Introduction In the heart of Western Kenya, where survival is a daily struggle, my journey began as the firstborn of twelve children from peasant parents. Life was marked by hardship and deprivation; often, we went without food, and the concept of a proper meal felt like a distant dream. My mother, a beacon of hope, tirelessly mended my torn clothes, preparing me for school against all odds. Despite overwhelming challenges, a flicker of hope emerged through the generosity of a local church that saw potential in me. Their unwavering support lit a path I once thought was forever closed. This is my story—a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education.

Scripture: “ Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8 (NIV) Devotional Thought: Life doesn’t always make sense. It’s not always fair. Hard things happen—sometimes in waves that threaten to pull us under. I know this truth deeply and personally. In just four years, I lost all four of my grandparents. My first husband abandoned me and our daughter. I endured two miscarriages, battled ovarian cancer, and underwent surgery. At age 31, I lost my second husband suddenly to a heart attack. These losses cut deep. I entered a season of addiction—dark, consuming, and isolating. And yet—God. Fourteen years ago, I had an encounter with the living God. In that sacred moment, I met Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That encounter changed everything. Fourteen years later, I am still in recovery, still walking in grace, still held together by the One who promised never to leave me or forsake me. His Word became my anchor. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Even when doctors discovered three blood clots in the language center of my brain, God was with me. I made a full recovery. In the valleys and the victories, I have experienced His faithfulness. I’ve learned to love even when betrayed. I’ve grieved deeply, most recently losing my mother suddenly. Grief and I have walked together for many years. Yet, the wounds God healed in earlier seasons have helped me walk through new pain with hope, not despair. One thing I know for sure: bad things happen in this world. We don’t get to choose when or how. We do, however, get to choose how we respond. There are hurting people all around us—not just across the world, but right down the street. We can choose to step out of our comfort zones, meet people where they are, and be vessels of compassion and encouragement. Focusing only on the chaos of the world drains our energy and shifts our focus from what God is calling us to do right here, right now. You may not be able to control the world, but you can control your response. You can choose love. You can choose grace. You can choose to draw near to God—and He will draw near to you. Reflection Questions: Where in your life have you seen God remain faithful, even in pain? Are you focusing on things you can’t control, or are you letting God use you where you are? Who in your community might need encouragement today? Prayer: Lord, thank You for never leaving me, even when I felt abandoned or broken. Help me to keep my eyes on You, not on the chaos around me. Teach me to be an encourager, a light, and a vessel of Your love to those around me. May my story, my scars, and my healing all bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Tena Griggers, from the North Georgia Annual Conference

Have you ever felt completely alone—even in a room full of people? Maybe you’ve experienced seasons when nothing in life seemed to fill the emptiness inside. We often think success, popularity, or material possessions will make us feel whole. But they don’t. Even those who seem to “have it all” can still feel isolated and unfulfilled. David’s Story: Loneliness in the Midst of Riches The Bible gives us countless examples of people who struggled with loneliness, but one of the most powerful is King David. Long before he wore a crown, David was a shepherd—overlooked and underestimated, working for his father Jesse. Later, he became a musician and aide in King Saul’s court. During the war between Israel and the Philistines, a giant named Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days. David, armed only with a sling and stones, courageously stepped up to fight and defeated the giant. His bravery brought him fame—so much so that Saul grew jealous and sought to kill him. David fled and spent years on the run until Saul’s death. Eventually, David became king, ruling with wealth, power, and influence. By all appearances, he had everything. Yet, even with so much, David knew the sting of loneliness. His heart is revealed in this prayer: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” (Psalm 25:16–20, NIV) Even in prosperity, David recognized his deep need for God. His loneliness drove him to lean into the Lord—not into the comforts of the world. What About Us? Unlike David, we often try to fill the God-sized void in our hearts with entertainment, social media, relationships, or achievements. But no matter how much we try, the emptiness lingers. These substitutes can never truly satisfy. Jesus offers us a better way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV) God did not design our hearts to be filled with things that fade. He created us for Himself. Loneliness, though painful, can become a holy invitation—drawing us back to the only One who can truly satisfy.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” Ephesians 1:18–20a (NIV) One song that still sticks with me (now MANY years old) is “The Same Power” by Jeremy Camp. It takes Paul’s words from Ephesians and brings them to life with a powerful message: The same power that raised Jesus from the grave on Easter is alive in us. Let that sink in for a moment. As we journey through Holy Week—beginning with the joy of Palm Sunday, walking through the sorrow of the cross, and arriving at the glory of Easter morning—we’re invited to slow down and truly enter the story. Don’t rush from celebration to celebration. Spend time at the Last Supper with Jesus. Stand at the foot of the cross with the disciples—especially the women who stayed, unafraid. Visit the tomb where they laid his body. Why? Because without the weight of death, we can’t fully grasp the power of resurrection. And here’s the incredible truth: that same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is alive and working in you and me. It’s not just about forgiveness—it’s about new life, restoration, and the promise that we, too, will be raised when Christ returns. “Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is liberated!” — St. John Chrysostom, Paschal Homily So don’t just celebrate Easter—live it. Live in the power of the risen Christ. Share that hope with someone who needs to hear it—maybe for the first time, or maybe for the first time in a long time. Invite them into worship. Share your story. Be ready to speak about the hope you carry, because it’s not just a memory—it’s the power of God, alive in you. Rev. Steven Taylor is the Conference Superintendent of the Northeast Annual Conference.

Samson is one of the most tragic figures in the Bible. He was born as a child of promise to previously childless parents. His parents raised him according to a strict Nazarite holiness code, forbidding him to cut his hair.… The post Some Thoughts On The Importance of Faith In God By Bishop Greenway first appeared on Making Disciples of Jesus | The Global Methodist Church.

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of… The post Living With Our Gifts By Bishop Carolyn Moore first appeared on Making Disciples of Jesus | The Global Methodist Church.

By Henriette Lokoto Okele November 29, 2023 Dear brothers and sisters, in this time of our existence, when we face famine, disease, rumors of war, and the reality of war, only God is our support and in Him alone we… The post The Time of Advent first appeared on Making Disciples of Jesus | The Global Methodist Church.