Day 4: The Rhythm of Axe and Anvil 8/6
The Rhythm of Axe and Anvil
A young woodcutter challenged an older man to a contest. The young man swung his axe without stopping. He saw the older man sitting down and thought he was winning. But the older man had cut more wood. The young man asked how he did it. The older man replied, “Every time I sat down, I was sharpening my axe.”
This is the rhythm of a faithful life. Jesus poured Himself out in ministry. Then He pulled away to be with the Father. Finally, He pressed on in His mission. Some people serve but never pray. They burn out. Some people pray but never serve. They dry up. Prayer is not wasted time. It is where God sharpens His servants.
You might be the faithful volunteer who hears a call to serve and does three more things. Or you might be the person doing nothing who hopes someone else heard it. God is calling you into His rhythm. Are you in a season where you need to get up and serve or sit down and breathe?
“And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” (Mark 1:38)
Prayer: Ask God to show you if you are neglecting service or neglecting solitude.
Challenge: Read Psalm 23 and underline every action God does for you.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
A young woodcutter challenged an older man to a contest. The young man swung his axe without stopping. He saw the older man sitting down and thought he was winning. But the older man had cut more wood. The young man asked how he did it. The older man replied, “Every time I sat down, I was sharpening my axe.”
This is the rhythm of a faithful life. Jesus poured Himself out in ministry. Then He pulled away to be with the Father. Finally, He pressed on in His mission. Some people serve but never pray. They burn out. Some people pray but never serve. They dry up. Prayer is not wasted time. It is where God sharpens His servants.
You might be the faithful volunteer who hears a call to serve and does three more things. Or you might be the person doing nothing who hopes someone else heard it. God is calling you into His rhythm. Are you in a season where you need to get up and serve or sit down and breathe?
“And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.” (Mark 1:38)
Prayer: Ask God to show you if you are neglecting service or neglecting solitude.
Challenge: Read Psalm 23 and underline every action God does for you.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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2026
January
February
Embracing God's Call with Complete Obedience 2/6 Making God's Invisible Kingdom Visible 2/5Pointing Others to Jesus, Not Self 2/4Living a Spirit Controlled Life 2/3True Greatness Through Humility 2/2Worship the Christ, Not the Calendar 2/9God's Verifiable Entrance into History 2/10Ancient Prophecies, Divine Fulfillment 2/11God's Purpose in Inconvenient Journeys 2/12Make Room for Christ in Your Life 2/13God's Sovereign Hand in Life's Delays and Detours 2/16 The Incarnation: God Stepping into Our World 2/17Jesus Understands: Our Savior Walks Our Roads 2/18Jesus Saves: Our Sinless Substitute and Mediator 2/19Worship: Our Natural Response to God's Revelation 2/20God Meets Us in Our Messy Fields 2/23Heaven's Glorious Interruption Brings Good News 2/24The Savior's Humble Arrival is for Everyone 2/25Our Encounter Demands a Worshipful Response 2/26Worship: Praise, Proclaim, and Ponder 2/27
March
The Submitting Savior's Perfect Obedience 3/2Finding Peace in Seeing Christ 3/3The Cost of Salvation and Enduring Faith 3/4Faithfulness in the Waiting Seasons 3/5 Intentional Parenting for Spiritual GrowthThe Priority of Consistent Worship in the HomeThe Danger of Assuming Jesus is With YouGod's Higher Purpose in Our Confusion Our Primary Identity is Found in the Father Faithfulness in the Ordinary Prepares for God's PurposeGod is at work in our quiet, ordinary seasons God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and griefGod often uses unexpected messengers to deliver His truthTrue repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of directionBaptism is the public declaration of a prior inward transformationThe Danger of Familiarity Without TransformationReal Repentance Bears Visible FruitConfronting the Hidden HeartRepentance Changes Our Daily ConductThe Personal Question of ConvictionThe King Who Comes in Humility 3/30/26The Danger of Our Own Expectations 3/31/26
April
The King Who Walked Forward Purposefully 4/1/26 Obedience Without Negotiation 4/2/26Worship That Sees the Savior 4/3/26God is already at work before you arrive 4/6Why seek the living among the dead? 4/7The King who chose to stay for you 4/8Salvation is a simple cry for remembrance 4/9He walks with you in your brokenness 4/10Day 1: The Superiority of Christ Over All Things 4/13 Day 2: The Transforming Power of Internal Change 4/14Day 3: The Courage to Proclaim Uncomfortable Truth 4/15Day 4: Christ Identifies With Us in Our Mess 4/16Day 5: Our Identity is Secure in Christ's Approval 4/17The Seventy-Seven Name Breadcrumb Trail 4/20A Crime Scene, Not a Hall of Fame 4/21Chosen by an Adoptive Father 4/22The Wait in the Workshop 4/23Your Place in the New Family Tree 4/24A Name on God’s Hands 4/27 The Unseen Relay Race 4/28 Building a Boat for 100 Years 4/29The Night God Changed a Name 4/30
May
While We Were Yet Sinners 5/1The Wilderness and the Bait 5/4Temptation is Not Sin 5/5The First Adam and the Last 5/6 The Attack on Your Identity 5/7It is Written 5/8Stones and Hot Biscuits 5/18A Crown Without a Cross 5/19The Whisper in Weakness 5/20Who Sits on the Throne? 5/21Twisted Scripture on the Pinnacle 5/22 The Scroll in the Nazareth Synagogue 5/25 As Was His Custom 5/26To Heal the Brokenhearted 5/27 Deliverance for the Captives 5/28Today This Scripture is Fulfilled 5/29
June
The God Who Names the Stars 6/8 Love’s Billboard on a Hill 6/9The Grand Canyon of Sin 6/10Heaven’s Rescue Mission 6/11Receiving the Gift 6/12 The Gracious Words from Nazareth 6/15The Doctor and His Hometown 6/16Grace for the Unexpected 6/17The Barrel That Did Not Run Out 6/18From Your God to My God 6/19The Man Behind the Medals 6/22The Captive’s Courageous Word 6/23 Pride at the Prophet’s Door 6/24The Humility of Seven Dips 6/25A Clean Man Goes Home 6/26
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