The daily devotional published Monday-Friday by Medford UMC. Click on the devotional title to read that day’s post.
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan we don’t know anything about the victim, was he friend or foe, his language, his skin color, nothing. He is simply a human being in need. Clearly Jesus is asking us to care for people regardless of their identity
In today’s scripture, Christians were showing favoritism to the rich and powerful, while dishonoring the poor, a judgement made totally on class and appearance. The writer of James says that when we do this we “deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, we are not acting like followers of Jesus.
I know it’s not Christmas…but I can’t help thinking of one of my favorite scenes from the movie Elf. Buddy confronts the department store Santa and blurts out: “You sit on a throne of lies!”
Have you ever judged someone? Truly judged them — not for a mistake they made or something they chose, but for something they cannot change? Something that is simply a part of who they are?
As Joshua prepared to leave the people of Israel, he didn’t just celebrate their victories—he issued a warning. Now that they had entered a time of peace, the real challenge would begin: would they remember the journey that shaped them, or would they slowly drift toward comfort, forgetting who they were and who God called them to be?
Sometimes life piles up; work gets busy, schedules change, children act up, and the house just gets to looking like a tornado came through. Then the dog gets underfoot one more time, you stub your toe, or step on a sharp toy and…THAT’S IT!
The first time I read Psalm 6 in preparation for writing this devotion I wanted to reach into my Bible and smack the Psalmist for crying and carrying on like he was. I wanted to say to him “Just stop crying! Apologize, say you are sorry, and get on with acting like you are really SORRY!
Today we celebrate the birthday of our country. 249 years ago on July 2,1776, The Continental Congress voted for independence, and two days later the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. We are a relatively “new” nation in the overall scheme of things.
Through Jesus, we are offered grace, not condemnation. Peace, not chaos. Strength, not despair.
Be careful to live your life wisely. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To the people of Israel and Judah, conquered first by the Assyrians in the northern kingdom of Judah and later conquered by Babylon in the southern kingdom of Israel, captivity was a daily trial. Enslaved and deported from their homeland and resettled among a foreign population that worshipped many gods, the people of God struggled
Together we can turn the nation’s largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of giving. Youth group members will be collecting monetary donations at each service this Sunday and will then send the donation to the Turning Point United Methodist Food Pantry in Trenton. Your generosity will be very much appreciated. The link below will take you to our PushPay system. You can select “Give One Time” then use the Fund Selector to choose “Souper Bowl of Caring.”
PEDAL for PROMISE – SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019: Medford United Methodist is fielding a team for the Urban Promise fundraiser “Pedal for Promise.” This year the ride begins and ends at Valenzano Winery in Shamong. You can register to ride, make a donation to the team or register as a spectator to enjoy the party and cheer on our team.
Go to urbanpromiseusa.org/pedal for more information about the event, to donate, or to register as an individual. OR you can go directly to the TEAM MEDFORD UMC page at www.crowdrise.com/team-medford-umc.
Questions or need help? Speak with Pastor Kathleen, Wayne Richards, or Heidi and Mike Polhemus
