From Ordinary to Great..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 From Ordinary to Great

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 4:13

Anyone who studies God's ways soon realizes they are quite different from man's. Worldly wisdom says that extraordinary people and abundant resources are needed for great tasks, yet the Lord often chooses the small and insignificant to achieve His purposes on earth.

For example, Christ selected a rather unimpressive group of men as disciples, yet after being filled with the Spirit, they "turned the world upside down." During His ministry on earth, Jesus fed thousands with a child's meager lunch, and He viewed the widow's two small coins as a greater offering than all the other generous donations (John 6:5-12; Luke 21:2-3).

God specializes in using people who aren't naturally qualified to accomplish His tasks. Moses was a verbally impaired 80-year-old shepherd who liberated a nation. After Gideon hid from the enemy, God made him a valiant warrior. David was the overlooked youngest son who killed a giant with a small stone and became Israel's greatest king.

God isn't looking for impressive people; He wants willing ones who will bow the knee in humble submission. Being weak and ordinary doesn't make you useless. Rather, it positions you for a demonstration of divine power in your life. He takes insignificant ones and delights in making them great.

Have you ever considered that your lack of ability, talent, or skill is the ideal setting for a great display of Christ's power and glory? If you are willing to submit to His leading and venture into the scary yet rewarding territory of faith and obedience, He will do great things in and through you.

God’s Heart to Meet with Man at Pentecost..... Craig Denison

 God’s Heart to Meet with Man at Pentecost

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Throughout Scripture we see countless examples of God meeting with man and countless lives being transformed as the result. These examples are in Scripture to stir our faith and fill us with a desire to meet with our Creator. When we read about the life of David, we should be filled with a longing to live as he did, centered around meeting with our heavenly Father. When we read about Gideon or Moses, we should long to know our God as they did. When we read about Jesus coming down to us or his heart for the woman caught in adultery, we should respond by pursuing encounters with our Savior. And when we read of Pentecost and Jesus’ second coming, we should seek out the fullness of God’s presence available to us on this earth in preparation for the age that is to come. May your heart be filled with a wholehearted desire to pursue meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” >Acts 2:1-4

Devotional:

In the miraculous and powerful event of Pentecost, we see God’s heart to not only dwell among us, but within us. We’ve been afforded more intimacy with God than we have fully grasped. The God of Pentecost dwells within us right now as believers, ready to equip us and empower us for a life of powerful impact and restored relationship. Acts 2:1-4 says,

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Scripture tells us that although those in attendance spoke many different languages, all heard those filled with the Holy Spirit declaring “in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11).And upon being filled with the Holy Spirit afresh, Peter begins to share the gospel with those present. Acts 2:41 tells us, “Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Peter, who denied Jesus, begins his powerful, courageous ministry of sharing the gospel with all those who would listen after being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” This passage is better translated, “Be being filled with the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is our gateway into the fullness of life available to us in Christ. He’s the one who reveals to us the truth of Scripture. He’s the one who speaks to our hearts from the mouth of God. He’s the one who makes us aware of God’s presence. And he’s the one who empowers us to do the good works set before us before the foundation of the earth. Without relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will miss out on the incredible life afforded to us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

God wants to empower you to impact the earth the way the disciples did. His plan for you doesn’t involve that which is fleeting and temporal. At the end of your life, will you look back and be thankful for the way you said yes to walking with the Holy Spirit, or will your life be filled with works that won’t outlive you? Don’t waste this life being satisfied with less than what is available to you. Choose today to be filled with the Holy Spirit again. Choose to pursue wholehearted relationship with him. And say yes to him at every decision that you might reveal to the world the wealth of relationship available to you in the Holy Spirit.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of being filled with the Spirit. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to grow in your relationship with the God who dwells within you.

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 12:13

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” - Ephesians 5:18

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today. Ask him to reveal his nearness to you that you might grow in your knowledge of him. Tell him that you want greater relationship with him.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live today free from sin and in total pursuit of God’s will being done on the earth through your life. Ask him to give you a clear witness about what it is you should and shouldn’t do. Commit yourself to follow his perfect guidance today.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” - Romans 8:14

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8

No matter where you work, where you live, or what your past is, you can live in total communion with the Holy Spirit. His plans extend far beyond what your job is or which family you’re in. He longs to bring the kingdom to earth everywhere you go. He longs to fill you with love and grace for all those around you that you might carry the atmosphere of the kingdom. And he longs to lead you into a continually greater awareness of his love and presence in your life. May your day be marked by joy and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Extended Reading: Acts 2

Lord, Help Me Speak the Truth in Love..... KAREN EHMAN

 Lord, Help Me Speak the Truth in Love

KAREN EHMAN

“And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.” Colossians 3:9 (CEV)

Most Sunday mornings, I love going to church.

I grab a cup of hazelnut coffee from the lobby and settle in near the front row. I grow from the sermons. I enjoy the assortment of worship opportunities — from acoustic guitar hymns to modern songs that include a spoken word poet. Most of all, I’m grateful for the people who make up the congregation, each uniquely made in God’s image.

However, one Sunday morning found me wanting to break free from that place and run as far as my legs would take me. What caused me to want to escape the spiritual family I adore so much? It was when my pastor made an assertion smack-dab in the middle of a sermon I was rather enjoying, completely wrecking me. It was this: People pleasers often lie.

Suddenly, no longer was I a face in a crowd, sweetly sipping my creamy, hot beverage and taking notes in my whimsical journal. I felt as if one of the spotlights that hung from the ceiling — normally fixated on the stage — had suddenly drop-swiveled directly toward me, placing my bright red face in portrait mode. I imagined everyone giving me the side-glance, surely knowing that Pastor Justin was referring to me.

That morning, I had to concede in my heart that my pastor was right. People pleasers often lie. And I was one fantastic fibber.

Oh, I had good reasons for my less-than-straightforward speech. Sometimes, I slightly twisted the truth so I wouldn’t hurt someone’s feelings when asked for my opinion. Other times, I failed to be honest because I was afraid my response might upset a friend or coworker. Still in other situations, I outright lied just to avoid a confrontation with someone over a political or other hot-topic issue. And I also admit there were times I only told half the truth, conveniently leaving parts out. However, as I often tell my children, “A half-truth is still a whole lie.”

At the root of all these varied forms of dishonesty is this commonality: I lied in order to please someone else. However, all this twisting, shading, fibbing and half-truth telling certainly does not please the only One who matters — the Lord.

In Colossians 3:9, the Apostle Paul urges believers, “And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.” Deceit is associated with our behavior before we became followers of Christ. It is not something that should be a character quality of those who’ve responded to the gospel and become believers.

The original Greek word for the English phrase “have given up” (v. 9) is the verb apekduomai. It means to strip something completely and emphatically off yourself, to throw something far away. This action is to be performed by the person who is being untruthful.

Elsewhere in Scripture, we are told to hold two seemingly opposite actions in tension as we interact with others — to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) I find often we perform only one of those actions while leaving the other behind, depending on our personality types. Either we bark out the truth in an unloving manner or we falsely assume that the only loving thing to do is not to tell the truth at all.

Thankfully, I know from experience that God can empower us to strip off our dishonest ways, no matter how justified our lies may seem. We can learn to roll our truths in a blanket of love — remembering it is God we seek to please, not others. Let’s learn to retrain our brains, not thinking “What do they want me to say?” but instead praying “Lord, help me to speak the truth in love.”

Father, please tap me on the heart when I am tempted to lie, and enable me to instead speak honestly but also in a loving way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The God of Details..... By Katie Westenberg

 The God of Details

By Katie Westenberg

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: You must make it according to all that I show you  —  the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings. - Exodus 25:9

Cracking open the book of Exodus feels like a throwback for me. So many dramatic stories from this book were imprinted in my mind by way of Sunday School felt boards. They have become somewhat euphoric for me.

Moses in his humble reed basket being taken in by the princess, that burning bush, wild plagues and the Israelite’s spectacular escape - it’s easy to read through the first half of Exodus like a storybook.

And then comes the latter half - covenants and law, rules and instruction. It seems so antiquated. The reading becomes onerous and I’m tempted to skim. What are we to make of all this? Is it even important any more?

The chapters are steeped rich in history and cultural significance which is certainly worthy of study on its own, but in reading through Exodus recently I was wowed by something more simple - the details.

“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of find woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. Exodus 26:1

When God relayed his vision for the tabernacle it didn’t come in vague and half-baked ideas. He was specific and incredibly detailed. The loops on the curtains, the clasps on the loops, the color of thread, lengths and widths - it’s all in there.

I have always loved how God gave Noah specific instructions on building the ark, but these details in Exodus take the technicalities to an entirely new level. And they show us an entirely different side of God.

Throughout our lives, we struggle with day-to-day challenges. We face small bumps in the roads, simple challenges that we pray and think our way through. And occasionally we face the big ones. The really tough ones. Sometimes we step back and honestly ask how in the world is this even possible, God? It’s a new territory we’ve never walked before. Our resources are limited. On paper it’s just not even possible.

In Exodus, right amidst those precise instructions and patterns, we meet the God of details. The God who takes Israel’s hand and says “Here, this is exactly how I want you to do it. This thread, that many loops, these bronze clasps.”

All of a sudden the last half of Exodus takes on a whole new meaning for me. Yes, it is a rich history. Yes, we learn about feasts and sabbath law, but we also meet the God who cares about the details. We meet the God who knows and sees, who gently leads those who want to meet Him and know Him and aren’t always sure what that should look like lived out. He takes their willing hands and guides them in the growing.

That God, I AM, never changes. He is still the God of details, taking his people by the hand today. What a gift.

A Spiritual Workout..... by Ryan Duncan

 A Spiritual Workout

by Ryan Duncan

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”- 2 Thessalonians 2:15

In some of my previous devotions I’ve written about my habit of working out during the week, and my time at the gym has taught me a few important lessons. First, never go running after eating Mexican takeout unless you want to experiences some excruciating gastro-intestinal distress. Second, always know what a machine does before you try using it or you may end up looking like a complete idiot. Finally, and most importantly, all exercise takes commitment and perseverance. You see, we live in a world that is obsessed with immediate results.

Don’t believe me? Look at the TV commercials that promise rock hard abs in thirty days, or the diet plans that promise to slim our waistline after a week of light work. We are all looking for an easy way out, but if you really want to become strong and healthy, it takes many days of hard work. The same is true for spiritual workouts, just read 1 Thessalonians 5,

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-28

I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted just reading that passage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop it from being true. Save for the grace of God, there are no magical fixes in life. If you want to get physically healthy it means running, dieting, and doing a whole lot of heavy lifting. If you want to become stronger in Christ, you can’t just rely on going to Church each Sunday.

Growing closer to God means forgiving your enemies, encouraging others, and praying continuously day after day. It’s some serious work, and there will be moments when you may get discouraged, but over time when you look back at the things it has allowed God to do in your life, you will know that it was all worth it.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Think of one way you can improve your walk with Christ and put it into action.

Further Reading

Matthew 20:28

A Prayer for a New Focus...... By: Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer for a New Focus

By: Emily Rose Massey

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;  and give me life in your ways” (Psalm 119:37, ESV).

I saw a sign the other day that said: “I saw it. I liked it. I bought it. Now hide it!”

You know, it is often a joke among women that we hide our Amazon Prime packages or shopping bags from our husbands like it is a secret behavior that all women do that is normal. But sister, this is so wrong. And quite frankly, it is a sin. How can we be in unity with our spouse if we are literally hiding something from them? Why do we make jokes about that? We need to call this what it is, and admit we have a problem. This behavior is materialistic and can often be rooted in covetousness, and it is not a joking matter to God. This saying above isn't cute and should reveal to us the matter of our hearts. It seems where our eyes wander, our heart follows and can become fixated upon whatever has our gaze. We need to readjust our focus and if we are not able to overcome the temptation, we need the Lord’s help, especially if we are continually tempted by material possessions and give into hiding our addiction to “more stuff.”

Do you wrestle with impulsively buying things you don't need? I do, big time.

But I have been convicted of this sin and do not want to grieve God nor my husband with this widely accepted behavior in our society. There is a verse in Psalms that is a cry to the Lord for helping turn our focus from temporal things that don’t matter:

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (Psalm 119:37, ESV).

We find life in God’s ways, not in the world’s ways of accumulation of more material possessions. Our possessions should be a blessing to us and others and not turn into idolatry, leading our hearts away from God and the things of God. Although we live here on earth, as believers, we are citizens of heaven, and we should lift our gaze to heavenly things more than earthly things. In a culture that jokes about shopaholics hiding their problem of impulsive buying, let us be different by pointing others to Christ and His ways where true abundant life is found.

Let's hold each other accountable, friends. The temptation is strong, but God can help us overcome. He always provides a way out. Let us ask the Lord to help us keep our eyes on Him and that escape and ask Him for strength when temptation comes. May we also ask Him to turn our eyes to what is eternal and more precious than worthless material possessions where moth and rust eat at them.

Father,

My eyes have wandered onto obsessing over material possessions. When I scroll social media, I feel the pressure to own what others own that they are often trying to market to me. I ask for Your help to guard my heart from materialism and covetousness.

I also repent for perhaps giving into the temptation of hiding this struggle that seemingly feels too difficult to overcome. I know that You always provide a way of escaping every temptation. It is not a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin to act upon that temptation. I long to walk in Your ways because I want to obey You, and I know Your ways provide life abundantly.

Thank You for Your grace and mercy that is new every morning that gives me a new focus upon You and Your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.