Gwynn Oak UMC

09/05/2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026
Matthew 13:55
Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary?

Sandy says that when the repairman showed up, he looked so young — too young to fix the problem, a car that wouldn’t start. “He’s just a kid“ her husband Dan,whispered to her, showing his doubt. His disbelief in the young man sounded like the grumbling in Nazareth where citizens doubted who Jesus was.

"Isn't this the carpenter's son?" they asked (Matthew 13:55) when Jesus taught in the synagogue. Scoffing, they were surprised to hear that someone they knew was healing and teaching, and asked, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" (vs. 54). Instead of trusting in Jesus, they were offended by the authority He displayed (vs. 15, 58).

In this same way, we may struggle to trust in our Savior's wisdom and power, especially in the familiar and ordinary details of our daily lives. Failing to expect His help, we may miss out on the wonder of His life transforming our own (vs. 58).

As Dan found, the help he needed stood right in front of him. Finally agreeing to accept the young man's aid, Dan allowed him to look at the old car's battery. By switching just one bolt, the mechanic had the car running in seconds-engine humming and lights ablaze. "It lit up like Christmas," Dan said.

So too may we expect and experience the Messiah bringing fresh light, life, and help into our daily journey with Him.

Have a SPECTACULARLY Blessed Saturday!!!

Music video by Jonathan McReynolds performing My Truth (Official Mu...

09/04/2026

Friday, September 4, 2026
John 20:27
See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.

I’m sure most of us have a scar story, but here is Jason’s story. As a child Jason longed to catch a butterfly that flitted in and out of his mother’s panda faced pansies. He raced from his backyard into their kitchen and grabbed a glass jar. On his hasty return he tripped and hit the concrete patio hard. The jar smashed under his wrist and left an ugly slash that required eighteen stitches to close. Today the scar crawls like a caterpillar across his wrist, telling the story of both wounding and healing.

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His death, He brought His scars. John reports Thomas wanting to see "the nail marks in his hands" and Jesus inviting Thomas to "put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side" (John 20:25, 27). In order to demonstrate He was the same Jesus, He rose from the dead with the scars of His suffering still visible.

The scars of Jesus prove Him to be the Savior and tell the story of our salvation. The pierced marks through His hands and feet and the hollow in His side reveal a story of pain inflicted, endured, and then healed-for us. He did it so that we might be restored to Him and made whole.

Think about the story told by Christ's scars. How do the Savior's scars promise healing for the wounds
you’ve endured? What wounds will you bring to Him?

Have a FABULOUSLY BLESSED FRIDAY!!!

The official video of "Jireh" from the album, Old Church Basement, ...

09/03/2026

Thursday, September 3, 2026
Exodus 13:17
When pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.

Life's path is often difficult. So if we expect that God will always give us an easy road, we may be tempted to turn our back on Him when the terrain gets tough.

If you've ever considered doing that, think about
the people of Israel. When they were given freedom from the Egyptians after hundreds of years of
bo***ge, they took off for the Promised Land. But God didn't send them straight home. He "did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though
that was shorter" (Exodus 13:17). Instead He sent them on the hard road through the desert. In the short run, this helped them avoid wars (vs. 17), but in the long
run, there was something bigger at work.

God used that time in the desert to instruct and mature the people He had called to follow Him. The easy road would have led them to disaster. The long road prepared the nation of Israel for their successful entry into the Promised Land.

Our God is faithful, and we can trust Him to lead us and
care for us no matter what we face. We may not understand the reason for the path we are on, but we can trust Him to help us grow in faith and maturity along the way.

Have a TERRIFICALLY Blessed Thursday!!!

A song about endurance in God by Mary Mary

09/02/2026

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

A shepherd watches over the sheep even when they wander. In the same way, God continues to watch over us when we lose our way, become distracted, or simply don’t know what to do next. We may not have everything we want, but we can trust that our Shepherd knows what we need.

Lord, thank You for watching over me. Help me trust Your direction instead of worrying about what I cannot see. Amen.

Have a WONDROUSLY Blessed Wednesday!!!

Experience the heartwarming rendition of "His Eye Is On the Sparrow...

09/02/2026

Happy Birthday to all of our members and friends born in SEPTEMBER! May God shower you with many blessings of Love, Joy, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity! Enjoy your day! 🎉🎊🥳🎊🎉🙏🏾

08/31/2026

Monday, August 31, 2026
Habakkuk 2:3
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Just outside Ellen’s kitchen window a robin built her nest under the caves of the patio roof. Ellen loved watching her tuck grasses into a safe spot and then hunker down to incubate the eggs.
Each morning she checked the Robin’s progress; but each morning, there was nothing. Robin eggs take two weeks to hatch.

Such impatience isn't new for Ellen. She has always strained against the work of waiting especially in prayer. She and her husband waited nearly five years to adopt their first child. Decades ago, author Catherine Marshall wrote, "Prayers, like eggs, don't hatch as soon as we lay them."

The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with waiting in prayer. Frustrated at God's silence with Babylon's brutal mistreatment of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Habakkuk commits to 'Stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts," to "look to see what he will say to me" (Habakkuk 2:1). God replies that Habakkuk is to wait for the "appointed time" (vs.3) and directs Habakkok to “write down the revelation" so the word can be spread as soon as it's given (vs.2).

What God doesn't mention is that the "appointed time” when Babylon falls is six decades away, creating a long gap between promise and fulfillment. Like eggs, prayers often don't hatch immediately but rather incubate in God's overarching purposes for our world and our lives.

Have a MAGNIFICENTLY Blessed Monday.

Been looking for this song on Youtube to no avail. As soon as i got...

08/30/2026

Sunday, August 30, 2026
Psalm 92:14
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

Although Lenore Dunlop was ninety-four years young, her mind was sharp, her smile was bright, and her contagious love for Jesus was felt by many. It wasn't uncommon to find her in the company of the youth of her church; her presence and participation were sources of joy and encouragement. Lenore's life was so vibrant that her death caught everyone off guard. Like a powerful runner, she sprinted across life's finish line. Her energy and zeal were such that, just days before her death, she completed a sixteen-week course that focused on taking the message of Jesus to the peoples of the world.

The fruitful, God-honoring life of Lenore illustrates what's seen in Psalm 92:12-15. This psalm describes the budding, blossoming, and fruit-bearing of those whose lives are rooted in a right relationship with God (vs. 12-13). The two trees pictured were valued for their fruit and wood, respectively; with these the psalmist captures a sense of vitality, prosperity, and
usefulness. When we see in our lives the budding and blossoming fruit of loving, sharing, helping, and leading others to Christ, we should rejoice.

Even for those who may be labeled "senior" or seasoned,” it's never too late to take root and bear fruit. Lenore's life was deeply rooted in God through Jesus and testifies to this and to God's goodness (vs. 15). Ours can too.

Have a SUPERBLY Blessed Sunday!

We Must Praise Music Video

08/29/2026

Saturday, August 29, 2026
Psalm 34:6
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Historian Cassius Dio recorded a
revealing event from the life of Hadrian, the Roman Emperor from AD 117-138: "Once, when a woman made a request of [Hadrian] as he passed by on a journey, he at first said to her, 'I haven't time.' but afterwards. when she cried out, ‘Cease, then, being emperor,’ he turned about and granted her a hearing."

How often we say or hear, "Not now, I'm busy" or "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time." Yet, our heavenly Father, the Master and Creator of everything, always has time for us. The psalmist wrote: "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. . . . The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles”(Psalm 34:15-17).

God is not like the emperor or a busy executive who tries to avoid interruption. Instead, the Father's joy is to listen and respond to His children. "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (vs. 18).

Hadrian's afterthought was, "I must take time for my subjects." God's first thought is, "I always have time for those who come to Me." Whenever we need to talk, the Lord is ready to listen.

I love to dwell upon the thought
That Jesus cares for me;
It matters not what life may bring
He loves me tenderly.
—Adams

God is never too busy to listen to His children.

Have a SPECTACULARLY Blessed Saturday!!!

Experience the powerful vocals of the Barnes Family as they deliver...

08/28/2026

Friday, August 28, 2026
Psalm 118:23
The Lord has done this.

We once heard about a student taking a class in preaching at a prominent seminary. The student, a young man who was a bit full of himself, delivered his sermon with eloquence and evident passion. He sat down self-satisfied, and the professor paused a moment before responding. "That was a powerful sermon,” he said. “It was well organized and moving. The ony problem is that God was not the subject of a single one of your sentences."

The professor highlighted a problem all of us struggle with at times: We can talk as if we're the primary actor (emphasizing what we do, what we say) when in truth God is the primary actor in life. We often profess that God is somehow generally "in charge," but we act as if all the outcomes depend on us.

The Scriptures insist that God is the true subject of our lives, the true force. Even our necessary acts of faith are done "in the name of the Lord"-in the Lord's power (Psalm 118:10-11). God enacts our salvation. God rescues us. God tends to our needs. "The LORD has done this" (vs. 23).

So the pressure's off. We don't need to fret, compare, work with compulsive energy, or feed our many anxieties. God is in charge. We need only trust and follow His lead in obedience.

Have a FANTASTICALLY Blessed Friday!!!

Music video by Richard Smallwood performing The Center Of My Joy. (...

08/27/2026

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Psalm 16:11
In Your presence is fullness of joy.

Maggie doesn’t care much for television. She would rather look out a window than stare at a small screen. Reading doesn't thrill her either. She has been known to "chew' on books, but only in the strictly literal sense. Nevertheless, when her owner and his wife read or watch TV, Maggie participates. Even though she doesn't enjoy what they're doing, she enjoys being with them. Maggie is their very devoted dog. More than anything (well, just about anything) Maggie wants to be with them.

The word dogged means determined and persistent. These words describe Maggie. They should also describe us. When we are devoted to God, we want to be with Him even when He's doing something that makes no sense to us. We may ask, "Why, Lord?" when He seems angry (Psalm 88:14) or when He seems to be napping (44:23), or when the wicked prosper (Jeremiah 12:1). But when we remain devoted to God despite our questions, we find fullness of joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11).

Jesus knew that we would have questions. To prepare us for them, He urged us to abide in His love (John 15:9-10). Even when God's ways are inexplicable, His love is reliable. So we remain doggedly devoted to Him.

We find joy when we learn to abide in Jesus' love!

Have a TERRIFICALLY Blessed Thursday!

Some of the most powerful songs ever written are in our Hymnals. In...