2 Cor‬inthians ‭4:7-8‬ ‭NIV — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

Just like the coffee being expressed, we too are hard pressed. The yummy aroma and flavor lingers as I taste each sip. I have fallen in love with espresso. It is a coffee brewing method in which a small amount of nearly boiling water is forced under 9–10 bars of pressure (expressed) through finely-ground coffee beans. The good news, God does not leave us in despair. His Grace abounds and his love lingers, even when we think our cup is empty.

Let’s allow God to make something beautiful out of our hard pressed areas so that others will see Him through you and I in all His glory. Let’s be intentional by tasting and seeing the goodness only God can provide.

Let’s pray. Dear God, mold me and make me beautiful in Your sight so that others see Your light through me. Make something beautiful out of my hard pressed areas. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 73:26 NIV — My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

2 Cor‬inthians ‭4:7-8‬ ‭NIV — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

Matt‬hew ‭27:51‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.

Psalm 16:11 NIV — You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 34:8 NIV — Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

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Looking back, my word of the year for 2021 was refine, meaning to remove impurities or unwanted elements. On this Sing Sunday, will you allow God to refine you? Will you surrender and make yourself available for God’s glory?

We can be thankful for the parts of us that fail in Psalm 73:26 NIV — My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I  am thankful that God continues to refine me. I am thankful that He is my strength and my portion forever. Let’s worship together!

Available by Elevation Worship

Refiner by Maverick City Music, featuring Mara Justine

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:20-21‬ ‭MSG‬ — In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

Join us as we finish out our week with Deborah sharing on ministry! May we all be willing to be an open vessel for God!

Take a moment to worship with The Goodness of God by CeCe Winans.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:20-21‬ ‭MSG‬ — In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

Some Sundays when we have communion our praise team sings the song New Wine. The lyrics remind me of our call to be a vessel for God. I like the Message version of today’s scripture when thinking about being a vessel for God.

Are you a vessel that God can use? Are you open to the crushing and pressing that may be occurring to make new wine from you? As we finish our week focusing on ministry I encourage you to take some time to really listen to the lyrics of this song and allow God to mold you into “the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift.” Ask God to help you surrender to the call placed on your life. Today may each of us be open vessels ready to serve the new wine God is making out of us.

New Wine by Hillsong Worship.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your call on my life. May I be a willing vessel to present Your gifts to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV — I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

This week you have been encouraged to examine your mission and ministry. On this Thankful Thursday, show appreciation for others who have influenced your ministry. Who has joined with you, encouraged you, or supported you in your mission to spread the word of God? Reach out to those who have shaped your walk by their ministry. Use today to intentionally be thankful and share your appreciation with others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending others to shape my ministry for You. Help me to show my appreciation today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 91 NKJV

One Sunday in 2021, as we arrived for worship, our church family was greeted by the words of Psalm 91 written on the sidewalk leading to the sanctuary. What a beautiful surprise! Although no one came forward as the person who took such time and patience to write out the scripture, I am in awe of the courage it took to undertake this task. This person didn’t choose to write a short scripture, but one that included 16 verses. I wonder how this person would have responded if someone happened to come to the church as he/she was writing? Was he/she nervous while writing or confident in his/her purpose? Was this act a mission or ministry carried out with deliberate purpose? One thing is certain. The person who took such time did so for no attention or self glory.

Now examine your daily walk. Do you have a mission or ministry that you do quietly or without others knowing? It could be leaving encouraging notes or messages. Perhaps you randomly pay the order for the people behind you in the drive-thru. Maybe when you go to Aldi you leave the quarter in the cart so the next person doesn’t have to put in a quarter to borrow the cart.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your boat on a mission to “secretly” show the love of Christ. Sometimes it’s hard for us to do secret acts because we will likely not see how the act is received. However choose your mission prayerfully and allow God to do the rest. As you pray about what your secret mission will be, take some time to read the entire chapter of Psalm 91 that was so beautifully written on our church sidewalk.

Let’s pray. Dear God, reveal to me a “secret” mission I can carry out today to minister to others. May my words and actions show others Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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