God is Present..Craig Denison Ministries

 God is Present

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Devotional:    

If there’s one truth that has the power to guide you into the fullness of life available to you in Christ, it’s that God is present. Psalm 139:7-10 says,

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

No matter where you go, no matter what you do, God is with you. And he isn’t just with you

in an abstract sense, he is available for you to tangibly and powerfully experience. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of comfort. Throughout every season of your life, he is there ready to empower you, encourage you, strengthen you, and love you. He longs to meet you where you’re at and provide all the guidance, love, comfort, and fatherly encouragement you need.

You see, when God meets with us he both satisfies our emotions and transforms us. He heals our hearts and empowers us to live the life he has planned for us. As our Father, he not only comforts us when we need him, but guides and helps us through the various seasons of life. God is present not only to love you emotionally, but practically as well.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” As a father teaches his son or daughter how to walk by upholding them, your God longs to uphold you through whatever decision, trial, season, or pain you are presently experiencing. He is not a distant God who just gives his children rules and tells them to go through life on their own. He is not a far-off Creator who leaves his creation to its own devices. He is working presently in our midst to shepherd us toward the fullness of life Jesus died to give us. There is no more present, loving, or powerful father than our God. There is no greater helper than the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. And there is no greater life than one lived in constant communion with our Creator.

Whatever season you find yourself in today, press into the heart of your heavenly Father. As you enter into guided prayer, allow God to fill you, satisfy you, comfort you, and love you. Allow him to shepherd you, empower you, uphold you, and encourage you. Experience the nearness of your heavenly Father and walk today in constant communion with your God who is present.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the fact that God is present. Allow Scripture to fill you with the faith to encounter your heavenly Father today.

“‘Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24

“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.” Zephaniah 3:15

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

2. Where do you need God to be present in your life? Where do you need his encouragement, love, guidance, and empowerment?

3. Ask God to make his presence known to you. Ask him to fill you with his love and nearness. Rest in his presence and allow him to love you and speak to you.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16

A vital part of Christian spirituality is making time to simply fellowship with God. Resting in the presence of the Lord puts all of life in perspective. It places God at a higher value than whatever else we could spend our time pursuing. It empowers us to live peacefully and purposefully. And it lays a foundation of God’s love on which we can live out the calling given to us by our heavenly Father. Take time throughout your day to receive God’s presence. Allow him to flood wherever you are with his love and encouragement. May your day be transformed by the nearness of God.

Extended Reading: Psalm 139

The Practices of Maturity..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Practices of Maturity 

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 5:12-14

Believers are on a continual growth track that ascends higher and higher. This side of heaven none of us ever "arrive," but we each have a responsibility to press on to maturity. Though many people think those who know a lot about the Bible are the spiritually mature ones, Hebrews 5:14 adds the element of practice to the growth equation. This word means a custom or habit. Christian growth requires the discipline of godly habits carried out daily.

The most important practice to cultivate is a personal devotional time. Since God is the source of all spiritual development, you can't neglect Him and expect to become mature. Transformation begins with time in His Word and prayer.

Obedience is another essential element for advancement. When our desire to obey the Lord is stronger than our attraction to sin, we'll know we are making progress in our spiritual life.

In terms of physical development, the goal is to become more independent and self-sufficient as we age. But in the spiritual realm, the opposite is true. Those who are mature in Christ recognize their own inadequacy and rely on the Holy Spirit within them. It's His job to transform our character and empower us to accomplish everything the Lord calls us to do.

Getting older doesn't mean maturity in God's eyes. By digging into Scripture and developing righteous habits, we can use our years to grow stronger in the Lord instead of wasting time with passivity. No one accidentally becomes mature. Spiritual growth requires a diligent pursuit of God.

Nothing before Its Time..Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

 Nothing before Its Time

>By Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.” - John 16:12 (NLT)

I want to share with you a truth that I have learned about myself. I often desire immediate answers, quick progress, and instant blessings (don’t look at me funny, you probably do the same thing). Yet, over the years, I have realized God operates in my life with order, process, timing, and progress. Today, I invite you to join me in exploring the beauty of God's perfect timing and his intentional process in your life.

God’s process with you is intentional.
As a believer in Jesus, there is one thing you must come to grips with. There are no accidents or coincidences in God's plan for your life. Every step you take and every experience you encounter are part of his intentional process. This means the good and the bad are part of the process.

God is meticulous in his work in your life, and he does not overlook any detail. This is also true of what he allows in your life. Just as Jesus withheld information from his disciples until they were ready, our father does the same thing. God lovingly prepares you for each step in your journey and gives you nothing before it's time. There may be times when he withholds certain answers, trials, promotions, or blessings until you are ready to handle them. I know we can get impatient when he withholds blessings until we are ready, but he also does the same with trials. This is a testament to His love and mercy, as he not only knows what is best for your growth and well-being, but he knows when it is best for you as well.

Your spiritual development mirrors your natural growth.
The process of spiritual development mirrors what happens in your natural development. When you were a baby, your mom gave you milk first (it would be strange if the first thing they fed you was a ribeye steak, especially when you had no teeth). Once you developed teeth, then you moved on to solid foods. When you started to read, you began by reading simple nursery rhymes before diving into complex literature.

God takes us on a similar journey of gradual understanding designed to help us grow and deepen our faith. He provides you with what you need at each stage of your spiritual development. Sometimes, he may delay certain breakthroughs or blessings because he knows you need more preparation. Though we may yearn for immediate results, God's perfect timing aligns with his desire for your ultimate growth.

You can find comfort in God's timing.
During times of difficulties and delays, you must remember that God's love and concern for you are ever-present. When he allows situations to unfold in your life, he knows you are ready for them, even when you feel inadequate or overwhelmed. In those moments, you can find comfort in knowing that God's timing is purposeful and that he walks with you through every high and low season of life.

You can put your complete trust in God's process.
Today, as you reflect on your own life, I encourage you to trust in God's timing and process. Embrace the journey of growth and development, knowing that He is always with you. Surrender your timeline to Him and find peace in the assurance that His love guides every step you take. Remember, the delays and challenges you encounter are not roadblocks but stepping stones. They lead you to a deeper understanding of His purpose for your life.

God's timing and process may not always align with your own desires and expectations. Yet, as you surrender to His loving guidance, you can find comfort and peace in knowing that He is leading you toward growth and greater blessings. Don’t hesitate to embrace the intentional process of spiritual development, recognizing that God does nothing before its time. You can trust completely his perfect timing, for there are no accidents or coincidences in his plan for your life. I pray that today, regardless of your situation, you will find joy and fulfillment as you walk hand in hand with your Savior. Especially knowing that his love accompanies you every step of the way.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

• How does the concept of God operating in your life with order, process, timing, and progress resonate with you? 
• Do you believe there are no accidents or coincidences in your life as a believer in Jesus? Why or why not?
• Consider the times when you have experienced delayed answers, withheld information, or the postponement of blessings. How did you react to those situations?

5 Essential Lessons You Need to Know from the Book of Ruth ..Chris Russell

 5 Essential Lessons You Need to Know from the Book of Ruth

By Chris Russell

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.’” – Ruth 1:16-17

The Book of Ruth is one of only two books of the Bible to be named after women (the other is Esther). Even though it’s small, this remarkable book contains many principles with profound impact to our lives today.

As we read over the great story of Ruth, there are five important applications that jump out at me. Here they are:

1) God is concerned about all people regardless of race, nationality, or status. Ruth was not a Jew. She was a Moabite. Even though many discriminated against her, God loved her just the same. God does not discriminate, and He loves all people just the same.

2) Men and women are both equally important to God.God cares about men and women all the same. We are all one in His eyes. While most false religions that have been constructed over the centuries often elevate men and dishonor women, Christianity is the one religion that consistently honors men and women at the same level. There is no difference in His eyes.

3) There is no such thing as an unimportant person in God’s eyes. At a surface level, few saw Ruth as an important person. But God saw her as important and His plan for her life culminated in her becoming a part of the lineage of Jesus (as the grandmother to King David). God’s plan typically involves using people who are considered to be underdogs or unimportant or unimpressive from man’s perspective.

4) God uses “little” things to accomplish great plans. What an amazing plan God had for a series of “little” things that all added up to important pieces in God’s big plan. God intended for Ruth to be a part of the story of the lineage of Jesus. So, He pulled together events such as the famine, Naomi’s relocation to Moab, their return to Bethlehem, Boaz’ bloodline, and many other events just to ensure that Ruth could be a part of His plan. And God does that same thing in our lives today!

5) God has a Redeemer in place who can rescue us from the devastation of our own sin. God has a Redeemer for our lives, too, and His name is Jesus. Boaz was a type (prophetic symbol) of Christ and His redemptive work in our lives today. We are empty, just as Naomi was empty and devastated after she had lost everything and returned to Judah. Our sin has rendered us empty and desolate spiritually. But Jesus is willing to redeem us. He wants to rescue us from the penalty of our sin. And all we have to do to be rescued is to call on Him in faith and ask Him to save us ( Romans 10:13).

My hope is that you are one of His redeemed. If you are not, my hope is that you will call on Him right now and ask Him to save you once and for all from the consequences of your sins!

A Prayer for When You Feel Left Out..Emily Rose Massey

 A Prayer for When You Feel Left Out

By Emily Rose Massey

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,  but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV).

Recently, I had trouble getting passed some disappointment of not being invited to a special wedding with some younger friends from our church. I found myself growing jealous and resentful when I saw photos of who else was invited. “What! They haven’t known them as long as we have, and they were invited!” I mentioned my frustrations to my husband, and he encouraged me to talk to God about it so it didn’t begin to affect my heart to the point where I became embittered towards our friends. In times like these, it is very easy for offense to take root, and if we are not careful, we begin to see and treat people differently. Even though it wasn’t the end of the world that we didn’t receive an invitation to this occasion, it was very obvious and simple to me- I was still dealing with rejection, and this situation triggered it once again. I felt left out. I was transported back to 6th grade when I spent many days in the cafeteria sitting by myself, eating my lunch alone because I wasn’t asked to sit by anyone. Yet, in this disappointment, I was reminded that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV).

Although Proverbs 18:24 doesn’t necessarily say that friend is Jesus, I know that He will always be there for me, even when everyone else fails me. Scripture tells us that God never leaves us or forsakes us in Deuteronomy 31:6. This truth from the Old Testament about our never-changing God is also stated again as a reminder in Hebrews 13, along with this powerful truth that people will fail us, and people may reject us, but we should not fear, for God is on our side. He is our helper.

When we face rejection from others, we must remember that Jesus understands more than anyone what rejection feels like, as He is very familiar with it Himself. Many people rejected Jesus (and continue to do so) while He was here on earth; even one of His very own disciples (Judas) rejected Him and betrayed Him. And just a couple of hours later, another one of His closest disciples (Peter) rejected knowing Him. Three times to be exact. Aren’t you so thankful for Jesus’ forgiveness when we turn our backs on Him? He gives us so many opportunities to repent and make things right in our relationship with Him! His mercies towards us are new every single morning…oh, what love! The Lord understands our pain regarding rejection, and His arms are open wide, so let us be quick to draw near to Him. Lo, He is always with you…even to the end of the age!

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father,
You know my heart and see my pain before I ever speak a word, but You long for me to make my requests known to You by being honest and intentional in seeking You first, no matter what. Help me to remember that You are near to the brokenhearted and that I can run into Your safety when I feel crushed by my circumstances and disappointments. I know You alone can satisfy my soul more than any other relationship in life. Thank You for setting the lonely in families and for calling me Your child. I don’t want to hold onto this pain of rejection. I want to heal from the wounds of those who have hurt me intentionally or unintentionally. I choose to forgive. Your Son was rejected, even by You, for a moment when He took the punishment of sin, out of love for me. Thank You, Jesus, for being the friend I need who sticks by me no matter what. I love You, Lord. Thank You for always loving me and never leaving me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.