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Friday, September 27 2024
  St. Matts Fall Happenings
Worship every Sunday 10 am. Come as you are! All welcome!
· Worldwide Communion Sun Oct 6th
2 Peas in A Pod Brunches After worship 11:30
 Sun Sept 29th, Oct 27th, Nov 24th, Dec 22nd
Bread Ministry every Wed 10-12
Donut and fellowship days: Oct 9th, Nov 15th, Dec 4th
Wednesday Evening Chosen Dinner Huddles 6PM
Gather for dinner, and Chosen Video Adult discussion group
 and Family Ministries Chosen study group
Clothing Closet Every 1st and 3rd Sat.
10-12 Rear entrance
Light in the Night Trunk or Treat Safe Zone
6-8pm Fri. Oct 25th, 5th St. lot
Come for safe trick or treating candy and fun!
Friday, September 27 2024
This Week:
Tue Zoom (only) Huddle 10-11 All welcome!
Tue Noon pray for Light in the Night and other activities and needs on Zoom!
Wed Bread Ministry 10-12
Wed Dinner/Chosen/Family Ministries Huddles 6-8. Bring a friend! Pastor Don's cooking and we begin season 4of the Chosen
See attached the Activities handouts and prayer guides for next few weeks/months we had in the bulletin. Mark your calendars, pray and ask God how He wants to use you or provide through you and your prayers.
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Good Morning Chosen. Loved, Forgiven, Cleansed, redeemed of the Lord! PTL! Right? Oh what wonder love, grace, mercy and forgiveness we know, can know and can share. God loves you and wants you to share that amazing love with others He has prepared just for you. Who are they Lord? How do You plan to use me? help me see, know and follow well today! Prepare me! Purify me to serve! Embolden me! Send me! Amen!
Today God really threaded through my/our devotionals and wraps it up nicely with Harvest Prayer's blog at bottom. (Below that are the links to the handouts) Spend some time at His feet today, listening, surrendering, receiving and be prepared for the day ahead with a thankful heart! TWFYT reminds us that we have a BIG God and need to work on having a bigger concept of God and praying some big prayers in big faith. God's ways are not our ways, are they? He is so much more than we can know or imagine. Prov. 3:5-6 reminds us to stop leaning on our own understand! Allow God to inform your prayers and actions today. Sarah Young reminds us of the freedom we can know in Christ and the importance of casting all our burdens to Him and receiving His healing forgiveness and loving freedom. Charles Stanley reminds us that God's Word will convict, counsel and guide us as it leads to freedom and walking in the ways of Jesus. ODB reminds us that we are part of the family--THE family of God, by His grace and through our faith. Amen! And the UR reminds us that God will encourage us along the way. Look for it and listen as others speak life and encouragement to you and receive it as God's gift. God really loves you and us and has great plans for today. Talk to Him about that and prepare your hearts to worship. trust and obey! What's God saying to you? What will you do about that? I'm praying for you! Shalom for you are very loved, accepted and forgiven!
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“You don’t belong here.” Those words crushed an eight-year-old girl’s heart, and the pain stayed with her. Her family had emigrated from a refugee camp in a war-torn country to a new country, and her immigration card had the word alien stamped on it. She felt like she didn’t belong.
As an adult, although she put her faith in Jesus, she still felt alienated—stung by the feeling that she was an unwelcome outsider. While reading her Bible, she discovered the promises of Ephesians 2. In verse 12, she saw that old, troubling word alien. “You were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (nkjv). But as she kept reading, she saw how Christ’s sacrifice had changed her status. She got to verse 19, which told her, “You are no longer” a foreigner or alien. She was a “fellow citizen” with God’s people. Realizing that she was a citizen of heaven, she was overjoyed. Never again would she be an outsider. God had taken her in and accepted her.
Because of our sin, we’re alienated from God. But we don’t have to stay that way. Jesus brought peace to all who were “far away” (v. 17), making all who trust Him fellow citizens of His eternal kingdom—united as the body of Christ.
By Dave Branon
REFLECT & PRAY
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In what way do you feel alienated? What does it mean for you to know that God has called all His children to be united in Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to experience fellowship with You and with others who love and trust You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
As believers in Jesus, we have His promise that we’re not strangers to Him: “You are . . . fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19). In fact, His care for us is so intimate that at this very moment, He’s preparing a home where we’ll live with Him forever! Christ said: “I go and prepare a place for you, [and] I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). When we arrive at our eternal home, we’ll be in His presence forever.
Bill Crowder |
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UR: Encouraged at every Step
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
My home is Ukraine, but now I live in Estonia.
My friends and I still remember the horror we experienced during the first weeks of the war. We hid in the cellar of a high-rise building for 10 days during the air raids. Then we decided to start a long journey out of the country. We traveled through Romania, Hungary, and other countries to get to Estonia. Everywhere we journeyed we were met by people who helped us in countless ways. With God’s help we found our way out of danger and were encouraged by God’s Spirit at every step.
Once in Estonia, I decided together with my friends to get involved as a volunteer, helping to feed the refugees who were fleeing Ukraine. I find that the best way to deal with worries and haunting memories is to help other people. God has been good to us, and in turn we have tried to be good to God’s people.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for guiding us and walking with us always. Thank you for all the friends you send into our lives. Amen.
Harvest:
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September 23 - Walking with a Holy God
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Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.”
When we come into the presence of God, we will always behold one outstanding characteristic of His nature: His holiness. There is not a blemish in God; purity and impurity do not mix. If we are to have intimate fellowship with a holy God, then we must be clean before Him. David asked a question in Psalms 24, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?” He then answered his own question saying, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (24:3-4). Only the pure in heart will be able to enter into the presence of God and discover intimacy with Him.
Sin in the life of the believer hinders intimate fellowship with God. God is holy. When sin resides within the heart of a disciple of Jesus, it’s impossible for that disciple to walk in deep intimate fellowship with one who is absolute purity. We must confess our sins, and “He [will be] faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).
Lord, continue to create a pure heart within me and help me to be continually aware of anything that has become an idol in my life. Search me and reveal anything that sets my soul on a sinful path. I want to walk in intimate fellowship with You, Father. Reveal insincerity or anything that threatens our relationship. Transform me by the renewing of my mind and give me the perseverance to lean into Christ-likeness for the sake of people who love You, and those who have yet to claim You as Savior and Lord.
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 37, Hindrances to Effective Prayer by Sammy Tippit). 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 name of Jehovah-jireh, “the Lord will provide.”
- Thank God for having given you everything you need for life and health in this week.
- Confess to him the times when you have begrudged giving a kind word or encouragement or forgiveness to another person.
- Commit yourself to reflecting God’s generosity and openhanded love to a difficult person in your life.
- Ask God to give you an extra portion of his Spirit as you strive to reflect his character.
- If there is a specific need in your family that only God can provide, commit this need to him in the faith that he will supply it abundantly (2 Cor. 9:8).
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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Friday, September 27 2024
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Thank God everyday for His amazing love, grace, mercy and forgiveness! What does it mean to you to know that Jesus loved you so much that He was willing to endure the cross for you? Worship!
Good Morning Forgiven Much, Redeemed, Believer, Being Called by Name, Follower of Jesus! He knows you and is calling you by name right now--come! Who is this man, Jesus? How is He impacting your life? He knows you and has great plans for you! Be still and know! Talk to Him about your needs and concerns with grateful hearts fixed on Him. He is able! He will work ALL things together for good! Rejoice! Are you content? Trusting? Faithful? Walking in Peace! You can be! Who is this man that loves me, calls me by name and provides all I need? Yes, worship with much thanksgiving and walk in full surrender to Him and His ways!
Sunday we will wrap up our brief study of Philippians with chapter 4. In 4:11 Paul reminds us that he learned how to be content in good and bad times by keeping his eyes and heart fixed on Jesus. Who is this man that we can trust Him no matter what we are going through? He promises to be with you always and he knows the good plans He has for you. Trust Him! Check out Charles Stanley's teaching on Phil 4:11. We would benefit to spend more time studying this then we are as we just cruise through some of Paul's Epistles. Sarah Young reminds us, as Paul does in Phil. 4 to fix our thoughts on Jesus and things above. She reminds us how helpful it is to try to see things with God's heart and eyes. Sometimes, we have to still ourselves and refocus. Eventually, like Paul we are able to learn to be content as we fix our eyes on Jesus and pray to have His mind and heart. The Upper Room reminds of this truth and promise--God's got this--whatever the "this" is. Trust Him. Cast you anxiety to Him and ask for peace and contentment to overflow you. And know this, no matter the severity of things arrayed against you, God's justice is sure and coming. And His grace will be sufficient to carry you through. Check our Our Daily Bread on this and read Nahum 1 from it. He may be waiting for repentance but His justice and deliverance is sure and coming! Amen! God is with you. He's calling you by name and reminding you that you are His. His deliverance and help is at hand and He will redeem you and whatever you are going through. trust Him!
Fix your thoughts on things above. Choose joy! And ask for help to be content always. It is helpful to have some close journeyers traveling with you too. We need each other and especially when we are hurting or off track or derailed by some sort of chaos. Ask God for some helpers or how He wants to use you to help others to refocus, stand firm, choose joy and be content that God's got this. Then watch for His miraculous deliverance and workings! He is able--He will! Amen! He loves you and knows what's going on and is at work for your good. Trust Him! Fix your thoughts on Him as you turn off the noise and refocus from the chaos! I'm praying for you! And Jesus is interceding for you too! Rejoice! Amen! Thank God I am forgiven and He has opened the door for His deliverance and a deep relationship with the God who is Love!
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UR: God's Got This!
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (NRSVUE)
Five years ago, my husband of 26 years unexpectedly passed away. He was also the father of our three daughters and the primary wage-earner. Now when I think back on those dark days, I can see how I have been in God’s hands all along.
I prayed for my broken heart, and God gave me comfort. I prayed for guidance, and God led me to a job that would sustain me and give me purpose. I prayed for my girls, and God has led them along their own journeys. I prayed for help with having two mortgages on our family home, and God showed me how to eventually sell that house and move somewhere much more manageable. I continued to pray for direction, and God introduced me to the man who would later become my fiancé.
I do not need to doubt or fear any new hurdle. I’ve seen time and time again that God is in control. It’s easy to go back to worry when the path is unclear. But I know the Lord is with me every step I take. When I start to fret, I remind myself of what I’ve been through and take a deep breath. God’s got this!
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, even if we don’t see the answers we are looking for, help us remember your promise never to leave or forsake us. Amen.ODB:
God’s Justice and Grace
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. Nahum 1:3
READ Nahum 1:1-8, 15
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English Romantic painter John Martin (1789–1854) is known for his apocalyptic landscapes depicting the destruction of civilizations. In these fantastic scenes, humans are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction and powerless against the approaching doom. One painting, The Fall of Nineveh, depicts people fleeing the coming destruction of mounting waves under dark rolling clouds.
More than two thousand years before Martin’s painting, the prophet Nahum prophesied against Nineveh foretelling its judgment. The prophet used images of mountains quaking, hills melting, and the earth trembling (Nahum 1:5) to symbolize God’s wrath on those who’d oppressed others for their own gain. However, God’s response to sin is not without grace. While Nahum reminds his listeners of God’s power, he notes that He is “slow to anger” (v. 3) and “cares for those who trust in him” (v. 7).
Descriptions of judgment are hard to read, but a world where evil isn’t confronted would be a terrible one. Thankfully the prophet doesn’t end on that note. He reminds us that God desires a good and just world: “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!” (v. 15). That good news is Jesus, who suffered the consequences of sin so we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1, 6).
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do you want God to defend the oppressed? How might your understanding of His wrath against injustice prompt you to speak up for the oppressed?
Father, I pray for those around the world who suffer unjustly.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Despite the gloomy and apocalyptic nature of Nahum’s message, God had offered immense grace to evil Nineveh. About a century earlier, He’d sent His reluctant prophet Jonah to warn Nineveh that they’d be “overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). The city repented, and God relented from destroying it (vv. 5-10). However, history shows how they relapsed into their old ways, their appalling cruelty earning them multiple enemies. This time their judgment would be final. In 612 bc, the city was overrun by the Medes and Babylonians. Today Nineveh is mostly a ruin located near the Iraqi city of Mosul.
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Harvest:
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September 20 - Jesus – the Ultimate Intercessor
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For Jesus prayer was a lifestyle. It seems that He prayed at every major juncture and before every key decision in His life. He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35). He prayed at night (Matthew 14:27), and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). He prayed when He was alone (John 6:15), when He was with others (Matthew 11:15–26), and at public gatherings (Matthew 14:19). Scripture records eight actual prayers of Jesus, fourteen teachings of Jesus on prayer, eighteen references to Him praying, as well as three references to His intercessory prayer ministry after He ascended. Every one of His prayers was faith-filled, heartfelt, and fervent. The writer of Hebrews compacts the essence of Jesus’ prayer life into one sentence: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (5:7). Jesus was the paramount pray-er.
Jesus Christ was also the ultimate intercessor. Intercession was a major part of His prayer life. It’s from His intercessory prayer life and teaching that we especially want to learn.
Many passages of scripture record Jesus’ prayers for others. Matthew informs us that Jesus placed his hands on the little children that were brought to him and prayed for them (Matthew 19:13). Before raising Lazarus from the grave Jesus lets us in on the fact that He has been praying on the way there: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41–42). After the Lord’s Supper Jesus reinstates Peter with the reminder, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32).
In His final prayer with His disciples Jesus intercedes for their protection, their joy, their sanctification, and their future place with Him in glory (John 17:9–17, 24). In the same prayer He intercedes that future believers will be one and that they may “also be in us [that is, in the Father and the Son]” (John 17:20–23). On the cross Jesus asks the Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). Finally, forty days later, as He prepares to ascend to heaven, Jesus lifts up His hands and blesses those gathered (Luke 24:50). Intercession ran like a thread, maybe more like a rope, through the fabric of Jesus’ life.
Precious Christ Jesus, I am awed that You always live to intercede for me! How blessed I am to have the example of Your prayer life laid out for me in Scripture! Prayer was and is Your very life! I long for the kind of intimacy You have with the Father! What a mystery that Your prayer life is living within me and that You pray Your heart through mine if I will yield myself to the voice of Your Spirit. I entrust my prayer life to You now, and thank You for the promise that when I come near to You, You will come near to me! Light the fire of intercession within me as I continually seek Your face!
--Adapted from Praying God’s Heart (Prayers that Make a Difference) 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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- Praise God as the source of all true wisdom and discernment (Col. 2:3).
- Thank him for supplying his church with the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to distinguish between spirits (1 Cor. 12:8-10).
- Confess those times when you have failed to discern the cultural influences that try to choke out spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
- Commit yourself to testing the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 Jn. 4:1).
- Ask God to make you more aware of the reality of spiritual warfare in your life (Eph. 6:10-12).
- Ask God to lift the spiritual blindness from political leaders in your country, that they may make decisions that help create a wholesome and God-honoring society.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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Friday, September 27 2024
Larry Paul News below
Good Morning Friends!
Very busy and hectic day and weekend with lots of ups and downs for our family and for many of you. I am reminded through our devos today to be still and wait quietly in the Lord's peace-bringing, instructing presence. he loves you, is with you always and always speaking. Turn off the noise as much as able in these chaotic, troubling days. remember Jesus told us to expect trouble and troubles can be part of our molding or God's redirecting and sometimes correcting. be still, know and receive. he is singing over you and whispering to your soul today. Worship! Shalom, very loved child of God! What's God whispering to you today? process that with a friend or two and go work at living and loving like Jesus! Amen!
Larry Paul:
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September 2024
Hello to all of our family, friends, and partners,
We enjoyed our time in the USA this summer. It was a great time with our family, friends and churches as well as meeting new people, and our boys enjoyed reconnecting with friends they made during our last home assignment. We also had time to visit colleges with Richard to help him plan where he'll be attending school next year. Enol and I are still getting used to the idea that he won't be with us next year.
Faith Academy's new school year started August 5. We have over 530 students enrolled this year from 20 different countries. We completed our accreditation review with ACSI last school year and it was approved for another 6 years! By receiving ACSI accreditation, Faith Academy graduates are accepted by colleges and universities around the world. ACSI gave us recommendations for ways to improve so staff will be reviewing them and working to incorporate them in how students are taught and how the school is run.
Larry's crew and contractors were able to finish most of the work to prepare the campus for the new school year (only the painting of the theater exterior was delayed due to weather). Every other Saturday afternoon during the summer work we offered a Bible study to the workers and a local church graciously donated Tagalog Bibles for us to hand out to them. We're praying a seed was planted in all of them and they'll continue to worship at local churches.
Richard is now a senior and Brayden is a sophomore at Faith Academy; they're enjoying time with their friends but are also doing well in their classes. They are both on the varsity boys volleyball team which is doing well this year. They are looking forward to going to the ACSC tournament in Indonesia in October to celebrate the season.
Enol is glad to be able to volunteer a few days a week at Faith Academy's Elementary division. She's reconnecting with old friends and making new friends while helping the teachers with their classes. She also enjoys being part of the team Moms for the boys volleyball team. The Moms are doing fund raisers to help reduce the cost of attending the tournament in Indonesia.
Praises
- Time with family and friends in USA
- Richard and Brayden doing well at Faith Academy, both with schoolwork and athletics.
- Enol can volunteer at Faith Academy
- God's provision for our needs and our good health
Prayer Requests
- Larry to continue to handle the additional responsibilities at Faith Academy
- Enol's sister Zeny, complete recovery from stroke, and her financial needs
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support of our ministry at Faith Academy in the Philippines.
Larry, Enol, Richard, and Brayden |
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Reconnecting with friends in the USA!
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Enjoying Chesapeake Bay at sunset
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Distributing Bibles to our contractors at our last Bible Study of the Summer!
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Awesome picture of our school opening flag ceremony from Faith Academy's media team. We serve students and staff from over 20 different countries represented by the flags on stage!
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| Richard and Brayden on the varsity volleyball team! |
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Financial Partnership
Mail a check to:
Wycliffe
PO Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862-8200
www.wycliffe.org
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Friday, September 27 2024
Before we begin today, I have to share what a wonderful day of love and ministry I experienced yesterday an some good news too! God is with us for sure and working all things together for our good and for those who are yet to come! Keep praising and praying! God is with us!
Bread ministry was another awesome time of serving, loving, fellowshipping and prayer. God continues to bless and use us! PTL! We also continue to grow closer to each other and those God is sending. Pray for relationships to continue to blossom and lead to a deeper relationship with Jesus! Amen!
Last night we had an awesome time of Acts 2:42 type table ministry! We also made some great connections to the leaders of Revival Church as we began plans for our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. I love how God is uniting us to go love and providing workers for the harvest. Remember we are collecting candy or donations for candy for this as we expect around a thousand moving through our lot that night. Keep praying in to this outreach and for God's favor and provision! We will be collecting candy (or donations) instead of stuff for the pantry in Oct.
We had some good news on the roof and are still assessing but it appears to not be as bad as first thought. We are getting some money back from insurance to help with damage replacement too! PTL! All of this may help for us to get insurance quicker too. Keep praying into God's provision and wisdom for that so we don't have to close our doors while roof is being repaired due to lack of insurance. God is our Source and Enough! Amen!
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Good Morning Discerning of the Times, Standing on the Word, Followers of the Living Word! Check out our devos below speaking into the importance of seeking, studying and standing on the Word of God in these dark, living-for-self days and days of deception. We know the Truth and He lives in us! PTL! Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. Amen! That's Truth! Stand on it! Did you see the backlash of the Pope saying all religions lead to God? Ah sorry Pope but that is a false teaching! Jesus is the only Way! Sarah Young speaks about the battle going on for our minds. Are you listening to the Truth and do you know it well enough to discern false teachings? The Methodist Church leaders are another denomination that has tossed the Word of God and it's Truth and embraced false teaching and is embracing the way of the world. So many of their members are duped by these falsehoods and going along with this unbiblical teachings. And see no wrong in embracing things God detests. Would you know if I taught a false teaching or blow it off? I hope not! Jesus is the Way and the Truth! Open your Bibles daily and spend time in them and with our Living Word. Remember the only offensive weapon in God's armor is the Sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word. Jesus used God's Truths against Satan's twisting of the Bible to defeat him. May we be prepared to do the same. Study, know and hide God's Truth in your hearts and be ready to battle and stand firm against all kinds of falsehoods being touted as truth today. May we always stand firm in Truth! Amen!
We see all around us people who have no clue what the truth is anymore. People willing to drink the "Kool Aid" and swallow whatever is placed before them as truth. Many are seeking to have their itching ears tickled too. Check out TWFYT about that. Know God's Word and be ready to stand firm on it and wield that sword as needed. Charles Stanley reminds us to understand that God's timing is perfect and His promises are true. Some things will take time to come to pass. And we patiently wait and endure as we trust God to bring His perfect plans to life at just the right time. Know this! Studying His promises helps us to stand firm and on His Truth and not go weary or be deceived. The Upper Room reminds us that God is always with us even in the storms--ALWAYS! Focus on Him and stand firm on His Truth in the storm that living in America has become! Check out Psalm 16 from ODB reminder that we get to choose joy as we choose to trust God and His perfect timing. Ask Him to help you grow in trust and to choose joy today. He is able! And He wants to! PTL! And ask Him to keep uniting us with like-minded followers of the Truth to walk with! There is a vicious battle raging for our hearts and minds that keeps intensifying. Choose Joy, Trust and stand firm in Christ. He is coming back with His justice and deliverance for those who remain true to Him and His ways! May that be us Lord! Amen!
Put on that armor today in prayer. Prepare to stand firm in Christ. And remember to allow the Holy Spirit to produce His good fruit in you: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. Amen! Focus on what is lovely and true. Let us work at dying to self and crucifying our sin and foolishness daily as we follow Jesus. Pronounce and work on our salutation for today: We are...Discerning of the Times, Standing on the Word, Followers of the Living Word! Amen!
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UR: God Is with Us
I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. - Psalm 73:23 (NIV)
I was riding a bus along a twisting highway between cities. The bus bounced and swayed more than usual, and I didn’t feel well. As I tried to pray and hoped I wouldn’t throw up, I remembered that in Spanish, the same word is used for being carsick and seasick (mareos, from mar, the “sea”). I thought of the disciples in the boat with Jesus when a storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. They were frightened — and perhaps seasick — so they woke up Jesus who was somehow sleeping through it all. “Don’t you care if we drown?” they cried. And he promptly calmed the storm.
What strikes me is that though Jesus had the power to calm the storm and obligingly did so when they asked, he was already in the boat with the disciples. God is with us all the time — in the storms of life and on calm sunny days. God holds us by the hand in every moment and is ready to answer when we call for reassurance. When we trust in God’s loving presence, peace can fill our souls, even in the most difficult times.
Today's Prayer
Thank you, God, for being ready to answer when we call. Help us to trust in your continual presence. Amen.ODB:
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The pandemic was winning. That’s how it looked to Jason Persoff, an emergency room doctor at a large hospital committed to saving patients with Covid. How could he give his best? During off hours, he relaxed by taking enlarged photos of something small—individual snowflakes. It “sounds crazy,” says Dr. Persoff. But finding joy in something small but beautiful is “an opportunity to bond with my Creator and also to see the world in a way that few people take the time to notice.”
Wisely looking for such joy—to ease stress and build resilience—is a high value in the medical profession, the doctor said. But for everyone, he has this advice: “You’ve got to breathe. You have got to find a way to take a breath and enjoy life.”
David the psalmist expressed this thought in Psalm 16 as he declared the wisdom of finding joy in God. “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup,” he wrote. “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure” (vv. 5, 9).
There are many unwise things people do as they try to decompress. Dr. Persoff found the wise path—one that pointed him to the Creator, who offers us the joy of His presence. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (v. 11). In Him, we find joy evermore.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How does finding wise joy bless your life? As you read Psalm 16, how can it inspire you to name the ways you find joy in God?
In my life’s journey, O God, please bless me to wisely find joy that starts with You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
David’s joy in God, expressed so eloquently in Psalm 16:11, is a joy available to us as well. In fact, for the child of God, all we need for joy in our lives has already been provided—the indwelling Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul included joy in the list of the fruit of the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy isn’t something we can generate ourselves; it’s the result of the Spirit’s work in us.
Bill Crowder |
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Friday, September 27 2024
Today: Bread Ministry from 10-12; Dinner Huddlen6-7:30 tonight we eat, fellowship and work on plans with Revival Church for our upcoming Light in the Night and pray into that. next week we begin the Chosen season 4.
Good Morning Drawing Close, Very Loved, Children of God! God is Love. He created us out of love to be in an eternal relationship with Him and fellow believers. He created, gifted, is preparing and molding us to be His vessels of love to the world today. We all matter to Him. Everyone does. And He's empowering us to go change the world with His love. PTL! Thank Him for His patient, correcting, love. Ask Him to prepare and send you to love well. Ask for His heart and mind to guide you as you work on living and loving more like Jesus. He really has some great custom plans for you today. Draw close and hear His loving directions for you today. He is upholding you in His strong right hand and leading you to His best. PTL! Today we get to practice sharing His love, our hope and help at the Bread Ministry and when we gather tonight to plan how to bring the Light alive in a few weeks. Dwell in His love this morning and receive His love and directions. Then go and live and love like Jesus as God leads you. Oh what a great day this will be! Amen!
Our devotionals for today speak into drawing close into God's love, staying focused on Him and praying to be His vessel. Check them out. What's God saying to you? What will you do about it? As for me and my house we will love and serve the Lord as we allow Him to love through us. Amen! God's grace is amazing and sufficient no matter what your day is bringing. he is always with you and waiting with open arms of love for you. Invite Him in today and dwell in His amazing grace and sufficient love. I'm praying for you! Shalom!
ODB:
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When I give our beautiful, fluffy Norwegian Forest cat, Mystique, belly rubs and play with her, or when she falls asleep on my lap in the evening, it’s sometimes hard to believe that she’s the same cat we met years ago. Mystique used to live on the streets, underweight and fearful of everyone. But that gradually changed as I started putting out food for her each day. One day she finally let me pet her, and the rest is history.
Mystique’s transformation is a reminder of the healing that can come with patience and love. It reminds me of God’s heart as described in Isaiah 42. There, we’re told of a coming servant filled with His Spirit (v. 1), who would tirelessly and “in faithfulness” work to establish God’s “justice on earth” (vv. 3-4).
But that servant—Jesus (Matthew 12:18-20)—wouldn’t bring God’s justice through violence or pursuit of power. Instead, He’d be quiet and gentle (Isaiah 42:2), tenderly and patiently caring for those discarded by others—those “bruised” and wounded (v. 3).
God never gives up on His children. He has all the time in the world to care for our wounded hearts, until they finally begin to heal. Through His gentle, patient love we gradually learn to love and trust once more.
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you seen transformation through patient love? How can you grow in experiencing and sharing God’s love?
Dear God, thank You for never giving up on me and for patiently loving and caring for my wounded heart. Please help me love others with that same patient love.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Isaiah 42:1-7 is an encouraging passage in the prophetic writings. It contains images and metaphors that reveal the patient and loving nature of the “servant” of God (v. 1). The servant of God is the one who carries out His mission of redemption and restoration. But we also see the split identity of the servant. Verses 1-4 are commonly understood to refer to a single individual, the predicted Messiah, fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Some commentators believe that verses 5-7 turn from an individual servant to a corporate servant, the nation of Israel, who will be “a light for the Gentiles” (v. 6). Both passages describe the same gracious God whose servant(s) doesn’t “crush the weakest reed” (v. 3 nlt) and who can “open the eyes of the blind” (v. 7 nlt).
J.R. Hudberg |
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Charles Stanley:
Sarah Young:
UR: Grounded in God's Grace
Paul wrote, “I pray that . . . Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” - Ephesians 3:16-17 (NRSVUE)
It had been a long time since I operated my model trains. One by one I started the three trains, but at a certain stretch of track, each one came to a complete stop. Because each engine was in good repair, I knew there must be a power-supply problem. The electrical current designed to operate the engines had been disrupted. In order to correct the problem, I had to clean the tracks so that the engines could maintain contact with the track and receive the needed supply of electrical current.
This process reminded me of our need to stay grounded in God’s grace. We remain grounded in God’s grace by not allowing anything to get between us and God, so that our connection with God remains uninterrupted. Just as I must take time to clean the train tracks, I must take time to cultivate and restore my connection with God.
When our connection to God is broken, we are diminished. The most powerful way to reconnect with the Spirit is through prayer. Indeed, daily prayer is our lifeline to God’s life-preserving grace.
Today's Prayer
God of the ages, keep us grounded in your grace so that we do not lose our connection to you. Sustain us on our journey. Amen.
Friday, September 27 2024
Good Morning Children of the All-Sufficient, Miracle Working God! He is able! He is enough! Jireh! He can do things way beyond what we can think or imagine. PTL! Believe it! Pray for miracles and the supernatural to come alive in our midst. Pray for chains to be broken. Addictions gone. Deliverance from depression, doubt, fear. Miraculous healings. Revival! God is able and with mustard seed sized faith, we can move mountains! Believe! Pray expectantly with thanksgiving today! God will provide, heck He is already at work, for our insurance and roof needs. Trust and pray expectantly with thanksgiving! He is at work in you right now transforming you into His image and your created potential! PTL! Pronounce out loud that He is enough for whatever you are facing and that you believe He is able to answer. He will in His perfect way and timing. Praise Him in the waiting and keep praying. Check out the Upper Room's reminder that He is just enough! Always is! He inhabits our praise and is always at work working all things together for good and according to His perfect plans. Rejoice and pray into whatever you are facing in faith! Cast all your anxiety to God because He truly does love you and care for you and wants to lead you to his best for you. He even walks with you through whatever molding and refining it takes to get you there. PTL! Use the prayer pointers from harvest to begin your prayer time and continue sowing in faith!
Today is the day the Lord has made. We get to worship, trust and follow Him in this day! PTL! Jesus is looking deep into your soul with love and longing to be invited into your day. Open that door and invite Him in. Spend some time with Him in His Word. Know His Truth! Internalize it. Believe it! Allow His Word to lead you into all Truth! One other devo to share today is The Word for You Today as they begin a few day teaching on Jesus being the source of enlightenment. So many of you are stressing over the state of this country and the election and all the lies being spewed about. It's hard to know what to believe. Turn off the noise and cast that anxiety unto the Lord. His Word teaches us that God places leaders in place for His purposes and we are to pray for them to follow Him and His ways. Start spending time with the Living Word, Jesus, in His Word and ingest His truths and promises. Allow Him and His Word to enlighten your voting. Who is honoring His ways. Unfortunately today, maybe the question is who fails to follow Him and His ways some of the time and who doesn't and is arrayed against Jesus and His people. Vote for the ones that honor God and His ways. Pray for Him to direct your vote and cast your anxiety to Him and allow Him to raise up the leader of His choice for His purposes. Obviously we live in some dark times. It's not much different than from times of old that God's people endured. Our purpose is to change the world by being His Light and allowing His Word and promises to lead you and comfort you as you reach the ones He has prepared for you to lead out of the darkness. Do it in faith with much thanksgiving!
Come Lord! Your will be done and Kingdom rise amidst this darkness. Help us to live and love like Jesus and be filled to overflowing with His Love, Word, Light and ways as we go change the world one soul at a time by living and loving more like Jesus. You are enough! Jireh! You are the God of miracles. Come! Deliver us and this nation from darkness, bring revival! be the Light through us! Come! You are the Way, the Truth and the Life! Only You! Come! Prepare us. Lead us. Deliver us! And use us for Your glory! Bring shalom to this chaos in and around me! Take my anxiety! Thank You! We know you have plans for each of us and us together. Come! Bring them alive and grow our faith and trust. Forgive our unbelief. May we be looking for, praying for and see your miraculous workings all around us and lift much thanksgiving and praise. Yes Come! Glorify Your holy name! You are able! I believe! Thank You! Rise and shine Lord! Amen!
UR: Just Enough
Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. - Matthew 6:31-32 (NIV)
When it comes to work and finances, I have always worried about not having enough. In my early twenties I developed chronic fatigue syndrome, and since then I have never managed full-time work. But I have always had just enough money to get by as a freelance writer. When I complete a project, I often have an anxious voice in my head that wonders, What if I don’t get another one? Yet the next one always comes.
These words from Matthew 6 remind me that I need to replace that anxious voice with the assurance that God will always provide. What seems miraculous to me is that there is always just enough; it feels like God has a hand in every situation.
I recently became a Christian. Before that, I was tempted by the idea that I could become rich by positive thinking. Yet I never did discover my dream life. When I became a Christian, I realized that what I really wanted wasn’t riches; I simply wanted to be safe. I was humbled, feeling gratitude for what I had. God had provided for me all this time, even when I hadn’t believed in God.
Today's Prayer
O heavenly Father, forgive us for our greed and doubt in your provision for us. Please receive our humble thanks for all that you have given us. Amen.
Harvest prayer starters! pray these earnestly today!
- Give highest praise to God as the all-sufficient one, “El-Shaddai.”
- Thank God for being the strength of your heart and your inheritance forever (Ps. 73:26).
- Confess to him your reliance on material wealth or possessions to make you feel secure and satisfied.
- Commit yourself to saying, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (73:25).
- Ask God to help you grasp how completely his love and presence surround you in this day.
- Ask God to reveal to you one person whom you should invite to worship this week or at least invite over for a meal or a cup of coffee.
Prayer Pointer
“It appears that God has so ordered life and the world that our praying is a vital part of his redemptive plan for individuals and the entire universe.” —Maxie Dunnam
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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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TWFYT:
Friday, September 27 2024
This week: Tue 10-11 ZOOM Huddle (Zoom only this week)
Wed 10-12: Bread distribution
Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle for adults and Family Ministries. All welcome! We will be meeting with Revival Church to work on plans for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat Oct. 25th.
Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet
Sun Worship 10 AM in person and on Zoom (Study Philippians 4)
Prayer needs:
Provision and favor for new insurance and roof replacement (our insurance expires Oct 15th and we need to have a new roof or at minimum a signed contract, start date and deposit for a new roof before we can get insurance for the building) We are working on getting liability insurance for the interim so we can keep the building open.
Wisdom, unity, provision and favor with Emmaus borough for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat with revival Church. (We are collecting bags of candy bars to be used with the many visitors we expect)
Pray for a smooth and easy transition back from vacation to work for Karen and me. Thanks! Thank God for Sarah, Mike and Sally covering last week and Sunday!
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Good Morning Reflecting, Friends of God! I pray God spoke to you last week as much as He did to me during vacation. It took a lot of restraint for me to disconnect and not write a blog each morning we were off. God was really speaking to my spirit. Thanks Lord! Wonder what you were hearing? I'd love to hear! Friday was a bit frustrating with dealing with the tyranny of the urgent concerning the roof and insurance. There is some much that needs to happen in the next few weeks or we will be forced to lock our doors until we get a roof and then can procure insurance. BUT GOD! He knows, has a plan and will provide and guide. Pray for His Kingdom to come, will to be done, wisdom for leaders and provision. And so we transition back to almost daily blogs thinking about our Friend, Jesus and becoming more like Him.
Yesterday Mike brought a great Word from Phil. 3. I stretched him a bit with assigning a text to preach on and he sought and heard God and shared about the Joy of our salvation and of knowing Christ more and choosing to live more for Him. Paul attacked the legalist mutilators of flesh (Those of the circumcision) and reminded us of the freedom we can know in Christ as we allow Him to circumcise our heats (cut away the flesh and hardness). God loves our soft, surrendered hearts and uses people with those. May that be us! Amen! To live is Christ involves crucifying our sins, dying to self, and allowing Him, inviting Him to be our Lord and Savior. He created you, me and has gathered us for such a time as this. Let us humble ourselves and keep seeking Him and allowing Him to mold us and lead us to His perfect plans. Amen!
Since you have had some practice this past week seeking God and listening on your own during your quiet time and with your devotionals, I will only share two you do not have and Harvest's blog this morning as a kick start to seeking, listening and discerning at Jesus' feet. What's God saying to you. Jesus is standing in your presence, looking deep into your heart and inviting you to come to Him, receive His, love, peace, wisdom and directions for the day. Be still and know how much you are loved! Sarah Young from her Jesus Calling devotional has a great word and reminder today. meditate on what she is reminding us this morning. Draw close to your Creator and follow Him to His purposes for you. Charles Stanley in his "God's Purposes for Your Life" devo reminds us about the dying to self and allow God to cut away the hard hearts and fleshly/worldly stuff in us. Stop striving in your own strength and trying to earn God's favor. be still, turn off the noise and allow Him to fasten Jesus' easy yoke around you as you choose to walk with Him through this day. Well. OK, here's Our Daily bread's reminder that We are being built on Christ. We are His living stones that He is using to build His Church. Will you allow Him to lead you and place you where he knows is best for His plans? Ok so then the Upper Room reminds us that God is always speaking. Are you listening and willing to trust and obey today? God has custom made great plans for you, me and us together! Let us surrender, listen trust and follow well! And let us find some team mates to travel with as we follow Jesus together! Please pray the prayer from Harvest as we seek God and long to do His will and purposes.
Mike shared this image from our vacation of the misty waters at sunrise. The Son is rising over us and wanting to reflect His glory through us! We may be a bit foggy but as we allow Him to shine through us we will reflect Him more clearly. We are being formed into His image. Surrender, draw close, listen, receive, and go live and love more like him today. That's all he asks. be you and allow Him to use you for His glory! Amen!
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ODB:
We have all sorts of names for groups of animals. No doubt you’ve heard of a flock of sheep, a herd of cattle, or even a gaggle of geese. But some names may surprise you. A group of crows is called a murder. How about a congregation of alligators, or a crash of rhinoceroses? Have you heard of a building of rooks (Eurasian crows)?
Building, in fact, is one of the names in the Bible for believers in Jesus. “You are . . . God’s building,” wrote the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 3:9). There are other names for believers as well: “the flock” (Acts 20:28), “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), “brothers and sisters” (1 Thessalonians 2:14), and more.
The building metaphor recurs in 1 Peter 2:5, as Peter tells the church, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.” Then, in verse 6, Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone.” Jesus is the very foundation of His building.
We may have the sense that it’s our job to build the church, but Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We’re chosen by God to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). As we declare those praises, we become instruments in His hands as He does His good work.
By Bill Crowder
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What does it mean for Jesus to build His church? How can you participate in that work?
Dear God, forgive me for the times I think it’s all about me. Please use me to serve You and love others as You build Your church.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The apostle Peter describes believers in Jesus this way: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). He wasn’t the only New Testament writer to utilize the building metaphor. In fact, Paul uses that imagery multiple times in Ephesians alone. In Ephesians 2:21-22 we read, “In [Christ] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” God crafts His people into a “building”—a “spiritual house”—which is His dwelling place. Not only is this true of believers in Jesus collectively, it’s also the case for individual believers. The apostle also wrote: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Bill Crowder |
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UR:
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. - Psalm 29:4 (NIV)
As part of my fitness program, I try to walk at least two miles each day around my neighborhood. When I first started, I would listen to music through my earphones. One day I decided to remove them and just enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. I began to notice different types of trees and flowering plants in my neighbors’ yards. I also saw different kinds of birds and the occasional deer.
As I approached the end of my walk, I entered the alcove of my front door. Then I heard a bird whose song sounded to me like it was saying, “Hear me! Hear me!”
As I thought about the bird’s song, I decided it was a reminder to listen for God. God can speak to us in many ways — through nature, a friend, or even a stranger. It may not be a direct conversation, but if we are willing to pay attention, we might just encounter God.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to seek and receive your guidance. We pray in the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Harvest:
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September 16 - Spiritual DNA
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One definition of prayer is the conscious and unconscious connection between our self and God. As such, prayer is part of our soul’s DNA. It is the honest speech of the soul, that part of us created in the Divine image.
Much of my current play with my four young granddaughters involves showing them an object and asking, “What’s this?” I am delighted when they can name the object or picture. Even before they were able to name things I brought objects to them, often with cooing sighs of delight. I experience pleasure as their eyes follow the object and then return my gaze.
Those first smiles of recognition and connection are forever etched in my soul. This repetitive interaction is a form of basic speech and connection. It is both spoken and unspoken adoration. It is “primary speech.”
God creates us in His image, then invites us to notice, name, and respond to that Divine image as God’s desire for connection. As we increase this awareness, we also increasingly connect with that part of us that is God breathed, our spiritual DNA. Developing a lifestyle of prayer is increasingly attending to this inner image of the Divine, as well as to the reflection of God in the whole creation.
Majestic Father, Creator of all things, I am in awe of all that You are! I praise You for creating me in such a way that we are intricately connected through the prayer that is birthed from the depths of my soul. As Your creation, I yield myself to Your purposes. May my life be a reflection of Jesus, who lives in me and prays through me, yet who always lives to intercede for me…a divine mystery filled with love!
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 34, Developing a Lifestyle of Prayer by Gerald Schmidt). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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Friday, September 13 2024
Good Morning Abiding, Resting, Preparing Followers of the Way! Please Lord! May I be that and all You created me to be as I learn to follow Your way better. Thanks! Amen. Have your way with me as you trach me your good and healthy ways and rhythms. Thanks!
I had no intention of doing any blogs the rest of the week, But God! He spoke to me through several devos for today that He wanted me to share with you, especially since I awoke at 3 and everyone is still in bed. We got here late afternoon yesterday and after unload just had a wonderful time disconnecting and relaxing. It is so needed as the busyness of life and work for Karen, our daughter Lauren and me is a very present thing. Jesus got away, rested and even took naps as He recharged for work and busyness ahead. We honor God when we do that. Often we forget that or don't give ourselves permission to rest ad reload. Two Chosen devos I am using talk to us about the battle between choosing God's ways or our own. The battle is real. Sometimes we have to force ourselves to rest and abide/ Charles Stanley talks about choosing rest. I want to share this with you who are weary and overworked. And the ODB ends with two important questions we need to answer. "How should being a child of God affect you? And What will you do this week to live out your status and responsibility as His child?" Ponder those and choose well, my friends. I'm signing off now and going back to nap before the others awake. Chill! Relax! Rest in the Lord! That glorifies Him as much as working for Him! Rest, abide and find balance and His shalom! He loves you and says, "Come to Me and rest!" Amen!
Here's a great song to kick start your quiet time today! We can be an honest offering as we surrender to God and His healthy ways! Amen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqqIDnjDKY
God is speaking! Was just ready to hit send when Harvest blog popped up! Check out these links!
Retreat to Advance
The Power of Silence
CS:
ODB
Spiritual Royalty
To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
READ John 1:9-13
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When Jay Speights of Rockville, Maryland, took a DNA test, nothing could have prepared him for the results he received. They contained a big surprise—he was a prince of the West African nation of Benin! Soon he boarded a plane and visited the country. When he arrived, the royal family greeted and showered him with a festive homecoming—dancing, singing, banners, and a parade.
Jesus came to earth as God’s good news announcement. He went to His own people, the nation of Israel, to give them the good news and to show them the way out of darkness. Many received the message with apathy, rejecting the “true light” (John 1:9) and refusing to accept Him as Messiah (v. 11). But unbelief and apathy weren’t universal among the people. Some people humbly and gladly received Christ’s invitation, accepted Him as God’s eventual sacrifice for sin, and believed in His name. A surprise awaited this faithful remnant. He “gave [them] the right to become children of God” (v. 12)—to be royal children of His through spiritual rebirth.
When we turn from sin and darkness, receive Jesus, and believe in His name, we discover we’re children of God, adopted as royalty into His family. May we enjoy the blessings as we live up to the responsibilities of being the King’s kids.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
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How should being a child of God affect you? What will you do this week to live out your status and responsibility as His child?
Father, it’s amazing that through Jesus’ death You invite me into spiritual royalty. I’m humbled and grateful.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the New Living Translation, John 1:1-18 has the heading, “Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word.” This section has been called a theological masterpiece, for its brilliance calls us to worshipful reflection and a desire to know and serve the one described. The term that John uses for Jesus before He entered the world is “the Word” (vv. 1, 14)—the creative self-expression of God through which all things came to be. A good subheading for verses 1-5 would be: “The Existence and Experience of the Word.” He existed as God and with God (vv. 1-2) and functioned as God (vv. 3-5). What God is credited with in Genesis 1—all of creation—is attributed to the Word as the active agent (see also Colossians 1:15-17). What follows in John 1:6-14 could be titled, “The Entrance of the Word into the World.” How was (and is) He received? With mixed reviews. But all who receive Him are welcomed into His family.
Arthur Jackson |
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Friday, September 13 2024
Pastor Don and Karen are on vacation this week. If you have a need, please reach out to Sarah. Thank you! We hope to disconnect and recharge as we retreat to a lake house in the Poconos. Prayers appreciated for that and health. Thanks! Pray for our Maggie to have peace at pet sitter too.
Good Morning Children of the Most Hight God! rejoice and be glad in the day and celebrate your life in Christ! As I PREPARE TO DISCONNECT, God leads us into to tracks through our devotionals today. They do tie together because we are so loved that God made a way for us to be forgiven. then Jesus commands us ti live like Him which means forgiving as we've been forgiven. Check out the devos below and meditate on them as we begin this week at Jesus' feet asking to live and like like Him more in '24.
The Upper Room reminds us that we are filled with God's love. This week Karen and I are recharging and reloading our tanks with a spiritual retreat with Jesus as He bless us with His refreshing love. Our Daily Bread reminds us to abide, to dwell, to rest in Jesus and His love. They remind us of the importance of journeying with others as we seek to follow Jesus more and go share the Good news that brings our hope and joy alive. As we encounter worldly people or deal with those who have hurt us, The Word for You Today reminds us to leave the judging to God. We really don't know people's hearts, do we? Ask Him to help with that and to bring discernment too. As leaders, we are called to be discerning. Some of us are dealing with that with someone who wants to be part of our fellowship, yet needs to be under church discipline nd repent of some things before that can even be entertained as a possibility. God convicted me that I need to be discerning, loving and forgiving. Is He at work in her heart? yes. We await to see how she responds to that drawing and allow Him to have His way, judge and forgive when she repents. And we ask fo rHis help to love like that. Charles Stanley expounds on the thought of the power of forgiveness. Help us Lord to love, forgive, be discerning and wise and follow You always and your ways. Thanks!
That's enough to meditate on and apply today. may God speak to your heart this week and help you to live and love more like Him! I'll be praying and praising for you! Shalom!
Maggie says to have a great week! Dog spelled backwards is God! She reminds us that he is always watching, just like she is always watching Karen! Sometimes during Karen's quiet time, she lays on her Bible. May we abide in His Word, rest in Him and keep our eyes on Jesus always! Amen!
UR: Filled with God's Love
[God] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. - Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
When I was growing up, gas stations were called “service stations” or “filling stations.” When you drove in, an attendant would come out to your car and ask you what you needed. My dad would always answer, “Fill ’er up!” The attendant would then pump the gas, check the oil level, check the air in the tires, and clean the windshield. Dad would never let his car get below a half tank of gas. He said, “You never know what might happen, and you might end up somewhere without a filling station close by.”
Dad died two years ago. When I pulled into a gas station recently, recalling his care for his cars made me think about my spiritual health. Do I let my tank get more than half empty before I turn to God for spiritual nourishment? I realized that, at any time of day or night, wherever I am, whenever I’m feeling low, all I have to do is turn to the Lord. God will not only restore my spirit but also supply all my needs (see Phil. 4:19).
Today's Prayer
O Lord, our God, when we are down and our spirits are empty, remind us to turn to you for hope and strength. Thank you for being our rock and our redeemer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ODB:
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A fire burned Balsora Baptist Church to the ground. As emergency workers and community members gathered after the blaze subsided, they were surprised to see a charred cross standing upright amidst the smoke and ashes in the air. A firefighter commented that the fire “took the structure, but not the cross. [This is a reminder] that the building was just that, a building. The church is the congregation.”
The church is not a building, but a community united by the cross of Christ—the One who died, was buried, and rose again. When Jesus lived on earth, He told Peter He’d build His worldwide church, and nothing would destroy it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would gather believers from all over the globe into a group that would continue throughout time. This community would face intense difficulty, but they’d ultimately endure. God would dwell within them and sustain them (Ephesians 2:22).
When we struggle to establish local churches only to have them stagnate and sputter, when buildings are destroyed, or when we’re concerned about believers struggling in other parts of the world, we can remember that Jesus is alive, actively enabling God’s people to persevere. We’re part of the church He’s building today. He’s with us and for us. His cross remains.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY
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In what ways might you support fellow believers? How does sharing the good news relate to God’s plan for the church?
Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
How are we to interpret Jesus’ reference to “the gates of Hades” (Matthew 16:18)? The setting for Christ’s great question to Peter, “Who do you say I am?” (v. 15) is Caesarea Philippi, which lies at the southern base of Mount Hermon. The area in and around Caesarea Philippi had historically been known as Bashan, which scholars and the Scriptures connect to the worship of several false gods and to child sacrifice. People commonly believed this region to be the entrance to the underworld—the place of the dead. Jesus knew that the phrase “the gates of Hades” would be understood as our great enemy—death. Christ’s statement is a declaration that He’s the Messiah who overcomes even death. Peter answered Jesus’ question by saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Christ called Peter “blessed” for this response (v. 17).
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TWFYT:
CS:
Shalom!
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