God Encourages Us..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Encourages Us

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:“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

Devotional:

Our God is the great encourager. He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the hopeless and transforms them into beacons of eternal salvation. He takes the broken and heals them with his love. And he takes the fearful and fills them with powerful courage from on high.

Our heavenly Father longs to fill you with courage today. He longs to encourage you to accomplish the incredible calling for which you were created. As we look today at a powerful story of God’s encouragement, may your heart be filled with a longing and passion to seek out the entirety of God’s perfect plans for you. Judges 6:12-18 says,

And the angel of the Lord appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”

God calls Gideon a mighty man of valor prior to any mighty actions Gideon had done. He commands Gideon to go out in the might to which he was called and accomplish the very work for which he was created. And when Gideon responds by asking God for a sign, God obliges him and remains with grace and mercy.

God is calling you to a life of eternal significance. He’s calling you to a life that matters. There is no weak tool in the hands of God. And there is no small calling in his perfect plans. You were created to live a life that changes the world. You were created for a destiny that draws the lost back into the fold of our heavenly Father. But in order to accomplish the life to which you were called you will need courage. You will need time spent in God’s presence being filled with his encouragement.

God is calling you a mighty man or woman of valor. He is speaking courage over you. He is near to you, ready and able to empower you. Take time in guided prayer to hear the voice of your heavenly Father. Allow his Spirit to speak to your spirit. Allow him to encourage you in his love. And follow his voice in faith that you might be used in greater ways than you could ever imagine.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire to encourage you. Allow Scripture to fill you with the truth about the life God intends for you.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” Daniel 7:18

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

2. Where do you need courage to pursue the life to which God has called you? What is God calling you to today that seems impossible? What has God spoken over you in the past that fear has crippled you from pursuing?

3. Allow God to fill you with courage. Open your heart to him and ask him to empower you and fill you with his love. Rest in his nearness. Allow Scripture to fill you with faith to pursue to the fullest whatever God asks you to do.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” >Romans 8:31

“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

Don’t settle for a life of mediocrity today. God has a plan and purpose for everything you do. He longs to turn your relationships, job, finances, and passions into good works of eternal significance. His calling will satisfy your heart like nothing else. And the empowerment of his Spirit for his plans will transform you into a passionate, effective, and loving man or woman of valor. May you pursue wholeheartedly the life to which you have been called by your loving heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: 1 Peter 2

Shining Your Light for Jesus..KAREN WINGATE

 Shining Your Light for Jesus

KAREN WINGATE

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

When new friends learn of my lifelong limited eyesight, they often ask what will help me see my world the best. My answer is simple yet surprising — light.

I see best when light comes in from the side. I’m sensitive to glare, and if the light is too bright, I avert my face from the light source. To further complicate life, I have a rare disorder called nystagmus, which makes my eyes jitter. Some lights flicker more than others, and light flicker combined with my eye jitters can make me feel disoriented.

Good light makes all the difference in how well I function.

In our key verse, Jesus tells us we’re the light of the world. Our good light makes all the difference for the world and the Kingdom of God.

We’re coming into a season of the year with new beginnings for shining our light: the startup of school, sports, church activities, and a new slate of community events. That means we’ll be rubbing shoulders with new acquaintances, and we’ll have opportunities to live our faith out loud to those with whom we connect.

Jesus calls us as Christ followers not to be timid about sharing His good news, for we hold the answers to what happens after death and how to have a restored relationship with God.

Jesus tells His followers that God’s good news is as alluring and essential as salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16) But how can we encourage others to accept this eternity-changing message? Is talking and preaching the only effective way to influence people? Jesus answers that question when He says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

In the previous verses, Jesus gives the first step: Don’t keep this good news to yourself. Then, in verse 16, He outlines how we are to share this new life. First, He says, let the good deeds speak the message. Second, He clarifies we should do good deeds in a way that leads people to glorify God instead of praising us.

It’s not enough to tell someone about Jesus or to do a kind deed, expecting the person will make the connection between what I do and my faith in Christ. How I tell and how I live will determine the effectiveness of my message.

With the memory of what kind of light helps me see best, there are three words I keep in mind to help guide my good deeds on a daily basis. My good deeds need to be directed, balanced and consistent.

Directed: The good I do in Jesus’ name should direct people’s attention to the deed, not to myself. If what I do makes people look at me, they will miss the intention of my good deeds: to show them the love of Jesus. I can check my motives by asking, “How will this action point to Jesus and His way of living?”

Balanced: Jesus says we need to do good quietly, as if one part of our body doesn’t know what the other part is doing. (Matthew 6:2-4) It’s a balancing act. Jesus doesn’t want us to hide our righteous acts, but He cautions against spotlighting what we do. Like those Jesus praised in His parable of the sheep and goats, (Matthew 25:31-40) we’ll reach the proper balance when what we do becomes so much a part of our lifestyle that we’re hardly aware we are doing it.

Consistent: Our Christ-infused behavior needs to be constant and consistent, something people can depend on. If I extend kindness one moment, then react in a hurtful way the next, I’ll leave my recipient confused about the message I’m trying to convey.

As we speak God’s good news and engage in consistent good deeds of compassion and righteousness, I pray that God will light a fire in the hearts of those watching us and that God will be honored and magnified by all we do and say.

Father, in this season of new connections and interactions, I want to represent You well. Guide me, please, in what I say and how I live so I can project Your love in the best way to those who observe the life I’m trying to live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Results of Insecurity..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Results of Insecurity

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 143:8

We've already seen some of the areas where insecurity shows up. Now we need to turn our attention to its effects.

To start, insecure people have difficulty establishing good, lasting relationships. They simply cannot see how they could add value to anyone else's life. This is a tragic loss, because every single one of us needs deep and meaningful friendships to help us grow.

Also, men and women with insecurity are often seen as prideful or snobbish. Lack of confidence can cause them to withdraw from others, which can easily be mistaken for an act of arrogance. They can thereby give the impression that they simply don't want to be around others.

What's more, insecurity frequently leads to indecisiveness and fear. People can be so consumed with self-doubt that they can't make any decision at all. They wonder, What if I make a mistake? Well, so what if they do? Making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn how to do something correctly. Don't be afraid to try. Even if you don't succeed, you can at least rest in the fact that you did your best.

After a while, insecure people typically get angry. When they go so long feeling so poorly about themselves, they start to resent the success and happiness of others.

Can you see how something as subtle as a lack of confidence can have a debilitating effect on one's life? Don't allow such devastation to affect your relationships. Pray for the ability to recognize areas of self-doubt. And then start to take control today by asking the Lord to heal your insecurities.

Fight the Appeal of Sin with the Truth of the Word..Lynette Kittle

 Fight the Appeal of Sin with the Truth of the Word

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Jesus said to His disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” Luke 17:1

One Sunday morning I dug through my drawer and pulled out a pair of white pantyhose. “Great,” I thought, just what I needed to complete my outfit.

After checking for runs and snags, I pulled them on. At the time they seemed to fit well so I put my shoes on and ran for the door.

However soon after arriving at church and walking my daughters to their classrooms, my hose started to slip.

As hip-huggers, it wasn’t too bad and I honestly thought. “I can live with it.” But as I continued to walk, the hose continued to spiral downward. With each step they slipped further, moving to my knees, then inching just above my ankles, making it more and more difficult to walk with every step.

Jesus told his disciples how things that cause people to stumble are bound to come (Luke 17:1). I just wouldn’t have guessed it coming through a hasty fashion choice on my way to church.

Hidden by my maxi dress, I waddled into the ladies restroom. One might think there would be no question what strategic decision needed to be made. However, I actually questioned whether or not to pull up my stretched out stockings and keep trying to wear them. My DIY ideas ran from tying a knot on the side in effort to keep them up, or, twisting and tucking them into my slip?

Yet just trying to walk and move around would be uncomfortable and difficult. My mind envisioned how my walking, sitting, and standing would be impaired, and how weird my moving would appear to onlookers, along with inhibiting my participation and fellowship at church.

Thinking back it's easy to see that I just needed to take them off and pitch into the nearest wastebasket, especially so I could enjoy church. It should have been a no-brainer. Why would I even consider continuing to wear them?

Surprisingly, those sagging stockings turned my thought to consider sin's appeal in life. It can be so obvious when something isn't beneficial for me and is causing unnecessary challenges and difficulties to my daily walk.

Yet at the same time, things can have such a hold or appeal in my thinking that it's difficult to give up. Thankfully, when tempted and feeling weak about making right choices, I can turn to God who empathizes with my weaknesses, One who has been tempted in everyway but not sinned (Hebrew 4:15).

Scripture describes how it's my decision whether to hold-on or let-go of sin when it becomes evident in my life. Galatians 5:1 encourages me that because Christ has set me free, I can stand firm and not let myself be bound by sin.

Surprised by my real-life footstep hindrances, I wouldn’t have ever guessed an old pair of hose would offer me such a practical example of sin's ability to entangle and trip up my walk.

Hebrews 12:1 encourages me to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” so I can run with perseverance the race marked out before me.

Thankfully I came to my senses and threw those pantyhose into the trash, choosing to freely (and literally) walk away, free from entanglement.

A Prayer for Unifying Love..Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for Unifying Love

By Meg Bucher

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:5 NLT

Heartbreak is hard. All around us today, and every day, people experience heartbreak. We experience heartbreak. It hurts so badly; we will build walls and shelters around us to keep heartbreak from happening again. Heartbreak is the consequence of deep love. There isn’t a relationship worth having with anyone which won’t walk us strategically through the valley of heartbreak from time to time. In those moments, we can choose to lean into love, which walks through the valleys with us. 

Love unifies us. It’s through unconditional love for each other that we find unity. We are all fighting the same battle against sin. We are all human, living this side of heaven. But we are all loved by God unconditionally. A powerful love that can overcome every difference and heal all hurt.

The word love used in today’s verse is the Greek word agape. “A word to which Christianity gave new meaning,” The New Spirit Filled Life Bible explains, “Outside of the NT, it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period.” Unlike the English language, by which we use the same word to describe our love for French fries and our love for the love of our lives, the Greek language denotes different words to describe the varying levels of love we experience. “Agape denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does,” The New Spirit Filled Life Bible explains, “It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object …Agape describes the unconditional love God has for the world.” 

When we find it hard to forgive, we can lean into the power of God’s love through the Holy Spirit living in us through Christ Jesus. When we are offended, we can choose to let it go, by the faithful reminder of God’s Word, which defines who we are …not the words of others. Unity is choosing to lean into love, to let go of offense, forgive forward, and realize we are all loved by God equally …and unconditionally. 

Let’s pray for a love that unifies. 

Father,
Glory to You, the Author of Life, and definition of love. Oh, God, that we could ever learn to love in such a forgiving, unconditional way! Help us to see each other through Your eyes, God. You created each one of us with unique purpose in this life. We get to be a part of Your Kingdom work here on earth! Continue to draw us close to You, God so that we can walk in Your will for our lives. Illuminate the ways we should go and make our everyday lives carry the meaning they were meant to, God. 

Father, You place us purposefully on this earth, in our families and communities. People are not accidental in any way, for neither are You. You are purposeful. Love unites us in Your purpose! As we learn to love You, God, our eyes are opened to those around us. Today, we come to You with contrite hearts, open minds, and a willingness to be vessels of Your love in this world. In our everyday lives, make clear to us Your presence and purpose, Father. 

Love unifies us. Oh, God, that we would be able to see each other for the people You made us to be. Help us to remove the film of perfection from the mirror we gaze in, at ourselves and each other. Help us to embrace each other in the thick of this world. We are so much better together, God. 

Unite us in prayer and common purpose to bring glory to You with our lives, Lord. Unite us in forgiveness, in choosing to let both past, present, and future offenses go. God, give us the strength and power, through Your love, to be un-offendable! 

Father, help us to care for the mistreated, abused, poor, and hurting together. Ignite in us a desire to focus on what matters the most in this life …loving You and loving each other. Father, we pray a special blessing of healing today over everyone and anyone who carries the pain of offense and unforgiveness. Release them from the burden of heaviness that bears on their everyday lives, Lord, and free their hearts to love and be loved again. 

God, we pray for unifying love in our homes, schools, communities, churches, workplaces, and all of the people who touch our everyday lives. 

In Jesus’ Name,  Amen. 

Choosing to Live in the Spirit..Laura Bailey

 Choosing to Live in the Spirit

By Laura Bailey

“For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:14-18 NIV

As Christians, we belong to the family of believers; our faith in Christ unites us as the church body, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. While the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to all Christians, we can choose to harness its power by submitting to its authority in our lives, or we can quench the Spirit and rebel against its leading.

Think about the choices you make when dieting. While your diet isn’t entirely ruined by one wrong meal choice, a collection of bad decisions will derail and often lead to complete abandonment. But, if you choose each day, meal by meal, to make the right choice, even when you have not seen the results, you will see the fruit of your labor over time. 

The first month is always the hardest when working to make a change because I don’t see immediate results. But once I start seeing a change, it gives me the power to keep going, sticking with it. I started because it was something that I should do; now, it is something that I want to do because I am experiencing a positive impact on my life.

Paul understood the body of believers would struggle to persevere when they couldn't always see the results of their devotion to God. This is why he prayed fervently for God to strengthen His church and for us to understand the depth of His love. Paul knew that to live lives that glorified God, we would need to understand God's love by knowing His word. The scriptures energize, encourage, and empower us to love others, extend grace, and grant forgiveness. 

Paul reminds us that our power to live Christ-like lives increases when we understand and experience the love of God. But we must decide if we will apply these truths and this power to our lives. We have a choice. Our lives consist of many small, seemingly insignificant choices. We often make them without thinking. However, those small choices compile and transform into habits and routines and eventually the framework by which we live our lives.

Our Christian walk is similar to choices we make, like eating healthier, in that .in that we have to regularly make the right choice to see spiritual fruitfulness in our lives. The choice may be to pick up your phone and check social media or pick up your Bible first thing in the morning. Or maybe you choose between calling a friend to vent about frustration or saying a prayer. Maybe you're choosing between a weekend at the lake or volunteering in the church nursery. 

At the end of Paul’s prayer, he reminds us that God can do more than we can ask or imagine, it is His power that is at work in us, and the church, the body of believers, is His vessel yesterday, today, tomorrow, all for the glory of God ( Ephesians 3:19-20). Ask God to help you to make choices that glorify Him. Pray you would be strengthened by the Spirit to make choices that honor God even when you can’t see the results. Because you know that He is faithful. He works all things for our good and His glory to those who love Him and have been called for a purpose. He has a specific plan for your life; will you choose to follow Him?

Intersecting Faith and Life:
We quickly acknowledge with our words that God is in control, that He alone is worthy of our worship, and that God’s Word is the ultimate authority for our lives. Yet, often, our decisions and actions are in direct opposition to the words we speak. Take a minute and examine your Christian walk. Do your actions reflect a life that is surrendered to Christ?

Further Reading:

• Ephesians 5:1-33
• 1 Corinthians 14:1-40