Gratitude

If you have been following the Lenten Journey of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church through this blog, we invite you to continue with us through the rest of the year.

We will be posting weekly devotionals on the blog: www.jmdevotional.blogspot.com. During Advent, we post daily devotionals at www.jmadvent.blogspot.com.

Thank you for sharing our journey with us.

Devotional 4-12-09

Read John 20: 1-18

John shares his eye-witness account of the first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene had gone before dawn to the tomb. We know from other accounts that there were other women with her, and they had gone to prepare the body. When they arrived, found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, they ran to tell Peter and John—two of Jesus’ most trusted disciples.

Along with James, Peter and John made up the inner circle—they were Jesus’ closest disciples and had witnessed more than the others, including the transfiguration of Jesus some weeks earlier. Jesus must have seen in them a spiritual maturity; perhaps they were ready to see who Jesus really is.

John includes an interesting detail in his telling of what happened on Easter morning. In the race to the tomb after they learned from Mary that it was empty, John got there first. It was apparently important to John, who always refers to himself as “the one Jesus loved,” to arrive ahead of Peter. As a man, I get that…everything’s a competition. I imagine that the impulsive Peter, upon hearing the news of the empty tomb, sprinted furiously and became exhausted. John paced himself.

This Easter morning, some of us will race to be the first to witness the risen Christ—we’ll be gathering for a sunrise service in the prayer garden. It’s not a competition, though. Whenever we rise, Christ has risen. Alleluia!

There’s something else, though, about this gospel that jumps out at me. Imagine, if you can, the emotional highs and lows of the last few weeks from the disciples’ perspective. After following Jesus and witnessing miraculous healings and feedings and casting out of demons, the disciples have accompanied Jesus in a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, shared a Passover meal with Jesus that would forever be labeled “The Last Supper,” then saw Jesus arrested, tried in a kangaroo court, and crucified.

But THIS morning, they finally see, and believe, what Jesus had been trying to explain to them. He would die and be resurrected on the third day. It was true. So what is their response? The answer is in verse 10.

Then the disciples returned to their homes.

What? Their response seems anticlimactic, that they would witness the resurrection…and then just return to their homes. Shouldn’t such a witness prompt some other action or emotion? But then…I guess you could ask me the same question.

How will this Easter affect you? Will your experience of the resurrection of Jesus Christ change you? Will you live life differently because you have seen and believe? Will you love more radically? Will you give more generously?

Or will you just return to your home and to your normal routine?

Dear God, may the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ transform each of us, so that we might be the ones who do Your will and bring about Your kingdom on earth. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
As Lent ends and Easter begins, don't forget the new life that we celebrate as Christians. And don't forget to share that new life with others. The mission projects give us many opportunities to put "feet" to our prayers, and to be the visible body of Christ working in the world.

Devotional 4-11-09

Psalm 31: 1-4

“In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me.
Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength,
A stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.
You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength. ”

My older brother and I were mowing a yard when a storm came upon us. We mowed until the water drowned our mowers and they would no longer run. At that point we crawled into the carport to get out of the rain. The storm intensified and we moved into a little passageway between the house and the laundry room. This gave us protection on three sides as the lightening flashed and thunder rolled. Suddenly the lightening was not in the distance but rather it was on top of us. There would be a strike of lightening followed by a clap of thunder. I came to the end of the courage that a nine year old could muster and began to cry. My brother, two years older, calmly said “David, it will be ok.” That was all he said, but that is what I need to here and I calmed down.

“In thee, O Lord, do I seek refuge let me never be ashamed.” It is all we need. The world swirls around us. At times it seems out of control and at times it is. The world is unfixable. Like the electrical storm I found myself encased in, as a soaking wet nine year old, we find ourselves attached to a world that is limited and at times evil. God is our refuge. In God we find our security and safety. During this time of Lent we become focused on the gift that God gave us to not only define our existence and security in this world but to define our existence and security for eternity.

Rev. David Johnson

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
April 11; United Methodist Ministries, Gary; Judy Matheny, Church and Community Worker
Working with two parishes, as well as UM Ministries, Judy provides persons having little or no income with assistance concerning utility bills, food and other special needs. She also distributes baby items and cleaning supplies by working closely with case workers from other agencies.
We pray today for United Methodist Ministries in Gary. They need baby and household items. If you're thankful your house is clean, at least mostly, give a quarter for every bottle of bleach you have.

Devotional 4-10-09

John18:1 – 19:42

The reading for Good Friday is John’s account of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, the trials before the temple leaders and the Roman authorities, Peter’s denial that he knew Jesus, the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.

John’s account differs from the other Gospels in several respects. Notably in John, Jesus is in total control of every event. Written later than the others, John reflects the times of heavy oppression of the early Church by Rome, pointing the blame for Jesus’ crucifixion on the Jews. Pilate, in reality a cruel and murderous governor who was removed from office by Rome because of his brutality, is portrayed as a hapless dupe, running outside to the crowd, back inside to Jesus, back to the crowd, back inside repeatedly, trying to avoid a death penalty for Jesus. For Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the crucifixion is a terrible thing that happened to the victim Jesus. For John, however, the crucifixion IS Jesus’ glorification and is the climax of the Gospel. In all four accounts of Jesus’ passion, the writers provide compelling attractions to the story.

Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, an Anglican priest, wrote a poem in the early 20th century titled “Indifference”. In his poem, he reflects on the crucifixion and wonders whether his contemporaries in Birmingham, England, would pay any attention to Jesus if he showed up. I wonder if Jesus came to the contemporary church with a message that is radically different from the ways we have become acculturated to the society around us, would we throw him out or wish him dead? Kennedy suggests an even more distressing reaction to Jesus – that of indifference. In the second stanza, substitute “Huntington” or the name of your city or town.

“When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.

“When Jesus came to Birmingham they simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

“Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’
And still it rained the wintry rain that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.”

Are we compelled by the passion of Jesus to follow him, or are we indifferent? Does our faith make a difference for us? Do our lives make a difference in the world around us? Of course Jesus desires our fervent (hot) relationship with him. Kennedy suggests that Jesus might prefer a cold lack of relationship to a lukewarm indifference. What’s your temperature?

Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus to the world and to me. Help me to remember the depths of his love, and enable me to be a strong and faithful follower. Amen.

Rev. Jack Lipphardt

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
April 10; Richwood-Craigsville-Webster Cooperative Parish, Webster Springs; Anita Tracy, Church and Community Worker
The newest ministry of the W. Va. Conference Church and Community Workers is located in the Greenbrier District. It provides lay leadership for the churches of the parish. It enjoys a strong outreach ministry including Webster County Hope (Helping Other People Eat) and Women's Aid in Crisis
We pray for the Webster Parish who supports HOPE and Women's aid in Crisis. Give a quarter for every female who lives in your home. (Yes, animals, too!)

Devotional 4-9-09

John 13:1-17

This is it. The time has come.

Jesus is sharing the final meal with his disciples in this scripture lesson for today. And
as they come together for this final meal, Jesus takes off his outer robe, wraps a towel around his waist, and begins to wash each disciple’s feet. As usual the disciples are not sure that they understand the meaning of Jesus’ actions or words, but Jesus explains that they will understand later.

Jesus was acting as host as well as servant to these men he had been teaching and training to continue his work. They would be the ones to spread his message about the love of God and the love of neighbor. They would be the ones to reach out to others in love and service. They would be the ones to share their knowledge of developing relationship with God.

So Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Foot washing was a common practice in Jesus’ time in that part of the world. It was a way to welcome guests, since a person’s feet would become dusty while walking during a journey. The host would offer water to the guests so they could wash their feet. However, servants would also wash the feet of a guest, if the host requested the service.

Jesus, through his act of service and hospitality, wanted to draw these men into a deeper relationship with himself – and through himself, with God. Jesus wanted the disciples to have a “share” of his life – to participate fully in his life and his ministry, and to feel at home in his relationship with God, so they too could develop and nurture their relationship with the heavenly Father.

Jesus is shown as host and servant in this scripture lesson - but more importantly, he is shown providing an outpouring of love to this group of men he has traveled with and been in relationship with, for the past three years. Jesus changed the world forever, yet he started with just these 12. They continued to spread his message and show his love, after he was resurrected.
And now 2000 years later, it continues with us, as we follow Jesus’ example of host and servant to every one of God’s children we encounter each day. We may not wash feet, but we must continue to show and share God’s love in whatever way we can, so others will continue to see Jesus in what we do and say. Our outpouring of love will continue to keep changing the world, as Jesus showed us how, so all may have the opportunity to know God’s love and grace, and to have the chance to be in relationship with God.

This is it. The time has come. Serve and love. The universe will never be the same.

Rev. Suzanne Ellis

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
April 9: Greater Clarksburg Cooperative Parish, Clarksburg; Gayle Lesure, Church and Community Worker
The parish consists of 22 United Methodist Congregations located across the communities of Clarksburg and Bridgeport. They provide funding to assist families in crisis with utility and rent bills. Another important ministry is their food bank.
Today we are praying for the Greater Clarksburg Parish. One of their main ministries is helping folk who cannot pay their utility bills. Give a nickel for every lamp you have in your house.

Devotional 4-8-09

Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 from the Message.

Grief and loss. On this Wednesday of Holy Week I have been thinking on these dark subjects. I can’t seem to avoid thinking of them. No matter how you tell the Easter story, you have to describe the angst that Jesus felt in sharing the “last” supper with the disciples, the conflict during the prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, the surprising betrayal, the unthinkable torture and humiliation of the flogging by the Romans, the long walk through the streets of Jerusalem and the horrible, excruciating execution of Christ on a cross. It would be a horribly tragic story if it ended with these events. But, praise God, I know the end of the story and I rejoice greatly in the resurrection. New life, new relationships, life eternal are possible because of the Joy in the Morning—the tomb is empty! Hallelujah!

But none of the joy would ever be possible without the grief and loss—the death of my savior as the basis for the joy. I am saved from my sins because of Jesus’ sacrifice. I am promised a place at the table with the One who knows my name because of all of the pain and suffering that Christ endured. The events of Holy Week may not have been what Jesus wanted or planned for himself, but they were what humanity needed. God knows our every need even before we realize what we should ask for. God truly understands our grief when someone we love is no longer walking this earth.

I worked with a patient this week who did not want to take his medications. He did not want to eat his meals. Every time my student and I tried to persuade him, he responded that he did not want what was offered because he was going to die. His daughter was very insistent that he was not going to die—today or anytime soon. I got the impression that she felt that her will for him to live was so strong that he would “obey” her. I know she desired the best for her father, but her desires and the feelings of her father were at odds. He seemed to be at peace with his own death, but perhaps his daughter was trying to put off the grief and loss she would experience if her father died.

We experience grief with each Holy Week because of the loss of Jesus’ earthly life, but we rejoice that the story does not end with only the grief. It is through Jesus’ sacrificial death that we can enjoy salvation. The gift of salvation comes at the expense of excruciating pain. We do not deserve the gift, but it was given freely and without regret and with such matchless, never-ending love. We are loved and embraced from the cross, as well as from an empty tomb. The poem that follows will be our choir’s anthem on Palm Sunday. I found the words very meaningful. Let them be your prayer today…

My God, I love Thee;
Not because I hope for heaven thereby, Nor yet because who love Thee not must die eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails, and spear, and manifold disgrace,
Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heaven, Or of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward;
But as Thyself hast loved me, O ever-loving Lord!
E’en so I love Thee, and will love, And in Thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God, And my Eternal King.
Anonymous 17th century Latin Poem
Translated by Rev. Edward Caswall

Chyrl Budd

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
April 8: Bluefield Parish-Mary's Cradle, Bluefield; Kathleen Masters, R.N. Church and Community Worker
This mission site concentrates on outreach ministries to children and families, especially those "at risk". Special assistance for teen-age moms is a priority.
Today we are praying for "Bluefield Parish/Mary's Cradle" They are in ministry with young moms. Give a dime for every baby bottle you have in your house.

Devotional 4-7-09

I like to walk. The older I get the more I NEED to walk but, nonetheless, I like it. I strap on the iPod, turn it up LOUD and off I go. Weather permitting, outside is best. Ritter Park is ideal. My neighborhood, not so much. The exercise is enhanced by the 5 iron I have to carry to keep the non-leashed dogs out of my ‘personal space’.

The weather is not always a cooperative friend, and outside does not always work. For those times I use a treadmill. Now a treadmill, while it may look dwarfed inside of Sears or Dick’s – is NOT small. Finding a place for one is sort of like trying to stash away an extra twin bed or a refrigerator lying on its side. Ours is nestled against an outside wall in the family room. As I walk my field of vision is this; to the left, the 12 inch edge of a five shelf book case. The angle is too severe to read even a single title. The wood grain makes a nice pattern and well, ho hum, six seconds into an average 3600 second walk, and it’s time to move on. To the right is the TV. It too, in my opinion, is at too severe an angle to be much good. Plus the volume, to be at a level good for me, would vacate everyone else from the room. Straight ahead is the door to the room. With it closed, appearing at just about my eye level, the wood grain makes a pattern that I think resembles a butterfly. I find it pretty cool. The concentric circles that radiate from it maker a larger butterfly, then a pair of eyes and finally a pair of eyes in a mask. (Trust me – if you saw it you would agree.) The butterfly stuff is cool, the eyes kind of spooky and the whole thing – not enough to keep my attention for an hour.

To remedy this narrow field of view, I close my eyes. Ah, the age of discovery. I have discovered that I cannot walk, unaided, with my eyes closed. I walk along, arms swinging and in a matter of left – right - left, I am off balance nearly ready to stumble to the ground. The treadmill is far too willing to help me with this. It knows only forward. The speed is set and despite the capitalized bold letters on its sleek plastic case; DIGITAL CONTROL INTERFACE, GIGO applies > garbage in garbage out. Without having been told any different, when I find myself wobbling, it goes right on and would think nothing of it to throw me into the floor (and on anything that happened to be between me and the floor; the coffee table, the easy chair, the dog). But wait, another discovery. If I can touch the edge of the hand rail on the treadmill I can walk, literally the entire time, with my eyes shut. It does not have to be a white-knuckled grip as if I were on a moving train or rolling bus, just the slightest touch, and I seem to have my bearings, and all is well. Such it is with my life. I take off at break neck speed, thinking I have everything under control, only to find out that I have begun my journey with my eyes closed. Children to raise, people to meet, a career to maintain. All with my eyes closed. Left – right - left and I am again off balance and ready to fall.

It is easy to lose sight of God when your eyes are not open. Seeing God, finding God, for me, does not have to be a vise grip on the altar rail. It can be the slightest “touch”; seeing the love in my family’s faces, the support of Koinonia, the fellowship in Andrew’s Brothers, a message received during worship, gut wrenching laughter during a meal shared with friends. As recorded in the Gospels, the believer said “if I can but touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” God is never further away than my arm is long. If I reach He is there. I am steadied, I am righted, I am balanced, I am healed.

Steve Matthews

Mission Prayer Focus and response:
April 7: Volunteers in Mission, Summersville; Tom Clark, Director
They offer everyone a chance to participate in a hands on mission experience in many places around the world.
Today we pray for Volunteers in Mission. This is one of the tangible ways we are in mission around the world. Give $1.00 for every person in your household who has been on a mission trip.

Devotional 4-6-09

Readings for the day: Isaiah 42: 1-9, Psalm 36: 5-11, Hebrews 9: 11-15, and John 12: 1-11

An Extravagant Act

Busy, taking care of others, thankful Martha
Cooking and serving a feast.
Family and friends gathered at the table
Enjoying her food;
Celebrating Lazarus;
Giving thanks to Jesus.

Lazarus alive from his stinking grave;
Eyes wide open to the ways of life
And the taste of Martha’s cooking.
Sharing with friends again;
Knowing the precious gift of life abundant.

Listening Mary moves into action.
She offers her thanks and praise to her friend.
With extravagant, costly perfume, she anoints her Master.
Leaning over she lets down her hair
And with it she tenderly wipes those blessed feet.
The aroma of love fills the house.

Miserly, watchful Judas doesn’t understand.
“Why the waste? Remember the poor!
The cost of this perfume could feed hundreds.”
All the while, he lines his pockets.

Jesus, child at his father’s carpentry bench;
A wise youngster with the Temple scholars;
A cousin shares the water of baptism;
A time of testing and temptation in the desert;
An open scroll as he begins to teach;
The joys of a family of followers who sometimes get it – and sometimes don’t;
Friends,
People freed from limitations,
Lazarus eating beside him;
He knows what is coming –
A donkey ride, rejection, pain, death.
All the images come rushing in
As the precious ointment touches not his head,
But his feet.
The feel of her hair, the knowing of her heart,
And he says, “Celebrate her. The poor will be here long after I’m gone.”

I don’t understand the extravagance of Mary.
My practical mind says, “A little bit of perfume will do the anointing well enough.
Sell the rest. There are people who have real needs.”
Yet, the thankful, listening Mary knows something that I don’t always remember;
She knows who is life and light and love and hope and grace.
She responds to all that has been given her with a heart wide open.
What extravagance!

What do I give in response to the extravagant way of Christ?
An hour for worship—maybe some Sunday School time
A church meeting here and there
Sing a song, offer a prayer
My tithe
Some Bible study, a kind word to someone in need
Some grumblings when things don’t go the way I want
A smile, alms offered for the poor
A time of fasting
A word of thanks
Mary gives of her heart, while too often I count the cost.
I want to listen and learn and give as Mary did.

Prayer:
May the extravagance of Mary’s love touch my life in such a way that I will give of my gifts to my sisters and brothers as I give to Christ. Amen.


Dr. Mark Conner
Western District Superintendent

Mission Prayer Focus and Response:
April 6: Upshur Parish House, Buckhannon: Carol Duffield, Director
The parish house operates a food share co-op, a layette program and housing repair. Among their educational ministries are tutoring, nutrition information and other life skills such as budgeting and parenting.
Today we pray for the Upshur Parish House. One of their important ministries is nutrition training. Give ten cents for every low calorie item you have in your cupboard.

Devotional 4-5-09

The Lord Needs It
Luke 19:28-40

His footsteps were slow
As he walked his final path to Jerusalem.
The disciples had been told,
but the refused to hear.
Was he walking alone?
Isolated in their denial?
Or did he find some comfort
In the nearness of friends?

Closer, just a few miles to go.
How often had he walked this path in his mind?
The journey had been long,
And the end was just beginning.

He sent two friends ahead.
"Go, and as you enter the village,
you will find a young colt,
never ridden,
tied to a post and waiting for you."
As he said it, did he think of the future?
Tied to a post and waiting?
Nailed to a cross, barely breathing?
"Untie it, and bring him here.
If you are asked, say
'The Lord needs it.'"

They did as he said,
And found what he said.
The owners asked what they were doing.
"The Lord needs it."
So they gave it to him.
No questions; no hesitations.
Do we always answer the same?

They laid their cloaks on the back of the animal,
and then his friends lifted Jesus up to ride him.
Friends, lifting up their friend.
Face to face, heart to heart.
Would they remember this moment, later?
When he broke the bread,
or washed their feet?
When they lifted him down,
face to face, heart to quiet heart,
off the cross?

The donkey plodded along,
carrying a king,
stepping, not in the mud,
but on clothing, thrown on the ground.
Gifts.
Jesus entered Jerusalem,
as his forefather Solomon had entered Gihon,
riding his father's donkey.
Was he riding on a donkey,
Provided by his Father?

The crowd shouted praise,
"Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
As he rode, did he hear the echo
of the angels' praise
on the night that he was born?
As the crowd shouted,
the Pharisees complained.
"Teacher! Make them stop!"
These Pharisees were the ones
who should have known.
Who should have recognized the son of the God they loved.
And yet they were blind to the man in front of them.

Jesus told them,
"If these are quiet,
the very stones on this ground
will cry out!"
God is changing the world,
And if you cannot see it,
If you cannot sing His praise,
The void will be filled
By those who will.T

he song will not be stopped.
The Lord has need of it.
Kim Matthews
To leave a comment for the author, go to http://www.jmlent.blogspot.com/

Mission Prayer Request:
April 5
Tyrand Cooperative Parish, Mill Creek; Belinda Toms, director
Offering emergency assistance with rent, utilities and prescriptions, they also manage Thrift and Christmas stores. Home repairs and day camps are provided. Workshops are offered to help clients achieve independence. Tyrand Parish is an approved disaster shelter.

Devotional 4-4-09

What kind of a Friend are you? Are you a Forever Friend?

The scene: Six days before Passover John 12:1-11
A dinner party at Simon the leper’s house with Jesus as the main guest. Including such dignitaries as Lazarus, Mary, Martha, and the disciples. The place is Bethany were Jesus just a few days earlier had raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been gone for four days. The talk is mainly concerned with how good Lazarus looks after being in the tomb for four days, and the great crowds of people that had been coming from all around to see him that was dead for four days. Let’s look at this dinner at the people who are here and consider who they really are.

Who are the Forever Friends?

Prov 18:24 - Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.

An Inviting Friend… (Simon the leper and Lazarus) One who will open the door and ask you to come in. You are welcome to come in and sit down at the table to have a fellowship a sharing of you with him. Makes himself friendly by giving himself to you. Is not afraid to sit next to you at the table. A joy to be around and always grateful for all that they receive. Jesus is an inviting friend who wants to invite you to invite him into your life. Would you be an inviting friend? Would be willing to continuously invite others to our table in the church?

A serving Friend…. (Martha)…Invites you to sit down at their table and cooks, serves, and cleans up after you. Washes your dishes. Brings your meal to you and allows you to eat and pays the bill for you. Serves you first. Jesus was willing to clean up your mess and pay for your bill. He came as a servant although he is the King of Kings. He is our servant.

A sacrificing Friend….(Mary) …Is broken and spilled out for you. They humble themselves before you to make the sacrifice for your benefit without the thought of return. Mary gave the equivalent of a year’s wages to Jesus when she poured out the perfume for Jesus. Then she proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair. Mary’s gift to the Savior made an odor that filled the house, so that there was no doubt that she had given much to the Savior. Jesus is the sacrificing friend that has given his life for you.

Oceanside, Calif.: Mr. Alter's fifth-grade class at Lake Elementary School made headlines when the boys in the class decided by themselves to shave their heads. They did so, without embarrassment, because one of their own, Ian O’Gorman, developed cancer and had undergone chemotherapy. His hair began to fall out. To make their friend feel at home, to feel one with the crowd, all his classmates agreed to shave their heads, with their parent's permission, so that upon his return, Ian would not stand out from the class. No one would know who the "cancer kid" was. The teacher, Mr. Alter, was so moved by the spirit of his class that he too shaved his head.

A Pretending (WANNA BE) Friend… (Judas) …This is a person who is close to you but never considers your needs over his or hers. This person is always putting their wants first. Judas was just such a friend. He was always there with the moneybag but he was not there for Jesus. Soon after the dinner he began to consort with the Pharisees on Jesus’ betrayal. He was always looking for ways to help himself to the goods.

A Forever Friend…(Jesus) … Jesus will be your forever friend and never leave you. Will you be a forever friend? How have you been a friend to others?

These are the Forever Friends. What makes the difference in these Friends? Their relationship to Jesus was the key. Are you a forever friend?

How close were they to the Savior?
Lazarus was close enough to eat with Him and recline with him at the table.
Martha was close enough to cook him dinner and serve him.
Mary was close enough to smell his feet and anoint them with the costly perfume.
Judas was close enough to kiss Him but didn’t know him. Do you know him?

He is Salvation. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary chose to give themselves to him, but Judas chose himself over Jesus. How close are you to the Savior? Would you come to get close to him today?

Amy Inghram

Mission Reponse and Prayer Focus
April 4: Are you a good correspondent? Donate a penny for every stamp you have.

Devotional 4-3-09

Meek
(To Be, or Not to Be)
Please read Matthew 5:3—7:27

This scripture recorded as Jesus’ words is now commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount. His audience lived under the tyranny of Roman soldiers. They were largely ignored by their spiritual leaders (who had formed an uneasy alliance with the conquerors). They sought acknowledgement…attention…hope! What they had heard from Jesus changed their lives and they clamored for more!

After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the Disciples and other believers acknowledged him as the Son of God and quickly spread the word. What we now recognize as the Christian Movement was born. The New Testament—beyond the gospels—is devoted to scholars and writers interpreting, expanding, and teaching what they have seen and heard. Because believers are always seeking a better understanding and because language changes over time, scholars are still at it over 2000 years later.

Jesus’ sermon opens with what is now known as The Beatitudes—a recitation of the preferred behavior and the accompanying spiritual recognition; each begins with the word “blessed.” Modern scholars interpret it more nearly as “how happy will be” or “will be close to God.” Matthew 5:3 proclaims “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Meek. Who wants to be meek? Everyone knows the meek are impugned, mocked, vilified…they are the losers in the lottery of life! That’s a worldly definition , but the MEEK are not so…in the Biblical meaning. According to scholars, Jesus was describing something completely different. The MEEK, as Jesus defines them, are those who trust in God, who are openly committed to God, who show strength by remaining steadfast in aggressively seeking God’s will for their lives. In the context of the scripture, the MEEK are not those who timidly cower and fade into obscurity.

Easter approaches, when we will once again celebrate the cross where the Son of God suffered, died, and rose again, absolved us of our sins, and—through grace alone—offers us eternal life. This is surely a time when each of us will examine our spiritual condition. Perhaps we should follow with a personal question: Am I MEEK? Or am I meek?

Anonymous

Mission Reponse and Prayer Focus
April 2: Knitting is therapeutic for a lot of people. Share the warmth by giving a penny for every skein of yarn you have. (Yarn is used in their child center).

Devotional 4-2-09

Read Psalms 118: 1-2, 19-29

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Have you ever had a day that nothing has gone right? Your mood is as low as it can be, your situation is out of hand and your sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. The last thing you want to do is rejoice.

We can maybe relate to the writer of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the Psalmist felt, they were always honest with God. When they talked to God their prayers ended in praise. When you are down and out and don’t and don’t feel like rejoicing, go to God in prayer and tell Him how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.

Always remember you are not alone.

You always have someone you can turn to.

God has given you this day to live and to serve him-Be Glad.

Let us pray

Dear God,
Help us all remember you are always there for us, you will never forsake us. When we are at the end of our rope, we can always let you know how we really feel, although you already know. Give us a reason to rejoice each day as we continue to serve you.
Amen

Melanie Herr

To Mission Reponse and Prayer Focus
April 2: Everyone needs to eat and someone has to prepare the food. Support SRSH by giving a quarter for every non stick pan you have.