Devotional 7-14-17

How firm is your root?

Gospel Reading for this week; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 “Parable of the Sower”

This parable is the first of many that Jesus will be teaching the Disciples and the people concerning the Kingdom of Heaven.  Although the people he is speaking with at the time for the most part are rejecting him.  In the parable Jesus uses the actions of a person sowing seeds by broadcast seeding.  On a land that is rocky, dry and where other vegetation may also grow with the sown seeds, not all of the seeds will mature.  In the first illustration, the seeds land on hard ground and are soon eaten by the birds. In the second some of the seeds land in rocky areas with some soil but not enough to sustain growth.  The third example, the seeds fall on soil but the seeds from weeds grow at a faster pace and choke out the farmers seeds.  The seeds that are sown on fertile land will grow and produce good crops some of which will produce great yields.

So how does this parable speak to us today?  First, There are those that hear the spoken Word but may reject it or let the evil one distract them from understanding the Word.  Second, The Word is heard and understood, even rejoiced, but when turmoil enters their life and their roots in faith and understanding the Word are weak they fall away.  Third, The worries of life and distractions of fame, money and things, choke out understanding the Word and the call to be Disciples for Christ.  Fourth, The Word is heard and understood with fruitful results of bringing others to Christ, “thirty, sixty and even one-hundred-fold, thus leading others to Salvation.  It also means working for Christ by using the fruits of the Spirit that we are all given.

A friend of mine recently told me his story after he accepted Christ.  He was so excited about what he had experienced he wanted to share it with others, to bring them to Christ.  So he talked with all of his friends and thought that they would attend his church one Sunday.  But when Sunday came not many attended.  He began to doubt himself.  (The Evil one speaking to him).  He prayed and tried again.  But he let Christ enter the hearts of those he nurtured and before he knew it some, then more and soon others started their journey with Christ.  So he was sowing the seeds where there was good nurtured soil.  There was one thing he didn't think about but how those he brought to Christ would themselves bring others over and over again.   All of this is preparing us, the Saved the well rooted, for the Kingdom of Heaven and we to should be increasing the yield for God !!

Blessings to all,
Fred Herr
Ref. A Christian Apologetics Blog posting by Bill Pratt

Devotional 7-7-17

Surrender
 

Lectionary Readings:  Genesis 24: 34-67; Psalm 45: 10-17; Psalm 72; Romans 7: 15-25; Matthew 11: 16-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11: 25-30

Life is like a roller coaster – multiple ups and downs, twists and turns.  Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any resting place or even a slower pace.  I knew life was going by quickly, but the world seems to be speeding out of control these days.  I make matters worse by trying to change each situation myself.  I try to push and pull through until I am hopelessly tangled in the mess:  Saying the wrong things;  Interfering when I should stand back;  Spreading my opinions and agenda, not the love of God.

God keeps reminding me, though, (Sometimes gently and sometimes very loudly--but always persistently) that all I need to do is join with him and let Him take the lead.  When a lone ox is harnessed into the yoke, the ox just goes around in circles, because the yoke is so heavy.  The ox cannot get a bearing on balancing the load and moving forward.  Only when the oxen are attached to the yoke as a twosome, is the weight of the yoke and the load balanced so they can move forward with their task.  It’s a picture that makes so much sense, but in practice is so difficult to follow.  I can’t seem to relinquish my illusion of control for the assistance of the Master.

Jesus tried all through the Gospels to teach us about the power of God and to learn to trust Him in our daily walk.  The parables and the examples such as this one help to make things clearer.  God also sends messengers through the ages who preach and teach and share their thoughts through their writings.  God most especially uses music to help us learn more about our relationship with God.  George F. Handel used this passage from Matthew in his famous oratorio, The Messiah.  The words are first sung in a solo which is followed by a chorus singing “His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”  When the words and music are wafting through my brain, the message becomes clearer.  My role is to surrender.  But, NOT as a brain-dead zombie!!  He wants a thinking-doing follower who puts love into action.

God promises “rest”.  We tend to think of rest as an absence of activity.  But in reality, God promises that if we surrender, we can be freed from the ruts of worry and brooding. He will provide direction and strength to persevere.  Surrender, like forgiveness of sins and giving thanks is a daily activity.  We are called to awake each day and surrender to God all that the day holds.  We ask, not for an easy burden, but the strength to carry what we are given, knowing that we are not alone and the burden is always shared.

Dear Loving and Forgiving Father, please continue to send us messages to guide and teach us.  Hear our prayers as we ask for your understanding and eternal patience as we learn these lessons again and again.  Thank you for your love and for always giving us another chance to change.  Help us to surrender daily so that we might serve you by sharing your love through our words and our actions.  AMEN

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 6-30-17

The Gift of Silence

Habakkuk 2:20  “ The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”

I have recently been using a book of devotions by Sheila Walsh called “Quiet Time for Your Soul.” As the title suggests, the devotions focus on taking time to slow down, read scripture, and spend time with God. Sometimes that means we need to listen quietly to Him, to hear what he is saying to us during our prayer time. As busy as we all are, we sometimes find it difficult to take the time to be silent and just listen.

She asks, “Am I too often so concerned with being heard that I miss what God is saying? Is He speaking, but I can’t hear Him because I never embrace the silence?

I don’t think I’m the only one. Sometimes it seems our world is afraid of silence. It seems like almost every moment of the day is filled with motion and sound. Even in the middle of the night, our phones buzz and beep.

Does silence still matter in a world addicted to noise? I think it matters more than ever because practicing silence before God clears the way for Him to speak to us.

If you are new to the practice, you might find it challenging at first, but be patient with yourself. Begin by finding a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Then give yourself permission to put everything aside for just a few minutes—your worries, to-do list, whatever you need to do next—and be silent before God.

If your mind wanders, don’t beat yourself up. Just gently bring your heart and mind back to Jesus. He’s waiting there for you always…with love…with mercy…with forgiveness and grace. Let all the earth be silent before him.”

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to be silent. We so often ask You for direction in our lives, and then don’t take the time to listen. Our lives are so much better when we quietly sit to hear what you are telling us. We are grateful, Lord, for the gift of silence. Help us to better appreciate that gift. Amen

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 6-23-17

Riding in the Shadow of Giants

Events of June 23, 2016 would change the landscape (literally) of small towns along the Elk River – forever. The flood waters left behind empty foundations, debris, heartache, pain…and giants.

The area along Rt. 4 in Clendenin is known to me only from the seat of a bicycle. When traveling from Charleston to the north, I am usually in a car and it is usually on the Interstate. For more years than I have been a part, the WV Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has organized a fund raising bike ride from Charleston to Buckhannon.  The recipients of these funds change from year to year. In my eight rides, we have raised money (and awareness) for Imagine No Malaria, Tsunami Relief, Kids Affected by Aids, Clean Water for Africa and several other VERY worthy causes. Although ride support varies > the route does not. It brings us right along the Elk River…right through Clendenin.  This year’s fund raising pledges were designated for use in the flood recovery in WV. As planning began, I knew it would be an emotional ride – raising money for an area so often traveled yet so severely devastated. Would things we remembered be changed? Be gone? We knew already that our beloved Brawley Chapel, which was always an oasis with cold water, granola bars and an available restroom, was indeed gone. So damaged that it had to be torn down.  The ride launched on the bright, clear morning of June 3^rd. Away we rode. As the distance from Charleston grew longer and the distance to Clendenin grew closer, everything seemed normal. Just past the bridge that leads to Clendenin United Methodist Church, we stopped in a parking lot at the corner of Beech Street and Rt.4. Since Brawley Chapel was no more, this seemed like an acceptable alternative for a rest. The support drivers began un-stowing the water and snacks as we looked around. Jack Lipphardt, who is heading up the disaster recovery for our conference, had volunteered to be one of those drivers. Standing next to Jack, he casually said, “See that post over there?” and he pointed back towards the corner of the parking lot. “Yes.” “That white tag near the top is the high water mark. It has the date and level written on it.” I was speechless. Not only was it well over my head > it was, I do believe, ‘over the head’ of a school bus.  As I stood there with my mouth (I’m sure) hanging open, all I could muster was “wow.” If I could have seen through the trees to the other side of the river, I would have been able to see where Clendenin UMC set. I remember scrolling through the pictures on social media of the flooded areas and in particular of this church in Clendenin. On two different bike ride events, Clendenin UMC, its pastor and members, had been gracious enough to allow the riders and crew to stay in the church’s fellowship hall – in a space revealed by the pictures to be completely under water. Immediately next to the church is the pastor’s house – a place where he and his family had allowed the sweaty riders to shower (coming up with twelve extra towels). The living room of their home would eventually be under four feet of water.

It is in such a fire that heroes are forged. Faced with a situation that would have so many – me included – wondering if giving up or running away would be the best solution, people like Rev. Scott Ferguson from Clendenin UMC dig in and look towards a solution. Offering prayer and hope to those in pain, food to those who are hungry and shelter to those whose homes were washed away > all while suffering the very same afflictions himself. Scott, you are a giant. To those in your community. To those in your church. To those around the state and region that draw strength from your actions. In the 2 Kings story, Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit. I would ask for a fraction of the faith exhibited by the giants of this flood recovery. A fraction so that I may soar over mountains. I have to believe that you are the living manifestation of the age old question printed on tee shirts, bumper stickers and bracelets; WWJD?

I will never travel that road again that I do not remember and respect in whose shadow I roll.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 6-17-17

Matthew 9: 35-38

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness, ³⁶  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  ³⁸ Ask the lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Anyone who has ever worked on a farm knows hard work!  If you had to cut a hay field, you knew before hand that it would be hot, dry, dusty and entail long hours between the cutting/ bailing and transport via a hay wagon to the storage shed!  It was necessary but not enjoyable.  On a farm it was one of many chores that had to be done.

In Matthew's account Jesus is traveling the countryside and sees people in need. He does many things to try and show God's good deeds to the least of them.  This too was necessary.  God's people were dominated by Roman rule and life was hard.  Jesus was sharing the GOOD NEWS that God's kingdom on earth was at hand!

Today, as Christian people we may not think of ourselves as "laborers".  However, just like in Jesus' day, we are called to do the hard work of sharing Christ's love with the harassed- the helpless- the sick- the lonely!  This can be very difficult because it calls us to step out of our comfort zone and go where we might not want to go or witness to people we do not know or like.  But Jesus remind us that the "harvest" is dependent upon each of us to do his work in his kingdom on Earth as we await that house not made with hands but eternal to the Heavens.  May it always be so!

Prayer: Father give us the strength to do your work and share your word with those who need to hear that they are loved as a child of God too. Amen

Marv Jones

Devotional 6-9-17

Separation is Hell

Genesis 1:4  Common English Bible (CEB)
⁴ God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness.

On April 15, 1960, Rod Serling’s show, The Twilight Zone, aired an episode entitled “A Nice Place to Visit”.  Of course, the title came from the saying, “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here.”  The story was about a ne’er- do- well named Henry “Rocky” Valentine who was shot by the police while robbing a pawn shop.

When Rocky awakens, he is greeted by a fellow named Pip who provides him with money, a furnished apartment, and women. Naturally, Rocky thinks that there’s been some sort of mistake, and he’s been admitted into Heaven!

This arrangement is wonderful - until it’s not. When Rocky wants a certain food it’s there. When he wants a certain woman, she’s there. And when he bets on a certain game, he wins – every time.

Eventually he grows bored with the situation and tells Pip that he’s tired of Heaven and wants to go to “the other place”. Pip laughs and tells him he’s not in Heaven. It is then that Rocky realizes he’s stuck in a place that offers no challenge and no hope. He’s separated from goodness. He’s separated from God. He is in Hell.

I was probably seven or eight when I saw this episode, but it made a lasting impression on me. It, along with my family and church, reminded me that to experience true joy, one had to work for it. Not because that’s what God demanded, but that it’s what comes when disappointment is replaced by hope, or hard work brings about happiness for oneself and others.

But no matter what we do, there will be times of darkness. It is then that we must ask for God’s love. No, he doesn’t need a reminder. He loves us always. But we need the reminder that we are loved always – no matter what hardship we face or terrible thing we’ve done.
It’s a shame that someone hadn’t taught Rocky Valentine about God’s love. Rocky could have said, “This is a nice place to visit, but I don’t want to live here. Separation is Hell.”

Our prayer comes from England Dan and John Ford Coley:
Light of the world, shine on me. Love is the answer.
Shine on us all; set us free. Love is the answer.
Amen

Becky Warren

Devotional 6-4-17

Acts 2:1-4 (Common English Bible)

¹When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. ⁴ They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

As a deacon, part of my calling is to help lead the church out of the building and into the world -- our great commission is to go and make disciples, after all!  But it is important to remember and rejoice in the aspects of unity and fellowship that being together in one place provides.  The apostles were together regularly to eat and to talk and to remember their time with Christ when, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to them.

Many have asked about our current renovation work - why are we doing it, can we afford it, what are we going to do with the new space?   Again, as a deacon, part of my calling is to help lead the church OUT of the building.  But in our ministry context, we are literally within the mission field of those needing the hope and love of Christ as much as anyone anywhere in the world.  We face unprecedented rates of addiction, which is causing unprecedented rates overdoses, incarceration, and broken families.  

Johnson Memorial UMC has been abundantly blessed by many generous families through the years.  Many have left gifts to the church designated solely for building improvements and upgrades.  With the help of many in the church, we have visioned and discerned how ministry in Huntington, at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, might look in a building that is more easily accessible to all, a building that is inviting and welcoming to our neighbors, a building that has space available for other groups and churches to do ministry alongside us.

But the building is still just a building.  With the improvements to the physical structure, we must continue to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the life of our church.  We must pray for the ability to speak in the language of those around us, the ability to connect with those who need to know the love of Christ, through us.  And we must pray that as we gather together, it is with the expectancy that the Holy Spirit will continue to come upon us, giving us the power and the courage to go and make disciples of all the nations, starting at our front door!

Rev. Alan Williams