Devotion of the Week
March 5, 2005
By: Rev. James Doughton, Pastor
First United Methodist Church
Barbourville, Kentucky

As we continue our journey through this holy Lenten Season, we are reminded of why we are on this journey, what needs to be done as we go forward, and where we are going. We are on this journey because God has invited us to walk with Him. We are being reminded of the event in Jesus' life that would teach us, correct us, and bring us to realize that we are not our own, but belong to God. As we walk with Jesus, He shows us the Father. He tells us that we must die to self and our ability to do anything apart from Jesus Christ. Without Him Jesus says we can do nothing, but with Him all things are possible.

God is calling us to allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and give Him whatever comes between us and God's best for us. God has a plan for all our lives and it is always going to be good, because God is good. If we want His will for our lives, then we must be willing to pay the cost. It is not always easy to do what God is calling us to do. In fact, sometimes it is impossible without the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

God is leading us in this journey to a certain destination. We are moving toward judgment, Calvary, and the cross, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and finally, in what that might mean in our lives. Paul said to the Philippians in chapter 3:10, 11, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death. If somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

My prayer this day and every day is that God will be able to make us into what He wants us to be. What I hope we realize is that sometimes making involves breaking and reshaping. This can be a painful process, but one that will end in a life abundant. As we journey together, let us keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him wherever He takes us.