Peace in Our Spirits.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Peace in Our Spirits

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:“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

Devotional:           

Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” In the Holy Spirit, we have relationship with a God who feels, has joy and grief, is happy and unhappy, and has real thoughts and desires for the way we live our lives. The Spirit longs for us to live in communion with him, forsaking that which grieves his heart that we might experience the abundant life that only comes through wholehearted surrender to him. And it’s because he has specific desires for the ways we should live that we have the potential to grieve his heart.

If we are to ever experience all that’s available to us in this life, we must learn to pay attention to the feelings, thoughts, and desires of the God within us. We must seek and find peace in our spirits that comes from the peace of the Holy Spirit. Scripture makes a powerful and direct connection between obeying God’s word and peace. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Isaiah 32:17 says, “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” And Psalm 34:14 says, “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

The desires of the Holy Spirit for our lives are perfectly aligned with Scripture. In fact, the Spirit longs to bring revelation to our hearts about how to apply and obey Scripture in our everyday lives. He longs to apply his words to our circumstances, situations, and thoughts that we might enjoy all the abundance that comes from obedience to God’s word.

It’s vital that we as believers living in union with God learn to take notice of how he feels, what he thinks, and where he’s leading us. We must grow in our knowledge of how he speaks to us and leads us. If you feel unrest in your spirit that doesn’t seem to make sense, take time to ask God if he’s speaking. If you feel weird about doing something, saying something, or thinking something, take a minute to ask God if he’s trying to tell you something.

The use of Scripture is incredibly important in growing in peace with the Holy Spirit. It’s so much easier to discern his thoughts and feelings if we have Scripture in our minds and hearts for him to point to. The greatest way to confirm that you are discerning the will of God is to ask him to bring back to mind a Scripture that goes along with his leading. God will never tell you to do something contrary to Scripture. He will never lead you in a direction that is not in perfect alignment with the words he’s so perfectly given you in the Bible.

Learning to discern how the Holy Spirit thinks, feels, and leads is an absolutely crucial part of experiencing peace. Engage in the process of growing in relationship with the Spirit. Take notice of ways in which he might be speaking. Ask him to grow you in your ability to think, feel, and act in union with his will. You have a fully loving, powerful, faithful, and able God dwelling within you. May you experience the fullness of life that comes from peace between you and the Holy Spirit.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on Scripture about the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation about who he is through the words he’s written.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“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

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 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 14:15-17

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his nearness to you. Ask him to teach you to discern how he feels, what he’s thinking, and where he’s leading.

3. Take time to rest in God’s presence. Ask him whatever questions you have in your heart and let him teach you.

The Holy Spirit will never force his will, thoughts, or desires on us. He quietly beckons us into deeper relationship with him. But once we ask him for his will, he freely gives it. Learn to quiet your heart before him. Take time throughout your day to ask him how he feels about what you’re doing. Make space for him to guide and direct you to the heart of the Father and his will for your life. May you be blessed with a substantial peace and joy today as you learn to live in obedience to the Spirit.

Extended Reading: Galatians 5

Crate Training … and Other Good Boundaries..LYSA TERKEURST

 Crate Training … and Other Good Boundaries

LYSA TERKEURST 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) “Mom, we think you need a puppy.” Before my grown kids, who no longer live at home, got to the second syllable of the word “puppy,” I said no. There were many reasons. But mostly I felt like this whole conversation was code for “we want all the fun of a puppy without the daily responsibilities of said puppy.” If they could talk me into it, they could love the puppy and enjoy him when they wanted but then choose to leave him with me to do everything else. So of course I wound up getting a puppy. And it absolutely worked out exactly like I thought it would. But what I hadn’t counted on was completely falling in love with this little apricot-colored furball of pure joy. And you know how it’s wise for some dogs to be crate trained? Yes, well, that wasn’t working for my little pup named Givey. Every time I put him in his crate, he cried and cried until I couldn’t take it any longer and let him out. But this pattern wasn’t helping in the potty-training department or the don’t-chew-up-my-stuff department at all. One day, my friend Shae came over to work on some projects, and Givey was in rare form. Everything a good puppy should do, he was doing the opposite. I said, “I know I should put him in his crate for some timeout, but I just can’t stand to hear him cry.” Shae replied, “You know, my mom had a really wise statement she would often say when we were crate training our dog, Rosie. When she started crying and we all felt bad for Rosie, my mom would say, ‘Well, I’m not happy 100% of the time in my life either. She’ll be just fine.’” I mean, Mama has a real good point there. Eventually, Givey not only got used to spending appropriate amounts of time in his crate but wound up liking it so much that now he sometimes goes in it on his own. I think the crate has become his safe place in this big world. And it certainly brought a lot of relief to my puppy-mom life. Putting Givey in his crate when I left the house or he just needed some timeout helped establish a boundary between his personal space and mine. If he wants to chew something of his in his crate, great. But in the rest of my home, chewing up my stuff isn’t acceptable. Defining what is and is not acceptable is even more important with human relationships. If people are constantly annoying us, frustrating us, exhausting us or running all over us, chances are we either don’t have the right kind of people in our lives or we don’t have the right kind of boundaries. Or maybe it’s both. But if we see the process of implementing boundaries as a one-way ticket to someone thinking we’re unkind, unchristian or uncaring, there will be no relief because we will be consumed with the grief of others not being pleased with us. You might be thinking to yourself, Boundaries don’t bring relief. They can make the other person angry or disappointed enough in me to say hurtful things about me. I just want to keep the peace, so I’ll go along with their attitudes and behavior so that I don’t have to deal with the fallout of addressing all of this. That might appear to work for a while. But without establishing appropriate boundaries, either there will be an eventual emotional explosion of frustration, which you’ll later regret, or simmering resentments that will silently eat away at you until you start distancing yourself from the other person. I’ve been that woman. Sometimes losing my temper because I’d let things go so long I just couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer. Or sometimes biting my tongue so long I lost the desire to stay in that relationship. I’m not proud of either of these extremes. And neither of these reactions matches who I really am as a person. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I’ve read those verses so many times, and yet I never made the connection that implementing healthy boundaries in my life could actually help me be this kind of woman. This is where I’ve gotten boundaries wrong in the past. Boundaries don’t prevent me from being the best version of myself. Boundaries allow me to be the best version of myself. If I want to be a woman of compassion, good boundaries will help me be more compassionate. If I want to be a woman of grace, good boundaries will help me be more gracious. If I want to be a woman of forgiveness, good boundaries will help me be more forgiving. Good boundaries help us keep the best of who we are intact. Keeping this in mind, we can prayerfully consider where necessary boundaries may be needed in some of the relationships in our lives without the added guilt or worry of what this person may think of us. Just like Givey has learned to thrive within the parameters of his crate, I believe we can learn to thrive in healthy, life-giving relationships, protected by sound, biblical boundaries. Lord, give me wisdom to consider where boundaries may be needed in my life today. I don’t want to be fearful of what others think of me … I want to live marked by what You think of me. Please show me where I may be holding on to any people-pleasing tendencies so I can release that and live in the peace I’m really longing for in my relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

How to Foster True Friendships..Dr. Charles Stanley

 How to Foster True Friendships

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Samuel 18:1-3

All people long to be in genuine relationships. God created us with this need, as we were not meant to live in isolation.

Our world is so driven by technology that many people today try to ease their loneliness through computer relationships. However, this can never satisfy or compare to the human fellowship that the Creator designed. But healthy friendships don't just happen. They require intentional effort.

Yesterday, in looking to Jonathan and David for a biblical model of godly companions, we saw how mutual respect is vital in a healthy friendship. Now, let's look at two more aspects of their relationship. These two men had an emotional love for one another; their hearts were knit together (1 Sam. 18:1). When one man experienced joy or sadness, the other man felt it too.

They also had genuine devotion to each other, which is a type of commitment that involves giving: to show loyalty, Jonathan gave his friend material items--his robe and weapon. But these two men also selflessly offered more: Jonathan even risked his life and future kingship in order to save David from execution. Notice, too, that Jonathan was often the initiator, and the one who gave more. He was a prince, whereas David was a lowly shepherd. Social status shouldn't interfere with cultivating a true friendship.

We were designed for true companionship based on mutual respect, genuine love, and commitment. This requires not only time and selfless devotion but also transparency--which means being real, even about our faults. Taking such a risk requires trust. Such relationships are well worth the effort.

We are Placed Where We are on Purpose..Meg Bucher

 We are Placed Where We are on Purpose

By Meg Bucher

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. - John 7:28

The hallway light flicked on at 5am, and the pitter patter of sweet little feet followed by a flush and a brush and a spit gave way to a sweet face up and ready to start the day.

“Mommy,” she whispered, “you weren’t downstairs reading your Bible yet, can I read with you today?”  (God sometimes give us an easy, ‘yes,’ doesn’t He?)

We sat there side by side in the dark early hours, reading our Bibles and writing prayers in our journals. All I kept thinking was,

‘If anything ever happens to me, I’ve done such an important part of my job as her mom. She knows how to find You, God …’

Today’s verse reminds us that if Jesus was not here on His own authority, neither are we. Our days are compassionately numbered and passionately purposed by our God. It’s easy to think of our children as our own, but most important to remember that they are here on His authority, too.

In the New American Standard Bible, the word ‘come’ is used in place of ‘here,’

“I have not come…” 

According to Strongs Concordance, the translation of this word, erchomai, metaphorically means:

1. to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence
2. be established, become known, to come (fall) into or unto (Strong’s)

Not only do we come to being under His hand, but we come alive.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we begin to establish our faith and discover those compassionately numbered and passionately purposed days of our lives. Being here takes on new meaning, and He is evident everywhere.

“Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” John 5:25

The time was “now” then, and the time is “now” …now. Jesus is, was, and ever shall be.

Here and now, we can walk into our destiny.

Here and now, we can be free through Grace. Here and now, we can seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. (Jeremiah 29:13) Like in the dark hours of morning, quietly seeking…

We may not always say the right thing to our children. May not always set the right example. It’s impossible to say and do everything right on their behalf. But we can speak life into them here and now. And we can seek God in His Word, here and now. When we seek Him, they will notice.

Here they will see Him. Now they will follow.

Father,

Praise You for the way You take our efforts to seek You and lead our children to Your feet, as well. Thank You for the authority and love You proclaim over our lives and theirs. We confess that sometimes we think we’ve blown it for them on account of our mistakes, and pray blessing over our steps …the ones they see and hear …and the ones they don’t …yet.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Prayer to Find Our Satisfaction in the God Who Satisfies Forever..Alisha Headley

 A Prayer to Find Our Satisfaction in the God Who Satisfies Forever

By Alisha Headley

“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33)

While we need food daily to nourish our bodies, there is another kind of nourishment that feeds our souls and that’s Jesus Himself. Most of us turn to food or other forms of nourishment and satisfaction to fill us not just out of necessity for our bodies to survive, but out of a place to comfort us, to give us peace, and to temporarily bring us pleasure.

We don’t just do this with food, we create other forms of pleasure to satisfy our hunger. We turn to tv shows to numb us out, to friends, to staying busy, to working out, to our careers, or anything we depend on or lean on to satisfy the hunger and thirst we have for a longing of fulfillment. But like most things, food, or people, we are only satisfied temporarily, and then we find ourselves once again still hungry and thirsty for more.

Today’s verse reminds us that the true everlasting fully satisfying, that will never leave us hungry is from Heaven and that is Jesus. Today’s passage is referring to how God supplied manna to feed the Israelites as they fled the Egyptian slavery and as they traveled, with Moses as their leader, for 40 years throughout the wilderness. While bread to eat was nourishment and life to their bodies, the true bread of Heaven is Jesus who gives life to their soul and the world. What a beautiful reminder! That longing that we all have to be fulfilled, can be fulfilled by simply calling on the name of Jesus. He is our one True Bread that will give us everlasting life with Him one day in Heaven. We can turn to Him today for that hunger for fulfillment we feel inside of us. We can turn to Him to satisfy us and quench our hungering needs. Let’s pray today and ask Him to satisfy us in ways that no food, person or thing ever can.

Let’s pray:

Dear God,
Thank you so much for the Bible and all the stories from the past that are still relevant to us today. Thank you that you are a God who provides and won’t leave us hungry and thirsty. Thank you, Lord, that you sent your Son down from Heaven to die for our sins so that we could have everlasting life with you we are told in John 3:16. Please remind us today that all the things of this world that we are chasing after will never ever truly satisfy us. We thank you for blessing us with things and people in this life that bring joy, but we are reminded today that they don’t bring us lasting fulfillment.

We ask that you would reveal to us any anything in this world that we have made an idol that we are striving to fulfill us instead of you. Please re-direct our focus back on you reminding us to “seek you first the Kingdom of God and all your righteousness, and then everything else will be added to us.” (Matthew 6:33) Help us remember, that while the things of this world are good to enjoy and love, it is you we are to love first and foremost, and it is you that will bring us lasting fulfillment and a nourishment to our lives that nothing else can. Forgive us for looking elsewhere, rather than looking towards you. We love you Lord and thank you for being our one true Comfort and in you, we “lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1)

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Walk This Way: Walk in the Light ..Michael A. Milton, PhD

 Walk This Way: Walk in the Light (Ephesians 5:1, 7-10)

By Michael A. Milton, PhD

Paul wrote to the Ephesians Church, announcing God’s will for them and for us: “Be imitators of Christ. . . Walk in light.” - Ephesians 5:1, 7-10 (ESV).

One of the most remarkable and necessary features of life is light. Artists like Monet (1840–1926), Van Gogh (1853-1890), J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851), and John Constable (1776-1837) remind us how stunning light is—dappled with touches of amber oil through a forest, or reflected in the softer creamy light of the moon painted over the inky blue of a bay in the evening. We know how essential light is when we lose it. When the electricity goes out in your home, you scramble for the flashlight, lanterns, and candles; let's face it, we need light. In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of light to describe how believers should imitate our Lord Jesus (“light” is ubiquitous in the Bible; “phos” in the Greek, and “Orr” in the Hebrew; light is a remarkable word with rich theological meaning). God created light and separated it from darkness in Genesis 1:3-4. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). 

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are to be imitators of Christ in Ephesians chapter 5:1. The Apostle explains how one imitates Christ. Paul explained that we have to walk in love. Then, Paul transitions in verse 8 and declares believers must “walk in the light,” not in the darkness. As God did in Genesis 1:3,4, and as our Lord did in (John 8:12; 9:5), John contrasts the light and the darkness in a way that helps us understand how we should walk, that is, how we should follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and live our lives to be “imitators of Christ.” 

We can’t produce light. The Creator is the Lord of light. Jesus is light. His children must receive and reflect the One who is the “light of the world.” For just as the light of the moon is expressed with soft strokes across the water and becomes like dazzling diamonds flung across the sea, we who follow the Lord reflect the incomparable power of Jesus Christ. There are two vital, God-revealed truths that we should remember about walking in the light. The first feature of light is this: 

Firstly, the light reveals what the darkness conceals. 
The world was in darkness when Jesus Christ came. Isaiah prophesied that a light will arise and shine, a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 60:1-3. “Darkness” in the Scriptures is often associated with degrading sexual practices contrary to God’s will in Creation and in Scripture (e.g., Leviticus 18:22). The Bible declares misuse of God’s gift of marital intimacy abominable (e.g., Deuteronomy 22:5). The supposed alternatives to God’s will are not only disobedient but, like all sin, demeaning. Nevertheless, the light of Christ doesn’t merely judge such sin but mercifully offers forgiveness and new life. We must only turn in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ. The illuminating presence of the Lord Jesus forgives, restores, and provides the purity we need.

Secondly, the light ensures security while the darkness engenders dread.
In the natural world, darkness has an important place. God divided the light from darkness and provided a cycle that regulates our bodies and all creation. However, a darkness that is imposed upon light is different. When Jesus died on the cross, the earth went dark. This was an imposed darkness to cloak the inconceivable at Calvary.

At the birth of our Lord, earth was covered in moral shadows, a depraved spectacle of cultural degeneration that deepened the darkness and further marred the image of God in humankind. When Jesus Christ came, He not only proclaimed his self-identity as the Light of the World, but His transforming power spread globally. The Acts of the Apostles document how the light of Christ permeated the darkness. History adds to the Biblical record. For the Apostle Mark brought the gospel to Egypt. St. Thomas was martyred for establishing the church in India. The disciples of the disciples, such as Augustine of Canterbury (in 597 AD), brought the gospel to England. On it went — generation after generation, from shore to shore. That which we call Western Civilization emerged in part by the light from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, today spiritual darkness threatens our security. To cast off the light, preferring intellectual and moral darkness, is to suffer a greater judgment than those who had only known darkness. But greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Intersecting Faith and Life: 
We who have been redeemed by the Light of the world must not hide our light. We must release its healing beams to the uttermost parts of the earth; and those closest to us. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. You are the reflector. Let Him shine. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.