Month: November 2019

November 29, 2019

Bible Reading:Jude 1:22-23

[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference: [23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

I’m sure you are familiar with the phrase “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” We live in a culture where it seems like the smallest little thing offends people today. It’s almost as if people are looking for a reason to be offended, or hurt. I myself have been on the front lines saying “they need to be tougher, they need thicker skin.” I get it, it’s frustrating, but how are we as Christians supposed to respond. People ask me sometimes is confrontational evangelism or relationship evangelism the best way to witness and my answer to that is yes…..let me explain.
I think both ways are effective. Some people may respond to a door to door question such as “sir if you died today where would you spend eternity?” A question like that may make someone stop and think “I don’t know where I’d spend eternity.” I think that is what verse 23 is referring to. The majority of people in today’s culture probably aren’t going to respond very well to that question however. I believe they turn you off before you ever say another word. And I know that may have been the way we were taught to do door to door visitation, but could I say that maybe today’s culture could use a little more compassionate approach. Jude says here in verse 22 that some people we share the Gospel with need an approach where we show kindness, some patience with them. I 100% believe our message of the Gospel never changes, but I do think our methods can change with our culture. I think we as Christians are guilty of beating people over the head with the Gospel and we’ve missed out on the key ingredient in the first place, and that’s love.

Frank Newsome

November 28, 2019

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3

“8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Besides the parade, dog show, football, and unlimited food (yes I eat more than one would think) Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Each year, it becomes more important to me, because there is more to be thankful for. My loving and supportive family, my new in-law family, and my beautiful and loving wife! That’s just scratching the surface, thinking of all I’ve been blessed with, including being apart of a wonderful church family, is simply overwhelming. Most of all, thinking of the love, grace, care, and patience God has for me is unbelievable. Besides Sara, my relationship with the Lord is the most valuable and wonderful thing I am thankful for. In this chapter, we are reminded of how God keeps His promises. Many times we put a time restraint on Him, but truly, it is in His with His control. Verse 9, shows God takes His promises more serious than we on earth could ever keep. But it is emphasized here that He is still patient or long suffering toward us. How many times has somebody not kept a promise or put conditions on a promise. God always keeps His Word, and is patient in the process. Many times God could have held back because of our attitude, but was long suffering instead. That is true love toward us that cannot be reached expect by Christ. I’m so thankful for God’s loving patience and how He keeps His promises. The simple challenge to you is what can you thank God for Thanksgiving Day!

David Fulp

November 27, 2019

BIBLE READING: 2 Peter 2

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
This chapter deals with deliverance from sin. Verse 5 deals with God delivering Noah from the punishment for a sinful society. Verse 8 tells us that God delivered Lot from punishment for the sinful society he lived in.

I find it interesting that we believe our society today is worse than it has ever been. These two examples of Noah and Lot show that our world can be much more wicked. They also show that God brings judgement for sin.
The truth I want to leave you with today is this. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” Both of these men lived in wicked societies and God called them righteous. I do want to point out that they couldn’t save themselves. Just as a fish is born to swim we are born to sin. We can do the best can to not sin and we still will. That is why its important to know that God can deliver us from temptation. When we submit to Him, and recognize we cannot overcome with our own ability; we can win the battle. Today God wants to be your strength to overcome sin, the only question is, will you let Him?

Jacob Jarriel

November 26, 2019

BIBLE READING: 2 Peter 1:20

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

With this week being the week of thanksgiving I want to continue with Bro. Frank on what we are thankful for. I am thankful for God’s word. 2 Peter 1:20 says that “no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” This means that someone didn’t write down their own thoughts or explanations of what they thought God meant to say. T
Verse 21 tells us that scripture didn’t come by mans will, or opinions. The scriptures were written as God literally moved them what to write. That is vital. When things in life are falling apart I don’t need what people thought God said, I need His Words. His Word is enough. This week we should be thankful not only that there is a preserved copy of the inspired Word of God but that we are privileged enough to possess one.

Jacob Jarriel

November 25, 2019

BIBLE READING: 2 Thessalonians 3:1

[1] Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away. I hope you have finished your grocery shopping, got the car gassed up for your trip, or the house all clean for your guests. But before Thanksgiving gets here on Thursday let’s finish up our time in II Thessalonians with one more thing to be thankful for. Today I would love for us to thank God for our pastor, and his family. God could have sent them anywhere in the world, but He sent them here to Kerwin Baptist Church, and we are so blessed to have them.
Paul here asks the church at Thessalonica to pray for him. That’s what I’m asking you for today. I don’t think they would ever come out and just say it, but our pastor and his family need our prayers. They’ve been through some very trying times, and I am amazed at the strength and faith they have displayed through it all. Let’s as a church get on our knees at some point today and thank God for Daniel and Julie Hawtree. Thank God for their 3 boys. Beg God to continue to give them strength. Whatever it is that God lays on your heart to pray for. Let’s agree to ask God to do something special in their lives.
Just wanted to end this devotion by saying that I’m so thankful that I get to work at Kerwin. It’s a dream come true for me. You guys truly are the greatest church in the world.

Frank Newsome

November 22, 2019

BIBLE READING: 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15

[14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. [15] Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

We talked yesterday about Thanksgiving, and how we wanted to spend a couple of days reflecting on some things we should be thankful for. Verse 14 tells us that God invited us by the drawing of the Holy Spirit to have relationship with Him. If we can’t be thankful for that I give up. A portion of this chapter deals with the eternal punishment God has in store for the wicked, and it’s not a pretty picture. Thankfully if you’re a child of God you don’t have to worry about this. I’m so thankful for the conviction of sin and the invitation for salvation. I’m also thankful God didn’t stop inviting, because I rejected Him so many times. I’m thankful for God’s patience with me.
Verse 15 goes on to give us instruction for Christian living after salvation. It tells us to stand fast (to stand firm, to persist) and hold the traditions (to take hold of, to seize) traditions are just simply teachings. Whether we get that teaching by preaching or reading God’s Word it’s our responsibility to apply it to our lives. Today we can all be thankful for the invitation of salvation, but better than just saying we are thankful let’s live like it too.

Frank Newsome