Aaron Hufty

Grow

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18
(day two)

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peter’s words in the third chapter of his second letter offer us a picture of discipleship that is purposeful and practical. We are talking about growing in our faith this week, and every disciple should be constantly growing. Our hearts should yearn to be more Christ-like in every aspect of our lives. Part of Peter’s words tell us that very thing. We are to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, to become more like him. This is part of the process of sanctification. We should resemble Jesus in thought, word, and deed more each day.

There is also a note of practicality to this passage. To grow in our knowledge of the Lord also arms us against the influences of the world. The more we are aware of the work of the Spirit in our lives, we are more able to recognize what is not of the Spirit. This strong defense will also guard us to be able to continue to…grow.

Declaration of Faith

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:4–5, 9–11; Acts 8:9–13, 34–39
(day two)

As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

How does baptism figure in to discipleship? Like so many other things we do, it points to Jesus. He did it, he demonstrated how we are to act and behave, and it signals to others not only our obedience, but a symbol of our new life as well. We must continue to fight the rhetoric that faith is a quiet personal matter that doesn’t impact others. Jesus publicly called his disciples, and he was baptized for all to see. Our lives should be oriented around a living declaration of who Christ is to us, and what he has done for us. Baptism is a way to demonstrate that.

We are currently finishing our Mission Choir Tour to Boston. You would be so proud of our youth and the way they have demonstrated their faith to others in very bold ways. It is a privilege to watch them grow as disciples.

Ask Your Questions

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9 (day two)

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” v. 4

Each week during the children’s time in worship, we are answering questions that kids have asked Pastor Jimmy in the past few months. It is a lesson in discipleship, for sure. Kids have no guile, just inquisitive spirits. All of us have questions, but often, age and pride have often dulled our willingness to ask the questions. Nicodemus fought through his trepidation, and asked Jesus to explain how a man could possibly be born twice. Yes, he came at night and away from the crowds, but he found a way to get to Jesus with his questions. Notice that Jesus did not chastise him for the hour or location of the interview, and he was patient with this sincere inquiry. For Nicodemus, he took a great risk to come to Jesus. He was in a position where people expected him to have all the answers, and yet he was humble enough to recognize his need.

Along your journey of being a disciple you will likely find yourself in both positions. Someone will ask you a tough question. Recognize their vulnerability and help them; don’t make them feel ashamed for not knowing. At the same time, examine your own journey and find someone whom you trust; ask them the hard questions. Dig into the truth of scripture together. This is how we grow.

Refinement

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26
(day two)

I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.

Out of context, this looks like a pretty dismissive verse. In light of our study on discipleship, this takes on a different dimension. Paul wasn’t trying to highlight where the church was failing; he was helping them acknowledge where they could grow. Do you see the difference? We all have growth areas in every part of our lives, and especially our faith walk. We would do well to hear this encouragement from Paul to rejoice when others can help you grow. This is the heart of discipleship. The Lord wants to refine you. Our tendency, especially as adults, is to feel like we have somehow arrived developmentally. After all, we spend so much time in school, building a career, in relationships – at some point we want to feel like we’ve got it figured out. In truth each of those areas requires constant adjustment and refinement. Our walk with the Lord is a series of becoming more like him each day, and that means allowing others to help you where you are weak.

Plan Well

Re:Verse passage – Luke 14:25-35 (day two)

For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? v. 28

I am writing this sitting outside a service station on the border of Portugal. One of our buses had a small electrical malfunction, and we are all waiting for the green light so we can continue our journey to Lisbon. This tour has been incredible, and I am so grateful to explore the world and sing the gospel.

Many of the towns we have seen have Roman roots, and some roots that pre-date those. In many cases those influences are clearly still on display and used. We traversed a first century bridge, we saw a first century aqueduct, and many of the castles and churches are several hundreds of years old. In the case of the aqueduct, there is no mortar or cement, just pieces of stone stacked precisely together. FOR 2000 YEARS! Doesn’t that blow your mind? In many ways, the Romans were living in the future. Their understanding of engineering was remarkable. You can be sure they understood the process before they began work, and that has made all the difference.

As we walk our faith journeys, may this example encourage you to take time to cultivate relationships, invest in people, and deepen your walk with the Lord, so that you may bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Your spiritual legacy will outlast any other work you do here on earth, so plan well.

Some Will Doubt

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 28:16-20 (day two)

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. v.17

As you go, some will doubt. This verse gives me a great amount of comfort. How could the disciples possibly doubt Jesus at this point? What more could they possibly need to see, hear, witness, experience to acknowledge they had been in the presence of the Son of God? If Jesus’ closest companions had doubts, it shouldn’t surprise or hurt you when others don’t believe what you are telling them. So what do you do with that? First, recognize it is not your job to make anyone believe. Your job is to love the Lord your God with everything you have, and to love others. In so doing, you will share with them the testimony of how Jesus has saved your life. This is the gospel lived out. The responsibility for whether or not they receive that testimony will never rest on your shoulders. As you go, give a clear witness; and if some doubt, keep going.

Not Be Moved

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 93:1-5 (day two)

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
²Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting. v. 1b-2

Over the past 13 weeks our study of the book of Psalms has provided us with many incredible images of strength: towers, foundations, and fortresses. The readings have also given us a picture of the uncertain world in which we live: floods, earthquakes, mountains raging, and fires. The artist in me loves fantastic language that inspires creativity of expression in worship. More than that, however, I love the picture of the steadiness of God. His throne, his reign, his majesty is from everlasting. We cannot plumb the depths of the foundations of his kingdom. He will not be moved. While acknowledging that the world can be unstable, there is comfort in knowing that God is neither panicked nor threatened by chaos. When you are experiencing instability, cast your gaze toward that which is immovable. Gain comfort that the Lord will not be moved by circumstances. He is your rock, now and forever.

Water

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 46:1-11 (day two)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. v. 4

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38

Water has always meant life. From the beginning to end of scripture, there has been an aquatic narrative which has helped our understanding of God’s provision and grace. It is a beautiful picture of restoration to see in Revelation how a river of life flows from the throne of God. In our Psalm this week, we are reminded how God is not unaware of the tumult of the world, but he is a comfort in the midst of the storm. He is still life and provision while the world shakes. We can cease our striving only when we drink from the water of life.

Remember

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 77:1-20 (day two)

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. V. 11

This is the pivot verse of Psalm 77. This is the moment after the psalmist has drained himself of all the things weighing on his heart and mind; and he takes a breath, and remembers. This is such a beautiful and instructional model for our prayers. It is a reminder to talk honestly with the Lord, even when it is uncomfortable. Hold nothing back, empty yourself of your hurt, your fear, your anger, and frustration so there is nothing left except to remember. When your mind and heart are not clouded by the obstacle in front of you, you can look back at the unfailing mercy and goodness of our Lord. I’m not sure we get to this point enough. Either we aren’t being honest with ourselves, and therefore, the Lord, or we are afraid to be that vulnerable. His goodness is patient, but he wants all of you. Empty yourself and remember.

24/7

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 113:1-9 (day two)

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. v. 3

Last week we looked at the mandate to sing, to worship, to praise the Lord. No one is exempt; we are all created to worship the Lord. This week’s passage makes it seem like we get to do nothing else. Even for a musician like me, that seems like a daunting task. What can this possibly mean? Are we supposed to sit in church singing all day every day? I would love to say the answer to that is yes; however, I think it is much more than just singing. How we live our lives is a reflection of our love, devotion, and worship of God. We are to consider every moment as an opportunity to reflect the nature of our creator to the world. That is no less a daunting task than sitting and singing all day, but it certainly gets us out of the pew! A friend recently sent me this passage from Brother Lawrence that I think applies to our reading of Psalm 113:

Simply living and moving in His presence is an acceptable sacrifice.
There is nowhere He is not, no darkness He has not already sounded, nowhere I can go outside His presence.
I may simply live there, be there… and if I don’t know what to say, I can turn the dirt of my garden, I can breathe in and out, I can make breakfast.