According to Nehemiah, we should not become mired in shame. Instead, we should celebrate God’s grace and find joy that the Lord gives us the strength to try again, to do better, to be drawn into a deeper understanding of how God would have us be in the world.
Regardless of his initial reticence, Jesus obeys his mother, far exceeding her expectations, turning water into the best wine anyone there had ever tasted.
To truly give ourselves over to Christ means that some things in our lives will be threatened – our self-dependence, our self-righteousness, or self-interest.
In this, we read a calling for all of God’s people, no matter where they are, no matter their station in life, to lift their eyes from the darkness and the chaos of the world.
Service to God was an everyday part of Samuel’s life from a young age and he managed to do it in ways that was both pleasing to God and to the people around him.
Mary was able to look beyond the implications of what this pregnancy would mean for her in the short-term and see the big picture of what God was doing.
Reflecting on God’s work in the past and looking forward to God’s continuing work in the future is a helpful way for God’s work in the present to be revealed to us.
Could it be that the devastation, strife, and chaos that seem to be the hallmarks of these days are actually signs that the world is turning towards a new age of Jesus’ reign – one characterized by justice, equity, and peace?
If we practice our faith in isolation, there is no one to call attention to our growth, to encourage us in our discipleship, or to challenge us to be more loving and kind.
Jesus, in offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of humankind, freed us from the power of sin and freed us for living more fully into our identity as children of God.
After suffering the loss of her husband and sons, after enduring the journey home and the struggle of securing basic sustenance, Naomi holds her consolation – her redemption – her reason for hope – against her breast.
Sometimes the answers are not for us to know. That can be hard for us to accept when we live in a world that demands answers to everything and when we have so much information right at our fingertips.
Jesus challenges the man to redefine his relationship with his material possessions, but he does it in love. Read Mark 10:17-31. In this passage, it’s […]
Then Jesus began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
According to Paul, unity within diversity is an ideal for which we should strive.
The words of scripture revive the soul, give wisdom, enlighten, and even give warning.
According to Nehemiah, we should not become mired in shame. Instead, we should celebrate God’s grace and find joy that the Lord gives us the strength to try again, to do better, to be drawn into a deeper understanding of how God would have us be in the world.
Regardless of his initial reticence, Jesus obeys his mother, far exceeding her expectations, turning water into the best wine anyone there had ever tasted.
In this passage, Paul is reminding the church that within the body of Christ, there are a variety of gifts.
This psalm invites us to consider the effect of sin on our relationships and on what we contribute to the world.
Is there power in a name?
This is a story that invites us to think about what our baptism, what God’s claim on us, means in our lives.
We, too, are to be bearers of good news to all people, even and especially to those we might otherwise think of as unworthy or unacceptable.
Will we use the strength and power that is within us to hurt and destroy? Or will we use it for blessing and for peace?
The promises God makes to Israel in these passages point to the intimacy between the Creator and the created.
To truly give ourselves over to Christ means that some things in our lives will be threatened – our self-dependence, our self-righteousness, or self-interest.
Paul insists that Gentiles have become ‘fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.’
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
In this, we read a calling for all of God’s people, no matter where they are, no matter their station in life, to lift their eyes from the darkness and the chaos of the world.
How could you respond more prayerfully and contemplatively to events in your life?
God has chosen you and your response should be to clothe yourself with all the characteristics of Christ.
In this call to praise, the psalmist urges all of creation to join a universal chorus of thanksgiving.
Service to God was an everyday part of Samuel’s life from a young age and he managed to do it in ways that was both pleasing to God and to the people around him.
The wisdom of Elizabeth’s years allowed her to bring comfort and joy to Mary.
This time of year, we think about the importance of Jesus taking on flesh to show us how far God would go for love of the world.
Mary was able to look beyond the implications of what this pregnancy would mean for her in the short-term and see the big picture of what God was doing.
As people who are living in our own fearful times, these are promising words for us.
John’s message is an urgent warning that we should take nothing for granted, that the best time to turn back to God is now.
For some, practicing joy is as natural as breathing, but for the rest of us, it takes a bit more work.
What, in your life, do you celebrate joyfully?
There are consequences for our actions, some beneficial and others difficult to bear, but through it all is God’s steadfast love.
From the very beginning of their lives, John and Jesus are intended to be an important part of God’s redemption of the world.
In this reading, Paul celebrates with joy the change and the growth he sees among the followers of Jesus at Philippi.
Reflecting on God’s work in the past and looking forward to God’s continuing work in the future is a helpful way for God’s work in the present to be revealed to us.
What do you think it means for God to lay claim to us?
We should be present to each moment, living as if this were the day that the kingdom of God would come in its fullest expression.
Among other things, Paul gives thanks for the gift of the church.
The hope found in this psalm is that our past sins do not define us.
In a world that might seem like it is in ruins, God promises new life.
In this discourse between Pilate and Jesus, we have a contrast between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom the Jesus taught and lived.
Could it be that the devastation, strife, and chaos that seem to be the hallmarks of these days are actually signs that the world is turning towards a new age of Jesus’ reign – one characterized by justice, equity, and peace?
Unified as a nation, David sought to secure a “proper home” for God, a destination for pilgrims from many different places.
It seems natural to hope that the good we’ve done outweighs the bad.
Could it be that everything we are suffering through today is leading to something new that God is birthing?
If we practice our faith in isolation, there is no one to call attention to our growth, to encourage us in our discipleship, or to challenge us to be more loving and kind.
This psalm is a call to praise the name of the Lord from sunrise to sunset, from this moment into eternity.
To Hannah, her only hope for a better future was to have a child. In desperation, she bargains with God.
Jesus contrasts the scribes, who make a good show of their faith, with the widow, who quietly gives what she can.
Jesus, in offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of humankind, freed us from the power of sin and freed us for living more fully into our identity as children of God.
This is a celebration of family as it should be.
After suffering the loss of her husband and sons, after enduring the journey home and the struggle of securing basic sustenance, Naomi holds her consolation – her redemption – her reason for hope – against her breast.
In our current cultural climate, civil discourse might well be found on the endangered species list.
By the shedding of Jesus’ blood, we are cleansed of the ‘dead works’ and freed to worship the living God.
The spiritual life according to Evelyn Underhill
Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
Bartimaeus had a vision for what his life could be if only Jesus would show him mercy.
Even now, Jesus continues to intercede on our behalf, offering the prayers we don’t realize we need and aligning our prayers with the will of God.
To continually praise God means we view all of life through the lens of God’s care, provision, and presence.
Now Job sees that living a life of faith isn’t about putting on a good show for the people around him.
True greatness comes in modeling our lives on the One who showed us what servant leadership looks like.
We all struggle with dealing gently when it comes to the wrongdoing of others.
This psalm is a celebration of God’s creativity and wisdom in ordering a universe in which all things are connected.
Sometimes the answers are not for us to know. That can be hard for us to accept when we live in a world that demands answers to everything and when we have so much information right at our fingertips.
Jesus challenges the man to redefine his relationship with his material possessions, but he does it in love. Read Mark 10:17-31. In this passage, it’s […]
To receive grace as a gift, we must first acknowledge our need for it. Read Hebrews 4:12-16. The first half of this reading reminds us […]
Even in our despair, God offers glimpses of light in the darkness. Read Psalm 22:1-15. Jesus, on the cross, echoed this psalm of despair. He […]
We cannot change the past. We can, however, choose how we live and respond to the world around us today.
Fort Morgan United Methodist Church