Advent to Epiphany Devotionals

During the Advent Season, we post our devotionals at the Johnson Memorial Advent Devotional blog.

Please be our guest, and go to www.jmadvent.blogspot.com

Have a blessed Christmas season

Devotional 11-28-08

We sing of Thanksgiving
Inspired by Psalm 65

We open our thoughts.
Our minds, our hearts, our spirits
in praise of you, our God.

We open our sins to you, our God,
when they threaten to overwhealm us,
when we are drowning, unable to catch our breath
in the suffocation of them.
You free us.
You forgive us.
And we are alive again.
All praise and thanksgiving
We lift to you.

We open our hearts to you, our God.
You draw us close in your unconditional,
Unbreakable
Unfathonable
Love for us.
You transform our lives to joy,
and we celebrate our time
spent in your presence,
in your house,
in your Holy Kingdom.

We open our minds to understand you, our God.
We see you at work in your world
We try to grasp what you do
as you deliver us from evil.
You bring us alive in hope.
Hope.
Hope that is larger than we could ever grasp.
And yet you tempt us
Encourage us
Convince us
To believe.

We open our eyes, and we see you, our God.
We see your mountains, which you shaped with your power.
We hear the silence of the sea, the roaring of the water,
The voices of your children.
The morning whispers your name.
The evening echoes your breath.
The trees lift their hands to your in gratitude for the rain
The rivers dance to your bidding.
And we are fed.

We open our lives to you, our God,
and offer them in thanksgiving.
You shape the earth
And bring it to life
You shape our lives
as we live them here on earth.
Time itself is witness to your royalty,
The land is overwhelmd by your bounty.
Creation itself is joy.

We lift our voices in praise of you, our God
And we join in the hymn of the world.
We sing counterpoint to the praise of your creatures,
crossing your land
We clap in syncopation to the heads of grain
moving in the wind.
We join in creation's praise
as it shouts and sings together for joy.

All praise and glory is yours, our God,
and we come to you
raising our voices in thanksgiving,
for our song has no end.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 11-21-08

USE IT AND LOSE IT
Readings: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

Quotes like “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” surface, as does the statement “If you prefer security to opportunity, you’re doomed from the start.” Both of these have a significant relationship to Jesus’ parable of the Talents.

The parable itself is part of the farewell discourse on the Mount of Olives during which Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus also reveals signs that will precede his personal return. After telling the parable of the Fig Tree, Jesus gives four other parables: the Thief in the Night, the Faithful and Wicked Servants, the Ten Virgins, and the parable of the Talents—our text.

In this parable a master travels to another country, leaving his capital in the hands of three servants. Today we use the word talent to refer to some special ability or aptitude one might have, as for example, a talent in music or art. However, in Jesus’ time talent referred to wealth and was not a coin but a measure of weight. A silver talent for example, was worth about $1,000. (Some translations indicate the servant hid his master’s silver.)

Suffice to say, a talent amounted to a considerable amount of money. The servant who received five talents and the one who received two talents traded them, each doubling his capital. The servant with only one talent did not attempt to invest but dug a hole and hid it in the ground.

When the master returned there was a day of reckoning. With joy the servants who had invested their capital made their reports. To each of them the master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”(v. 21 NIV).

The man who received the single talent also reported. The reprimand of this servant was as severe as the master’s commendation for the other two servants was glorious. This servant was called wicked and lazy, the opposite of good and faithful.

The master took away the one talent this servant had, gave it to the one who now had ten talents, and expelled the unfaithful servant from his presence. This is figuratively expressed as being thrown into the darkness.

Jesus adds no explanation of the parable, yet the emphasis is on service. Blessings bring responsibility and accountability. God’s gifts are tools to be used in the divine kingdom and not prizes to enjoy along the way. In a very real sense we use these gifts or we lose them. This may be disturbing or sound harsh, but it is true.

What of our talents? Talents come in all sizes and shapes. God blesses everyone with some talent—the just as well as the unjust. Lest we become proud of our particular talent, the Bible notes that we are given talents “according to our . . . ability.” All people are created equal only in the sense that all have equal chance to prove themselves. Somewhere along the line we all realize we are unequal in looks, in opportunity, in advantages, even in mental capacity. When you get right down to it, all talents are undeserved.

One thing, however, is supremely clear. God expects each of us to perform up to our own capability. The five-talent individual is expected to produce five additional talents and the two-talent individual is not condemned if he only produces two additional talents. The one-talent person was not required to produce five talents! You might say all talents are like coins: on one side is written “endowment” and on the other, “accountability.”

Never forget that the reward for faithfulness is greater opportunity and greater responsibility. Both the five-talent and the two-talent person were given additional talents, which meant more responsibility. Polio vaccine inventor Dr. Jonas Salk said it well: “The greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.” If you think because of your faithfulness you will be relieved of further responsibility, think again!

The “villain” in this parable is the one-talent individual. In calling this person “wicked,” Jesus used the same term he used six times in reference to Satan, seven times in a general sense, and only two times related to a character outside Satan. “Wicked” is a strong, strong word in the Bible.

Far too many church members are doing exactly what this one-talent person did. Afraid of any risk, they bury their talent and refuse to get involved in meaningful Christian service of any kind. These people minimize the talent they have.

How many church members do you know who “used to” sing, “used to” teach, “used to” visit, “used to” help around the church? Look at them now and realize this parable is so true to life—you really do lose what you refuse to use! Obviously, God expects from each of us faithfulness, dependability, tenacity, diligence, and discipline. Anything else merits no commendation from God, only condemnation. We bring it on ourselves.

George Buttrick, in his fine book, The Parables of Jesus, tells of visiting an ancient abbey in France named “Our Lady of the Risk.” Upon investigation he found this was a reference to none other than Mary, the mother of Jesus, who risked everything to have the Christ child. What was the master looking for from his servants when he returned from his journey? Not fame, but faithfulness. Not genius, but goodness. Not degrees, but dependability. Those God commends are those willing to work while others play, to study while others sleep, to risk all for God’s sake rather than play it safe for their own sake.

The practical appeal of the parable is clear. This parable is a stimulus to faithfulness in service, knowing of a sure and glorious reward. At the same time, it is a warning against sloth or laziness, knowing the sure and certain loss.

Written by Drew J. Gunnells Jr.
For J. Jasper

Devotional 11-14-08

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE

Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd.
Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ.
There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled water.
When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight.
You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.
Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.
Then exit off onto Grace Blvd.
From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane.
Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road.
As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave.
Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.
Pass up Envy Drive and Hate Avenue.
Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane and Backbiting Blvd.
However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane, Persecution Blvd. and Trials and Tribulations Ave.
But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead!
AMEN!!!!!

SEND THESE DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY WILL NOT GET LOST.

Life is God's gift to you.
The way you live it............is your gift to God!
Brency Sturm

Devotional 11-7-08

A Hole in Our Soul
Sometimes when we are shopping, I will ask my daughter, "Did you see anything you can't live without?" Really there is very little we can't live without. We need food, basic clothing, and shelter for our physical needs. We need love, especially Gods love for our souls. All too often we lose sight of the basic things and get caught up in an endless cycle of wants. Whatever we have, it is never enough. It is like we have a hole in our soul and we are constantly trying to fill it to be complete.

Picture a deep, bottomless hole. You feel empty inside. You must fill it to be happy. Too often we fill it with the wrong things. Things won't fill it. Work won't fill it. Alcohol and drugs definitely won't fill it. It is like whatever you put into that hole trying to find happiness just drains out the bottom. Nothing is ever enough. Sometimes we put anger and resentment in the hole. It forms little pockets of infection. They fester and eventually spew out nastiness. The only way to fill that hole is with Gods love. His love seems to act as a stopper for our hole. Somehow when you fill your life (and soul) with Gods love your wants are fewer and things are not as important. Our souls are satisfied, filled and over flowing with love.

Margaret Williams

Devotional 10-31-08

GOD's Gift's

Read Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, I Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-45

God gave the gift of the promised land to the descendants of Moses, as he promised. God's gave us the gift of this Earth. He knew us even before we were born. He has given us his gift of un-conditional Love. Our God has protected us from opposition. We were prepared for his grace at birth, all that we need to do is accept his "justifying grace" as it is "free for all" as John Wesley said. And once we accept his grace we maintain that grace through "means of grace". By praying, studying the word and through the sacrament of Holy Communion.

We are not to keep all this for ourselves, as Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " '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.' (Matthew 22:36-39)

Remember this, that we are a witness, a gift, to all we encounter daily, showing the love of God in all we do, for those that know you and that do not know you. Know matter how little or how small you are a God given Gift.

Fred Herr

Devotional 10-24-08

Trees Planted by Streams of Water

Please read Psalm 1 and Matthew 22: 34-39

I can appreciate the image used to distinguish the righteous from the wicked, whose path leads to death. The righteous are like trees planted by streams of water. They are healthy, prosperous, and fruitful. Obviously, the streams of water represent God. Notice that the trees didn’t just end up by the stream; no, they were purposefully planted there, just as we are created intentionally to be in relationship with God.

If I could look at a graph of my spirituality, I would see peaks and valleys. Using the image of the tree, I can imagine that there are times when my roots are soaking in the water. I can look back at the most fruitful, healthiest, happiest times in my life and see clearly that those were times of intimacy with God—streams of living water. However, there have been times when I have experienced spiritual drought and feel like I could wither away. I can imagine that the roots are moving in the wrong direction, seeking nourishment from something else. On the surface, everything is fine; the tree is standing, and the stream certainly hasn’t moved. Underneath, something’s not right. Eventually, the tree will dry up and die.

The good news is that when we are planted near the stream, our roots go deep and become entwined with other trees whose strength and nourishment come from the same stream. We hold each other up, just as the community of the righteous—the body of Christ—support each other in times of trial.

Through nothing of my own doing, and I suppose you would call it God’s prevenient grace, I am a descendent of the righteous. My ancestors were planted by streams of water—Gnat’s Run in Ritchie County and Laurel Lick in Lewis County. They lived out the two great commandments, loving God and loving neighbor as self. A friend recently told me that his family didn’t suffer during the depression because they were already poor; they didn’t lose anything and they already had their support systems for taking care of each other. It echoed something my Grandpa Mitchell told me 35 years ago about raising his family of nine children including my mother in the thirties and forties: “We didn’t have much, but we sure had a helluva time.”

The example set for me by the psalmist and my grandparents is to stay connected to God and community. Jesus said it another way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Dear God, thank you for streams of living water that never run dry and for the community of the righteousness. Fill us with water from the well that never runs dry so that we can bear fruit in our love for You and for our neighbors. Amen.

Jeff Taylor