God is Our Provider..Craig Denison Ministries

 God is Our Provider

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

Devotional:

In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus says,

 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Your heavenly Father is the Great Provider for all the earth. He gives rain when the earth needs refreshment. He calls the sun from its hiding when the earth needs warmth. He gives to the animals their food, the flowers their beauty, the birds their shelter, and you and me everything we need.

We worship a God who is both loving and powerful. He is both omnipotent and omnipresent. He is both good and able. If he were not, we would be forced to fend for ourselves, striving for that which he has promised to provide. If he were only good, we would not be assured of the provision his power provides. And if he were only able, we would fear for a lack of his desire to provide. But God is our heavenly Father who both knows what we need and longs to provide for us in exceeding measures. He is our Creator and Sustainer, Lord of all and Lord in all.

So why do you fear for your needs? Why do you stress over the foundational cares of this life while your heavenly Father is seated on his throne? The truth is that until we experience for ourselves both the goodness and power of our heavenly Father, the truth of his provision will only ever feel like a heady, theological principle. Until we experience firsthand the character and provision of our God, fear will remain.

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” God longs to perfect you in his love today. He longs to guide you into an encounter with his goodness and power. He longs to establish a foundation of his faithfulness by which you can live in faith. May you have a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit today that frees you from fear and striving as you enter into guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promises of provision. Allow Scripture to renew your mind and transform the way you act, think, and feel.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” >Matthew 7:7-11

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” >Philippians 4:19

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” >Matthew 6:25-33

2. Where do you have fear in regards to provision? Where are you striving for what God has already promised to provide? Where does God want to bring peace into your life today?

3. Take time to allow God to reveal his goodness and power. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into an encounter with all that God is. Allow Scripture to speak to your circumstances so that you might live today in line with God’s promises.

No matter how old we get, God will still be our Father. We never have to go through a season apart from his perfect provision. We never have to step outside of his leadership and love. He will always be our Good Shepherd. He will always be our Sustainer. And he will always be our heavenly Father who provides. Never doubt the goodness and power of your God. Rest in his promises. And continue to grow in your knowledge of who he is by resting in his presence. May you experience today the abundant provision of your loving, heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: Matthew 6

Know When To Hold Your Peace..CHRYSTAL EVANS HURST

 Know When To Hold Your Peace

CHRYSTAL EVANS HURST

“Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, ‘So You are the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you say’… And still He did not answer him in regard to even a single charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.” Matthew 27:11,14 (NASB)

Recently, I had a conversation with a volunteer at church. This young woman had previously expressed a desire to grow as a leader and wanted to share some things she felt would help her do a better job.

I was not ready for what was to follow.

The conversation moved from this young woman talking about herself to talking about me. She pointed to quite a few things I actually thought I was doing right, and she suggested I was doing them quite wrong! Honestly, I’m still wrestling with whether or not the observations were correct. I do want to be a person of integrity. However, I hate it when it seems people don’t understand me, and in that moment, I felt anxious to respond and ready to defend. It took great strength to stay quiet.

Actually …

I didn’t totally stay quiet. After the first and second critique, I couldn’t refrain from speaking up when the third criticism rounded the corner.

“Let me tell you why I do that!”

As soon as the words rolled off of my tongue, shame washed over me. I had lost sight of myself by exchanging the priority of being seen by God for the desire to be seen in a good light by another person.

I want to be a person capable of owning the space she is in, resisting the urge to prove myself when words are spoken against me because I know who I am and where I stand. I’d like to say I’ve always been that girl — but that isn’t the case. I’ve often been tripped up by the balancing act of being secure in myself while also taking ownership of the spaces I’ve been invited to occupy. The attempt to measure my words hasn’t always been easy for me.

Discouragement comes quickly when communication is hard and someone seems bent on misunderstanding me. In these moments, I can be tempted to escape by becoming defensive or, conversely, choosing to hold back words when they actually would be useful.

Self-assurance is a whole thing.

Jesus is all too familiar with this struggle as well.

Matthew 27:11-14 tells us that even while Jesus was being accused by chief priests and elders, He did not offer any answer. Even when Pilate asked Him to speak up, He still didn’t speak up to defend Himself.

You would think that, given the circumstances, Jesus’ response would have been anything but silence. I mean, He was in a fight for His life. But instead, something rather fascinating took place.

Jesus chose to answer when it was sensible to do so, and when it wasn’t He held on to what He knew to be true about who He was and maintained His position in connection to His Father.

What would the world look like if we knew when to give an answer or when no explanation was needed? Sometimes we get things reversed, and in some of our attempts to hold on to who we are, we actually end up losing ourselves.

We forget we are fathered by the God who spun the stars into space.

We forget He makes our steps secure.

We forget we are made powerful through our connection with Him.

I want to challenge you to become aware of how you give an answer. Are you more interested in acceptance? Or do you first choose to lean in to what your Father thinks about you and what He requires of you as a result? What does He have to say about who you are?

Ephesians 1:3-14 says …

You are blessed.
You are chosen.
You are adopted.
You are beloved.
You are redeemed.
You are forgiven.
You are loved.
You are known. 
You are God’s own possession.

When you and I operate from a place of being loved and belonging, it will change our response to others. When we stand firm in our identity in Christ, we will also know when to answer and when to hold our peace.

Dear God, there are times when I feel defenseless. When my communication with others threatens my sense of self, give me wisdom for how I should respond. Help me to stand firm in You and to be aware of the power I possess because of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The Consequences of Sin..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Consequences of Sin

Dr. Charles Stanley

Genesis 3:14-19

Christians tend to categorize sins, rating some as small and inconsequential, but others as huge and far-reaching in the damage they cause. In reality, no one sins in isolation. Each disobedience to God affects not only the sinner but also countless others in both the present and the future.

If we were to separate Adam and Eve's sin from its context, few of us would convict them of great transgression. All they did was swallow some fruit from a tree with a "do not eat" sign. Today people think nothing of ignoring commands—even biblical ones.

But God has a totally different view of our sins. Each one is followed by negative consequences. Adam and Eve's disobedience led to pain and frustration in two basic areas of fulfillment—relationships and meaningful work. The whole earth fell under sin's curse, and every person born since then has entered the world with a sin nature that alienates each one from the Lord.

That first rebellion plunged humanity into a terrible condition. Civilization is now plagued by countless ramifications of the innumerable sins committed by human beings throughout the ages. Is it any wonder the world is in such sad shape? Sin not only causes suffering; it robs us of God's best. The Garden of Eden is closed and locked to sinful mankind.

The good news of Christ's grace and forgiveness is our only real hope in this fallen world. Though unpleasant, focusing on sin's consequences is necessary at times to remind us of the greatness of our salvation and to move us to obey God, even in the small things. Each obedience is huge to Him.

How the Book of Psalms Is Like No Other Biblical Book..Dane C. Ortlund

 How the Book of Psalms Is Like No Other Biblical Book

By Dane C. Ortlund

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “[W]hen I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”  - Psalm 63:6-7

Learning to Commune with God

The book of Psalms is the only book in the Bible that is actually written to God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is God's Word to us. It is the Word of God—so it's God speaking to us.

But there's one book in the middle—a big book right in the center of the Bible—that is not only God speaking to us and giving us his Word, but also God giving us a way to speak to him. It's the one book in the Bible that includes prayers. Everywhere else in the Bible you might think, How do I read a chapter in Ezekiel or in the Gospels and turn that into prayer? In the Psalms, it's already done for you!

So the Psalms are especially suited for this devotional type of reflection.

A Prayer to Give Up Our Need for Recognition..Tiffany Curtis

 A Prayer to Give Up Our Need for Recognition

By: Tiffany Curtis

“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30

Being raised in the church and going to a Christian school growing up meant that there were some questions that I always had an answer ready for. One of these classic questions was, “What’s your favorite Bible verse?” to which I always responded, “John 3:30.” I remember the first time I read that verse and how I thought to myself, “That’s the one. That’s my favorite verse.” I remember liking the simplicity of it. Perhaps, as a child, it was just the easy memorization that drew me to it as well. It wasn’t until years and years down the road that I would truly come to understand the gravity of this simple verse. 

For many of us, it’s safe to say that we enjoy receiving recognition for the things we do. We naturally desire to be recognized and praised for our accomplishments within our workplace, family, and friend groups. As a child, it was easy for me to look at this verse and think that allowing God to be greater than myself would be a simple task. But as we get older, it becomes easier and easier to justify praising ourselves for our skills and the good things in our lives rather than God.

For me, my top love language by far is words of affirmation. This, of course, isn’t a bad thing; however, it can become a bad thing if I allow my need for affirmation to outweigh my need to glorify God. He calls us to humble ourselves before him (James 4:10) because it is God who works through us. 

If we look at the context of this short verse, beginning in John 3:22, John the Baptist is baptizing people when his followers get into an argument with a Jew over ceremonial washing. John’s followers questioned why Jesus was also baptizing people across the countryside. John says to them, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)

John’s response is humbling. He dedicated his life to baptizing others, but as soon as Jesus dove into his ministry, John was immediately prepared to take a backseat. He made it clear to everyone around him that his gifts and abilities all came from heaven – not from himself. He could have easily tried to attribute this power and recognition to himself, but he gave all the glory to God, where it belonged. 

Let us not forget to attribute our skills, our accomplishments, and our blessings to the One who has given it all to us. 

Let’s Pray:

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for all the things that you give us. You are generous with your gifts and blessings on our lives. Even when we fail to realize it, you are the giver of every good thing we receive.

Help us to attribute all the praise, honor, and recognition to you rather than claiming it for ourselves. Just as John the Baptist did, let us make you greater and ourselves less so that all those around us can see that you are the one who deserves all the glory. Let our lives be a testimony to your greatness and show others that it is not I, but Christ through me (Galatians 2:20).

Forgive us when we take credit for the things that you give us and try to attribute the praise to ourselves. Help us to recognize this, even when we do it unintentionally. Give us the self-awareness to always look for your hand in all things. Let us not forget that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father (James 1:17).

You are a powerful, loving, and good Savior. Thank you for all the ways that you bless our lives, both in ways we can see and in the unseen. Thank you for accomplishing your good works through us. We love you, and we give you all the praise, glory, and honor. 

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Jesus Never Ran..Anne Peterson

 Jesus Never Ran

By Anne Peterson

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” - John 6:38

Jesus came to earth to do the will of his father. He tried explaining this, and they tried killing him. They thought Jesus was being blasphemous, but he was telling them the truth. He even explained that the Son could do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does (John 5:19).

In the same way, Jesus has explained how those of us who have accepted Jesus are dependent on him, much like a branch is dependent on a vine. And he tells us “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May I confess something to you? I think I have not fully believed this verse, and instead, I have translated it 'without Him, I can do less.' Often, I will charge ahead and do things in my own strength instead of relying on the Lord. And then when my strength gives out, like Peter who slipped down when he took his eyes off the Lord, I call out to Jesus.

I used to pride myself on all that I could do, and when I was worn out, instead of going to the Lord for His strength, I would power up and keep pushing myself. It was like those I had seen around me who would wear busyness like a badge. The busier I was, the more effective I was, right? No. I found out instead that I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Don’t be conformed to this world.
Instead, I found verses where Paul instructed us. We were not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). The temptation is great to just follow those around us, but we are to emulate the Lord, and he was like his father.

God gave Jesus strength.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he had lived on earth as a man, subject to the same things we are subject to. Jesus had to nourish himself, he had to rest, and even Jesus was tempted as we are tempted. When Jesus needed strength, he would draw himself away from the crowds and spend time with his Father (Mark 6:46).

Jesus depended on God’s Word.
When Satan drew Jesus into the wilderness to tempt him, Jesus quoted scripture. Jesus responded, “It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone.” (Matthew 4:4) If the very Son of God depended on God’s Word, how can we think we can answer the deceiver when he tempts us?

Jesus was in step with the Spirit.
One mistake we can make as Christians is to pray about something and then become impatient waiting for God and choose to run ahead. I’ve been guilty of this in my own life. I will do something and then ask God to bless it. But God wants us to wait on Him, and he tells us this repeatedly in scripture. Being in step with the Spirit means we keep in step with God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:16). When I think about Jesus being in step with the Spirit, it dawned on me one day that no matter what was going on in Jesus’ life, and all he had to do, Jesus never ran. He could have, but Jesus was always waiting on God’s timing. 

Jesus didn’t lean on his own understanding.
God tells us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). But I have leaned on my own understanding with my whole heart. And instead of acknowledging God in all my ways, I try to figure things out by myself, and then I ask God to work. It’s no wonder I don’t recognize God’s leading. I don’t wait for God. 

God’s not done working on us.
Paul tells us that God who began a good work in us will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). That’s good news for us. It means there’s still time for us to learn how to walk with the Lord. We are works in progress. One day we will look like Jesus (1 John 3:2). 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are there areas in your life where you try to run ahead of God? Do you struggle with acknowledging God in all your ways? Each day is a new day to trust God. And God invites us to go to His throne room where we will receive mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus often went to God’s throne room. Jesus, who never ran.

Lord, I pray for anyone who is struggling to trust You. Father, remind us of your presence every day. Help us to spend time alone with you, so your Holy Spirit can remind us of your truths. Lord, give us strength when we feel weak, we look to You Lord, and we pray this in your Son’s precious and Holy name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tattered (a poem by Anne Peterson)

Lord, I'm feeling tattered,
in places even bare.
And where I used to feel so strong,
my strength's no longer there.
And then he takes me by the hand
and whispers,

"Don't you see
that when you're weak,
I'll be your strength,
if you just trust in me?”
©2021