May the Light of God fill you to overflowing and gush forth from you driving back that darkness that seems to have a stranglehold on our neighborhoods. Sarah Youngs devo for
flows from
's message to next weeks (God is Light 1 John 1-2/ God is Love 1 John 3-4) What's God saying to you as He invites you to come dwell in His Light and Love and what will you do about that? May we be radiant with the Light of His presence!
Sarah Young devo:
You know this doing my blogs between 1-3 is becoming norm. But I question often why God is allowing it? Is my faith being tested? Am I under spiritual attack? Is there some heart issue that needs surgery? Or maybe some sin that needs repenting? IDK but my aim is to stay faithful and cease the moments I can to abide and hang out with Him. I'm actually becoming more alert during these wee morning hours before he allows me sleep. Check out ODB and ask God if you need some heart surgery. Do you have a heart of flesh or stone? Are others noticing the change in you from that surgery? Remember, we are made new and being made new in Christ when we submit to Him and stop leaning on our own understanding or ways. Ask for a supple heart, an open heart for Him to operate upon. Then watch the transformation as he leads you to much better things and ways. He does have great plans for you and us he is in the process of working together! PTL and cooperate!
ODB:
Heart Surgery
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. Ezekiel 36:26
Some years ago, after exchanging heated words, Carolyn and I resolved our conflict through compassion and love for each other. I confessed my wrongdoing, and she prayed for me, referencing Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I sensed that God was conducting a form of spiritual heart surgery on me, taking away my fears and bitterness as He enfolded me in His love.
God delights for us to engage with the Scriptures as I did back then, but it’s important to note the passage’s original context. Ezekiel spoke on God’s behalf to His people with the promise that He would cleanse them. Why? “It is not for your sake . . . I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name” (v. 22). God would do His purifying work among His people so that all the nations would revere Him and know that He is God.
God works His purposes in our lives not only to help us flourish and grow, but so we would bring Him honor. Even as He gave the Israelites the promise of a new heart and a new spirit, so through the inward work of the Holy Spirit, God replaces our cold and hardened hearts with those that receive and share His love and life.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced God’s “heart surgery”? How have others noticed the changes that He’s brought about in your life?
God of all life, thank You for changing me, for forming in me a new self that’s rooted in You. Please pour out Your love on me
Ezekiel, exiled in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1), ministered to the exiled Jewish community during and after the destruction of Jerusalem. God promised restoration and a bright future to His people if they’d repent of their covenantal unfaithfulness. He’d forgive them and transform them into a holy nation. Only with a new heart and a new spirit would they be able to honor God (36:26-28; see 11:19-20). This new heart and spirit are central to God’s redemption plan.
The prophet Jeremiah also prophesied of God’s new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34. And Jesus spoke of “the new covenant in [His] blood” (Luke 22:20) hours before He died on the cross. He’s the mediator of the new covenant through “the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness” (Hebrews 12:24 nlt). And He alone can change our hearts.
K.T. Sim
Might as well wrap up with The Upper Room's speaking into trusting and following God and our Proverbs 3:5-6 verses. Hold loosely and allow God to have His way. Die to self, take up cross daily and follow Jesus prepared and ready! Amen!
UR: Right Conditions
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
“Sorry, Cindy, but the compost you were going to use is unsuitable,” the school custodian apologized. “The sunflower seeds will die before they have the chance to grow.” Disappointment and frustration flooded me. The children and I had been looking forward to planting our seeds during our lesson, but we would have to
wait for some fresh compost to arrive. Instead, the children drew pictures of sunflowers and wrote facts about their life cycle.
A few days later, when someone else was covering the class, I was able to plant the seeds with individual children. It turned out to be a calmer experience than trying to teach and plant seeds at the same time.
I thought about how often I have prayed for a goal or dream and wondered why God didn’t answer my prayer at that particular time. The truth, I later discovered, was that the conditions were wrong and I wouldn’t have been able to grow as a person on my journey. If the circumstances aren’t right, our dreams and hopes, like the seeds, can fail. Sometimes God calls me to trust, wait, or even change direction completely. I have to trust and obey God. It is still a learning process, but I know with God’s help I can improve.
's PrayerCreator God, your timing is mysterious but perfect. Help us to trust and wait for your guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, church family,
What a great day of worship
. Glad you were able to join us either in house or by way of Zoom. If you were unable to attend
, we pray that you are okay, and look forward to seeing you
.
Pastor Don shared from 1 John 1,2. Read through these two chapters and see what God is sharing with you.
** ** **
Praises shared
:
Debbie Siegfried is praising God for the safe and healthy delivery of her and Gerry's second grandson, Arthur John. Prayers for Michele, Michael and AJ as they grow together as a family of three.
Gary Bastan's praising God for his relatives receiving some good news: Mary - there is no cancer present in her stomach. Howie - is home and on medication to continue to heal blood disease. He is doing very well!
Lisa Wenner praising God for increasing the weight of the second twin that her niece, Lauren is carrying. Both twins are doing well!! They will continue to give her ultrasounds every two weeks. Praying for momma and babies.
Pastor Don is thankful for the tee shirt someone purchased him - it says " This Pastor has an awesome congregation". He is praising God for
each of our church family members!
Sally Williams is praising God that her grandson, Gaven, is graduating High School! Prayers for what the future plans are for Gaven.
Kay and Nancy are praising God for the safe traveling of Larry, Enol and their sons. They arrived home here in the states
, They are all looking forward to a time of rest. We hope to see them
in Worship. Richard will be attending Lehigh University,
beginning in September. Please keep Richard and his family in prayer as they get him settled in for college life.
Prayer needs:
Harry Waterman has several neighbors that have some health issues and is requesting prayer for them:
Goldie Graber (97 years old), Doug Beachim, Ronald Boyer, Dan Casey.
Millie Flexer's husband had his procedure this past week, but needs another procedure later this month. Prayers for healing.
Amber Sosa's mother's Aunt passed away - they are asking for prayer for the family during this difficult time.
** ** **
What's happening at St Matthew's this week:
- 10:00am Zoom Huddle/discussion
- 10 - 12pm Donuts/Coffee/Conversation - you are all welcome to come and hang out and make some
connections with those who enter our FH doors.
- 6:00pm FM/Adult gathering, beginning with a meal at 6:00pm followed by study and discussion.
All are welcome to attend.
Pray for on another; Sisters in Christ groups continue to pray for one another and communicate your prayer needs
with one another.
Have a great week, choosing JOY !!
Blessings,
Sarah
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
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