Category: First Steps

Posted on

First Steps – September 21, 2020

Recently a good friend sent this devotional to me. Originally penned by Paul David Trip (New Morning Mercies), I thought it was worthwhile to share.

In a world of justice gone bad, where disloyalty brings daily pain, where government is corrupt, and even faithful friends come up short; where the haves get more and the have-nots wonder why; and where it is very tempting to look over the fence at someone elseā€™s life and wonder why so much good has fallen on him [or her], it is so good to know that you never play favorites. You lavish riches of grace on each and every one of your children. You meet every childā€™s every need, and you do it with unbroken faithfulness. So I will quit keeping score. I will not judge your goodness. No, I will rest in the bounty of your mercy.

Iā€™m not sure what lines resonate with you, but for me, the lines ā€œvery tempting to look over the fenceā€ and ā€œI will quit keeping score.ā€ It has been my experience that if I focus on Godā€™s goodness, the desire to keep score or look over the fence just doesnā€™t matter anymore. Spend your time reflecting on the goodness of God. The rest will take care of itself.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Acts 12
  • Tuesday – Acts 13
  • Wednesday – Acts 14
  • Thursday – Acts 15
  • Friday – Acts 16
Please Pray for:
  • The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“Donā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Posted on

First Steps – September 14, 2020

When Saint Basil came to the monastery one day, he said to the abbot, ā€˜Do you have someone here who is obedient?ā€™ The other replied, ā€˜They are all your servants, master, and strive for their salvation.ā€™ But he repeated, ā€˜Do you have someone who is really obedient?ā€™ Then the abbot led a brother to him, and Saint Basil used him to serve during the meal. When the meal ended, the brother brought him some water for rinsing his hands. Saint Basil said to him, ā€˜Come here, so I may also offer water to you.ā€™ The brother allowed the bishop to pour the water. Then Saint Basil said to him, ā€˜When I enter the sanctuary, come, so that I may ordain you deacon.ā€™ When this was done, he ordained him priest and took him with him to the bishopā€™s palace because of his obedience. (The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, pages 97-98).

Often when we think of humility, we think of serving others. Seldom do we associate having obedience and the ability to be served with humility. Humility is born first out of obedience. If we are first obedient, then serving or allowing others the opportunity to serve will take care of itself. Focus on obedience. If you do so, you will naturally be a servant.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Acts 7
  • Tuesday – Acts 8
  • Wednesday – Acts 9
  • Thursday – Acts 10
  • Friday – Acts 11
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“Donā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Posted on

First Steps – September 7, 2020

ā€œWe always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all Godā€™s peopleā€” the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole worldā€”just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood Godā€™s graceā€ (Col 1:3-6a).

Paul highlights three particular traits in the Colossian believers:  Faith, Love, and Hope.  Wherever we see these traits, like Paul, we should give thanks to God.  It is noteworthy that Paul informs the reader that faith and love arise, spring out of hope (see italics).  The gospel promises a certain hope and that hope transforms.

I mention this today, because of the increased conflict, anger, and despair due to a pandemic, so that we will be reminded on the hope of heaven. Setting our hope on heaven puts everything in a proper perspective. Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher, called heaven ā€œa world of love.ā€  Our heavenly hope inspires us to see as God sees, to love as Jesus loves, and to know that this too shall pass.  This week, fix your gaze on Godā€™s gift of heaven and allow His presence to saturate you with peace.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Acts 2
  • Tuesday – Acts 3
  • Wednesday – Acts 4
  • Thursday – Acts 5
  • Friday – Acts 6
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

“Donā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Posted on

First Steps – August 31, 2020

While running errands a few days ago, I dropped by a friendā€™s office and saw a poem displayed on a desk.  It turns out the author of the poem was Mother Teresa.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best youā€™ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway. 

We live for an audience of one – God.  If we can remember this, our relationships will take care of themselves.  Give it a try.  You will not be disappointed.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday – Luke 21
  • Tuesday – Luke 22
  • Wednesday – Luke 23
  • Thursday – Luke 24
  • Friday – Acts 1
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19 Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

ā€œDonā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.ā€ – Philippians 4:6

Posted on

First Steps – August 24, 2020

Iā€™m a sucker forĀ ā€œOn this dayā€ trivia. Ā Iā€™m sure youā€™ve heard many,Ā ā€œOn this day in so-so year, this person did thisā€Ā orĀ ā€œOn this day in so-so year, this was invented or that took place.ā€Ā Ā I donā€™t know why Iā€™ve always favored this form of trivia; I just do.

Did you know that on this day, August 24, in 1759, William Wilberforce was born? Ā Do you recognize the name? Ā Maybe after a few minutes, something might be triggered in the back portion of your memory bank and you recall his work.

He graduated from Cambridge University in 1780 and entered Parliament. Ā It was about that time that he met John and Charles Wesley who convinced him that he should use his office and influence to work for the moral uplift of society. Ā A deeply devoted Christian, and because of his faith convictions, Wilberforce set his face towards the ending of the British Slave Trade. Ā For him, there was no greater moral blight on the English conscience; therefore, he would not rest until his country recognized the injustice and horrendous cruelty forced upon another group of people.

His position was not well received, and many thought his position was unattainable because of the financial profiteering of the slave trade; however, Wilberforce wouldnā€™t relent. Finally, after more than twenty years of effort, a bill was passed in Parliament outlawing slave-trading in 1807. It took another twenty-six years for the complete emancipation for all slaves in the British Empire.

He was convinced that slavery was a moral evil and it was his duty to right the wrong. Ā Behind that conviction was his faith in Jesus Christ. I would hazard to guess his efforts would not have been successful if he wasnā€™t driven by his conviction derived from faith. Ā So, here are my questions for you:Ā What drives you to not quit in the face of opposition and regardless of how high the mountain before you sits, you know you must climb it? Ā Where do you see a moral evil that plagues society, one that must be eradicated?Ā Ā If we pray for Godā€™s Kingdom to come, surely, we have to be willing to work toward that same Kingdom we so desperately desire.

This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday –Ā Luke 16
  • Tuesday –Ā Luke 17
  • Wednesday –Ā Luke 18
  • Thursday –Ā LukeĀ 19
  • Friday –Ā Luke 20
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Friends and family members battling illness.
  • Those seeking to find their way.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • The Covid-19Ā Pandemic.
  • Our nation and our leaders.

ā€œDonā€™t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.ā€ –Ā Philippians 4:6

Posted on

First Steps – August 17, 2020

Lately Iā€™ve been thinking about Benedictions, dismissals with blessings. One that caught my eye can be used anytime but mainly at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony:

(Minister to Couple)Ā God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home. Ā Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.

(Minister to Congregation)Ā Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you. Ā Amen.

Though very appropriate for a wedding, it is also good words to live by each day. Ā Give it a try.
This Week’s Readings:
  • Monday –Ā Luke 11
  • Tuesday –Ā Luke 12
  • Wednesday –Ā Luke 13
  • Thursday –Ā LukeĀ 14
  • Friday –Ā Luke 15
Please Pray for:
  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • Teachers and students as they transition.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
Proudly powered by WordPress