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Friday, February 23 2024
Notice: Zoom only church today at 10. With a foot of snow on top of piles of ice and snow, parking is a premium around the church. Join us with the choice to remain safe and warm at home (or wherever you may be). Thank you for understanding. Pray for pastor Mike as he brings the Word today
Good Morning Giant-Slayers, Overcomes in Christ! Is that you? Maybe sometimes? Checkout our devos today. We all face giants. How we face them can fluctuate. Sometimes we can be like David with sling and stone. Sometimes we can be like ten of the spies that feared the giants in the promised land. Sometimes we forget that when we are weak is when we are strongest because God is strong for us. I've seen the fluctuation in approaching the giant in myself this week I moved back and forth from standing firm with a few small stones to cowering in fear, to giving up and back again. Here's the thing though, God never changed and He was here with me through it all! PTL! And PTL for some friends and staff that were able to redirect me when my faith waivered or I got bound up in a pity party .
God is the Lord of my life! He has great plans for me, even sometimes taking me through a dark valley or three, He IS with me always! This giant is no match for my God! Amen! The having to change some diet things and lifestyle choices could be a giant that leads me way out of my preferences and comfort zone, but a really good thing to live a long and healthy life. Donald, stop fighting God and choose well, health, and life! Amen. Too bad it's not as easy as just saying it. Doing, requires, well, doing and choices--action.
I'm starting to understand why God had me choose "earnest" and "agape" as my words for this year. And He's giving me great opportunities to choose to walk them out. PTL! And I'm praising for someone reminding me that I was slipping into running from this giant and a pity party. Shew...breathe out that junk Donald and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit and set your jaw earnestly, die to self, take up that cross and follow Jesus. Amen
You know God loves you and is with and for you --always! And no matter the giant or how weak you feel or how far out of your comfort zone, God is walking with you, before you, and upholding you in His strong right hand. Be strong and courageous. Let go of self, fear and doubt and step into that new bold and courageous giant slayer nature! God's plans will not be thwarted. And He has great ones for you and us! He has some others to walk with you and help you too! Really, the only giants God can't beat are the ones we won't let go of. What's holding you back? Let's be more like Caleb and Joshua who knew those giants were no match for almighty God. Let's leave Egypt behind and seek boldly after God's best this year! We are unstoppable in Christ as we link arms and stand firm with those few smooth little stones. Amen!
Thank you all for praying for and encouraging me and for respecting my request for privacy. I needed this time for introspection, correction and soul searching. God said rest and I was saying no again...think I'd learn! Hopefully, this time! And ahead lies, Lord willing, some healthy lifestyle choices. They have already begun ..well maybe after that one last cheese steak! 😄
FYI, I was admitted Thurs with a fib and congestive heart failure. Thank God I came early, but should have come before shoveling Mon and Wed. (Note shoveling did not cause it, just heightened breathing issues) But I did choose to come... PTL! It has been determined that I have a hyper thyroid condition that caused the a fib that caused the fluid retention. Meds have already gotten rid of the water and are settling things down. PTL! I have the most mild and benign a fib. And now that they know why it started, we can address that. So several doc visits and medication adjustments await my discharge, hopefully this morning. I've calmed down, dyed to self, am choosing joy, and have asked God back to be the Lord of my stay. He used me yesterday to pray for and encourage my one doc and one nurse. Wonder what He has for me before I leave? Hope it's a legacy of faith well lived in Christ, no matter the giant!
One final thought.. please prayerfully ask God for your word(s) for the year and share those with Sarah, me, and your teammates. We want to pray, encourage, and remind when needed, like I was this week. Maybe like me, God hadn't released you fully from last year's word and will give you another that is the next step. Let us know. We are in this giant slaying journey together and it is an awesome adventure for sure! Come and see! And feel free to remind me when you see me slipping from dying to self, earnestly and living, loving and leading like Jesus more earnestly. Thanks! I can't wait to see what land flowing with milk and honey lies ahead for you and us! Come Lord! Be our Lord! Transform us more fully into Your best! Amen
Saturday, February 17 2024
Good morning unique creations of God. I'm sitting here watching the beautiful snow fall from my hospital bed, wishing I could be out of this prison and playing in the snow. I'm watching the plow trucks clearing the lots, the slow traffic on 78 carefully persevering through the storm and I'm thinking if Sarah's snowflake making challenge. I'm also praying for Karen who may need to come pick me up later and the team clearing snow for clothing closet and church.
Then I read our devotionals (which I can't forward from my phone). How does Paul's thorn in the flesh and building each other up tie to this what do you think? What are you hearing?
We are all unique creations of God with uniquely created purposes. Some of us our out plowing, some shoveling and some staying out with a warm cup of cocoa. Some are out there fulfilling their purposes while persevering through some storm. Some are plowing away even though it seems futile as the snow piles up right behind the plow. Some are watching and praying. And some are out of control and forging ahead while others are making wise choices.
Seems like we are all facing some sort of storm or trial today. Life and our efforts often feel useless, yet we carry on in Christ. Many have come to experience that God is sufficient and enough. Some have come to rely on His strength when weakest and He IS enough and knows best. And all of us need the eph. 4:29 building up and encouragement. Who are you cheering on? Who are you helping shovel out of some snowbank? Who are you plowing the path for in prayer and love and help?
Yes we all are facing something. Yes God is sufficient and enough. And we are family that need each other's uniqueness and unique love and help. As you rise and shine later this morning, the storm may be waning, but there is unique opportunities for us all to go live and live like Jesus today. Keep at it friends! God's not finished with you or is. He has great plans, even for today. He is with you always. And He has united us with co-laborers. And like fresh falling snow, we are beautiful together and unique individuals. Let us always consider that uniqueness and the unknown storms and love and encourage well. Amen keep plowing together too. We are making progress. PTL
Friday, February 16 2024
Good morning faithful prayer warriors. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! It is TGIF praise day. Count your many blessings! I am! And you guys are on that list!. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement!.
They are narrowing in on the cause of the a fib and fluid. It may be thyroid related. Today is a day of many tests and docs. Outside change I will be discharged today, probably tomorrow, depending how tests are able to be scheduled. Just another doc visit and very pleased with progress. The Lord is my shepherd. He is with me. (Now if only he would bring me a cheese steak and pizza).
So what's God saying to you today? What are you thankful for? Who are you processing with? God's got great plans for this day. I'm allowing Him to use me here while He heals me! PTL! May God be with you all today. Hope to see you Sunday, Lord willing. May God shalom be with you today. He's definitely a good good Father! Amen
Friday, February 16 2024
Please note that Pastor Don is having some phone issues. I don't always get your messages right away. I am not ignoring you. Today, I got a phone message from yesterday and several texts from yesterday morning as well. I try to respond ASAP. If you are not hearing from me and need me ASAP please reach oout through someone else or try another way like email. Thanks
Good Morning Humble Servants! You know, that is a pretty apt description of our gathering of believers. We serve, love, spread joy and bring hope and help to many. God is using you and it shows. But humility can be a struggle for many of us. Pride is at the root of all sin as well. We are commanded to humble ourselves. As we seek to become more like Jesus. He is the prime example of humbling self. I mean, He is God and humbled Himself, laid aside His power and came as a servant. And as such, He knows all our struggles. He called the bold and brash and timid and meek to be part of the twelve and worked with them to teach them all to die to self, take up cross daily, and follow Him. For some that meant letting go of operating in their own strength and doing what they thought best, often without seeking direction. For others that meant getting out of comfort zones and going boldly to share the Good News and represent God on earth. But they learned to work together and accomplished much for God's glory and Kingdom expansion. I keep thinking of 1 Cor, 13's reminder that love is not proud or boastful. That's something I always need to work on!
What's your struggle today? For a few of us bold and brash ones, it could be slowing down and waiting on God and for many of us, it's dying to self and stepping out boldly when the Holy Spirit pinches you. The Good News is that God brought us together to be His Body that goes and loves well together. And we are doing pretty good at finding our balance with that. Check out our devos below speaking into the strongholds that bind us, our questioning God and learning to humble ourselves and follow Jesus well. What's keeping you from God's best for you (or others)?Humble yourself and work on becoming more like Jesus. It would be a great idea to work on this with some trusted friends too. God created you for some great things and He is with you always and brought you to this Body to fulfill your part. We are family and we are better together! PTL! Remember, Jesus' yoke is easy, but a yoke is still an instrument of labor to be used to plow. Keep plowing in prayer and service and allowing God to grow and use you! I'm praying for you and us to continue to become more like Jesus! Amen
God awoke me early to speak to my heart and to share with you. It's obvious that He is speaking and calling us to humble ourselves and follow well. As I was proof reading (yeah I do that some days!) the Harvest Prayer Blog popped up in my email. Yes God is speaking to me and us today. I preached recently on our need to humble and purify ourselves to be ready to move with God. It was a message about earnestly pursuing Christlikeness and readiness for when God says go. Begin today's time with God by humbling yourself and asking Him to speak to and direct your heart. Start with Harvest prayer's blog and see where God leads you today. He does have great plans awaiting! Are you ready? Let's roll! Daylight's burning!
Harvest Prayer:
February 15 - Consecrate and Humble Yourselves
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The Bible teaches that when God wants to reveal Himself to His people on a corporate level, He first asks them to examine and humble themselves on an individual level. ‘Consecrate yourselves,” Joshua told the Israelites, “for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). Consecrate means “to purify” – to make a person free from guilt or moral blemish. We purify ourselves through humility, confession of sin, and repentance.
God wants to do something wonderful in every community as a whole. But first, He is asking us to purify ourselves individually. This means careful self-examination, humility, honest confession, and earnest repentance of any revealed sin. Then, as a body of Christ, we will be ready to come together corporately to experience God’s presence.
It is as we humble ourselves before the Lord and repent individually that we have the platform to come together to repent and pray corporately. When we do, we cultivate a spiritual appetite and atmosphere in which the Lord can do amazing things among us!
Merciful Father, hear my desire to open my heart before You so that You can reveal my pride and my sinfulness. Purify me, guide me and set me apart from the world! Help my community of believers to repent before You and fully experience Your presence together in life-giving ways. Give us that spiritual hunger to come together to pray for Your kingdom to come in our midst. Help us to yield to Your plans together as we humble ourselves before Your holiness!
--Adapted from Why Don’t We See More Community Transformations in America? by Arlyn Lawrence, an article in the Premiere Issue of Prayer Connect Magazine.
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- Praise God for his abundant mercy.
- Thank him for not punishing you as your sins have deserved (Ezra 9:13).
- Confess any secret sins which hold you back from full fellowship with God.
- Commit yourself to turning away from sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and living completely for God’s glory.
- Ask God to restore the joy of his salvation and to grant you a willing spirit (Ps. 51:12).
- Ask the Lord to create a hunger and thirst for him and his Word in the lives of unsaved persons you know. Pray that you will be sensitive to their struggles and questions.
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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. |
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Upper Room: WHY?
Job said to God, “Why then did you bring me out of the womb?” - Job 10:18 (NIV)
As I was recovering from shoulder replacement surgery, all was going well — that is, until I broke out in shingles. Anyone who has ever experienced shingles knows that the pain and general misery are a nightmare. I confess I was angry at God.
I could relate in a very small way to what Job experienced. And, like Job, my prayers began with “Why?” I was already extremely uncomfortable after surgery, and now this festering annoyance was getting worse each day! “Why, God? What am I supposed to learn from this?”
I’m happy to say that the shingles wounds have healed, and my shoulder works better than ever. But I still don’t understand what all that pain was supposed to teach me. Surely there is much in my life and in the world that just doesn’t make sense. Sometimes we are not given the answers to our “why” questions, but we can trust that God is with us. We can cry out to God with what we don’t understand and know that God loves us still.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Loving God, help us to keep trusting you when our lives seem to be overly burdened. Strengthen our spirits, and walk with us through our struggles. Amen.ODB:
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Like many teachers, Carrie devotes countless hours to her career, often grading papers and communicating with students and parents late into the evening. To sustain the effort, she relies on her community of colleagues for camaraderie and practical help; her challenging job is made easier through collaboration. A recent study of educators found that the benefit of collaboration is magnified when those we work with demonstrate humility. When colleagues are willing to admit their weaknesses, others feel safe to share their knowledge with one another, effectively helping everyone in the group.
The Bible teaches the importance of humility—for much more than enhanced collaboration. “Fear[ing] the Lord”—having a right understanding of who we are in comparison with the beauty, power, and majesty of God—results in “riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Humility leads us to living in community in a way that’s fruitful in God’s economy, not just the world’s, because we seek to benefit our fellow image bearers.
We don’t fear God as a way to gain “riches and honor and life” for ourselves—that wouldn’t be true humility at all. Instead, we imitate Jesus, who “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) so we can become part of a body that humbly cooperates together to do His work, give Him honor, and take a message of life to the world around us.
By 洪可婷
REFLECT & PRAY
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What does humility mean to you? How have you seen someone’s humility benefit others?
Dear Jesus, I surrender my pride to You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Proverbs is both helpful and challenging. It’s helpful because it offers us wisdom for living. What’s wisdom? It can be defined as the appropriate application of knowledge and understanding to life situations. Which of us doesn’t need that? Clearly, we all do—and it’s readily available. James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Our wise God is the true and ultimate source of wisdom. What makes the Proverbs challenging, however, is that they offer general insight on how life works best—not ironclad promises. When we attempt to make them into guarantees, we try to prove too much. It’s better to let them guide us in wise, humble living without placing on them the expectation of specific outcomes.
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
Wednesday, February 14 2024
Happenings: Donuts and conversation at the Bread Ministry today 10-12. (lunch too for workers)
Tonight 6-7:30 dinner and video huddle for all who will come.
Saturday 10-1: Clothing Closet
Sunday after worship is our new members class. All who wish to know more about our church or to join are welcome.
Good Morning very Loved, very Loving, Servants of our God Who Is Love! This life really is all about LOVE! We don't need a man-made holiday--well maybe some do--to remind us to love. Loving God and others and even ourselves is a command that wraps up all the ten commandments are about and what God requires of us. LOVE! Today, another man-made season begins in some churches with Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Lent is celebrated in some churches as a season of pertinence and self-examination and fasting from some sinful choices. Do we really need a holiday or season to remind us that we are all sinners that fall short of God's standard and to confess and repent of sins. That, like loving, should be a daily thing.
Start with focusing on Love. (maybe "loving" might be a word to work on this year) God is Love. Love lives in us and wants to love through us. Jesus modeled "agape" love. That's sacrificial, dying to self love as He laid His life down for us and our sins. He commands us to go agape like Him. Maybe focus on that the next forty days that lead to Palm Sunday. Yes, examine yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind some things you need to repent of or work on and do it. That is part of becoming more like Jesus and allow God to shape you more fully into the person He created you to be. Become More in '24! Work on that and maybe focus on a word for the season.
Today, we will celebrate Fat Wednesday with donuts and love as we share and hang out with our neighbors in need. That's love in action that we are commanded to live. Come join us! Come share love and allow God to mold and use you as His vessel. That's what these days and seasons should be all about--love and loving like Jesus. Amen! Thank God for His love for you and for loving through you and ask for His help to do that better. He loves you and loves to answer prayers form the heart like that! Go! Love! Amen
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 14 - God Wants Your Prayers
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Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
You may be thinking “Without ceasing? I hardly pray at all. How could I possibly pray continually throughout each day?”
It’s not only possible, it’s exactly what God desires. He has great plans for us and for His kingdom that can only be accomplished if we will continually communicate with Him.
So, why should we value prayer? Why should we seek to become men or women of unceasing prayer?
“Pray without ceasing” is not a nice thought from God, it’s a command. God is telling us to pray and to pray with no intermission. It is hard to believe, but God wants to communicate with you more than you want to communicate with Him. How could this possibly be true?
Grace-filled Father, You have given me a powerful command to obey – communicating with You continually. Guide my heart and lay it alongside of Yours every moment so that I might lean into a lifestyle of prayerfulness! Show me how to press into Your purposes for me, for others, for my church, community and nation! I long to hear from Your Spirit who will share with me Your thoughts, for Your thoughts are much higher than mine! Draw me more deeply into the mystery of unceasing prayer and teach me to unleash Your power on earth as it is in heaven.
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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- Praise God for his holiness and righteousness.
- Thank him for promising to work all things together for good.
- Confess any coldness of heart.
- Commit yourself to becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).
- Ask God to renew your love for him as it was when you first believed.
- Ask God to lay on your heart those for whom he desires you to pray. Request the Holy Spirit to show you how to pray for each person.
Prayer Pointer
“Productive prayer requires earnestness, not eloquence.” —Anonymous
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ODB:
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Jim and Laneeda were college sweethearts. They got married and life was happy for many years. Then Laneeda began to act strangely, getting lost and forgetting appointments. She was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at forty-seven. After a decade of serving as her primary caregiver, Jim was able to say, “Alzheimer’s has given me the opportunity to love and serve my wife in ways that were unimaginable when I said, ‘I do.’ ”
While explaining the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote extensively on the virtue of love (1 Corinthians 13). He contrasted rote acts of service with those overflowing from a loving heart. Powerful speaking is good, Paul wrote, but without love it’s like meaningless noise (v. 1). “If I . . . give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (v. 3). Paul ultimately said, “the greatest [gift] is love” (v. 13).
Jim’s understanding of love and service deepened as he cared for his wife. Only a deep and abiding love could give him the strength to support her every day. Ultimately, the only place we see this sacrificial love modeled perfectly is in God’s love for us, which caused Him to send Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). That act of sacrifice, motivated by love, has changed our world forever.
By Karen Pimpo
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you tried to serve others without love? How can a love for God and others inspire your actions today?
Loving God, thank You for loving me. May my actions flow out of a loving heart today.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
First Corinthians 13 is considered to be the love chapter of the New Testament. The love Paul describes is contrary to what our culture values and portrays. It has nothing to do with lust or satisfying one’s own needs. Instead, it’s directed outward toward others and is totally unselfish. Such love isn’t primarily an emotion but an active decision to stay engaged and remain connected. Yet this type of love is impossible apart from God’s work in us through the Holy Spirit. It’s the greatest of human qualities (v. 13) and an attribute of God Himself (1 John 4:8).
Alyson Kieda |
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UR:Ash Wed.
If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. - Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
I had never given up anything for Lent because the practice did not seem meaningful to me.
Then one year on Ash Wednesday, my pastor challenged us to think differently about giving up something for Lent. He asked us to think of a person we were holding a grudge or anger or resentment against and invited us to forgive them.
Years earlier I had gone through a divorce. My spouse had cheated on me again and again. I had been deeply hurt. How could I ever forgive him?
I struggled with my feelings. Was I ready to release all the pain he had caused me? Finally I decided that, yes, I was going to forgive.
The pastor asked us to write on a piece of paper what we were giving up. I wrote it down, then folded the piece of paper. The congregation was then invited to burn our slips of paper in a bowl. It was one of the most meaningful Ash Wednesday services I had ever attended.
It wasn’t easy to forgive. And by forgiving him, I’m not saying that what he did was okay because it wasn’t. But deciding to give up my feelings of hatred and resentment was a freeing experience, and it still is. I could move on with my life without the weight of anger and resentment that I had been carrying around for years. So I would like to challenge you to give up something meaningful for Lent and surrender it to God. You won’t believe how liberating it is!
TODAY'S PRAYER
Thank you, God, for forgiving us. Help us to be as forgiving of others. Amen.
Wednesday, February 14 2024
This is coming to you later because God blessed me with ten hours sleep until after 6 this morning. PTL! (Made up for super bowl lack of sleep!) and then we lost electric for a bit and I had to dig a trail for Maggie in the yard. OK so now we will try to get this out before next power failure.
Bread Min and Donuts tomorrow 10-12 and Huddle tomorrow night with dinner at 6. Both are still on!
Good Morning Washed White as Snow, Resting on the Promises, Zealots and Friends of God! Say what? How appropriate that today's Our Daily Bread uses the passage speaking about our forgiveness and being washed white as snow. (See below) I've been thinking about the words we are choosing for the Become More in '24 Challenge. Sarah and I have only heard from one or two of you about your word(s). The word God led me to for this year besides my two from last year which I will keep working on as well (agape and Disciple-maker) is "earnest". What is God leading you to work on? Today would be a great day to pause, seek Him, reflect and receive His word for you! Share those words with Sarah and me so we can pray and encourage you. Seek some friends to process, pray with, encourage and be accountable to as well. Learning and growing with others is part of God's best for us! Thank God for those He has gathered around us to worship, grow and serve with!
My word "earnest" ties to zealous. Check out Dave Butts Blog below speaking into being a zealot. When I first came to rebirth and being-made-new-faith in 2001, my sisters kept pleading with me to not become one of those Jesus freaks. They are coming to accept me as I am now and my zealous pursuit of Jesus and wanting to earnestly become more like Him. They haven't changed and need our prayers for salvation and new life. because of my zeal and pursuit of Christlikeness I am always changing as I grow into that. You guys have witnessed some of that growth and change. We are all on a journey. Please consider making it an earnest journey, standing on the promises, resting in your new nature in Christ and working on growing to your fuller created potential with me. It's been awesome so far as I shed the old and put on the new more fully. Come and see!
I guess part of this journey is learning to not really care what others think about me and finding my worth in Christ. Do you struggle with that? Do you feel like you don't measure up to other's standards? Don't fit in? Do you struggle with trying to please God? Trying to work your way and earn His favor? Are you loosing hope that you will never measure up or are worthless? Check out Charles Stanley's devo below. LISTEN...We will never measure up to God's standard. Never can! We all fall short. That's why God sent His Son for us. PTL! Right? Stop trying to meet some standard or become someone you are not created to be. Just be you in Christ and allow God to use you as you are and grow you into your fuller potential. He loves you. Forgives you. Sent His Spirit to help you and He knows your potential and His plans for you and is working all things together to get you there. Know this too...you will never reach that potential until yoi get to heaven. All he expects is that we keep pursuing Christ, keep growing into who we were created to be and keep working on doing more of what He created us to do. Now that can be a very hard thing for most of us! You know what I mean. What's this "let go and let God" thing? Our lives require much work at balance. We do have things we need to do on this earth that require earnest effort and work to survive and thrive. Yet God asks that we keep our focus on Him, be available and ready when He needs us to be His vessels of Good News, love, healing, hope, and help. Being citizens of two worlds is hard! That is exactly why we need God and to keep focused on Him and His ways, which are not like our ways. Be you and do what is required of you here as you work as if unto the Lord. But keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to live, love, use, and grow you as you are into your fuller potential. He has great plans for you and knows what you are facing. He loves you just as you are. He has and will forgive you! And He calls you from all the striving to His rest and healthy choices. This is a conversation that will require much more reasoning together with God and each other. Begin today with seeking Him and talk about it with some friends. Maybe even tomorrow night at dinner and huddle or tomorrow during donut day at Bread Ministry. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added to you. That's a promise. keep your focus right and be refreshed and ready. Stop striving in your own strength. Yoke yourself to Jesus' easy yoke. he came to set the captives free. That's us! PTL!
We are forgiven and washed white as snow! We have the Holy Spirit in us to help us and guide us to God's best. We are a friend if God--no longer slaves. Abide in Him and His love today. He's singing over you and speaking to your heart right now! Worship! Adore! And open your hearts and minds to what is His best for you and then earnestly seek that, zealots! Amen!
Are you a Jesus Freak? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQBIS2zWEz8 This oldy came to mind today as I seek to become more like jesus, leaving this world's ways behind as I long to become more like Jesus and doing all he created me to do. That is life and life abundant. What would Jesus do if He were me? That's what He wants. Allow Him to have all of you and live and love through you. He'll take care of the rest. Amen!
Dave's Blog:
Are You Zealous for God?
by Dave Butts
When you hear the word “zealot” what do you think of? Fanatic? Weird? Overly religious? Maybe an extremely emotional person? I think that most people would say of zeal that it’s just not who they are. Many people have a tendency to identify being zealous as an overly emotional or extreme personality type and would distance themselves from being labeled a “zealot.”
The Bible, however, looks at zeal not so much as an emotion, but as an expression of faith. You become zealous because you have come to know God. It is the awesome character and nature of God that creates zeal within those who worship Him. The more you know the Lord, the more you become zealous for him.
From this perspective, zealousness is more about earnestness toward God, consecration, and undivided service. To be zealous is to focus all our attention on one thing…or rather, one person…the person of Jesus Christ. Perhaps most important for followers of Jesus, to be zealous is not an option but a command. Consider these scriptures which speak of a zealous life:
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5).
- “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart” (Ps.119:2).
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov.3:5).
- “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer.29:13).
- “Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” (Joel 2:12).
The greatest example of zeal is the One who knows the Father the best, our Lord Jesus. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the zeal of Jesus in Is.59:17: “He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.” In the gospels, John wrote: “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me”’ (Jn.2:17). Following in the steps of Jesus means becoming as zealous as He is.
Living the Christian life is not a casual attachment to religious activities. It is an all-out, loving desire to walk with Jesus day by day. With single-minded passion we draw near to Him and serve him with everything that is in us. Our prayer life moves from mundane requests to zealously seeing the purposes of God brought to earth by our cries of intercession. May it be said of us, as was said of our Lord, “Zeal for your house will consume us!”
Harvest Prayer Blog: (I love this prayer! Pray it earnestly)
February 13 - The Mystery of Prayer
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A mystery! There’s no other way to describe prayer. Think of it! If you have come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, you have the privilege of communicating with the Divine. You can talk to God. And, if you listen, you can hear Him speak too.
Simply put, prayer is communication with God. Some have defined it as “being with God.” I can talk to God any time of the day or night. Anywhere—whether in my favorite chair, walking the dog, driving the car, taking a shower, mowing the lawn, or sitting by a quiet stream in the mountains. Al VanderGriend calls prayer the “talking part of the most important love relationship in my life.”
Somehow, for some reason, almighty God has not only decided that He wants to be in relationship with us and to communicate with us, but He also has provided the method to do it. Prayer. A. B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, said it well a century ago: “The mystery of prayer! There is nothing like it in the natural universe . . . marvelous bond of prayer that can span the gulf between the Creator and the creature, the infinite God and the humblest and most illiterate child.”
While we cannot fully explain it, the fact remains: Prayer is an awesome privilege! If you are starting out on your faith journey, do everything you can to grow in prayer. It will bring adventure, mystery, and a sense of the presence of God into your life. Prayer will prove to be the key to a vibrant relationship with God.
Father, how I long to grow in my understanding and practice of this mystery called prayer. Forgive me for continually forgetting that You are actively engaged in hearing and answering because You uniquely designed me to connect with You. May I be continually aware of Your presence moment by moment so that as You prompt my heart to seek You for what is on Your heart, I will be obedient to respond. May Your life be alive in me!
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Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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The color red doesn’t always naturally occur in the things we make. How do you put the vibrant color of an apple into a T-shirt or lipstick? In early times, the red pigment was made from clay or red rocks. In the 1400s, the Aztecs invented a way of using cochineal insects to make red dye. Today, those same tiny insects supply the world with red.
In the Bible, red denotes royalty, and it also signifies sin and shame. Further, it’s the color of blood. When soldiers “stripped [Jesus] and put a scarlet robe on him” (Matthew 27:28), these three symbolisms merged into one heartbreaking image of red: Jesus was ridiculed as would-be royalty, He was cloaked in shame, and He was robed in the color of the blood He would soon shed. But Isaiah’s words foretell the promise of this crimsoned Jesus to deliver us from the red that stains us: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (1:18).
One other thing about those cochineal insects used for red dye—they are actually milky white on the outside. Only when they are crushed do they release their red blood. That little fact echoes for us other words from Isaiah: “[Jesus] was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).
Jesus, who knew no sin, is here to save us who are red with sin. You see, in His crushing death, Jesus endured a whole lot of red so you could be white as snow.
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do “sins . . . like scarlet” stain your life? How might Jesus restore you and make you clean again?
Dear God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and the saving grace of His shed blood.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Isaiah 1:18, we read, “ ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord.” Other translations render it, “Come now, and let us reason together” (esv, kjv, rsv). This is amazing! The Creator of the universe, rather than shutting down the conversation, encourages it with the phrase “reason together.” Some translations render it “to discuss” or even “to argue it out.” My preference is “reason” because God is utterly reasonable in His expectations of us. We see His reasonableness affirmed in Paul’s letter to the Romans when he challenged them, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1 kjv). Because of all that God has done for us, it’s only reasonable that we would respond to Him with love and devotion.
Bill Crowder |
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Monday, February 12 2024
Good Morning Chosen, Loved and Sent Children of the Most High God! We are so loved. PTL. Chosen! Prepared and sent to fulfill our created purposes. That begins, grows and goes with LOVE! Yesterday we looked at the spiritual gifts in 1 Cor 12 and Eph. 4 that were shared to remind us to seek after the gifts that are to be used in love to bless others and grow God's Church. We then encountered Paul's admonition to seek the more excellent way found in 1 Cor 13--LOVE!
We were created in love as God's masterpieces to go love as we allow Him to use us just as we are and grow us into His greater things! He has some awesome custom made plans for you to discover as you abide in His love and share His love and that leads to the abundant life we are promised in Christ. Check out our devotionals below as you still yourself, abide in love and ready to go love well today.
God is Love! Love lives in you! And you were created and are being prepared for Love to go forth from you and change the world around you for such a time as this. God placed you here for His purposes. We all matter and we all have an important part to carry out that we are custom made and gifted to accomplish. Plus we have the help of the Holy Spirit to direct and correct us. PTL! Choose the most excellent way. Choose Love and share Love well today as you allow Love to transform your thinking and guide you, even today! Love God! Love people! Love yourself! Share Love well! Amen. You are made for such a time as this to go live and love more like Jesus everyday! Choose well friends of God! Amen
Maybe We Were Made for these Days! (Not maybe! we are!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qXn2I449qs
Love God and Love People: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-29WLQ3trA
End today with the Harvest Prayer blog--awesome stuff to engage God through and pray!
Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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With the American Civil War spawning many bitter feelings, Abraham Lincoln saw fit to speak a kind word about the South. A shocked bystander asked how he could do so. He replied, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Reflecting on those words a century later, Martin Luther King Jr. commented, “This is the power of redemptive love.”
In calling disciples of Christ to love their enemies, King looked to the teachings of Jesus. He noted that although believers might struggle to love those who persecute them, this love grows out of “a consistent and total surrender to God.” “When we love in this way,” King continued, “we’ll know God and experience the beauty of His holiness.”
King referenced Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in which He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45). Jesus counseled against the conventional wisdom of the day of loving only one’s neighbors and hating one’s enemies. Instead, God the Father gives His children the strength to love those who oppose them.
It may feel impossible to love our enemies, but as we look to God for help, He’ll answer our prayers. He gives the courage to embrace this radical practice, for as Jesus said, “with God all things are possible” (19:26).
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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Who is your enemy? If you feel conflicted about loving those who oppose you, how could you submit those feelings to God?
Loving God, You’ve made me—as well as those who hurt me—in Your image. Help me to see them as You do.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus radically redefined what the people understood as their responsibility to the law of Moses. Christ said He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Then He introduces six topics—murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retribution, and love for enemies—with a version of the phrase “you have heard that it was said” followed by “but I tell you.” What’s interesting about Jesus’ explanation of what “you have heard” is that only a portion of it is recorded in the Old Testament. The other elements are likely part of the Mishnah, the traditions and interpretations of the Pharisees that placed further restrictions on people and had been elevated to be equal with the law of Moses. At least part of what Christ was doing was dismantling the power of the Pharisees’ interpretations and returning to the core of the law as God intended.
Dive deeper into the Sermon on the Mount.
JR Hudberg |
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UR Out of My Comfort Zone:
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” - John 10:10 (NRSVUE)
Many years ago, I was asked to go on a mission trip abroad. I declined because of numerous conflicts — family activities, work demands, and other commitments. I thought the next trip would fit my schedule better. But after a few more years and opportunities, I still had not participated.
Then in 2005, I was invited to go on a mission trip to Guatemala. Even though many of the same conflicts existed, I felt God nudging me to go. As I prayed about the opportunity, I realized that my conflicts were really excuses to avoid stepping out of my comfort zone.
I did go on that trip, followed by seven more trips over the next eight years. As we offered our help to those we encountered, I also gained a better perspective on the meaning of “abundant life.” The people we met possessed joy, peace, and love for God — the abundant life — that made a lasting impression on me.
That first trip was a small investment of time, but a big step in my walk of faith because I was willing to leave the familiar and move forward in faith trusting God.
TODAY'S PRAYER
God of second chances, open our hearts so that we will be ready to respond to your call. Help us to be obedient to you, to discern your will for our lives, and to go forward in faith. Amen.
TWFYT
Harvest Prayer:
February 12 - Cry Out for a Heart to See the Lost Saved
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Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)
The prayer of World Vision’s founder, Bob Pierce, has been rightfully and often repeated: “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”
Injustice, illness, poverty, and devastation are in the news and on our minds every day. There are many reasons to grieve for ourselves and others. We know that Jesus’ heart is tender to all the burdens we bear, but nothing moves his heart like the lostness that is found in a soul that is separated from him. Our eyes quickly move to the physical depravity of the world and somehow skip naively over the only permanent loss in all of eternity.
Every problem that steals our sleep and wrestles peace from our minds is temporary. Someday, there will be no more sickness, violence, hatred or lack. Everything will be made right in the eternal kingdom of God. All will be well for those who are forever in the heart and arms of Jesus, but for those who have not given their lives to Jesus, all will be lost. To live and die without Christ is to face the only permanent loss known to man.
God’s greatest desire is that all the world would know his Son and be found safe for eternity in him. Let’s ask Jesus to put his heart of compassion within us and to move our hearts to pray and work for the salvation of many.
Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins and the sins of the world. I repent for my lack of compassion and urgency to see the lost saved. Forgive me for apathy and shortsightedness. Cleanse me of all selfishness and arrogance. I ask you, Father, to change my heart and make it break for what breaks your heart. I ask you to give me a heart of compassion and a will to witness in every way possible. Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence and anoint me with your words so that I may witness passionately and continually for you. Give me a heart to pray and not give up until your will is done in bringing many to righteousness.
--Adapted from Praying God’s Word Over Your City: 40 Days of Prayer for A Transformed Community by Trey and Mary Anne Kent. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God, the one who rescues and saves (Dan. 4:27).
- Give thanks for specific ways he is caring for you right now.
- Confess any areas in which you are worrying instead of praying and accepting his loving care (Phil. 4:6-7).
- Commit a concern to God, thanking him for his care for you.
- Ask him to help you believe in his willingness to handle it.
- Pray that your family and friends may be rooted and established in love and may have “power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that [they] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19).
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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. |
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Monday, February 12 2024
Good Morning Worshipers of Almighty God, Our Abba Father, Lord, Savior and Friend! Woo who! Shout to the Lord all the earth! What a mighty God we serve! PTL! Let us prepare to enter His courts with much praise and thanksgiving! This is the day He made! Let us rejoice, worship and be glad in it! Prepare your hearts to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Come! Let us gather and praise our Lord together today! What's on your gratitude list this morning? What great story do you have to share of how God used you this week or was at work around you? Come, now is the time to worship. Let's celebrate as we gather like it's a super bowl victory party. We know our Victor and King let us bow down and worship and rise up in praise today!
Check out the devotionals below reminding us that God wants to lead and take care of us, He is faithful, He wants us to and helps us to choose His best and He directs our steps. So many reasons to praise and worship. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Thank God that You have entered new life through Jesus, that the Holy Spirit drew you and is helping you to know and follow the Truth and that you are learning to trust the Holy Spirit as you walk in the way of Jesus. Yes, rejoice!
See you soon! 10am in person with Children's Church and on Zoom. What's on your gratitude list this morning?
Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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Throughout her historic seventy years as Britain’s ruler, Queen Elizabeth II only endorsed one biography about her life with a personal foreword, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves. Released in celebration of her ninetieth birthday, the book recounts how her faith guided her as she served her country. In the foreword, Queen Elizabeth expressed gratitude for everyone who’d prayed for her, and she thanked God for His steadfast love. She concluded, “I have indeed seen His faithfulness.”
Queen Elizabeth’s simple statement echoes the testimonies of men and women throughout history who’ve experienced the personal, faithful care of God in their lives. It’s this theme underlying a beautiful song King David wrote as he reflected on his life. Recorded in 2 Samuel 22, the song speaks of God’s faithfulness in protecting David, providing for him, and even rescuing him when his very life was in danger (vv. 3–4, 44). In response to his experience of God’s faithfulness, David wrote, “I will sing the praises of your name” (v. 50).
While there’s added beauty when God’s faithfulness is seen over a long lifetime, we don’t have to wait to recount His care in our lives. When we recognize that it’s not our own abilities that carry us through life but the faithful care of a loving Father, we’re moved to gratitude and praise.
By Lisa M. Samra
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you seen God’s faithfulness? How might you express your gratitude to Him?
Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful that in every season of life—sorrow or joy—I’ve seen Your faithfulness.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
It’s helpful to read 2 Samuel 22 along with Psalm 18. This long psalm (only three psalms are longer: 78, 89, 119) parallels David’s song in 2 Samuel when David praised God for His protection and deliverance from Saul so many years before, although with some slight modifications. Scholars speculate that those changes were made to adapt the song from personal to corporate use. Nevertheless, as he now moved toward the end of his life, David reflected on God’s rescue with clearer eyes than ever before, and he gave praise to God for that specific time when he experienced divine rescue. As such, David referred to Him as his rock, his fortress, and his deliverer. He also referred to Him as his horn (symbolic of power and authority) and shield (Psalm 18:2). Taken together, it’s little wonder that David reflected on the mighty God as his stronghold.
Bill Crowder |
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UR: The Better Part
Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed — indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42 (NRSVUE)
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in December 2016, I was unable to carry out my usual physical activities on many days. I have neuropathy from the ribs down, debilitating fatigue, muscle spasms, and pain.
For a while I felt useless and lonely. I wondered if my best days were behind me.
Then I read the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping her with the preparations for hosting Jesus and his disciples in their home. Jesus calmed Martha, saying that Mary was exactly where she needed to be — with him. That scripture helped me to see that even in times of incapacity, I could still be useful — even productive. I began to relinquish control and began sitting at the feet of Jesus, loving him and feeling loved by him. While I was incapacitated, God helped me to grow in my faith by leading me to read my Bible and to engage in other devotional activities.
In the years since my diagnosis, I have found a way to continue working full-time at the local community college. I’m also able to foster dogs and volunteer with several local fundraising events.
I am comforted to know that Jesus is always with me and can use me at all times to serve him, no matter my physical capabilities.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, comfort us with your love when we feel useless or alone. Thank you for walking beside us. Amen.TWFYT:
Saturday, February 10 2024
Good Morning Very Loved, Redeemed of the Lord! What great love we know that God sent His Son to die for our sins and to make a way to spend eternity with Him! WOW! Ponder that today as you praise and pray. What do we do with that kind of love? First, receive it! Then share it! Jesus said, "Go love as I have loved you." That is a command that is empowered by the Holy Spirit in us and our choice to obey. Check out ODB today. Then be strong and courageous as you go love like Jesus (UR).
That's it today as I am waaaay behind schedule! This sleeping in until 4 is not conducive to a productive day! God really loves us and made a way. He created us for such a time as this and has empowered us to go love just like He loves us. We know where we will be spending eternity. (With Him) and this life is lived for His glory. What joy we know for His great love and what love we get to share! Go! Live and love like Jesus today! Don't worry! Be happy and rejoice! Amen!
ODB:
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As a new believer in Jesus at the age of thirty, I had lots of questions after committing my life to Him. When I started reading the Scriptures, I had even more questions. I reached out to a friend. “How can I possibly obey all God’s commands? I just snapped at my husband this morning!”
“Just keep reading your Bible,” she said, “and ask the Holy Spirit to help you love like Jesus loves you.”
After more than twenty years of living as a child of God, that simple but profound truth still helps me embrace the three steps in His great love cycle: First, the apostle Paul affirmed that love is central in the life of a believer in Jesus. Second, by continuing to pay the “debt to love one another,” followers of Christ will walk in obedience, “for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). Finally, we fulfill the law because “love does no harm to a neighbor” (v. 10).
When we experience the depth of God’s love for us, demonstrated best through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can respond with gratitude. Our grateful devotion to Jesus leads to loving others with our words, actions, and attitudes. Genuine love flows from the one true God who is love (1 John 4:16, 19).
Loving God, help us get caught up in Your great love cycle!
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you struggled to feel loved by Jesus or to love like He loves? How does knowing Christ loves you completely and unconditionally change the way you love others?
Dear Jesus, please help me believe You love me so I can love others through the overflow of Your love for me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The Bible has much to say about loving others. Jesus says that “to love your neighbor as yourself” is the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39) and that the greatest love a person can show is to “lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 refers to the love the body of Christ should have for one another. But in his letter to the Roman believers in Jesus, Paul puts his admonition to love (13:8-10) in a peculiar place. It’s sandwiched between an exhortation to be submissive to governing authorities by fulfilling civic responsibilities (vv. 1-7)—authorities that weren’t friendly to early believers in Christ—and a reminder that the day of Lord is “nearer now than when we first believed” (v. 11). Perhaps the apostle is suggesting that love is a responsibility (akin to civic responsibility) that’s motivated by anticipating our future with Jesus.
JR Hudberg |
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UR: Bird in the Storm
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid . . . for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
My wife and I sat in our sunroom and watched a storm rage outside. As we watched the rain pour down and heard the thunder rumble, we noticed a purple martin flying through the wind and rain. She flew up to her nest under the eaves at the corner of our house. We could hear the chirping of her babies as she brought them a tiny insect, and then with a chirp of her own, she took off to find more for them to eat. Time after time she returned and then took off again. The heavy rain and strong wind occasionally blew her off course, but she never stopped. Our admiration for her grew with each trip she made, and we both remarked that there was something inspirational about her behavior.
Long after the storm ended, I kept thinking about what we had witnessed. The mother bird’s behavior made me think of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. Like the purple martin, his sacrifice was an act of intense love! The little bird’s determined care for her young reminded us that God really does care about and provide for all of creation. God’s love will endure and will not be turned aside by the storms of adversity. I pray that the devotion of the little bird will stay alive in my memory and inspire me to show love to others and to trust God to provide for God’s children.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for the sacrifice you made for us so that we may live abundantly. Inspire us to show your love to the world. Amen.
Saturday, February 10 2024
Wagner's update below. Pray shalom and comfort over this family at their loss of Harriet Adams, Missy's mom.
Good Morning Transformed, Trusting Sheep--Followers of Our Good Shepherd! Baaa...Are you hearing His voice and following today? Are you allowing His Word to transform you and your thinking and ways? Are you choosing trust and following His voice through the deepest, darkest valleys? Are you finding that He is faithful and growing in trust of our very good Shepherd that loves you and has your best in His heart and actions towards you? Pray for personal and corporate revival. Come Jesus come!
Jesus knows us and still loves us and has good plans for us is something everyone needs to understand and embrace. Many have shunned Him and His ways. Some of His sheep have lost the ability to hear and follow His voice because all the noise and chaotic stimuli has led them off His path, crowded out His voice, and redirected focus. YET...He loves us and is waiting for us to reawaken to His love, voice and good ways. He is faithfully interceding for us, His followers too and has great plans for us to discover as He leads our willing feet--baaa--to overflowing cups. Check out the harvest prayer blog and Charles Stanley below. ODB reminds us of the way to hear well and learn how to travel through this life listening to our Shepherd--open your Bibles! And then be more than just hearers and knowers but doers of it! Follow His Spirit as He teaches, leads and brings His Word to life and to mind throughout the day as the Shepherd calls to you and says, "Follow Me!" TWFYT expounds on following our Shepherd. Maybe mediate on Psalm 23 today too? And then the UR reminds us that no matter what we face, remember that we know the Good Shepherd and that He is always with us, interceding for us, has very good plans for us, even if it doesn't seem it at the moment. Trust Him with all your heart! Love Him with all your heart! Receive His loving care and follow Him well through this day, to His best for you and for personal and corporate revival! Come Good Shepherd! Open our ears to Your voice and loving guidance. Lead us to Your best and revival, Bring Your Word alive in and trough us. Refresh and restore our souls and lead us in Your righteous paths for Your name's sake. Father, Your will be done in, through and around us today and every day and keep our ears, eyes, and hearts open and willing to trust and follow You always. Thanks! Blessings to You today, Lord. We love and trust you. Help our unbelief! Baaa. Amen!
Ask God to prepare you and us for worship tomorrow. We will be studying 1 Corinthians 12 and some of 13 and Ephesians 4:11-16 as we wind down our teaching on spiritual gifts. Maybe you want to spend some time today with your Bibles open there, asking for understanding some of this confusing gifts stuff. I just prayed for God to speak to our hearts, direct our steps and use us well today. Pray along with me for some of our sick and struggling members for health, healing, deliverance and God's shalom over them. God has great plans for us and each day can be a step further into the journey towards that. Rejoice and follow well, sheep of Jesus.
Harvest Prayer Blog:
February 10 - America's Pentecost
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After years of seeking God as group of pastors and praying people, in 1801 a spiritual explosion took place that swept our nation like a wildfire. Vanderbilt University historian Paul Conkin calls it “America’s Pentecost.” Mark Noll, a historian specializing in the history of Christianity in the U.S., insists it was our nation’s most important religious moment that changed the course of history.
Hundreds of denominations were born and thousands of churches were founded. Modern missions exploded on the scene, as well as tract and Bible societies. Abolition was launched. Hospitals, schools, and colleges were founded. The awakening infiltrated every area of life and it spun out for nearly 50 years. The impact on our nation and around the world was astounding.
In the midst of the stressful national issues of our day, we pray we hope and confidence. We have seen the glory of Christ before!
Today, pray for the Church in America: Pray for revival, holiness, love for truth, passion for Jesus, evangelistic fervor and compassionate ministry. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). See also: Joel 2:12-14; Psalm 85:4-7).
Savior and Lord, we bow before You, knowing that we, the Church, have fallen short of Your desires for Your people. We humbly repent for our sinfulness, and for our apathy towards making a significant spiritual impact upon our culture. Give us a fresh love for Your truth, a deep desire for holy living, and passion for sharing Christ to impact the lives of the least and the lost. We desperately need revival Lord! Please send us “times of refreshing” so that we may bring honor and glory to the Name of Jesus!
--Adapted from America’s Pentecost by Robert Bakke, an article in the Premiere Issue of Prayer Connect Magazine.
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- Praise God, the changer of times and seasons (Dan. 2:21), who is in control of all of history.
- Give thanks for this new day.
- Confess any misuse or waste of time.
- Commit yourself to taking hold of today’s opportunities and to enjoying the special pleasures God provides during this season.
- Ask him to guide you to make wise and efficient use of your time.
- Pray that your church leaders will be protected from overloaded schedules. Ask God to give them wisdom as they lead the church and care for their other concerns.
Prayer Pointer
“When we say to people, ‘I will pray for you,’ we make a very important commitment. The sad thing is that this remark often remains nothing but a well-meant expression of concern.” —Henri Nouwen
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Charles Stanley:
ODB:
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When Kristin wanted to buy a special book for Xio-Hu, her Chinese husband, the only one she could find in Chinese was a Bible. Although neither of them was a believer in Christ, she hoped he would appreciate the gift anyway. At first sight of the Bible, he was angry, but eventually he picked it up. As he read, he became persuaded by the truth in its pages. Upset at this unforeseen development, Kristin started to read the Scriptures in order to refute Xio-Hu. To her surprise, she also came to faith in Jesus through being convinced by what she read.
The apostle Paul knew the transforming nature of Scripture. Writing from prison in Rome, he urged Timothy, whom he mentored, to “continue in what you have learned” because “from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (2 Timothy 3:14–15). In the original language, the Greek for “continue” has the sense of “abide” in what the Bible reveals. Knowing that Timothy would face opposition and persecution, Paul wanted him to be equipped for the challenges; he believed his protégé would find strength and wisdom in the Bible as he spent time pondering its truth.
God through His Spirit brings Scripture alive to us. As we dwell in it, He changes us to be more like Him. Even as He did with Xio-Hu and Kristin.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you been changed through spending time reading and pondering the Bible? When have the Scriptures come alive to you?
Author of all that lives, thank You for inspiring the Bible to be such a life-giving book. May I submit to You as I read the Scriptures.
Learn how to effectively study the Bible.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When Paul says that “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), he’s picking up on the connection to the first two chapters of Genesis. In the first verses of the Bible, God’s Spirit moves over the formless face of the waters (Genesis 1:2) just prior to God speaking the world into existence. The Hebrew word for “spirit” and “breath” are the same (ruakh) and here emphasize that God created the world by His spoken word and through the Spirit.
It’s that life-giving breath that shows up again in God’s creation of humanity (2:7) and that Paul connects to all of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture gives life and is useful for all things because it’s the very words of God. Paul’s words to Timothy should encourage us to trust both that Scripture is God’s word to us and that it’s just as life-giving now as it was when He spun the earth into existence.
Jed Ostoich |
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TWFYT:
UR: Trust in God:
In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. - Psalm 18:6 (NIV)
My life has been a wreck for the past three years. In 2018, my contract came to an end at the power station where I worked, and I was unemployed. In 2019 I started to put my life together by doing ad-hoc training in schools. Soon after, the country was placed under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything came to a standstill. My wife continued with her sewing business making face masks, and she was able to keep the family going. But on December 25, 2020, my wife and friend of 38 years, the breadwinner for our family, passed away. I felt my life was over. The future looked bleak. However, during all this adversity, not a single day went by without food or other daily necessities being provided for me, my two children, and my granddaughter. God carried us through those tough times.
No matter what we are going through, God hears our prayers. When we find ourselves wrecked by life’s troubles, when we feel hopeless and overwhelmed, we may not be able to hear God — but God can hear us. God hears our cries of pain and desperation and offers comfort and encouragement to help us endure.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, give us strength to endure our pain and sorrow. Give us courage, and reassure us of your constant love and care. Amen.
Wagner's update:
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Greetings Friends,
Sunday, February 4th. What a glorious morning for my (Missy’s) mom to meet Jesus face to face! Remembering each day of the last week, I continue to marvel at all the ways I’ve seen God’s goodness and felt His presence and calming assurance of His deep and unending love.
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| Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. ~Psalm 103:1-2 |
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| We are grateful that our kids were prompted to quickly make travel arrangements and were blessed to spend a few precious hours together with their grandma on Saturday afternoon. Though she remained quiet, we trust that mom heard every sweet memory shared, every word of thanks, every hymn sung, every prayer prayed; and are confident that she felt the tender touch of her three grandchildren and great-grandson. |
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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
~Lamentations 3:22-23 |
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| As mom’s memory faded significantly over the last year, she never forgot her God and Father. Each time I called or visited in person, mom reminded me of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Hard as it was to sit by her bedside and listen to mom share about her daughter who lives in Africa, one of my dear Kenyan friends continued to gently remind me that at the end the day, all that really matters is that mom continued to know and love Jesus. HE alone is our Living HOPE. |
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Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
~John 11:25-26 |
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| A celebration of mom’s life will be held at St. Matthew’s E.C. Church, Emmaus, on Wednesday, February 21st at 3:00 PM. All are welcome. Additional information can be found here. |
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Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Mom’s favorite hymn written by Bill & Gloria Gaither |
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Thanks for your prayers!
Brian & Missy |
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