A Heart for God A Vision for the World..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 A Heart for God A Vision for the World

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 13:16-22

I sometimes like to walk through a cemetery and read the epitaphs on the tombstones. It's interesting to see what words are used to sum up a person's life. This may seem like a morbid pastime, but it's actually a great way to reassess our own lives. We're each going to leave a testimony of some kind when we die. Have you ever wondered what your loved ones will write on your gravestone? What words do you want inscribed there?

In our passage today, the apostle Paul tells us God's evaluation of David: He described him as "a man after My heart, who will do all My will" (v. 22). What an awesome testimony of a life well lived! The Lord wasn't describing a perfect man, but one whose life was centered on God's interests and desires.

David's many psalms attest to the fact that his relationship with the Lord was the most important aspect of his life. His passion was to obey God and carry out His will. However, that doesn't mean he was always obedient. Who can forget his failure with Bathsheba? But even when he sinned by committing adultery and murder, his heart was still bent toward God. The conviction he felt and his humble repentance afterward proved that his relationship with the Lord was still his top priority.

If God was writing a summary of your life, how would He describe you? Does your heart align with His, or have you let it follow the pleasures and pursuits of this world? Unless we diligently pursue our relationship with the Lord, we will drift away from Him. Maybe it's time for a course correction.

Fully Known..... Craig Denison

 Fully Known

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:

“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

Devotional:    

While we absolutely serve an all-knowing, omnipotent, omnipresent God, there is a stark difference between God’s knowledge of everything and allowing ourselves to be known by him. To be known by God is a two-way street. It’s a conscious decision to open our hearts to this all-knowing God that we might experience him in even the deepest, most secret places of our lives. Galatians 4:8-9 says,

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Being known by God is the birthplace of freedom. When we allow our Creator and Savior to truly know us he brings with him all his power, love, and deliverance. Only when we allow him to know the wounds of our past do we position ourselves to receive his healing. Only when we discover that he cries, mourns, laughs, and celebrates with us will our hearts be founded on the reality of true relationship with him.

Your God doesn’t just want to teach you, lead you, empower you, or use you—he wants to know you. You don’t have to go through this life on your own. You don’t have to process decisions, pains, relationships, or doubts on your own. You can be known by your Creator and know him. Unhindered relationship with your perfect, loving Father can be your source.

It is entirely possible to go through this life as a believer without letting God fully know you. As tragic as it may be, many Christians do it every day. We live as if God is distant from us. We live as if we don’t have full access to his heart, will, love, and presence in the Holy Spirit. We live as if all Christ came to do was give us a “get out of Hell free card” rather than restore us to right relationship with the Father. And when you live fully known by God you will experience a love more sure, more real, and more transcendent than any love you’ve experienced.

Take time as you enter into guided prayer to truly let God know you. Open up the secret places of your heart. Tell him about your insecurities, fears, doubts, and wounds. May you find a deeper level of intimacy with your loving Father than you thought possible.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of being known by God. 

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” Galatians 4:8-9

“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

2. Are you living your life known? Or are you hiding pieces of your life from your heavenly Father? 

3. Tell God about anything in your life that’s stayed in the dark. Bring it to the light with him. Allow him to fully know you. And experience powerful freedom as he reveals the depths of his love for you.

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:27

Ephesians 5:8 says, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” You can live with confidence and joy today. When you are fully known by God and still fully accepted and loved, your heart is unshakable. God will not reject you. He has loved you at your worst. Trust in him today and experience life in the light of his presence. 

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

All the Good We May Not See..... STACIE STARK

 All the Good We May Not See

STACIE STARK

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

My baby daughter’s hands and feet went into suction-cup mode as I tried to hand her to the very nice lady in the church’s infant room. “They only cry for a few minutes,” the nursery volunteer promised.

An hour later, a weary but still very nice lady handed me my teary-faced infant and said, “You moms have them all week … we’re happy to give you a break.”

It wasn’t hard to read between those lines. As a seasoned mother, though, I knew if I didn’t leave my baby at the nursery again, she would continue to stay with me during the church service, so back we went the next week.

This time, I handed her to a very nice man – Mr. Neil. She stopped crying immediately. When I came back an hour later, she was still dry-eyed. Mr. Neil had held her the entire time.

Over the next six months, she graduated to Mr. Neil’s lap, then to Mr. Neil sitting next to her and finally to playing on her own while Mr. Neil watched. She enjoyed Sunday school, and I was able to listen to the church service again – something I desperately needed.

Two years later, I learned that the first day Mr. Neil met her was to be his last day serving in Sunday school. But when he saw how much my daughter needed him, he extended his volunteering … at first week-to-week, and then for an entire six months until she moved up to the toddler room. All for a little girl who couldn't say his name, who would never remember his selflessness but, for whatever reason, became very attached to him. He did it for her. He had no idea I needed him just as much.

Processing my mom’s cancer diagnosis while managing three young children, all under the weight of a demanding job, left me drowning. That one-hour church service was the only thing keeping me afloat. It was my favorite hour of the week, the only peace I got. When I had to miss church, I would literally cry.

God clearly provided a helper for me when I needed it most, though I didn’t see it at the time. I am so grateful our God tosses us lifelines even when we don’t recognize they’re from Him.

But I tell this story for a different reason. You, too, are likely a servant of some kind, whether you have an official title or not. Sometimes our service for others energizes us. Sometimes it exhausts us. But the Bible urges us not to give up doing the good God has called us to do. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” There’s an eternal reward waiting on the other side of faithful service: an abundant harvest.

Mr. Neil could have moved on as he had planned, but instead, he saw a need coupled with his unique ability to meet it. So he stayed, putting weariness aside and trusting God to provide energy and endurance.

Sometimes we don’t see the full harvest of faithful service. The only harvest Mr. Neil saw was a little girl who stopped crying only for him. By the grace of God, that was enough. He had no idea of the spiritual harvest that was to come in me through his care for my daughter.

Do not grow weary of doing good. God has placed you just where you are for a specific purpose. When you’re tired and feel like quitting, lean on Him to provide energy and endurance. Trust that the harvest is coming — one you may not see, but that will bring God the glory He deserves.

Dear Lord, thank You for sending helpers when we need them most. And thank You for using us as helpers when others are in need. When we begin to feel weary in the work You’ve given us, please remind us of all the good we may not see and let that sustain us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (ESV)

Hope When There’s None Left (Genesis 50:20)..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

 Hope When There’s None Left (Genesis 50:20)

By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Today’s Bible Verse: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

As I write this devotional, I have a friend who is grieving the rash decisions of her adult daughter. I have another friend mourning the sudden loss of a dear family member. Another is single, lonely, and pleading with the Lord to bring her a spouse. Another is reeling from the shock of her husband driving away with a U-Haul to “find himself.”

It seems everywhere we look, there’s disease, heartache, death, destruction, and pain. What hope do we possibly have?

Again, while writing this, I can look out my office window and see…snow! Piles and piles of snow. Did I mention I live in north Louisiana? My husband had to shovel off the windshield of his truck with a push-broom, because what else do we have? It’s a true delight. Who would have ever thought this was possible?

Do you know why it is possible?

But God.

That’s why.

Joseph understood. He eventually got to see that all his years of betrayal, grief, depression, heartache, rejection, abandonment, abuse, assault, jail, undeserved punishment, unfair treatment, lies, accusations, and loneliness were not without purpose. They were intentional. But God.

Whatever your situation is, you, too, can look right at it and say, “but God.” It doesn’t matter what the doctor says, what the weatherman says, or what the divorce lawyer says. “But God” is all you need to say or hear. He and He alone gives the final word. He alone delivers the final diagnosis and the final report. It’s never too late for a turn-around. After all, God is famous for working wonders in the midnight hour. Ask the Israelites. Ask Abraham. Ask Joseph. Ask your neighbor at church.

The best part is, regardless of the verdict of the Lord, we have another promise on which to hold. Even if things don’t turn the way we hope, we can not only trust that there was and is an eternal purpose being served, we also get to cling to the truth of Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

It doesn’t say “and we hope” or “and we really try to believe”—nope. It says, “and we know.” That’s it. Final word. We know these things to be true. And we know this promise will come into play as well through the workings of Romans 8:18 (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

If the heartache of this world today is too much for your ears, tune it out by blaring God’s word. Whisper these truths to your weary soul. Saturate yourself in the Scriptures. Whatever you’re facing today, remember—But God.

Be Yourself..... by Stephen Sanders

 Be Yourself

by Stephen Sanders

Have you ever had someone tell you to, "Just be yourself and everything will work out"? It sounds so simple, doesn't it? "Be Yourself." What does that even mean? After all, if we could simply "be ourselves," then wouldn't the world that surrounds us be a lot different?

I often wonder what friendships would be like if we could simply be who we are inside; to not feel so much pressure to be less or more of an individual than we think we are supposed to be. One thing I've begun to focus on in recent months is being the same person everywhere I am no matter who I'm around, but that's a lot easier said than done.

Don't get me wrong. I realize that none of us are exempt from sin. 1 John 1:8-10 says this: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Can you see how not dealing with sin appropriately keeps us from being ourselves? Behavior like this causes us to trick ourselves into thinking we are someone who we really aren't. When we ignore or hide sin, it breeds all kinds of issues, not only in us, but also in the body of Christ.

So how should sin be handled? How can you "be yourself?" Well, here are 3 things that will certainly get us going in the right direction: Confession, confrontation, and forgiveness.

We all know that we are supposed to confess our sins to God, but what about confessing our sins to one another? Where does that fit into the picture? The answer lies within James 5:16, which instructs us to, "...confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Why isn't the confession of sins more of a focus in the church today? Shouldn't we be doing this every chance we get if it results in "healing and righteousness?"

Secondly, there is confrontation. Jesus says in Matthew 18:15-17 that, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church..." Notice that this scenario starts with someone taking the initiative to point out the sin. Also notice that this person risks not only putting his friend in an uncomfortable situation but also being humiliated in front of others if he is wrong about his assessment. It's easy to see why the church struggles with this; it's not a simple solution.

Lastly, we have forgiveness. After discussing confrontation and confession, doesn't forgiveness make a lot more sense now? There is a very good reason why Jesus instructed us to forgive, "seventy times seven times " in Matthew 18:22. Jesus knew we were going to be surrounded by sinful people because we live in a sinful world. Rather than avoiding it, we need to be brave enough to be the one who chooses to forgive sin unconditionally and infinitely. Our reaction to sin determines the impact it is able to have on us. Who knows? Our reaction may even be so powerful that it may stop that sin in its tracks before it affects others too!

Intersecting Faith and Life: 

I'm totally convinced that this is how we should be handling sin. And since sin is "at enmity with God" then shouldn't we be doing everything we can to remove it from the bride of Christ? Shouldn't this be a primary focus in our lives rather than striving for what we can gain in life? Jesus is waiting for a bride with no blemishes.

Today, just take about 15 minutes and ask God this simple question: "God, how is the sin in my life keeping me from being who you have created me to be?"

Further Reading
1 John 1
Matthew 18
James 5

A Prayer to Seek the Lord During Distractions..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer to Seek the Lord During Distractions

By: Chelsey DeMatteis

Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. - Nehemiah 6:8-9

Distractions are inevitable. Throughout Scripture, we are told that not only will distractions come, but they will be used by the enemy to knock us off course. Thankfully, God has shown us how to battle these distractions.

Nehemiah was a man in the Bible who dealt with persistent distractions from his enemies, who attempted to stop the work God had called Him to do.

Satan’s distractions are the same today as they were back then. He doesn't have creativity. But he is cunning and cutting. He seeks to unearth old pain. He targets the same insecurity, the same lie that was once told, or the same mistakes of our past. Satan will use whatever causes us to pause, drop, or stop the work of our hands for the Kingdom of God.

When we look at Nehemiah’s story, we see these same tactics. Persistent distractions orchestrated the same way each time. Five times to be exact, that his enemies sent for him. Each time desiring to stop the work that God has commanded of him to do in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah, through his strength in the Lord, called them out for being the lying, fear enticers that they were, and asked the Lord to strengthen his hands.

You see, Nehemiah was able to discern his enemy’s schemes because of his deep relationship with the Lord. He knew what God had called Him to and he was not going to stop the work of his hands until God said so. These persistent distractions didn’t line up with the characteristics of God’s heart. Nehemiah only knew that because, he knew His father and trusted His heart.

This goes for you and me too. We get an amazing example from Nehemiah’s life. Once we begin to study the heart of God and grow in our relationship with Him, we begin to see more clearly what is not from Him. From there we not only grow in discernment, but we mature in our desire to take everything and hold it up to God’s Word. As we grow in knowledge of God’s truth we want to know more of it.

As distractions come, begin taking note of them. Write down what the topic is, how it makes you feel, and when it seems to happen most often. In my experience, it shows so clearly the tactics the enemy is deploying. Just like Nehemiah, I then turn them over to the Lord and ask Him to strengthen my hands and my obedience to Him.

Let’s pray for that now.

Lord, this season has felt like a never-ending scheme of distractions. Father, stir up in me the reminder to write down the topics, feelings, and seasons these come to me most. I pray that as I grow in my awareness of these distractions in my life, that I will more quickly hand them over to you and seek your truth.

Thank you for being a good Father who desires nothing more than for His children to turn to Him in all moments of our days. Help me to do that this very day.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.