Weekly Greeting - June 6, 2025
Greetings friends,
This is my last newsletter article as the pastor of Bethlehem. It has been an honor to serve God with you. I will continue to pray for you and look forward to hearing what God does through you in the future. I want to encourage you to continue to live as faithful disciples of Jesus.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul encourages the church, “to pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
(1 Corinthians 14:1)
There is no denying that the church is built on God’s love for us supremely seen in all that Jesus has done. Here at Bethlehem and in the United Methodist Church in general, we often talk about the importance of pursuing love.
We also sometimes talk about practicing our spiritual gifts. However, we don’t talk as much about the gift of prophecy, which Paul says we should especially pursue as members of the body of Christ. Prophecy isn’t a word you hear a lot in day to day conversations. As I transition from serving as an elder in the church to retired status, I have been thinking about what prophecy is and what prophesying might look like for me in my retired status. I have also asked myself if I am, “earnestly desiring to pursue it.”
In simple terms, prophecy is about sharing what God is doing and wants to see done in the world. Pete Grieg in his book, “How to Hear God,” suggests that prophecies, “should be affirming, Biblical, and Christ like…if it doesn’t align with scripture,” and “ if it’s out of alignment with what I know about the character of Jesus, it’s not prophecy…there are times when God asks someone to speak words of conviction, warning, or disruption rather than affirmation. But those are the exception.”
How do we develop the practice of sharing what we see God doing in the world? How do we come to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy?
I would like to suggest the following seven things:
1. Read the Bible daily. The Bible reveals God to us. As the song has said, “thy word is a lamp into my feet and a light into my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
2. Find a daily devotional guide. A good devotional resource can help you meditate on scripture, prayer and include comments from others seeking to hear from God. Here at Bethlehem we provide free copies of The Upper Room devotional guide and send out Along the Way by email to guide Biblical study.
3. Pray. When we pray, we will hear from God. When we hear from God we will want to share what we have heard.
4. Develop relationships with others who are seeking to hear from God. There are lots of Sunday School classes and other small group opportunities here at Bethlehem. You could also join a Restore Journey to Freedom group or other organization committed to spiritual growth and enlightenment. Reach out to those who are reaching up to God.
5. Listen to great music. Allow God to speak through what you hear.
6. Spend time in nature. Nature reveals God’s beauty, power, glory and wisdom.
7. Listen to your own life. We were all created in the image of God and bear God’s stamp upon our spirits. We may stray from God, but God never strays from us. Listen to your heart.
I will miss you all, but I know God will continue to bless you and that you will continue to be a blessing to others as you “pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
God bless!
Craig
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This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate God sending the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct us as followers of Jesus. Our passage is John 14:25-28. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit comes to point to Jesus and remind us what Jesus has taught us. I am humbled that my last Sunday to preach at Bethlehem will acknowledge the importance of drawing attention to Jesus and what God is doing in the world. Preachers come and go, but God’s Spirit and God’s word lasts forever!