[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Tonight and Event Reminders Hello Pathway Family! We wanted to send a few reminders for upcoming events: - Tonight, we will have our monthly all church prayer meeting, at 8pm on Zoom (details below). - This Sunday is “Sunday Sweat” with Robyn. Come enjoy an afternoon of dance fitness for all levels. Open to everyone from 12:30-1:15pm after service. - Easter Weekend is next week. Good Friday service will be March 29th starting at 7pm. We will have chidlcare available that night. Easter Sunday service starts at our normal 10:30am, but please plan on staying for lunch and events after service! Prayer Meeting Information Tonight we have a blessed opportunity to gather as believers, to align our hearts to God and in community with each other. Please consider taking some time out of your night tonight to look to God’s word, to meditate on His truth, and to offer prayers in response. And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We would really like to encourage anyone, EVERYONE, to join in on our call! We would love for Pathway attendees of all ages, life stages, fellowship groups to join in! Come in to just pray with us for a short moment if you cannot stay the whole time, or please share something that is on your heart as well.‬ All of the Zoom information is below. Even if you cannot join in, please feel free to send in a prayer request. We would love to cover you in prayer! Thursday, 03/21, 8:00pm Zoom ID: 9252336224 PW: 242247 Blessings and peace, Pathway Pastors

[NEWS] First Prayer Meeting of the Year

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting and Upcoming Events Prayer Meeting, Christmas Eve and Open Mic Sharing Service Hello Church! We hope you are having a wonderful week as we continue on in remembering God’s incredible hope, peace, joy and love! Our series on Advent and the heart of Christmas continues this Sunday. Please join us at our normal time for service on the morning of Christmas Eve. The following week, December 31st, we will have our annual end of the year sharing service. Please come out with praises and prayers sharing what God has done this past year and where He is leading you in the new year. PRAYER MEETING THIS WEEK Thursday night, December 21st, we have our monthly all church prayer meeting on zoom. ”So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.“ ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I would really like to encourage anyone, EVERYONE, to join in on our call! We would love for Pathway attendees of all ages, life stages, fellowship groups to join in! Come in to just pray with us for a short moment if you cannot stay the whole time, or please share something that is on your heart as well.‬ All of the zoom call in information is below. Even if you cannot join in, please feel free to send in a prayer request. We would love to cover you in prayer. Tim Thursday, 12/21, 8pm Zoom ID 9252336224 PW 242247

[NEWS] Prayer and Praisegiving

[NEWS] DST, Craft Fair and Missions Sharing Hello Church! This weekend we have a few incredible opportunities for fellowship and connection to our church and our calling. Before we get into event announcements, we want to remind everyone that time changes this weekend for daylight savings, as we “fall back” from Saturday to Sunday. On Saturday we have our annual Christmas Craft Fair with our first ever Children’s Petting Zoo at Pathway! Whether you are a crafter, a volunteer, or a shopper, please stop by Pathway between 10am-4pm to see some of the incredible creations and products made in our own community. A portion of the sales supports our summer missions trips and allow us to show compassion and to share the gospel with different communities in need. If you cannot attend, you can still help by sharing the event with your friends or on social media to help us get the word out! This Sunday, our women’s ministry is gathering before service for our monthly “Café Pathwé” fellowship time at 9:45am. After our worship service, we would like to invite everyone to stay after church for a lunch with a special presentation from Thailand missionaries, Kennedy and Wendy Paizs. They are going to share a 45 minute presentation that includes the art of storytelling to teach the gospel and how to understand and connect with different cultures. Not only will we learn about God’s work in Thailand, but it will also help us grow in the way we approach sharing our faith here. Finally, we would also like to encourage everyone to keep November 12th’s Town Hall meeting on their calendar. Our leadership will share about our year in review in 2023, our vision for 2024, organization and ministry updates. We would love to have our whole church family stay with us so that we can enter the new year united in focus and passion. (Lunch will be provided)

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting and Upcoming Events

“Café Pathwé” Women’s Morning Ministry Gathering Tomorrow morning is the Women’s ministry first monthly gathering, Café Pathwé. Come join us as we share & pray over coffee/tea. And as a “added surprise,” you’ll have an opportunity to express your interest in a selection of Christian Living books for our upcoming Christian Reading Club. Come fellowship and find out more tomorrow, October 1st, from 9:45-10:15am!

[NEWS] CORRECTED Prayer Meeting September 21

[NEWS] Pathway Upcoming Event Schedule

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting July 20th

[NEWS] Love Never Fails

[NEWS] Summer Missions and Serving Opportunities

[NEWS] A Sermon Series Built By You Hello church, As we begin to shift into summer ministry, we would like to invite our entire church body to help with our planning. There are a handful of really exciting things on the horizon including a local missions week where our church body can serve and bless a number of local organizations, summer retreats for youth and families, Sunday Bible studies, and a new series kicking off in just a few Sundays. This new series, called "Relevant Topics," is a sermon series built by you! But we need your input. The goal is to build a series that addresses topics that our church attendees feel would be relevant and thought provoking topics for the communities that they are connected to. Please suggest topics that you might invite your non-church attending friends to. This is not necessarily a "hot topics" series to discuss controversial topics that those in the church and outside of the church might debate on (although, please feel free to suggest any topics that you feel led to). It is more so the church's chance to help build a series of relevant topics that people need to hear in their everyday lives to find answers to questions they might have about life, love, faith, etc. Some suggestions might be: - Finding hope in difficult situations - Mental Health - What do healthy friendships or families need? - Dealing with guilt or sadness - Christians and popular culture - What about the negative history of the church? Please share your thoughts as openly and freely as you would like to by going to www.pathwaycc.co/relevantseries. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. God bless, Tim

[NEWS] Pre-Service Mother's Day Breakfast

Praising God for an incredible weekend of experiencing and growing in life together! So blessed to have a weekend away with our church family. Thank you @whattheewwic @vote4anh for preparing so many encouragements and challenges for us this weekend. More fun to share online. Stay tuned!

[NEWS] National Day of Prayer and Retreat Weekend

[NEWS] Easter Weekend Good Friday and Easter Sunday Hello Church! Easter weekend is the most significant holiday in the annual calendar. Christmas is a beautiful beginning to the story of God coming down to earth as a human, but Good Friday and Easter Sunday are the reason why He came. Humanity was lost in its sin and destined for death (separation from God) but Jesus came to pay for our sins on the cross, defeating death when He resurrected three days later. We would love for you to join us throughout this weekend to celebrate God’s incredible love. Tomorrow night, we will be holding our Good Friday Service from 7-8:30. It will be a simple evening of worship, prayer, teaching and testimony as we consider how our Father’s plans meet our greatest needs. Easter Sunday Service will begin at our normal 10:30am time, but will also have a baptism celebration, lunch, and an egghunt. Come celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with us as one of our church attendees proclaims their faith through baptism. Come join us in person, if you need to be away then join us online, and even if there are circumstances that prevent that, join your heart with us, wherever your at, as we meditate on the cross, thank God for His loving sacrifice, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this weekend. God bless you! He is risen!!! Tim

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting March 23rd

[NEWS] Baptism

[NEWS] Therefore Go "Therefore Go" 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20 What more direct call can we connect our 2023 vision than our call to "GO"? We have two main commands; to go and to make disciples. We must go, move with intention, and we must do the work to change lives (by baptizing and teaching God's truth). We cannot stay and wait for people to come, nor can we go without the intention of changing lives. Some translators suggest a slightly different English translation. They suggest that it should read "While you are going, make disciples." We will save the scholarly debate over the accuracy of this for another day, but I think the point of this translation gives great food for thought. We understand that we must go, but if we are living authentic lives of faith, following in the footsteps of Jesus, we can change lives even while we are on the move! (Matthew 5:21-43) Every morning, with the importance and the urgency of the gospel on our hearts, we should "go" to all the places God calls us to, with purpose. Even with a destination in mind, or "while we are going," we should also keep our ears and eyes open for God given opportunities to impact someone along the way. This Sunday we will get to hear from some of Pathway's ministry partners who have gone and are going. We will be wrapping up our "Urgency of the Gospel" series with a Missions Sunday. Please join us this week to hear updates on how God is working all around the world and stay for an all church lunch after service. Praying for the Holy Spirit to move you, "while you are going" throughout your days this week, Tim Please see information below about our next Kids Against Hunger volunteer day, Retreat Registration, and meeting info on how to become a resource family to support Foster the City.

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Feb 16th Third Thursday Prayer Meeting Hello Church! Tomorrow night, Thursday February 16th, we have our all church prayer meeting on zoom. For this prayer meeting, we will be focusing on the attribute: God is Love “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ During these meetings our prayer team leads us through reflections on scripture, sharing what they mean and praying as we reflect on how that impacts us. These are beautiful, refreshing and restorative times that you can join every month. I would really like to encourage anyone, EVERYONE, to join in on our call! Whether you’re dialing in from your computer and interacting, or listening with earbuds in and camera off, to be able to join our hearts together in prayer as a church every single month has been one of the biggest blessings for our church. We would love for Pathway attendees of all ages, life stages, fellowship groups to join in! Come in to just pray with us for a short moment if you cannot stay the whole time, or please share something that is on your heart as well.‬ All of the zoom call in information is below. Even if you cannot join in, please feel free to send in a prayer request. We would love to cover you in prayer. Tim Thursday, 02/16, 8pm Zoom ID 9252336224 PW 242247

[NEWS] Prayer and Sign Ups 24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, 25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24 Taking thought on how to spur this community on to love and the good work that God puts in front of us is both one of the beautiful blessings and also the greatest challenges of church leadership. We want to push people to use their gifts, to live their faith bold and loud, but sometimes we overstep the important still, quiet moments of growth. We see the idea of good deeds through love, but forget about other aspects of care. More recently, I have seen the need for simple connections, "not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing," come up much more often. I cannot emphasize the impact that an email, a text, or a phone call can have. Sometimes you catch someone in a moment where they need prayer, encouragement, or just an ear to listen. It is amazing how initiating a connection if you are in need or thinking about someone can open up a dialogue and a time to pray. We are very clear in our vision at church. We want to daily inspire people to live like Jesus by loving God, loving others and loving self. What we may need to nudge people more in, is taking the time to be loved. If you have something you want covered in prayer, or if you would like someone to talk to about the big life moments to what seems like a million little things happening, we have an incredible church leadership (staff, elders, leaders and prayer shepherds) that would love to talk. Like it says in Hebrews 10:24, it can become our habit to not meet or be encouraged, but we should do even more so because of our understanding of the urgency of the gospel (as we see the day drawing near!). Please send us an email and let us know how we can be praying for you. Thankful for this church community, Tim Please see information below about our news about KAH, retreat registration, and meeting info on supporting foster families.

Hello Church! . . . after his suffering, he [Jesus] presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God - Acts 1:3 A little over a month after we celebrated Christmas, remembering the birth of Christ and what His life and resurrection means for us, and we find ourselves talking about the importance and the urgency of the gospel. Imagine the impact of the time that Jesus had with his apostles after He was raised from the dead. There was a lot of excitement before Jesus’s time in Roman captivity, but now death itself had been defeated! This is where the early church is born. At Pathway, we love Acts 2:42-47 and the fellowship of the believers is something we strive to grow in every day, but the foundation of the church begins with the time Jesus spent during that 40 day period. Forty days with Jesus sparked a new movement. The disciples were empowered and their call made clear to be God’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. I hope as we teach about the urgency of the gospel at Pathway that the calling is clear, but that our movement and passion would stem from the same type of time with Jesus as those early church planters. We should spend time celebrating His miraculous life and resurrection, learning from His teaching, and hearing a clear call to further His kingdom. Can we make time to have “forty days” like moments with Jesus as He walks with us, giving us new blessings every morning? And from that connection, could we not only answer a call to go, but be unstoppably inspired to be His witnesses? Pray with us, sit with us, learn with us, and serve with us in response to God’s great power and overwhelming love, Tim Please see our latest email about FFFF dinner tonight, our next Kids Against Hunger volunteer day, Early Bird Retreat Registration, and meeting info on how to become a resource family to support Foster the City.

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting January 19th

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

[NEWS] Christ the Savior is Born

[NEWS] “Immanuel” Prayer Meeting December 15th

Come join us for "Home for the Holidays," a Women's Christmas Celebration this Saturday, December 17 from 11am-1pm at Pathway Community Church! We will be celebrating the home we have in Christ over food, worship, and a devotional. If you can, please bring a dish/food that reminds you of home, but even if you can't, please come anyway - we would love to have you! Feel free to pass this on to any that might be interested. You can RSVP and find more details here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F8BRsnvYmL-YXmjM3PbZECT4vKtsDxf-HXxJc0V4eZ4/edit?usp=sharing. Look forward to seeing you there!

*Countdown to Craft Fair!* Here's a preview highlighting one of our many talented crafters. Save the date. Invite Everyone. And get ready to find some unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your list! Just Ice by Justin Hello my name is Justin owner of Just Ice Collectibles. I became a toy collector in 2018 when my friend introduced me to Funko Pops. And the rest they say is history. I love Disney, Marvel and DC. I do the hunting and finding of harder to attain figures (pops) so you don’t have to! So come and take a look at my toy shop.

Thanks and Praise Hello Church!  Colossians 1:3-4, 9-12 3 We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints.  9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects- bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saint’s inheritance in the light.

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting November 17th

[NEWS] A Few Quick Reminders

[NEWS] All Scripture is God Breathed

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting October 20th

Upcoming Service Opportunities - Hello Pathway! “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.”      I wanted to start this email with the verse we used leading up to our anniversary celebration. Celebrating God’s work doesn’t stop after a temporary moment of celebration. His wonders are still incredible, both leading up to the anniversary, and even over the last few weeks since!      We want to congratulate Pastor Austin and Christiana for confessing their love for each other, and also their commitment to God together, last weekend. As a church, we not only celebrate with them, but we also to commit to continue to encourage and support them in their marriage. This is also something that we also commit to for all of our wonderful engaged couples, recently married, and long time spouses! If any staff or elder can walk alongside you in your relationship, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.      Moving on past 25 years at Pathway, we look to how we can continue to live and love like Jesus. Below you will find 2 service opportunities that we have to impact a world in need with the love of God. Thankful for God’s goodness in how He moves and works in this church, Tim P.S. For those that received the eco-friendly reusable utensils, we did get word that the utensils and box are upper rack dishwasher safe, but if you want the logo print to last, it is recommended to handwash the top of the container. Check the link in bio to read the rest of the anouncement and to see the sign up links for volunteer opportunities

Beautiful night for an all church picnic and sunset worship. See you soon!

Hello Pathway Past, Present and Future! “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.”      God has been leading and working through this chuch for 25 years. So often our lives are focused day by day, maybe meal to meal, or even minute to minute. At least once a year, we stop to think about the abundant blessings we have during Thanksgiving, and we realize how many things we may have taken for granted. Over the last few months, being able to think about the last 25 years has led me to more memories, conversations, moments of thanks, awe, reverence, and praise. We cannot wait to sit and remember God’s incredible faithfulness with all of you this weekend!      You will find details about everything in the email below, but please just remember that you can go to our webpage, www.pathwaycc.co, and click the link to the 25th anniversary to find everything you need for the weekend’s events! (link in bio)

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Tomorrow

[NEWS] Updates and Happenings

Happy Monday! We are in our Not of this World series and yesterday, Pastor Tim spoke on the great importance of being rooted in God's Word. "Sin comes from rebelling against God's standard. We are most vulnerable when we do not fully understand what that standard is, allowing us to become "of" the world. The worldly approach to God's word is to deny its validity and authority, over simplify God's commands, or turn the study of it into a legalistic study."

[NEWS] He First Loved Us

As we have been going through the Not of This World series, we see that being in, but not of this world doesn't come easy! However, praise God for how He has set a perfect example through Jesus and provided us brothers and sisters to run this race with. Together as a Church, we continually encourage, challenge, learn, and grow. Come join us as we study 1 Corinthians - a letter that Paul wrote to the early church of Corinth that is very much applicable to us thousands of years later. What does it look like for a church to be in, but not of the world?

"Being 'not of this world' does not mean we are against non-believers, even if the world is against us. Being NOTW actually means we are completely for God, who came into the world to save the lost, even if it means breaking from traditions or comfort" Come join us in another week of spending quality time with God in His Word. Whether it's by following these devotionals or your own Bible readings/quiet times, we would love to hear what God is teaching you!

Happy Monday! Yesterday, Pastor Austin kicked us off in our new series "Not of this World!" As we explore what it means to be in the world, but not of this world, we are reminded that it always starts and ends with Christ! Christ came, connected, and was crucified because He loved us! In response to his grace upon grace, let us follow in His example!

[NEWS] Calling and Well Wishes

Yesterday, Pastor Tim challenged us through 2 Peter 1:1-15 to "MEE with PG&E" - What does it look like to make every effort to grow in faith,, excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and unselfish love? How can we be doing this not just out of our own limited strength, but through God's infinite power, glory and excellence? Let's continue to spur one each other on - come follow along and share what God is teaching you!

[NEWS] Shining Light and Expecting Fruit

Can you believe it!? We are at the end of the Keep Going, Keep Growing series! What a convicting series it has been! This past week, Pastor Austin wrapped up the series on 2 Thessalonians 3, challenging us to think about three similar sounding, but distinct words: idle, idle, and idyll. in this life, there are many temptations to love different idols and be idle. however, as we experience these idyllic moments with God, we see that everything else pales in comparison to Him and that empowers us to keep going and keep growing.

[NEWS] Updates and Happenings

Yesterday, Pastor Matt delivered a powerful message on 2 Thessalonians 2. While there is a spiritual battle out there trying to deceive and destroy us, we can stand firm and have peace knowing that God has already won the war. As we grow in understanding and confidence in God and His Word, we will be better able to discern what is truth vs. lies! Come join us this week!

Happy Monday, Pathway!! "Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Yesterday, Pastor Tim touched on so many great truths about God - how He is a righteous judge, a vindicator, and just, yet He is also full of grace, our comforter, and our peace. "When it seems like there are aspects of God that conflict, think of it this way: heads or tails. Two sides of the same coin. Different, with different meanings, purposes, uses, inscriptions, messages, and pictures, but still one coin. This is a rudimentary way of visualizing how certain aspects of God can seem to contradict. Each side of the coin serves a purpose. They don’t actually contradict – they complement." (Alcorn) Come join us in another week of spending time with Him and exploring more of who He is together!

[NEWS] Two Service Opportunities

Yesterday, Pastor Tim wrapped up 1 Thessalonians 5, challenging us to stay alert and sober-minded. Amidst so many uncertainties and things that are constantly changing, we can rest in knowing that God never changes. He knows us completely and still loves us - He always seeks our good, is faithful, trustworthy, and victorious. Every day we are faced with so many things that battle for our attention. Life is so short - what does it look like to live with eternity in mind?

Happy Monday, everyone! Yesterday, Pastor Austin challenged us to grow in our walk with God, love for one another, and anticipation of the Lord's return, more and more! Praying that as we continue to spend time with Him and study His Word together, we would grow not only in knowledge, but in depth in our relationship with Him.

Yesterday, Pastor Matt called us to continue to encourage one another in faith, hope, and love. One way we can do this is through quality time with God and in His Word! Let's keep G(r)o(w)ing!:)

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Reminder

Our Daily Bread devotionals - Come join us in another week of reading God's Word together!

Yesterday, Pastor Tim kicked us off in our new series "Keep G(r)o(w)ing" looking at 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians. What does it look like to keep going and growing in your own life? Come join us as we study God's Word together another week!

We have hit the last week of our Leadership series! Yesterday, Pastor Tim wrapped up our series talking about how leaders develop other leaders. Come join us as we wrap up with 2 Timothy, some of Paul's final words to Timothy. :)

Happy Monday everyone! Come join us in another week of reading God's Word together!

[NEWS] Two Reminders: Pray and Serve

Hooooray, Week 3 Challenge1 Come join us as we dive into another week of being in God's Word together and share with us what God is teaching you!

[NEWS] Leaders Grow and Serve

Hoooooray! Today we start our Week 2 Challenge of our Leadership series! Yesterday, Pastor Tim shared about how leaders grow in their faith by humbly serving. There is no better example of this than the example that Jesus has set for us! Come join us as we dive deeper into God's Word and share with us what God is teaching you! #pathwayodb

WEEK 1 Challenge! Today we begin the first weekly challenge of our Leadership series! Hoooooray! Yesterday, Pastor Austin kicked us off in this series, talking about how everyone is a leader - whether it be at church, in your workplace, school, home, or social circles! And that as we put our faith in God, in unseen results, and in future leaders, we are empowered to be great leaders - because we follow a great God, the ultimate example. But how can we be growing in our faith? How do we even know how to lead? One way is by reading God’s Word! Whether it be by yourself, with a friend, life groups, or on social media, come join us as we commit to quality time with Him and study His Word together this week.

Day 568: Sunday “Easter - He is Risen!” “The ground began to shake The stone was rolled away His perfect love could not be overcome Now death where is your sting Our resurrected king has rendered you defeated Forever, he is glorified Forever, he is lifted high Forever, he is risen He is alive We sing hallelujah… The lamb has overcome” Forever - Kari Jobe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6duzVn5M6E #pathwayodb

Day 567: Saturday “Easter - He is Risen!” Before Jesus ascended, he explained the mission that awaited his followers after he returned to his heavenly Father. “Go and make disciples,” Jesus says. Although this may seem to involve two separate actions—going and making disciples—a better translation of this command is “Make disciples as you go along.” It is assumed that Jesus’ followers will often be “on the go” and actively doing something. And whether they are far away or close to home, their task is to walk alongside others by teaching them about Jesus and by demonstrating, through the work of the church, what it means to serve him. “Making disciples” does not mean just bringing others to a one-time “moment of decision.” It involves continued learning together, growing together, and increasingly understanding what God has done in sending Jesus to die for our sin and calling us to serve him. All who follow the ascended Jesus share in this task. Because we serve the Lord of all, we regularly ask ourselves whom God has in mind for us to meet as we go along. We seek to make disciples of our children, our neighbors, our co-workers, our whole world. And when we doubt or struggle in this task, Jesus promises that the authority of heaven will support us in it—always. How can you carry out this calling as you go along today? (Werken) Read Matthew 28:16-20 1. What observations can you make about this passage? 2. What challenges are there to sharing the gospel and discipleship? 3. Have you ever been discipled? Is there someone that you are currently discipling? How is God challenging or encouraging you today? #pathwayodb

Day 566: Friday “Easter - He is Risen!” I’m inspired by country singer Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying.” In it he describes some of the exciting “bucket list” things a man did after receiving some bad news about his health. He also chose to love and forgive people more freely—speaking to them more tenderly. The song recommends that we live well, as if knowing our lives will end soon. This song reminds us that our time is limited. It’s important for us to not put off for tomorrow what we can do today, because one day we’ll run out of tomorrows. This is particularly urgent for believers in Jesus, who believe that Jesus may return at any moment (perhaps in the very second you’re reading this sentence!). Jesus urges us to be ready, not living like the five “foolish” virgins who were caught unprepared when the bridegroom returned (Matthew 25:6–10). But McGraw’s song doesn’t tell the whole story. We who love Jesus will never run out of tomorrows. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25–26). Our life in Him never ends. So don’t live like you’re dying. Because you’re not. Rather, live like Jesus is coming. Because He is! (Wittmer) Read Matthew 25:1-13 1. What observations can you make about this parable? In what ways can you relate to this passage? 2. How does knowing that Jesus could return any day affect your choices and the way you live your life? #pathwayodb

Day 565: Thursday “Easter - He is Risen!” When I visit the zoo, I skip the eagles’ cage. I can’t stand the pain of seeing those majestic birds sit there on their perches day after day, their burnished brown wings draped over them like an ill-fitting old coat. They were created for the heights, to dance among the clouds, not to be prisoners in a cage. Those birds were made to fly. Many people who profess that they are Christ’s men and women are like those caged eagles. They are made to live as free citizens of heaven, but they are imprisoned by their own sin. Their condition must break God’s heart. He knows what they could become, but they have put themselves in a cage. And the irony is that it is a cage with open doors. The apostle Paul said that we who have put our trust in Christ have died with Him to the sin that confined us in our old life. And we are now alive in Him. We are not the person we used to be. Therefore, we must stop facing life as we used to face it. Think long about those truths. Remind yourself of them often. Through Christ, you have been set free! You were never meant to be imprisoned in a cage. Confess your sin and trust God anew. You were made to soar. (Robinson) Read Romans 6:1-14 1. What is Paul’s main point in this passage? What observations or truths can you find from this passage? 2. What aspects of your “old self” do you still struggle with today? How does this relate to the resurrection? 3. How have you seen God change you since you put your trust in Him? Is there anyone that you can encourage with this passage today? #pathwayodb

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Reminder

Day 564: Wednesday “Easter - He is Risen!” The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the keystone of the arch of salvation. Remove it and the whole structure of the plan of salvation crumbles in the dust. The good news of the gospel is that Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3), and that He rose again (v.4). The resurrection of Christ is the proof that His death atoned for sin. The wages of one single sin is death. One sin brought the curse of death upon all mankind (Rom. 5:12-15). If Jesus had paid for all the sins of mankind except one, He could not have risen, for one sin would have been enough to keep Him in the tomb. When Jesus arose, it was proof that He had completely met redemption’s price. When He cried, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30), the work was fully done. God was satisfied and then proved the completeness of the work by raising Christ from the dead. This victory should not only be commemorated on a special day each year but on the first day of every week—even every day! Because Christ did not remain in the tomb but conquered death by rising again, we can live in the joy of the full salvation provided by a risen, living, coming Redeemer. (DeHaan) Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 1. During this time, there began to be some people who doubted the resurrection. What logic or reasonings did Paul give of the importance of the resurrection? 2. What challenges are you currently going through? How does believing in the resurrection give you confidence to face the challenges of today? 3. What questions might people have about the resurrection? How would you go about answering them? #pathwayodb

Day 563: Tuesday “Easter - He is Risen!” What does it mean to “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead”? Satan believes that God raised Jesus from the dead. He saw it happen. To answer this question, we need to ponder what the resurrection means for God’s people. The meaning of the resurrection is that God is for us. He aims to close ranks with us. He aims to overcome all our sense of abandonment and alienation. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s declaration to Israel and to the world that we cannot work our way to glory, but that he intends to do the impossible to get us there. The resurrection is the promise of God that all who trust Jesus will be the beneficiaries of God’s power to lead us in paths of righteousness and through the valley of death. Therefore, believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is much more than accepting a fact. It means being confident that God is for you, that he has closed ranks with you, that he is transforming your life, and that he will save you for eternal joy. Believing in the resurrection means trusting in all the promises of life and hope and righteousness for which it stands. It means being so confident of God’s power and love that no fear of worldly loss or greed for worldly gain will lure us to disobey his will. That’s the difference between Satan and the saints. Oh, might God circumcise our hearts to love him (Deuteronomy 30:6) and to rest in the resurrection of his Son. (Piper) Read Romans 10: 9-15 1. What observations can you make about this passage? 2. Why is believing in the resurrection so fundamental to the gospel? How does believe in the resurrection 3. In v. 14-15, we are called to not just keep this good news to ourselves, but to share it with all those around us. Who is God putting on your heart to pray for and reach out to today? #pathwayodb

Day 562: Monday “Easter - He is Risen!” A friend of mine, who is a preschool teacher, overheard an animated conversation among her students. Little Maria threw out the question: “Who loves God?” All of them responded, “I do! I do! I do!” Billy said, “I love Jesus.” Kelly protested, “But He died.” Billy said, “Yeah, but every Easter He rises from the dead!” Obviously, young Billy’s understanding of the meaning of Easter is still developing. We know that Jesus died once for all (Rom. 6:10; Heb. 10:12) and, of course, rose from the dead once. Three days after paying the penalty of our sins on the cross, the sinless Jesus conquered death by rising from the grave and breaking the power of sin. It was this final sacrifice of blood that opened the only way for us to have a relationship with God now and a home with Him forevermore. “Christ died for our sins, . . . He was buried, and . . . He rose again the third day” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He has promised that He is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-4), and He will someday return. One day we will be with our risen Savior. That’s why every year at Eastertime—in fact, every day of the year—we have reason to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1). (Hess Kasper) Read Mark 16:1-13 What is the significance of the resurrection? Why is the resurrection significant to you? #pathwayodb

[NEWS] Easter Weekend

[NEWS] THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Reminder

[NEWS] UKRAINE LOVE OFFERING

Day 520-526 This week, we’re going to give our incredible devotional writer a well deserved break. We want to thank Christiana for her faithfulness in keeping Our Daily Feast going with incredible prompts, meditations, prayers, and encouragement to stay in the word. Today’s post will cover topics for us to study this week as we begin our series on the life of Joseph. Everyday we will reread the story of Joseph and his brothers from Genesis 37 and focus on a different related topic each day of the week. In an oversimplified telling of the story with Joseph and his brothers, we often see our young innocent Joseph being bullied by his jealous brothers. But there are great issues and emotional baggage that Jacob, Joseph, and the rest of the family carry. What issues we carry are all “what God meant for good” and these are all examples that we can learn from, both positive and negative reactions. Today, read Genesis 37 and keep in mind these topics and verses. Then reply with, journal, and pray over two simple questions. “What is God teaching in these verses?” And “How can I live differently today because of that truth?” Day 520- MONDAY: Boasting (Prov 27:1-2, James 4:13-17) Day 521- TUESDAY: Favoritism (James 2:1-13) Day 522- WEDNESDAY: Comparison (2 Corinthians 10:12-18, Luke 18:9-14) Day 523- THURSDAY: Anger (Ephesians 4:25-32, James 1:19-27) Day 524- FRIDAY: Confidence in God’s calling (2 Timothy 1:6-14) Day 525- SATURDAY: God’s providence (Romans 8:26-39) Day 525- SUNDAY: Spend time praying over Genesis 37 this morning. Ask God to reveal the people in your life you may have hurt, need to reconcile with, or may need to have a talk with about how you have treated them in the past. Be aware of more than just “what I did to them” but also consider “how I made them feel.” Acknowledging their hurts is just as important as apologizing for past actions. #pathwayodb

Day 519: Sunday “Missions Week” “Jesus, Your name is power It's breath and living water And Your Spirit guides me To the heart of the Father Let Your praise ring louder Everyday and every hour 'Cause Your Spirit guides me To the heart of the Father Sing praise God, we sing praise” Heart of the Father - Ryan Ellis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34GcRkWIY3s #pathwayodb

[NEWS] KOINONIA WITH UKRAINE

Day 518: Saturday “Missions Week” Missionary Egerton Ryerson Young served the Salteaux tribe in Canada in the 1700s. The chief of the tribe thanked Young for bringing the good news of Christ to them, noting that he was hearing it for the first time in his old age. Since he knew that God was Young’s heavenly Father, the chief asked, “Does that mean He is my Father too?” When the missionary answered, “Yes,” the crowd that had gathered around burst into cheers. The chief was not finished, however. “Well,” said the chief, “I do not want to be rude, but it does seem to me . . . that it took a long time for you to . . . tell it to your brother in the woods.” It was a remark that Young never forgot. Many times I’ve been frustrated by the zigs and zags of my life, thinking of the people I could reach if only. Then God reminds me to look around right where I am, and I discover many who have never heard of Jesus. In that moment, I’m reminded that I have a story to tell wherever I go, “for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ ” (Rom. 10:12-13). Remember, we don’t have just any story to tell—it’s the best story that has ever been told. (Kilgore) Read Romans 10:5-17 1. What stands out to you in these verses? If you could summarize this into 3 main points, what would you focus on? 2. Have you ever felt called to go on missions? How did you respond? WHow can we stay engaged in both global and local missions on a regular basis? 3. Today, let’s take some time to pray for the students, leaders, faculty, and staff on college campuses. https://collegiatedayofprayer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CDOP-2022.pdf. How and who can you be praying for today? #pathwayodb

Day 517: Friday “Missions Week” A woman was enthusiastically telling some friends about the value of a first-aid class she had recently completed. “Just yesterday,” she said, “I was driving down 52nd Street when I heard this awful crash. I jammed on the brakes, ran back, and found a car wrapped around a telephone pole. When I got to the injured driver, I saw a horrible sight. My knees went limp, and I didn’t know what to do. But all at once I remembered something from my first-aid training. Immediately I bent down and put my head between my knees, and it worked! I didn’t faint!” That’s not the conclusion you expected, is it? In a similar way, the Israelites had failed to grasp the wider implications of their spiritual training. The prophet Isaiah charged them with looking after their own interests but disregarding the needs of others. Their enthusiasm for God was nothing more than hollow ritual. The condemning evidence of their sinful neglect was the poor, hungry, and afflicted among them who remained oppressed and unassisted. True religion is more than a love for sound doctrine and proper worship. It includes first aid to our neighbor. That’s the strongest evidence that our spiritual training is not being misapplied. (DeHaan) Read Isaiah 58 1. What is the context of this passage? How might this passage relate to us today? 2. What has God been teaching you lately? Who has He placed around you to love and bless? 3. For each day this week, we will be looking into and praying for a specific country or people group. Today, let’s take some time to look into India. https://www.prayercast.com/india.html. What did you learn? How and who can you be praying for today? #pathwayodb

Day 516: Thursday “Missions Week” Driving through a low-income area near his church, Colorado pastor Chad Graham started praying for his “neighbors.” When he noticed a small laundromat, he stopped to take a look inside and found it filled with customers. One asked Graham for a spare coin to operate the clothes dryer. That small request inspired a weekly “Laundry Day” sponsored by Graham’s church. Members donate coins and soap to the laundromat, pray with customers, and support the owner of the laundry facility. Their neighborhood outreach, which dares to include a laundromat, reflects Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples. As He said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18–19). His Holy Spirit’s powerful presence enables “everywhere” outreach, including even a laundromat. Indeed, we don’t go alone. As Jesus promised, “I will be with you always, to the end of the age” (v. 20). Pastor Chad experienced that truth after praying at the laundromat for a customer named Jeff who is battling cancer. As Chad reported, “When we opened our eyes, every customer in the room was praying with us, hands stretched out toward Jeff. It was one of the most sacred moments I have experienced as a pastor.” The lesson? Let’s go everywhere to proclaim Christ. (Raybon) Read Matthew 28:16-20 1. What observations can you make about these verses? How does this passage relate to missions? 2. How does knowing that God is with us always, to the very end of the age help us to persevere when loving and sharing with others? Who is God challenging you to reach out to today? 3. For each day this week, we will be looking into and praying for a specific country or people group. Today, let’s take some time to look into Thailand. https://www.prayercast.com/thailand.html. What did you learn? How and who can you be praying for today? #pathwayodb

Day 515: Wednesday “Missions Week” As Hurricane Florence was bearing down on Wilmington, North Carolina, with devastating force, my daughter prepared to leave her home. She’d waited until the last moment, hoping the storm would veer away. But now she was hurriedly sorting through important papers, pictures, and belongings, trying to decide what to take with her. “I didn’t expect it would be so hard to leave,” she told me later, “but in that moment I didn’t know if anything would be there when I got back.” Life’s storms come in many forms: hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, unexpected problems in marriage or with children, the sudden loss of health or finances. So much we value can be swept away in a moment. Amid the storms, Scripture points us to the safest place: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way” (Psalm 46:1–2). The writers of this psalm were descendants of a man who generations earlier served God but then rebelled against Him and perished in an earthquake (see Numbers 26:9–11). The outlook they share shows humility and a profound understanding of God’s greatness, compassion, and redeeming love. Troubles come, but God outlasts them all. Those who run to the Savior discover that He can’t be shaken. In the arms of His eternal love we find our place of peace. (Banks) Read Psalm 46 1. What observations can you make about this chapter? How does this passage relate to missions? 2. What truths about God are revealed in this passage? How does this passage encourage or challenge you in your current situation? 3. For each day this week, we will be looking into and praying for a specific country or people group. Today, let’s take some time to look into Japan. https://www.prayercast.com/japan.html. What did you learn? How and who can you be for praying today? #pathwayodb

Day 514: Tuesday “Missions Week” Not long ago I met up with a group of friends. As I listened to the conversation, it seemed like everyone in the room was facing some significant battle. Two of us had parents fighting cancer, one had a child with an eating disorder, another friend was experiencing chronic pain, and another was facing major surgery. It seemed a lot for a bunch of people in their thirties and forties. First Chronicles 16 recounts a key moment in Israel’s history when the ark of the covenant was brought into the City of David (Jerusalem). Samuel tells us it happened in a moment of peace between battles (2 Samuel 7:1). When the ark was in place, symbolizing God’s presence, David led the people in a song of praise (1 Chronicles 16:8–36). Together the nation sang of God’s wonder-working power, His promise-keeping ways, and His past protection (vv. 12–22). “Look to the Lord and his strength,” they cried out; “seek his face always” (v. 11). They’d need to, because more battles were coming. Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek His face. That’s not bad advice to follow when illness, family concerns, and other battles confront us, because we haven’t been left to fight in our own waning energies. God is present; God is strong; He’s looked after us in the past and will do so again. Our God will get us through. (Voysey) Read 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 1. What is the context of this passage? What observations can you make about this chapter? 2. Back then, how did people make known among the nations what God had done? How can we make known among the nations what God has done today? 3. For each day this week, we will be looking into and praying for a specific country or people group. Today, let’s take some time to look into the Philippines. https://www.prayercast.com/philippines.html What did you learn? How and who can you be for praying today? #pathwayodb

Day 513: Monday “Missions Week” While I was reading the 12th chapter of Genesis, the words of the second verse struck me with new meaning. Whenever I studied this particular passage of Scripture before, my mind was so occupied with the promises to Abraham and the nation of Israel that I overlooked a practical application for every Christian. The Lord told Abraham: “I will bless you . . . and you shall be a blessing.” He was blessed to bless! What he received was not for his own selfish enjoyment, but for the welfare and betterment of others. The same is true with believers today. The Lord has done a wonderful work of grace in our lives and wants us to share it with others. We who have trusted Jesus and have received the benefits of salvation have been saved to “save.” Although our relationship to Christ brings us personal satisfaction, He redeems us that we might go out and “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). Likewise, God comforts us in our distresses “that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). You have been blessed to bless! Let the Lord do His work through you. (DeHaan) Read Genesis 12:1-9 1. What observations can you make about this passage? How does this covenant with Abraham reveal God’s purpose for people? 2. What does it mean for us to be blessed to be a blessing? How might this look like practically? 3. For each day this week, we will be looking into and praying for a specific country or people group. Today, let’s take some time to look into Ukraine. https://www.prayercast.com/ukraine.html What did you learn? How can you be praying today? #pathwayodb

Day 512: Sunday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” “We're gathered together To lift up Your name To call on our Savior To fall on Your grace Hear the joyful sound Of our offering As Your saints bow down As Your people sing We will rise with You Lifted on Your wings And the world will see that [You] save.. There is hope In Your name.” Our God Saves - Paul Baloche https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUOgVl0KuFI #pathwayodb

Day 511: Saturday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Not long ago, I attended a class in origami, where I learned that the term comes from two Japanese words that mean “folding paper.” In this process, a piece of paper is transformed into a bird or other unique shape by a series of geometric folds and creases. Our facilitator was Hitoshiro Akehi, a Japanese brother in Christ. As we folded our paper into different shapes, Mr. Akehi shared some of his life experiences. The youngest of 11 children, he was raised by his mother after his father died during World War II. Through many twists and turns, his family came into contact with missionaries. As a result, many of his family members became Christians. As I refashioned a simple piece of paper into a beautiful new form, I thought of how God shapes us. First, He uses circumstances to bring us to our knees and to Him. Then, by grace He continues to use life’s twists and turns to reshape us into more Christlike persons, “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Has your life taken an unexpected turn? Remember, in the hands of our Creator and Redeemer, we are “[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10). We are His unfinished works of art. God can use the twists and turns in our lives to make us more like His Son. (Fisher) Read Romans 8:22-30 1. What observations can you make about this passage? How does this relate to the topic of living changed lives? 2. How do you see this idea of the world groaning as the pains of childbirth even in the present day? How can we continue to pray and have hope amidst all of this? 3. How have you seen God use the twists and turns in your life to make you more like Him? How may He be currently using your present situation? #pathwayodb

[NEWS] Missions Sunday and Service Updates

Day 509: Friday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” My friend Bill described Gerard, an acquaintance of his, as being “very far from God for a very long time.” But one day, after Bill met with Gerard and explained to him how God’s love has provided the way for us to be saved, Gerard became a believer in Jesus. Through tears, he repented of his sin and gave his life to Christ. Afterward, Bill asked Gerard how he felt. Wiping away tears, he answered simply, “Washed.” What an amazing response! That’s precisely the essence of salvation made possible through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. In 1 Corinthians 6, after Paul gives examples of how disobedience against God leads to separation from Him, he says, “That is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 11). “Washed,” “sanctified,” “justified”—words that point to believers being forgiven and made right with Him. Titus 3:4–5 tells us more about this miraculous thing called salvation. “God our Savior . . . saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth.” Our sin keeps us from God, but through faith in Jesus, sin’s penalty is washed away. We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), gain access to our heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:18), and are made clean (1 John 1:7). He alone provides what we need to be washed. (Branon) Read Titus 3:1-8 1. Why is it so important for us to be washed and sanctified by Jesus? What role do we have and what does it mean to put our faith in Him? 2. What are some of the differences between the old and new life as shown in the passage? What about in your own life? 3. In v. 8 it says that as we put our trust in God we should turn from our former ways, but seek to be devoted to doing what is good. How does this verse challenge you? #pathwayodb

Day 508: Thursday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” In 1992 the Summer Olympic Games were held in Barcelona, Spain. One of the runners in the 400-meter race was an English athlete named Derek Redmond. He had trained for years to compete in the Olympics. But while sprinting in a qualifying heat, he suddenly pulled a hamstring and crumpled to the track in pain. Determined to go on, Derek struggled to his feet. He was hobbling toward the finish line when his father scaled the retaining wall and jumped onto the track. Before anyone could stop him, Jim Redmond reached his son. The young runner leaned on his father’s shoulder as he staggered to complete the race. The entire crowd stood and cheered the two men on. When they crossed the finish line, it was as if the runner, his father, and the spectators had done it together. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to run the race of faith and persevere to the end, following the example of those who have gone before us. It takes all of our spiritual stamina to complete it, but we don’t run the course alone. Christ Himself helps us toward the finish line. Therefore, “let us lay aside every weight, and . . . run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). (Robinson) Read Hebrews 12:1-13 1. What are some of the observations you can make about this passage? How does this relate to the topic of living changed lives? 2. How does looking to Christ help us to persevere in this life? How does knowing that God disciplines and loves us as His children encourage you? 3. Is there anything in life that is currently weighing you down? Or someone that you know that might be discouraged? Take some time to bring it to God and share with someone today! #pathwayodb

Day 507: Wednesday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Consider this: Many of us may be trying to merely control our sin. We may employ various techniques to stop ourselves from falling into temptation, such as trying to avoid ungodly pursuits, finding ways to break our addictions, or addressing character flaws. All these are good, of course—but they are not enough. We can try to control our words, actions, and thoughts through sheer effort, but without a complete transformation, we are bound to fail and end up feeling hopeless. Here’s the truth about transformation: we need holy hearts—hearts that are set apart from the sinful ways of human nature and this world, and restored for God’s good and glorious purposes. In his instructions on Christian living, the apostle Paul highlighted this essential inner change: “You were taught . . . to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24). Only God can give us these “new selves”. Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection not only restores our relationship with God, but also enables the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and transform our lives—a lifelong process that involves us following God’s ways and leaving behind the ways of the world. This great work of transformation (that goes beyond any rehabilitation any prison officer can provide) starts with confessing our sin and admitting that we’re bound to fail if we merely control our sin through effort. Are you ready for a true transformation to begin in your life? Read Ephesians 4:17-32 1. What observations can you make about this passage? How does this relate to the topic of living changed lives? 2. What are some characteristics of the old life vs. the new? 3. How does this passage challenge or encourage you today? #pathwayodb

Day 506: Tuesday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” One night a woman dreamed that she was having a conversation with God. She was angry about all the suffering and evil she saw around her, so she complained to the Lord, “Why don’t You do something about all this?” God gently replied, “I did. I created you.” God could send another flood, as He did in Noah’s day, to cleanse away the wickedness of the world. He could, but He won’t. He has promised never to do that again (Genesis 9:11). Instead, He chooses to work through human beings like us, changing them, then enabling them to function as His agents of change. He changed Paul from a persecutor of the church to “His witness to all men” (Acts 22:15). Paul’s life and letters taught, inspired, and comforted the church in its early days, and they still do today. It was the power of God that changed Paul, then used him to change the world around him. What about you? Have you been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ? Are you now obediently serving Him to change the lives of people around you? Let’s ask God to work in our hearts and lives so that through us He will bring about change in our families, our communities, and the world. (Grounds) Read Acts 22:1-16 1. What observations can you make about this passage? How does this relate to the topic of living changed lives? 2. How was Paul’s life changed? What did he do in response? 3. How has God changed you? How is he calling you to live out this changed life?

Day 505: Monday “Building Blocks of Faith: Living Changed Lives” Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Typical resolutions in January are to lose weight, exercise more, spend less time at work and more time with family—maybe even stop chatting on the cell phone while driving. It’s not surprising that we want to change the things in our lives that we’re unhappy about—even though most New Year’s resolutions are kept for no more than 3 weeks. What if you were to ask God what He wants you to change, improve, or begin this year? He might tell you to: - Demonstrate more of the fruit of the Spirit in your life, which is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). - “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who . . . persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). - “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). “Be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13:5). - “Walk according to His commandments” (2 John 1:6). As believers and new creations, we can be free from old patterns and failures. We must ask God to help us live each day in the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can shed the old and embrace the new (2 Cor. 5:17). (Kasper) Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 1. What observations can you make about this passage? How does this relate to the topic of living changed lives? 2. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in helping us to live changed lives? How have you seen this in your own life? 3. Yesterday, Pastor Matt shared his amazing testimony of how God changed him. How have you seen God change you? Who can you share with today? #pathwayodb

Day 504: Sunday “Building Blocks of Faith: Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ” Memory Verse: John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Here we see that the path to God is exclusively through Jesus, but that access to the Father is available to everyone. In other words, salvation is universally available, but only those who believe in Jesus will receive it. The guest list is limited to those who want to be on the guest list. In this way, God allows people to choose to be in a loving relationship with Him eternally, or they choose to reject His proposal for an eternal, intimate relationship with a Holy, loving God. While believers are messengers of this truth, the church is meant to be a reflection of Jesus’s life and love. Jesus called His disciples to love as He had loved, and that there was no greater love than someone who would lay down his life for a friend. The sacrifice of self to go beyond regular norms of friendship communicates God’s exceptional love. For some, receiving the sacrifice of Jesus as payment for their sins is an intellectual decision. For others, their eyes will be opened to God’s love when they see it in action and feel sacrificial compassion expressed to them by someone representing Jesus in their lives. (Lee) “Relate” - For King and Country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIHUYeFez00 #pathwayod

Day 503: Saturday “Building Blocks of Faith: Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ” Memory Verse: John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” I saw Mary every Tuesday when I visited “the House”—a home that helps former prisoners reintegrate into society. My life looked different from hers: fresh out of jail, fighting addictions, separated from her son. You might say she lived on the edge of society. Like Mary, Onesimus knew what it meant to live on the edge of society. As a slave, Onesimus had apparently wronged his Christian master, Philemon, and was now in prison. While there, he met Paul and came to faith in Christ (v. 10). Though now a changed man, Onesimus was still a slave. Paul sent him back to Philemon with a letter urging him to receive Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philem. 1:16). Philemon had a choice to make: He could treat Onesimus as his slave or welcome him as a brother in Christ. I had a choice to make too. Would I see Mary as an ex-convict and a recovering addict—or as a woman whose life is being changed by the power of Christ? Mary was my sister in the Lord, and we were privileged to walk together in our journey of faith. It’s easy to allow the walls of socio-economic status, class, or cultural differences to separate us. The gospel of Christ removes those barriers, changing our lives and our relationships forever. (Wolfe) Read Philemon 1:7-16 1. What is the context of this passage? Who is Philemon and who is Onesimus? 2. How does the gospel remove barriers, change us, and our relationships with others? 3. Are there any barriers that you notice in your own life? How does this passage challenge or encourage you? #pathwayodb

Day 502: Friday “Building Blocks of Faith: Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ” Memory Verse: John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Of all diseases, leprosy is the only one singled out by the law of Moses and linked with sin. It’s not that having leprosy was sinful, nor was it the result of sin. Rather, the disease was seen as a graphic symbol of sin. If we could see sin, it would look something like leprosy. In Mark 1 we read about a leper who fell on his knees before Jesus and made his request: “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (v.40). It’s the first instance in the Gospels of a plain request for healing—touching and profound in its simplicity. Jesus was “moved with compassion” (v.41). People normally felt sympathy for the sick and troubled, but not for lepers. Because they were considered in those days as “unclean” both ceremonially and physically (Leviticus 13:45; 22:4), they were repulsive in every way to most people, who stayed as far away from them as possible. Nevertheless, Jesus was “willing” to reach out to this desperate, disease-ridden man and actually touch him! At that very moment the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Why did Jesus touch this man? He could have healed him just by saying, “Be cleansed.” But His touch illustrated His great compassion. Jesus loves sinners. Do we? (Roper) Read Mark 1:40-45 1. What is leprosy and how were people with leprosy treated? What observations can you make about Jesus’ interaction with the man with leprosy? 2. How does Jesus’ example challenge you? 3. Who in the world today might feel like an outcast? What steps can we take to share God’s great love for them? #pathwayodb

[NEWS] Prayer Meeting Reminder and Missions Sunday

Day 501: Thursday “Building Blocks of Faith: Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ” Memory Verse: John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” pathwayodb Zach was a lonely guy. When he walked down the city streets, he could feel the hostile glares. But then his life took a turn. Clement of Alexandria, one of the church fathers, says that Zach became a very prominent Christian leader and a pastor of the church in Caesarea. Yes, we’re talking about Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus (Luke 19:1–10). What prompted him to climb the tree? Tax collectors were perceived as traitors because they heavily taxed their own people to serve the Roman Empire. Yet Jesus had a reputation for accepting them. Zacchaeus might have wondered if Jesus would accept him too. Being short in stature, however, he couldn’t see over the crowd (v. 3). Perhaps he climbed a tree to seek Him out. And Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus too. When Christ reached the tree where he was perched, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v. 5). Jesus considered it absolutely necessary that He be a guest in this outcast’s home. Imagine that! The Savior of the world wanting to spend time with a social reject. Whether it’s our hearts, relationships, or lives that need mending, like Zacchaeus we can have hope. Jesus will never reject us when we turn to Him. He can restore what’s been lost and broken and give our lives new meaning and purpose. (Chia) Read Luke 19:1-10 1. Who is Zacchaeus and what do we know about him? 2. How do you see Jesus demonstrate what inclusive love looks like? How does He share truth? What can we learn from His example? 3. Is there anyone that God has placed in your life that may feel outcasted or unseen? What are some ways that you can affirm that God sees and loves them? #pathwayodb