FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC

Ministry Updates for Tuesday, October 12th, 2020

 Worship – October 18th, 9:30am Facebook Live, 11:00am In-Person

Please consider joining us in person. But please honor your own level of comfort given your understanding of the risks of the pandemic and your personal health. If you are coming to in-person worship, we ask that you help us prepare by making a reservation by noon on Thursday, using this link https://forms.gle/M4D6i7ZqjiREJCwD7 .

Scripture – Acts 2:43

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.

 Reflection – Wonders and Signs

Luke, the writer of Acts, may have been more accurate if he said, ‘wonders and signs were being done through the apostles’, instead of ‘by the apostles.’ Peter believed healing came not ‘though’ the apostles, but rather by faith in Christ (Acts 3:12-16). Of course, miracles, signs, and wonders are acts of God that transcend the boundaries and capabilities of human language and description.

 But certainly Peter and his followers had something to do with these signs and wonders, right? Researchers in human psychology tell us that human action is ‘contagious’. When I yawn, I am likely to cause others to yawn. When I do the right thing, or the wrong thing, others are likely to follow.

 That is certainly my experience with faith. When others demonstrate their faith, I am reminded that I too believe in God and God’s power to affect our world in the best possible way. Maybe you can think of a time when someone else’s faith inspired you?

 It is the work of the theologians to figure out exactly what miracles are and where they come from. They also work to figure out what evil is and where it comes from. To be honest, I am curious and engage in this speculation from time to time too.

 But regardless of what is before us or where it came from, we are called to respond faithfully. I do not know exactly how or why our responses to God play into the world of miracles, but I do believe miracles are not just the work of the apostles.

 Someone to inspire me is helpful in my need for healing or doing mission in the world, and maybe it is because their faith is ‘contagious’. But at the end of the day, my faith in Jesus Christ is what I really need. It will help me with everything which truly matters.

 Prayer:

Holy Spirit, we give you thanks for those who are ‘in the Spirit’, who inspire us by doing things that do not seem possible. Lord, I know I have been given a little faith. Help me believe a little faith is enough to move mountains. And give me the wisdom to know which mountain needs moved. Finally, help me humbly to be mindful that someone may be watching me today, and following my lead. Amen