Newton First United Methodist Church

A community of people on a journey with Jesus.

Amos McCarthy

Finding Favor with God”

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Tuesday, August 4.

Trying to earn the Lord’s favor feels like running a marathon with no finish line, climbing a never-ending mountain, or paddling frantically in the rapids while going nowhere.  Such attempts to work our way to God are exhausting and fruitless because we can never be good enough or do enough to earn His acceptance. There is only one way to receive our heavenly Father’s favor, and that’s by faith in His Son, who did all the work for us. 

God sought us while we were still sinners, and He sent His Son to live a perfect life and die a substitutionary death on our behalf. Christ took our sins and offers us His righteousness; all we have to do is believe and receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. 

The Lord’s favor is unmerited and cannot be earned. It is given freely to the undeserving through faith in Christ and continues throughout the believer’s life. It empowers obedience, gives victory over sin, and provides open access to the Father for prayer. God’s rich and abundant favor is readily available to all who will receive it by faith.

Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3.

“Your situation may look impossible, but don’t ever rule out the favor of God.” Joel Osteen

Words of Encouragement

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July 31, 2020

Saints of God,

It is with a grateful heart that I start this day. Grateful to God who wakes me up every day. I look back a few weeks and I can do nothing but thank God. Why? The answer is God holds me in the palm of his hands.

Reading Isaiah this morning, I find God telling me, “For I am the Lord your God who stirs up the sea and causes its waves to roar…And I have put my words in your mouth and hid you safely within my hands. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, “You are mine!” (Isaiah 51:15-16).

My brothers and sisters, In our pursuit of God, we fall, we triumph, we drag. We get back up and dust our knees. In it all, God helps us in the process. In this sojourn of following, listening, questioning, or worshipping, we ask him to shape our lives into something that glorifies him. As the Covid 19 Pandemic rages, I do sincerely believe that God is urging me to live in a place of uncertainty. But in living in this period of uncertainty, God is asking me to anchor myself in who he is rather than trying to change my circumstances. God is asking that I wait on his direction and not barge ahead on the aimless path of anxiety. This is exactly what I also want you to do during this difficult time.

This morning, say to God, “You are right. I am yours. Do your thing. I will trust you!” The Bible says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak,” (Isaiah 40:29 NIV).

God bless you all and stay safe.

Pastor Amos.

Words of Encouragement

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July 29, 2020

Saints of God,
It’s been a while since I last sent you some words of encouragement. The scripture reminds us that we walk not by sight, but by the Spirit. Our spiritual minds lead our thoughts and our actions. Let us know that God has called us to pray, always trusting in the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

I need not remind us of the times we live in. It is not normal. There are so many things coming our way. We are confused. In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul claimed he was pushed beyond his ability to endure. In Acts 27:24, Paul was so afraid that an angel exhorted him not to be afraid. He was human just as we are.

Paul knew some things. He knew that wherever he was, God was present with him. He trusted the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. He trusted that God was near (Acts 18:9).

In these difficult times, we too can know that God is with us. We can count on his presence to guide us. Pray and keep close to God. God bless you and stay safe.

Pastor Amos.

“Serving Faithfully”

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Saturday, August 1.

It’s easy to doubt our ability to serve God when our minds are focused on our limitations instead of Him. Therefore, we must continually remind ourselves that the work is the Lord’s and we can trust Him to accomplish it through us as we respond in faith and obedience.  

Our heavenly Father has good works that He has prepared for each of us to do (Ephesians 2:10). To help us accomplish them, He has given spiritual gifts to enable our service to one another. Furthermore, He has provided scriptural principles to guide us. In His Word, we find direction for our path, strength to endure hardships, and increased faith and confidence in God’s sufficiency. 

Are you reluctant to serve the Lord because you’re afraid or feel inadequate? Even the apostle Paul felt this way when he said, “Who is adequate for these things?” (2 Corinthians 216). But he pressed on in order to complete the course Christ had called him to run (2 Timothy 2:7). And so can you if you are willing to depend on God and step out in obedience. Let’s take a moment to pray over our temptation to be self-sufficient—and for courage to rely on the Lord. 

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2:7

“God would not put in a leadership position until you take a posture of servanthood.” Julie Williams