Being a Person of Vision.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Being a Person of Vision

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

We serve a God of boundaries. In his limitless capacity, endless creativity, and boundless existence he still chose to create boundaries. He still had vision for what was good, right, pleasing, and perfect. And as children made in his image, we are to live, think, and create as he does. In a world marked by busyness from seemingly infinite opportunities, it’s important now more than ever for us to create boundaries. May you find freedom and joy this week as you receive vision and set boundaries under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture:

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18

Devotional:

The world we live in constantly bombards us with attempts to define who we are and what we should do. Advertisements tell us what we need. Our jobs tell us how we should spend our time and find a sense of self-worth. Our families and friends often define us by what we’ve done or said in the past. And even our churches sadly define us according to how we can best meet the needs of the church rather than getting to know who we truly are.

But we serve a God who knows us even better than we know ourselves. Psalm 139:1-4 says, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” And then later in verse 16 David writes, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

From the foundation of the earth, God knew he would make us. On the day we took our first breath he already had perfect, pleasing plans for us. He’s known our every thought and looked upon our every action with grace. We could not be more known than we are by our heavenly Father. And there couldn’t be a better guide through the chaos of this life than the Holy Spirit.

To be a person with healthy, life-giving boundaries starts with being a person of vision. And the only place to get true vision is from the only One who truly knows you. God longs to be the north on your compass. He longs to give you honest insight into how he’s made you. He longs to give you a sense of how he sees you and feels about you. And in receiving a revelation of who you are you will be better equipped to follow his leadership into his perfect and pleasing will.

Begin this week of vision and boundaries by meeting with your heavenly Father in prayer. May you be overwhelmed by a fresh revelation of how loved you are—just as you are.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the simple truth that God truly knows you. Allow Scripture to lead you to a place of faith and trust in God’s knowledge of you.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1-4

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

2. Ask God to give you a revelation of how he sees you. Ask him for a revelation of his nearness and love. Begin to talk to him about any insecurities you have.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

3. Ask God for a revelation of what he has called you to. Ask him about your role in your family and his calling on your life as a spouse, child, or parent. Ask him for vision for your work. Ask him for vision for your relationship with him. Journal his responses.

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Often in my life I feel like a horse with blinders just putting my head down and running as fast as I can to only end up right back where I started. God doesn’t desire to put blinders on us. He doesn’t treat us just as tools to accomplish tasks. He’s about relationship with us. He’s about guiding us in having vision for our lives. He longs to help us see ourselves, this world, and opportunities before us as he does that we might gain wisdom and insight. Choose to be a person of vision. Choose to pick your head up and put on the lens of the Holy Spirit. Ask God questions. Inquire of him about your life and opportunities. And in response he will provide the leadership you need, exactly how you need it.

Extended Reading: Psalm 139

The Uniqueness of Christ..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Uniqueness of Christ

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 16

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” they replied, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” But Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:13-16).

What set Jesus apart as the Messiah?

• His birth: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born, as prophesied, in Bethlehem to a virgin. Though angels announced His arrival and He reigns over all creation, Jesus entered our world in a lowly manner so He could be identified with the meek and the poor.
• His wisdom: At age 12, He spent three days with rabbis, asking questions that showed his uncommon understanding.
• His baptism: Though He didn’t need cleansing, Jesus asked John to baptize Him so He could identify with sinners and demonstrate His love to them.
• His temptation: Satan tempted Him relentlessly for 40 days, yet He did not sin.
• His ministry: He challenged man-made religious traditions. And by healing people—regardless of nationality—raising the dead, and forgiving sins, He revealed that God wants to be involved personally in our lives. Leading Pharisees wanted Him dead, but the Father protected His life until the crucifixion.

Many people deny Christ’s deity, calling Him simply a “prophet” or “good teacher.” But Jesus was never merely human. As complex as it is for us to comprehend, He was fully God and fully man. This is the unique way in which our heavenly Father chose to demonstrate His eternal love for us.

Hope for Those Enduring Chronic Pain..Meg Bucher

 Hope for Those Enduring Chronic Pain

By Meg Bucher

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:4

Chronic pain is enveloping. Daily life blurs in and out of focus and normal functions are intolerable. Wefall behind and short, unable to match life’s stride. The numbing power of sleeplessness exalts pain’s platform to the fore-front of our minds. The people we love look at us with egg-shelled glances, unsure of how to step into and around our fractured sense of reality. Help seems hopeless, and hope seems fleeting, as we drift into the despair of deferred healing.

Unless…

We choose to remember Who pain answers to.

Unless…

We focus on the Voice that is bigger than all others.

Strip pain of the last word by suppressing it with the sound of God’s promises.

Today’s verse references two Old Testament passages. Isaiah 25:8, which says, “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.” (NIV)

His love fuels our hope, even when it’s deferred. Pain doesn’t always lessen at the thought of our great God, but our hope in Him has healing power. Even science tells us that positive people have a better chance of healing.

The source of all positivity comes from the God who created that mentality.

The second verse referenced in Revelation 21:4 is Isaiah 65:16-17:

“Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one try God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will  forgotten and hidden from my eyes. ‘See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, not will they come to mind.’” NIV

The One who created us and knows all of our days before we set out to live them, empowers us to bear the weight of this life, ensuring that relief is coming …whether it be this side of heaven or not.

“For people who feel trapped in pain—whether in a broken home, in economic misery or in fear—for all of us, heaven promises a future time, one far longer and more substantial than the time we spend on this earth. It will be a time of health and wholeness and pleasure and peace. The Bible began with that promise in the book of Genesis. It ends with that same promise in Revelation, giving a guarantee of our future reality. The end will be but a beginning.” NIV Student Bible Notes

There may not be a way out of the pain we are in. Not in this life. But even if that’s the case, we have an amazing healing awaiting us, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

Father,

We praise You for Your healing power. Even if not on this earth or in this life, we know that You promise to heal us. Thank You for Your faithfulness, and forgive us for letting the pain take over our thoughts and lives. Help us, Lord. Give us relief from the pain of this life, if not only in reminder of Your promise for healing in heaven.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for the Overwhelmed Mom This Christmas..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer for the Overwhelmed Mom This Christmas

By Alicia Searl

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14

Christmastime is a beautiful and holy time of year, causing us to pause and reflect on God’s rich love for us, soaking in all its wonders, but for the overwhelmed mom, going into this season can cause a surge of panic. As excitement and anticipation grow, so do the anxiety, frantic nerves, and seasonal stress. The daunting task of trying to please everyone around her while making memories for her precious family has officially begun, and she’s already tired. Her intentions may mean well and generally stem from a pure heart, but in due time, all this striving and giving, tirelessly aiming to satisfy family and friends, eventually leads to a place that exudes a dim glow that’s a little lackluster. 

Moms have always been rather good at stuffing down their own happiness in order to bring out the best in others. This need to create magical memories only intensifies as Christmas draws near. They pledge to themselves (pretty much every year) that this Christmas will be different. This Christmas will be more about… fill in the blank. This trail of thought is brought on by the detour she took looking back on Christmases past.  

Yet, as time goes on and the to-do list grows longer, the once deemed “holy and jolly mom” slowly gets replaced with the pale green starkness of the Grinch. Joy and peace manage to become consumed by the shuffle of events and endless demands, and the excitement quickly fizzles out with unmet expectations.

Before too long, the busy patterns of this season will have a weary momma’s heart gently whispering, “Where are you, Christmas?” Maybe you are that overwhelmed mom in need of hope. Well, let me remind you that our Savior is near! If we truly want this Christmas to be different, we must make room in our schedule to become overwhelmed by His Presence (Exodus 33:14).

This Christmas, search for ways to slip away to be removed from all the “stuff” so you can be refueled by God’s unfailing love. Carve out time to dig into His Word, stroll in His beautiful creation, sit beneath the tree and soak in its glorious glow. Let those small and precious moments that you met with Jesus prompt you to rejoice and give Him thanks and praise for all that He has done in your life (Isaiah 12:4-5).

I would like to invite you to pause and pray with me today. Let’s seek Jesus this season and let Him speak softly to your weary heart. When we stop searching for the perfect Christmas, we are met with a perfect Savior. Rest in Him today, and let His presence be the promising present of joy for your overwhelmed soul (Romans 15:13).

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, You are the true reason for this season, and I am blessed by the gift of salvation You brought to this fallen world in order to save us, to save me. This time of year, I long to create special memories for my family, but it is so easy to get overwhelmed by the pressure and demands of this season. O God, create in me a heart that wants to be overwhelmed by Your precious presence and etch that within the hearts of my children. Create boundaries in my life that allow me to be filled by Your love so I can freely share Your abundant love with others.

Lord, forgive me where I fail You. The moments I have allowed joy to be stolen from me this season due to the calendar I so quickly fill up with unnecessary events. Show me areas in which I can simplify my schedule and make extra room to be still and quiet (Psalm 46:10).  

When those events do come, and we try to bond as a family, I invite You to be the main part of our gathering. Lean in a little closer when I am met with unrealistic or unmet expectations. Speak to my heart and lead and guide me back to Who You are.

Jesus, I am so thankful for Your sweet and precious birth story. I long to be overwhelmed in Your presence this season and all year long.

With love and adoration. Amen.

The Season of Hope..Meg Bucher

 The Season of Hope

By Meg Bucher 

“O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O LORD? You are entirely faithful.” - Psalm 89:8 NLT

“It’s here!!!” Though not as thick as the one delivered in my childhood, the toy catalog brought a lot of excitement to our house each holiday season. Things my kids didn’t even know existed became things they hoped they would get for Christmas. 

The Christmas Season has also been called the Season of Hope. Much deeper than the wishes circled in toy catalogs and commercialized in gift wrap, Hope is anchored in the faithfulness of God. The psalmist wrote, “You are entirely faithful.” Christmas reminds us of the evidence of God’s faithfulness. Though we cannot see Him, we know He works miracles. We trust the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Psalm 36:5 reads: 

“Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.” Psalm 36:5 NLT

Beyond the clouds! The clouds are layered into the sky as the seasons change in the North, ushering in the holiday season. What causes those last leaves to cling to the trees after the winds of change have scattered the rest amidst the ground? God’s creation reminds us of His consistency. He is faithful. His beauty permeates every atmospheric change. He is in charge of the change. Our hope is in Him because of Who He is …entirely faithful.

Christ Jesus was born a babe in Bethlehem, proof of God’s faithfulness and love. He didn’t have to save us or show us how much He loved us. He wanted to. He is entirely faithful. He is in charge of the change. The VOICE paraphrase of Psalm 89:8 reads:

“O Eternal God, Commander of heaven’s armies, who is mighty like You? You are completely faithful; that’s why we trust in You.”

“How is your hope?” an article, “Hope Bible Verses,” compiled by Bible Study Tools Staff, asked, “Does it bounce back after being hit? Does it cause you to doubt when you lose hope in a situation? God knows that we all struggle with finding and holding onto hope.” Christmas is an opportune time to remember the babe born in Bethlehem, coming down from heaven to bring us hope without end. The author of Hebrews wrote: 

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Hebrews 10:23 NLT

The birth of Jesus reminds us of the faithfulness of God. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The world is chaotic, but God is in control. The Christmas season itself brings an additional element of busyness. Jesus came into the world by God’s design and in His time. There is nothing that surprises God. We, too, were born under His timing and orchestration. He is always aware, ready, and active. God does not need to sleep. He is mighty to save and defends us with a heavenly army of angels. He is the God of miracles. The Voice paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11 reads:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope- never forget that.”

Christmas gives us an opportunity to embrace a season of hope. God’s people looked forward to the coming Messiah for centuries. Faithfully, He came and brought hope which does not fade when the Christmas lights are taken down. It remains constant, as God remains faithful. Our hope, daily, is in Him.

Father, 
Thank You for Christmas and the reminder this season of Hope brings to our hearts and homes. Thank You for the lights which brighten dark and long winter days, reminding us Jesus brought light and hope into a dark and hopeless world. Father, we embrace Your hope and faithfulness and pray it propels us into obedience and big risks as we faithfully follow Your Son, Christ Jesus, by the gift of His Holy Spirit. 
In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Further Reading 

• Psalm 91:4-6
• Isaiah 7:14
• Matthew 1:21
• Luke 2:6-7

The Strains of Christmas..John UpChurch

 The Strains of Christmas

by John UpChurch

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Christmas at my house meant preparing for the worst. The worst didn’t always come, but you couldn’t be too careful.

You see, the thing about holidays is that people tend to be together, pushed into the same room by tradition and baked turkey. My family spent most of the year avoiding such things, as we hurried off to school or work, buried ourselves in music and books, and generally enjoyed the comfort of a closed door.

We could usually navigate the raging Scylla and Charybdis of Thanksgiving because it only meant a day together before we scattered again. But while we chewed stuffing, my father would chew on his disappointment over his life and his family. My older brothers would try not to notice. The tryptophan made us all too sleepy for much more—at least, that’s what I like to think.

But then Christmas came lumbering into the UpChurch household with all its vacation days. We had too much time off, and too many unspoken issues. We were like a pot of boiling potatoes with the water sloshing out on the stove. There’d be some sizzling over a lack of job, a splash or two over how much something cost, and then boom… the lid blew off.

An hour and two new holes in the wall later, we surveyed the wreckage of the yuletide cheer. My brothers would fume back into the basement, my father would escape to his computer, and my mom would try to figure out what to do. Usually, the anger just sunk back into the pot for another year.

When I moved out of my house, it took years for Christmas to reclaim its festive atmosphere. Even when the war ended, the shellshock didn’t. There were too many things unsaid, too many things not dealt with. The embers of home-fought battles wouldn’t die down.

Then, Christ.

Describing salvation couldn’t be better summed up than in those two words set apart in their own paragraph: then, Christ. There was no choir of angels singing (audibly to me, at least) or a special star shining light down on my apartment, but it was a moment that clearly separates time into two epochs. That separation is for both BC/AD and OJ/NJ—Old John and New John.

As this New John, though, I noticed something that might as well have been as miraculous as angels breaking out the tunes over my head. When Christmas came, the dread didn’t. I’d plucked the Christ off Christmas, and the mass didn’t seem so heavy. In fact, I even looked forward to it.

No, the tension didn’t suddenly melt away. The tempers weren’t all snuffed out. There were still moments that stretched tightly across our gatherings. But I now knew something just slightly flip-the-world-upside-down, mind-blowingly awesome: A baby, born poor and away from home, had taken the worst this world had to offer. A king wanted Him dead, and His country had no place for Him. But still He came… for me.

For you.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Christmas has no shortage of strains. It’s a holiday that seems perfectly designed for stress—at least, in the way we Westerners celebrate. Family tension has a way of bubbling up with the egg nog, and old arguments never seem to die.

But my prayer is that you aren’t afraid to face the day, and not just face it, but be filled with the mystery of it all. Here is a day to remember our God adding humanity to deity and giving up the sweet spot in heaven to plop Himself into our world. He came because He didn’t hold our sin against us; He wanted to hold it for us.

And when you keep that perspective, family arguments and stress suddenly seem trivial amid the menagerie of hams and yams and red velvet cakes.