God's Wisdom Revealed..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 God's Wisdom Revealed

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

After exposing the futility of worldly thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces Christians to the higher realm of godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge and understanding isn't available through human intelligence and reasoning; it comes strictly through divine revelation. Only those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of Christ" (v. 16) and access to "the things freely given" to them by God (v. 12).

Without this supernatural insight, no one can accurately know the Lord or His ways. Many people say they believe in God yet may not have a correct understanding of Him because their perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas. It's easier to custom-design a god to fit our preferences than to make the required adjustments that worship of the one true God demands.

Even believers need to guard against trying to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. The Bible is the only reliable source of divine revelation, but we must be careful to consider the Scriptures as a whole—it's critical that we don't just pick and choose the verses we want to believe. For example, by focusing only on passages that emphasize the Lord's lovingkindness while excluding those that speak of His holiness and justice, we misunderstand His true nature.

Let's seek to know the Lord in truth by considering the entire counsel of Scripture. Divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, may He enlarge our minds to embrace His thoughts.

 

Vision for Eternity

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

We serve a God of boundaries. In his limitless capacity, endless creativity, and boundless existence he still chose to create boundaries. He still had vision for what was good, right, pleasing, and perfect. And as children made in his image, we are to live, think, and create as he does. In a world marked by busyness from seemingly infinite opportunities, it’s important now more than ever for us to create boundaries. May you find freedom and joy this week as you receive vision and set boundaries under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture:“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Devotional:

To be a true person of vision is to live this life in light of eternity. Without a real revelation of eternity, this life will be marked by hopelessness and a sense of aimless wandering. Only when our destination comes into view can we rightly see the circumstances strewn along the journey of this life.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” To look to eternity requires us to trust. Our minds are finite. In the only world we’ve ever known, life is marked by a beginning and end, by birth and death. But in Scripture we discover that God is the Maker of life and the Conquerer of death. We discover that in Jesus we are promised eternal life in unhindered, unveiled communion with our Creator.

To live with vision for eternity is to trust that things are not as they will be and to surrender the entirety of this life with hope for the next. When we live seeking satisfaction from the things of the world, we live as if heaven didn’t exist and God didn’t usher in his kingdom through Jesus. The things of this world only have value in the Giver of all good gifts. So our possessions, relationships, and work only have value here because they are a shadow of what is to come when all things are made new.

Having vision for eternity should lead us to create boundaries around everything in this life. It should lead us to a lifestyle of surrender that our hearts might never become tied to that which is fleeting and can never fully satisfy. It should lead us to a lifestyle of fully enjoying the things God has given us, all the while knowing the things of this life are merely a shadow in comparison to what is to come.

Do you feel tied to the things of your life today? Do you feel as if your possessions, relationships, and work owns you rather than you enjoying them to the glory of God? Are you seeking to find total satisfaction in the things of the world, or are you finding peace in the hope of heaven? Take time today in guided prayer to surrender your life again to Jesus. Allow God to cut away any ties you have to that which is chaining your heart to this world. And find abundant joy and peace in the freedom that comes from living in light of eternity.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on what the Bible says about eternity. Allow Scripture to fill you with vision for what’s to come.

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” Psalm 102:25-27

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3

2. Are you living in light of eternity? Do you feel your heart tied down to any things of the world?

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

3. Set boundaries around having vision for eternity. Lay down anything holding you back from living in freedom from this world at the feet of Jesus. Take time to enjoy God that the foundation of your life would be communion with him.

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

In Galatians 5:16 Paul writes, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” When you take time to enjoy God every day and seek to live in communion with the Holy Spirit, he will faithfully guide you away from the things of the world and into fullness of joy in him. May you find comfort and hope in connection with the living God today as you seek to live with vision for eternity.

Extended Reading: Psalm 102

Hope and Help When You Have Unanswered Questions..... HOLLEY GERTH

 Hope and Help When You Have Unanswered Questions

HOLLEY GERTH 

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:5-6a (NLT)

I stepped onto the trail behind our home early one morning. The grass was still wet from sprinklers, and the birds were just starting to greet each other for the day; the bullfrogs around the pond were sitting like sleepy sentries on the shore.

Normally, I love the quiet of this time, but my mind was loud and crowded with concerns, worries and questions I imagine you’re asking, too.

What’s going to happen? How long will this last? What does the future hold? I didn’t know the answers, and God seemed silent that morning. So I did the only thing I could: take one step forward, then another and another. I prayed as I stepped — messy, frustrated, confused prayers.

I thought of one of my favorite psalms, one I’d just reread in bed that morning: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:5-6a).

It had been a while since I’d looked at this psalm, and I became curious about how it ends. I was surprised to find the last verse is exactly the same as verses 5-6a: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11, NLT).

I expected a neat bow tied around a truth, a restoration of confidence and certainty, a revelation that now everything will be different. But no, the psalmist still has the same questions. This was comforting to me in a season where so many questions didn’t seem to have answers. It’s helpful to know that uncertainty doesn’t equal a lack of faith or trust.

What does the psalmist do in the face of unanswered questions? He makes a choice. “I will put my hope in God … I will praise him again” (v. 11c-d, NLT, emphasis added). One of the hardest parts of not knowing what’s ahead is that it makes us feel powerless. But that’s only an illusion. We can still choose our response.

Months ago, on an overwhelming day when the news just seemed to be getting worse, I wrote down a phrase and put it on my desk where I could see it often. It said simply, “God is in control, and I am in charge.”

That is what we need to know when life is uncertain. God is still in control. He has not forgotten us. We have not been abandoned. He is with us, for us, working on our behalf even now. We can trust Him no matter what happens. He has also given us stewardship of our everyday lives — what we do with our energy and emotions, resources and relationships. We are not helpless. We can all ask ourselves, like the psalmist, What will I do today?

As an introvert, I find I need solitude to answer that question, which is why I went to the trail that morning. When life is noisy and the world chaotic, I can’t hear my soul or the whisper of God. We often look at solitude as selfish, but it’s a sacred act of service. It’s what empowers us to keep moving forward, loving well, being brave and making wise choices.

Solitude can be hard to find, so as a life coach and counselor, I recommend people schedule it into their day, even if it’s just a few moments. This can look like putting solitude on your calendar or creating a rhythm that lets you incorporate it into your life. For an introvert like me, being alone is an essential way I can recharge. But all of us, introverts or extroverts, need at least a little solitude in our lives. And the busier we are, the more essential it becomes.

As I completed my route on the trail I, like the psalmist, still had the same questions. But I felt calmer inside. I remembered that, even when I don’t know what the future holds, there is a mighty God who holds me.

I will put my hope in Him.

I will praise Him again.

Lord, thank You for the assurance Your Word gives that, even when we question or doubt, You are in control. Help us to remember to make space in our lives to set aside our busyness so our hearts and minds can connect with You. I thank and praise You for being worthy of hope and praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Does "Merry" Mean?..... By Meg Bucher

 What Does "Merry" Mean?

By Meg Bucher

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name.” - Luke 1:47-49 NIV

Merry is festively joyous! It’s a cheerful disposition; laughing happily. (dictionary.com) Merry is the uninhibited joy released by God’s grace, and freedom flowing out of His forgiveness. It’s the boisterous laughter seeping past exhaustion, and the confetti of cares launched free in celebration of the Light of life.

Queen Elizabeth II was said to prefer “Happy Christmas” at a time when merry meant intoxicated. (Wikipedia) The Queen was onto something …Christmas exudes intoxicating happiness. Te verses of the famed “Magnificat” hymn in the Gospel of Luke capture Mary overflowing with heartfelt praise and awe of God.

Mary’s miraculous virgin birth was not the first or last life the Father’s hand has miraculously moved. God’s response to our sinful tendency was to forge a path to forgive us. God loves us for who we are …not who we search to be. His compassionate love was expressed through Christ’s choice to endure humanity, all-knowing“Merry Christmas” would eventually become an intolerable offense to some. Jesus was born to restore our standing with His Father.

Now that the danger of touching the hot stove has passed as my kids grow older, I can begin to back down the maternal scream for safety in exchange for a listening ear and an understanding heart. One un-offended by my daughters’ struggle to find themselves in this world; which recognizes their plight and looks for moments to remind them Whose they are.

“For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (VOICE)

Everlasting life for trusting Jesus with ours. That’s a birthday worth celebrating in merry jubilee.

Christmas is akin to swishing down a fresh powdery slope on a wooden sled, blinded by stinging snow as we speed past our comfort zones! Without the opportunity to have the relationship with God that Christmas grants us, we’d be doomed to watch the sled zip by, never quick enough or smart enough or agile enough to catch it. Jesus holds the sled while we hop on, and then joins in as we scream with glee all the way down the sometimes terrifying hill of life.

Merry Christmas. 

It’s intoxicating …Jesus being born to save the world.

It’s merry …God and His love for us.

It’s endearing and inspiring to be forgiven beyond what we deserve. 

The opportunity we have to journey through life in closeness with our Creator is pure joy.

Be merry! Shout with joy! Laugh happily! Embrace who YOU are …right now! Have FUN in this life, with your Savior by your side.

Don’t Let the Busyness of the Season Crowd Out What’s Most Important..... By Debbie McDaniel

 Don’t Let the Busyness of the Season Crowd Out What’s Most Important

By Debbie McDaniel

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Just a few weeks before Christmas, maybe life seems kind of full and busy.

Maybe you haven’t finished Christmas shopping yet. Or that special gift you’ve been looking for is officially out of stock, or costs too much money.

Maybe the decorations never got fully done, or the lights are already burning out.

Maybe the Christmas cards are still waiting to be mailed. And the to-do list is steadily growing day by day.

Maybe life is feeling frazzled and time always seems too short…to finish it all.

But truth says, maybe what we spend so much time focusing on, really isn’t the most important.

Here’s what is:

Spending time first with the God who made you, who loves you, and sent His Only Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world.

In the story of Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42, times were busy. There was much to be done, and Martha was “distracted by it all.” Maybe, like me, you can relate. Yet in the midst of all the “busy,” Mary set herself right down at Jesus' feet. She seemed unaffected by all the pressing needs around her, she just longed to spend time with Him. So Martha did what many of us may have done, she complained. Yet Jesus reminded her that in all the hustle and bustle, stress, and preoccupation with other things, Mary had "chosen what is better, and it would not be taken away from her."

So often in this time of year, the most important gets crowded out because of the urgent. It's a battle not to dwell there.

Other voices will say, "You don't have time to pray. There are not enough minutes in the day to spend time with God and still get everything done. You're way too busy." And sometimes we swallow that lie, and the next thing we know, we find ourselves weary and worn from spinning our wheels. Strength drained, impatient, stressed, pressed, out of control, and nothing much going our way.

Yet if we recognize our need for God, spend time with Him, relying on His strength, He is faithful. He’s got our back. He knows our way. We can walk with His blessing and favor, we can live in His peace, and be filled with His joy which is our strength.

We may find that when we end up "doing less,” God is then able to “do more,” much more, with our time and energy than we ever could. He's never limited by the restrictions we face every day. He is powerful and able, to work on our behalf, even behind the scenes where we can't see. He can line out our path, ordain our steps, protect us from what we can't see up ahead, and bring blessing and help where we might otherwise face defeat.

That's where real peace is found, and strength for the days ahead. Not in getting it all done. But simply “choosing what is better.”

Seeking Him first.

Sitting at His feet, time in His Presence, soaking in His words...

Choosing to live there today. Hope you are too.

Intersecting Faith & Life: What can you let go of today so that you can “choose what is better” and spend time with God? Ask Him for His help and strength. Be reminded that He’s with you, and loves you more than you could ever imagine.

Further Reading:
Luke 10:38-42
Matthew 11:28-30

A Prayer When You Worry About What People Think..... By Betsy de Cruz

 A Prayer When You Worry About What People Think

By Betsy de Cruz

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” – Psalm 34:4-5

I felt jittery, butterflies in my stomach, in the days leading up to my daughter's wedding. Would the ceremony we planned go smoothly? Would the food I ordered for the reception be good? Would I be able to style her hair like she wanted? What if my dress was too flashy for a mother of the bride?

Do you sense a theme here? I was worried about how people would see ME. And it wasn’t even my wedding, for heaven’s sake! (No one is looking at the mother-of-the-bride during a wedding.)

When I realized my daughter had similar feelings, I started to pray. The Lord reminded me the most important thing we could to do prepare for the big day was to look to Him. People wouldn’t remember a perfect ceremony or perfect hair, but they would remember genuine smiles and kind words that reflected Jesus.

I suspect I’m not the only one who worries about what others think. You may be worried about how your mother, your boss, or even your child’s teacher views you. Maybe you’re facing a challenge and feel worried others might judge the way you’re handling it. Maybe someone already made a comment to let you know they think you are too much or not enough.

Today’s passage has encouragement for you.

Friend, as you seek the Lord in prayer, He will deliver you from your fears. Even those pesky fears about how people might judge you. And here’s the best part: if you look to Him, He will make your face shine with His presence. You’ll have nothing to be ashamed of.

If you’re facing challenges that make you worry about how others view you, may I encourage you to turn your eyes to Jesus? He will make you radiant as others see more of Him in you.

What if we make it our job to seek the Lord and look to Him, instead of spending our emotional and physical energy trying to please others?

When we turn our eyes towards Jesus, rely on Jesus, and trust in Jesus, He transforms us. When we turn our focus to Jesus on a daily basis, others will see a tiny bit more of Him in us.

Join me in prayer?

Lord, I spend so much energy trying to please others when you are the one I want to please. Forgive me for letting the fear of man keep me from a whole-hearted focus on you.

You know my fears. I lift them up to you now and trust that you will deliver me. Father, give me the peace that passes all understanding as I turn my focus to you today. Help me to keep my eyes on you and you alone. Give me discernment to follow your guidance today in each challenge that I face.

Lord, instead of making other people the center of my life, I want to make you the center. I need your grace to keep my gaze fixed on you. Lord, as I look to you, make me radiant with your presence. Fill me with your spirit, so others can see a reflection of Jesus in me when I speak or smile. Not so that they’ll think I’m a good person, but so they’ll see you are a good God.  Bring glory to yourself through me.

Father, I thank you in advance for answering my prayer and delivering me from my worries about what others think. I trust that you will enable me to shine the light of Christ today.

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

O Christmas Tree..... By Skip Heitzig

 O Christmas Tree

By Skip Heitzig

I read somewhere that in a recent Christmas season Americans used 28 million rolls of wrapping paper and 17 million packages of tags and bows, sent out 372 million greeting cards, and set up 35 million Christmas trees.

Some of our Christmas traditions are just that, traditions. Jesus was probably not born on December 25, for example. And the Christmas tree is based on the celebration of the reincarnation of Nimrod. The ancient Babylonians burned a “Yule” log (the Chaldean word for infant) in the fireplace, and the next day a symbolic evergreen tree was placed inside the house.

This pagan ritual is hinted at in the Bible, in Jeremiah 10:1-4. But before you get worried, I want you to know that if you come to my church, you’ll find a very large Christmas tree in the foyer! And you know what? Most people born in this country don’t know the origins of these things, and we aren’t worshiping Babylonian gods and goddesses. It’s not about that. (And it’s good to remember that Martin Luther was the first guy to put a Christmas tree inside the home.)

At the same time, what are we to do with some of these traditions? Let’s look at what Jesus did when He was faced with a festival that had a lot of tradition, some of which may have been true and some not. In John chapter 10, He was in the temple for the Feast of Dedication, also known as the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah. You won’t find it in the Bible anywhere; it dates from the period between Old and New Testaments. But Jesus was celebrating Hanukkah, and He used the Festival of Lights to shine the light on who He really is (John 10:22-30).

And I suggest that’s what we do with Christmas. You can say, “Bah, humbug!” You can get “Santa Claustrophobic.” You can run from it. Or you can use it to shine the light on who Jesus really is.

People are singing the words we preach in evangelical churches every week: Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark, the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!”

At least some of them don’t know what they’re singing, but that’s where we come in. We can redeem it by reminding them. Does it matter when He came? No, it matters THAT He came. Since the celebration is already ongoing, I say let’s use it to remind them of Him.