Thoughts for the Day

 

 One of C. S. Lewis’s books is called Prince Caspian. In it Lucy sees Aslan, the lion for the first time in years. He has changed since her earlier encounters:

 

         “Aslan,” said Lucy, “your bigger.”

         “that is because you are older, little one, “he answered.

         “Not because you are?”

         “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.’”

 

In his book “Trade Your Cares for the Calm” Max Lucado reminds us that this is the same in our walk with Christ. “The longer we live in Him, the greater He becomes in us.” It is not that He  changes  but we do  “We see dimensions, aspects, and characteristics we never saw before, increasing and astonishing increments of his purity, power and uniqueness.” Let’s pray that God’s greatness  in us becomes bigger and more apparent each day we live.”

 

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

                               Thoughts for the Day, August 28, 2020

 

We live in a world of supply and demand, where necessary things are often scarce. We have especially experienced this during the Covid-19 crisis with basic items like toilet paper, cleaning supplies and even baking items have been in great demand and short supply. Even if we personally have enough of life’s necessities, we see poverty in the world around  us and realize our human limitations. 

 

This makes it almost impossible for us to comprehend the abundance of God’s provision: the fullness of his glorious riches. But when we spend time in His presence, we gain glimpses of His overflowing generosity. They are a foretaste of what we will experience in the life to come. Even now we have access to as much of His abundance as we have faith to receive. Today let’s start the day by praising God for His mercy, grace and glorious riches.  

 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

The Hands and Feet of God

 Thoughts for the Day, August 27, 2020

 

Before going to bed last night, I looked one last time at Hurricane Laura’s  approach on the people of Louisiana and Texas. Like many of you, I remembered a night back in 1979 when Hurricane Fredrick did extensive damage to the Mobile area and my heart hurt for those about to be hit by this monster—a storm that will likely wreak havoc on their lives over the next few months. I said a prayer for all of those in the path, praying for their safety and  quick recovery ahead. 

 

And then I thought about the days that followed Frederick and how most of  us came to know our neighbors better, we learned to endure and live without electricity and air-conditioning. We helped our friends  and family clean their yards, we cooked food and brought it to others in need, we became more resilient, and less selfish as a result. It seems as if we became more Christlike through it all.  Our friends in Louisiana and Texas do need our prayers, but they will be okay…and like us they will see God’s hands and feet alive and vibrant in others as they dig their way out of the rubble. 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

Sharing Good

 

Thoughts for the Day, August 25, 2020

Yesterday we spoke of the Three Simple Rules of the UMC and how Rev Dan Gangler and Michael Rich expanded on Bishop Job’s ideas  by integrating these three rules into social media. Today we will look at the second rule: “Do Good.” 

 Job tells us that doing all the good we can means to engage others proactively in a way that “nourishes goodness and strengthens community.” What a great opportunity for us to share  the love and grace of God through a platform that reaches out to the lost and lonely. Gangler and Rich tell us to think about every status update, comment or post as an outlet of “doing good.”

·       Ask does it reflect God’s interest? Does it serve the good of the community and those in it?

·       Will it help God’s reign and fellow believers? How will those outside the church perceive it? How will people of different cultural or faith backgrounds receive it?

 

Whether it is Facebook, Instagram or something else, social media very quickly embeds us in other people’s lives. How we engage online can have a profound effect on the people with whom we connect. Let’s use social media to extend hospitality and goodness to all and to demonstrate God’s love to  our digital neighbors. Let’s be a positive voice in the world of Social media.

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12: 30-31).

 

Love Thy Neighbor

Good morning, it is great to be back!    

 

Thoughts for the Day, August 24, 2020

Rev. Fail offered an excellent message yesterday about the greatest commandment:

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 30-31)

 

 He also  discussed the Three Simple Rules of the UMC from a book written by Bishop Rueben Job. These rules also apply to how we live our online lives in social media. Rev Dan Gangler and Michael Rich expanded on Job’s ideas in  an article about the 3 Simple Rules for Social Media. They remind us that rule #1: “’Do not harm’ means respecting the cultures and life situations of those with whom we minister.”

Sometimes when we communicate with people online, we may forget that  we are speaking to recipients with feelings and emotions on the other end  of the digital conversation. Because digital conversation is nonverbal it can easily be misunderstood and misinterpreted.  Gangler and Rich offer these thoughts to consider when sharing on social media: (as well as our everyday in-person conversations)

·       What is the intent of the post? Does it show Christ’s love or does it focus on judgment and condemnation?

·       Do I speak disparagingly about anyone involved? Do I try to use facts and opinions to manipulate others to my viewpoint?

·       Could this post “do harm” to the reputation of Christ, the church or another person or organization?

·       Could someone interpret the post as harmful, offensive, rude or distasteful?

·       Does this interaction recognize each person involved as a “loved child of God – a recipient of love unearned, unlimited and underserved – just like myself”?

Let’s ask God for discernment when engaging in social media, so that we always represent Christ in all forms of communication.  Have a blessed and safe week!

 

The Abundant Life

Thoughts for the Day, August 15, 2020

 

This week we considered how to live prepared for Christ’s return. 

These are a couple of verses that remind us of practical  ways to live that out:

 

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere  (Ephesians 6:18 NLT).

         

         Therefore, my  dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let  nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to thework of the Lord, because you know that your labor in theLord is not in vain (1Corinthians 15: 58 NIV).

 

Praying and being in connection with God, and doing for others is at the heart of the Gospel message. These are not just words for  preparation for the hereafter,  they are words for living an abundant life in the here and now. 

 

If you truly want to  live an abundant life,  talk to God  throughout your day—bring Him into your most menial task, and live giving back to others. The smile from other’s faces and the words of appreciation have a way of penetrating your soul and encouraging  you to do and give tomorrow and the next day until it becomes a way of life. 

 

The abundant life comes through faith, hope, and love. And it comes to those who, in spite of hardship and sorrow, understand the words of one writer who said, “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” Have a blessed day serving our Lord and Savior!

 

True Faith

   

                           Thoughts for the Day, August 14, 2020

 

This week we continue looking at passages from the Olivet Discourse. Today we will look at the parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins:”

 

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25: 1-13). 

 

Commentaries tell us that  the imagery represents all the bridesmaids as  believers. The five who brought flasks with extra oil represent  bridesmaids who are true believers. And while the other five profess to be believers, they represent people who do not truly know the Lord and as a result will not be prepared when Christ appears. The foolish bridesmaids’ lamps have burned out and when they hear the bridegroom is coming they find themselves without oil.  They are caught completely by surprise because the faith they profess is only insincere,  impermanent, and artificial. The parable is warning us against a superficial faith. Today, let’s search  our hearts to ensure we are not consumed by immediate things, rather let’s keep our sights on the eternal “giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.”

 

Therefore, my  dear brothers and sisters, stand 

firm. Let nothing move you. Always give    

yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because 

you know that your labor in the Lord is not in 

vain (1 Corinthians 15: 58 NIV).

Be Steadfast in Our Work

Thoughts for the Day, August 12, 2020

 

On Sunday we talked about the return of the Lord and how we can’t just stand on our tiptoes gazing into the heavens as we wait. Life has to go on. That is the point of a number of passages throughout the Olivet Discourse—to patiently wait and diligently work while we wait. The two parables we will look at over the next few days are the parable of the two servants in Matthew 24: 45-51 and the parable of the ten virgins in 25: 1-13. Both narratives deal with the tragedy of wasted opportunity. Paul reminds the Corinthians that while we wait—we are to be steadfast in our work, for our labor is not in vain.

 

         Therefore, my  dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let 

         nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the

         work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the     

Lord is not in vain (1Corinthians 15: 58 NIV).

 

Today, let us throw ourselves into the work of the Master, always remembering that nothing we do for him is a waste of time or effort. 

 Have a blessed day serving Him! 

 

Thoughts for the Day, August 10, 2020

 

In yesterday’s service we spoke of Jesus’s return and His call  for us to be prepared and ready. God asks us to be ready and waiting for Him, but to be active in our waiting. One of the ways we can be active in our  time of waiting is through prayer—not just  for ourselves, but in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Prayer is the most personal way to experience God, to encounter Him and to grow in knowledge of Him. God’s desire is for us to pray on all occasions and stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for one another.  

 

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere  (Ephesians 6:18 NLT). 

Trust in the Promises of God

Thoughts for the Day

This week we looked at great Bible verses that can serve as weapons in our fight against worry. Worry is a particularly infectious form of fear. Someone said “that worry is a trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts drain.”

 

For many  people, worry has become such a deep-rooted part of their personalities that once the old worries are gone, they search for new ones. Worry and fear indicate lack of trust in God’s promises. Instead of letting anxiety consume you,  let the promises  from His word become so ingrained in your thinking that worry becomes a thing of the past.  

 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).

 

 Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed,
 for his mercies never come to an end, They are new every morning great is your faithfulness (Lamentations   3: 22-23).

 

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6: 33-34).

 

  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV). 

Thoughts for the Day, August 7, 2020

 

We certainly can’t end a week’s discussion on worry without this key verse from Philippians. 

 

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV)

 

I love how The Message version describes this passage:

 

^6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

 

Rick Warren reminds us that worry is unreasonable, unnatural, unhelpful and unnecessary. Have you noticed that you often worry about things you can’t change—like the economy or a future we can’t control. Worrying about things we can’t change is useless and unreasonable.

Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap, and yet the Father feeds them. Humans are the only part of God’s creation that worry—worry is unnatural. Does worrying  really make a difference anyway—“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Worrying  can make us miserable and it is unhelpful because it doesn’t change a thing. Jesus reminds us that “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you O ye of little faith?” My dad used to always tell me to not worry for  “God takes care of His children.” He probably got that from the words of Paul… “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Instead of worrying let’s trust Our Lord and see wonderful things happen “when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Attachments area

 

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

   Food Pantry and Produce Give-away

Thanks to all who helped with these ministries. We gave out close to 40 bags of groceries along with delicious bread and pastries given to us by our friends at Springhill UMC. We also gave out 48 boxes of produce. But it is so much more than just handing someone a bag or a box of food. It is praying for someone who has cancer and  about to have surgery next week. It is hearing a little boy yell to his mother, “Momma look we got a watermelon.” Thank you for supporting these ministries. 

Thoughts for the Day,  August 6, 2020 

After church on Sunday Richard and Bobbie invited me to their house to see firsthand their beautiful wild lilies in their back field.  I was utterly amazed at their magnificence. There were so many that I had to ride in my car in order to take in their vastness. At the conclusion I told them both that I felt as if I had been to Bellingrath Gardens. God’s artwork always amazes me, but  His words, even more. So why is it we worry so?  For His words tell us “Are we not more valuable then [the birds of the air or the lilies of the field]?” (Matthew 6:26)

The key to putting an end to our useless worry lies in the concluding words of this passage—“³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

Today, let learn from the lilies in the field—let’s not “labor and spin” but rather live beautifully pointing our efforts toward the heavens! Have a blessed day!

 

Great Is His Faithfulness

 

                            Thoughts for the Day, August 5, 2020

Yesterday one of the verses we looked at was from Lamentations. Now, Lamentations is a Book of lament or mourning, though  in this book we also find hope because of the Lord’s faithfulness. His faithfulness begins with His incredible unwavering love— a love  that never ceases. In addition, His mercy is unending. Over and over again we see His  mercy in His compassion and forgiveness. This passage reminds us that every morning God gives us a new supply of mercy. Great is His love, his mercy, and faithfulness!

 

     Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed,
     for his mercies never come to an end,
    They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3: 22-23).

                                Thoughts for the day, August 4, 2020

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Yesterday, someone in one of our text groups wrote, “ I am a work in progress with worrying and anxiety” Within no time, many of us responded to her message by agreeing “we are all a work in progress.” How incredible is it that our God never gives up on us and that His love never ceases—His mercies never come to an end. God forgives and redeems, He does not define us by our past, He is bigger than our battles, His power is made perfect in our weakness, and He covers us with His care! 

     Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
     for his mercies never come to an end,
    They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3: 22-23).

Humble Yourselves

Thoughts for the Day, August 3, 2020

Yesterday our message came from a passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This pericope is entitled “Do Not Worry” and has a great deal to teach when struggling with anxiety and worry (Matthew 6: 25-35).  I encourage each of us to read through it this week. 

One of the other verses we considered that is key for our arsenal is 1 Peter 5: 6-7:

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:6-7)

The reason this verse is a great place to start is that it gets back to biblical basics.See anxiety is often rooted in our worry that things may not  “turn out as we want them to turn out.” The first  part is critical “humble yourselves.” We  must begin by humbling ourselves before our Creator—understanding that He is King and we are his servants. We begin by  asking for forgiveness and giving Jesus everything. We must ask for the grace to trust in him—regardless of the outcome. 

We often miss this part as we eagerly want to get to the second part—“Cast all your anxieties…” The second part only makes sense when we hear Peter’s exhortation, “Humble yourselves…” We can’t cast our cares on him until we have recognized that he is God and we are his servants who have also been elevated to become his children. We will find the weight of worry slowly decreasing as we ask for forgiveness for wanting to control our situation. Humbling ourselves is critically important to the second part “casting your anxieties on him because he cares for you.”

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

 

  Thoughts  for the Day, August 1, 2020 

This week we added three key verses to our collection from Psalms 46: 

 

 

 ¹God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the  mountains fall into the heart of the sea, (Psalm 46: 1-2)

 

      He says, Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth,  (Psalm 46:10)

 

The Lord Almighty is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:11)

This is a passage that Martin Luther held dear to his heart. In 1527, Luther faced one of the greatest difficulties of his life as the Black Plague swept across Germany and much of Europe. It was during that time that Luther’s son almost died and his own body was failing under the pressure. In the midst of these troubles,  he found comfort in the promises of Psalm 46. Gaining new strength from this ancient psalm,  Luther composed the famous hymn “A Mighty Fortress” which paraphrases the words from Psalm 46. May we too find a peace and strength in its words. Have a blessed weekend!

(Ligonier Ministries)