God Transforms Us Into New Creations..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Transforms Us Into New Creations

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

We serve a God of powerful transformations. All throughout Scripture God takes those whom the world deemed the lowest, the hopeless, and the helpless and uses them to change the world. You are not beyond transformation. God longs to break off that which inhibits you from experiencing fullness of life. He longs to heal you, deliver you, and set you free. May your life be forever changed as we spend time discovering God’s heart for transformation.

Scripture:“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Devotional:    

One of the greatest lies told to those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus relates to our old and new natures. So many believers live under the oppression of the lie that God in his grace may see us as clean, but at our core we're truly not. We live as if redemption in Jesus is like clean clothes covering up the dirt and filth that will always remain, and as if redemption is our get-to-heaven-free card. We hold fast to a belief that salvation was more of an illusion of redemption than an actual transformation. And those lies act like weights dragging us back to the ways and sins of our former selves.

Scripture could not speak more clearly of the opposite. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 says:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If you are in Christ today—if you are saved—then you are a new creation. The old hasn’t stuck around until you die; “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” You see, the fact that you have been transformed into a new creation doesn’t have anything to do with your sins, failures, and beliefs. Transformation in Jesus is based on his power, not yours. Truth is based on his sacrifice, not your actions. You are a new creation totally and completely by the grace of God, apart from any of your works—as righteous or sinful as they may be. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Don’t live today with your experience as your truth. Don’t see yourself based on your works but rather on the truth of what Scripture says about you. If you will begin to believe that God truly has already transformed you into a new creation and reconciled you to himself simply by grace, then you will live and act on a foundation that births freedom and righteousness. But, if you set your mind on the things of the flesh, which is in opposition to the reality of transformation already worked in you at the cross, then you will live chained to the ways of your former self (Romans 8:6).

Take time today to reflect on your new nature in Jesus. Allow Scripture and the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself as one transformed and set free by grace. Commit yourself to live with grace as your source rather than your own strength. And experience freedom today that comes from living with a renewed mind.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on your new nature in Christ. Allow Scripture to be your foundation for truth, not your experience.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

2. Where does your life not line up with the truth that you are a new creation? What is entangling you to the things of the world? Where are you not experiencing the life of the Spirit?

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4

3. Confess any sin to God and ask for his help in living by the Spirit. Ask the Spirit for a revelation of what it looks like to live with him as your source rather than your own strength. Ask him for a heart-level revelation of your new nature.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Foundational to living a life that lines up with truth of who God says you are is living by grace. In our own strength we can accomplish nothing. We have no power over sin in and of ourselves. We have no power to live free from the ways of the world when we try to live based on our works. That’s why Romans 8:3 says, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.” He fulfilled the requirement of the law that we might live by grace. He set us free from living in our own strength by filling us with the Holy Spirit, our great Helper. Stop living in your own strength and learn to live by grace. Learn to feel, think, and act on the foundation of grace. Your heavenly Father who loves you has given you all you need to live as a new creation. He has done it all. So take hold of who you are in Jesus and experience a life transformed by the reality of God’s power and love. 

Extended Reading: Romans 8

God Can Handle Our Messiness..JASMINE WILLIAMS

 God Can Handle Our Messiness

JASMINE WILLIAMS 

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Do you ever catch your reflection in the mirror right after waking up and get embarrassed by how crazy your hair looks?

Whether or not anyone else is there, for a brief moment, it’s like nothing matters more than quickly taming your mane. After all, who wants to look so unpresentable?

Then suddenly there’s the sound of little feet running, and your kid comes in with even wilder hair than yours — “bed head” at its finest. And yet it’s the cutest thing ever. There’s no judgment, just love, for the sweet kid who looked a whole lot tamer the night before.

Why is it sometimes so hard to give ourselves that same grace when life starts to feel messy? When things become more than I can handle, if I’m not careful, I’ll find myself quickly trying to make it all look better, without any love or appreciation for myself in that present state. Does that ever happen to you?

In all situations, if we could only remember to see ourselves as God sees us, we’d embrace those messy moments. We’d hold Him to His words in Jeremiah 31:3, our key verse: “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”

Just like the Israelites, who failed over and over again, we are still loved by God in our less-presentable moments. In this passage, God had reprimanded His people and allowed them to go into exile, but He was also reminding them of His love for them and of their bright future ahead.

God draws us to Himself with kindness that doesn’t stop. And while He never wants us to remain spiritually disheveled, He’s right there with us while we pull it together. When He sees us in states of confusion and messiness, I know He feels our pain, but I also imagine He smiles with the knowledge that it won’t be like this for long.

We can be our full selves in front of God, unashamed of how we may look. We don’t have to fake anything or try to quickly fix ourselves up for appearance’s sake. Instead, we can lean into Him and experience true change, the kind that turns our mess into a message to others — the message that God is able.

And that is really one of the greatest offerings we can make. If we give up on trying to look “OK” and we instead invite God right into the living room of our craziness, He gets to renovate us from the inside out. By transforming what we thought was too bad to show the world, He gets the glory.

God, help me to trust that You can use my bad days as well as my good days to glorify Yourself through my life. Help me to stay vulnerable before You as I follow Your ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Knowing the Heart of God..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Knowing the Heart of God

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Most people long to be understood. We may have many acquaintances, but we all have a deep need to feel truly known by those we love most. This is because we were created in God's image--He also desires to be intimately understood and loved by us.

Just as you don't want to be known for only the superficial details of who you appear to be, it's not enough to know about the Lord. He wants us to learn how He thinks and feels, what's important to Him, and what His purposes are. Of course, it's impossible for man to completely know the mind of the Creator of the universe. In Isaiah 55:9, He tells us, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." The depth and breadth of His mind is so great we will never be able to fully grasp it in this lifetime.

However, we can better understand God's heart and character by seeking Him and learning day by day from His Word. If we genuinely desire to walk in His ways, we must first genuinely know Him. We come to know our friends better by sharing more experiences together. Similarly, we will also understand God better the longer we walk with Him and meditate on what He has revealed about Himself in the Bible.

God wants you to seek Him with all your heart, and He promises that when you do, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). So, the next time you're feeling a need to be better understood, turn to the One who understands you perfectly. Even more importantly, ask Him to help you know Him better.

Love in Action..Laura Bailey

 Love in Action

By Laura Bailey 

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18 

Have you ever heard the phrase, “talk is cheap?” This term implies that it’s easy to say you will do something but much more challenging to follow through. I often think about this when living out our Christian faith. It’s easy to say that we are committed to regularly attending church, but a closer look at the calendar says that Sunday mornings are negotiable. 

We quickly tell someone to call us if they need anything, but when the phone rings, we give excuses and claim we are too busy. We share with our friends that they should forgive and move on, but we continue to hold a grudge and resentment towards those who offend us. Unfortunately, many of us fall short when putting our faith into action, or as our key verse encourages us to love not only with words or speech but with actions and truth (1 John 3:18).

In the last half of 1 John chapter 3, we see the difference between love and hate. John urges believers to recall the message we have heard from the beginning of time,” to love one another (1 John: 3:11). John then shares the standard of Christian love– Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, but are we willing to do what the scriptures say and lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters?  (1 John 3:12).  It is not enough to feel love or sympathy for those who need help; we should act on their behalf. The heart of the gospel is love, which stems from self-sacrifice and generosity. 

While John implies that we should be ready to lay down our physical life for others, the implication is that we would develop a sensitivity to the needs of those around us. 1 John 3:17 admonished those who have to share with others; Christians are marked by their practical love that delights in helping others. They act out of a sincere heart and motivation to care for what the Bible coins “the least of these ( Matthew 25:40).”

Numerous times Scripture shares that a mark of a true believer is the spiritual fruit that is produced in their lives. John is calling attention to the fact that as Christ's followers, we will not simply say we love people; how we live our lives will be a walking testimony of God’s love. Those who are born again don’t live by the “do as I say, not as I do” mantra; instead, they invite others to “imitate me as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). 

There will be times when platitudes, words of encouragement, or a simple “I am praying for you” are appropriate. But let’s just not give lip service, follow up with a warm meal, or financial gesture, or perhaps the situation may call for the sacrifice of our time, choosing to sit and listen. In a world where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, think of the eternal impact you might have by simply choosing to be present with someone during a time of need.

I have often chosen to speak love over showing love because it’s the easiest thing to do. When I am tempted to let a few words check the box for showing Christ's love, I am reminded of John 15:12-13. My command is: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (NIV).

God didn’t just say He loved the world; He gave His one and only son so that whoever believed in Him could have eternal life (John 3:16). God's sacrifice of His Son is unfathomable to me as a parent, but He willingly gave Him up so that we might live. As we remember God's love and Jesus' sacrifice for us, may our words be followed up by actions that prove our love.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Think about your life. Do you show love just with speech, or do you also provide love in action? Next time an opportunity presents itself to help someone in need, push yourself to speak and show love.

Further Reading:

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
• Romans 5:8

Need for Light..Jennifer Waddle

 Need for Light (Revelation 22:5)

By: Jennifer Waddle

Today's Bible Verse: “There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.” - Revelation 22:5 NKJV

As I get older, I find I don’t see as well in the dark. Searching for matching socks without turning on the light means I’ll likely end up with two different colors. And if I’m trying to read without adequate light, I automatically reach for the lamp.

That’s why I’ve always marveled at how Scripture reminds us that there will be no need for lamps or the light of the sun in Heaven. The Lord Himself will be our light. In fact, Revelation 21:23 describes the heavenly city of Jerusalem this way: “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

No need for the sun or moon…such a strange concept for us. Yet, it’s also a beautiful reminder of Jesus, the True Light, who gives light to everyone (John 1:9).

Today, it seems like more and more people are groping about aimlessly in the dark, their backs turned to the only Source of light they’ll ever need. The enemy has deceived them by making the darkness into a false light of freedom. However, the temporary feelings of liberty offered by the darkness will eventually be met with the light of truth.

1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

There will be a day when our faltering eyes will see Jesus as He is. Face to face, we will gaze into the eyes of the Lamb—the True Light who illuminates our hearts and exposes all things. Until that day, we must remain in Him. Through the dark days ahead, as the culture sinks deeper into the false light of the adversary, we must keep our lamps burning until the Bridegroom comes.

Be encouraged today. No matter how dim your circumstances seem, you can walk in the light as He is in the light. As 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

We have need of the light, need of the One who purifies us from all sin and keeps us until the day of His return. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking your eyesight is fine without Jesus. All the things of this earth will grow dim in the light of His glory. So even if your physical sight fades, and you end up with mismatched socks, you can rest assured the True Light is coming—the only light you’ll need for all eternity.

A Prayer for When the World Tries to Tell You Who to Be..Molly Law

 A Prayer for When the World Tries to Tell You Who to Be

By Molly Law

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” - Psalm 139:13-14

According to a new special report by 60 Minutes, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are steering young users, some as young as 11, to accounts that promote anorexia and self-harm. While this is very upsetting and unconscionable, studies have also shown that the use of these social media platforms leads to lower self-esteem and depression.

While social media and this technology are new, the pressures that come with the beauty standards of the world are not. The world tries to tell women they should look like Margot Robbie, Keira Knightly, or Zendaya. The world tries to tell men that they should look like Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, or any other famous Chris. 

As these archetypes of conventional beauty are lifted up in society, it can be difficult to see and believe there is beauty to be found in everyone. The world will tell you that physical beauty is all that matters; the enemy certainly wants you to believe it until you feel depressed, worthless, and hopeless. 

The world is very tricky, yet also very transparent. The standards of beauty are fickle and change almost every decade. In the 1940s, the standard of beauty for women was tall, slim brunettes. A fit man in the early 20th century was lean with toned arms and legs. The mechanics of developing pecks and abs had not been invented, so they were not the standard for beauty. Yet we see in the 1950s, the standard of beauty for women shifted to curvy, short blondes, as reflected in Marilyn Monroe. 

Even though the pressures of looking a certain way change with the seasons, that does not mean their effect on our psyche is any less damaging or intense. We see that in the number of depression cases, bullying, and even deaths by suicide in teenagers today. 

Whereas the world is a liar and flighty, we know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is always constant; he is always loving and always faithful. We know that our Lord looks at the heart as the standard of beauty. 

Scripture tells us that the Lord chose a small, young David out of his physically strong and older brothers to be the King of Israel. God also reveals to David in the Psalms how he creates each and every one of us. He tells him that we are carefully created; we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

The fact that our souls are the ones that will exist after death and our physical bodies will die and turn to dust shows how much our character, our personality, and a soul that chooses the Lord for salvation matter above our physical appearance. 

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, 
I know that the world speaks loudly and convincingly that the only thing that matters is the way we look, and any other message is patronizing and a lie. But I pray that your message about our inner beauty and intricate creation will overcome the world's lies. I pray that everyone knows how beautiful they are inside and out — that the mechanics of human attractiveness is far different than the narrow and shallow narrative of popular culture. Lord, be with young teenagers and adults who are inundated with images deemed as beautiful and acceptable in today’s society. I pray that they know your truth and hope for a better tomorrow that is not dictated by social media. 

I pray for their parents that they have the right tools to navigate their children’s anxieties, perceptions, and mental health. I pray that we all know who we were created by and how we were created. We pray for your guidance and overwhelming presence as the world tries to yell, lie, and manipulate us into looking a certain way to be happy and successful. Help us drown out the voices that come to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). We love and trust you with all of our hearts, our Lord our God.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Waiting for Resurrection..L. B. Cowman

 

Waiting for Resurrection

L. B. Cowman

And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre  (Matthew 27:61).

How strangely stupid is grief. It neither learns nor knows nor wishes to learn or know. When the sorrowing sisters sat over against the door of God's sepulchre, did they see the two thousand years that have passed triumphing away? Did they see any thing but this: "Our Christ is gone!"

Your Christ and my Christ came from their loss; Myriad mourning hearts have had resurrection in the midst of their grief; and yet the sorrowing watchers looked at the seed-form of this result, and saw nothing. What they regarded as the end of life was the very preparation for coronation; for Christ was silent that He might live again in tenfold power.

They saw it not. They mourned, they wept, and went away, and came again, driven by their hearts to the sepulchre. Still it was a sepulchre, unprophetic, voiceless, lusterless.

So with us. Every man sits over against the sepulchre in his garden, in the first instance, and says, "This woe is irremediable. I see no benefit in it. I will take no comfort in it." And yet, right in our deepest and worst mishaps, often, our Christ is lying, waiting for resurrection.

Where our death seems to be, there our Saviour is. Where the end of hope is, there is the brightest beginning of fruition. Where the darkness is thickest, there the bright beaming light that never is set is about to emerge. When the whole experience is consummated, then we find that a garden is not disfigured by a sepulchre. Our joys are made better if there be sorrow in the midst of them. And our sorrows are made bright by the joys that God has planted around about them. The flowers may not be pleasing to us, they may not be such as we are fond of plucking, but they are heart-flowers, love, hope, faith, joy, peace--these are flowers which are planted around about every grave that is sunk in the Christian heart.

'Twas by a path of sorrows drear
Christ entered into rest;
And shall I look for roses here,
Or think that earth is blessed?
Heaven's whitest lilies blow
From earth's sharp crown of woe.
Who here his cross can meekly bear,
 Shall wear the kingly purple there.