April 16 Devotion

Easter Morning
God Has No Favorites

Acts 10:34-43*

Peter tells us in the Book of Acts that God has no favorites. Why do we in 2006 attempt to tell others that God has favorites, and the way we believe is what makes us his favorite? Why have we, the "Christian Country", become the divided country? Why have we become the nation that proclaims to one another and the world that they are lost? Have we lost our way? Have we lost the Easter message? Do we need to hear the words of Peter anew and fresh? Can we hear the words of Peter? These are the questions that surface as I read the text.

Peter proclaims that God has no favorites. He proclaims that Christ was the designee to be the "judge of the living and the dead." Peter states, "It is to him that all the prophets testify, declaring that everyone who trusts in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." What a grace filled message. It is a message of mercy and acceptance. Yet because of social issues, we are torn as a church and a nation.

We are forever succumbing to the temptation to proclaim what God does or does not like, what God wants, or if God approves of certain issues things, or actions. We name the sin and condemn those who participate in the sin. Drinking, drug use, gambling, sex outside of marriage, living together outside of marriage, divorce, homosexuality, liberalism, abortion, rock and roll, movies, short dresses, cleavage being shown, wearing jewelry, dancing, and working on Sunday are just a short list. Some of us may look at items on the above list and laugh. Some of us may even participate in some of the items on the above list. Yet I would submit that if one item on the list is a sin, then they all are sins. We cannot pick and chose our sin. Just as we cannot pick and choose who is in the kingdom of God and who is not.

Did Jesus just come for the Red or Blues states? Did Jesus just come for the liberals, conservatives, or fundamentalists? Did God issue membership cards and tickets to get into heaven? I am so glad that God is not human. We humans will mess up any system put into place that relies on sharing, mercy and grace.

On that weekend thousands of years ago a mystery happened. A mystery that I must admit boggles my mind. I am limited in my understanding of the events. I am limited in my understanding of the whys and wherefores. I am limited in my understanding of who is in and who is out. I just have to trust Peter's understanding and God's intention when Peter proclaimed, "that everyone who trusts in him (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

On this Easter Sunday, it is my trust in God that allows me to hear and believe the story without worrying about a list. My need for forgiveness is much greater than anything that is on a list. What about You?

*The New English Bible - 1970

Rev. David Johnson

Easter Evening

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

We demand signs and beg for wisdom in a world filled with adversity, diversity, knowledge, skills far too great to discern into the single greatest achievement of our time, and yet we are among the most uneducated in our faith and our ability to develop the tools our Heavenly Father has given to each soul. Each soul is the undiscernible creation of GOD. Each soul is the masterpiece of his design and yet none of us feel like a masterpiece, not many of us place our design on display for the world to admire, to appreciate, to develop from the talents our sculpture created Today, this is the lesson of our world. We must discern that each soul is a gift far too precious to waste. We must look at every face in our congregations and our daily view and see nothing short of a masterpiece. The early writers of scripture were wise in their choice of words when speaking to generations. Heed that knowledge. Know that you are a masterpiece and place your soul on display so that others of us in this world may learn, appreciate, and develop from the creations of our Father... the master designer.

As we pray, Thank God for the masterpiece beside you and most importantly the one inside you.

A Fellow Masterpiece,

Stephanie Geneseo

April 15 Devotion

Saturday People

Luke 23:54-56

Jesus was dead. They had laid him in the tomb on Friday afternoon, and then the women had prepared the spices to anoint the body as soon as it was Sunday and they could. But now it was Saturday, the Sabbath. According to Jewish law, they rested, but they didn't find rest easy. Actually, the disciples were hiding in the upper room, fearful of the Jewish authorities, but unable to travel because it was Sabbath. They wanted to get out of town, but couldn't; they were full of grief, but couldn't share that with anyone; they were fearful of arrest, but afraid to move. It was Saturday.

And sometimes we are Saturday people, just like the disciples were that first Saturday. We are paralyzed by the pain we are feeling, the grief we are experiencing, the fear we are facing. And so we sit, unable to move, unable to live. The grief of a death of a loved one can paralyze us like that. The pain of rejection or betrayal by someone can paralyze us like that. The reality that plans we have made have been tragically derailed can paralyze us like that. The disciples were facing all of those things...the death of Jesus, the betrayal by Judas, the destruction of their hopes and plans for Jesus to be the Messiah who would lead the Jews to victory over their enemies.

It is terribly hard to be a Saturday person. It is a position of hopelessness, of pain, of despair. But friends, let us remember that we may be Saturday people, but Sunday is coming, and Sunday brings with it the joy and surprise of resurrection and new life. Sunday is coming. Hallelujah. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, when I am a Saturday person, remind me in the midst of my hopelessness and despair that Sunday is coming with resurrection and new life. Amen.

Dr. Joseph Shreve

April 14 Devotion

Good Friday

...If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Peter experienced great things in his walk with the Lord. But he also failed at times, most notably when he denied the Lord three times just before His crucifixion. (Matthew 26:69 - 75).

Peter's failures, however, did not ruin him or disqualify him from future ministry. The Lord recommissioned him -- His resurrection. When Jesus confronted Peter about his unfaithfulness and lack of love, Peter affirmed his love for Christ three times. The Lord did not give up on Peter. He reassured him that he was still an apostle and commanded him to exercise faith and obedience - as Peter had done in the past - and to follow Him.

Have you fallen down in your walk with the Lord? He hasn't abandoned you. He will cleanse you and restore you in response to your sincere prayer of confession (1 John 1:9).

You can bounce back and know the joy of following Him once again!

Guide our feet, O God, on your path, for we are tempted to stray. We turn toward the cheap success, the fleeting fame, the passing fad. We are always looking to someone, or to some purchase, or some experience to fill our souls. But nothing lasts except the constant pull of your love.

Holy God, tune our hearts to your commands, fill our minds with your counsels, keep our eyes on Jesus, our companion and guide. Amen.

Amy Inghram


The flowers and the trees
bend down to their knees
as he walks through the garden.
All the children come to see
why the Lord is at his knees.
As the darkness comes and creeps
the light of the world is deep in darkness.
While my master hangs from the tree
He looks to the heavens to plea,
"Father, forgive these sinful people."
As he shouted to the sky
the Lord Almighty began to cry.
His tears feel from the sky as rain
The Father's son had been slain.

A Johnson Memorial Youth

April 13 Devotion

Maundy Thursday

Read John 13

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (v. 34, NRSV)

On the very night Jesus was to be betrayed and arrested, he shared a meal with his friends. After the meal, Jesus got on his knees and washed the dirt off the feet of those who would forsake him, deny him, and desert him. After he washed their feet, he told them, "Love like that."

What is love?

Love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. It never ends! (See 1 Corinthians 13).

But what does it mean to love as Jesus loved? It means all that and more.

It means to love unselfishly and sacrificially. Jesus did not love with any expectation in return. He loved because He knew he ought to love. He only desired to give of himself, and give all of himself. There were no conditions or limits on his love.

Most importantly, to love as Jesus loved requires action. The words of the Ghana folk song, Jesu, Jesu (#432, United Methodist Hymnal) say it well:

Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.

Neighbors are rich and poor, neighbors are black and white,
Neighbors are near and far away.

These are the ones we should serve, these are the ones we should love, All these are neighbors to us and you.

Loving puts us on our knees, serving as though we are slaves,
This is the way we should live with you.

Prayer: Jesus, fill us with your love and show us how to serve our neighbors as you would. Amen.

Jeffrey Taylor

April 12 Devotion

He sat on the rough-hewn bench
His elbows on his legs,
His hands dangling between his knees,
His head bowed.
He thought of his life.

He had been born into poverty
And had never known the taste of riches.
His mother had been young and unwed.

He had known illness
And the touch of the cool hand of his mother.
He had known his father's support and teaching.
His parents had loved him.

He had known the utter sorrow and grief
Of the death of his father,
And the heavy burden of providing
A home for his mother.

He had known the tragedy
Of the death of friends
Lost to illness and violence.
He had seen greed and generosity.
He had seen disloyalty and faithfulness.

He had known the absolute joy
Of pleasing his Father
And the heavy burden of responsibility.

He had felt the satisfaction
Of knowing his purpose
And of fulfilling his mission.

He was loved and respected by his friends.
He had been the target of hatred, fear and ridicule.
He had been trusted, revered,
And had felt the pleasure of being a teacher.

He had witnessed the horrors of addiction,
Known the cost of lies and hypocrisy
And had seen the pain of sin.
He had felt fear, temptation and anger.

He understood obedience to God,
And the horrible loss of the betrayal of a friend.

He had laughed, cried, shouted, and smiled.
He loved - with wild abandon, with unlimited freedom,
Unconditionally.

His life had been a good one.
He had treasured it.
Each breath. Each experience.
He did not want to give it up.

As he sat on the bench,
Sweat dripped from his hair,
Stinging his eyes, mingling with his tears.

Tonight he would be betrayed.
Tomorrow he would be beaten and tortured
Tomorrow he would be crucified.

Matthew 26:36-46

Please remember, whatever you are experiencing, whatever your pain or confusion, whatever your grief or sorrow, your Savior has experienced it. He has been there, and he is standing with you now.

Kim Matthews

April 11 Devotion

The Waiting Room

I keep picturing Peter in a waiting room, sitting in one of those straight back chairs covered in aqua -colored upholstery. His head is down, his eyes are closed, and his hands clench his hair. He can't stand; that would draw attention. He is too ashamed of himself for that. He can't pace; it won't get him anywhere. He will still be back there. It will still be yesterday. Yesterday he became a man who denied knowing his best friend. Yesterday he let a man he considered a leader be lead to his death. Yesterday all understanding died with Jesus. Like the woman to the left of him battling the stomach flu, this is not where Peter planned to be tonight. But unlike the woman, he is not sick and he is not hurt. Peter is worried. Like everyone else intermingled among the coffee tables and magazines, he wonders, "What now?"

Before 20/20 hindsight sets in and we know the effect of our choices, we all spend time in the waiting room chair. This is why I am so thankful that I am spared Peter's agony. I know what happened Sunday. Death died. A new element was thrown into the waiting room. Now, among the crying children and the coffee drinkers, there is hope.

Betsy Warren

April 10 Devotion

Lectionary Reading: John 12:1-11
Verse 3: Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

I had my very first professional pedicure the other day. It was a gift from a friend or I probably would not have invested the time or the money in something that I've always considered a little frivolous. I also never thought anyone would be totally comfortable caring for my feet. After all, feet are not considered my/our best feature even though I take care to maintain my "foot-hygiene". But I must tell you, the whirlpool with herbal water, the sea salt scrub, the moisturizers, nail clipping, smoothing and polishing and massage were absolutely wonderful. It was a respite from the world, a time to relax and be apart. As my feet and ankles were massaged with scented lotion, I forgot that I had other responsibilities and concerns. Aahhh!!

I don't think I paid close attention to this passage in John before. I have been among those in agreement with Judas that it was a costly extravagance, and I would have protested Mary's time and "fruitless" efforts. Judas argued that the perfume was so costly that it would provide assistance for many of the country's poor. A footnote in my Bible states that the cost of the perfume was 300 denarii, which was the equivalent of nearly a year's wages for a laborer. Wow! Would I spend a whole year's wages on perfume to massage into someone else's feet??? Definitely not!!! But Mary provided this gift to Jesus, was not deterred by Judas' protestations and Jesus appreciated it-was truly thankful for her efforts.

After my own pedicure, I can more readily imagine Jesus' reaction to Mary's efforts as she massaged in the perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. Mary provided a respite for Jesus. Only He knew of the events that would take place in His near future. Only He could struggle with the challenges and the burdens that He faced. I can examine Holy Week from my comfortable sofa in my warm cozy house. I can read and study about the Passion from a very safe distance. I'm not personally scarred by the nails or a crown of thorns or humiliated by religious and governmental leaders. Jesus walked that lonesome valley for me.

I think the message in the scriptures today is about gifts. Mary gave Jesus a costly and extravagant gift. Not only was the perfume expensive, but she presented the gift with her own hands providing the human touch. Jesus provided the ultimate extravagant gift on the cross for all of us: a human sacrifice-willing, without sin, without protest, with pain beyond measure. He paid the ultimate price. And all of it-this gift--was for you and for me.....Are we worth the price? God showed us through the sacrifice of His Son that we are. Jesus provided a personal gift of redemption for each of us.

The lyrics below are from a song learned at church camp many years ago. The words have been floating around in my brain as I thought about this devotion. As with most songs, It would be more meaningful if you could also hear the tune, but I think you can imagine...

They hung Him on the cross; They hung Him on the cross; They hung Him on the cross for me, for me... One day when I was lost, they hung Him on the cross. They hung Him on the cross for me.

They nailed Him to the tree; They nailed Him to the tree; They nailed Him to the tree for me, for me...One day when I was lost, they nailed Him to the tree. They nailed Him to the tree for me.

They pierced Him in the side; They pierced Him in the side; They pierced Him in the side for me, for me...One day when I was lost, they pierced Him in the side. They pierced Him in the side for me.

They sealed Him in the tomb; They sealed Him in the tomb; They sealed Him in the tomb for me, for me...One day when I was lost, they sealed Him in the tomb. They sealed Him in the tomb for me.

He rose up from the grave; He rose up from the grave; He rose up from the grave for me, for me....One day when I was lost, He rose up from the grave. He rose up from the grave for me.

Prayer: Dear Father, as we ponder the painful events of this Holy Week and the ultimate and glorious gift of eternal life available to us through the resurrection of Easter morning, let us not lose sight of the personal gift that Jesus gave us. We thank you for Mary's example to give our best to the Lord. Help us to open our hearts more fully to receive the gifts of redemption. Guide us to use our time and resources according to your will. May the gift of God's love for us be visible to the world in all that we say and do. Amen.

Chyrl Budd

April 9 Devotion

Palm Sunday Morning

Lectionary Reading: John 12: 12-16

The text notes in my Life Application Bible says, "Jesus began his last week on earth by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey under a canopy of palm branches, with crowds hailing him as their king. To announce that he was indeed the Messiah, Jesus chose a time when all of Israel would be gathered at Jerusalem, a place where huge crowds could see him, and a way of proclaiming his mission that was unmistakable. On Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The people who were praising God for giving them a king had the wrong idea about Jesus. They were sure he would be a national leader who would restore their nation to its former glory, and thus they were deaf to the words of their prophets and blind to Jesus' real mission."

People then didn't understand God's Plan. When their idea of what God would do didn't fit with their ideas, they rejected Jesus. Don't we do the same thing? When God's plan is slow to unfold, is inconvenient, or doesn't fit with our idea of the perfect answer to our problem, do we reject God's Plan instead of waiting patiently for God to surprise us with an answer we could never have conceived in our wildest dreams!

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him" 1Cor 2: 9

Prayer: Lord, help me to have the patience to let you surprise and delight me with your plans for my life. Give me the wisdom to recognize your plan, the faith to follow where you lead me, and the peace that comes from following you. In Christ's name I pray. Amen

Margaret Williams

Palm Sunday Evening

On Palm Sunday morning, it was Jesus, arriving in the city of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as the people shouted "Hosanna". The crowds were excited about the triumphant entry of the Expected One, their leader, promised by the prophets, coming to fulfill their words of old.

Later that day, Jesus went to the temple to cleanse it of the moneychangers, to rid God's house of prayer, of the evil taking place there. Jesus also healed all those that came to him that day, who were blind and lame, to rid those who were suffering of their infirmities.

And through it all, Jesus remained humble.

Humility - caring more about others and their needs, than about one's self, one's desires and needs. That is one tough act for us to follow. Our culture rewards those who achieve the most, earn the most, accumulate the most. They must be the best. We know that because they are the most popular, the most prosperous, the winners of our day.

But in Philippians 2:7-11, we are reminded that Jesus gave up everything. He became human, set aside the glory of his deity, was humble, and obeyed God, even to his death, always caring for others and their needs, no matter what. Our leader, our inspiration, our example is Jesus Christ.

Today, we need an attitude adjustment, if we truly love God and want to follow God's way. It's not about me. It's about being humble, caring about those in need and doing something about it. That's the way it was with Jesus - no matter what.

Rev. Suzanne Ellis

April 8 Devotion

Commitment
It's more than a 10-letter word

The approach of Easter with its message of salvation is an ideal time for Christians to review our spiritual inventory through self-examination. The following is one such consideration:

• Do I regularly set aside time for prayer?
• Are my prayers a spiritual communication with God or some memorized words?
• When life is especially challenging, do I grit my teeth and charge ahead or do I seek God's guidance?
• When life is going well do I give God the glory and thank Him for His many blessings?
• Do my prayers seek God's will or are they filled with "gimmies"?
• Do I go to worship service regularly? Out of habit? For spiritual renewal? Both?
• Do I tend to stay home from worship service if the weather is bad?
• Do I stay home from work if the weather is bad?
• Do I attend worship services even when the senior pastor is away?
• Do I participate in special services?
• Do I seek to use my spiritual gifts according to my understanding of God's will for my life?
• Do I fulfill my commitments of prayer, talents, gifts, and service?
• Where is my financial support of the church in relation to competing priorities?

The questions can be endless! Self-examination should be continuous, and honest answers to the questions may be troubling. Unlike poor performance in the secular world, half-hearted commitment to the Lord's work usually has no immediate obvious penalty. However, God's atonement through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, calls us to a high standard!

Truly, in His eyes, commitment is more than just a 10-letter word.

The father of one of our members

April 7 Devotion

What's So Good About Black Friday

Reading - Luke 9:28-52

We do not know the details about what was said between Jesus, Moses and Elijah on the mountain where the transfiguration occurred. Scripture tells us only that they spoke of matters to be accomplished when Jesus finally arrived in Jerusalem. Implicit in the text is the notion that Jesus is understanding, perhaps for the first time, some specifics regarding the Passion. Regardless of what was said, Luke's Gospel is clear that, after his descent from that mountain, Jesus' first priority was to "set his face to go to Jerusalem." The question raised in this mediation is whether or not in this Lenten season you and I will set our faces in the same direction and go with Him.

Lent begins with the solemn service of ashes. We make promises that we will abstain from self-indulgence and will initiate new worship practices to achieve a 40-day focus on the meaning of Easter. For me, the first 4 Sundays of Lent are usually uneventful. In the main, my promises serve me well in elevating my daily Christian awareness. But by the 5^th Sunday the tide of my devotional attention begins to turn on me. Usually about this time I grow increasingly aware of a foreboding sense of dread. My inner turmoil is this: Holy Week is getting closer and, once again, I must confront the reality that I cannot get to the joy of Easter Sunday without enduring the dark anguish of Crucifixion Friday. I cannot participate in the victory without enduring the pain. I must turn my face away from my own mirror and go through Jerusalem before I get to sit in Johnson Memorial on Easter Sunday morning and sing with my brothers that Jesus Christ has risen today

How can we call such a black Friday good when it serves as a battering ram on the very foundation of our personal faith? How can we, one more time, live through the loneliest day of the year and, once again, see the limitations of our faith so exposed and vulnerable? On Good Friday I must face my two darkest secrets: the first is that I have failed today, yesterday and the days before yesterday to live for Him ... failed to put Him first in my life and the second is that, had I been there 2000 years ago, I would have failed Him then too ... failed to have helped Him carry the cross, failed to help Him endure the beating He took, or failed to admit three times before the cock crowed that I even knew Him. Crucifixion Friday is the day, above all others, when my failures in faith are most thoroughly revealed. I deal with the angst by praying ... thanks be to God for Resurrection Sunday, the power of which rescues even a poor excuse of a Christian like me.

Fortunately for us all, however, the analysis does not end there. To end there is to leave our faces still squarely set only in our own mirrors. Shame on me for making my discomfort the focal point of Good Friday. How dare any of us allow any of our personal inadequacies to interfere with the power of God's message in the Crucifixion. The point of Good Friday is not that it exposes our guilt about our failures to live for our Lord. The point of Good Friday is that the Crucifixion is the single event in history which God chose to justify, sanctify and redeem mankind. The cross is the medium which He ordained to overcome our constant inadequacy and state of sin. We must not just set our faces toward Jerusalem this Lenten season; we must try to place the whole of our beings there. Good Friday is not black Friday; we should call it Great Friday. First, before He arrived in Jerusalem, God transfigured His Son and then, on Great Friday, He used Him to claim all mankind. Holy Week begins in 2 days. Hallelujah.

Thomas Craig