Good Morning Gathered and Sent Disciples and Apostles of Jesus! AMEN! We are placed here and gathered to worship and be taught by Jesus. And He has sent us with His authority to share Good News, make disciple making disciples as we model and teach how to walk in Jesus' way. We are created, gifted and empowered for such a time as this to be all we are created to be and do. And we get to do this together and with Jesus leading us. How cool is that easy yoke! be you and Christ and allow Him to lead you to His best plans. We are His Good News Delivery Co. sent to bless many! Check out our devos about this below. Pray for our outreach on Wed. at 6 at Rita's (or the Creamery) and come be you and love like Jesus. Pray for new connection points and for us to step out in faith and invite God to use us well. Amen!
Shortly we will be studying Ephesians 1 as we gather to worship and study the Apostle Paul's teaching, to fellowship and to pray. All we need to do is eat together to be fully an Acts 2:42 church. And we will do that Wed. and once the AC is installed. God is using and growing us. PTL! Let us commit to follow well and help each other as we seek to go and make disciples and grow as disciples. Amen! See you soon! Shalom!
CS:
UR: The Hills
I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2 (NRSVUE)
I spent many of my early years in the American Midwest. Some consider Midwestern states flyover country, but this does not accurately depict the land or its rich resources. The Midwest has beautiful prairie grasslands, abundant wildlife, meandering rivers, and fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat. In addition, the region is not all flat. There are varied and fascinating hills in the Midwest — bluffs overlooking a river, hills of tall grasses and wildflowers, sand dunes, and rugged rock formations.
Though the hills in the Midwest are not huge, each has its own richness and striking beauty. When I stand at the foot of these hills, they seem close and reachable. This reminds me that when I look to the Lord, it is like looking to the hills, for the Lord is close and within reach.
Whenever I am in need of help, I often think of the hills. I lift my eyes to the Lord and recognize that the Lord is the source of my help. No matter where we are, if we are in need, the Lord is near. We can always look up to the Lord, who watches over us.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Maker of heaven and earth, we know that our help comes from you. Watch over us and guide us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.ODB:
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Dr. Tiffany Gholson had seen crime impact her small American city of East Saint Louis, Illinois, in many ways. By 2023, however, the town recorded a 31 percent drop in homicides and a 37 percent drop in crime overall. What happened? A partnership. Working together, the city’s Public Safety Enforcement Group—including the state and city police, the city school district, and a faith organization—combined efforts to turn the tide for all citizens.
“We say it’s a marriage,” Dr. Gholson stated, with all members of the city partnership joining in to help citizens. The school district’s Wraparound Wellness Center, which she leads, involves school social workers, nurses, and staff to support kids impacted by crime or accidents. Other agencies share their strengths. Police commit to talk more with people on the street—and listen.
The psalmist David wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). “Harmony,” David added, “is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon” (v. 3 nlt). David was referring to people who share a unifying faith in God. Rather than divided by doctrines or politics, we are one. The concept may feel elusive, yet it blesses all. It’s a beautiful goal for believers to show concern for one another—especially in our cities desperately in need of the love of Jesus.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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Where do you see a lack of unity? How might God be prompting you to promote unity by living out your faith?
Father, please help me by the power of Your Spirit to work for unity in my community.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Unity is a theme found throughout the Bible. In Jesus’ prayer to His Father, He asked that all believers in Christ “be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity” (John 17:22-23). He knew believers would require God’s help to keep them unified in the face of quarrels, controversy, and persecution, and their witness of Him would be hampered by disunity. The apostle Paul called believers to “stand firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). This is best accomplished when the church is unified. It requires “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” forgiveness, and above all “love, which binds [us] all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). Unity is embodied when individuals in the church use their spiritual gifts and abilities to benefit the whole (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4).
Alyson Kieda |
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TWFYT:
Harvest
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July 14 - Jesus Wants To Be Known
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At the appointed time of 30 years old, Jesus revealed Himself and His ministry. He healed. He forgave. He understood people’s hearts. He knew their thoughts. He responded to faith. He was the Son of Man. He was God. Yet, this list merely scratches the surface of His identity. In Matthew 9:2, 4-6 Jesus says, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.” ... “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” ... “Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
Jesus heals and forgives. We can seek Him as our safe place. No matter what we’ve done, we can approach Him with sincerity of heart and receive forgiveness and reconciliation. And yet, Healer and Forgiver are only two aspects of who He is. He is so much more.
Lord, I desire to know You fully. Show me how to know, pursue, and draw closer to You. Forgive me for not taking our relationship seriously. I repent. Take me to the next level of understanding about who You are and how You operate.
You have incredible authority, including healing and forgiving sins. Reveal the fullness of Your authority and the authority You granted to me. I declare that godly fear will overtake me so I can be wise. I desire godly love to fill me so I may be like You. I desire Godly zeal to characterize me, so I take nothing for granted, and I dedicate my time on earth to Your will.
I’m thankful that You desire to lead me, Lord, on Your righteous path so all my days glorify You. I’m thankful You will answer my plea to fully know and experience You.
I praise You that I’m fully known to You. You know every thought, every impulse, and You still love me.
--Adapted from Praying What Jesus Says by Natasha Miller. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God for his marvelous goodness.
- Thank the Lord for being a refuge in times of trouble (Nah. 1:7).
- Confess your own failure to show goodness toward others.
- Commit yourself to bearing the fruit of goodness through the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
- Ask God to enable you today to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Ps. 34:8).
- Pray that good will win out over evil in every area of our society.
- Ask that righteousness and justice will permeate the fabric of our culture so that God will be glorified and praised.
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries. Subscribe here. |
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