Please watch it and then post your comments.
If you don’t have a Bible, you can read the passage online here.
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One last reminder to all you Fusion folks. Change your clocks and come hungry for God to move tomorrow.
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One last reminder to all you Fusion folks. Change your clocks and come hungry for God to move tomorrow. [tonymccollum]
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For all the pastors out there tonight. ♫ Ain't No Grave - Johnny Cash http://lala.com/znj6I (Thanks @jasonsalamun) [tonymccollum]
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We need less judges and more servants in the church today. [tonymccollum]
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RT @pastorgearstuff: On PastorGear.com: The Power of Light http://bit.ly/dfkrUP //Cool video [tonymccollum]
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A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.
— Dwight L. Moody
I’m here. :) this is honestly my first time ever doing devotions so I don’t have anything to share yet, but I’m looking forward to continuing progressing in my faith and reading what others have learned from this passage.
I’m here and absorbing what we just read. I’ll post another comment later . . .
Just to be clear, this devotional is for today (Monday, July 14). I’ll create another devotional for tomorrow. Enjoy!
I am struck by how it’s not by my efforts but “because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ” that God had given me faith. It is amazing that God gives me “everything [I] need for living a godly life.” All I have to do is respond. One of the ways that I respond to the Lord is to spend time reading the Bible so that I can grow in knowledge and read about the “precious promises” that He has given us. And yet, as simple as that sounds it can be so very hard to do. I guess that is why it is so important to persist in prioritizing daily time with the Lord. It also makes sense that this would be an area that the devil would try to distract us since it’s so vital to our growth and being “more productive and useful.”
Thanks for the devotional, Tony! And thank you for your prayers.
Angie hit the nail on the head. It all starts with prioritizing our time with Him. He is the source. He has everything that we need. If we prioritize our relationship with Him, and allow Him to minister to us and to fill us, we will work OUT of that fulfillment. We always try to do it backwards, i.e., doing good works in order to be fulfilled. But only God can give us what we need (faith, grace, peace) so that we can then do the good things that He created us to do. My favorite verse, and the one that sums it all up for me, is verse 8–”The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I agree with what everyone else has already said so well. To me, one of the things that I keep coming back to is that He does all things well. When you really think about that, God’s spirit of excellence should truly inspire us because that means that His work in our lives will be completed with a master’s touch. Just a thought.
Thank you. These devotionals are the perfect way for me to stay positive and motivated throughout the day. For me, faith is what helps me to feel secure and grounded. I believe that by giving me faith, God has given me the green light to live without being overwhelmed with “what-ifs”.
The words that really stand out to me are “make every effort to respond to God’s promises.” It requires effort and action to claim God’s promises. It isn’t enough to know God will give us what we need, we have to be active about seeking it out and receieving it. The verse explains we do that by deepening our relationship with God. I agree with the other comments – though I know this is important, it can be so hard to actually operationalize in my every day life. However, Tony was right in service yesterday when he asked if we have time to watch TV, surf the net, or talk on the phone. That is so true! It is all a matter of priorities.
This was a real blessing. I like this idea. It is very important to study God’s word and learn of his many precious promises.
Tony, thank you for doing these devotionals. I struggle with attaining a deeper understanding of the bible and your commentary was so very helpful. What stuck out most to me was the fact that Simon Peter was not only a LEADER but a SERVANT. There are a lot of people that think they are great leaders, but the truly GREAT LEADERS of this world have a SERVANT attitude. It kind of goes hand in hand with “Leading by Example”. What an awesome and energizing concept to wrap your thoughts around.
Thank you, Tony, for the devotional message. I “lost” my faith after a suffering a personal tragedy several years ago and have just recently re-committed my life to Christ. After so many years of not believing, I find that I am now desparate for a relationship with Him and want to gather as much knowledge as I can continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord. The daily devotional helps me to focus and to continue in that growth process.
As Tony said, the “spark” of faith comes from the Lord. I agree that faith is a precious gift to be valued, nurtured and shared and we must each learn to feed that “spark” through our daily actions of study, prayer, fellowship and giving, so that the spark can become a flame that fuels and drives our lives. The statement in verse 3 that He has “given us everything we need for life” gives me tremendous peace and helps me see beyond any the daily stresses and frustrations I encounter. Thank you again.
Hey Tony, I want to thank you for taking your time and preparing and sharing these devotionals with us. Every time that I have the opportunity to hear you talk about the Word of God, I am inspired and moved.
HI Pastor Tony, Thanks again for providing this daily devotional. I plan on reading all the other comments too but just going from what I read and what you said.This is what I got out of this devotional. The way to grow in your faith is by hearing the word of God. The best way to hear from God is to read His word. His word will help you grow in faith, peace and grace. This knowledge will also show us how to live a righteous life taking the focus off the world and placing it in God. But in order to read and understand His word you have to make the decision to have a relationship with Him and want to follow Him. His word is an instruction manual that gives us everything we need which will help direct us to know His purpose for our lives.
I’m here. I love reading everyone else’s thoughts on this, and I always enjoy Tony’s enthusiasm for every word in the passage. I like the idea that we grow by responding to these promises; as has been said above, responding by prioritizing time with God is vitally important. This time makes us more productive and useful, and as such (as was also said above), no wonder the enemy of our faith would seek to distract us from it. It is surely by his influence that “those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” Responding to God’s promises keeps our eyes open.
Hi Tony, Loved the daily devotional, looking forward for more!
Regards,
Winfried
I can’t explain the unexpected signifigance this devotional is having in my life right now. In a time where all I know to do is throw my hands up and leave it all to God, He’s showing me exactly what I need to do. Strange thing is it’s coming from several different and unrelated sources in my life. I think Someone might be trying to tell me something. The exciting thing is I’m emptying my cup of the ‘old’ stuff to get some ‘new’ stuff. CHRISTMAS TIME!!
Got it man…
“Precious promises”… I find myself not seeing the “precious promises” large or small when I am caught up in the day-to-day grid. This helped me response to God today and say thx.
Nathan’s “Precious promises”:
Michelle, Cooper, and Trinity
Knowing that God has given me the power to be a godly parent, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and employee gives me great peace.
So, if I go and work on adding the goodness, knowledge, self-control, etc. by following the steps which are outlined for me : daily reading of the Bible, prayer and hanging out with fellow believers then I will find that these things will be added to my life.
I just need to turn off the t.v, hang up the phone, and not allow the distractions (I have my distraction pad ready!) to take me away from all that God has for me in His Word.
Thanks Pastor Tony. That was awesome!
I’ve made worship and prayer a priority and continue to do so but it’s absolutely something I need to continue to reinforce as it’s easy to push aside. And I think reading my bible at 2:30 am while out of town on a business trip does prove to be difficult at times, but it’s absolutely worth it.
I really enjoyed 1:5-7. I find it important to practice what you’ve learned with a heart full of love, brotherly kindness, and self-control.
I’m at a conference that’s done yearly and last year, I was married. This year, I’m not. Someone asked me if my ex-wife and I are on good terms.
These verses remind me of how I wouldn’t be able to say “yes” if it wasn’t for God, faith, and prayer. It is very possible that I could be an unforgiving, bitter, and selfish person. I could be holding my heart close so that it could never be hurt again and pulling away from everyone because I felt ashamed for not holding my marriage together.
I’m so blessed for where my heart is today.
This past Sunday was the day of separation and I feel that I’ve come a long way in a year’s time. My faith is even stronger, built upon Him as a foundation, and growing ever so stronger verse-by-verse and prayer-by-prayer.
Now I just need a dream.
Thanks for your time Pastor Tony.
2 Peter 1:5 speaks loudest to me. On my first reading of this verse, I sort of passed over it. It sometimes takes a second, more careful reading to get all of the meaning. This verse is important and something that I have probably been lacking. I believe God has made me promises but I certainly have not made “every effort to respond”. I’m going to work on that.
Thanks again. Gotta go vote today. Polls just opened.
Wow! For me, I’m not sure what all this means except that I feel an overwhelming sense that this is our time to truly get ready- we are being called to get ready for some big things to come. We must continue to do what is good even in the face of adversity and the hard times we all face. Keep doing that which is good….praying, reading the bible and just having the faith and discipline to take time out to grow our faith is part of our getting ready. God promises our faith growth will give us peace- to tackle all that comes our way – today and always.
Thank you for doing this! I have often struggled with quiet time with God. I got so much out of this. My spark has been struck and I’m praying for God to help me be productive and respond to his promises. I want to know God better so I can have a life of moral excellence. Wow! How wonderful!
Thank you for taking on this project. Daily devotional is something I have gotten away from, and I appreciate you leading us in this. I was struck with the thought that it is not enlugh to know that God’s promises exist, but I need to claim His promises to reap the benefit. It is not a one way street, but a joint effort between me an God. I am also struck with the thought that who am I that God would seek to commune with me. He is truly a great and personal God.
Tony, thanks for the devotional…good stuff!
Verses 5 & 6 really spoke to me and are like a roadmap to help us grow in faith. James 2:26 states “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” Knowledge of God’s Word is the foundation that will help us act in brotherly love, self-control, patient endurance and godliness.
As I read this passage, I am aware that my knowledge needs to be stronger so I can follow through on the actions that will continue to build my faith.
I’m also here. This is my first time, as many others, doing devotions. The passage really did a lot to open my eyes to a few things that I haven’t really been able to see before.
Verses 3-9 really jumped out to me. Once I got there, I was hooked. I read it and re-read it at least half a dozen times, because it seemed to make so much sense, and it seemed like it should’ve been so simple, but I guess I just needed to have it explained to me in a different way.
I am playing catchup but I just listened to the first devotional and am most touched by the fact that “Apart from God, I can do nothing”. I have heard that before and today is strikes very close to me. I want to be closer so that I am of more use to God. I pray that to be so.
I’m here.
Thanks for your time, Tony. You rock!
McCollum for President!
These last two Sundays & this devotional have reminded me of how God grew our faith my infertile body attempting to conceive children – my “precious promises”. We’re flawed in so many ways but God fulfilled His promise He gave us. In the process He gets all the glory. The waiting is the hardest and most beneficial part, don’t you think? That’s where God works on us. I don’t like impossible situations while I’m going through them, but when I look back it is so cool to see how much it grows me.
I also am realizing that my family needs to be claiming a promise for a seemingly impossible situation we’re dealing with. I still get stuck on my belief that the impossible can actually happen even though my life is a constant example of impossible things occurring. Why can’t I just believe without doubting?
Verse 8 and 9 are really key for me. It’s the cliff notes version of the entire passage and it is not vague in any way. The more you grow, the more useful you’ll be to the Kingdom. That will definitely light a fire under you to spend more time in the word.
I am a day behind, but I am so glad I have found this. I have been sorely lacking in focus in my devotions and I needed this to kick start me. This has been a year of transitions, so I feel upside down at times. As I opened my bible, the verse “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” Whoa. That is exactly what I was searching for, but looking in the wrong places. My priorities have been off. This spoke to me and has renewed my faith to get back on to “supplement” my faith. Everything has been right in front of me. Now I am reminded to have the faith to have the promises. Thank you, Pastor Tony, for doing this for us.
I am a few days behind with these devotionals but plan to catch up soon.
When you were talking about claiming a promise I was reminded about one verse that I clung to during a recent hard time in my life.
It is: “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I will heal you.” 2 Kings 20:5
I posted this verse in front of me for two months and read it all day every day. I thought maybe it could help someone else.
God healed my heart and he is working on making me whole again.
Thanks for all of your work to put these devotionals together for us!
Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts and to receive the word of God and communication from other Fusion family members. It appears to me, if a person stays focused and totally in Gods love, truly believe in his word and promises that ‘All’ things are possible and achievable (Got to have faith). I agree that faith is now required at the highest levels within our hearts and that some things may appear to be off centered in the world today….. But it will get better because God wants us to love, be happy and help others. So let’s continue to look for ways to come together as family and overcome ‘Worldly’ obstacles. Thank you again for this remarkable experience and time to share my thoughts with you this morning as well. I will also like to personally thank Pastor Tony and the entire Fusion church family for positively impacting so many people in our community.
I am so inspired, calmed, and blessed by these daily devotionals. The topics are hitting right at home for me (where I am in my life right now). Psalm 118:5 is now my daily affirmation! Thank you so much Pastor Tony for loving us enough to lead us thru these daily devotionals!
Tony, thank you for your devotional and the time, energy and dedication required to produce it. Thank you for this one, which is an important reminder that we do not accomplish anything in and of ourselves. We do not need to have talent or ability in order to be used of God – we only need a willing heart offered up to Him, and obedience, to accomplish wonderful things in His name.
Verse 9, unfortunately, spoke to me the most… thank you for doing this, Tony.
Praise God that he has already given us everything we need to lead a productive and useful life!! if I’m being honest that just reminds me of how far I still have to go in my walk….thats why I love the important distinction about responding. It can all be sitting there just waiting for us to pick it up, but we have to make the time and mental space to pick it up! And do so regularly.
I think this is a season of “inventory” for me. I get so discouraged that I’m not more loving or helpful or compassionate or patient! (haha), this devotional gently reminded me that if I keep plugging away doing the very specific things He tells us, my life will be useful and productive…that’s a great and comforting and PRECIOUS promise! I have also found it so very true that If I seek God first and give him my firsts of everything…he blesses the rest of everything. It has been the surest, best investment in the quality of my life other anything else by far Pastor Tony, thank you for initiating this wonderful forum for learning and growing with other Fusioners…awesome!