Knee Jerk Evangelism

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

Have you ever looked back on a situation and thought, “Oh man, I missed a perfect opportunity!”? Maybe the time for a clever quip, a chance to capitalize on a bargain, or a moment to do something kind ends up in our rear view mirror and the choice is no longer available. It’s understandable when we’re distracted with something else, or other options seem more natural and even reasonable. Wealthy investors credit looking for opportunities that are actually opposite what others are doing. They sell when everyone else is buying and buy when everyone else is selling. Sounds crazy, but it opens up opportunities for them that others don’t see. They are focused on looking for those opportunities because they know they can crop up when least expected. 

Paul and Silas were in such a situation. God caused an earthquake to rattle the foundations of the prison where they were being held. I would like to think that I would have enough faith to credit God with the win as I slipped through bent bars or a crack in the wall. I would be praising Him the whole time I was high tailing it to freedom. Only later (probably much later), would I smack my forehead and realize that I had missed an opportunity to save a life other than my own. Fortunately, Paul and Silas were a little quicker on the draw than yours truly. Because of their focus, their immediate response was to act completely opposite of the norm. The jailer awoke and expected every single occupant to be gone. He just knew that his life was over. However, because of Paul and Silas’ knee jerk evangelism, his life was just beginning. 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What had Paul and Silas been doing in prison that might have had them in the right frame of mind to capitalize on their unexpected opportunity? 
  • What might we glean from that to being poised for chances as they pop up?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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Called to Serve

Acts 13:1-3

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  •  What is fasting? What is the significance of fasting?
  • What does it mean to be called by God?
  • What has God called you to do?
  • What is the significance of laying on hands by leaders?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading this week about how the Lord is our helper and our hope. 

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading.

The HEAR method is also an excellent structure for your discussion as a group. If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact sharon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Elise Jones

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Hope When I Am Afraid

2 Timothy 1:7

“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Encouragement is a necessary part of our walk with Christ. We need it for ourselves and we need to share it with others.
     
We currently find ourselves in a world full of fear, but that’s not to say that it hasn’t always been that way. Humanity has been living with some degree of fear since Adam and Eve were first removed from the garden.
 
For some it has been in the form of oppression, for some in the form of war, and now we face fears brought on by a worldwide pandemic. The fear Paul is referring to when talking to Timothy may have been different than the fears we face today but the solution has always been the same. That solution is found in this short verse.
 
So, how do we have hope in times of fear, and where does that kind of power come from? It comes from the Holy Spirit living inside those who trust and believe in the words of Jesus. Those who have been born again have the Holy Spirit of the almighty God living inside them. That is the key to hope and peace in times of fear. Salvation is our hope.
 
If you are a follower of Christ and have that Spirit living inside you, share that hope. Take time to encourage fellow believers to keep pressing forward in love. Start a conversation with those near you that may not share that same hope, and share with them the love of Jesus.
 
If you are here and not a follower yet, I invite you to check out some more of our devotionals or reach out to us with any questions you have. We would love to introduce you to a Spirit of love and power.
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  •  What are your fears?
  • Explain a time the presence of God has given you courage to move past your fear.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by

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The Lord is My Helper

Hebrews 13:6

“So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of “what if” and live in fear and anxiety of the unknowns. Sometimes in the middle of our situations, it’s easy to forget that God is there and He is on our side. However, we must always remember and say with confidence that the Lord is there to help and He will bring you through to the other side. The confidence we have in our relationship with Jesus will bring security, comfort, safety, and lasting joy that no man can take away.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • In what areas of your life do you struggle with the trap of “what if?” 
  • Where is it easiest for you to struggle with anxiety? 
  • What are some ways that you can keep close the thought that the Lord is your helper? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Katie Marchman, Children’s Director

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Boldness from Hope

2 Corinthians 3:12

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold,”

I would adventure to say that we all know someone that has felt hopeless. I would also say we probably know someone right now that feels hopeless. I would even dare to say that you might feel hopeless in this moment. Hope is a wild thing. We have to be careful what we put our hope in.

Hope is a very powerful thing to possess. We must be very careful who or what we put our hope in. If we put our hope in something broken then we will always find ourselves frustrated. I don’t have to convince you that this world is broken, yet so many people put their hope in it. If we are honest with ourselves then we know we are broken too. Therefore, we must find something or someone who is perfect, holy, and gracious to give us the hope to be bold.

God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to make a new covenant. A covenant that we can find our hope in. A perfect, holy, gracious, and BOLD covenant. A covenant with Jesus Christ. When we find our hope in Jesus we have the ability to see the light in the darkness. Jesus’ hope gives us the ability to take one more step when we feel we have no more. Jesus’ hope gives us the ability to give compassion when we have been wronged. Jesus’ hope gives us the ability the be generous when we have very little. The hope of Jesus will give you the ability to live and have abundant life. Be BOLD today. Tell someone about Jesus. Much love, fam.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What’s a time that you’ve been let down by something or someone you put your hope in? 
  • What does it mean to you to put your hope in someone or something? 
  • Can you think of an example where your hope brought you boldness? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Macon Jones,
Pastor to Students and Young Adults

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