38th Avenue Baptist Church

09/11/2026

The Support You Need (YouVersion Devotional)

Everyone carries burdens. The things we go through shape the way we view the world, and ourselves. But we weren’t meant to carry our burdens alone.

In Matthew 11:28-30 NLT, Jesus says to the people following Him...

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

A yoke is a heavy wooden beam that lies across a pair of oxen, evenly distributing the weight of the loads they carry. But the term was also used by Jewish Rabbis. “The yoke of the law” symbolized complete submission to God’s law, and Rabbis taught that becoming yoked to it would free the Jews from enslavement to the world.

Jesus is using a phrase that His Jewish followers would have easily understood, but then He flips the illustration. He tells the crowd that they must yoke themselves to Him—because He is the fulfillment of their law.

When they do this, the burdens they carry won’t be heavy at all—because He will bear the weight of their burdens. Paul references this teaching in his letter to the Galatian Christians:

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 NLT

The law of Christ is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). But the only way we can fulfill the law of Christ is if we bind ourselves to Him.

When we are yoked to Jesus, He becomes our source of strength. He helps us endure hard situations and enables us to walk away from poor decisions. He fills us up with His love so that we can spill His love out onto others. He gives us the capacity to support other Christ-followers just like He supports us.

Just as Jesus bore our sins and suffering, we are called to bear the suffering of others. In this way, we show them the love of Christ and guide them toward Jesus.

Right now, spend a few minutes talking to God about the burdens you need help carrying, and then allow Him to show you the people in your life He wants you to support.

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

Breaking Hard Ground (YouVersion Devotional)

Imagine yourself as a farmer, and your life is a vast field. You sow seeds on soil sparingly, and these seeds represent your intentions, choices, and actions.

Hosea uses a similar analogy in Hosea 10:12 to describe God’s people. Israel had sown seeds of sin and unrighteousness, causing the soil of their hearts to become unreceptive to God's commands. And right as God's people were about to reap a harvest of God’s judgment, the prophet Hosea spoke with urgency:

"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12

Just as a farmer reaps far more than they sow, our God promises that we, too, will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). But, this verse also shows us it’s not enough to sow righteousness. We must also break up the uncultivated ground (Hosea 10:12).

Our hearts become like idle ground when we allow it to grow hard and stubborn—resisting God's Word and work in our lives. But God wants His people to prepare the soil of their hearts to receive the seed of His Word by seeking Him. Seeking the Lord is like the early rain in farming season; it’s that essential ingredient that softens the soil and readies it for growth.

Do you desire to grow spiritually?
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."

Don't wait. Seek Him eagerly and expectantly today. Meditate on Hosea 10:12; let it move you to examine your own life: Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and reaping the fruit of unfailing love?

It is never too late to seek the Lord—turn your heart to the One who promises to shower His abundant mercy and grace upon you.

09/09/2026

Hey everyone! We will have a testimony time tonight and we will not livestream tonight.

09/08/2026

Here’s What Humility Looks Like… (YouVersion Devotional)

When you think of humility, what comes to mind?

In our world, humility is often seen as a self-degrading concept that reveals our insecurities and keeps us from becoming our best selves.

But true humility never leads to insecurity, because insecurity is a form of pride. Pride either puffs us up or tears us down. Pride is self-sufficient, but also self-destructive. If we’re doing great, pride makes our confidence soar. But if we’re going through a rough season, pride makes us sensitive to our failures. Pride links our worth to our accomplishments, and it prevents us from seeing who we truly are.

Pride makes us think that if we try hard enough, we can become good enough. Humility helps us realize that we are not enough—but God is enough for us.

Humility will often ask us to risk something. It might mean laying down our social standing, our reputation, our financial security, our sense of authority, or our expertise.

But surrendering our self-sufficiency lets us embrace God’s authority. And our God did miracles through Moses, established David as king of Israel, worked through Isaiah in the midst of chaos, publicly honored Mary, abundantly provided for Peter, and glorified Jesus by raising Him from the dead.

When we surrender ourselves to God, we allow Him to be glorified through us. Humility might cost us something—but it leads to abundant life.

So today, how can you humble yourself before God? Take a few moments and process what you need to lay down in order to draw closer to God within the upcoming weeks.

09/08/2026

Prayer Emphasis for September 6-12: Church Planting

09/08/2026

Please see or call Stan Hulsey at the Pearl store for your furniture needs. Have a blessed day.

EXTENDED: Miskelly's Labor Day Sale is going on NOW! Enjoy up to 15% off storewide*! Shop in-store or online today!✨

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