404040---Days of Prayer Days of Prayer Days of Prayer

Devotion GuideDevotion GuideDevotion Guide

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 3:20

Most believers, if they are honest, would have to admit that they do not know the joy of praying for an extended period of time. Our culture is one that is busy and demanding; our attention span has been condi-tioned to be short and quick. Everything goes against our spending extended time in solitary meditation and prayer. Yet, we all yearn to have an intimate relationship with our Lord. How can this be accom-plished?

One thing we must be willing to do is set everything aside to listen. This means the willingness to turn off the computer, turn off the television, and close the iPad or Nook. When we are willing to silence everything else in order to talk to God, God takes that very seriously and listens intently. Your voice matters in heaven, and when you enter into His presence in faith, God honors your prayers and answers your petitions.

Your prayers can move God to change the world through you! Action in heaven begins when someone prays on earth. When you speak, our Lord hears. When Jesus hears, prayers are answered and visions are realized. When prayers are answered the world is changed. All that is possible, because someone prayed!

We have one main purpose in providing this devotional guide and that is to help you draw closer to God. This 40 Day Devotional Guide is de-signed to help all of us seek God’s guidance and direction concerning our church. We pray that you approach each devotional with an open heart and willing spirit to hear from God and be ready to follow His leadership wherever He may take you.

Day One

The Testing of Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19

Abraham had to wait 25 years before the promised son was born. By then he was 100 years old; his wife, Sarah, was 90. Yet God blessed them with the birth of a child. They named their son Isaac, meaning “laughter”, for he brought unspeakable joy to them. After Isaac had grown into young manhood, the word of God came once again to Abraham. He commanded: “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.” The message continued: “Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:2). Still believing, Abraham obeyed the voice of God and took his boy on that long, agonizing trip to the bleak slopes of Moriah. Though he did not comprehend God’s purpose, Abraham’s faith was not shaken. He complied with the instructions, placing his dear son on the altar and raising a knife in order to take the life of his son. In the very act of lifting the knife to slay his son, God stopped him. He commanded Abraham to kill a ram caught in a nearby bush instead of his son. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. What do you have in common with Abraham? 2. Has God ever required you to “do the impossible?”

Prayer Focus: Today, pray for God to increase your faith in Him, and truly believe that He can do the impossible and the unbelievable. Take time to focus on God’s greatness and thank Him for the vision that He has given First Baptist Church. Pray that God will reveal to you how you can use your time, talents, and treasures to further this vision for His glory.

Day Two

What is Faith?

Hebrews 11:7

In order to tap the endless resources of God, the believer must exercise faith by acting in obedience to God’s World. As the Apostle Paul explained to the Romans, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). When one is prompted by the Word of God or by the leadership of the Spirit, obedience to that prompting is an expression of faith. Such a response enables one to enter into partnership with God, and gives the assurance of success even though the end may not be in sight. When Noah was directed by God to build as ark, he obeyed by starting a project which lasted for 100 years. Noah had never experienced a flood, nor had he even seen rain, yet he obeyed with regard only for the Lord. Since the command of God came without a specific schedule, Noah had to believe and act accordingly because faith has no limit. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. How did Noah respond to the things that he could not see? 2. What was the result of his faith? 3. Are there areas in your life that you are still standing in faith for

God to supply?

Prayer Focus: Pray that each person at First Baptist Church would seek God’s will for them with great faith. Pray that the Lord would show you exactly what He wants you to do in our Continuing the Legacy for a New Generation campaign.

Day Three

Why do We Need Faith?

Hebrews 11:6

A personal relationship with God is established by faith and a continuous fellowship with God is maintained by faith. Paul told the Colossians, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (Colossians 2:6). We receive Him by faith, and we walk in Him by faith. Second Kings, chapter 5 records the story of Naaman, a powerful Syrian leader who was suffering from leprosy. Someone told him that Elisha, the man of God, could possibly heal him, so he sought the prophet’s help. Elisha instructed Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River to be healed. Naaman became angry at such a ridiculous suggestion. He wanted Elisha to stand on the name of the Lord, waive his hand over him, and be cured (2 Kings 5:11). At first he refused, but without any other remedy, Naaman at last went to the river and was healed. The act made no human sense, but in the divine plan, it was an act of faith. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Why do we need faith? 2. Identify one thing in your life that would require an act of faith to

accomplish. 3. Determine to do that thing, and keep a record of the evidence of

God’s blessing on obedience in that behavior.

Prayer Focus: Pray today for boldness and courage in your life and in the heart of our church family. Ask God to take away any fear and replace it with peace, confidence and faith.

Day Four

Acting on the Promises

Psalm 145:13

William Tyndale was perhaps the most important person in the history of the English Bible. He was, in fact, not only the father of the modern English Bible, but the father of the modern English language. His translation, first published in 1525, and used subsequently in virtually every other major translation for hundred of years to follow, was the new standard for English expression By quoting the Bible, Shakespeare quotes Tyndale more than 5,000 times. Tyndale did not live an easy life. He was hunted, persecuted and eventually killed by those who considered his work evil. Putting the Scriptures in a language common people could read? Preposterous! Yet he pursued this goal because he was motivated to communicate what he considered the “lost message of the church” - the message of faith. Tyndale defined faith as “acting on the promises of God.” It’s doubtful we could come up with a better definition. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. What promises are implied in today’s Scripture verse? 2. How does God respond to His promises? How should we

respond to God? 3. How are you exercising faith today? What promises are you

claiming and how are you living out that reality?

Prayer Focus: Today, thank God for His faithfulness in answering so many of our prayers in regard to First Baptist Church. Thank Him for His faithfulness to His promises. Pray that we will focus on opportunities to share Christ with others so that He can change their lives. Pray today for God to give you a heart for the people of Natchitoches, the United States and the world that do not know Christ.

Day Five

Looking Above and Beyond—Part One

John 4:34-36

Imagine this scene… Jesus is gathered with a small group of followers on a hillside overlooking the area surrounding our church. With a sweeping gesture of His hand, He says, “Some think there are still four months until the harvest, but I say, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.” The followers squint their eyes, straining to see what Jesus sees, but they recognize no gleaming fields of grain. They only see brick and mortar, wood and shingles, roads of asphalt and streams of vehicles. With puzzled expressions they turn to Him and ask, “Where exactly is the grain ready to harvest?” Knowing their hearts, He says, “I’m not talking about a physical harvest of grain, but a spiritual harvest of people.” Patiently, He continues, “You must look above and beyond the distractions to see the people. It is to them that I came to give life and give it more abundantly. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. What does Jesus see in the future for the people of First Baptist

Church? 2. What are we to do?

Prayer Focus: Right now, at this crucial moment in the history of our church, God is checking our vision. He wants us to seek and love everyone in order to lead them into an authentic and growing relationship with Him. Today, pray for the staff of the church and the Legacy Committee. Pray that our church would keep a clear focus on knowing and serving God. Pray that we would stay on course with God’s will for First Baptist Church.

Day Six

Looking Above & Beyond—Part Two

John 3:16

As we look above and beyond, we see thousands upon thousands of people all around us who need to hear the message of Christ. Some, like overly ripe grain, are falling away, never to hear this message. Many, many more are waiting to be harvested by faithful people. Who will reach out to lead these individuals into an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We must take on this challenge. We must connect with them and then invite them to our church. We must open our hearts to receive them with love and acceptance. Our senior adult have no space to really meet and our preschool and children’s classroom facilities are not large enough for us to be able to disciple our children effectively. It is vital that we see this as a challenge and not a problem. This demands the right spiritual vision. We must look above and beyond. In the months ahead, together, we are going to believe God to give us the insight—and the foresight—to do great things for His sake. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. What is God’s desire for everyone in this world? 2. Read Ephesians 4:11-14. What is God’s desire for our Christian

“development?”

Prayer Focus: Today, pray for an opportunity to share the love of Christ with one person you envision begin reached with the Gospel. Then, imagine what a difference there would be in the life of that individual, and their world, if they were “equipped” as described in Ephesians 4. Pray that our church family will always have a passion and love for others in our community.

Day Seven

Don’t Let the Fire Go Out!

Nehemiah 1 & 2

In 1986, a man named Harley Sheffield had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame through a portion of Jackson, Mississippi. As he was crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge with the torch in hand, the expansion grates on the bridge blew a tire out on his bike. The torch popped out of its holder, fell onto the bridge, and broke into pieces. The Olympic flame was extinguished. Sheffield was horrified. They would have to go all the way back to Greece and start over! His panic was unnecessary because a “mother flame” was present in the trailing van as well as a replacement torch. Thus he could resume his duty and the Olympic flame traveled onward. This story provides a great illustration of our walk with God. Too many times we stumble and allow our flame to go out. If your flame has been doused, there is not a “mother flame” to restore it. But there is a “Father flame” who stands ready to light your torch today and He will keep it lit. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Have there been times in your life when you really felt like you

were moving in the right direction with God? 2. Have you experienced times when you felt, like Harry Sheffield,

as though you used to be “on track” but somehow you fell off?

Prayer Focus: Pray that God will light our spiritual torches with the oil of the Holy Spirit. Pray that First Baptist Church will always be on fire for the Lord. Ask God to make you spiritual flame burn brighter.

Day Eight

When Your Dream is Delayed

Genesis 37 & 38 Joseph found out what every dreamer finds out—not everyone is happy about your dream. Joseph found out that people will envy your dream, conspire against it, speak against it, and even attack your God-given dream. Joseph’s brothers put him in a pit and then sold him as a slave to go to Egypt. Don’t you imagine that at that time, Jo-seph wondered just what in the world God was doing and if his dream would become a reality? Remember that every God-given dream must die a human death. That is, every dream from God will come to a place where it is impossible to accomplish the dream in human ability alone. God is sovereign and His timing is perfect. Remember Habakkuk 2:3b “It (completion of Phase II of our Master Plan) will not be delayed.” Therefore, when we run out of resources and get to a place where we realize that the dream cannot happen unless God steps in, then God alone will get the glory when the dream is accomplished. His ways are not our ways and He does not delay a single day. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Have you ever had a “God” dream before; something larger than

you? 2. Were you able to let go and let God? Or, did you try to

accomplish it on your own? 3. Are you willing to let God have His way in your life in the

accomplishment of His dreams?

Prayer Focus: Pray that First Baptist Church will continue to strive forward with our God-sized dream of building a facility for our preschool, children and senior adult ministries so that we can more effectively minister to our members and our community.

Day Nine

Don’t Stop Short of Your Dreams

Genesis 39 & 40 In 1930, two young brother named Dick and Maurice McDonald moved from New Hampshire to California to pursue the American dream of being successful. After a few failed ventures, they struck gold when they opened a small drive-in restaurant. By the mid 1950s, their annual revenue hit $350,000, and the brothers split $100,000 in profits. You might think, yes, the rest is history, but you may be surprised to know the rest of the story. In 1954, a man by the name of Ray Kroc came into the picture. Ray Kroc saw potential that the brothers did not see. In 1961, Kroc bought the exclusive rights to McDonald for the sum of $2.7 million dollars. Now with 212,000+ restaurants world-wide, the rest of the story is history indeed. The lessons learned from this story are: Don’t pull up short of your God-given dream Don’t allow someone to out-dream you Don’t allow someone else to finish your dream ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Have you ever completed a task or project, only to later think that

you could have gone farther or done better? 2. What prevented you from pursuing all that was on your heart? 3. Where do you think God was through it all?

Prayer Focus: First Baptist Church will pursue our God-given dream to the fullest potential. Pray that the achievement of this dream will result in more and stronger Christ followers for the kingdom of God. Ask God to show you ways in which you have stopped short of His best for you. Be a dream chaser!

Day Ten

Can You Trust God?

Psalm 3

There are two ways that people live their lives as they pass through this world—either remembering God or forgetting Him. They both acknowledge His presence and live their lives dependent on Him, or they pay no attention to His claims on them and live life on the basis of their own understanding and abilities. The worst tragedy and the cruelest deception is the man who says feebly with his lips, “I trust God”, but an examination of his calendar and checkbook shows no difference between him and the man who does not even make that claim. The question we must ask ourselves today is “Do we trust God?”

The very nature of this question produces two possible meanings: First—”Can you trust God?” that is, is He trustworthy? Can He handle the decisions and the problems in your life? Secondly—”Can you trust God?” that is, do you have the ability to trust Him? Will you trust Him?

Proverbs 3:5-6 reveal some very important things about trusting God: the matter of trust is an all or nothing thing. Notice how many times the word “all” is used. The command to trust precedes the promise. Blessing comes after trust is expressed. This promise is conditional. Unlike many of the unconditional promises in the Bible, this promise of direction is given only to those who exercise trust in God. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. When has God ever let you down? 2. Have you placed your trust in God? 3. Are you prepared to give Him every aspect of your life, once and

for all?

Prayer Focus: Pray that our congregation’s faith and trust in God will grow. Pray that we will allow God to be in control and that we are utterly dependent on Him and desire that His will be done. Pray that the fruits of our deepened trust in Him will result in guidance from Him. Ask God to identify an area in you life where you need to yield to Him. Give it to Him and then look for how He directs your path.

Day Eleven

A God You Can Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6

God expects His people to trust Him and He is a trustworthy God! We were created to live our lives in dependence upon Him. Our knowledge is incomplete, our wisdom is inadequate, our power is ineffective; thus, we need our Creator. Sin in its very essence is failing to trust God. These verses in Proverbs tell us how we are to trust Him.

We are to trust Him entirely. God wants us to trust Him “with all of our heart.” That means everything from our salvation to physical, mental and social needs. That includes trusting Him with our families, marriages, jobs, relationships, finances, abilities, weaknesses, health, accomplishments, and our failures.

We are to trust Him exclusively. God commands us to not depend on our own understanding. Why? Because He knows it is fundamentally flawed with an infection of sin. God is truly omniscient. He knows it all from beginning to end. He even knows the number of hairs on your head, so follow His leading from His Word, prayer, and godly counsel. He is on your side, so trust Him!

We are to trust Him uniformly. In all we do, in every decision we make, we are to trust His wisdom, not with just the big things, but also with the little things. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Do you trust God? 2. When things get difficult, do you try to “take back” some of the

responsibility from God and attempt to finish what you’ve started on your own?

3. Examine yourself. How can you trust God even more?

Prayer Focus: Take time to praise God today for who He is and what He does. Take time to thank Him today for how He has directed our church’s path. Thank Him for how He has directed your path.

Day Twelve

Discover Your Destiny...Like Abraham

Genesis 14:1-15:6

Chapter fourteen of Genesis records for us a significant event in the pilgrimage of Abraham. The godly man becomes a warrior as he joins in defeating four kings who have united against five kings of the valley. War would not have interested Abraham, except for the fact that Lot, his nephew, was captured and taken into captivity. Today’s text picks up with Abraham returning a conquering hero. His already high esteem in the eyes of others has gone higher. He is now known throughout the land.

At this point in his prosperity, he is faced with a significant choice. In fact, his future destiny hangs in the balance of this choice. This choice is a spiritual battle and it is a greater battle than the physical one he just fought. Will he become worldly with all these material possessions or will he become rich in God’s eyes because he is a giver?

Life is all about making the right choices. In this Bible passage, Melchizedek is a picture of Jesus Christ. With that in mind, one can see that Abraham made a wise choice by giving back to God a tenth of what God had given him. In your prosperity, which comes from God, do you give the tithe back to Him? Spiritual growth will result from worshipping the Lord through giving. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. How satisfied are you with what you have? 2. If the answer is, “Not too satisfied”, where has your heart been

regarding your faithfulness to God’s Word in giving? 3. Like Abraham, we all have a decision to make. What is your

decision?

Prayer Focus: Pray that our church will continue to grow as a giving church. Pray that we will reach beyond our walls and touch the world with God’s love through our talents, time and treasures. Ask God to reveal ways that you can grow in our giving. Pray about your personal giving and how you can become more generous.

Day Thirteen

Discover Your Destiny...Like Rebekah

Genesis 24

Chapter twenty-four of Genesis details the marvelous narrative of the servant of Abraham who seeks out a bride for Isaac. Most interpreters see a story behind the story in these verses. Abraham appears to be an example of Father God, Isaac a picture of His son, Jesus Christ, and the servant who goes on the journey to get the bride corresponds to the Holy Spirit. This unnamed servant, when looking for a bride for the Father’s son, had one characteristic in mind that she must possess. It was not natural beauty, even though Rebekah was naturally beautiful. It was not strength, even though she was strong. The servant was looking for a person who had the spirit of giving, for a giving person would bless the son, Isaac. When Rebekah gave him a drink and then offered to water his camels (which might take hours, by the way!) he knew that he had found the one for Isaac. The Holy Spirit as well waits in the background until He sees the spirit of giving in you. Then He pulls out the riches and gives you revelation of the Father’s Plan. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Do you trust God? 2. When things get difficult, do you try to “take back” some of the

responsibility from God and attempt to finish what you’ve started on your own?

3. Examine yourself. How can you trust God even more?

Prayer Focus: Take time to praise God today for who he is and what He does. Take time to thank Him today for how He has directed our church’s path. Thank Him for how He has directed your path.

Day Fourteen

Discover Your Destiny...Like Jacob (Part 1)

Genesis 28

Jacob was the black sheep of the patriarchs. His resume’ was filled with many questionable incidents. Today’s passage finds Jacob running from the consequences of his actions and falling asleep at a place called Bethel. While he was asleep, God revealed Himself to him in a personal way. It was then that the God of his fathers became his personal God, too. Before we see how this destiny moment changed his perspective about giving, let’s look at the point where God showed up in Jacob’s life.

God reveals Himself when we are at the end of ourselves. Jacob’s scheming and trickery and brought him nothing but failure and rejection. When he stopped running and fell asleep at Bethel, he had nothing. It is when you are at the end of your rope that God reveals Himself to you in a personal way.

God reveals Himself when we are alone. Silence is worse than a prison when we are not right with God. God came to Moses when he was alone with his flocks in Midian. God came to Isaiah while he was alone in the temple praying. God uses the times we are alone to reveal Himself, for usually, that is when He has our undivided attention.

Jacob was forever changed at Bethel. When God became personal to him, he immediately vowed to give God a tenth of everything. This personal encounter with God changed Jacob from a taker in a life to a giver. Personal encounters with God result in changed lives. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Do you find yourself attempting to “work” and “maneuver” your

way around challenges and financial crises? 2. Do you want to be a “giver” and not a “taker”? You can if you

will take the time to a personal encounter with God. Prayer Focus: Pray that everyone touched by First Baptist Church will experience a personal relationship with God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ask the Father how your personal faith in Him can be revealed by your involvement in our Continuing the Legacy campaign. If you don’t know God in a personal way, pray and ask Him to meet you at “your Bethel”.

Day Fifteen

Discover Your Destiny...Like Jacob (Part 2) Genesis 28:10-15

Today we continue with our look at Jacob’s encounter with God. Because of this experience, Jacob went from being characterized as a taker, to being known as a giver. It was all due to meeting the living God personally. Look at the God he met:

God is a Dream-Maker. (Genesis 28:12) God came to Jacob with a dream for a glorious future. God always puts dreams about the future in our hearts. Jacob awoke to a wonderful truth. Beforehand, he did not know that he was at the house of God and the gate of heaven. God delights in giving us dreams and then seeing them come to pass.

God is a Promise-Keeper. (Genesis 28:15) God reveals Himself not with just a generic name for God, but the covenant name of Yahweh. God is a God who makes promises and keeps them. He does what He says He will do.

God is a Word-Giver. (Genesis 28:13) He speaks, the verse says, “and He said”. God reveals Himself clearly to His people through the Bible which is his oral words in written form. Jacob had been stumbling around wondering, until he heard the voice of God.

God is a Living God. (Genesis 28:13) God does not identify Himself as “I was the God of your grandfather Abraham” but rather, He says, “I am the God of your grandfather Abraham.” ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. What dreams have you had that you believe have originated with

God? 2. Are you beginning to see the dream come to pass in your life? 3. Do you believe that God will be true to His Word and finish what

He inspired?

Prayer Focus: Take time in prayer to praise and worship God for who He is to you. Love Him back in a real and personal way today. Pray for our Pastor and staff as they seek God’s direction. Pray that our congregation will have their hearts prepared to respond to God’s vision for our church on Commitment Sunday, May 6, 2012.

Day Sixteen

Seeing the Impossible Numbers 11:23

Historical records are filled with the amazing (and often amusing) words of men whose vision was clouded on some important subjects.

On World Population…”The earth’s population decreases every day. If this continues, in another ten centuries, the earth will be nothing but a desert.” Montesquieu, 1743

On Anesthesia…”The abolishment of pain in surgery is a chimera. It is absurd to go on seeking it today. Knife and pain are two words in surgery that must forever be associated in the consciousness of the patient. To this compulsory combination we shall have to adjust ourselves.” Dr. Alfred Velpeau, 1839 On the Atomic Bomb…”That is the biggest fool thing we have ever done. The bomb will never go off, and I speak as an expert in explosives.” Admiral William Leahy to President Harry Truman, 1945 Though well meaning, these men just didn’t see things in the right way. They looked at the natural world and concluded that things simply were not possible. As we consider their worlds, let’s be encouraged to look at the spiritual world and conclude that certain things are not impossible for God. ______________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Is anything too difficult for God? 2. What do the following verses promise: Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37?

Prayer Focus: We are told that nothing is impossible with God. Many other places in the Bible we see God do the impossible. Let’s trust God to do what might appear to be the impossible at First Baptist Church. Today, pray about out need to have 20/20 spiritual vision. Pray that through our Continuing the Legacy campaign, the entire church family will experience the unifying power of seeing and believing God for something that is beyond what we could ask or think.

Day Seventeen

What a Great Dream Looks Like

Genesis 37

In 1989, a movie was released called Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner played Ray Kincella, a 37 year old man who had never done a crazy thing in his life until he heard a voice one day that said, “Build it and he will come.” You see, when Ray was young, he and his father had a stormy relationship. As a rebellious child of the 60’s, he scorned his dad who loved baseball, refusing even to play catch with him. His father died before he could make things right.

When he plowed his cornfield over and made a baseball field, everyone said that he was crazy for following his dream. But, through the magic of the movie, he was able to be reunited with his father when his father was a young man. The theology is certainly not correct, and the ploy is nowhere near reality, but that is what makes the movies the movies.

One thing is for certain, people will come to a place where their dreams can be fulfilled. God’s field of dreams is not in Iowa, but rather in the hearts of His people. How do we know what a dream looks like? This list below gives us a good description of what a God-given dream looks like:

A God-given dream will stir your passion. A God-given dream will be humanly impossible to accomplish. A God-given dream will make an impression on you for a lifetime. A God-given dream will cause you to exercise strong faith. A God-given dream will be attacked by the enemy of our soul. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Is anything too difficult for God? 2. What do the following verses promise: Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37?

Prayer Focus: We are told that nothing is impossible with God. Many other places in the Bible we see God do the impossible. Let’s trust God to do what might appear to be the impossible at First Baptist Church. Today, pray about out need to have 20/20 spiritual vision. Pray that through our Continuing the Legacy campaign, the entire church family will experience the unifying power of seeing and believing God for something that is beyond what we could ask or think.

Day Eighteen

How Much is Too Much?

Mark 14

The story of the Bethany anointing is one of the few stories of Jesus’ life that is contained in all four of the gospels. So impressive was this even that it was indelibly written upon the disciple’s hearts so that they never, eve forgot this act of devotion. Mark uses it as a prelude to the passion events. It contrast the hatred and rejection that Jesus was receiving at the hand of the rulers and the people. This act of worship and devotion stood out as an act of love that the Lord deserved from all, but was only given by a few.

May this deed be received as a call to worship for us today. May this deed make us ask ourselves the question, “How much is too much?” This woman’s act set a standard of sacrifice which none can do better, but all can match. That alabaster bottle was very valuable. It was worth a year’s wages. Plus, it was to be saved for the most important occasion of one’s life.

What is the most extravagant thing you have ever done for someone? What is the most extravagant thing you have done for the Lord? What can we learn from this scripture?

Real love is always extravagant. Extravagant love is always criticized.

Jesus always comes to the defense of those who are criticized for being extravagant in their devotion to Him. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Have you ever felt as though God was calling you to be

“extravagant” in your giving to His work on the earth? 2. How did you respond? 3. Are you willing to respond to the prompting of the Lord, no

matter the cost? Prayer Focus: Pray that the people connected to our church will love Jesus so much that they will be extravagant with their giving of their time, talent and treasures. Pray that God will create in you an extravagant heart towards Jesus.

Day Nineteen

Power of the Future

Exodus 14

God’s power does not operate until we move beyond the realm of our possibilities. As long as we can do it in our own strength, there is no need for God to display His power. We must move beyond our abilities if a watching world will ever see the power of God. This feat is seen clearly in our text as the recently freed Hebrew slaves found themselves surrounded by impossibilities. Before them was a sea that could not be crossed. Beside them was a barren wasteland. Behind them was an enemy that desired to capture them and take them back to where they had been. In this difficult situation they had three options: They could go back. They could stand still. They could go forward.

For the children of God there was only one real option: go forward! As we move forward under God’s direction and by His power we must be careful. Around us are many roads that can only lead to defeat and death. Doctrinal deviation, isolation, cowardly compromise, and division are to be avoided. Before us there is a future. There is a land that flows with mild and honey. This future is as bright and powerful as the promises of God that we find in Scripture. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Have you ever had the feeling that you were totally out of control,

unable to move from a difficult place in your life? 2. Do you realize that the three “options” facing the newly freed

Hebrew slaves are the same options that we have when facing a difficult challenge?

3. Did you ever consider that instead of feeling like your back was against a wall, that it might be the Lord’s gentle hand, leading you to a new place of comfort, prosperity and peace?

Prayer Focus:

Pray that the people connected to our church will love Jesus so much that they will be extravagant with their giving of their time, talent and treasures. Pray that God will create in you an extravagant heart towards Jesus.

Day Twenty

A Memorial for Gratitude

Joshua 4

Joshua had instructed the people to carry large stones from the bed of the Jordan River and place them on the Canaan side of the river. Arranged together, these stone provided a memorial of God’s power, provision and purpose for the children of Israel. The Israelites would periodically return to this place, Gilgal, to express their gratitude for victories won in this new land. Significantly, they were commanded to bring their children with them on these occasions.

Carefully read Joshua 4:19-24. When the people of Israel were obedient to God’s instruction regarding these twelve stones, it provided a great opportunity to teach and instruct the next generation. “In the future when you descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean’?” A child’s natural curiosity opens the door for a parent to testify of God’s remarkable power. Parents should lead their children back to the place where God has demonstrated His timely provision. It may be a story, a place, or even a picture, but whatever it is, let them see it over and over again until it becomes a defining moment in their lives and a monument to God’s grace. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. God has done great things in your life. When facing a new

challenge, have you ever looked back at that very last victory, realizing that the same God who got you through will do it again?

2. What legacy will you leave to your children when they can look back on to inspire them that God is faithful and will work in their lives as well?

Prayer Focus: Our capital stewardship campaign, Continuing the Legacy, is an excellent opportunity for the entire church body, member by member, to build a “memorial of gratitude”. Communicate to you family members and friends that this memorial is not merely a building or a piece of property; it is, more importantly, the experience of trusting God and seeing Him come through. Gilgal was not just a pile of rocks. It was a powerful reminder of our indebtedness to God. The greatest heritage we can leave to the next generation is such a memorial of gratitude.

Day Twenty-One

A Prayer for Direction

Psalm 119:133

There are at least two essentials to the Spirit-filled life—prayer and the Word of God. As the old song says, “They go together, you can’t have one without the other.” Prayer finds its very foundation in the scripture. You could not pray with purpose, conviction, or direction without the relation of God that you find in the Bible. Therefore, you must study the Bible and be a person of prayer. In Psalm 119, almost every verse refers to the scriptures. Verse 133 is a prayer for direction. The Psalmist here pleads for guidance from the Word of God. Have you ever considered that God desires to guide every step you take? He desires to guide not only the big steps in your life, but also even the mundane steps you take every day in the kitchen or your workplace. He will also guide you to the friend who needs encouragement, the neighbor who needs Jesus, and the co-worker who need a witness of God’s love. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. God desires not only to order our days, but each step of our day.

How have you sensed God guiding you in your life? 2. Since God knows what is best for me, in what areas of my life do I

need to learn to follow His direction more?

Prayer Focus: Pray for God to direct each step of the Continuing the Legacy campaign and the construction process to follow. Seek His will for your daily life.

Day Twenty-Two

Power!

Ephesians 1:19-20

One of the greatest needs in the church today is power; not political power, not manipulative power, not fleshly power but heaven-sent, Holy Spirit anointed power. The source of all power is the Word of God. The Bible tells us in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then the Gentile.” The Bible continues to state this truth again in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

If the Bible is the source of all power, and there are lots of copies out here, then why are there not more changed lives? How is it possible to read the Bible and yet be unaffected by it? The root of the issue is what you define as truth. Do you believe that everything in the Bible is true and that it is from God? For the Christian, power and truth are inseparably linked together. Paul says in Ephesians 6:17, “Take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” God gives us the power through Scripture. Consider today’s devotional a challenge to memorize a new Scripture verse. Then you can claim the promise of its power. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Paul prayed for the church to experience the surpassing greatness

of God’s power. Do you feel like you have ever experienced it? 2. How powerful is God’s power?

Prayer Focus: Pray that the people of First Baptist Church will be a powerhouse for God because we daily put on His armor. This armor include the belt of truth, the body armor of God’s righteousness, the shoes of peace that come from the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray that we will be a people who seek God at all times (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Pray that we will have a genuine love for God’s truth and will claim its power.

Day Twenty-Three

Powerful Jesus

Mark 5:30

In Mark chapter five, we have three important incidents in the life of the Lord Jesus. It is within the context of these events that Jesus revealed Himself as the powerful Son of God. In the first event, Jesus revealed Himself as more powerful than demons. He went along with His disciples to the most demon-possessed man in all the country. When Jesus showed up, the demons immediately began to beg for mercy. With one word the demons left this man, never to return. We also see Jesus revealed as more powerful than death in this passage. When Jairus’ daughter fell ill, he sought Jesus out to come and heal her. But before they could arrive, the girl had died. Jesus, nevertheless, restored her life by the power of His word. In the middle of these two great revelations, there is a rather small incident when Jesus showed Himself more powerful than disease. It falls almost as parentheses to the greater event of the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, but there are still some important truths about the touch of faith.

This healing even shows us that we should not only have spiritual life, but we should also have spiritual health individually and in our cor-porate church body. Many have received salvation and have spiritual life, but are not well. Jesus says in John 10:10, “...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The way to experience spiritual health is the same way to experience spiritual life—that is to come into contact with Jesus. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. From what you know of this story, do you think the lady was a

praying woman? 2. Do you think there is a reason why He asked her to go public with

her belief?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to give spiritual health to our corporate church body and to you as an individual.

Day Twenty-Four

Power to Transform

Colossians 1:13

One of our problems today is that we trivialize sin, Satan, salvation, and the Savior. We have reduced sin to what we call minor complexes and simple problems. Satan is a myth, a joke, a cartoon character. In reality, he is the very real god of this world, the chief of an innumerable company of demons, the father of all unbelievers, the ruling monarch of darkness. Salvation has been reduced to a mere intellectual decision rather than a transformation of life. Our Savior has been trivialized to simply another religious leader. In the New Testament, Jesus never asks for compliments or tribute form those who reject his claims as Messiah. He stands alone as the “only begotten of the Father.” He made the claims that “He and the Father are one.” He claims to be the only way to heaven. We may trivialize these things, but in light of eternity, it is not a trivial pursuit. The very word salvation stands for all God the Father has done to rescue us from our fallen condition. The New Testament presents our salvation, not as a mere decision, but a miraculous, supernatural deliverance! Colossians stands as a book that is a wakeup call to the powerful truths about our salvation. Never trivialize what it took to save you. _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Make a list of ten things you love about being saved.

Prayer Focus: Pray that our prayer warriors will be encouraged in some way today. Pray that God’s people at First Baptist Church will continue to strive to deepen their relationship with God on a daily basis and that generous giving on Commitment Sunday, May 6th will result because of our increased faith. Ask God to help you never to trivialize His love.

Day Twenty-Five

Power of Love

1 Peter 4:8

A woman named Beth was driving her husband Jim’s pride and joy, a little green MG. He had labored over this car for hours every Saturday for four years. He had wanted a car like this for almost all of his life. As Beth was driving, she saw a boy on a bicycle and swerved to avoid him. She heard the little car begin crunched, scraped, a and the glass breaking. Another driver stopped to help her out of the car. She was dazed but not hurt when the police officer approached her and asked for her insurance papers. She did not so much fear the wrath of her husband, for he was gentle and nice, but she feared the great disappointment he would have. She dreaded the hurt and anguish she would see on his face. As she went to the glove compartment to get the insurance papers, she found them in the plastic package. To her surprise on top of all the documents was a white envelope with her name on it. She opened it and began to read: “Dear Beth, if you are reading this, you have probably been in an accident. I pray that you are alright, and just remember it is you that I love. Jim” The best of us have wrecked our lives at times. We have made a mess. We have loved darkness rather than light. But the cross is God’s statement to us that no matter how much we have wrecked our lives and disappointed Him, He says, “Remember, it is you I love.” _____________________________________________________________

Things to Consider: 1. Is it possible to mature as a Christian and become less loving toward people?

Prayer Focus: Spend time in prayer adoring God for His love. Pray that as we move forward as a church, we will always cultivate a loving relationship with God for each other. Ask the Lord what First Baptist family member you can reach out to today, expressing His love.

Day Twenty-Six

Are You Dangerous

Joshua 1:9

When we are called by God our Savior out of sin’s bondage, we begin to journey with Him. We follow Him as our Captain and Leader into the promised purpose of the future, our destiny. Along the way, God will stretch us. He will enlarge the horizons of our vision. Jim Elliott, the great missionary who gave his life trying to reach the Auca Indians asked, “Am I Dangerous?” If we are honest with ourselves, we may find that we are utterly ordinary and commonplace. We profess to know a power the world cannot reckon with. We are all sideliners, coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers, while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. We are often spiritual pacifists, conscientious objectors in this battle to death with principalities and powers in the heavenly places. The world cannot hate us; we are too much like its own. Oh, that God would make us dangerous! How do we get there? According to Joshua there are several principles: Choose to be strong. Choose to be courageous. Choose to be obedient. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Read the first chapter of Joshua. What does God command him to

do? 2. How does this compare to what God is calling you to do?

Prayer Focus: Pray 2 Chronicles 15:7 for our church, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for you work will be rewarded.” Ask the Lord to embolden us with strength, courage, and submission to Him to follow the path He has placed before us. Pray these traits for yourself as well.

Day Twenty-Seven

We Have Never Done it This Way Before!

Mark 2:1-12

Ancient sailors recorded many times that in the midst of a coming storm the top of their ship’s mast would be circled with mysterious circle of light. Many times their hair would begin to stand straight out from their heads as this light appeared. They called it St. Elmo’s Fire. Any experienced sailor knew it was then time to take cover because the air was so electrically charged that a lightning strike was imminent.

The air must have been so charged in Capernaum at the time this scripture passage took place. There was a crowd, and this crowd was curious about the ministry of Jesus. The room was charged with excitement. Everyone knew that something dramatic was about to take place. It was not St. Elmo's Fire; it was the King of King’s fire. For when He is present, something miraculous is going to happen.

Sure enough, the excitement mounted as four men began to tear up the roof in order to let a friend down in the present of Jesus so that he could be healed. The Bible says they literally “took off the roof.” When our group of believers gather, it ought to be a “roof-raising experience.” And we too should be able to say, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

According to this passage, three things are needed to have a “roof-raising “ experience with Jesus: We must have a Savior who can save. We must have a preacher who can preach. We must have a flock who has faith. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Who brought you to Jesus? 2. Have you ever done anything radical for Christ? Prayer Focus: Pray that First Baptist Church will be filled with people of faith like these four roof removers, for they did everything possible to bring their friend to Jesus. Ask the Lord to make you like one of these four.

Day Twenty-Eight

Can Jesus Do a Mighty Work Here?

Mark 6:5

Here we have a sad picture. Jesus came to church but could do no mighty work because of their lack of faith. It was not a good first year of ministry for Jesus as far as His reputation among the hometown people of Nazareth was concerned. He experienced a tremendous amount of rejection. Nazareth was where the scriptures say, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52) It started out well enough when He took the pulpit on a Sabbath and read from the prophet Isaiah, the 61st chapter. This event (recorded in Luke 4:16-30), tells how they “were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” (verse 22) But when He told them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (verse 21), they became enraged. In fact, they ran Him completely out of town to a cliff where they wanted to kill Him by casting Him off the edge. “But He walked right through the crowd and went on His way.” (verse 30) Talk about rejection! Most preachers would have dusted their feet off and pronounced judgment, never to return. Jesus, however is not like most preachers, thank God. He still had a burning desire to do a mighty work among them. Jesus still has a burning desire to do a mighty work through His church and people today. Are you willing to live by faith and have a prayer relationship with Him? For He is ready, willing, and able to perform powerful works through us. Our faith will either turn the switch on or off. Jesus will either do a mighty work here, or He will go elsewhere to do His mighty work _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Do you think familiarity kills faith? 2. What are we too familiar with at First Baptist Church? Prayer Focus: Pray that He will do a mighty work through First Baptist Church because we are of strong faith. Ask God to show you if there is a roadblock of unbelief in your life.

Day Twenty-Nine

God’s Great Relocation Project

Numbers 13:30

God is in the moving business. He is always in the process of moving His people. Although we are often content where we are, God loves us enough not to lead us there. Sometimes we can get a little stubborn about changes that He has in mind for us. A good illustration is found in the children of Israel as they were moving from Egypt to the Promised Land. God sent miracle after miracle to get them out. But then, they did not want to go on in and possess what He intended for them. In fact, they said in Numbers 14:3, “...Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” It seems God could take His people out of Egypt, but His people couldn’t leave Egypt behind. The old song says, “I have decided to follow Jesus—No turning back, no turning back.” Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God has begun a spiritual project for His people of First Baptist Church. May we take heed of the lesson we learn from the children of Israel going to the Promised Land. May we be wise enough to realize that god began this great project, and He will continue this work until completion. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Is there anything keeping you form being courageous in faith

today? 2. What are three benefits of becoming courageous? Prayer Focus: Pray that God will continue to lead the way and that our faith will remain strong as we continue with this vision He has given our church. Thank the Lord for loving you enough not to leave you where you are. Also thank Him for the privilege of being a part of this church body of believers during this exciting time in our history.

Day Thirty

You Make the Call

II Timothy 3:16-17

Baseball umpire Durwood Merrill tells of his rookie year of umpiring in the major leagues. It was the first time he had called balls and strikes with the famous pitcher, Nolan Ryan. The second pitch of the game came so fast, Merrill never saw it. He froze, unable to make the call. Finally he yelled somewhat tentatively, “Strike!” The batter backed out of the box and said, “Ump, don’t feel so bad, I didn’t see it either!” This story is a good illustration of what is happening in the world today. Change is occurring so fast that none of us can see it clearly. Yet we have to make vital calls and daily decisions about very im-portant things, all the time wondering if we are making the right ones. There has never been a time when we have needed a standard more in our lives than we do today. We need a fixed point, a true north, an unchanging standard on which we can base our decision and not have to worry about changing them. God has given us such a standard. It is the Word of God, the Holy Bible. It contains the rock-solid, never changing, always relevant truth. Unbelievers might say the Bible is irrelevant and outdated. Believers know that “...the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing souls and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) You make the call. ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. How do you use the Bible to guide you in your decisions? Prayer Focus: Pray that our fellowship of believers will read and study the Bible daily. Ask God to let its wisdom sink into our hearts and minds and then reflect in our character and actions.

Day Thirty-One

A Contribution or a Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

Did you hear the story of the chicken and the pig who were walking together down the road? They came up on a beggar who was nearly starved to death. He had not eaten in days. The chicken and the pig decided to help him. The chicken said, “I have an idea. Let’s fix him some breakfast—some ham and eggs!” The pig thought about that a moment and then said, “I don’t like that idea very much because it only requires you to make a contribution, but for me it is a complete sacrifice!” As the Apostle Paul writes our Scripture passage, he is making a turning point in his letter to the believers in Rome. He is finally giving an application to the truths that he has been telling about in previous chapters. He is stating how we should respond to the knowledge that God has procured our salvation and saved us from the wages of sin through Jesus Christ. He’s telling us to lay it all on the altar for God; surrender completely. Don’t simply make a contribution like the chicken, but sacrifice all like the pig. ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. A sacrifice is defined as “giving up something you love for

something you love more.” List the things you love most. Prayer Focus: Pray that First Baptist will be a body of believers willing to totally surrender to God.

Day Thirty-Two

Conversion + Changed Life

1 Timothy 1:12

After Watergate, there was an abundance of books that were published by the various personalities involved. One of the most famous was Chuck Colson who wrote the very famous “Born Again.” This book detailed his conversion to Christ. All of these years later, we think of Chuck Colson as a great man who has had such an impact on the world through his prison ministries. We forget that before his conversion he was known as “the hatchet man”. It was a common saying in Washington that Colson would walk over his own mother for Nixon! Another player in the Watergate scandal was the very boisterous G. Gordon Liddy. One of the great quotes from his book tells of a time when a certain court date come around. Everyone had been discussing Colson’s conversion to Christianity. As Colson walked into the courtroom, Liddy was overheard to say, “Oh no, if Colson would walk over his own mother for Nixon, just think what he will do for Jesus!” Time has proven Colson’s conversion genuine. He certainly is one more example of how God can change a life. In I Timothy, the Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy in the faith to cherish, project, and preach the Gospel. The reason is that the Gospel’s message changes lives. Indeed at First Baptist, the Gospel is preached so that our goal of making more and better followers of Christ can be met. ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. How had God changed your life over the years? 2. What old things have passed away? Galatians 5:17 Prayer Focus: Pray that our church will always be a place that impact the world for Jesus. Pray that teach on elf us will join together to help expand God’s kingdom and achieve Christlikeness.

Day Thirty-Three

Why Pray?

James 5:16

Can prayer really make a difference? Can my prayers actually change things? Is it possible for the will of God to be thwarted because I don’t pray? These are legitimate questions. The answers you give them reflect the very foundation of your relationship with the Lord. On one hand, if God is Sovereign, He’s going to do everything He way He wants, so why pray? On the other hand, if He is waiting on my prayers to execute His will, then I had better get serious about praying really quick. How does His Sovereignty and my prayers go together? God uses prayer to make the impossible, possible, and the ordinary, extraordinary. Prayers make our efforts effective and helps us to define God’s will more clearly. C. H. Spurgeon said, “whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.” Faithful praying releases the Holy Spirit to act and allows us to see God in His full glory. Someone once said, “ God does things when we pray that He does not do when we do not pray.” May today’s devotional be an inspiration for you to see the Lord in prayer. ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Look up payer in your Bible’s concordance. Read and study the

verses it gives you. Prayer Focus: Thank God for hearing all the prayers that have been lifted up on our church's behalf. Thank Him for answering them. Pray that God’s people at First Baptist will pray more than ever before and that everything that we do as a church will be labored over in prayer.

Day Thirty-Four

Attitude of Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18

An attitude of gratitude puts everything and every circumstance into the proper perspective. It enables us to see the big picture and helps us to focus on God and His glory rather than on ourselves and our personal trials or triumphs. Such an attitude, openly expressed and lived-out, sends a powerful message to our family and friends: God is in control and I’m glad He is! We already know the ultimate outcome of life’s circumstances: “...in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). If we forget this promise, we begin to take God for granted, and an attitude of gratitude is impossible. We can become self-focused and lose sight of what God is accomplishing in the greater scheme of things. Baking a cake requires using a number of ingredients, which, if eaten by themselves, are mostly distasteful: flour, raw eggs, baking powder, etc. But, if these same ingredients are carefully blended together and baked for the right period of time, you end up with a delicious dessert. God is at the “mixing bowl” of our lives. Our “flour and raw eggs” experiences, however distasteful, are the ingredients of a wonderful creation. We can give thanks in all circumstances because of our faith in God, knowing that the end result of all our experiences will be a perfect blend for our good and His glory. ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Identify at least one good experience and on bad experience you

have had recently. Take the time to give God thanks for both, remembering that from God’s perspective they are equally beneficial.

Prayer Focus: Thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy, His gift of love and grace, for the effectual working of His word in our life and for our victory over death.

Day Thirty-Five

Communication of Gratitude

Mark 5:19

Jesus spoke these words after casting demons out of a man from Gadarene. His command was simple: go and tell others what I have done for you. What a powerful reminder this give us of the need to express our thanks to God. Not just in private thanksgiving; but also in public acknowledgement of God’s goodness.

All believers face the danger of forgetting “how much the Lord has done for us.” When this occurs, we may grow timid in communicating gratitude both to God and to man. Our stewardship campaign is therefore a great opportunity for us to strengthen and renew a spirit of gratitude. Communicating gratitude is important for several reasons: 1. It makes us more reliant on God. Romans 1:21 tells of those who

“although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.” Thankfulness occurs inwardly, in what our heart expresses. Glorifying God happens publicly, in what our mouth confesses. Public expressions of gratitude strengthen one’s commitment to God while counteracting our human tendency to self– sufficiency and self-reliance.

2. It has a profound impact to those around us. Family and friends need to hear that our successes are not of our own making, but that we are beneficiaries of the goodness of God. Read David’s words in 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 to see how his gratitude set in motion a great celebration of sacrifice and praise among God’s people.

_____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Following David’s example, take the time to identify some

examples of God’s goodness to you and then express your grati-tude to God in the presence of a friend or family members.

Prayer Focus: Ask God to give our church family a desire and courage to share more openly our testimonies with each other.

Day Thirty-Six

Seeing the God Who is Greater

Acts 4

Who knows the full extent of what God has in store for our church? Only God does! But He longs to reveal more and more of His plan to us as we act in faith and see that He is greater than all.

Acts chapter 4 describes the bold ministry of Peter and John, and the price they paid for proclaiming the Message. Because they would not keep quiet about their Lord...because they were convinced that their silence would carry eternal consequences...because their faith was in the One whose Name is above all other...they didn’t give up or give in. Although the authorities demanded that they cease to teach about Jesus or even to speak His name, they refused and were imprisoned.

When Peter and John were released that day, they returned to their fellow Christians and joined them in praying to the God who is greater. All the believers recognized the risks they were taking, but in the larger context, the threats did not matter. Consequently, their prayer was not filled with expressions of anxiety; instead, it overflowed with the promises of Scripture. Their emotions and thoughts were anchored in the reality of who God is. No one pretended that the circumstances were pleasant, but everyone confessed two essential truths– that God is sovereign and that He is forever the Creator.

The same God to whom those first century disciples devoted their lives, that same Sovereign Lord and Creator, is our God. And when we pray to Him, we are confessing confidence in the One who is greater. We face mountainous challenges. How must we respond? With the spiritual vision to see that He, as the God who is greater, can cast those mountains into the sea or reduce them to a plain path. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. Pray with someone today about a “mountain” you are facing, and

pray also about the “mountain” we face in our important capital campaign.

Prayer Focus: Father, we thank You for Your presence and power. Help us to not lose heart but to be strong in the Lord and to wait patiently for Your power to be revealed.

Day Thirty-Seven

Because We Are Forgiven

Luke 24:1-11

At first they didn’t believe the reports of the women. Jesus was alive, they said. The disciples were troubled, filled with doubt. Then, one by one, they recognized Him, fell at His feet, and worshiped Him. He was alive! Hope was reborn! But what about the past? Would He remember how they had deserted Him...how they had cut and run at the moment of danger? How could they have been so faithless and unbelieving? Never one to upbraid or accuse, Jesus quietly reaffirmed His love for them. He allowed them to touch His hands and His side, to settle their doubts and be convinced of His reality. He helped them in their daily needs: directing them to the location of fish when they had caught nothing and fixing them breakfast on the shore. He opened their eyes to the Scriptures. He gave them the promise of His Spirit, to be with them forever. And then, He gave them a mission. Those who had so glaringly failed Him in His moment of trial were entrusted with the greatest work the world would eve know: the spreading of the Gospel. The past didn’t sabotage the present or the future. Their failures would always be a reminder of the weakness of the flesh and the power of sin, but they would not be a barrier to further usefulness. These men, renewed by love and mercy, went on to turn the world upside down. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. What is the most significant lesson God has ever taught you about

the importance of staying committed and not giving up? Prayer Focus: Thank the Lord for the great peace that He gives when we experience His forgiveness. Ask Him to help us as a church family and exercise great forgiveness with each other.

Day Thirty-Eight

How to Walk by Faith

George Mueller hadn’t faced a situation quite like it. Before him were 120 orphans, expectantly seated at long dinner tables, but something at this mealtime tested the mettle of Mueller’s heart. On the dinner plates at that table was ...nothing but water. Eager faces looked toward him, as if to say, “What’s for dinner?” But he didn’t know; the cupboard was bare and the icebox was empty. There was no milk, an no money to buy food or drink.

What was George to do? It didn’t take long for him to decide. He would do what he had done every other mealtime. He would instruct the children to bow their heads and join him in thanking God for the meal they were about to eat. He would praise God for the faithfulness of His provision. And so he did. Mueller prayed simply, directly, and with a heart filled with faith.

When the “amen” was pronounced, the plates were still empty. But a the eyes of those 120 youngsters turned again to the head table, a knock sounded at the door. One of the boys was sent to answer. A moment later, he called out, “Mr. Mueller, it’s the vegetable man! He’s got a lot of stuff for us!” While the vegetables were being unloaded, another person came to the door—the butcher! He had run out of ice at the end of a hot day and faced the prospect to awful, rotting meat. Could the orphanage use it? No sooner had he spoken the words that another amazing “coincidence” occurred. The milkman’s wagon pulled up, overloaded with milk and dairy products and needing desperately to do something with them!

Needless to say, it was quite a banquet that night. And it was the finest lesson in faith those orphans ever received. Would the same thing have happened had Mueller not prayed, believing God for His provision ahead of time for it? We don’t know, but we do know that Jesus said we have not because we ask not. And we know that His will for us is to walk by faith, not by sight. _____________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. God is calling each member of the church family to answer a vital

question: Do you have the faith to trust God for His provision?

Prayer Focus: Pray that we move toward the future we will have faith—personally and corporately—to trust that God will provide for our needs.

Day Thirty-Nine

Answer the Challenge Ephesians 4:1

Paul’s letters comprise much of the New Testament. He often wrote to give instruction for the church. Many times his words were encouragement for Christians in times of trouble and testing. Paul often wrote to give a challenge for God’s people to answer the call. In Ephesians 4:1, he urges us to live a life worthy of our salvation. This has nothing to do with earning our salvation; rather it is a life lived in holy thankfulness for our salvation. The word Paul used for “urge” can also be translated as “beg, implore, or extract.” Paul is not giving a gentle pat on the back but rather a firm challenge to give our lives more fully to Christ. Let’s live a life worthy of the calling we have received! Answer the challenge! ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. How would you define the challenge in your life? 2. How do you see the challenge before our church family?

Prayer Focus: Ask God to give you a clear sense of His call on you life today.

Day Forty

Continuing the Legacy Psalm 102:18

Let me ask you a very important question. What do you believe will be taking place in First Baptist Church 10 years from now? How about 50 years from now? To put it bluntly, the strength and faithfulness of the people who make up First Baptist Church 50 years from now will, to a great degree, depend upon the choices you and I make today.

If the generations to come experience the joy of praising the Lord, it will take vision and commitment from each of us today. It will take a kingdom focus in this generation to impact a new generation for the glory of God!

Today, each of us live in the legacy of others while at the same time as we are leaving a legacy for those who will come after us. Those who came before us sacrificed much and God used them to pave the road we now walk on. Our Christian heritage came at a great cost and the personal sacrifices of many men and women.

I close this 40 Days of Devotions with our theme verse Psalm 102:18 “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.” In the months ahead of us I personally pray the following things will be written down about these particular days in the life of our church family:

They undertook a God-sized task by faith and witnessed the amazing Hand of God!

They deeply devoted to the Lord and His glory! They were determined to reach out to a new generation, no matter

the cost. It is amazing to see how God blessed their faith! ______________________________________________________________ Things to Consider: 1. A major theme throughout the campaign has been “Not Equal

Gifts, but Equal Sacrifice.” would you consider you commitment a sacrificial gift.

2. Continuing the Legacy requires three essentials: Determination, Cooperation, and Devotion. The highest priority is the final point: Devotion to Christ and His call on our life.

Prayer Focus: Ask the Lord to give us a heart that beats with passion for His Kingdom and glory. Pray for obedient wills prompted by pure love and devotion that will produce a godly legacy for generations to come.