A Lifetime of Love..Craig Denison Ministries

 A Lifetime of Love

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:“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9

Devotional:

We belong to a kingdom built not by the blood, sweat, and tears of servants but by the wounds and scars of a loving and sacrificial King. As disciples of Jesus we have been granted access into a lifetime of giving and receiving unconditional love. Our Savior willingly laid down his life that we might know the love of our heavenly Father throughout this life and all eternity. John 15:9-13 says,

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

To live for heaven is to abide in a lifetime of constant and tangible love from the Father so that we might live healed and able to pour out genuine love to others. This life is all about love. Jesus boiled down all the commandments into loving God and loving people. If we truly desire to live in obedience to God’s commands, we must live with a heavenly perspective. 1 John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” To live for the world is to maintain an attitude of selfishness and pursue fleeting and insincere affections. To live for heaven is to daily say yes to being born of God and to pursue knowing the Father. To know our Creator is to know love itself. And when we experience the love of our Father, we will be transformed into instruments of his love for all those around us.

God longs to give us a heavenly perspective today that we might receive the fullness of his love and in return love him and others. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” Living for heaven starts with letting God love us. It starts with carving out space in our daily routine to rest in the knowledge of our Father’s love and allow it to transform, redeem, and heal us. We all carry wounds that need to be touched by the love of our Father.

It’s only after being loved by God that we can truly love others. Without encounters with the heart of the Father, we are incapable of living selflessly. Pride is the natural state of all those who aren’t consistently encountering the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. But through God’s grace and receiving a heavenly perspective, we can step outside ourselves and the fleshly desires of this world and truly love others with the heart of God.

Take time in guided prayer to let your heavenly Father love you today. Let go of any roots of pride that are keeping you from loving him and others. And ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into a lifestyle of loving others with the love you’ve been shown in Christ Jesus.

Guided Prayer:

1. Take time to receive the love of your heavenly Father. Meditate on Scripture that will fill you with the knowledge of his love. Ask him to reveal his nearness and wait on his calming and peaceful presence.

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that is keeping you from living a lifestyle of being loved and loving others.

3. How would the Holy Spirit guide you into a lifestyle of loving others today? In what ways have you been loved so that you can turn around and love others? Who needs grace and forgiveness today? Who needs a loving friend or a kind stranger? Who needs to hear the message of reconciliation and hope that you’ve found in Jesus?

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:20-21

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

For the majority of my relationship with God up to this point, I didn’t know what it meant to truly experience God’s love. I didn’t know that God could tangibly affect my emotions, mood, purpose, and perspective with his presence. It was only once I began to consistently make time and space to let God love me that my life began to be transformed and healed and I began to walk in freedom. It was only once I began to consistently encounter God’s heart that I was filled with a longing to love others. There is nothing more important or foundational to this life than experiencing the love of your heavenly Father. May you discover the wealth of affections your Father has for you as you carve out space to encounter him throughout your day today.

Extended Reading: John 15

When It May Be Time To Draw a Healthy Boundary..LYSA TERKEURST

 When It May Be Time To Draw a Healthy Boundary

LYSA TERKEURST

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)  I’ll never forget asking my counselor to help me process how I finally got to the place where I said this about a difficult relationship I was walking through: “No more. No more devastation. No more betrayal. No more being lied to. No more.” I wondered if that was the moment I became broken. But he replied, “No, Lysa, that was the moment you declared you were healing.” Sometimes “no more” means doing the work to fight for the relationship. By implementing good boundaries, each person can be held accountable to healthier relational patterns. Sometimes “no more” means acknowledging the heartbreaking reality that the relationship is no longer sustainable or safe. Though this is really hard, wise counsel has helped me see there’s a big difference between difficulties that can be worked through and destructive patterns that are detrimental to our well-being. Both dynamics require that we pursue healing. We need solid Truth from God’s Word to help, guide and direct us. Sometimes we may also need a godly professional counselor who is specifically trained to educate, comfort and challenge us. I know what it feels like to be paralyzed by another person’s choices and not know what to do about it. In the past, I’ve been hesitant to draw boundaries both because it felt uncaring and because I didn’t have the confidence to know how to implement and communicate healthy parameters. Now, I’ve discovered a better way to view boundaries. I don’t draw boundaries hoping to force another person to change in ways they may be unwilling to change or incapable of changing. Instead, I place boundaries on myself to help me exercise self-control over what I will and will not tolerate. Self-control is crucial so that I regulate my reactions and direct my efforts toward myself staying in a healthy place. Good boundaries are the only fighting chance I have for navigating relational challenges in a productive and healthy way. If you’re in a “no more” kind of place, consider these questions about boundaries and how you might be able to apply this in your own life — beginning today. Remember, this assessment isn’t permission to be selfish and "peace out" on responsibilities. Instead this is meant to help us see where we may be losing self-control because we don’t have appropriate boundaries, like our key verse warns against: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28). What kind of person do I want to be, not just in this relationship but consistently in all my relationships? What do I need to do in this relationship to stay consistent in my character, conduct and communication? What are some areas of my life where I have the most limited capacity (for example: at my job, in parenting, during the holidays, etc.)? Based on my realistic assessment of my capacity, does this relationship threaten to hyperextend what I can realistically and even generously give? Do I feel the freedom in this relationship to communicate what I can and cannot give without the fear of being punished or pushed away? What are some realistic restrictions I can place on myself to reduce the access this person has to my most limited emotional or physical resources? In what ways is this person’s unpredictable behavior negatively impacting my trust in my other relationships? How am I suffering the consequences of another person's choices more than they are? What are this person's most realistic and most unrealistic expectations of me? What are my most realistic and most unrealistic expectations of them? What boundaries do I need to put in place? As you consider these questions, you may find it helpful to process them with a trusted godly mentor or Christian counselor. These questions to consider aren’t to further complicate our relational dynamics. Instead, these are meant to help identify where we are dancing with dysfunction. Toxic realities in relationships will not tame themselves. We cannot ignore them into health. Nor can we badger them into a better place. We have to get honest about the hardships that are complicating and probably preventing the kind of health we not only want but need for some of our relationships to survive. I’ve learned we can’t just “get over” our hurts — we have to work through them. And boundaries are a great way to start experiencing health in your own life. Let’s take this step together. God, in order to consider areas in my life where I may need to implement some healthy boundaries, I will need Your help. Help me to process these decisions thoroughly, through the lens of wisdom and with godly counsel. I long to see health in all of my relationships, so help me get honest to see where any God-honoring boundaries could make this possible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Needs..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Our Needs

Dr. Charles Stanley

Philippians 4:19

Jim saved for a long time to take an Alaskan cruise. At last he was on board with two carefully packed suitcases. The first evening, when he heard "Dinner is served" announced over the loudspeaker, he took peanut butter crackers from his suitcase and sat at the table in his small cabin. Every day at mealtime, he repeated the ritual. It wasn't that Jim didn't like the ship's tasty banquets. He simply didn't know that his meals were included in the price of the ticket. For two weeks he enjoyed beautiful scenery off the decks but ate dry, stale food in his cabin.

This sad story is a metaphor for how some believers live the Christian life. God has promised to meet every need of His children—His riches are included in the price Christ paid for their salvation (Eph. 1:18). Yet many folks are trying to live out of their own resources. They don't know that the wealth of God's love, power, and provision is on their menu.

A believer's relationship with the Lord is one of complete unity. Jesus is our life. His Spirit lives through us. Therefore, everything that is available to Him is also available to the brothers and sisters in Christ—all power, strength, and endurance, as well as whatever is required to fulfill physical and emotional needs.

Jim didn't know he had the right to satisfy his hunger in an extravagant way. Learn from this exaggerated example. Read your Bible to learn what riches you are entitled to through faith. God offers believers everything required for living well and wisely. Trust Him for all your needs.

Seeing the Goodness of God..Lynette Kittle

 Seeing the Goodness of God

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”—Luke 5:8

After a long night of catching no fish, Jesus instructed Peter to cast his nets into the deep water. Exhausted from being out all night, Peter resisted at first.

Still, because it was Jesus asking him to do so, Peter submitted. In doing so, he brought in boatloads of fish, as well as in a holy moment, experiencing a revelation of the goodness of God (Luke 5:7).

Like so many have faced, it’s a moment where you grasp the reality of your human condition in the light of God’s righteousness and purity.

Although it’s easy to think you’re doing pretty well all on your own, it’s a different story when coming face-to-face with God’s kindness. It brings a deeper self-examination and realization of the real you.

Scripture describes how the “good” things people do on their own when compared to the righteousness of God are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)

Likewise the prophet Isaiah came to a similar realization crying out “Woe to Me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5).

Seeing God’s righteousness brings a revelation of sin in your own life, along with grief over its presence. As described in 2 Corinthians 7:9, feeling regret over sin leads to repentance, causing sorrowfulness for your sin, as God intended.

2 Corinthians 7:10 explains it this way “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

If you have ever questioned why God is good to you at times when you feel so undeserving, Romans 2:4 explains how His kindheartedness, forbearance and patience is intended to lead you to repentance.

Identifying sin in your life is essential and beneficial to you. In repenting and looking to Jesus as your Savior, you find your righteousness in Him, rather than looking for it in yourself (Philippians 3:9).

2 Corinthians 5:21 explains how “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Accepting Jesus as your righteousness means when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your sin but rather He sees the righteousness of Christ.

Furthermore Scriptures states, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

A Prayer for God to Heal a Broken Friendship..Anne Dahlhauser

 A Prayer for God to Heal a Broken Friendship

By Anne Dahlhauser

“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.” - Psalm 55:12-14

Conflicts are fertile ground in which relationships can grow deeper.

Recently, I had the gift - yes, the gift - of a season of awkward dancing and miscommunicating with a friend. We needed to focus on completing a task together, but we came to the work table hunched over with the weights of baggage, insecurities, fears, and distrust. As we worked, sensitive nerves were pressed and tensions rose to the point of nearly abandoning the task completely. Nearly.

But neither of us took the exit ramp, praise God. We stayed in it and willed our feet to stay pointed toward the benefit of the doubt.

Friends, what if unconditional, Jesus-love - the kind that secures the insecure, that heals the distrust, that covers shame, bandages hurts, and lifts off years of baggage - what if that kind of love is birthed from conflict-induced pain, not despite it?

So, raise the white flag. Choose grace. Ignore the exit ramp, and stay standing on that fertile, hopeful ground of loving relationships in God’s family. No good works, embellished with stick figures and I-love-Jesus-hearts, can distract a heavenly Father from the reality of His children leaving conflict unresolved. For the sake of His kingdom come, and His will be done, let’s choose grace - uncomfortable, self-sacrificing, pride-swallowing, thorn-bearing Grace.

Let's pray:

Lord, today I come to you hurting. This wound from a friend is almost more than I can bear. I feel brokenhearted, and I want justice. Lord, I know that justice is not mine to give, so I come to you open-handed. Here is the friendship that has wounded me so much, Lord- take this hurt from me, help me feel your peace and your love toward me now.

I don’t want to extend grace. But I know you have been so gracious toward me- all my life, you have lavished grace on me as I’ve sinned against you. Help me be humble. Help me see my part to play. Help me give grace and love to my friend.

Soften my friend’s heart toward me now- let them return grace to me too.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When Do We Quit and When Should We Not?..Aaron D’Anthony Brown

 When Do We Quit and When Should We Not?

 By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

When To Say When
A failing relationship, a difficult job, a wayward child. Any number of things can happen in life that leaves us questioning whether or not to give up. One of Paul’s most encouraging messages was, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

This verse speaks to our ability as Christians to not only find contentment in difficulty but overcome the impossible. We do so not by our own will, strength, or intellect but with the help of God. While we may possess one or all of those traits, we are not enough to beat every challenge. We need God.

Paul knew this all too well. Whatever was impossible for him was possible with God. His message and example are upbeat, even hopeful, but as Christians, are we meant to overcome everything that happens to us? Will prayers for our boss to stop being rude come to fruition, or should we seek new employment? How long do we wait for our girlfriend to commit before calling it quits?

Sometimes we misappropriate Paul’s words for every occasion. We say yes when God’s actually telling us no. We get wrapped up in incorrectly believing that what we want is what God wants too. And why do we think that? Because of our feelings.

Well, what if that was not the case? What if we’re better off walking away from an issue? Quitting is not always what we want or what we ought to do, but sometimes quitting is just that - the right choice. So when do we quit, and when should we not?

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

These words were also spoken by Paul, and this wisdom is what will lead us to do what’s right and pleasing to God. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:
There are some practical steps each of us can take to help with discerning when and when not to quit.

Pray
The most obvious step to take when discerning anything is to pray. No one possesses more wisdom than God, and no one cares more for your well-being than the Lord. Ask, and you will receive. The issue we often find when praying is not understanding what God wants. We can ascertain details through Scripture, but prayer can leave the specifics a bit confusing. Being confused doesn’t mean we should stop praying, of course. Pray without ceasing, even when the confusion doesn’t cease either.

Seek Objective Counsel
While we may love the people who give us advice, not everyone gives great advice. Some people mean well, but not everyone exercises the best judgment. If you want a relative or friend to impart wisdom to you, consider whether or not they can be objective in giving counsel. Biased advice is just that, biased advice. Sometimes finding someone without an invested interest in you is the way to go.

This is especially helpful in dating relationships. One person may tell you immediately to break up, while another says to give the relationship time. The person who gives the best advice listens to the full story, not just the one you present. 

Be Honest
When you want to make a good decision, being honest with the person giving advice is crucial, but so is being honest with yourself. Not every situation deserves optimism. Sometimes we are better off with a healthy degree of skepticism. If your would-be business partner has ghosted you a few times now without a feasible excuse, should you really move forward telling yourself that this is what God wants?

Set a Timeline
Walking away is not always the right decision, and knowing when can be even trickier. When some people want to walk away but just aren’t completely sure on the timing, they set a timeline. Some people set timelines for their jobs, relationships, and more. Setting a timeline gives God time to act on your behalf and gives you time to sift through all the details.

Sometimes adversity is a divine sign that we are heading in the wrong direction. Sometimes adversity is just a part of life, and we need to learn to live with the struggle. There is no one answer for everything. Work, dating, family life. However, all of these steps will definitely help you move in the right direction.

• How long are you willing to wait?
• What are you hoping to see?
• What if what you want doesn’t happen?
• Has God already answered your prayer?

Ask yourself these questions and more. You will discover when to quit and when you shouldn’t.

Further Reading:
Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 40:31