God Speaks in Solitude..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Speaks in Solitude

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

You and I have been given the invaluable gift of communication with God. Last week we learned about the process of making the soil of our hearts soft and receptive to God. This week we’ll learn some different ways to receive the seed of his word. May your communion with God flourish as you engage in continual conversation with your loving, present heavenly Father.

Scripture:“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Devotional:

Solitude—a time set apart where the rush, noise, and anxiety of the world fall mute on the ears and heart of a child of God completely lost in the peace and presence of the Creator. Solitude is a time to be with your heavenly Father, free from the distractions the world offers us at seemingly every moment. We are made for consistent time spent in solitude.

C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory, “We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.”Most of us have grown accustomed to what truly does amount to being “starved” for solitude. We never fully realize how great our need is to be alone with our Sustainer. Let’s take some time today to recognize our need for solitude and then learn how to best practice solitude on a daily basis.

You can know that you need solitude for one reason—Jesus needed it. All over the New Testament we see examples of Jesus going off on his own to pray. One example, Mark 1:35, tells us that Jesus, “rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark . . . departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus, who practiced perfect communion with his heavenly Father while here on earth still needed to spend time in solitude. Jesus, who loved parties, loved people, and was God and man simultaneously, needed time alone. If he needed it, you and I can be sure we need it. When God incarnate was up against his hardest task, the Crucifixion, he didn’t just toughen up and get through it. He spent time alone in the Garden of Gethsemane in conversation with his heavenly Father. He needed solitude to accomplish his purpose here on earth and so do you and I.

Solitude is life-giving. It’s necessary to the Christian spiritual life. Richard J. Foster said, “Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.”Solitude is one of the most important and life-giving spiritual disciplines. If you want to hear God, you must practice solitude. If you want fortitude in your life, a steadfastness that surpasses your circumstances, you must practice solitude. You are designed for time spent in the quiet, simply being with your heavenly Father.

So how can you best practice solitude? The first step is finding a place where you can spend time with God free from distractions. Find a place where you know you won’t be interrupted. If you live with others, find a time when they will not be around or awake. If you live alone, designate a place and time that you will spend in solitude free from any distractions. Second, give yourself an amount of time to spend with God just being in solitude. It could be ten minutes or an hour. Spend this time free from reading, free from worship or prayer unless solitude leads you to those things. Madeleine L’Engle said, “Deepest communion with God is beyond words, on the other side of silence.”Solitude is a point of deep communion where words aren’t required in light of God’s glorious nearness.

Take some time today to practice the incredible discipline of solitude. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with God. Fill the emptiness of silence with the satisfaction of God’s presence. Your heavenly Father loves just simply spending time with you, enjoying deep communion with his crown of creation. You are his child. Climb into the comforting and sustaining arms of your heavenly Father today as you enter into a time of solitude.        

Guided Prayer:

1. Find a place free from distractions. Ask the Spirit to calm your heart and mind and help you to spend time in deep communion with God.

2. Spend a few minutes simply resting with God in solitude.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35

“Deepest communion with God is beyond words, on the other side of silence.” Madeleine L’Engle

3. Write down how solitude made you feel. If you felt uncomfortable or frustrated, that’s alright! Solitude and silence is something most of us have never practiced. Have patience with yourself.

Solitude is a practice. The more you do it the better and more fulfilling it will become. Once you connect with God’s heart free of words and just look at him face to face, his gaze will become one of the most important parts of your life. Knowing experientially that your heavenly Father sees you and loves you is meant to be at the foundation of everything you do. Commit yourself to spend time in solitude with God and learn what it is to be a child simply enjoyed by the Father.

Extended Reading: Psalm 46

Allow God’s Purpose To Interrupt Your Plans..CHRISTINA PATTERSON

 Allow God’s Purpose To Interrupt Your Plans

CHRISTINA PATTERSON

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

I knew my parents would be a little disappointed. After all, since my early childhood they had both wanted me to go to a specific college — the same college they'd attended. After we toured campuses, the Lord gave me a desire to go to a different school.

This wasn’t just any other school: It was one of my parents’ rival schools.

My mind and heart were conflicted, but God ordered my steps, and my parents eventually gave me their blessing after much reservation. I still remember my dad calling me on the first day of classes to remind me it was not too late to transfer. The thought crossed my mind, but I knew it was God who had interrupted my plans.

After four amazing years, making the best friends a woman could ask for, and even meeting my husband, I look back on that time in college and see why God redirected my steps.

Years after my graduation, my father called me to say he was glad I chose a different path than he expected. I smiled. I could see that whenever God interrupts our plans, it’s always for a greater purpose. The wisdom in Proverbs 19:21 explains it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

I love that this scripture says we don’t just have some plans — we have many plans. I know I do. I have lists, notes and memos full of ideas of things I want to try, books I want to read, and goals I want to accomplish. At times, it can be frustrating knowing that I actually don’t have enough time or energy to pursue every plan that comes to my heart.

There is no guarantee we’ll see our plans come to pass perfectly. This often leaves us to face the sting of what feels like failure when our many plans remain lists in our planners, scribbles in our journals.

But what if we choose to look at our unaccomplished or interrupted plans not as failures but as opportunities? What if God is using what we call “failed plans” for His greater purpose?

Think of some of Jesus’ disciples. Matthew planned to be a tax collector. (Matthew 9:9) Andrew, Peter, James and John planned to be fishermen, but an encounter with Jesus interrupted those plans for a purpose that would spread the gospel to all nations. (Matthew 4:18-22)

Unfulfilled plans are often pathways to God’s greater purpose. When our focus is on God’s purpose over our plans, we are freed from the pressure they create. We release the urge to do everything at once and the frustration when we realize we can’t.

Plans are what we intend to do, but the effects of our purpose in Christ grow far beyond our intentions. No matter what plans come to pass — or not — this year, we can always have peace when we know that even if plans fail, God’s purpose always prevails.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the many ideas and plans You’ve placed on my heart for this new year. I pray for the faith to trust You with each plan and to trust that Your greater purpose will prevail. Thank You for Your peace in all circumstances no matter what path You take me on this season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

No Greater Love..Dr. Charles Stanley

 No Greater Love

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 15:12-14

Perhaps the most intense love and protective instinct in the experience of mankind is that of parents toward their children. There is little that most mothers or fathers wouldn't do for a baby. If a truck posed a threat to the little one, it wouldn't surprise us if they jumped in front of the moving vehicle without a second thought.

Wouldn't you like to be cared for with this kind of intensity? You are. In fact, the Lord's love toward you is far deeper and more secure than that of even the most caring, tuned-in human parent. And what God did for us is proof. Romans 5:8 says that while we were living in disobedience, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us.

Think about a father giving up his child for people who choose to rebel against him. What a tremendous sacrifice and cost! Jesus' death took the place of the punishment that we deserved. If we accept this gift and decide to follow God, He no longer sees us as guilty. Rather, He justifies us, makes us righteous, and changes our ultimate destiny: instead of facing everlasting separation from Him, we will enjoy His presence eternally. What's more, almighty God adopts us as His children forever. Our heavenly Father guides, protects, and counsels us as we walk through life—and promises us that we are secure in Him throughout eternity.

How incredible that the Creator of the universe would love you and me in this way! Do you know and experience the security and sweetness of His care? Gratitude and praise should flow from your heart. In turn, love others deeply out of thankfulness for the love that you have received.

The God Who Watches over You..Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

 The God Who Watches over You

By Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

“Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” – Psalm 121:4

We have a young daughter who is still getting used to sleeping in her own bed in her own room. I feel it is taking much longer for this to happen, but maybe that is a conversation for another time. Recently she came into our bedroom, and she said she couldn’t fall asleep because she was afraid. We had just prayed before she went to bed, and yet she said she was still afraid. I encouraged her it was going to be okay and she could go back to her room. To this, she responded, “Could you at least stay with me until I fall asleep?” I thought that was a reasonable request, so I went into her room and sat with her until she fell asleep. The comfort in her knowing I was there, watching over her, and being able to protect her if something happened allowed her to fall asleep quickly and rest easily.

As I thought about her request, it reminded me of Psalm 121:4. We have a God in heaven who never sleeps nor slumbers. If we are going to have full disclosure, we are more like my daughter than we sometimes want to admit. Even after praying, we can still find ourselves afraid, anxious, or worried. Many times, this results from not knowing what will happen or how things are going to work out. It is in these moments we need to do like my daughter did. What she desired was the comfort of my presence, and because she knew I was there, it changed her mindset and gave her peace. This is exactly what we must do.

The answers to life’s situations are first found in God’s presence. This should be the first place we run to. The presence of God does not mean situations change immediately. What it means is your ability to endure the situation does. 

The God who is always on watch.

This Psalm gives us a promise that God is always on watch, and when he is watching over you nothing will get past his attentive eyes. Here are some truths about God. We need rest; he doesn’t. We can only see what is right in front of us. He sees the whole picture. While we are wondering what the plan is, he has already figured it all out.

What I love about this verse is that God is not a casual onlooker. He is not standing on the sidelines waiting to see what is going to happen. He is an active participant in your life, directing the things he will allow in and the things he will keep out. Because you know he is on watch, you can rest.

Two ways to think about watches:
In the OT and NT, a watch was a period where someone stood guard. The person standing guard was called a watchman, and one of their roles was to protect.

The other way to think about this is we have a God who does not sleep. This means he is always vigilant when you call. When I was watching over my daughter at any moment, if she had an issue, I was there to help. If, in my limited capacity, I can do that for my daughter, how much more will God, in his unlimited capacity, do that for you? You can be confident that regardless of when you call upon him, his ears are always attentive to hear your cries.

The takeaway.
God is fully alert and aware of your situation. He is watching over and protecting you, and when you call upon him, he is there to help you. As you go through your life situation today, rest easy knowing God is on duty. He will protect you. He will keep you. He will be with you. When I was sitting in her room, my daughter fell asleep quickly because my presence eased her fears. When you know God is watching over you, the same will happen to you. Rest knowing that God never sleeps nor slumbers. He will always be with you, and he stands ready to help you in your time of need.

Intersecting faith and life:
The best thing about God’s eyes is he sees things before I see them, and he sees the things I cannot see.

Further Reading:

• Psalm 139

Blessed Are the Peacemakers..Lynette Kittle

 Blessed Are the Peacemakers

by Lynette Kittle

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”  - Matthew 5:9

When it comes to conflicts on Social Media or in the office, home, or family events, how are you at bringing peace to situations?

Do you jump in and take sides or do you look for ways to promote harmony?

As a kid, I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car on a dark rainy night, lost in a questionable area in Chicago with my Mom and Dad upset at the situation, and at each other. After Dad called a man standing hidden in the dark street over to ask directions, my backseat praying for God’s turned me to action.

With little to no map reading experience of my own, I grabbed it and started giving my Dad directions to the church we were trying to find. Although I’m not really sure how much it helped, it did seem to turn the tide of the angry car atmosphere and de-escalate the situation.

In my family’s traveling nightmare, it diffused the anger and helped my parents to get on the right path to our destination. Like James 3:18 explains, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Looking back I realize my Dad who lived in a small Ohio farming community and had an aversion to big cities, was probably fearful of being lost and vulnerable on the back streets of Chicago. He was most likely afraid for the safety of his family.

In fearful situations, God’s remedy for it His peace. As 2 Thessalonians 3:16 reveals, there is only one true source of it found in the Lord Himself, who is able to give you peace at all times in every way. And there is no situation that can keep His peace from you.

When you choose to step in as a mediator, you are following Christ’s example as the peacemaker between God and mankind. As 1Timothy 2:5 explains, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

Taking opportunities to be a peacemaker brings you benefits, too. 2 Corinthians 13:11 explains how “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourages one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Setting your goal to become a peacemaker, like Jesus, will bring God’s love and peace to your life. As Isaiah 26:3 explains, God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind keeps steadfast in trusting Him. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

A Prayer for Heartbroken Parents..Lynette Kittle

 A Prayer for Heartbroken Parents

By Lynette Kittle

“The Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled” - Genesis 6:6

As a parent, has your heart ever been deeply troubled? If so, know if anyone understands, God does. He knows the challenges, disappointments, and regrets of parenting. Let’s face it, parenting from the very beginning has been extremely tough and for many heartbreaking as well.

As the perfect Father, God created two perfect humans, and yet they still turned away from Him and willfully sinned. From this falling away, all following generations still carry the consequences of their sin. God understands the anguish and heartache of children who turn away from Him. “Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: ‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me’” (Isaiah 1:2).

If God the perfect parent had children who willingly and sinfully turn away from Him, how much more can it happen to human parents who are dealing with their own weaknesses and struggles? As well, Adam and Eve, as the first human parents, witnessed one of their children turning on the other to the point of taking his sibling’s life (Genesis 4:8). Sadly, parenting often comes with much heartache.

God’s Not Pointing a Finger at You
Even though humans point fingers and blame themselves and each other, God is not pointing a finger at parents, telling them all the ways they’ve failed and disappointed their kids, themselves, and mostly Him in parenting their children.

Many a weary parent has felt God is displeased, angry, and disappointed in them, but it’s not God’s scorn they’re sensing but the enemy of our soul, the accuser of the brethren who is out to blame us for the sin he instigated in the world. Revelation 12:10 describes how he is actively accusing us, night and day, non-stop before God. He’s the one accusing parents of their failures with their children, of it being their fault if they are not following God and choosing to live sinful lifestyles over living righteously. Wherever the devil can find a way to speak guilt to a parent, he will.

Although parents may fail their children, God wants them to know He is there for them during tough times. Like 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 explains, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

Let’s pray:

Dear Father,
You are the perfect Father, right in all your ways, and yet your children strayed from your truth. Sadly our children, too, have broken our hearts by the choices they have and are making in life. Although we tried to teach them Your word, they have chosen to follow the world over serving You. We ask for Your comfort to help us through the sadness and heartbreak we are experiencing with their choices, decisions, and lifestyles.

Even though we know each person will stand before You to give an account for their own life (Romans 14:12), we struggle at times with guilt and condemnation, believing the lies of the enemy by carrying the responsibility and fault for our children’s sins. But only You, Lord, have the power to free them from sin, so we ask You to reach out to our children today and reveal the truth of Your word to them, to move upon their hearts in ways we as parents are unable to reach or speak to. Like Hebrews 4:12 describes, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  

As well, we ask You to remind them of the ways we loved, cared, and taught them about You, to let the ways we planted and watered Your truth into their lives to take root and grow. And Lord for the ways where we did fail our children, we ask You to help us receive Your forgiveness and comfort, knowing You are able to make up for our parenting deficiencies and weaknesses. You knew God when You gave us our children that we would not be perfect parents and would need to rely on You. Help us to trust You to reach out to our kids with Your perfect love and truth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen