Break Down Our Walls Prayer Guide by Forest Hills Baptist Church

PRAYER GUIDE

Break Down OUR Walls PRAYER GUIDE SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS WHO FAITHF ULLY CON TRIBUTE TO OUR CHURCH.

Week 1

Purpose Why am i here?

PRAY Thank you, Lord, that you have called me to a life of purpose in Christ Jesus. May I be receptive to your prompting

and have the courage to obey, whatever the task, for You are worthy. AMEN.

sunday, April 23

From Chagrin to Celebration How absurd and unreasonable to think that marching around a walled city once a day for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day -after which seven priests would blow a long blast on rams’ horns which would signal soldiers to

shout -- would cause the walls of the city to fall down flat. And yet, that unreasonable event is actually recorded in Jewish history and it was a turning point for God’s people as they moved into their homeland after an almost 500 year absence. Forty years earlier, God had commanded the Jews to take possession of their promised land once again, but fear and rebellion caused them to suffer the consequence of forty years of wandering in the desert as God prepared the next generation for their opportunity to accept His same challenge and see Him work on their behalf. Every time God wants to do something strategic among His people the formula is the same. First, He challenges a people to do something that seems to be beyond their capability. At that point the person or people must decide to make a commitment to obey Him or not. Then, based on their commitment they will experience one of two consequences: if the commitment is one of obedience, they will offer God their best and watch Him do miraculous things which will lead to celebration in what God was able to do through their obedience. However, if their commitment is one of fear, rebellion, indifference and disobedience, the result will be chagrin. Chagrin is defined as, “distress, embarrassment or having failed or been humiliated.”

Israel suffered chagrin forty years prior to the fall of Jericho, and they did not want to be part of that humiliation once again. So, when God gave Joshua the seemingly unreasonable instructions, he and the people were ready to commit to obedience and see what God had in store! The result: the walls fell and the nation celebrated the victory God gave them. The challenge before Forest Hills Baptist is to break down the walls of doubt, fear and unbelief and offer God our individual and corporate best. As we make that commitment together, we position ourselves for an enhanced future of ministry in worship, education and fellowship. May God lead us together to accept His challenge to commit our individual best so that together we might celebrate His great work among us!

SAM BOYD

S E N I O R PA S T O R

monday, April 24 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. J e r e m i a h 2 9 : 1 1 DEVOTIONAL BY:

PAM SWIFT

These words were given to the Israelites while in Babylonian captivity. Meant to encourage them as they struggled in a foreign land, these words gave them hope that, despite their sin, God was working on their behalf. Deliverance was on the way, but not yet, as it would be over 70 years before they would return to Jerusalem. Even while they were in Babylon, far away from home, God was in the process of creating a new future and giving them hope. The beautiful thing about this verse is this promise was not just for the Israelites as they experienced isolation and captivity. This promise extends to us today. We have a future and a hope because of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial work on the cross. He has prepared a place for us. Our future is eternal life with Him. Whatever is happening in our lives today, we can find hope and encouragement in the fact that He has a plan for us and we can trust Him to love and care for us. I believe this promise also extends to His church and the local body of believers. God has a plan and a vision for Forest Hills Baptist Church. He is with us as we seek to reach out to others who may feel they are in captivity without any hope or a future. Over the past two years, we have prayed for direction and discernment of God’s will for Forest Hills. We have prayed for the future of our church, a future we trust will bring Hope to many lives. Our leaders have diligently sought God’s will and presented a plan that will allow us to expand our ministries and reach more people. Our church has voted to accept that plan. We believe that this is God’s plan for us, a plan to give a future and a hope to many.

Prayer

Father, may we strive to follow You, as a church and as individuals, for You are our hope and our future. We praise You for what You have done, for what You are doing, and for what You will do in our lives and in our church. Amen.

tuesday, April 25 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. R o m a n s 1 1 : 3 6 DEVOTIONAL BY:

GEORGE BRIGHT

Sometimes when I consider my life, commitments, goals and achievements (or lack thereof ), I can become discouraged. As I recall failures, disappointments, and perceived shortcomings my spirit flags. I find myself wondering, “Why am I here? What is expected of me? What value do I provide?” Perhaps this occurs because I compare my journey to those of others who seem to be more accomplished in their pursuits. At times, it seems the abyss is wider than I could span and deeper than I could overcome. In those moments, I must stop and remember I am only required to do what God has set before me. He will accomplish all I am unable to do. I’m not the whole picture! Rather, my journey, witness and influence is a small and uniquely shaped piece of a jigsaw puzzle. I am seemingly insignificant until picked up by my Father’s hand and fit into my designated place. Often, when I am drained physically and emotionally and feeling insignificant, I find renewed courage and meaning in an unexpected blessing from God. These moments remind me that God has created all things, including me. I remember He provides all I need from an immeasurable supply. I remember that when I surrender what He has given me, He will use it to His glory. In turn, I benefit far more richly than I ever could have otherwise. Yes, as the scripture says, all good things come from Him and are to be returned to Him for His glory.

Prayer

Holy Heavenly Father, please accept my offering of gratitude and praise to You. Enable me to hear You and to respond appropriately as You guide me through the plan You have for my life. Amen.

Wednesday, April 26 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

DEVOTIONAL BY: DAVE

MacNEILL

Today is not an accident. Before the world was even formed, the God of the universe knew where you would be today. He knew what you would do today. He knew whom you would talk to today. He knew what you would hear today. He knew what you would need today. He understood what joys you would be celebrating and what heartbreak you would endure. Today is not an accident, and there are no coincidences. God knew then if you would follow Him by faith today or if you would take control of your life without Him. God has specific and intimate knowledge of your life today. He also wants you to know that He is available to walk with you in every moment of today. He desires great intimacy with you. He desires to be the source of your joy as well as your comfort in trouble. The Psalmist says in verses 17-18 that God thinks about you each day, as many times as there are sands on the seashore. He is constantly thinking about you, your circumstances and how He might provide for and protect you in every moment of your day. Today is not an accident, and God has a purpose specifically designed for your day. The specific actions are different for everyone, but the purpose is the same. Live by faith today, trusting that the God of the universe is capable and willing to guide your everyday life. This life of faith brings great hope and freedom to every moment and gives you the ability to act with incredible courage and strength. Trust His Love for you today and walk in His purpose for your life.

Prayer

Father, I trust that Your thoughts for me are good and Your love for me is greater than I can even imagine. I put my complete trust in Your purpose for me today. I know that nothing that happens today will take You by surprise and I give You complete control of all my circumstances. Give me the sensitivity to hear Your voice and direct all my thoughts, words and actions today. Amen. 10

thursday, April 27 Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act. P s a l m 3 7: 5 DEVOTIONAL BY:

JENNA PAUTIENUS

Many times, I have asked God, “Why am I here? Why am I here in this town? Why am I here in this neighborhood?” I’m willing to be wherever God wants me, but years ago He led my family to live right here. I have learned that “right here” is my mission field. Here, in the Bible Belt, among many wealthy people. Here among many people who know about God, but would rather trust in themselves. I’ve learned that my purpose is to point those around me to Jesus, our Savior, our Hope, our everything. Years ago, when my oldest daughter was just a baby, my husband and I asked God to send me a friend to walk with in the neighborhood. Shortly after that, I ran into another young mom walking with her baby in a stroller, and we began to meet up to push our strollers together. As we walked, we talked. She opened up and shared her problems with me. I knew only Jesus could help her, and over time I got to watch Him do just that. I learned that I was in that house, in that neighborhood, to point that friend to Jesus. Over the years, I have learned to love the people God places in my path. There is no coincidence; He has a purpose. It is to use me to bring Him glory in all things, big and small, and to point others in His direction. So every day, with everything, I need to commit my way to the Lord, trust Him and watch for His plan to unfold. He is working!

Prayer

Lord, I commit my day to You. Direct my steps and open my eyes to see you working. Help me to trust You in all things. I commit my to-do list to you and all my plans. My time really belongs to You, so lead me to use it as You will. Amen.

friday, April 28 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 5 : 1 7 Our God is a God of transformative power! There is no job too big for Him. He turned water into wine, some loaves and fishes into meals for thousands and a ragtag group of strangers into stewards of the greatest news of all time! We know this and as believers weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard these stories time and time again. But can we accept that He does the same for us? God has taken so many situations in my life that have seemed irredeemable and used them for my good and His glory. He has truly taken my mourning and turned it into dancing! When I look at the pieces of my path that seem so disconnected, especially the mistakes and the trials, I can become discouraged about my purpose. What will my story be? Is there meaning, even in these moments of failure? But throughout the years God has proven to me that He is always working on my behalf. When I give sovereignty of my life over to Him, I see again and again how He makes things new. I see how He is crafting a purpose for me by redeeming me and making me a new creation.

Prayer

God make us willing to walk away from old things for the new things You have for us. We are prepared to surrender the good for great. We want to see Your transformative power at work in each of us. In our families, in our church, in our community and in our hearts, Lord, come and make a new creation. Amen.

Saturday, April 29 & Sunday, April 30 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. P s a l m 3 7: 5 God has given you a purpose and He has promised to be your aid. Why are we content living in our worry and turmoil? From our jobs to our families to our physical needs, all we have to do is trust Him! There are many places where can be tempted to put our trust and many areas we can be tempted to commit our time and efforts. But there is only One who can help us. Despite what the world says or what success people who live of this world seem to find, we know that the Living God has a plan which surpasses all other plans! So are you ready and willing to be part of that plan?

These questions will help you reflect on this weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s verse. Journal your answers and share them with your families or Sunday School class. Questions: 1. Reflect on a time when God has helped you in the past. Make a list of the instances that come to mind. Give Him thanks for His faithfulness! 2. What is God teaching you personally about commitment and trust during this campaign? What do you believe He is teaching our church? 3. Name an area of your life where you can trust God more.

Prayer

God, help me believe that You have a purpose for my life. Show me how You have ordered my steps. Help me to Trust you. I commit my life to you. I am here to live for You. Please show me my place in this pivotal time in our church. Amen.

journal

PURPOSE

LORD, WHY AM I HERE?

journal 15

week 2

SURRENDER LORD, I GIVE UP!

PRAY Lord, I take my hands off my life; it is no

longer mine. Forgive me for thinking I can

do it my way. Please take charge of the task

and of me. With all my heart, I trust You. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry for taking control. You are the one who

can see around the curve, over the mountain,

and will lead me accordingly. I yield to what, where and when You tell me to do and to go. Not I, but Christ! In His name I pray. AMEN.

monday, may 1 For not one of us lives for himself and not one dies for himself; for if we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and died again, that HE might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. R o m a n s 1 4 :7 - 9 DEVOTIONAL BY:

KAY HAUK

After my husband died in 2014, I prayed, “Lord, I surrender, I give up! Here I am in my nineties, and I no longer can do the things I used to do to be in Your service. I am worthless.” Since then, He has shown me many things I can still do. First, I can pray for others and about all things. Second, I can encourage others by sending cards and making phone calls. Third, by my regular attendance in worship services, Bible studies, and Sunday School, I can not only worship my Lord, but I am setting an example of the value of worship and participating in Bible study. I can still learn! Fourth, I can give some money for others to use to serve and to minister. Fifth, I am illustrating sermons for ELEVATE, which I have never done before. Sixth, here I am writing a devotional! What’s next? I gave up, and He has given me more things that I can do! I have held socials for my Sunday School class. I make an effort to speak to people at church to show God’s love, not waiting for them to start the conversation. I can live as a witness to others that regardless of one’s age, one can serve the Lord if they will just surrender so God can tell them what He wants to accomplish. We can do much for the Lord if we will surrender to His calling.

Prayer

Lord, tell me what you want me to do for You. I give myself for You. I surrender my mind, resources and time to serve You as You desire. You died for me, and I die to myself in Your service. Amen.

tuesday, May 2 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. P s a l m s 5 1 : 1 7 DEVOTIONAL BY: LINA

BRYANT

Sacrifice. Broken spirit. Broken heart. These are not pleasant words. I’ve learned that true surrender comes from sacrifice and brokenness. God has used surrendered dreams I had for my life to show me that he loves and cares more than I could ever comprehend. God is showing me that the sacrifice of my broken spirit has brought me to a dependence on Him that I could never have known otherwise. I have cried out to him, “I give up!” so many times. My spirit was broken over the sacrifice of my plans, but God is using my brokenness to reveal that he is in complete control. Once I could surrendered, He blessed me with gifts I could have never imagined. These gifts have been so abundant, and sometimes I have to look for them. I was going to nursing school full-time when my ex-husband was laid off from his job. I was scared, how would I pay the bills? I prayed, and God heard me. He provided meals from friends. He provided gifts for my children at Christmas and a gift for the exact amount of a medical bill that I hadn’t mentioned to anyone. God has shown me that even when our plans are broken, and even when our spirits are shattered, He is still the Great Provider. So, yes. I give up! I bring my sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit to the God who loves me so much that he came down to this rebellious, sinful heart and called me chosen and dearly loved. I sacrifice my dreams and my plans to the God who provides for our every need. I surrender to the God who died on the cross for my sake.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the ultimate sacrifice of the cross. Help me to be willing to sacrifice my plans to You. Allow my brokenness to bring me to a place of surrender, and help it bring me closer to You. Teach me that You are the one with the perfect plan for my life and help me to listen to Your voice. Amen.

wednesday, may 3 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. J o h n 1 5 : 5 DEVOTIONAL BY: JOHN

LANDERS

My wife Sharon and I were Southern Baptist missionaries for FHBC in Brazil for 20 years. During much of that time, our home was at the mouth of the Amazon, ninety miles south of the equator. With the sun straight overhead and a hundred inches of rain a year, gardening required no green thumb. We grew lemons, bananas and guavas. For a while, we even grew passion fruit! Raising passion fruit required only a seeding and a wire for the plant to climb and spread. Soon the vine spread across our backyard. Eventually we tired of passion fruit, so I took my trusty saw and cut the vine at the base. I planned to come back the next week to clear away the dead plant. A few minutes later, I glanced back, and to my surprise, the whole plant was doornail dead. When I saw that, John 15:5 flashed across my mind: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.â&#x20AC;? Jesus is the ever-living vine, and we are the branches. Our task is simple: we must abide in Christ. This wonderful life is the source of our strength at Forest Hills Baptist Church. Our only claim to fame is Jesus Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing. Abiding in Him, we have everything we need and everything the world lacks. Our life depends altogether on our vine-branch relationship in Jesus Christ. Anything living tends to grow, and our church must not be an exception. Our Expansion Initiative is a natural result of the organic life we experience as we abide as branches in the vine.

Prayer

Lord, may we abide together in Christ, as we enter this Expansion Initiative. Today, may I abide and thrive and grow and bear fruit for Jesus. Amen.

thursday, May 4 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. L u k e 2 2 : 4 2 DEVOTIONAL BY: MEG

MOORE

I am so glad I get to stay home with our boys. I really am. Most days I go to bed physically spent, but I can genuinely thank God for the four little gifts He has given us. Some days I go to bed feeling drained and defeated. I’ve had days where I wonder if I am making any difference in their lives at all. On these days, I’ve said “no” five thousand and one times. I’ve raised my voice way too many times and to no benefit. I’ve failed to speak truth into anyone’s life. I’ve threatened early bedtimes and feel like the “I love you” at bedtime was said out of obligation. I do love them! I love them like I never imagined I could love anyone... But some days I could lock myself in my room and scream. Am I the only mom who has ever felt this way? I sometimes sit and wonder how many times God has wanted to shut the door and scream at my stubbornness, lack of obedience and defiance. Oh, my goodness. When I think about the grace I’ve received, I can’t help but parallel how I’m called to discipline and love my children. Grace, grace, grace! That’s it. It sounds so easy, but it’s hard to live. “Mommy! He said a bad word!” “I spilled my milk.” “I don’t like what you put in my lunch box.” “I wish Daddy was home.” I get one shot at this motherhood thing. I get one chance to love them and point them to Jesus. One chance. No pressure, right? I want my children to love Jesus. But I can’t expect them to desire that relationship if I tell them about Jesus one minute then yell, sigh and roll my eyes the next minute. In every act of discipline and every teaching opportunity I have, I need to lead them to the cross.

Prayer

Parenthood must be surrendered to the Lord. His will is not that we raise happy children but that we raise holy children. I pray for His will to be done in our family and that our boys will see Jesus in me even on the days that I fall short of displaying Christ-likeness.

friday, may 5 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life. L u k e 1 8 : 2 8 - 3 0 DEVOTIONAL BY: KENNY

BEAM

In 1985, I answered a call to participate in a volunteer mission trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa. I rightly assumed that I was going to assist missionaries to serve others, but I soon found that I was indeed being ministered to myself. I saw Jesus Christ living in the life of these missionaries in a way I had never experienced before. Not in righteousness, or in piousness, or in spiritual intellect, but in humbleness, service and love for others. Through this experience, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to show me, as Paul put it at the end of 1 Corinthians 12, “the most excellent way” to live my life. That lesson still impacts my life today. As I write this devotion, my middle child and oldest daughter Cassidy is answering her own call and preparing to leave for Central Asia to serve refugees from a war-torn part of the world. Yes, she will experience separation from family and friends, face unknown situations, and live in an unfamiliar culture. But, she will be under Christ’s protection, “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,” and her blessings will be many. As we enter into this time of new expansion for our church, we should encourage and remind one another to daily surrender our lives to Him. It won’t always be easy. Again, Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1, “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” And most of all, Jesus Himself has promised us much more in this life and the next.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we commit this day to surrender our lives to You -- our hopes, dreams, families, and possessions. May these be useful to You for the furtherance of your Kingdom. Amen. 22

Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 J o h n 2 : 1 6 - 1 7 It can be tempting to put our trust in the things of this world. It is easy for us to see how “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life” sound bad and are fleeting. Less easy is understanding that good things of this world are still temporary. Yet in this verse we see God promising eternal life to do those who do His will. What’s more important (more than our comfort, our building, or the status quo) than the lost gaining eternal life through knowledge of Christ? 1. What does it mean to do God’s will? 2. Reflect on times when you have given something up to God and watched Him work. 3. Ask God to reveal what He is asking you to surrender. Pray specifically that He show you where He can reach the loss through your surrender.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the gift of eternal life which You gave through your Son. We praise You and thank You for saving us and for loving us, even when we have chosen to focus on the things of this world. As we walk together through the Expansion Initiative, please show us where we still find comfort in the things of this world. Help us to choose the eternal over the temporary. Amen.

journal

SURRENDER LORD, I GIVE UP!

journal 25

week 3

DISCERNMENT LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

PRAY Lord, may my heart be united with Your heart on the decisions of our church and the decisions we make as a family. Please show me what

Your desire is for my role in this new task set before me. Lord, I would ask that you take

away any distraction I may have right now from hearing your distinct and clear voice,

and that as distractions arise, you would repeal those as well. May I know Your voice so fully that there is no doubt that my instructions

and decisions for all choices in my life come from knowing your truth. Please give my heart peace as I go forward in your will. AMEN.

Monday, may 8 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” G a l at i a n s 2 : 2 0 DEVOTIONAL BY: PAULA

ARRINGTON

When Mike and I married, I assumed that I would always live in Texas and that I would never move my children when they were teenagers. So when Mike was invited to come to Nashville to work for LifeWay in 1991, my faith was challenged. Lord, do you want us to leave our home, our friends and our family? Leave Texas? Move while our children are teenagers? As we began the process to ascertain God’s will, to pray, to search the Scriptures, to ask for Godly counsel and to watch for God to orchestrate circumstances, we saw God’s hand at work! In this process, we gradually gained a sense of peace that it was indeed God’s will for us to move. All of God’s Scripture is designed for our protection, to lead us to a life filled with joy in obedience to Him, and to bring Glory to God. Is that your purpose? Do we understand the magnitude of what Christ did for us? Can we say with Paul, “to me to live is Christ?” If we are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for our lives, God will place His desires in our hearts. The key is wanting God’s will, not our own. When we are crucified with Christ by faith in Him, we must die to our will, surrender to God’s will, and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit, who resides in us, to lead us each day. It is then that our lives can begin to bear fruit. Just as Abraham left his home, his family, and the land he knew, and chose to follow God’s instructions, we chose to follow God’s leading in 1991, and as a result, God has blessed us with new friends and a wonderful church family. We look back and now see God’s hand and how He has blessed us. As we prayerfully consider what our part will be in this campaign, let each of us follow Jesus’ teaching to give with a willing, generous heart. Let each of us believe, in faith, that in giving back to Him, He will bless us in ways that we cannot yet see.

Prayer 28

Father, may each one of us seek Your will, consider the needs of others before ourselves, and keep in mind the next generation of believers. Amen.

Tuesday, May 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. P h i l i p p i a n s 1 : 9 - 1 1 DEVOTIONAL BY: BARBARA

WILKINS

I ask God to reveal His word to me when I read scripture because it can only be discerned spiritually. He teaches me how to understand His Word through His Holy Spirit so that I can do what He wants me to do. God wants me to know His Word, understand it and obey it. God’s desire is that we live a pure and blameless life. No one can live a life like that by himself. Only through the blood of Jesus are we accepted as pure and blameless before the Father. In John 6 people asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?’’ He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” As believers, we are to be set apart from the world. The world should be able to see a difference in the way we live. Our goal should be to live a life that looks increasingly more like Jesus as we mature in Him. That sanctifying process—and it is a process—comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to work out the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Galatians 5:16 tells us to live by the Spirit. In verses 22 and 23 we are told the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As God’s word teaches us the way He wants us to live, let us be obedient and not content to be less than what He desires. In giving us His Son as our Redeemer and His Holy Spirit to guide us, God has given us His very best. Let us gratefully give Him our very best in return.

Prayer

Father, You have given us Your word and told us how You want us to live. May we live for You, and in doing so bring much glory to Your holy name. Amen. 29

wednesday, may 10 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. R o m a n s 1 2 : 1 - 2 DEVOTIONAL BY: SHELLEY

BUSSELL

I was 19, in my freshman year of college, and climbing three flights of stairs to my dorm room in agony. I’d just finished doing laundry in the basement and was paying for a night of bad choices at a college party. As I saw, finally, the last set of stairs and noticed the sunlight hitting those last steps I felt God impress a question on my heart: “What are you doing Shelley? Are you going to keep living your life this way? My way is better. I love you more than you can imagine.” In the silent space of that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit speak so clearly to my heart, and I finally obeyed God. In the weeks to come, I had to learn what it meant to claim Romans 12:1-2. Would I be willing to sacrifice the things I thought I held most dear? My friends would not understand my heart nor my decisions. When you have been living of this world, it’s hard to learn how to walk in it rather than of it. God’s love and grace guided me through each moment in the days and years to follow. I was able to trust His ways and testify that His ways were far better than either my own or this worlds. I am living proof. I am forever a changed life. However, no sacrifice I make, no matter how much it means to me, will ever trump the sacrifice made on the cross by Jesus. But I can respond to his sacrifice by giving of myself. I offer up my life as a living and holy sacrifice. I have come to this crossroad of trusting God over and over. In the unknown, the unanswered questions, the unique circumstances, I can safely surrender and rest in God’s great love.

Prayer

Lord today help me to take my ordinary life, my sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life, and place it before you as an offering. Keep me from becoming so well adjusted to my culture that I fit in without even thinking. Instead, I fix my attention to you God and believe you will change me from the inside out. Amen.

thursday, May 11 So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.’ 1 S a m u e l 1 5 : 2 2 DEVOTIONAL BY: TOMMY

WHITE

At its most fundamental level, earthly life is a series of choices. You choose your profession. You choose your spouse. You choose where to worship. We make smaller choices daily. The motives behind our choices are important. Do we base our choices on what we want or do we base them on what God wants for us? Saul made a choice. He failed to follow God. He either misinterpreted or disobeyed what God wanted for his life. He failed to follow the simple, direct commandments of God. Saul created an occasion to sacrifice himself to God through these burnt offerings, but it wasn’t a sacrifice that God demanded. In fact, this was directly contrary to what God wanted. Samuel pointed out to Saul that God’s greatest desire was obedience. Sometimes I get caught up in what I want, or what I think God wants, rather than obeying those simple, subtle urgings of God in my life. God promises that those who seek His will in their life will know it and find it. Creating an environment where we sacrifice ourselves against God’s will is not what He desires. We are called to do God’s will in our lives and sacrifice ourselves according to and in obedience with His will. It is easy for us to begin to blur the lines between those great acts of self-sacrifice that we create in our minds and God’s express purpose for our life. Our enthusiasm to make the sacrifice can be confused with the discernment to know whether it is the sacrifice God calls us to make. This season in our church is no different. As a body, we should pray that we are obedient to whatever sacrificial call God is making in our lives.

Prayer

Father, I pray that Your will, not mine, be done in my life. I pray that you would give me the ability to discern Your calling to sacrifice in my life. Guide my heart and mind to follow Your simple calls to daily sacrifice. Give me the spirit and willingness to obey whatever that call may be. Amen. 31

friday, may 12 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. P s a l m 2 7: 3 Change can be frightening. Life can feel uncertain. Sometimes, when I look at my life, I struggle to see the purpose in the challenges. But despite my questions, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen God prove Himself faithful again and again -- even when I am not faithful. Today I can live with the confidence that no matter what obstacle or perceived threat comes my way, I can go without fear. Whether I am facing global uncertainty or a problem at work, God goes before me, walks beside me and stands behind me. This fact makes my heart calm and removes anxiety, allowing me to live fully.

Prayer

Prince of Peace, remind us always of Your faithfulness as we move into a season of change. When fears and tensions arise in our hearts, calm us with Your word. Bring scriptures to our minds and help us to be sensitive to Your Spirit. No matter how big the war may seem, give us the confidence that comes with knowing You are on our side. Amen.

Saturday, May 13 & Sunday, May 14 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 5 : 1 6 - 1 8 We ask ourselves, “What is God asking us to do?” Here He makes it clear. He asks us to pray, give thanks and rejoice always. Easy enough? No, of course not. This is hard. Who in this world authentically feels like rejoicing all the time? Not many. Maybe no one! But in Christ all things are possible. This is God’s will for us. We can allow the Holy Spirit to bring our hearts to this place. At the very least, we know this is the bar He has set for us. We can not be content with anything less. 1. Is it your first instinct to live out this verse? Why or why not? 2. Write this verse in your words. 3. Consider ways you can apply this verse to (1) Your life this week; (2) Your life as a member of our church in this time. Write both down and commit to putting them to practice.

Prayer

Dear God, because of You, thankfulness is always possible. Remind us that we are to rejoice always. Give us hearts that reflect this verse. Remind us of your will as we are tempted, personally and as a church, to complain or to give over to negativity. When we feel lost and ask you what we are to do next, bring this verse to our minds. Amen.

journal

DISCERNMENT

LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

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week 4

SACRIFICE LORD, HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT ME TO GIVE?

PRAY God, thank you for assuring me that You

will provide for my needs. I surrender myself to Your will and ask that You lay upon my

heart the amount that You want me to give to the building campaign. I pray that You will

reveal Your will to me and I pray that I would have the courage and discipline to follow Your direction. God, fill me with the Holy Spirit

that I might give with a cheerful heart and that I might dwell in peace, knowing that I am following You. AMEN.

monday, may 15 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. P s a l m 1 1 9 : 6 6 DEVOTIONAL BY: KEVIN

WOOD

When you take that theme of sacrifice on the day after Mother’s Day and combine it with the verse of the day, Psalm 119:66, a different kind of sacrifice comes to mind. Psalm 119:66 had a special place in the Jewish ceremonial life. It is the first verse read aloud during the Brit Milah ceremony -- the moment when an infant Jewish male is circumcised and receives his name. Luke 2:21 tells us the following: “And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” This was Jesus’ brit milah ceremony. The very first words of Scripture a young mother named Mary hears read over her infant son is this very verse, Psalm 119:66. And literally seconds after the verse is read, His foreskin is cut, and his blood is drawn. This is the first time Mary would see her son bleed, but it would not be the last. The picture must have been moving for Mary -- to hear this verse, to see her son’s blood and to say His name aloud, “Yeshua,” meaning “God saves.” The sacrificial nature of Jesus’ life was beginning right before her eyes. What was plain to Mary is also plain to us. Sacrifice wasn’t just something Jesus did. Sacrifice is literally who He was. From the earliest moments of His life at His circumcision to His final moments upon the cross, every drop of Jesus life was a sacrifice on our behalf. The question posed to us this week, “How much, Lord, do you want me to give?” is one all of us already know the answer to. It’s the same answer that Mary felt deep inside when she brought her son that day. God wants it all -- because it’s all His to begin with.

Prayer

God, you’ve asked us to give you everything. Make our hearts sensitive. Align our thoughts with your own. Let us be like you in our willingness to sacrifice. Help us to respond to your life of sacrifice with our own. Amen.

tuesday, may 16 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. J o h n 1 6 : 1 3 DEVOTIONAL BY: GAYLE

DYESS

“Make Me a Channel of Blessing” is the title of a beloved old hymn. It expresses the awesome thought that we can be used by the gracious God who blesses us to extend His blessing to someone else. I’ve always been touched and humbled by that idea. Recently I was blessed by the kindness of a complete stranger who insisted on buying my groceries after hearing me say that I had left my billfold in the car. Although I initially protested (the checker had already said she would hold the items until I could retrieve my credit card), I decided to accept the other shopper’s offer. I could see that he sincerely desired to pay for my purchases. After thanking this man, I assured him I would “pass it on.” His generosity not only became a blessing to me, but it inspired me to extend a blessing to others. This campaign offers each of us a chance to be a channel of blessing. We might look upon our giving as a sacrifice, but it’s an opportunity to be blessed as we participate in building God’s kingdom. When we prayerfully seek to follow His guidance in giving, we will be sharing in our church’s mission to seek, grow and send. It’s a way to express our love by helping provide the means to nurture current members of our fellowship and visitors to our services for years to come. What a privilege to be a part of spreading the good news to both friend and stranger alike.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank you that we are part of a church that seeks to honor you. Help us to be guided by the Spirit of truth. We pray that others may be reached as we follow your command to proclaim the gospel. Amen.

wednesday, may 16 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 2 : 1 4 DEVOTIONAL BY: LAURA

FOREMAN

During my lifetime, I have been a member of four different denominations and churches. As a child, I was first confirmed Methodist and then Episcopalian. When I married John, I became a Presbyterian. Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, we began searching for a new church home. We visited numerous churches but it was not until we walked into Forest Hills Baptist Church that we realized what a vibrant growing and caring church should be. Therefore, just three months after our search began, we joined Forest Hills. During our first year as members, we did a visitation with Pastor Sam’s predecessor, Dr. Jerry Winfield. I asked Pastor Jerry when we would receive our tithing letter. Jerry explained that FHBC’s belief is that the Lord will provide and tithing letters were not required. As a CPA, I was astonished that the church could budget without written commitments from its members. I soon realized that the Lord does and will provide – every year for the 15 years we have been members, the Lord has not only provided the necessary contributions but has provided in excess of what was needed including the building, and subsequent payment of the related debt, for the Student Outreach Center. My daily prayer always ends with “Jesus, please walk in front of me to lead the way; walk beside me to teach me as we go; and walk behind me to catch me when I fall.” It is only through heartfelt prayer and thanksgiving that Jesus will lead our Church’s expansion in a way that will be to His Glory and His Alone!

Prayer

Father God, as our church considers the building expansion, I turn to You for guidance as to Your will. The only true legacy to leave my children, grandchildren, and other family members is my example of a Christ-like walk and a sacrificial life to further Your kingdom. Please lead me in determining the amount of financial sacrifice my family and I can make to ensure FHBC will remain a beacon of light for future generations. Amen. 40

thursday, may 18 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Romans 12:1

DEVOTIONAL BY: DICKIE

LEE

Have you ever wondered what it really means to present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God? Boy, I have! Especially in my earlier Christian years. Scary! Did He want me to give up all my material possessions and give them to the poor? Did He want me to head out for the deepest, darkest somewhere and leave all I cared for behind to tell the unsaved about Jesus? Lord, how much do you want ME to give? The Bible says, “For those in Christ the acceptable worship is to offer themselves completely to The Lord.” This doesn’t mean some nine/tenths commitment. This means total surrender! This means, “Here I am, Lord. I’m all Yours.” Wow! Still scary, but you know what? It’s not as scary as it used to be. I’m a work in progress! When I first believed, I was so happy. I was saved from the wrath of God and eternal torment! I did my two hours a week in Church, most of the time, put a couple of bucks in the offering plate, tried my best to quit cussing and lusting, and gave an additional dollar to a homeless person if I got cornered. Yet, as much as I tried, my “best” was never enough. I was always concerned with the fear of losing my salvation. But as I kept on keeping on in my journey with Jesus Christ, though the road times would be rocky and the places barren, I continued to look at the Word, pray, and stumble into a few wonderful, mature Biblical mentors. I was always begging God to please change me. And He did. It happened so slowly I hardly realized it was happening at all. We’re talking lots of years here. But as I kept studying and praying it began to dawn on me that God didn’t just save me from Hell. He saved me to be with Him forever because He loves me so much! So much more than I could love even my own precious children, and that still amazes me! When I realize what He’s done for me, what He’s doing with me, and the Hope He’s placed in me, I could never refuse Him. He’s turned my fears to joy!

Prayer

friday, may 19 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. L u k e 1 6 : 1 3 Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word can often be so clear. He leaves no room for question in Luke 16:13. We cannot serve God and money. Are we devoted to God? Then our lives cannot be run by a dependency on money or any other material thing. Jesus is meant to be the Lord of our lives. As a church body, we have an opportunity to ask ourselves: are we willing to give whatever He asks whenever He asks? Are we willing to live as He is our master to whom we are devoted above all? Is anything in your life a master before God?

Prayer

God, we want You to be the only master in our lives. Please reveal to us any way that money has become a master of our hearts or minds. We repent for any time we have put anything before You. We desire to serve You and You alone. Give us the strength to live a life that is marked by our full submission to You.

Saturday, May 20 & Sunday, May 21 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was... M A R K 2 : 3 - 4 DEVOTIONAL BY: MILTON

SMITH

Commitment is, “a promise to give yourself, your money, your time.” As I contemplated this, I remembered a Bible lesson I recently taught to the a kindergarten class from Luke 5:17-26 / Mark 2:1-12 where four men helped their friend get to Jesus. We usually focus on the wonderful miracle that Jesus performed and the way in which the crowd and the Pharisees responded to the man being healed. But I would like to challenge you to think about the four friends. We have no real insight as to who they were or their relationship to the paralyzed man. It appears to me that they, as his friends, must have made a commitment to the man and to each other regarding getting him to Jesus for healing. They were unified in this effort; it took all four men cooperating with each other to carry him. When they got to their destination and found that they couldn’t easily complete their commitment as they had planned, the crowd did not sidetrack them. The friends were firm in their belief that Jesus could heal their friend and were committed to completing their portion of the process. They made an extraordinary effort and took the unusual approach of digging a hole in the roof ! Thus, their commitment was fulfilled when they presented their friend to Jesus. We don’t hear any more about these four friends in the Bible. I speculate that once they had fulfilled their commitment they rejoiced and celebrated with their friend on what Jesus had done! It would seem that they made a commitment to help their friend be saved from a life full of problems. And they fulfilled this commitment. I think they set a tremendous example for us at FHBC. As we seek God’s will for His corner, I ask you to prayerfully consider the definition of commitment: “a promise to give yourself, your money, your time,” then step out on faith and make your commitment of time and resources to God and His church. God’s power and your commitment will provide others a greater opportunity to feel His love and come to know Jesus as their Savior.

Prayer:

God, let us be resolute in our commitment to you. Show us how you would have us commit our time and resources to you and your church. Give us opportunities to act in faith on these commitments. Amen.

journal

SACRIFICE

LORD, HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT ME TO GIVE?

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Pray

Pray for guidance and make your pledge on Commitment sunday, May 21

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