New Beginnings.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

New Beginnings

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As this year comes to a close, it’s vital that we take time to both reflect on what God has done and allow him to prepare us for what’s to come. A new year marks a fresh opportunity to center our lives around the goodness of God. I pray that as you begin looking toward what is to come you will make space to gain God’s perspective, ground your hopes and pursuits on his grace, and celebrate all that God has done and is doing. May your time with God this week be filled with the loving presence of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24

Devotional:

A new year marks a new beginning: a time for the children of God to reground themselves in the love of the Father. God loves to use new seasons to remind us of his desire to continually make us new. From winter to spring we see that which appeared dead burst forth into beautiful arrays of God’s glorious work. And God longs for the same fresh start in our lives as he does for his creation. He longs to make things new as the new year begins.

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” We have hope in the steadfast love of God. His powerful love can make new all that needs restoration. God’s heart is to free you from that which weighs you down and robs you of the abundant life Jesus came to bring you.

With this year coming to a close and a new year fast approaching, it’s time for us to gain perspective on that which needs rebirth. Whatever sin has entangled you this year does not have to gain victory over you in the next. Whatever lie you’ve believed that’s wrecked your emotions, thoughts, and actions does not have to win the battle over your mind next year. Whatever wound or disappointment that has hurt you can be healed and reborn to empower you for that which is to come.

God’s heart is to meet you where you are today. He longs to meet you at your greatest point of weakness and pain and wrap you up in his love. He longs for you to know he is with you, for you, and will walk with you into newness of life. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). God has limitless, powerful grace for you today. Run to him with your sin. Run to him with your failures and struggles. Run to him with the pain of others’ words that he might speak his healing truth over you.

Your heavenly Father loves you and is for you. He has new beginnings in store for you. But just as a tree needs fresh sunlight, warmth, and rain to bear fruit again, you need the refreshing rain of God’s grace and the warmth of his steadfast love to be made new. You can’t do it on your own. You weren't made to do it on your own. All you need for a new beginning is wholly available in the arms of your loving Father. Open up your heart to him today and receive the newness of life he paid the highest price to give.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire and ability to lead you to a new beginning. Reflect on his power over sin, his heart to comfort, and his ability to shepherd.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

2. Where do you need a new beginning? What sin do you need freedom from? What wound do you need healed? Where do you need new life?

3. Run to God with your sin, pain, failures, and frustrations and open your heart to receive his powerful presence. Ask him to show you the path to victory over sin. Ask him to reveal his plan for healing your wounds. Rest in his loving arms today and allow his presence to be enough.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Oftentimes the road to a new beginning is wrought with a host of mistakes and defeats. But know that to continue on the path side by side with the Holy Spirit is a victory in itself. Don’t give up on new life. Seek the fullness of God’s goodness with all your might. Allow him to help you, forgive you, and strengthen you along the way. He will be faithful to shepherd you into all his wonderful plans. All you have to do is follow his leadership and enjoy his nearness. May you find comfort and hope in the powerful presence of your loving Father today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 23

Even on the Bad Days..STACY J. LOWE

 Even on the Bad Days

STACY J. LOWE

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …” Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Some days I really don’t like myself. Days when I’m impatient and irritable. Days when my attitude is not the greatest and I don’t love others like I should.

Perhaps those days happen because I’m overly stressed or didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Or maybe my introverted soul is just worn out from too much interaction with too many people. Whatever the reason, when those days come around, I often become my own worst critic and beat myself up for it. Repeatedly.

Why can’t you just get it together? I wonder, feeling certain I’m the only one ever to have days like this.

Except … I suspect I’m not the only one. I suspect perhaps you, too, have days where you’re not at your finest. In fact, maybe you’re having one now.

The Apostle Paul could relate. In Romans 7, he talks about this ongoing struggle of wanting to do what’s right but inevitably doing what’s wrong. Loving God but still fighting against the sinful nature within.

Just a few verses later, though, in Romans 8:1, he reminds us:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …”

No condemnation. You know what that means?

It means my worth is not based upon my performance. My worth is based upon the price Jesus was willing to pay for me, and He paid it all. Even on my bad days, even when I’m struggling to love myself, His love for me never changes. It stands firm and secure. Always.

So what do I do with that?

• I remember that I’m not just tolerated but cherished by my Father.
• I remember that a bad day doesn’t devalue my soul or somehow make me less-than in His eyes.
• I remember that because I belong to Christ, when God looks at me, He doesn’t see my failures and mistakes; He sees the holiness of His Son.

This doesn’t excuse any wrong action on my part, but it does mean I don’t have to live in defeat. Sometimes I need that reminder.

Today let’s choose to remember that in our less-than-stellar moments, we don’t have to stay in condemnation. We can take a deep breath and move forward with our heads held high, our identity firmly in check as God’s beloved daughters. Because that’s who we are.

We are His, even on the bad days, and that’s all that matters in the end.

Father, thank You that because of Your Son, Jesus, I don’t have to live in a place of defeat. Thank You that, even on my bad days, Your love for me never changes. Help me to remember that always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our True Identity..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Our True Identity

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 1:3-8

When I hear a believer announce, “I’m just a sinner,” I feel like saying, “That’s what you used to be.” A lot of folks cling to a view of themselves as a patched-up, slightly-better-than-before version of their old self. The Bible contradicts that opinion: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). In fact, according to Scripture, we’re dramatically different once we are complete in Christ.

The question is whether people will trust in what they feel or believe what God says about them. His Word calls us saints (Rom. 1:7), disciples (Matt. 28:19), and fellow heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). If your opinion is that you are “just a sinner,” then you cannot fully experience and enjoy your identity in Christ.

Believing what God says about our new self is a choice. Satan certainly conspires to convince believers that God’s Word doesn’t apply to them. He knows that people held captive by spiritual poverty back away from opportunities to share the gospel and serve the Lord’s kingdom. It’s much easier to spiritually bankrupt someone who already thinks of him- or herself as “just a sinner” than it is to conquer a disciple who knows God is his loving Father.

Our true identity is defined not by our past actions but by the Savior’s. Jesus purchased our lives with His blood and brought us into relationship with God the Father, who adopted us as beloved children. We have every reason to hold our heads high, stand firm, and courageously proclaim the gospel.

4 Ways Joy Enriches Our Lives..Lynette Kittle

 4 Ways Joy Enriches Our Lives

By Lynette Kittle

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”- Luke 2:10

Growing up I loved singing the song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart” and shouting “where” after each stanza. It was a favorite song choice in Sunday school and Wednesday night services because it’s just fun to sing.

Psalm 100:1 encourages us to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” and singing it really did bring joy to my heart. Although just a simple child’s song, it conveys the kind of deep joy that comes from the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Below are 4 ways this joy enriches our lives 

1. Joy Overtakes Sorrow

Joy has the power to overtake mourning and groaning as written in Isaiah 35:1, “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighting will flee away.”

The Bible is full of stories of individuals who faced hardships, suffering, and loss. Yet Scripture tells us how God gives everlasting joy to crown our heads and wipe away grief and sadness (Isaiah 51:11). And Psalm 126:5 assures that, “those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”

The joy God brings is able to take away the deepest sorrow.

2. Joy Gives Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we rejoice before God, joy comes (Psalm 68:3) strengthening, uplifting, and refreshing us.

Scripture describes, too, how God takes great delight in us, how He shouts for joy and rejoices with singing over us (Zephaniah 3:17).

3. Joy Cultivates Growth

James 1:1-2 encourages us to consider it pure joy when we encounter various trials.

However, like me, I’m guessing most individuals don’t look at dealing with difficulties as a source of joy. Still, God urges us to take on a joyful attitude in facing challenges because when we do, we will grow in perseverance, which will lead us to maturity, completeness, and a confidence of being complete in Christ (James 1:3,4).

Choosing joy during trying times produces benefits far more valuable than the wear and tear experienced.

4. Joy Produces Generosity

2 Corinthians 8:2 describes how in the midst of a very severe trial, the churches in Macedonia experienced “overflowing joy.” Scriptures describes how even in an atmosphere of extreme poverty, this joy produced a rich generosity among them.

The theme of many Christmas movies is the story of a hardened, stingy heart being softened and changed to a generous heart.

And it’s true! The joy God brings through His Good News changes hearts and lives during the holiday season and all year long.

A Prayer for God to Reach Out through My Words..Lynette Kittle

 A Prayer for God to Reach Out through My Words

By Lynette Kittle

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”—Colossians 4:6

Lately, it seems I’ve been spending more time online or on the phone with customer service people concerning orders or delivery gone amiss. It can seem like a big waste of time to many, a chore that steals away our minutes and hours from our days chalked up as a time-consuming and frustrating experience for most.

However, as Christians, we know the people on the other end of the line or chat are real individuals like us who have a soul and an eternal future, whether in Heaven or Hell. So instead of saying negative, upsetting comments to them, we can choose a better option. A truth God doesn’t want me to lose sight of as a Christian is how my influence has the ability to extend even to customer service representatives.

So instead of my letting it feel like it’s taking so much time to straighten things out, God’s been showing me that it doesn’t have to be a draining, negative experience but rather an opportunity to reach out to individuals on the other end of my conversations.

Yet it’s still easy to underestimate how God can move and work in seemingly routine interactions with people we don’t even know. It’s wise to keep in mind how He is able to lead, guide, and connect us with just the right people to talk to in every situation, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem at the time.

What might be just another thing we have to deal with could be a turning point in another person’s life. Maybe not, but what if we approach every opportunity as a possible life-changing interaction? Too dramatic, some may think? Possibly but isn’t it better to err on thinking it may be a God opportunity rather than just a big waste of time?

There are so many things we don’t know about the other person we’re connecting and interacting with online or on a call, such as where they come from, what they’ve experienced in their life, do they have people who love and care about them, or even just how their day began.

These situations open the door for us to extend God’s kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. Although some people believe the squeaky wheel gets results. Romans 2:4 explains, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

Let’s Pray: 

Dear Father,
Thank you that You are not slow in keeping Your promises to me but patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Because You are so patient with me, help me, Lord, today and every day to be patient with those I speak to in various situations, often conversations I may find inconvenient and disruptive to my daily schedule. So Father, please help me to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

I ask for Your kindness, patience, and longsuffering to be present in my interactions with strangers on the other end of conversations rather than being curt and irritated. Help me, Lord, to let the light You put within me shine so brightly they will see it and be led to glorify You in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). If people misunderstand, discount my words, or even respond rudely to me, please let Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me in how to respond and what to say. I thank you because Luke 12:12 assures me, “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Also, Father, open my eyes to not miss an opportunity to encourage a customer service person through my words and attitude, even offering to say a brief prayer with them if led by your Spirit to do so. As Ephesians 6:18 urges, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Likewise, let me be open and ready to share Your truth as 2 Timothy 4:2 encourages, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” I look to you today to work within me to cleanse me from all unrighteousness and wrong attitudes to those I exchange words with on a daily basis. Like Psalm 51:2 directs, Lord "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

In Jesus’ name, Amen

THE SIMPLE SECRET TO A GREAT NEW YEAR..Jeff Schreve

 THE SIMPLE SECRET TO A GREAT NEW YEAR

Jeff Schreve

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

I have never been good at being a handyman.  Things that are a piece of cake to a handyman are like climbing Mt. Everest to me.

One time Debbie asked me to put in a doggie door.  She said, "You can do it, Jeff.  The box says, "Simple installation."  "Simple is good," I responded as I opened the box with gusto.

The very first instruction was to get out my electric drill.  That is when I knew their definition of "simple" and mine were quite different.  With "simple" instructions, I would have been told to get out my hammer. Now that is simple!  (Note: the doggie door installation was so NOT simple that I had to call my friend Gene over to help me before I completely lost my salvation).

DO YOU LIKE SIMPLE?

If you like simple, you are going to love my simple secret to a great new year.  First, get out your electric drill (just kidding).

The simple secret is this: To experience a great year, just do what Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things [the things you and I worry about] shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  If you will seek Him first, He promises to meet all your needs.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEEK HIM FIRST?

1.  It means that you spend time with Him at the first of each day, praying and reading His Word, asking Him for direction, guidance, help and insight ... confessing your sins when you blow it, and seeking His grace to help in your time of need.

2.  It means you put His agenda above your agenda.  You pray, “Not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42).  You live your life to please Jesus, not to please yourself.

3.  It means you obey Him and do what He says in the power He supplies.  You don't let your fleshly desires control you; you let Jesus control you.

4.  It means you invest your time, talent and resources in the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of self.

5.  It means you recognize that He is everything, and in Christ “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge”( Colossians 2:3).  The true treasures of life—love, joy, peace, fulfillment, true success—are only found in Jesus ... so you spend your time seeking Him.

SIMPLE STARTS NOW!

Don't wait for the ball to drop in Times Square before seeking first the kingdom of God.  Start now!  Put Jesus first every day you are blessed to live... and He will bless your life abundantly in return.

One of my favorite Scriptures says, “For those who honor Me, I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).  If you want God to honor you, honor Him in all you do.  The best is yet to be... and the ball is in your court.

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve