Epworth Church

06/04/2026

We Pray in the Mighty Name of Jesus for Ministry of Holy Conferencing ✝️❤️🔥

https://www.facebook.com/share/1aWZKaxi2Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The 2026 Conference Workbook is now available for download. The Workbook is your on-site tool to guide you through your Annual Conference experience.

Clergy and Lay Members will receive a hard copy at registration!

https://ncglobalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Conference-Workbook-6-2.pdf

06/04/2026

This passage in Isaiah describes the content of John the Baptist’s preaching, as shown in Luke 3:1-5. It is not about the topography of the land; it is not about road construction, as found in the Roman Empire. The prophet is speaking of the profound changes that need to take place in our lives for revival to come. “Every valley” refers to the dark places in our lives, the secret archives of the heart. Those valleys of darkness and sin need to be filled in and brought up to the light.

The mountains refer to pride, haughtiness of spirit, and arrogance. The arrogance of the human heart needs to be broken down by the plow of God’s Word. The crooked paths speak of double-lives, of people who are hypocrites. When people are two-faced, they are not who they claim to be. The winding paths of their twisted lives need to be straightened out.

The rough paths refer to things that are out of place in our lives. These paths need to be realigned with the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. When spiritual reformation takes place in our lives, revival will come, as we will see in Isaiah’s words that follow.

Spiritual reformation happens before spiritual revival. We need to repent and seek God’s help in aligning our lives with his way. Then powerful revival will come.

Lord, search our hearts and reshape us. Fill our hidden valleys, humble our pride, straighten our crooked ways, and realign all that is rough. May your transforming glory be revealed in us. Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/03/2026

Gratitude won't change every circumstance, but it can change how you see them.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to focus on what's missing?

The promotion you didn't get.
The prayer that hasn't been answered.
The relationship that feels strained.
The opportunity that didn't work out.

Our minds naturally drift toward lack. That's why gratitude is so powerful. It redirects our attention.

One of my favorite details in Scripture happens before Jesus feeds the five thousand. Standing before a massive crowd with only a small lunch available, Jesus did something surprising. He gave thanks.

Before the miracle. Before the multiplication. Before there was enough.

That's a lesson I need regularly, because I often want to wait until everything works out before I become grateful. Jesus shows us a different way.

David practiced this throughout the Psalms. Even in difficult circumstances, he intentionally reminded himself of God's goodness and faithfulness. Gratitude doesn't deny reality. It simply refuses to let problems become the only reality we see.

Paul understood this too. When writing to the Philippians, he connected thanksgiving directly to peace. Not because gratitude solves every problem, but because it helps us see God's presence within those problems.

I've found that when I intentionally thank God, my perspective shifts. The challenge may still exist, the uncertainty may still be real, but gratitude reminds me that God is present, active, and faithful.

And somehow that changes everything.

Action Step for Today:

✅ Replace one complaint today with a specific expression of gratitude.
✅ Scripture to Memorize & Pray: "In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving..." Philippians 4:6

Reflection: Gratitude shifts my focus from what I lack to what God has provided. A thankful heart helps me see His faithfulness more clearly.

Prayer: Lord, help me see Your goodness more clearly. Teach me to cultivate gratitude that changes my perspective and deepens my trust in You.

-Ryan Miller

06/03/2026

The prophet Isaiah looks ahead, pointing to a prophet who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist was that prophet, and the Messiah was Jesus Christ.

John presented the Messiah, Jesus, as the true light that comes into the world and enlightens every person. John also said of Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John came baptizing with water, and he presented Jesus as someone greater than himself, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John did not feel worthy even to untie the straps of Jesus’ sandals. John lived by this principle: “[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

The church cannot produce revival; however, it is up to the church to prepare the way for the Lord so that he may transform lives. Revival is the work of God, and preparing for it is our responsibility. Revival is a supernatural work of God, and we need to make a way straight in the wilderness for our God. Our lives must be the unobstructed road by which the Lord reveals himself to the world.

In what ways have you been a path through which the Lord has revealed himself? Prepare the way of the Lord!

Lord Jesus, make us a people who prepare your way with humility and faith. Help us to become less so that you may become greater among us. Clear our hearts of every obstacle so that your light may shine through our lives. Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

One of the fastest ways to strengthen gratitude is to remember God's faithfulness.

One of the reasons gratitude can be difficult is because we're forgetful. Not intentionally. But life moves quickly. We pray for breakthroughs, celebrate answers, and then before long we're worried about something new.

The Israelites struggled with this throughout the Old Testament. One moment they were celebrating God's miraculous provision, and the next they were doubting whether He would provide again.

That's why God often instructed His people to build memorials. After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua told the people to stack stones as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Future generations would see those stones and remember what God had done.

I think we need modern-day memorial stones too. Not literal rocks, but reminders.

Answered prayers.
Unexpected provisions.
Moments God carried us through when we weren't sure we'd make it.

I have had seasons in my own life where looking backward has strengthened my faith to move forward. There have been times when I felt uncertain about the future, only to remember how many times God had already provided exactly what I needed.

Mary did this beautifully in the New Testament. When she learned she would give birth to Jesus, she responded by praising God and remembering His faithfulness throughout history.

Gratitude grows when memory grows.

The more we remember God's faithfulness, the easier it becomes to trust Him again, and the truth is, if God has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.

Action Step for Today:

✅ Create a list of five ways God has been faithful to you over the past year.
✅ Scripture to Memorize & Pray: "Forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Reflection: Remembering God's faithfulness strengthens my gratitude and trust. Looking back reminds me that the God who carried me then will carry me now.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember Your faithfulness. Keep me from forgetting the ways You've provided, guided, and sustained me through every season.

-Ryan Miller

06/01/2026

What if gratitude wasn’t tied to your circumstances, but to God’s character?

Most of us find it easy to be thankful when life is going well. When prayers are answered, relationships are healthy, and things seem to be falling into place, gratitude comes naturally. But what about the difficult seasons? What about the days when life feels uncertain, disappointing, or overwhelming? Over the next few days, we're going to explore how gratitude can transform the way we see God, our circumstances, and our lives. My prayer is that this series helps you discover that thankfulness isn't just a response to blessings—it's a pathway to deeper faith.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This verse has challenged me more than almost any other. Notice what Paul says. He doesn't tell us to give thanks for all circumstances. He says to give thanks in all circumstances.

That's a huge difference because there are things in life that are painful. Losses we didn't choose. Disappointments we never wanted. Seasons that feel unfair or confusing. God isn't asking us to pretend those things are good. He's inviting us to remember that He is still good.

Job understood this. After losing nearly everything, he chose worship over bitterness. Not because his circumstances were easy, but because he trusted God's character. In the New Testament, Paul wrote many of his letters from prison. Yet they overflow with joy, hope, and thanksgiving.

How is that possible?

Because gratitude shifts our focus.

When we focus only on what is missing, fear and discouragement grow. But when we remember God's faithfulness, His provision, and His presence, our perspective begins to change.

I've found that gratitude doesn't always change my circumstances immediately, but it almost always changes me. It reminds me that God is still working, still providing, and still worthy of my trust. No matter what season you're walking through today, there is still evidence of God's goodness around you. Sometimes we simply need to pause long enough to see it.

Action Step for Today:

✅ Write down three things you're thankful for today, even if this season feels difficult.
✅ Scripture to Memorize & Pray: "Give thanks in all circumstances..." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Reflection: Gratitude doesn't require perfect circumstances. It grows when I choose to focus on God's unchanging character rather than the challenges surrounding me.

Prayer: Lord, help me cultivate gratitude in every season. Open my eyes to Your goodness and teach me to trust Your faithfulness each day.

-Ryan Miller

06/01/2026

The book of Isaiah is sometimes called “the gospel of the Old Testament” because it announces the good news (gospel) of the coming of God’s servant, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. In chapters 1-39, Isaiah writes about history. And in the rest of the book he delivers a message of comfort, restoration, and hope.

Comfort has its source in God. Only the Lord can bring peace to the human soul. Only God can forgive sins, and only in God do we find redemption.

True comfort does not come from earthly things. It does not come from people. Comfort comes from God.

We cannot find full comfort in various therapies or in self-help psychology. True comfort cannot be found on a couch or in a gym. We do not find our greatest comfort by enjoying the most splendid vacations or the most appetizing pleasures. Comfort cannot be acquired with money or inherited from parents. Real comfort is the work of God. God is both the source and the giver of this gift.

Isaiah the prophet is ordered to comfort the people of God. But how? Not with flattering words or deceptive praise. True comfort can only be experienced when we turn to God, the inexhaustible source of grace. God alone can cancel our debt and forgive our sins. True comfort can only be found in God.

God of all comfort, only you can fill our deepest needs. Throughout this month, help us to find our only comfort in you by hearing from and living into your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

https://todaydevotional.com/

05/31/2026

Youth Sunday 🧒👧👦

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 📖 Matthew 19:14

*If anyone else got pictures today, please share!!