Click on the link below to download this week’s devotional guide. This week’s devotions are not centered on any one theme, because I did not preach last Sunday. I hope they still touch you in your walk with Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul Clark
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me to know Your peace regardless of my circumstance, and to be a good steward of all You have given me. Amen.
Read: From John Wesley’s Sermon “The Danger of Riches”
Permit me to speak as freely of myself as I would of another man I gain all I can (namely, by writing) without hurting either my soul or body. I save all I can, not willingly wasting anything, not a sheet of paper, not a cup of water. I do not lay out anything, not a shilling, unless as a sacrifice to God. Yet by giving all I can, I am effectually secured from “laying up treasures upon earth.” Yea, and I am secured from either desiring or endeavouring it as long as I give all I can. And that I do this, I call all that know me, both friends and foes, to testify.
But some may say, “Whether you endeavour it or no, you are undeniably rich. You have more than the necessaries of life.” I have. But the Apostle does not fix the charge, barely on possessing any quantity of goods, but on possessing more than we employ according to the will of the Donor.
Reflect: What does Wesley say about his use of money? When Wesley capitalizes the word “Donor,” he is referring to God. What does he mean when he talks about employing goods according to the will of the Donor? How would we employ our possessions within the will of God?
Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself
Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee-
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee-
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is over,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me to know Your peace regardless of my circumstance, and to be a good steward of all You have given me. Amen.
Read: Acts 5:1-11
Reflect: Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira chose to hold some of their land back? Why did God deal with them so harshly? What should we learn from this story from the early church?
Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself
Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee-
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee-
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is over,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me to know Your peace regardless of my circumstance, and to be a good steward of all You have given me. Amen.
Read: Matthew 6:1-4
Reflect: Jesus’ instruction assume that his listeners will be giving to the poor. What is the motivation that Christians have to give to the poor? How does Jesus tell people to go about their giving? What is our responsibility as we give and how will God respond to our giving?
Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself
Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee-
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee-
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is over,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me to know Your peace regardless of my circumstance, and to be a good steward of all You have given me. Amen.
Read: Romans 15:22-32
Reflect: In this simple travel itinerary, Paul tells the Roman Christians of his plans to go to Jerusalem with the collection he has taken from Macedonia and Achaia. What does Paul ask the Romans to contribute to this effort? Why do you think Paul didn’t ask them to send money? What can we learn about giving from Paul’s effort to give to the Christians in Jerusalem?
Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself
Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee-
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee-
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is over,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me to know Your peace regardless of my circumstance, and to be a good steward of all You have given me. Amen.
Read: Psalm 50
Reflect: What does God say about His needs? How can God be provided for? What does God want from people, if we cannot give Him food? How do we offer something to God that he wants?
Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself
Hymn: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee-
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to Thee-
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is over,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely over
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Closing Prayer: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
