Prepared for Betrayal..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Prepared for Betrayal

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 22:1-13

We’ve all experienced or witnessed betrayal at some point. And no example in the Bible illustrates the pain, guilt, and shame caused by that sin more clearly than the story of Judas.

Chosen as one of the twelve, Judas was privileged. John 12:6 says that he was even granted the responsibility of maintaining the disciples’ money box. But that same verse reveals an important truth about Judas—he was a thief.

John indicates greed was Judas’ weakness. After Mary had anointed the Lord’s feet, Judas complained, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” (v. 5). The following verse, however, clarifies that he wanted the money only for himself. One can safely assume that if Judas had reached the point of stealing cash from Jesus’ supply, then his greed had gone unchecked for some time. That hidden sin was all Satan needed to interfere with his life. And once the Enemy stepped in, the disciple began “seeking a good opportunity” to betray Jesus (Luke 22:6).

First Peter 5:8 says the Devil is like a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” And in Judas, Satan found a willing victim. If we’re honest with ourselves, each of us has a natural tendency toward sin.

Daily communion with God keeps hidden sins from becoming greater problems. Left unchecked, the “roaring lion” will also come after us, no matter what our  weakness may be. Ask the Lord to reveal any sins you need to confess. Deal with them today—don’t let sin lead you down the path of Judas.

The Spirit..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Spirit

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

One of the greatest privileges as a child of God is that we can have the heart of our heavenly Father. We don’t have to wonder how he feels about us. We don’t have to wonder if he will guide us. We don’t have to question whether he loves us or cares about us. Through the Holy Spirit we have continual, free access to the heart of God. May your relationship with God go deeper and become freer as we learn how to have God’s heart this week.

Scripture:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

Devotional:   

The Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us as believers is our gateway to the heart of God. It’s through him that we can know the thoughts, emotions, and will of the Father. It’s through him that we grow in our revelation of God through Scripture. And it’s through him that we encounter God’s manifest presence.

In John 16:13 Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 says, “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

Encountering the heart of God through the Holy Spirit is meant to be normal for believers. It’s not supposed to be weird to hear from God. It’s not only for the chosen few to know God’s heart moment to moment. We’re created to know the Father and the Son by the Holy Spirit. We’re created for real, authentic, and transformative relationship with the entire Godhead.

Unless we allow God to create a new normal for us, we will never experience the fullness of life Jesus died to give us. Unless we open our hearts to the Spirit and allow him to teach us how to live life in communion with him, we will never be rooted and grounded in God’s love and grace. And without being rooted in the love of God the storms of this life will always wreak unnecessary havoc.

The Spirit longs to lead you to the heart of God today. He longs to share with you the “thoughts of God.” He longs for you to know the depths of his love and grace. Allow God to create a new normal for you today. Seek out his will before decisions you are unsure of. Seek out his heart when you feel distraught, insecure, or frustrated. And seek out his manifest presence when the cares of the world begin to weigh on you. May you grow in fellowship with the Spirit who dwells within you as you enter into a time of guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the availability of knowing God’s heart through the Holy Spirit. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire for a new normal.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

“The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

2. How connected are you with God moment to moment? Are you living with a continual awareness of his heart? Journal an honest assessment of your relationship.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into a lifestyle of deeper, more continuous encounters with the heart of God. Decide today that you don’t want to live apart from an awareness of God’s will, love, and nearness.

In Exodus 33:14 God says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” God will go with you today. There is nowhere you could go that he won’t be ready to love you and reveal himself to you. You’ve been granted wonderful, supernatural access to the heart of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. May you find rest in the presence of the living God today.

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 2

Humbled Success..HEATHER MACFADYEN

 Humbled Success

HEATHER MACFADYEN 

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

I sat in our first apartment, overlooking downtown Wheaton, Illinois. Here I was, alone in a new town.

I wondered if I’d made a mistake by graduating a semester early and moving up our wedding from June to March. And my husband, whom I couldn’t wait to be with, traveled for work three weeks out of the month.

My biology/pre-medicine degree went unused as I lived the unemployed life instead of attending medical school. Without a place to perform or relationships to feed off of, what value did I have? Was this what being humbled felt like? If so, it was for the birds.

One of the Hebrew words for “humble” is ani. It means “circumstantial humility.” It’s used in the Old Testament when someone suffers or has been afflicted. They find themselves in a lowly position physically, materially and socially. While I knew that many people suffered much lower positions than I was experiencing, I found myself in a circumstance lower than my expectation … and that was humbling.

Ani often leads to anav, another Hebrew word, which relates to humble character. Over and over in the Old Testament, God shares how He cares for the humble. He guides the anav, as our key verse says: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9). He crowns the anav with victory. (Psalm 149:4) He encourages the anav. (Psalm 34:2) The reward? The anav inherit the land. (Psalm 37:11)

Pastor Dave Adamson writes, “The Hebrew word ‘avanah’ is translated as ‘humility.’ But an expanded translation would be to occupy our God-given space. Humility is not just avoiding overstepping our boundaries, but it’s also being sure we step into them.”

According to Adamson, an expanded translation of “humility” is “to occupy our God-given space.”

In my situation — being in a new town, with an unused degree, no community and a traveling husband — the imagined space I had drawn up for myself did not match my reality. So I humbly looked at the space God gave me, and I chose to fill it. The first step involved taking a job as a teacher’s assistant in West Chicago. While I was grateful to a friend for sending me the opportunity, it felt like a step backward.

You know what was even more humbling? Despite years of babysitting and working with kids, I didn’t know what I was doing as a teacher’s assistant. But by occupying that God-given space, I met a student named Andrew. The lessons he taught me are forever imprinted on my heart.

Part of my job was to accompany Andrew to his speech-language pathology sessions. Each week, I asked the speech-language pathologist (SLP) more questions about her job. More and more, I realized how perfectly the career aligned with my skills and dreams. Around the same time that I felt a pull to pursue further training to become an SLP, my husband’s job moved us to San Francisco.

This time, based on my experience with the teacher’s assistant job, I decided to consider my space and fill it. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for myself, I volunteered at the hospital down the street from our apartment.

During orientation, they presented different volunteer positions. Wouldn’t you know there was an opening to volunteer in the speech-language pathology department? And on my first day volunteering, the managing SLP offered me a job as an SLP assistant. Once again, God taught me how what seemed like a step backward was actually a step into the purpose He had planned for me.

By occupying my space, I found that the next space God provided was an amazing experience. I didn’t take one moment for granted. I had seen God’s hand work in my life, and I knew my part in His big story.

When the assigned space feels too large and we feel too small, we are forgetting that the Creator God assigned us there. No space is too large for Him, and no assignment is too hard.

Lord, thank You for reminding me of my role in tending to the space You have assigned to me. Help me to stay humble and look for the opportunities You’ve given me right where I am. Thank You for fighting my battles for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God Will Remind You What Is True..Ashley Moore

 God Will Remind You What Is True

By Ashley Moore 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” - John 14:26, ESV

• I know you already know this, but I’m just reminding you… These words often proceed conversations meant to encourage friends and loved ones to lean into the Scriptures.
• I know you already know this, but I’m just reminding you …God is faithful to finish the work He started in you (Philippians 1:6). 
• I know you already know this, but I’m just reminding you … you can be generous because God will supply all your needs (2 Corinthians 9:8). 
• I know you already know this, but I’m just reminding you …you can trust God even when it doesn’t make sense (Proverbs 3:5).

I used a simple phrase for these reminders, but how does God remind us of all He has taught and said to us? The truth is, we all need frequent reminders of God’s Word because we can be so forgetful. When we lovingly remind people of God's words, the intent is not to insult or bring shame. Instead, we show compassion and love as our desire to encourage others so they may not be hardened by sin (Hebrews 3:13) 

The Holy Spirit 
In chapter 14 of the book of John, Jesus said His final words to the disciples before he was crucified. In our key verse, as Jesus prepared to leave, He assured the disciples they would not be alone; a Helper would come to take His place. Just like the Father sent Jesus, He was going to send another helper that would continue to teach them everything they needed to know and remind them of everything He said. 

After Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit appeared and filled the disciples (Acts 2:2-4). Peter, one of the disciples, began to speak to all who were gathered there, saying God was going to pour out His Spirit on everyone who called on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:17-21). This is wonderful news for those of us in Christ. We who are new creations in Christ now have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, guiding and directing us as we follow Jesus ( John 14:26).

The Family of God 
The Holy Spirit beautifully unites believers in addition to convicting and leading us to the truth (John 16:13). God gave His Spirit to the entire church. We all have the same Spirit living inside of us. Sometimes, the Spirit inside of a believer will speak to the Spirit inside of another to remind us of the truth we need to hear. 

When the Spirit came to the disciples and believers at Pentecost the Bible says that although they spoke different languages, they understood each other (Acts 2:6-7). Similarly, God will speak to us through others. It may be a friend, a fellow believer we’ve known for a while, or a stranger, but the Spirit will use this person to teach or remind us of something God wants us to recall. 

The next time God pricks your conscience about something or brings a verse to mind through a friend, thank Him for how He cares enough to remind us of His truth. And when the Spirit causes you to speak a reminder to someone, no matter how simple and common it may be, start with, “I know you know this, but I want to remind you…” and remind that person of God’s Word. Let us not grieve the Spirit, but rather let us praise God who faithfully reminds us of the Truth (Ephesians 4:30).

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Have you ever felt prompted to remind someone of a simple truth, but refrained because you feared they already knew what you were about to say? The next time this happens, ask yourself quickly, what might the enemy say to me to keep me from reminding a fellow believer of God’s Word right now? Then ignore the lie and remind your brother or sister in Christ, because if God cares enough to give us frequent reminders of His truth, we can too! 

Further Reading:

• Acts 2

Are Your Words Causing Others to Stumble? ..Lynette Kittle

 Are Your Words Causing Others to Stumble?

by Lynette Kittle

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’” --Matthew 16:23

If you were Peter, how would you feel to have Jesus turn to you and say what He said to him in Matthew 16:23?

If one of the twelve Apostles could be a mouthpiece for Satan, does it cause you to consider the possibility of the evil one trying to speak to others through your words, too?

But maybe you wouldn’t have been so bold as to take Jesus aside and rebuke him for speaking of His upcoming death and resurrection saying, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22)

Of course, Jesus was really addressing Satan, who was behind Peter’s words, but still. The realization of who was influencing what was coming out of his mouth must have been hard for Peter to swallow.

Like Peter, it’s so easy to believe an idea or thought is your own, not realizing how the enemy of your soul works to influence others through what you say. Like most Christians, it’s easy to be naïve of how Satan may be attempting to discourage God’s will in another individual’s life or trip them up in some way through your mouth.

Yet Peter’s example illustrates how it can happen to even those who have a personal, close relationship with Jesus.

Most may think it’s so obvious to spot Satan’s plots, but Scripture describes how the evil one disguises himself stating, “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Like Peter’s words could come across as just a concerned friend trying to calm Jesus down from talking about a coming death and resurrection, you may believe you’re just being helpful in advising friends. Yet in reality, you may be oblivious of how the enemy is at work through your conversation to motivate someone to stumble away from God’s will.

In trying to help guide a family member, friend, or co-worker away from something you think is off track in their lives, having the best of intentions in trying to encourage them in the right direction, you could unknowingly be pointing them towards man’s will rather than God’s will.

Scripture cautions you to, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (Romans 14:13).

So how do you keep from being a stumbling block through your words? 1 John 2:10 states, “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”

A key to prevent yourself from becoming a stumbling block is to stay in the light of Christ by staying in prayer and obeying His Word.

As you do, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 states the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

A Prayer against Despair..Kristine Brown

A Prayer against Despair
By Kristine Brown

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

I had a conversation with an old friend the other day. We joked about the past, reliving fun memories of our younger days. But through the smiles and laughs, something triggered a painful memory. That night, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. The next day— wouldn’t you know it— I woke up with symptoms of a cold. Now, not only did my thoughts reel from the painful memory; my physical body languished as well. It seemed the enemy was hitting me from every side. Before I knew it, despair overcame me. I wanted to get up. Get moving. Get back to my normal daily life, but I just couldn’t do it. So, what do we do when despair threatens to overtake us? 

Despair can be triggered by many things and can happen without warning. A reminder of things past, our current circumstances, or even fear of the future. Whatever brings on these feelings of despair, we can begin by praying against it and seeking help from God. In Isaiah 61:3, the prophet gives us an inspired word from the Lord for times of hopelessness. Not only does God promise a crown of beauty for what we’ve suffered, but our despair will be replaced with festive praise.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

The Israelites had been through great and many trials due to the sins of their past. But that was about to change. I imagine they felt hopeless as they wondered whether the promise of a better future would ever be fulfilled. These words through Isaiah brought hope and joy to their despair.

We often pray for things—peace, provision, healing, and more. But it is perfectly okay to pray against things also— attacks of the enemy, disappointment, and even despair. God is our Source of all things good, and he calls us to “put on the full armor of God,” so we can stand against the enemy’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). When the effects of despair come upon us, the helmet of salvation is a great place to start. It can protect our minds from intrusive thoughts that lead us away from God’s Word. Then, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” can replace those false thoughts with truth (Ephesians 6:17). 

Whether or not we’re able to pinpoint what causes our despair, we need to bring it to God through prayer. Isaiah chapter 61 speaks of hope beyond our hardship. God assures us, “...everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7b) What an amazing promise! And what a powerful verse to help us reclaim our hearts and minds from the persistent enemy of despair. Is despair sneaking its way into your mind and trying to take over? We have good news today. We don’t have to let it in. Let’s pray against despair with all the authority we have in the name of Jesus. The enemy has to flee at the mention of his name. So, let’s begin there, with an act of festive praise!

Let’s pray:
Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you for the forgiveness that comes through his life, death, and resurrection. Because Jesus lives today, I have eternal hope. Praise the name of Jesus! Lately, I’ve felt discouraged, sad, and in despair. Help me to remember I’m not fighting against flesh and blood but “against mighty powers in this dark world.” (Ephesians 6:12) And because of that, I can pray against any attack of the enemy, including despair. I pray against despair in my life. I have so many reasons to be hopeful. Despair has no place in my mind or heart. You have promised me everlasting joy. I receive that promise today, Father. Thank you for the joy that never ends and hopes for a future in heaven with you. I am victorious over death and despair because of Jesus. I also pray for everyone else experiencing despair right now. Protect them with the helmet of salvation. Lord, I lift my sword of the Spirit in their defense. You give us “festive praise instead of despair.” Help us replace the enemy’s lies with this truth. You are faithful, holy, and good. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.