This week: 10-12 Bread Ministry/ 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle and study
Sarah Update from below
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Good Morning Choosing Persevering Faith and Persistent Praying, Followers of God Almighty! He is our Lord, Helper, Deliverer, Prayer Hearing and always with us Friend! Amen! Choose trust, standing firm in faith and joy always! Yes, release burdens and anxieties and choose joy. He loves that and you will too! Help us Lord! As for me and God's House called, St. Matts, we choose God and His good ways and to stand firm in faith and worship. Amen!
we looked at Habakkuk and discussed his complaining about the state of the nation to God and then about God's promised coming correction and about God's answers, which are not always what we want to hear. We were left to examine the book and challenged to pray through chapter 3, Habakkuk's praise song despite the coming wrath. We also discussed how this book can be applied to us and our nation . Are you complaining, anxious, worried and fearful. Give all that to God as you trust He is with you and that His plans are just and right and perfect and on time. He hears the prayers of His righteous followers and promises there will always be a remnant of faithful followers. (That's us, Lord willing!)
We've been studying prayer practices as outlined by the Chambers in their book "Spiritual Missionality" Try some! we will discuss days 16-20. I love day 20's practice--breath prayers or centering prayers. I's the practice of whispering a word or phrase to God throughout the day. Thoughts and prayers lifted in faith to recenter us and move us back to focus on God. I like words and phrases like, "Peace", "God is enough", God is with me", maybe even the reminder that He is "Trustworthy"? Try that throughout the day to refocus and release anxiety as you choose trust and joy always. Whatever prayer disciplines you use and practice, that can lead us to refocusing on God and persevering in faith. We know times are troubling in this nation and we know things will get much worse as we approach the return of Jesus. Practicing praying and staying focused on and connected to God will be critical for our ability to stand firm in faith and to persevere with Him. So, why not start with some worship, breath prayers and growing trust?
There really could be a thread through our devotionals tying to all of this. The Upper Room reminds us of the Martha-like busyness and distractions we face , especially as the enemy tries to keep us distracted, overly busy and anxious. "Martha, Martha", Jesus said, "CHILL and come hang with Me!" Our Daily Bread reminds us that God is always fighting for us and we fight battles in the physical and spiritual world from our knees. (Again, practice praying as warriors). And the Word for You reminds us that we can thrive (as we should and do already) in enemy territory. We are citizens of God's Kingdom placed in enemy territory for such a time as this! Be bold and courageous! Cast all anxiety unto God.! Be still and know! Stand firm and go live and love and overcome like Jesus! He is with you always! Yes, rejoice and choose persevering faith as you abide in Him who already won the victory! Amen! Know and follow His shalom! Be bold and courageous, humble and available as you stand firm ! Amen!
UR: Making Choices
Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. - Luke 10:42 (NRSVUE)
I work at a nursery school, and one day the other teachers and I acted out the story of Mary and Martha. While reading this scene to write a script, the words Mary has chosen echoed in my heart. A deep feeling of familiarity welled up within me. Mary had made a difficult choice. She was likely aware that she should have been helping her sister prepare the meal for their guest. According to traditional roles, it was unreasonable for her to remain where she was. Perhaps she knew she would be criticized by others. But in the end, she chose to be near Jesus.
Martha, who was striving in her own way to please Jesus, no doubt also wanted to be near him. But she felt responsible for showing hospitality. Of the two sisters, the one who had peace in her heart was Mary.
Every day our lives involve making choices about insignificant things and important matters. But as Christians, our choices must not be based on pride, social standing, or how we will be seen by others. Instead, we must choose to be with Jesus, for this is the path to abundant living.
's Prayer
Lord Jesus, whom we love, enable us to be in constant relationship with you even in the midst of our busy everyday lives. Amen.
ODB
Fighting for You
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 Exodus 14:10-18
Professional boxer Jim Braddock was known as someone who fought not for riches and fame but to put food on the table for his family. The movie Cinderella Man chronicles his fairytale-like comeback from a past-his-prime boxer to the world heavyweight champion. While facing extreme poverty during the Great Depression, Jim repeatedly sacrificed his own resources, health, and pride to provide for his children. He was never intimidated by an opponent and courageously endured pummeling in the ring to keep his family safe.
Jim’s legacy is one of passionate defense of his family. We, too, have a passionate defender who has promised to take our place in the ring. When the Israelites faced Pharaoh’s mighty army after their escape from slavery in Egypt, they were terrified and cried out to God. “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” they foolishly said (Exodus 14:12). But Moses replied in faith, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (v. 14). And without any action from the Israelites, their enemies were literally swept away by the sea as God supernaturally ended the battle before it even began.
Sometimes it feels like we’re facing the trials of life or arrows from the enemy, Satan, on our own (see Psalm 91:5). But God’s with us (Deuteronomy 31:6), and He fights for us; we need only to be still.
By Karen Pimpo
REFLECT & PRAY
What battle are you tempted to fight on your own? What does it look like to “be still” as you trust God to fight for you?
Dear Jesus, I trust You as You fight for me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The theme of God as a divine warrior (see Exodus 14:14) spans the landscape of Scripture. Exodus 15 poetically depicts God at war with Pharaoh’s army, saying, “The Lord is a warrior” (v. 3). One Bible encyclopedia has this to say: “In the New Testament, the Divine Warrior theme is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the imagery shifts from physical battles to spiritual warfare, the essence of God as a warrior remains. In Revelation, Christ is depicted as the ultimate Divine Warrior who will defeat evil and establish His kingdom.” , when faced with temptation, we can rest in God, who fights for us.
Arthur Jackson
TWFYT
Sarah Update:
Good evening, church family!
Good day of worship and it was great to pray for our kids and youth that are headed off to school . And the kids helped Pastor Don pray
over our church family also......
Here is a listing of the kids to help you remember them throughout their school year:
Our Students
Caleb Hafer – Pre Counts 4 yr.old class at LVCC South Mountain Center
Maisie Grim – Pre-K 2 class at Brookside Children’s Early Education Center
Hailey Lichtenwalner – 4th Grade at Shoemaker Elementary
Bethany Rohrer – 9th Grade at Emmaus High School
Baylee Rohrer – 9th Grade at Emmaus High School
Brooke Laise – 12th Grade at Pottstown High School, taking classes at Montgomery County Community College
Arianna Sosa – 12th Grade – Virtual Charter school
Richard Paul - 2nd year at Lehigh University
Brayden Paul - 12th grade - Faith Academy
Here are some new shirts designs that are available to purchase. The shirts are of a good quality material and the cost is $10.00 each. These are screen printed so they should
not fade. The shirts are unisex, up to 3x, any color however nothing dark, since the print is black. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, there is a sign up sheet
at the church. If you have any questions, Gail Lichtenwalner is heading up this project.
Here is a recap from 's prayer and praise time:
Pastor Don Wert is back in the hospital. Rita fell and broke two bones in her left room. She will have surgery to repair those bones on
Twin Pines is having a Labor Day Family Weekend. This is something new they are trying. Please keep the campers and this new venture in your prayers
Millie Flexer requested prayer for Chris D, he has experienced a nervous break down. Praying for God's peace to surround him
Kathy Canfield's brother, Jim has stage 4 lung cancer for the past 15 years. They are trying a new treatment and the family is feeling hopeful.
please pray for Jim and family and this new treatment.
Dean Marks praised God for the evening gathering.....the meal time and the study/prayer time have been really good over the past
few weeks. He thanks Pastor Don and others that help to make this possible.
Darlene Geiger's husband, Jim has hearing aids but is having a difficult time wearing them. Pray that he understands that it would make conversations
in the home alot easier. *** UPDATE: Darlene texted me this afternoon and said "Jim put his hearing aids in and says he is going to try them for awhile.
PTL." YAY GOD!!!!
Josie is asking for prayer for her friend Linda, she has AFIB and is looking into treatment
Mike Canfield is praising God that his dad is home from hospital and doing better. He is becoming more acquainted with his new surroundings.
They are doing palliative care for his dad.
Mike Laise is asking for prayer for a co-worker's (Religh) sister who is going with IBF.
It was sooo awesome to hear all the encouraging praises , and hear how God is working among us and answering our prayers. That is so
encouraging.....and also knowing that we can help support our church family by praying for those that are on their hearts.
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