“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans12:12
"Continue earnestly in prayer. Being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
Recently, I was reading The Secret of the Abiding Presence by Andrew Murray. He has a chapter, “The Power of Intercession” in which he writes about the value of united intercessory prayer. Never had I thought of prayer in quite that way. One prayer adds to another and the effects are great. Murray writes about the “superhuman energy” of such prayer.
Today I am thinking about our beloved country with its deep divisions, a country that needs badly united intercessory prayer. Our prayers might include ones for the healing of our nation, for those suffering at our border looking for asylum, Puerto Ricans seeking better government, members and friends in our church who grieve over the death of a loved one, those who are ill, jobless, and missionaries abroad and at home.
I believe that I am part of a congregation that prays, and I am thankful. May we always “be one in the spirit” and, although we go different ways, let us pray united in the spirit, abounding in love. Jesus has promised, “Surely I will be with you always.”
"Bless be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds.
Is like to that above.”
Martha Casey
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Friday, September 20, 2019
Devotional 9-20-19
Prayers for Rulers
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 8: 18- 9: 1; Psalm 79; 1 Timothy 2: 1-7; Luke 16: 1-13.“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but EVERYONE saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there is one God, and one Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.” 1 Timothy 2: 1-5. (The Message)
Throughout the years, many authors have provided instruction and guidance on the methods and mechanics of prayer. Still others have given witness to the saving and sustaining power of prayer. The gospels record Jesus’ instructions on prayer for his disciples and Paul provides instruction in many passages of his letters. In this letter to the disciple Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to make prayer a priority and to include everyone including rulers in his prayers. What??? I don’t know about you, but even though I know that praying for our governmental leaders is a good thing, I have a hard time putting them on my priority list.
However, in spite of rampant persecution and abuse of power and authority such as Paul was dealing with in the first century, he commanded Timothy to pray for governmental leaders. In fact, throughout all the accounts of strife and warfare between countries, the church is always encouraged to pray for those who rule. No stipulations such as “only pray for the good leaders” were tacked on to the command. Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44). Also, Peter said, “Fear God. Honor the King/Emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
How can we ignore the commands of Jesus, Peter and Paul???
Will you join me in making it a priority to pray for all rulers and leaders of governments? We may not know specifically what to pray for, but we can pray that God will guide decisions; that God will give directions to all who request it; that God will give each ruler insight, compassion, strength and love in all their dealings.
This passage in 1 Timothy repeats the foundation of Christ’s message: that God’s grace and mercy are for everyone. All are to be welcomed at the table and are to be included in the fellowship of believers. Jesus’ sacrifice was for every person. All are capable of receiving God in a personal relationship. As believers, it is our responsibility to pray just as Paul describes “in every way we know and for everyone we know”. We are not required to be or act perfectly-- we are only commanded to follow as best we can; to live as closely to God as possible; to share the love of Christ with all we meet.
Dear God, we come to you today asking for forgiveness. We have not always followed your commandments. In fact, we have been quite derelict at times. Please help us to follow your teachings more completely and faithfully. We ask that you be with our rulers and leaders today and every day. Give them skill and compassion in dealing with their responsibilities and in making decisions. Give them insight into the lives of those they are governing so that the best solutions and plans can be implemented. Grant us all peace and the mercy of your love. AMEN.
Chyrl Budd
Friday, September 13, 2019
Devotional 9-13-19
The Negative Superlative
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength because he considered me faithful. So he appointed me to ministry 13 even though I used to speak against him, attack his people, and I was proud. But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith. 14 Our Lord’s favor poured all over me along with the faithfulness and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I’m the biggest sinner of all. 16 But this is why I was shown mercy, so that Christ Jesus could show his endless patience to me first of all. So I’m an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the king of the ages, to the immortal, invisible, and only God, may honor and glory be given to him forever and always! Amen.
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
When I read today’s scripture reading, I was reminded of Sunday school lessons that I heard when I was a child. Stories about Saul’s conversion and Moses leading his people out of Egypt played in my mind. When I heard the stories, I was impressed but thought they really didn’t have much to do with me. I would never do anything important.
Now that I’m much older and have twenty-twenty hindsight, I see that Jesus Christ used me in much the same way as He used Paul and Moses – of course on a lesser scale!
Do you remember taking timed tests in elementary school? They were the bane of my existence! We took timed tests on multiplication tables and the timed CTBS (Achievement) Test. But the one that seems to have affected me the most was the timed reading test that came with the SRA Reading Lab. You see, I could read fast. Or I could read for content. I just couldn’t do both at the same time.
The lab was simply a box containing color-coded cards. Each color corresponded to a reading level. The idea was to read the article and answer the questions at the end correctly. Of course, before we could begin, we had to know what our reading levels were. How would we know? You guessed it! We took a timed test!
I won’t keep you in suspense. I was one of the last ones to finish the questions. When I got my assessment, I was in the lowest level, green. As the months passed, I did work my way up the color scale, but I never quite got over the embarrassment of being the slowest reader – which meant to me that I was the dumbest student.
I made my way through junior high and high school with good grades, but I always felt insecure about my intelligence. In order to remember information, I would read orally to myself, make up acronyms and draw pictures and charts to remind me of facts. It would be later, in the college of education, that I would learn that the more senses I could use to learn something, the more likely I was to keep it in long term storage. I realized that I wasn’t stupid after all, and later I was able to teach those strategies to other “slow” students in my classroom. I would tell them, “I was the slowest reader in my class. If these strategies can change my life, they can certainly change yours!”
I think that is what Paul is saying in his letter at the top of the page. As Saul, he had hunted, persecuted, and killed Christians. He was filled with hate. That was just the sort of person Jesus needed to spread the word of His grace and love. After his conversion, Paul would tell anyone who would listen,” I was the worst sinner ever. If Jesus’ love and grace can change my life, they can certainly change yours!” He meant it then. It’s still true today.
Prayer: Immortal, invisible God, many times I act in ignorance and without faith, but You always take me back. Thank You for guiding my life. Like a good parent, You don’t always give me what I want, but You have always given me what I need. Let me remember that even when I’m the worst, You love me best, not because I’m worthy but because I’m Yours. In Your name I pray.
Amen
Becky Warren
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Devotional 9-7-19
Philippians 4: 8-9
This week has been terribly sad week for Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church,
We have lost a great leader and friend in Mr. Frank Hanshaw to a terrible accident outside the family business.
Mr. Hanshaw has been part of my memories at JMUMC for as long as I can recall. His presence and leadership have always been dedicated to doing what was right in all phases of his life but especially here at our church. His example has been a guidepost for a lot of lives. His impact will be present for a long time.
The scripture in Philippians offers a blueprint that I think Mr. Hanshaw would wholeheartedly endorse and offer a direction for us all to emulate.
May God comfort his family in this tragic circumstance and assist us all to remember his example.
Mike Bowen
This week has been terribly sad week for Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church,
We have lost a great leader and friend in Mr. Frank Hanshaw to a terrible accident outside the family business.
Mr. Hanshaw has been part of my memories at JMUMC for as long as I can recall. His presence and leadership have always been dedicated to doing what was right in all phases of his life but especially here at our church. His example has been a guidepost for a lot of lives. His impact will be present for a long time.
The scripture in Philippians offers a blueprint that I think Mr. Hanshaw would wholeheartedly endorse and offer a direction for us all to emulate.
May God comfort his family in this tragic circumstance and assist us all to remember his example.
Mike Bowen
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Devotional 8-31-19
How firm is your root?
Gospel Reading; 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? Well there are those that hear the spoken Word but may reject it or let the evil one distracts them from understanding the Word. Others will hear the Word and understood, even rejoicing, but when turmoil enters their life and their roots in faith and understanding the Word are weak and they fall away. Others have worries of life, other distractions of fame, money and things. These choke out understanding the Word and the call to be Disciples for Christ. When the Word is heard and understood it will result in fruitfully by 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 this time he let Christ enter the hearts then he nurtured them and before he knew it some attended, then more and soon others started their journey with Christ. So, he was sowing the seeds where there was good nurtured soil and watched his friends grow into Disciples of Christ.
As we sow the seeds, nurture the seeds we too can see others grow into Disciples of Christ and then they well become the sower.
Blessings to all,
Fred Herr
Ref. A Christian Apologetics Blog posting by Bill Pratt
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? Well there are those that hear the spoken Word but may reject it or let the evil one distracts them from understanding the Word. Others will hear the Word and understood, even rejoicing, but when turmoil enters their life and their roots in faith and understanding the Word are weak and they fall away. Others have worries of life, other distractions of fame, money and things. These choke out understanding the Word and the call to be Disciples for Christ. When the Word is heard and understood it will result in fruitfully by 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 this time he let Christ enter the hearts then he nurtured them and before he knew it some attended, then more and soon others started their journey with Christ. So, he was sowing the seeds where there was good nurtured soil and watched his friends grow into Disciples of Christ.
As we sow the seeds, nurture the seeds we too can see others grow into Disciples of Christ and then they well become the sower.
Blessings to all,
Fred Herr
Ref. A Christian Apologetics Blog posting by Bill Pratt
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Devotional 8-16-19
Discipleship Disturbs Our Peace
Isaiah 5: I-7
Psalm 80: 1-2, 8- I 9
Hebrews I I :29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
Isaiah 5: I-7
Psalm 80: 1-2, 8- I 9
Hebrews I I :29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
The Old Testament readings offer an allegory of the loving, nurturing Gardener. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the soil for the tender plantings, believing his care will result in a grape harvest worthy of a priceless wine. The time of harvest reveals just the opposite; a grape that is sour, wild, unworthy of the care and precautions he worked tirelessly to provide. Rather than ripping up the vines our Gardener instead removes his protections and destroys the watchtower and winepress.
The Psalmist adds to this allegory the grieving laments of the people, people who have known peace and prosperity, but now are experiencing injustice, vulnerability, and brokenness. They beseech God to restore them; to make His face shine on them again.
The passages from Luke and Hebrews have given me a different perspective, reading them together in light of our current social climate, than I used to think they meant. Have we Christians become, over many years and generations, the bitter, sour fruit so lovingly planted by the Gardener? The change has taken place slowly at times, more quickly at others; but we do find ourselves living in a time when poverty, injustice, lack of compassion, lack of love for humanity, acquiescence, and lethargy have put out the glowing embers of our own Christianity.
The author of Hebrews tells us of many heroes of the faith, but some died gruesome deaths, and many did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes. These are the heroes making up the great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on to the finish line. But what must we be willing to endure, what path must we take, to reach this finish line? Jesus speaks to us in Luke, "I came to bring fire to the earth...Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three...You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"
Jesus tells us the life of faith is risky and arduous. Discipleship does not guarantee health, longevity, power or wealth. The great cloud of witnesses stands ready to cheer us on to the finish line of faithful discipleship. The journey to that finish line is compelling, offering some of us pain and loss along the way. The peace Jesus offers is deep life-changing peace that may disrupt our relationships; break in order to mend; upset what we used to believe discipleship means, because His peace is worth the risk.
Gracious loving Father,
We offer our prayer to be faithful in completing the journey with courage, demonstrating the love of Christ for everyone, the outrage of Christ at injustice and inhumanity, and the strength of Christ to carry us forward when we fall. Amen.
The Psalmist adds to this allegory the grieving laments of the people, people who have known peace and prosperity, but now are experiencing injustice, vulnerability, and brokenness. They beseech God to restore them; to make His face shine on them again.
The passages from Luke and Hebrews have given me a different perspective, reading them together in light of our current social climate, than I used to think they meant. Have we Christians become, over many years and generations, the bitter, sour fruit so lovingly planted by the Gardener? The change has taken place slowly at times, more quickly at others; but we do find ourselves living in a time when poverty, injustice, lack of compassion, lack of love for humanity, acquiescence, and lethargy have put out the glowing embers of our own Christianity.
The author of Hebrews tells us of many heroes of the faith, but some died gruesome deaths, and many did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes. These are the heroes making up the great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on to the finish line. But what must we be willing to endure, what path must we take, to reach this finish line? Jesus speaks to us in Luke, "I came to bring fire to the earth...Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three...You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"
Jesus tells us the life of faith is risky and arduous. Discipleship does not guarantee health, longevity, power or wealth. The great cloud of witnesses stands ready to cheer us on to the finish line of faithful discipleship. The journey to that finish line is compelling, offering some of us pain and loss along the way. The peace Jesus offers is deep life-changing peace that may disrupt our relationships; break in order to mend; upset what we used to believe discipleship means, because His peace is worth the risk.
Gracious loving Father,
We offer our prayer to be faithful in completing the journey with courage, demonstrating the love of Christ for everyone, the outrage of Christ at injustice and inhumanity, and the strength of Christ to carry us forward when we fall. Amen.
Linda Summers
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Devotional 8-9-19
THE TRUTH ABOUT FAITH
THE 13 BOOKS OF HEBREWS
Hebrews 11:1-3 NRSV
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
Having read the short book of Hebrews for the first time (yes, it’s true) I have discovered It is full of thought- provoking information, supposedly written by an unknown author. Scholars apparently can’t agree about who may have written it or for whom it was written. But I was fascinated with it! In Chapters one through ten, the writer focuses on many aspects of Jesus and his life, using what I believe is an unusual approach which is very interesting and leaves much to think about. The writer believed his audience was faced with deciding whether they would stick with Judaism or change to Christianity and makes a good case for becoming Christians because of Jesus and his impact on their lives. He compares the Old Testament with life’s advantages to living in the present—the life of those who lived after Jesus’ time. He maintained it was far better than those who lived during Old Testament times.
Have you thought much about the meaning of faith? In Chapter 11 the writer discusses true faith. He defines it in the above verses, and further examines it by relating the faith of numerous men in the Bible who counted on their faith in order to trust in God’s promises. Some promises were kept, some never materialized, but these people kept their faith. Some never saw results during their lifetime, but they were fulfilled by God, nevertheless.
In the remaining Chapters 12 and 13, he goes into more details about faith and what these men interpreted as God’s promises, the New Covenant, and more about the vivid contrast between Old Testament Judaism and New Covenant Christianity--why Christianity is so much better for everyone. He writes of the new kingdom and what is required of mankind to be a part of it. So much of what he says can so easily be applied to our present contemporary Christianity and what the future holds for all Christians, when God’s promise to all who are faithful, is fulfilled.
If you, like me haven’t read Hebrews…or it’s been a long time since you’ve read it, please do so! It is written in such a way that you must take the time to think about it and appreciate it as being just a little, or perhaps even a lot different from what we are used to. I enjoyed it!
Diane Feaganes
Hebrews 11:1-3 NRSV
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
Having read the short book of Hebrews for the first time (yes, it’s true) I have discovered It is full of thought- provoking information, supposedly written by an unknown author. Scholars apparently can’t agree about who may have written it or for whom it was written. But I was fascinated with it! In Chapters one through ten, the writer focuses on many aspects of Jesus and his life, using what I believe is an unusual approach which is very interesting and leaves much to think about. The writer believed his audience was faced with deciding whether they would stick with Judaism or change to Christianity and makes a good case for becoming Christians because of Jesus and his impact on their lives. He compares the Old Testament with life’s advantages to living in the present—the life of those who lived after Jesus’ time. He maintained it was far better than those who lived during Old Testament times.
Have you thought much about the meaning of faith? In Chapter 11 the writer discusses true faith. He defines it in the above verses, and further examines it by relating the faith of numerous men in the Bible who counted on their faith in order to trust in God’s promises. Some promises were kept, some never materialized, but these people kept their faith. Some never saw results during their lifetime, but they were fulfilled by God, nevertheless.
In the remaining Chapters 12 and 13, he goes into more details about faith and what these men interpreted as God’s promises, the New Covenant, and more about the vivid contrast between Old Testament Judaism and New Covenant Christianity--why Christianity is so much better for everyone. He writes of the new kingdom and what is required of mankind to be a part of it. So much of what he says can so easily be applied to our present contemporary Christianity and what the future holds for all Christians, when God’s promise to all who are faithful, is fulfilled.
If you, like me haven’t read Hebrews…or it’s been a long time since you’ve read it, please do so! It is written in such a way that you must take the time to think about it and appreciate it as being just a little, or perhaps even a lot different from what we are used to. I enjoyed it!
Diane Feaganes
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