St. Luke's Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th Street, Oklahoma City, OK (2026)

06/05/2026

June 5, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30

One of life's challenges is drawing closer to God. Throughout history, humanity has worked so hard to get close to God. We’ve developed religious practices, listened to sermons, read devotionals, and sang hymns and praise songs. These are all good and right things to do; however, we often feel like we have not grown closer to God, even after all our striving.

The desire to connect with God can be a deep source of stress in our lives. We struggle to know that God is close. We worry that we cannot connect because of our own shortcomings. We look for new ways to connect. Thankfully, the truth is God is with us.

In Matthew 11, Jesus encounters the disciples of John the Baptist. This event takes place immediately following John's arrest. They bring him questions from John, and Jesus praises John and sends answers back to John. After John’s disciples leave, Jesus speaks to the crowd. He talks to them about why so many went into the wilderness to hear John speak and to be baptized by John.

The people had gone into the wilderness to listen to John, be baptized by John, and, hopefully, draw closer to God through John. Now that John was arrested, a heavy sadness fell on his disciples and those who followed him into the wilderness. Jesus took the opportunity to share with people that the opportunity to draw intimately close to God was right in front of them. Jesus, the son of God, was there offering connection and relationship. He tells them, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Our faith is a recognition that God is close to us. We have been invited to connect with Jesus. It is a relationship offered to us because God wants to be close to us. God does not hold us at arm’s length until we act a certain way or do a particular religious act. God is close to us because God loves us. When we realize the love God has for us, our stress is reduced, and we approach our faith practices not out of fear of separation from God but out of a desire to know and experience God’s love even more.

We are God’s children. We are loved. As we start our day, let each of us be reminded that God loved us first. That is an easy burden to carry through the day. It is rest for our souls and joy beyond anything that we can create for ourselves.

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

06/04/2026

June 4, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” -1 Corinthians 12:27

We all have special memories of places and events that come to mind easily. They might be triggered by smell, a sound, or a particular sight we have not seen in some time. Today, I was thinking about the first time I went to a Pizza Hut.

I was around six years old, and we were visiting my dad’s family in Batesville, Arkansas. My grandmother was in a nursing home in Batesville, and we made frequent trips to visit her and my extended family. It was a challenging trip for a little boy. There was not much to keep me occupied while spending time at the nursing home. My parents would try to help entertain me. We spent time at the hotel pool and went out to eat. I remember stepping into that Pizza Hut and thinking it was so cool. The plaid tablecloth, the video games, the jukebox, and the smell of pizza. It was a fun break from a long day.

This happy memory came to mind after I read about Tim Sparks and his work to remodel and recover the Pizza Hut we remember from decades past. Tim has been hard at work restoring the original look and feel of Pizza Hut at several locations. He has brought back Pac-Man machines, the colorful light fixtures, and the red plastic cups. Tim Sparks is going out of his way to create a fun, family atmosphere.

For Tim Sparks, this undertaking goes far beyond his fond memories of the restaurants he now owns. Tim is concerned about the direction our culture is going. He wants to create an environment where people disconnect from their phones and reconnect with their family and friends. Tim said, “If we can get them in here, they do tend to put their phones down and actually have conversations and speak with each other.” He sees these recovered restaurants as an opportunity to help people reconnect with one another.

Tim Sparks is on the right track. To move our culture forward, he looked back. The lights, pizza, and tablecloths are not the fix to the struggles we face. They are a beautiful reminder that we need one another. We were created to be together. We have much more in common than we think. A good conversation over a slice of pizza is good for the soul.

We must be careful about the things that easily divide us. We should be intentional about connecting with family, friends, and new acquaintances. When we do, we find joy and hope. God created us to be social. That cannot be replaced by social media and technology. Today is a good day to plan some time together. You choose the food (pizza not required), drinks, and location, and go make some memories.

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

06/03/2026

June 3, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” -Psalm 119:105

Few people have had the impact on modern Christian music and music in general like Amy Grant. Amy was born in Augusta, Georgia. When she was young, her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. It was in Nashville that Amy recorded a demo tape, singing a contemporary Christian song she had written. That demo tape would catch the attention of the people at Word Records. At age 15, Amy Grant would be offered her first recording contract.

For just over 50 years, Amy Grant has written, recorded, and performed music around the world. She has now recorded 30 albums. Her list of awards is as long and distinguished as her discography. Amy has been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards, and she has won 6. She has won 22 GMA Dove Awards and is a Kennedy Center Honoree. Her music has influenced countless people over 6 decades. She is truly a blessing. Amy Grant has faithfully used her God-given gifts to share the love of God.

The music of Amy Grant has been part of my life in so many ways. I remember singing her songs during worship at youth camp. Although she was a contemporary musician, the Methodist Church included her music in the hymnal I grew up singing from.

Perhaps the first song of Amy Grant’s that I remember is Thy Word. This song was co-written with Michael W. Smith. This song is based on Psalm 119:105. The words of her song are a reminder of the comfort we receive from the Word of God. This song is also a prayer. It is a plea that God will remain close to us, not only guiding us, but also reassuring us with His presence. Here is the opening verse to this song, released in 1984.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
Think I’ve lost my way,
Still, you’re there beside me,
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.

The Bible reminds us, over and over again, that we are not alone. (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 1:23) God is with us. As we read the scriptures, we are comforted while we find the wisdom of God to lead us forward in life.

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor

06/02/2026

June 2, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” -Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Do you memorize scripture? I am so grateful that I was challenged early in my life to engage the Bible and memorize scriptures. Throughout my life, God has used these verses to encourage, inspire, challenge, and comfort me. There have been so many moments when I was seeking direction, and a scripture I had committed to memory helped me better understand how I should proceed.

When we commit to studying the scriptures and memorizing verses, we help to shape our understanding of the world around us. The Bible is the story of God’s gracious work in the world. As we read these powerful stories of faith, we are reminded that God is at work in our lives. God has a loving purpose for us, and that purpose is often revealed as we immerse ourselves in the practices of the faith, like studying the scriptures. (Romans 12:1-2)

Who we are and how we are to engage with the world around us are found in the teachings of the Bible. This is why the writer of Deuteronomy recorded the words, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts…” Deuteronomy contains the teaching for the people who were about to cross from the wilderness into the promised land. They would experience new cultures in a new land. They needed to know their story, God’s story. If not, they would be redefined by each new encounter instead of the powerful story or redemption they had experienced as God led them from captivity in Egypt.

Richard Foster, in his wonderful book, Celebration of Discipline, writes, “Therefore, we should rejoice that we are not left to our own devices but have been given this means of God’s grace for the changing of our inner spirit.” When we memorize scripture, we plant deep within us the gracious words of God who loves us and created us for a good purpose. God has also given us the gift of these ancient words that lead us into a blessed future.

I encourage you to add scripture memorization to your practice of the faith. God will use these verses to shape and lead you. When we face all of life’s possibilities, the word of God will bring light to the dark path before us. (Psalm 119:105)

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

06/01/2026

June 1, 2026 - Daily Devotional

My son, Brooks, recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma. It was a weekend I will not soon forget. The celebration, the pride, the noise of family gathered around a moment that had been years in the making. But somewhere in the middle of all of it, I found myself thinking about the road that led there — the long nights, the hard semesters, the moments when finishing must have felt far away. And I thought: he made it because he kept going. And he kept going because somewhere along the way, someone had spoken words into him that held.

At his graduation party, Brooks stood up to thank those who had come. He told the story of being asked a simple but searching question: “Who pours into you?” And then, looking out at the faces in the room — family, friends, his church family — he answered it. These were the people. The ones who had spoken life into him, believed in him through the hard stretches, and stayed close enough to matter. Everyone there knew exactly what he meant, and most of them knew, quietly, that they had been poured into by someone too.

Words that hold. That is what the angels offered the women at the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. They had come expecting grief and found instead an absence that defied explanation. And the angels did not give them a new message. They gave them an old one: “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise” (Luke 24:6–7). The instruction was not to look harder or search further; it was simply to remember.

There is profound power in that. When the moment is disorienting — when the path ahead is unclear, and the ground beneath feels uncertain — God’s first invitation is often to look back. Not to stay there, but to draw courage from what has already been proven true.

Joshua received the same gift on the edge of the Promised Land. God did not give him a detailed strategy for what lay ahead. Instead, he said: “Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). The boldness required for the next step was rooted entirely in the faithfulness already demonstrated. God’s track record was the foundation. Memory was the fuel.

St. Luke’s has its own record to remember. More than 135 years of God showing up — in this city, through this congregation, in ways large and quiet and everything in between. There have been seasons that required more faith than certainty. Moments when the way forward was not obvious, but the community chose to trust anyway. And every single time, God was faithful to what he had promised.

That same faithfulness is what propels us now. The work God is doing in and through this congregation is very much alive — growing, sharing, serving further into the lives of people hungry for exactly what we have to offer. What a gift it is to be part of a family of faith still very much on the move. And what a comfort to know that the God who has never once failed us is the same God leading us forward.

Brooks made it across that stage because of the people who poured into him — and because he held onto what he’d been told. We will make it to what God has prepared for us for the same reason.

Remember how he told you. Then take the next step.

Chris Lambert, Director, Meals on Wheels Oklahoma City

05/31/2026

May 31, 2026 - Daily Devotional

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Colossians 3:12 - 17)

05/30/2026

May 30, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”

-1 John 3:1-3

05/29/2026

May 29, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3: 12-14

I live in an active household. I have three daughters who participate in many extracurricular activities. On any given night, we might have games, practice, work, or church. Our schedule stays busy. One of the challenges to all these events and hobbies is keeping all the uniforms, shoes, helmets, costumes, and bags together. We spend a significant amount of time keeping everyone dressed in the proper attire. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep all the clothing clean, organized, and ready when needed.

It takes intentional effort to have everyone dressed and ready for their events. In much the same way, our faith requires great intentionality. In writing the letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul draws on the image of getting dressed to explain our faith. Paul wanted the faithful to understand that we “put on” the things of Christ.

When we study the life of Jesus, we understand the important attributes of his actions. We see the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. We also understand that these characteristics become part of our lives when we choose to act in the same way. We become kind when we treat others kindly. It is much like putting on the right uniform for the day.

As God’s people, we are reminded that each day, each hour, each minute, we must put on the right clothing. We are asked to clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Once we have dressed ourselves, we then put “love” over each of these. This is our daily task. Wearing the proper clothing allows us to bless others. It allows us to share God with the world.

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

05/28/2026

May 28, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 7:12

Did you know that the United States Postal Service produces over 13 billion stamps each year? Although the Postal Service produces a significant number of stamps each year, it releases only about 100 different stamp designs. The most sold design is the U.S. Flag. The U.S. Flag stamp has been redesigned almost 100 times since its first release in 1957.

Many popular stamps have been released over the years. Recently, the United States Postal Service held an “encore” stamp competition. They allowed the public to vote on the re-release of a stamp from the past. The U.S. Flag stamp was not included in this competition as it is continually released. Voters could choose their favorite stamp from a list of 25. That list contained stamps such as the Art of Disney: Magic, Batman, Peanuts, and Star Trek.

The winner of the 2026 stamp Encore contest was Mister Rogers from 2018. More than 500,000 votes were cast. Mister Rogers finished with over 40,000 more votes than any other stamp.

Fred Rogers’ show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, ran for over 33 years. It was an iconic children’s show that spoke to the heart and soul of children across the world. This show was a cultural touchstone that taught kindness, peace, and compassion in various ways. Mister Rogers modeled the life of faith to several generations. He saw his T.V. show as an opportunity to share grace with his audience. This show won multiple awards, including the 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award at The Emmys.

When Mister Rogers was presented his award at the 1997 Emmys, actor Tim Robbins introduced him as “the best neighbor any of us has had.” There are many reasons Fred Rogers had such an impact on the world, but the top of the list for me is his unwavering kindness. Regardless of where he was, who he was with, or the circumstances he found himself in, Mister Rogers treated everyone with kindness. He accepted everyone for who they were. Mister Rogers made sure that everyone knew they had a place in his neighborhood.

The life and legacy of Fred Rogers remind us of the importance and power of kindness. He was not the best actor. His show did not use over-the-top production. Mister Rogers simply invited everyone into a space where each person was treated with kindness. All were offered the dignity they deserved as a child of God. Fred Rogers’ kindness was evident both on camera and off. His kindness was inspirational.

Kindness truly makes a positive difference in this world. We long to experience kindness from others, and we are designed to express kindness to all. This is how we are treated by God and how God would have us care for each other. Why did Mister Rogers’ stamp win the Encore competition? Deep down inside of each of us, we know that kindness is what really matters.

“Deep down, we know that what matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too.” – Fred Rogers, 2002 Dartmouth College Commencement Address

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

05/27/2026

May 27, 2026 - Daily Devotional

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12

For over fourteen years, Krista Richard has spent her free time collecting bicycles and giving them away. Krista believes that every kid should have the opportunity to play outside, explore their neighborhood, and enjoy the freedom that comes with riding their own bike. Because she is so passionate about helping kids enjoy being kids, she started collecting a few bikes, repairing them, and giving them away.

Since that first time giving away bikes, Krista Richard has collected and given away thousands of bikes. Her kindness has helped to launch Bikes and Trikes for Everyone. Krista has created a volunteer group that helps collect and repair the bikes and trikes. They put in countless hours of work, restoring the bikes for new children to enjoy. Krista says, “With all these video games, there’s no social contact, and people don’t know who their neighbors are anymore.” She has seen that when a group of kids has bikes, they socialize.

Krista and the Bike and Trikes for Everyone group recently held a large giveaway. In just one day, they helped 88 kids choose a new bike. The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of fun. The joy on each child’s face was worth the work and time invested in each bike.

Helping kids succeed and enjoy life is Krista’s passion. She wants them to enjoy the blessings of sports and being connected to one another. Krista has dedicated much of her life to helping children. Her kindness and passion have come together to help thousands.

Bikes and Trikes for Everyone is a reminder to us that kindness makes a difference. When we are passionate about something and use our gifts to help others, we, too, will make a difference. Krista started this exciting ministry from her own driveway. Her expression of kindness has put smiles on faces and wheels in motion throughout her community. Krista’s kindness has, and our kindness will make a difference.

-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship

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