A Prayer to Set Priorities for Worship in Your Busy LifeBy Jessica Van Roekel Bible Reading“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1, NIV Listen or Read Below: I'm working at the church surrounded by decades of memories. We celebrate fifty years this year, and one thing has remained constant, and that is the desire to love God, love people, and make a difference. These are the parameters that guide our decisions. It sounds easy, yes? But, like with all priorities, things can get in the way. Sometimes, we wrestle through opinions and preferences. Other times, discouragement about hoped-for outcomes leads us to hesitate to make a difference or to love people. And sometimes, the busyness of church business pushes our vision aside. Not only does God call us to a community of believers in the local church, but he calls us to cultivate an individual relationship with him. He desires our hearts, our lives, and our worship. We are wrong to think worship is merely the twenty to forty minutes of music during a church service when it's really a way of life. Worship comes from an old English word, worthship, which describes the actions and attitudes that highly favor and honor worthiness. Within the biblical context, it expresses awe and adoration to God. True worship is God-centered, with our hearts and minds focused on God's attributes rather than on ourselves.  When we worship God, we experience a heartfelt interaction between our spirit and God's Spirit. We can do this through actions, words, and songs. In Hebrews 13:15, we read, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." Worship involves celebrating Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice, and we express this through prayer, confession of sin, preaching and reading God's Word, tithing, experiencing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, sharing the Lord's Supper, and water baptism. We can worship God corporately and individually.  But life gets busy. Trials push hope aside. We rush from one event to another. We serve in the church and our communities, but do we do all this busyness from a heart of worship? We can grow so focused on action and what to do next that we forget to exalt God. True worship is lost when we reduce it to mere words and formalities. We can also hinder a daily heart of worship when we live a life of spiritual compromise. We can choose to live our lives from a posture of worship though. In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul appeals to our will because God gives us a choice. Paul urges us to remember the mercies of God. This makes it possible to be living sacrifice. God's mercies removed the impossible barrier between us so we can be in God's presence every day, no matter what we face.  The Lord calls us his own and showers us with grace. He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us and brings assurance to our hearts of a future eternity with him. When we dwell on his mercies, it's easier to live as a living sacrifice-not merely working for him but being with him. God wants you, not just what you do. Worship becomes a true sacrifice when we live in a way that honors, exalts, and brings positive attention to God outside our church walls. Setting our priorities to make living a life of worship in our busy lives is worth it.  Let's Pray: Holy God,You are holy and righteous, and you call me your own. Thank you, Father, for your love and assurance. I want to make worshiping you a priority in my life. Help me turn to you in prayer more often, and help me to choose music that reminds me to worship you. I want to think about your mercy more. Please remind me of Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice. I want to live my life in a way that honors you, exalts you, and reveals your goodness to those around me. Worshiping you every day means I will find my comfort, strength, and encouragement in you rather than in other things. When I worship you, I'm reminded of your presence in my life, and I need you every day. Help me make you a priority. I want to think about you and be filled with peace and joy, which comes when I worship you. Help me remember that my life is not too busy for you.In Jesus' name, Amen Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Ridofranz Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God's transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She longs for you to know that rejection doesn't have to define or determine your future when placed in God's healing hands. Find out more reframingrejectionbook.com You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer to Set Priorities for Worship in Your Busy Life – Your Daily Prayer – September 29 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Colorado school district faces accusations of firing an employee who expressed views against critical race theory (CRT) during a mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training session. America First Legal (AFL) filed a lawsuit against the Cherry Creek School District on behalf of Patrick Hogarty. Hogarty, a former dean of students, alleges the school district violated his First Amendment rights by terminating his employment under “false pretenses.” New: The Colorado Dean Students at Campus Middle School in the Cherry Creek School District was fired after saying America is “the greatest country in the world” during DEI training. Via: The Independent pic.twitter.com/3jrjGxaOAH — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) September 28, 2024 “Disguised as a ‘budget cut,’ Mr. Hogarty’s position as dean was eliminated because the district found Mr. Hogarty’s pride in the United States of America incompatible with the district’s political ideology that America is a systemically racist nation,” the lawsuit alleges. “Like other school districts across the country, Cherry Creek School District has replaced the Bill of Rights with a ‘DEI Manifesto,’ and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the values that make America great,” it continued. Fox News reports: Hogarty, who served as dean of students at Campus Middle School from 2021 to 2024, voiced his belief in American identity and the greatness of the United States during the session, which focused on race and equity through the “Courageous Conversations” program, according to the suit. For example, Hogarty was asked, “What does it mean to be White?;” “What experiences define Whiteness?;” “How do you identify?” Hogarty responded “that he identifies as an American, that he loves his country, and that he believes it is the greatest country ever founded.” Despite assurances from the district that his comments would remain confidential, the district’s equity director reported his statements, which the director deemed to have “racist undertones.” Shortly after, the district eliminated his position, citing budgetary reasons, despite records showing increased staffing allocations, the suit said. BREAKING: Colorado Middle School Dean FIRED for Identifying as a Proud American READ: https://t.co/YWGm888wHE In a shocking move, Cherry Creek School District @CCSDK12 allegedly labeled his pride in America as racist and terminated him. This is what happens when… — Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (@CPANColorado) September 26, 2024 Colorado dean of students fired after saying USA is 'the greatest country in the world' during mandatory DEI training "Cherry Creek @CCSDK12 has replaced the Bill of Rights with the 'DEI Manifesto,' and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the… pic.twitter.com/e9V67ksszN — ????? ???????? ?????? (@nomandatesco) September 27, 2024 From The Post Millennial: Ian Prior, America First Legal senior advisor, wrote in a press release: “Cherry Creek School District blatantly violated the First Amendment rights of our client when they terminated him because his pride in the United States of America did not align with the district’s political ideology that America is a systematically racist nation. Like other school districts across the country, Cherry Creek has replaced the Bill of Rights with the ‘DEI Manifesto,’ and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the values that make America great.” Read the full lawsuit HERE.

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After the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene, local officials issued a warning to electric vehicle owners. Officials asked residents who have electric vehicles and hybrids to be alert for potential fires caused by flooding. “Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know,” the Pinellas County Government stated. The local government’s X account posted footage of a Tesla that caught fire inside a homeowner’s garage. WATCH: Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know. /1 pic.twitter.com/dpfiXRAGuR — Pinellas County (@PinellasGov) September 28, 2024 WFLA reports: All barrier islands and beaches in Pinellas County are set to reopen at 4 p.m. to residents, business owners, and employees with a Barrier Island Re-Entry permit, officials said. Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140 mph (225 kph) and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks, churning up tornadoes and straining dams. The hurricane’s massive rains and powerful winds left at least 52 people dead, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power. “HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle’s battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later. If your electric vehicle was exposed to saltwater during the storm, do not attempt to drive or charge it. Contact your EV manufacturer for advice on removal and towing,” St. Petersburg Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook. Important info for all to be aware of. ——- from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue: HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle's battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later.… pic.twitter.com/AXukPxgpR5 — Alysha (@Dimples5490) September 28, 2024 Per FOX Weather: The combination of storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and lithium-ion batteries in vehicles has proven to be a recipe for disaster, as Florida agencies report responding to numerous fires in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Photos and videos from the Tampa Bay area show the aftermath of highly combustible batteries being exposed to saltwater, leaving homes damaged and cars destroyed. A surge of 5-8 feet was reported across the metro during Helene, flooding thousands of homes and raising the potential for further destruction. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that she’s seen reports of cars and even scooters that were exposed to saltwater and exploded in the days since landfall. Helene is not the first hurricane where an increase in EV-related fires has occurred, a similar streak of incidents were reported during Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, both of which were powerful storms that impacted the Florida coastline.

Hurricane Helene has left a path of destruction across the Southeastern United States. “Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power,” the Associated Press reports. Tennessee and North Carolina experienced horrendous flooding from the storm, with bridges, roads, and dams failing. WATCH: Tennessee farmland and the devastation hard working farmers must face. Pray for the farmers. They work so hard as it is and many can't afford flood insurance and virtually none have hurricane insurance. #Helene took their livelihood. pic.twitter.com/Dfd8tj0486 — Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 28, 2024 Chimney Rock, North Carolina obliterated by flash flood from remnants of Hurricane Helene. Highway 9 Before and After pic.twitter.com/vLGIOh4xsz — Michael Evon (@EvonDesign) September 28, 2024 NEW: Chimney Rock village in North Carolina is completely destroyed after Lake Lure dam overtopped from Hurricane Helene. According to NBC News. the dam is still at "imminent risk of failure." "Structural supports have been compromised but the Dam wall is currently… pic.twitter.com/25kojNwt5U — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 27, 2024 “Watch a road bridge in East Tennessee collapse into a river. Known as Kisner Bridge on Highway 107 in the town of Afton, the bridge was no match for the powerful waters of the flooded Nolichucky River,” FOX Weather wrote. WATCH: The Kinser Bridge has collapsed near Greenville, Tennessee from severe flood waters of the Nolichuky River. This was caused by scour on the foundations of the bridge, removing the supporting mudline soil from the piers. pic.twitter.com/W1uQDfg1KG — Matt Dursh (@MattDursh) September 28, 2024 From the Associated Press: Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 140 mph (225 kph). From there, it quickly moved through Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it “looks like a bomb went off” after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air. Weakened, Helene then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains, sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams. Western North Carolina was isolated because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads. All those closures delayed the start of the East Tennessee State University football game against The Citadel because the Buccaneers’ drive to Charleston, South Carolina, took 16 hours. There have been hundreds of water rescues, none more dramatic than in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday. And the rescues continued into the following day in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where part of Asheville was under water. “To say this caught us off guard would be an understatement,” said Quentin Miller, the county sheriff. Helene caused catastrophic damage in parts of Florida, flattening Cedar Key, a beloved island city and tourist destination. Island City Decimated By Hurricane Helene, Resident Says ‘Completely Gone’ WATCH: Pieces of homes are widely scattered around Cedar Key, which was slammed with over 10 feet of storm surge last night. The first floor of multi-story buildings have largely been swept away by the record breaking surge wrought by #Helene and its massive wind field. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/1oQbIotfdW — WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 27, 2024 Per USA TODAY: Dozens were killed. Hospital-goers scrambled to rooftops to be whisked away in helicopters. Mayors frantically told citizens to flee. And inmates were desperately removed from a jail directly in the path of floodwaters. These were among countless harrowing moments as Helene brought a cascade of destruction across the Southeast. The record-breaking storm hit Florida as a hurricane with wind speeds of 140 mph that flattened buildings. It has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with 25 mph winds, as floodwaters besieged parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. Hundreds of road closures cut off Western North Carolina amid what Buncombe County has billed as a “catastrophic natural disaster,” in a morning news release from the county. There was no cellular coverage Saturday morning in the county of over 250,000 people. In Asheville, one video posted by ABC 11 showed a house floating away and collapsing into raging floodwaters. "This is looking to be Buncombe County's own Hurricane Katrina," County Manager Avril Pinder said during an afternoon news briefing, referring to the 2005 storm that led to widespread flooding, destruction and deaths in New Orleans. Gov. Roy Cooper said 10 people had died in North Carolina due to the storm, in a news release on Saturday night. More than 200 others had been rescued by water and helicopter rescue crews who will continue operations through the night.