Today’s Community Scripture – 10/22/2024

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/22/2024

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get. And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.
There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it. “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be accurate, not popular.

                           Luke 6:24–26 MSG 

– Reflection:

              Give Away Your Life

Sooner or later, our faith will be tested in the context of friendship. There will come a time when a friend needs us, and they may stray from their beliefs. When this happens, we are faced with a choice to confront the situation and speak the truth into their life or to ignore it and risk damaging or losing the friendship.

Where do we go from here?

When the time comes, before you do anything, make sure you are not being driven by judgment, resentment, or jealousy. If you might be, stop and simply entrust your friend to God. God is able to reach your friend through other means. If, however, you are sure that it is love that’s driving you, more than anything else, then go ahead and speak. Put your friendship upon the altar and see what God does with it. Do it privately and gently. But be warned, it might not go well. These conversations are tough. That’s okay. Trust God to work it out in the end.

Our Prayer for Today

Thank you, Father, for waking us up each day with good news. Help us praise you as we should and honor the work within each of us. Amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/21/2024

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/21/2024

by | Oct 21, 2024 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. They’ve got to be shut up. They’re disrupting entire families with their teaching, and all for the sake of a fast buck. One of their own prophets said it best:

The Cretans are liars from the womb, barking dogs, lazy bellies.

He certainly spoke the truth. Get on them right away. Stop that diseased talk of Jewish make-believe and made-up rules so they can recover a robust faith. Everything is clean to the clean-minded; nothing is clean to dirty-minded unbelievers. They leave their dirty fingerprints on every thought and act. They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words. They’re real creeps, disobedient good-for-nothings.

                                  Titus 1:10–16 MSG

– Reflection:

                  See The Best

If you find it difficult to see things in a positive light and tend to focus only on what your spouse, child, or boss does wrong, then the issue may not lie with everyone else. It’s important to take a moment to self-reflect and consider, ‘Maybe I’m the one who needs to change. If I’m always critical, perhaps I’ve developed a habit of seeing the bad rather than the good. If I’m always skeptical, maybe I’ve trained myself to be cynical and sarcastic instead of believing the best. If I’m always finding fault, perhaps I’ve become judgmental and condemning instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt.’

Where do we go from here?

When you feel the urge to be critical, address negative thoughts individually. If you encounter something or someone you don’t understand or agree with, try not to judge or be critical. Instead of being critical, try to see them from a more positive perspective. Pray for them and train yourself to see the best in them.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for always calling us to come higher and lay aside everything that keeps us from being our best. Please help us to be honest and confront the areas where we struggle with negativity. We believe that with your help, we can overcome and be victorious. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/18/2024

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/18/2024

by | Oct 18, 2024 | Community Conversations

– Scripture:

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

                                James 2:14–18 MSG

– Reflection:

                 Faith in Action

It’s easy to see someone in need or a situation that requires someone to step up and make a difference and hope that someone shows up. You might even pray, “God, send a deliverer, someone strong, talented, with Your favor, with Your blessing.” But what if you are the one you’re praying for? What if you’re the one to do great things, to set a new standard, to take your family to a new level, but you don’t recognize who you are? When we’re always looking to others, always counting on someone else, it’s because we’re overlooking what God put in us. There is greatness in you. There is talent, wisdom, creativity, and potential in you. Don’t overlook yourself as the answer to that prayer. Don’t discount who you are.

Where do we go from here?

We have more potential within us than we realize. Don’t remain stuck in an outdated version of yourself. Stronger, wiser, and more successful versions of you are on the way, with even greater favor. God has destined you to accomplish something amazing and leave your mark.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for bringing people into our lives so that we can be the answer to each other’s prayers. Thank you for the gifts, creativity, and dreams you have given us, which are all we need to make a positive impact on this generation. We will celebrate and develop all that you have given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/16/2024

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/16/2024

by | Oct 16, 2024 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

The Israelite foremen came to Pharaoh and cried out for relief: “Why are you treating your servants like this? Nobody gives us any straw and they tell us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look at us we’re being beaten. And it’s not our fault.” But Pharaoh said, “Lazy! That’s what you are! Lazy! That’s why you whine, ‘Let us go so we can worship GOD.’ Well then, go—go back to work. Nobody’s going to give you straw, and at the end of the day you better bring in your full quota of bricks.” 19  The Israelite foremen saw that they were in a bad way, having to go back and tell their workers, “Not one brick short in your daily quota.” As they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them. The foremen said to them, “May GOD see what you’ve done and judge you; you’ve made us stink before Pharaoh and his servants! You’ve put a weapon in his hand that’s going to kill us!” Moses went back to GOD and said, “My Master, why are you treating this people so badly? And why did you ever send me? From the moment I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, things have only gotten worse for this people. And rescue? Does this look like rescue to you?”

                              Exodus 5:15–23 MSG

– Reflection:

                Your Freedom

Justice is not easily achieved, and it certainly doesn’t happen quickly. I often wish that the great injustices in the world could be solved as neatly and swiftly as they are in a one-hour crime drama on TV. The problem is introduced, the characters are developed, there might be a minor setback for drama, and then victory comes before the final commercial break. Don’t you wish life were that simple? We all know it isn’t, but sometimes we expect the great injustices to crumble and fall as soon as we put our minds to it. Personally, I’ve felt tempted to step away, pull out, and give up if things get too “messy” when advocating or standing up for justice in the world. When it is no longer popular to have the catchy yard sign, speak up among colleagues and friends, or call attention to the suffering in the world, what do we do? When the powers that be double down on their power, use language to slander, attack, and blame the victims and those who stand with them, what do we do? When the work towards justice seems to ask something of me in my lifetime, but might not be resolved for a generation or two later, do we stay committed or do we back down?

Where do we go from here?

It’s important to remember that working for justice is never easy. It can turn people who care about each other into enemies. The pushback from authority and the powers that be can instill fear and prevent positive action. Too often, just as the work for justice is beginning, well-meaning people step back and retreat to the safety and comfort of their lives. Nevertheless, we are called not to turn away from the world’s troubles, not to ignore the suffering of our brothers and sisters, and perhaps to make ourselves a little uncomfortable so that others may receive comfort. Let’s keep in mind the marginalized, the persecuted, and the mistreated, for that is where we are often called to show up and make a difference.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, you know the places of peace we need, continue to strengthen us through the trouble our hearts have and quicken our feet to move and respond to the injustices of the world. Grant us courage and strength to sustain the work alongside you, which points and bends towards your beloved community. Through your Son, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/15/2024

Today’s Community Scripture – 10/15/2024

by | Oct 15, 2024 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

Bless our God, O peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! Didn’t he set us on the road to life? Didn’t he keep us out of the ditch? He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place.

                           Psalm 66:8–12 MSG

– Reflection:

              Speak Your Faith

Before we can see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives, we will always face tests. Before entering our promised land, we will encounter giants to defeat and fortified city walls to tear down; things that may seem impossible. Our faith is activated through what we say during these tests. Our minds may give us many reasons why it won’t happen, and the temptation is to speak negatively. This only gives life to doubts and limits what God can do. We must not let that happen.

Where do we go from here?

Speak the words that God says in His Word about you; they were written on your heart long before you were born. Let your words of faith override the doubts. Speak faith when every thought is telling you, “It’s never going to work out. I don’t have what it takes.” You can talk about how bad it’s been, or you can say, “Father, thank You that You have been with me through these fires. We know we will rise from the ashes. What was meant for harm, You’re turning into our advantage. We’re excited about our future.” That’s what causes God to go to work. That’s when you’ll defeat giants, beat the illness, and the right people will suddenly show up.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for anchoring our faith and we trust in your power at work in our lives. We are grateful that we don’t have to be moved by the tests and troubles we face because we are fully persuaded and believe that you will do what you promised. We declare that our hope is in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach