March 20. 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Angels in Our Lives

Angels in Our Lives

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. ~ PSALM 91:11

Miraculously, God places “angels” in our lives to help us along the way on our personal and sometimes solitary path. I can count many angels in my life and think you can too. My cousin Louise guides me as my heart angel. Louise and I were born eight days apart. We have been best friends all our lives. Even from birth we were connected as more than cousins in so many wonderful ways, but we didn’t appreciate it as much as we do now. We have received a gradual and extraordinary gift from our Father in Heaven.

Every day we celebrate our relationship by communicating through email. We talk about everything girls of all ages talk about. We support each other and are always there no matter when, no matter what. We laugh, we cry, we reassure, and we celebrate our love for the Lord and each other.

My angel and I are now 76 years old (but don’t tell anyone because we don’t look it). We have found over the years that we are almost identical in our personalities, our thoughts, our preferences, and our hearts. We’ve talked through childhood traumas together and rejoiced as young adults and as senior citizens. We manage to get sick together and have the same experiences, thoughts, and feelings. At first this was more than a little strange, but now we are used to this gift, and it is wonderful. We live alone, but not really, because we always have each other. Louise lives in Arizona and I live in New Jersey, but somehow we have traveled the same paths no matter where they have led us, even across 3000 miles. God has given these two single, senior, cat-loving ladies a very special life gift. Thank you, God, for my angel cousin, Louise.

Look for your angels in your life and treasure them each day.

Give your worries to the Angels. It’s time to heal your heart. Every day’s a new beginning Where love and hope can start. Give your worries to the Angels. Release your doubt and fear. Trust in God to always be there With Angels always near.(Angelstar Worry Stone poem)

ELIZABETH CHIPMAN, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 19, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Serious Fishing Competition

Serious Fishing Competition

Then He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ~ MATTHEW 4:19 (NKJV)

I enjoy fishing, but I have never been in a fishing competition or tournament. I refer to all my fishing equipment as “underachievers.” You see, I usually don’t catch many fish. But I tell my wife, Judy, that I catch the smart ones; the ones that are the hardest to catch.

You and I are expected to follow the fishing instructions Jesus gave to Simon, Andrew, James, and John. That is, we are to be “fishers of men.” Unlike regular fishermen, Jesus does not want us to use bait or lures to catch potential recruits for Him. Instead, He tells us to “cast a net,” the Gospel, over those we encounter. During that time of sharing the Gospel, we should also give our own personal account of what Jesus has done in our lives.

No one said all this would be easy. What makes it more difficult is that we are competing against Satan, who is also fishing. Satan is not about casting a net; he is all about using baits and lures to entrap us and pull us away from the way Jesus wants us to live. Satan is constantly fishing. In 1 John 2:15-16 (NRSV), John tells us the three baits that Satan uses to entice us. These are (1) desire of the flesh, (2) desire of the eyes, and (3) pride in riches. Satan doesn’t need to use any other bait because those three have worked well for thousands of years.

As long as we concentrate on being fishers of men every day and remain diligent of Satan’s methods, we can better equip ourselves. We will also be better able to instruct others on how to be strong in their faith. Remember, the competition is constant.

As fishers of men, we are not restricted to certain areas or times of the year. The fishing area (mission field) is right outside our front door and everywhere else, and it’s open season all year long. When Jesus ascended into Heaven, it then became our job to continue His work on earth. So cast your net as Jesus told us to do. And if you get nothing in your net, keep trying. As fishers of men, imagine if each of us could successfully cast a net over one or more people each year. Fishers of men are greatly needed — no bait required.

Lord, you have equipped us to be fishers of men. Lead us daily along your paths and away from the ways of the evil one. Show us where to cast our nets. Amen.

TED FRETT, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 18, 2019 Lent Daily Devotion" New Wine

New Wine

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins. ~ MARK 2:22 (NLT)

My late wife was diabetic and wore an insulin pump. During her final week in the hospital, the nurse removed the pump, put it into “suspend mode,” and handed it to me saying, “Kim won’t be needing this.” Every 15 minutes, the pump beeps to remind you that it’s in suspend mode.

Over the past 31⁄2 years since Kim passed away, I’ve kept fresh batteries in the pump to keep it going. Its “beep BEEP beep” has a strange way of occurring at pointed moments, often when I am praying or reading the Bible. When one of these moments occurs, I usually record it in my journal.

In August, I was reading Mark 2:22, “... new wine calls for new wineskins.” As soon as I read the words “new wineskins,” the pump added an exclamation point by beeping.

After entering this event in my journal, I glanced upward to an entry I had written in April. The pump had beeped when I was reading Luke 5:37, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins.” Was it “coincidence” that the pump “happened to beep” on these two parallel passages from two different books, months apart? I don’t think so!

In the preparation for this Lenten season, we remember that God makes all things new, filling us with the new wine of hope. But we can’t see (or hear) the hope unless we keep our “spiritual batteries” fresh. And we can’t receive the hope unless we’re ready to change — to become “new wineskins.”

Losing my wife and becoming “single again” is constantly bringing change into my life. Some of these changes are especially difficult, and I tend to resist them. And yet my faith keeps growing. I’m grateful for God’s patience in molding my life into “new wineskins” and for His grace in pouring “new wine” into my life.

Gracious God, thank you for your patience. Even as we cling to our “old wineskins” and fail to see the hope that you offer, you keep knocking at the door of our hearts. During this Lenten season, help us to “renew our wineskins” so that we can receive the new life that you want to pour into us.

LARRY BAKELY, PITMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 17, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Legacy of Faith

Legacy of Faith

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. ~ PSALM 119:111 (TNIV)

As a young girl growing up in Kentucky, I traveled with my family most summers to a Holiness camp 12 hours away in Georgia. The camp lasted for 10 days during the second week of July so it was always hot and sticky with no air conditioning to be found. While this may not sound like an ideal family vacation to you, I’m glad that my parents thought it was. You see, it was there in a sweltering tabernacle at a dusty altar that my 11-year- old heart accepted Jesus as my Savior.

Now, I grew up in a Christian home, and we attended our small Methodist church whenever the doors were open. But there was just something special about getting away from the distractions of home, friends, and the ordinary that allowed the Holy Spirit the freedom to speak to my heart. By example, my parents showed us that Christians (no matter how long you’ve been a believer) need to spend time learning more about God and being in fellowship with other Christians. Those 10 days became a priority for our family, and the place became holy ground. It was there I was exposed to godly teaching, to missionaries from around the world, and to Asbury University (where I later went to college and met my husband). The friend- ships and memories made have been life lasting.

Even now when I smell pine trees on a hot summer day or drink a glass of sweet tea, I’m transported to that holy place. I’m thankful for the legacy of faith, and I rejoice in the godly heritage I’ve been given.

Do you have special memories of a time or place when God met you in a significant way? Are you passing on a legacy of faith to your children (or a friend’s children) or grandchildren so they have the opportunity to grow in Christ? If not, today is a good day to begin. Why wait?

Father, thank you for those in our lives who by example have shown us how we can come to know you better. Help us pass on this legacy of faith so others may share in this rich inheritance.

DORENA SMITH, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 16, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Hello, Is It Really You God?

Hello, Is It Really You God?

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. ~ PSALM 5:3 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ PHILIPPIANS 4:6 (NIV)

As children, we learn that God answers prayer. We question how God will answer us. Will He call on the telephone, or maybe send a letter? As we mature in our faith journey, we come to realize there are many ways God speaks to us.

For example, I have personally experienced visual pictures and have witnessed visions come true. I have received pictures to confirm a vision. However, what I did not understand at the time was the storm that was to come from my visions. I was reminded in Isaiah 41:13 that the Lord God will take me by my right hand and not to fear; He is with me. I felt encouraged to continue with a particular prayer request I had been making. Repetitive prayer is good. God never gets tired of hearing from us.

After a period of time I began to suspect that God was sending me messages again. My dilemma: Was it really God or was it my mind playing tricks? How was I to know? I began to question my faith. Not in God, but in my interpreting the message, because it was so important to my prayer request and I wanted the message to be from God, not my imagination.

Then, on the way home from a visit with friends in late September 2017 as I was gazing out the window (I was not driving), a very large billboard came into view. The picture message on that billboard was clear to me, and I felt God saying, “Hang in there. I know we have a deadline; all is well.”

A few more weeks went by. On a Thursday evening about 8:30, our telephone rang with a message that God had answered my prayer. On the following Monday around 1:00 p.m., I received a picture via text message from my daughter, and later that same day I held our answered prayer in my arms — our new granddaughter!

God reminded me again: “In my time.” You just never know if, how, or when prayer will be answered.

Thank you, God, for the privilege and blessing of prayer. We ask that we may understand the answer, no matter how it is delivered.

BONNIE HACKNEY, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

March 15, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Grace in the Middle of Darkness

Grace in the Midst of Darkness

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

~ ZECHARIAH 12:10 (ESV)

As I was sitting at my desk flipping through the news stations to find the local weather predictions, the forecast was bleak. According to the meteorologist, we could expect rain — and a great deal of it. The last thing I wanted to hear was this report, as it would severely affect my plans. Waters had already saturated the ground, and I wondered how much water we would get in the basement this time. This weather report was followed by a story of a 15-year-old boy who lost a five-year battle with cancer. Then the local anchorman announced the total number of U.S. men and women who had given their lives overseas. How pitiful my concerns seemed in comparison. When we hear stories like these, we are left asking ourselves, “When will this end? When will there be relief?”

When tough times are before us, we can feel battered and worn, but we will never be completely broken. We travel through this Lenten season of repentance feeling the weight of our sin, the guilt of our actions, and the burden of living in a world stained by sin. Yet, we are still able to smile as we can see Easter on the horizon.

As God promised the Israelites through the prophet Zechariah, He promises us now: “I will pour out ... a Spirit of grace and pleas for mercy ....” We are truly blessed to be a part of a community of believers in our churches. It is a blessing to be able to walk through that church door, enter the sanctuary, and be a part of “the house of David.” The blessings we receive through the Word and Sacrament will continually flow down upon us as we face our daily trials and tribulations.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your almighty presence. As we repent of our sins, we know that you forgive us even now. Teach us to continually sing your praises as we recall, enjoy, and look forward to the blessings that you will continue to pour on us. In Jesus’ name, we pray this. Amen.

PASTOR RICHARD WORKMAN

In memory of Richard Workman, who died July 18, 2018. Pastor Workman served at Zion Community Church for 16 years. He had written this for the 2010 devotional book.

March 14, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Change?

Change?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~ HEBREWS 13:8 (NIV)

Let’s face it, change is hard. We all have things that bring us comfort — a favorite sweater, familiar faces, or comfort food (like ice cream!). But things have a way of changing. That sweater wears out, those familiar faces leave, and sometimes doctors nix our favorite foods. Our health changes, our churches change, and our relationships change too.

Yet, is change always bad? OK, losing the ice cream is rough, but sometimes change is a good thing. New interests emerge, and new friendships are made. We get stretched and pushed out of our comfort zone, only to realize that we have new strengths and abilities.

Change isn’t good just for the sake of change. There are times when doing things the former way is what was best all along. Our challenge every day is to seek God’s best, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.

Every day He offers us opportunities to reach out to others and make a difference in their lives. We can “change” their day by reaching out — stopping and looking them in the eye, being present in the moment, and listening with an open heart and mind. That sharing and caring is transforming in their lives and ours.

When we turn to the Lord and ask Him to help us and guide us, He will. He’ll change us to be more like Him — loving, gentle, kind, forgiving. God blesses us and supports us every day, and we have the privilege of blessing and supporting others. Remember, no matter what is going on, we can always take comfort that Jesus remains the same. He doesn’t change. He promises to be with us through it all (even if that change is cutting back on ice cream!).

Dear Lord, thank you that in every change, we can always depend on you.

SUE DIETSCHE, BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

March 13, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: We Are One of God’s Masterpieces

We Are One of God’s Masterpieces

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ EPHESIANS 2:10 (NLT)

This past Christmas I visited my 97-year-old neighbor. When I went into her home, I found her sitting on her sofa pedaling her little stationary peddler. She told me she pedals at least 15 minutes a day, and sometimes longer. I asked her why she does this. She answered, “To keep me going. I don’t want to die just sitting in my chair.”

My friend, Millie, can hardly see. She is bent over because of a very bad back. And she is hard of hearing. She has heart problems and skin cancer. You would think this would get her down. But no, she just keeps on pedaling. She runs her vacuum and washes her windows. Two years ago she crocheted 13 small blankets for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home.

Millie says we should do something and then sit down, rest a bit, and continue doing what we were doing until finished. Good advice! We all are getting older, but we don’t have to let it get to us. Some of us have more health issues than others, but we struggle on with smiles on our faces (most of the time). We can still take care of ourselves, and we can still do for each other.

As we all know, God is with us at all times, through the rough parts and through the good. God has been there for each and every one when we needed Him most. As today’s verse says, we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

We continue to do what He wants us to do because we are His “masterpiece.” God has molded us into His faithful followers, for doing His work for the church and community and for one another. God is not done with us. So we continue to do His work with smiling faces and glad hearts.

Father, thank you for taking care of us and helping us to do your will. Amen.

JANE KOPONICK, EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH