Author: Ken Crawford

Church Transitions and Conflict Solutions

Encouragement…

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Wouldn’t this description of Philemon be a great one to have said about you! To be loved, supported, and encouraged by an encourager is to have your heart refreshed and your attitude lifted. It is so easy to get caught up in negative thinking and speech. We are bombarded daily with bad news and hateful speech. Let’s make a commitment to be an “encourager” who refreshes the hearts of those around us this week.

Tender and loving God, thank you for leading the people into my life who have encouraged me when I most needed it. Please give me the eyes to see and the heart to serve those around me who desperately need my encouragement. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Enough for Everyone

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
— Revelation 22:17 NIV

In the moving conclusion to the book of Revelation, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit lends his voice to the voices of Jesus’ bride (the church). Together, they cry out, “Come!” They are calling for Jesus to return in triumph and power. Those longing to have mortal life swept up into everlasting life also cry out for the Lord to return. The thirsty will have their thirst slaked. What we have experienced as a blessing of the Holy Spirit in our walk here on earth will now be realized in an ultimate way — we will be able to drink deeply of the water of life.

Gracious Father, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who continues to be a source of refreshment and blessing as your water of life within me. As I look forward to the return of Jesus, I know this blessing will be mine in a full and comprehensive way. I anticipate this glory and grace and thank you for the foretaste you have given me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you, in Jesus’ name. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Actions speak louder than words.

Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 
– Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

Why do we do the things we do? What is the motivation for our behavior? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of doing religious things so we will look good to others. This is true even when culture reacts negatively to our faith. Those around us who know about our faith and the Christians around us become the target of our behavior. While we do want to have the right kind of influence on everyone around us, we must never make our decisions about spiritual service on the basis of being seen by others to be honored because of it. Our goal must be to honor God and bless others!

Almighty God, please purify my heart of any false motivation and help me serve others based on their need and my desire to honor you in helping them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

His power… not mine!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
— Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

While the focus of this passage is on God, on “him who is able,” I want to draw our attention to one other key phrase in this passage — “his power that is at work within us.” Paul has earlier prayed that God would “strengthen you [the Ephesians and us] with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). While the Holy Spirit is far more than just God’s power, the Spirit clearly does live in us to bring us God’s power! As we journey through this year, each day we will remind ourselves of God’s personal presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit within us is a powerful blessing that empowers us and transforms us. Let’s never forget that we are not only saved by grace but that we are also empowered by this gracious gift of the Holy Spirit within us to live for Jesus!

Oh Almighty God, I am humbled that you love me and have chosen to place your powerful presence within me. Please strengthen me with might by your Spirit within me. Mold me and transform me so that the presence of the Holy Spirit shows up in ways that remind people of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

The Wise Still Seek Him

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
— John 12:26

We can’t out serve, out love, or out give Jesus. He longs to bless us. He longs to pour out heaven’s riches and grace upon us. Even more incredibly, he longs to honor us. When our lives are over, God the Father, LORD of the entire universe, will honor all who have served his Son and blessed others in Jesus’ name! Unbelievable? No, just another example of God’s incredible grace!

Loving Father and Holy God, please help me follow the will of Jesus and serve others in his name. Father, I know that I cannot earn your grace, but I want to serve others in Jesus’ name and help them find your grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Chrisman First Baptist Church Youth Christmas Program 12/21/2025

Soul Deep Cravings

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Luke 12:23

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

In the rush of the holiday season and the grab at getting and giving gifts while eating good food, it is very important to remember that life is much more than the most basic things we think we need — like food and clothing. If we lose sight of God this season, miss his work, or lose track of his will in our lives, then what do we have that is lasting? Not much, and what we do have won’t endure. My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we are reminded of what is most important, valuable, and enduring — our life in Jesus and his loving grace and boundless future for us. Let’s celebrate that eternal joy in this season!

My Prayer…

Sweet and precious, God, you are almighty in power and awesome in glory. Yet, dear Father, you are also near and eternally concerned about me and those I love. Thank you for knowing and loving me with your everlasting love. Please give me the wisdom to see beyond the transitory things of life — the perishable things I think I need — and help me find you and your sustaining presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

No time for God?

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
— Luke 12:23

In the rush of the holiday season and the grab at getting and giving gifts, it is very important to remember that life is much more than even the most basic things we think we need. If we lose sight of God, his work and his will in our lives, then what do we have? Not much and it won’t last long! My prayer for you, and for me, during this holiday season is that we are reminded of what is most important, most valuable, and most enduring.

Sweet and precious God, almighty and awesome in glory, yet so near and so concerned about my heart, thank you for knowing and loving me with an everlasting love. Please give me the wisdom to see beyond the transitory things of life and find you and your sustaining presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

All Are Welcome!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”– John 14:6

I don’t want to be any more exclusive than Jesus. But I do want to hear his voice. He calls me to find the way to the Father through him. I must also know that others must know him to find their way to the Father, too. How can we not be more passionate about those around us who do not really know Jesus as their Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Lord? How can the first four books of our New Testament lie unread?

Holy God and Righteous Father, give me a passion for Jesus and a heart that knows him in word, deed, and concern. In the name of Jesus, your mighty Word, I pray. Amen.