How to Hold On..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 How to Hold On

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 37:5-7

Job was a man who certainly knew trouble and temptation, and yet he boldly claimed, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). That is commitment. Job had lost his children, his fortune, and his health, but he refused to abandon faith in God. The stricken man was determined to hold on because he trusted the Lord to do right.

Unwavering commitment to trust the Lord in all situations is a cornerstone of unshakable faith. From the vantage point of that foundation, we can focus our eyes upon God alone. It is easy to be distracted by circumstances and allow them to dictate our emotions. But if that's the case, then when life is good, we're happy; when times are tough, we're frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we're downright miserable and looking for escape.

Unlike Job, we are fortunate to have Scripture, which reveals God's nature and promises. And it is a wise believer who claims those promises when enduring hardship. For His Word tells us that our Father is always good, always just, always faithful, and always trustworthy. When we take our eyes off the whirl of day-to-day activity and concentrate on honoring Him and following in His way, we find a consistent peace that carries us through both plenty and poverty.

In order to hold on to God through any trial or temptation, commit to trust and follow Him all of your days. Lay claim to His promises: The unchanging Lord and Savior (Heb. 13:8) is committed to caring for you in all circumstances (1 Peter 5:7) and will never leave or forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

The Nature of Forgiveness is Mercy..... Craig Denison

 The Nature of Forgiveness is Mercy

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Offering forgiveness to others is one of the most difficult and important aspects of the Christian life. The Bible clearly commands us to forgive others. God longs to fashion us into his likeness that we might model the love we’ve been shown to a world with no concept of mercy. He longs for us to offer grace and forgiveness to the undeserving as we have been offered grace and forgiveness when we were undeserving. May you be filled with courage and boldness to offer forgiveness to those in desperate need of grace. And may God’s love shine through as you enter into your calling as a minister of reconciliation.

Scripture:“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” - >Luke 6:36-37

Devotional:   

We would be wholly lost if it weren’t for the abundant mercy of our heavenly Father. Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” We are offered total and complete forgiveness of our sins because God loves us and has mercy on us. The mercy of God allots us freedom and restored relationship we could never attain on our own. We are not justified by our own works or inherent worth, but by grace alone.

The nature of forgiveness is mercy. And the Bible tells us in Luke 6:36-37, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” In order for us to be merciful with others, we must be consistently encountering and reflecting on the abundant mercy of God toward us. When we were at our lowest, God met us and offered us eternal, abundant life in him. When we had no ability to attain right standing before our Creator, he brought himself low, took on the form of a servant, and died for our sakes (Philippians 2:8).

You were saved by the greatest act of mercy the world will ever know. And now your heavenly Father is asking you to share the great mercy you have been shown. He’s asking you to live and operate in his likeness by loving others the way you have been loved. The Bible commands us to forgive others. God doesn’t give us the option. Colossians 3:13 says, “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.” >James 2:13 says,“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” If we are living with unforgiveness, we are living outside of the will of God.

God knows forgiveness is difficult. He knows that it takes courage and strength to offer mercy where it is undeserved. He paid the highest price for our sins by sending Jesus to an undeserving, gruesome death. But he also knows the joy that comes from reconciliation. He knows the goodness of wiping the slate clean that he might have restored relationship with us. And he longs for you to be a minister of reconciliation to all who have hurt you. He longs to overwhelm you with his love and mercy to the degree that offering others mercy and love comes from a place of overflow rather than your own strength. He longs to fill you with courage and perspective so that you can forgive those who need a glimpse of his mercy and grace.

Take time as you enter into guided prayer to receive the love and mercy of your heavenly Father. Allow him to fill you up to overflowing today. And follow his guidance as he gives you grace to forgive others in obedience and love.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the forgiveness and mercy you have been shown in Christ. Allow the compassion God has for you to fill you with compassion for others. Ask God to give you his heart for others as you meditate on his word.

“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, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” >Titus 3:4-7

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” >Ephesians 2:4-7

2. Now meditate on God’s command for you to forgive others. Make God’s word the foundation of your actions rather than your own desires or fears. God will always guide you into what is absolutely best for you. You have to trust him at his word and obey.

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” >Luke 6:36-37

“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” >Matthew 9:13

“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 3:13

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any unforgiveness in your heart. Whether the wound is large or small, you must engage in forgiveness for it to heal properly. Ask God to give you courage to forgive today.

Trusting and obeying God is foundational to experiencing the fullness of life Jesus died to give you. God longs to lead you into his perfect plans. He is always guiding and shepherding you to your best possible life. But he cannot lead you where you will not follow. He cannot bless you if you are living outside of his will. Commit to following him wherever he leads, whether or not you feel like it or understand. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into a lifestyle of continual forgiveness that you might experience to even greater depths the abundant life God longs to give.

Extended Reading: Luke 6

When the Future Feels Stressful, Trust Your Provider..... TRACIE MILES

 When the Future Feels Stressful, Trust Your Provider

TRACIE MILES

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’” Exodus 16:4 (NLT)

Sleep escaped me as I lay in the darkness, filled with worries that grew bigger and bigger in my mind as the night dragged on. When sunshine peeked through my bedroom window, I finally began to pray, pouring out my concerns to God as I had done countless times before.

My marriage had fallen apart a few months earlier, and suddenly my future was not as secure as it had once seemed. Money was scarce, and I was struggling to keep a roof over my head and provide for my children’s needs. My stress was further worsened by a myriad of other adversities that constantly stole my peace and sleep.

But on this morning, as I continued to pray, I began to notice a pattern in my pleas. No matter what circumstance or concern I mentioned, they all seemed to share one underlying theme — fear of lack of provision.

I felt God convicting my heart to stop fearing the unknown future and start trusting Him with the future instead. Then I heard a gentle whisper in my spirit, which simply said, “I alone am your Provider.”

Feeling somewhat startled, I knew this was from my Father. With eyes closed and tears threatening to emerge, I mumbled the words, “Yes, Lord. You are. Forgive me for doubting Your provision, and help me to fully trust You. Please fill me with peace. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know You hold my future and will provide for all my needs. Amen.”

Today’s key verse reminds us of a situation in biblical times where God’s children were also facing an unknown future and struggling to trust if He could or would provide for their needs. Exodus 16:4 shows us God’s response despite their doubt: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’”

The people of Israel had been slaves to the Egyptians, and after God set them free, they had to fully trust Him for all their needs — which apparently they were having a difficult time doing. Although they were physically free, they were still mentally enslaved to their habit of looking for provision from people and things rather than from God.

The Israelites were convinced they would starve to death in the wilderness. Even after the Lord promised to provide for every need, they were discontent at having to “wait and see” if He would stay true to His promise of daily manna. They failed to trust Him, didn’t obey His instructions and constantly complained. Athough their complaints were directed to Moses and Aaron, they were essentially complaining against God as well.

After my sweet encounter with God in the early-morning hours, I realized I had been doing a lot of complaining, too, not only to my Provider but against Him. I was not trusting in His sovereignty over my life.

Feeling as if I, too, were in the wilderness like the Israelites, I now had to fully depend on the Lord’s provision above all else. He was the same Lord who had always provided for me in the past, just in different ways, and the only One who I could trust to do so in the future.

Acknowledging my need for His provision alone and committing to trust Him with my future — despite still sometimes doubting — lightened my heart and changed my perspective and attitude from that day forward.

Over the past few years, God has miraculously provided for all of my needs in more ways than I can list, and He will do the same for you. Although it takes a daily recommitment to trusting God when stress and worry sneak in, trusting Him with our future helps us endure those stressful times with peace in our hearts.

Lord, I have been feeling enslaved to worry and doubt. Help me remember You are my Provider, and give me strength to fully trust You with the future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Heart Like Jesus (I Do Not Have) ..... By Jennifer Waddle

 A Heart Like Jesus (I Do Not Have)

By Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:9

The phrase, “Follow your heart,” is perhaps the most popular maxim of all time. Especially now, in the twenty-first century, the advice to “trust your instincts” or “do what feels right” permeates every aspect of our culture.

I don’t know about you, but my heart is unreliable, wishy-washy, and sometimes selfish! In fact, the Bible is most accurate when it says the heart is deceitful and desperately sick. (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)

But here is our consolation…

Even though Jesus knew the condition of our hearts, He still chose to give His life.

For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Isn’t that humbling? We may not have hearts like Jesus, perfect in love and sacrificial unto death, but we can still be followers after God’s own heart.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

David was considered a man after God’s own heart. Here are three Scriptures that explain why.

1. One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4

David desired the presence of the Lord more than anything else. He didn’t value earthly things or worldly status more than He longed to dwell with God forever.

Having a heart after God means that we long for His presence and desire intimate fellowship with Him.

2. I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. I will keep Your statutes… Psalm 4:7-8

Obedience was at the heart of David’s devotion to God. He was eager to learn the Lord’s statutes and keep His commandments. David was far from perfect, yet he longed for truth and worshipped with integrity.

Having a heart after God means that we desire to know His righteousness and are committed to walk in His ways.

I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 4:15-16

3. He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ Acts 13:22

Apart from his own will, David sought to carry out God’s plan for his life. He surrendered his own agenda for the Lord’s good, pleasing and perfect will.

The heart that chases after God is willing to lay down everything to fulfill the Lord’s purpose. No matter where God calls them to go, people after God’s own heart give up selfish ambition for the sake of His glory.

We may not have hearts like Jesus, but by abiding in His presence, keeping His statutes, and surrendering to His will, we too can be considered people after God’s own heart.

A Prayer for a Joyful Heart..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer for a Joyful Heart

By: Chelsey DeMatteis

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

It can be easy to get caught up in the hard or uncontrollable circumstances of life. I know I sure have. I spent one season in particular feeling conviction over my lack of joy. Yes, some things took place that would validate a not so joyful response, but as for my call as a Christ-follower; I’m called to have joy because of Him. Have you been in one of these seasons too? The type where your circumstances felt like a swell in the ocean?

In this season I was reminded that in our Christian life, joy doesn’t hinge on our seasons of life. Our joy can and should fully stem from our relationship with the Lord and all that He has done for us, and all that He will do in the ages to come. Paul has always stood out for me as one to glean wisdom from when it comes to the sometimes difficult topic of joy. He was shipwrecked (multiple times), endured much persecution, ministered in prison, and yet he counted it all as joy for the sake of Christ.

We’ve been given through Christ’s bloodshed on the cross the gift of true unending joy. A joy that is unchanging and unshakable because it is eternal; it was bought at calvary. This true joy from Christ doesn’t hinge on our circumstances, abilities, or the standards of the world. This is good news. This is why we’re able to live out Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” It's not about rejoicing in me, but it's the call to rejoice always in Him.

As I journeyed through that difficult season of seeing that my joy was hinging on me, I found myself seeking the joy of the Lord in all things. The things He was doing; the small moments, the mundane moments, and the big moments. I got to see firsthand that there is always something to rejoice about. On the hardest days, I could rejoice in these: my hope in the Lord, my thankfulness for sanctification, the eternal glory that awaits us.

Today, I pray that you will count it all as joy for the sake of Christ. Cling to Him through the hard things and praise Him for how He is sustaining you. Be attentive to the Holy Spirit and seek our Heavenly Father's heart in all that comes before you each day.  Pray often, be in the Word, and set your joy in the One who endlessly loves you.

Pray with me…

Lord,

Thank you for this day and for our joy set in you. I pray that I will look to you Lord as my true source of joy and not my circumstances or abilities. Lead me as I grow in my awareness of your conviction and help me as I walk boldly in the areas I need to grow. Thank you for the cross and the gifts we've been given because of the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. A gift so undeserved but one for which I am so deeply thankful. Grow my gratitude and joy, Lord!

In Jesus's name, Amen.