The Fullness of God in You..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Fullness of God in You

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 3:14-21

Have you ever wondered if you are a "whole person"? We all have struggles in life that could make us feel incomplete, but the apostle Paul says we can be "filled up to all the fullness of God" (v. 19). What does that look like?

A "whole person" is generally satisfied with life. He feels loved and is able to love others in return. Difficulties and hardships don't devastate him, because he is able to go through them with confidence in God. He isn't a complainer or someone who is quick to blame others. A positive attitude guards his mind since he knows that the Lord will work everything out for good (Rom. 8:28).

Being a Christian doesn't automatically make us feel complete. Fullness comes only when we experience God's love for us. For many years, I knew theologically that the Lord loved me. I even preached about it, but I didn't really feel it. Only after I took a deep look at my life and started dealing with events that had fractured my soul in childhood did I begin to experience His love in an intimate way. Once I felt the security of His love for me, I discovered great joy in walking in obedience to His will. The reason was that I knew I could trust Him to meet all my needs in His time and way.

Do you feel God's love, or is it just a biblical fact to you? If you long for wholeness, the key is to experience an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This is possible only when you're willing to open up and let the Lord search your heart. He'll reveal what's holding you back from accepting His love.

Live for His Glory..... Craig Denison

 Live for His Glory

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Our heavenly Father has made incredible promises to us, his children. And while our God is completely faithful to deliver on his promises, he does not force them on us. He’s promised his nearness, his affections, and an eternal life spent with him. But we have the power to choose our own way. He doesn’t force himself where there’s no space. God’s word won’t have power in our lives if we don’t read it. We won’t hear God effectively if we’re not listening. And we can’t experience his nearness if we constantly fill our lives with other things. So, this week we’re going to talk about different ways we can experience the promises of God so that they might come to full fruition in our lives. May you encounter God powerfully as you grow in fully experiencing the incredible promises of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

Devotional:    

One of the most constant and critical struggles we as believers have is balancing our God-given longing for greatness with striving for our own glory on earth. You were made to long for greatness. You were made to do earth-shattering, bondage-breaking, life-giving works. But the Bible makes it clear that when we overstep the boundary of greatness to glory we step outside of the abundant life God desires to give us. When we long to achieve greatness for our own fame and reputation, we load onto our shoulders a weight only God can bear. Living for your own glory will only lead you to a life of dissatisfaction, striving, burdens, and failure. So, let’s take some time today and cast the burden of achieving glory back onto the only person who deserves it and can bear it, our Savior King, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is the exalted One. He alone is the One True King. All of creation is under his rule and authority. God alone can bear the burden of glory. With glory comes great responsibility—responsibility you and I will never be able to bear. In Isaiah 42:8 God says, “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” Romans 11:36 says,“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Jesus doesn’t want glory because he’s prideful or selfish. He is lifted up because he is the way to the Father. He’s not looking for control of our lives for selfish gain. He knows that when he takes the throne of our hearts, he can lead us into abundant life. Through Jesus we have restored relationship with our heavenly Father. Through Jesus our sins have been blotted out. You and I have been made clean in the sight of God. And we will live in eternal communion with God himself all by Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s in living for his glory that we will find peace and purpose. And it’s only in living for his glory that the world will come to know the Father.

So, what does it look like to live for the glory of God? Living for God’s glory requires true humility. Humility isn’t acting as if you’re bad at things you are good at. You don’t have to turn away every kind or encouraging word that gets spoken to you. True humility is acknowledging God has given you the gifts and talents you possess and acting on that knowledge by living for God’s glory alone. True humility takes compliments and encouragement straight to God in the secret place, laying down any good thing you’ve done back at the feet of Jesus in worship. Again, you are meant for greatness. You are designed to live a life of effective and good work. Just don’t take credit where credit is not due.

How can you lead a life devoted to the glory of God? You must first begin by spending time encountering the glory of God for yourself.Psalm 97:1-5 says, “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” God’s glory is here on the earth. All throughout Scripture we read of God’s glory displayed throughout creation. His glory is revealed in his love, in his nearness, and even in you as God’s crown of creation. Spend time meditating on how glorious God is. Spend time worshipping your King. When you encounter the glory of God consistently, your desires will naturally shift from living for yourself to living for him. Second, align your purposes with God’s purposes. Pursue relationships, work, fun, and community in light of your need to live for God’s glory. And lastly, spend time in God’s presence allowing the Spirit to mold and shape you.Make room for God to align your desires with his. Ask for the Spirit’s help every day as you work and play. Open yourself to his leading as he helps you pursue a life lived for the glory of God. God has a plan every day to use you for his kingdom. He has so many promises he longs for you to experience all day. Live for the glory of God and experience the abundant peace and joy he has planned for you.

Guided Prayer:           

1. Spend time meditating on the glory of God. Think about all of the marvelous works he has done.

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” Psalm 97:1-5

2. Reflect on areas in your own life where you struggle with pride and living for your own glory.

3. Now ask the Holy Spirit to help you live for God’s glory in those areas where you struggle. Ask him to show you what it looks like to live for the glory of Jesus today. Choose to respond to his leadership with obedience and faith.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” Psalm 72:19

Living for God’s glory is a process. It is a lifestyle radically different than any other way of living. It requires continual humbling and repentance. Know that God has total grace for you today. He knows what is holding you back from fully encountering him. He knows what entangles you to the ways of the world. And he has a perfect plan to deliver you from any bondage that you may be experiencing. Trust him and have patience. Come before his throne as often as possible, and lay down your achievements at his feet. Experience the glory of God through his love and creation. Let his loving kindness mold and shape you into the likeness of Jesus. Live for the glory of God today and experience a life free from the burden of pursuing fame and reputation.

Extended Reading: Psalm 97

But How Do I Get Through the Next 86,400 Seconds?..... LYSA TERKEURST

 But How Do I Get Through the Next 86,400 Seconds?

LYSA TERKEURST

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

I want healing to be as neat and predictable as a checklist. I don’t want to be inconvenienced by it, and I most certainly don’t want to be caught off guard by the emotions that can go along with it.

Of course, if you’ve ever had to heal from having your heart broken in excruciating ways, you know you can’t schedule healing. You can’t hurry it up. And you can’t control how and when it will want to be tended to.

Part of what makes healing so hard is the deep ache left behind after the trauma. Loss envelops us with an aching grief that comes in unpredictable waves. It’s hard to know if you’re getting better when a string of good days suddenly gives way to an unexpected emotional crash.

You feel angrier than ever over the unfairness of it all. The wounds seem raw, confusing and unhealed. And you just wish someone would please tell you how in the world you’re supposed to make it through all 86,400 seconds of this day in the midst of so much pain.

Trust me when I say I understand all of these feelings. I know how incredibly difficult it can be to function in the midst of daily life when you’re wondering if your heart will ever feel whole again.

Like when I laid my head down on the banana display in the grocery store, completely spent during one of the most devastating seasons of my life. I was just standing there with an empty cart, a heart full of pain, and my face pressed into the display. The teenage worker saw me and couldn’t figure out what I was doing. I guess he assumed my concern was about the choices of fruit before me. So, heaven help him, he asked, “Can I help you?” I turned my face toward him. Tears flooded out. And all I could think to say was, “I need a tissue.”

Lovely. Nothing makes a day complete quite like a breakdown in front of a complete stranger at the grocery store.

But I’ve discovered those days don’t have to be setbacks. They can be evidence we’re moving through the hardest parts of healing. The new tears over old wounds are proof we’re tending to our emotions. We’re processing the grief. We’re wrestling well with the ache in our soul.

Feeling the pain is the first step toward healing the pain. And all those emotions that keep bubbling up and unexpectedly spilling out? They’re evidence you aren’t dead inside. There’s life under the surface. And while feelings shouldn’t be dictators of how we live, they are great indicators of what still needs to be worked through.

When we love deeply, we hurt deeply. This is why we have to learn how to trust the process of healing. We have to let it ebb and flow around, in and through us. We have to grant it access to our heart.

And when we start to see healing as unfolding layers of unexpected strength and richly revealed wisdom, it doesn’t feel so unfair. It starts to feel like a secret wisdom God is whispering into the depth of our soul.

Then one day, we suddenly realize the future feels stunningly appealing. Not because circumstances have changed but because we have embraced reality, released control, and found that this healed version of ourselves is what we’d been looking for all along.

I don’t know what kind of pain or heartbreak you may be walking through right now. But I do want to point you toward the hope found in our key verse “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

Our God is a God of restoration. And all that aching within you is proof there’s a beautiful remaking in process. Don’t give up.

God loves you. You are not alone. Healing is possible.

Father God, when all I want is to be done with my healing journey, remind me that I can trust You in this process. Thank You for being a God who keeps His promises. I know You will use this heartbreak for good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV)

Is Peace Ruling Your Heart?..... by Lynette Kittle

 Is Peace Ruling Your Heart?

by Lynette Kittle

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

In the midst of this crazy, ever changing world, is peace ruling your heart?

If not, know that God has called you to peace. It’s His will for your life.

So if you’re not experiencing it and you would like to live in peace, how can you foster it in your life?

To begin with, look at where you are seeking wisdom. James 2:17 describes how “the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

If the information you’re taking in on a regular basis is not lining up with godly wisdom, it’s time for an evaluation of your sources. You can start this process by reviewing the activities you’re involved with including the games you’re playing, films you’re watching, books and commentary you’re reading, and music and speakers you’re listening to on a regular basis.

Next, take stock of the effects your choices are having in your attitudes, outlooks, and behaviors towards yourself and others.

Ask yourself how they are influencing your life with questions such as are you mirroring their philosophies and behaviors? Are these influences greatly shaping how you view the world? Have you adopted a line from a movie or book as your life saying rather than what God says about you?

If you find the answers to your questions are revealing the root of your lack of peace, look to Scripture to help you find your way to the only one true source of peace in this world.

As Isaiah 9:6 explains, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. So if you’re looking to the world as your source, you’ll not ever find it.

In His own words Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

If you are truly looking for peace, you’ll look to make some changes in your life such as looking to God’s Word as your source of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement rather than what the culture is offering you.

Perhaps you feel giving up things you enjoy sounds too difficult? Hebrews 12:11 explains how “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

By turning towards God as your source of peace, you can be confident you’ll find it.

Be a Friend to Have a Friend..... by Laura MacCorkle

 Be a Friend to Have a Friend

by Laura MacCorkle

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17, NIV

Christmas is weeks past us, but the remnants remain on a bulletin board in my office.

There, I have thumb-tacked various holiday family pictures and newsletters that I received in the mail from all different friends and acquaintances. I decided that that's how I would "handle" these materials this year, instead of putting them in a pile to collect dust and go forgotten.

As I look at the bulletin board each day, my heart is warmed as I see the faces of friends who have played different roles in my life: comforter, truth-teller, listener, hugger, encourager, constructive criticizer, relationship decoder/investigator, and so forth.

I see so many ways of serving and giving from so many different types of friends. And I am blessed as I am reminded of what they have done for me.  And then I am also convicted: What am I doing for my friends? How am I pouring into their lives as they are pouring into mine? How is God moving me to be part of their worlds? And am I responding to his instruction and guidance in my life?

Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said: "The only way to have a friend is to be one." And he was so right about that. Friendships don't just happen. They take time. They take effort. They take upkeep. And that means we all have to do something if we want to cultivate, grow and nurture relationships with others.

When I look at my bulletin board of friends, if I am truly willing to be a friend "who loves at all times," I know that that means I have to always be ready to shelve or alter my plans in order to help meet the varied needs of others.

It's something God has been working on me for a while now. Am I willing to lay down my plans and sacrifice my time and my desires for my friends? Or is it more important that I get done today what is on my list and what I think is right for me? Am I seeking the Lord for his direction? Am I paying attention to the Holy Spirit for conviction?

Let me warn you, though. Don't ask God to move in your life in this way unless you really mean it. Because when you do ask him to help you be a better friend and to help you reach out to others, he will give you plenty of opportunities that may or may not be what you had in mind.

You might be asked to…

• Offer your professional skills to someone else in need for free.
• Forgo your after-work errands or agenda to just sit, listen and offer a warm hug
• Give up your Saturday to help someone move, paint a house or run a garage sale.

Better yet, you might be moved to…

• Give financially to someone you don't even know.
• Befriend the "different" or "difficult" person whom no one else likes.
• Not take careless words or confusing situations personally and instead choose to "cover" these minor offenses with love.

That's what a true friend does: gets outside of themselves and gives. And gives. And gives! Are you up to it? I'm asking myself the same question. For friends both new and old, how can we be a true friend to someone else today?

Intersecting Faith & Life: No doubt, at some point in your life you've known what it's like to be on the receiving end of someone who has been a good friend to you. But what's it like to be your friend? Do you take more than you give? Are you ever around? Do you take time to listen and care about others' concerns and life matters? Take a friend inventory today and see what changes you might need to make in your outreach to those you call "friend."

Further Reading:

John 15:13
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

A Prayer to Give the Burdens of Others to God..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer to Give the Burdens of Others to God

By: Chelsey DeMatteis

I recently was sitting down at my computer to do some research and thought about some of the heartbreaking issues at hand in our society. My mind was quickly carried off to a state of worry. For a moment my mind was floating in the fear of the world and away from the fear of the Lord. I quickly realized that in these moments, I’m called to stand firm in the truth and hand over my thoughts to our Heavenly Father.

It seems that most situations these days cause us to go to the worst outcome in our minds. They have us living in a state of fear, too worried to stand firm in our faith. It’s difficult, isn’t it? Our emotions are in constant upheaval. And oftentimes, I find myself taking on the problems, emotions and fears of others as well. As if they somehow became my own. I’m sure you can relate.

Somehow, the enemy has had me thinking the issues of people I barely know are my own issues, too. The struggles of others have now become my own struggles. This is how he works. He plays off others’ hurts, stories, and tragedies in order to cause us to stumble in fear.

Can I tell you something I need to be reminded of often? God doesn’t desire this way of living for us. While He doesn’t want His believers oblivious to the world around them and living as if nothing bad is taking place, He also does not intend for us to take on all the hurts and fears in the world. And for the hard things he does call us to step into, He does want us to take every circumstance and tragedy to Him. He wants us to lay them at the foot of the cross instead of carrying them around as if they are our own.

God calls us in 2 Chronicles 20:17 “…Take up our positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give us.” It’s one of the most basic commands God gives us; stand firm. Stand firm in His truth. Stand firm where He positions us. Stand firm when the enemy comes calling for us to fear. As we grow in our relationship with The Lord and in the knowledge of what His word says, I think we’ll begin to see the fertile ground for the enemy becomes solid ground for The Lord.

When we begin seeking God first, fully, and firmly we’ll be quick to recall that others' stories, emotions, and tragedies are not our own. We will see that we need to take the thoughts captive, turn immediately to prayer, and surrender our feelings at the foot of the cross.

Pray with me…

Lord, thank you for your Holy Word. We rejoice that in it we see promise after promise. We are filled with hope because of your son, Jesus Christ. We pray for those facing tragedies, hardships, and painful seasons. Lord, as we hand these prayers over to you, may we not take them on as our own. May we stand firmly in your truth that You are in charge of our story and You are using us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Easter Words of Forgiveness..... Jack Graham

 

Easter Words of Forgiveness

Jack Graham

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
--Luke 23:34

As we all know, words are powerful… especially dying words. And as we near Easter Sunday, it's important that each of us remembers just exactly what Jesus had to say right before His earthly life ended.

One of the last things Jesus said while hanging from the cross were words of forgiveness.

Today I want to ask you, if Christ could pray a prayer of forgiveness for those who were putting Him to death, can you pray a prayer of forgiveness for those in your life who mistreat you?

Despite what you may be going through today, can you look past your own "junk" and extend forgiveness to others?

Jesus' dying words on the cross are a powerful example of how you and I ought to treat those who mistreat us. Are you willing to follow His perfect example in every area of your life today? Will you extend forgiveness to those who don't deserve it?

I challenge you to pick up your cross today… and live out the life of forgiveness Christ has given you! 

CAN YOU FOLLOW CHRIST'S EXAMPLE AND FORGIVE THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU?