From the Pastor Archives - Page 62 of 90 - First United Methodist Church of Galax

Daily Devotion August 24

August 24, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Sunday Reflection (August 23, 2020)

August 24, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

What shapes and molds your mind and life? If greed, climbing the social ladder, and politics, shape and mold your mind more than Jesus Christ, then you will not be able to discern spiritual things. If judgmentalism and harshness shape and mold your mind more than God’s grace, then you will not be able to discern spiritual things. If prejudice and hatred shape and mold your mind more than God’s love, then you will not be able to discern spiritual things.

What is shaping and molding your mind, your attitude, your way of life? May we allow the Holy Spirit to shape and mold our minds so that we have a greater understanding of what is good, acceptable, and complete. May we come to understand and discern more of God’s gracious plan for the world and our part in that plan. Even though we are far from perfect do not overlook what God can do through you as you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind!

There is a simplicity and complexity to being transformed by God because “God has not given us a set of detailed commandments to guide us; rather, God has given us the Holy Spirit to work with us to change our hearts and minds (Moo).” The Holy Spirit leads us to discern the correct, loving way to respond to our unique situations (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer for the Week (August 23-August 29)

August 24, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Let us thank God our Father for his closeness to us: God, we tremble at the thought of the distance between you and us. Yet, you create us in your own image, so that we cannot fulfill our purpose in life until we first discover your purpose for all of humankind. Through the Holy Spirit, make us aware of your design for human life. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Litanies and Other Prayers)

Daily Devotion August 20

August 20, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Daily Devotion August 19

August 19, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Daily Devotion August 18

August 18, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Sunday Reflection (August 16, 2020)

August 17, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Jesus clarifies what corrupts and defiles a person (Matthew 15:1-20). It is from what is within our hearts that defile us. It is from an evil heart that a person dwells upon, plans, and commits adultery. It is from an evil heart that someone takes something that is not his/hers. It is from an evil heart that slander comes forth to injure and harm someone with the tongue. It is from an evil heart that a person devalues the life of another human being. We all have weaknesses that have the potential to defile us and injure others.

Evil arises from within our hearts and causes us to mistreat, injure, and harm other persons. It is not what others do to us that defiles us, but what we do to others when we injure and harm others. If someone has attempted to make you feel defiled through their actions toward you, know that it is they who have defiled themselves. May we not allow evil thoughts to make their way to ours tongues and hands and deeds so that we injure and harm another person or a group of people. Look to your heart, lest you defile yourselves

Prayer for the Week (August 16-August 22)

August 17, 2020/in From the Pastor/by Diane Palumbo

Let us pray to the Father of all that our heart, like his own, be open to all people: Father of all, long ago you chose the people of Israel to make your name known to all the nations. Your Son Jesus Christ made it clear that forgiveness and fullness of life are the share of all who believe in him. Make your Church a place of encounter for all those who search for you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Claretian Publications)