St. Luke United Methodist Church (Goldsboro, NC)

06/15/2026

Devotion for June 15: Read Romans 5:1-5.
In the preceding chapters of Romans, Paul has laid out his case that righteousness depends on faith because no one can earn enough merit to deserve eternal life with God. Then, in today’s reading, Paul moves on to state his trust that troubles – when placed in God’s hands – produce endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces a hope that does not disappoint us. The key to this progression toward hope lies in endurance, and endurance is born out of faith. Actively overcoming trials requires seeing opportunity and possibility in times of trouble. When we reach out to God in faith, we receive the peace of Christ and discover a hope that is robust and alive. And we see God at work, doing a new thing. Prayer: Loving God, thank you for this adventure of faith called “life.” Let me find resilience in hope. Amen.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

Devotion for June 12: Read Matthew 9:9-13.
Matthew is a tax collector, and as such, he is hated by most of the people around him. Tax collectors served as emissaries of the Roman occupiers and as a group were largely unscrupulous in their business dealings. When Jesus says to Matthew, “Follow me,” the tax collector rises and follows Jesus as a disciple. Notice that Matthew never hesitates. At Jesus’ invitation, Matthew does not start a pro/con list or count the cost. He simply rises and goes where Jesus leads. Following Jesus for the rest of his life, Matthew became one of those who paved the way for the establishment of the Church. The only way any of us can answer Jesus’ call is if we are listening and paying attention. Let us, like Matthew, follow Jesus without hesitancy. Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I listen for your call, give me the courage to follow you without question. Amen.

06/11/2026

Devotion for June 11: Read Romans 4:18-25.
Paul points out that Abraham was saved by his faith. Abraham’s faith was “credited to him as righteousness” and his faith was strong enough to trust in God’s promises even in difficult times. The author of Hebrews describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (See Hebrews 11:1.) Abraham believed that God could do what God promised. Abraham’s response to God should cause us to discern the answers to questions in our own lives, as N.T. Wright writes, “Do we share Abraham’s faith? Do we look in love, gratitude and trust to the creator God who promises impossible things and brings them to pass? Have we learned to celebrate this God, and to live as one family with all those who share this faith and hope?” * Prayer: God, help me believe in your word and follow your guidance in my life. Amen.
* – Wright, N.T., Paul for Everyone, Romans: Part One.

06/10/2026

Devotion for June 10: Read Romans 4:13-17.
Paul praises Abraham’s faith and notes that Abraham was blessed and called by God before the law came into being. Abram was blessed and called by God because of his faith and because of God’s grace and lovingkindness. Salvation is a gift that God offers to us. We can’t buy it or earn it. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, opened himself to the promise of God in Jesus Christ. In writing the letter to the Romans, Paul wants his hearers to understand that their relationship with God should take top priority in their lives. As we seek to live out our lives in right relationship with God, we find that God has already called us into that relationship. Prayer: Merciful God, guide me to live out my faith in such a way that I bear witness to your love each day. Amen.

06/09/2026

Devotion for June 9: Read Psalm 33:1-12.
The psalmist celebrates the magnitude of God’s word with loud shouts of joy and the music produced by lutes, harps and strings. The psalmist rejoices that through God’s word all of creation came into existence. God’s intention for creation is justice and righteousness. Those who have received forgiveness from God are called to respond in joy to God. These words of the psalmist beckon us to bring our best and most exuberant praise to God, our creator and redeemer. We are blessed to receive this invitation to join with the chorus of rejoicing at the lovingkindness bestowed upon us by God. God loves us with an unfailing love, so we should have no fear in following God’s call in our lives. The discordant sounds of our lives become beautiful melodies as we rejoice in God’s steadfast love. Prayer: God of all creation, may songs of praise fill my heart and flow from my lips as I proclaim your lovingkindness. Amen.

06/08/2026

Devotion for June 8: Read Genesis 12:1-9.
God calls Abram to go, and Abram goes without hesitation. He doesn’t question whether he’s doing the right thing, and he doesn’t consider the cost or risk involved. He simply follows God’s leading and direction. Abram hears God’s promise that he will be a blessed to be a blessing to others. While Abram may not fully comprehend what God is saying to him, he places his trust in God’s promises. Responding in faith, Abram begins a life-changing journey and holds onto God’s promises to persevere even in the tough times. The visible manifestations of God’s promises fulfilled may not be the same in our lives as they were in Abram’s life, but we do have the promise of a right relationship with God and a life lived with God as we respond in faith to God’s actions in our lives. And like Abram, we are called to use the blessings we receive from God to be a blessing to others. Prayer: O God, help me realize the blessing of your promise and presence in my life. Amen.

06/05/2026

Devotion for June 5: Read Matthew 28:16-20.
In the Great Commission, Jesus promised his followers that he would be with them (and us) always. On that mountain that day, Jesus’ followers worshiped him – but some doubted. Maybe they thought Jesus’ promise to always be with them too good to be true. When we find ourselves in seasons of doubt, we should take heart. In precisely those moments, God seems to always send someone with an encouraging word or a witness to the working of the Holy Spirit. Notice that Jesus gives authority to all his followers on that day – both those who remained steadfast and those who doubted. No matter where we are on our Christian journey, we always have the presence of Christ with us that enables and beckons us to share the love of Christ with others. Prayer: Lord, open my eyes and heart to those who need the good news of your abundant love and grace. Amen.

06/04/2026

Devotion for June 4: Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
Today’s reading ends with a Trinitarian blessing from Paul: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” The Trinity demonstrates relationship with God sustained in grace and love; communion refers to our relationship with others, also sustained in grace and love. God, the author of all creation, creates us to be agents of grace and love. Jesus redeems us for love and provides the greatest example of sacrificial love. The Spirit moves among us and sustains us as we strive for unity and peace. Possibilities for exhibiting grace and love abound as we allow the Spirit to dismantle dividing walls that would separate us one from another. Prayer: Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, move in and through me to bring your peace, grace and love to others. Amen.