Student Devotional
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he book of t jam th that w es fai or ks Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a Bible- PROLOGUE based institution for theological and professional studies. SAGU is rooted in the great commission of Jesus Christ to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”’ and to “make The students of Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) have disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have the unique opportunity to enjoy a devotional time together once a week with commanded you” (Mark 16:15a; Matthew 28:19, 20), which is the either the students of their dorm or with just their hall of 25-30 fellow students primary emphasis of SAGU’s parent body, the General Council of who are in the same stage of life that they are in. It is during this one hour the Assemblies of God. together that community is built, and long-lasting spiritual relationships are The purpose of Southwestern Assemblies of God University developed. This particular devotional time is a time-honored tradition at SAGU is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students spiritually, that many generations have been able to enjoy. academically, professionally, and cross culturally so as to During the Fall 2008 semester, the Residential Life Department decided successfully fill evangelistic, missionary and church ministry roles to redesign the devotional program so that the students of SAGU could go and to provide quality educational and professional Christian through a book of the Bible together within the framework of the collegiate service wherever needed throughout the world. school year. This has proven to be a valuable experience for them that has provided the additional benefit of having shared themes within scriptural passages that everyone is discussing across the whole campus and Resident Assistants (RA’s) and Dorm Directors (Dorm Pastors) are leading on a weekly basis. In the Fall of 2014, a devotional based on the themes in 1Timothy was assembled and printed for the students of SAGU for the very first time. The Residential Life Department at SAGU used this guide as a tool for discipleship groups on campus that we were encouraging students to be involved in © 2021 by Southwestern Assemblies of God University to build each other up and to spur each other on to be more like Jesus. In continuation of this practice, this particular booklet is a 24-week (12 weeks a www.sagu.edu semester) devotional guide based on the book of Romans. The purpose in No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, putting together these devotional guides with writers that the students know transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, and respect (professors, staff members, and administrators), is to inspire mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter students today to be passionate about the living Word of God and to inspire invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and discipleship to expand on campus. recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, We would like to thank our President, Kermit Bridges, our Vice President without written permission from Southwestern Assemblies of Student Services, Terry Phipps, and the Administration of SAGU to allow of God University. us to compile this work and any future guides for the spiritual growth of our students. We would also like to thank the writers of the individual devotions Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be for taking the time to invest in this project. We are extremely grateful for their trademarks or registered trademarks and are used only or endeavors, personal insight, and transparency in sharing their hearts with us. identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Our prayer is that the Lord continues to enlighten minds as students of His Word and disciple others in the path of Christ, but that we also heed His voice Edited by: Lance Meche to “make disciples” for His Kingdom Cover Design by: Barbara Garza and Erica Kemper Lance Meche, MDiv Dean of Students 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Prologue........................................................................................................1 Mercy Over Judgment (2:12-13) .............................................................26 Lance Meche, MDiv., Dean of Students Brandy Slusher, BS, Security Officer Introduction (1:1)..........................................................................................2 No Works, No Faith (2:14-20).................................................................28 Lance Meche, MDiv., Dean of Students Emily Hudspeth, BS, Housing Coordinator, Dorm Pastor– Off Campus The Benefit of Trials (1:2-4)........................................................................4 Demonstration of Saving Faith (2:21-26) ..............................................30 Jerica Bell, Student Body President James Lex, BA, Assistant Director – Media Services The Need for Righteous Wisdom (1:5-8)..................................................6 Wrong Words (3:1-12)................................................................................32 Alicia Hamilton, MBA, Director of Accounting Kahla Jackson, BS, Dorm Pastor – Collins Hall Wise Attitudes for Rich and Poor (1:9-11).................................................8 The World’s Wisdom or God’s Wisdom (3:13-18)..................................34 Jarrod Pace, BA, Director of Admissions Information Systems PJ Bunyard, BS, Dorm Pastor – Bridges Hall, Asst. Football Coach and Communications Avoidance of Worldliness (4:1-10)...........................................................36 Results of Trials (1:12)................................................................................10 Michael Sons, MA, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Sandi Barberis, PhD, LMSW, Program Director – Social Work Control of Critical Attitudes (4:11-12)......................................................38 Own It (1:13-16)............................................................................................12 Abigail Escamilla, Head RA – Guynes Hall Dennis Robinson, Ed.D., Dean of Graduate Studies Defeat of Godless Self-Confidence (4:13-17)........................................40 God Gives the Word (1:17-19a)..................................................................14 Andrew Hurst, MA, Public Relations Manager Matthew Goode, MFA, DMin., Asst. Professor – College of Music and The Problem Within (5:1-6)......................................................................42 Communication Arts Denziel Ortiz, SMA President An Exam Worth Taking (1:19b-21).............................................................16 Practice of Endurance (5:7-11).................................................................44 Courtney Miller, MOL, Dorm Pastor – Guynes Hall Terry Phipps, MDiv, VP for Student Development Doers of the Word (1:22-25)......................................................................18 Avoiding Oaths (5:12)...............................................................................46 Jordan Rose, Head RA – Teeter Hall Erica Kemper, MBA, Assistant Advertising Director Right Words and Actions (1:26-27).........................................................20 Prayer of Faith (5:13-21)...........................................................................48 Melody Gray Block, ABD, CFP, MBA, CKA, Asst. Professor – Business Andrea Bunyard, AA, LPN, Campus Nurse Don’t Pick Favorites (2:1-4)......................................................................22 Caleb Essick, BS, Dorm Pastor – Teeter Hall Consequences of Favoritism (2:5-11).....................................................24 Steve Fiedler, BA, Director of Marketing and Communications THE BOOK OF JAMES FAITH THAT WORKS James 1:1 Dean Meche Introduction This year’s theme for the devotional guide and overall school year is a shortcomings), I find myself fighting with what I call “psycho thoughts” on “Faith that Works.” I love the simplicity of the cover of this year’s guide. a daily basis – things that I think in my brain that cannot be mentioned The theme itself is a play on words and I like the way the cover fits into audibly or performed in action publicly. It is because I have a “mini-me” that. Works, in and of themselves, do not necessarily create faith, but around that thinks everything I say is gospel. works do display the faith that goes on within. The external displays the We’re definitely prone for mistakes and we won’t always hit the internal. A smile or a laugh or a frown or growl reflects the attitude we bull’s eye on the target, but our life in Christian discipleship makes us have within us at the time. What James tries to communicate to Jewish constantly aware that there is a world around us like my “mini-me” that Christians in the overall feel of the book is to be consistent with both hears our words and witnesses our actions. The following devotionals their words AND their actions that arise from within their hearts as they written by faculty, staff, and your peers provide great morsels of practical worship Jesus with their lives. wisdom that speak into how to have a “faith that works” as we live out When my twin daughters were born, I was overjoyed and in awe our lives together as a community of faith this next year. My prayer for several years at the blessings God had given me in such small for you this year is that “in word or deed” (Col 3:17), you magnificently packages. I knew that little girls have a natural affinity for their fathers display the splendor of God’s presence in your