Seeking God's Presence Through Prayer and Community

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Communion

Communion is a sacred act that allows us to remember and honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a moment to reflect on His body, broken for our sins, and His blood, shed for our salvation. This act of remembrance strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God. During communion, we are reminded of the profound love and grace that Jesus extended to us through His ultimate sacrifice. It is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the gift of salvation that we have received through His death and resurrection.

As we partake in the bread and juice, we are symbolically participating in the body and blood of Christ. This act of communion is not just a ritual, but a powerful reminder of the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice. It is a time to examine our hearts, seek forgiveness, and renew our commitment to live in accordance with His teachings. By remembering His sacrifice, we are encouraged to live a life that reflects His love and grace to others. [36:49]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: As you partake in communion, what specific aspect of Jesus' sacrifice resonates most deeply with you today? How can you let this reflection transform your actions and attitudes this week?

Day 2: The Importance of Community

Our church community is a vital support system, especially during challenging times. By sharing testimonies and praying for one another, we build a strong, faith-filled family that can withstand life's trials. This sense of belonging and mutual support is crucial for spiritual growth. In times of joy and sorrow, the church community provides a space where we can share our experiences, receive encouragement, and find strength in collective prayer and support.

The testimonies from our youth camp highlighted the transformative power of community. Young members shared how their lives were impacted by the love and support they received from their peers and leaders. This sense of community extends beyond the walls of the church, as we are called to be there for one another in all aspects of life. By fostering a strong sense of community, we create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and loved. [49:22]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of a time when the church community supported you during a difficult period. How can you extend that same support to someone in need this week?

Day 3: God's Presence in Our Lives

Just as Moses pleaded for God's presence to accompany the Israelites, we too must seek God's guidance in our daily lives. His presence brings peace, direction, and strength, especially during difficult seasons. We are reminded that without God, our efforts are in vain. The story of Moses in Exodus 33 serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of God's presence in our lives. Moses understood that without God's guidance, the journey to the Promised Land would be impossible.

In our own lives, we face numerous challenges and uncertainties. It is during these times that we must earnestly seek God's presence and guidance. His presence provides the assurance that we are not alone and that He is with us every step of the way. By inviting God into our daily lives, we open ourselves to His wisdom, peace, and strength, enabling us to navigate through life's challenges with confidence and faith. [01:16:11]

Exodus 33:14 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the need for God's presence and guidance? How can you intentionally invite Him into those areas today?

Day 4: The Necessity of Prayer

Prayer is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we communicate our needs, express our gratitude, and seek His will. Regular, heartfelt prayer keeps us aligned with God's purpose and provides the spiritual sustenance we need. Prayer is not just a ritual, but a vital connection with our Creator. It is through prayer that we pour out our hearts to God, seek His guidance, and find comfort in His presence.

The theme of the morning emphasized the importance of prayer and community. We were reminded that prayer is a powerful tool that sustains us through life's challenges. By lifting each other up in prayer, we strengthen our bonds as a church family and invite God's intervention in our lives. Regular prayer keeps us attuned to God's will and helps us navigate through difficult times with faith and resilience. [01:11:33]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: Reflect on your current prayer life. What steps can you take to make your prayer time more intentional and heartfelt this week?

Day 5: Facing Life's Challenges with Faith

Life is filled with unexpected challenges and losses, but our faith in God provides the resilience to endure. By sharing our burdens with our church family and seeking God's presence, we find the strength to navigate through difficult times. The past few months have been challenging for many, with health issues and losses affecting our community. Despite these hardships, we were encouraged to continually seek God's guidance and presence.

Personal testimonies of faith highlighted how individuals found strength and hope in God during their darkest moments. By leaning on our faith and the support of our church community, we can face life's challenges with resilience and hope. God's presence provides the peace and strength we need to endure, and by sharing our burdens with others, we find comfort and encouragement. [01:25:58]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you have faced. How did your faith and the support of your church community help you through it? How can you offer that same support to someone else facing a challenge today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the greatness of our God and the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We began by expressing our gratitude for the freedom to worship and the gift of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This led us into a time of communion, where we remembered His body and blood through the symbols of bread and juice. We then celebrated the harvest and honored Charlie for his faithful service with the Canadian Food Grains Bank, praying blessings over him and his family.

The focus then shifted to testimonies from our youth camp, highlighting the transformative experiences of our young members. We also prayed for Jehon and Caleb as they prepare to embark on their educational journeys. The theme of the morning was prayer and community, emphasizing the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges.

We delved into Exodus 33, where Moses pleads with God to accompany the Israelites to the Promised Land. This passage served as a reminder of the necessity of God's presence in our lives, especially during difficult times. We acknowledged that the past few months have been challenging for many, with health issues and losses affecting our community. Despite these hardships, we were encouraged to continually seek God's guidance and presence.

In the final moments, we gathered in small groups to pray for specific needs within our congregation, lifting each other up as a family. We were reminded to remain steadfast in prayer, to support one another, and to always invite God to walk with us through every circumstance.

###

Key Takeaways

1. filled family that can withstand life's trials. This sense of belonging and mutual support is crucial for spiritual growth. [49:22]
3. God's Presence in Our Lives: Just as Moses pleaded for God's presence to accompany the Israelites, we too must seek God's guidance in our daily lives. His presence brings peace, direction, and strength, especially during difficult seasons. We are reminded that without God, our efforts are in vain.

4. The Necessity of Prayer: Prayer is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we communicate our needs, express our gratitude, and seek His will. Regular, heartfelt prayer keeps us aligned with God's purpose and provides the spiritual sustenance we need.

5. Facing Life's Challenges with Faith: Life is filled with unexpected challenges and losses, but our faith in God provides the resilience to endure. By sharing our burdens with our church family and seeking God's presence, we find the strength to navigate through difficult times.

### [49:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:11] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[34:45] - Gratitude for Jesus' Sacrifice
[35:20] - Jesus' Resurrection and Communion
[36:49] - Breaking of Bread
[37:45] - Symbol of the Blood
[38:20] - Final Worship Song
[42:19] - Announcements and Celebrations
[43:05] - Harvest Celebration
[47:43] - Honoring Charlie
[49:22] - Youth Camp Testimonies
[60:02] - Baptism and New Members
[61:06] - Prayers for Jehon and Caleb
[69:30] - Reflecting on Recent Challenges
[70:01] - Introduction to Exodus 33
[72:07] - The Theme of Sustain
[76:11] - Moses' Plea for God's Presence
[78:12] - Seeking God's Guidance
[85:58] - Personal Testimonies of Faith
[88:56] - Group Prayer and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 33:1-17 (NIV) —
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Observation Questions

What was Moses' request to God in Exodus 33:15, and why was it significant for the Israelites? ([01:16:11])
How did the Israelites react when they heard that God might not go with them to the Promised Land? ([01:13:44])
During the sermon, what were some of the specific challenges mentioned that the congregation faced in the past few months? ([01:09:30])
What symbols were used during communion to remember Jesus' sacrifice, and what do they represent? ([36:49])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Moses insisted that God's presence must go with the Israelites? What does this tell us about the importance of God's presence in our lives? ([01:16:11])
How does the act of communion strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God? Reflect on the significance of the bread and juice as symbols. ([36:49])
In what ways can sharing testimonies and praying for one another build a stronger church community? ([49:22])
How can the experiences of the youth at camp serve as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and community? ([49:22])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence strongly in your life. How did it impact your decisions and actions during that period? ([01:16:11])
Communion is a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you make this act more meaningful in your personal spiritual practice? ([36:49])
Our church community is a vital support system. How can you actively contribute to building a stronger, more supportive community within our church? ([49:22])
Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did prayer and seeking God's guidance help you navigate through it? If you didn't seek God's guidance, how might it have changed the outcome? ([01:18:12])
The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer. What steps can you take to make prayer a more consistent and heartfelt part of your daily routine? ([01:11:33])
How can you support someone in our congregation who is currently facing a difficult time? What practical steps can you take to show them love and support? ([01:27:48])
Reflect on the testimonies shared by the youth. How can their experiences inspire you to deepen your own faith and involvement in the church community? ([49:22])

Sermon Clips

1. "I know that, um, it feels like over the last four or five months it's kind of been like this it's been a little bit of a haul we've had amazing time at campus and stuff but we've lost we've gone through some losses um we've gone had some that have just had health issues um it's been a long haul the last four or five months and um you know sometimes life can leave you so overwhelmed." [01:09:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When was the last time we mourned because we felt God wasn't with us? When was the last time that I don't know about you all but I know I've had a few little from God called me read my mail called me on things because I ain't perfect I don't know about you all I got flesh still and the word of God is pretty clear that until we abide with him in heaven we unfortunately will have flesh but they mourned was very impacting for me." [01:14:21] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I began to think of how overwhelming and long and hard the last four or five months has been and you know it's kind of easy to get caught up in the down word trend sometimes we kind of get stuck in the rut that has been ground in the road before us and even though we all know I know you all know we know that he's with us he never leaves us but sometimes we do this by the circumstances of life we don't even realize sometimes that we're walking kind of away and not putting him here and he's getting put down here because you got to deal with this stuff here." [01:17:33] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When was the last time you asked him to go with you because he has asked you to go this way but when was the last time that you asked him to go with you because he never ever promised I'm sorry to tell you I think sometimes if we we give our lives to the Lord and we think woohoo easy train there is no easy train because if it was easy train we'd never a learn anything ever we'd never stay humble that's enough of an issue as it is but when was the last time you asked him to go with you." [01:18:59] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And if ever before we need him we all have circumstances in our lives all of us that we need him I can think of a couple occasions in my life over the past so many years one was in 2017 we were my parents used to live in Lethbridge and we were in the middle of preparing to move them here finding them a place trying to go through all their belongings you know how it is when you've been in one place for a while and we were trying to prepare them to move here which is a lot because life still happens on the other side jobs, kids and whatever else but then right in the middle of it all a week before they moved my best friend passed away unexpectedly and the day of her funeral we were moving them it was already booked and had to call on him I could not have done that road without and I know that I can look back and see that I took too long to ask him to go with me that I was going to align with him and walk with him because it was hard." [01:20:53] (108 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We have families here that are hurting that have gone through health issues that have lost people you know them and we want to pray for them today because we need to ask the Lord to go with us and I know you know that but sometimes we just need to remember we know Jesus died for us but we remember with communion we need to remember to keep us focused on Him to discipline ourselves to be in His word and worshiping Him on our own on Sundays." [01:25:58] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Our vision our mission statement we are a family set apart and there are some families that need their arms held up Thursday night Nermal, sweet Jared's wife was rushed to the hospital and she had emergency surgery that family's been through a lot in the last four months they've lost a dad Jared's had issues with his back and his discs the girls, Hannah's been going through stuff Nermal now has had surgery we have um Cowards Cheryl lost her dad Hoffman's lost Marion they've had Wayne in and out of the hospital was in and didn't get his surgery done he's waiting on a new surgery date we have uh, Rannis Elise is waiting for a new surgery date um Crouse's just lost a son we have so many needs and I'm sure that there are more of you that maybe need healing or whatever so in these groups I want you to join right now and in these groups I would like you let's cover these can we pray together." [01:27:48] (96 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Yes, Lord Jesus, we thank you that your promises are yes and amen. Lord, I thank you that you reside here, that you are so, so faithful, Lord. are so faithful. We need you, Jesus. Would you go with us, Lord? Would you go with us? Give us the directions that we need. Help us to find our peace and our joy in you. thank you for all you've done here today. And we just thank you now. In Jesus' name, amen." [01:38:34] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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