Pentecost..Craig Denison Ministries

 Pentecost

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:“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:1-2

Devotional:

Pentecost marks the powerful beginning of a global movement of the power of God’s presence sweeping across the earth. As we read the account of what happened as the Spirit descended with power on God’s people, place yourself in their midst. Imagine what it would look like, sound like, and feel like to witness firsthand such a powerful movement of God’s Spirit:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine” (Acts 2:1-13).

The Holy Spirit is our greatest gift. When the disciples received the Spirit they began living as Jesus did. They began speaking to, healing, and transforming a world that had known no restored relationship with their Creator since Adam and Eve. And Scripture makes it clear that our lives are to follow their example. We’ve been given the same Spirit as the disciples, who moved so powerfully in revealing our loving heavenly Father to a world in desperate need of relationship with their Creator. I feel that there are three areas in which the Spirit would anoint us more powerfully today as he did the disciples at Pentecost. Let’s boldly seek out all that the Spirit would do in our hearts and lives today.

The first act of the disciples upon being filled with the Spirit at Pentecost was to speak to all who would listen, explaining all the powerful acts that were going on around them. And with the preaching of Peter three thousand listeners accepted the free gift of salvation. We who are marked by the Spirit’s presence are to be disciples who move in the power of love. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Spirit longs to use us to proclaim the goodness of God’s love to this lost and dying world. He longs to fill us with the desire to love this world the way he does. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let all that you do be done in love.” Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love.” And in Mark 12:31, Jesus says that the second greatest commandment is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Is your life marked by love for others? Do you live your life in service to your heavenly Father and his children? Seek out a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit today. It’s the Spirit who bears the fruit of love in your life. You cannot love others on your own, for true love comes solely from God. But, the Spirit longs to fill you with a desire and anointing to love others around you that they might better know the love of the heavenly Father.

The coming of the Holy Spirit also brought powerful unity to the disciples. Acts 2:44-47 says,

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Only the Spirit can bring unity between broken, competitive, and needy people. Only through the Spirit do we have the ability to love and accept others regardless of our differences and unite toward the common goal of loving God and others wholeheartedly. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Are you a disciple marked by a desire to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?” Are you a Christian marked by grace-filled love for your fellow believers? We all need to seek out greater anointing and desire from the Spirit toward unity. We cannot be selfless in our own strength. We need the help of the God of perfect love to pursue unity through humility. Seek out a desire and anointing to be a person who works toward the goal of unity instead of division today. Spend time in God’s presence allowing him to transform your heart to look more like his.

Lastly, Pentecost filled the disciples with the ability to connect directly to God through the avenue of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:10, “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” Acts 15:28 says, “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements.” The disciples knew God’s desires, received revelation from him, and were transformed into the likeness of Christ through fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit. We as disciples are to be marked by direct connection with the Holy Spirit. Paul and Peter had no special human ability to talk to God. Prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit, Paul was killing children of the very God he was trying to serve, and Peter chose his own safety over Jesus, who had shown him such immense love and grace. It was only with the Holy Spirit that these men were able to connect to God so deeply, and we can have that same connection today. So, are you a believer marked by direct connection with the Holy Spirit? Do you spend time seeking his presence, counsel, and anointing? Let’s be children of God who pursue deeper connection with our heavenly Father today. Let’s seek the face of God as the early disciples did and be believers marked by relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Spend time during guided prayer pursuing all that the Spirit would do in you. Open your heart and mind to be transformed by his love. And commit to living your life with direct connection to the God who dwells within you. 

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the Spirit’s desire and ability to anoint us with the power and desire to love others. Ask him to show you how to better love others today. Ask his forgiveness for any way in which you have been hurtful to those whom he loves. And receive the anointing to love people from his heart and strength rather than your own.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31

2. Now meditate on God’s desire to use you to bring unity to his children. Confess to God anyone who annoys you or angers you. Confess anyone whom you have a hard time loving. Ask him for his heart for that person. Ask him to fill you up with a supernatural ability to love those who are difficult or different. Ask him to help you be a person who pursues unity.

“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3

3. Now seek after a direct connection to the Holy Spirit. Ask him to guide you into the knowledge of his presence. Ask him to show you the overwhelming love, grace, and anointing he has for you today. Seek out answers to any questions you have of him. May you discover a wellspring of friendship in the Holy Spirit today.

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28

“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13

It’s crucial that we as children of God seek out all that he longs to give us. Relationship with God is meant to be anything but stale, stagnant, and weak. The disciples demonstrated that those filled with the Spirit of God are to be marked by adventure, mystery, and the miraculous. God has a story for the ages written with you in mind. He has a plan beyond what you could ever imagine if you will seek him out, trust him, and follow him. Rest today in the fact that God loves you enough to lead you away from a mundane life. Pursue his plans and watch as he fills your life with adventure and wonder.

Extended Reading: Acts 2

On Stashing and Storing..KAREN EHMAN

 On Stashing and Storing

KAREN EHMAN

“Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (AMP)

It was a sunny, 73-degree day, and I decided to take my laptop and some cold-brew coffee out to the back deck to continue whittling down my inbox in the fresh air.

But as I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I spied my husband already out on the deck, putting on the patio furniture covers, stashing away the pillows, and cranking down the umbrella.

“What are you doing?” I asked. “I was just about to take my coffee out there and work.”

“Check your weather app, Frances,” he chirped back, tossing in my middle name for a tease. Sure enough, in less than a half hour, the brightly colored radar showed severe storms headed our way. A high-wind advisory had also been issued, thus my husband’s batten-down-the-hatches behavior.

In just a few hours, the meteorologists’ predictions came true. Gusting winds, thunderbolts and lightning flashes ricocheted around our backyard. My husband’s careful and timely preparation had thwarted any damage to our patio furniture — or anything that got in its way had the wind picked it up!

Psalm 119:11 gives us a glimpse of a person who spiritually prepares for future storms — specifically, the storms caused by temptations to sin: “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” This depicts a person both treasuring and storing God’s Word in their heart to prevent the damage of sin that results when we choose wrongly.

In the original rendering of this verse, the concept of both treasuring and storing Scripture is captured by a single Hebrew word: tsaphan. Upon studying this word, I can see why it is not easily translated into one simple English word.

Tsaphan on one level means “to hide, save up, treasure or store.” But it doesn’t stop there. It also portrays the acts of lurking, stealthily watching and ambushing! When we roll it all into one, we see just how to combat sin by having our hearts armed with the Word of God.

Just like my husband secured and stored away our patio furniture before a huge thunderstorm, we can treasure and store Scripture in our hearts and call it to memory when we need it for weathering the temptations of sin that blow our way. God’s Word aids us in defending against Satan’s schemes. We can stand armed and ready to pull out the weapon of the Word when we feel enticed, just as Jesus did in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

When I am tempted to lash out in anger, James 1:19 can invade my thoughts and remind me, “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (CSB). When I’m just about to open my mouth and let some gossip leak out, I can recall Proverbs 11:13: “A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence” (CSB).

Sometimes heartaches in life come from the wrong and sinful choices that we make. The fallout of such choices finds us anxious and regretful. But we can purpose to prepare for the temptations that lie ahead — before they reach us — by knowing that they’re inevitably coming (John 16:33). We can not only read and study our Bibles; we can also commit verses to memory. We’ll be better equipped to stand firm through life’s storms when we prepare for them before they’re here.

Let’s prepare for the times of testing that most certainly come. When we treasure God’s Word enough to store it in our minds and hearts, we stand ready to rely on its power in times of turmoil or temptation.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your holy Word that can help me defend against Satan’s schemes and keep me from sinning. May I treasure Scripture greatly and store it up in my heart intentionally. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Beware of a False Sense of Security.. Ashley Moore

 Beware of a False Sense of Security

By Ashley Moore 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." - 2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV

Has anything traumatic ever happened to you? Did something scary or difficult cause you to vow never to allow anyone to hurt you like that again? Maybe like me, someone who was supposed to be there for you bailed when things got hard, leaving you to believe you were worthless. Did watching your single parent work multiple jobs to support your family leave you feeling overprotective of your budget and bank account? Or perhaps you live with crippling anxiety, the fear that even when things are going well, something bad is bound to happen. I've lived most of my life struggling through scenarios like these, thinking I needed to build walls to protect myself from pain. When we believe these lies or partial truths at best, we risk imprisoning ourselves behind walls, we mistakenly believe are keeping us safe. 

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27:1, ESV

How the Enemy Imprisons Us
The patterns of thought listed above all have little lies attached to them.

• Everyone has abandoned me: so God will too.
• No one loves me: I am worthless.
• I can only count on myself: no one will take care of me.

The enemy whispers these lies to us early in life, and over time they begin to tint the way we think. We find ourselves repeatedly thinking about the things happening in our lives, reinforcing the lie deep in our minds. Eventually, the lie becomes our truth and transforms the way we think and act. The Bible calls this a stronghold. This negative pattern of thinking becomes a prison, literally. The word for stronghold here is a fortress, but not the good kind. Think about being imprisoned in a castle. And while that may soothe our need to feel safe, we're being imprisoned in the enemy's camp!

The Better Stronghold
But there is another place in Scripture where the same word, stronghold, is used. But this time, it is used to describe the Lord. The word is a Hebrew word, and it means something slightly different. The word used in Psalm 27:1 means a place of safety and refuge. Think about a harbor where ships can come to wait out the perilous wind and waves of a storm. Or a strong piece of armor like a helmet. This word means a defensive fortress that serves as protection and safety for those who take refuge behind its walls. 

So, the enemy is preying on our human need for protection by giving us counterfeit walls of security that imprison us. They keep us distanced from God's people and in bondage to half-truths about our identity. But the Lord is our better stronghold. He gives us His Word to remind us of who we truly are, and it has the power to tear down these false strongholds of Satan. He is the place we can find protection but remains completely free to love well and live without fear. We can't deny that living in a broken world comes with risk because we have most likely experienced some painful event. But we can't let our need for safety cause us to retreat into enemy imprisonment out of fear. Instead, let's run to the better stronghold. The Lord will protect us, remind us of who we truly are, and empower us to tear down strongholds and lies that keep us trapped. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Look at the list of lies listed above and write down the ones that resonate with you. Then, search the Scriptures for what God's Word says about you. Finally, memorize a verse to remind yourself of the truth often. 

5 Relevant Truths from Corinth..Debbie McDaniel

 5 Relevant Truths from Corinth

By Debbie McDaniel

"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Divisions within the church. Disagreements about how to worship. Questions about marriage. Sexual temptations. Compromise with society’s views.

Here are a few things that Paul says to the church of Corinth, which seems to be a timely word for our day. God had given him a very fruitful time of ministry while there and many people had come to know Christ. When Paul left the city and traveled to Ephesus, he later received word of trouble the Christians in Corinth were having.  It was from there that he wrote several letters of encouragement.

In 1 Corinthians 16, we read God’s instructions, penned by Paul, on - How to walk wisely, within the church, and among unbelievers. Here are the 5 commands he gives:

1. Be on your guard - The truth is, if we're not living aware, we will be taken advantage of, we will be taken off guard, possibly deceived, tricked, or thrown for a loop. The enemy wants nothing more than for us to be asleep in our faith. Let's stay spiritually awake and aware of what surrounds us. God gives us discernment for a reason.

2. Stand firm in the faith - This means to "persist." Keep standing on, remembering, the Truth of what we have believed, the Truth of what has set us free. We can't live a watered-down gospel for a world that insists we tone it down a bit. We do not have to waver in our beliefs out of a longing to be accepted from the world.

3. Be men of courage - Be people of courage and strength. Our world needs men who are willing to walk courageously. We need women who are willing to be brave. Nothing has affected me so much in recent days as the 21 kneeling men who lost their lives on a beach at the hands of evil. These will always be remembered as men of true courage. May our lives be so brave in a dark world.

4. Be strong - The word used here means "to keep increasing in strength." Not in our own strength, but in the power of the Spirit of God. He makes our footsteps firm, He makes our way strong.

5. Do everything in love - That pretty much sums it all up. Our calling. Our purpose in this life. Everything we do, all that we say, should be done in love. Pointing others to Him. Love God. Love others. It's the very love of Christ that compels us, may we walk in a manner worthy of His calling.

We will never be able to agree on everything with everyone, we're not supposed to, and that's not really the goal. We should never long to look just like the world, out of the fear that we look too different than those around us. We should not be persuaded to live in shades of gray because we don’t want to step on any toes. We’re here to be salt. We’re here to be light. We're here to make a difference, to point others to Christ. And we can be all that God calls us to be - staying strong, standing firm, living aware, walking in love, being people of courage - for this is what matters most anyway.

A Prayer for When You're Anxious about Finances..Christine Perry

 A Prayer for When You're Anxious about Finances

By Christine Perry 

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 NKJV

When the apostle Paul wrote this verse, he was in prison. In that day, prisons were designed to psychologically and physically torture a prisoner into confessing. Most prisons were underground, dark, and filthy, and rations were sparse. In fact, many prisoners relied on their friends and family for their needs. So here Paul is saying, in prison, that God supplies all our needs. Imagine you are in prison for doing exactly what God asked you to do. And unable to feed yourself. For most of us, the pressure to cover our everyday costs is enough, but think if you couldn't work for provisions. You may be in a season now where you've lost the ability to provide. Or you need help to provide like you used to. Perhaps you have medical bills that keep piling up. I once heard a man say, "You won't know God as provider until you need Him to provide." 

Psalm 24:1 NKJV says, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." And Hebrews 3:4 NKJV says, "For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God." Since God created everything, He can supply all our needs. Everything is the Lord's anyway. The Lord's ability to provide is not contingent on your circumstances. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). 

Sometimes the Lord's provision comes through wisdom, knowledge, abilities, and skill to do specific tasks. In Exodus 35:31-33 God chose a man named Bezalel and Oholiab to be an artisan to help build the tabernacle. Other times, the Lord provides day-by-day, as He did to the Israelites as they were in the desert. Deuteronomy 8:1-6 encapsulates God's provisions by reminding the Israelites that He provided manna for food and kept their shoes and clothing from wearing out. If we are honest, we don't always like the way God provides. We want to be comfortable and have extra, but if your needs are met today, God is providing! The pioneer missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor, said, "Depend on it. God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack of funds, and He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterward, and He much prefers doing so."

Let's pray:
Dear Father, 

Thank You for waking us up today. Thank You for allowing us to live another day. Thank You that You have already gone before us and know what the day and our futures hold. No matter where we go — You are there. Thank You are not only our Father, but our source (1 Corinthians 8:6). Thank You that You are aware of us (Psalm 139:7-10), and You know our needs better than we do. Thank You that You are working all things together for Your glory and our good (Romans 8:28). Father, like a child comes to their parent(s) for their needs; we come to You. You are the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). Nothing is too hard for You (Jeremiah 32:17). In Psalm 34:6, you say, "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." Lord, You are not blind or deaf to our situations. I ask that You help us run to You, knowing You are the maker of all things (John 1:3). Lord, we lift our financial situation to You. It is too heavy for us to handle. But thank You that You bear our daily burdens (Psalm 68:19). Thank You that You are always able (2 Corinthians 9:8). Lord, we commit ourselves to You. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for sustaining us. You are good, and we trust You. Help us to trust you more. You are worthy. Amen! 

Practical Ways to Bear Burdens..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Practical Ways to Bear Burdens

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 5:14

There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else's burden.

1. Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.
2. Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.
3. Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.
4. Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.
5. Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.
6. Substitute. You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.

Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?