Monday, June 11, 2018

GLENDA Good Morning. Do you remember the story of Joshua? When he fought the battle at Jericho, he was given some unusual instructions by God in how to win the battle of Jericho. You see, Jericho had a big thick wall surrounding it. They first had to break through that wall. God told Joshua to march around the city for seven days. The priests were to go first, blowing their horns; then the Ark of the Covenant carrying the Ten Commandments; then the soldiers. At the end of the seven days, they were all to shout. Joshua didn’t question God’s strange instructions. He did just as God told him to do, and the walls came tumbling down. \What can we learn from this in the world we live in today? It is this: Even the impossible is possible when we trust God. Have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 8, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. We all struggle with spiritual discouragement and lethargy. Some days our circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, and we struggle just to pray. Many times, we just don’t feel like doing the things we know we should. For one reason or another, God sometimes seems far off and unreachable. King David faced times like these in his life. The Psalms are filled with verses that express his despair and feeling of abandonment. Yet, the Psalms also give us the key to living victoriously during the dark periods of life; and in Psalm 119, David says that in the moments of his greatest despair God was always present and unchangeable. Recalling God’s faithfulness and control over everything that touches us gives us strength to walk with God even when we feel like giving up in despair. The next time you feel spiritually drained or inadequate, remember that you have a choice. You can wrap yourself up in excuses and self-pity, or you can choose to draw your strength from an unchanging God.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

SABRINA Whether parent, grandparent, or friend, most of us have seen a chaotic few months. School programs, field trips, sporting events, and graduations. I am guessing some also found themselves in the same situation as I have - forgotten appointments, overlapping event times, running to one program only to realize you should have been at the OTHER program. While we all struggle, I think women take these stresses and defeats more to heart than men. It is a reflection of who WE want to portray to the world. With God, we’re never a bad mom, grandmother, or person. We might be having a bad moment or two-or-more, but a few bad moments do not define us. This is when God’s grace steps in. Not to excuse us from being more patient, organized, or responsible but to remind us we’re doing better than we think we are. Ephesians 2:4 & 5 remind us, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ — it is by grace you have been saved.” God’s grace is there to cover us, teach us, redirect us and change us. Life is hard. God’s grace is abundant! Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Youth Director at Central United Methodist. Remember that love is a verb. Love moves us to act. Love is a decision, a responsibility, it is something to be lived. Love, in and of itself, is a truly powerful force. So, whoever or whatever you love, do it and mean it, not because you have to. Stephen and Alex Kendrick, in their book “The Love Dare” wrote: Love motivated by mere duty cannot hold out for very long. Go out of your way to do something for someone else, without getting credit, without procrastination, but because you care, and do so expecting nothing in return. That is how God loves, for God IS love. He loved this world so much that he left heaven to die for us to set us free from the chains of sin, despite us being so unloving. So, go into this day knowing that there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

DENNIS Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Joy or sadness, war or peace, love or hate, purity or impurity, charity or greed; these all are the tremendous realities that make up our lives. But did you know that everyday things like relationships with other people, daily work, and love of our family can be done for the glory of God? Jesus taught that every hour of the day is useful and can lead to divine inspiration, doing the will of the Father, and even communication with Him through prayer. Every hour of the day can be used to glorify God by living as Jesus taught us to live. Living like this does not mean we have to shut ourselves off from the world or live a really strict lifestyle. What it does mean, however, is accepting the realities of this life. Working is one of these realities; parenthood, school, and family are all part of this life’s obligations; and you and I can serve Jesus while doing these everyday things. It is not as important as what you are doing, as it is why and how you are doing it. Remember, seek to give glory to God as you go about your day. God Bless.

Monday, June 4, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. This morning, I want to talk to you about your prayer life. The Bible offers so much guidance on prayer: “Don’t be anxious, but rather lift your prayers to God.” “Pray without ceasing.” “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” How often do you pray? Do you pray more now than when you were a child? When I was a child, we prayed constantly and regularly, but as an adult, it takes more willpower and dedication without a parent there to guide and encourage you. What kinds of things are you praying for? Praying for things that seem to go against the will of God may end you up somewhere you don’t wish to be. Think about things THAT are of the utmost importance and pray for those. Finally, what can you do differently in your prayer life? If you answer is nothing, I promise you are fooling yourself. Everyone can adjust their prayer life to be better. Dedicate yourself to constant and intentional prayer. Pray with others. Pray for others. Pray for yourself. “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Friday, June 1, 2018

BOB Good Morning. This is Bob Peden of Central, A United Methodist Community here in downtown Meridian. To paraphrase a song by Matt Redman; “When the things of this world fade, and I come before God seeking to bring Him something that will be of value to Him. I must bring more than songs, prayers, and praise with my lips for God searches me more deeply than that - God searches my very heart. So, when I come to worship, I must keep my focus totally on God - for worship is all about Jesus. If you are ready to come back to the heart of worship, I would invite you to join us at Central, because here it is all about Jesus the risen Christ present in our lives today. Worship happens on Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:45 10:55. Come, and worship Christ the Lord.