Farmington UMC

09/02/2026

All of Me

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ NIV
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Paul had a love for those he shared the gospel with. It wasn't just sharing the gospel and then moving on, he worked beside them and shared his life with them.
I know many of you won't believe this, but I am an introvert, what some call an extroverted introvert. I can be outgoing, but only to a certain point. I enjoy teaching and sharing God's word with others, but at times I find it difficult to share my life as well.
I think part of why Paul was so successful in sharing God's word is that he shared all of himself. He taught, worked beside, and fellowshipped daily with those who wanted to know more about Christ. He exposed his whole life to them, sharing every aspect.
In order for us to truly share the gospel with others, we have to share our lives with them as well. We should I invite them to our homes and share a meal with them. We need to love as Christ does, sharing all of ourselves with others.
I still need my quiet time, but I also need to work on opening up more with others, loving them enough to share all of me. What about you?

Jodi Hendricks

09/01/2026

Gratitude

1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭8‬ NIV
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”

When was the last time you compared yourself to someone else or were a little envious of what someone else had? This is a hard question to be honest about! We like to think we are satisfied and content with our lives, then we start to look at ourselves through eyes of that green eyed monster, jealousy or envy, and suddenly we are not so content. If you could only hear the conversations I have with myself over being envious, it is one of my many flaws.
We may be jealous about another's success, wealth, home, friends, and even their abilities. Saul drove himself mad over his jealousy of David's ability and popularity. He let the green eyed monster ruin his contentment and faith. Saul focused on what David had instead of the many great things he himself had. He wasn't grateful.
Gratefulness is how we combat the green eyed monster of envy. Instead of comparing ourselves with others, wanting what they have, we need to be thankful for all we have. Are you envious of the stay-at-home parent, thank God for the job He has provided so you can provide for you family. Are you envious of someone who has a beautiful singing voice, thank God that He has given you ears to hear and appreciate music.
We all have so much to be grateful for and acknowledging those things helps us over come our envy. Gratitude journals are a great way to remind ourselves of all the things we are grateful for each day. Have you started one? If not, do so today. Write down 5 things you are thankful for. Don't let envy take away the contentment God has for you.

Jodi Hendricks

08/31/2026

Shining Christ's Light

Matthew‬ ‭5‬‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

It can be very difficult and humbling when you think you are shining Christ's light before others, but they don't see it. It is also difficult and humbling when others question your actions, wisdom, and faith. While we may not relish these times, they are needed to force us to take a look in the mirror, have a long talk with Christ, and be humble enough to accept corrections.
These times also help us come to an understanding that others may not see Christ's light in us because that is not the image they have of Christ. The disciples wanted Jesus to be an earthly king, that was the image they saw. The Pharisees saw a trouble-maker and a blasphemer because His truths hit too close to home. Christ's words were not always accepted because they were not what people wanted to hear.
If you are facing difficulties in your service to others or if it seems as if others aren't seeing Christ's light in you, first stop and make sure it is Christ's light you are shining and not your own. Spend some time in quiet reflection and take the correction the Lord is giving. Then when you know whose light you are shining, stand firm in knowing Christ was questioned, hated, and crucified for the truth. Not all will accept the light you are shining, but we all need it.

Jodi Hendricks

08/30/2026

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08/28/2026

Working Hard for What?

Proverbs‬ ‭23‬‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

My husband and I were playing cards with a friend last night. The object of the game was to get as many points as possible each hand, however if you got duplicate cards in a hand you got zero points. The winning strategy was to know when to stop asking for cards. My friend didn't follow this strategy well, she wanted to get more points so she kept asking for cards and would often end up with zero points for the hand. In her desire for more she ended up with less.
Too often we get caught up in the desires of the world and wear ourselves out trying to get more, yet end up with less. We work more so we can make more money to have more things, but we don't have time to enjoy them or life. We think if we have more, work a little harder or risk a little more, we will be happy. Studies show this is seldom true. The more we have the more we fear losing it so there is little enjoyment.
Wearing ourselves out for riches or wanting more never brings us the joy we are seeking. What does being joy, fulfillment, and happiness is working hard for the Lord. When we share what we have, go out of our way to help someone who is stranded, or take less so others can have more we will find the riches we are searching for-the "well done good and faithful servant."
Are you wearing yourself out wanting more? Trust in the Lord that you have what you need, no matter how little or how much, and look for ways to share with others today. You may be surprised at how much you gain when you do so.

Jodi Hendricks

08/27/2026

Happy to Be a Fool

1 Corinthians 4:10a, 11-13 NIV
10 We are fools for Christ,...11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

It is not often, probably never, that we want to be called a fool, but that is what Paul calls himself in this passage. A fool for Christ or Christ's misfits. As we surrender our lives to Christ, the world sees us as fools and misfits. As we step out into the unknown, faithfully following Christ, the world sees us as crazy. When we find joy in the midst of pain, the world sees us as unbalanced. When we pray for those who hurt us the world calls us oblivious. But as we bless those who curse us and help those who hurt us, we misfits are bringing Christ's love to the darkness. We are sharing Christ with everyone.
Don't be discouraged or disheartened if the world calls you a fool, your faithfulness is bringing glory to God. I am humbled to be called a fool for Christ.

Jodi Hendricks

08/26/2026

It is Our Job

Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ NIV
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

In my former life as an administrator, I never asked my staff to do something I hadn’t already done. It might have been mopping the floors, tearing down a machine, lifting patients, or politely listening to someone complain. I tried to lead by example, never letting anyone get by with saying “that’s not my job”, showing them by example that if we are capable of doing it then it is our job.
In today’s verse the Pharisees didn’t lead by example. They put all kinds of restrictions and requirements on others, but weren’t willing to follow them themselves. They had a “not my job” attitude. Then along comes Jesus, the man who healed and worked along side the laborers. He didn’t ask someone to do something He hadn’t already done. He led with a servant attitude! If there was work to be done He did it.
As Christians, we are leading others, setting examples of what it means to be a Christian. People watch us and even following our examples. If we claim to be a Christian, going to church weekly, posting verses on social media,
yet we ignore the janitor who needs help emptying the trash or walk by the woman with a screaming child and arms full of groceries, what example are we giving others? We may be leading others to think that Christians have a “not my job” mentality. Now I am not saying that we have to be do every job that is out there, but if we are capable of helping or serving and walk by or think it isn’t our job, then we are leading just like the Pharisees did. We are expecting others to do something we won’t do.
Do you have a servant attitude like Christ? Be conscious of how you respond to situations around you, opportunities to serve, then you will truly know what attitude you have and how you are leading others. Ask God to help you not have a “that’s not my job” attitude!

Jodi Hendricks

08/25/2026

Patience and Gentle Words

Proverbs‬ ‭25‬‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Patience is something we all can attain, but few work at it. How patient we are willing to be depends on the situation. In today's verse, the author is saying that anyone can be persuaded if we are patient and kind words will breakdown any barriers.
How patient are we when we want to get our point across? How gentle and kind are our words when someone disagrees with us? Harsh words never persuaded anyone, yet patience and a willingness to listen can have profound impact on persuading others. When we are willing to let someone else voice their thoughts and opinions, patiently listening, then they are more likely to hear our thoughts.
I worked with a physician who almost always said "no" to a suggestion I would have for patient care. Because I had worked with the physician for a ling time, I knew that if I gave him a few minutes to think on what I had asked and then asked again, he would almost always say "yes". I could have kept badgering him, explaining why my suggestion was best, but I knew that didn't work. Patience on my part was what was needed to get what was best for the patient.
How patient are you when someone doesn't get your point of view or what you desire? Try presenting your view point and then patiently listen to them. Remember, kind and gentle words can break down any barrier. Just wait and see!

Jodi Hendricks

08/24/2026

Greater Things

John 14:12 NIV
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Whenever Jesus starts a sentence with, "very truly I tell you," it means we are supposed to pay attention, it is something to remember. In these verses, Christ is telling us we will do greater things than He did while on earth. I am sure many of us are thinking "No way!" How could I do greater things than Christ who saved us? We can all do so much more than Christ because He sent us the Holy Spirit and we have a lot more time in earth than Christ did.
Each and every one of us has the power, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many of us believe we can't do more than Christ because we aren't knowledgable, we are not a skilled speaker, or we don't have enough time, yet these are all excuses. If we become attentive to the Holy Spirit and are obedient to His guidance, then we will do awesome things for Christ. We will have all we need to accomplish work for Christ.
What are you let keeping you from doing greater things? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be more attentive to His promptings and brave enough to follow them!

Jodi Hendricks

08/23/2026

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