MonroeOHUMC

  Who lifts you up when you’re down? This Mother’s Day, we celebrate women of faith like Tabitha—who served with love and strength—and we share a message of hope for anyone who feels like they’re running on empty. It’s not too late to get back up. Join us at Monroe UMC this Sunday. 9:30 or 11:00 AM | 206 East Ave | Facebook & YouTube | MonroeUMC.org #MonroeUMC #GetBackUp #MothersDay #Tabitha #WomenOfFaith #SpiritualMothers #ComeAndSee #RiseUpseries

Feeling pulled in a dozen directions? Tired of trying to keep everything going? You’re not alone. The "Grace in Strength" devotional journal is a free resource from Monroe UMC—written for women who are doing their best to hold it all together and are ready for something deeper. Meet inspiring women from Scripture. Reflect. Breathe. Heal. Grow. Download your copy today: https://bit.ly/4iQfSAv . Join us on Sunday, May 11, as we honor all women. Or join us any Sunday at 9:30 am or 11:00 am. No pressure. Just a sacred space to be real and be renewed. #GraceInStrength #WomenOfFaith #YoureNotAlone #MonroeOhio #DevotionalForWomen #SpiritualReset #FaithJourney #monroeumc

Breakfast with Jesus—Rediscovering Purpose Through Grace Based on John 21:1–19 It’s one of the most human, holy moments in all of Scripture. The disciples have returned to what they know—fishing. The excitement of the resurrection is real, but so is the confusion. What now? What comes next? Jesus is alive… but Peter still carries the weight of failure. He had denied his friend. He had sworn loyalty and then ran away. So Peter goes fishing. It’s what he knew before Jesus. Maybe it’s what he thinks he deserves now. But Jesus doesn’t let that be the final word. Early in the morning, as the sun rises over the Sea of Galilee, Jesus stands on the shore. “Friends,” he calls. “Have you caught anything?” It mirrors a moment from the beginning of their story—another empty net, another miraculous catch. But this time, it’s even more personal. Jesus invites them to bring some fish and sit with him. He’s already made a fire. There’s bread. There’s warmth. There’s welcome. And then comes th...

From Stuck to Sent—How God Uses Your Second Chance Reflections on John 21:15–19 and Acts 9:10–20 Have you ever felt like you messed up too badly for God to use you? You’re not alone. Peter did too. So did Saul. Peter had promised Jesus, “Even if everyone else falls away, I never will.” But when the pressure came, he denied Jesus—not once, but three times. That failure haunted him. He knew Jesus had risen. He’d seen him. But restoration hadn’t yet come. He must’ve wondered, “Does Jesus still want anything to do with me?” Saul was worse by comparison. He wasn’t just a failure—he was an enemy. He hunted down early Christians, dragging them from homes and throwing them in prison. He stood by, approving, while Stephen was stoned to death. He wasn’t on God’s team. He was actively working against it. And yet, in both cases, Jesus shows up. Not with condemnation. Not with shame. But with a call. For Peter, it comes by the fire. Jesus cooks breakfast and asks three simple but powerful...

When Life Hits Pause—Finding God in the Waiting Reflections from John 21:1–19 and Acts 9:1–20 Have you ever felt stuck? Like you’re doing everything you know how to do—praying, working, trying your best—but nothing is changing? Peter knew that feeling. So did Saul. After the resurrection, Peter doesn’t run to start a ministry or preach in the streets. He goes fishing. The one who once walked on water is now casting nets again. It’s not rebellion. It’s more like resignation. “I guess this is just who I am now.” Life has hit pause, and Peter doesn’t know what else to do. Then there’s Saul—driven, determined, going full speed toward destruction. He has his plan and his mission, and then: the blinding light. Everything stops. For three days, Saul sits in darkness, waiting for clarity, unsure of what comes next. Two very different stories. One filled with silence. One filled with shock. But both are about waiting. And both are about what God does in the pause. We don’t like to wa...

What Are You Waiting For? John 21:1–19; Acts 9:1–20 Rise Up: How to Start Living Again Have you ever put something off because you didn’t feel ready? Maybe you thought, "I’ll reach out to that friend... when I’m in a better place." "I’ll get serious about my faith... when life settles down." "I’ll answer God’s call... when I feel stronger." Waiting can feel safe. It can feel wise even. But sometimes, waiting keeps us stuck. We tell ourselves: “One day…” But one day keeps getting pushed farther away. What if the moment we’ve been waiting for... is already here? The truth is: none of us ever feel fully ready to rise up and live the life God is calling us to live. We think we need to clean ourselves up first. Get stronger. Smarter. Holier. But if we’re honest, we’re often hiding behind “I’m not ready yet” because we’re scared. Because we’ve failed. Because we carry regrets. Because we feel unqualified. And that’s exactly where the ...