Faith

Luke 1:26-37 tells us the angel was sent to Mary to tell her she would give birth to a son. She was to name him Jesus. He would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High, the Holy One and the Son of God.

Mary's response was, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1: 38)

So Mary stepped out in faith. She knew what the angel had told her, yet she had no idea all that would mean. She could have spent the day and night worrying about her responsibility. She could have withdrawn and been paralyzed with fear. She could have tried to bargain with God and tell Him she changed her mind.

Yet, we are told in Luke that her cousin, Elizabeth stated, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." (Luke 1:45)

Now that is FAITH.

During this Advent season as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, our Lord, can we have the same faith Mary demonstrated? We don't really know what it means to serve God, to accomplish the things He calls us to do, to be open and honest to His call. We don't have to know and understand. All we have to do is acknowledge Jesus as God's Son who came on earth to be with mankind and show us the way.

May we use the Advent season to welcome and acknowledge this mystery and say as Mary did, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

Midge Going--2009

Father God, bless me with the faith to serve You as Mary.

Bless me with the willingness to answer Your call.

Promise

Thanksgiving gives way to Advent...

And the Innkeeper knows her rooms will be filled;

They always are, so she puts fresh hay in the manger

And makes sure the quilt is by the door.

With Advent's dark nights and time of preparation almost over,

the Innkeeper waits by the side of the road for the

Promise to be fulfilled.

Joseph and Mary slip in by the side door.

The shepherds will soon come; they scan the horizon

For Star shine to begin pushing the dark into a corner.

In the old barn filled with hay, sheep, goats, and ducks,

Spiders spin webs across cracks in the barn walls,

Mary wraps the new baby in the patchwork quilt of remnants past,

And the manger is filled once more with the Promise of

Hope for all the pastures of the world.

Mary Evans Brown--2008

Lord, do not let me lose sight of Your Promise this Advent Season.

Show me how to prepare to receive Your Promise

and keep it fresh in my heart each day.

Celebrate 170 Years... Celebrate Advent

As First United Methodist Church celebrates 170 years of ministry, mission, worship, and fellowship, we recall one of our traditions which make our church outstanding.

In this Advent season, we recognize that we have published a devotional booklet  for the past 25 years. Each year this booklet offers inspirational, historical, commemorative, and meaningful articles written by members of our congregation.

This year we have “mined” previous booklets and selected some of the most memorable writings to share with you.  We express appreciation to those whose writings we have chosen.  We think that you will again find them inspiring and meaningful.

We hope that each day you will spend a few moments focused on the meaning of Advent and  that the reading of these selections will enhance your Advent experience.

May this Advent season be a happy and blessed time for you, your family, and friends.  And may the 170 year history of this church and its many traditions live on in your heart during this holiday season.

Barbara Hugghins

Beyond the Gospels: Romans 16

Today's Scripture: Romans 16
[Don't forget to read the passage before the devotional. Click the reference above to read online if your Bible is not in reach.]

Paul's heart overflowed with love for fellow Believers and the church.

His letter closes with a recommendation of a sister in Christ to the Roman church and includes a list of greetings to people he knew there. It was important to him to let them know he remembered them and loved them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:16

Paul's recommendation of Phoebe reveals his concern for her and for the church. He wanted her to be received well and he wanted the church at Rome to know she was a genuine Believer who would contribute to their congregation.

The greetings of love lead to an expression of concern for the church.

I appeal to you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions

and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught;

avoid them.

Romans 16:17

Beware of those who cause division. Jesus warned the same...

And if a house is divided against itself,

that house will not be able to stand.

Mark 3:25

Paul was concerned for the integrity of the church and its keeping of the Gospel as revealed and taught through the prophets and the revelation of Jesus. Anything contrary to these truths threatens the church and its witness to the world. 

There is only one Church: Christ's Church. All Believers, no matter what denomination or what local congregation they participate, are called to love one another. There is One Word and we are to follow His Way.

The church stands united in love.

Love of one another.

Love of the Word.

Love of His Way.

We too, must love both the people of God and God's ways.

Do you have the same passion for His people as you do His Church?

Both are to be pure and holy.

Both achieve purity and holiness only by His power and grace.

We're leaving Romans and entering Advent, a perfect time to consider God's love for His people and express our love for both His church and His people by the power of His grace.

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel

and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation

of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been

disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known

to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God,

to bring about the obedience of faith --- to the only wise God

be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Romans 16:25-27

Lord, grow me to glorify You and Your Church

by teaching me to love Your people and Your Church.

Grow me in knowledge and understanding of the Gospel

and Your ways. Ignite a passion in my heart for

You, Your people, and the integrity of Your Church.

Beyond the Gospels: Romans 15:22-33

Today's Scripture: Romans 15:22-33
[Click the reference above to read online.]

... I have longed for many years to come to you...

Romans 15:23 ESV

Paul's longing to be with those he couldn't be with, makes me think of some long distance friendships I have. People I love, whom I hardly ever get to see. Some I haven't seen in decades, primarily because we are separated by hundreds of miles. Others live just a few minutes away, but our lives are distanced by circumstances where we can't get together often, maybe just meeting in town for a few minutes here or there, unexpectedly. Our relationships limited by time and space.

It used to be difficult for me to make friends in a place when I knew I wouldn't be there very long. Anticipating the pain of saying good-bye and ending a relationship was just too much and didn't seem worth it. But as I've grown as a Believer, I've come to recognize the eternal nature of some of my dearest relationships. Relationships with other Believers.

I've come to embrace the eternal perspective, that if I can't spend time with a beloved fellow-Believer now, I know the time is coming when we will have unlimited time to spend together enjoying one another's company. Some relationships I've begun have lasted only a few minutes here on earth, but I've left their presence knowing I will see them again and get to know them better in eternity. Looking forward to seeing them again.

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm missing many I would love to be with, share thanks giving with. Some separated by distance, others by death. Even in the separation, there is anticipation of a future gathering. A heart-filling hope of reunion.

Remember and be thankful for Jesus making the way for eternal life with Him and with those we love in Christ Jesus.

Remember to pray for those you love who do not yet have salvation. Pray for them to be included in the final gathering.

Remember we have much to look forward to in Christ Jesus and every relationship with every Believer is eternal in its nature.

I know that when I come to you I will come

in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:29

Lord, thank You for the blessing of eternal relationships.

Thank You for Your grace and mercy.

Thank You for Your continued pursuit of those who

have not yet surrendered their lives to You.