Brandon Phillips

Devotional, Family

Prayer. Humble submission to God.

Week 3.2

I remember growing up in church and when people would pray, I would think “wow they must be close to God”. They would use big words, they would change the inflection of their voice, and it just seemed like they were close to God.

I'm sure these men meant nothing by their prayer performance, but it made me scared to pray in front of other people. I thought that I had to know the exact right words to say and was always afraid to mess up in front of others.

Now being much older in my faith I understand that prayer is special, we do not have to know exactly what to say. We do not have to know big theological words for God to hear us. What God wants more than anything in our prayers is humble submission to him.

So as we continue to think about prayer today I want to encourage you to just pray period. Very simply prayer is just talking to God. That's the blessing that we get when we can talk to God about anything. We all have enough gone on in our lives that we need to be able to stop what we're doing and pray. And knowing that we are able to pray through the creator of the universe should give us confidence to be able to make it through whatever the day may bring.

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9-14

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Devotional, Family

Worried? Pray

prayer 1

Week 3.1

There is something significant and special about the prayer experience. When you seek to connect with God either in private prayer or corporate prayer he responds. He responds by making you aware of His presence.

When you are alone and feeling helpless you will find comfort and peace. When you are with a group of believers lifting up the name of Jesus, he fills you with wonder. When you take the time to count your blessings, he fills you with gratitude.

There’s no special formula when you pray. You don’t have to use the perfect words or phrases. All God cares about is that you are calling out to him in an attitude of worship and praise. There are several model prayers for examples of prayer in scripture. Let’s look at a few of them.

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

 

Here are a few things I want us to notice about the passage.

Pray about all things.

There is nothing that is too small for us to pray about. God wants us to rbing all things to Him. He knows our every need before we ask so make sure you ask Him about everything.

If you have a test, pray. If you have a flat tire, pray. If you are excited about something, pray. If someone says something that hurts you, pray. God is concerned about all things so, pray about all things.

Give thanks.

Often, we feel overwhelmed by life’s circumstances because we allow ourselves to focus on what might happen. Instead, when we consider how God has been faithful in the past, we can allow our thought’s to turn to Him and all the things we are thankful for.

Make a list out of all the things you are thankful for, and your worries will melt away. It may take some time to get started but once you start your list will flow and the more things you will be able to list, and the blessings won’t stop!

Peace comes.

It is amazing what can happen when we allow God to be God. Much of our stress and anxiety come from trying to be in control of things we can’t control. When we focus on God and allow Him to do only what he can do we get an amazing sense of peace and security that is only available through Him.

Songs

Trust and Obey

Holy Spirit

Prayer

Lord when I am overwhelmed by life’s circumstances help me remember to always pray first. May prayer and your holy spirit to be my refuge. Fill my mind and heart with true peace that can only come from you.

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Devotional, Family

We Need Relationships

Week 2.2 We Need Relationship

Devotional

Another part of fellowship is enjoying the benefits of a close relationship with Jesus. As we experience the blessings of being united with Christ and His church we experience a joy that is not found anywhere else in the world. It is a joy that is only found in Christ and His people.

How do we make sure that we are experiencing this joy of fellowship with other Christians? By Joining a small group. There are a number of benefits. Here are three:

Friendship (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Our lives are so busy and many of us do not have time for relationships outside of the home. When you joy a group, you get a scheduled time each week to spend with other Christians an build relationships. This how you truly get plugged into a church and body of believers.

Spiritual growth (Philippians 1:6)

6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We are promised that God is going to continue to work in us until the day we go home to heaven. Spiritual growth is a result of spending time with God and His people. Make it a priority.

Accountability (Proverbs 27:17)

Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.

I don’t know about you but I need help to do the things I need to do. Even though I know the habits that lead to growth and a pure life I still need help getting there. When you have others in your life who are willing to speak words of encouragement and rebuke into your life it help you both grow.

If you're looking to grow in your faith and build meaningful relationships, consider joining a small group or discipleship class ASAP.

Song

How great is our God – Chris Tomlin

How Great Thou Art Traditional Hymn

Prayer

Lord, Thank You for the connections formed in small groups, where genuine relationships are nurtured. Thank you for the support, encouragement, and love that flows through these gatherings, strengthening our bond as brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Devotional, Family

Together

fellowship

Daily Passage

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Devotional Thought

It is important that we take the time to spend with God in His word, but it is also important in the busyness of our daily lives that we pause and reflect on the significance of our relationships. We were created for relationships. Relationships have the power to shape us for the better or the worse.

This week Pastor Conner focused on our personal relationships. How we as believers are to look out for the needs of others and make unity something we strive for. Focusing on unity leads to sweet fellowship.

I like to define fellowship as hanging out with a purpose. It is knowing that our relationships with other believers mean something. We are to be intentional about all of our relationships but especially our relationships with other believers.

In Hebrews, the writer tells us a few things to do as we consider our relationships with other believers.

  • Consider how to stir up one another to do good.

God created us to enjoy fellowship with others and the way we do that best is by serving others. He says to “stir up one another”. What can you do as a family or with other believers to make a positive impact on those around you?

  • Meet together consistently.

In the busyness of life it is tempting to take every free moment for ourselves to rest and recharge. While this is important it is also very important to continue meeting with other believers for support and encouragement. Don’t fall into the lie that you are too busy for fellowship and Bible study. (Discipleship classes begins January 17! Join one! )

  • Encourage each other.

This world can be overwhelming and discouraging. We have the privilege to give others courage. Do your part to speak life to those around you. Using encouraging words and actions can make all the difference to someone who is struggling.

Song

House of the Lord Phil Whickham

Sweet Sweet Spirit - Hymn

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of fellowship. Help us to embrace the call to encourage one another in love and good deeds. May our interactions be filled with grace, kindness, and a genuine desire to uplift those around us. Strengthen the bonds of fellowship among us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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Devotional, Family

Word of God Speak (Challenge 2024 Wk1.2)

Bible-2

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 11 In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward. Psalm 19:7-11

Devotional Thought

We are continuing to talk about God’s Word the Bible. In it are His words that guide us through life. There are many voices in our world today that want to tell us how we should live but they fail to renew our lives like only God’s Word can. His word renews our lives, makes our hearts glad and helps us keep our focus where it needs to be, on Him.

  • The instruction of the Lord is perfect – this refers to the entirety of the word of God and when we read God’s word and the stories within it renews our lives and gives us new excitement for life.
  • The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy – this is what God says about himself and how he has been revealed through out time. We can trust God because his character is true.
  • The precepts and commands of the Lord – This is how God spells out for us how he wants us to live and what leads to an abundant life. When we have a clear direction from the Lord it helps us experience the full and abundant life he wants us to have.
  • The Fear of the Lord – This explains to us how we are to respond to God and his word. It puts us in the right posture to recive God’s word.

“Together, these terms show the practical purpose of revelation, to bring God’s will to bear on the hearer and evoke intelligent reverence, well-founded trust, detailed obedience.” ( An Intro and Commentary to Psalms by Derek Kinder )

Try singing to listening to a song together. Here is a suggestion. You can use your phone, search YouTube, or pull out an instrument.

Song

Word of God Speak – Mercy Me

 Prayer

God, thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Word. I am so thankful that you give us your Word as a guide to help us know how to follow you. Help us as a family to have a desire to know you deeper through your Word as we worship.

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Devotional, Family

Challenge 2024 At Home Devotions

January 2024

I love new beginnings! January is always a time when we can refocus our hearts and minds on what matters most. If you are like most people, you have at least some idea of what you want to improve on in the new year. It is our prayer as a staff at FBC Panama City that we can continue to be “The House of Hope for ALL Generations”. To that end we would like to provide some simple resources that go along with Pastor Conner’s sermons for the next few weeks.

Below you will find the title of the message and theme for the week. Along with each theme there will be two devotions written for you to meditate on by yourself or with your family. The instructions are easy just start at the top and involve as many people in your household as possible. You can do this whenever or wherever you want. The dinner table while everyone is still seated, the living room on the couch, or even in the car during your daily trip to and from school.

The goal is simple focus on God and HIS word. Allow him to speak to you and adjust when needed. Also share how God is speaking to you with others.

I pray that your 2024 is a year where you seek to make significant strides in your spiritual growth.

I will also include a reading plan 

Let the journey begin.

Pastor Brandon Phillips

Young Adult Pastor

First Baptist Church Panama City

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

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Devotional, Family

The Word Of God (Challenge 2024 Wk1.1)

Bible

The Word of God

Daily Passage:

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Devotional Thought

There is no substitute for the Word of God in the Christian life. That’s why it is important for us to make sure that the word of God is a priority in our lives. As we look at today’s passages, we see that all scripture is inspired by God. That means it is special and passed down to us from the Holy Spirit through human writers that God led to write. It also tells us that it is useful for Christians because it prepares us for life.

Let’s look at a few things it says in this passage.

  • Profitable for teaching.

God’s word teaches us new things about His character and how we are to live out the Christian life.

  • Profitable for rebuking

God’s word, through the spirits working in our hearts, has the ability to show us when we are wrong.

  • Correcting

God’s word not only shows us when we are wrong but also puts us on the correct path.

  • Training in righteousness

God’s word trains us in the things of righteousness and helps us know right from wrong.

  • All that leads to us being equipped and ready to do what God has called ALL Christians to do. To live according to his ways and to tell others about the good news of Jesus.

Try singing to listening to a song together. Here is a suggestion. You can use your phone, search YouTube, or pull out an instrument.

Song

Living Word – Jeremy Camp

Prayer

God your Word is living and active. Please let your word change me into the man or woman you want me to be. Help us as a family to listen to your word and be committed to living out what it says.

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Devotional

The Joy of Transformation

joy (Medium Banner (US) (Landscape))

The word of God is a gift. The Word tells us of the good news of salvation, the joy of life, and the hope of heaven. The Word is how we know the way things ought to be and that we are meant for more than this world promises.

This world promises that if you conform you will find success. Society throws out lies and tries to direct you a certain way that is contrary to God's way. To confirm means to fit the mold. A mold that is sure to leave you feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

On the other hand when we seek to understand God and his ways through His Word we are able to see right through the lies. We become aware of God's mercies, the fact that he does not give us what we deserve. This compels us to worship, to leave all other things in pursuit of the one who loved us first.

The joy of transformation is that it is on going. You live ,you learn, you mess up. You change, you grow, you transform. There is an endless cycle on this earth of progress that if you press in and allow God to have His way you will transform into a new creation that only he can create through the power of His Word and spirit.

There is a joy that is unspeakable when you begin to sense the change in yourself. Even more so when those around you see your progress and give God glory because of it. Even though it can be painful there is joy in that pain.

I need to be reminded of that everyday. Especially on the days that I feel like I have taken a step back. God will continue his work of transformation in me and I will receive it with Joy.

Amen.

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Devotional, Family

Building Blocks of Character

building blocks of character

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Lego! A timeless toy that any kids and adults at any ages can enjoy. I especially love the Star Wars ships although they cost too much!

If someone gives me a new Lego brand new in the box and I have instructions it is no problem for me to knock out this task in a couple of hours. If someone gives me a used set with no instructions, then it becomes more difficult and almost impossible to finish the set as originally intended.

Life is like that too. When expectations are not clear it can be very frustrating to try and meet those expectations. When you start school your teachers give homework assignments and tests to study for. You know the expectation so you can meet them.

There are a set of expectations in the Bible that God has set for us. Some of these expectation are wired into our morality but they can seem hard to attain. But I have good news for you that God has given us instructions for these building blocks of character.

In 1 Timothy Paul, inspired by God is writing to his young friend in ministry. He is writing to encourage him in living the Christian life, which we all need encouragement and support with from time to time.

To keep this brief… are you living TALL are setting examples in these areas to your family, friends, and acquaintances.

  • Talk (Speech) - How you talk about God, family, friends, and your quality of speech
  • Act (Conduct) - How you act are you a light for Jesus? Are you kind and helpful?
  • Live (Faith) - Do you know Jesus, think about Him, talk about him with others?
  • Love (Purity) - Are you seeking to please God and be a good example in moral areas of life.

So ask yourself these questions?

Am I a TALL example for the Lord?

Who can I get to hold be accountable to be a TALL example for the Lord?

Parents are you being a good example of this to your family?

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Devotional

Peace

Peace

Why?

  1. Peace is available at all times.
  2. Peace is a by product of the holy spirit in our lives.
  3. We are called to be at peace.

How?

  • Go to God in prayer with thanksgiving.

When we focus on our problems they will dominate our thoughts and the worry, stress, and anxiety can overwhelm us. This is the common approach to our busy days. We can chose to focus on God and the good things he has for us and when we do we have the peace of God to guard our hearts.

  • Focus on the good things.

In his book winning the war in your mind, Craig Grochel says "Your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts." It is so true! Have you ever found your self mad because of the smallest thing yet for some reason you keep focusing on it only to realize it wasn’t that big of a deal. When you finally stopped thinking about it and focused your thoughts on something else that attitude went away.

Practice trying these two things in the midst of even your busiest moments and feel the peace of God wash over you.

Blessings

Bp

Busyness is overrated. I am not sure when we began to feel like we had to be busy all the time. As if every minute of everyday had to be planned and we had to be rushing through the day just trying to get to the next thing.

As is the case with most people the frantic pace of the current season of my life has made my blood pressure rise and my stress multiply. It is not that I want this it is just the reality of being a busy family. But the question I want to ask myself is what can I do about it?

This morning as I was rushing from home to get the kids dropped off at school and to my next appointment I realized I forgot to take my meds. I had to go back home and this was going to put me more behind. I went inside took my meds and then a feeling of peace came over me as I sat in the drivers seat about to set off again. I closed my eyes and voiced a prayer of thanksgiving and I no longer felt the stress or anxiety.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

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