The Marriage of Faith and Works..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Marriage of Faith and Works

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 as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” > James 2:26

Devotional:

“Work” typically has a negative connotation in my mind. I associate work with something I have to do but don’t feel like doing. I separate out work from play or fun. But with God, the word “work” couldn’t be more different. Work is designed to be the expression of our abundant, life-giving relationship with our heavenly Father. God doesn’t call us to work out of obligation or to earn his love, but to live our lives in response to his love. It’s for this reason that Scripture is clear about God’s intention for the marriage of faith and works.

James 2:26 says, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” What is our faith if it doesn’t produce action? What is the nature of our relationship with God if it doesn’t cause us to live differently? Often we have a misunderstanding about what it is God would have us do if we were to truly submit our life fully to him. And our misunderstanding veils our heart from receiving the fullness of life and enjoyment of the work God intends for us.

Often we believe if we were really to hand over our life to God in faith he would call us to do a lot of things we don’t want to do. Maybe we believe he’d call us to a foreign mission field, to make little to no money, or simply to live our lives awkwardly and intrusively. If you only remember one thing today, remember this: God will only ever lead you to a life perfectly, uniquely, and wonderfully designed to bring you and others around you the utmost fulfillment, purpose, passion, and joy. Everything he calls you to he intends to use to satisfy the desires of your heart. Maybe he is calling you to something you don’t fully understand yet, but if you will say yes to him, the very calling that you possibly feared most will be the satisfaction of a dream you didn’t know you had.

God calls us to a life of works because he loves us and has designed us for such a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The work he is calling you to is perfect for you because he is the one who formed you and knows you. Have faith in the love and perfect will of your heavenly Father. Choose to live a life of good works. And experience the joy of living every minute of your day with intentional and eternal purpose.

Spend time in prayer allowing the word and character of God to renew your mind on the subject of faith and works. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with a desire to live a life of good works today in light of God’s love for you.          

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the marriage of faith and works. Renew your mind to the goodness of work.

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” > James 2:26

“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” > Titus 3:14

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” > Ephesians 2:10

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what works he has laid before you today. Hand over to him the tasks set before you and ask him to fill you with the knowledge of how he would have you accomplish them.

3. Commit to living today with a renewed perspective on work. Work is joyful and life-giving when we do it with the Holy Spirit. Choose to live your life in line with God’s intention for you and enjoy the work set before you!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” > Matthew 5:16

What would your life look like if you chose to do your work filled with the joy and purpose of the Holy Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is just as available to you during work as it is at any other time of the day! All you have to do is choose to live your life with a different perspective than others around you. Take hardships to God and ask him for his heart! Enjoy your days working and bearing the fruit of your faith.

Extended Reading: James 2

The Hard and the Beautiful of Being Called Out..JENNIE ALLEN

 The Hard and the Beautiful of Being Called Out

JENNIE ALLEN 

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Galatians 6:1a (ESV)

What is it about accountability that makes us squirm?

At its core, accountability calls us to who we are meant to be, through truth mixed with grace. Yet our generation’s declaration of personal independence has pushed this away. We resent being challenged on our behavior. But what if that missing element is exactly why we all feel like our relationships don’t run deep?

I first met my friend Jey through some mutual friends. He is young, smart and joyful. As he started filling in the blanks on his upbringing, I remember thinking, It absolutely doesn’t seem possible that this person and this story go together.

Jey’s childhood in the slums of Nairobi was rough. I mean, rough rough.

Rough, as in being imprisoned at age 9 for having stolen food that his single mom and siblings desperately needed to avoid utterly wasting away.

Here’s the funny thing about Jey: When you get him talking about his childhood, he smiles. He told me stories about the norm in Kenya of “holding each other’s hands”:

“Kids would show up at our little house because we didn’t have doors or locks on our little hut, and my grandmother, who lived with us, would have no idea when they’d last eaten.” She was barely keeping her own kids alive, remember. But still, she’d usher those kids inside, sit them at the table and feed them like they were her own.

Though Nairobi is a city of millions, his grandmother and others within Jey’s neighborhood served as a village-sized community.

He said, “I would be running on the other side of the slum, goofing off with friends, and would hear my name because ‘the elders’ were everywhere! And those elders would grab me by the collar right then and there and punish me, and of course, my grandmother would hear about it.”

For the next decade, Jey worked hard in school and found work that eventually took him to the United States, where he lives now in Atlanta.

What Jey couldn’t have anticipated was that, while life back in Kenya had been rough all those years, he’d enjoyed a type of prosperity that he didn’t recognize until it was gone. When he spoke about what he missed about Nairobi and the slums, he said, “I miss everyone being in and out of our lives. I wish that were true here. It’s so different. I’m grateful for all we have here, but I wish my kids were growing up with tribal elders in their ears. I wish we could be part of a village here.”

When we don’t have a village of interconnected, consistent teammates in our lives, we feel invisible, and when we are left alone and unbothered, we become the worst version of ourselves. Whether it’s neighbors, mentors, grandparents or our closest friends, we need people who see us, who call us up and out. Our key verse, Galatians 6:1a, instructs us on how to do this: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” 

Once you’ve identified a wise and trustworthy friend(s), here’s how you intentionally pursue accountability:

1. Give permission to this person or people to tell you the truth.
2. Ask them regularly: What area of my life do I need to grow in? What practices do I need to embrace in order to grow and mature? Will you hold me accountable to this change?
3. Plan follow-up meetings. Schedule times when you can revisit this conversation.
4. Ask your friend(s) if you can hold them accountable for anything.

God made us for community! And it’s when we’re in community with others who are committed to keeping us accountable that we become the very best version of ourselves.

God, thank You for the gift of accountability. Will You help me set aside any pride in my life that is keeping me from living connected like this? Help me find my people who will call me out and call me up to live more like Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Following the Father’s Example..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Following the Father’s Example

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 6:1-4

Do you have a strong relationship with your children? The way we first think about God has much to do with how we were parented—especially by our father. What image of the Lord are youportraying?

Many men struggle in their role as dads because their own fathers were either absent—physically or emotionally— or poor examples. But regardless of what a person experienced in the past, the best thing any parent can do is imitate God the Father. But how do we know who He really is?

We get our best glimpse of what the heavenly Father is like by looking at His Son. Speaking with the disciples, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me . . .
He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:6, 9). Not only is Christ our path to relationship with God; He is also the way we come to know the Father’s true character.

When we look at Jesus’ life, what do we see? He was merciful, patient, gentle, compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people (Matt. 9:10-13). The Savior healed the sick, provided for needs, and offered forgiveness—regardless of the offense (Matt. 14:14-21; Luke 23:34). But in love, He didn’t hesitate to discipline or correct others when required.

More than a solid education or material possessions, your child’s greatest need is a role model of devotion to God through prayer, Bible reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and following the heavenly Father your first priority, you won’t have to worry about what kind of parent you will be.

God’s Sovereign Plan..By: Amanda Idleman

 God’s Sovereign Plan

By: Amanda Idleman

The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” – Isaiah 14:24

As you read through Isaiah, you are clued into the nature and character of God through the prophetic gift given to Isaiah. Isaiah’s mouth is filled with words that paint a picture of what God has planned for the future. He clearly articulates God’s many emotions when it comes to His people. All of the prophecies from Isaiah became verifiable, historical fact.

Through the miraculous fulfillment of prophecy, we can see the absolute dependability of God’s plan. We can rest assured that no matter our present situation, we can stand on the promises of God who articulated them in His Word. In our most hopeless moments, we can draw encouragement from the sovereignty of our Lord.

God has a plan. He is not distant and uninvolved in the happenings of our world. We may look at world events and see random occurrences. We may become overwhelmed by your own powerlessness to change the tide of our society. But God does not see randomness, and He has the power to change things that feel impossible to us.

In Isaiah, God warns Israel from relying on the surrounding nations for security. God’s plan went against what seemed like a logical solution to the Israelites. He warned that the two major powers in the region, Assyria and Babylon, would fall despite appearing to be unbeatable forces in the region. These prophecies were fulfilled when the Assyrian Empire was crushed by Babylon. Later, as prophesied by Jeremiah, Babylon fell too.

The Israelites who heard these prophecies for the first time probably were skeptical and doubted God’s power over the forces that appear to rule our world. Yet, God’s Word has proven to be reliable over the course of history. When we see what feels like confusing and unbeatable challenges, rest assured in God’s sovereign plan for our world.

Just as God’s plan for the nations are fulfilled, so are God’s plans for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 gives us this personal encouragement, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” This is a promise you can stand on. God’s plan is a good one. Even when evil attempts to steal from us: God is present, He is working, He is faithful, and He is good.

Isaiah 43:1 tells us even more about God’s reliability. He makes a beautiful promise and offers us words of encouragement for our moments of difficulty and doubt. God says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” The Creator, Sovereign God of all knows it’s easy to be afraid. That’s why He so clearly offers us words of comfort and assurance. Our Big God identifies us as His. He is close, He is personal, and He is for you. Rest in the knowledge that we serve a sovereign God.

A Prayer for God to Strengthen You..By Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer for God to Strengthen You

By Tiffany Thibault

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

In our world today many people are struggling with situations in their lives that are just so challenging. Death of a loved one, fractured families, health, financial troubles, the list just seems to never end. Hard times always bring both fear and distress in its unexpectedness into our lives. Hard times completely overwhelm minds and emotions and weaken even the strongest of hearts. 

Our verse today offers great encouragement to us in the midst of our messy situations. Let's unpack the hope for us today in each of its phrases. 

Do not fear. Fear fills us when we feel that we are all alone and helpless in our darkest moments. In every situation that we walk through, God gives us this command to “do not fear” and then He backs it up with the promise: “I am with you.” Let us go into our hard places speaking this truth to our hearts and minds. Truly knowing that God is there with us should fill our souls with courage. 

Do not be dismayed. Dismayed means that we lose our courage because of the fearful situations that sometimes result from an unexpected turn of events. Things in our life can change quickly, other people hurt us, and pain can blindside us. Situations rush at you, knocking you down, stealing your hope, and disturbing your peace. God says that in those moments: “Do not be dismayed for I am your God.” His presence comforts you and protects your heart. He is with you in every single situation, in every breath you take, and in every hard decision that you must make. He is your God. He is strong. He is mighty.  

Do not fear, do not be dismayed. How can you take comfort in those words? Because God tells you how He will help you in your fearful and unexpected situations. 

God says to you today: “I will strengthen you and help you.” God will work for you in these hard moments as He makes you stronger. He will help you get through these challenging moments victoriously. Open up the Bible and cling to its promises. These situations were allowed by God to strengthen you, to draw you closer to Him. God will indeed help you as He works in mighty ways in your life.

God promises victory for you when He makes this promise: “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God will hold you up spiritually during these times as you pour your heart out in prayer, as you fill your mind and heart with His word. He will lift you up from these fearful situations with His righteous or excellent right hand. In ancient days, the right hand of a king signified granting you favor. You will receive God’s favor in every struggle that you are walking through as you keep your eyes on Him. 

So today can you take this opportunity to trust God more and to pour out your worries to Him right there in the midst of all that is messy in your life? He is with you and He is your God. So go tell each of your situations that you will not be fearful or dismayed. You have God with you in every single one of them! You do not have to walk through them alone or afraid ever. 

Let's Pray:

Dear Lord, 

Thank You Lord for this reminder from Your word, that You are my God. Thank you Lord that in everything I am struggling with today, You are with me. It is You who strengthens me. It is You who helps me. It is You who holds me up with your righteous right hand. It is You who responds to me with favor. Because You are my God, I do not need to fear, nor do I need to be dismayed. I trust You Lord for each moment of today. 

In Your name, Jesus, I pray, 

Amen

5 Reasons to Read Revelation..By Lynette Kittle

 5 Reasons to Read Revelation

By Lynette Kittle

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”--Revelation 1:3

My childhood included vivid, reoccurring dreams of hearing a trumpet blast and seeing Jesus and His angels descending in the sky. The return of Christ to earth was so real to me during the dreams that I would wake up trembling.

Even so, I love to read the book of Revelation. “’Look, He is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of Him.’ So shall it be! Amen” (Revelation 1:7).

Still, when others voice their avoidance of reading Revelation because of its end-of-the-world themes, judgment, and more, I get it. But rather than bypassing what many consider another doomsday read, there is much for us to glean from reading and taking to heart, this descriptive final book of the Bible.

Below are five reasons to read Revelation.

1. Reading Revelation Comes with a Promise
If for no other reason, reading Revelation brings blessings into our lives. God knew we might be fearful of reading it and find reasons to skip over it. Yet, in His graciousness and kindness, He offers us His blessings as an incentive to read and take it to heart (Revelation 1:3).

2. Revelation Reveals Jesus Christ
Throughout Revelation’s verses, Jesus Christ is revealed and glorified, being described as the Faithful Witness, Firstborn from the Dead, Ruler of Kings, and tender Savior washing away our sin with His own blood (Revelation 1:5), confirming and reminding us of God’s beautiful, sacrificial gift of Salvation.

In its words, verses, and chapters, Jesus is made known in His splendor. Verses describe His majesty and authority, where heaven opens up to reveal Him sitting on a white horse, our Faithful and True Prince, with eyes like a flame of fire, wearing a robe dipped in blood and many crowns, and written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16).

3. Revelation Tells of Our Triumph over the Enemy
Revelation 12 explains how our spiritual authority defeats the accuser of the brethren, explaining how we will be victorious over his schemes.

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:10-11).

4. Revelation Offers Timely Peace 
With daily headlines reporting world tensions and disasters on the rise, Revelation gives a framework for understanding these troubling times, along with offering us God’s assurance of His coming victory.

Its words offer us assurance and peace that God is in control of global affairs and paints us a picture of how He is going to triumph over wickedness. “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6). 

5. Revelation Describes Our Future Inheritance 

Revelation 21:7 promises, “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

Throughout Revelation 21 and 22, God reveals the happily-ever-after awaiting believers, including making all things new, along with wiping away every tear and ending crying, sorrow, and death forever from our lives. 

As well, He promises this newness will include no more pain, curse, and night, and darkness will cease to exist because Jesus will shine as our light.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
Ask God to help you read through Revelation, to give you His wisdom and understanding while reading it, knowing your willingness to do so pleases Him and releases His blessings into your life.

Further Reading:
Revelation 1-22