| There is a very subtle seductive voice that whispers to every one of us. In our ears, we hear a word, “if.” Even Jesus wasn’t spared this voice for he heard it at least three times: If you are the Son of God…If you are the Son of God…If you will bow down to me. This powerful temptation often wreaks havoc because many fall prey to its seduction. When we hear that simple word, “if”, we become trapped in the conditional desires of another person. In essence, someone else then controls our identity and subsequently our behavior. I’m sure you’ve heard it: If I have this job…If I go to this place…if I obtain this level…if, if, if. A person thinks if, then I will be something different than I am today. Again, that difference is linked to what someone else thinks about you. When this happens, they become your chief influence. They determine what you do. Perhaps there is a better way, one where we derive our identity from what we already are. These are the New Testament’s dominant messages. We are (already)… – Loved by God, – One of scared worth, – A Child of God. These are things God freely gives without a conditional “if” for out of his nature flows his grace. Our role is to allow it to be our ground of being, our bedrock, our identity. This is where we start. It is out of who we are that we act; therefore, our actions don’t determine our identity. Our identity determines our actions. We begin in the center of God’s love, a place of wholeness, strength, and stability. It is only then that we can live without an “if.”  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 Prayer Requests: -Family restoration through forgiveness. -Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. -Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. -Wisdom for our leaders as they navigate through uncertain times. -Guidance for those seeking to find their way. *Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. |
| “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 |