Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Yes! PTL! What does that mean to you? Tell God and others about the many blessings of knowing, loving and being forgiven by Jesus! 

Thank you for all your prayers! God heard and continues to answer! We had a great birthday day with Karen and I finally slept decent last night. Time for day two of celebrating! Keep covering us, worshiping and just loving God and others. he has plans for you today!

Good Morning God's Good News Delivery Company--Disciple-Multipliers! God's got a plan just for you and a role to play as He gathers us, prepares us and sends us to love like Jesus and make disciples! You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ to go do all he planned for you! yes PTL! be still and know. Reload and go. Find some friends and seek God together too. keep praying and believing! he hears and answers and is even preparing 30 new ones for us to mentor and grow with! Yes PTL!

Gotta fly but check out the two days of I to We devo. What's God saying to you? How is He preparing and equipping you? Who are you processing, praying with and preparing to go and love with? he has great plans! Discover and step into them in faith and obedience today. Maybe even invite someone to brunch Sunday!!! I'm praising God for you, our gathering and unity and our focus to go love well and multiply disciples of Jesus! Praise and pray with me and ask God to reveal His plans for you. Amen!

I to We

ODB: Time to believe, live and represent the truth today. Open your heart and mind to truth and pray for others to be open too!  Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life! be Jesus!

UR: Jesus is Our Healer (YES! PTL! Receive it and pray for healing for others. God has been using us to heal! and that is drawing people to Him. keep it up! Grow your faith!)

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” - Mark 9:24 (NIV)

In 2020 I met a man who was recovering from a double organ transplant. He joined our faith community, but because of the fragility of his condition he connected with us primarily through online worship, phone calls, and handwritten letters. Once a month he and I would meet to share conversation and Communion. He always marveled at his healing and reminded me that being alive is truly a miracle.

I think of those visits when I consider today’s reading and marvel at the restored life Jesus gave the child after his years of suffering. I am also amazed at another healing in the story — the restoration of the father’s faith. After witnessing his son’s pain since childhood, this parent found his faith wounded and in need of being made well. His heart-wrenching confession, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” led Jesus to have compassion on the father as well. He assured him with the faith-building words, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

When challenges wound our faith, Jesus meets us with compassion and a willingness to help. Jesus restores our faith with his healing presence and life-giving words. He makes it possible for us to believe again and to know with deep assurance, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your compassion in our times of need. When life challenges our ability to believe, help us to trust your loving care for us. Amen.

Happy Thurs. Bloggers! And a special sweet 16 to my love, Karen! Happy birthday honey! (Please pray for me. We have fun plans for today! It's 2 am and I've been up two hours not feeling well and some stomach issues too. God will make a way! I so want to bless her everyday, but especially today!)

Good Morning Loving Like Jesus Friends! Today began with two devos on agape love--dying to self, sacrificial love like Jesus loved us. I pray to be able to do this constantly. Help us/me to agape like You! Help me/us to lay down our lives take up cross and follow Jesus well. Amen.

Let's just focus on that today (well everyday would be good too!). There are threads through this to our other devos. I'll let those for you to digest and process with God and your teammates. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as Jesus loved you. That should keep us busy for awhile! I'm praying for you, me and us to be known by our love! Amen!

Another sleepless night in Boyertown, so here we are! Good morning Good News Bringers! yes please Lord!

Two things to share today: The Upper Room about God's Good News and a flash back to out Good News Deliver Company handout from Sun. What's God saying to you? Who are you processing with. How are you praying into this? What might God be leading you to do or to whom might He want you to share that Good news? Meditate on those things while I try to get a nap before I hit the road at 8.

God's got some great plans custom made for custom made you! Step into them and rejoice! Shalom friends!

UR: God's Good News

[Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

Years ago at an evangelism seminar, I met a young woman named Shanthi who shared her amazing story. After hearing about Christ, Shanthi decided to enroll at a theological college to learn more about Christ’s ministry. Later she started a school for young children where she taught them Christian songs. When the parents asked Shanthi about the meaning of the songs, she was able to share the gospel with them. Her ministry grew, and with the help of the villagers she built a church.

Her story reminded me of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. She was convinced that she had met the Messiah because he told her everything about her life. She was overjoyed and ran back to the town to tell everyone. Because of her testimony the whole town came to see Jesus and hear the good news. (See Jn. 4:1-30.)

Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to help others experience the forgiveness, love, and grace of God. Just like Shanthi and the Samaritan woman, may we never shy away from sharing the good news of God’s love with everyone we meet — by word and action.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, thank you for your gift of salvation. May we faithfully spread your love through what we say and what we do. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Handout:

Good Morning Church! We are the Body of Christ--His Temple! Love the reminder from the Upper Room that we need Temple maintenance! I know I sure do and often pray that I could do that Romans 12 :1 thing--

Help me/ us Lord to be a living sacrifice! Help us to die to self, take up cross, renew our thinking and follow Jesus well. Thanks! Come! Have you way with us and prune and prepare us for the great fruit to come! Thanks! May all we think, say and do be an act of worship and glorify and point to you! Unite us as Your Body on mission and in prayer! Come! Thanks! Amen! (Maybe we should start Zomba or some kind of exercise classes? Chair Yoga?)

God is for us! Who are you depending upon? Are you leaning on your own understanding? Demanding your way? Resisting the temple maintenance. Ask for help to lay it all down, humble self, die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus today in the strength and faith God has given you! He's there, with you! PTL! Reach out. Connect. Abide. Then you will be ready t thrive! PTL and Amen!

Off I go! Have an awesome time with the Lord and processing with some friends! God is for you, with you and has great plans! PTL! Abide! Know shalom!

UR: Temple Maintenance

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. - 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)

One day during morning devotions, I was thanking God for living in me. I thought about Paul saying that our bodies belong to God, calling the body God’s temple. When I went to do my exercises that morning, I decided that I would call them “temple maintenance.”

Words are powerful. Temple maintenance is a lot more fun when I am thinking about doing it for God than it was when I just called it exercise. Now I have not missed a day, except for Sundays.

It was a natural progression to start calling my morning devotions “inner-temple maintenance.” Doing the outside maintenance is still a hard job, but I am hoping that as I continue, it will get easier. The joy that I receive throughout each day from my glimpses of God and hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me are the blessings of keeping a well-maintained temple.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for the miracle of the Holy Spirit living in us. Give us the courage to tell others the difference the Spirit makes in our lives so that they can experience your love and grace. As you taught us we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.

TWFYT

Good Morning Patient Teammates! Well I hope so, as we patiently wait on the Lord together, as we patiently abide in the Vine, as we patiently persevere in prayer and faith. Help us Lord! Maybe some of you have been patiently awaiting this blog (yeah right!) I had a very bad sleepless night and finally got some sleep around 4. Late rising had me wanting to skip my quiet time and blog and just get to the busyness of the day. And then I said to myself, "What are you thinking! Get down to your prayer room and be still in His presence awhile. Thanks Lod! Great time with Him and a Word or two for you! I love God and my time with Him! He's always speaking and guiding and wanting to help or include me in something! PTL!

So what has God been saying to you? has He spoken to you through the message yesterday about us all having a role in His Good News Delivery Company? Has He been revealing something to pray about or maybe a teammate or four to partner with? Today's Our Daily Bread speaks into the importance of partnering together and being better. Check it out prayerfully below. God is calling us to partner up. I think about the woman's prayer teams that just formed. How cool is it to know you have a team to pray with, cover you and pray for God's Kingdom to come! We are better together and really do need each other. Below you will also find a photo of the handout from yesterday to use to talk with God as you seek your part or how to pray. We are also called to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. The I to We devo below reminds us of the importance of abiding and of serving and praying together. Check it out and ask God to use you and direct your steps. Finish up with the connections blog and prayer starters. Yes God is speaking and He has some custom plans just for you that will lead you that sweet spot in Christ of being who you are created to be, doing what you are created, gifted and empowered to do, and of partnering with some great teammates. God loves you and has gathered you with us to go share the Good News, to pray and to encourage each other! PTL! So what's your part? Who are the one or two God is bringing to mind for you to team with or to pray for or to reach out and love on? Abide, listen and follow well today! I'm praying for you!

here's a link to the closing song from yesterday: Faith to Save:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSHljGO8rc

ODB

Handout:

I to We:

Connections

Good Morning Persevering and Persevering in Prayer Co-Laborers! Amen! Whoever started the saying about the Golden Years must've been talking about someone in their 30's or 40's. Right? Life is hard and gets harder as we age. BUT GOD! He is with us always! He knows the good plans He has for us. Often those good plans come through some stretchingly hard things. Our part is to continue the journey in faith, trust and to keep praying for His Kingdom to come, will to be done and to prepare us to respond as He plans. His plans are good despite the hardness of the journey and as we age, I think, we come to understand more and more how He is working things togethjer for good and are more able to persevere in faith and prayer. We see His hand at work and know His loving presence more intimately and that sustains us and guides us to whatever may come. So keep praying, following and being open to His faithful love and plans. Amen! help us Lord!

Check out the thread for this through the devos below. God is speaking and does have some really good, even though often hard, plans for you and us to discover, grow into and persevere through until he calls us home. Seek first the Kingdom of God! be still and know! Prepare and follow well, my friends! And find some teammates to travel with and uphold. He is working all things together according to His perfect plans and timing and those plans include you, me and all who will come and all who will persevere in faith. Amen!

UR:

Trust in Trying Times

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God. - Romans 8:28 (NRSVUE)

One of the hardest tests of faith I’ve experienced was when I suffered starvation. While kept in solitary confinement as a pre-trial detainee, I was given no food for eight days straight. I cried out to God, “How can you possibly use this to help me?” After my trial, I was housed with other inmates, and I soon understood how my painful experience had changed my perspective in a positive way.

In the prison cafeteria our food portions are small, so there is no shortage of hungry adults here. It breaks my heart to see the look of sadness on a man’s face when he can’t afford to buy more food to supplement the cafeteria’s small portions. When I have money, God moves me to purchase extra food to share.

I believe God used my hardship to soften my heart. It made me more compassionate toward others who suffer from hunger. I don’t always understand how God is at work in my life, especially during difficult times, but I have learned to trust that God is working for my good — to develop my character and make me more Christlike.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, help us to trust you when we are suffering. Show us how to be more compassionate to others. Amen.

TWFYT:

 

Harvest prayer:

Good Morning Praying Friends! I sure could use some prayer! I think we all can at times too, maybe daily. It's 2 am. Another sleepless night. I've seen two specialists with no resolution to the issues that put me in ER last Sun. I am feeling better...tired but somewhat better. The real specialist I need to see is the pulmonologist and they have no openings until July. So I appreciate prayers for healing, deliverance and for a much earlier appointment to open up. Thanks. Praise God for carrying me through vacation and for a week of forced rest this week. Thanks!

Since I couldn't sleep the thinking was to do my quiet time early and try to get some sleep after. Seems like the pattern has been to finally fall asleep between 12:30-2:30, so I'm right on track! In my tiredness, I still had a great time with the Lord. he is speaking to me and I know will to some of you as you engage with our devos below. What's God saying to you? I'm hearing that He is affirming us and wanting to lead us to his best. Are you up for that? Don't lean on your own understanding. trust God and allow Him to lead. he is capable and has great plans for you and us. And don't stop praying! I'm praying for you and believing God has some amazing things ahead as we rest in Him. Jesus said for the weary to come and find rest for our souls. Amen!

See you Sun. God has a Word for us! he has a plan for all of us! let us pursue Him and those plans wholeheartedly and as His Body! Amen!

ODB

UR: Capable Hands

All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NRSVUE)

Today I crocheted a butterfly. I found the instructions on the internet and followed them carefully, hook in hand. However, nearing the end of the instructions, I hesitated. Things didn’t look right at all. Then I read the last line of the instructions, which said to fold the work in half once the crocheting was done. When I did so, I held in my hands a perfectly lovely butterfly!

It can be like that in our Christian walk as well. There is no denying it — sometimes life doesn’t look at all as we think it should. The Lord responds to our “corrections” in Isaiah 29:16, “You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, ‘He did not make me,’ or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’”?

The Lord’s hands are capable. We can trust in his power to bring about transformation that will make our hearts rejoice. After all, the instructions are his and so is the skill.

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the way you made us. We trust in your capable hands. Amen.

TWFYT:

Oh yes! PTL! What praise, thanksgiving and gratitude we lift for all Jesus has done for us, for our forgiveness and being made right with God and for our eternal hope! Yes praise the Lord! Thank God I'm forgiven!

Good Morning Cleansed, Purified, United, Body that Loves like Jesus! Amen! We can be that an much more as we humble ourselves, praise and pray, listen and follow and live our lives as an act of worship. Join me!

I have to fly to another specialist appointment, but I have to share some of what God was saying to me today...

First of all, I cannot get Phil. 2:2 out of my mind. I believe God wants to add that verse to our foundation, guiding verses for our lives and our church. "Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." Please meditate and talk to God and process with your partners that key verse for us. be wholehearted, loving, and focused on God's plans! is that us? It can be! Pray for that to come to life and ideas, dreams and vision for how God plans to lead us through that. he loves you and us and has gathered us to go love wholeheartedly and do together what He has planned. Amen!

Check out the flow through the devos below. What's God saying to you? What will you do about it? Who are your teammates? How can your choices be an act of worship and obedience today? God has great plans for you for such a time as this! Choose to step into them wholeheartedly and with some friends! I'm praying for you! I'm praising God for you and us! And I am so thankful for God's love, for you, and for our Body that is choosing and wanting to follow Jesus wholeheartedly! Amen!

ODB

UR: Blessing Others

The Lord had said to Abram . . . “I will bless you; I will make your name great, andyou will be a blessing.” - Genesis 12:1-2 (NIV)

Our oldest grandchild is a senior in high school. He is a very talented young man. He plays the saxophone in his school’s marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble, and symphonic band. He not only plays at school but performs solos and duets at his church and other churches in our county. He has even provided wedding music for one of his teachers.

Naturally, we are very proud of our grandson. We are proud because he has been blessed by God with his amazing musical ability, and he is willing to share his blessing with others.

Many times God gives us talents but we fail to share them. We hide them and keep them to ourselves. Maybe we’re afraid we won’t be good enough and lack confidence in our ability. Maybe we don’t have the courage to step out of our comfort zone. Whatever the reason, God is always encouraging us and wants us to use the talents we have been given to bless others.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the many talented young people in our world who are willing and able to use your blessings to bless others. May our talents be shared in love and praise to you. Amen.

TWFYT

Good Morning Praying, Abiding, Following Friends of Christ! Amen! May that be us Lord! Grow our prayer lives and raise up intercessors, worshipers, warriors, watchmen and workers of the harvest. Teach us to pray and give us your heart and mind to pray in power. Hear our prayers! Unite us in prayer. Give us You heart, mind, passion and compassion to pray constantly and powerfully and effectively. Thank You! Your Kingdom come and will be done and may that come alive as we pray and abide in You. Amen!

This morning I was able to review Sarah's message about prayer and praying woman from Sunday. God has spoken to and through her, informed her prayers, and given her a heart to pray and teach to pray. PTL for her and His work in and through her. My understanding is that some prayer teams have been raised up from Sunday. Please continue to unite in prayer, encourage in prayer and release God's will and power in prayer. Please continue to bind up the enemy, cover each other, and lift up our leaders in prayer. Pray His armor over you and us. Seek first His Kingdom from your quiet place and then follow Him out into each day, covered and filled and ready. Be in a state of constant prayer. God loves that and will guide and answer your prayers as you humble yourself before Him with open hearts and listening ears.

Today is donut day at the bread ministry. There are many opportunities to pray there. Come join us, sit and watch for God to give you someone to encourage and pray with. We need to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. God keeps reminding me of our call as His Body to this. Many have the call to pray as part of their role in our Good News Delivery Company and as encouragers and world changers. Pursue God and His plans and release them in prayer today--earnestly! Prayer is critical and does matter for the future God has gathered us to achieve.

And woman are not the only ones called to pray. We all are! Today's Connection Blog talks about some praying men and how God led them to pray and abide and then led them daily to produce good fruit. Check it out and prepare your hearts to pray without ceasing. And watch for more opportunities to pray. Is God calling you to start a prayer ministry at our church or some diner or public place? Do it! We will soon have our second quarter season of prayer during worship. How might God be calling you and us to pray. If you are too timid to share with the group, let Sarah and me know what you are hearing that God wants us to pray into or release in prayer. Maybe rise up as a prayer team and share with us. God wants us to pray, teaches us to pray, models how to pray and hears and answers our prayers. PTL! Prayer is foundational to all that happens in His Kingdom and will happen through our gathered and sent Body. So, PRAY! Jesus is interceding for you right now. Join Him! Amen! let your prayer rise like incense to God--a sweet aroma.

Connection Blog

Good Morning Abiding in the Vine Friends of God! You are a friend of God! PTL! He reigns and rules the universe! (He even waters our gardens! PTL!) And nothing can overcome His plans for you, us and His Kingdom! PTL! He brings the sun and rain and walks with us through it all! PTL! Do we take time to abide in His loving presence? Do we sit in prayer and make prayer a priority? One of the the things God keeps revealing for our church is the call to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. Sarah taught us about prayer on Sunday. (Thank you Sarah for covering for me while I was away and for bringing God's Word and plans alive with some practical application as we start some prayer groups!) Let us commit to abiding more intentionally and often and in prayer throughout the day. Check out the Connection blog about that below. What's God saying to you? As we ponder our roles in God's Good News Delivery Co., let us not forget that for some of us and for some of us in this season of life, God has called us to be His prayer warriors. Partner up with some others and pray often--even daily. Take personal time to abide, pray, listen, receive and release in prayer. God hears and will respond according to His will and plans. The prayers of a righteous person ARE powerful and effective. Because of our abiding relationship with Jesus, we are God's righteous people opening up the window for powerful and effective praying! PTL! He loves to hang out with us and answer our prayers powerfully! PTL! We need your prayers and He is waiting for you to abide and pray! Do it!  Amen! Praise God for all His blessings and answered prayers and spend some intentional time in prayer and abiding today. Pray we become a House of Prayer and disciple makers. Pray for Donut Day tomorrow at the Bread Ministry to be an opportunity to minister to those God will send and is preparing for you and us. Thank Him for His provision and for using us! Amen! Yes, God reigns! He is awaiting your abiding presence and prayer to release His will. be still and know that He is Gid then go follow His lead into this day and week. I'm praying for you!

Connection Blog:

TWFYT

UR: God Is Present

Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. - Psalm 66:20 (NRSVUE)

On July 10, 2022, after finishing my job for the day, I began my journey home. I had to get home to care for my wife, who was suffering from a fever. That evening it was raining heavily all over our city, and the ground was becoming waterlogged.

I was moving forward in knee-deep water, and trees had fallen all around. As I stepped over a huge fallen tree, I began to sink deeper in the water into a crater created by an uprooted tree. It was impossible to get help in the middle of the night.

So I called upon God: “O God, save me. Pull me out from this crater!” And God answered my prayer. As soon as I got out of the hole, I remembered the words of Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Prayers spoken in faith are always heard by God who can see us through any situation. I am alive today because of God’s mercy and grace.

Today's Prayer

Gracious and loving God, we are thankful that you never forsake us, even when we are in some dark valley. Help us to trust you always. We pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Sarah Young

Another sleepless night and some other things leaves no ime for a blog. Please open your Bibles and devos and sit at God's feet a spell. What's He saying? What will you do about it? Praying for you!

Good Morning Friends! It's been one of those sleepless in Boyertown nights again. This will be my last blog for a week as we ready and leave for vacation. See you in church today! I'll be praying for you and appreciate your prayers too. Thanks!

Spend the week with open Bibles and hearts and sit at Jesus' feet. he is always speaking and loves you. Be still and know, reload and go!

Today we will talk about WWJD? and WIJD? If Jesus were you, what would He be doing? What is He doing right now that he desires you to join? Pray into those two this week and follow Jesus always! Amen

Shalom shalom!

Today: 10-12 Bread Ministry; 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle Pizza Party (end of season gathering)

Sat. Clothing Closet 10-1

Sun Worship at 10 (Collect for Everlasting Life Ministry) NOTE: There is a Spring Offering envelope in your giving envelope boxes. This will be used to help offset the cost of an organist that you voted for. So far we have collected about $1000 of the $10,000. needed)

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Good Morning Cheerfully Trusting Ministers of the Lord! Amen! let's choose that as we step into God's new things and plans for us today! Rejoice! Praise! Trust! And allow God to love through you! What joy and peace we can know as we get to choose and do these things! We are made for such a time as this! Let's start choosing to live it! May we always be known for a love, joy, unity, and hope that attracts many to Jesus! Keep praying for God to draw and more and use us. Keep praying for dreams and visions and ideas for how to connect to new people and connect them to God. Keep praying for revival and for us to be God's vessels for that. Keep praying for us to let go of the old traditions that are not reaching and ministering to new people and trust God to lead us to His new things that are relevant to the lost and new believers as ways to connect to God better. He has a plan that includes pruning, abiding and stretching and transforming us to be His ministers of reconciliation and new life. Ask Him what he desires of you and us and to lead you to your part. Ask Him what He may be wanting you and us to crucify as we die to self and allow Jesus to lead us to His new things and easy yoke. You are loved! Coming as you are does not mean you get to stay as you are! Meditate on that today. What is God's desire for you and us to allow, even invite Him to, mold us, shape us and transform us for such a time as this. He loves to answer those kind of prayers and to change us and our ways to His image and ways. Seek first the Kingdom, Let go of the rest. Trust God and choose joy as you follow Him today. And build those gratitude lists because there is so much praise and worthiness of God to focus upon. rejoice and know His peace. Amen!

I'm very late. Gotta fly! Below are the devos that tie to the above. What's Gid saying to you? How might He want to transform you or what you are doing so that you are ready and willing to go live and love like Jesus and make disciples. How might he want to transform us and what we do? Ask! And Praise!  We get to choose these! PTL! And as we do we come to know Him better and become and do more of who we are created to be and gathered and gifted to do. yes PTL! Shalom! "Behold! I AM doing a new thing! Can you sense it?" (That's God speaking through Isaiah. What's He saying to you? What do you need to let go of? What new thing does He have for you and us? Choose joy, trust and to follow Him!

I to We

ODB

UR: A Cheerful heart

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

I began noticing a distinct link between the condition of my heart and mind and the condition of my physical body. When I was stressed, I got headaches. When I was frustrated, my neck and shoulders ached. When I was worried, my heart pounded in my chest, leading to sleepless nights. Not only were negative emotions harming my spirit, but they were functioning as a potent poison to my physical being.

Reading Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” I began thinking of ways to have a more cheerful heart. Would a more cheerful heart positively impact my physical body? I asked myself.

I began spending time with God each morning, listing things for which I was grateful. On the drive to work, instead of formulating a to-do list for the office, I listened to praise and worship music. In moments of frustration when it seemed everything was going wrong, I deliberately focused on just one thing going right.

Over time as I embraced these simple new habits, I began to enjoy a more peaceful, grateful, and joyful heart. And with that cheerful heart — like the good medicine it is — I felt stronger, healthier, and more energized.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to possess more gratitude in our hearts, exuding thankfulness and joy in all situations. Amen.

TWFYT

Good Morning Surrendered, Focused on God, Followers of THE Way! Pronounce that over you and our Body! We were one way and now another! PTL! We are supple in His hands! Amen! We are focused on Jesus and His Spirit leads us to God's best! PTL! Be still and know as you turn off all the noise and sit at His feet receiving love, healing, hope, forgiveness, strength and direction. You are made for today and he is with you transforming you from what was and what is to what will be by His grace. Step out focused, surrendered and in faith! He is working all things together for good and you are being held and loved and molded by Him to be ready for all to come! Rejoice!

Maybe some of us need a reminder of Whose we are? Maybe some of us need some affirmation that we are being surrendered to His molding and that His plans are best? Some of us need to remember that God is with us and has teammates for us to work through whatever and pray and be accountable to. Some are struggling right now. Someday we will all face trials, struggles, corrections and stretching's that require focus, surrender and help. God is always with us! Amen! God is love and all he does for His beloved (us) is done in love, even if it hurts for a season. Rest in Him. Allow Him to nourish you. Watch for Hs assignments that will lead you from where you are to what will be in Christ! Get out those gratitude lists if needed and lift some refocusing praise and worship. Abide then thrive! He is up to something new and better as he leads you and us from glory to glory. Amen! Check out the flow through our devos below that speak to us with a thread through this. God is whispering His love to your spirit. Turn off whatever the noise is and be still, listen and receive. he will lead you today and everyday to His best for you, even if once in awhile that path takes you through a dark valley. remember He is with you. He knows, cares and loves you. Your name is engraved on His palm and your picture is on His fridge. Rejoice. And choose to let go and let God! I'm praying for you and me. Restoration and revival are at hand! Amen!

God is with you and He is speaking! PTL! Can you hear the whisper? Are you receiving His love and direction and willing to step out in faith? Try it! Share what you are hearing with someone and process together. he does have a great day ahead! Smile!

Chuck Swindoll

ODB

UR: Every Season

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

When my friend Ginny came to visit me in New England, she delighted in the fall foliage. She had never before experienced leaves with such vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The brilliant swamp maple leaves especially caught her eye, so she gathered a few and preserved them to show her students back home.

While Ginny appreciated the spectacular colors as one of God’s treasured gifts, often I have a different reaction. At times I miss the beauty of autumn because I’m focused on what comes next — winter. Where I live, winter means blustery winds, ice, and nor’easters — strong storms that can deposit more than a foot of snow. Rather than investing in fully living in the present season, I tend to live with a heart and an eye turned toward the next season.

Today’s scripture reminds us that seasons change, and each is valuable and purposeful in God’s sight. Seasons can be physical, like fall and winter. Or seasons can be spiritual like those described in Ecclesiastes. Each season has its own merit and carries God’s tender touch. Whatever the season, may we be fully present and alive to God’s presence and love.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for each season. Help us to pause in the present and be attentive to you this day. Amen.

TWFYT

Joyce Meyer

Sarah Young

Connections:

Good Morning Hope-Filled, Hopeful and Faithful Co-Laborers in Christ! Choose faith, joy, hope and following Jesus today. They are a great way to begin and travel through everyday! And since today is the day the Lord has made and he has made us for this day, let us rejoice and choose to follow well. Keep building that treasure in heaven! I'm praying for and believing in God and you! he does have some great plans for you and us and nothing is impossible for our mighty God! Amen!

So if you're one of those that looks to see when I send these, I never slept and came down to my office at midnight. I figured if I couldn't sleep, I might as well spend some time with God and write this so that I might be able to sleep in until 7 or 8. I should be done with this by 3, Lord willing! I so value my abiding time with God and it does refresh as he speaks to my soul and prepares me for the day, prayed up and ready to follow. I pray for you to know that joy as well! He's always speaking love over you and and wanting to hang out. try it the next time you can't sleep!

I'm so early with this that the devos for today haven't posted yet on line, so I'll need to take pictures and share that way. But they are good ones, especially Our Daily bread as they ask are you hopeless or hopeful? Well? They talk about hoping in God's faithfulness. When He promises something, it must happen. They speak of Caleb and Joshua coming back from their spy mission with ten others. they were the only two that trusted God and said, let's go take the land. because of their hope and trust they were able to enter the promised land while the rest of their generation died in the dessert. Caleb was 80 and took the mountain promised his clan and Joshua was probably close to that age as he led the survivors to take the Promised Land. Do you trust and believe in God like that? It reminds me of David taking down Goliath. he was the only one who believed and trusted God and acted on that faith. And he was victorious! great examples for the youngest and oldest of us! Choose hope, faith, trust and act on God's promises and leadings. The Word for You Today reminds us to not be murmurers like the Israelites that perished in the dessert because they didn't believe or trust God to follow through. And the Upper Room reminds us to no loose heart and to allow God to renew us day by day. he made us. gave us the opportunity to be made new. And because we chose Jesus we are made new and able to do what he created us to do. We are created =with potential and a promise for God's help to reach it. Choose it! Choose faith, hope, trust and joy and know God's peace and love overflowing. Amen!

Guess He did have a Word for me and maybe some of you today! Listen as you abide. Receive from Him and step out in faith to a day filled with promise! And rejoice for God is with you always working all things together for good. Promise!

Opps! I left my phone upstairs and turned off. You'll need to open your own Bibles and devotionals today to se what God is saying through this blog. just know he loves you and is speaking and does have great plans for you to discover and step into in faith and hope. then you will experience His peace beyond understanding and celebrate with much joy as you glorify Him! Amen! Oh yeah and don't forget He has some helpers for you too and wants you to be one as well. So, be bold and courageous faithful friends of Jesus! We are God's team! Amen!

And shalom and good night!

This week:

Tues Zoom Huddle 10 AM (Last one until June)

Wed:

 Bread Ministry 10-12

Dinner Huddle 6-7:30 Pizza Party end of season party. (Last gathering until June except Rita's Night at 6 Wed May 28th)

Sat. Clothing Closet 10-1

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Sarah Update below (Thanks for a great message Sarah!)

Good Afternoon Team! Well it feels like afternoon as God heard prayers and allowed me awesome sleep for over ten hours last night and I slept in until 7:30--WOW! Feels like dinner time now! May God hear and answer your prayers! He is able and He leads us beside the still waters and green pastures and brings rest to our weary striving souls. PTL! Be still and know! Abide, recharge then go! He has great plans just for you today! (EVERYDAY!) Check out the connection blog below using our key verse of Eph. 2:10. What's God saying to you today? You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ so that you can do what you are created to do! PTL! Who are your teammates? Talk to God and them and receive His plans and make yours to go live and love like Jesus and do your part in His Good News Delivery Company! We all have a part and are gathered to team up and produce some great and lasting fruit! Amen!

God was sure speaking to my soul this morning and affirming me and filling me with ideas and things to share here that He has been highlighting for us for awhile now. Come...let us reason together and with God. What's He saying to you and how does He want to use you for your purposes? Who might you team up with? How might He want you to pray and release His will and power? DO IT!

The I to WE devo really hits home with what God has called us to be and do! Love God!! Love others! Go make disciples--baptizing, teaching, modeling, partnering, incarnating Christ and His love as we go. You are made for your part in this. How earnest are you? I see a flock on mission and we are seeing fruit and more is budding and we are growing as we abide in the Vine, allow pruning and go grow fruit. PTL! Be then do. Abide, reload, then go. You are created, gifted, pruned, empowered and sent, as you are, for such a time as this! Rejoice! GO! Yesterday Sarah shared a great message about waiting and praying and discerning. That message flows through today and will flow into next weeks message. Sit at Jesus' feet and discern what His plan is for you and partner up and Go follow Him! You will find joy, rest for your soul and some great fruit ahead! Step into your anointing and know His peace and a joy beyond understanding! I'm praying for you! Some of the below devos flow through this thread as well. Abide. Listen. Receive and die to self as you prepare to follow and produce. That's God's will for you and why He has gathered us! PTL! I can't wait to see what He has in store for the rest of the year and beyond in answer to our prayers and our disciple making. Abundant, good and lasting fruit for sure and probably some things we can't even envision yet that will come to life as we simply trust, obey and live and love more like Jesus! COME Jesus! Your will be done! Amen!

Connections

I to We

TWFYT

UR: Living By Faith

Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” - Matthew 5:11 (NIV)

As the daughter of an evangelist, my life was one of constant moving. I attended four different elementary schools, and at one school I was even called “the transfer student.” Many days when I was walking home, boys would spit on me as they rode their bicycles past me and call out “Christian fool” as they rode away.

One day on my way home, a woman rushed out of a factory holding a broom and yelled at the boys. I recognized her as a woman who always enthusiastically sang hymns in church. She chased after the boys and ordered them to stop this behavior. From that day, the boys stopped spitting on me.

As a child I believed in Jesus. But when such things happened I complained to God, wishing I had been raised in a different home. I am now about the same age as the woman who chased the boys, and I am walking the same road as my mother and father — living by faith. I now realize that I came to know Christ due to the very fact that I was the child of a minister. And I am grateful to God.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, bless the people who are the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus. Strengthen our faith in times when it feels hard to follow you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.

Sarah Update:

Hi prayer warriors.....

   What a nice day at worship followed by a great brunch and fellowship.  Check out some pictures of the day on our Website and Facebook

page.   Thank you to all that helped to make our brunch and day of worship nice!

I have some of the request for prayer to share with you......

Several praises:   Chris Muik was praising God that he made it into worship today!!  He is very grateful for all the prayers from his church

family.

Kris Eichman - her son had his thyroid surgery. He is recovering slowly but doing well.  He is currently for the results from

   the biopsy.   Continued prayers for good results.

Brooke, Mike Laisce's daughter - thankful for the prayers, and she was awarded the 30 course credits, This is great news for Brooke and 

her family.

Prayer requests:

Dean Mark's son, Brett has been dealing with some back pain. Prayers for relief and healing.

Pastor Don asked for prayer for his father-in-law, Russ. He is currently in the hospital, receiving blood transfusions.  Prayers for his medical team and wisdom to find out what is going on and what treatment would be best.

Kay Behl has asked for prayer for her Sister in law, Nancy Henniger is in the hospital with COVID.  Prayers for healing and recovery.

Continued prayers for Joan Fenstermaker's immediate family 

Thank You's: 

We received thank you cards from Gail Reinsmith, Joe Toy, and Missy and Brian Wagner - they are all saying how grateful they are 

for the financial and prayer support they have received for the past many years. 

May we continue to prayer for all our missionaries as they are out in the 'mission field' sharing the Good News with those God puts in their pathway of life.

That's all I have for now.  Continue to keep our outreaches, as they meet this week: Bread Ministry and Clothing Closet in your prayers as they give and show HOPE and God's LOVE to those that enter our church.

Praying for you'all as you journey through this coming week! 

If you have a prayer request or concern that you would like the warriors to pray for, please let Pastor Don or Sarah know 

and we will get the word out. 

Let's all go and Live and continue to Learn about Jesus!!

Blessings,

  Sarah