Forest City Church Podcast

7th Floor Devotional Day 8: ”Overflowing Acceptance”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 8 - “Overflowing Acceptance.”

Our nation seems to know little about how to be accepting of people not like us. Think of the political divides that can separate families. Or the racial tensions that keep cities divided by attitudes, relationships, and even rivers. I am sure that each of us has personal stories of those who have judged us, didn't accept us, marginalized us, and treated us as less than they should have. And unfortunately, we may have even done the same to others. 

Often, our attitude can be, "If you live up to my expectations, I will accept you." But, this reverses the order of Jesus, who came full of grace (first) and then truth. What drew people to Jesus was His tremendous acceptance of each individual: His love, mercy, and nonjudgmental attitude. He was always willing and ready to share the truth, but it was only in the context of overflowing acceptance and love. Grace always comes before truth. Overflowing acceptance of others is the key to living like Jesus.

We are probably familiar with the account of Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The account is found in John 4. Jesus was in Samaria on purpose. Most Jews walked around Samaria, but Jesus chose to walk through Samaria because He was always about people. On that journey, He sat down at a well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jesus uses an ordinary conversation to bring her into a discussion regarding living water (spiritual things).

The conversation here is interesting. The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water so I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." "Sir," the woman said, "I can see you are a prophet."

Notice that there was no condemnation in Jesus' words. On the contrary, He was "matter of fact" without judgment, and she took no offense. She recognized that He must be a prophet, and she returned to her village and said, "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Can this be the Messiah? 

The result was that "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony. So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. And because of His words, many more became believers."

Think about this. Would any of this have happened if Jesus had not led with grace and overflowing acceptance? Not a chance. When we follow the example of Jesus in our relationships, people are attracted to us. Many people don't respond to Jesus because they don't like the judgmental and insensitive attitudes of those who call themselves Christ followers. Seventh-floor culture takes its cues from Jesus, who came full of grace and truth and showed overflowing acceptance to those who came across His path.

So here is your prayer for today: Lord, thank you for your overflowing acceptance and love. Please teach me how to accept and honor all people as your image bearers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The House We Are Building - Trevor McDonald

Today's message by Campus Pastor Trevor McDonald is titled The House We Are Building. 

7th Floor Devotional Day 7: ”Where Acceptance and Grace Meet”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 7 - “Where Acceptance and Grace Meet.”

There is a fantastic account of a dinner with Jesus in Luke 7, where grace and acceptance meet in an extraordinary way. Let's read it together.

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, He went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at his feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." So Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

"Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

This is a beautiful example of radical hospitality that overflows with acceptance and is filled with generous grace. Simon found it hard to understand, but that is the magic of Jesus' love for people. We are quick to judge those we do not understand, but radical hospitality welcomes the broken and, like Jesus, offers them acceptance and grace. Can you imagine a church that looks like that? This is seventh-floor culture!

So here is your prayer for today: Jesus, thank you for being our ultimate example. Help us to open our hearts to offer acceptance to those we don't understand and shower them with generous grace that brings them nearer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

7th Floor Devotional Day 6: ”Radical Hospitality”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 6 - “Radical Hospitality”

Seventh-floor culture is a culture of radical hospitality where extraordinary effort and emphasis are placed on making people feel welcome. It is a hospitality that overflows with acceptance, is filled with generous grace, and is beautifully diverse around the person of Jesus Christ.

When you think about the tables Jesus graced, you see this radical hospitality in action. There was always room for the person who wanted a seat at the table. If they were a marginalized misfit in society's eyes, they were still welcome at the table with Jesus. Even people who were not comfortable with those in authority and the religious figures were at home with Jesus. They didn't have to prove anything to Him. They just needed to want to be with Him. 

Most of these people were broken and needy. Yet, in the presence of Jesus, they found generous grace unlike any they had ever experienced. They came as they were, and He healed their hearts. And it was beautifully diverse. A woman who made her money on the streets, a tax collector, a blind beggar, fishermen, and commonfolk. At Jesus' table, all were welcome. His table cut across social status, reputation, economic circumstances, and all the conventions of society.

At Forest City Church, we say that we are a place with long tables and low walls. We will always put another leaf in the table to welcome a new person in our midst, and we will keep the walls to finding a home here low. Why? Because this is what Jesus did. We want our tables to overflow with acceptance, be filled with generous grace, and be beautifully diverse around the person of Jesus Christ.

So here is the prayer for today: Father, thank you for being a God of radical hospitality. Please help me to create a space where people find a home at my table just as they did yours, in Jesus' name, Amen. 

7th Floor Devotional Day 5: ”Making Time”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 5 - “Making Time.”

We live in a hectic world. How many of us wish we just had room to stop and breathe? There is always something fighting for our attention, but Jesus didn't design us to live that way. In fact, if people are our priority, there must be space in our lives to accommodate opportunities to minister to them along the way. Sometimes, being like Jesus is simply being available to people who God brings across our path. 

There are many examples of Jesus stopping and taking time to minister to hurting people. For example, take the story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52. "Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus ("son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road."

I love this account because of the contrast between Bartimaeus, who believed in Jesus, the crowds around him who told him to shut up and go away, and Jesus, who called out to Bartimaeus and healed him. How often are we like the crowds who consider someone in need a nuisance or a hassle? After all, we have obligations to keep and things to do. But remember, sometimes, being like Jesus is simply being available to people who God brings across our path. The crowds were too busy with their own stuff to care about Bartimaeus. But Jesus was never too busy to take time with those who needed Him.

Do we have the margin to be available to those God brings across our path? Seventh-floor culture always takes the time to be with those in need. When was the last time you went out of your way to do just that?

So here is the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God that always takes time to tend to those in need. Help me remove the clutter in my life, so I have time to minister to those you lead my way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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.

Generosity - Chad Bruegman

Today's message by Teaching Pastor Chad Bruegman is all about Generosity.