Forest City Church Podcast

7th Floor Devotional Day 4: ”Everybody Matters”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 4 - “Everybody Matters.”

The life of Jesus was a life lived with people and for people. Almost every account of Jesus in the Gospels finds Him with people. The crowds who followed Him, the disciples with whom He lived and ministered, the curious like Nicodemus, the truth-seeking like the Rich Young Ruler, beggars, and those marginalized by society. Where there were needy people, you found Jesus.

Jesus came from the Father "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14) to give us His grace (John 1:16) so that we could have a relationship with God (John 1:18). In fact, John 1:14 says that “the Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The original language literally means, "He came to pup tent among us. He came to live with us."

Many priorities can rule our lives, but the priority of Jesus was always people. He wanted people to hear the Good News of forgiveness, experience the joy of His presence, and know the meaning of a life lived with Him. He invites us to join Him in His kingdom work and use the gifts He gave us for His purposes. He wants to see the marginalized lifted up, the sinner forgiven, the hopeless given hope, and all invited to a rich and meaningful life here and for all eternity.

Jesus came full of two powerful qualities. The first is grace. And, because of that grace, your past does not matter. Your social position does not matter. Your questions, doubts, struggles, and addictions don't matter. In Jesus, you met one who loves unconditionally, forgives freely, and has called you from your struggles and issues to a life of freedom in Him. His grace covers everything. 

Jesus also came full of truth! Satan is the father of lies. He lied to Eve in the Garden, and he lies to us. But into this morass of lies and deception came the Son of God, full of grace and truth. And His truth sets us free and gives us life and abundance of life (John 10:10).

There are many priorities we can build our lives around. If we want to be like Jesus, we will build our lives around Him and the people in our lives who need Him. Our ambitions, achievements, and pursuits will one day vanish. But the lives we impact for Jesus will change everything for them in time and eternity. It all starts when we start to value people as Jesus did. And make Jesus and people our priorities. 

So here is your prayer for today: Father, free me from the selfishness that causes me to be self-centered. Instead, help me to see those around me as precious and infinitely deserving of your grace. Help me to give space in my life to those around me as Jesus did. Amen.

7th Floor Devotional Day 3: ”Anyone and Everyone”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 3 - “Anyone and Everyone.”

Being a new kid in a new town at a new school is difficult. I remember my first day in a new school during my sophomore year in high school (Eric Parks). It is seared in my memory like a bad sunburn. I walked into the lunch room, and it was as if the world had stopped, and everyone just stared at me. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I just stood there frozen like a deer in headlights.

And then someone finally said, "Hey, you can sit at my table." His name was Ty Thomison, and that little gesture endeared me to him for the rest of my high school career.

Ty made space for me at his table. Can you think of a time when someone made space for you at their table and how that made you feel? Here is the truth. We are all looking for acceptance and love. This world can be harsh, and we all long for someone to invite us to their table and just allow us to be ourselves. 

Some might say that some of Jesus' best work was done at a table. And, if we reflect on scripture, I believe the phrase "Anyone and Everyone" is a perfect picture of the table Jesus set. He constantly associated himself with the sick, tax collectors, sinners, and even lepers. It did not matter who you were or what you had done; Jesus pulled out a seat for everyone.

There are several stories in the Bible where this is evident. For example, Matthew 9:10-11 says, "Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit and lit into Jesus' followers. ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and misfits?’"

Why does this matter? Well, because too often, Christian circles send a message that you have to first have it all figured out for you to sit at the table. But the truth is, most people sitting with Jesus may not have even known they had something to figure out; they just knew Jesus made space for them and didn't require much in return. 

We long to create a church of crooks and misfits. A church for black, brown, white, rich or poor, young or old, gay or straight. Not because it's easy, but rather because Jesus did. All that is required is a desire to sit.

So here is your prayer for today: Father, thank you for those who made space for me at their table. Now help me to make space for others at my table. Help me have the compassion and love that Jesus had and invite people to come and be as we explore Him together. Amen

7th Floor Devotional Day 2: ”We Can’t Become Whole... Alone”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 2: “We Can’t Become Whole… ALONE.”

Have you ever found yourself doing something you know you had no business doing? So you almost unconsciously find a secret corner or nook to hide in so no one will see you. Almost as if you made up your mind that if anybody caught you messing up, they'd immediately judge you? 

I know this scenario all too well. At a young age, I learned to hide to protect myself from any chance of being judged (Eric Parks). Many of you, too, fear allowing people into your mess because “what if they don't like what they see?” We often think that if we can keep people out long enough, they will never figure out that we are not as put together as we appear to be.

The problem is that when we live our lives this way, we miss out on some of the best parts of it. We trap ourselves in a cycle of brokenness because the truth about human beings is that we can't fully grow into the best versions of ourselves alone. We need other people. We need relationships. And those relationships will only be as strong as we allow them to be. This means our transformation into what God intended us to be is proportional to how much we let people in versus keep people out. 

There are 100 references in Scripture to "one another." For instance, in Romans 12:10, we are told to "be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:16 encourages us to "live in harmony with one another," and Romans 13:8 to "love one another." Romans 15:7 charges us to "accept one another, and "not judge one another" (Romans 14:13). In Galatians 5:13 we are told to "serve one another," "be kind and compassionate to one another," (Ephesians 4:32), and "admonish one another" (Colossians 3:16). We could go on and on. 

There is no concept of a faith in Scripture that is not in community with other believers. In fact, as we will see, salvation impacts our relationship with God and our relationships with each other.  We live, grow, and develop as Christians in community. Therefore, Christianity is not a solo sport but a team sport. The very picture of Jesus and the disciples makes this clear. Life with God was and is a life lived in community. It’s togetherness.

For some of us, togetherness is easy. We grew up in large families, have many friends, or are naturally social creatures. But for others, togetherness does not come as easy. Maybe you have been hurt by people in the past, you might be introverted by nature, or you might have a more challenging time opening up to others. Whatever the reason, or however you are wired, learning how to engage in meaningful Jesus-centered relationships is key to becoming God's best version of you. 

The first step to letting people in is admitting that you need other people. 

So here is your prayer for today: Father, open my eyes to my need for other people and make me aware of how I try to keep people out. Help me to see the people around me that you have placed in my life for my growth and development. I pray this in your name, Jesus. Amen.

7th Floor Devotional Day 1: ”A Vision of Wholeness”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 1: “A vision of wholeness”

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." - John 10:10b (MSG)

Have you ever watched a child play make-believe? Isn't it amazing how easy it is for them to believe that anything is possible? For example, you'll rarely catch a child in a game of superheroes objecting to transforming into Thor or Captain Marvel because "it's not possible."

In their minds, it is possible. However, as we get older, many of us lose touch with that sense of wonder and possibility. Even as followers of Jesus, we can become bogged down by the "realities" of life and forget that, in Christ, anything is possible. In fact, if we are honest, most of us don't really believe "we can do all things in Christ." Instead, we say things like, "I am just too much like my father or mother, or not enough at all like Jesus to ever be anything other than what I am." Philippians 4:13 isn't a phrase most people really believe. Instead, we more likely relate to Popeye's catchphrase… "I am what I am, and that's all that I am."

But what if that isn't the way it is supposed to be? 

The truth is, you were made in the Creator's image. That's right! You bare the image of our Creator! You may not fully realize this fact, but there is a version of you that is complete and whole, full of life, light, and delight. A version that is powerful, creative, and free! Wholeness is not only possible; it is God's "A" plan for anyone who is a follower of Jesus. 

This is the life God wants for you! And it is within your reach! But while it is possible... it is also optional.

You see, we get to choose whether or not we take part in the complete transformative process God wants for us. We can allow the hang-ups and the hurt to have the last word in our lives, or we can believe that the better version of us is on the other side of belief and surrender. There is always more growth, more life, and more light available to you. In Ephesians 2:10, the apostle Paul says, "... we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." 

Over the next 14 days, we will begin the journey toward that version of you. The best version of you. 

Your prayer today: "Father, help me believe what you say about me. That I am beautifully and wonderfully made, made on purpose for a purpose. And may you open my eyes to the prospect of wholeness you desire for me this day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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