Prayer in Times of Inadequacy..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Prayer in Times of Inadequacy

Dr. Charles Stanley

Nehemiah 2:1-10

After Nehemiah heard about the desperate condition of the Jews who had returned from exile to Jerusalem, his heart was burdened (Neh. 1:3-4). By getting his attention in this way, the Lord could reveal what He wanted Nehemiah to do. Scripture doesn't spell out the man's reaction on realizing that he was to be a part of the solution, but we can imagine a sense of inadequacy probably engulfed him. How could he possibly help? He wasn't even near Jerusalem, and as a servant of the king, he didn't have the freedom to pack up and leave.

But whenever God puts a burden on our hearts, He will open a door to accomplish His will. In this case, the Lord used Nehemiah's sad expression and desperate prayer to prepare a pagan king to send him on his mission.

How do you respond when you sense the Lord is calling you to a task that seems beyond your abilities? Do you list all the reasons you can't possibly do it? God already knows everything about you and the situation. He's not asking your permission to proceed; rather, He is calling you to move forward with faith and obedience. He didn't make an error in choosing you for the task, but you will make a huge mistake if you refuse to do it.

God will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, we have all we need to fulfill the Lord's mission. Instead of letting inadequacy hinder you from obeying, let it drive you to your knees so you can arise with renewed insight and power.

God’s Heart to Meet with Man: John on Patmos..... Craig Denison

 God’s Heart to Meet with Man: John on Patmos

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 I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.” Revelation 1:17-19

Devotional:

The story of John receiving the book of Revelation from Jesus brings tears to my eyes. I imagine an isolated, weary, and lonely John on Patmos spending his days waiting until he gets to be with his beloved Jesus again. I imagine his heart yearning just to see his friend and Savior. And suddenly, after years of serving Jesus, he appears to John once again, his Lord and King standing before him, speaking to him that which will be the final words of Scripture. In Revelation 1:12-20, John records Jesus coming to meet with him, saying:

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

Imagine the joy and awe in John’s heart as his Rabbi Jesus reveals himself in glory to once again share with him history-altering revelation. Imagine the passion John would feel as his last days, which he thought he would spend alone in exile, are interrupted by a final chapter of kingdom work delivered straight from the mouth of his Savior.

God loves to interrupt the seasons of our lives in which we feel most lost with glorious encounters with him. He loves to repurpose us for incredible kingdom work just where we thought we were most useless. He longs to meet with us and envision us for his plans to bring his kingdom to earth. No matter where you are or how old you are, God has tremendous plans in store for all those who will serve him. There is no work he gives us too small. There is no time in our lives that we are unusable. There is no age in which we are to stop being used by our Savior. Jesus longs to meet with you today and tell you of his plans for salvation. He longs to empower you to do a mighty work for his kingdom. He longs for you to see his kingdom come to earth all the days of your life until you take your final breath here and wake up with him. May you receive and share the revelation Jesus gives you today with a world that desperately needs to know him.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s heart to meet with you in every season of your life. Allow Scripture to fill you with faith and desire to meet with your King today.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

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

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today. Open your heart and receive him that you might live empowered to see the kingdom of God come to earth.

3. Ask God what it is he would have you do today. How does he want to use you to advance his kingdom on the earth?

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

What an incredible gift that God would choose to use us for his kingdom purposes. You and I can have a real, eternal impact on the earth. No matter what our age or past failures, God longs to use us. And through the coming of the Holy Spirit, we have God dwelling within us. The same God who raised Christ Jesus from the grave, empowered the disciples for miraculous works, and has been at the root of every great spiritual awakening dwells within us. May you allow God to use you in mighty and powerful ways today to spread the gospel of love everywhere you go.

Extended Reading: Matthew 6

Digging Up Dirt on God..... ALLISON DELAGRANGE

 Digging Up Dirt on God

ALLISON DELAGRANGE

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

My heart dropped into my stomach. Never in a million years had I seen this coming.

I’d been tossing and turning in bed, finally surrendering to a sleepless night. I groggily reached for my phone for some mindless social media scrolling. When an image of an old friend crossed my screen, my foggy brain jolted into consciousness.

This friend was announcing that he was leaving his faith and his church. The truth barreled toward me like a semi-truck tearing through a foggy night at full speed. Someone who I’d known years ago to passionately follow Jesus was now walking away into a different lifestyle. This is not what I expected.

I wish I could say that I immediately cried out to Jesus. Instead, I got stuck in the intersection of disappointment and curiosity. I’m even more embarrassed to admit I went digging for dirt on the situation. I became a social media Sherlock Holmes, ready to uncover the pieces of this mystery. How had this happened? What led up to this huge life decision? At the same time, I mourned how a fellow believer could change their worldview so drastically.

Eventually, my search for answers became a quest for hope. Not just because of this circumstance but because of what it represented: Life is full of unmet expectations. Friends may fall away from faith. Spouses may stray. Mentors may let us down. Where is the hope?

In times like these, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the singular hope on which my life must be built: Jesus Christ Himself. Hebrews 13:8 promises, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The same God who gave sight to the blind, who turned water into wine and who gave Himself for us is with us today. He is our hope!

It makes me chuckle to think of it this way, but imagine if God had a social media account. His status updates might read:

“Still faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

“Still righteous.” (Psalm 97:2)

“Still loving.” (Hosea 3:1)

“Still your source of hope.” (Romans 15:13)

I think God would welcome our social media snooping on His page. In fact, what if God is waiting for us to spend time digging up the “dirt” on Him — praying, listening, studying His Word — so that He can show us firsthand that He never fails? What if our greatest letdowns are God’s invitation to a deeper relationship with Him, the One who knows what we need before we ask?

Friend, if you’re discouraged, envision Jesus standing in the gap between your expectations and reality. Grab His outstretched hand. Sit quietly with Him. Study His Word. Dig up the “dirt” on God. You’ll find fertile soil where your faith can take root and where hope will blossom.

Dear God, when unmet expectations break our hearts, remind us that You are our source of hope. Draw us near so that we might find comfort, strength and transforming power in Your unchanging love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Unlikely, Yet Perfect..... By Jennifer Waddle

 Unlikely, Yet Perfect

By Jennifer Waddle

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. - Matthew 1:5-6

I’ve never been one to dig deep into my own family’s genealogy. It’s not because I don’t find it interesting. In fact, the few things I do know about my heritage is fascinating to me. But there’s one genealogy that captures my attention every time I read it—the genealogy of Jesus. For amidst the ordinary (and not so ordinary) names, there’s mention of a woman who probably never dreamed she’d be included in the Messiah’s family line. Her name is Rahab.

Rahab is described in the Old Testament book of Joshua as a harlot, or prostitute— depending on the version of the Bible you read. However, her way of life changed drastically the day she decided to hide two Israelite spies. Through divine inspiration, she knew the men had been sent by God to search her hometown of Jericho, and she helped them escape the king’s men by hiding them on the roof, underneath stalks of flax (Joshua 2:6).

The remarkable thing about Rahab’s actions, was that they were carried out from an unlikely perspective of faith. You see, she had heard of God’s miraculous ways—how He had dried up the Red Sea and led the Israelites on dry land. She had heard of the Israelites’ victories, as they conquered mighty kings and took over entire provinces. And with that knowledge, a seed of faith was planted in her heart. Remarkably, she believed (and feared) what she’d heard about the God of the Israelites. In her own words, she said, “For the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua  2:11).

Through her faithful acts of bravery, she and her family were miraculously spared the destruction of the wall of Jericho in which they lived. Afterward, she went on to marry Salmon, who was in the direct lineage of King David. And twenty-eight generations later, Jesus Christ was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

The genealogy of the Savior is the perfect example of how God sometimes chooses the most unlikely people to be instrumental in His purpose. For He looks at the heart and not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). He chooses the weak to be symbols of His strength. And, He calls unlikely people to carry out His perfect will.

If genealogies and family histories are fascinating to you, consider looking deeper into Jesus’ timeline. As you read the ordinary (and not so ordinary) names, you’ll find that the Bible is full of surprises that will take you on a journey of remarkable discovery. You’ll also see how God can use the most unlikely of people to perform His perfect plan for mankind.

Who Determines Your Identity?..... by Kelly Givens

 Who Determines Your Identity?

by Kelly Givens

One year, in between jobs, I worked as a temporary administrative assistant at a financial planning firm... during tax season. It was as challenging as you might imagine. I had no experience in taxes but suddenly found myself surrounded by tax forms, calculators and clients who expected me to have the answers to all of their tax issues. I might as well have been in a foreign country trying to communicate in a language I barely understood.

I started with grand ambitions: I told myself that I would learn all about taxes; I took an incredibly challenging online tax course, learned a ton about deductions and exemptions, and strove to be cheerful and helpful to my colleagues and our clients. Things were going great - I was exhausted but felt helpful, felt like my boss appreciated me and thought my coworkers were glad to have me around. Until the worst imaginable thing happened.

A customer claimed to have dropped off his taxes to be done, but his paperwork was nowhere to be found. All of the most important documents he owned and had trusted to us had somehow vanished. Worst of all, I had been the person handling the coming and going of most of the client’s paperwork the day it went missing, so the blame fell on me.

I was nauseous with anxiety. I felt the cold condemnation of my coworkers as they repeatedly asked me what I had done with this man’s documents. All I could say over and over was, "I don’t know. I don’t remember taking his paperwork. I am so sorry." I listened as they whispered accusations behind my back. I felt them watching me like a hawk, seeing if I would make any more careless mistakes. Worst of all, my boss was totally stressed out and I felt the weight of everything on me.

I went home that night and cried my eyes out. I prayed fervently that God would somehow miraculously make the documents appear. I prayed for the strength I needed to face work the next day. I truly felt as David did in Psalms 55 when he prayed,

Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
Oh, that I had wings of a dove!
 I would flee far away and stay in the desert.

All I wanted was to run away and never face my coworkers again. And I couldn’t even think about what the client would say when he found out that all of his tax information was gone.

My husband and I went to Bible study that night, and together our small group prayed over the situation, prayed that the missing documents would be recovered, and prayed for my peace. One person’s prayer in particular stuck out to me:

Father, I pray that Kelly knows her identity is not in what she does or doesn't do, but in what you have done for her. I pray she knows that no amount of mistakes could make her any less your daughter.

Those words were a balm to my wounded spirit. I pictured Jesus holding me, reminding me of his great love for me and that even though I had messed up, my mistakes didn’t define me, he did.

I am a daughter of the King. Being reminded that my identity rests not in my success but in Christ’s sacrifice gave me the courage I needed to face another work day. I realized I had been finding my identity in what other people thought of me and in a job well done, instead of resting in the knowledge that no matter what, I am a beloved, redeemed child of God.

The next day at work, the missing files were found. The client had dropped them off in our overnight drop-off box, and the documents were wedged at the top of the chute. While having my name cleared was a relief, I look back and am more thankful for the lesson God taught me. When it comes to my identity, it’s not what I do or don’t do that defines me, it’s what Christ has done for me.

“He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me.”  -Psalm 55:18

Intersecting Faith and Life: Where do you find your identity, in the knowledge that you’re a child of God, or in the things you do or don’t do? Remember, the thing that separates Christianity from all other world religions is that it’s not what we do that saves us, it’s what Christ has done for us. You’re a child of God! Celebrate this today instead of focusing on your successes and failures.

Further Reading:

Psalm 55
John 15
Romans 8:1

A Prayer to Seek Shelter in God..... By: Kristine Brown

 A Prayer to Seek Shelter in God

By: Kristine Brown

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5 NIV)

When life is in turmoil, we long for a safe place to be. A space where we’re protected from the outside world, where we can find the peace we so desperately need.

God gives us strength and wisdom to face the challenges surrounding us. From our hardest circumstances can come our greatest testimonies of God’s power. However, he also offers to be our safe shelter. God protects us during the battle and tells us we are never alone when we seek him.

David’s 27th Psalm begins with a bold proclamation in the first verse, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” David called on the Lord for strength and confidence when enemies surrounded him. He knew with God, he didn’t have to be afraid. Yet David also recognized an important truth that we often forget. When facing trouble, God gives us a safe place to dwell.

How comforting it is to remember God is our safe shelter! Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” May we rest in knowing that when we run to God, he will be our safe place. Let’s pray this prayer to seek shelter in our Almighty God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being my Shelter in times of trouble. I run to you today to find safety in your loving presence.

When I’m surrounded by challenges, I can get caught up in trying to fight in my own strength. Forgive me for facing life’s struggles on my own. Your Word says you will “hide me in your sacred tent.” So, I know that even in the most difficult circumstances, I am safe with you. You are my Protector, my Deliverer, and my Strong Tower.

Lord, in all things I will seek you. Your Word promises in Jeremiah 29:13 that I will find you when I “seek you with my whole heart.” Surround me with the comfort and peace I find in your presence. Thank you for being my safe place, whatever challenges I face.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.