TGIF=Thank God I'm Forgiven! Yes rejoice, worship and lift many thanksgivings! We've been doing this awhile on Fridays. How has your gratitude list grown? What are you thankful about concerning your salvation and God's transforming, mind-renewing, love? Tell Him! Share it with some others. And keep building those gratitude lists. There will be times you will need to rely on them to shift your focus towards God and help you to carry on in faith! YES TGIF!
Good Morning Basking in God's Glory, Faithful Followers of THE Way! Amen! Meditate on this salutation. What's God saying to you? Is the Holy Spirit pinching or affirming? Pause, reflect and correct and keep at it, very loved, forgiven child of God! Out of gratitude and changed lives we want to be still and know, seek, learn and go in Christ for God's glory. What will you get to do , this weekend and the days ahead? Will you gladly choose to do that with a willing heart of worship? Ask for help and seek some teammates to travel this life with in the way of Jesus. He is with you always and working all things together for good. Meditate on Sarah Young' Jesus Calling devo for as a good starting point. Then engage with the other devos and spend some time releasing God's power as you pray through the connection blogs. (all below)
When God repeats something it's important and requires our attention and action ASAP. I thought I knew what the blog was to be about. BUT GOD! He caught my attention with both Our Daily Bread and The Upper Room devos based off of Lamentations 3:19-26. Read that. Meditate upon it. It is important and God speaking to you, me and us. Pray though it. Discuss it with your team. Then do what God reveals ASAP! That is worship and our obedience glorifies God. Plus it will be part of God's plan for us that helps us to grow in Him. Amen! How often do you struggle waiting for God and trusting His perfect timing? For me, it used to be a lot as I thought I knew what had to happen when. BUT GOD! He has been at work transforming me in response to my humbling myself, seeking Him and His plans and timing, and learning to trust and obey. He has such great love for us. His compassions never fail and are new daily. PTL. We are called to die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus and created for such a time as this and called to move with God to those perfect plans. Trust and obey . We get to choose trust, obedience and moving with God! PTL! Ask for help to do so! Then watch what God does and will do as we wait with hearts committed to move with Him! PTL! He loves us and has awesome plans ahead that will lead us to our future and hope and heavenly responsibilities! Yes rejoice and abide as you prepare to follow well. Die to self, take up cross daily and prepare to follow Jesus and keep praying for His kingdom to come and will be done and for insight to your part and His timing. I'm praying for you to know and follow His peace and provisions. Amen!
When a country erupted in civil war, authorities conscripted a man into military service. However, he objected: “I don’t want any part in destroying [my country].” So he left it. Because he didn’t have proper visas, however, he eventually found himself stuck in another country’s airport. For months, airport employees gave the man food and thousands followed his tweets as he roamed terminals, knitted scarves, and clung to hope. Hearing of his perpetual plight, a community in Canada raised money and found him a job and a house.
The book of Lamentations presents the cry of Jeremiah, who waited for God and the end of His discipline for the sins of his people. The prophet remained confident in an everlasting God who he knew could be trusted. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him” (3:25). God’s people can experience hope even when troubles overwhelm and relief seems impossible. Though they might need to humbly accept God’s discipline, they can cling to the reality that “there may yet be hope” (v. 29). Those who know God can experience a hope that flows from Him. “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (v. 26).
Without answers or any clear way of escape, we wait for the God who’s proven Himself faithful over and over again to help us.
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
What situation comes to mind when you think about waiting on God? Why is this difficult, and how is God meeting you there?
Dear God, please help me patiently wait for You to act out Your will in my life.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The prophet Jeremiah wrote with heavy sorrow regarding Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon (586 BC) and the captivity of his people: “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! . . . After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile” (Lamentations 1:1, 3). His call to be a prophet to Judah began during the righteous reign of King Josiah (Jeremiah 1:1-3). Josiah’s reforms didn’t last, and the people quickly returned to their idolatry. Jeremiah prophesied the Israelites’ seventy-year captivity and their return from exile. Despite all he suffered personally and in his role as prophet, however, he expresses hope and trust in God and stands firm in his faith: “Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). We also can share in this great hope as we patiently wait on God and trust Him to work in our lives.
Alyson Kieda
UR: God's Timing
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. - Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)
Our oldest grandson, Amadeo, was on his way home from a visit with friends in another state. Anticipating his brother’s return, Alex, our 14-year-old grandson, began sending group texts to the whole family with his newly acquired cell phone: “Are you here yet, Amadeo? How about now? Now? Now?” All of our phones began pinging.
While Alex was having fun with his new phone, the rest of us were rolling our eyes at the constant messages.
Sometimes my prayers are a lot like Alex’s texts, but the questions are more serious. I ask God, “When are you going to fix things and bring evil to justice and give us peace? How about now? Now? Now?”
In ’s scripture from Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah shares what God had taught him after the destruction of Jerusalem. There had been no miraculous rescue for God’s people. Many soldiers had been killed, people had starved from famine, and thousands had been marched off as slaves. (See Jer. 52.) And yet, God showed Jeremiah that God’s faithful love had not ended and “God’s compassion isn’t through.”
When it comes to prayer, we may have certain expectations about how God should respond and when. But God’s goodness and salvation have no time limits. No matter what, we can trust that God’s timing is better than ours.
's Prayer
Father God, in all circumstances teach us to trust as we wait for you. Amen.
Connection Blogs
- His Will Be Done
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will concerning you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do no despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-23, NASB)
The way the material is shaped, all of the above commands are modified by the phrase “for this is God’s will concerning you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This gives us clear direction for praying “Your will be done.” It is always God’s will to pray for these kingdom initiatives to succeed in your life, in the lives of others, and in your local church. To pray for the kingdom to come and the will to be done then includes at least the following:
It is always God’s will to pray for a gracious nature that doesn’t return evil for evil.
It is always God’s will to seek after good for another and for everyone (especially when you have been slighted or done an injustice).
It is always God’s will to pray for and to practice joy.
It is always God’s will to deepen your prayer life.
It is always God’s will to give thanks.
It is always God’s will to test out when someone claims to speak for God (you do not have to immediately accept every word spoken, but you do need to listen and to test him by Word, Witness, Workers, Worship, and the Will of the believer).
It is always God’s will to cling to the things that Scripture makes clear are right and true.
It is always God’s will to avoid or turn away from evil (and in this text to reject false prophecy/spirituality).
Father, I confess that I often struggle to know what Your good, pleasing and perfect will is. Yet, if I simply obey Your Word, I know that so much of my life will fall into place as You intend for it to be. Help me not to conform to the pattern of this world, but instead to be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that Your will can become clearer to me each day. (See Romans 12:2)
--Adapted from Power Praying (Hearing Jesus’ Spirit by Praying Jesus’ Prayer) by David Chotka.
Prayer Points
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
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning! What an amazing day we experienced in our building twice ! PTL! And keep praying for God to use us and draw many. Thank Him for His provisions and guidance and for drawing in the harvest. Pray that the Gospel will go forth with great effect and that revival would arise in our neighborhoods! AMEN!
Thanks TEAM!We are God's chosen, loved, empowered team that really does live and love like Him and many are feeling that love and finding hope and help and becoming open to the working of the Holy Spirit as God draws and saves while we seed, water and fertilize. The harvest is arising! PTL! Keep praying for workers and the harvest and for God to become known by many more and glorified in and through us! He has a part just for you too! PTL!
we served 80ish neighbors. We had very little bread and had to limit what people got, yet God is our provider and we had enough and a little leftovers to share. (Just like the loaves and fish or the oil for the lamps that didn't run out! PTL!) We had just enough cookies and donuts too as we blew through 8 doz. donuts and 4 doz. cookies and they made it until almost the last person arrived. Keep thanking and praying for His provisions and for us to steward them well. He is blessings, providing and guiding us! Amen! we had around 40 for dinner huddle and just enough food for that as well. PTL! We are practicing Acts 2:42 as we gather, fellowship, study, and pray. We only have a few more weeks of that. Pray for a strong finish to 2025, rest and readiness for what God has in store for 26.
Pray we are ready to be like wicks in '26 and soak up the oil to be His lamp shining bright in the darkness. Pray we are His firesticks in '26...lighting the revival fires! Pray we fulfill our purposes and spiritual mixes in '26! Pray we are His bricks in '26 being built into His temple! And keep praying we come alive in '25! And thank God for how that has been growing this year!
Check out the Connection Blogs and Sarah Evans devos below as they thread through this. God is on the move! PTL! He is providing and guiding and using us! PTL! His love, hope and help are bubbling up and overflowing Living Waters from us! PTL! That is all coming alive in '25. Thank Him for that and keep praying into the year ahead that we would have many dreams and vision from God coming to life in and through and around us! Yes we are His firesticks and bricks! Lighting the way and rebuilding torn down walls! PTL! And we are like wicks soaking up the oil to be His lamps! May the Light shine forth and drive back the darkness! PTL! Thank God for using us and for our teams and prayer warriors! God is hearing and answering! PTL! Light those fires from you knees and go stoke the embers to roaring flames with your moving feet! Amen! Follow His Spirit! He has great plans for you and us! Amen!
Sarah Evans
Connection Blogs:
- The Ministry of Prayer is Open to All!
Jesus gave His disciples vision and passion. He also gave them an impossible task: to make disciples of all the nations. They were commissioned to win the world. But Jesus warned them, “Behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
And the disciples did stay in Jerusalem. They waited and prayed. Why did Jesus want them to remain in Jerusalem with such a great ahead of them? There was a world that desperately needed the gospel. Why should they wait in prayer?
I believe there are three reasons that Jesus established prayer as a priority for the early church. First, their vision and passion for a world could only be maintained by prayer. As they spent time with the Father in prayer, they would feel what He felt and see what He saw.
Leonard Ravenhill said, “The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. The ministry of preaching is opened to few; the ministry of prayer—the highest ministry of all human offices—is open to all.”
Second, not only is vision maintained by prayer, but hearts are prepared to receive the message of Christ through prayer. The gospel is eternal and spiritual in nature. Therefore, we must pray that spiritual eyes be opened.
Third, God will not only open hearts to the gospel, but He will also empower the proclaimer of the message of Christ. There is a radical difference in the pre-Pentecost and post-Pentecost lives of the disciples. Peter, the cowardly denier of Jesus, became the bold preacher of Jesus. A new sense of courage characterized the early Christians in Acts. We must realize, however, that their boldness was the fruit of their prayer lives.
Precious Holy Spirit, You give vision and passion to those who long to seek God in prayer for the sake of and advancement of the kingdom through the preaching of the gospel. Thank You that You trust me with the “highest ministry of all human offices” – the ministry of prayer, and may I be courageous and bold as I intercede, so that spiritual eyes are opened and hearts are prepared to hear and the good news of Jesus Christ and respond to His love.
--Adapted from The Prayer Factor by Sammy Tippit.
Prayer Points
Praise God that your sighing is not hidden from him (Ps. 38:9).
Give thanks that you can cast all your care on him because he cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).
Confess to God the many times you worry, are fearful, or trust in something other than God (Ps. 37:5-6).
Commit yourself to daily food from God’s Word and time with him in prayer.
Ask God for victorious faith that overcomes the world (1 Jn. 5:4).
Pray that your church will be living proof of the fact that God fulfills the desires of those who fear him (Ps. 145:19).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
One of the deadliest wildfires in US history decimated the town of Lahaina, Hawaii, in , killing ninety-nine people and destroying more than two thousand buildings. Still reeling from the devastation, residents experienced additional trauma when some looters pillaged buildings and greedy realtors attempted to gobble up land.
The corrupt desire to take advantage of tragic circumstances is the backdrop of a strong message from God to the nation of Edom. The prophet Obadiah warned the Edomites, Israel’s enemies for generations (Ezekiel 35:5), of God’s coming justice because the Edomites used their geographic advantage (Obadiah 1:3) and acquired wealth (v. 6), alliances with other nations (v. 7), wisdom (v. 8), and military strength (v. 9) to exploit the weak. Obadiah also rebuked the way Edom gloated as Israel was sent into captivity. Instead of compassion, Edom looted Israelite homes and marched through defeated cities in victory (vv. 12-13).
Although Lahaina residents saw despicable actions, they also experienced kindness when churches on the island became hospitality centers offering shelter, hot meals, and emergency supplies.
When someone is suffering, we face a similar choice. We can try to benefit from their loss. Or we can respond in the way God desires, like the churches in Lahaina, with kindness and generosity.
By Lisa M. Samra
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you been tempted to take advantage of someone’s suffering? How does God’s love compel us to kindness?
Dear God, please help me extend kindness when someone is hurting.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Edom’s betrayal of Israel cuts even deeper than one nation taking advantage of another nation’s plight (Obadiah 1:1-13). The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s twin brother, Esau (Genesis 25:24-30). The tension between the brothers continued throughout their lives, but it’s epitomized in Jacob stealing Esau’s birthright and blessing from their father (25:29-34; 27:1-41). That family tension continued to plague Jacob’s descendants (Israel) for centuries (see Numbers 20:14-21).
The prophecies in Obadiah condemn Edom for rejoicing in God’s judgment against Judah and exploiting their vulnerabilities (Obadiah 1:12-14; see Amos 1:11-12). When someone is suffering, we honor God when we respond with kindness and generosity instead of exploitation.
It's Donut Day!!! And Chosen Dinner Huddle evening! Come and see the Lord at work! Come and join the fun! Food, fellowship, fun, study and prayer, just like for the earliest church, awaits! Come and worship!
Good Morning Worshiping Followers of THE Way! Amen! Jesus is the way and His ways are our easy yoke when done as we are created, as we are now and as we long to grow in Him and more into the people He created us to be! Rejoice! Lift Thanksgivings and may your life be lived as an act of worship. We are sent to bring life and Living water. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill and lead you to the Jesus way. Come and experience life as intended for you and bring some friends along! What's God got for you ?Ask Him with willing hearts and moving feets! Who does He have prepared for you? Come and find out. He is at work and working all things together for good for those who believe and are called by His name (That's you and me and us--PTL!)
Check out the Connection blogs about revival. God is bringing a fresh breath of His Spirit to this country and a wave of new life revival! Pray into it and plan to do your part in it. A Christ awakening is a foot in the USA. We desperately need one. Are you crying out in desperation for it? Are you doing your part in praying, preparing and being part of His Good News Delivery Company? DO IT! God has great plans made just for you for such a time as this. Plus He has gathered us to be His hands and feet of love, Good News and hope! Be a Good News, joy-bringer as you go and live and love like Jesus! Know His joy and peace as you choose to follow THE Way as your act of worship and surrender!!! Shalom, shalom! Perfect peace can be known as you humble yourself and step into your purposes in Christ. He is with you always! Look for Him and plan to join Him always! Amen
Connection:
- A Christ Awakening
As Jonathan Edwards (pastor/scholar of the 1700s) observed, revival is arguably the most dramatic display of Jesus’ Lordship in the present age. In no way depreciating God’s “ordinary” work with us on a daily basis, revival is an exceptional season of His “extraordinary” work among us.
In other words, God infuses His Church with fresh hope, passion, prayer, and mission by refocusing us on Christ for all He really is. In revival a church is re-captivated with the supremacy of Christ by the Spirit of Christ. That’s why my favorite term for this phenomenon is a “Christ Awakening.”
Revival is more than just an event in a church calendar. When God re‑energizes a community of Christians, He intends Kingdom results that last many years. Scholars’ research verifies that, following each of the four so-called “Great Awakenings” in American history (early 1700s, late 1700s, mid 1800s, early 1900s), decades of documented transformations took place both in churches and in society.
God gave His people “fresh winds,” not simply to fire up enthusiasm for spiritual things, but also to extend further the reign of His Son within communities and nations through His Church.
Holy Spirit, blow a fresh wind over me…and over Your Church! Allow us to experience Christ in all of His fullness…and faithfulness! Stir our hearts for Your kingdom work and give us a passion for obedience to Your word! Transform Your people so that the world might know and experience Your great power and love through us!
Praise your great, mighty, and awesome covenant-keeping God (Neh. 9:32).
Thank God for strengthening those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chron. 16:9).
Confess those times when you depend on your own strength rather than God’s (Eccl. 5:7).
Commit yourself to spending time daily reflecting on God’s awe, his faithfulness, and might (Ps. 89:6-8).
Ask God’s forgiveness for neglecting him when hardships arise.
Pray that God’s kingdom will grow as oppressed people recognize God’s awesome majesty and come to him in faith.
Prayer Pointer
“Worship is intended to introduce God’s kingdom power throughout the church and extend that power through the church.” —Jack Hayford
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Very Loved, Cared for, Called By Name, Children of Our God Who Knows, Is Able, and Will! AMEN! Always! According to His plans and timing! Amen! Abide in Him on your own. Ask Him to come and speak to your heart, inform your prayers and lead your choices and actions . He has great plans for you! He is with you. He LOVES you! Ask Him to live and love through you and lead you . I'm praying for you! Shalom shalom.
Check out these devos and blogs and be still and know!
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
UR: Stepping Out
The King will say to those on his right, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” - Matthew 25:36 (NIV)
When I was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, our post’s chapel held a morning Bible study at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, the military’s only maximum security prison. The leader of this group invited me to join them, but I was nervous to go to a prison Bible study. After two years of the leader kindly inviting me, I finally joined the group. What an unbelievable experience! The men’s faith, joy, and energy for Christ was amazing.
Years later at my church in Texas, a school classmate encouraged me to participate in the prison ministry at a nearby state prison. Sharing Christ’s love and forgiveness with prisoners and their families through this ministry continues to be an incredible experience in my Christian walk.
It is remarkable what can happen when we step out in faith, even when we are unsure where it will lead us.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for those who invite us to step out in new directions. Help us to stretch ourselves as we try to become more faithful Christians. Amen.
Sarah Update
Good morning,
And so our week begins.....God has plans for each of us. There will be many things that we should be thankful for, so I challenge you to write down
those things, people and situations that you are thankful for in a tablet or journal so you can go back and reflect on those things when you are having
a rough go of it.
in worship, many shared things that they were thankful for:
Debbie Siegfried shared that her nephew and his wife ( son of Donna and John Chobot ) had a baby boy on ! Prayers for baby, and mom and dad as
they get used to a new routine.
Lisa Wenner shared that she attended the wedding of her nephew and Shana. If you recall we were praying for Shana as she is dealing with cancer
and treatment. God continues to work her life, and she is fighting through. They had a beautiful wedding. Shana returns to her treatment plan.
Keep them in your prayers for healing and for their marriage as they grow closer as husband and wife.
Christian, the 15 year old that has cancer - we have been praying for him.....he was able to attend a school competition in Hershey. They did very well,
and he and his family
Larry and Enol Paul - Prayer request for Enol's village, again!! Two more storms passed close to her village over the weekend, but the damage is unclear as cell service has been knocked out. Larry & Enol only had wind & rain, very mild compared to other parts of the Philippines.
Rosa is asking for prayer for her son Tomas, who is in upstate NY. He is having heart surgery . Praying for the surgical team and for Tomas's recovery
Jeff is a friend of Dean Mark's who attends our evening gathering. He is also a first responder that was injured on the job. Jeff is recovering and it
was great to have him in worship . Jeff is very thankful for all the Warrior prayers and for Dean, who came along side of him to help him
through the difficult times in his life.
Josie is asking for prayer for her friend Helen who we were asking our Lord to call her home.
She is now walking the streets of gold. Please pray for Helen's family and friends as they miss her.
Diane Huber is in the hospital with pneumonia. She is improving. Pastor Don was able to visit with her this past weekend.
Josie is asking for prayer for her friend Dottie - she has been suffering with back issues for years and has had several surgeries.
She now had to leave her home in Western North Carolina and move to an independent living facility. She misses her home
and her independence and is very sad. May we continue to pray for her to realize how fortunate she is to have the help that
she needs and that she enjoys her new surroundings.
I hate to say it but as the weather begins to get colder and there is a possibility of snow and ice in the forecast, there may be times that we will
need to cancel events. When this happens, we will put out a OneCall to our members that are part of OneCall to let everyone know of our decision
to cancel. If you are NOT on our OneCall list, (I send out OneCall every , so if you do not received these calls then you are not on
the list.) PLEASE make sure that Sarah, Pastor Don or Lori get your phone number so we can add you to the list.
Don't forget - Donuts, Coffee and conversation is 10 - 12pm....on out and enjoy the fellowship!!!
Prayer Pointer
“Praying for people will bring you to love them. Loving them will lead you to serve them. Serving them will be the open door through which God can move in to save, heal, and make whole.” —Maxie Dunnam
Good Morning Loving Servants! It is true that every time I think of you I lift thanksgivings0...well most times! hehe. I love you all and do thank God for you, your loving service and our serving and encouraging and growing His Church together! Thanks! And Thanks Be to GOD! The prayer calendar for rolled into my other devos and tied to the ones below. Take some tome to prayerfully engage with them . What can you choose to be thankful for in them. What do you get to do that flows from thankful, sold-out hearts, that cause more praises to rise and God to be glorified. Talk to him about that, process with a friend and fill in those daily thank you God lists Sarah challenged us to keep and use.
Whatever is troubling you, give it to God and ask for help from your partners to process, lift praise, refocus and God and follow Him ! Demonstrate your faith as you courageously choose to go live and love like Jesus no matter your circumstances or opinions about yourself. And don't forget how giving and blessing others helps to change you, your attitude and other's situations. God has called us to be lavish, sacrificial giver like He is. Try it. Are you one who tithes? God promises to bless you back when you are with overflowing blessings. Our attitudes are changed just by giving and lifting . But when God blesses us back for hearts right with Him and like His we know the joy and peace of trusting and giving and praising Him. His love just fills, overflows to others and then comes back to bless us increasingly. Try it! Trust and praise and refocus. God will help you, lead you and even provide all you need. PTL! If you are in need, reach out for help. Many are gifted to bless and help you and others. Pray, give, trust and follow our sacrificially, lavishly, giving Provider. And know His blessings and peace beyond understanding. Next thing you know, your troubles will be gone and God will be glorified in, through and around you again. Amen!
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Upper Room: Blessed to Give
The Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35 (NIV)
In the rental house where my family and I used to live, there was space on the second floor for us to grow potted plants. My sister and I planted pandanus, aloe vera, chili peppers, snake fruits, dragon fruits, and other plants. However, we had to move from that house because the owner was going to renovate it.
Our new rental house didn’t have space for our plants. My sister was sad, feeling her efforts had been in vain. We ended up giving the plants to friends and neighbors. I said to my sister, “In this time, God gave us the opportunity to share.” Everyone rejoiced when they received the plants from us, which made us happy.
Even when our gifts are simple, they can bring joy to others, and the act of giving brings joy to us. That is why Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And that is why the Macedonians in ’s scripture reading pleaded for the privilege of sharing in the service to the Lord’s people (see 2 Cor. 8:4). I imagine they said, “We don’t want to miss the opportunity!” God’s heart is pleased when we give. Like the Macedonians, my sister and I were grateful to God for this opportunity to give.
's Prayer
Dear God, open our eyes to see every opportunity that you have given us to show generosity to others. Amen.
Get your worship on! This is the day the Lord has made and we get to gather, worship, learn and grow in Christ and His ways. We get to unite as His Body and do our parts. We get to enter His courts with praise, His gates with . We get to be thankful in all things and draw close and abide in Him. We get to have His presence with us always! Yes rejoice and prepare your hearts to worship and lift some thanksgivings. What are you thankful about! Will you share those things with us and others so God can be glorified? Try it! Get ready and come and see as you dwell in His loving presence with your brothers and sisters who get to gather as St. Matts EC. Come and worship! What has God stirred in you that you get to do? Worship will be at the top of the list! PTL! We get tochoose what we focus on and put first in our lives! PTL for that freedom in Christ and worship Him!
Good Morning Worshipers! Come and worship with us! Prepare your hearts. God is worthy of all glory and honor and praise and we, PTL, live in a country where we are still free to gather and worship, grow and encourage and prepare to go live and love like Jesus. Many people around the world pray and wish for that freedom and we get to do these freely. PTL! Who is hungry, thirsty and searching that you might invite along to experience how we get to be loved by God and get to learn to love like Him as we are? Pray into that and go love and invite someone to come and see.
I'm going to just share Our Daily Bread . Pray into and mediate on what God is saying to you and what you get to do with thankful hearts overflowing with love. Then try it and maybe partner with some friends. That is God's best ways and plans we get to do! Amen! Yes, get your worship on! What a privileges we have been given in Christ in the USA. Thanks Lord!
ODB:
Radical Mission
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Diognetus, a second-century pagan, noticed that followers of Christ “day by day increase more and more.” This was despite regular persecution they endured under the hand of the Romans. He asked a believer in Jesus why this was true. In a document we know as the Letter to Diognetus, that early church father replied to him, “Do you not see that the more of them are punished, the greater becomes the number of the rest? This does not seem to be the work of man: this is the power of God.”
As Jesus gave His final words to His disciples before ascending into heaven, they could little imagine the growth the church would experience in the coming centuries. He told them, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This has become known as the Great Commission, but using this phrase to describe Christ’s final words to His disciples can make it feel burdensome. In reality, this is what He calls all those who follow Him to do: As we go about our day, make disciples. We don’t have to go to the ends of the earth; the message will travel wherever we carry it with us.
Don’t be discouraged by the difficulties of the moment. Jesus also said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (v. 20). We take Him with us everywhere we go.
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
Who are the people in your life who need to hear the gospel? How will you share the good news with them ?
Dear Father, please give me an opportunity to share my story of salvation.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the Gospels, Jesus is described as a man who “taught as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29) and “has authority on earth to forgive sins” (9:6). The Greek word exousia carries the meaning of “authority, power, the right to control or govern; dominion, the area or sphere of jurisdiction.” Christ called twelve men, discipled them, and then “[sent] them out to preach” (Mark 3:14). He “gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases” and instructed them “to proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:1-2). As the Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18), for God granted “him authority over all people” (John 17:2). We’re also armed with His authority—although ours is limited—to go into the world and tell others about Him. As believers in Jesus, we can ask God to give us opportunities to share Him with others and disciple them (Matthew 28:19-20).
Good Morning Worshiping Saints! Yes our loves are being poured out for the Kingdom like a drink offering and we continue to stand firm and worship in the storms and joys of life. Our obedience is also and act of worship. Check out the devos below and keep building those gratitude lists. Keep lifting praise always. Keep using worship and praise to shift your focus to God and His best ways and things for you. he is with you always! PTL we know it's true because He promises to be with us always. PTL! He can't lie and He is faithful! What might you add to your gratitude list ? Maybe you need to start one? We are in the month focused on , which should be a 24-7 practice. Keep building those lists and keep praising and worshiping and keep stepping out in faith to follow our Good Shepherd! he is with you, has great plans for you and created you for such a time as this! PTL! Pause. Lift some praise and worship. And step out in faith overflowing with His love and Living water. He has perfect plans for you ! Rejoice. Refresh. Go live and love like Jesus. PTL for Him and His sacrificial love and never ending presence to those who believe. Amen! Romans 12, that we'll look at for verses to refocus to and praise, has some life verses for me. Romans 12:12 is one where we are reminded, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." Count your many blessings and keep your focus on Jesus as you endure, praise, pray and follow Him. Every time I think of you I praise God! Thanks for being my co-laborers and friends and my prayer support and encouragers. Love you guys and serving together. rejoice! shalom shalom!
On a road trip to Montana one summer, we stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs. Inside one of the buildings was a young man who was singing a familiar praise song as he mopped the floor. Then he started singing the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” I couldn’t resist. When he called out the phrase “it is well,” I repeated it. When he sang, “with my soul,” I echoed the words. Together, we sang the last line: “It is well, it is well . . . with my soul!” He grinned, gave me a fist bump, and said, “Praise God.” When I got back to the car where my husband was waiting, he asked, “What’s with the big smile?”
Think of the things for which we can praise God, such as His goodness, righteousness, compassion, promises, provision, and protection. And Psalm 145 is one of many psalms that urges us to continually praise Him. David wrote, “Every day I will praise you” (v. 2). Many people praise God by playing an instrument; others by reading or reciting Scripture; or by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). Some express their praise through liturgical dance. But all genuine praise springs from hearts that are full of gratitude.
Our spirits were designed to praise God. It’s because of His sacrificial love for us that we can say with confidence, “It is well with my soul!”
By Cindy Hess Kasper
REFLECT & PRAY
When do you find it easy to express your praise for God? What might help you focus on praising Him in a new way?
Dear God, I want my life to be one of continual praise and worship. May You alone receive all the glory.
The book of Psalms is divided into five books or divisions (Psalms 1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150). And within these books are subdivisions or collections of psalms. For example, Psalms 120-134 are known as the Songs of Ascents. Another subset of psalms are Psalms 146-150, known as the Hallelujah Psalms because they begin and end with the words “praise the Lord” (Hebrew, halelu-yah).
Psalm 145 is an appropriate preface to these final five psalms because it ends with the commitment, “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever” (v. 21). The remaining psalms (146-150) begin and end with the simple call, “Praise the Lord,” adding their own voices to Psalm 145’s challenge. The words of Psalm 145 remind us that our spirits were designed to respond in praise to God for all He’s done.
UR: Always Thankful
Give thanks to [the Lord]; bless his name. - Psalm 100:4 (NRSVUE)
I am a big fan of thank-you notes. I like sending them; I like receiving them; I even keep a file of the thank-you notes I have received over the years.
One of my favorite notes came from a former parishioner. It was handwritten in her beautiful script on an ivory-colored card embossed with her initials. She was thanking me for taking the time to meet with the community organization she helped lead — an organization that was close to her heart. She also offered some kind words about the brief meditation on gratitude I had shared that night. “It is so easy,” she wrote, “to take our many blessings for granted, as you pointed out. I stopped to think about some of the things I have to be thankful for. Thanks for reminding me.”
God has given us so much to be thankful for. But sometimes, like children caught up in the excitement of receiving new toys, we forget to give thanks. Psalm 100 tells us that God made us and watches over us like a shepherd watches over sheep. How truly blessed we are!
's Prayer
Generous God, you have given us much to be thankful for! Keep us ever mindful of that reality. Thank you for your love, care, and presence in our lives. Amen.
Sarah update:
Good afternoon Warriors,
I love Fall.....the smells, the beautiful colors, the pumpkin spice coffee and pie, the changes we see God working throughout our world,
around us.
This quote hits the nail on the head:
"God is quite an artist this time of year. His hues hint at HOPE and a PURPOSE to the changes we often struggle with on our path"
Those words emphasize the beauty of God's creation during this Autumn season and it should and hopefully does encourage us to find
purpose when things change in our lives. God has a purpose and a reason for change in our lives. We need to embrace the trust in
our awesome God, that He has each of our lives in the palm of His hands and under His control.
Enjoy Autumn and all it's colors and flavors!!
Here is a prayer need:
Diane Huber has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Please keep her in prayer for healing and strengthening.
Lori Roher has an MRI on her back. Please pray that the MRI can be read quickly and then follow up with
her insurance company and Doctors happen in good timing.
Please keep all the folks that come through our bread ministry and the families in need that surround us.- may we as a church
family help to meet those needs when and wherever we are able. And may our awesome God provide for their needs.
Looking forward to seeing you at worship on at 10:00am. Take time to read through Romans12 so you are
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