DAY 1 - LOVE

 “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”  (John 15:13)

We live in a world where the word ''love" is used to acquire something from another person.  People will say that they love something or someone so that they can obtain possession of the object of desire. You may have experienced love in this way and now you feel that it is just an empty word with no real meaning. Jesus said the "love" as it relates to being a follower of him is a word of action. This love is seen in the laying down of one's own life for another. Jesus was willing to lay down his life to set free the souls of all people even if this meant going to the cross. The question that remains for us today is what are we laying down for others. In your most intimate relationships, what are you doing for them that is showing that they are most important to you? What are you laying down? When you tell them that you love them, what does that mean to them? Jesus said that no greater love exists than this, and as an IronMaker, we must show them the love that will last a lifetime.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Stop what you are doing and through an act of kindness, show love to someone that is close to you.

Prayer:  Lord, give me a heart of love that others can see, and use me to show Your love to the world.

John Branning

Lead Pastor, Central United Methodist Church

Chaplain (MAJ) 185^th Theater Aviation Brigade

DAY 2 - CONFLICT

"Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from?  

Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?"  (James 4:1)

Life. When we stop for a moment and think about our lives and the world we live in, more easily than not, the conflicts in life arise faster than the joyous times. Conflicts seem to be a part of our human nature. As followers of Jesus, we are not exempt from conflicts, yet, I believe we have a greater challenge in the conflicted world to rise above the conflicts in the way God would handle conflict. God's way of handling conflict is not a ten-step process to gaining peace in this world, but God gets to the heart of the matter that works from the inside out. I encourage you to open the Word of God to James 4 and read verses 1-12 out loud.

Among that verse, we see God getting to the heart of the matter, and he began with looking at your own heart. In summary, the way to approach conflict the way God does is in these four ways:

      1.      Looking at what you desire and examining your selfish way (4:1-3)

       2.    Turning from your ways and accepting God’s grace for you (4:4-6)
       3.      Submitting to God (Draw near to God) and resisting evil (4:7-10)
       4.      Loving each other (4:11-12)

Our natural instinct, when conflicts arise, is to blame one another. Let us not forget the first sin and who blamed who. God always works opposite than our ways. He says, look at yourself, examine your heart and desires, then allow God to resolve the conflict. I don’t know what conflict you have, but I encourage you today to know that God knows how to resolve the conflict better than anyone, even yourself.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Draw near to God today. Humble yourself in his presence. Find a quiet place where no one can bother you, and for just five minutes sit in the presence of God and allow his peace to cover over the conflict. At the end, give thanks to God for a moment of relief.

Prayer:  Oh Lord, thank you for being the author and giver of peace in this world and in my conflicts today. Help me to know that you are always with me. Help me to draw near to you in those moments of conflicts. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Rev. Kristina Crabtree

DAY 3 - MERCY

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”   (Matthew 5:7)

Grace and Mercy. We often confuse the two, but they are not the same thing at all. Grace involves a gift of something that is undeserved. Mercy, on the other hand, is the withholding of something (usually punishment), which is deserved.

God has extended great mercy to us by withholding the full measure of judgment against us for our rebellion against him. Therefore, should we not show mercy to our fellow servants in our dealings with them. Yet, something in our human hearts desires retribution. We often feel that mercy shown to someone who has wronged us thwarts the dispensation of justice. Yet, the only way for us to receive God’s mercy is to show mercy to those around us.

Jesus quotes Hosea saying: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” And this is also not to be confused with forgiveness. Forgiveness still allows for the full punishment for the misdeed to be carried out. “Even though I forgive you, I want to be sure you have learned your lesson.” Mercy is a matter withholding the punishment that is deserved. (For more information read Matthew 18:23-33.)

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  In some small matter today, where you have the ability to exercise justice – something as small as withholding a smile to a friend or loved one – take the opportunity to show mercy.

Prayer:  Merciful God, you know the wicked desire we have for full justice to be served on those who wrong us. Grant us the courage to show them mercy just as you have shown mercy to us. 

Bob Peden

DAY 4 - DEATH

“No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.” (Psalm 89:48)

We have all had those life-changing moments – the death of a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or close friend. We tend to run from the fact that death is a part of living until we run into it face-to-face. As a good friend once reminded me…we are all terminal.

Some years ago, I read an “object lesson” for children that I have since used many times. It goes something like this: “Many years ago, in a time we do not remember, we were in our mother’s tummy – warm, safe, fed. Everything was perfect. When the time came for us to be born, we surely did not want that. We did not want to leave our perfect world. Then in a matter of moments, we came into this world – bright lights with talking and laughter. As we grew, we got to taste all different kinds of foods, make friends, play, and explore. Once here, we cannot imagine ANYTHING that would be more wonderful than this. But one day, we will go to a place even more beautiful than this. Just like the time we were in our mother’s tummy, we don’t want to leave; but God has promised us eternal life with Him that is FAR more wonderful than anything we could ever experience here.”

To me, that simplistic “object lesson” puts both life and death in perfect perspective, even for adults. You see, death always exposes our hidden fears. We have been hiding from our fears sine Adam and Eve hid from God because of their nakedness.

As we walk through the valley of death, either for ourselves or with others, we need to put death in the place it deserves…as an integral part of what we believe. It is but a stepping stone to life eternal. God was with us during our first breath and will be with us for our last breath on earth as we begin eternal life with Him.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge: Today, take a moment to be conscious of your breath. Slowly inhale, then exhale. Do it several times. Feel God’s presence as your lungs fill with air. Be reminded of His presence in your life, both here, and in life eternal.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for this beautiful world in which I have the opportunity to live. May I be reminded, however, that this world is only a temporary dwelling place and that my life here is only a small journey on my path to life eternal. Take away the fear that surrounds the unknown of death; replace it with a joy and peace that only you can give. Amen.

Sabrina Williams

DAY 5 - GRACE

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

(Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Grace. Maybe you say it before a meal or maybe you offer someone forgiveness long before they ask for it. Either way and in any circumstance, grace goes before us. Long before any of us were born or walked this earth, God’s grace traveled before us; preparing the way for our arrival. Grace is God saving us from our fervent follies long before we realize it, while grace constantly and consistently pursues. Grace is God’s invitation to respond to this unwavering and undying action with faith and trust that God will catch us; receive us; embrace us on the other side of our choices. Receive this free gift from God in faith today.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Receive God’s grace. Hold your hands palm-side up and pray the prayer below.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus of Nazareth, High Priest of Heaven, I open my arms wide to receive your grace today. Live in and through my life to show grace to others, this day. Amen.

Jonathan Crabtree

Pastor of Student Ministry

DAY 6 -TRAGEDY

“And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.”  (Mark 13:7-8, ESV)

Today, we are certainly not in short supply of tragic events. I am unsure if these occurrences are becoming more frequent or if the media simply chooses to focus on them. At any rate, we hear of such things and are affected by them in one way or another. Maybe, you the reader, have personally experienced a tragic event in your life. For the majority of us, we have been alarmed by what we have heard. We hear of the tragedies of war, terror, and natural disasters. Even our countries political climate has some forecasting the downward spiral of this nation, which is cause for major concern. Current and projected tragedy grips our hearts and paralyzes our minds. 

When the Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D., most Christian believed the end of the world was imminent. People were convinced that life was over. However, once things settled down and the dust cleared, the community of faith continued to be just what it was called to be, to tell of and demonstrate the love of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The community of faith gathered itself together and began feeding those starving, taking care of the sick, and preaching the Gospel to the poor.

Every one of us will be affected by tragedy in some way, and as Jesus puts it, life will seem hopeless during those moments. But the promise of the Gospel says that tragedy does not have the last word in this world. In fact, there is nothing that can ever happen where God’s grace and mercy will not be made evident.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Jesus said that wars, the rise and fall of nations, natural disasters, and loss of life will continue to happen until he comes back to reconcile all things unto himself. How strong will your trust in Jesus be when the next tragedy occurs?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help those who have been affected by tragedy, and may You use me to respond in such a way that reflects Your nature.

Rev. Dennis Gossett

DAY 7 - COMPASSION

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” (Mark 6:34)

Five times in the Bible we read the phrase “moved with compassion;" four of the five are references to the compassion of Christ. True compassion will always move you to do something for others. Jesus and his disciples were exhausted, and the disciples understood that they did not have enough resources to care for so many. The disciples wanted to send the crowd away, but Christ’s compassion would not allow them to be sent away empty. Compassion took thousands, who would have been sent away faint, and fed them until they were full with leftovers.

In your world, you will come across so many people that are empty in life. They have tried everything to find peace and security but have nothing to show for it. You are the one that can show the compassion of Christ to them by the words that you speak and love that you offer. You don't need bread and fish but a heart willing to make a difference.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Invite someone to spend time with you and make the time spent about the other person. Ask them to tell you something about them that you don't already know and see what God can do with it.

Prayer:  Lord, allow me to show compassion to all people and to witness to Your grace.

John Branning

Lead Pastor, Central United Methodist Church

Chaplain (MAJ) 185^th Theater Aviation Brigade

DAY 8 - RESOLUTION

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1)

On “Day 2,” we looked at conflicts and how we are to approach conflicts. Today, we are talking about resolution. Much of the time, I believe we have overlooked three important areas when we are looking at escaping the conflict or situation that has arisen: The glorification of God, service to others, and growing in the image of Christ. Sometimes resolutions are not just for our own peace of mind and peace with other. Sometimes resolutions are brought about to glorify God.

The greatest resolution comes from forgiveness. God has created us to be in a relationship with others. That is our nature. To be in conflict with one another creates hatred and bitterness, and if it is not dealt with, it breaks the nature of humanity being in a relationship with one another. Even though followers of Jesus have experienced the greatest forgiveness of all, I believe we forget that forgiveness toward one another is the greatest attribute of being a follower of Jesus. God have forgiven you and will always forgive you. I don’t know what type of resolution you need today, but God knows. He knows how to resolve the conflict in your life. Go to the Father today and seek forgiveness of self so that you can replicate that forgiveness to others. We are called to imitate Jesus, bear one another’s burdens, and glorify God in the process of reconciliation.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Today, if you have a conflict with another person. I challenge you to seek the Lord first and then ask the Lord to forgive your anger toward them. Seek the Lord in asking forgiveness on behalf of the one in conflict with you, and if you are so bold, go and be reconciled to your brother or sister in Christ. If you have a conflict that you don’t know what to do, contact one of the pastors; we would come alongside you in the process of reconciliation.

Prayer:  Oh Father, hear the cry of our hearts today. Help us to know what needs to be reconciled in our lives today. Help us to seek forgiveness in our own lives and for the lives we are in conflict with. Thank you, Father, for always being with us. Amen.

Rev. Kristina Crabtree

DAY 9 - HOPE

“I look up to the mountains—

    does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!”

(Psalm 121:1-2)

When this Psalm was written and throughout much of Israel’s history, most mountaintops help a shrine to Baal or some other pagan god. Only Jerusalem, Mount Zion, held a temple to the one true God. So when the psalmist asks the rhetorical question “Does my help come from the mountains?” He is asking “Is it the Baals who will provide my help?” His answer is a resounding “No! My help come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

Where do you look for your help and your hope? Do you hope that your wealth will sustain you? Do you hope that your possessions bring you satisfaction? Do you hope that your fortifications, security systems, provisions, and guns will keep you and your family safe in the face of apocalypse? Do you hope that a political party or a political activist group will provide you with a better future?

Any of these can provide a transient, fragile sense of hope. Any of them require more and more to provide a continuing sense of hope. None of these “mountains” can provide a lasting sense of hope. The only hope today, as in the days of Israel, is in the Lord who made heaven and earth. He is our provider and protector, sustainer and savior, keeper and King.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Observe how often you turn to the things of this world to provide for your future today. Find one small thing you are holding on to for hope and give it up to trust in God.

Prayer:  Give me the courage Lord, to trust in you in all things.

Bob Peden

DAY 10 - FEAR

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Have you ever noticed how everything seems much worse during the middle of the night? Whatever small things are wrong in our lives become magnified at 3:00 a.m. Fear can become paralyzing. Suddenly, we are tossing and turning, taking back the very things we gave to God a few short hours before.

With everything that is going on in the world today, the spirit of fear seems to be working overtime. Just judging from today’s headlines, we have every reason to fear, but we need to be reminded - the spirit of fear does not come from God. It can be crippling to anyone who holds on to it. Satan wants us to be afraid. He wants us to be so overwhelmed that we cannot accomplish the things we need to do. Remember, if God is for us, no one can be against us. We are overcomers!

Isaiah’s words are a comforting reminder amid the recent scares we have experienced on a national level. Add to that the personal struggles we each carry; we have no other source of comfort than to look to God to see us through. We must refuse to worry about what "may" happen and commit everything to the Lord, trusting in Him, to help us. We need to take the time to be still in the presence of the LORD, remembering everything is in His perfect time, not ours, all while being willing to be His vessels of comfort, peace, and love.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Write down your largest fear. Beside it write the above scripture from Isaiah. Place it by your bed where you will see it both at bedtime and upon rising.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I come to you asking that where there is fear in my heart, I find the comfort and peace that only comes from you. I give my fear to you, for this moment, for this day. Amen

Sabrina Williams

DAY 11 - LONELINESS

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

From the very beginning of creation, humanity was created to be in community. God saw that Adam should have a helper; a friend; a companion – someone to love. So, God created Eve. If you study the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, you will notice that the first three commandments show us how to love God. Commandment four – “Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy….” tells us how to rest.  It is a pivotal commandment to the remaining commandments which instructs us how to love our neighbor.

All of the commandments can be summed into one phrase, as Jesus said, “Love God; Love neighbor.” In other words, the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit – created humanity with the ability to love God and neighbor and ultimately to live in community. Remember the Sabbath commandment? When we gather to worship, we gather as a community in which we love God and love our neighbor despite differences or hindrances. We have been created to live and enjoy life together. So if you feel lonely, then respond to God’s grace by worshiping together with this community of faith.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  If you or someone you know feels lonely, then invite them to worship this upcoming Sunday.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus of Nazareth, High Priest of Heaven, you have created us to be in community. Stir up this desire to serve your world and foster the community you have placed before me today. Amen.

Jonathan Crabtree

Pastor of Student Ministry

DAY 12 - ISOLATION

“Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecc. 4:12, NIV)

An article found in Wired Magazine stated that researchers claim older adults who chose to live with a minimal amount of human contact have a higher mortality rate even if they believe themselves to be happier in isolation. Interestingly, those who have a richer social life tend to live longer. Researchers from the University of London made a distinction in their study between isolation and feeling lonely. Loneliness was categorized as an emotion whereas isolation was a physical separation from society. They found that intense isolation raised the risk of a premature death by 26% regardless of age, race or sex. – T. W. (2013, March 26). The Dangers of Social Isolation. Retrieved July 18, 2016, from http://www.wired.com/2013/03/social-isolation/

God has created us to be connected one to another. In the very beginning, Genesis explains that God noticed how lonely and isolated the very first man had become. He did not have anyone to share life with. Therefore, God created a helpmate and companion for Adam. They lived together helping one another and conversing about their daily life. If we fast forward to the New Testament, we find Jesus bringing together a community of people. They began to share life together. Notice that not a single one of them were told to go live by themselves. Even when they got into arguments and heated disagreements, the community did not separate or break apart. 

How are we to laugh, smile, and have a good time with others if we shut ourselves off from everyone? How are we to console, lift up, and share tough times with one another if we are not willing to be around others?

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge: Visit or call an older person who has been forced into isolation from having to be homebound or living in a nursing home.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I lift up all those who are living in force isolation; those who feel forgotten. May your peace and mercy be with them and may your community reach out to them. Amen. 

Rev. Dennis Gossett

DAY 13 - COMMUNITY

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”  (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to go deep sea fishing with some guys that deployed with me overseas. We laughed and remembered stories from the deployment and each one of us shared the events from our perspective. Then one guy spoke up and said that he didn't like being around anyone but Soldiers anymore. I thought about what he said and strangely enough, I understand what he meant. We had become our own community where we have a common story and a common language, and anyone who is not a part of this military community will not understand us. I guess this is the way it should be in the church. We should not want to isolate ourselves from the world as my buddy did from anyone that was not military, but we should have such a strong connection to one another that it is evidenced by our love for one another. The writer of Hebrews understood this and encouraged us to keep our community alive and vibrant by spending lots of time together. As we gather to worship our risen Lord, we are professing a community that has stretched through the ages. I hope that you feel the power of Christian community in your life today.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Set aside time this fall to be a part of "The Forge" on Wednesday nights at Central. This will allow you to step into our community of IronMakers.

Prayer:  Almighty God, You created us for community. Allow me to live Your love in this community of faith.

John Branning

Lead Pastor, Central United Methodist Church

Chaplain (MAJ) 185^th Theater Aviation Brigade

DAY 14 - CULTURE

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

From the beginning of the church till now, the church has always struggled with the cultural shifts with each generation. The questions of should we adapt to the culture, how do we act in this culture, what does the church need to do, how do individual Christians live a Christian life in a mostly secular world? Many questions arise when we think of culture and the church. But take heart, this has been an ongoing challenge since the 1^st Century church began.

If we think about the life of Jesus and his ministry on earth, we see Jesus always at conflict with the “church” culture that had been created. Who was Jesus most at conflict with his time on earth? The religious leaders. They saw church culture as something that had been created by the Old Testament law, and they did not see the need to change. Jesus did not change the meaning, but I believe adapting to the culture, and, therefore, brought about the transformation of many lives. He did not conform to the religious world ways or even the pagan world ways, he adapted the church culture to be able to reach the entire world. We are the result of Jesus adapting to the culture, not being conformed by the culture, but art adapting.

Sometimes, adapting can be hindered by our conforming to the world. So today, I encourage you, in a world and culture that is consistently changing, to be careful not to conform to the ways of the world, yet learn to adapt to the culture around you, like Jesus, and show love. For Jesus says that the world will know that we are his disciple by the way we love. That love will never adapt but is for all.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Take a moment to look at your life and how you got to where you are today. Have you allowed your values of being a follower of Jesus to be conformed to the world and how the world says followers of Jesus are to be like? Write down just one way in which the culture around you is challenging your life as a follower of Jesus.

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for your life and ministry in the world. May we be able to love as you loved, serve as you served, and forgive and you forgave, so that in a culture that is always changing, our love will stay the same. Amen.

Rev. Kristina Crabtree

DAY 15 - PEACE

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

In another setting Jesus says, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

Isaiah refers to the coming Messiah as “the Prince of Peace.”

On the surface, these statements can seem contradictory. The key to understanding this peace is in the “the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.”  The peace the world gives is the lack of conflict. The peace of Christ is a quiet confidence within a person. The peace the world gives is tranquility and lack of movement. The peace of Christ calls us to action to share his peace with others. The peace the world gives is a lack of argument or disagreement. The peace of Christ is a sharp sword, depicted in Revelation as proceeding from the mouth of the Lord. It is His words coming forth and piercing our souls with the conviction of our sinfulness. The peace the world gives is temporary.

The peace of Christ is everlasting. It lives within our minds and our hearts even when the world around us is in turmoil. The peace the world gives is a peace that must be fought for and protected. The peace of Christ brings calm within our souls. A calm peace that we do not have to fight to maintain.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Center yourself in the peace of Christ this morning. When conflict arises today, remember that you have Christ’s peace within you and that you do not have to fight to keep that peace.

Prayer:  Lord, in your mercy, give us your peace that passes all of our understanding.

Bob Peden

DAY 16 - JUDGEMENT

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Who likes to be judged? Judgment happens to everyone at one time or another. We have no problem judging others or situations that don’t really pertain to us, but when we are the ones who lie in judgement, the story is different!

The good news is that we often have options regarding who and how we will be judged. In fact, we have the option of judging ourselves! Often, if we judge ourselves, we can escape the judgment of others. The bad news is that judging ourselves is not easy. To judge ourselves we must look at ourselves objectively detecting and ADMITTING our own shortcomings and sinful condition, holding ourselves in accountability, willing to be judged and disciplined by God. That is painful, and everything in our human nature rebels against it. It is at that moment we have to be willing to come before God and to have our spirit molded to reflect Jesus.

Many times, not only is that reflection of Jesus not the way our sinful nature compels us to go, but it is not what the world holds as popular.  We may be met with earthly criticism, but what freedom and comfort comes in knowing that the ONLY one whose judgment will matter eternally, loves us with a grace and love beyond human imagining.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Take a moment to look in the mirror – really look. Look past your physical appearance.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you that I can come to You with my failures, shortcomings, sins, and Your judgement comes not with condemnation but with love, grace, and forgiveness. Give me the strength to do the same for others.  Amen.

Sabrina Williams

DAY 17 - JUSTICE

“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

(Micah 6:8 NIV)

John Wesley, one of the Methodist movement founders in the 18^th century, instructed the people called Methodists to follow three simple rules. One, do no harm. Two, do good. Three, stay in love with God and neighbor. Simple, right? For he knew that if they did not have any simple instruction as to how to live as a Christian, then they would probably resort to their sinful ways; perhaps even worse than when they became Christian. Here the prophet Micah instructs the people with three simple ways to live into the life as a follower of God. Act justly; love mercy, and walk humbly with your [our] God. Simple, right? We are to live in justice, which means to align correctly with a standard. By God’s work through Jesus and the resurrection, humanity has been granted justice based on this action. When we receive this justification, we live in faith that God provides us the strength [His Spirit] to live as one who seeks and desires to fully align with a Holy God.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  How can you follow these three simple rules today? Write them down where you will see them and strive to live by them today.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus of Nazareth, High Priest of heaven, guide me today to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with you and others. Amen.

Jonathan Crabtree

Pastor of Student Ministry

DAY 18 - CONFUSION

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” (1 Cor. 14:33, ESV)

“In The Mask Behind the Mask, biographer Peter Evans says that actor Peter Sellers played so many roles he sometimes was not sure of his own identity. Approached once by a fan who asked him, "Are you Peter Sellers?" Sellers answered briskly, "Not today," and walked on.” - Today In The World (2013). Confusion. Retrieved July 25, 2016, from http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/c/confusion.htm

In my opinion, Peter Sellers was one of the funniest people alive, and his statement summed up his stage personality. Even though Sellers was joking, his remark is probably the way many people are feeling in our day. There is a lot of confusion about who we are. Modern trends suggest that your identity is found in whatever you desire it to be suggesting that somehow you are flawed. This concept is confusing a lot of people. We have forgotten whose image we were created in. Each one of us was perfectly made in the image of the Father. The Apostle Paul speaks of worship. He warns that we have foregone the image of God for something much lesser (Rm 1:25, paraphrased). Now, this is also apparent when it comes to our identity. When we turn away from the truth of who’s we are, our minds become clouded. The result is a distorted view of ourselves and humanity. People falsely assume that if they were created in a different way, then better things would automatically happen. They wouldn’t have to deal with the present brokenness in their current lives. However, this is simply not the case.

Peace comes when we realize that we are a part of a bigger story – God’s story. His story informs us that we were made at the right time and under the right circumstances. We don’t have to fret over the notion of ever wondering if we have missed the genetic mark somehow. No! God wants us to use what has been given, both the good and the bad, to help others and bring glory to His name.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Remind yourself today that you were perfectly made in the image of the Father – flaws and all. Also, remind someone else who may be struggling with feeling inadequate that they too are perfectly made and are loved.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for creating me and allowing me to be a part of your wonderful creation. Help me to use what has been given in order to help others. Amen.

Rev. Dennis Gossett

DAY 19 - GOOD

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31)

The story of our creation is not one that is filled with errors but instead perfection. You are not just a happenstance but an intentional act of God. You were created to love him and to be loved by him. Unfortunately, we know that when humankind fell from grace the image of creation became marred. It is now very difficult for us to see what is good in life and what we need to fulfill our spiritual destiny. However, I want us to look around and see all the good that is life. Every time you see the smile on the face of a child that is the goodness of God.  Every time you see a sunset or a sunrise that is the goodness of God. Every time you wake up to a new day that is the goodness of God. Yes, God is good, and you and I were created by his goodness. Live today in the knowledge of the goodness of God.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Stop and notice the beauty in nature and ponder how God created all things and loves you most of all.

Prayer:  Lord, give me eyes that are able to see the beauty in Your creation, and let me see my purpose in it.

John Branning

Lead Pastor, Central United Methodist Church

Chaplain (MAJ) 185^th Theater Aviation Brigade

DAY 20 - EVIL

“A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.” (Proverbs 22:3)

The thought of evil or imagery of evil we see today are not easy concepts to try and understand, especially if the evil actions effect you personally. I love the message verse above. It makes the actions of evil in our world seem less fearful to tackle. Some evil in the world cannot be avoided, but some evil can be avoided simply by being aware of “danger.” A person who can pinpoint a “dangerous” situation and avoid it will be considered much “safer” in this dangerous world we live in. (I am sure John Branning has an army term for that!)

Apart from the evil actions of the world that we cannot control, I want us to take a look at those evil (dangerous) situations in life that we can avoid. For those who cannot see the dangerous situations will one day find themselves walking into a dangerous situation blindfolded and will wonder, how in the world did I get here? Think about your life. Has there ever been a time in which your “danger” alert went off because of (fill in the blank). Examples: you look at that person, felt that feeling, did not feel, tried a new drug, drank out of hatred, harmed yourself, thought a negative thought about another person, spoke negative toward another person, etc. Jesus says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). If he can overcome the world full of evil, he can be with you in your time of potential dangerous situations.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Thinking about evil in our own lives is never an easy task. In your life, pinpoint a time in which your danger alert went up or a time in which you ignored that danger alert and ask Jesus (out loud) to help you overcome that particular situation just as he overcame the world.

Prayer:  Thank you Father for always being with us even in the dark times of our lives. Help us to know when those dangerous situations occur. Help us to not be fearful to bring them to you so that you can overcome them in our lives. Amen.

Rev. Kristina Crabtree

DAY 21- DEVIL/SATAN

“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”  (Revelation 12:10)

Throughout the Bible from Genesis to Job to Zechariah to Revelation, Satan is called the accuser. In Genesis, Satan accuses God of lying to Adam and Eve. “You will not die (if you eat the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden).” In Job, when he comes before the Lord with the heavenly court, he is called The Accuser. And there, he accuses Job of not being as steadfastly faithful as God says he is. In Zechariah, Satan is seen before the Lord accusing the faithful High Priest Jeshua. And then in the 12^th Chapter of Revelation, he is the one who accuses the faithful Christians.

What is the purpose of these accusations against God and against his faithful people? The purpose is to cast doubts into the minds of God’s people. He cannot possibly cause God to doubt us. For God knows our innermost being. He knows we wish to be faithful, and he knows that he provides all that we need to be faithful. But the accuser wants to cause doubt in the mind and in the heart of the believer. If the accuser can cause us to doubt that we are strong enough, talented enough, skilled enough, and ultimately faithful enough to do what God is calling us to do, then he can prevent us from doing the very good that God would have us do. If he can cause us to doubt that God will provide for all that we need to fulfill God’s will, we will quit trying. And when we fail to do good, then evil prevails in our lives and in the world about us.

As Methodist Christians, we believe we are called to: “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” When we doubt our ability to accomplish our mission, we allow the Evil One to win another day.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Listen to yourself today. When you hear yourself say, “I am not able to ....” Know that you are listening to the voice of Satan trying to prevent you from doing the good things God has for you to do.

Prayer:  Lord, give us the courage to stand up to the accuser when he calls us unfaithful and to proclaim with the hymn writer, “Lord we are able, our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

Bob Peden

DAY 22 - CHOICES

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21)

According to recent statistics, we make 5,000 decisions a day. Some of our everyday choices are random, others weighty, but many of our decisions are choice points. Choice points are seemingly insignificant decisions; yet, they lead us in one direction or another. But do we realize when we make a choice for one thing, we sacrifice another? We choose whether to react in anger or respond with understanding to my family. We choose whether or not to create drama with those we come in contact with. We choose time with our Heavenly Father or push that time to another day….

It should be our prayer that we will remember how much choices matter. You see, they don’t just affect us, they affect those within the vicinity of our decisions.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  In the 5,000 decisions you make today, take a moment to pause before deciding. Ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance and counsel, and choose to follow as He leads the way.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all my choices, and it makes me cranky. Today as I make my 5000 decisions, walk with me, remind me of how my choices affect others and help me follow Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sabrina Williams

DAY 23 - EXPECTATIONS

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48 NIV)

I’ve heard it said that as a Christ-follower, we’re “counting on Christ.” On the other side of the coin, I believe Christ is counting on us. When we trust our lives with Jesus, we are trusting that Jesus will completely save us from our sins in this life. We are trusting that Jesus mediates on our behalf much like the High Priest did with the Israelites. We are trusting that Jesus is with us in dark and trying times. We are “counting on Jesus.” So, do we think it’s a surprise when we read this scripture in Luke’s gospel account that Jesus expects or entrusts us to live according to the faith we proclaim? Does Jesus need us to do things for Him? No. He is God. God does not need anything, but Scripture informs us that we serve a God that wants us to show the very love He has shown us to others. God is at work in our lives removing the effects of sin while filling it with His holy love. This requires some work on our end. This requires some expectations. Church, let us rise up and live into the tasks we have been entrusted as His followers.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge: Commit to faithfully serving and living as a Christ-follower today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus of Nazareth, High Priest of Heaven, empower me to live and respond faithfully to the tasks you have laid before me today. Amen.

Jonathan Crabtree

Pastor of Student Ministry

DAY 24 - WARNING SIGNS

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Mt. 7:13-14, NIV)

Every time I drive through the mountains, I notice the signs warning vehicles of a dangerous decline they are approaching. The signs are a yellowish/orange color and commonly shaped in the form of a diamond. There is a picture of a box-truck going down a steep decline to visually demonstrate the danger ahead. Also, I notice that every so often, there are run-a-way ramps for cars and big trucks to use in case their brakes fail. Honestly, I have never seen any cars or trucks use them. From my perspective, it looks like these ramps are made of deep sand and at the end is a huge berm to completely stop them from going over the mountain. Often, I wondered if the ramps had ever failed to stop someone. That’s a frightening thought!

Can you imagine a person making a conscious decision to continue downward knowing their brakes are not working and the run-a-way ramps wouldn’t stop them? One can argue that perhaps the driver did not have a choice in the matter. It is possible that going down the mountain was the only option he or she had. Well…that is not entirely true. There is still another option.

In our own lives, how often do we ignore the warning signs? Ignoring warning signs has nothing to do with taking risks every once in a while. We are talking about the signals in your life that are telling you that if you continue down this road nothing good is going to come from it or there is disaster at the end. All too often, this is how we treat our spiritual life. We travel down a path with no regard to how damaging it will be to our souls. In today’s world, there are a lot of people traveling down this long wide highway. Jesus said that the safest route is the road that is narrow and less traveled.

If you find yourself with a faulty braking system, instead of taking your chances, simply pull over and call for help. The Lord will come, and he will give you what you need to travel safely!

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Ask God to put someone in your path today so that you may help them and show them the love of Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, in wisdom you have created us and all things. Provide our daily needs and grant us grace and strength to fulfill the ministry to which we have been called. In the name and spirit of Jesus. Amen.

– Job R. and Shawchuck N. A Guide to Prayer. (Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 1983) pp 249.

Rev. Dennis Gossett

DAY 25 - SUFFERING

“Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (I Peter 4:12)

Peter tells us not to let moments of suffering catch us by surprise or to find it strange for a follower of Jesus to experience trials in life. It is amazing to me that so many Christians feel that God should allow them to be immune from these common struggles of life. At times, these struggles cause people to question God's love and goodness and some stop following all together.

Maybe the problem is that we forget that we are a fallen creation. Sin entered the world against the desire of God and its results are felt by all of creation. Peter simply tells us to hold on and realize that though we are followers of Jesus, we too will experience suffering. The good news is that it is only temporary, and in the end, God is victorious even over our suffering.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Pray for someone today by name that is going through suffering.

Prayer:  Lord, give me strength in times of suffering and allow me to grow in grace and love during the process.

John Branning

Lead Pastor, Central United Methodist Church

Chaplain (MAJ) 185^th Theater Aviation Brigade

DAY 26 - FREEDOM

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

Have you ever thought about the process that brings us freedom in our lives today? Those who fight for our country, fight in order that we can be free to do as we please and worship who we desire to worship without fear. I wonder if today we can look at freedom as a way that comes through someone else. Sometimes in the free country that we live in, we forget about those who are fighting for our freedom. I wonder, in a spiritual sense, if we forget that God is fighting for freedom in our relationship with him. Freedom from fear, self-hate, family abandonment, busyness, unhappiness, lack of peace, anxiety, and worry, etc.

Are you tired, worn out, or (add whatever is holding you in bondage)? Listen closely today. Jesus is saying to you, come to me, get away with me, and you will recover your life. Take a deep breath. In a sense, freedom is about finding rest in God. The Psalmist talks about taking a real rest.  I believe, in the world we live in, rest has become on the back burner. WE NEED REST! Rock back and forth, while you are standing or sitting, and rest in the rhythm of God’s grace for you today. God desires for you to come away with him. Only through coming to Jesus can we learn to live freely and lightly.

IronMaker’s Daily Challenge:  Wherever you are create a space to sit in God’s presence today. (Go ahead…really sit down.) I want you to close your eyes. Take deep long breaths in and out. As you sit, know that you are in God’s presence. Listen, think to yourself, hear God saying…your name, come to me, rest. Over and over keep saying that in your mind.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the freedom of rest that you desire for our lives. Help us to desire to rest more in your presence. Amen.

Rev. Kristina Crabtree