Author: Aaron Hufty

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

Make No Mistake

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 6 (day two) Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. Vs. 5

Make no mistake, genuine worship is a response to God’s presence. No amount of presentation or polish will usher in the Holy Spirit. We are foolish to think that we do anything to invite the Lord into his house. We are the ones that need reminding of his majesty. When the blinders of sin, doubt, the past, our weariness are finally removed our natural response is to praise. It is what we are made to do. What is your expectation when you enter worship? For that matter what is your expectation every time you seek the Father in prayer. Make no mistake we don’t need to get his attention, he is trying to get ours. What would our worship be like if we came with hearts ready to praise? Not perfected or even always happy hearts, but hearts calibrated to truly encounter Jesus. Who knows, we might even dance…

God With You

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day two)

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him. vs. 10

This right here. If there is any doubt as to why Saul’s reign ended and David’s did not it is this verse. The Lord was with him. Was it because David was better than Saul? More educated? More highly favored? Or was it a mater of David consistently seeking after the Lord? His walk was not perfect, but when re-directed David knew where to turn for guidance, strength, and correction. No battle is too insignificant. No decision too small. Everything is the Lord’s, so go ahead and lay it before him. Seen God work here before? That should be more reason to trust him again, and not assume he’ll just show up.

Warrior/Poet

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7 (day two)

Then David chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son,  and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar. Vs. 17-18

David was a warrior-poet. I think we forever think of him as a shepherd boy trying to wear Saul’s armor. We seem to be ok with the ruddy-faced young man writing poetry and singing psalms. Can we advance that figure in years? This same king who was known for his sword, his sin, but also his devotion to God. Can you be ok with this very grown-up version of David? A warring man who also grieved and danced publicly? Moderns struggle with this concept. It is an either or proposition for most of us, but not to David. His expressions of grief, love, devotion, and joy are all part of who he was. I want to encourage all of you to be more demonstrative in how your express your faith. Yes, even in an artistic medium. If it was good enough for a warrior king, it’s good enough for you. Write a poem, sing a song, paint a picture, and by all means tell others of what life in Christ is all about. I think our church will be a radically renewed place if we were to follow that example.

The Love of God

Re:Verse passage – John 21 (day two) 

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. vs. 25

John helps put in perspective the life and ministry of Jesus Christ in this last verse of his gospel account. Lest we think that we can read every word and miracle that Jesus uttered or performed. Scripture is indeed sufficient, but we can rest assured that Jesus was always about his father’s business. When others aren’t watching can that be said of you? At home, with family, at work, or worship the call is the same. We are here to proclaim Jesus until he returns.

  1. The love of God is greater far
    Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
    It goes beyond the highest star,
    And reaches to the lowest hell;
    The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
    God gave His Son to win;
    His erring child He reconciled,
    And pardoned from his sin.

    • Refrain:
      Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
      How measureless and strong!
      It shall forevermore endure—
      The saints’ and angels’ song.
  2. When hoary time shall pass away,
    And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
    When men who here refuse to pray,
    On rocks and hills and mountains call,
    God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
    All measureless and strong;
    Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
    The saints’ and angels’ song.
  3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
    And were the skies of parchment made,
    Were every stalk on earth a quill,
    And every man a scribe by trade;
    To write the love of God above
    Would drain the ocean dry;
    Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
    Though stretched from sky to sky.

Whom?

Re:Verse passage – John 20:1-21 (day two)

The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first. vs.4

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” vs. 15a

The women were the first to arrive. Surely they had questions. How were they to get to the body of Jesus? What state would he be in? It never occurred to the them that he might not be there, and their first reaction was that his body had been stolen. They ran back and called for the disciples to come. Peter and John set out and eventually broke into a dead run. Why? If the body was gone what good would it have done to get there quickly? What were they expecting to find? What was their urgency?

Scripture does not reveal to us what exactly was in their hearts and minds at those moments, but we do see them meet Jesus and they did not recognize his face. In their surprise, they never thought that he would be the one speaking with them. Which begs the question, for whom were they searching? If he is standing in front of you, speaking with you, why should it matter that he doesn’t show up as you would expect. He is here, now, calling you. Don’t let your expectations get in the way of the Savior.

#truth

Re:Verse passage – John 19:1-30 (day two)

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”  18:38

For today’s post I backed up a few verses in this Passion narrative to talk about one of the most chilling and prescient verses in this story. Pilate’s question to Jesus sounds like it could have come straight from a Twitter feed this morning. Although not new, this concept of “finding your own truth” has gained much traction over the past two years. It sounds so affirming, doesn’t it? Find what works for you and go that direction. What happens when your truth collides with the person right next to you? What about if your truth changes based on age or perspective? Are we all universally leading lives that have no unifying truth to them? NO! When we become morally bankrupt and seeking only “truth for the moment” we end up standing beside Pilate pushing the redeemer of the world towards the cross. If there is a truth for Jesus, there must be the same truth for me. And if for me, for you, and for the world. Frankly, it is too exhausting trying to keep up with my own truth and everyone else’s as well. I would rather have Jesus.

Peace

Re:Verse passage – John 14: 15-31 (day two)

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Vs. 27

Not as the world gives. I have a suspicion that when people pray for something such as peace for their lives they have an expectation of a kind of peace they have already seen or conceived. See the problem? That is not what Jesus promises. His peace is not of this world, and therefore will likely not come in the way you expect. That should not discourage you if you are truly seeking some sort of comfort or peace. What it should do is release you from trying to force God’s timing and plan. The first step is to always trust him. Fully. Then he will come in ways you never expected…and always better.

Lead and Serve

Re:Verse passage – John 13: 1-17 (day two)

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. vs. 17

“Do you know what I have done to you? vs. 12b

Head and heart knowledge of truth are lived out in application. Jesus has painstakingly gone out of his way in this upper room discourse to educate in words and in deeds what is about to happen, and how the disciples should proceed. There was a very practical response to Jesus’ question: Yes, we understand what you are doing. The proof, however, is in the application. Do you want blessing? The fulfillment of the promise? Then go and do this for others. Find the hurting and bind up their wounds (physical AND spiritual). Seek out the hungry and feed them. Lead and Serve. It must be both. Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? Then go out and do this for others.

Look Up

Re:Verse passage – John 12:20-37, 42-50 (day two)

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. vs. 32

What is our job in regards to evangelism? How are we to reveal the deep truths of the gospel to people who don’t know, have never heard, or who are hostile to the church.

Look up. The work has been done for us. Tell the story of Jesus and the cross. He will draw people to him. He has done all that is necessary. Aren’t you grateful for that? The image is so powerfully drawn. Jesus gives the parameters even before the event. He will be lifted up, and we must look to the cross. It is only through the cross. Jesus knew this, and he didn’t want them to miss it, and didn’t want us to miss it either.

Confused? Lift you heads, look to the cross. He will draw all to him.

Circumstance

Re:Verse reading–John 9:1-7, 13-41 (day two) 

Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. vs. 3

Let’s be clear. Sin has consequences. Sometimes those consequences manifest in physical form. This, however, is not what Jesus is addressing in this passage. Jesus is speaking about circumstance. Let’s face it some folks will always seem to have more, get more, be better than you, but you have an opportunity in whatever circumstance God puts you to give him glory. We may never know the “why” of things, but we can be sure that God is at work. How can we be a part of it? Even in our trials and sufferings, God is at work. Your journey can bring him glory. Through your prayers let me encourage you to ask for the wisdom to know how to use your particular circumstance for kingdom purpose.