Stay Strong

March 21, 2019

DAILY READING

Revelation 2:8-11
This weekend’s reading: Mark 14:66-72

FIELD NOTES

It seems almost like Divine intervention that many congregations are discerning responses to the UMC Special Called General Conference during Lent, a time often spent in prayer and discernment. General Conference wasn’t the prettiest showing of the church. It revealed how divided and broken the church is. No matter what you believe, people left feeling defeated. Today’s passage in Revelation of the church in Smyrna serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great strife or uncertainty, we must remain strong in our faith in Jesus Christ. We must remember that our foundation is in Christ as Lord and Savior. Even if the earthly church is broken and divided, we must not quit living out the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world. There is always hope found in Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD 

• When have you found it hard to remain strong in your faith?
• What kept you from giving up or quitting?

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord Jesus, guide us as a congregation and as a church at large.  Remind us that our mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  We are about the love and grace of God.  Let us put that first and foremost in all that we do.  Amen.