A few Sundays ago, I attended worship in a different church than my own. Steve and I went there only because a friend was preaching, and we wanted to hear his message. We live in a different town than the church; there is no chance that living where we live, we would become members of this church. I wasn't there in my Foundation role; I looked like a "regular" visitor.
As we sat there, a person brought us a visitor bag that had homemade banana bread in it. I tried to tell her that she didn't need to do that, but nothing stopped her, and we came home with bread.
As I sat there in worship, feeling guilty, I realized that I was doing the church an injustice. My guilt was based on the idea that the bread was offered in exchange for something - that it was offered to persuade me that they were friendly and to try to convince me to return. That's not a very grace-filled motivation behind offering a gift, and why would I expect that their motivation was anything but grace-filled? The bread was a gift, offered in the love of Christ, to two peoploe they did not know.
Glory to God.
Instead of feeling guilty, I should have felt thankful for their message of welcome and grace. And now I do.
There is a lesson in this for all of us, I think. When we offer hospitality, we should remember that it is a radical act of grace, not done in the expectation of something in return. When we receive that kind of grace, we should be thankful for it, and not think it was done in "exchange" for something.
It's grace.
Kim Matthews
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
Devotional 9-8-17
With a Voice of Singing
Psalm 149
1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
When I was about five years old, I did something wonderful! I joined the Johnson Memorial Carol Girls Choir. I remember one of our first anthems was “Come Christians Join and Sing,” and I was so proud when the Carol Girls and Wesley Boys Choirs presented it to the congregation. From that very first performance, I was hooked.
When I graduated to junior high school, I became a member of the Crusader Choir, and with high school came membership into the Chapel Choir. With each graduation brought anthems with greater difficulty and deeper meaning. Those anthems helped me understand the scriptures in a way nothing else did.
I’m now a member of JM’s Sanctuary Choir, and I still get goose bumps when we are sight-reading an especially beautiful anthem. I may love the melody, or the words may move me to tears. Either way, singing God’s praises brings joy. It was true when this psalm was written. It is true today.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are thankful for all You have given us. We are also thankful for the ways we can praise Your name. Let us praise Your name with dancing, instruments of all kinds, and, of course, singing! In Your name we pray. Amen
Becky Warren
1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
When I was about five years old, I did something wonderful! I joined the Johnson Memorial Carol Girls Choir. I remember one of our first anthems was “Come Christians Join and Sing,” and I was so proud when the Carol Girls and Wesley Boys Choirs presented it to the congregation. From that very first performance, I was hooked.
When I graduated to junior high school, I became a member of the Crusader Choir, and with high school came membership into the Chapel Choir. With each graduation brought anthems with greater difficulty and deeper meaning. Those anthems helped me understand the scriptures in a way nothing else did.
I’m now a member of JM’s Sanctuary Choir, and I still get goose bumps when we are sight-reading an especially beautiful anthem. I may love the melody, or the words may move me to tears. Either way, singing God’s praises brings joy. It was true when this psalm was written. It is true today.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are thankful for all You have given us. We are also thankful for the ways we can praise Your name. Let us praise Your name with dancing, instruments of all kinds, and, of course, singing! In Your name we pray. Amen
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Devotional 9-3-17
Humanity
Read Romans 12:9-21
A definition of Humanity is; compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane.
I believe that the above definition is exactly what is being stated in in the passage from Romans. It is how we as Christians are to treat all we encounter, no exceptions.
It distresses me to hear Christians making light of another's misfortune, of looking at those who have made bad decisions in life as someone less then human. We all are on this big ball floating in space, and it is all we have. We have to care for each other as God desires for us to do. We are losing our Humanity for our brothers and sisters. We should be reaching out to each other offering support.
Love each other, reach out to all in need, be the Disciple we are called to be for Jesus Christ. Again I say, no exceptions!!!!! Remember Jesus never made an exception...
Peace and love to all.
Fred Herr
Friday, August 25, 2017
Devotional 8-25-17
Jesus Wept
Becoming a Christian has been a process for me. Each time I face a human problem, I have to reason it to myself. What do I believe? I do not believe that God is a punishing God. He did not cause misfortune to happen. He gave me strength to face that misfortune. Since God has human emotions, he feels my pain. One of the most difficult things for all of us is to give up control. When we do this, there is a peaceful feeling that does help. Some people find that this comes easily, but not for me. When I finally do, I wonder why I waited so long.
At the time of this writing, a member of my family has been in SICU on life support for over a month. We do not know the future. I have learned to be patient, to take each tiny step for the positive as a blessing. I do know that Jesus is weeping along with us. He understands our pain and will be with us. Many people are praying for our family and it gives us courage to take each day.
I have always been a “fixer” and I know that it is not within my power to “fix” this, and I pray for God’s blessed shoulder for all of us to lean upon. He truly understands our pain. Lord, Hear our prayer.
Carolee Brown
Friday, August 18, 2017
Devotional 8-18-17
Scripture text is Genesis 45: 1-15
This scripture tells about Joseph in Egypt after gaining great power and influence with Pharaoh. Famine had reigned in the region for two years. Joseph's brothers had been sent to Egypt by their father, Jacob, in order to try to purchase food for their family, since their region was suffering also. Before this time period, Joseph had forecast the great famine and had prepared the Egyptians . Thus they had great storerooms of food to outlast the drought.
As we can recall, Joseph had arrived in Egypt previously because his brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. They were totally unaware of whom they would encounter.Had they known, do you think they would have ventured near him in fear of retribution? Joseph held their lives in his hands, to punish as severely as he wished.Let's look at some of the verses and see how the situation was handled.
3.And he said, I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me here before you to preserve life.....
He then goes on to tell them that God sent him to Egypt to save Jacob's family.
My gosh, this was the ultimate example of forgiveness. If we had been treated as Joseph had, could we possibly rationalize forgiving these scoundrels? In my case probably not.
As we go about our every day life we encounter so many things which lead us to believe we deserve revenge for these slights.
We must keep in mind what Jesus commands us to do in the Lord's Prayer: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
If we are unable to forgive those who sin against us, we shouldn't be seeking forgiveness for our own misdeeds.
Heavenly Father, as we go through our daily lives, help us to remember and practice forgiveness as you have commanded.
Scott Ramsey
This scripture tells about Joseph in Egypt after gaining great power and influence with Pharaoh. Famine had reigned in the region for two years. Joseph's brothers had been sent to Egypt by their father, Jacob, in order to try to purchase food for their family, since their region was suffering also. Before this time period, Joseph had forecast the great famine and had prepared the Egyptians . Thus they had great storerooms of food to outlast the drought.
As we can recall, Joseph had arrived in Egypt previously because his brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. They were totally unaware of whom they would encounter.Had they known, do you think they would have ventured near him in fear of retribution? Joseph held their lives in his hands, to punish as severely as he wished.Let's look at some of the verses and see how the situation was handled.
3.And he said, I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me here before you to preserve life.....
He then goes on to tell them that God sent him to Egypt to save Jacob's family.
My gosh, this was the ultimate example of forgiveness. If we had been treated as Joseph had, could we possibly rationalize forgiving these scoundrels? In my case probably not.
As we go about our every day life we encounter so many things which lead us to believe we deserve revenge for these slights.
We must keep in mind what Jesus commands us to do in the Lord's Prayer: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
If we are unable to forgive those who sin against us, we shouldn't be seeking forgiveness for our own misdeeds.
Heavenly Father, as we go through our daily lives, help us to remember and practice forgiveness as you have commanded.
Scott Ramsey
Friday, August 11, 2017
Devotional 8-11-17
Early in the morning, he (Jesus) came walking toward them (the disciples) on the sea. . . . And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 25-31)
How many times have YOU heard about something new or different to try, or you have thought of something new or different to do, and it sounds enticing, but then those doubts you have about yourself, come creeping in, and you say to yourself, “I can’t do that! What if I fail?” And so that is the end of THAT story.
But what if – what if – what if this new or different thing might encourage you in your relationship with God or bring someone else to better understand about God and God’s love for them? Do you dare try it? Do you remember this story of Jesus and Peter, and think about the possibility that Jesus is always there, reaching out his hand and loving you through every experience, whether you can do it or whether you fail?
I was reading a science lesson about the mother eagle and her baby eagle, with my grandson Sam, and all of these pieces of this story about Peter and Jesus fell into place for me. You see, the mother eagle just seems to know when it is time for her baby to learn to fly. So she takes her baby out of the nest and flies as high as she can go, and then she drops that baby. The baby falls fast, for the baby has never flown before. But the mother eagle watches her baby, and at the very last minute, she swoops down and saves her baby. The mother eagle then flies back up as far as she can, and drops her baby again. She keeps doing this, until her baby begins to fly.
The reality is that Jesus is always present in our life, through every experience, whether it is good or bad, a success or a failure. We just forget about his presence, until we think there is a real need and cry out, “Lord, save me” or sometimes we don’t even attempt something because of our fear of failing to begin with. Jesus is always there. When are we going to remember and trust that He is always there, reaching out for us and loving us no matter what?
Amen and Blessings,
Rev. Suzanne Ellis
How many times have YOU heard about something new or different to try, or you have thought of something new or different to do, and it sounds enticing, but then those doubts you have about yourself, come creeping in, and you say to yourself, “I can’t do that! What if I fail?” And so that is the end of THAT story.
But what if – what if – what if this new or different thing might encourage you in your relationship with God or bring someone else to better understand about God and God’s love for them? Do you dare try it? Do you remember this story of Jesus and Peter, and think about the possibility that Jesus is always there, reaching out his hand and loving you through every experience, whether you can do it or whether you fail?
I was reading a science lesson about the mother eagle and her baby eagle, with my grandson Sam, and all of these pieces of this story about Peter and Jesus fell into place for me. You see, the mother eagle just seems to know when it is time for her baby to learn to fly. So she takes her baby out of the nest and flies as high as she can go, and then she drops that baby. The baby falls fast, for the baby has never flown before. But the mother eagle watches her baby, and at the very last minute, she swoops down and saves her baby. The mother eagle then flies back up as far as she can, and drops her baby again. She keeps doing this, until her baby begins to fly.
The reality is that Jesus is always present in our life, through every experience, whether it is good or bad, a success or a failure. We just forget about his presence, until we think there is a real need and cry out, “Lord, save me” or sometimes we don’t even attempt something because of our fear of failing to begin with. Jesus is always there. When are we going to remember and trust that He is always there, reaching out for us and loving us no matter what?
Amen and Blessings,
Rev. Suzanne Ellis
Friday, August 4, 2017
Devotional 8-4-17
The Feeding of the 5000
Matthew 14: 13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18 "Bring them here to me," he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
In these scriptures, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to mourn. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, has just been beheaded by Herod. Who among us does not want privacy and solitude when we lose a loved one? Yet- his desire for solitude was interrupted by the large crowd of people who wanted to see and hear him. Even as Jesus was in spiritual pain at the loss of his cousin- he looked out at this mass of people and had compassion on them and immediately starting healing the sick!
As evening comes, the disciples urge Jesus to send the crowd away, but instead Jesus commands the disciples to give them something to eat. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 ensues.
How about you and your spiritual journey? Have you mourned the loss of a loved one? Ever yearned for peace & quiet to heal your hurts? Regret words said or actions done? In this account, I feel there are several miracles we can learn. First- no matter the pain, no matter the suffering, no matter the sin.... Jesus is there with us. He knows our inner struggles and can help shoulder the weight, because he has been there too! Secondly- Jesus challenges us to stretch our faith beyond what we can imagine. You see what is not possible with man is achievable through Jesus. Jesus physically fed 5,000 but only after giving thanks. Today in God's kingdom here on earth we can be fed the bread of life no matter how desperate our situation if we, like Jesus, give thanks! May it always be so.
Prayer: Father thank you for helping each of us as we wrestle with the problems of life. Help us to remember that when we give thanks miracles happen! Amen
Marv Jones
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