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Saturday, November 16 2024
Good Morning Custom Made, Masterpieces, Transformed, Child of our Creator and Sustainer! Oh how awesome is our Abba! Just get alone and still your soul in His presence this morning as you prepare your hearts to worship and be fully His! He chose you and created you for His special purposes just for you. Don't allow Satan, the world, the tyranny of the urgent and all the chaos distract you from His plans for you. Be still and know that He is God and that He loves you so much that He wants you to be made new and more like Him and then He helps you to be His image in a world that needs to know Him. You matter! You have purposes created just for you. The Holy Spirit fills you and guides you each step of each day if you allow that and invite Him in. Keep your focus on our King and allow Him to prepare, mold, and use you for His glory. You will find such soul peace and joy as you become more like Him and allow Him to live and love through you more. Remember our saying that we share often: I am who I am because I am allowing I AM to be who He is in and through me! Is that true for you? It can be as you soften your heart and focus on Him and His perfect plans for you. Remember also, sometimes those perfect plans lead you through some dark valleys and hard reshaping. BUT GOD! He is with you and knows what needs to happen to shape you for his perfect plans for you and for those He is drawing. Be still. Thank Him! Allow Him to have all of you each day no matter the journey He has allowed. You are becoming more like Him and He is using you more and more as you surrender and follow. Help us Lord! Come! We need you! Forgive our resistance. Cleanse us of ourselves and may we allow You full access. Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me today. I trust You! Help my unbelief! May You be glorified today! Come! Live and love through me just as You created me to do. Thanks! I love You and long to be fully Yours! Jesus, come and shepherd me today. Thanks! Amen
This is the day the Lord has made and we get to celebrate, trust and follow Him to His perfect plans for the day! Yes rejoice! Choose to allow Him in and to have His good plans come to and through you. Amen! Check out how He threaded through my devos today. He is speaking right to the hearts of some of you as you engage Him through them and in stillness. Then pray through Harvest Prayer blogs. Come Lord! Speak to my heart now. Prepare me for this day Use me well. Inform my prayers and action steps Amen! Can you hear His still small voice? He is speaking to your heart right now! He really loves you and will be with you always! Amen. May you know His shalom today! Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you.
Sarah Young
Upper Room: SEARCHING FOR MY SAVIOR
Jesus said, “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” - Matthew 28:20 (CEB)
At times in my life I have been hurting from the troubles and pain surrounding me — an argument in the family, mental problems, sickness, anger, blame, or doubt. At those times, I have searched frantically for God, worrying that I have lost my connection to my Savior. The more I focus on my issues, the more distant God’s love for me seems. Sometimes I even feel like God is simply apathetic to my distress.
But then I recall finding a lost pair of glasses on top of my head or my lost item in my lap and feeling so silly. I didn’t need to become frantic because what I thought was lost was right there with me. It is the same with my Savior; I have not lost him. I take a breath and once again focus on God.
In his last words to his followers, Jesus told them that he would be with them, and he remains with us today. Through the Holy Spirit, our Savior will be with us until the end. Though I may not feel a physical presence with me, the Holy Spirit comforts my aching heart, letting me know I have nothing to fear. So now, when I find myself tempted to doubt Jesus’ presence with me, I remember that he resides in my heart.
Today's Prayer
Thank you, Abba Father, for being with us at all times. We pray in the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Chuck Swindoll
The Word for You Today
Our Daily Bread
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When Heather’s job took her to Tim’s house to deliver his take-out meal, he asked her to help him untie the knot in the food bag. Tim had suffered a stroke a few years prior and no longer had the ability to untie the knot himself. Heather cheerfully obliged. Throughout the rest of her day, Heather’s thoughts returned to Tim frequently and she was inspired to assemble a care package for him. When Tim later found the hot cocoa and red blanket she’d left at his door with an encouraging note, he was moved to tears.
Heather’s delivery became much more significant than she originally anticipated. The same was true when Jesse sent his young son David to supply his brothers with food when the Israelites “drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:2). When David arrived with the bread and cheese, he learned Goliath had been instilling fear in God’s people with his daily taunting (vv. 8-10, 16, 24). David was incensed by Goliath’s defiance of “the armies of the living God” (v. 26) and was moved to respond, saying to King Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (v. 32).
God sometimes uses the circumstances of our daily lives to put us in places where He wants to use us. Let’s keep our eyes (and hearts!) open to see where and how He might want us to serve someone.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
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When has God supplied your needs through another person? How might He want to use you today in the life of another?
Father, please open my eyes to see where You might use me today.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The Israelites and the Philistines agreed that their battle was to be decided by two representative warriors (1 Samuel 17:8-11). Goliath was a fearsome Philistine champion, nine feet nine inches tall and heavily armored (vv. 4-7). He dwarfed Saul, who “was a head taller than anyone else” in Israel (9:2), possibly six feet tall. For forty days, no Israelites answered Goliath’s challenge (17:16) until David was providentially sent to the battlefront on a food run for his three brothers (vv. 17-19). With no military experience or armor, David slayed Goliath with a sling and a stone in the name of the God of Israel (vv. 45-50).
K. T. Sim |
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Joyce Meyer
Charles Stanley
Harvest Blogs (pray through these earnestly and with an open and repentant heart.
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November 16 - Jesus Prepares His Followers
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Jesus prepares His followers for His harsh and brutal capture and crucifixion.
Luke 18:31-33 Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on. They will flog him severely and kill him. Yet on the third day he will rise again.”
Lord, I repent for any time I’ve ignored You when You wanted to communicate a truth. I repent for when You tried to prepare my heart to bear an upcoming event and I disregarded Your grace-packed nudges. I repent for any time I’ve overlooked You trying to directly communicate to me using the Word.
Regardless of my past, I declare I will be sensitive to Your voice and nudges. I will be sensitive to Your preparations. I will be sensitive to Your Spirit and Word.
Thank You for wanting to help my heart face certain circumstances. Thank You for desiring to pour Your life into me so I can be joyful, no matter what the circumstance. Thank You for sharing with me.
I praise You for Your genuine care. I praise You for the outpouring of Your grace and mercy in a way that invigorates and sustains me. I praise You for Your perfect love.
--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 the gate of salvation (Jn. 10:7-10).
- Thank him for bringing you through that gate and for the security you find inside.
- Confess those times when you seek security in something other than Jesus.
- Commit yourself to being a doorkeeper in the house of God rather than dwelling in the tents of wickedness (Ps. 84:10).
- Ask God to use you to attract those outside of Christ to enter into a saving relationship with him.
- Pray that your church will march triumphantly against the hosts of Satan, with the assurance that the gates of hell cannot prevail against God’s church (Mt. 16:18).
Prayer Pointer
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7
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Saturday, November 16 2024
DONUT DAY! 10-12 and Chosen dinner huddle 6-8 today! Come! Taste and see that the Lord is good! Bring some friends!
Good Morning Denying Self, Filled, Prepared, Sent Followers of the Good Shepherd! Oh, man how He loves, pursues, cleanses, fills, prepares and uses us! What Love! PTL! This morning I awoke and sat at Jesus' feet. I am cleansed, filled and ready to follow my Shepherd to whatever He has for today. Are you? He has great plans for me and you today! Maybe allowing Him to use you at Donut Day or as part of the Chosen dinner huddle tonight or maybe in a myriad of other ways. Draw close. Listen. Die to self. Receive Him, His help, refining, and directions. Then go and allow Him to live and love through you today. Live Christ! Incarnate Him, His Love and the joy of your salvation! We are sent to bring His Kingdom and ways alive. And He goes with us and uses us for His glory and the good of us and many others! Yes Rejoice. Prepare. Then Go! He wants to write a new story of His love, grace and mercy through you. Will you allow that? Are you ready? I'm praying so! It's so cool to watch what he has planned and participate in what He has for you each day! It's His sweet spot! And what joy we find dwelling in Him and walking in that custom prepared sweet spot! Check it out and share that story with us and others! Joy, joy and rejoicing in the Lord and His goodness! Amen!
Yes, I'm a bit pumped up this morning! God is so good and kind and speaking, directing and filling me to overflowing. He wants to do the same for you! Turn off the noise and chaos and walk in and follow His peace today. He created you for such a time as this and is longing to live and love through you and bring His joy alive! Check out our devotionals and how Gid spoke to me as he led me through them this morning. What's He saying to you? What will you do about that? Who are your teammates that pray, encourage, help process and hold your feet in the fire. We all need each other as we grow as His Good News Delivery Company that brings revival and new life alive and helps others meet and walk with Jesus! Amen!
Consider joining one of our huddles or talk to me about starting a new one. We grow as friends, in prayer and encouragement and fellowship as we study and spend tine together processing what the Holy Spirit is teaching and leading to. Pray for me as I am entering two training opportunities that will flow to some of you after the new year. Ask God what His plans are for you and pray for opportunities for us to work on discipleship and disciple making and being His Good News and joy bringers. Talk to me or Sarah about what you are hearing and being led to. let's get active and bring to life Jesus and His plans together and for His glory alone! Amen!
Here's a link again to the prayer challenge we will focus on the next five weeks. Start here today as you humble yourself and receive and release His Kingdom in prayer and power. For many if us our role in His Good News delivery Co. is that of prayer warrior. Step earnestly into that powerful position! https://harvestprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Five-Blessings-Brochure-2.pdf
Think about what Jesus is saying and wanting to do in and through you as your prayerfully engage with our God as you prepare to work through the devos with the Holy Spirit in you.
Sarah Young
ODB:
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Two friends were shopping for a laptop in an electronics store when they ran into basketball great Shaquille O’Neal. Aware that O’Neal recently suffered the loss of his sister and a former teammate, they empathetically offered their condolences. After the two men returned to their shopping, Shaq approached them and told them to pick out the nicest laptop they could find. He then bought it for them, simply because they saw him as a person going through a difficult time and was moved by their kindness.
Millennia before that encounter, Solomon wrote, “Those who are kind benefit themselves” (Proverbs 11:17). When we consider others’ needs and do what we can to help and encourage them, we’re rewarded ourselves. It may not be with a laptop or material things, but God has ways of blessing us that this world can’t measure. As Solomon explained just one verse earlier in the same chapter, “A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth” (v. 16). There are gifts from God that are worth far more than money, and He measures them generously in His perfect wisdom and way.
Kindness and generosity are part of God’s character, and He loves to see them expressed in our own hearts and lives. Solomon summed up the matter well: “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (v. 25).
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has God shown kindness to you? In what ways can you show His love to others today?
Dear God, I love Your kindness. Please help me to become more like You so that I may share Your love in practical ways.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Proverbs 11 contrasts the righteous, those in alignment with God’s ways, with the wicked who choose evil and cruelty. This chapter emphasizes that wickedness and evil are self-destructive: “The wicked are brought down by their own wickedness” (v. 5); “the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires” (v. 6); “the cruel bring ruin on themselves” (v. 17). The principle that living as God intended results in flourishing is at the heart of the book of Proverbs. Other portions of Scripture like Job and Ecclesiastes nuance the picture to recognize that often the righteous suffer greatly even as the wicked seem to flourish. But Proverbs emphasizes that pursuing evil is shortsighted and self-destructive. Following God’s ways, however, leads to deep joy and abundance. Proverbs 11:19 puts it this way: “Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.”
Monica La Rose |
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UR: In All Circumstances
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the past I have tried to trust God in all circumstances, but I frequently still hung on to my worries and even wanted to tell God exactly how to fix things. But this time was different. I gave it all to God.
Even though I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren grow into adults and spend more time with my family, I left my circumstances in God’s loving hands. I didn’t ask God for a cure. Instead I asked for God’s help in accepting whatever happened with my treatment. No matter what, I was grateful for my time on earth.
I felt profound peace in trusting God and wasn’t anxious about the outcome of my treatment. After some time, I found that I was able to give thanks even with my diagnosis. I did not want cancer, nor would I wish it on anyone else. But it helped me to focus on what truly matters. It also taught me greater empathy for others facing serious health issues. I experienced the peace that comes from truly giving my troubles to God.
Today's Prayer
Loving and compassionate God, help us to trust you and give thanks in all circumstances. Amen.TWFYT
Charles Stanley
Saturday, November 16 2024
Good Morning Praying Friends! I thought initially that God was leading to a thread through my devotionals today, but seems He led to another line of thinking about prayer. We are called to pray and the last few days, prayer has been at the center of what He is revealing for us. Praying is a job for all of us but is the main position for some of you in God's Good News Delivery Co. Seek Him and His Kingdom. Keep knocking in prayer and keep watching for how He wants to use you as an answer to your prayers. Ask Him to inform your prayers. Our prayers are powerful and effective because we have put on Christ's righteousness and He is in heaven interceding for you right now. Start with Harvest Prayer Blog today. I love the quote from Mother Theresa at the end:
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own.” —Mother Teresa
Yesterday was quite the day of ministry, prayer and serving! I said to Karen how I felt soul tired at the end of my 14 hour day because I just poured myself out as God lived, loved, prayed and served through me. The day began "loading up" with Jesus during my quiet time at 4 AM and flowed through the Donut Day with much encouraging and prayer. There are many of us going through some very hard situations and stretching of the Lord. The needs around us are great and we can only do so much, BUT GOD! He answers prayers according to His perfect will and timing and provides for ours and others needs as we pray, receive and go help. We were doing ministry throughout the day and some needs and prayer concerns arose as we traveled through the day. Sarah and I ministered and prayed with the heart of Jesus for a few members after donut time ended. Sarah exemplified how Jesus' compassion and empathy flows through as we seek Him and to bring His heart alive. She couldn't contain the tears and crying as she prayed. I see that as Jesus' heart and compassion coming alive through us. It's what happens often when I cry when preaching. He knows and cares and loves you and His heart breaks for what breaks yours. That often comes alive as we sow in tears in prayer or sharing with others. We experienced Jesus' humanness and grief last night during the Chosen that still comes alive today as we pray and serve. We got a call yesterday afternoon from a woman I prayed with during donut time that just found out her husband has cancer. She was crying in deep grief and reaching out for someone to walk with her. We had a woman approach us about if we could provide some meals when she gets home from heart surgery after Thanksgiving (we will work on that) Last night was quite the episode of the Chosen and we left so much unprocessed. What's God saying to you today. What questions to do have for Him. Ask and receive and go refreshed and informed and prayed up! How does God want to use you and even as an answer to your own prayers? Seek, Knock! Persevere in prayer and life! Receive and go in His name! He does have some amazing plans for you today.
I'm praying for you! Check out our devos below as you sit at Jesus' feet and receive, process and go to be His vessel of love, hope and help today. God does hear and answer our prayers and he is with us always. He is our Good Shepherd who lays down His life for us and for the Father's mission. May we be more like Him and go live and love like Him today. Amen!
Harvest Prayer
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November 14 - Steps to Take in the Midst of Evil
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"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8-9).
There is great importance in learning to discern evil from good. We live in an era in which much of the moral blacks and whites have faded to gray. As believers, we allow incredible evil into our lives through what we watch on television and video, what we read, and so on. Because of this, we are very desensitized to evil’s threat. Pray for the ability to discern. And when God speaks to you about something you shouldn’t do because of its evil influence, pray for courage to obey.
Author, Tom White, offers five steps to take when we discern evil in our battle:
1. Stand on and speak forth scriptural truth (2 Thess. 3:3, 1 Jn. 3:8, 1 Jn. 4:4).
2. Pray alertly “for the saints” (spouse, children, roommates, etc.) using the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith to ward off enemy assaults (Eph. 6:16-18).
3. Apply the name and blood of Jesus to overcome enemy influence (Rev. 12:10-11).
4. Ask God to provide helping angels (Ps. 91, Heb. 1:4).
5. Discern and deal quickly with ungodly influences that threaten the home.
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have often allowed the enemy to creep into my life in what seem like harmless ways because I haven’t been paying attention to maintaining Your goodness as my standard of life. Remind me that I am not immune to the schemes of the Devil and help me to quickly discern when evil thoughts, activity, words, visuals, etc. creep into my life and my home. Help me to be quickly aware and to obediently seek only what is good, and what comes from You!
--Adapted from The Power of Personal Prayer (Learning to Pray with Faith and Purpose) by Jonathan Graf. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God that you are his temple (1 Cor. 3:16).
- Thank God for the work he’s given you to build up Christ’s body, the church (Eph. 4:16).
- Confess those times you do not honor God with your body, as he has purchased you with the price of his blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
- Commit yourself to Jesus’ cleansing of your total being (Jn. 13:8-10).
- Ask God to reveal to you daily the mystery of his glorious riches (Col. 1:26-27).
- Pray that your family and friends will not dwell on outward beauty but on the unfading beauty of the inner self, a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own.” —Mother Teresa
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ODB:
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Mila, a baking assistant, felt too helpless to defend herself when her supervisor accused her of pilfering some raisin bread. The unfounded assertion and corresponding salary deduction were just two of many wrongful actions from her supervisor. “God, please help,” Mila prayed each day. “It’s so hard working under her, but I need this job.”
Jesus tells of a widow who also felt helpless and “sought justice against [her] adversary” (Luke 18:3). She turned to someone with the authority to resolve her case—a judge. Despite knowing that the judge was unjust, she persisted in approaching him.
The judge’s eventual response (vv. 4-5) is infinitely different from that of our heavenly Father, who quickly responds with love and help. If persistence could cause an unjust judge to take up a widow’s case, how much more can and will God, who is the just Judge, do for us (vv. 7-8)? We can trust Him “to bring about justice for his chosen ones” (v. 7) and being persistent in praying is one way of showing our trust. We persist because we have faith that God will respond in perfect wisdom to our situation.
Eventually, Mila’s supervisor resigned after other employees complained about her behavior. As we walk in obedience to God, let’s persist in praying, knowing the power of our prayers lies in the one who hears and helps us.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you felt like giving up on praying? How can you reflect on God’s character as you pray?
Loving God, please remind me of who You are and help me to keep praying, no matter what.
Learn how coming to God in prayer improves our spiritual life.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The point of Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1-8 is to emphasize the importance of being persistent in prayer. God isn’t like an unjust judge who gives in to our prayers out of sheer exasperation. In Greek, the phrase translated as “this widow keeps bothering me” (v. 5) is perhaps more literally translated as “she causes me trouble.” The picture painted here is one of persistence that interrupts the life and routines of another. It isn’t simply the idea of going to see this judge once a day; rather, the woman wouldn’t give the judge a moment’s peace. Her persistent request for justice interfered with his life. While our prayers don’t “interrupt” or “bother” God, Christ seems to be suggesting that we’re to steadfastly bring our requests to God. Because of our persistence and His character (vv. 6-8), He’ll take notice and respond.
J.R. Hudberg |
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Sarah Young:
UR: Finishing Well
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. - 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
I enjoy participating in road races, triathlons, and other athletic competitions. One of my favorite motivational quotes says, “Finishing ‘dead last’ trumps ‘did not finish,’ which trumps ‘did not start.’” Those words remind me to focus on the journey and not the end result. For some, placing in the top of their age division is important, while others just want to start a healthy lifestyle. No matter the goal, the participant must train for the race, which requires discipline, commitment, and getting to the starting line!
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians compares our spiritual journey to an earthly race. Unlike an earthly race, as Christians we are seeking a reward that will last. Paul tells us that we need strict training in our spiritual lives that takes work, preparation, and discipline. Putting in the work requires having a plan and a starting point. Whether our starting point is reading the Bible every day, spending time in prayer with God, devoting ourselves to loving service to others — beginning a life of active faith gives us the opportunity to finish our spiritual journey well.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, give us the strength and courage to begin and continue our spiritual work today. Amen.
Saturday, November 16 2024
Prayer Pointer
“Worship is intended to introduce God’s kingdom power throughout the church and extend that power through the church.” —Jack Hayford
Have you experienced this? His power comes as we gather and He inhabits our praise. Then that power fills us to overflowing and spills out our doors, through us to our neighbors and those God is sending us to minister to. How cool! Dwell in His love and receive a reloading of His power as we gather to worship and then prepare to go and overflow to others. That is revival! Pray into this. Expect this and look for the partners God is teaming you with. Then Go in His power to live and love more like Jesus! Amen!
Good Morning Powerful and Effective Praying Servants of God Almighty! Amen! There is so much God has put on my heart to share today and yet maybe the things I just shared are enough for you to meditate and pray into and activate as you go today! We are empowered and activated to bring God's will to life as we prepare and go with Jesus through this day and listen to and follow the Holy Spirit to His perfect plans for each of us and us together. Amen!
Today I may include some devotionals below, but God loves when you just open your heart, sit at His feet and commune! I want to remind you to be interceding and praying for our finance team as they begin the budgeting process. Pray they hear God and put together His budget and honor His plans to sow lavishly while being the best stewards. Pray for faith and wisdom to guide them. Thanks! May we all learn to deny self and not lean on our own understanding and to allow God to work and lead to His best plans! Amen!
Click this link and join together as we pray for five weeks and allow God to inform our prayers and direct our responses. Prayer Challenge: https://harvestprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Five-Blessings-Brochure-2.pdf (I hope to add this to bulletin this week) We will be praying together and towards Christmas when people are more open to God and us. Who is God stirring you to bless and invite to join you? Start by praying and then follow God's lead. Include some time with Our Daily Bread (below) to help inform your thinking and praying and living sacrificially and sowing lavishly. One last thing to pray about and act upon as God leads...The Christmas Giving and Blessing Challenge is back. How might God want to use you? One Sunday Dec 1st we will distribute envelopes with $50. in them to every adult in worship that signed up to be part of the challenge. The challenge is to use that $50. to go bless someone before Christmas and share you stories of what God did. There is a sign up sheet on the back bulletin board. You can add to this amount, partner with others or go it alone. God has a plan to send you and us to bless people this Christmas. We are blessed to be a blessing! And then we get blessed back by being one! I can't wait to hear the stories!!! The money for this comes from our treasury as a tithe for how much God has blessed us and to be used to sow His love and help. You can also opt for the church to use your $50. to give to the Kindness Project (they help foster families in the area) by checking that option on the sign up sheet. If you don't want to participate, don't sign the sheet but you will miss allowing God to use you to bless others and help our church to sow lavishly into the harvest. Pray about it. Ask God to show you His plans and to direct your blessings to share. Check out the Upper Room's teaching (below) about following God to His purposes for you. he does have great plans to bless through you as you work at living and loving sacrificially and lavishly more like Jesus! PTL! Who might you process this with?
Several times today Proverbs 3:5-6 has come up for Karen and me during our quiet times:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Yes meditate on that and surrender to God and His perfect, custom made plans just for you for such a time as this! I am praying for you and us and can't wait to heart those stories of how God will use our praying and giving challenges to bless you and many others and in turn bless our fellowship! God is on the move and we are becoming His dynamic movement! Let us commit to journey together to His best! Amen! We are powerful and effective because of Christ and he made you for His purposes for such a time as this. Focus on and Follow Him! Amen! Get used to different. God is doing a new thing! Can you perceive it? What will you do about it! Who are your partners? Seek first the Kingdom of God and He will add all kinds of things you need to complete your mission well! PTL!
ODB:
The state of Mizoram in northeast India is slowly climbing out of poverty. Despite their lack of income, since the gospel first came to this area, believers in Jesus have practiced a local tradition called “handful of rice.” Those preparing meals each day set aside a handful of uncooked rice and give it to the church. Mizoram churches, poor by the world’s standard, have given millions to missions and sent missionaries around the world. Many in their home state have come to Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes a similarly challenged church. Believers in Macedonia were poor, but that didn’t keep them from giving joyfully and abundantly (vv. 1-2). They saw their giving as a privilege and gave “even beyond their ability” (v. 3) to partner with Paul. They understood they were merely stewards of God’s resources. Giving was a way to show their trust in Him, who provides for all our needs.
Paul used the Macedonians to encourage the Corinthians to have the same approach to giving. The Corinthians excelled “in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in . . . love.” Now they needed to “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7).
Like the Macedonians and the believers in Mizoram, we too can reflect our Father’s generosity by giving generously out of what we have.
By Matt Lucas
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Where have you witnessed sacrificial giving? How can you give generously in response to God’s generous giving to you?
Father, I pray for the Mizoram church as they continue to give generously to Your work.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The churches of Macedonia (in northern Greece) were established during Paul’s second missionary journey and resulted from his response to a nighttime vision from God. A man begged him to “come over to Macedonia and help [them]” (Acts 16:9). Paul had just circumcised and recruited Timothy to help him in his missionary work (vv. 1-3). The apostle and his companions Silas and Timothy immediately left Troas and headed via ship to Macedonia to spread the gospel there. The first to be baptized in the Macedonian town of Philippi were Lydia and her household (vv. 12-15). Later, during Paul’s third missionary journey when he hoped to gather funds to help the poor believers in Jerusalem, the Macedonian church wholeheartedly and voluntarily contributed (2 Corinthians 8:1). Despite a “very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” and “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (vv. 2-3).
Alyson Kieda |
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Upper Room: God's Purpose
Saturday, November 16 2024
This Week:
Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome
Wed: 10-12 Donut Day at The Bread Ministry; 6-8 Chosen Dinner Huddle for families and adults. All welcome--bring a friend!
Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet
Don't forget we are collecting cans of beans (not green bean) for the School Dist. Angel Network and cans of veggies and soups for our pantry
Today is Veteran's Day! Thank a vet and pray for them and our wounded warriors for God's blessings, healings and provisions. Think about how they, like Jesus, were willing to lay down their lives for our freedoms! Some paid the ultimate price, so came home different. Yes thank God and keep praying for them and their provision! Thank you for your service! May God richly bless you!
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Good Morning Different Followers of Jesus! We were one way and then another and the thing in between was Jesus! PTL! He has redeemed us, restored us and led us to His best and our fuller potential in Christ. And He continues to mold and shape us as a Potter with clay. As we shed the old nature and step more fully into our new in Christ nature we also become very different from the world around us. Well, that's God's plan anyway for us with dual citizenship in heaven and earth. As we follow Jesus more earnestly, we become more like Him and activated to bring heaven to earth and His kingdom of light and love alive in this dark, hate-filled, dry land. We are to be His Living Water, incarnating Jesus, our Living Water to a dry and weary land. We are springs of life, springing up all over the place. We are like trees with roots sunk deep in Christ and God's Living Word. We are different and continue in our journey to become more like Christ and to bring His mission and Kingdom alive on earth. PTL! Turn off the noise and chaos of this world. receive His peace, love, wisdom and joy and go bring it alive wherever you step. You know you are walking on holy ground with the Holy One and He is leading you to be His world changer. Let us unite and go love like Jesus, spur each other on, build His Kingdom and be different and make a difference. Amen!
We are chosen and activated sent servants of Christ. He has great plans for you today and this week. Turn off the noise, worship, reload and go prepared and different. Amen!
Last night Karen, Kay and I attended Revival Church's worship and ministry night. All I can say is WOW! God showed up and is moving in our midst and building! We experienced healings ( my ankle was healed! PTL!), deliverances, breakings of bondages, worship deep in His presence and a refilling to carry into the week ahead. PTL! I know that I need recharging often and that sure happened last night. I am different today because of my encounter with the Living God who is able and wants to make us different! PTL! Our church was prophesied over by several pastors. God is surely on the move and we are seeing these prophesies budding, growing and bringing new life and good fruit alive. PTL! There will surely be an overflow into this week and weeks ahead. PTL! We are moving to a new level as we grow into that dynamic movement of God. We are being used to bring life, hope, help and love alive. PTL! And these will increase as we continue to abide in Christ, yoke to Jesus and allow Him to mold and lead us. Amen! We are also moving closer to becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations as God is sending new people to our fellowship, worship service and even uniting both churches for His good plans. PTL!
Keep praying and asking how God wants to use you and who your partners are and plan to follow Jesus into His new things. He really does have great custom made plans for you and us! PTL! Let us commit to seek, surrender and follow well. We are activated and empowered to go love like Jesus and change the world. What's your part? Let's process and work on that. PTL that we are chosen, loved and different and sent to make a difference! We are sent to be Christ! Amen!
Just worship on your own this morning. Still yourself, listen and receive. God is speaking and leading you to a new thing. PTL! Get used to different, follower of Jesus! He is on the move! Amen! Thank Him for His presence and good plans and for including you! I am!
Harvest Prayer
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November 11 - There Is an Order
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“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31)
Even the disciples vied for position in heaven, but Jesus said the Kingdom of God operates differently than the world. The first would be last. The last would be first.
The Kingdom of God operates in orderly and strategic ways. Jesus indicates that many will be surprised at their position in eternity. Will you be first or last?
Lord, I repent for any time I’ve judged in error people in general, leaders specifically. I repent for any lofty thoughts concerning myself or others. I repent for any degrading thoughts concerning others. I repent for when I’ve been concerned about position, status, or influence in Your kingdom.
Regardless of what I’ve done in the past, I declare I will let You judge concerning people. I will walk in wisdom when judging sin. I will refrain from casting judgment and categorizing others. I won’t concern myself about proximity to power; I will focus on serving Your Kingdom.
I thank You for Your divine system that is fair and just. I thank You that You’re perfect and that You established the Kingdom of God with perfection.
I praise You, for You’re perfect, holy, magnificent, wondrous, beautiful, and worthy! I praise You because You’re the Great Rescuer and truly devoted to Your people. I praise You because You’re upright, and Your perfect character allows us to rest. I love You.
--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 God whose kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).
- Thank God for his kindness and love in Jesus, who saved you by the shedding of his own blood (Titus 3:4-7).
- Confess those times of subtle boasting of how much you do for the Lord and his church (2 Cor. 11:21-30).
- Commit yourself to quietly helping another person through prayer, encouragement, or deed without self-recognition.
- Ask God to keep you from pride (Rom. 11:20).
- Ask that your church will spend time encouraging and equipping members, warning those who are idle, helping the weak—being the best possible stewards of time as well as money (1 Thess. 5:11-21).
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Saturday, November 16 2024
Good Morning Abiding, Very Loved, Seen, Forgiven, Sent Vessels of God! AMEN! You are that today and always! PTL! As you abide in Christ's loving presence today and prayerfully engage with Him through our devotional time today, you will see the thread He weaved through them to our hearts that informed this salutation! What's God saying to you? What will you do about that? Who are your partners?
Today is the day the Lord has made and we get to worship, learn and grow in it! Rejoice! Yes praise the Lord and dwell in His love, soak it in and go bring it alive! What an awesome God we know and love! Amen!
I asked God to arrange my devotionals for us as He is not only speaking and directing me, but speaking to you and our fellowship. (See below) As we abide in Him we sense how very loved we are and that He knows us and still loves us despite all our flaws and distractions. Turn off the noise! Be still and know how loved you are by the God who is the King of the Universe and our Good Shepherd! We can know we are forgiven and accepted just as we are and sent, just as we are, to bring Good News, Love, Joy and Peace to life. What an amazing God and easy yoke Jesus has for you and us! Yes rejoice! Abide! Receive! Recharge! Then Go be Christ! What a day this will be as we worship the One who made us, knows us, loves us, forgives us and wants to lead you to your full potential as you go for such a time as this! Think about that and worship! Prepare your hearts to go love well! Yes what a great day the Lord has given us today! Amen! REJOICE!
We are Abiding, Very Loved, Seen, Forgiven, Sent Vessels of God! And we get His help to go live and love more and more like Jesus everyday! How cool! PTL! Yes rejoice and prepare your hearts to worship and go in His name! Amen! See you soon!
Our Daily Bread:
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“Get down!” my friend said firmly to her son after he climbed onto the church pew and waved his hands. “I want the pastor to see me,” he innocently replied. “If I don’t stand up, he won’t see me.”
While standing on the pews is probably not encouraged in most churches, my friend’s son had a good point. Standing and waving his hands was certainly one way to be seen and to capture the pastor’s attention.
When we’re trying to get God’s attention, we don’t have to worry about being seen by Him. God sees each of us all the time. He’s the same one who revealed Himself to Hagar when she was probably at the lowest, loneliest, and most frustrating time in her life. She’d been used as a pawn and given to Abram by his wife, Sarai, to produce a son (Genesis 16:3). And when she did get pregnant, Abram allowed his wife to mistreat Hagar: “Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her” (v. 6).
The runaway slave found herself alone, pregnant, and miserable. Yet in the midst of her desperation in the wilderness, God compassionately sent an angel to speak to her. The angel told her that God had “heard of [her] misery” (v. 11). She responded by saying, “You are the God who sees me” (v. 13).
What a realization—especially in the midst of the wilderness. God saw Hagar and had compassion. And no matter how tough things are, He sees you.
By Katara Patton
REFLECT & PRAY
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What wilderness situations are you facing? How does knowing that God sees you help you to keep going?
Dear God, thank You for seeing me. I know You’re with me even during my toughest times.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God sees and remembers us, which is an encouragement displayed repeatedly in the Scriptures. When tormented and desperate for a child of her own, Hannah prayed that God would remember her (1 Samuel 1:11), and He did (vv. 19-20). He gave her a son, Samuel, the last of the judges and the first of the prophets. Samuel would anoint Israel’s first two kings. As blind Samson stood between the pillars of a pagan temple, he too prayed for God to remember him and restore his strength (Judges 16:28). God restored that strength and Samson’s final victory proved to be his greatest. From a cross, a dying thief prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Christ assured him that He’d remember him (v. 43). One of God’s most encouraging attributes is that He’s the God who remembers us.
Bill Crowder |
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Sarah Young:
Chuck Swindoll:
Charles Stanley:
Joyce Meyer:
Upper Room: God's Plan
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
As an animal lover, I was ecstatic to apply and interview for a job managing a local veterinary clinic. It was my dream job. The interview with the clinic owner couldn’t have gone better. We got along great and discussed the future of the clinic as she gave me a full tour and introduced me to staff.
Although I was convinced this was a perfect fit for me, I asked God for guidance and to either open or close the door to this opportunity according to God’s plan. When I found out a week later that I was not selected for the job, I was heartbroken.
But I had to remind myself in my disappointment that God had indeed answered my prayer about this decision. I had asked God to open or close the door, and God had done just that.
While I think I know the right course for my life, God always knows best. When we remain humble and submit to God’s will, w
e can be certain that God has a good plan for our lives and can use all things — even disappointments — for good.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for directing our steps and reminding us that you have a good plan for our lives. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.The Word for You Today
Saturday, November 09 2024
Worship tomorrow at 10 in person and on Zoom with Children's Church. Pray for and consider helping with Children's Church. We are getting some little ones which requires an extra adult. Talk to Mike or Don about that. We are finishing up our study of 2Thessalonianschapter 3.
Keep praying for rain and for us to be springs of living water in this dry and weary land! I began this morning's quiet time as God led me to this Scripture from Isaiah 58:11, 11 And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. AMEN!
Good Morning Well Watered, Springs of Living Water! Please Lord! May that be me and us! Refresh us and water this land too. Fill our wells and aquafers. Fill us too to overflowing! May springs of living water flow from us and bring refreshing and new life alive. Refresh us too. May our roots sink deep into you and draw up that living water to overflowing. Bring revival and may it begin in me and us! Thank You! Amen!
So what is God saying to you this morning as you open His Word prayerfully and expectantly and as you sit at His feet and dwell in the Vine? You know, God really is speaking to you and us all the time. PTL! He wants to speak to your heart, bless you, encourage you and direct your steps to His best for you and for those He is sending to you for some watering. Ask Him to come, speak and direct you today. He is the Good Shepherd who leads you and us beside the still waters and to the green pastures. Thank Him for that. Then, turn off the noise and still your spirit as you spend some time beside the still waters of His love. AMEN!
God blessed Karen and me with a day off yesterday to enjoy each other, some fun things and to be refreshed. We all need to take time for some self care and restoration before we can be more fully prepared to go and be about His business and our daily chores. How are you making space and allowing Him to restore your soul? Maybe this would be something to begin processing with some others? Have you been asking God who your partners might be and doing something about it? He made us to be co-laborers. Thank Him for that and seek His direction for who and then invite someone to journey together with you. I'm really praying into that as I believe that is God's next step for our fellowship in our journey to become His dynamic movement. Start with abiding time with Him and then follow Him refreshed to what's next for you and for us too as His Good News Delivery Co. Please pray for God to open up some time and space in people's sch edules in 2025 and some willing people to gather to go deeper and journey together.
Check out the flow and thread that God led me through with the devotionals I used this morning. He is definitely speaking and desiring to lead me, you and us to His best for such a time as this. Thanks Lord! Begin with The Upper Room's reminder that He has sent out His Special Invitation just to you. He's doing the same for our fellowship as He calls us to intimacy with Him and each other as the starting point for this day and our missions. Joyce Meyer uses our true identity verse of Eph. 2:10 with her reminder that we are blessed and get to live the good life in Christ and do the things we are created to do. PTL! Jesus' easy yoke leads to the good life as we start believing and living out of our true identity that we are really loved and we matter and have purpose. PTL! Charles Stanley reminds us that that good life begins, grows and flourishes as we spend time with God in His Living Word. The Holy Spirit opens up the Word and brings it to life in and through us and uses it to inform our prayers and steps and perseverance. Thanks Lord! The Word for You Today continues teaching us that our words and pronouncements really do matter. Are you casting blessings or curses over yourself and circumstances and even others? Start pronouncing God's truths and promises over you, others and your day, circumstances and steps. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 and pronounce the truths from it over you as you open Our Daily Bread and pray into God directing you to His plans for you today to go live and love more like Jesus. You know, Jesus is really our example of dwelling in God, His Word and bringing His Truths to life. As you spend time with Him and in His Word you will become that well watered garden that overflows with Living Water that refreshes and blesses others. That leads to growth and some really good fruit. PTL! I have been praying, releasing and pronouncing this over myself, you and our fellowship. God has something special just for you today! How cool is that! Rejoice, abide and then follow well!
What is God saying to you now that you've spent some time with Him? What will you do about it? Who are you teaming up with? May we all be His well watered gardens spewing Living Water everywhere we go! Amen!
UR: A Special Invitation
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Sister, will you come to my dinner on July 24th?” my friend asked. I had met this friend in a Christian fellowship group in 2019, but I later joined a new group and did not see her much anymore. It took me a moment to remember that her birthday was in July. She was inviting me to be part of the celebration. For me, that was a special and unexpected invitation.
In a similar way, each of us has received a special and perhaps unexpected invitation from Jesus, our Lord. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” Thankfully, Jesus’ invitation has no deadline. We can come to him at any time, bringing our burdens, frustrations, and problems. For those who accept his invitation, Jesus promises rest, healing, and comfort.
Just as I immediately and excitedly accepted the invitation to my friend’s birthday party, my response to Jesus’ invitation is swift and grateful. Everyone who is weary and burdened can accept Jesus’ call to lay down their burdens and find rest.
Today's Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for the peace you give us when we respond to your invitation and your promise. Amen.
Joyce Meyer:
Charles Stanley
TWFYT
ODB
When Krystal first started work at a Virginia coffee shop, she served a customer named Ibby. Because Ibby is hearing impaired, he placed his order using a typed note on his phone. After Krystal learned Ibby was a regular customer, she determined to serve him better by learning enough American Sign Language so he could place his order without writing it down.
In a small way, Krystal showed Ibby the kind of love and service Peter encourages us all to offer one another. In his letter to believers in Jesus who’d been scattered and exiled, the apostle indicates that they ought to “love each other deeply” and use their gifts “to serve others” (1 Peter 4:8, 10). Whatever skills and abilities He’s equipped us with are gifts we can use to benefit others. As we do, our words and actions can bring honor to God.
Peter’s words were especially important to those he wrote to, for they were experiencing a season of pain and isolation. He encouraged them to serve one another during the time of distress to help them bear up under their trials. Though we may not know the specific pain another person experiences, God can help us to show empathy as well as graciously and cheerfully serve one another with our words, resources, and abilities. May God help us serve others as a reflection of His love.
By Kirsten Holmberg
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When have you experienced the kind of hospitality Peter encourages? Who could you serve with your words, skills, and resources today?
Father, please help me to serve those around me with all that You’ve given me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Peter tells his readers (believers in Jesus scattered due to Roman persecution; see 1 Peter 1:1) to use the gifts they’ve received, such as hospitality, serving, and speaking (4:9-11), “to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace” (v. 10). In Romans 12, Paul includes prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy (vv. 6-8). In 1 Corinthians 12, he notes “there are different kinds of gifts . . . service . . . [and] working, . . . but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (vv. 4-6). The Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers in Jesus. These include messages of wisdom and knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues (vv. 8-11). All gifts are to be used to benefit and build up others.
Alyson Kieda |
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Karen and I beginning the Berks County Best Kept Secrets Tour yesterday. The director of that caught us and shared our photo on her daily blog.
Saturday, November 09 2024
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ! We are one as He and the Father are one. He lives in us and wants to love through us and lead us to His best. COME! Help us to live and love like You Lord! Holy Spirit, speak to our hearts, inform our prayers and direct our steps as we continue to seek, knock and open the door for you to come sit on the throne of our hearts. Father, help us to be love, joy and peace bringers today. We need You always! We love You. Help us to stay connected to the Vine and bring life giving sap of Your love to those that need it today. Revive us! Unite us! Prepare us! Lead us, Good Shepherd. Thank You! Yes, come! Fill us to overflowing with Your love, wisdom, healing and help. May we go love like You today and be blessed as You use us to be a blessing. Thank You! Amen!
Are your hearts troubled today? I awoke before 3am this morning struggling in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are grieving, hurting, confused and feeling lost and hopeless. The Bible reminds us to cast all anxiety to our Lord and to receive His peace. So I am and asking for His heart and mind to fill me to overflowing to go love like Him today--always. Proverbs 14:30 says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body." Now that may be talking about the healthful effects that being at peace brings to our physical bodies. Science proves that it is healthy to not be anxious and to dwell in peace. Jesus is our Prince of Peace and the True Vine. Let us abide in Him today and receive His life giving sap of love and fill up to go overflow with love, joy and peace to others. But this Proverb could be applied to the Body of Christ as well as those of us who have hearts at peace are sent to comfort, strengthen and bring life to the rest of the Body as we allow Christ to love through us. Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount that God comfort those who mourn. How does He want to use you to be that comfort and peace today? Ask for His help to go live and love like Jesus and do it!
God took us to some deep places last evening during our Chosen dinner huddle. That has overflowed into my quiet time today and will inform this blog as I prayed for God to inform my prayers, writing, and actions today. Last night we discussed what seems like an ever, rapidly increasing sense of grief, doubt, confusion, fear and despair to be rising all around us. These certainly are uncertain times, yet God promises peace and rest to the weary. It seems like so many around us are struggling with grief of loss of loved ones and moving through the process of grief caused by sickness, disease, divorce, and lack. Now add to that those who are deeply grieving the election results. How can we minister to so many hurting brothers and sister? Well, we need Christ's love and the Holy Spirit's help for sure. We need to die to self and agape love. We need to stop leaning on our own understanding and pursue the mind and heart of Christ with the intent to bring it alive to our hurting brothers and sisters. Ask for His help to be His vessel today. Ask to see and understand the hearts of others who are in deep grief. Last night we discussed how Peter ministered to Thomas in this episode. Peter didn't know what to say or do for his hurting brother in Christ and asked Jesus. How did Jesus respond? He said sometimes words don't help. Sometimes we just need to be present, listen and love on them. Who needs the presence of Christ and His love and comfort today? God does have plans for you. Step into them!
I'm only going to say this about the election results: Some are rejoicing and some are grieving. God's Church is made up of all kinds of people, left or right, strong or weak, happy or mourning and we are called to unity and to love like Jesus. Do it! Live Christ today! If you are feeling happy and victorious today, remember what it was like for you four years ago when your hopes were dashed. Remember your disbelief and grief? How might you love on someone who is at that place today? If you are confused and in grief, please allow your brothers and sisters in to love on you and walk with you. Let us all determine to be unified in Christ and His plans and to love each other, encourage and spur each other on and focus not on things of this earth but things above. Turn off the noise and chaos and dwell in Love as you stay connected to the Life Giving Vine. We need each other and God does have plans for Jew and Gentile, Republican and Democrat, strong and weak, happy and mourning. In this life, Christ is all that matters. Choose to live and love like Him and build up His Church. Let us choose to be the example of what it means to be one in Christ and to love like Him! Amen! Help us Lord! Let us commit together to change the world for Christ as we stay united in Love and go love well. Reach out and love on a brother or sister today. Humble yourself. Be Christ!
OK this is getting way to long, but so critical. I have a pile of about ten devos that flow into this heart and Word for today that God has given me. I'll let you abide in the Vine and God's Word on your own today as you seek, knock and ask for His heart and mind to love well, receive healing and hope, and to keep your focus on Him always. Jesus is Love! He is the Prince of Peace. He is the Light of the World. He is our hope and help in times of trouble. Stay connected and allow Him to lead you today! I am pouring my heart out for you, for our hurting brothers and sisters and for the world that wrongly thinks His Church is a place of hate. Let us be the example of how to truly live and love well--His unified Body. Amen
"A heart at peace gives life to the body." Lord, bring Your peace, healing, hope, comfort and love alive. Send me! Come! Help! Amen
Saturday, November 09 2024
Thank God I'm Forgiven! Say that out loud and bring it to bear over you and your circumstances. Lift thanksgiving and praise as you begin your time with God and build momentum for the day ahead!
Good Morning Redeemed, Restored, Faithful to God and His Ways, Blessing Casting Followers of Jesus! Hmmm...say what? Say it again...pronounce it out loud. You are very loved, forgiven, redeemed, restored, child of God and your words matter! Speak over yourself and circumstances in agreement with God who is with you always an working ALL things together for your good and the good of those who He is leading to faith. Speak Truth, love and blessings, healing, hope and joy out loud. Read His Word and promises out loud. Stop cursing yourself and circumstances and start believing in God and His promises and pronounce them from your heart of faith. Our words matter!
Check out the flow of this through our devotionals below and pray in agreement with harvest prayer. This is the day the Lord has made! PTL! Rejoice! Lift Praise, And pronounce many blessings over you and your day as you prepare to go live and love like Jesus! You are God's chosen, very loved, forgiven much vessel of revival. Say that out loud as you prepare to go live and love more like Jesus! Bring your prayers and God's heart to life today! God does have some awesome plans for you! Rejoice, prepare and go in His power! Amen!
Stop and praise God and pray for our church leadership team. We had an amazing meeting last evening. God is on the move and truly does have some great things in store for us for the rest of the year and for 2025. Keep praying, praising, pronouncing, believing and follow Him! We are on our way to become His dynamic movement! PTL! Pray for our Finance Team as they have been directed towards budgeting according to God's plans. Pray we would be the best stewards of all His blessings while sowing lavishly and following earnestly! Yesterday I began disciple making training under an old friend from Bible College who is a church planter and very fruitful disciple maker. Pray for us to discern God's plans for me and us and for wisdom to bring them to life. Pray for a few to be raised up to enter the process with me after the New Year. What's God have for you in His Good News Delivery Company? Who is He leading you to partner with? Who is He bringing to mind to pray for and share His love and Good News? Keep seeking, knocking and committed to earnestly sowing and following Him. Revival is coming! Say that out loud in prayer and praise today. God is doing some old things in new relevant ways! Can you perceive it? What's your part? We were one way and we are being transformed to His image more and moved to His plans and to being His new vessels (wine skins) and His new way for us! Surrender to Him in prayer and invite Him to come have His way with you and us. Then believe and cast blessings! Amen!
Watch for some exciting new opportunities to join Jesus and expand His Kingdom! He is on the move! Hallelujah! He does have very good plans for you and us! Plans to prosper and not harm. Plans that lead to our future and hope! Amen! Start praying earnestly for who He wants to bless through you and for who He may be wanting you to invite to experience our loving, joyful fellowship and His presence! Then start following Him to be the answer to your prayers and pronouncements! I'm praying like crazy for you and us! And God loves to answer those kind of prayers. Keep your eyes on Jesus and watch expectantly for His new things with willing hearts on fire for God!!!
TWFYT: (Yes this is yesterday's reading but God had me skip that and come back to it today because it is relevant)
Joyce Meyer
ODB
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Mag had been looking forward to her planned trip to another country. But, as was her usual practice, she prayed about it first. “It’s just a holiday,” a friend remarked. “Why do you need to consult God?” Mag, however, believed in committing everything to Him. This time, she felt Him prompting her to cancel the trip. She did, and later—when she would have been there—an epidemic broke out in the country. “I feel like God was protecting me,” she notes.
Noah too relied on God’s protection as he and his family waited in the ark for nearly two months after the flood subsided. After being cooped up for more than ten months, he must have been eager to get out. After all, “the water had dried up from the earth” and “the ground was dry” (Genesis 8:13). But Noah didn’t just rely on what he saw; instead, he left the ark only when God told him to (vv.15-19). He trusted that God had good reason for the extended wait—perhaps the ground wasn’t completely safe yet.
As we pray about the decisions in our life, using our God-given faculties and waiting for His leading, we can trust in His timing, knowing that our wise Creator knows what’s best for us. As the psalmist declared, “I trust in you, Lord. . . . My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15).
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
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What do you believe God is saying to you about a decision you may be facing? How can you trust Him and wait for His guidance?
Father, please grant me the wisdom and guidance to move according to Your will and ways, for I trust in Your plans for my life.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Genesis provides some specific details regarding Noah and the timeline of the flood. “After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth” (5:32). When his sons were grown (6:18), God called him to build the ark (vv. 9-22), and he was six hundred years old when he and his family entered it (7:6). It rained for forty days and nights (vv. 12, 17), and the waters “flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days” (v. 24). During this entire time, Noah had to trust that God would do as He’d promised (6:17-18).
J.R. Hudberg |
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UR: Peace from Prayer
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 (NIV)
The months following my cancer diagnosis felt incredibly long. There were medical appointments, several scans and tests, followed by more appointments, and then waiting for surgery. One week after surgery, I met with the surgeon to review results and discuss next steps.
That morning I began my devotion time by reading The Upper Room, a habit I’ve had for almost 40 years. The writer talked about her anxiety over an upcoming medical appointment and how she calmed her fears by thinking about the many friends who were praying for her. Over the next hour, I received text messages from several friends telling me they were praying for me that morning.
I have felt remarkable peace going through this process, praise the Lord! I attribute that to prayers on my behalf and the comfort of knowing that Jesus walks with me. I’ve also tried to focus on what God may be trying to teach me. I am learning a lot about patience, perspective, and perseverance. Most of all, I am reminded daily to trust God, who provides “the peace . . . which transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we go through challenging times, help us to put our trust in you. Help us also to remember others in our prayers and support them as they face difficult situations. Amen.
Harvest Prayer
- Praise God for his command to serve him faithfully with all your heart, considering what great things he has done for you (1 Sam. 12:24).
- Thank God for the greatest of all gifts, salvation in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16).
- Confess your lack of faith as you attempt to flee from God in the midst of trying circumstances (1 Kings 19).
- Commit yourself to growing in the knowledge and grace of God, giving him the glory (2 Pet. 3:18).
- Ask God to show you daily how your faith is a Fantastic Adventure in Trusting Him.
- Pray that joy and gladness may be found throughout God’s kingdom, with thanksgiving and songs of gladness for God’s faithfulness to all generations (Isa. 51:11).
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Saturday, November 09 2024
This Week:
Tonight @ 6PM Pray for the elections (this is a national effort to pray unified as His Body) Just pause at 6pm to pray.
Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle
Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry; 12-12:30 EC Day of Fasting and Prayer to become a dynamic movement of God.; 6-8pm Chosen Dinner Huddle
Thurs 6:30. Vision Team Meeting (Pray for wisdom and discernment of God's plans as this meeting will inform our budgeting process)
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Good Morning Chosen, Called By Name, Redeemed, Very Loved Child of God! Amen! Focus on that in prayer and action today. TWFYT uses our Eph. 2:10 verse as they ask a question we should all frequently ask ourselves: "Are you doing what you're supposed to do?" Who are you processing and working on this with? Eph. 2:10 reminds us that We are God's masterpieces. He created us for His purposes with great potential. When we come to Christ as our Lord and Savior, this all becomes available and activated. Eph. 2:10 says, We are God's masterpieces made new in Christ. So we get to step into our new nature and receive the gift of Holy Spirit in us and His gifts and empowerment tp do what? According to Eph. 2:10, to do all we are created to do. I love to meditate on this, God's easy yoke for me, you and all who will come to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Eph. 2:10 sort of sums up the Good News we have to bring to others. Jesus loves you, died for you and made a way for you to be saved from sin, made new and fulfill your purposes here on earth in preparation for eternity with Him in heaven. (Reread that...what's God saying to you today?) Who needs to hear that today? We are the people of Good News, saved by grace and sent to transform the world, one soul at a time. We all have custom made parts in His Good News Delivery Company. So as TWFYT asks, "Are you doing what you're supposed to do?" How can we help each other to grow in this and our potential. Really pray into this and ask God for some partners on this journey.
Focus on that today as you turn off the noise, focus on things above and follow Jesus to His best for you! He indeed does have great plans for you and us for a future and hope! PTL! We are custom made for such a time as this. God's in control and has a plan just for you and for you and us together as His Body. PTL! Sarah Young reminds us to keep our focus right as we dwell in God's presence and receive His directions, encouragement and empowerment to follow well. And the Upper Room reminds us to keep asking for help along the way as we stay focused on Jesus and His plans. Amen. God really loves you and made you to worship Him as you go live and love like Jesus. He does have a future and hope for you and us together to discover and explore and work at living well for His glory. I'm praying for you and us to flourish as we dwell in His love and peace and go love like Him. Amen! Let us be instruments of Good News bringing revival to one soul at a time. Come Lord! Have Your way with us and use us well. Lead us to co-laborers. And move us to fulfill our potential for Your glory. Thanks Lord! Amen
TWFYT:
SY:
UR: A Beautiful Reminder
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:2 (NIV)
As I rounded a corner on the parkway, I was dazzled by the wonderful sight of glistening snow on the Brindabella Mountains. It was a freezing-cold, wintry day in Canberra as I drove to my choir rehearsal. This was to be the last practice before our concert in a week’s time. As the choir’s events manager, I had many worries and much to accomplish for the rehearsal and concert.
With the mountains in view before me, I thought of Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” This beautiful scene was a timely reminder to me of God’s presence in my life. It prompted me to pass my concerns over to God in prayer, and as I continued my journey I felt a sense of peace and thankfulness for God’s loving-kindness and care. God is near and ready to help if only we ask.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for creating a beautiful world that reminds us of your love and care for us. Thank you for hearing our prayers when we bring our worries to you. Amen.
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