose to give Himself, entering into a relationship with any who turn to Him. Jesus “did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). When we value the Giver over the gifts and serve Him with them, we’re blessed to delight in Him forever.
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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What has God given you that you’re grateful for? How can you serve Him with it?
You made everything, faithful Creator. Please help me to live my life as a gift from You today.
Gain a biblical perspective of money.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The superscription attributes Psalm 50 to Asaph, a Levite and one of David’s three chief musicians (see 1 Chronicles 6:31, 39; 16:4-5; 2 Chronicles 5:12). Asaph also composed eleven other songs (Psalms 73-83). In Psalm 50, a didactic psalm (one that teaches us about God and how to live in a way that pleases Him), he describes a courtroom scene where God testifies against and judges His people for two grave sins—their formalism in worship (vv. 7-15) and their hypocrisy in living (vv. 16-23). We’re reminded that God has no need for our offerings, for He’s the Lord of all creation and owner of all we have (vv. 8-15). Instead, He desires us to “make thankfulness [our] sacrifice to” Him (v. 14 nlt).
K. T. Sim |
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TWFYT:
Harvest Prayer Blog:
March 1 - Satan Fears Your Prayers
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We have a powerful Enemy. Paul reminds us of the might of our adversary in his instructions to the church at Ephesus:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12
Although our enemies are powerful, we are in a winnable battle. But we must prepare ourselves with the armor God provides. Once armed, there is also something proactive we must do:
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18
Unceasing prayer is the offensive weapon that wins the day. Prayer makes us see the real battle, aligns us with God’s battle plan, and releases the resources of heaven. The Enemy is powerless against a man or woman of unceasing prayer.
“Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” Samuel Chadwick
Prayer is our means of communication in this battle. If the communication lines are cut, we are powerless before the Enemy.
Father, the Enemy of my soul continually tries to assault me, as well as Your church! Thank You that You already have the victory over every attempt he makes to do damage! I am so grateful for the weapons You have provided to both protect me and to allow me to go on the offensive! Your word has power that the Devil can never overcome! Make me a person of unceasing prayer so that the Evil One can never get a foothold in my life. Keep me continually aware of the battle and prepared in prayer!
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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Saturday, March 02 2024
As I finish the below, I got a text, I assume from Ramone asking for prayer for Arianna and Amber. They were in a car accident and in the hospital. I don't know details but God does. Both have fractures and car is destroyed. Lift them right now please! We will update when more details are known
Darlene Skinner made it through surgery last evening and is in a long recovery time. Surgeon said he is hopeful and things went well as he repaired years of deterioration of the spine. Keep praying for her and the family and for patience in the process and full and complete healing
I spoke with Josie yesterday. Here's her response: One of the two cottages that were destroyed in the fire, belonged to my grandson Craig. I feel terrible for him because not only was it a total loss, but he also had lined up a buyer; Craig was planning to use the proceeds of the sale for a down payment on a house. And these cottages are not insured…! They’re so old, and the construction not up to building codes, they are uninsurable. I had some furniture stored there to take to my new place in Chestnut Ridge, but it’s really Craig I feel bad for. God will provide and does provide, no one was hurt and all is well, PTL. Continue to pray for provision for all!
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Good Morning Persevering Warriors of Christ! HELP! Have you ever cried that out to God or co-laborers? I am today! Help! Cover me in prayer. I am covering you. Man, we are in a battle and Satan just keeps pounding away at our armor. Some of us are in some deep dark pits of despair and hopelessness. Some of us are being drawn to apathy as media and others keep chipping away at God's ways and hammering believers in Jesus. The Bible warns us the end of times will be like this. And charges us to be bold, courageous and to stand firm in Christ. Sometimes, I feel like Moses who needed two others to hold His arms up while he prayed. Victory came as others supported Him in prayer. We are in the midst of the battle of the ages. And we need each other! We know the Victor and He lives in us! PTL! Don't for the lies and deception of the enemy. Strap that spiritual armor tight and wield the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word) mightily! Stand firm! Breathe out all the junk and take a deep fresh breath of the Spirit and Truth. Come along somebody today that you see struggling. And keep praying like crazy! Jesus is coming back and we will be with Him! Rejoice! He is with us now and when we are weakest, He is strongest! Rejoice!
I didn't intend to go here this morning, BUT GOD! Our devotionals, my circumstances and my time with God has led me here. I'm thinking many of you may need to be reminded of these things today as we battle through this life together. Old age and standing firm in Christ is not for sissies! Be bold and courageous and encourage each other. Karen and I are going through what seems to be a spiritual attack right now and are covering and encouraging each other. Satan be gone! Christ whooped you and He lives in me. Beat it! Pronounce that over you when needed. I think I am being needlessly overmedicated and it is affecting my attitude and health. Doctors found nothing wrong but are throwing all kinds of meds at me to see what sticks. I lost my mojo even and just want to sleep. Many of you can relate as most of us have experienced the overmedicated thing. It's hard to focus on God and to stay up and joyful when you are in this state. And then the world keeps beating us down and it all can lead to depression and giving up. DON'T!!!! Battle through. Trust God always. Counsel with good medical people not those beholden to big pharma. Choose well. Choose to life life to the fullest in Christ! God is using you and us and Satan does not like that! Be strong, courageous, stand firm and pray for wisdom, discernment, joy and shalom. God is for you and us! Amen! (And if you notice me checking out or not caring, you have my permission to smack me upside the head AND HELP ME REFOCUS!--SERIOUSLY! DO IT!) Too easily do I allow myself to enter the pity party--woe is me thinking. Stop it Donald! God's got great plans for all of us that are worth battling towards and being all in about! What's He have for you today? Now there is one other key here--rest! We need to rest and recharge while not becoming couch potatoes. Walking is healthy too. There is a healthy rhythm that is God's best--working from rest, fruit production after pruning and abiding in the Vine. Let us all commit right now to helping each other to God's best for us. We do need each other and some extra help sometimes. Be there! And choose joy!
Check out the devos below that have led to this today. God is speaking and He is with you to guide and strengthen and help you to choose joy always and know His shalom beyond understanding! rejoice!
Harvest Prayer starters:
- Glorify the Almighty God, who has the power to defeat your accuser and deceiver, Satan (Rev. 12:7-10).
- Thank God that his immeasurable power is at work within you (Eph. 3:20).
- Confess those times when you have tried to battle against Satan in your own strength.
- Commit yourself to living in God’s all-surpassing power (2 Cor. 4:7).
- Ask God to help you see how his power can be made perfect in your weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
- Pray for those countries that are clearly under Satan’s power, marked by cruelty, injustice, and horrible poverty. Ask God to bring his light into the darkness.
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Charles Stanley:
UR Draw Near to God
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
I normally wear cologne, but I have had to stop. My daughter suffers from asthma, and we work in the same office. Her doctor advised her to avoid all perfumes and fragrances to minimize her allergies. She and I share a close bond, and her natural tendency is to give hugs often. So I have stopped using cologne.
Ephesians 5:2 says, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” As I made a small sacrifice for my daughter, I began to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice for us. Christ offered himself up on the cross to restore the lost bond between us and God. He relinquished all his glory and majesty so that we all could draw close to God. In accepting and doing God’s will, Christ received God’s blessing and recognition. Now he sits at the right hand of God as the connection that allows humankind to draw near to God.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer, we give you thanks for your sacrifice that made it possible for us to draw near to God. Your presence is the balm that adds fragrance to our lives. Amen.odb:
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One wouldn’t normally think of butterflies as being loud creatures: after all, the flapping of a single Monarch butterfly’s wings is practically inaudible. But in the Mexican rainforest, where many of them begin their short lives, their collective flapping is surprisingly loud. When millions of Monarchs flap their wings at the same time, it sounds like a rushing waterfall.
The same description is made when four very different winged creatures appear in Ezekiel’s vision. Though fewer than the number of butterflies, he likens the sound of their flapping wings to “the roar of rushing waters” (Ezekiel 1:24). When the creatures stood still and lowered their wings, Ezekiel heard the voice of God calling him to “speak [God’s] words to [the Israelites]” (2:7).
Ezekiel, like the other Old Testament prophets, was charged with the task of speaking truth to God’s people. Today, God asks us all to share the truth of His good work in our lives with those He puts around us (1 Peter 3:15). Sometimes we’ll be asked a direct question—an invitation to share that’s as “loud” as a waterfall. Other times, the invitation might be more of a whisper, such as seeing an unspoken need. Whether the invitation to share God’s love is as loud as a million butterflies or as quiet as just one, we must listen, as Ezekiel did, with ears tuned to hear what God wants us to say.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
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Who’s inviting you to speak into their lives—even if only faintly? How will you respond?
Thank You, Father, for inviting me to share about You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon first attacked Jerusalem, he took most people from Jerusalem into exile (2 Kings 24:10-14). Ezekiel was one of those captives. The book of Ezekiel opens five years later (Ezekiel 1:2) when Ezekiel was thirty years old—the year he would’ve been installed as a priest in Jerusalem. Instead, he was with the other exiles in a camp by a river in Babylon (v. 1). Yet God appeared to the prophet, revealing to him that not just in Jerusalem but even in this land of exile, He’s present in glory—“like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day . . . . This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (v. 28).
Monica La Rose |
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Wednesday, February 28 2024
Good Morning Mustard-Seed-Sized-Faith Prayers! "Oh you of little faith! How long must I put up with you?" Do you feel like you've heard that from Jesus? Sometimes we wonder, don't we? How often have we prayed for God to help our unbelief. Yesterday during Zoom Huddle we discussed healing prayer and unbelief as we encountered the Scriptural promise from Mark 16:17-18. "In my name they will...lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." On the surface that's a promise that doesn't always seem to be true. Yet God keeps His promises. ALWAYS! Sometimes His promised healing comes in heaven. Our days are all numbered and God's will is always accomplished. Sometimes our faith and prayers alter times or events as well. Do you have faith that can move a mountain? Today's devotionals seem to tie to praying, praying in faith and faith. Check them out below and talk to God and process them with some others like we do at huddle on Tues, huddle tonight and even my pastors huddle this morning. This morning we processed and prayed about our personal wildernesses. Are you in a wilderness right now? Maybe un answered prayers and lack of faith has led you there. Stop! Take every thought captive before the Lord. Listen. Receive. Process. God is hearing and answering all the time. It just may not be according to your will.
Below are the Bible study page from our Zoom Huddle yesterday, Harvest prayer blog and our devos. What's God saying to you right now? What is the Holy Spirit praying on your behalf? What is God waiting for you to release in power through prayer? Father, grow our faith to even the size of a mustard seed. Forgive and heal our unbelief. Holy Spirit, thank you for interceding for me when I don't know what to pray or am unable to pray. Help us to stay focused on You and what You are doing Lord. Help us to pray informed and step into our parts well. Thank You for loving us, hearing and answering our prayers according to Your will and timing, and bringing Your will alive Your way. Father, hear these prayers as we ask in the mighty name of Jesus. May we minister and pray in Your power for Your glory alone. Amen
See you at Bread Ministry or Family Ministry/Adult dinner huddle tonight. Shalom. Pray for wisdom for the cardiologist I meet today. They are still pretty clueless about what's going on with me. Thanks! I feel great and numbers are great too. PTL!
He Loves Me Most (Huddle devo)
ODB:
“Help My Unbelief!”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
READ Mark 9:14–24
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“Where is my Faith?—even deep down right in there is nothing but emptiness & darkness. . . . If there be God—please forgive me.”
The author of those words might surprise you: Mother Teresa. Beloved and renowned as a tireless servant of the poor in Calcutta, India, Mother Teresa quietly waged a desperate war for her faith over five decades. After her death in 1997, that struggle came to light when portions of her journal were published in the book Come Be My Light.
What do we do with our doubts or feelings of God’s absence? Those moments may plague some believers more than others. But many faithful believers in Jesus may, at some point in their lives, experience moments or seasons of such doubts.
I’m thankful that Scripture has given us a beautiful, paradoxical prayer that expresses both faith and the lack thereof. In Mark 9, Jesus encounters a father whose son had been demonically tormented since childhood (v. 21). When Jesus said that the man must have faith—“Everything is possible for one who believes”—the man responded, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (vv. 23-24).
This honest, heartfelt plea invites those of us who struggle with doubt to give it to God, trusting that He can fortify our faith and hold on to us firmly amid the deepest, darkest valleys we’ll ever traverse.
By Adam Holz
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you wrestled with doubt in your spiritual journey? What spiritual resources helped you hold on to your faith?
Dear Father, sometimes I doubt. Please help me when I struggle to feel Your presence.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In sending out His disciples to preach about His kingdom, Jesus gave them His authority over impure spirits (Mark 6:7). After three of His disciples saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain (9:2), a distraught father brought a demon-possessed boy to the remaining disciples, but they couldn’t heal him. This lack of miraculous healing was attributed to unbelief (vv. 17-19). The father eventually confessed his lack of faith, “Help me overcome my unbelief!” (v. 24). Jesus told His disciples that “this kind can come out only by prayer” (v. 29) and confronted their failure to pray. In not praying, they had depended on their own authority and not on Jesus’ authority to heal.
K. T. Sim |
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UR: God Hears Our Cries
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. - Romans 8:26 (NIV)
My heart hammered in my chest and turmoil swirled inside me because my father was in the hospital. However, attending a prayer gathering at my church with Christians from a variety of denominations and being surrounded by believers and God’s loving presence was comforting. All of us were at different stages in our personal journeys with Jesus, but we all had hope and faith. I found the readings, thoughts, and messages inspiring, even though there was a knot of worry inside me. When it was time to offer prayer requests, I desperately wanted to ask for a blessing for my dad; but if I were to speak, I knew my sadness would overcome me. I felt powerless and voiceless.
One of the parishioners who knew of my situation smiled at me, then stood up and prayed, “We ask God to protect the sick and hospitalized who are suffering and need healing — and we ask God to help those who are caring for them.” Tears filled my eyes. Overcome with gratitude, I felt peace filling my soul. My loving heavenly Father had heard my cry and allowed someone else to give voice to my need.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Loving Father, thank you for listening to us and surrounding us with your love. Amen.
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 28 - You Are Part of God’s Prayer Plan
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While reading Jeremiah’s prophecies, Daniel discovered that Israel’s captivity was to last seventy years and that the time was almost up. Shouldn’t he have praised God and started anticipating this event? That’s what I would have done. But Daniel “turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). That’s quite a reaction to something God said in Scripture was going to happen. Why would Daniel pray so? Maybe he just lacked faith to believe God’s Word. I doubt that. I firmly believe that because of God’s plan to include humans in the releasing of His will on earth, He drove Daniel to prayer.
Author Dutch Sheets, commenting on this experience, said, “No verse in Daniel specifically reports that Israel was restored because of Daniel’s prayers, but the insinuation is there. We do know that an angel was dispatched immediately after Daniel started praying, for he tells Daniel, ‘Your words were heard, and I have come in response to them’ (Dan. 10:12).”
We also have the chilling reverse proof—something doesn’t happen because no one prays. According to Ezekiel 22, God was set to punish Israel for its sins, but would have shown mercy had someone righteous only prayed. Unfortunately, He found no such person:
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done.” (verses 30-31)
Clearly, Sheets comments, God was saying, “While My justice demanded judgment, My love wanted forgiveness. Had I been able to find a human to ask Me to spare this people, I could have done it. It would have allowed Me to show mercy. Because I found no one, however, I had to destroy them.”
Christian leaders of the past certainly taught this truth. John Wesley once said, “God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer.”
Forgiving, Merciful Father, may I always be willing to step up and say, “Here I am! Send me!” I want to stand in the gap for my marriage, my family, my church, my community, my nation and for the nations of the earth however You direct. Strengthen my unbelief and help me to lean into prayer believing always that You will hear and answer. Fill me with faith to be a Daniel in my generation!
--Adapted from The Power of Personal Prayer (Learning to Pray with Faith and Purpose) by Jonathan Graf.
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TWFYT:
Wednesday, February 28 2024
Yesterday Sarah brought a great word and reminder about temptation and standing, firm on God's Word, like Jesus to overcome and live the victorious life in Christ. (Check out the Harvest Prayer blog below that ties to this)
We voted and approved the budget as presented. Thank you! (Note there was a question about the proposal I brought to the Vision Team to add air conditioning to the Fellowship Hall. The Vision team, which includes your Support Team, voted no to the proposal. In the future we may do a fund raiser for this. (Note: there is already enough in the building fund to cover this needed project.) In the mean time ministry will cease, as usual, for the summer in the building downstairs. April 26th will be our last brunch until the Fall. Family Ministries and Adult dinner huddle will cease for the summer in May. Bread distribution will continue as usual.)
The new members class met briefly. We will install new members next Sunday. Thank God for them and their serving already! Pray for God to give us more connections points to those He is drawing. Pray for His favor and direction for outside the building ministry this summer.
Thank you to Lori and the team for a great brunch! Thank you to the clean-up crew that cleaned up all the dishes and messes! (Karen and I were unable to attend as we had the opportunity to visit our granddaughter until 1:30. I am doing fine and my numbers are perfect. PTL!)
Tues Huddle resumes on Zoom tomorrow at 10. All welcome. Wed at 6 we resume Family Ministry/Adult dinner huddle. All welcome!
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Good Morning Church! What is Church? What is your part in it? Those are things we will discuss next Sunday as we install new members. Anyone interested in joining our fellowship of believers or adding a rock to our covenant altar, please contact Pastor Don. Right now, 8 or 9 plan to join our church and add their rocks to our covenant family altar. If you haven't painted a rock with your family name and covenanted with us and would like to, please find a small rock, paint your family name and maybe a favorite Bible verse and bring it along on Sunday. Four years ago Memorial Day weekend, we add our family rocks to our Memorial Altar and covenanted together to be God's family on mission and to stay connected to God and each other as we go and love like Jesus. We will review that covenant on Sunday as well. We are His family and as we build our altar, our family grows and we remember those who have gone before on mission together growing God's Kingdom. Check out the memorial altar in Joshua as they crossed the flooded Jordan River. Rocks were placed as a memorial to that day and reminder to future generations of the Cornerstone on which we build. (Jesus and His ways)
There is much I could talk about from our devotionals today. I will only share the Upper Room as we wrap up the month of love. You can engage with God through the others at your pace today. The UR reminds me of raising our hands in praise to God for His love, opening our hands to receive His love and then reaching out to love like Jesus. Do you see how that is coming alive through our gatherings? It really is as God loves on us and through us and we worship Him! He is with us always and lovingly created us for such a time as this. As we gather as His Church, He sends us to love like Jesus and grow His Kingdom. That is our mission and God's plans will not be thwarted. We all have a vital part to play in His Church and our fellowship on mission. Our mission is to follow Jesus out of the building, connect to neighbors and connect them to God. (Make disciples as we love like Jesus as we go daily) Since there will be no summer ministry in the building besides bread distribution and clothing closet, pray for how God wants to use us (use you!) to connect to neighbors this summer and to lead us to people to lead to Him. Pray for fair weather on our outside gathering days this year. (Over the past three years we were only able to meet a total of 5-7 times over three years due to severe weather or heat) Pray for harvest workers and for God to use you and thank Him for the harvest. Pray that we would be the Church well and live and love more like Jesus as we each follow Him to His plans for us. Draw close to Him and receive your marching orders for today. Be the Church! Be Love in the flesh! God made you for such a time as this and wants to grow His Kingdom through you. You matter! Amen!
UR: Receiving Love
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” - John 13:34 (NIV)
I remember the first time anyone told me they loved me. When I was a child, my parents showed me love — they provided me with a home, fed and clothed me, bought me presents, looked after me when I was sick, and took me on trips when they could afford it. But they never actually said the words I love you. They were probably never told that they were loved as children either. As wonderful as my parents were, I doubted their love when I was younger, wondering if their kind actions toward me were motivated by a sense of duty.
The first person who told me they loved me was Ruthie, a three-year-old child from the church I was attending. I did not know how to respond. How could a three-year-old whom I barely knew tell me she loved me when my parents couldn’t? Ruthie could tell me that she loved me because her parents had demonstrated and spoken of their love for her.
It is vitally important to know that we are loved — especially to know we are loved by God. Sometimes I sit quietly before the Lord, open my hands, and say, “Jesus, I receive your love. Father, I receive your love.” And as I receive love from God, I can pass that love to others both through actions and words.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Thank you, Father, for sending your son to die for us, not out of duty but out of love. We open our hearts to receive your love today. Amen.
“The first purpose of prayer is to know God.” —Charles L. Allen
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 26 - Our God Is Able
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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).
One of my heroes of the faith is Martin Luther King, Jr. He often faced chaos created by the Devil to rob him of his purpose and his peace. In a sermon entitled “Our God Is Able,” Dr. King shared in a very deep way how God stepped in to bring His peace in the midst of extreme persecution and difficulty:
“Almost immediately after the Montgomery bus protest had been undertaken, we began to receive threatening phone calls and letters in our home. Sporadic in the beginning, they increased day after day. At first I took them in my stride, feeling they were the work of a few hotheads who would become discouraged after they discovered that we would not fight back. But as the weeks passed, I realized that many of the threats were in earnest. I felt myself faltering and growing in fear.
After a particularly strenuous day, I settled in bed at a late hour . . . and was about to doze off when the telephone rang. An angry voice said, “Listen, (expletive), we’ve taken all we want from you. Before next week, you’ll be sorry you ever came to Montgomery.” I hung up, but I could not go to sleep.
It seemed all my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point. I got out of bed and began to walk the floor. Finally, I went to the kitchen and heated a pot of coffee. I was ready to give up. I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing to be a coward. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage had almost gone, I took my problem to God.
My head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory:
‘I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I have come to the point where I can’t face it alone.’
At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced him. It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice, saying, ‘Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth. God will be at your side forever.’
Almost at once my fears passed from me. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything. The outer situation remained the same, but God had given me inner calm.
Three nights later, our home was bombed. Strangely enough, I accepted the word of the bombing calmly. My experience with God had given me a new strength and trust. I knew now that God is able to give us the interior resources to face the storms and problems of life. Let this be our ringing cry. . . that there is a great Power in the universe whose name is God, and he is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better [people]. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world.”
God who rules the storms in our lives, hear my prayer! Whatever I may face or walk through, You are always there! Help me to continually remember that undeniable truth! You have a plan and a purpose for me in this short life on earth, and I ask You to help me to overcome the enemy’s attempts to steal, kill and destroy! Show me how to live victoriously in the midst of whatever I face, for the sake of Your glory alone!
--Adapted from Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God (A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus) by David Butts.
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Wednesday, February 28 2024
God really loves you and is singing over you right now! He has great plans lovingly created just for you and His Spirit is in you to guide and help you! Rejoice! Be still and know! Turn off the noise. Open your Bibles and refresh in His presence this morning!
Good Morning Redeemed of the Lord! Rejoice and be glad in this day the Lord has made! Again I say rejoice. Praise, worship, meditating on His Word and trusting more are good places to begin each new day. God is speaking to you all the time. What's He saying? Who are you processing with? Check out our devotionals below. Can you see the thread through them as God releases His powerful Word to, over, and through you today? He's wanting to lead you and us, His Church, to His best and His greater purposes. That all begins with one informed step of faith after another. That grows as we process and go together and all along the way. As we go, we grow. God doesn't waste anything and redeems and even gives back what the enemy has stolen! He uses us right where we are, just as we are, for His plans and purposes and grows us to the greater things and our fuller potential in Christ. What a great life in Christ this is! What joy and shalom we can choose, know, and praise God for! Don't listen to the crowd or all the noise around you! Focus on Jesus and what He's doing and cry out to Him for help and deliverance. He will come to you and lead you through the valley. Allow Him to conform you to His image, grow you and your faith and stir your imagination as He uses you to grow His church and connect to others and fulfill your part in making disciples that our fellowship of believers is called to do.
Dig into the Living Word today as you ask God to grow you more into the image of Christ and using you to do more of your created purposes well as you follow Jesus. No matter where you are or what you are going through, God is at work and has a plan just for you. What is it? Use your imagination. God gave it to you to use to come up with ideas of how to reach and disciple others. How might He use you today, this summer, this year to connect to some neighbors He is leading to you? How might we find new places to serve and connect? What are God's ideas for fun things outside the building for the spring and summer for us to do as His Body that He will use to lead people to our fellowship? We all have a part. What's yours? What will you do about it today? Who will you partner with? We are the Church and sent to be His Church (gathering of believers) that connect others to Him and His love and help them to become disciples of Jesus. We need some new connection points. Pray into that. What are you doing where God might want to use us to connect to others? Let's make some plans. Since the fellowship hall is too hot for us to gather in the summer, where is God leading us to feed, serve, and connect and minister to neighbors? What is your part in that? Ask Him and make some plans. He has something just for you! Use your imagination and share your thoughts with us. Let us reason and plan together. And let us be determined to go and love more like Jesus together as well! I know some of you are experiencing some Holy Spirit pinching with ideas. Nothing is too small or silly to try of God is leading us to it. And where He guides, He provides and that includes servants (you) that implement His plans. Come let us reason, process and plan together for the summer and beyond (I'm already working on fall and Christmas ideas but focusing more intently on summer plans.) What's God saying to you? Who are you sharing and processing that with? Love God. Love people. Make disciples. That is our mission. How does God want to use you?
Charles Stanley:
UR: Why Me?
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
Prison is a breeding ground for human suffering. Having spent the better part of my adult life behind bars, I have witnessed much pain. Countless times I have cried out to God, “Why me?” Today’s scripture readings remind us that God can use our suffering to change lives. Central to that plan is the transformation of our spirits.
For many of us behind bars, we come to the point where the only place left to go is to our knees and cry out to God to forgive our transgressions and welcome us home like the prodigal son. I spend my days in here trying to be the man that God created me to be, trying to use my experience and years of suffering to help others. Today I take comfort in knowing that the Lord is using me as a vessel of compassion and love. Today I allow God to use my life as an example of true spiritual transformation. If we allow it, God will change us.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Merciful God, use us to demonstrate your ability to mend broken hearts and transform lives. Amen.ODB:
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For days, the sickly cat cried, huddled in a box near my workplace. Abandoned on the street, the feline went unnoticed by many who passed it by—until Jun came along. The street sweeper carried the animal home, where he lived with two dogs, which were former strays.
“I care for them because they’re the creatures no one notices,” Jun said. “I see myself in them. No one notices a street sweeper, after all.”
As Jesus walked toward Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, a blind man sat begging by the roadside. He felt unnoticed too. And on this day especially—when a crowd was passing through and all eyes were focused on Christ—no one stopped to help the beggar.
No one except Jesus. In the midst of the clamoring crowd, He heard the forgotten man’s cry. “What do you want me to do for you?” Christ asked, and He received the heartfelt reply, “Lord, I want to see.” Then Jesus said, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you” (Luke 18:41–42).
Do we feel unnoticed at times? Are our cries drowned out by people who seem to matter more than us? Our Savior notices those the world doesn’t care to notice. Call to Him for help! While others may pass us by, He’ll stop for us.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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How would knowing that Jesus sees you change how you view yourself and your life? Who are those around you who might need to be noticed, and how can you “stop” to encourage them with the Savior’s love?
Dear Jesus, thank You for hearing me when I call to You. Like the blind man who received his sight, help me to follow and praise You all my life.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The healing of the blind beggar in Luke 18:35-43 is also told in Matthew 20:29-34 and Mark 10:46-52, but with differences in the details. Matthew says there are two blind men, whereas Mark and Luke choose to tell the story of only one, whom Mark calls “Bartimaeus” or “son of Timaeus” (10:46). The Gospels tell of several other instances where Jesus healed the blind: Matthew 9:27-31 (two blind men); 12:22 (blind and mute demon-possessed man); Mark 8:22-26 (blind man at Bethsaida); and John 9 (man born blind). In addition, Matthew records a general healing of the blind (15:30; 21:14). At the start of His public ministry, Christ read from Isaiah 61:1-2 about the ministry of the Messiah. Healing of the blind is one of the signs of the Messiah (Luke 4:18-19, see also Matthew 11:2-6). After the Scriptures from Isaiah were read, Jesus declared that He’s indeed the Messiah: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).
K. T. Sim |
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TWFYT:
Sunday, February 25 2024
Good Morning Listening, Hearing, Receiving Followers of the Living Word! Is that you? Are we as a Church doing these? This salutation is sort of a synopsis of our devotionals for today. What's God saying to you right now as you sit, open His Word, meditate, receive and follow Jesus, the Living Word?
God loves you and created you to learn and grow. He wants to help you with that and to go love like Jesus. That all begins as we spend time in our Instruction Manuel for Life--the Bible and with our Living Word--Jesus. His thoughts and ways are not like ours. He is always there with us even redeeming and using the hard times to teach and grow us. PTL! God doesn't waste anything we experience. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all, including you and He knows what is needed for you to experience His best and live out the life you are created for. Seek Him. Open His Living Word. Apply it to your life. And continue to work on growing into your fullest potential in Christ. He does have great plans for you and us together. Rejoice! We are more than hearers. We are doers of His Word! And overcomers in Christ! Amen!
Here's some prayer starters as we prepare to gather to worship, learn and fellowship together: Praise God for caring intimately about you. Thank God for choosing you to help fulfill His plans. Confess any self-centeredness or preoccupation with your desires and needs rather than those of God and others. Commit yourself to walking under the Spirit's control, trusting Him with the circumstances of life (Ps. 31:15). Ask for more sensitivity to the needs of others. Ask God to meet the needs of family and friends who are experiencing financial, physical, or emotional crisis. Pray for the prosperity of your congregation. Pray especially for those on fixed incomes that they will have sufficient means to live. Ask God's blessings on the leaders of your church as they manage the resources God provides. Ask God to open the hearts of those you encounter this week who are far from Him. Pray for them to be drawn to God's love through you. Ask that His Truth would set them free. Ask for wisdom, courage, and His Words to share with others. Amen Pray for Sarah as she brings God's Word today.
See you soon! Shalom shalom!
Charles Stanley:
UR: It's the Beginning
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
“Why do you think the path ends here?” the tour guide asked while we wandered the carefully curated grounds surrounding the castle. My nine-year-old son volunteered, “Maybe it isn’t the end; maybe it’s the beginning.” We all smiled at this insightful perspective.
Several years earlier this same son had struggled to keep up with handwriting in kindergarten, and that seemed like an ominous start to his education. After much prayer we took him out of public school and began teaching him at home. The end of my son’s public education was the beginning of many great years of our learning together, including that castle tour with our homeschool friends.
Life is full of roadblocks, and we can become discouraged thinking we have reached the end. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are different than ours. God’s perspective on our situation is much different than our limited view.
My son’s observation on the path that day reminds me to trust God’s perspective no matter the circumstances and have hope that what seems like an ending might also be a beginning.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, help us trust that you know our needs. Turn us from despair, and help us to walk in faith. Amen.
ODB:
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Discover magazine suggests that there are around 700 quintillion (7 followed by 20 zeros) planets in the universe, but only one like Earth. Astrophysicist Erik Zackrisson said that one of the requirements for a planet to sustain life is to orbit in the “Goldilocks” zone, where the temperature is just right, and water can exist. Out of 700 quintillion planets, Earth seems to be one planet where conditions are just right. Zackrisson concluded that Earth somehow had been dealt a “fairly lucky hand.”
Paul assured the Colossian believers that the universe existed, not because of Lady Luck, but because of the work of Jesus. The apostle presents Christ as the creator of the world: “For in him all things were created” (Colossians 1:16). Not only was Jesus the powerful creator of the world, but Paul says that “in him all things hold together” (v. 17)—a world that’s not too hot and not too cold, but one that’s just right for human existence. What Jesus created, He’s sustaining with His perfect wisdom and unceasing power.
As we participate in and enjoy the beauty of creation, let’s choose not to point to the random activity of Lady Luck, but to the purposeful, sovereign, powerful and loving One who possesses “all [God’s] fullness” (v. 19).
By Marvin Williams
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What does it mean for you to know that Jesus is in control of the natural world and your personal world? How will you show your dependence on Him today?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Colossians 1:15-20 (perhaps an ancient Christian hymn), the supremacy of Jesus, the beloved Son of God (v. 13), comes into focus. Included in the credits that speak of Christ’s incomparable excellence is the term “firstborn” (vv. 15, 18). This word isn’t a reference to birth order—as if Christ was the first in a line of created beings. Rather, it speaks of Him—“the image of the invisible God” (v. 15)—as the head (source) of and ruler over all things (vv. 16-19). Paul isn’t the only witness to this amazing truth. John notes, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3). And the writer of Hebrews also corroborates this: “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (1:2).
Arthur Jackson |
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TWFYT:
Joe Toy News:
February 2024
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
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Dear Friends,
On Mardi Gras Sunday, a few of us skipped worship to hold street church at Bourbon and Canal Streets in New Orleans. As Richard McDermott led in singing it was a surprise to see a few people mouth the words as they walked up the streets. One young woman came up to Richard and sang 10,000 Reasons with him and a few minutes later a man asked if he could sing Amazing Grace with him. The Lord was at work speaking to people’s hearts.
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| One man stop by the store window and listened intently as Ken Hisle began to converse with him. Ken approached me and said, “Brother, this man wants to get saved.” I walked over with Ken to hear this young man call out to Christ for salvation. Unbeknownst to us, a woman was watching this encounter and after prayer came up to the young man and said, “Can I hug you? Welcome to the family.” It was an amazing thing to be a part of and watch the Lord at work building his family. A lot of people ask us, “Why do you go to Mardi Gras?” Well, I guess we go to see the power of God on display in the midst of much worldly filth, as He saves another soul. Yes, Jesus still saves! |
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The intensity of the spiritual battle in the French Quarter is evident on the first day you hit the streets. Our usual ministry location is at Bourbon and Canal St as this is one of the main entrance points into the abyss of Bourbon Street. At this spot is a collection of homeless people looking for help and some young men peddling their illegal substances. As we begin to preach, pass out gospel tracts and engage people in conversations there is some intense blow back of profanity and threats, but we stand our ground and in due time things subside for a time.
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One afternoon a homeless man in anger stole one of the men’s hats, which is one of the hazards of the work. I saw him that night walk by our evening outreach location and said, “Hey, that’s my friend's hat. I saw you steal it today. You are a thief!” Like a little child, he took it off his head and handed it to me. As he pondered the encounter, he took his almost empty beer can and tossed it at me giving me a slight beer baptism.
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At the Jones Franklin abortion mill, a misguided woman drove her friend to the facility to murder her child. There are many people who do this, thinking that they are helping their friend. This young lady listened to the gospel and then approached me for conversation. It was a joy to explain the gospel to her and place literature in her hand.
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A few nights later, a drunk young man grabbed our gospel sign and took off down a side street. I slowly tracked him from a distance to see him hand our sign to his girl friend. She proudly held her new treasure up high for all to see it. I walked past them and then came up from behind and took hold of our sign and said, “I will take our property back.” They were quietly surprised that I found them even though I had only walked one block. It really was no big deal, just some young drunk people having a little stupid fun, but it was nice to have the sign back for the rest of the outreach. Is it worth all the harassment each day and night? I believe so.
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| Late one night, I was approached by a man in his mid-twenties. As usually happens, he wanted to debate me on the unreasonableness of my faith, because there is no God. As our conversation proceeded he revealed that he had been a youth leader in his past and left the church. He boasted that he did not need God to be moral and sought to impress me by all his charitable works. At this point, I asked him, “What sin did you choose and then throw Jesus away?” He looked me in the eye and then turned around and walked away. It might not be the case with this young man, but I have learned through the years that a number of young people walk away from the things of God when they engage with others sexually before marriage. |
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Through our six days on the streets, our team of twenty-five men passed out 42,000 gospel tracts, saw eight people profess faith in Christ and had countless gospel conversations. We trust the Lord that our labors are not in vain. His gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation.
If the Lord allows, I will be headed to Miami for our Spring Break outreach with OAC evangelists and Liberty University students from March 7 to16. Keep this outreach in your prayers. God Bless and thanks for all your support and prayers.
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Saturday, February 24 2024
Tomorrow: Worship with Children's Church at 10 and on Zoom, followed by vote on budget, followed by brief New Members gathering at front of Sanctuary, followed by Brunch! Bring a friend! (or three!)
Tues: Zoom Huddle 10AM
Wed: Bread distribution 10-12; Family Ministries/Adult dinner huddle 6PM
Sat March 1st: Clothing Closet 10-1
Good Morning Teammates--Co-Laborers in Christ! We all know that song: We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord! And what? They'll know we are Christians by our love! Amen! We are all part of Christ's Body world-wide, all of history Body--His Church! And He has created us for His purposes and placed us in His Body that gathers in a building called St. Matts for His purposes for such a time as this. We are loved, gathered, sent, guided and we matter! All of us matter! We are one in the Spirit, Lord and part of His Good News Delivery Co. Amen! We are family and we are better together. In fact we need each other! Please pray into our unity of vision, mission and as His family. Pray that many more would be drawn to His love and family through us. Pray for more connection points to others to be seen by us and stepped into as we seek to grow in Christ and grow His Body. Pray for (this is something God is pounding me about) us to start some small groups where we process, discern, pray, encourage, correct and hold accountable each other. That is a key part of becoming more in '24 that God is leading us through this year. What word is He leading you to work on? Sarah and I have only heard from one of you? God is always tweaking us and wanting to grow us. What is He wanting you to focus on this year? Working on these words in small groups would be perfect as well. We love God, each other and others. Amen! An we are doing pretty well with that but this life is a journey to become more like Jesus and we always have some things to work on. That works best in small groups. Who are you partnering with?
Check out the devos below as you still yourself at Jesus' feet, receive and share with someone what you are hearing. God really does have great plans for you and sometimes that means traveling through some storms along the way. Stormy times are times we really need others. But so can those opposite times of floating on some high time of life. Who is helping you to stay true to God's plans for you? Who is helping in those anxious times. We are family and better together. We are loved, loving and gathered and sent to love together. May we continue to work out our faith with fear and trembling as we show our love and worship as we grow and go together. Yes we are one in the Spirit and the Lord and we are love! Amen!
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 24 - Your Life Won’t Work Without Him.
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God has designed your body with incredible precision. Every part—down to the smallest cell—is interconnected and dependent upon the other parts. You cannot survive without your heart, or your lungs, or your kidneys. And each of these organs communicate with the others. This interconnectedness is essential.
God made us physically, and designed us spiritually, but He never intended for us to live without Him.
God invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it will not run properly on anything else. God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, and the food our spirits were designed to feed on.
Like the relationship of branches to a life-giving vine, we must remain in continual union with Him, just as Christ said. Prayer is the means of this abiding connection.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15).
Almighty Vine, may my mission in life be to stay attached to You in every way, for You designed me perfectly for Your purposes. I am “fearfully and wonderfully” made to do Your will, and to obey Your commands. Help me to remember daily that my life is not my own…it belongs completely to You. May I give myself to You day after day after day with a willing spirit.
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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Charles Stanley:
UR: Light in the Darkness
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
When I was young, I slept with the light on in the bathroom down the hall because I was afraid of the dark. The light would shine into my bedroom, and I would hear the calming sound of the fan in the bathroom as I drifted off to sleep, feeling safe. Whenever the bathroom light wasn’t on, I felt anxious, and it was much harder for me to fall asleep.
When Paul gave the command not to be anxious, he had greater reason to worry than does a kid who is afraid of the dark. He was in prison for proclaiming the gospel to the nations, and he was unsure of what his future held. In Paul’s moment of uncertainty, he chose to focus his attention on the One who calls himself the light of the world.
When we aren’t sure of where we are headed or how God will lead us, we can choose to trust in Christ and focus on the illuminating grace of his presence. Christ’s light can guide us through the often tumultuous waves of life.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, help us to worry less and trust you to guide our steps. Amen.ODB:
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Søren Solkær spent years photographing starlings and their breathtaking spectacle: murmurations, where hundreds of thousands of starlings move in fluid motion across the sky. Watching this marvel is like sitting underneath an orchestrated, swirling wave or a massive, dark brushstroke flowing into a kaleidoscope of patterns. In Denmark, they call this starling experience Black Sun (also the title of Solkær’s stunning book of photographs). Most remarkable is how starlings instinctively follow their nearest companion, flying so close that if one were to miss a beat, they’d suffer mass calamity. However, starlings use murmurations to protect one another. When a hawk descends, these tiny creatures enter tight formation and move collectively, beating back a predator who’d easily pick them off if they were alone.
We’re better together than we are alone. “Two are better than one,” Ecclesiastes says. “If either . . . falls down, one can help the other up. [And] if two lie down together, they will keep warm” (4:9–11). Alone, we’re isolated and easy prey. We’re exposed without the comfort or protection of others.
But with companions, we give and receive help. “Though one may be overpowered,” Ecclesiastes says, “two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (v. 12). We’re better together as God leads us.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
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How are you more vulnerable when you’re isolated from others? How can you draw closer to them?
Dear God, please help me commit to being in community and extending Your love.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Although the author of Ecclesiastes isn’t named, he refers to himself as “the Teacher,” or qoheleth in Hebrew (1:1-2, 12; 12:8-10). Based on internal evidence, scholars believe that “the Teacher” is Solomon, “son of David” (1:1) and “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (v. 12). In the first six chapters, Solomon examines life as he’d lived it and discusses what makes it purposeful and meaningful. He talks about human achievements, pleasures, and wisdom (chs. 1-2) and how mortal men live out their time on earth in the light of eternity (ch. 3). In chapter 4, Solomon discusses social relationships. The solitary person lives a miserable, lonely existence without social interactions with other humans. In verses 9-12, the author extols the value, advantages, and mutual benefits of friendship, partnership, and companionship, making this passage a popular text for weddings. Solomon argues that friendships and community are needed for a meaningful life.
K. T. Sim |
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Friday, February 23 2024
TGIF updates:
Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, and for filling gaps during my hospital stay. I am so blessed by God and all of you! THANK YOU! I'm taking one day at a time towards healthier choices and God is helping as He responds to our prayers and His perfect will and timing! PTL! I'm feeling pretty good and working on becoming heathier. Please Lord!
Sunday there is a lot going on! Pray for Sarah as she leads worship and Mike with the kids. Pray for wisdom as we vote on the '24 budget at the conclusion of worship and pray for our new members class before brunch. And then pray for, plan to attend, and bring someone along for brunch. It will be a great day of worship, study and fellowship! (Karen and I plan to attend worship but will not be able to stay for brunch. Can't wait to see you all!)
Good Morning Focused, Wise, Trusting Disciples of Jesus! Please may that be us Lord! How often we fail at theses yet God loves, forgives and knows how to lead us back to Him and His ways. How often are we double-minded doubters crying out for God to help our unbelief? Too often, I'm afraid. BUT GOD! He knows you and your leanings and ways, loves you, forgives you and wants to steer you onto the smooth and narrow way, His best way and ways. Check out TWFYT below about being a disciple of Jesus as we seek to become more in '24--more like Him doing more of what we are created to do. Amen! Check out Charles Stanley's devo about receiving God's wisdom. And check out and pray through the Harvest Prayer blog on releasing God's will in prayer. We are more in Christ and we have more to release in prayer and accomplish as disciples of Christ! Amen! So be it Lord! Let us earnestly pursue Christ and God's best for us!
What an awesome God we love, follow and serve! He loves you and has some great things for you to follow Him to and release in prayer! Trust Him and seek His wisdom to pray and go love well! And then take one step at a time, in faith, to becoming all you are created to be and do! And worship! Remember Jesus on the cross that Friday. All hope seemed lost, BUT GOD! Sunday was coming! Persevere in faith and groeth in Christ and as His prayer warrior! He really does have great things in store that we cannot even think of or imagine! Rejoice!
TWFYT:
Charles Stanley:
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 23 - Releasing God's Will
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One major purpose of prayer is to release God’s will on earth. While I cannot explain how it works, somehow, in God’s sovereign plan, He has chosen to accomplish certain aspects of His will only if people pray. Some believers cringe at this teaching. “What do you mean it releases God’s will?” they say. “God’s will is God’s will. He’s going to do it whether we pray or not.” But Scripture, Christians of the past centuries, and experience all tell us otherwise.
Let’s start with Elijah. James tells us, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:17-18). First Kings 17 and 18 gives us the story of these two verses. God apparently put in Elijah’s heart to pray that it wouldn’t rain. The prophet went to King Ahab and declared it wouldn’t rain for three years—and it didn’t.
“After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land’” (1 Kings 18:1). What follows is the incredible showdown between Elijah and the true God and the false prophets of Baal. Following a decisive victory, Elijah said to the king, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain” (18:41). Then Scripture tells us, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees [signifying intense prayer].
“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose,[and] a heavy rain came on. (1 Kings 18:42-45)
Did you notice the sequence? God planted a thought in Elijah—pray for no rain—then His will was released. He sent word again—I’m going to send rain. Yet somehow Elijah knew to pray fervently for it to happen. Again, God’s will was released.
Creator God, sometimes I assume You are just going to do whatever You want without involving me. Yet, You have created me to be a part of Your plan on this earth. Because Your Spirit knows what Your will is, He is able to show me how to intercede in ways I cannot always understand. Help me to be sensitive to the prompting of Your Spirit even when I am uncertain about the outcomes. Give me the boldness of Elijah, who simply listened and trusted!
--Adapted from The Power of Personal Prayer (Learning to Pray with Faith and Purpose) by Jonathan Graf. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise the saving God whose paths are beyond tracing out! (Rom. 11:33).
- Give thanks for his continual, personal care for you.
- Confess any failure to maintain a healthy relationship with the Lord.
- Commit yourself to disciplined, joyful Christian living, recognizing the tremendous blessing of belonging to Jesus Christ.
- Ask that you will be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).
- Pray that any personal difficulties experienced by unsaved persons around you may be opportunities for them to come to know the grace that is found in Jesus Christ.
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Don 
Friday, February 23 2024
Good morning friends. I'm home! PTL! I'm also having computer issues now. So I'll let you spend your own time with God today. Check out the devos and sit at His feet a bit. He's speaking love over you a d has some cool things for you to discover today.
I'll share more tomorrow but so much to organize and get together as I transition home after a week of refining and refreshing. God is so good and He's doing some heart surgery on each of us. Allow God heart and mind to come alive in you and through you today! Shalom!
Friday, February 23 2024
Good Morning Recharged, Following God and Shalom, Co-Laborers! That's me right now and can be you, should be you, as well. Check out our devos for today. I am using the forwarded harvest prayer blog about peace...God's shalom...beyond understanding. The UR discusses being fully charged and ODB speaks of open doors as we follow God. May these speak to your heart like they have to me. We are learning to stay yoked to Jesus easy yoke, walking more fully in His ways as we follow better His peace. That is true worship as we learn to live and love more like Jesus in '24! And as we learn to follow Him better to His plans for us
I'm still sitting here looking out my hospital room window and watching traffic building on 78. Life in this earth I the country is sure a hustle bustle. We need to learn to be still, choose rest and trust God more. Amen!
I'm doing great and actually may get to go home later today. I'm trusting God for that open door and I have such peace. Spending days resting and staying connected to God has brought such recharging and shalom. I had no idea how much I needed this reloading a d correcting. The Lord IS my Shepherd! And God keeps using me and sending me to patients open doors, staffs open hearts, and family members open to prayer and a word from God. And that recharges me too. Interesting that right now God used me to pray for abd be a blessing to a phlebotomist that is like I was the first days here. Running at full speed on own agenda. Sometimes we need to be still, breathe out the junk and breathe in shalom and the Holy Spirit. But you know she's in that "the hurrieder I go the behinder I get" mode that I've lived through most of my life. Breathe out that junk. Invite Jesus to be the Lord of your day and week and life. When He is, whatever comes your way is His problem and allowed for His purposes. When you get to that place like I did eventually while here, peace comes, God uses you and joy and trust grow. It's a great place to be! It starts with dying to self and allowing God's plans to come to life in and through you. Amen. Now if I can just learn to get to that place quicker...maybe one of my new lifestyle choices. Chilling in the Lord. Amen. Please Lord!
As I sit here chatting with the Lord and you, I can't help but contemplate how many times I've gotten to the place where God is saying, time for a hospital stay, you aren't listening or recharging well. Lord, will I ever learn? Will you guys? We beat our bodies, thrash about trying to bless God, others, family, bosses, doing our own things for what? What really matters in this life? What allows us the most peace, joy and health? Walking with Jesus at His pace, into His purposes, His way. (Read that again) What's God saying to you right now? What will you do about it? Maybe you have ve learned that lesson? Who needs your mentoring and praying?
God opens doors all the time! Are you prepared and ready to step through them? Are you moving at a pace to even notice and available to pause and step through? God's opened so many doors while He sat me down for a week. I am recharged and prepared, purified, and ready. And I am willing to honor and follow Him. What a blessing this week has been for me and some others. Now who is willing to keep me accountable to keep choosing and following well? We all need helpers in this journey to become more like Jesus and in seeing and stepping through those open doors . Who are you helping? Who is helping you?
The harvest is great! You are part of the harvesting company called st. Matt's. No matter who you are, your current circumstances or abilities, Jesus says, "Come as you are. I have some cool things for you today. Come and see!" Stepping through that open door brings peace beyond understanding and recharging that allows you to move towards God's best for you! Choose well, grasshopper! Shalom!
Thank you to all who are covering and working the funeral today for Harriet. God is using you! Lord willing I have a wedding to help set up Friday and wedding Sat. And we have brief new members class before brunch Sunday. I can't wait to hear how God is using you and the joys you have to discover and share as you step into your anointing. Smile! God loves you and is with you. I love you too and am praying for you. Shalom Shalom.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Harvest Prayer Ministries" <
info@harvestprayer.com
>To: "
pastordon7@yahoo.com
" <
pastordon7@yahoo.com
>
Sent: Wed, Feb 21, 2024 at 3:59 AM
Subject: Peace Be with You
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February 21 - Peace Be with You
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“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” (Daniel 10:19)
The Prophet Daniel had a spectacular encounter with God when he was given a vision of an angelic being, who in all probability was the Lord Jesus in his pre-incarnate state. Daniel’s response was to lose all strength and fall down before the Lord.
God dealt with Daniel’s fear in ways that are encouraging to us all. He spoke his peace to Daniel and everything changed. The Lord assured Daniel of his love for him and then spoke peace over him. With the peace of God coming into Daniel’s life, the Lord could speak of strength and courage, and it had real meaning to Daniel.
It was in this place of peace where Daniel was strengthened that he could finally summon the courage to ask the Lord to speak to him. Do you suppose that it is often fear and lack of peace that prevents us from hearing what the Lord might be saying to us? We so often play the “what if?” game, which breeds fear and uncertainty to the point that we really don’t want to hear from God for fear of what He might say. His peace though, clears out those fears, brings strength, and puts us in a good place for the Lord to speak into our lives.
God’s supernatural way for us to deal with fear is accepting his peace into who we are. Receiving his assurances of love as Daniel did, we hear his words of peace and our fears begin to melt away.
Lord, I am so thankful that you understand the fears that I face. You don’t ever simply tell me to get over it. Instead, you assure me of your love and give me your peace. I confess my great need for this in our day of confusion and turmoil. I desperately need the peace that only comes from you.
--Adapted from Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God (A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus) by David Butts. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God as the giver of every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:5, 17).
- Give thanks for the indescribable gift of his only Son.
- Confess any times when you have taken God’s gifts to you for granted.
- Commit yourself to searching Scripture for more knowledge of the “riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Eph. 1:7-8).
- Ask that your heart’s thirst be quenched and your soul’s hunger be satisfied in God as with the richest of foods (Psalm 63).
- Pray that your congregation may have faith that “you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11).
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| Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. |
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Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find Me
when you search for Me
with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 |
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