Rev. Jim Hollis’ Daily Devotional

Today’s Text:   John 12:32

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

        The pressure is OFF of us…it’s SHARING, not selling… 

One of the greatest possible joys of living in this world is to share in leading another person into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Though millions of Christians would love to do that, VERY LITTLE training and teaching exists on HOW to go about this.  We are fortunate here at PEM, for this represents one of our longest and most widely desired teaching topics by churches. 

We also have an article that I wrote several years ago on “Reaching A Friend for Christ – Do’s and Don’ts,” which you can read on our Website.  This article has been copied by permission many times by pastors, laity and District leaders to share with others.

One of the primary principles that Jesus is proclaiming for us in today’s text of John 12:32, is that HE is the one who does the drawing in of people to himself.  We don’t have to sell, convince, talk-into, or pressure anyone to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  His Love and Grace will draw them in. 

Wow!  That means that we can love others unconditionally with the love of Christ and leave the drawing in of them to Christ UP TO Christ himself. 

Now, this does suggest that we don’t need to share the great news of the Gospel, or that we should not consistently share with others what it means to become a Christian and live out the Christian life.  It does mean that how they ultimately respond is between them and Christ!  That’s awesome for all of us. Let’s use words and share Christ’s love – in addition to our actions.  I love you all.

In Sharing Christ Constantly,

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Lord Jesus, give us the passion of Your Spirit to share about you in our everyday relationships.  We can share with others our praises and love for You, which You will use to create in them a hunger to come to know You personally.  May we never underestimate what potential we have in being used by You to touch other lives!  In Your Holy Name we pray.  Amen.

Today’s Text:   Galatians 5:25

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Just do it. 

The text for today is very simple and clear.  It speaks to all of us as Christians who truly want to have a deeper walk and more passionate ministry. 

It has often been said, “If you talk the talk, then you need to walk the walk.”  That is very true!   I have said it many times, you have probably heard it many times, and not just from me!

Why?  Because sometimes, it seems we never actually get around to walking the walk.  We consider, calculate, reflect, introspect, have meetings, have studies, develop plans, make decisions, discuss decisions, fret over decisions, write “how to walk the walk” books, and even dream about how wonderful it will be when we walk the walk.

But we never actually DO IT.

What is IT?  Taking that step of faith in Christ to place our foot forward where we would not possibly be able to place it alone.  It may be to talk with someone we never met and make a new friendship. It could be to minister to someone embroiled in controversy. Or perhaps, to give what we have to help someone in need.

It could be to call up someone who has offended us, letting them know that they have wounded us and we want things to be right between us again. (Matthew 18).  It could be that we acted offensively, and that we need to reach out, admit our mistake, and apologize.

Walking the walk means stepping out on faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we do, we are changed forever.  Our faith soars, our hearts race, butterflies flutter in our stomachs and yet, we know we are doing the will of God.  We are on mission WITH God.  And after all, life does not get any better or more exciting than that!!!

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Lord, please give us the strength to step up, step out, and walk with You. Help us see through our worldly fears, the fears that hinder our walk and hold us back from being faithful, obedient servants to You.  Remind us that with You ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.  In Christ’s Name, Amen!

Today’s Text:   Psalm 147:11

but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,  in those who hope in his steadfast love.

  Bless the Lord, all my soul, with all that is within me…

Many of us on our ministry Staff continue to be impressed by the numbers of people who think of themselves primarily during worship rather than putting the focus on God.  We hear a steady stream of comments, like:

“I don’t know why THEY picked out THOSE hymns…”

“That sermon was just not my piece of cake…”

“Now they are having women serve as 11:00 a.m. ushers…”

“Why do we have to have communion THAT way?”

These are all statements about ME.  They surely sound proud and arrogant before the Lord God. Today’s text reminds us what really brings pleasure and blessing to God.  The Lord takes pleasure in all of us who “fear him” which really means to hold him in AWE and WONDER.  This does not denote being afraid of God for we know God loves us completely. 

We are also reminded that when we hope in God’s steadfast love that God takes pleasure in this.  It is hard (perhaps impossible) to hope in God’s steadfast love and be all about ME at the same time! Let’s have a little attitude adjustment today.  I love you all. 

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Oh Great God, You must be frustrated with us at times when we make it all about US, rather than You.  We want to repent of our arrogance, selfishness and ME-centeredness that is SO overwhelmingly present in the American Church.  Forgive us and give us a servant’s heart with Grace. In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.

  God is WITH us and FOR us… 

These amazing and encouraging words today come to us from the little book of Zephaniah – probably not one that you read often.  They remind us that the Lord our God is first of all WITH US. 

We don’t have to wonder IF God hears us when we pray.  God does, every time.  We don’t have to stress over whether God truly understands how we feel at any given moment.  God does understand, completely.  So we are in a personal relationship with the God who created us, made us, shaped us, formed us and knows our every ounce of being.  What an incredible assurance that gives us. 

Not only this, but God is FOR us as well.  God wants the BEST for us every day.  God is not satisfied or pleased when bad things happen to us in life and remember – God is never the author of evil taking place.  (As Jesus said, “In Him is Light and there is no darkness at all.”) 

So then let us lift up our hearts this day to our God, who is WITH us and FOR us, as we have a beautiful and bright future indeed.  Are you feeling a burden today.  Lay it down and let God lift the weight of it from you.  Are you hoping for better days?  They are coming. There IS a door which God wants to open for you.  I love you all.

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, You lived with sagacity before us.  Teach us Your Ways.  Help us to trust You, lean into You and know that You are always WITH us and FOR us.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   Luke 19:10

to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.

  You can’t do this IF you are NEUTRAL…

The words of this text from Isaiah are profound and full of hope.  People who are full of hope are NEVER neutral.  They are engaged with the Holy Spirit, working the Will of God, ministering to others and standing with God to see people come to Jesus Christ. 

From time to time, I hear the old, “I am just neutral” position expressed, typically by someone who has a friend or two who are clearly acting in ways contrary to God’s Word, and they want to keep them as a friend.  Therefore, they do not raise any questions or help to lovingly hold them accountable – they just claim neutrality.  This is spiritual pablum and does not square with the life of Jesus, His Disciples or any disciples shared ministry according to the Bible. 

There are FAR too many people in churches across America today who are sitting in ashes of shame and sorrow – God wants to use us to give them a garland instead.  And there are others who are mourning over the apathy in their congregation and the lack of passion for the mission of Christ.  God wants us to see them receive the oil of gladness.  This comes through powerful ministry, grounded in the love of Christ.  We are called to share the mantle of praise rather than the perpetuation of a faint spirit. 

Those who do this in the name of Christ will be called, “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord” to display his glory.  God’s Glory is never passionately pursued, received or advocated by persons who are seeking to be NEUTRAL.  Let’s step out on faith, and discover the JOY that is ours from God.  I love you all.

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, You were never NEUTRAL.  You followed hard after God’s own heart and Will.  You took stands for what was right and just.  And You were willing to go where others lived, to befriend them and make disciples.  Thank You Lord for calling us to do the same.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.

  The part we leave out in these amazing days…

Ask almost anyone, “Why did Jesus Christ come to this earth?” and they will answer you, “To save the lost.”  That is certainly not a hot news flash for many people today, especially Christians who are in churches.  Now don’t get me wrong – I know there are significant numbers of people in churches today who are not in a personal, saving relationship with Jesus, but even many of them know that Jesus came to save the lost. 

That is not what I want us to focus on today.  I want to see us emphasize what Jesus said BEFORE that.  He said in the same verse, today’s text, “The Son of Man (Jesus) came to SEEK OUT … the lost.”  Now, this is the part we typically leave out when it comes to church in America.

Take Alice for example (not her real name).  She is a wonderful, spiritual woman who has been walking closely with Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord for more than thirty years.  She has raised two children, who are now 16 and 19.  They are doing fairly well, but each has their own issues. 

Alice’s husband, Mike, is also a good man.  He works hard, lives responsibly, provides excellent food, shelter, automobiles and amenities for them all, but he does not know Jesus Christ. 

He also has made it plain to nearly everyone who are their friends that, “I don’t do church.  It is fine for me if Alice wants to go and take the kids, which they have done with my blessing for many years, but I only go at Christmas and sometimes other occasions during the year.  I really find my church in the woods during hunting season and on the lake during the other months.  Sundays is my day to be out there with nature.” 

MOST congregations would simply love to have Alice in their membership, leadership, and inner circle of hard, dedicated workers and teachers.  She would be awesome. 

MANY of these same churches would be perfectly content to just LET MIKE GO.  When asked about him, this is what many would say from the Pastor right on down to the casual member, “Oh, Mike?  He is a good old boy and tries to be a good husband and Father.  He does not drink much, is very honest, a great business leader and provides for his family.  But as you know, he has made it clear that he doesn’t do church.  So we just leave him alone.” 

“The Son of Man came TO SEEK THE LOST.” 

These words need to get into our bones.  It is NOT acceptable with Jesus for us to simply write off Mike (and hundreds of other men like him) and do nothing to SEEK these men out for Christ.  It certainly is the popular and acceptable thing to do according to popular, American Christianity – but NOT biblical discipleship. 

So – what can we do with Mike?  We can pray.  We can study and learn about him.  We can pray.  We can create a third space that Mike’s heart (which is HUGE) would respond to with people in it that have some very simple needs.  Then we can draw Mike into caring for some very unfortunate people who need love, attention and want to learn to go fishing.  Will Mike respond?  OH YES! 

Is this simple to do? I did not say that.  But, it is doable and a proven strategy that works again and again in reaching the Mike in your church.  Want to know more?  Give me a call today.  I love you all.  Let’s SEEK. 

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, You were always out seeking the lost.  You did not sit in a church office and ask people to make appointments with You.  You went to where they worked, lived and played.  You fished with them, rode with them and walked with them in order to build relationships which became the bridge from sin to wholeness.  May we ALWAYS be SEEKING the lost with You.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   Proverbs 16:3

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

  The True Measure of Success

Often, when we do a presentation with churches, sharing about various types of ministry consulting and training and someone asks, “How successful is this plan?  What track  record of success do you have in these things?  How can you guarantee success?” 

Success is a very tricky concept.  It is not unlike beauty - much is determined by the eye of the beholder.  According to the quick reading of today’s scripture, every ministry committed to the Lord should be a success. I bet right now you are remembering a ministry plan that “failed” in your church - perhaps due to lack of interest, not enough member participation, poor financial support, or too little leadership support.  Oh no, did

someone forget to commit the ministry to the Lord?  PROBABLY NOT!!

To ask about the success of a ministry is theologically weak.  Rather than giving our ministry efforts and actions to God as an offering, we want to anticipate what the success of those actions will look like and then pray for that outcome.

I heard Len Sweet say something very profound on more than one occasion, “Think not of success, but significance.”  Now that is the truth.  God is not saving us, filling us, empowering us and sending us to be successful, by some business or secular measuring stick.  God is doing these works in our lives to cause us to be SIGNIFICANTLY about His work and mission.

If we are involved in the mission of God, if we are offering ourselves, our actions, our efforts to HIM, is that not TRUE success?

At best success can ONLY be determined by what WE control - our actions, attitudes, steps and responses to needs around us.  What others do as we make these offerings are strictly up to God.  It’s not for our success, it is God’s business.  And that includes results. 

Let’s focus our on the Lord making us more loveable, more obedient, more consistent and more courageous in living out His Will and succeeding for His Glory! 

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Lord, please help us focus on Your mission, and forget our own.  Help us seek Your will, discern Your needs and serve Your purpose  in all that we do.  In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Today’s Text:   Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

  A little birthday testimony – The Text IS True

On a cold November morning more than 50 years ago, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA, I was born.  From all accounts I have heard it was a joyous occasion.  My sister was born sixteen years earlier, and there had been one lost child between her birthday and mine.  So – I was a new answer to prayer. 

I learned a lot about life, people and Jesus growing up in the little town of Rutledge, GA, for the next eighteen years.  It was a super place to grow up, everything that Norman Rockwell painted in his work.  Mayberry RFD.  My own Dad was the Mayor there for forty years.  By the time I was sixteen and driving, the cops in Morgan County all knew my car and the one time I got stopped the officer simply said, “I’m not giving you a ticket Jim, but I am going to call Mayor Hollis and let him know.” 

“Please, officer, give me the ticket!” I protested.  He just smiled and walked away.  That was a day where parental accountability was the real deal. 

My little home church – the Rutledge United Methodist Church – had an average worship attendance of about 60 to 75 on a good Sunday.  We mostly had Student Pastors who were going to Candler at Emory University.  While the Rev. Jack Gillespie was pastor there, he taught me so much as I came to Jesus at age 8.  In my later teen years, I was called to the ministry now am celebrating 34 years as a United Methodist Minister, fifteen of the last ones as General Evangelist in the denomination and beyond. 

Jan and I were married on fine day in May on St. Simons Island at the First United Methodist Church there.  Our two sons, are now both married and our youngest son and his wife brought two amazing grandsons into the world for us all – now ages 4 and 1. 

I am in Dover, Delaware on this day, working with one of the oldest known churches in Methodism in America, preaching three sermons at Wesley United Methodist Church.  The text is on Mark 10:46-52, the story of Blind Bartimaeus.  He took an ultimate risk, threw away his cloak (his license to beg), came to Jesus after Jesus stopped a great crowd in motion, and found that his Faith in Christ made him brand new, healed and whole. 

I am a testimony to today’s text.  It is ABSOLUTELY the Truth.  Jesus has always been there for me and always will.  He has truly given me the desires of my heart.  If anyone you know doubts this, please remember all the Lord has done for YOU, step up and graciously share this ABSOLUTE Truth with them.  I love you all.  

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, You each day You exceed our every expectation and the boundaries of our imaginations.  Your Love, Grace and Joy give us strength for the journey, grace for the hard places and passion to share the Gospel with a world of others who have not yet discovered what JOY can come from taking delight in You.  May we ALWAYS be faithful witnesses for You.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   John 14:31

but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

  Following the Father’s commands?  Let’s be on our way.    

In this discourse by Jesus recorded in John’s Gospel, Jesus is telling us that the evil one is going to in our face with many temptations, depression, and oppression.  We can expect it.  But there is both power and hope in God.  The Holy Spirit will empower us to overcome any obstacles to grace laid before us. 

He is rallying the “discipleship troops” here in a wonderful way.  He is reminding them (and us today) that we are called to FOLLOW the Father’s command.  He is actually reminding them that He (Jesus) does as the Father commands him.  And this is one of the most amazing things we remember and know today about Jesus.  He was fully human, fully tempted and because of His personal, intimate relationship with the Father, he did not sin. 

As if that were not amazing enough, Jesus is also alerting us that since He was DOING what the Father commanded, it would convince the world that He really and truly loved the Father (God).  Is this not an opportunity we miss too often today? 

We see all so clearly what the Bible teaches and what God says through the Bible in terms of expectations and practical applications to our lives.  For example we are ALWAYS to forgive one another, even those who we may think have “run out of chances.”  God never does that with us!  Why would we do that with others. 

At times we actually know the commandments and then RATIONALIZE acting on them, by saying, “Well, my situation is different.  I know that though I am not going to do that (forgive another or love another), God will understand and be OK with that!”  This is theological junk. 

God hates sin, loves sinners and expects disciples to OBEY what we are taught through the life and teachings of Christ in Scripture as well as the commandments of God. 

Ready?  Now that we have aligned ourselves with this, let’s be on our way.  Let’s be on our way to LOVE.  Let’s be on our way to visit those who are negative and hurtful.  The Lord will use us to do amazing things.  

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, we thank and praise You for Your perfect obedience to the Father.  You inspire us with Your Presence, Your Forgiveness, and Your Grace.  May we rise and be about the Father’s commandments today.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.

Today’s Text:   I John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

   Have we forgotten the MAIN thing, INSIDE the walls?             

            In one of our Training Units, we define one of the principles of Lifestyle Relational Evangelism as two things:

1)         Loving those inside the walls of the local church

2)         Loving those beyond the walls of the local church

As we share that on a Powerpoint slide, we ask the group the question, “Which of these two things do you think are the more difficult?”

It gets really quiet for a moment or two as people begin to clue in to the reality of the question.  At first, many of them were very tempted to jump up and say, “Oh, that’s easy.  It is much more difficult to go meet someone we don’t know outside the walls because they would reject us.” 

Then they think about thirty seconds longer about the question.  They remember times in the church – typically meetings – where someone has been angry, hostile or so negative that they could have made the leaves fall off a tree in the summer.  And at that point they almost all say, “We are more afraid of those we don’t know, but more aware of how hard it is to love some folks inside the walls.”  And that’s just one of the realities of CHURCH.

We are called to love one another, because love is from God and if we truly know God, we will love others through the Divine Love from God that flows through us in a way that we could never do on our own power!  This is the heart of the Gospel.  It is the key, the main thing.  Let’s get back to the main thing again, particularly inside the walls.  Many lives hang in the balance that are already IN the house.  I love you all.

In Christ’s Grace,

             Jim

Jesus, help us to know that when we do not love one another with Your Divine Love, we do great harm to the Kingdom of God and give major strength to the kingdom of darkness.  We wound the innocent and damage our teens who see us saying and doing hurtful things while we sing, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”  Help us always keep this in our hearts and actions.  In Your Name we pray.   Amen.