Seeking God through Worship..Craig Denison Ministries

 Seeking God through Worship

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Learning to seek the face of God is the foundation for experiencing the amazing life Jesus died to give us. We have available to us through Christ all the wonders, excellencies, and satisfaction we can fathom. God has granted us grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, affection upon affection, and love upon love. When we pursue him through all the avenues available to us, a door is opened in which we discover all our heavenly Father longs to give us. May you grow in your pursuit of God this week as we study various ways we’ve been given to seek his face.

Scripture:“Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” - Psalm 132:7

Devotional:

Worship through song is one of the most powerful ways to connect directly to the love, compassion, power, and grace of God. In worship, walls we’ve placed between God and us get torn down, just as God tore the veil at the death of Christ. In worship, our hearts become soft, aware, and open to the glorious majesties of God’s nearness. In worship, God makes his nearness known to us and fills us anew with the power of his manifest presence.

The Psalms are filled with exhortations to worship. Psalm 95:1-3 says, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” We are created to worship our Creator. When we give glory to God, we place him on the throne of our hearts and posture ourselves in the only position in which we will find peace: one of submission and humility. In the act of worship, we lay down everything we’ve allowed to matter more than God’s perfect will for us and receive the grace to love him above all else.

Psalm 132:7 says,“Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” When we worship, we enter into direct contact with our all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing heavenly Father. God’s desire in worship is to draw us near to himself, fill us to overflow with his love, and wait patiently for us to love him in return. The more often we receive his love through worship, the more consistently we will love and honor him in all we do. I fear that many Christians engage in worship because they feel they should or are allotted a time in church to do so, but all the while never really desire to worship God. God is not a prideful King who demands inauthentic praise from his people. He is in no way insecure or needy. He is simply after true communion with you where he loves you and you love him in return. And he will keep loving you, speaking to you, and reminding you of his desire for you until you open your heart and realize that loving him is the most satisfying, fulfilling, and purposeful way to live.

My favorite way to engage in worship, either in my personal devotional time or in a corporate gathering, is to begin by opening my heart and asking the Holy Spirit to help me receive God’s affection for me. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” I forget too easily how deeply God loves me. As I go throughout my week, the cares of the world seem to creep in and rob me of a full understanding of the depths of God’s love. So, I continually need reminders of his love that I may live my life in response to him rather than singing just because I should. Before you engage in worship, take a minute or two to reflect on God’s love. Read a Psalm or a part of the gospel that will remind you of how much God loves you. Ask God to speak to you and pour his love out on you. It isn’t selfish to ask God to love you. He knows that we are in desperate need of his love, and he fully understands that we cannot love him without receiving his love first.

Richard J. Foster says it this way in his book, Celebration of Discipline:           

Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. Its central reality is found “in Spirit and in Truth.” It is kindled within us only when then the Spirit of God touches our human Spirit. Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the formal disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy but we have not worshiped the Lord until Spirit touches Spirit. Singing, praying, praising, all may lead to worship, but worship is more than any of them. Our Spirit must be ignited by divine fire.

Whether or not you have encountered the miracle of God’s presence in worship up to this day, God wants to draw you into a fresh and needed experience of his nearness right now. He wants to pour out his love on every dry and weary place of your heart. Take time in prayer to receive his love, allow his Spirit to touch your spirit, and respond to him with adoration.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the depths of God’s love for you.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into a direct encounter with God. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit and allow him to fill you with a knowledge of God’s love and nearness. Wait on him and allow his Spirit to touch your spirit.

3. Respond to God’s love with your own. Thank him for what he has done for you. Go through all the good things in your life, and give him adoration for them! Love him in whatever way you desire. If you’re unsure of what to do, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with a specific way to love God.

Richard Foster also wrote, "As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming an opiate, an escape from the pressing needs of modern life." Live today following the guidance of God’s Spirit and his word. Respond to his love with your own loving obedience. May you discover the wealth of abundant life available to you through receiving God’s love and loving him in return through the gift of worship.

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

But Will It Turn Out Right?..LYNN COWELL

 But Will It Turn Out Right?

LYNN COWELL

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.” Esther 5:1 (NIV)

Have you ever been in the crux between obeying God and facing a potentially scary outcome?

Each morning, I knelt in my closet, taking Matthew 6:6 literally: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (NIV). I was asking the Lord for a new job for my husband, specifically the type he wanted.

One day while praying, I sensed a nudge: The specifics you are praying for fit your job. Your job is Greg’s job. 

I thought, Did I hear that right? My job is the job for Greg? 

I had recently obtained my first sales position, involving every aspect of what I thought I would enjoy. Yet as odd as it felt and as scared as I was, I sensed God’s hand might be behind this crazy idea.

Driving to work that day, I prepared to present this idea to my boss. As I did, all types of scenarios flitted through my mind. What if my boss thinks I’m asking because I don’t want my job? What if he doesn’t hire Greg but chooses to hire someone else? What if my seeming uncertainty gives him reason to let me go? 

When I arrived at the office, I asked my boss if he would consider interviewing my husband for my job. Greg could take the outside sales position; I could fill an empty administrative role. My boss made sure I knew what I stood to lose: a pay cut plus the lost opportunity for me. I understood.

In Esther 5:1, we find Queen Esther at a point of even more monumental risk. For the sake of her people, the people God loves, she chose to approach the king to save the Jews from genocide. The consequence, should the king choose not to hold out the golden scepter, was death. (Esther 4:11)

Whether she felt courageous and confident or she was doing it scared, Esther made her way to the king’s court. She was willing to take the risk for the sake of the people God loves. “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.” (Esther 5:1)

While Esther may have trembled under those royal robes, I believe she leaned into discernment and looked for God to make the king receptive toward her.

Can you possibly imagine the relief engulfing Esther as the king gladly welcomed her? Not only was he not offended; he was pleased to see her. (Esther 5:2) Oh, the kindness of God when the worst-case scenario doesn’t play out as we have imagined. And even greater, when the thing we feared most of all never comes to pass and God surprises us with the good we desire instead.

I don’t know about you, but getting past things that scare me isn't my favorite thing. I have, however, been learning to do just that. With our focus on God as the provider of the wisdom, strength and courage we need, we can trust Him to empower us to face hard things each day.

Like Esther’s uncertainty in going before the king, we have no idea how our steps with God will turn out. While physical death is not what most of us face, we may risk the "death" of our schedules, our reputations, our plans for the future and certainly our comfort levels.

For me, after I prayerfully took a professional risk, soon Greg and I both had new jobs, Greg in the outside sales role and me as an administrative assistant — a job I really enjoyed.

For Esther, her move also produced an outcome she hoped for; the king delighted to see her. Yet let’s remember: Esther did what was right not knowing if it would turn out right.

Perhaps now is the time to consider the risk and move forward, doing the good work God’s calling us to do. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we can, like Esther, step out even if we don’t know how it will turn out.

Lord, help me to obey You and do what You are calling me to do, whether it turns out the way I’m hoping or not! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Leaving a Lasting Impact..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Leaving a Lasting Impact

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 5:13-16

On this Independence Day, consider the question, How do you use the gift of freedom? God gives all believers true liberty through His Son Jesus Christ. Do you squander that blessing or share it with others? The problem is, some people are so focused on their own needs and desires that they fail to impact even their closest neighbor.

Think about the people you see every week. Do you know how many of your neighbors are sick? Are there people in your church who struggle to make it from day to day? Do you know if any of your coworkers are going through hardships? Most likely, there are individuals all around you who could use assistance. But being self-focused limits our ability to notice those people, let alone reach out to them.

Jesus taught His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matt. 5:13). In order for salt to remain useful, it must maintain its purity and potency. Likewise, we must endeavor to lead holy, humble, and loving lives, focusing on the Savior’s will rather than our own.

God has prepared the good works that we are to walk in (Eph. 2:10). Our job is to choose to do so.

Whether or not we affect our world positively depends on the focus of our heart. Do you look inward to consider how you can do more to get ahead and add to your lot in life? Or do you look outward and think about ways that you can do more to serve others?

5 Lessons We Can Learn from the Israelites’ Wandering Years..Debbie McDaniel

 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, ‘For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord…” Exodus 17:15-16

5 Lessons We Can Learn from the Israelites’ Wandering Years
By Debbie McDaniel

In the book of Exodus, we read the story of how God’s people had endured years of bondage under the Egyptians. They were oppressed, abused, mistreated people. They needed rescue, they needed a way of escape. God saw their need, he didn’t miss a thing, and in his perfect timing, he acted on their behalf.

The people of Israel spent 40 years in the desert. 40 years of wandering. 40 years of journeying towards the Promised Land that God had given them. That’s a very long time. The days must have been intense, hot, dry, I'm sure they got weary. But God met them where they were, he made sure they had what they needed. They learned through every hard and grueling step, how much they had to rely on Him.

Here are 5 Things We Can Learn from the Israelites’ Wandering Years in the Desert:

1. The way to our promised land is not always easy, in fact, it rarely is. But it’s worth it.

God had promised his people a land that would be full of blessing. But the way there would stretch their faith and lead them through journeys where they’d have to depend on God like nothing before.

Maybe you feel like the blessing is too long in coming, maybe you feel like giving up. Be assured again today that God is faithful and he will use all things to strengthen our faith and bring goodness to his people. Stay strong, keep pressing through.

2. God will make a way where there doesn’t seem to be a way.

As the Israelites got closer that sea must have looked bigger and deeper. Their eyes focused on the problem. They forgot about the bigness of their God. But God didn’t forget about them.

Even if the way He’s leading doesn’t seem to make much sense and His timing seems off, or the wait feels long, and wandering in desert places is the last thing we want to do, we can trust Him. Always. He knows our way. He sees the big picture. He has good in store.

3. God will lead us day and night.

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light…” Exodus 13:21

God never left his people alone in their journey. His presence was always there, a reminder to them that they hadn’t been left on their own in the wilderness.

God will not leave us to fend for ourselves, struggling to find our way. He will lead us. He promises to be faithful. We may not see him in a pillar of cloud or fire these days, but we have his Word, and the Holy Spirit to give guidance to our days.

4. God fights on behalf of his people

“Then the angel of God…withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them…” Exodus 14:19

He gives us victory and power even when it doesn’t make sense. After a battle against the fierce Amalekites, when God gave his people a great victory, the Bible says, “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, ‘For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord…” Exodus 17:15-16

We’re never left to wrestle through on our own in hard places. He doesn’t send us out to fight the enemy in our own strength. He just tells us to be still, to stand strong, and to know he’s fighting on our behalf.

5. God provides in miraculous ways

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you…” Exodus 16:4

They were hungry. God sent manna. They were thirsty. God sent water gushing from a rock. Every day a miracle was right before their eyes. They just had to pick up the manna, drink the water, accept the blessing.

And just like the people of Israel had to look to God to meet their needs, so it is with us. They couldn't store it up, they had to look for it daily. And God always provided.

Sometimes we miss the miracles of his provision, out of busyness or stress. We try to get things going too fast all on our own, spinning around, trying to get it all done. Or other times we might start to forget what matters most.

But even for those days, there's His grace. He waits for us. His provision and blessing, they never run dry. Every day, his miracles lie right before our eyes. We just have to choose to look for them and stay close in his presence.

A Prayer for Work..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Work

By Emma Danzey

Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

As we continue to be faithful and diligent in the careers and positions God has provided, it is good to be reminded that we do not work for men, but for the Lord. Colossians reminds us that whatever we do, whether that be a mailman, a hair stylist, a physician, or a teacher, we do this job for the glory of God. We work at it with all of our hearts. When we know that our work is a calling and a mission field for Christ, we are much more likely to be grateful and positive even in the mundane and difficulties within the work. Challenges arise for everyone, but when we have the light of Christ, He gives us the opportunities to reveal His love and existence. 

Whether you are so thankful for your line of work, you are just starting out, you are praying for a job, or you are barely surviving a difficult environment, God can use you where you are. This is not a waste, this is a calling for this season in your life. He can stretch our faith, increase our joy, and use us as His witnesses to those around us of the gospel.

Let's Pray:

Our Lord,

Thank you that You are our Provider. Thank you that even though work can be tiring or difficult, that You created us to work and designed us to be purposeful with our time. We pray over our days ahead, that we may glorify You and celebrate Your goodness each day. Help us to choose gratitude to unlock joy in the mundane. It is only by Your strength that we can accomplish this. We praise you for the jobs that us or our loved ones are praying for that have not yet come. Thank you for nos that lead to yeses. We ask that you would answer these requests for employment and provide for these people in amazing ways. For those in damaging or unhealthy work environments, Lord help them to stand strong and live out their faith in the fire. We pray that You would provide a way out into a better work atmosphere. In the meantime though, help them to  walk by the Spirit and trust in You. 

God, You say in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” We pray that all of the tasks and goals that we set are in line with Your will. We ask that You would help us in whatever we are doing. Please establish our plans. Guide us in decision making. Give us discernment and wisdom. Lead us to people who are wise counselors of You. Help us to make beneficial choices for our families and our lives. Guide us in work and rest balance. Help work to never be an idol in our lives. Help us to remember that You are our provider and help us not to worship money. 

Lord, You tell us in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Help us to stand firm. Help us to be anchored in You. Strengthen us to be firmly founded on the Rock. Allow us to let nothing move us. Help us to give ourselves fully to the work that You call us to do. Remind us that our labor is not in vain when it is done for You. Thank you that our work can be of eternal value and that we can celebrate Your movement in our every day. 

Father, we praise You for your great kindness to us. Thank you for enabling us and providing work for us. Help us to see our every day with spiritual eyes to remember that You are the purpose for what we do. Remind us to represent You well in all things and to offer this area of our lives to You as a witness of Your love. Amen.

The Battle for the Mind..Emma Danzey

 The Battle for the Mind

By Emma Danzey

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

We Demolish Arguments and Every Pretension Against God
Have you ever had difficulties with your thought life? Have you faced the daily challenge of trying to do war with lies from the enemy? You are not alone. Scripture tells us to guard our hearts and our minds in Christ. This is because on a daily basis, our emotions and thoughts are under attack from sin and the enemy. We are told lies about God, ourselves and others. The very first sins at the Garden of Eden were influenced by the words of the enemy, causing them to doubt God. We struggle with pondering negativity and impurity. We wrestle with fears and anxieties. Our fallen minds can be susceptible to the power of darkness if we are not careful. We have to seek out the light of Christ.

I love how 2 Corinthians 10:5 uses the strong verb demolish. This is not a fluffy word. This is not an easy task, this is a full blown take down of spiritual warfare. It is kind of like the saying, “Don’t play with fire.” If we give the sinful thoughts any space in our heads, it is a danger. If we entertain anxious thoughts and create scenarios, it will lead to our own destruction. We can demolish arguments and every pretension or we can be demolished by them. We might appear to be the targets, but ultimately the attacks from the enemy are against God.

Take Captive Every Thought
On our own, we cannot achieve this. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to put on the full armor of God and protect our thought lives. We are weak, but Christ is strong and His power rests within the heart of every believer. Jesus died and rose on our behalf. He made a way to be reunited with the Father. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is within all of His disciples. He is the One who enables us to take every thought captive. This is impossible on our own. When that hateful thought begins, the Spirit helps us nip it in the bud. When the fear sneaks up on us, we can talk back to it with Scripture. When our minds are tempted, we can cry out to the Lord and ask Him to help us think on things above. Taking thoughts captive means that we are active in our approach, we take our hearts and minds seriously and rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us into victory.

Make Every Thought Obedient to Christ 
Lastly, I love how this verse tells us to make every thought obedient to Christ. We do not just want to get rid of unhealthy and sinful thinking, we want to make it obedient to our Savior. We can bring Him our thoughts and ask Him to help us within the struggle. We can remember that although our minds are powerful, our God is much greater than any thought. This is where we see change in patterns. My mother-in-law recently shared some fun facts about what she learned about neurology. She told me that thoughts that are negative actually appear to look like a dying tree on a brain scan, but thoughts that are positive appear as a healthy, amazing tree. We have to make choices each day if we want our minds to focus on life or death; things of the Spirit, or things of the flesh. When we make our thoughts obedient to Jesus, we are laying down our sins and retraining our patterns of thought to think on the things that He desires for us. He is life and we can find great freedom in Him.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
What are some difficult thoughts in which you have been battling lately? How can you demolish the lies and sinful thinking? How can you begin to take your thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ daily? 

Further Reading:

• Isaiah 26:3
• Ephesians 6:10-11
• Philippians 4:7