Favorite Fragrance - by Nancy Lemon

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;         2 Corinthians 2:15

As I was doing my Bible study this morning, the above scripture was quoted and it brought to mind something that happened many years ago.  My friend came over for coffee and brought over a huge bag of hand-me-downs.  Her girls were just older than mine and she was always so sweet to share! My girls loved it and took great delight in trying on EVERYTHING and having their own fashion show.  That afternoon my youngest daughter came in from kindergarten and said,"When was Miz Moreton here?"  I was really surprised and asked how in the world did she know she had been here? Her response, even more shocking, : I could smell her!  The Moretons were our wonderful friends. We visited in their home, our kids played together, went to Horn Island together so she knew their "fragrance ".

That starting my wheels turning: was my fragrance for Christ as noticeable.  When I meet new people, is it obvious that I am His? Do people know from my words and actions that I am a follower of His? As you go about your day today, be aware of who you are and whose you are and reflect that to others.

Prayer : Lord, make me ever aware that I am yours and want others to see You in me.  Amen

Call Upon Me - Joan Simpson

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which

you do not know.”                           Jeremiah 33:3

One Sunday a friend of mine came over and we went and shared lunch together.  We came out of the restaurant and she couldn’t find her cell phone.  So we spent time looking in her car and then we went back to the church to see if it was there.  No one had turned a phone in to the church.  Then we really did some praying at my home. My friend felt led to go back to the church and she found her cell phone on the left side of the road.  We both rejoiced in how we had called upon the Lord and how He had answered our prayers.  Great is His faithfulness.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that we can call upon You and You answer us and show us great and mighty things.  Amen.

I Grew Up in the Church - Walt Brehm

Scripture for today – Luke 15:21-23    ²¹The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  ²²But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”  So they began to celebrate.

I grew up in the church, Sunday school, worship service, youth fellowship, the whole bit.  I served as an acolyte in my preteen years and an usher as a teenager.  I even attended the Presbyterian Church across the street from my dormitory for a few weeks after starting college.  And then I drifted away.  Science classes, liberal professors, atheist friends, the war, the draft.  And I stayed away.  I was a good man but I didn’t believe.  I saw the advantages of living a Christian life but it was based on human interaction.  I couldn’t rationalize the doctrine with the science that I knew.  Then the neighbor asked if our daughters could attend church with them.  It seemed like a good idea, we wanted them to have the grounding that we had had.  After a few months we went with them on Sunday and realized that we needed to get our family together within a denomination that matched our values.  That brought us to St Paul but I still didn’t believe even though I sat in the pew.   And then it came to me as a mashup of two hymns.  I was mindlessly singing, “I serve a risen savior” but started to think about the words when we got to the refrain, “You ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my heart.”  And suddenly I knew that I could do this.  Here is something that I could believe, something I did believe; and how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!   I believe God will wait as long as necessary for each of us to return to Him and will welcome us with open arms.

Prayer – Our Father in Heaven how precious is Your holy name.  We ask You today for new eyes to see the truth of Your words and new souls to understand the depth and purity of Your love for us.  Help us to be mirrors of that love.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  AMEN

Thought for today - You don't need to wait for that second chance, because every second is a chance to change your life for the better. - Jeanette Coron

Be Still and Know - by Judy Hearne

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body all the days ordained for the me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

                                                                                  Psalm 139:  13-16

Every day I do what I think I’m supposed to do.  Hurry, hurry, hurry – don’t be late!!! Take care of your family and your home, go to work, prepare Sunday School lessons, pray for my family, my church, my friends, others, pray for my children and families in therapy at work, someone needs a pie!  But wait, what about that “quiet time” for me to be still and wait on the Lord, listening for exactly what He wants me to do? Who is He directing me towards?  Where does He want me to go?  My “to do” list is out of order!  I fail and I know I fail; then after so much negativity I even think there is absolutely NO way He wants any part of me.  I fail so many people but it’s my failure to my Lord and Savior that is heartbreaking.  As a “mature” person, I have experienced this too much, wasting so much joy with the Lord! This scripture reminds me how very much He loves me because He created me just as I am.  He wants the first place in my life and heart.  He wants first place in your life and wants you to love him best of all!  He knows our strengths and our weaknesses because He created us and we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”  (He knows we will have weak moments but He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and will purify us from any unrighteousness.)  All we have to do is just confess our sin and move into our relationship with our Lord. (1John 1:9)  As far as the east is from the west does He forget our sins and remember them no more!  I want each one of us to remember Oh how He loves you and me!

Abba Father,

Thank you for your Word and for loving us so much that you even your sacrificed your Son for us.  My prayer is for your people at St. Paul to understand there is peace even in “the events of life” and to stop wasting precious time. Thank you Lord.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Remember, there is no testimony without a test! (not my original thought – unnamed from my prayer journal).

With God - by Tara Knowles

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
                                  -Philippians 4:13

One day while I was sitting in church minding my business, I made a promise to God that I was relinquishing my life to Him and would do whatever He led me to do. He called me on it 10 minutes later and had me volunteer to join St. Paul UMC in an impromptu alter call. And He's been on a roll ever since.

He then proceeded to put it in my heart to reach out to certain people just to say hi or see how they were doing and He started upping the ante when He had me start facing some of my own fears to help benefit others. He has had me face my fear of public speaking to raise money to bring a service dog home to a sweet, autistic boy as well as pushed myself to run a marathon in honor of a beautiful girl battling cancer in...2 things I would have never attempted on my own whim. But God...

God knows what we need when we need it and that is because God knows what personal growth we'll need in order to get us to the next level. He dreams big for us and equips us with his strength to accomplish these big dreams (as well as the small tasks of reaching out and loving one another).

Ever since I let Jesus take the wheel and started just riding shotgun in my life, I have experienced some of the sweetest moments in my life with people and by myself. Being a believer in Christ in this crazy world is sometimes hard or scary because putting yourself out there and being vulnerable in any capacity is not easy. But every time I am faced with a new challenge either brought on by God, my kids, my business, etc. I do not worry, because I just say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and then I just put one foot in front of the other and take a step out in faith. God has not left me or let me down ever and I don't see Him starting now. 

Power of the Blood - by Nancy Lemon

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

           Matthew 26:28

More than a few years ago there was a child in our church who had leukemia and as a church we supported her need for blood. I happen to have O neg so I am a universal donor which makes it compatible to everyone! I had not given blood but a couple of time and was somewhat nervous but felt it was the least I could do. After donating, I thought , "How simple that was and it could be life-giving!!!"

As we approach Good Friday we know it was not simple for Jesus....excruciatingly painful and yet He was willing to shed His blood for us!  AMAZING!

Many of you are too young to be familiar with the old hymn Power in the Blood.  I can remember when I was a teenager ( yes, that was a LONG time ago! ) going to MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship), then Sunday night services and singing this powerfully encouraging hymn: There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb!  During this Lenten season, let us meditate on the sacrifice made just for us!

Prayer: Lord, we give thanks for the power of Your blood to save us, unworthy though we are! 

Amen

Walk the Talk - by Betty Oates

Read 1 John 3:17-18

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.”  (ESV)

St. Paul UMC (East Campus) sits on 16+ acres of land.  Our church building occupies the southeast portion of the property, but in the northwest portion is a large open field.  In 2012, a group of individuals got permission from the trustees to create a garden in this area.  The fields were plowed, huge stones were removed (creating a pile 5’ in diameter and 4’ tall), and artifacts from the past were unearthed (old medicine bottles, ax heads, horseshoes and old tools).  A water system was installed.  Because the soil was very poor, Earthboxes (containers with growing medium and water) were used for the produce.  Over time, the soil has been enriched by the generous donation of wood chips by one of our members.  The purpose of doing all of this was to grow vegetables for the needy.  Yes, in our beautiful coastal town of Ocean Springs, MS, we have a homeless population!  Those of us who had never been involved in gardening learned a lot!  A few seeds, when given soil, water, sunshine and a big dose of God’s love and grace, will grow into beautiful plants and produce vegetables!  The produce that came from the garden (tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplants and okra) was abundant and was donated to our local feeding operations, Samaritan Ministries and The Lord Is My Help.  What a great feeling this was!  St. Paul members have always had a heart for those in need.  The garden area requires a lot of labor to maintain, but the rewards are great!  It is a worthwhile ministry! 1 Corinthians 3:6-7,

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow”.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for all you have done for us.  Help us have a heart for those less fortunate, and a desire to be a part of making life better for them.  These things we ask in Thy name. Amen.