First Free Methodist - FFMC

Mary is the first Christian. before miracles, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection she believes in the gospel of Jesus. How? When she first hears the message of Jesus, as incredible as it is, she simply states, "May it be with me according to your word." Her response is a great relief for those who feel that God needs them to do something. God is already doing. We simply need to cooperate.

We read stories in the Bible of those who prayed and fasted and then God appeared to them. We read other stories of lament and despair when hopes go unrealized and dreams are unfulfilled. The story of Zechariah is a refreshing moment of hope for a man in the closing season of his life. Every now and then, God appears in a sudden surprise. 

The grizzly story of Jesus' death speaks volumes about the the mindset of those that were there as it happened. Jesus' final act of his life was giving life in "paradise" to a criminal next to him on a cross. There is no fairness in this story. There is great love, grace, and vision.

Gratitude and generosity work in a cycle. More gratitude brings more generosity. More generosity brings more gratitude. This life-giving cycle is at the very heart of God who offers Jesus as an act of generosity. God is the supreme giver. We are called to live in the same way. We are never more like God than when we give.

So often we think of prayer as fixing things or even fixing people. This episode helps us uncover the reality of prayer as a way of having union with God and others. This "union" of sorts is prompted in many ways by gratitude and generosity. Sometimes our acts of generosity create a sense of gratitude to God for those good gifts.