Sarah Update below
Good Morning Submitting Servants of the Lord! Notice I said "submitting" because it is a constant process of dying to self and taking up cross daily, surrendering to Jesus, and following Him well. We are a work in process and progress individually and as a church. What would it look like if you were a fully surrendered, submitted servant? I ask that of God often--show me Lord what Your will and plan is and move me to pursue it earnestly. It's praying to see the open and closed doors and to know if you need to stop trying to open a closed one or step through an open one. It takes cooperation with the Lord and an openness to the Holy Spirit's work in you and around you. Maybe you are struggling a bit with surrendering. Start with this song as a song of prayer and offering of yourself to God. Have It All: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqqIDnjDKY Ask for help to surrender as you still yourself in worship this morning. What's God saying to you? What will you do about that? Who is helping you? Who is He sending you to help? Father, You can have it all...I surrender all...come!
Funny how God uses things sometimes. Karen was cleaning out some of her study books and handed me back a 5-minute family devotional to be used to grow with God as a family. God awoke me at 1:30 this morning with an irresistible call to get out of bed and fellowship with Him (I'm still here at 6 but ready for a nap soon). The first thing I did was randomly flip open that devotional and God spoke to my heart as I read Genesis 7:1 when God told Noah and his family to get in the boat. It was time. The lesson is about obeying God when the world around you says you're nuts for doing what He says. Would I, would you have the faith to spend 100 years building a boat when it has never rained before? In many ways, that is what it's like to earnestly follow Jesus today as we buck the tide of a people out of touch with God and headed to hell. Let me tell you, this lesson reminded me of the importance of having good friends to process with. Build a boat? Are you nuts Kerns? Well. maybe, but I'm going to trust God and do what He says. Will you help me? God is leading me to follow Him through some open doors and to build something He is still revealing. We've talked in the past about flying the airplane while building it. It's definitely like that! I am committed to earnestly pursuing Him as I lead you. And I sure could use some help and some accountability! Wanna help? The devo ends asking, "Is there something God might be asking you to do? Or something you are doing that doesn't line up with His Word? What is that and how can we pray for one another to be obedient in that area?" God is speaking to more than just me this morning. Be still, listen, receive and let's process together...maybe tomorrow at Pizza Lunch? Now how do I make nails Lord and what wood should I use?
So as I worked my way through our devotionals, God raised up the Word for You Today's teaching about when God opens a door (below). I firmly believe that God is opening up a window of opportunity for us! Are you seeing the open door before you and willing to step through? Too many times I find myself busy trying to force open a door that has closed. I pray that God helps me to realize that more quickly and look for the open door of where He is at work and for Him to move me to step through it with Jesus. Have you ever experienced that? Pray for us to have discernment and a willingness to see with spiritual eyes and step through the open doors that are coming our way.
Charles Stanley reminds me of the years I spent as a prodigal, off doing my own thing and how God came running to me when I woke up and asked to come back. It stirred in me the picture of my parents praying for me and believing i would return and praying for life into things that were as dead. God heard those prayers sowed in tears and answered my dad's prayers three years after dad left this earth. Don't stop praying, believing and praying life over things that are as dead. To the untrained eye and hardened hearts our church could have been seen as dying, BUT GOD! He has brought life and continues to open doors as we pray, trust and respond to his Spirit by doing what we can with what He's given as He leads. I was dead but now am alive, reborn and made new because of believing prayers and my willingness to finally step through that door. There are doors of new life opening around us! Do you see them? Pray into that and ask for eyes to see and hearts to respond well and for us to keep follow God and doing what we can with what He's given. Amen!
Our Daily Bread reminds us of our call to influence others for Christ and how that comes to life as they witness how we walk in obedience and love. So, are you? Are we walking in obedience and love? Is the Living Word being incarnated through us as it comes to life in us? Are we doers of the Word? Here's the cool thing, that is all part of Jesus' easy yoke He has just for you. He created you, gifted and is empowering you to live His Truth and be His Living Word to those around you that don't know Him and just as you are. And for some of us we are to even teach others His Word and make disciples as part of our easy yoke. Pray for God to bring His Word alive to and through you and us and for us to be doers of the word as we fulfill our custom made purposes. Amen!
God is calling you by name. Are you hearing Him? He may not be calling you to build a boat but He is speaking love over you and wanting to help you step into your purposes and His plans for you. He has gathered you with some others to process and journey with. He has given you His Spirit to help. May we all step into His plans and purposes for us and through all the open doors along the way. Good and abundant fruit is blooming because we have been faithful so far! PTJ! Let us run with endurance the race set before us. Amen! I can't wait to process with you what God is speaking to your heart and to share what He's doing in mine. He really does have great plans for you and us. See that open door? Step through it! Follow His peace and provision. Revival is on the way! PTL! May God open your ears and heart today and move your feet. He is speaking! What's He saying? Let's talk about it! I'm praying for you and waiting on the Lord. Build a boat! Sure Lord by Your grace and with Your help. Amen!
TWFYT:
CS:
ODB:
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When Dr. Lee, my seminary professor, noticed that Benjie, our school custodian, would be late in joining our lunch gathering, he quietly set aside a plate of food for him. As my classmates and I talked, Dr. Lee also quietly placed the last slice of rice cake on a dish for him—adding some grated coconut as a delicious topping. This kind act of an eminent theologian was one of many—and what I consider an overflow of Dr. Lee’s faithfulness to God. Twenty years later, the deep impression he made on me remains.
The apostle John had a dear friend who also left a deep impression on many believers. They talked about Gaius as one who was faithful to God and the Scriptures, continually walking in “the truth” (3 John 1:3). Gaius showed hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel, even though they were strangers (v. 5). As a result, John said to him, “They have told the church about your love” (v. 6). Gaius’ faithfulness to God and to other believers in Jesus helped further the gospel.
The impact my teacher had on me and the impact Gaius had in his day are powerful reminders that we can leave an impact on others—one that God can use in drawing them to Christ. As we walk faithfully with God, let’s live and act in a way that helps other believers walk faithfully with Him too.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do you know that you’re walking in the truth? What can others learn from your life?
Dear God, I need Your help to be faithful to You and Your truth. Please help me to live in a manner that will draw others to You.
For further study, read Walk with Me: Traveling with Jesus and Others on Life’s Road.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Third John is a personal letter from “the elder” (1:1)—whom most scholars say is the apostle John—to Gaius. Gaius was a member of the church (most likely in Asia Minor) whom John commended for faithfully opening his home to “traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you” (v. 5 nlt). In contrast, John confronted Diotrephes, a proud and self-important person in the church, who was motivated by self-love and selfish ambition, and opposed hospitality toward itinerant (traveling) teachers (vv. 9-10).
Offering hospitality was a key concern because inns were unsafe and few in number. Paul urges us to “always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13 nlt). The word for hospitality used here (philoxenia) means “love to strangers.” Peter encourages us to “continue to show deep love for each other . . . . Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:8-9 nlt).
K. T. Sim |
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Sarah Prayer update:
Good evening Warriors,
Just a couple of reminders and updates, for those that are in need of our prayers.
Yvonne and Chris Muik are celebrating the birth of their grandson, Christopher. Both mommy and baby are doing well. Congratulations Yvonne an Chris
Several of our church family members are have tests done or doctor appointments this week. May we continue to keep them in our prayers, and pray for good test results. John Chobot, Marylou, Ramon
Patrick, one of our participants from the Bread Ministry is truly SEEKING.....may we pray that the Lord's voice is clear and loud in his heart and he will respond.....
Praises were mentioned for how well the first clothing closet Saturday went. And for how well the Coffee, conversation, donuts time went......what a great time ministry happening.
Mark, Dean's brother in law, had his surgery and is back home and doing well. However, on a sad note, Mark's son, who was 36 years old, passed away. He is leaving behing a wife and toddler. He had a migraine headache which lead to a stroke. Please keep this family in our prayers......during this difficult time.
Reminders:
Wednesday - in the Fellowship Hall - 12 - 1:00pm, Pizza lunch and study with Pastor Don. All are welcome!
Wednesday evening - at Rita's ice, 6:00pm - time to hang out. Wear your St Matthew's tee shirt, if you have one......
everyone is welcome whether you have a St Matthew's tee or not.
I believe that is all the updates, for now......
Have a good evening....and a great rest of your week!
Blessings,
Sarah
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