Living Our Beliefs: What We Teach

     What we teach matters. Earlier this year, when holding a new members class we were watching a video about what United Methodist believe broken down into five segments. With each segment the same comment was made over and over again, "I didn't know that!"
     Disciples are made at the level of the local church, however, we don't want people to join the church simply because we have a good VBS or are nice. We want people to know what we believe, but that means we have to get better at teaching it.
    I was on a visit today where the comment was made that we need more kids to learn what we believe in the Bible, which I certainly agree with, but we also need more adult who know what we believe, both as Christians and as United Methodists. Because if the adults don't know, then who's going to teach the kids? Who's to going to tell our neighbors? Who is going to proclaim Jesus to transform lives and the world?
    We need more people who can simply articulate the faith in a compelling way. How do you proclaim what we believe? And who taught it to you in such a way that stirred your heart?

What We Teach Devo

May 29th, 2016  

Devotional

“Living Our Beliefs: What are We Teaching” - Romans 12: 6-7, Matthew 10: 24

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Growing as a Disciple” -Phil. 3: 8-11

The Apostle Paul writes in today’s scripture passage that all that he once considered to be important means nothing compared to sharing in the power of the resurrection of Christ. In fact, he disregards the things that prevented him from suffering of Christ. Paul put aside the things that distracted him and picked up the mantle of discipleship.

Discipleship, or following Jesus Christ, is hard work. It is not necessarily something that comes naturally or even easily to us. Instead, it is something that is taught and learned. We need to be able to look back and see who taught us to be a disciple in order to look forward to how we will teach others to follow Christ. The methods of teaching may change, but the heart of the material stays the same - Jesus Christ resurrected. 

What in your life could younger followers in the faith learn from you?

Where are the places you still need to grow as a disciple?

What is one way you can seek to grow as a disciple this week?

Prayer: God, you call us to learn and to teach. To learn how to always be growing deeper in our faith and discipleship to you. To teach others what it means to be a disciple. Be with us this week, giving us opportunities to both learn and teach, all for the sake of the Kingdom. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Modeling Discipleship” - 1 Cor 10: 23-33

While writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul gave sage advice that still applies today -  while all things may be lawful, they may not be the best things to be building disciples. While in seminary I had to study multiple intelligence theory as part of my Christian Education class which boils down to this - different people learn different ways - there isn’t simply one way to teach everyone so you need to present the material different ways to reach different learning types.

One of those learning types is by watching or observing. In other words, some people learn what it means to follow Jesus by watching you, whether you notice them watching or not. Therefore, we need to lead a godly example in order to model what it means to love and follow Christ. Who is watching you this day and what are you teaching them?

How can imitating other’s good example be a good teaching tool for discipleship?

How does knowing others are imitating your faith walk impact your day to day life?

What are some steps you can take this week to remind yourself to be a godly model for others new to the faith?

Prayer: Lord, we need a little help in being good models for others. We confess that we do not always live into our faith in a way that benefits others or in a way that truly teaches them what it means to love and follow you. Forgive us, O Lord. Use us to teach others what it means to have our lives changed by you. Amen.

Wednesday: “ Instruct One Another” - Romans 15: 14-16

One of the first steps in instructing another person about anything is to know what you are doing and why. What do you want to ultimately teach them and how are you going to get there? Sometimes I fear that too many Christians don’t know what they are ultimately striving to teach others about what it means to be a Christian. Perhaps thats because there just seems like there is so much to cover. For the Apostle Paul the most important thing to teach was the grace of God - that he was once a sinner but he is now saved by God’s grace. Everything he presented and taught was to reach that one point, to stress that one message given to him.

Paul didn’t expect just one or two people to instruct everyone else in the faith - instead he wanted all Christians in the body to instruct one another in order to help one another grow closer to God and each other. We cannot pass the buck on to someone else to instruct us in the faith, we need others to instruct us and we need to instruct others. 

What are some ways others in the church have instructed you in the faith?

What are some ways you can instruct others in the faith? What is the ultimate message you want to teach others?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we seem to focus on the wrong thing. We get overwhelmed by the message of your grace so we start to instruct people on things that don’t really matter to you or your Kingdom because they seem easier. Give us space this week, O Lord, to truly consider what we are ultimately teaching and how we are to get there. Set aside anything that may distract us from this message and path. Amen.

Thursday: “Personal and Social Holiness” - Matthew 25: 31-46

For John Wesley, the point of scripture was to show us the way to love  God with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves. You cannot separate one from the other. It is one of the reasons I truly believe that we need a community of believers to be a part of and worship with - because our path to growing in holiness is both personal and social. The end goal of our faith journey is to have our hearts so filled with love for God and neighbor that there isn’t room for anything else. This is more than just having a relationship with Christ, its have a relationship with Christ that deeply transforms you from the inside out.

However, we know that this isn’t always easy, which is perhaps what Jesus is pointing out in the parable of the sheet and the goats. It may be easy to appear that you love God or appear that you love your neighbor, but appearances are difference than transformative love. Part of what we teach as United Methodists is that we need to be people who are changed by Christ so that we can be agents of Christ in transforming the world. 

In what ways is our congregation good at teaching personal and social holiness? Where are our growing edges?

How can a deeper understanding of personal and social holiness help our church be involved in transformative ministry?

Prayer: Lord, we are people who you call to both have a relationship with you and then use that relationship in positive ways so that others may come to know you are their Lord and Savior. Help us move beyond ourselves and our personal preferences so that others may be blessed by your love and gift of salvation. Amen. 

Friday: “Not Above the Teacher” - Matthew 10: 24

Sometimes it is easier to not learn something because than we can claim ignorance or go about teaching what we want to teach instead of what the Church proclaims through the instruction and teaching of Jesus Christ. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds his disciples that its not about what they want to proclaim or what they want to teach - its about what he has instructed them in.

One of the most frustrating parts of being a pastor is when people tell you what they think the Bible says or what the think the Church believes when it is not true. It is simply their assumption or what they have been mis-taught in the past. Let us not be people who mis-teach others or lead them away from what matters most, distracting them with arguments about petty things. Instead let us teach what Jesus has taught us. For that is what matters most.

What are some ways we can be distracted into thinking we as disciples have a message better than our Teacher? How can we prevent ourselves from giving in to these distractions?

Prayer: Lord, we sometimes like our false beliefs more than what you taught. We find some much comfort in what we think your word says that we do not seek out the truth. Teach us your ways, O Lord. And remind us that we are simply the disciples, following your teaching, for it is all about you. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Simple Spirituality: Humility” - James 4:10, John 21: 4-7

Family Activity: Talk to your kids about school. What classes do they like the best? What excites them about learning? How can these conversations inform how you teach them about the faith? 

1 Cor 11: 17-34 Living Our Beliefs: Holy Communion

     Some of the most sacred memories I have are around the celebration of Holy Communion. There is one experience in particular that sticks out in my mind. When I was a freshman in college I was part of a church plant. We met in the evenings in the basement of a church. One particular evening I came in to find the communion table set before us in the middle of the room. When it came time to celebrate - we were invited to come to the table and do a number of things. First, we were invited to come and kneel at the table for a time of prayer. During that time, we were to write a confession of our sin on a paper table cloth and then leave that sin there - not to pick it up again. Next we were to look across the table to the person kneeling and pray for them - it didn't matter if we knew them or not, we simply prayed. Then we partook of the body and blood of Christ.
    There was nothing magical about that communion meal - but it invited me to think about the celebration of the sacrament of communion in a new way, ultimately reminding me of Christ's sacrifice, not just for me but for the person across the table from me as well.
    What experience of celebrating Holy Communion has deeply moved you?

Communion Devo

 May 22nd, 2016

Devotional

“Living Our Beliefs: Holy Communion” - I Corinthians 11: 17 – 31

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Not for the Better” - 1 Cor. 11: 17-19

Some of the most heartbreaking tales I hear as a pastor are the reasons why people left the church. Why the reasons may vary - gossip, pettiness, factions, etc. - at the heart it comes down to what the Apostle Paul is speaking of in today’s scripture passage - the church is not being the church. People have become so distracted by their own ambitions and desires that they have missed out on the purpose of the church - to share the good news of Jesus Christ. When we forget who we are as a church and what our true mission is, we are no longer meeting for the better, but for the worse.

But even in the midst of turmoil, Paul does not condemn everyone. He does speak of those who are truly genuine in their faith. We would do well in times of turmoil to seek out those with a faith that is rooted in the gospel. If we anchor ourselves with those deeply connected to Christ, all other factions will eventually fade away as the church becomes refocused on why we truly exist. 

Have you ever felt like leaving the local church? What caused you to stay?

How can you seek out those who are genuine in their faith during times of turmoil? Who is one person in the church who you consider to be a genuine spiritual anchor?

Prayer: God, we confess that sometimes the church does not feel like a safe space to grow in our faith. Instead, at times, we find ourselves fighting over things that do not truly matter in your Kingdom. We find ourselves steeped in the behavior of the Church at Corinth - behaviors that do not glorify you or proclaim your reign. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to set our priorities straight so that there are no divisions among us that cause harm to others. We pray this in your name. Amen. 

Tuesday: “The Lord’s Supper” - 1 Cor. 11: 20-22

The celebration of Holy Communion was a bit different during the early church. It wasn’t celebrated once a month or once a quarter - it was celebrated every time they gathered together. It was also more than just the bread and the cup - it was a full meal where people brought what they had to share with one another.

Only sharing at the feast was not happening. Those who were rich and powerful were eating first and making those that they deemed to be poor and unworthy wait until they were completely finished before being able to come and dine. As a result, most if not all of the food would be devoured before the poor could come. 

Paul is trying to remind the Church in Corinth that this is not the purpose of the meal - the purpose is to be a community together, with no distinctions based on gender, power, or wealth. This was to be a table for everyone. Otherwise, it is not truly God’s table. 

How does Holy Communion differ today from that of the early church? How is it similar?

In what ways are you reminded during the celebration of Holy Communion that the table is for everyone? 

Prayer: Almighty God, we at times have corrupted your table. We have made it something it is not - by our human rules and regulations. Remind us, this day and always, that you invite all to come to your table and be fed, by the food present and by your love, mercy, and grace. May we be a church that truly exist for all people, not just those who are similar to us. Amen. 

Wednesday: “The Body” - 1 Cor 11: 23-24

When we come together to celebrate holy communion we always retell the story of Jesus’s final meal on earth with his disciples. Paul does the same in today’s scripture passage. By retelling the story we remember exactly why we are celebrating this holy meal.

On the night Jesus gave himself up for us, the night he was betrayed, the night before his death. By starting the story of the meal in this way we are reminded of exactly what Jesus went through on our behalf. He took the bread and broke it - as a sign that his body was soon to be broken and to remind us that we are one in the body of Christ. And he said to his disciples, “this is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

We know that no one other than the son of God could offer a sacrifice for us in this manner. So when we gather around the table, we remember him, we remember his gift to us when he laid down his life. We remember that it is for our sinful nature that Christ’s body was broken. We remember so that we can live into the present reality of being the body of Christ. 

What do you think about during the celebration of Holy Communion?

Why do you celebrate communion?

Prayer: God, we cannot begin to grasp what the mystery of Holy Communion means. No matter how often we celebrate it, there are still pieces of the story that have not sunk into our hearts; there are still realities about your life-giving sacrifice that we cannot fathom. Meet us in this holy meal, O God. And then use us, as your body, to minister to the world. Amen. 

Thursday: “The Cup” - 1 Cor 11: 25-26

The cup represents the new covenant made by Christ’s blood. A covenant where Christ has conquered the victory of sin and death by his death and resurrection. Different denominations approach the cup in different ways. United Methodist use grape juice. While some suppose this is because United Methodists are against alcohol that is not quite factually accurate. John Wesley noticed that the men working blue collar jobs were spending a large portion of their pay checks at bars on alcohol instead of taking the money home to their families. Additionally, the cost of creating alcohol, caused the price of grain to skyrocket. As a result he encouraged folks to steer clear of alcohol in order to provide for their families. 

Today, United Methodists continue the tradition of using grape juice at the table. We do so in order that all may be welcome at the table. We do not want the presence of alcohol to be a stumbling block for those who may struggle with addictions so we offer juice to all. In some places, both juice and wine are offered, giving people a choice, with the wine clearly marked to avoid any confusion. 

What does the new covenant in Christ mean to you?

What does the communion table remind you about your faith?

Prayer: God, we thank you for the cup of Christ. We thank you for the blessing it offers to us. As you remind us in the communion liturgy, make us the body of Christ redeemed by your blood for the sake of the world. Make us one with you, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world until you return and we feast with you at your heavenly banquet table. Amen. 

Friday: “Examine Yourselves” - 1 Cor 11: 27-31

We are not to enter into partaking the Lord’s Supper lightly. For some people that means take it as little as possible in order to keep it special, but that is not the teaching of the United Methodist Church. The UMC believes in the teaching of John Wesley which says to take part in the Lord’s Supper whenever possible.

Instead, examine yourself means to check your heart and confess your sins before coming to the table. This is one of the reasons I like the act of coming forward when I receive communion, it gives me time to confess my sins prior to partaking and time to silently praise God after receiving. There is no right or wrong way to receive communion, but however and whenever we receive we should check the state of our heart and confess anything sins we have not repented of in order to leave our hearts open to receiving the grace and mercy of Christ. 

How do you remind yourself to examine your heart prior to receiving communion?

What does examining your heart look like for you?

Prayer: We want to be people who are marked by your body and blood, O Lord. We want to be people who live into our faith every day of the week, not just Sundays. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Living Our Beliefs: What are We Teaching” - Romans 12: 6-7 and Matthew 10:24

Family Activity: Talk about holy communion. What does communion mean to you and your faith? If your child may not be able to understand the body and blood of Christ simply talk about the love of Jesus the meal represents. 

Baptism

Less than one month after my birth, I was baptized. On September 28^th, 1986, my parents had me baptized into my home church by the Rev. Raymond Fraval. While I was too young to have a memory of the event itself, I know that it has effected both my Christian upbringing, faith journey, and call to ministry.

One might ask why my parents chose to have me baptized so early, to which there are two main reasons. The first reason was just practical in that there was going to be a baptism performed on that day. I was baptized with the largest baptism class in the history of West Side United Methodist Church with twelve infants and children were initiated into the Household of God. In a real and mysterious way my baptism with these eleven other people has sealed our personal community. I have traveled through many other milestones and life experiences with this group – Sunday School promotions, birthday parties, conformation, and high school and college graduations, to name a few. We are known in the church for our special bonds and deep friendships that continue to this day.

Second, my parents strongly believed that with my baptism they were asking the congregation to be an active part of my upbringing as a piece of their family. Prior to my baptism Rev. Fraval came to my parents apartment to discuss what baptism meant for both him, as the pastor, and each of my parents. He then verbally walked them through parts of the service and the basic theology of baptism. The part that stuck my father the most was the congregation’s commitment to help raise their daughter as they state that they will “nurture these children in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life.” My home congregation has ethically and socially lived out this promise time and time again as a collective body and as individuals as they have helped my parents and extended family raise me in a Christian home and Church. They taught me how to articulate my faith through the sharing of their own faith journeys, including triumphs and struggles; they nurtured my love for the holy Church by teaching me the theology behind the liturgy in simple terms from an early age to ensure there was meaning behind my words and actions.  

But this is only my story of baptism - What is your story? What does baptism mean in your life? 

Baptism Devo

 May 15th, 2016 

Devotional

“Living out our Beliefs: The Sacrament of Baptism” - Luke 3: 21-22

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Baptized by One Spirit” - 1 Cor 12:13

In today’s passage of scripture Paul is pleading with the people of Corinth – people he has spent well over a year with. Paul dwelt among them as a tent-maker, while telling people about the love of Christ. Eventually those people would come together and form a worshipping community. But after Paul left the people began to quarrel. The entire letter of 1 Corinthians is addressing the issues of the community as reported by someone on the inside. We don’t know if this person had the most truthful account, but we do know that they felt compelled to tell Paul, and that they were from the house of Chloe. 

And what were they arguing over. Baptism. It seems to be the discussion topic that never gets old. When to baptize a person. Should it be believer’s baptism? If so, at what age? If it’s an infant baptism, will we allow for a second baptism later? Should you be sprinkled or dunked? Should it be done inside of the church walls or out in nature? And that’s before we even get to the questions around what baptism means. While the topic is full of heated-debate topics, I don’t think I’ve ever heard one about who baptized someone.

What arguments have you heard about baptism? How do you respond? 

What does it mean to you to be baptized by one spirit?

Prayer: God of One Spirit, sometimes we forget that it is by your spirit alone that we are invited and accepted into the family of God - both with those we like and those we do not like. Keep us from fighting about those things that distract us from your unifying spirit. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Family” - 1 John 3: 1-7

By virtue of our baptism we are born into the church family. Our Christian brothers and sisters. Spiritual parents and siblings. Or in the words of the epistle, children of God. Just like our biological family, their may be things that we would like to change. There may be times that we wish we could be part of a different family, but at the end of the day, family is family. 

And what an unusual family it is. We are often mis-understood by non-family members. We may yearn to fit in with other people, but like Jesus, we will be misunderstood because we are the children of God. We don’t do things like everyone else around us. While everyone else seems to focus on the individual, and what is best for me, we preach community first. In a world that fights with one another in order to bring about security, we seek forgiveness and peace. And in a world where identity is marked by status and accomplishments, we find our identity in our baptism. We are surely an odd bunch.

What does the mark of your baptism look like in your life?

What does the family of God mean in your life?

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the family of God, untied not by familial resemblance but by the baptism of Christ. Let us love the family we have been welcomed into. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Believe and Be Baptized” - Acts 16: 31-33

Kenneth Carder in his book Living Our Belief writes this powerful statement: “Without a memory of what the church is called to be, the church becomes what the people want it to be.” Let me repeat that: “Without a memory of what the church is called to be, the church becomes what the people want it to be.”

Every time we baptize people, welcoming them into the family of God we remember who we are, remember the scriptures around baptism, remember the legacy of Christ carried out through the church. 

Every year we also celebrate the baptism of the Lord Sunday, so we remember Jesus’s baptism and reaffirm the vows made at our baptism. While the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. believed you could only enter into the waters of baptism once, he also believed that we needed to remember. 

How do you remember that vows made at your baptism?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we are simple creatures. Sometimes we forget too quickly. We forget the vows that were made our baptism. We forget who we are as the Church. Help us to remember. Help us to live into the vows of our baptism once again. Amen. 

Thursday: “Life Worthy of Calling” - Eph 4:1-16

In today’s scripture lesson we hear that the Church is the body of Christ, knitted together under the leadership of the Lord. Kenneth Carder writes, “the Church is our very identify, not an organization we belong to in accordance with our preferences or connivence.” Sometimes the Church looses its way and losses it memory about who we are and whose we are. When we make it about petty things its evident that we have forgotten who we belong to.  Just whose Lordship we are under. Just who we exist for. 

But even when we remember whose we are, we may still forget what we are supposed to be doing. Paul tells the followers in Ephesus that they are to live a life worthy of their calling. Here’s the thing about calling - we all have one - we just sometimes choose to ignore it. While pastors may have a very specific calling to lead the church, everyone who calls them-self Christian are called to some time of servanthood and ministry by way of their baptism. Its just that the calling varies. But in this scripture passage we are told that we all have gifts - its just that the gifting and calls vary. 

How are baptism and call related in your life?

How do you live out the vows made at your baptism as part of the local church, the body of Christ?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our identity that can only be found in you. Help us embrace the calling and gifts that come with this identity so that your name can be proclaimed and glorified! Amen. 

Friday: “My Beloved”- Luke 3: 21-22

There is a good work that began in you. It began long before your baptism – the time when we publicly proclaim it as a church. It was known in the Heavens before you took your first breath on this earth. Because God created you. We live in a world that tempts us to forget that message, that we are God’s very own. That the creator of the universe called Jesus out of the waters with the Heavens proclaiming that he was God’s beloved, and the same claim is laid on each of our lives every day. We stand as witnesses in the tradition of the Saints and Jesus Christ saying that God has a purpose for our being, and we will surround all of those around us with love. We will let our lives be examples, like Jesus’ was for us, of the walk of faith – triumphs, joys, sorrows, struggles, and everything in between. We will nurture those around us to make disciples for the transformation of the world. And most importantly, we hold each others hand and proclaim that we are one family, united by one true Holy Spirit that has laid claim to each of our lives and calls us “Beloved”. 

What does the word beloved mean to you?

How do you claim your status as the beloved of God in your every day life?

Prayer: God, we are blessed to be counted among your beloved. Prevent us from forgetting this. Help us to claim the title of beloved. Amen!

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Living our Beliefs: The Sacraments Holy Communion” - 1 Cor 11: 24-28

Family Activity: Talk to your children about their baptism. Do you remember their baptism? What was the experience like for you as a parent? What do you remember most from that day? Why did you have them baptized?

Worship

   There is a popular Christian worship song that declares "you and I are made to worship." We are truly made to worship and to worship God alone at that. But sometimes we live our lives as if worship is about us, filling us up, instead of about God.
    How do we reorient our lives and our worship - both individually and corporately - around God alone? How do we live into worship instead of making it about us - our wants, needs, and desires? How do you remember that you were made to worship?

Devo - Living our Beliefs: Worship

 March 20th, 2016 

Devotional

“Living Our Beliefs: Why Worship?” - John 4: 21-24

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Worship: Exalt and Praise God” - Isaiah 25:1 

What does the word “worship” mean to you? For most people worship is linked to a worship service. More, importantly, why do you worship? Some people come to church because it’s “the right thing to do” or because “it’s always been that way”. But worship is about so much more - it is about exalting and praising God. 

Worship is about celebrating God. We all worship something, even if we don’t realize it. We all pledge our allegiance or swear by some form of worship to give their life meaning, even if its swearing that there is nothing worthy of worship. That’s still a choice, a decision to form life by. But when we gather together in worship we say that there is someone worthy of Worship, worthy to align our lives by, and that someone is God. 

We worship to proclaim that the person we value the most in our lives is God, and that no one else will ever compare to our God. In fact, we value our relationship with God so much that we desire to follow, commune, and seek to serve our living God. 

How do you define worship? 

What does worshipping God mean to you? What does worshipping God add to your life?

Prayer: Loving God, we confess that sometimes we try to make worship about us - about how we feel or about why we worship, but you gently remind us that worship is about so much more than ourselves, its about you, the very one we worship. Use our worship to exalt and praise you. Use our worship to celebrate you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Worship in Spirit and Truth” - John 4: 23-24

A worship service isn’t the definition of worship, its not the be all, end all. In fact, it’s only a tiny piece of it. We worship God when we put him first in our lives. We should worship God every day, but sometimes that is a struggle. It can be a struggle at times to give our very hearts to God.

It’s only when we put God first that we can really transform. That’s why so many people get absolutely nothing out of a once a week service. We need to be seeking God daily. In John 4” 23-24 speaks about worshipping God in spirit and truth, which happens when we put God first. I have friends who have intimately loved God for years who are just now realizing the struggle that comes with displacing ourselves and our wants for what God wants for us. But they also know that putting God first, is what’s best for us, and anything less would be settling.

How do you know your heart is worshipping God? 

Prayer:  Lord, we confess that sometimes we confuse a worship service that takes place one day a week is different that worshipping you. Help us to put you first and foremost, not just on Sunday’s, but every day. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Do I Know You?” - Matthew 7: 21-22

Perhaps it is our lack of celebration, a lack of authentic worship that Jesus is addressing in today’s passage in Matthew. We should have joy in God and want to celebrate God, in all times and at all places. Because those who truly intimately have sought God and know God, can’t help but celebrate God’s goodness! 

We can celebrate God when we are alone just as we can celebrate God when we gather together on Sunday mornings. We can worship God when we are having a terrible day and are lamenting. We can worship God when we are overwhelmed. We can celebrate God in the midst of grieving hearts and burdensome loads and regrets along with the amazing moments.

What enables you to worship God in all places and all circumstances?

How do you respond to Jesus’s teaching in Matthew?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes your words seem harsh and can cut down to our core. The fact that you will declare to some that you never knew them and to get away are among those words, O Lord. Help us to live our lives in ways that proclaim you and your goodness, in all places and times. Amen.

Thursday: “Worshipping through Prayer” - Acts 16:25

Worship and prayer are interconnected. We prayer together so we can lift up the body together. We pray because honestly that is the most powerful, amazing tool that we have as Christians. We get to communicate with the Holy Most High King. Sometimes we can struggle in our personal prayer lives, but when we gather to worship with others and see the faith that they have in prayer, the zeal, and we can desire to communicate with God more passionately. 

We pray corporately because we all have different concerns. We prayer together because there is strength in numbers. God wants us to pray big prayers. We can have weak prayers today, praying for what we already know we are going to get or praying as a last ditch effort. But prayers can move mountains, and our faith in God and in prayer is so much stronger and is renewed when we gather for this time of worship.

How are prayer and worship interconnected to you?

How do you pray differently in corporate worship than in private worship? Which are you more comfortable with? 

Prayer: Lord, you call us to be people of prayer. Sometimes we forget that our prayers are an act of worship - both individually and corporately. Thank you for the gift of prayer and how it helps us to get closer to you. May our prayers glorify you. Amen. 

Friday: “Who is This Man?” - Psalm 66:3-4

I hear people say all the time that they “come to worship to be filled just so they can get through the week.” But worship is not a gas station. You do not worship primarily for you. If you worship God, you will be filled because God rejoices in the praise of God’s people. God wants to fill you, depend on God, and be filled by God’s presence. But this is all secondary to the fact that we are to worship God simply for who God is. The Psalmist sings of this type of praise and worship of God.  

What helps you worship as the Psalmist?

How do you focus your worship on God?

Prayer: God, help us to worship, not to fill our own spirits, but to rejoice in you and your presence. May our worship be about you alone, precious Lord. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Living Our Beliefs: The Sacrament of Baptism” - Col 2: 12 and 1 Cor 12:13.