Friday, September 28, 2018

SABRINA Does this morning find you feeling forgotten by God? Do you find yourself wondering where He is while you are in the midst of battle, struggle, hurt, and disappointment? Are you praying for God’s help, but not sure your prayers are getting through? During days of anxiety and sorrow, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that it will always be this way. We settle into the mindset that life will never get any better. When these times continue for long periods, there is the potential to lose hope. We can find much comfort in the Psalms. The prophet David struggled with despair and rejoiced in the realization of God’s unfailing love. In Psalm 13 he cries out to God in despair, then suddenly remembers God’s promise of unfailing love for him. That's the power and test of our faith and what can happen when we draw near to God. If we bring it all to Him and leave it there, through His grace and mercy He will rescue us. Know today that you will sing again, joy does come in the morning. In this moment feel God’s presence and love for you today. Rest on His shoulders, for you will find rest and peace. Have a blessed day.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

BOB Good morning this is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community, in downtown Meridian. Some people feel a deep anxiety when they think about God. Did I get everything right? Have I made amends for each of the bad things I've done? Have I done enough good things? Did I say the right words, go to the right places, think the right thoughts? If you feel nervous when you think about standing before God on the Day of Judgment, you might be surprised at something the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians at Rome: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Peace? Peace with God? How can we have peace with God when we have to constantly worry about getting everything right in order to please him? The answer to that question is, we can't. It is not about what we've done; it's about being saved through faith in the gift that God has to offer us. Remember, you don't have to get everything right – because Jesus gave himself, so that He could present you perfect in God's eyes.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. In one sermon, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions, Moody smiled, took out a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He used this simple demonstration to explain that living a victorious life is not accomplished by "sucking out something that is holding us back here and there," but by being filled with the Spirit of God. Later, he said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled." Let's begin emptying ourselves today!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. The Lord’s prayer is often said without thought or true petition of the heart. It can also be a divine force unleashing God’s glorious blessings. One may pray the words “Thy kingdom come” without any regard for the intent of Jesus, or one may pray it and the world itself can begin to change. But how is “thy kingdom come” a prayer that literally changes the world? Matthew 6:9-10 says, “Pray then like this: Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come…” To pray “Your kingdom come” is to be involved in a gospel conspiracy to take over the world in a positive light! It is a prayer for God to reign down on us the great power and wonder he has in store for us. When you pray, “Your kingdom come” you are inviting the Holy Spirit to move in your life and breathe into the lives of others. You are praying for new and eternal life, and that is how this prayer changes the world. It begins with both change of your own heart and change for the world around you. So, the next time you pray “thy kingdom come,” make sure you know and understand what you are asking for. Are you ready for that yet? I pray that God’s kingdom has come or is coming into your life. May it be so in each of us and in the world around us.

Monday, September 24, 2018

TIM Good morning, I’m Tim Wise, Senior Adult Minister and Sanctuary Choir Director at Central. Many of us are familiar with the first sin in the Bible, the decision to disobey God and give in to the temptation of the serpent. But are we aware of the second sin? The second sin may be one that is more important than the first because we can’t recover from the first sin as long as we are guilty of the second sin. So, what is the second sin? It’s the sin of excuses. It's our inability to face ourselves and confess our sins. Adam and Eve always had someone or something else to blame their first sin on. Adam blamed his decision on the woman and the woman blamed her decision on the serpent. Mistakes or sins aren’t what destroy us. It’s our inability to face ourselves. If a ballplayer can’t catch a ball, there is still hope for him if he says, “I must be doing something wrong” and asks for help. There is little hope for the ballplayer who diverts the fault to field conditions, the sun being in their eyes, or even someone else. The secret here is we must acknowledge our faults and be willing to learn from them. As long as we excuse our failure to learn, we destroy the learning process altogether. Whatever you do this day and in the days to come, don’t die making excuses. Acknowledge who you are, what you have done, and be willing to learn from your mistakes.

Monday, September 24, 2018

BENJI Good morning! I’m Benji Riddle – Director of Youth Ministry at Central United Methodist. Just because it’s a Monday, doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun day, so here is some inspiration to start your week. Something I know to be true is when we are faced with a problem, we should turn to the Lord for our answers. It may not be the answer we would hope for, but God is faithful and is most concerned with the needs of His children and loves when we go to Him with our troubles. A young man needed some supplies from a Sunday School cabinet that was rarely, if ever, used. It was secured with a lock and he didn't know the combination, so he asked the pastor to give it a try. Brother Jim placed his fingers on the lock's dial and raised his eyes heavenward for a moment. Then he confidently spun the dial and opened the lock. The young man was visually impressed with this demonstration of faith, but Brother Jim only smiled and confided, "The numbers are written on the ceiling." May you seek the Lord this week and find God Truth waiting for you.

Friday, September 21, 2018

BOB Good morning! This is Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community in downtown Meridian. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea with Moses and saw that God had defeated their enemy they gathered in song. When David won victory over his enemies, He sang Psalms. When Jesus and the disciples left the upper room to face his enemies, they sang a hymn. Paul and Silas sang in prison. The book of Revelation recounts the song that is sung in heaven at Christ's final victory over sin and death. In this spirit of singing, whatever our circumstances, you are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall at Central on the corner of 22nd Avenue and 10th Street this Sunday evening at 6 p.m. for the first of many Nights of Worship. The service will be led by Jonathan Quigley and others from Central and around the Meridian area. It will be an hour of singing, praying, and listening for the Word of God. Come join us this Sunday evening at 6 p.m. for Nights of Worship.