Partnering in His Purposes.. Craig Denison Ministries;

 

Partnering in His Purposes

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview:

To know God is to experience God. Just as we experience aspects of one another as we grow in friendship, we experience the wonders of God as we seek to simply know him. God is calling us to a life of seeking him with all we are. He is calling us to value relationship with him above all else that we would love no other but him. May you encounter wonderful aspects of relationship with your heavenly Father this week as we wholeheartedly seek to know him with all we are.

Scripture:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Devotional:

True friends are those who are willing to partner with us in things that really matter to us. True friends are willing to help simply because they love us, even if the task isn’t something they would have ordinarily valued. In John 21:15 we gain insight into a conversation between two friends, Jesus and Simon Peter. Scripture says,

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus didn’t ask Simon Peter if his heart burned for taking care of his people. He didn’t ask Peter his plans after Jesus had gone. After being established in the heart of Peter as Lord, Jesus simply asked him if he loved him.

I’ve spent so much of my life trying to figure out what I liked—what I felt like doing. I’ve taken all the gift tests, personality tests, and strength tests. And while God absolutely fashions, forms, and equips us for unique purposes, I believe God is asking the same question of you and me that he did of Peter. I believe that our purposes are to be foundationally birthed out of utter devotion to Jesus above what we want or feel equipped to do.

Jesus is looking for disciples who will say yes to that which is greater than they could have ever imagined doing. He’s looking for friends like Simon Peter who will follow him wherever he leads, even if it means to their death. He’s looking for those who are so in love with him that at a single statement from his lips we willingly and obediently respond by taking up our cross as he did and living a surrendered, purposeful life.

Take time today to hear the voice of your Lord saying, “Do you love me?” Assess today whether he truly is your greatest love. And in response, open your heart to receive any command he would speak to you today. If you are faithful to respond with your life, you will find his strength to accomplish any purpose and the reality of his love to be your unshakable joy.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on John 21:15. Allow the word of God to search your heart.

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” John 21:15

2. Assess whether Jesus truly is your greatest love. If he isn’t—if you wouldn’t follow him anywhere—take time to surrender anything you’ve placed above him. Confess any idols you have in your life that he might truly be crowned King of your heart today.

“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” Jonah 2:8

3. Ask him to speak his will to you today. Ask him what he would have you do and where he would have you do it. Be faithful to respond in obedience and trust today.

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

In John 15:12-14 Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Rather than placing yourself at the center of your thoughts, actions, motives, and emotions, choose to center your life around others today. Choose to serve and love others as Jesus did. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you his heart for those around you that you might be a reflection of his great love in the earth. Seeing God’s kingdom come is nothing more than choosing to love and live as Jesus did. You can be a conduit for his purposes in the earth today. May your day be filled with spectacular wonders as God manifests his kingdom through your life.

Extended Reading: John 12

God Holds Your Hand..GRACE FOX

 God Holds Your Hand

GRACE FOX

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

My husband and I took our 18-month-old granddaughter, Lexi, to the zoo. Carefree and happy for independence, she toddled between us on the wide, paved path. All went well until the zoo’s mini train approached and the engineer clanged its brass bell.

The noise startled Lexi, and she instinctively grabbed for my hand.

She relaxed the moment I responded. She felt safe with Grandma’s hand holding hers.

Sometimes my hands struggle just to open a pickle jar, but God’s hands can do anything. His are the hands that reach for ours when we’re exhausted or worried or scared. With His hand clasping ours, we can trust and choose not to be afraid.

The Lord knows His children are often easily frightened, so He reassures us of His presence and says He holds our hands: “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

The magnitude of this promise boggles my mind! Ponder it with me, will you?

God’s mighty hands shaped the universe. (Psalm 19:1) When He cups His hands, they hold the oceans. When He opens His hands, they measure the heavens’ expanse. They carry the dust of the earth in a basket and weigh the mountains on a scale. (Isaiah 40:12)

God’s “mighty hand” led the Israelites from Egypt into the promised land (Jeremiah 32:21, NIV). His hand protected the Israelites, quenched their thirst with water from a rock, satisfied their hunger with bread from heaven and clothed them with a wardrobe that never wore out. (Deuteronomy 8:15-16; Deuteronomy 29:5)

The hands that defended and provided for the Israelites all those years ago never grow old or feeble. (Hebrews 13:8) They still defend and equip God’s children with everything we need, both basic and big. There’s nothing God cannot do on our behalf; therefore, we can trust and choose not to be afraid. But wait — this good news gets even better.

God’s mighty hands became flesh and were nailed to the cross on our behalf. (John 20:27) He could have crushed Calvary’s cross between thumb and forefinger. He could have snapped its wooden beams like a toothpick, but He chose instead to spread His hands on that cross to prove His love for us.

Life’s journey brings unexpected detours and unwelcome delays. It leads us through dark valleys and deep ravines where the shadows of fear and discouragement fall on us. But in the midst of it all, my sweet friend, God’s nail-scarred hands embrace ours. He’s with us, and we are safe.

Let’s choose to live from this truth. It gives us fresh hope and courage to face whatever today brings.

We’re in good hands when we’re in God’s hands.

Almighty God, thank You for holding our hands. Remind us of this truth when we feel afraid, discouraged or too weary to take another step. Grant us fresh hope for today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

An Introduction to Christ..Dr. Charles Stanley

 An Introduction to Christ

Dr. Charles Stanley

Revelation 1:4-8

The first chapter of Revelation gives a compact description of the Lord. In verses 4 to 8, John condenses the wonder of Jesus Christ to the bare but beautiful essentials of who He is:

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. Jesus came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of the Father (John 14:9). The miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the first-born from the dead. The Savior bore our sins and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught in John 11:25: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”

Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is the Lord who raises men to power, just as it is He who removes them (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1). Meanwhile, believers have access to a higher authority. In God’s throne room, we can beseech Him on behalf of our nations and lay claim to His promises.

Jesus Christ loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. Note the change of tense in John’s writing. The Lord’s love is ever-present, but He has freed believers from their past. Both the penalty and power of sin have been broken.

When people ask you about Jesus, introduce Him by guiding them through this mini-biography. In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. The disciple was not timid about proclaiming the Lord. We shouldn’t be shy, either, when we serve so great a Savior.

Why Not Rather Be Wronged?..Lynette Kittle

 Why Not Rather Be Wronged?

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” - 1 Peter 2:23

Have you ever been mistreated? Dealt with unfairly or experienced loss and hardships at the hands of another? Has someone cheated you out of a position, promotion, or items that should have rightfully been yours?

If so, you’re not alone. Ever-increasing lawsuits are evidence of a world of unfairness.

Yet as a Christian, what is your response? Have you adapted the ways and methods of the culture or do you trust God in these types of matters, turning to Him to direct your reactions and make things right?

1 Corinthians 6:6 describes God’s attitude towards Christians taking each other to court like non-Christians do, stating, “But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!” 1 Corinthians 6:6

In this day of quick lawsuits, how do you handle being lied about, wronged or cheated out of things?

1 Corinthians 6:7 states, “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”

Because God assures that He will bring justice, rushing to take each other to court reveals a lack of faith in God to handle it, along with an unwillingness to submit to God’s Word. Scripture urges to, “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you” (Proverbs 20:22).

With today’s quick demands for justice, God’s directions for those who have been wronged seems completely opposite to society’s methods, such as:

• “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them” (Luke 6:29).
• “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
• “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

God’s ways may not seem fair to you but Scripture states, “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:19).

1 Peter 2:20 continues with, “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

Jesus suffered unjustly, being wrongly accused, ridiculed, beaten, and killed. He is the example of turning the other cheek and trusting God with the wrongs done to you.

As 1 Peter 2:21 points out, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

What to Do When Grief Ambushes Us..Lynette Kittle

 What to Do When Grief Ambushes Us

By Lynette Kittle

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" - Psalm 147:3

Grief can catch us off-guard at the most unexpected moments. As much as we try to prepare ourselves beforehand, we really have no way to protect ourselves from the unexpected.

One Saturday afternoon, while watching the big screen TV my dad loved and had passed onto us, it faded to black. After some checking, my husband came to the conclusion its time had come to an end, and the picture would not be coming back. What hit me next caught me totally off guard, like a knife into my chest.

As the only daughter, I was a Daddy’s girl. My dad could do no wrong and made me feel cared for and loved. Being born on his 25th birthday, every year, he would pick out a special card just from him and write the words, “You’re the best birthday gift I ever got.”

For the first time, I realized it wasn’t just a TV to me but represented hanging onto my father’s memory. Because it was the last one he bought before his passing, I hadn’t realized how its presence in our home brought me comfort, making me feel connected to him. So when it died, too, a huge tsunami of grief ambushed me.

Care-giving through the Sadness
Sadly, my dad passed away after months of helping to manage his end-of-life care. After his death, we managed my Mom’s care for the next 5 years through her journey with Alzheimer’s until she joined Dad in Heaven. Following their losses, our almost 20-year-old Siamese cat Panda passed away, triggering a flood release of grief related to losing both my parents and now her within a few years.

With looking back came the realization that my own grief process and working through my parent losses had been delayed by caregiving and the need to keep going forward.

How to Face Grief Triggers
With the loss of my Dad’s TV, I discovered three ways to help deal with and face unexpected grief triggers.

1. Be okay with feeling a range of emotions. Rather than pushing back emotions when sorrow hits, allow a few minutes to experience them. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, God is near to the brokenhearted. Know He has not left us alone to face our grief but is nearer than we may realize with His compassion, kindness, and comfort.  

As we experience the emotions, choose to reminisce with the memories that triggered the grief, being willing to share them with those around us at the time. 

With my Dad and his TV, memories of us watching it together at his house helped me to work through the sadness and grief being triggered and experienced through its loss.

2. Make sure to connect with others. If grief hits when we’re with others, we don’t need to hide it or feel embarrassed. Rather, we can be willing to reach out to share with others what’s happening to us in the moment.

Instead of suppressing sorrowful feelings to fester and deepen within us, acknowledging and talking through them a bit, can be helpful in our processing and dealing with grief.

3. Prepare for the unexpected. Grief seems to come in waves. It’s unpredictable what will trigger it within us. From something totally unrelated to the passing of our loved ones to the smallest reminder, it’s impossible to know what might set sorrow into motion. The only way to prepare is to know it might happen anytime and it’s nothing to hide or be ashamed of when it happens.

Receiving God’s Consolation
In times of grief, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 encourages us to turn to our Heavenly Father. He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. He offers us an open invitation to call upon Him in our deepest and darkest hours knowing when we receive comfort from Him, we’ll be able to offer comfort to others during their times of sorrow.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you find yourself ambushed by grief this week, rather than trying to stuff your feelings deep down within yourself, take a moment to experience them. As you do, turn to God, asking Him for His comfort and peace to help turn your sorrow into joy (Psalm 30:11).

Christmas Depression and Christmas Cookies..Wendy Speake

 Christmas Depression and Christmas Cookies

 Wendy Speake

Today’s Truth

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).

Friend to Friend

I love holiday traditions. Each year my family dresses up and goes out together to a special Christmas concert in the days leading up to December 25th. Whether it’s at our local church or the theatre downtown, we get dolled up for Jesus. Okay, let’s be honest: my husband and children do it for me. And every year I hope and pray for one really good family picture of us together, with the boys wearing argyle sweater vests, and their hair combed back. Not a dozen pictures, mind you, just one special keepsake of a treasure where we all look happy. Happy is the goal.

I struggle with happy sometimes—especially around the holidays. Which feels ridiculous because we’re all singing, “Tis the season to be jolly…” But all the falalalala-ing in the world can’t hide the fact I struggle with depression each December.

There are plenty of reasons and I can’t list them all, but I’m going to list and few because I know I’m not the only one. I’m not a psychotherapist here to explain them all, just a sister in the Holly-Jolly trenches, humbling sharing what I go through, and pointing you to the One who knows it all.

Here are a few of the pressures that press in on me at Christmastime.

- Super high expectations. Expectations of what our tree will look like (and how fun it will be to decorate it), how lovely our porch and centerpiece will be this year, not to mention those family pictures, can cause ridiculous amounts of stress. Trips to take the kids to see Santa end in tears (theirs and ours) while everyone on Instagram and Facebook looks like it truly is “the most wonderful time of the year!”

- Family stress. Family pressure over where we’re going to be Christmas morning, and therefore where we aren’t going to be, can steal our focus and rob our joy as well. Whose turn is it to host; which in-laws will we be with; and how long will we stay before we leave for the next stop on the Christmas train? When what we really want is to be home with our stockings and eggnog, watching Elf by ourselves. The guilt compounds the sadness. It’s Christmas after all.

- Unrealized desire to feel close to God. The pressure to focus on “the reason for the season” amidst all the hustle and bustle, can make us feel terrible too. Feelings of failure when we only read the first three chapters from our advent devotional is the straw that often breaks the camel’s back. Speaking of camels, I’m reminded now that I never even got my nativity set out of storage and onto the mantel this year.

- The sugar. While many of my most favorite traditions are packed with sugar (then dusted with powdered sugar), the truth of the matter is that sugar doesn’t help me when I’m hurting. Sugar doesn’t make me sweet when I’m sad. Sure, it lifts my Christmas Spirits for a Merry-Moment, but before I know it I’m crashing down again. It is simply what sugar does. At Christmastime especially, with all the special treats, we can feel like we’re riding a teeter-totter on a merry-go-round. We want to be happy, but we’re dizzy and tired. We want to get off, but we can’t. We need another piece of peppermint bark with our white chocolate mocha to bring us back up again.

While sugar seems like the most unspiritual of all the bullet points above, the reality is that God is the only thing, the only One, we should run to when we’re in pain — at Christmastime or anytime. We need to stop reaching for the next sugar high and start reaching for the Most High. We must learn to run to the Great Comforter rather than comfort foods.

Perhaps, in your sadness you run to the mall for another session of retail therapy. But that’s not the therapist you need either. In one of the most familiar Christmas passages, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called a “Wonderful Counselor”.

If you are desperate for “comfort and joy” this Christmas, let me encourage you to limit your sugar intake. While it seems like a very unspiritual first step, physiologically it might be just what you need to spiritually run to The Most High rather than the next sugar high. Sugar’s help is temporary (and really no help at all.) But the Most High is eternal and can lift you up in your present struggles into His forever arms.

When you’re tempted to run to sugar this Christmas, run to the satisfying sweetness of our Savior. He’s a Wonderful Counselor. When you’re tempted to put your hope in a leftover cookie and the quick dopamine release that will make you feel good for a while… put your hope instead in God.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank you for being my Wonderful Counselor and the Prince who is my peace and brings me peace. I don’t need retail therapy, I need you. And I don’t need to self-medicate with sugar to relieve my pain either. I need Your great comfort. Thank you for coming to earth as my Savior. Teach me to know this Christmas that Your saving isn’t just intended to get me to Heaven. Your saving is available today, and this whole holiday season, each time that I struggle.

In Jesus’ Saving Name,

Amen.

The Experience of His Peace.. Craig Denison Ministries;

 

The Experience of His Peace

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview:

To know God is to experience God. Just as we experience aspects of one another as we grow in friendship, we experience the wonders of God as we seek to simply know him. God is calling us to a life of seeking him with all we are. He is calling us to value relationship with him above all else that we would love no other but him. May you encounter wonderful aspects of relationship with your heavenly Father this week as we wholeheartedly seek to know him with all we are.

Scripture:“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Devotional:

One of the most heavenly aspects of experiencing God is his abounding peace. Peace is not something this world can offer us. This world is run on chaos, stress, confusion, striving, and frivolous pursuits with no satisfaction. Even in this life, God offers us the peace of heaven, the peace that comes from having our hearts wrapped up in true relationship with him.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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.” God exchanges our earthly cares and stresses for his heavenly, sustaining peace. He is such a good Father to us that he takes that which troubles our hearts, promises to take care of us down to the smallest burden, and offers us incomprehensible peace from his Spirit.

Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” When we seek relationship with Jesus we are seeking relationship with the One who conquered death and destroyed any and every scheme of the enemy against us. To know him is to know a true Conqueror. And in knowing him our lives become wrapped up in his. Our worried and fearful hearts become wrapped up in his heart of peace.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” God longs for us to so encounter his trustworthiness that our lives are marked by his peace. He longs for us to so trust him that this world cannot rob us of the peace that comes from knowing our God will always prove himself faithful. All he has promised to do he will do. All he has said of himself he truly is. Peace comes from keeping our mind stayed on the perfect character of our heavenly Father and letting who he is be at the foundation of all we do, think, and feel.

God has heavenly peace in store for you today. The peace he offers you isn’t of this world and therefore will sustain you through any of its troubles (John 14:27). Come before your loving heavenly Father and cast your cares on him. Let your requests be made known to him. Place your trust in his trustworthiness. And receive the perfect, sustaining peace of your loving Father.

May your day today be marked by the fruit of wholehearted relationship with the God of peace.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the peace available to you in relationship with God. Allow Scripture to help you not settle for stress, burdens, and cares that aren’t your portion in Jesus.

“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

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

2. What has been causing you stress? What’s been stealing your peace? What thoughts, people, situations, fears, or spiritual attacks do you need to bring before your loving heavenly Father?

3. “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”(1 Peter 5:6-7). Take time to bring before God all that’s bothering you. Lay all your anxieties at his feet, choose to trust that he will take care of them and help you through them, and receive his peace that surpasses all understanding.

“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

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” We have the choice moment by moment to set our minds on the things of this world or on the things of God. When we choose to set our minds on the Spirit, we are positioning ourselves to be people marked by the fruit of his presence in our lives. When we choose the world we are only setting ourselves up for failure, anxiety, and trouble. Choose today to set your mind on the Lord in every situation. The things of this world are fleeting, but our God spans throughout the farthest reaches of eternity. May his power, faithfulness, and nearness bring you peace today.

Extended Reading: Philippians 4