2/18/24 – 2/24/24

The Lenten season began on Ash Wednesday (2/14). For Jesus’ Church, Lent is a season set apart from other times of the year for repentance, preparation, denying ourselves, spiritual growth, and seeking to live more like Christ. During the past Wednesday worship service, we were reminded that Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV). What is a way you are saying “no” to yourself during this season, so that you are able to say “yes” to Jesus? During Lent the people of Avon UMC are focusing on Christ and the cross each Sunday morning, while being invited to take up our cross each day as we follow Jesus’ example as his apprentices. As a way to help us follow Jesus more closely during this season, this Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Mark’s Gospel during the month of March.

2/11/24 – 2/17/24

Although other rabbis of the first century in the region of Galilee did not choose Simon the fisherman to become their disciple, Jesus did. According to the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel account, “as Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-18 NRSV). Throughout Jesus’ ministry Simon Peter was part of the inner circle of leaders within the group of disciples (Mark 9:2-8). Luke’s account of the Day of Pentecost and the stories recorded in the first fifteen chapters of the book of Acts reveal that Peter was a key leader in the church in Jerusalem during the earliest years of Christianity. This week we will read and study 1 Peter, a letter written on behalf of the apostle to Gentile Christians during a season of persecution. Near the end of the letter, it is noted that “Through Silvanus {Silas}, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God” (1 Peter 5:12 NRSV). As we read 1 Peter this week the apostle of Christ will remind us to continue living our faith as a holy and royal priesthood of believers even when we endure suffering and persecution because of being part of Jesus’ Church.

1/28/24 – 2/3/24

This week the Living Faith Devotional will guide us to finish reading Hebrews as we focus on loving our neighbors and continuing to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NRSV). If you did not read the past two weeks, you are encouraged to read or listen to chapters 1 through 10:18 before you begin using the plan for this week. Invite and expect the Holy Spirit to share God’s message for you each day as you read or listen to a portion of the first-century sermon that will conclude much like other New Testament letters.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read a portion of the Psalm
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your response(s)
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

1/21/24 – 1/27/24

Last week the Living Faith Devotional began guiding us to read the New Testament document known as Hebrews. This week we will continue our journey by reading and studying the middle portion of the first-century sermon. If you did not read last week, you are encouraged to read or listen to chapters 1 through 5 before you begin using the plan for this week. Invite and expect the Holy Spirit to share God’s message for you each day as you read or listen to a portion of Hebrews.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read a portion of the Psalm
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

1/14/24 – 1/20/24

During the next few months the Living Faith Devotional will turn our attention to The New Testament letters that remind us “were are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” of God’s Son and the Lord’s work in the world made possible by the Holy Spirit (Hebrew 12:1 NIV). The witnesses include those who wrote documents in the New Testament, including James, Jude, John, Peter, and the unknown author of Hebrews. This week we will begin this journey by reading and studying the first few chapters of Hebrews. Many Biblical scholars believe that the document known as “The Letter to the Hebrews” is not a traditional New Testament letter because the majority of it is like a sermon. This first century sermon was probably written between 60 and 65 C.E. and sent to Christians in Rome (Italy). The concluding portion of the letter is similar to other New Testament letters, but the majority of it is not. With that in mind, you are invited to read Hebrews listening for God’s message to be shared with you each day as you read a portion of the Spirit-inspired first century sermon.

1/7/24 – 1/13/24

What is the purpose of the church? Why does it exist? How should the people of the church behave? What is our mission? What is God’s vision for Jesus’ church? According to the 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, which contains a brief history of our denomination, as well as “the laws, plan, polity, and process by which United Methodists govern themselves” (BOD, page v), “The church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world…The function of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God. Therefore, the local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is located, to provide appropriate training and nurture to all, to cooperate in ministry with other local churches, to defend God’s creation and live as an ecologically responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the church” (BOD, paragraphs 201 & 202).

The church exists to respond to God by worshiping the Lord, helping believers to grow more like Christ, and to share the love of God and good news about Jesus with the people of the world, beginning with neighbors in our own community. As we reach out, God provides us opportunities to invite people to respond with us through repentance and faith in Christ, to receive the gift of adoption into God’s family by trusting in Jesus as part of the sacrament of baptism and follow Jesus with us as we seek God’s kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The daily Bible reading this week will be based on these concepts as a reminder for us of the why, how, and what of the church. The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

12/31/23 – 1/6/24

The End of 2023 and the Beginning of 2024

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I here? What is life all about? What is my purpose?” Our purpose was given to us by the One who created us. As one year ends and a new one begins, you are invited to use this daily devotional for the first week of 2024 as a reminder of what The Bible reveals about God’s purposes for life, you, and the world. The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read the portion of the Psalm to begin
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Watch the videos on the recommended days
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus
  

12/24-12/30

Advent Week 4 Devotional: God with Us

After weeks, or months, of waiting and preparation the day and time has finally arrived. It is the week of Christmas! The day(s) we celebrate our dear Savior’s birth. Yes, celebrations have been taking place throughout the Advent season, but now is the time to “fall on your knees” as described in the Christmas song O Holy Night. Now is the time for us to sing “sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus” (O Holy Night). This baby born in Bethlehem and placed in a manger is described by the apostle Paul in this way, “God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ” (Colossians 1:19 NLT). Somehow the fullness of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth dwelled in the baby born in Bethlehem on Christmas morn. Matthew, the gospel writer, shared this detail about the Christmas story, “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23 NRSV). Yes, God came to be with us in the person of Jesus. The source of life, grace, hope, love, joy, and peace came to the earth to save us from our sins. Christ came to reveal the way to God, the will of our heavenly Father, and the ways of life and the Lord. Yes, let us “praise His name forever” (O Holy Night). Christ is born!

12/17-12/23

Advent Week 3 Devotional: Good News of Great Joy

After hundreds of years of being enslaved in Egypt, when the Hebrew people were finally set free from their oppressors they began singing and praising the Lord. A psalmist described it this way, “he {God} brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing” (Psalm 105:43 NRSV). God’s deliverance of his people resulted in praising the Lord, our Deliverer. Our response to what God does for us, including delivering us from sin and death, should be joyful worship and adoration.

 

When the angel visited the shepherds on the night Jesus was born, the angel proclaimed, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NRSV). The angel reminds us that the story of Christmas is good news for all people. It is a gospel message of great joy for everyone! The source of hope, love, joy, and peace chose to be born among us and abide with us. Through our faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ we have an overflowing joy that can be seen when we worship God and tell others the good news, as well as when we give cheerfully and live generously. Don’t try to hide it, but instead let the joy of the Lord that is in you overflow into singing, proclaiming, giving, and generosity.

 

During the Advent season, we are reminded that God is the source of joy. This daily devotional for the third week of the season is designed to help us focus on the ”good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10 NRSV). The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this Advent devotional:

12/10-12/16

Advent Week 2 Devotionals: Preparing for the Lord

The beginning of The Gospel According to Mark includes quotes from the prophets Malachi and Isaiah. God Almighty shared this through the prophet Malachi about four hundred years before John the Baptist’s ministry began, “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple” (Malachi 3:1 NIV). Mark wants those who hear and read the gospel message about Jesus the Christ to know that John the baptizer was the messenger God sent to prepare the way for the arrival of the Lord. To prepare people for the coming of the Lord, John preached about “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” out in the wilderness along the Jordan River (Mark 1:4 NIV). He invited those who came to hear him to respond by changing their thoughts and behaviors so that they could set their minds on the Lord, and then receive forgiveness through baptism. Jews flocked to him from Jerusalem and Judea. Mark also wants us to know that John’s messages included this about Jesus, “After me comes one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8 NIV). John was preparing people for the arrival of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Are you prepared to welcome Jesus the Christ this Christmas? What do you need to do, or stop doing, to get ready? Repent? Ask for forgiveness? Offer forgiveness to yourself or others? Get baptized? Help other people to see the glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5)? How will you help others during this season to be prepared to respond to Jesus the Messiah?