Author: Aaron Hufty

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

Help Those in Need

Re:Verse passage – James 2:1-13 (day two)

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Favoritism, partiality, class distinction…if we are not careful our faith begins to look like keeping up with the Jones’. As I read this passage I was reminded of our call to care for each other. When we begin to create distinctions for who gets care we have lost sight of the gospel. Why is this such a difficult lesson for us to learn? We are called to help those in need. It is the need that should be the catalyst for our help, nothing else.

Do You Really Want It?

Re:Verse passage – James 1:19-27 (day two) This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. vs. 19-20

Perhaps you’re like me: Have you ever prayed for patience, or that the Lord would help to control your anger…only to have the Lord give you an opportunity to practice patience or a tempered spirit? And if you’re like me…you blew it. I always feel so defeated when this happens, but I rarely go far enough to find out the root of my disappointment. James reminds us to put aside those things which are the root cause of our anger. We are to root out wickedness. Oftentimes I find that when I am quickly impatient even after prayer it is because in my heart I really didn’t want it in the first place. Our prayers must be honest. God’s not fooled by a cursory homage to repentance or petition. Dealing with the root of the problem is the only hope for true peace.

 

Familiar Pattern

Re:Verse passage – James 1:13-18 (day two)

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. vs. 15

Make no mistake, sin doesn’t just happen. There are so many times when we put ourselves in positions to allow the un-natural progression of sin to take over. It is likely that you know yourself well enough to recognize a pattern. Whether it is a relationship that is unhealthy, a choice that has historically led to pitfalls, or whatever steps that you have watched yourself take in the past…this ends in only one thing…sin. In order to stop this insanity we must recognize our bent to sin, and cut off the choice before it is too late. If you are strong enough to stop the pattern, and you’re not, Jesus is. It’s time to get off the merry-go-round of sin and death, and set your path where only Jesus can lead.

All In

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day two)

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. vs 6

Have you ever run for an office, tried to get a job, entered into a relationship where you didn’t really put your all into it? Where you didn’t campaign very heavily, or perhaps you were unprepared for an interview. When things don’t work out it’s not a shock, and doesn’t really surprise you, but is that how we should approach life? How can we expect to move forward with anything unless we are all in? James does not waver in this statement. If you approach the Lord, you better come with your all. Don’t leave an out for disappointment. When you don’t fully invest there is always an element of excuse. Be willing to commit fully. Jesus has committed fully to you. If you answer to the Lord’s call, go all in.

When God is Silent

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2–8; 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (day two)

And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. vs. 1b

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.
I believe in love, even though I don’t feel it.
I believe in God, even when he is silent. Anonymous

There are several periods in the Bible where God remains silent, or is perceived as being far away. Do you even feel like that? What are we to do in those times? It can be so difficult to maintain a trajectory when you feel like you are on your own. There is always a reason for the silence of God. It can be disconcerting, for sure, but our call must continue forward. It is also important during those times to remember that we have the Word of God to help shape the next steps. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t “heard” from the Lord in a while. Trust your call, continue in prayer, don’t give up seeking after him. He is nearer than you realize.

Not Done Yet

Re:Verse passage – Judges 8:18-34 (day two)

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, also your son’s son, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.”23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” vs. 22-23

The Midianites were conquered. The tendency for Israel to want to elevate the instrument of Midian’s defeat makes sense. That’s where it gets complicated. Gideon was the instrument, yes, but he was not the reason for the victory. It was God who orchestrated all things to work for his good and glory. For Gideon’s part, he recognized this, but assumed his job was finished. There is so much to caution us in this story. If the Lord brings us to a place of victory we should rejoice and remember it was his hand of provision that made it possible. We should also not assume that once that victory has occurred that our assignment is done. As long as we have breath we should be seeking what our next task for the kingdom should be. May we never be complacent in the work.

Victory and Pursuit

Re:Verse passage – Judges 7:23-24, 8:1-9 (day two)

Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing. 8:4

There are several parts to this ongoing story of Gideon, but don’t miss this part: all the men survived the battle. In a battle every commander weighs the acceptable rate of loss. The unimaginable happened with Gideon and his men. From the very outset against the Midianites, God controlled the narrative. This was never Gideon’s battle. Continue reading in verse 4…they were weary, yet they kept pursuing. Think for a moment the assignment that God has placed upon your heart. Know this, if he has called you to it, he will see you through it. Know this also, it will cost you. Serving will require much from you physically, emotionally, and spiritually…but the outcome is secure. Don’t give up. Trust the one who called you. Now get back out there and pursue.

Trumpets for the Win

Re:Verse passage – Judges 7:12-22 (day two) His friend replied, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” vs. 14

From 32,000 warriors to 300 trumpet players, God prevailed. From the show of Israel’s might, to a trusting leader and men willing to obey an outlandish military tactic, this victory had the hand of the Lord all over it. It didn’t start with the trumpets, however. The Lord had been at work in the hearts of the Midianites. Gideon’s greatest action was to move forward in obedience and allow the Lord to work. Just those marching around the walls of Jericho, God was before them. Do you struggle with trying to figure out how it will all work out? If it doesn’t seem possible, does that inhibit your ability to act in faith? God clearly demonstrated his ability to defeat overwhelming forces with seemingly inadequate resources. He still can.

Not How I Would Have Done It

Re:Verse passage – Judges 7:1-11 (day two)

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’ vs. 2

We don’t often get insight into what God is thinking when he commands or creates, but in this instance we have a glimpse into his perfect understanding of human nature. Think about it 300 men who lap water like a dog is generally not how you would advertise for a group about to overthrow your enemies. God also understands that we need nothing confusing our reading of the situation: we can do nothing apart from God. Has God surprised you lately? Has he done something that you would have done differently? Perfect, then you know that God is still in control. Trust him in all things.

Bargaining

Re:Verse passage – Judges 6:36-40 (day two)

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your anger burn against me that I may speak once more…vs. 39a

To be clear, Gideon had been in conversation with the Lord for quite some time. It was evident that the Lord was dealing with Gideon’s uncertainty and fear. This was not the first exchange between them. It is easy to look at this story and think that we can bargain with God. “Lord, I know you have given me a task to fulfill, and if you give me ten million dollars I will know that you really mean it.” That kind of logic will fail every time. Take your assignments from the Lord seriously, and seriously be in dialogue with him at all times. You will never regret seeking God in all matters. That is where to begin discerning how God wants you to proceed, not giving outlandish parameters for your begrudging obedience.