| How challenging it is to accept forgiveness. To really accept it, to own it, and to possess it, one has to realize there is a need. Likewise, one has to acknowledge that he or she can’t do it alone and that it is a gift of another’s generosity. How challenging it is indeed to accept God’s forgiveness. Unfortunately, there is something inside of human nature that resists this degree of grace. On one level, a person either seeks to prove in action or thought, that his/her sin is real-ly too much or dark for God’s grace to overcome. On another level, one might partially receive God’s grace but on conditional terms, because deep down he or she wants to pay God back for the gift given. Neither one will do. Eventually, every person has to grapple with a few questions: Do I honestly want to be forgiven and began a new life in Christ? Do I want to break away from my deep-rooted selfishness and totally surrender my will to God’s grace so that a new day may emerge? Total surrender involves a regime change where God leads and the person follows. As long as one believes he or she can dictate the terms or control the outcomes, he or she will always be a hired servant (Luke 15) and push against a wall. To claim and live into the dignity and place God desires, surrender is a must.  This Week’s Readings: * Monday – Galatians 3 * Tuesday – Galatians 4 * Wednesday- Galatians 5 * Thursday – Galatians 6 * Friday- 1 Corinthians 1 Prayer Requests: *An immediate end to the crisis in Ukraine. *Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. *Comfort those who are grieving and in distress. *Give our leaders extra wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and economic uncertainty. *Help 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 |