See Sarah's prayer email from last evening below.
Don't forget all are welcome to Zoom Huddle tomorrow at 10
And to Family Ministry/Adult Dinner Huddle Wed. at 6.
Come and See!
Good Morning Custom Masterpieces of God! That is you! Say it! Pronounce Eph. 2:10 over yourself and our church this morning...I am God's Masterpiece. Made new, gifted, and empowered in Christ. To do the good works He made me to do. AMEN! Right there is our purpose and mission! We matter! We are secure in Christ as we come to Him in saving faith and He loves us so much that He fills us with His love, Holy Spirit, and the gifts, abilities and power to accomplish what He created us to do. PTL! Rejoice. Meditate on that this morning as you dwell in His loving presence and receive His love, joy, peace, and directions for today. This is the day He made and He made you for today. Rejoice and follow well.
So, some of you may be wondering why this is coming so late. You know 10:00am is my normal lunch time. I am healthy and fine. Remember, these may not be everyday blogs, although God seems to have them be so. So if you don't see one. Pray and place me in God's hands. I'll be fine. I'm allowing Jesus to be my Lord and Shepherd and following His lead. Today, as in most days, I awoke at 3 am. But felt tired yet as we had a late bed time last night. I sat on my chair and asked Jesus to be the Lord of this day like I usually do while my coffee brews. I felt the nudge to return to bed. So I did and my Lord allowed me some very healthy sleep until almost 7:30. It's really weird to awake when the sun is up. I really do like practicing Jesus' way of rising early and spending extra time with our Abba. So here I am three hours later starting this blog. What an awesome, loving, prayer-answering God we know and love. His plans and ways are not ours but always are worked together for good and according to His will. He's the Master--King of the Universe, Creator and Sustainer, Helper and Friend of Sinners like us! PTL! Ask Him to be the Lord of your day and to use you and then watch for what He wants you to join in with along the way. He has some great custom made plans for custom made you today. Rejoice. Be glad and follow well! Amen!
I do have much I believe God wants me to accomplish today. And now I am on His schedule. Can't wait to see what He does today! Check out our devos below for today. What's God saying to you? What might He have planned? Who might He have for you to come alongside or partner with? Who does He desire for you to call or visit and encourage, maybe even with a card? No matter what He has planned for you and our Church today, we know it is filtered through His hands and will lead to His good and perfect will being done in His timing. (Maybe even so very hard and stretching things) So keep seeking, sitting at His feet and moving your feet with Him to the next step of faith He has for you. And know His love and peace beyond understanding as you choose joy and grow in faith. Become More in '24! (With Him in the driver's seat). Live and love more like Jesus. Be more of the person He created you to be. Do more of what He has planned for you more in His way. Be still more and know Him more better! Receive more love, wisdom, hope, and help. He really does love you! And He is with you always. Rejoice! You are His Masterpiece, made new and being renewed in Christ for the purposes He made and has gifted and empowered you to accomplish--BIG and small things all along the way for His glory and your growth in Christ and for the good of others. Yes, rejoice and be glad in this day.
God just brought to mind our summer teaching through Ecclesiastes and Solomon, the teacher's, charge to children of God: Love God and enjoy life. Meditate on that today! Turn off the noise and dwell in Chris's love today and have a very blessed day! Amen! God is lovingly preparing and leading us to our fuller potential and His greater things. Hang on and follow more better! :)
ODB:
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As a blizzard bore down on my state in the western United States, my widowed mother agreed to stay with my family to “ride out” the storm. After the blizzard, however, she never returned to her house. She moved in, dwelling with us for the rest of her life. Her presence changed our household in many positive ways. She was available daily to provide wisdom, advice to family members, and share ancestral stories. She and my husband became the best of friends, sharing a similar sense of humor and love of sports. No longer a visitor, she was a permanent and vital resident—forever changing our hearts even after God called her home.
The experience recalls John’s description of Jesus—that He “dwelt among us” (John 1:14 kjv). It’s a compelling description because in the original Greek the word dwelt means “to pitch a tent.” Another translation says, He “made his home among us” (nlt).
By faith, we also receive Jesus as the One who dwells in our hearts. As Paul wrote, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16–17 nlt).
Not a casual visitor, Jesus is an empowering permanent resident of all who follow Him. May we open wide the doors of our hearts and welcome Him.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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What does it mean for you to open your heart to Christ? How can you make Him more welcome?
As You live in my heart, loving Jesus, make me more like You.
Learn more about the life of Jesus.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The word dwell in Ephesians 3:17 is a translation of the word katoikeō. Literally, the word means “to settle down in a dwelling, to dwell fixedly in a place.” Twice in Colossians Paul used this word to emphasize the deity and supremacy of Jesus: “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (1:19); “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (2:9). Christ Himself, through His Spirit, makes His home in us (Romans 8:9, 11; Ephesians 3:17), and the implications of Him residing in each member of His body are significant. Believers in Jesus are to conduct their lives in a manner that acknowledges and respects the residency of a “houseguest” like no other. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you . . . ?” Paul says. “Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Arthur Jackson |
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TWFYT:
UR: Family Feud
Jesus said, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. - Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
I inherited a family feud that had been going on for over 50 years. It was a battle over land, passed down from generation to generation. It’s called “heir property,” and it can be messy when everyone wants the same lot. During court preparations, I received a court document that upset me to the point of anger.
I wanted to retaliate with words of my own. My mind was racing with all I wanted to say. Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit, and I needed a listening ear. I called a friend and explained the situation. Honestly, I wanted to hear my friend say, “She did what?” thus adding fuel to my fire. But instead, my spiritual sister asked, “Have you prayed for her? What’s her name?” And so we prayed. What a revelation! Prayer changed my entire focus, and I began to call out my cousin’s name in my daily prayers.
As it turned out, court was avoided, and God brought a 50-year feud to an end with a compromise. I gained more than land that day; I gained a new perspective, which led me to apologize. Prayers for the people in our conflicts take our mind off the anger and hurt and put our focus on a new life in Christ for all involved.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for forgiving us. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Amen.Charles Stanley:
Sarah email:
Good evening, church family,
It was good to be in the house of the Lord this morning.....(Neen and I did miss worshipping in person with you all, but hopefully
my van will be fixed in the early part of this week)
We had some new faces that joined our Worship time. Thank you to all that reached out during the Pass the Peace opportunity.
We want to say thank you to all that help make our time of worship come together, and volunteer their time and efforts every Sunday
morning and many times during the week in preparation for the next Sunday. Each week we try our best to make things run smoothly, but 'things' happen. You think you have everything ready to go and for some reason, come Sunday morning, things go 'kerplunk, kerblewy' Thank you to everyone for being understanding and patient with us (whether you are on zoom or in house) as we try our best to help you all have a great worship experience.
Hugh THANK YOU
I am sorry but I wasn't working on the update and accidentally hit the SEND key.....ugh.....
So here is the rest of the update that I wanted included.....
Those in need of our prayers:
Sosa's - Amber and Arianna were involved in a head on car accident. Their car was totaled and they both suffered fractured sternums. Please pray for their healing, for the insurance process and for another vehicle.
Muik - Yvonne and Chris - they have been sick over the past several weeks. Continue to pray for healing and health restored so they are able to return to worship with us in person.
Darlene Skinner - had back surgery, please pray for patience during the healing and rehab process. Also pray for the rest of her family for wisdom and guidance
Mike Lacise's daugther's mom - she was knocked over by a dog and broke her leg below her knee - she has to stay off of it for 10 weeks.
Joanne - Fell in rehab and now has a concussion. Prayers for healing
Linda's brother-in-law was in hospital but was sent home due to insurance unwilling to pay for a longer stay - he still needs dialysis. Prayers for God to provide.
Pastor Don's sister Connie is in the hospital with Chronic breathing issues. Pray for God's peace to surround her.
Mary and Marshall Rehem will be traveling in the next couple weeks. Pray for their safety as they enjoy their time away.
Praise God for new people in attendance today at our worship service.
Praise God for the beautiful day today.
Thank you all for your prayers....God is good!
Blessings to you all for an awesome week!!
if you have a prayer need, please let me know and I will make sure that the warriors receive the information to pray.
If you are feeling the nudge to help out within St Matthew's ministry and just are not quite sure what or how to help, please reach out to Pastor Don or myself and we surely can find something for you to be part of.
God bless.....
Sarah
Hi,
I must have had too much coffee today.....my fingers are moving faster than my brain.
Gladys Ketner - we heard from her daughter - she is doing good, but is missing her church family.
She would love to see some of you. If you have time to visit with her that would be great and your visit
would be appreciated.
If you are unable to visit, please consider sending her a Thinking of You card.
Parkland Manor
4636 Crackersport Road
Room A13
Allentown PA 18104,
Thanks everyone!
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