Good Morning Sold Out, Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus, Praying Co-Laborers! Amen! May that be us Lord and teach us to pray like Jesus and as we are created and gifted for such a time as this! Thanks! Amen!

We've had some awesome days of ministry already as we have gathered several days as parts of God's Body to eat, fellowship, study, pray, encourage each other and learn what it means to become the people and church we are created and gathered to be. PTL! I am stoked! Three verses are primary for who we are in Christ and for how we are building our church and learning to do more of what we are created and gifted to do: Col. 3:11, "In this life Christ is all that matters and He lives in me..." Eph. 2:10, "You are God's masterpiece, made new in Christ, to do the things He had planned for you from long ago." and Acts 2:42, All the believers gathered together, studied the apostles teachings, fellowshipped, ate together and prayed. And God added to their numbers daily those who were being saved." AMEN!!! We are learning to be and do more like Jesus and as we are custom created, gifted, gathered and sent to do. PTL! We are becoming a dynamic movement of God! Amen! Keep praying earnestly into and following the Holy Spirit to your parts in His Good News Delivery Co. and over these verses as you meditate on them and seek God for His plans for you and us.

Since we are building our lives on our potential to become more like Jesus and doing what He created and gifted us to do, it behooves us to study and compare our lives to His. The Jesus shaped life is evidenced in a balanced triangle with equal parts of UP (his relationship with the Father)-IN (His relationships with the disciples and the gathered followers) and OUT (his relationships with reaching out to the lost, needy and seeking). How balanced is your and our triangle? Start with what Jesus did--get away from the noise and chaos, stilled Himself, sought God in prayer and followed Him from there to the day's assignments. Then spend some time processing and praying with your teammates before launching out into the world to share the Good News and make disciples. Love God wholeheartedly, love others and make disciples of Jesus and enjoy this life in Christ! That's always our marching orders. And as we do that as we are created and gifted, we don that easy yoke of Jesus and get inspired and affirmed as we truly enjoy this life in Christ doing what we are created to do as we are. Try it! You'll love it! Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things you need will be provided each day!

I've been earnestly praying into Sunday's worship service and what I think I am hearing God say to do. I spent some extra time with Him this morning processing before I work on the final draft. He wants to answer our prayers and teach us to pray. He wants to release His power from heaven to earth and even in the spiritual realms as we pray. We know that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (we are considered righteous because we are in Christ and have put on His righteousness and thus our prayers--all kinds of prayers--are powerful and effective. AMEN!). So pray earnestly! Keep knocking! God's plans and the works of our church and each of us are empowered and released as we pray. Our steps are informed for each day as we pray. And God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. Sunday we will learn more about prayer and get to experience and practice some Kingdom praying. Prepare your hearts!

You have to start with the connections blogs for today! We discussed some of this last night. Those of you that were there, check it out! What's God saying about the things we discussed like praying, preparing and standing firm on the Word and in Christ always. Our Tuesday Zoom Huddle has been studying and praying through the Lord's Prayer the last few weeks and several of our devotionals have been teaching about it. Pray the Lord's prayer with fresh hearts and minds, not from rote. Maybe use a different Bible translation? We should always be praying earnestly for His Kingdom to come and will to be done. That actually ties to Mike's dangerous prayers as we die to self, take up cross daily and prepare to follow Jesus. Then check out how God is speaking to us through some other devotionals today. Keep seeking! Keep knocking and keep praying and practicing prayer that is powerful, effective and will change the atmosphere around us and lead us to our parts for revival. God is on the move! And He will partner with us as we pray and step out in faith watching for how He is responding. And then pray some more and keep following. Yes PRAY--early and often--without ceasing! God is listening and will answer according to His perfect plans and timing! Amen! What's He revealing to you today? What will you do about it? I'm praying for you! Be still and know and then go and follow Jesus as He shapes your life and teaches you to pray and prepares you to go live and love like Him! Amen!

Connections Blogs:

March 20 - Seeking Him Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:12–14)   It takes practice to become good at anything, and we must practice pursuing God’s presence, seeking Him every day until pursuing Him becomes the norm for our lives. Seeking God is a key in revival times.   It would do us all good to pause and examine our lives, seeing what we really spend our time seeking after. J. Vernon McGee said, “What is your ambition in life today? Is it to get rich? Is it to make a name for yourself? Is it even to do some wonderful thing for God?   Listen to me, beloved. The highest desire that can possess any human heart is a longing to see God.” Many people seek the wrong things and then want to add God to the end of their list. People seek comfort and convenience, but not Christ. They seek pleasure and pastimes, but not a personal relationship with Christ. Most people look for a church that has the right appeal: good music and children’s and youth programs. They seek the church with all the answers to their problems or needs.   For many, they confuse this with seeking God; this is not the same thing. Many have been led to believe they can seek God at their own convenience, but you cannot. Many a professing believer has been hurt, or gotten angry with the church or God, and left. Others have remained in the church but are filled with bitterness. They refuse to examine their lives in light of the Word of God, nor do they yield to the Word of God. Instead of turning to God, they have turned away.   After weeks, months, or even years of not seeking God, a crisis comes, an emergency, and then they expect a dead faith to work in their time of need. It does not happen.   We are commanded in Scripture (Jeremiah 29:12–14) to seek Him diligently and with urgency.   When we seek God, we are volunteering ourselves for judgment. We have reached a point in our lives where we are willing to be honest with the Word of God and how we live. It means we humble ourselves before God and also the one whom God uses to bring the message of the Word of God to us. Then, we adjust our lives to God’s standards.   Search me and know me, O Lord! Help me to seek Christ with all of my heart. May I denounce the idols that keep me from Your Presence. Help me to examine my life in light of the Word, and to yield to the power of Your Word. I sense the urgency of this hour, Father. Increase my faith, fill me with the humility of Jesus and allow me to lay my life beside Your purposes.   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise the Lord, who is your strength, your rock, your fortress and your deliverer (Ps. 18:1-2). Give thanks that “the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Cor. 1:25). Confess your desire to rely upon your own strength. Commit yourself to doing everything through him who gives you strength (Phil. 4:13). Ask God to cause you to serve him with the strength that he provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 4:11). Ask God to remove habits which destroy and limit relationships among your family and friends, and to replace these with habits which are life-giving and Spirit-led. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

I to WE devos:

The Upper Room: be still

[The Lord] says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

In August 2021, I began a months-long healing journey following spinal surgery. I had to stop working and to alter many activities in order to heal properly. My heart was in a hurry to recover so that I could get back to my regular life, but my body was clearly letting me know that this would take time. Part of my physical therapy included walking in my neighborhood, which became spiritual therapy as well.

During one of my daily walks, I noticed a flock of egrets standing serenely in the marsh grass, preening. I stopped to watch and be still with them. Suddenly, without taking a step, one of the birds gracefully bent his neck toward the water and picked up a passing fish. Then I noticed another egret walking briskly through the marsh, his long neck oddly bent with one eye toward the water. He seemed to be frantically searching for a fish.

The contrast between the two egrets was stark, and I felt God speaking to me, telling me to be still and trust that the healing I needed would come in good time. I should not be like that frantic egret. During the following months I have found God to be faithful, and I have done my best to be still and receive.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to be still and wait on you. Even when we do not understand the journey, we trust that you will provide what we need for our good and for your glory. Amen.

TWFYT:

Let's get that worship on! Thank God I'm Forgiven! Praise and thanksgiving should overflow from that truth!

Sarah Update below. Spring Sarah, really?--bah humbug! Thank God we are washed white as snow and may get some snow this week! However, new life of spring is cool! (Just wish that started around Aug and fall started in Sept!) BUT GOD! I can praise no matter the weather and through the storms of life!

Good Morning Praying, Praising Friends! Yes get your praise on and prepare to worship and pray with thanksgiving! Just one devo today. Well two days of my I to We devo. Check 'em out as we confess our sins, receive forgiveness and lift much thanksgiving! We are very loved and always forgiven! Get your hearts right and PTL!

I to WE Day 2 and 3 on Acts Praying: (they tie to TGIF!) Confession and Thanksgiving!

Sarah Update: Happy Spring!

Hi Church family,

I love the season of Spring - New life appears before your eyes.....

Flowers are pushing their way among the fallen leaves; the deer are reappearing with their fawns; the birds are calling for their mates; the grass is showing a beautiful green, in color; farmers are beginning to turn over their fields in preparation for planting and bears are waking up from a long winter's nap - and they are hungry......as Neen and I can attest to from the bear that visited our bird feeder the other evening and had fun mutilating the feeder. 

I think the air smells fresher - New Life.....

When we receive or renew our relationship with Jesus - it's like a "spiritual Spring" taking place in our heart.  While on our Jesus Journey, there are times in our lives when the "old" creeps in, causing us to become distracted from the Words and Voice of Jesus.

When our Father sees this happening, in our lives, He may say to us..... "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps 46:10)

God is encouraging each of us to find STILLNESS ~ and be reminded of who God is and what a relationship with Him is like...... "Taste and See that the Lord is Good" (Ps 34:8) ~ God is also encouraging us to remember and personally experience and recognize again, God's goodness through our faith and our trust in Him.

So as we begin to leaf blow or rake those fallen leaves, to reveal daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus ~ and we get so excited to see the new growth ~  May we also take a spiritual Rake to our Jesus Journey, removing the "old" and allowing new growth blossom by reviewing our relationship with our Father!

** ** ** **

Hope you all have a great rest of your week and weekend.......looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday at 10:00am

worship!!

Blessings,

Good Morning Friends! See Sarah Prayer update below.

I overslept this morning and went right into my pastor's zoom huddle, which just ended. I have to hit the road to purchase food and start cooking for tonight before Bread Min. at 10. Don't forget to pray for and join our dinner huddle tonight at 6. This is almost becoming like a church plant within our church as about half of the attendees are not members but are seekers of fellowship, food and the Word. They are finding Jesus and His love among us! PTL!

Today (everyday) God is singing over you. He is speaking love to you. He is wanting to lead you and grow you more like Jesus. Turn off the noise for a bit. Abide in His loving presence and listen. Then go and watch for what He has for you to join in with Him today. he does have some great custom made plans for you that He has created, gifted and empowered you to accomplish. PTL! Seek and follow well today. Also, seek some friends to journey with! I am so excited to see God on the move among us and for many of you ad you process who and Whose you are and the plans He has for you and then are more committed to seek and follow! Praying for you all! May the God who is the Way, Truth and Life, be that and more to and through you today! Then let's process that soon.  Shalom!

Sarah update:

Good afternoon, everyone!

 Today, the sun is sooo warm. I was out on the deck for a bit, absorbing my Vitamin D.  Hope some of you have been 

able to get outside for a bit.

Todd (Lisa Wenner) - he has gone into A Fib a couple times, the last time being Sunday. Please continue to pray for Todd and his family as they are going through this challenging time.

Chris Muik - had two surgeries this past week. He is going ok but in alot of pain. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He may be going to a rehab facility soon.   Also keep his wife Yvonne in your prayers through this difficult time.

Randy Schmidt spent a few days in the hospital. He is currently at home recouping from his leg edema and swelling

Goldie, the 97 year old neighbor of the Waterman's was taken to the hospital early Sunday morning.  Haven't received an

update - continue to keep her in your prayers for healing.

Darlene Geiger is asking for continued prayers for her sister Sandy, who is currently stable.  She is also praising God for healing from hers and Jim's colds.

Marylou shared that she spoke with Rachel who attends bread ministry. Rachel is very thankful for St Matt's, as she comes to get bread - very one is so nice and loving.  Rachel requested prayer for her 15 year old daughter, Lorelei. She was in a bad accident  and is experiencing physical and mental health issues. Lorelei is having difficulty adjusting to her current health issues. Please keep Rachel and Lorelei in our prayers of encouragement and healing.

Dean requested that we pray for rain.  More rain would help to cut down on the brush fires and replenish the creeks

Continue to pray for one another, and for our homebound members.  Also keep our first responders in our prayers - for their safety and wisdom when handling situations.

Don't forget our Wednesday night family meal and gathering. Starting at 6:00. Everyone is welcome!

Hope you all have a great rest of your week.

   Blessings,

   Sarah

Good Morning House of Prayer! God has been leading me, to not only speak to us about prayer, but to actually practice praying together. Mike got a Word from God to preach on dangerous prayers and the thought to ask God to use, send, and break you. God has put on our hearts the importance of becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations and to the motivation to begin that earnestly over the next few months. God has led me from childhood to be a pray-er and has allowed me over the years to learn to pray and to see the results of the powerful and effectiveness of praying in Jesus' name. PTL! Many of you can attest to that as well. God hears and answers the earnest prayers of His righteous ones. (That's those in Christ who pray according to Hs character and will) Everything and anything of importance begins with, is empowered through and flourishes by prayer. For many of us, our calling for this season of life is to be a prayer warrior. However, we are all called to pray. We have looked at the example of Jesus and the importance of prayer in His life. We have witnessed the disciples begging Jesus to teach them how to pray and His willingness to do so. So, let's start there today! Jesus, teach us to pray! Thanks! Amen!

Did you pray that earnestly with a heart desiring to learn how to pray and pray more effectively? If not, go back, humble yourself before Almighty God, and ask Him to give you a heart to pray and to open your heart and mind to learn how He wants to teach you to pray and ask Him again to do so. He has great plans for you and us that are discovered, released, and empowered as we pray. And sometimes, we are to be the answers to our prayers or the prayers of others.

Last week our Tuesday Zoom huddle began looking at prayer and the how to of it. (This week we begin study how to read our Bibles and use His Word in prayer) Even the most devout and effective pray-er can learn to pray better and according to God's will more often. This week we had planned to continue to learn about prayer and the how to. Big God thing today for me! I have been praying for a long time for God to teach us to pray, stir those who are called to pray for such a time as this to be revealed and rise up and for our church to become a House of Prayer for the Nations because Jesus said that is what His Church should be. Today, I prayerfully began my quiet time journaling my prayers for the day. Then I spent some time with God prayerfully in His Word and through our devotionals for today. As I wrapped that up and prepared to allow God to write this blog and asked Him to lead me this week and for Sunday's message, I encountered the Harvest prayer Connections and Tuesday blogs (see below and click link and engage with God as He teaches us about prayer and some how to's of it)

Exhale all the junk that has you bound up and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit, Turn off the noise and focus on God. Ask Him earnestly to teach you to pray and to inform your prayers for today. Repent of any sin that may be hindering Him from hearing or responding to your prayers and commit to doing what He reveals as you pray. He has great plans for you--even to teach you how to be a powerful and effective pray-er! And remember, we are all unique and we will not all pray in the same ways, nor does God always have the same prayer focus for each of us for each day. But, He has called us to pray and promised that as we pray in His name, He will hear and answer according to His perfect will and timing. PTL! Amen! Start with the Connections blog then click the link below that and spend some time with God learning to pray! We will continue this focus for a season as God leads. What's He teaching you about prayer? How can you join with one or two others to pray? Ask Him as you still yourself. He will speak to you and inform your prayers and steps for today. Amen! And know this: I am earnestly praying for you to step into your created, custom made prayer role in His Good News Delivery Company and for you to pray powerful prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen! May we soon have some great stories about the good fruit being produced through our prayers and lots of praise and thanksgiving to lift from them! Amen!

Connections:

March 18 - Prayer – the Direct Link What does kingdom praying entail? Kingdom praying includes that dimension of intercession that reaches beyond our immediate surroundings. Praying about personal, local matters often happens more naturally and more consistently for most of us. My problems, my work, my family, my needs, and the concerns of those close to me—these tend to come more spontaneously to my heart and mind. Of course, personal, local praying is valid. In fact, it is essential. God longs for us to bring our personal burdens to Him.   Yet kingdom praying is a level of praying that reaches beyond us. Kingdom praying, then, seeks to discern what God wants to happen in His kingdom, and prays for that to take place. In kingdom praying, we seek to attune our hearts to His heart’s desire and pray for its fulfillment.   What is God’s heart’s desire? He expresses it throughout the Scripture: “that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations” (Ps. 67:2). God wants all people saved! Peter expressed it very plainly that our Lord is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9, NIV). Our Lord’s heart’s desire is for all people to love and worship Him and become a part of His kingdom. Thus, His desire, according to His Word, must become the mission of every follower of Christ, the mission of every church.   The staggering fact before us is that at least two-thirds of the world’s population do not know and love God’s Son. What can God’s people do? Throw up our hands? As a matter of fact, yes, like Moses did—in intercession.   Hear again the psalmist quoting God: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance” (Ps. 2:8, NIV). In one of the most astounding statements in the Bible, God makes a connection between our asking and the nations being saved. He declares a direct link between the prayers of His people and the accomplishment of His heart’s desire. He reveals that kingdom praying is a priority strategy in making Christ known and loved.   Sovereign Lord, today I am asking for the nations! This is a huge request, but one I know is upon Your heart and is completely in Your perfect will, for it is clearly stated in Scripture. If Your desire is for the nations to bow before You, this is now my desire also. Keep my mind and heart fixed upon Your kingdom purposes as I pray…don’t allow me to continually be tempted to default to the little prayers of my own kingdom! Thank You for the privilege of prayer…and that You allow me to ask You for things of eternal significance! I praise You that I am able to change the world one prayer at a time!   --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer (An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry) edited by Dan Crawford; (Chapter 73: Kingdom Praying by Minette Drumwright Pratt). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Harvest links: look at and spend time with God in prayer through both blogs today, ask for forgiveness, offer it and pray for our church as you engage with these.

https://mail.yahoo.com/n/list/folders=1&listFilter=ALL_INBOX/messages/242184?.src=ym&reason=myc 

Our Daily Bread (some of us are gifted to pray. We are all called to pray) Raise your hands like Moses in praise and prayer today!

Upper Room: Excited to Serve (are you excited to serve God--even as a prayer warrior?)

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. - Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

As I planned the upcoming meeting of our Christian fellowship group, I gave one friend the job of welcoming people as they arrived. Following our meeting, I received a message from her: “Sister,” she said, “can I take on this ministry again next week? I loved doing it.”

Welcoming people is a simple ministry, but my friend was excited to do it. I could see in her heart that she would do whatever she could to be the hands of God.

That same desire was in the apostle Paul’s heart, even in prison. The letters he wrote while in prison have blessed generations of people.

The desire to serve God grows out of the belief that “it is God who works in [us] to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” If we can embrace the same excitement and desire to serve God as my friend did in our fellowship group, we will be doing fruitful labor for God. God entrusts to us many opportunities for service. Following my friend’s example, whatever work I can do for God, I will be excited to do!

Today's Prayer

Dear God, continue to show us that our lives are filled with opportunities to reveal your love and purpose to your people. May we serve joyfully. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I to We: (Don't forget to rest and abide and recharge! Prayer is hard work!)

Good Morning House of Pray for the Nations and Disciple making Disciples of Jesus! These are tow things that God keeps bringing to the forefront as I seek Him for his will and plans for us. Please pray for us to become a House of Prayer for the Nation and disciple makers. And ask what your part is and plan to do that with some friends. I have to leave for an early doc appointment so not much tome to share. But man we heard a great message about prayer yesterday from god through Mike. Pray to be used, to be sent, to be broken. Powerful, dangerous prayers for sure! We will expand on those this week and think about how Jesus taught His disciples to pray and then commissioned them to go do what He did. That includes praying and connection with others that leads to a relation with God and growing as His disciples. That is His plan and mission for us! Keep seeking, knocking, humbling and offering self to him. he created you for such a time as this and has custom plans for you.

Spend some time with these devos and blogs, God and some prayer partners. What's he saying? what will you do about that? Teach us to pray Lord, Help us to die to self, take up cross today and follow Jesus to go make disciples in His ways. Thanks. use me! Send me! break me! Expand Your kingdom. Thanks! Amen!

I to We:

Sarah Young:

Connection:

March 17 - Making Disciples Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)   This is the Great Commission, Jesus’ last command to His disciples. Most Bible teachers feel that because He issued this command last, He meant it to have great importance for the church. Devout followers of Christ down through the ages have served tirelessly, often in the face of fierce opposition, to take the gospel message and make disciples in all nations, to all people groups.   While I was executive director of Evangelical Friends Mission, I was aware that the places where it is easy to take the gospel message had all been reached and now there remained places and cultures where Satan has had hundreds of years to put down his roots, and he does not give up that ground easily. We were also constantly monitoring our progress toward the fulfillment of this Great Commission, and I read and heard reports on the estimated number of people groups that still did not have a Christian witness among them. Because of the drive to fulfill this command, there is a strong emphasis on reaching the unreached—going to new people groups.   Part of the motivation to reach all peoples comes from Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” This commission is given in different forms in all four Gospels. In connection with the giving of this command in Luke 24:49, NKJV, Jesus gave another command, which I’ve chosen to include here, rather than to list it separately: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”   In Acts 1:8, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then the NKJV version says, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” If we hope to be successful missionaries, then we must receive the Holy Spirit in all His fullness. I’m convinced that the most successful Christian ministers have a strong emphasis on missions. C. W. Perry, the beloved pastor of one of the largest Friends churches, used to say, “The church God blesses gets outside itself.” God honors a ministry that seeks diligently to fulfill this command. The wonderful promise in connection with this command is Jesus’ promise to be with us always, even to the end of the age. All of us want His presence with us.   I wonder if we can really have that if we are not in some way involved in the mission of seeking to take the gospel to all nations. As an act of obedience to the second part of this command, I have given almost a lifetime to writing this book. (I started it while I was young, but I laid it aside for years when I was extra busy.) I saw that Jesus commanded us to teach others to observe all things He had commanded, but as far as I knew there was no book, outside of the Bible, that taught all the things He commanded.   Lord Jesus, I want to follow You wherever You lead. You are so clear with Your command to go into all nations, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching. Please give me an increased passion for world missions. Show me how to pray daily for Your heart concerning the world. If there is any way that I am to be involved beyond my prayers and my giving, please show me. I want to move in Your authority to see You receive increased glory around the world.    --Adapted from Encountering Jesus: Praying the Commands of Christ into Your Life by Norval Hadley. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise the Lord, who made and cares for heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them (Ps. 146:1-6). Give thanks for his personal care for you. Confess instances of putting ultimate trust “in mortal men, who cannot save” (146:3). Commit yourself to putting your hope in the Lord your God. Ask God to help you hand your cares to him through daily prayer. Pray that God will continually prompt his people to join him in caring for those oppressed or otherwise in need (146:7-10). Ask God to grant corporate and individual wisdom, persistence, and love in seeking to extend his kingdom. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Wagner's update below

This Week:

Worship today at 10 with Children's Church. (Pray for Mike as he brings the Word today. (Pastor Don and Karen are taking a sabbath rest few days))

Tues: 10 am Zoom Huddle; 6 PM Spiritual Gifts class

Wed: 10-12 Brea ministry; 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle (all welcome. Pray into this as we have been connecting to more neighbors and bread people. Thank God for His provision and answered prayers!)

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Good Morning Praising, Praying, Studying Worshipers! May God draw you close as you praise, pray and study His Word. May He speak to your hearts today and through Mike and as you abide in His presence! May we worship in Spirit and Truth and enter His courts with thanksgiving and prepared hearts. Amen!

This is a day of sabbath for Karen and me. It's a day to turn off the noise, dwell in God's loving presence, receive His shalom and a day to recharge, refresh and prepare for what He has in store for us. It's a day to enjoy too! God made the Sabbath for us and we are wise to choose to take some days of sabbath rest and worship and fun! I had an amazing time with the Lord this morning and want to share the devotionals I used and how God knitted them together to share with you. He is speaking love over you all the time. Be still and know; reload and go! Amen! That's our plan!

So what's He saying to you today and what will you do about it? Begin with some time in His presence, some worship, some receiving and reloading and follow Him into the week ahead refreshed and ready. Turn off the noise and focus on what really matters--Christ and allowing Him to love through you and enjoying all the blessings of this life God has given you. Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you all! Rejoice, worship and enjoy this day! May God reload you as He will water our gardens today and fill our aquafers and may we sink our roots deep in Him! Amen!

Upper Room: New Strength

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. - Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

It was a terrible night. Something had triggered the memory of hurts from long ago. I couldn’t fall asleep as I replayed these crushing experiences in my mind. Since I couldn’t sleep, I read

Matthew 26:36-46 which describes Jesus’ agonizing prayers in the garden of Gethsemane.

Strangely, I was comforted that Jesus’ closest friends — Peter, James, and John — couldn’t support him because they fell asleep. This prompted me to go back to bed, and thankfully I slept another few hours.

But when I woke up at 6 a.m., I could hardly stand. My wife and I had to leave soon for church since I was in the choir. I worried that in this wobbly state I wouldn’t be able to sing. Then I remembered a verse from a psalm I had read a few days before: “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” In the midst of troubles, God gave David strength. A sense of calm came over me and I felt a new vigor, trusting that what God had done for David, God would do for me.

Today's Prayer

Merciful God, when we feel completely drained, thank you for giving us strength. Amen.

I to We Devotional

Our Daily Bread

Sarah Young

Wagner's update:

Greetings Friends, God is Moving - In the hearts of our dorm boys “Do I just know about Jesus, or do I know Jesus?” “How do I know if I really am a Christian?” “What does it mean to follow Jesus?” These are just a few of the questions that the boys have asked this term. They are really seeking to understand what it truly means to know and follow Jesus. It is very exciting that the boys are initiating these conversations and asking these questions. We’re so thankful that one of them made the decision to ask Jesus into his heart! PRAY that God will continue His work in the hearts of each of our nine dorm boys and that we will be sensitive to what He is doing and the questions our boys are asking. We were recently reminded in our dorm devotions that Jesus was just 12 years old when He stayed behind in Jerusalem after Passover. His parents returned to the city frantically searching for Him and found Him teaching in the temple. He was just 12 years old! The same age as many of our dorm boys.   God is Moving - In the hearts throughout Africa Muslims throughout the world are observing Ramadan this month. Each day Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk, even being careful to not swallow their own spit. They are hoping that this will be a time that they can earn credit with God and come closer to him. They are spiritually searching and are more open to spiritual conversations. PRAY that Muslims throughout the world will meet Jesus during this time of searching. Here is a great prayer resource (30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World 2025) to pray for the Muslim world this month.   Africa is full of unrest right now. Unrest is really not a strong enough word --- in eastern Congo there is essentially a war going on that has displaced so many people, even the UN Peacekeepers. Rape, murder, and child slavery are a daily part of life in this region. Seventy Christians were gathered together in a church and beheaded. God’s intervention is so needed in the hearts and lives of people in central Africa today. PRAY!   Moving Ahead! A little over two weeks until the end of this school term! Our boys are ready to *MOVE* home and spend significant time with their families. Next week, we will be leading a group of juniors and seniors on an African Field Studies trip to South Africa. The students have been learning about the history of South Africa and the many challenges that are facing South Africa today. We will have some great opportunities to meet with people who are ministering in the Cape Town area. Our student group is very diverse, and we believe this will be an eye-opening experience for them. PRAY for safe travels, good health, and that the hearts of each student will be open to what God wants to teach them during this trip.   After the term ends, we’re excited for the opportunity to make a quick trip stateside to visit our grandson (and his parents), spend a few days with Micah and Lynnsi, and attend the wedding of one of our RVA sons. PRAY for safe travels, good health, and a wonderful time reconnecting with family & friends. Finally, looking ahead to next year, there are still some needs to be filled at RVA. The one that hits closest to home is a math teacher for 1st term (September to November) to fill in for a teacher on home assignment. Spanish, French, Art, Wood Tech, Computer Science, Band and elementary school teachers are also needed. We have a need for dorm parents: high school boys, high school girls and junior high boys. Finally, we are seeking a child safety officer, a therapist/school-based counselor, registered nurses and a pediatric doctor. Perhaps YOU could fill one of these roles, serving families throughout Africa. Please PRAY that God would move in the hearts of people who have a strong desire to be part of the ministry of Rift Valley Academy and are able to serve in one of these important roles. We appreciate your faithful prayers, Brian & Missy

Good Morning Friends of God! God loves you, delights in you, just as you are, and sings over you! Delight in Him this morning. Dwell in His love and soak it in to sustain you and direct you. Live and love like Jesus!

Pray through the Connections blog below. Then meditate on the devos below that as you dwell and delight in the Lord this morning. Worship and receive His love, heart and wisdom to go do what he has planned for, you. Pray for revival for His people, His Church and this nation and our leaders. Father! We delight in You! Thank You for Your love song over us! Fill us to overflowing with Your Love, wisdom and the want to to go live and love like Jesus today. Revive us and this nation. may You Kingdom come and will be done as we hallow Your Holy Name. Amen!

Yesterday our guest dog climbed up my leg begging for love. May we do the same with our loving Abba as we seek to dwell in His love!

Connection Blogs:

March 15 - Father, Send Revival! Lord, change my heart; give me a surrendered heart, a hungry heart to know You. Show me excuses I make for not serving You and not being faithful to Your church. Show me the idols I have allowed and hidden in my heart. By faith, let me remove them. Father, teach me to seek You and obey Your Word.   Lord, I praise You for Your faithfulness, Your mercy, and Your protection and provision. Let me not be overwhelmed by the great numbers that oppose me. You are my God.  Just as You did with Asa, let opposition drive me to seek You. Father, You are my refuge. Teach me to trust and rest in You as I cry out to You and obey You.   Lord, I praise You for Your Word and ask You to continue speaking to me. When Your Word comes to me through a human agent, let me receive it.  I praise You. Let Your Spirit move on me. Teach me to abide in You always.   Show me anything You have told me in the past that I have failed to do. Lord, narrow the focus of my life, so that I magnify You. Give me courage to deal with idols and high places that I have tolerated but never removed. Let me restore Your altar in my life. I want to live in covenant with You. Teach me to seek You deliberately with all my heart and soul. Show me any area where my heart is divided. I want to obey You. I want to glorify You. Let my soul long after You. Father, send revival among Your people. In Jesus’ name, amen.   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Read Psalm 139 and praise the all-knowing one who perfectly knows you in every action, thought, and word (139:1, 4). Thank God for the comforting knowledge that he is with you wherever you go (139:5-6). Confess any attempt to flee his all-knowing presence (139:7-12). Commit yourself to learning more about these wonderful human bodies he has made (139:13-16). Ask him to give you a love for knowing his thoughts (139:17-18), an informed hatred for those he hates (139:19-22), and an “open-book” relationship with him (139:23-24). Pray that your nation will repent of willful ignorance of God’s thoughts and ways. Ask that the beauty and purpose of human life be accepted and promoted (139:12-16). Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

UR: A Lesson in Serving

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25:40 (NRSVUE)

After a rough day at work, I stopped at the store. I got what I needed and chose the shortest check-out line. The man in front of me had a basket of groceries. I knew that he must have used food stamps to cover part of the cost because he told the cashier he should only have to pay for his can of soda. The cashier scrolled through the list, taking what seemed like forever. I just wanted to check out and go home.

Finally the cashier found that his food stamps could not be used to pay for his strawberries. The man asked her to check again. At this point, I thought, How much longer will this take? Then the man behind me said, “Give him his strawberries. I’ll cover it all.” The man with the food stamps told him, “Thank you. I just became homeless last night.”

I was ashamed of myself for my selfish thoughts and lack of action. Why had I not been like the man behind me and offered to cover this man’s purchase? This experience reminded me that we are to have compassion and humility, always moving to serve others as Christ commands. God will always provide us opportunities to serve. We need only to turn our thoughts from ourselves to the person in front of us.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, show us opportunities to serve you and those you place before us with compassion, humility, and a giving heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ODB:

UR:

Sarah Update below

Good Morning Faithful Traveling with Jesus and Each Other Friends of God! Oh yes! PTL! What an awesome God we serve and what an amazing flock of friends and fellow travelers he has gathered us with! PTL! Rejoice! Keep seeking, gathering, worshiping, processing and working at living and loving more like Jesus! He sure is amazing and truly loves us and is loving through us as well! PTL! Start with some praise this morning and keep praying into your day and what God has for you with much expectation and thanksgiving. Thanks Lord! Come! Fill us! Encourage us! Lead us! Love through us today! Amen!

God sure has been kind to me this week and has been encouraging me, affirming me and our ministries, and even given my joy in some storms. Don't you just love our mighty God? WORSHIP FLOWS FORM THIS WEEK FOR ME! Spend some time with open Bibles and devos and worship, receive and prepare for this day and god's great plans for you! He has blessed us with several expressions of church and opportunities to serve and worship. He has gathered an bunch of sold out, gifted servants as part of our Body. we are learning to allow God to grow us, mold us and love through us more and more and he is blessing us abundantly! Rejoice! And keep praying! I can assure you that God is leading us to revival and refreshing as we abide, trust and obey. he has given us great joy as we don his easy yoke and allow Him to shape us for all He created us to do. We are growing more and more into His image! Keep turning off the noise, stay focused on Him and allow Him o lead you today. he really does have some great things in store! Watch for them and join Him! I'm praying for you! Shalom and Joy!

Sarah Update:

Good evening, church family,

Haven't the last couple of days been great.  Loved those temperatures in the high 60's/early 70's yesterday!!

Here are a few new prayer requests and a reminder from Sunday's worship service, of the prayer requests that were shared.

Lisa Wenner - asked for prayer for Todd Becker - he had a reaction to a new medication and remains in the hospital.

But is feeling better.  Tomorrow/today, (depending when you are reading this) Todd will be having an aneurysm removal surgery. Please pray that all goes well.

Chris Muik - will be having his second surgery on Friday!  Prayers for all to go well and for healing.  Chris and Yvonne are very grateful for you and all your prayers and support.

Josie C asking for prayer for her dear friend, Dottie, who has had surgery and while in the hospital caught pneumonia. She is currently in rehab and doing better, but really hopes to be going home soon to her own home.

Darlene Geiger's sister, Sandy is not tolerating her radiation treatments well.  Prayers for perseverance and strength.

Mary Rehm's sister, Pat is dealing with heal issues.....prayers for healing and strengthening

Marshall Rehm's friend, Bob - has been diagnosed with cancer.  He was given 6 months to live. Please keep

him and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Dean Marks is asking for prayer for his friend, Larry. We have been praying for him, as he has cancer. His treatments are working and showing signs of improvement.

Larry and Enol Paul and the family say hi to all!! They are doing good. 

Sarah and Neen are asking for prayer for a young woman who is going through some difficult health issues currently. 

   She may be receiving some difficult news from her physician, please keep her and her family in your prayers. Her name is Abey.

Today was another day of great ministry at St Matthew's......many attended our Bread Ministry - Coffee. Donuts, Conversation day. (See Pictures on our Facebook page)    And tonight (Wednesday night) another great evening of gathering around the table with a good meal and study.  30+ in attendance !  

Praising God for what He is doing with the help of our church family!

That is all I have for now.....keep looking for and being open to God's lead in how you can help Him accomplish His

Mission all around you!

Choose JOY,

  Sarah

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Keep building those gratitude lists!

Good Morning Forgiven, Thankful, Children of God! What a joy those three titles bring to us as we step into and operate from our true identity in Christ! I wrote a blog earlier and accidently deleted it right before hitting the send button. Fridays are typically my day off since I work Sundays. I was frustrated and decided to take a nap. Naps are lovely and mine are filled with prayer and praise often. They refocus and refresh. We try to follow the example of Jesus who napped, prayed and reloaded from the Father before moving into His daily routine refreshed and informed. May we do that also and operate more fully from our true identity, not for others expectations but for our Fathers and just as we are in Christ. Amen! 

I'm not going to recount my whole blog. I never can when this happens because I invite God to write it as I move from my quiet time with Him. What I remember is the encouragement from something I read, maybe a devo that included the Eph. 2:10 passage I often use to remind us of our true identities and purposes. We are God's Masterpieces made new in Christ t do all He planned for us from long ago. PTL and Amen! It sure encourages me when others speak into what God has been leading me to say and do! So start today with centering your spirit and mind by praising and praying through the song linked below. Then ask God to open his Word to you and meditate on Eph. 2:1-10. What's He saying to you? Who needs to hear that? Who might you process that with or invite along today? Then pray through the Connections blog and worship before you step into this day. You are unique and you matter. Ask God to lead you to your custom purposes today and this weekend. I'm praying for you and now heading to my day off refreshed and ready. Shalom! (I found the Eph. passage in ODB and added that too--God is speaking! Be still and know. Then prepare and go!)

Amazing Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwjTT2bqKk0 

Eph. 2:1-10 Made Alive with Christ

2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

ODB:

Connections Blog:

March 14 - O Lord, You Are My Strength Before you begin, sit quietly before the Lord. Ask to be given a “willing spirit”—willing to repent, to change, to listen, to obey.   Father, thank You for the promise of Your Word that those who hope in You will renew their strength. You alone are the source of all strength, for You are the ruler of all things and in Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to me. Strengthen me to stand firm, to stand for righteousness, to stand for Your kingdom! Like Daniel, may my life be characterized by integrity and “above-reproach conduct.” Even in the midst of injustice, may I be one who turns to You in worship and thanksgiving. May I always run toward You and not grow weary.   Empower me, I pray, to walk and not faint. Help me to not fear or be dismayed, regardless of the situations that I am in, or the condition of the world around me—for You are God and You hold all things together. Hold me together, I pray! Strengthen me and help me—uphold me with Your righteous right hand and with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart in all of His fullness—in all His fullness! Have mercy on me, Father and help me to lean on You and find my strength in You alone for my spirit is willing but my flesh is so weak and I confess to You, Lord: the weakness of my faith and flesh . . . O Lord, have mercy!   The undisciplined use of my mind . . . Renew and strengthen my mind by Your Word! The sin that I yet hold on to . . . Wash me and cleanse me. The timid ways in which I still live . . . I turn from a spirit of fear and trust in Your name!   Increase my faith. Destroy doubt and unbelief in my heart and mind and empower me to live boldly. May the sphere of influence in which You’ve planted me resonate with the praise of Your name and the imprint of Jesus be left on all that I touch. For Your name and Your renown are the desire of my heart. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.   Isaiah 40:31; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Isaiah 41:10; Daniel 6; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; Colossians 1:17; Ephesians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Matthew 26:41; Romans 12:29; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 26:8   --Adapted from Pray the Word: 31 Prayers that Touch the Heart of God by Tiece L. King. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Read Psalm 24 and praise God as the King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the Lord almighty! Give thanks for God’s power poured into your life and ministries. Confess any attempts to live and minister by your power instead of the power of the Spirit. Commit yourself to being a channel of his powerful love. Ask God to give you clean hands, a pure heart, integrity of soul and honest speech (24:4), so his power can flow through you unhindered. Pray that God will bring a powerful revival to your nation. Ask him to bring his almighty, King-of-glory presence into your neighborhood through your own example and words. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE! LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! AMEN! Yes praise the Lord as you begin your quiet time! I heard some great comments on the last praise song from yesterday: Never Walk Alone. Here's a link to help start and focus you to abide in God's loving presence this morning Never Walk Alone  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlBKx8hlFp4    

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Good Morning Walking with God Christ's Ones--Followers of the Way! He is with us always! PTL! Because of our fear (reverence/awe) for God We constantly seek Him, abide in Him, worship Him and obey Him. Yesterday day we wrapped up the first half of our study of the book of Acts. We then applied what we learned from the early church and apostles and disciples of Jesus--followers of the Way--to our journey to grow as a dynamic movement of God and as His Body. It was sort of a state of the union message from God of what was, what is and what will be as we walk in awe, worship, grow in trust and obedience and learn to earnestly pursue Him and then allow Him to live and love through us. He does have great plans for you and us and we are continuing our journey to discover and step into those plans as we seek to honor and glorify our God. We are custom made and gifted for such a time as this! PTL! May we allow Him to fill us and lead us to his best and perfect plans--earnestly! Amen! Remember: In this life Christ is all that matters and he lives in us and wants to live and love through us and grow us into His image! Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Will you cooperate with His Spirit?

This morning as I was wrapping up my quiet time, as I usually do, I spend some time praying and listening as I engage with God through the Connections/Harvest Prayer blogs. Man, God sure was speaking and tying up His message to us from yesterday! Please start there this morning and abide in awe of our Most High God, our Creator, Savior, Lord and Shepherd. What's He saying to you this morning and what will you do about it? May we earnestly seek, abide, refresh and reload before we step out in faith as we follow Him to his perfect plans for the day and week ahead. He loves you and custom made you for such a time as this! PTL! He has some teammates for you to seek, discover and journey with. He has a custom fitted yoke just for you. Put it on and walk with Him today and always! Amen! I'm praying for you and for Him to lead us to His best and perfect plans as we rebuild the walls, stand firm in Christ and change the world around us. COME Lord! Lead us! Amen!

I attached my other devos below for you to continue your time abiding in God's loving presence. he wants to refresh and lead you today. he does have great plans for you created in love! You matter to Him and His Church! Don't lean on your own understanding. How can we even begin to fathom the unfathomable God? Seek Him earnestly and acknowledge Him in all your ways and He WILL direct your and our steps! Amen! It's time to soar!

Connections Blogs:

March 10 - Fearing God Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you” (2 Chronicles 14:11).   The one fear that delivers humans from all other fears is the fear of God. When this fear is rightly understood and lived by, we need not fear anything else. Every day we must choose between the fear of humans and the fear of God. The fear of God comes to us at the moment of salvation. Just as we receive the Spirit of God, God places in us His fear (Jeremiah 32:39). When we fear God, it shows in how we live. To fear God means to cherish an awesome sense of His greatness, His grandeur, and His excellence. We act on what we have in our hearts.   One of the greatest gifts we can leave our children, and the next generation, is a godly testimony of faith in Christ, as evidenced by how we fear God. If we have had a foundation of faith laid for us, praise God. If we have not had this, we still must press on in Christ Jesus. We are accountable to seek God and honor Him with all our being.   Asa was a king who had a mixed heritage. His great-granddad was King David, the man after God’s own heart. His granddad was King Solomon, a man compromised with lust. His father was King Abijah, who was idolatrous. Even though they all served God with their mouths, it was their actions that proved their faith or their faithlessness and whether they truly feared the Lord.   In the midst a crisis, against innumerable odds, Asa and all of Judah sought after and cried out to God, and they were victorious. The “fear of the Lord came upon them; and they plundered all” (2 Chronicles 14:14). The fear of the Lord is one of the enablements of God for us to face the enemy and overcome. In a lost person, the fear of the Lord is consuming dread of God. When Asa and his armies attacked the cities around Gerar, the fear of the Lord, a dread, came on all those pagan villages.   They were literally afraid of Jehovah God, and with good reason. But for Asa and Judah, the people of God, the fear of the Lord was not a dread, but a reverential awe of God. They cherished that sense of the greatness and grandeur of God. When we have the fear of God in our lives, we reverence, respect, and honor God. We will seek God.   Such fear of God means we know the character of God. He is God, sovereign, holy, great, and awesome. We understand our obligation to God: to love Him, obey Him, and trust Him. Finally, as we fear God, we gain a pervasive sense of the presence of God. This sense of God’s presence has a controlling effect on a person because we know He is with us.   Asa served God when God’s people were under attack by the world (2 Chronicles 14:9). It is no different today. What are we to do? We are to do the same thing that Asa did. We cry out to God, asking Him for help. He is Jehovah Ezer (Psalm 33:20), the Lord our Helper. Then we are to recount the greatness, faithfulness, and power of God in our past.   He saved you and sustains you. He has provided for you and He has protected you, even when you were unaware of it. God often tests His children for the purpose of building their faith in Him. The test is never meant to make us rely on our flesh, friends, or family. We are tested so that our faith in God increases. We are tested to show if we will seek the Lord or forsake Him. We are tested so the fear of God can be displayed in our lives. When the other nations heard of the power of God and the victory He gave Asa, they feared God also (14:14). This fear was a terror because our God is an awesome God.   Lord Most High, for revival to come, I need to seek You. I praise You for the seasons of rest You give. Let me not waste them or use them for selfish reasons, but allow me the sense to use them for times of kingdom building and preparation for further service, just as Asa did (2 Chronicles 14:1). Father, will You manifest Your fear in my life? It has been there since salvation, but allow it to be seen and recognized by those around me. Grow Your fear in me to completion (v. 14).   --Adapted from Praying with Fire: Seeking His Presence through the Revival Passages of Scripture by Mark Partin. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for being a welcoming Father. Thank him for preparing an eternal home for all who believe (Jn. 14:2). Confess any unwillingness to show Christian hospitality to others (1 Pet. 4:9). Commit yourself to the practice of hospitality (Rom. 12:13). Ask God to help you separate Christian hospitality from self-absorbed “entertaining.” Pray that the members of your congregation will excel in showing mutual care and intentional acts of love toward each other and to outsiders. Ask God to move your church out of its “comfort zone” when it comes to showing hospitality. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Sarah Young:

TWFYT:

UR: Like An Eagle

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

A cacophony of crows drew my eyes heavenward. A dozen or more were flying above a bald eagle, taking turns diving at the eagle’s head. It made me think about the pressures of ministry that were barraging me. When I had to dismiss a volunteer, my decision caused a ripple of dissent within the ministry. Friends were calling me to offer their advice. But I felt harassed and weary.

Above my head, the eagle appeared not to notice the annoying crows. Its speed and altitude never changed when the crows swooped within inches of its head. The eagle continued to fly a straight course. I wanted to be like that eagle, to remain swift and unfazed. I was reminded of today’s quoted scripture: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” I closed my eyes to sit in God’s presence, and God assured me that I had done the right thing. When I opened my eyes a few minutes later, I felt confident and able to face any challenge.

Spending time in God’s presence renews our strength when we feel harassed or weary. With God’s help, we can move forward with speed and endurance like an eagle.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the peace of your presence. You give us the strength and hope to rise above any struggle. Amen.

ODB:

Good Morning Very Loved, Walking By Faith, Co-Laborers! What a joy to learn, grow and serve with you all! God is at work, using us, and leading us to His new things! PTL! Seek Him about that and your purposes and roles. Maybe process that with a friend or Sarah or me. God has some great custom made things for you to discover and grow into! And that works best in teams! Please pray for those of us starting spiritual gifts trainings tonight. God is leading us deeper and will unite us in His plans and purposes as we learn how to grow into the people we are created and gifted to be.

Pray for our Donut Day and Bread ministry tomorrow and our Wed evening dinner huddle and today's Zoom huddle. Any and all are welcome to any of our gatherings. Bring a friend!

Check out my devos below. God was sure speaking to me. I'm praying He does to you as well. He really loves you! Sometimes He stretches you to grow you and test your faith. He is always doing some new things and He has some ahead for you and us. May we continue to abide in His love, seek his wisdom and direction and earnestly pursue His best for us and for those He is sending our way. May we live and love more and more like Jesus and learn to walk in his ways better! Amen! He really does love you beyond measure! ALWAYS! How might you show your love to Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength today?

ODB:

UR: Love Never Fails

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. - 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

One day I was feeling lonely and discouraged. I was struggling with unemployment and felt as if no one cared about me. I decided to go for a walk to clear my mind, and I noticed a beautiful flower by the side of the road. It was bright yellow with delicate petals and looked like a ray of sunshine amid the gray day. I felt a surge of joy and gratitude as I admired it. God had sent me this sign, reminding me of God’s love and presence. God had not forgotten or abandoned me.

I thought of 1 Corinthians 13, which describes God’s love. It is patient and kind. It does not remember the bad things we do. It never fails. This reminder comforted and encouraged me. I decided to trust God more and share God’s love with others.

I picked the flower and gave it to a passing stranger. She smiled and thanked me. I felt a connection with her and with God. God loves us with an everlasting love that never fails.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your unfailing love. Help us to recognize the signs of your love that surround us each day and to share them with others. Amen.

Sarah Young:

Chuck Swindoll

Joyce Meyer

Happy Donut Day! Join us 10-12 at the Bread Ministry today, eat some donuts and hang out and fellowship and maybe even pray with those God is sending our way. All are welcome!

Tonight 6-7:30 is dinner huddle and a Tim Tebow teaching. All are welcome! Bring a friend.

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Good Morning Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Gifted Followers of Christ! Amen! What an awesome night last evening as wee gathered to discuss and learn about our gifts and how they are custom tailored for who we are created to be in Christ. God does have some great things for all of us to discover and step into and He has gifted us for success as we learn who we are in Christ and how to do those custom made things He has for us. PTL!

Yesterday's Zoom Huddle discussed God's Word, our Bibles, and how to use them to pray, seek God and apply His teachings to our lives. We are more than hearers and are becoming doers of His Word. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. It sure was an active day of study and God encounters! Thanks Lord!

The Upper Room and Our Daily Bread (below) speak into some aspects of allowing God to use us to be His hands and feet and to do our parts in His Good News Delivery Co. Prayerfully engage with God through them and His Word. Ask Him to speak to your heart and guide your feet as you open His Word and abide in his love before entering this day fired up and ready for all He has for you. he does have some great things for you! rejoice! Seek and follow well today! I'm praying for you! Shalom! May we love as we have been loved! Amen. Really pray through and meditate on the connection blog at the end. It is our mandate! Live and love as Jesus loved us and like Him! Go! make disciples and do so with some friends! Amen

UR: Holy Tears (Have you ever sowed in tearful prayers? God hears your heart and collects your tears!)

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. - Colossians 3:23 (CEB)

Due to our lead pastor’s absence one Sunday, the associate pastor asked several lay members to help with various roles during the worship service. I was asked to lead the congregational prayer time. Prayer is such an intimate and often emotional experience for me that I sometimes have difficulty holding back tears during prayer. Even so, I agreed.

At the appointed time, I stepped boldly to the podium, feeling confident I could keep my composure. I had uttered only a few words of humble praise, however, when my voice trembled and my chin quivered. Sure enough, tears escaped from my closed eyelids, and the tears flowed harder the more I prayed. Somehow I managed to finish with the Lord’s Prayer and make it back to my pew, but I felt remorseful and embarrassed by my public display.

Then I remembered that God doesn’t demand a performance from me. God wants me to serve with my whole heart.

Emotions are real and God-given, and tears can be a kind of holy water. Our Creator made me with a tender heart. It doesn’t matter what others think or say about my prayerful tears. Perhaps that day wasn’t my shining moment, but it was God’s.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, we are thankful that we have constant access to you through the power of prayer. Amen.

ODB:

Harvest Connection blog:

March 12 - By This All Men May Know A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34–35)   This passage, along with the Great Commission, was part of Jesus’ parting instructions to His followers. It was the essence of what He came to teach. It is similar to the second part of the greatest commandment—that we love our neighbor as ourselves. God is love, and His disciples are to be so known for their love for one another that this has been called the badge of Christians. People living outside the church see that love and they are drawn to Jesus. They want to get in on it. When we love, we let our light so shine before men that they see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:18).   Do you want to know how we are to love one another? Like Jesus loves us. Paul wrote, “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). And in Colossians 3:12–14, he wrote, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” There can be no greater love. I think the phrase “bear with one another” is important. When someone hurts us or offends, we are not to try to get even. We are to bear it in love. That’s what Christ would do. And we are to forgive, as Christ has forgiven us.   There is a fellowship in the church that is like no other. We love to be together, for when we are together, Christ is in our midst. The fellowship is a precious experience, especially when we pray together, for Christ always lives to make intercession for us (see Hebrews 7:25). I feel He is right there among us praying with us and loving us. That fellowship, love, and acceptance is the promise that comes from following this command.   One of the members of our Four Flats Quartet (which became Barbershop Harmony Champions of the Pacific Northwest), became a student at our Christian college right out of World War II, not because he wanted to be a Christian, but because he wanted to be with a girl who was attending there. For a long time he resisted the Christian gospel. When we sang in churches and an altar call was given, he said his knuckles got white because he was hanging on so tightly to the seat in front of him. One day, during spiritual emphasis week, I gave him a list of all the reasons I thought he should give his heart to Christ and asked him to turn the paper over and list the reasons he should not accept Christ. He fumbled with the paper for a while, then he said, “I guess there aren’t any.”   That night he practically dove to the altar and gave his heart to Jesus and later became an effective preacher of the gospel. I believe that was a situation where we virtually loved him to Christ. He couldn’t resist the love he saw in the believers on campus.   Lord, this command to love one another has to be so close to Your heart since it so closely reflects Your own nature and practice. Help me to love as You love. Pour Your love into my heart through Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me when I make excuses for not loving someone. Break through hard hearts that have resisted Your love, even as they have proclaimed Your name. Lord, please make the congregation I am a part of to become known as Your followers because of the depth of the love we have for one another.  --Adapted from Encountering Jesus: Praying the Commands of Christ into Your Life by Norval Hadley. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Did you spring ahead? See you at 10 for worship and the last day of Children's Church study on the Armor of God.

Please let me know today of you can attend the Spiritual Gifts study with dinner at 6 Tues. or noon on Zoom Wed. This study will last about 3-4 weeks.

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Good Morning Growing Like Christ Children of Our Abba! AMEN! May we be about God and His business as we allow Him to transform us into the people we are created to be and doing what we are created to do for such a time as this. That all begins as we still ourselves at His feet, spend time with Him and in His Word and then move out refreshed, prepared and ready to incarnate (bring alive) Christ to those God is sending our way and empowered to do the things He has planned for us each day. He really does love you and has an easy yoke custom fitted for you that leads to His best and perfect plans. Meditate on that and worship. Be still and soak in His love and character. Then go live and love like Jesus. Prepare your hearts to worship today as well. He is worthy of all praise, glory, honor and obedience! Amen!

Below the Harvest blogs are a great place to begin as you still yourself and process things with Abba. There is a flow through my devotionals today (below) that has really spoken to my heart and is a word from God to some of you as well. Turn off the noise. Be still. Seek, listen and receive. He is speaking His love over you and wanting to encourage you and direct your steps for today. What's He revealing to you? Let's process that together or with some friends. And let's pray into those things together.

I wish I was allowed to share pictures of our grandkids. There is one of my granddaughter cuddled on my lap reading a book. It reminded me of how God wants us to sit with Him and engage with Him through His Word. In the picture, you can feel the love of the Father who said, "Let the children come to me." and then He blessed them and sent them on their way. He wants to hold you close, speak to your soul, encourage and train you to go live and love like Jesus. It's His refreshing easy yoke. It's laboring with Him as you put on His character and follow Him to the perfect things He created you to do. Oh Lord, HELP! I want that! Draw us up on Your lap and speak Your love and encouragement over us. May I be as happy to see and spend time with you you as my granddaughter is with me. Lord may I enjoy You and life with You and be about You and Your business. Thank You! Forgive me for being like Martha too often. May I be more like Mary. Abiding in You and Your Word. Recharge me and renew my mind for the day and week. May I come with a spirit of worship today that flows into the week ahead. I need you! Come! Breathe life into me. Fill me to overflowing with Your heart, mind, Spirit, Love and wisdom. May I produce good and lasting fruit as I become more like You while following You daily. May people look at me and see Jesus at work and want that and then help me to lead them to You and make disciples like Jesus. Thank You for the plan You have created me to do. May Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through, and around me for Your glory alone! I need You! Come! Have Your way with me! Amen!

I'm earnestly praying for you! Please pray for me as I pour myself out for Christ, while seeking to honor God's healthy rhythms. Pray I abide and move from His presence to good fruit in the Way of Jesus. He has big plans for me, you and us! PTL! May we earnestly pursue Him and allow Him to lead us to become His dynamic movement of disciple makers. Amen! May we steward well all of God's blessings and cultivate good soil that will produce good and lasting fruit! What's your part? Let's talk about and process that! God is speaking to your heart right now! Listen, receive and then share what you are hearing/sensing. And then go! Live and love like Jesus today!

ODB:

Sarah Young:

UR: Breath of Life

The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. - Ezekiel 36:34 (NIV)

Where I live, the weather can be very humid, but our plants are accustomed to it. On the other hand, the winter season can be very cruel. This year, during a particularly cold season, my plants were devastated. The patio where I keep almost all my plants looked like a wasteland. At a glance, they looked dead. I began to cut the dry twigs and stems, though I wondered if any of this work was worth it. When I came to my favorite plant, I saw what I thought were the tiniest sprouts on the side of each dry stem. Thinking I might be mistaken, I took a closer look. Lo and behold, I could see the miracle of life. The plant was greening — slowly but surely.

I paused to reflect on parallels in my own life. How many times have I walked through a spiritual desert alone, almost lifeless, bereft of hope? Yet, somewhere deep in the innermost part of my heart, the Lord always offers whispers of hope. The ways of the Lord are beyond my understanding, but what I do know is that it is the Lord who infuses new life in me. Where there is life, there is hope. God is the life source — ever-present and working miracles in us and through us.

Today's Prayer

Giver of life, in the desolate seasons of life, surround us with your presence. When it appears that all is lost, renew our hope. Amen.

TWFYT:

Harvest:

March 9 - Renew My Mind Father God, You who make all things new through the power of the Holy Spirit, renew my mind, I pray! May I not conform to the things of this world, but instead may I be continually transformed by the renewing of my mind with Your Word.   Lord in many ways I have been lazy and undisciplined in regards to the use of my mind. Forgive me, I pray, and renew my mind. I lay before you my use of my computer and technology, my TV and DVD viewing, the things I read . . . (Pause and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.)   I have entertained philosophies of the world that are contrary to Your Word. Lord, forgive me and renew my mind. I lay before you the way that I have rationalized behavior or condoned values of this world. . . (Pause and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.)   I have watered down the truth of Your Word in order to condone my sin. Lord forgive me and renew my mind. I lay before you the excuses that I have made for my thoughts, attitudes, and actions that are contrary to Your Word . . . (Pause and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.)   I have allowed fear and anxious thoughts to overwhelm me. Lord, forgive me and renew my mind and make my heart steadfast. I choose now to cast all of my cares and fears onto You and ask that Your peace be poured out on me . . . (Pause and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.)   Give me, I pray, a fresh hunger to study Your Word, that I might be equipped for every good work. And Father, in a world of watered-down truth, empty philosophies, and hopelessness, empower me by Your Spirit to be prepared to answer everyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have. May Jesus be seen clearly in my daily living. Strengthen my faith, Father, for Your Word says that if I do not stand firm in my faith I will not stand at all. O God, help me to stand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; Philippians 4:7-8; 1 Peter 3:15; Isaiah 7:9   --Adapted from Pray the Word: 31 Prayers that Touch the Heart of God by Tiece L. King. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for being perfectly just in all his works. Thank him for loving righteousness and justice (Ps. 33:5). Confess any ungodly bias you harbor toward any people. Commit yourself to viewing others with a loving, Christlike attitude. Ask God to help you value justice more highly in all relationships of life. Pray for the uprooting of governments which oppress their citizens and withhold justice from them. Ask that justice will “roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24) in countries held in the grip of lawlessness.    Prayer Pointer “He who prays as he ought, will endeavor to live as he prays.” —John Owen Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

REMINDER to Spring Ahead tonight! Turn those clocks ahead and get to bed early to catch up.

Worship tomorrow 10am

Tues 6PM Spiritual Gifts Dinner Huddle (So far only one responded. Email me if you are able to attend)

Wed. 10-12 Donut Day at Bread Ministry; 6PM Dinner Huddle

Thurs. 6:30 Support Team Zoom

Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet

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Good Morning Surrendered Followers of the Way! Yes Jesus is the Way. Prov. 3:5-6 reminds us to not lean on our own understanding but to trust God and He will direct our steps. I think we all can use help with that, or at least time to time. What voices are you listening to? Turn off the noise and focus on God. Rest in Him and allow Him to direct your steps today. Peter sank in the choppy seas when his focus shifted from Jesus. He is our Leader and the Way. Keep your focus on Him and may we encourage and spur each other onto the works He has planned for us! Shift your fears to trust and joy as you start lifting praise. Check out the devos below as you abide and prepare to follow Jesus, THE Way, today! I'm praying for you! Yes turn off the noise, abide, revive, and walk in grace to His best for you today! Amen!

TWFYT:

 

UR: Wind and Waves

When [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” - Matthew 14:30 (NIV)

For a while in my life, I struggled with anxiety. It had become so bad that it was difficult for me to visit the local supermarket for groceries and other necessities. Usually, I would just grit my teeth and push through, but sometimes the fear became overwhelming. It seemed silly to fear something so mundane, especially in comparison to the bravery of Peter as he stepped out onto the waves. Forget jumping out of a boat! I could hardly take a stroll down aisle 9 for laundry detergent.

I found it comforting to know that even brave people like Peter can fall when facing frightful wind and waves. But ultimately, it wasn’t Peter’s bravery that helped me conquer my own fears. It was realizing that what truly mattered was that he kept his eyes on Christ. It wasn’t until Peter took his eyes off Jesus, focusing on the things to fear, that he began to sink. Admittedly, that’s when I begin to sink into my fears as well.

Through Christ, I have come a long way in my anxiety and have made strides I never thought possible. I do my best to focus on Christ rather than the wind and waves and take comfort that he will be there to catch me if I fall. Christ will always be there to save us, no matter the storm.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, in you we can do all things and overcome any obstacle. Help us to keep our eyes firmly focused on you. Amen.

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! Oh my mind can't contain or fathom all that means to me and us! PTL Yes rejoice! And meditate on all facets of your salvation gift and build those gratitude lists! What joy our salvation brings! What hope we now know! PTL!

Good Morning Forgiven, Thankful, Visionary Followers of the Way! Jesus is the Way! He's also the Truth and the Life! Amen! What do those mean to you? Sunday we will discuss what it means to be a Follower of the Way and how what we have learned from our journey with the early church thru 12 chapters of Acts applies to our Body of Christ! There is so much to mine from those chapters and the examples of the early church to put into practice. Amen!

Speaking of practice, how is practicing your faith going today? How can we pray for you to grow in Christ, love like Him, put on your new nature, and activate your spiritual gifts? Talk to Sarah or me and process with some friends. God created you for such a time as this and has great plans for you to discover and step into. PTL! Sometimes we worry. Do you realize that is a sin and one that distracts you from God and His best for you? Repent and choose the joy that comes from an activated faith life. ODB (below) speaks into that as does the UR's  message about finding encouragement. One of my morning readings encourages us to write down and share three things God has given you as His child and to share them with some friends. Who can you encourage by sharing what God and salvation have blessed you with? We are very blessed and blessed to be a blessing! 

I think the most important devo today comes from The Word for You today (below). Meditate on that and ask God to give you holy imagination for ideas of how to reach others for Christ or to have fun encouraging some neighbors. Ask for dreams and vision and ideas. I pray that over us all often. God will and is and I'd love to hear some of your thoughts abut how to be His church more earnestly. Pray for us to see, hear, and respond well to God's plans and to be a church that prays in power for God to move in mighty ways and to be glorified in and through you and us as we respond to Him and His plans. We are created, redeemed, gifted, empowered, gathered and sent to be His Good News Delivery Company. We all have a role. What's yours? What will you do about that today? I'm praying for you and for us to be His Church on mission with Jesus! Come! lead us Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done in, thru, and around us! Amen! Be encouraged and choose the joy found in faithfulness today. And encourage and help each other! Amen

ODB:

UR: Finding Encouragement

David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. - 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

After high school, I had high hopes for my continued education because I passed the university entrance examinations. To my surprise, however, I wasn’t on the list of candidates for my preferred school. I had prayed and trusted God, but my expectations were dashed and discouragement set in. I was also upset because a friend who had earned a lower score was accepted. I became angry with God, my faith became weak, and I stopped attending our local church.

However, I heard a sermon that changed my perspective. The preacher talked about a difficult time in David’s life and emphasized that despite all that befell David, “He encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” He was at risk of being stoned, yet he did not give up on God. Thinking of David’s response, I felt ashamed of how I reacted to my situation.

I learned that God wants us to encourage ourselves during our difficult times by remaining close to God. If we hurry off in anger, we might not learn what God has to teach us. Eve n when we feel discouraged or distressed, we can follow David’s example and encourage ourselves in the Lord. Doing so demonstrates our true trust in God.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, give us wisdom to learn from our challenges. Help us to encourage ourselves through scripture and by staying close to you. Amen.

TWFYT:

Good Morning Choosing Joy Always, Trusting in God Who Is Always with Us, Co-Laborers! Please Lord! We give our anxiety, hurts, doubts and fears to you. Bring Your promised peace and strength as we choose joy and grow in trust today! Lead us to the joy of bringing your love and hope alive. Thank You for being with us always and working all things together for good! Come! Amen! Contemplate that salutation today as you turn off the noise, refocus on God with thanksgiving, and receive His help and joy. He loves you and has great plans for you that sometimes leads through the hard times and stretching of faith. Redirect your focus to Him with praise and thanksgiving and choose the joy that trust brings! Amen! Keep building those gratitude lists!

Work through the devos below with God and maybe a friend or two. And then check out the summary from Harvest Prayer about what to do when we don't know what to pray or feel like praying. There is also a link to a lengthy but very good article from them about being an effective pray-er. God expects us to pray and has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. The Holy Spirit teaches us and helps us to pray, even when we don't know what to pray. PTL! He has been speaking to us about prayer recently. Commit to learning to stay focused on God in prayer and allowing Him to use your prayers in powerful and effective ways! I'm praying for you and I know that God is with you always and does have some really good plans for you! Rejoice! Choose joy as you focus on Him and grow in trust. He is able and He will bring about His good plans for you and us! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! RECEIVE IT AND FOLLOW HIM TODAY. Amen!

Sarah Young

Joyce Meyer

Chuck Swindoll

The Word for You Today

The Upper Room: Resting in God's Love

[O God], when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3 (NRSVUE)

As I sat down in the hospital waiting room, I hoped that everything would go well with my father’s surgery. The doctor had said that it was not a serious procedure, but my anxiety began to increase as time wore on. As I waited, I prayed. I found great relief when I entrusted my father’s life to God. Even so, two more hours passed until the doctor came to tell me the surgery had been successful.

During this time I learned to rely fully on God. When fear and anxiety want to grow in our hearts — even when the shadow of death looms near — resting in God’s love will refresh us and bring us strength and comfort.

Let’s not give fear a chance to control us. God is greater than all our fears and anxiety. When we surrender our worries to God, we can find our burdens lifted and rest in the assurance that God is always with us. Through each struggle that life may bring, God’s goodness and protection surround us. Knowing this, we can trust in God’s care through all our days.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, so much in life can make us fearful. Teach us to lay our struggles at your feet, trusting that you will bring the comfort we need to live joyful lives. Amen.

Harvest summary

As a summary, remember these things when you don’t feel like praying:

1. God is still there! Trust Him!
2. Breathe in a fresh awareness of His presence!
3. Turn your thoughts off of your issue and onto Jesus, the One who can deal with your issue. Play worship music and join in! Focusing on Jesus is a good antidote to situations that keep us from wanting to pray, or knowing what to say in prayer.
4. Silence/Listening – sometimes it is best to simply get quiet and listen for the voice of God. There is healing in stillness and wisdom in listening. Remember – even if you don’t sense that you hear anything from God, He is there.
5. Remember that the Holy Spirit is there to give voice to your prayers in alignment with the will of the Father when you are unable.
6. Consider that what might be causing your inability to pray or your lack of desire for prayer might be sinfulness in your life. Use Psalm 51 as your prayer so that God can reveal the hidden things, and so that you can take the time to repent and confess. Your relationship will be fully restored and a prayer of thankfulness will likely be the result.

Don't forget spring ahead Sat night! Get to bed early so you're ready to worship! This Sunday the kids finish up the Armor of God lessons and next week, the 16th, they will model and explain the armor to us.

Beginning Tues we will study and learn how God wants us to use our spiritual gifts. I will be sending private invitations to those who have emailed me their results from the spiritual gifts survey. We will try Tues with dinner at 6 in the Fellowship Hall (at least for the first week) and possibly in person and zoom Wed at noon. If you want to participate, tomorrow is absolutely the last day to send me your results. Thank you! God has gifted us for His purposes! Can't wait to explore and step into our gifts and His purposes together!

    ***Even if not participating, please pray for those who are to grow into their gifts and to discover how to apply them to God's plans and purposes to grow His Church. Thanks!

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Good Morning Gifted, Empowered Followers of God and His Ways! Amen! We are gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus as we learn to live and love more like Him! Let's keep praying into that, focusing on that and learning together how God has created, gifted and wants to use us!

Some concern was expressed to me yesterday because I didn't do a blog. Remember there may not be a daily blog. I'm not pushing and stressing over producing them daily. When God allows time or gives me a word to share, you will have a blog in your in box. Yesterday was a sleep in, then 6am zoom huddle, then off to church to shop, cook and prepare for Wed. evening huddle and so no time or solid word from God to do a blog. This highlights the importance of seeking, listening, receiving and following God to His best and perfect plans for you daily! WWJD should be replaced with WIJD (What IS Jesus Doing) and what's my part today. He has great plans for you and is with you to help you discover and step into them daily and with some friends. PTL!

You know God does have plans and partners for each of us! Our faith is built on a relationship with Jesus, not religious activities. He sent His disciples out in teams. He has gathered and gifted us to build His Church, spur each other on to good works He has for us, and to co-labor as we do. Who are your partners? Pray into that! Reach out to the ones God is highlighting to you. Maybe it's a prayer partner or two. Maybe it's someone to serve others together with. Maybe it's some people to gather and study God's Word. Maybe it's as simple as going for a meal or shopping together while looking for what God's doing with willing hearts to join Him. Maybe it's prayer walking a neighborhood. God has all kinds of opportunities for you and us to go live and love like Jesus together! PTL! Seek and follow well today! Check out the Harvest blogs below about relationships. What's God saying to you? Then check out my devos I am sharing below that. God is always with us and working all things together for good and He expects us to earnestly seek and follow Him daily and to persevere in faith through the hardest times. He is always good! He is always our Lord and Savior.! PTL! Seek and follow Him and with some friends!

The Lord is my/our Shepherd. We have all we need! He is leading us to green and budding pastures and fruit orchards and beside the still, refreshing, calming waters. He is with us in the darkest places, anoints us for healing, guides and comforts us. What a mighty and awesome God we know and love! PTL! Last evening we had a great dinner huddle and discussed who and Whose we are. Our true identity is that we are God's masterpieces and He knows, loves, calls us by name and has redeemed us. When we receive Jesus as Lord, we are made new and we are gifted and empowered to go do all He created us to do. That comes alive with co-laborers that pray, encourage and compliment our giftedness to go connect to new relationships that lead to saving relationships with Jesus. And then helping them to grow as disciples of Jesus. It's Jesus' easy yoke, custom fitted to you and with some partners. May we be all about that! God has some great things for you and us to discover and step into! Let's roll baby! Amen!

Harvest:

March 6 - Developing a Relationship “The Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” —Genesis 4:9-10   Yes, you are your brother’s keeper. The essence of being a Christian is a relationship—a personal, one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ. And Jesus calls us to “love one another”—even our enemies (John 13:34; Matthew 5:44-45). So being a Christian also involves relationships with all other human beings—for all are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).   Relationship takes time. They take energy; they take commitment; they involve risk. Relationships can bring incredible blessings; they can also bring excruciating pain. God has experienced all of these in his relationship with each one of us.   The same can happen to you as you take the step of sharing the gospel—the good news of Jesus—with your neighbors. I’m not going to sugarcoat this one. If you want to involve yourself in one of the greatest experiences of the Christian life—realizing that the Spirit of Christ has used you in some significant way to make an impact on one of your neighbors for the Lord for eternity—it will cost you.   All relationships involve a healthy investment. As you begin to make such an investment, it’s critical that you place yourself in the hands of the God who promises to walk alongside you. Place yourself in the hands of the one who has already made the ultimate investment in your life and in the life of your neighbor.   It’s important to know that your neighbor is a person of inestimable value. Your neighbor matters to God. Your neighbor is precious to Christ, who was willing to sacrifice his own life for him or her. If that’s how valuable your neighbor is to God, if he or she matters that much to God, then you and I need to make the commitment to treat that neighbor with love and sensitivity. If God loves your neighbor that much, then the time, the energy, the joy, and even the possible pain or discomfort of developing a relationship with that neighbor is a small price for you to pay.   Think about being a channel of God’s love to your neighbor. Think about being an instrument God can use to reveal himself to your neighbor. Ask God today to help you pray for, care for, and share with your neighbor, entering into relationship for Jesus’ sake. God wants to do amazing things through you. Are you ready?   Prayer Starters for Praying Genesis 4:9-10 • Praise God for loving you as a person of inestimable value. • Thank him for the people in your life who have considered you their brother or sister in the Lord. • Confess to God any ways in which you have ignored the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people whom he considers to be your brothers and sisters. Ask God to forgive you for these shortcomings. • Ask God to bring to your mind the name of anyone in your relational circle (family, neighborhood, classmates, co-workers) whom he desires to adopt into his family, as your spiritual brother or sister. When God brings names to your mind, write them down and begin praying for them. • Ask God to help you view each of your neighbors as a person of inestimable value.   --Adapted from Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood (Developing a Prayer, Care, Share Lifestyle in 30 Days) by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God, who is majestic in holiness (Ex. 15:11). Give thanks for the privilege of sharing in his holiness (Heb. 12:10). Confess any impure thoughts or actions that remained unconfessed. Commit yourself anew to living the holy life that God has called you to live (1 Thess. 4:7). Ask God to impress upon you the vision of Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). Pray that your loved ones will be drawn closer to God as they see your example of holy living. Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Sarah Young

Growing Deeper Together (I to We)

TWFYT

This Week:

Tue Zoom Huddle 10am

Tue: Deadline to email spiritual gifts surveys to pastor don. Here's the link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test

Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry

Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle

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Good Morning Friends! This is coming a little later than normal since I slept in and had to run to a doc appointment. But God was really speaking to me this morning and wants me to share some thoughts with you. So, here I am now! I love how God speaks to us as we still ourselves, seek, abide, listen and receive. Sometimes He makes things very obvious and affirming I/we are hearing Him and on the right track, like today.

God has been stirring me/us to begin some prayer teams and to work at becoming a House of Prayer for the Nations. Besides discovering and working on stepping into our spiritual gifts, prayer is our critical next step for growth and to be moving with God. Start today by spending some time with the Connection Blog about becoming a house of prayer. Yes God is speaking! What's He saying to you about this? Please share with Sarah or me, pray about it, and join with some friends to begin praying earnestly. The prayers of a righteous person (that's anyone who is in Christ) are powerful and effective.! PTL! As we spend time with God and in prayer together, the Holy Spirit will teach us to pray, inform our prayers and move us to be the answer to some prayers. Pretty cool! That is another part of Jesus' easy yoke for you--spend time with God, pray, love and serve just as you are. We will be having more opportunities for corporate (all church) prayer and for developing some prayer teams. Watch for those and keep asking God to lead you to pray and participate.

After some time with the connection prayer letter and starters, check out some of our devotionals for the day that were speaking to my heart and how God wants to speak to your heart. Man! He sure loves us! And He made and gifted us for such a time as this! If we turn off the noise and focus on Him, we will hear Him, feel His love and be empowered to go share it. 

Yesterday we looked at parts of Acts 9-11 and realized how God was moving His people out of their comfort zone to go love, serve, and share the Good News with people who were different, maybe even people they didn't like or want to be around. Man, that is so relevant today, isn't it? We obviously live in the Divided States of America just like Israel was a divided nation. Opinions are just that--opinions. And they are usually formed from personal preferences. But like God sent the new believers to those with different lifestyles and opinions, so is He sending us today. How can we bring the love of Jesus and unity in Christ when we are divided? At times, church feels like being part of what it must've been like for the religious elite after Jesus ascended to heaven and this group called the Way began leading people away from them and their rules and ways to the love and easy yoke of Jesus. We learned that many religious elite did come to believe in and follow Jesus in those early days. Jerusalem was divided and persecutions from the elite pushed Jesus' followers out of Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and the world with the Good News. Things got very uncomfortable in divided Jerusalem and God used that to spur His true followers to go spread His love and Good News. Yesterday we experienced Peter being stretched as God sent Him to the Gentiles and God used him and verified that He was in this new things that led to many outsiders joining together with the Jewish believers. Love and unity became the new things for them all and it attracted many more to Jesus. And God's Kingdom expanded despite all the disunity and chaos and even persecution because they were one in Christ, love and mission.

So, we have to be very careful to keep our focus on God and what He's doing and off what is going on in the world around us. We need to keep politics and personal preferences out of our conversations so we can focus on what matters most, Jesus, and become more unified in Christ, His love and His mission for us to those not yet in the Kingdom. Col. 3:11 keeps coming to my mind and it applied back in those early days as well as today: "It doesn't matter if you are Jew or Greek (Gentile), slave or free, Democrat or Republican; Christ is all that matters and He lives in me." And He longs to live and love through me, you, all of us and our unity. Amen! Our questions to God and each other and our prayers should be, "How can we grow in love and unity?" and "How do You want to use us to go live and love and pray and make disciples like Jesus?" And then work on that--earnestly! God has made you for such a time as this and He has gifted you to go grow His Church. What's your part? I'm praying for you and us! Love! Joy! Unity! Prayer Warriors! Disciple Makers! True Friends of God and each other! May that be us! Amen!

Connection Prayer:

March 3 - Becoming a House of Prayer A House of Prayer, besides involving an entire church, can also be a cluster of two or more believers banded together to pray for, care about, and share the blessings of Christ with those who live or work nearby. You can pray alone, but why not join together with one or more believers—your spouse, your family, believing neighbors, or fellow employees—and form a House of Prayer?   Why should I pray for my neighbors? Your neighbors matter to God. They are precious sons and daughters whom he loves. God grieves over those who are apart from him and wants them to return “home.” Prayer will move them toward the Father, and heaven will rejoice when they come home (Luke 15:7, 11-24). Also, God commands that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.” “Everyone” includes your neighbors who God wants “to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). And, as you bless others, you too will be blessed.   Can I do more than pray? Yes! Make yourself available to God, and he will lead you into ministries of caring and sharing. You’ll have a threefold impact. By praying, you’ll release God’s grace into people’s lives. By caring, you’ll build bridges of love to them. By sharing the gospel, you’ll help people come to know Jesus Christ and be saved.   Will my prayers really make a difference? Yes! When we pray, God works! The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous [person] is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). All of the power in prayer is God’s power, but God has chosen to have this power directed to persons and places through our prayers. Things will happen as you pray that won’t happen if you don’t pray.   In Michigan, for example, House of Prayer members reported that in the neighborhoods they prayed for, people got out of drugs, unemployed people got jobs, a father stopped drinking, two persons were miraculously healed, a person was delivered from an evil spirit, a Bible study began, and five persons came to know Christ.   After a Mississippi church formed Houses of Prayer, the pastor reported, “When we began our Houses of Prayer, almost immediately we saw people begin to come to church who hadn’t been in church for years. We see new faces almost every week. Our attendance in Sunday school has increased by forty percent, and worship attendance by 30 percent. The presence of God is evident weekly.”   How should I pray? Always pray with a clean heart. The prayers of the righteous are “powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Pray with compassion. Be like Christ, who was moved with compassion toward the needy (Matthew 9:36). Pray with persistence. God listens to those who pray earnestly (Acts 12:5; James 5:17).   How do I start? Start by saying yes to God. Pray a commitment prayer like this: “God, I know that my neighbors matter very much to you and that you have commanded me to make ‘requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving’ for them. So, out of obedience to you and out of love for my neighbors, I commit myself to ask for your blessings for them for five minutes a day, five days a week, for the next five weeks. I’ll do this, with your help, to the best of my ability. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”   –Adapted from Shine His Light: A Simple Way to Pray, Care and Share Jesus in Your Neighborhood by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God, whose kindness toward you will last forever and ever. Thank God for loving you with an everlasting love and drawing you with lovingkindness (Jer. 31:3). Confess any ways in which you have not reflected that kindness to others. Commit yourself to considering God’s kindness to you (Rom. 11:22). Ask God to clothe you with compassion, kindness, and humility (Col. 3:12). Pray that you might have an opportunity this week to tell someone of the many kindnesses of the Lord to you (Isa. 63:7). Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.

Sarah Young:

ODB:

UR: The Power of the Invitation

Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20 (NRSVUE)

No one knows the right time or place to invite people to become a Christian and into the fellowship of the church. Christians must always be open and willing to provide the invitation.

During my mother’s funeral the minister told a story about my mother. He said, “I wouldn’t be here today if your mother had not invited me to church.” When the minister was a teenager, our church was having a revival. My mother invited his family to come and sit in the pew with us. This began their regular attendance at our church and later a commitment to become Christians and join the church. This changed his life and later inspired him to become a pastor. My mother’s invitation to his family changed his life.

No one knows the time or place that people will be open to an invitation into a fellowship with Christ; as Christians, we must remain open to the leading of God’s Spirit.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, when the opportunity presents itself, help us to be bold and willing to offer Christ to others. We pray the prayer Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Lk. 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.

Pastor Don

Tuesday is the last day to email me your results from your spiritual gifts tests. God wants us to understand how we are made and gifted and to grow into our purposes. Understanding these gifts is critical to that growth promised in Christ. Here's the link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test

Note: All Vision Team and new members are expected to complete these assessments by Tus and email the results to me. Any others are invited to do this as well. After I have these, we will determine several opportunities to study and understand and seek to grow in our giftedness. These are God's custom made gifts for us to grow in Christ and grow His Church.

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Good Morning Forgiven, Abiding in the Living Word, Protected, Joyful, Gifted, Mighty Warriors! Amen! May that come alive in and through us! Prepare your hearts to worship this morning. God does inhabit our praises! As we gather and worship He is there with us, speaking to us, informing us, and preparing us for His perfect plans. Thanks Lord! Come! We have so much to worship and be thankful for! We are students of the Word that abide in the Living Word, Jesus. He protects and leads us as we don His easy yoke and allow Him to use us as we are and grow us into His purposes. As we pray and wield that Sword of the Spirit (God's Word) against Satan, he flees! Amen! Today the kids will study about the Sword of the Spirit in Children's Church and we will be meditating on the early church in parts of Acts 9-11 as they follow God to some new things and wield that Sword too. God wants to use us to overcome the enemy, go make disciples and to grow into the people He made us to be as we grow His Church. And as we abide in Christ, we are molded and empowered to do these and many more things for God's glory. Often that comes alive as stretching of us and moving us out of our comfort zones. God is always at work. Sometimes as we are moving with God and closer to His plans, Satan loves to attack and derail us from His best and perfect plans. Pray on that armor. Stand firm in Christ. And wield that Sword and Satan will flee. PTL! And we need each other too. We need to cover, help, and work together to move towards God's best and perfect plans. We need to be His mighty warriors and co-laborers with Jesus who is with us always. And we can choose joy always as we grow in trust and overcome together! May it be so Lord!

Today we will study how God stretched Peter and used him to go to this new thing He was doing as the persecution drove the followers of the Way, the new believers, out of Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. God is always up to something new as He uses His people to take that Great News, the Gospel, to the world and connect to them where they are. He's doing that with us as He grows our fellowship, leads us to new people, and is working to transform us more fully into His image and as His prepared and sent servants. And the enemy flak is being launched around us and at us. Stand firm and uphold each other! God does have great plans for us--His overcomers in Christ! Amen!

It was prophesied over us that we should change our name to Joy Church. Why? Because joy is what we exhibit and are known for as we love God and bless others and bring joy alive. And that is right where Satan is attacking--or joy. Stand firm and choose joy always is a command we need to keep working at. I have been experiencing severe attack on my joy and trust. I need you to cover me and uphold me before God. I need you to, like Aaron and Hur with Moses, hold my arms up as I pray for the victory to come. We/I need some mighty warriors by our/my side! We cannot back down or yield ground to the enemy! I am feeling your prayers and I have been able to pray on that armor and refocus on God instead of circumstances and the lies of the enemy. Please continue to pray, help, carry me and each other to the Lord in prayer and stand firm in Christ with that Sword of the Spirit at the ready! We are overcomers. We need each other! Satan has been defeated. Don't let Him defeat you or us or God's good plans! Let us commit to that and continue to seek, knock, put on that armor and follow well. Amen!

Check out the Upper Room and Our Daily Bread for today and the prayer starters from harvest prayer. Let us abide, seek, listen, pray and help each other to overcome! Let us follow Jesus and produce that promised good and lasting fruit as we do--together!. God does have great plans for me, you and us and they come alive as we focus on Jesus, step into our purposes and overcome together! Amen! Where's he leading you? How do you need some help to overcome or understand your purposes? Talk to Sarah or me and team up with some friends. Put on that armor and work at growing in your spiritual gifts which are custom made and given to you to become God's mighty warrior and good fruit producers. Amen! Worship and focus on these good things. Turn off the noise and wield that sword well. We are His Good News Delivery Co. sent to change the world and bring Christ and His ways alive! Let's choose surrender to God, joy and trust as we grow into that! And rejoice! His grace is sufficient for you and us! Rest in the Lord. Worship! And prepare! I'm praying for you!

UR: Embraced in God's Grace

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. - Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)

After many years as a stay-at-home mom, I was preparing for an interview. I was anxious, not feeling certain that the Lord wanted me to work outside the home. Just before I left for the interview, the mail arrived. There was an envelope postmarked from the United States. “Embraced by his grace” was written in the corner of the envelope. My heart jumped. It felt like the Lord was saying it directly to me: “You are embraced by my grace.”

I opened the envelope and inside were some stickers I had ordered a long time ago. The sender’s business card had 2 Corinthians 12:9, my baptism verse, printed on it: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Her tagline was “Grace: where our weakness meets God’s strength.” She had also included a free sticker that said, “Follow God’s heart.”

In these messages, I felt God whispering to me: “I embrace you. My grace is still enough for you. My power is made perfect in weakness. Follow my heart.” I went to the interview knowing I walked with God, whatever the outcome. As today’s quoted scripture reminds us, “Underneath are the everlasting arms,” and they are arms of grace.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, may we always know that we are embraced by your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ODB:

Prayer Starters:

Pastor Don

Good Morning Hearers and Doers of the Word! As we grow and fall more in love with God's Living Word we are led and changed. As we abide in the Living Word we are trained in righteousness and empowered to follow the examples of Jesus and other devout mean and woman that followed Him well. Amen.

Check out and meditate on 2 Timothy 3:14-16 from Our Daily Bread today. Something that God highlighted is a Word for many of us...verse 15: "It is from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures." That is the truth for many of us, including me. We grew up in church and learning our Bibles. The power comes when we move from being more than just hearers but doers of those Truths. God's Word is powerful and cuts to the marrow. And as we respond to what the Holy Spirit highlights as we spend time in the Word, we are changed. We are convicted and moved to repent. We become active doers of the Word we know. How's that going for you? Let's continue to work at abiding in and doing what God reveals through His Word. May we also look for the next generations to teach and help to ingest and bring alive God's Word in their lives. Yes, we are more than just hearers. We are doers of what God reveals through His Word. Let's focus on that as we move to come alive in '25 and find some friends to study with, pray in power through and live out His Living Word! It is active! Is it active in you? Thank God for His Living Word. Thank the Holy Spirit for bringing it alive. Ask to become more than just a hearer of it! Then go and live and love as we follow the example of Jesus and other children of God. Amen!

Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! What are you most thankful about your salvation and new life in Christ? Who needs to hear that today? Start with worship and thanking God and then go into this day praising and sharing your hope!

This weekend is the last week to submit your spiritual gifts results to me before we start scheduling our working on growing in them. I need them by Tues and we will start the following week to work on understanding and applying our gifts.  Remember God has given each of us at least one gift when we come to Christ as our Savior and receive His Holy Spirit into us. What are your gifts? They are given to help you repent, grow into the person you are created to be and used to bless others and unify to grow His Church. We need each other to step into our custom given gifts and use them in unity to bless God, others, each other and to grow His Church? What's your part? Let us figure that out and work better together to be His dynamic movement of disciple makers and Church revival bringers. Amen! LINK to test: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test

Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet

Sun. Worship 10 am with Children's Church. We will be collecting for Everlasting Life Ministries

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Good Morning Righteous Child of God! Amen! Thinking about that should lead to worship an much thanksgiving. That should overflow in to the day as you die to self, take up your cross, shed you old nature more, step into your new nature more and step out in faith and prepared to follow Jesus well today! Amen. Contemplate that today and maybe process with a friend or two. What's God saying to you right now? What will you do about that?

Col. 3:8-17 Meditate on this and check out how this flows through our devos for today below and then engage with the Connections Blogs/ Worship, surrender and prepare to follow Jesus today! Yes rejoice!

NOTE: In the NLT verse 11 is rendered Christ is all that matters. Are you living like that? Is He you all and in all you do? Talk to the Holy Spirit about that!

8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

TWFYT:

ODB:

UR: Enduring Adversity

Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

At a young age, I faced the heartbreaking loss of my father and grew up separated from my mother due to our impoverished background. Life became even more difficult when I tragically lost my mother when I was 17. I endured threats and physical abuse as I pursued my education. In search of peace, I made the difficult decision to flee my country.

Throughout my journey, my faith in God has not wavered as I have witnessed God’s hand at work, giving me the strength to persevere. God blessed me with a resilient and positive mindset, which has sustained me.

Matthew 6:26 reminds us of God’s unwavering love and care for us, which assures us that we are valuable. This encourages me to trust in God’s providence during challenging times. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God is always by our side, ready to offer strength, help, and support. With God as my constant companion, I know I can face any challenge.

Though my journey to find peace is ongoing, I find solace knowing God remains faithful. I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my story, for they remind me of the resilience and faith that have carried me this far. I am confident that as I continue to rely on God’s strength, I will find the peace and fulfillment I am searching for.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, we seek your grace and guidance. Guide our steps and fill our hearts with your love. Amen.

Connections Blog

February 28 - Desire God’s Purposes to See Unity Grow I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:22-23).   Most people’s prayers seek the best fix for a situation. We typically pray whatever we are told to pray for a situation, with no real thought of “What does God want to do here.”  Something happens to that dynamic, however, when people pray together. They start to let go of their desires to see their purposes fulfilled and start to open themselves up to what God wants. The value of this to a church is huge when it comes to ministry and decision making. If people pray together over an issue, even if people come to prayer thinking they know what the church should do, praying together opens them up to God’s desire. Years ago, I was a part of a church plant in Colorado Springs that was meeting in a school. We felt the Lord leading us to purchase land. We found two pieces of property—one was very close to the school and 42 of our families, the other was five miles away. That distance was not a big deal, but it was not in the neighborhood we had been ministering in for the past five years. The property close to us cost 1.5 million, the other $450,000. Many of us felt the issue was not the difference in price, but where God wanted us. Pray, figure that out, and He will provide. There were plenty of leaders on both sides of which piece to purchase. We started praying together. We even called a corporate prayer meeting on one of the pieces of property. As we did that God began to put a vision of the ministry we could have on the $450,000 piece of property into those of us who wanted the other piece. That is what God will do when we pray together—agreement comes so we can pray His will with confidence. People who are disgruntled with decisions a church has made usually have not prayed with the body over that issue. Pray together and watch unity grow.   Righteous Father, how You must grieve when Your people fuss and want their own way instead of coming together to pray so that You can guide hearts toward unity. Show me how to be one who always suggests prayer over getting what I want. Give me a heart that is yielded to what You desire rather than what seems best to me. Fill me with joy in Your house of prayer as You bring our faith family together on our knees.   --Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf.  Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Worship God with reverence and awe as a consuming fire blazing with holiness (Heb. 12:28-29). Give thanks for his plan to refine your faith through trials and tests (Jas. 1:2-4). Confess any times this week when you have not seen God’s purpose for you in these trials (Mal. 3:2-4). Commit yourself to submitting to God’s testing in your life. Ask God to strengthen you with his power (Eph. 6:10-11). Pray for those who are undergoing severe testing, that God may show them his purpose and strengthen them in their weakness (Heb. 12:7-13). Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

Sarah Prayer update below

Sat is Clothing Closet from 10-1

Lenten Envelopes: Your giving envelope boxes have an envelope for your Lenten Offering next week to co-inside with Ash Wed. This year the proceeds from those envelopes will be used to help offset our budget deficit (which includes funding the organist position). The offering is typically over and above your regular tithe and giving. We already know we have a $9000. budget deficit foe the organist position. Plus due to several weeks of weather cancelations on Sundays, our giving is behind for the year already. Lent is a time to die to self and a season of sacrifice to grow closer to God. Giving sacrificially is part of offering yourself to God. May we draw close with our sacrificial  giving as an act of worship and trust! Thank you!

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Good Morning Worshipers! Amen! Let us spend today lifting songs of praise thanksgiving and worship! What's your favorites hymns, praise songs or other songs of worship? Sing them loud and clear for all to hear! Lift your hearts in worship today!

Over the next few weeks, Kay and Sally will fill in for Patti. All three of them work on music offerings that bless God and many of us for their preludes and postludes. All three have unique styles of worship that bless God and us! I try to pick hymns that tie to our messages for the day along with praise songs that lead us into God's Word with hearts prepared and bless many as well. The Bible reminds us that God loves all kinds of worship that allow us to draw close with our hearts and praise focused on Him. It says to worship with Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Even if a song doesn't click with you, it will with God and some others. May we always come with hearts ready to worship, no matter the offering of praise, or sacrifice of praise being offered. God loves our hearts of worship! Prepare your hearts today for TGIF tomorrow and worship on Sunday by focusing on music that leads you into God's presence and facilitates worship for you. He loves variety and made us all to worship in different ways--even dancing to the beat! I share this because Sunday's opening praise song is one for me. It may connect to some of you and maybe not but it is a song that allows me to prepare my heart and worship deeply in praise. It's a moldy oldy rocking out worship song that should lead to dancing in praise. I know I need that sometimes! Then Kay will be offering her songs of worship that will allow others to draw close in worship as well as some hymns that lead to the Word for the day. May we all continue to bless God, each other and worship in a variety of ways that bless God! Amen! Now, worship! Sing loud and clear with hearts abandoned in worship. God loves that and will draw close as you draw close. Yes rejoice today!

UR: Songs of Praise

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. - Psalm 100:2 (NIV)

While standing at the bus stop recently, I heard the melodious singing of an Australian magpie. Looking around, I spotted the bird perched on the roof of a nearby house. With his beak raised skyward and head thrown back, he was filling the air with song in wonderful, happy abandonment, praising his Maker with his whole being.

It came to me that he was a role model for how we should praise God, and I wished I were as uninhibited in my praise as the magpie! For me, playing and singing hymns is one of the ways I feel moved to praise God. The music is powerfully uplifting, and the words of the hymns remind me how faithful and loving God is and the grace God has given us through Jesus Christ. Praising God with music lifts my spirit and causes me to remember God’s blessings. Then I am left with a thankful heart, which can brighten even the grayest of days.

Today's Prayer

Loving God, thank you for the gifts of music and song. We praise you for your goodness, love, and care for us. May our hearts never cease to praise you. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Sarah Update

Good evening Warriors,

There was a great time this evening at the Adult/FM Gathering.....good discussion, and meal together. Many from our bread ministry attended.   God is working and moving......

Here are two prayer requests:

Dean is asking for prayer for a friend of his, Mary - she is recovering from a tumor near her brain. She's having a hard time dealing with the "WHY" of the situation.   Please surround her in your prayers.

Deb B - a friend of Sarah and Neen - she has severe RSV and is also dealing with major muscle spasms. She has been going to a chiropractor for some relief. She is having some slow progress.  Please pray for her healing and perseverance through the spasms.

Thank you all for joining together in prayer for these people.

Have a good evening,

  Blessings,

    Sarah

Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd

Good Morning Students of the Word! I had all these things I wanted to share this morning, but need to run for some testing. Sunday we will study the end of Acts 9 thru chapter 11. read ahead and prepare. Funny thing is yesterday Zoom Huddle and now this morning's Our Daily Bread are speaking into things I had already recorded for us during sermon prep. At first I get jealous, maybe? Oh people will think I'm copying what someone elase wrote. But then I cast that dumb thinking aside and focus on God and how He is blessing me with affirmation that I am hearing Him, as others did and recording the same line of thinking. I'll let you prepare with Acts 10-11 and the end of 9 yourself and put ODB below for you to engage God with. What's He saying to you and what will you do about it? Who are you processing with? Is there someone that needs to hear some of this? Will you share it? Praying for God to speak to your heart as He has mine. Draw close, abide in the Living Word and prepare for the day ahead! Shalom!

ODB:

Good Morning Praying Friends--Mighty Warriors! As stated yesterday and highlighted to our Vision Team, one of the things God has been stirring us to and leading me with some of you to develop is a prayer team and to corporate prayer. This is our critical net step in becoming a dynamic movement of God. I wasn't going to do a blog today as much of my devotionals times was about giving and stewarding God's blessings well. You are givers and stewards. I figured your quiet time in our devos would be an opportunity for you to discuss your giving with God.

Then as I was ready to sign off, I encountered the Connection blogs. Oh man! I love when God highlights something He is stirring us to and then teaches us about it. Today is corporate prayer. As we develop this and provide more opportunities for us to earnestly pray for Big God things as a congregation, we will see the power of our prayers as God responds to our petitions and releases His power and will over us. Take some time with this today. what's God saying to you? Are you interested in learning more about prayer or in joining a prayer team? Talk to Sarah or me. As we finish up our spiritual gifts classes we will move to some prayer training and more purposeful corporate prayer times. God created you to pray and there is great power when we do so as His Body!  I'm praying for God to stir you, lead us and use us mightily in prayer. Amen!

Connection blogs:

February 25 - The Elements of Powerful Prayer in Corporate Settings …they raised their voices together in prayer to God (Acts 4:24).   Powerful prayer is focused prayer. It is not a shotgun approach—giving prayer requests and praying for ten different things. Effective corporate prayer is topical. The leader explains, “Now we are going to pray for . . .” We see this played out in the story of Peter’s imprisonment (Acts 12). Verse 5 tells us of a prayer meeting for Peter. Not everything under the sun, and “oh yeah, don’t forget Peter.” In the morning worship service, picking one subject for which to pray is all you need to do—and it is powerful.   Powerful prayer is one voice prayer. One voice is a numerical principle. As was mentioned above, the same chapter in Acts tells us that the church was earnestly and constantly praying to God. Everyone. Not five people in a little room on Wednesday night. A powerful dynamic occurs when an entire congregation prays on the same theme. Again, the only place you will have the entire congregation together is Sunday morning worship.   Powerful prayer invites God’s Presence. In 2 Chronicles 6-7 at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, we see God’s glory indwelling His temple so much that everyone fell with their faces to the ground. No one went inside. In Solomon’s dedication prayer, he invited God to come and dwell. “Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, to your resting place . . .” (2 Chron. 6:41). We often just take comfort in the presence spoken of in Matthew 18:20: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” But there is another presence of God—His manifest presence. It is a presence you can literally sense. It is a transforming presence. We need to look for ways to encourage that presence of God into our midst. He comes by invitation and He comes through praise. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. There is no better place to regularly experience the manifest presence of God than the worship service. When we pray in the middle of, or following a time of intense worship—worship that is entirely focused upward, on Jesus Christ rather than on us—we more readily sense His presence and our prayers become more kingdom focused.   Powerful prayer occurs when there is agreement. The last element of powerful corporate prayer is praying in agreement. This is different than focus. It is where everyone knows and agrees with what they are asking God. Often when a congregation prays about an issue in a church there is not agreement. We all have a different idea of what should be done. So when we pray, we often just pray our own agendas. (Just as an aside—agreement will come in any issue if people pray together. As we pray with others, we become more open to God’s agenda and we let go of our own.) In a leader-directed prayer time during a morning worship service it is easier to be in agreement. The leader simply gives direction as to what they will ask God to do. He might say something like this, “After seeking God, the leaders of our church feel that God is moving us to look for a piece of property on which to build. Let’s ask God to reveal that piece of land to us.”   Lord, You are an incredibly Present Father! I am always amazed by the fact that You have created me to pray, and orchestrated a way that Your Spirit, living within me, intercedes through me! As I come together with other believers to pray, pour out Your power as we focus upon those things that You desire, and as we raise one voice to invite Your Presence into the midst of our prayers! As we come together in agreement, You are able to speak to our hearts as a corporate body and bring us into perfect alignment with the plans You have for us. What a mystery prayer is...I stand in awed amazement of Your grace-filled heart.   --Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 48, Prayer in the Corporate Worship Service 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 for caring intimately about you. Thank God for choosing you to help fulfill his plans. Confess any self-centeredness or preoccupation with your desires and needs rather than those of God and others. Commit yourself to walking under the Spirit’s control, trusting him with the circumstances of life (Ps. 31:15). Ask for more sensitivity to the needs of others. Pray for persons who have decided to follow false religions. Ask God to open their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6).     Prayer Pointer “We ought not to tolerate for a minute the ghastly and grievous thought that God will not answer prayer. History, as manifested in Christ Jesus, demands it.” —Charles H. Spurgeon Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

This Week:

Tue Zoom Huddle 10-11

Wed:

Bread Ministry 10-12

Dinner Huddles: 6-7:30 (Pizza Party Fellowship and planning night)

Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet  

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Good Morning Praying Co-Laborers! That's us! Praying and doing our parts in God's Good News Delivery Company. Upholding each other in prayer, encouraging and spurring on to the plans God has for us. Thanks for praying and serving with me! I think about Moses who was called to pray for victory for God's people and how they would be winning while he stood above the valley praying. But when his arms got weary and dropped they started loosing. Arron and Hur, sat him down on a rock and held his arms up for him all day and the victory came for God's people. I have become weary in praying and leading. You are my Arron and Hur, upholding me in prayer. I just took a week to rest and reload. (more on that next). I think of how Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, encouraged Moses to raise up some co-leaders because Moses became weary from doing it all and how God raised up some leaders to assist His people and refresh Moses. I've been thinking about how we recently studied in Acts how the Apostles picked some spirit-filled leaders to deal with the mechanics and politics of the church so they could focus on prayer, teaching and leading. My retreat was supposed to be a time for me to get away, like Elijah when he became weary and depressed and to allow God to minister and whisper to me and prepare me and send me to His next mission.

I said that was supposed to be the plan with my retreat, but that never fully materialized. I was sick at the beginning of the week, cancelled my end of week retreat to Twin Pines and most of the week was focused on church work and planning and dealing with several church issues that seemed to come my way all week. A pastor is never really off the clock, even when trying to get away and refresh. However, the week was not without profit. I was able to get away from some of the tyranny of the urgent and for the first time in awhile was able to draw deep into and abide in God's loving presence as I have not been able to do for a few months. And God continues to draw me deep in, help me sink my roots deep in Him and to hear His still small voice through the fires and winds, like Elijah. I still have a long way to go in this journey, as we all do. If you hear nothing else today, hear this: Make an earnest effort to be still, abide in Christ and sink your roots deep daily! Even through the busyness and chaos, it is essential and critical to abide in Christ and receive all you need from Him. Today I started at 5 and am writing this at 8:45 after abiding deeply and sinking deep. God has great plans for you and us and we need to keep seeking, knocking and choosing His Kingdom above all else  before we enter each day. In this life, Christ really is all that matters! I'm trying to remember that and make it a priority. Are you? I need you! God has plans for you and us. May we seek and follow well together and more earnestly. Please! Try it! Thanks! Who are your partners? Think about Acts 9 from yesterday. Peter healed and raised from the dead just like He saw Jesus do. He was with Jesus and learned to do what Jesus did in his context. He even began going to the outsiders and "unclean heathen" because he knew that's what Jesus did and wanted them to do as they carried on the mission. May that be us! And as one, united in Christ, and His well-oiled machine of salvation and disciple making! Amen!

One thing that became evident this week is the reminder that God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. We need to be a praying people. Check out the Connections blogs below and draw close and listen to that still small voice. What's God saying to you? How can we help each other learn to pray and how can we make more opportunities to seek and pray together? Would you support that? We need to start there! And we need each other to step into our roles in His Good News Delivery Company and to pray together more! Big and small things are awaiting us because nothing is small or wasted in God's Kingdom and He made you for such a time as this, gifted and empowered you and made you for His purposes of growing His Kingdom. Please pray into that and prayerfully engage with the devos below. God is speaking. I need you to hold my arms up in prayer, come alongside each other, and for us to seek, discern, plan and step out in faith together! What's Jesus have for you today? Do it and share your stories and insights. You matter! God loves you and has great plans for you and us! Let us seek and follow together--earnestly! Thank you! I am praying for you! (Note: as part of my drawing close and not allowing the tyranny of the urgent and Satan to get me off track, there will be days with no blogs. They will come as God spurs me to share with you, His and my heart)

One final thing...God has given each of us spiritual gifts to use to walk with Him, spur each other on and grow His church. Some of you have asked about discovering, studying and learning to apply these gifts. I shared a link twice and asked you to send me your results. I have only heard from four of you. We will be spending some of March discovering, learning about and apply our gifts which God has custom blended for you and His purposes. Here's the link again. Please email me your results and we will figure out a few different days and times to apply these together. Thanks! This is how His church will grow and we will connect to 30 new people this year. It's time to come alive in '25! Link:  Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test

Connections Prayer Blogs:

February 24 - The Miraculous Power of God The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 1:5)!   Maybe I personally am going through a tough time. In the midst of it, I try to pray with trust and faith, but it is difficult because I only see the issue. If I go and pray with others, however, what happens? As I listen to others pray with more faith than I have, my faith grows. Here’s how it works in a corporate situation. Let’s say our church is planning to build. I’m an elder who is skeptical of the plans because they are beyond what we can afford to do. I go and begin to pray with others regarding this. God can now put a heart of trust in me, He can bring me to unity with others, He can give me the faith to believe Him for the miraculous—His vision and plan for my church. When I only pray by myself, that is less likely to happen. Churches that do not pray together still minister in whatever ways they can, given their resources, abilities and sacrifices. But churches that pray together begin to see the miraculous power of God at work in their midst. It goes beyond what they can and should do into what God wants to do through them.   Jehovah Jireh, teach me to pray with great hope and fill me with faith to believe that You are at work to orchestrate the best circumstances of Your will for my life and for the lives of those whom I love and care about as well as for those I will never meet this side of heaven. Give me a heart of grateful trust in Your goodness and Your mercy, for You love Your people more deeply than my human heart could ever comprehend. Show me how to continually posture myself as a dependent child seeking the heart of my compassionate, all-powerful Father.   --Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf.  Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Prayer Points Praise God for his controlling presence everywhere. Give thanks that no circumstance in life—even death itself—is beyond his loving control. Confess your desire to act according to your own timetable rather than God’s. Commit yourself to drawing closer to God in every way and waiting patiently for him. Ask for the ability to live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Ask that members of your church family will have the humility and gentleness to consider others better than themselves. Pray that believers will not only look out for their own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4). Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount. Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com

These really speak into my week and what I have been enduring, persevering through and talking with God about. He is with me always and working all things together for good! I trust Him to redeem this past week and lead me forward. And he will do that for you as well! Rejoice, abide and sink deep!

Upper Room: Why Are You here?

[Elijah] came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. - 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)

Elijah had humiliated King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Terrified for his life because of Jezebel’s vow to exact revenge, Elijah fled. In his exhaustion, he uttered a phrase my heart has felt many times: “I have had enough, Lord!” I can imagine the relief welling up in the prophet’s heart as he entered into the safety of God’s mountain after his long, arduous journey. But before Elijah could catch his breath or gather his thoughts, God asked, “Why are you here?” On one level the question implied that Elijah should be elsewhere, completing the work the Lord had given him to do. On another level, it prompted him to consider his heart’s motivation.

Like Elijah, I sometimes find myself crying out, “I’ve had enough!” while facing resistance in ministry. Unconstructive criticism on how I teach Sunday school or lead music wears me down. Parents disrupting the teen ministry frustrates me. Volunteers failing to follow through is discouraging. In these moments I, too, have to answer God’s question, Why are you here? I ask myself, Why am I really doing what I’m doing?

Reminded of God’s holiness, Elijah was refreshed and went on to fulfill an extraordinary destiny. When we pause to evaluate our motivations and realign them with God’s will, we can find renewed zeal in our service to God and others.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, help us align our motivations with yours so that we can be refreshed and strengthened as we work with you. Amen.

TWFYT: (Don't label yourself or put burdens n yourself that are not from God! And tell Satan to scram when he stirs this chaos and noise in you)

Sarah Young: ABIDE, sink deep and restore!