Together in One Place

Community Prayer 5/1/06 to 5/7/06

2006-05-02T13:24:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 35 minutes of prayer over this one week time period.

Scripture Meditation for 5/1/06 to 5/7/06

2006-05-02T13:17:00.000-05:00

D'VINE has entered into a series exploring what the Bible (and cartoons, oddly enough) tell us about transformation. We invite you to read through John 3: 1-21 and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as God speaks to you. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over John 3: 1-21.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

You Are Invited...

2006-04-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

Do you like being part of this online community? How about checking out our face-to-face community this weekend? Check out the following invitation for details.

Luke 1-20 Reflections

2006-04-06T10:34:00.000-05:00

Reflection #1

The most amazing part of the birth story for me is always Mary’s words of acceptance to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.” It blows my mind every time. It has motivated me to pray a simple prayer for D’VINE this week - “May it be to us as you have said, for nothing is impossible.”

Reflection #2
While reading Luke 6, I got a sense that God wants individuals in our community (myself as much as anyone else) to know that He wants us to come to Him to be filled and that He blesses those who are patient enough to wait to be satisfied by Him. It is better to hunger now in expectation of being satisfied by Him than to fill ourselves with other sources.

Reflection #3
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10: 17-20

This passage confirmed some things some of us on the prayer team have been hearing for D'VINE. While it sounds simple, it is often easy to get busy and focused on tasks instead of on what should be our focus - Jesus. If we focus on raising Him up, the rest will follow. We must praise Him through the "busyness" of what D'VINE is facing right now. Our very hearts must praise Him with the kind of praise that comes from pressing into deeper intimacy with Him.

This passage specifically took this further for me, and God added to it through other things I have been reading about spiritual freedom. We are being confronted with opposition - from the world but also from the supernatural acting in this world. If we focus on this opposition, even through something as seemingly innocent as being excited that we have been given power and authority over it, our focus is off. Instead, we should be Christ-focused. We should be focused on where God is leading, and exerting our authority and power only in those places that get in the way of our primary task - the ministry of the Kingdom, including loving, serving, preaching, teaching, praying, etc. We must be concerned about who we are and have been called to be in Christ rather than letting the enemy set the agenda and the battlefield. We must rejoice not in the power, but the source of the power and the fact that He has chosen us to be His.

Reflection #4

In Luke 17, Jesus uses a metaphor regarding a master and his servants. He says that the servants shouldn't expect to be praised by the master for simply doing their duty. While reading this, I just sense that the message for our community is that we shouldn't be serving to seek affirmation from others. We are simply servants doing what we are called to do. My prayer is that we'd find security in God's love for us and that we wouldn't be looking for pats on the back for how we serve.

Community Prayer 4/24/06 to 4/30/06

2006-04-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 4/24/06 to 4/30/06

2006-04-03T09:50:00.001-05:00

Have you noticed that Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom? Have you ever wondered what all this Kingdom business is about? Well if you are curious, we in D'VINE are doing a four week study of the Kingdom. As part of our four week focus, we are corporately reading through the Book of Luke. We would love to have you join us! We invite you to read through Luke and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 21-24.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 4/17/06 to 4/23/06

2006-04-03T09:50:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 4/17/06 to 4/23/06

2006-04-03T09:48:00.001-05:00

Have you noticed that Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom? Have you ever wondered what all this Kingdom business is about? Well if you are curious, we in D'VINE are doing a four week study of the Kingdom. As part of our four week focus, we are corporately reading through the Book of Luke. We would love to have you join us! We invite you to read through Luke and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 16 - 20.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 4/10/06 to 4/16/06

2006-04-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 4/10/06 to 4/16/06

2006-04-03T09:45:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom? Have you ever wondered what all this Kingdom business is about? Well if you are curious, we in D'VINE are doing a four week study of the Kingdom. As part of our four week focus, we are corporately reading through the Book of Luke. We would love to have you join us! We invite you to read through Luke and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 11-15.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer for 4/3/06 to 4/9/06

2006-04-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 4/3/06 to 4/9/06

2006-03-31T15:38:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom? Have you ever wondered what all this Kingdom business is about? Well if you are curious, we in D'VINE are doing a four week study of the Kingdom. As part of our four week focus, we are corporately reading through the Book of Luke. We would love to have you join us! We invite you to read through Luke and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 6-10.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer for 3/27/06 to 4/2/06

2006-03-31T15:37:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 3/27/06 to 4/2/06

2006-03-31T15:26:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom? Have you ever wondered what all this Kingdom business is about? If not, do you wonder now that we have put the thought in your head?...How about now?...Now?

Well if you are curious, we in D'VINE are doing a four week study of the Kingdom. As part of our four week focus, we are corporately reading through the Book of Luke. We would love to have you join us! We invite you to read through Luke and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 1 - 5.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer for 3/6/06 to 3/12/06

2006-03-06T18:06:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation 3/6/06 to 3/12/06

2006-03-06T18:04:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 37-40.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 2/27/06 to 3/5/06

2006-02-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 2/27/06 to 3/5/06

2006-02-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 30-36.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 2/20/06 to 2/26/06

2006-02-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 2/20/06 to 2/26/06

2006-02-20T13:43:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 23-29.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 2/13/06 to 2/19/06

2006-02-13T12:04:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 2/13/06 to 2/19/06

2006-02-13T11:33:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 16-22.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 1/30/06 to 2/12/06

2006-02-13T11:32:00.000-05:00

Reflection 1

Exodus 14:14 jumped out at me, among all the verses here. "The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still." I think this will be important for our team, to know that it's God who fights for us and that we aren't fighting alone. And Ch. 15 is inspiring. "The LORD is exalted... The LORD is my strength and my song... The LORD is a warrior. The LORD is His name..." He is absolutely our source of strength and not anything within us, not any person, not any idea or strategy. He is our strength and our protection.

Scripture Meditation from 1/30/06 to 2/12/06

2006-01-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 9-15.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 1/30/06 to 2/12/06

2006-01-31T14:17:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over this two week time period.

Prayer Reflections for 1/23/06 to 1/29/06

2006-01-31T14:14:00.000-05:00

Reflection 1

A few things come to mind while reading Exodus 5-8.

1) The people of Israel were "beaten down in spirit" by their enslavement. And that discouragement caused Moses' words to fall on deaf ears. There are people we'll encounter, people we have encountered who will have a hard time receiving the message of Christ because of the oppression in their lives. But God is greater than that and will rescue them, by His might and power, not by our abilities. We just need to be prepared for that...

2) Pharoah wanted to squash the Israelites' "God-fantasies." Similarly, I think the enemy wants to squash faith in our community. He wants to use opposition toward that end. Also, the enemy may try to use accusation, as the Pharoah accused the Israelites of being lazy. We need to "stick it to da man." :)

3) With the plague of flies, God protected His people specifically from that plague, by preventing the flies from entering the region of Egypt where they lived. It reminded me of Psalm 91:7-8, which I read over the weekend. "Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished." It meant a lot to me this weekend as I thought about some of the recent violence happening in Cincinnati. I think God is wanting to remind us not to fear the dangers that are out there.

Community Prayer 1/23/06 to 1/29/06

2006-01-20T16:24:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 01/23/06 to 1/29/06

2006-01-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 5-8.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 01/09/06 to 1/23/06

2006-01-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over this two week time period.

Scripture Meditation for 01/09/06 to 1/23/06

2006-01-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

God is doing some amazing things in and through D'VINE right now. We are seeing him lead, and we are learning to walk forward in faith. As we do this, we are sensing parallels with the events detailed in the Book of Exodus. So, we invite you to read through Exodus with us and to share your thoughts, impressions, and words as you do. Here's what to do:

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Exodus 1-4.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer 12/19/05 to 1/9/06

2005-12-20T17:36:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over this two week time period.

Scripture Meditation for 12/19/05 to 1/8/06

2005-12-20T17:34:00.000-05:00

Until the end of the year, we, as a church body, will be reading through the book of Acts. Every two weeks we will post another 7 chapters on this site. Please spend time on those seven chapters and respond with anything God may be speaking into your heart.

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Acts 22 - 28.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 12/4 to 12/18

2005-12-20T17:31:00.000-05:00

Reflection # 1

on this rock, I will build my church. and the gates of hell will not overcome it.

on the rock, of the revelation of who Jesus is to us as a body, individually, and how we communicate that. so many times, churches get caught up in trying to tell people about creation, good works, acts of service, and so on. all those are good. very good. but the principle thing that we Christians must have as our banner is the glorious person of the son of god.

Paul said to the Corinthians (whom I have likened Clifton to):

"You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. 2I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did--Jesus crucified. 3I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate--I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it--1 Corinthians 2:1-3 (The Message).

and Jesus himself said, "He who .. walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (which are the seven churches"

what is the point. that what the church should emphasize is the Finished Work and Person of Jesus. how can we make sure that is what we emphasize. by that being in our own lives as well. I could go on...

"I will build", again the emphasis is on him. our efforts are very necessary but we should remember where it begins and ends.

Community Prayer for 12/4 - 12/18

2005-12-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over this two week time period.

Scripture Meditation for 12/4 - 12/18

2005-12-05T17:16:00.000-05:00

Until the end of the year, we, as a church body, will be reading through the book of Acts. Every two weeks we will post another 7 chapters on this site. Please spend time on those seven chapters and respond with anything God may be speaking into your heart.

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Acts 15-21.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Community Prayer for 11/20-12/4

2005-11-18T16:39:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 7:55-8:00am each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over this two week time period.

Scripture Meditation for 11/20-12/4

2005-11-18T16:34:00.000-05:00

Until the end of the year, we, as a church body, will be reading through the book of Acts. Every two weeks we will post another 7 chapters on this site. Please spend time on those seven chapters and respond with anything God may be speaking into your heart.

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Acts 8-14.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 11/6-11/20

2005-11-18T16:27:00.000-05:00

Reflection #1

Lots of stuff here, but what sticks out to me so much that I don't think I ever noticed before in these passages was the idea of the believers being together. Together in one place. Of one heart and mind. Sharing life and possessions with one another in service of our Lord.

As we begin to build God's church in Clifton, being together in these ways is going to be so important. Together in heart and vision. Together in love. Unified. Not just small groups, but unified as one within the larger body. It is interesting that Pentecost came when they were all together in one place - like when we stand in unity, we open the door to experience the Spirit more fully.

Reflection #2

i was thinking about the christmas carol 'o come, o come emmanuel' earlier and then later read acts 1:6-7... "when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, 'Lord, are you going to free israel now and restore our kingdom?' 'the Father sets those dates,' he replied, 'and they are not for you to know. but when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in jerusalem, throughout judea, in samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"

then i thought about 'o come, o come emmanuel' again. and i thought maybe it's not just a christmas song. maybe it's as much about God making His presence felt now as it is about the first advent of Christ... so during this advent season, my prayer is that we would rejoice over the ways God will make Himself known to us (and through us) and to our community. and my prayer is that we would also rejoice over the final redemption and restoration that will come in the end. 'rejoice, rejoice, emmanuel shall come to thee, o israel...'

Community Prayer for 11/6-11/19

2005-11-06T18:02:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 11/6

2005-11-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

Until the end of the year, we, as a church body, will be reading through the book of Acts. Every two weeks we will post another 7 chapters on this site. Please spend time on those seven chapters and respond with anything God may be speaking into your heart.

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Acts 1-7.

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate for the D'VINE community. Your response may be anonymously posted on this site in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 10/16-11/5

2005-11-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

Reflection #1

I think Luke 14:16-23 is a great example of two of our core values in D’VINE – “throwing the party” and being a group of Christ-followers that “goes”. Some things that stood out to me in particular are:

The master was not satisfied until every seat was filled. He was actually angry that they were going unfilled. It was that imperative that every opportunity to let people experience the party be fulfilled. There was no distinction between the esteemed and those who culturally lacked esteem in the community. They were all the same, and all had a place at the table. In such a diverse community of Clifton, we have an amazing opportunity to bring together a group of people who would likely remain separate outside of the party. Inside of the party, we are to all have equal seating, and it is the master’s desire that we all come to enjoy the party, one another, and Him.

The excuses that the original guests made were the same as what commonly gets in between us and attending the party that God is throwing for us – things we believe are more pressing “needs,” as the Message version puts it. The needs then were much like the needs now – work, financial commitments, relationships/family. But now, like then, we are missing out on so much by not keeping God and his amazing plans for out life as THE priority. We in D’VINE need to show the people we encounter how fun and worthwhile the party is, even as the needs and pressures of daily life press in.

This passage speaks to why, how, and where we are called to go. We go because it is God’s great desire for as many to enjoy Him as possible, and we must let people know about the party. We go quickly under His direction, because it is so important that not one person or moment be missed. We go to places that most people avoid in order to find the outcasts. We go to our immediate surroundings (the city), but then we travel far and wide (the country) to make sure not one is ignored.

Not everyone will respond. Some will refuse outright. Some will agree and then back out. We must never see this as a failure, because there are always others who can be reached with each apparent lost opportunity.

Reflection #2

this is how i felt led to pray as i read the passage:

Father, make our gatherings a place where those who don't yet know You are invited to come and hear what You have done. Use us to bring in the broken around us. And God, may Your amazing blessings not distract us or the people we're serving. Help us to see past those things to see You--the One who loves us enough to provide those things. And please keep leaders and servants focused on the task. Help us to enjoy the life You're giving us, but help us to stay focused on why we're here. We love You...

Community Prayer for 10/16-11/5

2005-10-16T17:02:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 10/16

2005-10-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Luke 14:16-23 (NIV).

16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'

23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'"

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate for the D'VINE community. Your response may be anonymously posted at http://onedvine.blogspot.com in order to bless the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 10/2-10/15

2005-10-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

Reflection #1

I see two parts to this passage – the part speaking of living water and the part focused on worship. As I reflected, I thought about why these two themes are juxtaposed in the same passage.

What I hear is that we were created to worship our Creator. In accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the very living water that then springs forth out of us in worship to our Lord. We are to worship in spirit, implying it cannot be accomplished with our soul alone. Therefore we bring before God not only our mind, will, and emotions (our soul) but also the spirit that was born in us when we were made alive again in Christ (living water). The spirit is the vehicle through which we communicate with and relate to God – it brings us into a place of worship with him. The living water that ushered in our very spirit then springs forth out of us as worship to our God.

We worship not only by singing and proclaiming his worthiness but also by loving Him and loving those he loves. We worship by putting aside ourselves and loving “the least” of those among us – we are challenged to think about who that might be in the Uptown community. We worship through being faithful to carry out the tasks God has set before us even as He equips us to do so. We worship by being good stewards of that which he has entrusted to us. We worship with our very lives – the lives we live in the light of day, in front of others. The lives that reveal who we truly are, what we truly value and worship. It is not worship that is bound to a place or a time but rather worship that permeates all of who we are and were created to be. This, I hear, is worship as God intended it.

Reflection #2

just a couple of things...

1) Jesus was at the well because He was tired. similarly, i think God will be able to use us under all circumstances, even when we think we can't be used (like when we're tired). but we need to be alert to the opportunities that are out there, in spite of any kind of circumstances.

2) God is still on the look-out for worshipers who will worship in spirit and truth. part of this is our constant process of being transformed and conformed to the likeness of Christ, and part of this is looking for new worshipers. how exciting it is that God wants to do both in our community!

Community Prayer for 10/2-10/15

2005-10-02T17:01:00.000-05:00

Scripture Meditation for 10/2

2005-10-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over John 4:1-26 (The Message).

1Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed 2(although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. 3So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.

4To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. 5He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.

7A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" 8(His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)

9The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."

11The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this "living water'? 12Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?"

13Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. 14Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst--not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

15The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so I won't ever get thirsty, won't ever have to come back to this well again!” 16He said, "Go call your husband and then come back." 17"I have no husband," she said. "That's nicely put: "I have no husband.' 18You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough."

19"Oh, so you're a prophet! 20Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?"

21"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. 22You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. 23But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.

"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. 24God is sheer being itself--Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

25The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story.”

26"I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further."

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive on a blank piece of paper.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate for the D'VINE community.

Prayer Reflections for 9/18-10/1

2005-10-02T16:59:00.000-05:00

Reflection #1

Bright
Community building

The issue of race, since the disaster of Katrina, is once again on the forefront of American consciousness. For many people, satiated by the effects of wealth and racial insulation, racism, classism and the overall issue of poverty are “dry” or “dead” issues. In some ways, I feel that God is breathing life back into these issues; He’s peeling back the layers of society to reveal to us the decay of our own hearts and consciousness. God is moving in this country, waking us up, trying to get our hearts pumping again, trying to make us servants again. I think part of that is D’Vine’s approach to getting involved in preexisting outreach organizations. I really feel like the framework—the skeleton—is already there, but he’s putting new people into it—he’s weeding out the decay and the rot and moving in new people. We’re the tendons. We’re the blood. We’re the sinew.

Since Sunday, I have already met several civic-minded, in some cases faith-based (the Amos group) organizations that have vested interests in the community, and their major concern is, can you guess? Building relationships. While the purpose of these groups is not a religious one per se, I do feel that God tends to the whole body, not just the soul. A criticism I have of many Christians is that they pursue someone’s soul while ignoring their financial, bodily, mental and intellectual needs. Ezekiel made the bones into a WHOLE person. We are the BODY of Christ. I think that D’Vine is really being called to plug into all avenues of the community; civic, charitable, etc. so that we are allowing open pathways for Christ to come in and affect people’s lives.

The word “Bright” at the top of the page is something that has continually been appearing in my head since the moment you introduced this Sunday. Other images include a star and a city, Cincinnati, on view from above. The city image seems pretty obvious to me.

Reflection #2

ok... as i looked over this, i thought, 'man, i'm tired. i can relate to those bones.' then i felt like God was saying that this says a lot about the body, about servants in our community. there are a lot of tired people around us. there may even be people we encounter who have been in ministry or had some significant experiences with God in the past but have been derailed (the references to 'these slain' in v. 9 seem to indicate some sort of battle) in the course of the fight (maybe by temptation and sin, maybe by some other kind of attack). but God will bring them new life, and they'll be newly equipped to fight. and the passage also speaks of a coming together. God will be bringing people together in unique ways, attaching part to part. how cool is that?! and i think God's challenging us, as He challenged ezekiel, to believe He can actually do it. and i get a picture of a bunch of really strong guys ready for a fight, kinda like a scene out of braveheart or gladiator.

Reflection #3

Lamentations 4:2 (The Message)

2And the people of Zion, once prized,
far surpassing their weight in gold,
Are now treated like cheap pottery,
like everyday pots and bowls mass-produced by a potter.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (The Message)

7If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.

Reflection #4

Air conditioner to the hot. Some have never felt air. Don't realize how hot you are while standing outside, only when you step into the air.

Be brought out - move - in the Spirit of the Lord.
We have been set in the middle of a valley filled with dry bones, and God is asking us, "Can these bones live?"
The Lord is using us to speak life to this community - to give hope. But he alone will bring life.
We must always be praying for life to fill the spititually dead in Clifton.

Reflection #5

I heard the following as I reflected on this passage:

The Lord’s hand will bring us out of the daily mire into a place of greater insight. We need to pray that ears and hearts will open and that the Holy Spirit will enter the lives of those who do not yet know the Lord. We must continually keep our ears and hearts open to seeing more of what the Lord is showing us in this community. As in the passage where He brought Ezekiel back and forth to view the dry bones in front of him, we must strive to always be open to new things the Lord is showing us in familiar places and situations. We must be patient to see the work of the Lord in His timing. There is a time for taking in what he is showing us and a time for action under His direction.

We must allow the Spirit (breath) to also work in us so that we might see and hear more clearly. The Holy Spirit can overcome the dryness, death, and slaying that we see in our community if we call upon it together and persistently. It can overcome also what is revealed in us – the things that must die in Christ.

This is all to the glory of God – so we will know He is God. We must continually worship and praise Him.

I also believe the following should be shared as related to what I heard above:

Lamentations 3:25
-The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him (NLT)

-God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits and the woman who diligently seeks. (The Message)

Community Prayer for 9/18-10/1

2005-09-18T17:01:00.000-05:00

As a community, D'VINE prays from 2:00-2:05pm each and every day. We have one heart - God's heart - for Clifton. Therefore, we all "come together in one place" to stay focused on God and seek his will for our lives and our church. Please email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com with any words or pictures you received for D'VINE during your 70 minutes of prayer over the past two weeks.

Scripture Meditation for 9/18

2005-09-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

(1) Study, meditate, and pray over Ezekiel 37:1-14.

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' " 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11 Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.' "

(2) Listen to how God is speaking to you and D'VINE through this passage.

(3) Record any specific words or impressions you receive on a blank piece of paper.

(4) Email our prayer director, Marsha, at dvineprayer@hotmail.com and share anything you feel is appropriate for the D'VINE community.