The Day Is Approaching..Craig Denison Ministries

 

The Day Is Approaching

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:“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36

Devotional:

Have you ever counted down the days until you’ll be able to see a good friend? Have you ever felt anticipation and butterflies as the time separating you and a loved one grows smaller? I grew up knowing that I should feel this way about heaven, but if I am honest I never truly felt the same anticipation and longings for perfect communion with my Savior as I did for a dear friend.

I think the idea of an eternal worship service scared me. Having to worship God for all eternity sounded far worse than spending time hanging out with my best friends here on earth. The truth is I didn’t have a true, tangible revelation of God’s love for me. I didn’t have an understanding of the incredible, deep, overwhelming satisfaction I feel when my heart touches God’s heart in worship. I honestly didn’t know the person of Jesus enough to want to spend all of eternity with him. Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:1-13,

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The day of Jesus’ return is approaching. Matthew 24:36 says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Our Savior, the King of kings, will return with love in his heart for all those who have come to know him. The question before us today is this: are we like the five wise virgins who have prepared ourselves? Are our lamps burning with the intimacy of unveiled relationship with our Creator while here on the earth? Are we preparing for the return of our King by cultivating a lifestyle of love for both our bridegroom and others around us?

I’ve spent most of my life declaring I knew God by going to church, going on mission trips, saying the right things, and trying to do nothing wrong. My actions represented fear and a desire for inclusion in the Christian culture more than actual love and desire for Christ himself. Take time in guided prayer to truly analyze your heart. There is abundant grace today for wherever you find yourself in relation to your Savior. Be honest with yourself and look at how you feel about heaven. Are you prepared for the return of the King or living for the earth over heaven? Is the oil of relationship with Jesus in your lamp or are your fumes running out with the cares and pursuits of the world? May the Holy Spirit draw each of us into greater depths of intimacy with Jesus until the day our bridegroom returns.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the parable of the ten virgins. Allow Scripture to stir your heart toward deeper relationship with Jesus.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13

2. Are you prepared for the return of Jesus? Truly look at your heart. What longings are driving you? Are you living for heaven or pursuing the things of the world? Is the oil of intimacy with Jesus in your lamp or are you running on the fumes of cultural Christianity?

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into greater depths of relationship with Jesus. Ask him to reveal to you the depths of God’s love and grace.

God has a plan to guide you to a path of greater relationship with him if you will simply choose to follow his leadership. If you will daily say yes to him over the world, you will begin to feel a fire growing in your heart for Jesus’ return. Once we experience the relationship with God we were created for, nothing else truly satisfies. His love is greater, purer, more real, and more powerful than anything else we will ever experience. Choose today to follow the leadership of the Spirit and grow in intimacy with the King who laid down his life for you to know his love.

Extended Reading: Matthew 25

Interrupting Chaos..KELLY ANNE BURNS

 Interrupting Chaos

KELLY ANNE BURNS

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Recently, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner when one, then two, then 12 thoughts popped into my head.

Before I could even make a mental note, a shout came from the living room — one of my kids had spilled something sticky.

A splash and a sizzle reminded me I was boiling water for pasta. I moved frantically to the stove to move the pot, which resulted in more hot splashing.

Then came a knock at the door. Not now!

Soon the panic set in like an unwelcome friend — I stopped, frozen in that moment, not because I have tremendous self-control but because I literally couldn’t move. The room blurred, voices fuzzy. I thought I heard my son asking where the rags were, but I didn’t answer, so he used my nice hand towels on the sticky avalanche.

It’s in these moments of chaos that I used to fall apart, and my children would eye each other with a knowing expression. And honestly, I’m still not “out of the woods” when faced with chaos today. But it’s not the falling apart that matters. What matters most is what we do in that brief moment of panic.

First, let’s not allow the enemy to fool us into believing he owns that moment and we have no choice but to listen to him.

Then what?

We pray.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

I know what you may be thinking … I knew she was going to say that! That's nothing I haven’t heard a billion, trillion times. 

But I’m not talking about the kind of prayer that begs God for help, then doubts that He’ll show up or that we're even worthy of Him showing up.

Friends, God has so much more for us than we realize. Especially in our weakest moments that we wish we could erase from everyone’s memories, we are His, and we have access to His power that changes things for real! And it can be accessed with just one word if necessary.

I find God doesn't discriminate between answering my tidy, peaceful prayers and answering the prayers baptized in drippy, snotty tears, which are sometimes the most real. Isn’t that what we all want — something real? And if so, then doesn't it stand to reason that God wants our real prayers, too?

My prayer in the midst of my chaotic scene went something like this … God, I feel like I’m falling apart right now, and I can’t stop it! But I know You are bigger than this spiral I’m in, and You are my peace. So make Your peace real to me in this moment. I’m choosing to trust that You will. Amen.

His peace didn’t fall like confetti from heaven. But it did come eventually.

As much as we want Him to, God doesn’t always answer our prayers immediately in our moments of need. But He does promise always to hear our prayers and to answer in His timing, and He asks us to trust Him in the interim. After we reach out to God in our moments of need, we can then choose to trust He’s heard us and will answer.

Let’s not lose heart when life gets messy and we get messy with it. Instead, may our believing prayers usher in His peace.

Dear Lord, I confess I have believed the enemy’s voice over Yours so many times — I’ve believed the false voice that tells me real peace in the midst of my chaos is not possible. But it is possible because You say so. And You're the giver of peace. Help me to remember this truth in the moments when it matters most. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Trust and Obey..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Trust and Obey

Dr. Charles Stanley

Joshua 6:1-5

One of my favorite songs is "Trust and Obey" because it sums up God's purpose for our lives. When we practice these two commands, a beautiful cycle begins. Trusting the Lord makes obedience easier, and obedience produces ever-increasing trust. Can you recall facing a challenge that was difficult or perplexing? If so, you know how important these two commands are.

When the Lord calls you to a task that seems unreasonable, you have two options. You can obey Him even though you don't understand what will happen, or you can become fearful and attempt to find a way out. Joshua chose the first option. Because he trusted the Lord, he disregarded all his military experience and adopted God's bizarre battle plan. Over the years, he had learned that the Lord is trustworthy.

The way we respond to God's challenging assignments reveals our level of commitment. We may feel as if we're right in step with Him--until He proposes a change of direction. That's when our resistance kicks in, and with it, the realization we aren't as close to Him as we thought. At that point, our decision determines whether the Lord will be able to use us as He desires. Because Joshua never lost his commitment, he continued to serve the Lord for the remainder of his life.

At times obedience is a struggle, as your mind runs through all the reasons God's path is illogical. Fear dominates and your will battles to comply when everything within is screaming to run the other way. But obedience is always the best choice, because the Lord is trustworthy and wise.

Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain..John D. Barry

 Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain

By John D. Barry

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (NIV) - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

There are moments in life that seem to lack all peace. Instead, they are only full of pain. How can we find peace in times such as these? Paul the apostle, who was deeply familiar with pain, had some thoughts on that.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18. Reflect on  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

The church at Thessalonica had endured incredible pain, as had Paul. From those who didn’t believe in Jesus, they had experienced persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 3:1–2). Thus, Paul does not tritely offer these words about peace.

For Paul, peace was a real and enduring reality in his life, despite the pain. If only such was the case for all of us.Paul achieved this sense of peace from a deep understanding that Jesus would work through all things—no matter how dire they seemed (compare Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:28). Paul believed in a resurrected Lord who could bring resurrected life to even the most painful moments of death and despair.

I remember an intense moment of despair in my life, when I felt like I could no longer see the beauty of the moon or the stars. When I looked up and out, I felt nothing but pain. I questioned everything and was left paralyzed by indecision—despairing. I found my way out by praying through my pain. And when I couldn’t find words to pray, I prayed through the Psalms and the Book of Common Prayer.

And this was Paul’s solution. He went to prayer:

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NRSV).

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18 NRSV).

It wasn’t that Paul didn’t feel pain or experience movements of anxiety or despair. It’s what Paul did with those moments. He prayed. He prayed. He prayed.

What is God asking you to bring to him in prayer today? How can peace in Jesus be your answer to even the most painful of moments? 

A Prayer for God to Direct Our Next Steps..Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer for God to Direct Our Next Steps

By Tiffany Thibault

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Making big decisions is really hard. Making decisions that require our time, our finances, and our energy can make us feel absolutely overwhelmed. As internal and external pressures build, we can begin to feel desperate. Unfortunately, that is when we either tend to make poor decisions, or don’t make any plans in fear of making the wrong choice.

When Christians are struggling to make decisions, they might ask themselves, “What does God want me to do?” Or, “Should I do this activity or should I spend my time doing that one?”

As Christians, we can have peace in making plans for our today and our tomorrows, knowing that if it doesn’t go against the truth and principles found in God’s Word, then we can move forward! So go ahead, make those plans, and dream about your amazing ideas. God has given you such a unique and creative mind to allow you to do the things he has gifted you to do.

As you determine what those plans are and as you keep your heart and mind open to the Lord, you can move forward in confidence, knowing that He will determine your steps. He has given you a mind to choose between right and wrong. He has given you a heart to know what is good. He has given you a soul to crave fellowship with Him. He loves you too much to want you to travel too far from Him. This is why God will determine your steps.

He will bring people and circumstances your way that may cause you to slow down, to reevaluate your path. He does this because He is good. He wants only the very best for you. If your plan gets muddled or destroyed, thank Him. He is protecting you because He cherishes you. He has something even more amazing than you can ever imagine in your future plans!

Today, let’s pray for the plans you are making, for God to direct your steps into his good and perfect will.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for each new day that you have given us. Thank you for creating our minds to dream. You designed each of us with a need to create, to develop, to dream of new possibilities. Thank you for giving us the freedom to make our own plans.

There are times Lord, when I don’t know which decision to make. Your Word says that You determine my steps. Thank you for the freedom that brings to my mind and heart. You are a good God, and you desire good things for me!

As I make my plans for today and tomorrow, and as I step forward in faith, guide my steps, Lord where you want me to go. Turn me away from the direction of anything that I make plans for that will take my eyes off of you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Exposing the Sin of Partiality..Lynette Kittle

 Exposing the Sin of Partiality

By Lynette Kittle

“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” - James 2:9

Are you showing partiality to people? If so, are you aware you’re sinning? Most of us might be quick to respond with, “No, I don’t show favoritism.” But think about it. when given the opportunity to choose, do we give gifts to people we believe deserve them over others who seem less deserving? Are we more willing to help people who we believe are worthy of being helped over those we deem less worthy?

Digging even deeper, do we give our offerings to those we like better than others rather than asking God where to give and following His leading over our own? Likewise, how do we decide whether to donate to someone’s mission trip or not? What criteria do we base our generosity on? Even deeper, when it comes to prayer, do we pray more for people we believe deserve our prayer time and efforts over those who seem beyond hope?

How Does God Feel about It?
Although many believers may not consider favoritism a serious issue or something to be dealt with, God makes it clear that showing partiality towards people is not okay. It might be a hard concept for us to grasp because, as believers, we may think He does because of various passages in the Bible where God gives favor.  But God distinguishes between His giving favor and His showing favoritism, so setting this misconception aside, His word tells us, “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11).

It’s challenging, too, trying to convince some Christians it’s not a good thing because some don’t even consider showing partiality sinful or view it as doing anything particularly wrong. There are believers, too, who even think it’s a wise and discerning practice, justifying favoring some individuals over others, seeing certain persons as more deserving and responsible for receiving their kindness, generosity, helpfulness, and more.

Churches Who Play Favorites
Who hasn’t seen favoritism? Sadly, partiality is widespread not only out in the world but in many churches. Yet James 2:1-4 addresses it within the Church, revealing the sinfulness behind it.

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet.’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

Christians in Authority Who Play Favorites
God emphasizes in Ephesians 6:7-9 how He looks at showing partiality between people, especially in situations where some may believe they’re justified in treating individuals differently because of their various positions in life. Sadly there are Christian leaders, bosses, and parents who leave their Christianity at the door, believing they are in the right to play favorites at home or work. But God calls us all to serve one another, regardless of rank or position in life. 

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him” (Ephesians 6:7-9).

Unfortunately, many humans, including Christians, struggle with wanting to feel more important than others. Rooted in sin, Philippians 2:3 urges us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

Overcoming Partiality
So how do we live a life free from partiality? Scripture provides direction on how to overcome the tendency to play favorites.

Ask God for direction. When tempted, look to God for help. Proverbs 3:5,6 urges, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Freely give. Freely give because God has freely given us all things (Romans 8:32), not based on who someone is or isn’t, but because it pleases God. Proverbs 3:27 encourages, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Ask God to show you how to be impartial and to reveal any ways you’ve been practicing it. When confronting a situation where you can choose how you respond to people, ask God to lead you and lean on His understanding over your own.

Further Reading:
Proverbs 3, Romans 8, Ephesians 6, Romans 2, James 2