Paying Attention to How We Live..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Paying Attention to How We Live

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 12:16-21

One day we’ll give an account of ourselves to the Lord (Romans 14:12). We must, then, pay attention to how we live.

The rich man in Luke 16:19-31 made the tragic choice of living for himself without regard for the Lord. He also made two other mistakes.

First, he invested everything for himself and nothing for the life to come. When we are blinded by our own desires and personal satisfaction, it is easy to become lukewarm about spiritual matters. We forget that this life is not all there is. Scripture tells us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Where our treasure is reflects where our heart is (Matthew 6:19-21).

The rich man’s other mistake was to prepare everything for himself and nothing for others. Crumbs falling from his table (v. 21) were the only form of assistance he gave a poor man named Lazarus. The one who had much wealth did not share it with the one who had little. Jesus explained what our priorities should be to love the Lord wholeheartedly and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27).

We see the rich man’s mistakes repeated in another parable. This time a wealthy man builds bigger barns to store crops so he will have plenty for the future. God calls him a fool for such shortsightedness (Luke 12:20).

The Bible repeatedly warns us to pay attention to spiritual matters—the Lord is to have first place in our lives and be the center of our affections. He urges us to store up heavenly treasure by caring for the lost and hurting people around us. On whom is your attention focused?

Peace in Relationships..... Craig Denison

 

Peace in Relationships

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

One of the most powerful marks of a believer is transcendent peace. This world offers us no reason to be peaceful. It offers us no reason to be without stress, burdens, cares, and total frustration. But we serve a God who offers us peace in the midst of any circumstance. We serve a God in whom all true peace finds its source. May you discover the heart of your heavenly Father to bring you peace this week.

Scripture:“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” Colossians 3:15

Devotional:           

Relationships are one of the parts of life that can most rob us of our peace in the Holy Spirit. Our lives are all in some way impacted by one another. If I am counting on someone and they don’t come through, it can profoundly impact my circumstances. If I truly love someone and they wound, neglect, or reject me, it can undoubtedly hinder my ability to enjoy the peace of God. But God offers us peace in the midst of all circumstances. Jesus maintained peace in the Holy Spirit in the midst of those he loved shouting, “Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21). May God lead us today to a path of continual peace founded on his love and truth.

Colossians 3:12-15 describes a road map to powerful, transcendent peace in our relationships. Scripture says,

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 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.

The pathway to peace with others begins with choosing to die to yourself. We are completely unable to control anyone. Each person has a will and the power to love us or reject us. Even believers will consistently fail you. If the people of God could stand in the presence of God incarnate and shout, “Crucify him,” you can know others will reject you. But when you choose to continually humble yourself before others and serve, you will be filled with the “peace of Christ” (Colossians 3:15). When we choose to put on “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” regardless of the actions of others, we position ourselves to continually bear the fruit of peace (Colossians 3:12).

We find our greatest example of this in the person of Jesus. Just as he could ask forgiveness from his heavenly Father by saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” as the soldiers who nailed him to the cross gambled for his clothing, you will have a supernatural peace when you choose to live selflessly in love (Luke 23:24). The Holy Spirit will fill you with peace in your relationships when you choose to live like Jesus.

Take time today to put on a “compassionate [heart], kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Choose to die to yourself and live for Christ. And watch as the Holy Spirit anoints you with the fruit of peace and love to live like Jesus did. May your relationships be filled with patience today as you live in obedience to the word of your loving heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on Scripture’s command to die to yourself and live like Jesus.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” Mark 8:35

“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

2. What would it be like to live in a consistent posture of love and humility rather than in response to the actions of others? What sort of peace would you feel if your emotions and actions were less founded on others and more based on the unconditional love and commands of God?

3. Choose to live today in humility and service. Decide to die to yourself and live in total surrender to the Holy Spirit.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

As you seek peace with others in your midst, may Paul's exhortation in Colossians 3:12-15 be at the center of your heart and mind:

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 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.

Extended Reading: Colossians 3

Never Too Messy..... HEATHER MACFADYEN

 Never Too Messy

HEATHER MACFADYEN

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.” Psalm 34:4-5 (NRSV)

Sitting in my favorite leather chair, with three boys off to school and one still asleep, I enjoyed the rare quiet of a late morning. That is, until I heard little footsteps on the stairs and a jumbled mix of words like “mess,” “yucky” and “poop.”

When I entered my littlest’s bedroom, and then the bathroom, I found he’d had an accident … and it had spread.

I glanced back at my son to see a horrified expression on his face. A mix of shame and guilt. If this scenario had happened on a morning we had to rush to go somewhere or all the boys were home, I may have responded with anger or annoyance. Thankfully, because of my extended quiet morning and no need to rush, I graciously offered him help and comfort.

“It’s going be OK, buddy. We can totally clean up this mess. Why don’t you get in the bath?” He adamantly refused. As I coaxed him in, the closer he got to the mess, the more upset he became.

I finally calmed him down and settled him into a warm bath. While he soaked, I got on my knees to clean up the room. That’s when I felt his sweet hand rubbing my back as he gently said, “Thank you, Mommy. I love you so much.” (Cue tears.)

What would have happened if he’d never told me about the mess? If my son had let his shame keep me from cleaning up? If he had continued to push me away and deny the mess’ existence because he was embarrassed by its presence? The mess wouldn’t have gone away. The stench would have caught up with him eventually. And he would not have had the chance to be reminded of the love between us.

How often do we do the same with God? Keeping our dirtiest, worst actions “hidden” from Him as if He can’t already see into our hearts. We often stiff-arm Him and continue to separate ourselves in shame, like Adam and Eve in the garden. We feel unworthy to walk in His presence. Like my son, we believe our mess is too much to clean up. We forget how much He loves us.

We forget that no one is too far gone and no mess is too much for Him. Nothing about us will ever change His love for us. And when He sees you, He sees the perfection of His Son.

What are you trying to cover up? What areas of your soul are you too ashamed to reveal? Start with a simple prayer: God, I know nothing is hidden from You. Remove the shame. And tell Him those things that you believe are too much for Him.

Then ask yourself, What have I been believing? Maybe it’s something you’ve believed about God (e.g., “God is angry with me”). Or something you’ve believed about others (e.g., “People cannot be trusted”). Perhaps it’s a wrong belief about yourself (e.g., “I don’t deserve attention and care from other people”).

A key step towards freedom from the thing you’ve been hiding is to align with God. Adjust how you’ve been thinking about it with how He feels. This process starts with confession. Not the “beat myself up” or “woe is me” kind of confession. Simply stating your wrong belief back to God.

Something like, Lord, forgive me. I have been believing that I can meet everyone’s needs. That their happiness and approval is based on my performance. I know You tell us that, if we confess, You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. Help me release control to You.

Then receive His forgiveness and freedom. Verbalize accepting it: “Lord, I receive Your forgiveness.” Let it pour over you and onto others, too.

Heavenly Father, thank You that no one and nothing is too much for You. Your love and forgiveness cover me and allow me to extend the same love and forgiveness to others. Help me to connect with those around me and to pursue reconciliation when my mess disrupts relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Seeing Dimly in a Mirror..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

 Seeing Dimly in a Mirror 

By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Today’s Bible Verse is 1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

In my thirty-seven years of life thus far, I’ve been a member of multiple denominations in the faith. And within those denominations, I’ve experienced a plethora of various opinions on all manner of what we like to call “secondary topics”—meaning, they aren’t essential to salvation, the identity of Christ as God’s Son, or the implicit nature of the Trinity. Secondary topics typically include different ideas on eschatology (end times), Arminian vs. Calvinist views, baptism, worship styles, spiritual gifts, frequency of communion in church, etc. (We won’t list the color of the carpet in the sanctuary, though some might argue for that! Ha)

Christians are all very unique (and flawed) human beings, and they’re understandably going to have differing views. Even when we look to the Bible and agree on it being the inerrant, inspired, infallible Word of God, we still risk interpreting it differently. The Bible even talks about how right now, we only see dimly, but one day in Heaven, we’ll understand so much better.

It can be exhausting to think you understand something in Scripture, then hear an opposing view and think “oh, wait, that makes sense too”. Or look at another Christian and think “they don’t believe X, but look how close to the Lord they are. Maybe that means they’ve got it right instead of me!”

Personally, there was a season in my life where I didn’t realize it, but I was slowly withdrawing from the daily disciplines of my spiritual journey. I had begun to stop reading the Word regularly or praying. It wasn’t based in apathy so much as it was in fear. A wise mentor asked me a powerful question one day as I was discussing this shift with her. I had admitted that I was afraid to dive deep into figuring out a particular element of my faith because of all the controversy about it. People I love and respect, people whom I knew walked with the Lord had very opposing views on these topics, so it was confusing for me. It made me pull back. I heard myself say, “I just don’t want to get it wrong.”

This woman looked at me and very calmly asked, “What would happen if you did?”

I just stared at her, unable to provide an answer. She’d just revealed there was no true foundation to my fear. What would happen if I chose to believe a particular way on a secondary issue, and it turned out later I was wrong? Would I lose my salvation? No. Would I have grown away from the Lord? No. If anything, I’d be closer because I’d have been drawing near again!

You’re not alone in these occasional bursts of doubt. But don’t give up or allow the enemy camp to sway you away from digging into God’s Word. And trust me—he’s trying!

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Refuse to listen to the lie that you’ll never know the full truth, so why bother? If anything, let those anxieties over “getting it wrong” spur you deeper into the Word and into prayer. You’re not going to figure everything out this side of Heaven, but you’ll bear the fruit of a relationship with the Lord on the journey. Ultimately, when we’re walking with the Lord, we can trust the Holy Spirit to steer us in the right direction on any of these hard topics.

Stop the Sun..... by John UpChurch

 Stop the Sun

by John UpChurch

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26).

When I got married, the friend my wife and I roped into making the wedding video for us added a few surprises to the tape before he gave it to us. During our rehearsal dinner (which didn’t actually follow a rehearsal), he’d grabbed guests, whisked them outside, poked the camera in their faces, and asked them for their best tips on keeping a marriage strong.

The advice is decidedly mixed. It ranges from the serious (“Make time for your relationship”) to the Scriptural (“Love is kind”) to the funny (“Just let her win, John”) to the ludicrous (“Beat him when you need to”). It’s the stuff you’d expect from those who are on the spot with only moments to think up something that would be forever stamped on our video.

But one piece of advice has always stuck out to me, and even as I write this, I see it and wince. One of our friends told us that we should just “forget about that whole sun-not-going-down-on-your-anger thing. You will go to bed mad.”

It’s just really bad advice.

Now, admittedly, when Paul wrote Ephesians 4:26, he wasn’t talking to married couples directly. He meant it for the believers at Ephesus in general. But he slips that passage in among his admonitions about how our lives should be different now that we follow Christ. He says those who don’t know Christ live one way, but when they start to follow Him, their lives show it. Before, we let our anger seethe, but now, we fix the problem. Before, we didn’t seek forgiveness and restitution, but now we do.

In marriage, the status quo is always safer. We get into routines, and we like how comfortable the ordinary feels. When something disrupts the normal flow, guys especially want to just move it out of the way and get back to flowing again. Meanwhile, our wives are still upset, and nothing has been dealt with.

You see, there’s another part to that going-to-bed-angry thing that our well-wisher left out. When we do that, the Bible says we give the devil a foothold, a place to cling on. The anger burns deeper and deeper. One angry night becomes dozens. That’s the place where relationships stop growing—and even die.

But there’s no need for any angry sleeping, not when we’ve got something as crazy-good as the gospel. As Paul says, the good news is that we’ve chucked off our old selves and gotten brand-spanking-new selves. This new-self sets us apart in the world as children of light. In other words, when we don’t do what people expect, we suddenly blaze into the darkness. When we don’t let the sun go down on our anger, but forgive as we’re forgiven, it’s like setting off a flare. You’re saying, “Look. This is God’s love made manifest through us. Dig it.”

Intersecting Faith and Life: Paul doesn't leave us a way out. Boiling anger has no room in our relationships, and it’s this readiness to forgive and willingness to work out our problems that make us light up the world. No matter what conventional wisdom may be, don’t let the sun go down before you work to put things right.

A Prayer for Those Trying to Make it in Their Own Strength..... By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer for Those Trying to Make it in Their Own Strength

By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2

A couple of years ago, my toddler was becoming more and more independent. One of her newest tricks was dressing herself, and I was thrilled about this new skill! Most days though, it still needed a little tweaking. One morning, I heard her screaming through tears at her brother, who made her come completely unhinged by offering to help her get dressed. I found her stuck in a strappy tank top that she attempted to put on herself. Arms were stuck every which-a-way, and she was hopelessly tangled up in it.

I looked at my sweet girl sitting on the floor in a puddle of tears and frustration, and my heart went out to her, because I knew how she felt. As I pulled her up on my lap, she buried her head in my shoulder. I explained that we all want to do things ourselves, but sometimes we just need a little help from someone bigger. Those words left my mouth, and I realized that I needed to hear them too.

This world tries to make us believe we are strong and independent and fully capable of handling everything ourselves. It tells us we don't need help. That we can, and should, do it all on our own!

But if that is true, then I am a failure in the world's eyes. I get set for my "strappy tank top" of a day. I set it up just right for every part to fall into place. But before I know it, the work strap is crossed over the mama strap and the dinner strap is tangled in the kids’ activity strap, and I end up looking like my sweet baby did. Tangled up, frustrated, and no good to anyone. And ya' know why? Because I tried to rearrange and schedule and plan all on my own, without asking for help from the One who is the biggest of all.

Here are a couple of things to remember when you are ready to ask the Lord for help:

1. Pray. Pray again. And accept grace.

Before my feet hit the floor most mornings, I pray for the Lord to direct my day. I pray over my babies and husband and what we will face in the hours to come. I ask Him for wisdom and strength and patience in the situations I may encounter. I pray for a gentle, kind spirit and to speak life to those around me. And some days, I rest in His help and those prayers.

But others, I walk out the door and completely forget what I just prayed for. My own plan and strength and pride try to make it own their own. And I miss His hand in the moments of my day.

In the intro of 1 and 2 Peter, he said, "May God give you more and more grace and peace." I don't think that extra "more" was an accident. I think Peter, knowing his own weakness, knew that those reading his letter would mess up. He knew we would need "more and more" grace... and more and more help. And we will.

So, if you ask for the Lord to help you... and you mess it up and take over... don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask again. His resources and love and mercy and grace are never-ending.

2. His help may not look like what we expect, so be prepared.

You know that story about the man adrift in a boat who asked the Lord to save him? A plane flew by, a cruise ship came by, and something else I don't remember, and they all offered to pick him up. He turned them all down. When he got to heaven, he asked the Lord why He didn't save him, and the Lord explained that He tried to, but all of His attempts were turned down!

Well, the Lord's help and guidance most likely won't be through a bolt of lightning or force of nature. It might be a friend, loved one, co-worker, or total stranger who "happens" to be right there when you need them. It might be an inconvenience in your day like running late or a forgotten item that the Lord can use. You just never know who or what He might send to be your help and encouragement.

It's okay to NEED help. It's okay to WANT help. And it's okay to ASK for help!

Don't wait until you are "stuck" in a predicament that you can't get yourself out of. Don't spread yourself thin and wear yourself out to exhaustion. The older I get, the more I accept help when it is offered, ask for it myself, and try to extend it to those around me.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

Dear Lord,

Help me to open my heart and eyes and ears to be aware of those around me. Please give me the good sense to ask for help when needed, offer help when I’m able, humbly accept help from those around me when it’s extended, and put my hope in the One who loves me most. Remind me that in my own strength, I am so very weak, but with you, I am strong. Thank you for being my Rock, Fortress, Refuge, and Redeemer.

In Your Mighty Name,

Amen.