A Peaceful Thought-Life..Craig Denison Ministries

 

A Peaceful Thought-Life

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

One of the most powerful marks of a believer is transcendent peace. This world offers us no reason to be peaceful. It offers us no reason to be without stress, burdens, cares, and total frustration. But we serve a God who offers us peace in the midst of any circumstance. We serve a God in whom all true peace finds its source. May you discover the heart of your heavenly Father to bring you peace this week.

Scripture:“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Devotional:

Your thought-life can either be a place of peace and life or a source of immense internal struggle and despair. It’s our thoughts that the enemy tries to affect with half-truths and outright lies. It’s our thoughts that are the gateway to our emotions and actions. And it’s our thoughts our loving heavenly Father longs to influence, redeem, and renew that we might experience everlasting peace.                 

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Do you long for perfect peace today? Do you long to keep your mind stayed on the inexpressible excellencies of Jesus? It all starts with trust. When we allow our minds to stray into worry, doubt, fear, reservation, and lies, it is because we don’t trust that God is who he says he is or that he will do what he says he’ll do.

If we truly trusted God with our relationships, we wouldn’t spend so much energy mulling over conversations that could have been better or different. If we truly trusted God as the perfect provider of  our finances and possessions, we wouldn’t spend so much time overwhelming ourselves with all the different financial opportunities available, or not available, to us. If we truly trusted God with our futures, we wouldn’t devote so much of our minds to playing out every scenario that could possibly happen. And if we truly trusted God that we are loved, liked, enjoyable, and wholly found, we wouldn’t spend so much time thinking of ways we can impress others, work our way into a clique, make others laugh, or win the affections of another.

Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Where you set your mind today is your decision. The Spirit is fully available, ready and willing to lead you to abounding joy and peace. And the enemy is prowling like a lion seeking to devour your thoughts that they might breed emotional and even physical death (1 Peter 5:8).

There is a battle for your thoughts happening every moment. But greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). God has a perfect plan to lead you away from thoughts that plague you into life and joy in the Holy Spirit. Trust him as your good and loving Father. Trust that he is always with you. Place your faith wholeheartedly in him because he is perfectly faithful and able. He has plans for an incredible hope and future for you if you will simply trust him and set your mind on him as often and as passionately as you can. May you find peace today in your thoughts through a powerful revelation of God’s abiding love.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of placing your trust in God. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire to have a peaceful thought-life.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

2. What thoughts plague you the most? What thoughts steal the peace available to you through trusting God?

“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.” Colossians 3:1-2

3. Place your trust fully in God today for whatever specifically troubles you and receive the peace that comes from setting your mind on your good and loving heavenly Father.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”  Psalm 37:4-6

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”  Psalm 28:7

Our thoughts truly are a powerful gauge of our level of trust. Thoughts don’t run themselves. We think the way we do for a reason. When we begin to take captive and evaluate our thoughts, we embark on an important process of renewing our minds. Take notice of the way you think today. Take notice of what troubles you and what brings you peace and joy. Open your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to help you renew your mind and place your trust in him that you might truly have peace. May your thoughts be marked by the nearness and love of Jesus.

Extended Reading: Psalm 37

Giving Our Kids a BIG View of God..JENNIE ALLEN

 Giving Our Kids a BIG View of God

JENNIE ALLEN 

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)

I remember one time when my oldest son was 3 and we were driving in the dark. We had gotten lost out in the country where there weren't any streetlights. Now, this was before iPhones, and I didn't have a map with me.

I was exasperated because I didn’t know what to do, but my son said, “Mom, we need to pray.” He started praying the most passionate and sincere prayer I've ever heard. He knew and believed as a 3-year-old little boy that God could deliver us from whatever was causing us to be stuck, lost and scared. That is the faith of children.

In Matthew 18, Jesus talks about this idea when He says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4, ESV).

Let me tell you, as I watched my son pray that night, I realized that he really believed that God could change things for us. He believed that God heard his prayers and that there was a God powerful enough to lead us out of the darkness we were in.

So how do we help our kids have this BIG view of God? I think as we get older and more pragmatic, we tend to lose this view ourselves. But as parents, we are uniquely equipped to partner with God to help our kids experience His power and love for them. We can join God, day by day in the little moments, in raising up a generation who believes not only that Jesus is real but also that they can talk to Him, hear from Him, walk with Him and know He's going to take care of them.

Here are three simple ways we can give our kids a BIG view of God:

1. Share our mistakes.

We sometimes think parenting needs to be this great exercise in perfection, but perfection steals the need for God. When our kids see we are imperfect, they see us need God just like they need God — so let’s become the best apologizers and confessors our kids have ever known.

2. Learn about God with our kids.

We will have sweeter conversations if we study and discover God together. And this is actually a command in Scripture:

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

We don’t need to know everything — we just need to trust God, and our kids need to see us do so.

3. Have the end goal in mind.

There are a million other things to do, but there's nothing more important than giving our kids God. These years go fast. This can make us feel a lot of pressure, but it can also give us a lot of vision. We don’t have to set aside tons of structured discipleship time. Let’s be intentional in the little moments throughout our days. This will help our kids see God throughout their daily lives as they grow.

My prayer is that we would use these short years with our kids to set the foundation of their understanding of God’s character and spark a friendship with Jesus that they’ll carry the rest of their lives. I want to reassure you that you are not doing this alone — God is working with you and is going to use your shepherding, no matter how imperfect.

God, we submit our kids to You. Draw them to Yourself and help them understand their place in Your story. Help us to live in such a way that our kids will know You love them and You are good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Work of the Believer..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Work of the Believer

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 12:5-7

The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.

This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.

God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.

As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.

Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.

3 Consequences of Rejecting God’s Authority..Jennifer Waddle

 3 Consequences of Rejecting God’s Authority

by Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” - Psalm 2:1-3 NKJV

If you’ve ever been on a road trip with a toddler, you’ve probably experienced the struggle of trying to keep them buckled in their car seat for hours on end. They don’t understand that the restraints are keeping them safe, and that ultimately, you love them and know what is best.

So it is with mankind and their Maker.

From the beginning of creation until now, people have tried to cast off every restraint placed on them by the loving hand of God. Not willing to yield to the perfect will of the Father, nations have rejected God’s authority again and again.

Though the Lord remains faithful, He also maintains justice, and there are consequences to rejecting His authority. Here are 3 of them listed in the Bible:

1. They get what they ask for.

They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:13-15 NKJV

Nations that disregard God’s counsel in favor of their own lusts eventually get what they ask for. Sadly, though their flesh is satisfied, their soul is parched like a dry and thirsty land with no water.

Let us come to the Fountain of Living Water—to the well that never runs dry—and drink to the full of God’s goodness and mercy! (John 4:10)

2. They suffer unnecessarily.

Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 5:24

The horrendous aftermath of a wildfire may be an accurate word picture of the consequences that a nation without God will suffer. Consumed by their own falsehoods, those who reject the Word of the Lord will suffer unnecessarily.

However! The Lord is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9) He longs for us to return to Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He longs to cover us with His mighty hand and be our Protector.

Let us repent and humble our hearts before Him that He might come and heal our land! (2 Chronicles 7:14)

3. They are left to their own devices.

Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.
And when the Lord saw it, He spurned them, because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. Deuteronomy 32:18-20 NKJV

Rejection of the Lord’s sovereignty and provision only leads to a desolate ending. Without faith in the One who made us, we are empty, lacking, and ultimately left to our own devices.

Let us turn back to our Rock and remember our Maker. Just like the father, who was waiting at the window for the return of his prodigal son, so the Lord is waiting for us to return to Him!

“In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

A Prayer to Release the Idea That I Can Do it All on My Own..Alisha Headley

 A Prayer to Release the Idea That I Can Do it All on My Own

By Alisha Headley

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness…(2 Corinthians 12:9a)

We live in a culture where the word “self” is often praised. We see it all over social media, highlighted in books and articles, and it’s been coined this generation’s slogan, and emphasized by motivational speakers and influencers. We hear words such as self-help, self-care, and self-sufficiency as the common theme. These words at first can seem empowering, but they lead to life based solely around ourselves in our own strength and in our own sufficiency. It feeds us the lie that we only need ourselves and we can do it all by ourselves, therefore we push God out.

Often times, we may experience burnout or exhaustion trying to depend only on ourselves. When we depend daily on ourselves, it can lead to us daily denying our need for Jesus.

In today’s verse, it is talking about the opposite of self-sufficiency. As a Christian, the more time we spend with the Lord to understand the gospel, is the time when we begin to understand our great need for a Savior. It is that moment when we find ourselves in our depleted efforts to save ourselves, that we realize our true need for God. Today’s passage talks about how God is enough, and that He is more than enough. It is in our weakness, our exhaustion, and our own efforts, that we realize that “His strength is made perfect in our weakness”. Christ is sufficient for us, and we will always come up short, when we are trying to do it in our own strength.

We must go to the Lord in our inadequacies to relieve us of the exhaustion in trying to do it on our own. We must read His word daily and implant His truth and His ways on our heart, rather than telling ourselves what culture tells us as we attempt to find the inner strength. It is God’s strength that will make our weakness perfect. We cannot do it all on our own in our own strength. It is “in His strength, that we can do all things.” (Philippians 4:13)

Let’s pray.

Dear God,
Thank you for leaving us with the Bible for such wisdom like in today’s verse. Thank you for the reminder that for all the things we are striving after to do in our own strength, you never designed for us to do so. You designed us to be dependent on you and your strength. Forgive us for relying on ourselves and being sucked into what society tells us and the enemy drives into us, that we can do it all on our own. Lord, we need you. “Apart from you, we can do nothing” as John 15:5 tells us.

We ask that you would remind us of our inadequacies and we ask that you forgive us as we humbly come before you confessing we have relied on our own self for many things in our life. Remind us to abide in your Word daily to remind us of our unfailing need for you. May your word continually speak to us, and reassure us that we are not enough on our own, but we are enough in You. The more we rely on you and your Word, the less we will rely on ourselves. It is in You, that we are more than enough, and we thank you for this beautiful promise today. We love you, and we are so thankful for your word.

In Jesus’s name,
Amen

Freedom Through Discipline..Seth Scott

 Freedom Through Discipline

By Seth Scott

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

There Is No Freedom Without Christ
The common perception of freedom is the practice of license and liberty from bondage. Freedom is assumed to be a life without rules, living for the moment and the self without accountability or constraint. Freedom means to live the way I want to live, free to choose for myself what is best or desired. This idea of freedom, however, is not actually freedom. Because we are born into the bondage of sin and death (Rom. 5:12), any attempt at self-definition or personal liberty retains the slavery of sin, spiraling us deeper into the choking bonds of selfishness and sin. Freedom comes when we gain an accurate view of our situation and are rescued from the reality of our slavery to sin and self (Col. 1:13). But where does discipline come in?

To experience true freedom, we must train and practice through discipline, whether in spiritual matters or physical, because we are holistic, embodied beings. I am not free to do anything, I am only free to do those things for which I have the capacity gained through discipline, grace, or situation. For example, if my daughter is running in a marathon and I want to run with her, I am only free to enjoy this experience if I have disciplined my body and mind through practice and exercise. The more I train, the more expression of freedom I have to draw on the reserves of strength I developed. I only have as much freedom to experience and enjoy a relationship with my wife or children as the discipline I committed to spending time and energy devoted to building that relationship. The extent on my freedom in all things depends on the depth of my discipline toward growth in the expression of that freedom.  

Our calling to freedom is a calling to live as God created us and intended us to be. We were created to live in perfect relationship with God, one another, ourselves, and creation (Ge. 2:18). Sin distorted our view of all these elements, turning our desires and perceptions inward (Gal. 5:17). We are no longer free to run the race set before us because we carry the burden of our sin nature and the impediments of temptation block our path (Heb. 12:1). “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Freedom in Christ is the freedom to live as we were created to live, serving one another in love, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we can also experience God’s love expressed through His Spirit in Christian community. The desires of the flesh, our natural state, is in opposition to the desires of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). The desires of the flesh do not produce or provide freedom but instead demonstrate our continued slavery to sin (Gal. 5:1). Freedom comes as we crucify our fleshly desires, disciplining our steps to walk in the freedom that comes by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:24-25). Discipline does not produce this freedom, freedom from sin only comes by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9). However, in the same way that training for a marathon improves our capacity to demonstrate our freedom to run, disciplining our walk to keep pace with the Spirit strengthens our freedom to walk according to this new identity in Christ (Gal. 5:13).

Intersecting Life and Faith:
Within an individualistic and self-help-focused culture, we can easily fall into the trap and cycle of trying harder to be more disciplined as Christians. However, attempting to kill the desires of the flesh through the power of the flesh only creates legalistic rules and distorted measures of legalistic comparison (Gal. 4:9).  The freedom Christ promises only comes through the Spirit, so how can we improve our discipline, crucifying the passions and desires of the flesh to walk by the Spirit?

Engage Community
We were never intended to walk by the Spirit solo. The demonstration of the Spirit in our lives requires the presence of faithful community as it is through these relationships that we exhibit our love and service toward one another (Gal. 5:13) and we learn and practice the fruit of the Spirit through disciplined relationship (Gal. 5:22-24).

Maintain Humility and Accountability
Everyone training for a marathon must practice by walking and then running. The marathon of the Christian life is no different. Those who are well-disciplined and seasoned need to look out for those who are new, encouraging and supporting them while maintaining a vigilance toward their own propensity for sin (Gal. 6:1-5). Remember that it is only by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we have any freedom from sin in the first place (Eph. 2:8-10).

Stick with It
As with any discipline, some days will be harder than others and we will be tempted to give up. Don’t give up. Keep your focus on Christ (Heb. 12:2) and the prize (Phil. 3:14), knowing that the harvest of the of the Spirit will produce fruit in time (Gal. 6:9). Remember what matters and to whom we belong, members of household of faith (Gal. 6:10) and children of the living God (Rom. 8:14).

For what form of freedom has Christ set me free (1 Peter 2:16)?

Further Reading:

• Ephesians 2:1-10
• Romans 6:1-14
• Romans 12:1-13