The Longing to Make a Deep and Lasting Impact..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Longing to Make a Deep and Lasting Impact

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

All of us have insatiable longings that can only be satisfied in communion with our heavenly Father. The longing to be enjoyed, fascinated, to gaze upon beauty, and to be someone great are driving forces within each of us. The longing to experience intimacy without shame, to be wholehearted, and to make a deep and lasting impact resound within each of us at the foundation of who we are. God created these longings knowing that they can only be fully satisfied in him—that they would be avenues to deeper relationship with him. As we look at each of these longings individually, I pray your heart would find its fulfillment in the loving nearness of your heavenly Father.

The titles and main concept for this week are all derived from The Seven Longings of the Human Heart by Mike Bickle and Deborah Hiebert.

Scripture: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." - Matthew 25:21

Devotional:

People often ask a common question when it looks like their time on earth is drawing to a close—"Did my life matter?" Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever taken a minute to look back on your life and wonder if all your efforts will mean a thing when you're gone?

We all dream of being a great success. No children playing sports in their backyard fantasize about hanging up the towel after high school. They dream of making it pro. No musician dreams about playing to a handful of people. They see themselves on a massive stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. We all have a longing to make an impact in this world. We all desire to make a difference to the degree that we will be remembered when we're gone.

God designed us all with this longing while having the perfect plan to satisfy it. The problem is that we have twisted what success really looks like. We've made success into something prideful—an idea constrained to the ways of this world. We've been living under the notion that making an impact is all about ourselves. You see, making a lasting impact doesn't necessarily mean you're known by the entire population, have books written about you, or are even a success at all in the eyes of the world. Success is solely defined by God and solely achieved by your faithfulness to whatever he has called you to. You are meant for the impact that faithfulness to God brings, not an impact wrought with struggle for achievement by the world's standards.

The Bible clearly defines success  as being faithful to what God has spoken. In Matthew 25:21 God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." Your desire to make an impact will only be satisfied by living in obedience to God's will for you. It's his plan we're all a part of, not our own. God has brought us into the glorious narrative that has been playing out from the foundation of the earth. Being faithful to your page in God's grand narrative has an eternal impact more important and long-lasting than anything you could achieve on your own. One day, all of the grand stories of what mankind has done in pursuit of our own glory will be brought to nothing. One King will stand above all. Jesus Christ will be given his reward, and we will reign alongside him forever.

Choose to make an impact for eternity today. Be faithful first to love God and then to love others with compassion and humility. You have a chance to lead people into eternal life. You have a chance to store up your treasure in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy (Matthew 6:19-20). You have a chance today to make a deep and lasting impact beyond anything you could imagine. Allow God to define your identity and purpose. Experience the joy and fulfillment that can only be found in wholehearted communion with your heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Take a moment to reflect on the life of Jesus.Allow what Scripture says about Jesus to establish a true definition of success.

“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 emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

2. Take a moment to surrender your notion of success and impact, and center your life around God's truth.

3. What plans does God have for you today? How can you love him and others well? In what way can you impact eternity?

Jesus is the perfect example of what it looks like to make a lasting impact because he was wholly surrendered to the will of the Father. At the end of his ministry, he had only a few followers that stood by him. He never wrote a book or even traveled more than a few hundred miles from where he was born. Rather than considering him successful, the world killed him. But he made the biggest impact of anyone in all of history. Live like Jesus today. Live solely for the opinion of God, and find your satisfaction in being faithful to what he has called you to. May your day be filled with the abundant life that comes from surrender to the perfect plans of God.

Extended Reading: Matthew 25

Receiving God’s Gifts in Others..JASMINE WILLIAMS

 Receiving God’s Gifts in Others

JASMINE WILLIAMS 

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 (CSB)

Last spring, we found ourselves in a muddy situation — literally.

We had unintentionally created 10 tiny ponds in our backyard and a huge safety hazard for the kids! See, my husband and I had come up with this exciting (and perhaps overly ambitious) idea to start a backyard orchard. On a whim, I ordered 10 fruit trees and started dreaming of picking my own apples.

It was a lovely dream, but in reality, we dug 10 huge holes and then didn't have enough time to finish planting. It rained so much that week that by the time we got back outside, the holes were completely filled with muddy water.

After trying unsuccessfully to scoop the water out with a 5-gallon bucket and use the hose as a siphon, my tired husband was about to head to the hardware store when I suggested he text our neighbor. We both felt a little silly about it. How often do you get a text saying, “Hey, do you have anything I can use to get water out of the huge holes in my yard?”

But he asked anyway, and to our surprise, our neighbor had the perfect solution! He’s into boats and had a pump that’s typically used to get water out of things like … well, boats. Who knew?! We sure didn’t.

For us, this was a wonderful reminder that God designed us to be in community. First Peter 4:10 says, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” I often look at verses like this and think only about my responsibility to help, but let’s consider the flip side of it: In community, we also get to be the recipients of God’s gifts in others.

There are skills, crafts and hobbies we simply do not have but someone connected to us just might. While a co-worker’s love for painting or sewing may not come to mind in all situations, it's there for us to tap into when we do need it. That’s the power of community. We don’t have to individually possess every talent or have access to every resource we may need along the way.

And God, being the good Father He is, loves when we do life with others and benefit from the blessings He’s placed in them. If I’m delighted when my kids help each other with schoolwork and chores, then God, who’s an infinitely better parent than I am, surely takes joy when we help one another.

We’re all made better by the exchange of good ideas and resources. Looking at it this way, we see our individual imperfections give us an amazing opportunity. We get to feel more complete when we thrive alongside others, filling each other's gaps when needed.

While my husband and I would’ve eventually found a way to empty those holes, our neighbor helped us do it in peace, with half the effort. In unity, we can strive less. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus said, “Take up my yoke and learn from me … and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30, CSB). Being connected to Him also connects us to the greatness He has put in those who follow Him.

Dear God, show me how I can live in unity with the people You’ve purposefully put into my life. Help me to step out of my comfort zone and be a giver and receiver of the blessings You’ve placed within humanity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You Don't Need a Degree to Read (and Understand) the Bible.. Matthew S. Harmon

 You Don't Need a Degree to Read (and Understand) the Bible

 By Matthew S. Harmon

”All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Anyone Can Study the Bible

Sometimes I think we make studying the Bible more complicated than it has to be.

There's a place for in-depth study and using all these remarkable resources that are available to us. But, at the end of the day, the goal is to encounter the living God.

And so as we learn to ask some basic questions of any passage, you don't need to be a biblical scholar, you don't need to have had advanced coursework, you don't even need to have been a Christian for very long. All you need is to be able to ask questions: What do we learn about God? What do we learn about people? How should I relate to God? How should I relate to others?

As we ask some of those very basic, simple questions, I believe the text starts to open up. Sometimes it actually raises even more questions. But oftentimes it quickly reveals things about God and about ourselves.

We realize that we can really benefit from reading, and it doesn't take complicated methods or techniques. It simply requires asking the right kinds of questions to point us in the right direction to relate to God and to be transformed by who God is and what he's doing in the pages of Scripture—realizing that he wants to do similar, transformative things in our own lives.

A Prayer for True Knowledge...Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for True Knowledge.

By Meg Bucher 

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT

The moment I opened my mouth to speak, words started to fly out of another person's mouth. Surely there would be a pause …a breath …a break in conversation. As soon as I anticipated a stop, I took a deep breath and …was interrupted before I could get a full sentence out. Deflated, I waited again. Finally, I was able to ask my question. Immediately, I regretted it. 

Everyone knows someone who knows a know-it-all. God really does know it all, but He doesn’t make us feel foolish for asking Him questions. Maybe even things we’ve asked several times before. God is compassionate. Our Savior, Jesus, is empathetic toward us. Empathy means a wise understanding of what another person is going through. Many people say, “I know how you feel.” Jesus actually knows. 

James is reminding us in the verse above to ask God! He is generous! Questions build strong faith and initiate good conversations. God loves talking with us through prayer and Scripture, worship, and the beauty of His creation. “Christ is called ‘the wisdom of God,” the NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary explains, “On the basis of the OT, wisdom can be personified.” Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 

“To those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT

 We are never alone, for the Holy Spirit lives within every believer of Christ. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote, “who has become for us the wisdom from God- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT) When we seek more of God, we will find Him. 

Let's pray:

Father, 
Praise You, God! You are the One, True, Triune God! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are all-knowing, everywhere, and always in control. Though our perspective of the world is that it’s out of control, we know You are sovereign over all. Even when we cannot feel you working, God, we know You are faithful, compassionate, just, and merciful. Your grace is sufficient for us, God! We know this all too well! 

Thank You for the gift of knowledge, Father. We are grateful we get to come to You with questions and needs. You are our Healer, Provider, Creator, Loving Father, and Generous God. We appreciate Your patience with us, Father! How many times do we interrupt You when You are trying to help us figure something out or share a piece of wisdom with us? Help us to pause in those moments, Father. Convict our hearts to be sensitive when You are trying to speak to us. 

Give us empathy and compassion for the know-it-alls in our lives, God. And patience! Father, we are supposed to love one another, not only when it’s convenient and beneficial but also when we are annoyed, out of time, and uninterested in listening to our adversaries. Help us to see people through Your eyes, Father. Give us a wise perspective in life, and an obedient heart to follow Your lead. When we need the courage to be assertive and speak the truth in love, help us to find the strength to do so! Remind us of Who we are filled with, Your Holy Spirit!

Jesus, thank You for coming to earth willingly, as the Father sent You, to sacrifice Your life for ours. We can hardly talk about praying for wisdom without remembering You, the Living Word of God. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to help us along the way. We are so thankful to you, Holy Spirit, for helping us understand Scripture and what’s going on around us. We pray for a fresh filling of Your Holy Spirit today, Father. We want to see the world and navigate daily life as You will. In order to follow You, we understand we have to submit and surrender, even when we don’t fully understand what is happening or what to do next. Make Your next steps in our lives clear, Father. 

Protect us from evil, and we pray to remain humble and patient listeners, Father, not only to You and Your word but the people You have so purposefully placed in our lives. Let us be wise and knowledgable stewards of everything You have given us to pursue and do on this earth, Lord, for Your glory. 

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

 

A Year of Patient Waiting..Meg Bucher

 A Year of Patient Waiting

By Meg Bucher

“Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT

The turning over of a new year sometimes brings to mind a word God presses into my heart. This year, that word is wait. Waiting is a weakness of mine. Surrounded by the resolve to push through to the next level, I have been told to wait. Wait patiently, the Holy Spirit has assured me. But …waiting is a weakness of mine! Going, I’m rather good at! Pushing through pain and breaking through are things I’m good at. But waiting is a weakness of mine. 

The prophet Isaiah wrote even youths would become weak and tired. Exhaustion is an accurate descriptor of the year that just turned over. On its heels, God is pressing me to trust Him, so the prophecy of new strength by Isaiah can come to fruition in my own life. This is a strength I can’t train for physically. This is a strength of the spirit, developed by waiting patiently. But waiting is a weakness of mine. Isaiah also wrote:

“So the LORD must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the LORD is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.”
Isaiah 30:18 NLT

Waiting for help is excruciating. Running to God is no problem here. Maybe you can relate to the running and the exhaustive need for new strength this year. The psalmist wrote: 

“Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLT

It takes a faithful level of trust in the Lord to be brave and courageous in the face of exhaustion. Brave are we who wait patiently on God, knowing He is always with us and for us. The prophet Micah wrote: 

“As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” Micah 7:7 NLT

Intersecting Faith and Life:

“And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a forecast of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.” Romans 8:23 NLT

The Bible is filled with stories of waiting. Noah waited for the flood waters to recede. God’s people waited to enter the Promised Land. And Jesus, is the long-awaited Messiah. Still we wait, here on earth, but our home is in heaven. Paul wrote: 

“The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4 NLT

Our waiting is not a passive sitting around. Waiting on the Lord is seeking Him with all of our hearts and our, minds and our souls, knowing we will find more and more of Him. We wait in prayer, believing the promises of God because He’s never failed to keep one yet. The Apostle James wrote:

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” James 5:7 NLT

For years I have promised my oldest daughter a tulip garden but have never been able to master it effectively. This past fall, my husband gave it a try, planting bulbs deep in the ground, and covering them with the landscaping rock in wait for their bloom in the Spring. But in a misplaced train of thought, he covered the dirt with landscape netting meant to keep the weeds out. He’ll have to remove all of the rocks and take the mat up, or the tulip shoots won’t make it to the surface. 

While we wait, let’s ask God what is blocking our own proverbial shoots from breaking through the surface and reaching for the sunshine. In seasons of wait, we are given the greatest gift of time to seek God and search His Truth for wisdom, direction, and encouragement. The Apostle Peter wrote:

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” 2 Peter 3:14 NLT

God’s Truth is full of directives that usher peace into our lives like a babbling brook coming alive in the Spring, nourishing us so we, too, can shoot up through the dirt with the tulips and reach for the sunlight. For a do-er, a talker, and a go-er, waiting patiently …being quiet before the Lord perhaps takes just as much endurance for me as it does for others to push through their physical pain threshold. Yet still, as the psalmist wrote:

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 NLT

Further Reading

• Lamentations 3:25
• Exodus 14:14

New Year, New You?..Lindsay Tedder

 New Year, New You?

By: Lindsay Tedder

It is the season of resolutions. New year, new you.

I have been inundated with the visions those around me have for their future. Everyone is making resolutions in hopes of keeping them and becoming a better version of themselves. I have never really been one to make a resolution. Now, I have felt the pressure to join the resolution culture, but I never really feel excited about it. I never really feel like that is what I am supposed to be doing. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for goals and the motivation that these resolutions inspire in people. I just have never really been one to make a resolution. I never realized why until recently.

A new year’s resolution is for personal growth and personal gain. While there is nothing wrong with personal growth, I think that I have a natural inclination towards comfort. I don’t like rocking the boat. And while I know that God calls us to be boat-rockers, my insides often tremble at the thought.

I am a larger-than-life type of person. God made me loud and large and vibrant and bright. I am “a lot” by most standards. So, I think that resolutions make me feel like if I do something better, I will be better, and better must somehow equal louder, larger, brighter and more vibrant.

I feel that I draw enough attention as I am, and I don’t want to do anything that will make me more of anything and I most certainly don’t want to be uncomfortable.

The more I think about it, new year’s resolutions are for personal growth, but shouldn’t we be more focused on our spiritual growth? Is personal growth the same as spiritual growth? I’m not sure.

What I am sure of is this:

God doesn’t love you more yesterday, today, or tomorrow. He loves us the same every day.

Why do we feel like we may love ourselves more tomorrow if we do certain things “right” or “better?”

This pressure certainly doesn’t stem from our ever faithful and unchanging Father. It is societally bred. I think this is why I’ve never been a big fan of resolutions. I mean, for the most part it feels like a running joke. The gyms are full in January and everyone has stopped biting their nails, started eating better, getting more active, quitting smoking, drinking less, cussing less… all the things. While all of these resolutions are positive and would positively influence your health and overall life, they often get left by the wayside come February.

I guess what I’m after is less of a resolution and more of a positive life change and for some reason those two aren’t actually synonymous.

The Word says: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

Our Father never changes. He is faithful. Always.

I think, to me, a resolution feels more like saying, I would love myself more if I was…

Thinner
Healthier
More active
Better

Brighter
Smarter
More eloquent

But if He loves me, as I am, why don’t I?

We know that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and to look at ourselves with a lens other than love is just wrong.

I have lost weight… 92 pounds… praise Him… but it didn’t make me love myself more. Losing the weight gave me a freedom that I wasn’t afforded prior to losing it, but the love I had for myself did not change. I was able to do more physically, but my self-image actually became far more critical. I continued to see my flaws on a more microscopic level because there was less of me to mask them.

If every good and perfect gift is from above and God looks at us as His perfect children, we should have a LOT more love for ourselves. We should make resolutions not for the purpose of loving ourselves more upon the completion of these resolutions but from a place that says, I love myself enough to change. I want to honor my steadfast Father who designed me in His image, His perfect image. I want to show reverence for Him with the way I love myself and the way I treat this temple He has gifted me.

The key isn’t changing in order to love ourselves. The key is loving ourselves enough to make a positive change that honors our Maker.

Will you join me in the revision of the resolution mindset? Can we say that we love our Father, we love ourselves, and due to his unchanging love, we will continually strive to honor him with the decision we daily make?