Antioch Devotionals- August 3-7
MONDAY, AUGUST 3RD 2 Timothy 4:7
By Shawn Hammontree
As of this week, Bobby Tucker has been the Associate Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church for twelve years. During that time, I have gotten to know him very well- and here is what I know about him:
He loves the LORD! And he desires to see others love Him as well.
He loves the church! And he desires to see others love it and be active in it as well.
He is passionate! You never heard Booby preach without hearing him get teared up over the sermon he was preaching. He always preached with passion and conviction.
He has a tender place in his heart for “the least of these”! Bobby has helped out countless people during his years in the ministry. He serves people in many various ways just as Jesus would.
He is a huge Texas A&M fan! (Okay, perhaps he’s not perfect.) 😊
The list could go on and on concerning this great minister of the gospel. He truly has been an inspiration as he has served in the ministry for the past fifty-three years. THANK YOU, Bobby Tucker, for running such an incredible race! Lives have been changed for eternity, and your Heavenly Father is already making the banner that says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” As you head into retirement Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7 ring so true for you; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” CONGRATULATIONS, FRIEND AND BROTHER!
By Shawn Hammontree
As of this week, Bobby Tucker has been the Associate Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church for twelve years. During that time, I have gotten to know him very well- and here is what I know about him:
He loves the LORD! And he desires to see others love Him as well.
He loves the church! And he desires to see others love it and be active in it as well.
He is passionate! You never heard Booby preach without hearing him get teared up over the sermon he was preaching. He always preached with passion and conviction.
He has a tender place in his heart for “the least of these”! Bobby has helped out countless people during his years in the ministry. He serves people in many various ways just as Jesus would.
He is a huge Texas A&M fan! (Okay, perhaps he’s not perfect.) 😊
The list could go on and on concerning this great minister of the gospel. He truly has been an inspiration as he has served in the ministry for the past fifty-three years. THANK YOU, Bobby Tucker, for running such an incredible race! Lives have been changed for eternity, and your Heavenly Father is already making the banner that says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” As you head into retirement Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7 ring so true for you; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” CONGRATULATIONS, FRIEND AND BROTHER!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH Deuteronomy 7:9
By Cindy Beckman
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”- Deuteronomy 7:9
All the chaos and conflict we are experiencing today can seem overwhelming at times. I shake my head and wonder if people have just taken leave of their senses. Sometimes it feels as if we are becoming strangers in a foreign land because nothing around us seems familiar and certain. But God is. Even in the midst of all that is going on today.
In the New Testament, God promised His Spirit would be with us just as He promised to be with His children in the Old Testament: And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14). He is almighty God. Even though weapons may be formed, they won’t prosper. When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail. We’re going to see a victory—as the song says—because the God we serve knows only how to triumph and He will never fail.
We will come out of the valley of shadows to the other side of this crazy year. And God will be there as well because He is faithful and merciful. May we be devoted to His Word and His Church, devoting ourselves to prayer and sharing the love of God (I John 4:10).
Prayer: Lord bless your children in their daily struggles. We claim the blessing, commanded by God and spoken by Moses: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26).
By Cindy Beckman
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”- Deuteronomy 7:9
All the chaos and conflict we are experiencing today can seem overwhelming at times. I shake my head and wonder if people have just taken leave of their senses. Sometimes it feels as if we are becoming strangers in a foreign land because nothing around us seems familiar and certain. But God is. Even in the midst of all that is going on today.
In the New Testament, God promised His Spirit would be with us just as He promised to be with His children in the Old Testament: And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14). He is almighty God. Even though weapons may be formed, they won’t prosper. When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail. We’re going to see a victory—as the song says—because the God we serve knows only how to triumph and He will never fail.
We will come out of the valley of shadows to the other side of this crazy year. And God will be there as well because He is faithful and merciful. May we be devoted to His Word and His Church, devoting ourselves to prayer and sharing the love of God (I John 4:10).
Prayer: Lord bless your children in their daily struggles. We claim the blessing, commanded by God and spoken by Moses: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH Isaiah 30:15
Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me by Paula McKee
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”- Isaiah 30:15
Read Isaiah 30 in the context of today’s events. The Assyrians had taken the northern kingdom, and the southern kingdom sought help from Egypt instead of going to God first and trusting in His promises. Listen to God’s Word and be amazed by the application to today.
Are we being attacked by Assyrians? No, but does it feel like it? Some days waves of despair and hopelessness overwhelm me. I want to run to any source of comfort. My Egyptians? Food? Netflix? Cooking or animal videos on TikTok? Even physical work. None of these things are evil (well, a whole pint of ice cream or big bag of Cheetos--really?), but nothing brings me peace that prayer and “returning and rest” and “quietness and confidence” in God brings.
God is getting the attention of the world. Some will listen. Some will be lost. Paul wrote from prison in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” However, he advises Timothy in verse 5 to be “watchful in all things,” to “endure afflictions,” and to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Go to God in prayer with a sincere heart. His “quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, when my faith is weak, gently remind me of the truth of Your Word. I am so grateful to You for that. Help me to share that strength with others as I go about each day. In Jesus’s holy name I pray. Amen.
Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me by Paula McKee
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”- Isaiah 30:15
Read Isaiah 30 in the context of today’s events. The Assyrians had taken the northern kingdom, and the southern kingdom sought help from Egypt instead of going to God first and trusting in His promises. Listen to God’s Word and be amazed by the application to today.
Are we being attacked by Assyrians? No, but does it feel like it? Some days waves of despair and hopelessness overwhelm me. I want to run to any source of comfort. My Egyptians? Food? Netflix? Cooking or animal videos on TikTok? Even physical work. None of these things are evil (well, a whole pint of ice cream or big bag of Cheetos--really?), but nothing brings me peace that prayer and “returning and rest” and “quietness and confidence” in God brings.
God is getting the attention of the world. Some will listen. Some will be lost. Paul wrote from prison in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” However, he advises Timothy in verse 5 to be “watchful in all things,” to “endure afflictions,” and to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Go to God in prayer with a sincere heart. His “quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, when my faith is weak, gently remind me of the truth of Your Word. I am so grateful to You for that. Help me to share that strength with others as I go about each day. In Jesus’s holy name I pray. Amen.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH
By Paulette Herring
A lot of Antioch people will remember twelve years ago when we had a new pastor, associate pastor and a new worship leader. It was a very exciting time! We had two services each Sunday and before long we had to have three. So we enlarged our sanctuary. God is for us, He has blessed us and we are a light to our community.
Antioch has a lot of ministries such as Grief Share, Divorce Care, several Ladies Bible Classes, and a Greeters ministry. We also have a Food Pantry, Warehouse of Hope, and Backpack ministry.
We had 24 hour prayer chains where we would sign up for 30 minutes and come into the sanctuary and pray. Some of us didn't want to leave when the next person came in. A lot of us didn't think we could even do this but once we tried it were blessed beyond measure.
Now we are living in a messed-up troubled world. Some of us can go to church and some of us are advised not to. But remember God is still in control and He has a plan for Antioch.
Bro. Bobby, we are richer for having had you on our staff and we will miss you very much. May the Lord bless you!
By Paulette Herring
A lot of Antioch people will remember twelve years ago when we had a new pastor, associate pastor and a new worship leader. It was a very exciting time! We had two services each Sunday and before long we had to have three. So we enlarged our sanctuary. God is for us, He has blessed us and we are a light to our community.
Antioch has a lot of ministries such as Grief Share, Divorce Care, several Ladies Bible Classes, and a Greeters ministry. We also have a Food Pantry, Warehouse of Hope, and Backpack ministry.
We had 24 hour prayer chains where we would sign up for 30 minutes and come into the sanctuary and pray. Some of us didn't want to leave when the next person came in. A lot of us didn't think we could even do this but once we tried it were blessed beyond measure.
Now we are living in a messed-up troubled world. Some of us can go to church and some of us are advised not to. But remember God is still in control and He has a plan for Antioch.
Bro. Bobby, we are richer for having had you on our staff and we will miss you very much. May the Lord bless you!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH Acts 4:18-20 (NIV)
Let’s Talk by Chris Blacksmith
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.- Acts 4:18-20
What’s your favorite thing to talk about? Toby Keith was very clear he wanted to talk about himself. Is that you? Maybe you like talking about your day, your vacation, your job, your glory days, your scars, and your family. Essentially, we like talking about ourselves. Imagine for a minute what this world would look like if we talked about Christ like Peter and John did. They devoted themselves to talking about the Lord and the results were astounding. Our words, deeds, and actions should be such that others recognize it and glorify God because of it. So, let’s talk! Let’s talk about God, let’s talk about His love for us, and let’s talk about Jesus, the name that’s above every name.
Let’s Talk by Chris Blacksmith
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.- Acts 4:18-20
What’s your favorite thing to talk about? Toby Keith was very clear he wanted to talk about himself. Is that you? Maybe you like talking about your day, your vacation, your job, your glory days, your scars, and your family. Essentially, we like talking about ourselves. Imagine for a minute what this world would look like if we talked about Christ like Peter and John did. They devoted themselves to talking about the Lord and the results were astounding. Our words, deeds, and actions should be such that others recognize it and glorify God because of it. So, let’s talk! Let’s talk about God, let’s talk about His love for us, and let’s talk about Jesus, the name that’s above every name.