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

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

Faith vs Fear

When Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, rescue us! We’re going to drown!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. The people were amazed and said, “What kind of person is this? Even the winds and the lake obey him!” ~Matthew 8:23-27

Look at what’s happening here…Jesus was asleep and at peace during the storm but the disciples were afraid! The disciples were in the middle of a storm and didn’t know what was going to happen. They were afraid and Jesus was right there with them! Jesus is also right here with us in the midst of the storms of our life.

How do we react when things go from bad to worse? Do we trust and realize that Jesus is here with us? Or do we, like the disciples, feel the fear filling our spirit which causes us to diminish our faith in the God who loves us, walks with us and is always working within us to transform us to the people we were created to be? Should we trust that we can call out to Jesus when we do not have the resources or the waves are piling on us, AND that we can trust Jesus is right here with us to help us even before we ask? The awesome thing is that God, in Jesus, is with us always and is guiding us, all that is asked of us is that we simply trust the Living God and do not fear or worry.

“Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?” ~Matthew 6:25-26

So, what are the storms in your life right now?
Do trust Jesus is right there in the boat of life with you?
How can you show yourself and those you’re around your faith and trust in Jesus’ love and protection?

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Buda United Methodist Church Saturday Evening Worship 11/8/14

Live Stream link for the message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVGtquM0JHA

Youth Director, Ryan Stratton delivers this message on WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM.
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 should 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
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

Prepare

Saturday and Sunday is upon us. Most people are rushing home after work to enjoy the start of another weekend. To enjoy spending time with family and friends. To find time to veg out and not have to worry about specific schedules again until Monday. Then there are many people who try to fill up as much of the weekend as possible to do things and run errands that there was not enough time for during the week.

We all are excited about time to spend without the demands of work and people constantly expecting certain results from us. One of the things that begins to happen is a busy weekend that simply “includes” going to church instead of making it a priority.

For those of you who are religious, Saturday or Sunday is a time when we gather at our church, supposed to be praising God and lifting the name of Jesus Christ while living in and listening to the Holy Spirit. Many people (including me some weekends) have turned our time of worshipping Jesus Christ into another to do list item to simply check off and then go about our day.

I believe we are all challenged to look at church another way. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, would begin preparing for Sunday worship on Thursday. This may make some people nervous thinking, “I just don’t have that kind of time to prepare.”

With the business of our schedules day in day out, week in week out, year in year out, we all should look at how we prioritize our schedules. Now, I do not presume to know, nor am I trying to judge or condemn people here in any way. I simply hope to encourage each one of us as we walk with Jesus Christ and allow him to transform our hearts which has a direct affect on our lives.

So, here are some questions I invite you to consider:

Why do I attend church? Is it for me and my inspiration? Or is it truly for God and allowing my heart an opportunity to hear from God and become recharged with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
How often do I pray for the worship time, church leadership, and the church as a whole?
How much time do I spend reading the Bible along with other sacred writings or devotionals during the week?
How is God moving in my life and through my life to make a difference in my community, state, nation, world?

These questions may be a little convicting; I know they are for me.

My prayer for each one of us is that we allow God is make himself known so that we can see the world through his eyes and allow our hearts to break for what breaks his heart. Let’s all take some time to prepare ourselves for the literal presence of God when we gather for worship.*

*On a quick side note: worship can be done anywhere, even during your personal quiet times with God.

Look Beyond What You See

“Look beyond what you see” is my favorite line from Lion King 1 1/2.

The point being told to Timon is to not focus on the situation or the problem. If we allow ourselves to step back from what’s going on, we may be able to see the bigger picture; which may even allow a solution or ray of hope to be seen.

The Bible has a great story of this in 1 Kings 17:8-16.

The Lord’s word came to Elijah: Get up and go to Zarephath near Sidon and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to take care of you. Elijah left and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town gate, he saw a widow collecting sticks. He called out to her, “Please get a little water for me in this cup so I can drink.” She went to get some water. He then said to her, “Please get me a piece of bread.” “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any food; only a handful of flour in a jar and a bit of oil in a bottle. Look at me. I’m collecting two sticks so that I can make some food for myself and my son. We’ll eat the last of the food and then die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go and do what you said. Only make a little loaf of bread for me first. Then bring it to me. You can make something for yourself and your son after that. This is what Israel’s God, the Lord, says: The jar of flour won’t decrease and the bottle of oil won’t run out until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.” The widow went and did what Elijah said. So the widow, Elijah, and the widow’s household ate for many days. The jar of flour didn’t decrease nor did the bottle of oil run out, just as the Lord spoke through Elijah.

The widow could not see past the lack of flour. Elijah saw and trusted God for greater possibility than what everyone else saw.

I tend to represent each person at different times of the day; mostly trusting God for the outcome and possibilities.

Who do you see yourself as?
I hope we all can trust that God provides what we need. Have you trusted in God today?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: