Author: Aaron Hufty

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

Providing Examples

Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:1-11 (day two)
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you…shepherd the flock of God among….voluntarily….with eagerness…providing examples to the flock.  1 Peter 5:1-3

What amazing comfort it is to be led and loved by one who is familiar and acquainted with sorrow.  Peter is encouraging those who have walked the path of pain to be a lighthouse for those who have just begun to encounter suffering.  This is not an absolution from pain, but a reminder to us that it is guaranteed part of the journey.  Peter is wisely admonishing a structure in the life of the church that will ensure no one will suffer without being able to look to the faithful leadership of the saints who have persevered.  I am grateful today that I serve a church that values the wisdom of those who are much farther along the path than I.

Waging the War of Goodness

Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 2:11-25; 3:1-9 (day two)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12 NIV) It’s truly amazing how much faith and trust we put in institutions, and how utterly devastated we are when those same institutions fail us. It can be anything from an investment portfolio, to social security, a government, or even your favorite team. When they let us down it can be depressing. Why should that surprise us? What were we really expecting? The only unfailing institution we can rely on is the power of salvation give to us through Jesus. Then why are we instructed to follow these secular structures that are destined to fail us? Regardless if that pagan world is overtly persecuting the church or not, they will all take notice of our love. When we are let down, they will notice where our hope comes from, and that is how we begin to share our Savior with those whose hope has been dashed. Do good, love others, hope in Christ, the world is watching!

Chosen is not Entitled

Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:13-25; 2:1-10 (day two)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In the very true nature of the God’s wonderfully complex story this is another example of how His ways are not ours.  It is so easy to look at the the descriptors in that sentence  (chosen, royal, holy) and get an elevated sense of worth.  We see fame as a lofty exalted thing to which many aspire, and all admire.  However by the end of the sentence it is clear that is not how we are to use God’s favor.  We have been made this wonderful things for a purpose; to proclaim the greatness of our God.  If we are given a chosen position it should only serve to elevate the one who placed us there.  Give Him the glory for your life today, and take whatever opportunity is presented and proclaim His excellencies so that others may come from darkness to light.

New Heart

Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:1-12 (day two)
I was reading this morning the words of the Prophet Jeremiah who spoke of hearts that are beyond cure. (Jer. 17:9) A very grim assessment, but so very true.  Where then is our hope if we are beyond cure?  “In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection.” (1 Pet. 3)  This isn’t about fixing what is broken, it is about newness of life.  We are granted a new heart that longs to know Christ more.  This doesn’t absolve us from suffering or the refining of our sin nature, but with a new Spirit guiding us, we now have the Hope we could never have with our diseased former hearts.  Press On.

Entertaining Angels

Re:Verse reading-Hebrews 12:25-29; 13:1-9, 20-21 (day two)
“Let the love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Sounds like quite a dinner party doesn’t it? As I  re-read this text I am convicted that this has less to do with some overt act of benevolence as it does understanding the nature of humanity.  We all have the privilege of bearing the image of God, it is simply a truth of how we were made.  Regardless of the vile corrupt nature of our hearts, we were all made to reflect the beauty of God’s image.  Therefore, it comes down to Christ’s greatest command, “Love”.  We do not love because others think like us, or act a certain way, have the means to help us, or vote like us, no, it is more grand than any of those reasons.  It is because they bear the image of Christ, and whether or not they acknowledge that truth does not absolve us from understandings God’s great design for us all.  Think on this as you meet someone today, you are meeting more than an angel.  You are meeting an image-bearer.

Joy Beyond the Cross

RE Verse reading-Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (days two) “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right and of the throne of God.”

This passage has always been dear to me for the simple reason that I had to memorize it as a youth.  It is one of the great examples of binding the Word to my heart, it has never left me.  The inherent paradox of the verse above has long been fascinating.  Who would ever count joy in such unimaginable pain?  No one would say that Christ enjoyed the cross so what gives?
The cross was certainly in the cross hairs of what was before Him, but that is not where Jesus was focused.  The joy set before Him was just beyond the cross.  It did mean that the journey to joy was unbelievably harsh, but the promise of joy was so eternally greater it was worth it.  Jesus clearly saw the forest in the midst of all the trees.  This is why there was joy, He has sat down at the right hand of God.
This is another example of Christ saying to us, “I’ve been there, keep your head up”.  Joy doesn’t mean happy and it clearly doesn’t mean easy, but using Jesus as our example, we can endure and not grow weary and lose heart.  There is joy in what is beyond our sights.

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!