Date: 10-21-2020

Title: Gracekillers

(S) cripture:
    Acts 15:1-2 (NASB) Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

(O) bservation:
    As Paul continued to preach salvation by faith alone in Jesus to the Gentiles. Some Jews came and began to teach that the Gentiles must be circumcised in order to be Christians. Paul and Barnabas took exception to this teaching and it was then taken to the Jerusalem Council for resolution. Paul and Barnabas would not let the gracekillers have their way with the new converts.

(A) pplication:
    In his book, “The Grace Awakening” Chuck Swindoll describes people who add unbiblical demands to following Jesus as “Gracekillers.” Anytime we add some work or action to faith it really does kill grace. I often wonder if I put unbiblical demands on people making following Jesus more difficult for them. In our churches do we demand a certain kind of dress or hair length or language? I try to be aware each day of what may be gracekillers in my life or from me into the lives of others. It is sobering to take a look at what I think and what demands I put others for following Jesus. Today I commit again to identifying and laying aside the gracekillers I find in my life. I have been set free to follow Jesus and to do his will and I should never submit to legalism again.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me keenly aware for the gracekillers I experience in my life and especially of the ones I direct at others. Let me learn and teach following you by grace through faith. Amen

Date: 10-20-2020

Title: My Great Assurance

(S) cripture:
    Job 9:33-35 (NASB) “There is no umpire between us, Who may lay his hand upon us both. 34 “Let Him remove His rod from me, And let not dread of Him terrify me. 35 “Then I would speak and not fear Him; But I am not like that in myself.

    Job 9:33-35 (NIV) If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, 34 someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. 35 Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.

(O) bservation:
    Job desperately wanted an arbitrator between him and God. He knew he could not stand on his own but needed an advocate.

(A) pplication:
    I also desperately need an arbitrator. The Good News is that I have one in God’s Son, Jesus. Jesus is the one that takes God’s wrath away from me. He is the one who took God punishment for my sin on himself. My faith in Jesus’ provision for me assures me of my place with God. I am no longer under God’s wrath but am now His child. I am so fortunate to have Jesus as my Savior, Advocate and Arbitrator

(P) rayer:
    Thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to die in my place and to take your wrath from me. Let me forever live with a grateful heart for what you have done for me through your Son. Amen

Date: 10-19-2020

Title: What I Am To Do

(S) cripture:
    Acts 12:7-8 (NASB) And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

(O) bservation:
    God did for Peter what he could not do for himself (remove chains and open prison doors) but expected Peter to do what he could (put on his clothes, sandals and follow).

(A) pplication:
    There are things that God does not do for me or force me to do. My daily time with Him must be my decision and I must make the time and keep it. God will not force this on me. If I want to experience what God has for me, I need to spend time with Him and time in His Word. God has done for me what I could not do (forgive my sins, give me new life and place me into the body of Christ). There are those things I am to intentionally do (obey and follow and nurture my relationship with Him).

(P) rayer:
    Lord remind me when I have neglected my time with you. I want to know you better and follow you closer and to do so I must spend time with you. Hear my prayer today, Amen

Date: 10-18-2020

Title :My Heart’s Desire

(S) cripture:
Acts 11:24 (NASB) for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

(O) bservation:
    Barnabas was sent to Antioch to encourage the new believers there. In addition to being recognized as a Godly man he also led many people to the Lord. It is here that believers were first called Christians.

(A) pplication:
    I am challenged by this passage. Barnabas was the encourager and it came from his commitment to the Lord and to the people he met each day. It is my desire to be the same kind of person. I want to lead many to Jesus. I want to be known as a Godly man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, you know my heart and my deepest desire to be used by you to make a difference in the lives of people I meet for the kingdom. Help me to keep my focus on you and not be distracted from your call in my life. Amen

Date: 10-17-2020

Title: My Confidence and Hope

(S) cripture:
    Job 4:6 (NASB) “Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?

(O) bservation:
    Job has just given a long lament wishing that he had never been born. His friend, Eliphaz comes and reminds him of some of the things he has done. He then asks Job this question, “Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” It is a reminder to Job that his confidence and hope are not in material things but rather in the spiritual realm.

(A) pplication:
    It is good to be reminded of where my real strength comes from. Real strength comes from my relationship with God and all else is counterfeit. My reverence and awe of God reminds me that He is in control of all things and can do whatever He chooses. My responsibility is to trust and follow not lead. My confidence comes in knowing that the God of the universe is directing and leading and as I follow him with integrity, I have hope. Hope is that sure, unshakable assurance that God is in control and I can trust Him. Given the hectic nature of life and the pressures that come I am thankful for the gentle reminder of where my focus and trust need to be.

(P) rayer:
    Father, you are the Holy One of heaven. You can do whatever you choose because of who you are. I stand in awe of you and kneel in reverence. Let me experience a confidence that comes from you as I walk by faith following you. Amen

Date: 10-16-2020

Title: With Wisdom and The Holy Spirit

(S) cripture:
    Acts 6:10 (NASB) But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

(O) bservation:
    Stephen begins to preach and some leaders of a synagogue want to argue with him. Stephen spoke with wisdom and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Because they could not win the argument they brought false witnesses against him and he was arrested.

(A) pplication:
    In the face of opposition or criticism I must be sure that I am speaking with wisdom and in the power of the Holy Spirit. That requires preparation and a moment to moment commitment to following Jesus. The scripture addresses the use of the tongue in many places. It is important that when I speak it be with the wisdom and power of God’s Spirit. Too often I want to jump in with a quick pithy comment that most often does not move the conversation forward. Rather a wise and timely word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would help to move things along. The end may not be what I want, I am sure that Stephen was not hoping to be arrested and yet in it all God was glorified. I want the outcome of my conversations to bring the same result, that God is glorified.

(P) rayer:
    Lord teach me when to speak and when to remain silent. Let me speak with wisdom in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let my conversations bring glory to you. Amen

Date: 10-15-2020

Title: Making An Eternal Difference

(S) cripture:
    Acts 5:38-39 (NASB) “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

(O) bservation:
    The disciples have been arrested again for preaching the gospel of Jesus. The religious leaders want to quiet them by force but Gamaliel advised them to stay away from this. The counsel he gave is in the scripture I chose for the day. “If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” The disciples after being flogged continued to teach and preach. The flogging was considered a sign to rejoice because it meant they were worthy to suffer for Jesus.

(A) pplication:
    In our culture we very rarely consider suffering or punishment a reason to rejoice. Most often my suffering comes from my own selfishness and sin and that should not be confused with the suffering the disciples endured with joy. But what caught my attention today was Gamaliel’s advice. “If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” As I look at all that I do in my life I must ask, “Is this from God and will it stand?” If I want to make an eternal difference in the lives of the people I meet, then I must be about that which is from God and not just a great program someone has devised. In no way do I ever want to be fighting against God. I am afraid that sometimes we come dangerously close when we use slick “Wall Street” advertizing or allow pop culture to shape how I do ministry. Today I again make a commitment to do my best to be doing what God is blessing and not just asking God to bless what I am doing.

(P) rayer:
    Lord my desire is to keep my focus on you and to do what you would have me to do. Amen

Date: 10-14-2020

Title: Being Bold In The Face Of Opposition

(S) cripture:
    Acts 4:29 (NASB) “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

(O) bservation:
    The religious authorities have arrested Peter and John. The authorities cannot find them guilty of a crime, so they release Peter and John but commanded them to stop preaching Jesus to the people. The disciples ask for confidence and boldness to speak God’s Word in the face of opposition by those in authority. It seems that the religious authorities did not want any preaching of Jesus in the public square.

(A) pplication:
    It seems that there are those in our country that are bent in removing any talk of Jesus and faith in Him from the public discourse. There are threats of lawsuits and boycotts that have been called for. We hear a great deal about the separation of church and state, a concept that I support. I do not think the church or state should have control over the other. When it has happened in history it has corrupted both the church and state. This separation does not mean the separation of faith and state. In the face of this kind of opposition it is important for me to continue to trust God for strength and protection and to preach with boldness and confidence. Those both come only as a result of walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today I ask like Peter and John to speak God’s Word with confidence.

(P) rayer:
    Father, let me know your strength, protection and power in the face of all opposition so that I might preach your word with boldness and confidence. Amen

Date: 10-13-2020

Title: Meditate

(S) cripture:
    Psalm 1:2 (NASB) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

(O) bservation:
    The righteous delight in God’s Word. They let it permeate their whole lives by meditating on it at all times. God’s Word changes them and gives them the nourishment they need to bear fruit and flourish.

(A) pplication:
    Today I will again focus on delighting in God’s Word. I want it to change and nourish me so that my spirit is strong. I want to lead as one committed to the Lord. I want my fruit and life to last as a witness to God’s faithfulness and grace.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I want your word to dwell in me. Let it change and nourish me today. Let me lead as one firmly planted and rooted in you. Amen

Date: 10-12-2020

Title: Small Groups

(S) cripture:
    Acts 2:42-47 (NASB) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

(O) bservation:
    In its beginning the church was together and committed to certain behaviors that caused them to grow. The church was committed to sound teaching and doctrine, taking care of each other and meet for worship and fellowship. The believers met together for worship but in smaller groups for care and fellowship. It is an example for us to follow as we seek to grow as a church.

(A) pplication:
    The idea of small groups is not new. We see it here in the New Testament but as Baptists we have been committed to small groups for years and years. We call the small groups, Sunday School Classes. In addition to the Sunday School Classes we also have women’s and men’s Bible studies and affinity groups that meet for study, caring and fellowship. The small grouping of people gives people a chance to form deep personal relationships that help them grow as disciples of Jesus. Today I want to affirm those who lead these groups and the important ministry they carry out each week. As pastors we cannot care for all the people every day like their small groups can. We can be there in crises, but every day care comes best from those small groups.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for all the leaders of small groups that care so well for their people. Help me honor and equip them. I pray that many people will find that small group of people to grow with as they follow Christ.