The Pillar of God’s Presence..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Pillar of God’s Presence

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview: 

God’s presence is real, full of love, and completely transformational. It takes what was broken and brings healing. It takes what was lost and guides us to our rightful place in the Father. It satisfies the weary, brings light to the darkness, and pours out the refreshing rain of God’s love on the dryest, deepest parts of the soul. Scripture contains story after story of God coming down to meet God’s children where they are, and your heavenly Father has the same heart for you as he did them. He longs to make the reality of his presence known to you. He longs to refresh you with his nearness. You were created for encountering God, and you will never be satisfied until you continually live in the experience for which you were created. Allow your desires to be stirred up to encounter the living God this week as we read powerful stories of God’s people encountering his manifest presence. May you respond to God’s word by seeking out that for which you were made: continual encounter with your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

Devotional:    

One of the greatest realities of God’s presence is the way it guides us. Exodus 13:21-22 provides an illustration for an important truth God would have us know today: when we need guidance we can run to his presence and discover his leadership in abundance. Scripture tells us, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”

Even in the Israelites’ sin, God faithfully led them. Even in their lack of faith, he still provided miraculous leadership. And now, through believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been filled with the presence of God himself. We’ve been given the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit who is always present with us and in us. As amazing as it is that God led his people with pillars of cloud and fire, how much more incredible is it that we have been filled with the very presence of God by the work of Christ? Jesus made a way for us to know the will of God with every moment as we fellowship with the Spirit of God himself.

So, how can we follow the Spirit as the Israelites followed the pillars of fire and cloud? How can we discover the abundance of leadership available to us through the presence of God? First, we must acknowledge our need of his leadership and seek out his counsel. He can only guide those who choose to follow. If you choose to go your own way in life you will step outside the guidance of his presence. It’s in seeking his will that we discover the vast reservoir of the Spirit’s perfect leadership. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Acknowledge him. Acknowledge the reality of his presence in your life in all your ways. Trust in his guidance rather than your own understanding, and watch as he makes straight all of your paths.

Second, you have to believe that God can and will guide you when you ask for his leadership. Isaiah 58:11 says, “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” This world is suffering from a lack of God’s guidance. We live in a world continuously searching, striving, and yearning for some sort of message of leadership. All around us the blind lead the blind into greater depths of darkness, continually searching for what we have already found in God. God longs to satisfy your desire for leadership. He longs to make you “like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” All you have to do is ask him. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God will guide you when you seek him for wisdom. He will lead you to the perfect will he has for you if you humble yourself before him and commit to following him. All you have to do is ask and follow the Spirit’s guidance in however he chooses to lead you. He will make his leadership clear if you stay behind him and listen.

Last, you must follow his leadership to experience the fruit of his guiding presence. The prize of a winning lottery ticket remains worthless until it is cashed in. The contents of a gift remain useless until it is opened. You have been given the most incredible gift of all: God’s guiding presence in your life. Proverbs 3:13-18 says,

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

But until you choose to follow the wisdom of God in your life, you won’t experience an ounce of its value. Until you follow the wise guidance of the Holy Spirit, you won’t experience the incredible, abundant life he has in store for you. James 1:22-25 commands us,

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Persevere today in God’s presence. Seek out his wisdom and counsel during guided prayer. Lay the burden of leading your own life on his mighty and loving shoulders, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the abundant life he has prepared for you.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire and ability to lead you.           

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

2. Now meditate on the value of God’s leadership in your life. Trust in his word. Believe that his wisdom is far greater than your own. Trust in Scripture that what he leads you to is far beyond anything you could discover yourself.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” Proverbs 3:13-18

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

3. Now ask the Spirit for wisdom and guidance in your life. Where do you need the mind of Christ today? What issue before you do you not know how to handle well? Where do you need the leadership of God? Lay your questions at his feet, and pay attention to how he responds to you. Wait for an answer in his presence and continue to look for his responses throughout your day. Trust that he will guide you perfectly into every good thing he has for you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

The prayer of Paul to the Ephesians is my prayer for you today. May you be blessed with the vast reservoir of God’s wonderful guidance:

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a 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, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” Ephesians 1:16-19

Extended Reading: Proverbs 3

Learning To Calm and Quiet Your Soul..SARAH J. HAUSER

 Learning To Calm and Quiet Your Soul

SARAH J. HAUSER 

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2 (ESV) 

Many days, my soul feels frantic and overwhelmed, hurried or even heavy. I sometimes lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, taking inventory of all I didn’t get done. Or I incessantly Google my questions, seeking solutions to my problems and answers to angst.

Whether I’m juggling everyday responsibilities or processing profound heartache, I so often find myself restless, fearful and uncertain.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe you find yourself bouncing from one task to the next, and the pace of your life leaves not just your body but your soul feeling rushed. Or maybe you’re in a season of grief, and the broken pieces of your heart feel like they’re being tossed around by relentless waves.

No matter your circumstances, you can still find true, deep rest. King David carried the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. He was chased by his enemies, suffered loss and wrestled with sin. But in Psalm 131:2, he said, “I have calmed and quieted my soul …”

Having a calm and quiet soul can feel impossible. There’s so much to do in a day, so much to think through, and so many people hurting. How can we have calm and quiet souls in the midst of it all?

In Psalm 131:1, David wrote, “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me” (ESV).

In other words, David humbled himself. He wasn’t arrogant but instead recognized who he was in relation to who God is. Without humility, David wouldn’t have been able to admit his need for rest and his need for God’s care and provision.

Rest requires humility.

Then in the next verse, Psalm 131:2, David said he was like a weaned child with his mother. A weaned child isn’t clamoring for his mother’s milk. A weaned child is content in his mother’s arms, trusting she will provide.

I’ve learned from my four kids that the weaning process isn’t always easy. At first, a weaning child will cry and scream for what he wants, but the mother doesn’t love the child any less because she’s not giving him what he craves. She’s helping that child move from infancy to maturity. She’s still providing what he needs, but what he needs may be different than what he wants.

We are so often screaming babies, clawing at God for what we want — and He can handle all our cries and questions. But eventually, a child will recognize that his mother isn’t holding out on him when she doesn’t nurse. He begins to understand that he will be fed.

Like that child calm and quiet in his mother’s arms, we can find rest in the arms of our God. When we humbly trust Him, we can find true, lasting peace, come what may. At times, like the child being weaned, we can feel like God is withholding His provision. But He’s not. He provides what we need when we need it, growing us up so we “may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4, CSB).

Like David, we can calm and quiet our souls — not because life circumstances are peaceful or our unruly to-do lists are finally tamed. Rather, we can calm and quiet our souls because God is a trustworthy, faithful provider who invites us to rest in His arms.

O God, thank You for always providing for me. Calm and quiet my soul as I learn to trust You more deeply. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When God Guides You Right Into a Storm..Christine Perry

 When God Guides You Right Into a Storm

By Christine Perry

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling." - Mark 4:35-37 NKJV

Have you ever been following God, and one bad thing after another takes place? Have you ever stopped, looked around, and wondered if you missed a sign or took a wrong turn? If so, don't worry; you're in good company. Remember David? David waited fifteen years from when he was anointed king to when he became the king! Can you imagine how often he must have asked the Lord, "Did Samuel really anoint me to be king? Or was that just a fluke? Because Saul doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon." 

Initially, David had hope. Remember, he played in the palace for Saul. So, he was undoubtedly encouraged, knowing that he was at least working in the palace and getting acclimated to his surroundings and with Saul and his family. But then, the bottom dropped out. King Saul lost it, kicked David out, and then spent considerable time hunting David down to kill him. I am not sure about you, but I would have questioned. "Lord, was that You? Or am I making something up? Are You sure I'm supposed to be king? Because we are getting further away from any hope of becoming king."

What does David do? Well, we have many of the Psalms to tell us. First, David poured his heart out to God. Psalm 38:9 says, "Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You." Over and over and over, David bears his soul to God. God sustains him, gives him strength, and keeps him steady. Eventually, David became king. The Lord was in charge the whole time — just like He was when He told the disciples to go across to the other side. And in the midst of their travels, a storm blew in. Jesus knew this was going to happen. The storm didn't take Him by surprise, friends; our storms don't take Him by surprise, either. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
So, why do you think God allows us to go into a storm? Why did He send the disciples right into the storm? Verse 38-41 gives us the answer, "But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" Because they were in the storm, they saw Jesus' power. If they didn't experience the magnitude of the storm, they wouldn't know the strength of their savior! 

Look at the saints before us and the tests they went through. Moses spent ample time in the desert, and then over and over and over again, he had to go back to God to see what other signs God wanted to do. Yet, God kept hardening Pharaoh's heart. Moses would need this training when he returned to the desert with the Israelites. Moses became closely acquainted with God. If you don't believe me, read Exodus and underline every verse that says, The Lord spoke to Moses. Then God tested Abraham with Isaac. After that trial, Abraham knew God as a provider. And after God tested Job, he said, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You" Job 42:5 NKJV. In the storms, God shows us things about Himself that we couldn't learn any other way. He doesn't just want us to know Him in theory. He wants us to know Him experientially. 

The Danger of Self-Serving Churches..Paul Tautges

 The Danger of Self-Serving Churches

By Paul Tautges

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5)

There is a self-centered, self-serving attitude that we can easily develop in our churches. It leads churches to become inwardly-focused. Church membership from a biblical perspective, however, is about servanthood. It’s about giving. It’s about putting others first. It’s not about…

1. Worship Wars

One or more factions in the church want the music just the way they like it. Any deviation is met with anger and demands for change. The order of service must remain constant. Certain instrumentation is required while others are prohibited.

2. Prolonged Minutia Meetings

The church spends an inordinate amount of time in different meetings. Most of the meetings deal with the most inconsequential items, while the Great Commission and Great Commandment are rarely the topics of discussion.

3. Facility Focus

The church facilities develop iconic status. One of the highest priorities in the church is the protection and preservation of rooms, furniture, and other visible parts of the church’s buildings and grounds.

Being a good steward of your church building is not a bad thing. But if the building takes priority over the people inside it, there is a problem. 

4. Program Driven

Every church has programs even if they don’t admit it… The problem is not with programs. The problem develops when the program becomes an end instead of a means to greater ministry.

5. Inwardly-focused Budget

A disproportionate share of the budget is used to meet the needs and comforts of the members instead of reaching beyond the walls of the church.

6. Inordinate Demands for Pastoral Care

All church members deserve care and concern, especially in times of need and crisis. Problems develop, however, when church members have unreasonable expectations for even minor matters.

7. Attitudes of Entitlement

This issue could be a catch-all for many of the points named here. The over-arching attitude is one of demanding and having a sense of deserving special treatment.

8. Greater Concern about Change than the Gospel

Almost any noticeable changes in the church evoke the ire of many; but those same passions are not evident about participating in the work of the gospel to change lives.

9. Anger and Hostility

Members are consistently angry. They regularly express hostility toward the church staff and other members.

10. Evangelistic Apathy

Very few members share their faith on a regular basis. More are concerned about their own needs rather than the greatest eternal needs of the world and community in which they live.

What mindset does each and every one of us - including the pastor - need to have as a church members? The mindset of Christ, the Servant, is what we need the Holy Spirit to produce.

A Prayer for Contagious Faith..Kristine Brown

A Prayer for Contagious Faith
By Kristine Brown

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

I stood before a room full of high school biology students. I attempted to appear calm and confident, but I was a twisted-up ball of nerves inside. Still a college student myself, these kids were only a few years younger than me. I signed up to substitute teach to earn a few extra dollars and gain some on-the-job experience, and this was my first day. But as I looked at the topic of the day’s lesson, I second-guessed whether I should be there. Evolution. I knew right away such a hot topic could spark all kinds of debate— something I wanted to avoid today of all days. So, I took a deep breath and read the teacher’s directions aloud. Just as I suspected, one gutsy young lady stood and asked the big question, “Miss, are you a Christian?”

“Yes,” I responded, hoping the answer would satisfy her curiosity. I should’ve known better. Her next question sent my insides into full-blown panic.

She continued, “How do you believe in something you can’t see?”

Every possible scenario flooded my brain at that moment. What should I say? Will I get fired for talking about God? How can I answer such a big question in front of a room full of students? I stood dumbfounded for what felt like forever. Then to my surprise, another student across the room stood and turned toward her. “It’s called faith,” the young man stated simply. Then he sat down, picked up his pencil, and started to work. 

I couldn’t help but smile and feel relieved. I allowed myself to get flustered over an uncomfortable situation, but this high school student showed incredible peace and assurance in those three short words. The ease he had in sharing about faith inspired me. It was contagious. That day will forever stay locked in my memory as the day I resolved to have faith like that. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” 

When God created man and woman, he initiated faith. When we share our faith, people take notice. There is no guarantee of the outcome. We won’t know if it will be well-received or if we will face consequences, but we do know this. Demonstrating our faith inspires others in how they live out their faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 teaches us this truth, “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” Sometimes having contagious faith means speaking with boldness. Other times it may mean listening, giving, or serving in love. Whatever way God calls us to show faith in him, we can know that God will draw people to Jesus as they witness our love. If you long to reignite your faith so that others will feel God’s unending love, today is the perfect day to ask him to light a spark. He will answer when we call upon him, believing with our whole hearts. Let’s pray together for contagious faith.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the truth of Hebrews 11:1 that encourages us to live by faith. Your Holy Word shows us what faith means. It is “the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Even though I may not see you, I know you are here with me— guiding, loving, and caring for me.

Lord, even when I don’t feel it, I know without a doubt you are working in my life. I believe in your son Jesus Christ, who gave his life on the cross so I can have the promise of eternal life in heaven. I have faith I will see Jesus face-to-face one day. When I live with that kind of faith, I have confidence that cannot be shaken. Help me live with the assurance of your presence, regardless of my circumstances. Help me show faith to others by shining the light of Jesus on everyone around me. I pray my faith will be contagious. Let what people see in me inspire them to live for you. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray, Amen.

Impossible Love Made Possible..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Impossible Love Made Possible

Dr. Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:22-23

When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:37, 39). What an overwhelming assignment!

In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.

Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.

Agape love is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous, God’s grace makes it possible.