Devotional 2-28-13

Tests of Faith
Please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

The Apostle Paul is most likely well known to all of us. He became a Christian when he witnessed the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. He was chosen by Jesus and whether he knew it or not, he was to become the Gospel’s most devoted and passionate messenger. But his life as a Christian would not be easy. And his faith would be tested.

As a new and devout Christian, Paul faced many undertakings as he traveled throughout the Roman Empire. His mission was to recruit new Christians and help them to establish new churches. And when he was apart from them, he wrote letters to give them encouragement, knowledge, and the motivation to continue growing their church and practice their newly found faith.

In the scripture noted above, Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth indicates that he believes things are not going well there. Their suspected misbehavior is certainly in question. Paul, in his concern, is compelled to remind them of the errors and punishment of their ancestors, who made poor and selfish decisions. He tells them that the events of their misguided ancestors happened for a reason, to be an example of the consequences of their own misbehavior. He cautions them not to repeat those actions which brought punishment to their ancestors, and assures them that they will indeed be tested in their efforts to refocus on their mission in Corinth. It was time for them to turn to God.

(Verses 12 and 13) “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

God can bring about change in anyone, to prepare them for what lies before them. He gave Paul what he needed—strength, wisdom and endurance, to carry out his missionary work. But Paul’s faith was tested along the way, as he endured physical hardship, persecution, and danger. Though he was martyred for his faith in Christ by the Romans he knew God had not abandoned him. I

t’s not always easy being a Christian. We are often challenged, as was Paul, and our faith is often tested. But Paul reminds us that God is faithful, and He gives us what we need to do His will. We are able to do what we think we cannot do. We may need to spend time we think we don’t have to better serve those in need. We are given by God the ability to maintain a positive attitude as we face a long and difficult illness. When we think we just can’t do it, we move forward anyway, not knowing what the outcome may be. But we succeed. Whatever the test may be, God will not abandon us, and we will succeed. D

uring this Lenten Season, let us remember the suffering Christ faced for our salvation. Let us renew our commitment, sustain our faith, and spiritually grow to face whatever trials we may encounter, knowing God is with us, no matter what.

Please read Ephesians 3: 14-21 and share Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth.

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 2-26-13

Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalms 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13; Luke 13: 1-9 -- “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63: 1.

I like our West Virginia climate with changing seasons and a variety of blooming plants with the resulting seasonal changes in landscape vistas. However, winter is just not my favorite season. I despair of the lack of green plants and the constant chill in the air. I have had even more problems with winter during the last couple of years where we have been lulled by some periods of warmer temperatures into thinking “it’s not that bad, so I can take this”. And then we get slammed with a snow storm or freezing temperatures. Maybe if it would stay colder, I would get more acclimated and become less of a whiner. (Not much chance of giving up the whining part, though.)

But as we navigate through winter in this season of Lent, it is with delight that I notice the daffodils in my front yard. They are steadily growing taller and seem to be oblivious to the snow, wind, chill or frost. Daffodil bulbs are planted at a depth of about 6-8 inches and they grow best if planted in the fall so that they are cooled by a season of winter weather. Only after the period of seeming dormancy and cold, can the green shoots spring forth to produce the yellow and white flowers. What may appear to be a dormant time in the life of the bulb is a necessary requirement for the growth of a flowering daffodil.

God is calling me during my daily walk through these days of Lent to take a lesson from the daffodil bulb. Lent is a time to seek nourishment from the scriptures and communicate with God during times of meditation and fasting. It is an inward time that may appear to others as dormancy. Lent is a time for developing habits that will last through the springtime of Easter and in to all our seasons. God is calling us to not only endure the winter but to thrive there—to send out new roots that will nourish our souls and bring us closer to God. Our Lenten task is to allow God to be at work in our lives so that we are transformed by God’s love to be a living gift of love to others. We persevere through the winter/Lent struggle of self-denial and sacrifice in order to become ready for the Easter resurrection. It is only through the process of this “winterizing” that our souls are prepared for flowering. I think Natalie Sleeth’s words best describe this transforming power and show us that our hope is found in trusting in God’s plan.

HYMN OF PROMISE by Natalie Sleeth
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. Dear God of all living things; We thirst for nutrition from you that will transform us even when we feel empty, cold and as bleak as the landscape appears during winter. Give us patience as we navigate through this winter time of preparation. Forgive us when we whine and complain because this growth is painful or slow. Help us to know that our hope is in trusting your plan and obeying your spiritual direction. Thank you for blessing us with a bounty of beauty in the world around us. Help to be alert for the beauty in each soul we meet. AMEN.

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 2/24/13

Christ in You!!!!
This week I had difficulty as to what to write for this devotion. I wasn’t able find the right verse or thought to convey during this Lenten season. I know that Lent is a time of self-reflection, a time to sacrifice, of fasting, just as Christ led during his forty days and nights in the desert. I had to be led, wherever that would take me.

So as I continued to think about this devotion, I was soon led to the new “In Touch” devotional magazine I had received this week. In it I found writing by Dr. Charles Stanley, titled “The Hope within”. See, Christ wants us to have a relationship with him, one that was justified when he died on the cross for us. But it didn’t end there; he wants us to continue his work by living through us.

“Many times we feel that we are living a Christian life through, reading the bible, praying and serving” All good things, but the real power comes from living our lives like Christ, a power from with-in.

Before Christ was crucified he told his Disciples that he was “the vine and that they were the branches who abide in him.” (John 15:4) This is saying that the fruit they would bear would lead to Christ’s life flowing in and through them. That the nourishment and growth we receive comes from that personal, saving, close relationship with Christ.

This would be assisted by the Holy Spirit living in us thus allowing Christ to enter in. (John 14:16-20) We are to be the hands and feet for Christ to continue his earthly work. By Christ’s living through us we become how God wants us to be. God will see to it that we are equipped to spread Christ’s message to all we encounter.

“It’s not enough for us to acknowledge that Christ is in us”. “It is for us to transform the way we live”. We have to let Christ flow through us. Live like Christ on a daily basis. Think about this the next time you see someone on the street, in a store or even in church. It may be one whom you might not acknowledge because of their appearance, maybe someone you might turn away from. Instead give them a smile, put out your hand, say hello. Remember it might be Christ’s hand or face you are touching or seeing. But it will definitely be Christ’s hand and face they are seeing.

Let’s pray;

Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for sending your only son to live among us to show us the way to live. I have fallen short of the way you want me to live, forgive me Lord. Father, help me to continue the work of your son. Let my life be an example of the saving grace of your son, so others will see him through me. Father I pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

He will rise from the dead. Alleluia!!

Fred Herr

Devotional 2-23-13

He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. -- Mark 5:41-43.

I have started a food and clothing pantry at HHS to serve any student or family in need. I have spent years watching how quickly kids run from the bus to the cafeteria every Monday morning because they are so hungry from eating very little over the weekend and on Friday's they seem to reach for double servings. I have even witnessed kids stealing food from the cafeteria and am convinced it is due to lack of food in the homes. I have many humbling stories to tell about teenagers who are suffering from hunger, certainly a basic need that we all take for granted. It shouldn't be this way. Hunger should not exist at Huntington High School.

Most of the food in my pantry comes from the Huntington Food Bank. Just recently a local church heard about us and sent us eight bags of items that will probably be handed out to students by the end of the week. This church suggested that I contact other churches or Sunday School classes in the area that might be looking for a project.

I'm contacting you to see if your group could use a worthwhile project such as the pantry.

This was recently sent to me by a friend who is a very dedicated teacher at Huntington High School. Sadly, it could have been sent from any number of schools across our country.

The fact that Jesus told Jairus and his wife to give their daughter something to eat informs me that Jesus, fully human, understands our physical needs. In Mark 6, he told his disciples, "You give them something to eat," after they suggested he dismiss the 5000 so they could go into the village to get food for themselves.

Our church (Johnson Memorial UMC) started a back pack ministry last fall. Food for the weekend is given to ten children at a local elementary school every Friday. You can find out more about this ministry by visiting its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/PackForTheFuture?ref=ts&fref=ts

There has been a lot written about how we should conduct ourselves during Lent. Should we give up something, or should we do something positive? I am working on giving up old judgements--why do they have children when they can't feed them?--and trying to be part of the solution. Back pack ministries are springing up at many schools. There is probably one near you.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 2-21-13

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

I am afraid of some things. I think most of us are afraid of some things. I don't like snakes, so I guess I am afraid of snakes.

I don't like the dark and being enclosed, so was afraid of going into caves when I was younger. I was even told I was afraid to have my photograph taken when I was a child. I was told that I would run away and in the few pictures I have of myself as a child, I am crying in them. Now, I am just afraid I will look too much like myself. (Can be a scary thing.)

Now days, I am afraid of 'home invasion', 'snipers', or being in the 'line of fire' of some irrational person. I am also afraid of getting a debilitating illness or condition.

God tells us not to be afraid. In Genesis 15:1, God tells Abram not to be afraid. "I am your shield, your very great reward".

God is with us in scary and difficult times and promises many blessings, even if the blessings are difficult to know at the time.

When I am afraid, of course I pray, and I also feel Jesus with me to see me through my fears. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Our Father, thank you for your Son. Help me to take my fears to Him and know He is always with me and I am blessed. Amen

Kay Lewis

Devotional 2-18-13

Seeing a Transfigured Jesus – Luke 9:28-36
By Dr. David Winkle
As you travel the world, if you look at Christian art from the various cultures you encounter, you will find that most artists see Jesus as being one of their own. That is to say, Jesus is depicted as black in African art, pasty white in European works and Asian artists follow suit. I love the fact that Jesus is not tied to our first century Mediterranean images of him. As the risen Lord encounters people around the world, their image of him depicts what is in their hearts.

My family has a collection of nativity sets from around the world, which show the Holy Family, shepherd and wise men in the traditional clothing of their various cultures, as well as showing them with various racial characteristics. One of the things we enjoy most about Christmas is setting these various nativities throughout the house. I am reminded of the Christmas song written by Alfred Burt, “Some Children See Him.”

We all tend to see Jesus in terms of our own likeness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, so long as we do not make it exclusive. That is to say that we do not begin to think that “others cannot be in the group with me and my Jesus, because they are not created in our likeness.” In today’s text, a story we call the “Transfiguration,” Peter, James and John saw Jesus in his glory. We are told that “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” He no longer looked like Peter, James and John. In his glory, Jesus had a completely different appearance.

To the best of my knowledge there has been no discovery of a race of people on this planet that glow with brilliant light. In his glory, Jesus transcends race and all other divisions of humankind. The brilliance of his glory melts away barriers and walls that divide. As we have all been baptized into Christ Jesus, we all bask in the same glorious light of his face, which is neither black, nor white, yellow nor red. St. Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)

Where can we see Jesus in his glory today? There are several places where Jesus promised to meet us, but the one that comes to mind most readily is where Jesus tells us that he is among the “least of these his brethren.” (Matthew 21:31-46) Jesus is still transfigured today, and his appearance changes. Jesus is among the lost and homeless. He is among the addicts and the jobless. This is where we will meet him, transfigured and changed, working glorious miracles through his glorious power.

Moved by the power of the Holy Spirit, as each of us engage in the ministry of Jesus, we become part of the ongoing transfiguration. In ministry, the glory of Jesus Christ is revealed to everyone. Those who receive, receive as though from the hands of Jesus himself. Those who give, give as though to Jesus himself.

Each time you engage in Jesus’ ministry to the least, the lost and the lonely, he is revealed to you in a different way. One day he may appear to you as a homeless alcoholic; tomorrow he may be transfigured to appear as a battered woman seeking shelter. These people may not glow with radiant light as Jesus did on the mountain that day, but I promise that you will see His glory revealed in the moment.

As you serve them that need Jesus in their life, let his glorious light shine from you so, others will see Christ in you.

Peace, Grace and Blessings.

Jim Perry

Devotional 2-17-13

Tempted to Trade

You are driving along in your not so exciting, ho hum, it’ll get me there car. At the stop light a much newer version of modern chariot pulls along side. You know for sure that it will get better mileage than your car currently does, it will accelerate much faster away from the light when it turns green than the ride you now drive, and you know positively that it will have that ‘new car smell’. And in a moment of remembering only the times your car wouldn’t start, that the air conditioning failed to fire on that 90 degree day and the time the anti freeze all leaked out >> you are tempted to trade.

Your house has been a good house. Your children were born here. You have so many memories. You have so m-u-c-h stuff. If only you had another bedroom or a basement or a two-car garage, and suddenly all that fills your mind is that the windows are not double pane and a few of the door knobs are ‘sloppy’, the powder room sink drips, and the furnace may be headed down its last winter road and >> you are tempted to trade.

My birthday was last month. Although I’m now past the half century mark I still remember, with a smile on my face, the cake and ice cream parties from my childhood, the singing over the phone from friends, and as I grew and moved away, the “take it to the bank” assurance that my mom was going to call me…probably at nine minutes until eleven at night (that’s 2251 military time) and recount some of the stories surrounding that January day in 1962. I was always reminded that I was actually due in March (go figure). I was always reminded that because I was born in an Army hospital (now you get the 2251) that no one was allowed in the room with the mother, and I was always reminded that because the rules said that a girl’s name and a boy’s name had to be written down prior to delivery that had I been a girl I would have been Ann Elizabeth. A story that I did not know until I was a middle teen was this: Mom was 28 when I was born. My brother had already been on the scene for two years -- that made Mom a veteran baby deliverer. The young girl (Mom said 18 years old) in the neighboring bed had just delivered her first child and was scared out of her mind. The young girl’s husband had demanded (Mom’s word) DEMANDED that she have a son. As you can imagine from the tone so far – she had a girl. Mom said that the new mother looked at her with tears streaming down her face and said, “You have one boy already don’t you? Do you want to trade?” I am as sure as I live and breathe that Mom never considered the offer. It was, however, used by me every once in a while when I would do something that earned me the mom’s raised eyebrow expression. I would say, “Hey! You had your chance to trade me and didn’t take it.” It would lighten the moment for a moment until the full weight of that statement hit us both and we would reflect and wonder whatever happened to that young family.

One of the scriptures for this time period in Lent is the Luke 4 passage about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. The devil comes to Jesus following a 40 day fast, “If you’re God, turn this stone to bread.” He takes Jesus to a high place, “Worship me, and I will give you all of this.” One last attempt: he takes Jesus to the peak of the temple so that Jesus may throw himself down. To strengthen his case he quotes scripture, He will command his angels concerning you and to protect you.

Here’s a temptation possibility that scares me. What if the devil had taken Jesus by the shoulders, holding him upright in his weakened state and said, “Look, man. You know where you are going. I know where you are going. Are you really going to die for this Steve guy? Do you not see how many times he will disappoint you? Are you really willing to give your life? Let’s trade him in. I’ll make the bread and get you some water. You give that Steve fella to me, and we’ll call it a day. You go on your way and live, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

Every day I am grateful for my wonderful, loving parents. Grateful to Mom that Rob didn’t end up with a sister. And I am fall on my knees, press my face to the ground grateful that I don’t get traded in every time I fail to start or overheat or make Him wish that I did something or had something that I don’t. The sacrifice was beyond price, and I pray this Easter season that I/we will recognize the ‘should have been’ that we really deserve and know, as we live and breathe, that it will never happen that way.

Jesus loves me. This I know…

Steve Matthews

Devotional 2-13-13

Inspired by Psalm 51

 

Please, father, have mercy.
I know you love me;
May you remember your love,
Your compassion,
And forget my sin.

I pray your love will be so large
That it will wash away my sins,
As huge as they are.
I know I have sinned.
I know I have disappointed you.
My sins are like a pile of garbage,
Impossible to miss.

I know I have disappointed you,
Done what you have told me was wrong.
You have every right to shine a light on my wrongdoings,
And to judge my faults.

I can't remember a time when I didn't sin.
My mistakes, my faults and my selfishness
Have been with me forever.

Transform me, Father.
Make me clean, from the inside out.
I have faith that you, and you alone,
Can take away the darkness in my soul.
I long to hear joy and gladness.
My crushed spirit begs to feel happiness.

Make my sins invisible,
And hide my wrongdoings.
Recreate me, God,
So that my heart beats for you,
And my spirit can fly on your wings.

Do not send me away from you,
I would die without your Holy Spirit.
Restore in me the joy of my salvation.
I have lost faith that you can save me
As I stand in the shadow of my sin.

If you can help me, Father,
I will have the courage to teach others of your glory.
I will have the means to convince others
Of your goodness.
I will sing your praises forever.

If I knew another way, dear God,
I would do it.
If forgiveness were in my power,
I would reach for it.
It lies only with you, God
I pray you will accept my repentance.
I pray you will find gladness in saving me.
My only hope is that you will forgive me.

 

Kim Matthews