December 15th, 2023
by Sarah Turner, Webster Worship Director & Digital Media Specialist
by Sarah Turner, Webster Worship Director & Digital Media Specialist
Scripture
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
Reflection
I hope I’m not the only one, but often I find myself asking the Lord, “Why?” Sometimes it’s difficult to see the “good” in the midst of chaos. As I was meditating and reflecting on this verse, that little footnote after welfare caught my eye. So I dove in.
Sometimes I find myself living in a state of unknowns, dealing with the different complexities life has to offer. I was recently trying to describe this feeling to a friend and found myself saying “it’s like I’m flailing my arms in the shallow end of a pool, forgetting that I can just… stand up!” To me, I think that’s what that peace is. This wholeness, complete peace offered to us through Jesus. Remembering that the pool is shallow when we have the temptation to be overwhelmed by its depths. This same promise offered to the exiled Israelites in Jeremiah, return to the Lord and He will hear your prayers and restore you, is the same hope given to you and me through Jesus.
I hope in your moments of floundering in the shallow end of the pool, you can be reminded with me that we have been reconciled back to God through Jesus. This is our hope.
(Okay I want to share one more fun thing with you! If you have three minutes and forty eight seconds… check out this youtube video by The Bible Project on Shalom. It’s really cool. Shalom - Peace)
Prayer
God of Peace,
Thank you for holding us. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for calling us back to you when we have wandered and that your grace extends in abundance. Help us remember in this season that you sent heaven down to us so that we may know you, dwell with you, delight in you. Lord, give us peace and help us become people of peace. May we experience shalom this advent season. Amen
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
Reflection
I hope I’m not the only one, but often I find myself asking the Lord, “Why?” Sometimes it’s difficult to see the “good” in the midst of chaos. As I was meditating and reflecting on this verse, that little footnote after welfare caught my eye. So I dove in.
- Jeremiah 29:11 Or peace
Sometimes I find myself living in a state of unknowns, dealing with the different complexities life has to offer. I was recently trying to describe this feeling to a friend and found myself saying “it’s like I’m flailing my arms in the shallow end of a pool, forgetting that I can just… stand up!” To me, I think that’s what that peace is. This wholeness, complete peace offered to us through Jesus. Remembering that the pool is shallow when we have the temptation to be overwhelmed by its depths. This same promise offered to the exiled Israelites in Jeremiah, return to the Lord and He will hear your prayers and restore you, is the same hope given to you and me through Jesus.
I hope in your moments of floundering in the shallow end of the pool, you can be reminded with me that we have been reconciled back to God through Jesus. This is our hope.
(Okay I want to share one more fun thing with you! If you have three minutes and forty eight seconds… check out this youtube video by The Bible Project on Shalom. It’s really cool. Shalom - Peace)
Prayer
God of Peace,
Thank you for holding us. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for calling us back to you when we have wandered and that your grace extends in abundance. Help us remember in this season that you sent heaven down to us so that we may know you, dwell with you, delight in you. Lord, give us peace and help us become people of peace. May we experience shalom this advent season. 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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