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Do Everything in PAIRS: A pattern for personal growth and for the growth of the church.
At Gibbsboro UMC our
goal is to make more disciples and better disciples of Jesus Christ. Here is a way to see that happen....
1.
PRAY
2. be Accountable
3. INVITE folks to partner with us in worship and in discipleship
4. READ
and Study the Scriptures to begin to hear God's voice speaking to you.
5. SERVE- find a way to contribute
your efforts and gifts for the purposes of God's redemption.
A Week's Worth... Eastertide
The "evermore" of God's presence continually reminds us of the miracle of resurrection. During Eastertide
we are reminded of Christ's new life for fifty days. For this week, let me give you some ideas for deepening your
faith.
Days/Activities:
1. Begin in Luke 24 and reacquaint yourself with the premise of New Life: The Resurrection
of Jesus.
2. John 20 and 21 provide excellent places to continue to nourish your soul with the Biblical materials
related to the resurrection.
3. New Life is worth celebrating. Take a spouse, family member, friend, or a
person in the congregation out to celebrate new life in Christ. Pick a restaurant and enjoy!
4. New Life
is worth remembering. Pray for your brothers and sisters who may not have had the light of Christ's Presence to
illumine their path yet.
5. Consider the early chapters of the book of Acts. Could a person be further from
the gospel than the Apostle Paul? Yet, new life happens to Paul, too. There is hope for you and I!
6.
Start each day with music that reminds you of God's gracious presence.
7. Plan to
spend some time in ministry this month. Make a hospital visit, send a card, or volunteer at SonZone.
A Week's Worth...
In Genesis, Abraham's relationship with God is characterized in terms of a "walk".
The text of Scripture says that Abraham "walked with God." In the creation account, God "walks"
with Adam in the cool of the day. Walking provides a key metaphor for the spiritual journey. Consider taking a
walk this week with God. I am saying that this week you can actually go out and take a walk. Here are the specific
instructions:
Days:
1. Walk around your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors. Ask God to bless them
and provide them with opportunities to be blessed spiritually as well as financially, emotionally, etc. Use this time
with God (I would recommend at least 10-15 minutes) to be a blessing to those right in your own neighborhood or street by
praying.
2. Walk through your home. Say a brief prayer in each room. Ask the presence of the Holy Spirit
to enter into your living space. Pray for those who live in your home and ask for Jesus to be Lord of your home!
3. At some point, take a walk through your church (Sunday or Wednesday, or another day that you are available).
Ask the Lord to be blessed and honored at each of the activities and ministries that the church provides. Also ask that
the Lord Jesus would bless everyone who follows you into those places.
4. Walk around your local school and pray
for the students, teachers, administrators, and parents who are represented there. Ask for God's provision and protection
for those who are in that place.
5. Walk around the mall or a favorite store. Ask God to use you where ever
you go. Remember in prayer those who may not be able to afford the kinds of things that are necessary in life.
Remember the poor. Remember those who work and yet still have difficulty making the ends meet.
6. Walk in
nature. Find a trail and hike it for a bit. Take a walk in the woods. Listen for the call of God that comes
in the place of quiet listening.
7. Find the walk among the recommended six that resonated most deeply with your
spirit. Take that walk once again!
A Week's Worth: Lent
We are beginning the season of lent.
During this season, Christians focus on a variety of things from repentance to catachesis (doctrinal teaching), from missions
to evangelism, and everything in between. This week I'd like to suggest seven pieces of the Scripture for you to
look at and then either journal through these passages, create through these passages (through art, drawing, music, etc.),
or pray through these passages. Here they are: 1. Mark 8:31-9:1 2. Mark 9:2-8 3.
Mark 9:9-13
4. Mark 9:14-29
5. Mark 9:30-32
6. Mark 9:38-41
7. Mark 9:42-50
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