The Cross The Believer's Victory ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Cross The Believer's Victory

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

From a worldly perspective, Christ's death signaled His defeat. After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. But it was! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be victorious in life. Just consider what He won for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross.

Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation. Without it, we'd have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn't died in our place, we'd have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin we've ever committed.

Power over Sin: Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin; He also brought us present victory over it. When He was crucified, our old sinful nature died with Him (Rom. 6:6). The power of the "flesh" was broken, and Jesus now lives His triumphant life through us. That means we are no longer enslaved to sin and can choose obedience to God.

Defeat of Satan: At the crucifixion, the list of decrees against us was nailed to the cross, and the Devil lost his power over our lives (Col. 2:13-15). None of his accusations can stick, because God holds nothing against us anymore. And now every time we yield to the Spirit within us, Satan is defeated once again.

Christ met all our needs on the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live a victorious, obedient life.

Honesty is the Foundation..... Craig Denison

 Honesty is the Foundation

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Honesty is more than the words we say. It’s a posture of the heart. We weren’t made to try and be something we’re not. God never asks us to keep up appearances. He longs for us to have the courage to be vulnerable. He longs for us to be so founded in his unconditional love that we live honestly. May you experience new levels of peace and joy this week as we discover God’s heart for honesty.

Scripture:

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10

Devotional:    

Deciding to live openly and honestly is foundational to experiencing fullness of life in God. God doesn’t deal with our facades. He doesn’t speak to, love on, heal, deliver, or empower the fake self we try and portray. Rather, he faithfully pursues who we really are, drawing us out from the walls we’ve built up around our hearts.

1 Peter 3:10 says, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” When the Bible talks about honesty, it isn’t just talking about God’s heart for us not to speak lies, but also that we wouldn’t believe or live out lies. In living honestly we will love life and see good days. Nothing good comes from being dishonest. There is no life in trying to appear as something we’re not. Abundant life comes with communion with God, and God always meets us where we’re at.

Assess your life today. Are you living honestly? Are you trying to portray yourself as something you’re not? Are you deceiving yourself or looking at yourself honestly? Are you coming before God just as you are or trying to appear like you have everything together?

Honesty is at the foundation of encountering God, loving others, experiencing abundant life, and doing good, eternal works. Everything God does is about the heart. He’s about that which has substance, that which is real. He’s not calling you to share your “picture-perfect” life with others. He’s calling you to be vulnerable with others that they would see the unconditional, grace-filled nature of relationship with God. He’s not asking you to clean yourself up before you worship him or meet with him. He’s asking you to come as you are that he might reveal the love he already has for you, even in your imperfections.

Take time to make honesty a core value in your life. Reflect on the importance of being open and vulnerable. Allow the Spirit to illuminate any ways in which you are valuing appearance above reality. And choose today to be who you truly are. May you find new peace and joy today as you remove the pressure of appearance.

Guided Prayer: 

1. Meditate on the importance of honesty. May Scripture help you make honesty a core value.

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.” James 1

2. Assess your heart. In what ways do you value appearance above reality? Where are you working to try and appear as something you’re not. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate any ways in which you need to live more honestly.

3. Ask God to reveal his love for you even in your imperfections. Allow his love to fill you with the courage to be honest today. Rest in his unconditional love for you.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

The only confidence available to us to live honestly is the unconditional love of God. Christ died for you while you were in your sin. He gave his life just to have relationship with you just as you are. Choose to receive his love. Choose to value his opinion over others’ opinions. Let his love be your source over the fickle affections of people. May you find courage to be yourself today and thereby experience true freedom in your heart. 

Extended Reading: 1 Peter 3

I Know God Is Working..... LYNN COWELL

 I Know God Is Working

LYNN COWELL

“… on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.” Job 23:9 (ESV)

On my knees again, I was asking, seeking and knocking — just as I had been for years — for the salvation of a family member. While praying, my heart sank as my mind thought: God, I believe You will answer this prayer, but it’s really hard when I don’t see evidence of the answer on its way. 

Just then, a memory of another specific prayer came to mind: spiritual growth for my husband. I sensed God whispering to my heart, Remember this one? Yes! I do remember that prayer, and now, every day, I see the answer before my very eyes.

Sometimes, when we are standing constant in our belief that God will answer a prayer that we know to be His will, we become weary. Job certainly felt worn out. Almost everything in the life he enjoyed was gone — a grief so deep very few of us can truly grasp or understand it. He wrestled with why God allowed this to happen. He states, “… on the left hand when he [God] is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him” (Job 23:9).

In this passage, Job is speaking of the creation surrounding him. He could see, with his very eyes, the work of God. It wasn’t a matter of whether or not God was present; Job knew He was. The issue was Job not seeing God at work in his own life.

This verse appears about halfway through Job’s story. Here, Job had no idea of the good that God was working to bring to him, the good that you and I get to read about at the end of his story: “And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. … And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:10, 12a).

Like Job, we look to God to change the circumstances in our lives that need His intervention. A marriage that doesn’t look like it will survive. Healing to alleviate day-after-day pain. The child who has run far from God. A job that drains every last bit of joy from your life. The addiction where freedom seems impossible.

We, too, are in the middle of stories God is still writing. And while the days of praying get long, we can trust that, based on His majestic creation around us and His prior faithfulness to us, He is also working on our behalf, even when we can’t see Him.

God has not answered my prayers about my family member’s salvation yet, but I know He is working behind-the-scenes in their heart every day. Today, let’s resolve to continue putting our confidence in Him, the One who is never shaken and always faithful.

Jesus, I’m weary today, but I will set my mind and my heart on Your past faithfulness and Your power to change all things. With You, nothing is impossible! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (KJV)

Whatever You Do..... By Lynette Kittle

 Whatever You Do

By Lynette Kittle

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17

Do life’s everyday responsibilities like loading and unloading the dishwasher, cause you to mumble under your breath? Or do you find yourself grumbling about the mundane tasks you’re assigned at work? Maybe it’s the wear-and-tear of working weekly in the church’s nursery or serving on the worship team?

It’s easy to grow weary in serving others and even easier to become critical in thoughts and words, rather than to turn to God’s Word in how to respond in various situations. Still God encourages you to do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14).

Scriptural Examples

Sadly the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness reveals a crowd of grumblers. So much so, it led God to respond with ”How long will this wicked community grumble against me?” (Numbers 14:27).

Today in a culture where being outspoken, critical, and argumentative is celebrated and admired, most may not even consider grumbling something to avoid.

Jesus was the subject of grumbling, too, when He went to the home of Zacchaeus. Luke 19:7 states, “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’”

In another situation where a crowd was criticizing Him for some statements He made, Jesus confronted them saying “Stop grumbling among yourselves” (John 6:43).

Because fault-finding is so commonplace now, especially with the opportunities offered on the Internet and through social media to express opinions, the majority of individuals may not know that Scripture strongly cautions people to not grumble against one another (James 5:9).

How to Serve Well

Rather than complaining about serving others at home, on the job, in church, or in your community, Scripture urges you to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7).

Likewise, Colossians 3:23-24 encourages “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” knowing “that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:24).

Scripture reveals the truth to serving well, which is to not look to people for your inspiration or reward but to look to God. Doing so makes it easier to “do everything in love,” as directed in 1 Corinthians 15:14.

So next time you're tempted to mumble, grumble, complain, or argue while serving others, instead, consider it as an opportunity to serve God. Focus on Him rather than the task, knowing He sees your heart and actions, and will reward you for your service.

Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward..... By Debbie McDaniel

 Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward

By Debbie McDaniel

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

In John 21 we read the story of when Jesus appeared to the seven disciples early one morning. It was just days after the Resurrection. They were out fishing, and hadn't caught a thing. Though they didn’t recognize Him, He called to them from the shore, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." v. 6

So they did.

And a miracle happened. They caught fish. So many in fact, that they were "unable to haul the net in because of the large number..."

Our God of miracles.

That’s when Peter recognized Him.

But here's what I love too. Jesus had gone before them, He'd already prepared a fire with fish and bread for them. He'd been there waiting. He invited them to bring some of their fish and then, to "come and have breakfast." v. 10-12

And over a fire and some food, He had a heart to heart with Peter. Three times he asked Peter if he really “loved” Him, the kind of self-sacrificing love that was willing to give all. The kind of love that involved deep faithfulness, commitment, strong character, and active expression.

Peter, who Jesus had previously called a "rock." Peter, who had claimed he would never deny Christ, yet denied him three times in the courtyard before his journey to the cross. Peter, who was impulsive or fearful at times, yet strong and bold at other times. Peter, who was probably not feeling like much a "rock" that morning as he sat with Jesus.

Defeated. Guilt-ridden. Sense of failure hanging over. Maybe still rehearsing what he'd done, and beating himself up for it. Living under the weight of the "what if's."

And here he was again by a fire, possibly a reminder of the very fire that he'd warmed himself over when he had denied Christ. Yet this time, Jesus had pulled up a seat. He sat with him, ate with him, talked with him, and got right to the heart of it all.

Three times Peter had denied him. Three times Jesus asked Peter of his love and re-commissioned him into a life of service and purpose.

He forgave.

He instilled hope.

He gave him a mission.

He called him to follow, serve, love, tend to, and care for believers.

He brought to him a renewed purpose and vision, in the midst of deep regret, guilt, and shame.

Slate wiped clean.

Fresh start.

Deeper purpose and calling to press on, leaving the past behind, and walking stronger in what was still to come.

This is who our God is. The One who is Mighty in miracles, and loving, forgiving and kind. The One who waits for us and speaks to our hearts, who gives us a calling, and never allows our defeat and failures to have the final word in this life.

No matter what we've walked through, or where we find ourselves today, be assured that He is Able. He can turn around every wrong road we've taken, and get us back on course, stronger than before. He can use every failure or defeat, and turn it around for good somehow. Because that's just how He works.

Press forward friends, He has more ahead...great blessing and purpose…He makes all things new.

Intersecting Faith & Life: We are more than any mistake of our past. Christ calls us out, He wants us to move forward. He redeems and sets free. We can let go of the guilt and hurt that hovers close, and start spending our time on the "right side of the boat," where there is blessing and goodness still in store. He waits for us every morning, offering food for our spirits from His Word, and calling us to a life of love. Thank Him today for the fresh start He offers.

Further Reading:
John 21:1-25
Revelation 21:5

A Prayer to Renew Your Mind..... By Remi Roy

 A Prayer to Renew Your Mind

By Remi Roy

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." - Romans 12:2

What changes when we surrender our hearts to Jesus? Certainly, not our outward appearance, our income or the people in our families or at work. On the outside, we look the same. So, what changes?

The more we give in to the flesh the more our lives stay the same. The more we yield to the Spirit the more we begin to look like Christ. It is important to note that we cannot and do not change our ways first before we come to Christ. Hard as we try we do not have the power to do that and if God required that no one would be saved.

Paul, however, instructs us to renew our minds.

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2

Paul knew that it takes a sincere desire to want to obey God to resist the lure of the world, hence his admonition to not copy the ways of the world. The same temptations we experienced in the past will come our way as new creations in Jesus Christ. We will face the same hardships, deal with the same emotions and circumstances. What makes the difference is our sincere desire to please God. Our desire, fueled by God's grace and love makes real change possible.

Philippians 2:13 says, ‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.’

But how do we carry out Paul's instruction to renew our minds in the practical sense?

It’s all in the Word. God’s Word empowers us and enables us to go all the way in our pursuit of Him.

Our job is to study and apply the Word. It is our weapon against everything that comes against us; whether sickness, fear or evil thoughts. God’s Word is the standard by which we measure our lives and conform to His will.

Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming us each day more and more into your likeness. Help us have self-awareness of when we’re falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading us onward.

In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!