FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017
Do One Thing for Your Friends*
- Write a letter to a friend who is away at camp or on vacation.
- Let your friend pick something fun for the two of you to do together, even if it’s not your favorite activity.
- Get in touch with a friend from school you haven’t seen for a few weeks.
- Pray for friends who are traveling.
- Pray that the Bishops and leaders of the UMC will help us be more effective at making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Copyright © 2017 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
-------The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Governed by Pure Love"
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Q. What is Christian Perfection?
A. The loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This implies that no wrong temper, none contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love. [John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶19.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. To save what was lost
From heaven he came.
Come, sinners, and trust
In Jesus’ name!
He offers you pardon,
He bids you be free!
If sin is your burden,
O come unto me!
2. O let me commend
My Saviour to you,
The publican’s friend,
And advocate too;
His merits and death,
With God interceding
For sinners beneath. (Collection-1781, #5:3 & 4; Irregular)
Questions for Reflection:
- What is Christian Perfection? Why is this important to John Wesley? Is it important to you?
- The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to be one with Christ and fully alive in him. Do you look forward to the time when “all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love.”?
- What is the meaning for us today when Charles Wesley guides us to sing the words above? What is the promise?
- Reflect on the meaning of this season in the Christian year—the mystery of the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and in us through Pentecost. What does the two lines of the hymn above mean to you?
We give you thanks, O God of compassion, for the salvation you have revealed to the little ones through Christ Jesus, our wisdom and strength. Teach us to take up his gentle yoke and find rest from our burdens and cares. Amen.
*The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2017: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2017 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The prayer is reprinted with permission from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002, Consultation on Common Texts.
Copyright © 2017 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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