Tuesday, January 31, 2019

SABRINA Have you ever approached a drive-thru window prepared to pay for your order, only to be told the customer before you already paid your bill? It is a wonderful experience to be the recipient of an unexpected blessing. Several years ago, at a Starbucks in Newington, Connecticut, pay it forward began with one woman purchasing a cup of coffee and paying for the customer behind her. The pay it forward lasted for four days with 1,468 customers paying it forward. Over 2,000 years ago, God Paid It Forward! He knew we couldn’t afford the sin-debt we owed, so He sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay our bill. His life as an offering for our sin. In Ephesians 5:2 we are commanded to “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us. So, you see, we are called to pay it forward, to walk in love because it has already been done for us. God gave, followed by Jesus giving, and now it is our turn to pay it forward. I challenge you to go today, remembering the price paid for you and extend a kindness, in the name of the one who gave so much, His only Son.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. Welcome to 2019! Almost the entire month has passed and we’re already 1/12th of the way into the year. During this time of renewal, people often take on new lifestyles to make changes in their lives. I would encourage you to consider doing the same for your spiritual life in addition to your personal life. The first part of the year is a great time to renew your thinking on how to live your life and how much time you dedicate to spiritual growth and nourishment. I encourage you to focus on and renew your commitment to your faith. At times, we may lose our way along the journey, but it’s never too late to get back on the right foot again. Even if you have fallen away this early in the game, you can always press reset. Our God is a god of grace and forgiveness. Use this new year to renew your faith journey. Dive in and see what God has in store for you.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

MATT Good morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. Two young men had been friends from childhood. One was a Christian; the other was not. The second man was about to embark on a long ocean voyage, and the believer felt the urge to speak to him about Christ before he left. However, he just kept putting it off. A few days later the believer got word that his friend’s ship had sunk and all aboard were lost. In Luke’s gospel, we read of a man possessed by many demons who had been wonderfully restored by Jesus. In gratitude to the Lord he wanted to stay with Him to worship Him. But Jesus said, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” May we always apply Jesus’ words to our lives and tell someone of His grace and salvation without putting it off. Tell someone about Jesus today!

Monday, January 28, 2019

GLENDA Good Morning: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. That’s from 1 Peter 5:8-9. These are sound and wise verses as the New Year begins. We face many challenges and temptations in life. We need reminders that the devil hates Christians and will do what is necessary to bring them down. We all have our doubts and fears especially when we’re under attack. So, Go to God often, more often than you think you should. Do as the Bible has told us: cast all your cares on Him. The more we lean on Him in 2019, the less stress, anxiety and pressure we’ll feel. Have a blessed 2019!

Friday, January 25, 2019

BENJI Good Morning, I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist. A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally, she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?" "Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago." "Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me, too?" "Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little while ago." Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he?" I would like to invite you to join us this Sunday at Central, at either 8:30, 9:45, or 10:55, and see how our perfect God continues to work on us as imperfect people.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

MATT Good morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian. There was little boy with a small shovel who was trying to clear a pathway through deep, new-fallen snow in front of his house. A man paused as he was passing by to observe the child’s enormous task. “Little boy,” he inquired, “How can someone as small as you expect to finish a task as big as this?” The boy looked up and replied confidently, “Little by little, that’s how!” And he continued shoveling. There’s a large lesson to be heard in this little story. How often do we with our “adult” selves taunt the weak “child” within us saying “How can someone as inadequate as you expect to surmount so great a mountain as this?” We would do well to remember the little boy’s answer to the older man: “Little by little, that’s how!” By depending on God and persevering we can face any mountain, one small victory after another.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. Worship is one of the most important actions in living the Christian life. Yet, worship in many churches on Sunday morning can become stagnant and each Sunday seem just like the last. If that is how you feel, then I would like to invite you to a completely different kind of worship this Sunday evening at Central. This worship will include lots of music led by Jonathan Quigley and others from the Meridian area. It will also include video, prayer and a short message. Central is offering these Nights of Worship on the 4th Sunday of each month this Spring. Everyone is invited to attend this Sunday evening, January 17th, beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting for about an hour. The service is held in the Fellowship Hall of Central - on 22nd and 23rd Avenues at 10th Street in downtown Meridian. Come experience God's presence in worship!

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

SABRINA In Jerimiah 29 we read of God’s promise to the Israelites, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. We can read these words and find comfort in knowing God’s promise to always be with us – But, so often, those thoughts are on days when things are good, and we find calm assurance. What about those times when we find ourselves in an incredibly disappointing place — a place we don’t want to be — it’s easy to start feeling that some of God’s good plans don’t apply to us. We can even lapse into the mentality that we somehow slipped through the cracks of God’s good plans. But the truth is, God is closer than we often realize. He sees things we don’t see, and He knows things we don’t know. It is then we remember we have been His, from the day we were conceived to the day we breathe our last breath, and even beyond that into eternity. He is the One who will sustain us. All of these things were true for the Israelites. And they’re true for us.

Monday, January 21, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. Throughout the world, millions of dollars are spent on priceless works of art. I'm always amazed at how much people will pay for one painting – some are considered virtually priceless. But what makes a masterpiece? It's not a what – it's a "who" – a master makes a masterpiece! There's a Master at work on you. Your life is a priceless work of art in the Lord’s hand. God's masterful artistry, His perfect "touch" is painting, sculpting your life day by day to create the masterpiece He envisions you to be. Every stroke of the brush; every strike of the chisel, places color and renders shape to your individual identity in Him. You can trust His craftsmanship; rely on His artistry, because not only is He the consummate Master Artist, but He loves His works. You are a beautiful masterpiece in the making, designed to portray a beautiful Master in all you do. I hope you realize that you are a work of God – created for good works to be valued, highly valued, in Eternity. I encourage to come and visit us at Central and together we can reclaim our name as a masterpiece following the way of Jesus.

Tuesday, March 8, 2019

SABRINA One of our key verses at Central is Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Let’s be honest. When we read this verse, we want to think of the good ole, pat on the back, “atta boy, atta girl,” type of sharpening, not to be rebuked – to have our actions or intentions questioned. But that is exactly what that verse tells us. God knows that even those who walk closely with Him and strive to live as He would have us need “accountability partners” here on earth. It’s with the same care and loving concern that we who know Christ should confront sin in our own lives and in the lives of our close friends. We should welcome a friend in the faith who is willing to gently reveal when our attitude stinks, when we need an adjustment, and a spiritual sharpening. In return, let’s be loving enough to do the same for our friends. There is something uniquely special about a Christian friendship. If you are looking for a church home, friendship, accountability, community, I would like to invite you to come to Central, because after all, we are all together in this thing called life! Check out our website for worship times, events, and other opportunities to experience Christian fellowship, sharpening one another in love!