Obedience or Preference..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Obedience or Preference

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 26:36-42

Every believer must choose whether he will live by the principle of obedience or follow his preferences. When a person commits to doing the Lord’s will, then every situation and decision is sifted through the standard of "God said it, so I’m going to do it—and that’s the end of it." He may complain, weep, or try to argue. But in the end he will be obedient, no matter what.

I recall being invited years ago to interview with a church in Atlanta. During the entire road trip, I told the Lord that I didn’t want to move. I fussed and carried on a good while, but I knew Atlanta would be my new home. I didn’t like the idea, but the alternative was unimaginable: there are few things more unpleasant than living with the nagging anxiety that you missed out on something good.

The Lord certainly understands our need to question, cry out, and petition Him for the strength to do what He asks. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Jesus wasn’t excited or happy about the cross. He grieved over the coming separation from His Father. Nevertheless, He was committed to following God’s will (Matt. 26:39). No one took Christ’s life from Him; He laid it down (John 10:18).

Our lives are about fulfilling God’s purpose. Many people miss His awesome plan for them because they choose to follow their preferences. Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and lives by His principles.

Jesus is the Center..... Craig Denison

 

Jesus is the Center

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Devotional:           

All of eternity centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He is the all-important, eternity-changing, and humanity-redeeming Son of the living God. Colossians 1:15 tells us, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Hebrews 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” And at the time of his return, Revelation 19:16 says, “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

To center our lives around meeting with God is to build our foundation on the unshakable center of all eternity. To build our lives around encounters with Jesus is to place the anchor of our hope in the King of kings and Lord of lords. Only Jesus is faithful to his word. Only Jesus will accomplish that which he has promised us.

1 John 2:17 says, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” The will of God is to center our lives around his loving presence. God’s greatest commandment is that we would simply love him with all we do. To live differently than the world around you by centering your life around encountering Jesus is to chart a new path that leads to the fullness of life.

It may appear foolish to the world to place your hope solely in the person of Jesus, but nothing could be more important. It may look different to cast aside the pursuits of society such as comfort, status, and acclaim, but no greater decision could be made. You serve a God who was, is, and is to come. You belong to a King who laid down his life that you might truly live. You’ll find no greater joy, peace, or purpose than in serving Jesus alone. There is no greater life than one lived in full devotion to the King of all the earth.

Take time today to recommit yourself fully to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Step away from the limited perspective and think about the divine, eternal kingdom of God. Allow the truth of God’s word and love to fill you with the courage to choose devotion to him over service to yourself and the world around you. May your day today be filled with the abiding presence of King Jesus.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on Scripture about the person of Jesus. Remember that Jesus is alive and near. He is the living God, and Scripture says your life is wrapped up in him.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

2. In what ways is your life not centered around Jesus? In what ways are you living for the earth rather than for eternity?

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you center your life around who Jesus was and is. Ask him to fill you with the knowledge of his nearness and love for you. Open your heart and receive the presence of Jesus. Ask him to show you ways that you can center your life around him today.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as having said, “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” Is your life so wrapped up in Jesus that you would love and serve him at any cost? If not, know that there is grace. We only come to a place of full devotion by spending time consistently being loved by a selfless, servant-hearted God. May you rest in the grace of your heavenly Father today as you pursue a life centered around your loving Savior.

Extended Reading: Colossians 3

God Is Right Beside You..... SHALA W. GRAHAM

 God Is Right Beside You

SHALA W. GRAHAM

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8 (NLT) ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This summer was a whirlwind. It included my oldest niece’s graduation, my first cousin’s funeral, several business trips and lots of homework. Simultaneously, I was jumping through the never-ending hoops required to buy and move into a home.

While some of my busyness came from blessings — like the ability to buy a home, or traveling for a job I was so grateful to have in the midst of a pandemic — there were moments when exhaustion set in. My heart would race while I was sitting still. Stress made my chest muscles tighten, creating sharp, stabbing pains that had become all too familiar.

Late one evening in the solitude of my basement, I let out a loud cry and buried my face in my hands to muffle my screams. Lord, I’m tired! I needed to release all the things that burdened my mind and body as I considered the days to come. I needed to feel God beside me.

The following day, as I ran errands, a worship song played that brought to mind all the ways God had provided for and been close to me.

In particular, my thoughts were led back to being an 8-year-old little girl on a Sunday morning. A friend invited me to church. I loved being there, and so I went every Sunday, even if I went alone.

That morning, I had just learned about Jesus and prayed to God that He would live inside of my heart. My young mind didn’t fully wrap itself around how the God of the universe could live inside of me, but I believed it was true. Wanting to give my life to Him, I prayed. The next Sunday, I went back to that child-sized altar at the end of our lesson and prayed again.

Dear God, in case You didn’t hear me last week, I want Jesus to live inside my heart. OK? Amen.

Driving up the highway many years later, I broke down in tears once more. But these were tears of comfort and joy. This memory reminded me that my faith was my own, and this Jesus still made a home in my heart. God was confirming that He has set me apart for His purpose since I was a child and that He has been with me ever since. In that moment, my memory verse that week came to life:

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” (Psalm 16:8)

Suddenly, the stress and overwhelm seemed to dissipate. My eyes brightened as I wiped the tears from my face. I still had several weeks of errands and transition ahead, and while they weren’t easy, I didn’t break down in despair again. I was walking in the knowledge that God was right beside me, and His presence made me unshakable.

Father, You have been so gracious to me. In every season of my life, You have been right beside me, holding me firmly in Your arms, even if I didn’t know it. May I experience Your peace as I walk through hard times, constantly recounting the many ways You have been with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Why Is There Only One Way to Heaven?..... by Jennifer Waddle

 Why Is There Only One Way to Heaven?

by Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:5-6

Why did God provide only one way to heaven? Wouldn’t it have been more “user-friendly” to create many paths leading to eternity with Him?

In an attempt to illustrate God’s perfect plan, I picture a kingdom on a mountain. There is one road to the summit, leading right to the kingdom’s gates. A free map is offered to anyone who asks.

Yet, most people do not follow the map. For the road to the kingdom is narrow and not always easy to navigate. Instead, the travelers choose other roads. Wide and easy, with beautiful scenery on the way, they convince themselves that the road they’re on must lead to the kingdom! However, those paths never reach the summit. At some point, they either take a detour or simply dead end.

As people continue to trek up the mountain, I picture the Savior calling to all travelers, “Come, this is the way. Follow Me.” Yet, many go their own way, forging other paths and avoiding the One True Road at all cost.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His way is sure and His path is open to all.

What a divine blessing to be given the exact directions to eternity! There is no guesswork! There is no “re-calculating” the journey. Jesus paved the way once and for all without mistake.

God didn’t provide only one way to heaven out of a sense of arrogance or control, as some might believe. He lovingly and painfully carved out the only path that would reach.

Across the chasm of man’s sin and up the mountain of life’s journey, God gave His Son—the perfect Way. Every other road that man travels will fall short of His glory. It will dead-end. But, there is One who calls… “Come and follow Me.”

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Turn with Me to Your Next Prayer..... by John UpChurch

 Turn with Me to Your Next Prayer

by John UpChurch

According to Hollywood, most funerals should include the pastor intoning the morbid notes of the twenty-third Psalm. All the black around the pastor makes it seem that much more depressing. Usually, there’s rain.

But there are two things about this that strike me as odd. First, Psalm 23 isn’t depressing. Yes, it mentions the “shadow of death,” but it’s chock full of hope and paths of righteousness ... and oil pouring over heads. You can’t be depressed when oil’s dripping down your nose … at least in biblical terms.

Second, I don’t really hear people pray from the Bible. Sure, they toss in a verse or two about being “more than conquerors” or “God working all things for our good.” But I’ve never seen a pastor reach for Psalm 23 or any Psalm for that matter when praying in public.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve heard plenty of great prayers from pastors and other believers. Some of them have hit home hard. But it seems as if Evangelicals especially are averse to anything that isn’t somehow unique when it comes to praying. It’s as if we think that just praying from the Bible isn’t quite spiritual enough. We have to say something original.

Honestly, that’s too bad. Because the Bible is crammed with better prayers than I could ever come up with—ones that fit almost every situation. And, really, that makes sense. After all, God inspired Scripture. These are His prayers to us; they’re gifts of His grace.

In the Psalms alone, there are prayers for depression, loss, fear, moments when you just gotta praise … it’s like an encyclopedia of prayers. Just dial up a Psalm, and you’ve got a template for expressing what may have seemed inexpressible a few moments earlier.

Now, I’m not saying we should reject all original prayer-making. I’m just saying that there’s no reason to ignore the Bible as a source for some pretty great prayers. We don’t always have to come up with something original when God gave us His own Word to pray from. These prayers are creative for you creative types; passionate for those who like passion; and orderly for those of you who like things with three main points.

Just make sure that you aren’t praying the Psalms like those pastors in the movies. Put some heart behind it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: God’s interest in our prayer is that we spend time giving Him everything we’ve got. It’s easy to think that we have to have the right words—or that prayer is a test of our creativity. But it’s really a test of our hearts.

There are no original words… nothing new under the sun. Using the Bible as a prayer manual isn’t a cop out; it’s brilliant. Who better to teach us how to pray than God? Start there and see how well God’s Word fits the problems you face. Then, if you still need to wax poetic, you can do that, too.

A Prayer for Guidance to Raise Our Children..... By Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for Guidance to Raise Our Children

By Meg Bucher

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” - John 14:26 NIV

Laughing and sprinting across the pavilion, kids whipped little foam balls in one direction as they curved to the other. In the middle of the chaos, one stood still.

“I can’t catch or throw.”

Many of us suffer from anxiety. Even those of us who do not deal with chronic anxiety are tempted to follow a trail of toxic thoughts down a rabbit hole. This is especially true for adults who raise children. But there is a power stronger than our discouragement or fears. When we feel helpless, it helps to remember we are not the Savior of any child.

The Holy Spirit comforts, counsels, and connects us to the Father. In Jesus’ physical absence, He is ever-present with us until Christ returns. We have authority over our thoughts and a power within us to choose grace, hope and joy no matter what trials we endure. We can pray these truths daily over the children we know and love, in hopes that they would be fully healed and feel the Spirit connecting, counseling, and encouragement for them.

Father,

Glory to You in the highest. You go providentially before us, and remain with us constantly. Translating for and counseling us, Holy Spirit, You are always on stand-by. Father, teach us more about who the person of the Holy Spirit is, and the work He does in our lives.

Paul wrote,

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Sprit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV) 

Oh, that our eyes would be open to see Your glory, alive and active in our everyday lives. Help us to understand with better clarity how to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Soften our hearts and open our minds, Father, to see with Your heavenly perspective. Empower us to know how to specifically love the people You have placed in our lives, especially our children. You alone, are God. Bring the pieces of every puzzle together. Fill in the gaps of our humanity, and forgive us for the instances when a critical spirit overtook our conversation with our children. Help us to lead them to Your feet. Fill their lives with Your Spirit, God. With Your healing, wisdom, guidance, grace, joy, hope, mercy, forgiveness, and love.

God, You love our children more than we do, and have a purpose and a plan for each of their lives. Your ways are not our ways. Help us to let go when we need to, and assure our children of Your love for them. Strengthen our children in their faith, as they receive, embrace, and follow their Savior. Jesus said,

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 NIV)

Guide our parenting, God. Let us lead our children to Your feet, knowing You care intimately for them, as You do for us. May the next generation serve Your Kingdom even more boldly than the last.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.