Devotionals and Prayers
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Devotionals and Prayers From the RUMC Prayer Team And members of our congregation Bible Verses We worship our Savior, who died for us and rose again that we might, through him, have victory over sin and death. The season of Lent focuses our hearts and minds on this wonderful truth. As we continue in the Season of Lent, here are some Bible verses to reflect on. These passages show how Jesus interacted with all kinds of people and situations. The writers are sharing what spoke to them in those interac- tions, or how they have been encouraged in their faith through them. In sharing these, we draw closer to one another and to Jesus. We suggest that you read and reflect on one devotion and prayer each day during the last 2 weeks of Lent. Our Mission Statement RUMC is a welcoming family of worship that reaches out to serve others and spreads the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman: Luke 7:36-50 Jesus Calms the Storm: Matthew 8:23-27 Devotion: Fortunate individuals who were born and raised in Christian Devotion: The most interesting commentary I found on Matthew 8:23-27 homes with regular involvement in local church worship and youth activities was one that examined Jesus’s sleeping in the boat and our “sleeping faith.” often feel privileged assuming they deserve God’s forgiveness and love. Jesus rested comfortably, knowing his father would keep him safe. How Often those people live their entire lives in a closed Christian community often is my faith asleep-when my first response during storms is to rely on without very many emotional responses to Jesus’ supreme sacrifice which myself, rather that to trust in God? He is always with me, and goes before brought God’s forgiveness for their sins. They often distance themselves me in every storm. I need to continually remember that God is present in all from individuals who live in what they judge to be too sinful a life style for my storms, and it is my eternal hope and trust in Him that will bring me “good” Christians to associate with. peace- not the absence of storms- but peace and trust in the journey. People who were found by God after many years of extremely “sinful living” Prayer: Please help us to remember with great assurance, that you are are much more likely to show emotional thanksgiving for the relief and joy always in our boat. Amen. God’s love brought into their lives. They often readily share His love with -Judy Ludlow people outside the Christian community. The sinful lady described in this scripture responds emotionally as she be- gins to feel Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Her tears pour out and land on Je- Jesus Appears to Thomas: John 20:24-31 sus’ feet. She can’t stop her tears as she kisses his dirty feet. She doesn’t try Devotion: Thomas was a man who had doubts about Jesus reappearing to to dry his feet with the sleeve of her dress but uses her long hair in an the disciples. Jesus had Thomas put his finger on his hands and side and he attempt to wipe her tears. She doesn’t kiss the hem of his robe but places told him to stop doubting, then he went on to tell Thomas because he had many kisses on his dirty feet. She then opens the precious container of per- seen him he believed, and blessed are those who have not seen but still fume that she used to attract men of her community and pours the entire believe. Jesus was gentle with Thomas when he expressed his doubts, just container onto Jesus’ feet. The privileged Pharisees comment that he as Jesus is gentle with our doubts. Doubt can deepen our faith by leading us shouldn’t let this sinful woman touch him and he rebukes them by empha- to questions, and our questions lead us to answers. Jesus appeared to sizing the much greater love this woman has for him than they do. He then Thomas physically, one on one, but God appears to all of us by the presence forgives her sins and tells her to go in peace. of His Holy Spirit in each of us. We can call his name and he hears us, we In this season of Lent, will we emotionally experience again God’s love and can read his word and know him. Our doubts drive us into the arms of God forgiveness? where we find peace and love. Prayer: Forgiving God, too often we take your forgiveness for granted. Too Prayer: Lord, you lived, you died, you rose again and sit at the right hand often we cling to our sin, believing that it is our right to harbor resent- of the Father. You will come again to judge the living and the dead. We ments and hatred. Be merciful to us, and show us the depth of healing that believe the Holy Spirit lives in each of us. Help us to cast away any doubts is offered when you forgive, for the sake of the one who recognized total and to live each day filled with your peace and love knowing that you sac- surrender to forgiveness and offered it willingly, Jesus Christ our healer. rificed your son for each of us. Amen. -Judy Mayhak -Lionel Hurd Jesus Models Servant Leadership: John 13:1-17 (Life Application Bible) Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10 Devotion: …..So he got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped Devotion: For verses 1-5, I would like to paraphrase by using the old Sunday a towel around his loins, poured water into the basin, and began to wash the School song from my childhood: disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him. When he Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Master, you shouldn’t be washing our feet like this!” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now why I am doing He climbed up in the sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see. it; someday you will. “No” Peter protested, “you shall never wash my feet!” As the Savior passed that way, he looked up in the tree. “But if I don’t you can’t be my partner,” Jesus replied. Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well- not just my feet!” Jesus replied, And he said, “Zacchaeus, you come down! For I’m going to your “One who has bathed all over needs only to have his feet washed to be en- house today, for I’m going to your house today.” tirely clean. Now you are clean– but that isn’t true of everyone here.” For So he came down at once and Jesus welcomed him gladly. All the people Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, Not saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But all of you are clean.” After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me Master half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of any- and Lord and you do well to say it because it is true. And since I, the Lord and thing, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today sal- teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each others’ feet. I have vation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abra- given you and example to follow: do as I have done to you. How true it is that ham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more im- It is interesting to note Zacchaeus was not hiding in the tree, but trying to portant than the one who sent him. You know these things - now do them!” see Jesus. This shows us he wasn’t totally heartless. Jesus would be aware That is the path of blessing. of this, and knew he could make an example of Zacchaeus. What better way If Jesus, God in the flesh, was the first to role model servant leadership, to save the sinner, but to go directly to him? Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ shouldn’t we, His followers, also be servants willing to serve in any way in house, maybe even took a meal with him, and was able to save another lost order to glorify God? It also seems symbolic that Jesus took the dirt (sin) ac- soul. Hopefully, by making an example of Zacchaeus, he was able to save cumulated from his disciples’ connections to this earth and washed them more than one lost soul that day. clean in addition to modeling servanthood to those he loved. He modeled Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me all I need to do is to turn to you. humility by washing feet which was the job of the lowliest slave of a house- Even though I have sinned, I can still be saved. It is nice to know your com- hold. Are you willing to follow Christ’s example of serving? Whom can you forting hand will be there to hold me, guide me and help me get through.