We are a group of people just like you. We have hurts, habits, and hang ups and we believe together, with Jesus, we can do life better.
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We currently meet at 10:30am at 617 N. Oklahoma Ave in Okmulgee, OK 74447
our mission
We exist to bring hope to find and follow Jesus.
21 Days Prayer and Focus Summer Season
Connecting & Budding
(scroll down for devos)
Focus verse: John 15:5-6
5 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
6 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
DAILY DEVOS
21 Days Prayer and Focus: Week 1
"Connecting"
Day 1: July 8
John 15:5 “Remain in me...”
Find a secluded place and ponder today on God’s ability to grant forgiveness and accept people—just like you into his loving heart. Then do what comes naturally...love him back!
Day 2: July 9
John 15:5a “Remain in me, and I will remain in you...”
As you love God back today—Consider writing down two things that the enemy uses to trip you up concerning your Heavenly Father. Then re-write those two into a Truth. Remind yourself of these Truths throughout the day by sharing them with a friend or two and possibly start a journal of God’s Truths for you.
LIES such as:
• My thoughts cluttered thinking that God is not pleased with me.
• My life doesn’t really matter and that I won’t finish strong.
Re-Written TRUTHS like:
• I believe God has chosen me, loves me, and has accepted me in that he sent his only son to die on my behalf and raised me up out of my past. (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:29; John 3:16)
• I believe God has plans for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. That he has began a good work in me and will perfect it till the very end. (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6)
Day 3: July 10
John 15:5b
5 “...For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine...”
As we still focus on “connection” — a question or two may help start an honest discussion with your heart...like, what two or three things interfere with your connection with Father and resists the flow of His LIFE in you? Which one of these might be of some concern for you personally right now? If need be, talk to Father about it. Refuse to let your connection be severed or twisted in any way. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you God’s written Word where you can strengthen the flow to full capacity. Now, consider sharing this part of the journey—honestly with a friend who might benefit from your growing connection in Jesus.
Day 4: July 11
John 15:5c “you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
If going to the coffee shop for an espresso adds to a special time of connection with a friend—what kind of time would you schedule today to add a special joy in your connection with Father? You don’t have to journal, post, check-in, or call a friend...just soak in the Espresso of Life—God’s Holy Connection.
Day 5: July 12
As we review this focal verse... what other verses do you know that come to your mind that supports the need for a strong connection? If you are having a hard time recalling a verse or two, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one to you or consider calling a friend and talk about what is on your mind. They might have a verse that would be perfect for today.
Connecting with God, others, and even your own personal being is very important. To be in one accord in spirit, soul, and body has a lot to do about being at peace and being truly happy. Read our keynote scripture and then remain still and get re-tuned to God's voice.
John 15:5 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
Day 6: July 13
It’s Saturday—so let your practice begin today in finding solitude and a strong connection with Father. Turn off the tablet, phone, TV, radio, and consider scheduling some time for a walk or some kind of seclusion where you can ponder the greatness of God. Maybe choose to play your round of golf in the rough (that always causes me to talk to God more—Lol!). Let this time reaffirm your awesome connection to Father as you brag on his greatness. If the day is too busy--don't be hard on yourself. Take some short walks, bathe the kids all while praying and let your heart find the stillness of the moment. If you are with a friend consider today, go ahead and ask them to do this with you. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Day 7: July 14
This is the Day God has given you (Psalm 118:24) -- How will you use it for His glory and be glad in it? Ok! Then, do it just has He has said according to Hebrews 10:25 TPT "This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning." That's CONNECTING!
DAILY DEVOS
21 Days Prayer and Focus: Week 2
"Connecting"
Day 8: Week 2 July 15
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
As we continue to focus John 15:5-6 let’s focus more in the last part of verse 5 as it reads...
John 15:5c “you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
Think back to Day 3 where we searched our hearts and identified a couple of things that has interfered with our God connection—that resists His flow of LIFE in us. Today let’s be mindful of how awesome our Father God is and as we brought those things to Him that we can move forward and no longer need to give the enemy real estate in our heart by thinking and dwelling on those issues anymore. God has shown His compassion over you now you can take the corresponding action to let Him heal your heart by “pouring in the oil and the wine” (Luke 10:25-37). You are Father’s and no weapon or accusation from the enemy will prosper over you (Isaiah 54:17). You are REMAINING IN HIM!
Day 9: Week 2 July 16
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
As we see in John 15:1 Jesus Christ is the Vine, the true Vine. Matthew Henry describes this union of the human and Divine natures, and the fulness of the Spirit that is in him, resemble the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil. Think about you as a follower and how you are connected as a branch to the Vine. The root is unseen but it is the life source, and your life is hidden with Christ; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in Christ we are all enriched and supplied with His Life. We are many as followers—branches of the vine, yet, we are connected in the root system. In this way, we are all one vine no matter how distant we are from each other. We are IN Christ. Let us look to discover today that as we follow Christ, it is not about me, but that we are His Body and we honor God as we care for each other and bear fruit that is not our own— but His! Encourage someone today in a way that takes the spotlight off of you and on Jesus!
Day 10: Week 2 July 17
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
“Bearing fruit follows one who honors God and does good but, even fruitful branches need pruning,” says Matthew Henry in is commentary on John 15:1-8. He goes on and describes that the best branches still have ideas, appetites, and wits, that need to be dealt with and put on the burn pile to bring about God’s fullness that God desires to flow through them.
We must understand that the Word of Christ is spoken to ALL believers to make this journey. A journey that will provide a cleansing virtue by His Word. Through the Word of God--Christ works his life force of grace and mercy that works out corruption from us. Do you recall Ephesians 5:25-27 where it talks about the groom and his bride Paul writes, “…He (Jesus) gave up his life for her (his bride the church) 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s Word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish…”
Jesus is still working on our behalf today in making us a glorious church. Soak up some of that today—God’s Word! It is powerful to work in you, like an S.O.S. Pad, a cleansing that will help you “bear much fruit”. The Holy Spirit is working to make more capacity in you for more fruit that bears more glory for our Lord. Step back into the vineyard and let God’s Word work in you a little each day.
How will you glorify Him today?
Day 11: Week 2 July 18
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
Being connected seems so important to our life in Christ and our connection with each other, but I’d have to say over the years I probably haven’t lived my life as honest as that—pursuits of truly loving God above all and holding relationships close and tender as they really are. Stuff, feelings, and events just seem to out weigh what is most important. Today—could it be that all our efforts as followers still doesn’t match God’s everlasting ever pursuing compassionate grace and mercy. Yes, we keep His commands because we love Him, but our effort is useless...it may actually get in the way. We needed a Savior then and today our Savior still guides, protects, and over shadows us with singing (Zephaniah 3:10).
Don’t take this love affair for grant. Talk to Him. Walk with Him. Call a follower of Christ today to encourage and start real honest connection right here on earth. Only heaven will outshine our sunsets, but we can start practicing now fellowship with believers to spake a better today before we get to our eternal home. Here are some scriptures to ponder...
1 Corinthians 1:10
1 Peter 5:10
Philippians 1:27
His Grace is Sufficient
Day 12: July 19
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
In John 15:6 NIV it reads, “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Have you ever thought what it takes to get to the Burn Pile? It is referred to as Pum Piles by the Forest Service's. An acronym for “pile of unusable material”. I can guarantee that the Pum Pile is not where Father’s heart desires to see any of our branches. The Vine is so committed to the branches to produce Good Fruit. Duet 28:1-14 reveals Father’s heart through the blessings that He desires for each of His covenant children. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That right there is your Heavenly Father’s heart.
Focus your attention today not in how good you are living—but on recognizing how good God is living through you. Refuse to wither on the Vine. Let prayer, reading God’s Word, and serving be removed from the To Do list to your heart’s flow of Loving and Living each second of the day. It’s called in Romans 12:1 “Reasonable act of worship”. Or an authentic love affair with God.
Now, enjoy the “day He has made” (Psalm 118:24) and get your eyes off the Pum Pile.
Day 13: July 20
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
As we finish up the week talking about connecting and remaining in the Vine and how branches are pruned by the Master Gardener and see how the Pum Pile is burned— there is one misconception I want us to dwell on for a moment. I feel that we often try to play the Gardener and do his bidding in pruning. Is that really the Branches job? We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel baptizing and making disciples, but no where in the Great Commission do we see us pruning other Branches.
Consider today as a day to ponder where offenses have taken place and talk to God what your action might be? If you have no offenses along these lines, spend the day thanking Him for the Joy He has brought to you by remaining in the Vine as you read all of John 15.
Day 14: July 21
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
This is the Day that the Lord has made for us (me) to rejoice and be glad (to live fully alive) in. Psalm 118:24. Well, today is Sunday! The”branches” in our keynote verse denotes more than one. Here it is—
John 15:6 “... I am the vine; you are the branches ....” Branches don’t hang by themselves—we call those a “branch” and use them for roasting marshmallows. Branches reveals life as the branches are connected to the Vine. Make this day a day to mingle with others. Friend Day is today at CF and it would be a GreatDay to attend. If you are not in the CF area find a church of followers and “rejoice” in it. Live fully alive!!!
Day 15: July 22
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
We have had some honest thoughts and possibly made some honest open comments to someone we trust about Connections: “Remaining in the Vine”—NOW let’s move towards Budding this last week. It is easy to boast and go right to dad and ask him to beat up the bully on the block, right? There again, it is totally different to learn, acquire, develop, or fine tune skills that we can use to over come the bully or better yet help the bully to find his real self image through Jesus. Thus, we need to let Father grow in us the fruits of His Spirit (Galatians 5).
John 15:5-6 reads, 5 “Remain in me... 6 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Bearing much fruit first start off with a bud that grows to fruition. Our tomato plants have many buds but are not developing well. Spiritually we need Galatians 5:16 NLT to wake us up. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Ask Father to talk to you by the Holy Spirit today. Then stop take time to listen. Let Him talk to you about what He desires to talk about. Don’t try to lead the conversation or even read your Bible during this time. Just hang out with Father #talkless #listenmore #hearingfromdad #dontspiritualizethemoment
Day 16: Week 3 July 23
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
Our focus today on “Budding” comes
from Galatians 5:24-26 NLT.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
Living by the Spirit is what God has called us too. It’s more that do’s and don’ts, more than doctrine, and more than look right—God has given us His Spirit to live within us and to lead us.
When we put the Word of Christ in to our heart and are led by the Spirit all of those things are simply the By-Product of the God Life.
Be sensitive today to ask, listen, and follow the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudge. Expect to encounter opportunities to let Christ arise in you and see your enemy be scattered along with new budding fruit to be made visible as you wait in the Lord. Amen.
Day 17:Week 3 July 24
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
So how is it going “growing your fruit”? Are you seeing more and more precious fruit? Here is a thought—it’s not “your fruit” or “my fruit”—it is the “Fruit of the Spirit”!
When we live my the Knowledge of the Tree of Good and Evil we walk in our own strength. As it says in Galatians 5:19 NLT, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear ....” Paul goes on and list three verses of evil behaviors that come from a heart that is not pursuing true Life in Christ.
Now, when we put these BUD Restricting Appetites of the flesh to the cross, we then choose to live by faith to believe and trust Father’s love that brings the Redeeming blood of Christ to flow over us. His Spirit takes home in us—Christ’s Life flows like a stream through us like a “spring of living water” (John 7:37-39. This life source flows and buds begin to appear from our core and bear in us the Fruit of the Spirit of God.
Let’s do something a little strange today. Look for Bud Restrictors in others and then ask, “Lord, do I have that restrictor working in me? Is that why I noticed that particular work of the flesh in them? If so Lord, I recognize that working of the flesh and denounce it’s control over my life and I surrender this Bud Restrictor to You. I refuse to point my finger at others, but will point my face to Your thrown and give you praise, cause You forgive me, accept me, and LOVE me. Thank You for Your life that is bearing new Buddings in me. In Jesus Name, amen.
In Him--Pastor Mickey
Day 18: July 25
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
John 15:1-2 (NLT) 1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
I think there are three things important in these two verses. I think you will see it easily—He is the Gardener, He cuts off, and He prunes. You saw it right? “He”—Father God. We often get focused on what we are doing and what we should be doing is focusing on the Gardener!
When we focus on what we are doing and not observing what Father is doing, we miss out on the awesome fruit He wants to grow in us. Those non-producing Branches can waste a lot of our energy and time. Let it go🎶. Say goodbye! Then say, “Hello Father. What would you desire of me today?”
Psalm 51:7-13 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….”
Cut up, Pruned, & Budding
Mick
Day 19: July 26
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
I hope you have been encouraged with the time you have spent with Father over these three weeks.
He is singing over you (Zeph. 3:10). He is revealing Jesus to you by the Holy Spirit (John 14:21).
He desires a connection with you that brings you life evermore (John 15:1, 5).
He has a unique relationship with you where you can ask and have your needs met (John 15:7).
He causes you to look more and more like Christ when you bear fruit just like Jesus (John 15:8).
He is filled with Joy concerning your love for Him to bear fruit (John 15:11).
He is your Father and your friend and you are His favored one (John 15:15).
He loves you even when the world does note love you (John 15:18).
And Father has sent the Holy Spirit to you so you can have that same relationship that His sin, Jesus, had with Him (John 15:27).
Receive you the Holy Spirit!
Get connected and and start Budding today.
(If this has not been the right time for you to maximize your Connection and Budding in Christ—you can go to our website: and follow the devos again. I will leave them out there for a while.)
Day 20: July 27
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
This Love Relationship
“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now Father (Abba Father), glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.“ (John 17:4-5)
Jesus is not acting out of duty to the Father’s will. He gives us a more personal sense of His motivation — the act is out of love for his “Abba Father”. There’s an awareness that Dad’s watching His life and relating to Him as a Dad.
Dad wants to watch us bud, blossom, and burst forth with much fruit. Jesus’ exclusive relationship of love with the Father is something Jesus to prided In. This personal relationship Was built in a sacred foundation. They shared a deep and satisfying connection unique just to them. What made it special was the inside knowledge of the other. No human being would ever know Jesus as intimately as the Father and vice versa. This dynamic relationship is an intimate one.
Think about it—you are God’s man or woman have been ushered by Christ into this same exclusive relationship with the Father, to possess and treasure a unique bond with the Father just as He did. “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’ (Matthew 11:27). That’s you!
As God’s man and women. have you realized your intimate relationship to the Father?
As we wind down these 21 Days of Prayer and Focus let’s ask this from our Abba Father: “Help me to realize the intimate love you have for me and let me focus on that love relationship instead of living my life from under duty and the need to be better.”
How much better is living in the Love of God than under rules and dry routines?
(taken in part from a devo found in an You Version reading read by Marcie at the start of our 21 Days—thanks Marcie)
Day 21: July 28 (last day)
21 Days Prayer and Focus:
Connecting & Budding
Your connection to remain in the Vine and your budding is something the Father desires you to be nurture and He has give you power to “Remain” and to bring about “much fruit”. He will see you through this ongoing growth—He has given you the power by the Holy Spirit.
We are not taking steps backwards, we are positioned to advance into new beginnings. They are right in front of you.
You can keep reading the Bible as a good book or you can let the Bible become part of you. The “Living” Word that is Alive.
Stay in the Vine and let His Life flow through you—in and out every day!
The Beginning...