The Ultimate Father-Son Relationship..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Ultimate Father-Son Relationship

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 5:19-20

God is called by a variety of names in the Bible, and each one sheds light on an aspect of His nature. Jesus' favorite title for Him was Father. Surprisingly, this name for God is used only 15 times in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, it's recorded 245 times!

Many of God's names speak of His majestic and lofty attributes that separate Him from mankind, but Father conveys intimacy. Jesus used this name not only because He was God's Son, but also to help people realize that Jehovah isn't some unapproachable Deity gazing down on them from a distance. Rather, He is their loving heavenly Father, who cares about them and wants to be involved in their everyday lives.

Throughout His time on earth, Christ revealed by example what this kind of love relationship was like. He depended completely on His Father for daily direction, power, and provision and obediently carried out every instruction. He often left the demands of ministry just to find a secluded place to be alone with Jehovah. We know Jesus successfully conveyed the riches of this relationship to His disciples, because in John 14:8, Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father"—he wanted to know Him the way Christ did.

Do you long for that kind of intimacy with God?  He wants to relate to you as a Father to His child, and He's given you the privilege of drawing near to Him. In fact, He chose you before the foundation of the world and waits with open arms for you to enter His loving embrace.

Emotions..... Craig Denison

 

Emotions

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Trust is something we are not created to give away lightly. We value trust like we value our own lives, constantly scrutinizing others to see if they're worthy of our trust. But still we are made to do life with help. We are made to place our trust in that which will provide us with more life, joy, and peace. I pray that this week you and I will discover how trustworthy our heavenly Father is. I pray that we will willingly hand over control of our lives to a capable, loving, and near God. And I pray we will experience the abundant life that can only come through placing our trust in a God who gives up everything for relationship with us.

Scripture:“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21

Devotional:

Do you know that God cares deeply about your emotions? Your heavenly Father longs for your life to be marked by emotional joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, and peace. He longs for your emotions to be rooted and grounded in his steadfast love and goodness. Our God is an emotional God. He is not void of feelings. We feel because he feels. We have emotions because we are made in his image.

For much of my Christian life I thought my emotions had to be based on my circumstances. I felt happy or sad based on others’ opinions, the pressures of life, and opportunities I had or didn’t have. As a result I was on a constant emotional roller coaster following the ups and downs of this shaky world. I found myself controlled by the things of the world rather than the foundation of love laid before me by the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Scripture continually describes a link between emotional health and trust. Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Psalm 56:3-4 says,“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” And Psalm 33:21 says, “For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”

We are robbed of having our emotions rooted in God whenever we take on more pressure than we are meant to carry. Our emotional health is directly linked to our level of trust. We feel pressure at work when we look to our job and co-workers for our provision, identity, purpose, and fulfillment. We feel pressure in our relationships when our worth isn’t based on God’s perspective but the opinions of others. We are robbed of peace when we try and plan our own steps rather than following our Good Shepherd into the green pastures and still waters.

In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” God’s heart is to fill you with peace. He longs for you to have all the fruit of the Spirit dwelling within you. He has consistent, constant peace available to you. But you must trust him in every area of your life. You must hand over the reins of your relationships, job, identity, and plans to your Good Shepherd. You must trust that he will guide you perfectly into an abundant life.

Look to your heavenly Father for peace. Find rest in his abundant love. Find your self-worth in the fact that God so desired relationship with you that he laid down his own life to have it. Your Father counts you worthy of the death of his only Son. Trust him today. Place your entire life in his capable hands. And experience abundant life in the area of your emotions, rooting and grounding yourself in his unconditional, available love. May your life be marked by increasing emotional health as you grow in trust.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the link between trust and emotional health. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire and willingness to trust God with every area of your life.

“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4

2. Where are you not experiencing abundant life in your emotions? Where are you void of peace, joy, passion, and purpose?

3. Ask God to help you discern what part of your life you are not trusting to him. Hand over that area to him and find peace and rest in his trustworthiness.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Don’t settle for less than Jesus died to give you. Your life can be completely wrapped up in God’s presence, unconditional love, and ability to guide you. You can be filled with the emotions of God. Don’t settle for pressure, stress, anger, and frustration. Don’t settle for sadness, insecurity, or depression. Place your trust in God, open your heart, and receive the peace that can only come from your life being hidden in the heart of your perfect heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: John 14

When Pain Prompts Us To Cry Out to God..... KIA STEPHENS

 When Pain Prompts Us To Cry Out to God

KIA STEPHENS 

“He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Luke 18:38 (NIV)

In an instant, sharp pain shot through my right leg. It happened so quickly that I was caught off guard.

Only minutes earlier, I had been helping my husband prune overgrown tree limbs. Then I decided to clip the dead branches of a juniper bush in front of my house. I had barely touched the shrub with my clippers before several wasps flew out of the bush and stung me.

My leg felt like it was on fire. Without concern for who heard me or what I looked like, I screamed in pain, wanting immediate relief.

It wasn’t pretty as I limped inside the house and frantically tried to soothe my wasp stings, to no avail. Thankfully, my husband ran to my aid and did all the necessary medical care. His efforts momentarily alleviated the pain, but for days my leg had red and swollen patches reminding me of my wasp ordeal. Those patches came with burning, itchiness and agony.

The more I reflect on my unexpected yard-work trial, the more I think about this past year.

After the difficulty of 2020, I anticipated things would be better. I hoped life would be easier, calmer and back to normal by the end of 2021. This year, however, we have collectively experienced unanticipated trials.

For many of us, the events we have weathered happened quickly and unexpectedly, just like my wasp stings. We have been impacted by sickness, natural disasters, political unrest and personal challenges. The pain from these ordeals has lingered.

Some of us are left feeling dismayed, discouraged and disillusioned.
Why so much destruction?
Why so much loss of life?
Why so much pain?

I can’t answer those questions, but I am keenly aware that pain prompts a different response than comfort.

Pain forces us to acknowledge we need help.
Pain causes us to realize we are not in control.
Pain makes us depend on someone or something other than ourselves.
Pain has a way of making us cry out in a way we would not do otherwise.

I would not usually open my front door and scream uncontrollably, but I did in response to pain. Â

In Luke 18:35, we are introduced to a blind beggar. We do not know how long this man had been in this condition, but we can see his desperation in his cry for help: “He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38).

This man was not concerned with the opinions of others or the rebukes from people who wanted him to be quiet. His personal pain prompted him to cry out to the Messiah. He was aware of his lack of control and God’s sovereignty. He opted to cry out all the more until Jesus ordered that the man be brought to Him.

Jesus asked the man what he wanted, and the man’s response was, “Lord, I want to see” (Luke 18:41b, NIV). Scripture tells us that immediately this man received his sight and placed his faith in Jesus. Many people saw this miracle and began to praise God.

This man could have surrendered to his painful condition. He could have reasoned, What is the use in crying out to Jesus? This is a sentiment I have uttered. Why cry out to God if the pain will just persist?

The reality is, sometimes the pain persists.

The existence of pain, however, does not diminish the sovereign power of God. If He has allowed pain to persist in our lives, there is a purpose and a reason that will ultimately work out for our good, as Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

God may use our pain to demonstrate His power to humanity. He may use our pain to grow us spiritually. He may use our pain to correct our behavior.

We do not know why God allows pain to exist, but we do know He always has a purpose for everything, and He never wastes a hurt.

We cry out to God in acknowledgment that He is God and we are not. In doing so, we look to Him as controller of the outcome. We pray in faith, knowing that God is more than capable of answering our prayers, but we also accept the reality that He may not answer in the way we want. In doing so, God offers us a peace that persists in spite of the pain we endure. No matter what our pain is, God invites us to cry out to Him.

Dear God, when I experience pain in this life, give me the courage to cry out to You. Help me to trust that You are greater than the pain I experience, and Your peace can exist in spite of the pain I face. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Remembering Thanksgiving..... By Ryan Duncan

 Remembering Thanksgiving

By Ryan Duncan

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

Thanksgiving has got to be one of the most underrated holidays in America. Once Halloween has finished and the Jack-O-Lanterns are all put away, the Christmas frenzy takes over. Holiday specials start playing on TV, stores decorate their aisle with snowflakes and mistletoes, and people take the chance to hang Christmas lights while there’s no snow. It’s not all that surprising really; the Christmas spirit can be pretty infectious, it’s also a lot harder to profit off a holiday that emphasizes thankfulness.

I feel like this is how many people, even Christians, treat the idea of thankfulness in general. I don’t know about you, but I’m much faster at coming up with a list of things I want for Christmas than a list of things I’m grateful for. It’s also pretty easy for our prayers to become filled with phrases like “God, please give me…”, “God, please help me…”, or “God, I need…”. We get so tied up in what God can do for us, how Christ can impact our lives, that we forget how to be thankful for what we have. Luckily, God is good at reminding us what’s important.

A few months ago, I was leaving for work in the morning when I was greeted by my apartment’s cleaning lady.

“Good morning,” she said, “How you doin?” I thought about the question for a second and, trying to sound funny, said,

“Well, it’s a Wednesday.”

“Now, now,” she said, “It’s a good day. Do you know why? Because you’re walking, and you’re breathing.” You can’t really argue with that, can you?

So, this Thanksgiving, amidst the mayhem of football games and turkey dinners, I encourage you to take a moment to pray and simply thank Christ for the things in your life. Whether is for home, family, or a hot meal, remember to give thanks, for God is good.

Intersecting Faith and Life

During this fall season, remember to give thanks for your blessings.

Further Reading

Psalm 69:30

A Prayer of Boldness for the Quiet Christian..... By Heather Barr

 A Prayer of Boldness for the Quiet Christian

By Heather Barr

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

In my journey with the Lord, as I get to know Him in the Secret Place, not only am I discovering the truth of who He is, but also the truth about who He created me to be. He is teaching me about who I am in Him, and has truly surprised me. For the “quiet” Christians, who may struggle to find the strength God promises through Himself, here is a reflection on truth and a prayer for boldness and courage.

As part of my own adventure with the Lord, I face a lot of fears and life challenges as an “introverted” and often “quiet” Christian. For most of my life I’ve never considered myself to be “bold” or “courageous.” In fact, I have dealt with a lot of fear and intimidation in my lifetime, often running away from facing my fears.

But how He longs to empower us to be His hands and feet, and to communicate His loving heart to a hurting world. To this we must grow to be “bold” and “courageous” – and no matter who we may think we are, our Father placed the capacity for courage within us before the foundations of the earth.

Guess what? The God of Creation lives within you and He lives within me. He empowers us to “roar” with courage. No matter how we may feel, this is the truth. As a child of God, I can boldly declare that I am victorious through Christ Jesus who leads me into victory.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:57)

A Prayer for Boldness and Courage:

Father,

As I face my fears, when I am feeling afraid, when I am feeling timid, remind me of who YOU are, and who I am in You. You are strong and courageous, the Almighty King and loving Father. You have said in Your word that as I wait upon You, I can “take courage,” because I know You are with me, You are for me, and You will empower me with the courage and the strength I need for whatever is placed before me. Remind me of who You have created me to be and what You have empowered me to do.

Lord, You are the Courageous One! And so right now, as I wait upon You, as I face fear and intimidation, I trust that You will keep your promise. I trust that I am who You say I am. I trust that You will give me the strength and courage I need to face this circumstance, and I trust that victory is on the other side.

I boldly declare that I will not let fear or intimidation stop me from being obedient. Help me to endure, Lord. Give me grace. You’re a good Father, and You are faithful. I trust You!

Thank you, Father.

I pray this in Jesus name,

Amen

How to Have a Thankful Heart through Difficult Times..... by Veronica Neffinger

 How to Have a Thankful Heart through Difficult Times

by Veronica Neffinger

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:15-16)

Colorful, feather-shaped pieces of construction paper sit on the kitchen table, along with cut-outs of turkey-shaped bodies and body parts--beak, feet, etc. My mother brings over the magic markers and we are ready to begin making our yearly Thanksgiving turkeys.

This was a tradition my mother started when I was very young, and we participated every year that I remember until I left for college. We would assemble our turkeys and then write one thing we were thankful for on each feather.

Looking back, I remember it being so simple, especially in the early years: family, friends, pets, God, food, a warm house. In high school things became a bit more theological, but yet they still flowed fairly easily off my pen: salvation, God’s mercy, spiritual mentors.

Holiday traditions like these are fun. They build memories and focus on the blessings of life; but sometimes, especially as adults, it is harder to easily list what we are thankful for. Either it seems too cliche, or we can find it difficult to be sincere about our thankfulness when perhaps times are very hard.

My Thanksgivings after high school have been much less carefree. Adult thoughts of school, jobs, finances, and traveling can weigh heavy on us even as we attempt to drum up feelings of thankfulness on its namesake holiday.

 Debra Fileta shares her story of recognizing that Thanksgiving is about more than merely lisiting your blessings. “What if being thankful meant surrendering our struggles, too?” she asks.

“I am proclaiming right now that in times of suffering, a heart of gratitude means more than just saying ‘thank you,’” Fileta says. It means believing that God is who he says he is. Believing that he is good, that he is love, and that he is for me. Believing that he never changes, that he never fails, and that he is working all things for what is good.”

God understands that thankfulness is not always (or usually) a gut-reaction for us. Even Jesus struggled to thankfully accept God’s Plan of salvation while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, preparing to go through the agony of the cross.

“‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him,” Luke 22:42-42 records.

This passage tells us two things:

First, there is value in going through the motions even if the feelings aren’t there. Choosing to thank God even if you don’t feel like it and are actually more stressed than thankful can be an important first step in having your heart opened to true gratitude.

Secondly, the passage says angels ministered to Christ and helped strengthen Him for what he was about to undergo. We have someone even better than God’s entire host of angels to aid us--Jesus Himself.

Though life may bring us trials, we are not alone. And though offering up thanksgiving in the midst of those trials may be a sacrifice, it is a rewarding one.

“When I look at those pieces of my life that look overwhelmingly difficult or disappointing and can thank God for whatever good He plans to bring out of them, I am offering a sacrifice of praise,” says Crosswalk.com conributor April Motl. “When I can entrust what looks like something that is broken beyond repair to my heavenly Father’s goodness and love, I am offering a sacrifice of praise.”

This world and the life we live in it is often a thankfulness-stealer. But in Christ, we know that we can “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) because the trials and hard times are not a test, but another reason to trust God who is working all for our good and has already given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

Intersecting Faith & Life:
What prevents you from being thankful this Thanksgiving? How can you seek to have thankfulness through the trials?