How to Live Low.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

How to Live Low

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The biblical concept of being poor in spirit is foundational to every aspect of the Christian life. Foundational to salvation is a heart-level acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. Foundational to experiencing God’s love is acknowledging our great need of love. Foundational to heavenly peace and joy is an acknowledgment that this world truly offers us neither. If we want all that God in his grace offers, we must pursue a lifestyle of being poor in spirit. May you experience more of the depth of God’s love this week as you discover God’s heart to minister to those desperate for him.

Scripture:“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4

Devotional:

All throughout Scripture God paints a clear picture of what it looks like to live poor in spirit—to live low. As we dive into the depths of God’s word, I pray our lives will begin to be molded and shaped by the capable, loving hands of our Potter. I pray that we will look to the grace of God as our source and strength to pursue a lifestyle of humility. And I pray our lives will be enriched and blessed by the loving, powerful presence of a God who dwells with those who live low. 

Philippians 2:3-7 says,

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Living low always begins by looking at the life of Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the example of what it looks like to live perfectly by the grace of the Father in a lifestyle of humble surrender. And Scripture makes it clear that he is our standard. A life like his is the goal.

Jesus, although King of kings and Lord of lords, did everything out of total love for God and man. The only man to ever live a perfect life looked to the interests of others above his own. One of the most powerful depictions of his commitment to loving those in need at all costs is found in Mark 2:13-17, where Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus loved others at the continual sacrifice of his reputation. He lived without a care of how he was perceived by man because his life was continually laid down to the will of his heavenly Father alone. To live in the will of God will always cost us our pride. Pride and God’s will are in direct opposition.

God is calling us to a lifestyle of love. To be poor in spirit is to “count others more significant than yourselves.” A common misconception in living low is that we must try and find ways that we are worse than others. God is not about comparison. His ways are not like ours. Rather, he is calling us to stop looking to ourselves at all and solely look to the significance of others. Jesus knew he was sinless. He knew he was God. Still, he counted others more significant because of his love and grace. We don’t have to pursue false humility to love others well. Rather, by the grace of God we must stop looking to our own needs, our own sense of pride and reputation, lay down our lives at the cross of Christ, and love as he has called us to love.

To live low is to look at the life of Jesus, look at our own lives, and acknowledge the differences, as well as obeying the command of Scripture to live like him. And in our inability we must come before our heavenly Father in full knowledge that we’ll never be like Jesus on our own. We must seek to abide in him and receive his wealth of affection, love, and grace that we might bear fruit. If we seek to live low by ceasing to look to ourselves and instead look to God and others, we will always, unfailingly be empowered by God.

Take time in guided prayer to look at the life of Jesus, look at your own life, and receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes from abiding in the love of your heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on Jesus’ commitment to humility and living low. Allow his life to be the example by which you live yours.

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7

2. In what ways are you living in pride? In what ways are you looking to your own interests above the interests of others? Where do you need to count others as more significant than yourself?

3. Take time to abide in God’s love. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you yield your life to him that you might bear the fruit of his dwelling within you. Look to God as your source and supply rather than your own strength. And live today in a constant pursuit of living low.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3

Proverbs 22:4 says, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” When you humble yourself before God and man, the pressure of finding your own joy, success, provision, and worth falls off and is replaced with the peace, love, security, and grace of your heavenly Father. Living low does not mean you will be without joy, peace, or possessions. Rather, it positions you to receive all the incredible fullness of heaven your good Father longs to give. Live low today and rid yourself of the weight of pride so that the foundation for your emotions, thoughts, and actions would be the love of a good, present, and powerful God.

Extended Reading: Philippians 2

Thankfulness in the Thick of It..JODI HARRIS

 Thankfulness in the Thick of It

JODI HARRIS

“Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food … Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (AMP)

When I lost my job last spring, I had peace that God would provide. But as weeks rolled into months, cents rolled into dollars, and worry and doubt crept in.

I’m used to God working when all seems lost and impossible, so I was ashamed at my faltering faith. But trusting God for His provision doesn’t come naturally. Doubt and worry? Easy. Like a dog with a bone, I chew down my worry and choke on the splinters.

If God has always provided, why am I doubting?

I wonder if that’s how Jesus' disciples felt when He said He was going to feed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish. (John 6:1-15) They couldn’t see how. They may have believed He could feed them, but all they saw was the one little lunch and one very big crowd. Philip exclaimed, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7, NIV). It didn’t add up.

I think the same about my situation. With bills in one hand and an empty bank account in the other, it doesn’t add up. I’ve seen Jesus do miracles in my life before, and I know He can do it again. But I cannot see how.

It must have been strange to watch Jesus give thanks for the way-too-small amount of bread as if it could actually fill all those stomachs. (John 6:11) I used to move right past the “giving thanks” part of this Bible story because it seems typical to give thanks before a meal. But that's when there is plenty of food. Jesus gave thanks for the not-enough, trusting God, the Provider, to turn it into more than enough — 12 baskets of leftovers, in fact. (John 6:13)

He gave thanks before the miracle.

Thanksgiving is an expression of joy, not because of what God provides but because He is the Provider. Our joy comes not from what we have but from who He is, and giving thanks opens our eyes to see more of Him.

The prophet Habakkuk also struggled to see God’s provision in his life. He argued with God, complained and wrestled things through with Him. Finally he surrendered and said:

“Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food … Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Giving thanks is not reactive but proactive. Habakkuk chose to rejoice. He chose to give thanks when there was nothing, trusting God for the something. Like Jesus, he knew the Provider of all things. While he couldn't see the how, he saw the who.

Do you have a “not-enough” situation in your life?

The rent is due, but your car broke down.
You feel trapped in a dead-end job or dead-end relationship.
Your child struggles in school, but you don’t know how to help.

Will you join me in thanking God for the not-enough moments and seeing them as opportunities for Him to give more than enough? Thanking God in all circumstances for what we can see opens our eyes to what we otherwise cannot see. It ushers in God’s peace (Philippians 4:7) and emboldens us with His strength to persevere. (Nehemiah 8:10)

After all, if the situation were solvable without Him, we would miss the moment He will do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

Thank You, Lord, for the not-enough moments You use to strengthen my faith. May I learn to be ever grateful, choosing to rejoice even when I cannot see how You're working, knowing You will do immeasurably more than I could ask.

Remembering God's Blessings..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Remembering God's Blessings

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 9:1-2

We are given amazing privileges when we trust in Jesus. Recalling these promises is a good way to maintain a thankful heart, even when facing challenges in other areas. Consider four such blessings:

1. Christ’s gift of salvation. No matter what trial we’re facing, it is microscopic next to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The cross was a steep price to pay, but the Savior willingly took our place in order to offer us forgiveness and eternal life.
2. Assurance of God’s love. The Lord cares for us unconditionally—that is His very character (1 John 4:16). Unfortunately, the storms of life can cause us to question this, but Romans 8:31–39 unequivocally tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
3. Answered prayer. We have the awesome privilege of talking to the Father about anything burdening us—and He never grows tired of listening to His children. Our omnipotent, omniscient God is not only able to help us in any situation; He also knows the best possible way to do so.
4. A personalized plan. The Lord has a will, plan, and purpose for our lives that He will accomplish if we obey Him. No one is exempt from adversity, but we can trust God to bring good from everything He permits to come our way.

Hardships, temptations, and tests will touch us all, but the Lord allows difficulty for a reason—even when we don’t understand why (Rom. 8:28). Therefore, submit yourself to the Father, thank Him for His wisdom, and be confident that He will accomplish His purposes for you.

Walking with God..OnePlace.com

 Walking with God

By OnePlace.com

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: "The just shall live by faith" - Romans 1:17

When I hear of Hollywood couples who get together and then divorce rather quickly, I have to wonder what people are looking for in marriage.

Do they understand that it's a commitment? Do they understand that feelings will come and go, and that you must get on with the very real business of loving a person and all that it means?

The same can be said of a relationship with God. There are times when you feel great joy, passion, and excitement about being a Christian. And there are times when you don't feel it. But that doesn't mean you say, "Well, that's it. I'm not going to follow Christ anymore."

The Bible doesn't say, "The just shall live by feelings." Rather, it says, "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17 NKJV).

Feelings change, but walking with God takes faith. It takes commitment. And it takes consistency.

The Bible tells us about a man who walked with God for many years. His name was Enoch, and I want to look at some secrets from his life that we can apply in our lives as well.

In the whole of the Bible, only five passages refer to Enoch, two of which are genealogies. Although we don't find a lot written about Enoch, what we do have is significant.

Genesis tells us, "Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:21-24 NKJV).

Enoch lived during a unique time in human history, just before God's judgment of the world by the flood. Against this very dark backdrop was a man who walked with God and was spared death. Enoch is a prototype of the last-days believer, showing us how to live as we await the Lord's return.

So what set Enoch apart? How was he able to live a godly life in an ungodly world, in a time that was characterized by sexual perversion and uncontrolled violence? We find three important principles at work in Enoch's life that we can apply in our own lives today.

Principle one: Enoch walked with God. The analogy of walking and the Christian life is used throughout Scripture. But what does it mean to walk with God? It is not merely living by rules and regulations or making daily resolutions that we quickly break. It is much more than that.

The prophet Amos revealed an important truth about what it means to walk with God when he asked, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3 nkjv). The word he used for "together" gives the idea of two people moving in rhythm together, as in riding a tandem bicycle. But it is not about getting God into rhythm with us; it is getting ourselves into rhythm with Him. That is what it means to walk with God.

Principle two: Enoch was well-pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:5 says, "He had this testimony, that he pleased God" (nkjv). Sometimes we have the mistaken notion that God is very hard to please. Yet God knows our weaknesses and frailties better than anyone, and He is not as hard to please as we might think.

So how do we please God? God is pleased when, in spite of the fact that we are in the right, we patiently endure when misunderstood (see 1 Peter 2:19-20). When you do what is right and patiently endure suffering for it, that is called meekness, and it pleases God.

God is also pleased when children obey their parents (see Colossians 3:20); when we worship Him and help others (see Hebrews 13:15-16); and when we give financially to the work of the kingdom (see Philippians 4:17-18).

Principle three: Enoch was a witness for God. Enoch walked with God, he was well-pleasing to God, and lastly, he was a witness for God. As Enoch walked with God and pleased Him, he had a testimony and a witness.

Every Christian has a testimony. People are watching us. They are observing us. And we should give a lot of thought to that. Before we can effectively witness for God, we must first walk with Him.

Because Enoch walked with God, he saw this world for what it was. Do you?

A Prayer for Thanksgiving..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Thanksgiving

By Emma Danzey

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year. As the United States celebrates this holiday of God’s provisions, many of us will be cooking casseroles, watching the Macy’s parade, playing football in the backyard, and visiting with loved ones. This is not just a gathering, this is an opportunity to live out giving thanks in all circumstances. This is not just God’s will for one day a year, but for every day of our lives. As we pray for Thanksgiving may it remind us to be thankful always.

Let's Pray:

Dear Lord,
Thank You for holidays. Thank you for times when we can gather with loved ones and celebrate all of Your blessings. We pray that this Thanksgiving is a time of great gratitude and love for those around us. Whether relationships are strong or rocky, we are grateful for the opportunity to invest in them and nurture them.

Thank You for the witnessing opportunities that many of us will have with family or friends. Help us not to live in a spirit of fear, but of power and confidence in You. May our words of the gospel be pleasing like honey to them. Would you open their eyes to see the truth and that it will set them free? Jesus, would you please help us to live out the fruits of the Spirit and not to live by our flesh? We pray that we would be a light even in situations that arise which are uncomfortable or hurtful towards our Christian faith in You.

We pray for those who are grieving this Thanksgiving and the table does not feel the same without a certain loved one. Would you hold them near this holiday? Give them strength to make new memories and to be at peace with missing their loved one. Help them not to feel guilty or ashamed of their deep love. We pray that they would not sit in the grief, but that they would be able to find gratitude even in just one thing.

Would You open our eyes to anyone in the community or in our neighborhood who we should invite to our Thanksgiving table? We see so many times that You Jesus welcomed people to the table and ate with a variety of people. May we not forget the powerful witness that this is to You. Help us to let go of selfish traditions and exchange them for new gospel focused opportunities. You say in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” Help us to remember to consider others before ourselves.

Please go before the food that we prepare. Thank You for the opportunity to have such an amazing meal. Please protect homes from fires and burnt turkeys. Please protect little ones from getting burned. Protect those making dishes from any mishaps with knives. We pray protection over every aspect of the meal preparation. Help those who have cooked and worked hard for the meal feel greatly appreciated and valued. It is often an under-appreciated job to do. Give us fresh ways to say thank you to others in the ways that they step in.

Help us to remember the most important thing to be thankful for is You and Your gift of salvation Jesus. The holiday and the food are temporary, but Your forgiveness lasts forever to those who accept You as Savior. Remind us of ways in which You have saved us from the pit and restored us to the Father. Help us to be starters of spiritual gratitude during our conversations and as we eat. Reveal any ways that we try to put You outside of this holiday and focus on lesser things. You are the most important part of Thanksgiving.

We pray that faith in Christ, prayer, and edifying Christian community would be visual examples to the next generation about what we are truly more grateful for even though some years are more challenging than others. We praise You Lord for so many blessings that You have provided for us. Amen.

The Essence of Thankfulness..Meg Bucher

 The Essence of Thankfulness

By Meg Bucher

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” - Philippians 3:7 NLT

The mint green box with flowers on it collects all of the dust bunnies under the bed. Its contents hold the memories of a season of life. We attach sentiment to things on this earth. Things become especially meaningful to us when they symbolize something much greater than the craving for the physical object. It’s sad to box up a season of life once treasured. 

Paul wrote to the Philippians about the true value of things. The Greek translation for things is hostis, and the word is defined as “whoever, whatever, who.” One of the definitions for things in the English language is “anything that is or may become an object of thought.” Our earthly selves love to be loved, and comfortable. We love the assurance someone will never leave us, and slowly forget there is only One who never will.

“When Paul speaks of these things, he is referring to his credentials, credits, and successes,” the NLT Bible notes explain, “After showing that he could beat the Judaizers at their own game (being proud of who they were and what they had done), Paul shows that it is the wrong game. Be careful of considering your position or past achievements so important that they get in the way of your relationships with Christ.” Add to achievements our relationships and how tempting it is to hold people to standards in this life they can never fulfill for us. Paul continued to write:

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8 NLT

Christ Jesus is the only One who can fill the gaps in our human hearts, which automatically ache for assurance, comfort, and companionship. Everything, and everyone, will fail to fulfill this desire in our lives because our hearts were created to crave Him. “Gaining Christ is described in three ways:” The Moody Bible Commentary explains, “first, it is found in Him …second, it is not having one’s own righteousness …third, it is having the righteousness which comes through faith in Christ.” 

The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT.) 

Paul wrote to the Romans: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 11:17 NLT

The desire to put our hope in whoever or whatever ends up in a box collecting the dust bunnies under our beds. Our souls were created to put our hope in one person: Christ Jesus. Through Him, we come to the Father. In Him, we find peace, joy, love, and purpose. By His death, we get to live ours to the full here on earth and eternally with Him in heaven. Paul continued:

“For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” - Philippians 3:8b-9 NLT

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Faith isn’t an object we own or the level we achieve in life. Faith is a living and breathing part of who we are, constantly being molded into the image of Christ Jesus as we follow Him through our daily lives. Paul’s letter continued: 

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” Philippians 3:10-11 NLT 

Though it seems some seasons in our lives are unrelatably painful, Christ gets it. The box of memories collecting dust bunnies means something to Him because it means something to us. God does not meet us with a pep-talk; he meets us with compassion. He says, “let’s go through this box together …bring it to me.” He sees us, He knows us, and He longs to comfort us in the times we need to remember most …whoever or whatever is nothing in comparison to the complete peace, restoration, love, and joy we experience in Christ Jesus. Nothing …nothing …compares to who He is. 

Father,
You are so faithful. Every day, Your mercies are new. Great is Your faithfulness! We can be sad, and we can cry out to You, God. Thank You for who You are. Your compassion saves our lives over and over again. We confess our misplacement of people and things in our lives. We confess our focus on achieving over abiding in You. We love You with our whole hearts. Help us to understand how to grow in our love for You. Let it overflow out of our lives and onto everyone around us, Father.

Further Reading:

• Philippians 3
• Hebrews 11

When Do You Thank God?.. Anne Peterson

 When Do You Thank God?

 By: Anne Peterson

Today’s Bible Verse: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God tells us godliness with contentment is great gain, but being content is not always easy to do (1 Timothy 6:6). It’s often difficult because we’re looking around at others, wondering if what we have compares with what they have.

Paul said he learned how to be content in whatever state he found himself (Philippians 4:11). Paul didn’t just talk about it, he showed us. There he was in prison, all shackled up, and what was he doing? Having a pity party? No, he was singing praises to God. Too often we choose to praise God after he has answered our prayers. And while there’s nothing wrong with thanking God for answered prayer, we miss out, if that’s the only time we praise him with thanksgiving. God is good. It’s impossible for God to be anything less than good. It’s his character. 

I often think of when Jesus visited Mary and Martha after their brother, Lazarus died. Even though Jesus went there after Lazarus was already dead, he still had a plan. 

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” - John 11:41-42

I always found it interesting that Jesus thanked God for hearing his prayer before Lazarus took one step. Years ago, I made a mental note of that. God is worthy of praise. We don’t have to wait to see if God delivers on something we ask him before we thank him. And if God chooses to say, “No,” that doesn’t mean God is less worthy of our praise.

God’s Word tells us it’s impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). When we choose to be thankful and praise God at all times, we are exercising faith. We are praising God because we know God is capable of doing everything we ask and then so much more. When we thank God, we are pleasing our heavenly Father.

God is worthy of praise. Just because he’s God. It pleases God when we praise him ahead of time because we’re saying, God, whether or not you choose to answer my prayers, I praise you for who you are. I thank you for all you’ve given me. And Lord, even when you choose to say “no” to my requests, I know you have your reasons. You know the beginning from the end. Your thoughts are much higher than my thoughts and your ways are higher too (Isaiah 55:8-9). And Lord, if you withhold something I’m asking you for, then maybe the thing is not good for me, or the timing is not right.  I know it’s not good because you’ve said you will not withhold any good thing from me (Psalm 84:11). God, I trust you.

We can choose to be thankful in all things. Simply because God is all wise and he allows what he does with his wisdom. And when things look like they will never work out, those impossible times are God’s specialty. The things that are impossible with man are possible with God (Luke 18:27). I love it when God does what seems impossible, because there’s no question at all who did it. And when we get discouraged because of our circumstances, God promises that in all things he can work for the good, for us (Romans 8:28).

We can rejoice always because we know the Almighty God, the everlasting Father. We can pray continually, because he invites us to bring our cares to Him, because he cares for us (1Peter 5:7). And we can give thanks in all circumstances because it is God’s will. We also know none of God’s plans can be thwarted (Job 42:2). I’m pretty certain that when Paul sang to the Lord from behind bars, it was one of the most beautiful praises ever heard. And we can do the same.