Did You Know?

In 1959 a British Petroleum survey crew, while looking for oil in the North African desert of Libya, spotted the wreckage of a B-24 bomber. Upon investigation, it proved to be the remains of the “Lady Be Good,” a WWII bomber that had returned from a mission in Italy but had never reached the airbase. Mysteriously, the plane was empty.

What caused the “Lady Be Good” to miss her base, landing more than 400 miles away in the north Sahara desert, has remained an unsolved mystery and caused much controversy. Upon the first examination of the plane, Air Force investigators made some startling discoveries. First was the fact that the crew of nine was neither in the plane nor anywhere nearby. Second, the navigator made no log entries after the initial bombing mission was aborted. Third, the navigator’s equipment and charts were stored in their cases. How could the navigator give directions to the pilot with the equipment in storage?

Over a period of several years after the discovery of the plane, the bodies of all but one of the crewmen were discovered in the desert—over 80 miles from the plane. The crew apparently had parachuted from the plane as it ran out of fuel. Though a diary found in the clothes of one of the crewmen told of the harsh desert conditions and of having only a half a canteen of water and no food between them, it gave no clue as to the cause of the accident.

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” After removal from the plane and testing, all the instruments were found to be operational. One of the hypotheses is that, due to a severe tailwind that night, the plane might have passed the base earlier than expected. In this case, the crew would be forced to decide between following the radio beacon or their own calculations as to how long the trip should have taken.

Being right in our own eyes can be fatal, not only physically, but, more important, spiritually. Let us allow the infallible Word of God to be our beacon, whether it always makes sense to us or not.

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Proverbs 14:12

The post Daily Devotional: March 10th, 2020 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

AN AMAZING FACT:  Scientists have discovered a way to “jam” a part of the human brain related to wisdom. In the experiments, people were exposed to a social situation that they would normally consider unfair. While a part of their prefrontal cortex was “jammed,” by a purportedly harmless pulse of electromagnetic energy, people were unable to act in response to the unfair situation. (Any volunteers?)

William Shakespeare once wrote, “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” This rings similarly to Paul’s advice: “If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).

It is true that we, in ourselves, have no wisdom. All the education and philosophy in the world can’t give it to us. Because of our fallen nature, wisdom has to come from outside ourselves.

The world’s concept of wisdom is very different from God’s view. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). The world wants wisdom without God, but it doesn’t exist.

The wisdom that comes from God is a treasure worth finding. “How much better to get wisdom than gold!” (Proverbs 16:16). Godly wisdom will guide us in every aspect of our existence and help us to understand the Bible and God’s will for our lives. All we need to do is ask Him for it.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Proverbs 9:9-12

The post Daily Devotional: February 16th, 2020 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

How can we as a church find God’s will?

We must depend on the Lord with all our hearts to find His will. As we look to the future as a church, let us pray and wait for His answers. It is only through prayer and meditation that we can know what is from the Lord and what is from our own desires.

Prayer

Lord, give us the patience to pray and then listen for Your answers, not depending on our own understanding, but waiting for Your answers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Daily Devotional: December 26th, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

How can we as a church find God’s will?

We must depend on the Lord with all our hearts to find His will. As we look to the future as a church, let us pray and wait for His answers. It is only through prayer and meditation that we can know what is from the Lord and what is from our own desires.

Prayer

Lord, give us the patience to pray and then listen for Your answers, not depending on our own understanding, but waiting for Your answers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Daily Devotional: December 23rd, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

How can we as a church find God’s will?

We must depend on the Lord with all our hearts to find His will. As we look to the future as a church, let us pray and wait for His answers. It is only through prayer and meditation that we can know what is from the Lord and what is from our own desires.

Prayer:

Lord, give us the patience to pray and then listen for Your answers, not depending on our own understanding, but waiting for Your answers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Daily Devotional: November 30th, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

I really think it’s true that the more you have the more you take for granted.  I was recently talking to my daughter about a family she knows with several kids and they invited a couple of these children for a play date.  They noticed that the sole of one of the children’s shoes was coming apart, like barely hanging on.  When they asked if she wanted to go change shoes, she replied “I don’t have any other shoes”. The child said this so matter of fact, without remorse, or apology. Of course, they were astonished.  Then guilty.  How many shoes littered their children’s closet? How much they took for granted.

Needless to say, their first stop was to the shoe store to get new shoes for these girls, which delighted them to no end! When my daughter told me this, we talked about how this kind of story helps us gain a new appreciation of God’s gifts that we take for granted. Our health, our homes, our food, even our struggles, which are sometimes minor compared to others.  Lord help us see, with a new appreciation, the gifts we already have.

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Mark 4:19

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 11:28

The post Daily Devotional: November 25th, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

How can we as a church find God’s will?

We must depend on the Lord with all our hearts to find His will. As we look to the future as a church, let us pray and wait for His answers. It is only through prayer and meditation that we can know what is from the Lord and what is from our own desires.

Prayer:

Lord, give us the patience to pray and then listen for Your answers, not depending on our own understanding, but waiting for Your answers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The post Daily Devotional: November 23rd, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

I don’t know about you, but when I pray I sometimes wonder if what I’m praying for or about is in alignment with God’s will. One way to have more confidence that my prayer is in agreement with God’s will is to pray scripture over the situation.

I learned a long time ago that there is always perfect alignment among God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God the Son (Jesus) is referred to as “logos” the Word (John 1:1-5). The Word of God and the Holy Spirit will never contradict each other. That is one way to test something that you feel you are being told by the Holy Spirit. If it contradicts scripture, it is likely not being understood by you or it is not from the Holy Spirit.

This capital campaign we are about to complete is not about paying off a debt or a building, but is about being better able to minister to the needs of our community. It would be very difficult to do Feed the Need or Room in the Inn if we did not have the space to provide these ministries. We could not all sit down together for a meal without the space needed.

At any rate, when we pray the Scriptures, we can be assured that we are praying according to God’s will. There are hundreds of promises to be found in the Scriptures, but you may not know where they are. If you have a concordance you can look up a word or phrase and see the scriptures that contain that word. Many Bibles have a concordance in the back of the book. If you use an online Bible, there is usually a “search” function that works much the same way as a concordance.

There are also dozens of “Bible Promises” booklets, brochures and even bookmarks.

Here are some scripture promises regarding charity, hospitality and money. I got these from a little book called “New International Version: The Bible Promise Book” published by Barbour Books of Westwood, New Jersey.

CHARITY

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak, the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life, he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

Psalm 41:1-2

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he had done.

Proverbs 19:17

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

          Notice it doesn’t say what he has decided in his head, but in his heart.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withhold unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24-25

A prayer using these scriptures could go like this: “God, you are the Father of charity, when I was yet a sinner, you sent your Son to pay the price for my sins. I pray Father that you will prompt me to give freely and generously so that I might refresh others. I pray that you would open my eyes to the weak and poor in the world and in my community, maybe even in my church or family. I ask you to watch over me and my family and continue to bless us. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.”

HOSPITALITY

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the lover of God be in him?

1 John 3:17

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13

A prayer using these scriptures could go like this: “Father God, I cannot help but think of the welcoming attitude our Lord Jesus had with people. He did not hang out with the ‘religious’ people, but with the sinners, the sick, the children and those who were often rejected by their communities. Help me to look out for the weak and to take pity on those in need. Help me to put that pity into action and to share what I have, the gifts and graces I’ve received from you. Help me to share your love with those who stand in need. In the name of our Savior, Jesus, Amen.”

MONEY

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:2

A prayer using these scriptures could go like this: “Oh, Father, you know how consumed I can be with gaining wealth and success in this world, but your word reminds me that my hope is truly in You, that you will provide for my needs and my comfort. Thank you for your loving kindness to me. Help me to share that loving kindness with others. It is by your gifts and graces that I can do all that I do and I am forever grateful to you for your generosity. Help me to remember that you are the creator and Father of all, rich and poor and that you love us all the same. Help me to love others the way you love. In the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.”

The post Daily Devotional: November 21st, 2019 appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.