God Encourages Us..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Encourages Us

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:“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”  Psalm 27:14

Devotional:

Our God is the great encourager. He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the hopeless and transforms them into beacons of eternal salvation. He takes the broken and heals them with his love. And he takes the fearful and fills them with powerful courage from on high.

Our heavenly Father longs to fill you with courage today. He longs to encourage you to accomplish the incredible calling for which you were created. As we look today at a powerful story of God’s encouragement, may your heart be filled with a longing and passion to seek out the entirety of God’s perfect plans for you. Judges 6:12-18 says,

And the angel of the Lord appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”

God calls Gideon a mighty man of valor prior to any mighty actions Gideon had done. He commands Gideon to go out in the might to which he was called and accomplish the very work for which he was created. And when Gideon responds by asking God for a sign, God obliges him and remains with grace and mercy.

God is calling you to a life of eternal significance. He’s calling you to a life that matters. There is no weak tool in the hands of God. And there is no small calling in his perfect plans. You were created to live a life that changes the world. You were created for a destiny that draws the lost back into the fold of our heavenly Father. But in order to accomplish the life to which you were called you will need courage. You will need time spent in God’s presence being filled with his encouragement.

God is calling you a mighty man or woman of valor. He is speaking courage over you. He is near to you, ready and able to empower you. Take time in guided prayer to hear the voice of your heavenly Father. Allow his Spirit to speak to your spirit. Allow him to encourage you in his love. And follow his voice in faith that you might be used in greater ways than you could ever imagine.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire to encourage you. Allow Scripture to fill you with the truth about the life God intends for you.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” Daniel 7:18

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

2. Where do you need courage to pursue the life to which God has called you? What is God calling you to today that seems impossible? What has God spoken over you in the past that fear has crippled you from pursuing?

3. Allow God to fill you with courage. Open your heart to him and ask him to empower you and fill you with his love. Rest in his nearness. Allow Scripture to fill you with faith to pursue to the fullest whatever God asks you to do.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Don’t settle for a life of mediocrity today. God has a plan and purpose for everything you do. He longs to turn your relationships, job, finances, and passions into good works of eternal significance. His calling will satisfy your heart like nothing else. And the empowerment of his Spirit for his plans will transform you into a passionate, effective, and loving man or woman of valor. May you pursue wholeheartedly the life to which you have been called by your loving heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: 1 Peter 2

The Results of Insecurity..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Results of Insecurity

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 143:8

We've already seen some of the areas where insecurity shows up. Now we need to turn our attention to its effects.

To start, insecure people have difficulty establishing good, lasting relationships. They simply cannot see how they could add value to anyone else's life. This is a tragic loss, because every single one of us needs deep and meaningful friendships to help us grow.

Also, men and women with insecurity are often seen as prideful or snobbish. Lack of confidence can cause them to withdraw from others, which can easily be mistaken for an act of arrogance. They can thereby give the impression that they simply don't want to be around others.

What's more, insecurity frequently leads to indecisiveness and fear. People can be so consumed with self-doubt that they can't make any decision at all. They wonder, What if I make a mistake? Well, so what if they do? Making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn how to do something correctly. Don't be afraid to try. Even if you don't succeed, you can at least rest in the fact that you did your best.

After a while, insecure people typically get angry. When they go so long feeling so poorly about themselves, they start to resent the success and happiness of others.

Can you see how something as subtle as a lack of confidence can have a debilitating effect on one's life? Don't allow such devastation to affect your relationships. Pray for the ability to recognize areas of self-doubt. And then start to take control today by asking the Lord to heal your insecurities.

Lost but Found..Jessica Van Roekel

 Lost but Found

By Jessica Van Roekel

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 ESV

I stood in the middle of the mess and shook my head. Drawers were turned inside out. Stacks of paper lay scattered on the floor. All household tasks were on hold. The kids could wait. I needed to find my marriage license fast. I couldn’t renew my driver’s license without it, and I had turned the house inside and out looking for it. Right before my husband called to tell me he paid for a new copy at the courthouse, I found it in the bottom of a filing cabinet stored in the attic. Eureka! What was lost was found!

Have you ever searched for something, knowing it was specifically put away somewhere? My family knows that when I put something in a “safe” spot, it’s so secure that it’s lost. But when I go on a hunt for an important “saved” item, I’m reminded how the Lord searches and looks for the lost. Jesus used parables, which are short stories, to teach a lesson or make a point. In Luke 15, he used three stories to present the purpose of his earthly ministry: to show God’s desire to save people spiritually so they can have a relationship with him. In the Parable of The Prodigal Son, we discover the consequences of going our own way and the father’s heart for the lost son.

The parable opens with a son asking for his inheritance and then leaving on a journey to a far country. The prodigal son wasted his money on people and things that brought little satisfaction. It was like throwing money to the wind and hoping for a return on investment. Eventually, he became jealous of pigs because they had more than he did. Too often, we go our own way because we believe our way brings satisfaction. We chase after pleasures to be free from authority and restraint. Instead, we find ourselves in a pit of despair and destruction created through reckless living. Our way leads to greater dissatisfaction. The prodigal son in this parable is a picture of us when we rebel against God’s standards and love. His love brings freedom, not to do as we please but as he wills. A life pursuing self-motivated pleasure looks like freedom but is bondage in disguise.

When we come to the end of ourselves, like our friend in this parable, we can experience disillusionment, grief, and regret. What we long for does not fulfill us. We can grieve over time and energy lost. Regret can prevent us from meeting or returning to the Lord, who can forgive and redeem. Like the prodigal son who decided his father might accept him back as a hired servant, we can approach God in the same way. Our regrets tell us we’ll never be accepted as sons or daughters, so we can only hope for partial forgiveness. But Jesus goes on to show the Father’s heart in the remaining verses.

It can be hard to accept the depth of God’s love for us when we have walked so far away from him and chosen ways of living that directly oppose his heart. We need a humble heart to admit our wrongdoing and a willingness to live for God’s ways. The father in this parable stands watching and waiting, just as God watches and waits for us. God’s great love causes us to be on his mind, and longs for our return. He has great compassion for those who are lost or who have gone astray. Then, when we do return, he receives us with love and compassion. He gives us full rights as his children. These are available to all who look to him, respond to his invitation, and return to him. His joy overflows, and he welcomes us with open arms.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Do you find yourself lost in the pursuit of your own way? Ultimately, it leads us further away from him, and we find ourselves lost. Because of God’s mercy and love, he waits for us with open arms, ready to receive us with compassion as his beloved son or daughter. No matter where you are, there’s always a way home. Follow the prodigal son’s example and return to the Lord. He stands waiting with open arms to restore you as a treasured son or daughter.

Further Reading:

• Luke 15:11-32

Fight the Appeal of Sin with the Truth of the Word..Lynette Kittle

 Fight the Appeal of Sin with the Truth of the Word

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Jesus said to His disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” Luke 17:1

One Sunday morning I dug through my drawer and pulled out a pair of white pantyhose. “Great,” I thought, just what I needed to complete my outfit.

After checking for runs and snags, I pulled them on. At the time they seemed to fit well so I put my shoes on and ran for the door.

However soon after arriving at church and walking my daughters to their classrooms, my hose started to slip.

As hip-huggers, it wasn’t too bad and I honestly thought. “I can live with it.” But as I continued to walk, the hose continued to spiral downward. With each step they slipped further, moving to my knees, then inching just above my ankles, making it more and more difficult to walk with every step.

Jesus told his disciples how things that cause people to stumble are bound to come (Luke 17:1). I just wouldn’t have guessed it coming through a hasty fashion choice on my way to church.

Hidden by my maxi dress, I waddled into the ladies restroom. One might think there would be no question what strategic decision needed to be made. However, I actually questioned whether or not to pull up my stretched out stockings and keep trying to wear them. My DIY ideas ran from tying a knot on the side in effort to keep them up, or, twisting and tucking them into my slip?

Yet just trying to walk and move around would be uncomfortable and difficult. My mind envisioned how my walking, sitting, and standing would be impaired, and how weird my moving would appear to onlookers, along with inhibiting my participation and fellowship at church.

Thinking back it's easy to see that I just needed to take them off and pitch into the nearest wastebasket, especially so I could enjoy church. It should have been a no-brainer. Why would I even consider continuing to wear them?

Surprisingly, those sagging stockings turned my thought to consider sin's appeal in life. It can be so obvious when something isn't beneficial for me and is causing unnecessary challenges and difficulties to my daily walk.

Yet at the same time, things can have such a hold or appeal in my thinking that it's difficult to give up. Thankfully, when tempted and feeling weak about making right choices, I can turn to God who empathizes with my weaknesses, One who has been tempted in everyway but not sinned (Hebrew 4:15).

Scripture describes how it's my decision whether to hold-on or let-go of sin when it becomes evident in my life. Galatians 5:1 encourages me that because Christ has set me free, I can stand firm and not let myself be bound by sin.

Surprised by my real-life footstep hindrances, I wouldn’t have ever guessed an old pair of hose would offer me such a practical example of sin's ability to entangle and trip up my walk.

Hebrews 12:1 encourages me to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” so I can run with perseverance the race marked out before me.

Thankfully I came to my senses and threw those pantyhose into the trash, choosing to freely (and literally) walk away, free from entanglement.

A Prayer for Today’s Need..Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for Today’s Need

By Kristine Brown

“Give us today our daily bread.” - Matthew 6:11 NIV

I remember the first day I stepped outside to feel the warm sun on my face after being stuck inside the house for so long. I’d endured chemotherapy and radiation treatments, forcing me to stay indoors in the cold winter months and avoid any prolonged sun exposure, as well. That’s why this special day outdoors felt heavenly. Taking a stroll around the backyard had always been one of my favorite things, but I never realized how much I would appreciate waddling out in my bathrobe and slippers and turning my face toward the sun. I still had a long way to go toward healing, but that day gave me hope. When treatments began, I saw this mountainous obstacle before me. I couldn’t fathom reaching the end. It seemed too big, too scary, and too impossible. So, I had to ask God each day for the strength I needed for that day. Then the next, then the next. By focusing only on what I needed for one day, I found peace for what was to come.

Jesus knows our needs. He always has and always will. While teaching the crowds how to pray, Jesus said, “Give us today our daily bread.” I memorized that prayer as a little girl and have recited it many times, but I hadn’t noticed the version which includes the word today. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed by the big picture. When we focus on the problem ahead, we can’t see how things can possibly get better. Jesus understood our tendency toward fear in the face of insurmountable odds. He modeled for us how to ask God to help us through each day. Reading Jesus’ words about daily bread makes me think of the Israelite's journey to the Promised Land. They questioned if they would have enough food to survive. They even considered turning back. 

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.’” - Exodus 16:4

God gave the Israelites what they needed to sustain them. In the same way, God will give us today our daily bread. The New Living Translation puts it this way. God will “Give us today the food we need.” May we trust him to be our sustaining source. As we join in prayer, let’s ask ourselves this. “What do I need, only for today?” Is it energy to get out of bed, strength to face what’s ahead, peace at work, or joy in a difficult situation? Maybe, like me, you need to feel the sun's warmth on your face, reminding you of God’s goodness in even the worst circumstances. Whatever the need, let’s bring it to our Heavenly Father and know he is with us every day of our journey.

Let’s pray.
Dear God,

Thank you for your presence today. As we come to you in prayer, let us feel the warmth of your love. We know you hear us. You are a good and faithful God. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the problems I’m facing. They are more than I can handle in my own strength. I want to pray and trust you to meet my needs, but I don’t even know where to start. Lord, show me the next thing. Give me what I need just for today. You are my Provider. Lord, give me this day my daily bread. Your Word says in Matthew 6:34,

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

As I focus on you, help me rely on you to supply whatever I need right now. I will not be anxious about tomorrow because I can begin each day with you. Thank you for offering peace, hope, and joy to all who call upon you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

God is Our Provider..Craig Denison Ministries

 God is Our Provider

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:“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Devotional: 

In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus says,

 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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.

Your heavenly Father is the Great Provider for all the earth. He gives rain when the earth needs refreshment. He calls the sun from its hiding when the earth needs warmth. He gives to the animals their food, the flowers their beauty, the birds their shelter, and you and me everything we need.

We worship a God who is both loving and powerful. He is both omnipotent and omnipresent. He is both good and able. If he were not, we would be forced to fend for ourselves, striving for that which he has promised to provide. If he were only good, we would not be assured of the provision his power provides. And if he were only able, we would fear for a lack of his desire to provide. But God is our heavenly Father who both knows what we need and longs to provide for us in exceeding measures. He is our Creator and Sustainer, Lord of all and Lord in all.

So why do you fear for your needs? Why do you stress over the foundational cares of this life while your heavenly Father is seated on his throne? The truth is that until we experience for ourselves both the goodness and power of our heavenly Father, the truth of his provision will only ever feel like a heady, theological principle. Until we experience firsthand the character and provision of our God, fear will remain.

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” God longs to perfect you in his love today. He longs to guide you into an encounter with his goodness and power. He longs to establish a foundation of his faithfulness by which you can live in faith. May you have a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit today that frees you from fear and striving as you enter into guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promises of provision. Allow Scripture to renew your mind and transform the way you act, think, and feel.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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 6:25-33

2. Where do you have fear in regards to provision? Where are you striving for what God has already promised to provide? Where does God want to bring peace into your life today?

3. Take time to allow God to reveal his goodness and power. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into an encounter with all that God is. Allow Scripture to speak to your circumstances so that you might live today in line with God’s promises.

No matter how old we get, God will still be our Father. We never have to go through a season apart from his perfect provision. We never have to step outside of his leadership and love. He will always be our Good Shepherd. He will always be our Sustainer. And he will always be our heavenly Father who provides. Never doubt the goodness and power of your God. Rest in his promises. And continue to grow in your knowledge of who he is by resting in his presence. May you experience today the abundant provision of your loving, heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: Matthew 6