Seeking God through Scripture..Craig Denison Ministries;

 Seeking God through Scripture

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview:

Learning to seek the face of God is the foundation for experiencing the amazing life Jesus died to give us. We have available to us through Christ all the wonders, excellencies, and satisfaction we can fathom. God has granted us grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, affection upon affection, and love upon love. When we pursue him through all the avenues available to us, a door is opened in which we discover all our heavenly Father longs to give us. May you grow in your pursuit of God this week as we study various ways we’ve been given to seek his face.

Scripture:“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:4

Devotional:

The pages of Scripture are filled with declarations of the wonderful, mysterious, powerful, and loving nature of our heavenly Father. Scripture is one of God’s greatest gifts to his people, who so easily forget the labor of love he has undergone to gain restored relationship with us. The Bible is a companion to those who long to seek and find the invisible God who so greatly desires to be discovered. Let’s open our hearts today to Scripture and the Holy Spirit and receive fresh revelation on how God longs to use his word to guide us as we seek his face.

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Scripture is meant to fill us with life by leading us directly to our heavenly Father. The power of Scripture lies in the fact that its pages are filled with the words of a God who is still active, powerful, and loving. I went years using Scripture incorrectly. I viewed it as a set of rules I needed to read and try to keep rather than as a guide to experiencing the adventure of communion with my heavenly Father. I viewed Scripture as a chore rather than the words of God meant specifically for me. I finally came to the realization that if I wanted to read the Bible, I would be. My problem wasn’t a lack of will but rather a lack of revelation on God’s intention behind authoring the Bible. My problem was that I hadn’t experienced a life lived “by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Wherever you are in your understanding of Scripture, know that God has fresh desire for his word in store for you today. He longs to fill you with a desire to read the words that will guide you to abundant life. The Holy Spirit longs to speak directly to you through words written thousands of years ago. Our Bible is a powerful miracle safeguarded for the benefit of all who would use it to seek the face of its Creator. May we all have the heart of the Psalmist and grow in our love of Scripture and the God who inspired it:

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way (Psalm 119:97-104).

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the power of Scripture in seeking God.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

2. Where do you need the help of Scripture in seeking God? What lie do you believe about the character of God? What thought or perspective is keeping you from pursuing God with all your heart? Scripture is a powerful tool to combat incorrect thinking with God’s truth.

3. Ask the Spirit to guide you to a passage of Scripture that will speak directly to your situation. Pay attention for a passage or book that comes to mind, or search online for key verses.

May you have ears to hear the voice of God speaking to you through the pages of Scripture. May your heart become soft and open to God’s presence as you open his Word. And may you experience the delight that comes from the knowledge of God’s will for you as found in the pages of the Bible.

Extended Reading: Psalm 19

The Believer's Purpose..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Believer's Purpose

Dr. Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:13

God has a purpose for your life. If that weren't true, He'd have taken you home to heaven at the moment of salvation. Do you ever wonder why He left you here?

The Lord intends to influence others through you. Our purpose is to be a vessel through which Christ overflows to others--touching those who hurt and desperately need a Savior. Once we are saved, Scripture teaches, our involvement is threefold.

First, we love others. Jesus clearly stated that this was one of the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:38-39).

Second, we share the good news of salvation (Acts 1:8). Some travel across the world to spread the gospel, while others teach neighbors across the street. The Holy Spirit will direct us to the right people if we are willing to obey.

Third, we serve in a variety of ways, like helping those in need, sharing our resources, and lifting others in prayer. Jesus is our perfect example of all three. His entire life was marked by caring for people--both those who loved Him and those who did not. In fact, the Bible teaches that He humbled Himself and became like us, willing to give up His life for our redemption. There is no greater love; there is no greater act of service.

Scripture clearly defines the believer's purpose. Aligning ourselves with God's intentions for His children--loving others, witnessing, and serving-- bring us great satisfaction. In fact, we're still on earth not merely to hear more teaching but to act on it and share with others what we learn.

Living Like There’s No Tomorrow..Laura Bailey

 Living Like There’s No Tomorrow

By Laura Bailey

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 NIV 

I’ll never forget where I was when I got the call my Uncle passed away—he was 32. I was 20 at the time, but when my 32nd birthday rolled around, the reality of the brevity of life hit me. If I had to guess, you probably have a story like this. Someone that died suddenly, taken ( in our opinion) too soon from this world. But the truth is, just as God knew when we would be born, he knows when we will die. Our death is not an accident, too soon, or a life cut short… no, God divinely appointed when our time on this earth will end.

So, we must ask ourselves, am I spending my time wisely? Am I implying that you should quit your job to be a missionary, stop everyone on the street from talking to them about Jesus, or even sell all your belongings, go on every mission trip, and support every ministry? Not at all.  If we live intentionally, we increase the chances of conversations about who we get our hope, strength, and, ultimately, the path to salvation.

John MacArthur's comments on evangelism always come to mind: "Most people do not come to Christ as an immediate response to a sermon they hear in a crowded setting. They come to Christ because of the influence of an individual."  So what can I do today to be an influence on others?

A Life That Points Others to Christ
A powerful way to reveal the regenerative, saving grace of Christ is to live out the Word of God. This means not checking in on Sundays, only to check out the rest of the week, but in "everything we do, eat, drink, do to the Glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our lives should look so radically different from those around us that it indeed begs the question, "What exactly do you have in your life that I am missing in mine?"

People are watching us, especially non-believers. Are we living in a way that testifies to a redeemed life? Does our everyday manner of acting and reacting point others toward a personal relationship with the Son of God (John 13:35)? Is our speech full of grace, yet seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)? God commands us to be holy and set-apart (1 Peter 2:9); yet, far too often,  our lives are indistinguishable from the rest of the world.

Caring about the Individual
Although there isn't much written about the disciple Andrew, he invested in people, bringing them to Christ individually. It was Andrew who brought his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus; it was Andrew who presented the boy with the five loaves and two fishes to Jesus (John 6:9), and when a group of Greeks asked to see Jesus, it was Andrew who introduced them (John 12:20-22). 

Many Christians assume they are excused from witnessing unless they have the ability of public speaking. Unlike Peter, there is no record of Andrew’s preaching to the masses or writing letters to be circulated. He witnessed and ministered mainly on an individual basis. The simple act of befriending one person could impact one life for eternity.

We are not responsible for who turns to Christ in faith and forgiveness of sins and who doesn't. However, we are responsible for telling others why God sent His son into the world to die. It’s the message that everyone needs to hear, but it isn’t always the easiest to share.

But friends, the world, our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors need to hear that God loves them. They need the reminder that there is more to life--infinitely more. The solution to their pain isn’t found in a paycheck, the bottom of a bottle, on the scale, or wherever else they look to find comfort and peace. Share with them the peace that only Christ can give and the eternal hope of salvation. Don’t delay; there may not be a tomorrow.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Today, ask, “Am I taking every opportunity to share the gospel?” Write down a few names of people who you know need to hear the Good News. Pray over these names, and ask the Lord to help you share the message of salvation with them.

Further Reading:
Romans 10:14-15

What Makes for A Repentant Heart?..Lynette Kittle

What Makes for A Repentant Heart? (Jonah 4:11)
By Lynette Kittle

Today’s Bible Verse: “And should I not have concerned for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals? - Jonah 4:11

Since the beginning of time and all over the world, people have fled from their communities when danger threatens their peace and safety. Seen as failing fast and without hope, individuals can’t seem to leave fast enough to find a safe haven away from the chaos.

And who can blame anyone when facing lawlessness and destruction, especially when they have the freedom to leave?

Hopeless Causes?

It’s easy to feel like people and places have slipped so far into sinfulness that they are a hopeless cause. It’s also easy to judge a community’s actions, and to look at them as merely reaping what they’ve sown.

One biblical example of a city gone downhill fast is in the book of Jonah. Nineveh was entrenched in evil and chaos, when God tapped Jonah on the shoulder and asked him to be the one to, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).

Honestly, like Jonah, wouldn’t most of us want to turn and run in the opposite direction at a request to confront such evil?

Who Deserves God’s Mercy

As the story goes, Jonah’s hesitation to go landed him in the belly of a great fish, where God’s time-out did lead him to repent. In his repentance, Jonah asked for another opportunity to obey God. 

Jonah finally did go as God had asked him, but his heart still wasn’t in it. He went looking forward to the destruction of Nineveh.

But a remarkable thing happened when Jonah’s warning reached the king. He called for everyone, even the animals, to fast, be covered in sackcloth, and to repent (Jonah 3:6-9).

In response, God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, and relented from bringing destruction upon them (Jonah 3:10).

But Jonah wasn’t the least bit happy about it. He adamantly believed they deserved God’s wrath and judgment, and passionately wanted them to experience it. Jonah wanted all of Nineveh including people, animals, everything, to be annihilated. Poof! Up in Smoke! Gone!

So when God demonstrated His great compassion, grace and forgiveness towards, Nineveh, Jonah 4:1 records his response. “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.”

Jonah goes on to explain to God how the whole reason he didn’t go to Nineveh in the first place, is because he knows God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, and relents from sending calamity (Jonah 4:2).

So distressed at Nineveh being spared, Jonah asked God to take his own life, expressing his great disappointment in God’s response (Jonah 4:3).

Who’s Ready to Repent?

Have you ever wondered how these extremely wicked people were so ready to repent? Outwardly their actions and lifestyles looked like they were in no condition to listen to a visiting prophet.

Nineveh sounded like the least likely candidate for a revival, especially from a prophet who despised them and hoped for their total demise.

The whole scenario goes against what we consider an atmosphere for repentance. A compassionless prophet and an overly wicked city just don’t seem to add up. It just doesn't fit the Evangelism 101 manual on how to bring Salvation to the lost.

Yet God moved beyond these preconceived ideas reminding us that we see the outward appearance of men and women but He sees their hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). He knew their hearts were primed for repentance.

How often do we discount what God can do with a city or a people whom we believe are too far gone, living too sinfully, to ever consider repenting before Him?

Instead of going on our own feelings or observances, we can choose to surrender to God’s leading, trusting His wisdom above our own opinions.

A Prayer for the American Church..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for the American Church

By Emma Danzey

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. " - Hebrews 4:16

It seems the growth of the American church has been stunted. Households are being broken apart by divorce and drama. Young people are walking away in record numbers, mental health plagues the congregants, pandemic effects linger, dishonest and abusive leadership seems rampant, and hypocrisy and gossip are prevalent. The enemy never ceases in his work. 

The church body is not about a building, production, or tradition. The church is about the bride of Christ, the people of Jesus. He has blessed us with power over the darkness and invited His people to be salt and light in this world. God has given us the power over all evil in His name and protection from it by His armor. His Holy Spirit works and does great things, even in the trials, as He promised.

Today, we come before God to ask Him to renew the church in America. The Lord is still on the throne and working. He can bring revival, sees His faithful ones, and knows hearts. God is still moving.

Let's Pray:

Lord Jesus,
We thank You for the church that You have provided. We praise You for the gift of knowing You and gathering with believers in Your name. We celebrate that You have given us the name of the bride of Christ. We thank You that even though we have a very real enemy working against us, You have given us victory today and every day in God, today we ask that You begin a new work on behalf of the American church. Renew what has been broken for Your glory, and redeem what the enemy meant for evil. We pray You would reveal any wolves among us. Help us to be innocent as doves and shrewd as serpents. God, we beg You to remember those whose hearts are steadfast in You. Redeem and work in a fresh way. Forgive us where we have failed You.

We ask that Your name be glorified in our gatherings nationwide. Let us honor You first, seek You always, and uphold every piece of Your Word. Make Scripture the foundation of our gatherings and Your gospel known regularly. Gather us in celebration in the presence of Your Spirit, very much alive and moving. We praise You that Your Word is active, powerful, and sharper than any double edge sword. Your truth is living and moving, and our faith is alive in You.

We pray for those who individuals within the body of Christ have wounded. Most are just sinners trying to do their best. Heal those hurt and confused by the actions and the words of those who are supposed to represent You. Derail the work of the enemy and expose situations of abuse and wrongdoing. We pray any misrepresentation by church members will not prevent others from joining and gathering with believers. We pray for reconciliation where there needs to be and a new sense of unity. We pray against those who are wolves among believers. Give us eyes to see, discernment to know, and wisdom to apply how to handle situations that arise in the local church. Bless leadership with great wisdom, and help to follow You.Jesus. 

Thank You for the giftings of the body of Christ. We pray You will continue cultivating ministry among believers and unbelievers and that those who have felt like they cannot step foot in a church building feel welcomed. Let them experience the love of Christ and witness conviction and a change of heart. Thank You so much for Your love and our participation in something bigger than ourselves. We humbly submit to You as our leader today and ask that You would move in the church. In the midst of hardship, sin, and brokenness, would You redeem the American church? In Jesus’ Name, Amen.