Restoration of Authority..Craig Denison Ministries

 Restoration of Authority

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The story of the prodigal son moves my heart to delve into the depths of God’s limitless grace. I find myself in every facet of Jesus’ words. I identify with both the son’s rebellion and the power of the father’s love. As children of God we are in constant need of reminders about God’s mercy toward us. When the world rejects us, God calls us in. When the world writes us off, God clothes us with righteousness and honor. May this transformative story of the prodigal son guide you to a deeper and more intimate relationship with your loving heavenly Father.

Scripture:“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” >Matthew 16:19

Devotional:

One day as I spent time with the Lord I felt him speak to me, “Come follow me and I’ll give you the keys to the kingdom.” I stood still in awe and wonder at a God who would break through the natural and speak straight to my heart. At this point I had yet to read a Scripture that I believe was meant to define the lives of all believers. Once I came across this verse I felt the purpose for my life was changed forever.

In Matthew 16:19 Jesus tells Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” And later in Matthew 18:18 he tells the rest of the disciples, “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” You and I are called to live with the authority of our Savior. When we became Christians we were brought into a restoration of authority only available to those transformed by his powerful sacrifice. We have been given dominion over the powers of darkness that we might spread the truth of God’s authority over the works of the enemy. God has chosen to use us as beacons of his holy light that the world would see us and know of the power and love of our heavenly Father.

In the story of the prodigal son, the father immediately restores the authority of his child upon his return. When the father gives his ring to his son, we see a symbol of authority being transferred back to the son. No matter how terrible the sin, no matter how long the rebellion, our Father will always give us authority to do his work when we return to him.

No sin disqualifies us from living a life of eternal impact. No length of time outside of the church, the Bible, prayer, or worship keeps us from being ministers of God’s grace. In his grace, he’s chosen to use us. Each one of us has been appointed, not by our own merit, but by his love and divine wisdom to live a life of eternal significance only we can live.

Jesus is saying to you today, “Come follow me and I’ll give you the keys to my kingdom.” He’s given you authority to bind and loose things on heaven and earth. You have the authority to lead others to freedom from the terrible schemes of the enemy on their lives. You have the ability to love and minister to others by the Spirit of God. You can shine the light of God’s love into the darkest places and claim what was the enemy’s for the one true God.

Take time in guided prayer to meditate on the authority given to you by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and declare to you the purposes he has for you today. Commit yourself to being a minister of the Lord in every circumstance today and discover the incredible life available to you in the restoration of authority given to you by your heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the authority given to you by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Allow Scripture to renew your mind to the power and authority you have in the Spirit.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” >Matthew 16:19

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” >Luke 10:17-20

2. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and declare to you the purposes he has for you today. Ask him to give you revelation throughout your day on what he wants you to bind and loose on earth and in heaven.

3. Commit yourself to being a minister of the Lord in every circumstance today. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live courageously and under his influence. Ask him to fill you with love and grace for others and to help you guide others into the fullness of relationship with their Creator.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” >Ephesians 2:4-7

How abundant is our God’s grace that he would choose to use us to advance his kingdom. How near is he to us that he longs to help us be reflections of his love in every circumstance. There is no greater life than one lived in pursuit of bringing God’s kingdom to earth in all we do. There is no greater purpose than being used by the Holy Spirit to accomplish works of eternal significance. May you live today in light of the authority restored to you by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.

Extended Reading: Matthew 16

Sanctification: God's Grand Plan..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Sanctification: God's Grand Plan

Dr. Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 29:11

The heavenly Father has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up in the word sanctification. If you have never been certain of the term's meaning, you are not alone--many people are unclear about its definition. However, believers should understand it because the word defines them.

In its verb form--sanctify--the term means "to make holy" or "to separate." So when something is sanctified, it is separated from its former common usage and is dedicated for sacred purposes. The Old Testament mentions a number of things that the Lord sanctified: He made the seventh day holy, set aside the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle (Gen. 2:3; Num. 3).

The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places his faith in the Savior, he is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment someone chooses to trust in Jesus Christ, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into God's family. That individual is set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory.

As members of God's family who are called upon to reflect His glory, believers are referred to as "saints." We are given this moniker--which shares its root with sanctification--not because we live sinless lives, but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent.

Jesus’ Prayer for Us..LYSA TERKEURST

 Jesus’ Prayer for Us

LYSA TERKEURST 

“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23 (NIV)

In John 17, we find the last words Jesus shared at His final meal with His disciples.

Even though I treasure reading about the last moments of Jesus’ life with His friends, at the same time, my heart aches. He knew all that was about to happen to Him. Within hours of this last time together, He knew:

One of His disciples would betray Him …
The others would not stand with Him …
He would soon endure extreme brutality all alone …

And yet, somehow, He was focused enough to stay very present in this moment instead of living in dread of the horrific moments to come.

It astounds me how present and giving Jesus was during the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples ate together. They drank together. They talked. He washed their feet. He watched Judas walk out the door.

Then He prayed. For Himself. For the disciples.

And then for you and for me.

The fact that Jesus thought of and prayed for us in these final hours also astounds me.

I need to read what He prayed. But even more importantly, I need to live what He prayed.

“… that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

Unity. Love.

Of all the many things He could have prayed for us, it was unity and love.

This feels a bit complicated in our world that seems so very divided on issues where so many have loud opinions, express strong objections and feel very justified getting offended by almost anything.

I get it.

There’s a lot of wrong in this world that should be addressed. There are a lot of injustices that should be defended. And there’s a lot of evil that should be stopped.

But when I take time to reflect on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, I wonder if there’s a more unified way we are supposed to be doing this. We have an enemy, but it’s not each other. In light of Jesus’ last prayer for His disciples (and, I believe, for us as well) before the cross, I wonder if we all need to remember that, while we can be divided in our opinions, we can be a little more united in our compassion for one another.

After all, so much of what shapes the opinions and objections we express comes from some deep pain we’ve been through or walked through with someone we love. Hurt shapes us for better or worse.

Jesus knew this. And He knew humans have such a propensity to turn hurting into hating. Maybe that’s why He prayed for unity. Maybe it’s not the kind of unity where we all agree about everything, but rather, in the middle of disagreements, we can remember we are all carriers of pain and sorrow. Even if we don’t see eye to eye, surely we can remember we are so very alike in what makes us cry.

Even if we are completely divided on some opinions and ideas, we can remember we’re so very united in our tears and in our love for Jesus. And in that shared commonality, we show the world that with Jesus, unity and peace are possible.

You see, where there is that kind of unity between us, the world looks a lot more beautiful around us. And the world will know by our unity and by our love that Jesus was sent by God to redeem the world.

The main thing is Jesus. And I guess everything else will be sorted out with crystal clarity in heaven.

Today, may we each choose to embrace a God-honoring unity and love in our lives. We honor Him most when we live His prayer.

Father God, You long for me to receive the love of Jesus and to live it out. For me to walk in unity and in love. Help me tear down the barriers of judgment and hatred. Help me hold to Your Truth and walk in Your grace while sincerely loving others. Help me use my healing as a way to connect with others, human to human, no matter where I may be on my journey. May my heart be softened and my life be changed by Your call to unity and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Are Phylacteries Anyway?..Katie Westenberg

 What Are Phylacteries Anyway?

By Katie Westenberg

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. Matthew 23:5

These words in Matthew are the variety that I am often quick to skip over. Like a lengthy genealogy in the book of Numbers or a chapter of Levitical law I am tempted to skim over ancient words that are long lost in modern vocabulary.

What are phylacteries anyhow?

It turns out they were small scrolls of parchment containing the law. The Pharisees wore them around their necks and wrists as reminders - reminders to themselves and, most importantly, the world around them. These men valued the scriptures.

Around this time, the Pharisees began to think if a little was good, more is most certainly better and they started making their phylacteries a little bigger - larger reminders to themselves and again, the world around them.

I’ve never seen a phylactery in my corner of the world. It’s not exact11786680ly on trend to dangle law from your wrist these days or “lengthen our tassels”. But before we skip over this passage too quickly, it would be wise to look past the unusual words. Jesus was speaking less of trends and styles and more of a heart issue here.

Later on in chapter 23 he says “…you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy..”. These Pharisees with their phylacteries and with their lives were good at polishing and shining the outside. They were good at looking the part and saying the lines. But Jesus bids them caution, “first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Our bumper stickers never save us. The way we carry our Bible or share scripture quotes on social media will not save us. We live in an age where it is easier to be seen than ever. It is easy to apply filters, crop and edit our lives to near perfection. But isn’t that all only the outside of the cup?

It is quite easy to fool the world around us, but there is One who knows our hearts. And that is all He is really after in the first place.

It is easy to blame the culture, social media or whatever other distractions that tempt us to shine the outside of our cups. But even as times have changed, the temptations of our hearts have not. Phylacteries or cute hand-lettered scriptures quotes perfectly places in our homes, it is less about the cups we choose to shine and more about our determination to shine, to cleanse, the inside first.

Today, may we give him our hearts first and fully, seeking His praise rather than that of the world around us. (John 12:43)

A Prayer to Obey When Faced with Temptations..Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer to Obey When Faced with Temptations

By Chelsey DeMatteis

“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.” - Joshua 7:11

I have absolutely loved my time studying the book of Joshua, it’s a current favorite book of the Bible with our almost 5-year-old! It’s convicted me and encouraged me. Most of all, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to look at the areas of my life that I’ve set on the back burner.

As I read through the book my jaw dropped at the events that unfolded in Joshua chapter 7. (I love when God’s Word does this.) In this portion of scripture, we watch the Israelites set out to destroy Ai. However, that plan did not pan out the way Joshua had hoped - they were defeated and dismayed. This sent Joshua to his knees in an outcry to God. He couldn't understand why God allowed them to lose this battle. 

“God responded to Joshua, ‘Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.’” - Joshua 7:10-12

One man, by the name Achan, chose to keep several of the very things God commanded be destroyed when He gave Jericho to the Israelites. Something we know about God and His character is He doesn’t give l commands as options but as rules and boundaries that must be obeyed. And when these commands are not obeyed there will always be a consequence. Because we serve a holy and loving God.

What God calls Joshua to do as a consequence to Achan left me speechless but reminds us yet again of the holy God we serve. “And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’” Joshua 7:15

Jaw-dropping right? “All” Achan has must be destroyed. This meant not only the possessions in his tent but his entire family. Everything. What an incredibly gut-wrenching yet true example of what happens when we choose to defy God and His commands of us. While we can rest assured our family and all our possessions aren’t going to be physically destroyed by the people in our neighborhood; the destruction of the sinful choice to defy God still destroys so much. Inside our hearts and ripples into the lives of those around us.

Achan was no different than you and I. He did what many do on a daily basis. Take the bait of defying God in secret, concealing it in the dark, then wind up feeling the weight of life unraveling as God brings the truth to the light and consequences commence. 

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use Joshua 7 to convict you in the same way it did me. I pray it causes you to see the areas of your life you’ve tucked away (big or small), hoping no one will confront them. There is freedom in things coming to the light and by God’s grace, we live on this side of the cross - where redemption and hope are offered because of Christ.

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank you for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I ask that You move my heart to a surrendered place that craves closeness with You. Father, I pray that as I grow in the knowledge of what you command of me, I will follow You boldly. Help me see that the consequences I face due to sin are out of Your love for me - You discipline me as a father disciplines his child. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Finding the Strength to Carry On..Aaron D’Anthony Brown

 Finding the Strength to Carry On

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

What Brings Us Down
Exercise enthusiasts across the country know the motto, “If it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t work!”  Whether that pain is minor or a serious ache, the truth is, we have to break down muscle in order to build it back up stronger. The same can be said about faith that’s tested.

Through trials and tribulations, cries and confessions, we deepen our faith by learning to trust God just a bit more each time. Faith is like a muscle, we get stronger the more we exercise. And like exercise, sometimes we control the weight limit, and sometimes our coach gives us more than we want. “Not yet,” He says against our incessant pleas to quit. Whether we’re dealing with sickness, loss, sorrow, anger, betrayal, or just a long season of waiting, sometimes we get to the point when we don’t think we can keep going.

Where do you turn when you can’t find the strength to carry on? If I’m being honest, God is not always my first option. Sometimes I choose other people instead. Sometimes food proves to be pretty tempting. If you’re being honest too, maybe God is not always your first choice either. Where do you go?

Imagine being one of the Israelites, wandering the wilderness for forty years, or Job losing both your possessions and your children. Imagine being shamed and assaulted by all the people around you as you’re marched to the place where you will be put to death.

Maybe your present suffering is not that severe, but the number of things that can bring us down are as innumerable as they are potentially devastating. Here are just a few examples.

A Lack of Trust
Not trusting God adds difficulty to our lives. Whereas trusting Him would bring peace, we opt not to trust at all.

Our own Sin
We are oftentimes the culprits of our own misfortunes - lying, selfishness, greed. Our choices have consequences, so lays the rule of reaping and sowing[1] .

The Sin of Others
Aside from our own sin, sometimes we suffer because of how people sin against us. Consider infidelity, for example.

Unfortunate Circumstances
Maybe no one is at fault, and our suffering is just a result of unfortunate circumstances. Maybe we were born in an impoverished country or were raised in a family without a mom and a dad.

Whatever the case, where there is hurt, there can be healing. Whether the pain isn’t that bad or indescribable, regardless, we have to remind ourselves of God’s promises. We have to remember who and what picks us back up!

Intersecting Faith & Life:

When God says, “Not yet,” He knows that we can carry on. Not by our own strength, but by surrendering to Him, b y believing in Him, by remembering where there is trust in the Lord, we can find peace (Isaiah 26:3). Here are a few ways to lift ourselves up in a tough season.

Seek Forgiveness

One way to find strength, especially when we’re holding ourselves back, is to confess our sins. The less skeletons we have in the closet, the less we feel like we have to hide. We can be the best versions of ourselves.

Pray Always

Pray always, a command given in Scripture, and wise advice from one believer to another. Even when the circumstance doesn’t change, God hears our prayers. The more we give to Him, the less pressure we feel to control everything.

Accountability
Whenever we feel down, there’s no doubt the comfort of another can pick us back up again. A kind word, a nice gesture, or someone praying on our behalf. There may be many reasons why we want to give up, but there are just as many, if not more as to why we should not. God gives us the strength to carry on.

Ask yourself, do you believe this to be true?

Further Reading (and Listening):

• Philippians 4:6-7, 13
• Hebrews 4:15
• Galatians 6:9
• Isaiah 26:3