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Saturday, March 08 2025
Good Morning Praying Friends--Mighty Warriors! As stated yesterday and highlighted to our Vision Team, one of the things God has been stirring us to and leading me with some of you to develop is a prayer team and to corporate prayer. This is our critical net step in becoming a dynamic movement of God. I wasn't going to do a blog today as much of my devotionals times was about giving and stewarding God's blessings well. You are givers and stewards. I figured your quiet time in our devos would be an opportunity for you to discuss your giving with God.
Then as I was ready to sign off, I encountered the Connection blogs. Oh man! I love when God highlights something He is stirring us to and then teaches us about it. Today is corporate prayer. As we develop this and provide more opportunities for us to earnestly pray for Big God things as a congregation, we will see the power of our prayers as God responds to our petitions and releases His power and will over us. Take some time with this today. what's God saying to you? Are you interested in learning more about prayer or in joining a prayer team? Talk to Sarah or me. As we finish up our spiritual gifts classes we will move to some prayer training and more purposeful corporate prayer times. God created you to pray and there is great power when we do so as His Body! I'm praying for God to stir you, lead us and use us mightily in prayer. Amen!
Connection blogs:
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February 25 - The Elements of Powerful Prayer in Corporate Settings
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…they raised their voices together in prayer to God (Acts 4:24).
Powerful prayer is focused prayer. It is not a shotgun approach—giving prayer requests and praying for ten different things. Effective corporate prayer is topical. The leader explains, “Now we are going to pray for . . .” We see this played out in the story of Peter’s imprisonment (Acts 12). Verse 5 tells us of a prayer meeting for Peter. Not everything under the sun, and “oh yeah, don’t forget Peter.” In the morning worship service, picking one subject for which to pray is all you need to do—and it is powerful.
Powerful prayer is one voice prayer. One voice is a numerical principle. As was mentioned above, the same chapter in Acts tells us that the church was earnestly and constantly praying to God. Everyone. Not five people in a little room on Wednesday night. A powerful dynamic occurs when an entire congregation prays on the same theme. Again, the only place you will have the entire congregation together is Sunday morning worship.
Powerful prayer invites God’s Presence. In 2 Chronicles 6-7 at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, we see God’s glory indwelling His temple so much that everyone fell with their faces to the ground. No one went inside. In Solomon’s dedication prayer, he invited God to come and dwell. “Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, to your resting place . . .” (2 Chron. 6:41). We often just take comfort in the presence spoken of in Matthew 18:20: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” But there is another presence of God—His manifest presence. It is a presence you can literally sense. It is a transforming presence. We need to look for ways to encourage that presence of God into our midst. He comes by invitation and He comes through praise. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. There is no better place to regularly experience the manifest presence of God than the worship service. When we pray in the middle of, or following a time of intense worship—worship that is entirely focused upward, on Jesus Christ rather than on us—we more readily sense His presence and our prayers become more kingdom focused.
Powerful prayer occurs when there is agreement. The last element of powerful corporate prayer is praying in agreement. This is different than focus. It is where everyone knows and agrees with what they are asking God. Often when a congregation prays about an issue in a church there is not agreement. We all have a different idea of what should be done. So when we pray, we often just pray our own agendas. (Just as an aside—agreement will come in any issue if people pray together. As we pray with others, we become more open to God’s agenda and we let go of our own.) In a leader-directed prayer time during a morning worship service it is easier to be in agreement. The leader simply gives direction as to what they will ask God to do. He might say something like this, “After seeking God, the leaders of our church feel that God is moving us to look for a piece of property on which to build. Let’s ask God to reveal that piece of land to us.”
Lord, You are an incredibly Present Father! I am always amazed by the fact that You have created me to pray, and orchestrated a way that Your Spirit, living within me, intercedes through me! As I come together with other believers to pray, pour out Your power as we focus upon those things that You desire, and as we raise one voice to invite Your Presence into the midst of our prayers! As we come together in agreement, You are able to speak to our hearts as a corporate body and bring us into perfect alignment with the plans You have for us. What a mystery prayer is...I stand in awed amazement of Your grace-filled heart.
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 48, Prayer in the Corporate Worship Service by Jonathan Graf). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God for caring intimately about you.
- Thank God for choosing you to help fulfill his plans.
- Confess any self-centeredness or preoccupation with your desires and needs rather than those of God and others.
- Commit yourself to walking under the Spirit’s control, trusting him with the circumstances of life (Ps. 31:15).
- Ask for more sensitivity to the needs of others.
- Pray for persons who have decided to follow false religions. Ask God to open their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6).
Prayer Pointer
“We ought not to tolerate for a minute the ghastly and grievous thought that God will not answer prayer. History, as manifested in Christ Jesus, demands it.” —Charles H. Spurgeon
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com |
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Saturday, March 08 2025
Good Morning Students of the Word! I had all these things I wanted to share this morning, but need to run for some testing. Sunday we will study the end of Acts 9 thru chapter 11. read ahead and prepare. Funny thing is yesterday Zoom Huddle and now this morning's Our Daily Bread are speaking into things I had already recorded for us during sermon prep. At first I get jealous, maybe? Oh people will think I'm copying what someone elase wrote. But then I cast that dumb thinking aside and focus on God and how He is blessing me with affirmation that I am hearing Him, as others did and recording the same line of thinking. I'll let you prepare with Acts 10-11 and the end of 9 yourself and put ODB below for you to engage God with. What's He saying to you and what will you do about it? Who are you processing with? Is there someone that needs to hear some of this? Will you share it? Praying for God to speak to your heart as He has mine. Draw close, abide in the Living Word and prepare for the day ahead! Shalom!
ODB:
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On a five-hour flight, a woman vigorously crocheted a sweater. As she moved her hook in and out of her yarn, she noticed a five-month-old baby who was mesmerized by her motions. Then the woman got an idea: instead of finishing the sweater she was working on; she would make a hat for her little admirer. She had to finish the hat in the remaining time of the flight, however—just one hour! When the woman presented the child’s mom with the little hat, the whole family accepted it with joy while the other passengers smiled and applauded.
Surprise gifts are often received with joy. Whether they’re gifts we need or simply want, through them the giver may also show us the kindness of Christ. In the early church, Tabitha was known for sharing clothes and “always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36). When she died, her beneficiaries displayed “the robes and other clothing that [she] had made . . . them” (v. 39). They testified about her kindness and how she’d touched their lives.
In a dramatic turn of events, Peter, through the Holy Spirit’s power, brought Tabitha back to life (v. 40). His actions filled those who loved her with joy—and led many others to believe in Christ (v. 42).
Our actions of kindness can be some of the most memorable testifying we do. As God provides, let’s share some surprise gifts with others today.
By Katara Patton
REFLECT & PRAY
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What gifts can you share with others? What has it meant for you to receive gifts of kindness?
Heavenly Father, please remind me to be kind to others—sharing my gifts and treasures.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The phrase “doing good” (Acts 9:36) also appears in Acts 10:38 where Peter, preaching in the home of Cornelius, summarized the ministry of Jesus: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Tabitha—a disciple of Christ—followed His example of helping those in need by making clothes as a tangible expression of her care (9:39). Peter, likewise, followed Christ in doing good by using his apostolic gifts. It’s hard to miss the similarities between Acts 9:39-42 and Mark 5:37-43, where Peter had a front row seat at Jairus’ house (see also Luke 8:51) when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. After Christ had returned to heaven, His good works continued through those who believed in Him.
Arthur Jackson |
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Saturday, March 08 2025
Sarah Prayer update below
Sat is Clothing Closet from 10-1
Lenten Envelopes: Your giving envelope boxes have an envelope for your Lenten Offering next week to co-inside with Ash Wed. This year the proceeds from those envelopes will be used to help offset our budget deficit (which includes funding the organist position). The offering is typically over and above your regular tithe and giving. We already know we have a $9000. budget deficit foe the organist position. Plus due to several weeks of weather cancelations on Sundays, our giving is behind for the year already. Lent is a time to die to self and a season of sacrifice to grow closer to God. Giving sacrificially is part of offering yourself to God. May we draw close with our sacrificial giving as an act of worship and trust! Thank you!
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Good Morning Worshipers! Amen! Let us spend today lifting songs of praise thanksgiving and worship! What's your favorites hymns, praise songs or other songs of worship? Sing them loud and clear for all to hear! Lift your hearts in worship today!
Over the next few weeks, Kay and Sally will fill in for Patti. All three of them work on music offerings that bless God and many of us for their preludes and postludes. All three have unique styles of worship that bless God and us! I try to pick hymns that tie to our messages for the day along with praise songs that lead us into God's Word with hearts prepared and bless many as well. The Bible reminds us that God loves all kinds of worship that allow us to draw close with our hearts and praise focused on Him. It says to worship with Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Even if a song doesn't click with you, it will with God and some others. May we always come with hearts ready to worship, no matter the offering of praise, or sacrifice of praise being offered. God loves our hearts of worship! Prepare your hearts today for TGIF tomorrow and worship on Sunday by focusing on music that leads you into God's presence and facilitates worship for you. He loves variety and made us all to worship in different ways--even dancing to the beat! I share this because Sunday's opening praise song is one for me. It may connect to some of you and maybe not but it is a song that allows me to prepare my heart and worship deeply in praise. It's a moldy oldy rocking out worship song that should lead to dancing in praise. I know I need that sometimes! Then Kay will be offering her songs of worship that will allow others to draw close in worship as well as some hymns that lead to the Word for the day. May we all continue to bless God, each other and worship in a variety of ways that bless God! Amen! Now, worship! Sing loud and clear with hearts abandoned in worship. God loves that and will draw close as you draw close. Yes rejoice today!
UR: Songs of Praise
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. - Psalm 100:2 (NIV)
While standing at the bus stop recently, I heard the melodious singing of an Australian magpie. Looking around, I spotted the bird perched on the roof of a nearby house. With his beak raised skyward and head thrown back, he was filling the air with song in wonderful, happy abandonment, praising his Maker with his whole being.
It came to me that he was a role model for how we should praise God, and I wished I were as uninhibited in my praise as the magpie! For me, playing and singing hymns is one of the ways I feel moved to praise God. The music is powerfully uplifting, and the words of the hymns remind me how faithful and loving God is and the grace God has given us through Jesus Christ. Praising God with music lifts my spirit and causes me to remember God’s blessings. Then I am left with a thankful heart, which can brighten even the grayest of days.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gifts of music and song. We praise you for your goodness, love, and care for us. May our hearts never cease to praise you. Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Sarah Update
Good evening Warriors,
There was a great time this evening at the Adult/FM Gathering.....good discussion, and meal together. Many from our bread ministry attended. God is working and moving......
Here are two prayer requests:
Dean is asking for prayer for a friend of his, Mary - she is recovering from a tumor near her brain. She's having a hard time dealing with the "WHY" of the situation. Please surround her in your prayers.
Deb B - a friend of Sarah and Neen - she has severe RSV and is also dealing with major muscle spasms. She has been going to a chiropractor for some relief. She is having some slow progress. Please pray for her healing and perseverance through the spasms.
Thank you all for joining together in prayer for these people.
Have a good evening,
Blessings,
Sarah
Pastor Don
Rev. Don Kerns
72 Sunset Hill Rd
Saturday, March 08 2025
This Week:
Tue Zoom Huddle 10-11
Wed:
Bread Ministry 10-12
Dinner Huddles: 6-7:30 (Pizza Party Fellowship and planning night)
Sat. 10-1 Clothing Closet
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Good Morning Praying Co-Laborers! That's us! Praying and doing our parts in God's Good News Delivery Company. Upholding each other in prayer, encouraging and spurring on to the plans God has for us. Thanks for praying and serving with me! I think about Moses who was called to pray for victory for God's people and how they would be winning while he stood above the valley praying. But when his arms got weary and dropped they started loosing. Arron and Hur, sat him down on a rock and held his arms up for him all day and the victory came for God's people. I have become weary in praying and leading. You are my Arron and Hur, upholding me in prayer. I just took a week to rest and reload. (more on that next). I think of how Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, encouraged Moses to raise up some co-leaders because Moses became weary from doing it all and how God raised up some leaders to assist His people and refresh Moses. I've been thinking about how we recently studied in Acts how the Apostles picked some spirit-filled leaders to deal with the mechanics and politics of the church so they could focus on prayer, teaching and leading. My retreat was supposed to be a time for me to get away, like Elijah when he became weary and depressed and to allow God to minister and whisper to me and prepare me and send me to His next mission.
I said that was supposed to be the plan with my retreat, but that never fully materialized. I was sick at the beginning of the week, cancelled my end of week retreat to Twin Pines and most of the week was focused on church work and planning and dealing with several church issues that seemed to come my way all week. A pastor is never really off the clock, even when trying to get away and refresh. However, the week was not without profit. I was able to get away from some of the tyranny of the urgent and for the first time in awhile was able to draw deep into and abide in God's loving presence as I have not been able to do for a few months. And God continues to draw me deep in, help me sink my roots deep in Him and to hear His still small voice through the fires and winds, like Elijah. I still have a long way to go in this journey, as we all do. If you hear nothing else today, hear this: Make an earnest effort to be still, abide in Christ and sink your roots deep daily! Even through the busyness and chaos, it is essential and critical to abide in Christ and receive all you need from Him. Today I started at 5 and am writing this at 8:45 after abiding deeply and sinking deep. God has great plans for you and us and we need to keep seeking, knocking and choosing His Kingdom above all else before we enter each day. In this life, Christ really is all that matters! I'm trying to remember that and make it a priority. Are you? I need you! God has plans for you and us. May we seek and follow well together and more earnestly. Please! Try it! Thanks! Who are your partners? Think about Acts 9 from yesterday. Peter healed and raised from the dead just like He saw Jesus do. He was with Jesus and learned to do what Jesus did in his context. He even began going to the outsiders and "unclean heathen" because he knew that's what Jesus did and wanted them to do as they carried on the mission. May that be us! And as one, united in Christ, and His well-oiled machine of salvation and disciple making! Amen!
One thing that became evident this week is the reminder that God has called us to become a House of Prayer for the Nations. We need to be a praying people. Check out the Connections blogs below and draw close and listen to that still small voice. What's God saying to you? How can we help each other learn to pray and how can we make more opportunities to seek and pray together? Would you support that? We need to start there! And we need each other to step into our roles in His Good News Delivery Company and to pray together more! Big and small things are awaiting us because nothing is small or wasted in God's Kingdom and He made you for such a time as this, gifted and empowered you and made you for His purposes of growing His Kingdom. Please pray into that and prayerfully engage with the devos below. God is speaking. I need you to hold my arms up in prayer, come alongside each other, and for us to seek, discern, plan and step out in faith together! What's Jesus have for you today? Do it and share your stories and insights. You matter! God loves you and has great plans for you and us! Let us seek and follow together--earnestly! Thank you! I am praying for you! (Note: as part of my drawing close and not allowing the tyranny of the urgent and Satan to get me off track, there will be days with no blogs. They will come as God spurs me to share with you, His and my heart)
One final thing...God has given each of us spiritual gifts to use to walk with Him, spur each other on and grow His church. Some of you have asked about discovering, studying and learning to apply these gifts. I shared a link twice and asked you to send me your results. I have only heard from four of you. We will be spending some of March discovering, learning about and apply our gifts which God has custom blended for you and His purposes. Here's the link again. Please email me your results and we will figure out a few different days and times to apply these together. Thanks! This is how His church will grow and we will connect to 30 new people this year. It's time to come alive in '25! Link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test
Connections Prayer Blogs:
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February 24 - The Miraculous Power of God
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The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 1:5)!
Maybe I personally am going through a tough time. In the midst of it, I try to pray with trust and faith, but it is difficult because I only see the issue. If I go and pray with others, however, what happens? As I listen to others pray with more faith than I have, my faith grows. Here’s how it works in a corporate situation. Let’s say our church is planning to build. I’m an elder who is skeptical of the plans because they are beyond what we can afford to do. I go and begin to pray with others regarding this. God can now put a heart of trust in me, He can bring me to unity with others, He can give me the faith to believe Him for the miraculous—His vision and plan for my church. When I only pray by myself, that is less likely to happen.
Churches that do not pray together still minister in whatever ways they can, given their resources, abilities and sacrifices. But churches that pray together begin to see the miraculous power of God at work in their midst. It goes beyond what they can and should do into what God wants to do through them.
Jehovah Jireh, teach me to pray with great hope and fill me with faith to believe that You are at work to orchestrate the best circumstances of Your will for my life and for the lives of those whom I love and care about as well as for those I will never meet this side of heaven. Give me a heart of grateful trust in Your goodness and Your mercy, for You love Your people more deeply than my human heart could ever comprehend. Show me how to continually posture myself as a dependent child seeking the heart of my compassionate, all-powerful Father.
--Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf. Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Praise God for his controlling presence everywhere.
- Give thanks that no circumstance in life—even death itself—is beyond his loving control.
- Confess your desire to act according to your own timetable rather than God’s.
- Commit yourself to drawing closer to God in every way and waiting patiently for him.
- Ask for the ability to live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
- Ask that members of your church family will have the humility and gentleness to consider others better than themselves. Pray that believers will not only look out for their own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).
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Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2025 is a free devotional published daily by OneCry Prayer. Find more resources at www.onecry.com |
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These really speak into my week and what I have been enduring, persevering through and talking with God about. He is with me always and working all things together for good! I trust Him to redeem this past week and lead me forward. And he will do that for you as well! Rejoice, abide and sink deep!
Upper Room: Why Are You here?
[Elijah] came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. - 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
Elijah had humiliated King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Terrified for his life because of Jezebel’s vow to exact revenge, Elijah fled. In his exhaustion, he uttered a phrase my heart has felt many times: “I have had enough, Lord!” I can imagine the relief welling up in the prophet’s heart as he entered into the safety of God’s mountain after his long, arduous journey. But before Elijah could catch his breath or gather his thoughts, God asked, “Why are you here?” On one level the question implied that Elijah should be elsewhere, completing the work the Lord had given him to do. On another level, it prompted him to consider his heart’s motivation.
Like Elijah, I sometimes find myself crying out, “I’ve had enough!” while facing resistance in ministry. Unconstructive criticism on how I teach Sunday school or lead music wears me down. Parents disrupting the teen ministry frustrates me. Volunteers failing to follow through is discouraging. In these moments I, too, have to answer God’s question, Why are you here? I ask myself, Why am I really doing what I’m doing?
Reminded of God’s holiness, Elijah was refreshed and went on to fulfill an extraordinary destiny. When we pause to evaluate our motivations and realign them with God’s will, we can find renewed zeal in our service to God and others.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us align our motivations with yours so that we can be refreshed and strengthened as we work with you. Amen.
TWFYT: (Don't label yourself or put burdens n yourself that are not from God! And tell Satan to scram when he stirs this chaos and noise in you)
Sarah Young: ABIDE, sink deep and restore!
Friday, February 21 2025
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! What are you thankful about? Tell God and share with some others!
Today is a unique day in my history. Feb. 21, 1998 my father passed. He had told my mom he was praying for me to turn from my addictions and come back to God. Dec 29th (his birthday) 2001 that happened. Then on Feb. 21st 2002 God answered a life long prayer to lead me to a good Christian woman to marry. I was "struck by lightning" when I shared with one of my candy truck customer, Karen, that I was saved and she said so am I. Now she didn't feel the lightning. Another man was the furthest thing from her mind that day--the day her divorce became final--but God had other plans that eventually resulted in our marriage.. PTL! I am blessed beyond measure! People sometimes ask how I got a woman like like and my reply is always God! It sure wasn't me! So today, I have many things to be thankful about: the assurance that because my dad believed and was baptized that he is in heaven, answered prayers, my salvation, and God's gifts to me including Karen. My prayer is that I would continue to learn to agape her better and die to self to bless her and others always. I am truly thankful for all the facets of my salvation and the answered prayers. God is always good and always at work. PTL! Who needs to hear your story?
Good Morning Forgiven Much, Thankful, Followers of Jesus! Meditate on all the facets of that today and rejoice with much thanksgiving!
I hope this email comes out ok. My computer is getting whackier and changed all my emails. I can't highlight or change fonts etc anymore.
Check out our devos below. God was speaking to me today and drawing me close. may He speak to you as well! Pray for us as we complete this week at home and for Sarah as she brings the Word Sunday. And pray for each other. God has custom made plans for you and us for such a time as this! Rejoice!
Well, you're on your own. This dumb new email won't let me copy and past my devos either. Giess I need to work on that today! The thread was that God loves, you always, has great plans for you and wants to enlarge our territory. I remember a few years ago when Sarah shared how she was praying into that. God is hearing and answering as we both have been praying for that. PTL! Pray He continues to do so and grow us and all who will come into the people we are created to be and doing more and more of what we are created to do. God is with us, for us and has great plans for you and us! PTL! let us continue to pursue Him and His plans and allow Him to mold, shape and prepare us for the days ahead--and all for His glory! Amen!
Friday, February 21 2025
Don' t forget about taking your spiritual gift inventory and emailing to me. As people do so we will decided when and how to meet to discuss and learn how to apply.
Here's the link: Spiritual Gifts | FREE Spiritual Gifts Survey | Assessment, Analysis, Test
Good Morning Praying Friends! Check out the connection blog on the importance of corporate prayer. Praying churches are growing churches! We are seeking to become a House of Prayer for the Nations and that is birthed from prayer. All we do is birthed, guided and empowered through prayer. May we be a praying church. Talk to me if you would like some help in learning to pray or praying out loud or even joining a church prayer team that will be starting soon.
I'll just put my devos below for you to process with God and some others. God loves you and wants you to dwell in His love, love Him and go love others. He even wants you to love yourself. That comes alive as you abide in His love and flows from quality time with Him. The Word He sends today is, "Tell them I love them and want them to abide in my love, fill up with love and go love as they have been loved." Meditate on that as you abide in His love today. I'm praying for you. He sure is refreshing me and filling me to overflowing with His love! Amen! May it be so for you and your partners in prayer. Amen! Be filled with His Love, joy and peace as you go live and love more like Jesus! Amen!
Connection Prayer:
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February 19 - Faith Grows as We Pray Together
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Praying together increases the faith of a congregation to believe God for the miraculous. In Matthew 17 and Mark 9 there is the story of the father who brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples. They could not cast it out. The boy was taken to Jesus, who spoke a word and the demon left. Later the disciples come to Jesus and they were baffled. Why? Because they knew how to cast out demons. (The story takes place after they had been sent two-by-two into villages casting out demons and healing the sick.) They asked Jesus why they couldn’t do it. Jesus said two things: “because you have so little faith” (Mt. 17:20), and “this kind can come out only by prayer” (Mk. 9:29).
I wonder if the disciples attacked this demon issue cavalierly or routinely. They knew the words to say, the steps to take. But nothing worked because they were not prayed up enough. Their faith was not there as a result. There is a clear connection between prayer and faith (beyond the fact that we are supposed to pray in faith).
I believe the most significant thing that is lost in a church that does not have corporate prayer is faith. The main reason most churches are stagnant and do not see God at work in miraculous ways in their midst? Most churches and individuals do not know what it is to pray in faith anymore. But faith grows as we pray together.
Father, forgive my lack of faith! Release me from the stronghold of my own unwillingness to pray with others. Increase my faith to see You work in the midst of Your people…and even through my own life. Help me to see my faith grow as I stretch myself to willingly pray with other like-minded believers.
--Adapted from the article The Benefits of Praying Together by Jonathan Graf. Check out this powerful resource also written by Jon Graf: Praying Like Paul: Learning to Pray the Kingdom for those You Love, available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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ODB:
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As a child, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ben would say, “I want to be like Dave.” Ben’s older brother was athletic, sociable, and an honor student. Ben, on the other hand, says, “I was clumsy in sports, timid, and struggled with a learning disability. I’d always wanted a close relationship with Dave, but he didn’t. He called me ‘the boring one.’ ”
Ben spent much of his life pursuing his older brother’s love in vain. It was only when Ben became a follower of Jesus that he learned to rest in the love of his Savior instead.
Leah, the first wife of Jacob, spent much of her life pursuing her husband’s love (Genesis 29:32-35). Jacob, however, remained devoted to Rachel. But God saw Leah’s plight and made up for the rejection in her life. He blessed her by allowing her to be a mother, a great honor in her culture at that time (v. 31). Leah, unseen and unheard by her husband, was lovingly seen and heard by God (vv. 32-33). She gave birth to a daughter and six sons (35:23), one of whom was Judah, a forefather of Jesus Himself. She said at his birth, “This time I will praise the Lord” (29:35). Leah lived a long life in Canaan and was buried in a place of honor—with Jacob’s family (49:29-32).
When we experience rejection, let’s find comfort in Leah’s story. We can rest in the love of God, who makes up for what we lack.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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How can you rest in God’s love when you’re rejected? How might you entrust your pain to Him?
Dear God, thank You that Your love heals me in all the places where I’ve been rejected.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Genesis 29:31–30:24 and 35:16-26 tell of the births of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose name means “deceiver.” His name was later changed by God to Israel, which means, he “struggled with God” (32:28). Jacob’s life was characterized by favoritism (29:18, 30), spousal neglect, jealousy, and rivalry (29:31–30:1). That God would name His chosen nation after Jacob and use his twelve sons to become the ancestral heads of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel points to His covenantal love and unmerited grace (see Romans 9:10-18). Equally noteworthy in Leah’s sad story is that two crucial institutions of the nation of Israel—the Aaronic-Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:1-7) and the kingship (Genesis 49:10)—come from her third and fourth sons, Levi and Judah (29:34-35). These two sons were from a marriage in which she was unwanted and unloved. Yet God honored Leah and graciously looked after her (vv. 31-35; 30:17-21).
K.T. Sim |
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TWFYT:
UR: Joyful Service
Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. - John 13:17 (CEB)
On the first morning of our cruise, my wife and I were eating breakfast in the cafe. We overheard a conversation between a busboy and the people seated at a nearby table. It soon became apparent from their dialogue that the man clearing the table was not a busboy but the ship’s captain! Despite his important position on the ship, he occasionally waits on tables, allowing him to engage with all the passengers on the voyage.
In today’s familiar passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet to teach an important lesson: if he, our Lord, is willing to serve others, we need to be willing to do the same. He said, “I have given you an example.” He then added that happiness comes from following his example. Jesus’ teaching contradicts society’s norm by telling us that happiness comes from serving others, not from others serving us. There is a special joy that accompanies serving others in a spirit of humility. It is not enough simply to agree with Christ’s teaching; we must also follow his example.
Today's Prayer
Loving Lord, help us to follow the way of life you lived on earth. Show us whom we can serve today, and give us the humility to do so. Amen.
Friday, February 21 2025
I will offer several opportunities over four weeks to gather in person and/or on Zoom to help you understand and grow in your gifts. Sessions will be about an hour. Plan to attend all four weeks.
Tuesdays 6PM in person with dinner in Fellowship Hall March 11,18, 24, April 1 (Maybe on Zoom too?)
Wednesday Noon with lunch in person after Bread Min. and on Zoom March 12, 19, 24, April 2
Possible Wed, Evenings with dinner huddle (in person only) Same Wed. dates. Depends if group wants to pursue this. We will discuss next Wed.
***Please let me know of your interest and availability!***
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Good Morning Fellow Journeyers! Yes I am on a spiritual retreat (of sorts). God has rearranged our plans but I am finally able to get away, abide and listen and receive from God--well for the first time this morning and man has it been good! I've been busy, very busy the past few weeks, feeling pressured to do more, and definitely under attack by Satan. Some of the problem has been not stilling myself, abiding and reloading for the day or not taking time to put on that armor in prayer before stepping into the battle zone of each day. Some of the stress comes from doing things that are not mine to do and that robs some of you from your call and using your gifts This retreat is to rectify some of that and to reload for the journey through Easter. I had to start at the cross this morning and crucify some things as I die to self and abide in Christ's love and wisdom. We all need to reload after pouring ourselves out and prepare to go do it again. It's best to do that daily but also to take some seasons to recharge as well. Jesus took naps and got up early to pray and fellowship with the Father before stepping into the day God had ordained. God rested on the 7th day. That's why we need to sabbath as well. He made the sabbath for us. Are you taking time to abide and rest in Christ? Are you spending time daily in refreshing prayer and fellowship with the Father? Start there--daily. Die to self, take up cross daily is a command to be prepared to follow Jesus well. AMEN! I was sitting with my dogs praying this morning and God reminded me of His unconditional love for me, just like the dogs show. They are always happy to see me and hang out. But they can also feel neglected and sad when I get too busy to notice them or spend time with them. It's the same with God. he loves when we can't wait to run to Him and hang out and he notices when we get too busy for Him too. I pray that my tail is always wagging to come to God and hang out! Sometimes, that means making time. But man is it worth it!
I could share all my devos from this morning with you because God sure used them to speak to my heart and refresh me for today. He wanted me to share this with you. It is critical for all of us to be still, abide, reload and then go as we follow Jesus to the plans for each day. Sometimes even a nap during the day is needed as well! We tend to take on more than is intended for us and allow the tyranny of the urgent and our busyness to rob us of God's best and of peace and joy. I was headed there and would have crashed and burned had I not scheduled this week for me. I know many of you can relate. I have learned from experience that if I don't catch myself in time and take time, God will give me the necessity to rest in a hospital bed or sickbed. I don't want to go there again! I was sick over the weekend and am recovering today as I still myself and abide. Yes God is good and I am learning. Are you? I want to bless Him and choose His best and hang with Him all day. (That's putting on Jesus' easy yoke and walking at His pace to what he has for me)
As I ended my deep quiet time today God led me to Dave Butts blog (below) Please spend some time with that! THINK ABOUT OUR CHURCH. We were on the track of decline like most churches. But God heard our prayers and witnessed our earnest hearts to change that crash course. Something rare is happening as we were able to let Him steer the rudder and turn the ship around. God is growing our fellowship and prospering our ministries as we pray, listen, trust Him, make His plans and allow Him to grow us into the people we are created to be and doing what we are created for more earnestly. PTL! And thank you all for allowing God to use you and us! May we continue to seek and follow well. He does have some great things ahead for us to discover and grow into! I feel it in my bones! Do you? We are learning to live and love like Jesus and it shows! we are becoming His dynamic movement and He has plans for us to come alive in '25! PTL!
With all of that, Satan notices and hates it. He attacks and tries to derail God's work through disrupting our unity, love and commitment. I think about Dave's blog and discussing Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. We need to put on that armor and be ready always for attack as we rebuild the church. We need each other--all of us--to do our parts and to uphold, cover, pray for and encourage each other. Say it with me...Satan BE GONE! Turn off the noise. Pray on that armor. Focus on God and may we continue to seek His Kingdom above all else and choose His healthy ways as we steward well all His blessings--mind, body, soul, spirit, gifts, time, talent and finances. May we be about our Father's business of growing His Kingdom, making disciples and helping each other! May we truly live and love more like Jesus and keep abiding and following well. Amen! I'm excited! I'm praying for you and those yet to come. Join me in that.
Join me! Let's start with those spiritual gifts tests and classes. I also have a great study that I'm willing to do with those of you God is drawing. It's a 30 days of drawing close, learning to pray and to offer yourself more fully to God. Talk to me! What's God saying to you? He said to me to abide and prepare to roll! He does have great things ahead! And He has plans for us to build His House of Prayer for the Nations and disciple making hub as we continue to seek, follow and work together. We are His Body and we need each other! Let us continue the journey together!
Sarah Young
Joyce Meyer
Chuck Swindoll
Upper Room: I AM
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” - Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
One day I decided to change the background images on my desktop. While I explored the possibilities, I found a series of photographs, each featuring a path winding through woods, climbing high mountain passes, or twisting through dunes toward the seashore. Each photograph seemed to explore a facet of creation — each a beautiful moment captured in time. Like Moses in front of the burning bush in Exodus 3, I stopped and marveled at each scene.
Too often on our life journeys, we become preoccupied by negative past experiences or anxious visions of the future and don’t appreciate the beauty of the present. In doing so, we miss much. God is not simply I was or I will be but I AM.
There is more richness around us than we realize. Perhaps we will catch the song of a blackbird, the glow of a fiery sunset, the movements of a caterpillar, or the aroma of fresh bread. And as we do, we may also glimpse something of God: creativity, majesty, goodness, even humor. God knows our struggles but has a plan for us and promises to be with us. Even now, God may be calling us toward new challenges and a chance to make a difference.
Today's Prayer
Father God, give us eyes to see the wonders around us and the courage to respond when you reveal yourself. Amen.
Our Daily Bread (Read the Ephesians passages! God is speaking!)
A ride-sharing customer shared that he had endured a driver eating the world’s smelliest fruit, another driver who was bickering with a girlfriend, and one who tried to get him to invest money in a Ponzi scheme. In each case, instead of a poor rating, he gave the drivers five stars. He explained, “They all seemed like nice people. I didn’t want them to be kicked off the app over my bad rating.” He gave false reviews—keeping the truth from the drivers . . . and others.
For different reasons, we might withhold the truth from others. But the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian believers to lovingly speak the truth to one another as new creatures in Christ. This required cultivating habits of “righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24)—living lives that were set apart for Him and that reflected His ways. They were to replace lying with telling one another the truth because lies divide and disrupt, while truth unites us as believers. He wrote, “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (v. 25).
Jesus empowers us with the courage to resist lying and giving one another “fake ratings”—things that can disrupt our unity with other believers. Living a life of love, as He guides us, will lead to our sharing “kind and compassionate” expressions of truth (v. 32).
By Marvin Williams
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When are you tempted to withhold the truth from other believers? Why is it vital to share what’s honest and true?
Dear God, please help me to be authentic in my relationships out of love for You and others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul contrasts the deceptive ways of ”the devil” (v. 27) with the truth of God’s ways. The “Gentiles” (who don’t believe in God) are lost in “the futility of their thinking” (v. 17) and “darkened in their understanding” (v. 18). Paul notes how this “ignorance” is “due to the hardening of their hearts” (v. 18). This reflects their conscious choice to reject God’s truth. In contrast, we’ve been “taught . . . the truth that is in Jesus” (v. 21) so that we will “put off [our] old self” and “its deceitful desires” (v. 22). We’re to live in God’s truth.
Tim Gustafson |
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Shalom shalom! God loves you and so do I!
Friday, February 21 2025
We are a go for in person worship in the sanctuary and on zoom today at 10! Thanks Tim Derr for having everything cleared and ready! See you soon!
Good Morning Worshipers! May we prepare our hearts to worship in spirit and truth today! Please choose well and err on the side of safety if you have concerns about driving. It's still icy at my house but melting and warming.
Check out Our Daily Bread's reminder that the Golden Rule still applies as we learn to die to self and love like Jesus and bless others! May we be know for our love! And take love everywhere we go! Living and loving like Jesus! Always!
ODB:
A Finnish soldier in the three-month Winter War with Russia (1939-1940) lay wounded on the battlefield. A Russian soldier walked his way, pointing his rifle. The Finn was certain he’d met his end. However, the Russian handed him a medic kit, then kept moving. Remarkably, the Finn later found himself in a similar situation, only the roles were reversed—a Russian soldier lay wounded and helpless on the battlefield. The Finn handed him medical supplies and walked on.
Jesus gave us a central, guiding principle for our lives: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Can you imagine how different our world would be if believers kept this one simple principle? Can we calculate how much oppression would end if we collectively obeyed Jesus’ wisdom? If only, as He guides us, we would give others the same compassion and mercy we’d hope to receive ourselves. As we “give good gifts” to others, we reflect the heart of our “Father in heaven [who gives] good gifts to those” He loves (v. 11).
It’s vital that we see others as not merely enemies or strangers or people with whom we compete for resources or opportunities. Instead, we should see their need for mercy and kindness just as we need it. And as we do, our posture and perspective will change. Then, as God provides, we can freely offer them the love He’s freely offered to us.
By Winn Collier
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Why is it vital to treat others the way you’d like to be treated? How can Jesus help you?
Dear God, please help me reflect Your mercy and love in how I treat others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) wasn’t His first public address. Matthew 4:13-17 tells us that His teaching ministry had already begun: “Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum . . . . From that time on Jesus began to preach.” The Sermon on the Mount, however, was His first recorded public message. He shares what life in His kingdom looks like—in sharp contrast to the kingdoms of this world. The Beatitudes (5:3-10) show that His kingdom values people and things differently than the surrounding cultures. It describes how we’re to impact the world around us and relates to issues of the heart (as opposed to the letter) of the law. It even calls His kingdom citizens to love their enemies. Life in His kingdom is characterized by care for the poor, prayer that rests in God’s good will, and a trust in the Father that precludes the need for worry. A very different kind of kingdom indeed!
Bill Crowder |
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Friday, February 21 2025
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Clothing Closet shortened hours today due to coming snow. Open 10-12 today.
Sunday worship 10am in the sanctuary and on Zoom. Thant's the plan as of now. However, if we find the walks and parking too icy in the morning, for safety reasons, we will cancel in person and move to Zoom only. Determination will be made around 8am Sunday. Watch for One Call, email and info on WFMZ. As always, please choose what you are most comfortable with. We always want to err on the side of safety. We thank God for our capabilities to worship via Zoom as His Body! We encourage you to choose what makes you comfortable and keeps you safe. Follow His peace!
Sarah update below
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Good Morning Friends of Jesus and my Friends too! Shalom shalom=perfect peace...mind, body, spirit and circumstances. May God overwhelm you with His perfect peace today!
I slept in this morning and am taking some personal time today. Just wanted to update you with happenings for today and tomorrow. Prepare for tomorrow with reading and meditation on Acts 8. What's God saying to you? How may He be wanting to lead our church out the doors? Who are your partners to go live and love like Jesus? We are custom made and gifted for such a time as this! May God lead you to His plans for you. Those plans will find you right in the middle of His perfect peace because you will know you are in that sweet spot of following well to His perfect plans. Pray into that! See you all tomorrow! Shalom shalom!
We will begin in March learning our spiritual gifts and how they apply to you, our Body and fruit production. Gifts are given to help us repent and walk more fully in our new nature and with Christ. They are given to be used to bless others and grow His Church and are evidenced in good fruit we produce. If you are interested in participating talk to pastor Don or Sarah. We have not yet set up meeting times but expect to have several opportunities to discover and grow into your gifting.
Sarah Update:
Good afternoon, everyone........
What an exciting day.....we will share more about that on Sunday. We are keeping an eye on the weather and for the weekend, especially Saturday night into Sunday and what it will be like when we all wake up. We will keep you posted. We may need to wait until Sunday morning to determine if the parking lots and walkways are safe for walking. We will send out a OneCall, it will be on WFMZ Closing/Delays, if we do determine we should do zoom. Stay tuned.
I have a couple of prayer requests to share:
Melissa Sullivan is requesting prayer for her cousin's daughter, Serena. She has some serious health issues.
Also Chris, Serena's partner is having a bone marrow transplant on the 28th of February. Will enter the hospital on the 21st to prep for the transplant.
And she is asking for prayer for her stepsons, and their living arrangements.
Yvonne and Chris Muik - there are some health issues that need to be resolved. Prayers for God's peace to surround and help them both preserve and keep their faith strong.
Lisa Wenner's brother and his wife are celebrating the birth of their grandson, Cayde. Both mom and baby are doing well. Please keep this new family in your prayers as they adjust to having Cayde in their lives.
Joan Fenstermaker is asking for prayer for her health. She appreciates your prayers of encouragement and support.
Remember to keep those on our Homebound list in your prayers. During the winter months it's difficult for many of them, as they are unable to get outside or take rides with families. If you have time, why not send them a card or perhaps give them a call and chat for a few minutes.
Blessings to all of you......
Sarah
Also tomorrow, the Clothing Closet will have abbreviated hours due to the weather.....10-12:00pm.
Friday, February 21 2025
Good Morning Loves!
Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday and Valentine's Day wrapped up in one word--LOVE! God is Love. he loves you and works in love in and trough and around you and us. PTL!
A lovely read and meditation awaits as we encounter the "LOVE" chapter of the Bible. (This passage came up in two of my devos today)\
Spend some time here today and build those gratitude lists and then choose to go love like Jesus. He has great plans for you today that will flow out of your gratitude and time with Him in His Word
Thankful for LOVE
L= Love that is eternal, unfailing, forgiving, God's character, that comes alive in and through me
O= Overcoming Love in me
V=Victorious Love
E=Everything flows from Love!
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c]
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
ODB:
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At Meredith’s wedding, her mother read a beautiful Scripture from 1 Corinthians. Often called “the love chapter” of the Bible, the thirteenth chapter sounded perfect for the occasion. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (v. 4). Listening, I wondered if modern brides and grooms knew what prompted the apostle’s stirring words. Paul wasn’t writing a love poem. The apostle penned a plea to a divided church in an effort to heal its raging divisions.
Simply put, the church at Corinth “was a mess,” says scholar Douglas A. Campbell. Seething problems included incest, prostitution, and rivalry among leaders. Lawsuits between members weren’t uncommon. Worship was often chaotic—with those speaking in tongues competing to be heard first, and others prophesying to look impressive (see 1 Corinthians 14).
Underlying this chaos, says Campbell, was “a basic failure in relating to one another in love.” To show the more excellent way, Paul preached love because “love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away” (13:8).
Paul’s loving reminders can certainly encourage a wedding party. May they also inspire all of us to live out love and kindness too.
By Patricia Raybon
REFLECT & PRAY
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How do you show kindness and love in your relationships? How do you show love in the body of Christ?
Your love never fails, loving God, so please guide me in relating to all with the excellence of love.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known chapter of love so often recited at weddings, Paul defines love not as an emotion but as an action (vv. 4-8). These verses call to mind the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, also written by Paul. We can’t love as the apostle calls us to love without a relationship with Jesus and the work of the Spirit in our lives. This is the process of sanctification, whereby we grow to become more like God. Paul compares it to becoming an adult and leaving our childish ways behind (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). Just as we need to do today, the Corinthian church needed to learn to love as Christ called them to love and to use their gifts to serve others (see ch. 12). Spiritual gifts are temporary (13:8-12) and will disappear (v. 10), but “faith, hope and love” will remain and “the greatest of these is love” (v. 13).
Alyson Kieda |
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