Contagious Joy Conference
Devotion
Wednesday Prayer Group
Do the Word
An encouraging word from Pastor Ken:
So often, we read and understand what God’s Word teaches. But more than one might care to admit, there exists the tendency to move from God’s word without the accurate and immediate personal application of His truth. So, what moves us beyond such inactivity with the truth? How can we genuinely apply the Word of God to our lives?
First, time is necessary.  Yes, time! An article from the late Bill Bright with Campus Crusade suggested a minimum of 15 minutes for personal study in God’s Word.  John Stott suggests reading three chapters from the Bible per day and studying one of those chapters in depth.  When you audit the way you have spent your schedule on any given day, what absorbs most of your time?  Have you determined how to have adequate time in God’s Word?
Second, memorization is necessary.  We may often groan at this idea, for so many things already demand our mental energy.  Therefore, we may need a more practical approach to memorization.  To effectively memorize, we must embrace the message of the text.  The goal then becomes, “taking the message with us” throughout our day.  We must take time to embrace the spiritual truth from the verses being read. We then strive to memorize a phrase or verse that will keep the truth before us. We may not memorize perfectly, but simply making the attempt will carry the message deeper into our heart.   Â
Third, some form of inductive study is necessary.  Inductive study engages one with the Scriptures through digging deeper for the truths of a particular verse or passage.  The following is a simple example of such an approach (although there are many patterns one can discover through reliable Christians resources).  When you read a verse or passage, ask the simple question, “what is one thing God is saying to me?”  Follow with the question, “based on what God has said to me, what do I need to say to Him?”  Finally, ask, “how can apply this truth to my life in the next five days?” Â
With time, memorization, and a simple plan, find some way to make personal Bible study a regular discipline in your life.  I journal regularly, and almost every day I write down some answer to the three questions I have offered above.  Notice that I said, “almost.”  Life happens, and sometimes my desired way of studying the Bible does not.  Nonetheless, I have prompts in my life that hold be accountable to a regular discipline of personal study.  One prompt I use is that I always keep my journal with me.  Like my car keys or my phone, my journal is never far away. With such an visual influence, my journal always seems to bid me to respond to God’s truth.  Another prompt I have heard someone use is the alarm on a personal device.  That may seem extreme to some, but there are phone apps that will wake you with a verse of the day.  But I offer a warning here.  Do not reduce personal study time to merely another piece of your daily schedule.  Such prompts can become beneficial for establishing the discipline, but they should not be the goal.  Eventually, with the right accountability, your study time should be the first thing you think about when you wake up.  Your personal time in God’s word should also negotiate external demands of life, and not the other way around.  So suffice to say, sometimes developing a regular habit of being in God’s word takes time.  But, be intentional. You will be amazed at what can happen when time in God’s Word becomes as regular as waking up, grabbing your phone, and checking your updates. Â
So today, be a doer of the Word. Take time to personally apply the truth of God’s Word. It is the Living Word, so make sure you live by it!
Small Group, Big Impact
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ” (Bonhoeffer.)
The beloved German pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, reminds us that our Lord cares greatly about discipleship – faith as a lifestyle more than something flimsy built on religious activity. But, how can Christian faith develop as a lifestyle (a genuine expression of life) in the church today?
A Lesson from Younger Generations
Research Groups have recently reported that although young generations seem to drop out of church, there are large numbers who have remained, and they remain because of meaningful relationships. In fact, many who have remained report they have had a spiritually meaningful and helpful relationship with an adult inside the church, and some have even reported that they have had an adult mentor other than their pastor.
Such findings encourage us to value the influence of relationships within the church, for this represents the foundation for Biblical discipleship. And, this is how faith becomes a lifestyle. Such influential relationships are most often formed from within smaller Bible study groups than from larger gatherings.
A Lesson from the First Church
In the records of the early church, we have discovered how followers of Jesus were strengthened through meaningful relationships. The Book of Acts reports that within the church many lives were changed through relationships that were formed within smaller settings.
Acts, Chapter 2 reports that 3,000 people were added to the church. Chapter four reports that the church had grown to 5,000. Within this massive surge, most historians agree that the growth of the early church took place through house churches that were likely not much larger that 15 to 20 participants. In Acts 2:42, the Bible describes the emerging church of the first century: “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Such writers as Thom Rainer remind us that this passage gives a clear acknowledgment of the importance of the smaller gatherings that foster meaningful relationships so important to our growth and encouragement in faith today.
One significant way the first century Christians encouraged one another was in their devotion to the apostles’ teachings. While no formalized doctrine nor systematic theology had converged with the church at this time, the Holy Spirit-led truths of Jesus (His teachings, facts of His death and resurrection, and eternal life) were taught. When I consider that the apostles sat under the influence of Jesus for three years, I imagine their teaching to be fully in manner and in substance much like their Lord, who through the Holy Spirit continued to grow His followers. The unfolding of Gospel truths before these smaller gatherings reflected a hunger for the truth, and a relinquishment of the old way of thinking and believing.
Today, the church should be a place where relationships mutually influence one another in a hunger for the truth of Jesus and encourage a freedom from former ways of thinking and believing that the world offers.
A Lesson for You and Me
So, this leaves us with two very clear and personal questions offered by the example of the very first church: (1) Am I presently contributing to the church as a place of meaningful influence toward spiritual growth in small groups (do I look for opportunities in smaller gatherings to encourage someone in the truths of Christ)? (2) Am I presently involved in smaller groups of Christian encouragement (Discipleship) so that I am growing spiritually through meaningful relationships?
If Christian faith is to be a lifestyle (more than religious activity), the influence of meaningful relationships is a must! For, it is indeed true: Christianity without discipleship is Christianity without Christ.
Let’s make a difference. Let’s champion meaningful relationships for spiritual growth. This is indeed the church. This is the heart of Jesus.
[ a devotion by Dr. Ken Pruitt, President of Leland Seminary ]
READ – Read Acts 2:42-47 and be encouraged by the simplicity and profoundness of the developing community of discipleship.
Applying Biblical Truth
From Pastor Ken…
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
So often, we read and understand what God’s Word teaches. But more than we would care to admit, we move on from God’s Word without accurate and immediate personal application.
How can we correct such inactivity with the truth? How can we genuinely apply the Word of God to our lives?
First, time is necessary. Yes, time! Bill Bright with Campus Crusade suggested a minimum of 15 minutes everyday for personal study in God’s Word. John Stott suggested reading three chapters from the Bible every day and studying one of those chapters in depth. When you examine the way you have spent your schedule on any given day, what absorbs most of your time? Have you determined how to fight for personal time in God’s Word?
Second, memorization is necessary. We may often groan at the idea, for so many things already demand our mental energy. But I have realized that efforts with memorization can truly engage you with the meaning of a Biblical truth. And, when you begin your day, you are more apt to take the message with you through an attempt at memorization. You may not remember a verse perfectly, but simply making the attempt will carry the message deeper into your heart.
Third, some form or plan of inductive study is necessary. Inductive study engages one with the Scriptures through digging deeper for the essence of a particular verse or passage. The following is a simple example of such an approach (although there are many inductive studies one can discover through reliable Christians resources).
- When you read a verse or passage, ask the simple question, “what is the one thing God is saying to me?”
- Follow with the question, “based on what God has said to me, what do I need to say to Him?”
- Finally, ask, “what plans can I make to apply this truth to my life in the next 2 days?”
With time, memorization, and a simple study plan, find some way to make personal Bible study a regular and meaningful discipline in your life. I journal a lot, and almost every day I am writing down some answer to the three questions I offered above. Notice that I said, “almost.” Life happens, and sometimes my desired way of studying the Bible does not. Nonetheless, early on I established prompts in my life to keep me posted to a regular discipline of personal study. One prompt I continue to use is to always keep my journal close in proximity. Like my car keys or my phone, my journal is never far away, and with an ocular influence my journal always seems to bid me to slow down and spend time responding to God’s truth. Another prompt I have heard someone use is the phone alarm. This may seem extreme to some, but there are phone apps that will wake you with a verse of the day. But I offer a warning here. Do not allow your personal study time to be reduced to simply a spot on your daily schedule. These prompts are good for establishing the discipline, but they should not be the goal. Eventually, with the right accountability, your study time should be the first thing you think about when awaken each day. Your personal time in God’s Word should negotiate external demands of life, and not the other way around. So, suffice to say, sometimes developing a regular habit of being in God’s Word takes time. But, be intentional. You will be amazed at what can happen when time in God’s Word becomes as regular as waking up, grabbing your phone, and checking your messages.
So, be a doer of the Word. Take time to apply the truth of God’s Word. It is the living Word (Hebrews 4:12), so make sure it is living in you!
Blessings.
READ: Read as much of Psalm 119 as you can in one sitting, and renew your appetite for God’s Truth.
Authenticity
A challenging word from Pastor Ken… AUTHENTICITY: The Unspoken Goal
“. . . to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
Dr. Curtis Vaughn, renown Greek scholar and professor in Baptist life, was a personal mentor and friend whose influence significantly affects my life today, even years after his passing. One of Dr. Vaughn’s well-used teaching points was, “when you have recognized your humility you have just lost it.” Through this principle, he attempted to teach his students that the best things achieved in one’s life of faith can never be genuine and self-recognized at the same time. Therefore, any expression of spiritual authenticity ceases to exist when self-recognized. Also, such authenticity cannot be announced either as a goal or an achievement, but simply becomes a reality as one’s actions and attitude give way to a heart that truly seeks after God.
As an appointed scribe, Ezra’s personal life of faith exemplified spiritual authenticity in a clear and precise way. (Let’s engage with the pattern of his life offered in Ezra 7:10.)
- First, Ezra had purposed early on to study the Law of the Lord. He set his mind to purposefully obey God at every point. He did not stop at the mere intention.
- Second, upon studying God’s law, his desire was to “practice it.” Ezra was concerned about keeping the details of God’s Word, and not simply to embrace the law with a rote memorization. He studied for personal application. Can you imagine that upon every expression of God’s word you hear (in a sermon, bible study lesson, personal reading, a song, etc.), your initial reaction is not, “I know someone who needs to hear this,” or, “that would make a good bible study topic or sermon title”, but rather, “how can I better reconcile my own life to this truth?”
- Third, Ezra was committed to teach God’s Word, and to lead others in personally applying God’s truth.
Conclusively then, 3 steps that exemplify authentic living are observed from Ezra and applied to our lives:
- Study the Word of God so consistently and personally that the application of the truth becomes clear.
- Make the application through carefully obeying God’s truth at every point in your life.
- As you grow in your obedience to God’s word, be open to teaching His truths to others (intentionally influencing others through your faith). The teaching may be in the context of your parental role as you teach your children, in the context of your campus as you speak necessary truths into the lives of your friends, through personal feedback in church settings like small groups and Bible study classes, or in more formal roles of teacher and preacher. Writing, singing, and serving speak the truth as well. But do not sell yourself short. God has a word for you to share in the way He has designed for you. It may not be as a scribe like Ezra, but there is no unimportant way of living out God’s truth. Let Him open the door for your influence. You simply need to be ready. Allow the truth to flow out of you from within your own genuine encounter with God.
This constitutes for every Christ-follower how to live out one’s faith authentically.
Spiritual authenticity! That’s the unspoken goal. Now, don’t talk about it. Don’t wish for it. Don’t announce it. Simply go and do it.
Study, obey, and influence others. Live out what God is pouring in!
Blessings, Ken Pruitt
READ: Read and meditate on the following verses and be encouraged toward genuineness of faith: Romans 12:9; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22; James 1:27; 2 Corinthians 8:8-9.
Authentic
Here is an encouraging word from Pastor Ken, January 20, 2020
“Ezra had purposed in his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
When one reads of Ezra’s authentic practice with the Law of God, one might assume that this stands as the reason God’s favor was on him (as described in verse 9). Nonetheless, when looking carefully at Ezra’s life, his genuineness in obeying God’s Law expressed something more than simply adjusting to good practices during crucial times so that God would bless him. Ezra had been released from Babylon to Jerusalem to lead his people in a time of rebuilding and reformation after the destruction of the Holy City. Many accompanied Ezra under the blessing of a pagan king. But in all this, God’s favor covered His servant Ezra. However, Ezra did not adopt a new pattern of devotion in the moment so that God would bless his efforts. It seems Ezra had already committed his way to the Lord, and because of this, God’s favor was especially on him when called for extraordinary tasks.
This morning, how are you preparing yourself? You may ask, “for what?’ And, I believe the greatest answer is, “Preparing for God!”
Instead of adjusting to a deeper time of study and prayer for a present assignment, commit to a deeper encounter with God simply because you are preparing for Him. Instead of increasing your time in God’s Word because you are about to lead a Bible study, be in a deeper time of study simply because you are preparing for God. Instead of increasing your daily time in God’s Word because someone in your small group is going to ask, “what have you studied recently,” be daily in God’s word anyway – because you are preparing for Him.
The principle is simple. Do not expend energy in necessary spiritual disciplines simply because of something on the calendar, or because of some event or encounter that needs extra attention (although these things always require spiritual preparation). Expend energy in spiritual disciplines for God! Be the one who already has a regular commitment to spiritual disciplines simply because of a genuine desire to honor God?
I believe this is a clear mark of true spiritual authenticity. And, as you increase your time in God’s Word and Prayer – and as you adjust to other practices as attending church more regularly, or sharing your faith more readily – consider deeper commitments simply because you desire to prepare yourself for God every single day, and not for a specific task you may have planned.
So, read and study more. Spend more time with God when you know a big assignment, or a big event is ahead of you. (Seeking His favor in this way is never wrong.). But the challenge remains: why not approach every day as if you are headed for a big assignment? Why not awaken each day with a deeper desperation to study God’s Word and to hear from Him? Why not give Him your best every single day?
You never know when you will be called to an extraordinary task. But in the meantime, spend every day preparing yourself for God with all your heart. Why? This is indeed authentic living.
Be blessed!
READ
Read and meditate on John 15:5-11 to discover how our Blessed Savior modeled and instructed authentic living.
Reminder, God Loves You
Here is a devotion from pastor Ken.
“And when the son was a great way off, the father saw him, had compassion, and ran to him.” Luke 15:20
Let’s take a moment to engage with one of the most significant teachings of Jesus concerning God’s love for us. In the story of the Prodigal Son, Jesus describes God’s love for the sinner through the imagery of a father’s love. This love welcomed home the wayward son who had squandered the family name and the family’s riches at the expense of enjoying the world’s entertainment. But in perfect love the Father welcomed home His child.
To capture the essence of the son’s return, look back to the turn of the 20th Century and consider a sermon from the beloved puritan preacher, Alexander Whyte. His descriptive interpretation of our Lord’s parable allows us to step into the story to take a fresh look at the Father’s love for a son who had run after the world. The following is an excerpt from that sermon.
“And when he was a great way off, his father saw him. Our Lord sees him and makes us see him, which is why the story is told. Look at the young man. Look how he runs. He runs like a man running for his life. He forgets his bleeding feet and his hungry belly. He thinks of the father’s love before him which is greater than the world’s pleasures behind him. So, he runs as he has never run before. But at the first sight of his father’s house, his strength fails him. He stands still, he sinks down, and he beats his breast. He cries out . . . “against thee have I sinned.” The father had never been the same since the son left. He had walked up and down his house a broken-hearted man. Every night he sat and looked out the window until darkness fell again. And in the darkness, he listened for a footstep. But it never came. But, at last, one day! And when the son was a great way off, the father saw him, had compassion on him, ran to him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” (Warren Wiersbe, Classic Sermons on the Prodigal Son: Alexander Whyte)
Having revisited this beloved parable, take a moment to consider the movement of the young man from the world back to the father. Why is this scene so timelessly captured in our minds, perhaps even beyond other parables of our Lord?
- We all need to be reminded that we are loved and valued more than we could ever imagine. And, God is the perfect Father, and the great lover of our soul.
- Although we live as professed believers in God and followers of Jesus, we have all at times have hurt the Father’s name by falling back into the ways of the world in attitude, actions, and pursuits. We have all said something, felt something, thought something, begrudged something, falsified something, coveted something, posted something, or pursued something that was more of a fulfillment of what we wanted than something God wanted.
- We all at some point in our lives have felt the pain of the “distant land.” Our good friend Whyte defined the departure of the prodigal to a far country as made more by the affections than by the feet. We have all felt the regret, shame, and guilt of abandoning the Father’s love for an affectionate taste of what the world offers.
So, for many, the emotion of the prodigal is all too real. You know the Father loves you, but you are left with regret when you give in to the world’s influence. But you are not destined to live in guilt and shame. The Father is waiting. He loves You. He seeks you. He runs to you.
A message from the Prophet Jeremiah captures this best: “Behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant . . . I will put my law within their heart, and I will be their God and they shall be my people . . . they will all know me from the least to the greatest . . .I will forgive their iniquities, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
This describes how God has run after us. Through sending Jesus Christ to die for us, God has reached down into our darkness and has offered light and life. His love is Perfect. He is the perfect Father. If your faith is in Jesus Christ, you are a recipient of the Father’s love. But, if your feet have slipped back into the world, or if you have gone the way of the prodigal and have plunged deep into the world, do not allow guilt and regret to become your byword. Instead, see the Father. There He is waiting for You. Running to you to embrace you, to kiss you, and to bring you into His arms. How could the world compare to such a love?
In the world and not of it! The Father’s love calls us to this. And Jesus had made the way!
READ – Read Luke 15 to be encouraged by the Father’s Love.
Dr. Ken Pruitt, King’s Grant Baptist Church
Psalm 100 Invocation
Psalm 100:1-5 is a Processional Hymn – The people may have chanted this psalm as they entered the temple or began their worship.
1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
Thanking the Lord is something we must do with our lives as well as with our lips. How are we supposed to thank God with our lives?
By serving (Psalm 100:2). In some sanctuaries, there is a sign that reads, “Enter to worship—depart to serve.” The trouble with many congregations is that too many people serve themselves rather than serving the Lord. Another issue is that too often we don’t serve the Lord “with gladness.” Do you know any grumpy Christians? The Lord loves a cheerful servant, so let’s not be that church. This whole Essential series is about using our giftedness to serve the Lord and others.
By submitting (Psalm 100:3). As creatures, we submit to the Creator who fashioned the universe and made us as well. As sheep, we submit to the Shepherd who died for us and now leads us down His paths. He not only made us, but He is making us as we yield our lives and submit to Him (remember, we are his workmanship – Ephesians 2:10). For every believer, submission means fulfillment. As you have received a spiritual gift, submit to God’s leadership and use it to serve Him and others.
By sacrificing (Psalm 100:4–5). As a “holy priesthood, we are privileged to offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (1 Peter 2:5). Those sacrifices include our songs of praise (Hebrews 13:15), our good works (Hebrews 13:16), and our material gifts (Philippians 4:15–18). Following God in obedience (exercising your giftedness) will involve the sacrifice of your will and submitting to Him, but believe me, it is worth it because of who He is (Psalm 100:5) and what He does for us. Our God is certainly worthy of our joyful thanks.
We’d Rather Sit on the Bench?
Ken has been very clearly sharing each week about the reality of community life in the church, which causes us to think about our current relationship with God. Perhaps his biblical challenges have forced you to admit that we as a church have often been simply a casual fan of Jesus, rather than a committed follower of Jesus.
We believe just enough to know that heaven is the place we want to go after this life, but not enough to make actual changes in our lives that will allow God to use us and therefore make an eternal impact on his kingdom.
We believe the mission and purpose of God is to call out pastors, teachers, and missionaries to build his kingdom, but we settle for sitting on the bench, or sidelines, never really wanting to get into the game.
- We’re glad we “made the team” by saying YES to Jesus at some point in the past.
- We’re wearing the team uniform so others know we are on God’s team, but we really don’t make an impact on the team’s success.
- We know there’s a playbook we have been given, but admit we have not read it enough to know the team strategy.
- We regularly show up at practice, but make little preparation for the actual game.
- We’re content to just sit here on the bench and leave reading the playbook and running the plays to the starting team.
We think to ourselves…
- “I don’t expect to get in the game so I’m just fine sitting here on the bench, dressed out, and wearing my team’s colors.”
- “I don’t really like practice all that much: the coach is always telling us what to do and how to do it.”
- “I don’t like that the coach makes the whole team run, shoot, get in shape, hone our skills, and get prepared for the games.”
- “I admit that don’t really DO all that stuff. I prefer just sitting over here on my team bench, next to this little orange water cooler filled with Gatorade.”
So, you may be asking, “Why are you even on this team?”
“Well, it’s because I like the crowd cheering for me and my team, knowing I just might make it to the Final Four and the Championship Game because of all the dedication, commitment, skills, and efforts of those five starters who get all the playing time.”
Wow, I didn’t think I would take this illustration so far, but the more I thought about it, how often is this true in the church?
- My faith is all about ME.
- My faith is personal.
- My church is also about ME, and my preferences.
- My church is here, people know how to find us.
- My spiritual growth is optional.
- Finding my place of service is optional.
But the Bible begs to differ. Faith is not something that we just have or live out personally or in isolation. There is way too much evidence in Scripture that the Christian faith is meant to be carried out in the context of community.
We often seek God’s will in our own lives but fail to realize that God has a will for HIS church.
- The church is the gathered group of Jesus followers.
- The church is people, those who have confessed allegiance to the One who bought them and saved them, not just to sit and soak, but to serve.
- The church is gifted to do exactly what the Lord desires for each of us to do and accomplish.
I’m not talking about just volunteering, although that is expected when we have a corporate mentality of Christianity. I’m talking about truly understanding what the church is all about.
- What does God expect of the church?
- What is God’s vision that he has shown to pastor Ken?
- What does a disciple of Jesus look like?
- Why do we gather in worship?
- What is the Great Commission (Acts 1:8) and how am I supposed to be a part of it?
- What are my spiritual gifts and where can I exercise or use them?
Jesus mentioned that there are two great commandments: to love God, and then to love others (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 22:36-40). The whole law can be summed up in these two commands, but the Bible also has a lot to say about HOW we live as believers and followers and disciples of Jesus.
This is why Ken has spent so much time casting vision for King’s Grant, defining who we are as a church, helping us to discover our spiritual gifts, and how to exercise and employ the gifts of grace that God has so thoughtfully supplied.
Let God have his way for this church (Philippians 1:6). Stop being content to sit on the bench.
[ This is re-posted from www.scottchafee.com ]
Peace in Difficult Times
Ken is preaching a message on Sunday January 27, not to be missed, How to Pursue God When Life Hurts.
This broken world is filled with problems of every sort. Life can hurt. Life is not fair. Inundated with challenges from multiple directions, we can be tempted to settle for short-term fixes. If we want God’s best, we need to stop, take time to seek His wisdom, and allow God’s peace and perspective to permeate our thinking. We may have no understand of why we are hurting, or why we are in this particular circumstance, but will that affect our pursuit of God?
Where do we seek answers? Where are you desiring a more permanent solution instead of temporary relief? Where do you need to seek not just what works but God’s perspective?
The Pursue series has only begun, but this lesson will likely hit home for many people. Will you be with the gathered church this Sunday? Catch up on the series by viewing the other messages. Seek the wisdom of God and see life from his perspective. This is a great verse…
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.— James 3:17-18
