Devotions Archives - Page 6 of 8

Twenty-Second Day of Advent | Matthew 1:1-16

Posted on Dec 18, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” Matthew 1:1-16

This is the Son of David, the Son of Abraham! In my opinion, I think we should add the genealogy in Matthew to the liturgy. Aside from the entertainment of hearing Father Alex attempt to read it, it screams good news! Aside from their connection to Christ Jesus, many in this list have no reason to be lifted up, and considering their offenses, they should be blotted out of God’s history altogether. He is the son of polygamists, idolaters, murderers, and prostitutes.

This list brings about some important things for us think about. First, this shows that God was acting and working in the midst of the terror and horror that was going on in the world throughout the dark days of history leading up to Jesus’ birth. Also, we see once more that God follows through and fulfills his promises.

When we look at the current landscape in our world, we see a lot of reasons to be anxious. Between the division due to a bitter election cycle, terrorism, and worries about the direction of the church and our country, many are left in fear and concern for the future. Nevertheless, we can rest assured that God is with us, and he is working to carry out his plan to bring about new reality.

Prayer

Holy Father, you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. We give you thanks for the gift of you Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Comfort your people from their fears and anxieties of this world. Grant us faith to persevere through trials and tribulations, and stir up in each of us a pure heart so that we might delight in doing your work. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jason Dampier

Jason, a Lutheran seminarian, came to Servants in 2014 to be mentored by Fr. Alex and to gain experience in ministry. Along the way, he has worked with our children, our youth, and our elderly parishioners, serving steadfastly. In August he married his wife Jessica, last week he finished his studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and at the beginning of January he and Jessica will move to Gastonia, NC where he will complete a year-long internship with a Lutheran church. He and Jessica will be missed sorely, but you can hear him preach one more time at Servants on New Year’s Day!

Twenty-First Day of Advent | Psalm 34:18

Posted on Dec 17, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 (Context: Psalm 34)

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:8-11 (Context: Psalm 16)

I am very much still brokenhearted over the loss that I have experienced this past year. My stepfather Ray recently passed away from a glioblastoma brain tumor. After losing my Dad in 2004 to leukemia, I couldn’t imagine my mom having to lose another husband, me losing another father, my children losing a grandfather. I didn’t want to be someone who cried out to God, “WHY?! He is too young, this is too much, I don’t want this…” But I was shaken, and I did.

God used Ray to speak to my heart. Despite his prognosis, Ray’s faith was unshaken. I was blown away by how he spent his final year here on Earth; traveling, engaging with everyone he encountered in intentional and deep conversations about his faith, and experiencing what he loved in this world surrounded by the people he loved. Every day Ray soaked-in God’s word, despite the aphasia making it difficult to read. He woke each morning with joy, despite the restless and painful nights. He used every ounce of his remaining strength to go boating, cook fabulous meals, spoil his grandchildren and watch sports!

Sean and I were asked to sing at Ray’s funeral and, besides being completely overwhelmed, I was deeply humbled. At some point during the last year, God gave me a song by Sandra McCracken called ‘Sweet Comfort.’ I was struck by the lyrics, which illustrated Ray’s perspective. To me the words were like the prayer of Ray’s heart. Here is a lyric from the song:

This bitter cup, I take it;

My fainting heart restored.

So here I stand, unshaken;

I trust upon the Lord.

Although my body was literally shaking in nervousness right before singing in front of a very large crowd that came to celebrate the life of and mourn the loss of Ray, God gave me an indescribable wave of peace the moment we began to sing. I knew that God wanted the song to be shared and I was beyond honored to be used by God in that moment to “comfort those who mourn.”

Watching how Ray, and also my dear friends Ralph Coryell and Bev Handley, all lived when faced with their own mortality was both beautiful and inspiring. It has motivated me to reflect on my own faith. It has challenged me to be intentional in how I spend each day of my life. It has given me a renewed perspective, which is helping me to focus on and revel in what is important in my day-to-day life. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Although I am still heartbroken, I am thankful that Ray, Ralph, and Bev are with their Savior in heaven, free of pain. I am thankful that every Sunday during the Prayers of the People, I can picture Ralph, Bev, Ray, and my Dad, together with God, healed and whole.

Caline McDermott

Caline joined Servants in 2012. She serves on the worship team, often helps lead The Share, a weekly women’s Bible study, and is a part of her community group’s outreach to Grace Marketplace each month.

Twentieth Day of Advent | Colossians 3:3-4

Posted on Dec 16, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4 (Context: Colossians 3:1-17)

Here Paul gives us one of the central paradoxes of the Christian faith. How can I die and have life? Elsewhere Paul writes that he has been crucified with Christ, and yet nevertheless he still lives. Jesus prophecies much the same in Luke 21 – some believers will be killed before the destruction of the temple, but they won’t perish. How could they be killed, but not perish?

Part of the solution to the paradox is understanding that in salvation, we find ourselves united with Christ in such a foundational way that our lives are contained entirely in him. Our lives are not contained in our success or our emotional well-being or our popularity or anything else which can suffer loss. Because our lives are “hidden with Christ,” nothing can change around us that affects our true value and worth. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 8 that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Seek to understand the security of knowing that your life is hidden with Christ in God.

James Manley

James was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church at Servants this past September. He frequently preaches and acts as celebrant at both our services; but he’s not just a priest, he’s also a professor of the humanities at the College of Central Florida in Ocala.

Nineteenth Day of Advent | Romans 5:1-5

Posted on Dec 15, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 (RSV) (Context: Romans 5)

This passage is a good “big picture” for believers. It has good Christian “keywords”: faith, peace, grace, rejoice, hope, glory. Then some harder words: suffering, endurance, character. Thankfully we finish with more great words: hope, love, the Holy Spirit.

Hope is mentioned several times. Humans need hope, and when hope is gone, we despair. When I find myself losing hope, it usually comes from focusing on specific, short-term situations. Even months- or years-long situations are short-term, in view of eternity. We are promised a share of God’s glory, through His grace!

“That’s great,” you say, “but I can’t always focus on the hope of eternal life and ignore the present.” This is our constant tension: the now and the not yet. It’s where the harder words come in: enduring suffering that builds character. In our instant gratification culture, we love to share glory. Endure suffering, rejoice in suffering? Not so much.

Truth be told, this cycle – suffering, enduring, building character, and obtaining hope – is the cycle of our Christian lives. We experience it in big and small ways, no matter our situation. If we rejoice in sufferings, knowing that the end result is the building of our character, this gives us hope. God is refining us!

Finally, sharing in God’s glory is not restricted to the future in heaven. We share in His glory now, in the present, as we receive His grace and peace, and trust Him for our hope in all things big and small, present and future.

Beth Kirby

Beth is a founding member of Servants. She has served in various roles over the years: Director of Children’s Ministry and Church Administrator to name a few. She has since stepped down from direct church ministry and now focuses her energies on caring for her family.

Eighteenth Day of Advent | Isaiah 30:21

Posted on Dec 14, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (Context: Isaiah 30:18-33)

As the year draws to a close, I wonder about the future. What new opportunities will the New Year bring and what decisions will I have to make? Some decisions can be hard, especially when they have long-term consequences. How can we make the right decision?

God promises in His Word that He has a plan for us and that He will guide us. When I begin to worry too much, I think back to the time I believe God clearly guided me. After medical school, I had to decide my area of specialization. I was set on pursuing Internal Medicine, but every time I would try to proceed with the application, Proverbs 14:12 would flash across my mind, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” As I prayed about it, I realized I was pursuing it for the wrong reasons. My alternative was Pathology. Pathologists make diagnoses based on tissue samples from patients, which decides treatment. I had loved Pathology in medical school, but hesitated as it is a behind-the-scenes kind of specialty and I am not exactly a behind-the-scenes kind of person. Though I initially missed the patient contact (or rather the recognition, admiration, and instant gratification) of Internal Medicine, as I spent time at the microscope, I realized God had equipped me for this field. I enjoyed examining tissues and making diagnoses. Every once in a while, I get to make a diagnosis that completely changes the direction of a patient’s care. I could not be happier, doing what God has called me to do, behind the scenes. I’m grateful God found a way to steer me onto the right path.

We are often confused and worried, but God does guide. He has promised to do so. Let us look forward to that!

Ruth Asirvatham

Ruth recently became a member of our Servants family. She moved here from Ann Arbor, MI a few months ago and has been attending since September. While she hasn’t yet found her place of service at Servants, she has a heart for ministering to the elderly and to single mothers.

Seventeenth Day of Advent | Philippians 2:1-11

Posted on Dec 13, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him that the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11 (Context: Philippians 2:1-18)

Lately my attitude isn’t where it should be. I am tired, busy, feeling alone, and just plain blah. Sometimes it’s hard to see the sun through the clouds. My attitude is one of, “Why me?” instead of thankfulness.

I have three kids and a husband who works nights, so there isn’t much time for quiet prayer or reflection around here. I have to multitask. Five to six times a day I have to sit and pump milk for Jack. Sorry if this is too much information for some of you, but this is where I am. I was sitting there on my phone during this fifteen minutes, every four to six hours. I would look at Facebook or play games.

I started reading my Bible app and I read the verses above. I heard that my attitude stinks. I was sitting there surrendering my time for Jack’s well-being, and I hated it. It’s painful, it takes so much time, and my schedule revolves around it. Then I read verses three through eight. It reminded me why I do what I do. I was sacrificing for Jack. Even though I can’t nurse Jack normally due to his cleft pallet, I can still provide the nutrients he needs to be healthy for his upcoming surgery. I needed to be grateful for the ability to sit, read, and supply for Jack’s needs.

We are called to serve. What that looks like is unique to us. Sometimes I throw myself a pity party. I scream, yell, and feel like I’m the family’s maid. Other times I count my blessings. I have been given a husband who works hard, three amazing children, family, and loving friends. Every day is different. Christ served first. He humbled himself by becoming man. I will have failures, but I will continue to serve. I am here to serve first, just as Jesus was.

How do you serve Him each day? What does your attitude look like while serving others?

Kim Harris

Kim has literally thrown herself into ministry at Servants from the moment she joined in 2013. She is a member of the church staff and serves as the Director of Children’s and Family Ministries. She and her husband John also frequently open their home for great times of fellowship such as last month’s Beer and Hymns and, coming in January, our Epiphany Bonfire.

Sixteenth Day of Advent | Jeremiah 9:23-24

Posted on Dec 12, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

……

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

The song was written by St. Patrick. The verse that inspired the song was from Jeremiah 9:23-24. “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,’ declares the LORD.”

St. Patrick’s high regard for God is evident in the various titles ascribed to the Lord. He is our Vision, our Lord, our Best Thought, our Wisdom, our Word, our Great Father, our High King, our Inheritance, our Treasure, our Sun, our Ruler, our Heart.

So practically speaking how do I allow God to “be my Vision”? How do I turn my life and my will over to Him? The problem is when I take it back and try to do it my way. Every time I hear this song it reminds me to give my will and my life over to God.

Currently Mike and I have become caregivers. Thank heaven our children are independent and self-supporting for the most part. We are caregivers for my brother who had a stroke and a heart attack. Mike’s sister moved in with us, and needs help with her medication, her meals, and personal care. I had to place my Dad in a nursing home. The battle is with insurance companies and bills. We are financially drained. Spiritually and emotionally we work and we wonder at what point are we helping or are we enabling. We have to constantly remind ourselves this is only temporary. At times I wonder, “why me?” Then I realize to thank God for good jobs, that we are able to financially support my brother. Thank God that physically we are able to care for his sister. My dad is doing well in the nursing home.

Be Thou my vision, Lord, to do Your will, to seek Your word as guidance and to seek godly wisdom from other Christians. I am learning to pray and seek God first and to allow Him to be our Vision.

Jeannie Bey

Jeannie is a founding member of Servants of Christ and has always encouraged those considering attending A4D weekends and Alpha. She serves with her Community Group at Grace Marketplace and ushers on Sundays. She has been a valuable part of our children’s ministry, volunteering to teach and helping with events such as VBS.

Fifteenth Day of Advent | Romans 8:38-39

Posted on Dec 11, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Romans chapter 8, especially verses 38 and 39, has always been a comforting, ‘go-to’ passage for me since I became a Christian at the age of 19. It was my memorized reminder of Jesus’ great love for me. A reminder that no matter what was going on in life, I was His. Recently, I have been battling with depression and anxiety. I know that my life is blessed with two healthy boys and a wonderful husband and much more, but on my bad days everything felt off and wrong and all I could focus on was what I had done wrong in life and shame would follow. Even these verses couldn’t comfort me. Thankfully we attend a church with a strong community that doesn’t shrink away from those who are struggling or hurting. Instead of people shying away, I was met with hugs and comforting words and most importantly people prayed for me when I didn’t have the words to pray for myself. They were able to remind me of what I already knew through Romans 8. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. As I experience healing and joy, I am thankful daily for our community which was a piece of this healing. The disciples urged Christians on to this kind of caring for one another in scriptures such as Hebrews 10 and James 5. Let us continue to live these scriptures in each other’s lives and in the lives of our neighbors.

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking meeting together, as is the habit, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

Mary McCready

Mary joined Servants of Christ in 2012. She is a member of the vestry and has been a great help to our youth ministry over the last year.

Fourteenth Day of Advent | Isaiah 42:1-9

Posted on Dec 10, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:1-9 (Context: Isaiah 42)

What do we wait for, in Advent, but for Jesus to fulfill these promises? Everywhere we look are bruised reeds, and faint wicks, and we and those around us are tempted more than ever to either dwell in discouragement or to seek peace, justice, and encouragement in those things that are temporal and lacking, and which do not make these promises to us.

But in Advent we are called and we choose to lean in to our need, our discouragement, our faint-heartedness, and meet Jesus, who dwells in those places. He is making us and all things new, and in this season we pray, wait, and trust that He is returning to finish His work.

Today, let’s try to refrain from making our voices heard in the streets, but rather let’s quiet our hearts and wait for Jesus. Let’s meditate on His meekness, His kindness, and the tenacious sacrificial spirit with which He came and will come again to save and heal us.

Those around us wait impatiently for justice, hope, and encouragement in temporal things. Let us meditate today on Jesus’ approach to need; not in lifting our voices in the streets, or in strife, but in enduring patience let us, in Him, take the hands of those around us and love them in gentleness.

Only in receiving Him, as the faint wicks and bruised reeds that we are, can we offer hope to those around us. Let’s start there.

Ethan Stonerook

Ethan began attending Servants in 2012 and he currently serves on the vestry and as a prayer reader.

Thirteenth Day of Advent | Mark 6:30-44

Posted on Dec 9, 2016 in Advent Devotional, Blog, Devotions, Guest Blogger |

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they said to him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ And when they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.” Mark 6:30-44 (Context: Mark 6:7-44)

We find the disciples knee-deep in the work of proclaiming Jesus’ teaching. They are exhausted, famished. Jesus calls them to come away and rest. However, the crowds catch wind of their plan and run to get there ahead of them. Alas, no rest for the exhausted disciples. Jesus has compassion on the crowds because they are wandering, in need of a leader. He teaches them through supper time. The disciples suggest Jesus send them away to buy food. “No,” Jesus tells them, “you feed them.’’

This is the moment when I can relate most to the disciples. My calling is before me: feed them, hold them, change the diapers, help with homework, listen, be patient, fold the laundry, be available and loving to your spouse, to your neighbors. I’ve already sacrificed. How can I now do the impossible?

Notice Jesus does not put them at ease by revealing the big picture. He nudges them to respond in faith, to evaluate the resources at hand, however insufficient they may seem.

The disciples come back with a report – they have 5 loaves and 2 fish. Undeterred, Jesus directs His attention to the crowds. He takes the food, looks to heaven, says a blessing, breaks the loaves, and gives the meal to the disciples to set before the people. What a gift to the disciples! They have little to do with the provision, but they still get to participate in the blessing. They have the honor of setting the food before the people. All the people eat to satisfaction! 5,000 men are fed and still 12 baskets are left over! Oh, lovely, glorious leftovers.

Lord, you are not limited by the resources within our reach. You are a God of abundance. I am quick to forget this, to crumble in defeat. Please forgive me. Thank you that you would use us, even though you are the one who deserves the glory. Help us to carefully evaluate the resources available to us and lay them at your feet.

Valerie Stonerook

Valerie came to the SOC family in 2012, and when she isn’t taking care of her children, you can find her cheerfully engaged with her brothers and sisters in the Gainesville community. She currently leads The Share, a weekly women’s Bible study.