Tuesday Daily FC

FAITH CONNECTION – FARMERSVILLE UMC

Ministry Updates for Tuesday, July 14^th, 2020

COVID-19 Re-Entry Challenge from West Ohio Conference

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) has asked The West Ohio Conference for assistance in providing hygiene items and face masks to our returning neighbors. If you would like to arrange a drop off at church, please call 937-696-2502. If you would like someone to pick up please contact Donna Thie. Please see attachment for more information!

Scripture:

Matthew 28:18 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

 Matthew 7:28-29 – When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

 Reflection – Authority

In his song, ‘Authority Song’, John Cougar Mellencamp sings the heart of a young rebel, ‘I fight authority, authority always wins’. In that same song, he goes to his preacher and asks for strength for the next round. His preacher tells him to grow up. Hmmm. I am two sentences into this devotion and genuinely surprised by where God has taken us.

 Generally, we have ambiguous feelings about authority. We like it when someone has authority to grant us things, and they do. But there are other times when authority, right or wrong, stands in our way. And as the song suggests, if we fight authority, the odds will be long in Vegas.

 Jesus had authority from God above. But he also had authority with the people, not because he had a title or a badge, but because they saw something special in him as he preached his famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 5-7).

 In a world where plenty of people don’t believe, we believe. We believe God loves humanity both collectively and each of us as individuals. We believe God is with us. We believe God has the power and authority to enable us to make a difference. It is important we claim that authority and take active steps to fulfill our call.

 If you are considering some way to share God’s love and doubting yourself, let it go. Jesus gives you the authority to make a difference, wherever you go. Go forth in faith.

 Prayer

God who created everything, God who calls us, God who seeks peace and fruitfulness, you gave Jesus the authority to make disciples, which he passed along to his first disciples, and they have passed along with us. Like a weak radio signal needs a boost, so we too need a boost to fully receive that authority, and to do what you call us to do with great joy, optimism, and hope for the world. Renew and rekindle the authority you give us.  Amen.