Things Unseen..Craig Denison Ministries

 Things Unseen

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

As children of God, we have been given a new home and a new hope. May your heart be set aflame by the joy and purpose of living out God’s command to live for heaven this week: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

Scripture:“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Devotional:

We have been trained through the prideful perspective of many that we are only to look to and believe that which we can see and physically experience here on earth. We’re told that there couldn’t possibly be more to life than what we’ve seen because the unseen can’t be experienced in the physical. What a self-centered perspective! Why do we have to know and be able to presently experience all there is in order for it to be real? Why are we, with our limited capacities, the ultimate judge in the debate of what is real and important? In Ephesians 1:18-20, Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus praying,

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened . . . .” What does it mean for our hearts to have eyes? And what does it mean for those eyes to be enlightened? The truth is that all of us are given spiritual eyes. All of us know and experience things that can’t be physically seen. We’ve all received and given some type of love. We’ve all had an intuition or belief that couldn’t be physically proven. And as believers, we’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit who longs to guide us to a perspective that far exceeds the span of this world.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Our Savior is calling us to a life lived for that which is unseen: the eternal. He is calling us out of the cycle of worldly pursuit into a greater calling of eternal significance. To live for heaven is to cast off that which is fleeting and temporary and seek that which can only be found with our heavenly Father.

Take time in guided prayer to look to that which is unseen. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your heart. Ask him to give you spiritual insight into your own life and the lives of others that you might call all those around you to live for heaven. Cast off those pursuits which tie you down to this world, and ask the Spirit to guide you into a lifestyle of seeking the kingdom of God above all else. May you discover the abundant life available to you in the Spirit as you worship your Father in both spirit and truth today.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of looking to that which is unseen. Allow Scripture to fill your heart with a longing to live for heaven.

“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:7

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any pursuits which are solely fleeting and temporary. Write down any ways in which you have not been looking to the unseen enough.

3. Ask the Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your heart that you might experience all that God has for you today.

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:18-20

Looking to that which is unseen is the door through which we experience the fullness of God’s presence available to us on the earth. As Jesus taught us, “God is spirit,” and to truly experience him we must cultivate a lifestyle of opening the eyes of our hearts. Our Father longs to lead us to a lifestyle of continual and transformational encounters with him. He longs to meet us at the doors of our hearts every morning that we might let him in to love us, speak to us, fill us, and transform us. May looking to that which is unseen guide you into deeper and more impactful encounters with the living God.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 4

How to Rejoice in the Good and the Bad..Jessica Van Roekel

 How to Rejoice in the Good and the Bad

By Jessica Van Roekel

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Habakkuk 3:17-19, ESV)

Storms on the prairie are breathtaking. The wind roars and swirls the grass. Clouds turn dark gray as they roll in like waves. Lightening sparkles in the sky and strikes the ground. But prior to the storm’s arrival, the weather conditions shift. The temperature drops, the humidity increases, and the sky transitions from brilliant blue to ominous gray. We see the storm coming and prepare for it. We tie down outside furniture and tuck our potted plants in the garage, and then we wait.

Sometimes we see storms on the horizon of our life. It might be a sense of unease about a situation or be fissures in a once close relationship. We tuck our hopes and dreams into a pocket in our hearts and prepare for the worst. Not everything in life will be sunshine and blue skies, but when we rejoice in both the happy and the sad times, we grow in our walk with Christ.

We don’t rejoice in God because of what he can do for us, we rejoice because of who he is. The book of Habakkuk reminds us to rejoice even when we experience desolation. Habakkuk knew God through a personal relationship, and so can we. We can get to know God and believe that he is good and can work out all things for his glory. God doesn’t need to prove himself to us in exchange for our allegiance and faithfulness. He calls us to himself because he is love. His love for us draws us, and as we draw near, we know him. When we know him, we can rejoice in him, even in the storms.

The Israelites needed Habakkuk’s encouragement to choose rejoicing even though they faced invasion by the Chaldeans. God’s people followed an unhealthy cycle of crying out to God, recommitting themselves to him, and then returning to idol worship. Each time they rejected God, another people group took them captive, but God continued to rescue them. During Habakkuk’s time, the people could see the storm on the horizon, and yet, they were called to rejoice through the invasion, destruction, and captivity.

Those who live by faith in God will be victorious. Living a victorious life doesn’t mean a life without suffering and pain. Victory means that God is with us, and rejoicing reminds us of who he is. Rejoicing helps us take God at his word because he is sovereign, good, and kind. It’s remembering that he keeps his promises and that he draws near the brokenhearted. Rather than fretting, we can rejoice.

We find joy because of what Jesus Christ has already accomplished for us and in his unchanging Word. We can know this kind of joy when we remain in a growing, personal relationship with him, obeying him, loving others, and being set apart from the evil in the world. This type of joy makes rejoicing possible when the storms overtake us and bring devastation. Rejoicing happens not because of where we are and what we experience but because of who holds our lives.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Your life might be filled with unexpected pain, whether it’s emotional or relational. You might have seen it coming like a storm warning and tried your best to prepare for it. Or it may have come up suddenly and taken you by surprise. Either way, rejoicing can feel hard. It can feel like you’re going through the motions because your emotions don’t match your decision to rejoice. Rejoicing decides to celebrate God. He is righteous and true. He doesn’t leave you or forsake you. He cares for you. His hand holds you close, and he knows every hair on your head. Today, remember what you have. You have Jesus. With him, you can look at the storm and rejoice your way through.

Further Reading:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Philippians 4:4

When Trouble Comes .. Katie Westenberg

 When Trouble Comes

By Katie Westenberg

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” Psalms 91:4

I have always loved the unique picture this verse calls to mind. I think of this powerful bird with its expansive wings tucked and fluffed into a cocoon of warmth and safety. For me. Protective and fierce, yet gentle and attentive; this is exactly the refuge I desire.

But I rarely consider what might be beyond this ambient environment. The very nature of the word refuge suggests being sheltered from something and Psalm 91 does not neglect what that might be.

From the trap. Fatal and epidemic disease. Terrors of the night. Arrows that fly by day. Destruction. Plagues that stalk and ravage, in the night and throughout the day. The word pictures here are equally as vivid as the feathered nest I was just wrapped in. It is easy for me to stop at verse four and look away from this part. But the hope we need is as much here as it is in the shelter.

This is what He is protecting us from. This is what He is protecting us through. This is what He is protecting us in the midst of. Verse 15 tells us he will be with us in trouble. He will deliver us.

Often when trouble comes we ask God why. Why do violent crimes happen to innocent people? Why do faithful people struggle with finances, marriages, children, hope. Tucked under His wing, we like to think the dangers, all that we fear, will cease around us. But His word never promises that. He promises us safety, Himself, in and amidst it all.

This psalm opens with a firm and fervent declaration. “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High, dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust…” (Psalm 91:1-2)

In trouble or at peace, the psalmist is making a bold and stubborn declaration. When we make the Lord our dwelling place (v. 9) his shelter through horrifying trouble is our hope. He is our hope.

May we not confuse the two. Trouble will come, but so will refuge for those who have set their hearts on Christ. He will give His angels charge over thee and answer when we call. We were never promised a life without hardship, a life without very real terrors and danger, but we are promised His presence with us, the security of His refuge around us.

We need not fear when trouble comes, or despair the horrors around us when we set our hearts firmly on the hope of His shelter, His deliverance, though it all.

A Prayer for Difficult Times..Heidi Vegh

 A Prayer for Difficult Times

By Heidi Vegh

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." - Psalm 9:9-10

No one is blind to the challenges that our world is facing today. Tragedy and hopelessness swarm the headlines, with little to no hope in sight. It can be easy to get caught up in the drama of the here and now, letting the challenges of this world and the challenges of daily life get the best of us.

I am no stranger to difficult times. I lost my husband to cancer in 2013 and was left caring for two small children. This tragedy sucked the wind out of my lungs and threw me to the ground. There were days that I didn’t feel that I could go on. The weight of grief was just too much to bear.

In my most hopeless state, I remembered what I had been taught my entire life. Even though I barely had the energy to breathe, I used what breath I could to cry out to the Lord.  He pulled me out of the pit of darkness, and over time, I was able to see light once again. Not without the challenges of widowhood and solo parenting that I had hauntingly in front of me, but I knew that I wasn’t alone. I could eventually see a new life form, and new hope was filling my depleted lungs.

God kept His promise in my life. Although He allowed tragedy to strike, He never left me forsaken. He didn’t forget about me. He comforted me, held me, and directed my steps as I slowly climbed out of a pit of despair.

The Psalmist in this passage is describing a God who will not abandon us. It does not mean that if we trust Him, we will be able to escape suffering and loss, but it does mean that no matter what we face, He will never leave us.

Despite all the tragedy happening around us, we can rest assured that we have a solid foundation in Christ. He is our true, unmovable rock that can withstand anything that this life can throw at us.

So let us remember this truth as we stand surrounded by difficulty in the world or in our own lives. Let us remember who God is and that His faithfulness to stand with us can be trusted.

God kept His promise in my life. Although He allowed tragedy to strike, He never left me forsaken. He didn’t forget about me. He comforted me, held me, and directed my steps as I slowly climbed out of a pit of despair.

The Psalmist in this passage is describing a God who will not abandon us. It does not mean that if we trust Him, we will be able to escape suffering and loss, but it does mean that no matter what we face, He will never leave us.

Despite all the tragedy happening around us, we can rest assured that we have a solid foundation in Christ. He is our true, unmovable rock that can withstand anything that this life can throw at us.

So let us remember this truth as we stand surrounded by difficulty in the world or in our own lives. Let us remember who God is and that His faithfulness to stand with us can be trusted.

I pray for the souls that strive for evil to prevail. I pray for an awakening in their hearts that allows them to see the damage and destruction that their actions cause. I pray for their hearts to turn towards you, which is where true change in the world will start.

I pray that we as a church can stand up for justice and truth when needed and to kneel every day in your presence. Give us the strength to endure difficulty in our own lives and give us wisdom and guidance in all the places that we need it.

I pray that despite the difficulty surrounding us we can stand firm in our faith. I pray we can share the love of Jesus with all those around us and that the lies and the schemes of the enemy will not prevail.

I lift the people who don’t know you, I pray you would bring people into their lives that can bring truth to their hearts and hope for their souls.

Thank you for your peace, Lord, and thank you that we can come to you and you meet us right where we are.
In your name, we pray, Jesus, amen.