Category: First Steps

During the high seasons of the liturgical year (Advent and Lent), I like to read traditional prayers. The prayers that have been passed down through the ages carry with them a connection to all the saints who have prayed them. Okay, maybe not a literal connection, but a figurative one for sure. Often when I pray them, I envision the saints of old praying the same words at the same time. In one voice we lift our prayers before God. Give it a try. Below are some Advent prayers. As you read these prayers aloud, imagine saints all over the globe at different times in history praying the same words as you do. Together, in unison, voices are lifted to God Almighty. O God, you so loved the world as to give your only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Grant to us the precious gift of faith, that we may know that the Son of God is come and may have the power to overcome the world and gain blessed immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. Ever-present God, you taught us that the night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Grant that we may ever be found watching for the coming of your Son. Save us from undue love of the world, that we may wait with patient hope for the day of the Lord, and so abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may not be ashamed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – 2 Peter 1 | 2 Peter 2 | 2 Peter 3 | John 1  *Tuesday – John 2 | John 3 | John 4  *Wednesday- John 5 | John 6  *Thursday – John 7 | John 8 *Friday- John 9 | John 10 | John 11 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Currently, I’m studying 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The Apostle Paul wrote these letters to a community that was persecuted for their faith. I’m grateful that we don’t live in that same environment. The early Christian martyrs often suffered many atrocities because of their faith. They were killed by the sword, mauled by lions, burned, beheaded, and even branded with hot irons. Many were tortured for days before martyrdom. Early Christians made life-death decisions when they chose to follow Christ. Our (my) society doesn’t have the same struggles and many times pales in comparison in reference to the amount of persecution. They had persecution; we have discomforts. When seen through the lens of the early Christians, I’m overwhelmed with how good I have it. I would imagine the same would be for you. This week I hope that you would reflect on the gifts and blessings you have received. I hope you give thanks to God for his grace and mercy. I hope you ponder how fortunate you are to be born at a particular time and in a particular place. I hope that you will consider all that has been laid so that a decision to follow Christ isn’t met with the tip of a sword. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Hebrews 5 | Hebrews 6 | Hebrews 7 | Hebrews 8 *Tuesday – Hebrews 9 | Hebrews 10 | Hebrews 11 *Wednesday- Hebrews 12 | Hebrews 13 | Jude 1-24 *Thursday – James 1 | James 2 | James 3 | James 4 | James 5 *Friday- 1 Peter 1 | 1 Peter 2 | 1 Peter 3 | 1 Peter 4 | 1 Peter 5 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Normally I write the Monday devotional—First Steps. This week I want you to write your own. It is Thanksgiving Week, one of my favorite holidays. Make a list of the things you are most thankful for (List at least 5). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Now, take the next step – express your gratitude to God or to others. Then watch the gratitude spread. Happy Thanksgiving, This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Colossians 1 | Colossians 2 | Colossians 3 | Colossians 4 *Tuesday – 1 Timothy 1 | 1 Timothy 2 | 1 Timothy 3 | 1 Timothy 4 *Wednesday- 1 Timothy 5 | 1 Timothy 6 | Titus 1 | Titus 2 | Titus 3 *Thursday – 2 Timothy 1 | 2 Timothy 2 | 2 Timothy 3 | 2 Timothy 4 *Friday- Philemon 1-25 | Hebrews 1 | Hebrews 2 | Hebrews 3 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote: 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. What feeds your words and your actions? Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know why I said that or did this?” Before there is a word spoken or an act committed, there is a desire lurking underneath. For most people when they do something contrary or out of character, what lurks underneath is calling the shots. It determines the behavior. It is like pus under an infectious scab. For the Ephesians, it was verse 31. In order for there to be change, one must know what is underneath the surface. The key is an honest evaluation and acknowledgment. One can’t live into a new day without knowing where to start. Therefore, get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice, jealously, or anything along those lines. This week focus on what is underneath. This Week’s Readings: *Monday – Romans 9 | Romans 10 | Romans 11 | Romans 12 *Tuesday – Romans 13 | Romans 14 | Romans 15 | Romans 16 *Wednesday- Ephesians 1 | Ephesians 2 | Ephesians 3 | Ephesians 4 *Thursday – Ephesians 5 | Ephesians 6 *Friday- Philippians 1 | Philippians 2 | Philippians 3 | Philippians 4 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

Psalm 19:7-14   The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.  The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Most people when they think of Psalm 19, think of verse 14 (above italics). Many people have prayed that verse for themselves. I know I have done it plenty of times. But what is interesting to me is that the psalmist’s meditation of his (or her) heart is to be influenced by the Law of the Lord. The goal is to be so familiar with the Torah (Law-Commandments) that it naturally flows out of the psalmist’s behavior. Meditation is an inward journey so that it affects the meditator first and foremost. In today’s climate, this is a must for the Christian. Because of the division, lack of trust, and cancel culture that exists, there is a higher premium on personal conduct for Christians. This means in the face of disagreement and argument, the follower of Christ must maintain an identity that is anchored in Christ. When others around lose their heads, tempers, and act out unfairly, the God-lover doesn’t have to respond in a similar kind. Most can’t do that without a Christ-form identity that resists the temptation to act in a manner unfitting for the Kingdom of God. Yes, we want the meditations of our hearts to be pleasing in the sight of God, but that can’t happen without meditating on His Word. One leads to the other. This week focus on your inside, your heart. Allow the Word of the Lord to remake you into the image of Christ. This Week’s Readings: • Monday – Matthew 26 | Matthew 27 • Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1 | 1 Thessalonians 2 | 1 Thessalonians 3 • Wednesday- 2 Thessalonians 1 | 2 Thessalonians 2 | 2 Thessalonians 3 • Thursday – Romans 1 | Romans 2 | Romans 3 | Romans 4 • Friday- Romans 5 | Romans 6 | Romans 7 | Romans 8 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6

1-2 Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for a change; I’m so starved for affection. 2-3 Can’t you see I’m black-and-blue, beaten up badly in bones and soul? God, how long will it take for you to let up? 4-5 Break in, God, and break up this fight; if you love me at all, get me out of here. I’m no good to you dead, am I? I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb! 6-7 I’m tired of all this—so tired. My bed has been floating forty days and nights on the flood of my tears. My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears. The sockets of my eyes are black holes; nearly blind, I squint and grope. (Psalm 6:1-7, The Message). In this passage, David speaks to God as though he is talking to someone who is unaware of his situation or suffering. It seems as if David thinks God is not taking care of him and knows nothing of his problems. But no matter how deep the despair, the eyes of faith can find plenty of goodness in God. The storm may not cease at once. Therefore, cast your anchor of faith, allow it to stand firm, and know that God will surely preserve and keep the ship from destruction (Paraphrased from John Knox’s notes on Psalm 6). The same David who wrote Psalm 6 also wrote, “weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).  When in the storm, hold on until the joy comes! This Week’s Readings: • Monday – Matthew 11 | Matthew 12 | Matthew 13 • Tuesday – Matthew 14 | Matthew 15 | Matthew 16 • Wednesday- Matthew 17 | Matthew 18 | Matthew 19 • Thursday – Matthew 20 | Mathew 21 | Matthew 22 • Friday- Matthew 23 | Matthew 24 | Matthew 25 Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6