Live for His Glory..Craig Denison Ministries

 Live for His Glory

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Our heavenly Father has made incredible promises to us, his children. And while our God is completely faithful to deliver on his promises, he does not force them on us. He’s promised his nearness, his affections, and an eternal life spent with him. But we have the power to choose our own way. He doesn’t force himself where there’s no space. God’s word won’t have power in our lives if we don’t read it. We won’t hear God effectively if we’re not listening. And we can’t experience his nearness if we constantly fill our lives with other things. So, this week we’re going to talk about different ways we can experience the promises of God so that they might come to full fruition in our lives. May you encounter God powerfully as you grow in fully experiencing the incredible promises of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

Devotional:    

One of the most constant and critical struggles we as believers have is balancing our God-given longing for greatness with striving for our own glory on earth. You were made to long for greatness. You were made to do earth-shattering, bondage-breaking, life-giving works. But the Bible makes it clear that when we overstep the boundary of greatness to glory we step outside of the abundant life God desires to give us. When we long to achieve greatness for our own fame and reputation, we load onto our shoulders a weight only God can bear. Living for your own glory will only lead you to a life of dissatisfaction, striving, burdens, and failure. So, let’s take some time today and cast the burden of achieving glory back onto the only person who deserves it and can bear it, our Savior King, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Our Lord, Jesus Christ, is the exalted One. He alone is the One True King. All of creation is under his rule and authority. God alone can bear the burden of glory. With glory comes great responsibility—responsibility you and I will never be able to bear. In Isaiah 42:8 God says, “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” Romans 11:36 says,“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Jesus doesn’t want glory because he’s prideful or selfish. He is lifted up because he is the way to the Father. He’s not looking for control of our lives for selfish gain. He knows that when he takes the throne of our hearts, he can lead us into abundant life. Through Jesus we have restored relationship with our heavenly Father. Through Jesus our sins have been blotted out. You and I have been made clean in the sight of God. And we will live in eternal communion with God himself all by Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s in living for his glory that we will find peace and purpose. And it’s only in living for his glory that the world will come to know the Father.

So, what does it look like to live for the glory of God? Living for God’s glory requires true humility. Humility isn’t acting as if you’re bad at things you are good at. You don’t have to turn away every kind or encouraging word that gets spoken to you. True humility is acknowledging God has given you the gifts and talents you possess and acting on that knowledge by living for God’s glory alone. True humility takes compliments and encouragement straight to God in the secret place, laying down any good thing you’ve done back at the feet of Jesus in worship. Again, you are meant for greatness. You are designed to live a life of effective and good work. Just don’t take credit where credit is not due.

How can you lead a life devoted to the glory of God? You must first begin by spending time encountering the glory of God for yourself.Psalm 97:1-5 says, “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” God’s glory is here on the earth. All throughout Scripture we read of God’s glory displayed throughout creation. His glory is revealed in his love, in his nearness, and even in you as God’s crown of creation. Spend time meditating on how glorious God is. Spend time worshipping your King. When you encounter the glory of God consistently, your desires will naturally shift from living for yourself to living for him. Second, align your purposes with God’s purposes. Pursue relationships, work, fun, and community in light of your need to live for God’s glory. And lastly, spend time in God’s presence allowing the Spirit to mold and shape you.Make room for God to align your desires with his. Ask for the Spirit’s help every day as you work and play. Open yourself to his leading as he helps you pursue a life lived for the glory of God. God has a plan every day to use you for his kingdom. He has so many promises he longs for you to experience all day. Live for the glory of God and experience the abundant peace and joy he has planned for you.

Guided Prayer:           

1. Spend time meditating on the glory of God. Think about all of the marvelous works he has done.

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” Psalm 97:1-5

2. Reflect on areas in your own life where you struggle with pride and living for your own glory.

3. Now ask the Holy Spirit to help you live for God’s glory in those areas where you struggle. Ask him to show you what it looks like to live for the glory of Jesus today. Choose to respond to his leadership with obedience and faith.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” Psalm 72:19

Living for God’s glory is a process. It is a lifestyle radically different than any other way of living. It requires continual humbling and repentance. Know that God has total grace for you today. He knows what is holding you back from fully encountering him. He knows what entangles you to the ways of the world. And he has a perfect plan to deliver you from any bondage that you may be experiencing. Trust him and have patience. Come before his throne as often as possible, and lay down your achievements at his feet. Experience the glory of God through his love and creation. Let his loving kindness mold and shape you into the likeness of Jesus. Live for the glory of God today and experience a life free from the burden of pursuing fame and reputation.

Extended Reading: Psalm 97

The Fullness of God in You..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Fullness of God in You

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 3:14-21

Have you ever wondered if you are a "whole person"? We all have struggles in life that could make us feel incomplete, but the apostle Paul says we can be "filled up to all the fullness of God" (v. 19). What does that look like?

A "whole person" is generally satisfied with life. He feels loved and is able to love others in return. Difficulties and hardships don't devastate him, because he is able to go through them with confidence in God. He isn't a complainer or someone who is quick to blame others. A positive attitude guards his mind since he knows that the Lord will work everything out for good (Rom. 8:28).

Being a Christian doesn't automatically make us feel complete. Fullness comes only when we experience God's love for us. For many years, I knew theologically that the Lord loved me. I even preached about it, but I didn't really feel it. Only after I took a deep look at my life and started dealing with events that had fractured my soul in childhood did I begin to experience His love in an intimate way. Once I felt the security of His love for me, I discovered great joy in walking in obedience to His will. The reason was that I knew I could trust Him to meet all my needs in His time and way.

Do you feel God's love, or is it just a biblical fact to you? If you long for wholeness, the key is to experience an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This is possible only when you're willing to open up and let the Lord search your heart. He'll reveal what's holding you back from accepting His love.

Ordinary Disciple-Making..Emily Rose Massey

 Ordinary Disciple-Making

By Emily Rose Massey

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [f]always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20, NASB).

My church prides itself on being a “disciple-making church.” As members of this church, we are encouraged to take personal spiritual responsibility for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our church has even come up with its own definition of discipleship for us to help us remember this important task set before us as believers: “Disciple-making is the privilege of every believer to purposefully exemplify in oneself and reproduce in another, through the vehicle of an intimate Christian friendship, measurable, spiritual progress.”

Although my church emphasizes discipleship, this privilege of making disciples isn’t just for one particular church, group of people, or the clerical elite. Christ has called all of His followers into a life of discipleship. We see this in what’s called “The Great Commission” in Matthew 28:

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them [the 11 disciples], saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [f]always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20, NASB).

We have been given a deployment from our King: Go and make disciples! 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
What is a disciple? A disciple is one who learns, obeys, and lives out what they have been taught. This person is teachable (not prideful) and responsible. A disciple of Christ trusts His teaching and longs to obey Him and follow Him. By God’s grace, a disciple of Christ makes an intentional and purposeful effort to walk in repentance and faith daily. When Christ-followers take the command of making disciples seriously, they see a life filled with relationships where hearts are knit together with those who love the Lord just like they do. Brothers and sisters in Christ who are intentional about discipleship will experience joy and progress in their faith as they learn how to spur each other on in the faith (Hebrews 10:24-25) and encourage one another when one’s trust in Christ is lacking.

Discipleship happens within the ordinary days that we are blessed with here on this earth. It’s doing life with brothers and sisters and pointing them to God's Word, where minds are renewed and lives are transformed to look more like Christ. There are over 60 “one another” passages in the Bible that encourage believers to live out. Some examples are “love one another,” “honor one another,” and “be devoted to one another.” We cannot do that without the help of the Holy Spirit, so our reliance on Him is crucial if we want to make disciples and grow spiritually together. 

One does not need to be a scholar or an excellent theologian to be able to make disciples. They simply need to trust in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ and live a life of repentance and faith in Him, abiding in Christ and reaching to know Him more through spiritual disciplines such as Bible study and prayer. This deep love for Christ begins to overflow and affect those all around us as we learn to love Christ and love one another (a strong vertical relationship leading to strong horizontal relationships).

A mature disciple committed to a relationship with Christ focuses on personally worshiping Him, walking with Him, working for Him, and witnessing of His power and mercy. That person will experience significant growth in personal sanctification and, therefore, will experience a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as they become “mature in Christ” (John 15:4-5; Colossians 1:28). We should be committed to multiplying these godly characteristics in others, by God’s grace, as we grow closer to Christ together, representing Him to the world. This multiplication of ministry is key to the healthy growth of the church as we seek to obey Christ and make disciples to see the gospel advance and His Kingdom spread, all for God’s glory. 

Further Reading:

• Matthew 4:19
• Matthew 10:37-39
• Luke 14:25-27

 

Is Peace Ruling Your Heart?..Lynette Kittle

 Is Peace Ruling Your Heart?

by Lynette Kittle

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

In the midst of this crazy, ever changing world, is peace ruling your heart?

If not, know that God has called you to peace. It’s His will for your life.

So if you’re not experiencing it and you would like to live in peace, how can you foster it in your life?

To begin with, look at where you are seeking wisdom. James 2:17 describes how “the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

If the information you’re taking in on a regular basis is not lining up with godly wisdom, it’s time for an evaluation of your sources. You can start this process by reviewing the activities you’re involved with including the games you’re playing, films you’re watching, books and commentary you’re reading, and music and speakers you’re listening to on a regular basis.

Next, take stock of the effects your choices are having in your attitudes, outlooks, and behaviors towards yourself and others.

Ask yourself how they are influencing your life with questions such as are you mirroring their philosophies and behaviors? Are these influences greatly shaping how you view the world? Have you adopted a line from a movie or book as your life saying rather than what God says about you?

If you find the answers to your questions are revealing the root of your lack of peace, look to Scripture to help you find your way to the only one true source of peace in this world.

To begin with, look at where you are seeking wisdom. James 2:17 describes how “the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

If the information you’re taking in on a regular basis is not lining up with godly wisdom, it’s time for an evaluation of your sources. You can start this process by reviewing the activities you’re involved with including the games you’re playing, films you’re watching, books and commentary you’re reading, and music and speakers you’re listening to on a regular basis.

Next, take stock of the effects your choices are having in your attitudes, outlooks, and behaviors towards yourself and others.

Ask yourself how they are influencing your life with questions such as are you mirroring their philosophies and behaviors? Are these influences greatly shaping how you view the world? Have you adopted a line from a movie or book as your life saying rather than what God says about you?

If you find the answers to your questions are revealing the root of your lack of peace, look to Scripture to help you find your way to the only one true source of peace in this world.

A Prayer for the One Questioning Their Calling..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer for the One Questioning Their Calling

By Alicia Searl

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” - Ephesians 4:1-2

The other day I had lunch with two of my closest friends. We strive to get together at least once a month to check in, catch up, and pray for each other. It is a sweet time I look forward to and blesses me beyond words. Due to the holidays, busy schedules, and just life in general, our monthly lunch dates got put on hold for a while. So, when we finally met up, I was overjoyed to see them!

During our conversation, we discussed our calling and God’s will. Then after a sip of her tea, one of my friends looked me gently in the eye and asked, “How did you know writing was your calling?” I froze. I didn’t know what to say because in that moment, I didn’t really know, much less know how to answer her. Immediately I felt disqualified. My thoughts went all over the place, including down a dangerous rabbit hole of believing maybe I didn’t hear God correctly. Maybe I misunderstood my calling? After a few awkward moments of silence, I answered her this way. 

“I am not sure if I am necessarily called to write, but I can assure you of this – when I pull up to my computer and place my fingers upon that keyboard, I am met with His words, not mine. He is with me. I feel Him, and it’s such a precious time to me.” I also added that when I am not writing, I miss it, and I miss that special bonding time with the Lord. Then I began to realize that writing isn’t about me at all. Because, in all honesty, I am not qualified. I don’t have the words. I am a mess, and my words fall short, but God somehow meets me. He always shows up – every single time. He leads and guides my words. He softens my heart. He shows me who He is.

Ephesians 4 describes that we are all called to live intentionally and on purpose as believers. When we meet with God in His Word, through prayer, and even as we seek counsel through fellow Christian friends, our calling becomes clear. The truth about our calling is that God will always prepare the way and plant desires in our hearts to glorify Him; all we have to do is submit.

We are also urged to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. We aren’t to question, step away in fear, wait until the right time, or wait until we feel qualified. All we are meant to do is lean in and trust.

Is God speaking to your heart? Do you feel a gentle (or maybe a very clear) nudge to do “that thing” your mind may be telling you that you can’t, but every fiber of your being is telling you to just go for it. Then get wrapped up in it and be a servant to the Lord. He is waiting for you to say, “yes!”

Let’s pray:

O Lord,
My answer is yes! I love you and want to be obedient, so use me for Your will. I am truly humbled that You would even consider me worthy. In all things, big or small, help me hear Your voice and respond with a sincere heart. Reveal to me who You need me to serve, love, and reach. 

Etch in my heart that with You, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Grant me wisdom and discernment to recognize the difference between Your calling on my life and the plans I seek for my own will. Surround me with fellow Christians who will build me up and remind me to keep pursuing You and encourage me when I slip into doubt or fear and question Your calling for me. Also, grant me the wisdom and courage to provide my fellow friends with the support they need to serve You. 

When I don’t feel cut out for the calling You so graciously placed in my life, please remind me that You designed me for a special purpose. When I fail to trust You and fear or anxiety grips my heart, help me submit and follow You with a sense of urgency. 

Lord, I lay my heart at your feet today. I seek Your will, Your way, and Your calling. Grant me peace as I walk into the unknown but trust You with each step. I will wait patiently on You to lead and guide me. I am your humble and faithful servant.
Amen.

Hope beyond This Life..Greg Laurie

 Hope beyond This Life

Greg Laurie

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
—1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Not only does the Bible tell us we will live beyond the grave, but it also tells us there is hope beyond this life. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves there is life beyond the grave for the believer. The Bible says, "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

No doubt this is why the devil has tried to discredit the Resurrection over the years. This is why, ever since the first century, he has been spreading his rumors about what happened to the body of Christ. And one of the oldest rumors of all was that His body was stolen by the disciples.

But claiming that the body of Jesus was stolen actually proves the resurrection of the Lord. His friends could not have taken it, because they left the scene and were convinced He was dead. The apostles had no reason to counterfeit a Resurrection they did not even believe in themselves.

And as we look at church history, we know that with the exception of John (who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos), all the apostles were martyred for what they believed. Don't you think at least one of them would have suddenly exposed such a lie if it were a lie? But they didn't, because none of them could deny what was true: Christ was risen, Christ is risen, and He is alive.