Psalm 84 - 4.25.25

Scripture: Psalm 84:10-12

10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Observation

The sons of Korah are singing a song celebrating the joy of fellowship with God, our Creator, the maker of the heavens and the earth. The Living God who loves and adores us. The God that our soul longs to be close to. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Our God who provides and protects us. The psalmist expresses their deep desire for God’s presence and service, that even a humble position in God’s house is better than worldly riches and luxury.

Application

Psalms like these are reminders to us of the things that really matter in our lives. What is value to you? Where do you want to be? With whom would you wish to spend your life with? Even a moment in the presence of God is far greater than a lifetime spent apart from Him. How small we are and how Great is our God. I would rather serve God in a lowly position, feel His love and presence in my life than hangout with people who are Godless and evil. When you seek Him with all our heart and walk in His ways, He will open the windows of heaven to bless you. He blesses us with ALL good things. The one who trusts in Him is greatly blessed. We can walk with Him knowing that He is in us and that He will never leave or forsake us. A moment with Him is better than an eternity without Him.

This psalm is a powerful statement about the importance of seeking God’s presence and prioritizing spiritual values over worldly attractions.

Prayer

Dear Lord, our soul longs to be in your presence! Help us to remember that one day in your presence is so much more than time spent in the world. Help us to prioritize our time so we are able to spend time with you everyday dwelling in your presence. Help us to remember that our strength comes from you and the more we lean into you, the stronger we become. All the blessings in our life comes from you. There is nothing better in life than being in the presence of God and dwelling under the shadow of Your wings. I love you Lord with all my heart and soul!

- Michelle Craig

Acts 12 - 4.24.25

Acts 12:6-7

S – 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

O – The spread of Christianity was on the rise and King Herod began to arrest and persecute many Christians. Herod had already arrested and executed James, brother of John. That had met with approval among the Jews so he then had Peter arrested during the Passover celebration. This was a strategic move, since more Jews were in the city than usual, and Herod could impress the most people. Herod’s plan undoubtedly was to execute Peter, but the believers were praying for Peter’s safety. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of these events. Prayer changes things (everything in fact), so pray often and with confidence!

A – I loved the series Pastor did on Not so Suddenly. Pastor Katie kicked us off in January with the first sermon in the series, which was titled, “Prayer Paves the Way.” There are always some things that happen which paves the way/prepares the way for God to move.  Then there is that suddenly moment when we get to see God in action. These suddenly moments usually follow our prayers. Those prayers may go on for days, months and/or years. In my own life, my husband and I had prayed for a baby. The first pregnancy came fairly quickly and ended just as abruptly with an ectopic pregnancy. We grieved, we prayed, we trusted God to bring us another baby. This time took 4 years and two more miscarriages…..then SUDDENLY, we were pregnant with Dominick. We were in the middle of 28-day prayer and fast and I was done. I told God, I’m sorry but please close the door for us or open it because I just couldn’t bear the pain anymore. I read a scripture that prompted me to run and take a pregnancy test and then…..Suddenly I was pregnant! Suddenly the trajectory of our lives changed forever! The good, the bad, and all the in between LOL. God had, and always does, have a plan. We are not in control of God’s plan for our lives and our only responsibility is to continue to abide in Him, worship Him, trust Him, and pray to Him. His timing is never our timing, so we need to patiently wait….

Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV) 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it[a] will certainly come
and will not delay.

…and then SUDDENLY! What are you waiting for? What are you doing in the waiting period? Are you serving God? Worshipping Him? Tithing? Being generous and loving on others? He may be waiting for YOU to do something on your end before He moves, or it could just be that He is paving the way behind the scenes so that when you get what you are waiting for, you are ready for it and His timing will be perfect! Just because we want something so badly doesn’t mean we are ready for it. Let the author of your life tell you when you are ready : )

P – Thank you Jesus that your timing is always perfect for us because you have a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives. I thank you that in the waiting you are teaching me things, you are growing my walk with you, my maturity in You, and using me in ways that benefit your people and your kingdom. May I not focus on the things I am waiting for, but be productive for the kingdom while I am waiting. Help me to become more like you as I wait so that I am ready to receive your blessings and use them for your good! And when they come….suddenly…help me to always be in awe and live a life filled with gratitude! Amen!

- Crystal Flory

Acts 11 - 4.23.25

Scripture: Acts 11:19-21

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Observation

On Sunday, Pastor Levi shared the story of Lazarus. When Lazarus became gravely ill, his sisters sent a message asking Jesus to come and heal him. But before Jesus came, Lazarus died. The sisters were upset, not understanding why Jesus hadn’t healed him before it was too late. John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Jesus called Lazarus back to life, and all those present were able to see the glory and the power of God!

In Acts, Jesus’ followers are being persecuted. I’m sure they were scared and prayed for the persecution to stop. But because of the persecution, they ended up leaving Jerusalem. And wherever they went, they took the message of Jesus with them. Can you imagine a world where the Christ followers had stayed in Jerusalem and only a chosen few heard the message of the gospel? In the beginning of Acts 11, you see that the believers thought the message of Jesus was only for the Jews. Without the impetus to leave Jerusalem, how would the world know Jesus?  

Application

Sometimes when we cry out to God, we don’t get the answer we are hoping for. It could be that what we are asking for is not good for us. It could be that the timing isn’t right. Or it could be that God has a different plan. The question is, how will we respond in the times of waiting or disappointment or heartbreak? Will we still trust that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us beyond our ability to comprehend?

Prayer

Today I am overwhelmed by your love for me. You are a good God who loves me and wants what is best for me. It is easy to remember this when everything is good, but help me to also remember in the hard times. Spending time with you, praying, listening, and reading your word helps me to grow in my faith and strengthen my trust in you – that you are in control in all things.

- Debbie Dunn