Author: Aaron Hufty

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

Get to Work

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 29:1-11 (day two) …for the temple is not for man, but for the Lord God. vs. 1b                                                                                       Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” vs. 5b

David has had a desire to build this temple for years. He has amassed large amounts of money and materials to accomplish his vision. Now as he hands the plans over to his son to complete the task his charge to the people shows the true condition of his heart. A building project like this could easily become a monument to a man, to the person who conceived or oversaw the construction. David is clear that this grand vision was for the glory of the Lord alone. He also rightly discerned that something on this scale requires many skilled hands dedicated to the task who also believe in the dream. How often to we sit on the sidelines when something great is taking shape? Do we sit and watch as others cast a vision for what the future could look like? Perhaps, we think, we will wait and see where this goes before we cast in our lot. How about consecrating ourselves to the work of the Lord and getting about the business of building the body of Christ? Sounds like something we can all get behind.

Strong and Courageous

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 28:11-21 (day two)

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. vs. 20

I love the consistency of scripture, don’t you. The admonition to be strong and courageous sounds like the encouragement Joshua received from Moses and from God. 

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

These words are encouraging, yes, but also an acknowledgement that the road ahead will be filled with challenges. Just because you are called to a God-sized task does not mean that you are God. You will fail, but that does not disqualify you from your assignment. You should also remember:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭

Constant Vigilance

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 28:1-10 (day two) 

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” vs. 9

You have been singled out, chosen for a high honor, and given esteem; seems like you’ve got it made, right? Solomon need only think on his father, David, or the great Patriarchs like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and all the others to realize to be chosen is not to be free from temptation and trial. The Lord had clearly selected Solomon to build his Temple, but that selection also came with the burden to continue to seek after the Lord in all things. Failure to do so had consequences.

Have you even reached a point where you could truly feel the pleasure of the Lord? What happened next? Our call is to constantly take up our cross. Let us remember the great favor the Lord has shown us, but continue to persevere in what he has called us to. Constant vigilance.

Everybody, Always

Re:Verse passage – Mark 3:31-35 (day two) 

For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother. vs. 35

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. Exodus 20:12

Caring for each other seems to be a consistent thread of scripture. Whether it is to obey, or to assist, the Bible has much to say about how we should interact with neighbors (everyone) and family (believers). Bob Goff wrote a book confronting this topic called Everybody, Always, and the premise is that we are called to love and serve everybody, always. It’s what Jesus has been saying all along. In the wake of last week’s storms it was an incredible picture of the church to see phone calls and texts from all over the city making sure their brothers and sisters had everything they needed. We don’t need a crisis to act like Jesus. He has given us permission already.

As for My House

Re:Verse passage – Mark 3:20-30 (day two)

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Vs. 25

Much can be made of verse 24 in relation to today’s volatile political climate. Most of us, however, are content to rail against the current dysfunction and throw our hands in the air since we have little power over the outcome. Jesus was so keen that he did not leave that analogy at that level. He immediately brought it to a place that should reach each one of us. What is the condition of your home and family? Are you working in the very place that you can have influence to make sure that there is a zeal for the things of the Lord? Let’s start there, and see where the Lord takes it.

He Wanted Them

Re:Verse passage – Mark 3:13-19 (day two)

And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. vs. 13

He wanted them. I’m not sure this can be overstated: Jesus wanted to be around these men. You’ve heard about how God has consistently used flawed people to build his Kingdom, but have you considered the tedious nature of our rebellion? It’s one thing for flawed people to make good choices when it counts, but quite another to know these less desirable personality traits are a daily reality. Knowing that, he wanted them. Friend, Jesus wants you. This shouldn’t surprise you, but I hope that you will consider the fact that he can redeem even those rough parts, or use them for his glory. He wants you to be near him.

Retreat is Not Defeat

Re:Verse passage – Mark 3:1-12 (day two) Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples…vs. 7a

Retreat is not defeat. Look at this pattern in Jesus’ life and ministry. He was pressed on all sides. He was challenged at every turn, all while he was teaching and healing. Jesus stepped away. He didn’t step away from his assignment and purpose. He stepped away to honor the covenant of God the Father. We are commanded to stop and rest. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and he took time to be still and quiet. This beautiful act of obedience should cut us to the quick. Doing more is never mandated in the scriptures. Doing wisely is our task. Wisdom demands our stillness more often than most of us are comfortable with. He didn’t get to rest long, but it was a priority nonetheless.

Meet Their Needs

Re:Verse passage – Mark 2:23-28 (day two) 

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. vs. 27

As I was studying this passage this morning I referred to the notes in Bible’s commentary section. After referring to the passage that Jesus referenced,   (1 Samuel 21:1-6), it spoke of the difference between the letter and the spirit of the law. I am not a legal scholar, but I do know that Jesus was not trying to be above the law. He did, however, understand why they law existed. He knew the tendency of man to sin and the necessity to point back to a better way. He also knew that meeting people where they are is crucial to getting them to where they need to be. Caring for people is never wrong. Do we see the needs of our neighbors, or do we see how they are not living like us? How can they ever know love if we refuse to see them until they are like us?

 

True Fasting

Re:Verse passage – Mark 2:18-22 (day two) 

“Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:6-7

If there was a subtext to what Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, surely this was it. Those who should know better were fixating on minutiae rather than the heart of what we are called to do. The prophet Isaiah saw this, Jesus saw this, and it is fair to assume that we still focus on the small details rather than the heart of our call. Our ministry is to help set free those who are imprisoned by their sin. Those who are shackled by the weight of their choices; we are to be a buoy of hope. We must never forget what the true purpose of any ritual we adhere to. If we can’t see the helpless around us, we are likely missing the point.

 

Teacher

Re:Verse passage – Mark 2:13-17 (day two) 

And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. vs. 13

I always resonate with passages like this. I love reading about Jesus surrounding himself with large crowds, children, tax collectors, or inquiring Pharisees. Jesus loved to teach. He had just performed an incredible miracle and by way of that miracle revealed his true nature to those who were there, but he came to teach, to save. The spectacle was grand, but in the end he wanted people to understand why he came. That is the heart of every teacher I know. We want to make sure you know why we are doing the things we do. Jesus didn’t come to keep you in the dark. He came to bring light. Aren’t you grateful for a God who teaches? Have you spent time with the Lord asking to bring understanding to his Word or his plan?