The Church: God's Design...... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Church: God's Design

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 10:23-25

When you hear the word "church," do you picture a little white building full of smiling people in fancy clothes? As lovely as that image may be, God's design for church is unrelated to it. He created the church to be a unified fellowship of believers who encourage each other and carry out His ministry to the world.

The Bible clearly defines the following as ministries of the church: worshiping the living God, instructing and edifying believers, making disciples of all nations, and serving the needy. Unless the leadership is careful, however, these purposes can all too easily get out of balance, with the unfortunate result that the body ends up malnourished. For example, a church with too heavy an emphasis on praise might become introverted. Congregations that overemphasize teaching could lose their joy, and those that evangelize to the neglect of the other areas could miss out on great faith.

Because of sin and human imperfection, we do not experience church as it was originally intended. Instead, there's a tendency to overstress certain ministry areas. What's more, divisive arguments--many of which concern minor issues, such as music preferences--too often destroy unity. Greed, pride, selfishness, and gossip can also tear a congregation apart.

Since they're composed of imperfect people, churches will be imperfect too. Though expecting anything else leads to disappointment, we should nonetheless strive for God's original design, continually measuring ourselves against Scripture and correcting course to realign with His purpose.

His Grace is Sufficient ..... Craig Denison

 His Grace is Sufficient

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Grace is a gift most of us don’t know how to receive. We’ve been so inundated with the earthly systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept few ever fully grasp. Yet it’s grace alone that has the power to transform lives. Grace alone has the power to bring freedom to the captives. By grace alone we are saved. There could be no better use of our time than consistently and passionately pursuing a greater revelation of God’s grace.

Scripture:“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Devotional:

It seems like every day I discover new ways in which I am weak and in need. Whether it be sin, physical exhaustion, or emotional dependence, I am constantly discovering my need for help. But daily I also discover a God who is wholly sufficient in all the ways I am weak. Daily I receive rejuvenation from my heavenly Father who seems to take these weaknesses of mine and use them for his kingdom.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But [God] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”What great comfort we can find in the words of Paul here. And what amazing love our heavenly Father has for us that he would bestow his sufficient grace upon us.

We serve a God who turns our greatest weakness into our greatest strength. In his grace, all he asks of us is to have a heart open, willing, and receptive to him. Our God is one who comes down to us and lays down his life that we might live through him. He’s the King of Kings who washes the feet of the very men who would betray him. He’s the God of compassion who heals the sick and spends time with the sinners rather than the pious. He has given up any form of personal gain in order to devote his entire existence to paving the way for us to have restored relationship with our heavenly Father.

We serve a God whose grace is wholly sufficient for us. In fact, it’s only in living by his grace that we are made strong. Your heavenly Father says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” In Christ we can boast in our need for our need is our greatest asset. Christ demonstrated through his ministry that he works powerfully when people simply acknowledge their need of him. From the woman desperate to touch his garment, to Zacchaeus the tax collector, to the paralyzed man lowered through the ceiling, God works incredible miracles in the lives of those who come before him with all their brokenness and need. His power is made perfect in those who simply cry out to him in desperation.

In contrast, we see those in Scripture who come before God thinking they have it all, and therefore receive nothing from him. Mark 10:17-27 tells us of a rich, young ruler who came to Jesus asking for his help but was unwilling to trade worldly success for eternal relationship. In response to the young man’s unwillingness Jesus says, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). I don’t believe Jesus was just talking about monetary wealth here, although money is most definitely included. I believe Jesus is making a statement about anyone who feels satisfied in themselves and the world apart from God. You can be poor and still receive nothing from God because you live pridefully without acknowledging your need. One of our greatest gifts is weakness because in acknowledging our weakness we make space for God to move and work.Those who are satisfied with worldly success, pleasure, and possession make little room for the incredible wealth of love, peace, passion, and joy God longs to give those who simply acknowledge their need of him.

You see, this life is not about possession, whether it be little or much—it’s about the posture of your heart toward God. The abundant life God longs to give you will only be received in areas where you acknowledge your weakness and need. The thief hanging on the cross who acknowledged his own sin received the gift of eternal life, not the pious and successful high priest who, in his pride, fought to crucify the very Savior he had been asking to come.

Posture your heart today as all those who have received the incredible wealth of the Lord’s love have before you. Ask the Spirit to show you your dependence and need of God if you don’t already know it. Ask God to humble you and make you receptive to all he longs to give. May it be his grace that is sufficient for you today, rather than your own strength. May it be his power that proves strong in your weakness. And may you experience today all the sufficient grace your heavenly Father longs to give.

Guided Prayer:

1. Reflect on your own need of God. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you your weakness. Spend time acknowledging your own sin, selfishness, pride and brokenness.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

2. Receive the grace God longs to give you. Spend time receiving his love and enjoyment over you. Receive the love, forgiveness, joy, and peace your heavenly Father longs to pour out on the broken and needy places of your heart.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

3. Ask God to move in power through your life today. Ask him to guide and help you accomplish what is set before you today through the power of the Spirit.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

No matter how gifted you are, God will always work through you to greater levels than you could  accomplish on your own. Surrender your life to him and allow him to lead you to a lifetime of his unmerited favor. Every day as you wake up, acknowledge your dependence on God that your day may be lived in the abundance available to you. There is no better prayer you could pray in the morning than one asking God for his love, grace, and power in acknowledgement of your need of him. 

Extended Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

How To Find Courage in the Waiting ..... ALICIA BRUXVOORT

 How To Find Courage in the Waiting

ALICIA BRUXVOORT

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage …” Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

We sit in a humble huddle of plastic chairs, sharing our stories with a stream of tears. At first glance, we have little in common other than the Bibles in our laps. We’re women of various ages, stages and backgrounds, yet bound by an invisible thread: We’re all living in the throes of delay.

Some of us are waiting for healing and others for breakthrough. Some are waiting for prodigals to return and others for marriages to resurrect.

We’ve spent the weekend together at a women’s retreat, lifting our hands in worship and bowing our heads in prayer. All too soon, we’ll pack our suitcases and go our separate ways, but for now, we find comfort in our circle.

Our tales are different, but our ache is the same.

“Waiting hurts,” murmurs a woman with beautiful eyes and a gentle smile.

“And it’s exhausting,” another adds as she digs for a tissue in her purse and dabs at the drizzles of sadness sliding down her cheeks.

We talk about the nights when our doubts run wild and the days when our faith shrinks small. We confess the ways uncertainty is sapping our strength and stirring our fear. This is making space to share our struggles, but what we need most is wisdom in our waiting. So we shift our focus to the Bibles in our laps.

Psalm 27 was written by one familiar with the discomfort of delay.

Even though David was anointed as a teenager to be God’s chosen king, he waited years for the promised crown. In the bewildering gap between his sacred anointing and his royal appointing, he tended sheep in obscurity, served his leaders with loyalty and battled enemies with bravery. He was mocked by his own brothers, betrayed by confidantes and hunted by the ruler who was supposed to protect him. In the end, David spent more than a decade on the run before God placed him on the throne.

It would have been easy for David to give up on God in the waiting. But Psalm 27 tells a different tale. When David’s situation didn’t seem to match God’s declaration, he chose not to run from the Lord but toward him. (Psalm 27:4)

As my friends and I study the chapter, we linger long over verse 14, and we wonder if the truth it touts is possible.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage …” (Psalm 27:14).

From the shadows of our own delay, it’s tempting to dismiss David’s bold words as empty encouragement. But when we consider David’s story, we realize he’s not expressing a flippant commendation; he’s sharing a hard-earned realization — there is a way to grow strong in the waiting.

While David could have used many different Hebrew words to communicate the concept of strength, he selected the Hebrew word quvah, meaning "to bind together." Quvah evokes the image of a tightly woven cord.

With the gentle brushstroke of a single word, David paints a poignant picture of the source of his daily strength. David didn’t just wait on God; he spent time with God.

He worshipped and prayed, (v.4) sought the Lord’s instruction and obeyed. (v.7) He looked for God’s goodness (v.14) and celebrated God’s faithfulness. And as David twined his hope to God’s heart, he found courage in the waiting.

Then, when his lament finally turned to a laud of praise, God’s chosen king penned a promise to assure us we can become brave waiters too.

When we draw near to Jesus in our waiting — paying attention to His presence and talking honestly with Him in prayer, fueling our faith with His Word and binding our confidence to His character — our strength swells instead of sags. Our hope flourishes instead of fizzles.

But best of all, we don’t just gain the grit to press on — we garner the gift of pressing in. Right there in the middle of the uncertainty we’d hoped to avoid, Jesus offers us the intimacy for which we’ve always longed. And instead of unraveling in the waiting, we find ourselves bound to a Savior who won’t let us go.

Dear Jesus, increase my awareness of Your presence in my delay and help me to see Your unchanging faithfulness today. I want to know and love You even more when this season of waiting is over. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (ESV)

Vessels of God (Ephesians 3:20)..... By Rachael Adams

 Vessels of God (Ephesians 3:20)

By Rachael Adams

Today’s Bible Verse - “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

Do you ever wonder if who you are and what you have to offer is enough? I certainly do. Even as Christians who know our identity in Christ, it is hard to live like it’s true. We feel inadequate and insecure about our capabilities and gifts. We wonder if our everyday acts of obedience matter at all.

In 2 Kings 4, we meet a woman who also felt like she had little to offer. Her sole possession was a pot of oil. Despite her lack, the prophet Elisha instructed her to borrow empty vessels to fill with oil. Fully aware that she had nothing to fill them with, she gathered them anyway.

As she poured the oil into borrowed vessels, the oil never stopped flowing until all the vessels were full. She was abundantly blessed as a result of her active faith. Not faith in herself, but faith in God working through her.

The same is true of us. We may only have a little oil, but God's supply is more than enough to fill our empty vessels. And in God’s graciousness, He has enough for us to continue pouring Him out to the vessels around us so they are full too.

This is the beauty of being a vessel of God. In and of ourselves we aren’t able, but God is more than able. As we allow Him to fill us, we can fill the world's empty spaces by using what He has given us. When we offer all we have, no matter how small and inadequate it may seem, we can trust God to turn it into immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Yes, we are fallible and frail containers, but we have treasure inside (2 Corinthians 4:7-9). Our contents are priceless because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This fact alone should give us faith we can act on, knowing we have His power and provision with us in each moment and in every interaction. Since He is more than adequate, we no longer have to doubt our adequacy because we always have Him with us.

This gift of His indwelling presence frees us from the pressures and expectations the world has placed on us as well as those we have placed on ourselves. His work through us gives meaning to the mundane and confidence to our call. We can rely on Him to give us what we can not produce on our own (Galatians 5:22).

Friend, you have everything you need to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. It may not look like you thought, but God can use you as you are to fulfill His great purposes.

Sometimes acting in faith may come naturally for us and other times we may need to borrow our neighbors' faith like the widow borrowed her neighbor’s vessels. But rest assured God is working in you and you are enough just as you are. On seemingly big days and seemingly small, we are valuable to God when we give all we have to Him and watch what He can do with all we have to offer.

Lord, help me to see I am able because you are able. Thank you for creating me in your image and for giving me your Holy Spirit to guide and empower me. I offer myself to you as an empty vessel to be filled by you and poured out so others may be filled by you too.

Deconstructing David..... by Ryan Duncan

 Deconstructing David

by Ryan Duncan

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7

The first time I read the story of King David, it was from a small, animated Bible my parents had bought me as a boy. As I flipped through the pages of that little book, I can remember looking on David as something of a superhero. Think about it: he defeated Goliath with nothing but a sling and five stones. After that, he became King of Israel, replacing Saul, who had done a pretty terrible job to begin with. He was referred to as a man after God’s own heart, and nothing could touch him.

After a while, I began to see the life of David as more of a fairytale. I still believed it to be true, but a part of me resented God for showing David so much favor. Why had his life been so perfect when the rest of us had to struggle? Why did God allow so many people to suffer pain, but always seem to step up for David? It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I stumbled onto this psalm written by David:

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.” – Psalms 69

Now that I’m older I realize David’s life wasn’t perfect; in a lot of ways it was actually pretty lousy. He was hounded by Saul for years, he lost loved ones to sickness and war, and he even committed some pretty serious sins. Being a man after God’s own heart didn’t mean David would be shielded from harm, and being a Christian doesn’t guarantee us prosperity. The thing that made David a great man, and the thing that makes our lives as Christians meaningful, was that he never turned away from God. We will all experience trials and tribulations in our lives, but by trusting God we can overcome them.

That is how we become people after God’s own heart, and in the end, that’s all God really wants.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Take a moment to look past your troubles and consider what can bring you closer to God.

A Prayer for Guidance..... By Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for Guidance

By Kristine Brown

“And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.” - 2 Samuel 7:20-21 (ESV)

King David spent years in battle, fighting enemies one after another. Not to mention running for his life from the former king, Saul. However, at this time God had given David a break from conflict. He enjoyed much-needed rest in his palace.

Then he got a brilliant idea.

David felt guilty living in luxury while the ark of God “dwelled in a tent.” (See 2 Samuel 7:1-2.) He resolved to do something about it. He was the king, after all. Who better to build a house for the ark of the Lord?

David shared his plan with Nathan the prophet. Since God was with David, Nathan encouraged him to go ahead. There was just one small problem: God didn’t tell David to do it.

That night, God spoke to Nathan with an urgent message for David. God had a different plan for the ark of the covenant, and He needed David to step out of the way. Even though David’s desire came from his best intentions, this job belonged to someone else. And through his mistake, God taught David a valuable lesson.

Sometimes, making a decision solely based on our good intentions interrupts God’s perfect plan.

David took the correction as an opportunity for growing closer to his Lord. And with the heart of a servant, David thanked Him for it. This is God’s desire for us too.

In His firm yet gentle way, God teaches us to trust. And when we allow the Lord to guide our decisions, we find unmatched fulfillment. So let’s agree to seek His instruction today. We can race ahead wanting to serve, but let’s also listen for the times He says, “Stop.”

Then, like David, we can thank our loving Father for the training. After all, He’s the best Coach ever.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect, Lord. Thank You for offering gentle grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Church What Is It All About..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Church What Is It All About

Dr. Charles Stanley

Colossians 1:18-24

Church buildings are plentiful in our country. Locating one may be easy, but wisely deciding which to join involves more effort. God's Word gives us some specific instructions in this matter.

First, let's explore the original biblical meaning of the word "church." The term ecclesia meant a group of people who are called out of the world's system by God's grace for the purpose of assembling to worship and serve Christ. Ephesians 5:29-30 further specifies that believers are the body and Jesus is the head of such a fellowship. Under His leadership, we can enjoy the unity and purpose that He intended.

God's design for this sacred gathering involves worship, instruction, encouragement, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, both within the fellowship and outside its walls. A healthy, vibrant congregation is possible only when members rely fully on the Holy Spirit's guidance. The work of the church is to be done in His power, in humble, prayerful submission to the Lord.

To help you determine whether a church is following the design laid out in Scripture, here are some important questions to ask: Do they believe God's Word is infallible and inerrant? Is the church disciplining her people? Does the fellowship have some kind of missionary or evangelistic program?

Joining a congregation is an important decision, as a fellowship of believers is one tool God uses to mature and encourage His children. Those three questions can be helpful in discerning God's will. Listen for His Spirit to warn or direct as you prayerfully investigate your options.

Living Courageously..... Craig Denison

 Living Courageously

Craig Denison 

Weekly Overview:

In response to knowing the heart of God we are called to share the wonders of his invisible nature with a world in desperate need of him. God has chosen to use us to reveal himself. He’s filled us with the Spirit and empowered us to proclaim the good news of salvation and restored relationship with our Creator. May you discover this week that you were made to share God’s heart. And may you find joy and passion in God’s longing to use you in powerful and unique ways.

Scripture:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Devotional:    

To live as an authentic disciple of Jesus is to live courageously. Jesus didn’t call us to a life of shrinking back. We’re not commanded to sit on the sidelines. He didn’t call us to to pursue comfort, stability, approval with man, or societal status. He’s called us to love unconditionally, give sacrificially, obey him unreservedly, and to live courageously.

In John 15:19 Jesus clearly says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” To be of God and practice the things of God is in powerful, direct opposition to the things of the world and its ruler, our enemy. For this reason God offers encouragement to those who face trial—to those who live courageously. 1 Peter 4:12-14 says:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

God is calling you to a life far greater and more important than comfort and worldly pleasure. He’s calling you to live by faith, believing that true blessing and true pleasure is found in him alone. He’s calling you to step out of your former ways and live in accordance with his will that you might experience fullness of life in him.

For this reason Scripture says in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” In the midst of any trial you can have transcendent, tangible comfort in God. In this midst of any suffering or pain you can find rest in the loving arms of your heavenly Father. And in the face of great opposition you can choose to live courageously. Your God is with you. He will never leave you. Courage comes from acknowledging the reality and power of God’s nearness.

As we finish this week on sharing God’s heart, find courage today to boldly love others. Take time to receive God’s unconditional love and grace that you might share him with a world who desperately needs transcendent comfort and peace. Live courageously today and see heaven come to earth around you. Seek life and love in God alone. May your time of guided prayer be filled with encouragement from the Holy Spirit and the word of God.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the call of God to live courageously. Reflect on his promise to be with you always.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." Hebrews 10:39

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

2. Assess your own life. In what ways are you seeking worldly comfort over living courageously in God? What fears do you have about sharing God’s heart that are winning out over courage from God?

“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” Luke 8:14

3. Go to God with your fears and receive encouragement in him. Take time to rest in God’s presence. Ask him for his perspective on that which hinders you from sharing his heart and living courageously. Journal his response.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

When you choose to respond to God’s call in faith, know that he will fill you with courage and boldness. The disciples were not naturally courageous people. Prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit they were weak, selfish, and cowardly. But in God they were made strong. In God they accomplished the impossible. In God they were used for eternal purposes that bore fruit you and I are still experiencing. Decide today to partner with God in seeing his kingdom come to earth through your life. Decide to jump in and be an active part of the spiritual awakening happening all around us. Decide to get off the sidelines of the Christian life and share God’s heart with all those he leads you to. May your day be filled with boldness and courage in the Holy Spirit.

Extended Reading: Luke 8

When Joy Feels So Very Unrealistic..... LYSA TERKEURST

 When Joy Feels So Very Unrealistic

LYSA TERKEURST

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 (NIV)

There’s no part of me that wants sorrow to be a part of my story.

There isn’t any plan God could present where I would willingly agree to heartbreak and pain.

But the longer I walk with God, the more I see what a tragedy that would be. Picking and choosing what gets to be part of my story would keep me from the ultimate good God has in mind.

If that seems hard to fathom in the midst of your own difficult circumstance today, I want to share some verses found in James that have helped me in my hardest seasons. I have to warn you: It might not feel good at first glance. But as we dig in together, I think you’ll see that it’s better to wrestle with Truth than to stay stuck in turmoil.

James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I confess I like these verses. Until I don’t. These words are easy to pull out when your worst issue is the drive-through coffee joint got your order wrong. They frappéed your latte and waylaid the start of your workday.

But what about those other things we walk through? The ones that hurt too long? Or disappoint too deeply? Or feel devastatingly permanent?

To slap some “we should be joyful about this” platitudes on top of the hard things feels cruel. Like a bad joke about something excruciatingly painful. It’s just too soon for that kind of nonsense.

That’s why I’m glad these verses don’t say “feel the joy” but instead “consider where some glimpses of joy might be even in the midst of all the hurt.”

Our understanding of joy rises and falls on whether we truly trust God in the middle of what our human minds can’t see as good at all. It’s hard. So I like to think of it in terms of baking. Imagine if we decided to make a cake from scratch today.

After going to the store, we set out all the ingredients: the flour, butter, sugar, vanilla, eggs, baking powder and a pinch of salt. But then maybe we felt too tired to mix it all together and make the cake. Instead, we thought we could just enjoy the cake one ingredient at a time. The thing is, we don’t like some of the individual ingredients, so we’d rather leave them out.

The flour is too dry — leave it out. The sugar, butter and vanilla are all good — leave them in! The eggs are just gross when raw — definitely leave those out! And then our cake would never be made “… mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).

We are so quick to judge the quality of our lives and the reliability of God based on individual events, rather than on the eventual good God is working together. We must know that just like the master baker has reasons to allow the flour and eggs in right measure into the recipe, Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, (Hebrews 12:2, NASB 1995), will do the same with dry times and hard times.

And yes, we may have to go through some chaos in the mixing and some heat in the baking, but soon we will rise and live lives that are a sweet offering of hope, grace, peace and comfort to others. That’s how we can consider it pure joy today. We can also make peace with the fact that sorrow and celebration can quite authentically coexist together in a heart. Mixing them together is part of the recipe of life.

We can sit with and tend to all that still needs to be healed and at the same time laugh, plan for great things ahead and declare this a glorious day.

To have both sorrow and celebration in our heart isn’t denial.

It’s deeming life a gift — even if it looks nothing like we thought it would right now.

Our sorrows make our hearts more tender and allow us to grieve. Our celebrations tend to our heart’s need to recognize what is beautiful about our life, get back up and go on.

Let’s embrace the mix of all that’s worthy of celebration while fully allowing sorrow to add what it brings as well — knowing we can trust Jesus’ recipe of purpose in both the pain and joy.

Father God, when joy feels so very unrealistic, help me consider where glimpses of joy might be found throughout my day today. Help me bring the perspective of both sorrow and celebration to my circumstances, and keep reminding me that Your plans for me are still good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (NIV)

4 Ways to Pray About Anything in Every Situation..... By Lynette Kittle

 4 Ways to Pray About Anything in Every Situation

By Lynette Kittle

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

Over the years I’ve been growing in my understanding of prayer and how God wants to have an ongoing dialogue with me throughout my day, where I am accessible to Him in every aspect of my life.

Through prayer, I invite and involve God into my everydayness. Below are four ways I’ve been learning to include prayer into my daily life.

1. Seize the Moment

Instead of telling people “I’ll pray” when someone asks for prayer, my goal is to take time to actually pray right in the moment, because it’s easy to forget. Also when someone asks for prayer, it reflects openness on his or her part towards God, something that may not be present later on.

Sometimes the simplest of phrases can touch a hardened or hurting heart. Psalm 49:3 reassures me that God can help my mouth speak words of wisdom.

Even if words are awkward and don’t come easy, or if they flow easily, I trust God to give me words to speak that will encourage, comfort, and touch hearts.

2. Let God Lead

Scriptures states as a child of God, I’m to be led by His Spirit (Romans 8:14). Doing so helps me in so many ways such as recognizing when someone is open to prayer, situations where prayer is needed, and how to pray.

In asking the Lord to guide my prayers, I find myself praying in new and unexpected ways and places, trusting Him to lead my thoughts and prayers.

Letting God lead also frees me from things such as feelings of self-consciousness and trying to impress with well-expressed words or phrasing. Psalm 25:6 states that the Lord guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

3. Take Time

When someone asks for prayer through an email, Facebook, or Twitter, take time to respond. Find a few minutes to send or post a thoughtful response to requests for prayer, trusting God to minister through your words.

Even with all of social media’s issues, there are still opportunities to bring a refreshing word.

Like Proverbs 15:23 states, “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply and how good is a timely word!”

4. Be Available

Let God know you are available, willing, and asking Him for opportunities to pray. When you do, commit to being on-call to pray 24/7, along with being open to surprising situations.

Unexpected opportunities in my life have included praying with a stranger outside an amusement park ride, during a Christmas party, on a crowded airliner, in a store’s check-out line, and more.

Like 2 Timothy 4:2 urges, I aim to be prepared in season and out of season, ready to reach out to others.