To Know Him is to Love Him

by Lottie Bridges

Jeremiah 9:23-24 - This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly KNOW me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. ESV   

“Hey, Tennessee!” someone shouted as we walked down the street. Mama turned in the direction of the voice as a car slowly drove past.  To our surprise, a big smile broke across her face as she rushed forward, shouting, “Wilma.”    My mother had spent a lot of time in Wilma’s home while attending school in Michigan.  Now a quarter of a century later Wilma and her family were heading south on US Highway 25 (aka Main Street in Clinton) when Wilma recognized something familiar -- even from the back -- in the way Mama walked or in the way she tilted her head or fixed her hair. The two renewed their friendship and kept in touch the rest of their lives with phone calls, letters, and occasional visits.

I walked into the doctor’s office and saw someone who looked familiar.  I hadn’t seen her since she was a fourth grader, yet I knew that smiling face behind the desk belonged to Jessica.  I may not have seen her for almost 2 decades, yet characteristics stood out by which I recognized her --- the sound of her voice, that sweet smile, those beautiful brown eyes and lovely long brown hair.  

The lift of an eyebrow. A slight smile. A gaze when our eyes lock.  A certain touch. A squeeze of my hand.  Beginning to pace!  All are things which others likely wouldn’t even notice; things which may not have meant much when we first began dating or at our wedding fifty-two years ago.  During those years I have learned to be aware of ways in which Jerry wordlessly signals a message full of meaning.  (Sometimes I get it; sometimes I don’t. --- and I’m still learning!)   Those wordless messages let me know that vows made when we were young stand true today, that I am loved, that he wants to make me happy, that he still needs and wants me, that I can trust him with my life.

How is it possible that Mama and Wilma reconnected, or that I so easily recognize former students, or that wordless communication takes place with Jerry?   In each instance it’s because of countless hours spent together, moving beyond being just an acquaintance, getting to know the characteristics of friends, students, and spouse. 

In this New Year, my desire is to know God better.   Knowing in a Biblical sense implies a deeply intimate relationship, that of a marriage covenant.  I’m realizing that I must put a priority on developing our relationship.  I need to immerse myself in His Word and listen for His still small voice as we commune in prayer. My relationship with Christ will only become deeper and more fulfilling as I spend time in His presence, respond to His voice and His touch, and even communicate with Him wordlessly.  Then I will truly and intimately know Him. 

To KNOW Him is to love Him --- and I do.

In case you missed yesterday's passage guide (it was accidentally left out on the email), it was Acts 7 & Psalm 11.  Today's reading is Acts 8 & Psalm 30.

Spiritual Maturity

by Henrietta Griffith

How does one mature in the faith?  How do you gain victory over habitual sin? Where does you find the supernatural strength needed to live the Christian life?

The Bible teaches that this can only be accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Old Testament and New Testament alike attest to this. Here are just a few examples.

1. Matthew 10:20 - For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

2. Romans 8:13 - For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

3. I Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit...

4. Zechariah 4:6 - Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

But perhaps nowhere is scripture more clear about the Holy Spirit's work than in the Book of Acts.  Acts 1 opens with the promise of the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter 2, we learn of the Jewish Pentecost. The Holy Spirit fell on the waiting 120 and others fulfilling the promise given to Joel. In Acts chapter 10, we have the Gentile Pentecost. The Spirit fell on Cornelius' house.

Throughout the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is the dominant character.

It was the Spirit that gave the early church power and anointing.  It was the Spirit that enabled them to preach with boldness. It was the Spirit that guided and directed them.

If we want to grow into Christian maturity...to have victory over sin...to glory God in our words and deeds, we must have the Spirit's leadership in our lives.  And the great news is, we can!

Peter said in Acts 2:33, "Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."

The boldness of the early church was as they were filled with the indwelling Spirit. It is the same for us today. If we would live above sin and grow into Christian maturity, we need the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives.

Questions to Ponder:

• Am I relying on the Spirit's power or trying to accomplish things in my own strength and ability?

• Do I wait daily on the Lord to shape and mold me?  Or do I find myself hurrying to rush into the fray?

• Am I more concerned with my will and agenda or Christ's?

Take some time this day to seek the Holy Spirit's anointing upon your life.

How are the reviews?

By Kristen Robinson

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

After a chaotic Christmas season, let me tell you - one of the best aspects of today’s culture is online shopping. I’m looking at you Amazon Prime. I know for a fact that many Americans were singing the praises of online shopping when they knew that last minute gift could be there in two days! But we can’t forget the best feature of shopping online – the review. Honestly, I rarely buy anything without consulting a review. And I’m not alone. One study reports that 95% of shoppers consult reviews. And of those shoppers, nearly 1 in 4 consults a review for every purchase they make – especially younger generations. We want to know that we’re investing our money and time in the best possible product. We’re making sure that we’re buying something that is as good as it seems. Anything less and we move on to something with a better rating and better reviews.

Those of us in church often ask why fewer people attend church today or why Christianity seems to be dying. Any chance unbelievers haven’t been impressed with the “reviews”? I’m not talking about a church’s rating on Facebook or the glowing church reviews we leave online; those serve a purpose, but there’s a bigger picture here. Every day, we are walking, talking reviews for Christianity.  Consider how often we are encouraged to share our testimonies with unbelievers. And what is a testimony? It’s a review! In a testimony, we are sharing why Christianity was the best decision we’ve ever made. If people won’t buy a toothbrush without reading a review, why would they devote their lives to a religion or worldview without looking up reviews - without speaking to and observing others who adhere to those principles.

We often get hung up on how to share our faith with others. We might think we need the perfect opportunity at the perfect time and place. Little do we know, unbelievers are reading our reviews every day, just by interacting with and observing us. It’s a good idea to check in with ourselves daily to see what kind of review our lives are leaving for Christianity. Do we radiate the joy and purpose that come with knowing Christ? Do we reach out to others and help them feel loved and accepted? Or maybe we’re unknowingly leaving poor reviews, maybe through the way we’ve reacted to stress or acted purely in self-interest. Of course, it’s not humanly possible to be a flawless model of sinless perfection. Only one person could do that (hint: it’s Jesus). But being a Christian is making a conscious effort every single day to follow Christ and strive to be more like Him. Jesus’ will for our lives can be summarized neatly into two commandments: love God and love people (Matt. 22:36-40). We gladly leave reviews for our favorite restaurants and recent purchases. So why on earth wouldn’t we be leaving positive reviews everywhere we go for the life-changing decision to be a Christ-follower?

Passage Reading Guide: Acts 6 & Psalm 115

Spiritual Honesty

by Pastor Ryan

Acts 5:4b - “Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

These words were spoken to a man named Ananias by Peter. Ananias, along with his wife, had sold a piece of property they owned and gave the money to the Apostles. However, they lied about the amount for which it sold and chose to keep a portion back in secret. God revealed this to Peter who called them out on it. The saddest part of this story is that Ananias and his wife were struck dead by the Lord for this sinful act.  I encourage you to read the whole story in Acts 5:1-11.

This may seem like a morbid story to share for a daily devotion, but the lesson here is monumental. The sin committed wasn’t the amount given, but rather how they went about it. Ananias and Sapphira lied to God. Most of us would say there is no way we would ever lie to God. However, sometimes I find myself being less than honest with Him. I don't feel like I'm committing any huge sin.  But sometimes I find myself harboring bad attitudes. Sometimes I'm tempted to worry and doubt God. In those moments, the problem isn't that I'm tempted but that I don't like admitting those temptations to God.  I'm being less than honest.

When we come to God in prayer, we need a spiritual honesty. We could never be saved if we didn’t admit that we were sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. In that same way, we cannot grow spiritually without first being honest before God.

If you do not get honest before God, you will never grow or change from where you are to who God wants you to be!

In the case of this passage of scripture, it was a pretty extreme condition, and we saw immediate judgement. God may not strike us dead instantly, but there is a chilling reality here. If we allow any form of spiritual dishonesty, it will ultimately lead to death. The longer we go, the worse it will become. We really can’t lie to God because He knows everything. Even though He knows everything He wants us to openly and honestly confess our needs, struggles, desires and sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 says that if we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins."

During a month devoted to prayer and fasting, I want to experience more spiritual honesty. It may be little things like a bad attitude or discontentment. Whatever the case may be, I want spiritual honesty so God can help me to grow and mature.

Passage Reading Guide: Acts 5 & Psalm 150

The Priority of Prayer

by Dr. Marlin Hotle

Acts 4:23-31- And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed: for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thy stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” NASB

Why do we pray? What should be the primary focus of our prayers? For many of us, we pray as if we are attempting to change God’s mind. It is true that one of the categories of prayer found in the Bible involves asking God to change His mind. It is called “prayers of intercession.” But when you find examples of intercessory prayer in the Bible, they are never prayers one is praying on their own behalf. They are always prayed on behalf of others. For example, In Numbers 26, when Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led the Israelites in rebellion against Moses, God commanded Moses and Aaron to step aside because He was going to destroy the people. But Moses commanded Aaron to take the censor of incense and get between the people and God and make intercession on their behalf. And God listened and spared them. There are several other examples I could site such as the prayer of faith prayed on behalf of the sick in James 5, but in every case these prayers were prayed on behalf of others.

As you study prayer as it was utilized by the early Church in the book of Acts, it quickly becomes apparent that the disciples did not view prayer as changing God’s mind so much as attempting to find it. In fact, the two primary reasons the early church prayed was to discover the “mind” or will of God, and then to pray for courage to do it. This passage from Acts 4 is a good case in point. Following the day of Pentecost, Peter and John were arrested and cast into jail. The other disciples went back to the upper room and went to prayer. When Peter and John were called before the tribunal, they were beaten and commanded not to preach again in the name of Jesus.

They went back to the other disciples, who were behind locked doors and in fear, and reported all that had happened to them. Following their report, they all lifted their voices in prayer. If we had been in their shoes, what would we have prayed for? Would we have asked God for protection, or that He would change the minds of the Pharisees, or even that God would let us preach without mentioning Jesus name? Not the disciples. In this case, they did not have to ask God what He would want them to do, because they already knew. They had been given the Great Commission. So they prayed that God would give them boldness to do what He wanted them to do. And did God answer? “The place was shaken and they were all filled with boldness.”

Whenever we pray the right prayers, the prayers that are according to His will, He is just as anxious to answer them for us, just as He was for them!

Prayer: “Oh Lord, give me the wisdom to see and know Your will for my life, and grant me the courage to trust You and the boldness to follow You wherever and how ever You may lead!” 

Today's Scripture reading comes from Acts 4 & Psalm 23.  In modern times, we view Psalm 23 primarily as a psalm of comfort in mourning.  However, David did not write this with funerals in mind.  When you read it, remember that David's goal was to say, "God is enough and will supply all my needs..."

Timely Reminder

by Caroline Speas

Luke 1:68-75 - “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."

Sometimes when I read the Christmas story, I tend to rush through the parts about Zechariah. I’m not sure why. But as I was reading this passage recently, it seems like the words from every single line struck me in a new way. After the promise of the angel Gabriel (the promise that Elizabeth and Zechariah would have a son in their old age) was fulfilled, Zechariah prophesied with passion about another promise that had been given. This promise was that the Messiah would be born of a young girl he knew named Mary.

After his son’s birth, Zechariah’s mouth was opened, and he used his renewed speech to share about the coming of the Messiah and all that it would mean for God’s people. So, what was God going to do through the coming of the Messiah?

1. Visit and redeem His people

2. Raise up a horn of salvation, or as The NLT calls Him, a Mighty Savior

3. Save us from our enemies and the hand of all who hate us

4. Perform the mercy He promised His people years ago

5. Grant that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives

First of all, I believe those five reasons should move us to worship and thank Him. What a wonderful gift of salvation – one Person who came to do all that!

Secondly, that last line should move us to examine our hearts and lives.

Am I truly living without fear? Am I trusting every part of my life to this wonderful Horn of Salvation, this Mighty Savior who can do anything? Am I living in holiness and righteousness? Are my actions, words, and thoughts becoming of someone who has been genuinely delivered from sin? Would God say that sin really has been removed from my heart and life? Or did I just ask Him to forgive me a long time ago, yet I’m still entertaining sin in the things I say, the attitudes I have towards others, the things I watch, the ways I spend my time and money?

I’m glad I didn’t rush through this prophecy of Zechariah this year. It has been a timely reminder for me to worship and thank God for His wonderful salvation and to make sure that I am serving Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness… all the days of my life.

Passage Guide: Acts 3 & Psalm 118

Making the New Year New

by Pastor Keith

Jeremiah 29:11 - “‘I know what I am planning for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.’”
Philippians 3:12-14 - “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

So often in our lives the new year isn’t a “new” year; it’s just another year that’s been recycled. Much of our lives are repetitious. We’re creatures of habit, often gravitating to the old and familiar. If we’re not cognitive of it, we make the same poor choices, hold on to the same old hurts, lack spiritual drive, and end the new year just like we started it. We miss God’s “plans to prosper you, not to harm, to give you a hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). Let me give three questions to help us make the new year new.

1. What do I need to put off, and what do I need to put on? We tend to focus on the “putting off” – I’ll address my debt, shed some weight, kick an old habit, etc. Our intentions are good, but our follow-through is poor because we haven’t filled the void of what we’ve “put off.” Maybe our focus should be the “putting on” – I’ll put on new thoughts, new words, new actions, allocate new time slots that better please God and edify the soul. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

2. Where are the closed doors, and where are the open doors?  An “open door” may be defined as “where is God working?” God may be working in your finances, or with your family, or your professional and spiritual growth. He could be opening doors for greater ministry, new life disciplines or a renewed sense of servanthood. Most of us know what God wants of us when we quiet before Him. Even Shakespeare said, “If to do were as easy as to know what to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions.” Do what you know to do. (Revelations 3:8)

3. What seems important, and what truly is important?  Many things in our lives “seem” important. What seems important and what is truly important are often miles apart. I’m often called upon to officiate funerals and standing before a casket always forces me to reevaluate my life. A funeral often sobers my thinking about what seems important and what’s truly important. Money takes a backseat to relationships, worry fades when I focus on eternity, and I realize I need to take more stock in the work that is eternal. (Matthew 6:25)

The new year gives us an opportunity to readjust our lives. To realign our lives with the Word of God. To open our hearts and minds to God’s will. To remember God’s plans for you - “plans to prosper you, not to harm, to give you a hope and a future!”

Today's Scripture reading can be found in Acts 2 & Psalm 15.  Have a great day and God bless you as you seek first Him and His Kingdom!

It's OK to say, "No."

by Pastor David

Matthew 16:24 — “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

I have to admit, I was starting to grow concerned.  After just two Christmases celebrations--one with our little family and another with my wife’s—my son's gift count was racking up. Don't get me wrong. I'm not against gifts. But when a 4-year-old boy has more presents than King Solomon following his visitation from the Queen of Sheba, one should be worried.
What's more, each gift seemed to feed this notion within my son that happiness lay just beneath the wrapping paper of the next brightly-colored present.

On the one hand, I was happy for him. I would have loved a haul like that at his age. On the other, I longed to teach him that happiness isn't found in the things of this world. And since stopping our family from gift-giving would be like singlehandedly stopping the flow of the Mississippi River with a canoe paddle, I knew I needed outside help. So I prayed.
Have you ever prayed about something only to be surprised when God answered? I was. It's not that I doubted God's ability to speak. I guess I just wasn't prepared for how quickly He would answer. He did with this simple thought, "Just make sure he hears the word, 'No,' too."
 

In a world that eats, breathes, and lives self-indulgence, that's a tough sell. Why withhold something if it's within your power to obtain it?  But as I reflected on God’s truth, it occurred to me that there are seasons when we should say, “No.” Not only to our 4-year-old boy, but also to ourselves.
When we fall into the trap of thinking happiness lies just beneath the wrapping paper of the next Jeep, or dream vacation, or cell phone, aren't we guilty of the sin of ingratitude?
 

Just because we can afford something, doesn’t necessitate buying it.  Just because we can participate in an activity, doesn't mean we should. Just because self-indulgence is an option, doesn't make it healthy. Sometimes we need to tell ourselves, "No." If for no other reason than to teach our flesh that things of this world don't offer lasting contentment.

In Matthew 16, Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Notice it doesn’t say, “You need to be prepared for those season when I tell you, 'No.'" Just the opposite. Christ instructed His followers that they needed to deny themselves. They needed to choose to say, "No."
I think that's why times of prayer and fasting are so important. We need seasons in which we say, "No," to ourselves and, "Yes," to what God wants for our lives. Every now and again, just like my 4-year-old son, we need reminded that happiness isn't found in the next things this world has to offer...
In a strange way, I'm excited about telling Pastor David's flesh, "No," this month. Do I want to go without? Not really. But maybe, just maybe, in going without, I might find what I've been unknowingly yearning for all along--God Himself.