The Discipline of Simplicity..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Discipline of Simplicity

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The Christian life is meant to be marked by simplicity. Jesus summed up our purpose with two statements: love God and love people. But in our humanity we have made complex what God designed to be peaceful, purposeful, and simple. A. W. Tozer remarks in The Pursuit of God, “Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all. If we would find God amid all the religious externals, we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity.” May we discover the peace and joy that come from pursuing a simple Christianity this week.

Scripture:“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” >2 Corinthians 1:12

Devotional:

Often, we are kept from living lives marked by the joy and peace of our heavenly Father because of our continual pursuit for more. Humanity’s first sin was pursuing more than God intended for us, and the enemy continues to entice us with that temptation today. A core value of the world is more: more money, more fame, more friends, more success, more happiness, more possessions, more of anything, because we feel dissatisfied with our lives. We are constantly grabbing for that which will never fully satisfy in the present or lead us to a lifestyle of continual satisfaction.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” Simplicity is a God-given discipline that prunes the dead branches of waste that effectually deplete us of the energy, time, and provision with which God has blessed us. When we make the decision to stop pursuing more, we step in line with the Spirit and place our trust and faith in God rather than our own understanding.

You see, at the core of a continual pursuit for more is a lack of faith in God’s goodness. If we truly believed God provides all we need, we would never step outside his provision and strive for more. Adam and Eve questioned God’s goodness and thereby brought the destructive nature of sin into humanity. They decided for themselves what was enough rather than trusting God to know what was best for them.

Our own forbidden fruit takes on all sorts of forms. We work our fingers to the bone for a taste of greater success all the while forgetting who it is we are to work for in the first place. We take God-given financial provision and waste it on worldly pleasures rather than investing it into that which will actually satisfy us. We take what we receive from God and use it to finance self-indulgence rather than sharing it with those whom God wanted to use us to bless from the beginning. And we take the valuable resource of time and waste it on pursuits that were never God’s intention to begin with.

We desperately need transformation and training in the discipline of simplicity. In order to experience joy and peace that transcends circumstances and position ourselves through faithfulness to receive more of what God longs to give, we must offer our time, energy, and money to God and follow the guidance of his Spirit and word.

Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Take time in guided prayer placing all your treasure in the only place that can offer you eternal investment: with your heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of simplicity and the destructive pursuit of more.

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” >Luke 16:13

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” >Ephesians 5:15-17

2. Reflect on areas of your life that are not marked by simplicity. Ask the Spirit to convict you of anything you need to get rid of. It’s incredibly important to note the difference between guilt and conviction. Conviction from the Spirit is always done in love and will always bring you inner peace and joy as you follow through in obedience.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” >Galatians 5:22-23

3. Commit to ending the pursuit of more by trusting in the provision and goodness of your heavenly Father. Place your trust in him alone, and ask him to guide you into a lifestyle of simplicity.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”>Matthew 6:31-33

“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” >2 Corinthians 1:12

God has different plans for each of his children. He intends for some to live in poverty with absolutely no possessions, while others he wants to bless in abundance that they may have the privilege of co-laboring with him in blessing others. Scripture is clear that our God gives good and perfect gifts. He loves to bless his children. To live simply, we just need to live in continual relationship with the Holy Spirit and allow him to show us what gifts are from him and whether they are for our benefit or pleasure or to give away to others. May you find greater depths of peace as you grow in trusting God and following the perfect and abundant leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 1

How a Small Group Can Make a Big Difference..Rachael Adams

 How a Small Group Can Make a Big Difference 

By Rachael Adams

“The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7).

I attended my first women’s Bible study when I was a teenager, and because of my age and spiritual immaturity, I felt out of place. I didn’t understand the Christian terms that seemed so familiar to everyone else in attendance, and I listened in bewilderment to what sounded like a foreign language. My lack of comprehension was evidenced by my failure to complete the study—preteen me only completed two lessons. 

Years later, a friend invited me to another Bible study. I hadn’t attended a group study since the one I attempted as a preteen. While I still had to look at the table of contents to find each book of the Bible, I finished the study this time. Being older helped, but being surrounded by a community of women who could answer my questions, and with whom I could discuss God’s Word, helped even more.

This small group of women became more than a means to finish a Bible study. They challenged me, held me accountable, and accepted me, flaws and all. This group of women gathered each week, strengthened our respective family units, and launched  service projects and other ministries in our community. This group was so meaningful that we didn’t stop after one Bible study—we’ve been meeting now for years. It’s been amazing to watch God grow our group—not just in number, but also in impact. And, it all started with a few women who met consistently for an hour each Wednesday night.

It’s easy to question whether a small group of people can make a big difference, but my experience proves otherwise—and so does the Bible. In fact, God told the Israelites that he didn’t choose them because they were the most numerous group, but rather, because they were the fewest (Deuteronomy 7:7). They were not God’s chosen people because of their merit, but because of his promise to their ancestors. When their forerunners entered Egypt, they were a small family group of seventy people, but, in time, they grew to become a nation with a population as numerous as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore (Deuteronomy 10:22). 

Gideon’s story is another example of the power of small groups. His clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was the least in his family (Judges 6:15). When God asked him to go into battle against the Midianites, Gideon struggled to believe that he and his army could win. But God promised to be with them. As they prepared for battle, God decreased the odds of victory even more, telling Gideon he had too many men. He reduced their soldiers from 32,000 to 300! Remarkably, Gideon’s small army routed thousands of Midianites without a single man drawing a sword. With an army so outnumbered, there could be no doubt the victory was from God. 

Just as God used small groups of people in the Old Testament, Jesus used small groups of people in the New Testament. He frequently ministered to thousands, but he always returned to the same small group of twelve disciples. Then, after his death and resurrection, that little group of disciples took his message from their home city of Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the early church emerged from this small group of believers. 

What these early believers started, we must continue. As was the case for the Israelites, Gideon’s army, and the disciples, we can’t accomplish anything in our own strength or by our own merit. Only when God is a part of the equation will these little groups increase in number and impact the world. The good news for us is that Jesus promised where two or three come together in his name, he would be with them (Matthew 18:20). Friend, it is not about the size of the group God has given you, rather it is the magnitude of the One within you.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Consider joining a small group through your church. Watch how God uses the group of believers to further his kingdom for his glory.

A prayer:
Lord, give me a group of believers to experience life with. Help me to recognize the value of the people you have already given me. I don’t ever want the group to be exclusive. Lead me to include or be included wherever you want me. Remind me it is your presence in me and within the group that allows us to make any lasting impact. Amen.

Further Reading:
Deuteronomy 7

 Deuteronomy 10

Judges 6

Acts 1

Homesickness for Heaven..Greg Laurie

 Homesickness for Heaven

By Greg Laurie

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? - John 14:2

Deep inside us, there is a sense of something more in life that drives us on. No matter what experiences you’ve had, no matter how wonderful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. You are really homesick for a place you have never been before, and that place is Heaven. You were wired this way.

The Bible says that God has put eternity in our hearts (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). This simply means there is a sense inside of us that there is more to life. That is what keeps us moving forward.

It is sort of like the homing instinct we see in the animal kingdom, like the salmon making their way upstream with such determination. We see it in the way the swallows return every year to San Juan Capistrano. It’s a homing instinct that drives them.

We have the same thing, but it is a homing instinct for a place we haven’t seen yet. It is a homesickness for Heaven. Until that day, there is nothing that will completely satisfy our lives. No matter what happens to us on Earth, it pales in comparison to this great hope.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18).

This is the hope of the Christian—the hope of a place called Heaven. There is a better world ahead. There is something greater than what we’re experiencing now.

Heavenly Father, we praise you that this world is not our home! Everything seems broken and laden with sin, but we take great comfort in your patience and mercy toward us, and that you have prepared a place before us. Whatever joys or trials we face in this life, help us to remember our true home lies elsewhere. Please keep us strong until our time on Earth is done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Filling of the Holy Spirit..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for the Filling of the Holy Spirit

By Emma Danzey

Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

When a believer accepts Jesus as his or her Savior, from that moment on they are sealed by the Holy Spirit. This means that they have God living inside of them for the rest of eternity they are secure in Him they are safe in His arms, and they are forever His children. Even though we are always His once we accept Him, we have a choice each day if we're going to live by our flesh or live by the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Today we are going to ask His Holy Spirit to fill us up and help us to live by His power.

Let's Pray:

Holy Spirit,
Thank you for living inside of my heart today I pray that you would allow me to fully embrace all of who you are God thank you that you have not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of love and power and of a sound mind. I pray that by your strength I would choose to live by your fruit and not my own personal sinful nature.

Help me to not look through the eyes of my own perspective in the world and in every mundane moment. Help me instead to see you in the midst of my family, in my friendships, in my work, and in my community. I pray that you would give me grace to love well and speak truth: to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

I pray for the interactions with those who I do not know today, that they would see something different within me, that they would be drawn to you and that I could share boldly the gospel of hope that I have through Jesus. Guide me in the detours of life help me to see these as opportunities presented by you and to cling to you through prayer by constantly looking to you for wisdom in what to say and how to live and respond to those around me in this world.

I confess that I am a sinner in need of you Jesus. God, would you show up by your Spirit today to enable me not to live in defeat, but to live and walk in the victory that I already have in you. Remind me that I am a child of yours and refresh my heart as I seek to follow you as a broken sinner in need of your grace and mercy this morning and every day. Please forgive me where I have already failed you, help me not to allow the enemy to prevent me from being filled by your spirit today I pray that I will continually come back and return to you through your help even when I stumble and fall.

Give me wisdom and discernment to differentiate between right and wrong decisions. Help me to have clarity as I look to you in the big moments and in the small details of life. Show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in your truths. You have never once led me astray; you have never failed me. Please provide help and security in the fact that you are my firm foundation.

Holy Spirit, reveal more of who you are to my heart and to my mind. Open my mind that I may comprehend your Scriptures, show me new things that I've never noticed before about Yourself and Your Word. I praise you for the relationship that we have together with intimacy, openness, and the reality that you, the God over all, lives inside of me, a simple vessel, an yet you have called me your own child and adopted me into your family. You have given me the name bride of Christ as a part of your Church, and I am yours forever. Thank you for coming to me, even in my sin and my weakness today, I surrender myself to you and your will. I give you glory, honor and power. Amen.