Fully Loved..Craig Denison Ministries

 

Fully Loved

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As children of the Most High God, we have been granted access to unconditional, tangible, and perfect love. All we need we have in relationship with our Father in heaven. He longs to reveal himself to us as a loving, real Father. He longs for us to live in the fullness of restored relationship with him. He longs for us to experience his vast and limitless affections. May we grow in our understanding and experience of God as our good and loving Father this week as we look at what it is to be his child.

Scripture:“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

Devotional:

What could true love possibly look like if not the willing sacrifice of King Jesus for us, his unworthy and helpless disciples? What greater love could we possibly know than the love of a Father who would send his own spotless, blameless Son to die for the sins of a rebellious and prideful people? 1 John 4:9-10 says,

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

You and I are fully, overwhelmingly, and passionately loved by our God. We have been granted access by the blood of Jesus into an eternal relationship with our Creator who considers restored relationship with us worth the death of his blameless Son. As children of God, we never again have to wonder if we are loved. God proved through the death of his Son once and for all that he will never stop pursuing us, never stop loving us, and that he will do whatever it takes to gain back what our sin took from him: a face-to-face, tangible relationship with him.

Too often, we go through life wandering from person to person, possession to possession, and success to success, trying to find the love we long to experience. We wake up every morning striving to be fully loved by a world that has brokenness at the core of all it does. We search high and low for that which is already ours in Christ Jesus.

God longs to overwhelm you with his love today. He paid the highest price for you to simply experience and know the depth of his love. Isaiah 49:15-16 says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” You are God’s child today and forever. You are fully loved by the Creator and Lord of all. God’s love is vast, limitless, and real. His affection for you know no bounds. And he is patiently waiting for you to cast aside all other pursuits of love and simply let him satisfy your need to be loved in ways far greater than you could ever imagine.

Take time in guided prayer to let God love you. Confess any ways in which you have pursued love that wasn’t rooted in him. Allow him to heal any wounds that have kept you from experiencing his love. And receive the incredible, vast affections your heavenly Father has for you as his beloved child.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the limitless and unconditional love your heavenly Father has for you. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to pursue being loved by God and to cease pursuing love from the world.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

2. In what ways have you pursued being loved by the world instead of God? What person have you been working to please so that they would love you? What success have you been trying to achieve to feel loved? What possession have you been trying to buy in order to feel fulfilled?

“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” Jonah 2:8

3. Confess any sin of idolatry and take time to receive the conditionless affections of your Father. Ask him to show you how much he loves you. Ask him to help you receive his love in the untouched places of your heart. Rest in his presence, and allow him to lay a new foundation of grace-filled love in your life.

“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

Often when we hear the word idolatry our minds immediately think of golden statues and other Old Testament images of false gods. The sin of idolatry is just as real and rampant today as it ever was in the days of the Old Testament. We’ve replaced golden statues with other possessions. We worship and place our hope in that which is fleeting and vain. Any time we value something above our God and his will we are engaging in idolatry. May we as God’s children have the perspective and humility to cast down anything we’ve valued above him. May we repent and receive forgiveness and healing that we might serve him alone. And may we experience his love offered to us without measure and without condition.

Extended Reading: 1 John 4

 

3 Lessons from the Tower of Babel ..Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

 3 Lessons from the Tower of Babel

 By Clarence L. Haynes Jr. 

“The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” - Genesis 11:6

I recently went into a store to purchase a duffle bag, and because of the size of the store, I could not find it. I asked a clerk for help locating the duffle bag aisle, but I discovered he did not speak English. The language barrier between us created a problem because we could not understand each other. He eventually found another employee who could understand, and once we were on the same page speaking the same language, he led me right to what I was looking for.

In Genesis 11, we encounter the Tower of Babel. This is a remarkable event that illustrates what can happen when there is unity, a common language, and a common purpose. God acknowledged when people work together with a shared language and goal, nothing is impossible. This profound verse teaches us valuable lessons about the significance of unity, communication, and the limitless possibilities that arise when we align ourselves with God's purposes.

Three lessons from the Tower of Babel:

1. Unity Matters
There is incredible power in a unified body. Imagine what a church or any group of believers can accomplish when they set aside personal agendas, preferences, and differences. Imagine this same body focused solely on the work of God’s kingdom for God’s glory. Can you see the influence a group of believers like this can have on our society? The impact is limitless.

However, this only works if we unite around the right things. As great as unity is, if we unite around the wrong causes or agendas, we can still have a significant influence. It will just be in the wrong direction. This happened at the Tower of Babel. That’s why we must unite around God’s Word, kingdom, and glory. As followers of Christ, here are some things we should unite around. 

• Loving God with all our hearts  
• Loving our neighbors as ourselves  
• Kindness and compassion towards one another
• Being willing to show grace and extend forgiveness
• Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry
• Pursuing righteousness and holiness

I could go on, but if we just did these things, then we would become a formidable force that can bring change to this world. A unity based solely on our shared faith in Jesus Christ, where he is the most important common ground, will transcend our culture. This is a language every follower of Christ should want to speak.

2. Communication Matters
Communication is a vital element if we are going to break down barriers and become one. For communication to work, it is important to focus on what you say and how you say it. In the story of the Tower of Babel, their unified voice allowed them to accomplish great things. 

As followers of Christ, we must communicate with God and those around us, whether they are fellow believers or not. We need to establish clear channels of communication with God through prayer and the study of His Word. These are the essential building blocks of cultivating a relationship with Him. As we align our hearts with His purposes, we become attuned to His guidance and direction. This sets the stage for how we communicate with each other. If you are in tune with the Holy Spirit, you will communicate with others in love and humility. You will listen attentively and speak with grace. 

In case you haven’t noticed, the world is watching. They desperately need to see Christians who can engage in open and honest communication. Christians who seek to understand each other's perspectives and who encourage one another. Christians who resolve conflicts and who remain unified, even when there are differences of opinion. Differences don’t destroy us, but choosing to divide over those differences will. We have shown the world that for too long; it’s time we turn the page and change that narrative.

3. Unity + Communication = Unlimited Possibilities
A unified body that embraces genuine communication leads to unlimited possibilities. These are not my words. They come straight from the mouth of God. The verse in Genesis reveals that nothing is beyond our limits if we lay down our differences to go after them. But the reverse of this is also true. If we continue to hold on to differences that divide us, then we won’t accomplish anything of value for the kingdom of God. I am not saying things won’t get done, they just won’t have any real eternal value.

Intersecting faith and life:
As a practical application for today, there is one question I want you to consider. Are you willing to lay aside temporary differences to accomplish something of eternal value? How you answer that question tells you everything you need to know about what really matters to you.

How to Live with God as Your Portion..Kristine Brown

 How to Live with God as Your Portion

By Kristine Brown

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” ( Psalm 73:26).

Hannah knew what it meant to live with God as her portion, but not at first. We all learn our greatest lessons by trusting God through difficult times, and Hannah was no exception. From her story, we too can discover a deeper trust in the One who is above all, even in the scariest times. We can learn what it means when God is our portion. God is my portion when I don’t have enough.

“But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb,” ( 1 Samuel 1:5).

Hannah wanted a child more than anything. 1 Samuel 1:8 describes her as “downhearted.” Something was missing from her life, and her husband Elkanah did everything he could to console her, even giving her a double portion.

There will be times when we don’t have enough. We may even wonder why God isn’t providing the way we think He should. It could be one of life’s basic needs, like money to pay bills or food in the pantry. We may seek answers, like I did when my heart problem returned. We may long for healing. Whatever the desire, let’s remember this truth: God knows more about what we need than we do. Sometimes He doesn’t take the pain away, but instead comforts us through it. How we handle difficulties can encourage others and draw His children closer to Him. Your journey can become just the inspiration someone else needs.

Just like Elkanah’s gift to his beloved wife, God satisfies us with more than we could ask for. He gave us His only son as a sacrifice to show the depth of His love. God is our portion that fills the void when - like Hannah - something is missing in our lives.

Hannah didn’t hide away like I’m tempted to do. She didn’t vent, although the tears did flow. She went straight to the Source of all comfort. Hannah decided to put her hope in God.

“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head,’” ( 1 Samuel 1:11 NIV).

Hannah’s resolve to trust in God changed her entire outlook. Instead of staying downhearted, she became hopeful. She traded discouraging thoughts for triumph. Let’s take a lesson from Hannah’s commitment. When we’ve had enough and we’re tempted to soothe our spirits with short-term comforts, let’s put down the remote and go straight to God in prayer. His comforting presence will be our portion when enough is enough.

Is something missing in your life today? Are you feeling unworthy, or are you fed up with daily frustrations? Lamentations 3:24 says, “The Lord is my portion.” On the day of my heart surgery, I learned what this means in a real, tangible way. I didn’t have the answers or know the outcome, but I did know this. In all things, He is enough.

Just like Elkanah’s gift to his beloved wife, God satisfies us with more than we could ask for. He gave us His only son as a sacrifice to show the depth of His love. God is our portion that fills the void when - like Hannah - something is missing in our lives.

Hannah didn’t hide away like I’m tempted to do. She didn’t vent, although the tears did flow. She went straight to the Source of all comfort. Hannah decided to put her hope in God.

“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head,’” ( 1 Samuel 1:11 NIV).

Hannah’s resolve to trust in God changed her entire outlook. Instead of staying downhearted, she became hopeful. She traded discouraging thoughts for triumph. Let’s take a lesson from Hannah’s commitment. When we’ve had enough and we’re tempted to soothe our spirits with short-term comforts, let’s put down the remote and go straight to God in prayer. His comforting presence will be our portion when enough is enough.

Is something missing in your life today? Are you feeling unworthy, or are you fed up with daily frustrations? Lamentations 3:24 says, “The Lord is my portion.” On the day of my heart surgery, I learned what this means in a real, tangible way. I didn’t have the answers or know the outcome, but I did know this. In all things, He is enough.

A Prayer for Patience..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Patience

By Emma Danzey

Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

Patience is not easy for everyone; in fact, it is a struggle for everyone to some degree. The fact is that we are all sinners, and patience does not come naturally to us. However, when we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can live out the fruit of the Spirit. I always hear that it is a dangerous prayer to ask God for patience because you do not know how He will answer that. Will it be waiting in terrible traffic, being patient with people, or learning that we do not get what we want when we want it even after we pray and pray?

The process of patience refines us and takes us on a journey of learning to trust in God. When we pray for patience, we are asking boldly for the Lord to give us more confidence in who He is regardless of what we see. We are asking Him to help us to slow down and believe that He cares for us and our individual needs and desires. Today, let’s go to His throne and ask Him to grow us in this amazing way.

Let's Pray:

Dear Lord,
Patience is something I desire but so often fall short in. Today, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would move me to follow You in this area. Would you please give me the ability to choose to live by the Spirit instead of my flesh? You say in Proverbs 14:21, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Forgive me for the times when I have been quick-tempered and mistrusting in the waiting. Enable me to have great understanding and live out patience in ways that I have failed before. Give me the ability to be slower and less impulsive in decision-making and in life.

At the root of patience is love. You say in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” The very first description of love is patience. God, you know that I do not always love well in my impatience with others, especially those closest to me. Would You please help me in this struggle to choose Your love and to be patient through Your strength? Help me to be more like You in the ways that I talk, act, and live towards others who I am waiting on.

God, you say in Romans 12:2, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Help me to be patient in the difficulties that surround me. Give me Your wisdom to navigate the trials that come my way. Guide me to have joy in hope and be faithful in praying to You. Lord, you know it is so hard to wait through difficulties, persecutions, and temptations in this life, but thank You that You never leave me in them. Remind me that even though hard seasons can appear to drag on, You are forever with me and love me always. Give me the ability to learn from You and model Your patience with others around me. Allow them to see unearthly patience in me that points to You. Let this be a witness and a testimony to others of Your working power in a sinner’s life.

Psalm 37:7, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

God, You tell me to be still before You and wait for You patiently. I ask that You would give me the ability to slow down and focus my heart and mind on You. Help me not to live in hurry, but out of a place of rest for my soul found in You. Thank You for Your continuous and abundant patience with me and Your second chances in helping me to grow in patience. Amen.