Devotional

The daily devotional published Monday-Friday by Medford UMC. Click on the devotional title to read that day’s post.

Devotional

Fri Aug 29-Diaspora

/

In reflecting on today’s scripture, I went back to the beginning of 1 Peter. The letter of encouragement is addressed to persecuted Jewish Gentile believers, “God’s chosen strangers in the world of the diaspora, who live in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithinia” (1 Peter 1:1) They are God’s chosen people living as strangers in their current context.

Devotional

Wed Aug 27-Why This Matters

/

Delving into the following in any depth is beyond the scope of this reflection. However, I think it is helpful to note that young people living in an environment that values Godly living and relationship has been shown to lower levels of anxiety and give greater positivity about life; a positive note in today’s world.   

Devotional

Tue Aug 26-Satan’s Synagogue

/

How are we doing day to day showing others the love of Jesus? Can others see that we are Christians who follow Jesus? Can they see that our church is like the church of Philadelphia – truly welcoming to all who come – whether it be for one visit or for a lifetime?

Devotional

Mon Aug 25-True and False Worship

/

Jeremiah 7:1-5 is a sermon that is usually considered as an interruption in the text. But it works as a theological response to the haunting and elusive poetry of chapters 2-6. It says that even the Jerusalem temple, the center of national life, won’t save Judah from disaster and divine judgement.

Devotional

Fri Aug 22-When Siblings Divide

/

Acts 17:1-9 paints a troubling picture. You might assume in reading that the people at war with one another in this story are believers verses atheists, or at least sworn enemies. But that’s not the case. These are brothers in the faith who just happen to disagree with one another about what they believe God is doing in the world.

Devotional

Thu Aug 21-Refuge

/

The psalms return again and again to this image of God as a refuge — a stronghold, a fortress, a shelter, a rock. All of these metaphors point to one truth: in God we find safety when the world around threatens to undo us.

Devotional

Wed Aug 20-Love, Not Transaction

/

When Jesus entered the temple, He found that the place meant for prayer and connection with God had been turned into a marketplace. Instead of being a space of peace, worship, and safety, it became transactional, where people were overcharged and taken advantage of. This can feel familiar in our own lives.

Devotional

Tue Aug 19-Putting God in a Box

/

Acts 7 tells the story of Stephen’s powerful witness to the high priest and the Sanhedrin about Jesus Christ. Stephen’s testimony results in his subsequent sentencing to be stoned to death, and becoming the first Christian martyr. Stephen pointed out that they had made an idol out of the temple in Jerusalem

Devotional

Thu Aug 14-Walking in the Light of God

/

Today’s reading begins with, “ 5  Come, house of Jacob, walk by the Lord’s light” and it jumped out at me immediately upon my first reading. I have been reflecting on “walk by the Lord’s light” for almost two weeks and I can’t seem to get it out of my head. Have you sung or heard the song “Marching in the Light of God”?

Scroll to Top