Your Faith Journey 104
Daniel 1 reveals that the king of the Babylonians and his army overthrew the the king of Judah and the city of Jerusalem about 600 years before Jesus was born. During that time some of the young Jewish men who were part of the royal family and nobility of Judah, including Daniel, were taken to Babylon to become trained to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. While in exile, the faith of their childhood was tested.
We too are enduring a season of our faith being tested. Sunday morning worship services have recently transition to entirely online, so we are temporarily not meeting in the Sanctuary or Chapel for worship services. We are limited in how we stay connected with family members, friends, and fellow believers during this time of isolation and restrictions. Many are suffering mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually because of the ongoing strains, disappointments, grief, and uncertainties of this year and the pandemic we are living through. In times like these our daily habits either enable us to be spiritually nourished, emotionally healthy, physically fit, and mentally sound, or the lack of those habits prevents us from maintaining our health and wellness. Ultimately, it’s hard to care for and love others if you are not taking care of yourself. You can’t give what you don’t have.
You are encouraged to set aside time to Worship God on Sundays, while also living as a worshiper throughout the week. You’re also encouraged to stay Connected with other sisters or brothers in Christ through ongoing communication and care. And utilize Habits that enable you to be healthy emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Those habits should include prayer, studying scripture, fasting (denying yourself something), resting and recreation, along with doing things to nourish your heart, mind, and body.
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Your Faith Journey 103
The apostle Paul shared a list of virtues in Colossians 3 to encourage Christians to become more like Christ. Paul described them in this way, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another…And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV). Imagine if we, the people of Avon UMC, clothe ourselves daily with virtues that enable us to become more and more like Jesus. Perhaps we will see Jesus more clearly within each other, and our community will encounter Christ to a greater degree, if the virtues of Christ are seen, heard, and experienced in and through Avon UMC.
As you read the suggested scripture each day, look for the following virtues:
Centering on God
Christ-like Love
Forgiveness
Joy
Humility
Kindness
Patience
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Your Faith Journey 102
In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a story about a man who entrusts his wealth to his servants for them to manage according to his desires, not their own. They don’t own the money they have been given, their master owns it. The parable reveals that God entrusts us with time, talents, and resources. We don’t own what we’ve been given by God. It belongs to him. But we are responsible for managing it according to how he commands us. Are you using your God-given time, talents, and treasures, according to God’s will? Are you investing what you’ve been given so that our “Master” will receive a return on his investment?
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Your Faith Journey 101
In John 15:12-17 Jesus shares the following:
– He chose us.
– We are commanded to “love one another.”
– The greatest form of love is to “lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
– We are Jesus’ friends when we love one another.
– Everything Christ learned from his heavenly Father he makes known to us.
– He appointed us to go and bear fruit that will last.
How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus chose you to be his follower and friend?
What would happen within Avon UMC, the United Methodist denomination, and for Christians around the world if we loved one another as Christ loved us?
What does loving others as Christ loved us require of you?
What would happen in your friendships if you laid down your own agendas and preferences for the benefit of your friends?
You have been appointed to go and bear fruit that will last. Are you fulfilling your appointment, or do you need to more intentionally abide in Christ so that you will be able to become fruitful?
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Your Faith Journey 100
The apostle Paul encourages Christians to work at whatever we do with all of our heart, “as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). Work is not just a way to get things done or earn an income, it is a way to bless others and glorify God. We are commanded to love and serve the Lord with all of our heart (Deuteronomy 10:12). Loving and serving God involves the use of our time, talents, and treasures. Are you managing your time in a way that shows that you are serving the Lord? The creation account in Genesis 1 reveals that God worked for six days, but then he rested on the seventh day. How about you? Is rest part of the way you manage the time God has given you?
Are you using your God-given talents in a way that blesses others and shows that you are serving the Lord? If not, what are you going to do to begin using them in that way?
Are you managing your financial and material resources as a responsible steward of what God has given you? Do your monthly bank statements and budget reveal your desire to fulfill God’s will? If not, what needs to change?
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Your Faith Journey 99
During the past few weeks we have been focused on the time when judges led the Israelites. We’ve walked through the story within The Book of Ruth. The story reveals a woman named Naomi who lost her husband and adult sons when they died. The overwhelming loss caused Naomi to become bitter and to feel emptied. Yet Naomi’s daughter-in-law was extremely loyal and remained faithfully by her side. As poor widows, Ruth and her mother-in-law were the most vulnerable people in their society. God protected them and led them to a very kind and righteous man in Bethlehem. Boaz provided food for the poor widows and eventually learned that Ruth wanted to marry him. Boaz told Ruth, “I will do for you all that your request” (Ruth 3:11b NKJV). As we conclude The Book of Ruth message series, we are now turning our attention to Boaz, the Kinsman-Redeemer. Another righteous man, Jesus Christ, shared a similar message to what Boaz told Ruth, “whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13 NKJV).
What do you see in the life of Boaz that reminds you of Jesus?
How should we follow the examples of Boaz and Jesus to live righteously?
If your children and grandchildren, or children that know you well, follow your example, what does that mean in regards to their lives and the legacy you’ll leave behind?
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Your Faith Journey 98
During the time when judges ruled the Israelites, a woman named Naomi went from being abundantly blessed to being emptied because of losing her husband and both of her adult sons when they died. Yet her daughter-in-law who was “better to” her “than seven sons” remained faithfully by her side (Ruth 4:15 NKJV). Ruth exemplified extreme loyalty. When Naomi tried to convince Ruth to go back to her own people in Moab, she replied to her mother-in-law by saying, “Where you go, I will go…your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:15-16 NRSV).
Who are the people in your life that are extremely loyal?
Do you have family members or friends who consider you to be loyal?
What about your loyalty to God through Christ? Are you willing to go where the Spirit leads and directs you? Are you willing to live in such a way that Jesus’ people are your people? Do others know the God you believe in?
Two indicators of your devotion and priorities are your calendar, including your daily planner, and monthly bank statements. Consider your commitments and how you live out your loyalty towards Christ and others, then pray for God to help you to prioritize according to His will.
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Your Faith Journey 97
For hundreds of years between the time in history when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and various kings ruled the kingdom(s) of Israel, “The LORD raised up judges” to lead his people (Judges 2:16 NIV). During the next few weeks we are turning our attention to the time “when the judges ruled” to focus on the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz (Ruth 1:1 NIV). At the beginning of the book, Naomi’s full and blessed life quickly begins crumbling. She and her family endure a famine, move to a foreign land, her husband dies, then she loses her two married sons. After her season of heartache and devastating losses, Naomi returns to Bethlehem. Upon her arrival, she instructs those who knew her before she moved to “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:20-21 NIV). Thankfully, the season of emptiness wasn’t the end of Naomi’s story. Eventually her bitterness turned into redemption, and Naomi’s brokenness was replaced by blessings.
What kind of season are you in right now? Is your life being emptied or filled? Are you becoming bitter or better?
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Your Faith Journey 96
This week we are concluding the ONE: Unity in Christ series. During the previous five sessions, we’ve been studying and discussing the following:
1. We are meant to be “Completely One” as the church by being united in heart and mind through the Spirit of God, seeking the Lord’s will together (John 17).
2. As we follow Jesus on “The Path of Discipleship,” we are formed into the likeness of Christ individually and collectively through the work of the Holy Spirit and our faith practices, which are also known as holy habits (Philippians 2).
3. Our gifts, talents, and abilities are given to us by God “For the Common Good” of those within the church, our community, and world (1 Corinthians 12). We should seek the good of others as an expression of loving our neighbors, knowing that some may be saved because of experiencing God’s goodness through us.
4. It is time for us to “Reclaim Our Identity” as new creations in Christ, reconciled with God through Jesus. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors of Christ and the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 5:16-21).
5. With all that is happening in our world, nation, community, congregation, and families, it can be overwhelming and an ongoing source of anxiety. Thankfully, scripture reveals multiple ways for us to know “How to Cope,” including sharing our concerns, sorrows, and needs with God in real and raw ways through prayer (1 Peter 5:7 & Psalms). Max Lucado’s acrostic based on Philippians 4:4-8 is also helpful:
Celebrate God’s Goodness
Ask for Help
Leave Your Concerns with God
Meditate on Good Things
Now we are turning our attention beyond today and this season. This week, we are wrestling with the question “What is Our Legacy?” In episode #6 of the Woodlawn: ONE small group video series, Dr. Tony Evans compares our legacy as Christians with runners in a relay race. We need to be intentional about handing off our faith in Christ to the next generation. Another way to think about our legacy is “discipleship.” During the AUMC Disciple’s Path series in the fall of 2019, we shared the following statement:
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of walking with Christ towards maturity and unity for the sake of others.
Consider prayerfully wrestling with the following questions:
How are you walking with Christ in your thoughts, words, and actions?
Do you see and experience evidence that you are growing more like Jesus?
How are you helping others to grow more mature as disciples?
How are you personally seeking to be one in heart and mind with sisters and brothers in faith who are part of our church family? What about the Jesus followers who don’t agree with you?
What are you doing now to prepare the next generation within your family and our church so that the baton of leadership and discipleship can be handed to them one day?
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Your Faith Journey 95
This week we are continuing with the second half of the ONE: Unity in Christ series as we turn our attention towards “How to Cope.” From the beginning of human existence people have suffered. Genesis 3 reveals that Adam and Eve sinned, so they were forced to leave the Garden of Eden. When their two sons grew old enough to work, Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and anger. Hardships and heartache are part of our lives as human beings. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 NLT). Unfortunately, following Jesus doesn’t provide an immunity from pain, suffering, and loss here on earth. As we experience trials and sorrows, we must learn how to cope effectively. Learning to effectively cope is especially important during this season as we continue through the pandemic, working to eliminate systemic racism, being confronted by division within our nation and Methodist denomination, managing finances in an ongoing economic downturn, and enduring the pain of broken families along with the loss of loved ones.
Use the link below to read the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) list of Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress:
The CDC’s suggestions are applicable to anyone and everyone. But what about those of us who are people of faith? How should we cope allowing our faith in Christ to guide us through the troubles of life? In the small group study based on his book Anxious for Nothing, pastor and best-selling author, Max Lucado shares an acrostic inspired by Philippians 4:4-8 to help us learn to cope as people of faith and stay CALM:
Celebrate God’s Goodness
Ask for Help
Leave Your Concerns with God
Meditate on Good Things
If you’re interested in further study beyond the sermon and this Your Faith Journey devotional, consider reading Max Lucado’s book Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World or his book Fearless.
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