Praying the Promises of God..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Praying the Promises of God

Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 40:8

Jesus made it clear that we would endure hardship in this life. But God gave His children amazing tools to keep trials from overwhelming us. For instance, He placed His Spirit inside each believer to guide and empower. In addition, He gave us prayer so we could not only communicate and stay connected with our Father but also bring Him our requests.

Today I want to focus on yet another one of His marvelous gifts: the Bible. Scripture is the actual Word of God Almighty. It is truth. It never changes. It enables us in all circumstances, so we have a sure foundation on which to base our lives and decisions.

There are thousands of promises in the Bible--countless assurances that we can rely on with perfect confidence. God wants us to learn them so we won't miss out on blessings He wants to give. And wise believers will turn His promises into prayers and the cries of their hearts.

Let me give you an example that relates to difficult decisions. Psalms 32:8 states, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." We can pray God's words back to Him, saying that we believe He will teach us and reveal His path, while remaining by our side as our caregiver through the entire situation.

When hardships arise, we need a solid foundation on which to stand. Otherwise, our emotions could easily lead us astray through faulty thinking. God is faithful and unchanging, so we can trust in His promises, which enable us to rest confidently and act boldly

Living Compassionately..... Craig Denison

 Living Compassionately

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:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Devotional:    

One of the most impactful ways we can share God’s heart with others is by living compassionately. To show compassion is to step outside of yourself and love another in times of weakness. And to live compassionately is to posture your heart continually toward giving grace and love to those who need it most.

Very little stirs my heart to God more than compassion. When someone sees me in my imperfection and chooses to love me rather than cast me aside, my affection for them and God is automatically stirred. Oftentimes the world is too busy or self-focused to show compassion. We get too caught up in our plans, our needs, and our image to see the hurting and share God’s heart.

But God is calling us to a life lived humbly and sacrificially. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” The world is in desperate need of compassion. People need mercy and grace when they fail, show weakness, or are experiencing hard times. God’s heart is to use us that we might show mercy and grace as a reflection of his unconditional love. He’s calling us to be light in the darkness that the world might see in us the compassionate heart of our heavenly Father.

It’s for this reason Paul writes in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” You can forgive because you’ve been forgiven. You can be kind because your Father has been nothing but kind to you. And you can be tenderhearted because God was so tender in heart toward you. He was so compassionate that he gave his life to free you, empower you, strengthen you, and ground you in his grace and love.

Take time in guided prayer to receive a fresh revelation of God’s kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness. Open your heart and let him transform you to be more like him. Allow his heart to become your own. And live today in response to God’s love by showing compassion to others that they might know the tenderness and mercy of your heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s heart of kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Psalm 130:1-5

2. Take a moment to receive the love of God. Open your heart to him and experience his kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.

3. Ask God to empower you to show compassion today. Choose to live with your eyes not only set on your needs, but also on the needs of others.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

The only way we can live compassionately is by abiding in the love of our heavenly Father. 1 John 3:17 says, “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” God’s love transforms us. His heart empowers us to live differently. You can abide in the love of God today. You can live filled up with the knowledge of his grace and presence moment to moment and allow him to be your source. Don’t live as if you serve a distant God. Live today in acknowledgement that he is closer to you than your breath—nearer to you than your own skin. The Holy Spirit dwells within you and longs to empower you with his love today. May you live compassionately today and see the lives of others impacted as you reflect the heart of your heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: Colossians 3

Counting Provisions, Not Problems..... MELISSA SPOELSTRA

 Counting Provisions, Not Problems

MELISSA SPOELSTRA

“The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: ‘Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.’” Numbers 1:1-2 (NIV)

One of my college summer jobs was at a retail clothing store. There were many fun parts about it, but my least favorite task was taking inventory.

When the manager told the employees it was time to do inventory, my internal groan was loud because we had to count everything in the store and record it. The store sold baby clothes, so counting socks, onesies and tiny outfits became tedious. Though menial and boring, taking stock of inventory was necessary in order to assess losses and prepare for a new line of clothing.

There are many tedious but necessary tasks in our adult lives as well. For instance, before making a weekly grocery list, we check our fridge and pantry to see what we already have and what we need; otherwise, we might end up with more gallons of milk than we have room for. And it’s necessary to closely assess our finances before making an expensive purchase.

Sometimes, the tasks that seem the most menial are the most important in preparing us, giving us knowledge and — as we see in today’s Bible story — filling our hearts with hope.

In the first chapter of the book of Numbers, we find God asking Israel to take a census of the people who had come out of slavery in Egypt: “The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: ‘Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army’” (Numbers 1:1-3).

God didn’t ask His people to crunch the numbers regarding how much clothing, gold or food they possessed. Instead, He told them to count the people. The Lord was preparing Israel to take the land He had promised them (Canaan). He wanted them to know their military strength and have everyone organized. And as they faced this next step that would require great faith, maybe God also wanted them to remember just how many of them He rescued from Egypt.

While I still believe God cares about relationships more than anything else, I am learning He uses numbers for His purposes. After all, He counted His people (Numbers 1:46), knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30) and records the number of our tears (Psalm 56:8).

While God asked Israel to count to bolster their faith, I tend to crunch numbers on my problems, which often has the opposite effect. I add up the number of people bringing me frustration, the number of times I have to nag family members to follow through or the number of items on my to-do list I don’t have time to accomplish. Do you, like me, struggle with counting problems rather than provisions?

Having the people of Israel take stock of their resources was one way God prepared them to appreciate what they had rather than focus on what they didn’t have. It also served as an exercise to grow their faith in Him as He led them into the promised land. We, too, can crunch the numbers and realize God has placed people in our lives to help us fight our battles, and He’s with us through every battle as well. Let’s take stock today, praising Him for not only what He’s given us, but also who He is to us.

Lord, help me remember to count what You have provided in my life. Show me the people You have placed in my life. Thank You for allowing me to support and serve others around me. I want to “take stock” of what You have given me rather than focus on what seems lacking. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Matthew 10:30, “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (NIV)

Psalm 56:8, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?” (NIV)

What Are We Looking At?..... By: Anne Peterson

 What Are We Looking At?

By: Anne Peterson

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.- 2 Corinthians 4:18

Jesus was here. Even though he was born as a baby and walked this earth, Jesus knew it was not his home. We are also told in 1 John 2:15-17 that we are not to love the world or the things in the world. We read that the world will pass away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. In John 15:19, John explains that if we were of this world, then we would be loved by the world, but the world hates us, because we are not of this world.

Jesus knew when he came to Earth he would be here for just a while. God had a purpose for Jesus’ life and Jesus fulfilled that purpose, even though he only had a ministry of a few years.

But there is more going on than meets our eyes. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness. But sometimes we forget, and we try to fight in our own strength. No one better illustrated this in Jesus’ time than the Apostle Peter.

When Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, he started out fine because his eyes were on the Lord. But when Peter looked elsewhere, noticing the wind and the waves, he immediately started to sink. I love that Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water out of obedience to Jesus’ words. It probably didn’t make any sense, but that didn’t matter to Peter. Faith means we take one step at a time. Peter never would have experienced that miracle had he not chosen to obey God’s voice.

What is so meaningful to me is when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he went down in the water, Jesus immediately lifted him out. Jesus didn’t chastise Peter or shame him for not keeping his eyes on him. He simply saved him.

Later in his life, Peter would write letters to other believers, encouraging them to be self-controlled and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). We’re told that because the devil is just prowling around wanting to devour us. Each of us are fighting a spiritual battle. Satan spends his time trying to make those who follow Christ fearful. He tries to convince us that God doesn’t care about our lives.

And yet, God’s Word is full of promises that contradict what Satan says. God tells us he will not leave us. He reminds us that he is our refuge and he loves us more than anyone else ever has or ever will.

So, the question is, what are we looking at? Are our eyes on the stormy sea, on the Son who saves?

Sharing the Good News..... by Sarah Phillips

 Sharing the Good News

by Sarah Phillips

I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation.
 Psalms 40:10

Rule number one of polite conversation: Never talk about religion or politics.

I was on a train from New York to Richmond when a young man took the seat next to me. At first, we kept to ourselves, I immersed in St. Therese's Story of a Soul and he flipping through a magazine. At some point in the 7-hour journey, he glanced at the cover of my book, and observing the black-and-white picture of a nun on the cover, inquired about my faith.

I affirmed, that yes, I was Christian. He looked at my youthful features and back at the old-fashioned book.

"Interesting. I don't know much about your religion."

"What's your background?"

"I'm Muslim."

I eyed his American clothing, short hair, and clean-shaven face. Now I was intrigued.

"Really? How did 9-11 affect you?"

The question slipped out before I had time to think. But what unfolded was one of the most fascinating conversations I've ever been a part of. I learned this young American was unsure of his beliefs, and that back at college he was dating a girl from a Christian background who also struggled. He had many questions about why a young person like me would, with such calm certainty, decide to commit my life to Christ - even when it meant living differently than my peers.

Looking back on that conversation, I see it was the work of the Holy Spirit that allowed me, an introvert, to delve into those tough topics with such ease and clarity with a complete stranger. I also marvel at the fact that he seemed just as comfortable as I was. We parted ways upon the train's arrival to Richmond, wishing each other the best in life.

As believers, we're called to share the Gospel with those who have not embraced Christ (Mt 28: 18-20). But in today's cultural climate, opening up about issues of faith can feel intimidating. I know at times I've struggled to speak up, but the conversation on that train proved to me that it doesn't require a Ph.D. in apologetics or an ordination from an impressive seminary to effectively discuss matters of faith. In fact, lay people like you and me can have a powerful impact on many.

Here are a few lessons I've learned in the past several years that may be of help to you:

Respect. I am increasingly seeing that true evangelizing is more about relationship than "rightness." Few people respond well to pushy preaching or pride-filled debates. Show a genuine interest in and respect for others' ideas and beliefs - even if you don't agree with them.

Be yourself. Share your faith in a way that is natural to you and to the other person. Don't feel pressured to throw around fancy words or tell miraculous tales if that's not how you normally talk. God loves to work through our gifts - I have one friend whose beautiful singing voice has inspired many to seek a closer relationship with God.

Be knowledgeable. While we don't need to be scholars, I find the more I know about key tenets of my faith, the more I have to offer when a door opens for discussion. Don't know the answer to something? Find it. Constantly expand your knowledge so that you will "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you." (1 Pe 3: 15)

Remember that Christ is the only Savior. While it is our job to share what God has done for us, it's not our job to convince a person to become Christian. Conversion is an individual's free will response to God's grace, not a product of coercion.

And lastly, for those of us who are really shy about speaking up about the faith, you may appreciate St. Francis of Assisi's approach:

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

If you and I seek to live godly lives, who knows how many people could come to know Christ through our actions alone?

Intersecting Faith & Life: Learn one new thing about your faith this week - perhaps a tidbit of Church history or a new Scripture verse - and share it with someone.

Further Reading

Matthew 5:13-16
1 Timothy 2:3-6

A Prayer for Holy Endurance in a Hustle Culture..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer for Holy Endurance in a Hustle Culture

By: Chelsey DeMatteis

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” - Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12 has been a favorite part of Scripture for me since I gave my life to Christ. I loved that it invited me into what God wanted to do in and through my life. It was truth from God’s Word that pierced my heart. It helped me to better understand why He disciplines His children. Isn’t that a beautiful thing? God’s Word walks us through what we need to better understand His heart and to equip us for what we’ll face in this world.

A few years into my life as a Christian, the “self-help” culture began invading the walls of Christianity. This message of hustle and self-help became intoxicating and somehow caught like wildfire with women in the church. I wrestled with this deeply. I saw it as a message that quickly diminished the gospel and elevated oneself.

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, the message of “self-help” is hopeless and filled with a lie. It wants you to believe that you can be the hero of your own story. But if you’re like me… you know there’s no truth in that.

The amount of times I’ve tried to self-help my way out of a problem and landed in anguish is a great indicator of why we were never meant to be the hero, and why we never will be.

You see, there is something so beautifully tucked in this passage of Hebrews that often gets looked over. It will never be talked about within the walls of the hustle culture. Verse 10 begins with talking about discipline from a parent perspective, but then reveals to us that discipline from God is an invitation to His holiness:

“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”

He wants to share His holiness with you and me. Our perfect God wants you and me to experience the goodness of His heart and we won't even begin to scratch the surface if we fall prey to other messages that are built completely apart from The Word of God.

What do we need to stand firm against the competing messages of the surrounding culture? We need Holy Endurance.

Holy Endurance is an endurance set in God’s strength, not our own. Within this endurance, we’re called to accountability and obedience to what God asks of us. It flips the message of “me” on its head and shows us why need less of who we are and more of who God is. Hebrews 12:15 reminds us why we need to cling to endurance in Christ and not the frailty of man. “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” We see here that as followers of Christ we are called and held accountable to see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God. We are called to obey The Lord so that His glory may be revealed and that no root of bitterness will cause trouble.

The world of hustle only hurries hearts; it doesn’t heal or offer grace. The world of hustle is an idol created by man and one we must run from. I pray we take deeply to our hearts the words that finish Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” I pray you will join me in living our lives in a posture that doesn’t sidestep experiencing the fullness of God and what He desires for us. I pray that we can discern the patterns in this world that are not from Him and trust His ways of escape from the very things culture uses to take our eyes off of Him.

Pray with me…

Lord, I pray that my endurance would always be set in you. In a culture that constantly tries to hurry and hustle, I pray that we in Christ would choose to show the peace we have in your pace.

Help me have eyes that clearly see the competing messages of our culture, the messages that say you can hustle yourself into peace.

Father, I pray my eyes would always be on you and the desires you have for my life. I pray I would have eyes to clearly see the kingdom of God and know that your kingdom alone cannot be shaken.

May everything I do be to please you first and foremost.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.