Rejoice in Hope..Craig Denison Ministries

 Rejoice in Hope

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This week we’re going to take a look at seven principles found in Romans 12 that describe the marks of a true Christian. The intent of studying this passage is not to condemn or lead you to comparison. Instead, let Paul’s teaching fill you with a deep, transformative longing to wholeheartedly pursue the life God intends for you. Ask God to help you see yourself as he sees you, to see the grace he’s placed upon your life by the blood of Jesus so that you might walk more fully in the power and anointing of the Spirit. Open your heart to God, and let him do a mighty work in you. He is near to you, ready to mold and shape you into a disciple filled with and fueled by his incredible love. May you discover God’s grace and perspective this week as you examine your life in light of this powerful passage of Scripture.

Scripture:“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Devotional:

We are not promised a life without struggle here on earth. In fact, the Bible makes clear that the world will hate us for our love of Jesus. John 15:18-19 says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Jesus even promises us in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation.” Except John, each disciple was martyred for his faith in Christ, and John was exiled to the prison island of Patmos for preaching that Jesus is God. We live in an imperfect world wrought with the destruction sin and separation from God has caused. You and I will face trials here as followers of Jesus.

In light of Jesus’ promise of problems here on earth, it’s interesting that Paul would write in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Paul knew all too well the trials we as believers can face in the world, but he wasn’t about to let them affect his ability to “rejoice in hope.” Along with promising us tribulation, Scripture speaks of the perspective we as believers are to have in light of our restored relationship with God. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Scripture is clear that this world is not your home. Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The Bible doesn’t tell us that trials won’t hurt here. Being disliked by others or the loss of a loved one, a job, or finances will not feel good. But you can “rejoice in hope” and “be patient in tribulation” with the knowledge that the trials you suffer here will one day end. Earthly success and possessions are not the goal because “the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). And you are promised an eternity with your heavenly Father where “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

So in light of the hope we have in God, how can we be obedient to his word in Romans 12:12? How can we consistently “rejoice in hope” and “be patient in tribulation” when everything seems to be crashing down around us? Only by being obedient to the last exhortation in Romans 12:12: “Be constant in prayer.” James 5:13-15 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” There is power in praying to God. Just as God has answered his children in the past, he will answer you. If you need his peace, pray and ask him for it. If you need to be reminded of what matters, pray and ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. Humble yourself before your brothers and sisters in Christ and ask for their prayer. “Be constant in prayer,” always conversing with your heavenly Father.

God knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it is to go through trial and tribulation. Through every problem, Jesus exemplified what it is to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,” and“be constant in prayer.” Spend time with Jesus today in prayer. Allow the Spirit to mold and shape you into his likeness. May his love lay an unshakable foundation for you to remain hopeful and patient in every trial and tribulation that comes your way. Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In this is our hope: Jesus overcame the world, and so will we.Spend time with the One who has overcome every trial you are going through. Receive his guidance and direction today as you pray.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promise of tribulation and the hope you have in Christ Jesus.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17

2. Reflect on any trials or tribulations you are going through. Where do you need hope, patience, and constancy in the midst of trial?

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

3. Now ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in the midst of your trials. Place your hope in your God who walks with you through this life. He is near to you.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13

You have a real enemy fighting to steal, kill, and destroy you. But “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). You can overcome by the blood of Jesus. In the Spirit you have a constant source of hope, joy, and power. When you feel the enemy fighting against you, clothe yourself in the armor of God. Stand against him in the authority of Jesus. Rise up, take hold of the temptations and condemnation your enemy brings against you, and throw them at the foot of the cross where Jesus crushed the power of the enemy in your life once and for all.

Extended Reading: John 16

Your New Now..NICKI KOZIARZ

 Your New Now

NICKI KOZIARZ 

“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.” Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) 

It was the most alone I’ve ever felt.

Standing in a room in the intensive care unit, overlooking the city of Seattle, Washington, I watched my only brother die right before my very eyes.

The cruel irony of this moment was that I had dropped everything to fly as quickly as possible from Charlotte to Seattle so he wouldn’t be alone.

My tear-filled eyes and aching soul were drawn to the window and the rare appearance of the autumn sun setting across the city. Among the shadows of the buildings, beams from the sun’s streams of light poured through. And two white birds circled again and again in front of the window.

It was too obvious not to believe that God was trying to get my attention. Isaiah 43:2 came to my mind. This verse reminds us that when it comes to trials in life, it’s not if they come but rather when they come. During these trials, God may not be all we want, but He is all we need.

Still, learning to manage the tension of what we want and need during seasons of change is challenging. What I wanted at that moment was for my brother to live. But what I needed was the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit.

Grief is often one of the unkindest things that can lead us into a season of transition. But there are other things, both positive and negative, that can lead us into transition: job changes, a move to a new city, children being born and growing up, relationship statuses, and a dozen other scenarios.

No matter what spurs it, a transition is filled with a space of time between what was and what is still to come. The place I like to call “your new now.”

Isaiah 43:2, which came to mind the day my brother died, was God’s encouragement to Israel during their exile in Babylon. It harkens back to Israel’s exodus from Egypt, (Exodus 14:21-22) a journey led by Moses — a man who has a lot to teach us about transitions in life. The way we go from “here” to “there” matters. And Moses was a man who often fought against moving from season to season of his life. He wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, fear and loneliness. God reminded Moses, the same way He reminds us today, that no matter what you go through, God is with you.

“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.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Feeling alone is often one of the strongest emotions we face during any significant transition in life. But on the road between what was and what will be, you still belong somewhere: with God.

Seasons come, and seasons go, but God’s presence never leaves you.

His presence doesn’t eliminate what is hard, but it does illuminate what is holy. And through the gradual, slow shaping of our souls, God’s holy presence allows every season of our lives to bring growth and confidence in who He is.

God always stays and is so present in the midst of change. Look up with me and see that He’s there.

Lord, thank You for always being present with me. Thank You for Your kindness and mercy as I go from one season of my life to the next. Help me to look up and see Your presence today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The Holy Spirit: An Absolute..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Holy Spirit: An Absolute

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 24:36-49

Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior--He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater.

Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God's Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2, Gen. 1:26). Today, He has the critical role of helping and counseling all believers.

The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn't something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege--by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey.

Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings.

Three Keys to a Hope-filled Spiritual Mindset..Jessica Van Roekel

 Three Keys to a Hope-filled Spiritual Mindset

By Jessica Van Roekel

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:13, ESV

The Northshore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places to visit. The water stretches out as far as my eyes can see, and waves crash against the rocks. For this landlocked, midwestern girl, it’s as close to an ocean view as I’m going to get. Near the shoreline are several hiking options. My husband and I took a trail that looked easy but hid its strenuous middle. At one point, we faced 275 stair steps in a row. For some, this might be easy, but because of my weak knee, it was not.

The promised view of multiple waterfalls convinced me to push ahead. I started climbing the 275 stairs with my head down as I focused on one step at a time. But I needed to stop to rest, so I looked up and took in the beauty of the forest. I noticed how the birch bark curled back to reveal striations in the wood and how the clouds skidded along the tippy tops of the pine trees. Life can be like that trail. It starts out innocent enough but then morphs into difficult challenges where the only way through it is through.

We wonder if we’ll make it, and we despair of ever reaching the end and our promised view. Our feet plod along, we keep our eyes on the ground, and hope leaks from our hearts. It is hope that makes a way for us to touch life with tenderness, taste it with delight, and see it with optimism. But when we experience a difficult portion of our journey, hope can be difficult to maintain.

The words in 1 Peter resound with the sound of hope. This verse provides a three-step plan for living hope-filled lives. Peter walks us through the definition of hope, its nature, and how to be determined in hope. As a follower of Christ, we live future-minded. We govern our present choices and actions by training our minds in three areas knowing we will see Jesus face to face someday.

First, we cultivate a disciplined mind. Outlook influences outcome, and attitude determines action. I keep a lint roller nearby because my cat’s hair sticks to almost everything. Sometimes walking through this life is a little like picking up dirt and debris along the way, and soon hope gets lost in the mess. Centering our minds on the promised return of Jesus helps us maintain our hope.

Second, we develop a sober mind. This means to have a steady, calm, and controlled mind by guarding what we think about or expose ourselves to. It’s listening and obeying God’s word through the disappointments and discouragements we face. When we have a sober mind, we stay aware of our thoughts, and when hopelessness creeps in, we remind ourselves of God’s faithful and steadfast nature. Our hope is present and future-minded, so we can strengthen it when we meditate on God’s word and worship him, which keeps our mind steady.

Third, we pursue an optimistic mind. Positivity comes easily for some people. It’s like they ooze glitter, and they sparkle. We can look at that type of person and wonder if they understand that pain exists. As a positive person, let me assure you: I am aware of pain. Pain has stolen my breath and turned my world dark. But I’m also aware that God’s heart is good and trustworthy. When our hope seems lost, and our outlook is gloomy, look up. Find something good to focus on. Maybe it’s the sunrise or the sound of birds singing or your child’s smile. When you see it, hold onto it, and thank God for it.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
A disciplined, sober, and optimistic mind creates a hope-filled spiritual mindset that allows you to experience the hope of God in the day-to-day grind of life. You have the assurance of seeing Jesus face to face in the second coming, and you can see evidence of him in your todays as you fix your mind on him. Look up instead of down when hope leaks from your heart, and let God bring you through to fresh hope.

Further Reading:

• 1 Peter 1:13-16

What It Means to Have the Eyes of Our Hearts Opened..Jennifer Waddle

What It Means to Have the Eyes of Our Hearts Opened
By Jennifer Waddle

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you…” - Ephesians 1:16-18 ESV

Not only was mankind created with physical eyes, to see the beauty of creation around them, they were formed with spiritual eyes, able to understand the deeper things of God. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for mankind to sink into a pit of spiritual blindness because of sin and rebellion.

When Adam and Eve had perfect union with the Lord, He had already opened the eyes of their hearts to know Him and fellowship with Him. The day the serpent came, he deceived Eve by claiming her “eyes would be opened” and she would be like God.

But the serpent said to the woman,“You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 1:4 ESV)

Of course, it was the lie of all lies, and the moment she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, her physical eyes were opened to her own sin and shame. At the same time, her spiritual eyes were darkened.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. - (Genesis 3:5-7 ESV)

To have the eyes of our hearts opened means that we are given wisdom and revelation pertaining to the riches of the glorious inheritance we have in Christ. (Ephesians 1:18) It means that we understand the hope and assurance of our salvation. And it means that we are able to partake in the greatness of God’s immeasurable power, by the working of His Spirit in us. (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Without the opening of our spiritual eyes, we walk in carnal blindness, unable to comprehend the good news of the Gospel and what it means for our eternal salvation.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Spiritual blindness leaves us spiritually discerned, unaccepting of the holy things of God.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

So, as we pray for God’s guidance in our everyday lives, let’s not forget to ask Him to keep our spiritual eyes open—the eyes of our hearts towards Him. For in Him we live and move and have our being.

A Prayer to Forgive as We Have Been Forgiven..Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer to Forgive as We Have Been Forgiven

By Tiffany Thibault

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” - Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

Imagine, if you will, that you are out walking and come to the fence around my house. There is a sign that says, “No trespassing.” However, you decide that you would rather take a chance of any potential consequence by taking the “shortcut” across my property. So, you climb the fence into my yard and begin walking. Suddenly you see a blur of black and begin shaking in fear as a snarling, growling large Doberman blocks your path. In that frightening moment, your sin would leave you overwhelmed by the choice that you had made to trespass. 

What if though, at that moment, I came out my front door, immediately assessed the situation, and called my dog to come sit by my side so that you could safely run back to the fence and climb out of my yard to take the long way home? And then what if we both live the rest of our lives never dealing with this situation again? It is a moment that is put behind us, not to be faced again. That is exactly what happens when I forgive you for the sin or the trespassing that you attempted against me. 

People intentionally choose to sin against us, and even more, to sin against God. They hurt us with their intentions, their words, their greed, and their selfishness. In the midst of this reality and the sting that it brings, we can take comfort in this truth: they will someday face God and He will deal with their sin against you.

Day after day, we all trespass against one another, against God. Trespasses are deliberate intentions to ignore the boundaries established by God. It is a sin when we choose to climb over that fence put up by God to protect us from harm and commit the sin anyway. Just as that fence I put up around my yard was to protect you from the painful bite of my dog, whose only inclination is to protect his territory, so too are the boundaries that God set up to keep us safe. Those boundaries will become clearer and clearer the more we make God our focus and embrace Him as the most important thing in our life.

This Bible verse tells us that our choice to forgive or not forgive them for the pain that they have brought will absolutely have eternal consequences for us. It says that if we forgive the sin that others have committed against us, God will forgive us when we sin. If we cannot forgive those who have wronged us and instead harbor that pain, nursing it over and over again, becoming bitter in our soul toward them, God will not forgive us when we sin against Him. 

So, as you go into this day, reflect and pray over the situations and the people that are causing you angst. Think about those moments when they “jumped” the fence into your space, causing you trouble and heartache. Work steadfastly and doggedly to forgive them, to let the pain go, to cling to Jesus in those situations that seem so impossible to forgive. The more that we fill our minds and hearts with focusing on and loving the Lord, the more that pain will lessen. The more we pray for that person who is just so difficult, the more we will begin to forgive them. The more we forgive, the freer we can live, knowing that our Father in heaven has forgiven us of so many things. Forgiveness is freedom.

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Please forgive my trespasses for my deliberate choice to sin against you. Forgive the sinfulness in me that chose to take the shortcut instead of standing strong against the temptation. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me. Help me to release the unforgiveness, and the pain that they have caused. Hold me, comfort me as I journey through learning to forgive them. Be my Father as I live each day, learning to be more like you. 
In your name, I pray, amen.

Trading Spaces..Ed Young

 Trading Spaces

by Ed Young

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ traded spaces with us on the cross. He died in our place, for our sin. But if you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, you only believe one-half of the Gospel. The other half of the Gospel is the fact that Christ fulfilled God's standard perfectly.  He was 100% righteous. So, had Christ been 90% righteous or 80% righteous, his sacrifice would not meet God's demands. He was 100% righteous.

So, once you bow the knee to Christ and ask him to come into your life to take residence, to come into the dwelling place of your heart, then the righteousness of Christ is imputed into your life. Thus, when God sees you, he sees Jesus and his perfect character. This is only able to take place because of the resurrection power.

That's the power that can renovate our minds and hearts today and that will one day completely renovate and restore our sin-torn bodies into glorified bodies that will live forever in heaven. The resurrection is the final hope of every Christ-follower. It is the "final reveal" of God's design and renovation: the perfection of our mind, body, and spirit. On the other side of the grave, when God says, "Okay, open your eyes and see your new space," you will open your eyes in a resurrected, recreated body, a completely new space that you will inhabit for eternity.

It will be the perfect space, designed by the perfect Designer (God the Father), rebuilt by the perfect Carpenter (Jesus Christ) and purchased at the ultimate cost (Christ's precious blood). But you've got to make the choice: Are you going to keep trying on your own to rebuild the rubble left by sin or are you going to let the Carpenter renovate your life into the perfect space.