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Saturday, November 02 2024
Dis and Dat:
Sat. is Clothing Closet from 10-1
Don't forget to turn the clocks back on Sat. so you are not late for worship at 10. We will be studying 2 Thessalonians the next three weeks beginning with chapter one this week. (What's God saying to you?)
Sun. We collect for Everlasting Life Ministries
Many could use our prayers today. Reach out love on and pray for someone today! Karen's mom has been admitted to the hospital overnight for vertigo and possible other issues. Please keep Kay in prayer. Thanks
Please continue to pray for our elections and our nation. Check out Harvest Prayers blog below praying about the hindrances and prejudices against God's Church and her people. Vote informed. This is not a popularity contest like high school student council elections. There are dire consequences coming for Christians, the unborn, elderly and our safety and peace depending on the outcome of the elections. Which candidates and party will honor God and bless our nation? Vote for them!
The Blog begins below this prayer post
Harvest Prayer:
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October 31 - DAY 35 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For The Protection Of Religious Liberty
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“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).
Religious liberty is enshrined in the text of our Constitution and numerous federal statutes. It encompasses the right of all Americans to exercise their religion freely, without being coerced to join an established church or to satisfy a religious test as a qualification for public office.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...” Religious freedom prevents the cultural majority from using the power of the state to impose their beliefs on others. This protects everyone—religious and nonreligious alike—from the government becoming so powerful that it can tell people what to think and how to act. Conscience has been considered the individual’s most sacred right. A government that intrudes on conscience will not hesitate to intrude on our other freedoms.
Additionally, forcing individuals and faith-based organizations to choose between living out their religious beliefs or serving their neighbors actually harms our communities. An estimated 350,000 religious congregations operate schools, pregnancy resource centers, soup kitchens, drug addiction programs, homeless shelters, and adoption agencies. These efforts serve 70 million Americans each year, and the value of their services is estimated at over a trillion dollars annually. Ultimately, everyone benefits from religious freedom.
It covers all people equally—Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, and atheists. Religious freedom preserves America’s diversity, where people of different faiths, worldviews, and beliefs can peacefully live together without fear of punishment from the government.
--Excerpts from the Heritage Foundation
Lord, You desire Your people to live in freedom and peace. Yet, because Your great love is not the current language of our nation, many people are being unjustly silenced, manipulated, and damaged because of their religious beliefs. Awaken Your people and give us strength to live powerfully and shine brightly for righteousness! May those who live apart from You have their eyes opened to see the unjustness being perpetrated on those who are trying to love and do good for the sake of others. May the wrongs perpetrated against them be exposed and made right.
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- Ask God to reveal and reverse the unjust acts taking place against Christians as well as those from other religions who are trying to serve those who are in need.
- Pray for businesspeople who are being punished for placing You first instead of bowing to the agenda of those who are trying to damage our nation.
- Pray for families who want to do foster care or adopt, but are being turned away simply because they love and honor You in their homes.
- Ask God to strengthen His Church to stand up against injustice perpetrated against Christians in this nation.
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Connection Prayer Devotions Sign Up
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Good Morning Listening, Guided, Following Bringers of Light! Tonight is a night where evil and darkness are celebrated. Put on that armor in prayer and stand firm in Christ to Light up the World around you. We did that last Friday. May we continue to be the Light in the darkness and Love in this hate-filled world. May we bring unity back to this nation through prayer and action. Amen! As we still ourselves at Jesus feet, listen and follow Him, He will transform us more into His image and lead us to transform the world one soul at a time. What's your mission? Be the Light and GO! Love like Jesus. Amen! Check out our devotionals below threading through these thoughts. God is speaking to your heart! Be still and know that He is God and follow Him prepared today.
Last night we encountered the Chosen's version of several things like going the extra mile for others and slowing down, Martha and sit at Jesus' feet like Mary. I used to be just like Martha: busy working for the Kingdom and so busy trying to earn God's favor and be a blessing that I was missing the most important thing--dwelling in Jesus' presence throughout the day. Where's your focus? Why are you doing what you are doing? Is it Jesus' best? What good and better things do you need to release to focus on Jesus and His best things? Who might help you process that? Donald, Donald, Donald...sit at my feet and put on my easy yoke and follow me at my pace to your best. Amen! Yes help us Lord!
Choose to sit at Jesus' feet, feast on His Word and receive His directions before stepping out into this day to be the Light and live and love like Jesus. He does have great plans just for you! Rejoice and know His shalom as you seek first the Kingdom and focus on Jesus. Amen! I already prayed for you and us to turn off the noise, be still and focused and prepared to follow well. Now Go! Love like Jesus today and look for the one He has prepared for you to pull from the fires of Hell. We are the Light! Hallelujah!
Karen's Praise Song for the Day: Someone Prayed (is that you?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0QXi7cLwI
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
UR: Guiding Signs
[God] guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. - Psalm 78:14 (NIV)
I like to start my day with a run to clear my mind and to feel refreshed and energized. While I was on a recent early-morning run, I was reminded of God’s great mercy and protection. As I ran, I happened to glance up at the sky and noticed one particular cloud that seemed to be leading me on. It reminded me of the story of God’s using a cloud to lead the Israelites on their journey toward the Promised Land.
I pondered the words from Psalm 78:14 as I finished my run. I believe God reveals to us each day the ways we should go — the ways that are best for us. But are we willing to accept God’s leading? The cloud seemingly led me that morning, and I believe God placed it in the sky specifically for me so that I could recall the goodness and grace that God has given me. Such recollections reassure us that God really is providing direction in our lives.
Today's Prayer
Lead us this day, Father, to the place where you need us to go. Help us to experience you in new ways. We thank you for your direction in our lives. Amen.
ODB:
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In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”
The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:14–15)? If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.
Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.
Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the one who is the Truth.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
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What divisive issues trouble you? How might keeping your eyes on Jesus help guide your conversations today?
Father, I need Your wisdom and guidance for all my interactions.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Part of the reason the religious leaders tried to “catch [Jesus] in his words” (Mark 12:13) was to discredit Him and charge Him with blasphemy for claiming to be God (see Matthew 26:63-65; Luke 20:20). Jesus made an exclusive claim that He’s the Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64) and the only way to the Father: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The book of Acts underscores this exclusive claim: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). John makes it clear when he wrote, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). The good news is that in Christ, we have our Savior!
Bill Crowder |
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Joyce Meyer:
Charles Stanly
Saturday, November 02 2024
Good Morning Faithful Remnant! Please may we be Your faithful remnant who are blessed, led, protected, and used for Your glory! Come Lord! Fill us. Cover us! Provide for us! Lead us! Use us well. Thank You! We need you! Cleanse and purify us to serve and prepare us for Your service and to always stand firm in Christ and on Your Word! Thank You! Revive our land and oversee our elections. Raise up Your leader for Your purposes. Bind up any cheating and lead to fair elections. Come Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around us. Thank You. May Christ and Your good ways be high and lifted up and a beacon of hope. Come! Bring Your Living Water that satisfies and water our land too. Lord, we cast all our anxiety on You. Thank You. Bring Shalom, healing and hope alive today. Amen! We pronounce that we are your faithful and true remnant. We are Yours! Thank You for salvation, new life and for hearing our prayers! Uphold us in Your strong right hand. You are our strong tower and the Rock on which we stand and build. Heal our land Lord! Come! Amen.
Hmmm, guess I awoke troubled in heart and anxious about the elections, the drought, the state of Israel and this nation and our church. BUT GOD! I prayed and believe He will hear and answer according to His will and perfect timing. I trust Him and His plans as I cast all my anxiety to Him. I know I am His and have a place being prepared for me in heaven. I have faith but also pray for forgiveness for my unbelief and help to stay focused on Him. Jesus says, come to me all you weary and I will give you rest. Amen! Many of us have some many things to be anxious and worried about. BUT GOD! Lean on Him and some friends to travel your journey well. We all are unique, yet one and we need God and each other. May we unite in prayer, encouragement, help and faithfulness to God and His plans. Help us Lord! May we not lean on our own understanding but trust God in all things and remain on His path always. He does have great, custom made plans for custom made you for such a time as this. Be still and know and choose faith and joy always!
Check out Harvest blog below about praying for Israel. Move through the devotionals below in prayer and journal what God is whispering to your heart. Pray into that and ask some friends to pray and journey with you. God has really been speaking to my heart and bringing insight and peace as I release the burdens and troubles to Him. He's bringing the peace that comes from knowing He is God with a plan and it's perfect. I know He does have good plans for me and you and us together as we remain His faithful remnant following our Good Shepherd to His perfect plans. God is good all the time! Amen! And He is in us, with us, going before us, walking beside us and covering us as He directs our steps to His best. Amen! And shalom! He is with you always and always working all things together for good. Remain faithful and watch what He is about to do! Then join Him and know joy and peace beyond understanding. Amen!
Sarah Young:
Upper Room: New Every Morning
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
I can relate to the writer of Lamentations. Some mornings I wake up to the worry of another difficult day. When I remember my afflictions, my heart sinks and I find myself teetering on the edge of another bout of depression.
However, Lamentations presents a turning point that keeps me from deep hopelessness. When I recall what God has done in the past, I am humbly reminded that God will also sort things out for me. I have faced many tough situations where I could see no way out, but each time God showed me mercy, faithfulness, and a way forward.
God has made me a witness of the promise that through God’s mercies I am not consumed. I am still standing, made strong by the grace of God. I know I can hope in God’s unfailing compassion because it is new every morning.
Today's Prayer
Faithful God, thank you for your compassion and mercy. Give us strength when we are weary, and remind us of your constant love. Amen.
Our Daily Bread:
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The plowed ground contained a secret—something hidden. In preparation for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Lee Wilson had set apart eighty acres of his land to produce perhaps the grandest floral gift his wife had ever seen. He secretly planted countless sunflower seeds that eventually erupted into 1.2 million of the golden plants—his wife’s favorite. When the sunflowers raised their yellow crowns, Renee was shocked and overwhelmed by Lee’s beautiful act of love.
Speaking to the people of Judah through the prophet Isaiah, God shared a secret with them: Though they couldn’t see it now, after His promised judgment against them for their unfaithfulness to Him (Isaiah 3:1-4:1), a new and golden day would dawn. “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel” (4:2). Yes, they would experience devastation and exile at the hands of Babylon, but a beautiful “branch”—a new shoot out of the ground—would then be seen. A remnant of His people set apart (“holy,” v. 3), cleansed (v. 4), and lovingly led and cared for by Him (vv. 5-6).
Our days can seem dark, and the fulfillment of God’s promises hidden. But as we cling to Him by faith, one day all His “great and precious promises” will be fulfilled (2 Peter 1:4). A beautiful new day awaits.
By Tom Felten
REFLECT & PRAY
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Why do God’s promises seem to be hidden at times? How can you accept them by faith today?
Loving God, thank You for the beauty of Your faithful promises.
For further study, read The Promises of God: Taking God at His Word.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Scripture, God’s people (the Israelites) are often compared to a tree. In Isaiah 4, the prophet Isaiah refers to “that day” when “the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel” (v. 2). Previously, “that day” described a time of judgment and devastation (3:7, 18; 4:1). But here Isaiah describes “that day” as a time of restoration and renewed flourishing. By describing “that day” as both a time of judgment and restoration, Isaiah reveals that the judgment isn’t mere destruction but intended to purify, cleanse, and restore the tree of Israel to what it was meant to be—“a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (v. 6).
Monica La Rose |
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Charles Stanley:
The Word for You Today:
Harvest Prayer for Israel
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October 30 - DAY 34 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For The Peace And Protection Of Israel
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“Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4 NIV).
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. or the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity” (Psalm 122:6-9).
Author and American-Israeli strategist, Joel Rosenberg, has written a commentary on the current situation in which we find ourselves in the world:
“The significance of this moment in history cannot be overstated. But the big question is this: Are Israelis just going through a bad patch and our fortunes will brighten again soon, or are we beginning to see Bible prophecies unfold in which the entire world turns against Israel and Jewish people in the ‘last days’?
The Bible indicates that all of the leaders of the world will essentially get drunk on the notion that Israel – Jerusalem – is the problem the world must solve. Yet, God also makes it clear that all the nations that turn against Israel will themselves face Divine Judgment and be ‘severely injured.’
Have we arrived at the prophetic point in history in which the entire world is turning against Israel and the Jewish people? No, not yet – but that’s definitely where we are trending. And it certainly appears that the chess pieces are being arranged on the board for such a war. The dictator of Russia is building alliances with the leaders of Iran, Turkey, and Sudan, to name just a few. The nations of the world are increasingly turning against Israel and the Jewish people. Even the leaders of Israel’s most trustworthy ally – the United States of America – are abandoning Israel.
In light of all that is happening spiritually and geopolitically in the world today, my question is this: What will the Church do?”
God of Israel, Your Word has prophetically announced things that are to come regarding Israel and the rest of the world. Help us to be awake and alert amid world events we have never experienced before. Raise up Your Church to stand strong in this moment and align ourselves with Your plans and purposes for Israel. Help us to be characterized by great love and compassion and to be known as houses of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7, Mark 11:17). May the Church shine like a beacon for Your name in this moment.
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- Ask God to grant the people of Jerusalem, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the wisdom and patience to build a safe city where all can live in peace and freedom.
- Ask God to bless Israel, shield it with love, send light and truth to Israel’s leaders, and strengthen the hands of those who defend the land.
- Ask God to protect Israel’s cities and borders, and to empower its leaders with wisdom and strength. Ask Him to display His glory as He defends Israel.
- Ask God to bring truth into our nation’s discourse, and that evil will be revealed for what it truly is. Ask Him to uncover blinded eyes!
- Ask God to cause our government to be unified behind Israel and to defend the Jews in our nation and all over the earth unequivocally!
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Saturday, November 02 2024
This Week:
Tue 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome
Wed:
10-12 Bread Ministry
6-8 Chosen and Family Ministry Dinner Huddles. All welcome
Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet
(Note: The Bread Ministry could use some help with a couple of helpers out of commission for at least a few weeks. If interested in assisting let Sarah or me know or contact Gail)
Sarah Prayer update below
Below that is Harvest Prayers blog praying for our first responders
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Good Morning Forgiven Much, Forgiving As We Have Been Forgiven, Good News Ambassadors! Hmmm...what's this all about Pastor Don? Glad you asked! Well I envisioned this morning's blog sharing some of what the Bishop shared yesterday about being Good News bringers--God's ambassadors. And I will sum up his message briefly, but God led me to something else to share this morning as some of you have talked to me about your struggle to forgive or to move on from some bitterness or another. Seems like God is wanting to speak into that this morning from our devotionals. Even as God's Good News Delivery Company, we will encounter hard to love people and those pushing back against God and us. Jesus even warned us that people will hate us because they first hated Him. Man, we sure see that coming to life around us today in these Divided States of America. How do we love the unlovable and bring Good News to those we, well, hate? Forgive us Lord! Help us to agape love like You and bring Good News of your forgiveness and love to others, even enemies. Help us to forgive and love like You. HELP! Amen!
The Bishop began his message talking about the false perceptions many have of evangelicals that flow from our devotion to God and His ways. I had to ask myself and work through the thoughts of, "Are you a finger pointing Pharisee?" and "Who is seeing you on that list of reason to avoid our church?" OUCH! Holy Spirit pinch here! The bishop's list of how the church, especially evangelicals, is viewed by the general public stung. We stand strong on God's Word and will continue to do so. (The Bishop affirmed that during brunch when he ministered to my mother-in-law after she discussed having to leave the Methodist church because they caved to itching ears and people wanting the Church to affirm them in their sin. He assured the EC will not cave to the ways of the world, but stand firm in Christ and on God's Word and Truth. (AMEN!)) Because we having taken the stance to remain true to God and His Word, the world will hate us and disregard God's Truth as fallacy and myths. They will belittle and avoid us too. How can we love and forgive these people? Help us Lord to love like You! Open our hearts and minds to live Christ. Thanks! Amen.
The bishop reminded us that our mission is all about love. We've discussed before how the Bible teaches the truth that God is Love. Love lives in us. Love wants to love through us. That kind of love is agape, sacrificial, dying to self love like God showed us. We have this Good News to share with the world and we are placed here for such a time as this to be God's ambassadors of Love and Good News that others can be forgiven and transformed just like wretches like us have been. He reminded us from 2 Cor. 5:11-21 that Love compels, convinces, and leads to be committed to be God's Ambassadors that bring His love and Good News to those who need it most and to those He is drawing. We are commissioned to go live and love like Jesus and to bring Him and His kind of love alive. That also means to forgive as we have been forgiven. Again, please help us Lord to love You and others well and make disciples like Jesus! Thanks! Amen!
We can do none of this without the help of God and we must rely on His Spirit to help us, prepare us and direct us. Come Holy Spirit! Have Your way with me! Amen! We are on a journey--a pilgrimage--to become like Jesus that will take our whole lifetime here on earth. We are being prepared for eternity and the Potter is reshaping us and forming us more and more into His image and to be able to serve our created purposes for such a time as this. Thanks Lord! I would like to suggest you just work through the devotionals below speaking into living, loving, forgiving and making disciples like Jesus and how to prepare yourself for healing and growing into Christlikeness. Seriously, we need others to help us in this journey and to hold us up, sometimes physically and always in prayer. Put on your new nature. Ask for help to shed the old and to become more like Jesus and to be bearers of His Good News in the way of Jesus. What's God saying to you right now? Who are you processing and praying with? I know God has a word for some of you today! Sarah and I are here for you and so are some of your friends. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Keep your focus on things above. Keep dying to self, taking up cross and following Jesus daily. He really does have some great custom made plans for you that will bring much joy and peace! PTL! Help us Lord to be Jesus, live Christ daily and agape love like You. Amen! We are Forgiven Much, Forgiving As We Have Been Forgiven, Good News Ambassadors--say it, pray it, believe it and live it!
Sarah Young:
Joyce Meyer:
Charles Stanley:
Our Daily Bread:
In college, I studied William Shakespeare’s writing for a semester. The class required a giant textbook containing everything Shakespeare had ever written. The book weighed several pounds, and I had to carry it for hours at a time. Lugging that weight around caused my back to hurt, and it eventually broke a metal fastener on my bookbag!
Some things are just too heavy for us to carry. Emotional baggage from past hurt, for example, can weigh us down with bitterness and hatred. But God wants us to have freedom through forgiving people and, when possible, reconciling with them (Colossians 3:13). The deeper the pain, the longer this may take. That’s okay. It took many years for Esau to forgive Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27:36).
When the two finally reunited, Esau graciously forgave his brother and even “embraced him” (33:4). Not a word was exchanged before they both burst into tears. Over time, Esau had let go of the anger that made him consider murder (27:41). And all those years gave Jacob the chance to see the magnitude of how he’d harmed his brother. He was humble and respectful throughout the reunion (33:8-11).
In the end, both brothers came to the place where neither required anything from the other (vv. 9, 15). It was enough to forgive and be forgiven and walk away free from the heavy baggage of the past.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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What types of offenses are hardest for you to forgive? How does forgiving others reflect your relationship with your heavenly Father?
Dear God, please set me free from bitterness and anger.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jacob and Esau were twins born to Isaac and Rebekah. Before their birth, God told Rebekah: “Two nations are in your womb . . . ; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). From Esau’s line sprang the Edomites (36:9), enemies of the Israelites. From Jacob, the younger, sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob convinced Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew (25:29-34) and tricked his father into giving him the firstborn’s blessing that was due to Esau (27:1-29). Although they had a rocky relationship, we read of their reunion and Esau’s forgiveness in today’s text (33:1-9).
Alyson Kieda |
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The Upper Room: Hearing God's Voice
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me.” - John 10:14 (CEB)
When I was in middle school, my family had many chickens. One day, a mother hen went into the fields outside to feed her chicks, and a chick fell into a hole in the ground. When it became dark, the hen returned to our house with her other chicks, leaving the lone chick behind.
After some time, my father heard the chick crying, and he tried to retrieve it from the hole. But the little chick was afraid and did not respond to my father’s voice, so he could not get it out. When I saw what was happening, I brought the mother hen to the hole and she called out to the chick. On hearing its mother’s voice, the chick immediately came out of the hole.
Today, many years later, I still recall that evening. When the chick heard its mother’s voice, its fear vanished. In the same way, during difficult times we can listen for our heavenly Father’s voice. God can deliver us from any situation.
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to listen for your voice and come to you in any situation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Word for You Today:
Sarah Update:
Hi everyone,
Those of you that joined us for worship, we had a great day of worship with Bishop Sizemore, and a delicious time at our brunch! Thank you to everyone that helped in making the day an awesome day of fellowship.
Here are some of the updates shared today:
Light in the Night - great success!! Over 800 walked through, and approximately 150 bibles were passed out and seeds planted.
Reid shared that a friend of his, Lauren had her baby today.....Mama and baby girl are doing well.
Mike Canfield shared that our prayers were answered for his father and his dogs. Someone who has the space and running yard has taken the dogs and his father has now moved into the assisted living facility and doing much better, as he is getting assistance with making sure he is getting the proper care. Yay God that dad is feeling better and a huge burden has been lifted off the family. Yay God!
Caleb hung out with the kids today during children's church. He did great! First time he was with other people that were not Mom, Grandma or Granddad. Great job Pastor Mike!!
Those in need of our prayers:
Darlene Skinner - recovering from knee surgery and therapy
Sue George - one of the volunteers of Bread/clothing ministry - had a stroke. She is home from the hospital and healing. Her memory and eyesight have been affected. Let's continue to pray for her healing and strengthening.
John Chobot has two more rounds of radiation, this week.
Continue to keep Diane H, Houstin L, and Donald L in our prayers as they have therapy, treatments and learn how to cope.
Carol (who has been attending from Bread Ministry) is having Surgery on her heart on November 25. May we all pray that it goes well, and for healing, and that God's peace will overwhelm Carol.
Dean Marks shared that his mother's brother passed away - Prayers for the family.
He is also asking for pray for much needed rain.
Kay (Karen Kerns' Mom) is having a nerve study on her hands on Thursday.... prayers for calmness of spirit and that the testing goes well.
Kay Paul is asking for continued prayers for her sister-in-law, Joanne who is dealing with cancer.
Jim Handfest has asked us to keep all the volunteers that have been assisting those that have been affected by the hurricanes in our prayers; for safety and that they may continue to be able to share hope and love.
Pray for the Support and Vision team as we meet next Thursday, to discuss what God has in store of us; and as we start the budget conversations.
Continue to pray for Israel - for peace all over the land - and for one another.
May we all continue to remember that we are to be committed to living as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Have a great week, church family!
Blessings,
Sarah
Harvest:
Saturday, November 02 2024
Good Morning Resting in the Lord, Dynamic Movers and Shakers! As we rest in, dwell in, abide in God's presence daily during our set aside quiet times, He informs our prayers and steps for each day. As we follow Him we are moving towards becoming a dynamic movement of revivalists and disciple makers. As we pray throughout the day we shake the kingdom of darkness, tear down strongholds and release captives. PTL and Amen! Because we are earnest in our prayer and quiet times, God moves and prepares and uses us. How cool is that. I think one of the greatest things about spending time in His presence in conversation and prayer is the sense or feeling of peace that comes from knowing I am loved and cared for no matter what I am facing and that those times do indeed inform my steps and choices and have a bearing throughout the day as I step out prepared and attentive. We get into the healthy rhythm of working from resting in Him. We become so familiar with His voice and actions that we more easily see Him at work throughout each day and are prepared to join Him in His plans to expand His Kingdom. We are movers and shakers in the Lord! Another cool aspect about time with God is that all are invited and created to spend time in fellowship with Him and that is not affected by age or circumstances. He wants to hang with us and is blessed when we want to and then blesses us for doing it. We all have a part to play in His Good News Delivery Company and for many of us that part is to pray--constantly and powerfully in Christ. One more thing I love about my time with God is that He seems to somehow redeem the time spent with Him. I often start in the wee hours of the morning as He stirs me out of bed and invites me to come chat. Somehow He refreshes, prepares and redeems that time as He sends me out fired up and ready. It's pretty cool. And I'm finding that sometimes, He allows naps after my extended time with Him. (I hope that's the case today!) God is Love and loves hanging with us and showering His love over us and filling us with much love to share as He sends us prepared and ready to live and love more like Jesus! Amen!
Today my devotionals flow through and led to this thinking. Check them out and spend some time with our Father this morning! He does have some great things for you today that begin and are empowered through a set aside dedicated time with Him and as you dwell in His presence and pray throughout each day. Turn off the noise and tune in to His presence. It's awesome! Be still and know and be prepared to go! I have already prayed for you to have an awesome encounter with our Living God and to go out prepared and ready for what He has for you, mover and shaker!
Sarah Young:
ODB:
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A meteorologist in Mississippi went viral for uttering six simple yet profound words during his weather forecast on March 24, 2023. Matt Laubhan was tracking a severe storm when he realized a catastrophic tornado was about to bear down on the town of Amory. That’s when Laubhan paused on live TV to say this prayer heard worldwide: “Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen.” Some viewers later said that prayer prompted them to take cover. His spontaneous and heartfelt prayer may have helped save countless lives.
Our prayers can make a difference too. They don’t have to be long-winded. They can be short and sweet and can be said at any time of the day. Whether we’re at work, running errands, or on vacation, we can “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
God loves to hear us pray throughout the day. The apostle Paul reminds us that we don’t have to be prisoners of worry or fear but can take all our cares and concerns to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Whether we’re enjoying a sunny day or being hit by the literal or figurative storms of life, let’s remember to pause and pray throughout the day.
By Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT & PRAY
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How can you be more intentional about praying throughout the day? How has your prayer life grown over the years?
Heavenly Father, thank You that I can pray to You at any time.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s teaching on prayer in Philippians 4:4-9 is a wonderful encouragement. But he did more than teach about prayer. The following verses are examples of how the great apostle also practiced prayer on behalf of himself and others: “God . . . is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Romans 1:9-10). “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (10:1). “We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored” (2 Corinthians 13:9). “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy . . . that your love may abound more and more” (Philippians 1:4, 9). This is a small sampling of how Paul prayed for others—both those who believed in Jesus and those who didn’t yet know Him. What a marvelous example!
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
Chuck Swindoll:
The UR: Refreshing Moments
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. - Psalm 84:7 (NIV)
After dropping my kids off at school and daycare one morning, my minivan started smoking. Thankfully, I made it safely to work, but I fretted about what might be wrong with the minivan. Would it be safe enough to pick up my kids in after school? I was going through a difficult time in my life — divorce, financial challenges, health issues, the basement flooding — and this just felt like another thing spiraling out of my control. As I sat there feeling incredibly hopeless, a friend called to check on me. I told her about my car, and she prayed with me.
In the end, I was able to pick up my kids and drive home that day, but the minivan wasn’t repairable. Even so, knowing I had a friend walking with me and praying with me was like coming upon a refreshing pool during a long, difficult journey.
Similarly, the people in Psalm 84 found springs and pools of rain when they passed through the Valley of Baka. God provided refreshing moments for them along the way to sustain them on the journey. God shows up for us in creative and timely ways through people, words, nature, and in other ways we could not even imagine.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us to notice and experience the refreshing pools of strength you provide as you walk with us through difficult circumstances. Amen.
Charles Stanley ]
5 Prayer Points from 2 Chronicles 7:14 from harvest prayer:
This prayer guide is easily adaptable for individuals, small groups or entire churches focused on confession, repentance and the forgiveness of God:
Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 out loud: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Spend some time in prayer based on this passage:
• Father, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will humble ourselves before You! Perhaps consider kneeling or lying prostrate on the floor before God. These are two very biblical postures of humility. Spend time repenting of your lack of humility before Him individually, as a church, and as a citizen of our nation.
• Lord Jesus, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will pray. Take some time to confess prayerlessness and times when prayer has been your “last resort” instead of your first response. Confess the prayerlessness of the church you attend if corporate prayer has not been a consistent practice for your community of believers. Focus time upon the prayerlessness of the Church in our nation and confess the sins that have happened nationally on our watch.
• Holy Spirit, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will seek Your face. Confess times when you have sought after other things for your wisdom and counsel before the Lord, and/or when you have placed your trust in people or government or ________. The Holy Spirit was given as a gift to teach us, comfort us and to intercede for us. If you have neglected or ignored the ministry of the Spirit by not seeking the face of God, take time to experience godly sorrow in whatever form that takes for you.
• Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are Your people called by Your name. Right now we repent of these sins we have confessed before You: lack of humility, prayerlessness, and seeking other things, idols or gods before seeking Your face. We turn from our wicked ways and ask for Your forgiveness. We mean to turn towards You now, giving You our full attention. We will walk in humility. We will give ourselves to prayer. We will seek Your face and forsake lesser things in which we have placed our dependence.
• Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we give You thanks for listening to our prayers…for hearing us from heaven! We thank you for the forgiveness that is now ours through Christ Jesus. And in faith, we trust in Your ability and stand upon Your promise to heal our land.
© Harvest Prayer Ministries
Harvest blog:
October 29 - DAY 33 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For Fiscal Responsibility In Government
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“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30 NIV).
We expect our politicians and appointed officials to uphold their fiscal responsibilities. This includes fundraising, allocating funds, and spending money appropriately. However, the United States government is currently weighed down by an immense deficit.
Senator Rand Paul, in his Festivus Report for 2023, identified over 900 billion dollars of wasteful government spending by both parties. Paul states, “It doesn’t take a genius to predict the dangers that come with spending money that the government just doesn’t have. When the government overspent by $1.7 trillion in FY2023, we were left with a whopping $659 billion in interest payments. You read that right. In Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury spent $659 billion just to pay the interest on the national debt. Because we don’t have the funds to pay that, we have to borrow it — a large portion from China. We borrow from China to pay the interest on funds we couldn’t afford to spend in the first place.”
Our nation needs prayer to live within our means through responsible financial governance. Our God can help us if we look to His principles for fiscal responsibility.
Father, our nation has lost its way financially. We don’t follow Your guidance and wisdom when it comes to fiscal responsibility, and so, we are drowning in debt we cannot repay. Forgive us for this foolishness, Lord, and help our leaders look to Your solutions instead of fighting amongst themselves. We pray for a deep repentance among our government leaders – that they would bow before You and confess the sinfulness of the waste and foolish spending, and turn their faces toward You. Teach our leaders how to get the nation’s finances under control and back to a healthy place.
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- Pray that America’s government officials will recognize the damage they are causing, and bow before God in humility and deep repentance.
- Pray that these men and women will stop their wastefulness and seek purposeful and responsible solutions based on God's wise counsel.
- Pray for a united determination to set America back on solid financial footing for the good of the entire nation.
- Pray that we will, again, be a prosperous nation with a balanced budget and equitable tax structure.
- Pray that our government will soon be able to be generous out of the overflow of prosperity because we are a nation that honors God and the financial principles outlined so clearly in His Word.
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Saturday, November 02 2024
Worship and Brunch today! Come worship, fellowship and feast on His Word and with a great 2 Peas in A Pod brunch! It's a day to be fed physically and spiritually as our Bishop brings the Word this morning. Come! Join us! brings some friends!
Good Morning Purposeful, Waiting on the Lord, Good News Delivery Co! We are created in God's image for His custom made purposes. We matter and have purpose! As we seek first His Kingdom, He will lead us to His perfect plans in His perfect timing. Amen! And so we wait on Him in prayer and yoke to Jesus as we travel at His pace. Amen! We are gathered and sent to bring His Love and Good News alive. We are His, loved, saved, forgiven, prepared and sent to transform the world as we live and love more and more like Jesus who is with us always! What joy as we work on becoming who we are created to be and doing the things we are created to do more and more. That is Jesus' easy yoke and a true joy that produces much good fruit! We are His ambassadors of grace, mercy and love and as we step more fully into that we will become a dynamic movement of God that brings revival and changes the world! Amen!
Today, I expect the Bishop to teach us more about how to do this well. I know God is moving St. Matts. in the same direction as the Bishop is being led to lead us. We are on our way to becoming a dynamic movement of God that loves Him well and reaches excitedly to those who He is drawing from the fires of Hell. Friday night we made some new connection points to neighbors. Pray that God works in some of them and draws them and waters and fertilizes the seeds we planted. Pray we begin some new relationships with young families and 30-50 year olds and lead them to God and Jesus' way. Pray for us to become a house of prayer for the nations and a disciple making hub for the area. He does have great plans for you and us and He is sending us into the harvest field. Praise Him for the harvest that is coming and pray He raises up harvest workers from this harvest. Pray that we would live and love more and more like Jesus everyday and teach others how to live our His way well as we live it out better. Yes, He is bringing alive some great things and I am so excited to see where He leads us! Come, Jesus Come! Lead us to Your perfect plans in Your perfect timing. Amen!
It's pretty cool how God has threaded this word through our devotionals for today. Check them out below and prepare your hearts to receive His instructions and your feet to follow Jesus well. God has some amazing things in store for you and us that will flow from our prayers, time with God and willingness to earnestly follow Jesus. PTL! and Amen! We begin, as God has ordered our devos, with The Word for You Today and their teaching about God's custom made plans just for you first. Meditate on this and talk to God about it. What's He leading you to do? Who are your partners? Sarah Young reminds us about the importance of keeping our focus on God and allowing Him to direct our steps for what's now and what's next. She reminds us to travel at the speed of Jesus as we plow with Him. Charles Stanley reminds us and continues her train of thought with the call to expectant waiting. God is speaking, teaching, preparing and wants us to move with Him. That is really the only way to be productive for His Kingdom that produces good fruit. Pray for our Vision Team that will be meeting in two weeks to seek God, discern His plans and to steward well as we sow lavishly into all He has for us and begin the budgeting process for God's plans for us for next year.. May we pursue Him as He pursues us and follow as He leads, well. Amen! Today we gather, like the Acts 2:42 church to study His Word, worship, fellowship, eat together and pray. I love how God keeps leading us to and through our table ministries! We need each other and the Upper Room discusses and reminds that we are made for community and unity. We are not to be Lone Rangers. We practice some of this every week as we gather on Wednesdays to eat, fellowship, study and pray. And guess what? God keeps sending some new people to taste and see that Jesus is good and we are genuine in our love and obedience to Him and His ways. May we continue these ministries well. Pray for God to expand them to new opportunities to connect to neighbors and connect them to Him. Pray for me to mentor and train some leaders to lead others to God's plans too. And this flows to Our Daily Bread teaching about being born again. Who do you know that needs Jesus' love, forgiveness and new life in Christ? What will you do about that? Who are your partners? Who needs to hear the stories of God's faithfulness to you and us and how He is using us to transform the world with his love and care one soul at a time?
Really pray into these things. Allow these teachings and what the Bishop will share today from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (below) to inform your prayers and actions. Cry out for revival and for God to use you to do your part in His Good News Delivery Co. He really does have some custom, age and circumstance appropriate things for you to do. Let us commit to be about His business together in His ways and spur each other on in prayer and actions as God leads. Revival is coming! This is the year of the Lord's favor and He wants us to step into that and our anointing! Come, et us seek and follow well together for His glory alone. Amen! We are His Purposeful, Waiting on the Lord, Good News Delivery Co! PTL! and Amen!
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
We Are God’s Ambassadors
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
TWFYT:
SY:
CS:
UR: Community of Faith
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” - Exodus 18:17-18 (NIV)
Soon after the Israelites’ deliverance, Jethro — Moses’ father-in-law — came to visit and observed Moses in his daily responsibility of judging disputes between the people. Jethro told Moses that continuing to do all the work alone would be too much. He advised Moses to set wise men as leaders over groups of people. In following this advice, Moses relied on his community for help, thus preventing his own burnout.
God designed us to need community. It can be uncomfortable and hard to accept that we need others, especially when we realize that our church is made up of imperfect people. But when we downplay the collective nature of our faith, we do ourselves a disservice.
Wonderful things can happen when we rely on one another: our bonds of relationship are strengthened, and we give others the opportunity to show God’s love to us. In big and small moments, let’s commit to loving those around us and letting others love us in return. In doing so, we can be a part of ushering in God’s kingdom.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the community of believers. Help us to reach out to others who may need our love, and help us to accept love in return. Amen.
ODB:
Born Again?
Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5
READ John 3:1-9
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“Born again? What does that mean?” asked the funeral director. “I’ve never heard of that term before.” Grasping the opportunity, the son of the deceased father explained what it meant through the words of John chapter 3.
“It comes down to the fact that we are all born once into this world,” he said. “God doesn’t have a magic scale where He weighs our good deeds against the bad. God requires us to be born of the Spirit,” he continued. “That’s why Jesus died on the cross—He paid for our sins and made it possible for us to possess eternal life with Him. We can’t make it on our own.”
In John 3, Nicodemus began to doubt if he truly had it all figured out. A trained teacher in the Scriptures (v. 1), he recognized that Jesus was different and that His teaching had authority (v. 2). He wanted to find out for himself, so he approached Christ one night to get the matter settled. Nicodemus must have accepted Jesus’ statement “You must be born again” (v. 7) and believed, because he helped prepare the Savior’s body for burial after He was crucified (19:39).
The funeral director agreed to go home and read the third chapter of John’s gospel. Like the son who talked with the director, let’s take Jesus’ words to heart and share them with others as He helps us.
By Brent Hackett
REFLECT & PRAY
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What does it mean for you to be born again? How can you share what it means with others?
Dear Father, thank You for allowing me to be born again. May Your Spirit move in the hearts of those to whom I share the need to be born again.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus told Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). Christ’s claim that a person needs to be born “again” confused Nicodemus: “How can someone be born when they are old?” (v. 4). The Greek word anōthen, translated “again” (vv. 3, 7), has several meanings and can indicate either time or location. It can mean “from above” (heaven), “from the beginning,” “for a long time,” or “again.” Both “you must be born again” (niv) or “you must be born from above” (nrsv) are accurate translations of verse 7. Christ is telling Nicodemus that to enter heaven, a person must be made new. We can’t do this through our own efforts but only through the Spirit (v. 8).
J.R. Hudberg |
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Saturday, October 26 2024
Pray for our brunch tomorrow. pray for Lori and team as they shop and prepare. pray for our bishop who brings God's Word tomorrow. pray for God to move as we unite in worship, study, fellowship, prayer and feasting! Who are you inviting to join us? We may have an overflowing room tomorrow! PTL! May His love continue to move! Amen
Good Morning Powerhouses of Revival--Good News Delivery Company! Say that out loud as you begin to praise the Lord this morning and bring this to life in and through you and us in prayer and proclamation! Thank you to all who partnered together for our Trunk or Treat last evening! WOW! Wow! WOW! Man did God use us and move through your prayers, giving and serving. We were the LIGHT and Love of Jesus! The stories are flowing in for how God used us! Can't wait to hear from all our members the things God did! WOW! We gave out 500 hot dogs in an hour and a half. Revival Church gave out over 150 Bibles. many were prayed for and blessed. I'd say we had close to 1000 people move through our lot in a little over two hours! many new connections were made and we may see some new face soon. pray for that and pray for God to water and fertilize the seeds planted. he surely was present, moving, drawing, blessing us and through us! PTL!
Man, I felt like Paul who said "I beat my body for the Gospel" and "I pour myself out like a drink offering." I was on my feet for 10 hours cooking, wrapping and handing out 500 hot dogs, preparing the area, moving tons of candy and water and cleaning up. My back just snapped back into place and my ankles healed overnight. BUT GOD! he is worth it and He used me and you to light up the town. May we continue to offer ourselves to Him and pour ourselves out for Him and His Good news! God used you too! PTL! Keep at it! He does have great plans for us. Keep believing in prayer that this time some will come and see and check out if our love and faith is real. God is on the move for sure! Pray we continue to sow lavishly! Thank Him for His provision and for the encouragement we experience by being used by Him. Pray for God to continue to unite us with Revival Church for more ministry. Thank Him for our unity! Thank Him for providing, guiding and using us! You guys rock! So does God!!! PTL! May we continue to spur each other on as we follow God to those he is sending and working at becoming His dynamic movement.
I'm going to let you encounter your devotionals and God on your own this morning. I have to get moving for another busy day of loving like Jesus. I do want to share Karen's Bible reading for this morning. Tomorrow the Bishop is preaching from 2 Cor. 5:11-21. We are His people of Good News! Amen! You will also see the old picture teaching of us as God's Good News Delivery people. Keep praying into that. We are sent and He is using our willing feet and hearts! PTL! Yes Rejoice! Worship and share those stories of how God is using you and us to light up the wporld around us!
Saturday, October 26 2024
PTL! Thank God I'm Forgiven! (TGIF) What are you thankful for about your forgiveness, new life in Christ and eternal destiny. Thank God and talk to Him about those things!
Continue to pray for our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat tonight. Thank God for His provisions and for sending many to experience His love! Pray we light up the darkness!
***Pastor Don's car will be set up and decorated and stocked with candy. Pray for someone to come and man this candy and Jesus' love distribution station. (Let me know if interested!)
Praise God for all our servants! Pray for our Two Peas in a Pod Team for Sunday prep. Pray for many to come and experience great food, fun and fellowship. Invite some friends!
Praise God and pray for our Bishop Randy and wife Carla. He is joining us Sunday and bringing God's Word.
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Good Morning Forgiven, Very Loved, Created-for-Such-A-Time-As-This, Good News Delivery Company! God is for us and with us! PTL! He has some great custom made plans just for you today. Rejoice! He has a part for you in His Good News Delivery Co. called St. Matts! Thank Him for your part and talk to Him about what your part is and what to do today. Thank Him for His agape (sacrificial) love! Ask for help to go and love like Him. I love how He is preparing and using us and sending servants from the incoming harvest! PTL! Thank God for His easy yoke prepared just for you. Pray it on and ask to stay instep with our Shepherd as He plows, plants and harvests. Ask God to inform your prayers and direct your steps today. YES, thank God we are forgiven, very loved servants! Ask Him who your co-laborers are and start praying, preparing and serving together!
We have a long and busy weekend ahead--one that God has prepared us for and led us to. PTL! Pray for His love, protection, provision and direction to come and overflow from us. You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ to do the things He prepared for you from long ago (Eph. 2:10) PTL! As we fix our thoughts on things above, repent of doing things our way, and submit to Him and His ways, He will direct our steps and use us to sow lavishly and reap much good fruit. PTL! The cool part is you get to just be you because you are made for such a time as this and empowered to go, as you are, to represent our Lord and Savior. He has given you His Spirit to intercede for you, prepare you, empower you and guide you to those plans. That just leads me to worship! What love and grace! That leads me to pray more for you and us and for us to continue to seek Him, die to self, take up cross daily and follow Jesus well. I'm just gushing with joy as I see all that God is doing and beginning to discern His plans for me and us that will lead to many coming to know and love Him and be trained to go and make Him known! Please keep praying into that and preparing to follow Jesus well. His greater things are on the way! This is the year of the Lord's favor! PTL and step into His favor and plans for you.
I'm going to just share our devos for today below and Harvest Prayers blog. What's God saying to you and what will that mean for your choices today? He is with you--always, even when we don't see it or try to run from Him. His love pursues us. PTL! He's always at work and often behind the scenes to bring his perfect plans to life in His perfect timing. PTL! Keep your thoughts fixed on Jesus and your feet following Him! He does hear and always answers our prayers--sometimes yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait. Trust Him and commit to being fully His today--always! He does have some amazing things awaiting you and us. May we be earnestly pursuing his best in his timing for His glory. Amen! I'm praying for you and us to become His dynamic movement of disciple makers, as we continue to deliver His Good News. Amen!
Sarah Young:
Our Daily Bread:
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Julie and Liz kayaked off the coast of California, scouting for humpback whales. Humpbacks are known for being active near the surface, making them easy to spot. The two women got the surprise of their lives when one surfaced directly underneath them. An onlooker caught footage of their encounter that showed the large mouth of the whale dwarfing the women and their kayaks. After briefly going underwater, the women escaped unharmed.
Their experience offers perspective on the biblical account of the prophet Jonah being swallowed by a “huge fish” (Jonah 1:17). God had instructed him to preach to the Ninevites, but because they’d rejected God, Jonah didn’t feel they were worthy of His forgiveness. Instead of obeying, he ran away and took passage on a ship. God sent a dangerous storm, and he was thrown overboard.
God provided a way to preserve Jonah from certain death on the high seas, sparing him the far-worse consequences of his actions. Jonah “called to the Lord” and God listened (2:2). After Jonah admitted his wrongdoing and expressed his praise and acknowledgment of God’s goodness, he was—at His command—expelled from the fish “onto dry land” (v. 10).
By God’s grace, when we acknowledge our sin and express faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re spared the spiritual death we deserve and experience new life through Him.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you “run away” from God? How have you experienced new life through Jesus?
Dear God, I acknowledge my sin and thank You for providing for me a new life through Jesus.
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The Upper Room: Behind the Scenes
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. - Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
I had planted some butternut squash seeds. But while all my other crops were growing, the squash was not.
One
Sunday afternoon, I had lost all hope for the seeds. That day I was feeling tired and hopeless because I had not attained certain goals for my life. For many years I had cried over my pain and regrets, but I did not want to cry this time. As the sun was setting, I decided to water the seeds one last time. I carried a bucket filled with water and walked toward the garden feeling depressed. As I approached the grounds, lo and behold, the seeds had sprouted.
I was amazed. It had never occurred to me that God was working behind the scenes. Tears flowed down my face like a river. I was filled with joy, gratitude, and hope. When I thought all was lost, God was working. When situations arise that take away our joy and leave us hopeless, we can rest assured that there is always hope in God, who renews our strength.
Today's Prayer
God our Father, when we have lost all hope, strengthen our faith and hope in you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Joyce Meyer:
The Word for You Today:
Harvest prayer:
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October 25 - DAY 29 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For President
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“May all kings bow down to Him and all nations serve Him.” (Psalm 72:11 NIV).
In 1986, Ronald Reagan made a speech to the American people, saying: “To preserve our blessed land we must look to God...It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us...We also have His promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, ‘If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’
Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress...in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands
on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always. The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America...Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth.
If I had a prayer for you today, among those that have all been uttered, it is that one we’re so familiar with: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...’ And God bless you all.”
Father, for many of us it is difficult to know how to pray in these days leading up to the election. Your Word says to pray for those in authority, so we continue to pray for our President – that You will turn his heart towards Your plans and purposes. Protect him from evil and harmful influences, and turn his heart completely over to You. We know that whoever is in the White House is not as important as that You are the true Commander in Chief and in ultimate control over our nation.
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- Pray for God to move powerfully in the hearts and lives of our Presidential
candidates.
- Pray that God will give wisdom and discernment to our President and those who advise him in this critical season.
- Pray that God will give His people eyes to see and ears to hear as His Spirit guides us in the midst of this election season.
- Ask God to protect our Presidential candidates and their families as tensions and divisiveness cause open hostility among the different political parties.
- Ask God to raise up the person who will lead our nation in righteousness, looking to Him for guidance.
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Saturday, October 26 2024
Pray for our Light in the Night Trunk or Treat tomorrow. Thank God for His provisions and volunteers. Pray for a few more cars or servants to join us. Pray for many to be drawn to the Light and for many to see Jesus, feel His love and be drawn to Him. Praise God for our unity with Revival Church. Pray for this to be a stepping stone to more activities together. Pray God would be glorified and He would begin to draw many to Him and for revival to begin. Thank Him for all He will do!
Good Morning Restored, Praying, Obedient Servants! AMEN! This salutation and pronouncement comes right from my devotionals this morning (below). God is always speaking, directing, correcting and loving us and loving through us. Our prayers are informed from our time with Him and in His Word and even through our obediently following Jesus. He has redeemed and restored us and is enabling and empowering us to follow His Way and example as we work at living and loving more like Jesus. That's a step by step journey of faith that produces good and lasting fruit and points others to Jesus and His way. He leads us beside still waters and restores our souls because He has brought rest to our weary souls as we don His easy yoke. That's ceasing to strive in our own strength and leaning on our own understanding. That flows to His leading us to His greater things and good and lasting fruit. That is moving us towards becoming producers of good fruit and maturing in Christlikeness. Amen! May we be a people persisting in prayer and standing firm in faith. Pray on His armor and stand firm in faith today. Pray we distance ourselves from the drama and for our emotions not to hold sway over us or our choices. Pray we would bless and encourage each other and build up His Church together. Pray He would continue to bless and lead our church in our desire to become His dynamic movement with a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost. Thank Him for that! Praise God for the servants He has given us and our heart to serve the least of these, feed the hungry, cloth those in need and minister to a lost and weary people. Ask Him to continue His good work in and through you and us and thank Him for answering our prayers and directing our steps!
He loves you and has some really good plans He is working together through many differing circumstances for your, our and others good. Worship. Offer yourself. And follow Him one step of faith at a time. watch for what He's doing and join Him. Keep praying and inviting others in. Who are you inviting Sunday to come worship and fellowship with us? God is bringing in the harvest. PTL! Keep praying for harvest workers and ask Him to lead you to your part in His Good News Delivery Co. We all have a part and He has created you for such a time as this and has gifted and empowered and is interceding for you to be successful in your quest to become more and more like Jesus and doing more and more of what He created you to do! yes rejoice! PTL! and keep at it! Breakthrough is on the way! Amen!
Sarah Young:
Charles Stanley:
The Word for You Today:
The Upper Room: Looking Beyond
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2 (NRSVUE)
I felt my faith failing me. God seemed far away, and praying felt futile; I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. That Sunday at church
I sat down in the pew, opened the bulletin, and an offering envelope fell into my lap. It was for earthquake relief in Africa.
That was it! That was the answer I was looking for. God was calling me to look outside myself, to turn my attention to others. I felt God’s presence with me in that moment. Out of gratitude to God for showing me a way through my struggle, I stretched my budget and placed an offering into the envelope.
Looking only within ourselves, we can easily lose sight of our place in God’s purposes. The apostle Paul told us to bear one another’s burdens. In this way, we find the abundant life Jesus promised. We find our true identity as Christians when we care for others.
Today's Prayer
O Lord, when we get lost within ourselves, remind us to find our identity as Christ-followers in our service to others. Amen.
Our Daily Bread:
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For years, the Horn of Africa has suffered from a brutal drought that has devastated crops, killed livestock, and imperiled millions. Among the most vulnerable—like the people at Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp who’ve fled from wars and oppression—it’s even more dire. A recent report described a young mother bringing her baby to camp officials. The infant suffered from severe malnutrition, leaving “her hair and skin . . . dry and brittle.” She wouldn’t smile and wouldn’t eat. Her tiny body was shutting down. Specialists immediately intervened. Thankfully, even though the needs are still great, an infrastructure has been built to provide immediate, life-or-death necessities.
These desperate places are exactly where God’s people are called to shine His light and love (Isaiah 58:8). When people are starving, sick, or threatened, God summons His people to be the first to provide food, medicine, and safety—all in Jesus’ name. Isaiah rebuked ancient Israel for thinking they were being faithful with their fasting and prayers while ignoring the actual compassionate work the crisis required: sharing “food with the hungry,” providing “the poor wanderer with shelter,” and clothing “the naked” (v. 7).
God desires for the hungry to be fed—both physically and spiritually. And He works in and through us as He meets the need.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
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What kinds of hunger do you see around you? Where is God inviting you to offer help?
Dear God, please help me be part of how You bring food, love, and comfort to those who are hungry and in distress.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In calling out ancient Israel’s sin, Isaiah is told: “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet” (58:1). The word translated “trumpet” refers to a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn, which was used to call entire communities to hear urgent announcements. The nation had turned their religious activities into a way of serving themselves and hoping to gain personal benefit from God, even while exploiting those with less power than them (vv. 3-4). This was a failure so serious, it should be exposed with a trumpet call. To serve God faithfully, the prophet proclaimed, required them to “loose the chains of injustice” (v. 6). Failing to do so was “rebellion” (v. 1).
Monica La Rose |
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Saturday, October 26 2024
Good Morning Lighthouses! Shine Jesus shine in and through us! So what have you heard from God so far today and what's the plan for Him to use you? Who are you partnering with?
We need a few more cars for the Trunk or Treat. If interested contact Sarah or Don. Pastor Don can put his car there if someone needs a base to operate from. (I'll even--well, Karen will, decorate it). Keep praying for many new connection points and for Jesus to shine through us.
Pray for today's Bread Ministry (10-12) and our dinner Chosen gathering tonight (6-8). Last week's Chosen left us reeling from a very hard thing and trying to grasp why God allows some things or heals some people but not all. We may not be able to answer those kinds of questions this side of heaven. The Chosen does a great job of showing Jesus' love and compassion and presence with us always while honoring the Father and His perfect plans. Jesus weeps with you. He loves you. He knows you and all you are going through. He forgives you and helps you repent and move forward in faith. And He always does the Father's will. That's just some of the Good News we carry to share. He sends us to live, love and walk with others, just as you are and just like Jesus. What amazing, grace, love and help we have in Christ! PTL! There are many around us walking through some very hard things right now that need us and Jesus' love through us. Ask God to send you and to open your eyes to see, your heart to respond well and His mind to know what to say and do and what not to. He loves to answer those kind of prayers.
Our devotionals for today sort of thread through this. Check them out below. Do you know how much God loves you? Do you know the plans He has to prosper and not harm you as you follow Him and allow Him to nurture and grow you into your calling? Have you learned how to wait and pray and prepare as you seek God to lead you and move you when the time is right? He has given us a Helper, Comforter, Advocate, and Intercessor in the Holy Spirit. PTL! We need all the help we can get! And he is with us always--we are one! PTL! Keep asking Him to help and to lead you to your greater potential in Christ and to learn to live and love more like Jesus. And keep on keeping on as you allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, teach and lead you. God has some great plans for you, even today! PTL! Trust and follow Him one step of faith at a time! And keep asking Him to lead you to your helpmates and co-laborers. I think of the a Bread and Clothing and 2 peas in a Pod Brunch volunteers and how they have become God's teams that share the love of Christ while helping the least of these. Thank God for these volunteers and keep praying for them. Thank God for His provision and ask how He might want you to help with prayer, giving and volunteering. He does have custom made parts for you in His Good News Delivery Co! Rejoice and follow well today! I'm praying for you and God is with you working all things together. Amen!
SY:
CS:
ODB:
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Making his preflight checks for a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to New York City, a flight attendant noticed a passenger visibly anxious and concerned about flying. He sat in the aisle, held her hand, explained each step of the flight process, and reassured her that she was going to be fine. “When you get on an aircraft, it's not about us, it's about you,” he said. “And if you’re not feeling good, I want to be there to say, ‘Hey, what’s wrong? Is there something I can do?’ ” His caring presence can be a picture of what Jesus said the Holy Spirit would do for believers in Him.
Christ’s death and resurrection and ascension were necessary and beneficial to save people from their sins, but it would also create emotional turbulence and deep sorrow in the disciples’ hearts (John 14:1). So He reassured them that they wouldn’t be left alone to carry out His mission in the world. He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them—an “advocate to help [them] and be with [them] forever” (v. 16). The Spirit would bear witness about Jesus and remind them of all Christ did and said (v. 26). They would be “encouraged by” Him during difficult times (Acts 9:31).
In this life, everyone—including believers in Christ—will experience the turbulence of anxiety, fear, and grief. But He’s promised that, in His absence, the Holy Spirit is present to comfort us.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
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What’s been troubling you in your life? How can you seek the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit?
Dear Jesus, thank You for the Spirit’s comfort and counsel.
Learn how to walk daily with the Holy Spirit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate” (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). Other translations use the word Comforter (kjv) or Counselor (rsv) . Christ told His disciples that the Spirit would teach them “all things” and remind them of “everything” Jesus had said and taught (14:26). The Spirit is the very presence of God and will be with us “forever” (v. 16). On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, God sent the Holy Spirit to all believers in Jesus (Acts 2:1-4). Today, everyone receives the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ as Savior (10:44). We can trust what “the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26) speaks into our hearts and minds. The Spirit gives believers spiritual gifts to serve Jesus and to help us grow more like Him (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit also convicts unbelievers of sin and the need for salvation (John 16:7-11).
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Consistent Practice
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2 (NRSVUE)
I enjoy creating art of all kinds, including painting. One of my art teachers said that daily practice is the only way to improve one’s painting skills. I found this to be true when I became overwhelmed with personal responsibilities and put away my brushes and paints. When I picked them back up after quite some time, I found it difficult to paint well. It was only after consistent practice that my skills returned.
Likewise, at one time I became distracted by the things of the world and neglected my Bible, along with my faith practices. When I encountered challenges, I found it difficult to work through them. Thankfully, a family member gifted me with a new Bible and a subscription to a devotional booklet. This was a gentle reminder that it was only through consistent practice in getting closer to God that I could — along with our Creator — design a better picture for my life.
Many years later, I remain grateful to the wise, thoughtful person who provided me with that reminder. Sometimes it is helpful when we encourage one another to get back into the habit of practicing our faith.
Today's Prayer
Omnipotent God, may we be consistent in practicing our faith. Help us to encourage others in their faith as well. Amen.
TWFYT:
Saturday, October 26 2024
Today: 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome!
12-12:30 Pray for Light in the Night Trunk or Treat. Pray for more cars and helpers. Thank God for His provision. Pray for new connections to neighbors. Pray for unity with Revival Church. Pray for Protection for all and health.
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Good Morning Known, Transformed, Bringers of Good News! Amen! Please Lord! May that be us! God knows you and is calling you by name! He created you with potential and when you received Christ as Your Lord and Savior you were transformed and sealed with His Spirit. That Spirit in you helps you to repent, step into your new nature and go love like Jesus. He also leads you to the plans God created you to do. How cool! Thanks Lord! And we are sent to share this Good News, share our joy and make disciples. May we earnestly step into all of this for God's glory.
You know, one of my struggles and prayers is for God to come examine my heart, reveal any sin or deficiencies and to help me repent and step more fully into my created purposes and operate more fully from my new nature. Pursuing this earnestly all the time, is a real challenge and then the Holy Spirit reminds me that I a being held to a higher standard, as God's Shepherd, than other people. Help me Lord to be fully yours and to fulfill my purposes well! Thank You for Your Spirit in me to help and guide and for calling me to Your Good News Delivery Co. called St. Matt's! Help me to prepare disciple making disciples and Good News bringers. Thanks! Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me and us! May all I think, say and do be for your glory. May I never shrink back or hold back but always stand firm in Christ and on Your Word. Thanks! Amen! How might you help and encourage me and others to step into their potential more fully? Begin with prayer and a covering and then partner together to go live, love and make disciples like Jesus. May we work earnestly at fulfilling our purposes as God leads us to become His dynamic movement that brings Him alive and launches revival all around the area. He does have great plans for you and us! PTL! Step into them! Continue to pray through Harvest Prayer's prayer starters for the Church and our nation too. (see below) We are sent to change the world one soul at a time and with one step of faith after another. Allow the Holy Spirit full access and submit to His leading. Then one day you will hear, "Well done good and faithful servant!" Please Lord!
Spend some time with our devotionals for today as they thread through this thinking and God's Word for you, me and us today. We are to be always ready as we continue to pray and invite God to transform, mold, prepare and send us. We are to release all, including our anxiety and fear to Him. He does see you, know you and love you so much that He will help you to move towards the greater things you are created for. PTL! We are being made new and transformed into His image and sent just as we are to be His vessels of revival and new life. Come Holy Spirit! Fill us as we die to self and crucify and repent of some things. Lead us to your best and our purposes. Cover and protect us and use us well. Thank You! We love You Lord. Help us to trust, obey and follow well today! Thanks! Amen!
What's God revealing to you today? How is He informing your prayers or wanting to use you? Seek first His Kingdom and He will add the things you need to go and love well. Who might He be partnering you with to pray, encourage and go with? I know He knows you and has some great custom made things for you today and beyond. Allow Him to transform and lead you. I'm praying for you and here to help process and pray and maybe even go with you. Shalom!
Harvest Prayer:
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October 22 - DAY 26 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For The Protection And Return To The Constitution And Bill Of Rights
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“So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom” (James 2:12 NIV).
The Constitution sets forth how the government of the United States should work. It establishes a Congress, a President, and an independent court system. It stipulates what the government can and can’t do. It guarantees basic treasured rights. This system, founded on godly principles, has worked well for over 200 years.
On March 23, 1798, less than 12 years after the signing of the U.S. Constitution, our 2nd President, John Adams, called for a day of national prayer: “The safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness cannot exist nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed.”
Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren (1891-1974) stated: “I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, or assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under law, and the reservation of powers to the people...I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country.”
Our government is facing tremendous opposition to the godly principles upon which it was founded. Let’s pray for America to repent and return to God’s design for our nation:
Heavenly Father, our nation was founded on Your Word and the divine guidance You have so clearly given us. We pray for our leaders in each branch of government who have sworn an oath to “faithfully execute” the duties of their respective offices. Help them to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”
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- Pray that our nation’s government officials will return to the principles of unity, justice, peace, safety, the welfare of all, and the blessings of liberty.
- Pray that those holding government offices in our nation will be continually convicted by the Holy Spirit to honor God.
- Pray for the protection of believers in our government who deeply desire to walk uprightly before God as they serve and protect the Constitution of our nation.
- Ask God to help our nation’s citizens to more fully understand the principles established in our Constitution and Bill of Rights so that they will be more willing to defend it.
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TWFYT:
Upper Room: Sudden Changes
Cast all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7 (NRSVUE)
Sometimes sudden events change our routine and our focus. One day I was moving a bed when it landed on my right foot, fracturing my big toe. This injury changed my daily routine. But though I can’t do certain things right now, I still insist on attempting them.
As I think about my situation, I can clearly see how God takes care of us and delivers us every day in the face of our thoughtless, hasty, and often stubborn actions.
While my activity is limited right now due to my fracture, my prayer is that Jesus will teach me to be more attentive, obedient, and calm as I seek to trust and surrender my life to the Lord, my Savior and Protector.
May God help us hear the voice of Jesus who speaks and says, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Today's Prayer
O Lord, guide us through the sudden changes of everyday life. May your light illuminate our steps. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:9-13, KJV). Amen.
Charles Stanley
Sarah Young:
ODB:
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In the worst UK residential fire since World War II, fire engulfed the twenty-four story Grenfell Tower building in West London, claiming the lives of seventy people. Investigations revealed a primary reason the flames spread so quickly was the cladding used as part of renovation that covered the building’s exterior. The material was aluminum on the outside but had an extremely flammable plastic core.
How was such a dangerous material allowed to be sold and installed? The product’s sellers failed to disclose poor fire safety test results. And buyers, drawn by the material’s cheap price tag, failed to heed warning signs. The shiny cladding looked nice on the outside.
Some of Jesus’ harshest words were directed at religious teachers He accused of covering corruption behind a nice-looking exterior. He said they were like “whitewashed tombs”—“beautiful on the outside” but inside full of dead bones (Matthew 23:27). Instead of pursuing “justice, mercy and faithfulness” (v. 23), they were focused on looking good—cleaning “the outside of the cup” but not the “greed and self-indulgence” inside (v. 25).
It’s easier to focus on looking good than to bring our sin and brokenness honestly before God. But a nice-looking exterior doesn’t make a corrupt heart any less dangerous. God invites us to let Him transform all of us from the inside (1 John 1:9).
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you tried to disguise corruption? How can you prioritize internal change?
Gracious God, please help me not to hide my brokenness but let You transform all of me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Each of the four paragraphs in Matthew 23:23-32 begin with a warning against hypocrisy: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” The religious leaders were condemned for bringing sacrifices while ignoring “more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (v. 23). These words are similar to what God said through the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require . . . ? To act justly and to love mercy” (Micah 6:8). Micah’s audience was also offering sacrifices without being truly committed to God; they were shiny on the outside but dead inside.
J.R. Hudberg |
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