Scott United Methodist church

01/28/2024

United Women in Faith Sunday speaker Sister Catheryn Davenport, World Thank offering by sister Jessie Smith, purpose by Sister April Smith

01/26/2024

Exodus 2:11-3:22

Matthew 17:10-27

Psalm 22:1-18

Proverbs 5:7-14

Rejoice with the wife of your youth.” Proverbs 5:18 NKJV

Work On Growing Closer

The more history you have with your spouse, the more joy and pain you have experienced. You are closer at times than others as the circumstances of life rise and fall. Yet if you did due diligence at the onset of the relationship, were clear about what you desired in a partner, and honestly evaluated who that person is, what will keep our union going forward is remembering what brought the two of you together in the first place. What you initially enjoyed and esteemed about this person probably hasn’t changed. But for your relationship to continue to develop, you must work on growing closer. All relationships have growth areas that require pruning and fertilizing. If you feel your relationship isn’t what it once was, it could be that it is developing into something different. Or it could be that you need to renew your commitment to keeping it fresh and moving forward. It may be that you must work on creating the intimacy that is missing or enjoying the love you once had. The fundamentals of your mate, if they were really there in the first place, aren’t likely to change. The basis of your relationship is what is important. Focusing on that makes it much easier to go with the flow of the unavoidable ups and downs of daily living. So, do you need more tie together? When you are too busy to listen really listen, your mate thinks you don’t care about them or you don’t value the relationship sufficiently.

Think: What would you do if your car broke down? You would take the time and pay the price to fix it.

01/25/2024

Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10

Matthew 16:13-17:9

Psalm 21:1-13

Proverbs 5:1-6

When you pray, go into your room.” Matthew 6:6 NIV

Your Secret Place

Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (v. 6 NIV). The Christian life could be compared to the Old Testament tabernacle, which was divided into three compartments. There was an outer court to which everyone had access. And you too have an outer court; the place you go to work, shop and play. It represents your outward appearance or public persona, the part of you everyone sees. The tabernacle also had an inner chamber called the Holy Place, where most people were not permitted to go. You also have a holy place where designated people like close friends or family can enter. You decide who comes in and who doesn’t, and no one can force their way. Certain people may have authority over you vocationally or financially, but that doesn’t automatically allow them entrance. When it comes to that inner chamber you get to decide who comes and goes. The third compartment in the Old Testament tabernacle was the Most Holy Place, a very small, carefully guarded place, deep inside. It was accessed only by the chief priest, and there was room for only one person and God. You have one of those places inside you as well. We sometimes refer to it as “the secret place” because only God is allowed in. And here is a truth you need to know: Your level of peace, joy, contentment, guidance, and victory is regulated by the amount of time you spend with God in your secret place.

Prioritize it, protect it, and spend time there each day.

01/21/2024

01/21/2024

Praise God we had 3 baptisms today 🙌

01/21/2024

Genesis 42:18-43:34

Matthew 13:47-14:12

Psalm 18:16-36

Proverbs 4:7-10



“You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16 MSG

Prophecy Fulfilled!

One of the most convincing proofs that the Bible is truly the Word of God lies in the number of prophecies fulfilled during the life of Christ. Daniel prophesied the coming of the one and only Jewish Messiah prior to the temple’s demise. The Old Testament prophets declared He would be born in Bethlehem (See Micah 5:2). To a virgin (See Isaiah 7:14), be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (See Zechariah 11:12-13), die by crucifixion (See Psalm 22), and be buried in a rich man’s tomb (See Isaiah 53:9). Jesus Himself predicted He would be crucified and rise bodily from the dead three days later. “The Jews then responded to Him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was His body. After He was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled what He had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:18-22 NIV). Napoleon Bonaparte said: “I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.

Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.

01/20/2024

Genesis 41:17-42:17

Matthew 13:24-46

Psalm 18:1-15

Proverbs 4:1-6

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…” Galatians 5:22 NKJV

How To Enrich And Strengthen Your Relationships

You can enrich and strengthen any relationship by developing and demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible speaks about being filled with the Spirit (See Ephesians 5:18) and walking in the Spirit (See Galatians 5:16 AMPC). To be “filled” with God’s Spirit means you are a receptacle, whereas “walking” in the Spirit means you are a dispenser-a vessel God can fill and pour out into the lives of others. “What’s this “fruit” you are talking about?” you ask. The Bible describes it this way: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). Look carefully at these nine different character qualities. The first three- “love, joy, peace”-are atmosphere-changing fruits. As you yield to the Holy Spirit, He will throw a wet blanket on the unkind words you may want to say. He will build a fire in your heart that will bring warmth to a cold atmosphere and love to a bitter, revengeful atmosphere. The next three fruits- “longsuffering, kindness, goodness”- are attitude-changing fruits. Each of us has the potential to have a bad attitude. God sometimes lets us go through difficult situations to reveal what is really inside us. When we see our own helplessness, weakness, and despair, it causes us to cry out, “God, I need you!” The last three fruits- “faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”- are attribute-changing fruits. Through the Holy Spirit, you have strength and ability that you can’t attribute to anyone but God.

And you have peace that transcends human understanding. (See Philippians 4:7).

01/19/2024

Genesis 39:1-41:16

Matthew 12:46-13:23

Psalm 17:1-15

Proverbs 3:33-35

“They go from strength to strength.” Psalm 84:7 NIV

God And Work.

The phrase “discover your strengths” was made famous by researcher Marcus Buckingham in what is referred to as the “Strengths Movement.” It calls us to stop focusing on our weaknesses and name and develop our strengths-which reflects God’s design. God didn’t say, “Moses, your craftsmanship skills are weak.” Let’s have you stop leading this people for a while and try to become more like Bezalel.” (see Exodus 31:1-5). The Bible speaks of going “from strength to strength.” And a strength is an activity which when you engage in it, makes you feel strong. Certain activities will thrill and challenge you; others will bore and drain you. Once you discover this, you are not simply engaged in “career planning,” you are acknowledging God’s handiwork and your own core strengths. It matters that you do this, because the single little patch of creation you are responsible for stewarding is your own life. Dorothy Sayers said: “Work is not, primarily, a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do. It is, or it should be, the full expression of the worker’s faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.” What if your job doesn’t fulfill your need for purpose or utilize your God-given gifts? Sometimes necessity requires that. That is why the Bible says, “Whatever you do, do well” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT). In the meantime, pray for opportunity, prepare yourself and volunteer in an area that utilizes your strengths. Sometimes people who don’t enjoy the work they do are miserable, and they make everybody around them miserable too.

But God expects better from you!

01/18/2024

Genesis 37:1-38:30

Matthew 12:22-45

Psalm 16:1-11

Proverbs 3:27-32

“Jesus…laid aside His garments.” John 13:3-4 NKJV

Set Other Things Aside And Serve.

When it came to serving others, Jesus went first. He “rose from supper…laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself…poured water into a basin…began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded…Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” (vv. 4-6 NKJV). Try to imagine God incarnate with an apron on, kneeling to wash the feet of those who were unworthy. The Bible says, “Jesus…laid aside His garments.” If you want to serve others, you must be willing to lay aside your image, your comfort, and your agenda. By laying aside garments, Jesus demonstrated that God has no time for form or fashion. Real ministry isn’t image conscious; it is done with complete disregard for distinction. But Peter didn’t get it! He was embarrassed to think Jesus would let Himself be seen in such a demeaning light. So, Jesus said: “You call Me Teacher and Lord…If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you…If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (vv. 13-15, 17 NKJV). There are certain things in your life that must be set aside in order to serve others and do the will of God. If you want to be blessed, don’t join those who delight in their own speeches and who trumpet their own accomplishments. Set aside everything you privately glory in and pick up the towel of servanthood.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it. You go first.

01/17/2024

Genesis 35:1-36:43

Matthew 12:1-21

Psalm 15:1-5

Proverbs 3:21-26

“It was three years before I went.” Galatians 1:18 MSG

Learning To Listen To God (4)

God’s direction will often be followed by a season of preparation. And the length of that season is determined by the size of your assignment. So, when God speaks to you, it is not always wise to rush out and tell people. Who wouldn’t want to talk about the amazing experience Paul had with Christ on the Damascus Road? And there would be a right time for Paul to do that-but not yet. So don’t move until God gives you the green light. Why? Two reasons: (1) You need time, maturing, and equipping so that the word you have received can take root within you, grow, and be fulfilled in the way God wants. (2) Sometimes God takes time to prepare the hearts of those He is sending you to. Paul writes: “Immediately after my calling-without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was-I got away to Arabis…It was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter…Then I began my ministry” (vv. 17-21 MSG). Paul knew people would find his calling unbelievable, and he had the wisdom to wait. He allowed God to go ahead of him and orchestrate the circumstances. And while he was waiting, he allowed the word he had received to grow and make changes in his life. Then, and only then, did he start doing what he was called to do. Paul didn’t try to convince anybody; he let God do that. And the end result?

“Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!” (v. 24 MSG).

01/15/2024

Genesis 31:17-32:12

Matthew 10:24-11:6

Psalm 13:1-6

Proverbs 3:16-18

“If you willingly obey me, the best…will be yours. Isaiah 1:19 CEV

Learning To Listen To God. (2)

People think they can’t hear from God, when in reality, there are things they already know He wants them to respond to, and so far, they haven’t done it. The quicker you do whatever the Lord has already told you to do, the sooner He will reveal the next step to you. His promise is, “If you willingly obey me, the best…will be yours.” Hearing from God is something you only develop with practice-especially if you are a talker! That is why He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10). Our flesh is full of energy; we always want to be doing something, and it can be difficult for us to be still. Don’t just talk to God when you need something; spend time listening. He will open up many issues if you will just be still before Him. You say, “I don’t think I have ever heard God talk to me.” Maybe that is because you haven’t learned to listen! When you ask God for something, tune your “receiver.” Even if He doesn’t respond at that very moment, rest assured He will in due time. You may be doing some ordinary tasks when He decides to speak to you. And if you have honored Him by learning to listen as you fellowship with Him, He will speak to you at exactly the right time. Perhaps you have spent years going your own way. If so, don’t despair; it is not too late to change direction.

If you are willing to obey God, He will guide you on the exciting journey of learning to hear from Him every day of your life.