Good Morning Following to the New Things of God Friends! Please Lord! May we forget what's behind and/or build on it as we seek you and long to follow You to the new things You have for us today, this week, this year and beyond. Your Word reminds us that You are always doing something new or wanting to through Your people. may we be a people that seek, release what was, receive what is and is to be and follow Jesus well. Thanks Lord! Come and lead us! Amen!!!
Today during my pastor's huddle we discussed all the things that need to happen at our Twin Pines Camp. It's a wreck and we almost lost it. Many are dealing with the tyranny of the urgent to make camp safe while seeking God for His plans and new things as we move forward. Pray for camp, provision, workers and for campers for the summer. Like for pour church, ask for dreams and visions for the future and willing hearts, hands and feet to follow the Holy Spirit to it.
Today s Donut Day. Come join us! Tonight is our dinner huddle. Bring a friend! I've gotta fly. Please spend some time engaging with God with two devos below and your open Bibles. He's speaking and wanting to lead you and us. What's he saying and what are His plans? What will you do about that! Offer yourself. he does have great plans for you and us! I'm praying we seek and follow well to all the new things He has for us! Shalom! may His joy and love overflow you today!
ODB: Read and meditate on Isaiah 43:18-25. What's God saying to you?
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Julie and her husband felt sadness and regret when they learned that their daughter had been shoplifting. But with God’s help, when she came to them weighed down with sorrow, they forgave her—and they helped her make restitution and receive counseling. Some months after the revelation, when their daughter made an offhand comment about how they might not trust her anymore, Julie wondered, What does she mean? She didn’t immediately think about her daughter’s offense because God had removed the sting of it from her mind. She had decided not to dwell in the past but had asked God to help her forgive.
In that moment, God gave Julie a taste of His goodness and grace as she experienced the love He extends to His people. God told His people not to “dwell on the past” because He was “doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18-19). He also made the beautiful declaration, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (v. 25). God could choose to hold our sins against us, but because of His love and mercy, He doesn’t. When we repent, He wipes our record clean.
Although our forgiven wrongdoing may have a negative impact on our lives and that of others, God will never hold that offense against us. He will enfold us in His mercy and grace.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you experienced the surprising love of God? How does His grace change and transform you?
Forgiving Father, thank You for running toward me with love. Please help me to turn from my sinful ways and return to You.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Isaiah 43:22-24, God grieves His people’s failure to turn from their sins; yet He offers hope. He’s a loving God who forgives. He alone can blot out sins (v. 25). He’s the one who “forgives all [our] sins” and “redeems [our] life from the pit” (Psalm 103:3-4). “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (vv. 11-12). Jesus accomplished this once and for all through His sacrificial death on the cross. Now “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43). John tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just” to forgive and make us clean (1 John 1:9). Finally, when we trust in Jesus, God “remembers [our] sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25).
Alyson Kieda |
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UR: Words and Deeds. Hw does God want to use you in small and big ways today? How might you join Him r partner with some others to do so?
Faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. - James 2:17 (CEB)
The plane turbulence was moderate, but I’d experienced far worse. However, when I turned to the college-aged person sitting next to me, I saw from the look on her face that she was terrified. I decided to talk to her, explaining what was happening, how long it generally lasted, and assuring her that the first time I experienced similar turbulence was unpleasant as well. Gradually, both she and the plane settled. When it was time to descend for landing, we started to experience more turbulence. She asked if I could talk her through everything again. I did.
Sometimes we underestimate the power of words, thinking that only our actions matter in God’s eyes. After all, hoping someone will be fed or will find shelter is far different than directly providing for them. Yet I’ve learned that sometimes our words and our deeds become one and the same. What that young woman needed more than anything was a reassuring voice.
As we were exiting the plane she said, “I don’t know how to thank you.” I told her that I imagined her on an airplane a few decades from now, having become an experienced traveler. I imagined her turning to someone else and helping them on their way. We can all provide words that are deeds at various points in our lives, depending on the circumstance.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to be aware of the needs of others, even when they might be too troubled to speak. Help us offer what is needed — whether that be words or actions. Amen.
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