Oak Hill Baptist Church

This is what it looks like

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Numbers 12:3 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “This is what it looks like”

This morning I want us to revisit the concept of being magnanimous in manner and conduct, and we will consider a few examples of what that looks like in actual practice. As a reminder, the magnanimous person has a greatness of soul. They are honorable, kind, compassionate, generous, not easily offended, eager to forgive, confident, and noble in bearing. The magnanimous person is merciful, big-hearted, patient, dignified, charitable, fair, and just.

Moses was a magnanimous man. On the one hand, he was the greatest leader the nation of Israel ever had. He boldly confronted the Pharoah; he was the instrument God used to bring terrible plagues of punishment upon the Egyptian people; he courageously led the entire nation out of captivity and then for forty years of nomadic living in the wilderness. He was strong, decisive, uncompromising, and brave. But Numbers 12:3 says he was also the humblest man on earth. The Amplified Bible translates that verse this way: “Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.”

Likewise, Abraham Lincoln was known for his courage and boldness, but also for his kindness and humility. Ronald Reagan was famous and much-loved for the same reason. A key to Billy Graham’s greatness was his firm and uncompromising presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ – presented boldly and without apology, but he was also loved and admired for his kindness, warmth, and his great sense of humility. Corrie Ten Boom, Elizabeth Elliot, and Joni Eareckson Tada are just a few women who were also courageous in heart and magnanimous in nature.

All of that reminds me of the concept developed by author Aubry Andelin in his great little book “Man of Steel and Velvet.” A person made of steel and velvet has an inner core that is as strong and unyielding as steel. It consists of qualities like uncompromising integrity, honesty, courage, and conviction. But the inner core of steel is wrapped in an outer covering of velvet. The person is kind and compassionate, warm and friendly, quick to show love and to extend mercy and grace. It is steel wrapped in velvet.

This is what the magnanimous Christian looks like. Out there in the world on-mission with Jesus Christ; actively engaging the world in social issues, politics, community activities, and humanitarian efforts; contending for Biblical values; sharing the Good News of the Gospel; but doing it all with a magnanimous spirit that radiates a winsome resemblance to our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, now that we know what it looks like, let’s go out there and do it. Let’s be that magnanimous person as we engage our world and contend for Biblical truth.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

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Be magnanimous

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “Let your graciousness be known to everyone.” Philippians 4:5 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Be magnanimous”

I love the word magnanimous. It’s such a big word, such a rich word. And it describes such a greatness of soul. Magnanimity is the virtue of being great in mind and heart. Synonyms include forgiving, merciful, big-hearted, patient, long-suffering, self-sacrificing, noble-minded, dignified, charitable, unselfish, fair, and just. Interestingly, Rodale’s Synonym Finder also lists “Christian” as one of the synonyms for magnanimous. Presumably, the follower of Christ is expected to be magnanimous – all the features and virtues just described above.

The Bible is packed full of examples of magnanimous individuals behaving in magnanimous ways. Abraham was certainly magnanimous in his dealings with his nephew Lot in the early chapters of Genesis. Joseph demonstrated a magnanimous spirit in dealing with his brothers in Genesis 45. Jesus modeled magnanimity for us, and the Apostle Paul wrote about it in Philippians 4:5. I love the way the Amplified Bible captures the full flavor and meaning of Paul’s words: “Let your gentle spirit (your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience) be known to all people. The Lord is near.”

We are going to spend most of the rest of this month thinking about how it is that if we are going to venture out into this sinful, angry, and combative world that we live in and contend for Biblical principles in the public sector, we will have to be strong and we will have to be resilient. Strength and resilience will be two indispensable qualities that we will have to have. But before we get to that, it’s imperative for us to remember what we learned in a previous devotional that it’s not just a matter of what we say, but how we say it. We can be bold, confident, and uncompromising without being loud, angry, and mean. We can be assertive and engaged while being magnanimous and gracious at the same time.

Tomorrow, I will offer you some examples of individuals who have trained themselves to be both bold and engaged but also magnanimous and gracious. It is possible to be both ways at the same time.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

One foot in each world

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.” Act 2:42-43

Our thought for today: “One foot in each world”

I have mentioned before the name of Eugene Peterson and how I consider him to be a mentor of mine. Eugene was a pastor and the author of many fine Christian books, but he was also a pastor to pastors – in his later years he devoted much of his time and attention to mentoring younger pastors. And although I only met him once, I have learned much from his writings and he has had a huge impact on my life and on my ministry.

One of Peterson’s best books (in my opinion) is “The Contemplative Pastor.” The book is essentially a “how to” manual for the pastor who truly wants to be a spiritual leader, as opposed to just the CEO of a religious organization, or the chief marketing officer in charge of peddling religious services to religious consumers, or a celebrity personality.

In one section Peterson was writing about how it is that when the church is gathered, we often waste much of our time on silly, meaningless things that make little real difference spiritually. Our conversations often center on things like sporting events, or politics, or shared hobbies, or upcoming social activities, or which restaurant we will all go to for lunch after church. He writes:

“With the vastness of the heavenly invasion and the urgency of the faith decision rolling into our consciousness like thunder and lightning, we cannot stand around on Sunday morning filling the time with pretentious small talk on how bad the world is and how wonderful this new stewardship campaign is going to be.”

Peterson further explains that if we’re doing it right, as Christians we live every moment of every day straddling the boundary between the physical realm and the spiritual realm. We have one foot in each world. We live in the physical realm, but we enter into the spiritual realm through prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, service, and experience. That should be the normal life experience of any serious Christian. One foot in both worlds. And that should be even truer when the church is gathered. The spiritual dynamic should be electric and powerful as we all bring our individual deep and rich spiritual experiences and share them with each other.

That will be the case if our minds and hearts are focused on the spiritual and not on the physical. It will be true if we are consciously and intentionally aware of and focused on both worlds at the same time.

All this month we are thinking about what it means to “be the church.” As Eugene Peterson taught, on Sunday let’s focus on what it means to “be the church gathered” – each of us and all of us with one foot in each world, experiencing both at the same time, and sharing that experience with each other.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

One person at a time

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “One person at a time”

This morning I want to continue our thinking from the last two days about how it is that the promise from Jesus in Matthew 16:18, that He will build His church and that Satan will not prevent it from happening, is true and is happening. In that devotional I challenged us to consider how that promise could be true when often, it doesn’t appear to be true as we observe the things that are happening in our world.

Then yesterday I told you the story of Rosaria Butterfield and how it happened that a former lesbian and gay activist ended up coming to faith in Christ, leaving the gay lifestyle, getting married to a man, having babies, and ultimately becoming a pastor’s wife. It was through the kind and compassionate ministry of a pastor and his wife as they took a personal interest in Rosaria and simply showed her kindness and love.

How does the kingdom of God continue to spread and grow in such a messy, confused, and sinful culture like ours? One person at a time. It happens as you and I and others invest the time and make the effort to minister to one person at a time. By yourself, you can’t change the world. But you can have a positive impact for Christ on the person in front of you right now.

In Matthew 25:35-36 Jesus described simple acts of kindness and compassion extended to individual people who were in need. Please note that there was no mention made of huge stadium evangelism events; or of mega-church worship services attended by a thousand people; or of hospitals being founded, Bible colleges established, best-selling books being written, or anything of the sort. Jesus’ references were all about average people doing simple things to express love and kindness, and doing them in the name of Jesus and for the sake of the Kingdom.

How do we make a difference in the world? How do we make a positive impact for the cause of Christ? One person at a time. Begin with the person in front of you now. Then move on to the next one, and to then to the next one after that.

Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus wins. And you are on the winning side. I encourage you to go out there today and make a difference in one life at a time.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

How you say it matters

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “(Be) ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect …” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “How you say it matters”

“It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.” You’ve probably heard that saying a thousand times, and deep down you know it to be true. Body language, tone, voice inflection, choice of words, all matter as much as the actual content of the statement you are making.

You can ask someone how they’re doing, but if your eyes are shifting away from them as they’re answering you, if you’re glancing at your watch, if you’re smiling and nodding to other people passing by, your interest and attention will seem superficial at best. But if you are looking them in the eye as they’re speaking, listening closely to what they are saying, showing empathy with your facial features, that all communicates an entirely different message to the person. They can tell you really do care how they are doing and you’re not just being polite.

This is a general principle that applies broadly across the spectrum of human interactions, and it certainly applies to the effectiveness of the people of God as we’re out in the world on-mission with Jesus trying to reach people with the Gospel message. It’s not just what we say, but how we say it. I once read the testimony of Rosaria Butterfield, who had been a lesbian and a passionate high-profile activist for the Gay and Lesbian agenda. During those years as a lesbian, she had numerous encounters with Christians who were loud, combative, and sometimes mean-spirited. She said that all those encounters served to do was to stiffen her resolve and solidify her dislike of Christians.

But then she met some new neighbors who happened to be a pastor and his wife. They were friendly and kind – even after they knew of her sexual orientation. They made an intentional effort to be her friend; they invited her to their home for dinner; they included her in social events with their friends; they stopped to chat when they encountered each other out in the neighborhood.

Rosaria said that theirs was a very different expression of Christianity than she had ever encountered before, and it caused her to be curious about it. That eventually led to discussions about faith and one day, that former lesbian came to faith in Christ, left her life as a gay woman, met a man she fell in love with, and ended up having his babies and raising a family. (By the way, the man she married became a pastor and so today that former lesbian is the wife of a pastor.)

We need to remember that “being the church” has to also mean being like Jesus. When we interact with people, we need to do so in the same way we see Jesus doing it on the pages of the Gospels. Jesus always spoke truth, but He did it in a way that made it clear to His listeners that He genuinely loved them and cared about them. The only time we read of Jesus being angry and speaking harshly was when He was dealing with the religious hypocrites of His day who were mistreating people and leading them astray.

In 1 Peter 3:15-16 the Apostle Peter was simply teaching us a lesson that he had personally learned from Jesus Himself – what you say matters, and how you say it matters even more.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

Satan can’t prevent it from happening

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Satan can’t stop it from happening”

Matthew 16:18 is one of the most important verses in the New Testament because it teaches a vital truth that Christians need to remember – especially Christians who are facing opposition and persecution for the faith. Jesus teaches three important points here:

First, the “rock” that Jesus was referring to and upon which He would build His church was Peter’s profession of faith found in verse 16, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” When people have that kind of faith, they then join Jesus on His mission to save the world and help build the kingdom of God on earth.

Second, Hades was understood in Jewish culture to be the place of death and the domain of Satan. Death is something humans fear, and the threat of death is a tool Satan uses to terrorize people. In this verse Jesus used this phrase as a metaphor for the worst that Satan can throw at us. He was essentially saying that even Satan’s best efforts are not enough to prevent the spread of the kingdom of God.

Third, when Jesus used the image of a gate guarding the realm of Satan, He was depicting territory and influence that Satan had gained and was ruling, and around which he erected barriers (gates) to protect his turf. Jesus says here that those gates, those barriers, will not prevent His people from recapturing territory that Satan has stolen and is ruling over.

When we apply this understanding to our theme of faithfully venturing out into the world to be the church on-mission with Jesus, we realize that working through His people in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will build His church and there is nothing Satan can do to stop it from happening.

However, we might wonder if, considering what we see happening in the world all around us today, does that seems like an over-confident boast on the part of Jesus? Doesn’t it seem like Satan’s gates are holding fast and that he is claiming even more territory, and erecting even more barriers to impede and frustrate the work of the church? Was Jesus wrong and is Satan winning?

I think not.

More about this tomorrow.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

The solution is for the church to be the church

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Be the church”

Our Bible verse for today: “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 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 5:14-16 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “The solution is for the church to be the church”

I have just ended my annual summer vacation and as I turn my attention back to the life of the church, my primary task for August is to prepare the church for the new church year which begins in September. That will include preparing the new budget and appointing people to their ministry assignments for the new year, and it will also include preparing the church in mind, heart, attitude, and focus, for the challenges awaiting us as we go out into the world to be the church, on-mission with Jesus Christ.

This is important. Our nation desperately needs the church to be the church. Not just Oak Hill Baptist, but all churches, everywhere. Our communities need our churches to be actively engaged outside the walls of the buildings they meet in.

But being on-mission with Jesus in the world we live in today will be no easy task. We live in a post-Christian culture that has already drifted far from God and which is rapidly becoming not just unbiblical, but anti-biblical. The old saying, “The longer you stay on a slippery slope the faster you go and the further you fall,” is certainly being proven true in our society today. The anti-biblical mindset is most easily seen in the realm of sexual ethics. But we also see it in the Marxist ideology that is becoming increasingly pervasive, especially in colleges and universities; we see it in the socialist sense of entitlement that is pervading our entire society; we see it in the surge of criminal activity in our cities and communities; and we see it in the general lack of truthfulness that is becoming so widespread and so widely accepted in our society today.

But still, in Matthew 5:13-16, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to go out into our very messy, very confused, very lost world, and be salt and light. In other words, to speak Biblical truth, minister in love, and to make a meaningful difference for the kingdom of God. That’s what we are called to do. That’s how we are to respond to all that is going on around us in our world. We are to simply be the church, on-mission with Jesus, out in the world. We are to do it with boldness and confidence, and we are to do it in love. The solution is for the church to be the church.

We’ll spend the rest of this month thinking about that.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

God bless,
Pastor Jim

This is why we call it “quiet” time

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month” Rest, relax, renew”

Our Bible verse for today: “A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper …” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “This is why we call it “quiet” time”

We do not live in a quiet world; we live in a noisy world. Very noisy. There’s seldom a time when we’re not exposed to some kind of manmade noise. Think about it, even when you have turned off the television and the radio; even when there are no other people talking; even if you can get away from the sounds of traffic in the distance; there’s still manmade noise. Can you hear the air conditioner humming in the background? Is the lightbulb in the room buzzing? Can you hear the gentle hum of your computer hard drive? It’s difficult to achieve real silence. Many people don’t even want to. Some people are afraid of true silence because then they have to listen to all the noise in their head.

But silence is an essential part of entering into deep communion with God. Seldom does God shout to be heard. Instead, His voice is usually soft and subtle.

That’s what Elijah discovered in 1 Kings 19:11-12. Elijah was having a bad day. He was physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted after an extended time of intense ministry. He was in the desert in a cave when God confronted him regarding the pity-party he was indulging in. As something of a dramatic set-up for His coming appearance, God sent a tornado-force wind to blow. Then there was a ground-shaking earthquake. That was followed by roaring flames of fire. But God wasn’t in any of that. Instead, after the dramatics were over and God had Elijah’s attention, He spoke to Him in a soft gentle voice which Elijah would have to pay close and careful attention to if he wanted to hear it. This is what is sometimes referred to as “The still, small voice of God.”

This is how God typically speaks to us. Seldom does He speak with a booming voice out of the whirlwind, the earthquake, or the fire. Those things can be helpful in getting our attention and causing us to settle down and listen, but when God speaks, it’s usually out of the quiet.

And that’s why we call it “quiet” time. If you want to hear the voice of God you will have to settle down, shut down, stop the noise, and just be quiet before Him. We call it “quiet time” because we need to be quiet if we want to hear from God. I encourage you to be quiet and listen to Him this morning. I believe you will find it to be restful, relaxing, and renewing.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

Pray more, worry less

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Rest, relax, renew”

Our Bible verse for today: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Pray more, worry less”

I’ve seen multiple studies in recent months regarding the state of mind of the American people. The studies are designed to assess the psychological health of the American public. The findings are not good. On average, almost 70% declare themselves to be very concerned about the economy. More than 60% say they are worried about the future of democracy. A large percentage of people have significant concerns about crime in our nation.

All of that translates into mental health problems for large segments of the population. Close to 70% of those surveyed report feeling somewhat or very overwhelmed by the totality of everything mentioned in the previous paragraph. Close to 50% report high levels of frequent anxiety. 45% report experiencing a prolonged sense of sadness. More than 40% say they are angry.

Although there is evidence of all of that in the Christian community as well, I believe Christians are doing much better than the overall public in terms of good mental health, and I believe a big part of the reason is prayer. It’s what the Apostle Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:6-7 above – the more we pray the better we handle things.

This is important. How can we savor our time; how can we rest, relax, and renew; how can we enjoy and appreciate the gift of life and the moments of our lives; if we’re stressed-out and anxious all the time? We need to pray more so we can worry less. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith …” And in Isaiah 26:3 we find the promise, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

The world is a mess, but Jesus isn’t. Jesus will give us peace that transcends all the issues we are faced with, a peace that will guard our heart and mind. So, let’s pray more and worry less.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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

Go deep with God

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Rest, relax, renew”

Our Bible verse for today: “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. The Lord will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night – a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7-8 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Go deep with God”

Psalm 42 is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, in verses 1-2, the writer described his deep unsatisfied desire for God as being like a thirsty deer longing for a soothing drink from a cool stream. In verses 5-6 he also wrote about having a dejected and depressed soul immersed in turmoil. But then in verses 7-8, with boldness and confidence, he declares that the Lord will send His faithful love by day and the song of the Lord will be with him in the night. He concludes the Psalm with a great statement of faith and encouragement when he writes in verse 11, “Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Verse 7 is the linchpin upon which the entire Psalm turns. “Deep calls to deep …” God is deep, and He calls us to go deep with Him. Even as we struggle with turmoil, dejection, and depression, our deep God calls us to meet Him in deep places.

In his book, “Intimacy with the Almighty” Pastor Chuck Swindoll writes, “Deep things are intriguing. Deep jungles. Deep water. Deep caves and canyons. Deep thoughts and conversations. There is nothing like depth to make us dissatisfied with superficial, shallow things. Once we have delved below the surface and had a taste of the marvels and mysteries of the deep, we realize the value of taking the time and going to the trouble of plumbing those depths. This is especially true in the spiritual realm. God invites us to go deeper rather than to be content with surface matters.”

Going deep with God requires time. It requires us to slow down, stop, sit, and spend time with Him. Going deep with God also happens when we participate in group worship services. Good music, good teaching, and good fellowship can be profoundly worshipful experiences as we encounter God in the middle of them.

I encourage all of us to set aside time this weekend for meeting God in a deep place both individually in our quiet time, but also together in group worship.

Go deep with God.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re 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