Good Morning Thankful Worshipers! May God bless you and yours today as you prepare, worship and feast with family and friends! He see you and is with you and is inhabiting your praise! PTL!

Here's a song to start your day with praise...counting my many blessings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0cjGr2h4k

Today can be a very busy Martha-kinda-busy day. Be still a bit and prepare yourself before you pour yourself out in loving service. Today can be a very hard day, breathe out. Be still. Dwell in His love and receive His peace, comfort and strength. And today begins that sprint to Christmas and all the crazy busyness. Breathe out and breathe in a refreshing, renewing, shalom-filled breathe of the the Spirit. God is with you always. He knows you and all about what's going on and His perfect plans for you that lead to this great joy and satisfaction in the Lord. PTL! Yes rejoice and invite Him to come inhabit your praise and direct your steps to His best. And then continue to count those blessings He brings as you go be a blessing. Amen! He has some great plans just for you for such a time as this! Rejoice!

Below are just a couple of my devos from today. Begin with worship and praise that overflows into a day overflowing with gratitude and love! And keep adding to those gratitude lists! Amen and shalom shalom to you and yours today!

CS

SY

Harvest

November 28 - The Fervent Prayer             Thanksgiving Blessings from Harvest Prayer Ministries! "Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes (of my faith to behold Your face in the pitch-like darkness), lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," and those that trouble me rejoice when I am shaken." (Psalm 13:3-4, Amplified Bible) David does the one thing that a fallen, helpless man in a fallen, helpless world can do: He cries out. In fervent prayer, He asks God to answer him and enlighten his eyes to see the real truth and the bigger picture. This is what we need. An ant looks at a large stone in front of him and sees it as an insurmountable obstacle. We look at the scene and see a clear path for the ant if he will simply walk around the rock to the food on the other side. It is a mountain to an ant, but a molehill to a human. It is huge to the small, but inconsequential to the one who is above. God is above our trouble. He sees it with Divine perspective. David asks God for the eyes of faith to see with God's clarity so he will not be overwhelmed with despair. "But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:5-6, Amplified Bible) At the end of his prayer, David is reminded of the lovingkindness of God. Think of that word. God is not only loving towards us, but also kind. Everything He does is driven by this never-changing attribute. David remembers that God is a Savior in the full sense of that word. He has saved him over and over from trouble and He will not forsake him now. The Lord speaks to David, because he prayed. He comes to the place of being in "high spirits,” and even singing to the Lord! He knows—in spite of all the seemingly overwhelming problems around him—that God will deal bountifully with him. Are you in this David moment? There is one remedy, and only one. Come to the Father with honest questions and a fervent cry. It will lead you to a refueled faith and a rejoicing heart. Pray through the specific issues you are facing right now. Cast “all your care upon God, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Merciful God, You know everything about me and all that I am facing today! You care deeply for every sorrow, difficulty and uncertainty. Please increase my faith and give me a deep trust in Your lovingkindness to walk me through each hard place with a rejoicing heart. Thank You for teaching me how to cast all my cares on You because You care for me! ---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org. Prayer Points Praise God as the one whose arm is “not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isa. 59:1). Thank God for the promise to hear you when you come to him in prayer. Confess any sin which may result in his not hearing your prayers (59:2). If you are struggling in this area, commit yourself to regular, daily times of prayer and fellowship with God. Ask him to draw close to you as you fellowship with him. God has long arms when it comes to salvation. No one is beyond his reach. Thank him for that truth and pray for one unsaved person you know. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Feels like Thursday since we gathered last evening instead of Wed for taco Tues worship. What a great night to gather, fellowship and worship and of course eat! Close to 40 of us did just that. God was present and we had a great evening! Thanks God and all who came!

Note: Wed Huddle is on Holiday break until Jan. 15th when we gather again to feast, fellowship, study and pray. Just like the church in Acts 2:42. Pray we continue to grow as this kind of church and through our table ministries. PTL! Last night our 15th new member for the year has asked to join!! God is on the move! Amen!

Tues the 3rd will be our last Zoom Huddle until Jan. 14th.

Saturday we gather at 10 to decorate the sanctuary, All needed and welcome!

Sunday is the beginning of our Christmas Giving Challenge. In the past we called this the Light 'em Up Challenge because we go out to bring some light to the darkness and help to the hopeless and needy. Pray for God to lead and use us!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Thanks-Living Friends! May we always live overflowing with thanksgiving and faithfulness that flows from our gratitude of what Christ has done and is doing for us! AMEN! God is on the move and He has custom made perfect plans for you to bring His love and Kingdom alive. PTL! Seek, knock, worship, receive and follow well today. I've already prayed for you.

I'm just sharing two devos and Psalm 103 that we used last night to begin building or to expand our gratitude lists. What are you thankful about? Write it down and save it to your heart. God is so worthy of all praise, glory, and honor, Yes rejoice, again I say it, PTL! May thanksgiving and God's love overflow you today and springs of Living Water gush forth as you go live and love more and more like Jesus! Amen and shalom!

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley

Psalm 103

Don't forget! Thanksgiving Eve Eve Taco Tuesday dinner and worship 6-7:30 tonight! Bring a friend!

Good Morning Thankful Friends and Persevering Followers of Jesus! Can we be both? We need to be! Yet sometimes we find little to be thankful about and loose our faith that leads us to persevere always in Christ. During the holidays, I used to get ugly. I hated, loathed Hallmark Holidays made up by man to sell cards and make us feel guilty for not blessing others or making us very sad for missing loved ones. God has delivered me from that the past few years as I prayed and asked Him to do so. I ask to see with His eyes and respond with His heart and mind. He has given me empathy and compassion for those who struggle with grief, loss, lack, and changed that to a desire to worship, enjoy, comfort and bless. How can we persevere in faith when we are in those darkest valleys? How can we be thankful IN all things as commanded. I pour my heart out to God for those who may be unable to so, that they would feel His loving presence, peace and deliverance through tough holidays. Join me in lifting those you know who are struggling in some way or another through these holidays. Father, come, comfort, deliver, provide as You promise. Lead me/us to be Your vessels to the hopeless and hurting this year. Help! Thanks! Amen!

Who just came to your mind as you prayed? What might God be leafing you to do in response to His nudges? Who might you team up with to go comfort and bless in the name of Jesus and with His help? There are many we know all around us, even in  our fellowship that need a hug of comfort right now. Part of the idea behind our Christmas Giving Challenge is to gift you to go do something for those in need of a touch of Gods love and provision. Keep praying for wisdom and direction for that.

One of the directives God has given me is to prepare His people to be ready to endure and persevere in faith when the hard times come. We are promised that they will come and will increase in intensity as the end gets closer. Are you ready? Part of that is knowing in advance that Your God cares, knows, is able and allows things for His purposes. Things to deep for us to understand. He is God and we are not. Sometimes as part of life we experience deep loss and it is beyond reason or our control. Are you ready for those intensely hard and dark times? You can prepare to be able to redirect to God more quickly and in trust and faith that is able to even be thankful and choose joy always in all thing. Help us Lord! Prepare us to be able to stand firm in You no matter what comes. May we always remember you are sovereign and in control and allow things we can't understand to be part of Your good and perfect plans. Help us to memorize and be able to recall Your many promises of comfort, help, provision and deliverance and be able to stand on those as needed. Raise up Your army of comforters and peace bringers from our fellowship. Raise up people who see with Your eyes and respond with Your heart and mind to bring Your comfort alive. Thanks Lord! Prepare us. Send us. And may we always stand firm in You and go as Your vessels. Thank You for Your promises and to always be working things together for good. Help us to be able to stand firm and redirect to You quickly when these hard times come. Please comfort those who are hurting, grieving and lacking this holiday season. May Your promise of comfort and love, peace and joy come alive as we grow in trust and see You at work always. Come! Help! Comfort! Send me! Amen! Thank You!

Check out our devos today that speak into this and the faithfulness of God. Check the harvest prayer link for some Thanksgiving ideas. It will help you to redirect and to go comfort. Prepare your hearts to always stand firm in Christ, lift thanksgiving always and be His vessel. Amen! I'm praying for you and us! Build those gratitude lists too that will help when needed to refocus on God and things above. He really loves you and is always at work. He promises to comfort, help and provide. Worship and focus on that!

UR: Comfort in Grief

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. - Psalm 139:16 (NIV)

I received news that no one ever wants to hear. My three-month prenatal ultrasound showed no signs of a heartbeat. I would never hold my precious baby in my arms. The sadness was overwhelming.

After the initial waves of sadness, I felt a sense of shame for my intense sorrow. My mind told me that I shouldn’t feel such anguish over an early pregnancy loss and that this amount of grief should be reserved for late miscarriages or for people who have lost loved ones after years together. I wanted to keep my grief a secret so that no one would think I was overreacting.

But these feelings of shame and embarrassment were quickly replaced with something God had written on my heart years ago. Psalm 139 reminded me that this child was lovingly created by God and that God treasured all of my baby’s days.

Remembering that God knows and values my baby has comforted me in my grief, and it has helped me to be open to God’s grace that transforms our pain.

Today's Prayer

Father God, thank you for comforting us when we mourn. Thank you for the gift of your word that offers peace during difficult times. Help us to be open to your transforming grace. Amen.

Sarah Young

Chuck Swindoll 

TWFYT

Charles Stanley

Harvest Blog link for Thanksgiving ideas: https://www.harvestprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Give-Thanks-with-a-Prayerful-Heart.pdf

This Week: Tomorrow (Tues.) 10-11 Zoom Huddle

6PM Thanksgiving Eve Eve Taco Tuesday dinner worship! All welcome!

Wed. Bread Ministry 10-12

Sat. 10 AM decorate for Christmas

This is the last two days to register to receive $50 on Sunday to use to bless others or the Kindness Project. If you haven't signed up, let Sarah or me know of your interest today to be able to join us in being a blessing this holiday season.

Sun. Dec 22nd we will install some new members. If you are interested in joining our fellowship of believers, let Sarah or me know and we will get you an application. 

******PTL! Last Dec. Mike Laise encouraged us to pray for and invite people to join us and we started praying for 12 new members this year or for one per month. God has been faithful to answer those prayers and has drawn some through our invites to come and check us out. He is so faithful!!! Yesterday we talked to our 13th new member! God hears and answers!!! So Sunday Dec 22nd, 3 more will be received into membership and adding their rocks to our altar as they covenant with us to live and love like Jesus as part of His Body and Good News Delivery Co.! He has also answered the prayer to raise up servants from the harvest He is sending and most of these new members are already serving or wanting to! Yes! Thanks Lord! Keep hearing and answering those prayers!!!!

Sarah Update below: (Update to hers: Chris Muik was admitted to St. Luke's for further evaluation. Keep him, Yvonne and family in your prayers)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Thankful, Focused on Jesus, Faithful Worshipers! Amen! This salutation is a word from God to us flowing through our worship, Sarah's message and our fellowship yesterday. It flows from my quiet time and devotional studies this morning to us from God! He is speaking to your heart right now affirming you and your faith and leading you to live a life filled with thanksgiving, faithfulness and worship as you are created to do. PTL! Be still for a bit and dwell in His love, presence and Word as you prepare for a day of worshipful service that flows from a heart overflowing with His love and from much grateful thankfulness for who He is, what He's done and from His deep love for you. He created you for such a time as this and He is with you always, walking with you and holding you in the palm of His hand. He informs, comforts, strengthens, delivers and helps you each step and you get to offer yourself as an act of worship and follow Him to his best. Yes, PTL! Worship with a thankful heart and follow well today! I'm praying for you too! So here is the flow from my devos: What's God saying to you? What thanksgivings can you raise from these and your time with Him. What will you do in response today? Who are your partners? God does have great, custom made plans for you that will lead to much joy and thanksgiving as you follow Him o His perfect plans for you! rejoice and worship today! Amen!

ODB:

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley   

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

Upper Room: Making An Impression

As God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. - Colossians 3:12 (CEB)

Sometimes after I put together an outfit that I think looks good, and more importantly is comfortable, my wife will look at me with a smile and ask, “Why are you leaving the house dressed like that?” So . . . I change my clothes. We laugh about it, but my wife’s attentiveness to the clothes I wear reminds me that how we present ourselves makes an impression on others.

With Christ, we are given the grace to clothe ourselves with love, kindness, compassion, and patience.

Early Christianity grew in part because outsiders witnessed the changed lives, good qualities, and virtues of those who followed Christ. As Jesus said in John 13:35, “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” Jesus taught his disciples to show the world what they believe and where they find hope.

I still find it tempting to go back to old patterns of living. But I am constantly reminded of Jesus’ transforming grace which allows the world to see Christ through us.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, guide us to clothe ourselves in love and kindness. May the world see Christ when they look at us. Amen.

TWFYT

Harvest Prayer 

November 25 - Finding God in the Midst of Your Trouble Every day, if we are wise, we will realize our increasing need for God. We were designed to depend on Him, just like our lungs crave oxygen and our heart needs blood. This world is full of difficulties that are beyond us, problems that at any moment threaten to pull us down into the quicksand of despair and defeat, and decisions that are above our capabilities. We need Someone bigger. So, how do we find Him in the midst of such a troubled and fallen world? "How long will You forget me, O Lord? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?" (Psalm 13:1-2, Amplified Bible) David is describing in prayer what life feels like at the moment. It seems like the Lord has forsaken Him. He doesn't sense His presence. He is overcome with cares and sorrow. His enemies seem to be winning the day. Every person has days like this. David's Psalm strikes a chord in us because of his raw, unfiltered honesty. He’s voicing what is in our hearts when it seems God is distant and unconcerned. Lord, some days I feel like King David. There are times when it seems You are silent and distant. Yet, I know that You are always present and leaning in to hear my prayers. Help me to faithfully come to You when I feel lost, afraid, sad, confused or anxious. Give me increased faith that even when I can’t see Your hand at work, I can always trust that Your heart is for me. ---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org. Prayer Points Praise God, the one who keeps you in perfect peace (Isa. 26:3). Give thanks for peace which is far beyond your understanding (Phil. 4:7). Confess that you sometimes look to the world to bring you peace rather than to God. Commit yourself to living in peace with others (1 Thess. 5:13). Ask God to give you a peaceable spirit. Jesus promises to give his peace to those who believe in faith (Jn. 14:27). Pray for one unsaved person you know to receive Jesus’ precious peace. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Sarah Update

Good afternoon, prayer warriors,

   What a great day of worship today.....and then the brunch.....yummo, those pancakes were delicious!!!

A huge thank you to Lori and her team! Great job!

Here are the praises and prayer needs from worship:

Chris and Yvonne Muiks are praising God that their daughter is doing much better after having an allergic reaction to the colonoscopy prep med. 

    Prayers for Chris, this morning he noticed that his foot was red, and was going to the ER to get it checked, after he and Yvonne worshipped with us via Zoom.  Praying for your healing Chris!

Josie's grandson, Craig is doing well, and he wearing his brace and taking physical therapy.  Prayers that he takes his time and allows his body to heal and that he has patience with the process.

Carol will be having heart surgery tomorrow at 7:30am. Pastor Don and Darlene helped to lay hands on her and pray over her this morning. May God's peace surround Carol and her medical team get a good night's rest....so they are ready for the day's work.

Ken - Sandy Ritter's husband is having a procedure on his back on Tuesday. Sandy is asking for prayers for Ken to be comforted and have peace.  Praying his anxiety will be replaced with His peace.

Let's continue to pray for Diane, Houston, Matt Stauffer, and others in our church family that may be going through a difficult time in their lives.   Pray also for the family members of these folks.

** ** **

Here is Gladys Ketner's new address:

Gladys Ketner

Heather Glen

415 Blue Barn Road

Room E 3

Allentown Pa 18104

Her lunch time is from 12 - 1pm and they ask for no visitors to come during that time.

** *** **

Okay everyone.....be grateful for all that God has blessed you with and if you can't find something to be thankful for,

  stop and take a breath, and exhale.....and then thank God for that breath!

Blessings,

  Sarah

TODAY is the last day to sign up to receive $50. next Sun to go be a blessing before Christmas. See bulletin board in sanctuary and sign up today!

Don't forget out Thanksgiving Eve Eve Taco Tuesday dinner and worship this Tues. All welcome. Bring a friend or three!

See at worship at 10 and brunch at 11:30 today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Thankful, Focused and Faithful Servants of the Lord Almighty! AMEN! Come you thankful ones of the Lord and let us worship and praise with hearts overflowing today an always. Amen! Check out the flow and thread through my devotionals from a deep quiet time of worship this morning. Check Swindoll reminds us of spontaneous worship and how that broke our for the pilgrims in response to God carrying them through a very hard first winter. Sarah Young reminds us that thanksgiving can take the sting out of adversity as we shift our focus to our Father who is always with us and able. It's a reminder to keep building those gratitude lists to pull out in the hard times to help us shift our focus with thanksgiving and praise. Joyce Meyer reminds us to always choose to stand on our solid Rock, Jesus in faith and with much thanksgiving. Charles Stanley reminds that our God is worthy of all praise and worship and how near He is to us always. The Upper Room reminds us to turn off the noise, shift our focus and find shalom in the stillness. TWFYT calls us to never give up or quit. Breakthrough and deliverance are on the way! Remember the promise that no weapon formed against us will prosper and stand firm in faith with much trust and thanksgiving. God is able and worthy of all our trust and praise. Amen! What's He whispering to your heart today? Lift those thanksgiving praises and refocus on Him and His best for you. Keep at it and battling those demons and doubts and fears as you lift those praises. I'm praying for you! Shalom!

Check out this song to start your day...Hard Fought Hallelujah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd3r3sWPM84

Chuck Swindoll

Sarah Young

Joyce Meyer

Charles Stanley

Upper Room: Peace in Stillness

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

Last year I was in the hospital for surgery to have my gallbladder removed. It was my first time under general anesthesia; but lying obediently on the gurney, I breathed myself to sleep. Only after I woke up with a sore and bandaged abdomen did it occur to me what a gesture of trust I had made toward the doctors and technicians. I had put myself completely at their mercy. I had had complete confidence in their integrity and skill.

Why, then, when I was so ready to put myself in the hands of fallible human beings, am I so reluctant to trust in God’s integrity and care, to believe in God’s promises?

I think of this experience whenever I sit down to pray, attempting to surrender myself to God’s will. When my anxieties and petty concerns keep crowding in, preventing me from fully entering into quiet prayer, I try to let go, breathe, and feel myself held in a space of love. God provides me with care greater than any human physician. When I surrender to God, God calms my restlessness so that I can experience resurrection life.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, you are with us always. Help us find stillness in our restless souls so that we can know you and receive your healing power. Amen.

 The Word for You Today

Harvest prayers:

Tomorrow: Prepare your hearts for an Acts 2:42 kinda day! They gathered. Studied God's Word. Prayed, Ate and fellowshipped. We will do that beginning at 10 with worship and Sarah leading us through the Word. Then we get to gather downstairs and eat and fellowship. Who are you bringing along to our Pancakepalooza? Pray for God to bring someone to mind to invite and for no hindrances for those God is sending.

Only two weeks left to sign up ofr our Christmas Giveaway Challenge. (See sheet on bulletin board in back of sanctuary to sign up to receive $50. on Dec 1st to go bless someone or to give to the Kindness Project. God has great plans for us to go bless and show His love this holiday season! Join the fun!

Don't forget to update our directory at the back of the sanctuary. Are your address and contact info up to date? 

Sunday Dec. 22nd will be new member Sunday as we receive some new members. If interested in joining out fellowship, speak to Sarah or Pastor Don. Keep praying for God to send those He is drawing to Him through our Body. PTL that He has heard and sent new members and attendees in answer to our prayers we started last Dec. for 12 new members. He is faithful to hear and answer! PTL! and He is using us and growing our reach! Amen!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Joy-Bringers and Agents of Shalom! PTL that is us! We are so filled with joy and actively incarnating His shalom that many are noticing and being attracted to Him and our gatherings. So many weary and downtrodden are seeking Joy and peace that is only found in Christ and through His faithful servants (US!!!!)! PTL that He is positioning and sending us to live and love like Jesus and impart His love, healing and hope! We all have a part in this and are stepping into our custom made roles for bringing His love and Good News alive. Thank Him for that and keep offering yourself as His vessel. He is molding, shaping and using us just as we are for such a time as this. PTL! And He is blessing us as we allow Him to use us for His purposes made for each of us and us as His gathered people! I'm am so stoked at all God is doing and for the open doors He has showed us for bringing His Good News to our neighbors and those He is drawing. I just can't help but worship, praise and offer much thanksgiving! Keep praying for those God is sending you to invite to come and see and for courage to do so and for some teammates to travel with into the ripe harvest fields! We are springs of living water flowing to this dry and weary land! PTL!

My quiet time began today with this Scripture for the day and flowed through some of our devotionals to remind us that we are His and His stream of Living Water--a people filled to overflowing with His love, peace and joy and sent to be Christ to the Christ-less for such a time as this! Yes, PTL! And keep doing your part as you seek and follow Him to bless many and be filled with His joy and love overflowing. Rejoice in the Lord today and know His shalom and then go bring it alive! What story is God writing or wanting to through you? many need to hear these! Keep watching, joining, serving and recording all God is doing in, through and around you and be filled to overflowing Streams of Living Water, Joy Bringing, agents of Shalom! Yee Ha! We are in for the ride of our lives as God leads us to His best and perfect plans! AMEN!

Scripture of the day:

Our Daily Bread

Charles Stanley

Sarah Young

Harvest prayer Blogs

November 23 - Praying with Others Most of the praying we study in the New Testament was done in groups. Like sticks of wood that increase a fire, mutual intercession aids us in praying. Someone comes into the group and is terribly distracted, but another is focused and ready to pray. One is discouraged, but another intercessor’s prayers lift them before the meeting is over. We fuel each other in prayer. If you are not praying with others, you must. Start a group, join a group. Ask a godly older man or woman that you know is an intercessor to train you by praying with you. As a pastor for over 50 years, I have been absolutely astounded to discover countless pastors who never pray with their leaders and staff. How can we possibly expect to let the Head of the church lead His body if we are not talking to Him? How can we build genuine unity in a staff without united prayer? What are we training others to be if we never train them in prayer? Also, real unity—the kind that moves mountains—cannot be gained by administration or tasks alone. Get a group of people into the presence of God in sustained, well-led prayer and unity will be automatic. There will be a depth of unity that cannot be experienced any other way. Lord Jesus, teach Your people to pray! Teach Your pastors to lead in prayer and guide their staff and leadership in prayer so that You can accomplish Your purposes in and through them and their congregations! You desire unity among Your people, Father. Teach us how to come together in Your presence with a unified purpose to seek Your face! ---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org. Prayer Points Praise God, the one who is never far away from his children. Thank him for being close to you when you feel brokenhearted or crushed in spirit (Ps. 34:18). Confess your own unwillingness to have a God so near. Commit yourself to drawing near to God in daily prayer and fellowship (Jas. 4:8). Ask him to bless you by his presence throughout your life. Intercede for the great worldwide mission effort of the church. Ask God to raise up more workers to enter the harvest around the world. Pray specifically for missionaries whom you know or support financially.    Prayer Pointer “God does nothing on earth save in answer to believing prayer.” —John Wesley Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

It's Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Woo Who! There is so much to contemplate with thanksgiving in just that truth! Yes you and I and all who will come to Christ are and will be forgiven! PTL! Spend some time with God and your gratitude list this morning as we begin our time together.

Good Morning Thankful, Abiding in the Living Word, Servants of the Lord! Yes and amen to that! Many of us have been traveling through some very hard times or we know some who are. Yet we are called to be thankful IN all things. Not for but thankful as God carries and walks with us through those dark, stretching faith, valleys. Having and choosing an attitude of thanksgiving shifts our focus from us to God and helps us to choose joy as we trust Him to work all things together for good. It's still hard but we have a better focus and attitude as we turn to God with thanksgiving on our hearts and lips. As we shift our focus up, we are more able to abide in God's Love and with His Living Word. Having Scriptures to lean on, inform our prayers and direct our steps and is critical to a life lived well and with God's peace. We can have confidence that He knows, cares and is with us working all things together for good and not harm. We are reminded of our blessed assurance in Christ as well. And then we can or are better able to choose to get busy serving which also helps shift our focus up as we join God in blessing others. Blessed to be a blessing and blessed back for being one is another step in the process of developing a thankful heart always. Thanksgiving is not just for a day but part of a life lived well in Christ everyday. Today's devotionals flow through this line of thought and thread it together. Prayerfully, thankfully engage God through them as you shift your focus to Him with thanksgiving and praise and as you open and abide in His Word and prepARE YOUR HEARTS TO GO LOVE LIKE JESUS. That's thanks-living. He is with you--always! He loves you even when it doesn't feel like it. So, rejoice and lift some praise today as you still yourself, turn off the noise and chaos and spend some time in the presence of the God who whispers His love to you. Then pray about who He is stirring you to reach out to to encourage, pray and walk with today or serve in some way. He does have great plans for you, even when it may not feel so great. Yes rejoice and receive His shalom this morning! I'm praising for you and prayed for you already. Shalom! Thankful, Abiding in the Living Word, Servants of the Lord!

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley

Upper Room: Repurposing Our Lives

“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.” - Isaiah 41:9 (NIV)

I enjoy turning recycled junk into art. I take items that are going to be discarded — vintage tools, hardware, old china, tiles, game pieces, aluminum cans, and other everyday objects — and I generate fresh, unique artwork that conveys a positive message. To redeem a once-valuable item that would have been thrown away gives me great satisfaction!

For a while, especially during the height of the pandemic, I felt insignificant, isolated, and purposeless. But then opportunities arose for service projects that I could do at home. I could glorify God and serve others by creatively rejuvenating old ways of serving. Even the little things we do can make an impact when we allow a loving heart and a spirit of service to guide us.

We may feel that we don’t have much to offer because we are broken, flawed, or lack confidence. But we can be recreated to glorify God, and our brokenness can be renewed. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). Regardless of our age or abilities, when we seek opportunities to do good works, our lives can be repurposed to love and serve God.

Today's Prayer

Lord God, guide us to follow your purpose for our lives each day. Help us to look and listen for ways to serve you. Amen.

The Word for You today

ODB

Harvest

November 22 - Praying Through God’s Word  There are several excellent books on my shelf that directly address how to pray through the Bible. One is Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney, professor of spiritual formation and author of a number of books on the spiritual life. Actually, he has talked about this for years, and Praying the Bible is his most thorough look at encouraging Christ-followers to draw ever closer to God as we meditate upon his Word.  Whitney reminds us that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us and guides us in our prayers through the Scriptures. He encourages us to pray verse by verse. Wherever we are in the Bible, we can ask the Spirit’s help to apply it in our lives. Whatever, whoever comes to mind—again, as the indwelling Holy Spirit leads—we key off of the particular verse and use it as fuel for prayer.  While Whitney encourages us to pray through any portion of the Bible this way, he favors turning to the Psalms as Jesus did (see Matthew 27:46), and also as we see in the early church (see Acts 4:24–26). In Simplify Your Spiritual Life, he gave a practical demonstration of what this looks like: For example, if I were praying through Psalm 27, I would begin by reading verse 1: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation.’ Then I would pray something like, ‘Thank You, Lord, that You are my light. Thank You for giving me the light to see my need for Jesus and Your forgiveness. Please light my way so that I will know which way to go in the big decision that is before me today. And thank You especially that You are my salvation. You saved me; I didn’t save myself. And now I ask You to save my children also, as well as those at work with whom I’ve shared the gospel.’”  When I have nothing else to say, instead of my mind wandering, I have a place to go—the rest of verse 1: “Of whom shall I be afraid?” Then I might pray along these lines: “I thank You that I do not have to fear anyone because You are my Father. But I confess that I have been fearful about____.” I would continue in this way, praying about whatever is prompted verse by verse, until I either complete the psalm or run out of time.  Father, You did not leave us alone here on earth! Not only did You send Your Spirit to be our teacher, but You gave us Your word! “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:5), and when I pray the words You have given, I always know that my prayer is in Your perfect will! Thank You for Your powerful word! --Adapted from Walking and Talking with God: A Simple Way to Pray Every Day by Dean Ridings. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for all his mighty works (Ps. 46:8-10), for his power, his majesty, his magnificent splendor over all the earth. Thank God for this psalm’s very clear and uplifting picture of God’s grandeur. Confess that you sometimes live as if God were small, powerless, and expendable. Commit yourself to serving this grand and glorious God with humility and reverence. Ask God to reveal something of his splendor in your life this week. Pray that “the works of the Lord” might be so evident as to draw unbelievers to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Ask for spiritual blinders to be removed. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

 Sunday is our 2 Peas in A Pod Brunch (Pancake Palooza!) after worship. Who ya bringin'? All are welcome! Come join us for worship and then fellowship around the table. It's an Acts 2:42 type of morning! God has plans for you and us and for some who are yet to come! Rejoice and join Him and us!

Don't forget the 5-5-5 prayer challenge. Pray for 5 neighbors for 5 days a week for 5 weeks and ask God how He wants to use you to be an answer to some of thise prayers! Yesterday, he already answered one of mine as a lady from Bread Ministry was invited and joined us last night and connected to us and God a little more! PTL! (there is a spot to record answered prayers for this challenge. Keep praying, believing, responding as God leads and lifting thanksgiving!

You have two Sundays to sign up for our Christmas Blessing challenge. Sun Dec 1st, all who signed up will receive $50, to be used to write a story of how God used you to bless another or others. You can even team up with others and pool your money. OR you can opt to have the church give your $50. to the Kindness Project that helps foster families in the area. Pray into this and for God to multiply and use us and what He's given to go bless abundantly and have great stories of His loving faithfulness through us to share. (Remember this money comes from a tithe from our church for all God has provided for us this year. He truly does bless the tithing of His people!)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Good Morning Grateful, Surrendered, Obedient and Trustworthy Vessels! AMEN!!! This salutation flows from our devotionals for today and from Harvest Prayer's blog. Did you catch the God thing in their blog? Last night at our Chosen gathering we saw the reenactment of Jesus getting the colt of a donkey for His triumphal entry and today's harvest blog uses that same Scripture to lead us in praise and prayer. What's God saying to you as you encounter their prayer starters? He's speaking to you and informing your prayers and praise! Pretty cool! I have been so blessed to be part of these Chosen gatherings and for how God uses me. The Holy Spirit is evident in me as He brings to mind and recalls Scriptures and God's teachings to answer the many questions and teach about each episode. I am humbled how God uses me! Thanks Lord! He can do the same for you as you store up Scripture in your hearts and the Holy Spirit brings them to mind as you answer other's questions and arguments. Thanks Lord! Come! teach us! Use us! Fill us to overflowing with You Love and Word. Thanks! Amen.

The rest of our devos flow together to speak to us about our hearts of gratitude and trust for who God is and all he has planned! he loves you and is leading you to His perfect plans and your purposes. Build those gratitude lists! offer your hearts, trust and much praise and thanksgiving to God today. He is so worthy! I gotta fly. May God bless you and speak to your hearts and fill them with gratitude and direct our steps. Shalom, shalom!

Harvest:

November 21 - Trustworthy Vessels “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here soon’” (Mark 11:2-3). Jesus possessed accurate foreknowledge. Because He knew His disciples would follow His instructions, His disciples experienced “God adventures.” When we follow Jesus’ instructions, we won’t stumble. In fact, receiving His instruction and acting on it will create testimonial “God adventures.” Let us live as God’s trustworthy vessels knowing that the Lord’s leadings will prove accurate. Lord, I repent for every time I’ve ignored and disregarded Your specific instructions. I repent for every time I didn’t trust Your leadings. I repent for every time I partially followed You instead of following through on exactly what You indicated. I repent for any way in me that leaves me untrustworthy. I want to know Your will and implement it in any given situation.  Whatever the past, I declare I will be trustworthy. You can trust me, and I’m willing to prove it to You. Give me little things and let’s build trust. I want to receive Your accurate leadings.  I thank You that You will build me into a trustworthy vessel, that You can trust me with even more than transportation logistics (i.e., the donkey). I thank You for Your desire to trust me.  I praise You that You’re trustworthy. I praise You that You know the beginning from the end. I praise You that Your will, will be done on this earth. I praise You for the call You placed on my life. I praise You that it’s Your desire for me to complete the purposes and plans You designed for me before I filled my mother’s womb. I praise You for following through and “sealing deals.” You’re thrilling! I love You! --Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God, the one who is your “light” and your “salvation” (Ps. 27:1). Thank him for shining his saving light in your darkness. Confess times when you’ve preferred to live in the darkness of sinful actions and habits rather than in the light of Jesus. Commit yourself anew to living in his light. Ask God to surround you every day this week with his light and salvation. Pray for Christian ministries which bring healing light into some of our society’s darkest corners. Pray for those who work with the homeless, with substance abusers, with the poor, with persons in mental institutions, and others. Ask that the love of Jesus will soothe every hurting heart. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Joyce Meyer

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley

The Word for You Today

 The Upper Room: Our Advocate

The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. - Romans 8:26 (NRSVUE)

When I was a child, my home environment was filled with violence. I felt completely insignificant. When I was only seven or eight years old, I was depressed and harbored dark thoughts bordering on suicide.

As I grew into a teenager, my childhood continued to haunt me, and I experienced lingering thoughts that I did not deserve to live. Then I learned about Jesus, a man who experienced great suffering at the hands of his peers and was crucified. I marveled at the great injustice he had suffered. I prayed earnestly, asking Jesus to take away my problems. But Jesus Christ taught me instead to forgive my aggressors. Eventually, I came to understand that they treated me the way they did because they could not give me what they did not have.

Even though my parents abandoned me, the Lord welcomed me lovingly with open arms. I learned that I cannot change people, but the Holy Spirit can. My advocate, the Holy Spirit, awakened in me the desire to commit to a new future and the belief that I could choose a new life in Christ. Thanks be to God!

Today's Prayer

Even before we cry out to you, great God of mercy, you already know our needs. Help us to accept ourselves as beloved children created in your image. Amen.

Today is Bread day from 10-12 and tonight is our last Chosen dinner huddle until the new year. starts at 6-8ish (next week we gather Tues at6 for our Thanksgiving Eve Eve Taco Tuesday dinner and worship time.)

Pray with us for what God will have us study after the new year.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Very Loved, Very Productive in the Lord Friends! Amen! Right! Pray with me...May that be us Lord! We know we are very loved and created for your purposes. Thank You! We know You have sent Your Spirit to us to gift and empower us to produce good fruit and it is coming alive! Thanks! Thank You for gathering us to be Your team of Good News and fruit bearing disciples ad apostles! We are students and works in process and progress and yet You are producing good fruit in and through us. Thank You! Father, we love and trust You and offer ourselves to You today. Your Kingdom come and will be done in and through and around us today. may many see you and be drawn as we learn to live and love more and more like Jesus. Protect us. Thank You! Provide and guide. Thank You and may we be the best stewards of all Your blessings! Lord go before us with favor as we pray for 5 neighbors for 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Inform our prayers and open our hearts to respond as You draw. Lord lead us with the Christmas giving and blessing challenge. Open our eyes to what you are doing and how to sow lavishly into your works. Lord, bless our finance team as they work on Your budget for next year. may we as a church, Your Body live sacrificially and love and sow lavishly like Jesus. Lord, thank You for new members and attendees and answered prayers. We asked for 12 and are at 11. Yu hear and answer and bless. Thank You. Send more and connect us to the harvest and raise up harvest workers from the harvest. We do know and are experiencing Ypour promise that You have good plans for us! Plans to prosper and not harm. Keep iit up Lord. We offer ourselves to you and ask that You would help us to seek first the Kingdom and Your good ways and not lean on our own understanding, so that, You would direct our steps to Your best and perfect plans You have created and gathered us to do. You ROCK! We love You Lord! Thank You for being our God, Savior, Lord and Leader and even Help in time of trouble. Your have greAT THINGS FOR US! Thanks! Come! Be glorified! May Jesus be lifted up and come alive in and through us today. Thanks! Amen!

God allowed me to sleep in this morning and I missed my 6 am huddle. BUT GOD! How nice to be refreshed and ready for this day that He has planned. I have just finished up my quiet time and need to get on the road to church to shop, cook, prep and be part of bread ministry. God's got this and I asked Him to be my Lord and Shepherd today. And He is and will for He has plans for me and us today. Invite Him in. Dwell in Him and His love. Receive His direction and go live and love like Jesus today. Then watch for how He'll use you and worship! He made you for such a time as this and is going before you today to lead you to His best. PTL! I can't wait to hear the stories of His love and faithfulness! Share them with us and others who need to hear of His loving faithfulness and good plans.

OK it's time for me to rock and roll. But before I go, below are the devos God ordered for us today as He is speaking to me and directly to some of you as you engage with Him through them and your quiet time. What's He saying to you and what will you do about it? His plans are perfect for you, His beloved, gifted, equipped and led child. He's calling you by name to come sit at His feet, reload for today and follow Him to His best and good and lasting fruit custom fitted for custom made you. PTL! Be still and know and then prepare to go live and love more like Jesus today! Amen! He's leading you to His best. Rejoice! Follow well today my friends! Shalom shalom!

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley

Our Daily Bread

Upper Room: Staying Available

In all your ways submit to [the Lord], and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)

My ministry entails editing a newsletter to help inmates like me who are on death row. Recently, while I was organizing the next issue, an elderly inmate came to my cell and asked me to help him find his glasses. Though a little frustrated at the interruption, I went to help. An hour later, I had just sat back down when another person came to vent to me about his marital problems. I listened. After that, someone else called for me, also needing my time and energy.

I was getting irritated because I felt I couldn’t focus on editing the newsletter — the work God had called me to do. I prayed for peace, and God brought a verse to mind: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Prov. 16:9). I realized that although my writing ministry is valuable, sometimes God wants me to serve in unpredictable ways.

It is easy for us to get locked into patterns of service and make ourselves unavailable to God. But we are not our own; we are God’s. There are many ways to minister, and God is always at work (see 1 Cor. 12:4-6). Our job is simply to maintain humble, willing, and obedient hearts that follow where God leads.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, grant us the wisdom to see your guiding hand, and remind us to stay open to unexpected opportunities to serve. Amen.TWFYT

Harvest prayer Starters

Check out our holiday handouts attached at the bottom. Who are you praying for and inviting to come and see and experience the love of God and our joy? Remember to be praying for 5 neighbors for 5 days a week for 5 weeks. As you do God may lead you to invite someone to one of our activities! Keep praying and inviting! God is growing you and our fellowship. PTL!!! And Amen!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Abiding in THE Vine, Receiving, Growing, Good Fruit Producers! Amen! Several songs and teachings that popped up during my quiet time this morning reminded me that I am a branch, connected to THE Vine, Jesus. From Him flows the sap of living water and the nourishment needed to go do my part in His Good News Delivery Co. From Him my steps and prayers are informed. In Him I am covered and protected. In Him I am secure. As I abide and dwell in His loving presence I find rest and peace. I am also reminded that the idle and unfruitful are cut off and tossed away. May that not be me or us Lord! Sun. we heard Paul's warning to the idle and to avoid them. I struggle as I age and am able to do less and with guilt for resting, abiding and moving with Jesus. Yet that is the perfect place to be as my overzealous busyness is pruned and I focus on his best things for me. If only I had learned this earlier in life. Imagine what good fruit I would be producing today. BUT GOD! We know He made us and knows us and our shortcomings as well as potential in Christ. Maybe aging is part of His pruning that leads to being a more efficient producer. Maybe today, He needs to prune some of my idleness or transform and renew my thinking? We have learned and grown and know we can only do so much anymore and that our focus needs to be on His best and to choose to do His plans and not ours. We have been pruned and positioned for great fruit producing for such a time as this. Stop feeling guilty about not being able to do all you used to do. Stop beating yourself up for needing to rest in Christ more before being energized to go. He knows you, created you and knows the season and circumstances of your life and has accounted for those and your purposes in His Good News Delivery Co. He has a plan custom made just for you for such a time as this! PTL! Abide. Reload! And go as you are with Him to the fruit awaiting! How cool it is to contemplate and operate out of this reality and your seasoned true identity in Christ! Now herein also lies a warning for the idle and sluggardly. Daylights burning! You have a purpose in Christ that others are counting on. Ask God to motivate and move you to His perfect, custom made plans for you and a willing heart and moving feet. Maybe you need some spurring on and a prayer covering. reach out to some friends to walk with you. Maybe God is stirring you to come alongside and spur on. Seek Him and commit to your part.

I am blessed and filled with thanksgiving as I think about the productivity of our gathered and sent fellowship too. We do need each other and God has been blessing our unity in Christ and our purposes. PTL! I am thinking about Caleb right now. At 80, he said give me this mountain. With the help of God and His younger teammates he did conquer the land given to him by God when they entered the promised land. What land has God designated for you in this season of your life and who are your teammates? It's time to get moving. Daylight is burning and God has some perfect plans and purposes just for you. Seek first His Kingdom as you abide and keep your focus on Him as you dwell in Christ and sink your roots deep in Him. The fruit is coming! PTL! And you will hear, well done for doing your part well! I am stoked for what lies ahead for you and us as we come alive in '25! Amen! I can't wait to hear the stories of what God is doing in and through you and through our Christmas Giving challenge. In 2022 we called it the Light 'Em Up challenge. We know the Light of the World. He lives in you and me and comes alive through us to light up the world around us. We are Hid Lighthouses! Keep praying into that, into becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations, and for teammates to go be the Light. Oh what joy I can sense already as God moves through and use you and me and us for His glory! The harvest is coming AS WE STEP INTO OUR HARVEST WORKER ROLES! PTL! Abide! be still and know! prepare and go live and love more like Jesus and watch for how He comes alive in and through us in the year ahead! I am really excited and encouraged as God brings this to life to me and through us! What good fruit is coming! I can almost taste it! Can you?

OK, so what's God saying to you today? Maybe work through the devotionals below as God ordered them for us. I know He is speaking all the time. He is speaking to me all the time and to you. Can You hear His still small voice. Watch and listen for that voice that steers you this way or that for His glory! Rejoice and abide! Reload and go! You are created for such a time as this! Thank God and invite Him to have all of you. Amen!

Sarah Young

Charles Stanley

Joyce Meyer

The Word for You Today

The Upper Room: Rowing or Drifting

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. - Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)

It was a warm spring day — perfect for fishing. I felt such peace as my husband and I drifted along the calm lake in our inflatable boat. The sun warmed my face, and the gentle breeze pushed us along. We were so focused on our fishing poles that we didn’t realize how far we had drifted. What I thought was a gentle breeze was much stronger than I realized. We were heading into the reeds!

We quickly began rowing to avoid getting stuck, but each time our aching arms forced us to stop rowing, the wind took over again and moved our boat. Wet, tired, and frustrated, we ended up in a place we didn’t want to go.

When I reflected on this later, it occurred to me that my relationship with God is like that experience on the lake. It requires focus to grow in my faith. If I’m not actively rowing toward Jesus, I can easily drift away.

It’s easy to get caught up in the winds of the world and end up going in a direction we don’t want to go. Our relationship with God, time spent in scripture, and our connection to the church body make the difference between moving toward God or drifting away.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to keep our attention on you and not on the things of this world that cause us to drift away from you. Amen.

Our Daily Bread

Harvest Pray Tues link: https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/233667

Sarah Update below

This Week:

Today is the day to begin the 5 week prayer challenge from the brochure I sent last week and was in the bulletin yesterday. Pray for 5 neighbors, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Think about those God may be stirring you to invite to join us and pray into that too. Last year in December we began praying for 12 new members for this year. Yesterday, we heard of the 11th one God has stirred! How cool is that! God here's and answers! Think about how we have 11 new members joining us Sundays and participating in many ways as we serve! God is good! Praying for one more (actually for many more!) Join me!

Tues Zoom Huddle 10-11 (we will take our holiday break after our Dec 3rd gathering and resume in Jan.)

Wed:

Bread Ministry 10-12 (Note we will have a holiday schedule set soon since Christmas and New Year holidays are on Wednesdays this year)

Chosen and Family Dinner Huddle 6-8. This will be our last Wednesday until Jan. Next week we will gather for our Thanksgiving Eve Eve Taco Tuesday the 26th diner worship time 6-8

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Faithful, Praying, Peace-Filled Servants of the Lord! That is us! PTL! There are many purposes and ways we are custom made to serve and in which we are serving. PTL! For some of us praying is our part in God's Good News Delivery Company. Thanks for being faithful to your purposes and call! BUT all of us are called to pray as well. Please use the prayer guide from the bulletin yesterday and begin praying for 5 neighbors. God is hearing and answering! Yesterday we heard Paul's warning from 2 Thessalonians 3 about the idle. Only you and God know for sure if you are an idle one. However I can testify that I don't really see that in us. We are all doing what we can with what we have been blessed with in this season of our lives. Thank you! I have never had the privilege of co-laboring with such faithful servants! You guys rock! Now some of us also have to learn to abide and rest in the Lord and work from rest and focus on the best things God has for you. Is there a good or better thing you can release? Maybe that is someone else's call and purpose and gifting? Talk to God about that and His best for you. How we serve should be a joy and the sweet spot offered to God out of gratitude and joy and love, not obligation. What things are dragging you down? What might God be leading you to do about that? Who might be your co-laborers to share the load with? Pray into these things. God has a perfect custom made plan just for you! And it will be a joy for you to be part of! PTL!

I was rudely awakened at 1 this morning with a vivid nightmare of Satan trying to break down my back door. I couldn't go back to sleep as I prayed the blood of Jesus over us and our house. Satan is prowling about and he will be after us as we earnestly pursue and follow God to His plans for us. Expect it! Pray on that armor! Stand firm in Christ and on Gods Word and promises. I often think about how Jesus told Peter that He was praying for him because Satan asked to sift him. I think about Job and what God allowed Satan to do to him as a testing and refining. It's bad enough dealing with the hard times we are in and then add Satan's schemes to the mix and it becomes very evident that we need God and that God is with us and for us and will help us in our time of trouble. Count on it! We are secure in Christ for eternity, yet as citizens of heaven and earth, we have many battles to endure. Stand firm and turn your sorrows and hurts over to God and refocus on Him as you count your blessings and lift praise. Be content in the Lord and what He has given you and give it back to Him as a sweet offering of praise that He loves.

I feel like I'm all over the place this morning. God has been speaking many things to my heart and as I try to narrow down what He wants us to hear today, I sense this..."I love you! I have redeemed you. I am calling you by name. I am with you always. I am all you need and I am enough. Dwell in my love today and always and I will make a way for you." PTL! Right? And so my devotionals for today follow in the order God put them. What's He saying to you? What do you have to lift in praise, receive in trust and go forth with to share in love? He really does have great plans for you (and us) and even for today and He will be with you--always! Trust, stand firm, receive, obey, praise and follow well, my friends! He has a great story to write through you! I can't wait to hear them! Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you today! You are very loved and being held close always! Amen! It's time to fly!

As I laid in bed after my awakening this song kept coming to mind, "I Speak Jesus" Check it out as a starting point for praise and trust today. Jesus is all we need! Sometimes all we can pray is His name, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Come!" Amen Begin with worship now... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV4sYN173HY

Maybe play it again and draw close to our Savior. He is there with open arms of love speaking right to your soul!

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

 Sarah Young

Upper Room: From Tears to Joy

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. - Psalm 126:5 (NRSVUE)

I was sick, and it was getting me down. I wanted to pray for help, but I barely had the energy to sit up or even string a sentence together. When I tried to pray, my words came out in a confused muddle. I felt so disconnected from God, just when I needed God the most.

Worse than my physical illness was the feeling that God wasn’t with me.

I knew this wasn’t the case; God is always with us. God knows our thoughts and hears all our prayers — even the garbled ones. But in this moment I just couldn’t feel it.

I told God how awful I felt, how I couldn’t feel God’s presence, how I was so tired of being unwell and unproductive. I began to say whatever was on my mind in a stream-of-consciousness style. Then I started to cry. That’s when I began to feel God’s presence again. I talked a bit more, cried some more, and I felt God’s presence a little more. My hurt and pain had been blocking me from feeling God’s presence. Each time I honestly prayed about whatever was on my mind, I felt a little bit closer to God.

Praying isn’t always easy. Words don’t always roll off the tongue. But with perseverance we can find ways to talk to God and restore our connection, just when we need it the most.

Today's Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for always being with us. Help us to feel the joy of your presence. Amen.

The Word for You Today

OUR DAILY BREAD

Charles Stanley

Harvest prayer:

November 18 - Prepare to See Greater Works “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:7-8). “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you” (John 15:16). When a nation sends an ambassador to a foreign country they go in the name of the President of that nation and its people. Alone, they are just an ordinary person with no powers of their own. But when they come “in the name” of their country they carry all the authority of their President and nation. Of course, to be effective, this Ambassador must be trustworthy. he must know what the wishes of his Commander-in-Chief are. And, he must behave in such a way that does not discredit those he represents. But when he speaks, he speaks in the name of his President. When he asks, he asks on behalf of his President. He carries the authority of their name. There is no name higher than Jesus’ name! It is the Name before which one day every knee will bow. As believers, we come to the Throne Room not on the basis of our name, but Christ’s. His sacrificial death and resurrection have paved the way for us to come. We have a right to be there, not because of our perfection, but because of our union with Him and His invitation to come before the King. We enter in His name. The more we read His Word the more we know what He wants. Our will and prayers align with His. And, we pray with the right motivation—not to glorify ourselves, but Him. Think of this honor and this granted authority! We come as a representative of the King of kings. We ask on His behalf for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. And we live to honor Him well. When you have thought and prayed through a request so fully that you can genuinely say, “Lord, I ask this not for MY name, but Yours. And I know You will hear this request.” Then, prepare to see greater works. King of kings, there is no other name that is higher than Yours! Bend my heart to resonate with Your authority, Your desires and kingdom purposes! I can hardly comprehend that when I pray, I am invited into Your throne room! May every prayer I utter be for Your honor and glory alone! ---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org. Prayer Points Praise God for the good gifts he gives to those who ask him (Mt. 7:11). Give thanks, even in the midst of pain all around, that God’s gifts are good. Confess your lack of quality time spent with God in prayer (Rom. 8:26). Commit yourself to modeling Jesus’ example of praying in solitary places (Mk. 1:35). Ask God to give you a real devotion to prayer—being watchful and thankful, making the most of every opportunity (Col. 4:2-5). Ask God to use emergency or crisis situations in the lives of unsaved people to bring them to the foot of the cross. Pray for eyes to see how you can help in such situations.    Prayer Pointer “One of the most common weaknesses of our prayer lives is the vagueness of our focus.  Petition saves us from that. It forces us to be specific, to be precise, to clarify our wants and desires.” —Maxie Dunnam Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Sarah update:

Good afternoon, church family,

I am sending out the prayer needs that were shared today during worship, so we can pray for them

throughout the week.

Praises:

    Very thankful for the crew that takes care of the Media part of our worship service. They work with the equipment, and the Zoom set up to make sure all are able to hear and see and enjoy the service.  Thank you, Debbie, Gary, and Travis.  We are very thankful for these willing servants of Christ. 

Thankful for Lori, who prepares our weekly bulletins, does the office work and assists with other projects that come up throughout the week.  Thank you Lori!!

(from Don): Thank you to all our volunteers! Yesterday we gathered after worship to celebrate and plan with our Children's Church team! Thank you all! Mike, Barb, Karen, Brittany, Travis and Tabby!)

Harry Waterman wasn't feeling well during the week, and Yay God he is much better now and he was 'delighted' to be in worship today!

Josie is praising God that she is doing well after a fall she had this past week. She is mending.  She is also praising God that her grandson, Greg is doing better with his back. He still has a ways to go with healing, but is showing signs of good progress.

Barb Schware is asking for prayer for her sister who will be having eye surgery this Thursday. Praying that all goes well

Kay Paul is asking for prayer for her daughter, Nancy, who has a blood clot in her lung.  

      She is also asking for prayer for her sister in law who is suffering with cancer.

  Also, Larry (her son) and Enol who are in the Philippians, as being slammed by typhoons. Please pray for their safety through the storm.

Lori Rohrer's grandmother (on her father's side) who is 94 years old fell and fractured her femur.  They have performed surgery today and she is headed to ICU now so they can keep a closer eye on her progress.  The future prognosis of whether her grandmother will be able to bear weight on that leg is unsure at this time.

May we all continue to pray for one another, as each of us have situations on our hearts, and are dealing with various matters/situations in our lives.

  Continue to pray for those in our church family dealing with treatments, therapy, etc.: Diane H, Larry, Bill, Houston 

** *** **

Praying you all have a great week. Always remember that you are NOT alone.....Our awesome Father is always with us and you have a church family that is surrounding you.

If you have any prayer requests, or would like to pray with someone, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself and/or Pastor Don........

Have a great week, everyone....choosing JOY through it all!!

Blessings,

  Sarah

This is the day the Lord has made! We get to rejoice and worship in it! PTL! Prepare your hearts to enter His courts with thanksgiving and His gates with praise! He is worthy! Amen!

Good Morning Worshipers! Worship is more than just adoring, praising and thanking. It is also obedience and faithfulness to God and who you are created to be and doing what He has planned for you overflowing from love and gratitude in us. Amen! Prepare your hearts to worship today, this week and the weeks ahead. Come offer yourself to our Creator, Savior and Lord! He does have perfect plans tailored just for you as you humble yourself and seek to allow Him to lead you to His best and perfect plans for such a time as this! Amen! Yes, worship!

Today we wrap up our study of 2 Thessalonians and move towards Thanksgiving and Christmas focused on our amazing God with hearts overflowing with love, worship and thanksgiving. What amazing, love, grace and mercy we have been shown and God offers to all who will come! PTL! I love the flow through my devotionals for today (below) that remind us of how much we are loved and how God wants to lead us to the greater things we are created for as we repent, trust, obey and live this life in worship. God is so kind and loving and He lives in You and me and helps us each step of faith along the way! PTL!

Let's start with the Upper Room's reminder that we are in God's loving hands as He provides all we need. The Word for You Today reminds us that we all are sinners in need of grace and to humble ourselves before our Almighty God to be forgiven and helped. Our Daily Bread reminds us that obedience is a choice and an act of worship. Sarah Young reminds us that there is NO condemnation for us believers! PTL! I love and strive towards enjoying the simple life as a sheep following my Good Shepherd! Charles Stanley continues the reminder that we are secure in Christ. We know that we are eternally secure. PTL! But sometimes we forget and need to be reminded and refocused. Are you sinning in your anger? That's one thing some of us have a propensity towards. It's one of those sins we are forgiven of, but may often need to repent. Joyce Meyer speaks into this this morning. Be better, not bitter. Bitterness is a tool of Satan. Be careful not to sin in your anger (even anger at yourself). Keep your focus up and trust God to handle things, guide you to righteousness and eventually bring His justice. Chuck Swindoll reminds us to choose joy and even to laugh, sometimes at ourselves. releasing anger, doubt and other sins becomes easier as we laugh, even at ourselves and refocus with some humor. God wants us to enjoy life and be happy and He has made a way for that as we release all to Him. humble ourselves and just worship! He loves that! And He loves you enough to remind you of His eternal goodness, love and help. Receive and focus on that! That should be a great place to begin your worship today! Amen! man, He really loves you and us! What joy and worship that leads to! Yes, rejoice! Amen

UR: In God's Hands

God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

The weather has recently changed from warm sunny days to gray chilly days and even colder nights. The leaves have fallen from the trees. With the falling temperatures and frost at night, it is likely that warm-weather creatures will struggle.

Usually, I am removing the dead flowers from my garden at this time of year. So I was surprised when I began my fall garden work and saw that the cosmos flowers with their bright orange and yellow blooms were still going strong. It was wonderful to see the bees and butterflies receiving a much-needed meal. Even as the seasons changed, the needs of these small creatures were still being met.

I remembered the times when I was out of work and could not see a way to pay my bills or feed my family. But God always provided for our needs.

As a Christian, I have learned to seek God’s help through prayer whenever I’m in need. I rely on Jesus’ promise in Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Creator God, for your love, kindness, and grace. Our lives are in your hands, and we depend on you. Amen.

TWFYT

ODB

SY

Stanley

JM

Swindoll

Good Morning Custom Made, Masterpieces, Transformed, Child of our Creator and Sustainer! Oh how awesome is our Abba! Just get alone and still your soul in His presence this morning as you prepare your hearts to worship and be fully His! He chose you and created you for His special purposes just for you. Don't allow Satan, the world, the tyranny of the urgent and all the chaos distract you from His plans for you. Be still and know that He is God and that He loves you so much that He wants you to be made new and more like Him and then He helps you to be His image in a world that needs to know Him. You matter! You have purposes created just for you. The Holy Spirit fills you and guides you each step of each day if you allow that and invite Him in. Keep your focus on our King and allow Him to prepare, mold, and use you for His glory. You will find such soul peace and joy as you become more like Him and allow Him to live and love through you more. Remember our saying that we share often: I am who I am because I am allowing I AM to be who He is in and through me! Is that true for you? It can be as you soften your heart and focus on Him and His perfect plans for you. Remember also, sometimes those perfect plans lead you through some dark valleys and hard reshaping. BUT GOD! He is with you and knows what needs to happen to shape you for his perfect plans for you and for those He is drawing. Be still. Thank Him! Allow Him to have all of you each day no matter the journey He has allowed. You are becoming more like Him and He is using you more and more as you surrender and follow. Help us Lord! Come! We need you! Forgive our resistance. Cleanse us of ourselves and may we allow You full access. Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me today. I trust You! Help my unbelief! May You be glorified today! Come! Live and love through me just as You created me to do. Thanks! I love You and long to be fully Yours! Jesus, come and shepherd me today. Thanks! Amen

This is the day the Lord has made and we get to celebrate, trust and follow Him to His perfect plans for the day! Yes rejoice! Choose to allow Him in and to have His good plans come to and through you. Amen! Check out how He threaded through my devos today. He is speaking right to the hearts of some of you as you engage Him through them and in stillness. Then pray through Harvest Prayer blogs. Come Lord! Speak to my heart now. Prepare me for this day Use me well. Inform my prayers and action steps Amen! Can you hear His still small voice? He is speaking to your heart right now! He really loves you and will be with you always! Amen. May you know His shalom today! Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you.

Sarah Young

Upper Room: SEARCHING FOR MY SAVIOR

Jesus said, “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” - Matthew 28:20 (CEB)

At times in my life I have been hurting from the troubles and pain surrounding me — an argument in the family, mental problems, sickness, anger, blame, or doubt. At those times, I have searched frantically for God, worrying that I have lost my connection to my Savior. The more I focus on my issues, the more distant God’s love for me seems. Sometimes I even feel like God is simply apathetic to my distress.

But then I recall finding a lost pair of glasses on top of my head or my lost item in my lap and feeling so silly. I didn’t need to become frantic because what I thought was lost was right there with me. It is the same with my Savior; I have not lost him. I take a breath and once again focus on God.

In his last words to his followers, Jesus told them that he would be with them, and he remains with us today. Through the Holy Spirit, our Savior will be with us until the end. Though I may not feel a physical presence with me, the Holy Spirit comforts my aching heart, letting me know I have nothing to fear. So now, when I find myself tempted to doubt Jesus’ presence with me, I remember that he resides in my heart.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Abba Father, for being with us at all times. We pray in the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Chuck Swindoll

The Word for You Today

Our Daily Bread

Joyce Meyer

Charles Stanley

Harvest Blogs (pray through these earnestly and with an open and repentant heart.

November 16 - Jesus Prepares His Followers Jesus prepares His followers for His harsh and brutal capture and crucifixion. Luke 18:31-33 Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on. They will flog him severely and kill him. Yet on the third day he will rise again.” Lord, I repent for any time I’ve ignored You when You wanted to communicate a truth. I repent for when You tried to prepare my heart to bear an upcoming event and I disregarded Your grace-packed nudges. I repent for any time I’ve overlooked You trying to directly communicate to me using the Word.  Regardless of my past, I declare I will be sensitive to Your voice and nudges. I will be sensitive to Your preparations. I will be sensitive to Your Spirit and Word. Thank You for wanting to help my heart face certain circumstances. Thank You for desiring to pour Your life into me so I can be joyful, no matter what the circumstance. Thank You for sharing with me.  I praise You for Your genuine care. I praise You for the outpouring of Your grace and mercy in a way that invigorates and sustains me. I praise You for Your perfect love. --Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise Jesus, who is the gate of salvation (Jn. 10:7-10). Thank him for bringing you through that gate and for the security you find inside. Confess those times when you seek security in something other than Jesus. Commit yourself to being a doorkeeper in the house of God rather than dwelling in the tents of wickedness (Ps. 84:10). Ask God to use you to attract those outside of Christ to enter into a saving relationship with him. Pray that your church will march triumphantly against the hosts of Satan, with the assurance that the gates of hell cannot prevail against God’s church (Mt. 16:18).    Prayer Pointer “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7 Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday and it's the month focused on thanksgiving. Tell God how thankful you are for salvation, new life, His purposes, His patient and refining love, and for wanting to be with you always! At least start there and allow that to overflow into much thanksgiving an praise!

Good Morning Thankful Children of God! Come you thankful people come! Raise the song of harvest home! We begin our time with our Abba (Daddy) as Jesus taught us as we hallow (honor) His name. And as we ask for His Kingdom to come and will to be done, He informs our prayers and directs our steps as we unleash the power of heaven! He has great plans for you to discover today as you prayerfully stay connected and watch to join what He is doing around you. We have neighbors, family, friends, co-workers that we are sent to love like Jesus and as we pray, He prepares them and us. I love how easy this all is and how He works and uses us just as He created us to go love like Him! Praise God for our volunteers and pray God would be seen in the ministry of our Clothing Closet tomorrow. Pray we connect to the harvest He is sending and thank Him for new faces at worship and new opportunities we are experiencing to go and love like Jesus. He is definitely on the move! PTL! Unleash His power and purposes in prayer! Start praying for those God is sending and those He has for you to invite to our Thanksgiving Eve Eve or Christmas Eve services. Many are open this time of year. Pray hard into that with childlike faith and willingness to do your custom made part. Thank God for that and for His ever-present help and overflowing love. May we have His heart and mind as we go live and love more like Jesus. More in '24! More of Him and less of me as we live Christ earnestly today!

Check out the flow through my devotionals for today. Pray into what God is revealing and offer yourself as a living sacrifice to go as his Living Water. Our Daily Bread reminded me of the Christmas Giving challenge. (Opps I read tomorrow's. Use today's to start engaging prayerfully) You have two Sundays to sign up to join what God has planned to do through us this Christmas season to go be a blessing and connect to some neighbors. The Upper Room continues this line of thinking with a reminder of how simple it is to love like Jesus and share the simple gift of faith and His easy yoke. Charles Stanley reminds us of God's promises and purposes that come to life as we seek Him with open hearts and minds and willing feet. Joyce Meyer reminds us to approach life and our prayers with childlike faith and trust. And Chuck Swindoll reminds us to keep looking and watching in expectation for God to move. We are to be like a child expecting that most desired Christmas present. Yes Come, Jesus Come! Give us your heart and mind and willing, childlike feet that follow you in deep faith and trust. May we see you as the gift and open your presence and presents and use them well for your glory today and always. Thank You! May many praises and thanksgivings be lifted as we see you working all things together. Amen!

ODB:

UR> A Simple Gift

Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” - John 15:12 (NIV)

One afternoon I was walking through a park when I saw a woman sitting on a bench. Her hair was in disarray, her face bore a sad expression, and her eyes were downcast. In the center of the park stood an hibiscus tree overflowing with large red flowers. Some of the flowers had fallen on the pavement, so I decided to gather a few and give them to the woman. I saw an immediate change in her demeanor. She said to me: “Thank you, kind lady; it has been quite a while since someone gave me flowers.” She got up from the bench with a smile on her face as she smelled the flowers and walked away.

After this experience, I could not help but think of the powerful message in John 15:12. Jesus was the greatest example of love, and he invites us to love one another in words and actions. Simple gestures like a gift of flowers, a kind word, a helping hand, or breaking bread with someone can brighten others’ spirits. May we never hesitate to be messengers of God’s powerful love.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, God, for your extraordinary love for us. Inspire us to love our neighbors as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

CS:

JM:

C. Swindoll

Harvest Prayer

November 15 - Devoting Ourselves to Prayer These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers (Acts 1:14 NASB, 1995). Our life begins with prayer and is developed and sustained by prayer. If Christ is the Head of the church, how can we possibly say that we are a church if we do not let Him speak to us and spend large amounts of time communing with Him? The early church understood this. In Acts 1:14, you find them doing exactly what Christ told them to do in order to bring about all the results for which they longed. They were learning, just as they had seen for three years as they walked with Jesus, that the primary means of advancing the Kingdom was to commune with the Father. Notice each phrase: “These all” (No one was absent, for this was the highest priority.) “with one mind” (Prayer led them to unity. In prayer, selfish ideas were melted away and God’s ideas became important for everyone.) “were continually” (There was no thought of anything else—it was their habitual practice.) “devoting themselves” (To be devoted means to “be strong towards” and they were, individually, making the choice to pray together.) “to prayer” (The primary, foundational means of getting God’s work done.)  Sovereign Lord, prayer began in Your heart and is Your chosen way of communicating with Your people! I lift up my church to You and ask that we would all see prayer as our highest priority – because it is Yours. May we come to You continually in unity of mind and heart! Moment by moment and day by day may we devote ourselves to seeing Your purposes accomplished through the corporate, unified prayers offered up within our church community! ---Adapted from Prayer with No Intermission by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org. Prayer Points Praise God for choosing the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27). Thank God that your salvation does not depend on your wisdom but on his grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9). Confess your self-sufficiency (Lk. 16:11-13). Commit yourself to doing what the Lord requires of you to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Mic. 6:8). Ask God to show you clearly the depth of the riches of wisdom and knowledge of God (Rom. 11:33). Pray that your church leaders will show God’s wisdom by their godly lives and deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (Jas. 3:13). Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Good Morning Praying Friends! I thought initially that God was leading to a thread through my devotionals today, but seems He led to another line of thinking about prayer. We are called to pray and the last few days, prayer has been at the center of what He is revealing for us. Praying is a job for all of us but is the main position for some of you in God's Good News Delivery Co. Seek Him and His Kingdom. Keep knocking in prayer and keep watching for how He wants to use you as an answer to your prayers. Ask Him to inform your prayers. Our prayers are powerful and effective because we have put on Christ's righteousness and He is in heaven interceding for you right now. Start with Harvest Prayer Blog today. I love the quote from Mother Theresa at the end: 

Prayer Pointer
“Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own.” —Mother Teresa

 Yesterday was quite the day of ministry, prayer and serving! I said to Karen how I felt soul tired at the end of my 14 hour day because I just poured myself out as God lived, loved, prayed and served through me. The day began "loading up" with Jesus during my quiet time at 4 AM and flowed through the Donut Day with much encouraging and prayer. There are many of us going through some very hard situations and stretching of the Lord. The needs around us are great and we can only do so much, BUT GOD! He answers prayers according to His perfect will and timing and provides for ours and others needs as we pray, receive and go help.  We were doing ministry throughout the day and some needs and prayer concerns arose as we traveled through the day. Sarah and I ministered and prayed with the heart of Jesus for a few members after donut time ended. Sarah exemplified how Jesus' compassion and empathy flows through as we seek Him and to bring His heart alive. She couldn't contain the tears and crying as she prayed. I see that as Jesus' heart and compassion coming alive through us. It's what happens often when I cry when preaching. He knows and cares and loves you and His heart breaks for what breaks yours. That often comes alive as we sow in tears in prayer or sharing with others. We experienced Jesus' humanness and grief last night during the Chosen that still comes alive today as we pray and serve. We got a call yesterday afternoon from a woman I prayed with during donut time that just found out her husband has cancer. She was crying in deep grief and reaching out for someone to walk with her. We had a woman approach us about if we could provide some meals when she gets home from heart surgery after Thanksgiving (we will work on that) Last night was quite the episode of the Chosen and we left so much unprocessed. What's God saying to you today. What questions to do have for Him. Ask and receive and go refreshed and informed and prayed up! How does God want to use you and even as an answer to your own prayers? Seek, Knock! Persevere in prayer and life! Receive and go in His name! He does have some amazing plans for you today.

I'm praying for you! Check out our devos below as you sit at Jesus' feet and receive, process and go to be His vessel of love, hope and help today. God does hear and answer our prayers and he is with us always. He is our Good Shepherd who lays down His life for us and for the Father's mission. May we be more like Him and go live and love like Him today. Amen!

Harvest Prayer

November 14 - Steps to Take in the Midst of Evil "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8-9). There is great importance in learning to discern evil from good. We live in an era in which much of the moral blacks and whites have faded to gray. As believers, we allow incredible evil into our lives through what we watch on television and video, what we read, and so on. Because of this, we are very desensitized to evil’s threat. Pray for the ability to discern. And when God speaks to you about something you shouldn’t do because of its evil influence, pray for courage to obey. Author, Tom White, offers five steps to take when we discern evil in our battle: 1. Stand on and speak forth scriptural truth (2 Thess. 3:3, 1 Jn. 3:8, 1 Jn. 4:4). 2. Pray alertly “for the saints” (spouse, children, roommates, etc.) using the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith to ward off enemy assaults (Eph. 6:16-18). 3. Apply the name and blood of Jesus to overcome enemy influence (Rev. 12:10-11). 4. Ask God to provide helping angels (Ps. 91, Heb. 1:4). 5. Discern and deal quickly with ungodly influences that threaten the home. Lord Jesus, I confess that I have often allowed the enemy to creep into my life in what seem like harmless ways because I haven’t been paying attention to maintaining Your goodness as my standard of life. Remind me that I am not immune to the schemes of the Devil and help me to quickly discern when evil thoughts, activity, words, visuals, etc. creep into my life and my home. Help me to be quickly aware and to obediently seek only what is good, and what comes from You! --Adapted from The Power of Personal Prayer (Learning to Pray with Faith and Purpose) by Jonathan Graf. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. 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 Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

ODB:

Sarah Young:

UR: Finishing Well

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. - 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)

I enjoy participating in road races, triathlons, and other athletic competitions. One of my favorite motivational quotes says, “Finishing ‘dead last’ trumps ‘did not finish,’ which trumps ‘did not start.’” Those words remind me to focus on the journey and not the end result. For some, placing in the top of their age division is important, while others just want to start a healthy lifestyle. No matter the goal, the participant must train for the race, which requires discipline, commitment, and getting to the starting line!

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians compares our spiritual journey to an earthly race. Unlike an earthly race, as Christians we are seeking a reward that will last. Paul tells us that we need strict training in our spiritual lives that takes work, preparation, and discipline. Putting in the work requires having a plan and a starting point. Whether our starting point is reading the Bible every day, spending time in prayer with God, devoting ourselves to loving service to others — beginning a life of active faith gives us the opportunity to finish our spiritual journey well.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, give us the strength and courage to begin and continue our spiritual work today. Amen.

DONUT DAY! 10-12 and Chosen dinner huddle 6-8 today! Come! Taste and see that the Lord is good! Bring some friends!

Good Morning Denying Self, Filled, Prepared, Sent Followers of the Good Shepherd! Oh, man how He loves, pursues, cleanses, fills, prepares and uses us! What Love! PTL! This morning I awoke and sat at Jesus' feet. I am cleansed, filled and ready to follow my Shepherd to whatever He has for today. Are you? He has great plans for me and you today! Maybe allowing Him to use you at Donut Day or as part of the Chosen dinner huddle tonight or maybe in a myriad of other ways. Draw close. Listen. Die to self. Receive Him, His help, refining, and directions. Then go and allow Him to live and love through you today. Live Christ! Incarnate Him, His Love and the joy of your salvation! We are sent to bring His Kingdom and ways alive. And He goes with us and uses us for His glory and the good of us and many others! Yes Rejoice. Prepare. Then Go! He wants to write a new story of His love, grace and mercy through you. Will you allow that? Are you ready? I'm praying so! It's so cool to watch what he has planned and participate in what He has for you each day! It's His sweet spot! And what joy we find dwelling in Him and walking in that custom prepared sweet spot! Check it out and share that story with us and others! Joy, joy and rejoicing in the Lord and His goodness! Amen!

Yes, I'm a bit pumped up this morning! God is so good and kind and speaking, directing and filling me to overflowing. He wants to do the same for you! Turn off the noise and chaos and walk in and follow His peace today. He created you for such a time as this and is longing to live and love through you and bring His joy alive! Check out our devotionals and how Gid spoke to me as he led me through them this morning. What's He saying to you? What will you do about that? Who are your teammates that pray, encourage, help process and hold your feet in the fire. We all need each other as we grow as His Good News Delivery Company that brings revival and new life alive and helps others meet and walk with Jesus! Amen!

Consider joining one of our huddles or talk to me about starting a new one. We grow as friends, in prayer and encouragement and fellowship as we study and spend tine together processing what the Holy Spirit is teaching and leading to. Pray for me as I am entering two training opportunities that will flow to some of you after the new year. Ask God what His plans are for you and pray for opportunities for us to work on discipleship and disciple making and being His Good News and joy bringers. Talk to me or Sarah about what you are hearing and being led to. let's get active and bring to life Jesus and His plans together and for His glory alone! Amen!

Here's a link again to the prayer challenge we will focus on the next five weeks. Start here today as you humble yourself and receive and release His Kingdom in prayer and power. For many if us our role in His Good News delivery Co. is that of prayer warrior. Step earnestly into that powerful position! https://harvestprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Five-Blessings-Brochure-2.pdf

Think about what Jesus is saying and wanting to do in and through you as your prayerfully engage with our God as you prepare to work through the devos with the Holy Spirit in you. 

Sarah Young

ODB:

UR: In All Circumstances

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the past I have tried to trust God in all circumstances, but I frequently still hung on to my worries and even wanted to tell God exactly how to fix things. But this time was different. I gave it all to God.

Even though I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren grow into adults and spend more time with my family, I left my circumstances in God’s loving hands. I didn’t ask God for a cure. Instead I asked for God’s help in accepting whatever happened with my treatment. No matter what, I was grateful for my time on earth.

I felt profound peace in trusting God and wasn’t anxious about the outcome of my treatment. After some time, I found that I was able to give thanks even with my diagnosis. I did not want cancer, nor would I wish it on anyone else. But it helped me to focus on what truly matters. It also taught me greater empathy for others facing serious health issues. I experienced the peace that comes from truly giving my troubles to God.

Today's Prayer

Loving and compassionate God, help us to trust you and give thanks in all circumstances. Amen.TWFYT

Charles Stanley

This Week:

Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle. All welcome

Wed: 10-12 Donut Day at The Bread Ministry; 6-8 Chosen Dinner Huddle for families and adults. All welcome--bring a friend!

Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet

Don't forget we are collecting cans of beans (not green bean) for the School Dist. Angel Network and cans of veggies and soups for our pantry

Today is Veteran's Day! Thank a vet and pray for them and our wounded warriors for God's blessings, healings and provisions. Think about how they, like Jesus, were willing to lay down their lives for our freedoms! Some paid the ultimate price, so came home different. Yes thank God and keep praying for them and their provision! Thank you for your service! May God richly bless you!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Different Followers of Jesus! We were one way and then another and the thing in between was Jesus! PTL! He has redeemed us, restored us and led us to His best and our fuller potential in Christ. And He continues to mold and shape us as a Potter with clay. As we shed the old nature and step more fully into our new in Christ nature we also become very different from the world around us. Well, that's God's plan anyway for us with dual citizenship in heaven and earth. As we follow Jesus more earnestly, we become more like Him and activated to bring heaven to earth and His kingdom of light and love alive in this dark, hate-filled, dry land. We are to be His Living Water, incarnating Jesus, our Living Water to a dry and weary land. We are springs of life, springing up all over the place. We are like trees with roots sunk deep in Christ and God's Living Word. We are different and continue in our journey to become more like Christ and to bring His mission and Kingdom alive on earth. PTL! Turn off the noise and chaos of this world. receive His peace, love, wisdom and joy and go bring it alive wherever you step. You know you are walking on holy ground with the Holy One and He is leading you to be His world changer. Let us unite and go love like Jesus, spur each other on, build His Kingdom and be different and make a difference. Amen!

We are chosen and activated sent servants of Christ. He has great plans for you today and this week. Turn off the noise, worship, reload and go prepared and different. Amen!

Last night Karen, Kay and I attended Revival Church's worship and ministry night. All I can say is WOW! God showed up and is moving in our midst and building! We experienced healings ( my ankle was healed! PTL!), deliverances, breakings of bondages, worship deep in His presence and a refilling to carry into the week ahead. PTL! I know that I need recharging often and that sure happened last night. I am different today because of my encounter with the Living God who is able and wants to make us different! PTL! Our church was prophesied over by several pastors. God is surely on the move and we are seeing these prophesies budding, growing and bringing new life and good fruit alive. PTL! There will surely be an overflow into this week and weeks ahead. PTL! We are moving to a new level as we grow into that dynamic movement of God. We are being used to bring life, hope, help and love alive. PTL! And these will increase as we continue to abide in Christ, yoke to Jesus and allow Him to mold and lead us. Amen! We are also moving closer to becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations as God is sending new people to our fellowship, worship service and even uniting both churches for His good plans. PTL! 

Keep praying and asking how God wants to use you and who your partners are and plan to follow Jesus into His new things. He really does have great custom made plans for you and us! PTL! Let us commit to seek, surrender and follow well. We are activated and empowered to go love like Jesus and change the world. What's your part? Let's process and work on that. PTL that we are chosen, loved and different and sent to make a difference! We are sent to be Christ! Amen!

Just worship on your own this morning. Still yourself, listen and receive. God is speaking and leading you to a new thing. PTL! Get used to different, follower of Jesus! He is on the move! Amen! Thank Him for His presence and good plans and for including you! I am!

Harvest Prayer

November 11 - There Is an Order “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31)   Even the disciples vied for position in heaven, but Jesus said the Kingdom of God operates differently than the world. The first would be last. The last would be first. The Kingdom of God operates in orderly and strategic ways. Jesus indicates that many will be surprised at their position in eternity. Will you be first or last? Lord, I repent for any time I’ve judged in error people in general, leaders specifically. I repent for any lofty thoughts concerning myself or others. I repent for any degrading thoughts concerning others. I repent for when I’ve been concerned about position, status, or influence in Your kingdom.  Regardless of what I’ve done in the past, I declare I will let You judge concerning people. I will walk in wisdom when judging sin. I will refrain from casting judgment and categorizing others. I won’t concern myself about proximity to power; I will focus on serving Your Kingdom. I thank You for Your divine system that is fair and just. I thank You that You’re perfect and that You established the Kingdom of God with perfection.  I praise You, for You’re perfect, holy, magnificent, wondrous, beautiful, and worthy! I praise You because You’re the Great Rescuer and truly devoted to Your people. I praise You because You’re upright, and Your perfect character allows us to rest. I love You. --Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God whose kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Thank God for his kindness and love in Jesus, who saved you by the shedding of his own blood (Titus 3:4-7). Confess those times of subtle boasting of how much you do for the Lord and his church (2 Cor. 11:21-30). Commit yourself to quietly helping another person through prayer, encouragement, or deed without self-recognition. Ask God to keep you from pride (Rom. 11:20). Ask that your church will spend time encouraging and equipping members, warning those who are idle, helping the weak—being the best possible stewards of time as well as money (1 Thess. 5:11-21). Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Good Morning Abiding, Very Loved, Seen, Forgiven, Sent Vessels of God! AMEN! You are that today and always! PTL! As you abide in Christ's loving presence today and prayerfully engage with Him through our devotional time today, you will see the thread He weaved through them to our hearts that informed this salutation! What's God saying to you? What will you do about that? Who are your partners? 

Today is the day the Lord has made and we get to worship, learn and grow in it! Rejoice! Yes praise the Lord and dwell in His love, soak it in and go bring it alive! What an awesome God we know and love! Amen!

I asked God to arrange my devotionals for us as He is not only speaking and directing me, but speaking to you and our fellowship. (See below) As we abide in Him we sense how very loved we are and that He knows us and still loves us despite all our flaws and distractions. Turn off the noise! Be still and know how loved you are by the God who is the King of the Universe and our Good Shepherd! We can know we are forgiven and accepted just as we are and sent, just as we are, to bring Good News, Love, Joy and Peace to life. What an amazing God and easy yoke Jesus has for you and us! Yes rejoice! Abide! Receive! Recharge! Then Go be Christ! What a day this will be as we worship the One who made us, knows us, loves us, forgives us and wants to lead you to your full potential as you go for such a time as this! Think about that and worship! Prepare your hearts to go love well! Yes what a great day the Lord has given us today! Amen! REJOICE!

We are  Abiding, Very Loved, Seen, Forgiven, Sent Vessels of God! And we get His help to go live and love more and more like Jesus everyday! How cool! PTL! Yes rejoice and prepare your hearts to worship and go in His name! Amen! See you soon!

Our Daily Bread:

Sarah Young:

Chuck Swindoll:

Charles Stanley:

Joyce Meyer:

Upper Room: God's Plan

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

As an animal lover, I was ecstatic to apply and interview for a job managing a local veterinary clinic. It was my dream job. The interview with the clinic owner couldn’t have gone better. We got along great and discussed the future of the clinic as she gave me a full tour and introduced me to staff.

Although I was convinced this was a perfect fit for me, I asked God for guidance and to either open or close the door to this opportunity according to God’s plan. When I found out a week later that I was not selected for the job, I was heartbroken.

But I had to remind myself in my disappointment that God had indeed answered my prayer about this decision. I had asked God to open or close the door, and God had done just that.

While I think I know the right course for my life, God always knows best. When we remain humble and submit to God’s will, w

e can be certain that God has a good plan for our lives and can use all things — even disappointments — for good.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for directing our steps and reminding us that you have a good plan for our lives. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.The Word for You Today

Thank God I'm Forgiven! Say that out loud and bring it to bear over you and your circumstances. Lift thanksgiving and praise as you begin your time with God and build momentum for the day ahead!

Good Morning Redeemed, Restored, Faithful to God and His Ways, Blessing Casting Followers of Jesus! Hmmm...say what? Say it again...pronounce it out loud. You are very loved, forgiven, redeemed, restored, child of God and your words matter! Speak over yourself and circumstances in agreement with God who is with you always an working ALL things together for your good and the good of those who He is leading to faith. Speak Truth, love and blessings, healing, hope and joy out loud. Read His Word and promises out loud. Stop cursing yourself and circumstances and start believing in God and His promises and pronounce them from your heart of faith. Our words matter! 

Check out the flow of this through our devotionals below and pray in agreement with harvest prayer. This is the day the Lord has made! PTL! Rejoice! Lift Praise, And pronounce many blessings over you and your day as you prepare to go live and love like Jesus! You are God's chosen, very loved, forgiven much vessel of revival. Say that out loud as you prepare to go live and love more like Jesus! Bring your prayers and God's heart to life today! God does have some awesome plans for you! Rejoice, prepare and go in His power! Amen!

Stop and praise God and pray for our church leadership team. We had an amazing meeting last evening. God is on the move and truly does have some great things in store for us for the rest of the year and for 2025. Keep praying, praising, pronouncing, believing and follow Him! We are on our way to become His dynamic movement! PTL! Pray for our Finance Team as they have been directed towards budgeting according to God's plans. Pray we would be the best stewards of all His blessings while sowing lavishly and following earnestly! Yesterday I began disciple making training under an old friend from Bible College who is a church planter and very fruitful disciple maker. Pray for us to discern God's plans for me and us and for wisdom to bring them to life. Pray for a few to be raised up to enter the process with me after the New Year. What's God have for you in His Good News Delivery Company? Who is He leading you to partner with? Who is He bringing to mind to pray for and share His love and Good News? Keep seeking, knocking and committed to earnestly sowing and following Him. Revival is coming! Say that out loud in prayer and praise today. God is doing some old things in new relevant ways! Can you perceive it? What's your part? We were one way and we are being transformed to His image more and moved to His plans and to being His new vessels (wine skins) and His new way for us! Surrender to Him in prayer and invite Him to come have His way with you and us. Then believe and cast blessings! Amen!

Watch for some exciting new opportunities to join Jesus and expand His Kingdom! He is on the move! Hallelujah! He does have very good plans for you and us! Plans to prosper and not harm. Plans that lead to our future and hope! Amen! Start praying earnestly for who He wants to bless through you and for who He may be wanting you to invite to experience our loving, joyful fellowship and His presence! Then start following Him to be the answer to your prayers and pronouncements! I'm praying like crazy for you and us! And God loves to answer those kind of prayers. Keep your eyes on Jesus and watch expectantly for His new things with willing hearts on fire for God!!!

TWFYT: (Yes this is yesterday's reading but God had me skip that and come back to it today because it is relevant) 

Joyce Meyer

ODB

UR: Peace from Prayer

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 (NIV)

The months following my cancer diagnosis felt incredibly long. There were medical appointments, several scans and tests, followed by more appointments, and then waiting for surgery. One week after surgery, I met with the surgeon to review results and discuss next steps.

That morning I began my devotion time by reading The Upper Room, a habit I’ve had for almost 40 years. The writer talked about her anxiety over an upcoming medical appointment and how she calmed her fears by thinking about the many friends who were praying for her. Over the next hour, I received text messages from several friends telling me they were praying for me that morning.

I have felt remarkable peace going through this process, praise the Lord! I attribute that to prayers on my behalf and the comfort of knowing that Jesus walks with me. I’ve also tried to focus on what God may be trying to teach me. I am learning a lot about patience, perspective, and perseverance. Most of all, I am reminded daily to trust God, who provides “the peace . . . which transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we go through challenging times, help us to put our trust in you. Help us also to remember others in our prayers and support them as they face difficult situations. Amen.

Harvest Prayer

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ! We are one as He and the Father are one. He lives in us and wants to love through us and lead us to His best. COME! Help us to live and love like You Lord! Holy Spirit, speak to our hearts, inform our prayers and direct our steps as we continue to seek, knock and open the door for you to come sit on the throne of our hearts. Father, help us to be love, joy and peace bringers today. We need You always! We love You. Help us to stay connected to the Vine and bring life giving sap of Your love to those that need it today. Revive us! Unite us! Prepare us! Lead us, Good Shepherd. Thank You! Yes, come! Fill us to overflowing with Your love, wisdom, healing and help. May we go love like You today and be blessed as You use us to be a blessing. Thank You! Amen!

Are your hearts troubled today? I awoke before 3am this morning struggling in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are grieving, hurting, confused and feeling lost and hopeless. The Bible reminds us to cast all anxiety to our Lord and to receive His peace. So I am and asking for His heart and mind to fill me to overflowing to go love like Him today--always. Proverbs 14:30 says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body." Now that may be talking about the healthful effects that being at peace brings to our physical bodies. Science proves that it is healthy to not be anxious and to dwell in peace. Jesus is our Prince of Peace and the True Vine. Let us abide in Him today and receive His life giving sap of love and fill up to go overflow with love, joy and peace to others. But this Proverb could be applied to the Body of Christ as well as those of us who have hearts at peace are sent to comfort, strengthen and bring life to the rest of the Body as we allow Christ to love through us. Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount that God comfort those who mourn. How does He want to use you to be that comfort and peace today? Ask for His help to go live and love like Jesus and do it!

God took us to some deep places last evening during our Chosen dinner huddle. That has overflowed into my quiet time today and will inform this blog as I prayed for God to inform my prayers, writing, and actions today. Last night we discussed what seems like an ever, rapidly increasing sense of grief, doubt, confusion, fear and despair to be rising all around us. These certainly are uncertain times, yet God promises peace and rest to the weary. It seems like so many around us are struggling with grief of loss of loved ones and moving through the process of grief caused by sickness, disease, divorce, and lack. Now add to that those who are deeply grieving the election results. How can we minister to so many hurting brothers and sister? Well, we need Christ's love and the Holy Spirit's help for sure. We need to die to self and agape love. We need to stop leaning on our own understanding and pursue the mind and heart of Christ with the intent to bring it alive to our hurting brothers and sisters. Ask for His help to be His vessel today. Ask to see and understand the hearts of others who are in deep grief. Last night we discussed how Peter ministered to Thomas in this episode. Peter didn't know what to say or do for his hurting brother in Christ and asked Jesus. How did Jesus respond? He said sometimes words don't help. Sometimes we just need to be present, listen and love on them. Who needs the presence of Christ and His love and comfort today? God does have plans for you. Step into them!

I'm only going to say this about the election results: Some are rejoicing and some are grieving. God's Church is made up of all kinds of people, left or right, strong or weak, happy or mourning and we are called to unity and to love like Jesus. Do it! Live Christ today! If you are feeling happy and victorious today, remember what it was like for you four years ago when your hopes were dashed. Remember your disbelief and grief? How might you love on someone who is at that place today? If you are confused and in grief, please allow your brothers and sisters in to love on you and walk with you. Let us all determine to be unified in Christ and His plans and to love each other, encourage and spur each other on and focus not on things of this earth but things above. Turn off the noise and chaos and dwell in Love as you stay connected to the Life Giving Vine. We need each other and God does have plans for Jew and Gentile, Republican and Democrat, strong and weak, happy and mourning. In this life, Christ is all that matters. Choose to live and love like Him and build up His Church. Let us choose to be the example of what it means to be one in Christ and to love like Him! Amen! Help us Lord! Let us commit together to change the world for Christ as we stay united in Love and go love well. Reach out and love on a brother or sister today. Humble yourself. Be Christ!

OK this is getting way to long, but so critical. I have a pile of about ten devos that flow into this heart and Word for today that God has given me. I'll let you abide in the Vine and God's Word on your own today as you seek, knock and ask for His heart and mind to love well, receive healing and hope, and to keep your focus on Him always. Jesus is Love! He is the Prince of Peace. He is the Light of the World. He is our hope and help in times of trouble. Stay connected and allow Him to lead you today! I am pouring my heart out for you, for our hurting brothers and sisters and for the world that wrongly thinks His Church is a place of hate. Let us be the example of how to truly live and love well--His unified Body. Amen

"A heart at peace gives life to the body." Lord, bring Your peace, healing, hope, comfort and love alive. Send me! Come! Help! Amen

This Week:

Tonight @ 6PM Pray for the elections (this is a national effort to pray unified as His Body) Just pause at 6pm to pray.

Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle

Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry; 12-12:30 EC Day of Fasting and Prayer to become a dynamic movement of God.; 6-8pm Chosen Dinner Huddle

Thurs 6:30. Vision Team Meeting (Pray for wisdom and discernment of God's plans as this meeting will inform our budgeting process)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Chosen, Called By Name, Redeemed, Very Loved Child of God! Amen! Focus on that in prayer and action today. TWFYT uses our Eph. 2:10 verse as they ask a question we should all frequently ask ourselves: "Are you doing what you're supposed to do?" Who are you processing and working on this with? Eph. 2:10 reminds us that We are God's masterpieces. He created us for His purposes with great potential. When we come to Christ as our Lord and Savior, this all becomes available and activated. Eph. 2:10 says, We are God's masterpieces made new in Christ. So we get to step into our new nature and receive the gift of Holy Spirit in us and His gifts and empowerment tp do what? According to Eph. 2:10, to do all we are created to do. I love to meditate on this, God's easy yoke for me, you and all who will come to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Eph. 2:10 sort of sums up the Good News we have to bring to others. Jesus loves you, died for you and made a way for you to be saved from sin, made new and fulfill your purposes here on earth in preparation for eternity with Him in heaven. (Reread that...what's God saying to you today?) Who needs to hear that today? We are the people of Good News, saved by grace and sent to transform the world, one soul at a time. We all have custom made parts in His Good News Delivery Company. So as TWFYT asks, "Are you doing what you're supposed to do?" How can we help each other to grow in this and our potential. Really pray into this and ask God for some partners on this journey.

Focus on that today as you turn off the noise, focus on things above and follow Jesus to His best for you! He indeed does have great plans for you and us for a future and hope! PTL! We are custom made for such a time as this. God's in control and has a plan just for you and for you and us together as His Body. PTL! Sarah Young reminds us to keep our focus right as we dwell in God's presence and receive His directions, encouragement and empowerment to follow well. And the Upper Room reminds us to keep asking for help along the way as we stay focused on Jesus and His plans. Amen. God really loves you and made you to worship Him as you go live and love like Jesus. He does have a future and hope for you and us together to discover and explore and work at living well for His glory. I'm praying for you and us to flourish as we dwell in His love and peace and go love like Him. Amen! Let us be instruments of Good News bringing revival to one soul at a time. Come Lord! Have Your way with us and use us well. Lead us to co-laborers. And move us to fulfill our potential for Your glory. Thanks Lord! Amen

TWFYT:

SY:

UR: A Beautiful Reminder

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:2 (NIV)

As I rounded a corner on the parkway, I was dazzled by the wonderful sight of glistening snow on the Brindabella Mountains. It was a freezing-cold, wintry day in Canberra as I drove to my choir rehearsal. This was to be the last practice before our concert in a week’s time. As the choir’s events manager, I had many worries and much to accomplish for the rehearsal and concert.

With the mountains in view before me, I thought of Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” This beautiful scene was a timely reminder to me of God’s presence in my life. It prompted me to pass my concerns over to God in prayer, and as I continued my journey I felt a sense of peace and thankfulness for God’s loving-kindness and care. God is near and ready to help if only we ask.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for creating a beautiful world that reminds us of your love and care for us. Thank you for hearing our prayers when we bring our worries to you. Amen.

See Harvest prayer for the election below

Good Morning Faithful Remnant of God! May that be us always! Please Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done today and always! Come! This is the day the Lord has made and we are rejoicing in it and praising Your holy name. We trust you Lord and cast all our anxiety on You. Thanks for creating and molding and sending us for such a time as this. May we be bringers of Good News today and always. You are our God and we trust You. You have a plan for the world that we get to be part of. Thank You! Hear our prayers. Forgive our sins. Heal our Land. Come Jesus Come! Revive us, this region, nation and the world. Thanks. May we have fair elections today as you raise up your servants. We bind all cheating and evil in the name of Jesus. May Your Spirit come and guide our voting and our lives. May we glorify You today and always. You are sovereign and in control, We trust You. Use us well for Your glory always. May Jesus be high and lifted up in and through us as we ask these things in His mighty name. Amen!

OK enough of that! Let us focus on who we are in Christ and our mission from Him to go change the world as we live and love like Jesus and share the Good News that saved us. May we live Christ well as we keep our focus on Jesus--the King of the Universe! Amen! 

The Word for You Today continues with Eph. 2:10. What a great reminder and refocusing that brings. We are known, loved, created to love and sent to go love like Jesus. Agape love=dying to self and loving as Jesus loved us. Help us Lord. That is what will change the world. Loving like Jesus! That is our mission and focus. Turn off all the other noise and tune into Him. Our Daily Bread uses the beloved 23rd Psalm. Let us recite and embrace that today as we choose joy and allow Jesus to be our Shepherd. Invite Him in and walk with Him today. The Lord is my Shepherd! Is He yours? He will walk with you always and lead you beside the still waters and to the green pastures. Amen! The Upper Room uses Phil. 4's reminder that God will bring His peace beyond understanding! Will you allow that shalom to overflow you. Nothing is too big or small for our God who is able to do according to His will and with all the riches of heaven. Sarah Young reminds us how close God is all the time and that we just need to turn off the noise and look and listen for that whisper of love and encouragement. He loves you and is with you. Sit at His feet, worship, recharge and grow in faith that leads you through today as you follow your Good Shepherd! What a wonderful life we can know despite our circumstances or the state of our nation. Keep your focus on God and your feet following the Good Shepherd and life will just flow well. May springs of Living Water overflow from you today. Amen! Go Light up the world today as you live and love like Jesus! Amen! I'm praying you have a great day filled with love, joy, peace and God's presence. See you at 10 for Zoom Huddle (if I'm back from voting!) Shalom

TWFYT

ODB

UR: Labyrinth

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

When my husband of 25 years told me he thought our marriage was over, I was stunned, devastated, and afraid. For a few weeks, I walked around in a daze — going through the motions of my life but not really living it.

Shortly after, I had the opportunity to walk a prayer labyrinth, an ancient practice used for centering, contemplation, and prayer. This labyrinth was located on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

As I followed the winding path, my senses were awakened. I became aware of God’s creation surrounding me. I felt the warmth of the sun, smelled the nearby flowering shrubs, and heard waves crashing on the shore below. I brought my devastation and fears to God as I traversed the twists and turns of the labyrinth. When I reached the center, I surrendered my marriage and entrusted my future to God, who loves me unconditionally.

The peace that overwhelmed my soul when I surrendered my fears to God sustained me through this past year. Fear can leave us struggling to get our bearings, to see a clear path forward. Centering ourselves in Christ gives us an anchor to hold on to and a guide to walk with us through the most challenging times.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, may we always be aware of your presence with us and turn to you when we are afraid. We long for the peace you have promised through Jesus Christ. Amen.

SY

Harvest:

November 5 - DAY 40 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION    ELECTION DAY! Praying For God’s Will To Be Done In The 2024 Election “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (James 6:9-10 NIV).   Andy Stanley wrote an article published in Time Magazine before the 2020 election. Here are some excerpts to inform how we approach this election day with our God: “Nothing divides like politics, because nothing divides like fear. But what exactly, in the context of our current election, are we afraid of? The answer is the same for everyone at the macro level: we fear loss. We are afraid of losing control, safety, power, opportunity, status, rights, freedom.”   He continues: “Our hope is not in the perfect political party. Our hope is the message and teaching of Jesus. During our oh-so-short history as a nation, both of our current political parties and their leaders have gotten it wrong; they have failed us morally; they have failed us in terms of their leadership. Why would we as followers of an eternal king allow ourselves to be divided by temporary political systems, leaders or platforms? And why would we allow ourselves to be divided by fear? Jesus’ most oft-repeated command was fear not, fear not, fear not. Instead, we must love one another as we struggle and sacrifice for the unity Jesus prayed for.”   Lord God, during this election, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, as well as deceit and poverty. We ask for ears that will hear the cries of the unborn and those abandoned. We ask our minds and hearts to be open to the voices of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom. We pray for discernment so we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. - Author Unknown Prayer Points Pray that God’s will be done in our election on earth as in heaven. Pray that all believers would make requests, prayers, intercession, and give thanks on behalf of all people – especially those who are in authority over us in our nation today. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Pray that we might lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Pray for lost people who are running for office and those voting for our leaders, because it is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth! (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir a desire for truth, justice, and peace in the hearts of all Americans, and ask God to pour out revival on His people and spiritual awakening across our land! To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. Connection Prayer Devotions Sign Up

Today: Bread Ministry 10-12; EC Day of Fasting and Prayer to become a dynamic movement of God (Pray with our bishop 12-12:30 (live from Fellowship Hall); Chosen Dinner Huddle and Family Ministries 6-8

Tomorrow Vison Team Zoom Meeting 6:30 pm. Please pray for us to have God's dreams, visions and plans as we seek to follow Him and plan for the rest of the year. This meeting will inform our budgeting process too. Pray for God's wisdom and heart for us to sow lavishly and steward wisely all His blessings. Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Abiding, Delighting in God, Directed Followers of Jesus! Amen! Be still and know He is God as you still yourself at His feet and allow and invite Him to inform your prayers and steps today. He has great plans just for you today! PTL! Strip off the old, step into your new nature, your true identity and allow God to lead you and use you and grow you more like Jesus. Flow through the devotionals below as God speaks to your heart and loves on you. You can know His peace as you still yourself, yoke to Jesus and allow Him to speak to your heart and lead you to His still waters and green pastures today. Amen! 

Harvest Prayer begins things  today with the reminder to be God focused. Sarah Young continues this track with the reminder to keep seeking God first and to abide in Him. Start everyday delighting in the Lord and travel through each day with praise and adoration as you keep your mind fixed on things above. Opening His Word helps too and helps us to be truthful about ourselves, our choices and with God. He already knows you and loves you. Be transparent and truthful and allow Him to lead you to wisdom and Truth. God wants to heal you and help you. Invite Him to do so as you still yourself and abide in him and His Word today and He will lead you to experience His peace--a peace beyond understanding. He sure does love you and we have so much to be thankful about as we allow Him to forgive, refresh and lead us beside the still waters of peace and then to those fresh, productive, fruit producing, green pastures. Oh what joy we can truly know and live! Thanks Lord! Help us to abide, share openly with you, receive and repent and follow You well today. Thanks for the plans you have for me/us today to prosper and bring a future and a hope. Thanks for all the answered prayers! Help me/us to complete our races well as we work on becoming more like Jesus today. Amen! May Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me today. Be glorified! Amen!

I've been praying and abiding since 2:30 this morning. God has refreshed and will lead me revived into this long day of ministry and service. Thanks Lord! Hear our prayers and prepare us all for Your plans for today and move us to step into them fresh and informed! Thanks! Amen!

Harvest:

November 6 - Be God Focused A young wealthy man wanted feedback from Jesus concerning his walk with the Lord. Jesus challenged him with the answer: Sell your possessions and follow Me. The young man walked away disheartened. Matthew 19:17-19, 21, 23-24, 26: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” … “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” … “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” … “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God”.… “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.” God is the Source. He must be the focal point of our lives; if anything else distracts, we’re missing the fullness of who we can be in the Lord. God draws all people unto Himself, and He transforms the most difficult cases to follow Him. Lord, thank You for making all things possible! I repent for any time I’ve been so concerned with this world that I’ve held back from walking with You. I repent for when I’ve judged my walk as satisfactory, instead of asking You about it. I repent for any time I’ve refrained from following You, Your ways, Your wisdom. I repent for when I’ve failed to acknowledge that Jesus has made my salvation and perfection possible.  Regardless of what happened in the past, I declare You make all things possible. The most hardened of hearts, You can bring to a blessed place of desiring You. I declare I will hold nothing back from obeying You and Your commands. I thank You that You’re good. I thank You that Your love is complete and all encompassing. I thank You that You make me able to do what is impossible in the flesh. I thank You that You have formed me in my mother’s womb and shaped me into a vessel usable by You. I thank You that I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. I thank You I lack nothing through You.  I praise You that You’re the miracle-working God. I praise You that You’re omniscient and omnipresent. I praise You that You’re always willing to dialogue with me. I praise You that You desire to glorify Yourself via my life. I praise You for who You are! --Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God, your Father and great Teacher. Give thanks for teachers and mentors who helped make your paths straight (Prov. 3:6). Confess that you sometimes focus more on their quirks than their virtues. Commit yourself to noticing the good in those who can teach you more about faith. Ask God how you can best support education in your church. Claim the Holy Spirit’s power to woo family members or friends who say Christianity makes no sense.    Prayer Pointer “A man’s state before God may always be measured by his prayers.” —J. C. Ryle Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

CS:

UR: Tracks to safety

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

I remember being caught in a snowstorm while driving through a high mountain pass. The snow soon developed into a blizzard, and I was unable to see more than a few feet ahead. But a truck in front of me was leaving tire tracks in the six-inch deep snow, so I did the only thing I could; I followed the tracks. If it had driven off the cliff, I would have been right behind! Eventually, though, the truck led me down the mountain to safety.

That experience caused me to remember these words from Psalm 119: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Spiritually speaking, it can be as difficult for us to know the way forward as it was for me to find my way in that snowstorm. Temptations may be intense at times. Or we may simply find ourselves at a fork in the road, unsure of which path to take. No matter the cause, the way forward for us at times may not be clear. But when we rely on the wisdom of Psalm 119, God’s word can dispel the darkness and reveal the way we should go. When we are grounded in scripture, God’s guidance keeps us ready for any trial.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to hear your voice speaking to us through scripture, especially in difficult times. Guide us each day, and reassure us of your presence with us. Amen.ODB:

CS:

TWFYT:

JM

Good Morning Thankful, Forgiven, Made New, Faithful Followers of Jesus! Thank God that's you! And us as His Body! PTL!

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! PTL! This is the month of Thanksgiving, feasting, family, friends and fellowship. But above all I am thankful for God's patient, forgiven, eternal love! Yes PTL! What are you thankful about today? What praises are you lifting? TGIF is a great starting point for today and this month!

Max Lucado has a daily calendar that starts with the letter "A" and he works through the alphabet. I am thankful for Apples. I am thankful for blessings. And so on. Maybe Nov. would be a great month to try that exercise daily?

Today's devotionals flow through several teachings that speak into or point to reasons to be thankful. Check them out below. I'm often encouraging--well pleading--with you to turn off the noise and focus on God. Election season is a great time to turn of the TV, radio, and computer and to refocus on God with thanksgiving and praise as the starting point. Counting our blessings is a great way to redirect your thinking. Try it today. I am thankful for Christ, Donuts Day, Earnestness, Friends, God!!!

Let's start our thanksgiving with The Word for You Today's reminder that God cares about you. AMEN and PTL! You are His, made in His image, made new in Christ to do all He has planned for you! PTL! And He helps you because He loves and cares for you. Even in the darkest hours, He is there weeping with you and wanting to embrace you with His love. Open your arms to receive His love and raise them in praise today. Sarah Young reminds us to keep focused on God's presence and to plow through the distractions. (Turn off the noise!) He knows your heart and desire to honor Him and He knows your circumstances. He is with you always. Sit at His feet and allow Him to love on you. Joyce Meyers reminds us that thanksgiving isn't for a day or month but a constant state for God's chosen people (us). Give thanks always with a grateful heart. The Upper Room reminds us to keep persevering in faith and that others are watching. Are they seeing true faith overflowing with love and thankfulness no matter what we are facing? They can as we grow in worship, thanksgiving and faith. Choose joy by turning off the noise and lift eyes and hearts in praise. Our Daily Bread reminds us that time marches on and asks how you can make the most of the time you have left? They use Eph. 5's, which we just studied, reminder to always give thanks and the truth that singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs helps us to redirect. Sing when you don't feel like you can and that will help you redirect with a thankful and worshipful heart. Make up your own psalm or even lament and lift it from a heart trusting God to Him. Drown out the noise as you make a joyful noise! And Charles Stanley wraps up our devotionals with the reminder that we have resurrection power in us. Be strong, courageous and and overcome by the power of Christ in you. Amen!

Refocus with this praise song: Give Thanks to God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRVmqQw7hXU

and this: Count Your Blessings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0cjGr2h4k

So the reminder to rejoice--always stands out at the beginning of this month that ends with a Thanksgiving feast and family, faith and fun. Yes rejoice always! Again I say rejoice! Lift you hands in praise as you drown out the noise and drive Satan away by singing some praise! For God so Loved Y-O-U that He made a way and is with you always--yes rejoice! Release the junk and turn off the noise as you begin to count your many blessings! Amen! I'm praising for and praying for you and lifting praise to GOD! There's no way to count all the blessings! Amen! I'm thankful for Jesus, Karen, Love in me, Milkshakes...

TWFYT:

SY

JM

UR: The Cloud of Witnesses

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with perseverance the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1 (NRSVUE)

Recently my husband and I attended my great-nephew’s graduation from a military academy. I like to walk early in the morning and, not knowing the area, decided to walk the halls of the historic campus hotel for exercise. On the walls of each floor were pictures of famous academy graduates dating back to the early 1800s — generals, astronauts, senators and governors, and prominent figures in public service.

Had I been a student at the academy, these pictures would have inspired me to become like these famous graduates. Instead, I thought of today’s verse from Hebrews and began to imagine pictures of biblical figures and photos of family and friends who have encouraged me in my faith. I thought particularly of my dad, who took such good care of his aging parents, telling me to care for the elderly. And of my mom, who worked to help people overcome addictions, encouraging me to have compassion. Their lives were a gift to me, and as I walked those halls thinking of them, I wanted to live my life in a way that would be a gift to others coming behind me. Knowing I am supported by the saints through the ages and in my own family gives me strength and courage to run with perseverance even in the face of discouragement.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for the people who encourage us in our faith. Help us to be a source of encouragement for others. Amen.

ODB:

CS

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. Prayer Points 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. To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. 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:

Joyce Meyer:

Charles Stanly

Good Morning Faithful Remnant! Please may we be Your faithful remnant who are blessed, led, protected, and used for Your glory! Come Lord! Fill us. Cover us! Provide for us! Lead us! Use us well. Thank You! We need you! Cleanse and purify us to serve and prepare us for Your service and to always stand firm in Christ and on Your Word! Thank You! Revive our land and oversee our elections. Raise up Your leader for Your purposes. Bind up any cheating and lead to fair elections. Come Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around us. Thank You. May Christ and Your good ways be high and lifted up and a beacon of hope. Come! Bring Your Living Water that satisfies and water our land too. Lord, we cast all our anxiety on You. Thank You. Bring Shalom, healing and hope alive today. Amen! We pronounce that we are your faithful and true remnant. We are Yours! Thank You for salvation, new life and for hearing our prayers! Uphold us in Your strong right hand. You are our strong tower and the Rock on which we stand and build. Heal our land Lord! Come! Amen.

Hmmm, guess I awoke troubled in heart and anxious about the elections, the drought, the state of Israel and this nation and our church. BUT GOD! I prayed and believe He will hear and answer according to His will and perfect timing. I trust Him and His plans as I cast all my anxiety to Him. I know I am His and have a place being prepared for me in heaven. I have faith but also pray for forgiveness for my unbelief and help to stay focused on Him. Jesus says, come to me all you weary and I will give you rest. Amen! Many of us have some many things to be anxious and worried about. BUT GOD! Lean on Him and some friends to travel your journey well. We all are unique, yet one and we need God and each other. May we unite in prayer, encouragement, help and faithfulness to God and His plans. Help us Lord! May we not lean on our own understanding but trust God in all things and remain on His path always. He does have great, custom made plans for custom made you for such a time as this. Be still and know and choose faith and joy always!

Check out Harvest blog below about praying for Israel. Move through the devotionals below in prayer and journal what God is whispering to your heart. Pray into that and ask some friends to pray and journey with you. God has really been speaking to my heart and bringing insight and peace as I release the burdens and troubles to Him. He's bringing the peace that comes from knowing He is God with a plan and it's perfect. I know He does have good plans for me and you and us together as we remain His faithful remnant following our Good Shepherd to His perfect plans. God is good all the time! Amen! And He is in us, with us, going before us, walking beside us and covering us as He directs our steps to His best. Amen! And shalom! He is with you always and always working all things together for good. Remain faithful and watch what He is about to do! Then join Him and know joy and peace beyond understanding. Amen!

Sarah Young:

Upper Room: New Every Morning

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 (NIV)

I can relate to the writer of Lamentations. Some mornings I wake up to the worry of another difficult day. When I remember my afflictions, my heart sinks and I find myself teetering on the edge of another bout of depression.

However, Lamentations presents a turning point that keeps me from deep hopelessness. When I recall what God has done in the past, I am humbly reminded that God will also sort things out for me. I have faced many tough situations where I could see no way out, but each time God showed me mercy, faithfulness, and a way forward.

God has made me a witness of the promise that through God’s mercies I am not consumed. I am still standing, made strong by the grace of God. I know I can hope in God’s unfailing compassion because it is new every morning.

Today's Prayer

Faithful God, thank you for your compassion and mercy. Give us strength when we are weary, and remind us of your constant love. Amen.

Our Daily Bread:

 Charles Stanley:

The Word for You Today:

 Harvest Prayer for Israel

October 30 - DAY 34 OF 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION  Praying For The Peace And Protection Of Israel “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4 NIV).   “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. or the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity” (Psalm 122:6-9).   Author and American-Israeli strategist, Joel Rosenberg, has written a commentary on the current situation in which we find ourselves in the world: “The significance of this moment in history cannot be overstated. But the big question is this: Are Israelis just going through a bad patch and our fortunes will brighten again soon, or are we beginning to see Bible prophecies unfold in which the entire world turns against Israel and Jewish people in the ‘last days’?   The Bible indicates that all of the leaders of the world will essentially get drunk on the notion that Israel – Jerusalem – is the problem the world must solve. Yet, God also makes it clear that all the nations that turn against Israel will themselves face Divine Judgment and be ‘severely injured.’   Have we arrived at the prophetic point in history in which the entire world is turning against Israel and the Jewish people? No, not yet – but that’s definitely where we are trending. And it certainly appears that the chess pieces are being arranged on the board for such a war. The dictator of Russia is building alliances with the leaders of Iran, Turkey, and Sudan, to name just a few. The nations of the world are increasingly turning against Israel and the Jewish people. Even the leaders of Israel’s most trustworthy ally – the United States of America – are abandoning Israel.   In light of all that is happening spiritually and geopolitically in the world today, my question is this: What will the Church do?”   God of Israel, Your Word has prophetically announced things that are to come regarding Israel and the rest of the world. Help us to be awake and alert amid world events we have never experienced before. Raise up Your Church to stand strong in this moment and align ourselves with Your plans and purposes for Israel. Help us to be characterized by great love and compassion and to be known as houses of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7, Mark 11:17). May the Church shine like a beacon for Your name in this moment. Prayer Points Ask God to grant the people of Jerusalem, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the wisdom and patience to build a safe city where all can live in peace and freedom. Ask God to bless Israel, shield it with love, send light and truth to Israel’s leaders, and strengthen the hands of those who defend the land. Ask God to protect Israel’s cities and borders, and to empower its leaders with wisdom and strength. Ask Him to display His glory as He defends Israel. Ask God to bring truth into our nation’s discourse, and that evil will be revealed for what it truly is. Ask Him to uncover blinded eyes! Ask God to cause our government to be unified behind Israel and to defend the Jews in our nation and all over the earth unequivocally! To view our prayer leader video or for more resources visit www.40DaysUSA.com. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here.

Good Morning Resting in the Lord, Dynamic Movers and Shakers! As we rest in, dwell in, abide in God's presence daily during our set aside quiet times, He informs our prayers and steps for each day. As we follow Him we are moving towards becoming a dynamic movement of revivalists and disciple makers. As we pray throughout the day we shake the kingdom of darkness, tear down strongholds and release captives. PTL and Amen! Because we are earnest in our prayer and quiet times, God moves and prepares and uses us. How cool is that. I think one of the greatest things about spending time in His presence in conversation and prayer is the sense or feeling of peace that comes from knowing I am loved and cared for no matter what I am facing and that those times do indeed inform my steps and choices and have a bearing throughout the day as I step out prepared and attentive. We get into the healthy rhythm of working from resting in Him. We become so familiar with His voice and actions that we more easily see Him at work throughout each day and are prepared to join Him in His plans to expand His Kingdom. We are movers and shakers in the Lord! Another cool aspect about time with God is that all are invited and created to spend time in fellowship with Him and that is not affected by age or circumstances. He wants to hang with us and is blessed when we want to and then blesses us for doing it. We all have a part to play in His Good News Delivery Company and for many of us that part is to pray--constantly and powerfully in Christ. One more thing I love about my time with God is that He seems to somehow redeem the time spent with Him. I often start in the wee hours of the morning as He stirs me out of bed and invites me to come chat. Somehow He refreshes, prepares and redeems that time as He sends me out fired up and ready. It's pretty cool. And I'm finding that sometimes, He allows naps after my extended time with Him. (I hope that's the case today!) God is Love and loves hanging with us and showering His love over us and filling us with much love to share as He sends us prepared and ready to live and love more like Jesus! Amen!

Today my devotionals flow through and led to this thinking. Check them out and spend some time with our Father this morning! He does have some great things for you today that begin and are empowered through a set aside dedicated time with Him and as you dwell in His presence and pray throughout each day. Turn off the noise and tune in to His presence. It's awesome! Be still and know and be prepared to go! I have already prayed for you to have an awesome encounter with our Living God and to go out prepared and ready for what He has for you, mover and shaker!

Sarah Young:

ODB:

TWFYT:

Chuck Swindoll:

The UR: Refreshing Moments

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. - Psalm 84:7 (NIV)

After dropping my kids off at school and daycare one morning, my minivan started smoking. Thankfully, I made it safely to work, but I fretted about what might be wrong with the minivan. Would it be safe enough to pick up my kids in after school? I was going through a difficult time in my life — divorce, financial challenges, health issues, the basement flooding — and this just felt like another thing spiraling out of my control. As I sat there feeling incredibly hopeless, a friend called to check on me. I told her about my car, and she prayed with me.

In the end, I was able to pick up my kids and drive home that day, but the minivan wasn’t repairable. Even so, knowing I had a friend walking with me and praying with me was like coming upon a refreshing pool during a long, difficult journey.

Similarly, the people in Psalm 84 found springs and pools of rain when they passed through the Valley of Baka. God provided refreshing moments for them along the way to sustain them on the journey. God shows up for us in creative and timely ways through people, words, nature, and in other ways we could not even imagine.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help us to notice and experience the refreshing pools of strength you provide as you walk with us through difficult circumstances. Amen.

Charles Stanley    ]

5 Prayer Points from 2 Chronicles 7:14 from harvest prayer:

This prayer guide is easily adaptable for individuals, small groups or entire churches focused on confession, repentance and the forgiveness of God:

Read 2 Chronicles 7:14 out loud: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Spend some time in prayer based on this passage:

• Father, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will humble ourselves before You! Perhaps consider kneeling or lying prostrate on the floor before God. These are two very biblical postures of humility. Spend time repenting of your lack of humility before Him individually, as a church, and as a citizen of our nation.

• Lord Jesus, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will pray. Take some time to confess prayerlessness and times when prayer has been your “last resort” instead of your first response. Confess the prayerlessness of the church you attend if corporate prayer has not been a consistent practice for your community of believers. Focus time upon the prayerlessness of the Church in our nation and confess the sins that have happened nationally on our watch.

• Holy Spirit, we are Your people, called by Your name, and we will seek Your face. Confess times when you have sought after other things for your wisdom and counsel before the Lord, and/or when you have placed your trust in people or government or ________. The Holy Spirit was given as a gift to teach us, comfort us and to intercede for us. If you have neglected or ignored the ministry of the Spirit by not seeking the face of God, take time to experience godly sorrow in whatever form that takes for you.

• Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are Your people called by Your name. Right now we repent of these sins we have confessed before You: lack of humility, prayerlessness, and seeking other things, idols or gods before seeking Your face. We turn from our wicked ways and ask for Your forgiveness. We mean to turn towards You now, giving You our full attention. We will walk in humility. We will give ourselves to prayer. We will seek Your face and forsake lesser things in which we have placed our dependence.

• Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, we give You thanks for listening to our prayers…for hearing us from heaven! We thank you for the forgiveness that is now ours through Christ Jesus. And in faith, we trust in Your ability and stand upon Your promise to heal our land.

© Harvest Prayer Ministries

Harvest blog:

Worship and Brunch today! Come worship, fellowship and feast on His Word and with a great 2 Peas in A Pod brunch! It's a day to be fed physically and spiritually as our Bishop brings the Word this morning. Come! Join us! brings some friends!

Good Morning Purposeful, Waiting on the Lord, Good News Delivery Co! We are created in God's image for His custom made purposes. We matter and have purpose! As we seek first His Kingdom, He will lead us to His perfect plans in His perfect timing. Amen! And so we wait on Him in prayer and yoke to Jesus as we travel at His pace. Amen! We are gathered and sent to bring His Love and Good News alive. We are His, loved, saved, forgiven, prepared and sent to transform the world as we live and love more and more like Jesus who is with us always! What joy as we work on becoming who we are created to be and doing the things we are created to do more and more. That is Jesus' easy yoke and a true joy that produces much good fruit! We are His ambassadors of grace, mercy and love and as we step more fully into that we will become a dynamic movement of God that brings revival and changes the world! Amen!

Today, I expect the Bishop to teach us more about how to do this well. I know God is moving St. Matts. in the same direction as the Bishop is being led to lead us. We are on our way to becoming a dynamic movement of God that loves Him well and reaches excitedly to those who He is drawing from the fires of Hell. Friday night we made some new connection points to neighbors. Pray that God works in some of them and draws them and waters and fertilizes the seeds we planted. Pray we begin some new relationships with young families and 30-50 year olds and lead them to God and Jesus' way. Pray for us to become a house of prayer for the nations and a disciple making hub for the area. He does have great plans for you and us and He is sending us into the harvest field. Praise Him for the harvest that is coming and pray He raises up harvest workers from this harvest. Pray that we would live and love more and more like Jesus everyday and teach others how to live our His way well as we live it out better. Yes, He is bringing alive some great things and I am so excited to see where He leads us! Come, Jesus Come! Lead us to Your perfect plans in Your perfect timing. Amen!

It's pretty cool how God has threaded this word through our devotionals for today. Check them out below and prepare your hearts to receive His instructions and your feet to follow Jesus well. God has some amazing things in store for you and us that will flow from our prayers, time with God and willingness to earnestly follow Jesus. PTL! and Amen! We begin, as God has ordered our devos, with The Word for You Today and their teaching about God's custom made plans just for you first. Meditate on this and talk to God about it. What's He leading you to do? Who are your partners? Sarah Young reminds us about the importance of keeping our focus on God and allowing Him to direct our steps for what's now and what's next. She reminds us to travel at the speed of Jesus as we plow with Him. Charles Stanley reminds us and continues her train of thought with the call to expectant waiting. God is speaking, teaching, preparing and wants us to move with Him. That is really the only way to be productive for His Kingdom that produces good fruit. Pray for our Vision Team that will be meeting in two weeks to seek God, discern His plans and to steward well as we sow lavishly into all He has for us and begin the budgeting process for God's plans for us for next year.. May we pursue Him as He pursues us and follow as He leads, well. Amen! Today we gather, like the Acts 2:42 church to study His Word, worship, fellowship, eat together and pray. I love how God keeps leading us to and through our table ministries! We need each other and the Upper Room discusses and reminds that we are made for community and unity. We are not to be Lone Rangers. We practice some of this every week as we gather on Wednesdays to eat, fellowship, study and pray. And guess what? God keeps sending some new people to taste and see that Jesus is good and we are genuine in our love and obedience to Him and His ways. May we continue these ministries well. Pray for God to expand them to new opportunities to connect to neighbors and connect them to Him. Pray for me to mentor and train some leaders to lead others to God's plans too. And this flows to Our Daily Bread teaching about being born again. Who do you know that needs Jesus' love, forgiveness and new life in Christ? What will you do about that? Who are your partners? Who needs to hear the stories of God's faithfulness to you and us and how He is using us to transform the world with his love and care one soul at a time?

Really pray into these things. Allow these teachings and what the Bishop will share today from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (below) to inform your prayers and actions. Cry out for revival and for God to use you to do your part in His Good News Delivery Co. He really does have some custom, age and circumstance appropriate things for you to do. Let us commit to be about His business together in His ways and spur each other on in prayer and actions as God leads. Revival is coming! This is the year of the Lord's favor and He wants us to step into that and our anointing! Come, et us seek and follow well together for His glory alone. Amen! We are His Purposeful, Waiting on the Lord, Good News Delivery Co! PTL! and Amen!

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

We Are God’s Ambassadors

¹¹ Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. ¹² Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. ¹³ If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. ¹⁴ Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. ¹⁵ He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

¹⁶ So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! ¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

TWFYT:

SY:

CS:

UR: Community of Faith

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” - Exodus 18:17-18 (NIV)

Soon after the Israelites’ deliverance, Jethro — Moses’ father-in-law — came to visit and observed Moses in his daily responsibility of judging disputes between the people. Jethro told Moses that continuing to do all the work alone would be too much. He advised Moses to set wise men as leaders over groups of people. In following this advice, Moses relied on his community for help, thus preventing his own burnout.

God designed us to need community. It can be uncomfortable and hard to accept that we need others, especially when we realize that our church is made up of imperfect people. But when we downplay the collective nature of our faith, we do ourselves a disservice.

Wonderful things can happen when we rely on one another: our bonds of relationship are strengthened, and we give others the opportunity to show God’s love to us. In big and small moments, let’s commit to loving those around us and letting others love us in return. In doing so, we can be a part of ushering in God’s kingdom.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the community of believers. Help us to reach out to others who may need our love, and help us to accept love in return. Amen.

ODB: