Matthew 21:22 " And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Timothy 5:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Ah, the rain has come. I believed it would, I just didn't know when. It feels good. Everything was dry. I even felt dry. Even though I was drinking plenty of liquids, I was feeling dry. Usually, I want it to rain between midnight and maybe 6 AM. But I know that doesn't work. I usually find it a nuisance to go out into the rain. I need a raincoat and or umbrella, extra things that I would not need if the sun was shining and just getting in and out of the car in the rain can be a hassle. Poor me!
We need rain to quench the the thirst around us, and I need to believe in God and the Trinity to quench my thirst and being.
Sometimes, I get to thinking, how could there be God? Why can't I see Him? Where is He? What if someone just fed me the Bible and teachings and is manipulating me from somewhere? All of us? How can all of 'this' be, exist?
But then I think of all the people that believe. They are intelligent. I was recently at the "Commission Possible" workshop in Summersville, WV. Looking around at the more than 1,200 people and thinking of all the people in the world, I thought , they couldn't be all wrong about believing either.
I believe because it makes my life easier, better and makes me feel good. I feel good because I believe. I feel relieved that I can take my fears and woes to God and let go. I feel good about doing for others. I am not that young anymore, but I try to be an example to the believers and non believers. I hope to be a good witness.
Thank you Heavenly Father for my belief, and let me witness to those around me. Amen.
Kay Lewis
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Devotional 10-3-08
Who are you trying to please?
I'm hearing the phrase, "to whom much is given, much is expected," a great deal more than I used to. This is a verse from Luke 12:47-49, which according to the King James' version, reads: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
A lot of folks are very familiar with the first part of this passage and most believe, if you have nice possessions -- the expensive house, the fancy car, and the hefty bank account -- then you properly inherit all of the headache and stress that comes along with the luxuries.
But what is often overlooked in this passage, is the second part of it. "And to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Living about 15 minutes from Washington D.C., politics are always the talk of the day here. And many politicians, when running for office, want to set themselves apart from the "Washington insiders" or the politicians who are viewed as being bought by the lobbyists. After all, "to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." And while the special-interest politician is fulfilling the tall orders of those who have committed much, the ones who have committed nothing or have nothing to commit often go without.
I have come to personalize the second part of the passage and have applied it to my life. How many of us have gotten a great deal on a car, a discount at the sales counter or even landed a job because of someone we knew? We call it "networking." It happens all the time. And usually that friend wants to be repaid in some manner, don't they? Our friends sometimes commit or invest in us because they expect repayment of some kind.
At work, we enjoy being admired by the boss and our co-workers. And they will certainly put in a good word for us -- just as long as we don't apply for the same position they want. Or, when we have the boss' eye, it's all gravy until the competitor comes calling.
We can easily begin to measure who we are and just how far we can go by those who have committed to us in some way.
I love a lyric from an Eryka Badu song: "I work to please me, 'cause I can't please you," because at the end of the day, we have to work to make ourselves – and the Almighty -- happy. If we are allowing others to judge us and decide if we are smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, or just plain out good enough -- we'll never reach our goals or come to appreciate what the Lord has in store for us.
I enjoy watching the wonder of what God can do when the odds are stacked against us. I love the stories of triumph and success when "no one believed" in someone.
Don't let others hinder you. Lift up your hands to the heavens and stretch!
Marina Matthews
Marina Mathews, is a former Huntington resident. She worked as a reporter and columnist at The Herald-Dispatch for 7 years and now lives in Montgomery Village, Md., with her husband Vada and two children, Todd and Ava, and their little dachshund, Reuben.
I'm hearing the phrase, "to whom much is given, much is expected," a great deal more than I used to. This is a verse from Luke 12:47-49, which according to the King James' version, reads: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
A lot of folks are very familiar with the first part of this passage and most believe, if you have nice possessions -- the expensive house, the fancy car, and the hefty bank account -- then you properly inherit all of the headache and stress that comes along with the luxuries.
But what is often overlooked in this passage, is the second part of it. "And to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Living about 15 minutes from Washington D.C., politics are always the talk of the day here. And many politicians, when running for office, want to set themselves apart from the "Washington insiders" or the politicians who are viewed as being bought by the lobbyists. After all, "to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." And while the special-interest politician is fulfilling the tall orders of those who have committed much, the ones who have committed nothing or have nothing to commit often go without.
I have come to personalize the second part of the passage and have applied it to my life. How many of us have gotten a great deal on a car, a discount at the sales counter or even landed a job because of someone we knew? We call it "networking." It happens all the time. And usually that friend wants to be repaid in some manner, don't they? Our friends sometimes commit or invest in us because they expect repayment of some kind.
At work, we enjoy being admired by the boss and our co-workers. And they will certainly put in a good word for us -- just as long as we don't apply for the same position they want. Or, when we have the boss' eye, it's all gravy until the competitor comes calling.
We can easily begin to measure who we are and just how far we can go by those who have committed to us in some way.
I love a lyric from an Eryka Badu song: "I work to please me, 'cause I can't please you," because at the end of the day, we have to work to make ourselves – and the Almighty -- happy. If we are allowing others to judge us and decide if we are smart enough, pretty enough, rich enough, or just plain out good enough -- we'll never reach our goals or come to appreciate what the Lord has in store for us.
I enjoy watching the wonder of what God can do when the odds are stacked against us. I love the stories of triumph and success when "no one believed" in someone.
Don't let others hinder you. Lift up your hands to the heavens and stretch!
Marina Matthews
Marina Mathews, is a former Huntington resident. She worked as a reporter and columnist at The Herald-Dispatch for 7 years and now lives in Montgomery Village, Md., with her husband Vada and two children, Todd and Ava, and their little dachshund, Reuben.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Devotional 9-26-08
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
I am always struck by the difference between “man’s way” and “GOD’S WAY” when I read the Bible.
By man’s thinking, the Christ would come in power and glory! God’s way was by a virgin and carpenter from the countryside. Human vision assumes a King with a Palace and courtiers. God’s vision was a lowly stable with farm animals.
So it is, as we read this parable, that we are drawn to cries of “fairness” for the workers who labored long and hard in the fields all day. From a worker’s point of view it is not right for those who labored the least to receive the same as those who spent the entire day in the fields.
Here again Jesus reminds us of the difference between life on earth and the Kingdom of Heaven as he advises, “the last will be first and the first will be last.”
Man can be vengeful, stubborn, proud and unforgiving. God patiently waits for us to ask for forgiveness of our sins and is always ready to grant it time and time again!
Pastor Jack mentioned in a recent sermon about being a “crib Christian” (one who was born into church), and I am thankful to be one. However, this scripture reminds me not to be concerned with how long or how hard I labor in his “field” but to be always thankful for “that House not made with hands- Eternal to the Heavens.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father- we thank you for your son-Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation! Despite our many days in your field we are unworthy and yet you forgive and welcome us. Open our eyes to your possibilities! Amen
Marv Jones
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Devotional 9-18-08
The following devotional was written for the Ashland Area Emmaus Community. Jeff graciously agreed to let me reprint it here for our devotional community.
Are you salty?
We're just back from the beach, relaxed, renewed and re-created, and ready get back to work. Well…three out of four ain't bad.
I love the beach. I love the ocean and the sights and sounds and smells. I love walking on the beach early in the morning. I stand in the water and look east at the early morning sun (this year, unlike most years, I slept in and missed the sunrises. I was really relaxed). I’m on the very edge of the earth; I think about how many other people have stood on a shore somewhere in the world and looked out at the vast horizon and marveled at God's creation.
I love the pounding waves that promote a rhythm of gratitude. When I am at the beach, I take the time to think about how grateful I am for God's goodness, for God's grace, and for the fact that God uses me, even me, to do ministry. Too often, I let the busyness of everyday life and work crowd out my gratitude. Too often, I let my routine and the interruptions to my routine cloud God's gift of clear vision.
I love the saltwater -- the stinging in the nicks and cuts, the burning in my throat and eyes -- all those things I hear others complain about. The first thing I do is plunge in and open my eyes. I feel cleansed by the saltwater and the abrasive sand. If you question whether you're in saltwater or fresh, open your eyes.
When I leave the beach, I am salty.
Jesus said that we are "to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?" Matthew 5:13.
When people are around me, do they know I am salty? Can they open their eyes and sense it?
Are you salty?
Jeff Taylor
Are you salty?
We're just back from the beach, relaxed, renewed and re-created, and ready get back to work. Well…three out of four ain't bad.
I love the beach. I love the ocean and the sights and sounds and smells. I love walking on the beach early in the morning. I stand in the water and look east at the early morning sun (this year, unlike most years, I slept in and missed the sunrises. I was really relaxed). I’m on the very edge of the earth; I think about how many other people have stood on a shore somewhere in the world and looked out at the vast horizon and marveled at God's creation.
I love the pounding waves that promote a rhythm of gratitude. When I am at the beach, I take the time to think about how grateful I am for God's goodness, for God's grace, and for the fact that God uses me, even me, to do ministry. Too often, I let the busyness of everyday life and work crowd out my gratitude. Too often, I let my routine and the interruptions to my routine cloud God's gift of clear vision.
I love the saltwater -- the stinging in the nicks and cuts, the burning in my throat and eyes -- all those things I hear others complain about. The first thing I do is plunge in and open my eyes. I feel cleansed by the saltwater and the abrasive sand. If you question whether you're in saltwater or fresh, open your eyes.
When I leave the beach, I am salty.
Jesus said that we are "to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?" Matthew 5:13.
When people are around me, do they know I am salty? Can they open their eyes and sense it?
Are you salty?
Jeff Taylor
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Devotional 9-12-08
Last winter Johnson Memorial UMC lost one of its true saints, Jim Ray. Jim was the guy who helped everyone. He was known for helping shut-ins; taking them food, shopping for them, running errands for them, helping them stay in their homes rather than going to nursing homes. He also did all kinds of jobs around the church, chiefly, making coffee. He was a faithful volunteer at Christian Associates, the downtown churchs' food and clothing pantry.
At the funeral, the pastor gave those in attendance a chance to pay tribute to Jim. Many took the opportunity to speak; church members, family members of those Jim had helped; the director of Christian Associates. Finally a man stood up who most of us did not know. He introduced himself and the man next to him as TTA bus drivers. You see, with all Jim managed to do for others, he did not drive. Many of us were priviledged to have heard the words, "I'm going to let you take me....." but he was also known to ride the bus all over town.
The bus driver said that Jim would get on the bus and offer him a candy bar or a stick of gum and would ask about his family. He said Jim often talked about his church, then he said something that really struck me, "I knew this church had a good heart because Jim had a good heart." In his eyes, Jim was a representative of Johnson Memorial.
Would any of us act differently if we thought of ourselves as representing our church? If we wore a button that said Member of JMUMC would we be a little more likely to conduct ourselves in an honorable manner, to be a little kinder? In Colossians 3:17, Paul tell us, "...whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Do you think Paul would have enjoyed having some of Jim's coffee? I'm sure Jim's happy brewing for the Almighty, but we sure miss him!
Anita Gardner Farrell
Devotional 9-12-08
Last winter Johnson Memorial UMC lost one of its true saints, Jim Ray. Jim was the guy who helped everyone. He was known for helping shut-ins; taking them food, shopping for them, running errands for them, helping them stay in their homes rather than going to nursing homes. He also did all kinds of jobs around the church, chiefly, making coffee. He was a faithful volunteer at Christian Associates, the downtown churchs' food and clothing pantry.
At the funeral, the pastor gave those in attendance a chance to pay tribute to Jim. Many took the opportunity to speak; church members, family members of those Jim had helped; the director of Christian Associates. Finally a man stood up who most of us did not know. He introduced himself and the man next to him as TTA bus drivers. You see, with all Jim managed to do for others, he did not drive. Many of us were priviledged to have heard the words, "I'm going to let you take me....." but he was also known to ride the bus all over town.
The bus driver said that Jim would get on the bus and offer him a candy bar or a stick of gum and would ask about his family. He said Jim often talked about his church, then he said something that really struck me, "I knew this church had a good heart because Jim had a good heart." In his eyes, Jim was a representative of Johnson Memorial.
Would any of us act differently if we thought of ourselves as representing our church? If we wore a button that said Member of JMUMC would we be a little more likely to conduct ourselves in an honorable manner, to be a little kinder? In Colossians 3:17, Paul tell us, "...whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Do you think Paul would have enjoyed having some of Jim's coffee? I'm sure Jim's happy brewing for the Almighty, but we sure miss him!
Anita Gardner Farrell
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Devotional 9-5-08
Read Romans 12:9-21
Love our enemies
There are so many different types of love, each with many sides and aspects to it. It is one of the many flaws of the English language that we have a single word to describe them all, so we often fail to distinguish between that which we feel for our spouses, and that which compels us to feed the poor. Where this linguistic limitation has the most impact is where it tricks us to believing that love is a feeling, and worse, one over what we have no control.
It’s probably true that we cannot choose whom we love romantically. We fall in love and out of love at the whim of our emotions. Since this is the kind of love with which we are the most familiar (and perhaps the most comfortable), we struggle when we hear Jesus speak of “loving our enemies.” A contradiction forms in our mind as we think, “How can I love them? I don’t feel a shred of sympathetic emotion for them at all!”
The love of which Jesus speaks is not a feeling in any sense of the word. It is a decision resulting in action. It is a choice you make that has nothing whatsoever to do with how you feel, and quite often, occurs in spite of a feeling to the contrary. This kind of love judges the needs of a person but never the person themselves, and responds according to the gravity of the need, never the character of the person.
Understand that you must absolutely ignore whatever you feel for a person and treat them with as much compassion and kindness as you would show your own mother or child. This is the kind of love that Christ demands --not a feeling, but rather a spirit of service, selflessness and humility. It is the ability to give to others with no regard to what they can do to repay you, what they feel for you or what you feel for them.
This kind of love is extremely hard. Unlike romantic love, which naturally drives us to do wonderful things for our spouse, loving our enemies goes against what our sinful nature drives us to do. It is far from effortless. Very often, when we stand at the brink of loving our enemies, our sinful nature cries out, “I don’t want to do this!” And stand poised to halt our progress. We have to push through it. We have to resist the notion that something so difficult and so contrary to our natural desire could be called “love.” It is, in fact the greatest kind of love. It is the kind of love that God demonstrated when he saved us while we were his enemies (Romans 5:10).
There are opportunities for each of us to put this kind of love into practice every day, but it takes extraordinary courage and faith to even recognize these opportunities, let alone act on them. Imagine a coworker that you simply cannot get along with who is on the verge of making a huge mistake that will get her fired. Our sinful nature revels in this, and tells us that it serves her right. Let her get fired! Yet, if we are to love as God loves, we cannot let this situation unfold. We must intervene and prevent her from making that mistake despite all objections from our emotions. This is not at all what we will “feel” like doing, and that is why it requires such courage and faith. And what reward will we get? Perhaps she will thank us, or perhaps she will tell us to mind our own business. Yet, our love does not expect her appreciation and our motives are simple and pure-- love her as God loves her.
Remember that this kind of love is not about emotion, it is about action. Never stop looking for these opportunities to act in your life, and don’t give in to the nagging voice which insists that love is always easy and always rewarding. Don’t stop when you’re on the brink of kindness because it doesn’t feel right, for it often doesn’t. This kind of love can be hard and uncomfortable, but it is the most important of all, for it is by this kind of love that others will know that Christ lives in you.
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother who he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (I John 4:20)
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth. (I John 3:18)
From “Delve into Jesus: Devotionals: Love our Enemies”
Dear Lord,
Be with us as we go through out our daily tasks and remind us that you are there for us to call on when we get into a situation that we should love our enemies, or someone that needs the love of God reveled to them through us. Even when we say, “I can’t do this,” give us the strength to love the children of God. For it is by your strength that we depend on to get us through the day. Thank you for all the blessings you have given to all of us, and let us share the blessing of your love to our enemies, by showing them that “Jesus loves you” through our actions.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Submitted by Melanie Herr
Love our enemies
There are so many different types of love, each with many sides and aspects to it. It is one of the many flaws of the English language that we have a single word to describe them all, so we often fail to distinguish between that which we feel for our spouses, and that which compels us to feed the poor. Where this linguistic limitation has the most impact is where it tricks us to believing that love is a feeling, and worse, one over what we have no control.
It’s probably true that we cannot choose whom we love romantically. We fall in love and out of love at the whim of our emotions. Since this is the kind of love with which we are the most familiar (and perhaps the most comfortable), we struggle when we hear Jesus speak of “loving our enemies.” A contradiction forms in our mind as we think, “How can I love them? I don’t feel a shred of sympathetic emotion for them at all!”
The love of which Jesus speaks is not a feeling in any sense of the word. It is a decision resulting in action. It is a choice you make that has nothing whatsoever to do with how you feel, and quite often, occurs in spite of a feeling to the contrary. This kind of love judges the needs of a person but never the person themselves, and responds according to the gravity of the need, never the character of the person.
Understand that you must absolutely ignore whatever you feel for a person and treat them with as much compassion and kindness as you would show your own mother or child. This is the kind of love that Christ demands --not a feeling, but rather a spirit of service, selflessness and humility. It is the ability to give to others with no regard to what they can do to repay you, what they feel for you or what you feel for them.
This kind of love is extremely hard. Unlike romantic love, which naturally drives us to do wonderful things for our spouse, loving our enemies goes against what our sinful nature drives us to do. It is far from effortless. Very often, when we stand at the brink of loving our enemies, our sinful nature cries out, “I don’t want to do this!” And stand poised to halt our progress. We have to push through it. We have to resist the notion that something so difficult and so contrary to our natural desire could be called “love.” It is, in fact the greatest kind of love. It is the kind of love that God demonstrated when he saved us while we were his enemies (Romans 5:10).
There are opportunities for each of us to put this kind of love into practice every day, but it takes extraordinary courage and faith to even recognize these opportunities, let alone act on them. Imagine a coworker that you simply cannot get along with who is on the verge of making a huge mistake that will get her fired. Our sinful nature revels in this, and tells us that it serves her right. Let her get fired! Yet, if we are to love as God loves, we cannot let this situation unfold. We must intervene and prevent her from making that mistake despite all objections from our emotions. This is not at all what we will “feel” like doing, and that is why it requires such courage and faith. And what reward will we get? Perhaps she will thank us, or perhaps she will tell us to mind our own business. Yet, our love does not expect her appreciation and our motives are simple and pure-- love her as God loves her.
Remember that this kind of love is not about emotion, it is about action. Never stop looking for these opportunities to act in your life, and don’t give in to the nagging voice which insists that love is always easy and always rewarding. Don’t stop when you’re on the brink of kindness because it doesn’t feel right, for it often doesn’t. This kind of love can be hard and uncomfortable, but it is the most important of all, for it is by this kind of love that others will know that Christ lives in you.
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother who he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (I John 4:20)
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth. (I John 3:18)
From “Delve into Jesus: Devotionals: Love our Enemies”
Dear Lord,
Be with us as we go through out our daily tasks and remind us that you are there for us to call on when we get into a situation that we should love our enemies, or someone that needs the love of God reveled to them through us. Even when we say, “I can’t do this,” give us the strength to love the children of God. For it is by your strength that we depend on to get us through the day. Thank you for all the blessings you have given to all of us, and let us share the blessing of your love to our enemies, by showing them that “Jesus loves you” through our actions.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Submitted by Melanie Herr
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