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Saturday, October 05 2024
Today:
10-12 Bread Ministry
12-12:30 EC Day of Fasting and Prayer. We will join our bishop on zoom to pray for the denomination and our churches. Please stay muted as we will be on with many pastors and churches. Here's the link:
Meeting ID: 891 9950 0308
Passcode: 196504
Tonight 6-8 Dinner and Chosen Huddles for Families and Adults. All welcome!
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Good Morning Unified, Fruitful Followers of Jesus! We are one in the Spirit, one in the Lord and they will know we are Christians by our love. Love is a Fruit of the Spirit and a measure of how well we are doing in our walk with Jesus and as His united missionaries. This morning during our pastor's prayer huddle we discussed John 17:20-25 and Jesus' prayer for us on the night before His crucifixion. He prayed for us to be united and one. I think our church is doing pretty good with that and today at noon we will pray for that for our denomination and churches as well. I think we are taking steps to being unified on mission with Revival Church that meets in our building as we pray, plan an will serve together at our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. (Don't forget we need lots of candy bars and are collecting those or donations to buy some) Keep praying for God to unite us, His Church and to send us to light up the darkness with fellow believers. Amen! Here is John 17:20-25 and Our Daily bread using Gal 5. We will be discussing this on Sunday. Pray into both of these. What's God saying to you and leading you to do? What will you do about that? Who will you unite with in love to bring His love alive? I'd love to hear your answers! Gal. 5:14 reminds us of our call to serve each other in love and to go love our neighbors. Paul says that fulfills the Law. It's all about love! Agape, dying to self love, love in action, loving others well. Let's keep working on that! Let us be earnest in our pursuit to live sacrificially and love lavishly more like Jesus everyday! He made us to love and to be one! Amen!
John 17:20-25,
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.
ODB:
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Following a challenging tour in Afghanistan, Scott, a sergeant in the British Army, fell apart. He remembered: “I was in a dark place.” But when he “discovered Jesus and began following Him,” his life changed radically. Now he seeks to share the love of Christ with others, especially veterans with whom he competes in the Invictus Games, an international event for wounded and injured members and veterans of the armed forces.
For Scott, reading the Bible, praying, and listening to worship music grounds him before going to the Games. God then helps him “to reflect the character of Jesus and show kindness, gentleness, and grace” to the fellow veterans competing there.
Scott names here some of the fruit of the Spirit that the apostle Paul wrote about to the believers in Galatia. They struggled under the influence of false teachers, so Paul sought to encourage them to stay true to God and His grace, being “led by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18). By doing so, they would then produce the Spirit’s fruit—“love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (vv. 22-23).
With God’s Spirit living within us, we too will burst forth with the Spirit’s goodness and love. We too will show gentleness and kindness to those who surround us.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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How can God help you to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit? What practices can help you to stay in tune with Him?
Life-giving God, thank You for Your Spirit. Please produce within me fruit for others to enjoy.
Learn how to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Galatians, Paul warned against the teaching that gentile believers in Jesus needed to obey the law revealed to Moses. This was one of the most contentious issues in early communities of believers; it was difficult for many to fathom gentile believers not being required to adhere to the requirements of the law as inspired by God (such as circumcision; see Galatians 5:6). But Paul argued that the law had a temporary teaching role in God’s plan (3:23-25). It had no power to overcome sin. Christ frees and empowers believers to be “led by the Spirit” (5:18) in a life of love (vv. 22-25).
Monica La Rose |
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Saturday, October 05 2024
Sarah Prayer updates below
Today Noon and 6:30 pray with Revival Church for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. Link:
Topic: Light in the Night Prayer Call Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet every Tues at noon and/or 6:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 985 238 1129 Passcode: prayer
Wed Noon EC Day of Fasting and Prayer led by our Bishop:
Meeting ID: 891 9950 0308
Passcode: 196504
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Good Morning Resting in the Lord Faithful Worshipers--Overcomers!
Jesus calls to us weary travelers to come find rest in Him as we put on His easy yoke. That easy yoke is your custom fitted purposes joined to Jesus as you plow with Him. It's a joy and pleasure as we rest in Him and allow Him to lead and use us. We are custom made, custom gifted, Holy Spirit empowered and yoked to Jesus to go live and love like Him. And that grows daily as we rest in Him and grow in relationship and obedience. Amen! What joy and peace we can know as we don that easy yoke daily no matter our circumstances. Jesus sees, knows, calls and helps always. Rest in Him today! That is an act of worship! Stop striving in your own strength. Die to self and take up cross daily as you follow Jesus to your daily assignments. Amen! Put on God's armor in prayer and ingest His Living Word to sustain, train, and protect you. Allow Jesus to grow your faith as you dwell in Him and bring Him alive and experience His ever-loving, ever-present help and love. Let go of all bitterness. Offense is one of Satan's most used weapons. Be aware of that and root out all bitterness as you forgive, let go and follow Jesus. And remember, often our faith is activated one step at a time as we commit to take the next step with Jesus. Amen! He has great plans for you today. Rest in Him. Put on that armor and yoke and commit to follow well. Then celebrate and rejoice at who He is and His great plans as they come alive in and through you! We are on our way to become God's dynamic movement. Don't grow weary! Keep taking that next step in faith and watch for the abundant fruit to grow that has already begun to bud. Ask God to unite you with the partners He has for you for accountability, encouragement and prayer as you co-labor for His Kingdom. Praise God for He inhabits our praise! Start there and rest in His love today as your first step of faith. Watch what He will do! Join Him and go live and love more like Jesus today! Amen!
ODB:
My wife and I put hundreds of miles on our bikes each year, pedaling the trails around West Michigan. To enhance the experience, we have some accessories that we’ve attached to our bikes. Sue has a front light, a back light, an odometer, and a bike lock. My bike has a water-bottle holder. In reality, we could ride our route successfully every day and rack up all those miles without the extras. They’re helpful but optional.
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes about another set of accessories—but these aren’t optional. He said we must “put on” these things to be successful in living out our faith in Jesus. Our lives aren’t easy rides. We’re in a battle in which we must “stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:11), so we must be well equipped.
Without the wisdom of Scripture, we can be swayed to accept error. Without Jesus helping us live out His “truth,” we’ll give in to lies (v. 14). Without the “gospel,” we’ll have no “peace” (v. 15). Without “faith” shielding us, we’ll succumb to doubt (v. 16). Our “salvation” and the Holy Spirit anchor us to live well for God (v. 17). This is our armor.
How vital that we travel the pathways of life protected from its real dangers. We do that when Christ equips us for the challenges along the way—when we “put on” the armor God provides.
By Dave Branon
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What does it mean for you to “put on” God’s armor? What situations are you facing that require His armor the most?
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me in Scripture how I can stand against Satan’s attacks.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Ephesians 4-6, Paul exhorts believers in Jesus “to live a life worthy of [God’s calling]” (4:1) and not to live like unbelievers (v. 17) whose lives are characterized by “fruitless deeds of darkness” (5:11). Believers are to live a life filled with love as “children of light” (v. 8) because “the days are evil” (v. 16). Concluding his letter, Paul warns his readers of a dangerous, powerful enemy who seeks to destroy them. In combating Satan and his evil forces, believers can stand firm and be victorious if they remain “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (6:10). They will be strengthened by God when they “put on the full armor of God” (vv. 11, 13). Most of this armor is defensive, except for “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Christ used the Scriptures to defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
K. T. Sim |
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UR: If You Have Faith
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NIV)
My wife’s grandmother Irene was fond of saying, “If you have your health, you have everything.” Now that I am experiencing various health challenges, I have a better understanding of what she meant. But while being healthy is important, I prefer to say, “If you have your faith, you can face anything.”
Today’s reading from Matthew describes the disciples’ fear during an unexpected storm. They awakened Jesus, who calmed the storm and then rebuked the disciples: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” I think Jesus was pointing out that as long as he was with them, they could face anything.
We see evidence of this later as these same disciples went through a dramatic transformation. Infused with the Holy Spirit after being instructed by Jesus, they spread the gospel message near and far, fulfilling the Great Commission (see Matt. 28:16-20). They repeatedly faced persecution and danger. Previously fearful and confused, the disciples now displayed tremendous courage, in some cases even dying for the sake of the gospel message.
Their faith in Jesus Christ caused this change.
We will face challenges in our lives, but Jesus is always with us, giving us peace and courage in times of trouble.
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, strengthen our faith and give us “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). Amen.
CS:
TWFYT:
Sarah updates:
Hi Warriors,
Please pray for Diane Huber - Tracy Huber's mother - she is currently in the ER with AFIB. Please pray for the medical team caring for her and also pray for her family. Pastor Don is going to try and get in to see her tonight or tomorrow.
Jeff - Friend of Dean's - Prayers for him as he has experienced the anniversary of loosing his brother. Jeff is also an EMT and was at the horrific traffic accident on Hamilton Boulevard. Keep him in your prayers....and all our EMT and fire fighters and police officers as they serve our community.
Mike Canfield's father - and family as they are trying to find him placement in an assistant living facility in Florida. Pray that Dad will see the need for the facility, someone to care for Dad's 2 dogs that he cannot take with him, and prayers of wisdom for the family.
Rodney R - pray for an open placement at an assistant living facility, where he would have more independence. He enjoys music and writing
Lisa Wenner is asking for prayer for best friend's family. Their mother is in the arms of Jesus, and the family is having a difficult time with her passing
Bert Richards - Pastor Don had to reschedule their visit due to Bert suffering from a bad cold.
Kay Paul's sister, Joanne is in ICU and dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Houston as he has some appointments this week with his medical team. Also keep Gail in prayer as she organizes their week's appointments.
Thanks everyone for praying for these folks in need!
Blessings,
Sarah
Saturday, October 05 2024
This Week:
Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome.
Tue noon and 6:30 Zoom prayer for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat with Revival Church. Click the link and join others in prayer weekly until the event. Link:
Topic: Light in the Night Prayer Call Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet every Tues at noon and/or 6:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9852381129?pwd=V2oXjq2YIpVu2btu0b7Nk4j2Bax7Wl.1&omn=84653669862
Meeting ID: 985 238 1129 Passcode: prayer
Wed. 10-12 Bread Ministry.
Noon-12:30 Fast and Pray for the EC denomination and our church to become a dynamic movement of God. Watch for link to join our bishop in prayer on zoom.
Wed 6-8: Chosen Dinner Huddles for adults and Family Ministries. All welcome
Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet
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Good Morning Recounting God's Faithfulness Encouragers and Pronouncers of Life and Blessings! So, what does that mean? Well God gave me that from a deep time in His Word and some devotionals today. Did you catch any of that in your quiet time? God is always speaking and speaking life to things that were as dead. Think about how He breathed life into those dry bones of Elijah. God is redeeming and changing us and has given each of us stories to share and words of life to pronounce as He sends us to encourage others. Amen! Think on that for a bit. Who needs to hear your story, some Good News, and/or receive some words of life today? What will you do about it? Who will you partner with to help you be encouraged and/or to go build up and encourage? Pray into that and pronounce life over Emmaus, our church and your life. Receive it too!
Yesterday Sarah talked about Saul/Paul's life. Something is evident from his life and conversion: God is a pursuing and redeeming God and has plans for all of us--even the vilest of sinners, like Saul, who persecuted and was part of trying to stop the early church by arresting and killing new Christians. As Saul pursued and hunted, he was being pursued and hunted by God. Have you experienced God pursuing you? Has He got your attention and changed your life? Has He redeemed something and made you new and ready for His plans and purposes? Who needs to hear about that? Is God sending you to help someone receive God's healing, loving, redirecting? He has some custom plans just for you. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and He will redeem, use, prepare and even send you. Stop running from God and fighting against His plans! Has God changed your name? Stop pronouncing wrong things and death over your life! You are not a loser, unforgivable, or forgotten. You are a very loved, pursued child of the God who molds, changes and leads to life and life abundant! Amen! Start living into your new nature and pronouncing life over you, our church, your neighborhood and some Saul-like people you know. Think about how God answered the prayers of many people who were crying out for deliverance from Saul's wrath. Who are you praying for and pronouncing deliverance over? Is God sending you to someone that is not your favorite person that you have been praying for or about? God does have plans just for you and for us together! Let us earnestly pursue Him and His good plans and commit to doing our parts. Amen!
Fix your thoughts in things above. Turn off the noise and keep refocusing on our Deliverer and fill your minds with His truth and your mouth with His truths and praise. Keep praying and pronouncing life and ask to be a bringer of His Living water. You are custom made for today and God has great plans for you. And remember they do not have to be big things. Stay faithful in the little things and patiently pursue His righteousness and plans one small step of faith at a time. In God's economy small is big and slow is fast. Keep pursuing faithfulness to the little things and God will lead you and us to His greater things. Amen! God has sent us to be His bringers of Good News, hope and help. Who needs some help, encouragement and some Good News today? Pray into that and ask God how He wants to use you to go bless. Then follow Him. That is where we find life abundant! Living Christ daily is God's best! So live Christ today and incarnate Him and His love. Amen! Rejoice! Be faithful always because He is faithful!
You can use your own Bibles, prayer time and devotionals today to draw close to God. He's singing over you and speaking to your heart. What's He saying? Who needs to hear that? Go! Live and love more like Jesus today! Know true joy and peace as you do! Thanks Lord! Come!
Saturday, October 05 2024
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE! LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! Let us enter His courts with thanksgiving!
Good Morning Fellowshipping Worshipers! Amen! Today we get to worship, praise, pray, study, fellowship, eat and enjoy this day together! PTL!
Worship begins at 10 as Sarah leads us into God's Word. Then we move downstairs to eat and fellowship at the 2 Peas in a Pod Brunch. Come one and all and bring some friends! It promises to be a great day in the Lord! Prepare your hearts to worship!
God has some great plans for you and us as Acts 2:42 comes alive today as we gather. It's just wat the very first church was known to do: Study the apostle's teaching, eat, fellowship and pray. As we gather, may it be as it was for the early church, "And God added to their numbers daily!" Pray for us to connect to others, connect them to God through Christ and make disciples while we love God and others and enjoy life! Amen!
Life in Christ can be that easy as you allow Him to live and love through you and work at being who you are created to be and doing what you are created to do! It's that sweet spot and easy yoke Jesus invites us to enjoy. We all have custom made parts in His Good News Delivery Co. PTL! And we get to exercise some of those things today--praying, worshiping, encouraging, welcoming, sharing, teaching, and loving well. Amen! Come! Now is the time to be you and worship! We are created with the capacity to know Christ and make Him known. Watch today for how God is bringing that alive in and through you and us as we gather. He really does have some great plans for today! Rejoice!
You can spend some time with our God and through our devotionals today. They speak into a lot of this and your part. Check them out prayerfully. I want to just share Charles Stanley's devo which really spoke to my heart and speaks into our calling. He uses Hebrews 3:1 which ends with "Fix your thoughts on Jesus." We encountered that same thought as we wrapped up our Philippians study last week. Fix your thoughts on things above. Keep focused on and follow Jesus and you will be well on your way to becoming more like Him and growing into your created potential. Thanks Lord! God's always up to something new. Let us stay focused and committed to following together! Your Kingdom come and will be done, Lord, in through, and around me! Send me! Grow your Kingdom! Bring revival! may we continue to earnestly pursue and follow You to Your perfect plans! Come! Glorify Your name! Amen!
Charles Stanley:
Saturday, October 05 2024
Tomorrow: Worship at 10, brunch at 11:30. All welcome! Bring some friends! Who ya bringin'? There's plenty of food and desserts that Lori and team are, will and have prepared.
Good Morning Redeemed, Persevering, Protected, Growing Servants of the God Most High! YES and Amen! This salutation is right from our devos for today. Psalm 103:11 reminds us, "As high as the heavens are above the Erath, so great is His love for those who fear Him." He really loves us and as we surrender and ask Him to examine us, renew our thinking and help us repent, He will and grow us more into the people we are created to be and more like Him. Even in the battle for our nation, God addresses His people to respond rightly to bring His help. "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and pray--THEN I will heal their land." (my paraphrase). Revival, salvation and bringing to life God's best ways for us and this nation begins with us--His people. His plan all along is to use His people to bring Jesus, salvation and new life alive to the world around us where He has placed us for such a time as this. It all begins with our obedience and focus on God's best. Amen! Help us Lord! Come! Refine us and focus us on Your mission with earnest and surrendered hearts. May we truly become one nation under God. May Your perfect plans and will come alive in and through us. May we persevere in faith and be about You and Your business no matter the circumstances around us. Help us to live as your holy and surrendered remnant and bring You alive today. Bring revival! Change us and this nation by Your love! Thanks! Come! Amen!
Here are our devos for today to contemplate prayerfully and to use to process and plan with some friends how to respond. What's God saying to you and what will you do about it? Pray on that armor as you surrender, repent, renew your thinking and plan with some others to go bring Jesus' light and love alive! We are His vessels of change! Live like it today! We are...Redeemed, Persevering, Protected, Growing Servants of the God Most High! Amen!
ODB:
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Some friends went boating in the English Channel, hoping the forecast for stormy weather would change. But the winds rose, and the waves became choppy, threatening the safety of their vessel, so they radioed for help to the RNLI (the Royal National Lifeboat Institution). After some tense moments, they spotted their rescuers in the distance and realized with relief they’d soon be safe. As my friend reflected gratefully afterward, “Whether or not people ignore the rules of the sea, the RNLI still comes to the rescue.”
As he recounted the story, I thought about how Jesus leads God’s search-and-rescue mission. He came to earth to become a man, living as one of us. Through His death and resurrection, He provided us with a rescue plan when our sin and disobedience separated us from God. This truth is emphasized by Paul, when writing to the church at Galatia: “The Lord Jesus Christ . . . gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:3-4). Paul reminded the Galatians of the gift of new life they received through Jesus’ death so that they would honor God day by day.
Jesus, our rescuer, willingly died to save us from being lost. Because He did, we have life in the kingdom of God, and in gratitude we can share the life-saving news with those in our community.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do you express thanks for your rescue? With whom can you share the good news?
Dear Jesus, You give the gift of life and salvation. Please help me to receive Your love and give it to others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Galatians, Paul refers to Jesus as our rescuer (1:3-5) and deliverer (5:1). The apostle uses a variety of terms in his other writings to describe what Christ accomplished in His rescue mission. He provides “peace with God” (Romans 5:1); He’s “our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7), our “Savior” (Ephesians 5:23), and redeemer (Titus 2:14). The author of Hebrews describes Him as our “great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14). The common thread of these images and metaphors is that Jesus rectifies something that’s wrong. The parables that He told in Luke 15 of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (more commonly known as the prodigal son) have a similar theme of rescue. Christ described His own work by saying, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (19:10).
J.R. Hudberg |
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UR: Persevere!
Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
One of the greatest stories of endurance in the Bible is that of Job. Job suffered the loss of his family, possessions, and health, but he persevered and revered God through it all.
I recently had the chance to run in my first half-marathon. Even with months of proper training, I found myself drained of energy and low in spirit with several miles to go before the finish line.
As I began to question whether I would have the strength to make it, I remembered today’s reading from Hebrews telling us to run with perseverance toward the path set before us, just as Jesus persevered toward the cross.
These words are a powerful reminder for us to remain faithful to God till the very end, despite the many struggles we are bound to experience. I am proud to say that by remembering God’s challenge to persevere, I was able to cross the finish line.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us focus on all you have promised, especially during the challenging times. Thank you for your faithfulness to us. Amen.CS:
SY:
TWFYT:
Harvest:
- Pray with a thankful heart that our Father desires His people to have communion with Him.
- Ask God to give us deeply broken and repentant hearts, recognizing that sin so easily entangles us.
- Ask forgiveness for any time you have not humbled yourself before the Lord and pride has overtaken you.
- Commit yourself to deeper levels of seeking after His heart rather than your own selfish desires.
- Ask God to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land!
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40 Days USA | A Call To Pray For Our Nation
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Friday, September 27 2024
Don't forget...Sunday is our Brunch after worship. All welcome! Bring a friend or two! Lord, may Acts 2:42 come alive in and through us as we gather! All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
Good Morning Worshipers! We do have so much to praise and be thankful for! We even bow in humble worship all the time! Who are we God, that You are mindful of us? Yet You are! Thank You! Today's devotionals lead through dwelling in His presence in praise and worship and allow His Word to inform our praise, prayers and actions. Check them out prayerfully. What's God saying to you?
Lately, I've been thinking about Job and how all that he loved was taken from him by the devil. And God allowed this stretching, refining, testing. But there is one thing not taken, Job's steadfast faith in God. No one can take that unless we surrender it. God promises to be with us always--on the mountain top and in the darkest valleys. Fix your thoughts on Him! Keep trusting! The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise be the Lord! And the Lord redeems and restores too! Many of us have traveled through some of these hard, stretching times. Some are right now. We get to be pretty good at putting on a happy face and hiding our hurts and fears. We need each other and to invite some into our pain and journey. If someone reaches out to you, don't be like Jobs friends who were no help. And don't be like Job's wife who said curse God and die. Come alongside in prayer with a listening ear and strengthening, helping heart. Ask God to help you help and for help if you need some. We all need some help! We all need each other! Amen! We have no idea what some of us are traveling through right now. Ask God to use you to be His comfort and peace and to help and strengthen others. Ask God to send help if you need it. Then open up to receive it. God knows, has allowed for His purposes and cares. he is able and is with you wanting to work all things together for good. trust Him! Worship! Come Lord! Send me! Send help! Deliver me/us! Your Kingdom come and will be done. Strengthen me and give me enduring faith. Thank YOU!
Here our our devos. They do speak into this! Be still and know. Listen to hear with open heart and mind. Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you today. Amen! Last night at our Chosen huddle tears were shed. God was speaking because His love became very real to us. Hard things are part of life...BUT GOD! His love for you is an everlasting love! He is always with you. Lean on Him today! Follow Him today. Allow Him to help and use you today! he is able and has good plans just for you. he knows you by name and has chosen you to be His child. What lavish love He has shown us! Trust and worship today! Amen!
I just heard on the radio the thought and truth that when things seem to be falling apart, they are falling into place as we trust God and allow Him to work ALL things together and continue to worship! Amen! Rejoice always!
SY:
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UR: Breathe
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. - Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
On a recent road trip down the eastern coast of our country, we spent many hours on clifftops looking out to sea for a glimpse of humpback whales. These magnificent creatures that were once cruelly hunted have now returned to the warmer waters to give birth to their young. They are not always easy to spot, but the clue is in their first breath emerging from the depths.
I have heard that the sacred name YHWH, if correctly pronounced, sounds like the inhalation and exhalation of breath. This becomes profound when I consider that every living creature in their breathing proclaims the name of God.
From our very first breath to our final one, we are giving expression to the life God first breathed into the dust that became Adam. May we rejoice in the new life and hope we have — breathing deeply as we praise God.
Today's Prayer
Creator God, thank you that you are always with us. Help us to breathe your name in all circumstances. Amen.
ODB:
As favorite backyard neighbors, my mother and Mrs. Sanchez grew also into friendly rivals. The two competed every Monday to be the first to hang their freshly washed laundry on their outdoor clotheslines. “She beat me again!” my mother would say. But the next week, Mama might be first—both enjoying their friendly weekly contest. Over ten years of sharing a backyard alley, the two also shared each other’s wisdom, stories, and hope.
The Bible speaks with great warmth about the virtue of such a friendship. “A friend loves at all times,” King Solomon observed (Proverbs 17:17). He also noted, “The pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice” (27:9).
Our great Friend is surely Jesus. Urging loving friendship from His disciples, He taught them, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). The very next day, He would do just that on the cross. He also told them, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (v. 15). Then He said, “This is my command: Love each other” (v. 17).
With such words, Jesus “is elevating His listeners,” as philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff said, from lowly humans to companions and confidants. In Christ, we learn to befriend others. What a Friend to teach us such love!
By Patricia Raybon
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How do you experience love in your friendship with Jesus? How can you be a friend like Him?
You call me friend, dear Jesus. Please help me be a loving friend to others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The apostle John referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; see 20:2; 21:20). It wasn’t that Christ loved him alone or the most, but most likely that John keenly felt Jesus’ love. Of all the New Testament books, John’s writing focuses the most on God’s love. He says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (3:16). The apostle also says, “the Father loves the Son” (v. 35; 5:20). Why? Because Christ laid down His life (10:17). In response, we’re to “love one another” (13:34) just as He loved us (15:12). By our love for each other, others will know we’re His disciples (13:35). If we love Him, we’re also called to “keep [His] commands” (14:15). In 1 John, the apostle’s emphasis is again on God’s love: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (4:8).
Alyson Kieda |
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TWFYT:
Friday, September 27 2024
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! AMEN! and PTL! Focus some thanksgiving today on your salvation and all Jesus did and is doing in, through, for and around you! Fix your thoughts on Him today and worship!
Because He Lives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5h7KuPeMrg
Good Morning Saved by Grace through Faith Fellow Journeyers! Just keep contemplating all that means! What a gift! Bow in worship!
See Sarah's prayer update below. Pray for her as she prepares to bring the Word Sunday. Pray for our brunch fellowship after and that God draws some neighbors to come taste and see.
God awoke me early this morning to minister to my heart and to prepare His Word for us today as I spent time in prayerful worship and study. I spent time with Him in about 9 different devotionals and study and prayer. Man is He speaking. Ask Him to speak to your heart today and prepare you for the day ahead. If you are still alive, He has a purpose and plan for you. Ask Him to bring that alive and to prepare and use you well. I'm always amazed how God gives me opportunities all the time to bring His love, His Word and His wisdom alive. But I have to prepare and ingest His Word and dwell in His Love to be ready to pour out His love and truth. Be still in His presence today and ask Him to prepare you and the way for today and then just worship and praise as you see Him do just that. Amen!
Maybe you are traveling through the dark valley right now, or some hard stretching and molding as the Potter kneads and reworks you, His clay, into the vessel He wants you to be. Lean hard into Him and worship in this storm. Invite Him to carry you through and to reshape you. Ask Him to help you to endure and for grace to persevere in faith through the stretching. He will! He has chosen you and is calling you by name and wanting to lead you to His greater things that He promised we would do. He is redeeming your situation and life! Trust Him and cooperate. Fix your thoughts on things above. Turn off the noise and allow Him to speak peace and love over you as He carries you through this day one step of faith at a time. He is able. He knows and cares. He is with you always. Amen!
In some ways this has been a very hard week for me and for some of you. BUT GOD! As we shift our focus away from self and circumstances and ask Him to take all our anxiety and fear, He will. He will use you too, even in the storms. Fix your thoughts on things above and turn off the noise. Who are you allowing to speak into your life? Are they Truth-bringers, joy-bringers, life-bringers? Or are you listening to things of this world and lies, hate spewing, and divisive posturing? Turn of the noise and listen for that loving whisper from our Father. You can walk on water in this storm, if you keep your eyes on Jesus and allow God to have His way with you. Come! Help! Jesus! Amen!
During my travels this week, I encountered a few who are traveling through some hard things and weeping for this nation with remorse and fear. BUT GOD! Remember that. BUT GOD! Fix your thoughts and focus on Jesus and things above. Yes cry out in prayer for our nation and then ask God to reveal your part to bring Him, His ways and change alive one soul at a time. He has prepared someone just for you to help refocus to Truth and the Way. Please, turn off the noise! You know that our election is not a popularity contest. It is a war for the things of God. Who will trash the Bible and good ways of God? Who will allow us to continue to worship and pursue the things of God. Who is for life and who brings death? Who supports Israel? Vote for the things of God and let the rest in His hands. He raises up our leaders for His purposes. Pray for them to come to know Him and honor Him and His ways. Ask for strength to endure and wisdom and discernment and for His eyes and heart. And ask for strength to endure. Pray for revival in His Church! This world is deteriorating and will continue to get worse and worse until that Great Day of the Lord. Jesus said to expect troubles. His Church always grows and flourishes under persecution. He promises an End Times harvest even amongst the vilest and most perverse anti-Christ times. Stand firm. Pray for revival. And ask Him to use you for your part that He created you to do. And cast all your anxiety unto Him and receive His peace beyond understanding. Amen!
Geez, this is going long. I'm going to allow you to seek God and listen on your own today and not share all 9 devos. He is singing over you, His chosen child. He loves you with and everlasting love. He is speaking to you all the time and working all things together for good and His plans and purposes. Sometimes as we look back, we realize that the hardest times have also been some of the closest and sweetest with God. Focus on Him today and receive His peace and marching orders. He has some great custom made plans He is leading you to accomplish. Amen! The Kingdom of heaven is at hand and in you! PTL! This is the year of the Lord's favor! Step into it! You have been created for such a time as this and have received gifts and help to become who you are created to be and to live and love more like Jesus. Yes, turn of the noise of self doubt, fear, chaos around you and the media and fix your thoughts on things above! Count your many blessings and step out in faith! Amen and rejoice! Thank God I'm forgiven and being prepared to complete my and Jesus' mission. Come Jesus come! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu4VV54ZcFo
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, everyone,
Here are a couple of folks that need our prayers:
Darlene Geiger is asking for prayer for her husband who is suffering from allergy/cold and also for prayers for her mother in law - she is at home however her heart is only functioning at 15% and her kidneys are not functioning well. She has nurses that come to the house to help care for her.
Chris Muiks - asking for prayers for his older sister who cared for him when he was young, and after his mom passed away. His sister is currently in the hospital with congestive heart failure.
The Canfield family - Caleb has a bad chest cold and the rest of the family is fighting to remain healthy.
Prayers for Houston and Gail - Houston has several doctor appointments over the next couple of weeks. Prayers for strength, for the physicians they will be working with, Patiences, perseverance.
While Pastor Don was doing his Homebound visits, he learned that Bert Richards is pretty sick, so he had to postpone his visit with them.
Nancy Bahr is doing okay, and sends her hellos to everyone.
Covid is beginning to ramp up in some of the facilities that Pastor Don goes to, please pray a covering over him, that the Lord will keep him healthy and protected from any illness.
Pastor Don and Karen have several family members that are in the Florida area. Terry and Jane, are two of those in the Florida area. Helena is headed into the Florida area, May God protect those that are in it's path.
Also prayers for Pastor Don's sister who is traveling in Italy. And we also want to pray for safety for Marshall Rehm as he is traveling in Spain, and Debbie and Gerry Siegfried as they are in Switzerland visiting family and sight seeing.
DON'T FORGET.....This Sunday is our brunch following our worship service!! Hope you can join us! Lots of yummy food. Keep Lori and Ramon in your prayers as they prep the food for us.
Okay I believe that is all for now.....hope you all have a great rest of your day and week.
Blessings,
Sarah
Friday, September 27 2024
TODAY 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome.
Please find attached the link for Tues prayer for our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat Oct 25th. Leading up to the event Revival Church and St. Matts will be praying into the event every Tues at noon and 6:30 PM. Join when able and let us sow lavishly in prayer into this event. God has some great plans for us to unleash in prayer! This will begin next Tuesday Oct. 1.
Topic: Light in the Night Prayer Call Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet every Tues at noon and/or 6:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 985 238 1129 Passcode: prayer
Good Morning Dwelling in His Presence, Standing on His Word, Followers of the Living Word, Jesus! Amen! Jesus is always speaking to you and most often through times spent with Bibles open. We dwell in His loving presence daily with open Bibles. That enables us, informs us, our prayers and actions and as we hide His Word in our hearts we are better able to stand firm in Christ and Truth. We become accustomed to hearing His still small voice and are able to see Him more clearly at work around us and that leads to being in a state of prayerfulness all day. Yes and Amen! Check out this link to a Harvest Prayer blog today about developing an evangelistic outreach through prayer. We need to keep praying for the harvest and workers and for God to show us our parts in His Good News Delivery Co. Reaching Out by Reaching Up
What a great starting point for the thread through our devotionals for today. God is always at work and working all things together for our good. That is often evidenced by the way He uses study materials and our Bible time and prayer time to speak to our hearts. Today, He sure did that for me and I hope for you as well. What is He revealing to you this morning and what is your plan to do it?
My family has been praying through a very stressful situation, yet we know God is with us and will bring His provision, protection and justice. Amen. It is helpful for me to redirect to things of God. I often use the verse used in the Chosen from Isaiah 43:1-3. Maybe start there today as well as you begin your journey with Jesus today.
But now, listen to the Lord who created you. The one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave a ransom for your freedom;
How comforting as we embrace and pray through these truths. Jesus is calling you by name and He knows all you are dealing with and will deliver you. Promise! He has already ransomed you and reminds you that you are His! PTL! He created you for such a time as this and He's leading you to your fuller potential. PTL!
Sarah Young from He Jesus Calling devo continues this thought...focus on God. It is helpful to remember that we are in the world but not of it and that Jesus said to not worry for He has already overcome the world! Amen! Charles Stanley continues the thread with the reminder that God's Word is alive, active and healing! Satan accuses but the Holy Spirit convicts in love and leads us to repentance. God knows our struggles and burdens and promises to comfort us and that comes alive as we dwell in His presence and Word and with others to help too. Our Daily Bread reminds us that we need each other. We sure do! Check it out. Who might you help today? Who might you invite in to help you. (Start with Jesus and ask Him to send help or send you). The Upper Room reminds us that sometimes we have to step put of our comfort zones if we really want to know God, His Truth, enact His promises, and share ourselves with others or receive help we need. The Holy Spirit is given as our helper, comforter, revealer of truth. Trust Him! Invite Him to work in and through you today. All of this culminates with The Word for You Today's reminder that we are sent with Good News or to be the Good News as we help others. What's your part in God's Good News Delivery Co?
No matter what we are facing, or how far from God you feel, He is there and singing over you reminding you that you are known, loved and He is calling you by name. He has great plans just for you that are brought to life as He molds and shapes you. His Spirit is always at work and wants to help you and bring boldness to go live and love like Jesus. PTL! Yes rejoice! Fix your thoughts on things above and receive His love, grace, mercy and help today! Amen! Where does our hope come from? My hope comes from the Lord! May yours as well! He is able! He will! Amen!
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ODB:
Most of the three hundred residents of Whittier, Alaska, live in one big apartment complex, and that’s why Whittier is called a “town under one roof.” Amie, a former resident, says, “I didn’t have to step outside the building─the grocery store, notary public, school, and post office were on our ground floor, just an elevator ride away!”
“Because life there was so comfortable, I often wanted to keep to myself, thinking I didn’t need anyone,” Amie shares. “But the residents are so warm. They look out for each other. I learned that they need me, and I need them.”
Like Amie, we may at times want to keep to ourselves and avoid community. The latter seems less stressful! But Scripture says that a believer in Jesus should have a healthy balance of solitude and fellowship with other believers. The apostle Paul likens the body of believers to the human body. Just as each body part has a distinct function, every believer has a distinct role (Romans 12:4). Just as a body part can’t exist alone, a believer can’t live the life of faith in isolation (v. 5). It’s in the midst of community that we use our gifts (vv. 6-8; 1 Peter 4:10) and grow to be like Jesus (Romans 12:9-21).
We need one another; our togetherness is in Christ (v. 5). With His help, as we “look out for each other,” we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and show others His love.
By Karen Huang
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How has community in Jesus helped you in your walk with God? How have other believers encouraged you?
Dear God, thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul wrote Romans to believers in Jesus living in Rome—a city steeped in the practices of pagan worship. Those pagans brought offerings of meat and drink to their gods hoping that the sacrifice would earn a bit of mercy. And those listening to the apostle’s letter for the first time would have immediately recognized his emphasis of “sacrifice” (12:1).
But the apostle upends the expected order of things. For the believer in Jesus, mercy comes first—not sacrifice—and it’s freely given. Paul made that argument throughout the first part of the letter, and it’s why he begins this section with “therefore.”
So, therefore, on account of God’s great mercy, we offer sacrifice. And that sacrifice isn’t the meat of a goat or cow; we offer ourselves. Paul doesn’t mean we climb onto an altar but that we offer the whole of ourselves as a gift to our merciful God.
Jed Ostoich |
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UR: The Power of the Holy Spirit
I stood in front of you with weakness, fear, and a lot of shaking. My message and my preaching weren’t presented with convincing wise words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. - 1 Corinthians 2:3-4 (CEB)
I spent most of my life being painfully shy and terrified of taking risks. So several years ago, when God called me to be a Bible teacher, I resisted and refused to use my spiritual gift. I wrestled with insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. The thought of stepping out of my comfort zone made my stomach clench with severe anxiety.
God has brought me a long way by demonstrating that God can give me the words to speak and the grace to obey despite my inner turmoil. Opportunities that would have terrified me before don’t intimidate me as much now because God has proven to be faithful. God held my hand as I took small steps of faith and said yes to teaching opportunities. Every time, the Spirit gave me power over my fear and the words to speak.
If God calls us to do something outside our comfort zone, the Holy Spirit will help us. We are vessels for God’s glory. We can trust in the power of the Spirit and step out in faith.
Today's Prayer
Faithful God, remind us to trust in the power of your Spirit within us, and help us to move forward in faith today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
TWFYT:
Friday, September 27 2024
Today:
Bread Ministry 10-12
Chosen Dinner Huddle and Family Ministries 6-8
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Good morning Friends! Maybe I should say good night? I had a very sleepless night and am writing this before, hopefully, getting a few hours sleep before the busyness of the day ahead.
Sometimes we just can't sleep and sometimes our minds are too active to shut down for the night. No matter, God is with you and listening to your prayers and wanting to bring His shalom and rest. God knows the plans He has for you and me today. I will need Him to carry me through and He is faithful to do that when we submit to Him. Amen! Jesus said, "Come to me all you weary and I will give you rest." Thanks Lord! I'm coming!
As I was sitting here reviewing our Philippians study, the reminder came to me to fix my thoughts on things above. We have a custom made purpose for today and that comes alive as we fix our gaze on Jesus with willing feet and summited hearts. May that be us today Lord! Come bring Your rest and be our Shepherd. Amen!
That's all I got. Running out of juice. Hope to see some of you at church later today and Sunday. God has some great things in store! rejoice! Amen and good night!
Friday, September 27 2024
Aug./Sept. 2024 St. Matthew’s Prayer Guide
Pray for St. Matt’s to become a house of Prayer for the Nations and for many to embrace their power and purpose in praying
Pray that we become a dynamic movement of God led by pastors and laity who have a burning passion for God and a missionary zeal to reach those who don’t yet know Christ
Pray we become a disciple making hub for the area.
Pray for small groups to be started in the building, homes, and businesses around the area. Pray for leaders for them.
Pray we find new connection points to our neighbors and start growing friendships. Pray we bring joy and love alive.
Pray for harvest workers to be raised up from the harvest that is coming. Thank God for the harvest. Pray for twelve new members by Christmas and that we connect them to God.
Thank God for His provision and protection. Pray we continue to sow lavishly while being the best stewards of all His blessings.
Pray for our Bread and Clothing ministries to connect to neighbors and meet needs. Thank God for the volunteers.
Pray we would grow in our relationship with Christ and for ideas to and people called that want to make Him known.
Pray for our Wed. night ministries and our Sun. 2 Peas in a Pod Brunches to flourish and connect people to God.
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