The First United Methodist Church Dubai

22/10/2026

TODAY’S REFLECTION
October 22, 2026, Thursday

OBEDIENCE OR PREFERENCE
Rev. B**g De Castro, OSL

Read Matthew 26:36-42 , NIV
‘“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”’ – Matthew 26:39

Every believer must choose whether he will live by the principle of obedience or follow his preferences. When a person commits to doing the Lord’s will, then every situation and decision is sifted through the standard of “God said it, so I’m going to do it—and that’s the end of it.” He may complain, weep, or try to argue. But in the end he will be obedient, no matter what.

I recall an overseas call years ago about a possible job opportunity in Africa. Throughout the conversation, within me, I poured my heart out to the Lord, telling Him I had no desire to move there. I grumbled, resisted, and struggled with what seemed to be unfolding before me. Even so, beneath my objections grew a conviction that Africa would be my next chapter. It was not my preference, but I had learned that resisting God's leading often brings a heavier burden than following it. Few anxieties compare to the feeling that you may have missed a door God Himself opened.

The Lord certainly understands our need to question, cry out, and petition Him for the strength to do what He asks. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Jesus wasn’t excited or happy about the cross. He grieved over the coming separation from His Father. Nevertheless, He was committed to following God’s will (Matt. 26:39). No one took Christ’s life from Him; He laid it down (John 10:18).

Our lives are about fulfilling God’s purpose. Many people miss His awesome plan for them because they choose to follow their preferences. Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and lives by His principles.

PRAYER
Gracious Father, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we often come before You carrying our own desires, plans, and preferences. We confess that there are times when we choose what is comfortable instead of what is right, and what pleases us instead of what honors You.

Teach us to pray with the same humble surrender as Christ: “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” When Your will is difficult, give us courage to obey. When our preferences conflict with Your purpose, give us hearts that trust You completely. Help us remember that true peace is found not in having our own way, but in faithfully walking in Yours. May our lives reflect a spirit of obedience that places Your will above our personal desires, so that You may be glorified in all we do.

In the name of Jesus, who perfectly obeyed the Father. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

21/10/2026

TODAY’S REFLECTION
October 21, 2026, Wednesday

THE WISDOM OF RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
Rev. B**g De Castro, OSL

Read Hebrews 10:23-24, NIV
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

I affirm that positive relationships are a gracious gift of God and an essential means through which He nurtures the growth of believers in Christ. In His providence, God places faithful friends within the community of faith who not only offer love, encouragement, and support, but also participate in the work of sanctification by challenging one another toward greater obedience and service to the Lord. True Christian friendship is marked by covenantal love that seeks spiritual transformation rather than mere acceptance. Therefore, faithful friends lovingly practice mutual accountability, speaking the truth in love, confronting sin when necessary, and encouraging one another toward holiness, so that together they may grow into the fullness of life and discipleship in Jesus Christ.

Paul gave relationships a high priority too. The apostle surrounded himself with people who could help him achieve two things: fulfillment of his God-given mission and conformity to Christlikeness. While Paul was pouring himself into the lives of others, he was being built up and strengthened by his fellow believers. That, in brief, is the Lord’s plan for every one of His children.

What about you? Do you have certain relationships that motivate you to pursue God more fervently? It does matter whom we allow to influence our lives. The Father equips your brothers and sisters to invest in you—to encourage you, to pray for you, and to prod you toward a more complete faith—so that you are prepared to devote yourself to serving others. Good relationships with people who build each other up can help believers fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

The finest relationships are between people who want to see each other succeed in faith and therefore “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24, NIV). In other words, our best friends are those who love us as we are but never cease to challenge us to be better for the Lord.

PRAYER
Gracious and loving God, thank You for Your faithfulness, which gives us hope and the strength to hold firmly to our confession. Teach us the wisdom of building right relationships that honor You. Surround us with people who encourage us in faith, challenge us to grow in love, and inspire us to do good works.

Guard our hearts from relationships that draw us away from Your will, and help us become a source of encouragement, kindness, and grace to others. May our words, actions, and friendships reflect Christ's love and strengthen Your church and community.

Keep us united in purpose, steadfast in hope, and devoted to one another, so that together we may glorify Your name. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

20/10/2026

TODAY’S REFLECTION
October 20, 2026, Tuesday

LIFE-CHANGING PRAYER
Rev. B**g De Castro, OSL

Read Colossians 1:9-10, NIV
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

Philippians 4:6 says that it's good to bring requests to the Lord, and we often ask Him for certain blessings, desired outcomes, and healing for loved ones. But there are times when, in God's omniscience, He sees that a "no" would ultimately result in greater good.

So, what supplications can you be sure are in accordance with His will? The apostle Paul recorded specific petitions he made on behalf of the Colossians, and you can offer these life-changing prayers for the people in your life.

First, request that they "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col. 1:9). In this way, you are asking God to give them direction and the ability to see life from His viewpoint.

Second, ask that they "will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" (v. 10). The only way to succeed in this is through the control of the Holy Spirit--He fills hearts with a longing for God and creates the desire to please Him through obedience.

Third, pray that their lives would count (v. 10). There is a difference between being busy and being fruitful. Many Christians assume that to have an impact for God, they must volunteer in numerous ministries at church or become a missionary or pastor. But the truth is, effectiveness in God's work depends on what He calls each person to do.

Too often, Christians pray for others only during hardships. But Paul continuously lifted up the Colossians to our Father (Col. 1:9). As you mention others by name to the Lord, consider the areas that the apostle addressed.

PRAYER
Dear God, our Heavenly Father, thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You that we are one in Him and all members of His Body, which is the Church. I pray that You would grant each one the wisdom, grace, and spiritual understanding needed to walk in a manner worthy of You. I pray that we all may grow in grace and bear fruit in every good work You have prepared for us. Help us to increase in all wisdom and knowledge of You, and grow in intimacy with our Saviour Jesus Christ, day by day. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

19/10/2026

We would like to send blessings to those celebrating this week’s birthday. May the Lord shower you with His love, joy and favor:

14 October- Sis Denesse Tamonte
18 October- Sis Virginia Flores
20 October- Bro. Jojo Tamonte
21 October- Sis Leonora Yabes
23 October- Bro. Noel Carcusia

19/10/2026

TODAY’S REFLECTION
October 19, 2026, Monday

YOUR LIFE IS YOUR TIME
Rev. B**g De Castro, OSL

Read Ephesians 5:14-17, NIV
"'This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" – Ephesians 5:14

Our lives are governed by time. That's why we're surrounded by clocks and calendars that dictate our activities. As the minutes tick by, we wonder where the day went. When responsibilities and pressures mount, we complain, "I just don't have time to get it all done!" But the reality is that God has given us enough time to do exactly what He's planned for our lives. Perhaps the bigger issue is whether we are using our time to do our will or the Lord's.

Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, we must make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.

The key to investing in eternity is following God's plan for your life, not just filling your days with activities. Jesus was allotted just thirty-three years of life on earth, but only the last three were spent in fulfilling His Messianic ministry. To us that seems like a waste of time. Yet Christ accomplished everything His Father gave Him to do. That's why on the cross He could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

Scripture compares earthly life to "a v***r that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), but eternal life never ends. It's foolish to spend your life on a v***r when you can reap everlasting benefits by following God's will for your time here. Each day is an opportunity to choose.

How are you spending your earthly time?

PRAYER
Dear God, our Heavenly Father, I realize there are times in my Christian life when I have allowed a spirit of slumber to overtake me. I have faltered in my Christian journey, but I pray that I would awaken from any soporific state, walk in newness of life, and live in the light of Christ's lovely presence. I pray that I would press on for the high call I have in Christ Jesus and produce the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Help me to honour Your holy name by the life I live and the attitude of my heart. Thank You for the many privileges I enjoy as Your child, and I pray that I will fulfil my responsibilities to live according to Your Word and walk in the light, as He is in the light. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

18/10/2026

18/10/2026

The First United Methodist Church Dubai Pastors and Workers' Appreciation Day 2026 | Oct. 18, 2026

18/10/2026

21st Sunday After Pentecost, Year A | Laity Month | Workers' Appreciation Sunday | Oct. 18, 2026
Sermon Theme: "Love Boldly: Embracing and Embodying our Membership Vox"
Sermon Series: "Profession of Faith and Trust in Christ (Turning To God)"
Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

18/10/2026

TODAY’S REFLECTION
October 18, 2026, Sunday

GOD ACCOMPLISHES WHAT CONCERNS YOU
Rev. B**g De Castro, OSL

Read Psalms 138:7-8, NIV
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”

David was a man who walked through trouble on a regular basis. His psalms express the struggles and disappointments he faced, yet in the end, he always turned his focus back to God. The key to his victorious attitude was his strong faith in the Lord.

David was confident in God's purpose. That's why he could say, "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me" (v. 8). The only way we can walk through trouble and not be defeated is by keeping our focus on the Lord and His purpose. He has promised to do a good work in our lives, but sometimes the only way He can complete it is in valleys of hardship.

He relied on the Lord's power. When troubles arise, we, too, can trust God to deliver us, but it may not be by escape. Sometimes He sustains us through the difficulty, walking with us every step of the way.

David believed the promises of God. Throughout these two verses, he repeatedly reminds himself what the Lord will do. We also need to have some specific promises from Scripture that will anchor us in times of trouble. The truths of the Bible are our most valuable possession when the storms of life assail us. Self-reliance or advice from others will never equal the help God's Word offers us.

God assumes responsibility for accomplishing what concerns you in times of trouble. Your job is to believe that He will fulfill His purpose, His power is adequate, and He'll keep every promise. When the trial has achieved His goal, He'll remove it. Until then, keep walking with your eyes on Him.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. When I walk through difficulties, remind me that You are with me and that Your hand sustains and protects me. You know every concern on my heart, every fear I carry, and every burden I struggle to release. Help me trust that You are working in ways I cannot always see. Strengthen my faith to believe that You will accomplish Your purpose for my life and faithfully complete what concerns me. Teach me to rest in Your promises rather than in my own understanding.

Today, I place my worries, plans, and future into Your hands, confident that Your steadfast love endures forever.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏