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Saturday, April 26 2025
Good Morning Waiting in Prayer Believers! Amen Wait in prayer today as you draw near in faith and trust to our Mighty God and know that the resurrection is coming! new life, renewed life and transformation lie ahead. rejoice! Pray for salvation and new life to come alive this weekend for many and even as we worship tomorrow. Who needs some Good news that you are bringing along tomorrow or sharing your hope with? I'm praying for you and them! rejoice! new life and the New Covenant is at hand! Amen
UR: Holy Saturday
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)
On my first Easter in Greece a friend took me to an Orthodox church for the Holy Saturday nighttime service. Hundreds of people gathered for this important occasion — each bearing a long, white candle. As Resurrection Sunday dawned, the priests began chanting, “Christos Anesti” or “Christ is risen,” and passed the “holy light” from their tapers to the worshipers’ candles. Each person then passed the light along and echoed, “Christ is risen!”
Christ described not only himself as the light of the world; he told his disciples that they too are light (see Matt. 5:14). While still carrying our bright-burning candles, we slowly exited the church and walked back to our homes. What a powerful image of spreading the light of the world through the community! And we are called to share that resurrection hope wherever we go.
Easter reminds us that we, who lived in darkness, have seen a great light. May the Son’s love shine clearly through us!
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the new life we have in Christ. May we follow his guiding light in all that we do. Amen.
twfyt
ODB
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Rose Turner, a fashion psychologist at the London College of Fashion, studies the impact clothing has on how people think, how they behave, and even how clothes affect their mood. As the closest thing to our bodies, clothing forms a type of “second skin” and girds us for whatever the day might hold. For example, donning professional attire can “help with motivation and concentration” at work, and wearing vintage pieces with sentimental value can bring comfort during stressful situations.
This psychological phenomenon offers an insight into Isaiah’s prophetic words about Jesus’ sacrificial act. He records the future deliverance of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, assuring them they would one day “rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated” in their absence (Isaiah 61:4). In that day, they would wear “a robe of his righteousness” (v. 10).
Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled first in the nation’s return to Jerusalem and then fully when “God made [Jesus] . . . sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness describes our right relationship with God when we trust in Christ’s sacrifice. God doesn’t see us outfitted in shame or disgrace because of our sin; instead, He sees us clothed in Jesus’ enduring righteousness—a “second skin” that girds us with joy today and for eternity.
By Kirsten Holmberg
REFLECT & PRAY
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What shame do you “put on” every day? How can you better remember your robe of righteousness?
Thank You, Jesus, for clothing me in Your righteousness.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Isaiah 61 speaks of redemption and restoration of God's people as “the year of the Lord’s favor” (v. 2). They will experience God’s grace when He sends them the “anointed” one—Jesus (see Luke 4:18-19)—to rescue and deliver them from their captivity to sin (Isaiah 61:1-3). God will bless them as His covenant people, and they will rejoice in His faithfulness, grace, goodness, and glory (vv. 4-11). In thankfulness for God’s salvation, the prophet Isaiah declared on behalf of the redeemed people: “He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness” (v. 10 nlt). God’s redeemed people will be a witness to the world that God has blessed His people with new life (v. 9).
K.T. Sim |
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Connection
Saturday, April 26 2025
He is risen--INDEED! PTL!
Good Morning Children of the Resurrection! Get your worship on! Death, sin and the grave have been overcome by our suffering Savior! PTL! He is risen indeed! hallelujah!
Two blogs to meditate on today (below). Pray for many to realize that Jesus is Lord and Savior and to come to Him in repentance and humility for new life, transformed life and a commitment or recommitment to follow Him well. He alone is the King of the universe! Is He the master of your soul? You are forgiven, called by name and He lovingly walks with you to His best for you. Well, He will if you invite Him to! Pray for that to happen around the world today and for all to know that some day, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior--King of the Universe! We were one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was Him! Someone needs to see and hear that today! Ask for Him to use you and draw some family and friends to Him today! He IS risen indeed and he lives in you and me! Amen!
ODB:
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Lee didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus. But Lee was a journalist with an analytical mind. When his wife believed in Jesus, he decided to study her new faith for himself. After two years of research, he gave in—to God, to the resurrection, to faith in Christ.
The change in him was noticeable. After a few months, his five-year-old daughter said to his wife, “Mommy, I want God to do for me what he’s done for Daddy.” And the daughter of Lee Strobel put her faith in Jesus too.
Many people refuse to believe in the resurrection. But reputable eyewitnesses saw the risen Jesus. One of those eyewitnesses, the disciple Peter, told a large crowd that King David was certainly dead and buried (Acts 2:29). Then Peter pointed to a prophecy David had made. “[David] spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah,” he said (v. 31). Peter concluded, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it” (v. 32).
The best evidence for the resurrection is the changed lives of the eyewitnesses, including Peter. At the crucifixion, the disciples had gone into hiding. Peter actually denied Christ (John 18:15-17, 25-27). Once they saw Jesus alive, everything changed. Filled with courage, they began to share the truth of the one great hope of the world—the risen Christ.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
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What do you believe about the resurrection of Jesus? How does that belief affect your life?
Father, I’m so grateful for the reality of Jesus’ resurrection that changes my life and gives me real hope.
For further study, read Hunting for Resurrection Hope.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Acts 2:34-35, Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 in his Pentecost message: “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ ” James Montgomery Boice, in his commentary Psalms, Volume 3, notes that this verse “is quoted directly or alluded to indirectly at least twenty-seven times,” making it the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament. Peter was likely in the audience when Jesus quoted this psalm in Matthew 22:44 as He challenged the Pharisees’ understanding of the Messiah. While Christ was the son of David and therefore human, He was also David’s “Lord”—He was Himself divine. Convinced of Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation to the Father’s right hand, Peter proclaimed that Christ is “both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Such is the message that believers in Jesus proclaim on Easter and every day.
Arthur Jackson |
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TWFYT
Pastor Don
Saturday, April 26 2025
Good Morning Moldable Vessels of the Potter! Oh please Lord may that be me and us as You shape us and lead us to Your new things and better ways. Thanks! Come! Have Your way with me/us. Lead us closer to our created potential and your purposes for such a time as this. Help us to turn off the noise, tune into You, die to self, take up cross and follow Jesus well. May our lives and choices glorify you and produce much good fruit. Cleanse us of all sin and unrighteousness and prepare us as Your purified Bride and unite us with you, each other and in Your plans for us. Make us willing and available! Thanks Lord! Come! You are the Potter and we are the clay. May we remain pliable in Your loving hands. Amen!
God's in the process of changing us from one way to another; from glory to glory. Well, if we allow Him to and co-operate with His Spirit, He will mold and shape us and move us closer to His image and more able to complete our custom made created purposes. Amen! Right? Come Lord! Change me can be our heart cry. He is always willing to answer that prayer! I think of the shirt I have from the Chosen quoting Mary Magdalene as she explains what happened to her when Jesus delivered her from the demons. She say, "All I know is I was one way and now another and the thing that happened in between was Him [Jesus]" I think we can all say that and have a story to share of the many blessings of our Potter. May we keep moving to each new way and thing he has for us each day. We are on a journey to His future for us. Amen!
TWFYT has been working through several days about our willingness to change. (see today's below). Then praise and prepare through the song below it. God is in the process of making all things new. Change is constant in the Kingdom. The question we need to answer is, am I willing to change with God's plans? He wants to lead you and us from what was to what is to what will be. Are you available for that? Willing? He wants to stretch us out of our comfort zones and familiar safe ways to His new things. For that to happen and be an act of worship, we need to hold loosely to what is and allow our feet to move with the Holy Spirit. As we do, next thing you know, we'll be dancing with joy as God has His way with us, uses us and we have stories to share of His faithfulness through change. There's a place for traditions but they shouldn't bind us up and hold us back from following Jesus to the new things He has planned and the new ways to connect to new generations and future believers.
Just think about all the preconceived notions of God's plans for Israel and just what the Messiah would do during this week. The Pharisees didn't want to release control nor were they open to the new things God had for His people and they killed Jesus. The disciples and many of Jesus' followers expected a conquering King not a foot washing humble servant riding on a donkey. Judas, refusing to let go of his plans for the Messiah, sold Jesus out for a few coins. And all who hoped that deliverance had finally come, had all their hopes dashed on Golgotha. BUT GOD! He had different, new plans for a different kind of deliverance. Many of us can be like any of these, BUT GOD! He is up to something new--always! And wanting us to follow, embrace and join Him. Hold loosely, my friends, and watch what God is up to and allow Him, even invite Him to, come. mold, shape and send you to Hs perfect new plans for His people. If some were not willing to do that, we wouldn't be here today. What are God's new plans for you and His Church and people? Are you a follower of THE Way? I pray we all are because God has some amazing things for us to discover and step into as we let go and leave behind the comfortable, obsolete and old ways for His better plans. Amen! May that be us Lord! Give us a story to share of Your faithfulness and good plans as we follow You surrendered, molded and ready for what's next. Amen! I'm praying for you our our Body to become a dynamic movement of God and that takes movement! The Bishop has challenged us like He challenged the people through Joshua to break camp and follow to the Promised Land! Come! Prepare us! Move us! Lead us Lord! Amen! How well do you know God and His plans? How willing are you? Let's start there as we seek first His Kingdom and ways! I'm praying for us and for you! Let's roll baby!
TWFYT:
Changed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYWTf7KaqJE
Saturday, April 26 2025
tHIS wEEK:
Tues 10am Zoom Huddle
Wed 10-12 Bread Ministry
Wed 6-7:30 Dinner Huddle and continuation of the Beginning of the End messages with the last supper remembrance and recounting the last hours before the end of Jesus' life on that cruel cross.
Sat 10-1 Clothing Closet and 10 AM property clean up, planting and mulch party 10AM
Sun: Festive Resurrection Sunday Worship 10 am with communion and Children's Church
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Good Morning Filled, Gifted, Empowered, Sent, Servants of the Lord! Amen!
Yesterday we discussed the Beginning of the End and how clueless most were that this Triumphal Entry was the beginning of Jesus' life and would lead to the ushering in of a whole new covenant and way for believers. Jesus had resolutely "set His jaw' on Jerusalem and the cross. His time had come. But His followers were clueless. We began looking at Luke's recounting of the activities of the week and will continue that Wed at dinner huddle as we remember Jesus, the last supper and those last hours before that cruel cross. Next Sunday we will discuss the end of the new beginning. I encourage you this week to spend some time with open Bibles and fresh minds to seek, listen with fresh ears and talk to God about what this week means for you. Jesus was thinking of you and took your sins to that cross! PTL! What's He saying to you today?
My I to We devotional for today reminds us of one of the results of this week are that we, as believers are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit and that He equips and enables us to share the Good News of our salvation and new life. They remind us from Col. 1:15-29 to "tell others with all the wisdom God has given us...depending on the mighty work of Christ in us." Amen! Christ lives in you to will and to work His ways. You are created, gifted and empowered for such a time as this and this week many may be open for the invite to come and meet our Savior. Allow God to use you as he did with Reid last week to bring comfort and Good news to a hurting person God put in His path. He calls us to be faithful to be available and as Reid shared, He will use us to comfort and share. Thanks Lord! I to We challenges us to "act this week as we begin each day acknowledging who Jesus is and that He lives in you. Ask Him to display His power in and through you today." AMEN ask Him to help you to live and love more like Him, to see those He is drawing and boldness and wisdom to engage with them. Maybe even invite someone to join you Wed. or Sun.? He created you for such a time as this, loves you and will manifest Himself and His love through you if you allow it!
Our Daily Bread carries on this theme with the reminder that we are called, gifted and enabled to share the Gospel. They ask two very important questions that we need to process with God and some teammates: "How will you share the Good News of forgiveness that you've received? How can you meet others' physical needs while sharing the love of Christ?" These may be two of the most important questions you need to process beside who is that man Jesus and what does that mean to my life? We are saved to save others and gifted and empowered to do so. Talk to God about that. get away and pray and prepare then go live and love like Jesus! Think about this as well during this week, Jesus taught, healed and poured Himself out daily and then went up to the Mount of Olives to reload for the next day. Begin and end your day with some reloading time! Open your Bibles prayerfully and sit at Jesus' feet for a bit. (The Connections blogs below discuss this and give some prayer starters) He will refresh, inform and direct you from there to His best for you and maybe for some others too! Amen!
As we move through this week, be still and think about what all Jesus did and endured means to you and invite Him to come teach and lead you. He's waiting and willing! Are you?
ODB:
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The venue and accommodations for our leadership meeting in downtown Chicago were in stark contrast with the neediness I encountered on my way there—neediness that included individuals who lacked the basics of food and shelter. The differences helped me picture and articulate things we needed to include in our vision planning for serving in the city and elsewhere: to get gospel resources (anything given by God to help spread the message of His love and salvation) to places where they’re needed most.
At the time Paul wrote to the Roman believers in Jesus, he hadn’t visited them yet—but wanted to: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12). The apostle was looking forward to a “gift exchange” that would benefit him and others as they sought to live for Jesus and serve others.
The resources we possess include the spiritual gifts and material resources given to us by God. May we allow Him to use us to compassionately reach out to people with the gospel message. And, as God empowers us, let’s open our hearts, hands, and lips to serve others. May we do so “[un]ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (v. 16).
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
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How will you share the good news of forgiveness that you’ve received? How can you meet others’ physical needs while sharing the love of Christ?
Dear Jesus, please help me to unashamedly share the good news of Your forgiveness.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Romans opens with Paul identifying himself as “an apostle . . . set apart for the gospel of God” (1:1). His letter is written “to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people” (v. 7). Yet he singles out the gentiles for special mention (vv. 5-6), perhaps because their inclusion in the family of faith was still a radical concept. Paul reiterates this cross-cultural unity later in the chapter: “The power of God . . . brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (v. 16). His example inspires us to reach out to people in new places with the love of Christ.
Tim Gustafson |
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Connections:
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April 14 - The Discipline of Time and Place
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Daniel gave us an example of the discipline of time when it was recorded that, “he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom (Dan. 6:10).” Daniel set an appointment with God and kept it faithfully. Whether your appointment with God is early in the morning or late at night, you must set an appointed time and with spiritual discipline remain faithful to that appointed time.
Another discipline needed in personal prayer is the discipline of place. Jesus not only had a favorite time for private prayer (early in the morning), but was always able, even in the midst of His travels, to find “a solitary place” (Mk. 1:35) for prayer. Jesus actively sought the solitary place for prayer. In the busiest seasons of His life, Jesus would rob Himself of sleep and needed rest in order that He might have the quiet and unhurried place for prayer.
Father, Daniel was faithful with his time and met with you regularly! He never failed to give thanks even when he was in the midst of difficult circumstances. Often I excuse my lack of meeting with You because of a change of location or because I need more sleep rather than seeking out time and space to seek Your face. Forgive me Lord, and make me so hungry and thirsty for Your continual presence that I will do whatever it takes to meet with You as faithfully as Daniel and Your own precious Son.
--Adapted from Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry (Chapter 25, Disciplines of Personal Prayer by Dan R. Crawford). 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 that he cares about this world.
- Thank Christ that he calls the church “his” and that he has promised to build it (Mt. 16:18).
- Confess your own failures in using your time, talents, and tithe as God desires.
- Commit yourself to being an energetic, ability-using, enthusiastic part of the body in which Christ has placed you.
- Ask that, as a part of the church, you will live the fact that you belong to all the others (Rom. 12:5).
- Ask God that your congregation will tirelessly live out the love that it has been given in Jesus Christ. Pray that the character and depth of this love will cause non-Christians in your community to want it for themselves.
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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, April 26 2025
Good Morning Praying, Serving, Hearers and Doers of His Word! Amen! God is speaking to you this rainy morning. Spend some time with open Bibles and our devos as you abide, load-up, and prepare to go do what He reveals. He has great plans just for you and He is speaking to your heart this morning. Abide! Worship! Surrender! Then follow prepared and ready for whatever comes! Maybe process with some teammates too.
Before you start, meditate and be still while praying through this song. When I was at Birdsboro in 2009 our guitarist would often play this praise song and it always seemed to pour afterwards. We are in a 10-11 inch deficit of rain and severe drought in our area. I heard we need two rains like this per week for a month just to put a dent in it and catch up some. Yes let it rain! But we are also in a spiritual drought in this nation and world. Pray God's reign and presence would come raining down and flood this dry and weary land with spiritual revival! Come Lord! Reign over us and rain down Your blessings and even fill our aquafers! Thanks Lord! Prepare our hearts. Speak to us through Your Word and bring it alive to those with deaf ears and hard hearts. Come! Bring revival fires and spiritual rains over this nation! Amen! May we be seekers, hearers and doers of Your Word! Send me Lord with Your Word and Spirit ready to follow and tuned into You. Come! Let it rain! Open the floodgates of heaven! Amen! Thank YOU!
Let It Rain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDpF43cSnM0
Sarah Young:
I to We
ODB:
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One year, I agreed to sing a song before one of my son’s sporting events. I practiced for weeks, but I knew the song by heart already. So when I walked onto the field with the teams lined up on both sides of me, I closed my eyes and prayed. I started singing the first few lines. Then, I froze. In that moment I couldn’t remember the next line. A man behind me whispered the words I’d forgotten. As soon as I heard the helpful reminder, I belted out the rest of the lyrics with confidence.
We all need a little help sometimes. In John 14, Jesus explained that we love Him by obeying Him (v. 15), and He promised to ask the Father to give us a Helper—“the Spirit of truth” (v. 17). Jesus said, “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (v. 17). Though Jesus taught the disciples a lot while with them (v. 25), He said “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (v. 26).
As we prayerfully read the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps us interpret, understand, and apply God’s wisdom. His leading always aligns with Scripture—guiding, comforting, and transforming us in love, one helpful reminder at a time.
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
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What can you do to better recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice? How do you acknowledge Him daily?
Holy Spirit, please help me recognize Your voice and submit to You as You make me more like Jesus, one helpful reminder at a time.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
On the night of His arrest, Jesus celebrated Passover together with His closest followers, which was a commemoration of their ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt (John 13; see Exodus 12:1-14). Christ reminded His disciples that they were special in the world (John 14:16-18, 22), just as God had reminded the Israelites of this through Moses in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 4:5-8; 7:7-9; 10:14).
Jesus’ disciples won’t be removed from this world, but they’re to be distinct or set apart from it. Following God’s commands is what set Israel apart from the rest of the world, and it’s the thrust of Christ’s commands to those who believe in Him.
J.R. Hudberg |
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TWFYT:
Saturday, April 26 2025
Hosanna! Praise be to He who comes in the name of the Lord! Today we celebrate and remember that triumphal entry, humbly on the colt of a donkey! No one had a clue that this day would be the beginning of the end that would come on that cruel cross.
Wed evening dinner huddle will pick up where we end today and celebrate the last supper with communion. (all are welcome! We will explore that last evening before the end.
Then next Sunday we will celebrate the end of the beginning and the Resurrection with communion as we remember the day the stone was rolled away and the new covenant was ushered in. It was the new beginning from what appeared to be the end.
All are welcome Wed and Sunday! Who are you bringing along? Who need to meet our Lord and Savior. Pray into that and ask for boldness and courage to invite. God has someone for you!
Today we will remember how Jesus said that if we are quiet, even the rocks would cry out. Let's not be quiet but shout hosanna and invite God to come inhabit our praise! He alone is worthy! Amen!
Good Morning Worshippers of the King Whose Time Has Come! Yes! Hosanna! Praise be he Lord who comes humbly and who will triumph! Hosanna!
See you all soon! Check out the devos below as you prepare your hearts to worship! Hosanna!
ODB:
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After our family held a riverside memorial service for my father, we each selected a stone to help us remember him. His life had been a checkerboard of wins and losses, but we knew his heart had been for us. My fingers traced my stone’s smooth surface and helped me remember to hold him close.
In Luke 19, Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem while the crowds waved palm branches, shouted Hosannas, and cheered, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v. 38; see John 12:12-13). In the Pharisees’ disdain of what they perceived to be a blasphemous claim of messiahship, they ordered Jesus to tell the disciples to be quiet. Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).
The stones do cry out—in many ways. God has used stones throughout the story of His love for us. Two rough-hewn stones carried ten chiseled commandments to tell us how to live (Exodus 34:1). Stones of remembrance piled by the Jordan River and in the middle of the river reminded generations of Israelites of God’s provision and faithfulness (Joshua 4:8-9 nlt). The one rolled into place to contain Jesus’ body is the same one that rolled away to show He had risen (Matthew 27:59-66; Luke 24:2). We “hear” this stone as it reminds us of Jesus’ words: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Listen to the stones and lift your own voice along with them in praise to our loving Father.
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
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How have the stones of God’s work in our world “cried out” to you? What message might God intend for you to take to heart?
Dear Father, thank You for using even stones to speak of Your love.
For further study, read Give Me a Sign
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Some scholars believe that Jesus’ statement in Luke 19:40 that “if [the crowds] keep quiet, the stones will cry out” is a reference to Habakkuk 2:11: “The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.” Others suppose that the stones in view are the stones of the very gates themselves, as seen in Psalm 118:19-20: “Open for me the gates of the righteous . . . the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.” Whether Luke 19:40 echoes an Old Testament text or not, it’s an example of poetic imagery where inanimate objects praise God (see also Psalm 114:6; Psalm 148; Isaiah 55:12). Jesus had often refused praise during His earthly ministry. Now He not only accepted it but encouraged it. When humans fail to praise the Creator, the creation itself will praise God.
Bill Crowder |
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UR: Palm Sunday
If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. - Jeremiah 15:19 (NRSVUE)
I try to serve God in as many ways as possible — in my church, in my neighborhood, and through my work. I teach English at a Christian secondary school, and I lead a weekly devotional time for the 13- and 14-year-old students. We read a few verses from the Bible and then discuss them. I ask open-ended questions, and I try to draw the students closer to the Bible story by connecting ordinary examples from our lives to the verses we have read.
I do my best to share my faith and God’s love with the students. I talk about my faith experiences, but sometimes I feel that the message is too personal. I want to speak about God’s love, not about my feelings and problems. Before I lead each devotional time, I pray, “Lord, what do you want me to talk about? What is your message to these students today?” I want to humbly share God’s message and bless these 70 young people through my words.
As I lead the devotional time, I always feel that the Holy Spirit is with us. I see how carefully the students listen. I pray that God’s message reaches and touches their hearts. I am not afraid to talk anymore because the Lord leads my heart, mind, and lips. I am happy and honored to be God’s messenger to the children of our school.
Today's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us. Give us strength and courage to work and speak in your name. Amen.
Saturday, April 26 2025
Good Morning Communing with God, Feasting on His Word, Followers of Jesus! Please Lord! This morning something unique happened. I slept in. WHAT? So after spending my quiet time with the Lord and inviting Him to teach me and you, here's what He revealed toady. What did He say to you today? What might you do about that?
First of all, I am so humbled how God uses me to teach His Word, mentor you and lead His Church! Thanks Lord! Sometimes I have to repent of pride as I think about the way He leads and teaches through me. It is all Him and for Him and His people! I am just His faithful servant who invites the Holy Spirit to speak to me, help to remember His Word and to teach through me. I also always try to invite Him to open your hearts and minds as well. He is faithful to do so and I am faithful to dwell in Him and His Word daily and ingest and meditate on His Word. He is faithful to bring to mind what needs to be taught and shared. Last night was another example of that as we studied Luke 22 and John 17 from events that transpired during the last days of Jesus' life before the cross. Last night the Holy Spirit led us to celebrate the remembrance of that first Lord's Supper as we read about it in Luke 22 and allowed Jesus' words to institute and lead us through communion. It was pretty cool to think about being there and Jesus teaching us and thinking about how the disciples would have been clueless about the broken bread and wine as spilled blood until they celebrated the Lord's Supper after the ascension with the very first believers. (see Acts 2:42).
If you are looking for some passages to draw close and dwell in today, I'd suggest those three above. Last night I suggested that instead of washing each others feet, maybe we could wash each other's hands. One of our devos for today (the Upper Room below) speaks of a church that does that. I think we'll need to try that sometime as we humble ourselves, die to self and do what Jesus did....love each other and serve each other in humility. Who might God want you to humbly serve today and forgive and love on. Remember He did this after the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus showed them God's way. And he reminds us that He came to serve and not to be served. What's that look like for you and our Body?
The devo that I most want to share is the one that really affirmed me and spoke to my heart--TWFYT (below). It's how God uses me, speaks to me, leads me, teaches me and through me. My prayer is to always teach and lead like Jesus and not to add to or take away from His Word as commanded. Meditate on this devo and pray for me. But also remember that we are all priests unto the Lord and called to share His love, salvation and Word with others. His Word is our instruction manual and road map. His Word is Truth and Life. His Word cuts to bone and marrow. Jesus is His Living Word. Who do you know that needs some of that today. What are God's plans to bring that to life through you this weekend with family and friends? He is speaking to you all the time and wanting to use you and has gifted you to bring His Word alive in word, deed and actions. How will you respond today? Invite Him in. Dwell in and ingest His Word. Bring His Living Word to life as you ask for help to live, love, teach, lead and make disciples like Jesus.
In this life, Christ is all that matters and He lives in you. That became available that first Resurrection Sunday and with your faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Life in Christ lived well boils down to this: embrace the Greatest and new commandments to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as Jesus has loved you (agape love), and then living out the Great Commission where Jesus says, Go! Make disciples of all nations, teaching them all I have taught you and baptizing them. To teach them well we need to actually open and ingest His Living Word. How's that going for you? Recently many have said they don't really know and want to know God's Word better. I'm praying for that and for His Word to come alive to and through us. However, you actually have to open His Word, spend time with God in it, memorize it and ingest it. Then when needed the Holy Spirit will give you the Words to share and even the words to wield against Satan. Amen! We are called to be doers of His Word. That's how good fruit buds and grows. What's that look like for you? How might you start pursuing that more earnestly? Who will you partner with to dwell in and study His Word with? Besides prayer, being in His Living Word and being a doer of it are the the most important roles in His Good News Delivery Company and as a member of His Body. The other part is allowing Him to use your gifts to bless others and grow His Church. So...what will you do about that? Who are your co-laborers in Christ? Pray into that! Open His Word. Go produce good fruit. I'm praying for you! There is so much joy awaiting you as you step into this more earnestly! You are blessed to be a blessing and God is with you, empowering you and has created and gifted you to do all he plans for you to do! PTL! You are His Masterpiece! And you have great potential in Christ! Pursue it in prayer with open Bibles and willing hearts and feet! Shalom!
UR: Maundy Thurs
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. - John 13:17 (NIV)
For seven years I belonged to a rural Mennonite congregation that met in a little country church. One older woman, Greta, had made it clear when I joined that she resented me because I am a Marine Corps veteran. Mennonites are traditionally pacifists, believing that taking a life — even in war — is murder.
When I approached the hand-washing basin at my first Maundy Thursday service at the church, I was surprised when it was Greta who gently took my hand and led me to the basin. Her actions were tender as she bathed my hands in the clean water, wrapped them in a soft white towel, and patted them dry. I then washed her hands. I noted how worn her hands were by her many years of working in her garden, cooking in the kitchen, caring for children. I was unexpectedly humbled and moved to tears. Before stepping away from the basin to make way for the next two women, Greta and I embraced. Following the Lord in loving service to one another can transform our lives and relationships.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to love one another as you have loved us. Help us to look for opportunities to find common ground even when we disagree. Thank you for your beautiful example of servanthood. Amen.
TWFYT:
Prayer starters
- Praise God as the all-knowing one.
- Thank God for caring enough for you to teach you his ways and warn you when you stray.
- Confess times of willful ignorance of his ways.
- Commit to listening and following God’s directions.
- Ask him to provide faithful teachers and examples for you.
- Pray that you will be diligent in teaching those under your care. Ask God to help you be an excellent model for your children (or for the children of your friends).
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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. |
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Saturday, April 26 2025
Today:
10-12 Bread Ministry
6-7:30 Dinner Huddle Holy Week worship with communion. All welcome! (It's a pizza party too!)
Good Morning Followers of Jesus, Our Messiah! Amen! He is our Lord and Savior and we have the benefit of His Spirit in us and 20/20 hindsight vision of all that transpired that week and up until today. Jesus spent this week teaching and pouring into His followers and those who came to see, hear and learn. Some received with open hearts and minds and some didn't. All had no idea what was to come. We too, never know what will be next but we do know that Jesus is the way, truth and life and our corner stone we build upon. We have seen that despite appearances, God knows, has a plan and is at work. And soon Jesus would commission His disciples tp go and make disciples and promise to be with them always. he is with us always and that commissioning still stands, as well as, His new commandment to go love as He has loved us and to build His Church. He is with us and we are gifted and created to live and love like Him and carry on His mission. What's your part? Talk to God about that today as you engage with my I to We devo below. He has great plans for you despite how things may appear. He has created, saved, gifted, empowered and is sending you. How might that look as you die to self, take up cross and follow Him today? Yesterday I shared the Lord's Supper with several over 95 year old's who know their purposes and that is to pray and encourage others. I and we have been prayed over and they want to encourage us to stay connected to Jesus through whatever we face and to trust Him to use you as you are and gifted to build His Church. And I say Amen! Can you feel their and many other's prayers? They are powerful and effective and your prayers and obedience are needed too. I'm praying for you and no matter what God has in store for you today, he will be there and with you and use you, if you allow Him to. Go! Live and love like Jesus today! Amen!
I to We
Friday, April 11 2025
TONIGHT 6:30 Support team Zoom Meeting (Please pray for wisdom and for God to direct us. Thanks!)
***SAT. Clean-up postponed until next Sat April 19th at 10am***
Good Morning Living and Loving Like Jesus Partners! Howdy partners! Yee Haw!!! What an awesome ride we have been on! Sometimes it can feel like we are riding a bull or crashing from him. Sometimes it can feel like steer wrestling. Sometimes we know the thrill of victory and sometimes the agony of defeat. BUT GOD! Through whatever the journey brings, God is with us! He knows you and calls you by name. PTL! He picks you up when you are a crumpled mess on the ground--well if you allow Him to! He leads you down the trail to His best plans and destinations. He has a perfect journey for you to reach your full potential n Christ and to to become like Him and even to do the things He has planned for you. How awesome and praiseworthy is Almighty God--our Friend! Amen! Even in the hardest of things we can kind joy as we trust our Trail Boss. He has even herded us together for great plans He has for us as His Herd/Flock/Team. PTL! And like a cattle drive, He has given us some trail partners to travel with. Doesn't all of that make you just want to pause and worship? It does me! I've been worshipping and abiding for several hours now and invited God to come write this for us to ponder. He's so kind and good and loving and ever faithful to help us and lead us. PTL! How might He be leading you to worship and offer yourself to Him this morning? Who may he be leading you to team with for this day? Seek first His Kingdom and He will add all you need to be productive fruit producers and disciples of Jesus. PTL!
Here's a link to the song from Sunday that helps us as we worship and abide and surrender and trust and obey: You are Chosen! He's calling you by name. He's set you apart and is making you brand new as He leads you from what was to what is and what can be in Christ--His perfect plans for you! Yes PTL! What love!
This week has been busy and even a struggle at times. There are always things going on in the background that can distract us from God's best or being used by Satan to tie us up in the tyranny of the urgent to keep us from choosing God's best plans and ways. Please! Turn off the noise and refocus on God. He's there waiting for you and calling you to come abide in His love and to allow Him to lead you to His easy yoke and best plans for you. PTL! Then there are times God is very evident and shows you affirmation and that His presence is very real in the moments. Yesterday was a day of both. And because of His loving presence I have these great memories and stories that far outweigh and over-ride the chaos and noise and hurts. What an amazing day of ministry yesterday at Donut Day. We are still sharing stories of God's faithfulness and how He used us and was at work in people's lives. You really have to experience this to fully understand. But man was God present and at work in many different ways and with many different people and situations. PTL! Yesterday, I almost stayed home as Satan had me feeling ill and wanting to just go to bed. But, through Christ I overcame and followed the Spirit and was rewarded with much joy of God using me and blessing others. Sometimes we just have to say, "Satan. be gone!" he will flee and all of a sudden the Light shines, Love fills us and we find ourselves back on the trail with our Trail Boss leading the way. Amen!
Last night we watched the Tim Tebow video and had a great discussion as he reminded us that everything flows from the greatest Commandment: Love God and people. And the importance of offering God what you have and how He will bless you and multiply what you offer and lead you to His perfect plans. He asked, "Are you willing to give what you have to be used by God?" he rightly proclaimed that as we do, God is faithful to use and multiply our offerings. He said, Our lives matter and that shows up as we love God and people with what we've been given. Amen! You matter! You do love well! Keep it up! God will use whatever you release to Him and He will love through you and bless you as you are, where you are and through whatever you are facing. So stop. Turn off the noise. refocus on God and abide for a spell. Then release what you have and he will bless and use you for His glory. Try it! He really does have some custom made easy things for you to do today! PTL! Will you make room for Him to use you? Will you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Will you allow Him to love through you today? try it! Meditate on this song as you still yourself and surrender and then engage with the Truth of the devos below. God really loves you! Abide. trust and follow well! I already prayed for you! God is waiting! be still and know, trust and go with Him! Know His love, joy and peace! Amen!
ODB:
Most people know about the Wright Brothers—Orville and Wilbur—who invented, built, and flew the first successful airplane in the early 1900s. But few know the name Katherine Wright. Yet in her brothers’ story of creating their flying machine, Katherine was essential to their success. While her brothers concentrated on the myriad details and experiments that led to their invention, Katherine chose to quietly and lovingly help them. She kept their bicycle shop going (the brothers’ source of income), left her teaching job to nurse Orville back to health after a plane crash, and managed the endless details of her brothers’ growing fame.
The value of the support of others is seen in Scripture as well. One example is Phoebe, mentioned by Paul as a “benefactor of many people” (Romans 16:2). And Priscilla and Aquila, a helpful couple presented in Paul’s writing, hosted churches where Paul ministered and even “risked their lives” for him (v. 4). Additionally, the apostle complimented Mark, saying he was “helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
We can be the right brothers and sisters in Christ by serving others. The ongoing work of God needs helpers like Phoebe—and us—guided by Him to serve this way: “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but . . . to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
By Dave Branon
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Who needs your help? What can you do to serve others in Jesus’ name?
Dear God, please show me how to humbly serve others for Your glory.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s list of greetings at the end of Romans represents the many people he met during his journeys of sharing the hope of Jesus. Many of the believers in Christ whom he impacted (and who impacted him in return) ended up in Rome, and so he had a great deal of people waiting there for him before he even arrived. Both men and women shared in the apostle’s work of evangelism, paving the way for him in Rome. As we join with other believers in caring for others, we reflect the hearts of those who assisted Paul.
Jed Ostoich |
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Sarah Young
Chuck Swindoll
Friday, April 11 2025
TGIF Friday! Thank God I'm Forgiven! Tell God what that means to you as you abide in His Word and Love!
Good Morning Worshipping, Abiding, Loving, Serving, Friends of God! We love because He first loved us! He loves us so much that He died for our sins! What Love! Abide in that love today and remember no matter what this day brings, it is filtered through His hands and will be used or redeemed for His purposes and so he made this day for His Kingdom plans and for us and we get to worship in it! Yes, rejoice! He's given us His Word to guide us and the Holy Spirit to bring it alive for us. We get to abide in His Word and His love! Yes, rejoice! Our God is not dead, stagnant or distant. He is with us and always at work and up to something new. he's custom made and gifted you for such a time as this and is with you always! Yes, rejoice! And He has blessed us to go bless and love on others and often in new and exciting and even easy custom made ways! Yes, rejoice! This is the day the Lord has made and you are the one he has made, saved and is leading to His new and perfect plans to go and love more like Him today! Yes, rejoice! This is a day to still and offer ourselves as we abide in Him and His Word, worship and then trust and follow Him as He loves through us! What joy we can know and abide in! Yes, rejoice! be still and know, trust and go in His love! rejoice, abide and follow well today! Check out the devos below as you abide, load up and prepare to go with Him. Yes, rejoice! Amen!
Sarah Young
I to We
UR: A New Thing
The Lord says, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Recently, I read Isaiah 43:19 again and was surprised that God had to ask the Israelites, “Do you not perceive it?” How can God be doing a new thing and it not be perceived? Having worked as a gardener for several years, images of gardens that were overgrown and left unattended came to mind. If a garden is neglected, the grass grows too high; nettles, thistles, and other weeds take over where flowers once thrived; trees are never pruned, taking up too much space. A new flowering plant would be difficult to see in such a garden!
Similarly, when our lives are overgrown with relationship troubles, money worries, ill health, and other problems, it can be difficult to see the new thing God is doing. Sometimes we need help to see that God is indeed at work in our lives. Jesus describes God as a gardener in John 15:1-2. Sometimes we need God to trim our excessive spending and sort out thorny financial problems, to dig out the roots of our bad habits and prune our tendency to talk unfairly about others. When we focus on Jesus, we can more clearly see the work that God is doing in our lives.
Today's Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for caring for us. Help us to see the new thing you are doing in our lives. Amen.
TWFYT
- Praise God for his love (1 Jn. 4:16).
- Give thanks that “we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 Jn. 3:16).
- Confess those times when you fail to love others. Commit yourself to laying down your life for your brothers and sisters in Christ (3:16).
- Ask God to drive all fear away with perfect love (1 Jn. 4:18).
- Ask God to expose the foolishness and treachery of the kingdom of darkness.
- Pray that the forces of the kingdom of God, in politics, education, science, media, business, entertainment, church, etc., will be united and focused in their efforts.
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