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Wednesday, April 10 2024
Good Morning Devoted, Persistent, Clothed in Christ, Co-Laborers! Amen! God is a God that specializes in bringing His shalom--His peace--to the chaos around us. I am in the midst of a chaotic morning that could lead to all kinds of stress. In the past I would have been very stressed by now--BUT GOD! He hears my prayers and invites to be the Lord of me and my day and to bring His shalom. When we ask and make Him Lord, we have confidence that everything is filtered through His hands. He knows what's going on in our lives, what's needed or not, and where He's leading us. Knowing that helps to exhale the junk and receive His peace. Breathe out the junk and take a deep breath of the Spirit right now. Do it again and again until you have cast all your anxiety on God and invited Him to take control. He is the GOOD Shepherd! He has plans for you--plans for good and not harm. Receive His shalom and step into this day refreshed and with the Good Shepherd as the Lord of your day. Amen!
TWFYT is in day 2 of helping with stress relief. Check it out and our other devos below. The Upper Room is a reminder of our call to team up and be better in Christ and ODB reminds us that we are clothed in Christ. How do these tie together? Talk to God about that and schedule a time to discuss what you are hearing with some friends. I'm praying for us all to know and follow God's peace and to do so more earnestly together. I'm praying that we discover His plans for us this summer at our Vision team meeting tonight and begin working on His plans to get out and make Christ known. I'm praying for the chaos to disappear as we trust God and allow His shalom to overflow from us. Thanks Lord! Hear our prayers and be the Lord and Shepherd of this day and Your people. Thanks! Amen! Shalom!
UR: Ten People Prayed
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42 (NIV)
A few years ago, I felt like something was missing from my life. My days lacked meaning and purpose. However, instead of bringing my concern to God, I looked for fulfillment in lots of wrong places — which only left me feeling emptier. I struggled to change my ways and turn to God.
My church group was focusing on spiritual health and encouraged members to share their struggles. At first I was hesitant to discuss my emptiness. Most people value strength, independence, and success, not fragility or need. But I finally opened up to the group and asked for help.
After that meeting, ten people started praying for me. Soon after, I sensed God’s presence and power in the circumstances around me, steering me away from distractions. Sermons, devotionals, and Bible verses reminded me of God’s provision. Together, these factors helped me find new life in God.
Being vulnerable wasn’t easy. But when I asked, I found that others were glad to help. Group members checked in on me regularly and offered encouragement. Their prayers and God’s responses gave me hope that God would give me new purpose and supply what was missing from my life.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Thank you, God, for responding to the prayers of our church family. Help us to ask for support when we need it. Amen.ODB:
I was so excited to put on my new glasses for the first time, but after just a few hours I wanted to throw them away. My eyes ached and head throbbed from adjusting to the new prescription. My ears were sore from the unfamiliar frames. The next day I groaned when I remembered I had to wear them. I had to repeatedly choose to use my glasses each day in order for my body to adjust. It took several weeks, but after that, I hardly noticed I was wearing them.
Putting on something new requires an adjustment, but over time we grow into it, and it suits us better. We may even see things we didn’t see before. In Romans 13, the apostle Paul instructed Christ followers to “put on the armor of light” (v. 12) and practice right living. They had already believed in Jesus, but it seems they had fallen into “slumber” and become more complacent; they needed to “wake up” and take action, behave decently and let go of all sin (vv. 11-13). Paul encouraged them to be clothed with Jesus and become more like Him in their thoughts and deeds (v. 14).
We don’t begin to reflect the loving, gentle, kind, grace-filled, and faithful ways of Jesus overnight. It’s a long process of choosing to “put on the armor of light” every day, even when we don’t want to because it’s uncomfortable. Over time, He changes us for the better.
By Karen Pimpo
REFLECT & PRAY
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What does it look like to “put on” Jesus today? How does practicing Christlikeness become more comfortable over time?
Dear Jesus, thank You that You’re transforming me day by day.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
At the end of Romans 13, Paul contrasts darkness and light. The interplay between the two is symbolic for the life that people lived before believing in Christ and the life they now live in Him. This contrast is seen in several of the apostle’s letters. Before coming to Jesus, we “were once darkness” (Ephesians 5:8), performed “deeds of darkness” (v. 11), and belonged to “the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13) and “to the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
After coming to Christ, however, we’re not to have fellowship with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14), should “live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), and have nothing to do with the “fruitless deeds of darkness” (v. 11). We’ve been rescued “from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13) and are “children of the light and children of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
J.R. Hudberg |
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TWFYT:

Wednesday, April 10 2024
Today:
10-12 Donuts and conversations at the Bread Ministry 10-12 all welcome
6-7:30 Dinner Huddle All welcome
Yesterday we signed a contract with Revival Church to rent our sanctuary Sunday evenings from 5-8. Their first service is next Sunday April 21st. All are invited to come and worship with them. I hope to attend and welcome them to our building and to build some relationships to do some ministry together in the future.
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Good Morning Harvest Workers! The harvest is ripe and ripening! Pray for workers for the harvest! We need you, harvest worker, joy and Good News Bringer! What is your custom made part in God's Good News Delivery Co. St. Matts Branch? What are you, will you, do about it? Who is God wanting to partner you with to carry out His plans. Really pray into that and ask for a willing heart to step up and serve and co-labor with some friends.
Last evening our Vision Team had a great time sharing ideas for possibilities to get out of the building this summer and to connect to neighbors. Remember, in effect, our indoor ministry will be shut down for the summer. After seeking God, you voted to not air condition the Fellowship Hall. That decision changed our plans for the summer to what His plans are for us for the summer. He is leading us out of the building and wanting to answer our prayers for new connection points in our neighborhoods. Last evening was an attempt to discern where, what and with who God is wanting to send us. It was supposed to be an evening to begin planning some outreach activities. However, we ran into a snag--a big one. No one is willing to lead or plan any of the things we thought of. So, who may God want YOU to partner with to host and plan some out activity this summer? What will you do about it? I can't do it all and am honoring God's healthy rhythms by choosing not to try like I usually do. I will be focusing on Family Ministries for the summer. That leaves all kinds of adult ministry opportunities to seize to connect to neighbors. What ideas is God giving you? Who does He want you to partner with?
I can't believe God wants us to basically shut down for the summer when we have been making great inroads in connecting to neighbors and connecting them to God. We have pretty much done what we can with the Bread and Clothing Ministry and will continue to connect with the people God is sending to those ministries. However, there are more connection points awaiting our discovery. What do you normally do and enjoy that God may want to use to connect some of us with outsiders needing to know the love of Jesus? Invite a friend or two to join you and try something new intentionally. Maybe a neighborhood cookout. Maybe a night at Rita's and sitting around connecting to others. The ideas are endless! I'm praying for you! God and some He is drawing are waiting for you as well. Where's He leading YOU! Who does He want you to partner with and host and plan something?
April 28th will be our last Brunch for the summer. The Vision Team determined we could try a church picnic again with a tentative date of June 9th. However, we need someone to lead, plan and host. Is that you?
May 15th will be our last indoor gathering of Family Ministries and Adults for dinner and discussions. In the Fall, Family Ministry and Adult Huddle will be separate evenings. I cannot minister to both groups when we are combined. I will be gathering and planning some summer stuff for Family Ministries before May 15. Who wants to do something with the adults for the summer? There were all kinds of ideas shared last evening and God may be leading you to one to try with this group that already gathers weekly. Pray about it and plan some things with some friends. (Half the people that are part of the adult group do not attend our church yet.) How can we continue to reach and partner with them this summer?
We will continue with the Bread Ministry connections for the summer and beyond, but it's time to find some new connection points if we wish to continue to grow, makes disciples and become a dynamic movement of God! Where's God leading you and who with? Keep praying into that! And ask for courage and wisdom to lead or co-lead and plan some things! Ask for eyes t see the new things God is planning for you and us and courage to do something about it. I'm praying for you! You are custom made for custom purposes of God for such a time as this! It's time to grow into living sacrificially and loving lavishly like Jesus! Day light's burning!
ODB:
Genevieve had to be the “eyes” for her three children, each born with congenital cataracts. Whenever she took them into their village in the Republic of Benin of western Africa, she strapped the baby onto her back and held on to the arm and hand of her older two, always looking for danger. In a culture where blindness was thought to be caused by witchcraft, Genevieve despaired and cried out to God for help.
Then a man from her village told her about Mercy Ships, a ministry that provides vital surgeries to honor Jesus’ model of bringing hope and healing to the poor. Uncertain if they could help, she approached them. When the children woke up after their surgeries, they could see!
God’s story has always been about coming alongside those shrouded in darkness and bringing His light. The prophet Isaiah declared that God would be “a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). He would “open eyes that are blind” (v. 7), restoring not only physical sight but spiritual vision as well. And He promised to “take hold” of His people’s hand (v. 6). He restored sight to the blind and brought light to those living in the darkness.
If you feel overcome by darkness, cling to hope as you embrace the promises of our loving Father while asking for His light to bring illumination.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has God opened your eyes, physically or spiritually? How can He remove the blinders you may have?
Heavenly Father, You desire that no one would live in darkness. Release Your love on those who are blinded in any way, that they might see.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Isaiah 42:1-4 is the first of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah (see also 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12). Various passages in Isaiah point to Israel, God’s chosen people, as the servant (41:8; 44:21; 45:4; 48:20). While many of those prophetic songs do deal with Israel in the nation’s circumstances at that time, New Testament scholars believe other passages find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah (42:1; see 11:2; 49:3, 5-7; 50:10; 52:13; 53:11), the one who came in the very form and essence of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8)—obeying to the point of death on the cross. This servant’s heart was also displayed in Christ the night before the cross when He took the place of the lowest slave and washed His disciples’ feet in the upper room (John 13:1-17). This striking example of the heart of the divine Servant was an example to teach us how to serve both God and one another.
Bill Crowder |
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Wednesday, April 10 2024
Good Morning Standing-On-The-Promises, Children of God's Shalom! Peace! Jesus said "Peace I give to you." Have you received it? God got me up early today to share His love and peace with you. I had no intention of doing a blog today. BUT GOD! He made it evident that at least one of you, maybe several, maybe all of us need to be reminded of our true identity in Christ, His love and His promised peace. We also need to be reminded to choose it sometimes.
Some of us put on all kinds of facades in fear of how we will be judged by others. We find it hard to be who we are created to be, maybe too often. Me? Well, I yams what I yams, as Popeye says. But I too sometimes find it hard to let go of my expectations and worry about perceptions and forget to let God be God in and through me just as I am. You know pastors have this persona to keep up. But you all know that I don't fake who I am in Christ. I'm Donald, beloved child of God, created in His image, custom made for custom purposes. And I have peace being me and doing what I am made to do. You can know that too! I know I am a forgiven sinner, saved by grace and God wants to use me as I am created. That is Jesus' easy yoke. Put it on today. Choose joy. Choose peace. Choose to be you--a creation of God, called by name, forgiven and sent to allow Him to live and love through you just as you are. As you do and get more practice and comfortable in your flesh, God will lead you to His greater things and your fuller potential as you put on Christ and bring Him alive.
Who cares what others think! God knows you and still loves you! Live for Him and allow Him to work out all the details. Choose peace, joy, love and some good Christian friends to do life with. Be encouraged! Be of good cheer! God is near! God loves you--ALWAYS and Forever! I love you too and am signing off until Monday, unless God has other plans. Shalom! Listen for God's loving whisper today--always! Amen
Harvest Prayer blog:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
When speaking of peace in Colossians, Paul pulls out all the stops and hits us with the word “rule.” Peace is to rule in our hearts. This is a far cry from an emotion of peacefulness or an attitude we have somehow developed. Ruling is a powerful word that indicates the ability to transform and direct the activities of your life. The peace of Christ has that innate ability to rule.
It is interesting that Paul’s command is that we let peace do its ruling work in our hearts. The peace of Christ, let loose in your life, will rule and direct you in ways that line up with the purposes of Christ. Our job is to let that happen. In a sense, that means that we give permission to the peace of Christ to rule.
You get to choose who or what will rule in your heart. God’s Word tells us that the very best thing we can do is let peace take over.
Sometimes it seems that life throws everything at you, all at once. In the fall of 1998 that happened to Kim (my wife) and me. My father was in the last stages of his five-year battle with lymphoma. My mother, who was his primary caregiver, suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed her right side for the rest of her life. Dad was on one floor of the hospital and Mom on another. My mom’s brother was on yet another floor of the hospital, dying from cancer. In the midst of that, we got a call that Kim’s mom had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack—a precursor to a stroke) giving us the fear of another stroke coming in the family.
We ran into the arms of Jesus. There was nowhere else to go. His peace enveloped us and though circumstances did not change, I can say with confidence that his peace began to rule in our hearts. The peace of Christ was in charge, not the circumstances of failing health and fear.
The key is our choice. Regardless of what is happening in or around us that is stealing our peace or creating anxiety, we can still choose to let peace rule in our hearts. This is where faith steps in and takes over. We go to God’s Word which tells us to simply let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and though that seems woefully inadequate in the face of our fears, we, by faith, say yes to the Word of God. We pray that truth into our lives and watch and see what God does with an obedient, faithful heart.
Memorize Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Begin each day by affirming that the peace of Christ is ruling in your heart.
Lord, today I choose to let Your peace rule in my heart. Regardless of what happens around me, it is Your peace that will rule within. Thank You that we have literally been called to this peace by You. I am grateful!
--Adapted from Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God (A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus) by David Butts. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Charles Stanley:

Upper Room:
The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. - Luke 15:13 (NIV)
Just like the younger son in Jesus’ parable, I squandered my life in wild living. Drugs and alcohol consumed me, and I became a shell of a man. Deep down I knew there had to be a better way.
One cloudy Saturday in early June 2013, I found myself sitting in front of a church in southern Delaware. I was waiting for the Narcotics Anonymous meeting to start, but I had arrived early and was the only one there. Not long after I arrived, a man pulled into the church parking lot and parked in a space reserved for the pastor. I told him my story. He listened attentively and invited me to the next day’s service when he would be preaching about the Prodigal Son. In my heart, I knew I was supposed to attend that service.
As I sat in the front row of the church the next morning, I felt the pastor was talking directly to me. Within an hour, I knew that I would never squander another day. That church welcomed me. Today I am blessed beyond compare. I am the Prodigal Son, and God has received me with love.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, forgive us for squandering our days. Help us to realize how precious life is. Amen.
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- Praise God for being a great and awesome God (Deut. 7:21).
- Thank him for bending down low in order to bring salvation and faith to you.
- Confess times when you’ve thought God was small and powerless.
- Commit yourself to worshiping God with “reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).
- Ask for a true sense of awe as you meet God in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:35).
- The psalmist says to God: “How awesome are your deeds! . . . All the earth bows down to you” (Ps. 66:3-4). Pray that God’s awesome power might be clearly evident throughout his kingdom worldwide.
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Wednesday, April 10 2024
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ! I'm baaack! Karen and I thank you for your prayers! We had a great week of getting some things done at home and then away for a nice retreat in the mountains west of Gettysburg. Now for the transition back--help us Lord! We could both enjoy the retired life! BUT GOD! In His timing! So back at it! There is so much I want to share, yet so much that I think God wants you to process on your own. These blogs are typically my journal notes based off our devotionals for the day. That may be changing? I am still seeking God on that. Today, I am just sharing Our Daily Bread's reminder that we are to be joy bringers as we choose joy and celebrate all God is doing--even the little things along the way. What's God saying to you? I threw in Charles Stanley's reminder to always celebrate and praise. Keep building those gratitude lists!
It sure was nice to get away. We will be doing that for Karen's birthday next month as well. Can't wait! However, there is so much joy and satisfaction in serving God and allowing Him to mold me into my fuller potential and doing what He created me to do that I can't ever imagine retiring. Even if I retire, there is no retiring from Christian service. God loves you and has plans for you until He calls you home as well. Rejoice and choose to follow well and bring His love and joy wherever He leads you today! Amen!
Schedule for the week:
Tue: Zoom Huddle 10-11, 11 AM meet with Revival Church elders to sign contract for Sun evening worship and to tour building, 6:30 PM Vision Team Zoom (Please pray for our leaders to hear God and make His plans for the summer)
Wed: 10-12 Donut Day at the Bread Ministry. (pray for God to connect us to some neighbors and to connect them to Him) 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle with Family Ministry and Adults. All welcome! (Possible meeting with new NA group that wants to use our building)
All week: Pray for me to transition back to sermon prep, huddles prep, and janitorial duties and some visitations well. Thanks
ODB:
When France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, it was an incredible contest that many dubbed the “greatest World Cup match in history.” As the final seconds ticked off in extra time, the score was tied 3-3, sending the soccer teams to penalty kicks. After Argentina made the winning goal, the nation erupted in celebration. More than a million Argentineans overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires. Drone footage spread across social media showing this raucous, happy scene. One BBC report described how the city quaked with “an explosion of joy.”
Joy is always a wonderful gift. Proverbs, though, describes how a city, a people, can experience joy that goes even deeper and lasts far longer. “When the righteous prosper,” Proverbs says, “the city rejoices” (11:10). When those who truly live by God’s designs for humanity begin to influence a community, then this signals good news because it means God’s justice is taking hold. Greed diminishes. The poor find support. The oppressed are protected. Whenever God’s right way of living flourishes, then there’s joy and “blessing” in the city (v. 11).
If we’re genuinely living out God’s ways, then the result will be good news for everyone. The way we live will make the community around us better and more whole. God invites us to be part of His work to heal the world. He invites us to bring joy to the city.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
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Where do you see the need for joy in your city? How can you bring God’s joy there?
Dear God, please help me to join You in bringing joy to others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Proverbs belongs to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. It can be divided into two sections. In chapters 1-9, Solomon offers wisdom to his son on a variety of topics, ranging from money to choosing good companions to sexual purity. Chapters 10-31, however, are a seemingly random collection of wise sayings. A number are presented in statements of contrast called antithetical parallelism, where the righteous are contrasted with the wicked. Many are written by Solomon (10:1–22:16). Chapters 25-27 are Solomon’s proverbs collected by the men of King Hezekiah. Others come from a group of anonymous wise men (22:17–24:34), Agur (ch. 30), and King Lemuel (ch. 31).
The proverbs contain a treasure chest of wisdom on perennial subjects such as managing relationships, work, integrity, and parenting. Some are also quoted in the New Testament; for example, Romans 12:20, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:5.
Open the treasure chest of wisdom in Proverbs here.
Bill Crowder |
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Charles Stanley:

Wednesday, April 10 2024
He is risen--indeed! Festive Family Worship with communion at 10 and on Zoom. Prepare your hearts and communion elements
Good Morning Children of the Resurrection! Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of the universe! He is risen and victorious! PTL! We are forgiven and His Spirit lives in us and He is interceding before the Father for us. We have exchanged our filthy rags and put on His righteousness! WOW! How good is our God and how blessed are we! What love! Hallelujah! Rejoice for Christ our Lord has risen today! What can be added to that?
Check out a couple of devos below and Joe Toy newsletter. Reminder: Pastor Don begins vacation after worship today. Sarah is available for any emergencies this week. There probably will not be any blogs this week. Tue Huddle and Wed night dinner huddle have off this week. Enjoy a week of worship, rest and renewal! God loves you and is speaking to your hearts! What's He saying to you? Be still and know! Karen and I covet your prayers for a fun week of rest and renewal, great weather and health too. Thanks! Jesus loves you and so do we! Shalom!
Charles Stanley:
Our Daily Bread:
Before Charles Simeon attended university in Cambridge, England, he loved horses and clothes, spending a huge sum on his attire yearly. But because his college required him to attend regular Communion services, he started to explore what he believed. After reading books written by believers in Jesus, he experienced a dramatic conversion on Easter Sunday. Awaking early on April 4, 1779, he cried out, “Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” As he grew in his faith in God, he devoted himself to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.
On the first Easter, life changed for the two women who arrived at Jesus’ tomb. There they witnessed a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back the stone. He said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:5–6). Overjoyed, the women worshiped Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.
Encountering the risen Christ isn’t something reserved for ancient times—He promises to meet us here and now. We might experience a dramatic encounter, such as the women at the tomb or as Charles Simeon did, but we might not. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself to us, we can trust that He loves us.
By Amy Boucher Pye
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How has God shown Himself to you? How have you changed because of your encounter with Him?
Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying on the cross that I might have life eternal. I worship You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Matthew’s resurrection account is stunning, particularly in its honesty. In addition to the joy of the women upon seeing the risen Jesus (28:8), we’re also told of the disciples’ unbelief (v. 17). When you weave together the resurrection accounts in the various gospels (and 1 Corinthians 15), it’s clear that Jesus had appeared to His disciples several times at this point, yet some still doubted. We might find a small measure of comfort in that. In spite of all Christ has done for us and the ways He’s proven Himself merciful and faithful, we still can struggle with doubts as they did. Like the father of the demonized boy, we find ourselves praying, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Bill Crowder |
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Joe Toy Newsletter:
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“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” |
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Dear Friends,
One of our prayer items as we prepare for an outreach is to have team unity. Each team is made up of diverse people from many differing backgrounds and various levels of spiritual maturity. The Lord truly blessed us with a great team of students from Liberty University. Even though we had a few people with timid personalities, they jumped into the task each day and did their best to share the gospel and represent Christ to the lost. One of our team shared this, “I was very uncertain when I first signed up for the trip and I didn’t even know if I wanted to go. However, I realized that I would never put myself out there and evangelize if I did not force myself to. The trip was an eye-
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opening experience and helped me to realize that to grow closer in my relationship with God and challenge my faith, I would need to do things like this.”
One of the blessings of being an evangelist is to take others with us and give them experiences to see the power of God at work in the ministry. All of these young people learned to trust God and were challenged to do things whereby they had no choice, but to seek God’s help each day, whether it was teaching inner city children or sharing their faith in Christ with college students and international tourists who were visiting Miami Beach. |
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This was our third year of working in Buena Vista Apartments and the welcome mat was out. Miss Bella called us to make sure that we were coming and as we arrived she was already gathering up the children. She is the matriarch of this small community and is well respected by all her neighbors. It was an awesome start to our five day club as we had over thirty kids in attendance. Our team did a great job interacting with the kids as they learned Bible verses, sang gospel songs, enjoyed object lessons and observed an illustrated bible lesson each day and of course who does not love game time. One student's reflection of her time is summed up this way, “The very last day of the kid’s ministry was the best in my opinion because I got to share the gospel with a group of kids that were very attentive and listening and seemed receptive to the message.” These types of mission trips not only impact people with the gospel, but also transform the lives of the team as they see the need to reach the lost.
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The city of Miami Beach made it very clear that they were divorcing themselves from Spring Break. They no longer desired to deal with the toxic behavior of drunken students, who would fight, riot, and even shoot each other as has happened the last few years. There were no planned events, parking in city lots was $100 and they implemented a midnight curfew. On Friday night, there was probably only ten percent of the crowd that was there last year and the police presence was unreal. In all my years of ministry with the countless events, I have never seen this many police at one place. We spent most of our night on Ocean Drive on South Beach. Although the crowds were not thick, we had plenty of people to talk to each night. Our main tool was an illustrated puzzle which end with the question, “Is there life after death?”
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The team did a great job interacting with whoever stopped. One night Gretel, who is from Hong Kong, was able to use her language skills to share the gospel with a group of Chinese students. How awesome is the Lord to set up that encounter!
I can remember talking to groups of people from Africa, India and Brazil in my first hour on the street. Some encounters are sad as one young man told me, “I am a little too drunk to talk about this right now and I am just not ready yet.” I thank God that I was able to share some gospel truth with him. One of our team had the blessing of leading a young lady to the Lord as she stated, “I think that I need to do this now”, so they prayed together as she called out to Christ. Needless to say, that was an exciting God moment that fired up the team. The seven days together went fast, but the memories remain. |
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A big thanks goes out to Calvary Chapel Miami Beach for housing us as we had our housing fall through and they made room for us. They were a big help to us and a great reflection of Jesus' love as they offered us their hospitality. May the Lord bless them richly. Keep us in your prayers, God bless you.
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Wednesday, April 10 2024
He is risen--indeed! Festive Family Worship with communion at 10 and on Zoom. Prepare your hearts and communion elements
Good Morning Children of the Resurrection! Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of the universe! He is risen and victorious! PTL! We are forgiven and His Spirit lives in us and He is interceding before the Father for us. We have exchanged our filthy rags and put on His righteousness! WOW! How good is our God and how blessed are we! What love! Hallelujah! Rejoice for Christ our Lord has risen today! What can be added to that?
Check out a couple of devos below and Joe Toy newsletter. Reminder: Pastor Don begins vacation after worship today. Sarah is available for any emergencies this week. There probably will not be any blogs this week. Tue Huddle and Wed night dinner huddle have off this week. Enjoy a week of worship, rest and renewal! God loves you and is speaking to your hearts! What's He saying to you? Be still and know! Karen and I covet your prayers for a fun week of rest and renewal, great weather and health too. Thanks! Jesus loves you and so do we! Shalom!
Charles Stanley:
Our Daily Bread:
Before Charles Simeon attended university in Cambridge, England, he loved horses and clothes, spending a huge sum on his attire yearly. But because his college required him to attend regular Communion services, he started to explore what he believed. After reading books written by believers in Jesus, he experienced a dramatic conversion on Easter Sunday. Awaking early on April 4, 1779, he cried out, “Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” As he grew in his faith in God, he devoted himself to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.
On the first Easter, life changed for the two women who arrived at Jesus’ tomb. There they witnessed a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back the stone. He said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:5–6). Overjoyed, the women worshiped Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.
Encountering the risen Christ isn’t something reserved for ancient times—He promises to meet us here and now. We might experience a dramatic encounter, such as the women at the tomb or as Charles Simeon did, but we might not. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself to us, we can trust that He loves us.
By Amy Boucher Pye
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How has God shown Himself to you? How have you changed because of your encounter with Him?
Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying on the cross that I might have life eternal. I worship You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Matthew’s resurrection account is stunning, particularly in its honesty. In addition to the joy of the women upon seeing the risen Jesus (28:8), we’re also told of the disciples’ unbelief (v. 17). When you weave together the resurrection accounts in the various gospels (and 1 Corinthians 15), it’s clear that Jesus had appeared to His disciples several times at this point, yet some still doubted. We might find a small measure of comfort in that. In spite of all Christ has done for us and the ways He’s proven Himself merciful and faithful, we still can struggle with doubts as they did. Like the father of the demonized boy, we find ourselves praying, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Bill Crowder |
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Joe Toy Newsletter:
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“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” |
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Dear Friends,
One of our prayer items as we prepare for an outreach is to have team unity. Each team is made up of diverse people from many differing backgrounds and various levels of spiritual maturity. The Lord truly blessed us with a great team of students from Liberty University. Even though we had a few people with timid personalities, they jumped into the task each day and did their best to share the gospel and represent Christ to the lost. One of our team shared this, “I was very uncertain when I first signed up for the trip and I didn’t even know if I wanted to go. However, I realized that I would never put myself out there and evangelize if I did not force myself to. The trip was an eye-
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opening experience and helped me to realize that to grow closer in my relationship with God and challenge my faith, I would need to do things like this.”
One of the blessings of being an evangelist is to take others with us and give them experiences to see the power of God at work in the ministry. All of these young people learned to trust God and were challenged to do things whereby they had no choice, but to seek God’s help each day, whether it was teaching inner city children or sharing their faith in Christ with college students and international tourists who were visiting Miami Beach. |
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This was our third year of working in Buena Vista Apartments and the welcome mat was out. Miss Bella called us to make sure that we were coming and as we arrived she was already gathering up the children. She is the matriarch of this small community and is well respected by all her neighbors. It was an awesome start to our five day club as we had over thirty kids in attendance. Our team did a great job interacting with the kids as they learned Bible verses, sang gospel songs, enjoyed object lessons and observed an illustrated bible lesson each day and of course who does not love game time. One student's reflection of her time is summed up this way, “The very last day of the kid’s ministry was the best in my opinion because I got to share the gospel with a group of kids that were very attentive and listening and seemed receptive to the message.” These types of mission trips not only impact people with the gospel, but also transform the lives of the team as they see the need to reach the lost.
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The city of Miami Beach made it very clear that they were divorcing themselves from Spring Break. They no longer desired to deal with the toxic behavior of drunken students, who would fight, riot, and even shoot each other as has happened the last few years. There were no planned events, parking in city lots was $100 and they implemented a midnight curfew. On Friday night, there was probably only ten percent of the crowd that was there last year and the police presence was unreal. In all my years of ministry with the countless events, I have never seen this many police at one place. We spent most of our night on Ocean Drive on South Beach. Although the crowds were not thick, we had plenty of people to talk to each night. Our main tool was an illustrated puzzle which end with the question, “Is there life after death?”
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The team did a great job interacting with whoever stopped. One night Gretel, who is from Hong Kong, was able to use her language skills to share the gospel with a group of Chinese students. How awesome is the Lord to set up that encounter!
I can remember talking to groups of people from Africa, India and Brazil in my first hour on the street. Some encounters are sad as one young man told me, “I am a little too drunk to talk about this right now and I am just not ready yet.” I thank God that I was able to share some gospel truth with him. One of our team had the blessing of leading a young lady to the Lord as she stated, “I think that I need to do this now”, so they prayed together as she called out to Christ. Needless to say, that was an exciting God moment that fired up the team. The seven days together went fast, but the memories remain. |
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A big thanks goes out to Calvary Chapel Miami Beach for housing us as we had our housing fall through and they made room for us. They were a big help to us and a great reflection of Jesus' love as they offered us their hospitality. May the Lord bless them richly. Keep us in your prayers, God bless you.
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Wednesday, April 10 2024
Resurrection Sunday Family Worship Celebration with communion 10am Live and on Zoom. Bring some friends!
Good Morning Loved Ones of God--His Redeemed! On this Saturday, be still and know that He is God. He loves you! He has redeemed You! He is calling you by name! Listen...meditate...worship! Meditate on the passages and devos below as a start to your quiet and prayer time. Be bold and courageous today and look for opportunities to share your hope and God's love. Darkness and evil are closing in (our President has declared Easter Sunday to be a day to celebrate transgenders. The enemy is trying to anger us and steal our joy of the resurrection celebrations. Wonder how many "churches" will have drag queen readers tomorrow?) BUT GOD! But remember also, we have all gone astray too and are sinners worthy of eternal punishment in Hell! BUT GOD! And we are His children of Light! We have hope! We are forgiven and made new in Christ! Amen!
Turn off the noise and open God's Word as you prepare your hearts to worship tomorrow! The resurrection is the greatest event in all of history! Death and the grave have been defeated. Our sins have been sacrificed on that cruel cross. We have been redeemed and we have been given the opportunity to choose new life in Christ. Yes we were one way, BUT God! By His love and grace we are now another! Rejoice! Jesus is our resurrection and life! he is the way, the truth and the life. The only way. he is calling you by name! he loves you beyond measure!
Isaiah 43: (My highlights)
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
Isaiah 53:
He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
ODB:
Before Jim Caviezel played Jesus in the film The Passion of the Christ, director Mel Gibson warned that the role would be extremely difficult and could negatively impact his career in Hollywood. Caviezel took on the role anyway, saying, “I think we have to make it, even if it is difficult.”
During the filming, Caviezel was struck by lightning, lost forty-five pounds, and was accidentally whipped during the flogging scene. Afterwards, he stated, “I didn’t want people to see me. I just wanted them to see Jesus. Conversions will happen through that.” The film deeply affected Caviezel and others on the set, and only God knows how many of the millions who watched it experienced changed lives.
The passion of Christ refers to the time of Jesus’ greatest suffering, from His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and including His betrayal, mocking, flogging, and crucifixion. Accounts are found in all four gospels.
In Isaiah 53, His suffering and its outcome are foretold: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (v. 5). All of us, “like sheep, have gone astray” (v. 6). But because of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, we can have peace with God. His suffering opened the way for us to be with Him.
By Alyson Kieda
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What aspect of Christ’s life most impacts you? How does His suffering affect you?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The Song of the Suffering Servant we most often associate with Isaiah 53 actually begins in the previous chapter at verse 13. There, the servant is introduced as one who is wise and who will be “raised and lifted up and highly exalted” (52:13). If that final phrase sounds familiar, that’s because it’s one of Isaiah’s favorite ways to describe his encounters with Yahweh (God) Himself.
In Isaiah 6:1, the prophet recounts seeing the God of Israel in His temple “high [rum] and exalted [nasa’]”; in 52:13, the niv translates the same two Hebrew words as “raised and lifted up.” Isaiah associates the exaltation of the Suffering Servant with the very person of Yahweh, looking ahead to the Son Himself, Jesus.
Jed Ostoich |
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UR: Holy Saturday
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed his body. - John 19:38 (NRSVUE)
Holy Saturday is a day of quiet, somber reflection. It’s an odd, in-between day after Jesus’ death but before his resurrection. I often think about what the day might have been like for the disciples and others who followed Jesus at the time — particularly
Joseph of Arimathea.
Joseph had a lot of influence and was an important Jewish leader. He would risk his reputation and standing in the community if his belief in Jesus became public. So he kept his belief quiet.
But on Good Friday, when Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea proclaimed his faith publicly by going to Pilate and asking for Jesus’ body so he could bury it.
I imagine Joseph spending most of Saturday wondering if he had made the right choice. He took a great risk with this act. And on Saturday, Jesus was still dead in a tomb.
In a similar way, we take risks when we choose to follow Jesus publicly. Those risks can sometimes cause us to stay quiet or to keep our belief secret. However, while making our faith public may make for an uncomfortable Holy Saturday, it makes for a much more celebratory Easter Sunday.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, help us not to hide our faith but to follow you boldly. Amen.
Harvest Prayer Starters:
- Give praise to Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13).
- Thank him for his promise, “Yes, I am coming soon” (22:12).
- Confess those periods of time when you have lost sight of the hope of his coming.
- Commit yourself to waiting each day for “the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
- Ask God to renew in you the hope that “when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3:2).
- Ask God to open the eyes of your unsaved friends so that they may see the spiritual kingdom that lies behind the physical realm.
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Friday, March 29 2024
Thank God I'm Forgiven! That takes on an extra special significance on this Good Friday. Meditate on that today as you begin your quiet time and worship in Spirit and Truth. Come back to this often today as you remember and worship.
Good Morning Saved-By-Faith, Loved, Forgiven, Redeemed of the Lord! Thank You Jesus! Amen!
Good Friday is always a day where I seem to be extra still, extra thankful, more contemplative as I remember the love of God and the beating and sacrifice of Jesus that my sin caused. Forgive me! Cleanse me! Restore me! Thank You Lord!
The crushing heaviness is almost overwhelming as I remember and meditate. Then my thoughts go to what the disciples and followers must have been experiencing right now as they have betrayed, denied, run away, hid, were confused and as some stood by and watched Jesus die on that cruel cross. Father, forgive me! Thank You for Your love! Jesus, words cannot covey the heaviness and gratitude of You standing in and dying in my place! I love You! Help me to die to self, take up cross daily and lay down my sin and my life as I follow You. Thank You! Amen! "It is finished"!
I've been sitting here in worship, prayer, meditation and stillness for almost three hours. What blessings we know as we dwell in Christ's loving presence and what blessings we know lie ahead for us who are saved by grace! Amazing love has been poured out in red just for you! Jesus is looking into your heart right now saying, "Come! I did this for you!"
I am just going to attach our devos for today and give you space to remember and worship today. Thank God I'm Forgiven! What extravagant, lavish, expensive love God has shown you! Meditate on that today and just worship...
Charles Stanley:

Our Daily Bread:
Jesus, Our Substitute
Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
READ 1 Peter 3:13–18
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A wealthy twenty-year-old was drag-racing with his friends when he struck and killed a pedestrian. Although the young man received a three-year prison sentence, some believe that the man who appeared in court (and who subsequently served a prison sentence) was a hired surrogate for the driver who committed the crime. This type of thing has been known to occur in some countries where people hire body doubles to avoid paying for their crimes.
This may sound scandalous and outrageous, but more than two thousand years ago, Jesus became our substitute and “suffered once for [our] sins, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18). As God’s sinless sacrifice, Christ suffered and died once and for all (Hebrews 10:10), for all who believe in Him. He took the penalty for all our sins in His own body on the cross. Unlike a person today who chooses to be a substitute for a criminal to get some cash, Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross provided “hope” for us as He freely, willingly gave His life for us (1 Peter 3:15, 18; John 10:15). He did so to bridge the chasm between us and God.
May we rejoice and find comfort and confidence in this profound truth: Only by the substitutionary death of Jesus can we—sinners in need—have a relationship with and complete spiritual access to our loving God.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has Christ’s substitutionary death changed your life? What does it mean for you to have access to God and eternal life because of Jesus' death on the cross?
Dear Jesus, thank You for dying in my place so that I might have access to God.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Peter 3:13-14, the apostle encourages believers in Jesus to “do good,” even if they suffer for it. Believers in Christ aren’t to fear but are to trust in God and be prepared to witness for Him. Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered unjustly and died for our sins, “the righteous for the unrighteous” (v. 18). His was a once-for-all sacrifice. Whoever believes in Him as their Savior and repents of their sins receives His forgiveness. Our salvation doesn’t guarantee we won’t suffer; today’s passage and other Scripture passages tell us something quite different. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18); also, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (v. 20). And Paul tells us, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Alyson Kieda |
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Upper Room: Good Friday
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” - 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NIV)
I awoke on Good Friday thinking of the introduction to our church’s Communion services: “On the night he was betrayed . . .” During Communion and Good Friday services, Christians tend to focus on the physical pain Jesus experienced during his trial and crucifixion, sometimes forgetting the excruciating emotional pain he endured.
For three years, Jesus had loved and taught his disciples. Yet they turned away after his arrest, as did many others who had once applauded him. (See Mk. 14:43–15:15.) Those following Jesus betrayed him for different reasons — Judas disclosed Jesus’ location for 30 pieces of silver; Peter denied him out of fear; the crowd chose instead to release a rebel insurrectionist named Barabbas. Betrayal can come in many forms and for various reasons, but it is always emotionally painful. Those who have experienced betrayal know the deep emotional wounds it causes.
During Communion services, we are reminded of the betrayal Jesus experienced. These services offer us time to think about those who betrayed Jesus and the significance of Jesus’ body and blood being sacrificed for those very people. Jesus’ death reminds us that we are all called to love our betrayers as Jesus loved his.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us to follow your example and extend forgiveness and love toward those who have wounded us emotionally. Amen.The Word for You Today:

Harvest Prayer Prayer starters:
- Praise God as the Creator who makes all things new (Rev. 21:5).
- Give thanks for his power to bring even the most deadened souls to life in Jesus— including your own (Eph. 2:1-5).
- Confess those times when you have lost faith in God’s power to renew and restore.
- Commit yourself to renewing your mind every day in prayer and in reading God’s Word.
- Ask God to teach you what it means that you are now God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (2:10).
- Pray that those who are outside of God’s family may be made new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
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Friday, March 29 2024
Good Morning Faithful Servants of the Lord! What an awesome, serving, loving, praying, providing congregation and gathering of believers God has blessed us to co-labor with in Emmaus! PTL! and continue to pray for that to grow, flourish and explode around the Lehigh Valley. Yesterday began with another great day of serving and ministering through our bread ministry. So many are feeling God's love as we meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. One man who is being drawn by God said, "I have never felt so close to God as I do when I am here." Yes God is living and loving and drawing through us! PTL! God carried me through an amazing day of being used, being loved and of loving through me. The building's spring cleaning should be finished this morning just in time for my vacation next week and will be ready for our festive family worship and celebration of the Resurrection Sun. at 10 with communion. Invite some family, friends and even enemies to come and see and experience the love of God with you.
What a blessing for me and us last evening as we gathered to feast, fellowship, study, pray and enjoy an evening together. God was very present and bringing His Word alive as we looked at the events of this week before the resurrection. Gina and Marie (a new servant that is joining us) offered to and prepared dinner and cleaned up. They relieved me of my duties for the evening and blessed me and us as they took to heart Jesus' command to His disciple after washing their feet to serve as He served and new command to us all to love as He loved us. Thanks ladies! What a blessing! Check out ODB below as it speaks into Jesus' example. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and showed God's kind of love by being a servant leader. I am so thankful for all the servant leaders God has placed in our fellowship for such a time as this! His love is real, growing and being felt by many as it comes alive through us and our servant leaders! Praise God for them and continue to pray for us all to live and love more like Jesus this year. Become more in '24! Amen!
The Upper Room uses one of my life verses, Rom. 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Here is a whole years worth of stuff to work on to become more like Jesus! Think about how He chose to live this out these last few hours before the crucifixion. "I have given you an example to follow." And the Good News is that He has forgiven, cleansed, equipped, empowered and gifted us to love and follow well. PTL! Live to honor and glorify Him.
TWFYT reminds us of something we've been working on for years now--healthy balance--choosing God-honoring healthy rhythms for our lives. We always work on that healthy balance Jesus exhibited and left as an example for us between UP-IN-OUT relationships. Our congregation and ministries over these years has moved to being pretty balanced at this, even through COVID. Thank you for striving towards this and keeping this in mind as we go and love more like Jesus. We are becoming a dynamic movement of God that is very balanced in our up relationship with the Father, in relationships with each other, and out relationships with those God is sending. We are a pretty healthy church! PTL! But there is always an intentionality needed to keep balanced well. TWFYT reminds us of the balance needed between grace and truth. A balance that Jesus lived well and left as an example. Really love people and help them to become all that they were created to be by showing much love, grace and the patience God shows us while speaking the truth in love. This is again a reminder of the importance of small groups of friends that are working on life in Christ together with permission to speak truth in love to each other, hold feet in the fire with love, and help each other to move towards our fullest potential in Christ well. Who is (are) the partner(s) for you? Jesus' command to love as He loved us is following His examples as He made disciples--loving patiently and helping His friends.
Life lived well in Christ is really all about love. Loving God, self and others well and offering ourselves as a living sacrifice (agape love) that is a pleasing aroma to God to be used for His glory. How can we help each other with that? Jesus commands us and left an example for how to love as He has loved us. How does that look for you and what is your custom part in doing that balanced and well in Christ and as part of His Body? Who is helping you or are you helping? What are you putting into practice? It does take practice to become all you are created to be and to reach your fullest potential. God REALLY loves you! He has great custom plans for you! Rejoice! Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer with some loving friends as a start towards His best for you. Amen! Now where's that towel?
ODB:
In a tradition starting as early as the thirteenth century, members of the royal family in the United Kingdom give gifts to people in need on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. The practice is rooted in the meaning of the word maundy, which comes from the Latin mandatum, “command.” The command being commemorated is the new one that Jesus gave to His friends on the night before He died: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
Jesus was a leader who took on the role of a servant as He washed His friends’ feet (v. 5). He then called them to do the same: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (v. 15). And in an even greater act of sacrifice, He lay down His life, dying on the cross (19:30). Out of mercy and love, He gave Himself that we might enjoy the fullness of life.
The tradition of the British royal family serving people in need continues as a symbol of following Jesus’ great example. We may not have been born into a place of privilege, but when we place our faith in Jesus, we become members of His family. And we too can show our love by living out His new command. As we depend on God’s Spirit to change us from within, we can reach out to others with care, affirmation, and grace.
By Amy Boucher Pye
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How have you observed or embodied servant leadership? In what ways could you “love one another” today?
My great Savior, what a gift of love You give! Thank You for being the ultimate Servant, laying down Your life for me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
What does it mean that Jesus gave a “new” command to love (John 13:34)? A command to love was already central in Jewish faith (Leviticus 19:18). But what seems “new” is to love “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, the disciples would be given a new example of self-giving love that should shape their lives. But far more than just an example, Jesus would also give them the ability to love this way. Through the gift of Christ’s Spirit, they could experience and share the love Jesus shared with the Father (17:22-24).
Monica La Rose |
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UR: Our Greatest Hope
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Learning about all the injustices around us and throughout the world can lead us to question our own humanity. Today specifically I prayed about two serious global situations: the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine and the repressive, brutal treatment women endure in some societies. We live in a time of uncertainty and anguish. Is it possible that we are ignoring completely that each of us was created by the mighty hand of God and for God’s glory?
Stubbornness, lies, and arrogance distract us from God’s divine plan and cause us to overlook the suffering of others. But the Lord is our one true Source, on whom we can rely. And so our greatest hope is to persevere in word and deed — prayer and action — asking God to forgive and renew us by the Holy Spirit so that we may be in harmony with God and in harmony with all God’s people.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, cause the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us to confront injustices and work to honor you, our rock and our strength. Amen.
TWFYT:
Here are the devos we use that are available at church and can be oredered on line:
Don
Friday, March 29 2024
Good Morning Reconciled, United, Gifted, Loving Servants of God! Oh yes we are! PTL! And we are growing more fruitful in our pursuit of this salutation. Pray it. Pronounce it in faith over you, our Body and those we partner with in ministry. God hears and answers those prayers and we are seeing the fruit of that bud and grow, even as we serve bread today and gather tonight as His extended Body of believers to eat, fellowship, study and pray. Join us at 6 and bring a friend. We will celebrate communion tonight as well as Sunday.
God awoke me very, very early this morning (1:30) and after laying in bed praising and praying for an hour, I decided to come join Him for some quiet time in my prayer closet. What a beautiful time we have had together! Thanks Lord! A lot is heavy on my heart, as is typical this week before the crucifixion. There is so much to prepare and do as well. I feel like Martin Luther who wrote, "I have so much to do today that I needed to get up three hours early to pray and prepare with the Lord." (My paraphrase) I laid in bed wondering how God will sustain me for what will be about 20 hours? But I know He can and does sometimes. He may allow a nap after my 6 am huddle and before I need to head to church at 9. No matter! He is my Lord and I asked Him to be my Lord and Shepherd today and I know He will work all things together according to His plans and sustain and take care of and use me as well. Thanks Lord Come! Write the rest of this blog too. What do you want to share today with our friends? Come! Amen
The salutation above came from our devos. We are, "Reconciled, United, Gifted, Loving Servants of God!" Amen! I always invite God to write these blogs. I try to order our devos how I think He is threading them together and share some of my journal notes. Today's salutation is not in the order that I had them, but seems to be God's order as He speaks to us. Let's see what He is saying to you.
Let's start with "reconciled" through Charles Stanley's "God's Purpose for Your Life" daily devo for today. (below) This whole week is about God fixing the sin issue Adam and Eve ushered in. We are all born sinners, yet God, who is pure and holy and can have no sin or unrighteousness around Him, created us to be in fellowship with Him forever. So, because He loves us so much (John 3:16-17), He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and atone for our sin and now offers us the opportunity to choose to be washed white as snow in the blood of Jesus and be with Him forever. PTL! Just meditate on that a bit today. What love! No matter how much we fail, mess up or sin, we can receive forgiveness and help to repent and get back on track with God. What Good News!
Really spend some time with the Harvest Prayer Connection blog for today. meditate and pray through it for us as Christ's unified Body. God has called us together and placed us in Emmaus for such a time as this. We all have a part to play in His Good News Delivery Co. All parts matter and are of equal importance even if it doesn't seem it or in spite of if you feel useful or not. You matter. Your were created, gifted and placed here to do your part. Let us pray for, encourage and help each other to God's best for each other and as His Body! Amen!
Our Daily Bread speaks into being a fruitful believer. Check out the Mark Passage we will be discussing tonight. Mark 11:12-20 is about Jesus heading into town during this week and cursing the fruitless fig tree. The fig tree often represented Israel and God's people. Think about the heavy burden Jesus was carrying as He neared the day of the cross. Think about how He wept over Jerusalem because the people had gone astray and wandered from God and His ways. Jesus almost seems angry as He curses the tree. It cuts me to the heart to think that He could look at me or the Body I help lead and see fruitlessness. Pray it is never so. PLEASE! And pray to always produce the fruit you are created to produce--good, abundant, lasting fruit. ODB questions, "What fruit do others see in you?" and "How might you be more fruitful?" We always need to be examining ourselves and our ministries and sowing into and pouring ourselves into what God is doing, as we are created and gifted. You are custom made and gifted and gathered here for such a time as this. May we always keep working at being fruitful and multiplying disciples of Jesus!
Being fruitful and multiplying disciples begins with and is built on love as The Word for You Today reminds us. We are friends and family in Christ commanded to and living out the Greatest Commandments--love God, each other, self and others like Jesus. Amen! Thanks Lord! May we always be known for our love and for sharing your love well. Amen! TWFYT sorta speaks into the importance of small group accountability and deep, knowing-each-other-intimately, love. What kind of friend are you? Jesus is a friend of sinners. PTL! He loves us so much that He can't leave us as we are. He sent His Spirit to us to help us be transformed into His image which includes living and loving more and more like Him. Who knows you deeply and loves you well like Jesus? Who do you know and love like that? Talk to God about becoming more intentional, more earnest at loving like Jesus always as you follow Him with some close friends.
And that leads us to he Upper Room's reminder that we are servants of God. How are you/we doing at that? They use our Eph. 2:10 passage we are using as a cornerstone for our fellowship and growth: "You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ to do all God has planned for you." (My paraphrase). Embrace and meditate on the UR today. Our Bread and clothing servants come to mind. Thank YOU! You represent God and us well and are a model for how several churches can come together to serve! Jesus is our leader and our goal is to live, love, and serve more like Him. But here's the best part, you all have a part custom made for you, just as you are according to your life circumstances. PTL! Right? The pressure is off. Just be you doing what you are made to do with Jesus help, Holy Spirit gifts and power, according to where you are in life. It's such a sweet spot to be in as you embrace who you are in Christ and don His easy yoke. He has great plans for you today and in the years ahead. He has the same for our Body! PTL! Pray for Him to continue to draw new servants, equip and use us well to build each other up and serve those He is sending. Amen!
We are: Reconciled, United, Gifted, Loving Servants of God! PTL! What's God saying to you today and who are you processing with? He loves you beyond measure and has some amazing things to discover and do today. Rejoice! Worship! Pray! Process well! And don that easy yoke as you follow Jesus! Amen! and shalom!
CS:

Harvest Prayer's Daily Connection Devotional:
March 27 - Intercede for the Body of Christ
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For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:4–5)
How beautiful are the gifts of the Spirit as displayed through the Father’s children! What a treasure we experience every time one of our clay vessels pours forth God’s love in the distinct and personal offering we are privileged to give. The family of God is beautiful! She is black, white, brown, yellow, red—all shades of flesh imaginable. She votes Republican, Democrat, independent—and sometimes refrains from voting at all. She is active and peaceful, boisterous and calm. The body of Christ is alive, diverse and gifted. The unified church is beautifully diverse and eternally powerful. We are, together, his Body, completely different and miraculously united in him. We are one in Jesus.
Instead of quibbling over our differences, judging our uniqueness and debating our distinctions, let’s join together in gratitude and humility for all Jesus has done and what he will do as we unite together in him and for him. He wants to use us all for his glory. He wants to change the world through the power of our unity and our selfless faith. Join me as we celebrate the diversity of our oneness and pray for more of his power in our unified lives.
Dear Father, we are grateful that, in your wisdom, you made us in your image with many gifts, abilities and callings. We are forever united in you and purpose to move and breathe as one for the glory of your name. Please help us to see and appreciate the varieties of gifts you have given us. Show us how to honor one another as more important than ourselves, to make room for one another’s gifts and to encourage one another daily. We ask you to help us lay down our preferences and destroy our prejudices so that the world may see you in us. We want to represent you and welcome many into your family. We want to strengthen the weak and celebrate those who are moving in the strength you provide.
Forgive us for comparison and every type of judgmental measuring. Cleanse us of our need to be right and our desire to win. Help us to lay down our lives for your loved ones and to bear their burdens. We want to see one another through your eyes and hear the longings of our brothers and sisters with your ears. We want to enjoy the diversity you have created and make room for the various expressions of your beauty. Make us one as you and the Father are one, Lord Jesus. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and overwhelm us with love for our God-family as we pursue you together.
--Adapted from Praying God’s Word Over Your City: 40 Days of Prayer for A Transformed Community by Trey and Mary Anne Kent.
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ODB:
Fruitful Believers in Christ
Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. Mark 11:13
READ Mark 11:12–20
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Cindy was excited for her new job in a nonprofit company. What an opportunity to make a difference! She soon discovered her coworkers didn’t share her enthusiasm. They mocked the company’s mission and made excuses for their poor performance as they looked elsewhere for more lucrative positions. Cindy wished she’d never applied for this job. What looked great from afar was disappointing up close.
This was Jesus’ problem with the fig tree mentioned in today’s story (Mark 11:13). It was early in the season, yet the tree’s leaves signaled it might have early figs. Nope. The tree had sprouted leaves, but it hadn’t yet produced fruit. Disappointed, Jesus cursed the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (v. 14). By the next morning the tree had entirely withered (v. 20).
Christ once fasted forty days, so He knew how to go without food. Cursing the fig tree was not about His appetite. It was an object lesson. The tree represented Israel, which had the trappings of true religion but had lost the point. They were about to kill their Messiah, the Son of God. How more barren could they be?
We may look good from afar, but Jesus comes near, looking for fruit that only His Spirit can produce. Our fruit need not be spectacular. But it must be supernatural, such as love, joy, and peace in hard times (Galatians 5:22). Relying on the Spirit, we can bear fruit even then for Jesus.
By Mike Wittmer
REFLECT & PRAY
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What fruit do others see in you? How might you be more fruitful?
Holy Spirit, prune me so I might bear more fruit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The barren and withered fig tree, representing an unfaithful nation soon to be overrun by its enemies, is a common Old Testament image (Isaiah 28:4; 34:4; Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 2:12; Joel 1:7, 12; Amos 4:9; Nahum 3:12; Habakkuk 3:17). Quite often, the center of Israel’s faithlessness was its abuse of the temple services, and the prophets used a withered fig tree as a warning of the temple’s destruction. In fact, the passage quoted in Mark 11:17 is just such a text. Jesus quotes the prophet Jeremiah who condemns Judah for hypocritically thinking that temple attendance would expunge the guilt of her idolatry (see Jeremiah 7:2–4, 8, 11).
Adapted from Moving Mountains: The Practice of Persistent Prayer.
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TWFYT:

UR: A Servant of God
We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10 (NRSVUE)
I spent many years as a volunteer for a local food program. Each day, we delivered hot meals to folks who were unable to leave home to get their own food. We got to know the people we delivered to quite well, and we always arranged our schedule so that we could spend a few minutes visiting with each person.
One day, a woman to whom I was delivering food told me, “You are truly a servant of God.” I was stunned. I had considered myself a volunteer and nothing more. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was doing what the Lord asked his followers to do — spending time serving others.
There are many ways to serve God. We help make our world a better place when we live God’s words and do God’s work. Not only do we transform the lives of others but we transform our own lives as well. People often strive to serve and imitate good leaders, and in the Lord we have the best leader of all. We should always try to serve the Lord well.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for equipping us and using us to build up others. Guide us to imitate you in all that we do. Amen.
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