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Friday, April 11 2025
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.
Friday, April 11 2025
Good Morning Earnestly Pursuing Christ Co-Laborers! Please Lord! May that be us and may we find our teammates and helpers and be good ones too as we spur each other on to the good works You have planned. May others see you, Your love and our faithfulness and be drawn to You. Come fill us, unite us and send us in love! Amen!
As we pursue Christlikeness, we often fail and fall short. After all, we are not Christ nor fully like Him yet. We are on a journey that sometimes has some deep valleys and steep hills to climb. We will often fail. But we do our best to seek, repent, renew our thinking and ways and strive earnestly to become more like Jesus and do what we are created to do as His image bearers. May we be steadfast in our pursuit and focused on Christ always. Being a member of God's Body and teammates can be messy and hard at times, but it is one of our commanded pursuits--Jesus said to live and love like Him as one. Help us Lord! We are commanded that if we come to the altar with our offerings and remember an offense to a co-laborer or other that we should leave our gift and go correct the situation before carrying on with our worship. Today God has highlighted that to me as I awoke thinking about a situation from Sunday and someone that I need to forgive and then correct myself and work at unity before helping to correct in love. Our devos below seem to be highlighting that thinking as well. God sure does speak and get our attention at times! How do you respond when that happens? Surrender, repent, renew your thinking, forgive and go love like Jesus as your act of worship when this happens. And so today, that is my plan. I will be reaching out to our PRC to help me and hold me accountable and maybe to be mediators if needed. That is the Jesus way we are called to pursue. Help me Lord! Be in this situation. Open hearts and minds and rectify this. Lead this and may I agape love well today--please! Thanks! Amen!
Who has God brought to your mind right now? What will you do about it? Who are your helpers to spur you on, pray for and with you and mediate if needed? Talk to God and them about this and then die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus as you continue to work at living and loving more like Him today! I'm praying for you! Remember, everyone is not like you nor where you are in your journey to Christlikeness. We are called to patient love like God shows us. Pursue that! I sure need to!
The Word God has for me for you today is to listen, abide and respond well to the Holy Spirit in you and His prodding to Christlikeness. And to earnestly pursue Christ and His ways with surrendered, willing and ready hearts! We are called to live and love like Jesus. What's getting in the way of that or for you to hear Him and respond well? Repent and find some teammates to help! We are made for love and unity and anything that hinders that or gets in the way of abiding in Love needs to be corrected like Jesus would, with agape love and earnestness. They will know we are Christians by our love and unity in Christ. Let's work on that today! I'm trying. May God be in it and lead it and lead us to our partners and unity and love. Amen! Come Jesus! Your will be done, Your way. Amen. May we live and love more and more like Jesus today!
ODB
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I stopped behind a car at a red light the other day and noticed a bright sticker on the rear window boldly stating: “New Driver. Please Be Patient.” Given all the road rage we hear about (or experience), what a great reminder to be patient with other drivers.
As I looked at the sticker, I wondered what would happen if people carried around signs that alerted us that they’re a “New Parent” or “New Christian.” If we knew what our neighbors, coworkers, or others we encounter throughout our day were going through, would we be more patient and even help them deal with their struggles?
We may be rushing through our days, trying to avoid being interrupted by others, but let’s consider how Jesus treated people. He wasn’t in a hurry. He had compassion on people and took the time to comfort and teach and show love to those He encountered.
As believers in Jesus, we’re called to “live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received” (Ephesians 4:1). The apostle Paul says that includes being “completely humble and gentle; [being] patient, bearing with one another in love” (v. 2); and making every effort to live in peace and unity with each other (v. 3).
We may not know what challenges people are facing, but we can be patient with them. Let’s be an expression of Jesus’ love to everyone we encounter on our daily path.
By Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT & PRAY
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How can you be more patient with others? Who can you be a blessing to today?
Dear God, please help me to be more loving and patient with those You place in my path.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When calling for gentleness and patience as believers in Jesus relate with each other, Paul recognized how difficult this can be. “Bearing with one another” (Ephesians 4:2) could also be translated “putting up with one another.” The same word is used in Mark 9:19, where Jesus says, “You unbelieving generation . . . . How long shall I put up with you?” Paul doesn’t naively imagine that maintaining unity in relationships with fellow believers will be easy, and he doesn’t call for believers to always have positive feelings for each other. Instead, following Christ’s example of humble, patient service, believers make the choice to “make every effort” (Ephesians 4:3) to press on in the difficult work of cultivating unity. Even within significant differences and relational friction, it’s possible to demonstrate Christlike love for each other.
Monica La Rose |
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Sarah Young
UR: Trusting the Lord
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. - Jeremiah 17:7 (NRSVUE)
Where I live, we have only two seasons — wet and dry. April and May are usually the hottest months, and for the past few weeks we’ve been experiencing extremely hot days with no rain.
Recently our water source was drying up and my family’s water pump stopped working. I read a news headline claiming that we have an 80 percent chance of experiencing the climate pattern known as El Niño in the coming weeks. I was scared by this possibility because El Niño’s warm waters are associated with drought in my country. It was already hotter than we could bear. How much harder would it be without water? What would my family drink?
God surely knows what we need and when we need it. As I was reading my journal, I saw that a few days back I had written down Jeremiah 17:5-10. The passage compares those who trust in man and those who trust in the Lord. Verse 8 says those who trust in the Lord will be like a tree planted by water and will not be anxious when drought comes. This reminded me to trust and fix my eyes and heart on God. Regardless of the changing seasons, I can trust God will remain faithful through it all.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, we know you are faithful and trustworthy. Help us to fix our eyes on you, no matter what we are going through. Amen.
TWFYT
Friday, April 11 2025
This Week:
Please note Tuesday Zoom Huddle is canceled for this week. Thanks!
Wed 10-12 Donut Day at Bread Ministry
Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle
Sat. 10 AM Weed. plant and mulch party at church.
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Good Morning Clay! We are the workmanship of the Master Potter who forms, reforms, redeems and shapes us to be His vessel. PTL! What's it like for you to be clay in the hands of the Potter? Talk to Him about that and maybe process that with some others. Are you supple and willing to die to self to allow His transforming, refining work? Have you allowed the baking of the Potter's furnace to finish His work? You are His Masterpiece (according to Eph 2:10) made new in Christ to do what God had planned for you before you were born. Has your life entered the finishing phase or is it still being shaped? No matter. He is working all things together and shaping us to be more like Jesus! Amen! May we be available, supple and willing to die to self to allow His master work to shine forth through us! Amen!
Yesterday we discussed what a Jesus shaped life looks like as we thought about the finishing work that was happening with the 12 as they approached that first "Holy Week". He was busy pouring into His disciples and shaping the events of the week. He was finishing up His work and preparing them to step out and carry on the mission. This week we will contemplate what it may have been like to be one of His followers this final week of His earthly ministry. What can we learn and apply as we allow Him to shape and mold us into Christlikeness and our fuller, activated potential in Christ. Talk to God about that and process with some others as you meditate on the devos below. Begin with the song we ended with yesterday as we offer ourselves and allow the One who chose you, the Potter to rework us today and prepare us as His vessels. Come Potter have Your way. Mold, shape and prepare us and use us as we are during this refining process of moving from one way in Christ to our better, fuller potential. We were one way and now another because of Christ! Amen! Come Jesus! Your Kingdom come and will be done! Thank You for Choosing me and continuing Your good work in, through and around me! Amen!
Start with this song: I Am Chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE50gfQUUC4
Sarah Young
I to We
ODB
God with Us Age to Age
You whom I have upheld since your birth. . . . Even to your old age . . . I am he who will sustain you. Isaiah 46:3-4
READ Isaiah 46:3-9
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A Danish study explored the phenomenon most of us have experienced: perceiving ourselves as younger than we really are. The findings suggest a constant—whatever our current age, we all see ourselves as 20 percent younger. A fifty-year-old tends to imagine herself as forty years old. (This conjures up a comical scenario in which a child thinks, “Wow, I’m five, but I feel I have the energy and looks of a four-year-old!”)
It doesn’t take a scientific study to state the obvious: We’re all growing older. And Scripture has much to say about this. Isaiah’s words were issued to an Israel that had aged and become weary, but as one commentator says, “This promise to Israel, enfeebled and grown old as a nation, is applicable to every aged follower of Christ.”
The prophet reminds us of God’s provision throughout the life of everyone who has been faithful to Him: “I have upheld [you] since your birth, and have carried [you] since you were born” (Isaiah 46:3).
So as we stew and fret about growing older, we’re reminded that God is still with us. He promises: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you” (v. 4). Whatever age you are (or the 20-percent-younger version you imagine yourself to be!), embrace today God’s promise: “I have made you and I will carry you” (v. 4).
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT & PRAY
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In what ways do you wrestle with concerns about aging? How do you find comfort in Isaiah’s words?
Dear God, I’m feeling weary and tired. Please give me Your strength. I ask that You sustain me and carry me.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Isaiah 46:5, God asks, “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?” The answer to this rhetorical question is that no one is like God. Often when the question “Who is like God?” is asked in the Bible, it’s answered in part by reflecting on an aspect of His matchless character. For example, in Psalm 71:19, the psalmist reflects on God’s surpassing righteousness, and in Micah 7:18, the prophet ponders God’s “unfailing love” (nlt). Other verses in the Old Testament that ponder the character of God, the one who will be with us forever, include Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 3:24; 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalm 86:8, 10; 89:6, 8; 113:5; and Isaiah
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Connection
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April 7 - Jesus – Provider…Not Performer
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“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (John 6:12-15).
If an answered prayer brings us closer to submission to God’s purposes, then the prayer has served its purpose—to focus on hallowing the Father’s name, to advance the rule of God’s kingdom and for His will to be done on earth as in heaven. Here the prayer for daily bread becomes an extension of “your kingdom come.”
But if answered prayer produces within us a manipulative yearning to see God “do it again,” and He becomes a performer doing encores after the curtain comes down on the show, we enter the realm of demonic power instead of godly submission.
Demons seize hold in order to make others do their will. Demons distract people from the kingdom agenda, promise fulfillment, and in the end remove human freedom. Demonic power manipulates in order to control.
God’s power invites us to come to Him and die with Him that He might accomplish the blessing of the many. Jesus’ ministry is focused on restoring what is lost, on returning people to fullness and to self-giving, that we might be able to choose Him, not based on manipulative demand, but on pure love. The crowd in John 6 didn’t understand that the true bread was to know Christ Himself on Christ’s terms.
Lord Jesus, sometimes I don’t understand how people couldn’t see the truth of all that You are when you did miraculous things as God directed. Rather than being grateful, they wanted more amazing signs and wonders. Your love calls us to die so that we might live. Continue to transform my life to complete fullness of all that You are – not so I will see the miraculous, but so that I will see only You! Draw me towards who You are because of the depth of my love for You, not because of what You do so that I can begin to experience Your miraculous works as part of my every day Christian life!
--Adapted from Power Praying (Hearing Jesus’ Spirit by Praying Jesus’ Prayer) by David Chotka.
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- Praise the Lord for being your shepherd (Psalm 23).
- Give thanks for those refreshing times when you experience “green pastures” and “quiet waters.”
- Confess any dissatisfaction concerning God’s care for you.
- Commit yourself to faithfully following the Good Shepherd in every area of your life.
- Ask God to “strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).
- Ask the Good Shepherd to touch the lives of those who have not yet put their trust in him. Pray that they may experience his loving and redeeming care.
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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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Friday, April 11 2025
Good Morning Worshiping Co=Laborers! All we do can be an act of worship! Prapare your hearts to worship as we look at a Jesus shaped life and see how we are doing at living and loving more like jesus. Are you? he made you and gifted you for such a time as this. may your life be lived more like Jesus' and as an act of worship! I'm praying for you!
I was contemplating this morning what Jesus' worship life looked like. He lived fully for the Father as an act of worship and obedience. may we move towards that with open willing hearts of worship! He is worthy! He alone! What are you living for? How has and is Jesus shaping your life? Everyday we can move closer to our potential to become like Jesus and live and love more like Him. May we hlep and spur each other on to run and completye our races well. We are made to be Christ and incarnate Him to the world and we need each other. let us earnestly pursue that with hearts of surrender and worship!
Check out these devos. What's God saying to you and what will you d about it. his plans are awesome and custom made for you. Put on that easy yoke as you go live and love like Jesus, just as you are, today! AMEN! See you soon! God has a Word for you today! Listen! Follow! Worship! What joy awaits you and us as we trust, obey and live our lives as acts of worship, just like Jesus!
I to We
ODB
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During the US civil rights movement, famed New Orleans cook Leah Chase did what she could. She prepared food and fed those who were marching for equal rights for all people. She said, “I was just feeding people. They were fighting for something, and they didn’t know what they would find when they went out there. They didn’t know what would happen to them on the streets. But when they were here, they knew I’d feed them. That’s what I could do for them.”
The gift of hospitality may sometimes be overlooked, but it can be just as important as other forms of serving one another in Christ. A businesswoman named Lydia—“a dealer in purple cloth” (Acts 16:14)—showed hospitality to Paul and the other preachers spreading the good news about Jesus to the people of Macedonia (vv. 11-15). She used what she had—her home—to help the traveling team. After accepting the gospel message, Lydia insisted on providing a place for the preachers to rest, saying, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, . . . come and stay at my house” (v. 15). Much like the civil rights workers, Paul and his coworkers didn’t need to worry about a meal due to Lydia’s hospitality.
Gifts of hospitality can go a long way in helping all people—both fellow believers and those who still need Jesus. Let’s serve others as God provides what we need to help them.
By Katara Patton
REFLECT & PRAY
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When has someone’s hospitality helped you? How can you serve others today and help meet their practical needs?
Dear God, thank You for those who’ve shown hospitality to me. Please show me how to serve others in love.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Genuine, selfless expressions of hospitality and kindness can be used by Jesus to encourage His workers. In addition to the “open heart, open home” dynamic in play with Lydia in Acts 16:14-15, we see a similar pattern with the jailer in Philippi. Upon hearing and believing what he and his household needed to do to be saved, he “washed [Paul and Silas’] wounds” (v. 33). Then “the jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them” (v. 34). Acts 28 also records instances of extreme kindness. When Paul was sailing to Rome as a prisoner, a storm forced the ship to come ashore on the island of Malta. He exercised his apostolic gifts among the islanders, and their hospitality was a balm for him (vv. 3-10).
Arthur Jackson |
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TWFYT
Friday, April 11 2025
Good Morning! Praise God for this Holiest of Days--my birthday! haha! Have you ever praised God and offered yourself to Him on your birthday? I do! Think about this: your are fearfully ad wonderfully made n His image, custom made, saved, redeemed, filled, gifted, empowered and sent for such a time as this! What's not to celebrate as it is all God's plan and for His glory! h is an amazing God of wonders, miracles and even saving a wretch like me! Yes PTL! There are a few devos and our connection blogs today that flow through what God is saying to me and you today! Spend some time worshipping, obeying and stepping out in faith today. Praying God allows me to go racing, but whatever his will is is perfect because He will be in it and I am prayed up and ready to join Him today! Are you? This is the day he has made! rejoice and be glad and available in it! he has perfect plans just for you! Amen!
As I turn the calendar to another year, here's the greatest news! Embrace and receive it! Then choose to walk with Jesus as you step into your activated potential and learn to live and love more like Him. That's the best present you can give me today! Amen! BELIEVE! SURREDER! LIVE WELL!
UR: Known by Name
The Lord said, “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” - Isaiah 43:1 (CEB)
My husband is intentional about asking for someone’s name or looking for their name tag and then using it in an encouraging, conversational way. When speaking to a salesclerk, for example, he might say, “Lily — that reminds me of springtime,” or, “Jacob — that’s a Bible name!” Our names personalize us and are openings to further conversation. My husband’s intentionality reminds me that the store clerk I interact with is Sally, who has hopes and dreams of her own. The person who delivers my mail is not a nameless postal carrier but Sam, who has a life, a family, and a story.
In the Bible, names especially have meanings that point to the bearer’s destiny or purpose or that reflect God’s work in their life. For example, Jacob became Israel, Saul changed to Paul, and Simon was called Peter. God has shown us that names have value, even in naming his Son.
We are each important, and our individual names reflect our worth. We can recognize the inherent worth of each person — each child of God — by acknowledging and encouraging (by name whenever possible) the people we encounter each day.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to acknowledge each individual we encounter today, remembering that you have created them in your image. Amen.
Sarah Young
TWFYT
Connections:
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April 5 - What You Seek Reveals Your Passion
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“What are you seeking?” Those are the first recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of John (1:38). What we seek reveals our personal passion. Jesus is interested in my passion, what drives me, what motivates me, what fulfills me. Before considering passion in prayer it would be wise to identify what it is I am really seeking through prayer, thus answering Jesus’ question.
Jesus’ passion was the will of the Father: My food is to do the will of Him who sent me (John 4:34). His prayer flowed from the passion of trust and obedience in that good and loving will. Jesus had no personal agenda for His life or His prayer, did nothing on His own initiative, spoke only what He heard from the Father, and did only what He saw the Father doing (see John 5:19, 30; 8:28, 38, 42).
As we observe Jesus at prayer, our goal is to catch His passion for intimacy with the Father, which for us becomes personal passion in prayer. But pray-er beware! Jesus’ intimacy with the Father incited the religious establishment’s desire to kill Him. Intimacy with God is seldom a crowd pleaser. But it ushers us into the great passionate conversation called prayer. Personal passion in prayer is the difference between blowing a kiss and kissing. It is the movement from smelling bread to eating bread, from knowing about to true knowing.
We ask, “How?” Jesus says, “Come and see.” Come and see where He abides and join Him there. (Compare John 1:38-39 with chapter 15.) Jesus, we come. Teach us to pray with passion.
Holy God, my spirit longs to be filled with passion for all that you are; yet, so many other things in life are continually vying for my time and attention. May my desire to “come and see” grow so deep that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to stand firm against the traps of the enemy to draw me towards what is worthless. Keep my heart pure and focused upon life in Your kingdom as I seek more of You alone!
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 23, Jesus as a Role Model of Personal Passion in Prayer by Howard Baker). This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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- Pray for opportunities to build up and encourage any friends whose spirits may be sagging.
- Pray that the tongue will be an instrument of peace and not strife in your family life.
- Uphold those who teach Christian doctrine in your congregation. Pray that they will be careful to teach the truth. Ask that they might communicate spiritual truths in an engaging and effective manner.
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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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Friday, April 11 2025
It's Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday! PTL and meditate on all that means to you. As we approach that Good Friday cross, think about what His broken body and spilled blood mean to you, us and all who will come. Yes worship today! We are washed white as snow! PTL!
Good Morning Redeemed of the Lord! PTL--right? You are made in God's image for His purposes. When we come to Christ we are made new, cleansed and purified and now gifted, equipped and empowered to go love and share the Good news of our salvation. He has brought you with a price and paid for you in full. PTL! You are redeemed, delivered and made new. Shed the old today and step into the new nature and the new things God is doing. Our God is not stagnant or absent. he is alive and active and transforming and molding you to go do your part in His Good News Delivery Co. and to live and love more like Jesus. Your potential in Christ has been activated! PTL! What are His plans for you and your co-laborers today? Step into them and shine the light of your salvation and walk in the joy of it today! The world needs that and God has your custom plan already in action. Shed the old and step into the new with much thanksgiving and worship! Trust and obey as you worship, receive and follow Him today. I'm praising for you and praying for God to make clear the plan to you today and to give a willing heart and moving feet! Come! Let us worship! You matter! You are redeemed. You are empowered! PTL!
Contemplate the devos for today below and maybe process and plan with your teammates. What's God saying and what new thing does He have for you today! Take that baby step of faith and watch what He will do as you offer yourself. Shalom! Know His joy as you allow Him to live and love through you and encourage and spur some friends on.
Sarah Young
ODB
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It’s just an old pocketknife, worn and tarnished with time. The blade is chipped and the handle notched, but it was one of my father’s treasures, kept in a box on his dresser until he gave it to me. “It’s one of the few things I have from your grandfather,” he told me. My grandfather died when my father was young, and Dad treasured the knife because he treasured his father.
The Bible tells us that God also has an unlikely treasure, something we might not expect. In Revelation, we see a throne in heaven encircled by “four living creatures” and “twenty-four elders,” bowing before Jesus in worship (chs. 4-5). Each one is holding “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people” (5:8). In ancient times, incense was something precious, used by kings (think of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh offered to Jesus in Matthew 2:11). Our prayers may not seem like much to us at times, but God wants them lifted before Him always.
Revelation 5 emphasizes the worthiness of Jesus because of His sinless life and loving death for us. Jesus’ worthiness points us to why God values our prayers. Our prayers are precious to God because we’re precious to Him. Because He loves us with such selfless, priceless, and merciful love, He longs for us to stay close to Him in prayer.
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
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How will you love God with your prayers today? Who and what can you bring before Him in loving prayer?
Loving Savior, You’re worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12).
Discover more about the life-enriching power of prayer.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Revelation 4, the apostle John heard a voice that said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place” (v. 1). Immediately, he was taken to heaven “in the Spirit” (v. 2), where he saw an incredible vision of heaven’s throne room (vv. 3-11). In chapter 5, Christ is introduced as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (v. 5). Almost immediately, though, He’s described as “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (v. 6). This one who lovingly receives our prayers will also one day open the scroll we read of in today’s passage (vv. 7-14).
Tim Gustafson |
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UR: Small Things Matter
Those who despise a time of little things will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. - Zechariah 4:10 (CEB)
My brother Tommy was intellectually disabled and lived in a group home. Because I lived in another country, I did not visit him in person. One day I decided to start sending him postcards so he would remember that he had a sister who loved him. I wrote to him regularly. I would choose a nice picture, write out my greeting, and send it across the sea.
Tommy passed away some time ago. After his death, the personnel at his group home gave the postcards to my mother. Tommy had saved them. The staff told my mother that Tommy had slept with the postcards under his pillow every night and that he wouldn’t let anyone else touch them because they were so precious to him. It moved my heart deeply to know that an action of mine that was so small had meant so much to my brother.
Our lives are full of things that seem inconsequential. While a kind gesture or an encouraging word may not seem noteworthy, they can mean much. God’s word encourages us to love, even in little ways. In doing so, we spread the joy of God’s kingdom, and lives can be changed.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for opportunities to care for others. Help us to share your love today, even in little ways. Amen.
I to We
TWFYT
Friday, April 11 2025
Good Morning Team! We are gathered, united and sent to change the world with the love of Christ. That is our purpose and mission. May we all choose to pray into and step into our parts in His Good News delivery Co. everyday--even today. I'm praying for you and believing God has some great things ahead for you, me and us! PTL! I gotta fly but take some time to spend time prayerfully with God with open Bibles and through the devos below! he's speaking and calling you by name. He loves you and has some awesome plans to discover and step into. Have at it! Shalom. Be real and do life together! Check out the extra reading from the Upper Room. Can you see our team and call in this teaching? I do! Let us unite to go live and love like Jesus! He is the Way!
Joyce Meyer
I to We
TWFYT
 UR:
UR: Power in Weakness
The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSVUE)
For seven years as a child, I took piano lessons. I quickly learned my strength was sight-reading music; and to my annoyance, my weakness was my inability to memorize easily. One year, when the day of the recital came, I still did not feel comfortable with my music. As I walked toward the piano, my stomach was queasy and my hands shaky. I sat down and began to play, but near the end my mind went blank. I could not remember how to finish the piece. Finally, desperate, I just hit a chord, stood up, and walked back to my seat, feeling embarrassed.
I wish I could say I overcame my challenges with memorization. I cannot. I wish I could say I can preach and teach without notes in front of me. I cannot. And yet, God still calls me to teach and occasionally to preach and blesses me despite my weakness.
The Bible has many stories about people who felt inadequate whom God used in powerful ways: Moses and Jeremiah are two examples. Even Mary, Peter, and Paul struggled until God’s grace saw them through to accomplish powerful works.
When we
give our weaknesses as well as our strengths to God, we can stand strong and marvel at what God does with our lives.
Today's Prayer
O Lord, use our strengths and weaknesses to glorify you wherever we go, in whatever we do, and with whomever we meet. Amen.
Chuck Swindoll
Connection:
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April 2 - Submitted to His Will
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When all other needs have been satisfied and our hearts made full, the greatest need is for Christ Himself to be formed in all aspects of our lives. He is the bread we need for wholeness to come into our fractured existence.
In John 6, Jesus saw a large crowd in a wilderness area and realized there was no food to feed this gathering. “He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him” (John 6:5-6).
As it turned out the “test” was not merely a test of Philip’s faith, but of the response of the crowd to the power of God. Jesus took five barley loaves and two fish and fed five thousand people with that meager supply. One would think that the response would be gratitude and a hunger for the things that Jesus would teach. Instead it turned into a demand for more of the spectacular, and a fleshly insistence that Jesus do things on their terms, instead of submission to the will of God, revealed in Christ.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14-15, NIV, emphasis added)
In the presence of a miracle of provision of daily bread, and in the very presence of God in human flesh, a gathering of five thousand Christ-seekers made the decision to manipulate the Lord of glory to become a king according to their understanding instead of serving the one who had granted them blessing on His terms.
Jesus had to withdraw His presence from their midst. His presence will always withdraw when this occurs. He will not be a puppet-king.
Lord God, why is it that your people are always looking to Your hand rather than to Your heart…and to Your provision rather than to Your presence? I want to sit at Your feet and be content with all that You are in my life rather than continually seeking for more and better experiences of Your power. May I continually be submitted to Your perfect will revealed in Christ.
--Adapted from Power Praying (Hearing Jesus’ Spirit by Praying Jesus’ Prayer) by David Chotka. 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 being a great and awesome God (Deut. 7:21).
- Thank him for bending down low in order to bring salvation and faith to you.
- Confess times when you’ve thought God was small and powerless.
- Commit yourself to worshiping God with “reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).
- Ask for a true sense of awe as you meet God in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:35).
- The psalmist says to God: “How awesome are your deeds! . . . All the earth bows down to you” (Ps. 66:3-4). Pray that God’s awesome power might be clearly evident throughout his kingdom worldwide.
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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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Friday, April 11 2025
Good Morning Custom Created, Saved, Custom Gifted, Empowered, Complete, Servants of God Almighty! AMEN! PTL! Even when we don't feel like it all the time, that is you, me, us! PTL! Turn off the noise for a time today and dwell in His loving presence today. Listen for His still small voice whispering your name and meditate on all the facets of this salutation an truth this morning. Take some time process our devotionals below and His Word and Truth as he calls you by name and reveals His love and plans for you today. Ask Him to reveal your gifts and purposes and for some teammates to process, pray and plan with. He does have some great plans for you--big and small to discover, pray into and join Him in completing. Just dwell and worship some before stepping out in strengthened faith for this day--the day the Lord has made! And we get to worship, serve, trust, obey and follow Jesus too throughout the day He has prepared you for! Amen!
I've been praising God for you and praying for you and us. God has been reminding me of the group that just worked through the spiritual gifts study. I know He has plans for each of you to discover and grow into. I want to encourage you all, and especially the gifts study people to come together with some friends and ask God to lead you to what's next. Maybe it's a prayer team, Bible study, accountability group or some ministry to start. Seek Him! What's He revealing? Who are your partners? What's He have for you and what will you do about it? Ask Him with a prayerful, willing heart and watch for some amazing things to come as you put Christ and His mission first and follow well. I am so excited and, truth be told, a bit anxious that we will miss Him and His plans and avoid His stretching and sending. We are on our way to really coming alive individually and as His Body! However, for that to bud, grow and produce good fruit, we all need to be a bit more earnest in our approach and willingness to step out in faith. May He fan into flame the spark we are as we seek and follow and step into our purposes! Talk to Him and some teammates about this today. Then take some baby steps towards His perfect, custom made plans for you and us! We do really need each other! may we be fully His as we learn to live and love more like Jesus and as we are created for such a time as this! Amen!
Note to the spiritual gifts study people (and all of us). Check out the I to We devo. It really is what God has been revealing for me to share with you. I'm praying into that and believing we are about to come alive in '25 and beyond. How might He be setting up your next steps and what will you do as you step into His perfect plans? Let's talk about it, pray about it, plan it and begin, even today! Amen! In Christ we have all we need! He is enough--Jireh! he qualifies and empowers the called (you). It's time to stop bemoaning what is and allowing Him to use you to change the world around you. It's time to start living as if Christ is all that matters because Christ is really all that matters in this life and we are His! Amen! Stop--drop--and prepare to roll with Jesus! revival is at hand and awaiting us to do our parts. PTL! be bold and courageous! Trust and obey. And watch where you can join Him today! And keep praying for each other to discover, grow and go and for our leaders and vision team to seek, hear and follow God well as we lead our Body. (see Connections blogs for prayer starters)
Sarah Young
UR: New Life
Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” - John 11:25 (NRSVUE)
Where I live, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in the springtime. The story of Easter is powerful no matter what season of year it is when we celebrate, but the theme of Easter goes particularly well with the theme of spring. The dormancy, cold, and bleakness of winter mirrors the body of Christ being in the tomb and the feelings his followers must have experienced. They must have thought all was lost and hope was gone.
When I look out at a winter landscape with bare trees, brown grass, and a dark sky, sometimes it’s hard to feel excited. But fortunately, spring always comes. Although the transition begins slowly, the trees eventually begin to bud and flowers burst forth. These signs give me hope that new life is coming and put a little bounce in my step, even if I am still wearing winter boots.
The Resurrection brought a similar hope. Jesus’ lifeless body came back to life. The dark, foreboding tomb was opened, never to be closed again. The morning came alive with the promise of hope returning to earth. God did something new on that Easter morning, and God does something new every spring too.
Today's Prayer
God of new life, your timing is always perfect. Thank you for the hope of Easter. Amen.
ODB:
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As an answer to prayer, unexpected funds from Alex’s insurance had already paid for his dental treatment. Now, another treatment was necessary. Where will I get the money for that? Alex grumbled. Resentful thoughts of heavy expenses filled his mind.
At the time when a deposit to the dentist was due, however, a cash gift from a relative suddenly arrived. “I felt ashamed,” Alex said. “I’d already seen how God had provided for me with the insurance payment. I shouldn’t have grumbled but asked Him for help instead.”
When the Israelites entered the Desert of Shur, they’d just experienced God’s deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14). His miraculous help, however, now seemed forgotten as they grumbled over the absence of drinkable water in the desert (15:22-24). The Hebrew word for “grumbling” refers to rebellion against God. The resentful response of the Israelites was very different from Moses’, who asked God for help (v. 25). Later, God graciously provided water for His people (vv. 25-27).
In times of need, we can avoid grumbling by asking God for help as Moses did. Whether His help comes in miraculous ways, practical provision, people’s assistance, or the strength to endure, we can trust that He hears us and cares for us.
By Karen Huang
REFLECT & PRAY
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In the past, what may have caused you to grumble in times of need? How can you remind yourself to always turn to God for help just as Moses did?
Faithful God, You’re my provider. Please help me to look to You in trust and to rely on You in times of need.
Find comfort and strength in this deep dive into Moses's struggles in Exodus.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In the early phases of the exodus, God reintroduced Himself to His chosen people, who’d clearly drifted from Him after more than four hundred years in slavery in Egypt. In the miracle plagues, God had shown His superiority over the gods of Egypt, and at the Red Sea, He’d displayed His superiority over Pharaoh and his armies. Now, in the wilderness between the Red Sea and Mount Sinai, God showed His superiority over the harsh desert conditions by cleansing the bitter waters of Marah for the people. In the piece of wood mentioned in Exodus 15:25 (translated as “tree” or “log” in some versions), some see a picture of the cross, which can sweeten a bitter life. At Mount Sinai, God would continue revealing Himself to His grumbling people through signs, wonders, and the law, but His ultimate revelation would come many centuries later in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-4).
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
I to We
Connections:
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April 3 - True Prayer Seeks God
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Prayer is not merely a religious exercise that Christians perform. Neither is it seeking a handout from God. Prayer is seeking to know God. It is seeking Him with our whole hearts.
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the priests, the prophets, and the people Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile in Babylon. In that letter he stated the kind of prayer that God acknowledges. “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:12–14).
When a person searches for God with his whole heart, only then is God found. The heart of man is the central core of a person—the inner man. The Greek word for heart is kardia, which means, “the chief organ of physical life.” W. E. Vine says that the heart “occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition, the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life. . . The heart, in its moral significance in the Old Testament, includes the emotions, the reason, and the will.”
Creator God, You knitted me together perfectly with a heart that is designed to be formed by Your own heart. Teach me how to be continually open to Your perfect presence so that my mind, emotions and desires are focused upon seeking a life devoted to Jesus.
--Adapted from The Prayer Factor: Adventures with a God who Hears and Answers by Sammy Tippit. 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 individuals whom he has called to be your spiritual guides.
- Thank God for establishing order and authority in his church.
- Confess any lack of appreciation for the responsibility God has given to your pastor, elders, and deacons.
- Commit yourself to regularly upholding your spiritual leaders in prayer.
- Ask God to grant you a willingness to follow their leadership.
- Pray by name for your pastor(s), elders, and deacons. “They keep watch over you as men who must give account.” Ask that “their work will be a joy, not a burden” (Heb. 13:17).
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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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Friday, April 11 2025
Sarah Update below
Click this link for great insight on the importance of being the praying church God has called us to be and the importance of BIG, expectant praying: https://www.harvestprayer.com/prayer-evangelism-and-the-purposes-of-god/ and this link about not giving up hope on America and praying earnestly for revival: https://www.harvestprayer.com/against-all-odds-prayer-to-the-god-of-hope/
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Good Morning Praying, Surrendered, Co-Laborers! Amen! Come Lord! Your will be done! Help me to humble myself, seek Your face and pray according to Your Word. Then may I do my part as Your answer to those prayers. Thank You! Come! Bring revival and use me for my part. Amen!
Sometimes we hear God's voice and think we know exactly what He desires of us and sometimes, well we are not hearing clearly or fully understanding all the facets of His revelation. Today is a case in point for me. I thought I clearly heard God wanting me to share the devos I am about to share below as He revealed His call to unity, love, and kindness today--even to show love to our enemies (or perceived ones). I've determined and try to do my best not to bring politics into blogs or sermons anymore. Politics and our preferences are just too devisive and counter our unity in Christ and mission. Seriously, we could rename our country the Divided States because we surely are. But has not God called us to unity, love, kindness and working together for the good of all and for His Kingdom to come? Some will never get it and are Hell bound, but we are called and sent for those who will come to Christ and His ways. Today's first two devos are about hearing God and responding well. He is speaking to your heart all the time. He is calling you and us to commune with Him in His Word and prayer, to seek His directions and follow well. He has called us to be His vessels of love, unity and new life. Can you hear Him speaking to you today? What's He whispering to your spirit? What may you need to crucify and repent of to be ready and available to follow Him to His mission for you today? Talk to Him about that and process with some friends.
Sarah reminded me of when I discussed the appropriate response to being on fire (like I was a few years ago) Stop-Drop-Roll. The world and this nation are on fire right now. We need to STOP--turn off the noise, actually pause our own thinking and redirect to God's. Then we need to DROP to our knees in prayer and conversation with God. Renewing our thinking and receiving His direction. And we need to pause and process with some friends what we are hearing and make God's plans. Then we will be ready to ROLL! Let's roll united in Christ and for God's glory as His vessels of love and revival. It's really what the world needs right now! Are you in? God has created you for such a time as this and we all have our parts to carry out in His Good News Delivery Company! It's time to allow Him to use you as the answers to your payers and as His vessels--prayed up and ready to roll for His glory alone. Amen! It's time to get earnest in our prayers, walk and the way of Jesus! I'm praying expectantly with thanksgiving for you and us to be moved by God to our created and gathered and sent purposes for such a time as this! Come Lord! Have Your way with us! Prepare us! Send us! use us for Your glory and bring revival! Amen!
UR: Hearing God's Voice
God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!" - Exodus 3:4 (NIV)
The walls of our old house are thin. I often hear the sounds of the city outside and of people passing by — a child crying, a couple with slightly raised voices, a group of giggling school children. These background noises have become a part of my everyday life, and I hardly acknowledge them. But every once in a while something comes through clearly.
Throughout our lives, almost in the background, God speaks to us — in the wise words of others, in scripture, in our circumstances and surroundings. It is rare that we hear the voice of God clearly like Moses did. Moses was going about his daily work of shepherding when he noticed an unusual sight — a burning bush — and then heard God’s call. It was impossible to ignore.
God speaks to us too. God never ceases speaking, and taking time to stop, pray, and listen to God is an essential discipline in our Christian life. Often it is easy to neglect wise advice, to let our eyes pass over our daily scripture reading without really paying attention, to fail to notice those in need around us or God’s blessings surrounding us. Let us remember to pause and notice what God is saying to us.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to notice when you are speaking to us today. Thank you for surrounding us with your presence. Amen.
Sarah Young:
ODB:
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When Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in modern-day Major League Baseball, played at Shibe Park in Philadelphia on May 9, 1947, ten-year-old Doris was in the upper-deck stands with her father. When an elderly Black man made his way down the aisle to a seat next to them, her father led the way in getting acquainted. Doris said their conversation about scorekeeping made her feel “grown up.” She later reflected, “I’ve never forgotten that man and his smiling face.” The delightful interaction between Doris, a young White girl, and the kind, elderly man, who was the son of slaves, was a bright spot that day.
This was in stark contrast, however, to the hateful conduct Robinson had experienced at another game that season. He recounted that “in terms of race, they yelled everything at me; it was quite vicious.”
Vicious conduct isn’t limited to sports fields. Homes, neighborhoods, workspaces, and even our churches can be places where ugliness wins. Those who believe in the God who displayed kindness through His Son (see Titus 3:4), however, are called to do the same. Peter writes: “Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Kindness triumphs when those who’ve received it from God share it generously with others as the Spirit helps them.
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
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When are you tempted to be unkind? How have you been the recipient of kindness?
Dear Father, I’m grateful for the kindness You’ve given through Jesus.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Peter 3:10-12, Peter strengthens his point on how to respond to suffering by quoting from Psalm 34:12-16, a psalm that came out of one of David’s frightening experiences. Having escaped King Saul’s murderous pursuit, David ended up in Gath—the home of his former Philistine opponent, Goliath. When David’s identity is exposed, he pretends to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10-15) and escapes from Gath. The account in 1 Samuel focuses on David’s apparent ingenuity in cleverly escaping danger, but in Psalm 34, as he reflects on the event, he sees that his rescue came from God, not his own scheme (v. 17). Peter’s use of this psalm captures the hopeful optimism of David, whose trust in God’s kind protection and care had been rewarded in his escape from Gath.
Bill Crowder |
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TWFYT:
Sarah Update
Good evening, Warriors......
This afternoon, Sandy, Darlene Geiger's sister, whom we were lifting up in prayer, passed away. Please continue to pray for Sandy's
immediate family and for Darlene and the rest of the family as they go through this difficult time.
Please keep Patrick, who attends our bread ministry and has some great conversations with Pastor Don regarding Jesus.....Patrick is searching. Hopefully one day soon we will see Patrick in worship! Patrick is having surgery on Wednesday, on his ear. He has been having
some issues with his hearing. Hopefully this surgery will help with his hearing. (Note: Patrick said he cannot understand the Bible and has trouble reading it. I (pastor Don) ordered him a large print study Bible. Pray he and I can have some time studying it together. Thanks! May God's Word not come back void!)
Thanks everyone for praying for these families!
Have a good evening and tomorrow!
Blessings,
Sarah
Friday, April 11 2025
Sarah Update below
This week:
Tues 10-11 Zoom Huddle (all welcome)
Wed:
10-12 Bread Ministry
6-7:30 Dinner Huddle
Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet
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Good Morning Sinking Roots Deep, Abiding in Christ Co-Laborers! May that be us Lord! Thanks! Amen!
What does stepping into that salutation look like for you? Something that has become evident as a need for our flock is the desire to learn God's Word and apply it to our lives and our church. To become good at being doers of the Word, we need to know, understand, and apply it. That takes time to actually read and study the Living Word of God and abiding in the Living Word, Jesus more earnestly. Setting aside time daily to read, meditate upon and pray through God's Word is critical to grow in our potential in Christ and understanding God's will for us. Part of the purpose of this blog is to kick start our daily time in His Word. For me that is best early in the morning before I begin the day. For some that may be lunch time or before bed. Whatever works for you, make it a priority. God is speaking to you and is heard through time prayerfully meditating on His Word. That is how we sink our roots deep in Christ and move towards very productive fruit producing. If you want to know the Word and check our teaching against it, you have to make spending time with open Bibles part of your daily routine. Just do it--try it and see how God is speaking to you and wanting to direct your steps daily. Check out my I to We devotional reading for today below as they begin a season of soaking in God's Word. God has plans for you and us that are revealed as we dwell in Him and with our open Bibles.
Yesterday we experienced our Children's Church building God's Armor as they learned about it right from His Word. We all know we can and should pray it on daily. Now they can understand it a bit more because they spent some weeks studying it. We heard from Gail Reinsmith sharing her call to minister to the least of these in NYC and how God guides their team through His Word to go be His hands and feet and directs them daily in the how to of that. Then Sarah reminded us of those who dreamed big and prayed big God prayers expectantly. To hear and follow God well, you have to spend time with Him and in His Word. And then to apply it and become doers of what he reveals we need to pray expectantly with thanksgiving according to what He is revealing and then gather with some teammates to make His plans and then go live and love more like Jesus! We are a people claiming to stand on and live by His Word. To grow at that we have to open our Bibles, pray expectantly and abide in Christ as we sink our roots deep and draw nourishing from Him and His Word that will produce good and lasting fruit.
We have great potential that comes to life as we abiding in Christ, pray expectantly and become doers of what he reveals. And that also includes doing things together as His Good News delivery Company. As that comes to life we will become know as His dynamic movement of people who have a burning passion for God and missionary zeal to reach the lost and we will be producing the fruit He has created, gifted and gathered us to produce. What's your part? Bring it alive Lord! Send me/us. Produce good and pasting fruit as we abide in You and become doers of Your word. Amen!
I to We
Sarah Update:
Hi church family!
What a great day of worship and fellowship!! We started off having a couple girls from the Children's church share their armor of God outfits. The Teachers of the Children's church have been teaching and training the kids about the gift that God has given each of us.....His Armor that if we put it on every day, protects us from satan. Pastor Mike wore his racing uniform, which serves an armor that protects him when he is racing.
We also got to hear from Gail Reinsmith, one of the missionaries that we support and lives and shares God Word in NY. It was great
seeing her and hearing what God has been doing through her and her team (CRU). We continue to keep Gail in our prayers!
Sarah then shared God's Word with us......When was the last time that you really dreamed in your prayers? God wants us to dream and give those dreams to Him.....Wait expectantly for Him to answer and THANK HIM BEFORE the miracle happens for the miracle/answer to prayer to come.
Then we all went down to the fellowship hall to enjoy some great food and fellowship!!! Thank you Lori, Barb, Ramon, Karen, Reid, and others that pitched in to help make the brunch a great time of gathering together in our Father's house!!
OUR NEXT BRUNCH WILL BE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH FOLLOWING WORSHIP. PLAN TO JOIN US!
The menu is; Ham ( brown sugared/clove or pineapple cherry), stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggie, salad, pineapple upside down cake, dirt pudding, brownies/cookies and crumb cake. YUMMO!!!
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Here are some prayer needs and praises shared today;
Darlene Skinner - remains in the hospital with health issues, fluid retention.
Joan Fenstermaker - health issues/concerns, asking for prayers of peace
Susan (friend of Dean Marks) - has two blockages but cannot have operation due to blood clots
Harry (Pop) Waterman will be having his battery changed in his pace maker on Friday. Prayers that all goes well
Caleb has his ear test and procedure. Praising God that his hearing is GREAT and he is even starting to 'chatter' a bit now!!
Gail Reinsmith praising God the she and her team are still going strong in NY, Needs are great but God is always supplying!
Lisa Wenner is praising God for the New Veterinarian that has joined her team at work. All are doing well and adjusting good!
Also she is going to be a Great Aunt again - with twins!! Keep momma and babies in prayer as they grow inside the womb.
Liz Reinsmith is praising God - Her friend Jody, whom we were praying for....had an MRI and her neck is HEALED!! PRAISE GOD!!!
Marshall's friend passed away due to cancer, he is asking for prayer for the family as they deal with their loss.
Pastor Don is praising God for the continual growth of his wife's boss, who had preemie twins in December. They are doing well and will
hopefully be leaving the hospital and headed home next week.
Pastor Don is also asking for prayer for Karen and her co-workers as when the twins come home, their boss will be on maternity leave for at least two months. Karen and co-workers will miss their boss, but will have added work to handle while she is out.
Continue to keep Pastor Don and Sarah in your prayers as they minister to our church family and others. Prayers for their health, safety.
Pastor Don will be scheduling homebound communions and visits over the next two weeks. Prayers for him as he goes in and out of facilities to visit, remain healthy.
Believe that is all for now......praying we all have a great week, dreaming big....and sharing Jesus' love with all those around us.
God loves you!!
Blessings,
Sarah
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