Good Morning Becoming to God Becomers! We don't often use that word, "becoming", very often today to describe someone that's attractive. But God loves us! We are becoming to Him as we surrender, trust, obey and try to give our all in following Jesus. When we got saved, we entered a journey to becoming more like Jesus and in growing into our new nature as we shed the old. We were one way, but now becoming another. We are on a journey to becoming all we were created to be--our fullest potential. Every day can be a day to become more like Jesus! Thank God for helping us, leading us, creating us with potential and purposes, and for helping us to become Christ in the flesh as we are learning to live and love like Him. Just meditate on that some today! Talk to God about how He wants to help you become.
Our Become Me in '23 Challenge is winding down. I have seen some of you growing into becoming doers of the word you chose to work on. God is faithful to help us become His best! PTL! Maybe God has a new word for you to work on for next year? Becoming and doing all we were created to be and do is a journey! But God is for us and provides all we need to become His image bearers and ambassadors. PTL! Keep working at BECOMING. Remember the old marine slogan? "Be all that you can be!" Amen!
Becoming the new person in Christ that God desires you to become is often a struggle as we face pruning, hardships, trials, temptations and discomfort. BUT GOD! He is with you always, allows these things to grow you and teach you to depend on Him. Hard things are His way of helping you to become more fully His and who you were created to be. Check out our devos today below and talk to God about what He desires for you and where He wants to lead you into this journey of becoming! How awesome is our Abba Daddy! PTL!
Maybe check out our Zoom huddle at 10 today as we will be discussing this deeper! Pray for our donut and conversation day at the Bread Ministry tomorrow and our huddles tomorrow evening as we engage with each other and others and help each other to enter and go further in this becoming journey! (It's attractive and draws us to it and it's what our journey looks like--becoming!) How's your "BECOMING" Journey going? How can we help you with that? How can we pray for you as we continue to work on moving from being one way to becoming another--a better person in Christ?
God has some great things ahead, even good things in the hard times that are all part of becoming! Thank Him and continue to surrender and hold loosely to what you were and look ahead to what he knows you can become! Ask someone to co-journey with you too. That is part of God's plan--becoming together! I am praying for you and us right now! What are you choosing to become today?
Upper Room: God's Way not Mine
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (NRSVUE)
I was sharing early-morning coffee and donuts with our daughter, the mother of two wonderful, energetic children. We were both going through rough patches in our lives. She had been through a painful divorce. I had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We shared the Bible verse from Hebrews above. Then my daughter offered an insight that amazed me. She said, “I think it’s awesome that when we are in trouble and can’t see any way through, God will surprise us with the solution.” Three years have passed since our meeting. She is now married to a fine Christian, and I have experienced only mild symptoms.
I often think that I’ve got the solution to life’s struggles, and in my prayers I try to convince God to see it my way. Now I just ask that God’s will be done in my life. And God’s answer is usually more amazing than I could have imagined. Great is God’s faithfulness, wisdom, and power!
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, remind us that you know what is best for us. We commit our will to yours. Amen.Our Daily Bread:
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“The baby birds will fly tomorrow!” My wife, Cari, was elated about the progress a family of wrens was making in a hanging basket on our front porch. She’d watched them daily, taking pictures as the mother brought food to the nest.
Cari got up early the next morning to look in on them. She moved some of the greenery aside covering the nest but instead of seeing baby birds, the narrow eyes of a serpent met hers. The snake had scaled a vertical wall, slithered into the nest, and devoured them all.
Cari was heartbroken and angry. I was out of town, so she called a friend to remove the snake. But the damage was done.
Scripture tells of another serpent who left destruction in his path. The serpent in the garden of Eden deceived Eve about the tree God had warned her against eating from: “You will not certainly die,” he lied, “for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4–5).
Sin and death entered the world as a result of Eve and Adam’s disobedience to God, and the deception wrought by “that ancient serpent, who is the devil” continues (Revelation 20:2). But Jesus came “to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8), and through Him we’re restored to relationship with God. One day, He’ll make “everything new” (Revelation 21:5).
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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How has Jesus destroyed the devil’s work in your heart and life? What do you look forward to in Him?
Please deliver me, Jesus, from the devil’s deception. Saving God, give me grace to live for You!
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus’ beloved disciple John recognized in the serpent’s temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1–7) the fundamental temptations all people face. He wrote that “everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes from the . . . world” (1 John 2:16). His words echo Eve’s thoughts as she looked at the tree: it was good for food, pleased the eye, and would make one wise like God (Genesis 3:6). We all face the same kinds of temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). Instead of giving in, however, the Spirit will help us to stand firm in the faith (Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 5:8–9).
Jed Ostoich |
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Charles Stanley:
The Word for You Today:
Sarah's prayer updates: (Add Kelly (Don's neighbor's daughter) Her lung tumor is non-cancerous. PTL! But still needs surgery to remove. Pray for shalom and healing.)
Hi everyone.....
Happy Monday and to the beginning of a brand new week! Even though we don't know what this week may
hold for each of us, we can be sure that whatever it is, God has great things in store so, keep your eyes focused
on Jesus.....follow Him wherever He leads you. Yes, sometimes the steps may be difficult BUT, God is our refuge
and our strength and He WILL be with us always!!!!
Here are some prayer updates.....God is on the move and answering our prayers:
Chad (Lisa B's cousin and a friend to many) we were praying for healing after his heart attack. Today, improvements
were made. He is still on the respirator, but his brain is functioning. His eyes have been open more since they
have started weaning him off sedation. He has been using an IPad to communicate. He has been moving his hands and
legs on command. He is a real fighter. Let's continue to pray for complete recovery. Chad's family is very thankful for
for all our prayer support.
Winnie Iobst - had a fall, and is having upper respirator problems. He is at home recovering
Barb Sommer's sister Judy, is in stage 4 cancer. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Friend of Josie, Starla is dealing with chronic pain and would appreciate our prayers for strength
Althea Parry's son-in-law, Nevin - has another cancer tumor in his bladder. He will need more surgery in the
very near future.
Friend of Pastor Don's, Kelly, has a mass and is waiting results from her testing. Please pray for healing and peace.
Gina is asking for prayers for Hailey (her granddaughter who is 14 years old) she is having difficulty dealing with
situations in her life. Please pray that the Lord will put people, Christian people into her life to help her deal and process
things.
Also keep Hailey's parents and grandparents in your prayers as they support her.
Let us continue to pray for the wars that are taking place. Praying for protection, and peace.
Hope you all have a great Tuesday......
Don't forget Wednesday, 10-12 is Donut, Coffee and conversation - why not plan to join us!
Have a great Wednesday!!
Blessings,
Sarah
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