Rita's Gathering for is cancelled. gathering is Sept. 17th with dinner in the fellowship hall at 6.
Note: We will be receiving new members at the end of Sept. If you are interested see pastor Don or Sarah.
See Sarah update below
Good Morning Persevering, Hopeful, Servants of the Lord! Amen! Ponder and pronounce that over you and our Body. We are persevering because of our hope and out of gratitude we serve with love. Yes indeed! And we continue to grow in trust as we follow Jesus and His Way and build treasures in heaven as we serve. Someday our faith will become sight and we will step into the role God has for us in eternity. Prepare now and build that treasure for future use as you trust, obey and serve the least of these. Check out Our Daily Bread below that speaks into this. The Upper Room addresses the serving part, our highest calling. It's serving the least of these and watching how God is at work and joining Him in blessing others, especially those in great need. at the Bread Ministry we have that opportunity and when we serve with clothing or pantry items. God is using us to be a blessing to many and he is being glorified and some are being drawn to Him as He loves through us. PTL! Please keep praying into these opportunities and for God to lead us to other ways to serve and connect to the least of these and those He wants to love through us. And as we do, we continue to build that treasure in heaven and prepare for eternity as we grow towards our fuller, activated and gifted potential in Christ. Amen! God has great plans for you and for us His gathered and sent Good News Delivery Co. What's the good news for one of your hurting neighbors and how might God want to love them through you ? Do it!
during our Zoom huddle we discussed the Chosen episode where Jesus talked to little James about why He has chosen to not heal James. I love the teaching found in this episode. How often have you cried out "Why God?" Or wondered why He chose to heal one person but not one you love? I think we all have felt this way at least once. And we know and will encounter many that lost faith because they never moved past their grief and hurt or chose not to walk through the dark valley focused on our Good Shepherd. How do we answer their questions and help them to refocus on our God who knows and cares and responds according to His perfect plans and timing. How do we even accept His "No" or "Not yet" and continue to focus on Him in trust and worship. There's part of it...build and use those gratitude lists for the times you are unable to praise. Start there even if you have to force yourself. Refocus through praise. In the episode Jesus respond to James that He could heal him and he would have a great story. And He said many have that story. But Jesus said that the Father trusts James with this malady, just like Paul and his thorn. How many people can God trust to endure and persevere and still love and represent Him. Are you one? It is helpful to prepare and determine ahead of time that you will always try to keep your focus on, trust and worship God no matter what. We know that someday we will be healed and that day may not be far off for many of us. So persevere and worship, trust and obey . Another way to refocus to to serve others as best you can with what you've been given. God doesn't waste anything we have to endure and will use us to help others through those same valleys. Paul and James remind us to rejoice always and keep serving. I'm always amazed how gratitude and serving others changes my attitude. Try it next time or maybe this time. God is for you and with you and He is working all things together for good, trust Him. He trusts you! And worship as you walk with Him . I'm praying for you and for God to lead you to one this week to bless. I'd love to hear how He responds your trusting, obedient, persevering hearts! May He bring you His shalom and help . And may you chose Him in trust and . Amen!
ODB:
A Beautiful Ending
I saw the Holy City . . . coming down out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:2
On a warm evening, I met up with friends in a downtown area. We were excited to eat at a restaurant that offered live jazz music outside, but when we arrived, the patio was full. Disappointed, we left and had to walk several blocks to find another place to eat.
On earth, disappointments come in all sizes, both big and small. Beloved pets pass away. Careers fizzle. Health problems occur. We lose relationships with loved ones. In our setbacks, we have God’s comfort, but our life stories don’t always contain the blissful endings we long for. Believers in Jesus, however, have the hope of a joyful eternity.
The book of Revelation records God giving John a breathtaking vision. John saw “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” (21:2). “Prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (v. 2), it radiated God’s glory. God would inhabit the place along with all His people. In His city there would be no crime, no darkness, and no fear (vv. 25-27). Light, peace, and goodwill would abound.
On the night I met my friends for dinner, we ended up walking back past the first restaurant. White lights lit the sidewalk, and we stopped to listen to the music as we ate ice cream. I savored the moment, but we know that no earthly joy can compare with the ultimate ending believers will enjoy forever.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY
What are you most looking forward to in the next life? How does the promise of a joyful future encourage you?
Dear God, please help me see my pain in light of eternity, knowing You have a better future prepared for me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God gave the apostle John a glimpse of “what must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1) when Jesus returns to rule the world as king and usher in eternity (vv. 1-3). Satan and the unbelieving, sinful world will be judged and punished for their evil and wickedness (chs. 4-20). John saw “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1). Eight hundred years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied that God would create “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17; see 66:22). Scholars say both Isaiah and John are describing heaven or “paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7), “God’s dwelling place” where God will live with His people forever (Revelation 21:3). Jesus affectionately called heaven “my Father’s house” (John 14:2). “Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life” (Revelation 21:27) will be allowed to experience the fullness of joy in God’s home.
K.T. Sim
UR: Highest Calling
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Tucked away on a peaceful street, our church stands far from the places where the rich and powerful dwell. But we have a wonderful opportunity being close to those who suffer most — people without houses, with addictions, in prison, grieving. Every day, we encounter these children of God who are often overlooked. When we serve them, we serve Christ himself.
The noise of daily life can lead us to focus only on our own needs and comfort. But Jesus urges us to look beyond ourselves and our worries. He invites us to see where people most need hope and healing. He is waiting for us there — in the widow’s tears, in the father’s trembling hands, in the child’s hungry cry. Serving the poor and wounded is our highest calling as Christians; it is how we express Christ’s love.
Our church may not impress the world with our money or status. But we can offer something priceless: God’s presence through our simple acts of service. As we feed the hungry and visit the lonely, we shine Christ’s light. The world may not see it, but loving those whom Jesus named “the least of these” is the core of our calling.
's Prayer
Loving God, open our eyes to see you in the faces of those who are forgotten and hurting. Lead us each day to live out Christ’s love through simple acts of compassion. Amen.
Sarah update:
Hi warriors....
Hey.....so what are you thankful for? When was the last time that you told God what you were thankful for?
I heard a preacher share this in a sermon of his, and it got me thinking......he said, " What would it be like if you
woke up in the morning and the thing or things you have left are what you thanked God for ?"
I think so often we get busy and focused on a whole bunch of stuff in our lives, that we forget to pause for a second
right when something happens and say, "Hey Thanks Lord, for answering that prayer" or "thanks God for helping me
find my keys" or "Lord, thank you for (so and so) for sending me an encouraging text, or helping me carry the groceries
in" There is so much to be thankful for that God meets our needs and supplies in time.....let's make a more conscience
effort in saying THANK YOU!!!
God has been answering prayers, hearing our prayers and He is on the move!
Couple of folks that are in need our prayers:
Millidine Waterman is having knee pain. Her doctor appointment isn't for a couple of weeks. Please pray that there is a cancellation
that she is able to get in and see the Doc sooner. Also keep her in your prayers - praying for perseverance and safety when walking.
Caleb got his staples our on . Prayers for complete healing
Brian - Debbie S brother in law had his surgery . The Surgeon feels all went well. He will have a long period of healing.....please pray that he
heals well and no infection.
Continue to prayer for our students and teachers. Praying that God will lead them to friends that know Jesus and can encourage one another.
Continue to prayer for one another. We are starting to head into the cold and flu season. Prayers for good health throughout the season.
Prayers for some of our church family members facing Doctor, dentist, surgeries, cancer treatments, in the near future.
Just a reminder - Rita's ice gathering scheduled for , has been cancelled.
Praying you all have a great, thankful rest of your week!
Good Morning Faithful, Loving Worshipers! Amen! Prepare your hearts to worship in Spirit and Truth. And let all we think, say and do be an act of worship always! Amen! Help us Lord!
There is much I thought God wanted me to share . However I am running late for church and I think He just said, "Be still and know I got this"! Amen to that. So dig in yourself and connect to the God of the Sabbath. What's He saying to you and how might He want you to reveal your faithful, loving worship ? Rejoice. Receive. Pray. And follow. Amen! Remember faith drives out fear. Ask for more faith and remember you are gifted to serve according to your faith. God is everywhere. Look for Him and join Him as you go and as you are. He loves you. He calls you by name and invites you to His best as He works all things together for good. So, rejoice, Be still, seek and follow . Gal. 5:6 says, 'faith works by love." Amen. 1 Cor. 13, the love chapter kept coming up . Read it. pray through it and then read it out loud with your name substituted every time you see love (Donald is faithful. Donald is kind...) then live it! it is the better way--LOVE. God is Love and Love lives in you with plans to love through you! Amen. So how are you responding to that, Faithful, Loving, Worshiper? Go live and love like Jesus as you act of worship . Amen!
Connection Blog:
- Faithful in the Small Things
It is important to spend time being quiet before the Lord. If we are doing all of the talking, we won’t be able to hear Him speak. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10). I wonder how many instructions and promptings we miss because we don’t take the time to learn to distinguish the voice of the Shepherd! "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
When you sense that you have a word from the Lord and it agrees with the Bible, act upon it. God is not going to give us more than we can handle, and He will likely start us out slowly. As you are faithful in the small things, He will trust you with bigger issues. Maybe He will impress upon your heart to write a note to someone, or to make an encouraging phone call. If you didn’t actually hear directly from the Lord, you are still doing something that is like the character of Jesus living within you.
Lord Jesus, sometimes I long to do the big splashy deeds that make You known widely. But then, You quietly remind me that the smallest touch, a quiet encouragement, or act of mercy is living out faithful obedience within Your kingdom! Help me to be a servant that doesn’t need to live my life to be seen by men. Give me a listening heart to obey even the smallest task You choose to give me.
Good Morning Co-Laborers! Amen! May it be so Lord! Co-laboring for Your glory as we step into our created purposes and Your gifts. bring the supernatural alive as you empower us through the gifts You have given. lead us to be Your vessels as You shape us for our created purposes. Thanks Lord! Come! Bring revival alive and may it begin in me and Your Church. Amen!
That could be enough to pray through and meditate upon. What's God saying to you ? What will you do about it? Who will you process with? Are you an upfront or alongside equipper and disciple maker? God made you a certain way for His purposes for such a time as this and He gifted you to grow into those purposes. Worship, pray, prepare and go live and love like Jesus . It's a beautiful day (and week ahead) to get out and share His love and enjoy life! Check out the I to We devo below. Think about what God has for you and pray into it. And think about and pray through the Upper Room. Pay attention! God is always at work and at work all around you and in you. how will you respond ? Ask Him to reveal Himself as you go and to lead you to join Him and for courage to do so. Amen! He does have great plans for you and is a great day to be a doer of His Word and to go with some others to incarnate Jesus and His way to the world around you. Try i and share what happens! I'm anxious to hear how God has been using you and the plans He is clarifying for you and us. And then just worship as you trust and obey! Amen! And shalom shalom! Perfect peace to you!
I to We
UR: Paying Attention
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. - Proverbs 28:27 (NIV)
My husband and I pulled into a rest area to eat lunch on our way home from a trip. An older woman near the restrooms, holding a cardboard sign saying, “Please help. Need gas money.” She stared at the ground, shoulders slumped forward. People passed her on their way to the restrooms, but nobody even glanced at her. It was like she was invisible.
She was limping toward her car when I handed her some cash with a quick, “God bless you.” I started to turn away when she said, “Would you pray for me?” I stopped and looked into her eyes. “Please pray that I can find a job,” she said. I promised that I would and then impulsively added, “Would you like me to pray right now?” I had never done anything like that before, and I’m not sure what made me say it, but the woman nodded. I asked God to help her to find a job and the assistance she needed. It felt awkward, but afterward the woman smiled and thanked me. “I know God will take care of me,” she said. As I walked away, I marveled at her faith. Would I still trust God if I had to beg for money? I vowed to remember this encounter and pay attention to each person I meet.
's Prayer
Dear God, open our eyes to see those around us and to offer help as you lead us. Amen.
Good Morning Confident Doers! Hmmm...is that you? Pronounce it out loud over you and our church! Say it with me, "I am a confident doer in Christ! Amen!" Now believe it and receive it and be it! I'm praying for you and us!
As I meditated on our devotionals and pondered and prayed for what God wanted me to share , the prayer for the Holy Spirit to "help my unbelief" kept coming to mind and showing up. We believe but often lack the faith or expectation to see God move or to use us. "I believe. Help my unbelief" is a prayer I often lift. I think about how often Jesus said, O you of little faith." Ouch! Right? But I do believe Lord! Help me to pray and watch expectantly for You to move, lead, heal, deliver, save and all sorts of things I am praying expectantly to happen. Grant me a deeper confidence AND TRUST THAT ALLOWS YOU TO WORK IN POWER AND ANSWER MY/OUR PRAYERS. THANK YOU. AMEN. Check out the Connection Blog and Prayer Starters and bein there . Ask for the faith to do the same things and even greater than Jesus and for the expectation and trust that he will answer because He will according to His will and timing. AMEN!
I'm also praying you discover and learn how God wants to use your spiritual gifts according tp the faith He has given you for such a time as this. he does have great plans for you, hear and respond to your prayers, and continues to mold you towards your fuller potential in Christ. yes praise, rejoice, believe and follow well doer! Remember God may ask you to be the answer to your prayers as He sends you to be His hands and feet and to live and love like Jesus! Yes Lord Come! Send me! Use me well for Your glory! Grow my faith and trust. Show me how to do the greater things with faith and confidence in You and Your abilities in and through me. Thanks!! Amen!
Connections:
- Anyone Who Has Faith
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
If you are one of the anyone-who-has-faith-in-me persons of whom Jesus spoke, then you need to be on the lookout for places where Christ wants and needs to work. Is there a child who needs to be spiritually formed, a friend who needs encouragement, or a neighbor who needs Christ? If you pray, Christ will work! Are there spiritual leaders who need to be uplifted, fellow believers who need empowerment, or a church that needs to be revived? If you pray, Christ will work! Do you know of an anxious person who needs peace, a lonely person who needs befriending, a stranger who needs to be invited in, or a hungry person who needs to be fed? If you intercede, Christ will work; He will work in you and through you. You will be doing the kinds of things that Christ did. You will be doing them in His power. You will be co-laboring with God. With this promise Christ is placing the powers of heaven at your disposal. What a huge and important responsibility! What an awesome privilege!
Gracious Holy Spirit, I repent of my selfishness that keeps me from exercising the gifts You have given to me for the sake of others. There are those who could use encouragement and uplifting…and others who are struggling and need to be helped through a difficult time. Yet, I keep a safe distance – at arm’s length, because I might get sucked in to more than I think I can handle. Some people and much of life are messy and complicated, yet Jesus would step into the midst of the mess and reach out His hand to heal. May the heart of Christ be evident in me as I listen for Your kingdom instructions. Help me to lean into the mess, unafraid to be the hands and feet of the One who extended His hand to me!
Praise God for his teaching on the tongue (Jas. 3:9).
Give thanks that he promises protection from the lash of the tongue (Job 5:21) and healing from the tongue of the wise (Prov. 12:18).
Confess those times your lips have spoken lies and your tongue muttered wicked things (Isa. 59:3).
Commit yourself to God, who gives you the words that will sustain the weary (Isa. 50:4).
Ask God to help you love not just with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 Jn. 3:18).
Pray that the testimony of your lips overflowing in praise and your tongue singing God’s Word will be evident to non-Christians and point them to Christ (Ps. 119:171-172).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Lisa and Freddie McMillan own a unique restaurant in Brewton, Alabama. They offer a full hot meal to all who stand in line—at no charge. This couple has invested from their own savings to make a difference for senior citizens who often go without meals and rarely enjoy a restaurant experience. A donation box receives contributions. Lisa says, “Sometimes we find nothing there. Sometimes a thank-you note. Sometimes $1,000. Always, we have everything we need. Our goal is to feed the need, restore dignity, and develop community.”
Caring for the needy can seem a daunting task—unless we depend on God! The Gospels include records of Jesus feeding thousands by inviting His disciples to participate: “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). In the book of Acts, we learn that in the early church, believers “shared everything they had” and “there were no needy persons among them” (4:32, 34). Many of them sold property and gave the proceeds to the apostles, who “distributed to anyone who had need” (vv. 34-35). Understanding that their possessions ultimately belonged to God, they voluntarily invested in the lives of others from what they owned.
God provides. Sometimes by His own hand and sometimes through the hands of His people. He feeds our need so that we can feed the need of others.
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
How has God provided for you? How can you join God in providing for those around you?
Dear God, I’m so grateful for Your abundant provision in my life! Please help me to give to others from what You’ve given to me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Twice Luke mentions the willingness of believers in Jesus to sell property and share possessions (Acts 2:41–47; 4:32–35). The Holy Spirit had come to Jerusalem as the city swelled with visitors for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. Overwhelmed by the apostles’ assurance that God was willing to forgive them, those who stepped forward to believe in Christ saw one another’s needs and felt one another’s pain. It was then, after again mentioning their mutual care, that Luke describes a husband and wife who tried to leave a false impression of generosity. Ananias and Sapphira were caught lying about the details of their gift, and suddenly both died (5:1–10). The generosity Luke emphasized was the result of those whose hearts had been changed by the Spirit of Jesus.
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Yes Rejoice!
Good Morning Fixated Worshippers! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus is from the Hebrews passage found in Our Daily Bread devotional for . This is all that I am sharing , yet it is overwhelming to contemplate and meditate upon. ODB is below. But I am going to share Hebrews 12:1-3 below too. Really read and ask God to bring it alive to you. What's He revealing, saying and leading to in response? What will you do about it? Who will you process with? I'm praying for you to fix your heart on Jesus , die to self, take up cross and follow Him to His good plans for you. And those should lead to more rejoicing and worship! Amen! As I meditated on the passage and devo, Proverbs 3:5-6 came to mind ( don't lean on your own thinking...)and the reminder for the Holy Spirit that God is Jireh...enough, provider and provision. Amen! What did you hear or feel?
Hebrew 12:1-3, 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
ODB
Eyes Fixed on Christ!
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2
Teaching his son to ride a bicycle, Andrew discovered, was frustrating. The five-year-old kept swerving to one side and falling. Realizing that this happened because his son kept looking to one side, Andrew had an idea. “See that pole?” he asked his son. “Just keep your eyes on it and pedal.” His son did just that, and this time he kept going and going!
The incident was a lesson for Andrew himself. Recounting what happened to his small group later, he concluded, "Whatever we fix our eyes on is where we’re headed." No wonder Hebrews 12:2 calls on us to keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Life’s responsibilities and routines can draw our attention away from our spiritual walk, as can sinful habits and obsessions that entangle us (v. 1). But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and ask Him to help us put Him first in our thoughts, decisions, and actions, He’ll guide us in everything we do and say, enabling us to stay close to Him in the race on earth. This can be challenging, but God desires to help us fulfill the roles He’s given us. He will give us strength to endure and overcome anything that opposes our walk so we won’t “grow weary and lose heart” (v. 3).
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What’s the first thing you think or do when you have to make a decision or respond to a situation? How can you let your words, actions, and thoughts be guided by Jesus?
Dear Jesus, please help me to keep my eyes fixed on You as I go about life. Please also teach me to turn to You first, for You’re all I need.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages his readers by pointing to a gallery of “faith-filled” believers in the Old Testament (see Hebrews 11) and refers to them collectively as “a great cloud of witnesses” (12:1). Verse 2, however, urges the readers to fix their gaze on the premier example of faith—Jesus. He’s described as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” The term is pioneer (archēgos)—or author in some versions. One commentator defines it as a “chief leader—one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example.” Archēgos is used only four times in the New Testament: (Acts 3:15; 5:31 [Prince]; Hebrews 2:10; 12:2). The word translated “perfecter” (teleiōtēs) is used only in Hebrews 12:2. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Christ is the “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.” By staying focused on Him, we have the perfect example to imitate.
Good Morning Gifted Intercessors and Servants--Doers of the Word! Do you pray and intercede for friends, family, your church and nation? That is being a doer by serving as an intercessing pray-er. In James that we have been studying we came across the teACHING ABOUT SHOWING OUR FAITH BY OUR ACTIONS. ACTIVE FAITH IS WHAT PEOPLE SEE. Prayer is foundational and essential for anything of value to transpire in the Kingdom and our lives. We are all called to pray, even fast and pray, but some of us are gifted to pray and intercede. We all have gifted and empowered roles in God's Good News Delivery co. Do you know your role? Do you know and use your gifts that are supernaturally given and empowered by the Holy Spirit? Let us determine to step into our anointing by beginning to really use our gifts for God's glory and for why they were given to us. I think of the question, "Is there anything God would ask you to do that you would say no?" Hope not, but we often resist and say no because God leads us out of our comfort zones. Ask for a cooperating spirit in you and take those first small steps of faith. God has custom plans and gifts for you to use and do. Let us reason together as well and keep praying in power and effectiveness. Check out the link to Harvest Kim's blog . And then the Connection blog about prayer. God is calling and speaking to the heart for some of us to become prayer warriors. Is that you? Let's talk about it and process that with some friends.
I'd love to do another spiritual gifts class for a few weeks this fall. You can find spiritual gifts tests on line and they usually explain the gifts that are revealed as yours. Try it and let's talk and pray about using them and growing in them. There are two kinds of gifts: equipping and supporting. You will have one or the other or a combination of both. Think about what you like to do, are good at doing, and what God has gifted you to do. They should compliment each other and be something you find enjoyable as you serve the church, encourage others and walk with them. Who are your praying, processing partners? Seek some and follow God's supernatural gifts to you best future in Christ. You are His masterpiece made and empowered for such a time as this! PTL! Put on your new, gifted nature more fully and go love and love like Jesus as you are created and gifted to do. And keep praying and praying for us to become a House of Prayer. Amen! Teach us Lord! Move us! Empower us! Send us with love, peace and joy! Amen! Be willing and remember, God is able to do immeasurably more than we can imagine both in and through our lives and our prayers. Receive and live and go! I'm raying for you to discover and step into your gifts and purposes more fully. What are you praying for in the Kingdom?
"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (John 14:13).
Learn how to pray God’s heart. Praying just for the sake of making a religious noise, is not God’s intent for prayer. Praying to get something from God is also not God’s plan. Studying the Word and paying attention to the world around you is a key. See what God is busy doing and what He desires us to do as His people. As we pray those things that are close to His heart, He is pleased to answer! We know He wants us to love Him with all of our hearts, and to love others as we love ourselves. He wants us to pray for the lost and that His people will experience revival. We know that He wants unity in the body of Christ…and you and your family can probably add many others to this list.
Humbly expect and be willing for God to use you to be the answer to your prayers: If your heart never expects God to answer, there is literally no point in praying. James states, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man [or woman, or child] should not think he will receive anything from the Lord…" (James 1:6-7). When you pray in the Name of Jesus, believing that He has heard and will answer, you will see Him do amazing things – sometimes in and through you! Always remember that the ultimate goal of answered prayer is to bring glory to the Lord: "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (John 14:13).
Lord Jesus, prayer is sometimes a complete mystery to me, especially when You work through me to be the answer! I am awed by Your power that You so freely give to Your people. Give me a heart that is able to believe and not doubt…and help me to live in Your perfect presence, expecting You to move in, through and around my life continually.
Give praise to Jesus as the manna that has come down from heaven, the bread of life who nourishes the hungry with himself (Jn. 6:48-51).
Thank him for taking care of your spiritual as well as your physical needs.
Confess those times during the past week when you have failed to come to Jesus in prayer in order to receive all that you need.
Commit yourself to spending more time in his presence.
Ask Jesus to show you his power to take care of all the desires of your heart (Mt. 6:33).
Pray for generous giving to meet the desperate needs of those stricken with famine, earthquake, war, floods, or other disasters. Ask God to use such giving as a powerful witness to the gospel (2 Cor. 9:10-14).
Good Morning Disciples! Are you a learner? Then you are a disciple learning from a teacher and trying to do the things they do their way. There are disciples of good and evil masters or teachers (rabbis) We are students of THE Master, The Teacher, THE King of the Universe! And he is the bestest, goodest teacher there is! PTL! Do you remember what it was like when you heard, "Come follow me" from Jesus? Many, maybe most, of us were just as clueless as the 12. But we followed and learned and grew in understanding and prowess at doing some of the things He did, His way. But we all still have a journey ahead of us and will never become fully like Him and grown into our fullest potential until we join Him on that great day of the Lord!
we heard a great message from our EC District Field Rep, Rick Sergi. I took lots of notes and have been pondering his message . Think about all the storms of life you have or are going through. Raging seas crashing in your boat. And there is Jesus--asleep! Wake up! Help! Don't you care? He is always with us even when it doesn't feel like it. He does care! He is active even when we think He abandoned us. Wake up! Maybe you should shake yourself awake and from the pity party. He has allowed this storm for a reason and often one we only learn of as we exit the storm and maybe even years later. He has great plans for us that require deep faith, deep roots driven deeper by the gales of life. PTL and trust always.
Who is this man? Yes who is this God/man Jesus to you? How has He carried you, delivered you, transformed you, revived you? Who needs to hear about that? We noticed something we never thought much about...there were other boats following and around Jesus' boat in the storm. Wonder what they thought when the wind and the waves calmed? Do we even care about these others that are drowning in this storm of life? God is with us and for us always and always working all things together for good. We know that in our heads but do we believe it with all our hearts and stand firm in faith with eyes focused on Jesus ready to follow anywhere? Who is this man? He is many praise worthy things!!! Creator. Sustainer. Deliverer. Provider. Storm-Calmer. Protector. All-Wise and Knowing. Good Shepherd. And many many more things! And He is with us always and He does care! PTL! So, where is your focus ? On the storm or on our Savior! Another name for Jesus that is just as praiseworthy as the others is Storm-Allower or Storm Bringer! The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise be the Lord! You say it but do you praise in this storm? He cares and is with you in the boat. Trust and keep focused and worshiping!
Check out TWFYT's reminder to cast all anxiety on Him. Trust Him. And thank Him. He is working all things together for good for those who believe in Him. Do you believe that this man cares and is able and is working good? Receive His love and worship through the storms with eyes on Him. Determine beforehand to always keep your eyes on the Calmer-of Storms, our Deliverer, Helper and Friend! He knows your potential and is always wanting to move you closer to it. Often that requires the sinking deeper of roots from wind ravaged waves and storms. And remember, it helps to have some good friends to walk with you and help you stay focused and to pray for you. There are also people God has for you to share your story of faith that led to deliverance. He does not waste anything we go through! Amen! Who might He have for you to walk with and encourage ? Ask Him! And go live and love like Jesus! Amen!
Shalom shalom--perfect peace is available as you trust and follow . And check out the Connection Blog and the reminder to not forget about all those little boats around us that need to see our Lord and Savior at work in and through us faithful followers. Reach out in love and walk with someone towards Jesus and through the storm. I'd love to hear your stories about these things! Share them! I'm praying for you and praising God for your and our faithfulness and moving towards His very good plans!
Some years ago, I was in prayer when a burden for a teenager in the youth group came upon me. Let’s call the teen “Joe.” it was very nearly overwhelming and this burden would not relinquish its hold on my soul. After nearly an hour of prayer, it became clear that I needed to go and visit the teenager at his school immediately. I phoned my wife, who told me that she concurred with the action, and so I began to drive—about forty-five minutes from the church office. All the way, the burden of prayer grew more profound, until I was given a word for the young man. It was such a simple word that I questioned the whole trip. After all, it was something we heard every . I was to tell him that Jesus loved him!
I walked into the school and there was the very boy standing right by the entrance of the building by the office door. He saw me and very nearly fell over with surprise.
He said, “What are you doing here?”
I walked up to him and told him, “Joe, I need to tell you that you are profoundly loved of the Lord. He has commanded me to find you to tell you that Jesus loves you.”
He broke down and began to sob. Joe told me he couldn’t believe that I had just said that. Then he started to thank the Lord, right in the hallway.
What I didn’t know was his side of the story. Joe went on to tell me that he had been going through a horrible crisis of faith, rooted in the fact that he had suffered some terrible things. It was so very bad that he didn’t know if he believed in the love of God at all. And if God wasn’t love, he didn’t want Him. In fact, he rose that morning and from the depths of despair told God that he didn’t believe He loved him at all. Then he cried out from his soul, asking the Lord to send someone to tell him that He loved him, or he was going to take his life.
That was the moment my prayer burden for Joe began.
We saw the Lord’s glory. He heard his prayer. I heard His prompting and obeyed what I was given. The teenager understood that the Lord loved him and we discovered that we were one, not in all that we thought or said or did. Rather we were one in that we shared the presence and the power of the Lord profoundly. When we obey the promptings of the Lord that we are given, we taste a little bit of heaven here on earth and can say, “yours is the glory, forever!”
Lord of Glory, I wonder how many times You have prompted me to pray for someone, or instructed me to speak a word into someone’s life, and I have disobeyed You. My soul cringes at the thought of lost opportunities to impact others with Your love for the sake of Your glory! Thank You for using ordinary people like me to reach into the hearts of lost and hurting people, and help my heart to be open and prepared to respond with first-time obedience whenever You feel led to use me.
--Adapted from Power Praying by David Chotka.
Sarah update
Good evening, wow what a great day of worship and an awesome Word from the Lord, through Rick Sergi.
I wanted to share a few praises and some folks that are in need of our prayers
Praises:
Marylou is praising God for her great grandchildren healing after a week long of dealing with a virus. They were told it was a very
serious contagious virus among children. Another praise is that their three month old was protected and did not get sick! Yayay God!
Beth Kimbel (Neen's friend) is healing well after her surgery for breast cancer. She shared with Neen that she will only need to have
Radiation treatments. She also is a school teacher, who teaches in a Special Education class. She is really praying that she is able to
take her treatments and teach school. She is very grateful for all the prayers and encouragement that you have sent her way.
Harry Waterman is thanking God for his baptismal experience..... for it was 11 years ago that he was baptized. (, 2014)
Yay God for those that will help with our bread pick up. Jason is our regular person that picks up the bread, but he will be unable to
pick up this week, so Dean is willing to step in and help with pick up this week. Yay God!
Mike L didn't have a good night at the races. Yay God he was kept safe but his race car will need to have some work done to it.
Those in need of our prayers:
Richard Paul will be starting orientation () at Lehigh University. He will have orientation all week.
Prayers for him as he begins this new and exciting journey. Also, prayers for the Lord to provide financially for his college expenses.
Larry (his father) will be staying local until mid-September, to ensure that Richard is all settled in.
Caleb fell off a chair and hit his head on their curio cabinet. He needed to go to the ER to have his wound cleaned out and two staples
put in to help with the healing process. Prayers for Caleb, and family as they watch over him as he heals.
Lindsay - (Friend of Neen and Sarah) has been diagnosed with cancer. She will be undergoing chemotherapy and after they see the results
of those treatments, may be looking at a mastectomy. Lindsay is in her late 30's and has two children. Please keep Linsday and her family
in your prayers, through this journey.
Keith (husband of a friend of Sarah's) has a sever B12 deficiency. He is currently receiving B12 injections and hopefully this will help with
his memory and his work performance. He is a born again believer. Please pray for healing and for the family. His daughter starts her second
year of college .
Praying that you all have a great week! Looks like we may get a few rain showers, which the earth so desperately needs.
Also don't forget that we have a Harvest Table, at the back of the church. So if you have a good harvest from your garden and would like to
share some of the extras with us......bring it and place it on the back table.
Good Morning Ready to Worship Friends of God! Yes indeed! Amen! Prepare your hearts to worship as we gather shortly. That's it for . Come and worship! here's an oldy to help you focus on the reality of the salutation...you are a friend of God! PTL!
TGIF! Thank God I'm Forgiven! PTL and Amen! What are you thankful about? Raise those praises!
Good Morning Focused, Forgiven, Followers of Jesus! He is creator, sustainer, redeemer, re-newer, and with us always! PTL! Are those on your gratitude lists? What other character or property traits of God can you add? Do it and praise the Lord as you abide in His loving presence throughout the day ahead! yes rejoice and keep focused. He does have plans for you . Prepare and follow well!
I had all kinds of things for , BUT God! PTL! He said come and worship and keep lifting those praise as you abide and refocus. So here we are! Let us worship our awesome God always!
He is awesome and worthy of all praise, glory and honor and worthy of all my heart in worship as I follow Him ! Abide! Worship! Follow well! That's enough for ! And everyday! Amen! and PTL!
Good Morning Abiding Pray-ers! Consider abiding, listening and releasing in prayer . God wants us to release His will in powerful prayers. We hear Him as we still ourselves and dwell in His presence in preparation for the day ahead. We can also see and hear Him as we follow daily. He is active and invites us to come join Him, pray and sometimes even be an answer to those prayers. We need to be familiar with Him and His voice. We need to watch for His activity throughout the day prepared and ready to join Him. We need to know when He is inviting us to pray, join, and serve with Him and then have a heart ready to join. Are you ready? Still yourself in His loving presence and load up for the day ahead. Listen and release according to His will. Yes pray for His Kingdom to come and will to be done and ask for it to begin in you. He has some awesome plans ahead. Rejoice and prepare! I 'm praying for you! I'm also praying for Kingdom stories to come alive. What's your story? What's your I was one way and now another experience to share? Remember when we used to have Kingdom Stories Sundays once a month. I think we should do that again (and Bathe in Prayer Sundays)! What stories and praises do you have to share of what God's done and doing? What do we as His Body need to bathe in prayer? Those are great questions that lead to worship and work as stepping off in faith launch pads. What's God saying to you? Who needs to hear it? Make a list of 1-3 people that need prayer or need to hear your story and then pray and share. Amen!
Engage with your devotionals in your quiet time. I'm sharing one as a reminder from Sarah Young and the connections blogs as prayer starters for . Be still, listen, receive and release as you go and serve with Jesus! Praying for you all! Shalom!
This is my prayer calendar thought for . May it kick things off for you as it did for me! He really loves you and is calling you to join Him as you dwell in His loving presence and prepare for the day! Yes, rejoice!
Sarah Young
Connection blogs:
- Releasing the Grace of God into the World
“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 16:23).
Praying disciples are working disciples. When they pray and work, Jesus works in and through them, and great things happen.
Their prayers, to be effective, had to be prayers in Jesus’ name. “In Jesus’ name” is not a pass code to get us into heaven’s throne room. A prayer in Jesus’ name is a prayer that is in accord with His will. It’s what Jesus would have prayed were He physically present.
They were able to pray in His name because they had His mind and His heart. When we truly want what God wants and turn such desires into prayer, those prayers will be prayers in Jesus’ name. When the Spirit of truth lives in us and makes God’s will known to us, we will pray in Jesus’ name. Praying in Jesus’ name makes intercession work. Both our asking and the Father’s giving depend on it. Such prayers will not be prayers for special favors related to worldly comforts or personal pleasures. They will be prayers by which God’s grace is released in the lives of those we pray for.
Jesus didn’t make this promise just to His twelve disciples. When He said, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing,” He was including you, if you are a believer, and me and about two billion other believers in the world . What a great and far-reaching plan. Imagine what would happen in the world if all two billion of us stepped out into works of service and, at the same time, asked Him to work in and through us. Would that be world-changing or what? That is what Jesus had in mind when He spoke these words. That is how He intends to “bring glory to the Father.” In Jesus’ way of thinking we are not just believers; we are His praying servants doing great works as He works His works in us. We are intercessors accomplishing His will and releasing His power and love in the world.
Spirit of Truth, teach me to have the mind and heart of Jesus and to pray in ways that release Your grace into the lives of others. Use me to change the world and to bring glory to the Father! In Jesus’ Name I ask these things!
Praise God, whose mind and imagination created the stars, the earth, and the life of all creatures.
Give thanks for the reaches of God’s knowledge, which far exceeds the limits of the human mind.
Confess the times in this past week when you have leaned on your own understanding and not followed the teachings of the Lord (Hos. 14:9).
Commit yourself to studying the Bible regularly to learn what God has to teach you.
Ask the Lord to make his Word as sweet as honey (Ps. 19:10).
Pray for young adults and their parents, that the teaching of the Lord may be a living faith passed down from parent to child.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayerleader.com. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
LISTEN ONLINE
