Love-based Simplicity.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Love-based Simplicity

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” The greatest of all aspects of the Christian life is love. Love is to be at the foundation of all we do, all we are, and all we hold on to. If we focus on love and allow the Holy Spirit to strip everything else away, what will be left is a life of blessed simplicity rooted in face-to-face relationship with our heavenly Father. As we spend time this week looking at the simplicity of love, I pray that all the weighty, frivolous things of the world that rob you of an abundant life fall away in light of the glorious goodness of God’s unconditional and wholly available love for you.

Scripture:“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Devotional:           

God’s command to love affords us a life of simplicity that can only be found in his kingdom come to earth. Colossians 3:14 says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Christianity is a simple religion. Jesus said that all of God’s commandments can be summed up with one word: love. Galatians 5:14 says, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” How is it then that our spirituality often feels so complex and difficult? How is that we have a hard time experiencing the simplicity our faith affords us?

Complexity in Christianity finds its root in the attempt to live for both the world and God. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Loving God and people is simple. There is only one right choice before us in all that we do. Complexity enters into our lives as soon as we try and juggle living for the world and living for God. There is a fence between this world and God’s kingdom too high to straddle. It is impossible to put one foot in God’s kingdom while keeping a foot in the world.

God longs for you and me to make our first action every day to serve and love him alone. He longs to guide us into the incredible, abundant life that comes from seeking his kingdom above all else. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” You cannot have both love for the world and love for your heavenly Father. This world is at enmity with God (James 4:4). It is set against him and his ways. But you and I have been given a choice by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus. We’ve been given a real, available option to serve and love the eternal, Almighty God.

It’s time for the bride of Christ to end its affair with the world. It’s time for us to let God love us and in response live for him alone. It’s time for us to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Choose today the simplicity of love. Serve God alone. And discover a life far greater than anything you could experience outside of living for God above all else.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the impossibility of loving God and the world. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to seek God first today in all that you do.

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

2. How have you been in friendship with the world? In what ways are you trying to serve two masters?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

3. Confess any sin of pursuing the world to God and receive his forgiveness and love. God has total grace for us in our sin. All he wants is to guide us to a life more filled with his presence, love, and purpose. Don’t wallow in your sin. Receive God’s gift of forgiveness and choose to live differently.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

It’s incredibly important as believers to acknowledge both our sin and the powerful transformation through God’s love that’s available to us. So often we allow our past sins and present failures to define us. In reality, we’re given an opportunity every day to receive God’s transformation and healing that we might live more like Jesus. Lamentations 3:23 tells us that his mercies are new every morning. If you will receive the mercies available to you today, you can choose to live your life differently. Have faith in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you to help you. Ask him to show you the root of your sin that you might receive healing and transformation. May you discover today a wonderful life rooted in the simplicity of love.

Extended Reading: James 4

A Worldly Heart..Dr. Charles Stanley

 A Worldly Heart

Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Peter 2:9-18

God warns us against misguided desires, because sinful passions can lead to emptiness, suffering, disappointment, pain, and even death. Wise believers let the Father direct their yearnings--and then make changes if necessary.

Impure desires have been part of the "flesh" nature since the fall of man, and they can be hard to see in ourselves. Instead of obvious things like theft, drugs, or immorality, they often involve more subtle attitudes and behaviors, like hoping for a rival's downfall, despising authority (2 Peter 2:10), obsessing about wealth (1 Tim. 6:9), or even speaking arrogant and vain words. Since worldly passions can cause great damage (2 Peter 2:18), believers are to deny them (Titus 2:11-12). But we can't overcome these desires on our own. Submitting to God's Spirit is the only way to live righteously.

The Lord knows what we really desire--and more importantly, what we need--even when cloudy judgment leads us astray. And He understands honest mistakes. When a believer misinterprets the Spirit's guidance or receives bad advice from a friend, God looks at the heart. He may allow the consequences of a poor choice to play out, but He won't shame His children for an honest mistake. He can turn a bad situation into something good (Rom. 8:28).

God can save us from worldly desires, but we must be willing to commit ourselves to Him and trust that His response is the best thing for us. When we put our lives entirely in the Father's hands, we can claim the wonderful promises He has for us and then rest in His grace.

Today, If You Hear His Voice..Lynette Kittle

 Today, If You Hear His Voice

by Lynette Kittle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: As has just been said: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." -Hebrews 3:15

Have you ever had God speak to heart about an issue, maybe multiple times, yet you keep thinking you’ll deal with it or make it right later?

If so, did you know every time you ignore His urging, your heart may be hardening towards the Lord? And by delaying to submit to His will, you are risking being able to obey Him in the future concerning the matter?

It’s easy to think you’ll take care of it when it works better in your schedule or you’re ready to turn away from the situation but Scripture says you may not have that opportunity.

As well, do you know that God views your delay in submitting as your testing Him because you aren’t yielding to His leading?

Throughout the Bible, God urges to “not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16).

Scripture describes how the Israelites through their disobedience in the wilderness tested and tried God for 40 years. It explains how the errors in their hearts caused them to go astray and become harden towards Him (Psalm 95:7-10). Doing so cost them missing out on enjoying the good things God had prepared and planned for them.

In the wilderness during Jesus’ 40 day fast, Satan tempted Him to test God but Jesus reminded him of what Scripture states, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7).

Maybe you thought you could try various things labeled off-limits because you could stop anytime you want to end it, thinking you’ll have the strength to make that decision whenever you want.

It’s what the enemy of your soul wants you to believe, that you are strong enough to play around with disobedience and be able to give it up anytime you feel like it. But the truth is sinful deeds have a way of ensnaring individuals and the cords of their sins hold them fast” (Proverbs 5:22).

Psalm 40:12 describes how easily this scenario can happen to an individual, “my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.”

Scripture urges you to not be deceived in these matters because a person reaps what he or she sows, and whoever sows to please their flesh, reaps destruction (Galatians 6:7-8).

So if you find yourself today in this situation, is there any hope? Is it too late, yet?

“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts’” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Turn to God, cry out as David did saying, “Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord to help me” (Psalm 40:13).

Know that the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 145:8). Find comfort in knowing Jesus is able to empathize with your weaknesses, as He was tempted in every way, like us, yet didn’t sin (Hebrews 4:15).

1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Take this opportunity, this very minute, to make things right with God. Don’t risk losing this moment when your heart may be softened to obey Him. Don’t take for granted you’ll have another time to do so.

Recognize your responses to God’s leading matter to Him. Take into prayerful consideration the cost of your decision, how the good things God has planned for your future may be in jeopardy.

A Prayer for Strength for What’s Ahead..Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for Strength for What’s Ahead

By Kristine Brown

“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2 NIV)

The Israelites stood on the banks of the Red Sea, staring across at what appeared to be a hopeless situation. Behind them, the enemy closed in. Doubt got the better of them as they expressed their cynicism to their leader, Moses. But Moses knew God had a plan and didn’t bring them this far to leave them stuck. God would show strength beyond what they could imagine— strength they would need for the journey ahead.

This familiar story recorded in Exodus 14 describes the moment Moses stretched out his staff and watched the raging waters split in two. What an awesome thing to see! God took his people across dry land then allowed the water to swallow up the pursuing Egyptian army. He made a way where there seemed to be none, showing the Israelites that although the road ahead would be rough, they could count on His strength to make it.

So many times in life I’ve felt like the Israelites on that day, wedged in between bad and worse, waiting on God to act and wondering if He hears my cry for help. When I see a hard road ahead, I try to muster up the strength to push through. But God reassures us in His Word that He will be our strength. 

Exodus 15:2 says, “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” 

Standing safely on the other side of the river, God’s people sang praises that included those words. They showed faith in God to provide and believed He would be their strength for whatever obstacles they faced.

When we see what’s ahead and feel powerless to face it, we can trust God to help us. He is faithful, and He promises to never leave us. Just like the Israelites, doubt may threaten to take over. But we can “stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring.” (Exodus 14:13) 

Unfortunately, the Israelites let their faith waver on their path to the Promised Land. By the time they’d reached the Desert of Shur, doubt returned. Even after singing these words of praise, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” (Exodus 15:13) But even in the midst of doubt, God is faithful. Let’s learn from the Israelites’ story of deliverance and trust Him to be our strength for what’s ahead. 

Let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I look at the path ahead of me, I get discouraged. I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough to face it alone. I’m having doubts as I think about my situation. Help me to rely on your strength above all else. I know that even though the path may be difficult, I can make it with your help.

Lord, forgive me for thinking that I’m all alone. You are always with me, and I need to seek you in prayer and trust that you hear me. You are a faithful Father, so I stand on the promise of your presence right now. I believe you are my Helper, my Guide, and my Deliverer. Thank you for supplying the strength I need. Not only for today, but for whatever lies ahead. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.