March 28, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Awe and Wonder of the Gospel

Awe and Wonder of the Gospel

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ~ JOHN 3:16-17 (KJV)

As a Certified Nurse Assistant in home health care, I have the honor to be caregiver to dementia and memory care clients. Every day we sing hymns together. One client specifically sings, “Preacher, you ought to been there for my Lord.” Then she pauses to speak adamantly, “You know, the preacher should’ve been there for my Lord! He should have been there to STOP Jesus from being crucified on the cross!”

Daily I have the privilege to recount the awe and wonder of the Gospel to her. I explain that the preacher, you, and I should have been there in awe and wonder to witness that Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. He loved us that much to take our place. I explain that Peter tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross, but Jesus pointed at Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.” I recount Peter cutting off the ear of the soldier with his sword and Jesus healing the soldier.

Jesus could have called on a legion of angels at any time to keep from going to the cross. Jesus was without sin and was the pure Sacrificial Lamb who took our place during Passover. Jesus wanted to take away our sin and reconcile us to God. It is a mystery to us that Jesus was willing to take our place, but He did.

I quote John 3:16-17, and then my client proceeds to sing again those two verses from an Easter cantata she sang at some time in her life.

This season of Lent, “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. Selah.” (Psalm 4:4)

LORD, after all the words are said, I simply bring myself to stand in awe and wonder of the Gospel of Christ and how I have the privilege and honor to testify to your love for us sinners. With gratitude, I stand at the base of the cross and see the pure Lamb of God who takes away our sins. To God be the glory. Amen.

DIANA MCMILLION, NORTH RALEIGH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 27, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Leaning on the Lord

Leaning on the Lord

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~ MATTHEW 11:28 (NIV)

After the holiday season, there are some days when I feel so tired. The days are dark and dreary with impending winter storms in the forecast. I find myself becoming sad, depressed, and moody. In my office I sit next to the window every day and wonder, “Will the sun ever shine? Is it spring yet?” Perhaps I suffer from SAD* (Seasonal Affective Disorder). That’s when I truly lean on the Lord. He’s my everlasting Sonshine!

Putting myself in His loving arms, I start humming ... “I have blessed peace with my Lord so near ...”

What have I to dread?
What have I to fear?
Leaning on the everlasting arms
I have blessed peace
With my Lord so near
Leaning on the everlasting arms**

To find daily joy, I watch for God’s blessing of the multitude of birds enjoying the feeder outside my window. I keep it filled with their favorite seed. Suet cakes hang nearby, and peanuts are in the wreath. The bright red cardinals and squawking blue jays are my favorites. Smiling at their frenzied activity lightens my mood, and I am thankful to God for sending me what I need just when I need it most. Then, lo and behold, the sun pops out, too! Such blessings and hope!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for watching over me every day. You know my needs before I do and provide for me always and in all ways! Continue to care for me, my family and friends, and all your beloved creatures here on earth. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, amen.

KATHY CHANDO, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

* Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons.** Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Anthony J. Showalter and Elisha Hoffman. Hymn based on Deuteronomy 33:27: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

March 26, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: How Much Oil Is In Your Lamp?

How Much Oil Is In Your Lamp?

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ~ MATTHEW 25: 2-4 (NIV)

My daily regimen includes reading through the Bible. I am currently in the beginning books of the Old Testament. I see many references to olive oil. I did the obvious and searched the internet. My reference source is Daily Bible Study, www.keyway.ca, “Olive Oil” by Wayne Blank.

Olive oil is still used today, and it symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us that enables us to carry out God’s work in this world.

This article identifies uses of olive oil in ancient days. It was used for many reasons: (1) to light lamps, (2) to anoint someone or something for a special purpose, (3) to be a portion of the offerings made by the Israelites, (4) to assist with medicinal needs, and (5) to prepare deceased bodies for burial.
As I reflect upon those uses, I see that we might apply uses of olive oil in a symbolic way to our daily lives. With olive oil representing the Holy Spirit: (1) Our path is illuminated to show us the way. (2) We are anointed and set apart for a purpose. (3) We offer ourselves to others and to the Lord for His service. (4) The Holy Spirit helps heal us from harmful feelings that may result from the trials and tribulations encountered along the way. (5) God prepares us for the ending part of our journey to heaven so that we are in a state that is acceptable to Him.

Olive oil was used in the “Parable of the Ten Maidens” found in Matthew 25. Five of the maidens were prepared, and five were not. The resource references a link to another article entitled, “How Much Oil Is In Your Lamp?” We need to be equipped to carry out God’s purpose for us in this world. We need the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to direct our way. Since Lent is a time of sober reflection, we may want to use this time to check to see how full our lamps are.

Dear Lord, help us to use this time to ensure we have enough oil in our lamps to carry out your plans. In Jesus’ name, amen.

LACY HAYNICZ, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 25, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Are You a Mary or Martha?

Are You a Mary or a Martha?

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.” ~ LUKE 10:41 (GNT)

Iam definitely a Martha. I have spent my entire life trying to do all that I think God wants me to do. I don’t know the word “no.” Whatever is asked of me, I always say yes. And what’s not asked of me, I volunteer myself to do. Crazy? Absolutely! God doesn’t expect me to burn myself out trying to do everything. Sometimes I just need to say no. Sometimes I need to spend more time with God, rather than working for Him.

This year I’m going to say no sometimes. I’m going to put my personal time with God first. I’m going to make sure I find “God and me time” so I can relax, refuel, and refresh.

Are you a Martha? Is it time for you to take a breath, slow down, and make different choices in your life? I challenge you to look deep inside yourself. See what God sees. Decide if you need to do some prioritizing, make some changes, or sometimes just say no. Let God lead the way. Let Him be your focus, your strength, and your choice!

Jesus loves me just for who I am. He resides in my heart and is not going anywhere, regardless of what I do or don’t do. But what a richer life I have when I spend time with Him. What a relief that salvation does not depend on my being a Martha!

Lord, remind us that only with a personal relationship with you, can we serve you to our fullest.

PAT HERITAGE, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, GLASSBORO

March 24, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Seeds of Hope

Seeds of Hope

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ~ LUKE 8:11 (ESV)Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the

reason for the hope that you have. ~ 1 PETER 3:15 (NIV)

On the day of his 10th birthday, a young boy received three gifts from his grandmother: a pot filled with dirt, a pail of water, and an acorn. When he saw what she had given him, disappointment crossed his face. Seeing his reaction, his grandmother chuckled and took the acorn in her hand. The young boy watched as she buried it in the soil and placed the pot on a windowsill.

“Soon we’ll have to replant it outside,” she told him. “And in a few years it’ll be a beautiful tree — big enough to climb!” His grandmother poured some water into the pot and gave him a wink.

The boy stared at the dirt, but he couldn’t imagine how something so invisible could become what she had promised. He stole occasional glances at the pot on the windowsill the next day, but the dirt remained flat and empty. Time passed, and he eventually forgot about the acorn hiding in the soil.

A month later, the boy’s grandmother came to visit and asked him about the acorn. When his eyes shifted to the forgotten pot, he was shocked to see a sapling poking out of the dirt. Together, he and his grandmother replanted the young tree in its own corner of the yard.

The years passed, and the tree’s branches thickened into strong limbs. Its leaves stretched higher and higher toward the blue sky, and the boy eagerly climbed it until he too was touching the clouds. It was everything his grandmother had promised.

As the boy grew older, he recalled how doubtful he had been that the small acorn would ever become a tree. When he asked his grandmother how she knew it would grow the way she had imagined, there was a glimmer in her eyes as she gave her response.

“I had hope.”

Dear God: let us plant your Word in our lives and have hope that we will grow as strong, beautiful, and fruitful Christians — just as you have promised.

RACHAEL KELLEY, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 23, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: The Copper Scroll

The Copper Scroll

Don’t store up treasures here where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value, and are safe from thieves. ~ MATTHEW 6:19-20 (TLB)

Many of us have heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls, containing 900 ancient manuscripts found in 11 caves by a Bedouin (desert dweller). In 1952 in Cave 3, a rare find consisted of two stacked rolls containing a manuscript. Not on papyrus or leather, the rolls of the scroll were inscribed on thin sheets of almost pure copper. This indicated contents of extreme importance. One roll measured 7 feet long and 1 foot wide. The other was 2 feet wide. This is one of the largest metal documents ever found.

To be read, the copper scroll had to be cut into 23 metal strips to prevent it from crumbling and to preserve the original content.

The message was a complete surprise. There was no scripture, but instead it contained an ancient “treasure map.” It inventoried the temple’s treasures and the vessels associated with the temple. The scroll speaks of over 4500 talents of precious gold and silver. In today’s standards, that would be over 60 tons of treasure, beyond belief. This listed treasure probably spanned the history of Israel from Exodus to the Babylonian captivity.

But there is one problem. The landmarks that indicated where the treasure was buried are all gone. Every single landmark pointing to the treasure has long since disappeared.

Most of the instructions and descriptive addresses appear to be so vague that they are deemed useless by scholars and treasure hunters of today. But real-life Indiana Joneses are still searching for the Copper Scroll’s treasures today. The treasure of treasures still goes unfound to date.

Luke 12:21 tells us, “Every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.”

Therefore, if you are looking for real treasure, look no further than 1 John 5:11-12: “And what is it that God has said? That He has given us eternal life, and that this life is in His Son, so whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have His Son does not have life.” Your search is over. Not an X marks the spot, but a cross. Now that’s “real treasure.”

Father God, thank you for your Son Jesus. We thank you that Jesus is our own personal treasure and that we can spend eternity in a mansion especially prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

AL ZAPPOLA

March 22, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: The Ultimate Smartboard

The Ultimate Smartboard

Teach the wise, and they will become wiser;
inform the righteous, and their learning will increase.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
the knowledge of the holy one is understanding. ~ PROVERBS 9:9-10 (CEB)

I was excited to get a new smartboard installed in my classroom recently. A smartboard is a large, interactive device similar to what TV weather people use on the news. It’s a great teaching tool I’ve used for many years, so I looked forward to learning to use the new, updated version with all of its bells and whistles. The first few days of using it, I knew only enough of the basics to get by. I could use it, but I realized there would be so much more I could do with it after I received training. After the training, I put in more time to practice and get used to the things I could do with the smartboard that would enhance my instruction to my students.

I thought about how God is similar to a smartboard. There is so much about God that I do not know or understand. I could get through life just knowing the wonderful basics — God sent His Son to die for my sins, and by believing in Him, I will spend eternity with Him. However, if I am willing to go further — to continually take the time to explore and learn more about God, to learn from others about God, and then practice what I learn — then my whole life will be enriched. Only then will I be able to do what God wants me to do, be who God wants me to be, and love and serve God and others in the way God created me to do.

The school board provides what I need to do my job teaching our students. My responsibility is to learn to use the tools they provide to the best of my ability. God has provided all the tools I need to do the job He wants me to do. I have to live my life always willing to learn what God wants to teach me, and to use that instruction to do the best job for Him that I can.

Father, thank you for providing all that we need to do the job you want us to do. Help me to be willing to use what I have learned in ways that glorify you. Amen.

BETH PRICE, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

March 21, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Turn on the Light

Turn on the Light

... God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ~ 1 PETER 2:9 (TLB)

Like many of you, I am getting excited as the days are getting longer. Daily we see increasing amounts of light. Light is a wonderful creation of God and one that is important for our happiness and survival. Without light to guide us, we can have many difficulties and challenges.

Lent reminds us that there are many dark corners in our world and perhaps in our own lives. On a spiritual level, Lent invites us to “open the curtains” and allow the light of God to show us areas of our spiritual life that need to be addressed. In the darkness we can’t see the dust and dirt, but when the light is shining, we have a completely different picture and the opportunity to make things clean again.

Scripture reminds us that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12). He came into the world not to condemn but to bring life (John 3:16-17). When those dark private corners of our lives are exposed, spiritual cleaning can take place. The Light helps us realize everything may not be as neat and tidy as we thought. It offers us the opportunity to stop pretending all is good and to make our “spiritual houses” clean.

Our faith reminds us that we matter too much to God for Him to ignore the dirt. This is why God offers us the Light that reveals the dirt and dust in our lives. He also uses the Light to clean it away. The prophet Isaiah anticipated this when he wrote, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18a). The simple message of the Gospel is this: Jesus died on the cross so that we could be made new and clean.

The Lenten season is a time for preparation and for reflection. Christ wants to clean the dirt and dust hidden away in every corner of our lives so we may serve Him fully and freely. Once our spiritual house is clean, we are free to enjoy the “abundant life” Jesus promised (John 10:10) and to become all that God has called us to be! Let’s turn on the light and receive God’s cleansing grace.

God of light and love, we ask that you would shed your holy light into our lives, allowing us to see those areas that need a spiritual cleaning. Shine your light on the paths of our lives that we may continue our journey, reflecting your light for all to see. In the name of the One we call the Light of the World, amen.

PASTOR JAMES BOLTON, PITMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH