WEATHER ALERT:

Due to weather conditions, all in-person daytime and evening programs have been canceled across the church’s locations for Wednesday, except for the Recovery programs and Food Pantry at Overland Park. Decisions for Thursday daytime programs will correspond with local school district decisions and will be posted on the church’s website.

IMPORTANT:

Scheduled programming has resumed for Thursday, February 13 at all Resurrection locations.

Prayer Tip--Mary of Magdala

January 12, 2025
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Daily Scripture

Isaiah 43:1, Luke 8:1-2, John 19:25 and John 20:11

Thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

Jesus traveled through the cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The Twelve were with him, along with some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. Among them were Mary Magdalene (from whom seven demons had been thrown out).

[As Jesus was crucified,] Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross.

Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

The words of God reported by the prophet Isaiah in today’s Scripture were originally spoken to Israel, but through Jesus they become words that God speaks over us. “Created.” “Formed.” “Redeemed.” “Called.” This incredible God of grace we serve acts in the midst of our normal, everyday lives. With the understanding that our God creates, forms, redeems, and calls, our mundane lives are shot through with God’s glory.
Like Mary, many of us have been healed or had our demons thrown out by Jesus. I’m confident that I am only here writing these words because Jesus delivered me from my “demons” over twenty years ago. Apart from Christ, I might not be here today. God’s decisive action in my life transformed my life filled with darkness into a life infused with the light of Christ and called to serve for the sake of others. I’m humbled and grateful. Like Mary, I am one of the people Jesus loved.
Think back on your own life. In what ways has Jesus healed you? In what ways has he “thrown out your demons?”
In what ways has Jesus shown that he loves you?
I encourage you to pray this prayer of thanks to God:
Prayer
Creator God,
I thank you,
that in your grace,
you created all things–even me
Forming God,
Thank you that you formed me
Made me to be a focus of your blessing
To be a blessing to others
Redeeming God,
Thank you that you have redeemed me
Healed me and banished my demons
To live in the freedom of your way
Calling God,
Thank you that you have called me
From the smallness of “My will be done”
To the greatness of “Thy will be done.”
Help me to live as one who is called by name today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

GPS Insights

Picture of David Andersern

David Andersern

This week's prayer tip is by David Andersen, who serves as the Leadership Development and Mentoring Ministry Program Director for all Resurrection locations. He is a life-long Kansas City native. He’s been married over 30 years and has two adult sons. He loves composing music, learning new things, writing, running, and creating spaces where people can encounter God.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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