God Promises His Presence..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Promises His Presence

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

There is only one constant in this ever-changing world, and that’s the character of our heavenly Father. The very earth itself is undergoing changes constantly. What seems the most immovable now will one day be done away with. But God is unchanging. God is unwavering. He’s completely faithful and committed to seeing through the promises he’s made you. As we look this week at the promises of God may you ground yourself in his unchanging love. May God’s character become your source and refuge—your constant and unshakable foundation.

Scripture:“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10

Devotional:

One of the most life-giving promises God makes to us as his children is his promise to be near. David wrote in Psalm 139:9-10, “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” What an incredible image David paints of the nearness of God! If we were to explore the ends of the earth, God would still be there. If we were to dive to the depths of the ocean, God would still be there. If we descend into the darkest places of our inner being, we will still find God. There’s no place we can go that he isn’t present. God’s presence floods the earth like the early morning fog, saturating everything with its haze.His presence is his promise.

So, what do we do with the knowledge of God’s nearness? What does it mean for us? In Deuteronomy 31:6 we’re told, “He will not leave you or forsake you.” And in Psalm 23:4 David exemplifies this command in saying, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 46:1 says it this way: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

God’s nearness is meant to be our source of courage and strength. We are to find refuge in the knowledge and experience of his presence. His presence means everything for us. It means we’re not alone anymore. It means he will guide and shepherd us through the various situations we may find ourselves in: “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” When you wake up in the morning, God is there to love and prepare you. When you go about your day, God is there for you, desiring to empower you. When you lay down at night, God is there to give you rest and peace. God’s presence is the foundation on which so many of his other promises are fulfilled.

So if he’s truly present always, why is it that we don’t feel him? Why is it that we at times feel lonely, dissatisfied, weary, and weak? Encountering God’s presence starts with having faith in what Scripture says. Feeling God’s nearness starts with trusting that he’s right next to you and wants you to know him. God doesn’t force himself on us. He doesn’t occupy space in our hearts that we fill with other things. So simply make space for God today, trust in his word that “He will not leave you or forsake you,” and encounter the nearness of your heavenly Father. Don’t worry if you aren’t feeling him. Your only job is to make space in your heart and trust him. He’ll take care of the rest. Spend time today in prayer renewing your mind to the promise of God’s presence and letting his nearness become your source of courage, strength, and rest.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the truth of God’s nearness as promised in his word.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”Isaiah 43:1-3

2. Make space in your heart for him to fill. Trust his word. Tell him that you believe that he’s right there with you. Ask the Spirit to help you make room for him to fill.

3. Now simply receive God’s tangible presence. Ask him to make himself known to you. Ask him to manifest his presence to you. Remember it’s really not about feeling him. Experiencing him is just the byproduct of being his child. The weight of it is all on him.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10           

In response to God’s presence pray this prayer of Brother Lawrence to God. May his words articulate the prayer of your heart:

O my God, since thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech thee to grant me the grace to continue in thy presence; and to this end do thou prosper me with thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.

Extended Reading: Psalm 139

Having Anxiety or Depression Doesn’t Mean Your Faith Is Flawed..BONNIE GRAY

 Having Anxiety or Depression Doesn’t Mean Your Faith Is Flawed

BONNIE GRAY

“… I have loved you with an everlasting love …” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Out of the blue, as a new mom, I started having panic attacks, debilitating insomnia and anxiety … and I didn’t know why.

On top of that, I found it hard to confess I was struggling emotionally because people might question my faith. They might accuse me of not trusting God enough or just tell me worry was a sin. If I told them I was feeling numb, lonely, anxious or depressed, they might say I just wasn’t praying enough, reading the Bible enough or applying Scripture correctly.

But mental health issues happen to everyday people — even to believers who have strong faith and godly community. I know because it happened to me.

Unfortunately, some Christians did make me feel ashamed about my emotional struggles. But as I discovered God’s view on healing, I realized my hardship wasn't caused by flawed faith. It was others’ views toward mental health and faith that were incorrect.

Still, I didn’t want anyone to think I was broken, so I kept quiet and prayed it would go away.

But God wanted to heal me, not shame me.

My PTSD therapist told me a soldier doesn’t experience trauma when he’s fighting on the battlefield but when he’s finally home — safe to face what was too difficult to process at the time. It’s a function of the human nervous system, designed by God to protect us when hurt, fear or loss is too overwhelming.

I’d never experienced physical abuse. But what my therapist said next changed everything: “Did you know emotional abuse has the same impact as physical abuse? Emotional wounds need healing too.”

Feeling emotionally broken is not a sign that your faith is weak. In fact, seeking healing for your heart may be the most powerful act of faith God is calling you to today.

To encourage you, here are three myths and truths that I discovered as I researched Scripture during my own healing journey:

1. Myth: Jesus commanded us not to worry, so if you worry, you are failing God and disappointing Him. Truth: Jesus tells us not to worry because He cares about us. He’s lovingly concerned about how worry affects our well-being.

In Matthew 6:25, Jesus encourages us not to worry because God promises to provide for us just as He does for the birds and flowers. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect or worry-free, and He understands why we worry. He tells us not to worry because, out of His unconditional love, He doesn’t want us to live a life ruled by worry or fear. He comforts us in all our troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) The more we learn to run into His arms, the less worry owns us.

2. Myth: If you don’t have peace or joy, you must not be trusting God enough. Truth: Emotional honesty is part of faith, as is the intimate act of trusting God with your real self instead of hiding how you feel or trying to do more.

Jesus whispers, “Don’t hide.” He invites us to come and rest, (Matthew 11:28) whether we’re weary, anxious, angry or stressed. Jesus tells us to come as we are — imperfectly His.

3. Myth: If you read God’s Word more, pray more, praise more and give thanks more, you’ll have peace surpassing all understanding. Truth: Faith is not emotional amnesia. Faith in God gives us the courage to face the brokenness of life and seek healing for the losses we’ve suffered.

Jesus Himself obeyed, prayed, praised and gave thanks perfectly. Yet He suffered emotional anguish, overwhelmed by impending physical and emotional abuse, abandonment and betrayal: He said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34, NIV).

You matter to God, and how you feel matters to God. In Jeremiah 31:3, He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Especially when you’ve been hurt, He wants to take care of you with His powerful, healing presence.

Moving by faith with Jesus toward wellness is unique to each woman. For some, healing with Jesus means being more honest when we pray and receiving God’s comfort instead of hiding our emotions. Healing may involve asking Jesus to give you courage to draw healthy boundaries in toxic relationships so you can flourish instead of living in constant stress and fear.

Healing with Jesus also includes breaking the code of silence. When we share with faith-filled women for support, encouragement and prayer, our hearts heal. And if you, like me, have suffered emotional trauma or loss, God can give you strength and wisdom to investigate and heal your wounds with the help of a Christian therapist or counselor.

God’s Word will give you strength to heal, with His hand holding yours. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NIV)

Let God love you. You are beloved.

Jesus, please give me courage to take steps to heal today. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sanctification Isn't Passive..Dr. Charles Stanley

Sanctification Isn't Passive

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Did you know that God didn't save you just to keep you from hell and get you into heaven? His top priority while you are here on earth is to shape you into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). But at this stage of our sanctification, He doesn't do it all for us. We have a responsibility to cooperate with Him and actively participate in the process. Yet many Christians have a passive attitude about the life of faith. They tolerate sin and smooth it over with the age-old excuse, "Nobody's perfect!"

When you received Christ as your Savior, you took the first step in your walk with Him--a walk that will last the rest of your life. However, you also stepped into spiritual warfare with Satan. The Enemy may have lost your soul, but he's going to do everything he can to hinder, sidetrack, and discourage you. The last thing he wants is a saint who's on fire for the Lord and useful in the kingdom.

But many believers have abdicated their responsibility to live holy lives. In fact, some of them look and act just like the unbelieving world. Sexual immorality is one area of compromise that the apostle Paul addressed specifically, but in truth, we should abstain from anything that interferes with godliness.

Have you allowed something in your life that shouldn’t be there? If so, you need to drop it now. You don't want a thread of sin to become a rope, then a chain, and finally a cable that traps you in a stronghold. Turn back to the Lord, and let your sanctification continue. 

When the Best Thing to Do Is Take a Nap..Laura Bailey

 When the Best Thing to Do Is Take a Nap

By Laura Bailey

“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” - 1 Kings 19:5-6 NIV

“I think she just needs a nap.”

For the past eight years, I’ve used these words to excuse away the terrible twos, tantrums, and tears. My husband believes that I’ve thrown around this phrase to cover more than a genuine need for rest, but more often than not, after a nap, my girls are different people. This also applies to food; hangry is a real thing! But seriously, no matter your age, doesn’t the world seem a little easier to manage after you fill your belly and take a few minutes to rest?

I wish I were one of those people who could live off 5 hours of sleep and forgo eating for productivity, but I can’t. I am one unhappy camper when I push my body, neglect to get adequate rest, skip meals, or eat poorly and abandon my fitness routine. And guess who sufferers the most? The people around me.

One of my favorite stories in Scripture is when an angel tells Elijah that he needs to grab some food, take a nap, and get back to serving the Lord ( 1 Kings 19:5-6). Let me give you a little background; Elijah was a prophet tasked with delivering some not-so-great news to the people of Israel. 

Then Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, takes center stage with her raring personal vendetta against Elijah. God, through Elijah, had shamed Jezebel’s gods by reigning down fire, and she wanted Elijah dead.  Jezebel sends Elijah a threatening message, letting him know she wants him dead within 24 hours. Naturally, a terrified Elijah bolts for the wilderness to hide. Weary from his journey into the desert, Elijah becomes discouraged and cries out to the Lord to take his life. 

Elijah hit a rough spot in his ministry; he wanted to give up and tried to escape his problems. Because we serve a God who knows what his children need, and at the exact time, the Lord doesn’t grant Elijah’s request to end his suffering by taking his life ( 1 Kings 19:4). Instead, an angel of the Lord comes and tells Elijah to replenish himself with food and drink and rest up,  Elijah had more work to do. 

As we read in 1 Kings 19, we see how God deals with Elijah’s heart ( his spiritual needs), but God first met Elijah’s physical needs. How often do I cry out to the Lord to fix my problems, bring me out of the depths of despair, and help me see clearly, but I’ve neglected to take care of my physical well-being? 

We are limited, but God is limitless. The Lord created us to need food, water, and rest to function, and when we’ve forsaken care of our physical bodies, our spiritual health suffers too. Sometimes the best thing we can do to honor the Lord is to take a bite to eat and nap. We don’t have to continue to power through our strengths but rest in our weaknesses. Trust that the Lord will help us slay our task list, conquer the fear, and come alongside us in our pain, just as He meets our seemingly "less important" need for rest and nourishment. 

So today, take inventory of your physical health. If you find yourself snappy with your family, quick to complain at work, or generally on edge, you may need a snack break and a power nap to get you back on track. Once you’ve recharged, fill your spiritual tank too, drink from the living water, and thank God for the bread of life, it’s the only thing that truly satisfies. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Take a minute today and examine your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Do you need to make a plan to restore and recharge? Be sure to prioritize your physical health with adequate sleep, nutrition, and fitness. Grab a friend and encourage one another as you care for your physical body and feed your spiritual health with God’s word!

When Prayer is Desperate, Psalms Satisfy..Lia Martin

When Prayer is Desperate, Psalms Satisfy (Psalm 86:11-13)
By: Lia Martin

Today’s Bible verse is Psalm 86:11-13 — Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

The other day I was spending my communion time with God among the Psalms. And in response to my searching, he paused me at Psalm 86. Have you ever tried inviting God’s leading in this way?

Simply opening your Bible and moving your hands through the pages—eyes closed and heart in prayer—can be a meaningful way to exercise faith.

I sought God’s presence in this time of prayer for an answer to my anxious thoughts. Confession: I have a tendency to seek God in prayer to “help me” or “deliver me” or, quite frankly, make my wishes come true.

But today, he would remind me...that we seek God because of who He is.

As I desperately prayed back the words of Psalm 86 in its entirety out loud, it seemed as though the Spirit had commandeered my voice. I felt mysteriously connected to the terrified David of ancient days. Call me crazy, or faithful, but I felt David’s voice supernaturally comingling with mine in harmony.

I was humbled and struck by a realization that the entire story...all of humanity and all of time...is in God’s hands.

And even though David may have been afraid, there’s a really bright side to this psalm. The beloved Charles Spurgeon comments on this psalm that it can be “divided into three portions, each ending with a note of gratitude or of confidence.”

If you read it aloud, you will see that as a prayer, it cries for help. However, it consistently surrenders that anxious longing in favor of grateful praise for the One who the psalm describes as merciful, incomparable, marvelous, and abounding in love.

Its final words declare that the Lord has indeed “...helped me and comforted me.” My Bible sidenotes suggest that as you read Psalm 86, you can then choose one of the loving attributes of God it contains...and thank him for it all week.

An exposition of this verse reveals that the words of Psalm 86 are being spoken through David and into our hands today, by Jesus. One commentary explains,

“In this Psalm, Christ the Son of God and Son of Man, one God with the Father, one man with men, to whom we pray as God, prays in the form of a servant. For he prays for us, and he prays in us, and he is prayed to by us. He prays for us as our Priest. He prays in us as our Head. He is prayed to by us as our God."

Maybe this is why God desires us to open our Bible. Because He’s speaking to us in words that delivered then, now, tomorrow, and for eternity. And what you’re crying out to God about, Jesus has also been through. And he’s seeing you through it, right beside you, now.

He writes this psalm for you as a way of casting your anxiety on him, and choosing instead to be thankful. To know that God was, is, and will forever be your provider; and the source of all hope, joy, and life.

Each line that falls down in desperation is picked up by praise. And you come away, having prayed this psalm, knowing that God can teach you the truth, give you undivided heart, and deliver you from the depths...of even the grave.

A Prayer for the One with Big Feelings..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer for the One with Big Feelings

By Alicia Searl

“Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.” - Psalm 26:2-3

I’m a big feeler. Just going to go ahead and lay that out there. As a child and going into my adolescent years, I oftentimes allowed strong feelings to rule over me. They basically dictated how I perceived a situation and how I responded. Due to some emotional breakdowns, I was made to believe that my feelings (or tapping into them) was a bad thing.

As I grew older and eventually became a Christ follower, I felt the need to stuff my feelings down, pacify them, or make excuses, especially if they came across as unnatural. Ultimately, I felt ashamed, and guilt crept in every time I “let my emotions go.”

Then I met my husband. He not only had a way of bringing a sense of calm to our relationship but insisted that he loved all of me, including my wide range of emotions. With him, I didn’t have to push my feeling aside and carry around guilt. In our twenty-year marriage, he has repeatedly extended grace and space in times I needed it most. He has never cast judgment and has helped me learn to embrace my big feelings. For that, I am ever so thankful.  

Maybe you are a big feeler too? A sensitive soul? The one that loves fiercely but hurts deeply. Wearing your heart on your sleeve, always vulnerable, but expecting it in return. You’re seen as dependable, trustworthy, compassionate, and highly intuitive of others' needs. You’ll be the first to extend a hug, offer an invitation for coffee, and prove to be a good listener, especially when another needs a special dose of mercy.

However, when negative or strong emotions emerge, it can lead to a dismal place. Often feeling misunderstood causes a reaction done in haste or withdrawal from others. This is a lonely place to be and usually brings about many other emotions, such as fear, anxiety, or depression, all wrapped in guilt and shame. Big feelings carry a heavy weight and can be exhausting – emotionally, mentally, and physically.

David knew a little something about having big feelings. We see him cry out to the Lord repeatedly throughout Psalms. He was raw and intense with his emotions, handing them over to the Lord time and time again (Psalm 13, 61, 69, 77, 86, 119). David was not afraid of being in tune with his feelings nor vulnerable and sharing his heart with God.

We can take comfort when meeting David in the pages of Psalms, especially knowing that he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). We can also see that God also displays a wide range of emotions as well, including love, sorrow, joy, anger, among many other found throughout Scripture. While God’s multifaceted emotions are righteous and done so in His unfailing love, our emotions can tempt us and veer us off into sin. This is why David connected with God. As one with big feelings, we must do the same.  

When feelings well up inside and cause inner turmoil, we can invite God into the creases of our hearts. By opening up and being vulnerable, we can seek discernment and wisdom on how to respond.  

Let’s pray:

Father God,
You created us as emotional beings, and there is a special role emotion plays in how we love and relate to You and others. Please help us remember that when our feelings get too much for us to understand and take hold, choking out any clarity. Grant us peace and reach out to us, offering Your love and guidance.

O God, You created us in Your image (Genesis 1:26) which includes our emotional makeup. We long to come to You with open and humble hearts seeking Your will and way when it comes to our emotions. Give us the strength and ability to manage our emotions in a healthy way and use them to show others (and ourselves) love, grace, and compassion. Provide us with Your wisdom and discernment on how to respond when our emotions try to get the best of us. And if it is Your will, please provide safe and trusted relationships that will bring us a sense of calm and help us grow emotionally.

Lord, we long to seek You in our darkest times and when our strong emotions emerge, but we may withdraw, even from You. Please forgive us when we fail and fall short in our vulnerability. When we want to cave into our big feelings and it leads way to a hasty response, or we get wrapped up in guilt or shame, we ask that You pull us in closely and help us “feel” the incredible love You have for us.

Lord, we rejoice in You and ask that You come in and examine our thoughts and hearts. Cleanse and purify us from within and help us see emotions as a beautiful gift that can be shared to show others Who You are!
Amen.

The Year I Didn't Want to Buy an Easter Dress..Tracie Miles

 The Year I Didn't Want to Buy an Easter Dress

by Tracie Miles

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (ESV)Last year as Easter quickly approached, my daughter Kaitlyn asked me to take her dress shopping, which we’ve done every year since my daughters were little.

We spent hours looking until she finally found the perfect dress. As we were paying, she asked, “Hey Mom, aren’t you going to buy an Easter dress this year?”

I responded, saying, “I have lots of dresses. I don’t really need to spend money on a new one,” but my next sentence made my heart skip a beat: “Besides, I’m not that excited about Easter this year anyway.”

She shrugged with a faint smile and muttered, “Oh, okay,” with a little hug as we picked up our bags.

Driving home, tears trickled down my face. What kind of mother tells her child she isn’t excited about Easter? How could I say I wasn’t enthusiastic about the celebration of the resurrection of the Son of God? What kind of Christian says that?

I felt so ashamed for having those thoughts, much less speaking them aloud to my precious child. Mercy.

But I knew this Easter was going to be incredibly different and hard. It would be the first Easter Sunday in 26 years where my family wouldn’t attend church together. Instead of looking forward to the celebration for all the right reasons, I was secretly dreading it, knowing it would be difficult to get through the day.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, my husband and I had abruptly separated six months earlier. Holidays look different through the lens of a broken heart and a broken family, and I thought and felt differently about them too. Rather than focusing on the meaning of the resurrection, my thoughts centered around my earthly problems. Sometimes when life is heavy, our hearts and minds can get heavy, too.

That’s exactly why in today’s key verse (Colossians 3:2), Paul encourages us to set our minds on the things above — not the problems of this world. Because whatever we set our minds on determines our thoughts, drives our emotions, fuels our words and actions, and ultimately steers the direction of our faith. When our thoughts are sinking, our hearts will too.

However, if we intentionally fix our attention on “things that are above,” — what makes us joyful, hopeful and positive — like the resurrection of Jesus Christ, eternal life, hope found in our Savior and blessings of all kinds that make us smile, then our attitudes can stay uplifted, despite our circumstances.

God gave us free will to choose mind over matter or let the matters of life control our minds. The choice is ours, and that important choice will determine the direction of our faith and our ability to enjoy God’s joy and peace, even when our hearts are heavy. Unsinkable optimism, hope and faith hinge on where we choose to focus our thoughts, not on life’s circumstances.

This brief conversation with Kaitlyn was a wake-up call. I didn’t realize the toll my thoughts, heartache and emotions were having on my outlook, much less my faith walk, until the second I spoke those unfortunate words. Yes, life was hard in the moment. Things certainly hadn’t turned out the way I’d hoped. But hard things in life don’t have to harden my heart. I prayed all the way home from our shopping trip that day, asking God to restore my joy and peace, refocus my thoughts, and change my mind from the inside out.

We all experience hardships in life, but regardless of what we face, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, rose on the third day and ascended to sit at the right hand of our Father. He assures us a beautiful future in heaven with Him, even when life gets ugly. Those divine truths are reason enough to celebrate Easter with an overflowing heart of gratitude and praise. And certainly enough reason to buy a new dress.

Dear Lord, draw my thoughts upward toward You every minute of every day, but especially this Easter. Help me resist the temptation to focus on the painful things of this earthly life and learn to control my thoughts so they don’t sink my faith or joy in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 12:2a, “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (NLT)

Romans 8:6, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (NIV)

Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” (NASB)