Grace Sufficient David confidently wrote, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). We see the essentials of prayer—truth is declared essential, and faith is demonstrated. We are reminded of the words of James regarding asking God for wisdom: “…when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of…Keep Reading

But Each One is Tempted When He is Drawn Away “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:14 The spider wove a web with a beautiful design. There was no lacework in the land any more perfect than this cozy pattern. He had trained the sound of deception clear out of his voice, and now, the little trickster seemed almost…Keep Reading

Does Where We Are Going Today Have the Lord’s Approval? “Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful. The priest answered them, ‘Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.” Judges 18:6-7 Does where we are going today have the Lord’s approval? The journey could have been short, but it took forty years. God was leading them with a cloud…Keep Reading

Don’t Fake It When You Don’t Feel It Life can be a bummer sometimes, and when it is, we need to pour out our hearts to God, not offering sweet little tweets, trying to fake unquestioning faith. David said, “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble” (Psalms 142:1-2)….Keep Reading

Be Kind and Compassionate to One Another, Forgiving Each Other “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 There is a word that brings peace and joy when spoken. This one little word can do what some thought impossible, and it alone is powerful enough to remove much of the chaos that is in this world. Speak it and…Keep Reading

Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie to Themselves David said, “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers” (Psa 141:5). Years later, David’s son would write: “Open rebuke is better than hidden love. Wounds inflicted by the correction of a friend prove he is…Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Matthew Chapter 8:18-22 From Pastor Will Shewey Our day of worship has ended at Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation. It is time for the ministry volunteers and staff to rest for the next week. We will reopen for Saturday morning worship on July 5 and then resume daily services to the community. We…Keep Reading

Just a Closer Walk With Thee The name of the author is unknown, but many will recognize the refrain: “Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” David undoubtedly had a close walk with God, for He declared, “’I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart’” (Acts 13:22)….Keep Reading

1 Kings 8:59 “And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God, day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need…” Are we praying out of the depths of our heart? If we truly are crying out to the Lord, we can be sure…Keep Reading

God, the Champion of the Poor The writer of Psalm 140 did not preach the “social gospel” when he said, “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” The Pulpit Commentary makes a critical point: “It is not to be supposed that ‘the right’ is always with ‘the poor,’ but, when it is, God will assuredly be their champion.” Some people…Keep Reading

Avoid Becoming a Spiritual Couch Potato—Work Out “The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me” (Psalm 138:8, NLT). Perhaps Paul recalled this psalm when he wrote, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus…Keep Reading

Psalm 90:1 Home Sweet Home “Teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 “Heaven (happy home above); Heaven (land of peace and love). Oh, it makes me feel like traveling on. Heaven (supernal), Heaven (eternal). I’m so glad it’s real.” Why should we spend time talking about Heaven when there is so much trouble on earth to worry about? That was a…Keep Reading