When a Fellow Christian Stumbles ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 When a Fellow Christian Stumbles

Dr. Charles Stanley

Galatians 6:1-5

The Lord doesn't want the members of His body to live in isolation; believers are intended to function as a loving family who actively care for each other. One of our responsibilities as part of God's household is to come alongside a brother or sister who has stumbled. Paul specifies that those "who are spiritual" are to restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the Father and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean some elite group of pious leaders; it refers to any Christians who are living under the Spirit's control. A key element in this process is the attitude of the one who seeks to restore a fellow Christian.

A Spirit of Gentleness: This isn't a time for harshness, anger, judgment, or condemnation. Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).

A Spirit of Humility: Those who have a superior attitude look down on a fallen brother and think, I would never make those mistakes. But the humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of judging others, they examine their own lives in order to recognize and deal with areas of weakness.

A Spirit of Love: When we love others, we'll willingly sharing their burden. This requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy, and prayer on their behalf.

How do you react when a fellow Christian has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is our tendency to feel better about ourselves when another person misses the mark. Instead of sharing the latest gossip about a fallen brother or sister, let your heart break, and come alongside to love and help.

The Baptism of Jesus..... Craig Denison

 The Baptism of Jesus

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview: 

God’s presence is real, full of love, and completely transformational. It takes what was broken and brings healing. It takes what was lost and guides us to our rightful place in the Father. It satisfies the weary, brings light to the darkness, and pours out the refreshing rain of God’s love on the dryest, deepest parts of the soul. Scripture contains story after story of God coming down to meet God’s children where they are, and your heavenly Father has the same heart for you as he did them. He longs to make the reality of his presence known to you. He longs to refresh you with his nearness. You were created for encountering God, and you will never be satisfied until you continually live in the experience for which you were created. Allow your desires to be stirred up to encounter the living God this week as we read powerful stories of God’s people encountering his manifest presence. May you respond to God’s word by seeking out that for which you were made: continual encounter with your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:16-17

Devotional:    

The baptism of Jesus lays the foundation on which you and I can return time and time again to experience the abundant life made available to us at salvation. Matthew 3:16-17 says, “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” Through the baptism of Jesus the Spirit of God powerfully enters into the scene of humanity. The Holy Spirit’s always been moving and working, but through Christ the way was paved for him to fill us and rest on us. Through the baptism of Jesus, we can all be baptized with the Spirit (John 1:33, John 3:5).

Peter says in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” And Romans 6:4 tells us, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” At salvation the Spirit descends on us and fills us. He is the promise of God for our eternal life. He is our Helper, Teacher, and Comforter while we are here on earth. And he is the one who leads us into the abundant, new life made available to us through Christ.

You see, just as the Spirit rested on Jesus, through his presence in our lives we have untapped resources of unconditional rest. God desires that we would rest in him as he rests on us. He desires for his children to find the only consistent source of peace available to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Where do you need rest today? What trouble, situation, thought, or person is stealing your peace? The Holy Spirit wants to descend on you today as he did on Jesus. He wants to guide you into the rest of your heavenly Father. Isaiah 40:28-31 says,

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

You have the one who never faints or tires and gives power and might dwelling within you as a follower of Jesus. You have an inexhaustible resource of joy, strength, renewal, and rest readily available to you in the Spirit. All that is required of you is to make space in your life to enter into the rest God longs to provide you. Allow him to lay a foundation of his presence in your life by spending time simply being with him, and he will transform you into a person of the Spirit who fellowships and receives from the Spirit constantly. Learn to listen to his voice, follow his guidance, and enjoy his presence today.

Wherever you need rest today the Holy Spirit is waiting to provide it for you. As you pray, make space in your heart and day to rest in him as he rests on you.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the Spirit’s desire to descend on you as he did on Jesus. Allow your faith to be stirred to have a real, tangible encounter with the Holy Spirit.

 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:16-17

“I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’” John 1:33

2. Reflect on your own life. Where in your life do you need rest today?Where do you need a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit? What trouble seems to plague you? What brokenness needs healing and peace?

3. Ask the Spirit to descend on you and bring you rest. Ask for him to make his presence a reality to you. Follow him as he guides you into his presence. Worship, pray, and read the word. Do whatever will guide you into an encounter with the presence of God. God longs to bring you rest. It’s his desire that brings his presence, not your ability to feel him. He makes himself known when we open up our hearts and wait on him. Spend time waiting on his presence and resting in his love.

“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14

“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25

May you discover today the path to continual encounter with the Holy Spirit. He isn’t a God who separates himself into different sections of your life. You are created to live in continual, tangible relationship with your heavenly Father. You are created to find consistent rest in his loving presence. When you begin to feel the burdens of the world weighing you down and robbing you of the abundant life that is yours in Christ, take a minute and receive his presence again. Find consistent times throughout your day to press into the heart of God and discover his continual, new, and refreshing presence that’s available to you anytime and anyplace. Don’t allow a mediocre day to be enough today. Press into the Spirit for more and find all that God intended for your life.

Extended Reading: Isaiah 40

The Best Way To Approach the Word of God..... LYSA TERKEURST

 The Best Way To Approach the Word of God

LYSA TERKEURST

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

One of my greatest joys in life is studying God's Word. It hasn’t always been that way, though.

I spent years resistant to His Word. Then perplexed by His Word. And finally, so moved by His Word it broke through all my hurt, confusion and rejection. Jesus saved my life. And it was His Truth that rewrote the story of my life.

But He couldn't change my story until I embraced His story. And that meant I had to stop viewing His Word as some out-of-date book and receive it as breath and life for each new day.

Our response to His Word is very telling of how we view His Word. We see this Truth in a passage of Scripture I would love for us to consider today.

Second Chronicles 34 gives us an up-close look at the life of King Josiah, a man who began seeking God at an early age, “… while he was yet a boy …” (2 Chronicles 34:3, ESV), and continued to respond to God with a heart of humility as he grew.

The life of this king who “… did what was right in the eyes of the Lord …” (2 Chronicles 34:2, ESV) reminds me of what theologian and scholar G. K. Beale said in his book, We Become What We Worship: “We resemble what we revere, either for our ruin or restoration.” King Josiah sought after the Lord, and therefore his actions reflected the One whom he revered. The result? The restoration of the people of God for a season under the rule and reign of this righteous and upright king.

King Josiah's seeking resulted in repairing the temple of the Lord, which led to the discovery of the Book of the Law. This is where we witness the first of two very different responses to God's Word.

It’s important to note in 2 Chronicles 34:15-18 how Hilkiah, the priest, and Shaphan, the secretary, each viewed the Book of the Law. Hilkiah referred to it by its proper name. However, when Shaphan delivered the message to King Josiah, he simply said that he had been given “a book.” (v. 18a) Clearly, the importance and reverence of this book was lost on Shaphan; however, the response of King Josiah helps us to see the importance of the words of the Lord.

Not only did King Josiah tear his clothes upon hearing the Book of the Law, (2 Chronicles 34:19) but he also humbly received correction and moved with wisdom after inquiring of the Lord — choices that ended up impacting the hearts of the entire nation. (2 Chronicles 34:29-33)

Sadly, a quick look ahead at Josiah’s family line reveals a very different reaction to God's Word. Instead of reverence or even indifference, Josiah’s son Jehoiakim responded with defiance. When presented with the written word of the Lord from the prophet Jeremiah, Jehoiakim tore the Word of God and burned it in the flames. (Jeremiah 36:23)

I don’t think any of us would go to such extremes. But it still begs us to ask the question: How will we respond to the Word when it is presented to us? Will we be torn in our hearts and drawn to repentance and worship? Or will we remain prideful and resistant?

I believe our answers to these questions hinge on how we view God’s Word.

If we treat God’s Word simply as an ancient book with some good principles, we will read it and take from it what we want. But if we truly believe the Bible is the living Word of the one true and holy God, we won't just read it — we’ll let it read us. Our key verse reminds us, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

If we will let it, Scripture can breathe fresh life into us, rearrange our wrong thinking, redirect our wayward heart tendencies and cause us to become more and more humble with each interaction.

Though it chronicles events in past tense, the Bible is God's Word speaking to us in present tense. And how we approach it matters more than we know. Because there is nothing more powerful than a person living what God’s Word teaches.

Father God, thank You for reminding me that the best way to approach Scripture is with humility and reverence. Even if the Truth is painful, Lord, I want You to speak to me. I want You to change me. I want to walk in the hope and freedom Your Word is offering me today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NIV)

What Does It Mean That People Are Without Excuse? (Romans 1:20)..... By Lynette Kittle

 What Does It Mean That People Are Without Excuse? (Romans 1:20)

By Lynette Kittle

Today’s Bible Verse: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” - Romans 1:20

Many are shocked, surprised, and grieved over what is happening in our world today. Immoral behavior and activity openly occur in our own neighborhoods and communities. Sinfulness is celebrated, approved of, and even protected by our governments.

We’re living in a world where an increasing number of people are turning their backs on God, rejecting His Word and His ways to the point where they are given over to depraved thinking.

Scripture explains the process that happens in human minds when they reject God. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

Although some may believe they are being compassionate in making excuses for people’s sinful behavior, God has made it clear to all who He is and because He has, we are without excuse.

As people reject God and choose to live by what they think is right, they drift further and further off course. So far away that eventually God gives them over to their immoral thinking and behaviors.

As Romans 1:28 explains, “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”

When men and women choose to reject God, they lose the ability to follow His ways and choose righteousness. Like Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

Our present-day culture is living out what Romans 1:22: “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” People claim to be wise, but in truth, they are deceived.

God’s Word tells us there are no excuses for the sinful behaviors taking place in our world today because the root of sinfulness is the rejection of God, of the truth He has revealed to every person on earth.

But although there are no excuses, there is still hope. Hope because Jesus came into the world and, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind" (John 1:4).

Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).

Take time today to meditate on Romans 1:20. Praise God for his eternal power and divine nature, and pray that those in your life who do not yet believe would see the evidences of God all around them and choose to place their trust in Him.

Tsunami of Emotion and Understanding..... by Shawn McEvoy

 Tsunami of Emotion and Understanding

by Shawn McEvoy

"Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" - Job 2:9

I once came across a story that is all at once heartbreaking and hope-giving, tragic and uplifting, devastating and determined.

The International Mission Board's Shawn Hendricks chronicled what happened to and through one Christian family on India's east coast since the tsunamis of late 2004. His story, could I still link to it, would effectively function as your devotional for today much better than what I am about to write in response to it.

In a real-world account of events straight from the Book of Job, Paramesvaran and Choodamani lost all three of their children the day after Christmas that year. My heart breaks for families who lose one child, much less three. Imagine having lost one of them who was in your arms but who you were just not strong enough to hold on to against the crushing force of so much water.

Imagine being mocked by your friends and family for your faith while you are suffering such tragedy and burying your own offspring.

Imagine being so full of grief you discuss a suicide pact.

But then... eventually... the clouds lift, first for one spouse who is gifted by a word from the Lord about the blessing that her husband survived when so many others did not. Then, later, the husband feels the tugging of the Lord letting him know that his children are safe with Jesus, they're okay, they're full of praise and life.

The real, personable, meaningful faith in God pulls the couple up, and back together. They are blessed with two new children. But beyond that...

...the fact they are alive and together allows them to become adoptive parents to TWENTY orphaned children. Each of them has come to a saving relationship with Jesus, several helping their new father preach the gospel throughout the area. 

The example of the family, assisted by donations of Christians around the world, has "brought the Good News into areas that were once unreceptive to Christianity."

The ends of things are truly never known until later. Purpose is often invisible until it isn't. Damaging floods can become cleansing baptisms through the passage of time and reflections from fresh perspectives.

Job refused to curse God and die. He instead decided ultimately to acknowledge that nothing he ever had was his, and that the only thing worth living for was the knowledge that God is awesome, powerful, and beyond our comprehension. And yet, loves us beyond measure.

His story is not just a fable or morality tale. It can seem that way to our modern ears, which are unaccustomed to the reality of THAT much tragedy. But that much tragedy occurs all too frequently around our globe, and when it does, it should not shock me to the extent it did when I read this story. I feel like I should nod knowingly about the cost and fragility of life on this big blue ball, and how despite all the shaking and quaking there can still be a steady security when I give up any notions that I am god, that I am in control, that my job is to do anything with my time here but praise and share, worship and help, live and move and be every minute that he allows. 

Intersecting Faith & Life: May God continue to bless the ministry of Paramesvaran and Choodamani, and increase the strength in them that was built from climbing out of their tragic valley. May I not complain today about events that matter not. May I continue to see God's hand in everything as long as I have eyes to take it all in. And should I or my loved ones suffer anywhere close to this much, may we never forget this example of coming out the other side reborn, making ministry from the madness.

A Prayer to Love God’s Word..... By: Kristine Brown

 A Prayer to Love God’s Word

By: Kristine Brown

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” - Matthew 4:4 NIV

I’ve heard it said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. His love for us reaches so deep, he gave his most precious gift – his Son – so we could have eternal life with him.

God’s Word expresses that deep love in verse after verse. But the truth is, some of those verses are harder to accept than others. We make a commitment to try and read the Bible every day but stop short. We struggle when we get to those parts we’d rather skip over. Because some of what God has to say makes us feel uncomfortable.

God is a good Father to us. And good parents provide for their children. They love and cherish them, knowing at times those children will do things they shouldn’t do. Things that are bad for them. In love, the parent will offer correction that’s sometimes hard to hear. In a huff, a child may even question her parent’s love. But the love of a mom or dad runs deep. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to guide their most precious gifts on the right path.

In the same way, God’s love for us reaches beyond what we can imagine. His love letter wouldn’t be complete without the kind of love that keeps us safe and away from sin. Hebrews 12:2 teaches us this truth, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”'

As we draw closer to God, we will understand this love and in turn develop a love for reading his Word. We will realize the meaning of Jesus’ words when he spoke saying we wouldn’t live on bread alone, but on every word God gave us. (Matthew 4:4)

Loving to read the Bible can be a struggle at first. But as we commit to spending time reading it and seeking to hear his voice through the pages, we will feel that longing in our spirits. We will develop an indescribable love for God’s Word. Let’s pray right now and ask God to help us develop a love for the Bible.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” This beautiful verse shows us how precious your Word is. We come to you in prayer today and ask for your help developing a love for that Word. We know we can trust every verse written in it.

Thank you for giving us the Bible as an expression of your unending love for us. Forgive us Lord for not reading it more often. Sometimes we let distraction get in the way or put it off until tomorrow. But we come to you with renewed commitment today, because we know as we read about your love, we will in turn grow in the love we have for more of your Truth.

Lord, your son Jesus taught us the importance of your Word. He said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Let your Holy Spirit give us a hunger for more time reading, praying, and seeking truth. May that hunger fuel a deeper love for the Bible.

Thank you Father for loving us so much that you provided guidance for us in the form of a love letter. May we never take it for granted. Thank you for your Word, your mercy, and your love.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.