God Our Great Protector..Craig Denison Ministries;

God Our Great Protector

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview: 

It’s vital to the Christian life that we as sons and daughters of the most high God allow our affections to be stirred by the loving, powerful nature of our heavenly Father. Too often we feel that God is distant or separated from us. Too often we allow misconceptions or lies to place a rift between us and experiencing God. It’s in reminding ourselves of God’s character that lies are broken and a pathway is laid for us to encounter his tangible love. Open your heart and mind and receive fresh revelation of the goodness of God this week. Allow your affections to be stirred and your heart to be filled with desire to seek the face of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Devotional:    

I used to be scared to death any time I heard someone talking about the devil. He always seemed so cunning, too cunning, for me to handle. I saw Christian after Christian enveloped in temptation fall away from what seemed to be God’s will for their life. I heard about the ways in which the world was so tricked by his schemes. And I thought I would never be able to fully defeat this strong and cunning foe.

Do you feel that way? Does your enemy seem too strong to defeat? Does he seem too cunning to outwit? Does it feel like he has so grasped you in his clutches that escape is impossible? The most important fact for you to know about Satan is that he is the father of all lies. John 8:44 says, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Let that truth sink in for a minute. Everything the devil tells you is a lie. He cannot speak full truth. Everything he tells you is in opposition to God, who is the author of all truth. All of the devil’s whispers about his strength and your inability to defeat him are in opposition to the word of God. May we find blissful freedom today in the powerful words of our loving, truthful heavenly Father. May we allow his Spirit to come in and correct the lies of the enemy we have believed so that we might walk in the abundant life available to us through Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Our heavenly Father is a perfect, capable protector from Satan. He promises to establish us and guard us. He is always with us and always knows exactly what we need in order to withstand the temptations of the evil one. 1 Corinthians 10:13 teaches us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” The Holy Spirit will always provide us an exit from temptation. Always. There will never be a temptation that comes your way that you cannot escape when you are under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

One of the enemy’s most used weapons is the lie that you cannot defeat him. He reminds us of our past failures, of his great cunning ways, and of his victories over us. He whispers that he is stronger than us and that we will give in eventually. All lies. Past failures do not have to dictate the outcome of future battles. In fact, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to use past failures to reveal to us ways in which he longed to lead us away from temptation, past sins become stepping stones on which we achieve future victories. Titus 2:11-14 says, “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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” God’s grace lays the foundation for our victory over the enemy, not our own works. It was in his grace that Jesus died to set us free from this world and restore us to God. His grace leads us away from temptation. And it’s his grace that he offers us every time we confess our sins to him. God’s grace is powerful, freeing, perfect, and full of love. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our frame. But he is also perfectly capable of being strong in our weakness if we allow him to be.

You never have to fall into temptation again. God has a perfect plan for every temptation that comes your way. The enemy is not stronger than you. He is not more cunning than you. And he will not have victory over you because you have God, and God has defeated him. Your protector and guard is the very God who defeated the enemy at the cross and will throw him into the lake of fire, resulting in his ultimate destruction. That God lives inside of you, has grace for you, and plans to use your past failures and current weaknesses to powerfully defeat your enemy.

Spend time in prayer meditating on the truth of God’s power over the enemy. Reflect on your own life and allow the Spirit to take your past failures and turn them into future victories. And allow Scripture to fill you with truth to combat the future lies of the enemy.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s faithful protection over you.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

2. Reflect on your past failures. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you ways in which he was leading you away from temptation. What did he desire you to do so that you might walk in victory over your enemy? In what ways did he desire to protect you?

3. Allow the Spirit to empower you for future victories. Ask him to make you more aware of his leadership in future temptations and to empower you to follow him. Meditate on the truth of who you are in Christ and the truth of the enemy’s plans for you. May Scripture and the Holy Spirit empower you during this time for every temptation the enemy has planned for you.

“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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:11-14

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:1-5

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

It’s critical that we renew our mind to the truth of who we are in Christ on a daily basis. The enemy will never stop tempting us because he will never stop hating us and the God whom we belong to. But you can achieve victory over the enemy every single time because victory is already yours in Christ. You are the enemy’s no longer. You have been given a new nature of righteousness. The most powerful weapon you have is God’s word. Memorize Scripture about your new nature and allow it to redefine the way you see yourself. Walk in light of the incredible grace of God working in and through your life today.

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 10

God to the Rescue..Whitney Hopler

 God to the Rescue

By Whitney Hopler

“Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me…” – Psalm 69:16-18 NIV

After driving over a pothole, one of the tires on my car went flat. I called for roadside assistance and was advised that a tow truck couldn’t reach me for nearly three hours. My car had no spare tire, and none of the agents I spoke with on the phone could send assistance any sooner. But as soon as I hung up with customer service, I contacted God. In my roadside prayer, I asked God to rescue me by sending help as soon as possible. I had only just finished praying when a call came in from a towing company that had “Blessed” in its name. The representative told me he got my information from the roadside assistance company. While he didn’t have a tow truck available then, and I had no spare tire, he said he thought he could use a tire repair kit to help – and he was just a few minutes away.

He did show up quickly, and remarkably, he successfully repaired the tire with only a simple kit. As I thanked him, I told him that I loved the name of his business. “I’m blessed every day, so I wanted to thank God by choosing that name,” he said. “That’s great,” I replied, “and God is using you to bless me today.”

As I drove safely on the patched tire to the dealer for a tire replacement, I was overcome with gratitude that I wasn’t stuck by the side of the road for hours waiting. Even when customer service agents couldn’t help me, God could. God came to my rescue by answering my prayer for quick help. Psalm 69:16-18 NIV presents an urgent call for God’s help. In his love and mercy, it asks God to provide quick help during trouble. That’s exactly the same type of help I received after my urgent prayer. Whenever you’re in trouble, you, too, can count on quick help from God. It may come in a way you don’t expect, but God will send it to you. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 NIV: 

“… In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

God’s power is enough to help you overcome any trouble you’ll ever face. Not only will God rescue you when you ask for his help, but he’ll do so right on time. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV says, "There is a time for everything,” and 2 Peter 3:9 NIV declares: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise...”. God’s timing is perfect. He knows just the right time to send help whenever you need to be rescued from a situation. So, the next time you find yourself in trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to God for the help you need. You can trust God to set a rescue plan in motion as soon as you pray.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on how God will come to your rescue when you’re in trouble, consider these questions:

• Think back to a recent crisis in your life. How did God come to your rescue, then?
• How can you deepen your faith in God to increase your trust in his ability to help you through the next crisis you encounter?
• How can you turn your worries into prayers so you’re well-prepared to seek God’s help in times of trouble?
• What steps can you take to let go of your worries and surrender your concerns to God, trusting that he will work everything out for your good?
• How can you rely on God's promises and faithfulness to provide you with the strength and courage you need to face everyday challenges?
• How can you seek support and encouragement from other believers to remind you of God's love and presence in your life, especially when dealing with a troubling situation?

Further Reading:

• Psalm 34:17
• Psalm 46:1
• Isaiah 43:2
• 2 Corinthians 1:10
• Hebrews 13:6

The Power of Yet..Brent Rinehart

 The Power of Yet

By Brent Rinehart

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength” - Habakkuk 3:17-19b)

Have you experienced times in your life where you can’t feel God’s presence? When the worst happens in our lives, while we do our best to cling to our faith, it’s easy to question God. Where is He when a loved one dies far too young? Where is God in divorce, disease and death? Where is He when war rages? These are age-old questions humans have struggled with for centuries, and questions we can easily ask today. It seems as if the world is on the brink of disaster, so we are left searching for God through all of it.

Habakkuk wrote his prophecy at time when he and God’s people were asking the same questions. The Babylonians were preparing to invade Judah where the remnant of God’s people remained. This was a direct judgment from the Lord, for they had experienced rapid moral and spiritually decline. Habakkuk complains against God, not understanding how he could use a downright wicked nation in Babylon to judge a less wicked one in Judah. But, we know that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Lord answers Habakkuk and reminds him that He is a God of justice and mercy and that the righteous have to live by faith (2:4) and trust Him. Habakkuk’s ultimate summary is that no matter what comes, he will choose joy and trust God. Though the world seems to crumble, YET he will rejoice in the Lord.

I can’t read this passage and not think about the classic hymn “It is Well With My Soul.” Many people know the dramatic story behind it. Horatio Spafford wrote the lyrics after a series of traumatic events: his two sons died in the Chicago fire of 1871 and the rest of his family perished two years later when their ship crossing the Atlantic sank. YET, even after all of those things, he was able to write: “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

What are you going through today? Does is seem like your world is falling apart? Know this: you don’t choose what you go through, but you can choose how you go through it. Choose joy, and know that God is good, just and merciful. No matter what you face, you can choose to say, “YET, I will rejoice in the Lord…the God of my salvation.”

A Prayer for Peace and Fulfillment in Our Lives..Christine Perry

 A Prayer for Peace and Fulfillment in Our Lives 

By Christine Perry 

"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." - Psalm 34:10 NKJV 

Would you say you're content? With many things in life, our contentment seems to ebb and flow. At least this has been true in my own life. I'll think I'm content, and then the Lord shakes things up and removes things, and I quickly find myself wrestling with being content. But, like joy, contentment does not come and go based on our circumstances. Contentment is something that happens despite our circumstances. 

When Paul was in prison, he wrote to the church in Philippi, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV. Sometimes the Lord allows us to endure very challenging situations. It could be a number of things. You are in a loveless marriage, your health is declining, your children are struggling, you feel you've waited long enough for your ideal career or spouse, or you've been praying desperately for a child. In life, we always want something else we don't have. The key to contentment is getting our eyes off the "one thing" we don't have and onto the "One thing [i.e., Jesus]" who will always be enough. Of course, it takes a while for our emotions to line up with this truth, but it is true. Psalm 23:1 says,

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." 

Additionally, the Lord is our portion (Lamentations 3:24). His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). He is our hope (Psalm 62:5). He is our help (Psalm 33:20) and our sustainer (Psalm 54:4). Because we are human, we are prone to selfishness. The more we think about what we don't have, the more we want what we don't have. However, the opposite can be true. When we think about how much we have already been given, we find how much more we have. When we look around, instead of at ourselves and our situations, we will begin to see the needs of others. Someone will always have it better than you, but someone will always have it worse. Find the one who has it worse than you and serve them! It will inevitably get your eyes away from you. If we are to walk like Jesus walked, as it says in 1 John 2:6, we are called to serve and not be served (Matthew 20:28). 

Have you ever asked God how you can serve Him? Sometimes we find ourselves so desperate for the one thing we don't have we lose sight of why we are here. That's to serve the one who made us and gave us life! God is worthy and so well deserving of everything we have and everything we are. It's also important to remember that God loves us more than anyone else could. If He is saying "no" this season, it is for your best. 2 Samuel 22:31-32 says, 

"As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?"

Let's pray:
Dear Father, 
Thank You for another day of life. Thank You for waking us up. Thank You that despite our circumstances, Your truth anchors us to You, our sure and steady Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Father, we are sorry our eyes have been on our circumstances and what we don't have instead of on You. God, we are so prone to selfishness. Please help us to lift our eyes to You. Thank You that You don't withhold any good thing from us (Psalm 84:11).

Lord, I also pray that we would be useful to You and prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:21). Please guide and direct us to where You want us to be. Help our ears to be attentive to what You have to say, and help us to be quick to obey. Lord, we are nothing without You (Galatians 6:3), and we can do nothing apart from You (John 15:5). Please help us to be more like You. Help us to love You and others more because then we are the most filled. We need You. Thank You for being attentive to our prayers. Amen! 

A Godly Response to Criticism..Dr. Charles Stanley

 A Godly Response to Criticism

Dr. Charles Stanley

Proverbs 15:31-33

No one likes criticism, but encountering some is inevitable, so we need to learn how to respond in a godly way. Although you might be tempted to become defensive or angry, remain calm and listen. The words may hurt, but great benefits come to those who carefully consider what is said.

If we refuse to accept reproof, we'll limit our potential for Christlike character development and spiritual growth. Some of life's best lessons come through difficult experiences. If God allowed the situation, you can be sure that He wants to use it in transforming you into His Son's image. Whether the criticism is valid or not, whether it's delivered with kindness or harshness, your goal should always be to respond in a way that glorifies the Lord. Remember that you are responsible only for how you handle yourself, not for how the other person is acting.

When a criticism comes your way, be quiet and listen until the other person has finished. Make direct eye contact to show attentiveness and respect. When your critic finishes, thank him for bringing his concerns to your attention, and tell him that you will consider what he's said. Ask the Lord if the accusation is valid. Let Him search your heart and either affirm your innocence or convict you.

Every rebuke is an opportunity from God. It's a chance to let your Christian character shine by showing love to your critic. If he is angrily attacking you, your respect and kindness become a powerful testimony. Criticism is also an occasion to humble yourself and accept the Lord's correction.