Pardeeville UMC

09/06/2026

Sunday Morning Worship September 6, 2026
Vote for Jesus!

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Sunday Morning Worship September 6, 2026Vote for Jesus

09/06/2026

Daily Devotion — September 6

Scripture: “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19

Reflection:
Habakkuk could still rejoice in God learns that even if the harvest failed, the fields produced nothing, and the animals disappeared, Habakkuk could still rejoice in God.

That kind of faith is powerful because it isn't based on circumstances.

There will be seasons when everything seems to be going well, and there will be seasons when you feel like you're walking uphill. In both seasons, God remains the same.

Habakkuk says, “The Lord GOD is my strength.” He doesn't say, “My circumstances are my strength,” or “I know exactly what God is doing.” His strength comes from God Himself.

The image of “hinds’ feet” reminds us of the ability to walk securely in difficult and elevated places. God may not always remove the mountain in front of us, but He can give us the strength and stability to climb it.

Today, you don't have to know everything that tomorrow will bring. You simply need to know who walks with you.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, You are my strength. When I feel weak, discouraged, or uncertain, help me lean completely on You. Give me steady feet when the path is difficult. Help me trust You when I cannot see what lies ahead. I don't want my peace to depend on circumstances; I want it to depend on You. Give me courage to keep walking, faith to keep trusting, and a heart that continues to praise You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Challenge--“Lean on God's Strength”

Today, identify one area where you feel weak or overwhelmed.

Instead of immediately trying to solve it yourself:

Spend 10 minutes praying and surrender it to God.
Write down one promise from God's Word that encourages you.
When you feel overwhelmed, stop and say: “The Lord GOD is my strength.”
Encourage someone else who may be struggling.

Before bed, write down one way you saw God's strength helping you today.

09/05/2026

Daily Devotion — September 5

Scripture: “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17–18

Reflection:
Habakkuk began his journey with questions, confusion, and fear. He wanted to understand why God was allowing difficult things to happen. But Habakkuk had learned to trust God.

His circumstances might still be difficult. The crops might fail. The fields might be empty. The animals might be gone. Yet Habakkuk makes a powerful decision:

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”

Notice that Habakkuk's joy wasn't dependent on having everything he wanted. His joy was rooted in who God is. Sometimes we think we can have peace only after the problem is solved. Habakkuk shows us that we can have peace while the problem is still present.

Faith says:
Even when I don't have enough, God is enough.
Even when I don't understand, God is trustworthy.
Even when my circumstances change, God does not change.

God doesn't promise that we will never walk through difficult places. He promises to give us the strength to walk through them with Him.

🙏 Prayer:
Father, teach me to rejoice in you regardless of my circumstances. When life doesn't go according to my plans, help me remember that You are still my strength and my salvation. When I have questions, help me trust You. When I am afraid, help me stand firmly in faith. I choose today to praise You—not because everything is perfect, but because You are faithful, good, and worthy of my trust. In Jesus' name, amen.

Challenge--“Yet I Will Rejoice”

Today, choose one difficult circumstance in your life.

Instead of focusing on what is missing, write down three things you can still thank God for. Then, whenever worry or discouragement comes today, say:

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Finally, do one thing that expresses your faith—encourage someone, help someone in need, worship God, or spend extra time in prayer.

09/04/2026

Daily Devotion — September 4

Scripture: “But the righteous will live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4

Reflection:
Habakkuk begins with a question many of us have asked: “God, why?”

The prophet sees violence, injustice, and wickedness around him, and he struggles to understand why God seems silent. Rather than hiding his questions, Habakkuk brings them directly to God.

God's answer isn't everything Habakkuk expected. God reveals that He is working, but His plan is going to unfold in a way Habakkuk doesn't understand. The prophet is then given a powerful command: wait and trust.

Faith doesn't mean that we understand everything God is doing. Faith means that we trust God's character even when we cannot see His plan. That's mature faith: Even if things don't turn out the way I want, I will still trust and worship God.

Reflect
What situation am I questioning God about right now?
Am I willing to trust God even when I don't understand His timing?
What would it look like for me to “live by faith” today?
Can I choose to rejoice in God even before my circumstances change?

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I don't understand why You allow certain things to happen. I bring my questions and worries to You. Help me remember that You are working even when I cannot see it. Teach me to wait patiently and to live by faith rather than by what I see. Give me the strength to say, like Habakkuk, that even when circumstances are difficult, I will still rejoice in You. You are my salvation, my strength, and my hope. In Jesus' name, amen.

Challenge--“Trust God Anyway.”

Today, take one situation you don't understand and deliberately surrender it to God.

Then practice three things:

*Write it down: “God, I don't understand ________, but I trust You.”

*Replace one worry with prayer. Every time the situation comes to mind, pray instead of rehearsing the fear.

*Choose joy: Find one reason to praise God today that has nothing to do with your circumstances.

Before bed, say aloud:

“Even if I don't understand what God is doing, I will trust who God is.”

09/03/2026

All Kids, Youth, Young Adults and Adults are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church this Sunday, September 6 to bless a year of learning and growing!

09/03/2026

Daily Devotion & Challenge — September 3

Scripture:
“Though they are at full strength and likewise many, even so, they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer.” — Nahum 1:12

Reflection:

God knew what His people were experiencing. Assyria appeared powerful and unstoppable, but God reminded Judah that earthly strength is temporary. What looks overwhelming to us is never greater than God.

Sometimes our troubles can feel permanent. We may wonder how long a difficult circumstance will continue or whether things will ever change. Nahum reminds us that God has the final word.

Verse 13 continues with God's promise to break the yoke of oppression. The picture is of someone being released from a heavy burden that has held them down.

Perhaps today you are carrying a burden that feels too heavy. God invites you to bring it to Him. We may not know when circumstances will change, but we can know who holds our future.

The passage ultimately points toward freedom and peace. God's desire is not for His people to remain permanently under bo***ge. Whatever you are facing today, don't assume that today's struggle is your forever. God is still working.

Challenge

*Name the burden: Identify one thing that has been weighing heavily on your heart.

*Give it to God: Pray specifically about it instead of carrying it alone.

*Refuse discouragement: When you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that circumstances are temporary, but God is faithful.

*Encourage someone: Find someone carrying a heavy burden and offer them practical help or encouragement.

*Celebrate freedom: Thank God for one area where He has already brought you through a difficult season.

🌿Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you that no trouble is greater than You. When I feel overwhelmed by circumstances, remind me that you are still in control. Help me release the burdens I have been carrying and trust Your timing. Break the things that keep me bound to fear, bitterness, discouragement, or worry. Help me remember the times you have already brought me through difficult seasons. In Jesus' name, Amen.

09/02/2026

Daily Devotion & Challenge — September 2

Scripture:
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of armies. “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and I will expose your nakedness to the nations and your disgrace to the kingdoms.” — Nahum 3:5

Reflection:
This is a sobering reminder that God sees injustice, corruption, pride, and evil—and He will ultimately hold people accountable. Nineveh had been a powerful city, but its power had been used to oppress and destroy. Its people had placed their confidence in strength and influence, believing they could continue without consequences.

God's words remind us that no amount of success, position, or power places someone beyond His authority. It's easy to recognize wrongdoing in others while overlooking attitudes in our own hearts. Pride, dishonesty, resentment, manipulation, and selfishness can quietly take root if we don't allow God to examine us.

God calls us to live differently. We don't need to defend ourselves through pride or repay wrong with wrong. We can entrust justice to God while choosing righteousness ourselves. When you've been treated unfairly, remember: God sees. You don't have to carry the burden of making everything right yourself.

Challenge

*Examine your heart: Ask God to reveal any pride, resentment, dishonesty, or selfishness that needs to change.

*Choose integrity: Do the right thing today even when nobody would know if you didn't.

*Release revenge: If someone has wronged you, give the desire for retaliation to God.

*Make things right: If you have wronged someone, take a humble step toward reconciliation.

🌿Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you see everything, including the things hidden from others. Search my heart and reveal anything that does not honor You. Forgive me for the times I have allowed pride, anger, selfishness, or resentment to control me. Help me live with integrity and humility. When I experience injustice, help me trust You rather than seek revenge. Give me courage to do what is right and wisdom to respond to others with grace. May my life reflect Your righteousness and truth. In Jesus' name, Amen

09/01/2026

Daily Devotion & Challenge — September 1

Scripture:
“The one who scatters has come up against you. Keep watch over the fortress, watch the road; Strengthen your back, summon all your strength. For the LORD is restoring the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, even though destroyers have devastated them and ruined their vine branches.” --Nahum 2:1–2

Reflection:
Nahum 2 describes a time when God's judgment was coming against Nineveh, but within the message is an important reminder: God sees what has been broken, and He is able to restore.

The people of God had experienced devastation. What had once been fruitful had been damaged and ruined. Yet God promised to restore their splendor.

We can experience seasons when life feels much the same. Something we worked hard to build may be damaged. A relationship may be strained. A dream may seem lost. We may look at our circumstances and wonder if anything good can come from them.

Restoration doesn't always mean that everything returns exactly as it was. Sometimes God restores by rebuilding something stronger, changing our direction, or teaching us to depend upon Him in a deeper way.

The instruction to “keep watch” and “strengthen” also reminds us that trusting God doesn't mean becoming passive. We remain faithful. We guard what God has entrusted to us. We keep moving forward while leaving the outcome in His hands.

Challenge

*Identify what needs strengthening: Is there an area of your spiritual life, relationships, or responsibilities you've neglected?

*Take one step: Do something practical today toward rebuilding or restoring it.

*Guard your heart: Be careful about discouragement, bitterness, or fear taking root.

*Trust God's restoration: Give Him something broken that you cannot repair yourself.

🌿Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you see every broken place in my life. You know what has been damaged, lost, or neglected. Help me trust you with those things I cannot restore on my own. Help me guard my heart against discouragement and bitterness. Teach me to believe that You can bring restoration even from places that seem beyond repair. In Jesus' name, Amen.

08/31/2026

Campfire Conversation CANCELLED TONIGHT.

08/31/2026

Daily Devotion & Challenge — August 31

Scripture:
“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” — Nahum 1:7

Reflection:
Nahum's message contains strong words about God's judgment against evil, but in the middle of it comes a beautiful reminder of God's goodness and protection.

“The LORD is good.”

Those four words are powerful, especially when life is difficult. God's goodness doesn't disappear when our circumstances become painful or confusing. He remains good when we understand what He is doing—and when we don't.

Nahum calls God “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” A stronghold is a place of safety and protection. God doesn't promise that His people will never experience trouble, but He promises that we can run to Him in the midst of it.

The verse also says that He knows those who take refuge in Him. God knows you personally. He sees your struggles, hears your prayers, understands your fears, and knows exactly what you need.

When trouble comes, our first instinct can be to rely on ourselves, become overwhelmed, or try to control everything. Nahum gives us another response: run to God.

Today, whatever you are facing, remember that you have a safe place in Him.

Challenge

*Run to God first: When something stressful happens today, pause and pray before reacting.

*Remember His goodness: Write down three things you can thank God for.

*Release control: Give God one situation you cannot fix or control.

*Be a refuge for someone else: Encourage or help someone who is experiencing difficulty.

*Rest in His care: Before going to bed, thank God that He knows you and watches over you.

🌿Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and that You are my stronghold in times of trouble. When life feels uncertain, help me run toward You rather than away from You. Calm my fears and remind me that You know me completely and care about everything I face. Help me trust Your protection and Your wisdom even when I don't understand my circumstances. Give me the opportunity today to reflect Your goodness to someone else. In Jesus' name, Amen.