Aaron Hufty – Page 64 – The Everyday Prayer

Consider Love

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day two)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb. 10:23-24

Because the Lord is faithful we can rest confidently in hope; what a comforting and reassuring verse, but it is the next sentence that call us to action. How often do we consider how we can move others towards love and good deeds. The hope that we have found in Christ is not ours alone to hoard away for a rainy day. After we have secured hope we should move to share it with others. Can you imagine how this can change the way Christians communicate with the world? Not just non-believers, but everyone! Because you have found hope today, consider love.

Press on to Maturity

RE Verse reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day two)

How many times during our reading of Hebrews over the past few weeks have we been told to “press on”? This idea of getting forward must have been a necessary reminder to those reading this first century text. As I have studied this text it appears that these readers needed to be challenged to move beyond a “children’s sermon” approach to our spiritual depth. I know, I know, every body loves the simplicity of the children’s sermon, and there is much depth that can be gained from these moments. But isn’t there a reason we leave elementary school towards middle and high school? Don’t we continue to pursue knowledge and learning in order to grow our understanding of this marvelous universe? If we press on our knowledge of the world around us, shouldn’t we do the same for our pursuit of understanding the mysteries of God? There is much to be gleaned from engaging our minds into the wonder of his gift of salvation. Press on.

Undercover Boss

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day two)

I am not a huge fan of reality TV, but I will confess there a few shows that I have seen that I would perhaps consider watching more than once. Have you seen “Undercover Boss”? This is the show where the CEO of a company goes around the country to different franchises dressed incognito so that he/she can get a better picture of what it is like to work the line, to handle the merchandise, to talk with employees and customers. The boss gains a great deal of insight into his employees’ needs. This servant/leader model creates a new appreciation for corporate head side to empathize with the human element.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have a Savior who was an “Undercover Messiah” for 30 years. Isn’t that incredible? Think of it, for 30 years he walked and talked with us, ate, worked, learned all so that He could say to us; “I understand”. Then after he revealed himself, he took the ultimate step, he suffered and died…all for us.

When I need counsel, I am always comforted to know someone else has walked this journey and understands my pain. Jesus opens his arms every day as we take our lives to him and he says, “I understand, I’ve been there too, and with my help you’ll make it through this.”

Pay Attention

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 1:1-6,14; 2:1-4 (day two)
I love figuring things out. It drives my wife crazy, because I expect everyone to think like I do. It’s particularly challenging for her during movies when I lean over and offer my thoughts on the outcome. (I’m a work in progress.) The writer of Hebrews, however, thinks like me….at least in regards to our Faith journey. The context clues of our Creator lie all around us. We are all called to salvation and the Lord has provided such excellent witnesses for us; think of scripture, the wisdom of our godly elders, the Holy Spirit, and the marvel of creation. Take a minute to get your head up, look around and pay attention. The Lord has something to say to you today!

Handel and Hope

Re: Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day two)
Severe truth. In order to understand the power of the resurrection, we must understand its context. Paul said it in the first century “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). In the twentieth century C.S. Lewis said it like this: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg–or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” (Mere Christianity)

I, therefore, choose to believe that Christ was raised from the dead, and I choose to believe that he was indeed the Son of God. Which means that Jesus’ choice to face the cross was so that we could become a fulfillment of a promise. That the corrupt could now put on incorruption, that the mortal could clothe ourselves with immortality in an eternity that brims with hope. As I read through these words of Paul it helps me marvel once again at what Christ took on so that we could have that hope.

On Sunday it will be a privilege to share portions of the great sacred oratorio Messiah. 1 Corinthians 15 was the subject of the most triumphant portion of the work. The miracle of the creation of Messiah was less the time it took to create the masterpiece, but the recognition by the composer that God was at work and bringing glory unto Himself. Thanks be to God.

You’re not Done Yet!

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day two)
Although Moses wasone hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.

Talk about running your race well! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit where we were able to hear the hearts of some truly Godly leaders on a variety of subjects. At the end of the summit we were introduced to the “new” head of the international arm of the organization. As he began his new position he was 70 years old, and in his opening remarks he said, “if you’re not dead, you’re not done.” This was certainly the case with Moses, who to the end was leading, teaching, and listening. He knew that the end of his earthly journey would not be the end of the journey for God’s chosen, so he continued to serve. Eventually we will all slow our pace with regards to work and career, but we should all look to Moses’ example for service in the Kingdom. We may all not have undimmed vision or unabated vigor, but we can still serve. What leg of the journey are you currently on? Stay in the race!

Transitions

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day two)
Transitions are tough. Tougher still to watch something you have devoted yourself to for a lifetime go in a direction that points anywhere but up. Maybe you can relate. Have you witnessed a career’s worth of work dissipate due to lack of vision by successive leadership? Perhaps you have poured into your children’s spiritual development only to have them recalcitrant and unredeemed. It is certainly enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air. Surely Samuel felt this tension. His life’s devotion to the Lord on behalf of the nation of Israel was seemingly lost on his sons and the people. But how often do we have to be reminded to be responsible for ourselves? We cannot change the minds and hearts of others, we can only be accountable for our response to the world. It may be frustrating, but it is often enough just to handle what is on our plates rather than try to worry about everything else. God is still in control. The people of Israel cried out for a king. God did answer, but certainly not like they expected. This is why on Sunday we will sing “Rejoice, the LORD is King”.