Does Jesus Still Reign 2000 Years Later?

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, March 10

By Keith Biggers, March 11, 2018

Does Jesus Still Reign 2000 Years Later?

Read: John 21:15-17

It is a hot summer day in Atlanta and my truck is loaded with a couple hundred sack lunches. I park under a shade tree near several tenement apartments. Soon, I am surrounded by throngs of children. One little boy in particular likes to sit on the tailgate beside me as I pass out a simple lunch bag with a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a bag of chips and a milk. He looks at me and says, “I missed you yesterday, Mr. Biggers.” I realize I may be the only male role model in this child’s life at this moment.

Like hundreds of others throughout the city, I am a volunteer for M.U.S.T. Ministries, which stands for Ministries United in Service and Training. I started volunteering for M.U.S.T. to find something to do with my spare time after retirement, but I have found so much more. It is probably one of the best and most professionally run humanitarian operations in the country. What I learned from that operation, I have tried to apply on a small scale as Benevolence Team Leader at Church Street.

I am sometimes asked, “Do we really change people’s lives, or do we just enable a lifestyle?”That is a question I don’t ask myself anymore. Jesus said, “Feed my Sheep.” So, in answer to the question, “Does Jesus still reign after all these years”, I say, “Yes, but it is through us, His Church.”

Prayer

Sing Prayerfully…

“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, does his successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more. Amen.” (By Isaacs Watts)

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Life After a COVID-19 Vaccine – New Guidelines!

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The CDC has issued new guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 2 weeks after a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you are fully vaccinated:

  • you can now gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
  • you can now gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks if any of them or anyone they live with is not at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
  • you do not need to quarantine or get tested after exposure to someone with COVID-19 unless you have symptoms (or unless you live in a group setting).

Precautions have not changed for other situations!

Much has been learned but questions like those below still remain. Real world vaccine studies should continue to provide answers that will allow more updates to CDC recommendations.

  1. How long is the vaccine effective?

Some people who had a COVID-19 infection became re-infected after 90 days. Scientists feel protection from the vaccines will last longer because of how they work but more time is needed to determine.

  1. Is the vaccine effective against new variants of the virus?

Viruses survive by mutating. Early data show vaccines may be effective against some mutations, or variants, but not others. Vaccines can easily be modified if needed to create a new version to be effective.

  1. Does the vaccine prevent transmission without infection?

It is possible you could be exposed to the virus and not become ill from it because of protection from the vaccine but you could unknowingly spread it to someone else. Early results show vaccines may help prevent this type of spread.

  1. What threshold is needed to reach herd immunity?

Herd immunity is achieved when enough people are vaccinated or have adequate antibody levels from a previous infection to then limit spread. This threshold is different for different diseases. For example, with measles the threshold is 95% of the population.

  1. How effective is the vaccine in special populations?

Clinical trials are generally conducted in healthy adult volunteers with stable pre-existing conditions. This is especially true when answers are needed quickly. Trials are now being conducted in children and use in real world environments will provide information for other conditions.

Until we know more about these questions, everyone should continue using basic prevention measures when in public or around others with unknown vaccination status or health conditions. We know these mitigation strategies work: wear a well-fitting mask that covers your nose and mouth, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

 

Submitted by: Vicky Shelton, D.Ph.

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Compassion to Serve

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, March 9

By Louise Zirkle, March 19, 1979

Compassion to Serve

Read: Matthew 25:40

      “Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Leviticus 19:18

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

These words mean much to me because they epitomize the Christian obligation to reach out in sympathy and compassion to serve one’s fellowman.

Our Christian compassion and service to others is a direct obligation stemming from the two great commandments to love God supremely and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Our place in the kingdom of God at all times depends on our caring and outgoing concern for those in need. No matter whether it be to feed the hungry or minister to the sick, this we should do in Christ’s name.

Recently, the Lord gave me an opportunity to serve Him when I offered a poor and very ill woman a ride as she prepared to call a taxi to take her home from a doctor’s office. I just happened to be walking by the telephone booth at that time. I knew she couldn’t afford a taxi and I could see she was ill. Something made me turn around and offer to take her home. Looking at me with almost disbelief, she willingly accepted the ride. Upon arriving at her home, which was several miles away, she asked me what she owed me. I assured her that she owed me nothing and that it was my pleasure to bring her home. With tears in her eyes and with a grateful heart, she smiled and said, “God bless you!” What more reward could anyone want! I drove away feeling ten feet tall and praising the Lord for letting me serve Him this way. What I had done seemed so little and yet it meant so much to this stranger in need.

Prayer

Help us, our Father, not only in this Lenten season, but always, to see that there are lonely hearts to cherish and people to help as the days go by, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen.

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How Far Does Our Love Go?

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, March 8

By Martha Holt, April 9, 1979

How Far Does Our Love Go?

Read: Matthew 7:24

Jesus Christ said, “Whosoever beareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock . . .”

Easter reminds us how far love will go for the beloved. What response will we make to Love Himself?

We read in the Gospels of Jesus Christ’s ministry of healing; of teaching men how to live a satisfying life; of forgiveness; of reclaiming those who had been given up by others as beyond redemption. What an example of love in action!

He said that those who had seen Him had seen God, and thus from His life we know the character of His Father.

What a mind-boggling thought that His Father would allow Him to give His life for creatures as undeserving and as wayward as ourselves!

What an inspiring and humbling thought that Jesus Christ would care enough about us to carry out His Father’s will to save us!

After such a sacrifice it is inconceivable that we do not praise the Lord continuously, and in responsive love obey Him continually, trusting Him explicitly in all things.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in this Easter season let us begin to “know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly” by faithfully studying our Bibles and conversing with you daily as a first object in our lives. In Jesus’ name we ask this. Amen.

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Tuned to Receive

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, March 7, Evening

By Nelle Kroll, March 22, 1976

Tuned to Receive

Read Psalm 46:10-11

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

As a member of the Radio Amateur Service, I’ve become especially conscious of the need in this technical area for a good receiver. No matter how great the output of a transmitter, to get the best reception I must have a directional antenna and receiver capable of precise tuning to a frequency which will receive that signal, cutting out as much of the interference as possible.

This has a message for me. There is a constant challenge to receive that distant signal which may be available to me at this instant. And yes, there is a signal there at this very moment! I am the receiver, capable of accurate tuning. I only need to set my senses Godward, attune myself to the proper frequency and “Be still . . .” and listen. He is transmitting. He has given me the license to operate through Jesus Christ and a receiver capable of picking up His most distant signal without interference. My message: Make all of the adjustments to being properly tuned. Be sure you’re on the right Frequency. Sit back and listen. Give Him a call. He is there!

Prayer

Father, help me be still and listen so that I will be attuned to your spiritual messages and can apply them to the forwarding of your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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A Program for Spiritual Growth

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, March 7, Morning

By Col. Joe R. Shepherd, March 2, 1979

A Program for Spiritual Growth

Read Psalm 100:1-5

“My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2

In our world today most of mankind’s endeavors are based on a program of some kind. There are business programs built into elaborate computer systems, athletic programs, and individual success programs. Our church has a program for growth and development which was devised by the Council of Ministries and approved by the Administrative Board. Successful programs are based on goals and objectives supported by well conceived plans and a lot of hard work.

If our goal in life includes a meaningful relationship with GOD, then we would do well to consider a personal program for spiritual growth. For a time, my life was without such a program. Having been born in a Christian family where going to church and reciting our prayers at bedtime was the accepted way of doing things, I felt pretty comfortable about my spiritual situation. However, this changed early in my military career, when I found myself directly responsible for the lives of many other young men who were assigned to military organizations under my command. During critical situations, I found the need for reinforcement from outside my own resources. When I turned to GOD for help there was no meaningful response. My arrangements with Him had been too superficial to support a viable communication relation between us.

With the help of a chaplain friend, I developed a spiritual growth program. The goal of my program was to find a meaningful relationship with GOD. The supporting plans basically consisted of rededication to the Christian principles that I had learned earlier, but had neglected to practice. This was not a story of instant success, however, there was the immediate feeling that this was the right direction and the realization was there that with faith and work, my goal could be reached.

Prayer

Father, we pray that during the Lenten season, many of us will re-evaluate our spiritual lives and consider rededication and renewal programs to strengthen our spiritual growth and development. Amen.

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Help Who You Can

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, March 6

By Steve Roberts, March 5, 2017

Help Who You Can

Read: Proverbs 1:8-9

Like many fathers, mine shared with me the wisdom of his life hoping it would influence my life. While a natural story teller, or parables in ecumenical terms, the ones I remember were not parables but aphorisms – short, catchy phrases that are easy to remember. I hate to think how many I’ve forgotten; I’m certain the few I remember are the wisest and the ones I’m sure he would have chosen for me to remember. I am also certain that they are his creations and not transgenerational tradition. “You give what you have and you help who you can,” and “Put one foot in front of the other, and if you can’t do that, stand still” immediately come to mind. But the one that seems to be the most thematically theological is “if you have to choose who to save, save the first one you come to.”

I have thought about “save the first one you come to” some over the years but only in the past two or three have I realized that I have heard the same message all of my life. It is the heart of every parable Jesus told, the heart of our faith. He did not decide who was most worthy or had the greatest need. He had no priority list, no minimum qualifications. He “took” everyone. As my father told me, so He told us, “you save the first one you come to.”

Prayer

Creator God, guide us to give what we have and help who we can, right where we are. Amen.

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A Lesson From Seaweeds

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Friday, March 5

By Steve Richardson, March 18, 2018

A Lesson From Seaweeds

Read: Mark 4:30-32

One of my brothers, Joe, is a marine biologist. For as long as I can remember, he’s had a passion for all things marine. One of my earliest memories as a toddler was going with him to “fish” in a tiny run-off creek in our backyard after heavy rains. All we ever caught were leaves, but Joe still deemed it fishing. 

In his teens, Joe discovered the renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Even I was fascinated by the images and films of Cousteau diving among marine life like whales, sharks, dolphins and giant octopi.

When Joe entered graduate school to attain his doctorate at North Carolina, I was certain he, too, would ultimately be diving among the great species of the seas to study their habits.

However, Joe’s dissertation dealt with the life cycles of seaweeds. Seaweed?! To me, that was the most mundane, obscure, seemingly purposeless thing the sea could render.

“Not so,” says Joe. Seaweeds are essential to our oceans’ ecosystems. They’re a food source for many forms of marine life, including fish. They’re hosts and hiding places for protection of other species. Although seaweeds lack the charisma of great sea animals that share the spotlight in documentaries and coffee table books, they serve a grand and important role for all marine life.

Isn’t that similar for all of us as people of God? Even those who our society may label the least, the lowest, the weakest, the obscure – in God’s eyes each of us has purpose, meaning and a role to play. To God, we all have worth and value. To God no one is least or low or weak or obscure.  Rather, we are all vital to the enhancement of God’s creation and kingdom.

Prayer

“God of the sparrow, God of the whale… How does the creature say Awe?” With great gratitude for your grace, we pray you remind us that such grace is unconditional for all people and we pray you grant us the wisdom to share it likewise. Amen.

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Welcome, Friend

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, March 4

By Ann Jourolmon, February 27, 1978

Welcome, Friend

Read: Romans 15:7 (The Living Bible)

      “So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.”

One of the International Sunday School lessons this past fall was based on the above scripture.  The key word is welcome. I thought how true it was that as Paul preached the Good News, always he proclaimed that it was for all. Again and again, he stressed that Christianity had a welcome sign out for every person. Someone has said that for Paul, the Gospel had so changed the world, that all the “Keep Out” signs were replaced by “Welcome” signs.

This reminds me of an incident that happened to my father. When he first built his mountain cabin, he put up a sign, “No Trespassing.” Someone did not like this. He found his sign torn down several times. Finally, he posted a sign: “Private Property – BUT – Welcome, Friend.”

Paul was positive that all the “Keep Out” signs were replaced by “Welcome” when Jesus Christ came to this world. As God welcomes every person through His Son, so we who are His followers must welcome all into the Christian fellowship.

We are told that the word “welcome” is an Old English word, originally spelled “wilcoma.” I suppose that it means well come – it is well that you have come. God says to us, “It is well that you have come to Me, through Christ, your Saviour.” And, in turn, we must say to all who would be a part of the Christian fellowship, “It is well that you have come -WELCOME.”

Prayer

Our Father, may we realize that Thy Son is an inclusive Saviour and that His church must be inclusive, too. Amen.

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Faith With Works

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Daily Lent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, March 3

By Dr. Felix Line, March 12, 1980

Faith With Works

Read: James 2:26

“…Faith without works is dead.”

The Christian religion makes many demands upon one who accepts it. The first step in becoming a Christian is to have faith. This concept emphasized by Paul is discussed at length in his various letters which make up a large portion of the New Testament.

There is a small book of only four chapters which I believe strikes a balance between faith and works. I am referring to the book of James about which there has been and still is controversy.  Martin Luther wished to exclude the book from the canon because of the appearance of an apparent contradiction of Paul’s teaching on justification by faith.

It seems to me that James is expressing the same concept that Paul is saying, namely, that when one is a Christian and attempting to do the will of God the natural and normal sequence of that faith is “good works.”

Over the centuries Christianity has been talked about, argued, debated and has been encrusted with observances, confessions, rituals and prayers. The writer of James gets down to the essentials by stating that the Christian faith makes a difference in the way a person lives regardless of the rituals and observances in which he participates.

Prayer

Help us to live by what the writer of James says:

  “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” 1:22

  “What does it profit my brethren if a man says he has faith but has not works?” 2:14

  “Show me your faith apart from works and I by my works will show you my faith.” 2:18

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