Author: Aaron Hufty

Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.

Do You Really Want to Know?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 10:25-37 (day two)

But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” vs. 29

This is the question that initiated one of the most probing and penetrating parables in all of scripture. When reading this it occurs to me to ask; did he really want to know? There he stood as a student of the law, one who understood textual nuance. This man knew things. He knew enough to engage Jesus with a query about personal righteousness. That knowledge, however was not enough to save him. If we don’t put into practice those lessons taught to us in scripture are we truly Jesus’ disciples? How many of us stand with our toes right up to the line of a spiritual awakening, knowing enough to realize what can come from obedience, only to remain there and not take the leap into action? The world is gasping for breath, and we do well to hear it. What good is it to know these stories and let our neighbors tread the way of death? Jesus didn’t come to tell stories, he came to give the world the breath of life. Time to jump.

ROI

Re:Verse passage – Luke 8:1-15 (day two)  

“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.” vs. 11

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Do you do any investing? I confess that this is not an area that I have great knowledge of, but I am grateful for individuals who help me make wise choices. Whether you are investing your finances or into an individual or project one thing that you always hope for is a good Return On Investment. You want to know that your resources have been well spent and that you haven’t squandered your time on something that ultimately won’t bring great yield.

The Kingdom of God does not work in this way. While we are to be good stewards of what the Lord gives us, his Word is a different matter. Our mindset should be to spread the gospel wherever we go, wherever we are, with whomever we meet. We are to be faithful to that call, and then by the miracle of the Holy Spirit, the Word will accomplish what it sets out to do. On that you can be sure. Invest in the Word, invest in people, and let the Lord deal with hearts.

Heart Service

Re:Verse passage – Luke 6:46-49 (day two)  

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Vs. 46

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21

Lip service is not heart service. Everyone of us, to some degree or other, finds ourselves in this situation. We give deference to whomever we are speaking with, and then act in a manner that is contrary to those words. It is often easier to just say what people want or like to hear in their presence. To honor them with titles, platitudes, or promises only to do whatever is truly dwelling in our hearts. Jesus, however, doesn’t operate on that level. His concern is for what lies buried in your heart. He is not  convinced by your words. Oftentimes it is easier to say what people want to hear, but if we form that habit with people what does that say about our relationship with Jesus? As James would remind us from our last study; let your yes be yes, and your no be no. You will never have to second guess what your promised if it is always the truth.

Weeds

Re:Verse passage – Luke 5:33-39 (day two) And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciplesof the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” vs. 33

The Pharisees are in the weeds. Just a few verses prior to this passage they are complaining to Jesus about who he eats with, and here they are concerned with whether he eats. As is often the case in these exchanges these religious leaders they have missed the point entirely. This tactic is not unknown to us. If we find that we cannot argue from a strong position, we attack peripheral or petty things. We focus on shallow unimportant areas that don’t ultimately move anyone forward. The next time you feel the need to push back on someone consider your position first. Are you operating out of love, and does it ultimately matter. Otherwise you’re just in the weeds.

Disciple

Re:Verse passage – James 5:19-20 (day two)

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 

Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

The need to have others in our lives to help shape our faith and hold us accountable is immeasurably valuable. To be a disciple and a disciple maker is part of the ongoing working out of our faith as we navigate this mortal journey. Where are you on this spectrum? Are you being discipled? Is there someone in your life that you need to disciple? This is not an either/or proposition, this is how we do faith. Getting forward as a body of Christ contains an element of accountability. Let us all be praying for God to reveal who we can partner with today.

YES

Re:Verse passage – James 5:12-18 (day two)

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. vs. 12

Whether in your spiritual walk or other areas of your life, it is important to establish what you believe, what you stand for, and what you will represent. It’s ok to have an opinion. We are often too worried about how that will come across to others. Many times it is not our opinion that offends people as much as how we force it on others. In conversations with others I will often lead with “I’m willing to be wrong, but this is what I believe.” We often don’t take enough time to truly examine why we believe what we believe, and that leads to indifference. James has something to say about that. Start with the things that matter. Who is Jesus to you? Know what you believe about him, and then speak with love and conviction.

Endure

Re:Verse passage – James 5:7-11 (day two)

We count those blessed who endured. vs. 11 a

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

As James completes his letter by gently restating his observation about enduring trials. This time he doesn’t say “count it all joy,” but he reminds us of those who have come out of the fire and how we all have admired their faith as a result. Be like them, he would say to us. Have you read “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom? It is an incredible testament to this sort of faith. Her story of perseverance during the Nazi occupation of her homeland was extraordinary, and it continues to be a reminder to us of how the Lord is faithful during all chapters of our lives. Hang in there, the Lord is near. Your devotion at this time will be a defining moment in your journey.

Success

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day two) Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. vs. 4

Everyone has a desire to be successful. There are many different models on how to get ahead in business, relationships, and personally, but as believers there should always be a caveat. How does getting ahead impact your witness? Whatever you employ as a means of success; what does it say about your faith? No matter the words we use, how we treat others will speak volumes. Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate gain. If you can continue to be a success and a faithful witness, may your tribe increase. If, on the other hand, you struggle with how you treat others on your ascent: stop. Our treasure is in Heaven, and that is what we must be measured by. The Lord will help.

Today

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day two)

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. vs. 14

How much do we need this passage of scripture today? As I read and re-read this passage I couldn’t help thinking about all that is happening around us. At the end of the day how much have left for tomorrow? Is there a conversation you need to have? A relationship in need of repair? Sin that needs to be dealt with? We are not promised tomorrow, but we have hope today. With so much uncertainty all around make the most of what the Lord has given you. Make this moment a kingdom-sized moment. You are dearly loved.

Humility

Re:Verse passage – James 4:1-12 (day two) Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. vs. 10

Humility is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of faith, and likely one of the most difficult to genuinely master. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that “pride goes before destruction…”, so it shouldn’t surprise us that the we are called to humility. It makes sense when you read and follow the teaching of Jesus, but lived out we find ways to complicate it. Humility requires complete submission. Being right, being heard, being understood, they don’t matter. Surrender does. We can’t be humble with strings attached. It’s phony and gets us nowhere. True humility understands that our success is not dependent upon an outcome, a scenario, or a vote of confidence. Humility sees only the feet of Jesus as our gaze is fixed to him alone.