Date: 10-11-2020

Title: My Task As A Pastor

(S) cripture:
    Nehemiah 8:8 (NASB) They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

(O) bservation:
    Ezra has called all the people together for the reading of the Word. It is interesting that in verse 2 this call went out to men, women and “all who could listen with understanding.” This reading captivated the people and one great task for Ezra and the men at his side was to translate the Word in order for understanding to happen.

(A) pplication:
    I remember one of professor in a “ministry formations” class say that part of our call was to translate the gospel into the language people can understand. That is an incredible responsibility to have and the New Testament says that teachers will incur a greater judgment. I am also sure that it is the responsibility of every Christian to square everything they hear with scripture themselves but still the responsibility to translate the Word so that the people can understand is sobering. I take this responsibility seriously and today recommit myself to the study and preparation necessary for good, honest, God honoring explanations of the Word.

(P) rayer:
    Lord the task is great, and I need your help and guidance as I prepare and deliver the messages each week. Let me be so full of You that the translation is consistent and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Amen

Date: 10-10-2020

Title: The Lord’s Supper Is More Than We Think

(S) cripture:
    Luke 24:35 (NASB) They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

(O) bservation:
    The men Jesus met on the road to Emmaus had no clue it was Jesus they were talking to. Their conversation was rich. I sure would like to have a recording of Jesus teaching about Himself from all the Old Testament. Even with all this they did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them.

(A) pplication:
    I have often said that some churches and people make too much of the Lord’s Supper or communion when it is the focus of their worship every week. But it also needs to be noted that too often some of us make too little of the Lord’s Supper when it is just tacked on at the end of a worship service once a month or whenever we feel like it. The scripture says that “as often as you do this…” so that leaves the when up to the local congregation. I am not arguing for or against when we choose to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but I am saying that for me as a Baptist it is more than just something we do out of rote. As the bread is broken and the cup is shared, we should be recognizing Jesus and all that He has done for us. It is not just a cracker and juice but rather a memorial that points us to again recognize and remember Jesus. I never want the Lord’s Supper to become routine. We will continue to celebrate it on the first Sunday of the month but as a pastor I never want to take it for granted or to lose it meaning in its repetition. My desire is for all to recognize Jesus as we share the Lord’s Supper together.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, help me to see you in new and meaningful ways each time I share in the Lord’s Supper. Help me to never take you for granted or to minimize your sacrifice on my behalf. Help me to help others to see you clearly. Amen

Date: 10-09-2020

Title: Making The Tough Decision

(S) cripture:
    Luke 23:13-24 (NASB) Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17 [Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] 18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24 And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.

(O) bservation:
    In the face of opposition from the people Pilate caved in and released Barabbas, a guilty man, and gave Jesus (who he and Herod had declared innocent) over to the Jews to be crucified. Pilate was more interested in keeping the people happy than in doing what was unpopular but right.

(A) pplication:
    Sometimes I am called on to make a tough and unpopular decision. To be faithful and obedient to my call I must do what is right regardless of the circumstances. Like most people I want to be liked but sometimes I must make a decision that some will not like. It is much more important to please God than to please the people around me. Today I again affirm my commitment to do the right thing regardless of the consequences to me rather than the expedient thing that might make me popular for a while.

(P) rayer:
    Lord Jesus, in every decision I make I want to do what is right and pleasing to you. Grant me the discernment I need to know what is right and give me strength to resist the expedient. Amen.

Date: 10-08-2020

Title: Hungering For The Presence Of God

(S) cripture:
    Luke 22:61-62 (NASB) The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

(O) bservation:
    When Peter was made conscious of his sin by both a sound and then the Look of Jesus he wept and repented.

(A) pplication:
    In his book, “The Irresistible Church,” Wayne Corderio says the first trait is that of a “hunger for God’s presence.” I have had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in small group settings with Dr. Anthony Headley a professor at Asbury Seminary. Two of his books have impacted my life, “Achieving Balance in Ministry” and “Reframing Your Ministry.” In both he emphasizes the need for the pastor to never neglect their personal devotional life. The trap is to study for messages for the church but to neglect that personal time with the Lord. It was some years ago that I began using the “Life Journal” as a means to foster and order my devotional life because the emphasis is on “How will I be different today because of what I have just read?” The past few years I have been faithfully reading the Bible through but had gotten away from writing down my thoughts. This year I have committed to journaling each day some thoughts from my daily reading. I was reminded again today of the voice of these two men and the impact their books had on my life. In today’s reading both Nehemiah and Peter first confess their sins and then seek God’s presence and grace. Today I want to be daily hungering for the presence of God and seeking Him in His Word.

(P) rayer:
    Lord you know me and my heart. Forgive me for neglecting my time with you alone. I know that apart from your presence I can do nothing of significance in your kingdom. It is my prayer that you use me to make a difference in people’s lives so that they too might experience your presence. Let that hungering be infectious in our church. Amen

Date: 10-07-2020

Title: Trust Rather Than Worry

(S) cripture:
    Luke 21:14-15 (NASB) So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

(O) bservation:
    Jesus is telling the disciples that “worry” is a choice we make, and that choice can be controlled by our minds. We are not to plot, or scheme how we will defend ourselves when attacks from the evil one come. Jesus has promised to give us what we need when we need it. We are to choose to trust Him for our defense and not ourselves.

(A) pplication:
    I need to use my mind more. I need to see “worry” as a choice I make rather than something that is inevitable. I need to trust rather than plot and scheme. I will choose to trust rather than wasting my energy on worry.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, teach me to trust you more and worry less. When I begin to worry, remind me of your faithfulness to me. I want to trust not worry. Amen

Date: 10-06-2020

Title: God’s Gracious Hand

(S) cripture:
    Ezra 7:9-10 (NASB) For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

(O) bservation:
    God’s hand was on Ezra’s life because of the way he lived his life. He was faithful in his study and teaching of and then obedience to the scriptures. God rewarded Ezra with much to do in the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He went from exile to leader of the rebuilding effort of the temple because of the gracious hand of God.

(A) pplication:
    Today I want to have God’s gracious hand on me. I will follow Ezra’s example. I will study, teach and obey the scriptures.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, encourage me and teach me so that I can teach others Your truth. As I serve the people of New Baptist let me encourage them to follow you and to be committed to live out the scriptures. Let me be an example to them. Amen

Date: 10-05-2020

Title: Intentional

(S) cripture:
    Luke 19:5-7 (NASB) When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

(O) bservation:
    The story of Zacchaeus is an interesting one. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and disliked by the people. He most likely had defrauded and cheated and over charged the people for his own gain. To hear Jesus call him by name and say “I must stay at your house today” must have surely shocked them. Why would Jesus intentionally single out this thief and stay with him. Jesus was intentionally going to those who needed a Savior. Zacchaeus responded by repenting and making more than restitution to the people. Jesus intentionally sought out this sinner in order to see that life transformed.

(A) pplication:
    It seems like a “broken record” (tells my age, some young people have never seen an LP album) but this passage again emphasizes the need for the people of God to intentionally place themselves where they can interact with those who do not know Christ. Sometimes it will be to the chagrin and criticism of other Christians. I cannot let the attitude of others keep me from doing what God asks me to do. One sad fact is that the longer a person is a Christian the fewer non-Christians they know or associate with. Although in this encounter with Jesus Zacchaeus was changed immediately in most cases today it will take some time and a long time for many. Will we as Christians give up on people or will we stick with them even though they don’t seem to be responding to the Gospel? I think we need to be in it for the long haul, after all what is a soul worth? Today I will renew my efforts to be with those who are not followers of Jesus. I want to be known as their friend and I will look for opportunities to share my faith with them. I will not give up on them regardless of their response. I pray they will be transformed like Zacchaeus.

(P) rayer:
    Father, help me to not be so cautious and conscious of my friendships. Too often I wonder what others might think because of my pastoral calling. If Jesus was a friend of sinners then I should be too. Let that happen for me and let me constantly point people to you. Help me not to give up on people because you never gave up on me. Amen

Date: 10-04-2020

Title: Be Specific

(S) cripture:
    Luke 18:41-42 (NASB) “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

(O) bservation:
    This chapter in Luke is a series of parables on prayer. In it we find this encounter of Jesus with a blind man. He asks Jesus to be merciful and Jesus asks him to be specific in his request. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus then answered his specific request.

(A) pplication:
    It is easy for me to be general in my prayers. Sometimes I think I am afraid to be specific because I really don’t think God will answer. If I am vague in my prayer I can make almost any outcome fit that prayer. Jesus here suggests that we be specific so that we will recognize the answer when it comes. I want to trust God that much. I want to trust Him enough to be specific when I pray.

(P) rayer:
    Lord help me to be specific when I pray so that I can recognize clearly your answers. Make me aware when I am being vague or general. Amen

Date: 10-03-2020

Title: Forgiveness Over and Over

(S) cripture:
    Luke 17:3-4 (NASB) “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

(O) bservation:
    Forgiveness is not easy. We want to exact our ounce of flesh before we forgive. We want people to apologize and then we will forgive. If they repeat, then we want more from them before we forgive. Here, Jesus challenges that attitude and says that we are to forgive every time and if they repeat the offense we are to forgive over and over. That describes a radical way to live that will certainly impact the world.

(A) pplication:
    Today I will seek to live this command out in my life. I will look for opportunities to forgive regardless of the offense or number of times it has happened. Lord when I want revenge remind me to forgive. When I am frustrated with someone, remind me of your patience with me.

(P) rayer:
    Lord help me to forgive, not to ignore the offense, but to forgive as a reflection of your presence in my life. Let my behavior point people to you, the one who can forgive and cleanse and transform their lives and give them a new heart. Help me to forgive over and over. Amen

Date: 10-02-2020

Title: Being Lowly

(S) cripture:
    Psalm 138:6 (NASB) For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.

(O) bservation:
    David in this psalm reminds us that God is high and lifted up. He is exalted above everything. But even in that high and lifted place He takes note of the lowly and distances Himself from the haughty and proud. It seems that God draws close to the humble, those who trust Him, and stays away from those who trust in themselves or something else. It is comforting to know that the God of Heaven chooses to come near and take care of those who trust Him. Nothing is beyond His sight and care for the lowly. The haughty are depending on their own devices and God simply observes from a distance. Nothing in the lives of the haughty escapes Him either but He keeps His distance.

(A) pplication:
    What does it mean to be “lowly”? This is not an endorsement or call to be weak or shy or poor as the culture would define these things. To be “lowly” means to be “humble”. Humility as I understand is to see yourself as God sees you, with strengths and weaknesses (see Romans 12:3). We are to recognize that the Lord is the source of all we have and that we must depend on Him for the strength and power to use what He has given to us. We are to be aware of our weaknesses and know that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. In every way I am to trust God and never depend on my own abilities and devices. When I get haughty or proud God steps away and lets me go on my own and disaster will eventually come. When I am trusting and depending on the Lord, I experience His presence, strength and nearness. When God seems distant, I can be sure that I have a pride problem.

    Today I will examine my life to be sure I am trusting in the Lord and not in myself. I want to experience God’s nearness continually and never for Him to be far from me.

(P) rayer:
    Lord forgive my haughtiness and pride. Too often I forget that I cannot do anything on my own. Help me to trust you more and more each day. Thank you for giving me gifts and abilities that you can use in your kingdom. I ask that you draw near to me and use me today. Amen