Chestuee United Methodist Church

Chestuee United Methodist Church A small church with a BIG heart! Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday worship at 11:00 am.

06/02/2026

Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Good morning to all on this second day of June. It seems like only a few days ago it was May, oh well. I ask you to join me in prayer for my two stepdaughters (Maggie and Jessica, as well as Maggie’s two children, Jack and Kaiya); their father/Grandfather passed away yesterday. Pray God will speak peace to their hearts and minds during this time of loss and sorrow. Now for our devotional.

5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Rev 3:5 (NIV).

The overcomers were assured of their heavenly citizenship; their names would not be blotted out from the Book of Life. In the ancient world, death or a criminal conviction could blot out the name of a citizen from the city’s book of the living, which was the city register.

There is comfort in knowing that regardless of what crime or sin we have or do commit, as long as we repent and lay it all at the feet of Jesus, he will forgive us and our name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Now, do not misunderstand me: this does not mean you have carte blanche to intentionally and habitually sin and expect forgiveness, because it doesn’t. It does mean if we endure until the end, stay true and faithful until the end, then our name will not in any way be removed from the Book of Life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we call upon you today amid all the confusion and chaos in this world. We ask you, Father, to help us always remember who we are in You, whose we are, and where we are headed. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

06/01/2026

Monday, June 1, 2026
Good morning on this rainy day from here in the valley. I trust you had a wonderful weekend and attended your chosen place of worship to enjoy the blessings of God. Now for our devotional.

“Now, as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. “
Acts 4:13 (NASB).

That they were uneducated means that they had received no formal rabbinical training, the ancient equivalent of seminary. But they had been with Jesus. That’s where they got their training. Over the course of three years, the Son of God had taught the former fishermen everything they knew.
You can receive extensive, formal, theological education and have degrees after your name. But if you’ve never “been with Jesus” in a spiritual relationship and enrolled in his school of discipleship, you’ll make no lasting spiritual impact on others.
Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for my education, a bachelor’s in biblical studies and a master’s in counseling, but to be honest, the place where I learned the most about the Bible and preaching was in prayer, in the study of God’s word at home, and fasting.
For any Christian and especially for any preacher, it is not enough to know about Jesus; you must know him. The way you get to know him is to spend time with him in prayer, fasting, and meditation on his word.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we go through our day, help us to be focused on those things which are holy, true, and pure. Father, help us in all that we do to bring honor to you and our Savior Christ Jesus. May we have a hunger to get to know the one who died for us in a deeper and personal relationship. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.

05/27/2026

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Good morning to all on this rainy day here in the valley. Bible Study tonight from 6-7 at Chstuee UMC. I ask you to pray for a friend (Mike Hall) in North Carolina who has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Now for our devotional.

"sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under [a]the Law but under grace." Romans 6:14 (NASB).
Now, another reason is given why sin shall not have dominion over us as believers. The first reason was that our old man was crucified with Christ (6:6). The second reason is that we are not under law but under grace.
Sin does have the upper hand over a person who is under the law. Why? Because the law tells him what to do, but doesn’t give him the power to do it. And the law stirs up dormant desires in fallen human nature to do what is forbidden. It’s the old story that “forbidden fruit is sweet.”

Sin does not have dominion over the person who is under grace. The believer has died to sin. He has received the indwelling Holy Spirit as the power for holy living. And he is motivated by love for the Savior, not by fear of punishment. Grace is the only thing that really produces holiness. As one writer says, “It is not restraint but inspiration that liberates from sin; not Mount Sinai but Mount Calvary which makes us saints of God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your Amazing Grace, grace that pardons, graces that cleanse, and purifies. We thank you, Father, for the sacrifice that was made at Mt. Calvary, where our precious Savior shed His blood so that we would not be under the strong hand of the Law, but under the mercies of grace. We pray this in the name of our loving Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen.

05/19/2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Good morning to everyone, I hope you are having a great morning so far. I feel better than I did yesterday. When you do not feel good, you are not going to feel good regardless of what you do, I mean, the not feeling good is there, you can’t deny it, I mean, it is there, so deal with it.
The question then becomes, why do you not feel good? My gallbladder was removed, no, I don’t mean I wasn’t aware of it, like someone stole it, no, it was surgically removed at a hospital. Now, that does not make me feel any better, so what is plan B? You have something to try and take your mind off of your pain and why you do not feel good. I write, now you get the message. Thanks for the prayers that were prayed for me before and after surgery. Now for our devotional, which will be a little different today.
All scripture is from the 24th Chapter of Matthew.
Back in the day, as we are prone to say, there was a great singing group called the Temptations who recorded a song titled “Ball of Confusion”. This took place in the sixties, some of the lyrics talk about social issues, race, war, politics, and at the end of each verse it says “ And the band played on”. As if no matter what was tried, things remained the same. I will share some of the lyrics as juxtaposed against verses from Matthew 24 and 2nd Timothy 3. We will see that the more things change, the more they stay the same or even get worse.
Verse one says, “ people movin' out, people moving in, why? Because of the color of their skin. If seems as if this has been seen a long time ago in the words “ But know this that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves” (II Tim 3:1). You see, they will love themselves and everyone who is like them, acts like them, talks like them, has the same color of skin as them. You get my drift?
How about some of these Super Christians who claim to be Christ, I mean those who put all the emphasis on themselves and not on Christ? Jesus spoke of them when the disciples asked him in Matt 24:4-5 what they should look for as signs of the last day. His response was Take heed that no one deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, ‘ and will deceive many.” Does that sound familiar?
The song says, “ An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, vote for me, and I’ll set you free. Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher, and it seems nobody’s interested in learning but the teacher. Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration. Aggravation, that about qualifies as a ball of confusion. Stay with me, we ain't done yet.

“Fear in the air, tension everywhere. Unemployment rising fast, Eve of destruction, tax deduction, Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, su***de, too many bills, Hippies moving to the hills, People all over the world shouting “End the war,” And the band played on.
How does scripture fit in here? Matt 24: 6-8 “ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, famines (Ebola, Haunta), and earthquakes in various places.” All these are the beginning of sorrows. That would qualify as a ball of confusion. I will close with this from the song.

“Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul, shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon, Politicians say more taxes will solve everything, and the band played on, so around and around and around we go, where the world's headed, said nobody knows”.

Now the last part I have to disagree with for Jesus said also in Matthew 24 there would be false prophets and lawlessness; we see all of it now and it is a ball of confusion to those who do know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but to those of who do he says in Luke 21:28 “ When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh”.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, although we see the signs of the times and it is obvious to those who do not know you that things are spinning out of control, to us who claim you as our Father, it is a happy and sad time. Happy, because our race will soon be completed, as to when we have no idea. We know that until that time, we are to keep on singing, preaching, encouraging, and helping others to see the path to choose. Help us, Father, to be a blessing to others and to be faithful to you, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray, Amen.

05/13/2026

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Good afternoon to all on this beautiful day in the valley. Bible Study tonight from 6-7 at Chestuee UMC. I ask for prayer for my two stepdaughters’ father, whose name is Charles; he suffered a heart attack last week, and there are other complications as well, so please remember him in prayer. Now for our devotional.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 (NIV)

The beauty of Psalm 34:17 is its simplicity—and its certainty. David doesn’t say if the righteous cry out; he assumes they will. Life brings pressure, pain, and moments when our strength runs out. But this verse reminds us that God’s ear is never closed, and His heart is never distant.
When God’s people cry out, He doesn’t merely listen—He hears. That word in Hebrew carries the sense of attentive, responsive listening. God bends toward His children. He is not passive. He is not indifferent. He is the Deliverer who steps into the trouble, not just the One who watches from afar.
Deliverance may come in different forms:

Sometimes God removes the trouble
Sometimes He strengthens us through it.
Sometimes, He transforms us in the middle of it.

But the promise stands: He delivers. Not because we are strong, but because He is faithful. Not because we have it all together, but because He is near to the brokenhearted.
Today, whatever weight you carry, let this verse be your invitation: Cry out. God hears you. God sees you. God will act.

Prayer
Father, thank You for being the God who hears. When we cry out, You do not turn away—you draw near. Today, we bring our troubles, our fears, and our needs before You. Deliver us in the way that brings You glory and brings us closer to Your heart. Strengthen our faith to trust Your timing and Your goodness. Surround us with Your peace as we rest in Your promise to hear and to save. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

05/11/2026

Monday, May 11, 2026
Good morning to all on this overcast day here in the valley. We had a wonderful service yesterday at Chestuee UMC as we honored our mothers in the congregation.
Today, our prayer focus is on peace. I pray that the wars taking place throughout will cease, and peace will prevail. Bible Study Wednesday night from 6-7 at Chestuee UMC. Now for our devotional.

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

28Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
But a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:1 & 28-31

A virtuous or fine wife is capable, diligent, worthy, and good. Her worth cannot be measured in terms of costly jewels or anything else that could be considered of value in the world.
Her children realize she is an outstanding mother and tell her so. Her husband also praises her as a God-given wife. He says,

“There are many good wives in the world, but you excel them all. Although it is not said, it is implied that this is because of the concern and love she shows for her husband and family.
It is true. A woman may have charm but no common sense. She may be beautiful, but impractical. But a woman who fears the LORD, as described above, is the best kind. Let her be honored for her diligence and noble character.

Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the godly women that you have given unto the world. Amen.

05/08/2026

Friday, May 8, 2026
Good morning to everyone as we begin to dry out here in the valley from all the rain we have had over the past several days. As we began our Bible Study this past Wednesday, it was brought to my attention that I was in the wrong book of the Bible; I had prepared for I Corinthians 10th chapter when it was supposed to have been 2nd Corinthians 10th chapter. To that, I say it shows I am human. Now for our devotional.
16 The plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight,
But the LORD examines the [a]motives.
3 Commit your works to the LORD,
And your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:1-3 (NASB).

16:1 God expects us to use our brains and make plans, but He also expects us to submit those plans to Him and let Him make the final decision. “Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established” (v. 3)—that is, our plans will succeed. If we yield to the Lord and our plans are not His plans, He will show us what’s right and steer us away from what’s wrong as we are told in vs 9. “If in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Phil. 3:15).
Because God is in charge, it doesn’t take away our responsibility, I mean, it doesn’t turn us into robots that move and act with no emotion and no brain to think with. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (16:9). God still expects us to study, think, weigh possibilities, and make decisions, but we dare not “Lean . . . on our own understanding” (3:5). God promises to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5) and to direct those who are willing to obey (Prov. 3:5, 6).

Prayer:
Father, in all things we submit our will unto You and trust You to make the right decision and to direct and show us the way we should take. With that said, it is up to us to make the right choice or ignore you and make the wrong one. We pray the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

05/05/2026

Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Good morning to everyone on this rainy day here in the valley. Bible Study tonight at Chestuee UMC from 6-7. If you can try and be there, and if you are not there……well…….I guess it is safe to assume you are somewhere else. Now for our devotional.
This Sunday past, I spoke on the subject of “The Last Supper and what it means. My text was taken from 1 Corinthians 27-30 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink[a] without discerning the body[b] eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason, many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
Communion is celebrated the 1st Sunday of each month at Chestuee, and I began to think I wonder how many really understand what communion is about. I know for some time in my early Christian experience, I would partake in the sacrament without really understanding what it was about and what God expected before we should partake of the wine and the bread.
First, Paul warns the church in Corinth that the Lord’s Supper must never be taken lightly. What should prevent one from partaking of the Lord’s Supper, Paul named a few, such as
• Unworthy participation—coming to the table with unrepentant sin, division, or a careless attitude—brings guilt concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
• Believers must examine themselves before partaking.
• Because many in Corinth were treating the meal casually and without discernment, Paul says that many were weak, sick, and some had died as divine discipline.
This should make us think, it should cause us to examine ourselves and ask, " Am I guilty of any of these sins or other sins I should repent for?

Paul gives the remedy in verse 28: “Let a man examine himself.” This is not morbid introspection but honest reflection. Ask:
• Am I harboring sin?
• Am I holding bitterness?
• Am I ignoring the needs of others?
• Am I approaching the table with gratitude and humility?
The Lord’s Supper is not a barrier to keep people out—it is a mirror to help people come in rightly. I will close in hope you will ask yourself some hard questions before you partake of Communion the next time.

Prayer:
Father, help us always be honest with ourselves and with You in partaking of the Holy Sacraments. Amen.

05/01/2026

Friday, May 1, 2026
Good afternoon to all, and I hope you have had a wonderful week. Please attend your place of worship over the weekend, and remember there are only 222 more shopping days left till Christmas. Now for our devotional.

Psalm 103:2-5
New Living Translation
2 Let all that I am praise the LORD;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagles.

In listing the many benefits that God grants to His believing, trusting people, David began with the forgiveness of sin. God also cares for the body, bringing healing in this life through natural and miraculous ways. He promises ultimate healing for His people in the age to come. God grants true satisfaction from good things, a source of strength and energy to believers.

Prayer:
Father, we are thankful for all the many benefits you have provided for those who love and serve you. Help us, Father, to make those aware who do not know you as their Lord and Savior of the forgiveness and the care that you have for all who will come to you with a repentant heart and in a state of humbleness, and accept you into their lives. Amen.

04/29/2026

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Good morning to everyone. We have received the much-needed rain here in the valley. We praise God for the rain and for all the blessings He provides for us. Bible Study tonight from 6-7 at Chestuee UMC. Now for our devotional.

"Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near".
James 5:7-8 (NRSV).

James was writing to those who were suffering persecution for their stand in serving God and believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He encourages them to be patient until the coming of the Lord. The disciples thought the Lord would return in their time. He uses the metaphor of a farmer waiting for the rain to come and bring the needed rain for him to have a plentiful crop. Take note, while a farmer is waiting for the rain, he does not sit on his porch and twiddle his thumbs. There is work to be done. He must tend to his crop, rid of weeds that would choke the seed he planted, and he must be sure no animals dig up the seed he planted. The metaphor is a warning to Christians in today’s world. We cannot sit back and do nothing until the Lord’s return. We must plant the seed of the gospel by telling others about Jesus. We must study and prepare to be able to tell why we believe what we believe. Rest assured, the early and the late rain will come, and then the Lord will come.

Prayer:
Father, may we be patient in waiting for the arrival of your Son, Jesus. Until that time, help us to continue to tell others about the grace, love, and forgiveness you have provided in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross. Amen.

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889 Chestuee Road NE
Cleveland, TN
37323

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