LENTEN DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 8

Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. (Acts 4:32)

As I approach our church I often see banners announcing to passersby "All Are Welcome Here" or "Inclusion Programs: All Ages, All Abilities." Not only is this a declaration to the viewers but it also is an announcement to the congregation and to me of the responsibility that we bear in accepting each person as a loved member of our church.

It may require us to learn more about our brothers and sisters in Christ and their special gifts and limitations. It may require us to embrace members for their special gifts rather than hanging back on the more comfortable sidelines. Whatever it takes to be more present with individuals who may seem different from us is what is necessary for our church to be an inclusive community.

In a group study of the book Companions in Christ, we spent time recognizing the spiritual gifts of the group members. It was amazing the spiritual richness that we found. Following is a quote from the book. "Astonishingly God chooses to work through available vessels, no matter how broken or worn we seem to be, in whatever circumstances we happen to be ... All are called to consent to the work of Christ in their life; all are called to show the love of Jesus to others."

On March 8 our church is hosting a conference on Inclusion Ministries which is open to the community at large. This can be an opportunity to learn more about our own roles in this process. Please consider attending and learning from each other.

Dear God, help us to become a part of the body of Christ and to welcome each person into this fellowship with Christ. Amen.

Barbara Lewis

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 7

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)

Today is World Day of Prayer, a worldwide ecumenical movement of women and men in more than 170 countries observing a common day of prayer. Prayers are offered all over the world, beginning with the first sunrise and ending at the last sunset. "God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding" is the theme used for the prayer service written by the women of Guyana.

The theme is developed to express the awesomeness of God's creation and that we can learn from it. As we survey God's work we are filled with awe at the beauty and diversity, and begin to understand that we are called to care for all creation.

The opening prayer speaks to us about wisdom: "Dear God, we come before you with confidence and reverence. We give thanks for life, and understanding, and ask that you strengthen and increase our knowledge. Our relationship with you is the beginning of wisdom." New understanding comes from God through Jesus Christ.

We acknowledge the Wisdom of God in the marvelous works of creation. When God established the heavens and earth, Wisdom was there. When God assigned the seas their limits, and shaped the mountains, and brought forth the hills, Wisdom was there.

May the strength of God uphold us. May the power of God keep us. May the wisdom of God teach us. May the hand of God enfold us. May the shield of God protect us. May the host of God guard us against the worlds' evils and temptations. May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May the salvation of God be always ours, this day and forever more. Amen. (from 2008 World Day of Prayer Worship Service)

Lois Poston

Today's local World Day of Prayer service is at First United Methodist Church, 6363 Livernois, Troy MI, at 10:00 a.m.

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 6

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. (Matthew 20:34)

Compassion is a key term in our religion as well as other major religions. God's compassion with us is described so many times in our scriptures. But it seems not that easy to truly develop compassion that comes from our heart. It needs daily practice, and it needs teachers like Jesus, who showed his compassion in serving others.
In my daily life people with impairments give me the chance to show compassion. The challenge is not to confuse compassion with pity, not to treat people with special needs like children or do everything for them, but rather to support them to grow into the person God has planned for them to be. To me it's important to observe carefully what is good for the person with special needs, not what makes me feel like a good person. To me learning to be compassionate goes along with embracing and respecting the diversity of God's creation and is a constant training in serving and opening my heart.

Dear God! Thank you for showing me ways to strengthen my compassion for others. Help me to serve my community with compassion. Amen.

Vera Maisel

But of that day and hour, no one knows, neither the angles in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)

Are we prepared? Preparation is an important part of every activity. For example there is usually much preparing before a party. When going on vacation many prepare by planning out the activities, and even packing extra things for that unforeseen event. Even much of the Church's year is spent in preparation. Both Advent and Lent are spent preparing for the Lord. The difference between these two seasons and preparing for Christ's second coming is the later is much easier to put off. Why can it be put off? Because "that day and hour, no one knows." This is why our life's task is to live our life according to the teachings of Christ, so that we can "inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

Lord God, help us to joyfully prepare for the coming of your Son . Give us the strength to do that which is pleasing to You, so that we may inherit Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in His name, who lives with You and the Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Mark D. Quaine

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5

My brother-in-law, Bob Cook, never lost his love of God and golf, and he wrote the following in 1994.

Par for the Course is F O R E !!

Golf is probably the only sport that requires the body to contort into a form that is completely foreign to the natural make-up of the human body. We learn to grip this stick with our hands and put our wrist in a most uncomfortable position. Then we have to rotate this stick with a glob at the end in the form of an arc, keeping our left arm straight, right arm bending at the elbow, letting our left shoulder go under the chin, at the same time not moving our head so we can see this little white ball sitting on the ground. Now, we shift body weight and then swing this stick with glob on the end of it, in the opposite direction and hit that little white ball. We keep repeating this process over and over again, our body parts aching and aching.

At times we have to wonder if all this S U F F E R I N G is necessary. You can quit and be your own complacent self. Or, you can apply this suffering to your life, as God's way of letting us understand the conflict that takes place in body and mind when you seek the Lord Jesus Christ. We have slipped and stumbled, just as God knew we would. He is giving us an opportunity to re-evaluate ourselves. He is giving us his promise of forgiveness through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through our suffering to do better, we have P E R S E R V E R E D . Perseverance, through practice and the helping hand of others in the game of life creates a C H A R A C T E R in us that we never knew existed. It is one of the ways that the Lord wants us to be successful, so that we may become closer to him. He is giving us strength to carry on his work in helping others find their character. Now when we go to the course, we feel the elation of making a shot that was precisely what we pictured in our mind. This feeling of elation also comes over us when we find the glory of God in our lives.

The games of golf and life are not easy. We will still shank shots, miss easy putts. We're only human beings and therefore subject to make mistakes. But, it is through H O P E that we pray for the round of golf that is as near to par for the course for us human beings to achieve. It is through this hope that we seek forgiveness and being brought closer to the everlasting glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Shirley Smith

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 4

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

Although I have always loved Genesis as my favorite book in the Bible, because I so believe God is my creator and the creator of the Universe, Matthew comes a close second because of its teachings and the comfort zone it puts me in, that God put me here, and is looking after me in his own way.

First of all, in Matthew Chapter 6, v.9-13, Jesus taught us to pray as we do together, the Lord's Prayer, which is so beautiful and so artfully constructed to cover our lives and daily living.

Then we go to Chapter 6, v.24-32 where Jesus is teaching by examples what should be important in our lives, not the superficial things, but the spiritual quality of our lives. His examples are the birds and the lilies being taken care of by God and I will remember in fifth grade having to learn, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." He is saying that we must have faith that God loves us and will care for us, as he does for the things in nature.

He also taught us humility in this book in Matthew Chapter 5, v.3-10, the Beatitudes, and again his teachings are so pure that they should be in front of us every day as guidelines for us. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" and seven more!

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name ... For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Barbara Buchanan

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 3

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2)

My daughter has cancer that has not responded well to treatment and these were my thoughts on one recent long night. "Deep in December it's hard to remember that Spring will follow, follow, follow..." (beg your pardon, Tom Jones and The Fantastics). I must have been one of the worst back seat kids of the "are we there yet" variety. Waiting is hard. Have we turned the corner? Where IS the corner? Is it this scan (MRI, CAT scan)? Will it offer more hope than the last scan? We're all so "goal oriented" - OUR goals, not HIS. Sometimes "Thy will be done" is very hard to say after our long lists of petitions. Our night vision is sometimes blurred. Enough of that! Jesus said, "Trust in ME. I will lift you up. Have faith! This is not the end! I have made a promise to you. A covenant with you. Keep on keeping on, and not just plodding on, but dancing, moving on joyfully! The best is yet to come! Follow ME." I say, "Keep your fork!"

Lord, God help me to live gratefully and gracefully all my days and to know that you are with me always. Amen.
Marilyn Bura

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Grace is a gift that God gives you. Not because you deserve it, but because you need it. Have faith that God is anticipating your needs. Don't be afraid to ask God for help, and don't be surprised when you get it.

Heavenly Father, when I carry a heavy burden, let me lean on you. I know you are always there to lighten my day. Amen.

Dan Reeves

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 2

God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will. (Hebrews 2:4)

MIRACLES

Many of your views are probably similar to mines, you believe in miracles; however, you don't expect to see many during your lifetime. Let me tell you how my eyes were opened to see and embrace miracles on a daily basis. Our church has a wonderful Jazz Service every Saturday at 5:00 PM at which the Rev. Mary Austin and others provide words of inspiration. The music at this service is outstanding; the coffee and cookies are delicious. The fellowship is warm, welcoming, and vibrant. The sermons are so short you can take them home in one hand and repeat them to your friends; however, they are so powerful and spiritual that they lift your faith to another level. One Saturday Mary preached one of those short, powerful and spiritual sermons in which she indicated that "we blindly wander through miracles looking for miracles." That revelation touched me deeply. It opened my eyes to new wonders. I then realized that the Jazz Service was one of my miracles. Each Saturday, I make a special ef
fort to attend the service, as well as, give service to gathering. Many times you will see strangers as well as non- Christians in attendance. Could this service be their miracle also? My grandsons, 8 and 10, told me they didn't like church, it was boring to them. However when they wanted to spend a weekend with me, I informed them that we would attend the Jazz Service at our church. After much hesitation, they agreed to come and attend the service. They really enjoyed the service's casual setting -- sitting wherever, helping themselves to cookies whenever, and seeing Lucy. They left the service wanting to lean more about Jesus. Was this another miracle? Or was it the cookies and Lucy? I no longer walk blindly through miracles looking for miracles, my eyes and heart are opened to receive and embrace them. Dear Lord, thank you for helping me to see, embrace, and appreciate all of the miracles which you send my way. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Rosy Latimore