God's School of Obedience

 God's School of Obedience

1 John 1:3-6

Starting at age five, our children are enrolled in school and given lessons to learn each year. We are students too. At salvation, we became participants in the Lord's school of obedience. There, we are discovering the necessity of trusting Him and waiting for His direction. We are taught the importance of commitment and learn to search His Word for guidance. God also wants us to learn these lessons:

• Listen attentively to the Spirit's promptings. Our God does not speak in an audible voice, but He makes Himself heard quite clearly through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Spirit is our Helper who will bring to mind Scripture passages we have studied (John 14:26) and show us how they apply.

• Obey the next step. Abraham was called to leave his home and journey to an unknown destination (Gen. 12:1). He obeyed even though the way was unclear to his human mind. We, too, must step out in faith even when we do not know all the details of the itinerary.

• Expect conflict. We can't live obedient lives without having trouble with the world (John 16:33). Our friends or family may drift away when they realize certain interests of ours have changed. Some may hurl criticism our way or call us unkind names, while others may reject us completely.

Practicing a lifestyle of obedience doesn't mean we'll never make mistakes. But it does require diligence if we are to succeed. Obeying the Father was Jesus' priority and purpose in life, and we should make it ours as well. Which of these lessons do you want to tackle first?

 

The Humble King

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

What a gift we have in the Christmas season. God himself took on flesh and dwelt among us that we might find eternal relationship in him. His coming serves as a continual reminder of his grace and pursuit of us who are lost without him. As we look to Jesus this week to celebrate who he is and what he’s done, may you find life-giving hope and foundational joy.

Scripture:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

Devotional:

There has never been a greater depth of humility than what we find in Jesus. He was a man marked by astonishing sacrifice. He lived in utter devotion to God the Father and us, his undeserving people. Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Jesus became a servant so we could be made sons and daughters. He took on flesh that our flesh might find true redemption. He emptied himself of that which he was rightfully owed that we might receive grace upon grace, which we’ve done nothing to deserve.

The coming of Christ we celebrate at Christmas is entirely descriptive of the heart of God. Just as Jesus came to make a way for us, he comes still. Just as Jesus came that fateful day millennia ago, he comes to meet with us still. And just as the world received its greatest gift in Jesus, we still find in the presence of God our greatest gift on a daily basis.

We can find hope and joy in the fact that we serve a humble King. Our King does nothing from selfish ambition. Unlike us, he does nothing to better himself or cover for his own inadequacies. Rather, because he is already entirely full and complete, he gives of himself freely that we might live in the light of his grace and love. He doesn’t use his deity to demand anything from us, but instead to give us life, breath, and meaning.

Take time today to rest in the humility of Jesus. Find hope for your past, present, and future in the simple truth that Jesus has and will continue to be everything you need. And open your heart to receive the life-giving presence of your humble King.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the humility of Jesus. Allow Scripture to paint a clear picture of the heart of God.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

2. Choose to trust in the humble leadership of God. Give him every part of your life knowing that he doesn’t lead you out of selfish motive, but leads you entirely for your good.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

3. Take time to rest in the presence of Jesus. Receive the gift of his nearness. Find joy in the depth of his love.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Philippians 2:9-11 illustrates a truth of the kingdom we as believers need to know:

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is the perfect example of the truth that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). The pathway to life in God is humility. When you seek to serve the Father and others as Jesus did, you will discover a wellspring of joy and life not found in prideful pursuits. Seek to live in humility today and find unfathomable grace and love in Jesus, your humble King.

Extended Reading: Philippians 2

Confidence Is Key..... TRACIE BRAYLOCK

 Confidence Is Key

TRACIE BRAYLOCK 

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

She was screaming behind the closed door.

My preschool-aged daughter had gotten upset, running into the bathroom and locking the door behind her. She was crying inconsolably while calling my name. And although she knew how to unlock and open the door, she didn’t.

I stood on the other side of the solid wood door, telling her I was there, asking her to open the door so I could help. Although she knew I was present, she had placed a barrier between herself and the help she wanted.

It wasn’t until she had completely worn herself out that she quieted enough to hear my voice asking her to open the door. And when she opened it, I was there to hold her and help her.

As it turned out, all she wanted was for me to sing her a song. A simple request that I fulfilled. A desire that could’ve been met sooner if only she had confidently expressed what she wanted instead of locking herself inside the bathroom.

My friend, are you worn out yet? Tired of hiding yourself, and your needs, from God?

Hebrews 4:16 reminds us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

You see, you can’t heal or get the help you’re longing for if you’re hiding. And not asking for the help you need can lead to unnecessary anger, frustration, weariness and resentment when the help doesn’t come.

So whether you’re dealing with a devastating loss, discouraging conversation, disappointing diagnosis or difficult decision — or if you simply want to delight in God’s presence — He will join you on your journey, pouring out His grace and mercy when you confidently ask for what you need.

Oh, how I wish my little one would’ve simply asked me for what she wanted instead of becoming upset and isolating herself from me. And I believe God feels the same way about His children.

Don’t waste another minute missing out on everything God is standing at the ready to do for you if you confidently present your needs to Him.

Believe that your requests, big or small, are significant to God and that He’s more than prepared to meet them. God may not give us everything we think we want, but He always gives us what He knows we need. It’s time to open the door, my friend. God is ready to hold you and help you.

Lord, thank You for being an approachable God that we may bring all of our wants and needs before You. Forgive us for our timidity and for the time wasted struggling on our own. Give us the boldness to confidently bring everything to You, to make our requests known and to be the recipients of Your grace and mercy in our times of need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The First Time Shepherds Heard about Jesus..... by Lynette Kittle

 The First Time Shepherds Heard about Jesus (Luke 2:17)

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” – Luke 2:17

Do you remember the first heard time you heard about Jesus? If so, what was your initial response? Did you want to run and go tell everyone you knew about Him?

Scripture describes how the shepherds in the fields reacted after being told about Jesus’ birth, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’” (Luke 2:15).

Luke 2:16 records what happened next “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

After seeing Jesus, the shepherds didn’t contain their excitement but starting telling everyone they knew about Him. Luke 2:18 describes how those they told received the news, “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Yet, so many in the culture today leave Jesus out of their Christmas celebrations. 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains why, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that display the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

However, because your mind has been opened to see Jesus, like the shepherds did on the night of his birth, you have the opportunity to tell everyone around you about Him.

And what better time to tell others about Jesus than at Christmas?

Decide to look at your neighbors, co-workers, family members, and others who seem oblivious to the true meaning of Christmas with compassion, realizing they are blinded to seeing Jesus as the true reason for the season.

Reach out to them in love, like God did to you. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”(John 3:16).

Choose to tell those you love, and those you meet along your way, how God gave the very first Christmas gift.

As Acts 10:35 reminds us, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

Ask God to give you the kind of joy and enthusiasm the shepherds had, to spread the Good News of Jesus’ birth to everyone you know and meet.

Learning to Be Still and Stop the Rush..... By Debbie McDaniel

 Learning to Be Still and Stop the Rush

By Debbie McDaniel

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10

He got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, then said, "Mom, how many minutes till I have to leave for school?"

"10 minutes," I yelled out as I busily worked packing lunches and backpacks.

I saw him get out some paper and markers. My sweet 7-year-old son worked diligently on a project up until the time that I was rushing him out the door.

"Hurry up Noah, it's time to go!" We said our goodbyes, 3 kids hustling, bustling out the door.

It closed.

Minutes later I came back to clean the kitchen table. And found this.

Tears came.

Such truth...such love...straight from the heart of a child to his God.

Maybe that's why Christ reminds us to be more like them, precious children, Matthew 18:3.

Humble.

Teachable.

Loving.

Trusting.

Simplicity of truth shining through so profoundly.

May He help us, as adults, to keep the perspective they often seem to have. And to slow down. Stop rushing everywhere, and everyone, and everything.

And just listen close for His voice.

So many things and people will call our names every day. We’re needed. We’re pressed. But without simply learning to be still first, within His presence, we’re never re-fueled. Or refreshed. We get drained and irritated. We lose our focus and our awareness of His Presence in our lives is dulled.

In the midst of busyness and hectic, full days, I'm reminded again to stop for a few minutes, focus on the most important, and ask God to make my heart more like His. May He fill us with such a spirit of praise and gratefulness, that all we do would bring honor to Him.

Grace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Choose to give God all that concerns you today, your worries, your full day, your to-list list, and your cares. Spend some time just being “still” before Him. Give Him thanks and praise for who He is. It is time never wasted. He will bring you refreshing and peace from His Spirit, that only He can give.

Further Reading:
Matthew 18:3-4
Matthew 21:16
Matthew 6:33-34

A Prayer for Those Longing for Home..... By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer for Those Longing for Home

By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” - Psalm 91:1

I was that kid. The one who called home at every spend-the-night party, somewhere around 10:00, asking my parents to come get me. The one who got picked up from Summer Camp after two days because I was homesick... the summer before 6th grade. And the one who cried my eyes out many times during my college internship in a new city because I just. missed. home.

When I was little, I missed laying on my daddy’s arm before bed and my mom saying my prayers with me. I missed my room and stuffed animals. I even missed my annoying little brother and sister. As I got older, I realized it was silly to be homesick and tried so hard not to be...but most times I spent the night away, there was something off that I just couldn’t put my finger on. And as soon as I walked through that back door at home, all was right with the world again.

What I couldn’t put into words then, that I know now, is that I missed the comfort, the familiarity, the known.

Home is “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family” or as “the abiding place of the affections.” Home has been called the place where your heart is, and I believe that’s true. It’s not necessarily a building, but a gathering place. A location that may not have a street address, but once you’ve arrived, you know you’re there because you are known to those around you and loved in spite of your imperfections.

And y’all, though I still visit my parents’ home and have my own home with my husband and children, there are still days I long for the home that imperfect people can’t give. For that home that only One can be:

“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” - Psalm 90:1 NLT (emphasis mine)

I long for Jesus! He is the home we can all rest in and run to when we are struggling. He is comfort and peace and love and forgiveness and grace and mercy and in His presence, we are known. There is no need to fear, no room for doubt, and no reason to question intentions. When our eyes and heart are focused on Him, we can be reminded of how very brief this life is and the refuge that awaits in Him.

This world is full of uncertainty, fear, and so many unknowns. But because we know Jesus, we can feel at home in a matter of moments, no matter our location, as we seek His presence, sweet friends.

Dear Jesus,

There are so many reasons to fear right now. So many circumstances leave me longing for the comfort of home. Help me to run to You when those hard times come. Help me to remember that you know me and love me, in spite of all of my shortcomings. Draw me to Your side where I can rest in absolute peace and assurance of your goodness. And most of all, help me remember that home is where you are.

In Your Mighty Name,

Amen.

A Prayer to Stay Christ-focused at Christmas..... By Meg Bucher

 A Prayer to Stay Christ-focused at Christmas

 By Meg Bucher

The modern rush to reach the next big door-buster has stolen our ability to relax through Thanksgiving dinner. There’s no deal greater than Jesus’ birth, and we don’t have to wait in line for it.

“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28

Christmas gives us the opportunity to reflect upon the plight of the last year of life. John encourages us to stay focused on what’s important, the long journey of our earthly lives to be more like Christ. We can aim right at that goal, because He was born to earth as an example of what to shoot for. Christmas is an encouraging reminder to stay focused on the reason for the season.  The simple joys connect us to the One who once walked where we trod.

Take Action

“ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” - Romans 12:10

When my children were growing up, one of their favorite stories was about a llama that lost sight of the season, and melted down to the gourd in a tantrum of lost holiday priorities. Sometimes, we have to schedule-out our selfishness, and get busy loving other people. Compassion towards others extends His love to them.

Be Quiet

Time in God’s Word is especially important amidst the commercialism of the season. He promises to reveal new layers of the same Christmas story that we can apply to this season of our lives. When we offer Him our first minutes, we being to see Him throughout the day.

Re-program

The surrounding soundtrack of our lives can take a toll on our hearts, especially if we spend most of our time drenched in secular media. Christmas is a great time to reboot our thoughts by adjusting the message we are tune into. The Word weaved into Christmas carols has the power to move our hearts into the correct place.

Say “No”

Before squeezing other event onto a calendar square, we can pause to pray for discernment on whether an additional event or commitment is necessary. “Thank you for thinking of me!” we can reply in the meantime, “I’ll get back to you.” This Christmas, let’s put the magnitude and majesty of the King of Kings at the center of our holiday planner.

Father, Praise You for Christmas! Thank You for Jesus, born to earth to live among us and pay the ultimate price for our sin. Along the way, He lived a life that we can look to as an example of how to navigate human life on earth. Belief in Him reaches beyond this life, and unto heaven. This Christmas, we ask your forgiveness for getting caught up in the hustle of commercialism, and ask that You re-focus our hearts to Christ. Help us to experience His presence and revel in His closeness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.