Aaron Hufty – Page 49 – The Everyday Prayer

Without Expectation

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day two)

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” – Luke 6:35

Giving without expectation of return; this is an exercise that can only come in the light of Christ’s love. Not only did Jesus willingly sacrifice himself for our ability to taste eternal joy, he did so knowing that we could never possibly repay that debt. We aren’t capable. If we could repay what he did, then it nullifies the cross (Galations 2:21).

In this light can you forgive without receiving forgiveness from another? Can you love when you get nothing back? Will you help, when there is no way the other could ever help you? It’s a step to understanding and loving our savior more.

Good Friends

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day two)

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Have you ever heard the saying “I may have to love you, but I don’t have to like you”? It’s true that we are called to love one another, but does that mean that everyone must become your BFF (best friend forever)? Those who will share that privilege are very few. Jesus had a small circle of friends who shared everything together. David and Jonathan are the example that we are reading this week. These types of friendships challenge us and help us to grow. They sharpen us as iron would sharpen iron. They defend us and keep us accountable. Remember to thank God today for those dear and close friends.

Family Business

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:45-52; John 19:25-27 (day two) And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must about my father’s business? Luke 2:49

Did you know that Johann Sebastian Bach had 20 children, and that most of them became great composers or performers? Did you know that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s father Leopold was a first-rate musician? Is this because these families were predisposed to be great composers? Perhaps, but more often than not, it was just the family business. Bach’s children would likely have the task of copying manuscripts ad nauseam which was a common way of picking up the trade. Even today we often find this familial occupational tendencies. My parents were both teachers, so it made sense. I never felt compelled by them, but I was clearly influenced by how they helped people. I saw the leader that my dad was to his team, and to the school. These were things I wanted to emulate. When Jesus responded that his place was in his father’s house tending to his father’s business it just made sense.

Beyond setting a possible career track for our children, consider what else they may want to retain from our example. How do you love the Lord? Is it in full view of your children, or would they be hard pressed to notice. How do you love your spouse, treat your friends, the lost?

It’s not too late to be the example that will make a difference.

Poster Children

Re: Verse reading–Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (day two)

“Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframe of your houses and on your gates. Deut.” 6:8-9

Do you remember what you had hanging on your walls in your room as a kid? I had a huge poster of Amy Grant (judge not, lest ye be judged). I can picture most of the house where I grew up with excruciating detail. Perhaps that is why this passage from Deuteronomy makes sense to me. Rote learning is the method of teaching that uses repetition. Think of teaching your child the ABC’s, how many times did you sing it to them? My guess is they still remember them, so good job! Once we develop higher brain functions we no longer rely on rote learning, but it is still effective. The images, words, and places that a child is exposed to create long-term memories that will shape their world-view. How often do you speak of the Lord with your children or grandchildren, or any one you have some influence on? These constant reminders of how great our God is will not soon be forgotten. Like my poster.

Get Fit

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33 (day two)

“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church–for we are members of his body.” vs. 29-30

American culture has an obesity problem, this is a fact. The institution of marriage is in danger of becoming a mockery in our society. Sadly, this too, is a fact. Are the two in any way related? It can’t be as easy as loose weight-save your marriage, can it? Probably not, but this scripture cannot be ignored in light of our growing issues with health and marriage. When you think about it why would you concern yourself with another if you won’t take the fundamental steps to care for yourself? A body and mind that function at their peak have the energy and strength to care for others, specifically a spouse. Paul’s assertion is that it would be ridiculous that someone wouldn’t care for their own body, but here we are. It seems odd to find some biblical mandate to be fit, but to use the body as a starting place for relationships is indeed good wisdom. God’s gift of life to us is precious. Take care of yourselves, and by extension each other.

Bound to Freedom

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 16:1-7; Psalm 139 (day two)

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7

Have you ever heard someone speak about a relationship being smothering? Someone might lament that the relationship can be suffocating, and that they need space. So why is the text from Psalm 139 so comforting? Post-modern thought would not support the idea of a relationship that is so comprehensive, and yet the Christian finds great peace in knowing the Lord is already where they have ever thought about going. Consider the third verse to the beloved hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing:

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind my wand’ring heart to Thee: Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

The second half of the verse answers why such strong language is needed in the first half. Knowing that God is all around us helps us find freedom in yoking ourselves to his perfect will. Left alone we wander, bound to him we are sealed.

(Shameless Dad moment ahead)

A God that knows us, forms us, and knits us together is certainly worthy of our allegiance.

Create

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 5:1-11 (day two)

So God created…one of the fundamental characteristics of God is that of creator. The first chapters of the Bible are filled with the infinite creativity of our maker. Every shade of green, every variation of plant or animal. The minute differences that separate similar looking things, and the vast canvas of mountains and deserts. Our God is an artist. And we are in his image. Therefore, one of the distinguishing traits that God gave us and no other creature is the ability to create. Although we do not share God’s ability to create ex nihilo (out of nothing), each time we paint, write, sing, construct, or engineer we reflect part of his amazing nature. It was this scripture, and this reason that we have named our Arts Academy Imago (Image). We are helping foster this love of creativity with our church and the community, and to help them see that all these gifts are given by God, and they all reflect part of him. It is a joy to see these gifts develop.

Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 39:32, 42-43; 40:1-2, 16-17, 32-38 (day two)

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (‭Exodus‬ ‭40‬:‭36-38‬ KJV)

When the Lord was calling me to full-time ministry this part of the Exodds story spoke the most to me. Whatever the season of life, career, family you may be in when the Lord moves, it’s time to go. What gave me the most peace about this is that the Israelites may come to a wonderful oasis on their journey where they felt they could stay indefinitely, but when the cloud moved they knew it was time. It is rarely about our comfort or convenience, but always about his plan. I didn’t have a cloud to see, but I relied on the Holy Spirit to guide me, the Word to instruct me, and the assurance that God heard my prayers for guidance. Wherever he leads, I’ll go.

Majestic Creativity

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 35:4-10; 20-35; 36:2-7 (day two)

Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze, 6 and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen…35:5-6

Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. 36:2

This passage not only declares how generous believers can/should be, but it also proclaims boldly that our God is the creative, imaginative, and beautiful designer of the Universe. He didn’t stop “creating” when the world was finished. His majesty and creativity are seen in every sunset, canyon or mountain vista, and especially in the miracle of a newborn’s face. We are to love him beautifully and creatively as well. We must all find our gifts and give them generously to the Lord and his work, and marvel at the creative majesty of our God.

Give ’em What They Want

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 32:1-19, 30-33; 33:12-17; 34:1-7 (day two)

“Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 32:1-2

Aaron is a leader. He has demonstrated that he has the ability to communicate even under very difficult decisions. He also seems, for the most part, to be more even-keeled than his brother Moses. So what happened? Now that the people are looking to him, asking hard questions, and his brother is still on the mountain his leadership skills take a nosedive.

The mob will always take the path of least resistance. The people had been uprooted, but protected. It seems interesting that they acknowledged God’s provision to bring them out of captivity, but are unwilling to trust for 40 days. They demanded action, answers, and only on their terms. This isn’t surprising, this is what we do.

Aaron knew better. Aaron’s proximity to Moses and to God should have given him the courage to tell hard truths to a hostile audience. Leaders must do this. Leadership isn’t about giving folks what they want, it’s about seeing a greater vision and holding a people accountable to that dream.