Church Growth Extension

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2 Daily Devotionals Church Growth Extension Daily and Personal Devotionals WRITTEN BY: Beverly Barnett Gene Smith EDITOR IN CHIEF: Larry E. Clements BUSINESS MANAGER: Wayne Sewell PRODUCTION EDITOR: Sally McInvale ADULT EDITOR: Jim Jones CHILDREN S EDITOR: Libby Gill ILLUSTRATOR: Connie Spears GRAPHIC ARTISTS: Shawn Blase Jeff Allen Greg Hilterbrand Blake Tilton LAYOUT DESIGNERS: Kyle Elkins Cindy Butler Ashley Elkins CONTENT EDITORS: Terry McKellar, Carolyn Burks Deby Turrentine, Joni Curtis PRINT PRODUCTION: Charles Easley COVER DESIGN: Jeff Allen Copyright 2013 Vol. 23, No. 2 Bogard Press 4605 N. State Line Ave. Texarkana, TX

3 About the Writers Gene C. Smith was saved when he was twelve years old. He was baptized by the authority of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Alex, OK. He surrendered to the call of God in the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Pueblo, CO. He was ordained by the Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson, TX. During his ministry, he has served as pastor of churches in Texas and Arkansas. He attended college at Cameron State University in Lawton, OK, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR and the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, TX. He graduated from this seminary with the Doctor of Theology degree. He also taught in this school for several years. Brother Smith has served as VBS Editor and Publicity Director for the Baptist Sunday School Committee and clerk of the American Baptist Association. He has also served as clerk of the Texas State Association and as moderator of the Arkansas State Association. He has been the speaker in many VBS workshops and seminars. He also writes the Adult VBS Quarterly. He has written various other studies for about fifty years. He may be contacted at Brother was born July 2, 1957, to pastor Don and Julia Shultz. He has spent the majority of his life in Texas except for seven years in Bossier City, LA. He was saved while his father was pastor of Greenacres Missionary Baptist Church of Bossier City, LA. He is a 1975 graduate of White Oak High School in White Oak, TX. He is a 1979 graduate of Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary of Henderson, TX. He is past moderator of the Salem Missionary Baptist Association and past moderator of the Pastor s and Layman s Council of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He is married to the former Becky Sellers of Atlanta, TX. He is presently pastor of the Eastfield Missionary Baptist Church of Mesquite, TX. He may be contacted at preachermarc@gmail.com. Beverly Barnett grew up in a Missionary Baptist deacon s home, was saved at the age of nine and joined Hatley MBC, Hatley, MI. She married Nicky Barnett in Bro. Barnett has pastored in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida for the past twenty-eight years. In each of Brother Barnett s pastorates, Beverly has taught children in Sunday School or children s church. Beverly returned to school in 1985 and graduated with honors as an LPN. Then, in 1991, she graduated from Northwest Alabama Community College with an associate degree, and she became a registered nurse. She has been a guest writer for Women of the Harvest magazine, her hometown newspaper and writes a monthly newsletter. She continues to study the art of writing. She may be contacted at nanb542000@yahoo.com. 2

4 , March Scripture Readings, DATE DAILY DEVOTIONALS DAILY READINGS February 25 Acts 15:12-21 Deuteronomy February 26 Acts 15:33-41 Deuteronomy 16; 17:1-13; 18:1-20 February 27 2 Timothy 4:11 Deuteronomy February 28 Galatians 3:24-29 Deuteronomy March 1 Romans 3:24-30 Deuteronomy March 2 Ephesians 2:11-22 Deuteronomy 28:1-62, 68; 29; 30 March 3 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Deuteronomy 31:1-5, 7-30; 32 March 4 Acts 16:1-5 Deuteronomy 33; 34 March 5 1 John 5:11-13 Joshua 1 3 March 6 Ephesians 2:8-10 Joshua 4 6 March 7 Romans 5:1, 2 Joshua 7 9 March 8 John 1:12, 13 Joshua March 9 Galatians 5:1-6 Joshua March 10 Romans 10:9, 10 Joshua March 11 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Joshua March 12 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Joshua March 13 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 Judges 1 3 March 14 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 Judges 4 6 March 15 Philippians 4:15-17 Judges 7 9 March 16 1 Thessalonians 3:5-13 Judges March 17 Romans 10:11-15 Judges March 18 Acts 18:18-23 Judges March 19 Acts 18:24-28 Judges 19 21:1-24 March 20 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Ruth 1 4:10 March 21 Romans 16:3-5 2 Samuel 5; 6; 7:1-7, March 22 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 2 Samuel 8; 10; 11 March 23 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 2 Samuel March 24 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 2 Samuel March 25 Acts 19: Samuel March 26 Matthew 3: Samuel 21; 22 March 27 John 3: Samuel 23; 24 March 28 Psalm 32:5 1 Kings 1; 2 March 29 1 John 1:8, 9 1 Kings 3 5 March 30 2 Corinthians 5: Kings 6 8 March 31 Romans 1:16 1 Kings

5 , April Scripture Readings, DATE DAILY DEVOTIONALS DAILY READINGS April 1 Acts 20: Kings April 2 Galatians 5:13, 14 1 Kings April 3 Romans 15:1-3 1 Kings April 4 John 13:13, 14 1 Kings 21; 22 April 5 John 13:34, 35 2 Kings 1 3 April 6 2 Timothy 4:5-8 2 Kings 4; 5:15-27; 6 April 7 Galatians 6:1-6 2 Kings 7 9 April 8 Matthew 5: Kings April 9 Romans 9:1-5 2 Kings April 10 Mark 10: Kings April 11 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 2 Kings April 12 1 Peter 3: Kings April 13 1 Peter 4: Chronicles 11:4-47; 12; 13 April 14 2 Timothy 3: Chronicles April 15 Luke 24: Chronicles April 16 Acts 9: Chronicles April 17 Ephesians 3:1-6 1 Chronicles April 18 Romans 11: Chronicles April 19 Ephesians 3: Chronicles 1 3 April 20 Galatians 3: Chronicles 4 6 April 21 Acts 1:6-8 2 Chronicles 7 9 April 22 Psalm 46:1-5 2 Chronicles April 23 Isaiah 41:10 2 Chronicles April 24 Hebrews 13:5, 6 2 Chronicles April 25 John 14: Chronicles 19; 20:1-19, 23-37; 21 April 26 Philippians 3:3-8 2 Chronicles April 27 John 16:33 2 Chronicles April 28 2 Timothy 4: Chronicles April 29 Job 19: Chronicles April 30 Daniel 12:2, 3 2 Chronicles

6 , May Scripture Readings, DATE DAILY DEVOTIONALS DAILY READING May 1 John 5:28, 29 Ezra 1; 2 May 2 1 Corinthians 15:12-27 Ezra 3 5 May 3 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 Ezra 6 8 May 4 Romans 15:25-28 Ezra 9; 10 May 5 1 Peter 3:15 Nehemiah 1 3 May 6 Luke 2:25-32 Nehemiah 4 6 May 7 John 12:44-48 Nehemiah 7; 8 May 8 Ephesians 5:8-16 Nehemiah 9 11 May 9 John 3:18-21 Nehemiah 12; 13 May 10 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10 Esther 1 3 May 11 Colossians 1:12-14 Esther 4 6 May 12 1 Timothy 1:12-16 Esther 7 10 May 13 2 Corinthians 11:23-31 Job 1 3 May 14 Numbers 23:19 Job 4 7 May 15 2 Chronicles 20:20-22 Job 8 10 May 16 Romans 4:19-25 Job May 17 Psalm 107:23-31 Job May 18 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 Job 18; 19:1-24, 28, 29; 20 May 19 2 Timothy 1:8-13 Job May 20 2 Peter 1:19-21 Job May 21 Ephesians 6:18-20 Job May 22 Philippians 1:12-18 Job May 23 Colossians 4:2-4 Job May 24 Psalm 98:1-9 Job 38; 39 May 25 Isaiah 49:5-13 Job May 26 Isaiah 6:8 Psalms 1; 3 7 5

7 Monday, February 25 Gentiles Not Under the Law Acts 15:12-21 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God, Acts 15:19. In biblical days many Jews did not have a high opinion of Gentiles. The gospel had been preached to the Gentiles, and many had been saved. Rather than rejoicing at the conversion of the Gentiles, the Jews wanted to put a greater burden upon them. A debate was raging between the Jews and Gentiles over whether it was proper to eat meat that had previously been offered as a sacrifice to idols. The Jews felt this practice was an abomination to God. The Gentiles did not consider the practice wrong. The Jews were told the Gentiles had broken no spiritual law by eating the meat sacrificed to idols. The Gentiles were told it would be good if they refrained from this practice rather than offend the Jewish brethren. All saved people have one thing in common. They are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The plan of salvation is the same for everyone. New Testament churches are commissioned to preach the gospel around the world and lead people to Christ as Savior. Christians should rejoice when anyone accepts Jesus as Savior. They should do nothing that would hinder lost people from accepting Christ as Savior. Neither should they do anything that would hinder the spiritual growth of new converts. It must be the passion of each child of God to win the lost to Christ. If we do not win them, who will? 6

8 Dividing Forces Multiplies Impact Acts 15:33-41 Tuesday, February 26 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God, Acts 15:40. When Henry Ford invented the Model T automobile, they were made one at a time. This made the Model T expensive. He then came up with the concept of the assembly line. One person on the assembly line would be responsible for one task. This way the Model T s were mass produced, and the price became more affordable. In biblical days, traveling to distant lands to preach the gospel was not an easy task. Missionaries often traveled in pairs on missionary journeys. It was vital for them to act in harmony on their journeys. Take a look at the poster of missionaries published by the office of Secretary Treasurer of Missions. These missionaries labor in many different countries across the globe. Each of these missionaries is sponsored by a local church. Each missionary labors by the authority of his sponsoring church. By sending out the missionary, the church is fulfilling the Great Commission. What can you do to aid those who serve in the work of the Lord? You can pray for them. It is comforting for them to know others are praying for them. You can encourage them as they serve the Lord. You can faithfully give to the church of your membership so that it can support as many missionaries as possible. You can pray that God will call more men to preach the gospel. Christians working together accomplish great things. 7

9 Wednesday, February 27 John Mark Profitable for Ministry 2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry, 2 Timothy 4:11. In science class, we learned that an object in motion tends to remain in motion and an object at rest tends to remain at rest. That same principle can be applied to the membership of local churches. There are members who are eager to do anything and everything in the service of the Lord. They readily roll up their sleeves and do anything that needs to be done. They serve the Lord not to bring attention to themselves but to glorify God. They can always be depended upon to do whatever needs to be done no matter how large or small the task may seem to be. The other group of members is willing to sit on the sidelines and allow others to do the work. They always find excuses why they cannot participate in the work of the Lord. Which group do you believe is profitable in local church ministry? Everyone can be profitable in the Lord s work. When God calls someone to serve Him, He will empower him to do his duty. God only requires our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1). To be profitable in the Lord s work a person must answer God s call. Moses answered God s call and led the Israelites out of Egypt. Jonah answered God s call to preach in Nineveh and souls were saved. We provide the labor, and God gives the increase. You can do everything God calls you to do. 8

10 One in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:24-29 Thursday, February 28 The flag of the United States There is neither Jew represents all the three hundred million nor Greek, there is citizens of our nation. The citizenry of the neither bond nor free, United States came from distant lands there is neither male to live the American dream. The Pledge nor female: for ye are of Allegiance to the flag states that we all one in Christ Jesus, are one nation under God. No matter Galatians 3:28. where our ancestors originated, we are all Americans. Every person who reaches the age of accountability and professes Jesus Christ as Savior will be saved. No matter his nationality, he is a child of God. There is one plan of salvation, and it applies to everyone. Salvation does not come by works of the flesh. Salvation comes by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. All saved people have a spiritual relationship with each other. As believers, they are brothers and sisters in Christ. Believers should have fellowship with one another. Having experienced the same salvation, we are called to serve the Lord who saved us. We are to love one another as God loves us. We must forgive each other as we have been forgiven by God. Such attributes are evidences of salvation. The love of Christians for one another is a testimony to the world of the love of God for all mankind. Christians are one in Christ and must not mimic the world. The world should see Christ in us. There should be no greater unity than among believers. 9

11 Friday, March 1 God of Jews and Gentiles Romans 3:24-30 When I enrolled in junior high school, Is he the God of the the local schools had recently been Jews only? is he not desegregated. On the first day of class, the also of the Gentiles? principal made an announcement stating Yes, of the Gentiles he was the principal of all the students. He also, Romans 3:29. made a point to meet as many students as possible and make friends with them. Everyone is a descendant of the first man and woman Adam and Eve. We have two things in common with Adam and Eve. We each have a soul, and we are all sinners. As sinners, we are in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only Savior. Because of Adam, we are all sinners and will one day die in the flesh. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we all have eternal life by repentance and faith in Him as Savior. Different cultures often look to other religious personalities as their messiah. They ignorantly believe in false messiahs. It is our duty to help turn their ignorance into belief. We must proclaim to them that Jesus is the One and only Savior. They cannot believe on someone of whom they have not heard. They will not hear unless someone tells them. Missionaries are needed to tell them how to be saved. Pray that God will call more missionaries to preach the gospel in all the world. Be willing to share the gospel with those you know. There is one gospel and one Savior. 10

12 Saturday, March 2 In Christ the Wall Is Gone Ephesians 2:11-22 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, Ephesians 2:14. For thirty years the city of Berlin, Germany was divided by a wall. The wall was built by the Communist government of East Germany to keep its citizens from leaving. Families were divided and tensions in the divided city were high. The German citizens finally had enough, and because of their protests the Communist government fell and the Berlin wall was torn down. The citizens of Berlin were again one. As sinners, we are alienated from God. God hates sin but loves the sinner. Mankind cannot shed the sin nature. Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus Christ has torn down the wall that existed between God and man. Man is forgiven of sins by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and the Lord s righteousness is imputed upon him. The shed blood of Jesus cleanses him from all sin, and he has peace with God. Only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior have peace with God. It is important to remember the price that Jesus paid for our salvation. Jesus knew no sin but died on the cross as though He were a sinner. He suffered the pain and agony of dying on the cross; therefore, we have forgiveness of sins. If the Lord had not shed His blood on the cross, there would be no salvation. Those who know the Lord as Savior know His peace. 11

13 Sunday, March 3 Definition of the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand, 1 Corinthians 15:1. There are many generic definitions of the gospel. To some people it can mean any perceived truth even political ideology. To others it is any religious tenant or doctrine. These definitions fall short of describing the true gospel. The gospel was originated by God and not man. It is the plan of salvation in simple to understand terms. The gospel details how Jesus died according to the Scriptures. Jesus is the Lamb of God sacrificed for the sins of the world. The blood Jesus shed on the cross covers all sins past, present and future. The gospel also details how Jesus was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. The resurrection of Jesus from the grave is as necessary for salvation as His death. Jesus rose from the grave as prophesied in the Word of God. If Jesus remains in the grave, He is not the Savior and there is no salvation. We serve a risen Savior. Notice that part of the definition for gospel are the words, according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3). This teaches that man-made doctrine and philosophy cannot be the gospel. Every detail outlined in the Word of God about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was fulfilled by Jesus Himself. There is no other Savior but Jesus. The gospel is the Word of God not the philosophy of men. 12

14 Faithful Young Timothy Acts 16:1-5 Monday, March 4 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium, Acts 16:2. I remember my first days of classes at Texas Baptist Institute. The first year students were told it was important to not miss classes. We were told we should be as faithful in attending classes as we expected church members to be once we became pastors. We were told to lead by example and not by word only. Timothy had a good reputation as a preacher of the gospel. He was faithful to do whatever was required of him. His faithfulness added validity to his testimony as a child of God. He led by example and not only by word. Timothy lived what he preached. Christians must be faithful to serve the Lord. Faithfulness is evidence of Christian character. Faithful Christians follow the instructions of God s Word. Bible study and prayer will aid such faithfulness. Faithful Christians seek the will of God and accomplish it. They will do God s will even when it conflicts with their own desires. Christians should be as faithful to God as they expect God to be toward them. Faithfulness to the Lord should be stressed to young children. Parents are setting the wrong example if they stress to their children the need for attending classes at school but are not faithful to attend Sunday School and church services. When children are taught to be faithful to the Lord in their youth, they are more likely to be faithful to Him as adults. Live the gospel you preach. 13

15 Tuesday, March 5 Life Is in His Son 1 John 5:11-13 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life, 1 John 5:12. There are two critical, biblical doctrines that children of God should know. The first is the assurance of the believer. Assurance is the knowledge of an individual that he has been saved. The second is security of the believer that, once he is saved, he will always be saved and will never lose his salvation. The assurance of the believer is critical for the peace of mind for the child of God. The Bible explains in great detail what a person must do to be saved and is drawn to salvation by the Holy Spirit. When he follows the biblical instructions concerning salvation, he becomes a child of God. This is not the end of his spiritual journey. As a child of God, he is called to serve the Lord. Without the assurance of salvation, he would be concerned about his eternal destiny and would not be faithful to serve the Lord. Security of the believer is the knowledge that one cannot lose his salvation. Salvation is by grace and not by works. It is a gift given by God to the believer. The believer is eternally saved and will never face condemnation. A person is saved by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. His sins are covered by the blood Jesus shed for him on the cross. A saved person has eternal life. God is eternal. 14