Resting in the Faithfulness of God..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Resting in the Faithfulness of God

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

When plans are frustrated or life just seems to fall apart in some way, people often wonder, Has God deserted me? Why hasn't He answered my prayers? The Bible offers encouragement for such times by assuring us of the Father's faithfulness: "Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments" (Deut 7:9).

Five attributes of God make this possible. First, He is omniscient, which means He knows everything, including our every need, thought, frailty, desire, and life situation in the past, present, and future. Next, the Lord is omnipotent, or all-powerful, so nothing is too hard for Him (Jer. 32:17). Then, He is omnipresent--since He exists everywhere at once, He is never beyond reach.

In addition, our heavenly Father cannot lie. Everything that He says is true and reliable. And lastly, God is unchanging. Our circumstances and the world around us may seem to be in a constant state of flux, and the Lord may even modify the way He chooses to interact with mankind in different generations. But His character is always the same. So when Scripture tells us that God is faithful, we can rest confidently upon that promise.

Circumstances can be painful. But even when situations seem overwhelming, believers can trust that our sovereign Lord knows all, is in control, and lovingly works everything for His children's good. We can rest confidently knowing that the unchanging God of all creation is taking care of us.

God’s Plan for Renewal..... Craig Denison

 God’s Plan for Renewal

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview

One of the best aspects of spending time alone with God is being renewed daily by his word and presence. When we make space for God in our lives, especially at the beginning of the day, he is faithful to renew and prepare us for all we will face out in the world. Scripture says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Where do you need renewal? How greatly do you need God’s mercies in your life? He has a plan this week to both teach and guide you into an encounter with him that will renew you with his overwhelming goodness and love. Make space for God. Make time to encounter him. And experience the refreshing spring rain he longs to bring to heal the dry and weary places of your heart.

Scripture:“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

Devotional:    

God has an incredible plan for renewal in your life. He knows better than anyone the trials, circumstances, and people that wear you down. And he knows that you need time to be refreshed by him. Often, we seek rest and renewal from people and entertainment. Our friends, family, and entertainment can be great sources of fun and rest to be sure, but the only consistent and true source of renewal we have is spending time with our heavenly Father. Only he knows to the full extent what you need. And only he can give it to you. So, before we dive into the process of having specific areas of our lives renewed by God this week, let’s allow him to simply reveal how to rest in his word and presence.

First, let’s look at what Scripture says about our need for renewal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Because of the nature of sin and separation from God, we as humans will not live in our fleshly bodies forever. Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” But we also have the promise of Jesus in John 11:26 that “everyone who lives and believes in [him] shall never die.” We live on the earth knowing one day our earthly bodies will pass away, and we will at the same time be taken from this world to the next. But God’s desire is that while you are here in this body you would be renewed in your spirit every day. Though your body will grow weary, he desires to strengthen your spirit with the hope of an everlasting life with an all-loving God who cares for you. You can meet with God every day. You’ve been given the ability through the Spirit to rest in God’s presence, to know his nearness and love. You can have the same experience as Paul in being “renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

So, how can we experience God’s promised renewal? How do we rest in God’s presence and allow him to revive us? First, it starts with trusting that God will reveal his love to you when you meet with him. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, he asks God to love us with the same love with which he loves Jesus (John 17:26). When you ask him to show you his love, he will. When you make space to encounter him, he will fill you with his presence. Trust that God loves to meet with you and renew you.

Also, foundational to experiencing renewal is engaging in worship. You and I are created to worship. It is both our highest goal and greatest success. When you engage in worship daily, you will experience a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Last, spend time reading God’s word, allowing it to change you and lead you to obedience.You must experience renewal in areas of your life that are not aligned with God’s word. You have to spend time allowing yourself to be shaped and transformed by what God says is best for you. So much of being renewed by God is choosing to believe his word over our experience of what we feel is true.

Let your faith be stirred to encounter your heavenly Father today. You can earnestly desire to meet with him without any fear or reservation that you won’t experience his renewal. Know that when you wake up every morning, God has a plan for the time you spend with him and the ability to reveal it to you through the Holy Spirit. God earnestly desires to renew you this week. He longs to heal the wounded and dry places in your life. Spend time today meditating on God’s promise of renewal, and allow your desires to be stirred to receive all that your heavenly Father longs to give you.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promise for renewal.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2. Reflect on areas in your life that seem dry or weary. Where do you need to be renewed today?

3. Rest in God’s presence and allow his love to renew those areas of your life. Spend time in his presence. Spend time worshiping. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you God’s specific plan for renewal in your life.  Look up Scripture that applies and let it mold and renew you.

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16

May the prayer of your heart today be like David’s in Psalm 63:1-3: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Just as David looked upon the Lord in his sanctuary, you can see God daily. Just as he beheld God’s power, glory, and love, you can experience God. May you be renewed today as you step out into the world, and may God’s strength be your source as you seek to live in light of his glorious nearness.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 4

Nothing Left to Give ANITHA ABRAHAM

 Nothing Left to Give

ANITHA ABRAHAM

“But Jesus said, ‘You feed them.’” Mark 6:37a (NLT)

If you’re like me, maybe you’ve uttered these words on more than one occasion: “If they ask me to do one more thing…”

“They” could be anyone trying to add one more thing to your plate. Anyone needing more than you feel like you can give.

This happened recently to my husband and me. Our schedules were already packed, and all we wanted was a little rest from the rushing, but a married couple we knew were struggling and reached out to us for help. It wasn’t easy, but we rearranged some things and managed to have a few conversations with them.

The result was nothing short of miraculous. They went from talking about divorce to making plans for their future. My husband and I walked away with our faith reinvigorated, amazed at what God had done. Despite our empty tanks God had worked through us.

Rest is a necessity and actually something God desires for us. However, there are also ordained circumstances when He has something else in mind.

The feeding of the 5,000 in the Gospel of Mark is a familiar story to me. However, this time when I read it, the events right before caught my attention.

In Mark 6, Jesus sent His disciples on a mission: “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil … The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile’” (Mark 6:12-13, 30-31, NLT, emphasis added).

I’m sure the disciples were thinking, rest – finally! But just when the disciples found a comfortable spot to nap, the crowds found them. The Bible says “… Jesus had compassion …” for the people and began to teach them (v. 34).

Interestingly, the passage doesn’t say whether the disciples felt any sympathy for the people. Well, at least they didn’t have to do anything … or so they thought.

After Jesus finished teaching the crowd, it was late, dinnertime. Then, He says the unthinkable to the disciples, “You feed them” (v. 37).

Let’s put ourselves in the disciples’ shoes. I would have been beside myself with a million thoughts running through my mind. Why would Jesus ask this of me? I just accomplished all of these things for Him, and now He wants me to do this?

Jesus may not be asking me to feed a crowd, but I realize I have had my own “You feed them” moments, too.

These opportunities have been disguised as unwelcomed interruptions to my plans: a slow cashier who looked troubled, a friend needing help at an inopportune time and a coworker wanting to talk when I was slammed at work. And yes, even when that couple reached out to us for help.

When I feel like I have nothing left to give, God does. This is a beautiful thing about the Christian life. When we are weak, He is strong. When God asks something of us, we just have to say “Yes.” The rest is up to Him, and that’s when the amazing can happen.

People are fed. Our faith is built. Maybe, even a marriage can be saved.

“And they all ate and were satisfied” (Mark 6:42, NASB, emphasis added). The crowd walked away full. The disciples did too … in more ways than one.

Dear God, help me to know when You want me to do something for someone else. Even when I’m tired, I know Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 1:11, “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy …”. (NLT)

The Unfathomable Sovereignty of God..... By Jennifer Waddle

 The Unfathomable Sovereignty of God

By Jennifer Waddle

“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.   - Isaiah 40:25

Every so often, we read a passage of Scripture that we’ve read many times before, yet the truth of it leaps off the page as if we’ve never read it. It catches us by surprise, offering a beautiful revelation of God’s sovereignty and glory.

Isaiah chapter 40 was like that for me recently, as I read through it with a quickening of my spirit motivated by the unfathomable sovereignty of God described throughout.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? (Isaiah 40:12-13)

What struck me most, was that the God of all creation has measured every drop of every ocean, stream, and pond in the hollow of His hand. If we were able to view the entire earth from space and see just how much of it is made of water, it would be unfathomable to imagine the Lord measuring it. Yet, Isaiah 40 confirms it.

Then, if we were to gather just a handful of dust in the palm of our hand, we would see that each particle would be impossible to count. Yet God, in His perfect sovereignty, has calculated the dust of the entire earth. Oh, the magnitude of that thought!

Each mountain, that stands high above us, peaking to the heavens and seemingly impossible to climb, has been weighed by the Lord God in a scale—one so vast, it is beyond compare.

No one is like our God. No one has ever directed His Spirit or taught Him a single letter of knowledge. His wisdom is supreme. His Word is living. Only He is able to judge the thoughts and intents of our hearts. And yet…

The unfathomable sovereignty of God has reached down in love, through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, to take broken sinful “us” into the same palm that has measured the oceans. Every thought, action, and breath we take has been calculated by the same measure God used to count the dust.

The very same Spirit who raised Jesus, victorious over sin and death, lives in us. We are His beloved. Yes, our God is unfathomable and awesome. There is none like Him. His ways are perfect, holy, and sure.

“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26

Gracious and mighty God, thank You for your unfathomable presence in our lives. We are in awe of You. Thank You, Holy Redeemer, for numbering the stars and counting our breaths. We trust You. We praise You, God, for the richness of Your word that leads us, guides us, and sometimes surprises us. To You belong all glory, honor, majesty, and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Dead Will Live..... By Debbie Holloway

 Your Dead Will Live

By Debbie Holloway

“Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy” - Isaiah 26:19.

In Luke’s account of Christ’s resurrection, angels proclaimed to the women: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (24:5-6). This joyous news must have taken them off guard. After all, they came to Jesus’ tomb bearing burial spices with which to anoint the lifeless body of their Lord. Instead, they find dazzling angels standing watch next to an empty tomb, and hear news that they will never find Christ in a place of death and darkness.

As Easter draws closer, have you considered which aspects of your life God wants to breathe life into?

Family

Many of us have strained familial relationships that seem only to worsen when we get together for meals and services around the holidays. Do you pray for the members of your family regularly? Are you willing to open up your heart to start loving them the way God loves each and every one of them? Remember,

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Friendships

If Christ’s work on the cross teaches us anything about friendships, it’s that forgiveness and grace trumps all. After all, mere hours before his gruesome death, Jesus was ignored, abandoned, denied, and betrayed by his closest friends. He could have equally been speaking of Peter, a man in his inner circle, when he begged on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Yet, even after being left alone and misunderstood, Christ still made the ultimate act of love for his friends (and the world).

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

Work

Often our “good” side is saved for our friends and loved ones, while our places of work get the short (or grumpy) end of the stick. As you ponder the work Christ did on the cross, and the glory of his resurrection, remember that our work can be a beautiful echo of his perfect work, holy and pleasing to God.

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:10-12).

Intersecting Faith and Life: What area of your life needs to come alive in honor of Easter? How can you seek Christ daily in your relationships and duties?

Further Reading: Book of Titus

A Prayer of Gratitude Even When Life Is Hard..... By Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer of Gratitude Even When Life Is Hard

By Tiffany Thibault

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:8-9

There is no doubt about it. Life is hard. People and circumstances cause us stress. World events cause uncertainty. Each day seems to bring job losses, illness, bad news and disappointments. It can become a heavy burden to bear each of these challenges if it weren't for one simple fact: The Lord loves us with His unfailing love! That means it never stops, never diminishes in strength and is for us each and every day, and in each and every situation that we experience!

This Bible is so encouraging as it reminds us that his deeds toward us are wonderful! He satisfies the thirsty and he fills the hungry with good things. All we have to do is move towards him and seek him!

Are you thirsty for a fresh word from the Lord? Spend a spare moment today reading the Bible. There are thousands of words of encouragement there to satisfy your soul, calm your mind and give your heart hope and healing.

Are you hungry for wisdom and truth in your life? Seek for it in the pages of scripture. Everything we need is written down for us between the covers.

Are you stressed? Worried? Depressed? All alone? We can find help for all these things and so much more as we eagerly seek the scriptures for the answers that we desperately need!

The Lord wants to replace all your worry with peace beyond all understanding.

He wants to remove your fear and fill you with courage.

He wants to remove your loneliness by having a richer relationship with you.

Be thankful for the good things that the Lord is doing in and through you today. He is using you to point others to him. He is using you to be his hands of love as you serve others. He is wanting you to talk with him about your concerns, your pain, your uncertainty. He is waiting to listen to you and to guide you in every area of your life.

Be thankful for the hard things that the Lord is allowing in your life. He is with you. He loves you every single second you are traveling through this pain. He is going to use this situation somehow for His glory and for your good. In the meantime, trust him, and welcome his love. Look eagerly to see the ways he is providing for you through the struggles that you are going through.

We must remind ourselves over and over of how good the Lord truly is to us. He has allowed us another day to walk with him here on earth. Thank him for this day and pray that He would guide your thoughts, your steps and your words to honor him today!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your unfailing love for me. It is always constant, and it always remains unchanging. It overwhelms me when I think of how much you truly love me.

Thank you for the wonderful deeds that you are doing for us. You created us and gave us an amazing world to live in. You have provided a way for us to eternal life through Jesus. You satisfy our thirst and you fill us with good things.

We trust our lives in your hands. We trust our every moment and our every circumstance to be provided for through your love and provision.

In overwhelming thanksgiving for you, I pray,

Amen.

The Ultimate Lifesaver..... by Jim Liebelt

 The Ultimate Lifesaver

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. —John 15:13

An article in Reader’s Digest described the actions of Dave Shoemaker, captain of the 180-foot fishing vessel, “Galaxy,” somewhere off Alaska’s St. Paul Island. The article read, “When a disastrous engine fire wreaked havoc for the Galaxy and its crew, Captain Shoemaker bravely walked through the smoke and flames with no protection but a bandanna around his mouth to radio for help. Shoemaker continued to put the lives of his crew first and worked to help them to safety despite incurring three broken ribs, extensive burns to his skin and the increasing chance of going down with the ship. Like a true captain, he made certain he was the last of the crew to be rescued by the Coast Guard, who arrived thanks to his initial Mayday call. The Galaxy was completely lost, but thanks in great part to Shoemaker's courage under fire, 21 of the 25 crew members survived.” Captain Shoemaker, a modern day hero, put his own life on the line in order to save the life of his crewmembers.

Let’s reflect on our ultimate lifesaver, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember that he willingly suffered, bled and died—taking our own sin and shame on Himself as He hung on a cross— that we might be saved from an eternity of separation from God. In his resurrection from the grave, Jesus broke the power of sin and death—and guaranteed rescue—to anyone who believes in Him. He is our most shining example of heroism in action.

Yet, the story doesn’t end here. We, in fact, are destined to become part of the story. For Jesus calls all of us who have experienced His rescue to become part of his rescue team—to act heroically, willingly putting our lives on the line—in order to help rescue others. “Snatch others from the fire and save them,” is how the New Testament book of Jude puts it. It’s a simple act of gratitude for we who have been given a lifeline, to share a lifeline with someone else.

Today, offer a prayer of thanks to Jesus, our ultimate lifesaver and consider someone around you with whom you can share your own Easter story of rescue. You never know. In doing so, you just might “snatch someone from the fire.”

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who had the courage to share the news of Jesus' resurrection with you? Pray and thank God for using this person in your life. If possible, thank them personally for being willing to be used by God in your life.

2. In your circle of relationships, who might benefit from hearing your story of God’s rescue in your life? Will you commit to sharing your story with this person in the coming week?

FURTHER READING:

John 10:11-18; Luke 9:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21