Sunday, March 21, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
Sundays are not counted
in the 40 days of Lent.
Worship well today.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Connie Barton
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in
your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you.
II Timothy 1:5
My maternal grandmother lived with us, and I saw first-hand the pain and suffering she endured and how she persevered with trust in God.
When I was about eight, she had cataract surgery in one eye, and I remember her excitement at being able to see again. However, a serious infection later required that her eye be surgically removed. After a time, she had cataract surgery in her other eye only to have the same thing occur a short time later requiring the removal of that one, too.
When Grandma returned home from the hospital, she was confused about direction and had difficulty getting around the house. But I watched her persevere! Every morning she carefully cleansed her eye sockets and inserted glass eyes. She lived a comfortable life for several years, learning to navigate the rooms in our home and enjoying some independence.
My mother always said, “God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” Perhaps one of God’s mysterious ways was to allow me to learn many lessons about life and accepting difficulty by watching my Grandma accept her blindness and to live comfortably. Perhaps like Timothy at least a portion of my faith can be attributed to my Grandma and my Mother as they lived out their faith before me.
Lord, help me to be a person from whom others can learn about you and who will make them want to know you. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Friday, March 19, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Muriel Barton Kuhn
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 13:2
Many years ago, my daughter, Laura, and I drove to the Jacksonville airport to pick up my niece, Emily. She bounced down the ramp to our loving welcome, but quickly remembered a promise. “Aunt Muriel, I must find a phone and call my mother to tell her I got here safe and sound.” We found a pay phone, made the call, and headed for the baggage claim area.
When the guard asked for the baggage stubs, Emily cried out, “My wallet! I don’t have my wallet!” We realized very quickly that she must have put it down when she was making her important telephone call. We realized just how large this international airport lobby actually was when we tried to find the exact bank of phones where she had made her call. There were so many phones! I tried to help the girls to relax about the whole thing and silently prayed, “Please, God, help this little girl find her wallet.” It almost seemed hopeless – almost. But I knew that with God all things are possible.
We were obviously distressed and a well-dressed man came to us and asked what was wrong. I told him our story and he said, “Was it brown? Why don’t you look at that phone over there?” In a matter of moments, Emily and Laura were jumping up and down in excitement, holding the brown wallet with all its money, tickets, and everything! I turned to thank the man, but he was nowhere to be seen. I could see in each direction for a good distance, but the man was not there! The three of us knew that in our need, God had showed himself to us as an ordinary person. We could not thank the man. Instead, we thanked God!
Lord, in such an incident as this we realize that you are always present. Please never let us forget that! Thank you for caring about a child and a lost purse. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
Be dressed in
readiness, and keep your lamps alight. And be like men who are waiting for
their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may
immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
Luke 12:35-36
As Easter approaches, my thoughts always turn to the pain of his preparing to face that cross, or the grief of the ones who loved him as they saw him suffer, or the exhilaration of that first Easter when they knew that neither cross nor grave could hold him. I love to sing and to hear the whole congregation sing on Easter morning, “He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!”
As I looked at the scripture above, it didn’t seem to be much of an Easter thought, until I let it settle into my mind and allowed God to shed a bit more light on it. Of course, it is an Easter message! The one who lived for us, died for us, rose for us and is coming back to get us! That should cause our hearts to swell with joy!
But then as I looked even more closely at the scripture and I had another thought. Recently we went to the airport to pick up one of our children who was coming for a short visit. We sat at the foot of the escalator and watched every person who came down, straining our eyes in the crowd for a glimpse of this “child” whom we love so much. And now I wonder, “Do we look with that same kind of anticipation at the clouds, where Jesus says we will see him first when he returns to earth? Are we prepared to “open the door” as the scripture says, to allow the Master to come in immediately, or will we want to say, “Wait just a minute, while I put some things in my house in order.”
Father, as I contemplate Easter help me to anticipate with great joy your second coming, and help me to keep my house in order so that I will be prepared to open the door quickly in response to your knock. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten
Devotional Guide
By Jerry Cole
He gives power to the faith, and to him who has no might he
increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall
fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they
shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 RSV
When I’m weary or just plain “down,” this scripture lifts me up. The Lord knows my joys and my sorrows, and He cares. I must go to Him for my help. He will renew my strength so that I will not falter or faint.
The mother eagle nudges her young from the nest and it plummets toward the ground. But she is always there ready to catch it as it falls. She dives toward the ground, swoops beneath her chick and catches it on her strong wings. Then she flies high, lifting it to great heights and out of danger. She actually does this over and over until the little one realizes that its own wings will work and that it can soar on its own without the benefit of its mother’s wings.
My Lord is always there to lift me when I need him. Over and over he lifts me up because he understands that I need him all the time!
Dear Lord, thank you for caring and for always being there for me. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Bud Ludwick
Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all
his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the
grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry,
saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after
all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:24-34 NIV
Learning to trust was one of the hardest things for me. I was one who had to be in control. That worked well until our two oldest sons became teenagers and both began to drive. Suddenly the boys were out of my control. I could not protect, direct, or ensure their safety. This came to me as I lay awake at night waiting to hear the back door open as they came home. What a helpless feeling wondering if they had been in an accident or were in some other trouble.
That’s when I knew I needed help. I found that in Matthew 6:25-34 – the “don’t worry” chapter. It gave me the strength to trust that the boys would be just fine in God’s hands.
There are still times that I like to put on the “concern” hat. But concern and worry are different. As I grow closer to Christ I return to the words of Matthew to remind me to be free of worry. Praise God!
Lord, forgive me when I fall into the worry trap. I do trust you. Help me to be more consistent in my trust. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Monday, March 15, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Patience Nave
And it came about, when the days were approaching for His
ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem…. And they did
not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51, 53
It is overwhelming to me to realize that Jesus went about his ministry with the realization always with him that he was going to die a terrible death. I know how easily I am distracted from a task by something that is pressing – a job, a need, an illness. And often those pressing matters cause me not to do something or to do it poorly, simply because I cannot keep my mind on the task at hand.
Not so with our Lord! He had a tremendous ministry in the three short years that we know about his adult life, and he knew all along that great pain and suffering awaited him in order for him to complete the task for which he had come. Amazing!
We know he dreaded it because he asked that, if possible, it not be. Yet he faced it, went about taking care of others’ pain, of others’ separation from God, or others’ questions and multiple needs.
I am so challenged by his remarkable focus. Sometimes when we love someone, we say to them, “I’ll do anything you ask. Anything!” That’s what Jesus said to God, and he meant it! And that, I am sure, is what kept his focus when he faced the pain and suffering necessary to save this broken world that God loved so much!
Father, I am so fickle. I say that I love you, yet I get distracted from what I know you want me to do. You have promised to change me to be like Jesus. Do that in this area of focus. Keep my mind and actions directed to the things that I know you want me to do. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Barbara Gilbert
I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippinas 4:13 KJV
As a single mother working to support and raise three children, I often felt stressed, tired and alone. Because of my work schedule, I neglected my prayer life and church attendance.
I was finally jolted awake by the need of strength and hope. Upon opening my Bible to Philippians 4:10-20, I claimed God’s promise of strength for the journey. I have called on this passage often as my life has changed and evolved. God is good and faithful.
God is always in charge and can work great changes if we allow Him to work in our lives. Now I try to read my Bible every day and have some prayer time no matter how hectic or busy the day is. God is never too busy to hear from His children.
As we look for ways to improve our prayer life and follow our Lord’s teachings, let us read our Bibles more and try to set aside some time every day to spend in prayer and thanksgiving for the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Dear Lord, continue to show us the way and give us the strength to live your word and do your work. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Friday, March 12, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Jan Wise
Christ Jesus…who being in very nature God…made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…. He came to
that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Philippians 2:6-7; John 1:11
Callie, our Persian cat, has long hair requiring daily combing. She hates the grooming and, although she stays on my lap while I comb out the day’s snarls, she continuously growls her displeasure. One day as I hit a particularly tough tangle, she let out a yowl and tried to scratch her way off my lap. Grabbing her, I reinforced my intentions by administering a sharp rap of the comb to her fuzzy bottom.
Holding her close, feeling sorry my efforts had hurt her, I lamented, “Callie, don’t you know I wouldn’t intentionally make you mad – that the combing I do may hurt at times but it’s for your own good? If only I could become a cat and speak your language so that you’d understand what this is all about.”
Looking at Callie’s angry eyes, I acknowledge, “But even if I became a cat and told you, you probably wouldn’t believe me.” As I sat there holding my angry cat, I realized anew what God in Jesus Christ did for the human race. He became one of us, sharing our pain and experiencing all our temptations. And, in our language, he explained the Father’s good plan for us. When Jesus went to Calvary, graphically portraying God’s love for mankind, most looked on with unbelieving hearts.
Through the life of Jesus, the cross and the resurrection spoke his love in our language. The Easter season is a time for considering our response. Are we really hearing? Are we really believing?
Father, thank you for sending Jesus so I could hear you speak in my own language. Give me ears to hear and a heart to believe your love for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Mark and Iris
Whittaker
Therefore, just as
sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way
death came to all men, because all sinned, for before the law was given, sin
was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless,
death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who
did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to
come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the
trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came
by the grace
is not like the result on the one man’s sin. The judgment followed
one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and
brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned
through the one man, how much more will those receive God’s abundant provisions
in grace and of the gift of righteousness in life through the one man Jesus
Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for
all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings
life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man that many
were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will
be made righteous.
Romans 5:12-19 NIV
In the movie, A Few Good Men, one of the privates stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba had a problem keeping up with the other members of his squad. When they were out on a training run, he always fell behind. When it came time for inspections, his gear and room were never up to Marine standards. When something like this happens in the military or on a football team or in the business world, it reflects on the whole squad or team. Often everyone on the team pays the price for the failure of the one. On a football team everyone might have to run laps because a single member of the team breaks an established rule. In the Military, this might mean that the whole squad has to do extra physical exercise or do K.P.
In Romans 5:12-19, Paul is talking about how the failure of one man – Adam – caused sin to come into the world. Because of the one everyone else has to suffer the consequences. In this case it is not just getting bad marks on a report, it is eternal death. The price of sin is death and because one man sinned, we all have to pay the price.
Paul doesn’t stop with this rather sobering news, though. He goes on to say that just as one man brought death to everyone through his sin, so one man – Jesus Christ – brought the free gift of the grace of God through his sacrifice. This gift brings justification to all who proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord of their lives. It is because of the willingness of Jesus to die for our sin that the price of sin – death – has been paid once and for all. We are set free by the judge in spite of the fact that we are guilty.
We have been given a gift – a marvelous one –the free gift of the God’s grace so that we no longer have to pay the price for what one man – Adam – did. And the good news is that this gift is available to everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. One man fouled us up and we all had to pay the price. One man paid the price and we all are able to be set free.
Father, cause me never to forget the incredible price that you paid for my forgiveness. Cause me to be ever mindful when you said, “The wages of sin is death, you knew that I had no hope of life without the sacrificial gift of your son, but you made that stipulation knowing the cost to your own self! I thank you for Good Friday and for my eternal life purchased that day. I praise you for Easter – that death will never win! Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Rev. Richard Evans
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would
be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him
stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in
my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For
he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.”
Luke 9:46-48
The nominations for the 2005 Academy Awards have been announced and guess what! Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ was not named in any major category – Best Picture, Best Actor or Best Director. It was nominated in three lesser categories: Makeup, Cinematography and Original Score. The response from many corners of the Christian community is one of outrage. I haven’t yet heard a comment from Gibson.
But should we be surprised – that the glitz and glitter of Hollywood passed over the sensitive and gruesome depiction of the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life on earth? I’m almost relieved. What a contradiction it might have been to see a golden “Oscar” beside a scene showing the battered body of Christ hanging on a cross.
Millions of people saw The Passion of the Christ. It was a box office “success.” And the graphic portrayal of the suffering and death of Jesus undoubtedly strengthened the faith of many of his 21st century followers. But Jesus’ admonition to his 1st century followers who wanted to come after him was to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him (Luke 9:23). That is certainly the message of the film. And the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in the release of their nominations, also has helped us to better understand these paradoxical words of Jesus: “For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.”
You continue to remind your people, O God, that the Way of the Cross is not the way of the world. Help me to be faithful always as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Wallace Nave
[Some] seed fell
into good soil and grew up and produced a crop a hundred times as great…. He
who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 8:8 NAS
Many of the most profound lessons of my life have been learned in the yard or digging in the dirt. Until I got sick, there was no place I would rather have been than planting and pruning and weeding. I enjoyed seeing the lawn flourish and the beds bloom.
In Kentucky, I had a troublemaker in my garden called Johnson grass. Try
as I would, there seemed no remedy for the stuff. The more I pulled, the more
it grew. One day I dug and dug until I reached the end of a particularly
persistent blade. To my amazement, when I had it out of the ground, I found
that the green shoot on top of the ground was about three inches high but the
roots were about two feet in length! Suddenly I knew why I could not rid my
garden of this pest!
I took that piece of grass into the house and showed Pat. We talked about the fact that the grass is so hearty because its roots are so deep and sustaining. We both knew that we wanted to be like that grass —not too much showing on the top but growing deep in the Lord and His Word so that we would be so strong that we could not be uprooted! Cut down. Burned. Cursed. But not destroyed.
Lord, thank you for
causing the seed of your Word to fall on good ground in my own life. Thank you
for the desire to nourish that seed much as I have done the seeds in our yard.
Thank you for teaching me all that you have about who you are, what you have
done for me, how you lived and died that I might live and not die. Thank you
for deep roots of faith – roots that hold me firm this Easter and cause me to
rejoice in life! Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Monday, March 8, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Betty Eldridge
The one who is
righteous will live by faith.
Romans 1:17b; Habakkuk 2:4b
When I was a young Christian, I struggled to understand this Scripture. When the light bulb finally went on, it became one of my favorite passages.
Who can stand before God in his own righteousness? None. But God has provided our righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ. God hates sin, but we may stand before Him free from sin because of Jesus. All we have to do is believe.
This faith will develop into a living relationship, which shall produce a meaning and purpose for our lives. As we grow, through Bible study, prayer, and sharing with other Christians, the Lord will open many of His Secrets, enabling us to serve and understand Him better.
So when we are made righteous through our faith in Jesus, we will at that time begin to live eternal life.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for allowing us to belong to you. Amen.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
Sundays are not counted
in the 40 days of Lent.
Worship well today.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
And Jesus kept
increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2:52 NAS
As I read about the last days in Jesus’ life, I am keenly aware of his wonderful maturity. As a young person, I often excused myself from thinking deeply about some of the things that he faced that were difficult by saying, “well, HE could handle that because HE was God.” I failed to remember that though my mind cannot totally understand how this is possible, he was both 100% God and 100% man. So when he “handled” things, I must take into account that “the man side” was facing things similar to those that I face.
So he “increased.” I think that I accept without any serious consideration that the stature was expected. He was a baby and he became a man as he aged. But what about “in wisdom?” He really didn’t always know everything – especially as a baby and a young boy. That is a huge thought to me, and it means he had to study his Bible, talk to his Father, and learn spiritual truths. By doing that he actually grew in favor (as King James says) with his Father, for through it he learned – as a man – exactly what his Father expected of him. And he increased in favor with men, as he was loyal to his disciples, providing for them the role model that would be so important to them – as they walked together and in their ministry after he had returned to heaven.
Isn’t God amazing?! That he would know how important it would be for us to have a real, live human being to relate to so that we could know what he expects of us.
Father, thank you for
this wonderful Savior whom you sent to us and for the example he is to us in
his life as well as in his death. Help me to grow in wisdom, in stature, and in
favor with you and with men. Amen
Friday, March 5, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Jan Wise
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his
appearance that we should desire him…. Like one from whom men hide their faces,
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:2b, 3b NIV
As a mother of teenagers, I was deeply involved with the kids’ program at church. One summer two college-aged interns came to help with the summer activities. As they were introduced, I did a personal evaluation of their potential effectiveness. I knew the good-looking guy would be a great asset. But of the young woman, I thought, “Bleached blonde hair and painted fingernails – I don’t think she’ll bring much spirituality to our kids.”
As I write this 30 years later, with bleached highlights in my own hair and with nails shiny with polish, I’m ashamed of the way I evaluated those fine young leaders by their physical appearances.
Jesus didn’t look like a king and didn’t do things most of the Jewish people – especially the religious leaders – wanted him to do. A Messiah who would be born in a stable, grow up in a carpenter shop and die on a cross didn’t fit their idea of the one God would send to save them. So they rejected him.
How many times do we miss God’s coming to us because we don’t like the way God “packages” his message? A bloody, beaten Son of God, skewered to a cross with cruel spikes, was God’s ultimate expression of love to us. This Easter season let’s look beyond the cruel appearance of the cross and meditate on the heart of the One who so loved the world that he gave his Son to die for us. Only then will we be ready to experience the joy of resurrection morning.
Father, I know Jesus said, “Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgement.” Help me to look beyond what outwardly turns me off and into the heart of what you want me to see from your perspective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Clarence Kohler
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present
you before his Glorious Presence without fault and with great joy….
Jude 24
During this Lenten Season, it is good to look back and see what a difference Jesus Christ has made in our lives. I have been doing that – looking back and remembering.
I remember working long and hard so that I could provide for my family. In addition, I was starting a small business.
The business became successful, but I knew we would have to continue in it at least another five or six years in order to be ready for retirement. What I hadn’t figured seemed to happen overnight. My strength and health were suddenly gone, and I didn’t know what to do.
Then in the span of two or three weeks, by chance, or so I thought, two parties approached us about buying our business. I struggled over this opportunity but didn’t see how I could sell. After a couple of days, I finally understood the Lord was showing me a way out, and we sold the business.
Some time later I returned to church and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
What a joy to know we can always trust our Lord and God and lean on his understanding instead of our own!
Lord God Almighty, I give thanks that we can trust in you yesterday, today and forever. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Wednesday March 3, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Marilyn Kohler
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Whenever I hear a waltz, I am transported back in time. I am clad in the most elegant ball gown, dancing the night away at the King’s ball. It’s a lovely fantasy but it is just that. Fantasy. I have never learned how to dance.
The first time I read Romans 8:38 and 39, I felt exactly like I was listening to a waltz. My heart was dancing and I felt dressed in the Holy Spirit! But his was not a fantasy. It was real. What a wonderful thing to know that we can never be separated from God’s love.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your never-failing love. We pray to be worthy of it. Amen.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Wallace Nave
Trust in the Lord with
all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS
Years ago, we were in an era that had no cable and an area that got poor TV reception. I determined that I would build and install a good antenna, high enough to pick up the stations some miles away in Nashville.
Finally with the tower carefully cemented into the ground, the antenna itself had to be raised and lowered into the hole at the top of the tower. I wrapped a good rope around my waist and secured it to the tower so that if I slipped it would hold me. I made a hoist to raise the antenna and climbed the tower.
I had two problems. I really do not like heights and I had a wife on the ground who kept encouraging me with such words as, “Oh, no! You’re going to fall!” or “Please don’t look down!” I also found that the antenna was too heavy for me to manipulate with one hand. I’d have to turn loose of the tower and use both hands to put the antenna in place.
Finally, I mustered the courage, leaned back against the rope, turned loose of the tower, and put the antenna into its groove. At that moment, these words came into my mind: “I am much more dependable than your rope. Lean back on me and trust me with your life as you have just trusted this rope.” I leaned back and surveyed the world from my lofty perch. I could hardly wait to get to the ground to tell Pat what had happened.
Sounds simple, but really trusting God has been a great challenge. I lean, and He never lets me down! The longer I live the more grateful I am for Jesus who is my friend and who allows me to lean – on a daily basis.
Father, thank you for giving me your Son to climb towers with me
all through life and to hold me so that I don’t fall. And thank you for Easter
and the life I know because of Him. Amen.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
Monday, March 1, 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
A Lenten Devotional Guide
By Gene Lantz
For it is from God alone that you have
your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God’s plan of salvation; He was
the one who made us acceptable to God; He made us pure and holy and gave
himself to purchase our salvation. As it says in the Scriptures, “If anyone is
going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done.”
I Corinthians 1:30-21 LB
Does it really matter what we accomplish in life or who gets the credit? God reminds us that all our strength comes from him and all we need to do is ask for his help. It sounds so simple but for some reason man likes to solve his own problems.
During my teenage years, I remember two sayings that
made lasting impressions that still guide my life today.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for being there when I need you. What a privilege it is to be able to carry everything to you in prayer. Amen
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort
