December 11th, 2023
by Tyler Curtis, Production Manager
by Tyler Curtis, Production Manager
Scripture
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13
Reflection
I’ve read this Scripture a few times a day now for the last couple of weeks, and it never gets any easier. Every time I start to have a grasp on what it means, it slips away and I’m again thoroughly confused. The ultimate conclusion I’ve come to is that this is the point of the verse – Jesus is here in me and around me, and yet I am still capable of ignoring him.
This is the humanity of our condition. We are not perfect. We are not saints. We are people trying to grow along the spiritual lines Christ has laid out for us. If you’re like me, this “limitation” feels like a challenge. However, I’ve come to accept this as a freeing aspect of my life today. I don’t have to expect perfection. I can be imperfect, I can mess up, and I can make mistakes. Christ loves me all the same. I have power as a child of God – not as a condition of my perfection (or rather imperfection), but as a guarantee of my existence.
Prayer
God, help me see the beauty in the world around me. Help me understand that I don’t have to be perfect to receive your love. Help me channel your love, as Christ showed me to do, and show the grace of Christ to the world around me. Amen.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13
Reflection
I’ve read this Scripture a few times a day now for the last couple of weeks, and it never gets any easier. Every time I start to have a grasp on what it means, it slips away and I’m again thoroughly confused. The ultimate conclusion I’ve come to is that this is the point of the verse – Jesus is here in me and around me, and yet I am still capable of ignoring him.
This is the humanity of our condition. We are not perfect. We are not saints. We are people trying to grow along the spiritual lines Christ has laid out for us. If you’re like me, this “limitation” feels like a challenge. However, I’ve come to accept this as a freeing aspect of my life today. I don’t have to expect perfection. I can be imperfect, I can mess up, and I can make mistakes. Christ loves me all the same. I have power as a child of God – not as a condition of my perfection (or rather imperfection), but as a guarantee of my existence.
Prayer
God, help me see the beauty in the world around me. Help me understand that I don’t have to be perfect to receive your love. Help me channel your love, as Christ showed me to do, and show the grace of Christ to the world around me. Amen.
Posted in Advent Devotional
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Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 3Explore - Week 4God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23SENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
March
Lent Devotional Day 8Lent Devotional Day 9Celebrating BEYOND // M-Note 3.3.2023Who Is Jesus: BONUS Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 10Lent Devotional Day 11Lent Devotional Day 12Who Is Jesus: Week 1 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 13Lent Devotional Day 14Lent Devotional Day 15Lent Devotional Day 16Lent Devotional Day 17The Evening Service is BACK!!! // M-Note 3.10.23Lent Devotional Day 18Lent Devotional Day 19Who Is Jesus: Week 2 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 20Lent Devotional Day 21Lent Devotional Day 22Lent Devotional Day 23The Most Important Sunday of the Year // M-Note 3.17.23Who Is Jesus: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 24Lent Devotional Day 25Lent Devotional Day 26Lent Devotional Day 27Lent Devotional Day 28Lent Devotional Day 29Lent Devotional Day 30The Power of Easter and Invitation // M-Note 3.24.23Lent Devotional Day 31Who Is Jesus: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 32Lent Devotional Day 33Lent Devotional Day 34Lent Devotional Day 35
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