Gaining Spiritual Eyes..Craig Denison Ministries

 

Gaining Spiritual Eyes

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

God’s goodness over our lives far exceeds anything we’ve experienced. We’ve only yet splashed around in the shallows of God’s deep love and mercy. In order to dive deeper into the fullness of life available to us, we must learn how to posture our hearts. May your relationship with God be enriched this week as you position yourself to receive all your loving heavenly Father has to give.

Scripture:“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

Devotional:           

In order to go deeper in God, we must allow him to open the eyes of our hearts to see him as he truly is. So often we settle in our relationship with him for that which can only be seen with our physical eyes. We settle for community apart from unity in the Spirit, God’s word apart from revelation from the Spirit, and look to “open” or “closed” doors as our guide rather than making space to ask for the Holy Spirit’s leadership. It’s time for us as the body of Christ to truly live in the fullness of relationship afforded to us by his sacrifice. It’s for this reason, in Ephesians 1:16-19, Paul told the Church in Ephesus,

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.

We need the “eyes of our hearts” to be enlightened today. We need the Holy Spirit to come and do a mighty work that we might no longer live only for that which is seen, but by faith pursue the unseen. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God longs for us to pursue the deeper things of him in faith. He longs for us to grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit and learn to live life with his presence, leadership, voice, and love as the foundation for everything we do.

To live only by the things we can physically see is to live only for that which is temporal and fleeting. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” God has worthwhile work in store for us. He has a plan to bring heaven to earth through our lives every day. But in order to make an impact on eternity we must be able to see and know the heart of God. We must become increasingly aware of how God feels and what he wants to do moment-by-moment.

Growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit is the foundation of seeking the deeper things of God. Learning to live by and with him is the only way to advance his kingdom. Take time in guided prayer today to ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Ask him to guide you into a deeper and more connected relationship with him. And choose today to pursue a life marked by deep connection with your heavenly Father and powerful works of his Spirit.

Guided Prayer:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Meditate on Scripture and take time to rest in his presence.

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” Proverbs 20:12

2. Where have you been doing life apart from connectivity to the Spirit? Where have you been living temporally instead of for eternity?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live connected to him today.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus promised us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” When we seek all the blessings God has to give such as being loved, being known, being provided for, and being filled with the Spirit, we can know that we will find what we seek. The door to going deeper in God will always be opened whenever we come to it and knock. God will never withhold himself from us when we purely desire more of him. Have faith today in the goodness of your heavenly Father and pursue the deeper things of him that you might live in greater union with him today.

Extended Reading: Ephesians 1

Facing the Fence of Fear..ASHLYN MCKAYLA OHM

 Facing the Fence of Fear

ASHLYN MCKAYLA OHM, COMPEL Training Member

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

You can do it! I willed him to try one more time.

A graceful herd of deer near my house had just leaped a fence into a spacious pasture … all except one. Since his family had already made the trip, I knew the fence was low enough for this deer to jump. But he seemed to be having trouble believing that.

Over and over and over, he backed up and made a heroic run toward the fence. But each time, instead of bounding over, he awkwardly stumbled to a halt, not allowing himself to trust the momentum he’d gained.

It was heartbreaking to watch — and not just because of my compassion for the deer. It tragically reminded me of my own behavior at times.

The obstacle that blocked that deer is the same one that frequently stops me as well: fear. Now, I don’t often find myself facing a fence I need to hurdle, but I do struggle to navigate through uncertainty to the promises God has for me. I see the path ahead of me, but I just don’t think I can do it. The obstacles seem too big. My abilities seem pitifully small. Again and again, I fumble at the fence. I come right up to the edge of my comfort zone but can’t bring myself to make the leap.

The biblical leader Joshua must have understood this feeling. When the book of Joshua opens, he’d just assumed authority for several million former slaves — the Israelites — headed for an enemy-filled land. The people were uneasy, and the challenges looked immense. Moses, the trusted former leader, was dead. Surely Joshua must have been afraid to leap into the unknown.

But God’s plan wasn’t for Joshua to ignore his fear or pretend it didn’t exist; instead, it was for Joshua to press past the fear and lay hold of faith. “Be strong and courageous,” God urged — a command repeated three times in the first nine verses of this book! And the passage details a road map of options for choosing courage: meditating on the Word of God, (Joshua 1:8) taking action steps into the future (Joshua 1:2) and remembering the faithfulness of God in the past. (Joshua 1:5)

But the best ammunition against fear’s assaults is found in the second half of today’s key verse: “Do not be frightened … for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9c, emphasis mine).

Friend, I don’t know what fence you’re facing today. But I do know that the truth of God’s presence is the antidote to our every struggle.

In this world, fear will often speak into our souls. But it doesn’t have to be the loudest voice. May we find the strength to take the leap of faith — over the fences of fear and into the frontiers of faith.

Dear Lord, You see my heart, and You know what “fence” I’m facing in my own life right now. Please help me to be strong and courageous in the promise of Your presence. Grant me the holy boldness of Your Spirit to trust in Your unfailing love and to take the next step in faith that moves me forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Call to Repentance..Dr. Charles Stanley

 God's Call to Repentance

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 15:11-24

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger brother asked to receive his inheritance early so he might live as he chose. Once the father gave him his share, he made many unwise choices that led to hunger and destitution. What happened next illustrates the principles of godly repentance.

After squandering all his money, the young man found work feeding pigs, a bottom-of-the-barrel kind of job. One day he came to his senses and recognized his terrible plight. His repentance began with an awareness of his wrong choices and the fact that his bad situation was due to them.

Knowing that his difficulties came from his sinful behavior, the prodigal grieved over his mistakes and acknowledged that he had sinned against the Lord (v. 18). He declared he was no longer worthy to be his father's son. Godly sorrow and confession led the young man to leave that place and go home. His repentance was made complete when he turned away from his old ways and returned to his father. The Lord likewise calls us to repent and return to Him.

What a welcome the prodigal son received. Upon seeing him, the father was filled with compassion and ran to embrace him. Forgiveness and acceptance were extended to the son. Both are blessings that God freely offers to whoever asks Him.

The prodigal son did not clean himself up before returning home. He simply left his old life, turned toward home, and trusted in his father's mercy. The heavenly Father calls us to repent and offers us forgiveness when we turn away from our self-centered ways and move toward godliness (1 John 1:9).

The Blood of Forgiveness and Cleansing..Roy Lessin

 The Blood of Forgiveness and Cleansing

By Roy Lessin

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 NLT

 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NKJV

Jesus was crucified at the time of the Jewish Feast of Passover. This was not a coincidence. It was ordained of God. Jesus is called our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) and also the Lamb of God (John 1:29).

The first Passover took place more than 3,000 years ago. It happened on the night when God sent the tenth plague upon Egypt. This plague would bring death to the first born in the land. To escape this judgement, the Jewish people were to follow God’s specific instructions for deliverance.

Each family was commanded to choose a lamb according to God’s specifications. The lamb was to be slain and its blood applied to the two side posts and the upper door post of each house. The slain lamb was then to be brought into the home, roasted, and eaten by everyone inside. It was in this context that God made this promise, “The blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13 NLT

There was only one way the Jewish people could be delivered from the judgment of death. They did not think up this way. It was God’s way. It was the way of the blood. It was the only way! Through the substitutionary death of The Passover lamb, God was telling us that one day, in the fullness of time, He would send a Lamb into the world, His Lamb—Perfect! Sinless!—to be our Savior and Deliverer from sin.

The shed blood of God’s Lamb, has provided by His grace, so many life-changing things for us. Two of these include our forgiveness and cleansing.

One of life’s frustrations is when I buy a new shirt and then spill something on it the first time I wear it. What makes it even worse is when the item I spilled leaves a stain that I can’t remove. Sin is like a stain in us that wouldn’t come out, no matter how hard we try. To remove the stain of sin will take something far beyond anything we can do. God is the only One who has the solution. In Isaiah 1:18 God gives us this wonder working promise, “Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

It is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ that sin’s stain can be removed, and we can be forgiven and cleansed.

Forgiveness and cleansing are very different things. Suppose a boy got very angry at a classmate while at school, and during the lunch hour the boy wrote some hateful things on the chalkboard. Just as the boy was about to leave, the teacher walked in. When the teacher read what was written on the board he asked the boy if he had written it. The boy confessed and said that he was sorry. The teacher forgave the boy, and then took a cloth and wiped the chalkboard clean so it would never be seen or read again. When God forgives us He also cleanses us, and remembers our sins no more. “I, only I, am He who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 AMP

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for leaving heaven and coming to earth to die on the cross for me. Thank You for shedding Your blood so I could begin each day in the joy of being cleansed and forgiven. Thank You for being the Lamb of God, my perfect Savior from sin!

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. - Revelation 1:5 NKJV

A Prayer for Us to Intentionally Encourage Others..Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer for Us to Intentionally Encourage Others

By Maggie Meadows Cooper

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”  1 Thess.5:11

Stephanos, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Tychicus, Barnabus, Timothy, and Onesimus. When you hear these names, what does it make you think of? For many of us, most of these names would not “ring any bells” at all. So who were they? And why were they mentioned in Scripture?

The truth is that these names, these men, are some of the unsung heroes of the early Christian church. Not because of any bold, courageous acts that we know of but because of their everyday acts of faith and kindness. Although their mention is brief, it is powerful, and here’s why: these men were intentionally sent by Paul as encouragers of the early church. 

Now, many of you may be thinking that “encourager” doesn’t sound like a very important job, but how very wrong you would be, my sweet friends! An encourager is defined as “one who gives support, confidence, and hope or one who gives support or advice so that another will continue to do something.”  Listen to the mentions of these men:

“When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.” Acts 11:22-23

“I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here…They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you…” 1 Corinthians 16:17-18

“Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.” Ephesians 6:21-22 BSB

“...we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through...” 1 Thesselonians 3:2-3

Y’all, life is hard right now. So very hard in so very many ways. Health, finances, relationships…the list goes on and, in truth, is ever-changing. From day to day, we don’t know what “bad news” might be next. It would be easy to crumble… live in fear and set a plan to dig in our heels and brace ourselves…will ourselves…to stand firm in our own strength for whatever tomorrow holds. But y’all, as Believers, we don’t have to do that. And we shouldn’t do that! Because we have a hope that the world and fellow Believers need to be reminded of. daily, hourly, and maybe even minute-by-minute. 

That is why Paul mentions these men. Because they were sent with reminders of the Hope that we have, and we should all do the same. For our family, friends, co-workers, and whoever the Lord places in our path, here are four reasons we should encourage others:

1. We need courage to stay true to the Lord. (Acts 11:22-23)

 When Barnabas went to Antioch, he found some of the Believers who had been spreading the good news about Jesus to Gentiles, and they were turning to the Lord! But this outreach was not looked upon favorably by all. Just as today, when we share about Jesus, it is not affirmed or applauded by the world. But my sweet friends, we must “remain faithful to the things we have been taught…” (1 Tim.3:14) and encourage others to do the same by reminding them of all that the Lord has done (Ps.105:1). As our roots grow deeper into Him, He will give us the courage and strength for our faith to grow strong in the Truth (Col2:7-9).

2. There is power in standing together with fellow believers in speaking Truth. (1 Cor.16:17-18)

It is true that one person can shine a light. That one person can make a difference in another’s life. But there is strength in numbers. If fear creeps in or doubt begins to lessen your longing to encourage others, call in reinforcements! The Lord gave us each other for a reason! Don’t neglect meeting with other Believers (Heb.10:25) to lift each other up, as friends/”brothers” in Christ are there for times of adversity (Prov.17:17). 

3. Sharing how other Believers are growing encourages hearts. (Eph.6:21-22)

If you turn to the news on any given day, you will most likely be faced with stories full of the harsh, negative realities of this world. And if your heart is like mine, it can become discouraged very quickly. Those stories may make you question what the Lord is doing, where He is, and maybe if He even cares. But the answers to those questions are that He is working (John 5:17), He is right here with us (Is.41:10), and His heart breaks for the same things that break ours (Ps.34:18). And so, with the knowledge of this Truth, we need to make an extra effort to lift others up and share what He is doing in the little moments of our own lives and the lives of those we love. Our stories may not make the headlines, but they are still just as important and valuable and worthy of being told…and this world, those in our little worlds, need them to encourage their hearts. 

4. We need strong faith to keep from being shaken in times of trouble. (1 Thess.3:2-3)

Y’all, speaking the name of the Lord has power! The ability to share what He is doing has done and will continue to do is a privilege that we have been given. The Psalmist said, “I believed in God, so I spoke” (2 Cor.4:13).  If we believe, we must encourage others to strengthen their faith so that when hard times come, they will be able to stay true, stand firm with refreshed spirits, and remember Whose they are. Satan loves nothing more than a defeated soul because in that, He has an opportunity to sneak fear, doubt, and discouragement in. That can then take root to anger, bitterness, resentment, and a host of other feelings that distance us from Truth and allow us to be shaken. 

What a gift it is to encourage others! To remind them of their intrinsic worth, the gifts they have been given, and the purposes they have been created for! And even more so, to remind them of a great big God, who loves them, is right there with them, and is worth telling the whole world about. 

Let's pray:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for all of the wonderful friends who have been an encouragement to me in my faith. Please give me the courage to encourage others in the same way, intentionally seeking and making the most of the opportunities I’ve been given. Help me to shine Your light and stand firm in challenging circumstances as I point to You as the reason for the hope that I have. 

In Your Mighty Name,
Amen

 

Welcome..Meg Bucher

 Welcome

By Meg Bucher

“I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” John 13:20 NLT

Late in the season, the lake was calm, and the sun was about to set. As we pulled out of the marina to head back home, my dad nudged my youngest daughter to greet the people we passed on the way out. “OH-“ she shouted. “IO!” They yelled back. And then, my youngest saw an opportunity she could not pass up …

“GO BLUE!” She yelled back! 

Always the one to create laughter that brings us to tears, she couldn’t help but voice her allegiance. Greetings go beyond welcoming others into the spaces we occupy. They can identify us and create a sense of camaraderie. More than just good manners, a warm greeting can make us feel welcome and accepted. 

Jesus had just finished washing His disciples' feet. The apostle John recorded the scene: 

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, ‘Do you understand what I was doing?” John 13:12 NLT

He wanted to make sure they understood the meaning behind what He was doing. Jesus was intentional about what He did and the words He spoke during His ministry on earth. The disciples in the room with Him would go out into the world to spread the good news of the gospel and form the early church. Anyone who would welcome them would be welcoming Jesus and the Father who sent Him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

Jesus consistently showed His disciples, and left an example for us today, of what it means to live in service of others and not just to be served. When we are welcomed in the name of Jesus and welcome others in the name of Jesus, we are living and loving the way He was instructing the disciples after He washed His feet.

Selflessness is a rarity in this world. When we take the time to catch up with someone in the grocery store aisle, even though it’s costing us precious time we allocated elsewhere, we are living out the way of welcoming others Jesus modeled for us. And we’re allowing God to move in those moments. 

There are many moments littering our days we could choose to serve instead of being served. To really welcome someone in instead of rushing by with a wave of recognition. There are hurting people sitting in the pews on Sundays when we plop down with our coffee, just glad to have arrived on time. By looking around at the people God places in our lives, we find all kinds of opportunities to live the full life Jesus died to give us. 

The freedom we find in serving others blesses us. The time “lost” is well spent. Let’s challenge ourselves to find moments littered into the layers of our days to welcome the people God places in our paths. We may not be called to wash their actual feet, but God is faithful to sprinkle our days with opportunities to serve the people He has purposefully placed in our lives. When we have a welcoming and accepting spirit, willing to operate on God’s timetable, we welcome the Father’s presence into our lives as well. 

Father,
Help us to be aware of the foot-washing moments You are faithful to place in our lives. Let our hearts be soft and our minds be focused and clear when we are interacting with others. Place a welcoming, accepting, servant-hearted spirit in us, Father. Let the love of Jesus shine through our lives, Lord. 

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen. 

Further Reading

• Philippians 2:4
• Galatians 5:13
• 1 Samuel 12:24