The Trellis Podcast

Today's Passage and Prayer: Colossians 1: 9-14 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Ezekiel 36:25-27I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Today's Prayer: Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and earth, author and perfecter of our faith, holy is Your name. Lord it is by grace and grace alone that you transformed us from a people who once rebelled against you into a people who now live to glorify you and to bring you praise. And so Father today we are grateful, grateful because the work you began in us is being seen through to completion by the power of your Spirit. Lord with each passing day like a potter shapes clay you are shaping us into a people who resemble you. And so as we take this time to fast and to seek Your face, we pray that you would open our eyes to the formative work that you're doing within us. Continue to cleanse us and to make us holy as we surrender ourselves over to you daily. Lastly, God we pray that we would not rely on our own strength but on you and you alone. It's in your holy and precious name that we pray all these things, Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, when I came to you brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.Today's Prayer: Father, would you give us more of your Spirit that allows us to become more like your son Jesus.  May we feel your presence that directs our path towards life.  As we encounter so much that today brings allow the power of the Spirit shine through. So that when people see us, they see you.  O Lord, not to us, and only to your name be the glory.  AmenNOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Romans 8:26-27Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.Today's Prayer: Father, thank you for always being with us, your Spirit never leaves us alone, even in our darkest moments you are there.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: John 7:37-3937 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.Today's Prayer: Lord, thank you. Thank you for this river of living water, and that out of your abundant love this river flows through us.As we continue on today, through this week, and the rest of the 21 days, father would you open our eyes? Help us to pay attention, to be in tune with your spirit and catch a glimpse of the river and where we see life spring up in the spaces around us. You have been so good to include us in this sharing of life. Lord we love you. Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.Today's Prayer: Dear God,Will you give us more of these Fruits of the Spirit?  Will you grow them all?  Will you give us such a portion that the boughs of our lives will bend under the weight of so much fruit… so much love, so much joy, so much peace and patience, kindness and goodness, so much faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  And God, I pray for every specific fruit that you brought to mind to every specific person listening to this podcast.  I pray that you would grow that Fruit in them today.  We love you.It is in the name of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ that we pray,Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Ephesians 3:14-19 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.Today's Prayer: Spirit, would you move upon our hearts, even now in this moment. Would you allow each of us to experience your goodness and your affection in a deeper way - one that goes beyond mere information. Let us know the length, the width, the depth, and the height of the love of Christ. Would you unlock our hearts, free us from shame, and fill us with all the fullness of God.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Ephesians 5:13-14 and Romans 8:6. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible. For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says, Awake O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. - Ephesians 5:13-14For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 8:6 Today's Prayer: Lord make us white-hot for the Gospel, Your Kingdom, Your work, and Your love. Help us to love the people of this world, but not to love the things of this world too much. Lord, wake us up from any slumber that gets in the way of being desperate for you. AmenNOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:5-9. And [the Lord] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper.Today's Prayer: Lord, I pray that you would give us the ability to notice how your Holy Spirit is moving in our lives in this season of prayer and fasting. Help us to understand our circumstances through the lens of your truth and interpret our present experience in light of your eternal perspective. Allow our longings to lead us into deeper relationship with you and each other. Give us grace to love and serve you, now and forever. Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: 1 Kings 19:11-12And [the Lord] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper.Today's Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who comforts and guides us. Lord, I confess that I often expect dramatics when anticipating your voice and can overlook the quiet ways you speak to me. Forgive us for the times we let noise, distractions, and fear drown out Your voice. I ask that you continue to teach us to discern Your voice amidst the noise of life. Help us to quiet our hearts and listen for the still, small whisper of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Psalm 105:37Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.Today's Prayer: Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. - Jude 1:24-25NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 3: 17-1817 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.Today's Prayer: Holy Spirit, we pray today that you would remind us that you are the very freedom that we thirst and hunger for. Through you, we are reminded of who we are – who we belong to – and the truth about us. We are free. Having been rescued out of the obligation and slavery and consequence of sin.And you, Holy Spirit, are changing us. Day by day. Degree by degree. Moving us towards glory until we are fully home with you. We offer you the places that we do not feel free, God. The places that we feel stuck. Or sideways. Polluted or perplexed. The places we feel fake or like an imposter. Take all of these and do that thing you always do where you remind us again of your mercy and grace. And help us to recall, today, that our freedom was a gift that was offered to you in great delight. You saw us at our very worst and moved into rescue us. May our life be lived in the freedom and truth of that great love. To you be the Glory, God. We pray this through the power of your very present Spirit. Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Today's Prayer: Thank you God for being our Source of Hope and ready to fill us with joy when there seems to be anything but joy. Thank you for peace in the midst of chaos. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is powerfully working within us so we may overflow with Hope! We believe and hold tightly to this Truth today! In your name we pray AMEN! NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.Today's Prayer: Jesus, In the beginning, You spoke, and from the void, You brought forth all that is. From the formless, You shaped the heavens and the earth,  Calling forth light from the darkness, and filling the deep with Your presence. Jesus, today we confess that we too, at times, are formless and void,  Lost in the darkness of confusion, fear, and doubt.  Yet even now, Your Spirit hovers near, Ready to bring light into the deepest parts. Would you speak, Jesus, that we might hear.     In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: John 14: 25-27These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.Today's Prayer: Oh Lord, we love you. We acknowledge that you are the same yesterday and today and forever. Our circumstances cannot and will not change you or surprise you. We praise you for your spirit that has been poured out on us. We confess that we forget you and we need your Spirit to help us remember you in all things. As we pray and fast today, remind us of your words & the ways in which you have taught us. Fill us with hope knowing that you will never leave us or forsake us and you will continue to teach us as we walk along. Give us peace where we feel hopeless or afraid or restless. Give us joy where there is sadness or longing. Help us to look to you in all things & for all things. We love you.Amen.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Acts 2: 38-39And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.John 14: 25-26 These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.Today's Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of your spirit. We are in awe of how your plan from the very beginning was to lavish us in kindness, love, mercy, and grace. We praise you for equipping us with the very spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and we ask that you help us to believe and trust in that power. Would your spirit call to our remembrance your truth as we engage with the practice of fasting. You are the bread of life. May we find deep comfort in knowing you, far beyond what physical sustenance can provide. We ask for the same renewal of spirit that was sought in Psalm 51. Thank you for the scriptures and how they give us such deep insight into your heart and our purpose. Give us a craving to know you more through your word, and engrave what we learn on our hearts that we may echo the heavens that declare your glory. We love you, and we ask these things in confidence- not in our abilities- but in your everlasting love, power, and glory. AmenNOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: John 15:26-27But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning.Today's Prayer: Father, help us to be a people who rely on the Spirit to hold our eyes up. Protect us from forcing life to happen, and instead put us in a place of submission and humility. Please inspire us to be on mission in a way that points other to Christ. AmenNOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Romans 8:1-11There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.Today's Prayer: Father, you are the one who brings us from death to life.You release us from the failures of our flesh And freely give us the life and peace that is ours in the Spirit. You sent your Spirit as our Helper and our Advocate.You promised that he would dwell within us And intercede on our behalf according to your will. Lord, increase our desire for your Spirit today.Your Word tells us in John 6 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” We thirst for your living water today.Strip away the things that distract us.Help us understand that only the water of the living God will satisfy. We need more of you today. Amen. NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:“When he ascended on high,    he took many captives    and gave gifts to his people.”9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)  11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.Today's Prayer: Lord, we submit today to you once again. We know that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can live our lives in ways that are worthy of all that you have done for us. We ask that you fill us again with your power and that you work in and through us. Help us to be humble and gentle and patiently help one another with our burdens.  We recognize that you have gifted us, and all of your people uniquely and also designed local churches such that we can only function by using our gifts together. Would you give each of us individually a clear view of how you have gifted us and the work that you intend for us to do in your power and in collaboration with your people. We ask that you empower us and give us clear vision to equip your people here in this time at this place we call Fellowship Church to do the work of ministry you intend for us to do together. We ask that you mature us and draw us in to Yourself so that we might know You more and more each day. Help us to reflect your glory in this church; knit us together so that we would grow together and build each other up in your love as we each do the work you have prepared for us to do. In all things, God, let us be for the praise of your glory!  NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: Galatians 5: 16-18 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.Today's Prayer: Father, we love you, Lord. Today we give you thanks that you have filled us with your Spirit, that you have invited us to take up a burden that is easy and is light. Lord, today I ask that you would teach us to walk with your Spirit, to trust in you, to rely on you. To empty ourselves of any desire to prove ourselves and to trust you instead. Would you teach us to live out of the posture Not by might, not by power, but by your Spirit. May we be a people of radical trust and dependance on you. Amen.  NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Today's Passage: John 16: 4-15“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.Today's Prayer: Our Father, you speak to us through the Holy Spirit, our Helper, our Comforter, our Friend. Strengthen our hearts to receive your Word, to receive your Truth. There are many things you desire to tell us, but we cannot bear them yet. Lead our hearts into the places where we can bear more, receive more, and hear more from You. Help us to hear, O God, what more you have to say to us and Lead us on, our Father, into the highlands of Your heart, which you have made so wonderfully accessible to us through He who dwells gladly in us — the Holy Spirit.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here.

Stacey Tafao, R.D. McClenagan, Krista Elmore, and Erik Chandler provide an introduction to the 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer.NOTES & LINKS:21 Days of Prayer & Fasting WebsiteSubscribe to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting NewsletterPDF Guide to Prayer & FastingAs Part of the 21 Days, we are committing to 24/7 prayer during this time. Sign up for a time slot here. Stacey references RD's sermon "God Has More For You." Watch it here.

Today, RD Reads from Luke 2. From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas. 

The Names of God: · Adonai – The LORD, the majestic One who has set His glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8) · El Elyon – The God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; (Gen 14) · El Moshaah – The God Who Saves · El Nehkumah – The God of All Comfort · El Shaddai – The All Sufficient One · Elohim – All Powerful One, Creator, whom we read about in Genesis 1.· El Roi – The God Who Sees Me · Yahweh, I AM · Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Will Provide· Jehovah Magen – The Lord my Shield who appears in Psalm 33: “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name." · Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is My Banner · Jehovah Ori – The Lord is My Light, Psalm 27  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? · Jehovah Rohi – The Lord is My Shepherd; Psalm 23 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me. The One whose goodness and mercy chases after us every single day of our lives. · Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts from Psalm 24 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty,the Lord, mighty in battle! · Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord Who Heals · Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace · Jehovah-Tsuri – The Lord My Rock · Logos – The Word · Rabbi – Teacher · Messiah – The Christ, our Messiah, so identified and called by Andrew, Simon Peter's brother in John 1 · Parakletos – Helper, the One who will be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14 · Shalom – Prince of Peace, prophesied about by the prophet Isaiah: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.· Immanuel - God With Us Prayer and Reflection Questions: 1. Can you think of a time you felt particularly close to God? For me, I often experience Him in nature. There's a mountain in North Carolina my family has spent a significant amount of time on. From it, you can look down on clouds and the Blue Ridge mountains and it never fails to bring me into a deeper awareness of God's presence with me.2. It can look a lot of ways, but as you think of your “God moment,” would you pray a prayer of appreciation (out-loud) of who the Lord is for you and your appreciation of His character. Perhaps one of the names of God has held special significance for you this season – thank Him for that.3. Now, knowing that He is Immanuel, notice where He is with you at this moment. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us, and so ask the Spirit for an awareness of God's presence with you.4. Ask Jesus directly what He wants you to know, or what His good plans for healing are for you today.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Isaiah 9:2-7The people who walked in darkness    have seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,    on them has light shone.You have multiplied the nation;    you have increased its joy;they rejoice before you    as with joy at the harvest,    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.For the yoke of his burden,    and the staff for his shoulder,    the rod of his oppressor,    you have broken as on the day of Midian.For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult    and every garment rolled in blood    will be burned as fuel for the fire.For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,    and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of his government and of peace    there will be no end,on the throne of David and over his kingdom,    to establish it and to uphold itwith justice and with righteousness    from this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.Today's Prayer: Shalom, our great Prince of Peace, We seek rest in you today. Our world is broken,And our hearts are heavy,Yet we rejoice in knowing that you are our promised Peace. Your Word tells us in Colossians 1 that you are before all things.That in you all things hold together.You are the beginning, preeminent in all things.You reconcile to yourself all things.And you make peace by the blood of your cross. We need your deep, healing peace today.Not the circumstantial peace that the world seeks,But the true, everlasting peace that only you can provide. We trust in your goodness And we rest in the hope of your promised return. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: John 14:15-21 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Today's Prayer: Lord, may we yield our posture to You who permanently indwells us.  We ask You to fill us afresh to walk closer to You. May we confess when we grieve You and say a radical “yes” to where You leads us. Since You are our Helper who is called to our side and the One who comes to our aide, let us keep in step with you every step of this holiday season.  For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: John 1:39-42 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).Today's Prayer: Jesus, you are our Messiah. Our Christ.The promised one that was spoken of from long ago.You are our rescuer, the one that has promised to bring us out of darkness and into light.You are the anointed one. The one set apart from the very beginning to be the one who delivers us to a new Home. Your Kingdom coming. Jesus. Help us, this Advent season, to know without doubt, that you are the one that the prophets spoke of long ago. Help us to believe that there is no other way but following you.The Messiah. The Christ. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: John 1:35-38 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “what are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means teacher) “where are you staying?”Today's Prayer: You are the Lamb of God. We proclaim that you are holy and above all. There is no one like you. Thank you, Lord that you are the perfect teacher. Even the best among us cannot compare to you. You are gentle and kind. Our hope is in you. Teach us how to forgive just as you forgave us. Teach us to be generous. Just as you poured out yourself lavishly on us. Teach us to be humble. Just as you humbled yourself by being obedient to the point of death on the cross. Our hope is in you. We love you, Lord. Amen. Amen. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: John 1:1-5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.Today's Prayer: God, we love you and praise you. We acknowledge that we here today are numbered among those who have beheld your glory and experienced your goodness. We are included among those Isaiah spoke of when he said "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of deep darkness. A light has dawned." Our world is dark. Full of shadows, doubts and hidden places. Yet in your love you refused to leave us stumbling alone. Instead you gave us yourself your word, The Logos, Jesus stepping into our darkness to bring light, clarity and truth. Today we honor you as our Logos, the eternal word who speaks life into our weary souls. You are the light that never fades. The Word that never stops speaking. So, Jesus, we ask you today. Shine your light into the hidden corners of our hearts, exposing what needs to be revealed and calling us into the abundant life you promised. Speak your words of truth in life over the lingering doubts, the unanswered questions, and the fears that lurk in the shadows of our minds. Illuminate our paths and lead us into your presence, where light and life abound forever. Amen. Amen. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Psalm 18:1-2I love you, O LORD, my strength.The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,    and I am saved from my enemies.Today's Prayer: Father, we love you. You are our rock, Jehovah-Tsuri.You are the one in whom we find refuge.Our salvation, and our strength for today. Remind us today of your faithfulness.Remind us today that your ways are perfect. In the dry and weary places of our lives,Teach us to lean fully on you.Teach us to make you our first move. In the broken places and in places of contentment,Reveal our need for the hope that only provide.Keep us from trying to become our own deliverer – our own strength. Lord, only you will satisfy.Help us see you at work today, And help us walk in the confidence of your good and perfect ways. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Judges 6:22-24 “Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.”Today's Prayer: Lord Jesus, we love you. More often than we care to admit. More often than we want. We need to hear your words. Peace be to you. Do not fear. Lord. But you remind us that you are our peace. It is not our circumstances. It is not what is happening around us in the world. Though we do ask for peace, Lord, it is you yourself who is our peace. That we, like Gideon, would understand. Now, I have seen you face to face. I know who you are. And Lord, how much more in Jesus, our Prince of Peace, do we see you face to face? Because you are Emmanuel, God with us. Standing in front of us. Present in the Holy Spirit. The love of the father made manifest among us. Lord, may we be that peace to each other. May we pass the peace of Christ amongst our brothers and sisters, and all those we come into contact with. Lord, knowing always it is you that has brought us peace through your cross where you loved us enough to take away the penalties. The debts we owed, the way we had invited sin and turmoil into our lives. You made peace by the blood of your cross. Because you loved us. Lord, let that peace invade our identities today. May that tell us who we really are. Amen. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Exodus 15:22-26Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”Today's Prayer: Lord, we love you. You are Jehovah-Rapha – the Lord Who Heals. Your blood was shed and your body was broken that we may receive an everlasting healing.A gift we can hardly comprehend. Your Word so beautifully points to this truth from the first words to the last.And we cling to this promise today. We need your healing, and we need your hope today. Reveal in our hearts today where we need your healing power to bring life to our bitterness.Reveal in our minds where we need the truth of your Word to overcome our selfish thoughts. Help us see you anew today,In the simplest of moments,And in the places of deep pain. We praise your beautiful name. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O gates!    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?    The LORD, strong and mighty,    the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates!    And lift them up, O ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?    The LORD of hosts,    he is the King of glory! Today's Prayer: Oh LORD of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth, you are the King of glory above all others, and the victory is already yours.  We call upon you in awe and praise when we perceive just a small portion of your character. Sometimes that comes out of us in speechless wonder and sometimes in shouts of praise. You are the LORD of hosts, the one who is above all and in whom and through whom all are created.  We call upon you in our distress when we perceive just a small portion of your character. Sometimes this comes out of us in speechless sobs of sorrow and sometimes in cries of agony. You know our inner hearts and the troubles that we are going through in this world. We want to rest assured that you are our refuge. You are our God, and we are your people. We submit to you as the Lord of Hosts and ask that you would reveal more and more of yourself to us. Reveal to us, LORD, more of how you empower us to cooperate in your work here, more of how you protect us in all of our battles, and more of how you are our strong refuge. LORD, we ask that you knit us together here in this place that we call Fellowship Church into a people who passionately serve you by serving each other and the world for the praise of your glory! Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.[He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness    for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,    I will fear no evil,for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me.You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me    all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord    forever.Today's Prayer: Father, as we reflect on your first coming this Christmas and live in the liminal hope of your second coming, turn our hearts away from lesser things that are only wind and waves of distraction. Help us to worship you and you alone in spirit and in truth. Help us yield our lives to your ever loving care and shepherding. We are your sheep. We hear your voice. We are known by you and desire to follow you in the name of Jesus. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Psalm 27The Lord is my light and my salvation;    whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life;    of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me    to eat up my flesh,my adversaries and foes,    it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me,    my heart shall not fear;though war arise against me,    yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord,    that will I seek after:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord    all the days of my life,to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord    and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter    in the day of trouble;he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;    he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up    above my enemies all around me,and I will offer in his tent    sacrifices with shouts of joy;I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;    be gracious to me and answer me!You have said, “Seek my face.”My heart says to you,    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”    Hide not your face from me.Turn not your servant away in anger,    O you who have been my help.Cast me not off; forsake me not,    O God of my salvation!For my father and my mother have forsaken me,    but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord,    and lead me on a level path    because of my enemies.Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;    for false witnesses have risen against me,    and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord    in the land of the living!Wait for the Lord;    be strong, and let your heart take courage;    wait for the Lord!Today's Prayer: So, father, we wait for you. In our waiting we seek your face. Please, Lord, reduce of anything that hinders us from coming to you. Release of any doubts, shame or areas in our life that are steeped in darkness. Search our hearts and show us what we might need to be sacrificed to you. That we may do this with shouts of joy. Because we know that darkness will not overcome the light. Amen. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Exodus 17:14-16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.Today's Prayer: Oh LORD our Banner, Jehovah Nissi, we call upon you both in our distress and in our victory. We submit to your leadership and ask that you would reveal more and more of yourself to us. Reveal to us, LORD, how you have gifted us to cooperate in your work here. LORD, we ask that you knit us together into a people who passionately serve you by serving each other and the world for the praise of your glory! Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. AmenFor more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Psalm 33: 20-22 Our soul waits for the LORD;    he is our help and our shield.For our heart is glad in him,    because we trust in his holy name.Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,    even as we hope in you.Today's Prayer: Lord you are our shield and our ever-present help.Your steadfastness deepens our hope and draws us near to your side. The brokenness of this world often leaves us feeling discouraged.The circumstances of this life so easily weigh us down. But, your word reminds us to take refuge in you.It reminds us to trust you.It reminds us walk in integrity.It reminds us that your ways are perfect. Your very words remind us that we will face trouble.Yet we have an eternal hope.We have the beautiful eternal hope of trusting in the One who has overcome the world. As we wait eagerly for your return,Let us not lose sight of our great help and our shield. We love you Lord.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Genesis 22:9-14When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Today's Prayer: Father God, Jehovah Jireh – we recognize the ways seen and unseen that you have provided for us and our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout all of time. You are always on time. And even though it doesn't feel like that sometimes, we believe it ultimately to be true.  Remind us again, in this advent season of waiting and longing for you, that your heart is one of outpouring and generosity. Abounding in love and blessings to those of us that call on you. Jesus, we praise you, for being the provision we needed. At just the right time, while we were powerless in our sin, you became our sacrifice and made a way for us to come home to God. How can we ever stop thanking you? We celebrate your coming and your victory this Advent season. And we eagerly await to be reunited with you. Holy Spirit, through your power, would you remind us when we forget that Jehovah Jireh is our God. Call to mind the ways and times he has proven himself true to his character. And help our hearts to grow in wisdom and trust as we wait and hope for Christ's return. Amen.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Exodus 3:11 -15 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, ‘What is his name?' what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.' God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”Today's Prayer: Lord, we love you, and we praise your beautiful name. You are the great I AM.The one who is in all and holds all things together. The one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our need for you is great.Remind us today that you alone are our sustainer.Remind us today that we can rest in the fullness of who you are. Let us see your power in all of our brokenness.Let us see the constancy of your presence throughout every season of our lives.Let us see where you are revealing your eternal nature to a broken world. And let us not miss where you are inviting us into this beautiful work.  As we walk through each hour of this day, Make your presence known,And let us rest in all of who you are.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Genesis 16: 11-13 And the angel of the Lord said to her,“Behold, you are pregnant    and shall bear a son.You shall call his name Ishmael,    because the Lord has listened to your affliction.He shall be a wild donkey of a man,    his hand against everyone    and everyone's hand against him,and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.” So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Today's Prayer: Father we love you. We long to for the day we will see you face-to-face, But, in the waiting, we rest in knowing that you are the God who sees us in this very moment. We rest in knowing that you see us in our laughing and in our weeping.We rest in knowing that you see every longing and every place of brokenness.We rest in knowing that you see every high and every low. Throughout this day, attune our hearts and minds to you.Let our eyes not drift from your glory.Let us not forget your deep, unwavering love for your children. When we are tempted to numb the pain through our own strength, Keep our eyes on you.When we struggle to see the good in your plan for today, Keep our eyes on the promised joy that is to come. You are the God who sees all that was, all that is, and all that will be.We trust your good and perfect ways.For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.Today's Prayer: Elohim…God… The fact that you have existed from the beginning of all time is incredibly reassuring to my heart. So often, I get caught up with the details of my own life and forget that it is meant to be part of the grand story You have been writing from the beginning of all time.  I confess that you are all-powerful and are the creator of all that surrounds us. While you rule and reign over all of creation help me to trust that Your sovereignty extends to my life. The details of my life are not hidden from You. Your Word remind me the very hairs of my head are all numbered and that I am far more valuable than many sparrows. In the same way that your Spirit hovered over the face of the waters, would you hover over me on this day? I desire for my life to be motivated and animated by Your Spirit. I ask the Spirit would shape my heart and affections for You today. I give You access to my life, Elohim. Have Your way. In Christ's name…Amen. For more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church. 

Today's Passage: Genesis 17:1-8.  When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;[a] walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram,[b]  but your name shall be Abraham,[c] for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”Today's Prayer: Oh Lord we love you.  We confess that you are El Shaddai, God Almighty, The All sufficient One.  We pray that you remind us of your sufficiency, over and over again. Let us not get distracted by the things of this world but instead keep our eyes fixed on you.   Give us hope knowing that the same sufficiency you promised Abraham is what you offer to us.  You are continually with us. You guide us with your counsel. You are the strength of our heart and our portion forever.   AmenFor more information about this Advent season, visit our Christmas at Fellowship page. There you can find more resources, as well as information about pursuing Christ and celebrating him this season with our church.