Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “A purpose larger than yourself”   Too many people live small lives. Christians too. I’m speaking of lives that are self-absorbed and focused largely on what the individual thinks they need or want, and what they believe to be in their own best interest. These are folks who are inwardly focused. Most of them are nice people. Many of them are good husbands, wives, parents, and friends. It’s just that their lives are lived in a very small orbit with a perspective that is limited to themselves and their close circle.   “Live life large” is a better approach. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a globe-trotting, adventure-seeking, Indiana Jones character jumping out of airplanes and wrestling alligators in the Jungle. But it does mean that your focus extends beyond yourself and your immediate circle of family and friends. It means that you are actively involved in things that benefit other people and which make the world a better place. It means that you have a purpose in life that is larger than yourself.   For the Christian that larger purpose is summarized beautifully in Jesus’ finally instructions before ascending back up to heaven. In Acts 1:8 He told us that our mission on earth is to be His witnesses. He even told us that we would receive the power of the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to live this larger life and to effectively be on-mission with Him carrying on His work in this world.   Having a purpose in life that is larger than yourself certainly does include an intentional focus on protecting, providing for, and caring for your loved ones. It can also include preparing for and engaging in a lifetime of meaningful work in a career of some sort, as well as participation in community service organizations and other activities like that. But for the Christian the larger purpose, the living of life large, must also include an Acts 1:8 mentality. And for that, we need a good church to do it with.   Acts 1:8 gives us a model for ministry that can and should govern the life of a church. At Oak Hill Baptist we are an Acts 1:8 church. If you would like to read a description of how we have turned that into a concise and focused model for ministry that governs all aspects of our church life, let me know and I will send you a copy of it.   Being fully involved in the life and ministry of a good church that is actively on-mission with Jesus, is an excellent way for the individual Christian to live life large by having a purpose that is larger than yourself. In what ways will you be on-mission with Jesus in 2025?   God bless, Pastor Jim     (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “You must not eat any detestable thing.” Deuteronomy 14:3 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Bugs, bats, and bearded vultures”   In my opinion, of all the books in the Bible, Leviticus is by far the most boring and tedious. Twenty-seven chapters of list after list of rules, regulations, and endless dos and don’ts. Boorrrriinngg ….! Especially the dietary laws. Who wants to eat a bug anyway?   Worse, Moses then goes on to repeat much of it in his closing sermon to the Jews found in Deuteronomy. Chapter fourteen is “Forbidden Practices,” and it was lifted right out of Leviticus – including reminders not to eat bugs, bats, and bearded vultures. As I was reading, I found myself wondering, “Why are we being given more of this?”  But then I came across this little gem of an editorial note in the Experiencing God Study Bible regarding these dietary laws, “God cares about his people’ physical as well as their spiritual well-being. What is God saying to you about your physical health.?” Ah. Okay. I get it. It’s in my own best interest to not eat bugs, bats, and bearded vultures. They’re not good for me.   God cares about our physical health. He wants us to take care of our body. Is God speaking to you about your physical health? We’ve been over this. Your body is a walking, talking, mobile temple of the Holy Spirit. On the cross Jesus paid the price for your immortal soul but also for your physical body (read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “You were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.” You must take proper care of your body so Jesus can use it to accomplish His ministry purposes here on earth.   It’s a sad thing to watch friends and loved ones suffer from life-style induced health problems that they probably would not have had if they had taken better care of themselves. Whatever lifestyle health problem you are suffering from right now, it was probably brought on over many years of neglect. And whatever lifestyle health problems you suffer in the future, will probably be caused by the habits you have now. If you don’t take care of yourself now, you will pay for it later.   Bugs, bats, and bearded vultures. Stay away from them. They’re not good for you. God knows what He’s talking about. And that of course goes for all the other junk we ingest as well. It’s not good for us so we should stay away from it, or at least exercise moderation. Likewise, as we’ve discussed multiple times throughout this series, our body needs to be exercised, every day.   Please take care of yourself so you can stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Be smart about what you eat and get some exercise every day. We need you to stay healthy and God wants you to take care of yourself.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Whose hero are you?”   Do you have heroes? I have heroes, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m talking about people whose example inspires you and causes you to want to be more like them. I have Biblical heroes, such as Joshua, Caleb, and Jesus. I also have leadership heroes such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Collin Powell, General Jim Mattis, and Admiral William McRaven. I also have ministry heroes like Billy Graham, my pastor Oren Teel, and my dear friend, deacon, and former pastor Dick DeGrow.   I believe we should all have men and women who we look up to, admire, and learn from. People in whose lives we see traits and attributes that are admirable and which we want to be true of us too. Such people inspire us to be better. And that’s important because we can all be better than we are. We can be better and we should want to better. Therefore, we should always be working on areas in our life that need improvement. The inspiring example set for us by others helps us to see what’s possible for us.   Whose example makes you want to be a better man or woman? And once you have answered that question, consider what kind of example you might be setting for others. Are you striving to live your best life? Are you an example of the difference Jesus makes in a life that is fully devoted to Him?   In Matthew 5:16, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called for us to let our light shine before others so they can see the good things God has done in us, for us, and through us. Making and keeping New Years resolutions helps us to always be making progress towards living our best life and being the man or woman God wants us to be.   Who are your heroes – the ones who inspire you and make you want to be a better person? And, whose hero are you? What kind of example are you setting for others?   God bless, Pastor Jim    (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26 (NIV)   Our thought for today: “Like a turtle on a fencepost”   I read a great statement the other morning in my pastor’s devotional. The author was referring to how it is that our faith in Christ can be a source of hope and inspiration for others. He wrote, “There is something incredible about hope and placing our beliefs in something that gives us strength in the moment. We see people around us demoralized, confused, and uncertain, and yet we have the answers so many people are looking for.”   The immediate context of that quote was about the great truth of John 11:25-26. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, those of us who have faith in Him will live for eternity even though we will at some time die physically. That assurance of life after death gives us hope and it makes all the difference in how we approach life and death. Other people should be able to see that hope in us. They should be able to see it in how we live and they should be able to hear it in the words we speak.   But not only does Jesus give us hope for the next life, but for this life as well. Remember all we have learned so far in this series about getting a fresh start in this new year. Jesus wants you to live your best life now, and He will help you to do it. Other people should be able to see that in you. As they observe you, they should be able to see the difference Jesus makes in a life that is fully committed to Him.   There’s an old saying that goes, “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you can be sure he didn’t get there by himself.” In other words, the turtle can’t get himself up on a fencepost. Somebody must have put him there. With respect to the difference Jesus makes in our lives, we are like turtles on a fencepost, we couldn’t have gotten here by ourselves. Jesus had to help us. That means that He gets the credit for the good things other people can see in your life.   We must identify areas in our lives that need to be improved and then make resolutions, develop plans, and take the action necessary to move in the direction of improvement. We are to do it prayerfully, trusting that Jesus will help us. We do it for our own benefit, because we do want to be living our best lives. But we also do it so others can see what it looks like when Jesus helps a person to live their best life.   People all around us are confused, uncertain, and without direction. But in Christ you have purpose, focus, direction, and determination. You can be a turtle on a fencepost – a great example of the positive difference Jesus makes in a life.   God bless, Pastor Jim    (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Attack it!”   Young people are supposed to learn from old people, right? Especially when it comes to life lessons and the “wisdom of age,” right? Well, yes, most of the time. But sometimes the old need to be willing to learn from the young too – and not just about things related to technology, but in terms of wisdom and life lessons as well.   A few years ago, when I was spending time with a young man to whom I was serving as a mentor, we were talking about an awkward and uncomfortable situation he knew he was going to have to face the next day. It was an upcoming encounter with someone he had not seen in a long time and their last encounter had ended in a somewhat embarrassing manner. I asked him how he was planning to approach it and without hesitation he said, “I’m going to attack it.” “I’m going to walk right up to him, smile, shake his hand, and immediately launch into a casual conversation that I’m already rehearsing in my head.” “I’m going to be outgoing and confident.” “I’m going to attack the situation.”   I was impressed with his answer. He was displaying mature wisdom by choosing that approach. I have thought about that approach often since then and I have tried to apply it in my own life. I even have a “note to self” on my desk with the words “Attack it!” as a reminder to just boldly go forward and address situations head-on. It’s the kind of confident approach God was calling for from Joshua (and from us) in Joshua 1:9. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. God is with you. Do not shrink from the challenge. Attack that situation!   That’s good advice for dealing with any situation we face in life, including how you think about your New Years resolutions. Don’t shrink from it. Face it and deal with it. Be strong. Be courageous. Don’t make excuses. Attack it!   We are not to be fearful, timid, or hesitant as we deal with difficult situations. Be thoughtful and prayerful, yes. Prepare yourself, yes. But then go forward and boldly face it head-on and with confidence. Attack that situation!   God bless, Pastor Jim     (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Push past the wall”   In my younger years I was a runner. Well, okay, maybe not a “runner.” I have short legs with a 30-inch inseam. I’m not built for speed. I was more like a jogger, a plodder. I could go a long way – I just couldn’t do it quickly. Once I ran (jogged) a half-marathon (13.2 miles). It took me forever but I eventually crossed the finish line.   When you are running a long distance, at some point you hit what runners call “the wall.” It’s the point at which you are struggling and feeling like you can’t go any further. You are right on the verge of quitting. You have hit the wall and if you allow it too, the wall will stop you and you will not finish your race. But if you grit your teeth and push yourself past the wall, you will catch your second wind. In other words, you will suddenly have a sense of renewed energy and strength that will carry you the rest of the way.   What’s true with respect to running is also true with respect to New Years resolutions. At some point you will hit the wall and you will have to decide if you are going to quit or push yourself past it, catch your second wind, and keep going.   The second Friday in January is commonly referred to as “Quitter’s Friday.” More New Years resolutions are supposedly abandoned on Quitter’s Friday than on any other day of the year. In other words, most New Years resolutions last about two weeks and then the person goes right back to their old way of living. I don’t know how true “Quitters Friday” is, but for the last four months I have been working with a personal trainer at a local gym. He confirms the idea of Quitters Friday. He says that in the first week of January there are more new members in the gym than at any other time of the year. But that quickly starts to diminish in the weeks that follow and by mid-February many of those new members are nowhere to be seen.   But that doesn’t have to be true of you. This is where a little personal discipline is called for. This is also where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in. Remember, God wants you to live your best life. He wants you to be healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy). He wants you to be a good steward of your finances too. And He wants your relationships to be healthy. If you developed your resolutions prayerfully and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then the Spirit will help you to keep them and to push past the wall. Claim Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And then keep going.   Don’t be one of those who gave-in and gave-up. Don’t be a victim of the Quitters Friday syndrome. Push past that wall!   God bless, Pastor Jim     (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Do it for Christ’s sake too”   Yesterday we thought about the truth that God wants us to be different from the world around us. He wants us to stand firm in His Word and to stand out in the world as a shining example of the difference Jesus makes in a life. We also thought about the sad fact that our culture today is largely defined by our vices and addictions, resulting in a society of people who are addicted, indebted, unhealthy, and unhappy.   I offered the observation that God’s people should want to be different, and that’s one of the reasons we make New Years resolutions. It’s in our own best interest to be different from the world around us. Life will be better if we are not addicted, indebted, unhealthy, and unhappy. So, we do it for our own sakes.   But we also do it for the sake of Christ. When God’s people are living their best lives; when we are noticeably different and happier than the world around us; God gets the glory. When our lives are marked by the fruit of the Spirit radiating out of us (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23); when people can see the evidence of 1 Peter 3:3-4 in us, (a gentle and quiet spirit that is of great value in God’s sight); when we have clearly learned the lesson from Paul in Philippians 4:12 (I have learned the secret of being content); the world will then be seeing in us the difference Jesus makes in a life that is fully and wholly committed to Him.   Colossians 3:1-17, from which our verse for today comes, is an important passage of New Testament Scripture. In it, Paul contrasts the life Jesus calls us to leave, with the life Jesus wants us to have. He calls us to leave behind sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, greed, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language, lying, and all that goes with that kind of life. And he calls us instead to a life marked by love, holiness, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and unity. The contrast between the two is dramatic and stark.   We have to want to be different from the society around us and we have to be intentional about taking the actions necessary so we will be. That’s why we make and keep New Years resolutions. We honestly admit to ourselves the areas in our lives that need to be improved, we resolve to take the actions necessary to make those changes, we develop a plan for doing so, and then we stick with it.   We do it not just for our own sake, but for the sake of Christ. Because when we are different from the world around us, God gets the glory.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:11-12 (NIV)   Our thought for today: “We must want to be different”   I read an interesting and challenging statement the other morning in my daily devotional message for pastors. The writer was describing the woeful state of our society today and why it is so important for pastors to preach and teach the Word of God, and to lead their people to stand firm and to stand out in a culture that is descending in chaos and sinfulness.   The lesson was about helping God’s people to develop the character traits needed to be strong and courageous in a society that is spiraling out of control, and how to stand out as a beacon of hope and light as we model the difference Jesus can make in a life. Here was the writer’s observation about our society: “We are now the most indebted, medicated, addicted, and overweight population in known history. This is not a society learning good character.”   He was highlighting the fact that we live in a consumer-oriented culture that is addicted to conspicuous consumption, drugs, alcohol, food, pornography, and so much more. And not only are people not satisfied and happy with such lifestyles, they are so unhappy that we consume far more anti-depressants than any other society in the world. The writer’s point was that God’s people should be different, and the world should be able to see the difference. This is why we make New Years resolutions – because we do want to be different. But living different and better requires intentionality, discipline, patience, and endurance.   In Revelation 14:11-12 the Apostle John was describing a scene from the time of the Great Tribulation (which is yet to come) when the antichrist is ruling and reigning over the world. The people who follow him are frantically trying to please and obey him, only to discover that they are miserable. In the middle of that chaos, the people of God will have to be intentional, courageous, disciplined, and patient in order to endure and stand out as a holy shining example of the difference Jesus makes in a life.   In our day, we haven’t reached the time of the Great Tribulation yet, but our world is bad and it is getting worse. If we don’t want to be like the world then we will have to want to be different, and we will have to be intentional about making it so. We will think more about this tomorrow but for now please prayerfully consider if you are making an intentional effort to be different from our indebted, medicated, addicted, overweight, discontent, and unhappy society.   God bless, Pastor Jim    (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Establish boundaries and stick to them”   Yesterday we considered Solomon’s lesson from Ecclesiastes 3:1 primarily with respect to setting priorities. We learned that some things in life are more important than others and therefore they deserve priority in terms of when they get our attention, how much of our attention they get, and what things will be allowed to sometimes displace them on our priority list.   When applied to New Years resolutions, goals, and plans, we realize that some matter more than others. My goals for spiritual maturity are more important than my financial goals for the year. My plan to guard my health by maintaining good nutrition and getting daily exercise is more important than my two big home improvement projects I have planned for the year.   Yesterday we also considered how it is that the “tyranny of the urgent” can intrude on our priorities. The thing that seems urgent but which isn’t really an emergency, can get in the way of the thing that is truly important if we allow it to. So, we must have boundaries to protect the things that are truly important. For instance, Monday is my one day off each week. It is protected time. It’s an important part of my resolution to take proper care of myself (which includes rest and relaxation). If you call me on Monday regarding a church matter, I won’t take your call. Maybe if it’s an emergency, like Jesus is coming back but you’re not sure He’s coming for you, or your hair is on fire and you can’t find a fire extinguisher, I’ll talk to you. Otherwise, your call will go to voicemail and I’ll call you back on Tuesday. This is a firm boundary based on an important priority.   Unfortunately, we are sometimes bad at establishing boundaries and then sticking to them. We are much more likely to give-in to the tyranny of the urgent, allowing the phone call from a telemarketer to interfere with the conversation we were having with our spouse. Or, we keep making excuses for missing our time with God each morning, or for skipping church Sunday after Sunday, or for not going to the gym again today. There are reasons we make those choices but are they good reasons?  I think you see what I mean. If we allow it to happen, all sorts of events and people will intrude on our priorities and get us off track.   Years ago, there was a great book written by Henry Cloud and John Townsend regarding establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries in all areas of life. It was “Boundaries: When to say “yes” and when to say “no” to take control of your life.” It’s an excellent book. Very helpful. It is still in print and I recommend it to you.      If we are going to achieve our most important goals, we will need to have firm boundaries established and we will have to stick to them.   God bless, Pastor Jim    (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning everyone,   Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”   Our Bible verse for today: “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Establish priorities and boundaries”   This morning, I want to return us to our thinking from yesterday regarding the Apostle John’s teaching in 3 John 2 about a “whole” life that is healthy in all the right ways. In that devotional we considered the fact that there are four essential elements which together make us whole people. Those elements are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. To be truly and fully healthy, we must be healthy in all four of those areas. New Years resolutions made and kept help us to achieve that.   However, not all resolutions are equally important and therefore not all goals should be allowed to carry the same weight. As Solomon taught in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (above), there is a proper time and place for everything. In other words, for our purposes, in addition to paying proper attention to resolutions we make and goals we set regarding our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health (or any pertaining to any other subject), we also need to get them in the right order. We need proper balance.   By way of example, I will tell you my own priorities in life. Nothing in my life is more important than my relationship with God. Therefore, that’s the first thing I tend to every day. God gets the first and best of my time. First thing in the morning, before anything else can happen to get in the way, I spend time with God in prayer and Bible study.   My second priority in life is my family. I think about them, I consider their needs, I determine what things I will do that day to ensure they are getting an appropriate amount of my time and attention. Third is myself. I make sure I have a plan for the day to take proper care of myself. That includes eating right, exercising, leisure, and sufficient sleep (If you don’t take proper care of yourself then you won’t be around to take care of others. Or, at least, your capacity to do so will be diminished.) Then, once I have assured myself that those three most important priorities are properly cared for, I turn my attention to my work. In my case, that’s my church (Yes, my dear church members, church is only number four on the list. Sorry.)   It’s essential that we have proper priorities established in life. Otherwise, we will get off track. We will be victimized by what is often called “The tyranny of the urgent.” I’m talking about things like the ringing telephone that pulls us away from an important conversation with our spouse or children. My friend, that conversation is more important than the ringing telephone. Ignore the telephone. Let it go to voicemail. Stick with the conversation.   I think you get the point but, how do we do this? How do we set and maintain appropriate boundaries that protect our most important priorities? That will be the subject of tomorrow’s devotional.   God bless, Pastor Jim     (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571