Weekday Devotional - Week 7 Hospitality (Day 5) - Radical Hospitality

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Radical Hospitality

Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:16-24

Reflection:
How does faith move from words to action?

What is the definition of love in the passage from 1 John?

How do you put your love for Jesus into action in your everyday life?

In what ways can you crate a deeper sense of hospitality in your life?

Prayer:  Lord, it's a little scary to open up my life and welcome people I don't know.  Help me break through my fear and seek our opportunities to share your love and welcome.  Give me vision to see the stranger in need and the courage to meet the need.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 7 Hospitality (Day 4) - Households Believed

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Households Believed

Scripture Reading: Acts 16

Reflection:
Lydia's household believed and was baptized as well as the jailer's household.  What is the significance of the entire household believing and being baptized?

Why do we invite people over when something major happens?  What does this say about our natural instincts for hospitality?


Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the gifts of good food, family and friends.  Help me open my table and welcome others to celebrate their milestones and rejoice with them in their joy.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 7 Hospitality (Day 3) - Hospitality in the Church

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Hospitality in the Church

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47, 21:1-5, 28:1-10; 3 John

Reflection:
How did the early church live out hospitality?

What does the way the early church welcomed others teach us about being the Church today?

How easy or difficult is it for you to receive help or kindness from others?  Why?


Prayer:  Lord, both me and the people in my church can get focused inward forget we have an obligation to the larger Church.  Help us to no be lone rangers, but to align ourselves with other churches for greater mission and purpose.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 7 Hospitality (Day 2) - Extending Invitations

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Extending Invitations

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1-24, 24:13-36; Hebrews 13:1-3

Reflection:
How do God's values differ from society's when it comes to who should be invited to your home?

How are we influenced by society's values when it come to throwing parties?

How can we metaphorically lose our sight sometimes?

When have you entertained angels and didn't realize it?


Prayer:  Lord, help me open my table and offer kindness to those who pass by my life.  Show me how to extend your grace and mercy with acts of hospitality.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 7 Hospitality (Day 1) - Biblical Hospitality

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Biblical Hospitality

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 4:7-11

Reflection:
How would you describe a biblical understanding of hospitality?

How will Jesus' followers be held accountable?

How do you show hospitality in your own life?

In what ways can you be more intentional about welcoming strangers and care for those in need?


Prayer:  Lord, give me an understanding of your call to hospitality.  Help me care for others and look for you in the face of people who are in need.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 6 Love (Day 5) - Love in the Church

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Love in the Church

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8-10, 12:9-13; Galatians 5:13-14

Reflection:
How should Christians show love to one another?

How easy or hard is it to show love to others?

What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?

To whom in your faith community do you need to extend love? 


Prayer:  Lord, sometimes I think that because the church is made of Christians we automatically all get along.  The truth is some people are just difficult.  Helm me to love everyone.  Help me especially to love the believers with whom I am in community.  Make me a shining example of your love.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 6 Love (Day 4) - God Loves Me?

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

God Loves Me?

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39, 5:6-8; John 3:16-17; Psalm 136

Reflection:
How have you experienced God's love for you?

Can you quantify how much God loves you?  How?

How does God's love for you lead you to love others? 


Prayer:  Thank you, god for your steadfast love for me.  Your love is truly amazing.  Help me share your love with others that they might be amazed by you too.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 6 Love (Day 3) - Love in Action

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Love in Action

Scripture Reading: Ruth; 1 John 3:11-24; John 15:12-13; Luke 7:36-50

Reflection:
What is love in action?

What does it mean to lay down your life for another?

When have you received the kind of love and loyalty Ruth showed?

When have you shown that kind of love and loyalty?


Prayer:  Lord, help me lay my life down for others.  Help me to so love others that I love them like you do.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 6 Love (Day 2) - Strength to Love

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Strength to Love

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-21; John 13:34-35

Reflection:
What is the clearest picture of God's love that we have?

What does it mean that there is no fear in perfect love?

How can you show God's love today?


Prayer:  Lord, some people are really hard to love.  Fill me with a fountain of love in my heart so I can freely share the love you have shown me.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 6 Love (Day 1) - The Definition of Love

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

The Definition of Love

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-9; 1 Peter 4:1-8

Reflection:
How are love and lust different?

What are the characteristics of godly love?

What relationships have you had that demonstrate true love as described in 
1 Corinthians 13?

How can you love others this way?


Prayer:  Lord, your love is so much more than romance.  Help me love deeply as you love me.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 5 Stewardship (Day 5) - Simplicity and Stewardship

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Simplicity and Stewardship

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34, 11:25-30

Reflection:
Would you say you have simplicity in your life?  In what ways?

What do today's readings say about the benefits of a simple life?

How are simplicity and stewardship connected?

How can being free of worry and anxiety help you become a better stewards of your life?


Prayer:  Lord, remind me that your love is all I need.  When I get consumed by the stuff of earth, remind me that you are all-consuming.  Free me from worry and anxiety.  Free me to fully live for you.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 5 Stewardship (Day 4) -

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Time Management

Scripture Reading: Psalm 90; Hebrews 3

Reflection:
Make a list of all of the references to time in the psalm.

What does it mean to number our days?

How do you manage your time in a way that honors and serves God?

How could you be a better steward of today while it's still called today?


Prayer: Lord, help me to savor every minute of every day as an opportunity to worship you and share your love with others.  Forgive me when I waste time and help me choose wisely as I plan my days.  Be the God of my time and let my schedule look like worship to you.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 5 Stewardshp (Day 3) - Take Advantage

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Take Advantage

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-5:21

Reflection:
What do you do with your time?

What are your spiritual gifts?

How does your behavior affect your Christian witness?

What does a faithful stewardship of lifestyle look like?

What does it mean to live wisely and not foolishly?


Prayer: Lord, forgive me for being foolish and missing opportunities to use the gifts you have blessed me with.  Give me eyes to see every chance I have to live out the tasks you've call me to.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 5 Stewardshp (Day 2) - Multiply Your Gifts

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Multiply Your Gifts

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-28

Reflection:
What does the story of Zaccheaus teach us about giving up our sense of possession? 

What does the parable about faithful service tell us about the nature of God and how God wants us to use our gifts?

How does your perception of God influence your ideas of stewardship?


Prayer: Lord, sometimes I forget everything I have is a gift from you.  Help me to be a faithful steward and use these gifts, resources, and talents to serve you.  Amen

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Weekday Devotional - Week 5 Stewardship (Day 1) - What is Stewardship

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

What is Stewardship

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 12:35-48; 1 Corinthians 3

Reflection:  

What does it mean to be a steward of God's creation?

How would you describe a good and faithful manager of God's resources?

What gifts has God entrusted to you?  How seriously do you take the task of stewarding those gifts?


Prayer: God, I confess that I am not always that great a steward of your resources.  Forgive me when I forget I have been entrusted with much.  Show me how to be a good steward of all you have blessed me with.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 4 Serving (Day 5) - Shine like Stars

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Shine Like Stars

Scripture Reading: Matthew 20:20-28; Philippians 2:1-18

Reflection:  
How hard is it to think about giving up status and rank?  Why?

What do these passages tell you about Jesus' call to serve?

How does your life shine like stars so that others know what the love of Christ is all about?

Prayer: 
Lord, let me shine like stars so others know you.  Forgive me when I grumble and argue.  Help me to live my life in a way that points people to you.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 4 Serving (Day 4) - Gifts for Service

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Gifts for Service

Scripture Reading: Romans 12; Colossians 3:17-4:6

Reflection:  
What gifts do you possess?

How do you share your gifts in community?

Do you think some gifts are more important than others?  Why or why not?

What is the most aspect of serving?

Prayer: 
Lord, thank you for your great gifts.  Show me the gifts you created just for me and how I might use them in this world.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 4 Serving (Day 3) - The Cost of Following Jesus

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

The Cost of Following Jesus

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-10:42

Reflection:  
How do these stories teach you about your life of service?

What have you given up to follow Jesus?

What do you find most challenging about living a life of service?

Prayer: 
Lord,I want to believe that I could drop everything and follow you.  Give me the faith to lay my life down and take up your cross.  Let everything about my life be worship that points to your great love.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 4 Serving (Day 2) - Strength to Serve

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Strength to Serve

Scripture Reading: John 14:1-14

Reflection:  
How have you experienced the power of Christ in your life?

What promises can be found in today's reading?

Where do you find strength to serve others?

Prayer: 
Lord, I know that all of my strength comes from you.  Fill me with your Spirit so that I may give myself to you and to others in love.  Amen.

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New Link - St. Paul UMC Newton Bible Study

Good Morning,

I have added a new area to my blog.  It's the weekly Bible study for St. Paul UMC Newton.  I will update this each week with the new link and reference number.  May your fruit continue to blossom with each lesson.

Peace

Weekday Devotional - Week 4 Serving (Day 1) - Getting Dirty

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Getting Dirty

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17

Reflection:  
Why did Jesus want to wash the disciple's feet?

What did Jesus mean by telling the disciples to wash others' feet?

How can you wash the feet of others in your life?

Who needs your acts of service right now?

Prayer: 
Lord, help me to serve as you served, to love as you loved, and to sacrifice as you sacrificed.  Show me how I can be a servant to those around me.  Amen.

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Weekday Devotional - Week 3 Community (Day 5) - Mighty Works

The Daily Devotional comes from the Common English Bible (The Daily Companion).   This is a 52 week 5 day a week daily devotional.

Mighty Works

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-4:6; Acts 4:31-35

Reflection:  
How does God's love encourage you?

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

What would your church look like if everyone were filled with the Holy Spirit?

What do you think God has in store for your community?

Prayer: 
Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit and set me on fire with passion to take your gospel to the ends of the earth.  show me what you would have me do even today.  Amen.

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