Good Morning Lighthouses! Shine Jesus shine in and through us! So what have you heard from God so far today and what's the plan for Him to use you? Who are you partnering with?
We need a few more cars for the Trunk or Treat. If interested contact Sarah or Don. Pastor Don can put his car there if someone needs a base to operate from. (I'll even--well, Karen will, decorate it). Keep praying for many new connection points and for Jesus to shine through us.
Pray for today's Bread Ministry (10-12) and our dinner Chosen gathering tonight (6-8). Last week's Chosen left us reeling from a very hard thing and trying to grasp why God allows some things or heals some people but not all. We may not be able to answer those kinds of questions this side of heaven. The Chosen does a great job of showing Jesus' love and compassion and presence with us always while honoring the Father and His perfect plans. Jesus weeps with you. He loves you. He knows you and all you are going through. He forgives you and helps you repent and move forward in faith. And He always does the Father's will. That's just some of the Good News we carry to share. He sends us to live, love and walk with others, just as you are and just like Jesus. What amazing, grace, love and help we have in Christ! PTL! There are many around us walking through some very hard things right now that need us and Jesus' love through us. Ask God to send you and to open your eyes to see, your heart to respond well and His mind to know what to say and do and what not to. He loves to answer those kind of prayers.
Our devotionals for today sort of thread through this. Check them out below. Do you know how much God loves you? Do you know the plans He has to prosper and not harm you as you follow Him and allow Him to nurture and grow you into your calling? Have you learned how to wait and pray and prepare as you seek God to lead you and move you when the time is right? He has given us a Helper, Comforter, Advocate, and Intercessor in the Holy Spirit. PTL! We need all the help we can get! And he is with us always--we are one! PTL! Keep asking Him to help and to lead you to your greater potential in Christ and to learn to live and love more like Jesus. And keep on keeping on as you allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, teach and lead you. God has some great plans for you, even today! PTL! Trust and follow Him one step of faith at a time! And keep asking Him to lead you to your helpmates and co-laborers. I think of the a Bread and Clothing and 2 peas in a Pod Brunch volunteers and how they have become God's teams that share the love of Christ while helping the least of these. Thank God for these volunteers and keep praying for them. Thank God for His provision and ask how He might want you to help with prayer, giving and volunteering. He does have custom made parts for you in His Good News Delivery Co! Rejoice and follow well today! I'm praying for you and God is with you working all things together. Amen!
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Making his preflight checks for a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to New York City, a flight attendant noticed a passenger visibly anxious and concerned about flying. He sat in the aisle, held her hand, explained each step of the flight process, and reassured her that she was going to be fine. “When you get on an aircraft, it's not about us, it's about you,” he said. “And if you’re not feeling good, I want to be there to say, ‘Hey, what’s wrong? Is there something I can do?’ ” His caring presence can be a picture of what Jesus said the Holy Spirit would do for believers in Him.
Christ’s death and resurrection and ascension were necessary and beneficial to save people from their sins, but it would also create emotional turbulence and deep sorrow in the disciples’ hearts (John 14:1). So He reassured them that they wouldn’t be left alone to carry out His mission in the world. He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them—an “advocate to help [them] and be with [them] forever” (v. 16). The Spirit would bear witness about Jesus and remind them of all Christ did and said (v. 26). They would be “encouraged by” Him during difficult times (Acts 9:31).
In this life, everyone—including believers in Christ—will experience the turbulence of anxiety, fear, and grief. But He’s promised that, in His absence, the Holy Spirit is present to comfort us.
By Marvin Williams
REFLECT & PRAY
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What’s been troubling you in your life? How can you seek the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit?
Dear Jesus, thank You for the Spirit’s comfort and counsel.
Learn how to walk daily with the Holy Spirit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate” (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). Other translations use the word Comforter (kjv) or Counselor (rsv) . Christ told His disciples that the Spirit would teach them “all things” and remind them of “everything” Jesus had said and taught (14:26). The Spirit is the very presence of God and will be with us “forever” (v. 16). On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ’s resurrection, God sent the Holy Spirit to all believers in Jesus (Acts 2:1-4). Today, everyone receives the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ as Savior (10:44). We can trust what “the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26) speaks into our hearts and minds. The Spirit gives believers spiritual gifts to serve Jesus and to help us grow more like Him (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit also convicts unbelievers of sin and the need for salvation (John 16:7-11).
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Consistent Practice
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2 (NRSVUE)
I enjoy creating art of all kinds, including painting. One of my art teachers said that daily practice is the only way to improve one’s painting skills. I found this to be true when I became overwhelmed with personal responsibilities and put away my brushes and paints. When I picked them back up after quite some time, I found it difficult to paint well. It was only after consistent practice that my skills returned.
Likewise, at one time I became distracted by the things of the world and neglected my Bible, along with my faith practices. When I encountered challenges, I found it difficult to work through them. Thankfully, a family member gifted me with a new Bible and a subscription to a devotional booklet. This was a gentle reminder that it was only through consistent practice in getting closer to God that I could — along with our Creator — design a better picture for my life.
Many years later, I remain grateful to the wise, thoughtful person who provided me with that reminder. Sometimes it is helpful when we encourage one another to get back into the habit of practicing our faith.
Today's Prayer
Omnipotent God, may we be consistent in practicing our faith. Help us to encourage others in their faith as well. Amen.
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