The Powerful Practice of Fasting..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Powerful Practice of Fasting

Dr. Charles Stanley

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah's brother arrived from Judah with some bad news: the Israelites living in Jerusalem were in great trouble. After hearing about their plight, Nehemiah fasted and prayed to the Lord for several days. During this time, he discovered God wanted him to ask the king of Persia for help.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us center our attention on the Lord and discover His will so we may act according to it. People fast in different ways: some abstain from food while others refrain from various activities. The period of time can vary as well. But the focus in each case is to be the same—to seek God and know His will.

When we begin to deny ourselves, several things happen. First, the Holy Spirit will enable us to set aside earthly matters. Relationships, work, and pleasure will take a lesser place in our mind as we concentrate on Him and His purposes. Second, our attention will shift from ourselves to the Lord. Thinking will become clearer, and our ability to understand God's plans will sharpen because we are not distracted by other things.

Third, the Lord is probably going to do some spiritual housecleaning in our lives. His Spirit will convict us of sinful attitudes or behavior. Upon confession of our sin, we'll be forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9).

When unexpected news greets us, we—like Nehemiah—may find our emotions in turmoil. He wisely sought the Lord through fasting and prayer. This powerful practice can also help us to hear clearly from our heavenly Father, who knows the best way through every situation.

Encountering God through Worship..... Craig Denison

 Encountering God through Worship

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Having consistent and transformational encounters with God while on earth is meant to be foundational to the Christian life. Our God has not left us. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we’ve been filled with the very Spirit of God who longs to reveal to us daily the nearness and love of our heavenly Father. We are never alone. There is nowhere we can flee from the presence of our God. May this week be filled with transformational encounters with the living God as we learn what it is to seek the face of the one who has formed us, knows us, and loves us unconditionally.

Scripture:“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

Devotional:

Jesus taught us in John 4:23, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”Your heavenly Father is seeking your worship. He longs for it. He so values your love and adoration that he would send his Son to die that the path to encountering him would be made available.

You were first and foremost created to worship. You were created to receive the love of your Creator and in response give him your heart. You will never feel as whole as when your heart is connected to your Father’s and you are giving and receiving love in worship. Colossians 3:14-17 says,

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Christian life is to be marked by heartfelt, genuine worship: worship filled with God’s presence and nearness and that responds to a true encounter with the heart of God. If that type of worship is new to you, that’s okay! If the idea of encountering God in worship is new to you, there is joy and grace at the place of new beginnings. Don’t allow your past to dictate the possibilities of your future. Don’t allow past experiences where worship might not have been filled with encountering Jesus make you believe that future times of worship won’t be marked by intimacy and God’s presence.

There is a new season of worship on the rise. Psalm 29:2 says, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” It’s time for the people of God to worship in the “splendor of holiness.” It’s time for us to receive in faith our new position as children seated in the heavenly places with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). It’s time for us to seek encounters with our God that are unveiled and filled with God’s presence (2 Corinthians 3:18). It’s time to worship in both spirit and truth, with our hearts and our minds fully engaged and responsive.

Isaiah 12:5 says, “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.” May the world around you change as the result of your worship. May your declaration of God’s goodness lead others into restored relationship with the Father. May your life be marked by intimacy and encounter with the living, active God of love who is nearer to you than you have ever imagined.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the goodness of worshipping God in spirit and truth. Allow Scripture to fill you with a longing to encounter God through worship.

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” - John 4:23

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” - Hebrews 13:15

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you his heart for intimacy in worship. Take time to seek out the desires of God that you might live to satisfy his longings for your worship.

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” - Deuteronomy 4:29

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” - Lamentations 3:25

3. Take some time and worship. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you praise from your heart. Engage your heart and mind with the lyrics of your favorite worship song. Worship and receive God’s presence.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” - 1 Chronicles 16:11

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28

Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” We are created to worship through our lives. Every word, thought, action, and emotion can be done as worship if we will seek to commune with God in everything. God never leaves us; he never forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:6). If we will keep our hearts open, we can live in the presence of our Creator, filled with the knowledge of his love and nearness in all we do. May we as God’s people pursue with greater fervor what it is to truly worship.

Extended Reading: Psalm 33

… And I Cried..... TRACIE MILES

 … And I Cried

TRACIE MILES

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

If there is one thing I’m known for, it’s crying.

When I got married after college, I cried. When each of our three precious children was born, I cried.

When one of my little ones scraped their knee, I cried. When they didn’t make the sports team they were passionate about, I cried. When they felt hurt by a friend's harsh words or had their heart broken, I cried. First time driving with a new license … I cried. College move-in days … I cried. Graduation ceremonies … I cried. Engagements … I cried. Family members struggling … I cried. Sad movie … I cry every time.

See a pattern? I’ve always been a crier. But when my marriage problems reached the breaking point, and separation and divorce became my new story, I cried on a new level. Tears flowed often without warning or control. Tears which, at times, felt like they would drown me, leaving me wondering why I couldn’t get it together and what was wrong with me.

But over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about tears. They are normal. They are necessary. They are nothing to be ashamed of. And they are noticed by God.

In Psalm 56:8, we are reminded God is intimately concerned with every aspect of our lives. Because of His overwhelming compassion for us, He catches every tear shed, no matter how big, small, trivial or important the situation might be.

In this psalm, we see David expressing his grief over the situation he was in. Saul wanted to murder David so Jonathan could be the king of Israel, forcing David to constantly be on the move, trying to escape. Although David had fled to the land of the Philistines for refuge, he once again felt unsafe and was eventually seized. He was grieved, fearful and unsure about the future. I can imagine him on his knees, sobbing, chest heaving in utter exhaustion and tears pouring down his cheeks as he poured out his feelings and fears to God. I’ve been there myself.

Yet David drew comfort in knowing that, no matter what he was going through, God was on his side. (Psalm 56:9) He believed God had great compassion and his tears did not go unnoticed, so much so he trusted God was gathering his tears in a bottle. David wasn’t ashamed of crying during a difficult time in his life, and we need not be either.

Tears are normal when our hearts are broken or fear consumes us. We need not be ashamed of letting them drip. Trying to hold back our tears is not only difficult but causes stress and keeps us pretending we’re fine when we’re not — eventually, that façade will end.

Tears are necessary because God created us as emotional humans, which includes crying when our hearts are hurting. I’ve read that tears are like a release valve for stress, sadness, anxiety and grief. Reflex tears (released when our eyes are irritated) are 98% water whereas tears flowing from emotion also contain stress hormones that get excreted from the body through crying. Crying is not a sign of weakness but a sign that our bodies need to excrete toxins that build up during times of immense stress. Additionally, many studies suggest that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s “feel good” hormones, so no wonder we feel so much better after having a good cry!

David was at the end of his rope, and he cried. I have been at the end of my rope many times, and each time, I cried. Maybe today you are feeling like the tears are ready to burst forth because of situations you are facing, yet you are afraid of appearing weak or letting people know your pain.

Remember this — your tears are normal. They are necessary, and they are noticed by your heavenly Father. Let yourself feel. Let your tears fall. And let yourself believe He is there to catch each one and hold it, and you, close to His heart.

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me enough not only to catch my tears when I cry but to have formed my body so that tears help me cope rather than crumble. Give me confidence in my ability to endure the hard times and not be ashamed for having normal emotions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Cain and Able Teach Us about the Way Out of Sin..... by Jennifer Waddle

 What Cain and Able Teach Us about the Way Out of Sin

by Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7

Even though I already know the outcome of the story, each time I read Genesis 4, I find myself thinking, Sin is right outside your door, Cain! Hurry, get a broom and sweep it off the porch!

But as we know, God’s warning went unheeded. Cain proceeded to rise up against his brother and kill him. Cain did not understand that the KEY to mastering sin—yielding to the Lord’s admonition.

It’s really no different with us, is it? We get a “check” in our spirit—a warning from God—yet we choose to ignore Him. The Lord not only warns us when our sin is right outside the door, He gives us everything we need to rule over it.

Here are 3 ways the Lord provides a way out of sin.

1. “…but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1Corinthians 10:13

Our temptations are never more than we can bear. Even when they feel overpowering, God always provides the way out. In times of temptation, we can ASK the Lord to show us the nearest escape route—and count on Him to provide it.

2. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Sin feels powerful. Its grip can seem too strong to loosen. However, sin is weak and powerless against the One who lives in us. We have the ultimate Source of strength, yet we either try to fight the temptation on our own, or we completely ignore the Holy Spirit.

Once we declare that God lives in us, nothing can stand against it! The way out of sin is yielding to the Spirit. For it’s not by our power or might, but by His Spirit says the Lord! (Zechariah 4:6)

3. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:2

When God questioned Cain about his anger, He knew exactly what Cain’s intentions were. The Lord’s thought-provoking questions were an attempt to get him to stop and think about his actions.

If you read all of Genesis 4, the Bible explains that Cain did not give the first fruits of the land, while Abel offered God the firstborn of his flock. The Lord respected Abel’s offering, but Cain’s, He rejected. Cain was overcome with evil because he refused to do what was good.

For us, choosing to do what is right, even when we don’t feel like it, will triumph evil every time. So, the next time sin is crouching at your door, go ahead and grab that broom. Sweep it away before it even stands a chance!

When Sin Bubbles Up..... by Kelly Givens

 When Sin Bubbles Up

by Kelly Givens

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life has set me free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1-2

A few weeks ago, after realizing I had somehow missed reading this children’s classic as a child, I found myself speeding through the entire Anne of Green Gables series. The books captivated me, and for good reason. Written in the early twentieth century by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, the series chronicles the life of red-headed Anne Shirley, an orphan adopted by a brother and sister pair who really wanted a little boy to help on their farm. Eventually, they learn to love the little girl brought to them, as do all readers of Montgomery’s classic. Anne is a true literary heroine. We identify with her weaknesses: her spiritedness, quick-temper and vanity, and we strive for her strengths: bravery, generosity, and a heart overflowing with love for life and people.

As I read through the books, I was struck with the number of times Montgomery used Anne’s character to illustrate deep truths about the human condition. There were many examples, but one stood out in particular to me.  After being picked up from the train station by Matthew, Anne begins describing her life in the orphanage. Realizing she was exaggerating just how bad things were, Anne apologizes, saying, “It’s so easy to be wicked without knowing it, isn’t it?”

Indeed, it is. Throughout the Green Gables series, Anne repeatedly found herself unexpected moments of “wickedness,” forced to repent to neighbors, family and friends for some fiery retort, vain action or other impulsive sin. We can all relate to Anne- I know there are days I have to apologize over and over for the same sin- it just somehow keeps “bubbling up” in me.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this too. In his letter to the church in Rome, he wrote “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). What causes us to do the very things we don’t want to do? Why does our sin seem to bubble up in us—overflowing like a pot of boiling water? Paul understood: it is our indwelling, sinful nature fighting against our desire to do what is good. He goes on to say:

“For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

Thankfully, Paul’s question is rhetorical; he knows the answer. “Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  After acknowledging God to be our ultimate rescuer from sin, he writes some of the most encouraging verses of scripture found in the Bible, reminding us that through Christ’s death on the cross we have all we need to fight the wickedness that bubbles up in us.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Praise God! Our sinful nature is no match for the redemptive power of the cross.  Yes, as Anne said, it is easy to be wicked- in fact, it’s unavoidable. Thankfully, Christ has already taken the punishment for our wickedness, and even more- he has credited his righteousness to us, giving us all the means we need to conqueror the sin in our lives.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you like me and Anne, feeling the weight of your sin and maybe a little powerless to stop it? Then cling to the encouragement that Paul gives us in Romans - through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we are justified and are being sanctified from our sin.

Further Reading:
Romans 7-8
Galatians 5:13-18
1 Timothy 1:12-17

A Prayer to Help You Find Courage..... By: Betsy de Cruz

 A Prayer to Help You Find Courage

By: Betsy de Cruz

“For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12b, ESV

Afraid doesn’t begin to describe how I felt when it got dark and my daughter didn’t come home. I called her five times but kept getting a recording. Finally, I telephoned the friend she’d met earlier in the day. “She left an hour ago to catch the bus. Isn’t she home yet?” the girl said.

My husband and I felt desperate and didn’t know what to do. He grabbed the car keys to go out and look for her, but how on earth could we find our daughter in a city of four million people?

An hour later, she walked in the door, and relief flooded my soul. She’d gotten lost and her phone had died.

Have you ever been caught in a hard place where you just didn't know what to do and felt afraid of possible outcomes?

Maybe you're there now.

My situation only lasted a few hours, but yours may still be going on. A health problem, financial crunch, or troubled marriage can make you feel like you’re at the end of your rope.

For situations when fear and uncertainty are getting the best of us, I love the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When a great multitude comes to attack Judah, King Jehoshaphat is scared to death, but he resolves to seek God. He proclaims a fast, and all of Israel comes together to seek God.

God then speaks to His people through a prophet, “Do not be afraid…the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15b). The following day as Jehoshaphat’s army begins to sing and praise the Lord, God sets an ambush against their enemies.

This story teaches us several life principles to help us navigate hard situations with courage:

1) If you're feeling scared, keep your eyes on God. Set your heart on seeking Him.

2) Remember the battle is the Lord's. He is fighting for you.

3) You will see victory as you praise God.

When you’re at the end of your rope, remember all you have to do is keep your eyes on Jesus. At the right time, He will show you how to move forward.

Keep your eyes on Him today, friend. Raise a hallelujah and take courage. Victory is on the way. We don't know how and when it will come, but in Christ, we are more than conquerors. Let's praise the God who goes before us.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

I praise you today for your great power and love. Thank you for your mercy. Through the death of Jesus, you have rescued me from sin, and I praise your name.

Lord, you know the situation I am facing. I truly do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you. I trust you will show me the best way to handle my challenges. In your perfect timing, show me what to do. Give me grace to keep my eyes on you.

Lord, I praise you for the victory you won at the cross. You defeated sin and death forever. You are Alpha and Omega, the eternal God who has rescued your children. Help me remember you go before me and will never leave me. I am not alone; you fight my battles. I praise and thank you in advance for the way you will work. I cannot see it now, but give me grace to walk by faith, not by sight. 

I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you, and I will praise your great name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.