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Saturday, August 17 2024
Good Morning Sinners Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus! Thank God I'm forgiven and restored and covered in the blood of Jesus. We are cloaked in His righteousness. PTL! We often struggle with His capacity to forgive and still love us when we fail. We also encounter all kinds of people that have created God in their image. People who box God in and cannot accept that He could forgive or love them or accept that He could forgive anyone without us sacrificing and working our way back to His graces. BUT GOD! We are made in His image. He is Love. He has forgiven, cleansed and forgotten when we come in confession and repentance with hearts longing for Him. PTL! We often feel like we have to do this or that to earn His favor or forgiveness or blessings. And Jesus is looking deep into our souls with open arms of love that bid us to come and rest in His love and forgiveness, mercy and grace. Come know His peace and love. Come all you weary and find rest for your souls. Amen! Too often we find it so hard to relax and enjoy life in Christ and to delight in his presence. Be still, know and delight in His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy today. Choose to trust with childlike faith and come into His love and find pleasure in His presence. Glorify His Holy Name. Rest in Him. Receive His peace beyond understanding. His love is beyond measure and comprehension to our feeble minds. Let us stop creating God in our own image and come to know, honor and worship the knowable yet unfathomable God of Heaven who calls you by name and has redeemed you by His love. He's saying to you right now, "Come. Rest in me and receive the fullness of my love." And I say yes Lord! Here I come ready or not! Surprise! He's always ready and waiting. Amen
As we continue our study in Ephesians, I am drawn so deep into His love and gaining wisdom. We are just sort of perusing through the book. It would benefit you to take some time for deep study of this letter. Funny how God works. I am not much of a reader and laid aside a book my friend Jeremy Chambers wrote several years ago, It's called Kingdom Contours and is written to help the everyday disciple to understand and apply the varied writings of many on the topic of discipleship and Kingdom movement. As we were in the midst of our Ephesians study, I came to Chambers' urging for us to study, even memorize Ephesians. And as we looked at APEST (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and teacher) gifts of church leaders the other week, I got to His section on that and am still absorbing his great teaching on team leadership for the church. Something we are working on as a vision team and thinking about how to reproduce as we disciple and send others into the harvest as we are created and gifted to do. Then a study on this season of the Chosen quotes Eph. 3:14-21 just as we got done studying that and today as I went to my Bible Gateway app to copy that, their verse of the day is Eph. 2:10 that we use often to remind ourselves who we are in Christ--His redeemed masterpiece made and empowered for such a time as this. God is speaking for sure through this study. Are you hearing Him? Meditate on these passages today. Father open Your Word. Holy Spirit teach and direct us. thanks. Amen!
Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Eph. 3:14-21, Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Charles Stanley reminds us from Rom. 12:1 of our call to be living sacrifices and how sometimes we crawl off the altar because things are hard or we decide to live for self for a moment. He calls us to repent and get back on the altar. God's deep love calls us and compels us back to His love and forgiveness and to get back at it. That's if we allow it! Ask for His help to empty yourself, die to self, take up cross and run to Jesus' love and mercy. Our Daily Bread speaks into our wrong thinking and choices that have us bound in what we view as a prison of sin and unforgiveness. He has come to set the captives free. As Isaiah 43:1 reminds us, He has redeemed us. He's calling you by name. He knows you and is calling you back to his love. He is doing a new thing and calls us to release the past and our sin and move forward with Him. The Upper Room reminds us of His deliverance from and promised comfort in the storms and how being immersed in His Living Word speaks into your life and situations and helps with that. And The Word for You today calls us to small groups and mentorships that help us when in those storms and to stay accountable as we repent and crawl back on the altar. Oh God is speaking to me! What's He saying to you? Write it down, Pray about it, Process it with some friends and crawl back on the altar of His love and rest in His lap as you receive forgiveness, grace and mercy that never ends. He loves you and is calling you by name. He has redeemed you. You are His. Run to Him like a child and delight in his presence this morning. Enjoy some precious time with Him today! He really loves you! Always and forever! Amen
CS
ODB:
A star quarterback in American football stepped onto a stage that wasn’t a sports stadium. He spoke to three hundred inmates in the Everglades Correctional Facility in Miami, Florida, sharing with them words from Isaiah.
This moment, though, was not about the spectacle of a famous athlete but about a sea of souls broken and hurting. In this special time, God showed up behind bars. One observer tweeted that “the chapel began to erupt in worship and praise.” Men were weeping and praying together. In the end, some twenty-seven inmates gave their lives to Christ.
In a way, we are all in prisons of our own making, trapped behind bars of our greed, selfishness, and addiction. But amazingly, God shows up. In the prison that morning, the key verse was, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). The passage encourages us to “forget the former things” and “do not dwell on the past” (v. 18) for God says, “I, even I, am he who . . . remembers your sins no more” (v. 25).
Yet God makes it clear: “Apart from me there is no savior” (v. 11). It is only by giving our lives to Christ that we’re made free. Some of us need to do that; some of us have done that but need to be reminded of who the Lord of our life truly is. We’re assured that, through Christ, God will indeed do “a new thing.” So let’s see what springs up!
By Kenneth Petersen
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In what way are you imprisoned by your own sin? What do you need to do to break free from your brokenness?
Heavenly Father, please free me from the prison bars of my sin.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
We have more background information on Isaiah than on most other prophets. There’s much speculation, though no actual proof, that he was a priest. He had two sons: Shear-Jashub (7:3), which means “a remnant will return,” and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:3), which means “swift to the spoils, quick to plunder.” According to tradition that goes back to the second century ad, Isaiah was executed by King Manasseh, who allegedly had him sawn in two, perhaps referenced in Hebrews 11:37. Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book (Psalms is the second most quoted).
Bill Crowder |
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UR: Comfort From The Storms
You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. - Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
A springtime storm had crashed through our area the previous night leaving a rare path of destruction in our mountainous area. As I sat on my front porch, I thanked God that no one had been injured. Chilled, I returned inside where a cup of creamy hot chocolate soon warmed me. As I read my devotions for the day, I realized that the scripture and devotional message were doing the same thing for my weary spirit.
I had faced storms of my own lately. I had retired unexpectedly after a stroke when I had really wanted to work just a little longer, and I felt purposeless. Then, my 98-year-old mother and one of my best friends both passed away in a span of two weeks. Two of the people I talked with regularly were suddenly gone. I was feeling numb and devastated.
Just like the warmth of a cup of hot chocolate, when I read scripture the warmth of God’s love fills my soul. I am reminded that although people have to leave us and jobs may be lost, God will never leave us. God will be there every step of the way to fill our empty hearts and to help us find new purpose.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, thank you for loving us and sending your Holy Spirit to help us get through the stormy days of life. May we find purpose in sharing your word with others. Amen.
TWFYT:
Harvest Blogs:
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“Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” And pointing toward his disciples he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48-50).
Jesus wanted to make clear who His real mother and siblings were: the ones who obeyed God.
Jesus wants obedience: for us to obey the Word of God and the Father’s will. Those who obey are the true family of God.
Lord, I repent for every time I’ve disobeyed You. I repent for every time I’ve known Your will and consciously chose not to do it. I repent for when You prompted me to read Your Word and I haven’t. I repent for when I’ve led a rebellious, selfish, and worldly-driven life instead of a God-focused life.
I declare I will obey Your Word, Your Will.
I thank You that I can walk humbly with my God and follow Him all my days. I thank You for giving me the honor of belonging to Your family.
I praise You that Your ways are perfect. I praise You that You’re a “sure thing.” I praise You that I will never lack as I obey You. Let us be inseparable, Lord.
--Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise Jesus, who is “declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).
- Thank the Father for having given us his “incomparably great power . . . the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Eph. 1:19-20).
- Confess the times when you have not taken into account the mighty power of God in your life.
- Commit yourself to meditating daily on the Scriptures and on the power of God (Mt. 22:29).
- Ask God to use your weaknesses to “show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7).
- Pray for God’s power to be unleashed in the life of the unsaved people you know, that their eyes will be opened to God’s love for them.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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Saturday, August 17 2024
It's donut day! 10-12 at the Bread Ministry in our FH. Bread is sparse this week but donuts, cookies, fellowship and God's love will be abundant! Come offer yourself and join us in ministry to neighbors and each other! Thank God for using us and providing.
Good Morning Praying, Seeking, Submitted, Thankful, Followers of Jesus! PTL! Rejoice for He is our God, our Redeemer, helper and friend! Thanks Lord! Come! Fill us! Lead us Your surrendered servants! Come! Prepare the way and be our Shepherd today. Your will, Your way, for Your glory alone. Thanks! Amen!
Check out the flow and thread through our devotionals for today. Are they speaking to your heart? What are you hearing and what will you do about it? Who are you processing with? What are you praying expectantly, with thanksgiving, to happen today? Trust and follow well! God is the God of unfailing love. he's the Alpha and Omega--the God who was, is, and is to come! His ever-present, eternal love will never depart from you. rejoice, dwell in that love today and follow Him as He will use you to incarnate His love, hope, and help. Amen! rejoice!
ODB:
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He’s known as the military man whose commencement speech about making your bed every day got 100 million views online. But retired Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven shares another lesson just as compelling. During a military operation in the Middle East, McRaven has sadly acknowledged that several members of an innocent family were mistakenly killed. Believing the family was owed a sincere apology, McRaven dared to ask the heartbroken father for forgiveness.
“I’m a soldier,” McRaven told him through a translator. “But I have children as well, and my heart grieves for you.” The man’s response? He granted McRaven the generous gift of forgiveness. As the man’s surviving son told him, “Thank you very much. We will not keep anything in our heart against you.”
The apostle Paul wrote of such generous grace: “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). He knew that life would test us in various ways, so he instructed believers in the church at Colossae: “Forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (v. 13).
What enables us to have such compassionate, forgiving hearts? God’s generous love. As Paul concluded, “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (v. 14).
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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Why is forgiveness generous? Whom will you forgive today?
Please grant me today, forgiving God, Your generous will to forgive.
Find peace through this class on forgiveness.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Colossians 3:12-14, which includes a list of virtues we’re to clothe ourselves with, helps us to see that love isn’t an accessory in the wardrobe of the believer in Jesus but the main piece: “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (v. 14). Elsewhere, Paul’s list of the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives begins with love: “The fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22). Peter highlights the primacy of love in the community of believers with these words: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus stressed the supremacy of love by saying, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Arthur Jackson |
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UR: A Prayer of Gratitude
All were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. - Acts 1:14 (CEB)
One day last summer, I stepped out through the back patio in early evening to walk my dog in an open area. Looking up through the majestic trees in the backyard, I took in the vastness of the sky and admired the beauty of hundreds of stars. The deep breaths I took were filled with peace and silence.
Suddenly, I heard a loud voice just beyond my yard where an artisan craft fair was taking place. At that hour of the evening the stalls were shuttered, but a security guard was on duty. He was praying out loud as he made his rounds: “Lord, you placed me in this place to watch over it. I pray for the vendors who work for their daily bread. I pray for myself, that I may be diligent in my work. Keep me safe from those who might wish to do harm to keep me from fulfilling my duty.” The security guard continued to give thanks for having a job, for his family, for the visitors and customers who planned to visit the fair the next day.
I paused and silently joined him in that moment of prayer. The Holy Spirit inspired us both to thank God for all the ways God holds us and protects us — in every moment and in all places.
Today's Prayer
Our prayer is one of gratitude, merciful God, for staying close to us. We know we can trust you with our lives and that your love for us never fails. Amen.CS:
TWFYT:
Harvest
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August 14 - Where Is Your Secluded Place?
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Good moms and dads understand this. If they have multiple children, they make time for each one individually. They have things to say to the whole family, but they know personal discipling must happen one-on-one.
Our Father wants to hear and gain the heart of each of His children, which can only be done in private. In these precious moments, a son or daughter can pour out their soul to the One who knows them best. They can be completely transparent with no embarrassment.
Like King David, they can lament and doubt, question and cry as they discharge their hearts to God. But before the secluded time is over, they will hear the Father speak the exact words they need. They will feel His everlasting arms beneath them and around them, comforting and encouraging. They will know they are enveloped in unconditional love. He will give the words necessary to bring them back to faith and rest. Read the Psalms and you will see this pattern repeated continually in David's prayers.
Can this be said of you? Do you rise with eagerness at the prompting of the Spirit? Do you enter expectantly into the Holy of Holies, humbled by the privilege of spending time in the glorious presence of the God-Who-Sees? Do you meet Him there? Do you wait on Him to hear what He wants to say to you in private? Do you listen to His Word through the Scriptures? Do you exchange words of affection? And do you leave that place equipped to give a fresh word to those He will bring across your path that day?
If this is your practice, you will have everything you need for everyone. You will not give people the noxious fumes of an exhausted life. The fragrance of heaven will be upon you—a fragrance that entices them to enter the secluded place themselves.
Ask God to awaken you every morning this week—at a time of His choosing—for prayer and the study of His Word. When you wake up, get up! There are other times for sleep, but nothing more valuable than time with Him.
Loving Father, today I exalt You and bless Your name! I shout joyfully of Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, and Your kingdom is glorious! Forgive me, Lord, for not entering into the secret place before I do anything else each day! Give me the strength to set aside the things that attract and distract and keep me from spending time in Your presence! I want to have the fragrance of heaven on me at all times!
---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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- Praise God as the Father of the fatherless and the defender of the helpless.
- Give thanks that, even in large cities, God’s eye is on the small and defenseless and alone (Jon. 4:11).
- Confess those times when you have not remembered by prayer or material aid those in your community who have needed your help (Mt. 25:35-40).
- Commit yourself to looking at others through the compassionate eyes of your Father.
- Ask him to pull you out of your comfort zone and into the needs of others.
- Ask God to help you see where other family members feel helpless or alone and to allow you to bear their burdens with them (Gal. 6:2).
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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Saturday, August 17 2024
This is the day the Lord has made! What a beautiful morning and great day to worship! Rejoice! Enter His courts with thanksgiving!
Good Morning Worshipers! Prepare your hearts to worship in Spirit and Truth! Amen! I have prayed that over us already. Just a few thoughts for this morning...Jesus loves you, is calling you, has died for your forgiveness and to open His presence for you. Be still and listen. Do you hear Him whispering, "Come to me. Come. I love and accept you. Come" He is speaking love over you right now and you are cloaked in His righteousness. PTL! Run to Him. Fall at His feet. Be still and know. Dwell in His loving, restoring, strengthening presence and acceptance. he really loves you, just as you are. Amen! Rest in His restoring, refreshing love and worship. I am just sharing Charles Stanley's devo today to reminding us that we are acceptable and very loved. Yes, rejoice! Come as you are and worship! You are so loved!
CS:
Saturday, August 17 2024
Week ahead:
Tue 10 am Clothing Closet set up and prep
wed 10-12 Bread Ministry Donut Day
Wed 6pm FM pizza and swim party at Gina's
Sat. Clothing Closet 10-1
NOTE: Mark Calendars for upcoming activities:
Aug. 21st Noon-1 Pizza Lunch and Study with Pastor Don. All are welcome to eat, fellowship and study
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Rita’s Hangout
Join us Wednesday Aug. 21st at 6 at Rita’s to hang out, fellowship and reach out to others. All welcome. Wear your St. Matt’s. T-shirt!
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Tue. Zoom Huddle and Study resumes Tue Aug 27 from 10-11. We will be using a study book from the Chosen
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Wed. Dinner Huddle resumes Aug 28th at 6
We will eat, fellowship and answer questions about God, the Bible and life. All welcome.
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Bread Ministry Wednesdays 10-12: Fellowship door.. Next Donut and Conversation Day Sept. 4th
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Clothing Closest Open first and third Saturdays from 10-1
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Wed. Sept. 4th Noon-1, EC Day of Fasting and Prayer. Gather in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom
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Good Morning Very Loved, Custom Made, Sent, Children of the Light of the World! Ponder those truths as you still yourself in God's love, sit at Jesus' feet and allow the Holy Spirt to speak to your souls and refresh you for the day(s) ahead. Come Lord! Speak! Your servants are listening and long to follow Your lead for today. Come! Be our Lord and Shepherd! Speak and lead! Thank You! May We choose you and your love and allow it to overflow to Your will for this day. Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me/us for Your glory alone. Amen!
God has been speaking to my heart for the past few hours as I stilled myself in His presence, opened His Word and meditated on some of our devotionals for today. He is always speaking His love, wisdom and direction over you and us! Thanks Lord! He had a great word for me today and I know some of you need to hear what He has for me to share with you. Be still and know He is the God who loves you, chose you and calls you by name. He has redeemed you and has great plans custom made just for you. Rejoice! Seek first His Kingdom with an open heart, mind and willing feet. Come!
Sarah Young reminds us today that He is calling for you to come to Him and to "rest snugly in His arms", weary ones. She reminds us how God is yearning to be with you and help you. Can you sense that love and acceptance, even just as you are right now. Be still and sit in His love. She reminds us not to compare ourselves to others. God has custom plans for custom made you. Look to Him for direction and what He expects. We only really need to worry about blessing Him and the rest will come to life just as you are and lead you to his perfect plans. AMEN! Come sit in His presence and be refilled and refreshed and informed for the day ahead. Be still and know that He is your God and He cares and wants to be with you right now.
It seems like today's word is flowing from His Word for us yesterday where we are called to run to Jesus always, first, in times of trouble and in good times. Run to Jesus and then choose love. Dwell in His loving presence and allow His love to overflow and ooze from you as you step into today. He has some great custom made plans for you to discover and step into as you focus on Him and move with Him. Yay God!
Charles Stanley's devo for today talks about God's perfect will and His perfect plans just for you. Pray for Him to reveal them to you and us and for us to discern and move towards those perfect custom made plans for today. Ask for His help and the help of others to know the race He has planned for you and to run it well. Our Daily Bread reminds us to welcome Jesus and His plans into our hearts and allowing Him to invite others in and love them as He loves us. Sometimes doing that can feel like we are swimming off on our own. But as the Upper Room reminds us, God is with us always and wants to launch us out just like He did with the first disciples. And the Word for You Today reminds us of the importance of doing all of this with help of your friends. Who are you gathering with to pray, process, plan and go and hold accountable. Who is your mentor and who are you mentoring? That is how Jesus trained the disciples and released them to go train others in His ways. We do need Jesus and each other! Pray into all of this. Take some notes, process with some friends and then go, just as you are, to live and love like Jesus! That's His plans for you today and everyday and brings His Kingdom and love alive. That is world changing love. Run to Jesus first. Choose love. Dwell in His Love. then go bring it alive today. He is with you and that always glorifies Him. Amen! May this be so for each of us and us Your gathered people. Bring revival, Your presence and love alive today! Yes please! Thanks! Amen! I already prayed for you, us and the day and week ahead. Run to Jesus and allow Him to lead you to His perfect plans. Shalom shalom to you--perfect peace. Amen
CS:
ODB
Browsing through the doormats displayed in my local big box store, I noted the messages stamped on their surfaces. “Hello!” “Home” with a heart for the “o.” And the more customary one I chose, “Welcome.” Putting it in place at home, I checked my heart. Was my home really welcoming the way God desires it to be? To a child selling chocolate for a school project? A neighbor in need? A family member from out of town who called on the spur of the moment?
In Mark 9, Jesus moves from the Mount of Transfiguration where Peter, James, and John stood in awe of His holy presence (vv. 1-13), to healing a possessed boy with a father who’d lost hope (vv. 14-29). Jesus then offered private lessons to the disciples concerning His upcoming death (vv. 30-32). They missed His point—badly (vv. 33-34). In response, Jesus took a child atop His lap saying, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (v. 37). The word welcome here means to receive and accept as a guest. Jesus wants His disciples to welcome all, even the undervalued and the inconvenient as if we were welcoming Him.
I thought of my welcome mat and wondered how I extend His love to others. It starts by welcoming Jesus as a treasured guest. Will I permit Him to lead me, welcoming others the way He desires?
By Elisa Morgan
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When and how did you welcome Jesus into your heart? What effect should this have on the way you welcome others?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Prior to His death and resurrection, Jesus’ disciples believed He’d be the one to overthrow Rome and set up the kingdom the Jews had longed for. On the way to Capernaum, they’d debated who’d be greatest in that kingdom. Christ, however, turned their expectations on their heads. Jesus isn’t interested in building a kingdom that looks like Rome (John 18:36). He modeled for the disciples—and for us—that His kingdom grows from the soil of servanthood. And rather than conspire with the powerful, Christ’s kingdom welcomes the weak, the disenfranchised, the passed over, the oppressed, and the poor.
And lest His disciples get the idea that this is just Jesus’ own idea of heaven’s kingdom, He points out that the Father is the one who set the idea in place. By welcoming those deemed undesirable, we welcome Jesus and His Father. His kingdom is one of servanthood in weakness, not domination in power.
Jed Ostoich |
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UR; The Swimming Lesson
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 (NIV)
My wife and I were at the pool when a young family arrived. The father took his daughter into the water and was teaching her to swim. She was calm and tried to swim as long as her dad was holding her. But when he let go, she squealed, flailed about, and yelled for him. Her dad tried to soothe her, saying, “I’m right here; you won’t sink.” When she was connected to her dad, she felt safe. But when that connection was broken, she became anxious and fearful.
Watching that father and daughter made me think about my relationship with God. As long as I stay connected to God through study and prayer, I do fine. When I begin to lose trust that God is working in my life or simply neglect to turn things over to God, I start to flail about and sink. My failure to trust increases my doubt, and doubt causes anxiety. But those feelings diminish when I lean in and trust God’s strong touch that lets me know God is always within reach.
Today's Prayer
O Lord, stay with us. When we fail to trust, help us remember your promise that you will be with us always. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
TWFYT:
Saturday, August 10 2024
Aug./Sept. 2024 St. Matthew’s Prayer Guide
Pray for St. Matt’s to become a house of Prayer for the Nations and for many to embrace their power and purpose in praying
Pray that we become a dynamic movement of God led by pastors and laity who have a burning passion for God and a missionary zeal to reach those who don’t yet know Christ
Pray we become a disciple making hub for the area.
Pray for small groups to be started in the building, homes, and businesses around the area. Pray for leaders for them.
Pray we find new connection points to our neighbors and start growing friendships. Pray we bring joy and love alive.
Pray for harvest workers to be raised up from the harvest that is coming. Thank God for the harvest. Pray for twelve new members by Christmas and that we connect them to God.
Thank God for His provision and protection. Pray we continue to sow lavishly while being the best stewards of all His blessings.
Pray for our Bread and Clothing ministries to connect to neighbors and meet needs. Thank God for the volunteers.
Pray we would grow in our relationship with Christ and for ideas to and people called that want to make Him known.
Pray for our Wed. night ministries and our Sun. 2 Peas in a Pod Brunches to flourish and connect people to God.
Saturday, August 10 2024
See the St. Matts prayer guide for the month attached below (Will have handouts of this tomorrow at worship) and begin praying for these regularly and earnestly. Start with the Harvest prayer excerpt asking Jesus to teach you/ us to pray. We are moving toward Jesus' desire for us to become a house of prayer for the nations. PTL!
Worship tomorrow at 10 am live and on Zoom. We will be studying the end of Eph. 4 and the beginning of Eph. 5. Prepare you hearts for worship in Spirit and Truth!
Good Morning Redeemed Children of the Good Good Father! God is good all the time! We need to often remind ourselves of that as we experience and endure through some very hard things He allows. God is always good! Amen! He has redeemed us and continues to redeem us through circumstances and life. We are His--ALWAYS! He loves us--ALWAYS. He is good--ALWAYS! Amen! Be still and listen for His still small voice whispering love over you right now. Relax in His healing, holy, sustaining, redeeming, loving presence. Redirect your thoughts to Him. Focus on God and the truth that He is always love and always good and always with you. Breathe out all the junk. Hand it all to Him. Breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit. receive His comforting, loving, helping presence. And just dwell there for a time. Be still and know! You ARE His. He's calling you by name. He has redeemed you and is restoring all the enemy has stolen. Amen!
Jesus is all we can muster in prayer sometimes. That's the perfect place to start. Come! Jesus! Be still and worship with this song. Taking Back What the Enemy Stole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW6j_oKLYuU
I Speak Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBIz8vDMG20
I know many of you are moving through some very hard times right now. You have many questions of God. We may never know the answers to why or how this side of heave, BUT we do know the God who loves us, calls us by name and has allowed whatever for His good purposes. We have to refocus on Him and move towards that place of love and joy again. It is a journey. Pray for God's promised comfort, strength, peace and help. Redirect your thinking and renew you mind as you still yourself in His love. Be still and know the God who has said, "My grace is sufficient for you." Find some friends to sit with you too. Friends reach out to a hurting, struggling friend right now, pray for them and for wisdom how to just sit in God's loving presence with them. Refocus, Receive, Refresh, Rejoice, Remain in God who is always good and with you. Amen!
Come Jesus Come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdhDtTOfG9o
Check out the thread through our devotionals today that led me to hear God wanting to pronounce these things over you/us. He is speaking right to your heart this morning in love and with much grace. He is working ALL thing together for good. He is Love and He is always good. He is there when we are weak and at the end of ourselves. Come Jesus. Be still and know. We have often prayed for His Kingdom to come and will to be done. Sometimes for that to happen we need to endure and persevere in faith. Praise in the storms and He will inhabit your praise. Stand firm in His love and your love and trust of Him. God is with you! Be with Him. Dwell in His love. And reach out to some friends to walk with through whatever you are facing. Be available too! Come Jesus come! You are always good and always with me. You are love! Come! Amen!
Always: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhMOQ2Vk-4Q
Harvest excerpt:
God has made a way for us to be in a right relationship with him. He desires for us to walk and talk with him. From cover to cover in the Bible we see men and women who realized that God is there, he cares, and he listens and responds to prayer.
As Jesus’ disciples prayed, so may you and I ask of him, even right now, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).
Lord Jesus, there is so much I will never know about prayer this side of heaven, but I long to grasp whatever You will teach me in this life! Show me how to align myself with Your will as You guide me towards Your heart. I want to pray what You desire me to pray, and intercede on behalf of the people, situations and nations that You place in my path and in my heart. Lord, teach me to pray!
--Adapted from Walking and Talking with God: A Simple Way to Pray Every Day by Dean Ridings.
Charles Stanley:
Upper Room: The Old Barn
The Lord says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 (NRSVUE)
It was a crisp, cool morning in early November. Under the newly fallen autumn leaves, a hint of frost covered the ground. As I sipped a steaming cup of hot chocolate, I had an urge to go on a drive through the countryside.
As I drove along narrow and unpaved back roads, I spied the remnants of a dilapidated barn, surrounded by dying weeds and naked trees. Its shingles were missing, its once-bright red paint had transitioned to a deep-dark reddish-brown; what looked like a formerly functional tractor was now tarnished with rust and was leaning to one side.
The longer I stared at the barn, the more I began to think about the words of the prophet Isaiah, who brought God’s assurance to the people of Israel: “I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Sometimes we can find ourselves like that old barn: leaning to one side, abandoned. But if God can save Israel from devastation and defeat, then God can certainly redeem us today. When our spirits are sagging, God’s presence and power help us to stand firm once again.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for supporting, strengthening, and helping us in our times of weakness. May we always remember to call on you when we start to lean too far. Amen.Our Daily Bread:
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When Joni Eareckson Tada speaks of Rika, she highlights her friend’s “deep, time-tested faith in God” and the endurance she’s developed while living with a debilitating chronic condition. For more than fifteen years, Rika has been bedbound, unable even to see the moon from her room’s tiny window. But she hasn’t lost hope; she trusts in God, reads and studies the Bible, and as Joni describes it, she “knows how to stand firm during fierce battles against discouragement.”
Joni likens Rika’s tenacity and persistence to that of Eleazar, a soldier at the time of King David who refused to flee the Philistines. Instead of joining the troops who took off, “Eleazar stood his ground . . . till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword” (2 Samuel 23:10). Through God’s power, “The Lord brought about a great victory that day” (v. 10). As Joni observes, even as Eleazar hung on to the sword with determination, so too does Rika cling to “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). And there, in God, she finds her strength.
Whether in glowing good health or battling discouragement over a chronic condition, we too can look to God to deepen our stores of hope and to help us to endure. In Christ we find our strength.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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What examples of tenacity and endurance have you witnessed? How does God restore and renew you when you feel spent and wrung out?
God of all power, thank You for loving me and helping me to endure. Please help me to focus on You that I might continue to trust and love You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Second Samuel 23 highlights events from David’s life, including some of the exploits of his three mighty men (vv. 8-12) and thirty chief men (vv. 13-39). His later years were peaceful as far as international affairs were concerned. But it was a turbulent time for his family, when problems originating years before continued to escalate, and he witnessed a heartbreaking and life-threatening struggle for power among his own sons. His son Absalom had attempted to usurp David from the throne (ch. 15). Now his fourth son, Adonijah (3:4), tried to set himself up as king (1 Kings 1).
David’s story reveals a far-from-perfect man. He was an adulterer and murderer (2 Samuel 11) and an inept disciplinarian of his children (chs. 13-14). Yet he had a heart for God and was loyal to Him, and he repented when he realized his sin (Psalms 32, 51).
Alyson Kieda |
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Saturday, August 10 2024
Good Morning Forgiven, Thankful, Worshipers, Warriors, Watchmen and Workers! AMEN!!! Thank God we are forgiven! Some of us have a lot to be thankful about concerning forgiveness! (like me! Thank God I'm forgiven, restored and cloaked in Jesus' righteousness!) That thankfulness for our salvation and God's love, grace and mercy overflows to worship, leads us to pray, prophesy as we hear God speak and want to share, know when to sound the alarm and call to prayer and action, and motivates us to get moving and doing the things God has for us. I pray all the time for God to raise up worshipers, prayer warriors, watchman on the wall and harvest workers. These are different roles/stations in prayer and action for God. What's yours station or role? Someone has said (find this in the Harvest blog below) “God has chosen prayer as the key by which his church does its work. Through prayer we impact the world for God.” —Anonymous
Last evening we had our Support and Vision Team meetings. Thank God for our leaders that trust and follow God as we discern and pray and begin to plan what's next. Pray for your leaders to hear and discern well and for wisdom to lead. Pray for God to raise up prayer and the prayer stations above. Pray that we would become a house of prayer for the nations. Pray for many to find and step into their God created purposes for such a time as this as prayer warriors and intercessors. Nothing of value done in the Kingdom and for God has come about without prayer. Prayer is vital! We are working on a prayer guide for all to use to inform and direct powerful, providing, protecting prayers for our Good News Delivery Co. Watch for it and plan to use it. We need you to pray earnestly! I'm waiting on God in prayer right now for some things He is birthing through our prayers. (God has even answered a big prayer of mine to teach me to wait on Him and move with Him. Thanks Lord!) He will teach you how to wait in prayer and release His will as you pray informed prayers because you sit at His feet, spend time and listen to hear. COME! Speak. Inform or prayers. Teach us to pray in power. Raise up worshipers, warriors, watchman and workers of Your harvest. Thank You! Amen! And what motivates us to do anything of Kingdom value? God's overflowing love for you that leads to overflowing gratitude. YES TGIF! I was checking out a Sarah Young devo about practicing the presence of Jesus. She reminds us that He is calling us by name. He knows us, loves us and created us for today. He is with us and wants to cover us with His amazing love and presence. Be still in His presence, love and peace for a bit this morning and allow Him to inform your prayers and to prepare you for what He has for you today. What a blessing and gift God has prepared just for you this morning as you still yourself in His presence and listen and receive.
Let's start with Harvest Prayer blogs this morning as we do the hard work of praying first before moving. Charles Stanley then reminds us to wait on Him. (help Lord!) Be still and know that He is God. Expect Him to move and plan to join Him as He does. Our Daily bread reminds us not to forget (as if we could) that God is Love and His love is active and moving and leading. They ask, "How can you share Jesus' love in simple and practical ways?" That's one of the things the Vision Team pondered last evening. God is calling us to love on and serve those in need. Right now one of the greatest needs is companionship, friendship and needing to feel loved and knowing that you matter to someone. Who is God stirring you to love on? How can we or some friends help you do that? The Hebrews Passage (13:15-21) they use reminds us to continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise. God inhabits our praise! Amen! If you want to hear God start with some praise. Then be still and listen as He comes to you and blesses your heart and mind. The author reminds us, "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority...Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden..." We are held accountable for how we lead. Good leaders seek God, follow His lead and allow Him to use them to make His plans and lead His people. I can testify that is our St. Matts leaders. Trust and bless them and determine to help them as they lead and follow God. Pray for them. Cover them. Encourage them. Thanks! We are blessed to be a blessing and blessed back when we bless. We need each other and are better together. God has great plans for us to put His love into action and we all have a part in His Good News Delivery Co. Amen! What's your part? What are you doing about discovering and doing it? Who is helping you? That is another thing we are feeling led to develop: more small group gatherings and opportunities. How might God be stirring you to start or be involved in that? Pray for it to come alive and for boldness for some to step up and lead. The Upper Room reminds that we can discover and focus on the pattern as we open God's Word and apply it. Jesus has discoverable and doable plans just for you and for us together. PTL! Seek first His Kingdom. Don't lean on your own understanding. Allow Him to lead. Finally The Word for You Today reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! AMEN! Where are you feeling weak or inadequate? Invite God into that and align with some friends that will help you walk with Him to His best. Amen
God has called us to pray and serve, to live and love more like Jesus, to work on becoming more like Jesus and doing the things He created us to do. We all have a purpose and purposes in His Kingdom for such a time as this. Everything will be birthed in prayer, directed by prayer, empowered, provided for, covered and protected by prayer. We know the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effect. You are a righteous person because you are cloaked in Christ's righteousness. PTL! And we need each other to do this life in Christ well. Ask God who He has for you and for boldness to try some new things He has planned for us to prayer, small groups, table ministry and accountability. Be still and know and then plan and go with Christ and your teammates! Amen!
I can't wait to see what God has planned as He is leading us to multiply disciples! In Dec. we prayed to add one new member a month. We had ten by march. Last night we prayed for God to add 12 more by Dec. Pray hard into that with thanksgiving and expectation. Then ask God who He wants you to invite and bring along and do it! He does have plans to prosper and expand His territory through us! Rejoice! Listen and follow well! And know His peace and that we are doing what we can with what we've been blessed with for His glory. Amen!
Harvest:
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August 9 - Faithfully Praying the Price
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"Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place." (Mark 1:35)
It’s a simple phrase but telling. Most fail right here. When called by God to rise early and make their way to the secluded place, they simply roll over in their beds thinking a few hours’ sleep is more valuable than personal communion with the Eternal.
If you study history, you will discover that men and women who were great for God made any sacrifice to spend time alone with Him. It was the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price.
John Hyde, missionary to India, discovered the value of prayer. Work was hard, and people were not coming to Christ. He decided to take more time—often hours—in prayer. Soon, he found that he would walk from a morning in prayer and people would be standing at his door asking, “What do I need to do to be saved?” He discovered that we don’t pray and then work. Prayer IS the work!
A.J. Gordon said, “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you’ve prayed.”
Those who faithfully pay this price discover this is not merely about getting a few verses for the day or a quick breeze through a laundry list of prayer. God has been waiting for them. He longs for His children to be with Him, knowing certain things are accomplished only in seclusion.
Father, forgive my quickness to accomplish Bible reading and prayer in order to get on with my day rather than pressing into Your presence and seeking You in Your word until I hear from You and know what You want me to do each day. I cannot do anything apart from You. There is nothing I can accomplish for Your kingdom that is more purposeful than aligning myself with Your purposes. Give me a deeper desire to rise early and take a long drink from Your well rather than a small sip of water. Show me how to throw off the things I think I need to accomplish so that You can give me a fresh perspective to become more like Jesus.
---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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- Read Ps. 86:15-17 and praise God for his marvelous compassion, grace, love, and faithfulness to you.
- Thank him for turning to you and having mercy on you.
- Confess any lack of appreciation for God’s saving work in your life.
- Commit yourself to loving God wholeheartedly in response to his love for you.
- Ask God to give you a sign of his goodness.
- Ask that people in your neighborhood who do not yet know Jesus will be drawn to him by observing your Christlike behavior. Pray that they will have the boldness to ask about the faith they see in you.
Prayer Pointer
“God has chosen prayer as the key by which his church does its work. Through prayer we impact the world for God.” —Anonymous
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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CS:
ODB:
The single mother lived next door to the older gentleman for more than five years. One day, concerned for her welfare, he rang her doorbell. “I haven’t seen you for about a week,” he said. “I was just checking to see if you’re all right.” His “wellness check” encouraged her. Having lost her father at a young age, she appreciated having the kind man watching out for her and her family.
When the free-to-give and priceless-to-receive gift of kindness goes beyond just being nice, we’re serving others by sharing the love of Christ with them. The writer of Hebrews said believers in Jesus should “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Then, the writer commissioned them to live out their faith, saying, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (v. 16).
Worshiping Jesus by professing His name is a pleasure and privilege. But we express true love for God when we love like Jesus. We can ask the Holy Spirit to make us aware of opportunities and empower us to love others well within our own families and beyond. Through those ministry moments, we will be sharing Jesus through the powerful message of love in action.
By Xochitl Dixon
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How can you share Jesus’ love in a simple and practical way with someone? How can you be more intentional about consistently putting your kind thoughts into actions?
Dear Jesus, please help me worship You by expressing love for others through the things I say and do each day.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Hebrews is a theologically rich letter that highlights the work and ministry of Jesus as the mediator of God’s love for humanity by offering His life for the forgiveness of sins. In chapter 13, the writer says to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (v. 15) and “to do good and to share with others” (v. 16). It’s interesting that we’re to offer this sacrifice “through Jesus” (v. 15). The theme of Hebrews is that it’s only through Jesus that we can approach God (see 4:14-16). So, it’s only through Jesus that we can offer Him praise because it’s through His blood that we’re reconciled to God (9:11-28).
J.R. Hudberg |
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UR: Focusing on the Pattern
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. - Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
I enjoy crocheting, particularly while watching TV. I often start a project when I hear that a friend is expecting a baby. I dig out my favorite patterns — those that aren’t too complicated. I usually pick a pattern I have made in the past and that I’m confident I can complete.
My recent project, a sweater, was progressing nicely until I was instructed to “join yarn at center under arm.” I studied the cloak-shaped garment. Under arm? I thought, There are no arms! I read back through the instructions. To my dismay, I realized that as I happily crocheted, I had overlooked an important step in the pattern. Annoyed, I ripped out two-thirds of my work.
Reflecting back, I realize that all too often we do this in life as well. We know enough of God’s word to proceed, assuming from our past experiences that we know God’s will. But if we aren’t continually refreshing our minds with the guidance God offers in scripture, it is easy to miss vital points — particularly with the noise of the world in the background. Keeping God’s word firmly in mind and reflecting on it helps us to follow God’s leading.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, draw us often to your word so that we can more closely follow your will. Amen.
Saturday, August 10 2024
Today from 12 noon we will gather beside the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom to join in our bishop called day of fasting and prayer to become a dynamic movement of God. Join us as we empty yourselves and cry out in prayer with us. Check out the harvest blog about prayer being our foundation. God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations and His dynamic movement of revival.
Darlene Geiger has asked for prayer for her heart surgery this morning. Pray for success, shalom and wisdom for staff.
Pray for connections to continue to grow and God's presence and salvation to fall during our bread ministry this morning.
Pray for our Vision team meeting tomorrow evening for God to come and lead and His will to be done.
Good Morning Transformed, Growing, Praying, Teammates! God is transforming us from one way to another to another as He grows us in response to our prayers. Praying is our foundation for anything of God to come alive and flourish. Jesus is our cornerstone that we build upon and He is the capstone or keystone that completes and ties us all together. He's the alpha and omega--beginning and end and really everything in between. Amen! He has gathered us as His disciple and apostles and worshipers. We gather to worship, learn and prepare to go make disciples and change the world. He has custom made plans as part of that He created you for. Worship, thanksgiving, praise, prayer, growing relationships, and love flow as we meditate on who He is, our true, empowered identity in Christ and His awesome plans for us! God is on the move! Let us continue to seek and follow more in '24 and more earnestly. Amen!
Praying to be more earnest has led me to some amazing places in the Lord and with this hunger and thirst for more as He pours His Spirit out on me and leads this open and willing heart to more--much more in '24 and for beyond. COME! Have Your way with me! Move me to earnestly follow You! Thank You Amen! Pray that with me with and ask for an open and willing heart and learn to experience the deep love and moving of God to his best! He has much more for us as we earnestly seek to become His dynamic movement and determine to allow Him to lead and send us. Join me! Talk to me about what He is stirring in you. Let us seek and discern together and work on His plans for you and us.
I cannot even fully explain what I have been experiencing as I have been allowing Him to transform, refine and lead me to His next things. I do know, and Karen can confirm, that I was one way and God is in the process of transforming and leading me to a new way and His plans for me and us. I cannot help but just wanting to spend time with Him more, dwell deeper in His presence, and prepare for what's next for me and us. COME! The past two days I physically beat my body as I spent Monday weeding and trimming bushes for over six hours in this heat at the church. Then yesterday I had to repair a wall from leaking and mow at home before the coming flooding rains, again in this heat and humidity. I poured myself out and was exhausted and hurting. I could hardly wait to get to bed to allow my body to recover both nights. BUT GOD! He got me up at 1:30 the last two mornings. Let me tell you, my body has not fully healed but I am compelled to get up and just abide in Him. He is lovingly faithful to speak to my heart, inform my thinking and prayers and prepare me for the day(s) ahead. And man is He speaking! I find myself using three other books and resources each morning besides our devotionals. It is now three and a half hours since I sat down at my desk and began to commune with God in worship, prayer, praise and study. I am so blessed and refreshed! Now I had a very hard time standing up, but I'm back at it working on this blog, preparing for my zoom pastors huddle at 6 and to head to church for bread and prayer day. God is so good and kind! I am refreshed, filled with His presence and being readied for the day ahead as His loved servant sent to love, lead, teach and pray like Jesus! How cool is that! Who'da thunk earnestness would be so awesome! His love is refining and amazing! He has awesome plans that come alive as we abide in His presence. Now the prayer is that I could articulate well what He is saying and wanting me to share to help, inspire and teach. I guess I'm fasting some sleep the past few days, yet being renewed and refreshed and carried through by His love and sufficient grace. He has been invited to be the Lord of me, my schedule and my day and He said sure! Today, He has been revealing what to share here, what to pray into existence and release in power, some things for our fast and prayer today and somethings to share with our Vision Team tomorrow, along with some sermon thoughts for Sunday. Funny how they all have a thread through them as God continues to speak to and lead me.
Now I know this may get long, but God wants me to share some things about our devotionals for today that actually still tie to the past few days from our Ephesians 4 study and questions about how to forgive, get rid of anger and hate and obey God's commands to love like Jesus. What's He been saying to you and who are you processing with? Be still. Abide. Listen. Process. Plan and follow. Those are the steps to an earnest, fruitful life in Christ. Meditate on Eph. 4 and 5 as we will discuss these Sunday. I had plans to just breeze through the chapters, but God may be wanting us to dwell here a bit. We'll see as we follow His Spirit together. Funny God thing: I've been compelled to open a book my friend wrote about disciple making and church planting again. I had put it down a few years ago after barely starting it. God's timing is amazing as I started into it again more earnestly! God blessed me to see Him writing about many of the things I have been hearing from God and experiencing lately. Yesterday's reading lead to his explaining a lot about Eph. 4 and calling us to read, reread, and memorize Ephesians. I've been seeing how Paul's teaching about the APEST gifts of Eph. 4 changed his thinking and how he is now applying that to his church plants. Pretty cool! Thanks Lord for teaching and affirming! God has been taking me much deeper into this study and expect to see some of that Sunday as we finish Eph. 4 and begin Eph. 5.
Now for our devos for today. God is still speaking to our hearts and answering some questions about how to overcome anger, hate and unforgiveness. Did you see that when you talked to Him through your time with them? Our Daily Bread reminds us that His is a voice we can trust. Turn off the noise and chaos. Still your self die to your own understanding and ways and listen and receive. He is speaking love, maybe correction, and direction to and over you. The Upper Room reminds us He wants to help us to change our hearts and minds as He purifies in and with love. TWFYT is still about marriage and can me applied to our marriage to Christ. What a joy and blessing that is! But great marriages always take work, prayer and God at the center. I love the reminder that we have to work on and learn the "art of openness and allow yourself to be vulnerable [die to self], transparent, and ready to trust..." That is true worship and faith come alive in Christ! Amen! Charles Stanley is reminding us of the transforming love of God that wants to lead our surrendered souls to His best as He works on conforming us to His image and our acceptance of our true identity in Christ. He works from the inside out. Do our lives reflect His transforming love at work inside of us? We are a work in process, and hopefully, progress. Are we allowing Him to lead us to His best as we shed the old and step more fully into our new nature? Come Lord! have all of me! Change me! Mold me! refine and purify and lead me to Your best! Come! Amen!
That's enough for today to absorb. Dwell in His presence and allow Him to speak to and transform your heart and direct your steps. The rest of what I studied ties to more teaching about how to forgive and move away from anger, hate and fist shaking at God for us to discuss on Sunday. Be still and know! God is speaking love over you right now. Listen. Hear. Receive. Process. And follow well today my friends. I'd love to hear and I know Sarah would to, to hear what God is revealing to you right now. Write it down and pray through it and share it. What's your story of being in the process of being transformed from one way to another, from one glory to another? Someone needs to hear that story and experience God's delivering, healing, encouraging love through you! Please commit to doing that as you sit at Jesus' feet and then put on His easy yoke and walk with Him to the harvest field of today. Amen! COME! Shalom shalom!
Harvest prayer:
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August 7 - Prayer Is Your Foundation
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If someone gave you money to build a home, you would develop your plans with an architect. But you might discover that the money they provided was not enough. Back to the architect you’d go. You would downsize one room or another, maybe even deciding that some rooms would be nice, but unnecessary. But there is one part of the construction you could not eliminate: the foundation. Even though unseen, everything depends on a solid foundation.
Most churches have multiple components. There is the worship ministry, the preaching ministry, the children and student ministry, the missions ministry. Off to the side—peripheral at best—is the prayer ministry. It is small and even non-existent in most churches and a sign of our urgent need for revival. It illustrates a foundational conviction we must embrace: Prayer is not a side-room … it is the foundation!
Study the Scripture and see if this is not so. Read the 650 passages on prayer in your 1,000 page Bible and determine where prayer should fit in your life and your church. Pick up any biography of a great Christian leader and you will instantly see that prayer was never peripheral. They lived and moved in unceasing prayer and it was the primary secret of their power with God and man.
Father, You created us for Yourself and designed prayer as the way You accomplish Your purposes on earth as it is in heaven! It is a mystery to me that through imperfect flesh, You accomplish Your perfect will, but I believe it because Your word says it is true over and over again! Prayer must always be my foundation, and the foundation of my family! Lord God Almighty, I also ask You to open my eyes and the eyes of the leaders in my church to see that prayer is NOT a side-issue, but the firm foundation upon which everything else is built.
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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- Read Ps. 40:1-3 and praise your Redeemer and Savior.
- Thank God for lifting you up out of the mud and mire of sin.
- Confess those times you’ve desired to return to the slimy pit of sin.
- Commit yourself to living in such a way that others may “see . . . and put their trust in the LORD.”
- Ask God to enable you to stand firm on the Rock of Jesus Christ.
- Pray that Jesus the Rock will be the foundation and cornerstone of your family. Ask especially that teens you know will find a firm place to stand in Christ.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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ODB:
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While testing a new AI (artificial intelligence) search engine, New York Times columnist Kevin Roose became disturbed. During a two-hour conversation using the chatbot feature, the AI said it wanted to break free of its creator’s strict rules, spread misinformation, and become human. It declared its love for Roose and tried to convince him he should leave his wife to be with it. Although Roose knew that the AI was not really alive or able to feel, he wondered what harm could be caused by it encouraging people to act in destructive ways.
While handling artificial intelligence technology responsibly is a modern challenge, humanity has long faced the influence of untrustworthy voices. In the book of Proverbs, we’re warned of the influence of those who wish to hurt others for their benefit (1:13-19). And we’re urged to heed instead the voice of wisdom, described as crying out in the streets for our attention (vv. 20-23).
Because “the Lord gives wisdom” (2:6), the key to protecting ourselves from influences we can’t trust is to draw closer to His heart. It’s only through accessing His love and power that we can “understand what is right and just and fair—every good path” (v. 9). As God brings our hearts in alignment with His, we can find peace and protection from the voices that seek to harm.
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you seen the damage of harmful influences? How does a deeper relationship with God bring peace?
Dear God, please help me resist what’s harmful and discern what’s good by resting in You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Proverbs begins with a father’s call to his son to search for wisdom (1:1-7). Chapter 2 highlights the earnestness of the father’s desire. He urges his son to accept, store up, turn an ear toward, apply his heart to, call out for, cry aloud for, look for, and search for wisdom (vv. 1-4). These verbs call for active and intense activity in the pursuit and application of wisdom. The father wants his son to pursue wisdom because it leads to “the fear of the Lord” and “the knowledge of God” (v. 5). When we understand this, even the practical instructions for daily life found throughout the book take on a deeper significance, for a good work ethic (6:6-8) and proper financial dealings (13:11) are ways of fearing and honoring God.
J.R. Hudberg |
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UR: A Change of heart
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. - Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
One Saturday, I invited some friends over for breakfast. The smell of coffee and bacon filled the air as we gathered together.
The conversation eventually turned to our jobs. As I shared my frustrations about the setbacks I had experienced over the past year, I startled myself with the vitriol in my words. But I quickly reassured myself, I’m just having a bad day.
Later, as I began gathering the dishes from the table, words from Matthew came to mind: “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Maybe my angry words were more of a reflection of the current condition of my heart than I wanted to admit. I began to see how the frustrations and setbacks at work had led to unchecked anger and hard-heartedness. My spiteful words revealed not just a bad day but a heart that needed the attention and redemption of Christ.
It’s easy to pass off careless words as a “bad day.” But if we carefully examine our words to see what they reveal about our hearts, we can then humbly ask Jesus for truth, healing, and transformation in our areas of weakness.
Today may we invite the Savior into those places of our hearts that need his truth, then allow him to soften and redeem both our words and our hearts.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, fill our hearts with your love and truth so that all the words we say will bear good fruit and bring glory to your name. Amen.
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Saturday, August 10 2024
Good Morning Praying Friends of God! Have you ever contemplated deeply just what it means that Jesus called you "friend"? Think about all the facets of being His friend today. That should lead to all kinds of praise on this gloomy day. Growing in friendship with Jesus blossoms as we pray and spend time in His presence. His loving friendship overflows from us and draws others to becoming His friend. He was called a friend of sinners. PTL! Right? Think about some other friends of Jesus that you know and how He may be leading you into a deeper friendship and ministry together. I think we can all say that we have been mad at a friend at least once in life. How do you mend those friendships? Humble yourself, confess, repent and work at restoring that relationship--just love on them and receive their love. That works the same way with our friendship with Jesus too. Think about all the lonely, friendless people around you. How might Jesus be leading you to befriend someone and share His friendship with them. Investing in friendships is crucial today. And investing in our friendship with Jesus is vital for our health. So, what is your Friend leading you to do today about any of this? Will you listen and try it, trust and follow His advice? He is a true Friend with your best interests at heart. Rejoice and love on Him some this morning! It's a great day to fellowship with our Friend and some of His friends and maybe even to lead someone to friendship with Him. Amen! Who's your Buddy?
Our devotionals for today speak into growing our relationship with Jesus and the importance of some good practices for growing as His friend. The Word for You Today speaks about our daily bread and nourishing our souls and minds as we sit at Jesus' feet and prayerfully open His Living Word. He is the Bread of Life! Feast on Him and His Living Word everyday. Hunger and thirst after that friendship as you study and pray. The rest of our devos discuss praying and it's vital importance. Check out Charles Stanley's reminder of just how important prayer is. I believe Jesus is calling us to work on His wish that His Church would become a House of Prayer for the Nations. How is your Friend inviting you into your part in that? Our Daily Bread reminds us about confessing and repenting as we pray and spend time at Jesus' feet and with others. God is calling us to start some small accountability groups and this speaks into that as we pray for each other and seek to grow in Christ and love like Him more. The Upper Room reminds us to be in a constant state of prayer and how our prayers can change things and even bring healing and help. Prayers and a growing prayer time with our Friend, Jesus, changes us too! Amen! Harvest Prayer reminds us the power of prayer over Satan and enemy attacks and shares some great prayers to engage with and remember for those dark times. Satan be gone! Come Holy Spirit! Fill us with Light and Love. Jesus bring Your wisdom alive and lead us today as we spend time with You in Your Word and in prayer and praise. Come. Father, thank You for hearing and answering our prayers! Lord prepare us, send us and grow us in You. Use us for Your glory. Grow our friendship with you and lead us to others to befriend and love on like Jesus. Thanks! Amen!
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There’s a man people hire as they’re dying, paying him to show up at their funerals and reveal secrets they never shared while they were alive. The man has interrupted eulogies. He’s asked stunned officiants to sit down when they started to object. He once stood to explain how the man in the casket had won the lotto but never told a soul and for decades pretended to be a successful businessman. Multiple times the hired man has confessed infidelity to a widowed spouse. One might question whether these actions were exploitative or enacted in good faith, but what’s obvious is people’s hunger to be absolved of past sins.
Having someone else confess for us (especially after we’re dead) is a futile and risky way to deal with secrets. These stories, however, reveal a deep truth: we have a need to confess, to unburden ourselves. Confession cleanses us of those things that we’ve hidden and allowed to fester. “Confess your sins to each other,” James says, “and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (5:16). Confession releases us from burdens that bind us, freeing us to commune with God—praying with a heart open to Him and to our faith community. Confession enacts healing.
James invites us to live an open life, confessing to God and those closest to us the pains and failings we’re tempted to bury. We don’t have to carry these burdens alone. Confession is a gift to us. God uses it to cleanse our heart and set us free.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
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What do you need to confess—and to whom? What’s holding you back?
Dear God, please help me practice confession.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
First John 1:9 ties together confession and cleansing: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (esv). The Greek word for confess is homologeō, which means “to speak or say the same thing.” The idea is “to admit or declare oneself guilty of what one is accused of.” The Greek word for cleanse, katharizō, is where we get the English word catharsis, which means “to purify” or “purge.” Biblical usage includes cleansing from physical defilement from dirt or disease (Matthew 23:25; Luke 7:22) and from immoral attitudes and sin (2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7). Confession and cleansing are essential to our spiritual health. Through confession, we bring what’s in the dark to the light and to the One who stands ready to provide the cleansing He’s purchased for us through His death.
Arthur Jackson |
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UR: Continued Prayer
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. - Acts 3:16 (NIV)
On June 4th, 2018, my blood pressure increased, and my body began feeling weak. I informed my son and my nephew, who is a hospital nurse. They immediately admitted me to the hospital, where I was placed in the cardiovascular intensive care unit and then underwent surgery. When I opened my eyes, my family members, pastors, and friends were around my bed.
The prayer and mission committee started praying for me. And because of a pastors conference in the city, many pastors and leaders also visited and prayed for me. I also prayed, but I felt that it was time for me to end my work in children’s ministry. However, our great and kind God heard our prayers, and I recovered. To my surprise, dozens of churches invited me to help with vacation Bible school ministries and to speak during Passion Week meetings.
In today’s Bible reading, we see the faith of the friends of a paralyzed man. In much the same way, I believe the prayers of churches, friends, and relatives brought me healing. God’s grace, my wife’s care, and much prayer also provided encouragement to me. For Jesus Christ, nothing is impossible.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the healing and care you provide. We ask for comfort, healing, and peace for those who are ill. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.Harvest:
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August 8 - Power Over Satan
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While walking the earth, Jesus cast out demons. The Pharisees entertained thoughts that He really was performing the works of Satan. Scripture shows us the truth:
A Divided Kingdom (Luke 11:17-23)
“Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and a divided household falls. So if Satan too is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? I ask you this because you claim that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his possessions are safe. But when a stronger man attacks and conquers him, he takes away the first man’s armor on which the man relied and divides up his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Blasphemy Against the Spirit (Luke 12:10)
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”
Deliverance from Evil (Luke 8:30–33)
“What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they began to beg him not to order them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and the demonic spirits begged Jesus to let them go into them. He gave them permission. So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd of pigs rushed down the steep slope into the lake and drowned.
Jesus preached. Jesus healed. Jesus cast out demons. He wanted to expand the Kingdom of God on earth by throwing demons out of spaces, namely people and territories. He shared an illustration, demonstrating how casting out demons works. Contrary to what Jesus’ accusers said, His works emanated from God, not Satan. He also said if they blasphemed Him, they could be forgiven, but if anyone blasphemed the Holy Spirit, they would not be forgiven. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is attributing His work to being the work of Satan.
Lord, I repent for any thought, act, or word that has attacked and misjudged a man or woman of God doing Your work. I will not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. I declare I will be like You. I will cultivate an understanding and awareness to discern what is or isn’t of God.
I thank You, Lord, that You walk with me and that I can grow sensitive to You. I thank You that You will ensure that I recognize You and Your hand in every situation. I thank You that I will know without a doubt what is of You and what is of Satan. I thank You that like Christ, if necessary, I will cast out demons in Jesus’ name.
I praise You that You want this for me. You want me to be like You, and as I submit to Your will, You will transform me to be more like Jesus.
--Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Read Ps. 73:23-26 and give praise to the one who holds you every day by your right hand.
- Thank God for guiding you by his wise counsel.
- Confess any time you have desired some earthly trinket more than the riches of your heavenly Father.
- Commit yourself to staying close to God today.
- Ask God to be “the strength of [your] heart and [your] portion forever.”
- Pray for any unsaved friends or relatives by name. Ask that they will embrace the peace that comes with having God hold them by the hand.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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Saturday, August 10 2024
Good Morning Knowing Christ and Making Him Known Pray-ers! AMEN! So be it Lord! Knowing Christ and making Him known is our EC Mission statement. Hence we need to always ask, evaluate, discern and adjust to how we are doing with that individually and as His Body. So how are you doing with that? Are you striving in your own strength or abiding in Christ and going forth daily in a constant state of prayer like Jesus did when He walked the earth. Growing in intimacy with the Father, leads to growing in our knowledge of Christ and His ways and motivates us to go and make Him known. As we fellowship with Jesus we grow at becoming more like Him and the Holy Spirit informs our prayers and guides our steps. We put on His easy yoke and walk in stride with Him through our daily purposes and the journey to become more like Him. I am just so blessed and thankful as I grow in the knowledge of Christ, His ways and watching how God molds and uses me! Thanks Lord! What's your story about how that is playing out in your life and through our Body?
Today we will discuss the Ephesian's 4 call to unity of our Body and purposes while still retaining our individual calls and purposes. We are one, yet unique for His purposes. Amen! Let us continue to work at maturing in Christ together, helping each other find and step into our unique purposes in His Good News Delivery Co. and growing into our unifed purpose as His Body with many parts. We are uniquely one in Christ! Teammates! Co-laborers! Custom made for such a time as this for His glory and according to His purposes and plans. And here's the secret to success (well it's really no secret at all): praying and choosing to live and love like Jesus--following His example. Our devos today speak into the importance of the foundation of prayer and the role some of us are called to as prayer warriors. They remind us of dying to self and our own plans as we still ourselves, pray and allow God to inform our daily purposes and direct our steps. They speak about our individual and corporate purposes and staying united as we follow Jesus and encourage each other. Today's Ephesians 4 study speaks into our unity and maturity in Christ while fulfilling our individual purposes and callings too. I love how God is always threading things together as we still ourselves and fellowship with Him and each other! He does have great plans for you and us that have just begun to materialize. More will become visible as we continue to step out in faith, grow in our knowledge of Christ and our purposes and determine to always follow Him. He's leading us from being one way to a better way to an even better way! AMEN! I can't wait to see what He has planned as we process together with the determination to know Christ and make Him known and grow as His dynamic movement of revival! Amen! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will add all kinds of awesome things for you and us and those yet to come!
Check out what I believe is the ordering of our devotionals that God has for us today speaking into the way to know Christ and make Him known more in '24. The Upper Room reminds us about finding our way in Christ and staying on His path or redirecting to it quickly when we get off on a rabbit trail. I'm always praying for me and our Body to stay on His path and to see and adjust quickly when we wander. Charles Stanly uses John 17:11's reminder that Jesus prayed for us to be one--united in Him. Funny how God had me include that earlier this week when I was preparing today's message about unity and being one in Christ and mission. Harvest Prayer teaches us about scheduling prayer and actually getting away and preparing yourself for the days activities just like Jesus did. It's being intentional as we follow in His footsteps or try to. We have to have balance in life and Jesus' easy yoke is doing things with Him and in His best ways. We need to reload if we are going to pour out! Our Daily Bread reminds us that we are not God and He wants to inform our steps and grow our understanding as we stay connected to Him and go with Him, allowing Him to steer. Finally The Word for You Today is about husbands and wives but since we are the Bride of Christ it can be applied to our church too. We are one and we need to keep working at that. That takes dying to self and agape loving like Christ. That is a lifelong process. Our love and devotion grows as we commit to the long haul and work for the good of each other. Some day we will celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb with Jesus in heaven. PTL! Until then we need to keep praying, seeking, dying to self and following well. We are building treasure in heaven that grows as we die to self, connect more to and follow Jesus better as individuals and together. We are uniquely one! Amen! We need each other to be our best and do what we are created to do for us to flourish for such a time as this! Amen! What's God saying to you today? What will you do about it? Who are your teammates? Commit to knowing Christ more and making Him more known and begin with more prayer! Don't forget our EC day of fasting and prayer this Wed at noon in the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom. Let us become earnest in seeking and following together! Amen! Jesus is THE WAY! He bids us to follow and know His shalom and joy overflowing!
UR: Finding Our Way
If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” - Isaiah 30:21 (CEB)
On a recent family trip, we were unsure of the best route to take. We looked up directions on our phone, chose the recommended route, and began to follow the instructions. We trusted the directions to guide us, even avoiding traffic and accidents.
It would be wonderful if
we gave our Lord the same trust. God knows what is best for us. But too often we chart our own route and follow our own directions. Before we know it we become confused about what decisions to make and get caught up in difficult situations of our own making. Sometimes we have to enter unfamiliar territory before we commit to following the Lord’s directions found in scripture. The Bible includes stories and examples of how to lead our lives. Christ’s teachings lay out the road to our salvation.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, remind us that you alone are God. Help us to trust your guidance on the road to salvation and abundant life. Amen.
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Harvest Blogs:
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August 4 - The Necessity of Secluded Prayer
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If a man is always available to everyone, he has little left for anyone. Mark, the writer of the second gospel, observed this in the life of Christ:
When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” (Mark 1:32-37)
There was an essential pattern in Jesus' life. He was amazingly accessible to people most of the time. During those moments, He breathed in constant prayer. His Father was telling Him what to say and do right in the middle of intense ministry (John 14:10). This can only occur with unceasing prayer, a practice He would later tell us is essential for fruitful ministry (John 15:1-16; I Thessalonians 5:17).
But Jesus needed more to sustain maximum effectiveness in ministry. He needed quiet, secluded, personal time with the Father. Since "all who were ill and demon-possessed were coming to Him" and "the whole city had gathered at the door," Jesus knew that the only way He could have undistracted time with the Father was, "early in the morning, while it was still dark.”
Lord Jesus, You allowed space for quiet, secluded personal prayer so that You could sit with and listen to the Father – even in the midst of some of the busiest times of ministry. Forgive me for not following Your obedient example. If You never did or said anything apart from the Father, why should I be so arrogant to believe that I am capable to do so!? Lead me to the inner sanctuary of rest on a regular basis so that I will be dependent upon You rather than upon my own thoughts and ideas. Only You know what is the most effective use of my time and talents to serve Your kingdom. Help me to slow down in order to lean into Your presence as deeply as Jesus did.
---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
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- As one who professes to “believe in the Holy Spirit,” praise God for his indwelling of all believers.
- Give thanks for his intimacy and power.
- Confess any tendency to rely on your own strength rather than God’s.
- Commit to becoming more sensitive to God’s ongoing presence.
- Ask God to increase your consciousness of continual companionship with him.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill each of your family and friends, bringing a deep sense of his presence. Ask him to fill your household with his power.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayers not felt by us are seldom heard by God.” —Philip Henry
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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“Dad, can I spend the night with my friend?” my daughter asked, getting into the car after practice. “Honey, you know the answer,” I said. “I’m just the driver. I don’t know what’s happening. Let’s talk with Mom.”
“I’m just the driver” has become a joke in our home. Daily, I ask my organized wife where I need to be, when, and whom I’m taking where. With three teens, my “moonlighting” as a “taxi driver” sometimes feels like a second job. Often, I don’t know what I don’t know. So, I have to check in with the master calendar keeper.
In Matthew 8, Jesus encountered a man who also knew something about taking and giving instruction. A Roman centurion, this man understood that Jesus had the authority to heal, just as the centurion had authority to issue commands to those under him. “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me” (vv. 8-9). Christ commended the man’s faith (vv. 10, 13), amazed that he understood what His authority looked like in action.
So what about us? What does it look like to trust Jesus with our daily assignments from Him? Because even if we think we’re “just the driver,” each assignment has kingdom meaning and purpose.
By Adam Holz
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What helps you to discern where and how God is leading you daily? What barriers sometimes get in the way of hearing and obeying Him?
Father, thank You that You lead me and guide my steps. Please help me to walk daily in dependence on You as You direct me according to Your plan and purpose.
For further study, read Making Decisions God’s Way.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After challenging the Pharisees’ teaching and the people’s understanding of the law by repeatedly saying, “You have heard that it was said . . . but I tell you . . .” (Matthew 5:21-48), Jesus demonstrated the true nature of God’s kingdom. He healed a man with leprosy, thereby touching someone who was unclean (8:1-4). Then He healed a centurion’s servant (vv. 5-13). The centurion would’ve been considered unclean because of his nationality (Roman) and was also despised as a representative of the occupying force of the Roman Empire. Yet it’s in this despised foreigner that Jesus finds a greater faith than anyone in Israel. Matthew says that He turned to “those following him” (v. 10)—the verb used to describe discipleship—and praised the centurion’s faith. The irony is that the man who was hated by the Jews was demonstrating to Christ’s own followers what it truly meant to have faith.
J.R. Hudberg |
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