R Y A N S T R A T T O N

December 6: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)

Luke 1:26-34 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”

So we finally get to Jesus’ birth spoken of by the angel Gabriel. One of the things that happens is we hear this story every year and know the details. As we’re going through this story segment by segment, I continue to invite you to find yourself in it and hear God speaking directly to you.

I find it interesting that every time, in the Bible, an angel appears, the first thing they say is ,”don’t be afraid.” When your life is suddenly interrupted, how do you feel? Do you feel calm? Most likely not.

Mary was going about her day as normal, and all of a sudden her entire life is changing. God is calling her to this incredible life of being the earthly mother to the Messiah, Jesus Christ himself. I believe God is calling a person reading this today into vocational ministry. To be clear, each one of us is a minister to the world. Where we work, go out, eat, home, etc. are all places we are ambassadors to Jesus Christ.

We often have questions when God says he wants to use us. Why me? There has to be someone of better character. Someone smarter. Someone better off. But God uses people we don’t expect…you and me!

Almighty God, you speak daily. Open our understanding so we know where we are already in ministry and where you are calling us to go to be in ministry. Allow us to see and live into the gifts you have given. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

December 5: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)

Luke 1:21-25 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered why he was in the sanctuary for such a long time. When he came out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he gestured to them and couldn’t speak. When he completed the days of his priestly service, he returned home. Afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept to herself for five months, saying, “This is the Lord’s doing. He has shown his favor to me by removing my disgrace among other people.”

When we hear from God, what is the first thing we should do? Just sit around and be lazy. NO! We should be the people who continue to do our job to the best of our ability.

Zechariah just had this incredible vision from God. He could have run out and immediately told everyone outside and rushed to go home and do everything he could to make sure it came to pass. But that kind of living and thinking doesn’t really rely on God and his timing. Zechariah completed his work in the Temple, because that’s what he was assigned to do and he would have been breaking a major rule by leaving when he should have been there.

When God speaks and gives a vision for something we should do, he may not give a time frame. God may reveal some more of his plan for our lives, but he may also be continuing to show us who he is molding us to be.

Today our task is to do our work to the best of our ability and listen for the voice of God to work in us to reshape and remold us. You and I are not as good as we think we are; but we are so much more than we could imagine. Trust God to work in you and through you.

Ever working creator, you are doing an incredible work in us so we can be the people you call us to be. Grant us strength, patience, wisdom to live out your calling to be lights on a hill so everyone can see your glory and know you. Continue to work within us to have the fruit of the spirit come to pass. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

December 4: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)

Luke 1:14-20 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you. Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. But because you didn’t believe, you will remain silent, unable to speak until the day when these things happen.”

In our journey to Jesus’ cradle this Advent season, we come now to the prophecy of the birth of John the Baptist. John was an interesting person; but he is very important and gives us an example of how we should prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.

There are two things that catch my attention in these verses to help us this Advent season: 1) stand out and let God’s glory shine through you, and 2) trust that what God says is true and will come to pass.

Stand out and let the glory of God shine through: How can we all the glory of God to shine through us? Be filled with the Holy Spirit and work in his power. This may look different in how each person lives their life; but the main point is to show love and compassion to those around us. So as you’re out shopping and getting things ready for Christmas, let’s not become agitated when things don’t go our way. Let’s be the people who, instead, act different and not be like tired, stressed, impatient people. Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.”

Trust that what God says is true and will come to pass: Very often we want things done in our way and in our time. God’s time is different than ours. 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us that “with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day.” When we hear from God, our tendency is to have it happen right here right now. Remember, we are in the season of preparing for the birth of Christ and trusting he will return. Faith comes when we can learn patience and simply trust that God is love and God is truth. John will not be born for another 9 months, in this story; and Jesus is still a year and a half away. We never know what will happen, but God has our life in full view.

Thank you Lord for filling us with the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us be patient when you speak and with other people. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

December 3: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)

Luke 1:8-13 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John.

Zechariah is afraid, at first, of the angel! If you haven’t been able to relate personally to the Advent/Christmas story, this is where we all should see ourselves.

Zechariah was performing his duties and prayer, as he was supposed to do. Many people today think that God will reveal himself in extraordinary ways and in extraordinary circumstances. This passage today reminds me that God is showing us, he is even in the ordinary aspects of life.

This is incredible! We do not have to go very far or really even change our work routine to be in God’s presence or even hear a word from him. Here’s the catch: we should not be so engrossed in what we’re doing that we miss seeing and hearing from God. Even when we’re working, we still should have our hearts prepared to listen and see the Living God.

How will you live differently in your everyday life today? What will you do to prepare your heart to hear from God? When you do hear God’s voice, don’t be afraid. Trust the God loves you and has something to reveal to you that will help you on your path in life.

Thank you Lord for your presence even in the ordinary parts of life. May we remember you this day in all we do and not be afraid when you speak to us. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

December 2 – Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)

Luke 1:5-7 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old.

Now that we are on this journey to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah, we should take some time and release any insecurities and doubt we may have that God will come to us. As we discussed on November 30, there is nothing in God’s way to stop him from fulfilling his plans.

Today we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth, a priest and his wife devoted to serving the Lord. God uses Zechariah’s position as a priest to meet him exactly where he is, which we will see tomorrow. So think about it, would it have made a difference is they had another position in the community? You and I are placed in our professions to be an influence to those around us, to set the example of Jesus Christ and to tell his story.

I find it very interesting how Luke describes this couple “blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations.” How would you describe yourself? Would you consider yourself to be blameless? Why or why not?

God is up to something incredible! May this Christmas bring us all into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and we see how God is still working in the world.

Almighty God, you have put us in this place and at this time. May we use our positions in our family, community, work place, etc to be the examples of Jesus Christ You call us to be to those around us. Thank you for this opportunity! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Prepare (Advent Devotional December 1)

Yesterday we began this journey. This journey will hopefully allow us the time to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah. Here’s a great truth: Jesus Christ has come and will come again! Just as we prepare to celebrate his birth, and not just go through the motions, we should also make preparations for when he comes again.

Today, we’ll begin Luke chapter 1.

Luke 1:1-4 Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used what the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us. Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a carefully ordered account for you, most honorable Theophilus. I want you to have confidence in the soundness of the instruction you have received.

We begin with this as a reminder the story and life of Jesus Christ has been carefully investigated. The purpose of these devotionals for the next 23 days is to help us carefully examine the account and preparations for the birth of Jesus Christ. How well we know they story affects how it will touch our hearts. We should be careful not to gloss over this event simply because we think we know what will happen. Each time we hear the Christmas story, our story is in there too.

I invite you to carefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully examine each part of the story of Jesus’ birth this Advent season. Just as Luke took the careful preparations to tell the story as accurately as possible, so should we prepare our hearts and minds to make this story fresh and more real for us each year.

What will you do to make preparations for the coming Christ?

Lord, we all to often skim over your story when we read the Bible. May we allow your Word to touch each heart and make the story of Jesus Christ’s birth become more real to us, intellectually and spiritually so our lives can and will be transformed with Your presence and Your power. Amen.

Prepare (Advent 2014 devotional) – November 30

Today, Sunday, November 30 begins the season of Advent. This is a special time of year that we prepare our hearts to receive and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Each day up until December 24, we are taking a journey to travel along with Mary, Joseph, the Magi and many others to witness and be part of their story so this journey also becomes our journey to and with the Messiah.

Today, we begin with the genealogy found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 1:1-17 “A record of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Aram. Aram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asaph. Asaph was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Joram. Joram was the father of Uzziah. Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amos. Amos was the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. This was at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Achim. Achim was the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary—of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ. So there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ.”

This may seem like a strange way to begin to prepare our hearts; but there is actually a richness in this passage. In the ancestral line of Jesus, we find murders, adulterers, prostitutes, women (which was very uncommon in the Jewish culture to record women’s names), kings, etc.

We should also see ourselves in this mix of names. Have you ever felt like you were not worthy of Jesus Christ? This list of names should help you and I realize that God saw worthiness in the genealogy and wanted to show the world that God’s plan and vision doesn’t always include the “best” people; God’s plan more than not includes people who are messed up, who think too highly of themselves, who feel worthless and resort to other sins. God can bring good out of any situation (Romans 8:28), we just need to have patience and allow God the time and space to work.

You are valuable to God. He has a plan for your life. Trust him. Let’s take time this Advent season to get to know God, to know we are valuable and Jesus Christ came for you and me.

Merciful God, you brought life out of the chaos of the waters at the beginning of time. May we be willing to allow you to bring new life out of the chaos we call life. We anxiously, but patiently, wait for the coming of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus who is the Christ. AMEN

Sinners, Outcasts & the Poor

Buda United Methodist Church Saturday Evening Worship 11/29/14

Live Stream link for message (Saturdays 6:00pm CST)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ciZIUF3EndU

Youth Director, Ryan Stratton delivers this message on SINNERS, OUTCASTS & THE POOR.

How Jesus lived his life by welcoming the sinners, the outcast and the poor is the example he’s asking us to live by today.

Jesus Christ once asked his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” and this is the same question he asks us today.
This 6 week series is designed to help us answer this question for ourselves. We will be looking at the life of Christ from the cross to the cradle as we prepare to receive him once again into the world at Christmas time.

Grace and Peace to YOU!
Buda United Methodist Church
http://www.budaumc.org

You are invited to join us for worship anytime in person or online. Our mission is to empower people with the love of God and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Worship Times*:
Sunday 9:00a and 11:00a
Wednesday 6:30p
Saturday 5:30p (Live Stream message begins at 6:00p)

*All times CST

Giving Thanks

We have so many things to be thankful for. The Thanksgiving holiday is a time when we can slow our busy lives and simply give thanks and gratitude for all that we are blessed with.

When I look at my life, I am so blessed and thankful to have the family and friends I am surrounded by. Their comfort and love help guide me in my life so I can live the life God is calling me to. God certainly knows what he is doing when he places is in the care of caring people.

The comforts in life are also something we give thanks for. The talents, gifts and abilities God gave us enables us to achieve this lifestyle. Certainly we have more than we need. So basically, I give thanks for all God has blessed me with.

Many people this time of year do not have easy lives. There are so many people who do not have a healthy family or stable friends. I give thanks to The Lord for the ability to help and to show people, even though they do not know earthly Human love, there is a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally and will never leave nor forsake them.

When I look at everything I have, I am reminded how many people are going without basic necessities for life. I am thankful to God for this abundance to live but mostly so I can ease another’s live with a luxury or essential they may not have. Being able to give is a great blessing. I am so thankful to be able to give!

Sadly, we all know people who have way more than they need and still crave and covet more just to have the items. I give thanks for the opportunities to teach and show people they do not need more “stuff”, we just need to know the love of God. When we know this incredible love and live in it, we see the world as God does and we simplify our lives to make sure others can simply live.

Praise God for all blessings. Praise God for you!

Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. God’s faithful love lasts forever! Give thanks to the God of all gods— God’s faithful love lasts forever. Give thanks to the Lord of all lords— God’s faithful love lasts forever. Give thanks to the only one who makes great wonders— God’s faithful love lasts forever. Give thanks to the one who made the skies with skill— God’s faithful love lasts forever. Give thanks to the one who shaped the earth on the water— God’s faithful love lasts forever. Give thanks to the one who made the great lights— God’s faithful love lasts forever. The sun to rule the day— God’s faithful love lasts forever. The moon and the stars to rule the night— God’s faithful love lasts forever! (Psalms 136:1-9 CEB)

Jesus’ Final Week & Resurrection

Buda United Methodist Church Saturday Evening Worship 11/22/14

Live Stream link for message:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnxWSStxPlY

Youth Director, Ryan Stratton delivers this message on JESUS’ FINAL WEEK & RESURRECTION.

Grace and Peace to YOU!
Buda United Methodist Church
www.budaumc.org

You are invited to join us for worship anytime in person or online. Our mission is to empower people with the love of God and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Worship Times*:
Sunday 9:00a and 11:00a
Wednesday 6:30p
Saturday 5:30p (Live Stream message begins at 6:00p)

*All times CST

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