Marked by Joy..Craig Denison Ministries

 Marked by Joy

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As children of God, we have been given a new home and a new hope. May your heart be set aflame by the joy and purpose of living out God’s command to live for heaven this week: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” >Colossians 3:1-4

Scripture:“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” Proverbs 10:28

Devotional:

C.S. Lewis said, “All joy emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings.” As pilgrims on the journey to boundless communion with our heavenly Father, we are called to be marked by a sustaining and transcendent joy. Our God is a God of joy. He is the creator of fun and the giver of abundant life. He longs for his children to taste and see his goodness (Psalm 34:8). He longs for us to open our hearts, cast off the cares of this world, and receive the joy that comes from living for heaven.

Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Proverbs 10:28 says,“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” We serve a joyful King. There is no greater joy than living in the fullness of relationship available to us in Christ. To live for heaven is to throw off whatever weight would entangle us to the depravity of this world and seek sustaining joy that comes down from heaven to fill our hearts.

Our Father cares deeply about the concerns of this world. He weeps over the lost. He becomes angry over the works of the enemy. He is deeply saddened when we choose the fleeting and unsatisfying ways of the world over his fulfilling and perfect plans. But in the midst of all his emotions, he is joyfully expectant for the age that is to come. He sees the depravity and wounds and celebrates that one day soon it will all be redeemed. He is elated over the day that “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). And there is sustaining joy available to us this side of heaven if we will allow him to fill us with his perspective.

James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” If we will allow the Lord to redeem the trials and testing we endure in this life, we will begin to bear the fruit of joy in the midst of any circumstance. Unshakable joy is our portion. The heart of our Father is to make us a people marked by the joy of heaven. Take time today in guided prayer to throw off whatever is keeping you from experiencing the joy of the Lord. Rest in his presence and search out his heart. May you be a child marked by the joy of your heavenly Father today.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance and availability of joy to you. Allow Scripture to fill your heart with a longing to pursue continual joy.

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” >Isaiah 55:12

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” >Romans 14:17

2. What is keeping you from experiencing joy? What is weighing you down today? Ask for the Lord’s help in throwing off that which is robbing you of his joy. Ask him to guide you to a path of unshakable joy today.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” >James 1:2-4

“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21

3. Take time to rest in the presence of your Father and search out his heart. Ask him to share with you his perspective for your life. Ask him to help you care about only the things he cares about.

“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

Am I Really Supposed To Die to Myself?..DR. ALISON COOK

 Am I Really Supposed To Die to Myself?

DR. ALISON COOK 

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God …” John 1:11-12 (NIV)

For years, there has been a silent message most of us have been taught. The message is that in order to be a woman of faith, you must die to yourself.

This message has been passed down in various forms, such as:

• You should always be nice.
• You should only think of others.
• It’s always wrong to focus on yourself.

It’s often portrayed as biblical since Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves” (Luke 9:23, NIV). But these words have been misconstrued to encourage millions of women to:

• Destroy their health.
• Stay in abusive relationships.
• Bury their God-given talents.
• Sit by while friends walk all over them.

You may not know that you’ve internalized this toxic interpretation of Jesus’ words. You just know that you’re exhausted, hurting and overwhelmed.

I’ve been there. As a young woman, I wanted to serve others, and I thought my job was to die to myself by saying “yes” to everyone around me. This worked for a while … until I completely burnt out. And I’ve observed a similar pattern in the lives of thousands of women I’ve counseled.

This kind of self-rejection is not what Jesus meant.

When talking to His disciples, Jesus used a metaphor to describe the process of dying to yourself:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24, ESV).

Consider this: The grain of wheat represents your old ways of relating — the pleasing or performing for others, the ways you’ve learned to hide. Those ways worked for a time, but they no longer serve you or anyone. Dying to yourself means letting go of what’s not working so that you can become even more fruitful.

We have to change. We have to die to old ways. And it’s hard! It might even feel like a loss initially. After all, these ways served us in the past. But to become a truer version of ourselves, we have to release them. It’s the only way to grow.

This idea of fruitfulness through faith is echoed in other Bible passages. Here’s more from the Apostle John:

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God …” (John 1:11-12).

What does it mean to become a child of God? It means, among other things, to continually “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life” (Ephesians 4:22, ESV). This doesn’t happen just once in our lives, but we are to practice this every day.

I love how Eugene Peterson’s The Message paraphrases John 1:11-12:

“But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.”

In our culture today, being true to ourselves often means self-love without Christ and without transformation. But according to Scripture, our “true self” reflects the image of God, and He empowers the best of who we are to live out the virtues of Christ.

When you follow Jesus, you become more of your true self.

We know from Jesus’ words that the process can feel like death, like you’re losing all that you’ve known. Letting go of old ways can be painful. But here’s the promise: You are dying to old ways in order to become the brave, light-bearing woman God made.

This process isn’t a rigid form of self-denial. Instead, what if dying to yourself means dying to these destructive tendencies?

• Pleasing someone as a way to get love.
• Feeling shame and self-hatred.
• Burying painful emotions, like sadness, loneliness or anger.
• Perfecting yourself to earn approval.
• Playing small so others won’t be threatened by you.
• Believing that you don’t matter and that your life does not have value.

What if dying to yourself means dying to the lie that God does not want more for you?

What if dying to yourself means coming alive to what brings out the best of you?

This is what I believe it means to grow in emotional and spiritual health. It means dying to toxic patterns of relating to yourself and others. And it means saying “yes” to the Good Shepherd as He leads you on this journey of becoming your truest self.

Lord, help me notice old ways of relating to others that don’t reflect the best of me. Help me become more of my true self, the woman You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Messages Parents Send..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Messages Parents Send

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Samuel 20:30-34

When someone asks, "What do you do?" the reply frequently includes a job title. But anyone who is raising or interacting with children has a role far more important than ordinary career duties.

Parents are communicators. Yet unlike conference speakers, moms and dads don't get to preplan their entire message. Everything we do and say—especially that which happens "off the cuff"—teaches our kids. Think about your childhood days. What did your parents do that illustrated their priorities, beliefs, and passions?

Even without speaking, we send messages by our body language, interests, kindnesses, absence or presence, silence . . .  Add words to the mix, and we have a recipe for remarkable impact, whether positive or negative.

Inevitably, our children will be greatly affected by what we communicate and how they interpret it. Be conscious of the way each young one processes information—sometimes our intended message becomes skewed by their understanding. What an incredible responsibility we've been given. No wonder wise parents rely on God's help.

Only troubled parents—like the angry, jealous King Saul in today's passage—would ever set out to hurt their children. But in our busyness, or from past woundedness, we might just be sending damaging messages.

What are you communicating to your kids? Ask yourself: What do my actions point to as priorities in my life? Do my children sense a hunger in my heart for God's direction, counsel, and sustenance? Above all, would they know how to have a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ by watching my life?

5 Truths to Know about Psalm 119..Debbie McDaniel

 5 Truths to Know about Psalm 119

By Debbie McDaniel

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” - Psalm 119:32

All too often, maybe simply because of its length, we read through Psalm 119 too quickly. Or we skip forward to something else, or just read a verse here or there, but possibly never look at the entire chapter as a whole, or think about who wrote it, and what the real point of it even is. In looking deeper, we can discover so much wisdom, hidden gems that reveal the richness of our God coming to life through its words.

5 Truths to Know About Psalm 119:

1. Psalm 119 is actually written as an acrostic poem.

The verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of each of the Hebrew alphabet, such as “Aleph,” “Beth,” “Gimel,” and so on. This is only noticeable in looking back at the original text. There are 22 stanzas or sections, equal to 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with 8 verses each, and a total of 176 verses.

2. The author of Psalm 119 is unknown but some have suggested it may have been Ezra the priest, written at the time that the temple had been rebuilt.

Though the life of Ezra may not be the most well known in the Bible, he was extremely important and greatly used by God at a time in history when the Israelites desperately needed a faithful, strong leader. Ezra lived his days out of a deep, personal commitment to God, not simply seeking his own personal gain. He was given much responsibility to lead, sent by the King Artaxerxes, to set up a program of religious education for the people. His life proved faithful to study, follow, and teach God’s Word, and his godly example is still very relevant for our lives today. Others have suggested that Psa. 119 may have been written by David, or possibly Daniel. The author is certainly one who experienced great affliction in life, since the persecution of those who hold fast to the Word of God is a theme carried throughout.

3. Almost every verse of Psalm 119 mentions God’s Word in some way.

 it may be written as His “word,” “ways,” “statutes,” “decrees,” “law,” “precepts,” “commands,” or “promise” – but it’s in some way mentioned through most all of the verses.

4. Just as Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible, two Psalms just before, Psalm 117, is the shortest chapter of all.

There has been much discussion throughout history about whether Psalm 117 or 118 is the center chapter of the entire Bible. Some have said it’s divided as such: 594 chapters up to Psalm 117 and 594 chapters from Psalm 119 on, with chapter 118 being the center, and a total of 1189 chapters in the entire Bible. Those that hold to this also believe that Psa. 118:8 is the center verse of the Bible, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Others have said that Psalm 117 seems to be the center point, with these 2 verses, “Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! For His loving kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!”  Either way, it’s interesting to note that, depending on translation, 594 + 594 = 1188. It all points to the truth that God is a God of order and precision. This entire section of God’s Word is Sovereignly placed at a significant and pivotal point in the Bible and we would be wise to study it carefully.

5. The overall message of Psalm 119 focuses on the truth of God’s Word. 

It encourages us through every generation to stay close and focused on His Word no matter what swirls around us in this world. Living in the freedom and knowledge of God’s ways, obeying His law above all else, and keeping in step with His commandments is the only way to truly live wise, strong lives.

God’s Word is powerful, living, and active. It never changes, because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His words are breathed straight from His heart to us, a love letter for life, not simply an old-fashioned, outdated book with no relevance for today. His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Psalms 119 reminds us that God's very character is reflected through His Word, He is Righteous, He is Faithful, He is Unchanging, He is True. The opening 2 verses remind us, that we are "blessed" as we walk in His Truth, and seek him with our whole heart.

A Prayer for Law Enforcement..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Law Enforcement

By Emma Danzey

Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

It is a brave decision to look out for the lives of others and to protect a community. Sacrifice is truly seen in the lives of those who choose to work in law enforcement branches and their families. Today as we pray over these men and women, may we remember that they have been given a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly, may we pray for wisdom and for those in these authoritative positions to be led by God, and may we pray for their safety as they serve.

Let's Pray:

Dear God,
You are the perfect Protector. Thank You for modeling what it means to be a selfless leader. Today, we pray over those who choose to serve in selfless ways. Be with police officers, judges, lawyers, and those trying to create safety and peace among our communities. Father, they need Your guidance. Help them to be men and women of integrity. We know that this comes from knowing You and being led by the Holy Spirit. We pray for the salvation of those in law enforcement. We pray that they would be men and women of faith, reliability, and honesty. We ask that people who already know you will use this profession as a platform for sharing the gospel to coworkers, criminals, and everyday citizens.

We pray that they would be wise, as there are sinful people everywhere, and we have heard and seen of heartbreaking situations among law enforcement making poor decisions. Would you lead them to be upright, would you make clear to those in charge anyone who is not living up to the standard of protecting life and the rights of people? God, would you give great wisdom to the leaders and the decision-makers in hard situations? Provide understanding from heaven. We pray that they would be led by the Spirit in all times and situations. Give them great peace to lead. Open their eyes to any evil that might be coming. Reveal to them Your plans and Your ways. Show them how to be united and work as a team against the attacks of the enemy. We pray for them to be reminded that You have overcome the world. You are greater than the enemy, and they do not have to be afraid.

We pray for the safety of these men and women as they do their jobs each day. As they try their best to uphold justice and peace. Lead them when to show mercy and when to act justly. You are perfectly Just and perfectly merciful. When they ever have a question or do not know how to handle a case, give them Your truth. We pray that every believer in these fields will live out Micah 6:8, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

We pray against future attacks from the enemy. We ask that you would give law enforcement eyes to see what is happening before it strikes. We pray for great discernment and quick thinking to know how to handle each scenario. We pray against injustices from community members and those in authority. We pray for justice. We pray for peace. We pray for safety.

We ask for You to be the families of those sacrificing their safety on behalf of others. Help the spouses and children of those serving to find great peace and rest in You each day. Strengthen their hope in You. Give them peace that transcends their understanding. Guard their hearts and minds in You. When they are tempted to worry or be afraid, remind them of Your loving hand of protection and Your good sovereignty. Help them not to be forgotten but to be encouraged and loved by others around them in their sacrifice. Show great love towards them and speak Your kindness to them daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Martha, Martha..Anne Peterson

 Martha, Martha

By Anne Peterson

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42

I’m going to guess if you are breathing in and out, the chances are good that you have been reprimanded in life. I, for one, have been reprimanded. It doesn’t feel very good, I might add. But one thing that makes it tolerable is how someone reprimands us. Sometimes in my family of origin, the reprimand followed harshness. It was more of a physical reprimand.

Worried and Upset
When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Martha ran around wanting things to be perfect. Before long, she became worried and upset. Wanting things to be perfect does that to us. And anxiety seems to hold hands with worry. When we have someone over, we often want them to be welcome and to feel special. I know someone who always made everyone who stepped inside of her home feel that way. But sometimes, we can focus on the wrong thing. It isn’t the house, or the table, or even the food that is most important. It’s the one who is visiting. The one who sits before you. 

Few Things Are Needed
Sometimes we make the non-essential essential. I’ll give you an example. When you have someone come over, is that the time to clean closets or stuff them with things that clutter up your room? Does the dessert you serve make the whole event? I’ll never forget one time my husband and I met a young couple at church, and we invited them over for lunch. I didn’t do a mental check as to what we even had in our house to offer them. To me, the most important thing was to make them feel wanted. 

So we made the invitation, and they graciously accepted. We all sat around our table having hot dogs and delicious fellowship. I realized feeding them was needed, but what we fed them was not paramount. Later, when I got to know Lori better, she shared how much it meant to her that we made that invitation. Impromptu times are often the ones we remember. Keeping our meal simple allowed me the time to focus on our guests, so they felt welcome.

What Is Better?
Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen what is better. From the time Jesus entered their home, he felt cared for. Although Martha was overwrought with her responsibilities, expecting that Mary would have the same priorities was unreasonable. Martha could have chosen to be grateful their guest was being attended to, but instead, she was resentful. And her resentment led to blame. Her line of thinking was faulty, and soon, resentment turned to anger at Jesus for not doing something about it.

Jesus didn’t react to Martha’s words. Instead, he gently rebuked her. You can almost hear his gentle tone, “Martha, Martha.” When God points out our shortcomings, He does it with gentleness, which is a fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gently points out something in us that hopefully leads to change. Satan’s accusations lead to guilt and shame.

Satan Loves to Distract Us
Martha was distracted. In all fairness, Martha may have started her day off fine, excited Jesus would be coming. But somewhere along the line, Martha got distracted. What she would offer Jesus became bigger than him.

Maybe you are like Martha, and you love showing your guests how special they are by what you set before them. And maybe you are like Mary, who showed their guest just by being present with him. I’ve known people who were able to do both. It was impossible to be at their home without feeling cared for and valued.

God’s Word tells us if we give someone only a cup of water to drink because we belong to the Lord, we will not lose our reward (Mark 9:41). What is important is not what is in our hands, but what is in our hearts. May it be evident to those we interact with that we know the Lord.

Father, I lift up every reader to you. Thank you for your Word and how we can gain wisdom from devouring it. Lord, help us not lose sight of the essential things in life. And Father, in our world today, people are starving for connection. Let that be our motivation, Lord. Help us to treat others in a way they feel valued. I pray this in your Son’s precious and Holy name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Share a time someone made you feel valued as you spent time in their home. Do you remember what was served or what was said?

Welcome, a poem by Anne Peterson
When our door is open to you,
and you step inside our home,
may you feel that you are welcome
and we’re glad that you have come. 

Whether things are all in order
or they're thrown most everywhere,
may you know we’re glad to see you,
may you somehow sense our care. 

Lord, we pray our home’s a refuge,
in a world with hearts so sore,
help us make each person welcome,
as we open our front door.
(Anne Peterson ©1995)