God is Already at Work ..Craig Denison Ministries

 God is Already at Work

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

In response to knowing the heart of God we are called to share the wonders of his invisible nature with a world in desperate need of him. God has chosen to use us to reveal himself. He’s filled us with the Spirit and empowered us to proclaim the good news of salvation and restored relationship with our Creator. May you discover this week that you were made to share God’s heart. And may you find joy and passion in God’s longing to use you in powerful and unique ways.

Scripture:

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Devotional:    

God is calling you and me to a lifestyle of joining him where he is already at work. Foundational to co-laboring with God is acknowledging that he is in constant pursuit of humanity. There is nowhere you can go that God won’t be. There is no one you could talk to whom God doesn’t already see, love relentlessly, and have amazing plans for.

Sharing God’s heart begins and ends with his grace. His grace empowers us to step outside of ourselves and love others. In grace he pursues us, even in our sin. Grace sent Jesus to die for us that we might have salvation through him. And it’s by grace we receive that free gift of salvation.

It’s important to understand God’s grace because without it we work in vain. If we operate under the perspective that salvation, healing, deliverance, and freedom for others hinges on our ability or our mercy, we will achieve nothing. But when we understand that we are merely carriers of God’s heart and fellow recipients of God’s lavish grace, we work from a place of power and truth.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” And Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” You are not called to go off on your own into the darkness. God doesn’t just meet you when you read Scripture or spend time with him and then send you off to do his will. He is always with you. He is always available to you. And he always longs to empower you.

Cultivate a lifestyle of seeing where God is at work that you might co-labor with him. Ask the Holy Spirit for eyes to see the way he is pursuing people. Ask him for his heart for your friends, family, co-workers, and those you might only encounter once. God’s most likely not asking you to drop everything and move to an unreached people group right this moment. Instead, he’s asking you to be used by him to minister to others you encounter in your daily rhythms of life.

Meet God where he’s already at work today and seek to share his heart with a world that desperately needs to know a God who passionately pursues them.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the truth that God is already at work. Allow Scripture to change the way you see co-laboring with God.

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

2. Ask God where he is already at work around you. Ask him to bring to mind a person or a group of people whom you can minister to today.

3. Ask him how he is already at work. Ask him for a revelation of what you can do to see his kingdom advanced through your life today. Ask him for specific ways you can love others well. Journal his response and pray to receive courage and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

Healing didn’t happen in Scripture because a disciple had a greater level of mercy or compassion, but because a disciple chose to co-labor with God where he was already at work. God is constantly loving, beckoning, and drawing everyone you know to himself. And he will work through you if you seek to join with him in his purposes. If you want to live a life of purpose that has eternal value, you need not look any farther than the faces of those you see every day. May you love others as God does. May you show mercy and compassion in response to God’s mercy and compassion. And may God’s kingdom come to earth around you today as you minister with God. 

Extended Reading: Philippians 2

Our Father Invites Us To Ask Audaciously..BECKY HARLING

 Our Father Invites Us To Ask Audaciously

BECKY HARLING 

“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11 (NIV) 

I remember the night. Many years ago, after a long day at Disney World, our four kids were exhausted. As parents, we were ready to crash and head to bed, knowing that we would start the long drive home in the morning.

But as we tucked our 6-year-old daughter, Stefanie, into bed, the tears and pleading began.

Earlier that day, we had bought our 4-year-old daughter a stuffed Baby Minnie Mouse. We had repeatedly asked Stefanie if she wanted one. She had said, categorically, no. She was too mature for Baby Minnie. However, in that moment before bed, she changed her mind. Her weeping grew in volume as her pleading continued. Finally, my husband, Steve, got her to sleep.

Then at 9:30 p.m., Steve grabbed his keys and headed out of our hotel. That night he went to three different Disney stores and at approximately 11 p.m. walked back into our hotel triumphantly with a stuffed Baby Minnie Mouse. The next morning when he gave the toy to Stefanie, he won her heart forever.

Honestly, parenting experts might have told us to handle the meltdown differently. I get it. But here’s the thing: Steve didn’t just give Stef a stuffed toy. He gave her the most beautiful picture of our Father in heaven. To this day, she remembers.

Our Father in heaven delights in hearing our requests. He doesn’t become frustrated with our persistence or annoyed with our audacious asking. He enjoys hearing our prayers and giving us good gifts.

At times in my spiritual journey, I have felt like I had to keep my prayers contained within a “reasonable” box. I didn’t want to ask for anything too big or persist too long in case I’d be annoying. However, gradually, I began to realize I had a faulty view of God. What I needed was a deeper understanding of the extravagant love of our Father.

Jesus shows us the heart of our Father. When Jesus taught us to pray, He invited us to ask audaciously, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). He also reminded His disciples, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14, NIV). Did you catch that? Anything! Wow, what an invitation!

Does this mean everything we ask for in prayer, Jesus is going to give? No. However, we can rest assured our persistence doesn’t annoy or frustrate Him. He invites us to continue to ask and gives us what is good.

If your earthly father was emotionally distant, grew easily annoyed, or became frustrated with your tears, perhaps that’s how you imagine your Father in heaven acts. May I reassure you? Your heavenly Father is nothing like that. He delights in spending time with you and hearing your heart. He invites you to come boldly and ask for your daily bread.

Maybe for you, daily bread is financial provision or wisdom to raise your child. Maybe it’s the courage to face a daunting health diagnosis. Whatever it is, Jesus invites you to come and ask audaciously, believing that He will listen and give you what’s best.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t get annoyed or frustrated with my persistent asking. Thank You that You are a Father who lovingly bends down to listen and invites me to ask You for my daily bread. Today, Lord, my daily bread is ________________ (name your specific need). Help me to remember, Father, that You delight in hearing my requests. I praise You in advance for how You will answer and provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Trained By Grace..Emily Rose Massey

Trained By Grace
By Emily Rose Massey

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…” (Titus 2:11-12, ESV).

I grew up in a religious denomination that kept me further bound to my perfectionist tendencies and rule-following nature. Sadly, I saw God as vengeful and angry who would smite me down if I was not perfect. I spent many years striving to earn God’s love, viewing Him more like a dog trainer than a loving father; It was very exhausting. The Lord rescued me and regenerated my heart in my early 20s, but because it was difficult for me to shake my religious upbringing. My understanding of the gift of grace was distorted for many years, even after becoming a Christ follower. Tragic, considering the Bible speaks of God’s grace, charis, over 150 times in the New Testament. Imagine what life for believers would look like if we had ultimate clarity regarding the beautiful gift of grace that could fill their life and be shared with others! Let’s take a moment to define grace: God's free, spontaneous, absolute lovingkindness towards humanity. Grace (charis) is the grand, overarching gift of God from which all other blessings flow. Charis contrasts with law-keeping, duty, debt, works, and sin. 

The same grace that saves us is the same grace that will change us. There are different dimensions to grace for the believer: salvific grace and sustaining grace. Salvific grace means we are justified by God’s grace as a gift of righteousness through redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by Christ’s blood (Romans 3:24). This is the sole working of God. Sustaining grace, on the other hand, is a partnership with God as we work out our salvation with Him (Philippians 2:12) and see our lives transformed in righteousness (sanctification). We see this depth of grace spoken of in Titus 2:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…” (Titus 2:11-12, ESV).

Intersecting Faith and Life:

The riches of God’s sustaining grace are many times greater than the vast eternal riches of His saving grace. God wants our lives to be enhanced by the riches of His sustaining grace as we say no to worldly passions and yes to holiness. Grace is what is working in and with us, designed to walk, work with, and spur us on. Grace trains us to be holy and obedient, loving God, and His people. In what ways have you been strengthened and trained in righteousness in the last 6 months? In what ways would you like to be strengthened and trained these next 6 months? 

Remember to ask for accountability. We aren’t meant to walk this journey in growing in grace as Christians alone! Grace drives us to work hard for (1 Corinthians 15:10) and serve God. It is a power, a force that drives, equips, and calls us into ministry wherever He sends us. Grace supplies us in our suffering for it is sufficient in all circumstances. Christ’s grace and strength are made perfect in our weakness so we must lean upon His grace to persevere through every trial (2 Corinthians 12:9) until He calls us home to Him. 

Different quantities of sustaining grace are given to each believer in different circumstances in life. In what area of your life do you need more of God’s sustaining grace? In humility, how can a brother or sister in Christ pray specifically regarding this area of struggle? His grace is available to you. Come to Him in humility and receive His great grace! 

Further Reading:

• 2 Peter 3:18
• James 4:6
• Philippians 2:12-13

4 Solid Tips for Getting Started with Bible Study ..BST Blog

 4 Solid Tips for Getting Started with Bible Study

From the Inside BST Blog

Today's Bible Verse: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” - Joshua 1:8

Getting started with Bible study can seem overwhelming. There are 66 books to choose from and thousands of verses—not to mention the large selection of Bible study resources. But Bible study isn’t as difficult as it may seem. In fact, millions of people around the world enjoy reading Scripture each day and discovering something new.

To help you start your journey, we’ve provided a few tips on getting into the Bible. We pray that as you study, God’s Word will come alive for you.

Four Tips to Get You Going

Pray first. Before you read the first verse, take a moment to ask for God’s guidance. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and teaches us how to understand ( John 14). We need Him to open our eyes to the meaning of Scripture so that it can transform our lives.

Don’t get discouraged. Studying the Bible is a lifelong process. When you first embark on the journey, the landscape may seem unfamiliar—confusing even. But the more you read, pray, and study, the more you’ll grow accustomed to the contours of Scripture. You’ll see how books and ideas connect; you’ll see the history of God’s redeeming love. Be patient and keep at it.

Take notes. You’re more likely to engage with God’s Word if you make notes. When you have questions, write them down so that you can look for answers. When you realize something about God’s nature, write it down and study it later. Write out your prayers and thoughts. You can take advantage of My Bible on our site to access your notes from any computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Take action. The point of studying the Bible isn’t just to accumulate knowledge. As the writer of Hebrews says, Scripture is alive and cuts deep to transform us ( Hebrews 4:12). Read, take notes, pray, and let God use His living book to cause real change in your attitudes. You’ll be blown away by what He can do.

A Prayer to Remember His Faithfulness and Our Value..Ashley Moore

 A Prayer to Remember His Faithfulness and Our Value

By Ashley Moore 

“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” - Matthew 10:31 NLT

“I am specifically praying that you would remember when God has been faithful to you,” she said. My friend's words of encouragement to my husband and me during a financial hardship prompted me to go down memory lane on the way home from our small group gathering. We recalled every time God had met a specific need of ours or answered a prayer in a way we couldn’t have orchestrated. By the time we were home, we had lost count of how many instances we had been on the receiving end of His divine provision. 

While our situation had not subsided, something in my heart had shifted. Instead of dwelling on what we needed, but did not have, I became fixated on the faithfulness of God. I wonder, in what ways have you experienced God’s provision? Have you ever received a timely note of encouragement at just the right moment? Perhaps you had a surprise expense that was covered by an anonymous donor. Or maybe you didn’t know where your next meal would come from when someone showed up at your door with a well-timed casserole. We all have experienced these perfectly timed miracles that remind us of God’s presence and care. But when we're in the middle of a fiery trial it can be hard to recall God’s faithfulness. More often it's easier to worry over the unknown. 

This is precisely why Jesus instructed us to look at the flowers and birds of the fields (Matthew 6:26-28). He knew we would need daily reminders of how God regularly cares for every need of His creation. More specifically, flowers and birds are major components of God’s creative design to maintain growth on Earth. The nectar of flowers draws in pollinating insects that buzz around causing crops and other life-giving plants to reproduce. Birds help by spreading seeds that will grow and produce more plants. And while the birds never technically sow or reap anything, their existence alone is aiding in the growing process. A process that benefits God’s children by providing food and clothes. 

God says to us, look at these things. Let’s look up from our troubles and see how God sustains and provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Let’s look at how He keeps them alive and know that we are of much more value than these things. Today, when worry nibbles at our hearts causing us to fear how our needs will be met, let’s look at the birds and the flowers. God cares for the littlest, seemingly insignificant things we pass over millions of times a day and uses them as reminders of how He provides for His children. We are valuable to Him and can be sure He will take care of our every need by recalling His faithfulness right now and in the past (Matthew 10:31). 

Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, 

Thank you for your creation! Thank you for the daily reminders of how you created and continuously sustain and care for all you have made. Lord, forgive us for so easily forgetting all the ways you have been faithful to meet our needs in the past. Lord, as we think about our current situation, would you bring to our minds all the ways you have shown up and cared for us in the past? Lord, would you allow these memories to increase our faith? Would you bring to mind promises from your Word that speaks to what you’re doing in our hearts through this struggle? Lord, let us live in a manner worthy of your calling on our lives (Colossians 1:10). Help us traverse the struggles of life with praise on our lips, confidently clinging to the hope we have in Christ. Bring others to remind us when we forget, Lord. And let us be reminders to those around us of your faithfulness. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Following God's Schedule ..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Following God's Schedule

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 11:33-36

Most of us enjoy feeling in control of our own schedule and grow frustrated when things don't go according to plan. Yet if we truly desire to walk in the center of God's perfect will, we must become willing to cooperate with His time frame.

Consider how you pray about situations in your life. Without realizing it, you may be demanding that God follow the schedule you've constructed according to your very limited human wisdom. Yet if we believe He is who He says He is, how can surrendering to His way not be to our benefit? Think about His unique, praiseworthy qualities:

• His all-encompassing knowledge. Unlike us, the Lord has complete awareness about our world and the details of every individual life--past, present, and future.
• His complete wisdom. God understands man's every motive, whereas none of us are able to accurately discern people's intentions. We make choices based on partial information, whereas He has the wisdom to take action based on truth.
• His unconditional love. Our Creator is always motivated by love and constantly has our best in mind. Unless we trust His heart, our view of reality will be distorted.
• His perfect sufficiency. At just the right time, God will provide us with everything we need to carry out His plan.

Submitting to God's timetable requires faith and courage. Believe in the goodness of His heart and His plans--and determine to wait until He gives the signal to move forward. Then, as you follow His schedule, you'll experience the joy of watching Him make all things beautiful in His timing.