Clever Free Methodist

It is understandable that events in our past can be regretful, haunting and possibly crippling in our ability to move forward and make progress in a healthy and positive direction. In a proper healing environment, we can make strides in deepening our coping skills that make each day better than the one before. Despite the depth of grief, regret, frustration, disappointment and even self-blame over our past, we have to come to the realization that it is most healthy to move forward. I am, in no way, suggesting that we refuse to deal with the past, deny it or go on pretending that it never happened. We can enter each day with a greater perspective because of how we chose to deal with “yesterday” in a healthy, spiritual way. Isaiah 43:18 , tells us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” The literal Hebrew says, “Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past.” It is not saying we refuse to acknowledge what has happened. It is not saying th...

Worth! We have a human desire within us to be appreciated, recognized and to feel a worth that we are contributing and making a difference. We place value and worth on things that are important to us like our family, career, personal possessions and investments to include even our own life. Matthew 6:21 tells us that “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It is undeniable that where our treasures are in this life, is where our heart will lead us. What you place value upon and those things that are most important to you is where you will focus your attention, energies, and finances to pursue. So, I have to ask. What is most important to you? What is most valuable in your life? I hope, above and beyond, it is your relationship with Jesus Christ . Even Jesus challenged us with such a relationship when he spoke in Luke 14:26 , “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—su...

We’ve heard the Christmas story many times and it is read aloud during this time of the season as well. The focus, of course, is that the Angels appeared out in the fields to tell the Shepherds that the baby Jesus had been born. I know some of you already know this, but have you ever stopped to really “dissect” the events of that night? Yes…the Angels. Yes…the Heavenly Host. Yes…the Shepherds. We get it!! But, wait, there is something else “there” during that announcement. Actually, I should say, SOMEONE else is there. In Luke 2:9 , “…and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.” It wasn’t the Angels or the Heavenly Host that terrified them (although their sudden appearance could do that). They were terrified because God suddenly appeared in radiant form along with the Angels. The announcement was of such indescribable importance to the world that God was physically present as a testament to its truth. Yes, God was physically "there" that holy night...

The last page of the calendar is now showing prominently and a blanket of snow covers our lands under a blanket of glistening flakes and sparkling powder. This image reminds me of the words of the Lord in Isaiah 1:18, “…Although your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow….” Forgiveness can set us free from many things. Forgiveness of sins is a message of hope and a promise of being reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That is a message we need to hear always and especially in the weeks leading to Christmas Day. People need to know that there is a hope for the future….a way to make amends for mistakes and a way to recover from regrets of wasted time and life passed. Life is hard, challenging and even sometimes discouraging, if not, life-altering. The Holiday season can, sometimes, magnify these troubling issues to make them seem worse than they really are. We need help rising above these challenges the world (and life) throws at us....

We have quoted Romans 8:28 many times even if we didn’t quite remember that it was that particular Scripture passage. It says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” The focus on this passage is the glaring statement “God causes everything to work together….” Everything means everything! What that means is “nothing is excluded” in our lives that will not, in some way, come out working together. That is why it is important to keep a heart of gratitude and our mouths overflowing with the resounding words of thanksgiving. Despite how desperate our situation may be or how riddled our life may be with disabilities, tragedy, hardship, financial woes, job loss or other deep challenges, we can be assured that these issues have a purpose and will never be in vain.  Even if it appears there is no end in sight or no conceivable good to come out of your situation, we are ...

Prayer is essential. Prayer is vital. Prayer is both corporate and personal. Prayer is more than just “sending up requests to God.” It is praise and recognition and it is petitioning for asking God’s will upon this earth. We pray as a means to seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and our daily needs. So, there is much in prayer. But, above all, the most important thing to remember about prayer is it is a personal, loving and intimate time between us and God our Father. The good news of prayer is that it isn’t just for us. We have the absolute privilege to pray for our family and for others. This is commonly referred to as “ intercessory prayer .” We can intercede for others by talking with God about their needs and to ask Him to intervene on their behalf. One of the prayers that we can pray for others and, most importantly, for our children is from Colossians 1:9-11 . These verses in Colossians can be set to prayer and personalized for those you are praying for daily….j...

Jesus said a lot of things…obviously. Some things he said were quite shocking and still, today, radical. In Luke 14:26 Jesus stated, "If anyone comes to Me without hating his father and mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters,  indeed his very self, he cannot be My follower." Who could do that? Is that even obtainable or an achievable goal? Yes! Discipleship is radical, but obtainable. If it wasn’t possible, Jesus would never challenge us with pursuing discipleship. To be a disciple of Jesus is the most radical of all commitments. The relationship of Jesus' disciples with Him is in a class by itself. In comparison with our love for Jesus, all other loves seem as hatred. It isn’t that we are to “literally” hate people like our parents and children, but in comparison to Jesus, we are loving them less than we love Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus is to be supreme. It is more important than our very lives. When we are truly disciples...