Aaron Hufty – Page 38 – The Everyday Prayer

They will notice

Re:Verse reading–Acts 9:1-22, 26-31 (day two) The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. vs. 7

This is an interesting element of Saul’s conversion story. During a relatively isolated journey to Damascus Jesus chooses to reveal himself to Saul, but allows others to hear the exchange. This man whom God would use to write the first chapters of the early church was already on a well-recognized path. His conversion clearly rocked the followers of The Way, see Ananias’ reaction in verses 13-14. We often consider how the apostles and the other believers reacted to Saul’s conversion, but what about those who were with him on that road? What kind of story did they tell? They heard the voice of Jesus!

Few of us will ever have the testimony of Saul/Paul, but when God chooses to intervene in our lives, people will notice. Those who know Jesus, and those who knew you before. Has he done that work for you? Is your life bearing evidences of this change?

Run

Re:Verse reading–Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-58, 8:1-5, 26-38 (day two)

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet… 8:29-30a

Philip knew that he would not be on this journey were it not for the work of the Holy Spirit. It seems logical, then, to assume that Philip was very sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance. How did he respond? He ran. There is so much to unpack about the Re:Verse this week, but what has struck me first was Philip’s obedience. He was on a desert road to begin with, also at the Spirit’s behest, and now he has been called to speak to a foreigner. We don’t read of his hesitations, or his doubts. These might have existed, but they are not what drove Philip. He knew had had a reason to be on that journey. He was called, and therefore he felt compelled to share the truth.

We would do well to remember that we are on a journey instigated by the Holy Spirit. When we are called, will you run to or from?

Nothing to Say

Re:Verse reading–Acts 4:5-31 (day two)

And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. vs. 14

Is your witness like this? I confess, mine rarely is, but what a beautiful story. Those whose hearts were cold toward the gospel were determined not to hear it, but the testimony of Peter and John coupled with their actions did not leave any room for dispute. They had no glaring fallacies to point out regarding their message. The evidence of the healing miracle was leaping around beside them. They simply had nothing to say.

We may not see all of our efforts end in the conversion of thousands, but may our prayer be that the world will have nothing on us. Nothing to hold over us. May our love and compassion be so clear that they simply cannot speak. I am praying for your testimony to be strong today. Will you pray for mine? There are many watching, and God is at work.

More than Your Gold

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20 (day two)

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:” vs. 6a

I learned this verse from a more poetic translation: Silver and gold have I none…it has always stuck with me. I don’t think we modern American Christianity resonates as much with this anymore. It’s almost like, “I’ve got money, that should be enough.” The easiest thing we can do is write a check. It is in the act of serving that challenges us. Meeting our brothers and sisters where they are, praying, sharing, loving; these are the acts of service that will require more than your pocketbook. These are the acts of service that will pay eternal dividends.

Piercing Power

Re: Verse reading–Acts 2:1-41 (day two)

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart…” – vs. 37

What is the power of the gospel fueled by the Holy Spirit? It is the power to pierce the heart of anyone who hears. Consider that these people who were pierced were only a few verses earlier accusing Peter and the others of being drunk. How do you go from callously dismissing someones ramblings to being utterly convicted by their testimony? That is the power of the Spirit. Jesus said that it was to our advantage that he go away so that the comforter might come (John 16:7). Do not think that your testimony lacks power. Jesus used ordinary men. He still does. His message can still pierce the heart of the unbeliever. Who will go and tell the world his story?

Waiting

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day two)

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” – v. 6

Waiting is the worst. When you are ready to move nothing can frustrate like having to wait. Perhaps you are ready to leave for school, work, or church and nobody else in the house is ready. Does this try your patience? Waiting for good things can be difficult too. Sometimes the 9 (+) months of pregnancy seems to feel much longer. Promotions, graduations, vacations, there are many things that we long for and seemingly they never come fast enough.

Jesus says wait before he says go. Wait, pray, prepare these are needed for the task ahead. You may think you are ready, but God surely knows best. If you are in that waiting place, ask God to reveal how to best prepare for the next move.

Unity

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day two) Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Vs. 2

It is one of the questions that comes up frequently to the leadership of FBCSA, and it is also a central theme of our new paradigm. Individuals with much institutional memory remember the days when the church was less complex in structure and they long for us to be “united” again. It sounds good, doesn’t it? Everyone in the same place, experiencing the same thing at the same time. Yes, indeed, but that doesn’t paint a very accurate picture of our body. We are diverse, with different needs, languages, and experiences. We are large and small, young and old, but we are united.

Being united, does not mean all the same. What unites us is our love of scripture and our commitment to Re:Verse. Our staff and leadership are united in common purpose to reach and disciple. Our resources are all channeled to a single model. We are more united than many realize. It may not look like it did, but it sure feels like we understand this scripture.

I Love My Wife

Re:Verse reading–James 2:14-26 (day two) “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. vs. 23b

I love my wife. Over 17 years ago I stood in front of the church and declared to her and to God that I loved my wife. Now everyone knows that I love her, and that is the end of that.

…that’s not how it works. We both know that. My love for my wife is ever-growing. I express it to her in a thousand ways, and I still fail to sufficiently acknowledge how much she means to me. I tell her I love her, I send her a text at work. I will buy flowers, or gifts, or make the bed in the morning. Large gestures or small, they each speak to my love for my beloved.

Why then do we bristle when we read this passage from James. My love and commitment to Jesus is the greatest call on my life, so shouldn’t my life be marked by evidence of that love? Just as I want April to know that I cherish her, so, too, do I want Jesus to know that I am fully his. I long to be like Abraham and be considered a friend of God.

Exceeding Expectations

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day two)

…and this, not as we had expected, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. Vs 5

It is 2:40 AM and I have just arrived home from the U.K. after traveling with the Sanctuary Choir for 12 days. Many of you know that prior to that the Chapel Singers toured the Mid-west. It has truly been a month of missions, not only for the music ministry, but for our whole church. My prayer before every service project or concert was that we exceed the expectations of those we were serving. The people we were serving surely had reasonable expectations of what a group of young people could do, or what a church choir sounded like. What was most important to us was that we were there as Christ’s Ambassadors, like our text last week reminded us. Our prayer was that they would see the truth and love of Jesus in the way we served and sang. That they would be drawn toward him by the sweet savor of service. Nothing we did or said was to our benefit or glory. It is my prayer now that we live each day striving to exceed the expectations of those we serve.

Christ’s Ambassadors

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (day two)

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. vs. 20

When I was a college student one of the ways I earned a scholarship was as a student ambassador. My job was to give campus tours to prospective students and their families. It was my job to learn a lot of information about my school so that I could answer questions should they come up. Part of what I did was to put the university in the best light and to share my love and personal experience with the school. We were never allowed to disparage another institution, but only speak well of ours.

We are Christ’ Ambassadors, and our role although similar, has much more at stake than a potential alma mater. Learn all you can. Spend time in prayer and the Word so that you are ready in season and out to give an account for your faith and the testimony of Christ’s work in your life. Draw people to you by your love for Jesus and for them, not your disdain for the world and its emptiness. Our hope has ever been for the world to be reconciled to God.