Devotional 6-26-20

WOW did you ever think!

 
Readings:  Genesis 22:1–14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12–23; Matthew 10:40–42 CEB
 
Did you ever think that we would see the days that we are currently living?  That chaos of a global nature can be caused by a tiny virus.  That we would have to isolate ourselves from each other to protect one another.  That the vast majority of the world’s population has not seen a health situation as what we are now living.  Plus, another pandemic of; injustice, inequality and racism, many have lived throughout their life.

So, where does this leave us in our journey with God and Jesus Christ his son?  In three words Trust and Obey!

In the readings from the Old Testaments trust is the overwhelming theme.  In Genesis 22, Abraham’s trust is being tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Abraham trusted that this was what God needed him to do.  He knew God would provide the Lamb for the offering and to that God did.  In Psalms 13 the writer is wondering how long he will have to suffer.  He asks God to restore him so that death will not win.  In the end though he trusts that he will be restored by God. 

As we live through these days of a health Pandemic, we need to trust that God has the hand of all the medical professionals to guide us in preventing the spread of the virus and treat those effected.  That soon the medical researchers will have a vaccine to prevent the virus from infecting our bodies.  We trust that soon we will be free to enjoy each other’s company.
 
In the readings from Romans 6 and Matthew 10 we are not to allow sin to rule our lives.  Is this not what the sin of hurting another does through; injustices, inequality and racism that has been happening for millenniums.  This is not how God wants us to live.  We were all created from one man, Adam and Woman Eve. Therefore, we are all to be equal in the eye of God and in the eyes of man.  But this is not the world of today.  There are injustices, inequalities and racism all around which we are obligated by God and Jesus Christ to eradicate.  Christ did not treat anyone he came in contact with any different from one to another.   When we as United Methodist, are baptized or profess our faith we are asked to, reject the evil powers of the world, renounce our sins.  To “accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever form they present themselves”.  To  “Confess Jesus Christ as our Savior and put our trust in his grace and promise to serve him as our Lord.”   Are we lead by sin or by righteousness?  

As we become righteous with Christ, as we go about our lives during the Pandemics and all the days of our life.  May we keep each other safe and well, bring justice and equality for all and bring a stop to racism.  Shall we “Trust and Obey for there is no other way.”
 
Pray: Father God thank you for your Love of all.  Thank you for your son Jesus Christ to be my guide through life.  May I have the trust of Abraham that you will  provide my needs.  May I seek justice, equality and acceptance of all people.  May I help heal as Christ healed.  May all of this be guided by your son Christ Jesus.
Amen.
 
Fred Herr

Devotional 6-19-20

Genesis 21:8-21 (King James Version)
 
These verses set out the circumstances wherein Abraham sends his maid servant Hagar and her son Ishmael away from the compound.  After his son Isaac is born, Sarah, his wife, sees Ishmael mocking Isaac.  Sarah tells Abraham he must send Hagar and her son away. 
 
Abraham agonizes and reluctantly agrees to send Ishmael and Hagar away after being assured by God that the boy will be the father of a great nation.  So, Abraham sends them off into the wilderness with a bag of water and instructions to go find her own people.
 
While wandering in the desert, she apparently gets lost, runs out of water and is ready to die. 
 
God hears her cries, rescues her, give her water and again promises that the boy will be the father of a great nation. 
 
What I find interesting in this passage are two things.  First, even though Abraham does not want to send Hagar and Ishmael away, he does so, not only because his wife tells him to, which should be reason enough for any man, but also because I think he foresees the problems that will arise after his death in terms of inheritance and other issues.  Secondly, and most importantly, Abraham consults God as to what he should do.  God does in fact take care of the boy and his mother after they are lost in the wilderness.  I think the ultimate message sent in this passage is that God cares for all people, not just Jews and Christians, but all people of the world who worship God. 
 
Lee Oxley 

Devotional 6-12-20

Responding to God’s Love

 

Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7
Psalm 100
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:23

 What could these four seemingly disjointed passages of scripture possibly have as their common thread?  Is there some connection between God’s appearance to Abraham in the form of three visitors, the Divine who promises a son to Abraham and Sarah; the Psalmist who proclaims, “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth…Worship, sing, know, give thanks, bless His name.” In the Romans passage, Paul addresses the challenges new Christians are facing, their suffering, yet assures them that God is working to do a new thing, even in their difficulties; and in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus visits cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, sharing the Good News, healing the sick, showing compassion for the poor and downtrodden.  He then sends out the 12 to do the same because “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”

In answer to the question first posed, I believe we can see that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit tend to show up at the most unexpected times.  And our response should be one of wonder, hospitality, reverence, appreciation, and asking what we might do to further the goodness of God’s Kingdom, share the Good News - with our actions – not merely our words, and listen with our hearts to those we encounter.

Where might we find Jesus today, amid our current turmoil and strife?  Where, indeed?  I believe He will be found wherever the poor, disenfranchised, cast aside, “least of these” are found.  Look for Him!  Draw hope and courage from Him!  He surely will fill the empty, show compassion to the broken, offer words of encouragement and loving welcome to all who step out in faith to follow His words spoken so long ago, but still resonate today with power, purpose, and steadfast love and understanding. May our journey with Him continue.
 
Loving God, hold us and steady us to keep us walking with You on the paths You open for us.  Keep us noticing signs of Your Presence, working for good in our fearful, anxious world. Give us patience, persistence, and a willing, loving heart as we respond to those we encounter along our journey with You. In the name of Christ, our LORD, we pray, Amen    
 

Linda Summers

Devotional 6-5-20

“God is Calling—Anyone Listening???”

Lectionary Readings: Genesis1: 1--2: 4; Psalm 8; 2Corinthians 13: 11-13; Matthew 28: 16-30.
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him male and female he created them.  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number;” Genesis 1: 27-28a.
Sunday, June 7^th is Trinity Sunday and the lectionary readings for this week remind us of the three persons of God:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The Genesis passage provides images of God, Our Creator.  Psalm 8 echoes God the Creator and adds God the All Powerful: “Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth.” Matthew 28 contains the Great Commission of Jesus “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”   2 Corinthians highlights the Three in One: “the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God and the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.” 
This marvelous trio is unique, and often difficult to comprehend:  How could they be separate and yet all one.  I will leave the theological discussion of “how” and “why”, etc. to more learned minds to explain.  All I need to focus on is that the essence and the being of the Trinity is LOVE.  God is LOVE!  Jesus is LOVE!  The Holy Spirit is LOVE!  And just a few chapters earlier in Matthew 22, Jesus answers a question with: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2020 been a challenging year so far:  full of fear, conflict, and unrest. We are faced with new and uncertain health, economic, religious, financial, and political issues and concerns.  It seems that many have not taken the commandments of Jesus to our hearts with the depth needed to change actions.  We have not learned the lessons of our Sunday School teachers, our pastors and religious leaders and scholars. We also have not fully learned the lessons of our history regarding how to treat all others with kindness, compassion, understanding, fairness and love.

I have lived a quiet, fairly naïve life. I didn’t really know I lived a privileged life, but it must be true. I had two parents who demonstrated love and compassion.  I have been affiliated with wonderful role models and friends as I have grown and matured, worked and worshiped. I have not known the fear and oppression that many in our country describe.  But I am aware that it is there.  I miss volunteering at Ebenezer because I want to make a difference in the lives of the children who attend the programs there.  I have seen their fear, hurt, mistrust and observed many actions that signal the distress that they experience.  One little girl has so much anger that she is constantly in trouble, disrupts games and craft time and pushes others away.  She has built up a protective wall that is hard to penetrate.  I have no idea of her home life and don’t need to know.  But it takes a lot of extra energy to show her love instead of frustration and negativity.  I don’t always say or do the right thing and have to apologize or spend extra time with her the next week.  She is a child of God, worthy of His Love and my time and attention.  God is calling us in these times. I’m not always sure of the specifics, but I am sure He is calling us to surround others with love and care; to do whatever we can to show with our actions that there are loving ways to behave.  The great commandments are not suggestions or recommendations, they are God’s expectations for our lives.  Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry said this week that the opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.  When we do not first love God and others as ourselves, we are being primarily selfish beings.  May our actions grow more loving each day!!!

Dear Father, forgive us as we have not always been effective stewards of your creation.  My Jesus, thank you for inspiring the peaceful demonstrations and walks taking place in our city and state.  But we are all worried about the violence and chaos in other places. You have called us to seek peace and justice and we have not found a way to make them a priority.  Oh, Holy Spirit come to us.  Rain down on us with your healing power, comfort and care.  Grant us insight to guide our actions and strength to persevere in your calling. Help us to listen with our whole being and heed your direction. AMEN.

Chyrl Budd