Jan 15

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.

Jan 08

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.

Jan 08

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

FBC devotion