Tearing Down Walls..Craig Denison Ministries

 Tearing Down Walls

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Honesty is more than the words we say. It’s a posture of the heart. We weren’t made to try and be something we’re not. God never asks us to keep up appearances. He longs for us to have the courage to be vulnerable. He longs for us to be so founded in his unconditional love that we live honestly. May you experience new levels of peace and joy this week as we discover God’s heart for honesty.

Scripture:

“I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Acts 24:16

Devotional:    

In order to protect our hearts from the pain and wounds of the world we both consciously and subconsciously build walls. These walls take all sorts of forms. Some walls are built for appearance so that outward beauty covers up inward brokenness. Some walls are built to be strong and tough so that pride and strength cover up inward vulnerability and self-consciousness. Some walls are built in order to blend in so that people pass us by altogether and never try to know us. Whatever wall we choose to build, one thing's for certain: the walls might guard us from harm, but they also keep us from ever experiencing true life.

Abundant life comes from being both fully known and then fully loved. We can’t experience the love of God and others if we don’t allow ourselves to be known. We can’t experience God’s grace and affection for us if we shield ourselves from him out of fear that he will see us and reject us. And whenever someone tries to love us fully we will always reject their love by saying, “If you truly knew me, you wouldn’t love me.”  Living with walls up isn’t really living; it’s surviving.

God knows our pains. He knows our wounds. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” God is for you. He longs to be near to you and save you. But in order for you to experience the fullness of his love and healing you have to let him in. And in order for you to experience true life you have to stop trusting in your walls to protect you and start trusting in the powerful, capable hands of your loving Father.

In Psalm 57:7 David writes, “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident” (NLT). God is the one who protects our hearts. There is nothing we can do to fully shield ourselves from the wounds this world causes except allow our hearts to be fully open to God. Only in God can we have confidence. Only in God can we trust. And only in God will we experience true, abundant life.

Take time today to tear down your walls brick by brick. Stop placing your hope in that which can’t ever truly protect you. And look to God as your great protector that you might be fully known and fully loved today. May your time of guided prayer be marked by freedom and deliverance in the Holy Spirit.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of living without walls up.

“I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Acts 24:16

2. Where do you place your hope for protection? What walls have you built that you might not be truly known? In what ways are you guarding yourself?

3. Confess to God any places you’ve given your trust, and place your hope for protection in him alone. Journal about any walls you’ve built up and respond to God’s promise of nearness and healing by giving him your heart.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

“My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident” Psalm 57:7(NLT)

It’s important to take note when you begin to build walls around your heart. Run to God when you feel insecure. Rather than building up walls that have to be torn down again, seek to live openly and honestly. May you feel God’s hand of protection around your heart today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 57

If You’re Not Where You Thought You Would Be..MEGHAN RYAN

 If You’re Not Where You Thought You Would Be

MEGHAN RYAN

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm 147:10-11 (ESV)

I read a book recently about struggling with body image, and the author asked this question:

“Do you want to live free from shame?”

Immediately I took a picture of the quote and texted this to a friend: “I don’t know if I want to live free from shame? If I let go of shame, I feel like I have to accept the reality of who I am. But I don’t want to stay here. Because who I am isn’t who I thought I would be.”

Suddenly this wasn’t just about my struggles with my body. Being OK with myself physically just represented a deeper issue: I thought I would be someone else at this point in my life. The version of who I am is not the girl I thought I would be.

Maybe you’ve felt this too. By this age, you thought you’d have:

A better position in your career …
Or a thriving marriage …
Or a kid …
Or a house of your own …
Or a certain kind of body …
Or freedom from a certain sin struggle …

But you’re just not there yet. And you’re beginning to wonder if you will ever stop striving to get there.

I’ve felt this all too deeply. I am trying to become OK with who I am, not the idealized version of who I thought I would be at this point. And it's been messy. I have to choose to ask God what is true about me, and then I have to choose to believe Him.

Today’s key verses remind me of what the Lord longs to see in me:

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 147:10-11).

God is not looking at our outward appearances or worldly definitions of “success.” He is looking at our hearts and how we see Him.

Do we fear Him? By “fear Him,” I mean: Do we trust that He is powerful and in control of our circumstances? Do we trust He is making us into the best version of ourselves? When we have to wrestle with our sins and imperfections, He does not expect us to figure everything out. He offers us an invitation to bring it to Him.

Do we put our hope in His steadfast love? His love does not change when we change. God’s love for us is not dependent on what we look like or how much we accomplish. He loves us simply because, when we are in Christ, we are His daughters.

One day I may be more comfortable with who I am, or maybe some part of me will continue to wrestle with my expectations for myself. But in the meantime, here’s what I’ll cling to: If God offers me grace for where I am today, I can offer it to myself too.

Can I offer the same grace to you? It's OK if who you are is not who you thought you would be. The woman God is forming you to be has more purpose than you can dare to dream. You can put your trust and hope in Him.

God, thank You for Your steadfast love for me. Even on the days I struggle to see myself the way You see me, help me to cling to the truth about who I am in Christ. I trust You have a better plan for my life than I ever could have myself. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Cross: The Believer's Motivation..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Cross: The Believer's Motivation

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul was single-minded in the message he preached. The cross was not only his primary subject; it was also his motivation for living. When we begin to understand all that Jesus did for us at Calvary, we, too, can receive fresh motivation to live for Him. For instance, we can...

Walk humbly before God. Since the power to live the Christian life is supplied by Christ, there is no room for pride. When Jesus died, our "flesh" nature was crucified with Him so that we could live in newness of life. Any success we achieve in living righteously or walking in obedience is possible only because He is working through us.

Serve the Lord faithfully. At the cross, we were placed "in Christ," and He is in us (Gal. 2:20). We are now His body on earth, created for good works which God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Jesus wasn’t crucified so we could sit in pews each Sunday and listen to sermons. He has specific tasks for each of us to achieve during our lifetime.

Share our faith. Knowing all that Jesus accomplished at the cross should motivate us to share the gospel with others. This world is filled with hurting people who know nothing about salvation. Since their eternal destiny is at stake, how can we keep our mouths closed?

Too often we view the cross only as a past event that secured our eternal destiny, and we fail to see how it can motivate daily choices and activities. Stop to contemplate all that God is continually accomplishing in you though the cross. Let it be your motivation to live wholeheartedly for Christ.

Walking with God..Whitney Hopler

 Walking with God

By Whitney Hopler

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 NIV

A jumbled mix of thoughts swirled around my mind as I pondered a decision I faced in a complex situation. Seeking clarity, I took a prayer walk around my neighborhood. I poured my thoughts out to God and listened to the new thoughts God sent to me. God and I walked and talked in step with each other. It seemed like God was as close to me as if he was physically there beside me on the sidewalk.

In Exodus 33:14 NIV, God told Moses, “My Presence will go with you,” and God promises the same to us. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23 NIV). While I believe that’s always true, sometimes I’m unaware of God’s presence with me. The practice of taking a physical walk helped me notice and focus on God’s spiritual presence. Discovering God’s presence clarified what I should do in that situation because God gave me personal guidance, as a friend would on a walk together.

God isn’t a distant being who keeps us guessing about what to do when we ask for his help. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” (ESV) We can hear from God when we’re walking with him. On the journey we take through our lives, God wants us to pay attention to his presence with us, step by step. He calls us to reach out to him as if we’re taking the hand of a friend who is walking right beside us. That kind of close relationship helps us walk through life in sync with God. We may run ahead or lag behind when we move away from God, but God never moves away from us. The more we choose to walk with God, the more we can enjoy his wisdom and peace in any situation.

What does it mean to walk with God? It can mean literally taking a prayer walk like I did since physical walking can rejuvenate both body and soul. But walking with God encompasses even more. Walking with God is a lifestyle of centering our lives around our relationship with God. When we walk with God, we see situations differently. His perspective shapes ours as we pay attention to his presence with us.

Micah 6:8 is a powerful Bible verse that succinctly sums up what God wants us to focus on when we walk with him through life. The verse lists three expectations God has of us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him. Each of these requirements is significant and has important implications for our lives. To act justly means to live in a way that is fair and equitable, treating others as we would like to be treated. This requires us to stand up for what is right, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular. It means speaking out against injustice and working to make the world better for everyone. To love mercy means to have compassion for others, even when they don’t deserve it. This requires us to forgive those who have wronged us, to show kindness to those who are hurting, and to be generous with our time and resources. It means extending grace and mercy to others since God has done so to us. Finally, to walk humbly with God means to recognize our own limitations and need for a relationship with him. It means living a lifestyle of worship and seeking to do God’s will.

Taken together, these three requirements form a powerful call to action. They remind us our faith is not just about what we believe, but how we put it into action as we walk through our lives. When we walk with God, our faith moves forward, and we’re blessed as a result. As Psalm 89:15 NIV declares: 

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on walking with God, consider these questions:

• How have you noticed God’s presence with you lately, and how did that help you focus on what matters most?
•  What is one way God is calling you to act justly right now, and how can you rely on God for the power to do so?
• What is one way God is calling you to love mercy right now, and how can you seek God’s help to do so?
• Have you been running ahead of God, or lagging behind him, in any situations recently? If so, how can you sync your steps more closely with God’s steps?
• When can you schedule a prayer walk with God to rejuvenate your relationship with him?

Further Reading:

• Genesis 5:24
• Genesis 6:9
• Leviticus 26:12
• Galatians 5:16

Redemption through His Blood..Lynette Kittle

 Redemption through His Blood

By Lynette Kittle

“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – John 11:25

I love the picture Revelation 1:5 describes Jesus as “Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

It reminds me of how as a young child, I came running from the garage to my parents, screaming, crying, and dripping in kerosene from an accidental playtime mishap.

Striking a chord with me, this Scripture is reminiscent of my coming to my parents covered in stain, unable to cleanse myself, and in need of washing. I remember being tenderly swept up into their arms despite my soiled condition and lovingly having the potent fuel washed off me.

My childhood memory helps me to understand my own inability to cleanse myself from sin and my need for Jesus to wash me in His own blood.

Why His Blood?

It all began when God created Adam and Eve sinless. Because there was no sin in the world, there was also no death, because death is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23).

But it all changed in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. As Romans 5:12 explains, “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

After man’s fall, there needed to be a living sacrifice as a payment for each man’s sin because Leviticus 17:11 states, “it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Satisfied through livestock, the required sacrifice was offered each year on the Day of Atonement by the high priest who offered sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people (Hebrews 5:3). But it couldn’t be just any animal. It was required to be perfect, without defect (Leviticus 3:6).

Still, these continual sacrifices were only a temporary solution for sin’s permanent consequences, and God had a plan to replace it once and for all through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Hebrews 10:10 explains how “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Why Jesus?

Jesus is the only “holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners” man whose sacrifice could meet the perfect and without blemish requirements needed to cover the punishment for sin (Hebrews 7:26). Unlike the earthly high priests, Jesus did not need to offer a sacrifice for His own sin because He had none. In offering Himself, His sacrifice covered once and for all the sins of the world (Hebrews 7:27).

Scripture explains how “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of His blood (Romans 3:25), and through His blood, we receive forgiveness of sins.

A Prayer to Hunger for the Lord..Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer to Hunger for the Lord

By Emily Rose Massey

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).

Recently, national news and social media have covered the “revivals” breaking out on college campuses around the United States. Although some are hesitant to officially put that label on what has been going on, countless young people and thousands of other Christians traveled far and wide to these campuses. They have been seeking the Lord and lifting high His Holy name in worship and prayer in one voice non-stop for days on end. Many have experienced the manifested presence of God, which has been described as indescribable peace and joy. One student’s testimony, shared on social media, read: “This isn’t hype. This is ordinary people crying out who are hungry for a move of God!”

It’s important to remember, the fruit of a move of God isn’t always about experiences with tangible peace or joy in a worship service, or the number of people gathered. Being hungry for God goes beyond attending revival meetings. Ultimately, true evidence of hunger in a Christian’s life can be seen when a believer has an insatiable appetite for seeking Christ and His righteousness. In the sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).

Truly, there is much excitement centered around large gatherings in the name of Jesus Christ, catching the attention of the world. But I think it is important to realize that one does not have to travel miles and miles to a specific event or conference, nor gather with thousands of other believers, to experience this kind of hunger for the Lord. God can revive your heart to pursue Him and His ways wherever you are in the world. All you must do is ask Him to stir your heart for that hunger and thirst. The more you begin to say no to the world and your flesh and yes to Christ and His righteous ways, the more the Holy Spirit will draw you into a life of devotion to the Lord. Most often, God begins to do His work in our hearts and lives when we keep our minds fixed on His Word. His Word renews our minds and transforms our lives to reflect His ways above our own. We cannot stir up a hunger in our own strength, we need God’s help. We must petition God and ask Him to strengthen our desires for living more Christlike. He promises to bless us and satisfy us.

Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I long for my life to reflect You so others see how excellent and perfect Your ways are compared to the ways of this world that are fallen, corrupt, and void of Your perfect love and truth. I often fail and give into fleshly temptation, and I thank You that I have been justified and made righteous in Your sight because of Your Son, Christ Jesus! Despite my shortcomings, you still desire for me to mature and grow in my walk. You are a God who transforms and purifies, so I ask You to help me renew my mind with Your Word so I can know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed to the image of Your Son. I am asking You to give me a hunger and a thirst for righteous living. I know I cannot conjure this up in my heart; I need Your help. I know I do not need to be surrounded by thousands of people or have a tangible encounter in Your presence to be stirred to seek You more. You meet me wherever I am. You are faithful to do this work of sanctification in my life, so thank You for strengthening me in my spiritual disciplines. May I have a testimony of a great transformation to give You all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remembering His Sacrifice..Senior Living Ministries

 

Remembering His Sacrifice

Senior Living Ministries

And they crucified Him.
--Mark 15:24

A medical doctor once gave a detailed description of what happens when someone is crucified:

"The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders again the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.

"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.

"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

"Hours of this...pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

It is now almost over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die."

The Bible records this process of death by crucifixion in just a few simple words. How often we take for granted the pain and suffering Jesus endured when He died on the cross for you and me. Let us remember this Easter the sacrifice He made.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the price He paid for your sins through His painful death on the cross.