Thank God I'm Forgiven! How thankful are you about your forgiveness and new life in Christ? Have you thanked God lately? Have you shared this with some others who need to know our Savior and about our hope? Be still, open your heart, chat with Daddy and worship! Then go share your heart and new life with some others this weekend. God loves, you, calls you by name, redeemed you and wants to love through you! Allow it! Be His representative !
Good Morning Forgiven, Redeemed and Empowered Harvest Worker! Amen! How's this playing out through you daily? Is your life overflowing with love, mercy, grace, hope and help? It can!!! PTL! We are gathered and Holy Spirit empowered to live and love like Jesus and sent together to be Christ and His helper. Help us Lord! Thanks! Check out the Word for You below about God's search for laborers. He's calling you by name and you have been gifted and activated for service. Team up, pray, prepare and go! Remember, we all have a role to play in God's Good News Delivery Company, St. Matts division. What's your part? Prayer Warrior, bread server, clothier, teacher, giver, helper, encourager, inviting friend? The roles are as varied as us and God has gathered us to encourage each other and to help us to make disciples. He has someone just for you and a spot to serve and grow into your potential. Are you cooperating with His Spirit? Are you dying to self, taking up cross and ready to follow Jesus and be Him in the flesh and action? That's why you are here and what you are created to be and do--be you. Be about God and His business. And we need each other's part to help, encourage, pray and do our what we are created and gifted to do. Are you? DO IT! Try it! You are created, gifted, and placed here for such a time as this. Keep working at growing into your potential in Christ and doing what you are created to do for such a time as this. God is calling you by name and saying come and walk with Me to my best for you and others. He really does care for you and loves you beyond measure. he is our Savior, Provider and Protector. Choose Him first and to allow Him to have His way with you. His plans are great and as varied as we are. PTL! I am so excited for what God has for you and us this year and how He wants to grow you and unite us to help each other become mre like Jesus and to go live and love more like Him. I'm praising God for you all and praying for Him to fill you with dreams and vision and things to work at and on. What might they be? Let us reason together and continue to pray, encourage and spur on to all He has for you and us! Amen!
TWFYT:
Upper Room: God Cares
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
In early , our town received more than 15 inches of rain over several days, causing significant flooding around the city. Unfortunately, our home was affected by the flooding. The seemingly impossible task of repairing our home and the devastation in the town were almost more than we could bear. We wondered where God was and how God could turn this tragedy into something good. Fear and anxiety quickly set in. But as we prayed and sought God’s guidance, God not only brought restoration to our home but blessed us with people along the way to help with the rebuilding process. Something that had once seemed impossible was now possible with God.
When adversity makes us feel hopeless and overwhelmed, it is best to turn to God and trust in God’s plan. God cares for each of us and about the things that trouble us — big or small. Letting go of worry and allowing God to lead us through requires trust, but doing so gives us peace and comfort when we need it most.
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Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear God, help us to hand over to you the things that make us anxious, knowing you care for us and will provide what we need. Amen.
Brian and Missy Wagner update
Happy New Year from our Crazy Crew
As we ended our first school term at the very end of November, we welcomed over 200 AIM members who live and minister in Kenya and Tanzania to campus for our Spiritual Life Conference. WHY do we gather together each year? We’re glad you asked! We gather to be rooted in Christ, renewed for service, so that we may return to our areas of ministry with fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, empowered to bring transformative impact to the lives and communities we serve, for the glory of God. During our times of teaching, were challenged from the Book of Daniel as we reflected on the theme of Heartfelt Mission in a Hostile World. What a wonderfully encouraging time of worship and fellowship.
After conference, we packed our bags and headed to winter weather in Pennsylvania where we spent time with each of our grown children, their spouses, and two grandsons, along with extended family, friends, and several church groups. What a blessing to have this gift of time together. We even got to enjoy some SNOW! ❄️
Finding a New Way Home
After an unexpected airport adventure from Washington to Lagos (Nigeria), then Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), we arrived back in Nairobi (Kenya), only three hours later than our original flight through Brussels (Belgium). Thankfully, our four pieces of checked baggage kept up with our new itinerary and arrived with us! It was so good to be home!
Back in the Saddle
Five days later, life and excitement returned to campus as we welcomed students back from all around the world for the start of our second school term. Our boys were happy to see their friends and quickly unpacked and settled back into dorm life. As we ended week three, all our K-6th grade students enjoyed a water-themed field day! Below the equator, we are happily enjoying sunny days and temperatures in the mid-70’s! Visitors welcome! 😉
Here are some ways to PRAY for us this term:
CAMPING TRIP: We’ll be taking our Titchie dorms camping this weekend! It’s always a fun time getting our seven guys and six girls off campus. PRAY for good health, safety, and fun as we make new memories together.
AP CLASSES: These next twelve weeks of teaching and learning are critical as our students prepare to take their AP exams, which will happen in early May at the beginning of our third school term. PRAY for Brian and all our AP teachers as they teach and work with students to help them feel ready for these exams.
MUSIC TOUR: This year’s three-day high school choir and band ministry tour will travel to schools in Nairobi at the end of February. The theme, Light in the Darkness, is focused on John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” PRAY for the students and directors, as well as Missy (choir accompanist), through these weeks of learning music and finalizing tour details.
As we gathered together in preparation for the term ahead, the liturgy below was read as a prayer over our staff, those who have been called to live and serve together in this school community that sits high above the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.
A Liturgy for Labors of Community Every Moment Holy, Volume 1, written by Douglas McKelvey
Our lives are so small, O Lord, Our vision so limited,
Our courage so frail, Our hours so fleeting.
Therefore give us grace and guidance
for the journey ahead.
We are gathered here because we believe
that we are called together into a work
we cannot yet know the fullness of. Still, we trust the voice of the One who has called us.
And so we offer to you, O God, these things: Our dreams, our plans, our vision.
Shape them as You will. Our moments and our gifts.
May they be invested
toward bright, eternal ends.
Richly bless the work before us, Father.
Shepherd us well lest we grow enamored
of our own accomplishment
or entrenched in old habit.
Instead let us listen for Your voice,
our hearts ever open to the quiet beckonings
of Your Spirit in this endeavor. Let us in true humility and poverty of spirit remain ever ready to move at the impulse of your love in paths of your design.
You alone, O God,
by your gracious and life-giving Spirit
have power to knit our imperfect hearts,
our weaknesses, our strengths,
our stories, and our gifts, one to another. Unite Your people and multiply our meager offerings, O Lord, that all might resound to Your glory.
May our acts of service and creation,
frail and wanting as they are,
be met and multiplied by the mysterious
workings of Your Spirit
who weaves all things together
toward a redemption more good and glorious
than we yet have eyes to see,
or courage to hope for. May our love and our labors now echo your love and your labors, O Lord.
Let all that we do here,
in these our brief lives,
in this our brief moment to love,
in this the work you have ordained
for this community,
flower in winsome
and beautiful foretaste
of greater glories yet to come.
O Spirit of God, now shape our hearts. O Spirit of God, now guide our hands. O Spirit of God, now build Your kingdom among us.
Amen.
May this be your prayer, too, in whatever community the Lord has you planted at the beginning of this New Year.
Good Morning Armored-Up Warriors! God thing as I was deep in praying about an urgency and something that I see as troubling. BUT GOD. What I am sensing in my spirit is not of God (or at least I am pretty sure it's not) Sarah's prayers are being answered as God reminds us to armor up, stand firm in Him and on His promises and allow Him to batlle the principalities and powers rampaging behind the scenes. Pray on that aromor and prepare for battle and ask God to bring His Truth and Justice alive as we do and for wisdom for your part and courage to stand firm in Him. Amen!
Since I had a late start (slept in--PTL) I'm just leaving you with the teacings and prayers of Our Daily Bread devo and Connection blogs. They are treaded together by God for you and us . He is calling you by name and askking you to open the door to His love, wisdom, protection, provision and direction. Cry out and receive it all! God is for you and longing for you to choose His best. He's knocking! Will you open, invite Him in and sit at His feet a bit ? I did and it was very profitable so far! PTL! So armor up and be still as you prepare for the day and the battles ahead. He is with you and for you--always! Amen!
Two quick stories (I'm not sharing these to blow my own horn but to glorify God and share some examples of His faithfulness when we say yes to Him): , God woke me early and stirred me to go feed the bread recipients with leftover soups from and hotdogs and some desserts and chips. We had limited bread. But due to rationing we had more than enough and were able to send two boxes to the Macungie pantry. People were so thankful for some warm soup and lunch. Many that come have great needs and were blessed and praising God! PTL! I'm thanking God for stirring me to this. was another great night of feasting, fellowship and study. God sent another new bread person ( we had 6 plus a new grandchild). Moral=God speaks and blesses our faithfulness and uses us when we respond well. What's He asking of you ?
The other story is from a few days ago. Have you ever gotten yourself in trouble and then got trapped and could see no way out? This is exactly why we need to armor up as Satan and our own foolish choices often trap us with no way out...BUT GOD! He sees, cares, responds and even takes care of the sparrows. We have a heated bird bath and a sparrow must have stepped in and then landed on our metal fence. His feet froze fast. When I went out to feed them, my dog was acting weird and led me to the bird. God reminded me of a sollution and respponse. I poured some tap water on his claws and he released and flew away. he has given us and almost seemed dead...BUT GOD! Maggie was like the Holy Spirit, leading me to help and the Holy Spirit did bring me insight to a sollution. Moral= Trust God always--even when all seems hopeless. His Spirit is working on rescue and a sollution. Stand firm and keep focused and crying out in hope. God hears and will help and free you on the day of trouble. Amen! Keep your eyes open for His nudgings to be the help needed too.
Man I love God and how He works. It's a mystery but trusting and obeying are used by God and release His answers and help. So armor up, stay focused on Him and prepare for . I already prayed for you all! Shalom shalom!
Open your heart and the door to Jesus! He's knocking and calling you by name! Receive His love, wisdom and direction ! Knock knock! "Whose here?" Jireh--ALL you need. Please open the door____ (Insert your name here.) I love you! Come to me, weary one and armor up for the journey!
Our Daily Bread:
Standing Strong in Christ
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
Recently, my mom gave me a play-by-play of a surprising confrontation she saw on a live webcam feed from a watering hole in Africa. The Gemsbok, a large antelope, has horns that can be more than two feet long, making it a formidable animal that doesn’t seem to scare easily. That is, unless it comes across a group of brave and rowdy ostriches.
The lead ostrich, which was taller than its foes, shook its large feathers, roared, and stomped toward three Gemsbok, causing them to flee.
“I guess they didn’t realize how powerful their horns are,” I said to my mom.
Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan. We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Romans 8:11) and the armor of God to help us: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan wants to challenge our belief in God’s Word, question our identity in Christ, and tempt us to sin.
But we can stand strong because God’s armor includes “the belt of truth, . . . the breastplate of righteousness, . . . the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vv. 14-17).
When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we’re God’s children and are well equipped to stand strong.
By Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT & PRAY
Why do you sometimes forget to use the armor of God? How can you stand firm in your battles?
Dear God, thank You for giving me Your divine protection.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Speaking to gentile (non-Jewish) believers in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-12), Paul uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor—compelling imagery for that audience. Although drawing on militaristic imagery to highlight a struggle against “the powers of this dark world” (6:12), the apostle also emphasizes that this isn’t a fight against human beings—“against flesh and blood”—but against “spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12). It’s a conflict in which believers follow our suffering Savior, who died out of love to reveal “the gospel of peace” (v. 15). He’s equipped us with spiritual armor (vv. 10-17) so we can stand strong when we face spiritual battles.
Monica La Rose
Connection Blogs"
- Prayer Is Your Lifeline
Seasons of Satan’s strong attacks must be combatted in unceasing prayer. There is only One who can help us see temptation for what it really is and give us grace to be victorious. Only One who can alert us to the presence of the evil One and identify his whispers for what they really are. Only One who can look behind enemy lines and alert us when deadly missiles are poised and about to be fired upon us, our families, or our church. Therefore, the lines of communication must be open always to the Father in prayer. It must be the air we breathe.
Our weakness... is our flesh, Jesus said. Our redeemed spirits—regenerated by the Spirit of God within us—may long to stay awake and watchful. But our humanity is weak during this present age. It will pull us to slumber if we are not careful.
Prayer is not merely a “nice thing” to do to get a few things you need. It is your protection and lifeline from all that is threatening your soul and the lives of those you are charged to protect. You would never fall asleep if you knew a mortal enemy was prowling about your house, intent on killing your children.
Paul, realizing this, tell us in Ephesians, Chapter 6:10-20, to put on the full armor of God and then do one thing: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18, emphasis mine)
It’s time to wake up, and stay awake, in prayer.
Lord God, please cover and protect my life with Your armor! May I continually recognize that You have provided everything I need to battle the temptations of life and the evil of the culture around me! Teach me to put on each piece of Your armor prayerfully and intentionally each day so that I am able to stand, to be alert, and to pray at all times in the Spirit!
Praise God for the depth of his love, which is the very core of his being (1 Jn. 4:8-9).
Thank God that he will never take his love from you or your family (Ps. 103:17).
Confess any times during the last week when you gave little thought to God’s great love for you.
Commit yourself to beginning each day with the refreshment of God’s love (Ps. 90:14).
Ask that you “may have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:17-19).
Pray for specific places in the world where violence, greed, and hatred are wounding many lives. Pray that this work of Satan will be defeated, overpowered by the love of God shown through Jesus and his church.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
uRGENT pRAYER REQUEST: We have very limited bread and may need to close the bread ministry doors early. The crazy snow storm rush cleared shelves of products we would normally receive. Please pray for God's provision to stretch to thse with need . Ask Him to multiply the bread like with the feeding of the 5000. And thank Him for His provision, answered prayers and for using us. Thanks!
Good Morning Effective, Earnestly Praying and Believing Friends! Amen! Hear our heartfelt, earnest prayers Lord! May Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me and us. Thank You for you many blessings, provisions and answered prayers. Thank You for what You are about to do as you provide for needs through us. You are enough, Jireh! Thank You for Your many blessings! May we be the best servants and stewards of them. Thank You! Direct our steps Lord! Come! Thanks! Amen!
Pray for me for wisdom and direction--I feel God calling me to get to church early and cook some soup and sandwhiches or breakfast or something for those who may show up and we have no bread available. Ask God to direct my steps and provide for all the needs . Ask Him to use us well and draw many to Him through our love and blessings. Thanks! Ending here with a blog and TWFYT to meditate upon. God loves you and is with you and us and will provide, guide, proetct and glorify His name through us. Rejoice! trust and follow well ! Amen!
TWFYT
Connection Blogs
- He Is All You Need
The road to true biblical Christianity isn’t easy. Going against the tide is beyond difficult. Persecution can be deadly. Standing firm to the end is what few will do. Life on the rocky Narrow Road is lonely; most take up residence on the sandy Wide Road. No, true biblical Christianity isn’t easy, but is made possible by Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
It’s important to note that John never left the desert. Even when God launched his prophetic ministry, he remained in the desert. He was fully alive there. He didn’t stay because he was a social outcast, but because the desert gave him an intimacy with God he never wanted to lose. He didn’t leave the desert until he was carried to jail and killed. There’s life in the desert with Jesus. There’s death in the world without Him.
In the desert, all you have is God. He is all you ever need.
So what does a personally revived Christian look like? They’re pure, devoted, and fearless. They’re loyal to God and keep His commands. They cling to the cross and long for the return of Christ. While others let their love for the Lord, their brothers and sisters, and their enemies wax cold, they love with intensity.
They love truth, speak truth, and stand for truth. They stand stalwart against doubt and unbelief. They walk by faith and not by sight. They’re militant against lies and deception. They courageously swim against the tide of the world’s philosophies, movements, and culture.
While others are asleep to prayer, they’re mighty prayer warriors. They’re awake when others are asleep—and hungry for God when others don’t care. They pursue lives of holiness when other believers are steeped in compromise.
Father God, I would rather travel with You through the desert than settle into the comfort of the world. Shape me into a pure, devoted and fearless follower, loyal to all of Your commands. Show me how to continually love, speak and stand for Your truth! Teach me to pray, Lord! I want to be a mighty warrior for Your kingdom’s sake! Create in me a pure heart…to live a life devoted to holiness.
Praise God as the only true God who has revealed himself to you in his Word and through his Son.
Give thanks for the Bible through which God reveals himself and his will for your life.
Confess any failure to use and respond to that revealed Word.
Commit yourself to meditating on the Word and allowing it to dwell richly in your heart (Col. 3:16).
Ask that you may remain in Christ and his words in you, so that you can bear much fruit to the Father’s glory (Jn. 15:7).
Pray by name for unsaved friends and neighbors that they may know the love of God, may believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and will not perish but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Team! God describes Himself as One. He is Three in One and the ulimate example of teamwork. Each essence has it's own purposes in the unity of One. Are we a unified team like that? This week on . evening we will study the Trinty. The Trinity is hard to wrap our heads around wih our limited human minds and understanding. Some day we will grasp more fully but for we know God is One--Three in One and our example for how to do life as those made in His image and for His purposes. So, who are your teammates--your 3 in 1 partnership? We are gifted to team up, encourage and grow His Church as partners. We need accountability that comes alive with trusted friends unifed in Christ and for His purposes. So how's that going? We are not made to go it alone. We need each othr and we need each other to do our parts in His Good News Delivery Company. Seek God for teammates and ask for your part and help to do it and help to grow more like Christ. He created you in His image for such a time as this with purposes to encourage each other and grow His Kingdom in partnership with Him and your team. Meditate on the Upper Room below and with some friends and covenant to beome His Team of servants walking in His ways. Come Lord! lead us. Unite us. Prepare us. Use us well as your team of Good News Bringers and disciple makers. Thanks Amen!
Stand firm together and in Christ . The world needs to see our unity and experience our love for God each other and others! What's your part in that? What might you need to work on to grow in unity and mission? Pray about it and contemplate with some friends and then let us know so we can pray and encourage. Yes, God does have great plans for you and your team! Rejouce and know His peace as you trust and follow Him to His best as His image bearers together! Amen! He is with us and for us! Stand firm! Worship! Team up! Go! Live and love like jesus with your team! Amen!
UR: Dependance
If they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. - Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NRSVUE)
In our modern times, many cultures promote the importance of being independent and self-reliant. Independence is considered a vital character trait and is something we stubbornly hang on to, even when we grow older or face difficulties or physical limitations.
When I was younger, I was proud of my ability to do things well on my own. I did not think I needed to rely on others or that it might even be important to seek assistance. However, years of physical limitations have taught me to value dependence rather than independence.
God said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” God identified the need for humans to help and depend on one another. This is not to suggest we should expect others to do everything for us. It just means we would do well to admit when we need help and, most important, ask for and accept that help. Perhaps in the future, we could all value dependence a little more than independence.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Father God, thank you for those who help us when we cannot manage alone. May we be willing to accept help and offer help to others. Amen.
Pray also for our Support Team and Debbie as we investigate purchasing new sound and media equipment. Pray for wisdom, direction and good deals on the right equipment. Thanks!
Good Morning Trusting in the Lord and His Faithfulness Followers of Jesus! Amen! He is creator, sustainer, Savior, redeemer, refiner, healer, deliverer, counselor, helper and friend. PTL! And He is so much more! Be still in worship and praise . Lift your prayers and concerns, release His power and provisions, and receive His peace, wisdom and help. COME! HELP! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Amen!
That dreaded "C" word can be scary, especially with a possible cancer diagnosis with family and friends. How do we resppnd and how do we help? Start on your knees. Cry out for help, strength, deliverance and miracles. Pray for God's shalom to overwhelm all. And choose to trust our all-knowing God. He knows, cares, is with us and allows things according to His purposes. Lean hard into Him and receive His shalom and wisdom. He promises to be working all things together for good for those who believe. Don't loose faith and keep trusting that He has a plan and knows what He's doing. Invite Him to walk with you always. He will and He will be your comfort and strength. Amen! 's Our Daily Bread struck a little closer to home as God really spoke to my heart through it and Psalm 31:13-18 (below) included with it. Then meditate on Eph 6:12-13 and strap on that armor in prayer and prepare to stand firm in Christ and on God's Word in this dark and fallen world. God is for us! He loves you and is calling you by name. Draw close and cuddle in His loving arms as you prepare for whatever dark valley He may have for you to walk through. Reach out to some partners to walk with and pray with you too. And then worship in trust. Psal 18:6 says, "In my distress I called upon my God and cried for help. He heard me." He knows, cares and hears you . Be still and know and be determined to persevere and stand firm. I'm praying for you and all of us to do so--no matter what. Amen!
Psalm 31:13-18 (Do you see our country in this and/or yourself as you persevere through some hard stuff? Turn this to a prayer fo faith)
13 I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
plotting to take my life.
14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”
15 My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me.
17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them lie silent in the grave.[a]
18 Silence their lying lips—
those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.
ODB:
Hope in Faith
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Kristin’s son had died from cancer when he was just seven. Now, three years later, her older son was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Friends who were not believers in Jesus grieved with her, but they couldn’t understand why she continued to trust Christ. “How could your God allow this? Why keep believing in Him?” they asked.
For Kristin, however, it was an even stronger reason to keep believing. “I don’t understand why this is happening,” she said, “but I know God will help us through this. Only God can give me hope to keep going.”
Such a hope and trust kept King David going when he found himself in overwhelming circumstances. Surrounded by enemies seeking his destruction, he probably couldn’t understand why all this was happening to him. Yet he knew he was following a God he could trust to deliver and bless him in His time (Psalm 31:14-16). This certain hope enabled him to keep submitting to God and to say, “My times are in your hands” (v. 15). And it uplifted him, such that he could also say, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (v. 24).
In times when we feel overwhelmed and there seems little to look forward to, we know we can hang on even more tightly to God and the life-giving hope He alone provides.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What do you need to keep going through life’s challenges? How does God’s promise of hope give you joy and strength even in hardship?
Loving Father, You know my struggles and doubts. Please give me the faith to keep trusting in You and the strength to keep going.
As Jesus hung dying on the cross, He spoke the words of the Psalms. We’re familiar with those from Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (see Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The words communicate deep pain and a kind of hopelessness in the face of utter despair. The circumstances of both David and His true heir, Jesus, led both to cry out in anguish.
But the words that Christ quotes just before surrendering to death carry a different note: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Here, He quotes David again—but the words of Psalm 31 point to an unshakable confidence in the goodness of the Father despite suffering. When we face overwhelming pain and suffering, the words of this psalm lead us to hold on to the Father just as Jesus did. We share the same hope as the Son of God.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Sarah Update:
Good evening, Warriors,
Hope you all are doing good and pacing yourselves with the cleanup of this snow.
Two prayer requests
We want to continue to pray for Darlene Geiger as she is dealing with some sort of allergy that is effecting her skin. Some areas
of her skin are very painful and itchy. Praying for you Darlene
Terry, male companion of Jane (Pastor Don's Mom) just learned that he has pre cancer of the pancreas area.
they are currently trying to schedule a biopsy. Please pray for God's peace to surround both Terry and Jane during this
process. You are in our prayers Terry!
Thank you everyone for keeping one another in each of your prayers.
Please keep bread ministry in your prayers as with the past storm many of the grocery store shelves were
bare, and this might mean there will not be much bread for . Please pray for the Lord to provide for all
Thank God I'm Forgiven! PTL and Amen! Thank God that forgiveness is on-going and always available to those whose hearts want to be forgiven and helped to repent. Help me/us Lord to seek after You and to walk as forgiven and redeemed servants. Cleanse us. Mold us. And use us to be Your Living Water to those thrsting after You! Amen! Tell God what you are thankful about and ask Him to transform and prepare you to go live and love more like Jesus, just as you are. Then ask Him to cleanse and purify you to repent and grow more like Christ and be ready to do the things He created you to do for such a time as this. Ask Him to revive you, us, and His Church and to bring salvation to this nation! Amen! Thank God that you are washed white as snow!
Good Morning Pure in Heart, Forgiven, Integrious, Servants of the Lord God Almighty--Maker of Heaven and Earth! May His Kingdom come and will be done in through and around you, us and this nation! Thank Him for forgiveness, patiently purifying and preparing us and using us to go change the world as we walk in His power and according to our callings. Amen! He has great plans for you to grow in and like Christ and to overflow with His Living Water. How might He want to do that ? Ask Him! Surrender, trust and obey. And pray and process with some friends. How might He want to change and prune and shape you? Ask Him and ask what He has for you to work on to become more like Jesus and to walk in His ways and step into His plans for you better. He will! Share what you are called to work on with us too. Pray and process that with your teammates. Ask Him to purify your hearts and help to walk with integrity as you receive His forgiveness and go love and love more like Jesus Thank him for the good plans He has for you, the opportunities to change and grow and for working all things together for good and for His on-going help. Think about that and worship! Then share your story and hope with someone God is bringing to your mind right now. Go in His ways and allow Him to use you to do your part to bring His Kingdom alive . And worship! He is amazing! And he loves you and is calling you by name to come abide and yoke to jesus as you walk with Him . And he has a great future and hope for you too! Amen! We are overcomers and more than just survivors! PTL! We are His and He lives in us and reworks us for His purposes. Surrender and step into His love and your new nature more fully. Don't just dip your toes in the Living Water. Do a canonball and jump in! Revival is at hand and you are called to do your part with His help! Amen! Check out the blogs and devos below as you abide and prepare for . then go be Jesus! You are blessed to do so! Amen
Connection Blogs:
- Thirsty for Personal Revival
This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (John 1:19-23)
You’re thirsty for personal revival. You want true biblical Christianity. The kind you read about in the New Testament. Lukewarm, cultural, go-with-the-flow, worldly Christianity will never do.
You want to radically burn and shine like John the Baptist (minus the locusts and camel hair). Jesus described John the Baptist as the greatest man who had ever lived. He lived…and died…to point the way to Jesus. I want to burn and shine for Jesus like that.
I want to prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord. I know you do as well.
John the Baptist’s ministry was forged in the desert. Howling winds, endless ribbons of sand, and no relief. The desert produces thirst. Thirst leads to seeking water. Seeking water brings about finding water. Finding water leads to drinking to your fill. Drinking to your fill imparts abundant life. You don’t have to wait for the apathetic, lukewarm Church to get revived in order to experience personal revival. You can get on fire for God now. You can be a living, breathing, walking revival—setting everything you touch ablaze for God!
But personal revival starts with thirst. God uses the desert to create an unquenchable thirst for Jesus. Nothing this world offers will satisfy. Nothing. Only Jesus.
It’s in the crucible of the desert that God brings you to a point of insatiable thirst and holy desperation for Him. It’s here He shows you there is more—much, much more—than what you’re living.
Many view the believers’ faith in the four Gospels and Book of Acts as living, impossible-to-attain, super-saint Christianity. But for thirsty Christians, this radical level of faith is both achievable by the grace of God—and the goal. Thirsty Christians don’t measure their walks with God by the Christians around them, or even by someone who’s done great exploits for God. Jesus is now the standard.
A Christian who has been personally revived lives true biblical Christianity. Not perfect Christianity. If that were the case, none of us could experience personal revival. I certainly couldn’t. I need God’s mercy almost daily. I know I’m not alone.
Father, I am so thirsty for all You have for my life! Help me to lean into Your heart as I seek more and more life in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for not chasing after You with everything in me! Grow my desire to experience personal revival through Your power and Your grace! Show me how to live in such a way that others want more of Your life-giving presence too!
Praise God, who is your refuge and strength (Psalm 46).
Give thanks for his “ever present help in trouble” (v. 1). Confess any desire to live life apart from God.
Commit yourself to being still and knowing that he is God.
Ask him to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
Pray that your pastor may have a fruitful ministry and that he may handle responsibilities with grace and patience.
Ask that he may have a harmonious working relationship with other congregational leaders.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer is the most vital force in world evangelism.” —Anonymous
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Charles Joughin was a sailor from the young age of eleven. He served as a baker on a number of ships and, in 1912, got hired on to a cruise ship sailing out of Southampton, England. That ship, the Titanic, hit an iceberg in the Northern Atlantic. As the ship went down, Joughin helped people into lifeboats. He himself stood atop the end of the Titanic as it sunk vertically into the water. Miraculously, he survived.
Thirty years later, during World War II, Charles was on another ship, the RMS Oregon. It was rammed by another vessel, and it also sank. Remarkably, Joughin survived again.
Scriptures tell us we’re all on a sinking ship. Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He refers to the rebellious nation of Israel, quoting Isaiah: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom” (Isaiah 1:9). Paul speaks of a “remnant” of Israel, a shipload of survivors: “only the remnant will be saved” (Romans 9:27). How are they saved? By receiving the good news (10:16). You see, we’re all like Israel, drowning in our sin. None of us can be rescued unless we receive the good news. The lifeboat that God throws out to us all is Jesus.
We who believe in Jesus might need to be reminded of the remarkable truth that we are, by God’s mercy, survivors. Those who haven’t yet found Jesus in the troubled waters of life might do well to climb in the lifeboat.
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you felt like you’re drowning in life? How do you understand God’s offer of a lifeboat?
In Romans 9:22-29, Paul reveals the depth of God’s mercy against the backdrop of divine sovereignty. Though God has every right to display His wrath and power, He instead chooses to show immense patience, even toward those who oppose Him. This patience paves the way for mercy, as God calls not only the Jews but also the gentiles, creating a new people belonging to Him. The apostle draws from Hosea to emphasize that God’s saving grace reaches beyond human expectation: Those once considered “not my people” are now beloved children of God (Romans 9:25; Hosea 2:23). Salvation isn’t earned but freely offered, and God’s mercy isn’t limited by ancestry or status. We’re all drowning in sin, but God offers salvation through Jesus to all who believe (Romans 10:13).
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice, be glad in it and gather on Zoom to worship! We do have so much to be thankful about and to worship God for! Let us gather across the miles and enter is courts with together ! Then abide AND enjoy a day of sabbath rest! God made the sabbath and days like this for us to be still, know and abide. Amen! Thanks Lord! (Here's the Zoom link. Join us as we begin pre-worship music around 9:45 and begin the service at 10! https://us06web.zoom.us/s/3737105001?pwd=U0xuWEtlcXNIRW9pL2U2VWI1SjVSdz09#success)
This week:
10-11 Zoom Huddle (all welcome)
10-12 Bread Day; 6-8 Dinner Huddle, Fellowship and Study (all welcome)
Good Morning Seen, Covered and Protected, Jesus-like, Children of the King of the Universe! Amen!
This saluatation flows from our devotionals for below. Engage with them as you sit at God's feet and listen. He is speaking to you and always loving you and longing for and helping you to be conformed to His image. What's He saying to you ? How is He informing your prayers or responses? How does He want you to correct? Will you receive that and cooperate? Who might be your partners in the journey to your created potential as one with Christ and for doing what you are created to do for such a time as this? Has He given you something to work on to grow? Will you? Be still and chat with Daddy . He loves you and has great plans for you and for us. Let us be about our Father and His business. Let us be His Light as we go live and love more like Jesus together this year. Amen!
He sees us and knows us and is calling you by name. He has gathered us to grow and go make Him known and to make disciples. He protects us and we have His promises to stand upon always--even the hope of heaven. And He has saved us, refined us and is equipping us to be Jesus in the flesh as we carry out His mission, drive back the darkness and bring His Love alive! It's obvious that we need to do that more earnestly in this evil, dark and hateful nation. Revival is at hand! Join us in this year of the Lord's favor as we go transform the world with His Love and Light up the darkness with our hope and joy. Amen! What's your part? This is a great day to discuss that with Him and your teammates and make His plans and pray in power. Amen! We are His and He has made us to be Love for such a time as this! Let's roll baby! Come Lord! Your will be done and send us! Amen!
UR: Always in Sight
You [Lord] know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. - Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
While looking through old photos, I came across one taken when I had gone to a family reunion with my then fiancé, Tom. Everyone was gathered for a family photo, and I was standing in the group beside Tom. At the last moment, realizing that I was not “officially” family, I quickly stepped aside. In the photo, people are facing forward, toward the photographer — all except Tom. He’s turned sideways, watching after me. After 53 years of marriage, I look at that photo and smile. All these years later, I am still blessed by a husband who is lovingly focused on me.
As wonderful as this is, scripture tells me that I have an even greater blessing. I have a heavenly Father who watches over my “coming and going both now and forevermore” (Ps. 121:8). This is an assurance to all who trust God. Even in difficult times or times without the support of others, we are never alone. Regardless of life’s circumstances, each of us can know that God sees us and cares for us with an everlasting love.
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's Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for blessing us with your caring presence. Help us to know that you are present with us in all the times of our lives. Amen.
TWFYT
ODB
Be Like Jesus
We all . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18
The tall passenger seemed to unfold as he stood up in the aisle of the small regional jet. Then I noticed the title of his boldly displayed book: Be Like Jesus. A few minutes later, I saw that same man push others aside to grab his bag off the waiting trolley. Be like Jesus? I didn’t know if he was truly a “brother” who knew Christ, but I was dismayed by this display of selfishness that misrepresented Jesus.
As my feet hit the escalator, I saw the man again, book cover still visible. The words then elbowed my own heart. Be like Jesus, Elisa. Don’t judge. I wondered, was my presence emanating anything of Jesus?
Becoming like Jesus is a transformational process—a metamorphosis—of God growing His character in us as we yield to His ways. Paul wrote that believers in Jesus “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). John marvels at how hard this is for us to understand—much less achieve: “Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him [in purity], for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2-3).
As the escalator spilled us out, I glanced again at the book. Be Like Jesus—the words took on new meaning for me and redirected my gaze to my own heart and life.
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
In what way do you long to be like Jesus? How can you cooperate with His work in your life?
Oh, God, how I want to be like You! Please have Your transformative way in my heart.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In his first letter, John carries forward many of the same themes that frequently appear in his gospel account. These include love (1 John 3:11-15; 4:7-12; see John 3:16; 15:9-13) and light (1 John 1:5-7; 2:8-11; see John 1:9-13; 8:12; 9:5), both of which have been perfectly represented in the person of the Savior, Jesus Christ. John also mirrors his gospel by opening his letter with a statement of the incarnation of Jesus—the Son of God, who has come in the flesh (1 John 1:1-4; see John 1:1-5). While John’s writings contain many eternally important ideas, the concepts of love and light continually bubble to the surface as he seeks to describe both who Christ is and what He came to bring. He’s the Son of God, who came to penetrate the world’s darkness with His perfect light and to heal the brokenhearted with His perfect love. As we yield to Him, God grows His character in us, and we become more and more like Jesus.
Bill Crowder
Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Boyertown, PA 19512
484-338-0009
Good Morning Shining, Filled and Fulfilled Followers of Jesus and His Ways! Jesus is the Way and we are follower's of the Way. Amen. He love us, seeks us, fills us and His will is fulfilled in and through us! Amen! We are very loved, bright and shining stars for Jesus that drive back the darknes with Him and His marvelous light. God is Light and in Him is no darkness! PTL we can be forgiven and dwell in His marvelous light! Man the world needs some lighting up ! Help us Lord! May we drive back the darkness with you and stand firm in You and Your good ways . Come and fill and overflow us with Your Light and Love! AMEN! Check out the Upper Room and Our Daily Bread below as you contemplate these things with God. He is calling you by name to come sit a spell in His love and wisdom and then to walk with Him into his plans for you (and us) . He longs to hang out and shine in and through you. I am thinking about Moses who had to veil his face after hanging out and soaking in God's light and love. Is that you? It can be. And it gos even better with some teammates. Who are yours? Is there something God has for you to work on this year so others see His Light more clearly? Do it and share that with us so we can pray and encourage you. Be filled, fulfilled and SHINE! Amen I'm praying for you! My Word is from 1 Peter 1:13, "Prepare your mind for action and exercise self-control." May we be more than just hearers but doers of His Word in ways that glorify our God. Shine!
If you didn't join us at Bread Ministry or at dinner huddle, you missed out on a great opportunity to abide, shine and live and love and even learn like Jesus. He wants to teach us to be more like Him and to shine bright in this dark and weary land. Plan to join us next week. He wants to use and grow you as we gather, worship, study and fellowship and serve together. What's your part in His Good News Delivery Co.? Come and find out! Be Jesus and light up the darkness with us. People are being drawn to His Light through us! PTL! Come join the fun and grow in Christlikeness and your potential in Christ with us! I'm praying for you and our church to live, love and light up the world more and more like Jesus. Come and see and do your part! Amen!
It's sure looking like Zoom only worship . Watch for the call to cancel gathering or not . Either way, there will be no brunch this month. Watch for more details on our Super Bowl Soup battle brunch on Feb. 22! Ok..be still, abide, reload and prepare to go be the Light ! (Don't forget to get your milk, eggs and bread before the storm!)
UR: You Are Shining
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
While I was taking care of a patient one day, he said to me, “You are shining in this place.” I looked at him in awe. Every day I prayed that Jesus Christ’s light would shine through me so that others would see him. This patient had no idea that this was my prayer, but his comment felt like confirmation that God had heard me and answered my prayer. After hearing his words, I felt the joy of knowing that God had worked through me.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel . . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We live in a world that is filled with darkness, and as Christians we are to show others the way to Jesus. We are to represent Christ wherever we are. That day I realized that no matter our circumstances we can be the light of Jesus Christ, brightening the places where we find ourselves.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, may your light shine in us so that others can see you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ODB:
A Longing Fulfilled
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3
Blaise Pascal famously said there’s an “infinite abyss” inside us that only an infinite God can fill. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord,” Augustine prayed, “and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” As David put it, like thirsty people in the desert, our whole being “longs” for God (Psalm 63:1).
Surprisingly, however, it isn’t only humans that experience longing. God does too. While the infinite God of the universe needs nothing outside Himself to be fulfilled, the Bible says He “longs” to have us back when we stray (James 4:4-5), and repeatedly says He wants a people to call His own (Exodus 6:7; Hebrews 8:10).
For thousands of years this longing has fueled God’s missionary endeavors: sending prophets to win back His straying people and ultimately sending His Son to find His lost sheep (Isaiah 30:18; Luke 19:10). The good news is that in the end, this longing will be fulfilled. “They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God,” and God and human beings will dwell together (Revelation 21:2-3).
Humans long for God, and no substitute will satisfy. God longs for humans, and no substitute will do. So no wonder there’s rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). When we run to God’s open arms, everyone is fulfilled.
By Sheridan Voysey
REFLECT & PRAY
How do you feel about God “longing” for you? How can this encourage you when you need to repent for doing wrong?
Heavenly Father, thank You for passionately longing for me to know You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After God created the heavens and the earth, He placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. But then they sinned, and pain, strife, and death were the result (Genesis 1-3). In Isaiah, the prophet declares that God will one day create “new heavens and a new earth” where “the former things will not be remembered” (65:17; see also 66:22). Later, Peter wrote of “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). In Revelation 21, John has a vision of this new heaven and new earth, where they’ll be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4). In this vision, Jesus—“he who was seated on the throne” (v. 5)—declares, “those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (v. 7). God rejoices when we repent of our sin and seek forgiveness. Those who do will enjoy this new earth with Christ for all eternity.
Sarah Update Below: Note...with impending weekend storm and frigid cold the Brunch has been cancelled for . we have a great time of feasting (home made soup (chicken corn noodle and beef veggie) and hot dogs). We begin our Jesus shaped Life study and study guides will be avaialable for $15 suggested donation. All welcome and plenty of warming soup and fellowship available ! Join us!
Our Annual Congregational Meeting is schedule for , however due to bylaws calling for all to have access to the budget before the meeting, if is zoom only, we will have to move the meeting to the 8th. Reports and budget are printed and in the sanctuary awaiting our return to worship. Ask God to inform our decisions and to lead us forward in Christ and His ways.
We have received a $5000. donation to be used along with our Memorial fund to upgrade all our media (sound, computers and Power Point, signage and on air broadcasting) The donation can only be used for computers, video/sound, signage and sanctuary updates needed to upgrade our worship experiences. (The Support Team has approved moving forward with this) Deb and I are meeting with Revival Church at 11:30 to discuss what they use as we will need similar equipment/media outlets to improve our systems. (Pray for wisdom and thank God for provision!)
Good Morning Interruptable, Focused, Adaptive, Seekers of Righteousness! That's is us! PTL! Check out the devos below that speak into this salutation and worship as you cry out for the righteousness of God and focus on Him and hearts ready adjust to follow well. Amen! Hope to see you at Bread and dinner worship !
ODB
Divine Interruptions
A well-to-do woman . . . urged [Elisha] to stay for a meal. 2 Kings 4:8
Up early, Sara wrote her to-do list for the day. But she was interrupted with a request from a young, struggling family. They desperately needed a gas card from church to be delivered to them. Sara was busy but knew God wanted her to do this. So she agreed to drop it off at the hotel where the church was having them stay for a few weeks. She got the card and checked the address—the drive was farther than she’d anticipated, so she complained to God, It’s going to take too much gas to get this to them!
Sara sensed these words in her spirit: Haven’t I provided for you? She replied, Yes, God, You have. Forgive my attitude. When she arrived, she found the couple, gave them the card, and held their baby. Sara thanked God on her drive home for blessing her with this simple, yet joyful opportunity.
In Elisha’s travels to Shunem in Israel, he found a woman who had a servant’s heart toward him. She urged Elisha “to stay for a meal,” so he often “stopped there to eat” (2 Kings 4:8). She and her husband even built him a room so whenever he came to their town, he’d have a place to stay (vv. 9-10). God graciously chose to bless them through Elisha’s prophecy of a child (v. 16).
Whether serving a prophet of God or a homeless family, when we’re open to God’s plan and defer to His to-do list, God delights to bless our hearts with joy.
By Anne Cetas
REFLECT & PRAY
What interruption might be God’s plan for you? How can you serve in ways that are best for others?
Dear God, please open my heart to hear Your voice and serve as You lead.
Elisha usually takes a back seat to the more celebrated Elijah, yet Elisha’s ministry was both powerful and profound. He experienced a divine interruption when Elijah abruptly cast his cloak upon him—signifying he was being called to follow and be trained for service (1 Kings 19:19-21). In the midst of plowing his family’s fields, the trajectory of Elisha’s life was changed as he not only followed Elijah, but he used the yoke and oxen to make a sacrificial offering, apparently as a statement of his commitment to follow the prophet. He enjoyed a much longer ministry than Elijah, and by the power of God performed more miracles than that of his mentor. , we can ask God to help us be open to His plans for us as we look for ways to serve others.
Bill Crowder
UR: In Any Circumstance
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. - Psalm 86:12 (NIV)
My wife and I were on a much-needed vacation, hiking the mountains and canyons of northern Arizona. We had gone through several months of challenging times, and the fresh air and beautiful scenery were refreshing for mind, body, and soul.
On one hike, I noticed a small cedar tree growing on the side of a rocky outcropping. I stopped and examined it. There was very little dirt at the base of the tree — it looked like it was growing right out of the rock. Despite living in a very challenging environment, the tree survived and grew.
Like that tree, we aren’t always in control of our circumstances. Surely the little tree, if able to choose its location, would have picked a spot with fertile soil and adequate sunlight and rainfall. But it didn’t have the power to make that choice. Instead, it was fulfilling its purpose of growing, even in the challenging environment in which it found itself. Shouldn’t we do the same? We were made to glorify God. Let us serve our purpose, regardless of location or circumstance.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us. No matter where we find ourselves, may our hearts, words, and actions glorify you always. Amen.
TWFYT:
Connection Blogs
- The Holy Spirit Brings Wisdom and Understanding
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The same Spirit that descended on Jesus as a dove came to the early church in tongues of fire. With this visitation came new insight, strength, and understanding. The Holy Spirit brings clarity, not confusion. He offers discernment, not disorder. As He rests on us, He allows us to see God rightly, understand His Word, and look at the world around us through His eyes.
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving me understanding as I read the word of God, and for giving me discernment as I face difficult decisions or circumstances! Please help my church to be a place that is continually marked by Your wisdom.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, Simply Prayer at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
Praise God for the radiance of his presence.
Give thanks that you can have fellowship with him and walk in the light.
Confess any dark sin that you have not yet exposed to that light.
Commit yourself to living by the light of God’s truth (1 Jn. 1:5-7).
Ask “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness . . .” (Phil. 1:9-11).
Pray for husbands that they will give spiritual leadership in their households and will love their wives as Christ loved the church.
Sarah Update
Good evening, Team
Just wanted to catch up on a couple of things:
Thank you to Tim and Danny for keeping up with our walks, steps, and parking lots. Greatly appreciated !
We are looking into another individual that has a plowing service. Our current person lives in Easton,
and at times it is difficult for this individual to meet our needs.
As we find out more information about their service and prices we will keep you posted.
Danny has salted our parking lots but with the frigid temperatures there most likely won't be much melting
happening.
We are also keeping an eye on this weekend's storms. We have decided to cancel, all together, January's brunch. February Two Peas and a Pod, are planning a SOUP-ER-BOWL OFF. We are asking for members of our church family to make their favorite soup and bring it to church in a crockpot. If they don't have a crockpot we can make sure it gets warmed up.
, at 11:30am there will be meeting with Pastor Daniel, in the sanctuary, to brainstorm about options to update our sound system.
Don and Debbie and if any of you would like to be part of this task force would like to be at the meeting, please, join us.
Let's continue to pray for God's wisdom and guidance, making the right decisions
Good Morning Christians--Christ's Ones--Believers in Christ--Followers of the Way! The Way is Jesus and He came and still comes in LOVE. Love is the Way of Christ. We belong to Love. Love saved us. Love refines us. Love sends us to Love. We believe that love sent Jesus to the cross and kept Him there for us and our salvation. Love is the Way for ! ASK TO BE FILLED WITH LOVE AND FOR THE ABILITY TO LOVE LIKE JESUS ! Ask to be able to agape love like Jesus--even enemies. Ask for "want to" that we would want to live and love more and more like Him and transform the world with love! Pray for Love to drive back the hate in this wporld. Pray for many to be drawn to and by the love Christ.
Below are two devotionals for that sort of inform this thinking and prayers. Ask God to come and speak to you and instruct your prayers and steps for the day. Be still and know as you prepare to go live and love like Jesus a little more . Maybe "LOVE" is a word for you to work on this year? Agape Love is sacrificial, dying to self love we all need. It's how Jesus loves and He commands us to love like Him. Die to self and take up cross as you prepare to turn off the noise and ignore the bad examples around you and focus on Love and walk more fully in His ways . Be love in the flesh and maybe people will ask why and we can respond because that's how Jesus loves me and wants me to love you. Try it and be LOVE --every day. God is Love. We are His and filled with Love that can over flow as we get to be Jesus in the flesh . We are Love's Ones! Thanks Lord! You are Love. Overflow Your Love from me . Thanks! I love you and long to love like You. HELP! Amen!
ODB
Our Birthright in Christ
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:26
The owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks offered a Chicago sports-talk host $100,000 to legally change his name to "Dallas Maverick." In addition, he said he would donate $100,000 to the man’s favorite charity. After some soul-searching, the radio host held firm and told the owner no. He explained, “I'd be saying I'd do anything for money, and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.”
Just as the radio host’s name is his birthright, early believers in Jesus took on the name “Christian” as their spiritual birthright. Barnabas and Saul ministered a year in Antioch, and through the preaching of the good news, the church grew. The early believers in Antioch lived so much like Christ that people who didn’t believe in Jesus—called them “Christians” (Acts 11:26). So “Christians” were those who belonged to Christ. Bearing that name ultimately became a source of persecution. But Peter encouraged believers to “not be ashamed” of their birthright and of suffering for bearing that name (1 Peter 4:16).
For those who believe in Jesus, “Christian” is our birthright, and no amount of money, suffering, or abuse should cause us to compromise that name. We have a responsibility, as God provides what we need, to live every day to bring honor to the name of Christ.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
When people hear the name “Christian,” what do you think fills their thoughts? What does it mean for you to be called a Christian?
Dear Jesus, please help me to live in a way that honors Your name.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
For gentile converts, the experience of being persecuted would’ve been a new and likely shocking experience. The Jewish people had experienced generations of suffering as a minority culture group and had therefore developed ways of understanding suffering and even dying for their faith. But the gentiles had been completely at ease with and accepted in their culture before their conversion to belief in Jesus. Experiencing suffering might have even caused them to doubt the truth of the gospel if they thought God’s favor should lead to their prosperity. To address this, the apostle Peter emphasizes that there’s nothing “strange” (1 Peter 4:12) about suffering for Christ. Instead, those who bear His name could view suffering for Him as a way of participating in His own suffering and could eagerly wait for the day they’d share in His glory too (vv. 13-14). As believers in Jesus, we belong to Him, and God will help us live in a way that brings honor to His name.
Monica La Rose
UR: Keep Praying
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. - James 5:17-18 (NIV)
When I arrived for dinner with a new friend from church, she introduced me to another guest, “Come and meet Kathleen.” As I entered the lounge I was surprised to find an elderly woman I had not seen in years. Her sparkling blue eyes met mine, and with tears of joyful recognition, we embraced.
Despite the time that had passed and her changed appearance, I still recognized this wonderful woman. She had regularly visited my family after my father had left us. Whenever she visited, she brought thoughtful little gifts and was genuinely interested in my brother and me. I loved the sense of peace she always embodied.
Now, almost three decades since we last saw each other, I discovered that she was a Christian and had prayed constantly for my family to come to Christ. My mother, brother, and I had since committed our lives to Christ, and I believe Kathleen’s prayers played a big part in making that happen.
Sometimes we see the results of our prayers, and other times we don’t. But we are encouraged to keep praying and trust the outcome to God.
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's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to keep on praying, trusting that you hear us and are at work, even when we don’t perceive it. Amen.
Connection Blogs
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The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out On All People
Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike (Joel 2:28-29).
The Spirit is generous to all of God’s people. He shows no partiality for the elite, but is poured out on men and women, young and old, the poor and the wealthy. Are we walking in a way that shows we believe this promise extends to us? The Spirit pours into us so that we can pour into others and build up the body of believers through our gifts.
Father God, please give me the faith to believe that the gifts of the Spirit are available to me, my family and the community of believers I worship with! Help us all to trust that You will show us how to walk in those gifts as You pour the Spirit out upon us!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). Check out the OneCry Podcast that Bill Elliff co-hosts!
Prayer Points
Praise the righteous God whose face shines upon you (Psalm 4).
Thank him for setting apart the godly for himself.
Confess any unresolved anger that causes you to sin.
Commit yourself to bringing to God gifts worthy of his name.
Ask the Lord to surround you with his favor and spread his protection over you so that you may rejoice in him.
Pray that the Spirit may thrust believers into worldwide mission, impelling young and old, men and women, to go next door and far away, into science and art, media and marketplace with the good news of God’s grace.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Washed White As Snow Community of Believers! We ARE! PTL! Cannot have community without the unity. Amen! God is One--Three in One--the perfect community. He models that for us. Help us Lord to invite, unite, take flight as your community gathered and sent to love like You united in You and on mission of love. Thanks! Amen!
I didn't realize was the MLK holidy until night. Martin was all about uniting in love. We are all part of a world-wide community. He called for us to be one as God is One and to unite in love where all are equal. We are, after all, equal in Gid's eyes and all made in His image. May we choose to become one again in Christ. May He bring revival to this nation and unite us in love. May He tear down the walls for separation and hostility and unite us in Christ. May revival come as we unite in Love! Pray for it and work for it. We believers are called to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. That is a goal of our church as well. We need unity to become that kind of loving, accepting community. That starts with loving God with all our being and then loving neighbors as we love ourselves. It's choosing to sacrificially, dying to self, agape love like Jesus--even enemies. That's a command right from our Shepherd's mouth. Let us work at that this year. Be Jesus, love like Him and unite in Love that overflows all around us. Amen!
Spend some time praying and meditating through our devotionals as you still yourself and abide in Love. He loves you and calls you by name to go love like Him and He forgives our failures and helps us to repent and love better as we are created to do in Christ. Help us Lord! We have a dream--a dream of being one in Love and living and loving more like Jesus. HELP! Amen!
ODB
From Every Nation
God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-35
London is a cosmopolitan city, with people from many nations living side by side. This coming together of people from around the world can bring richness—including amazing food—but also challenges. For instance, I was saddened that friends from one European country felt they were the least respected in London because their country had been admitted to the European Union more recently. They felt overlooked, blamed for problems, and resented for the jobs they secured.
Since God doesn’t show favoritism, neither should we. He breaks down barriers between people. We see His Spirit at work in Peter’s vision while praying on the rooftop, and how Peter was called to minister to Cornelius, a God-fearing gentile. God helped Peter evaluate the Jewish regulations about not associating with gentiles. The apostle listened and went to Cornelius’ home to share the good news of Jesus. He said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).
Those who follow Jesus are called to love and serve all those who are made in the image of Christ. Part of that mission is to not to show favoritism for people from certain nations or with particular skin colors. May we learn to seek justice and to defend the oppressed as God guides us (Isaiah 1:17).
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
Why do you think God breaks down barriers between people of different nations? How could you speak out for the oppressed?
Dear God, please help me make a difference for You in my community.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Acts 10, Peter’s response to God’s command contrasts with that of the prophet Jonah. God commanded both the wayward prophet and Peter to take His words to non-Jewish people. Jonah fled by way of Joppa so that he didn’t have to obey (Jonah 1:3), but Peter, while in Joppa, listened and headed straight to Cornelius (Acts 10:23-24). Jonah responded to God’s outpouring of compassion with anger (Jonah 4:1), but Peter allowed his heart and mind to change in light of God’s acceptance of the outsider (Acts 10:34, 44-48). Believers in Jesus are called to love everyone without favoritism, for we’re all made in the image of God.
Jed Ostoich
UR: Belovd Community
In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. - Galatians 3:26 (NRSVUE)
In 1955, when I was 11, my mom and I spent the fall in Louisville, Kentucky, at the home of Dr. Abbie Clement Jackson, my “adoptive” grandmother. Her neighborhood, my Boy Scout troop, my church, and my school were African American. When the Louisville school district wanted to bus me 20 minutes away to a white school, Grandma Abbie and Mom convinced the superintendent that I would be more comfortable remaining at the school where I had friends.
One morning, Grandma Abbie asked me to greet her escort who would be walking her to the African Methodist Episcopal church conference where she was the keynote speaker. Her escort was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
That afternoon, Dr. King and his parents came back to the house for tea and conversation. At one point, Dr. King asked me, “What is it like being the only white boy in an all Negro school?” I thought for a moment about my community and said, “It’s normal.”
The Beloved Community Dr. King spoke of begins when we feel comfortable in our skin while respecting the person next to us. When we look into one another’s eyes and see a child of God, we find community.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Gracious God, may your love for us manifest itself in our love for others. Amen.
Good Morning Masterpieces of God, Activated Servants! Amen! we will focus on the Upper Room Devotional and The Connection Blog. We are God's masterpieces even if we don't believe it. He created us in love and in His image for His plans and purposes for such a time as this. He gathered us and our gifts to encourage each other and build His Church. And He sends us out to live and love and make disciples like Jesus. We all have our parts to play in His Good News Delivery Co. And we do really need each other to do our parts. Amen! When we come to faith, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings to life the spiritual gifts God has just for each of us and according to our faith and His purposes for us. He gathers us as His family to help each other and to go with others to build the Kingdom. How cool is our God! We are created to be like Jesus to others and then saved, gifted and empowered to do just that! PTL! Plus He joins us with teammates to travel and go with. Thanks Lord! Come! Fill us! Empower us. Hear our prayers. Use us for Your glory and to do our created purposes. Thanks! Amen!
at Clothing Closet and at Brunch we have the opportunity to worship, and love like Jesus. We can bring Him and His ways and love alive as we engage with those He sends our way and with each other. Amen! He has things for us to work on (has He given you a word or something to work on this year? Share it! do it!) and He has gathered us for His perfect plans to be more like Jesus and to love neighbors to Him. Thanks Lord!
I started with mentioning how we sometimes question our worth or purposes. Somerimes we down ourselves and belittle our abilities. STOP! Turn off that noise! God made you and said, "WOW! This is my masterpiece! I have great plans for you!" Believe it! Receive it. Live them in Christ! You are creaTED AND ACTIVATED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS AND WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER TOO. REMEMBER THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS? "Love the Lord your God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself." Love God, others and yourself is not a suggestion. Stop downing and belittling God and His workmanship (you and others). You are His masterpiece, made new in Christ to do what He created you to do. That also includes teammates. Who are yours? And He created those He is sending in His image with plans for us to bless them with the love, hope and help we know. We are commanded to love like Jesus. How's that working out for you?
I often think about when Jesus was left behind at 12 and found teaching the teachers. His response was actually, "Didn't you know I needed to be about my Father." That applies to us! Be about our Father and then His business as one Body like He is One. Amen! Let us continue to work at being who we are created and gathered to be and doing what we are created and gathered and sent to do--together and for His glory! Amen! Thanks Lord! Your Kingdom come and will be done. Unite us in You and mission. Lead on Good Shepherd! We love you and want to offer our best and grow to our fuller potential in Christ. COME! Help! Bring revival and may it begin in me, Your masterpiece made new in Christ. Amen!
Upper Room: Something Good
We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Recently I noticed a multicolored ball of yarn in my yarn collection. It looked too ragged for any good use, but instead of throwing it away I decided to try crocheting something with it. The result surprised me! I followed the instructions and wound up with a warm woolen hat of beautiful colors — a perfect fit.
Some things in life can be just like that scruffy yarn: poor quality and apparently without purpose. At times, our life experiences can get us down and cause us to lose perspective. But here is where the hand of the Creator comes in. God is willing to make something incredible from whatever we have to offer. The Bible assures us: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Because of who God is, God can bring good from anything. May we never doubt the skill of God’s hand who can creatively use what we offer for the good of the world.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Creative God, we surrender to you all the pieces of our lives. Thank you for transforming them into something good. Amen.
Connection Blog
- The Holy Spirit Unites Believers
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:31-32).
The first-century church received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and was continually filled and equipped by the Spirit to be the kind of church God intended. One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to bring unity to the hearts and minds of believers to accomplish God’s mission in His church. Unity is vital among God’s people and in our church . The Spirit does not work among a church in disunity.
Oh Lord, unity is a huge thing on Your heart for Your people. May Your Holy Spirit fill every believer at my church with unity of heart and mind so that we have increased unity in our mission and vision. Convict us and correct us of anything that causes or breeds disunity in our midst.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
God Morning Still and Filled, Shalom-Living, Worshipers! Amen! Our God is a God of peace (shalom) and order. He is the God of the Sabbath and calls us to trust and rest in Him for provision as we still ourselves and pray and worship. "Be still and know that He is God" is a command for ! (Check out The Upper Room below) Humble yourselves and check out The Word for You about the first Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit (us) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Amen! Meditate on these two devotionals and pray through the connection blogs as we prepare to gather and worship on Zoom . How cool is God as He speaks to our souls and knows our situations and speaks His love and Way over us. Receive His love and wisdom and prepare to worship in Spirit and Truth. God loves you and is calling you by name to come sit in His love . We will be discussing 1 Peter 1:13-2:10 during worhip. Have your Bibles ready and thank God for technology, wise decisions and for allowing us to gather across the miles for worship . See you soon! Pray for my peace as I work on the order of worship for too. And remember, we have been washed white as snow! Amen!
UR: Be Still
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)
I was resting in a hospital bed after giving birth to our second child. I was tired, sore, and very hungry; it was 10 o’clock at night, and I had not eaten all day. At least I had been able to hold my baby girl for a few minutes in the delivery room, and she looked perfect! But as the minutes ticked away, I began to feel anxious: They should have brought her to me by now. What if something has happened? What is going on? I searched for the call button, but it was out of reach. As panic washed over me, Psalm 46:10 came to my mind.
I realized I just needed to be still and seek God’s presence in that moment. I took several deep breaths, closed my eyes, and the most amazingly peaceful feeling came over me. I felt God’s presence in a way I had never felt it before. I knew then that God was with me and that whatever might happen, I would be all right because God was there.
My daughter was fine, but I will always remember those few moments as transformational in my walk of faith. If we seek to be still in God’s presence when we are challenged by life’s unexpected or delayed events, we will know God’s peace beyond our understanding.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear God, help us always to know that you are ever-present in our lives. In trust, we open ourselves to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
TWFYT:
Connections Blogds
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The Holy Spirit Manifests Through Various Fruit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer changes things about that person. There is a constant battle between the desires of the flesh that are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit that are against the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Spirit not only gives us the ability to stop doing evil things, but if we yield our life to the work of the Spirit, He will produce in us great spiritual fruit.
Holy Spirit, please give me an increased awareness of how important it is in and for my life to die daily to self so that I can live according to Your counsel and not give in to the temptations of the world. Would You move in my life to reveal areas where I am lacking spiritual fruitfulness? Show me and my church community how to live in such a way that the fruit we bear gives great glory to God!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
Praise the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all one can ask or imagine.
Thank God for what he is doing in your life and in the church in response to prayer.
Confess little asking and weak praying.
Commit yourself to asking and expecting much in Jesus’ name.
Claim the promise that Christ will come to you and make his home in your heart if you love him and trust him.
Pray that the countries currently banning the Bible may soon rescind these bans so that their people may have free access to the Bible.
Prayer Pointer
“Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” —Thomas Fuller
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Thank God I'm Forgiven ! Amen! Let Him know how thankful you are for Him choosing and forgiving you! Thank Him hat your forgiveness is for always and will bring our hope of eternity with Him alive as we continue to repent and allow Him to mold and improve us. Amen! Thank God for...
Good Morning Abounding in Grace, Abiding in the Living Word, Loving Co-Laborers. Amen! That's us! Is that you? It can be! Be still and know. Turn off the noise and distractions and things that lead you away from God's love and His ways. Receive and share His grace. Abiding in His Word and Love And go live and love more like Jesus . Someone needs love, friendship, salvation and help to walk with Jesus. Who is God bringing to mind? How might He have for you to bless them? How might He be wanting you to grow to do so better? Who are your teammates? Has he given you something to work on this year? Ask and then share it with us and your team. Trust and choose joy as you abide live in and love with and grow in His grace. And go make disciples of Jesus that walk in His ways as they follow you as you follow and love like Him. His forgivenss received brings all this and much more alive in and through you. PTL! Now go! Be jesus and transform the world aound you with his loving ways. Amen! He loves you and is calling you by name to come abide and then thrive in Christ, our Living Word. Amen!
TWFYT
ODB:
An Enlarged Heart
I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 nkjv
In his Confessions, Augustine wrestled with how it was possible for God to be in relationship with him. How could the one who created the universe come into something as small and sinful as his heart? But he pleaded with God to make it possible, praying, “The house of my soul is narrow. Enlarge it, so that you may enter it. It’s in ruins! Repair it! It has things in it that would offend your eyes. I confess and know it. But who will cleanse it, or to whom will I cry, but to you?”
we know Augustine as Saint Augustine, a revered philosopher and theologian. But he saw himself simply as someone transformed by the wonder of a God who wanted to know him.
In Psalm 119, the psalmist is also in awe of God’s revelation of Himself, particularly through Scripture (v. 18). “You shall enlarge my heart” (v. 32 nkjv), the psalmist celebrated. It’s only because God is graciously willing to enlarge our hearts that we can joyfully walk the path He shows us (v. 45). He turns our hearts away from what is corrupt (vv. 36-37) to the “path of [His] commands,” where we find His infinite “delight” (v. 35).
We are small, and our hearts are fickle. But when we turn our longing hearts to God (vv. 34, 36), He guides us down the paths of joy and true freedom.
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
How has God “enlarged” Your heart? Where might you need to ask Him to bring growth?
Dear God, thank You for opening my heart to Your greatness. Please enlarge my heart and every day.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The image of “walking” is one of Scripture’s most common metaphors for describing someone’s lifestyle—whether in close fellowship with God (see Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Psalm 1:1; 15:1-2) or in opposition to Him (Proverbs 4:14; 1 John 1:6). Psalm 119 begins with this metaphor, emphasizing that “those . . . who walk according to the law of the Lord” are blessed (v. 1). The psalm paints a vivid picture of what it looks like to walk closely with God through immersion in and obedience to Scripture. In verse 32, this imagery intensifies as the psalmist shifts from describing walking to running—suggesting not just steady obedience but an eager pursuit of God’s ways. Unlike those whose feet “rush into evil” (see Proverbs 1:16; 6:18), the psalmist in Psalm 119:32 runs in joyful freedom down the path of God’s commands, liberated by His grace and captivated by His beauty.
Monica La Rose
UR: What Really Matters
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
Many years ago, I attended a children’s soccer game. A large, open field provided plenty of area for the game but also plenty of sideline space for spectators.
As I watched the game, I noticed two dynamics at play. First, while the children were young enough that some of their soccer skills were rough around the edges, they were also old enough to understand the game. Running, kicking, scoring! The children played like they meant it!
The second dynamic had little to do with the skill of the players. It was how everyone came together. A sense of camaraderie among spectators and players allowed everyone to cheer for everyone else.
Who ended up with the most goals wasn’t all that important. All the people involved mattered — and so did all of their efforts! It should be the same in our churches and communities.
The “scorecard” of who has or who does the most isn’t what’s important. We can freely cheer for one another — giving support and encouragement wherever, however, and to whoever needs it.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being a part of the body of Christ. Lead us to work together for the good of all your children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer Starters:
Prayer Points
Praise the one who is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Give thanks for everything in which you may find godly pleasure : for work, food, books, music, and friends.
Confess any pain you have unnecessarily brought into the lives of others.
Commit yourself to doing to others what you would have them do to you.
Ask God to guide you in all your ways, to guard you against all that would harm you in body and soul, and to strengthen you in the face of temptation.
Pray for your pastor and church leaders. Ask God to give them wisdom and integrity and the filling of the Holy Spirit, that they may be mature in faith and may exercise their offices with prayer, patience, and humility.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Praying Servants of the Lord! Amen! Several things are rattling around in my head as God has led me on a couple different tracts . So I will try to briefly discuss and share them all. He has a lot to say to us and wants to encourage us and inform our prayers. Thanks Lord! Come! Speak, inform and lead us . You are our good Shepherd and have great plans for us to discover and step into. And You are always with us! Thanks! Amen
First of all we had a great couple of gatherings with Bread and our evening dinner huddle. At both activities we took time to pray for our nation as called to pray by Franklin Graham. Please continue to pray for our nation for unity, love and civility to rise up. Pray for revival. Repent for the sins of the nation and ask God to come drive back the darkness. We learned that one of our members brother is an ICE agent. Because of the attacks on them and how they are spreading to extended family, he advised all of them to get off of social media and delete Facebook and other presences. Please pray a covering over all our military, ICE agents, and first responders and their families. Pray for protection, help, wisdom and provision. Pray for these nasty, evil attacks on them to stop and for civility to rise up. Pray the funding for paying protestors and attackers would dry up and they would be saved, even. Pray for God's Kingdom to come, will to be done, reviavl to come and love to overflow to all. God is wih us always and for us. May we stand firm in Him and for His good ways and do our parts. Check out Our Daily Bread Below, speaking about supernatural protection and visitations. Pray for His angels to come and protect and guide. Pray for many to experience the supernatural love of God! Pray for us to expect it. Ask God to send His armies to protect our ICE agents, military, and first responders and us. Amen!
Been praying for God to lead you all to something to work on this year to grow in your journey to Christlikeness. Someone reached out to me as I was preparing to write this about what they might work on. That's the first that I heard from anyone that is wanting to do this. God loves us as we are but still wants to mold, change and grow us more into His image. That takes us doing our part of cooperating with His Spirit and actually working on some things with His help. How does He want to grow you? Ask and then share with us what you are hearing so we can pray and encourage you. Also pray for some teammates and accountability partners to journey with and reach out and unite. Invite--Unite--Take Flight! someone told me they forgot the words they were working on. As a reminder here are some of those from '23 that I am still praying for. God lead me to 1 Peter 1:13 (Prepare your minds for action and exercise self control ( we will study 1 Peter 1:13-2:10 if you want to read and meditate on. Maybe there is a word there for you?)) as my verse to work on this year and Gal. 2:20 (Be crucified with Christ--I no longer live but Christ lives in me--please Lord!)
Words from '23: Faith, Stewardship, Understanding, Hope, Time, Valued, Boldness, Change, Patience, Relationships, Energy, Pause, Useful, Shalom, Agape, Discipleship. I'm sure there were more. I have seen growth from the people who chose and worked on these words. What does God have for you this year and what will you do about it. Who are your teammates too?
One last thing was to thank you, God's servants and for how you are allowing Him to use you and love hrough you! We are a serving and very loving church, by the grace of God, and His hope, help and love are spreading from us! (Over 70 served ) PTL! Check out the Upper Room and The Word for You about this and talk to God and pray with your teammates about this and use the Prayer Starters at the end. I'm praying for you and God has great plans for you and us. Let us seek first His Kingdom, not lean on our own understanding, allow Him to use us as we are and to mold us to our fuller potential and let us live our lives as an act of worship--a sweet aroma to God. Amen!
ODB:
Kindness Unseen
Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16
The face was there all along, but no one knew. When Sir Joshua Reynolds painted The Death of Cardinal Beaufort in 1789, he put a demon’s face in the darkness behind the dying man. Reynolds was accurately depicting a scene from a Shakespearean play that mentions the presence of a “busy, meddling fiend,” but some didn’t like his literalism. After Reynolds’ death in 1792, the face was painted over and forgotten. Art conservation work recently revealed it under layers of paint and varnish.
The Bible tells of a spiritual reality around us that the eye can’t see, where God reigns supreme. When Elisha was surrounded by a “strong force” of enemy soldiers and chariots, his servant was frightened and asked, “What shall we do?” Elisha told him that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them,” and “prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ ” Suddenly the servant “saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:14-17).
The horses and chariots of fire indicate angelic beings there for Elisha’s protection. This is one of many places where Scripture underscores the comforting truth that in a world where danger lurks and spiritual warfare rages, God still watches over us. No matter what we face, how good it is to know that nothing “will be able to separate us” from His love (Romans 8:39).
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
In what ways does God take care of you? How will you thank Him?
Dear Father, nothing can separate me from Your love for me in Jesus, and I praise You for it!
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In addition to the angels described in 2 Kings 6:9-17, other Scriptures speak of the protection and ministry of angels. Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man who looked “like a son of the gods” in the blazing furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:25). After successfully overcoming Satan’s temptations, angels came and “took care of” Jesus (Matthew 4:11 nlt). As Christ agonized over His impending crucifixion, “an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him” (Luke 22:43). Jesus reminds us of God’s providential protection and care when He says that He could’ve called on “more than twelve legions of angels” to come to His rescue (Matthew 26:53). Angels are God’s “servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14 nlt ). No matter what we encounter in life, we can be assured that God is watching over us. Nothing can separate us from His love.
K.T. Sim
UR: The Table Is Set
The King will say to those on his right, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” - Matthew 25:35 (NIV)
I remember one time when I was at my great-grandmother’s house for supper. She stood next to her old table, which consumed the kitchen and was filled with favorite foods and plates for everyone. “Supper is ready; come to the table,” she exclaimed in a tone of readiness and love.
The old floors creaked as everyone hurried to find their seat. As we all laughed, talked, and enjoyed the food, a small child asked, “Grandma, who is this empty chair and plate for? Did you put too many plates out?” My great-grandmother smiled and answered, “That empty chair and plate are there in case someone stops by and is hungry. We should always be prepared to welcome and feed those in need.”
Just as Matthew 25:35 encourages us to do, my great-grandmother was ready to feed a hungry traveler, neighbor, or friend.
Jesus also wants us to come to the table and be filled. God’s table always has an open spot, and any who accept God’s invitation will be filled with God’s love, mercy, and grace. Come to the table and be filled.
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's Prayer
Dear Jesus, help us to remember and care for those who need to be fed, loved, and encouraged. Thank you for setting a place at your table for each of us. Amen.
TWFYT:
Prayer Starters
Prayer Points
Praise God as your rock, your fortress, your deliverer, the one in whom you take refuge.
Thank God that he hears and answers prayer and showers you with unfailing kindness.
Confess any unfaithfulness, impurity, or deceit.
Commit yourself to courageously challenging the Lord’s enemies as you are armed by his strength.
Ask him to reach down and take hold of you, to arm you with strength, and to rescue you from evil powers.
Pray that God will lay a burden on your heart for one or more unsaved persons he wants you to reach out to. He does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9).
Donut Day 10-12; Dinner Huddle Pizza Party 6-730. All welcome to either or both
Good Morning Praying Friends!
Stop at noon and pray ofr our nation (See info below). We will pause to pray before leaving donut day. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord! Come Jesus Come! Heal. Forgive. Revive. Your Kingdom come and will be done! Amen!
Call to Prayer and Repentance
Dear Friend,
If you think our nation is in trouble now, just wait… As our streets boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness, is there something we can do? You bet there is.
I would like to call for a time of prayer and repentance this , at 12:00 noon.
As a nation our sins are so great. We have increasingly turned our backs on God and His commands, embracing godless secularism. We need to ask His forgiveness and seek His face.
Pray for our leaders, and pray that God would bring calm to our streets.
There are many who would like to stir things up—there are even those who would like to destroy this great country. Pray that these efforts would be thwarted and their plans would be brought into confusion.
Ask God to use His Church to be His instruments of peace in this time of great uncertainty.
Remember, at noon, please stop and pray. Millions of people remembering our sins and asking for forgiveness, repenting, and seeking His face will make a difference.
Let's humble ourselves. Let's give God the glory for this great nation and thank Him for His hand of blessing, protection, and mercy.
Zoom Huddle resumes at noon and Dinner Huddle at 6. is also donut day at 10-12.
Good Morning Praying Servants of the Lord! That's you and us, right? Check out the connection blogs and pray through them as we work at becoming a House of prayer for the Nations and teams of praying servants that seek, listen, prepare and follow well. We need each other and we need to keep releasing God's power and will in prayer and actions!
Check out our other devotionals too, prayerfully. I encountered and meditated some time on Gal. 2:20, My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Have you died to self and taken up cross to crucify some things that need to go? Have you been crucified with Christ and stepped ino your new nature and true identity? DO IT! NOW! Then ask the Holy Spirit to come have His way in and through you. Watch what happens! Share those stories wit us and your team. Check out the Upper Room re minder of our greatest calling. What's yours? I'm praying for you and us to draw near, die to self and allow God to lead us to His perfect plans and this year. Come Jesus come. Open the eyes of our hearts and lead us! Amen
- The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts and Equips for Ministry
Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 7, 11).
One of the marks of God on a believer is that through the power of the Holy Spirit He gives spiritual gifts to strengthen them and the church. There are different kinds of gifts and God decides what gifts to give, when to give them, and how they will be used. These gifts are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit and manifested in the lives of ordinary believers. The Holy Spirit uses these gifts to strengthen the faith of the individual believer, build up the church, and impact the lost as He sees fit. He gifts and equips all of us in different ways to facilitate any aspect of ministry needed for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Holy Spirit, would You enable every believer to see how You have uniquely gifted them and that You want to use these gifts in their lives? Reveal to our church how You are using these gifts to build up Your body, the church! Empower each believer to continually exercise these spiritual gifts for Your glory!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
Praise Jesus Christ for his grace and beauty.
Thank God for reproducing the beauty of Christ’s character in you.
Confess anything in your life which is displeasing to God.
Commit yourself to pleasing him in every way.
Ask God to help you live a life worthy of the Lord, to please him in everything you do, and to bear fruit in every good work (Col. 1:10).
Pray that all God’s people will be able to stand against the principalities, powers, and the world rulers of darkness that seek to control the lives and destinies of people.
Pray that they may put on the whole armor of God and may pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests (Eph. 6:10-18).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
I paused along the edge of the pond during my morning walk to take a picture of the blue heron that stood motionless among the reeds and grasses. A perfect mirror image of the heron was reflected on the surface of the water. The reflection was radiant in the early morning light and reminded me of how we are called to reflect the image of Christ to the world.
When I was a new Christian, I thought I needed a special talent or ability to be able to make Christ known to others. However, as I studied the Bible, I learned that it is the Holy Spirit who makes Christ known by transforming us to be more like him in holiness, grace, and love (see Rom. 8:29). As we cooperate with the Spirit’s work, we mirror Christ through our words and actions, reflecting the character of Christ and shining his light to the world around us.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Thank you, O Christ, for giving us the incredible privilege of reflecting your image. May the light of your Holy Spirit shine brightly in us and through us. We pray as you taught us, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
Prayer Pointer
“God eagerly awaits the chance to bless the person whose heart is turned toward him.” —Anonymous
God said, "Be holy because I am holy." and :Seek first my Kingdom and all you need will be added." Amen! Help us Lord!
Good Morning Holy Children of God! We are made holy and set apart by God for His plans and purposes that we are created to accomplish. Help us Lord! We are saved, forgiven and born again because of our faith and obedience and that faith and new life is a free gift from God! PTL! Now we are forgiven, gifted, enabled and activated to not stay in our rut but to be transformed into His image and grow in Christlikeness and towards His great plans for us. Good fruit is budding! PTL! What might God have for you to work on in your holiness journey? Seek Him for some correctve or focus area and team up with your accaountability partners to work on that this year. Share your word or the thing God has for you to work on with Sarah, Mike or me so we can pray and encourage you along the way.
Is your heart not only turned to God but focused on Him and what He has for you /this year? Be still. Refocus. Team up. And grow, go and produce great and lasting fruit. Build up that treasure in heaven too. God is wanting to prepare you for eternity and your purposes there. This life is your opportunity to sow ahead into His future for you in heaven. What will you do with this time? Turn off the noise and keep focused and following with willing hearts and moving feet. We were one way, then another and on our way to another, by the grace of God and because of Jesus in us. Amen! Remember, we get to/want to do these things and God is with us working all things together. What are you waiting for? It's time to join Him as you grow into your potential, shed the old and put on the new more fully and go drive back the darkness with Him! Your Kingdom come and will be done Lord, in, through and around me and us. Come! Have Your way with us. Amen!
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, everyone,
was a good day of worship. It was great seeing all of you and it was awesome hearing all the laughter and camaraderie taking place
during Pass the Peace.
We heard several praises of healing and progress in the healing process. Pastor Don shared that he was praising God for our prayer
warriors, EACH OF YOU, for praying for those in need of prayer/encouragement/uplifting through our prayers. We have experienced and seen
the results of our prayers!! Yay God!!!
Winnie Iobst's friend, Larry whom we have been praying for - He is healing and doing better!
Barb Somer's granddaughter Karley and Lexie, were in a car accident. She is praising God that they only have bumps and bruises.
Caleb has had a week of meeting with different doctors, to work with his family and medical team about how to navigate moving forward
to help him with his learning and physical strengthening and understanding. Kathy reported that even though the family is tired from the
week, it was a very good week
Caleb's family was remembering his father, Alex, , as it has been three years since he walked into the arms of Jesus.
Mike Canfield shared that while it has been difficult, he is thankful for the men, now and to come, and church family that are stepping up to help
with Caleb's life journey!
Gary Bastan was in a car accident on ;
he is fine however his car is in need of some repairs. He had a couple of other situations that
happened throughout his week, that rattled him a bit. But he is thankful for God's continual presence in his life.
Faye Nixon is asking for prayer for her daughter Holly, who is fighting cancer. She is having some difficult days
Continue to pray for David, a resident of Lauren's (Pastor Don and Karen's daughter) who lost his lifelong friend.
David's friend passed away just recently and asked for us to pray for him
Ron, a good friend of Karen's brother is dealing with and struggling with depression. may God's peace embrace him and
help him through.
Also January through March are difficult months for those who struggle with depression/occasional depression. Please keep
one another in your prayers; encourage each other with prayer, text message, phone call, and/or a thinking of you card.
Next week is our brunch, here is the menu:
Welp it's time to watch some FOOTBALL! Have a great evening and wonder-filled week!!
Good Morning Worshipers! May we always live a life of worship and praise filled with for all God is and does. Amen! May we worship in Spirit and Truth . Amen!
We have an issue, sometimes as we offer anything but worship to God. Have you ever grumbled or complained about circumstances, your life, this country, God's good plans and ways? I used to kid that I had the spiritual gift of grumbling and complaining. (BTW: they are NOT spiritual gifts!) I think grumbling was part of my DNA. BUT GOD! I have prayed for deliverance, help to trust and the ability to choose joy always. I pray all the time for my life to be lived as an act of worship. And God has answered, helped and I have been repenting and changing. PTL! You can experience that too if you truely desire to repent and walk in God's ways as an act of worship always.
Man, it seems all we see and hear is grumbling, complaining, lying, and spinning truth. Anger is rampant in this nation. Is it holy, justified anger? Usually not. Forgive us Lord! Politicians and their followers are always grumbling. The media grumbles and stirs more grumbling. Where's the Truth and reasons to celebrate? Seems being spun to fit your agenda and narrative, right? PLEASE! Turn off the noise!Seek Truth. Choose joy and have a thankful heart. Do your research before getting your knickers in a twist. Seek first God's Kingdom and ask for His wisdom, discernment and how to worship through the chaos and noise. Ask for His peace beyond understanding as we move through these dark days and twisted truths.
God is Light and in Him is no darkness. God is Love. We are created in love to love. Are you? Where's the love and light ? Pursue those and know His peace and the ability to be joyful as you trust and follow Him and His good ways. Amen! Check out Our Daily Bread below speaking about grumblers and choosing to be thankful always. And then choose to reflect His love and light and share His Truths like the dad in the Upper Room (below). Where's your focus? that will determine your level of joy and peace and if you grumble or worship. Fill your life with random acts of love and kindness and watch the grumbling fade and worship grow. God is in charge even though half the nation doesn't know Him or honor His ways. We do or I pray we do and that we can unite in love. reason together and work at spreading the Light and Love together. That is His mission for us. So Choose joy, faith and worship and ask for help to repent of grumbling or not trusting Him fully and rejoice always. Amen! Wrap things up with some praying through the Connection blogs and prayer starters below. God is good! The world is not. Where's your focus? Choose worship, love and joy as you grow in trust and as you see God at work always. Amen!
ODB:
Thank God for His Gifts
We have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna! Numbers 11:6
The elderly man was taking a long time looking at the children’s backpacks in the store. He told me, “It’s my granddaughter’s birthday. I hope she likes my gift.” At the checkout, he clutched a pink backpack with a cartoon character design. He looked excited.
Later in a restaurant, I saw him again with a little girl and her parents. When the child opened her gift, she said, “I don’t like this character! And I hate pink!” Her parents made her apologize, but she still complained. My heart broke for her grandpa.
I was reminded of how I sometimes respond to God’s gifts. I complain because I want something different, failing to see the miracle before me—that God Himself has lovingly given something forme. The Israelites behaved similarly. God had kept His promise to them: “I will rain down bread from heaven for you” (Exodus 16:4). God’s faithful provision in the wilderness was sure: “When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down” (Numbers 11:9).
But instead of being thankful, the Israelites complained about God’s expression of loving provision: “We never see anything but this manna!” (v. 6). Instead of humbly requesting other food from God, they wailed over His gift.
I still remember the hurt look in the grandfather’s eyes that day. It made me think of how our heavenly Father must feel when we complain. Let’s be grateful for the gifts He’s given us.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
What blessings have you complained about? How can you thank God for them?
Dear Father, please forgive me for the times I’ve complained.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God provided physical nourishment for the wilderness travelers in the form of manna, but their unthankful attitudes made their dining experience distasteful (Numbers 11:6).
John 6 describes the spiritual nourishment that Jesus provides: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35). The response to this amazing offer? “At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven’ ” (v. 41). These examples illustrate the failure to be grateful for God’s provision of both our physical and spiritual needs. As we reflect on all that He’s provided, we can respond with a grateful heart.
Arthur Jackson
UR: Sticky Notes
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us. - Ephesians 3:20 (CEB)
I began placing sticky notes that shared a quote or Bible verse in my daughter’s lunch box when she was in fourth grade and continued the tradition through her middle school years. At some point during middle school, the kids at my daughter’s lunch table began asking, “What does your dad have to say ?” What started as something special for my daughter became an opportunity to share with her friends. I was part of their day but never knew it.
When I learned how important this had become to my daughter and her friends, I marveled at how such a simple act accomplished more than I ever intended. I remembered Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he wrote that God “is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine.” We may never know the true impact of our actions, but God does. God uses simple acts to accomplish great things.
It has been six years since my daughter was in middle school, and she still has all the notes in a box by her bed. I never knew how much those notes would mean to her and her friends, but God knew and placed on my heart the desire to write them every day. As Paul reminds us: God’s power is at work within us.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
All-powerful God, guide us in the things we should do to honor you. Amen.
Connection Blogs
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The Holy Spirit Empowers To Witness
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
The Holy Spirit is at work to get the Good News to people far from God. He is empowering believers to witness and then illuminating the truth of the message of Christ when we are faithful to share. The great news for the believer is that this isn’t something we have to work up, but we must simply cooperate with the Spirit already at work within us. This should give us confidence to open our mouths and proclaim the news of Christ because the Spirit is not just at work in us, but He is working in others and desires to give understanding to those who hear the message of Christ.
Holy Spirit, please teach me and empower me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively and powerfully. Put people in my path who desperately need You and give me the boldness I lack so that I can speak Your word with confidence!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, Simply Prayer at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
Praise God for keeping his covenant promises to you.
Give thanks that you have always been able to count on him in all circumstances.
Confess any doubt you have had concerning God and his promises.
Commit yourself to trusting the Lord and taking him at his word.
Ask for his peace which transcends understanding to guard your heart and your mind in Jesus Christ.
Pray that those who instruct within the church may be able to correctly handle the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Prayer Pointer
“Embark upon no enterprise you cannot submit to the test of prayer.” —Anonymous
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Small and Mighty, Spirit-Led, Servants of the Lord! Amen! All things are possible for God. When we are weak, He is strong. Small is BIG and slow is fast in the Kingdom dynamics. These biblical truths speak to our hearts and are part of our thinking, yet we often feel small, usesless or like we have nothing to offer God or others. BUT GOD! These truths speak into this one, He who is faithful in little things, much will be added. 's Our Daily Bread and Upper Room devontionals and the Connection blog speak truth to our hearts about us, our "small" offerings and our Mighty God with whom all thing are possible. He has great plans custom made for you and according to your circumstances. As we seek first His Kingdom (you do that daily, right?) He promises to add all we need to accomplish what He has for us. As we follow Him, yoked to Jesus, His Kingdom will come and His will is accomplished because of our surrendered, open and following hearts. He is speaking to you . What do you have to offer that He might use? Start with your open heart and willing to follow feet and give Him all you have, even if it's a couple of sardines and some melba toast. He will multiply, provide abundantly and lead you to accomplish what you are made to do for such a time as this. And then watch what He does, recount His many blessings to some others and worship! He loves that! Stop leaning on your own thinking. Acknowledge and surrender to Him and Hs plans and He will direct your steps to some good fruit . Then rejoice! Well start with worship. Abide. Receive. Listen and follow. And your gratitude lists will grow as He works with what you offer Him. Yes rejoice and follow well . Adjust and allow Him to use what "lttle" you have to offer. He will and multiply it mightily! Amen
ODB:
Small and Mighty
Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? John 6:9
On , 1987, a squirrel chewed through a power line in Connecticut, and the Nasdaq’s vast financial machinery blinked, sighed, and went dark. Some of the world’s largest corporations stood limp and listless. Global economies watched, sweating bullets for nearly an hour and a half. All because of one tenacious, furry rodent.
Scripture tells many stories of something or someone small making a big impact. But God can turn meagerness into something mighty. John recounts how Jesus fed a hungry crowd (five thousand men, probably fifteen thousand with women and children included) when “a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish” handed over his small lunch (John 6:9). In the Old Testament we remember that a young shepherd boy named David trusted God and slayed a giant (1 Samuel 17). And Christ repeatedly insisted that the kingdom of God is something like a mustard seed, “the smallest of all seeds” (Matthew 13:32).
When we ponder the many complex global crises in addition to the bewildering concerns in our own neighborhoods and families, we’re tempted to believe that our seemingly small efforts lack power. But Scripture tells us to act in obedience and trust as God helps us—assured that with Him, small things can become mighty (John 6:10-12).
By Winn Collier
REFLECT & PRAY
Where do you feel small or powerless? How do you sense God inviting you to surrender your smallness to Him?
Dear God, I often feel small, with nothing to offer. Please help me remember that with You, small things become mighty.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
After the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:5-13), a crowd again found Jesus (v. 25). He knew they were there to see another miracle, so He said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life” (v. 27). He explained, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (v. 29). Just as a boy’s small gift of food had a momentous impact, so too the decision to trust Christ in the midst of a crisis has tremendous ramifications—for us and for the lives God will touch through us.
Tim Gustafson
UR: God Is with Us!
Come near to God and he will come near to you. - James 4:8 (NIV)
I was at a loss and feeling depressed as I finished a difficult freshman year of college. I had dreamed of becoming a doctor, but I had failed a class and lost my scholarship. Then at the end-of-semester gathering of my choir, we selected slips of paper with Bible verses on them from a basket. I got James 4:8, and I took it to heart.
That summer I volunteered at a camp ministry, where I was more than assured that God was still with me. In the forests, fields, and creek, while working to make a difference in kids’ lives, God met me. I knew that God was still very real and attentive to my situation.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the importance of faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” And the whole of Hebrews 11 offers the encouragement of those who have gone before us, responding in faith to God. Times of closeness with God encourage us to look ahead in hope, knowing that there is a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear God, give us hope and faith so that we may reach out and embrace what you call us to, knowing that you are always with us. Amen.
Connection blog:
- The Holy Spirit Guides to Truth
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh… If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25).
Do you fear falling into temptation ? Does sin seem to be crouching at your door? Scripture calls us to not be afraid. Instead, choose this day to walk in step with the Spirit of God. When we follow His leadership in our life, sin cannot misdirect or sabotage His good plan for us.
Spirit of the Living God, examine my heart and show me what actions or thoughts in my life are out of step with You. I want to walk in holiness continually! Please bring me a sense of Your refreshing and renewing presence in my life.
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayerleader.com.
Good Morning Abiding and Moving Forward with God Friends! God led me deep into John 15:1-8 and Galatians 5:22-23a. The Vine and the Branches and Spiritual Fruit that abiding leads to. Check them out below. God has been narrowing down what I need to work on this year and they are Fruit of the Spirit: faithfulness, patience and self-control. Hmm. These do come alive as we abide in the Vine and allow the Father to prune us and the Spirit to work in us and lead us to our fuller potential in Christ. God is so good and loving! He saves us and helps us to grow more like Jesus and to bless others and invite them along on our journey. Below find John 8 and Gal 5 passages and two devotionals OurDaily Bread and The Word for You that speak into this. Then be still, abide, listen and receive from our Father, His good plans for you and the year ahead. DON'T FORGET to share your word you will be working on this year with Sarah, Mike or me and your accountability partners. We are praying for God to continue His good work in, through and around us as He revives and refines us and brings revival all around us! Come Jesus Come! Help us to die to self, crucify some things and put on our new nature more fully as we work at being more like Jesus this year. Thanks! Amen!
Forgetting what lies behind, let us push forward, following the Spirit to the new things God is doing. AND MAY WE BRING SOME ALONG! AMEN!
John 15:1-8
15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Gal 5:22-23a
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
ODB
The Future God’s Preparing
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18
We live in a world where the internet forgets nothing—every photo, post, and blog entry is seemingly stored forever. One major search engine, however, introduced a privacy feature allowing users to request the removal of personal data like phone numbers, home addresses, and more. While this doesn’t erase the data from the internet entirely, it significantly reduces its visibility, giving people a sense of control over their digital footprints.
This idea of “scrubbing” the past echoes the prophet’s words in Isaiah 43:18-19. God said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.” These verses were spoken to Israel during their exile in Babylon—a period of deep despair and longing for restoration. God commanded His people to not fixate on their past failures or the pain of captivity but to look forward to the new work He was about to do—a new and more significant exodus—their deliverance from Babylon and return to their homeland. He wasn’t just erasing the past but “making a way” (v. 19) to a future filled with hope and purpose.
Instead of dwelling on failures or regrets, let’s trust that God has “scrubbed” our past sins, regrets, and shame and—through Jesus’ sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10)—“remembers [our] sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25). God propels us toward the future He’s preparing.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
Why is it so difficult to let go of the past? How might you deepen your trust in God for new beginnings?
Dear God, please help me say goodbye to my past and look forward to the future.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God exiled Judah to Babylon because of her sins (Isaiah 39:6-7). Hundreds of years earlier, He’d mightily rescued them from the Egyptians (43:16-17), but they weren’t to “dwell on the past” (v. 18) because their miraculous journey in the first exodus would pale in comparison with the “new thing” God would do for them (v. 19). He’d bring them back from exile (vv. 5-7) and give them a glorious future (vv. 20-21). More importantly, He’d blot out their sins (v. 25). This forgiveness wasn’t because they were deserving—for they’d failed to honor Him as their God (vv. 22-24)—but because of who God is (v. 25).
God forgives our sins because He’s “a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Nehemiah 9:17). We can look forward to the future rather than dwell on our past sins because of the “new thing” God did through Jesus.
K.T. Sim
TWFYT
Sarah Update:
Hi warriors,
Here are a few warrior updates:
Thank you for praying for Zana, Neen and my friend. After having her tooth pulled, (due to her heart condition she was unable to have the
option of being put to sleep for the extraction) she is doing well. Hardly any pain and able to eat soft foods. Bleeding has also stopped.
Pastor Don and Karen's daughter, Lauren, is asking for prayer for one of her residents, David, whose lifelong friend just passed away.
Please pray for God's peace and love to surround him during this difficult time.
Also please pray for Ron, a good friend's brother who is struggling with depression. May our awesome God bring him through this difficult
time and may He also place some of His children in Ron's pathway to encourage and support him.
We had a great day at Bread Ministry . approximately 75 people walked through our doors and received a smile and hope and love
shared with them. Thank you to all the volunteers and helpers. Kay and Sally both played the piano which was nice and Pastor Don
and Kay got to pray with a couple folks that came to be prayed over.
God is working in and through us......how will the Lord use us ? This is the day the Lord has made and you and I, we will rejoice
and be glad in all that happens throughout the day! May we be open to the Lord's lead!
Good Morning Praying, Preparing, Fellow Followers of Jesus and His Way! Amen! May that be me and us Lord and may we prepare to foloow you well to our fuller potential and gathered and sent purposes Your way in '26 and beyond. Thanks Amen!
I continue to contemplate with God the words He has for me to work on this year. But I am also seeking Him for His plans for us and some words that inform how we pray and what we will do this year. I was trying to think of what rhymes with '26. And settled on "bricks" because He is building us, His stones, into His Temple. Building blocks. Bricks in '26. I also thaought about hoe He wants to grow our small and accountability group gatherings. Can't have community without unity. I had this word for us to focus on as God continue to build His kingdom through is and grow us too: Invite, Unite. Take Flight. Amen!
He also wants to grow us as a House of Prayer for the Nations. We are all called to pray, some gifted to pray and some called to pray always. How is God informing your prayers and wanting to use you as a prayer warrior? Still yourself. Listen and release His power and provisions as you pray for you, us, His Kingdom and revival. Cover and protect us in prayer too. Sek forst the Kingdom od God and he will inform, provide and guide you as you pray and respond to his promptings. he has great plans for you and us to discover and do. Amen!
we will study 1 Peter 1. prepare. pray. And abide then thrive in the Lord. Amen!
Good Morning Spirit-Filled Perevering Followers of Jesus! Amen! That is how we roll! Filled-with and led by the Spirit with stick-to-it-tiveness! We thrive in Christ when the hard times come with the help of the Spirit and we stand firm on our Rock. Jesus is our strong tower! PTL! Sometimes we may wonder if God is really leading us or allowing some hard faith testing and stretching thing. But the Spirit affirms God is with us and will help us through and grow us in the process. PTL! And don't forget that Liar who whispers in your ear, "Did God really sssay?" Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding. (or listen to the Devil) Acknowledge God in all your ways and He will provide and guide even as He refines. Don't give up! God is with you and for you and He has a perfect plan for you to discover no matter what you are enduring. And the Spirit is with you, has gifted you and will help you to not only persevere, but to thrive. Count on it! Don't forget that God redeems and never wastes what we go through to uses it through us to be a blessing to others and to grow His Kingdom. That's how we can rejoice in our suffering for we are most like Jesus as we move through it. Yes PTL and know His shalom and choose joy in the Lord always! Amen!
Check out the Upper Room and The Word for You devotionals (below). God's Spirit led me to this blog through them. (I love that He does that often and threads my quiet time together!) He is threading your life and our lives together as He creates His masterpiece. Always remember that He is working all things together for the good of those who believe (you/us) and He is carrying out His perfect plan that includes you and your purposes. He may even be leading you to something to work on this year. I've heard, "take every thought captive before the Lord more often", "Listen better before speaking and acting" and "Be more Christlike". Maybe all three thread together for me to work on in '26? What's He whispering to you as you seek Him earnestly? Share it so we can pray and process together and grow in Christ this year! May you know His many blessings and step into His shalom as you follow Jesus and trust in the Lord always! Amen
UR: Where God Leads
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. - Psalm 25:4 (NRSVUE)
One winter morning as I was walking to the church where I am the pastor, I thought of an older couple that lived down the street and wondered if they would like to attend some upcoming church activities. At the end of their slippery driveway was a newspaper, which I picked up and brought to their front door.
My neighbor was pleasantly surprised to see me, and she invited me inside for some tea. I was able to sit with her and her husband for a while. As we drank tea and chatted, she said, “God is good,” explaining that she had been wondering how she would get the newspaper. She went on to describe her feelings of loneliness and told me that she believed God had sent me to cheer her up.
What I did wasn’t much. I just stopped by a neighbor’s house, gave them their newspaper, delivered a church newsletter, and stayed to chat. However, we both believed that God’s hand was at work. I was grateful to know my neighbors better and especially to feel that God had used me as an instrument of God’s love.
We never know how and when God might use us, so let us always be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
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's Prayer
Holy Spirit, we thank you for leading and guiding us. Help us to be open to your promptings and to be instruments of God’s love wherever we go. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
TWFYT:
Sarah Update:
Good evening Warriors,
Hey it was a wee bit warmer ....how exciting!
We will see what shall bring us.
, Caleb and his Mom and grandparents will be going to Hershey to meet with a doctor to discuss Caleb's
future, regarding his learning, and therapies, and socialization skills. Please keep the family in your prayers as they
travel to Hershey and pray that they are able to all understand what Caleb's next steps are.
Please also pray for Zana, a friend of Neen's and mine who will be having a tooth pulled , Pray that all goes well
and minimal pain.
Pray for our volunteers and those that will be attending Bread Ministry . May they feel God's love and peace.
Good Morning Seeking, Adjusting, Followers of Jesus! Amen! We are to seek first His Kingdom knowing as we do He will provide all we need for what He has planned for us and in His perfect timing. As His Spirit reveals correctives or affirms direction, we adjust and prepare to follow more fully as we yoke to Jesus and He leads us to His perfect plans for each of us and us as His Body, gathered and sent to live and love like Him as we do our part to make disciples of Jesus. What an awesome circle of worship we offer as we seek, listen, adjust and follow! PTL!
God awoke me early and took me very deep into abiding in His loving presence. He spoke to my heart (still is) as I invited Him to and to reveal His plans for and even to write this blog. I love how He does that and responds to my drawing close with open heart and mind! , He continued to speak to me and wants you to hear about choosing something to work on this year as you seek to become more like Jesus and to walk more fully in His custom made plans for you. He wants us to seek Him and process with Him and others for the things He has for us to grow and mature in to our fuller potential in Christ. He also wants to lead us more fully into His plans for us. What's He have for you to work on? Seek Him with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. Process with Him and your teammates and then work at those things this year. Great fruit awaits as we seek, trust and follow Him to His perfect plans and ways. Don't forget to share what you will be working on with us so we can pray and encourage you. I think he has led me to zero in on a word. But I am still fasting and praying about it and will be processing with my accountability partners before sharing.
I love how our devotionals for lead to and flow through this train of thought. God is always speaking and leading us in love to His best! Will you seek Him, process, adjust and follow well this year? That is worship He accepts as we offer ourselves and worship through our obedience to His leading and loving correctives. He has great things for you to discover about yourself, Him and His plans in the year ahead! Seek first His Kinhdom and don't lean on your own understanding and He will provide and guide. Amen! Great and lasting fruit awaits us! Shalom shalom!
Our Daily Bread: I particularly like the the last paragraph speaking about the results of earnestly seeking and trusting and adapting to His plans. he will speak to our hearts and lead us!
When writing teacher Peter Turchi sees a map, he looks for the adventure it holds. “To ask for a map,” he says, “is to say, ‘Tell me a story.’ ” I seized on that idea when preparing to teach a school class during on the “Faith of the Wise Men.” As I studied maps, I learned the Magi traveled some nine hundred miles—perhaps over several months—to find the Christ child, finally finding not a babe in a manger but a toddler living with His parents in a house. Their reaction after such a long trip? “They bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11).
Their journey invited my students and me to plan with intention to seek Christ more fully. As Scripture tells us, when the Magi finally arrived in Jerusalem, their urgent question was: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2).
Distance didn’t deter their worship. Nor did danger or delays. Herod’s deadly demand was ironic: “Go and search carefully for the child” (v. 8). Nobody had searched more diligently for Jesus than the Magi.
We can heed the example of the wise men by seeking Christ diligently too. Then, as we worship Him, we can expect our heavenly Father to speak to our hearts, leading us from old ways to new paths to journey with Him.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you seek Christ this new year? How can you worship Him?
Dear Father, please help me to seek Your Son Jesus with all my heart and worship Him with all I have.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Matthew alone shares the account of star-gazing Magi who traveled in search of the newborn king of the Jews. Though this was a one-time phenomenon, the diligence of these men as they searched for Jesus deserves our attention and emulation. As we search and study the Scriptures, we’ll find Him too. Stressing the fact that the Old Testament Scriptures spoke of Christ, He said to the fault-finding religious leaders of His day: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40). The Bible (Old and New Testaments) testifies about Jesus (see also Luke 24:27, 44-45). As we seek Him and worship Him, we’ll grow in our faith, and God will lead us from our old ways to new paths.
Arthur Jackson
The Upper Room Reminds us all is in God's hands! He takes us by hand and leads us to the great frut he has planned fo us to harvest. he wants the best for us and wants to teach us how to get there.
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you. - Isaiah 42:6 (NRSVUE)
In my work with adults with developmental disabilities, I spend part of my time in the wood workshop. Often I sit next to Luca, who loves to sand wooden spoons. Sometimes he starts to rub across the grain of the wood, rather than with it. Then I reach out my hand and gently redirect him. Sometimes he becomes preoccupied with rubbing one spot over and over, missing the edges and corners. Again, I take his hand and hold it in the place that still needs attention. If Luca didn’t trust me, our collaboration would turn into a struggle. But with trust and respect for each other, we are able to make something beautiful.
Isaiah’s words about the divine call to righteousness remind me of my work with Luca. God wants to take us by the hand, not because we can’t do anything ourselves but because sometimes we need a bit of guidance or redirection to make our efforts more effective. God wants to teach us, giving us helpful limits while we are still finding our way. Trusting in God who takes us by the hand is what turns our activity into righteousness, producing fruits that are beautiful, true, and good.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to walk in your ways. May your hand guide, redirect, and focus us as we participate in your work of love. Amen.
Sarah Young in her Jesus Calling devo reminds us that nothing is impossible for God and that he is at work always, steering us and circumstances. Meditate and pray through both and 's devos. Good stustuff!
Sarah Update:
Good almost Evening, warriors,
Hope your has been going well.
Ross Stuart's Celebration of Life Services:
, at St Matthew's; Calling hours are from 10:30 - 11:00am; with the service from 11:00 - 11:30am
followed by a light lunch in the Fellowship Hall from 11:30 - 12:30pm
Praises shared :
Lisa Wenner shared that someone from our church family gave her a gift for her Nephew's twins, that we have been praying
for. She sent the gift alone with a note to her nephew and his wife, about the power of prayer and that we have all been and will
continue to whisper prayers for the family. Lisa continues to plant a seed of god's love and reminding them of the power
of prayer.
Kay Behle shared that her brother and sister in law found an apartment that they can move into on . The owners of the
current home they are renting, are allowing them to remain in the house until they are able to move into the apartment.
Praising God for Kay being able to step in, last minute and being our accompanist for our worship service. Prayers for Patti, and that
she is feeling better.
Continue to pray for one another as we are hitting the Flu and cold season; some have dental and doctor appointments coming up;
some are dealing with some family matters. May we all encourage one another, with messages, texts, emails, phone calls and
through our prayers.
Continue to pray for our bread ministry and volunteers as they prep and greet those that will attend on .
Pastor Don shared God's word from Romans 12 - Perhaps you might have time to re-read this chapter.....I gleaned that we are to Rejoice in Hope,
we need to be confident in Christ, and remain devoted in prayer!
Hope you all have a great week! Keep your focus on Jesus!
If you have any prayer requests, please don't hesitate to reach out and let me know your prayer need so we can pass it along
to our warriors. The Power in prayer is awesome! Believe in it!
Good Morning Worshipers! Are you ready to worship? Prepare your hearts to enter His courts with and to worship in Spirit and Truth! God has a Word for you . Are you still enough to listen and really hear? Is He revealing some corrective, affirming some choice, moving you to step out in faith or to be still and know? Abide, receive, then go and thrive in Christ. Prov. 3:5-6 keeps appearing to me the past few days. You lnow it, right? Don't lean on your own understanding or thinking, acknowledge God in all your ways and he will direct your steps. Turn off the noise and focus on Truth and THE WAY and allow Him to direct. we will look at Romans 12 and the reminder to offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Have you? Are you? Will you? That is an ongoing command to be holy (set apart) and pleasing to God (a sweet aroma) as you allow Him to prune an prepare you. He has great plans for you and us for the year ahead. Maybe choose a fast to begin the year as you allow that to focus you on God and empower your praying and guide your choices. Yes Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and do not lean on your own thinking or force your plans and ways. He is Jireh--enough and all we need. He is the Way Maker. He is the Potter. Are you being clay in His hands and allowing Him to form you for His purposes for you? Try and know much peace and joy. Begin with worship and abiding in his love and allow that to flow through you . Check out the connection blog and Jesus Calling devo below as you pray, offer yourself and prepare to worship, grow in trust and obey . Amen!
Sarah Young (Jesus Calling)
connection blogs
- The Holy Spirit Directs People to Jesus
“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit’” (John 3:7-8).
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26).
When someone chooses to follow Christ, we can be certain it is because the Spirit has drawn him. Apart from this work of the Spirit, there are none who seek the Lord, none whose hearts are ready to receive Him. But when the wind of the Spirit blows upon a person, it is always to lead them to Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Spirit to draw me to saving faith in Jesus! Please blow on my church and lead anyone who doesn’t yet know Jesus to salvation in Him! Holy Spirit, would you move in our city, and across our nation to bring many people into God’s family through the powerful name of Jesus? Send a spiritual awakening throughout the earth so that all will know that He is God!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, Prayer with No Intermission at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
Praise God for his limitless power.
Give thanks that God is willing to strengthen you with power through the Spirit within you.
Confess any time that you have been weak because you did not avail yourself of his strength.
Commit yourself to serving in the strength of the Lord.
Ask that out of his glorious riches God will strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being (Eph. 3:16).
Pray for your church’s teachers and counselors that they may communicate Bible truths clearly, live holy lives before God, and be Christ-like examples to those they lead.
Prayer Pointer
“Our business in prayer is not to prescribe, but to subscribe to the wisdom and will of God; to refer our case to him, and then leave it with him.” —Anonymous
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
This Week: Bread Ministry with Weis Products . 10-12
Ross Stuart services , calling at 1030, service at 11 in our sanctuary followed by light brunch in Fellowship Hall. Please keep the family in prayer. We can celebrate a life well lived and because Ross is finally where he longed to be. His faith has become sight! Amen!
Good Morning Word Wrestling Wonder Workers! Amen! There's a hymn that goes, "Just as I am without one plea..." God loves us and accepts us as we are. He forgives and helps us to repent. He created us in His image and to become more like Jesus and to work wonders in His Kingdom. How's that going? God has impressed heavily that we are to seek Him for a word He desires us to work on in our journey toward Christlikeness. , funny thing, as I tuned into Air 1 Christian radio, they have a word challenge going on. People have been praying for God to give them a word and help to grow in that. Words like patience, faith, love, serving, and reading the Bible more have been offered up. I love when God affirms what He is leading to and revealing through doing the same with other ministries! Thanks Lord. So be still. Seek God and ask Him for your word to work on this year--all year.
I am still praying for those of you who picked a word in '23 and have seen growth through your focus on those words and the correctives needed. I'd like to challenge you to consider a new word this year since there has been growth even if you don't see it. Maybe you need to read your Bibles more? Maybe turn off the noise of the media for a few hours a day to focus on God or to go out and serve? Maybe you need to work on encouraging? Maybe you need to find a team to pray, discern and serve with? The opportunities are as varied and vast as each of you. Do you need to be a peace or joy bringer and work on peace and joy in yourself? Maybe you need to find and step into your role in God's Good News Delivery Company? Maybe you need to work at interceding and praying more earnestly? Maybe God is calling you to radical giving and learning to trust Him as you tithe? Seek first His Kingdom and He will reveal what He is providing for you to grow more like Jesus and in your walk as His child. When you settle on a word share that with Sarah, Mike or me and we will pray for you and encourage you throughout the year. Find some teammates and accountability partners to share your word with so you can pray, encourage and hold each other accountable. God has great plans for you and you have great potential in Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit to grow more like Jesus and into the person you are created and gifted to be. I'm praying for you and looking forward to working together to see our whole Body growing and maturing and serving more like Jesus. That is how we grow at becoming a dynamic movement of God.
So, Word Wrestling Wonder Worker remember God will accept and use you as you are and even can bring miracles alive in, through or around you. PTL! But He also wants you to grow and prepare for your future with Him in heaven. We do have a future and a hope and this life is preparation for the one to come and as we serve and work wonders in Christ we are building treasure in heaven. Amen!
What's God saying to you and what will you do about it? I'd love hear and so would your teammates! Shalom! Follow peace as God leads you . Be still and know and prepare to go with Christ to His future for you. Amen!
we collect for Evrlasting Life Ministries during worship at 10 Live and on Zoom.
Good Morning Co-Laborers--TYeam! Go Team! God has great plans for you and us! Rah rah sis boom ba!
Check out and meditate and pray through Our Daily Bread for . wHAT'S gOD SAYING TO YOU? wHO ARE YOUR TEAMMATES? tALK TO gOD AND SOME OTHERS AND FOLLOW WELL IN 2026
ODB
The Friendship Bench
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6
A young patient committed suicide because he couldn’t afford the bus fare to the hospital for mental health treatment. Distressed, Dr. Chibanda tested ways to make treatment more accessible. Friendship Bench was born, a program where therapists sit on discreetly placed benches, ready to counsel people with needs. And who did he train as therapists? Grandmothers! In an interview, Dr. Chibanda shared, “[Grandmothers] are rooted in their communities . . . they have an amazing ability to . . . make people feel respected and understood.”
In Nehemiah 3, we read of another project that involved unconventional groups of people. They understood that the city’s wall had to be rebuilt so they’d “no longer be in disgrace” (2:17). As Jerusalem lay in ruins, the surrounding nations mocked its defeat. And besides professional craftsmen like Uzziel, who was a goldsmith (3:8), others who may have had other talents—like Shallum, a district ruler—chipped in too (v. 12).
Just as Dr. Chibanda saw the influence and compassion of grandmothers to make a difference in mental healthcare in Zimbabwe, may God open our eyes to see the strengths of each person. God has gifted each of us with unique experiences, resources, and talents (Romans 12:6). Let’s allow Him to use us in building up the church and serving our community.
By Poh Fang Chia
REFLECT & PRAY
What has God laid on your heart to do for the church or community? Who can you invite to join you?
Dear Father, please help me see the strengths in others so I may serve with them for good.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Centuries before the wall-building effort led by Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 3), Moses, as directed by God, oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God met with His people. This special initiative also allowed for broad participation by His people with a variety of gifts. Giving to the project was open to all: “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments” (Exodus 35:21). Furthermore, those with unique gifts were given assignments. Unnamed skilled women (v. 25) and leaders (v. 27) also participated in the effort, as did Bezalel and Oholiab (vv. 30-35). , God has given all of us gifts, and He’ll show us how to use them to build up the church and serve our communities.
10-12 Bread Ministry (Weis Day--lots of stuff available)
6:30 PM Support Team Zoom
9-12 Clothing Closet (still need coats, gloves, winter stuff)
Please continue to pray for these ministries, our leaders and thank God for His provisions, protections, and the harvest and workers for it!
Don't forget our service at 4 with communion and a quick pizza mal after.
Note: Adam Roberts and his house church will be using our sanctuary at 7. Pray for them and for many to come to both our services. Who are you inviting?
Good Morning Co-Laborers! We are all co-laboring together and with Jesus as we fulfill our purposes and live and love more like Him. We are a team and doing our parts as best we can with what we've been blessed with. PTL! Thanks to Sarah and Mike for covering during my vacation and thank God for using them well! (Seems like I barely had off! YKIYK)
Just saw that Caleb has been sick and admitted to the hospital last evening for dehydration. Please lift him for healing and Dani for peace and wisdom.
I'm praying for you and all of us to continue to work at becoming more like Jesus and doing more of what we are created to do for such a time as this!
I'm keeping his brief as I regroup and get back into the swing. May God bless you, provide, protect and use you well and this week. Shine bright for the Light of the World has come. Choose joy always! Mike reminded us of that as we set our sights on God and what He is doing and grow in trust as our hope comes alive. He also reminded us that it's all about LOVE! Amen! Go love well ! Let Jesus' Love come alive in you and flow through you and touch someone who needs a little love, hope and joy! Amen
Shalom shalom
Sarah Update:
Hi Warriors,
Wasn't it beautiful outside ..... and with the temperatures as chilly as they will be over the next couple of days,
that 'beautiful scenery' will be around for a bit. I know some of you are looking forward to and when
it will get above 40!
Thank you for joining us on Zoom for Worship . We had 38 worshiping with us.
Thank you Pastor Don and Travis for helping with Zoom and Pastor Mike for bringing us the Word - as we were reminded
of the importance of CHOOSING JOY, in all circumstances. We lite the third candle on the Advent Wreath, the pink candle
that represents Joy/Peace. Why do we need to choose JOY? To show the world that we have faith ~ that God will provide for us!
A few praises were shared:
Pastor Don is praising God for what is happening on a at our church:
We, as a church have been giving out gift cards for Weis market. We took $1000 and purchased
$50 gift cards to present to families that are need. Wednesdays through the Bread ministry and the
evening gatherings we were able to identity several individuals and families that really were in need.
This past , a gift card was presented to a gentleman that came in. He left the church only to return a bit later
asking to speak with Pastor Don. He was crying as he was overwhelmed with all that we are doing to help the community and
he was very grateful for the gift card, as he was now able to purchase some food.
Praising God for Gail organizing the volunteer luncheon, and for the funds from Bread Ministry..... that covered the
meal for those that help with both the Bread ministry and the Clothing Closet.
And thank you to EACH OF YOU ~ for your giving (tithing) so that we are able to pay it forward and bless others that are in need.
Since we have just started to make our way into the Winter months, there will be times that we may have to do Zoom only
worship to keep everyone safe.
We will notify you by way of ONE CALL, which is a phone message made directly to whichever phone number you give us.
If you are NOT on the ONE CALL listing, please let me (Sarah) know and she will add you to the listing.
Also we will put out the announcement of our closing, on WFMZ's closing and cancellations listing. The closings run across the bottom
of the TV screen on Channel 69/WFMZ.
Okay everyone, stay warm, stay safe.....Pace yourself......check in on one another.
Thank God I'm Forgiven! Begin there as you share your heart overflowing with to God.
Sarah Update Below (Note: we received word Ross Stuart passed New Years Eve. Please kepp his family in your prayers. He is now rejoicing anf fully healed as His faith hhas become sight!)
Good Morning Spirit Filled Followers of Jesus and His Ways! Check out the Connection blogs below and abide before thriving . Seek first His Kingdom! Don't lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and he will lead you to His perfect plans for you --everyday! Amen and shalom!
Connection blogs
- The Holy Spirit Counsels
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17).
The Father never wanted us to try and live the Christian life alone. He gave us the Holy Spirit as our ever-present Helper. The word Helper is sometimes translated as Advocate or Counselor. The Holy Spirit is the One who gives us the wisdom and counsel we need. He fights for us and holds us up, coming to our aid at our every moment of need. And we never have to wonder if He is with us. Jesus promised that the Spirit would always be with us and would dwell in us.
Thank You, Father, for giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to Counsel Your people! May we continually remember to seek His wisdom whenever we aren’t sure what to do or say. Since the Holy Spirit knows what is on Your mind and heart, He can be trusted to give us Your best guidance – if we will humbly ask. May Your Spirit dwell with me and with my church in supernatural ways in this new year!
--Adapted with permission from The Summit Church (thesummitchurch.org) we are inviting you into 21 days of prayer and fasting at the beginning of this new year! Each day will focus on a different biblical attribute of the Holy Spirit.
The founding pastor of Summit Church is Bill Elliff, who is now the pastor Emeritus and serves on the Executive Leadership Team of OneCry (onecry.com). You can find one of Bill’s books, The Essential Presence at prayerleader.com.
Prayer Points
Praise the prayer-hearing God that his ear is attentive to your prayers.
Give thanks for the privilege of coming into God’s presence and conversing with him through prayer.
Confess any personal failure in your prayer life that you are aware of.
Commit yourself to being a faithful intercessor.
Ask that God will strengthen your prayer life and help you to pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayer, on all occasions, for all God’s people (Eph. 6:18).
Pray that your church’s leaders—pastors, elders, deacons, and others— may be filled with the Spirit and be effective in the ministries to which they are called.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Whether or not you saw the ball or hockey puck or the red M&M or the Yellow Peep drop, the year 2026 has arrived!!! So what does that mean for you? Are you EXCITED to see and experience what God has in store for you and our church family? As I shared on , it's time for us to SOAR in 2026!!! Isaiah 40:31, "Those who wait (HOPE) in the Lord get (renew) fresh strength. They spread their wings and SOAR like eagles....."
And that is my verse this year, that I will be praying over each of you and our church family! That we will continue to HOPE in our Lord, and listen, watch, and react to what He is showing us.....and that we will RENEW, gain FRESH STRENGTH in the Lord as we renew and spend time daily getting to know our Lord better.....and then we will SOAR spreading the Word of our Lord; sharing the LOVE of Christ; passing His peace to all that need to experience it.
Let me ask you this....do you live your life as though God has written your name in the Book of Life with a pencil? One day you're in but the next you blow it and your name is erased ?
Listen My friend, when God writes your name in the Book of Life, He doesn't write it with pencil. He writes it in with the indelible blood of Jesus, who promised that those who TRUST in Him "shall never perish" (John 10:28). So, you know what that means.....NO ONE can snatch you from His Hand.
Paul got tremendous JOY as he wrote to the Philippians from prison....He wanted them to experience the same unquenchable JOY that he was experiencing! (and I want that for each of you this year) Paul pointed the Philippians to the source of the JOY, it's JESUS CHRIST......and He said, "He who began a good work in YOU will Carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6)
Hey did you know that your salvation and joy are a package deal!!! Salvation brings JOY because.....we know (or you need to remember) that NOTHING can separate you from the LOVE of GOD in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)
So church family, are you ready to SOAR this year with Jesus? Every day for the next 365 days, I challenge you to REST in Christ's redeeming blood that He shed on the cross for you.....experience the overwhelming, incomprehensible, glorious JOY of the Lord.
Father, WE Praise YOU for Your GRACE. We take JOY in our SALVATION that is secured through the perfect blood of Christ. May this JOY permeate every aspect of our lives, personally, and as a church family, in the name of Jesus, (and all God's children said.....) AMEN!!!!
Have a great day....(how many of you are eating pork and sauerkraut - Yum! I am going to fill my plate now! Can't wait!)
Good Morning Very Blessed Gathered and Sent Team! Thank God for gathering us, preparing us and using us in 2025! Ask Him to continue His good work in and through you and us in '26 as H continues to build us into His Church and grow us as His people. Amen!
during my quiet time I opened several devotionals (below) that just really spoke to my heart as God affirmed His plans for us and reminded me to keep teaching these things and doing them as I follow Him and lead others--including leading myself. Start with my I to We Devo. Man this devo has been speaking to my hart all year and informing my prayers and teaching. God created us to be a team (there is no I in TEAM) and in relationships, first of all with Him and then others. We need each other and this journey we are on in Christ is designed to be done with others. When we are weak He is strong but also others can help us in our weakness as designed by God. As we enter the New Year, meditate on this and ask Go to lead you to some good friends, teammates and accountability partners. Invite and unite! Then just meditate on and pray through our other devos as we prepare to go live and love more like Jesus together! It's His perfect plan for you and us! Rejoice! Abide! Thrive in Christ! I'm praying for a prosperous and very blessed New Year for you all and us as His Team--His Good News Delivery Company with all of us doing our parts. Amen!
When we think about New Year’s resolutions, what probably comes to mind is a list of lofty ambitions we rarely achieve (80 percent of New Year’s resolutions are already abandoned by mid-February). Author Amy Wilson suggests a better idea might be to reject entirely “the idea that we have to fix ourselves before our lives can get better.” Wilson suggests that, instead of adding commitments, we see the new year as an opportunity to do less, to finally “start saying no” to some of the “oversized and ongoing commitments that take our time and energy without giving us much in return.”
In a world of constant pressure to do and be more, it can be easy to miss the radically different rhythm of life Jesus invited His disciples into—one of abiding in Him. In John 15, Jesus described Himself as “the true vine” (v. 1) and His disciples as “the branches” (v. 5).
Vine branches don’t grow through working harder but through the nourishment received from the vine. So, too, the growth we long for can only be experienced when we let go of self-reliance in exchange for resting in and finding nourishment in Christ, for “apart from [Him] you can do nothing” (v. 5).
Through Jesus, we have hope for a life of less anxiety. Less striving. And more resting in God’s love and letting it flow to those around us (vv. 12, 17).
By Monica La Rose
REFLECT & PRAY
What might God be leading you to say no to this year? In what areas of your life might God be inviting you to greater surrender?
Gracious God, please help me surrender my self-reliance to rest in You.
Jesus used an agricultural metaphor of a vine and its branches to depict our dependent relationship with God and Christ. The key word in John 15:4-12 is the verb menō, translated “remain” or “abide” (esv). It carries the meaning of “living,” “dwelling,” “abiding.” It can also mean “to be in a state that begins and continues.” Menō stresses the primacy of our union in Christ and our communion with, dependence on, and obedience to Him. Only Jesus can provide us with the grace and vitality for productivity as we stay connected to Him. In John’s first epistle, he directs us back to the vine-branches metaphor: “Whoever claims to live [menō] in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6). As we learn to abide in Him, we can surrender our self-reliance and trust Him to work through us.
K.T. Sim
UR: Helping Your Neighbors
If someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help — how can the love of God dwell in a person like that? - 1 John 3:17 (CEB)
I had just brought my wife home from a cancer operation when a snowstorm hit. I’m in my late 80s and have a bad back, so shoveling the driveway was pressing on my mind. What if my wife had an emergency? Then I heard a noise and saw a neighbor girl clearing our driveway. Shortly after she arrived, a man across the street finished his driveway and came over to help her. I thanked them both, grateful to have such caring neighbors.
We got more snow, so by the next day we were snowed in again. The same girl returned, and this time another neighbor and his wife also shoveled the large drifts. When I opened the door to thank them, the girl said, “Go back inside where it’s warm — we’ll finish this.”
I’m going to repay my neighbors in some way — perhaps I’ll mow their yards next summer, give them gift certificates, or take them baked goods. But I’ve already asked the Lord to be with them and provide them with helpers when they are in need.
Sometimes troubles bring unforeseen blessings from people we may have taken for granted. Let us thank God for those who help us!
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's Prayer
Dear Lord, open our eyes to see what the people around us need. Show us then how to act in love, remembering what you have done for us. Amen.
Good Morning Led By God, Purposeful, Peace-Filled, Followers of Jesus! Pronounce that mouthful and contemplate it as you abide in God's loving presence with open ears and hearts and willing feet to follow. He has great plans and purposes for you and for us together! Amen! He leads us to His perfect plans and purposes. he is the Rock on which we build. His Word informs our steps and prayers and lead us to be more like Jesus and teaches us to do things His way. Amen! As we follow Him and peace, His peace grows in us and overflows to a trouble and chaotic world around us--a world longing for His peace. Be still at His feet as you open His Word prayerfully and meditate on the devotionals and pray through them. Ask Him to inform your prayers and direct your steps. Ask for some teammates to process, pray and go with. Surrender to Him and His good ways and receive His blessings as you encourage each other and build His Church. He is our foundation we build on. He is our peace beyond understanding. he is our wisdom and He is Jireh--enough, our provision. Amen. Ask Him to give you a word to work on for next year as you journey more towards Christlikeness and doing all He created for you to do. He is speaking to you right now and he has a word sent in love for you to focus on and move towards. Thank Him and receive His Word for you . Then pray, prepare, partner up and go live and love more and more like Jesus. I'm praying for you and us and God is here awaiting you to join Him. Shalom!
Sarah Young:
TWFYT
UR: The Solid Rock
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. - Matthew 7:25 (NIV)
For years, my parents owned a small cottage on the Oregon coast. It was a wonderful retreat and the perfect place to spend summers. But one particularly rough winter, an extreme storm surge wreaked havoc on our little house.
The storm was so severe that the water surge, torrential rain, and monstrous waves began to erode the sand and rocks that surrounded the house. When the storm was over, we could see how the water had severely pulled away the soil in front of the house, exposing the foundation.
In spite of the storm’s ferocity, however, the house was saved. Regardless of the beating it took, it stayed strong and standing. As I looked at the beach house, all I could think about was the parable that Jesus taught about the house built on a strong foundation. The scene in front of me was exactly what Jesus described. With its rock foundation, it would remain standing.
Just as our beach house remained standing because of its stone foundation, we can stand strong when our foundation is built on the truth of God, our Rock and our Redeemer.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for teaching us to keep your word in our hearts. It safeguards us against storms, shores up our foundation in you, and keeps us standing strong in your love. Amen.
Connection Blogs
- Jesus Is Our Peace
We can follow Jesus’ example as a peacemaker, and allow peace to rule within us. His life was foundationally peaceful, and He passed on to us His peace, which was not of the world but which has overcome the world. Read and reflect on these passages of Scripture as we focus on the peace that passes all understanding as we comprehend His coming:
"He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace" (Micah 5:4-5).
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33).
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9).
God of Peace, as I face this New Year spread out before me with all of its infinite possibilities, I desire to step into it fully aware of Your power and joy and transformational life living within me. I’m so thankful for the peace of Christ that rules in my heart! Give me the grace to obediently follow the plans You have for me and put into practice all that I learn, receive, hear and see in Christ!
Praise Jesus for calling you his friend (Jn. 15:15).
Thank him for giving you a job to do in his kingdom—that is, to “bear fruit” (15:16).
Confess those times when you’ve sought to do your own work rather than God’s work.
Commit yourself to bearing fruit that will last.
Ask Jesus for the strength and wisdom you need to carry out his commands.
Praise God for family members and friends who also have been called by him to bear fruit. Thank Jesus for his friendship with them. Pray that they will seek to nurture that friendship with their Savior.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
10-12 Bread Ministry with Weis products (Next donut day )
10am Undecorate church--the more the merrier!
worship at 10 in person and on Zoom...don't forget to get your new envelopes, update the directory, and let Debbie know if you'd like a year end giving statement.
Next brunch at 11:30
Annual Congregational Meeting after worship in the sanctuary (All reports due . the 5th)
Good Morning Born Again, Being Made New Children of God and Co-Laborers! We were one way and then another better way and then another better way. We are being made new in Christ as God continues to transform us more and more into His image and into the people He created us to be as He keeps preparing us to do all the things He created us to do each step of our journey to reach our fullest potential in Christ. What an awesome, loving, forgiving Creator God we serve! Celebrate your new birth and God's good plans for you for such a time as this! Celebrate with me as I remember and celebrate my new birth in Christ . Dec. 29th, 2001 in Tempe AZ. at around 8pm I surrendered my life to Christ, asked for forgiveness and help to repent of all sins and received Him into my heart! It's all a blur but I know that I know that I know that I am His, forgiven and being made new daily in Christ! PTL! The next morning dawned with this fresh breath of the Spirit upon me and a new perspective and outlook on life. I knew things would be different and this love, joy and peace just flooded over me. Some of us have this same experience. Who might you share that with? Some of us just kind of grew into our faith from birth and life spent in church. Who might need to hear about that experience and how God keeps transforming and working on you? Ask God to lead you to share what the Good News of His saving love means to you and go do it!
You all know how I love snow. I was in the desert of life and in the desert of Tempe AZ. I was there as a Band Aid for the Reading High marching band at the Fiesta Bowl. The band was scheduled to take a train from the desert to the Grand Canyon. As we traveled it started to snow and by the time we reached the Grand Canyon it was a full blown whiteout blizzard! God said to me, "See, I have washed you white as snow and I have answered your prayers for forgiveness and new life. I love you!" I'll never forget those two days nor my return with a deep driving to find a Bible I could read and understand. God led me to a clerk at the Bible store who put a New Living Translation Study Bible in my hand. PTL! I wore it out and have been using my new one daily since. God speaks to and teaches me through it daily. His Word is powerful, active and even cuts to the marrow sometimes! God knew I would need to hear Him through a study Bible I could understand as the Lutheran church I attended and her pastor had no clue what to do with a born again Lutheran. However God placed this broke, broken and delivered drug addict in a place that would fund his education and Bible college and support this new life and transformation until I would be called to the EC church in 2006 after graduating from Bible college.
In Feb. of 2002, God answered a lifelong prayer to find a good Christian woman. I felt the lightning hit as I shared my new birth with one of my customers (she didn't feel the lightning. It was the day her divorce became final). Karen endured my awkward pursuing of her and finally accepted my proposal and we were married Dec. 11th 2004 while I was still a student. When people ask how I ever ended up with such a wonderful, Spirit-filled woman, I have to and do give all the credit to God. It had to be a God thing! It was a God thing! And now just over 21 years of marriage I am so blessed to be called a child of God and unified in love and marriage to the answer to my prayers and God's gift, Karen. I have much to celebrate as loving her has driven me to change and grow too as God transforms me from a selfish, prideful "smooze" to more of a man after God's heart and to love like Christ loved the Church. (Yes, I am still a work in process and progress! PTL!) "I was one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was Him!" PTL!
And who would've know back then and through my whole life and church experiences that God was forming me and leading me to my call to St. Matts.! I am so blessed by God, Karen, and you all! And I know God still has plans for us to grow more like Christ individually and as His Body and plans to change the world around us with the love and light of Christ. He has gathered and is preparing us for such a time as this to allow Him to transform us more and use us more for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom! May His Kingdom come and will be done in and through each of us and us together!
I always pursue correctives and affirmations from God about the fruit this past year and for the fruit that is budding for the year ahead. He is still alive and active and does have great plans for me, you and us to discover and step into in faith. Let us commit to earnestly pursue Him and His plans together and to allow Him to use us and grow us towards our fullest potential in Christ and as His Body for such a time as this. Those are earnest prayers of a righteous person that lead to answered prayers and a mighty moving of God! Amen! I can't wait to see what He has in store for you, me and us and to hear the stories He is writing in and through us! Rejoice! Celebrate with me! Celebrate your new life transformed by Christ! Surrender anew with me! And invite our loving Father to have His way in, through and around us in the year ahead. Amen! Keep praying into these things and keep praising as God inhabits our praises and informs our prayers as we abide and follow. Amen! And keep praying for some teammates. God wants us to partner with others! We are made yo do so and then produce much good fruit together. That's how His Kingdom works. Just like He works through Karen and me together, He will use your team to go live and love more like Jesus and change you and those around you and maybe even allow you to experience your part in His harvest to come. Amen! Check out these devos that spoke to my heart . Praying God speaks to you as you celebrate, humble yourself and abide in Him and His love>
Sarah Young:
ODB
Joyful Resilience
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18
Scientists studied the resilience of sixteen societies worldwide, including the Yukon and Australian Outback. They analyzed thousands of years of archaeological records, tracing the impact of famines, wars, and climate. One factor stood out—the frequency of downturns. One would think that they would weaken societies, but the researchers found the opposite to be true. Instead, they found that societies that faced frequent hardships developed resilience, bouncing back faster from future challenges. Stress, it appears, can forge resilience.
The prophet Habakkuk understood this kind of resilience. As he considered Judah’s impending devastation, he painted a bleak picture: “crop fails,” “no sheep . . . no cattle,” and barren land (3:17). Amid earthly securities being stripped away, however, the prophet declared, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (v. 18). His joy wasn’t tied to circumstances and earthly pleasures but anchored in God’s unchanging character and salvation. In the bleakest seasons, the prophet chose joy and became more resilient.
Like Habakkuk and those resilient societies, our spiritual endurance grows through repeated adversity. When we face difficult seasons in life, let’s cling to our hope in God and remember that He’s with us—using our challenges to grow our joy and resilient faith.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
How do you find hope in God? Amid adversity, what prayer of rejoicing can you offer to Him?
Gracious God, I will find hope in You when life is barren and empty.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Much of the short book of Habakkuk is dark and foreboding. It begins with Habakkuk crying out, “How long, Lord, must I call for help?” (1:2). God answers by telling him the terrible things that will happen to His people (vv. 5-11). Habakkuk recoils from this strange reply with a complaint to God: “Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?” (v. 13). By chapter 3, however, the prophet is compelled to praise this powerful, terrifying God: “Lord, I have heard of your fame” (v. 2). He recounts how God “shook the earth” (v. 6) and “in wrath . . . strode through the earth” (v. 12). Habakkuk understood this power would be displayed on His people’s behalf. “You came out to deliver your people,” he says. “You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness” (v. 13). He concludes in hope: “The sovereign Lord is my strength” (v. 19). , when we face adversity, we also can cling to our hope in God and remember that He’s with us.
Tim Gustafson
UR: Feeling Lost
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. - Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)
It can be a terrifying feeling to lose your bearings and come to the realization that you are lost. As a young teen at scout camp, the leaders would remind us that if we lost our way in the dark, we should walk toward the light of the campfire.
Getting lost can happen to anyone — not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In such circumstances, it is wonderful to have someone to lean on, a friend that comes alongside us, a guide to help us negotiate the unfamiliar terrain we are passing through.
Psalm 46:1 tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God will not abandon us. God knows where we are, what we need, and how to help us in our distress. When we are overwhelmed and feeling lost, we can look to Jesus, the Light of the world, and ask for God’s guidance.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, may we be ever mindful that you love us and will never forsake us. You are always near, even in our darkest hour, to strengthen our faith and lift us up as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
Good Morning Worshipers! Prepare your hearts to worship and join us on Zoom at 10. With the thick ice, below freezing temps at worship time, and with concern for safety we decided to have Zoom only Church . This will also allow for any sicknesses to fade away before we meet again.
I've got to get moving with setting up the service but I want to share two devotionals to ponder and meditate and pray through for . First, check out Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devo about God being our refuge and strength--our help in time of trouble. He is our ever-present, aware God who is working all things together for good. Turn off the noise and tune into God by opening your Bibles, abiding in in His presence and being still and chatting. Focus on God, not all the noise, distractions, chaos-stirring and busyness. Be still and know that he is God who is with you, loves you and has solutions and plans for you. Seek first His Kingdom! And then meditate on the Upper Room devo on sowing seeds and praying for it to fall on good soil. We are sowers, waterers, fertilizers, and even harvesters in Christ. He is with us and has someone for you to pray about and sow lavishly, water, fertilize and maybe even harvest for the Kingdom. Ask Him for your person and for how to do your part. He does have great plans for you!
Now, offer yourself to Him and determine to be who He created you to be and do what He created you to do, with His help and the help of some friends, for such a time as this! Begin with some worship and abiding and invite God to inhabit your praise and direct your steps. Don't lean on your own understanding and turn off the noise. Focus n God with feet determined to follow to good and lasting fruit. Amen!
See you soon on Zoom! Pray for Sarah as she brings the Word, Mike as he leads the festivities and me as I set it all up. Thanks!
Sarah Young
Upper Room: The Seeds We Sow
The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. - Matthew 13:23 (NIV)
One , the lay youth leader at church had the children act out a scene from an old TV show. The moral of the lesson was that each of us has a mission from God to fulfill in our daily lives. I still think about that lesson every day. Since then, it has been my custom to ask God, “What is my mission ?” Then I write down my daily to-do list, which usually includes humdrum tasks and chores. But occasionally I am inspired to add something else — send a note to a friend, call someone unable to leave home, or do a task that takes me out of my comfort zone.
One day I mentioned to the youth leader how much that lesson had meant to me, and she replied, “I don’t remember that at all.” How curious, I thought. However, I have found that we often sow seeds of kind words or good deeds that we forget. They may go unappreciated, but sometimes they land where they do good. So I vowed to keep writing that list and checking it off in hopes that some God-inspired actions or words will fall on good soil, exactly where they need to be.
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's Prayer
Dear God, open our hearts to your will, and help us to reach out to others with kind words and deeds. Thank you for surprising us with the joy of seeing our seeds of kin
TGIF! Thank God I’m Forgiven! That’s why we celebrate that baby in a manger! God came in the flesh to die for us, take our sins to the cross and open the door for forgiveness and new life! Plus we have the opportunity now to receive eternal life with Him! PTL! TGIF! Have you received the GREASTEST GIFT of all time, Jesus as Lord and Savior? It’s not too late! Talk to someone about true love that cleanses and forgives and ask Jesus to cleanse, forgive and come live in you. He will! He loves you with an everlasting love, a cleansing love, a refining love, a forgiving and new life love! Amen! Start your day praising God for al the things about Jesus and your forgiveness that come to mind. My list was huge!
Karen and I also want to thank you all for the love, cards, encouragements and gifts! We love you guys and love serving with you! Praying for a blessed New Year for all!
Good Morning Forgiven and Cleansed Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Amen! We are His chosen, gathered, gifted, prepared and sent children. We are family on mission! We all have a part and we all need each other! That is why God has gathered us as His Body. He has plans for you and us to discover and step into as we work with Him and each other to spread the Good News of God’s Redeeming Love! He came so we can live and live life abundantly in Christ. Thanks Lord! Lead us! Use us! Glorify Your Holy Name through us and advance Your Kingdom with us! Thanks for uniting us in You and for Your mission of love. May we share the Gift as we live sacrificially and love lavishly like Jesus and walk in His ways together. Thanks! Amen!
As I am writing this we have no internet. I believe God is challenging us the next two days during this ice and snow storm to be still, be thankful, meditate and worship. It’s a time to sit at His feet, listen and receive your marching orders for the week(s) ahead. He has great plans custom made for you and us! Share what you are hearing with your teammates or find some to share and pray with. I believe God wants us to search His heart for something he wants us to work on in 2026. Talk to Him, your teammates and family and ask where your blind spot is or for what God may want you to work at to continue to grow more like Jesus and in your fuller potential. We will ask you in a few weeks what he has revealed and for a word that he has given you so we can pray, encourage and hold each other accountable. I am still pray for those of you who shared your word in 2023. And I have seen growth in all of you towards becoming more of that word. PTL and seek His input this weekend. Then commit to His transforming you more into His image and allowing Him to work more fully through you as you are created to do for such a time as this! He does have great plans! Seek Him and His help and go live and love more like Jesus in the year ahead. I am praying for you and us!
Ok got things to do as I await the internet, just like we await God’s Word and leading. The Word became flesh and now dwells in us and wants to love through us. Ask for His help and go love ! And know His peace and joy as you do! Shalom Shalom!
NOTICE*** The church and weather will evaluated later . In all probability we will be gathering in person on site and on Zoom. Watch for an update later . Please be safe and choose well if we do open.
Good Morning Abiding Worshipers! Be still. Abide. Know He is God as you seek and listen, receive, worship and pray. He loves you and rescued you for such a time as this. Abide in His loving presence and listen to His still small voice. Then pray informed and prepare for what He has for you. God is good and leads us to do good out of love. He protects. provides and guides us to do what we can with what we've been given according to our circumstances and in alignment with His perfect plans. Seek first the Kingdom, as you abide, and He will add all you need to accomplish His plans, His way. Prepare to thrive in Christ! And worship!
Check out ODB as you abide in His love:
Our Loving Rescuer
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17
During a raging wildfire, a forest ranger saved a bear cub. At a recovery site safely away from those still fighting the inferno, he placed the rescued animal on the ground. Standing on its tiny back paws, the cub hugged the man’s calf. The ranger gently pried himself away. Mouth wide as if crying out in desperation, the little bear clambered and clawed in an attempt to remain in the refuge of his rescuer’s embrace. As the cub clung to his arm, the kind man relented and rubbed his furry friend’s head.
What if we pursued our ultimate rescuer—Jesus—with the same fierce desperation and confidence as the bear cub who pursued and clung to the one who saved him from death?
All people God made need saving. The psalmist David confessed his need for a rescuer—for God to hear and answer his prayers (Psalm 55:1-2). Admitting he faced troubles, threats, suffering, and fear (vv. 3-5), David pursued God with assurance. “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me,” he said (v. 16). “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (v. 17). David prayed continually. He believed God listened and trusted that He would rescue him “unharmed” (v. 18).
When we face difficulties or suffering of any kind, like David, we can cry out to God. Our loving Rescuer, who pursues us, hears and saves us when we pursue Him too.
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
How can you pursue God ? When has God rescued you from trouble or suffering?
Dear God, thank You for rescuing me from death through Christ and for being my refuge every day.
David was in intense emotional anguish and was enduring devastating pain (Psalm 55:4-5). This pain was caused by the betrayal of someone he trusted, one whom he described in endearing terms: “my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (vv. 13-14). Initially, the psalmist had considered hiding in the desert to escape the storm, hoping to isolate himself from the pain. He pictures himself as a bird taking flight into the desert, which he thought would provide him with a safe place of refuge (vv. 6-8). Eventually, David chose to run to God instead, affirming that only He could rescue him and keep him safe (vv. 16-18). He says to “give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you” (v. 22 nlt). Just as God pursued David, He hears us and pursues us when we face difficulties.
K.T. Sim
And Praise the Lord with the UR:
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. - Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
When I was in junior high school, I played the trumpet. I can vividly remember trying to learn how to play. It took a lot of air! When I look back on this period, I give thanks because I was literally making “a joyful noise” with the trumpet.
Of course there were times I did not want to play the trumpet. Sometimes I have days when I don’t want to do anything. But what if I remembered that in everything I do, I can praise God? This is what I love about Psalm 150. It is a reminder to praise God continually for giving us breath for another day.
Now my son is learning to play the trumpet and my daughter is learning to play the flute. Every now and then I smile when I hear them practicing. Their music is a gift, even when it’s not played perfectly.
This is also true for our lives. We do not need to have everything in perfect order before we praise God. All we need to do is offer the very best we can in that moment. Praise and thanks be to God that we have been given breath!
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Giver of Life, continue to breathe your life into us so we can live joyfully and praise you always. Amen.
Merry to you all from Karen and I! We love you all and love walking with Jesus with you and consider you all dear friends! Thanks for loving God with us! may your day be blessed with many God sightings and answered prayers! Emmanuel! God is with us ! Rejoice!
Meditate and pray through the Connection blog as you still yourself in the presence of our newborn King!
Happy to you, our Connection readers! It is our prayer that you will be focused upon Jesus Christ, Son of God, who inhabits our praises, embraces our sorrows, makes peace in our hearts possible, and who is even now preparing a place for us to dwell with Him forever and ever! May this day be filled with great joy as we celebrate Emmanuel - God with us! From the Staff of OneCry!
- A Prayer for Day
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Lord, prepare our hearts to be strong. We want to be blameless and holy in Your presence when Jesus returns. Please encourage us and strengthen us in every good deed and word as we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child.
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).
Lord, prepare our hearts to be turned toward family. Draw us together as a family so that we will become a people prepared for You. Help us to be clean and pure before You as we celebrate the coming of the Christ Child.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1).
Lord, prepare our hearts to be set on things above because we have been raised with Jesus! We have new life because He came here as a baby, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and rose again! Help us to set our hearts on things above as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child.
: 10-12 Bread Ministry with Weis products. 4 PM Worship with communion followed by quick pizza party. Come and worship the new born King!
Sarah update below
Merry to all from Karen and me! We love you all and are honored to serve with you and call you friends! Many blessings of love, health and joy and always! May Jesus be Emmanuel (God with us) for you and your loved ones. Amen!
Good Morning Saved By Grace Children of God! Amen! That is why this baby we worship was born! We celebrate because He gave us the greatest gift ever given to mankind--the opportunity to repent, be forgiven and receive His Spirit and eternal life. WOW! Just think about that love, mercy and grace we know and many are invited to know. Who are you praying for? Who are you inviting to join us? Thank you all for praying, serving and working at becoming more like Jesus together! He is hearing and using you and us! PTL! We are made new and activated to go live and love more like Him! PTL and step out in faith to renewed life in Christ lived for His glory . Amen! We are His Children, saved by grace and sent to love as we have been loved. Someone is coming to mind that needs to hear that. What will you do about that? Share the greatest gift mankind has ever had the opportunity to open--the gift of new life in Christ and His love. Join us to serve at the Bread Ministry and/or worship . Come and worship the new born King and incarnate His love as you go and as you are. I'm praying for you and can't wait to see what God has in store for us and to be blessed by new life coming alive around us. he has great plans for you and for someone you know and are praying for! PTL! meditate on the devos and blog below and prepare your heart to be open to all God has for you. Amen
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Connection Blogs
- A Prayer for
Before you begin, ask God to reveal to your heart the ways that the enemy has robbed you of the peace that is yours because of Christ. Confess these things to Him and ask Him to pour out on you His peace that passes all understanding. Ask Him to still the storms in your life and refocus your living.
I thank You Father, that Jesus Himself is my peace and that He has completely destroyed the barrier that separated me from You! How grateful I am that I have been reconciled to Him through His blood shed on the cross and now have peace with You.
Forgive me I pray, for the times that I do not cast my cares and anxieties onto You, but instead carry them myself and allow my heart to be weighed down and needlessly burdened. I ask that Your peace, which is beyond my ability to understand, guard my heart and my mind--cover me, because I am in Christ Jesus. I belong to You. Thank You Lord Jesus, for the peace that You give to me which is so very different than the fleeting attempts of the world to quiet my heart. Guard my heart by Your Holy Spirit, that I might not be afraid. Help me to learn to be still and know that You are God, to hear Your voice in the midst of the storms that I face saying “Peace, be still.” Keep me from fear and increase my faith. May my life be characterized by Your peace no matter what situation I might face, that You may be glorified in me and through me and receive the praise that is due Your name.
May I love Your Word that I might have great peace and not stumble.
May my mind be controlled by Your Holy Spirit and produce life and peace.
May Your strength and peace fill my life because I belong to You.
Lord Jesus, You are my Wonderful Counselor, You are Mighty God, the Everlasting Father incarnate and Prince of Peace! With You all things are possible. I invite You into the impossible situations of my life and ask that as I wait on You, You fill me with Your peace – for my hope is in You alone and I trust in Your great name.
(Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20; Romans 5:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:7; John 14:27; Psalm 46:10; Mark 4:35-41; Psalm 119:165; Romans 8:6; Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 19:26)
--Advent devotion written by Tiece King, author of Pray the Word for Your Church. This resource is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount on the book.
Prayer Points
Focus on Jn. 15:1-17 for the next few days.
Praise your Father, who is the gardener of your soul.
Thank Jesus for being the true vine which nourishes and gives life to the branches.
Confess moments when you’ve tried to sever your relationship to Jesus in some way.
Commit yourself to welcoming God’s pruning in your life despite the pain it might bring.
Ask God to make you more fruitful as you live for him.
Ask that your fruit-bearing will be attractive to unsaved people you know. Pray that they will “taste [of that fruit] and see that the LORD is good” (Ps. 34:8).
Prayer Pointer
“God rules the world through the prayers of his people.” —Anonymous
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Merry Eve! Are you ready for the Kingdom to come...and for His will to be done in, through and around you? Prepare and offer yourself as an act of worship that pleases our King of kings and Lord of lords! He's here in us--Emmanuel and He longs to love through us! Amen! COME!
Good Afternoon...well almost! I slept in for a change . Feels like I wasted half the day but in reality I am honoring God and following His healthy rhythms of resting in Him, stewarding my health and then working from rest--informed rest as I abided and now am prepared for the day ahead!! Have you done that ? In this busy season, rest and resting in Christ are critical! What are His plans for you ? Have you asked? Have you stilled yourself in His loving presence before stepping out in faith into this day? Be still and know, abide then go! Good fruit awaits as we walk with Him and incarnate His love and wisdom and ways. Amen!
Check out the Upper Room and Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devotionals for , turn on some music, abide and enjoy this white Eve! (Too bad it won't last until , but what joy we find in the artistry of God!) Tell Him about what brings you joy in Christ and what fuels your hope, trust and faith. Praise Him for His ever-present love and help. Then go refreshed and ready to be Jesus--to incarnate Him and His good ways and bring good fruit alive. Amen! I'm praying for you and for the days ahead to remember the reason for the season and to allow Him control of you, circumstances and to bring His joy and shalom alive. Amen! Start with worship now! Then go love well! Amen! Light up the darkness with His love flowing from you like streams of living water! Let Him light up the darkness through you as he refreshes you and prepares you for life!
UR: Promise of Light
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (KJV)
After nearly 100 years, the beautiful stained-glass windows in our church needed repair. Plywood panels temporarily fill the empty spaces, and our sanctuary is much dimmer now. We’re not sure how long the repairs will take, but we look forward to once again seeing the glorious hues of the windows in our sanctuary.
Sometimes I allow my own outlook to become dimmed by the condition of the world. It’s disturbing and almost overwhelming — the wars, injustice, poverty, crime, prejudice, and religious and political strife. So many problems seem to darken the world; many seem to have no solutions.
However, just as I know the will once again shine brilliantly through our stained-glass windows, scripture assures me of the promise that one day all will be revealed. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we are seeing things “through a glass, darkly” but that one day all truth will become clear. T
hrough faith and hope we anxiously anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promise that one day we will understand and live in God’s Holy Light.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for the assurances you give us in your holy word that help us when we feel overwhelmed by the world. Amen.
Good Morning Inviting, Proclaiming, Loving, Servants of the Lord--Teammates! Let us choose to work on becoming these and doing more of what God created us to do together. Amen!
Who are you praying for to come to Christ? Have you asked Him to send you someone or to send you to someone? Try it! He loves and uses those prayers and open hearts! Check out Our Daily Bread below speaking into this.
Have you asked God to anoint your mouth and words and to speak through you? Have you asked Him to examine and cleanse you or to help take every word and choice captive before Him? When's the last time you asked Him to help you to die to self, take up cross and follow Him better? Try it! Use the Upper Room devo as you abide and contemplate these with God. Ask for a right and willing heart and worship Him for His refining, cleansing and very patient love.
Don't forget about your motivation and want to that flows from your love and gratitude for all God is and has done for you! Meditate on The Word for You . And just worship and behold our new born King! The King is with us and coming again! PTL! Focus on and follow Him !
One final thought...we are called to team up and co-labor. It's the only way to really produce good and lasting fruit. Pray for and reach out to some friends to serve with in '26 and beyond. We worked on words of things of God we wanted to grow at in '23. God wants us to pick some new words and co-laborites and accountability partners. Keep praying and praising for these and God's perfect plans for you. Ask for wisdom, discernment and what He'd like you to focus on and do. He does have some awesome things ahead! PTL! be willing, available and ready to step out in faith with Him and your partners. I'm praying for all of us to move closer to our fuller potential in Christ throughout the next few years. Join us! Join God as we become His dynamic movement. Amen!
ODB:
Send Me Your People
We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body. 1 Corinthians 12:13
When my friend Maritza took a job that required traveling to many different cities by herself, she often felt lonely. But over dinner one night, she leaned in and told me, “Jen, I prayed and asked God to send me His people.” She went on to say it wasn’t long before she’d begun to meet other believers in Jesus on a regular basis. Once, she met three in one day!
When we encounter others who have faith in Jesus, we share a spiritual connection. In a hard-to-explain way, this lights a spark within us. We have the most important thing in common because we believe what the Bible says about Christ and how it’s possible to have a relationship with God through Him (Romans 10:9).
Most importantly, the Spirit of God lives in each believer, knitting us together so powerfully that the Bible compares us to the interconnected parts of the human body. First Corinthians 12:13 says, “We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body”—the body of Christ.
God often works in our lives through others who love Him, whether they’re near or far, known or new acquaintances. In our loneliest times, we can ask Him to send His people—even as we offer ourselves to be used by Him to encourage others.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY
Where do you turn when you feel lonely? How has God worked through other believers in your life?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for including me in Your family. Please use me to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ .
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The metaphor of believers in Jesus forming one body is used elsewhere in Scripture. Paul employs the same imagery in Romans 12:4-5. He also speaks of the church as God’s “building” (1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:19-21). These metaphors point to an essential unity among the members of the church at large. We may be tempted to downplay certain roles as less prestigious while esteeming others that have more visibility. The apostle cautions against this mistake by pointing out the essential role of each gifting: “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17). Earlier in this passage, he emphasized how God gifts each of us “for the common good” (v. 7). Just as we receive gifting to help others in the body of fellow believers in Christ, when we’re lonely, God uses others to encourage us.
Tim Gustafson
UR: Final Words
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. - Psalm 71:8 (NIV)
Sometimes I ask myself, What will be the last words people hear from me? The last words I heard from my cousin Javier were, “Take care of yourself, dear.” He died from a heart attack the following day. I remember, too, a friend who lived in another city and who loved God greatly. She would always end our phone conversations with, “God bless you.” These words from my cousin and friend encouraged me and showed their care for me.
I recall Jesus’ final words to his disciples: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He calls them and all of us who follow him to proclaim his name, giving us the power to do so through the Holy Spirit.
Will my last words encourage or cause distress? Will they comfort or cause pain? We do not know what our final words will be, but if our words are filled with praise to God, surely those words will build up, encourage, and bless those around us.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Source of all good things, help us to honor you and bless others with the words we speak. Amen.
Tis the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and prepare our hearts to worship! Amen
Good Morning Very Loved, Chosen Child of God! Amen! we light the love candle on our Advent wreath and discuss the true love of God we know and how we love because He first loved us. Who needs some love? Share it! Bring it alive as you incarnate Christ and His love. Fof God so loved the world that he sent His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! PTL that you are one of the whoevers! And thank Him for helping you to bring His love and new life alive as you live and love like Jesus ! Go! Love! That is life in Christ! Amen! We have received the free gift--the greatest gift of all time--Christ and life in Him eternal! Amen!
Pray through the Connection Blogs below. Some deep stuff to release and out on in prayer! Seek first His Kingdom as you put on love and go love. I'm praying for you!
Connection Blogs
- Free Gift
( of Advent)
Before you begin, meditate on this thought: God has chosen to work through me.
Father how I thank You that because I have put my faith and trust in Christ, He has made me a new creation! The old has gone--the new has come! This great redemptive work is from You Father, through Christ, for me! My relationship with You has been made right and because of His finished work on the cross You do not hold my sin against me! Hallelujah! Praise Your holy name! (Pause and be thankful that Christ Jesus has saved you from your sin.)
Now Father I ask that You help me to understand what it means that because I am in Christ the message of reconciliation is lived out and proclaimed, through me! May I be found worthy of the name “Ambassador of Christ” and faithfully implore others to be reconciled to You.
The free gift of salvation through Jesus that alone can make us to be the “righteousness of God” is good news that most around me need desperately to hear. I ask that You capture my heart again I pray, with the joy of this great salvation in You and open my lips that I might praise You and proclaim with great joy, the gospel message. You are the God of all hope and I ask that I would overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit and continually be prepared to give the reason for the hope that I have in You.
This day I ask You Wonderful Counselor, that You open my heart and mind and give me ears to hear what You would say to me, what You would speak through me. Make me increasingly sensitive to Your voice and gentle promptings, and give me a willing, submissive spirit that I might obey.
Mighty God, may Your power be evident through the way I live and conduct my life, that I would truly live and move and have my very being in You alone.
Everlasting Father may Your fatherly embrace and great love be expressed through my life. In my conversations and interactions with the world around me, be glorified I pray. May Jesus be seen through me in such loving ways that many are drawn to Him.
Prince of Peace in the midst of this chaotic fearful world, may the peace of Christ be spread through my life. Increase my trust and hope in You that I in turn might minister to those around me who are as sheep without a shepherd.
Give me Your heart. Your eyes. Your ears, O Lord. That in all things I might respond as Jesus would, and be a worthy ambassador of the gospel. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, I pray. Amen.
(2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Psalm 51:12,15; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 17:28; Matthew 5:16)
--This Advent prayer was written by Tiece L. King, the author of Pray the Word. This resource is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount on the book.
Prayer Points
Praise the God of faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13).
Thank him for the “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet.1:3).
Confess those times when you have given in to discouragement rather than hoping in God.
Commit yourself to taking hold of the hope which God freely offers to you (Heb. 6:18).
Ask that you will have opportunity to share your hope with another person .
Ask God to help you live in such a way that your unsaved friends will ask “you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15). Then be ready with your answer!
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Childlike Children of the King of Kings and Reborn Servants! Amen! Glory to God in the Highest! Thank God for new life, forgiveness, His Love and presence and for molding, shaping and using us to incarnate His love and our hope. Amen! Come with childlike awe and wonder as we behold, encounter and worship this new born King. Offer yourself as He offered Himself for us. Who does He have for you to bless, encourage, help and/or invite to come and see and behold our King and receive His new life or grow in their trust and joy? Pray into this. Commune with our God as you engage with Him through the One Cry Prayer below. Remember the lonely and hurting this season and come with His comforting love and listening ear and compassionate heart. Check out Our Daily Bread reminder about His presence with us always--even in our loneliness and grief. Be like the shepherds that first as we remember our hope and God's love and spread the Good News--unto us a Savior has been born! Amen and PTL! Jesus and His coming for us is the greatest gift the world has ever had to opportunity to receive! PTL! Who needs to hear your story about that? Who needs to receive THE Gift? Share it and be a joy, love and new life-bringer! God came for you, saved you for such a time as this and has great plans for you this season! Rejoice and go and incarnate the love of Christ and His Light ! I'm praying for you! Shalom shalom=perfect peace to you as you allow Him to use you! Amen! He is our wonder counselor, Mighty God and prince of Peace! Someone you know needs to know Him! What is He leading you to do about that? Prepare the soil in prayer, seed, water, fertilize and maybe even harvest this season. And keep praying for those God will send to us or . New life and revival are at hand! Rejoice!
One Cry:
- Spiritual Communion
Prayer is the heart of man in communion with the heart of the Father. It is the heart of the Father bestowing grace and mercy upon the heart of man. And it is the whole heart of man seeking to know the whole heart of God. Prayer is essentially the communion of two hearts.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “True prayer is not a mere mental exercise, nor a vocal performance, but it is far deeper than that—it is spiritual communion with the Creator of heaven and earth. God is a Spirit unseen of mortal eye and only to be perceived by the inner man; our spirit within us, begotten by the Holy Ghost at our regeneration. Prayer is a spiritual business from beginning to end, and its aim and object end not with man, but reach to God Himself.”
Holy God, Your grace and mercy is beyond my comprehension. I want my whole heart to know Your whole heart, and to come into communion with my loving Creator. Slow down my busy life so that I can keep my eyes fixed upon You and move as You desire.
--Adapted from The Prayer Factor by Sammy Tippit.
ODB:
With Us in Our Loneliness
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
Henry David Thoreau described a city as a place where many people are “lonesome together.” Those words have the ring of truth. In my youth, songs like “Mr. Lonely,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Eleanor Rigby” focused on isolation and loneliness. In recent years, the pandemic was one of the most isolating seasons the world has known. And social media can feed that loneliness, giving us connection without relationship. Perhaps loneliness is the new pandemic.
As Matthew shared the story of the birth of Jesus (1:18-25), he told us, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet [Isaiah]: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’) ” (vv. 22-23). Ponder that for a moment. God with us!
As believers in Jesus, we’re never alone. We’ve been born again into the family of Christ, a family that spans the globe and the ages. The apostle Paul said, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19). We’re loved by the ever-present God, who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Whatever you’re facing , your heavenly Father is present with you. Allow Him to help you as you step into life’s uncertainties and challenges. He’s with you.
By Bill Crowder
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you felt lonely? When experiencing this sense of isolation, how do you respond to it?
Thank You, Father, that because of Your abiding presence, I’m never alone.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). John’s gospel describes His incarnation in this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The concept that God is with His people can be seen throughout the Bible. It’s the theme of Psalm 46, where the repeated refrain is: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv. 7, 11). The psalm concludes with this tender appeal to those facing loneliness or any other life challenge: “Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10). Whatever we’re facing , God is with us, and we’re never alone.
Arthur Jackson
UR: Greatest Gift
[The shepherds] spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. - Luke 2:17-19 (NIV)
When I was a child, I would stare up into the sky on night and wonder if the brightest star I could find was the same one that led the wise men to Jesus. (See Matt. 2:1-12). The thought of the miracle born to us would fill my heart with happiness and awe.
Years later I was expecting my first son, who was due to be born in December. After trying for almost five years to have a baby, I was filled with expectation and excitement. I had a new appreciation for Mary waiting for the arrival of the newborn King. My son was born the week before , and that was the most special I had ever experienced. I marveled at the miracle of life.
Luke 2:19 tells us that after the shepherds visited Mary, she “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” What wonder and awe must have filled her!
I never want to forget the glory of the Word made flesh or the powerful love God has for each of us. The greatest gift has already been given. We need only to receive it and do our best to lead others to this gift as well.
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's Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gift of a restored relationship with you, given through Jesus. May our relationship with you continually grow and fill us with hope and wonder each day. Amen.
TGIF! Thank God I'm Forgiven! Yes PTL! That's why God came as a baby and grew to go to the cross--to make a way for new life, eternal life and forgiveness. How thankful are you for these things? Tell God and share your heart with someone .
Good Morning Spirit-Filled and Led, Kingdom-Building Servants of the Most High God! Amen! And help us Lord! Thank God for the gift of new life, the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts and the help to do all He made you to do for such a time as this. You are His activated, equipped servants! PTL! He has great plans for you which also includes His loving refining and molding. Receive that with ! In fact invite that with a willing, repentant heart. We need God and His help to do all we are created to do. We are on a journey to Christlikeness and our fuller potential in Christ. Thank God for His plans for you and working and walking with you. We need Him--always! Thank Him for the Holy Spirit in you as you meditate on The Word for You . Remember, "Not I but Christ in me!" That's His Spirit. Thank Him for that and new life. Think about your new nature. Are you working to step into it and put it on more fully or are you happy with your old, filthy rags of your old nature? Commit to co-operating with His Spirit in you as He works to transform you and use you to encourage, bless and build the Kingdom. The Upper Room reminds us that God is building us into His Body, His Church and the people we are created to be. Amen! As you pray and prepare and team up don't forget the abiding and resting in God and trusting Him to answer prayers, bring miracles alive and send you too. He does have great plans that He is orchestrating for you and us and for now and the future. We are His and He came as a baby to rescue and refine us. PTL! Talk to Him and your teammates about these things and work together to sabbath, reload, pray, prepare and go live and love more and more like Jesus. Remember, Lord willing and with our co-operation, we were one way moving to the next better way in Christ and with His Spirit's help. Amen! Be still then go! I'm praying for you! God is waiting and willing! Seek first His kingdom! Shalom shalom!
TWFYT:
UR: Spiritual Stonework
I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. - Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
Having grown up in an area known for its abundance of stone, I am fascinated by stonework. Traveling throughout the region, one can see houses, churches, walls, and fences made of stone. While these structures age and are often covered with moss, they remain standing. I often think about the stonemasons who build these structures, admiring their craft of selecting imperfect stones, hewing them, and placing them into structures that can stand the test of time.
Like a stonemason selecting, hewing, and placing stones, Jesus did the same with his followers. In ’s scripture reading, Jesus stated that Peter would be the rock on which he would build his church. Why Peter? After all, he would go on to deny Jesus three times on the night of his arrest (see Lk. 22:54-62). However, scripture teaches us how Jesus uses all types of imperfect people to build his church. As he did with Peter, the Lord found a place for Paul, the former persecutor of Christians (see Acts 8:1-3). Although these people were flawed, Jesus still selected, hewed, and placed them in the spiritual stonework that continues to stand the test of time.
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's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for looking past our flaws and fitting us into your kingdom. Amen.
ODB:
Resting in God
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Acts 12:6
My neighbor Sam returned home one night without his car. “It was stolen,” he told his wife, then added, “I’m going to sleep. I’ll sort it out .” His wife was flabbergasted. She couldn’t understand how Sam could be so calm, but he explained, “What else can I do? Panicking won’t make any difference.”
My ever-sensible neighbor could see there was no point worrying. He trusted that the authorities would be able to find his missing car later—which they did.
Did the apostle Peter feel likewise after being thrown into prison (Acts 12:4)? He was likely to face execution, yet the usually impulsive disciple “was sleeping between two soldiers” (v. 6). The angel had to “[strike] Peter on the side” to wake him up (v. 7)—suggesting that he was completely calm and at peace. Was it because he knew his life was in God’s hands? Verses 9 and 11 suggest that it wouldn’t have mattered whether he was rescued or not; perhaps he recalled the assurance of salvation and glory that Jesus had given him (Matthew 19:28), as well as Christ’s call to simply “follow me” and not worry about what would happen to him (John 21:22).
No matter what we’re facing , we can trust that God holds our future—both on earth and in heaven—in His mighty hands. Perhaps then we can sleep in peace more easily.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What worries keep you awake at night? How can you learn to surrender them to God and hold on to His promises?
Dear God, I know that my life and future are in Your loving and mighty hands. Please help me to keep trusting You.
Peter “was sleeping” the “night before Herod was to bring him to trial” (Acts 12:6). He’d already been unjustly imprisoned by King Herod for eight days and would’ve been sentenced the following day. And, like James, his fellow apostle, he too would’ve been executed (vv. 2-3). But “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (v. 5; see vv. 11-12). During his imprisonment, Peter experienced the peace that only Jesus could give (see John 14:27).
In the Old Testament, David also had confident trust in God and experienced His peace: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8; see 3:5). No matter what we’re facing , we can turn our situation over to God, knowing that we can trust Him and experience the peace He alone provides (Philippians 4:6-7).
Good Morning Neighbor! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood to love a neighbor as Jesus loves you! Amen! Who is the neighbor God has for you to love ? Ask Him and go love and love like Jesus. Check out Our Daily Bread below about that. What's God saying to you and what will you do about it? Who are your teammates to pray with and be accountable to?
Two quick updates and one more request to cover for me please...
Caleb is still struggling with a high fever and because of other issues regular treatment is not an option. Please keep him and the family in prayer for healing and wisdom and peace.
There is some confusion about worship...
St. Matts worship is at 4 with communion and followed by a quick dinner. We hope to exit the building by 6.
Adam Robert's house church will then be using the sanctuary for their worship service at 7.
Please pray for both churches to honor God, worship in Spirit and Truth and to attract some new neighbors to Jesus and our fellowships. We are one in Christ. We are two different expressions of worship and two different churches that will be meeting in the same building. Hope that clears up the confusion.
I begin homebound communion visits the next two days. pray for me to bless them all and to bring Jesus' love alive. pray for health and for Jesus to be the Lord of the schedules so that all will fit together before next week. Thanks to family Ministry and the gifts they made for the people I will see. May all be blessed and feel the love and hope of heaven found in Christ. Amen! We are the sending church supporting in prayer and use of our building for Adam and Michelle's church plant.
Time to move along to the next thing , my huddle with Adam, before heading out for the day. Pray God would continue to use me and lead Adam, me and our fellowships to Christ and to fulfill our gathered and sent purposes. He has plans for all of us and plans for each of our Bodies to go live and love like Jesus and to connect to neighbors and make disciples like Jesus, as we are and for such a time as this. Pray we seek Him and His plans and follow well. Pray for revival all around us to spring up and to start inside of us and our gatherings and to flow with springs of Living Water to our neighbors. Amen
Don't forget to pray for the Bread Ministry (Weis day) for workers and for love, hope, and help to come alive.
From her hospital bed, Marie Coble lit up when she saw the delivery driver whose help had likely saved her life. She’d fallen in her driveway and hit her head, causing a brain bleed. Seeing her injury, Raheem Cooper helped her while calling paramedics. Invited by family to visit her in the hospital, Raheem often brings sweet treats she enjoys to assist her recovery.
Their story brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable is Jesus’ reply to an expert’s question on what he must do to inherit eternal life. Do “what is written in the law,” Jesus said (Luke 10:26), including “love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 27). But the expert persisted, asking, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29).
Christ’s answer describes a man attacked by robbers, left half dead, and then ignored by two people—a priest and a Levite—who passed him by. “But a Samaritan . . . took pity on him,” “bandaged his wounds, . . . and took care of him” (vv. 33-34). Seeing the hurting man in need, the Samaritan’s help was active, urgent, and without bias—looking past race or creed to assist someone he could’ve ignored.
Thus, Jesus asked, "Which of these three was a neighbor to the man?" “The one who had mercy on him,” the expert said. Said Jesus, “Go and do likewise” (vv. 36-37). In Christ, we too can find the compassion to help a hurting person instead of passing by. It’s a lesson for all in sharing Jesus’ love.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
How do you need mercy? How can you show mercy?
Dear Father, may I look beyond differences to share Jesus’ mercy with others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The key to understanding the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) lies in knowing how first-century Israel answered the question, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29). They’d distorted the command “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) into “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43). The Jews defined a neighbor as a fellow Israelite, for gentiles were accursed. For the Pharisees (experts in the law), it referred to a fellow Pharisee, for those who knew nothing of the law were accursed (John 7:49). Jesus turned this thinking upside down by making a hated Samaritan (people of mixed race whom the Jews viewed as heretics) the hero of the story. The Spirit can help us to show compassion to others instead of simply passing by.
PTL! We are washed white as snow!!! PTL we moved to Zoom only worship as we received much more snow than anticipated. It is so beautiful outside as I shoveled a few trails for the dogs! I just always worship when it snows! God is quit the artisan! PTL!
Stay home. Stay safe. Enjoy a warm beverage and worship with us. I also love PJ worship! , the of Advent, we light the pink JOY candle. Joy to the World! The Lord has come and is coming again! PTL! What are you joyful for and about! I'm thankful for being free to choose joy as we hope in God always! Prepare your hearts to worship and come, let us adore Him! Amen!
Good Morning Seeking, Responding, Following and Growing Students! Just begin by pronouncing that over you and us. I am/we are...Seeking, Responding, Following and Growing Students! Then meditate on the devotionals below and look for the thread through them as God speaks to your heart and wants to direct your steps as you surrender, humble yourself, seek, learn, grow then go, just as you are. Then begin to become the one you are created to be and doing what you are created for for such a time as this. I'm praying for you. God is awaiting the open door of your heart to move in and lead you to His best. PTL! Seek first His Kingdom and all you need will be added. Don't depend on your own foolish thinking, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will lead you to His perfect plans for . Be still and know. Receive and go in his strength into the day ahead. This is the day the Lord has made and He has great things in store. Rejoice! May His love, wisdom and shalom overflow you ! Shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you as you seek, adjust and go. Ask Him about some teammates too! And don't forget the part! Be all in! He's all in for you! Rejoice!
Don't forget...I am/you are Seeking, Responding, Following and Growing Students united in Christ! Amen
ODB
Unforgettable Lessons
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1
Corey Brooks—“The Rooftop Pastor”—spent 343 days living on the rooftop of his church on Chicago’s south side to inspire community transformation. Online, Brooks posted a “shout-out” to his elementary school teacher Joe Stokes, who taught him four unforgettable lessons: the power of perseverance, the importance of integrity, the value of community engagement, and the impact of education.
By embracing Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 3, we likewise can strive to live in ways that have community impact. Solomon taught four lessons that are just right for those who trust in God and are called to be a positive force: “Trust in the Lord” (v. 5); “fear the Lord and shun evil” (v. 7); “honor the Lord with your wealth” (v. 9); “do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (v. 11). Such wisdom compels us to be God-focused, but there are people-touching dimensions to our faith too.
In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, eloquently described the internal disposition of believers in Jesus. Furthermore, He reminded them that they were high-impact people. “You are the salt of the earth” (v. 13). “You are the light of the world” (v. 14). As such, we are honored to “Let [our] light shine . . . that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (v. 16).
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
Who compels you to honor God in ways that also touch people? How can you reengage with lessons from the Bible you may have forgotten?
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my failure to honor You fully. Renew my heart through Your words .
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The “proverbs of Solomon” were written “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight” (Proverbs 1:1-2). Solomon says the beginning of such wisdom is “the fear of the Lord” (v. 7). In chapter 3, he warns his son not to be “wise in [his] own eyes” (v. 7). Only by wholly trusting in, honoring, and obeying God could he gain wisdom (vv. 5-6). That’s true for us . When God, the source of all wisdom (2:6), is central in our hearts and minds, Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit guide and direct our lives and choices, including our interactions with others. Wisdom helps to keep us from making foolish decisions (vv. 12, 16) and helps us to treat others with love, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23; James 3:13) and thereby influence our community for good.
Alyson Kieda
Upper Room: Help My Unbelief
The father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:24 (NRSVUE)
We were told by the doctor that our two-year-old daughter had severe anemia and that we needed to take her to the hospital for further tests. I was frightened! Were we going to lose her? I tried to pray, but the whole time doubt and unbelief conquered my thoughts. The only prayer I was able to say was from Mark 9:24, “Help my unbelief!”
I opened my Bible and read the whole story about the father and his child who was having seizures, and something occurred to me: the focus of this story was not the sick child but the despairing father! And Jesus met him with love and understanding. The child was healed in spite of his father’s unbelief. This story made me feel at ease, and I put my child in God’s loving hands. God took care of her, and she is 52 years old and a mother to six wonderful children.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
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Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear Lord, your love has no limits. Thank you for your forgiving and healing grace. We pray in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:9-13, KJV).
Good Morning Church! We are God's Church and people. We are building on the cornerstone, Jesus. We are being filled, gathered and sent by the Holy Spirit and empowered to go live and love like Jesus. We are incarnating Emmanuel (Jesus, God with us) and our Hope to the world in need of God's love and salvation. We are joy-bringers as we help and bless. We are His Church! Amen! We have been created for and gathered and sent for such a time as this, just as we are, gifted and empowered by the Spirit of God and sent to bring Him alive as we go help and bless. PTL!
Seems like God has other plans for me this week than to disconnect and vacation! He stirred me awake at 3 to chat, teach and lead me to this blog. He loves you and me and wants to speak to your hearts, inform your prayers and empower you to be His hands and feet (me too)--His Church. So in obedience, here I am asking God to use and send me. And He is! PTL! Check out Our Daily Bread (below) and their discussion about being the Church. God informed me to use this for messages and to share with you . if you open your Bibles and meditate on Acts 2:36-47 you will find the passage that God has sent us to fulfill in verse 42 as we gather, study, fellowship, eat together and pray and even give sacrificially. When God leads to passages like this, I always find affirmation that I am hearing, following and leading us to be His Church operating in His ways and according to His plans. is donut day. That is table ministry and Acts 2:42 coming to life. PTL and thank Him for His provision, gathering us and bringing in the harvest and leading us to His vision and plans to go live and love like Him and make disciples that reproduce. Yes PTL and pray and ask about your part and teammates! He has awesome plans for you this holiday season. God is bringing stories of His provision, guiding and faithfulness alive (see Sarah's message below)! yes PTL! Who needs to hear your story and praise?
We began the year praying to come alive in '25 and for God to send 30 new attendees and for His, will His way to come alive, not ours. Can you see how this is happening? It is and we need to celebrate! God is faithful, with us and on the move bringing new life, renewed faith and His perfect plans to life in, through and around us! YES! PTL! We've been hearing stories of His blessings, answered prayers and faithfulness to hear, guide and supply and using us willing vessels. You may not see 30 every week, but think about all the new people that have been showing up in worship, on Wednesdays for bread, fellowship, prayer and encouragement and how many new people are joining us . evenings for food, fellowship, study and prayer. Then think about those joining Adam and Michelle Robert's House Church and how we are partnering with them. I think we have witnessed God's yes to 30 new attendees! PTL! keep praying in faith and with much !
PTL we have also experienced answered prayers as we humble ourselves and ask God to help us become me in '23--become who we are created to be; become more in '24--become more active in our created purposes; and come alive in '25--put these to the test as we truly live and love more like Jesus, as we are and as we are gifted and empowered. Yes, PTL! Celebrate and share those stories and the Good News with many of God's love and faithfulness. The harvest is ripe and many are hungry for love, hope and help ! God has created you for such a time as this and is bringing His plans to life before our eyes! PTL! I love the last sentence of The Word for You , "It's time to experience peace, knowing you're designed for your destiny[in Christ], tailored for your [God-given] tasks, and perfect for your[created] purposes." Yes you were created, saved, refined, gifted and empowered for such a time as this! PTL and go live and love like Jesus as an act of obedience and worship. He has prepared someone for you and you for someone. Go! I'm praying for you! Pray through the Connection blogs too and worship and prepare your hearts with this song, Emmanuel God with Us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9HcsERoxm8&list=RDU9HcsERoxm8&start_radio=1
ODB:
Being the Church
The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
On a sunny afternoon, I drew with sidewalk chalk with the Sudanese family next door. We could hear singing coming from the house next to theirs, where a small group holds worship services. The young mom I was talking with was curious about what was going on, so she and I walked over and listened in. They invited us to gather with them. A young man, standing in a tank filled with water for baptism, spoke about receiving forgiveness for his sins and committing himself to follow Jesus.
This was a unique opportunity for us to hear a testimony of salvation in the yard right next door. This group was being the church in our neighborhood.
Jesus is building His church around the world. In the days before His ascension, He told His followers that He would send the Spirit to live in them and that they would be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He would build His church through their Spirit-empowered preaching and teaching. And immediately God began to add “to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:47).
We can be a part of building Christ’s church by being His church as we live out our faith in our neighborhoods and share with others what He’s done for us. He gave His life and was resurrected so that we might be forgiven and have eternal life. And He’ll help us learn how to serve others in His church .
By Anne Cetas
REFLECT & PRAY
In what ways might God be using you to build Jesus’ church? What more might you do?
Dear Jesus, thank You that You’re adding people to Your church daily.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Acts 2 offers a glimpse of early faith communities after the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (vv. 1-13). In response to hearing that forgiveness, salvation, and the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38) were possible because of Jesus’ resurrection as “Lord and Messiah” (v. 36), “about three thousand” people became believers in Christ (v. 41). These new believers’ faith was deepened through “[devoting] themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (v. 42) and giving “to anyone who had need” (v. 45). God’s Spirit draws people into faith and deepens it through fellowship and service in community.
Monica La Rose
UR: Three Way Vision
Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” - Matthew 14:29-30 (NRSVUE)
A few months ago, I was laid off from my job of over 11 years. I’ve been laid off twice before, but this one hit me so hard I became physically ill. A couple of weeks later, The Upper Room devotional featured Matthew 14:22-33 as its reading. The writer reminded me that instead of looking down into the stormy waters, I needed to look up. From then on, whenever I was getting discouraged about my job search, I reminded myself to “look up.”
Soon after, my pastor’s sermon talked about looking up in trust, looking back in gratitude, and looking forward in hope. I realized that in addition to looking up, I should look back and be thankful for the great jobs God has provided for me. Looking in both of these directions gives me the strength also to look forward in the hope that God will provide for me again.
Since then, I’ve encountered that same passage of Matthew in two subsequent issues of The Upper Room. These devotionals, along with the words from my pastor, have reinforced my resolve to continue to “look up in trust, look back in gratitude, and look forward in hope.”
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
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Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for reminding us to trust and follow the path you set for us. Amen.
TWFYT
cONNECTION bLOGS
- Opening Earth to Heaven’s Influence
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will” (Romans 8:26-28).
Search the Scriptures and you will search in vain for any prayer in which Jesus didn’t know what His Father wanted done. There were a few times when He was surprised (e.g., the faith of the Roman centurion compared to the faithlessness of His own people). However, even in those instances, He would wait to understand what God wanted done, and then He would pray in perfect, sinless harmony with God’s purposes. Through that praying, the will would be done on earth, just as in heaven. His role, as the Second Adam (of both earth and heaven, dust and Spirit), was to bridge the two realms, invoking heaven’s presence and power through the mediation of His earthly nature.
Heaven and earth intersected in the man Jesus and opened earth to heaven’s influence. Through being joined to Christ Himself (by virtue of His atoning death and His Spirit residing within) heaven and earth intersect in us too. Our praying also opens earth to heaven’s influence as well. Through our intercessions, we act as a conduit through which the power of the Lord can flow through us to reshape the fallen creation back into something that suits God’s purposes. That is the thrust of Romans 8:18-30. We are to discern what God would have us pray, rather than simply to pray, “God do this, if it be Your will.”
Holy Spirit, I am a weak created being without Your power! I am never at a loss for expressing my heartfelt needs to God because Your groaning bursts forth on my behalf, aligned with the perfect will of the Father. You allow heaven and earth to intersect in me…a deep and holy realization! How I give thanks for the privilege of praying the purposes of God into reality upon earth!
Praise the God who lays claim to the entire world and all that live in it (Ps. 24:1).
Thank him for the food, shelter, and clothing that sustains you and gives comfort to your life.
Confess the times when you have failed to acknowledge God’s riches in your life.
Commit yourself to examining your acts of stewardship.
Ask God to give you a heart of liberality, knowing that all you have comes from him (1 Chron. 29:14).
Ask God to show your family new and creative ways to share the abundance of your lives with families who have much less.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Good Morning Friends! I overslept and may be late for church. (Get me to the church on time. Lord!) I begin vacation after church (maybe I started?) I may not be blogging much this week. Know all is well.
As we prepare to light the peace candle and think about our Prince of Peace. Breathe out the junk and breathe in a fresh breath of the Spirit. Receive His peace and prepare to follow His peace and know His Love and joy and bring all three to others. he is Love! PTL! He is Peace! PTL! He is our joy! Amen! Check out the Connection blog and pray for peace and joy to overflow us as we go love well. Amen! Shalom shalom means perfect peace. Pursue and receive it . Amen
Connection"
- An Advent Prayer ( of Advent)
“He 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).
, ask God for a fresh revelation of the significance of the incarnation. Commit to Him in prayer, your desire to be still this Advent season and know that He is God.
Thank You Father that Jesus became flesh and lived among us, and that His glory was revealed! Father, thank You for sending Jesus, Your own Son, in the likeness of sinful man, to be a sin offering for me, providing the way for me to become Your child. Jesus the Messiah is born!
You alone Lord Jesus are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. It is in You alone, Lord Jesus that all the fullness of God dwells, and through You alone that I have been reconciled to God because of Your shed blood on the cross! I confess Lord Jesus, that You alone are the way to God the Father, you alone are the truth and the life. No longer am I alienated from God, but instead, because of Your sacrifice for me, I am now presented as holy in the Father’s sight, without blemish and free from accusation! Help me I pray to continue in my faith, established and standing firm. Empower me by Your Spirit, to convey this “gospel-hope” to those around me. May the light of Jesus and the gospel so shine from my life to others that they will turn and glorify You Father.
Forgive me, I pray for the ways that I have allowed the light of Christ in me, to be diminished--for You have said Lord Jesus that if the light within me is darkness, how great is that darkness! You Lord Jesus, who is the light of the world, and has entrusted me with the light of the gospel--shine through me!
Fill me with Your compassion for those around me, and help me to love like You love. Destroy complacency and the desire for comfort in me. Change me that I might be willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others and the gospel. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me, and may I be one who invests in what is eternal.
By Your Spirit, may I always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that I have. You, Lord Jesus are my hope. But may I always do so with gentleness and respect, that the incarnation of the gospel may be lived out through me. As I enter this season, celebrating Your coming Lord Jesus--the first Advent, I pray that the wonder of Your coming to earth would capture my heart once again. Fill me with child-like awe and inexpressible joy. I ask this in Your mighty name. The name of Jesus, Amen.
(John 1:14; Romans 8:3; John 1:12; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:6; Colossians 1:19-23; Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:23; 1 John 2:15; Matthew 9:36; 1 Peter 3:15)
--This Advent prayer was written by Tiece L. King, the author of Pray the Word, a resource line of Scripture prayers. This resource is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount on the book.
Good Morning Courageous, Generous, Very Blessed Stewards of All God's Blessings! Yes PTL for that and pray to be like that--always! This salutation flows from some of our devotionals and spurred me to share my and God's heart with you . Even though I am on vacation, I could not resist the urge from God to share these thoughts . They are stirring me strongly as God spoke, affirmed and wants to share His heart with you. The Lord is speaking and leading and has amazing plans for you and us to discover and step into. PTL! Abide the thrive! And steward well ALL His blessings including, time, talent, treasure, relationships, service and prayer-life.
Our Daily Bread discusses "Hospitable Generosity". God is using us to meet needs and to be hospitable and welcoming to those He is sending our way. He has provided and continues to do so as we trust and follow Him and His leadings. Amen! Many of us are involved with our serving ministries. Thank you! God has even sent outsiders and new servants our way. What a joy to bless and serve together! Love flows as we love each other and love like Jesus and many are being blessed and drawn. Many of you continue to pray for these ministries. Thank You! Keep at it and praying for provision, stewardship and His drawing many to Him through us. Thanks! We all have a part to play! Keep praying for generous, sacrificial givers too. And thank God for them.
This year your support team decided to tithe by giving Weis gift cards to some of the bread and evening attendees that could use a little help. Last year you had practice blessings others with the $50. we gave you. This year we are challenging you to do so out of your provisions. God does bless a cheerful giver and a sacrificial giver. Is that you? Ask Him how He wants to use you to be a blessing this season and ask who to bless. He will reveal, provide, guide and multiply your blessings as you bless. Amen and PTL! Maybe God wants some of you to partner together to do something. Pray about it and consult your teammates and then go live and love like Jesus--sacrificially and lavishly.
The Upper Room discusses "Courage to Speak." As we bless some will wonder why we are doing this. We get the opportunity to tell them about Jesus's blessing, love and prompting to bless. Ask Him for the courage and words to share. That is part of His provision for us to use and steward as we seek to bless Him and others and use what He's given. Talk to Him about that and ask the Holy Spirit to keep you aware and ready to share blessings and your hope.
Then meditate on Sarah Young's devotional about how God helps, leads, provides and directs. Process this with God and some friends. He is speaking to you and wanting to lead you to his best and perfect plans you are made to do. PTL! Seek first His Kingdom and yoke to Jesus and follow the Holy Spirit's lead. Then share the Good News and share your stories with us of God's faithfulness to your obedience. Contemplate Jeremiah 32:18-19 from my prayer calendar. I started with that and as I meditated on that and these devos, God threaded it all together to share with you. How cool, right! So, What's God saying to you and what will you do about it and this week? He does have some great things awaiting your willing heart and moving feet! Go! Live and love like Jesus and grow more like Him as you bless others. Amen!
ODB:
Hospitable Generosity
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Deuteronomy 24:19
A few years ago, our church hosted refugees fleeing their country because of a change in their political leadership. Entire families came with only what they could fit in a small bag. Several of our church families opened their homes, some with little room to spare.
Such gracious hospitality echoes God’s command to the Israelites before they inhabited the promised land. As an agricultural society, they understood the importance of the harvest. Every bit of food would be essential to get them through until next year’s harvest. God told the Israelites when harvesting not to go back to retrieve what they may have missed. “Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:19). They were to practice generosity not by giving when they knew they had enough but by giving out of a heart of trusting in God’s provision “so that the Lord [their] God may bless [them] in all the work of their hands” (v. 19). God always has enough.
The practice of hospitality also reminded them that they had been “slaves in Egypt” (v. 22). While we may not have experienced such oppression, we’ve all experienced being an outsider or being in need. As we give to others, we do well to remember our most basic need: freedom from our sin. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
When we’re hospitable, we celebrate our generous God, who “loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
What needy person or group has God drawn your attention to? What might you give to them?
Dear Father, please open my eyes to those in need.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Deuteronomy 24 describes the act of gleaning, which served as one means for the Israelites to care for the marginalized and poor. The Scriptures record some instances of this practice (the story of Ruth being a prime example), but their failure in this area was commonplace. The prophets charged the Israelites with not being hospitable and oppressing the poor. Ultimately, it was part of the reason God sent them into exile (see Isaiah 1:17; Amos 4:1-3; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5). , He still desires that we practice hospitality by serving those in need. As the Spirit helps us, we can look for ways to be generous to others and celebrate the generosity of God.
Matt Lucas
UR: Courage to Speak
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. - Romans 10:17 (NIV)
Recently, while on vacation, I was talking with the young man who was setting out the beach chairs. During our conversation, I told him part of my faith story. He responded, “What a coincidence; this is the second time that someone has talked to me about God.” Then he told me that he was having a rough time and had moved here to get a fresh start — which led me to talk more about Jesus and the gospel. Eventually, I asked him if he felt that he wanted Jesus in his life. After he said yes, I called my wife over. The three of us prayed together, and he accepted Jesus right there on the beach.
God gives us opportunities like this one to witness. I also know I have missed opportunities or that I have seen them but did not have the courage to speak up. After all, even the apostle Paul, missionary that he was, asked for prayer to open doors and make his words clear when he spoke (see Col. 4:2-4). I am thankful that God bolstered my courage in this instance and provided me with the words I needed.
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's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to share your love with others. Provide us with the words we need to say and the courage to say them. Amen.
Caleb Update. God has been answering our prayers and, Lord willing, he will be homebound ! PTL! I got to visit Him and God answered prayers and got Caleb drinking and hydrating. PTL!
PTL for another great Weis day at the Bread Ministry with many physical, spiritual and emotional needs being met by God through us! We do have bread with Weis products the next two Wednesdays ( and New Year's Eves)
Clothing Closet is 9-12 and we have brunch after worship on at 11:30. Keep these in your prayers. Invite some friends!
Good Morning Gifted By God, Seeking Givers and Servants! Yes I thank God for you all! You guys rock as we invite God to come love through us and use us. We are doing what we can with what we have been blessed with. I made that note at the end of Our Daily Bread (below). What skills, abilities, gifts has God given you the heart to use for His glory and to bless many? Keep it up and share those stories! Who is He bringing to mind to reach out to and love? What will you do about that?Who are you inviting to experience God's love through us as we gather and worship? And while your at it, remember the reminder from the Upper Room (below) to keep seeking and asking. Seek first His Kingdom and He will add all you need to do what He created you to do for and such a time as this! And don't forget the Word for You (below) and their reminder to keep sharing. God gives so we can give and blesses so we can bless. As we do we are blessed back too and the cycle keeps going and many are blessed.
I want to thank the Support and Finance Teams for all they do and for voting to tithe $1000 this year to gift some of our needy bread people and others with Weis cards. They were received with much gratitude and often tears of joy. Maybe God has brought someone to mind for you to bless. What can you do with what you've been given and as you trust God to provide to go bless them? Ask Him and follow His lead and receive His joy and His peace as you trust Him. He promises to give back smooshed down, shaken and jammed with more blessings. He says to test Him on this. Have you? What great story might you have to share about that? We are called to go live and love like Jesus which includes sacrificial giving and stewarding well all His blessings. Step into your new nature more fully and ask for His help to do what He has planned for you and rejoice as you do, for God is with you! Amen!
Please pray for our Support team and your leaders and for our meeting as we seek God, budget and plan for the New Year. He has plans for you and for us as His Body. He has gathered us to use us and the gifts He has given us. Keep at it church and He will continue to bless and grow our fellowship and service. Do you realize that last year He allowed us 15 new members. this year we prayed boldly for 30. I think He has sent that many as we had several new members and attendees on Sundays (some have not joined yet but come and give and serve even). Then we have evenings as we approach 50 attendees some evenings. Half are not members but are gathering, fellowshipping, eating, praying and studying with us. That's the Acts 2:42 church. So really that is a church plant in our church and there are at least 10-12 new attendees most . evenings. And now we are partnering to support Adam Roberts' Church plant that started in his home and has outgrown it with around 25 people. PTL! Has God answered our prayers? Yes and smooshed down, shaken and overflowing as we humble ourselves, tithe/give sacrificially and love lavishly. And that's being just like Jesus! Amen! What's your part in all that? Thank God for gifting and using you and for all the answered prayers and many blessings. Keep seeking His Kingdom and allowing Him to use and love through you. He has great plans ahead for you and us! Let us continue to unite as His Body on mission--His mission and for His glory alone. Amen! I'm praying and praising for all of you! God has truly blessed us! Amen!
ODB:
Gifted by God
I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. Exodus 31:6
Virtuoso composer Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most celebrated musicians in history. Nearly two centuries after his death in 1827, his compositions are still among the most performed pieces. A study of Beethoven’s DNA, however, indicates he may not have been born with some of his abilities—as we might assume. When his genes were compared to those of 14,500 other people who’d shown an ability to keep rhythm (merely one aspect of musical talent), Beethoven ranked surprisingly low.
Beethoven also had ample opportunity and exposure to music (which developed the aptitude he did have). Yet neither talent nor opportunity fully account for God’s role in endowing us with the abilities we have. Our Creator equipped two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to be used in building the tabernacle. God filled Bezalel “with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs” and appointed Oholiab “to help him” (Exodus 31:3-6). God gave “ability to all the skilled workers to make everything [He] commanded” (v. 6).
Few of us will work on projects as significant as God’s tabernacle. And our abilities may never be recorded in history’s annals. Yet God has equipped us with the skills, aptitudes, and experiences He wants us to share with the world. May we serve Him faithfully, in His strength and for His glory.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
What skills and abilities has God given you? How might you serve Him with them?
Thank You, Father, for the abilities You’ve given me. Please help me use them for Your glory.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Bezalel and Oholiab are mentioned again in Exodus 35-38, as the Israelites prepared to put into action the instructions God had given them. But the construction of the “tent of meeting” (31:7) wasn’t just for those specially gifted by God (v. 6). The entire nation had the opportunity to participate. Moses said, “From what you have, take an offering for the Lord” (35:5). Notice that the command was to give “from what you have.” Then Moses said, “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded” (v. 10). The record says, “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting” (v. 21). God has equipped each of us to contribute something, whether skill or time or material.
Tim Gustafson
UR: Don't Forget to Ask
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with , present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
The Bible study I was leading didn’t go well. People were distracted, and their comments were scattered. I couldn’t seem to bring their attention back to the study. As I drove home after the meeting, I felt discouraged. Why had things gone wrong? Then I heard the Spirit’s quiet voice: “Did you ask me to help you?” I realized that I had not. In my frustration I hadn’t thought to ask for God’s help in refocusing our attention. I hadn’t even asked God to guide me as I prepared the study.
Sometimes we don’t receive from God because we don’t ask. As I thought about how I could talk to God about my needs more consistently, I remembered Philippians 4:6 — “Bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions” (CEB). I needed to ask God for wisdom in planning and making decisions, both in my morning quiet times and throughout the day.
We can cling to God’s assurance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Ps. 32:8). When we talk to God about our everyday needs, God will guide us.
's devotional is available to you for free because of the generosity of our donors.
Thanks to donor support, anyone can read 's meditation without logging in for up to 7 days.
Please consider supporting our ministry. Your donation or paid subscription helps ensure that readers around the world continue to receive spiritual encouragement every day.
's Prayer
God of love, thank you for your presence. Remind us to talk to you often and ask for your wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Caleb Update: he's still in the hospital. Pray for healing and peace for him, peace and wisdom for family and for God to use and direct the staff.
is Weis day at bread Ministry. Pray for God to provide and for many to be blessed. Thank Him for provision, protection and for all He is doing in and through us.
9-12 is clothing closet
is Brunch after worship. Pray for provision and for God to use this ministry well.
. Bread min 10-12, St. Matts worship with communion followed by quick meal.
Thank God for His many blessings and for leading and using us.
Good Morning Friends. Be still and know that he is God. Dwell and abide in Him as you open your Bibles, devos, and listen and pray. He is whispering to your heart. He does have great plans to prosper and not harm you. He is with you always. Emmanuel!
Pray and reach out to those who are grieving and hurting and in need . God is bringing someone to mind and He has plans to love and help through you. Seek first His Kingdom and pray for it to come alive and His will to be done even in and through you . He has called you by name and is preparing you for such a time as this. Go! Live and love like Jesus and thank Him for being with you, using you and for all He will do in and through you as you humble yourself and yoke to Jesus. And don't forget to share the stories of what He's done! Ask Him for help to do what you can with what he's given. I'm praying for you! Shalom shalom
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