• Skip to main content

West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

  • I’m New
  • Ministries
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Pathways Devotional
  • Giving

Search

hope

Advent 2020 – Gen. 3:1-15 (Dec. 4)

December 4, 2020 by Joe Kappel Leave a Comment

These daily devotional readings accompany the Advent at Home guide prepared by the West Park Prayer Ministry Team. If you haven’t already, download the advent scripture reading schedule here.

Genesis 3:15

[15] I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.” (ESV)

This week we’ve looked at some tragic situations in God’s Word. The siege of Judah in Micah’s day. The list of fleshly deeds Christians can fall prey to in Romans 13. But the worst tragedy for people was also the first tragedy – the fall of mankind into sin and away from God. What hope could possibly come out of such tragedy?

In the earliest verses of Genesis 3, the man and the woman sin by eating the fruit God told them not to eat, then quickly experience the fear, blame-shifting, isolation, and arrogance that resulted from their disobedience. They had believed the lie of the snake, and they suffered for it. 

God did not abandon them, and that is the first sign of hope. He pursued His disobedient children, judged them for their sin, and offered them a promise that their lives could still be redeemed. The promise occurs in verse 15, and it is sometimes called the protoevangelium, or “first gospel.” 

God speaks to the snake in verse 15, judging it for misrepresenting Him to the people. The judgment is this: one day, a descendent of the woman would crush the head of the snake. Although the snake would damage the heal of the man, that man would deliver the death blow to the snake. There’s hope in that promise: hope that mankind would be delivered from the tyranny and fear of death. Hope that a deliverer would come to defeat the enemy. 

In Hebrews 2:14–15 we read the New Testament fulfillment of that promise in Genesis 3:15. It tells us that Jesus the Christ in His first advent came to deliver us from the power of the snake. 

[14] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (ESV)

Admittedly, the battle still goes on today as we fight in the current spiritual war. But our hope today is based on the victory the Lord Jesus won over Satan when Jesus died on the cross. We can rejoice in the battle that our enemy’s head has been crushed. He can’t go on for much longer in his rage against God’s church. The promise you can hold on to today is Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (ESV)

 

Filed Under: Advent Tagged With: advent 2020, hope, Jesus Christ, promise, Satan, snake, tragedy

Advent 2020 – Micah 5:1-5 (Dec. 3)

December 3, 2020 by Joe Kappel Leave a Comment

These daily devotional readings accompany the Advent at Home guide prepared by the West Park Prayer Ministry Team. If you haven’t already, download the advent scripture reading schedule here.

Micah 5:1-5

1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

5 And he shall be their peace.

2020 has been a year of bad news. Coronavirus, riots, a divided union, leadership struggles – these things have hit us hard.

701 B.C. was a year of bad news in Judah. The prophet Micah sounded the alarm, “Siege is laid against us; muster your troops!” Very soon the violent nation of Assyria was coming to invade Judah, and the people of God would be scattered abroad as they were stolen from their homeland.

But no matter the year, when we turn to our God, we find Him faithful to all His promises. And that gives us hope.

God promised to besieged Judah that He would produce for Himself a ruler for Judah from the insignificant town of Bethlehem. This small town was the original hometown of Israel’s greatest king, David. God’s promise to David that he would always have a descendent of his on the throne in Israel would one day be fulfilled by a man who would be “great to the ends of the earth.” He would gather God’s people together and shepherd them in the strength of the LORD. For God’s people He would be “their peace.” And God’s people would forever dwell secure.

These are promises of hope. We remember them this advent time as they were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He is the descendent of David the king. And while He fulfilled many of the promises about the Messiah, some of these promises are yet to be fulfilled. But that is where we place our hope today. Just as God kept His promises in Micah’s day, He will keep His promises to us. We can count on Him, and our hope is secure and solid when we place it all on God’s promises. And while the world is not yet settled, and God’s people are not yet fully secure, we know that even now Jesus is our Peace. And whether it’s 701 B.C. or A.D. 2020, that’s the best news we could ever receive.

Filed Under: Advent Tagged With: advent 2020, Bethlehem, coronavirus, David, hope, Jesus, promises, riots

Advent 2020 – Rom. 13:11-14 (Dec. 2)

December 2, 2020 by Joe Kappel 2 Comments

Romans 13:11–14

[11] Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV)

If each of us submitted our favorite Advent or Christmas verses, this passage probably wouldn’t be included! Admittedly, the message here, at first glance, doesn’t seem to be related to Christ’s arrival. But here’s why this passage is important: Since Jesus has come, we must respond by living in His light.

The main theme in this week’s readings is Hope. When the prophets spoke long ago, they prophesied the coming of the Messiah to people long trapped in patterns of sinful disobedience. The prophets spoke often of the One God would send to deliver His people from their sins. The Messiah’s arrival would be like light breaking into a darkened world.

The Apostle Paul says “salvation is nearer now” and “the day is at hand.” By saying this, Paul summons us to look by faith towards the second arrival of Jesus, when salvation will be forever secured and our war with indwelling sin is finally over and done. The second arrival of Jesus is so near that it’s like the sun that will certainly come up tomorrow and dispel the darkness of this cold night.

Do you live with that hope? Even though you feel the brokenness of this world, even though you experience the war inside you of the Spirit of God vs. your flesh, do you have the hope of Jesus Christ and His imminent return? If so, put off the sinful activity you are burdened by, rejecting that sin like you would cast off old, soiled clothing that stinks. And instead spend time with the Lord Jesus. Worship Him today in song. Tell Him how thankful you are that He has come. Trust Him and by faith obey Him, saying “no!” to your sin and saying “yes!” to all He says He will do for you. This is “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.” And this is how we respond to His arrival.

Filed Under: Advent Tagged With: advent 2020, day, hope, light, putting off, putting on, return of Christ, sanctification

Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 3

March 25, 2020 by Joe Kappel

Today we hear from Jennifer Mee. Jennifer shares her perspective on 14 days of quarantine in the same house as, but isolated from, her husband and kids. How does she manage? Keep reading to learn from Jen’s perspective.

Unexpected Blessings of Quarantine

Last week I was tired. I love our ministry and all that it involves, but I honestly had a day where I weepingly asked God between big gasps of air, “How?” I know it’s in His strength, not mine…

I know that His strength is made perfect in my weakness, but for real! I remember thinking His strength must be getting really perfect because I’m all weak over here! Up to the last minute of packing, I was organizing lesson plans for the english class my husband would substitute for me and giving instructions for the homeschool days I would miss. My husband and kids dropped me off at the airport early Thursday morning with only a slight niggling inkling of the huge storm that loomed over us.

I loved every minute of the weekend conference. The rush of walking into a huge conference room filled with 6,000 women worshipping Jesus and hungering for the word! The fun of going to the bathroom (mom of three kids) by myself! Being able to stand and chat with friends I hadn’t seen in 14 or 15 years! Being blessed with the immense privilege of praying alongside women who thirsted for Jesus, for forgiveness, for assurance, for freedom from guilt… It was ALL so exhilarating! And sleep? Who needs sleep in a weekend like that? And there was coffee too! I felt SO refreshed.

Then came Sunday. I attended a local church service with a friend who would take me to the airport. The service was subdued and a local doctor addressed the congregation (and was livestreamed) with advice and precautions concerning the current virus. I think that was the first moment that I realized, something happened while I’ve been gone! In just three days of less internet connection, the world epidemic exploded in North and South America. The airport was nearly empty, the plane was 3/4 full. The atmosphere was somber as the flight attendant told some people seated near me that Colombia was closing its borders at midnight and if we didn’t land before then, we might tank up and turn back around.

Thankfully, we landed at 11:30, and Colombia did allow citizens and residents (of which I am one) in for the next few days. The president asked all persons entering the country to observe personal isolation and quarantine for 14 days upon entry. So I didn’t get to hug my kids. I didn’t get to kiss my husband. We set up a plan to avoid contact in the house knowing that I could be carrying the virus for up to 14 days without symptoms.

Did I mention that during that conference, I was in contact with SO many women? We were all blessed by the messages, under conviction and crying! As I prayed with one woman in particular, I remember kneeling over her as she sobbed uncontrollably. As I prayed into her ear, I felt her tears on my hands. As I beckoned another volunteer to come pray for this lady as well, I remember feeling her tears splash onto my shoulders and arms as well… So I was definitely “exposed.” But gloriously so!

My first thoughts upon entering isolation were, “What about homeschool? What about all the things I need to do? What about…?” And almost instantly I remembered the stack of new books I had just purchased at the conference, the Bible study I wanted to start and last week’s feeling of exhaustion. And I felt peace.

So this week, God has answered my anxious, gasping prayer of last week in such an unexpected way. Yes, I came back from the conference in Mexico, barely sliding under the door of the closing borders, so to speak, renewed and exhilarated after being “on the mountain with God.” But instead of jumping back into ministry and the whirlwind of missionary life, I have an obligatory rest. It’s like God said, “Sit down.” So I sat.

I have time to reflect and process the things I heard and learned in the conference. I have time to pray (so much time to pray) for the many friends and family (the whole world really) affected by this pandemic. I have time to just be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

And I am so grateful every day that I wake up without symptoms, for a warm, dry house to be quarantined in, for hot water to wash in, for the food in our pantry, for the safety in our neighborhood, for the love and health of friends I am chatting with, for internet that has reunited me with friends because of this virus, for internet that has enabled me to continue discipleships with girls and teaching English classes, for music and games and crafts that keep my children happily distracted from the world’s troubles.

And I pray that if the day comes that I wake up with symptoms, I will continue to be grateful for all of those same things. And if I make it through the 14 days without symptoms, my plan is to continue practicing social distancing and wise precautions for as long as government and CDC recommends it… but after these 14 days, I will hug and kiss my kids so gratefully, I will play with them on the floor and color and paint with them. I will read books with them on my lap and snuggle with them to watch a movie on the couch. And I will kiss my husband until we almost can’t breathe. Because those are the things I miss the most.

So as I continue to spend time in this God-ordained rest, I feel like it’s a prolonged visit on the mountain with Him. I want to soak up every minute of this blessing! And my biggest prayer is that when I come down off the mountain, I will look and smell a little bit more like Christ. That His strength will be made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). That others will see HIM.

2 Corinthians 2:15 – “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

March 20, 2020

Jennifer Mee

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: community, coronavirus, covid19, fear, gratefulness, hope, pandemic, Prayer, weakness, weariness

Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 1

March 23, 2020 by Joe Kappel

I am excited to introduce today a series of articles that focus on hope during times of fear. Today’s article is by Julie Sanders, and she provides godly perspective on how to live as Christians during the Coronavirus pandemic.
-Pastor Joe

Coronavirus and How Christians can respond

Peace for life

On the last day of the last decade, the first cases of what we now call COVID-19 were reported to the WHO (World Health Organization). Within a week, China identified the virus, and two weeks later a case was reported on US soil. Underneath the fast-paced timeline, we’ve asked a lot of questions. “What facts are true facts?” “Should I buy gloves?” “Is this just the flu?” It’s a physically human response to become agitated or anxious when we face unknown events; it’s why we sweat, lick our lips, wring our hands, cry, whimper, or withdraw. When SARS, cousin of Corona, emerged my family lived in Asia. Today, the addition of the internet and social media magnifies the swell of worry as people sift through information on today’s virus. For crises like Coronavirus, we need a Christ-like response to guide our thinking, our prayers, and our actions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

People are given to twisting truth. Most of us do it without knowing it. We have elderly loved ones, fragile friends, and connections in impacted areas. We may exaggerate or downplay the truth in our effort to respond. It’s important to lean into what’s true and away from what’s sensational. No source of information is infallible. Our thinking is more likely to be orderly and helpful when we turn to trusted resources and turn away from hype.

Coronavirus – Information Resources (COVID-19)

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide a summary of information and medical resources. LOOK HERE.
  • The National Institutes of Health provide a helpful summary, risk assessment, and recommendations. LOOK HERE.
  • The World Health Organization provides updates, research, and travel guidance. LOOK HERE.

Helpful Verses for our Hearts & Minds

  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
  • Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
  • Blessed is the one who considers the poor … The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. (Psalm 41:1-3)
  • Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. (Psalm 103:2-4)

You might find my free resource 10 Verses to Pray for Sick Friends useful right now. Check out and download 10 Verses to Pray for Sick Friends. There are 10 verses to pray and prayers to go with each.

Coronavirus – 10 Ways to Care for your Community

  1. Check on elderly neighbors anxious about going out. Do they need groceries? Leave them on the porch and add a flower for cheer.
  2. Ask your medical friends if they’re doing okay; they’re facing extra pressure dealing with worried patients.
  3. Drop off a basket of encouragement to your local ER or doctor’s office. Include verse cards for confidence and a note of thanks for their care.
  4. Post thoughtfully on social media. Will the content you share help others find peace in this climate or will it fuel their fears?
  5. Check on and pray for people living overseas. They may be facing restrictions or concerns you aren’t thinking about. Caring contact helps a lot.
  6. Be thoughtful about your humor. Everyone’s experience and life concerns are different. Jokes about Coronavirus may be hurtful to someone near you.
  7. Offer to help sanitize classrooms at your local school or church. This takes time, and extra (clean) hands may be welcome.
  8. Be backup child care for a friend with littles. Regular care plans may be disrupted and parents may be worried. If you can help, be willing.
  9. Cough into your arm. Coronavirus concerns have people on edge when they hear a cough or sneeze, so be extra mindful of containing your own germs.
  10. Resist the urge to hoard. My grocery store doesn’t have a single bottle of alcohol. It’s a good thing I don’t need one. There’s a fine line between being prepared to care for our family and trying to control our circumstances. God’s got that covered.

A Prayer for living in Coronavirus

The global church is leading the way here, as seen in this early message of encouragement from a Pastor in Wuhan. As people experience fear about the unknown, this is an opportunity to experience and share God’s peace.

Dear God, You are Jehovah Rapha, our Healer. This disease did not catch You by surprise. We know there will be a day when there’s no more suffering, and we look forward to that. For now, help us trust You with our lives and health. Give us Your peace to answer our worries. Help us serve those around us with compassion. Use this global illness to bring people Your peace and praise to Your name.

Download the 10 Verses to Pray for Sick Friends here.

This article originally appeard on juliesanders.org. Shared here with permission.
https://juliesanders.org/2020/03/coronavirus-how-christians-can-respond/

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: community, coronavirus, covid19, fear, hope, pandemic, Prayer

  • BLOG
  • FACEBOOK
  • INSTAGRAM
  • PODCAST
  • VIMEO
  • YOUTUBE

Copyright © 2023 West Park Baptist Church | 8833 Middlebrook Pike | Knoxville, TN 37923 | 865-690-0031

 

Loading Comments...