Genuine Repentance..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Genuine Repentance

Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Because we desire to be more like Jesus, we make resolutions, ask Him to help us, and try to behave differently. Yet despite our best efforts to do things God's way, we slide back into old habits. Frustrated, we may ask Him, "Why can't I change?" The reason is, overcoming sinful attitudes and behaviors starts with genuine repentance, which has three aspects.

Conviction. The Holy Spirit will reveal the areas in which we've sinned and convict us of wrongdoing. Through Scripture, the Spirit shows us God's standard and what needs to change. Repentance begins with understanding where we have gone astray.

Contrition. The next step--grieving over our iniquity--is followed by confession to the Lord. Genuine sorrow arises from the knowledge that we've sinned against Him. In contrast, human unhappiness often comes from being caught misbehaving. Other times we are miserable because of where our choices led us, or feel shame that people know about our sin. True contrition is followed by humble confession.

Commitment to act.  Real repentance is complete when we wholeheartedly pledge to turn from our old behavior and move toward righteous ways. God knows we won't live perfectly, but He looks for a surrendered heart that diligently seeks to obey Him.

Paul used strong language when telling us to turn from iniquity: "Put to death... whatever belongs to your earthly nature" (Col. 3:5 niv). What sin are you struggling to overcome? Have you genuinely repented, committing to turn from it permanently? Let the Holy Spirit empower you to change.

Surrender..... Craig Denison

 

Surrender

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

God’s goodness over our lives far exceeds anything we’ve experienced. We’ve only yet splashed around in the shallows of God’s deep love and mercy. In order to dive deeper into the fullness of life available to us, we must learn how to posture our hearts. May your relationship with God be enriched this week as you position yourself to receive all your loving heavenly Father has to give.

Scripture:“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

Devotional:           

Jesus makes an important and paradoxical statement in Matthew 10:39: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” What does it look like to lose your life for his sake? How is it possible to find life as the result of losing it? You and I are only truly living to the degree that we’ve surrendered our lives to Jesus. True life is eternal, kingdom-based, and fueled by the love of God. Life apart from God is fleeting and meaningless. It’s for this reason Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:14 says, “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”

We have opportunity every day to lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus in response to his great love that we might experience the abundant life only he can give. Surrender positions our hearts to receive the incredible reward of being fully God’s. God won’t force his blessings on us. He won’t force his presence or his love. He patiently draws us near, hoping that in response to his overwhelming affections we will lay down our lives that we might experience all the wonders he has in store for us.

Humbling ourselves before God as our King, Creator, and Sustainer is absolutely vital in going deeper. Pride so often stands in the way of God’s conditional promises. Scripture is clear in James 4:6, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Promises like “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” found in Matthew 6:33 require a level of humility and surrender most aren’t willing to give.

We often associate humility with weakness when in reality declaring our weakness before an Almighty God is the only posture of strength we can take. It’s for this reason that Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:30, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” When we humble ourselves before God and surrender, we position ourselves to receive all the abundance of help, power, guidance, and love we could ever need.

God is an endless ocean of love, help, healing, and power. The Holy Spirit who dwells within you longs to empower you with everything you need to truly live in the fullness of life available to you. If you will choose to lay down your life in surrender to God’s plans, purposes, truth, and perfect will,  you will experience a life unlike anything you’ve known. Take time today to lose your life that you may find it in God. Cast aside all pride and selfish ambition that you might pursue the wonderful, abundant life of one submitted to an Almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, and fully loving Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the need for surrender in fully pursuing God.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

2. In what ways have you been allowing pride, fear, or selfish ambition to keep you from fully surrendering to God? In what ways have you been seeking glory for yourself?

3. Lay your life down at the feet of your good and loving Savior that you might experience the fullness of his love, grace, and affection for you. Rest at the feet of Jesus. Choose the good portion today rather than spending all your energy seeking fleeting admiration and temporal possessions.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42

While surrender in the world results in defeat, surrender to God brings ultimate victory. When we stop pursuing our own glory and worldly acclamations, we begin building up treasure in heaven that will never be taken away from us. God’s plans for us are infinitely better than anything we could do on our own. His heavenly rewards for us vastly outweigh any sense of earthly accomplishments. Surrendering our lives completely to God releases us from the constraints of this world that we might live for the kingdom that will never end. May your life be completely wrapped up in the goodness of your loving Savior.

Extended Reading: James 4

Life From God vs. Life With God..... VALERIE WOERNER

 Life From God vs. Life With God

VALERIE WOERNER

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 (ESV) 

Isn’t the Christian life supposed to be more exciting than this?

The thought floated through my mind as I folded laundry, as it had often done when I was in the middle of a mundane task. Wasn’t there more? I knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows — but surely it should be more than laundry.

I longed for God’s joy in my daily life. I longed for His peace in trials. I longed for love and kindness to flow through me. I longed to see “God moments” and miracles beyond my own abilities. I wanted what I was pretty confident God had promised for my life in His Word.

I’m embarrassed to admit I often saw God like the cashier of an arcade, doling out prizes. I had just enough tickets for joy and perhaps a little peace, too. Thank you, kind sir. I’ll take my joy and peace, be on my way, and return when I run out.

But all to no avail. My attempts to chase those gifts still left me sad, anxious, annoyed and bored. And the worst part? I assumed that when life felt less-than, something was wrong with God. I even questioned His very Word because it didn’t seem true in my life.

Inevitably and over time, God grabbed hold of my heart and transformed me with one of the most succinct lessons of my life: The good life isn’t from God; it’s with God.

What a gracious God we get to do life with — a fulfilling, abundant life that’s found when we quit searching for it and start seeking Him alone. (Matthew 6:33)

As I started sinking into this idea, I saw it everywhere in Scripture.

John 15:4 teaches, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (emphasis added).

Psalm 16:11 reveals, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (ESV, emphasis added).

Isaiah 26:3 assures, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV, emphasis added).

It’s God’s presence that transforms our days. It’s God’s presence that transforms our lives.

“Doing life with God” is a cute catchphrase … but how do we make it real in our everyday lives?

We pursue an awareness of God’s presence all around us. Practically speaking, this looks like praying without ceasing. That means including Him in our thoughts and communicating with Him throughout our day.

The concept can feel overwhelming, but think of it like this: If you were riding in a car with a close friend sitting beside you, conversation would naturally happen. There would be comfortable, quiet moments when there’d be nothing to say, but as thoughts popped into your head, you’d simply speak them because that person is right there.

If you want to start praying, try this:

1. Pray that we would live with such a vibrant awareness of God with us that we would call out to Him in prayer throughout our days.
2. Carve out five to 10 minutes in your morning for time in prayer with God.
3. As you go about your day, recognize the conversation starters all around you.
   • As you fold the laundry, pray that He’d be glorified in the work. (Colossians 3:23)
   • As you pick up your phone, thank Him for the direct access that we have with Him. (Hebrews 4:16)
   • As fears arise, fix your eyes on Him, remembering His power so He can swallow up your fears. (Isaiah 26:3)
   • As you make decisions, ask for His wisdom in all you do. (James 1:5)

Prayer is essential to living the good life that God offers us through the gift of salvation. Heaven awaits us, but prayer is our little slice of heaven on earth, and it’s available to us today! Make time for the good life God’s calling you to today, and walk with Him in prayer.

Dear God, I want to talk confidently and consistently to You in prayer. Open my eyes to the things in my life that are holding me back from that, an

Does the World Hate You?..... By Lynette Kittle

 Does the World Hate You? 

By Lynette Kittle

Today's Bible Verse: “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you” - 1 John 3:13

Are you scratching your head today, surprised by the current cultural climate towards Christians? Are you hearing reports of singing being banned inside churches and worship services forbidden within the building?

As well, have stories of churchgoers being fined for just parking outside their churches, pastors being arrested, and houses of worship deemed “non-essential” in our society, catching your attention?

If so, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us who know what God’s Word says about the reception Jesus received on earth. He explains in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Still among Christians, there seems to be a disbelief at what is happening in our society, as if they don’t understand and didn’t see it coming. But as Proverbs 29:27 explains, the wicked detest the upright.

Yet, in today’s culture of trying to get the most likes, views, and followers on social media, many believers have become more interested in gaining cultural love and approval than dealing with the hate sure to come when we love Jesus more than we love the world.

Likewise, many churches are adopting worldly attitudes and actions into their services and programs in attempts to attract larger crowds through their doors.

However, in doing so, are Christians losing site of what it means to follow Jesus? Are some pastors leaving their congregations malnourished in the Word of God, as well as unprepared to face a hateful world?

As believers in Jesus, John 15:19 explains, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

Isn’t being chosen by Jesus and belonging to Him worth being hated by the world?

Still, wanting to be popular and liked by people more than being known as belonging to Jesus isn’t a new thing. John 12:43, describes how, “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”

Growing up as a pastor’s kid, it didn’t take long for me to figure out how when other kids discovered my Dad was a pastor at a local church, most didn’t hang around for long. Feeling rejected and left out, I learned how to skirt the issue and avoid mentioning his ministry.

Yet, funny how unlike me, my future husband walked around high school wearing a big wooden cross around his neck and carrying his Bible everywhere he went. Interestingly, his boldness and willingness to be rejected by others for his faith was one of the main things that drew me to him. Now I realize how even though I thought I truly loved God growing up, my actions seem to point to my loving human acceptance more.

Like I thought growing up, maybe there are those who truly believe they love God most but are living more concerned about being liked by people, than being known as a believer in Christ.

If during these chaotic and unstable times, you find yourself surprised by the world’s hatred towards Christians, ask what Galatians 1:10 urges. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

If the world does hate you, be encouraged by Jesus’ words in Mark 13:13. “Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Meant for More..... by Kelly Givens

 Meant for More

by Kelly Givens

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The other day I watched a video on YouTube that totally pulled at my heart. It showed two dozen ducks being introduced to a pond for the first time; the ducks had been “pets” of a hoarder who had kept them in pens all their lives. After being rescued and brought to a pond, the frightened ducks kept their distance from the water, unwilling to go in. The rescue workers herded them into the pond, but the ducks immediately got out. Finally, the workers gently tossed them in one at a time. That seemed to do the trick- they began tentatively swimming, then diving under and splashing themselves in the cool water. Eventually, they were all vigorously grooming themselves- probably feeling more refreshed, clean, more like ducks than they had ever felt before.

I wonder what thoughts the ducks might have had while they were in those pens. Did they ever wonder - “Why do I have these wings- what are they for? And why are my feet so awkward?” The joy they must have felt when their webbed feet first glided through water and their wings spread out with room and air to soar, when those unnamed desires- to swim, to fly- were first named and fulfilled. And then I think of how much they resisted getting in the water in the first place.

We are so similar to these ducks. We too have unnamed longings, unanswered questions about our lives here on earth. The world doesn’t satisfy us, it lets us down, but we don’t know where to look for more. We see this in the football champion who wakes up after the biggest game of his life and all he feels an empty, “What’s next?” Or in the young executive who climbs the corporate ladder, believing the next job title will finally make him significant. We see it in the teen who does harder and harder drugs on a never ending quest to reach a high that will erase all the lows of her life. We all have an emptiness inside we want to fill, a purpose in life we want to find, questions we want someone to answer.

The Christian narrative gives us these answers. Christ fills us up, he gives us purpose- but we have to be willing to “get in the water”- believe in him- to experience these things. We yearn for more because we were created for more- for eternal life in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Through faith in Jesus, we’re given purpose for today and in the days to come, and satisfying joy when we live for God’s glory and not our own. Sadly, we resist believing this good news because we think the world can give us what we yearn for. To think this way is pointless, a “chasing after the wind.” (Ecc. 1:14)

C.S. Lewis wrote about our longings for more so exquisitely. My favorite of his writings comes from the Chronicles of Narnia, in The Last Battle, when those who have faithfully fought for Aslan and Narnia are finally entering the “New Narnia,“ Lewis’ version of the new heavens and new earth. The Unicorn summed it up beautifully: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that is sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee-hee! Come further up, come further in!”

Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you wish for more out of life? Do you have unnamed desires that you can’t seem to satisfy? Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Stop standing on the edge, “get in the water” with Jesus and experience the all-satisfying joy and life he promises those who know and put their trust in him.

Further Reading:

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
2 Corinthians 5:1-5

A Prayer for When You Feel Empty..... By: Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for When You Feel Empty

By: Kristine Brown

“Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.” - Psalm 16:5 HCSB

A dry, parched land stretched out before them. Hagar and her son Ishmael had used up the last of the water given to them by Abraham before he sent them away (Genesis 21:14). Discouragement saw opportunity and came calling. With no water in sight, Hagar knew they couldn’t survive. So she set Ishmael under a tree and walked away.

She couldn’t watch her only son suffer this way. No water, no future, no hope. The emptiness of the water skin reflected the emptiness of her spirit.

Uncertainty and emptiness often walk hand-in-hand. Our concern for the unknown causes us to try and fill our questioning hearts with answers. Find solutions. Because we long to fill the void with something that will satisfy. And the more we try in our own strength to fill the void, the emptier we become.

Only one thing will fill the emptiness when life’s battles leave us depleted.

“Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.” Psalm 16:5 HCSB

Hagar had forgotten God’s promise to fill her cup with abundant blessings. Ishmael would have a future, greater than anything Hagar herself could’ve planned. But she needed to trust God to be the portion to fill the emptiness with the fullness of His presence. “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well full of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” (Genesis 21:19)

When we remember to turn our focus to our everlasting Father and seek Him as our portion, He supernaturally becomes whatever we need to fill that void. It may be strength to face another day, joy in a time of loss, or peace instead of panic. Whatever we need, God is the sustaining portion.

If you’ve forgotten to ask God to be your portion lately, take heart. Then take your uncertainty to Him. Let’s begin with this prayer, and find satisfaction as God fills our cup with blessings today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your precious Word. Thank you for the encouragement it brings me in difficult times. Lord, I’ve been sensing a void lately that I can’t quite explain. It seems like I’m facing one thing after another, and when I look at my struggles I feel empty. Hopelessness and discouragement threaten me. Help me to remember that You are my portion. You fill my cup and are the only One who will satisfy my parched soul.

Help me hold onto this truth. Your Word says in Psalm 16:5, You hold my future. I can rest in knowing even in my uncertainty that You are in control, and You have good plans for me.

Psalm 73:26 assures me that You are “the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” When I’m tempted to search for temporary things to fill the void in my heart, help me recall this verse. You are my portion. Not only today, not only tomorrow. Forever.

I pray as You fill my cup to overflowing, I will discover the strength, joy, and peace that comes from You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.