April 8, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: God Knows His Own

God Knows His Own

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. ~ PSALM 9:10 (KJV)

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
~ ECCLESIASTES 11:9 (KJV)

“Oh make us aware, dear God, of daily graces that come to us with sweet surprise from never-dreamed-of places.” *

When I was a Sunday school teacher of junior high students, there was a boy, Johnny, and his sister, who were brought to church every Sunday by their grandmother, Mrs. Mower. Johnny was helpful in handing out the lessons and other craft materials and was always a good listener, but he also teased others by taking crayons or tapping students on the head from behind.

Johnny and his sister moved to California. One day years later, Mrs. Mower approached me to say she had visited them and that Johnny wanted to know if I was still at the church. He wanted his grandmother to make sure that I knew he had become a preacher!

Sunday school teachers often wonder how much of their teaching is absorbed concerning the Word of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord, for touching Johnny’s heart and for his becoming a preacher. Praise to you, Lord, for my winning of a soul for you, and for the souls Johnny is winning. I will always be grateful that my teaching may have contributed to Johnny’s life and to his loving our Lord and Savior. Praise to you, Lord, that Johnny is using his ability to minister to others.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, thank you for the Bible and all it teaches. We all need you to become what you want us to be. Thanks for the youth who come to Sunday school and listen to your Word. Thank you, too, dear Lord of all, for great and small blessings and for the suffering Jesus had to bear for our sins. In your precious name, amen.

HELEN DUNK, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH

*A Collection of Hope by Helen Steiner Rice

April 7, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Some Bunny Loves You...

Some Bunny Loves You...

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. ~ EPHESIANS 2:4-5 (NIV)

Easter is coming with all the egg hunts, egg dyeing, chocolate candy, and the arrival of the Easter Bunny. What? Stop right there. Why am I writing about the Easter Bunny and all the secular traditions of the Easter season? One reason is that they are fun to do. The other is to remind us they can be done in coordination with the real reason for the season. (During the Christmas season, we see bumper stickers of “Keep Christ in Christmas” and “Jesus is the reason for the season.”)

Personally knowing the “big guy in the red suit and white beard,” I can assure you that all of his actions are because of love. He gives gifts because of love. He sees kids all the time and looks in their eyes and sees their need to be loved. Likewise, the Easter Bunny leaves eggs and baskets full of candy because of love.

Love is the heart of the seasons. During the Christmas season, we thank God for loving us so much that He gave us His Son. At Easter, we recognize God’s love for us in sacrificing His Son on the cross.

Both were merciful gifts to us to show us the power of love and, in turn, we can express that love toward others.

Each Saturday when I attend Kids Alley for the children of Camden, love is at the heart of our reaction to the children who attend. We never know what is going on in their lives, but we are called to love them no matter what. Each time a child sits on Santa’s knee, Santa doesn’t know what the child’s background is, but he shows love to them anyway. Like it or not, the Easter Bunny comes each year, whether the kids are good or bad. Christ is ever present and sees if we do good or bad, and yet loves us anyway.

Father God, thank you for just loving us. Even when we don’t deserve it, we know we are loved. Amen.

BILL SCHOBER, EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

April 6, 2019 Lent Daily Devotional: Our Faith and Works

Our Faith and Works

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
~ JAMES 2:18 (NKJV)

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ~ JAMES 2:24 (NKJV)

In the book of Romans, Paul goes to great lengths to tell us that no person can earn or win forgiveness from God by what they do. It’s only by God’s grace that comes down to us that we win forgiveness. The fact is that Jesus died for our sins. After we accept that, then we should grow in our Christian faith. This is where the works come into the picture.

The verses from James seem to oppose what Paul says. However, James is talking to professing Christians. His message is not opposing what Paul said, but rather complementing what Paul said. In the message by James, it is not a case of either faith or works but a case of both faith AND works.

In the latter part of James 2, two examples of faith with works are given to us. Abraham, because of his faith, answered God’s call by his actions with his only son, Isaac. He proved that his faith was real by consenting to sacrifice his son. The second example was Rahab. She hid the spies from Israel and then let them go with the promise that she and her family would be saved. She risked her life by going with the future and fortune of the conquering Israelites. Abraham and Rahab both showed that their faith was real by the actions they took.

In a well-balanced Christian life, there must be faith and works (or deeds). It is through deeds that faith will show itself to be alive in us, and it is through faith that those deeds can spring forth out of our lives. They are linked together.

As we grow in our faith and demonstrate it through our deeds, we cannot leave out prayer and Bible study. These two activities will strengthen our faith and prepare us to go out into the world with God by our side, as Colossians 1:10 tells us, “... being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Dear God, we pray that during this Lenten season as we prepare for Easter, you will help us turn our faith into productive deeds for you.

TOM BENNETT, PITMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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