TO KNOW CHRIS
TTO KNOW CHRIS
T
AND AND
TO MAKETO MAKE
HIM KNOWNHIM KNOWN
A Thirty Day Devotional Guide A Thirty Day Devotional Guide
Exalt Equip Evangelize
“…to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith.”
1 Thessalonians 3:2, NKJV
There was a mother with a little crippled boy, whose frail legs
were covered with steel braces up to his thighs. He wobbled along
in a pitiful way, but his mother encouraged him with every step
he made.
“That’s real good, that’s fine, you’re doing great,” she would say.
With every word the little boy would try to do even better to
please his saintly mother. Then he said, “Mama, watch me. I am
going to run!”
She said, “Go ahead son, let me see you.” The little boy took two
or three steps and then caught one foot against the brace on the
other leg. Just as he started to fall, his mother caught him and
steadied him back on his feet. She stroked his hair, kissed his
cheek and said, “That was splendid! You will do even better next
time!”
As we travel through this life, we will meet a lot of people like
that little boy. We meet people crippled by the hardships and
difficulties of life. And like the little boy, they need someone to
care enough to offer them some encouragement along the way.
Our church began many years ago to provide a place of
encouragement and hope by sharing the good news of Christ.
Today, we face the future with faith as God has given us a new
vision to continue encouraging others by knowing Christ and
making Him known.
Dr. Ed Yount
A Vision of Encouragement
Day 1
On the front cover of this devotional, you will find the theme
piece, declaring the mission and vision of Woodlawn Baptist
Church. There are several elements within that piece that are
important as we talk about the simple vision statement, To Know
Christ, and to Make Him Known.
TO KNOW CHRIST – that is a vertical relationship between
you and Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the King of kings,
Lord of lords, the Good Shepherd, and your personal Savior.
Deuteronomy 30:20 says, “. . . and that you may love the Lord
your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord
is your life. . . .” (NIV) I love that statement – the Lord is your
LIFE! He becomes your life as you LOVE Him and as you
KNOW Him. You will note that this is the dominant statement
on the banner. Without ‘knowing Christ,’ there is no power, or
relationship, to fulfill the rest.
AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN – this is the horizontal
relationship that we have with our world. Notice the world map in
the background. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.” (NIV) Our mission is to make Jesus known to all the
nations. That begins right here in Catawba County (our
Jerusalem) and extends across the nations to the ends of the earth.
It is first in knowing Christ, that it is then possible to make Him
known. If you are walking down the street talking to a dear
friend, and another friend approaches, it is very easy to introduce
them to each other. In fact, it would be considered rude not to!
When we come to know Christ as our dear friend, then it becomes
easy to make Him known while we are walking down ‘our’ street,
or a street in a foreign land.
To Know Christ and to Make Him Known
Day 2
The mission field has come to us. Knowing Christ makes all the
difference. Is it easy for you to introduce your dear friend to
someone? If not, perhaps it’s time to check your spiritual pulse.
There is nothing complicated about introducing one friend to
another.
As a church, it is our vision to know Christ, and to make Him
known. We do that as we exalt Him in worship, as we equip
believers in small groups, and as we evangelize our world. Check
your spiritual pulse today. Pray. And join us as we endeavor
together to Know Christ, and to Make Him Known.
Jerry Anderson
Now, I’m from Mississippi and I have had a lot of experience
with anthills. These big mounds of dirt in my Pawpaw’s fields
were made when a bunch of insignificant creatures got together.
I have stepped on a few anthills without shoes, and the ants’
fellowship made an impact on me! One ant bite might sting a
little. Most folks can handle that.
But if a person messes with the whole family in the anthill, those
ants will gather around your foot and serve notice that you are
unwelcome in their houses!
One ant can’t create that kind of impact by itself. Gathered
together, they will also work together to rebuild in a day and a
half what was destroyed.
Let’s do what Ecclesiastes 4:12 says and form a cord that cannot
be broken.
Mike Daughtrey
Ants
Day 3
Ever have a bad day, especially one where people you love and
care about let you down? That is the kind of day Moses had when
he came down from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments.
His people were worshipping idols and having a very not holy
celebration. And Aaron, his own brother, was in the thick of it!
Moses had gone to bat against Pharaoh, and God had worked very
visible miracles to free his people. In spite of all that, here they
were in open rebellion! Talk about letting someone down!
So what did Moses do? First he gets away a little bit. He moves
his tent outside the camp where it is just Moses, his assistant
Joshua, and especially God (Exodus 33:7–11).
There Moses finds the solution when . . .
He prays “show me now your ways, that I may know You. .
. .” (Exodus 33:13, NKJV)
God replies “My Presence will go with you, and I will give
you rest.” (Exodus 33:14, NKJV)
How can we best handle ‘bad days’? Ask God to know Him
better; then experience His Presence and His rest.
Gary Craton
Moses and the Really Bad Day
Day 4
“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his
resurrection and participation in his sufferings. . . .”
Philippians 3:10 (NIV)
Let me ask you a simple question. Do you know the President of
the United States? Now, I didn’t ask you if you like him or
dislike him, if you have an opinion about him, or even if you
know who he is. I asked, do you KNOW the President. How
many times have you sat down at the White House table and
dined with him? How many times have you played golf together?
Another simple question… Do you know Jesus Christ? Now, I
didn’t ask you if you like him or dislike him, if you have an
opinion about him, or even if you know who he is. I asked, do
you KNOW Jesus Christ. How many times have you sat down at
His table? How many deep conversations have you shared? How
many times have you taken Him to the golf course… (or maybe I
should say ‘into rush hour traffic!’) …ouch!
Look at the passage above. Paul says, “I want to KNOW Christ!”
I want to know the POWER of His resurrection; I want to
PARTICIPATE in His sufferings. The rest of the verse says,
“becoming like Him in His death.”
That is very different than knowing ABOUT Him… or knowing
the stories of the Bible… even different than understanding
theological principles of the Scriptures. Knowledge is good, but
KNOWING is better.
Spend time getting to KNOW Christ today. Get inside His mind!
Paul says, “Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus. . .
.” (see Philippians 2) – Get inside His heart! Love people like HE
loves people. Your prayer should be – ‘Lord, let my heart break
for the things that break Your heart.’
Knowing … and Knowing
Day 5
In Philippians 3:8, Paul sums it up this way;
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the
SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY
LORD, for whose sake I have lost ALL things. I consider them
GARBAGE, that I may gain Christ.” (NIV) (emphasis mine!)
Discover the difference today. Get to KNOW Christ a little bit
better! God Bless!
Jerry Anderson
So we being many, are one body in Christ and individually
members of one another.” (Romans 12:5, NKJV)
If an orchestra is harmonious, it’s not because they’re all playing
the same instrument; it’s because they’re all playing the same
song.
If a football team is unified, it does not mean that everyone’s
playing the same position. It does mean everybody’s going to the
same goal line.
If our great choir at Woodlawn is singing in wonderful harmony,
it’s not because they are singing the same parts; it’s because
they’re adding their part to the same song.
It is the goal that produces the unity. Unity is not sameness.
Unity is working together toward the same purpose.
See 1 Corinthians 12:12–31.
Mike Daughtrey
Unity
Day 6
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As I began thinking through this devotion, and sat down to begin
writing, suddenly the words to the song on the radio at the
moment cut through my thoughts… Be Thou my vision, Lord…
Be Thou my vision, Lord… Be Thou MY VISION, Lord! Look
at this text:
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art-
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence, my light.
Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true Word,
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord.
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.1
So, where does YOUR vision come from?
I had a teen in my youth group many years ago whose dad had
aspired to be a baseball player. Due to some injuries, he was
unable to play – but he placed his goal upon his son. His desire
was for Grey to be the best baseball player ever. Was that Grey’s
desire? Not really. Did he have a choice? Unfortunately, no.
Our vision can come from many places. Like Grey, it came from
his dad.
The hymn writer had the idea. Lord – YOU be my vision – my
thought – my light – my wisdom – my dwelling place. The book
of Jeremiah clearly says that the LORD has plans for you, and they
Be Thou, My Vision, Lord!
Day 7
1Traditional Irish hymn, translated by Mary E. Byrne.
are good plans. And, we discover those plans by spending quality
time with the Lord, and in His Word.
Did Grey buy into his dad’s vision? Yes, to some degree, and for
a period of time. Is he a world famous baseball player today? No,
he is not.
Our pastor has shared with us a vision for Woodlawn Baptist
Church. It is a worthwhile vision, based in scripture, for any New
Testament church. It will be easy for us as a church to buy in . . .
for a while. It will only last, however, if it becomes OUR vision
– YOUR vision – MY vision – confirmed in each of us
individually as we spend time with the Lord, and in His Word.
Look again at the words to that second verse, “I ever with Thee
and Thou with me, Lord … Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee
one.”
Re-read that hymn and make it your prayer today, that God’s
vision for His church will become personal to you, practical for
you, and powerful IN you today.
Jerry Anderson
Have you ever given any thought to the world of difference
between entitlement and privilege?
Entitlement asks, “What’s in it for me?”
Privilege asks, “What’s in it for you?”
I often see this difference when I take the family out to Chick-fil-
A™. I approach the counter with a sense of entitlement,
expecting to get something yummy for lunch. I’m always
pleasantly surprised to discover an employee who considers it a
privilege to serve—and not just to serve chicken sandwiches, but
to serve my family and me. I’m not sure which tastes better,
treating myself to a Chick-fil-A™ Chicken Sandwich or being
treated like a human being who’s special if for no other reason
than the wonderful truth that he’s made in the image of God. I go
to Chick-fil-A™ like I’m entitled to receive. I leave Chick-fil-
A™ with feeling like it really was their privilege to serve.
Peter, “a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” writes to believers
who “have obtained a faith of equal privilege as ours...” (2 Peter
1:1, HCSB)
It seems that Peter believed, along with all the other apostles, that
Christ had purchased them out of their slavery to sin—a purchase
that made them slaves to Christ—and sent them out (the meaning
of “apostle”) as commissioned representatives to continue
Christ’s mission in the world. This “faith of equal privilege” had
nothing to do with an entitlement to receive and everything to do
with the privilege to serve.
Woodlawn’s vision - “To Know Christ and Make Him Known”—
speaks of privilege, not entitlement. We, like Peter, have been
apprehended to know Christ and sent to make him known. It is a
faith of equal privilege.
Cris Alley
A Faith of Equal Privilege
Day 8
A few years ago, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger wrote a book
called Simple Church. Every evangelical Christian needs to read
that book. Simple Church simplifies what evangelicals tend to
complicate. That’s not to say that Rainer and Geiger’s view of
church is simplistic; rather, you might say that they’ve recaptured
the profound simplicity of the New Testament church.
To me, church is as simple as 1-2-3.
The church has one purpose: glorify God – Ephesians 1:1–14
tells us that the whole plan of redemption, from God’s creation of
the first heaven and first earth to God’s re-creation of the new
heaven and new earth, unfolds “to the praise of his
glory.” (HCSB) In fact, if I’m involved in anything that doesn’t
expose the excellencies of our God, it’s probably a waste of time.
The church is sent in two directions: called out and sent back –
We see this in the ministry of Jesus. He called a group of people
to himself and taught them the Great Commandment. Then he
sent them back into the world with the Great Commission. He
poured his life into them so he could pour his life through them.
The church fulfills her mission through three methods:
worship, discipleship, service – Woodlawn gathers each week to
fulfill the Great Commandment. In worship, we exalt the savior.
In discipleship, we equip the saint. Then Woodlawn scatters each
week to fulfill the Great Commission. In service, we combine acts
of kindness with gospel witness to evangelize the sinner.
The church’s three methods of worship, discipleship, and service
fulfill the two directions of the Great Commandment and the
Great Commission for the one purpose of an ever-expanding,
worldwide chorus of praise. It’s church as simple as 1-2-3.
Cris Alley
Church, As Simple as 1-2-3
Day 9
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction
we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond
our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that
we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us
rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:8–10, ESV
Some years back, my wife and I went through several
miscarriages. Man, you talk about tough to handle. I do not think
we will ever get over the loss of our precious children.
A portion of scripture that brought great comfort to both of us
during those times was 2 Corinthians 1:1–7. Those verses spoke
about the comfort that comes from God and others in such
difficult times. But I began to learn another truth during those
times, as well.
Scripture doesn’t promise that we can handle whatever life throws
at us.
The strain of these miscarriages was truly beyond our emotional
and spiritual capacity to handle. The truth is, life is hard, painful,
and often unbearable, sometimes, so unbearable that we are in
despair of our own lives.
Have you ever been there? Life will give us more than we can
handle! That’s a fact! When we finally give up, we are ready to
let God work.
Romans 8:28–29 says that God is working on our behalf to
transform us into the likeness of Jesus.
Christian, God always has your good in mind, because your good
is His Glory! Be encouraged!! In your difficulty, will you exalt
Exalt Him in All Things
Day 10
Jesus? Will you make Him known? Will you be a bright light to
a hurting world? God is good and He loves us with an everlasting
love. Let the world see Him in you as He gives you unspeakable
grace in your suffering.
Rely on Him today. After all, He is the God who raises the dead!
Ed Braswell
In the words of Christian music artist Jimmy Needham, “You can
sing all you want to and still get it wrong, worship is more than a
song.”
Exalting the Savior is worship; worship is living in gratitude for
God’s grace and power. It is much deeper than a reaction you had
to a song in church. It is much more than a feeling you got during
a dramatic reenactment of the life and death of Jesus. It is
looking beyond the wonder and living for Jesus in the most
mundane of moments. To exalt the savior we must connect to the
eternal God not just a moment of wonder.
The Israelites experienced this same thing. In chapter 14 of
Exodus they witnessed God move an ocean so that they could
escape the army that was pursuing them. By chapter 32 they were
making a golden calf to worship in God’s place. You see, they
connected to the wonder of the ocean moving rather than the one
who made the ocean move. They connected to the temporary
rather than the eternal. When the wonder wore off they were left
confused and impatient. If they were truly living a life of worship
they would have found peace in the mundane as well as the
wonder.
Where does your heart lie? Are you exalting the savior, or simply
connecting to music, drama, and preaching on Sunday. Stay
focused on God, and the temporary music and moments of
wonder will be eternally sweeter.
Kyle Patton
Exalt the Savior
Day 11
Have you ever been to a pro wrestling event?
Well, I have to admit that I have. It’s the strangest and one of the
funniest, entertaining events that I have ever attended. I have to
break some news to you; pro wrestling is staged! Before the
wrestlers ever get out, it has been determined who will win.
The contenders go through the battle for entertainment purposes
but the point of the battle is not to decide who will win but to give
the crowd a show. The winner of the match does not battle for
victory but from victory. He battles knowing that he’s already
won.
Those who come to Jesus Christ have already won! God allows
us to go through our Christian walk, not to win the victory, but to
show off to the world that He that is in us is greater than he that is
in the world.
John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me
you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)
Mike Daughtrey
Victory
Day 12
John Piper, in his book Let the Nations Be Glad, makes a startling
statement. He says, “Mission exists because worship doesn’t.”
I read this just before our family departed the states to serve as
your missionaries with the International Mission Board. Nothing
short of Scripture prepared me for missionary work like that
statement from John Piper.
You see, it didn’t take long to realize that my love for the lost
made a pretty thin motivation for missionary work. In fact, my
love for the lost barely survived the challenges of jet lag! Not
only was my love insufficient; their need was, as well. To be
perfectly honest, there were some people we met on the field so
full of evil you almost felt wrong offering God’s forgiveness and
eternal life.
But over time I learned the challenges of missionary work and the
darkest evil of sinful people never could outweigh or overshadow
the infinite weight of God’s worth. God deserves the praises of
the nations but the enemy is robbing Him of His glory. And the
deeper they were in darkness, the brighter the light and the more
glorious their praise.
Salvation was primary (first) but worship was ultimate (most
important).
Missionary work no longer relied on my fickle motivation or their
intrinsic worth. Instead, missionary work found eternal
motivation in the infinite worth of God. God grew to mean so
much to me that my praise wasn’t enough. Missionary work
became all about adding people to the choir.
Day 13
Worship is Ultimate
Dena and I wrote a song that captured this truth for us:
I’ve heard it said, “Your love is amazing indeed. If I were alone
You’d have given Your life just for me.” But I see a day when the
church will measure the weight of Your worth, an endless obses-
sion as far as the eye can see.
O for a thousand tongues, praising the Holy One, not just for
what You’ve done for me, but for Your matchless love, my words
are not enough, multiply millions praising You for all eternity.
Exalt the Savior; extend to the nations the praises due His name!
Cris Alley
Matthew 4:18–20
Matthew 28:18–20
My grandfather was a preacher all of my life. I spent most
summers with him and my grandmother. In fact, I spent as much
time with them as I possibly could. One thing I remember
consistently about my grandfather is most days we were with
someone else. It could have been a church member who was in
the hospital, a church member who was struggling, a friend of a
church member who had questions about religion, or some
stranger we met while out and about. Whoever it was and
whatever the circumstance, Granddaddy was never uncomfortable
talking with them, listening to them, and praying with them.
When I surrendered to a call to ministry, Granddaddy said to me,
“Do it the way I taught you.” I never remember him saying much
during those early years, but I do remember that when I began to
serve churches much of the work came naturally because
Granddaddy had spent those years “making” a disciple.
In Matthew 4 Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers
of men.” For the next three years they followed him and watched.
They asked questions and listened. They never fully understood
all that He did and said until right before His ascension when He
said to them, “Go and make disciples. . . .” The response of those
men is well documented.
As I read these words and I look at my own life, I have to ask,
“Am I doing it the way Jesus did?” Am I following Granddaddy’s
directive, “Do it the way I taught you.” Who am I making into a
disciple?
Peter West
Who Am I Making?
Day 14
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted…”
(Ephesians 4:32, NKJV)
There was a school teacher who had a very poor little girl in his
class. One day, the teacher bought every one of his children a
popsicle. It was near the end of the day so the teacher told them
to eat them and not make a mess. They were sixth graders, and
just a great group of kids.
As they were eating their popsicles the teacher noticed one little
girl whose popsicle juice was dripping out of her desk. She said,
“Dorothy, you’re supposed to eat that popsicle before it melts.”
Dorothy said, “Ma’am, school’s nearly out and I’m saving half of
it for my brother. He’s never had a popsicle before in his life.”
The teacher was moved and went away blessed and humbled by a
little girl who wanted to share her popsicle with her little brother.
Paul told the Ephesians to be kind and tenderhearted to one
another. He was telling them to be like little Dorothy, who put her
brother before herself. That is exactly what God has called us to
do. Think about the ways you can put others around you before
yourself by making Christ known.
Dr. Ed Yount
The Value of a Popsicle
Day 15
“Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.”
(Romans 12:10, NIrV)
In KidZone, as part of our Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry
at Woodlawn, we always teach a monthly virtue. For the month
of October our virtue was HONOR. One week, the bottom-line
application was “HONOR others by putting them first.”
One of our children’s teachers challenged her class to work on
honoring others.
That week, the teacher honored her husband by buying the
groceries and packing his lunch so he did not have to do it before
he went to work the next morning. Her example inspired our
children.
One of the children baked cookies with her mom for the teachers
and custodians at her school.
Another child paid for a policewoman’s lunch with her own
money.
The next Sunday we celebrated all God had done through our
children’s ministry to honor others. We encouraged all of the kids
in KidZone to continue to HONOR others in the weeks to come.
In our Children’s Ministry we are equipping our children to exalt
Christ in their everyday lives.
Erica Whitener
So Easy a Child Can Do It
Day 16
From the debt ceiling to rising crime rates, it is easy to see that
the world we live in is not where God wants it to be. It does not
take a political analyst or well dressed news anchor to come to the
conclusion that something must be done to bring this nation back
to God.
Jesus has laid out, in the book of John, the only way to create
such a change. He has equipped us with the tool that we need to
get our nation and ourselves into a life of obedience. In John
15:12, Jesus equips his followers with the tool that is designed to
change the world. Jesus says “…Love each other as I have loved
you.” (NCV) WOW! WHAT!?
That’s it? There’s no five-point strategy or super deep book to
read? I don’t have to call a meeting and talk about it for hours on
end? NO!!! All I have to do is love others like Christ has loved
me. However, to do this I must first understand what Jesus meant
when he said “…as I have loved you.”
I believe 1 John 4:8 gives us the understanding we need. It states
that “God is love.” So if we look at what Jesus said through the
eyes of 1 John we can come to the conclusion that we must lead
people to God as Jesus led people to God. God is Love. God
didn’t create love. He is love. God created monkeys, but God is
not a monkey. 1 John gives us a look into the mystery that is
God. God is a lot of things we don’t know, but one thing we do
know is, God is Love.
So in essence God was telling his followers that we must lead
people to the Father. We must “love” our family and teach them
to “love” as well. We must encourage the lost to accept “Love”
so they can in turn “love” others.
To conclude, the song “All we need is love” is absolutely correct,
as long as we understand that we’re talking about God’s love. An
understanding and common practice of God’s love is the only
thing that will change the world. - Kyle Patton
Equip the Saint
Day 17
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ…”
Ephesians 4:11–13 NJKV
One of the ways that you know a bowler is serious about his
game is that they carry custom-made bowling balls. These
custom-made bowling balls are constructed to the appropriate
weight and grip so that they fit the particular bowler’s
uniqueness. To have a custom-made ball is to increase the
possibility of effective delivery so that you can hit the mark.
God has constructed, or formed, every member of His body in a
customized way. He has uniquely crafted every one of us to hit
the mark of His purpose and calling on our lives. You, in fact,
are custom-made.
God will challenge each of us to use our uniqueness to hit the
mark through Woodlawn Baptist Church. Are you in the game?
Mike Daughtrey
You are Unique
Day 18
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid . . . for the Lord,
your God goes with you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV
Over the past few years, I have enjoyed hearing stories about
preschoolers “getting” the stories that we have been teaching
them. Our teachers equip our little preschoolers how to face
anything that comes their way, even when they are young. As a
preschooler, they can struggle with things like being afraid of the
dark, waking up with a nightmare, and learning to obey.
So in the preschool ministry we want each child to grow up and
know Christ and then to make HIM known. Every lesson from the
Bible that we teach our preschoolers is built around three things:
God made them, God loves them, and Jesus wants to be their
friend forever.
I have had several parents tell me about their children and how
they have used the different songs and themes that go along with
the month to help remind them to NOT be afraid because God is
always with them. Or, when they wake up in the middle of the
night with a nightmare, they can remind their children that God
will protect them. It is so cool to see each child understanding the
concepts that we teach.
This past month we have been focusing on “I can always count on
GOD!” The kids learn that they can always count on GOD,
anytime; and when they trust and obey GOD, He can help them
do super cool things.
When we equip our preschoolers, we help the church of the future
exalt the Savior today.
Erica Whitener
Equipping for a Lifetime
Day 19
“ My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my
commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace
they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness
forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the
tablet of your heart.” - Proverbs 3:1–3, ESV
I think we can all agree, children are some of the most precious
gifts we are given. I can very easily and fondly recall those
moments when my wife and I first discovered we were pregnant,
the first ultrasounds, the trip to the hospital, the nervously-excited
anticipation, and those first cries, the first steps . . . we could go
on.
We promise ourselves that we will love them and protect them
(and we mean it). We want the best for them. We want them to
have every opportunity to enjoy life (band, sports, toys, church
activities . . . just to name a few).
We must not forget that Jesus says, “I came that they may have
life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV) FULL LIFE.
That is what Jesus promises. Are we sacrificing a FULL LIFE for
one that makes our children happy for a while?
It is hard to believe that someone could love and provide for our
own children more than we can. But it is true. Jesus is the only
One who satisfies!
Let us be diligent to give our children and grandchildren Jesus
ALL the time. Let’s teach them of His goodness and love, His
mercy and justice. Let’s Equip our children and grandchildren to
love and live for God all of their days, and to Exalt Him for
generations to come.
Take a moment and ask God to forgive you today if you have not
poured Jesus into your children and grandchildren. Ask God to
give you grace today as you pour His message into the lives of
your children/grandchildren. - Ed Braswell
Equipping Begins at Home
Day 20
Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV)
Suppose you are a doctor and there was a disease that everyone
had. Now, even though the symptoms were different, everybody
that caught the disease died. Let’s also say that you, as a
physician, came up with a cure.
What would you say about a doctor who knew everybody else
was dying and wouldn’t share the solution he had?
This is the situation for many Christians. The Bible says that the
whole world is dead in trespasses and in sin. If we have met
Jesus, we’ve found the cure. How dare we keep it to ourselves!
How dare we be on our way to heaven and not care that people
are drowning and on their way to hell!
How can we not make sharing the Gospel a priority?
Mike Daughtrey
The Solution
Day 21
And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
“What does this mean?”
But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Acts 2:12–13, ESV
It can be very difficult to live consistently for Jesus. Life gets
busy, we forget, we find other things to occupy our time. As if
those things are not enough of a distraction, throw in how other
people respond and we have a real mess.
Here in the book of Acts, we see the different ways people will
respond to the work of God in the life of a believer. Some were
in “awe” at God’s work in their lives (that’s a good thing).
Others thought, “those stupid, drunk, Jesus people.”
But the disciples’ course stayed true, their mission undeterred.
Exalt Jesus at any price! All through the book Acts (and the rest
of the New Testament), we see all kinds of responses thrown in
the direction of the early Christians.
Acts 1:8 promises that we will receive the power of God when the
Holy Spirit comes on us – to be His witnesses everywhere.
Will you trust God today with your witness? Will you trust that
His Power is more than sufficient to provide courage and
conviction as you seek to Exalt Him today?
The strength the disciples had to stay true, even in the face of
certain mockery and potential physical pain was given to them by
The All-Powerful Creator.
Spend a few moments right now confessing those times when you
have allowed the response of others to dissuade you from living a
Gospel-Centered life. Ask God to fill you once more with His
Power so that you might Exalt Him today. He’s worth it!
Ed Braswell
No Fear
Day 22
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you
that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should
remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may
give you. - John 15:16, NKJV
During the 1980s, one evangelism training course in Southern
Baptist life took place in WIN Schools (Witness Involvement
Now). Three evenings of training in the “what” and “how” of
evangelism included helping people share their story (testimony)
and share Jesus’ story (the Gospel). The fourth evening involved
going out and practicing what you had studied.
Folks who went through this training learned that “successful
witnessing is sharing Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit
and leaving the results to God.”
Sharing your story and Jesus’ story is not merely something laid
upon “professional staff” or a few bold leaders to go and do. The
Bible makes it clear that every Christ follower has a personal
responsibility to go and be His witnesses. We are to simply be
obedient. The Holy Spirit does His work of conviction and brings
about salvation. So, when we go and share we have been
successful. Obedience is the key.
In one training event, the wife of a long-time pastor came to me
(the trainer) at the end of the Wednesday evening session. Fear
was in her face and evident in her voice. “I’ve never shared the
Gospel with anyone. My husband always does that.” She was
told that tomorrow would be her turn.
When she returned from the visit the next day, we all could see a
smile a mile wide across her face. She shared how she had
presented Jesus’ story and how someone came to Christ. She had
become a faithful witness not because someone accepted Christ
but because she was obedient to Christ’s command for every
believer.
Every Believer Sent to Share
Day 23
Many are not sharing their story and Jesus’ story because they
believe that it is someone else’s job. That is not true according to
the Bible. Every Christ follower must and can be involved in the
sowing of the Seed of the Gospel and in the harvest of precious
souls for our King.
Today as you pray, ask our Father to give someone to your heart
that is far from God. Ask Him to set you up with an opportunity
to be obedient. Sow the Seed. God might just use you to begin
a great harvest!
Duane Kuykendall
Acts 27:39–28:10
I love how God shows things in scripture. I’ve read this focal
passage many times and understood that Paul went through much
getting to Rome. Recently, I noticed a small section that I had
never noticed before.
Luke, the writer of Acts, points out that Paul and his companions,
being shipwrecked on the small island of Malta, had been
welcomed by Publius, the leading man of the island. Paul learned
that Publius’s father was ill. Paul prayed for him and he was
healed. It goes on to say that others on the island, after hearing of
the healing, came to Paul and were healed as well. WOW!! Is it
possible that God sent Paul on this detour just so that he could
encounter Publius’s father and these other folks?
Yes it is!! For one thing, the detour to Malta showed that,
ultimately, God is in control and will do what He wants to bring
honor to Himself. Paul recognized that. He would write later that
he had, “learned to be content in any and all circumstances,” even
when the ministry opportunities seemed small and insignificant in
comparison to what he was used to doing.
How many times have I been in the midst of a trial and been
confronted with someone else’s need that only I am in a position
to meet? How many times have I lamented that “I want to do
great things for God,” and missed the opportunity to bless
someone for Christ’s sake.
Ultimately, all He really wants from me is faithfulness and
availability. Where will God have me minister today? Where is
my Malta today?
Peter West
Where is Malta?
Day 24
Once in awhile a sermon or a Sunday School lesson hangs around
for days. Now, I’m not saying that there has ever been a time
when studying God’s Word, that it has been an empty experience
for me, because this has never been the case.
Sometimes though, the “lesson” seems to demand further study,
consideration and meditation. And, at the ripe old age of
“definitely on the down-hill side of 50,” I have come to
understand that when this happens, I’ll sleep better if I’ll just take
the time God would have me take with that specific portion of His
Word.
The most recent occurrence of this phenomenon is actually
connected to one of my favorite stories about Jesus—His trip to
Samaria where He encountered the adulteress woman at the well.
I love the fact that even now, a most familiar Scripture can be
completely fresh through the power of the Holy Spirit. So, what
was my “new learning?”
Jesus “had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4). Jesus had to go
there. How in the world am I just now, seeing this? Well, I’ve
learned that like everything else God has planned for me, He also
plans for me to “get something” at His appointed time. I guess
this is how the Word of God stays fresh for us our entire lives.
Anyway, the history of Jesus’ time makes very clear that the Jews
and the Samaritans didn’t like each other, avoided each other and
had felt this way about each other for hundreds of years.
When working with the Youth in Sunday School a couple of
years ago, we studied this Scripture one Sunday morning. I guess
since the kids are in such intense contact at school and other
places with so many other adolescents, they immediately saw
several life applications as a result of learning about how Jesus’
ministered to the woman at the well. What then is my life
application now that I have learned that Jesus had to go to
Samaria?
Sent to Samaria
Day 25
Jesus clearly had a divine appointment with the woman at the
well.
Where is it that I have to go? Who will God have waiting for me
there? And what divine appointments await Woodlawn Baptist?
As an individual and as a member of God’s Church, I am praying
to discern where God has appointed for me to go, and with whom
He would have me connect for their salvation, for the building up
of His Kingdom and for His glory. How about you?
Pat Hensley
God has given us a command that too often is ignored. God has
told us to “Go and make followers of all people in the world.
Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you. . .
.” (Matthew 28:19–20, NCV)
But if we read this command in light of what we do, this
command reads more like, “Invite people to church and events
and hope they learn to obey God. If time doesn’t permit, don’t
worry about it because God forgives. . . .”
If we are really serious about the 65,000 that need Jesus in our
own back yard, this has to change. We must begin to actively
seek those who do not know Jesus as well as those who do know
Jesus but have fallen away.
We must teach them that Christ wants to save and forgive. We
must teach them to read scripture. We must teach them what we
learn when we read scripture.
If this is done right, we will not have to invite them to church,
because God will grab their hearts and we will not be able to keep
them away from church.
To conclude, look for a lost person this week. Share the gospel
with them, and begin to teach them to obey. I know that seems
awkward, but it has been my experience that the lost are looking
to be rescued anyway.
Kyle Patton
Evangelize the Sinner
Day 26
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. “
(Colossians 3:17, NIV)
I overheard them talking in the hallway, two students huddled
together at the school where I work. “But why would I want to be
a Christian? She is, and just look at her. She’s just as mad and
upset as the rest of us. She’s a mess. If you ask me, there is no
difference between the way she responds to things and the way
that I do.”
You maybe have heard similar statements from unbelievers. And
sadly, sometimes, they are right. If asked, would the people that
you interact with at work or in your neighborhood know that you
are a follower of Jesus? They may know that you go to church,
but do they see any tangible difference in the way that you live
each day?
You see, the easy part is learning about God and his commands,
knowing what the Bible says, and telling people that we are
“Christians.” But, the true test?
HAS HE CHANGED US?
Do we live in such a way that our lives point to God without us
having to say anything? Is there a difference between those of us
who follow Jesus and those who don’t? If there isn’t, we have
little hope of reaching the lost. People need to see a difference—
that this Jesus who we claim as Savior, really is.
To reach the lost around us—“To Know Christ and Make Him
Known”—we must choose to follow Him, even in the hard
things. When the diagnosis comes back as cancer, when we can’t
Live the Difference
Day 27
find employment, when we lose a loved one, when we are
struggling to pay our bills, when we have been treated unfairly ...
let people see the difference that knowing Jesus makes.
Friends, we do not face anything alone (Hebrews 13:5). We love
and give and move and breathe and TRUST because of what God
has already given to us. And THAT should change everything;
not because we are better, or because we have figured everything
out, but because of CHRIST.
Kara Osborne
Recently I went in for my annual eye exam (my last one was
actually three years ago). The doctor asked if there had been any
changes in the family. I shared but not too much. I told him I
heard he had some big changes coming. He responded, “We’re
expecting a girl!” He had a smile from ear to ear.
If we are asked about our children we proudly bring out the
billfold filled with pictures or, this day and time, perhaps the
phone with pictures and even videos. If we have grandchildren a
wider grin and even more pictures. Having great-grandchildren
brings out a pride that says, “I have a long heritage.”
If someone were to ask us to share about our spiritual children,
grandchildren and even great-grandchildren would we respond in
the same way?
In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul told Timothy to “pass on the things he had
been taught to faithful men who will also be able to teach others.”
That is at least four generations of spiritual children.
So, now I am asking: “Tell me about your spiritual children. Tell
me first about the one(s) that haven’t yet been born again. Tell
me about your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in
the Lord.”
We need to be leaving a spiritual legacy not only of what we did
at church but one that includes the lives of precious children in
the Lord. We must help them grow in obedience to the
commands of our Lord.
Some are saying, “I don’t have a spiritual legacy of those I have
led to Jesus and helped disciple for the journey.” The good news
is it is not too late! You can begin today sharing your story, your
Spiritual Children
Day 28
testimony, and Jesus’ story, and learn how to simply help those
who come to Christ begin the journey right.
Pray and ask the Lord with whom He would have you building a
witnessing relationship. Tell another Christ-follower who this
person is and ask them to pray with you. Also ask them to hold
you accountable to do your part in having spiritual children.
Obedience will bring a great heritage. Don’t wait.
Duane Kuykendall
In Hebrews 10:36 Paul writes, “For you have need of endurance,
so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
promise.” (NKJV)
A father was trying to get his son not to give up so easily. He
said, “Son, you’ve got to hang in there and not quit. Look at
Abraham Lincoln. He did not quit. Look at Thomas Edison. He
did not quit. Look at Douglas McArthur. He did not quit.”
Then he said, “Look at Elmo McCringle.”
The son said, “Wait a minute, Dad. Who is Elmo McCringle?”
The father said, “See. He quit.”
Don’t throw in the towel when the going gets tough. And we
know as Christians that the way, on many occasions, is hard.
Hang in there! Not that we may be famous, but to make Christ
known.
Mike Daughtrey
Endurance
Day 29
“Be strong, do not fear!” (Isaiah 35:4, NKJV)
Mrs. Monroe was a housewife from Darlington, Maryland and the
mother of eight children. She came home one afternoon from the
grocery store and walked into her home. Everything looked pretty
much the same as usual. However she immediately noticed it was
extremely quiet, and with that many children she knew that
spelled trouble.
After searching the house, she found five of her darling children,
sitting in a circle in the middle of the living room, extremely
quiet, doing something in the middle of the circle. She put down
the bags of groceries to take a closer look. She could hardly
believe her eyes when she saw her children petting five of the
cutest skunks you could ever imagine.
Then it happened! She was instantly terrified at the sight of the
skunks and she started to scream: “Run, children! Run!” Each
child grabbed a skunk and ran in five different directions in the
house. She was beside herself and screamed even louder. The
children were now so scared that each one squeezed his skunk.
And we all know that skunks do not like to be squeezed!
Some people go through life squeezing skunks because of fear.
However the Bible says, “Be strong, do not fear!” In other words,
quit squeezing skunks!
As the people of God at Woodlawn, we are called to live by faith
and not fear. Let us embrace the vision before us and go forward
in faith to know Christ and to make Him known!
Dr. Ed Yount
Quit Squeezing Skunks
Day 30