Spiritually Satisfied..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Spiritually Satisfied

Dr. Charles Stanley

James 4:8

I have a friend who, at one point, was a self-confessed shopping addict. Recently, his family realized that this activity had stopped, though he hadn't intentionally curtailed it. Why, they wondered, did his longing to acquire more goods seem to dissolve?

The reason was that my friend had become more satisfied with the Lord. He no longer needed fulfillment from what the world had to offer. What a terrific illustration of growth in Christ.

In addition to finding fulfillment in God, there are many other growth indicators that are noticeable to the believer. For instance, offering forgiveness becomes easier over time. Consider our Savior, who asked God to forgive even those who crucified Him on the cross.

Also, as we mature, our faith will increase. God loves us, and He gracefully and gently builds our confidence in Him. Then, as our trust grows, we realize how faithful He truly is--which grows our assurance even more.

Another mark of a closer walk with Christ is an expanding concern for others' spiritual condition. And finally, as our relationship with the Lord deepens, we will increasingly desire to obey Him. This desire is born not out of fear but out of love for our heavenly Father. Similarly, when we do sin, our hearts will become saddened and repentant.

Are you satisfied spiritually? Or do you have a growing, insatiable hunger for more of Jesus? Friend, if you think that you've come far enough in your journey with Christ, you have made a terrible mistake. You are missing great fulfillment and the excitement that comes from getting closer to Him.

God Disciplines Us in Love..... Craig Denison

 God Disciplines Us in Love

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” >Hebrews 12:6

Devotional: 

Our world despises discipline. We view correction as an attempt to keep us from doing what we really want rather than an act of love to guide us toward a more abundant life. If we are ever going to live the incredible life God longs to give us, we need renewal in the area of discipline. We must allow God to correct and shape us as the potter molds the clay so that we can live the life to which we have been called.

Our heavenly Father never disciplines out of anger or frustration, but only out of love. Hebrews 12:7-14 says,

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 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. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

God longs to establish a foundation of discipline in your relationship with him because he loves you. It’s our pride and lack of revelation that keeps us from allowing God to correct us. If we truly knew the abundant life available to us on the other side of discipline, we would run to the forming hands of our God rather than hiding from them. If we had revelation on the incredible plans God longs to equip us for, we would yearn for the loving correction of our Father rather than withholding the broken places in our hearts from him.

Your heavenly Father has greater plans than you could ever ask or imagine in store if you will allow him to mold and shape you through discipline. He longs to correct every area of your heart that isn’t bearing the fruit of the Spirit or producing abundant life. He longs to provide discipline for your sin so that you can live in the freedom of righteousness.

Open your heart to his loving discipline today. Allow him to mold and fashion you into the likeness of Jesus. Spend time allowing his love to wash you clean and free you from the bonds of sin. May you have a powerful encounter with the loving discipline of your heavenly Father as you enter into guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the value of being disciplined by your loving heavenly Father. Allow Scripture to change the way you view discipline and correction.

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” >Proverbs 13:24

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’” >Hebrews 12:5-6

“A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” >Proverbs 13:1

2. Where do you need to be disciplined today? What part of your life does not line up with God’s plans for you? Where does God need to prune you so that you might bear more fruit of the Spirit?

“Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.” Psalm 94:12-13

3. Spend time allowing God to love and correct you. Ask him to prune and teach you. Ask him to guide you into a lifestyle of greater confession, repentance, forgiveness, and healing.

Sometimes the best instruments of correction are fellow believers. Ask the Lord if there is anyone you need to confess your sin to. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, 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.” Ask for wisdom from the men and women in your life who are experiencing freedom and abundance in an area in which you have need. May you experience the entire abundant life available to you through the loving discipline of your heavenly Father and the fellow believers he has placed in your midst.

Extended Reading: Hebrews 12

Experiencing God’s Strength..... GRACE FOX

 Experiencing God’s Strength

GRACE FOX

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19a (NIV)

Several months ago, my husband and I drove 16 hours and moved in to our youngest daughter’s home after she asked for help during a crisis in her pregnancy.

She’d been working long hours to put her husband through medical school, caring for their toddler and juggling household responsibilities, but then gestational diabetes hit. COVID restrictions further complicated matters. We committed to doing whatever was needed to get her through the pregnancy with both her and the baby’s health intact.

I spent my days preparing meals and caring for my 2-year-old granddaughter, who woke at 6 a.m. and kept me on my toes until her bedtime. Then I’d tend to my own workload and deadlines. I’d fall into bed late at night, hoping that God would somehow multiply my hours sleeping.

Every morning when my alarm sounded, I faced a choice: get up a little earlier to spend time in God’s Word or sleep a little longer. My soul craved communion with the Lord, but my body begged for another half hour in bed.

The tug-of-war grew more intense as one week rolled into the next. But what I discovered over time is that, on the mornings when I chose to spend time with God, my quiet, early-morning date with Him fueled me with an emotional, mental and spiritual strength that I lacked on the days I stayed in bed.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk found that spending intentional time with God fueled him with inner strength, too.

Habakkuk was in the middle of a crisis much larger than mine. He knew that the nation of Judah faced an impending Babylonian attack for refusing to repent of sin despite multiple warnings from God. He questioned and argued with God’s plan to use an ungodly nation to discipline His people. (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

Habakkuk could have allowed frustration and fear to distract him and pull him away from God. Instead, he chose to seek God and listen for His response. (Habakkuk 2:1)

Hearing God’s sovereign response changed Habakkuk’s focus, and he began praising God for His power. Habakkuk acknowledged the Lord for rescuing His people in crises past and, ultimately, accepted and trusted God’s decision to send the Babylonian invasion. (Habakkuk 3:2-16) Habakkuk also committed to rejoice in the Lord no matter how dire circumstances might become. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Having done these things, Habakkuk ended his book by saying, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19a).

We all encounter a crisis at some time or other. Fear and unexpected demands on our time and energy often accompany it. We might feel overwhelmed, angry or confused by the turn of events and put time with God on the back burner. But in situations like this, it’s all the more important to keep our hearts in tune with Him. Listen for His voice. What does He want to say? What truth does He want us to learn?

Staying grounded in God’s Truth and praising Him for who He is centers our minds on His person rather than the problem. Recalling His faithfulness in the past brings courage to the present. Surrendering to His ways even when we don’t understand them brings inner peace. And choosing joy, no matter what, develops confidence that He’s got this.

God is our source of strength, but our actions determine the degree to which we experience that strength. Difficult circumstances and weariness can either distract us and pull us away from Him or motivate us to seek Him. It’s our choice. Let’s choose to seek God and find our strength in Him rather than in other places.

Heavenly Father, thank You for strengthening me when I need it most. Please help me do my part by living from the truth when I face challenges. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Does God Promise Safety?..... By Jennifer Waddle

 Does God Promise Safety?

By Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness…” - 2 Corinthians 11:25-27 NKJV

Of all the beautiful promises in the Bible, a guarantee of our physical safety isn’t one of them. As Christians, we’d like to believe that no harm will ever come to us or our loved ones. But from the moment sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, sickness, pain, and death has been a reality for all of mankind.

Paul testified openly about the severe trials he went through in 2 Corinthians 11. Beyond what most of us could ever imagine, the apostle endured intense hardship and peril. Yet, his attitude was one of perseverance and fortitude. As he neared the end of his life, he was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. This is not to say that he never prayed for safety. (See Romans 15:30-31) However, he knew that through his affliction, Christ’s power would be made known.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

So, if God doesn’t promise safety, what does He promise? Here are 3 verses that assure us of the Lord’s provision over our lives.

1. God promises to guard us from the evil one.

The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

This is, perhaps, the most crucial promise, as we face constant spiritual battles from the evil one. Satan wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy. But God is faithful, establishing us in Christ, and guarding us from the arrows of the evil one.

2. God promises to uphold us.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

There will be times when we have absolutely no strength left. We may even feel unable to go on. At those times, we can fully count on God to be our help and our strength. The Lord’s righteous, right hand upholds us. What a beautifull reminder of Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father—our righteous Defender.

3. God promises to supply our needs.

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Even though we are not promised physical safety, we are promised that our physical needs will be met. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the multitudes not to worry about what they would eat, what they would drink, or what they would wear. Instead, He encouraged them to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:25-33) Then, all the things they needed would be added as well.

We may not fully understand why the Lord allows bad things to happen to His people, but we can still declare that He is God and He is good. Just as Paul was able to see beyond his painful trials to the promise of heaven, we too can be assured that eternity with the Lord is well worth every hardship here on earth.

What Are You Drunk On?..... By Shawn McEvoy

 What Are You Drunk On?

By Shawn McEvoy

And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine." - Acts 2:12-13

"These men are not drunk, as you suppose," Peter told the bewildered crowd at Pentecost. "This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel." The Holy Spirit had been poured out, and I've always found it fascinating that its effects could be mistaken for the pouring out of, shall we say, less holier spirits.

To be sure, the Bible instructs Christ-followers to be "sober-minded" (Titus 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:34). And there's honor and maturity in a steadfast, stoic reaction to life's trials. But then there's this fantastic scene in Acts that just fills me with tiny bubbles of delight. There's so much joy and power and overflowing involved with the Holy Spirit that, sometimes, well, we Christians just seem a little bit crazy. Flipped-out. Punch-drunk. Downright giddy.

And who wouldn't like to see more of that side of us these days?

Reflecting on this kind of Spirit-trusting, God-leaning fun reminds me of my three summers as a Christian youth camp counselor. The labor was hard but not in vain. The purpose was evident. The craziness was everywhere. "Go nutso-Picasso," our Director would say, and show these kids that being a Christian isn't some droll, fun-killing existence, but something real, life-giving, sustaining, and joyous.

And indeed it was, and is. My closest friends and I had an odd high school experience, in that we had a hard time understanding why our peers found it so fun and/or necessary to involve alcohol - illegally - in their weekend plans. We were having more laughs and fun than we could imagine without any drugs. What were we filled with? Why didn't we need anything else?

Later, when I worked at camp, one of the things we would do is create a video of each week for the students to take home with them. One of the features on each week's video was a "blurb" from one of the counselors, an off-the-cuff, from-the-heart snippet of encouragement. I recently found the videotape from the week I was interviewed, and my response reminded me so much of what today's verse means to me, what real life under the guidance and excitement of the Holy Spirit is about. Here's what I said:

I think so many times in our youth groups back home we get tired of hearing the same things: don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex. And that's good advice to be sure, but why? So many kids here at camp and the ones I knew growing up weren't doing these things anyway; don't we have any more to offer them? Do we have any explanation for what is filling them, and what they can do with it? It just seems to me that those I've come across who are involved in these so-called "greater sins" are often engaging in them just to fill a void caused by, maybe, disobedience to parents, rebellion, lying, or a poor self-image. So what I like to do is show them that Jesus has given them everything they need to be content, secure, high on real living. And it takes a lot of energy to do that, but I find that the energy is there when I need it, and anyway, if it means leading a young person to the Lord or just reconciling someone to their parents, hey, that's worth it.

That's healing through a Holy infectiousness. Won't you take a sip and pass it on?

Intersecting Faith & Life:  Are you in a prolonged stupor, or are you tipsy on the outpourings of the Holy Spirit in your life? What's holding this back? Is there a dam keeping the river from flowing forth out of you, keeping it fresh and alive? Take the first step to remove it by looking back to a time when you were first saved or relying entirely on God to do work in His Kingdom.

Further Reading
1 Corinthians 14:23
Acts 7:51

Prayer for the Filling of God’s Power and Love..... By Debbie McDaniel

 Prayer for the Filling of God’s Power and Love

By Debbie McDaniel

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

God is powerful and loving. And He desires to fill our lives, our days, with that same power and love through His Holy Spirit. Paul prayed this prayer over the Ephesians. He had spent over 3 years with these people, working with the church of Ephesus, he loved them and longed to see them walking closely with God. His desire was that they would be continually strengthened with God’s power, and living out their faith with the example of the love of Christ.

We can know this in our heads, yet find it difficult at times to walk it out in daily life. We’re busy. We’re tired. We feel alone or broken. We’re distracted. We get offended. We harbor bitterness or resentment.

But no matter what we might be facing or feeling, when we’re willing to stand together as the body of Christ, dependent on God for the Spirit’s fresh filling of power and love, all other things lose their hold on us.

For God’s love encompasses all. It reaches every dark crevice and fills every need or longing. It gives power to forgive and to let go of the past. It releases sin’s hold and gives peace to the hurting. It is powerful and surpasses our own knowledge and understanding.

It is “wide.” It stretches to a greater expanse and extent than we can ever imagine.

It is “long.” It encompasses the length of our days, before and all beyond.

It is “high.” It reaches to the highest heavens.

It is “deep.” It extends to the deepest pit.

His love never fails.

Dear God,

We thank you that you indeed are powerful and loving, that out of your glorious riches you strengthen us through your Spirit in our inner being. We ask you for the fresh filling of your Holy Spirit, we ask for your power and love to fill us. We thank you that as believers we know that Christ dwells richly within our hearts through faith. We pray that you would strengthen our roots and establish our lives firmly in your love.

When the world shouts hate, help us to love. When the past won’t let go, help us to love. When the enemy taunts with lies and surrounds us with darkness, help us to love. When a relationship feels broken or we’re betrayed or rejected, help us to love.

Help us to love, and to keep on loving. By the power of your Spirit.

Even when it seems impossible.

Even when it doesn’t make sense.

May our lives be filled with your goodness and power, today and every day, as we walk in your Spirit of love.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.