Inexpressible Joy..Craig Denison Ministries

 Inexpressible Joy

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As children of the Most High God, we are to be marked by contagious, unceasing joy. Through the Holy Spirit we have access to an unending supply of joy that comes from the wellspring of restored relationship with our heavenly Father. God longs to fill us with his joy that we might live the abundant life Jesus died to give us. He longs to make us children fashioned in the image of our Father that we might share his unending joy to a world without hope. May you discover the greater portion of joy available to you through the Spirit as you encounter the heart of your Father this week.

Scripture:“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9

Devotional:    

1 Peter 1:8-9 fills my heart with a longing to rejoice in ways that move the heart of my heavenly Father. That scripture says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” What does it look like to rejoice with joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory?” What would it be like to have our hearts so filled with praise that our lips can’t articulate the overwhelming goodness of God?

In the famous hymn, The Love of God, Frederick M. Lehman wrote, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.” We are designed to be continually awed by the wondrous works of our heavenly Father. So great is his love for us that all the ink and paper in the world couldn’t adequately describe the depths of his mercies toward his children. So infinite is his nature that the fastest vessel could never reach the ends of his heart. And so powerful is his affection that we as his children will never be able to stop singing his praise.

Do you feel awed by God today? Is your heart wrapped up in the unfathomable goodness of his grace? Being filled with inexpressible joy is the natural response to seeing how truly good God is in comparison to how truly broken we are. Joy is meant to be the overflow of true, tangible relationship with a God who would lay down his own life solely because he desperately longed for restored relationship with us.

As children of the Most High God, we must take time to allow him to awe us. We must take time to wonder at his amazing works. We are created with an insatiable longing for fascination. We love to ponder on that which we will never fully comprehend. God created the universe as an example of how unfathomable and fascinating he is. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” He is a God full of wonderful mystery we were designed to search out. It is our inexpressible joy to spend time with the Creator of galaxies that the human eye will never see and minute details too small to ever behold.

Matthew 13:44 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” God is worth your life. The fullness of relationship with him is far greater than any possession man could ever attain. The great mystery in all of creation is a mere reflection of the infinite, loving nature of our heavenly Father. Take time today to devote yourself to rejoicing with inexpressible joy at the revelation of how great God is. Allow him to guide you into new and refreshing depths of his love. May you discover today the treasure of restored relationship with your mysterious and fascinating heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the infinite and wonderful nature of God. Think about his creation and how all of it was created by his word. Reflect on the powerful and loving sacrifice of Jesus. Allow Scripture and the divine nature of God to fill you with fascination and inexpressible joy.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Romans 1:20

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:2

2. Ask God to guide you into new depths of his heart today. Ask him to show you something about himself you didn’t know. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to search out the incredible mysteries of God.

3. Spend time resting in the presence of your Creator. The Creator of the entire universe is with you right now. The God who formed every mountain, star, and grain of sand loves you and longs to be with you. Allow the incredible goodness of God to overwhelm the tired and dry places of your heart.

Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” May we be a people who earnestly seek God for the refreshment of our souls. May we discover the still waters of his presence that have the power to replenish that which the world has dried out. May we run to God when we have need, knowing that he is willing and able to supply everything we need and more. And may a fresh revelation of God’s love fill you with inexpressible joy that resounds in everything you do today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 90

The New Birth and Baptism..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The New Birth and Baptism

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 6:3-10

Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). As the early church spread the gospel message, baptism would follow a new believer's response of faith. It publicly signified that the individual was now a follower of Jesus.

Metaphors often communicate on a level that words cannot. Baptism is a powerful picture of our salvation experience. Through this act, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again--and testify that we've welcomed His transforming power into our life.

The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Our sin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water, we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His Holy Spirit.

In the Bible, the word "believe" isn't a conceptual word describing intellectual agreement alone. It is a word of action. Our belief should never be hidden like a light placed under a bowl (Luke 11:33)--when unbelieving family and friends look at our lives, they need to see the gospel in action.

The Power of Touch..Rachael Adams

 The Power of Touch

By Rachael Adams

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. ‘If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,’ he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’" -Mark 1:40-41 NLT

When my husband, Bryan, comes home from work each day, my daughter, Kate, runs and jumps into his arms. More often than not, Bryan says, “I needed that,” as he holds her tight. 

There is something comforting about the touch of a loved one, isn’t there? An encouraging pat on the back, a reassuring squeeze of the hand, a playful rustle of the hair, a quick kiss on the forehead, or a lingering embrace—these kinds of touches can strengthen our connection, soothe our emotions, and communicate understanding without a word. From the moment we are born to the final days of our lives, touch is an integral part of the human experience, impacting our physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Jesus understood the power of touch. He held children, washed feet, and healed the sick through physical touch. In one of the first recorded healings Jesus performed, he healed a leper by touching him. Everyone considered lepers to be untouchable—everyone but Jesus (Mark 1). I love this about him, but interestingly, this wasn’t always how Jesus healed lepers. In fact, in Luke 17, when Jesus met ten lepers in a village, he didn’t touch them. Instead, he told them to go see the priest, and while they were on their way there, they were cleansed (Luke 17:12-14).

So, in one instance, Jesus touched a leper to heal him, and in another instance, he didn’t touch the ten lepers to heal them? This has me wondering why. Clearly, Jesus could heal without touching someone, so why touch this man when he didn’t have to? We find the answer in Mark 1:41, which says, “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him.” There was something this man needed those others didn’t; he needed to be touched. 

This leper example in Mark isn't the only time Jesus touched people to heal them. Through touch, he healed the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), raised a young girl from the dead (Mark 5:41), returned hearing to the deaf (Mark 7:33-36), and restored sight to the blind (Mark 8:22-25). 

On another occasion, as Jesus was walking, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched the hem of his cloak (Mark 5:25-34). Just touching him was all it took to heal her. It’s fascinating to note that in these passages, it doesn’t make a difference if Jesus was the one who reached out to the person or if it was the person who reached out to Jesus. If contact was made in faith, there was healing power in the touch.

Nearly nineteen centuries later, these stories are still impacting our hearts. One touch from Jesus has now affected millions, and he wants to do the same thing in our lives. Just as Jesus was moved by compassion, compassion can move us to reach out to others too. Your simple, wordless gestures could be exactly what is needed to strengthen a connection, soothe an emotion, communicate without a word, or heal a hurting heart. Does someone need a touch from you today? 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Offer a handshake, pat on the back, hug, or a hand to hold. Don’t be surprised if the person you reach out to responds with, “I needed that!”

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the sense of touch. Help me to use my physical contact to display your love and care for others. May my gestures be healing rather than hurtful. Touch my heart so I can touch the hearts of others for you. Amen.

Further Reading:
Luke 17, Mark 1, 5, 7, and 8

From Slave to Brother..Amanda Idleman

 From Slave to Brother (Philemon 1:15-16)

By: Amanda Idleman

Today’s Bible Verse: Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. - Philemon 1:15-16

Philemon is one of the shortest books in the New Testament. Even though it is only one chapter long, there are many highly applicable lessons for our everyday lives from this small book. Paul is the author of this letter. He is writing a personal letter to his friend, Philemon, about a matter that is close to his heart.

In Paul’s letter, he graciously and passionately advocates for Philemon’s former slave Onesimus; a man he met, led to Christ and now considers to be a son. Paul shows care and kindness as he addresses Philemon’s relationship with Onesimus.

This letter is a great example of how we can have difficult conversations in a clear but loving way. Paul never gives social barriers a thought when he talks about these two men of very different backgrounds. He models the truth that we are all equals in the body of Christ. Paul’s letter is an example of how to show Christian love and forgiveness, and how to advocate on the behalf of those who are in need.

Paul was writing to Philemon to express the need for him to show the same love and forgiveness God had shown him to Onesimus. Because Paul and Philemon had a strong personal relationship, Paul’s words would have extra force. Paul saw the genuine work God had done in Philemon’s life (Philemon 1:19) and now he was requesting Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to embrace him as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:16).

Paul’s words prompt Philemon to transition Onesimus from slave to brother because of their shared faith in Christ. This would have been a big step for someone living in their culture. He was asking Philemon to offer his escaped slave true mercy, love, and forgiveness.

Paul makes the case that slavery did not make Onesimus any less deserving of God’s love. He fully embraces Onesimus as his own brother and fervently advocates on his behalf.

Our sin nature tells us to assign value to people groups based on their station in life. The Bible teaches that God's love and forgiveness is for all people. God desires us to show mercy, walk with humility, and to love justice (Micah 6:8). Paul’s letter encourages Philemon to be humble, just, and merciful in his dealings with Onesimus.

Paul’s love for Onesimus prompts him to act! He works diligently on his behalf to ensure that Onesimus’ relationship is restored with Philemon and that his needs are taken care of. Living a life marked by the love of Christ requires action on our part. We should not stand silent when people we love need our help.

Paul used his relationship with both men as a bridge to help mend the brokenness that had occurred between them. Our advocacy goes much farther when it comes from a place of trust and relationship. Paul was confident his words would be heeded and exceeded by Philemon because he had a strong connection with this man (Philemon 1:21). Whenever possible, our advocacy should be paired with relationships in order to ensure our words are marked by love, understanding, and are able to be received well.

This short letter is filled with so much love, passion, and truth. Paul openly shares his great love and appreciation for both Philemon and Onesimus because he wants to protect the relationship he has with both parties. Paul also sets a strong example with his words on what it means to be a brother or sister in Christ. It means we are all to be embraced as equals no matter our differences. Philemon is a powerful lesson on how we can “speak truth with love” to those we are close with. Paul’s words are full of great truth and great love.

A Prayer to Rely on the Lord..Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer to Rely on the Lord

By Tiffany Thibault

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” - Isaiah 28:16

Jesus said these words that are still so true and powerful today: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Turn on the news, scroll through social media and everything you see and hear absolutely confirms our Lord's words. Tribulation, hunger, wars, illness, family struggles, and more - the list is endless. Sadly, we often spend too much of our days worried, anxious, stressed, and ultimately worn out from all the things happening around us.

We have this promise that we can remind ourselves of when our heart is not at peace: God is still the Ruler of the universe, and not one little, tiny detail ever escapes His notice. Our Bible verse says that He has laid in Zion - in Heaven - a cornerstone that has been tested and proven to be strong and true. In architecture, the cornerstone is extremely important, and the integrity of the entire building depends upon it. It is the first stone laid, one that is proven to be strong. All other stones in the building are built off of it and depend on it for strength, stability, and endurance. 

The Lord has laid that proven cornerstone in our life, in our faith. That cornerstone is Jesus. He has been tested and proven to be sure, to be strong. He bore all the weight of sin from the entire world on Him as He died for us on the cross. He then rose again, defeating death for us. Jesus being our cornerstone means that as we align our lives and our hearts with Him that we will be sanctified and stable. We can lean on Him for our support, and we will not shift or fall.

Trusting in the Lord to be your cornerstone as you walk through your days anxiety free (even in the midst of all of the stuff that life throws your way) is something that we can all seek the Lord for each and every day. The key to shedding anxiety is to commit to seeking the Lord every day, in every situation, in every moment. No matter what chaos is happening around us in the world, or the trials that you are personally encountering in your life, you can have peace in your heart. You can be free from panic and from the horrible grip of anxiety if your hope is in Jesus. 

Jesus has already overcome the world! He has come to bring you peace in the midst of the problems. Look to Him, seek Him in prayer and through studying the precious words in the Bible. The more we spend time with the Lord, the more that we will find ourselves trusting Him a little more. Moment by moment and day by day, as we pursue more of Jesus, we will find that our anxiety lessens, our peace increases and our relationship with Him is richer. Don’t allow one more day of peace and joy to be stolen from you. 

Let's pray:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the promises that you give us in your Word. Thank you for saying that I can have peace in my heart. Thank you that I can walk away from anxiety. Help me to keep my eyes on you in the midst of all my difficulties. Help me to trust you more each day. Thank you that you are my cornerstone, that as I lean on you and believe your promises, I can be strong in my faith. You are my God, and I will learn to rest on you today. Draw me close to you as I walk through all of these situations. 

In your name I pray, Jesus,
Amen