Wesley's Prayer 10

And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

The most awesome thing about covenants made with God is that it has two dimensions, the earthly one, and the heavenly one. Jesus gave us the example of this in His prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." John Wesley's prayer asks God to honor and fulfill this covenant. The word itself means to make valid or to receive final approval. We see it used in the making of laws and when the final executive signs it, it becomes law. In this covenant, we are expecting God's approval and "signature" to make it not a law, but our way of life. If all covenants recognized the heavenly dimension of them, we would see less of the troubles we invite into those areas where we make covenants, such as marriage or baptism.

This prayer has signaled our willingness to be in a completely dependent relationship with God. We have surrendered to God and rely and trust wholly on God. We have asked God to be present in every aspect of our lives and we want our lives to bless God and God's people. We want our lives to have an impact not only on the earth, but also in heaven.

PRAYER: God of our lives, let this truly be my prayer as I pray it, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen."

Wesley's Prayer 9

So be it.

Yes, the language of Wesley is slightly different from ours. We rarely say something like "so be it." We might think of this phrase used in an argument one cannot win and a phrase like "so be it" might come with an exclamation point. Our modern language might employ something like "okay." I told you our language is different. Okay doesn't do it justice either, for what I believe Mr. Wesley was saying was "I agree with all my being, body, soul, spirit, strength that what I have prayed I will hold as a sacred promise and covenant." The influence of such a phrase being said like that comes from the early pages of our Bible. As the people are being formed to be truly the people of God, they learned what is call The Shema, "Hear, O Israel, The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shall love the LORD thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deut. 6:4-5). This was later confirmed by Jesus as the greatest commandment and a second one like it, "Thy shall love your neighbor as yourself."

So be it. It is an affirmation of commitment. It is the seal of a covenant or contract made with God. It is an agreement to hold to all that has been said, almost like "And I will, to the best of my ability, with God being my help..." God deserves nothing less and we should give at least our all.

PRAYER: Almighty God, let me and the one who prays this as their own, be one who says with all of my being, that I will do what is expected of me. You know my life and my weaknesses, yet You, unlike others, see the potential in me, so bless me so that I may be a blessing to You and Yours. May my life and my being truly be the words of this precious prayer, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it." I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 8

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

This part of John Wesley's prayer took me to the words of the hymn, "I Am Thine," by Ms. Fanny J. Crosby, which is how the hymn begins, "I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me; but I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee." (United Methodist Hymnal, 419). The hymn credits Hebrews 10:22 as inspiration, "let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (NRSV). The prayer and the hymn speak of that intimate relationship Christians should have with God. A relationship so close that we can hear God speak and as Jesus said, "know his voice." A relationship that blesses and guides each day of our mortal lives. Notice also how Wesley sees God, as "glorious and blessed." His part of the relationship kept a perspective on God's character, and was addressed to the members of the Godhead, "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," for Wesley knew the power and blessing of each. Wesley claims God as his and surrenders himself to God.

The Hebrews passage speaks of that need to be close to God, having an "approach" with our hearts to God, knowing the cleansing and power of such a relationship. A surrender to the sacred will mean a cleansing on our part by God. Nothing else will suffice. The relationship we need to possess with God is an eternal one, that nothing nor no one can take away from us (See Romans 8).

PRAYER: Loving God, how awesome and wonderful is Your love towards us. Help me and the one who makes this prayer their own, draw closer to You in a right and blessed relationship to You. Again, my prayer is that my faith and my life might make real this prayer, ""I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine." In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 7

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

We sometimes try to compartmentalize our things from the things of God. We know when we are where we should not be, but seek to keep God out. We sometimes believe we should not share with God as we should and have great excuses for not doing so. Being in a house where two grandsons are spending time with each other, I have heard more often than not, the word, "Mine!" It is usually screamed at the other. Both moms have to come and break up the tug of war that is taking place. Many times that scene is replayed in our lives with God.

Wesley's prayer calls us to give everything up to God. It should come as the result of our relationship with God where we recognized years ago that 1) God gives us all things, 2) God provides for all our needs, and 3) we cannot out-give God. That recognition alone should be sufficient in our lives to "freely and heartily" share with God as we should. To counter-balance my grandsons, when they willingly share with each other and with me, it is so tender and sweet it brings tears to my eyes. So should it be with us and our God.

PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for all that You have shared with me. There is nothing that I lack in my relationship with me and so, as I pray this prayer may it be true and may it glorify You, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal." In Christ Jesus I pray,amen.

Wesley's Prayer 6

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

Once I became a parent and now as a grandparent, I realized the humorous clamoring of children at times is mine. There is a huge difference between want and need. Children, and some of us, are slow to learn that, for we "need" almost everything we covet or desire. My "want" list is now relatively short, for God has supplied all my needs. Yet, if I ask one of my grandchildren, their "need" list is long. If you don't believe me take them to Toys'Rus or the toy department of any discount store. As soon as their little eyes see something, it is, of course, something they need!

The prayer of Wesley deals with our needs and wants, but keeps it in a healthy perspective. In our relationship with God, we trust God enough to say what Wesley said, if You want to give us all things, I am fine and happy with that; if You chose to give me nothing, I am fine and happy with that. The key is our knowing that as long as God is with us, we will lack for nothing. The very first verse of that famous 23rd Psalm, in King james English, was something we all learned, but it was years before we realized its true, deep meaning. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." I struggled in Sunday school yet didn't ask for fear of revealing what my Sunday school teacher may have suspected about me; but I wanted to ask, "Why do I not want the Lord?" Now I know and rejoice in saying because the Lord is the good shepherd of my life, I lack nothing.

Make God the Good Shepherd of your life and you too, can join David, and others who declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

PRAYER: God of all provision, you know my heart and thoughts; make them right and real before You and for me. Let me have the deep faith of those who trusted completely in You so that I can honestly and truly pray, "I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing," I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 5

Let me be full, let me be empty.

I pray that you have never experienced a time when you were physically empty in whatever definition you choose to give to the word. I also pray that you have never experienced a time of physical hunger that took more time than you thought necessary to receive that which you needed. I thank God that I have never experienced that; for God provided. I have shared with you two experiences in my life when I could have gone hungry, but at the last moment, God provided. What this part of the prayer is saying is that we should receive both those times that are "full" times as well as those "empty" times. A Christian lives with hope and trust in God, that whatever we face is for the moment, however long or short that "moment" may be, but God is still with us and God will have the last word in all things.

In our lives as Christian servants, we may seek to do this or that and we may not get the results we believed we should have gotten, but even if it is a task in which we walk away thinking it was an empty time, don't be so sure. E. Stanley Jones, Methodist missionary to India, when as a young pastor was asked to speak to a group of young people about the missionary field even though he was not yet a missionary himself; in fact, Jones later wrote that the only one touched by his message was himself - God called him out of what he first considered an empty time. Another example was of a report by a missionary on the sadness he felt of only touching two lives in a year of service; but one of those lives touched was a great evangelist who spent the rest of his life reaching thousands for the Lord. I myself, was told by one of my Sunday school teachers, that of all the children she ever taught, I was the last person she would have thought God would call into ministry. It matters not what we think, for it is God who knows and God who decides.

PRAYER: Dear God of the last word, speak to my heart as I prayerfully reflect on Your presence and call on my life. I need You to reassure me that even in times when I think failure is the most appropriate word for what I have done, You speak of a victory. Help me as I pray this covenant prayer that I may truly mean these words, " "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty." I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 4

Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

A spirit of true relationship with God includes our willingness to stand and serve wherever it is that God has placed us. Closely related to the third part of Wesley's prayer, we should be ready to be fully employed for God or recognize those times when it is best we not serve. Along with that we should know that sometimes our employment and service might bring recognition and thanks for what we have done as God's servants; other times we will be ignored and our service and work not even be noticed. Regardless, God's Spirit in us should help us whatever the circumstances or feelings we have; we have done and served as asked by God.

Our humanness at times makes us seek the best and highest for ourselves. We want the key jobs or tasks, and along with it we want the corner office that goes with that. Some even want the biggest paycheck; but it is not about that. It is our willingness to be faithful to God and God's call upon our lives. Our motivation should be obedience to God, not the reward. Our fuel in servanthood to God should be love and nothing else.

PRAYER: Loving God, you know my heart; make right whatever is not geared toward serving You and Yours. Cleanse my mind and thought so that I can fully and truly pray, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee." I pray all these things in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 3

"Put me to doing, put me to suffering."

Wesley's third line in this powerful prayer is an honest but difficult one. The prayer says, as do we, if we make it our prayer, that we are willing to be put to work and even very difficult work. What is your work ethic? Who or what shaped you in setting your path in a work or career that blesses you, blesses God, and blesses God's people? Those of us who are children of hard-workers know and practice a work ethic that seeks to get things done no matter how long the hours or the need. I saw in my father one who rose up early in the morning to be gone while it was still dark and to return home only after he had put in the hours of work required of him. I learned of overtime and overtime pay. I learned more though, about commitment to task.

A few years ago, a seminary colleague of mine in one of her talks to a national audience made headlines when she spoke of the number of "unemployed saints" that the Church has today. Some have since spoken of "underemployed saints." And, just in case you think you're not being mentioned when the word saint is used, think again. The biblical understanding of a saint is one who has given their life to Jesus Christ and maintains a relationship with God. And to all saints in the Bible, the message from God and later Jesus, always started with "Arise, and go..." Many of us stop at arise.

Ours is to do, for the sake of love. Ours is to do even the most difficult and sometimes painful of tasks to transform the world. Our is not a call to idleness or trivial tasks. Ours is to partner with God's Holy Spirit to bring about opportunities and situations where God's message of love for the world can be shared. And the loudest and clearer work will not be by our word necessarily; it will be what our hands and feet are doing to show that God cares.

John Wesley modeled a life patterned after Jesus. Early to rise, Wesley thought the best hour to commune with God was 5:30 a.m. and as he neared his death, he ordered his friends to bury him at 5:30 in the morning. His teachings can be summed up in what Wesley did while alive, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” Can we do likewise?

PRAYER: Amazing God, transform me and the person who prays this as their own, to be like Jesus and those who have come after Jesus who have modeled a life of dedicated service, so that as I pray this prayer, these can truly be my words, "I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering," I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Wesley's Prayer 2

The second line of John Wesley's prayer reads, "Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt."

We were born with free will. Our inborn tendency is to seek to fulfill our own will, and the classic theological understanding of original sin is our predisposition to disobey God. This line of the prayer means we seek God's will for our lives. Woody Allen is credited with saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." In other words, we, with humble and obedient hearts, should seek to discover the will of God instead of trying to present and possess our own. Jesus' prayer said, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven," meaning Jesus sought as we should, that which is pleasing to God.

The second part of that line is difficult for those who seek high position in all things, motivating themselves to success and win over others, no matter the setting. There is nothing wrong with leadership as long as it is with a humble heart and gentle spirit. An attitude of servitude helps a leader be the kind who listens, understands, and seeks to move the group or organization forward towards the common goals or in our case, the will of God. Jesus also said, "The first shall be last," in the parable of the laborers. And in Luke 14, Jesus also spoke of sitting in the place of least honor for it may be the host will invite you to move up to the place of more honor.

PRAYER: Loving God, I am no longer my own, but thine, Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt, for I seek to be Yours and I seek to serve with a humble heart in all things. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Wesley's Prayer

The dust may have not yet settled from our time in Tampa, but we still pray for the people called United Methodists from around the world. I thought it might be beneficial for us to pray Wesley's Covenant Prayer for our own wellbeing, starting with a line a day.

The first line reads, "I am no longer my own, but thine."

No better posture in prayer than acknowledging Whose we are. The Christian has suffered their life to God and we should never forget this. Too many of our problems are caused by our wanting to put ourselves or our own interests first. If we can surrender the "I" in our lives, along with the "mine," we can begin to see if we remember that we belong to God, we might just be able to see the needs of God's people in our midst.

If you have never surrendered to God, God shares an invitation from the last book in the Bible, Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to (you) and eat with (you), and (you) with me. (RSV with ( ) from NRSV). That surrender begins with giving our heart to Jesus, opening wide the door and inviting the Lord of Life to come in and be our savior and friend.

PRAYER: Loving God, let me open the door of my heart to you daily. Let it be true as I pray the words, "I am no longer my own, but Thine." I pray in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Keep Praying

Dear friends, the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church is over. We have journeyed spiritually for 50 days. The need for prayer though, continues. Regardless of what actions we took or did not take, God was present, and the task is ever the same, make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I can think of no better, nor difficult thing, but God is with us, and it can, and must be done. It begins with you and me. Are we complete and committed disciples of Jesus? Have we surrendered ourselves wholly and holy, to the One who brought us fullness of life? Are we so disposed to serve Him that we will go anywhere and do whatever it takes to share Christ's love?

We can do it! Again I say, God is with us.

I thank you for your prayers during the past fifty days. I invite prayers for the July Jurisdictional conferences and their business before them.

Blessings upon blessings for you!

Eradio Valverde

Goodbye, Farewell, Hasta La Vista

Read Mark 16:19-20: 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it

Today's the last day of General Conference 2012. It is a day of good-byes, farewells, and hasta la vistas. Many are the new friends and acquaintances that we have made in the last ten days. Last night I thought this has been a very long conference bur reminded myself that this was a shorter GC than in years past; last time someone made a motion to reduce the number of days we spend together to save money and try to be more efficient. For the last three days a pie chart has been provided showing how much of the "pie" we have "eaten," the un-eaten parts being the petitions not yet dealt with, and we're sadly very behind. Our adjournment time for today is 5:30 p.m. and we will have lots to do and some petitions may just die because we did not have time to deal with them.

Today's passage is about Jesus saying goodbye to His disciples. Mark does not record those words Jesus spoke to them, but they saw Him ascend to heaven and went to sit at the right hand of God. But they did something about that farewell for verse 20 says, "And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." That is, Jesus' work continued even when the visible Christ could not be seen; yet in their willingness to serve and share the Good News, they could "see" that Jesus was with them in the "signs" that went with that work.

Changed have been made to our structure and the hope is that we are not streamlined enough to "Make disciples to transform the world." I believe we can if we take Jesus with us and proclaim like we have not yet done, the great things Christ has, is, and will do in our midst. We have to evangelize in ways that show the pre-Christians the power of God's love. We begin by being the Church of Prayer that we once were. Our lives should reflect a connectedness to God and our acts of mercy and outreach in our churches show that indeed we are willing and able to be God's hands and feet here in the world.

PRAYER: Loving God, as we say goodbye to sister and brother delegates, may we know we are united in Your love; may our days after this time together bring fruit to Your Reign here on the earth. Bring us new power, new compassion, new love and may we truly reach the world as we make new Disciples to Transform the World. We cannot do it alone, we are too weak, but we depend on You. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Loving Enough to Share?

Read John 21:1-10, 12a, 15. Key Verse: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." (v. 15)

The time flew quickly by. Before we even married, Nellie and I knew we wanted children and God blessed us with four, wonderful daughters. We took them everywhere and enjoyed their company. The day when we would be empty-nesters was soon coming, and they asked how we would manage alone. We appreciated their question and our answer was that we had enjoyed each other's company which led to our marriage and the first two years we spent them with each other and we had had lots of fun and once they joined us, we continued our fun, and now that they would leave we would still have fun.

More seriously, the day will come when we might have to be cared for in the way we cared for them. Not that we're expecting that but it does happen in some families where the care-receiver is called on to be the care-provider. Such was the case in Peter's life as a disciple. Peter had been fed for three years by the ministry of Jesus. He saw the wonders of eating with people who had Jesus not done the miracle, might not have had lunch that day. Peter, the behind-the-scenes man, knew it had been a miracle of unexplainable proportions, all from five loaves and two fish. Now, besides the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus witnessed a miracle catch and eats with the Risen Christ. Then, Peter gets asks the question above, "Do you love me enough to feed my lambs?"

The Church in the same way as she is fed, must become the feeder. As the Church receives, so must she share. The message that works best in reaching the unchurched is the one shared in love and honesty, the "Listen to what God can do as God has done this in my life!"

Do we love Jesus enough to feed His lambs?

PRAYER: Loving Provider of all things, as we, the Church, receive, so let us share. Let us be all about giving and sharing as You has given and shared with us. We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord, amen.

FINDING LIFE INSTEAD OF DEATH

Read Mark 14:26-28; When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters; for it is written, "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 16:1-7 1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." (NRSV).

God works in this way: You sometimes find life where you expect to find death. In my dad's case, as his grandmother lay dying in a hospital, the nurse who was assigned to her turned out to later become his wife, my mother. And in the case of the three women in this passage, they expected to fulfill a necessary but sad job, but instead found an empty tomb. Life where there should have been death. So it is with our churches and ministries; where people may write off a ministry or a church, God can surprise them with an unexpected gift of life. And I truly believe that is what is going to happen with the churches of The United Methodist Church here in the United States. Early in my ministry I heard a layperson proclaim what I have since repeated many times, "God has the last word." God indeed, does have the last word. Have you invited God to come in your midst and surprise you?

PRAYER: Loving God, may the last word be Yours and may it be a word of life. Our critics and even our followers sometimes think that there is nothing left but death, yet You surprise and astound by showing us life. May it be so in our churches and ministries. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Take Heart, Be Not Afraid

Read Mark 6:48-51.

There is no limit to what God can do through Jesus. Many times we will be astounded. Many times we will not even ask and God will do something beyond our belief and our explanation. And sometimes after that astounding thing, we will fail to recognize it was Jesus in our midst. Sadly, most of the time we will not ask.

In this passage, the disciples did not ask yet they were saved from what they thought would be, at best, a rough night of rowing. At worse, they feared for their lives, but here comes Jesus doing something unexplainable, walking on water. Their best human explanation is that they were seeing a ghost, but it was Jesus, who climbed into the boat with them and the water calmed.

Our General Conference is in full session; for some it is going just as they wanted, for others it is not. Some believe they know where solutions lie, others do not or think answers lie elsewhere. Some think to change our structure will be the answer, others think it is a spiritual problem with a spiritual answer. The question remains, have we asked Jesus into the boat? Have we "take(n) heart" and not feared what is before us?

PRAYER: Loving God, the ship in which we find ourselves is Yours. Help us to recognize that and to move towards You. Above all help us to confide and trust in You and not be afraid. We ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

WHO IS JESUS?

Read Mark 4:35-41. Key Verse: And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (v.41)

I live near the Gulf of Mexico. As I drive early morning on trips outside of my city, I purposely drive along the Gulf so I can be reminded of where and how beautiful is the place where I live. On some mornings it is incredible that the water is like glass and not a ripple in it. Not a wave, nothing. It is later in the day when boats or ships push along the waters that it begins to have the waves. It is on other days that the waves splash mightily along the seawall. I respect the sea.

The sea respected Jesus in this passage. As the disciples and Jesus tried to make their way across the sea, He fell asleep and a storm arose. The disciples feared for their lives and when awaken, Jesus calmed the sea, leaving the disciples to ask the question, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Who is Jesus indeed? That's a question that many want answered especially as they encounter the winds and storms of life. Do they see in us the hope and trust of the One who can calm the sea and command the wind to be still? Or, are we like them, living a life filled with fear and uncertainty?

Ours is a task to live as those who know the One who calms the sea and stills the wind.

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to be among those who live lives of faith and trust in You. May my life help answer the question for those who do not yet know of the One who can calm the sea and still the wind; in Jesus I pray, amen.

Seeing Beyond Our Own Needs?

Read Mark 1:29-39.

The mission of the Church is to follow the mission of Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught His disciples, so he taught us; to bring healing and hope to all who are in need of it. As we make disciples, are we teaching them as well? Have you learned this? Sadly, many churches teach their members to be on committees and to consider that as "their ministry." Making some decisions may be a form of ministry in some settings, but making disciples is on a "whole 'nother level." The passage of today shows how Jesus met the needs of a household and then expanded the ministry to those who gathered near in search of what Jesus had to offer. Early the next day, Jesus devoted His usual time for prayer and reflection. Once discovered by His disciples they pressed Him about what was next and Jesus said that what was next was to expand the work to the surrounding towns.

How wide is our vision as a Church? How often do we look beyond what we are doing to meet our household needs, to see what we could be doing in another place? Are there not people whose lives we could bless by reaching out to them? Where would the church have been had Peter said to Jesus, "Master, stay here with us. My mother-in-law is well now, but tomorrow my wife may get sick or one of my children might be in need of something; if nothing else, think of the huge blessing my town would have if you set up your ministry here among us!" Thankfully, that did not happen and the work of Jesus Christ spread around the world, and guess what, the need continues and it may just be that it could start across the street from your Church building.

PRAYER: "Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine," to the needs that start at my front door and the front door of my church. Help us to catch the vision of sharing Jesus with all. In jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.

Do Not Fear, Only Believe

Read Mark 5:21-24, 35-43. Key Verse: But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." (v. 36)

The illness of a child, no matter how minor, worries a parent. The first fever of a newborn, a scrape or cut on a knee, dental surgery; all make for worries not matched easily by other things. The illness of a child near death is something no one deserves nor desires on their worst enemy. Such was the feeling of Jairus, a leader of his synagogue. His position is one that most would associate with those in power and at odds with this traveling rabbi, miracle worker, trouble-maker Jesus; but at the point of having no other options, Jairus goes to Jesus and falls at his feet and begs for his daughter's life. "Come, touch my daughter and make her well," his way of saying, "I don't want her to die; give her new life."

The illness of our Church is something that has taken us to several doors and to no avail. Yesterday a dear friend and I spoke of how it seems every year we try something or someone new, with hopes that this new person will have the answer to our ailing, precious Church. I truly believe we have not fallen at the feet of Jesus in complete surrender to Him with our pleas for our dying Church. We have to have the belief of Jairus that the touch of Jesus on our hearts may be that which will revive our Church, and not for our sake, but for the sake of those who are dying because our ministry has not yet touched them. We have not yet heard, and here is that word again, "listen" to Jesus in the above key verse, "Do not fear, only believe."

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I and the person praying this prayer, fall at Your feet in surrender and belief, asking and pleading for Your will to be done regarding our work here on the earth. May an awakening and revival occur first in my heart and let it be contagious as we seek to do that which will reach the world for You. I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Listen!

Read Mark 4:1-9 1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." 9 And he said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"

It was many, many, years ago, that I took the seeds from a slice of watermelon that I had been eating and decided to plant them in some soil in our backyard in Kingsville, Texas. I watered the ground and came out every day for many days to see what would become of this experiment in growing. Soon there was a plant and later a larger plant and leaves started to grow from this plant until soon a bud that seemed to be a little watermelon appeared. Soon enough it was a tiny watermelon and then a small watermelon, later a medium watermelon and I could wait no longer. I torn it from its plant and decided to eat it. I had not been patient enough.

Jesus begins this parable with the word, "listen!" A great tv preacher, whose voice I enjoy hearing, at some points in his younger years, would insert that word in key places, sometimes saying, "Now, listen." A letter recently came across my desk of someone upset that his or her pastor said that once in a sermon and this person felt that the preacher was assuming that the congregation was not listening. Listen, Jesus said, meaning that not only should we hear these words, we should allow them to go down deep enough for them to take root and bear some fruit from their teaching. And this was indeed a sermon story about planting and the results of this method of sowing seeds, a common practice for Jesus' day. And the story ends with the same admonishment, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen."

Are we, the Church, listening to Jesus? Are we patient enough to hear what God is sharing with us even to this day about God's love for all people? Are we willing to take the seed of God's word beyond our campuses to places where we know God needs them taken? Last night's preacher shared a story of a young man, Michael, who ran afoul of the law and was sentenced to 45 days of community service in his town's garbage dump. On his first day there, a woman pastor named Phyllis came out and Michael asked if he could help her with her trash. She replied she was not there for help with trash, she was there for him. She began by saying, "No matter what you may have done, you are a good man. and Jesus cares very much for you." And thus began a 45 day daily visit with this man. By the end of the 45 days this young man's life was different and he even joined Pastor Phyllis' church. The bishop telling the story said that he learned the story at Pastor Phyllis' memorial service. Right around the time she started her ministry with Michael was the time she learned she had terminal cancer and she decided she needed to do something to bless someone during the time she might have left on the earth.

What are we the Church doing with the time we have on the earth?

PRAYER: Loving God, may I and the Church, listen to what You are saying to us. May we listen with open and loving hearts so that we can be, even today, sowers of Your love and word. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Don't Tell A Soul!?

Read Mark 3:7-12.

Jesus' power and fame preceded Him everywhere He went. People heard of the great, unexplainable things that He was doing and so they would show up. It was usually people with needs of body, soul, or spirit. People with curiosity would also show up in hopes or seeing something wonderful to ooh and ah. Those called by Jesus also followed for it was their duty. They saw and witnessed much and yet many times did not understand.

It is pretty much the same way every time the church meets to worship God. There are people there with needs of body, soul, and spirit; and there are people there with curiosity, and there are those who feel it is their duty to be there. Interestingly enough, some two thousand years later it is our group that is obeying Jesus in not saying a word about Him as Jesus asked in verse 12. We saw a video last night of a majestic old church started in the 1880's that closed in 2010, because they kept their mouth closed about Jesus, and more so with new neighbors who did not look like them.

The reality is that we have to start telling ALL people about Jesus and all that Jesus offers or our church is going to close down.

PRAYER, Awesome God, we can keep quiet no longer. We must tell ALL people about You, Your love, and Your desire to be in relationship with us. give us courage and boldness and a contagious excitement to reach everyone, especially our new neighbors. We pray this in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

NET FISHERS?

Read Mark 2:13-17. Key Verse: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." (v. 17)

The bishop preaching last night, Bishop Larry Goodpaster, said that when the Bible talks about fishing, especially in the New Testament, is is net fishing. When Jesus calls the first disciples Jesus wanted them to keep fishing in that way but not for fish but for people. The bishop continued, "We, when we fish at all, is usually for one, and usually one that looks and acts like us." There is much truth in that. We usually try to find people just like them and try to win them for our church. We've already failed in that we're not about membership drives, we should be about relationship invitations. Ours is to call as many as we can into a living, loving relationship with God through Christ.

This passage dramatically demonstrates just that. Jesus called the least likely of those who should have been called. The call of Levi upset all those who knew him. Their quote tells it all, "Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?' What an interesting mix of people! The majority of the population at that time lumped the two together; it was as if saying, "Why eat with the worthless members of our society?"

It may be that in the eyes of someone, you and I are different to the point that we might have been seen as not belonging or worse, being worthless. But the message of God to all people is that we matter to God and God calls us through Christ to be a part of that relationship of love. What are we doing about it? How are we going to convince our churches to do some more net fishing?

PRAYER: Loving God, make us truly fishers of people, the net kind, that seek to reach all. Help us learn that we, like all, matter to You. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

It Begins Today!

Read MARK 1:14-20. Key Verse: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (v. 15).

"It begins today!" is a more modern adaptation of Jesus' "The time if fulfilled," words that He used to start His ministry. And it is chosen because today The 2012 General Conference begins. Delegates from all over the world whose lives were touched by Jesus Christ through United Methodist efforts in some way, in some place, at some time; elected by their peers to represent them, come to make holy decisions for our denomination. This happens only every four years. This is the only voice that The United Methodist Church has. Whatever is "said" here stands for the next four years. It is a sacred but daunting task. You and I and many, have been in prayer for what is to happen here. We are trusting God to help us understand what it is that we should do and what we should "say" about who we are. In the passage used today, Jesus came to the water's edge to call the first disciples and today we will be, in Tampa, Florida, by the water's edge, to see what the modern disciples have been up to since that first calling of disciples.

Our mission statement as a church is to "Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." May all we "say" reflect that we are serious about not only being, but making disciples of Jesus Christ for this important task. May the vision of what a transformed world look like be reflected in our decisions and actions today and all days.

PRAYER: Loving God, move among us as we convene for this important conference. Speak to us and whatever it is that we "say" in our actions throughout the ten days that we meet, reflect the loving, transforming presence of Your Holy Spirit. We pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

SET APART BY GOD

Read Matthew 22:15-22.

During a sermon some years ago, I asked the congregation one of those questions you expect to be answered silently; Are we Americans first or Christians first? Without fail, what I feared was yelled loudly, "Americans!" It did allow me to make the point of my sermon and the point of this passage in which Jesus teaches, that we live in two worlds, the world's world, and the Kingdom of God's world. Those of us who are citizens of the United States can say we are, "Americans," realizing of course, the Americas cover North, South, and Central America; but more importantly, those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ are also a part of what Jesus came to establish, the Kingdom of God. Our faith, our baptism, has set us apart. We should be good citizens of the world in which we choose to live, but also live the world that should live in us, namely a world that lives by a higher, more loving standard. Do not be tricked easily by questions meant to trick Jesus and Jesus' followers.

The question posed to Jesus was about paying taxes. This during a time of wide spread hatred towards Roman occupation and divided loyalties among party and national lines. The Herodians had their view as did the Zealots; the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Jesus, understood the realities but when asked the question answered with a question using a coin of the day. "Whose image is on this coin?" The response, "The emperor or Caesar." Jesus' reply, "Then render unto Caesar the things that are Casesar's and to God the things that are God's." Jesus was not then nor now, easily tricked.

How are we living what we have been taught in our churches and Sunday schools? Are we truly demonstrating to Christ that we belong to God and good citizens of God's Kingdom, or are we more convinced of the importance of our earthly citizenship and all that goes with that? Imagine a world where the things of God mattered more and people called and set apart by God truly lived the things of God.

PRAYER: Loving God, may we render unto You, ourselves and that which You have lovingly taught us. May our lives make a positive difference in those places in which we live. May our loyalty to You never be questioned because of the decisions we make, the lives we live and the blessings we bring to You and Yours. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Reaching New Heights?

Read Psalm 118:1-4. 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

Our three year-old grandson is in daycare at a UMC. We've noticed now that he sings a lot. Songs about Jesus and songs that we learned at his age. It warms our heart to hear from a tiny voice praises being lifted to God about what God has done. Our grandson is usually "flying" an airplane or "driving" a truck, or "engineering" a train, but his voice and thoughts are soaring to God. The "pull" of the earth does not keep him from reaching the heights of heaven in his thoughts.

The Psalms are that way as well. The thoughts of the psalmist were on God as he faced four-legged and two-legged enemies. The pull of the earth did not keep him from reaching the heights of heaven with his praises. Nor should our churches fail to do the same. The pull of carpet colors or projection screens should not drag us to the ground in agony and defeat. We should seek even in the midst of these things to see how our service and worship can lift us up to faithfulness and praise. Ours is a mission to share the news of the goodness of God and God's love for all humanity.

PRAYER: Loving God, let us lift our eyes and hearts towards You even in the midst of that which seeks to drag us down. May we seek ways to reach even newer and higher heights. We pray in Christ jesus, amen.

LET US BLESS THE LORD!

Read Psalm 26. 1 Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop. I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and I'm not budging. 2 Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I'm fit inside and out 3 So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat. 4 I don't hang out with tricksters, I don't pal around with thugs; 5 I hate that pack of gangsters, I don't deal with double-dealers. 6 I scrub my hands with purest soap, then join hands with the others in the great circle, dancing around your altar, God, 7 Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. 8 God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory. 9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks, 10 Men with bags of dirty tricks, women with purses stuffed with bribe-money. 11 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me. 12 I'm on the level with you, God; I bless you every chance I get.

This is one psalm that I like better in The Message version rather than the NRSV. It speaks of the prayer life of the psalmist and on this day the psalmist is reflecting on his life and he is admitting, through prayer, that he believes that he has done a pretty good job of living right. Those days are rare for most of us, but there are those days when we have done what we believe God asked us and we have been in the places where God needed us; yet, even on those days we may feel like we're still not quite "there" yet. And such was the petition of the psalmist in these words written so long ago.

We as individuals and perhaps our churches have reached some good points of faithfulness and service, but we're still not "there" yet. We may not even know now what "There" looks like, but on we strive, with God's help and guidance to reach new levels and especially to reach new people.

PRAYER: Loving God, let us "bless you every chance I get." In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

The God Who Provides!

Read Joshua 5:9-12. Key Verses: 11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year. God provided and God provided. This passage is about provision and obedience. It comes at a time when the people of God celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land. It is interesting to note this significant event shows that while they wandered in the wilderness, God provided this heavenly bread known as manna. It was shared with them at a point where they doubted their decision and commitment to leave Egypt (which honestly was most of the 40 years journey). God provided this flaky bread as well as quail for their meals. On the very day after the celebration of Passover, "they ate the produce of the land," as had been promised, and "unleavened cakes and parched grain." They also noticed that the manna that God had provided for many years ended on that day. The rest of their lives from that point on, "they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year." A dear friend was sharing with me last night that upon marrying his wife and getting to know his new in-laws, he noticed a great difference in the way his family had eaten meals and hers. His family offered what we Southerners call "a spread," a huge meal with two meats, and choices of many vegetables. Her family ate from what he described "a small casserole." The routine became that after dinner with her family he would stop at a McDonald's or other fast food place for his "real supper." It's interesting how we mark passages and memories with food. This passage is no difference. We know and celebrate and thank God for God's provision to us all the time. It is an acknowledgement of God's presence and involvement in our lives. The Church celebrates meals, too. Every month the United Methodist Church celebrates at least once, the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is a celebration and reminder of what God did, is doing, and will do in our lives. The Church also is known for its fellowship meals, in which we celebrate our being alive and together in God's work. May it also be a reminder of the message we still have to share with so many. I learned from a pastor friend many years ago to ask at the end of Communion, "Has everyone been served?" with a loud answer, "NO! Look around there are still to many missing who have yet to hear from us what God has done for them. It is up to us to share with them this precious meal that awaits them." PRAYER: Indeed, precious, providing God, You have shared so much with us and we are thankful. Forgive us for not sharing and inviting others as we should. May the day come when here on the earth many will have come because of our invitation and example of how much You care and love for them. We pray in the name of He who provided His body and blood for us, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.

Precious Shepherd

Read Psalm 23. Key Verse: he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (v. 7)

The 23rd Psalm, like the Lord's Prayer, is brief but powerful. In it are contained the millions of sermons preached from it and perhaps millions upon millions of people whose lives have been comforted, challenged, and changed by it. Written, it is believed by the boy David, it reflects a special relationship between him and God while at the same time inviting us to that same relationship. The relationship is defined; God is our shepherd, we are his sheep. Take note of that dear ones, for sheep are the ones the Lord favors, not goats. Sheep are obedient, goats are not. Sheep know the shepherd's voice, the goats can't stop talking long enough to hear anyone else, not that they would obey if they did. Sheep know the wisdom of the shepherd. They know that the shepherd knows just where to lead them. Sheep know the shepherd protects them. They also know the shepherd cares for them. Goats, not so much, if at all.

The 23rd Psalm has spoken to presidents, generals, ambassadors, heads of state, laborers, housewives and househusbands; all with the same message; in this relationship of obedience and trust, God can and does provide for us. Through the good and through the bad, the shepherd is with us. Even when the going gets really bad, God is there, and God's purpose is restoration and healing. And God is the host of a banquet where we can sit and know that with God on our side we can vanquish our enemies, sin and death, doubt and despair. It's our choice where we will spend our time. The shepherd king, as David would later become, wrote that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

May this General Conference be a time when delegates and visitors feel the invitational spirit of the Shepherd. May it be a time when new relationships with God are formed and faithfulness will lead all to fruitfulness.

PRAYER: Move among us, loving Shepherd, now and always. Make Your invitational Spirit real and present in the hearts, minds, souls and bodies of the General Conference delegates, presiders, guests, and staff. May new relationships with You be formed, and may we truly become a Church of faithfulness and fruit. We pray this in Christ Jesus, precious Savior, powerful Shepherd, amen.

CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBOR

Read Matthew 14:13-21. Key Verse: ""They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (v. 16)

The Church is modeled on Jesus' life. Jesus prayed. Jesus taught. Jesus preached. Jesus healed the sick. Jesus performed miracles. Jesus fed the hungry. Though he study this miracle often, we tend to forget the basic point behind this wonder, Jesus fed the hungry. After a day of following Him, the people found themselves almost at the end of the day in a place far from food. The disciples, thinking like most people, said, "Lord, send these people away." They could have said, "Lord, this is a worship space and/or worship center - we don't feed the hungry!" And in a sense they did. But Jesus said to them, as Jesus says to us, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."

Churches that respond with care to the needs of their neighbors are the ones who grow. Churches who provide opportunities outside the church walls are the ones who are blessed for being faithful. Churches who care only about themselves and their needs are not really churches, but clubs. Do we need another club? What we really need are churches that love and serve.

Pray that during our time together before, during, and after General Conference, will be a time of loving and serving. Pray that you might be among those that lead the charge to help our neighbors with love and compassion.

PRAYER: Loving God, You supply all things; let us as individuals and as members of worship communities, be a part of responding and loving our neighbors. May we never forget the example of the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who modeled faithfulness and obedience. We pray in His name, amen.

Where is Your Trust?

Read Jeremiah 17:7-10. Key Verses: "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit." (v.7&8).

My paternal grandfather was named Carlos. He was an interesting and loving man. From him I received the gift of humor. He came to the Lord late in life, having never had time for church nor the things of God. When he did come to Jesus, look out. He did not learn to read until he was in his 50s and once he could, he loved reading the Bible. His favorite verse was about trust, much like this one, but his was Psalm 20:7. It reads differently in Spanish for "chariot" reads "coach" and has more of a modern meaning, for he loved his "coches." (Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." KJV). Though he had an assortment of what I would consider fine cars and those part-car, part-truck, the El Caminos and Rancheros, his trust was always in the Lord and not things. His bedtime prayers seemed meant for the neighborhood, for he prayed loud! He also had not air conditioning, so the neighbors could hear that if Carlos said he would pray for you, he prayed for you. My grandpa, materially speaking, never had much, but because of his trust in God, he had it all. Because of Carlos' trust in God, the little church in Alice never had to pay for someone to do their yard work or repairs, he did it all free. The rest of today's passage speaks of giving, that which God gives according to our hearts and minds, and in the case of my grandpa, God gave so much that Carlos had to give away of what he had.

Our churches should be filled with Carloses; people whose trust in in the Lord and live their lives that make true the power of verse 8: They're like trees planted by water, sending out roots, whose lives show faith instead of fear; fruits instead of frustration; gifts instead of gripes. But honestly, they're filled with people who trust things more than the One who gives all things. And their lives should it. Is it any wonder we find ourselves where we are?

Let our prayers for the Church begin today and trust God to change hearts and lives, to make real the promises of God's word.

PRAYER: Loving God, for the beauty of life, we are thankful. For the beauty and power of Your Word we are thankful as well. May the two come together in our hearts, minds, and service to and with You, for You and Yours; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Who is Strongest?

Read 2 Samuel 11:1-15.

The Bible is an honest book. It portrays no one, except Jesus, as perfect. In fact, those whose positions should be a vehicle for nearing perfection in love, are sometimes the ones farthest from God. Such is the case of David the King. In the palace he is far from the poetic God-seeker that he was in the pasture. From the rooftop of his house he has a good view of all the blessings that God has shared with him, but it is also from that view that he sees the temptation that begins his moral spiral away from God. The woman he sees and desires is portrayed only as a beautiful woman whose name we know. She is not credited with having said anything other than she was with child after the adulterous encounter with her king. The other person in this story is her husband, whose life is shown to be one of trust and strong character. Given the opportunity to return home from war, he maintains solidarity with the troops and his general, refusing to enjoy any of the privileges of home, including time with his wife. His obedience to the king proves to be the fate he suffered, of dying in the line of duty.

The question we can ask, who was the strongest and most influential in this story? Who was the most righteous? And we should also ask, in our roles and positions, how are we using them for the good of God's people? Are we truly trying to be loving and compassionate or are we simply looking out for ourselves?

PRAYER: Loving God, may it be that we stay connected to You especially during times of temptation and testing. May our moral compass stayed true to You and not our passions or pleasures. May it be that we and our churches seek to be about sacrifice and service. We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord, amen.

Checked Your Character Lately?

Read Esther 7:1-10.

The entire book of Esther is an interesting one. In fact, I could not choose a key verse from this passage. This passage is the one where the villain of the story, Haman, is at long last discovered and he receives his due punishment. His faults were ones I wish had long disappeared in us; racial hatred and envy, personal power lust, and selfishness. Esther, on the other hand has been a model of humility and trust in her uncle and in basic humanity. She is also raised as one who has trusted in the God of her people, which is also our God.

We can long argue as to what finally determines our character, but we cannot argue agains the power of God to change even the hardest of hearts, and that should be our prayer as we self-reflect on our own character and in our dealings with others. No one should ever believe that he or she is exactly at the point of perfection. Ours is a journey of perfection in love, as Wesley believed, and is one for all people called Methodist, not just ordained clergy. We are to love others and look for ways in which we can work towards bettering the conditions of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Social holiness begins with spiritual holiness and the two go hand-in-hand. May it be so for us today.

PRAYER: Loving God of us all, make my journey better as I seek to know You and Yours in deeper ways. Let me look beyond obvious differences of racial or cultural differences to the heart and soul found deep within others. May I also seek to know how I can work to make this world a better place, a place truly known as Your reign here on the earth. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Confirmation!

Read 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:6. Key Verses: "Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." (vvs. 15-16)

This morning in our district we are doing one of the things we do best, confirmation. We are having a rally for all the confirmands of the district in our largest church and with the Bishop being absent it falls to me to share the Word. It is an exciting challenge and one that causes me to pray all the more for these young men and women who are presenting themselves to Jesus Christ for full, professing membership in the Body of Christ. Something or someone has encouraged them to make this decision and so much lies ahead for them and for us. They are already the Church and add to that that they are the future of the church as well. I have been praying and wondering, Lord, who among them will take my place in the pulpit and in leadership roles of the church? Who among them is already a Sunday school teacher or helper? Who among them will be the chair of the church council? Who among them already knows You and has a deep personal relationship with You?

Two days ago, our daughter who is in nursing school and doing clinicals, witnessed the birth of a baby addicted to heroin. The mother, in her early 20s screamed all during the process and even my not-yet-fully-trained daughter knew that this was out of the ordinary. The mother confessed she had had a hit of heroin and declared also she did not want her newborn son. The child was born crying and shaking, his little body craving more of that dangerous drug that his mom had introduced to him while he was yet unborn. I pray, Lord, let there be no one in this confirmation class that will need the addiction and destruction of drugs, of any kind, for their bodies. My prayer is that Your grace will be sufficient for the challenges of life.

May the veil of non-relationship with God be removed from these confirmands' eyes and spirits. May I and the Church be that which shows them the Lord Jesus Christ Who removes all veils and reveals glory, love, and power. May it be that the future of the Church be strong and solid because of what we helped share with them today.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for this day and the gracious opportunity of sharing You to confirmands. We pray not only for these confirmands but for all confirmands everywhere who are soon professing their desire to join Your Church. May it be, dear God, that they will also profess their faith and love in You. We pray in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.

It's Harvest Time!

Read Matthew 21:33-40. Key Verse: "Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son.'"

How much God trusts us! In this passage of the landowner with the wine press and the watch tower, Jesus is using a common connecting point story to tell of His father's desire to be in the right relationship with all people, yet, as the listeners of Jesus' day well knew, the story of God having sent the prophets served for a time and later the people disobeyed God and so it went, a cycle of obedience and trust and disobedience and doubt. Finally, as John 3:16 reminds us, God sent His Son. The purpose of Jesus' coming was all positive. Jesus came not in wrath and anger, rather with love and compassion, to save the world, even a world that did not and sometimes does not want to be saved. We just celebrated the end result of that mission. As Jesus foretold in this story, He was grabbed and killed. Those who reject Jesus, the story says, will face their judgment when the landowner returns.

As General Conference approaches we face the question of how much we truly respect the "son," and how much we are truly respecting the son's purpose and plan for our lives as a church. How are we reaching others and sharing the story of the Son's first visit? How much are we putting into practice those teachings and lessons we learned from Jesus? Are we a church that truly loves one another as Jesus said in His new commandment?

May we pray for obedience to be ours. May our prayers also ask for a deeper, stronger faith to truly be those who are known because of our love for all the world.

PRAYER: Loving God, may we be aware that it is harvest time and there is much work yet to be done. Grant us strength and boldness to do the work yet to be done. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

PRAYER IS KEY TO LIFE!

Read Isaiah 65:17-25 Key Verse: Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.

There are several key verses in this passage; I recommend you read the passage again. In it are many promises of God to God's people, the first in the first verse of the passage: "For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind." God is a God of new creation. When we surrender our hearts and lives to God, God makes them new! When we seek to do God's will, God shows us a new way!

And the key verse selected for today is a promise regarding prayer. Prayer is our life's starting foundation, for it is through praying that we connect early in the day with God, and as we journey through the day, our prayers keep us focused and connected with the God of life and love. God's ears are big! As the verse says, while we are "yet speaking," God hears. And even greater? God answers all prayers! Not always the way we want, but we do know that our petition did go before God and we trust God to make God's will come true for our lives. And we trust God for our churches and whatever they may be facing today. Lift up your church, your pastors, your leaders, your volunteers, your members, and those yet to be members to God. Remember and claim the key verse: While we are yet praying, God will answer.

PRAYER: Loving God, how awesome it is to know that You hear and answer our prayers. May prayer take a greater role in my life and in the life of my church. May our churches turn to You in prayer asking for Your will to be done, not ours. We pray in Christ jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Do Not Fear

Read Haggai 2:1-9. Key Verse: My spirit abides among you; do not fear.

Churches close down. While this is a sad reality, it always hurts us to see that where once a worshiping community met now stands closed. The saddest are those boarded up and neglected, with weeds and tall grass serving as a stay away warning. We wonder, did this church lose its focus and close down as a result of misguided intentions? The truth is that a true connection with God was lost and the people cared to listen to each other instead of God and where their focus may have once, or never, been on the mission field, they chose to leave the building and go elsewhere.

The story in today's passage deals with the exiles returning back to find their temple is now in ruins, the question is asked if it can be restored to that splendor which still lives in their memories and the answer is yes. Anywhere the Spirit of God abides, anything is possible. That's the message for us, no matter how bleak we may see things, we must trust in God, listen to God and do the things we know God would have us do.

In all things, God has the last word.

PRAYER: Loving God of hope and love, speak to us again and again of Your strength to overcome all things. Speak to us of the possible and empower us to do Your will to reach this who do not yet know you. We pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Got Spirit?

Read Exodus 32:1-14. Key Verse: Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, "I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.' "

The stories in the Bible are our stories. What Israel does is usually something we have done, and it's usually the bad stuff. Today's passage is one of those things. Israel was richly blessed with the gift of freedom. You and I have been richly blessed with the gift of freedom from our sins. Israel, with God's help, faced death at many turns and lived to tell about it, so have we. The people of Israel were blessed with evidence of God's presence and power, yet they turned away. So have we. We have a wonderful worship experience in church or at a retreat setting and then we face something for which we want a rapid answer and we start looking for our own solutions and answers without waiting on GOD. Exactly, what Israel did.

God is faithful and just and through want we have just celebrated, God has blessed us with new life and the fullness/abundance of life- how can we turn away from that? Sadly, it is easy. We are by nature an impatient people, made more so by all the advances and inventions of our day. How easily we forget that God has even addressed this in God's gift of the Holy Spirit; "22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness," (Galatians 5:22)

Could it be we need to seek living in the Spirt and letting the Spirit live in us? Imagine the difference.

PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit, into my heart and into the heart of my church. Bless us with these fruits of love, my, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. In Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.

Your Choice!

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

You've heard it said, "Your attitude determines your altitude" as well as the King James version of the proverb (23:7), "as a man thinketh, so he is.". The truth is that these quotes as well as today's text, are right. If we choose to rejoice that sets in motion an attitude of cheer. I've always thought that rejoice meant to have joy over and over again, thus the "re" in that word. Keep in mind the challenges and sufferings of early Christians, it was easy to give up and to be discouraged. The writer knew that his readers in that time as well as today could begin their day with a decision to have joy in their heart. The next step was to be in a state of prayer all the time, a worshipful setting of conversation with God, a constant connection with God. Then the last verse, to be thankful in all settings. You've known people like that. Why can't we be the same?

This is true for the Church. Ours is a gracious task to share the good news of God's love and yet we find in so many of them attitudes of despair and defeat. We have a choice each day as individuals and as churches, why choose that which can "steal, kill, and destroy?" (John10:10)

PRAYER: God of power and might, let me choose to follow Your Word and to be a person of joy, prayer, and thankfulness today and all days. Mi ask this in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.

Resurrection Power!

Read Mark 16:1-8. Key Verse: But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here."

Resurrection power! The power of the Creator to make all things can make the dead rise from the dead and that is what we celebrate today. To the women first, then the disciples, the message at first was not believed because fear is a powerful foe to defeat. Yet, in resurrection, God defeated more than fear, God defeated sin and God defeated death.

The resurrection message is for all days not just Easter Sunday and the power of resurrection is ours in all things even our churches. We who proclaim resurrection need to claim resurrection!

PRAYER: Loving God of Resurrection Power bring to my life and the life of my church, new, wonderful, compassionate, wonder-working life! In the Name of the Resurrected One I pray, amen.

Led or Fled?

Read John 19:38-42. Key Verse: They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

In the church, twenty percent of the people do the majority of the work. Sadly, it was no different immediately after the Crucifixion of the Lord. The "key "leaders fled in fear. One after having denied Him. This passage names only two, and possibly some unnamed of their servants, who asked for the body and initially prepared it for burial. Joseph of Arimethea with his connections secures release of the body and Nicodemus bribgs 100 lbs of spices with which to prepare Jesus for burial. A new, unused tomb is used for Jesus.

What role do you play in the life of your church? Are you among the 20% who do most of the work or among the invisible 80% When it really counts? Do you flee when volunteers are needed to take down chairs and tables or help at the soup kitchen? When you see a person in need so you wish your pastor was there to deal with it instead of you? And we wonder why our Church is in the shape that it is?

PRAYER: Loving God, may I be among those who stand ready to serve. Forgive me those times I have fled or hidden in fear. In the name of He who needs you and me, Jesus the Christ, amen.

The Power of This Day

Read John 18:1—19:42. Key Verse:  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 

Today has always been on a certain level a sad day.  I long wondered how it could be called "Good Friday" when everything done to Jesus was bad.  But when I learned of what Jesus did for me and you, I realized the good of Good Friday.  A dear price had to be paid, and Jesus paid it.  I realized the great love of God for me was proved on that day and the truth of John 3:16 became real.

The story of today is too important to keep quiet or to ourselves.  It is a message that our churches have to share, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

PRAYER:  Awesome God, open the mouth of every church to boldly and loudly proclaim the power of this day.  In Jesus I pray, amen.

How Are You Known?

Read John 13: 1-7; 31b-35. Key Verse: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (v. 35)

It takes only 90 seconds for a first time guest to your church to know if she or he is ever going to return. Ninety-seconds! What does a guest learn at your church? From my experiences I have learned that in some churches longtime friends congregate together in some tightly knit ways that don't open up for guests. Oh, they may turn from their circle to smile and either hand you a bulletin or smile, but rarely has love been seen in those churches. But thank God, that in some churches, there is love seen almost immediately and people go out of their way to welcome you and make you feel a part of the family.

The passage of Maundy Thursday has in the new commandment that Jesus gave to His disciples that they love one another. And as the key verse says that by the way they showed that love would people know they were disciples of Jesus. Is that true in your life? Is that true in the life of your church?

We have a long way to go in most United Methodist Churches when it comes to showing love and loving others. We have to conquer the ages old -isms that keep people from feeling at home and wanting to join our "families." What are you doing to counter and change that?

PRAYER: Loving God, may it be true of me and this dear reader, that we will be known for our love for You and for one another. Help our Church recognize the need we have to truly love another. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Faith is Our Platform

Read Isaiah 49: 1-7.  Key Verse: Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." (v. 7)

Troubled times do not last, though it seems that way.  Suffering gives way to victory.  The passage for today spoke to the heart of Jesus as it should speak to us, the Church.  Pending death for He who died for us, would not be the end, nor shall it be that way for us.  Faith is that platform from which great leaps can be made.  And the greatest faith sometimes comes from those times that drive us to our knees in prayer.  The one who realizes that it is God who holds the answers is the one who can best lead.

Our prayers for our church should be the building blocks of a great platform from which we will leap to do the great things of and for, God.
 
PRAYER:  Loving God, grant us faith on which to build our lives.  May we realize and accept that we must serve and sacrifice faithfully.  In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

A WORLD-WIDE GOD

Read ISAIAH 49:1-7; JOHN 12:20-36 Key Verse: "I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’"

The passage from the prophet Isaiah speaks of One called to minister to the earth. He mentions that this was a "servant" known even while forming in the womb. One who would be a "light to the nations," with a plan of "salvation" that would "reach to the end of the earth." Salvation is that restored relationship with God, reached when one realizes that with all the baggage of sin burdening our hearts we are going nowhere, but when God removes that sin upon our confession, we become a new creation, ready to receive and to share love. Salvation is that which leads us to new life, beyond just existence, to what Jesus called "abundant life" or "life to the fullest." And so it is with those who know, love, and trust Jesus; a life that goes beyond just breathing; a life filled with joy and wonder and opportunities for serving and helping.

As we pray for the coming General Conference of The United Methodist Church, may we pray that all delegates may be reminded of that wonderful relationship that is still available for us all, and that we have a task to take that message out of Tampa into all the world, until everyone has heard and everyone has had a chance to respond.

PRAYER: Loving God, may our prayers bless and protect all delegates, and may our prayers bring new life to our Church through You. We cannot do it without You. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Holding the Hand of God

Read Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11. Key Verse: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isa. 42:6-7)

We as the Church represent Christ in all things, especially justice. And we must ask, in all things, what would Jesus say, think, and do in this matter? Where is the place we can show care and compassion? Our choice may be more prophetic than popular. We may even drive out some, but others will come in their place.

We as the Church must stop choosing our comfort over caring and compassion; rest over risk, and cute over courageous. We might even start doing things that are outrageous! After all, we are holding the hand of God, the One who cares for all.

PRAYER: Dear God, hold the hand of my church. Let us be all aboutYou and Yours, and not about the selfish trinity; me, myself, and I. In the Name of He who showed the Way, amen.

Have You Seen Jesus?

Read John 20:24-31. Key Verse: Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (v. 29)

You and I as believers are blessed by Jesus, for we came to faith without having seen the physical Jesus. There are still many "Thomases" who demand proof so that they may come to faith. They will be waiting a long time. You and I have seen the physical work of Jesus in loving acts, kind words, passionate sermons, answered prayers, the works and beauty of nature; such are the blessings Jesus spoke of.

The Church is the physical presence of Jesus in the world today. We serve as the hands, feet, lips, and heart of Jesus even to those who demand "to see" Jesus. Our task is ever before us and Christ is ever with us!

PRAYER: Blessed God, pour out Your strength upon Your Church to awaken us to truly be Christ for the world. In Jesus we pray, amen.

What Song Does Nature Sing?

Read Psalm 19:1-6. Key Verse: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. (v. 1)

Even in the roar of silence we cannot hear God, for our thoughts outweigh God and our passions define who we seek to be. Yet, the Psalmist says, listen closely and even nature speaks for God. A lovely sunset, a spectacular sunrise, a thunder storm, a cloudless day, or a starry night, all tell of the glory of God. The wildflowers in bloom this time of year along our highways also join that chorus of splendid hallelujahs to the wonders of God. What message could God possibly be speaking to us?

If we listen, here's what I believe we can hear:

1. God is still in control.
2. The way God ordered the heavens and the earth is the way God can order our lives.
3. The wisdom needed to create is the wisdom needed to sustain.
4. The power of God to stir the storms is the same power that calms the seas.

May it be so in our lives and in the lives of our churches.

PRAYER: Creator God, bring calm and peace to the needs of my life and my church. May Your power bring new creation even where there seems to be no hope. In Jesus I pray, amen.

Neighbors?

Read Luke 10:25-37. Key Verse: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. (v. 27)

"What can save my church?" is a question most church- goers are asking these days, United Methodists not exempt. The real answer is to ask, what must we do to allow God to change our hearts towards those whom we fail to recognize as our neighbors?

The above passage is known by most as "The Good Samaritan". This is a story told by Jesus to demonstrate the lack of compassion on the part of those whom we would assume should and would have compassion to care, but Jesus knew the hearts of many then as now, care little or nothing about those different than themselves. And in this story shows that even those from whom nothing or little is expected, are the only ones who care and compassion.

As our neighborhoods change so should our churches. If our new neighbors dress or talk differently from us we should change our hearts towards accepting and welcoming them. Then we will be loving our neighbors as ourselves.

PRAYER: Loving God, transform my heart to be a disciple that loves You in all ways and all my neighbors as myself. May I realize that "neighbors" are not limited to my neighborhood. Amen.

One Holy Habit to Have

Read Mark 1:35-39 Key Verse: While it was still night, way before dawn, (Jesus) got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.

We cannot underscore the importance and power of prayer in our lives. We have as our model Jesus, who made time to pray. Jesus felt the need to stay connected with God, and gave us the model of using prayer as worship and prayer as way not only to talk with God, but to listen for God as well. Jesus' every word and miracles was connected to the way He spent time in prayer. Time spent with God in solitude and quiet prepared Him for the loud distracting noises He would encounter during his daily life.

A second key verse would be verse 39 of the power Jesus used after He prayed to "preach and to cast out demons." (paraphrase mine). Imagine how much more we could do if we spent more time in prayer, talking and listening to God.

Stop for a moment and consider all the people all over the world who are in prayer for the coming General Conference. Each is asking for God to lead, bless, and direct the future of our Church. Each is asking a blessing to come your way. Won't you join in and ask God to bless the one praying for you?

PRAYER: Loving God, may Your rich and wonderful and sometimes unexplainable blessings for this reader be made evident today. May we all join together in praying for our Church to reach more and truly be the Church You called us to be. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

God's Wisdom, not Mine

Read 1 Kings 2:1-4; 3:1-9. Key Verse: keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.(v 2:3)

This passage is about a father and son, David and Solomon. The father seeks to give counsel to the son, and the son actually seeks God's counsel, but we know the life story of the son and how he did not always listen to God. As he prospered his listening to God was not what it should have been, and soon he listened to no one except himself and as a result all that he sought to gain for the good of the nation was lost.

God's wisdom should be what we seek in all things, not ours. As we pray, we worship and we talk to God, but as we say our Amen, we are indeed saying, "God, it is Your turn to talk and my turn to listen," and the blessing of wisdom will be ours.

How noisy have our churches become with so many voices that think they are speaking God's wisdom that we no longer listen to God? Is this true in your church? Is this true for you? May it be that as we pray for General Conference we might indeed say, "Loving God speak to me/us, so that I/we may hear what You would have for us to do and be."

PRAYER: Lord, may the distractions of the noise around us not drown out Your voice. Help me to listen and hear that which You speak to us. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

GOD CAN STILL MOVE IN OUR MIDST!

Read Isaiah 35. Key Verse: Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."

It is hard to choose a "key verse" in such a beautiful and powerful passage as is this short chapter of Isaiah. It is a passage of promise and hope and speaks even today to all who might have fear in their heart or in their church. It is a message to endure, to press on, and to not be discouraged about what God has, is, and will do in our midst. What seems impossible to us today, God will make real.

One of my children's favorite movies is "The Lion King," though there is a part in it where as this passage from Isaiah says is like "the haunt of jackals." That part of the movie is dark and scary; much like some days in our lives. But the overall theme of this writer's purpose is to share God's word about what God will do to get us out of that day of darkness and hopelessness. Last night a pastor called to share an "Amen" week that she is having. It goes with what Isaiah wrote, for this pastor is seeing and rejoicing in what God promises as they face and are defeating a financial challenge. My favorite quote from her was that people who had never before committed to God financially are now giving, and all are experiencing the joy of presence of God moving in their midst.

May it be so for all of the United Methodist churches throughout the world. May the General Conference be but the start of a new movement of God's Spirit in our midst.

PRAYER: Start in me, Holy One, and let me be a part of the hope and joy that is yet to come. In Jesus I pray, amen!

God's Dwelling Place

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Key Verse: may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 23b)

To sanctify means to make sacred or holy. Today's verses are short but powerful. It speaks of the power God has to make what we might deem as normal, holy. And it speaks of the need for this in our bodies and souls. Our bodies, we ask? What business does God have in our bodies? All business. The Bible speaks of the body being the temple of God and yet some of us sometimes treat it like a place where we welcome anything or anyone but not God. What do we allow God to do in our bodies to glorify God? Do we not pray for healing when we are sick? Should we not seek to stay well by helping God with what we do to our bodies? The promise at the end of today's passage speaks of God's faithfulness to do just that.

The question we also can ask is what condition or shape our churches are in. And not just physically, but in our spiritual life as a corporate entity? Are we serving God or serving ourselves? May our prayer be that as General Conference approaches we would commit ourselves and our churches to being healthy before God and open to God's power to change us for the better.

PRAYER: Loving God, remind me daily that this body I have is Yours and I should treat it as Your dwelling place. May my church also continue to be Your dwelling place as well. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Is Your Church Grieving?

Read Psalm 31. Key Verse: Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. (v. 31)

As we continue to hear reports of our denomination's decline here in the USA it has become evident that a lot of our churches are grieving. Their life as a church mirror the words of the psalmist. There is one verse that speaks of his having "passed out of mind like one who is dead; I (we?) have become like a broken vessel. (v. 12). Many grieving churches act out as one whose "mind" is "dead," and make decisions that do not bless anyone or anything but caters to the fear felt out of this grief. But the key is that God is the Potter and our churches, like this psalmist, must recognize we are "vessels" which the Potter can make new.

Our prayers should be prayers of hope and faith in the powerful hands of the One who made all things. God as Creator and Potter not only creates, but mends, and makes new the old and broken. May a new heart and a new purpose come into all churches so that one day soon, great celebrations will erupt from those whose churches are again new vessels of hope and transformation for those new disciples that will be made, for the transformation of the world.

PRAYER: Dear God, may it be so. Amen.

Christians and Fear

Read John 20: 19-23. Key Verse: Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (V. 21)

The theme for many who call themselves Christians is fear. That is a contradiction of faith, yet, like the disciples, we are not exempt from it. The 12 were locked in this Upper Room out of fear, praying and waiting. Come to think of it, praying and waiting is not a bad foundation to have during times of fear. Our churches going through times of fear should learn from this. We pray and wait until we are visited once again by Jesus' Holy Spirt. Then the work will truly begin again!

PRAYER: come, Holy Spirit into those places of fear in our hearts. You can't miss them, they're the ones with shadows of coming night. Shine brightly the light and power of peace. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Where God Dwells

Read 1 Kings 8:27-30 Key Verse: Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

I loved taking classes on the Old Testament because of the professor. Each class was an adventure as he made pages from an old, old book become new. Everything he said about the book I believed and treasured. I remember his emphasis on the passage where God declares that a home for God was not necessary for God dwelt in all the earth. Yet, with the power and wealth of Kings David and Solomon, came the order that they could now afford and should build a house. This passage deals with Solomon's wrestling with the ancient idea; God dwells everywhere, how could this house that hands have built possibly contain God? Yet, the "deal" that Solomon is making with God is still with the people of Israel as found in the key verse: Even as people pray to this house, hear in heaven these prayers and forgive those who ask.

Yet, we know that God as big as God is, can choose to come into the routine of our lives and it was exactly what God did in the pages of the New Testament. God, through Jesus, came into the smallness of Bethlehem, and moved about the earth bringing further proof of God's love for us. We still have the job of sharing that love with all. Why do some keep it hidden? Why are some content with just being about the Church and not about the people outside of the walls of the church?

As we pray for the days of General Conference to come, let us also pray that God would continue the movement that has been started in our hearts to love and care beyond our churches, to truly be people of God, who seek to reach all. May our prayer help us make new disciples who truly want the world transformed.

PRAYER: God of the universe, enter again into the spaces of my life in such a way that I might share You with others. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

LEST WE FORGET

Read Deuteronomy 26:4-11 Key Verse: The Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders

Most of us can never forget from where we came. The joy and memories of our old places serve to bless our lives. If we came from a hard and difficult place, that serves to remind us that we never want to return to such a place. If we were confined to a bed with illness or if we were incarcerated by an addiction, we truly never want that for our lives ever again. But if God delivered us from such places we should stop and remember and give thanks in celebration for the power of God in such circumstances.

Our churches should have open doors to allow all who want to come in and give thanks for the way God has delievered or transformed their lives. Our open doors also serve to allow us to go out of our churches to reach those who need to hear of God's great power to deliver and make whole.

You and I have that opportunity to share what God has done in and through us. God is not finished with us.

Prayer: Loving God may our hearts always be open to give thanks to You for what You did to deliver us from our past. May our minds be open to new visions of how to more effectively go forth and serve You. We pray for our churches, our church leaders, our pastors, our district superintendents, our bishops, that we may receive at General Conference a new plan and purpose for our life as United Methodists to faithfully serve You. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Walking in Light

Read Matthew 4: 12-16. Key Verse: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." (v. 16)

This verse comes at a time of great sadness for Jesus. His cousin, John the Baptist, had been arrested and Jesus knew what would be the outcome of that arrest and so He withdrew to be alone in a new area. His very presence in this area Matthew says is a fulfillment of prophecy. A land known for its darkness has now seen a great light. Indeed, the verse says, people who have walked in darkness have seen this great light.

Our prayers for our upcoming General Conference are for a people that have seen a great light, embraced Him and excitedly shared Jesus with many. Yet, some of them are now walking in the shadow of death for most churches, while others are enjoying new life and great response to the Gospel.

How will you respond to the light?

PRAYER: Lord, help me to turn towards You and Your light. May I know the light can defeat the darkness and the forces of darkness. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.