Author: Cindy Lee

One of the books that I’m reading (at this moment) is The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer. When describing God’s goodness, Tozer wrote something that has enthralled my thoughts: “God has never been kinder than he is now nor will he ever be less kind.” Take a minute or two and allow that quote to whirl around in you mind. Seriously…stop for two minutes and just think on that quote.

God’s nature determines his actions. Because he is good, his actions are kind. He has never been kinder than he is now nor will he ever be less kind. How assuring. How comforting. Throughout this week, remind yourself of God’s goodness. God has never been kinder than he is now nor will he ever be less kind.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Acts 2
• Tuesday – Acts 3
• Wednesday – Acts 4
• Thursday – Acts 5
• Friday –Acts 6, Acts 7

• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Our nation and our leaders.
• Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.
• The United Methodist Church.

A few days ago while at dinner, the task of moving the food from my plate to my mouth seemed too large of a task.  It seemed simple enough:  insert fork, take fork from plate, put fork into mouth, mission accomplished.  Yet, somewhere along the way, the food ended up on my shirt.  What seemed like a morsel of food dropped, turned into a giant spot which I’m pretty sure ruined by shirt.  My first thought was, “How could something so small make such a big mess?”

 Words can have the same effect.  Francis de Sales, the 16th Century Swiss Bishop, had this to say about words:

“Never let an indecent word slip from you mouth.  Even if you don’t mean it in an evil way, other may be offended.  An evil word dropping into a weak person grows and spreads like a drop of oil on linen.  It might spark a thousand unclean thoughts and temptations.  If bodily poison enters through the mouth, spiritual poison enters through the ear.  The tongue that speaks it is a murderer of a soul.

Don’t try to tell me you speak without thinking.  Our Lord who searches our hearts says, ‘Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks’ (Matthew 12:34).  Those who eat an herb called angelica have sweet breath.  Those who have angelic virtues within their hearts speak sweetly.”

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Luke 21
• Tuesday – Luke 22
• Wednesday – Luke 23
• Thursday – Luke 24
• Friday – Acts 1

Please Pray for:

• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Our nation and our leaders.
• Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.
• The United Methodist Church.

John Wesley thought Thomas a’ Kempis’ Imitation of Christ was a core holding for anyone’s library.  Written in the 15th Century, a Kempis’ work sought to help all Christians by modeling Jesus Christ.  Recently, I found this exert from a’ Kempis that I thought was interesting; particularly in light of the fluidity of life with all its transitions.   

“So you feel one way today!  You will feel another way tomorrow.  Like it or not, you will be somewhat manic-depressive as long as you live.  

Some days you will be happy and other days you will be sad, 
Some days calm and other days troubled,
Some days faithful and other days faithless,
Some days vigorous and other days sluggish,
Some days solemn and other days lighthearted.
But if you are well taught by the Spirit, you will live above such changes.  You will pass through your various moods unshaken and push on toward your goal of seeking God only.

The clearer your target, the better you will weather emotional storms”

Often, when you read devotionals, there is a tendency to paint an unrealistic rosy picture of life.  Just trust God and everything will be okay.  Though it sounds good and ultimately it is true, there can be an unintended conclusion that all is to be well…all the time.  Even the Wisdom writers understood that there are different seasons to life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).  With each season, there are different life emotions.

a’ Kempis said something important for us:  Have a clear target!  Our target is to follow a consistent God that is omnipotent and empathic.  God’s unchanging purpose is a covenant love (Hesed).  In the Old Testament, it is the “steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.”  This love never diminishes or falters.  Therefore, let us anchor ourselves in God’s love and allow it to hold us in the midst of changing storms.  

I often remind myself of this anchor when life around me spins out-of-control.  It not only keeps me centered but it helps me focus on my role as a follower of Christ.  As followers of Christ, we are all redeemed disciples commissioned for evangelism.  

• This week’s reading:
  Monday – Luke 16
  Tuesday – Luke 17
  Wednesday – Luke 18
  Thursday – Luke 19
  Friday – Luke 20

• Please Pray for:
  Those who are grieving and depressed.
  Those who are unwillingly absent.
  Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
  Our nation and our leaders.
  Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.
  The United Methodist Church.

This past week I have been thinking about God’s faithfulness. What does it mean for one to be faithful? Most of the time, faithfulness is tied to a consistency of action. One is faithful when one consistently does what one says he/she will do. It is like a promise. One will gladly trust in a promise if the person consistently fulfills what is promised.

With God, it is no different. God’s faithfulness is tied to a trust in the fact that God will perform what has been promised. For God, what is at stake is not only a consistency of action but God’s very nature. Who God Is Determines What God Does. Therefore, for God to not do what was promised is for God’s very nature to be in jeopardy. When you are asked to trust in God’s faithfulness, you are asked to trust God’s very nature.

When Joshua inherited the mantle of leadership, he was commanded to trust…to trust in what God promised. What was that promise? It was that God would be with him. It is the same for you: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Trust in the faithfulness of God by trusting in God’s very nature.

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Luke 11
• Tuesday – Luke 12
• Wednesday – Luke 13
• Thursday – Luke 14
• Friday – Luke 15
  
  
  Please Pray for:
• For the family, friends and loved ones of those precious lives lost in the recent storms.
• The United Methodist Church and Post-General Conference Information Session, March 9, 2019 in Tifton, Georgia.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Our nation and our leaders.
• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• ​Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.

Lately, I’ve wrestled with these two questions:
Is it possible for such a devoted shepherd to ignore a returning stray sheep? Would it matter if the sheep had only a low intention of following him?

The answer to both questions is NO. The Good Shepherd would look with compassion, listen to the cries of the sheep, and carry it on his shoulders returning it to the safety of the flock.

Often I forget how loving God really is. Unfortunately, I view God out of the same lens that I view others. For so many, love comes with conditions and limits. Because we love this way, we think God does the same. Therefore, when we hear of the limitless love of God and grace given beyond measure, it is hard to comprehend, much less believe.

Chris Tomlin, a contemporary Christian artist, penned these words to a song:
I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like. But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of the night and you tell me that you’re pleased and that I’m never alone…I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide but I know we’re all searching for answers only you provide ‘cause you know just what we need before we say a word…because you are perfect in all your ways…you are perfect in all your ways to us. Oh, it’s love so undeniable, I can hardly speak. Peace so unexplainable, I can hardly think. As you call me deeper still into love, love, love. You’re a good good father, it’s who you are and I’m loved by you, it is who I am.”

Our task is to allow the love of God to fall over us, drenching us to the point that everything else pales in comparison. Even if it takes a while for this to happen—resist the temptation to run or move on. Stay. Trust in the Good Shepherd who will not run away from you.

This Week’s reading:

• Monday – Luke 1
• Tuesday – Luke 2
• Wednesday – Luke 3
• Thursday – Luke 4
• Friday – Luke 5

• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Our nation and our leaders.
• Those suffering due to catastrophic natural disasters.
• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• ​Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Completion of New Youth Building and rear parking.
• The United Methodist Church.