Living by Faith...Craig Denison Ministries

 Living by Faith

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the undercurrent of everything we do as followers of Jesus. Without faith we lose all that Christ died to give us while here on earth. It is by faith we access the peace, joy, guidance, love, and purpose that comes from restored relationship with our heavenly Father. As we seek an increase in faith in response to God’s faithfulness this week, may you experience a greater depth of intimacy with your living, Almighty, and loving heavenly Father.

Scripture:“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Devotional:

Living by faith is the key that unlocks the door to the fullness of God’s promises. There is no doubt that God will always be faithful to his promises. Scripture is clear in 2 Timothy 2:13 that “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” Faithfulness is within God’s nature. But, without faith we will not experience the fullness of what is available to us in God’s promises. God does not force emotion on us. He does not force us to receive the joy and peace that comes through trusting him. He does not force us into the fullness of relationship available to us in faith. And he does not force his purposes on us. Faith is the vehicle by which we experience all that God longs to give us. Specifically, faith is the avenue on which we experience the fullness of God’s promises for intimacy with him, purpose in this life, and freedom from sin.

Hebrews 10:19-22 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” By faith we walk into God’s presence. In faith we believe God desires to be with us. Experiencing the fullness of restored relationship with our heavenly Father requires a heart full of faith and trust that God longs to tangibly be with us, his children. Without faith we will live solely for the pleasures this world has to offer and miss out on all the satisfaction of living this life for and with God above all else. In faith we can experience all the intimacy available to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Hebrews 11:32-34 says, “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” We’ve been sent out by Jesus to make disciples of all nations. We’ve been given a command to bring light into the darkness everywhere we go. You and I have been given a purpose of eternal value and of great importance to our Lord and King. And Hebrews 11 is clear that it is by faith that the works of God are done. When we live by faith we bring the kingdom of God into every dark corner around us. When we live by faith we invite the Holy Spirit to work in and through every situation to draw others to himself. It’s in faith that we find our purpose.

And finally, Ephesians 6:16 says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” It is through faith that we walk in the freedom from sin available to us by the promise of God. As children of God wrapped up in the finished work of Christ,  we have been set free from the bondage of sin. By the power of Jesus’ death on the cross, you and I never have to sin again. But Paul teaches us in Ephesians that it is through faith that we extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one. If we don’t trust God at his word that we who were completely entangled to the schemes of the enemy by sin are now considered the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21), we will not walk in freedom. It is through faith that we renew our mind and experience the wonderful freedom from sin available to us.

We all need a greater measure of intimacy with God, purpose, and freedom from sin. Not one of us has experienced all that is available to us through faith. May you seek out all that God has in store for you if you will take him at his word and trust him in response to his faithfulness. Spend time in prayer receiving all that God longs to give you by faith.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on all that is available to you in the lifestyle of faith.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” > Hebrews 11:32-34

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

2. Ask God to lead you to a greater measure of faith. Ask him to give you the faith to pursue intimacy with him, his purposes, and freedom from sin. Listen to all that he would say to you in these quiet moments. Let him give you a fresh perspective of what it is to live by faith.

3. Pursue all that is available to you today in the promises of God. What new levels of relationship does God long to lead you to? What new purposes does he have in store for you? What freedom does he long to bring you?

May you be filled with hunger for the deeper things of God today. And may you have the courage and tenacity to seek out everything God has in store for you. If you will pursue him with all your heart in faith you will discover all that your heart has been searching for. He has adventure, excitement, joy, fulfillment, and love for all who live by faith. Today is the day to live in the newness of life Jesus died for you to have.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 5

Shaping Worries Into Prayers...SHARON JAYNES

 Shaping Worries Into Prayers

SHARON JAYNES 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Recently when my niece’s daughter Harper and I were having a visit on FaceTime, she told me all about her new best friend: Skittles the guinea pig.

He went down the slide with her, nibbled on baby carrots at her tea parties and nestled in her mini stroller during walks. Oh, how she loved Skittles.

“I had a guinea pig named Oscar when I was a little girl,” I shared.

“You did? What happened to Oscar?” she asked. “Did he die? Did you give him away? Do guinea pigs go to heaven?” I was not expecting those questions and wished I had kept my guinea pig history to myself. When we said our goodbyes, I realized Harper, even at 5 years old, was worried about her little friend. She was anxious about Skittles’ future. Goldie the goldfish had a short life, and well, do guinea pigs live longer?

It seemed like such a small thing … and then I wondered if my anxious thoughts seem like small things to God.

I worry about my son, and then I remember God has a host of angels surrounding him. (Psalm 91:11-12) Protecting Steven is a small, easy thing for God.

I grow anxious about COVID-19, and then I remember all my days have been numbered since before there was even one of them. (Psalm 139:16)

It is so easy to fall into the trap of worrying about world events, especially wars and rumors of war. The media shows us horrific details of bombed-out buildings and burned-out homes. People fleeing and parents weeping.

And I get anxious. I grow worried. But when we witness such suffering, God calls us to respond out of trust in Him, not worry: “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed …” (Isaiah 1:17, NLT). When we face circumstances vastly out of our control, like a pandemic and war, we can also be reminded time and time again of who God is, and what He does, through the Scriptures.

He runs things. He is not aloof. He is not absent in life’s happenings. As He told Moses at the burning bush, He sees, and He hears — He is concerned. (Exodus 3:7)

I need to remember God has a providential, not accidental, plan for history. The word “providential” means “to see before,” to have a particular end or goal in mind. What happens in history, and with you and me, is not happenstance. He is in control of the sacred and secular. World history and my history.

I imagine God saying, Oh honey, don’t worry about what’s going on in the world at large or in your life right now. The circumstances are not a surprise to Me. I’m still in control. I’m still on My throne. And remember: Nothing is too difficult for Me. Your worries may loom large for you, but they are not too difficult for Me.

So what do we do when those anxious feelings creep in? When our hearts start to race, our palms start to sweat and our blood runs cold with worry?

As tempted as we might be to feed the worry, obsess over it with our friends or loved ones, or go into “fix-it mode” with Google, our first action should be to pray and give our burdens and worries to God. (Psalm 55:2)

Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).

The Message paraphrase of Philippians 4:6-7 says it this way: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Don’t you love that? “Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers.” Like a potter shaping clay into beauty, we have the opportunity to shape our worries into beautiful petitions to God.

I don’t know what you’re anxious about today, but I do know God is in control. And He is good.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the omnipotent God who takes care of every need and calms every anxious heart. I give You my worries and concerns, knowing that You are in control, and You always have a good plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Drawing from the Source...Dr. Charles Stanley

 Drawing from the Source

Dr. Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 2:13

For us as believers, contentment should be governed by inner attitude and the decisions we make rather than by external circumstances. Because Paul had learned this secret, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation--whether he was surrounded by friends or isolated in a Roman prison; whether he had plenty or was in great need.

The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.

I want to challenge you--this week, when something threatens to steal your contentment, choose to draw from God; decide to stop drawing from other sources and trying to be in control. When you find yourself becoming flustered, anxious, or angry, stop and say, "Lord, You are my source, and I draw from You the capacity to be kind. I draw from You the forgiveness I need to extend right now. I draw from You the love I need to express." This decision is a matter of simple trust.

Watch and see how God will quiet your spirit and provide confidence when you draw only from Him as your source. You'll be surprised at your own attitude: when you respond from within--rather than from the flesh--Jesus will give you the ability to respond as He would.

The Lord Has His Eye on You...by Lynette Kittle

 The Lord Has His Eye on You

by Lynette Kittle

“The Lord looked down from His sanctuary on high, from heaven He viewed the earth” - Psalms 102:19

Have you ever felt like God is far away, like He isn’t interested in what’s happening on earth and in your life? Has the vastness of the world ever caused you to feel insignificant in the overall big picture of life?

Sill Psalm 33:13 states, “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind.”

Likewise Psalm 33:14,15 assures of God’s great interest in mankind’s comings and goings describing how, “From His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth. He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.”

Amazing to realize the God of the Universe is considering everything you do. It’s a concept that may be difficult to grasp.

It’s true, though, and He is taking into consideration all things, too, because, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

God is not just viewing mankind’s activities displayed out in the open but He is seeing everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”

Things people think are hidden are fully visible to God.  As Proverbs 5:21 explains, “For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths.”

Even more than mankind’s actions, 1 Corinthians 4:5 states, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.”

So God is looking past outward deeds into the motives of your heart. Mark 4:22 states, “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.”

When it comes to what God knows about you, understand it’s a full disclosure.

Psalm 14:2 describes even more of God’s purpose in looking, “The Lord looks down from Heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”

So if you’re wondering how to truly catch God’s eye, His Word gives the key. It’s by seeking after Him, to understand Him and His ways.

More importantly God is searching so He might make you stronger. 2 Chronicles 16:9 describes how the eyes of the Lord look to and fro through out the earth “to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

Where is your heart focused? Are you seeking after God? If so, know God is looking to see how He might uplift, encourage, and support you.

A Prayer for A Lost Loved One...By: Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer for A Lost Loved One

By: Emily Rose Massey

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 8:5, NASB)

My convictions were just too strong to stay silent on that Facebook post. I knew it was a controversial topic, but I didn’t think my own family would turn on me and lash out for my beliefs. As a Christian, there are times where I need to stand up for what is right, and just like countless times before, I was left to stand alone to be ridiculed for my faith in God and His Holy Word. I just didn’t think my own brother would be the one to hurt me the most with his callous words. Often, the wounds cut deeper when it is those closest to us that wield the sword at us. In that moment, instead of finding the comfort and understanding of my family, the harsh reality that my brother was a lost soul began to set in.

When we meet opposition regarding sharing our faith, it is very easy to become offended at those who mock or push-back; perhaps our first instinct is to turn our backs on them or set it in our heart to never discuss the Lord around them ever again.

Instead of bitterness or offense towards those who might not agree with our beliefs, we should have compassion on them because at one time, before Christ saved us, we too were enemies of God and lost. Even if our unsaved friends and family hurt us, these situations should truly drive us to our knees to pray for our lost loved ones.

Romans 8 is a powerful chapter in the book of Romans, and in verse 5 we are reminded of God’s great love for us:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 8:5, NASB)

God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for sinners. Not only should this truth cause us to rejoice in the gift of our own salvation, but it should fill our hearts with so much hope that God’s mercy is available to those whom we love. If we cannot reach them with our words of the truth, we can pray that the Lord may bring someone else who could share the gospel with them. Let us have hope that those who seem unreachable can be reached by God Almighty. No one is too far gone for His arm to rescue!

Father God,

Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your Son to die for my sins so that I can be in fellowship with You forever. You know how badly I want my friends and family to know You like I do. In fact, You love them more than I do because You created them.

I ask that You would begin to prepare their heart to receive your grace to believe that Jesus is the only way to true forgiveness and eternal life. Draw them to You, I pray.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

When You’re Afraid of the Enemy, Remember God Is Your Light..By Jessica Van Roekel

 When You’re Afraid of the Enemy, Remember God Is Your Light

By Jessica Van Roekel

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (NIV)

The flashlight sputtered in the dark. I hit it against my hand, and it flickered a little brighter. The shadows from the pine trees stretched their bony fingers to grab me as I walked down the path. The way back to the cabin seemed longer than I remembered. I hurried, wishing for more than the little spotlight lighting my next step. The way was dark and lonely.

Have you ever wandered in the dark wishing for more light? I breathed a sigh of relief once I made it back to my cabin. The pool of light spilling from the door was a welcome sight and I ran the last few steps with my faulty flashlight hanging limp beside me. I stood in the doorway’s light and glanced back at the dark path. I had made it without being accosted by shadows.

Many times in our lives, we face situations where it feels as though the darkness weighs heavy. Our minds swirl with imaginary conversations and worst-case scenarios. The enemies seem near, and invasion seems imminent. Gideon experienced this. The Midianites invaded on a regular basis to steal and destroy anything the Israelites grew. Gideon’s own people turned to Baal worship but eventually called on the Lord for help. The help came when the Lord called Gideon to courage. Gideon had much to fear. He had enemies in the Midianites and within his own people. He destroyed his town’s altar to Baal in the dark of night because he was afraid of them.

Have you ever been too afraid to act because of people? I find myself cowering behind the fear of what people are saying or might say instead of standing in faith that God has my back. Like Gideon, I will do my work hidden in a winepress, trying not to be seen. But sometimes, God calls us to shine his light into the darkness by standing strong on his promises.

The Lord whittled down Gideon’s army and provided a battle strategy that didn’t make sense. Gideon took his small army of 300 men to the camp of thousands with only two items that we wouldn’t consider as weapons. The Lord’s strategy of limiting Gideon’s army and weapons was brilliant. There were two battles to be fought. The obvious one with the Midianites and the hidden one with Israel’s tendency to boast in their own strength instead of the Lord’s. Gideon passed out trumpets and empty jars with torches inside and divided the men into three companies surrounding the Midianite camp. At his leading, the men blew their trumpets, broke the jars to let the light shine, and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon” (Judges 7:20). They held their position with their trumpets and their lights, and the Lord saved them.

Have you ever felt as though the Lord was asking you to do something that didn’t make sense? Sometimes it’s as simple as staying the course in the face of slander and gossip. Other times it’s gearing up with the shield of faith and the sword of truth. We might feel like we go into battles unequipped, but the Lord is our light and our salvation. We don’t have to be afraid.

If you find yourself facing a difficult battle right now, let yourself be encouraged by this reminder: God is your light. He will guide your steps. He will show you where to stand and where to retreat. He will act on your behalf.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Jesus was clear in John 16:33 that in this world, we will have trouble. Trouble can look like sickness and disease. It can be broken relationships with friends and families. It can even be our own broken perspective. You might feel like you’re going through life with a faulty flashlight to guide you and you long for a well-lit path. But the Lord is with you. He is your light, and you don’t have to fear. Place your trust in him. He guides you through dark valleys and over mountains and all the while, he is your light. Keep your eyes fixed on him. Look for his goodness in your darkness. Stay in his light.

• Further Reading:
  Judges 6-7