Seeing Past the Brokenness..Craig Denison Ministries

 Seeing Past the Brokenness

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, broken, needy, and sinful people. We constantly deal with our own wounds and those of others. Because there is no perfect person, the foundation for loving others must be based outside of the merit or worth of others. The foundation for love must come from the God who is love. As believers we must be constantly tapped into the love and grace of our heavenly Father so that we can love others selflessly and powerfully. May you receive the love of your Father and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love people.

Scripture:“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Devotional:

Without perspective given by the Spirit, our love will only reach as far as the human eye can see. Brokenness comes in all forms and fashions. Without Jesus, the man or woman covered in dirt and filth standing on the street corner begging for help is just as broken as the millionaire lying and cheating his way into fleeting fame and fortune. It’s just that our brokenness takes on varying forms depending on what temptations and trials get the better of us.

Jesus saw past the brokenness to the hearts of those around him. He chose to love and minister to the core of the person rather than being intimidated by the symptoms of sin in those around him. He saw into the heart of the woman at the well in John 4 and ministered to her brokenness caused by failed marriages and sexual sin. We see him speak to the core of the wealthy tax collector, Zacchaeus, in Luke 19 and love him by spending time with him when no one else would.

If we are ever going to love others well, we have to devote ourselves to loving people at a heart level. We have to care for and speak to the core of their wounds rather than dismissing them for their external problems. Romans 15:1-5 says:

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.

We must follow the example of Jesus and love those no one else will. We must take in the outcasts, orphaned, widowed, poor, prideful, arrogant, and selfish. We must have our Father’s heart for the enemies, strangers, socially unacceptable, and downcast. If we don’t love them, who will? If we don’t speak and provide love for the deep wounds that cause their brokenness, who will? If we don’t reveal the heart of our Father, who will?

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” May you discover the unconditional love your heavenly Father has toward those broken and crushed today as you enter into guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of seeing past brokenness to the heart of those around you. Allow Scripture to fill you with desire and purpose to love people well today.

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” >Romans 14:19

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” >Hebrews 10:24-25

2. Whose brokenness has kept you from loving them well? What person would God fill you with the ability to minister to today that desperately needs a touch from God?

3. Ask the Lord for his heart for that person. Ask God to give you an understanding of what wound he wants to minister to. Ask him to give you a creative insight on how to love them well today.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Often, loving someone well can be as simple as going out of your way to say hello, ask a loving question, or make an uplifting comment. Many people just need to know that someone cares about them and notices them at the heart level. May the Lord use you in mighty ways to draw others to himself today.

Extended Reading: John 4

8 Reasons We Don't Read the Bible..Jeff Anderson

 8 Reasons We Don't Read the Bible

by Jeff Anderson

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." - 2 Timothy 4:3

It’s no secret biblical literacy is on decline. Every major researcher on faith trends seems to be reporting it. But why? The Bible is our only unchanging lifeline to our faith. Its words are the truest, and most transferable expression of God. In many ways, the words are the closest we can get to our Creator, and the only way faith transfers from one generation to the next.

The Bible text is alive. So why do we settle for being once-removed from the source? Why aren’t we meeting God through His Word?

1. The Bible is optional
After all, we have TV, internet, and plenty of “wise” voices touting answers. The faith message has been oversimplified with trite expressions: Love God, love people.

Why do I need to read that dusty book when I have a four-word synopsis? Many people see more verses of scripture on Facebook memes than in their Bible. And to them, Facebook replaces the Bible.

2. Many church leaders don’t expect us to read the Bible
I didn’t say leaders don’t want people to read the Bible, but that they don’t expect it. When our kids were babies and toddlers, we didn’t expect them to feed themselves, or even know how. So we fed them little bites of baby food.

Eventually, we expected them to feed themselves, and even make their own meals. Shouldn't we be encouraged (and expected) to do some self-feeding on the Word at home?

3. All we hear is mission and vision
An unintended consequence of church branding and mission statements is constant preaching of vision, and funding for the mission. In a growing number of churches, vision has replaced discipleship. The A-B-C's (Attendance, Baptisms, Cash) are measurable… spiritual growth (and Bible literacy) is difficult to assess. Even when “discipleship” is programmed, there’s not an emphasis on personal Bible reading.

4. Google faith
We can google a Bible verse, or blog about a verse, any time we want. So why read what's around it? 100 million people have downloaded the YouVersion Bible app. I celebrate that fact. My question is, with accessibility to Scripture climbing by the day, why is faith and Bible engagement declining? Since we can always google the Bible when we “need” it, we rarely read the book.

5. Failure
For some, even thinking about that leather-bound book triggers memories of personal failure. And who wants to be reminded of that?! If you've ever tried a 365-day read, you know what I'm talking about. For others, disappointing and confusing experiences reading the Bible have triggered resignation (keep that book away from me).

6. Your parents don’t read the Bible
I’m talking to your kids, now. If you don’t read it, your kids won’t, statistically speaking. If you’ve given up, they may never begin.

7. Bible bullies
Sincere believers are often told, overtly and covertly, that they are not smart or educated enough to truly understand the Bible. Sounds like something Martin Luther railed against 500 years ago! Like others before and after, he was persecuted for giving such a “lofty” book to lowly people. Today, some bestselling authors actually tell their followers that without the benefit of their education and knowledge of “historical context” they can’t possibly understand the Bible.

8. Paul predicted you wouldn’t read it.
Okay, the Apostle Paul didn’t predict you wouldn’t read it. But he predicted many would find more entertaining alternatives.

If any of these 8 reasons for not reading the Bible apply to you, maybe you need a faith restart. Joshua triggered a restart reading as soon as they crossed the Jordan River. (Joshua 8) King Josiah ordered a restart when the dust-covered book of the law was discovered in the temple. (2 Kings 22) Ezra and Nehemiah instituted some restart reading sessions when they rebuilt the temple and the walls. (Nehemiah 8)

We all need faith restarts - fresh opportunities to recharge our faith batteries.

A Prayer to Help Us Listen to God’s Voice..Kristine Brown

 A Prayer to Help Us Listen to God’s Voice

By Kristine Brown

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.” (Proverbs 2:1-2 NLT)

“Why isn’t anyone listening to me?” I stomped through the house, picking up empty glasses off tables and socks off the floor. I wondered how I could give the same directions ten different times and still be ignored. Frustration ensued, and I threatened once again to take away all cell phones and electronics until everyone paid attention to my voice!

I retreated to my room in a huff, ready for some quiet time to calm my rising heart rate. In that moment, I remembered part of a verse I’d read before, “Tune your ears to wisdom…” I expected God to do something. To make others listen to me. Instead, I now sensed his gentle voice revealing truth from his Word that I desperately needed to hear. In the same way I want others to listen to me, God wants me to listen to him.

It hurts to feel like no one is listening. As a parent, spouse, co-worker, friend, or family member, we all want our voices heard by those around us. We long to have someone really pay attention when we’re talking— to value what we say. As I struggled with my own longing to be heard by my family that day, I imagined God in all his glory, with the same longing to be heard by his children. Yet in the rush of daily life, we tune him out. Until his loving voice becomes a faint sound in the background of all the other things we hear.

The first two verses of Proverbs 2 speak to my struggle to listen for God’s voice, “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.”

God knew from the beginning of time that with all the noise of this world, we would need help discerning his voice. When we listen, his commands become a treasured possession to guide us through every part of our lives. If you’ve struggled to hear God, let today’s prayer guide you into giving him your full attention. He is faithful. 

Let’s pray together for help listening to God’s voice.

Dear Lord,
Forgive me for letting the noise of this world drown out your voice. I’ve felt distant from you, and I long to draw near to my Heavenly Father once again. I know you are here with me now as I pray. Help me sense your loving presence and listen as you speak.

In the busyness of daily life, I sometimes forget to stay connected to you through prayer. Help me align my heart with yours. I choose to find moments throughout my day to spend with you, listening to what you have to say. Help me tune into your voice above all else. Thank you for the peace that comes when I take the time to really listen. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

The Power of a Simple Invitation..Rachael Adams

 The Power of a Simple Invitation

By Rachael Adams

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).

As a new mom, I was afraid to go anywhere during the first year of my son’s life. I was nervous Will would cry or get sick, so it seemed safer to just stay home. But, I knew being secluded for such a long time was not healthy, and after a year of isolation, I was longing for relationship. 

Despite my fears, I decided to attend Toddler Tales at the local library. There, a woman greeted me and invited me to join her later that week at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) gathering. I accepted her invitation and, while I was at the MOPS meeting, another woman invited me to attend a local church. I accepted her invitation as well, and while at church, another woman invited me to join her for a women's Bible study. This led to my family joining the church, my children being baptized, and me being asked to lead a Bible study. This, in turn, led to my love for writing devotions like the one you are reading right now. Amazingly, I am where I am today because of the power of a simple invitation. 

Jesus knew the power of personal invitations too and often extended them. He invited people...

To rest: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

To see: “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see’" (John 1:39).

To drink: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink" (John 7:37).

To dine: "Come and have breakfast" (John 21:12).

To take up the cross: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24 ESV).

To renewal: "Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6: 31).

To be blessed: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).

Did you notice the caveat in each of these invitations? Come. Jesus calls us to come. He made this point vividly clear in the parable of the wedding banquet. In Matthew 22, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come" (22:1-10).

In this story, the king invited his guests by sending two invitations. The first asked the guests to attend the banquet; the second announced that it was ready. Each time they rejected his invitation by making excuses—they couldn’t attend because of work duties, family responsibilities, financial needs, etc. So the master told his servant to invite others and make them come in so his house would be full (Luke 14:15-24).”

I love his open invitation, don’t you? We too are invited into a relationship with God, but it is up to us to accept the invitation. Like those in the parable who turned down the invitation to the banquet, we often resist or delay responding to God’s invitation. Are you making excuses to avoid responding to God’s call? Friend, Jesus invites you to be with him forever in eternity. How will you RSVP? Who will be your plus one? 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Knowing how God can use a little invitation to make a significant impact, think about to whom you can extend an invitation. Who knows where it may lead? 

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to fellowship and commune with you. May I extend the same invitation to people in my life and trust you with the outcome. Draw us all closer to you. Come. Lord Jesus, Come. Amen (Revelation 22:20). 

Further Reading:
Matthew 22
Luke 14
Revelation 22