Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Wichita, Kansas, United States - Daily Devotional for Sunday, 1 March 2015

Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Wichita, Kansas, United States - Daily Devotional for Sunday, 1 March 2015

Today please be in prayer for:

Lori Miller Blue Springs UMC Wymore UMC Blue River District

Heather Eads Hallam UMC Martell UMC Blue River District

Fay Hubbard Endicott UMC Fairbury First UMC Blue River District

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This Week's Lectionary
2nd Sunday in Lent-Purple                             
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

Lectionary Scripture Text:
Genesis 17:1 When Avram was 99 years old Adonai appeared to Avram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai [God Almighty]. Walk in my presence and be pure-hearted. 2 I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will increase your numbers greatly.” 3 Avram fell on his face, and God continued speaking with him: 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: you will be the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Avram [exalted father], but your name will be Avraham [father of many], because I have made you the father of many nations. 6 I will cause you to be very fruitful. I will make nations of you, kings will descend from you.
(vii) 7 “I am establishing my covenant between me and you, along with your descendants after you, generation after generation, as an everlasting covenant, to be God for you and for your descendants after you.
15 God said to Avraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are not to call her Sarai [mockery]; her name is to be Sarah [princess]. 16 I will bless her; moreover, I will give you a son by her. Truly I will bless her: she will be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Psalm 22:23 (22) I will proclaim your name to my kinsmen;
right there in the assembly I will praise you:
24 (23) “You who fear Adonai, praise him!
All descendants of Ya‘akov, glorify him!
All descendants of Isra’el, stand in awe of him!
25 (24) For he has not despised or abhorred
the poverty of the poor;
he did not hide his face from him
but listened to his cry.”
26 (25) Because of you
I give praise in the great assembly;
I will fulfill my vows
in the sight of those who fear him.
27 (26) The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek Adonai will praise him;
Your hearts will enjoy life forever.
28 (27) All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to Adonai;
all the clans of the nations
will worship in your presence.
29 (28) For the kingdom belongs to Adonai,
and he rules the nations.
30 (29) All who prosper on the earth
will eat and worship;
all who go down to the dust
will kneel before him,
including him who can’t keep himself alive,
31 (30) A descendant will serve him;
the next generation will be told of Adonai.
Romans 4:13 For the promise to Avraham and his seed[a] that he would inherit the world did not come through legalism but through the righteousness that trust produces. 14 For if the heirs are produced by legalism, then trust is pointless and the promise worthless. 15 For what law brings is punishment. But where there is no law, there is also no violation.
16 The reason the promise is based on trusting is so that it may come as God’s free gift, a promise that can be relied on by all the seed, not only those who live within the framework of the Torah, but also those with the kind of trust Avraham had — Avraham avinu for all of us. 17 This accords with the Tanakh, where it says, “I have appointed you to be a father to many nations.”[b] Avraham is our father in God’s sight because he trusted God as the one who gives life to the dead and calls nonexistent things into existence. 18 For he was past hope, yet in hope he trusted that he would indeed become a father to many nations, in keeping with what he had been told, “So many will your seed be.”[c] 19 His trust did not waver when he considered his own body — which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old — or when he considered that Sarah’s womb was dead too. 20 He did not by lack of trust decide against God’s promises. On the contrary, by trust he was given power as he gave glory to God, 21 for he was fully convinced that what God had promised he could also accomplish. 22 This is why it was credited to his account as righteousness.[d]
23 But the words, “it was credited to his account . . . ,” were not written for him only. 24 They were written also for us, who will certainly have our account credited too, because we have trusted in him who raised Yeshua our Lord from the dead — 25 Yeshua, who was delivered over to death because of our offences and raised to life in order to make us righteous.[Footnotes:
Romans 4:13 Genesis 15:3, 5
Romans 4:17 Genesis 17:5
Romans 4:18 Genesis 15:5
Romans 4:22 Genesis 15:6]
Mark 8:31 He began teaching them that the Son of Man had to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that after three days, he had to rise again. 32 He spoke very plainly about it. Kefa took him aside and began rebuking him. 33 But, turning around and looking at his talmidim, he rebuked Kefa. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said, “For your thinking is from a human perspective, not from God’s perspective!”
34 Then Yeshua called the crowd and his talmidim to him and told them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 35 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 Indeed, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? 37 What could a person give in exchange for his life? 38 For if someone is ashamed of me and of what I say in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Verse 1
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And when Abram was ninety nine years old — Full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. So long the promise of Isaac was deferred; 1. Perhaps to correct Abram's over-hasty marrying of Hagar. 2. That Abram and Sarai being so far striken in age, God's power in this matter might be the more magnified.
The Lord appeared unto Abram — In some visible display of God's immediate glorious presence with him.
And said, I am the Almighty God — By this name he chose to make himself known to Abram, rather than by his name Jehovah, Exodus 6:3. He used it to Jacob, Genesis 35:11. They called him by this name, Genesis 28:5; 43:14; 48:3. It is the name of God that is mostly used throughout the book of Job, at least 30 times in the discourses of that book, in which Jehovah is used but once. After Moses, Jehovah is more frequently used, and this very rarely. I am El-Shaddai. It speaks the almighty power of God, either 1. As an avenger, from wrv he destroyed, or laid waste; so some: and they think God took this title from the destruction of the old world: Or, 2. As a benefactor, v for rva who, and yr it sufficeth. Our old English translation reads it here, very significantly, I am God All-sufficient. The God with whom we have to do, is self-sufficient; he hath every thing, and he needs not any thing. And he is enough to us, if we be in covenant with him; we have all in him, and we have enough in him; enough to satisfy our most enlarged desires; enough to supply the defect of every thing else, and to secure us happiness for our immortal souls. But the covenant is mutual, walk before me, and be thou perfect - That is, upright and sincere. Observe, 1. That to walk before God, is to set God always before us, and to think, and speak, and act, in every thing as those that are always under his eye. It is to have a constant regard to his word, as our rule, and to his glory, as our end, in all our actions. It is to be inward with him in all the duties of religious worship, and to be entire for him in all holy conversation. 2. That upright walking with God is the condition of our interest in his all-sufficiency. If we neglect him, or dissemble with him, we forfeit the benefit of our relation to him. 3. A continual regard to God's all-sufficiency will have a great influence upon our upright walking with him.

Verse 3

[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

And Abram fell on his face while God talked with him — Either, 1. As one overcome by the brightness of the Divine glory: Daniel and John did so likewise. Or. 2. As one ashamed of himself, and blushing to think of the honours done to one so unworthy. He looks upon himself with humility, and upon God with reverence, and, in token of both, falls on his face.

Verse 4

[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

The promise is here introduced with solemnity: As for me, saith the Great God, Behold, behold and admire it, behold and be assured of it, my covenant is with thee.

And thou shalt be a father of many nations — This implies, 1. That his seed after the flesh should be very numerous, both in Isaac and in Ishmael, and in the sons of Keturah. And the event answered, for there have been, and are, more of the children of men descended from Abraham, than from any one man at equal distance with him from Noah, the common root. 2. That all believers, in every age, should be looked upon as his spiritual seed, as the father of the faithful. In this sense the apostle directs us to understand this promise, Romans 4:16,17. He is the father of those, in every nation, that, by faith, enter into covenant with God, and (as the Jewish writers express it) are gathered under the wings of the divine majesty.

Verse 5

[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

In token of this, his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the father of a multitude. This was to confirm the faith of Abraham, while he was childless; perhaps even his own name was sometimes an occasion of grief to him; Why should he be called a high father, who was not a father at all? But now God had promised him a numerous issue, and had given him a name which signified so much; that name was his joy.

Verse 7

[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

And I will establish my covenant — Not to be altered or revoked; not with thee only, then it would die with thee but with thy seed after thee; and it is not only thy seed after the flesh, but thy spiritual seed. It is everlasting in the evangelical meaning of it. The covenant of grace is everlasting; it is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the consequences of it; and the external administration of it is transmitted, with the seal of it, to the seed of believers, and the internal administration of it by the Spirit to Christ's seed in every age. This is a covenant of exceeding great and precious promises. Here are two which indeed are all-sufficient, that God would be their God. All the privileges of the covenant, all its joys, and all its hopes, are summed up in this. A man needs desire no more than this to make him happy. What God is himself, that he will be to his people: wisdom to guide and counsel them, power to protect and support them, goodness to supply and comfort them; what faithful worshippers can expect from the God they serve, believers shall find in God as theirs. This is enough, yet not all.

Verse 15

[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

Sarah shall her name be — The same letter is added to her name that was to Abraham's. Sarai signifies my princess, as if her honour were confined to one family only: Sarah signifies a princess, viz. of multitudes.

Psalm 22:23-31

Verse 24

[24] For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Abhorred — He did not turn away his face from it, as men do from things which they abhor.

From him — For ever: tho' he did so for a time.

Verse 25

[25] My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Great congregation — In the universal church, of Jews and Gentiles.

Verse 26

[26] The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Satisfied — This is doubtless to be understood, of those spiritual blessings, that grace and peace, and comfort, which all believing souls have in the sense of God's love, the pardon of their sins, and the influences of God's spirit.

Seek him — That seek his favour.

Your heart — He speaks of the same persons still, though there be a change from the third to the second person, as is usual in these poetical books.

For ever — Your comfort shall not be short and transitory, as worldly comforts are, but everlasting.

Verse 27

[27] All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

The world — All nations from one end of the world to the other. So this is an evident prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, and a clear proof, that this psalm immediately speaks of Christ; to whom alone, this and divers other passages of it, belong.

Remember — They shall remember their former wickedness with grief and shame, and fear; particularly in worshiping dead and impotent idols. They shall remember their great and manifold obligation to God, which they had quite forgotten, his patience in sparing them so long, in the midst of all their impieties, and in giving his son for them: they shall remember the gracious words and glorious works of Christ, what he did, and suffered for them; which possibly divers of them had been eye and ear-witnesses of.

The Lord — Into the only true God, and unto Jesus Christ, to whom this name of Jehovah is often ascribed in scripture.

Verse 28

[28] For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.

For — This is added as a reason, why the Gentiles should be converted, because God is not only God and the Lord of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, and of all nations.

Verse 29

[29] All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

Fat — Kings and princes, and the great men of the world.

Shall eat — Shall feed upon the bread of life, Christ and all his benefits.

Worship — This is added to shew what kind of eating he spoke of.

Go down — That is, all mankind, for none can escape death.

Verse 30

[30] A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

A seed — Christ shall not want a seed or posterity, for though the Jewish nation will generally reject him, the Gentiles shall come in their stead.

A generation — That believing seed shall be reputed both by God and men, The generation, or people of the Lord, as the Jews formerly were.

Verse 31

[31] They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

They — The seed last mentioned.

Come — From Judea and Jerusalem (from whence the gospel was first to go forth) to the Gentile world, to the several parts whereof the apostles went upon this errand.

His — God's righteousness: his wonderful grace and mercy unto mankind, in giving them Christ and the gospel; for righteousness is often put for mercy or kindness.

Unto — Unto succeeding generations. Whereby David gives us a key to understand this psalm, and teaches us that he speaks not here of himself, but of things which were to be done in after-ages, even of the spreading of the gospel among the Gentiles, in the time of the New Testament.

That he — They shall declare that this is the work of God, and not of man.

Romans 4:13-25;

Verse 13

[13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

The promise, that he should be the heir of the world — Is the same as that he should be "the father of all nations," namely, of those in all nations who receive the blessing. The whole world was promised to him and them conjointly. Christ is the heir of the world, and of all things; and so are all Abraham's seed, all that believe in him with the faith of Abraham

Verse 14

[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

If they only who are of the law — Who have kept the whole law.

Are heirs, faith is made void — No blessing being to be obtained by it; and so the promise is of no effect.

Verse 15

[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Because the law — Considered apart from that grace, which though it was in fact mingled with it, yet is no part of the legal dispensation, is so difficult, and we so weak and sinful, that, instead of bringing us a blessing, it only worketh wrath; it becomes to us an occasion of wrath, and exposes us to punishment as transgressors. Where there is no law in force, there can be no transgression of it.

Verse 16

[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Therefore it — The blessing.

Is of faith, that it might be of grace — That it might appear to flow from the free love of God, and that the promise might be firm, sure, and effectual, to all the spiritual seed of Abraham; not only Jews, but gentiles also, if they follow his faith.

Verse 17

[17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Before God — Though before men nothing of this appeared, those nations being then unborn.

As quickening the dead — The dead are not dead to him and even the things that are not, are before God.

And calling the things that are not — Summoning them to rise into being, and appear before him. The seed of Abraham did not then exist; yet God said, "So shall thy seed be." A man can say to his servant actually existing, Do this; and he doeth it: but God saith to the light, while it does not exist, Go forth; and it goeth. Genesis 17:5.

Verse 18-21

[18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: [20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

The Apostle shows the power and excellence of that faith to which he ascribes justification.

Who against hope — Against all probability, believed and hoped in the promise. The same thing is apprehended both by faith and hope; by faith, as a thing which God has spoken; by hope, as a good thing which God has promised to us.

So shall thy seed be — Both natural and spiritual, as the stars of heaven for multitude. Genesis 15:5.

Verse 23

[23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

On his account only — To do personal honour to him.

Verse 24

[24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

But on ours also — To establish us in seeking justification by faith, and not by works; and to afford a full answer to those who say that, " to be justified by works means only, by Judaism; to be justified by faith means, by embracing Christianity, that is, the system of doctrines so called." Sure it is that Abraham could not in this sense be justified either by faith or by works; and equally sure that David (taking the words thus) was justified by works, and not by faith.

Who raised up Jesus from the dead — As he did in a manner both Abraham and Sarah.

If we believe on him who raised up Jesus — God the Father therefore is the proper object of justifying faith. It is observable, that St. Paul here, in speaking both of our faith and of the faith of Abraham, puts a part for the whole. And he mentions that part, with regard to Abraham, which would naturally affect the Jews most.

Verse 25

[25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Who was delivered — To death.

For our offences — As an atonement for them.

And raised for our justification — To empower us to receive that atonement by faith.

Mark 8:31-38

Verse 31

[31] And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22.

Verse 32

[32] And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

He spake that saying openly — Or in express terms. Till now he had only intimated it to them.

And Peter taking hold of him — Perhaps by the arms or clothes.

Verse 33

[33] But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Looking on his disciples — That they might the more observe what he said to Peter.

Verse 34

[34] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

And when he called the people — To hear a truth of the last importance, and one that equally concerned them all.

Let him deny himself — His own will, in all things small and great, however pleasing, and that continually: And take up his cross - Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly, continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory.

Verse 35

[35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Matthew 16:25; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.

Verse 38

[38] Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words — That is, avowing whatever I have said (particularly of self denial and the daily cross) both by word and action. Matthew 10:32; Luke 9:26; Luke 12:8.

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Upper Room Ministries, a ministry of GBOD
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
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Sermon Story "The Promise Given" by Gary Lee Parker for Second Sunday of Lent, 1 March 2015 with Scripture Text: Genesis 17:1 When Avram was 99 years old Adonai appeared to Avram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai [God Almighty]. Walk in my presence and be pure-hearted. 2 I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will increase your numbers greatly.” 3 Avram fell on his face, and God continued speaking with him: 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: you will be the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Avram [exalted father], but your name will be Avraham [father of many], because I have made you the father of many nations. 6 I will cause you to be very fruitful. I will make nations of you, kings will descend from you.
(vii) 7 “I am establishing my covenant between me and you, along with your descendants after you, generation after generation, as an everlasting covenant, to be God for you and for your descendants after you.
15 God said to Avraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are not to call her Sarai [mockery]; her name is to be Sarah [princess]. 16 I will bless her; moreover, I will give you a son by her. Truly I will bless her: she will be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
We come to the second Sunday of Lent 2015 and return to a promise of God to Abram and Sarai as He changed their names to Abraham and Sarah that their ages of 99 and 90 they will have a son born from both their flesh to be called Isaac. This promise extended to their heiras that they would be nacestors of many nations. This Promise was not only to them, but to all their generations. They could hardly beleive it, but their faith sustained them despite all odds. What does it appear to you that God is promising to happen in your life as you have given up something to be drawn closer to God? Abraham and Sarah's promise was that they would be the father of many nations and the Princess of multitudes. There appears to me many promises given to many people, but there is a promise that the church will become more inclusive especially with people who are differently abled as clergy or laity while using their God-given gifts to build His kingdom. The greatest gift that I see is the God-given gift of Love-unconditional love. What do you see in what God is promising you and your church as you draw closer to God and full obedience to His Will? What characters do you relate to? as we come and receive God's Grace and Power to live out His Holy Love towards all people, we come singing the Hymn "Where He Leads Me" by E.W. Blandy 

1. I can hear my Savior calling, 

I can hear my Savior calling, 

I can hear my Savior calling, 

"Take thy cross and follow, follow me." 

efrain:

Where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow; 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

2. I'll go with him through the garden, 

I'll go with him through the garden, 

I'll go with him through the garden, 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

Refrain:

Where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow; 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

3. I'll go with him through the judgment, 

I'll go with him through the judgment, 

I'll go with him through the judgment, 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

Refrain:

Where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow; 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

4. He will give me grace and glory, 

He will give me grace and glory, 

He will give me grace and glory, 

and go with me, with me all the way. 

Refrain:

Where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow, 

where he leads me I will follow; 

I'll go with him, with him all the way. 

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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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Today's Devotional:
The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “2nd Sunday of Lent" for Sunday, 1 March 2015 Scripture: John 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed! I tell you, you’re not looking for me because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the bread and had all you wanted! 27 Don’t work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one on whom God the Father has put his seal.”
28 So they said to him, “What should we do in order to perform the works of God?” 29 Yeshua answered, “Here’s what the work of God is: to trust in the one he sent!”
30 They said to him, “Nu, what miracle will you do for us, so that we may see it and trust you? What work can you perform? 31 Our fathers ate man in the desert — as it says in the Tanakh, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[a] 32 Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you it wasn’t Moshe who gave you the bread from heaven. But my Father is giving you the genuine bread from heaven; 33 for God’s bread is the one who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread from now on.” 35 Yeshua answered, “I am the bread which is life! Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty.[Footnotes:
John 6:31 Psalm 78:24; Nehemiah 9:15]
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”[John 6:35 (NRSV)]
“Are you hungry? Are you thirsty?” Our mother always asked us these questions the moment we came in the back door after playing in the hot summer sun. If we said no, then her next question was, “Are you sure?”
No matter our position in the world, these questions face us all. For all humans and creatures, paying attention to physical hunger and thirst is essential. But hunger and thirst can also apply to spiritual realities. There are deserts where people find themselves emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually bankrupt. In those places pain, longing, and danger lurk. Temptations abound which offer temporary relief from hunger and thirst realities. There are many ‘things’ that could feed us or quench our thirst.
Yet in the midst of these places of temptation, Jesus’ words resound, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
We are assured throughout scripture that there are no places where we find ourselves that Jesus is not present. In the midst of the worst hungers of our lives, we are not alone. God is there saying, “I am with you.” We are assured that no matter where we find ourselves God is there — offering water to our thirsty spirits and food for our desperately hungry hearts.
The Author: Karen Greenwaldt (North Carolina, USA)
Thought for the Day: Thought for the Day: God meets us in every situation of our lives and offers living bread and water.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for offering bread and water to our hungry and thirsting souls and bodies. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Who Are Hungry____________________________
Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org

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