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Saturday, January 25 2025
Happy Monday on Tuesday! Holiday weeks always seem to mess with me and my schedule. How about you? Let's breathe out the junk and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit and worship! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Why not plan to join us at 10 for Zoom Huddle? Great way to start this short week!
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Good Morning Focused, Persevering, Long-Haul Followers of Jesus! Amen! This life is filled with distractions, annoyances, ups and downs, yet God is with us redeeming whatever we go through for His glory and our good. Amen! Are you able to stay focused during the climb, the mountaintop, the decent and the valley and worship always? Knowing that all things are filtered through God's hands and He has a purpose or will redeem things helps us to growing trust and enabled to choose joy always. Thinking about the two major events of yesterday can have us approaching today from different perspectives, yet God is with us always. Maybe you are struggling with the things MLK Jr. was fighting for--freedom, unity and love. Maybe you are rejoicing for the new president, maybe very sad or maybe indifferent. Well, can you trust God no matter your heart attitude or mindset? Yes always! And He is at work and working ALL things together. Amen! He is the God who is playing the long game and we are His partners who persevere in faith focused on Him no matter what we face. May we always trust, worship and follow well. May we encourage and build each other up. May we be about our Father's business always. Keep these thoughts at the forefront and remember that you are custom made, gifted and placed for such a time as this. Focus on that and His plans for you and us and you will have little time to get off track, worry and fear, and be able to worship always. Amen! Help us Lord! Fill us! Forgive us! Focus us on you and may we always choose to trust and follow and worship You alone! Thanks! Amen!
My devotionals below flow through God's heart to yours and mine. He is always speaking to you in love and wanting to lead you to His best--always. Today is no different. So, turn off the noise and focus up as you spend some time abiding in Love today and allowing Him to live and love through each step of faith along the way! Begin with praise and then offer yourself as a sacrifice of praise. Amen!
Spend some tine with these devotionals and ask God to speak to your heat and inform your steps today. And worship for He is worthy of all praise, glory and honor and our obedience is worship too! Yes, PTL!
Chuck Swindoll
Sarah Young
Joyce Meyer
ODB
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The two men conquered human flight, but the Wright brothers’ journey to success was never easy. Despite countless failures, ridicule, money woes, and serious injury to one of them, the brothers weren’t stopped by the trials they faced. As Orville Wright observed, “No bird soars in a calm.” The idea, according to biographer David McCullough, means that adversity can “often be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher.” Said McCullough, “Their joy was not getting to the top of the mountain. Their joy was climbing the mountain.”
The apostle Peter taught a similar spiritual principle to the persecuted early church. He told them, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you” (1 Peter 4:12). This wasn’t a denial of suffering’s pain. Peter knew that hope in Christ grows our trust in God.
This is especially true when we suffer for being a believer in Jesus, as those early Christians did. Peter wrote to them, “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (v. 13). He went on, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (v. 14).
As the Wright brothers’ character was hailed by their biographer, may others see God’s loving character at work in us. He uses our adversity to raise us to new heights.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have you suffered for Christ? How was He glorified?
Suffering tests me, dear God. Please grant me hope for Your glory.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The apostle Peter penned his first letter to encourage believers in Jesus who—because of persecution in Jerusalem (see Acts 8:1)—had been scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Peter’s words still encourage suffering believers today. We’re not to be surprised when we face persecution because of our faith (1 Peter 4:12). After all, Christ warned, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Yet Peter tells us to rejoice when we suffer for being Christ’s followers (1 Peter 4:13, 16). We see this modeled by Paul in prison (Acts 16:22-25). God the Holy Spirit was with the early believers in their trials—and He’s with us in ours (1 Peter 4:14; see John 14:15-17; Romans 5:5). He comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and inspires His followers to persevere with rejoicing.
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Peace Is Ours
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)
When our oldest son was 18 months old, he started biting other kids. No matter what I said or did, he kept doing it. I stayed away from playgroups to avoid incidents, and I was anxious even when going out to lunch or visiting friends. I would cry at night feeling like I was being punished. I felt like this phase would never end, but eventually it did.
It’s the same with life and what goes on in the world. When we dwell on current events, we lose our sense of peace and feel anxious. We forget that Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you.” God doesn’t wait for the storms to pass before giving us peace. Christ’s peace is already here; it is ours.
The best way to keep the peace God has given us is to keep our eyes on God. How do we do that when we are bombarded with news of a world that seems to be breaking down? We read God’s promises and spend time getting to know the Prince of Peace. We can only put out what we take in, so let’s take God’s word into our hearts.
Today's Prayer
Father God, help us when we let difficult situations interfere with the peace you have freely given. Allow the Prince of Peace to fill us with hope, faith, and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
TWFYT
Harvest:
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January 21 - The Holy Spirit Brings Wisdom and Understanding
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And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The same Spirit that descended on Jesus as a dove came to the early church in tongues of fire. With this visitation came new insight, strength, and understanding. The Holy Spirit brings clarity, not confusion. He offers discernment, not disorder. As He rests on us, He allows us to see God rightly, understand His Word, and look at the world around us through His eyes.
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving me understanding as I read the word of God, and for giving me discernment as I face difficult decisions or circumstances! Please help my church to be a place that is continually marked by Your wisdom.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, Simply Prayer at prayershop.org.
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Day 2 of the President’s First 31 Days: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Pray that the Lord would give our president godly wisdom for U.S. Supreme Court appointments who would hold to the Scriptures and the U.S. Constitution in their decision-making.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy (James 3:17).
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Day 2 of the President’s First 31 Days: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Pray that the Lord would give our president godly wisdom for U.S. Supreme Court appointments who would hold to the Scriptures and the U.S. Constitution in their decision-making.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy (James 3:17).
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Thank you all for adapting with Zoom only worship yesterday! We heard a little about our responsibility as God's redeemed, gathered and sent people. We were preparing for our Annual Congregational Meeting next Sunday after worship. See you there! We all have a part and responsibility in the Kingdom and as God's Good News Delivery Co. And we get to exercise our gifts and created abilities to grow His Kingdom as His people! PTL! Keep praying into that! See Sarah's Prayer update from yesterday below.
This Week:
Tuesday Zoom Huddle 10-11 All welcome!
Wednesday:
10-12 Bread Ministry
6-7:30 Dinner Huddle. All welcome!
Sunday: Worship at 10 with Children's Church starting their several week building of and teaching about the armor of God. Congregational meeting in sanctuary after worship followed by our 2 Peas in A Pod Brunch at 11:30. All welcome!
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Good Morning Redeemed, Washed-White-As-Snow, Called, Gifted, Gathered and Sent, Worshipers of God Almighty! Amen! May we step more fully into that Lord!
Today is a holiday for many as we remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight for freedom. ODB reflects on God's call to Moses to go set His people free. We are free in Christ and called and sent to set the captives free. We still battle for the souls of the oppressed and enslaved today. May God send us and use us well and may we not be reluctant to go like Moses. But we are also reminded that God sent him with a partner as well. What's your call and who are your partners? Today is also Inauguration Day where the freedoms we know in this country are lived out as we transition leaders. May freedom ring and God lead our leaders to his perfect plans. Check out Harvest Prayer as they begin several days of praying for our new leaders and for our nation. May freedom ring, love arise, and unity come! Amen! Below ODB you will find my "I to We" devo as we remember our call to love God, each other and others. May that come alive and grow in and through and around us Lord! I think that will be enough for today. You can use this snowy holiday to spend some time with our Lord, Savior and Leader. He has set us free! And sent us to set the captives free. That is why we are still walking this earth! May we be determined to go live and love more like Jesus and step into our purposes in His Good News Delivery Company. May we come alive in '25! Amen! (pray for Karen and I as we hit the road shortly to go spend time with our grand babies! Thanks!)
God has great plans custom made for you and us as His gathered and sent people. He loves you and is calling you by name. He has gifted and positioned you for such a time as this and He has gathered us to grow His Kingdom As we trust, obey and follow, we are worshiping the King of kings and bringing great glory to His name And that results in good and lasting fruit! may we abide, follow and build His Kingdom always! Amen! I'm praying for you and us. Join God and me!
ODB:
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The acclaimed painting Let My People Go by Aaron Douglas uses vibrant colors of lavender, green, and gold, along with traditional African imagery, to tell the biblical story of Moses and connect it with black Americans’ struggle for freedom and justice.
The painting portrays God’s appearance to Moses in a burning bush when He revealed that He’d seen the plight of the Israelites in Egypt. The artist uses a beam of light to symbolize God and His message, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).
In Let My People Go, Moses kneels in obedient submission to God’s instructions, but the eye is drawn to the dark waves and horses trained for war surrounding him—reminding viewers of the struggles the Israelites would face as they left Egypt. But the beam of light shines brightly as a reminder that God would be with the Israelites.
The emotions evoked by the painting resonate because the struggle against injustice continues; many use their power to oppress men, women, and children around the world. As those who are suffering cry out for God to be “a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9), we can plead with God to respond to their cries for help. And, like Moses, we can be willing to act on behalf of the oppressed.
By Lisa M. Samra
REFLECT & PRAY
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How might you pray for oppressed people? How might you learn more about caring for those suffering from injustice?
Heavenly Father, please make Your presence known to all those who suffer unjustly.
Visit ODBU.org/SF120 to learn more about how to pray for others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Moses’ burning bush experience (Exodus 3) involves what’s known as a theophany, “a theological term to refer to either a visible or auditory manifestation of God” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology). The sight or sound grabs one’s attention, but the message is what’s paramount. God assured Moses: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people . . . . I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering” (v. 7). Another example of a theophany is when God appeared in fire and smoke at Mount Sinai (19:16-20).
Arthur Jackson |
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I to We
Harvest Blogs:
January 20 - The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out On All People
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Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike (Joel 2:28-29).
The Spirit is generous to all of God’s people. He shows no partiality for the elite, but is poured out on men and women, young and old, the poor and the wealthy. Are we walking in a way that shows we believe this promise extends to us? The Spirit pours into us so that we can pour into others and build up the body of believers through our gifts.
Father God, please give me the faith to believe that the gifts of the Spirit are available to me, my family and the community of believers I worship with! Help us all to trust that You will show us how to walk in those gifts as You pour the Spirit out upon us!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). Check out the OneCry Podcast that Bill Elliff co-hosts!
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INAUGUARATION DAY: Join us in praying for the new President the first 31 days of his administration:
Day 1: Pray that the president would be a friend to the churches in America that honor Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:2).
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- Praise the righteous God whose face shines upon you (Psalm 4).
- Thank him for setting apart the godly for himself.
- Confess any unresolved anger that causes you to sin.
- Commit yourself to bringing to God gifts worthy of his name.
- Ask the Lord to surround you with his favor and spread his protection over you so that you may rejoice in him.
- Pray that the Spirit may thrust believers into worldwide mission, impelling young and old, men and women, to go next door and far away, into science and art, media and marketplace with the good news of God’s grace.
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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) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com
Sarah Prayer update:
Good afternoon, everyone,
We had a nice worship service on Zoom. 32 folks were on zoom. Thank you to Pastor Don and Debbie S for helping with the service today.
Caleb's audiology appointment is coming up soon. Prayers to be scheduled soon and good results.
Darla - Josie's friend who is having mobility issues.
Tim Schware - he is having trouble with his pitching arm. This week he will be getting cortisone shots. Praying that this will help with Pain and discomfort
Kay Behle's wrist surgery went well and she is recuperating well.
Gary Bastan has asked for surgery for a few family members:
Howie - is currently in the hospital
His cousin's niece, Linda is currently on water pills to help reduce the fluid on her lungs and legs
And Gary will be traveling with family to Florida, Jan 23 - 27. Prayers for safe travels for all
Prayers for safety and healing for those in our church family that are sick, or going through their treatments
Prayers for Lori and her team as they prep for our brunch next Sunday......
Hope you all have a great week!
Blessings,
Sarah
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Saturday, January 25 2025
Zoom ONLY worship today! Congregational Meeting after worship next Sunday the 26th after worship before Brunch (Plenty of food and all welcome to brunch!)
Good Morning Radiating, Lighthouses of THE Light of the World! Amen! I being short as God (and the dogs) brought us rest and allowed us to sleep in until 6 this morning! PTL! The salutation flows for the devos below. I'll be preparing for Zoom worship at 10. God has a great word for us in this blog and through the message today. Prepare your hearts to worship, fill up and to go radiate His love and light. He has great plans for you that begin win His presence with prayer and preparing. See you all soon! God loves you and has great plans for you and us to go live and love like Jesus as we step more fully into our created purposes and come alive in '25! Shalom!
UR: Finding Rest
[The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. - Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
I was designing a major installation at work. As the deadline approached, I began working overtime. It started as one extra hour a day but soon went to two hours a day. The day before the deadline I worked from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning. A few days later, my boss asked me to work away from home for six months. I had had enough, and I decided to resign. When my boss asked me why, I explained it to him. He gave me an extra week of annual leave and told me to rest!
Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd who “makes [us] lie down,” giving us rest so that we can enjoy God’s bountiful grace and mercy. God wants us to rest, to pause and focus on God. Even God paused to rest in the Creation story (see Gen. 2:2-3).
We need physical rest, and we need emotional rest. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). God, through Jesus, offers rest for our souls.
Today's Prayer
Dear Jesus, help us to find rest in you. Show us how and when to rest. Amen.
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
ODB
There’s an old folktale about a woman who carried water home every day from a river using two buckets at either end of a long pole—one bucket new and solid, the other much older and cracked. When the woman got home, the new bucket was still full, but the old bucket almost empty. The old bucket felt bad and apologized. The woman turned and pointed back down the road and asked the old bucket, “Do you see all those flowers, growing on your side of the road? Every day you water them, and my walk to and from the river is always filled with beauty.”
We live in a world that worships and rewards youth—the young and solid, unscarred and efficient. Yet the Bible clearly tells us of a righteous beauty that comes from the older and weaker, maybe even the cracked and leaky. “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,” said the old songwriter, “they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12).
Granted, old is not always synonymous with wise, but the old contribute to our lives in ways the young can’t because they’ve lived a little longer, experienced a little more, and stand a little more rooted, flourishing in faith and trust in God. Such people “will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (v. 14).
Older adults in our lives continue to bear beautiful fruit. Let’s take the time to see it and care for them.
By John Blase
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How can you serve the older adults on your path? What will you do today to see and appreciate them?
Father, please give me eyes to see those still bearing fruit in old age.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
January 19 - Still Fruitful: Ps. 92:12-15 (150/129)
The book of Psalms has been described as a “prayer book for God’s people as they wait for the arrival of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises” (The Bible Project). The Psalms are divided into five books: Book One, Psalms 1-41; Book Two, Psalms 42-72; Book Three, Psalms 73-89; Book Four, Psalms 90-106; and Book Five, Psalms 107-150. Psalms 90-92 form the opening portion of Book Four.
Psalm 92 has a deep connection to the psalms that precede it. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says: “Psalms 90-92 are united by development of concepts and repetition of vocabulary. These psalms lead the worshiper from a meditation on the transience of life (Psalm 90) and a call for wisdom (Psalm 91) to a climactic celebration of divine deliverance and protection (Psalm 92).”
Bill Crowder |
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Saturday, January 18 2025
We are aware of the impending snow storm that is predicted to start during worship or the congregational meeting tomorrow. At Noon today, the Support Team will make a decision regarding worship tomorrow. As of now we are leaning towards Zoom only worship due to potential treacherous travel. If that is the decision, the Congregational Meeting will move to before the Brunch next Sunday. So, watch for the decision around noon through this link and with One Call announcement.
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Good Morning Preparing, Readying, Followers of the Way! Oh Lord find us preparing and readying to follow Jesus and His way to bring revival and new life to our communities. May we become disciple making disciples of Jesus. Lead us, just as we are and grow us into our fullest created and gifted potentials. Your Kingdom come and will be done. Use us! Thank You! Amen!
This morning I finally had the time to have an extended time with the Lord. PTL! It has been a hectic and early week of allowing God to use me. I love when He does that and I have been praying, prepared and filled up before this busy season. But, I love my quiet time with the Lord that can extend to several hours each morning! How is your quiet time? Are you making space for God to speak, correct, fill and inform? Are you turning off the noise, being still, abiding in His Love daily? Try it, if not! Jesus got up early to get away with God and to spend time with Him in prayer, preparation, and to receive His daily marching orders. I want to be more like Jesus. Do you? It's awesome to sit at His feet daily and worship, pray and receive!
This morning God took me into some different devotionals to speak to my heart, inform me what to share with you and to affirm me. I love when that happens! Do you have a story of how God has done that for you? I'd love to hear it! We are Oaks of Righteous planted deep in Christ and His Living Word. We are watered with His Living Water. He is speaking to our hearts and calling us to break camp like the bishop reminded us last year when Joshua told the people to break camp, purify themselves and prepare to enter the Promised Land. You have a choice. Will you seek Him, listen, break camp and follow? The Promised Land lies ahead as God is calling us to come alive as disciple making disciples of Jesus and sent apostles to transform the world around us. I get all this from my quiet times and God begins all things with prayer and informs through quiet time with Him, just as he did with Jesus. So again, how's your quiet time and prayer life? What is God saying to you and what are you planning to do about it? Who are your partners? He has gathered us to prepare us and send us to transform the world. As we go, we are transformed more into the image of Christ and moving towards our created and gifted potential. We are poised to come alive in '25! What's your part? Pray into that. Discuss that with me and your partners. Pray some more and then follow the Holy Spirit step by step in faith! God's greater things and perfect plans for you and us are on the horizon! Great and lasting fruit is budding! Amen!
Lord, come! Have your way with me and lead our Body to its fullest potential in Christ. Unite us as you are One. May we have the faith to break camp and follow You step by step! Yes, Your Kingdom come and will be done! And prepare and use us well! bring in the harvest and raise up servants for it and from it! Lord, we are asking for at least 30 new servants that want to learn to walk in Your ways. We need you! Come! Thanks! Amen! And give us wisdom about gathering tomorrow. Thanks! Speak to us however we gather and lead us to Your perfect pans as we seek to come alive in '25. Amen
My Disciple Making devo from I to We:
Sarah Young
The Upper Room: Alone with God
If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31 (NIV)
When I was 18 years old, I moved across the world. I left my small hometown for the city of Sydney, Australia. As I stepped off the plane, I felt afraid. “God, stay with me,” I prayed as I clenched my fists and looked up desperately to the sky. After a taxi ride that felt longer than it was, I set foot in my new home. The fear I had felt quickly turned into overbearing loneliness.
As I began to unpack, I pulled out my Bible. At the time, it seemed the only familiar sight in this strange, new country. Holding back tears, I decided to take a break from my unpacking and read God’s word, thinking it might comfort me. I came upon the story of Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Sydney, Australia, was as new and unknown to me as the Promised Land was to Joshua. But God frequently reminded Joshua and the Israelites not to be afraid.
Once I finished reading, I felt a great sense of comfort. The Lord spoke to me through Joshua’s story, reminding me that I am never alone. Even when it seems that fear and loneliness are our only companions, God remains with us, holding us as we embark on any new adventure.
Today's Prayer
Ever-present God, help us remember that we are never alone because you are with us. Thank you for continuing to guide us each day. Amen.
Harvest:
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January 18 - The Holy Spirit Manifests Through Various Fruit
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer changes things about that person. There is a constant battle between the desires of the flesh that are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit that are against the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Spirit not only gives us the ability to stop doing evil things, but if we yield our life to the work of the Spirit, He will produce in us great spiritual fruit.
Holy Spirit, please give me an increased awareness of how important it is in and for my life to die daily to self so that I can live according to Your counsel and not give in to the temptations of the world. Would You move in my life to reveal areas where I am lacking spiritual fruitfulness? Show me and my church community how to live in such a way that the fruit we bear gives great glory to God!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayershop.org.
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- Praise the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all one can ask or imagine.
- Thank God for what he is doing in your life and in the church in response to prayer.
- Confess little asking and weak praying.
- Commit yourself to asking and expecting much in Jesus’ name.
- Claim the promise that Christ will come to you and make his home in your heart if you love him and trust him.
- Pray that the countries currently banning the Bible may soon rescind these bans so that their people may have free access to the Bible.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” —Thomas Fuller
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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) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com
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Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning! Quick blog
Jesus loves you and is calling you by name! I love you too! Spend some time with Him today and the two devos and harvest blog below. Praise Him for your salvation. Keep at His plans and don't grow weary. Good fruit is sprouting! PTL! What's he saying to you today? What will you do about it? Who are your partners? Talk to Him and allow Him to fill you and have Hs way with you today and always Amen! I'm praying! God has great plans for you, me and us together! Let us be abut His business and fulfilling our custom made parts. Amen!
UR: Light for Dark Days
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)
A few years ago, my family and I witnessed a solar eclipse. The sky grew dark, the birds stopped chirping, and the crickets came to life in the middle of the day. It was an eerie feeling. But it lasted only a few moments. If only other dark days could be so brief!
As the pastor of a church, I recently experienced a difficult situation with a church member. I felt discouraged and disillusioned hearing harsh words and criticisms.
While we can’t remove the hurt any more than we can stop the moon from blocking the sun, we can remember the truths surrounding both. During a solar eclipse, we know that the sun is still shining; therefore, we wait in faith for its reappearance.
When dark days come, we must remember that Christ still reigns, even if we can’t see it. Therefore, we wait in faith for his reappearance. But we don’t wait idly.
When darkness engulfs me, I turn to Jesus’ words in scripture. As I meditate, Jesus becomes brighter and brighter in my soul. His presence fills me, and in his presence, darkness flees and light shines. Jesus is not just the light of the world — he’s the light for our dark days.
Today's Prayer
Dear Father, help us to remember your promises when troubles and sorrows distract us from your presence. Amen.ODB
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Weary. That’s how Satya felt after nine months in his new job. As a believer in Jesus, he’d sought to follow God’s principles in the way he solved problems and directed the work. But people-related problems persisted, and little organizational progress seemed to have been made. He felt like throwing in the towel.
Perhaps, like Satya, you’re feeling tired. You know the good that you ought to do but simply feel too emotionally and physically drained to carry on. Take heart. The apostle Paul encourages us with these words: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). He uses the metaphor of a farmer. And, as any farmer knows, sowing is hard work.
Sowing to “please the Spirit” (v. 8) is hard work too. Believers in Jesus who seek to follow the Spirit’s lead and live a life that honors Him can grow faint and lose heart. But as we hang on to His promise, the harvest will come. We’ll “reap eternal life” (v. 8; see John 17:3)—a bumper crop of God’s blessing when Christ returns, and in this life, we’ll have the confidence and joy that come from knowing Him. We’ll reap at the proper time, a time determined not by seasons or the weather but by the will of a perfect God. Until the harvest comes, let’s keep sowing in God’s strength.
By Poh Fang Chia
REFLECT & PRAY
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What’s causing you to lose heart? How can you hang on to the promise that “at the proper time we will reap a harvest”?
Dear Father, please help me to not lose heart and to persevere in doing good.
For further study, read The Sword, the Son, and a Rest for God’s People.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The letter to the Galatians wasn’t written to a single church or city but to “the churches in Galatia” (1:2), a region of what was then known as Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). There’s been an ongoing debate regarding the exact location of the recipients of this letter. Some scholars say the letter was directed to northern Galatia. Others say it was directed to southern Galatia, where Paul planted churches (Acts 13-14). Although the letter’s specific destination is unclear, there’s no doubt about its message. Paul is challenging the Galatians to set aside the teaching of those who taught adherence to Moses’ law as a condition of salvation. It’s all about grace. Bill Crowder
Learn more about Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
Bill Crowder |
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Harvest
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January 17 - The Holy Spirit Unites Believers
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After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:31-32).
The first-century church received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and was continually filled and equipped by the Spirit to be the kind of church God intended. One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to bring unity to the hearts and minds of believers to accomplish God’s mission in His church. Unity is vital among God’s people and in our church today. The Spirit does not work among a church in disunity.
Oh Lord, unity is a huge thing on Your heart for Your people. May Your Holy Spirit fill every believer at my church with unity of heart and mind so that we have increased unity in our mission and vision. Convict us and correct us of anything that causes or breeds disunity in our midst.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayershop.org.
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Saturday, January 18 2025
Sat: Clothing Closet 10-1
Sun: Worship 10 live in person and on Zoom with Children's Church (begin several weeks on armor of God) 11:30 Annual Congregational Meeting (Zoom and Sanctuary)
Note: There may not be a blog tomorrow depending on the departure time to take Kay to her hand surgery. (Could be as early as 5am) But God will still speak to you as your TGIF worship and draw close in prayer and study. You don't need me to lead your quiet time. I'm praying for God to speak to your heart always.
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Good Morning Known, Loved, Abiding in Love, Followers of Jesus! May that be you, me, and us and always! Thanks Lord! Life and even life in Christ is a journey full of ups and downs and often characterized as a roller coaster ride. Hang on! You can't get off a coaster until the end. Unfortunately we can choose to get of the Jesus journey whenever we want and many do when the steep and hard climbs come. But that doesn't have to be you or any of us. God is with us always. hard times are promised but so is His help in times of trouble. Often we grow most and become prepared as endure through, are stretched some and grow into the people we are created to be. may that be us Lord! Strengthen us. Carry us. Mold us. Make us usable and lead us to your perfect plans! Amen!
Check out the flow about this through the devotionals below. God is speaking to you. Some of you need these Words form Him today. Pray. Meditate. Seek. Listen. Process. And follow well! He has great plans for you and even through the hard things is with you and working all things together for good! PTL! Trust and know His peace and receive His help. You get to choose joy today and always. try it and follow well!
ODB:
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Mark was a promising young pastor. Then one morning his son, Owen, collapsed and died while kicking a ball with him. Mark was devastated and still grieves the loss. But through his pain he’s become a more compassionate pastor. I’ve mourned with Mark and wondered if his trial illustrates an insight A. W. Tozer noted: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” I fear that’s true.
Then again, perhaps it’s not that simple. We learn about the complexity of God’s ways by observing the exodus of Israel. God led the young nation out of Egypt on an easy road, saying of Israel, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt” (Exodus 13:17). Yet a few verses later, God told Moses to double back so Pharaoh would rally his army and come out to fight (14:1-4). Pharaoh took the bait. The Israelites “were terrified and cried out to the Lord” (v. 10). Moses chided them, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (v. 14).
God uses both easy and hard paths to grow His people and bring Him glory. He promised, “I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord” (v. 4). So did Israel. So can we. God is building our faith through every test, whether easy or hard. When life is easy, rest in Him. When life is hard, let Him carry you.
By Mike Wittmer
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has pain contributed to your growth? Why do you think God uses both easy and hard tests?
Dear Jesus, You’re enough for every test.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After Pharaoh set the Israelites free from slavery (Exodus 12:28-33), he immediately had a change of heart and summoned his elite army to recapture them (14:5-9). Although God had overwhelmingly demonstrated His great power through the ten plagues (chs. 7-11), the Israelites chose not to trust in Him. Terrified, they accused Moses of deceiving them and leading them into the wilderness to die (14:11-12). But Moses encouraged them not to be afraid, to be still, and to trust in God (vv. 13-14). He was faithful and saved them from Pharaoh’s army (vv. 21-23) and continued to provide for them during their forty years in the wilderness.
K. T. Sim |
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UR: Fear Not
The psalmist wrote, “I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” - Psalm 57:2 (NRSVUE)
When I was 37 weeks pregnant with my only daughter, my doctor informed me that I would have to undergo a C-section. My oxygen levels had dropped; my baby was having trouble breathing and was not moving as much as expected. I had an ultrasound and was then moved to the operating room for emergency surgery.
I was puzzled — and petrified. My husband was not with me because I was with my parents. As I lay worried and afraid, my mother comforted me with these words: “Fear not.” She reminded me that the Lord God was with me and would never leave me. She also told me of God’s promise in Psalm 57:3 — that God who is faithful would surround me with love.
My mom’s words gave me strength. By holding on to God’s promise and blessings, I underwent my operation and received the biggest blessing of my life — my daughter. I will forever trust that no matter what the circumstance may be, my loving God is with me.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the love and blessings which you bestow on us and our families. Give us strength to trust in your love for us when challenges arise. Amen.
Joyce Meyer:
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Saturday, January 18 2025
Sarah Prayer update below
Bread today 10-12
Tonight 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle restart. All welcome!
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Good Morning Serving Purposeful Partners! This salutation comes from two of our devotionals this morning (below) that really speak into what God has been revealing and who we are and how we are growing as God's Body! Check them out prayerfully and share what you are hearing/sensing with Sarah, me or your partners.
I began my quiet time reviewing a report from the American Pastor's Network compiled by one of my LBC professors about the State of the Church 2024. For the first time in history less than 50% of Americans attend church and less than that regularly or as little more than consumers and not as servants of God. PTL that is not the case with our church! We are pretty healthy, populated with servants and growing! That is a BIG God thing worthy of much thanksgiving and praise. And yes, it's ok to pat ourselves on the back a bit and celebrate how we are growing to be the people we are created to be and more like Jesus and doing what we are created to do individually and as His Body! Yes Thanks Lord! We celebrate You and what You are doing in our midst and the servants You have raised up at St. Matts! Please continue your good work in, through and around us. Keep us serving purposefully, partnering together and going to make disciples of Jesus. May we continue to grow as Your Good News Delivery Company and do our custom made parts in that. Lead us to Your perfect plans and will. Thank You! Amen!
The report gives some ideas for where we should be heading from here for the Church to become relevant and thriving again. The first two are Pray. remember everything starts and prospers through prayer. For some of us our primary role in God's Good News Delivery Company is that of being a pray-er. Interceding for God to come, to lead and for His will to be done. Also, covering and protecting our servants. Praying for Him to lead us to those He is drawing and sending to us to lead to faith and His ways (even 30 new attendees this year). That leads to the second opportunity to focus on: making disciples. Jesus commissioned us to do so. Over the years the Church has lost drive, focus and direction to do so. It's time to refocus on the primary purpose of the church: growing God's Kingdom and making disciples. We are focused on that this year as we seek to bring it alive in '25. We are gifted, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live and love more like Jesus and that includes making disciples of His and reproducing what He is doing. We need each other to do this well. Purposeful partners that serve God and others. We are on our way. PTL!
Something to keep in mind is that discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you (me). How's you journey towards that going? Who can you partner with to earnestly pursue Jesus and His plans and way? That is our focus for this year. Join us! Soon we will begin some small groups exploring our spiritual gifts and how to partner together to grow God's Church and encourage and pray for each other. Please consider joining us! Watch for details in the next few weeks for some opportunities to join a small group to process and plan and enact your gifts.
The closing thoughts from the report is that the Church needs to change and adapt to the times to connect to new people and families who have little or no connection to God. It involves going back to things the Church used to do to make reproducing disciples and to raise up prayer. God's always doing something new and He is leading us to His old things done in new ways as we seek Him and partner together to make disciples of Jesus. As we do, His Kingdom will come and flourish again and we will become His dynamic movement led by pastors and laity with a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost. Amen! It's really time to stop being God's Church in name only and to step more fully into our roles as His Good News Delivery Company that makes reproducing disciples of Jesus in the way He and the early church did. Are you ready? I am and am praying earnestly for God to draw us and lead us and for revival to come. Come and see what He has planned for you and us! And keep praying for His Kingdom is at hand! Revival is around the corner as we and other churches earnestly pursue God and His new things for us! PTL! I am really excited to witness and celebrate all He is about to do as we humble ourselves, trust and obey!
UR: Choosing to Serve
Jesus said, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” - Luke 22:27 (NRSVUE)
As I grew older, playing guitar, which had been my passion since the age of 13, fell by the wayside. When I was younger, I played in bands and would “rock out” nearly every night. But I stopped having time for the hobby, and ultimately I lost touch with the instrument altogether.
A few years ago, when I was 61, a friend who played with our church’s contemporary praise team approached me and asked if I would be interested in joining. I was nervous. Could I play anymore? If so, would I be good enough?
I took a chance and attended a rehearsal. I held back, lowered my volume, and waited to see if I could add to the music. The group was welcoming, patient, and kind. They supported me, and eventually I became a member.
I now have a better understanding of what Paul meant when he wrote, “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” What we bring to the church is not as important as simply bringing something. God can speak through whatever we bring.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the gifts you give to each of us and for the opportunity to serve alongside others. Amen.
The Word for You Today:
Good evening, everyone!
I have several updates that are in need of our prayers:
Dean received a request for prayer from a friend: Jaydyn is struggling with understanding God's love and other personal things in her life. May we lift her up in our prayers that she will see and understand how much she is cared for.
Another prayer request from Dean - Lindsay's sister was involved in a hit and run on Saturday night. She is in the hospital with internal bleeding, shrapnel in her forehead and eye. She is currently stable but still has a long road of recovery ahead of her
Prayers for the assistant chief of Coopersburg and his family. Last night the family's home burned. The family is safe
but their home is in bad shape.
Church family members - there are several of our church family members that are dealing with the Nonovirus, RSV, COVID and sinus infections. Please keep each other in your prayers.
Kay Behle will be having carpal tunnel surgery on Friday. Prayers for healing and for the surgical team that will be caring for her.
Tomorrow is Bread Ministry day - pray for those that will enter our doors!
Sunday is our Congregational meeting
Welp, everyone, stay warm over the next few days!! If anyone is in need of our prayer support, let me know and I will make sure that it gets out to our warriors.
Blessings,
Sarah
Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning Friends! I have blood work shortly so have to fly. Jesus loves you and so do I! he's calling you by name to come and walk with Him in His ways. He's given you His Spirit and co-laborers to travel with in your journey to become more like Jesus and to grow into the greater things He has planed for you. So rejoice. Relax in His presence. Woship. Listen. Receive. Team up. Follow well. I'm praying for you.
Here are a few devos to guide your quiet time. he really loves you! He is with you. Be still and know then walk and go with Him today.
See you at Zoom Huddle at 10! Shalom!
ODB
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For years, fitness experts have stressed the importance of running for cardiovascular health. But recent scientific studies have demonstrated that daily walking also has a range of health benefits. According to the US National Institute of Health, “Adults who took 8,000 or more steps a day had a reduced risk of death over the following decade than those who walked only 4,000 steps a day.” Walking is good for us.
Throughout the story of the Bible, walking is used as a metaphor for communing with God. In Genesis 3, we’re told how God walked with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the day” (v. 8). Genesis 5 shares the story of Enoch, who “walked faithfully with God 300 years” (v. 22). One day Enoch’s regular time spent with his Creator led to him being taken directly to be with God (v. 24). In Genesis 17, God invited Abram to “walk before” Him as He renewed His covenant with him (v. 1). And Jacob, near the end of his life, described God as his shepherd and spoke of his ancestors who had “walked faithfully” (48:15). In the New Testament, Paul instructed us to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
Like Enoch and the patriarchs in Genesis, we can walk with God daily. We do so by surrendering our lives to Jesus and being guided by the Holy Spirit. That’s the path to true health.
How’s your walk?
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
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How would you describe “walking with God”? Today, as you reflect on Scripture, how will you follow and obey it?
Father, please forgive me when I’ve chosen not to walk with You but pursued my own agenda. Help me keep in step with You.
Visit ODBU.org/NT050 to learn more about walking by the Spirit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The metaphor of walking with God is a prominent theme in the Bible. Walking describes a life of obedience and submission to His instruction. Genesis 5 says that “Enoch walked faithfully with God” (vv. 22, 24). This imagery is also used throughout the book of Deuteronomy to remind Israel to follow the law by walking in it (5:33; 8:6; 10:12; 11:22; 19:9; 26:17; 28:9; 30:16). In chapter 6, we see the explicit origin of this idea. Verses 4-9 are referred to as the Shema, which means “hear,” the first word in this section of Scripture: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (v. 4). In the Shema, Israel is encouraged to make God’s law central to everything they do. Observant Jews today still recite this prayer daily. Other examples of walking imagery appear in the Psalms (see 1, 15, 119, 128) and in the New Testament (see Colossians 3:7; 1 John 1:7; 2 John 1:6).
Matt Lucas |
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UR: How Does God see you
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
I have struggled with speaking highly of myself. I always felt I was not good enough, even from a young age — not good enough to be successful, to fit in, to be appreciated, even to be loved. Most of these thoughts came from other people’s opinions of me. But why do we think who we are depends on what others say about us?
Do we ever think about what God thinks of us? Do we believe in what God sees in us? God has already made it clear in scripture who we are. Today’s quoted scripture reminds us that we are “a chosen people.” It’s up to us to believe and embrace that truth.
God chooses us out of unconditional love — not our social status or physical appearance. Understanding who we are in God’s heart allows us to appreciate, accept, and love ourselves, as well as those around us.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us always to know that our identity can be found in you. Remind us that we are your beloved and cherished people. Amen.
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Saturday, January 18 2025
Good Morning Spirit-Filled, Spirit-Led, Purposeful Followers of Jesus! I thought God was leading me to a blog this morning that I asked Him to write. And He is. However, I always check the Harvest Connection blog before writing the blog. And, well, today gave me a fresh word for me, you and us! PTL! He is always speaking, guiding, and will redirect as we stay open, listening and available for Him to do so. And such is the case today. My devotionals may flow from the Connection Blog? We'll see, but lets start with that as they discuss the Holy Spirit's gifting and equipping believers. Lord, Come! Speak! Lead us to Your perfect plans. Thank You for Your love, gifting, equipping and empowering Spirit in us! Your Kingdom come and will be done today (and always) as we spend some time with you and seek your plans to follow. Speak to our hearts today! Thanks! Amen!
So most of you know that God has had me fixated on a few things for several years that He wants to bring alive through you and our Body of believers. Mainly that we are all custom made, custom gifted and placed where He wants us to be His hands and feet for such a time as this. We even discussed this yesterday a bit. He knew you before you were formed in the womb. All the days of your life are written in His book. He has custom plans just for you and they are age and circumstance appropriate for each day of your journey to become more like Jesus and growing into your fullest potential in Christ. And Jesus is the key! He draws us and as we come to faith, we receive His Holy Spirit as a sign and seal of our faith, The Holy Spirit brings custom gifts to each of us in alignment with who we are created to be and Christ's plans for us. The Holy Spirit trains us, guides us, corrects us and works at transforming us into Christ's Image. He equips, empowers and enables us to be about who we are created to be and what we are created to do. How cool is that! That's Jesus' easy yoke as we come to Him and stop striving in our own strength but allow Him to have His way with us and use us for His glory. I have found such rest for my soul, joy and peace as I still myself, die to self and allow Him to lead. He does have great plans for me, you and us as His gifted, gathered, empowered and sent people! Amen!
We have moved from the Become Me in '23 and Become More in '24 challenges where we worked on becoming who we are created to be and then doing more of what we are created to do as we say less of me and more of Christ. He has now led us to the Come Alive in '25 Challenge. What's that? That is letting go and letting God lead us to true life in Christ and allowing Him to use us to bring life to a dead world around us. Revival and new life are on the horizon as we cooperate with his Spirit and follow Jesus well. Are you in? Talk to me or Sarah about next steps in your journey. May we Come Alive in '25!
I believe God is leading us to explore our spiritual gifts and learn how to step more fully into them this year. Gifts are given to help you become who you are created to be and do what you are created to do. That is building God's Church, encouraging and spurring each other on and to bring new life to outsiders and help them become disciples of Jesus. As we do this better and more we will become that dynamic movement of God that the bishop has challenged us to become. We are God's Good News Delivery Company. We need each other to do our parts. Soon we will begin discovery and training opportunities with spiritual gifts and our God given roles. I expect several groups doing this over the next month or so and then learning throughout '25 and beyond how to utilize the gifts we have been given and use them to fulfill our created purposes as His team of purposeful followers. I will not force anyone into this discovery and learning opportunity. It's up to you to seek God and see if He is leading you to that. I'd think He wants that for many of us. Reach out to me and let me know of your interest and we will try to schedule some trainings that fit your schedules. Know this, God wants to bring you and our church alive in '25 and this is the next step for that to happen.
Now, pray and invite the Holy Spirit in, spend some time with God and the Connection blog and see what He is saying to you. He does have great things ahead for you as we work together to grow into our fuller potential and God's greater things! PTL! What a great adventure lies ahead! And know this, I believe as we remain humble and seeking, He will lead us to at least 30 new people this year. Who is He leading you to? Who are you gathering, processing and serving with? Let us commit wholeheartedly to seek God, His plans and to allow His Spirit to teach us and lead us to some great and lasting fruit! Amen!
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January 13 - The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts and Equips for Ministry
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Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 7, 11).
One of the marks of God on a believer is that through the power of the Holy Spirit He gives spiritual gifts to strengthen them and the church. There are different kinds of gifts and God decides what gifts to give, when to give them, and how they will be used. These gifts are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit and manifested in the lives of ordinary believers. The Holy Spirit uses these gifts to strengthen the faith of the individual believer, build up the church, and impact the lost as He sees fit. He gifts and equips all of us in different ways to facilitate any aspect of ministry needed for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Holy Spirit, would You enable every believer to see how You have uniquely gifted them and that You want to use these gifts in their lives? Reveal to our church how You are using these gifts to build up Your body, the church! Empower each believer to continually exercise these spiritual gifts for Your glory!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayershop.org.
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I believe these devotionals flow from this:
Sarah Young
ODB:
Reflecting on why people tend to be entirely convinced they’re right—even when they’re not—author Julia Galef suggests that it has to do with a “soldier mindset”—where we’re focused on defending what we already believe against what we see as threats. Galef argues a more helpful mindset is that of a scout—someone focused not primarily on eliminating threats but on seeking the complete truth: comprehending “what’s really there as honestly and accurately as you can, even if it’s not pretty or convenient or pleasant.” People with this outlook have the humility to continually grow in understanding.
Galef’s insights bring to mind James’ encouragement that believers adopt a similar mindset—one where they’re “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Instead of being driven by knee-jerk reactions to others, James urges believers in Jesus to remember that human anger doesn’t lead to God’s righteousness (v. 20). Growth in wisdom is only possible through humble submission to His grace (v. 21; see Titus 2:11-14).
When we remember that each moment of our lives is dependent on God’s grace—not on us—we can let go of a need to always be right. And we can rely on His leading for how to live and care well for others (James 1:25-27).
By Monica La Rose
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What examples have you seen of a spirit of humble willingness to learn and change? How can you cultivate a willingness to learn from others?
Dear God, please help me to surrender the need to always be right in exchange for the gift of unending learning as I journey with You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When James warns that believers in Jesus should be “slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (1:19-20), the context suggests he has in mind angry outbursts. Instead of lashing out at someone in anger, believers ought to be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (v. 19). Outbursts of anger fall short of “the righteousness that God desires” (v. 20). It’s impossible to aim at how God wishes us to live our lives if our tempers are leading our behavior. Instead, we ought to humbly depend on Him and His standards for a life of service (vv. 21, 25). James even goes so far as to say that “those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (v. 26).
Monica La Rose |
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Upper Room: Like A Mother
The Lord said, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” - Isaiah 66:13 (NRSVUE)
My doctor told me I needed a medical procedure. I dreaded having it, and as the day came closer I became more and more afraid. On the day of the procedure, I wore a T-shirt that had belonged to my mother. Feeling its soft material on my shoulders and arms, I remembered how my mother used to put her arms around me. When I was a small child and not feeling well, she would rock me and sing to me.
As the doctor gave me the anesthesia, the memory of my mother comforting me reminded me that God also comforts us. I remembered scripture from the worship service that past Sunday: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” I went to sleep feeling calm and peaceful as I once did in my mother’s arms.
Today's Prayer
O God, help us to turn to you for comfort when we are afraid. 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.
Joyce Meyer
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- Praise Jesus Christ for his grace and beauty.
- Thank God for reproducing the beauty of Christ’s character in you.
- Confess anything in your life which is displeasing to God.
- Commit yourself to pleasing him in every way.
- Ask God to help you live a life worthy of the Lord, to please him in everything you do, and to bear fruit in every good work (Col. 1:10).
- Pray that all God’s people will be able to stand against the principalities, powers, and the world rulers of darkness that seek to control the lives and destinies of people.
- Pray that they may put on the whole armor of God and may pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests (Eph. 6:10-18).
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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) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com |
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Saturday, January 18 2025
Busy restart week ahead!
Tues. Zoom Huddle 10-11
Wed: Bread 10-noon; Dinner Huddle 6-7:30
Sat. Clothing Closet 10-1
Sun: Congregational Meeting after worship and Children's Church beginning of several weeks of the Armor of God
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Good Morning Worshiping Co-Laborers! Amen! Prepare your hearts to worship in Spirit and Truth and to enter His courts with thanksgiving whether in person or on Zoom...Come! Let us worship! Amen. As we labor for the Lord and co-labor with each other we are worshiping God as we allow Him to transform us more into His image and our created purposes. We are His, known, loved, equipped, gathered and sent to glorify Him! Amen! He has great plans for you and us together! Let us commit to seeking Him, discovering our purposes and doing them for His glory! We are God's Good News Delivery Company and we are His gathered worshipers and co-laborers! Amen! Come let us worship!
As I prepare to share God's Word today from Matthew 2, I am and have been a bit troubled with some that is to be shared. There is some hard teachings today. But they are in God's Word. In the past I shied away from things like this, BUT GOD! Today, He wants me to share and us to discuss the killing of the innocents. Help us Lord! Help me! Open our hearts and minds to seek, listen and discover what you are teaching and then to apply what we are learning as we follow You. Thanks! Come! Speak! Teach! Thanks! Pray that I would handle God's Word well and that the Holy Spirit speak to you and through me. Thanks! I try to remember and remind myself often, that with obedience comes blessings! Please Lord! Speak, lead and use me well today.
Okay so what has God revealed this morning during my quiet time? Sarah Young reminds us to allow God to prepare us and that he will equip us for the journey of today and beyond as we humble ourselves before Him with hearts determined to follow always. Our Daily Bread reminds us that God will act and that His promises are true. Lean on those, not our own understanding, and allow Him to guide you and redeem those things that seem unfair in His perfect timing. We will never be able to fully grasp His wisdom and plans. All we are called to do is follow Him step by step in faith and trust that He will work all things together. Amen! And the Upper Room reminds us that God does and will lead us and work all things together as we trust and obey. Yes, with obedience comes blessings! May we be faithful and obedient and allowing Him to lead us through the long haul as we persevere in faith and follow well always. Amen! Today we will encounter several faithful ones that trust and follow God and see how He blessed their obedience and brought His will to life. May that be us--always! I'm praying for you and us and for God to lead us to His perfect plans as we allow Him to. Amen!
See you soon! We can know His peace, even in the unusual or very hard things. He is with us always and working all things together for your, our and all who will come good! PTL!
Sarah Young
ODB:
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A hardworking clerk, Erin always did her job well. But after she was accused of dishonesty, Erin was put on leave while being investigated. She felt like quitting in protest but was advised to wait it out. “Leaving suggests you’re guilty,” she was told. So Erin stayed, praying for God to give her justice. Sure enough, months later, she was cleared.
John Mark may have felt the same when Paul dropped him from the mission team. To be sure, the young man had left them earlier (Acts 15:37-38). But perhaps he’d regretted this and was hoping to be included this time. He must have felt unfairly judged by Paul; only Barnabas believed in him.
Years later, Paul would change his mind. “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry,” he said (2 Timothy 4:11). John Mark must have been relieved to have his reputation restored.
When we’re unfairly judged, may we remember that Jesus understands how we feel: He Himself was judged a sinner though He wasn’t, and He was treated worse than a common criminal though He was the Son of God. But He continued to do His Father’s will, knowing that He’d be vindicated and shown to be righteous. If you’ve been unfairly judged, don’t give up: God knows and will act in His time.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
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What promises of God can you hold on to when you’re unfairly judged? How does Jesus’ example encourage you?
Father, only You know how I feel and what I’m going through. Please grant me the faith and patience to wait and to trust in You, for You’re a just God.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
“John, also called Mark” was a young believer in Jesus in Jerusalem, where his mother Mary hosted a church in her house (Acts 12:12). After handing over the famine relief money from the Antioch church to the Jerusalem church, Barnabas and Paul took Mark with them back to Antioch (v. 25). He became Paul’s missionary intern in his first missionary journey (13:5) but left the mission team halfway and returned to Jerusalem (v. 13). Paul viewed this as an unforgivable defection and failure (15:38). The apostle’s refusal to let Mark join the second missionary trip ended his cordial partnership with Barnabas (v. 39). Barnabas restored and nurtured his young cousin (Colossians 4:10) into faithfulness and fruitfulness (2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). Because Peter called him “my son Mark” (1 Peter 5:13), scholars believe that he later came under the tutelage of Peter. Scholars also believe that Peter gave Mark the source materials to write the gospel bearing his name.
K. T. Sim |
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Upper Room: Let God
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
I was a Catholic seminarian for 10 years. It had always been my dream to serve God and the church as a priest. However, after finishing my studies, I was not ordained. I was asked to take a leave of absence and explore life outside the seminary.
Upon hearing that I would not be ordained, waves of anger toward God came crashing over me, and I experienced a crisis of faith. I spent many sleepless nights thinking about my situation. I had done well in my studies; I prayed fervently and attended Mass piously. I thought I knew God to be gentle, loving, and compassionate, and surely such a God would not take away my dream of becoming a priest.
When I sat down and reevaluated myself, I realized that all along I had taken my eventual ordination for granted and had not let God be God in my life. I had grabbed the reins and taken control without truly asking God to guide me.
The past years have been a great blessing and an opportunity for me to know God more fully. I may not understand God’s will, but I am now comforted by the truth that God is in charge of my life. I do not need to understand God’s thoughts and ways to rely on God’s will for me.
Today's Prayer
Lord God, we may not know what lies ahead for us, but we are assured of your promise that you will be with us every step of the journey. Amen.
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