Easter Sunday

Mark 16:1-13

This scripture leaves us wondering and longing for more.  Mark’s Easter gospel invites us to stand where those first trembling witnesses stood.  At the tomb, those three women didn’t see Jesus.  Neither have we.  They didn’t hear Jesus call their names.  Neither have we.  They were not invited to touch his wounded hands.  We have not touched Jesus’ hands either.  Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome are our guides for telling the story, and speaking words of faith.  These women had honored Jesus and were heart-broken because of his death!  Their walk to the tomb was an act of love and faithfulness.  Despite the danger of being identified with Jesus, despite the heaviness of their hearts, and despite the early hour of their walk to the tomb, these women still came to honor Christ. 

This is our day to assemble and remember Jesus and his birth, life, death, and resurrection.  Let each of us commit to joining him in his work of transforming the world by God’s grace.  Let us approach this day with anticipation and joy in our hearts!

Prayer: Father, thank you for rolling the stone of death away and for promising us eternal life. Please give us the courage to walk faithfully in your footsteps, to help prepare others for your Son’s return and to be a blessing to others until that day dawns.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Elizabeth Lutz

Holy Saturday

1 Peter 4:1-8

Do you ever come across some Bible verses that make you uncomfortable such that you want to ignore them and move on?  It’s warm and fuzzy to read about the birth of Christ, that God loves us, that God forgives us, the greatest of these is love, etc.  It’s uncomfortable to read that Christ suffered in his body, that we are to arm ourselves against sin as a soldier arms himself for battle, we’re to put away our God-ignorant style of life, live for God, leave behind your friends that refuse to live for God, we are accountable to God, i.e., there will be judgment.  Ouch, that hurts.  But as uncomfortable as it may sound, there is difficulty and suffering in the life that God calls us to live. 

God understands this suffering because he became one of us through Jesus and suffered just as we do with sin, even to the point of a horrific death.  However, there is a prize to all of this.  As the Olympians attained medals and the satisfaction of competing as a result of all their hard work and sacrifice, we too can feel satisfaction (although probably no medals) from a life in service to others as opposed to serving only ourselves.  It may appear to hurt, but it isn’t necessarily painful.  Arm yourself.

Written by Jim Morgan

Good Friday

John 13:36-38 & 19:38-42

In today’s scripture readings, I discovered two important messages. In John 13:36-38, Peter emphatically states that he will follow Jesus anywhere; that he would lay down his life for Christ. Peter is known generally as one of the most powerful, outspoken and genuine followers of Christ. In this passage, Jesus responds by telling Peter he will deny Him publicly before the rooster crows the next morning and that Peter cannot follow where He is going. For Peter, those words must have stung −badly.

It is obvious Peter loved the Lord sincerely and wholeheartedly. Yet, in his humanness, he didn’t and couldn’t follow Jesus. Jesus had to travel the road to execution alone. Don’t we run away from Jesus sometimes too? We wholeheartedly say we will follow Jesus anywhere – and we mean it − and then we don’t. We are afraid of what Jesus is asking of us or, we’re too tired from life and we neglect the things of Jesus.

From the passage John 19:38-42, I see hope and a contrast to Peter’s (my) failings pointed out in the first passage. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret supporters of Jesus. They were members of the Sanhedrin and it was an extremely dangerous time to be associated with Jesus. Risking their lives, they boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body for burial. They publicly stepped forward and showed their love of the Lord, no matter the cost. What a contrast to Peter’s actions!

Prayer: On this Good Friday, it is incredible and comforting, Jesus, that we can meet You at the foot of the cross just as we are. The Good News You gave us for this day is that we can come before You, repent of our sins and live in Your glory from now through eternity. Thank You for loving us so much that You died on the cross for us. Amen.

Written by Kathy Austin

Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

The story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is only found in the book of John, and yet it is one of the most well-known and beloved stories of his final week on Earth.  It was common-place for a host to offer water for their guests to wash their feet (most likely dusty & dirty from their journey).  However, it was unheard of for a host to offer to wash their feet for them. 

Even today, with the invention of socks and enclosed footwear, touching another person’s feet is a very intimate act.  Our feet are accustomed to the rough ground and baring our weight throughout the day, not the soft touch of a hand.  Even, on the rare occasion, when I get a pedicure, I’m always a little jumpy when the woman reaches up to grab my foot. 

Somehow, I feel that Jesus was very aware of this—seeking to touch the part of their body that was deemed untouchable.  Peter, refuses Jesus, as any of us probably would have; however, Jesus insists...he always seemed to be touching things that no one else thought he should (the sick, lepers, unclean women, children).  You would think that Peter would have learned to stop telling him not to do things; but then again, Peter did always need to learn things the hard way.

I think this story is so gripping because, for most of us, if we knew of our impending death, we would probably be very selfish. We would be thinking of all the things we’ve never done or trying to cram everything into our last night. Instead, we find Jesus washing feet. 

After he finishes, he tells his disciples that they are the foot-washers now.  They are called to touch the untouchable and do the unexpected… responding to life and all people with selfless love.  We are called to do the same.

Today, as you think about the final night of Jesus’ life, his final meal with his friends, be reminded that service is the greatest act of love.

Written by Keely DeBoever

Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1-3

At this point in your Lenten journey, you may be feeling a little weary.  Maybe you do not feel that this whole Lent thing is worth it.  I am sure we often feel this way even outside of the season of Lent.  I don’t blame you, what with all the sin that is around us everyday.  We will always fall short, but keep this in mind: We are not alone. 

As today’s scripture tells us, “…we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…” For centuries, people who have come and gone before us, they’ve have walked this same path.  With this in mind we can continue through life knowing that these witnesses support us.  And with this support we have the confidence to throw off the chains and snares of sin that bind us and travel on our journey that He has planned for us. 

This scripture also tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus.  As the scripture says, He is “…the author and perfecter of our faith…” He is the reason we celebrate Lent.  He is the reason we go to church every Sunday!  In our life’s journey we should strive to be more Christ-like.  As if life wasn’t difficult enough!   But we must carry on.  God knows that as long as we are mindful then we will be rewarded in Heaven.  It’s what the men and women before us strived for.

Prayer: Lord, give us will and strength to throw off the sin that weighs us down.  Sometimes I don’t think I am strong enough but I know as long as I can keep my eyes toward Jesus, I can go confidently through life.  May we all keep our eyes on the prize. Amen.

Written by Perry Anthony

Does Jesus have Authority in your Life?

Mark 11:27-33

The Sanhedrin were curious. They peered thru the columns of the temple as Jesus walks and teaches His followers on an afternoon in the temple. They picked their place and moment to stop him while he was in the midst of his discussion, to create the most effective disruption. “They demanded, “By whose authority did you drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who gave you such authority?”

The Sanhedrin were a political group, not a religious group.  They were a group of aristocrats. They were high priests, members of privileged families, and scribes (both Pharisees and Sadducees). They took on the role as peacemakers and formed an alliance with the Romans to promote peace among the Hebrews in Jerusalem. Their interest was to maintain peace between the ruling Roman empire and the Hebrews.

Sanhedrin believed that the messiah would come from the political arena. The messiah would be one of them. The savior of the world from Nazareth?  A son of a common carpenter?  Come on……are you kidding?? They intended to disrupt him and embarrass him with their question: “Who gave you such authority?”

We often ask a similar question. How do we recognize authority? Political position? Economic status? Inspiring  speech delivery?

Who are authoritative figures that come to mind? Presidents (Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan), World Leaders (Winston Churchill, Vladimir Putin). What about leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, Kim Jong-un of N. Korea, and Bashar al-Assad of Syria? All of these leaders have assumed political authority.

What makes Jesus different? We only know what Jesus did on earth for about 2-3 years of his ministry. How has his message been so effective? Jesus had no aristocratic background to give him authority, or did he?

His message was simple. Follow me and you will have eternal life. Love your neighbor as yourself. He performed amazing miraculous healings of the crippled, the blind and the lame of society. So, he declared his lineage and showed obvious signs of power.

His message was full of truth. He was challenged on many different occasions and could never be disproven.

Does Jesus have authority in your life?

Written by Mitch Hensley

Expect the Unexpected

Isaiah 42:1-9

Isaiah spoke to God because the prophecy of the attributes of Our Savior could not have been any more accurate; even though Jesus' coming was not what most expected and even today can be misperceived.

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah as bringing justification for "all" people. Yet the Israelites who had suffered for years at the hands of many could not perceive how the Messiah would bring justice to those who had caused injustice. However, through faith in HIS death and resurrection Jesus has brought about justification for ALL and the spread of Christianity throughout the world has fulfilled this prophecy.

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah as a "Mighty Counselor". However, we often misperceive Jesus as one day standing with us before God and pleading mercy for our transgressions. Yet Jesus has already successfully pleaded before God on our behalf, when he allowed our transgressions to die with him on the cross and said "that HE was satisfied". Jesus IS the "Mighty Counselor" and this prophecy has been fulfilled.

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah as one who will not break a bruised reed.  Jesus has and always will comfort his children who have been weakened by the circumstances of the world. HE provides great tenderness and mercy during our tribulations and therefore HE is our "Great Comforter".

Finally, Isaiah prophesied the Messiah as the New Covenant.  John 3:16 states “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  Jesus IS the New Covenant. 

With the gift of the Holy Spirit we have the blessed assurance that Isaiah's’ prophecy has ALREADY been fulfilled in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God.

Written by Rocky Lutz

He Gave a Donkey

Matthew 21:1-11

I don’t know his name or what he looks like. I only know what he gave. He gave a donkey for Jesus to use on the Sunday he entered Jerusalem. An interesting bit of history is found in Matthew 21:3. It is the story of the man who gave the donkey to Jesus. The scripture says, “If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, say that the Master needs them, and he will send them at once.”

Did the man have any idea his generosity would be used for such a noble purpose? Did it occur to him God was going to ride that donkey?

All of us have a donkey. Something that, if given to God, could move Jesus and His story further down the road. Maybe you sing or program a computer or speak Swahili or write a check. Whichever it may be…that’s your donkey. Do you give it?

The guy who gave Jesus the donkey is just one in a long line of folks who gave little things to a big God.

From And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado

My Soul Longs for You

Psalm 42

As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for You, O God!  Psalm 42:1 How poetic to describe our eager desire for a relationship with God with the image of a deer thirsting for fresh, flowing water!  I'm sure everyone can identify with great thirst being satisfied, but do we compare that longing with our need to be right with God?  Longing to be in His presence? Confident that He is always with us?

The writer of this Psalm asks why his soul is downcast. But then wisely REMEMBERS the Lord! vs 6. We need to constantly remember who God IS and then remind ourselves that he is for us!

"By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life" vs 8.  Wow!  Does that not tell us we are covered?

Verses 5 and 11 end with this declaration:  "Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."

And with this hope in our hearts we agree with the psalmist as he longs to be with other believers in worship and praise of our wonderful God! vs 4.

Written by Marywinn Amaya

Pay Attention

Exodus 9:13-35

“So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.”  (Exodus 9:35)

It seems inexplicable.  Pharaoh and the Egyptians have already experienced six plagues:  water turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock diseased, and boils.  Now, Moses warns Pharaoh that the Lord God will send thunder and hail unlike any Egypt has ever seen.  In the face of this destruction, Pharaoh tells Moses, “Enough of God’s thunder and hail!  I will let you go; you need stay no longer” (Ex. 9:28).  Yet, as soon as the storm ceases, he changes his mind and ignores what he has seen and experienced.  As soon as the crisis resolves, it is back to business as usual, and Pharaoh will not let the Israelites go. 

As I reflected on this passage, I found myself wondering if we are ever like Pharaoh:  attentive in crisis and then inattentive when things return to normal.   Or more generally, do we shift from attention to inattention?  From being mindful of God’s presence and then seemingly unaware? The Lenten invitation implicit in this passage is to focus and reorient our attention on the Holy One.  We are invited to pay attention and to discover, or to rediscover, what it is that God is doing in us as individuals and as a community of faith.  We are invited to hear the God who calls sometimes with thunderous voice and at other times with a soft whisper. 

Prayer: Gracious loving God, we get so caught up in the storm swirling around us, that we are inattentive to your presence.  And yet, you are still here.  Fill us with an awareness of your presence.  Empower us to hear your voice and to respond to your call.  And grant that we might share your grace and your love with others.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. 

Written by Stacey Watkins-Griffith

The Beauty of the Unseen

A Cloud of Unknowing

 "It is impossible to think about God."

I ran into that line not too long ago while looking at a philosophy website.  It's a little bit of a shocking statement.  We rejoice in knowing God; we put our faith and hope in it.

There is a level on which the statement rings true, though.  Our powers of mind prove time and time again that we're not equal to thinking about much, and if God has infinite scope and power and magnitude, then what are the chances we have any ability to begin to conceptualize Him?  You might as well ask a squirrel its theory of mankind; he might know some basics, but couldn't have any idea about human depth or emotion or capacity.  If that's a squirrel to us, then what are we to God?

As I often do, though, I found help in a medieval English mystic text, this time "The Cloud of Unknowing."  The anonymous author here agrees that we can't "know" God, at least not in our traditional ways of knowing.  As humans, the author writes, we have two great faculties: knowing and loving.  We get caught up in our arrogance of knowledge, pretending to know what we don't, or denying things if we can't understand them.  But the book says that our ability to love always outstrips our ability to know.  That we must love God through a "cloud of unknowing."  Isn't this the way we always have to love?  To love people we don't understand: to love a world that baffles us?

Ken Kesey wrote, "the need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer."  We need knowledge and reason, of course.  Thomas Merton said that the faith journey is like a long and dark road.  Reason is the headlights.  It helps light the way, but it doesn't show you everything.  But I like driving at night; I love the beauty of the unseen.

Written by David Parker

Don't Miss the Miracles Happening Around You

Exodus 7:8-24

As Christians, one of our greatest possessions is our Bible.  This wonderful book of life introduces us to many people who were called by God for special responsibilities.  Moses is one of those people.  Even though he had escaped Egypt under dangerous circumstances many years before, God told him to go back to bring the Israelites out of bondage.

Moses did not want to go back.  He resisted God’s bidding by saying, “I’m not eloquent enough” and “I don’t speak well.”  He finally gave God an affirmative answer.

Aren't most of us like Moses when God calls our name?  Even our prayers become filled with rationalizations as to why we can’t or won’t answer God’s call.  Hopefully, our refusals will turn into acceptances just as Moses’ did.

When Moses and Aaron were received by the pharaoh he had no intention of letting the Israelites go free.  God knew that even though miracles would be performed, the pharaoh would not listen and would resist the power of God.  God showed this power by turning Aaron’s staff into a snake and then, with the same staff, turning the Nile’s water into blood.  Pharaoh did not relent even when God’s omnipotence reversed the effects of the miracles.

Jesus knew that miracles could help people believe, but he also knew not to rely on them alone.  Satan gives people a push into sin by imitating some of God’s miracles just as the Egyptian pharaoh focused on the miracle rather than the message.  We can avoid Satan’s lure into sin in our lives by letting God’s Word be the basis of our faith.  We can hold fast to this truth:  none of God’s miracles could endorse something that is contrary to the teachings of God’s Word.

Our Heavenly Father gives us miracles every day.  We often miss the small ones while being so busy praying for an extremely large miracle. We already have the biggest miracle of all-a chance for life eternal in the heavenly home God has prepared for us.  For this, we give everlasting love and thankfulness.

Written by Billie Ann Haynes

Two Ears, One Mouth

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

When I first read the scripture passage for today’s devotion from I Corinthians, I must confess I was initially disturbed by some of what the Apostle Paul was saying in his epistle to the church at Corinth.  It challenged my 21st Century understanding of how God expects us to live as Christians.  I have always believed that Scripture is God’s divine word interpreted by and through the limitations of the human mind.  The multiple translations of these verses and the varied interpretations of the text illustrate this concept.   With this passage in particular, I recommend reading several different translations to get a broader understanding of the meaning of the words. The translation from “The Message” provided me with the clearest interpretation of what I believe Paul was saying.

As a young kid, one of the first things I was taught in school was to raise my hand if I wanted to speak in class. Unfortunately, I had a bad habit of blurting out in class whenever I had something I wanted to say.  My first grade teacher, Mrs. Mull, frequently chastised me for speaking when others were asking a question. She would always remind me that the only way we learn is to listen carefully to what others were saying and to speak only when we are called upon. This bit of wisdom from my first grade teacher has carried with me throughout my life and I have frequently thanked Mrs. Mull for teaching me this valuable life lesson. 

I believe the Apostle Paul’s message is much like the simple lesson I learned from my first grade teacher. When we worship God, listen carefully and respectfully to all those who speak.  Praise God through song and words with enthusiasm and clarity. And most importantly as Christians we are to share God’s love in all that we do and say.

Prayer: Father, help us to always listen and be mindful of Your word in our world today. Through our thoughts, deeds and actions bring us all closer to You. Amen.

Written by Stan Anthony

Stop Acting Like a Child!

Mark 9:30-41

When was the last time you were told to “stop acting like a child”?  I imagine Jesus thought this quite often about his disciples.

Jesus told his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.  They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”  Their response:  “What’s he talking about?  You ask him.  No, you.  I don’t want him to know I don’t understand.  Just nod and agree.”  It is easy for us to wonder how they could follow this man, trust him with everything, and not be able to ask him a simple question.  But, how often do we do the same?

Jesus asks the disciples about the subject of an argument.  They are too embarrassed to admit they are arguing about who is the greatest among them.  Sound familiar?  We are too ready to judge others’ shortcomings, especially for the purpose of raising our own value.  Jesus' response:  “Anyone who wants to be first must be very last, and servant of all.”  He places a child in the midst of the disciples and while hugging the child says, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  In other words…get your priorities in order…you are second!

Along with Easter on April 20 my family will be celebrating my aunt’s birthday, my daughter’s birthday, my birthday, and preparing for my son’s birthday on April 21.  I accept my second place trophy!

You can imagine John stomping his foot, fists clenched whining about someone else driving out demons in Jesus' name.  Jesus responds if they are not against us they are for us.

Jesus' response to the disciples is comforting to me.  As I grow spiritually he will be patient, compassionate, and sympathetic (even when I’m acting like a child). :)

Written by Carrie Richardson

We are the Body

Romans 12:1-12

⁴ We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. ⁵ In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body. ⁶ So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. (Romans 12: 4-6(a), Good News Translation).

In the community college where I work, the medical terminology instructors use a novel way of teaching the parts of the body. Students are given a system (digestive, circulatory, nervous, etc.) and are assigned to illustrate it in an artistic fashion as a drawing or a three dimensional clay or paper figure. This requires the student to get to know both the appearance and function of each part, and more importantly, how the part works in harmony with the rest of the body. Often the resulting “art” is visually appealing and is displayed in the library.

As members of the body of Christ, Paul instructs us to act in love as we are part of a larger system than just ourselves. We are to use our gifts to serve, to teach, to encourage, to share and to lead. When we act upon our faith, we accomplish much through the gifts we have received through grace. We acknowledge that it is through Christ that we can do what he instructs us to do, to feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, teach others, and support one another.

As we give of ourselves in love, through the Body of Christ, we have the chance to grow into maturity as Christians. Through loving and serving our fellow human beings we get closer to Jesus and are able to hope with joy, to be patient in affliction, and to stay connected to God in prayer.

Written by John Lattimore

The Heart of Worship

Psalm 33

One of my favorite praise songs is “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord”.  It seems to be a sincere fervent plea to God to reveal himself to us so that we might worship him more completely and help others to love and trust Him more.  It embodies the words “praise music” which our church enjoys at the 8:30 Sunday service.

I remember a time when our church family was somewhat divided about having two morning services; one contemporary and one traditional with variations in dress, format and music style.  Looking back on that time in the life of our church family, it seems so unimportant now as long as we worship our Sovereign God and recognize “whose” we are.

It brings me to this Psalm that the author uses to exclaim God’s omnipotence and worthiness of our praise, adoration and trust.  It reminds us to convey that to those around us.  It causes me to think more about our purpose of coming together on Sundays at our worship services or anytime we meet together to study His word or conduct the business of the church working in the world.

Maybe it is time to “get back to the heart of worship” to quote another praise hymn and ask ourselves what it truly means to worship God in this place.  It may mean asking of ourselves how to serve others instead of ourselves.

Central United Methodist Church has a rich history of loving God and offering that love to others.  It shines as a beacon in the heart of a small southern town and says to those who see it that the Jesus one sees as a shepherd in our stained glass windows is God’s son and our Savior.  His love is present in this place.  In Psalms 33:18 the psalmist says the eyes of the Lord are watching over those who fear him, who rely upon His steady love.

Let us seek to nurture each other in this place so that future generations will also honor the heritage of Central Church.

Written by Anne Wray

Take Inventory

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3 

In my pre-teen years, I remember my brother and me running into the house from playing and being stopped dead in our tracks by the delicious aroma of a fresh baked pound cake or apple pie.  After stopping and licking our lips, we would always say, “Mom, who died or who is sick?”  It seemed that when mom baked, someone was sick or had passed away.  Little did Mike and I know but mom was using one of her God given spiritual gifts. We did know that we weren't going to get any and we didn't like it!

Of course with age comes wisdom.  Mom was teaching us, not with just words, but with actions.  Wouldn't it have been a tragedy for mom to bake only for the family? In times of other’s needs, she was always there with a pound cake or hot apple pie.

As Christians, each of us has been give one or more spiritual gifts from God. When was the last time you have used one of your gifts?  If it has been a while, there is no time like the present.  Inventory yourself and find that precious gift, dust it off and USE IT.  Just remember, start with love. Without love, no one benefits.  Good deeds without the love of Christ can make one boastful and proud. We did not bestow the gifts on ourselves, but they are from our Heavenly Father. THANKS BE TO GOD!

Written by Rod Mauney