Monday
Vision Sunday
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1–2 (ESV)
In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees met in the World Series. When the Braves won, their pitcher Lew Burdette said, “I didn’t just want to win, I wanted to remember why I started.” That line captures the heart of Vision Sunday. Before we dream about the future, we remember what matters most, why we started.
Psalm 116 begins not with plans or projects, but with praise. The psalmist looks back and says, “I love the Lord because He heard me.” It’s a backward glance that leads to forward faith. Before we discuss where we’re going as a church, we must first celebrate what God has already done: He has heard our prayers, rescued His people, and multiplied His grace.
Second Baptist has seen God’s faithfulness again and again. From baptisms to mission trips, from student camps to small groups, the story of this church is the story of God bending down to hear His people. That’s what Vision Sunday is all about: gratitude that fuels growth.
Reflection Questions:
1. When you look back on your life or church family, where do you clearly see God’s faithfulness?
2. How can remembering what God has done prepare you for what He’s about to do?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for hearing our cries and leading our church step by step. Help us remember Your faithfulness as we move forward with confidence in You. Amen.
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1–2 (ESV)
In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees met in the World Series. When the Braves won, their pitcher Lew Burdette said, “I didn’t just want to win, I wanted to remember why I started.” That line captures the heart of Vision Sunday. Before we dream about the future, we remember what matters most, why we started.
Psalm 116 begins not with plans or projects, but with praise. The psalmist looks back and says, “I love the Lord because He heard me.” It’s a backward glance that leads to forward faith. Before we discuss where we’re going as a church, we must first celebrate what God has already done: He has heard our prayers, rescued His people, and multiplied His grace.
Second Baptist has seen God’s faithfulness again and again. From baptisms to mission trips, from student camps to small groups, the story of this church is the story of God bending down to hear His people. That’s what Vision Sunday is all about: gratitude that fuels growth.
Reflection Questions:
1. When you look back on your life or church family, where do you clearly see God’s faithfulness?
2. How can remembering what God has done prepare you for what He’s about to do?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for hearing our cries and leading our church step by step. Help us remember Your faithfulness as we move forward with confidence in You. Amen.
Tuesday
Consider Where We’ve Been
“The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’” Psalm 116:3–4 (ESV)
When Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, Steve Jobs said, “We’re not just launching a phone. We’re changing how the world communicates.” Years later, no one doubts it changed everything. But Jobs also reminded his team that the company’s success came because they “never forgot their core mission.”
Psalm 116 shows us the same truth: when we remember where we’ve been and Who brought us through, our focus stays clear. The psalmist recalls distress and anguish, but also deliverance. God was faithful yesterday and that’s why we trust Him today.
At Second Baptist, our core hasn’t changed. Our priorities remain the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God. Our philosophy remains Your Second Family. Our purpose stays the same: helping people find and follow Jesus. And our process: connect, grow, serve, reminds us how to live that mission every day.
We’ve seen God move through hard seasons, rebuild ministries, and reach new people. Remembering where we’ve been keeps our vision steady for where we’re going.
Reflection Questions:
1. How has God brought you through past challenges and strengthened your faith?
2. What part of your spiritual foundation do you need to return to or rebuild?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for every lesson You’ve taught us in the past. Help me never forget that Your hand has guided, sustained, and delivered us. Amen.
“The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’” Psalm 116:3–4 (ESV)
When Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, Steve Jobs said, “We’re not just launching a phone. We’re changing how the world communicates.” Years later, no one doubts it changed everything. But Jobs also reminded his team that the company’s success came because they “never forgot their core mission.”
Psalm 116 shows us the same truth: when we remember where we’ve been and Who brought us through, our focus stays clear. The psalmist recalls distress and anguish, but also deliverance. God was faithful yesterday and that’s why we trust Him today.
At Second Baptist, our core hasn’t changed. Our priorities remain the gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of God. Our philosophy remains Your Second Family. Our purpose stays the same: helping people find and follow Jesus. And our process: connect, grow, serve, reminds us how to live that mission every day.
We’ve seen God move through hard seasons, rebuild ministries, and reach new people. Remembering where we’ve been keeps our vision steady for where we’re going.
Reflection Questions:
1. How has God brought you through past challenges and strengthened your faith?
2. What part of your spiritual foundation do you need to return to or rebuild?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for every lesson You’ve taught us in the past. Help me never forget that Your hand has guided, sustained, and delivered us. Amen.
Wednesday
Celebrate Where We Are
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:5–7 (ESV)
A small-town newspaper once printed a correction that read: “In last week’s edition, we mistakenly wrote that the local pastor would be the ‘guest of honor at the town barbecue.’ The correct statement should have been ‘guest speaker.’ We apologize for the misunderstanding.” Sometimes, we get so caught up in activity that we forget to celebrate that we’re still standing!
Psalm 116 reminds us that celebration is not about perfection; it’s about God’s preservation and care. The psalmist celebrates that God was gracious and merciful, even when life was at its lowest. At Second Baptist, we celebrate where we are because God has been so good to us. He’s preserved our unity, strengthened our ministries, and added new members to the family. Every baptism, every salvation story, every child in our Kids’ ministry is proof that God’s mercy hasn’t run dry.
When we pause to celebrate, we recognize that everything we have, every building, every life changed, every mission sent, is a testimony to God’s abundant grace.
Reflection Questions:
1. What blessings from this past year can you thank God for right now?
2. How can celebrating God’s goodness help you find rest for your soul?
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for dealing bountifully with us. Help me live with gratitude and joy for all You have done in my life and in our church family. Amen.
“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:5–7 (ESV)
A small-town newspaper once printed a correction that read: “In last week’s edition, we mistakenly wrote that the local pastor would be the ‘guest of honor at the town barbecue.’ The correct statement should have been ‘guest speaker.’ We apologize for the misunderstanding.” Sometimes, we get so caught up in activity that we forget to celebrate that we’re still standing!
Psalm 116 reminds us that celebration is not about perfection; it’s about God’s preservation and care. The psalmist celebrates that God was gracious and merciful, even when life was at its lowest. At Second Baptist, we celebrate where we are because God has been so good to us. He’s preserved our unity, strengthened our ministries, and added new members to the family. Every baptism, every salvation story, every child in our Kids’ ministry is proof that God’s mercy hasn’t run dry.
When we pause to celebrate, we recognize that everything we have, every building, every life changed, every mission sent, is a testimony to God’s abundant grace.
Reflection Questions:
1. What blessings from this past year can you thank God for right now?
2. How can celebrating God’s goodness help you find rest for your soul?
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for dealing bountifully with us. Help me live with gratitude and joy for all You have done in my life and in our church family. Amen.
Thursday
Commit to Where We’re Going
“What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord; I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116:12–14 (ESV)
In 2021, a 90-year-old named Harold Bradley ran a marathon in Kansas City. When asked why, he said, “Because I told my grandkids I’d do it. You can’t tell your family something and not keep your word!” That’s exactly what the psalmist says here; faithfulness matters. After celebrating God’s goodness, he makes a commitment: “I will pay my vows.” Gratitude turns into action.
Vision Sunday isn’t just about what God has done, it’s about what we’ll do next. As a church, we commit to continue reaching families, discipling believers, sending missionaries, and strengthening our community. When we lift the “cup of salvation,” we’re publicly declaring, “We belong to Him and we’re not turning back.”
The best way to honor God for His benefits is to keep running for His glory. Like Harold, we don’t stop halfway; we finish the race with joy.
Reflection Questions:
1. What commitment is God calling you to make or renew this year spiritually or in ministry?
2. How does your gratitude for the past fuel your obedience for the future?
Prayer:
Lord, I want to live a life of commitment, not comfort. Help me offer You my best and fulfill every vow You’ve placed on my heart. Amen.
“What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord; I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116:12–14 (ESV)
In 2021, a 90-year-old named Harold Bradley ran a marathon in Kansas City. When asked why, he said, “Because I told my grandkids I’d do it. You can’t tell your family something and not keep your word!” That’s exactly what the psalmist says here; faithfulness matters. After celebrating God’s goodness, he makes a commitment: “I will pay my vows.” Gratitude turns into action.
Vision Sunday isn’t just about what God has done, it’s about what we’ll do next. As a church, we commit to continue reaching families, discipling believers, sending missionaries, and strengthening our community. When we lift the “cup of salvation,” we’re publicly declaring, “We belong to Him and we’re not turning back.”
The best way to honor God for His benefits is to keep running for His glory. Like Harold, we don’t stop halfway; we finish the race with joy.
Reflection Questions:
1. What commitment is God calling you to make or renew this year spiritually or in ministry?
2. How does your gratitude for the past fuel your obedience for the future?
Prayer:
Lord, I want to live a life of commitment, not comfort. Help me offer You my best and fulfill every vow You’ve placed on my heart. Amen.
Friday
The Vision Continues
“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 116:17–19 (ESV)
During World War II, Winston Churchill was asked how Britain would recover after the devastation. He replied, “We shape our buildings, and afterward our buildings shape us.” The same is true of faith; what we build for God eventually builds us.
Psalm 116 ends in worship and witness. The psalmist doesn’t keep his gratitude private; he praises God “in the presence of all His people.” The vision God gives His church is never just for one person; it’s for a family, a city, a world.
As Second Baptist looks ahead, our mission remains unchanged: to help people find and follow Jesus. The vision isn’t finished, because the Gospel continues to change lives. We don’t just thank God for what He’s done, we praise Him for what’s next. And when we do, the world will see that our God still saves, still restores, and still reigns.
Reflection Questions:
1. How can your life and testimony publicly display your gratitude to God?
2. What role will you play in advancing the vision God has given our church?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for letting me be part of what You are doing in this church. Keep our hearts united in purpose and full of praise for Your glory. Amen.
“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 116:17–19 (ESV)
During World War II, Winston Churchill was asked how Britain would recover after the devastation. He replied, “We shape our buildings, and afterward our buildings shape us.” The same is true of faith; what we build for God eventually builds us.
Psalm 116 ends in worship and witness. The psalmist doesn’t keep his gratitude private; he praises God “in the presence of all His people.” The vision God gives His church is never just for one person; it’s for a family, a city, a world.
As Second Baptist looks ahead, our mission remains unchanged: to help people find and follow Jesus. The vision isn’t finished, because the Gospel continues to change lives. We don’t just thank God for what He’s done, we praise Him for what’s next. And when we do, the world will see that our God still saves, still restores, and still reigns.
Reflection Questions:
1. How can your life and testimony publicly display your gratitude to God?
2. What role will you play in advancing the vision God has given our church?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for letting me be part of what You are doing in this church. Keep our hearts united in purpose and full of praise for Your glory. Amen.
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