Sarah Update below
Click this link for great insight on the importance of being the praying church God has called us to be and the importance of BIG, expectant praying: https://www.harvestprayer.com/prayer-evangelism-and-the-purposes-of-god/ and this link about not giving up hope on America and praying earnestly for revival: https://www.harvestprayer.com/against-all-odds-prayer-to-the-god-of-hope/
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Good Morning Praying, Surrendered, Co-Laborers! Amen! Come Lord! Your will be done! Help me to humble myself, seek Your face and pray according to Your Word. Then may I do my part as Your answer to those prayers. Thank You! Come! Bring revival and use me for my part. Amen!
Sometimes we hear God's voice and think we know exactly what He desires of us and sometimes, well we are not hearing clearly or fully understanding all the facets of His revelation. Today is a case in point for me. I thought I clearly heard God wanting me to share the devos I am about to share below as He revealed His call to unity, love, and kindness today--even to show love to our enemies (or perceived ones). I've determined and try to do my best not to bring politics into blogs or sermons anymore. Politics and our preferences are just too devisive and counter our unity in Christ and mission. Seriously, we could rename our country the Divided States because we surely are. But has not God called us to unity, love, kindness and working together for the good of all and for His Kingdom to come? Some will never get it and are Hell bound, but we are called and sent for those who will come to Christ and His ways. Today's first two devos are about hearing God and responding well. He is speaking to your heart all the time. He is calling you and us to commune with Him in His Word and prayer, to seek His directions and follow well. He has called us to be His vessels of love, unity and new life. Can you hear Him speaking to you today? What's He whispering to your spirit? What may you need to crucify and repent of to be ready and available to follow Him to His mission for you today? Talk to Him about that and process with some friends.
Sarah reminded me of when I discussed the appropriate response to being on fire (like I was a few years ago) Stop-Drop-Roll. The world and this nation are on fire right now. We need to STOP--turn off the noise, actually pause our own thinking and redirect to God's. Then we need to DROP to our knees in prayer and conversation with God. Renewing our thinking and receiving His direction. And we need to pause and process with some friends what we are hearing and make God's plans. Then we will be ready to ROLL! Let's roll united in Christ and for God's glory as His vessels of love and revival. It's really what the world needs right now! Are you in? God has created you for such a time as this and we all have our parts to carry out in His Good News Delivery Company! It's time to allow Him to use you as the answers to your payers and as His vessels--prayed up and ready to roll for His glory alone. Amen! It's time to get earnest in our prayers, walk and the way of Jesus! I'm praying expectantly with thanksgiving for you and us to be moved by God to our created and gathered and sent purposes for such a time as this! Come Lord! Have Your way with us! Prepare us! Send us! use us for Your glory and bring revival! Amen!
UR: Hearing God's Voice
God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!" - Exodus 3:4 (NIV)
The walls of our old house are thin. I often hear the sounds of the city outside and of people passing by — a child crying, a couple with slightly raised voices, a group of giggling school children. These background noises have become a part of my everyday life, and I hardly acknowledge them. But every once in a while something comes through clearly.
Throughout our lives, almost in the background, God speaks to us — in the wise words of others, in scripture, in our circumstances and surroundings. It is rare that we hear the voice of God clearly like Moses did. Moses was going about his daily work of shepherding when he noticed an unusual sight — a burning bush — and then heard God’s call. It was impossible to ignore.
God speaks to us too. God never ceases speaking, and taking time to stop, pray, and listen to God is an essential discipline in our Christian life. Often it is easy to neglect wise advice, to let our eyes pass over our daily scripture reading without really paying attention, to fail to notice those in need around us or God’s blessings surrounding us. Let us remember to pause and notice what God is saying to us.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to notice when you are speaking to us today. Thank you for surrounding us with your presence. Amen.
Sarah Young:
ODB:
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When Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in modern-day Major League Baseball, played at Shibe Park in Philadelphia on May 9, 1947, ten-year-old Doris was in the upper-deck stands with her father. When an elderly Black man made his way down the aisle to a seat next to them, her father led the way in getting acquainted. Doris said their conversation about scorekeeping made her feel “grown up.” She later reflected, “I’ve never forgotten that man and his smiling face.” The delightful interaction between Doris, a young White girl, and the kind, elderly man, who was the son of slaves, was a bright spot that day.
This was in stark contrast, however, to the hateful conduct Robinson had experienced at another game that season. He recounted that “in terms of race, they yelled everything at me; it was quite vicious.”
Vicious conduct isn’t limited to sports fields. Homes, neighborhoods, workspaces, and even our churches can be places where ugliness wins. Those who believe in the God who displayed kindness through His Son (see Titus 3:4), however, are called to do the same. Peter writes: “Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Kindness triumphs when those who’ve received it from God share it generously with others as the Spirit helps them.
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
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When are you tempted to be unkind? How have you been the recipient of kindness?
Dear Father, I’m grateful for the kindness You’ve given through Jesus.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Peter 3:10-12, Peter strengthens his point on how to respond to suffering by quoting from Psalm 34:12-16, a psalm that came out of one of David’s frightening experiences. Having escaped King Saul’s murderous pursuit, David ended up in Gath—the home of his former Philistine opponent, Goliath. When David’s identity is exposed, he pretends to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10-15) and escapes from Gath. The account in 1 Samuel focuses on David’s apparent ingenuity in cleverly escaping danger, but in Psalm 34, as he reflects on the event, he sees that his rescue came from God, not his own scheme (v. 17). Peter’s use of this psalm captures the hopeful optimism of David, whose trust in God’s kind protection and care had been rewarded in his escape from Gath.
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
Sarah Update
Good evening, Warriors......
This afternoon, Sandy, Darlene Geiger's sister, whom we were lifting up in prayer, passed away. Please continue to pray for Sandy's
immediate family and for Darlene and the rest of the family as they go through this difficult time.
Please keep Patrick, who attends our bread ministry and has some great conversations with Pastor Don regarding Jesus.....Patrick is searching. Hopefully one day soon we will see Patrick in worship! Patrick is having surgery on Wednesday, on his ear. He has been having
some issues with his hearing. Hopefully this surgery will help with his hearing. (Note: Patrick said he cannot understand the Bible and has trouble reading it. I (pastor Don) ordered him a large print study Bible. Pray he and I can have some time studying it together. Thanks! May God's Word not come back void!)
Thanks everyone for praying for these families!
Have a good evening and tomorrow!
Blessings,
Sarah
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