April 5, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Little Lights in the Darkness

Little Lights in the Darkness

Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.” ~ JOHN 12:35 (RSV)

One night I woke up with a cramp in my leg (we call it a charley horse). I needed to walk it off, but I hoped I could be quiet enough not to wake up my husband. I stumbled out of bed, not able to put full weight on my leg.

My digital alarm clock gave off a tiny little red light, just enough for me to see my sweatshirt (I wanted to go to the family room, and it was cold out there). It was pitch dark in our rancher — one of those especially dark nights. As I limped past the hallway bathroom door, a tiny green light in the grounded outlet reflected just enough for me to get my bearings. Then I encountered the white lights on the cable modem in the office, flickering just enough for me to see my way. The microwave’s little green digital clock light helped me avoid smacking into the kitchen island counter, and the red “0” messages on the kitchen phone led me to the family room. The white digital clock on the TV’s cable box let me know the end wall was close. Using those little lights in the darkness, I could see my way to walk laps around the family room and kitchen island to walk off the cramp. How thankful I was for those little lights! Each one gave me just enough light to see my way.

Sometimes we may not see a big light in our lives, but we do see lots of little ones. We may not get a big inspiration, but we may get little ones. Sometimes God shines His light not in drastic solar flares, but in tiny flickering lights on a cable modem. Are we paying attention to the small ways God tries to get our attention?

Similarly, Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Are we letting our light shine? Are we satisfied to be little lights for God instead of worrying that we can’t be a big enough light? Little lights can make a difference in a dark world!

Jesus Himself is the big Light, and following Him means we can walk in the Light and shine in the darkness for others. In John 8:12, He says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Lord, thank you for being the Light of our lives. In turn, may our little lights shine to help others find their way.

CLAUDIA CUDDY, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Happy 93rd birthday, Mom!

April 4, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: God is Good, God is Great, and I Thank Him for My Life...

God is Good, God is Great, and I Thank Him for My Life...

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

The title is part of a grace that our sons prayed when they were young. Over the years I have changed it to say, “God is good, God is great, and I thank Him for my life.” A short prayer that says so much.
When I am troubled and not in the condition to pray a “long, meaningful prayer,” I use this short prayer. I can repeat it over and over as long as I need to or can. It has brought me peace; it has settled me when I needed to settle. It takes me to the presence of God.

Recently, I was ill with the flu for several days. It was a difficult time physically and mentally. My wife and I are both active people who stay busy and always have some kind of project in progress. For either of us to slow down is difficult.

One of the days while I was in bed, this short prayer came to mind. I began to repeat it for a time. Then I started to give thanks as part of the prayer. I said, “God is good, God is great, and I thank Him for His many blessings, for His wisdom, His healing.” Soon family members were included: God is good, God is great, and I thank Him for my wife, my family, and church family — person by person, others in my life who have served as mentors, and so on. I also thanked God for the abilities He has given me, the joy, the peace, the faith. I again thanked Him for my life.

As my Christian walk has continued over the years, my faith has grown, and the power of prayer still amazes me.

God is good, God is great, and I thank Him for my life.

GEORGE ARMSTRONG, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, GLASSBORO

April 3, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: A Symbol of Hope

Survivor Tree, Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy of: oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

A Symbol of Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ... ~ 1 PETER 1:3 (ESV)

At the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the site of the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, I stood in front of the 168 memorial chairs remembering those who had died so tragically that day and the many whose lives had been shattered by this terrible act of violence.

As I turned to walk away, my eyes looked up to a hill not far away where a tree stood. It was an old American elm tree that had once stood in the parking lot and had been buried in the rubble of the bombing. Believing the tree dead, the clean-up crew almost chopped it down. But as they prepared to remove it, they discovered sprouts pressed through damaged bark. Forester experts were brought in, and the tree was saved.

The fact that the tree survived the bomb blast that killed so many people transformed it from a mere tree to a symbol for comfort and hope for all who survived. Life rose from an acre of death. It is called the Survivor Tree. And every year, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture collects seeds from the tree to grow seedlings that are eventually distributed to people throughout the United States, touching lives and transmitting a message of hope and new life.

During this season of Lent I can’t help but think about another tree that stood on a hill where out of death came life. Once Jesus was resurrected, the hold of sin and death was broken over mankind. We were set free from sin because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and we have a living hope through His resurrection from the dead. Everywhere people are affected by the ugliness of the world’s sinful choices, but we can plant seedlings of hope into their lives as we share the good news of Christ’s love with them.

My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me, And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.*

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and saving me through Jesus’ finished work on the cross. No matter what I’m facing in life and regardless of how difficult my circumstances may be, I have the hope and assurance that Jesus is alive and working on my behalf. In Jesus’ name, amen.

LINDA TURK, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

*My Hope Is in the Lord by Norman J. Clayton ©1945

April 2, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Being Thankful

Being Thankful

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
~ PSALM 118:1, 24 (NLT)

Iam so glad to see the light each day and rejoice that our Lord has given me another day. I have COPD, but because of my love of the Lord, I refuse to sit in a chair and say, “Oh, poor me.” There is so much more to do, and I am thankful for each day to do more. He helps me keep going, and I am so happy.

There are friends and church family to check on; I am not good at this, but I can send cards and make calls. The Lord has blessed me with so many things I love to do. I love to cross stitch, and I love to knit for the church and my family. I love to sew, be it mending, crafts, toys for my grandkitties (yes, cats), or doll clothes for my great granddaughter. Of course I do take a little time to cook, which I enjoy, and clean (not my best talent). And let us not forget time to read the Bible and do devotions.

On top of this, I now have exercises I must do and also meds in the nebulizer. This all takes time. How in the world can anyone be bored when there are so many choices and so much to do? Is this not a reason to give thanks and praise?

I am also so thankful for the love which is shown to me by my church family, friends, and my family — they all make my world go around. Many of you think it’s nothing, but there are those who drive me, open doors for me, take me to doctor appointments, run my errands, and even just share a smile. Every one of these things is a huge help to me. God has put all these folks in my life, and how can I not praise and rejoice and be happy?

What a JOY to share each day with our Lord who loved us so much He gave His life for you and me.

May we give thanks and rejoice each day for all the Lord has given each of us. I am so unworthy, Lord, but I praise you and thank you.

JANE PAPE, PITMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In memory of Jane Pape, who died December 13, 2018. Jane had written this for the 2016 Lenten devotional.

April 1, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Angels

Angels

... so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there uncertain about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has risen.” ~ LUKE 24:3-6 (GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN)

Not long ago a doctor gave me a newer form of a drug I had been taking. In a few days I knew it was not for me. Rereading the medical infor- mation, I immediately saw the reason. A side effect: hallucinations. Before I could get to my doctor for direction, something happened that I’ll never forget.

I was having a miserable day. One of my daughters suggested I just go to bed. Which I did! Shortly after, in the still of the afternoon, I felt a quietness. Looking out my window, I watched the blue sky with clouds drifting by. All was serene. Then in the distance I saw four clouds that looked like the waves of the ocean. They turned brilliant colors, which dazzled my eyes. I began to hear the sounds of an organ playing hymns. Then I noticed the four clouds began to have movement like someone was behind and moving about. I thought perhaps there were angels there and they were preparing to come down to me — that they would take me with them back to heaven and I would see Jesus. The thought thrilled me, and I waited expectantly. I would go with them without a thought or regret. But they didn’t come. Suddenly the color in the clouds was gone and I was back in my bed, the sun had set, and the sky was dark. Never will I forget the feeling of waiting for the angels to come for me.

Later I was looking through some music and couldn’t believe how many songs contain references to angels. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” a song from our hymnal, caught my attention:

“I looked over Jordan and what did I see, coming for to carry me home? A band of angels coming after me, coming for to carry me home.”

After the stone was rolled in front of the tomb that held the body of Jesus, could it be that a band of angels descended to accompany the Spirit of Jesus back to the Father? Give that some thought.

Dear Jesus, as we wait expectantly for the time of our departure from earth, please be with us that we might be prepared to meet the angels you have prepared for us for our homecoming. Thank you for meeting our every need. Amen.

CAROL PHILLIPS, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH & UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITIES, PITMAN

March 31, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Amazing Love, How Can It Be...

Amazing Love, How Can It Be...

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ ROMANS 5:8 (NIV)

One afternoon my husband showed me a YouTube video of the Newsboys’ song “You are My King” (Amazing Love). He warned me in advance that it might bring tears to my eyes. That was an understatement.

The video accompanying the music was from the movie directed by Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ. I had read about the brutality of scourging and crucifixions, and it is horrible to think about. However, seeing it depicted in such realistic terms brought the reality of the pain endured by Christ on the cross to a whole new level.

I need this visual reminder every so often when I start to take for granted the grace that has been extended to me, or when I fail to understand the message of 1 Corinthians that I have been “bought at a price.” My sins are not minor, no matter how insignificant they may seem to me. My sins have forced my God to endure extreme physical pain to reconcile my relationship with Him. To borrow from a hymn by Charles Wesley,“Amazing love! How can it be that thou my God should die for me?”*

Thank you, my Lord and my God. May I never trivialize your sacrifice as I will literally be eternally grateful for your suffering and death on the cross.

SYLVIA GRUBER

*And Can It Be That I Should Gain, Charles Wesley (1738)

March 30, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: He Came to Die

He Came to Die

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. ~ ISAIAH 53:7 (NIV)

But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ ROMANS 5:8 (NIV)

It always troubles me to think about all that Christ suffered for each of us on the cross. How Jesus was willing to leave His heavenly home and come to our sinful earth — all because He loved us and wanted to take our punishment. When He arrived, the angels were singing, shepherds followed the star, wise men were seeking, and King Herod was searching for Him. During His time on earth, He showed us how to love, taught us in parables to help us understand, and saved us from our sins, all because He loved us.

And yet, His disciples “forsook” Him, denied Him, and ran away — and so do we. Many shouted “Hosanna” and within a few days they shouted “Crucify Him!” With the weight of our sin on Him while He was on that cross, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) The pain, the loneliness, the separation from His Father, the weight He bore for the sins of the world — He endured the nightmare of our deserved judgment. It deeply hurts our Father to see our poor attitudes, our jealousy, bitterness, resentment, rejection, and unforgiving hearts, just to name a few of our many sins. He alone bore the rejection and suffering and died for you and for me. Yes, worthy is the Lamb of God, who was slaughtered because of His great love for each of us. Celebrate Easter by loving others and loving Christ as He loved us.

Dear Lord, be with me today and give me a clear vision of what you want me to do today. May my thoughts and attitude be pleasing to you. Direct my paths and help me to obey your will. Thank you for loving me and being with me today. In your precious name I pray, amen.

TRUDY JENKINS, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

March 29, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Little Things Matter

Little Things Matter to God

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. ~ JOHN 6:9, 11 (NIV)

Sometimes I get really frustrated because I think I’m not doing enough for God. I see people with great ministries who are having a positive effect, making a big difference for Jesus. Then I wonder if what I do in my little corner of the world really matters.

That’s when I am reminded of the young boy with the five small loaves and two little fish. That tiny amount of food certainly wouldn’t feed 50 people, let alone over 5,000 ... until he gave it to Jesus. Only He can take our miniscule little offerings and turn them into something huge or amazing or beautiful.

Have you ever complimented someone and watched their reaction? Held a door open for someone who was struggling? Sent a card, note, or email to someone who needed a lift? Gave a kind word or even just a smile to a stranger? Gave up a parking spot that rightfully should have been yours? Let someone go ahead of you in the grocery line? Called someone just to ask how they were? Donated to a food pantry? Spent some time with a lonely older person? Told the manager of a store or restaurant how much you appreciated one of their employees? Listened to someone who needed a non- judgmental ear? Helped a mother with her young children who just needed a hand? Been there for someone who was going through a tough time and needed a shoulder to lean on? Offered assistance to a neighbor who looked like they could use it?

God notices all these things and He uses them for His good. We are His hands and feet in this world, and these little things are often how we make a difference for Jesus. If we offer nothing to God, He will have nothing to use. But He can take what little we have and turn it into something great.

Father, help me to remember that it doesn’t matter the size of what I do for you. What matters is my heart and how I show others your love.

DIANE SIZEMORE, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH