The Blessings of Our Father..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Blessings of Our Father

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As children of the Most High God, we have been granted access to unconditional, tangible, and perfect love. All we need we have in relationship with our Father in heaven. He longs to reveal himself to us as a loving, real Father. He longs for us to live in the fullness of restored relationship with him. He longs for us to experience his vast and limitless affections. May we grow in our understanding and experience of God as our good and loving Father this week as we look at what it is to be his child.

Scripture:“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” >James 1:17

Devotional:

Our Father loves to bless his children. All that we have has been given to us because our Father loves us unconditionally. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus says,

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!

One of the most important spiritual principles for Christians is that God is good and he gives his children good gifts. With all the depravity, pain, suffering, and wrong in the world, we must establish the unshakable goodness of our heavenly Father as our foundation. The blessings of our Father are vast and numerous. Oftentimes he blesses us in ways that go unnoticed. From a light rain or a cool breeze to an unexpected gift or miraculous healing, our God is constantly working to turn the evil in this world for our good.

James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” The world will try to tell you that God plays favorites. It will look at the life of one and compare it to another as if it were every person’s destiny to be the wealthiest and most successful person in the world’s eyes. God blesses us in far greater ways than worldly success and wealth. He is concerned with that which is eternal and will actually produce the abundant life your heart truly desires. And while provision in this world is most definitely important and God promises to provide every thing we need physically, he has not promised to make you a success in the eyes of the world. He has only promised that if you follow him he will guide you to the best possible life filled with the fullness of relationship with him, purpose, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).

If we truly take stock of our lives compared to what we deserve, we will begin to better see the incredible blessings given to us by our loving heavenly Father. Allow God to guide you away from the pursuit of that which is fleeting so that you might be filled with greater depths of joy at the abundance of eternal life and blessings which are yours in Christ Jesus.

Take time today to reflect on the blessings you’ve been given by your Father. Allow him to shift your pursuits away from earthly wealth and success toward that which will actually satisfy you for all of eternity. May you be filled with joy and thanksgiving in light of the wonderful gifts you’ve been given by your good and loving Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Reflect on the blessings you’ve been given by your heavenly Father. Take time to really think about all that your God has done for you.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” >Ephesians 1:3-4

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” >James 1:17

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

2. Ask the Lord to help you shift your pursuit away from earthly wealth and success that you might receive to greater measure the joy and blessings he longs to give you. In what ways have you been pursuing the things of the world over the things of God? What worldly pursuit has captured your attention and is guiding you away from the abundant life God longs to provide for you?

3. Take time to receive the love of your heavenly Father and rest in his presence. Often it takes spending time in God’s loving presence to have our perspectives and pursuits shift. Communion with our Father changes everything.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” >Jeremiah 29:13

“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” >Exodus 33:14

When we allow God to free us from pursuing worldly success and pleasing others, we experience to greater depths the joy of relational living. When relationship with our Father is our chief goal and sole desire, we position ourselves to live joyfully and satisfied in every season and circumstance. May you follow the Lord’s leadership into a life of greater joy and peace. And may your eyes be opened to the wealth of blessings given you by your loving, near, and good Father.

Extended Reading: Matthew 6

Highly Sensitive and Wonderfully Made..SARAH GERINGER

 Highly Sensitive and Wonderfully Made

SARAH GERINGER

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

A day at the lake had my friend group buzzing with excitement, but I felt nauseated and panicked, head between my knees and holding on for dear life.

It had been years since I had ridden on a speedboat. I had forgotten how reactive I could be to the bumps and jolts on the water. Everyone else welcomed the fun, but as a highly sensitive person, I felt tortured by too much stimulation.

After I stopped hyperventilating, the boat driver offered to take me all the way back to the campsite. But I pointed to a dock on the nearby shore, much closer and more convenient.

The group dropped me off in that solitary place. While I sat alone in the shady woods, watching the group swim and fish far out on the lake, I felt embarrassed and frustrated.

But as tears ran down my face, I sensed God’s comforting presence, and I didn’t feel as lonely. Then He drew my eyes to something beautiful on the dock.

A dozen blue butterflies slowly opened and closed their wings. Their silent and effortless beauty was captivating. God whispered truth to me while I watched them:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).

The butterflies didn’t feel a desire to fit in. They didn’t need to be anything else but what they were designed to be — lovely creatures that reflected God’s glory. They simply acted in accordance with how God made them. By their example, God invited me to see myself as fearfully and wonderfully made, even with my high sensitivity.

In His wonderful works, God gives each of us unique and beautiful traits. Perhaps your God-given traits are underappreciated or misunderstood by others. But that doesn’t make them any less valuable in God’s eyes.

Since that day on the dock, God has many times affirmed my value as a highly sensitive person. He brings a special bird to my porch or shows me a beautiful flower in bloom when I feel unaccepted or even criticized for my natural sensitivity. If a butterfly flits across my field of vision when those sad feelings tempt me, I know God is reminding me to praise Him once again for His wonderful works — not only for what I see in creation but for the way He made me.

If you are highly sensitive, quirky or unique compared to your family, coworkers or friend group, remember this: You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Take one step into God’s glorious creation, and you’ll see myriad examples of His design on display. All of God’s creation is fearfully and wonderfully made because our Maker produces only wonderful works. And you are one of them!

Heavenly Father, I praise You because You have made me fearfully and wonderfully. Your works are wonderful, including the ways You have made me different from others. May I learn to value and appreciate Your beautiful design in the ways You have made me highly sensitive, quirky or unique. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Heavenly Home..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Our Heavenly Home

Dr. Charles Stanley

Revelation 21:22-27

As enjoyable as traveling may be, most of us would admit to having a sense of security and delight upon arriving back home. There's just something comforting about opening the door, seeing familiar things, and feeling we're where we belong.

The apostle John was given a vision that included glimpses inside our future home, the new Jerusalem. You may be surprised to know that some things from our old abode will be missing. But what replaces them will be infinitely better.

For one thing, there were no church buildings in John's vision, "for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Rev. 21:22). No longer will denominations divide up the body of Christ. Nor will the sun or moon shine on the city in that day, "for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (v. 23). Imagine--no need for electricity, flashlights, or candles.

One other difference is that the city gates will always be open. Since sin will not be a factor, locks will be unnecessary in our heavenly home. Death and decay will also be absent. In fact, nothing impure will ever enter that future residence--utter holiness will characterize the heavenly place, and suffering will be a thing of the past. What we have to look forward to is the abundant life in Christ, pure and unmarred.

Think about the comfortable feeling you have as you open your front door. That's but a hint of what we'll feel some day on arriving at the place our Father has lovingly and personally prepared for us in heaven. We will finally--and permanently--be "at home" in a way that defies description.

Growing to Look Like Jesus..Kathy Howard

 Growing to Look Like Jesus

By Kathy Howard

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” ( 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

You may be familiar with the passage in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Galatia that lists the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” - ( Galatians 5:22-23)

In Galatians 5:22, the word “fruit” is translated from the Greek word karpos. According to Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary, karpos refers to the natural product of a living thing. Primarily used to describe the literal physical product of trees, vines, and crops, karpos is also used metaphorically to refer to the natural product of a spiritual being. Paul used karpos to help us understand the natural product of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer. The fruit of the Spirit then is produced by the Spirit, not by the Christian.

Obviously, an individual cannot display the “fruit of the Spirit” unless the Spirit is present in that person’s life. The Bible tells us that when a person places his or her faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God provides and guarantees their salvation by placing His Spirit within them ( Titus 3:4-7 and Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit takes up residence or “indwells” every person who has a saving relationship with Jesus. If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living within you ( Romans 8:9-11).

Yet, like physical fruit needs time to grow, the fruit of the Spirit will not ripen in our lives overnight. Like a successful gardener must battle against weeds and disease to enjoy the sweet fruit they desire, we must constantly work to rid our lives of the “weeds” of our sinful natures that want to choke out the work of the Spirit.

The great news is, the Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to reject those sinful desires and yield our wills to what the Spirit wants in our lives. We can say “no” to sin and accept the “way out” God faithfully provides ( 1 Corinthians 10:13) by following the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Then, as we give the Spirit more and more control of our lives, He begins to do in and through us what only He can do. The Spirit’s endgame – His primary goal - is to shape us and grow us to look like Jesus.

From the moment of salvation until the end of our lives on this earth, the Holy Spirit works to transform our nature and character to reflect Christ’s. Since God’s goal for all His children is for us to be like Jesus ( Romans 8:29), the Holy Spirit constantly works to rid our lives of the “acts of the sinful nature” ( Gal 5:19) and display His fruit instead. Therefore, the presence of the “fruit of the Spirit” is evidence that our character is becoming more like Christ’s.

A Prayer for Rest..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Rest

By Emma Danzey

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

As Labor Day approaches, many of us are thinking about rest. Whether it’s the new school year starting up, church ministries kicking off, health issues, busy schedules, planning for big life events, or just the hustle of the regular work week, many of us are eager for a day off. The Lord was intentional with giving a Sabbath in His creation of the world. He modeled rest to us. He also reminds us that He is the One in whom we find rest for our souls. (Psalm 62:1-2)

How do you need rest today? Is it physical, emotional, or spiritual? All three? The Lord is more than able to handle our weariness. Today as we come to Him in prayer, may we be reminded that He cares about us and desires for us to have strength from Him. We are human, and we do need rest.

Let's Pray:

Father, we are weary. We have labored and are heavy-laden. We come to You today knowing that You will give us rest. Please give us rest in You. Our troubles, busyness, and hard work weigh us down. We are asking You to meet us in our weaknesses. Thank You that all we have to do is come to You and You promise that You will give us rest. We know that this does not always mean we will have immediate peace or renewal, but it does mean that You will offer it to us and give us spiritual help in this hard life.

You say in Psalm 91:1, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” God, help me to slow down and stop long enough to dwell with You. Help me to be in Your shelter and find rest in the shadow of Your wing. Where I am antsy and scattered, create a sense of peace and stillness. When I am overwhelmed and discouraged, provide encouragement and hope.

Help me to think about all of the ways that You have been so good. Help me to return to rest for my soul because you have been so good. When it is time to work and be active, give me strength to not labor in vain or in my own strength. Remind me to work from a place of rest. May my time in stillness reset my heart and mind to focus on You.

God, you give sleep to Your loved ones. I pray for physical rest for my body and mind. I can become weary and burnt out if I do not take care of myself. Help me to sleep and rest so that I can be most effective for You when I am awake. Thank You that You care for my emotional well-being. Please help my emotions to settle in Your presence. Give me rest and peace where I have had panic and worry. Still, my heart and mind to think on things of You and not the things of this world. Help me to be still before You and wait patiently for You. Although my mind might be filled with concerns and checklists, remove the chaos and give me focus on You.

God, it says in Psalm 23:2, “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads

me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;” In any areas where You need to make me lie down, help me to humble myself and depend on You. Give me the desire to rest in Your pastures and be by your quiet waters. You are the one who restores my soul. Where I am spiritually drained from evangelism, serving, or walking the narrow path, please breathe new life into the dry bones. Give me a sense of newfound strength and joy in following You. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading, to Your yes and Your no. Guide me each morning by Your Word and hold me each night as I fall asleep. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Where Do We Reap and Where Do We Sow?..Aaron D'Anthony Brown

 Where Do We Reap and Where Do We Sow?

By Aaron D'Anthony Brown

“Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6P:7-9)

First comes the plant, then comes the harvest.

One of the most frustrating parts about being a Christian is watching others be applauded for wrongdoing while we feel ignored for doing good. The psalmist Asaph once said, “But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2-3). Sometimes we feel this at work, in the classroom, or even on the dating scene.

If we’re good people, why aren’t we recognized? Are we not as good as we think? Maybe, and that’s always something to consider, though the issue could be a matter of perspective. Are we seeking the admiration of others and some sort of prize, or are we content with having God’s approval?

Sowing and reaping are not always as simple as two plus two. Sometimes we get what we deserve, sometimes not. One thing’s for certain, however, “we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” That could be tomorrow, years down the road, or in the next life.

As Christians, we want to ensure that what we reap is good. But what exactly are sowing and reaping? In the spiritual context, sowing is to do something, and reaping is to receive the consequence of that action. Think cause and effect. Christians are tasked with sowing and reaping fruits of the Spirit: kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and more (Galatians 5:22-23).

Therefore, we sow through every word and every deed every single day. Scripture speaks to believers, though, everyone participates in sowing and reaping, whether we are Christian or not, and whether we believe in God or not.

The question is, what are we sowing, and what are we reaping? This is something to consider in all areas of our lives and in all of our relationships. Scripture draws a contrast between sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit. Serving the flesh is sinful, but serving the Spirit is virtuous.

This brings us back to an earlier question - are we seeking the admiration of others and some sort of prize, or are we content with having God’s approval? Ideally, Christians sow because of a desire to serve God and others, not for selfish vainglory. We find contentment in sowing regardless of what acknowledgment we receive. By sowing to the Spirit, we perform good deeds with the hope of receiving positive results.

This idea of sowing and reaping is especially important because Jesus commands us to abide in Him. He calls Himself the vine, and we are the vine’s branches. We reveal our faith when we produce fruit (John 15:1-6). The only way to produce fruit is to sow. Do we always get what we deserve? No.

We may think we want the answer to be always, but when we consider ourselves flawed and sinful, we likely reconsider. If we always got what we deserved surely, there would be plenty of good things that resulted from our good deeds, but there would also be plenty of consequences that result from our daily sins.

That’s why God commands us to avoid sin and do good things. Good deeds produce good fruit. Not always immediately. Not always in the way that we expect. Not always for our own enjoyment, but blessings do result from following Christ. In due season, we reap what we sow.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
The ways by which we sow goodness are not always obvious. Here are some places to start:

• Converse with a Stranger
• Compliment Someone
• Practice Humility
• Acts of Service
• Volunteering
• Donations
• Practice Obedience
• Writing a Letter
• Visit a Friend
• Support an Artist
• Physical Affirmation
• Practice Patience

If you find yourself in a tough predicament and tire of doing good, remember God’s Word. “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

We don’t always recognize the reaping, nor do we always see the fruit of our labor on this side of life, but there is always a result, for better or for worse. Sometimes the wicked do prosper, but they do so in this life. Nonetheless, as believers, we’re not called to envy others nor live our lives like nonbelievers. God has set our duties before us and has told us what we’re to do.

He promises to bless us as a result. Whatever good you’re sowing, no matter the difficulty, you will reap if you don’t give up.

Further Reading (and Listening):

• Galatians 5:22-23
• John 15:1-6