Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:5-14 (day two) “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! vs 7

Have you ever watched a hurdle or steeple chase race? It’s one thing to train to run as fast as you can to get from point a to point b, but to actually put obstacles in the way is next level. Steeple chasers in particular seem to be gluttons for punishment because of the height of the obstacles and the water hazard that awaits them on the other side. It stands to reason, then, that sprinters who run 100 meters without hurdles run it faster than those with them.

Obstacles are inevitable. Whether they be self-imposed, as they often are, or appear by circumstance they are a fact of life. It is our hope, as believers, that we are able to navigate around them without a setback to our faith journey. Often they can even help teach us lessons as we move forward to help avoid them the next time. Jesus’ words however speak specifically to those who would cause others to stumble, especially children or young believers. He doesn’t mince words; we are not to do this. It makes every interaction with them so important. We must guard our words and actions to make every effort to encourage their faith, not hinder it. Likely, this will only help our own journey as well. I don’t want to run a steeple chase race of faith, let’s not make our children run one either.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:1-4 (day two) Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Vs. 4

This is such a perfect illustration. The Lord uses the word humble in his description of children. Humility seems to be something that we unlearn as we age. I wonder if we can consider that children are not cynical when it comes to authority. That is something that they will often learn to be, but in general, they don’t wince and moan when in the presence of a better. Cynicism is a cloud that distorts our ability to see clearly, to obey without bitterness, and love unconditionally. Children demonstrate this better than us. This is what Jesus is asking us to learn.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 19:1-10 (day two) 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.” Vs 5

 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Much is made of Zaccheus’ size, and being a rather under-heighted individual (I made word up), I have always had a special place in my heart for this story. As I re-read it today I wondered what made Zaccheus stand out. Was it that fact that he was up in a tree? Much like the woman who touched the robe of Jesus in a large crowd, Jesus noticed when someone was desperately searching for him. Zaccheus was intent on being near the Lord, and the Lord came near. Are you searching with that kind of intensity? Do you seek after the savior without regard to what people might think? If you seek him, you will find him.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 28:18-20 (day two)

…I am with you always…

If you have been on this faith journey for long it is likely that there have been times you have felt alone. Whether it be a season of personal struggle, hurt, loss, or just isolation we all experience these periods of loneliness. How does this correspond to this great commission promise of the Lord to always be with us? The simple answer is that when we are ever in doubt we would be wise to trust scripture. If the Lord has promised to be with us always, and we feel alone, what have we put in the way of that relationship? It doesn’t matter if what we are doing is Kingdom-minded, if it impedes our relationship with Jesus we must refocus. You can always trust Jesus to be faithful. If you are feeling disconnected, do an inventory of your priorities. In the end you will find him right where he promised to be.

Re:Verse passage – John 13:3-17 (day two)

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. vs. 17

There are many ways to learn, and as you would imagine, many ways to teach. This last meal with the gathered 12 disciples was an opportunity for Jesus to leverage all that he had taught them over the last three years before the terror of the cross was realized. He would pray over them, he would instruct them, challenge their loyalty, and he would show them what love looks like. Examples matter. When you have exhausted all the words you have, sometimes the best teacher is to simply demonstrate. I imagine that there was initially general chatter happening around the table, then uncomfortable mumbling, silence, and then Peter’s protestations. The powerful lesson demonstrated by Jesus is one that all of us value. We value it in others, and hopefully, expect it of ourselves. These acts of servant leadership are often what motivate others far more than simple words ever could.

This grainy photo was taken my first year on staff at FBCSA. The conference room table had not been cleaned after a lunch meeting was there. Rather than expect anyone to clean, Pastors Don and Bryan wasted no time in doing what needed to be done. They didn’t need to do it, others could have, but they did it. To lead, they served. I have never forgotten this beautiful picture. I want to lead like this.

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 6:5-13 (day two)

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. vs. 6

This verse speaks of the intimacy of prayer. Oftentimes we think of the public, corporate prayers that accompany worship services. But Jesus is speaking about our one on one time with the Lord. It is an opportunity to confess those sins that no one is aware of except God. Our language and posture change when we know that no one else is listening. The words we use may lack varnish, but they tend to be more sincere. When we are alone to confess those times where we have grieved the Lord, it is not a time to show your command of language, it is a time to be honest. We need to spend more time in private confession and see how it impacts every other conversation and public prayer.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (day two)

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Vs. 6

Have you ever been asked to run for office? Whether student council or some other position it takes effort on your part to succeed. You have to talk to people, invest time in the campaign, and show why you would be worthy of the office. When we don’t invest greatly it is not a surprise if the outcome is defeat. Losing hurts, no doubt, but being convinced of our purpose should cause us to double down and give of ourselves to the effort. Nobody wants to spend time and energy in something only to have it not work out, and that is why we sometimes hold back. We don’t want to be hurt.

We shouldn’t approach our faith journey with the same mindset. We are loved by Jesus, the victory is won. That doesn’t guarantee there won’t be challenges, but it should hopefully reframe our mindset. Love big, serve with abandon, and trust fully.

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:42-47 (day two)

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common…vs. 44

What are you looking for in a fellowship of believers? At what point does the life of the church start to interrupt your personal calendar? Are you afraid of being this “all in” when it comes to following Jesus? With this sense of community there is a genuine sense of belonging, but also accountability. You cannot be in this kind of close quarters and hold things back. My fear is that we have made church attendance and/or membership some sort of social demarkation rather than a central focus of our faith journey. God intended us to be in fellowship, and look what happens when we are. The world is changed.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day two)  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. vs. 15

Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

I love my Bible. I read it every day. I read it for many reasons, not the least of which is a directive from the Lord to meditate on these words, hide them in my heart, to teach them to my children. The words give insight each time I study them. In our passage this week Paul gives us an remarkable picture of the result of “training up a child.” Paul reminds Timothy that he has trained for this. This thoughtful, intentional grounding given by Timothy’s mother and grandmother begins to bear fruit as he enters the mission field. What are we giving to our children? Are we training them for the work to which we are all called? If we aren’t, who is? If we are indeed striving to be Better Together, doesn’t that begin with a grounding in God’s Word? Let the training begin.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:15-17, Ephesians 5:22-32 (day two) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Vs. 16b-17

Have you ever felt left out of a group? Even if it was one that you belonged to, you just didn’t feel like you were good enough, strong enough, or successful enough to really fit in. This may trigger some unresolved angst from a Middle School clique, but the reality is that we have all felt “on the outside” at some point in our lives.

The Apostle Paul understands what this feels like, and wants to make sure we don’t bring that kind of ‘in or out’ mindset to our faith. Paul fought for the inclusion of Gentiles into full fellowship not scraps and bits. Trusting and following Jesus gives us an all-access pass into his fellowship. Are you living like that?