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Friday, January 31 2025
This is the day the Lord has made and we get to worship, study His Word, be part of His Body, fellowship and eat! We are an Acts 2:42 church! PTL! May God lead you in worship and study and His Spirit guide your day! He loves you, is calling you by name and has great plans for you! Rejoice and be glad as you step into His love, wisdom and help today! It is well with my soul! How about you? Prepare your hearts to worship! Be still and know Him and the wonder of His love! Then celebrate! Amen!
Enter His courts with Thanksgiving today!
Check out these devos as you prepare your hearts to worship!
ODB: Read Proverbs 2:1-11. Seek wisdom! Keep God in first place! He is God! You are not!
Reverent Fear
If you look for [wisdom] as for silver . . . then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5
READ Proverbs 2:1-11
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Jeremy writes, “I know quite a bit about the fear of dying. Seven years ago . . . I felt intense, sickening, dizzying, overwhelming fear when I was told I had incurable cancer.” But he learned to manage his fear by leaning on the presence of God and moving from his fear of death to embracing a reverent fear of Him. To Jeremy, this means being in awe of the Maker of the universe who will “swallow up death” (Isaiah 25:8) while also understanding deep within that God knows and loves him.
The fear of the Lord—a deep respect and awe for our holy God—is a theme that runs throughout Scripture. King Solomon admonished his son to fear the Lord in his series of wise sayings, the Proverbs. He said that if his son would turn his “ear to wisdom” and “search for it as for hidden treasure,” then he’d “understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:2, 4-5). Along with wisdom and knowledge, he’d find discretion and understanding (vv. 10-11).
When we face challenges of many kinds and experience a sense of dread and fear, we’re reminded of our limitations. But as we turn to God, asking Him to help us humble ourselves before Him and worship Him in reverence, we’ll find He helps us to move from being fearful to embracing a healthy fear of Him.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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How important is “the fear of the Lord” to you? How could you humble yourself before Him today?
Creator Father, You made the heavens and the earth and yet You know and love me. Please help me to serve and honor You all the days of my life.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Proverbs is often misunderstood to be a book of promises. In reality, however, it’s a book that shows how life works best when lived according to the wisdom of God. In chapters 1-9, King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:12), offers wisdom to his son on a variety of issues including moral purity. Because Solomon’s life story revealed his own struggles in this area, some scholars have wondered if Solomon wrote these words earlier in his life—in anticipation of children that would come later. Other scholars believe Solomon offered this insight very late in life, with his own moral failings as a backdrop to the accuracy of that wisdom. Either way, it’s clear that despite his great God-given wisdom, Solomon struggled at times to apply that wisdom to his own life
Bill Crowder |
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UR: Unfamiliar Paths
Please lead me in your righteousness. Make your way clear, right in front of me. - Psalm 5:8 (CEB)
One morning I caught a ride before sunrise. As I rode in the back of the pickup truck, I could see hundreds of stars in the black sky, including familiar constellations. However, when I looked at the road ahead, illuminated by headlights, it didn’t seem familiar at all. The barbed wire fence, trees, and brush along the one-lane dirt road didn’t look as I remembered. That surprised me since I have walked every inch of that mile-and-a-half stretch of road many, many times over the years. I was disoriented. Even so, I knew I would arrive at my destination soon.
As we continued, I thought about how sometimes life is like that. It can feel like we are traveling along unfamiliar paths. Yet signs of God’s presence are all around us like shining stars if we only look — in scripture, in nature, and in people. If we trust in God to guide us, we will receive just enough light to continue on until we reach our destination. We can trust that God will be with us as we journey and will lead us in the way we ought to go.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to trust you to guide us. When our way seems unclear, turn us toward the signs of your presence. Amen.Sarah Young:
Saturday, January 25 2025
Tomorrow: Worship at 10. Children's Church begins several weeks of learning about and building God's Armor.
Congregational Meeting after worship
2 Peas in A Pod Brunch 11:30 following meeting. Invite some friends!
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Good Morning Seeking, Meditating, Repenting, Obeying, Following, Servants of the Lord! Amen! Help us Lord!
Have you ever had your bubble burst? Have you ever realized you had rose colored glasses on? Sometimes we want something so badly that we are unable to see what is really happening or our need to step aside, sink roots deep in Christ and trust God to handle things as we release our grip is too tight and invite Him to come and for His will to be done. Such is often the case for leaders that want to believe so much that others all get it and are working earnestly to become more like Jesus and are releasing their grip and want of control on things and allow God to lead and have His way. Sometimes we just have to step back and let God minister to our souls and allow Him control. Then listen, watch and join Him again refreshed and filled for the rigors ahead. Sometimes we get mired down in things that are from Satan or a distraction from God and His plans and ways. We may find ourselves beating our heads against a door that is not ready to open or ours to open and we need to just step back, refresh and allow God to lead. Are you able to do that? I'm seeking to release my grip on some things that are not mine to handle and allow God and others He has gifted and called to step into their anointing and allowing Him space to do His thing and to bring rest to my weary soul. Amen!
Below are a few devos I encountered today as God spoke to my soul, informed, refreshed, revealed and is leading me to repent, trust, obey and find rest in Him. I have just traveled through some crazy busy weeks with little or no margin or rest and little time to be still in His presence. (and more of these lie ahead) I have been working to resolve some conflict among our ranks as well. I have become weary and in need of rest and to shake some dust from my sandals and move along in God's best ways. I need to spend some time in personal retreat the next few days/weeks. So, this will be my last blog (probably) for a few days or weeks or whatever it takes for me to abide and be refreshed. Jesus said to come to Him with our weariness and openness and He will bring rest for our souls. He said to abide in Him and His love and be refreshed. He said to sink our roots deep in Him and His Word and we will become like a well watered garden and able to have streams of living water flow through us. I long for that and we all often need that rest and abiding and sinking deep in Him...so I am choosing the healthy spiritual refreshing I need and turning off the noise for a season. I'll still be around but I need a season to focus on my walk and spiritual stewardship. I'll be praying for you all and see you soon or with a blog as the Lord leads. Self care is very important and necessary. So, I'm trying to chose the Lord's best for me which will help to lead to His best for you as well.
Shalom shalom (perfect peace) to you and me! He is speaking to you and wanting to refresh and lead you to His best as well. Are you able to loosen your grip, turn off the noise, abide and refresh? I hope so and am praying we all are able to realize our need to be still and know that He is God (and we are not!) and allow the space for Him to come have control and lead us out of the valley and to the still waters of His best and perfect plans. Amen! His yoke is easy. Who are you processing your stuff with? We all need some partners and accountability. Come Jesus come! Have all of me/us! Your Kingdom come and will be done, Your way and for Your glory alone! Amen!
TWFYT:
Sarah Young:
Chuck Swindoll:
Joyce Meyer:
UR: Filled with Righteousness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. - Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
During a retreat, I was assigned to a table that included two residents of a substance-abuse treatment center. I normally would have had no occasion to converse and pray with men in such circumstances, but God brought us together for a deep, spiritual experience. By the end of the retreat, I loved them like brothers.
The treatment center is not far from my home, and I felt led to visit my new friends. They invited me to an evening worship service where I experienced a passion in worship that is hard to describe. I realized that these men are hungry for the word of God. They desperately want the Holy Spirit to transform them, and they are not ashamed to say so. They have a lot to teach me.
From them, I learned I should not become complacent. Jesus said we will be filled with righteousness if we crave it like food and water, and I saw that intensity during the worship service. It caused me to ask myself, “What am I hungry and thirsty for?” Jesus calls us to a righteousness that can only be obtained through him. I am thankful for the faith of my new friends and the lesson they have taught me.
Today's Prayer
Gracious God, we know that only you provide what truly nourishes us. Fill us with your love and grace until we are full. Amen.ODB
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David Vetter died at age twelve after spending his entire life in a bubble. Nicknamed “The Bubble Boy,” David was born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). His parents had lost their first son to the disease and were determined to protect their second-born. To prolong his life, NASA engineers designed a plastic protection bubble as well as a spacesuit so his parents could hold David in the outside world. Oh, how we all long to protect those we love!
King David was wronged by Nabal, the foolish husband of Abigail. In a rogue moment, David sought revenge by his own hands. Abigail rushed to meet him with a wise reminder, “Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God” (1 Samuel 25:29). The concept of “bundle” conveys the idea of gathering up valuable items so the owner can protectively carry them. Abigail reminded David that God wanted to carry him in a protective bundle. He was safest in God’s hands, rather than in his own. “My lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself” (v. 31).
We do well to work to protect others when they need it, but it’s only in God’s perfect care that they’re truly safe.
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
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When are you tempted to gather others into self-made bubbles of protection? How can you remember that God’s care is the best?
Dear Father, please help me to trust You with my loved ones, knowing that You can carry them better than I can.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The account in 1 Samuel 25 shows that David could be a bit of a hothead. Denied supplies by conceited Nabal, he reacted in anger and went to slaughter Nabal’s entire household (v. 22). Nabal’s wife, Abigail, however, stopped David from bloodshed with wise words. She pointed out that he should trust God with vengeance (vv. 26, 29, 31) and not take it into his own hands.
Abigail fully expected David to take the throne from then-ruling Saul (v. 28), but begged David not to act rashly. In a way, Abigail’s challenge stopped him from treating Nabal the same way that Saul had been treating him—pursuing bloodshed out of self-centered anger (see 22:6-19).
Jed Ostoich |
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Thank God I'm Forgiven and called to forgive as I've been forgiven! Pray into that with much thanksgiving and repent of any unforgiveness.
Good Morning Forgiven Much and Empowered to Agape Love and Forgive Friends of God! Amen! I have little time this morning, but God revealed a message to us about love, forgiveness, and receiving peace. Are you a peace maker or pot stirrer? Are you a gossip and tearing down type or do you speak to build up the Body and encourage with love? Are you a trouble maker or joy bringer? Examine your heart and maybe process these questions with some others. We are called to love as we have been loved, forgive as forgiven and spur each other own. Are you bringing unity and descension among the ranks? Seek first God's Kingdom and Jesus' love and ways. Paul addressed to woman that were at odds with each other and damaging the unity and focus of the Body and told the flock to help the resolve the issue and bring unity and peace back to the Body. We all want to serve and bless but sometimes our own ways, wants or selfishness or need for being in control get in the way. STOP IT! Repent! Be a peace bringer and choose Jesus' way. When He encountered conflict with those that he knew would never get it, He tried to resolve the issue and when others failed to receive it, He shook the dust from His sandals and moved on to more fertile soil. We need to do the same. There are sometimes people who just don't get it and drag you down or cause you to invest too much time in drama that never seems to end. Pray, repent, seek resolution and when it doesn't come, move on. Don't allow people to distract you from God's best. And so it is with me. I try to resolve and when it's not received or the behavior continues and dissention is being stirred, it's time to move on or bring church disciple into play and maybe even put someone out of fellowship if the behavior isn't repented. Then peace and joy and focus on the mission can return to the Body. Pray we always be humble. open to process, receive correction, repent and work to resolve . when that doesn't happen, its time to move on. Enough of that! No more drama or conflict! Die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus. That's my choice! Hope it's yours!
Check out these devos and talk to God about any issues, dram or conflict you may be causing or enduring. Ask Him to examine your heart and motives and help you to correct yourself or correct in love. And if necessary, shake the dust from your sandals and move on. may we be know for our love, joy and unity! Always! Amen! If you need help with any of this, talk to us or your PRC. We are aiming to become more like Jesus! How's that going with you and your choices?
ODB:
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My wife and I like cheesy, feel-good romantic movies. I could say it’s her thing. But I like ’em too. Their charm and appeal lies in their predictable path toward happily ever after. Recently, we watched one that offered some questionable romantic advice. Love is a feeling, it said. Then, Follow your heart. Finally, Your happiness matters most. Our emotions matter, of course. But self-focused emotionalism is a lousy foundation for a lasting marriage.
Mainstream culture dishes up many ideas that sound good initially but crumble upon closer inspection. And careful inspection is exactly what Paul has in mind in Colossians 2. There, he emphasizes that being “rooted and built up in [Christ], strengthened in the faith” (v. 7) enables us to identify our culture’s lies. The apostle calls such lies “hollow and deceptive philosophy,” built “on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (v. 8).
So the next time you watch a movie, ask yourself or those you’re with, “What does this movie suggest is wise? How does that compare to what Scripture says is true?” And remember that it’s Christ that matters most. Only in Him can we find true wisdom and wholeness (vv. 9-10).
By Adam R. Holz
REFLECT & PRAY
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How does popular culture shape how you see the world? How does your faith help you evaluate the values you encounter in entertainment?
Father, our world is filled with stories that promise life but ultimately run counter to Your truth. Please give me a hunger for Your wisdom that I might walk in Your ways.
For further study, read The Story of God’s Quest of Redemption.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul wrote the book of Colossians to the church in Colossae, which was possibly founded by Epaphras (Colossians 1:6-7). Paul wrote this letter during his first Roman imprisonment to address false beliefs and warn of the danger of falling prey to “hollow and deceptive” teaching (2:8). He knew the best way not to be led astray was to be “rooted and built up in [Christ]” (v. 7) through a relationship with Him and familiarity with Scripture. Elsewhere, the apostle warned of false teachers (themselves deceived by Satan) who deceived “naive people” through “smooth talk and flattery” (Romans 16:18) and “empty words” (Ephesians 5:6). He urged believers to battle deception by being “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” by putting on “the full armor of God, so that [we] can take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:10-11). With God, we can “stand firm” (v. 14).
Alyson Kieda |
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Sarah Young:
TWFYT
Saturday, January 25 2025
Sunday: Worship at 10 with the beginning of Children's Church Armor of God several weeks of projects. Congregational Meeting after worship followed by brunch. Another great day of worship, fellowship, feasting and being the church!
* we don't expect a very long meeting as our teams, including finance have done a great job and have prepared well and a good budget for us to approve.
* The main order of business is to approve the budget which includes a vote to retain or release our organist. Pray for wisdom and direction for this. Patti's salary is just over $9000./year. She no longer directs any choirs. Her salary is the shortfall for meeting budget. If we vote to retain her, we will need to come up with funding from you for her salary. It should be noted that we have several other options for hymns on Sundays including several pianists and even video hymns. So please ask God to guide and provide. Thanks!
Soon we will be starting spiritual gifts discovery and processing for those interested (maybe Tues evenings?) I need a head count for those interested as I have to order material and sign us up for testing and there are group discounts for this. So please let Sarah or me know of your interest and watch for a sign up sheet shortly and more info. we expect to start by mid Feb.
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Good Morning Earnestly Seeking God and His Ways Friends! May that be me, us and us as Your Body! May we seek, knock and follow well for Your glory! May we be Your team of revivalists. May revival fires fan into flame in each of us! Light the fires of revival all around us and lead us to Your perfect plans to connect to the people you are drawing and to connect them to You and make disciples like Jesus! May we and Your Kingdom come alive in '25 and may Your perfect will come alive in and through and around each of us! Sens us! Protect us! Ignite us! Amen!
Yesterday was another unique Wed of ministry in our building! The day began for me with a visit to Sandy Ritter who was awaiting release and she was sent home yesterday afternoon. PTL! Then I arrived at 10 to find the doors open and people moving through our Bread Ministry. It was a light day possibly due to the cold but was God's plan since we had a light amount of bread due to people stocking up for the storm. But there were opportunities to have conversations, prayers and invites for Sunday's Brunch and last evenings dinner huddle. All the turkeys were prepared for Sunday's brunch and some conversations were had with some of our servants after bread. Then last evening we had all of Family Ministries cancel and several of our regular attendees were absent due to colds or other obligations. It appeard there would only be 5 or so of us and then several new people showed up. Some from the Bread invite and we had a great night of feasting and fellowship. God is using us and drawing many as we invite in and love and serve! PTL! Keep praying for God to continue to draw and connect many (even 30) this year. And thank Him in advance for all He is doing and will do in, through and around us. He is definitely on the move and bringing in the harvest while growing and using us. PTL!
I had all kinds of ideas for our blog today...BUT GOD! he led me to just include harvest Prayer's blogs for today for you to engage with God with. Spend some time with Him, these blogs and your own devotionals. I'm praying for you and for God to bring alive His Kingdom in, through and around us. May we be about His business earnestly and for His glory! Amen!
Harvest:
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January 23 - Thirsty for Personal Revival
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This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:19-23)
You’re thirsty for personal revival. You want true biblical Christianity. The kind you read about in the New Testament. Lukewarm, cultural, go-with-the-flow, worldly Christianity will never do.
You want to radically burn and shine like John the Baptist (minus the locusts and camel hair). Jesus described John the Baptist as the greatest man who had ever lived. He lived…and died…to point the way to Jesus. I want to burn and shine for Jesus like that.
I want to prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord. I know you do as well.
John the Baptist’s ministry was forged in the desert. Howling winds, endless ribbons of sand, and no relief. The desert produces thirst. Thirst leads to seeking water. Seeking water brings about finding water. Finding water leads to drinking to your fill. Drinking to your fill imparts abundant life. You don’t have to wait for the apathetic, lukewarm Church to get revived in order to experience personal revival. You can get on fire for God now. You can be a living, breathing, walking revival—setting everything you touch ablaze for God!
But personal revival starts with thirst. God uses the desert to create an unquenchable thirst for Jesus. Nothing this world offers will satisfy. Nothing. Only Jesus.
It’s in the crucible of the desert that God brings you to a point of insatiable thirst and holy desperation for Him. It’s here He shows you there is more—much, much more—than what you’re living.
Many view the believers’ faith in the four Gospels and Book of Acts as living, impossible-to-attain, super-saint Christianity. But for thirsty Christians, this radical level of faith is both achievable by the grace of God—and the goal. Thirsty Christians don’t measure their walks with God by the Christians around them, or even by someone who’s done great exploits for God. Jesus is now the standard.
A Christian who has been personally revived lives true biblical Christianity. Not perfect Christianity. If that were the case, none of us could experience personal revival. I certainly couldn’t. I need God’s mercy almost daily. I know I’m not alone.
Father, I am so thirsty for all You have for my life! Help me to lean into Your heart as I seek more and more life in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for not chasing after You with everything in me! Grow my desire to experience personal revival through Your power and Your grace! Show me how to live in such a way that others want more of Your life-giving presence too!
--Adapted from Thirsty: A 31-Day Journey to Personal Revival by Jamie Morgan. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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Praying through the President’s First 31 Days
Day 4
Pray that our president would demonstrate kindness and speak truth to all with whom he interacts on a daily basis.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man…By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him (Proverbs 3:3-4; 16:6-7).
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- Praise God, who is your refuge and strength (Psalm 46).
- Give thanks for his “ever present help in trouble” (v. 1). Confess any desire to live life apart from God.
- Commit yourself to being still and knowing that he is God.
- Ask him to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
- Pray that your pastor may have a fruitful ministry and that he may handle responsibilities with grace and patience.
- Ask that he may have a harmonious working relationship with other congregational leaders.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer is the most vital force in world evangelism.” —Anonymous
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com |
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Today: Bread Ministry 10-12; Dinner Huddle 6-7:30
Good Morning Saved By Grace, Redeemed of the Lord! We ae in Christ and made right with God through the faith He's given! PTL! We are created for such a time as this! God is with us and has great plans for you and us! PTL!
Check out the devos below and spend sme time processing at Jesus' feet as you worship, receive and follow today. I'm praying for you and us and hope to see some of you today!
ODB
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I flew to India, a land I’d never visited, and arrived at the Bengaluru airport after midnight. Though there’d been a flurry of emails, I didn’t know who was picking me up or where I should meet him. I followed the streaming mass of humanity to the baggage claim and customs, then out into the sticky night where I tried to spot a pair of friendly eyes among the sea of faces. For an hour, I walked back and forth in front of the crowd, hoping someone would recognize me. A kind man finally approached. “Are you Winn?” he asked. “I’m so sorry. I thought I’d recognize you, and you kept walking in front of me—but you didn’t look how I expected.”
We regularly get confused and fail to recognize people or places we should know. God provides an unmistakable way of recognizing Him, however. He arrived in our world as Jesus, who “is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is God’s exact representation. When we see Him, we have complete confidence that we’re seeing God.
If we want to know what God is like—what He would say, how He would love—then we need only look and listen to Jesus. Are we truly hearing what “[God] has spoken” (v. 2) through Him? Are we actually following His truth? To be sure that we know how to recognize God, we fix our gaze on the Son and learn from Him.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
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When do you have trouble recognizing God’s voice? How does fixing your focus on Jesus help?
Dear God, I want to know Your voice and follow You. Please help me recognize You in Jesus.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
How God has made Himself known to us is noted briefly in Hebrews 1. In the past, He spoke “through the prophets” (v. 1), but now He “has spoken to us by his Son” (v. 2). The supreme revelation of God to us is Jesus. The first of several warning passages comes on the heels of the exaltation of Jesus in Hebrews 1. Readers are cautioned about rejecting the message of the Son and those commissioned by Him (2:3).
The revelation of the Son is also seen in the teaching of Christ in Mark 12:1-12. Using story, He spoke of a man who planted a vineyard and sent servants (representing the prophets) to gather its fruit. When they were rejected, the man sent “a son, whom he loved” (v. 6)—a reference to God’s Son, Jesus—and they killed him (v. 8). Christ’s teaching here also concludes with words about rejecting the Son—“the stone the builders rejected” (v. 10).
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UR: Trusting God's Will
Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. - Matthew 19:26 (KJV)
One rainy morning in July 2022, my nine-year-old son and I were getting ready for a very important visa appointment. We wanted to go to the country where my wife had been living for the past year. While traveling from our hotel to the embassy, my mind was racing. What if we get the visas? What if we don’t? At the same time I was preparing myself to accept God’s will.
During the interview with the visa officer, I discovered that I had all but one of our necessary documents with me. With prayers in my heart that a solution could be found, I said to the officer, “I don’t have that document with me today.” He assured me that he could help and searched for the document in his computer database. After some time, he printed the document for us. This was not a usual service offered by the visa office. If he had wished, the officer could have rejected our request.
This incident may sound mundane to many people, but I know in my heart that only God’s power made that act of compassion possible. When we completely surrender ourselves to God’s will, we open ourselves to experience God’s wonderful deeds.
Today's Prayer
Father God, help us to understand that you are with us in all situations. Increase our faith, and help us to trust you fully. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
TWFYT:
Praying through the President’s First 31 Days
Day 3
Pray that the president and his administration would be men and women of integrity in both their private and public lives.
Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…(Philippians 2:14-15).
Saturday, January 25 2025
Happy Monday on Tuesday! Holiday weeks always seem to mess with me and my schedule. How about you? Let's breathe out the junk and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit and worship! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Why not plan to join us at 10 for Zoom Huddle? Great way to start this short week!
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Good Morning Focused, Persevering, Long-Haul Followers of Jesus! Amen! This life is filled with distractions, annoyances, ups and downs, yet God is with us redeeming whatever we go through for His glory and our good. Amen! Are you able to stay focused during the climb, the mountaintop, the decent and the valley and worship always? Knowing that all things are filtered through God's hands and He has a purpose or will redeem things helps us to growing trust and enabled to choose joy always. Thinking about the two major events of yesterday can have us approaching today from different perspectives, yet God is with us always. Maybe you are struggling with the things MLK Jr. was fighting for--freedom, unity and love. Maybe you are rejoicing for the new president, maybe very sad or maybe indifferent. Well, can you trust God no matter your heart attitude or mindset? Yes always! And He is at work and working ALL things together. Amen! He is the God who is playing the long game and we are His partners who persevere in faith focused on Him no matter what we face. May we always trust, worship and follow well. May we encourage and build each other up. May we be about our Father's business always. Keep these thoughts at the forefront and remember that you are custom made, gifted and placed for such a time as this. Focus on that and His plans for you and us and you will have little time to get off track, worry and fear, and be able to worship always. Amen! Help us Lord! Fill us! Forgive us! Focus us on you and may we always choose to trust and follow and worship You alone! Thanks! Amen!
My devotionals below flow through God's heart to yours and mine. He is always speaking to you in love and wanting to lead you to His best--always. Today is no different. So, turn off the noise and focus up as you spend some time abiding in Love today and allowing Him to live and love through each step of faith along the way! Begin with praise and then offer yourself as a sacrifice of praise. Amen!
Spend some tine with these devotionals and ask God to speak to your heat and inform your steps today. And worship for He is worthy of all praise, glory and honor and our obedience is worship too! Yes, PTL!
Chuck Swindoll
Sarah Young
Joyce Meyer
ODB
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The two men conquered human flight, but the Wright brothers’ journey to success was never easy. Despite countless failures, ridicule, money woes, and serious injury to one of them, the brothers weren’t stopped by the trials they faced. As Orville Wright observed, “No bird soars in a calm.” The idea, according to biographer David McCullough, means that adversity can “often be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher.” Said McCullough, “Their joy was not getting to the top of the mountain. Their joy was climbing the mountain.”
The apostle Peter taught a similar spiritual principle to the persecuted early church. He told them, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you” (1 Peter 4:12). This wasn’t a denial of suffering’s pain. Peter knew that hope in Christ grows our trust in God.
This is especially true when we suffer for being a believer in Jesus, as those early Christians did. Peter wrote to them, “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (v. 13). He went on, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (v. 14).
As the Wright brothers’ character was hailed by their biographer, may others see God’s loving character at work in us. He uses our adversity to raise us to new heights.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you suffered for Christ? How was He glorified?
Suffering tests me, dear God. Please grant me hope for Your glory.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The apostle Peter penned his first letter to encourage believers in Jesus who—because of persecution in Jerusalem (see Acts 8:1)—had been scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Peter’s words still encourage suffering believers today. We’re not to be surprised when we face persecution because of our faith (1 Peter 4:12). After all, Christ warned, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Yet Peter tells us to rejoice when we suffer for being Christ’s followers (1 Peter 4:13, 16). We see this modeled by Paul in prison (Acts 16:22-25). God the Holy Spirit was with the early believers in their trials—and He’s with us in ours (1 Peter 4:14; see John 14:15-17; Romans 5:5). He comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and inspires His followers to persevere with rejoicing.
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Peace Is Ours
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 (NIV)
When our oldest son was 18 months old, he started biting other kids. No matter what I said or did, he kept doing it. I stayed away from playgroups to avoid incidents, and I was anxious even when going out to lunch or visiting friends. I would cry at night feeling like I was being punished. I felt like this phase would never end, but eventually it did.
It’s the same with life and what goes on in the world. When we dwell on current events, we lose our sense of peace and feel anxious. We forget that Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you.” God doesn’t wait for the storms to pass before giving us peace. Christ’s peace is already here; it is ours.
The best way to keep the peace God has given us is to keep our eyes on God. How do we do that when we are bombarded with news of a world that seems to be breaking down? We read God’s promises and spend time getting to know the Prince of Peace. We can only put out what we take in, so let’s take God’s word into our hearts.
Today's Prayer
Father God, help us when we let difficult situations interfere with the peace you have freely given. Allow the Prince of Peace to fill us with hope, faith, and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
TWFYT
Harvest:
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January 21 - The Holy Spirit Brings Wisdom and Understanding
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And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The same Spirit that descended on Jesus as a dove came to the early church in tongues of fire. With this visitation came new insight, strength, and understanding. The Holy Spirit brings clarity, not confusion. He offers discernment, not disorder. As He rests on us, He allows us to see God rightly, understand His Word, and look at the world around us through His eyes.
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving me understanding as I read the word of God, and for giving me discernment as I face difficult decisions or circumstances! Please help my church to be a place that is continually marked by Your wisdom.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, Simply Prayer at prayershop.org.
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Day 2 of the President’s First 31 Days: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Pray that the Lord would give our president godly wisdom for U.S. Supreme Court appointments who would hold to the Scriptures and the U.S. Constitution in their decision-making.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy (James 3:17).
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Day 2 of the President’s First 31 Days: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Pray that the Lord would give our president godly wisdom for U.S. Supreme Court appointments who would hold to the Scriptures and the U.S. Constitution in their decision-making.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy (James 3:17).
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Thank you all for adapting with Zoom only worship yesterday! We heard a little about our responsibility as God's redeemed, gathered and sent people. We were preparing for our Annual Congregational Meeting next Sunday after worship. See you there! We all have a part and responsibility in the Kingdom and as God's Good News Delivery Co. And we get to exercise our gifts and created abilities to grow His Kingdom as His people! PTL! Keep praying into that! See Sarah's Prayer update from yesterday below.
This Week:
Tuesday Zoom Huddle 10-11 All welcome!
Wednesday:
10-12 Bread Ministry
6-7:30 Dinner Huddle. All welcome!
Sunday: Worship at 10 with Children's Church starting their several week building of and teaching about the armor of God. Congregational meeting in sanctuary after worship followed by our 2 Peas in A Pod Brunch at 11:30. All welcome!
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Good Morning Redeemed, Washed-White-As-Snow, Called, Gifted, Gathered and Sent, Worshipers of God Almighty! Amen! May we step more fully into that Lord!
Today is a holiday for many as we remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for freedom. ODB reflects on God's call to Moses to go set His people free. We are free in Christ and called and sent to set the captives free. We still battle for the souls of the oppressed and enslaved today. May God send us and use us well and may we not be reluctant to go like Moses. But we are also reminded that God sent him with a partner as well. What's your call and who are your partners? Today is also Inauguration Day where the freedoms we know in this country are lived out as we transition leaders. May freedom ring and God lead our leaders to his perfect plans. Check out Harvest Prayer as they begin several days of praying for our new leaders and for our nation. May freedom ring, love arise, and unity come! Amen! Below ODB you will find my "I to We" devo as we remember our call to love God, each other and others. May that come alive and grow in and through and around us Lord! I think that will be enough for today. You can use this snowy holiday to spend some time with our Lord, Savior and Leader. He has set us free! And sent us to set the captives free. That is why we are still walking this earth! May we be determined to go live and love more like Jesus and step into our purposes in His Good News Delivery Company. May we come alive in '25! Amen! (pray for Karen and I as we hit the road shortly to go spend time with our grand babies! Thanks!)
God has great plans custom made for you and us as His gathered and sent people. He loves you and is calling you by name. He has gifted and positioned you for such a time as this and He has gathered us to grow His Kingdom As we trust, obey and follow, we are worshiping the King of kings and bringing great glory to His name And that results in good and lasting fruit! may we abide, follow and build His Kingdom always! Amen! I'm praying for you and us. Join God and me!
ODB:
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The acclaimed painting Let My People Go by Aaron Douglas uses vibrant colors of lavender, green, and gold, along with traditional African imagery, to tell the biblical story of Moses and connect it with black Americans’ struggle for freedom and justice.
The painting portrays God’s appearance to Moses in a burning bush when He revealed that He’d seen the plight of the Israelites in Egypt. The artist uses a beam of light to symbolize God and His message, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).
In Let My People Go, Moses kneels in obedient submission to God’s instructions, but the eye is drawn to the dark waves and horses trained for war surrounding him—reminding viewers of the struggles the Israelites would face as they left Egypt. But the beam of light shines brightly as a reminder that God would be with the Israelites.
The emotions evoked by the painting resonate because the struggle against injustice continues; many use their power to oppress men, women, and children around the world. As those who are suffering cry out for God to be “a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9), we can plead with God to respond to their cries for help. And, like Moses, we can be willing to act on behalf of the oppressed.
By Lisa M. Samra
REFLECT & PRAY
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How might you pray for oppressed people? How might you learn more about caring for those suffering from injustice?
Heavenly Father, please make Your presence known to all those who suffer unjustly.
Visit ODBU.org/SF120 to learn more about how to pray for others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Moses’ burning bush experience (Exodus 3) involves what’s known as a theophany, “a theological term to refer to either a visible or auditory manifestation of God” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology). The sight or sound grabs one’s attention, but the message is what’s paramount. God assured Moses: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people . . . . I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering” (v. 7). Another example of a theophany is when God appeared in fire and smoke at Mount Sinai (19:16-20).
Arthur Jackson |
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I to We
Harvest Blogs:
January 20 - The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out On All People
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Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike (Joel 2:28-29).
The Spirit is generous to all of God’s people. He shows no partiality for the elite, but is poured out on men and women, young and old, the poor and the wealthy. Are we walking in a way that shows we believe this promise extends to us? The Spirit pours into us so that we can pour into others and build up the body of believers through our gifts.
Father God, please give me the faith to believe that the gifts of the Spirit are available to me, my family and the community of believers I worship with! Help us all to trust that You will show us how to walk in those gifts as You pour the Spirit out upon us!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). Check out the OneCry Podcast that Bill Elliff co-hosts!
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INAUGUARATION DAY: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Day 1: Pray that the president would be a friend to the churches in America that honor Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:2).
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- Praise the righteous God whose face shines upon you (Psalm 4).
- Thank him for setting apart the godly for himself.
- Confess any unresolved anger that causes you to sin.
- Commit yourself to bringing to God gifts worthy of his name.
- Ask the Lord to surround you with his favor and spread his protection over you so that you may rejoice in him.
- Pray that the Spirit may thrust believers into worldwide mission, impelling young and old, men and women, to go next door and far away, into science and art, media and marketplace with the good news of God’s grace.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com
Sarah Prayer update:
Good afternoon, everyone,
We had a nice worship service on Zoom. 32 folks were on zoom. Thank you to Pastor Don and Debbie S for helping with the service today.
Caleb's audiology appointment is coming up soon. Prayers to be scheduled soon and good results.
Darla - Josie's friend who is having mobility issues.
Tim Schware - he is having trouble with his pitching arm. This week he will be getting cortisone shots. Praying that this will help with Pain and discomfort
Kay Behle's wrist surgery went well and she is recuperating well.
Gary Bastan has asked for surgery for a few family members:
Howie - is currently in the hospital
His cousin's niece, Linda is currently on water pills to help reduce the fluid on her lungs and legs
And Gary will be traveling with family to Florida, Jan 23 - 27. Prayers for safe travels for all
Prayers for safety and healing for those in our church family that are sick, or going through their treatments
Prayers for Lori and her team as they prep for our brunch next Sunday......
Hope you all have a great week!
Blessings,
Sarah
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Zoom ONLY worship today! Congregational Meeting after worship next Sunday the 26th after worship before Brunch (Plenty of food and all welcome to brunch!)
Good Morning Radiating, Lighthouses of THE Light of the World! Amen! I being short as God (and the dogs) brought us rest and allowed us to sleep in until 6 this morning! PTL! The salutation flows for the devos below. I'll be preparing for Zoom worship at 10. God has a great word for us in this blog and through the message today. Prepare your hearts to worship, fill up and to go radiate His love and light. He has great plans for you that begin win His presence with prayer and preparing. See you all soon! God loves you and has great plans for you and us to go live and love like Jesus as we step more fully into our created purposes and come alive in '25! Shalom!
UR: Finding Rest
[The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. - Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
I was designing a major installation at work. As the deadline approached, I began working overtime. It started as one extra hour a day but soon went to two hours a day. The day before the deadline I worked from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning. A few days later, my boss asked me to work away from home for six months. I had had enough, and I decided to resign. When my boss asked me why, I explained it to him. He gave me an extra week of annual leave and told me to rest!
Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd who “makes [us] lie down,” giving us rest so that we can enjoy God’s bountiful grace and mercy. God wants us to rest, to pause and focus on God. Even God paused to rest in the Creation story (see Gen. 2:2-3).
We need physical rest, and we need emotional rest. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). God, through Jesus, offers rest for our souls.
Today's Prayer
Dear Jesus, help us to find rest in you. Show us how and when to rest. Amen.
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
ODB
There’s an old folktale about a woman who carried water home every day from a river using two buckets at either end of a long pole—one bucket new and solid, the other much older and cracked. When the woman got home, the new bucket was still full, but the old bucket almost empty. The old bucket felt bad and apologized. The woman turned and pointed back down the road and asked the old bucket, “Do you see all those flowers, growing on your side of the road? Every day you water them, and my walk to and from the river is always filled with beauty.”
We live in a world that worships and rewards youth—the young and solid, unscarred and efficient. Yet the Bible clearly tells us of a righteous beauty that comes from the older and weaker, maybe even the cracked and leaky. “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,” said the old songwriter, “they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12).
Granted, old is not always synonymous with wise, but the old contribute to our lives in ways the young can’t because they’ve lived a little longer, experienced a little more, and stand a little more rooted, flourishing in faith and trust in God. Such people “will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (v. 14).
Older adults in our lives continue to bear beautiful fruit. Let’s take the time to see it and care for them.
By John Blase
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How can you serve the older adults on your path? What will you do today to see and appreciate them?
Father, please give me eyes to see those still bearing fruit in old age.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
January 19 - Still Fruitful: Ps. 92:12-15 (150/129)
The book of Psalms has been described as a “prayer book for God’s people as they wait for the arrival of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises” (The Bible Project). The Psalms are divided into five books: Book One, Psalms 1-41; Book Two, Psalms 42-72; Book Three, Psalms 73-89; Book Four, Psalms 90-106; and Book Five, Psalms 107-150. Psalms 90-92 form the opening portion of Book Four.
Psalm 92 has a deep connection to the psalms that precede it. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says: “Psalms 90-92 are united by development of concepts and repetition of vocabulary. These psalms lead the worshiper from a meditation on the transience of life (Psalm 90) and a call for wisdom (Psalm 91) to a climactic celebration of divine deliverance and protection (Psalm 92).”
Bill Crowder |
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Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning! Quick blog
Jesus loves you and is calling you by name! I love you too! Spend some time with Him today and the two devos and harvest blog below. Praise Him for your salvation. Keep at His plans and don't grow weary. Good fruit is sprouting! PTL! What's he saying to you today? What will you do about it? Who are your partners? Talk to Him and allow Him to fill you and have Hs way with you today and always Amen! I'm praying! God has great plans for you, me and us together! Let us be abut His business and fulfilling our custom made parts. Amen!
UR: Light for Dark Days
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)
A few years ago, my family and I witnessed a solar eclipse. The sky grew dark, the birds stopped chirping, and the crickets came to life in the middle of the day. It was an eerie feeling. But it lasted only a few moments. If only other dark days could be so brief!
As the pastor of a church, I recently experienced a difficult situation with a church member. I felt discouraged and disillusioned hearing harsh words and criticisms.
While we can’t remove the hurt any more than we can stop the moon from blocking the sun, we can remember the truths surrounding both. During a solar eclipse, we know that the sun is still shining; therefore, we wait in faith for its reappearance.
When dark days come, we must remember that Christ still reigns, even if we can’t see it. Therefore, we wait in faith for his reappearance. But we don’t wait idly.
When darkness engulfs me, I turn to Jesus’ words in scripture. As I meditate, Jesus becomes brighter and brighter in my soul. His presence fills me, and in his presence, darkness flees and light shines. Jesus is not just the light of the world — he’s the light for our dark days.
Today's Prayer
Dear Father, help us to remember your promises when troubles and sorrows distract us from your presence. Amen.ODB
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Weary. That’s how Satya felt after nine months in his new job. As a believer in Jesus, he’d sought to follow God’s principles in the way he solved problems and directed the work. But people-related problems persisted, and little organizational progress seemed to have been made. He felt like throwing in the towel.
Perhaps, like Satya, you’re feeling tired. You know the good that you ought to do but simply feel too emotionally and physically drained to carry on. Take heart. The apostle Paul encourages us with these words: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). He uses the metaphor of a farmer. And, as any farmer knows, sowing is hard work.
Sowing to “please the Spirit” (v. 8) is hard work too. Believers in Jesus who seek to follow the Spirit’s lead and live a life that honors Him can grow faint and lose heart. But as we hang on to His promise, the harvest will come. We’ll “reap eternal life” (v. 8; see John 17:3)—a bumper crop of God’s blessing when Christ returns, and in this life, we’ll have the confidence and joy that come from knowing Him. We’ll reap at the proper time, a time determined not by seasons or the weather but by the will of a perfect God. Until the harvest comes, let’s keep sowing in God’s strength.
By Poh Fang Chia
REFLECT & PRAY
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What’s causing you to lose heart? How can you hang on to the promise that “at the proper time we will reap a harvest”?
Dear Father, please help me to not lose heart and to persevere in doing good.
For further study, read The Sword, the Son, and a Rest for God’s People.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The letter to the Galatians wasn’t written to a single church or city but to “the churches in Galatia” (1:2), a region of what was then known as Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). There’s been an ongoing debate regarding the exact location of the recipients of this letter. Some scholars say the letter was directed to northern Galatia. Others say it was directed to southern Galatia, where Paul planted churches (Acts 13-14). Although the letter’s specific destination is unclear, there’s no doubt about its message. Paul is challenging the Galatians to set aside the teaching of those who taught adherence to Moses’ law as a condition of salvation. It’s all about grace. Bill Crowder
Learn more about Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
Bill Crowder |
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Harvest
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January 17 - The Holy Spirit Unites Believers
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After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:31-32).
The first-century church received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and was continually filled and equipped by the Spirit to be the kind of church God intended. One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to bring unity to the hearts and minds of believers to accomplish God’s mission in His church. Unity is vital among God’s people and in our church today. The Spirit does not work among a church in disunity.
Oh Lord, unity is a huge thing on Your heart for Your people. May Your Holy Spirit fill every believer at my church with unity of heart and mind so that we have increased unity in our mission and vision. Convict us and correct us of anything that causes or breeds disunity in our midst.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayershop.org.
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Saturday, January 18 2025
We are aware of the impending snow storm that is predicted to start during worship or the congregational meeting tomorrow. At Noon today, the Support Team will make a decision regarding worship tomorrow. As of now we are leaning towards Zoom only worship due to potential treacherous travel. If that is the decision, the Congregational Meeting will move to before the Brunch next Sunday. So, watch for the decision around noon through this link and with One Call announcement.
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Good Morning Preparing, Readying, Followers of the Way! Oh Lord find us preparing and readying to follow Jesus and His way to bring revival and new life to our communities. May we become disciple making disciples of Jesus. Lead us, just as we are and grow us into our fullest created and gifted potentials. Your Kingdom come and will be done. Use us! Thank You! Amen!
This morning I finally had the time to have an extended time with the Lord. PTL! It has been a hectic and early week of allowing God to use me. I love when He does that and I have been praying, prepared and filled up before this busy season. But, I love my quiet time with the Lord that can extend to several hours each morning! How is your quiet time? Are you making space for God to speak, correct, fill and inform? Are you turning off the noise, being still, abiding in His Love daily? Try it, if not! Jesus got up early to get away with God and to spend time with Him in prayer, preparation, and to receive His daily marching orders. I want to be more like Jesus. Do you? It's awesome to sit at His feet daily and worship, pray and receive!
This morning God took me into some different devotionals to speak to my heart, inform me what to share with you and to affirm me. I love when that happens! Do you have a story of how God has done that for you? I'd love to hear it! We are Oaks of Righteous planted deep in Christ and His Living Word. We are watered with His Living Water. He is speaking to our hearts and calling us to break camp like the bishop reminded us last year when Joshua told the people to break camp, purify themselves and prepare to enter the Promised Land. You have a choice. Will you seek Him, listen, break camp and follow? The Promised Land lies ahead as God is calling us to come alive as disciple making disciples of Jesus and sent apostles to transform the world around us. I get all this from my quiet times and God begins all things with prayer and informs through quiet time with Him, just as he did with Jesus. So again, how's your quiet time and prayer life? What is God saying to you and what are you planning to do about it? Who are your partners? He has gathered us to prepare us and send us to transform the world. As we go, we are transformed more into the image of Christ and moving towards our created and gifted potential. We are poised to come alive in '25! What's your part? Pray into that. Discuss that with me and your partners. Pray some more and then follow the Holy Spirit step by step in faith! God's greater things and perfect plans for you and us are on the horizon! Great and lasting fruit is budding! Amen!
Lord, come! Have your way with me and lead our Body to its fullest potential in Christ. Unite us as you are One. May we have the faith to break camp and follow You step by step! Yes, Your Kingdom come and will be done! And prepare and use us well! bring in the harvest and raise up servants for it and from it! Lord, we are asking for at least 30 new servants that want to learn to walk in Your ways. We need you! Come! Thanks! Amen! And give us wisdom about gathering tomorrow. Thanks! Speak to us however we gather and lead us to Your perfect pans as we seek to come alive in '25. Amen
My Disciple Making devo from I to We:
Sarah Young
The Upper Room: Alone with God
If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31 (NIV)
When I was 18 years old, I moved across the world. I left my small hometown for the city of Sydney, Australia. As I stepped off the plane, I felt afraid. “God, stay with me,” I prayed as I clenched my fists and looked up desperately to the sky. After a taxi ride that felt longer than it was, I set foot in my new home. The fear I had felt quickly turned into overbearing loneliness.
As I began to unpack, I pulled out my Bible. At the time, it seemed the only familiar sight in this strange, new country. Holding back tears, I decided to take a break from my unpacking and read God’s word, thinking it might comfort me. I came upon the story of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Sydney, Australia, was as new and unknown to me as the Promised Land was to Joshua. But God frequently reminded Joshua and the Israelites not to be afraid.
Once I finished reading, I felt a great sense of comfort. The Lord spoke to me through Joshua’s story, reminding me that I am never alone. Even when it seems that fear and loneliness are our only companions, God remains with us, holding us as we embark on any new adventure.
Today's Prayer
Ever-present God, help us remember that we are never alone because you are with us. Thank you for continuing to guide us each day. Amen.
Harvest:
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January 18 - The Holy Spirit Manifests Through Various Fruit
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer changes things about that person. There is a constant battle between the desires of the flesh that are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit that are against the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Spirit not only gives us the ability to stop doing evil things, but if we yield our life to the work of the Spirit, He will produce in us great spiritual fruit.
Holy Spirit, please give me an increased awareness of how important it is in and for my life to die daily to self so that I can live according to Your counsel and not give in to the temptations of the world. Would You move in my life to reveal areas where I am lacking spiritual fruitfulness? Show me and my church community how to live in such a way that the fruit we bear gives great glory to God!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayershop.org.
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- Praise the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all one can ask or imagine.
- Thank God for what he is doing in your life and in the church in response to prayer.
- Confess little asking and weak praying.
- Commit yourself to asking and expecting much in Jesus’ name.
- Claim the promise that Christ will come to you and make his home in your heart if you love him and trust him.
- Pray that the countries currently banning the Bible may soon rescind these bans so that their people may have free access to the Bible.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” —Thomas Fuller
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com
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