March 9th, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Wednesday, March 9
THE SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED by Samantha Yoder
Luke 4:14-22
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
Everyone was raving about Jesus, so impressed were they by the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?”
Reflection
We all have different places where we connect with Christ. For some it is through prayer, music or sermons. I always feel a connection to Jesus the most when I am listening to worship music. There is an indescribable feeling that washes over me and I feel His grace and love working through me. Recently Melissa Helser released a song called, “ I Can’t Get Away,” and these lyrics have stuck with me.
“You see my mess
All my mistakes
And You love me still
And though I may waver
I am convinced
That You never change.”
I have connected with many friends throughout the years because of music. From time to time we share links to songs and how that particular song connects through the moment we are going through. Even if I haven’t talked to that friend in a while, we can always share music with each other. I think about the friends in my life who have stuck with me in hard times. They do not leave me just because I am walking through a difficult time. Instead, they walk alongside me and help me navigate through those moments.
Even when we stray from God we can be reminded that God fulfilled the Scripture and sent Jesus for us. In Jesus we can see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy and favor to those who were ready to receive Him. If we can trust wholeheartedly that someone is there to support us in the toughest of times it makes previously insurmountable challenges easy.
Question for Contemplation
When have you leaned into God and seen the scripture of Christ fulfilled in your life?
Prayer
God–We are so grateful for your love and grace. Thank you for sending your Son to fulfill the scripture. We cannot express enough gratitude for Jesus and the goodness that He provides. Lord, please continue to be our guiding path each day. Amen.
THE SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED by Samantha Yoder
Luke 4:14-22
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
Everyone was raving about Jesus, so impressed were they by the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “This is Joseph’s son, isn’t it?”
Reflection
We all have different places where we connect with Christ. For some it is through prayer, music or sermons. I always feel a connection to Jesus the most when I am listening to worship music. There is an indescribable feeling that washes over me and I feel His grace and love working through me. Recently Melissa Helser released a song called, “ I Can’t Get Away,” and these lyrics have stuck with me.
“You see my mess
All my mistakes
And You love me still
And though I may waver
I am convinced
That You never change.”
I have connected with many friends throughout the years because of music. From time to time we share links to songs and how that particular song connects through the moment we are going through. Even if I haven’t talked to that friend in a while, we can always share music with each other. I think about the friends in my life who have stuck with me in hard times. They do not leave me just because I am walking through a difficult time. Instead, they walk alongside me and help me navigate through those moments.
Even when we stray from God we can be reminded that God fulfilled the Scripture and sent Jesus for us. In Jesus we can see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy and favor to those who were ready to receive Him. If we can trust wholeheartedly that someone is there to support us in the toughest of times it makes previously insurmountable challenges easy.
Question for Contemplation
When have you leaned into God and seen the scripture of Christ fulfilled in your life?
Prayer
God–We are so grateful for your love and grace. Thank you for sending your Son to fulfill the scripture. We cannot express enough gratitude for Jesus and the goodness that He provides. Lord, please continue to be our guiding path each day. Amen.
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25
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
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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