Author: Aaron Hufty

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

Requirements Fulfilled

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day two) He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us vs. 3b-4a

In my collegiate experience I had the wonderful opportunity to pursue my academic studies through three degrees at three different institutions. One of the things that made each experience unique was the stage of life I was in at the time. During my undergraduate degree there was very little sense of urgency or responsibility to get through. My Master’s was different because I had rent to pay and other bills that were new to me. During my doctorate I entered with a family and had to give up my teaching career to begin my studies, therefore no income.

This shift in life also changed how I viewed the requirements that were needed to complete my degrees. During my doctorate, in particular, I was always aware of how every class would fulfill what needed to be done. I always knew how many more classes I would need to fulfill the requirement and thus earn the degree.

God gave us the law so that we could always know the requirements needed to honor him fully, but there was a catch. We could never, on our own, meet the minimum. Our fallen state brings us up short every. Over the years sacrifices, rituals, and ceremonies were instituted to fill the gap. And then came Jesus. He, and He alone, had the necessary ability to fulfill the requirement once and for all. He has done it for you. Have you thanked him for what He has done; for all those requirements that He has fulfilled that you never could have done on your own? Why not thank him now.

You WILL Receive

Re:Verse passage – Acts 1:8 (day two) 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Do you ever feel that you’ve been given an assignment that you are not equipped to complete? That is not the picture that this scripture paints for us. The promise is that you will receive power from the Holy Spirit. Our assignment includes a power that does not come from our own device. We cannot manufacture the work of the Spirit, but we are also powerless if we act without it. Take great comfort from this promise. I am indeed unequal to this Kingdom-sized task that the Lord has put before me, but we have been promised a comforter, and advocate, a Spirit that empowers Kingdom-sized results.

I Have Seen

Re:Verse passage – John 1:29-34 (day two) I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God. vs 34

John’s words are the essence of evangelism. You may not be able to speak in huge theological terms, although study of theology is beneficial. You may not be able to quote every element of church doctrine, although a familiarity  with what your church believes is helpful. Your knowledge of scripture may be developmental at best, keep developing. What you do have is a personal relationship with Jesus. This is what you are called to share. In your conversations recognize that you are still learning, but never shy from your duty to tell people what you do know. Testify to what you have seen, how you have seen him work, who Jesus is to you. These things can not be taken from you.

Seek to Destroy

Re:Verse passage – Mark 11:11-19 (day two) 

The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. vs. 18

The chief priests were likely angry at Jesus for the extremely public rebuke that he gave them, but look at their response. They began to seek a way to destroy him. Let’s be honest, we are the same. I doubt you would actively seek to destroy someone who challenges, chastises, or rebukes you, but we do it in our hearts. How many times, when challenged, do you begin to harden your heart towards the person and miss the message? Being corrected is hard, and we live in a world that does not value humility. It is far easier to lash out, to assassinate the other’s character rather than take an honest look at what brought about the correction in the first place. Jesus won’t always turn over tables, but you can bet he will challenge your sin nature. How will you react? How will this inform how you treat others?

Setup Man

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:1-8 (day two) And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. Vs. 7

Professional baseball may be on hiatus, but I couldn’t help thinking of a type of pitcher that John the Baptist could relate well to. The Setup man. If you aren’t familiar with baseball there are eight position players and then the pitcher, but all teams carry specialists. Lefties, righties, knuckleballers, flame throwers, and then you have the roles they play. Most people are familiar with the starters and the closers, but the setup man is an often under-celebrated role. He won’t figure in to the win, he won’t get the save. His job is to take the team from the starter to the closer without giving up runs.

John knew this wasn’t his story to tell. His role in this grand tapestry was to prepare for the one who would redeem us all. John understood that fame and notoriety were completely unnecessary for this coming king. Repentance- this is what he preached. People heard, they were being prepared, and then came the Christ. Don’t downplay your part in this story. God has an assignment for you. It’s not to bring you glory, but to prepare for the continuing work of God.

Shine Brightly

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 12:1-13 (day two)

 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Vs. 2-3

I love the poetry of these verses. There is enough mystery in them to fire the imagination, but still they are filled with the promise of hope. I love these verses because the point to a moment where those resting redeemed will shine are receive the reward of the righteous. Not often in the Old Testament do we read about what happens after death. Our greater understanding of eternity comes from Jesus and what he taught, and further from the great Revelation. In the midst of what must come, the war, the rebellion, and all the accompanies those, this is an oasis to the faithful. A life lived for Jesus is worth it.

War and More War

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 11:1-45 (day two) 

And now I will tell you the truth. Behold, three more kings are going to arise. Vs. 2a

So, you’re saying there’s going to be war? I have tried to read this chapter as Daniel would have read it. We have some indication who these kings of the North and South were as we have layered history on top of prophecy, but Daniel did not. In that sense, I get frustrated. North, South, kings and kingdoms, battles and false gods; doesn’t it seem like a world spinning out of control. What is a prophet to do? Then I realize, I’m not Daniel, and that is an indictment on my spiritual formation. Tough words were not new to him or his faith journey. He delivered them to Kings all his life. He was put in a place to speak truth to power, and to withstand the changing regimes of godless men. Daniel may have been wearied by these words, but his faith was not shaken. If the Lord continued to allow kingdoms to rise and fall, that didn’t change Daniel’s assignment in a greater Kingdom design. We cannot change our place in history, but we can accept where God has placed us and get to work.

You Are Heard

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 10:1-21 (day two) 

Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. vs 12

Read that verse again…slowly. Now substitute your name for Daniel’s. All this time that you have been petitioning the Lord on behalf of your children, your family, your co-workers, your city, or whatever – the Lord has heard you. That doesn’t mean you are going to hear the answer tomorrow, or that you should stop praying, but isn’t it a comfort to know that you are heard. Can you imagine Daniel’s relief to hear those words. None of those moments were in vain. When you go before the Lord, have this assurance; you are heard. Let me also encourage you to make that an end in itself. Just the recognition that you serve a God who hears should be enough to continue to serve. Press on.

Highly Esteemed

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 9:23-27 (day two)  

At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision. vs. 23

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine! Isaiah 43:1b

Believer, when was the last time you recognized your standing with God? Scripture tells us over and over again how much we are loved. Not because of our merit, or on account of status. We are his, and he rejoices over us. This doesn’t mean that we won’t face our share of challenges. We will continue to be refined until we reach glory, but in the midst of struggle we can rest assured that God loves us. Daniel is highly esteemed. It may be easy to look around and become forlorn, but don’t forget to look up. God is active and has not forgotten you.

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 9:1-23 (day two)

…while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. vs. 21

It has been mentioned several times in the past few weeks, but I think it bears repeating; Daniel was a man of prayer. What I found compelling is that in this passage Daniel admits both his extreme fatigue, and his reliance on God. Following after the Lord does not guarantee a worry-free existence. You’ve been walking in faith long enough to know that. Our weariness, however, should not be an excuse to take a break from following and serving. When the Lord blesses abundantly we are to give thanks and spend time with him. When we are walking through life’s valleys we are to lean on his promises and spend time with him. Daniel is a great model of how to prioritize our walk with Jesus in the midst of an ever-changing world.