Living from Union.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Living from Union

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Devotional:           

One of the greatest scandals of the Christian faith is that God himself, in all his holiness and love, would dwell in the heart of man. You and I have been brought into union with God by the blood of Jesus. Nothing can separate us from him any longer. He is closer than our breath. He is more real than the very ground beneath our feet.

The New Testament is filled with truth about our union with God. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “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, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Romans 6:4 says, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” And Colossians 1:27 says,“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

There is never a single moment that you are apart from God. God is in you and with you through every trial, success, victory, and defeat. He is for you and available to you all day, every day. Even in our sin, God remains. Even in our rebellion, God dwells within us. What’s left for us to do is learn how to allow this union to permeate every area of our lives. To work out our salvation is to learn to cast aside that which belongs to our former self and live out of our new identity as unified with Christ himself.

If we’re going to truly center our lives around meeting with God, we must learn to acknowledge the fact that he is already with us. He is not a distant God who has to travel from his throne in heaven down to us whenever we make time for him. He’s not a God who only dwells in churches, fellowships, ministries, or clergy. He is the God who dwells within you, loves you, likes you, and longs to be with you in constant communion.

Take time today to renew your mind to the truth of your union with God. Ask him to reveal his nearness that you might “walk in newness of life” today (Romans 6:4). Make space in your heart and mind to allow the presence of God to permeate every area of your life. May today mark a radical change in your life as God himself begins to move, work, bless, and speak in all you do.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on your union with God. Renew your mind by placing your trust in Scripture rather than your feelings or past experiences.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“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 6:19-20

2. What areas of your life are not marked by union with the Holy Spirit? Where are you doing life as if God isn’t with you? Where are you striving and working for that which is already yours in Christ Jesus?

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his nearness. Ask him to help you be a person who receives rather than strives and who rests rather than toils.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Oftentimes we take feelings of loneliness, rejection, shame, and guilt and believe that they must be truth. Truth isn’t found in our emotions, but rather in the word of God. Our mind is the gateway to our emotions. We feel the way we do because of what we perceive and believe. If we engage in the process of renewing our mind to God’s word, our emotions will get in line with truth. You and God are one. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to change that. May the truth of Scripture guide you into a lifestyle of centering your life around the union already available to you in Christ.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 5

Choosing Better Over Bitter: God Still Has a Plan for You..HOLLEY GERTH

 Choosing Better Over Bitter: God Still Has a Plan for You

HOLLEY GERTH 

“May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” Ruth 2:12 (NLT)

My grandmother had polio at the age of 29, when she was the mother of two young girls.

Her pastor came to visit her in the hospital and said, “This can make you bitter or better.” Today, she likes to say with a smile, “I chose better.” She has spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

When I think of my grandmother’s story and how she chose better over bitter, how she chose to believe that God still had a plan for her, I’m reminded of the story of Ruth and Naomi …

I imagine it like this: Memories flash through Naomi’s mind as she walks the streets of her hometown for the first time in many years. Her wedding day, walking to the market with her little boys, one on her hip and the other holding her hand. Her family left this place to escape a famine, but now her husband and sons are gone.

“Is it really Naomi?” a familiar, though long unheard, voice asks (Ruth 1:19c, NLT).

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responds. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me” (Ruth 1:20, NLT). Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth, places a hand on her shoulder.

Ruth, a foreigner and gentile, grew up in a pagan land. It appears she came to the Jewish faith through Naomi’s son, and now she seems to have an inexplicable strength beneath her grief. She weeps as Naomi does but not without hope. She worries but also worships, has tough days and yet persists in putting one foot in front of the other. Naomi has become hard and bitter; Ruth remains softhearted and open.

One day, Ruth tells Naomi she plans to glean barley in the fields. Jewish law allows the poor to gather the extra barley so they won’t go hungry. Ruth providentially ends up in the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband. He shows kindness to her and says, “I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law … May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done” (Ruth 2:11b-12, NLT).

It’s the start of an unexpected love story, one that ends with Ruth marrying Boaz and not only giving birth to the grandfather of King David but also becoming part of the Messiah’s lineage. Naomi’s family line will continue, and for the first time in many years, she dares to dream about the future again. When the women of the town come to see the baby, they say, “May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:15, NLT).

At first, Naomi chose bitter. Ruth chose better.
Naomi gave up hope. Ruth kept pushing forward.
Naomi believed her life was over. Ruth trusted God still had a plan beyond what she could understand.

Friends, we’re neither Naomi nor Ruth. We all find ourselves acting like both women at one point or another. What matters is that we recognize when we’re slipping into bitterness.

In those moments, what we need most is a friend, family member, wise counselor or other support person who can be a Ruth to us. I have a dear friend I sometimes text when I’m anxious and simply say, “I can’t remember what’s true today. Can you remind me?” Sometimes our roles are reversed — she’s Naomi and I’m Ruth.

What’s most important is that we help each other not give up because God is always still working out an unseen plan, even when we don’t understand. Anxiety tells us, “It’s all over.” But faith and the Ruths in our lives remind us, “God isn’t finished with your story yet.”

God, when it seems easier to choose bitter instead of better, give me the strength to keep trusting You have a plan beyond what I can understand. Give me the courage to reach out to a Ruth when I need to, and show me who needs me to be a Ruth to them as well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Making Disciples..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Making Disciples

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 28:18-20

Scripture teaches us to tell others about Jesus Christ. And while sharing the gospel is awesome, it is simply not enough. We should continue to encourage and invest in new believers. Many don't know where to begin reading in the Bible or how to spend time with their heavenly Father.

Of course, God takes each person's spiritual journey seriously, and He won't leave a seeking heart unsatisfied. At the same time, we have a responsibility to invest in the lives of spiritual brothers and sisters by sharing our understanding and experience.

This type of teaching is called discipleship, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility. As you commence this type of relationship, consider the following points.

First, make sure to continually spend time with the Lord so that you are growing and in tune with His Spirit. Second, be prepared with a plan. Your friend needs to understand the basics, such as how to read the Bible, what prayer is, and where to find fellowship. New believers will have questions--answers are important, as is your ability to find resources when you are unsure of how to reply. Third, help the individual understand generally what to expect as he embarks on his Christian walk. Tomorrow, we will explore the stages of a believer's journey.

Most of us learned, struggled, and learned some more till we began to understand the basics of life in Christ. Godly mentors can be a tremendous help. And remember, no matter how long we've believed, we never stop needing advice and encouragement from those farther along in the journey.

Light That Travels..Jennifer Waddle

 Light That Travels

By Jennifer Waddle

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16

Recently, while watching a documentary about the distant planets in our solar system, I was surprised to hear that light from the sun reaches Neptune in just over 4 hours. For some reason, I imagined it taking much longer for the sun’s rays to travel such a great distance. Yet, in the miraculous way light was created - by the spoken Word of God - I shouldn’t be at all surprised at how light travels.

The Bible speaks of the True Light, Jesus Christ, who came to light the way for all of mankind. Sadly, many have remained in darkness as John 1:5 says, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Perhaps, like the dark side of the moon, many remain in darkness, unaware of the brilliant rays of life offered freely to them. They’ve never experienced the life-giving truth Jesus’ light brings. And because they are facing the wrong direction, they only see the vast darkness ahead of them.

That’s why every Christ-follower needs to reflect the light of the Lord within their sphere of influence. Within their homes, their workplaces, and their communities, Jesus’ light needs to shine through the life of every believer. No longer can we keep our faith to ourselves. It’s time to rise like the dawn, over a lost and dying world, and display the light of Christ clearly and brightly.

My friends, as the days grow shorter and we are ever nearer to Jesus’ return, it is imperative that we climb out from our comfortable hiding spots and place our lamps on their stands. Just as beacons of the sun’s light eventually reach the outermost places of the universe, so the light of Jesus can shine through us to reach a lost and dying world. We don’t have to worry about how fast the light will travel, or how far it will go. We simply need to shine.

Heavenly Father, 

Please shine through each of us today. No matter where we are, even in the darkest of places, shine the light of Your Son ever brighter through us. As we carve out daily time in Your Word and in prayer, fill us to the full with rays of hope and peace. Then, send us into the world armored with Your truth. Let us not falter or hide within our comfort zones, but instead, lead us into a dark world that desperately needs your light. It is in the name of Jesus we pray these things. 

Amen.

A Prayer to Surrender..Victoria Riollano

 A Prayer to Surrender

By Victoria Riollano

"Your eyes saw my unformed body;  all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:16

I was the child who needed her way in every situation. Growing up as an only child for twelve years came with a great advantage; I learned quickly that I was my mother’s center of attention. With great ease, I could bat my eyes at the grocery store counter for a beloved piece of candy or release a tear for any situation and guarantee my mother would relent to my request. Having my way turned into a determination that transcended every situation into adulthood. If I couldn’t get it, I would figure out how to get it no matter how much work, begging, or overanalyzing it took. On one hand, this created a sense of resiliency, but on another, I quickly found that my urge to control would become a hindrance.

In fact, this need to control every scenario was the opposite of what God would want for my life. For it's in the place of needing to control the outcome that my heart was fooled into believing that I didn’t need God at all. Yet, the more I have walked with the Lord, the more He has taught me the beauty of allowing Him to have the final say and direct my life.

In Psalm 139, the Bible says that He knew the days of my life and recorded them before I had even breathed my first breath. He knew what was best for me, more than I certainly knew for myself. Yet, it took many hard moments, such as being a military spouse and being states from home and my daughter being diagnosed with epilepsy, to realize that there were so many things I couldn’t control. Instead of relying on my wit, I needed to truly learn the beauty of trusting in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of this truth, "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."

I love this verse because we have our end of the bargain, and the Lord does the rest. Our role is to trust in the Lord. In doing so, we know that His plans for us are good and to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). From there, we have to make a choice to not allow our earthly understanding to overhaul the knowledge of His infinite wisdom. On our best day, we couldn’t make a choice that would supersede God’s vast knowledge. And our last course of action is to submit my ways to Him. When we do this, my friends, certainly He will make our paths straight. He will ensure that we no longer have to carry the burden of being in control or having our way. His way is always the best.

Let’s pray.

Father, I thank you that you know what is best for me. You know all the days you have planned for me. Help me to walk in them and not be like the entitled child insisting on my way. Help me to fully submit to your will and allow you to take the lead. I trust you and look forward to walking down the path you have for me. I relinquish control today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don’t be Offended..Meg Bucher

 Don’t be Offended.

By Meg Bucher

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NLT

The tears soaked my sleeve, and I began to seethe. Logically, I understand the human brain isn’t fully developed until sometime in our twenties. But it’s difficult to be logical when someone else’s kid hurts my kid. The older they get, the less accidental it is. I jokingly send momma bear emojis…but the struggle is actually real. The amount of deep breathing I have to employ before I react to a situation I’ve just digested is surreal. The old saying goes, “don’t poke the bear.” When momma bear is engaged, it’s a run-for-your-life situation. And I run …right to God …for my life. 

Hurt people hurt people. It’s a phrase I’ve heard preached from many pulpits and find to be pointedly true. It’s the reason taking a deep breath before we react is so important. Otherwise, momma bear attacks back with more hurt, because she is hurt. We hurt when our kids hurt. It’s painfully hard to separate ourselves from the pain they endure. There is evil in the world. There is hurt, unfairness, sickness, and tragedy. Scripture reminds us what to do before we react: 

1. Don’t repay evil for evil. 

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” - Colossians 3:13 NLT

 Unforgiveness damages our hearts. Scripture is clear, take all the deep breaths to calm down. When we exercise enough restraint to pause before reacting, we allow the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to overcome the pit of anger in our stomachs.

2. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. 

“Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” - Proverbs 16:24 NLT

The words we speak are powerful, and so are the motivating thoughts behind them. Though we cannot control every thought that pops into our minds, but we do have control over what we choose to think and how we choose to use our words once they arrive in our minds. It’s important to pause and choose to use our words for good …to build up and not to tear down. 

3. Pay them back with a blessing. 

“So let’s not get tired doing what is right, for at just the right time we will reap harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” - Galatians 6:9 NLT

When my kids were in elementary school, I would reward them with a free choice from our “prize box” for doing the right thing. Eventually, the positive affirmation meant more than the sticker or pencil they picked from the box. Making the right choices is important. The decision to bless those who wrong us isn’t easy, but the reward is great.

4. God will bless our obedience.

“Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” - John 20:29 NLT

The way we live our everyday lives points to the One we follow. God’s blessing isn’t like the family prize box my kids picked from when they were little. We often pray for blessings but are not willing to do the work required to walk in the favor of the Lord. There’s nothing we need to do to earn our salvation or keep it, but the Lord does honor our obedience. It brings glory to Him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Offense is an easy habit to pick up. It’s one the world will applaud and help us to justify. When life is unfair, it’s okay to be righteously angry. But the pause we take before we put our emotions on display is important to God. The pause, and our reaction to bless instead of curse, are behaviors which set us apart from the rest of the world. And we represent the One who is drawing everyone to Himself, giving everyone an opportunity to embrace Jesus as our Savior. We are to lead with love to the One who is Love, Himself. 

Further Reading
James 5:16
Luke 6:37
Ephesians 4:31-32