Day 20: Monday, March 20, 2017          James 1:12

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

When I was a child growing up, I was scared of storms. I always remember that the next morning when I woke up, the sun was always shining brightly. Now as an adult, I       remember the times when there were storms in my life. During those dark times, I had to keep my faith and remember God was in control. He will take my ashes and make something beautiful out of them. When the storm passes, things are clear, and God is with me the whole time, even when I didn’t realize He is there. Sometimes, it is hard to feel God during the storms of life, but keep the faith and know He is always there. God can take anything that happens to you and make something good out of it. Praise God and thank God when the storms of life surface. When we have trials, we grow in our relationship with God.

Prayer: God, help us to lean on You always and have faith that You are with us every step of the way, in the good times and the bad. Help us to be closer to You and grow in our relationship with you. Amen.

Contributed by Sarah Skinner

Day 19: Sunday, March 19, 2017 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

“15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

When I was living in the world, before I knew God’s word about how to treat my body, I felt I had the right to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, without considering the consequences. Not everything I wanted to do was going to be healthy for my heart, body, or soul in the future. I had to grow in my faith to understand that my life and body were meant to serve a higher purpose than those found in worldly pleasures. I have come to realize and understand that God paid the price for my soul, and I am to treat myself with more respect than I have in the past. I am learning that I am precious to the Lord and I should treat myself as a temple for the Holy Spirit and honor God in all aspects of my life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me see myself as You do and to treat myself how You would treat me, with love and honor. Amen.

Contributed by Sharon Carter

Day 18: Saturday, March 18, 2017               John 6:1-15 (CEB)

“After this Jesus went across the sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberus).  A large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miraculous signs he had done among the sick.  Jesus went up a mountain and sat there with his disciples.  It was nearly time for Passover, the Jewish festival.

Jesus looked up and saw the large crowd coming towards him.  He asked Philip, ‘Where will we buy food to feed these people?’ Jesus said, ‘This to test him, for he    already knew what he was going to do…’

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother said ‘A youth here has five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that for a crowd like this?’”

Jesus took the bread and after he had given thanks, he distributed it to the hungry. After this feeding the crowd was about to come and force Him to be their king. Jesus took refuge again, alone on a mountain.  If Jesus needed to take time to be alone, how much more do we need to be alone, depending on God’s grace?

Prayer:  Our loving Father, we depend on Your compassion each day.  Amen.

Contributed by Andy Fowler

Day 17: Friday, March 17, 2017              Hebrews 10:23

                                                                    Romans 8:15-17

“Let us hold fast the profession of our Hope without wavering for He (God) is faithful.” (Hebrews)

Eternal

Baptism

Redeemer

Everlasting

Wisdom

Salvation

“We have All received the spirit of adoption. Children of God heirs with Christ … that we may be also glorified together. “(Romans)

This date is a special date for our family because this is Deana Marie’s adoption day. We have always celebrated this blessed event because the older children, Mark and Missy, went before a judge to finalize this and were asked for their affirmation. Chris’ adoption day in June was finalized also by the children. All children of God are heirs with Christ, and when our family was complete, they were baptized also into our church family of Christ at the Gray Street location of FUMC – Killeen. We continue to be blessed with the adoption of two of our grandchildren, Trinity Marie and Nizeer Michael. Likewise our family went together before the judge to glorify the spirit of adoption and heirs of Christ followed by their baptism at this location with their parents Antione and Missy Westbrook.

FUMC Killeen Disciples II Small Group meets Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. Come study, discuss, and learn with us to grow in your faith.

Prayer: Lord, May we all continue to be reminded that we are Children of God with the Risen Christ and glorify together in HIM. Amen.

Contributed by Roz Honchul

Day 16: Thursday, March 16, 2017            Romans 8:26-39

 Promises of God

I love the promises of God found in the Bible.  They were a huge source of strength to me when we were told our little girl would never be a “normal” little girl. When they could not tell us what ours and Sarah’s future would be Tim was at the 18-year mark in his career in the Army and was told he could get out of the Army or stay in Germany while I lived in Colorado with our son and daughter. Tim had to stay in the Army for the medical care Sarah needed, and I  suddenly became the sole caregiver. Later in life I was the caregiver for my mother.  Romans  chapter eight is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I think this is true for many Christians.  I especially like verses 26-39.

When I was caring for my mother I often felt very overwhelmed by my mother’s continual   decline in her body. I remember feeling so overwhelmed when caring for Sarah all those years ago.  At times like this it is often difficult to know even how to pray.  Romans chapter 8 verse 26 reminds us that at times like this the Holy Spirit prays for us if we are children of God.  God understands our weaknesses, and He has provided us a helper in the form of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit prays in and through us.  He prays for us especially during those times when we are too overwhelmed with heartache to find the right words to express our pain to God in prayer. The Holy Spirit understands our sorrows and is our prayer helper before the Heavenly Father.

The Lord has also promised in Romans chapter 8 that in all things He works for our good,   if we love Him.  This does not mean that we like everything He allows in our lives.  It does not mean that everything in our lives goes according to our preconceived agenda.  Yet somehow God works all things-the good and bad-for our ultimate good.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to always look to You for comfort and support in our times of sorrow.  Be with us as we struggle to understand Your will and to understand that You are always there for us and with us.  In Your name, Amen.

Contributed by Laura Winckel

Day 15: Wednesday, March 15, 2017     Deuteronomy 16:17

This church taught me about a disciple’s path. It’s taught me that at any time, in any phase of life, it’s never too late to begin or continue to journey. The entrances and exits are fluid. My path has been simply organic. Webster’s dictionary defines organic as denoting a relationship between elements of something such that they fit together harmoniously as necessary parts of the whole. The church, my faith, are my whole. I’ve grown so much. I’ve been GIVEN so much. It just dynamically makes sense to give back. That $5 bill now seems like an insult. I’m not quite tithing 10% yet, but the amount I place in the plate is substantially more now than it used to be. Deuteronomy 16:17 says you should give in proportion to what God has given you. Each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper. So I’ve learned the Lord never asks us to give what we don’t have or contribute beyond our means, and so I give proportionately.

The church’s focus for 2017 is Stewardship 1:8. Joshua 1:8 reads, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” I’ve got so much to learn, but I feel like the more I learn, the more I give, and the more I give, the more I get back, and the more I get back, the more I want to give. It’s a constant and dynamic flow. We all know that our pastor loves his Greek words so, I looked up the Greek meaning of steward: Oikenomous, which means someone who manages the household; a person doesn’t own the household but manages it. I mean, how perfect! All that we have was given to us by God, the owner, who entrusted us to manage and maintain. Stewardship–we are accountable to God for what we do and with what He has entrusted to us. It’s all that we do with all that we are and all that we have. Time, talent, treasure–I’ve got all of those things now.

I read somewhere that Christ’s self-giving is the standard for giving, begin with the tithe and aim for the emulation of self-sacrifice. I’ve learned there is a direct relationship between our giving to the Lord and the Lord giving to us.

Service, as opposed to ministry, means we are ALL doing it, not just the Pastor. So, as my life is organically falling into place in a way I believe is a direct result of my Faith, how could I not give back?

____________________________________________

Prayer: Thank you, GOD. It’s through Your stewardship and service that I have learned and believe in the direct correlations between our giving to the Lord and the Lord giving to us. Amen.

Contributed by Ann-Marie Larson

Day 14: Tuesday, March 14, 2017          Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Prayer: Lord and Father, so many times as I face life’s challenges I find myself tiring, my strength failing, and my drive to succeed non-existent. Then do I most need You, oh God; I need Your strength, and I need Your power, and I need to surrender to Your will and only then can I be truly successful in my life. You are my rock and the source of all the wonders in this life. Be with me, lift me on the wings of eagles and keep me always prepared to do Your will! Amen.

Contributed by Dave Hall

Day 13: Monday, March 13, 2017    Romans 12:1-21

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It is truly a pathway for all of us to follow.

Verses 1-2 are referred to as “A Living Sacrifice.” We are asked to give our bodies as a living sacrifice. We are told to not conform to the world, but to transform by renewing our minds. Then we will be able to clearly see God’s Will.

Verses 3-8 speak to Humble Service in the Body of Christ. We are not to think of ourselves more highly than we should. Collectively, all the people of God are one. We all have different gifts, and we should use them for the betterment of God’s Kingdom.

Verses 9-21 are “Love in Action.” Love is sincere. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor each other above ourselves. Be joyful in hope and faithful in prayer.

Bless those who persecute you, rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony. Do not be too proud. Associate with one another no matter of circumstance. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay evil for evil. If possible, live at peace with everyone. You’ve heard the phrase “God’s got this.” Well, He truly does and He says just that in verses 19-20.

It simply boils down to this.

Know God, Love People, Serve your Neighbor.

 Prayer: Lord, we commit ourselves in Living Sacrifice to You and Your kingdom and vow to be humble, faithful servants always. Amen.

Contributed by Glenn Morrison

Day 12: Sunday, March 12, 2017     Mark 4:1-20, 26-31

 Teaching with Parables                                     

As Jesus was teaching near the Sea, multitudes gathered around him and forced him to sit in a boat near the shore.  He told them he would use parables to teach the gospel.

When the disciples gathered around Him, they asked about the parable.  He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, to those who are  outside, all things come in parables-so that: Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.” 

Then Jesus explained the intent of this parable to his disciples.   The sower sows the word. When the word is heard, Satan removes the word that has reached their hearts.  It is similar of those sown on stony ground. When heard, they are received with gladness, yet they have no roots.  When tribulation arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.  When sown among the thorns, the word is heard yet overcome by the cares of the world.  Deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  Only the seeds sowed on fertile ground are heard, accepted and bear fruit, thirty-fold, sixty-fold and more. 

This parable sends a strong message and sets a high standard for us, particularly in a world filled with temptation, deceit, and evil.  Hear the Word of God, read, study and learn. Understand its meaning.  Use the Word as guideposts to channel your efforts to be a Christian of integrity, compassion and grace.  Be exemplary examples for your friends, neighbors, and relatives.  Build your faith and serve others in need.  Assume responsibility to teach and influence your children, grandchildren and friends to be     honest, caring, and dedicated adults fully committed to following Christ’s example while he was on Earth.  Spread the faith, be a Christian (seed) of action and deeds, not simply words.

Prayer: Remind us, dear God that putting others needs before our own is a sign of our love for You.  In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Contributed by Darrel Charlton

Day 11: Saturday, March 11     Mark 5:19 MSG

Jesus said, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” (Emphasis added)

According to Webster’s Dictionary the word story can be defined as: “an account of incidents or events.” 

I never realized how important stories are in our lives until I had a child.  Part of our bedtime routine each night is to spend time cuddling and reading stories before ourbedtime prayer.  When this bedtime story doesn’t take place due to life being crazy, then the routine is thrown off, and to an 18 month old, when routine doesn’t happen, everyone else is made aware of it.

Looking at our Christian walk, stories become a very important part of how we come to know Jesus.  The Bible in itself is an important book that is full of stories, stories of struggle and triumph, loss and rejection, love and acceptance. Without these stories we wouldn’t know the love of Christ, as it has been passed down and told to us in stories.

When I think of my story–who I am, where I came from, who has spoken life into me    –words from the song “My Story” by Big Daddy Weave pop into my head:

“If I told you my story, you would hear victory over the enemy
and if I told you my story, you would hear freedom that was won for me
and if I told you my story, you would hear life overcome the grave
If I should speak, then let it be of the grace that is Greater than all my sin
of when justice was served, and where mercy wins!

of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
oh to tell you my story is to tell of Him
this is my story, this is my song
praising my savior, all the day long.”

What is your story? Who needs to hear of the Grace that is Greater than all our sin?  Who will come to know who Jesus is because you told of the events in your life where the Master had mercy on you?

Prayer:  Father, help us all to be sowers of Your word and to use that harvest for good.  May we be committed to study Your word and understand what we are to do.  Amen.

  Contributed by Sarah Stone