Dis and Dat:
Sat. is Clothing Closet from 10-1
Don't forget to turn the clocks back on Sat. so you are not late for worship at 10. We will be studying 2 Thessalonians the next three weeks beginning with chapter one this week. (What's God saying to you?)
Sun. We collect for Everlasting Life Ministries
Many could use our prayers today. Reach out love on and pray for someone today! Karen's mom has been admitted to the hospital overnight for vertigo and possible other issues. Please keep Kay in prayer. Thanks
Please continue to pray for our elections and our nation. Check out Harvest Prayers blog below praying about the hindrances and prejudices against God's Church and her people. Vote informed. This is not a popularity contest like high school student council elections. There are dire consequences coming for Christians, the unborn, elderly and our safety and peace depending on the outcome of the elections. Which candidates and party will honor God and bless our nation? Vote for them!
The Blog begins below this prayer post
Harvest Prayer:
|
|
October 31 - DAY 35 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Praying For The Protection Of Religious Liberty
|
|
|
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).
Religious liberty is enshrined in the text of our Constitution and numerous federal statutes. It encompasses the right of all Americans to exercise their religion freely, without being coerced to join an established church or to satisfy a religious test as a qualification for public office.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...” Religious freedom prevents the cultural majority from using the power of the state to impose their beliefs on others. This protects everyone—religious and nonreligious alike—from the government becoming so powerful that it can tell people what to think and how to act. Conscience has been considered the individual’s most sacred right. A government that intrudes on conscience will not hesitate to intrude on our other freedoms.
Additionally, forcing individuals and faith-based organizations to choose between living out their religious beliefs or serving their neighbors actually harms our communities. An estimated 350,000 religious congregations operate schools, pregnancy resource centers, soup kitchens, drug addiction programs, homeless shelters, and adoption agencies. These efforts serve 70 million Americans each year, and the value of their services is estimated at over a trillion dollars annually. Ultimately, everyone benefits from religious freedom.
It covers all people equally—Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, and atheists. Religious freedom preserves America’s diversity, where people of different faiths, worldviews, and beliefs can peacefully live together without fear of punishment from the government.
--Excerpts from the Heritage Foundation
Lord, You desire Your people to live in freedom and peace. Yet, because Your great love is not the current language of our nation, many people are being unjustly silenced, manipulated, and damaged because of their religious beliefs. Awaken Your people and give us strength to live powerfully and shine brightly for righteousness! May those who live apart from You have their eyes opened to see the unjustness being perpetrated on those who are trying to love and do good for the sake of others. May the wrongs perpetrated against them be exposed and made right.
|
|
- Ask God to reveal and reverse the unjust acts taking place against Christians as well as those from other religions who are trying to serve those who are in need.
- Pray for businesspeople who are being punished for placing You first instead of bowing to the agenda of those who are trying to damage our nation.
- Pray for families who want to do foster care or adopt, but are being turned away simply because they love and honor You in their homes.
- Ask God to strengthen His Church to stand up against injustice perpetrated against Christians in this nation.
|
|
|
Connection Prayer Devotions Sign Up
|
|
|
|
|
Good Morning Listening, Guided, Following Bringers of Light! Tonight is a night where evil and darkness are celebrated. Put on that armor in prayer and stand firm in Christ to Light up the World around you. We did that last Friday. May we continue to be the Light in the darkness and Love in this hate-filled world. May we bring unity back to this nation through prayer and action. Amen! As we still ourselves at Jesus feet, listen and follow Him, He will transform us more into His image and lead us to transform the world one soul at a time. What's your mission? Be the Light and GO! Love like Jesus. Amen! Check out our devotionals below threading through these thoughts. God is speaking to your heart! Be still and know that He is God and follow Him prepared today.
Last night we encountered the Chosen's version of several things like going the extra mile for others and slowing down, Martha and sit at Jesus' feet like Mary. I used to be just like Martha: busy working for the Kingdom and so busy trying to earn God's favor and be a blessing that I was missing the most important thing--dwelling in Jesus' presence throughout the day. Where's your focus? Why are you doing what you are doing? Is it Jesus' best? What good and better things do you need to release to focus on Jesus and His best things? Who might help you process that? Donald, Donald, Donald...sit at my feet and put on my easy yoke and follow me at my pace to your best. Amen! Yes help us Lord!
Choose to sit at Jesus' feet, feast on His Word and receive His directions before stepping out into this day to be the Light and live and love like Jesus. He does have great plans just for you! Rejoice and know His shalom as you seek first the Kingdom and focus on Jesus. Amen! I already prayed for you and us to turn off the noise, be still and focused and prepared to follow well. Now Go! Love like Jesus today and look for the one He has prepared for you to pull from the fires of Hell. We are the Light! Hallelujah!
Karen's Praise Song for the Day: Someone Prayed (is that you?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0QXi7cLwI
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
UR: Guiding Signs
[God] guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. - Psalm 78:14 (NIV)
I like to start my day with a run to clear my mind and to feel refreshed and energized. While I was on a recent early-morning run, I was reminded of God’s great mercy and protection. As I ran, I happened to glance up at the sky and noticed one particular cloud that seemed to be leading me on. It reminded me of the story of God’s using a cloud to lead the Israelites on their journey toward the Promised Land.
I pondered the words from Psalm 78:14 as I finished my run. I believe God reveals to us each day the ways we should go — the ways that are best for us. But are we willing to accept God’s leading? The cloud seemingly led me that morning, and I believe God placed it in the sky specifically for me so that I could recall the goodness and grace that God has given me. Such recollections reassure us that God really is providing direction in our lives.
Today's Prayer
Lead us this day, Father, to the place where you need us to go. Help us to experience you in new ways. We thank you for your direction in our lives. Amen.
ODB:
|
In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”
The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:14–15)? If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.
Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.
Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the one who is the Truth.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
|
|
What divisive issues trouble you? How might keeping your eyes on Jesus help guide your conversations today?
Father, I need Your wisdom and guidance for all my interactions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Part of the reason the religious leaders tried to “catch [Jesus] in his words” (Mark 12:13) was to discredit Him and charge Him with blasphemy for claiming to be God (see Matthew 26:63-65; Luke 20:20). Jesus made an exclusive claim that He’s the Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64) and the only way to the Father: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The book of Acts underscores this exclusive claim: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). John makes it clear when he wrote, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). The good news is that in Christ, we have our Savior!
Bill Crowder |
|
|
|
|
|
Joyce Meyer:
Charles Stanly
LISTEN ONLINE
