The Challenge--Day 2

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 2: 1-15
(Click on the link if you don't have a Bible close by.)

The kings journeyed to see the Christ child. Joseph and Mary made the journey to Egypt in response to the angel's direction. What journey are you on today? 

Many times we think of a journey as a straight line. It begins at one point and ends at another, but what we learn along the way might just be the most important part. What have you learned on your spiritual journey so far?

Lord Jesus, life's journey is all about following You.

Bless me with the faith to walk obediently behind You,

with joy and thanksgiving.

Open my eyes to the lessons Your are teaching me.

Prepare my heart to trust and obey.

The Challenge--Day 1

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 1: 1-24
(If you don't have a Bible handy just click on the link to read the scripture.)

Joseph had a plan. We all have plans...plans for our lives...the month...even a list for the day. Consider your plans for the day.

God had a different plan for Joseph. When you look at your plans for today, is there something God might change? What might He be leading you to do differently?

Father God, You sent Jesus so that You might be with us

and we with You. From the beginning You've had a plan...

generation... to generation... to generation... 
You've been fulfilling Your plan.

Work in me to bring my plans into alignment with Yours.

Not just today, but everyday of this challenge.

Work in me so that I might live for You and Your plan,

remembering You are with me, every step of the way.

Take the Challenge!

It's nearing the end of the Grow team meeting when the celebration of 170 years is brought to the table. 

"What can we do to add to the celebration?" our leader asks.

It just pops out of my mouth... "Let's challenge our church family to read scripture for 170 days!"

The idea begins to take form and a plan takes shape. Not my plan, because if you know me you know I often have an idea without much thought to the time and energy it will take to get it going. I love new ideas. Those in the meeting could probably feel my EXCITEMENT!

My sweet team member gets out her calendar... tells me that this challenge will take around six months. Six months... WOW... wow... oh wow. For me beginnings aren't that difficult but finishing... now that's a different story. I'm not great at it... better than I used to be... but not great. Hence the challenge. Don't get me wrong, I study scripture almost daily. But following a prescribed plan for six months will definitely be a challenge. It scares me a little, no... a LOT. What if I miss a day... or a week? What if I get half way through and just give up? The truth is I can't do it in my own strength or willpower. I need Jesus plain and simple.

Tomorrow the challenge begins and I am "all in". I keep thinking about the sermon our pastor gave on fishing. He reminded us that fishing looks a lot like following Jesus. One of the points he gave was "Know your knots". He challenged us to know what we believe... why we believe it. What better way to know than to dive into scripture and wrestle with the things we know or want to know. 

Won't you join us in the challenge? Reading through the Gospels in 170 days. We might miss a day... even forget at times... His grace will cover us. Let's get started and dive into the deep! 

Want to get a daily e-mail to help remind you? Just sign-up in the Follow By E-mail box to the right of this post.

Stacy Boyer

Baptism: Entering a New Life

Rev. Doug Wintermute spoke on baptism last Sunday: Jesus's baptism, our baptism, Methodist baptism.

Take a moment to read Mark 1:4-11, the text forming the foundation of his message.
[If you don't have a Bible with you, click the Scripture reference to read online.]

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:9 ESV

Even though the baptism of John was focused on repentance, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, underwent baptism.

Rev. Wintermute pointed out the reason for this seemingly unnecessary baptism of Jesus. Christ was setting an example for anyone who wants to follow Him. One of Jesus' purposes on earth was to show us how to live life by the Spirit in full obedience to God the Father. With His baptism, Jesus revealed what we need, when we need it, and what God wants to do through it.

Jesus' baptism also forshadowed His death and resurrection. This action of baptism began His formal ministry. Perhaps it was a reminder to Jesus why He stooped low from heaven to enter human form.

Like Jesus, we need to be baptized --- enter into His death and resurrection by the power of the Spirit.

Baptism signifies us as a new people.
Free from the power of sin and death.
Free to serve Him in love.

All this a free gift of grace, simply waiting to be received.

Rev. Wintermute gave the congregation a challenge: Every time we come in contact with water, or are near water...

Remember your baptism and be thankful!

Because of our baptism into Jesus's baptism we can live without fear.

We can live with thanks in all things.

We are redeemed!

[Email subscribers, click here to view on YouTube. Or click post title to view on Growing in Faith at FUMC.]

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

whom he has redeemed from trouble...

Psalm 107:1-2 ESV

Carol Weaver

An Ending and a Beginning

An ending and a beginning.

The last Sunday in December, we said good-bye to Pastor Bonnie and anticipated the arrival of Rev. Doug Wintermute.

Pastor Bonnie left us with thoughts on faith and healing from Luke 5:17-26. Take time to read this text now. [If you don't have a Bible handy, click the Scripture reference to read online.]

She told us:

Faith is when we keep going through any difficulty...

The paralytic's friends were filled with faith. They did not allow the crowds to deter them from getting to Jesus. Their faith was visible to Him as they peered down with anticipation through the hole in the roof.

He blessed the faithful friends by forgiving the paralytic his sins.

Not what they expected --- not what anyone expected --- and the scribes and Pharisees were indignant.

So, Jesus physically healed the man, too, in order to show He had the authority to forgive sins.

Bonnie left us with the understanding that both forgiveness and physical healing lead to human restoration when done in the name of Jesus.

Rev. Wintermute began by sharing the power of God's covenantal love with His people, from Ephesians 1:3-14. [Ditto, as above, if you don't have a Bible.]

In love, he predestined us for adoption

as sons through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV

Father God's powerful covenantal love deserves a powerful response. We were encouraged by Rev. Wintermute to live this next year as a covenant with Him. Raising the bar on our faith.

Real faith perseveres in the face of difficulties.

Real faith responds to His love with action through forgiveness and healing.

Real faith pursues Him with passion in His Word and through prayer.

Real faith expresses itself in love for God and love for others.

Our life is a series of beginnings and endings: relationships, jobs, semesters, days, seasons, years... Throughout each we have the opportunity to exercise real faith.

How are you making your faith real?

Just some thoughts from the past couple of Sundays.

Carol Weaver