St. Paul United Methodist Church

While packing up my office, I found two Bibles: One was a Beginner’s Bible that is often given to small children. Filled with pictures, it gives an outline of the most well known biblical passages. Though it doesn’t contain the entire bible, it is highly valuable because it helps a small child begin to develop a Biblical Worldview. It plants the pillars of a foundation where the child can know that God loves them and Jesus died for them. Granted, other parts of the Bible will be learned and greater understanding will come, but one has to start somewhere. Sometimes, knowing the basics is all one needs.

The other Bible was a well-used Kings James Version that belonged to my grandmother. The leather edges are frayed from use. There are many verses highlighted and underlined. There are even some personal notes written in the margins. I can still remember images of her clutching it as she traveled to and from church. There were many mornings and evenings where I saw her face down reading every single word. For her, it was her life.

If you are a small child or an elderly woman or somewhere in-between, the Bible is still useful today. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This week’s reading:

• Monday – Col 1, Col 2, Col 3, Col 4
• Tuesday – 1 Tim 1, 1 Tim 2, 1 Tim 3, 1 Tim 4
• Wednesday – 1 Tim 5, 1 Tim 6; Titus 1, Titus 2, Titus 3
• Thursday – 2 Tim 1, 2 Tim 2, 2 Tim 3, 2 Tim 4
• Friday – Heb 1, Heb 2, Heb 3, Heb 4
  
  
  Please Pray for:
• The Ukraine Mission Team as they travel and all the lives they touch while travelling abroad.
• Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our nation and our leaders.

“When Jesus told us to love God with all out heart, soul and mind, he gave us a challenging task, impossible for any of us earthlings to accomplish. Nevertheless, our Lord did tell us to love this way. His purpose is that we should admit our weakness and seek mercy.

“When you pray, intend to make your prayer as complete and honest as you can. If you are dissatisfied with the results of your effort, do not be too angry with yourself. Do not complain that God has not given you the kind of devotion he gives others. Instead, acknowledge your weakness, consider it a valid prayer, and trust that in his mercy God will make it good. Do your part and allow our Lord to give you what he will. You are not praying to teach God anything.” – (Walter Hilton: The Scale of Perfection)

I like the last two sentences: “Do your part and allow our Lord to give you what he will. You are not praying to teach God anything.” Often we see prayer as a dictation to God or a means to conform God into something we desire or want. Prayer is the means for our conformity to God.

Over the next few weeks, begin each prayer with, “Lord, what is it that you want me to learn or do?” Then sit for a few moments and listen to the thoughts that enter your mind. Then bring your requests to him AFTER you have made yourself available to him.

This Week’s Reading:

• Monday – Rom 9, Rom 10, Rom 11, Rom 12
• Tuesday – Rom 13, Rom 14, Rom 15, Rom 16
• Wednesday – Eph 1, Eph 2, Eph 3, Eph 4
• Thursday – Eph 5, Eph 6
• Friday – Phil 1, Phil 2, Phil 3, Phil 4

  Please Pray for:

• Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications.
• Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
• Those who are unwillingly absent.
• Those who are grieving and depressed.
• The United Methodist Church.
• Our nation and our leaders.
•