Devotional 12-11-21

 Philippians 4: 4-7

⁴Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! ⁵Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. ⁶Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. ⁷Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

Every year as we move into the season of advent, feelings of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy find their way to the surface of our lives.  These feelings are with us always, but during Christmas they rise to the surface through the stories of planning and preparation for the birth of Christ.  These feelings help us to see the best in others, and brings out the best in each of us.  On the other hand, there are events to plan, family dinners to arrange, and decorating that needs done to prepare for the Christmas season.  While these events are full of fun, excitement, and love, usually feelings of hope and joy are replaced with stress, anxiety, and frustration.  

There are many verses and stories in the bible about giving our troubles over to God.  This week, from Philippians, we read we should not be anxious about anything, but bring our worries to God through prayer.  This will help us to know the peace of God and allow the spirit of Christ to truly live within each of our hearts.  As we pray and share in the advent season, we are prepared again to receive Christ through his birth.

I heard a song recently called “There is Peace in Christ”.  As I listened to the words, I was reminded of how Christ is our strength and our peace.  The chorus reads; “He gives us hope when hope is gone, He give us strength when we can’t go on, He give us shelter in the storms of life, When there’s no peace on Earth there is peace in Christ”.  This advent season, take time to focus on the Peace, Hope, Joy and Love of the season.  Remember to bring your anxieties, fears and frustrations to God, and all things can be done through Christ.

God Bless you all

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-5-20

Read 2 Peter 3: 8-15

⁸ Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day. ⁹ The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed.

Why are we always in such a rush?  In today’s world, with social media, twenty-four hour news alerts, and a seemingly endless stream of videos, we have been conditioned to expect instant access to information.  We rush from place to place checking phones for messages calls and other alerts in order to meet the next deadline, or ensure we have the most current information.  During the holiday season we all seem to rush even more, at least I do, trying to be sure everything is ready for holiday celebrations and gatherings.

In the lectionary text for this week, we read in 2 Peter, “The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives.”.  In many places throughout the bible, there are lessons that try to teach us patience.  Why is  patience so difficult?  In todays world, we could blame technology or the constant streams of information, but people have obviously been struggling with patience for a very long time.

When we talk with God, are we expecting instant answers?  There are times we are probably all guilty of thinking, “God isn’t listening” or “Why me God”, during times of stress or when we are discouraged.  If we learn and practice patience, God will answer our prayers in his way, and in his time.  During the season of advent we are told to be patient and prepare for the coming of the Lord.  In today’s commercialized culture, we often stress and lose patience in order to be sure everything is ready for Christmas.  But, if we try to keep the true reasons for advent in our hearts and minds, with patience, we will be able to  prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.

This year is especially different.  With concerns of the Covid-19 virus, many plans have been changed in order to keep people safe and healthy.  This year we will need patience in our lives more than ever.  Patience is one thing that will help us to work through each day as we prepare, not only for the coming of the Lord, but to continue to ensure our families and our church are safe and prepared.   God bless each and every one of you! 

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-18-19

Psalm 80: 1-3

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!  You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!  Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

I enjoy the fall and winter seasons.  The majesty of God is easily seen in the changing colors of fall and the beautiful views of fresh fallen snow.  Also, the holiday seasons of the fall and winter are my favorite times of the year.  As with most changes, there are some difficult adjustments to make every year.  As the days become shorter, I enjoy the cooler temperatures, but the increase in darkness can be depressing. The days and weeks after the end of daylight saving time can be especially difficult for me.  Even as I enjoy the holidays, adjusting to events occurring in the darkness of the the evenings instead of the light of spring and summer can be very difficult.

The holiday season is filled with joyful gatherings, festive music, and special meaning.  A season when we all are reminded to give a little more, sharing our gifts, talents and light with others.  Unfortunately, many people continue to be surrounded by darkness. People that do not know the true meaning of the Christmas season and have never felt the love of Jesus.

Throughout the Christmas season, as we read in Psalm 80, we re reminded that God is our shepherd, and his light will save each of us from the darkness.  Each of us can be that light for others in our daily interactions with others.  At any moment, you may be the difference that shows someone the light of God and the true meaning of Christmas that helps to pull someone from the darkness to the light.

Dear God,
Thank you for being our light!  Thank you for sharing your son Jesus with us.  During this holiday season, may your light shine through each of us that others may feel and know your love.
Amen

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-3-18

Read Philippians 1: 3-11

Friends, as we struggle with hustle and bustle of this time of year, we are reminded by Paul in Philippians that God has been and continues to work in and through us.   We have work to do in this time of preparation, and God is expecting us to be ready.  During this time of preparation, we need to share the love of Christ with intent and purpose.

Advent is our time to prepare for the coming of Christ.  As we prepare our hearts and minds for this great event, it is important that we remember others that need to feel God’s love. We sing hymns of joy and praise, and it is easy for us to see within our families and church the love of God growing.  But what about those outside of our immediate family? Those outside of our church?   God calls us to share his love with others so that everyone will know the love of salvation and forgiveness.

Take your time this advent season.  Make time for not only family and friends, but those that you find in need of God’s love.  Small random acts of kindness are blessings and expressions of God’s love that may seem trivial to us, but others can and will see the presence of God.  Some, maybe for the very first time.  Share God’s love each day in a way that everyone you meet will want to share in the experience and preparation of the advent season.

Most Gracious God,
Help us to prepare for the coming of your son during this advent season.  May your love shine through each of us that others will be able to see you in our actions during this exciting and busy time of year.  Through sharing your love, help us to prepare others for the coming of Christ that they may know his love and salvation. Amen

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-3-17

1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ I give thanks to my[b] God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— ⁶ just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this section of Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, we are reminded of the amazing gift of Grace that we have received from God through Jesus Christ.  God’s Grace surrounds each of us, strengthening us as individuals, but also strengthening us as a church as we work and prepare for the coming of Christ.  God gives his grace freely knowing that we will each use our talents and gifts to make this world a better place.

Are we deserving of such a wonderful gift?  Each day brings a new challenge to meet the expectations that have been set in our crazy lives.  Even as we take great effort during this season of Advent to slow down and try to prepare for the coming of Jesus, we often fall short of our goals.  I am only one person.  What can I do or say that will make enough of an impact in this world to deserve this gift of Grace?  Paul reminds us that God has a plan, and he has called us to be a part of the fellowship of Christ.

One of my favorite ways to worship and be with God is through music.  Many of us most likely know many of the popular hymns and carols of the Christmas season.  One of my favorites (and probably yours) is Silent Night.  The third verse of this hymn reminds us of the grace of the season.

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God love’s pure light.  Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at thy birth”.

Silent Night brings many fond memories of the Christmas season, and often helps me to remember the real reason for this joyous season.  God is calling us to be part of his fellowship by sending his son Jesus to live among us.  He knows we are not perfect, and yet he still calls.  Many times we fall, and He is there to help us up and point us in the right direction.

Dear God,
Thank you for your gift of Grace.  Help each of us to use our talents to be deserving of your gifts.  In this Advent season, you have asked us to be ready and prepare for the greatest gift, your son Jesus.  May each of us listen and prepare as we are called to you.  Amen  

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-24-16

Psalm 98 (From The Message)

¹  Sing to God a brand-new song.  He’s made a world of wonders!  He rolled up his sleeves,  He set things right.  ² God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do.  ³ He remembered to love us, a bonus to his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.  The whole earth comes to attention. Look—God’s work of salvation!  ⁴ Shout your praises to God, everybody!  Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!  ⁵ Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir.  ⁶ Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God.  ⁷ Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with everything living on earth joining in.  Let ocean breakers call out, “Encore!”  And mountains harmonize the finale—  ⁹ A tribute to God when he comes, when he comes to set the earth right.  He’ll straighten out the whole world, He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.

One of my favorite forms of worship has been through music.  Music is one way that we all communicate with God, and with each other.  There are times when an artist finds words when set to music remind us to thank God for providing for our lives.

There are times when these words reminds us to care for our neighbors, using acts of kindness to praise God for the blessings in our lives.  Some artists simply use melodies and harmonies to pull our emotions and feelings to the surface and make us understand that we are not alone in this world.

Looking back, I was encouraged to participate in activities involving music.  Each of the different activities exposed me to different forms of music.  Children’s choir taught stories of God and Jesus.  The music wasn’t always perfect, but it was most definitely a Joyful Noise.  In school, joining the band, I learned to play the trombone and was taught many different forms of music, classical, popular, and jazz.  Each of these types of music would stir different emotions for me while playing, and would cause similar and many times other emotions to be stirred by the audience.

The psalm calls for us to sing a New song.  Singing a new song to thank God for his salvation, and a new song to help others know the love and salvation of Christ! As much as I enjoy singing and playing an instrument, it is difficult to convey a message to a large group on my own.  But, if we come together as an orchestra or choir to sing for God we are given the chance to reach out to our congregation and to our neighbors as well.  Some of these neighbors may know God, but others may not, and the music we provide can help them experience the love, strength and salvation of Christ!

Dear God, Thank you for your love and salvation!  We are grateful for your strength and love.  As we sing through song and voice help us to reach out to those that need your love.  Use our music to share your story, let us sing from the mountains so that all may share in your glory!  Amen

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-21-13

Psalm 80:19 – Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

As I began to write this devotional, trying to find the hope and promise of the advent season has been difficult. There have been some changes in my life that have made searching for hope difficult to say the least. Then, as with most times of doubt and despair, God’s face shines and the hope of a new day can be seen through His grace.

In this time of hope and new beginning, I have been struggling to find the joy of the season. I have felt that my prayers were falling on deaf ears, and I felt alone. Then without notice or warning, God shows us that we are not alone, and our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. He provides us with signs that he is here, and cares for our every tear. His face shines upon us through many different ways.

In the last few weeks, I have been surprised by conversations that I am sure have been when God’s face has been shining on me. In one conversation, I was reminded that when we are in need, the Holy Spirit will take our load. I was also reminded by another conversation of the comfort that can be felt knowing that others are offering prayers for those in a time of need can be very powerful. Can you imagine the fear and doubt that Joseph and Mary must have felt? There must have been many times where they felt scared, alone, and the search for Joy and Love must have been very difficult. Joseph was prepared to dismiss Mary, until an angel appeared in a dream. The conversation he had in that dream convinced him that God had truly chosen him to be with Mary during this amazing time.

In this time of Hope, Love and Joy, remember that God’s face does shine upon us. When we have trouble finding peace, we need only to ask the Holy Spirit to carry the load. Holy Spirit, in this season of advent, many people continually struggle to find the comfort of God’s grace. Let His face shine upon you and give you peace. Amen

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-21-12

Micah 5: 4-5:  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.  And he shall be their peace.

Christmas is nearly here!  Where has the time gone this year?  As I read the passage above from Micah, I am reminded again of the reasons this season is so very special.  There are so many distractions from the true meaning of Christmas many times we can feel lost.

Jesus was sent to earth be our shepherd.  To guide our lives through love and strength, so that we would know the true meaning of peace.  What an amazing gift!  How many times have you felt lost, or not sure which direction to take? Jesus was born to help us make these decisions, and as we go through this season, he is there providing support and love so that we will know peace in our lives.

As we all prepare for the events of Christmas day, take a moment to reflect on the events of the season, and rejoice in the peace that is Jesus.  Others will know of Jesus’ birth by the love we share with each other.  The advent season is filled with Hope, Love, and Peace.  As we celebrate the birth of Christ, these gifts of Christmas need to be shared with everyone we meet. 

Merry Christmas, and may you be blessed with the love and peace of Christ now and forever.  Amen

 

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-10-07

Read Isaiah 24: 1-16

This passage from the prophet Isaiah troubled me for some time. The world had become a place full of corruption and sin. Because of this, God was going to destroy the world. No person would be saved. The effects would be the same for common people as well as priests, slaves as well as their masters. Then in verse 14, some of the people are praising God, and singing for joy. The earth is about to be destroyed, and there are still those with enough faith to sing praise to God.
As I studied this passage, and discussed it with others, it finally was made clear to me. When the stress of life becomes too great, and everything seems at its end, we must continue to have faith in God. It is this continued communion with God that will help us to see past the problems, and stress in our lives.

In this season of advent, this time of waiting seems to be telling us a similar story. God is not about to destroy the earth, but he is sending his only son to forgive our sins. What an incredible gift. He sends Jesus to teach us how to reach out to God for forgiveness and guidance in our lives.

Lord, free us from our sins and make us whole. Hear our prayer and prepare us to celebrate the brith of you son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever.

Hulse Budd