Jesus is the Center..Craig Denison Ministries

 Jesus is the Center

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Devotional:           

All of eternity centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He is the all-important, eternity-changing, and humanity-redeeming Son of the living God. Colossians 1:15 tells us, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Hebrews 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” And at the time of his return, Revelation 19:16 says, “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

To center our lives around meeting with God is to build our foundation on the unshakable center of all eternity. To build our lives around encounters with Jesus is to place the anchor of our hope in the King of kings and Lord of lords. Only Jesus is faithful to his word. Only Jesus will accomplish that which he has promised us.

1 John 2:17 says, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” The will of God is to center our lives around his loving presence. God’s greatest commandment is that we would simply love him with all we do. To live differently than the world around you by centering your life around encountering Jesus is to chart a new path that leads to the fullness of life.

It may appear foolish to the world to place your hope solely in the person of Jesus, but nothing could be more important. It may look different to cast aside the pursuits of society such as comfort, status, and acclaim, but no greater decision could be made. You serve a God who was, is, and is to come. You belong to a King who laid down his life that you might truly live. You’ll find no greater joy, peace, or purpose than in serving Jesus alone. There is no greater life than one lived in full devotion to the King of all the earth.

Take time today to recommit yourself fully to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Step away from the limited perspective and think about the divine, eternal kingdom of God. Allow the truth of God’s word and love to fill you with the courage to choose devotion to him over service to yourself and the world around you. May your day today be filled with the abiding presence of King Jesus.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on Scripture about the person of Jesus. Remember that Jesus is alive and near. He is the living God, and Scripture says your life is wrapped up in him.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

2. In what ways is your life not centered around Jesus? In what ways are you living for the earth rather than for eternity?

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you center your life around who Jesus was and is. Ask him to fill you with the knowledge of his nearness and love for you. Open your heart and receive the presence of Jesus. Ask him to show you ways that you can center your life around him today.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as having said, “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” Is your life so wrapped up in Jesus that you would love and serve him at any cost? If not, know that there is grace. We only come to a place of full devotion by spending time consistently being loved by a selfless, servant-hearted God. May you rest in the grace of your heavenly Father today as you pursue a life centered around your loving Savior.

Extended Reading: Colossians 3

Obedience or Preference..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Obedience or Preference

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 26:36-42

Every believer must choose whether he will live by the principle of obedience or follow his preferences. When a person commits to doing the Lord’s will, then every situation and decision is sifted through the standard of "God said it, so I’m going to do it—and that’s the end of it." He may complain, weep, or try to argue. But in the end he will be obedient, no matter what.

I recall being invited years ago to interview with a church in Atlanta. During the entire road trip, I told the Lord that I didn’t want to move. I fussed and carried on a good while, but I knew Atlanta would be my new home. I didn’t like the idea, but the alternative was unimaginable: there are few things more unpleasant than living with the nagging anxiety that you missed out on something good.

The Lord certainly understands our need to question, cry out, and petition Him for the strength to do what He asks. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Jesus wasn’t excited or happy about the cross. He grieved over the coming separation from His Father. Nevertheless, He was committed to following God’s will (Matt. 26:39). No one took Christ’s life from Him; He laid it down (John 10:18).

Our lives are about fulfilling God’s purpose. Many people miss His awesome plan for them because they choose to follow their preferences. Obedience is sometimes hard, but the struggle and sacrifice are worth it. There is joy and peace for the believer who pleases the Lord and lives by His principles.

Okay..Annie Yorty

 Okay

By Annie Yorty

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Joshua 31:8 NLT

I punched in the phone number with doubt in my heart. Last I had seen Andrea, she seemed open to the possibility of going on a mission trip to Siberia. Yes, Siberia. Since then, though, I had moved, and now I didn’t live close enough to personally shepherd her through the process. Would she go that far out of her comfort zone without me there to hold her hand?

To be sure, Siberia was as far as anything could get outside Andrea’s prior experience. With just two decades of life in rural Kentucky under her belt, she had barely left her hometown, much less flown on a plane to the opposite side of the world. Nevertheless, my doubts did not convince me to hang up before she answered.

“Hello?” Andrea’s chipper voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Hey there!” I launched straight into my pitch. “Guess what time it is? I’m getting ready to go to Siberia. Do you remember how you said you might like to go?”
“Yeah,” she replied.
“If you’re going, now’s the time to get started.”

“Okay.” Okay? Just like that? Thankfully, I managed to keep the disbelief inside my head.
I took a deep breath, sure the list I was about to unleash would send her running. “Let’s go over what you need. First, you’ll need to get a passport.”
“Okay.”
“Then you’ll need to get some immunizations.”
“Okay.”

Then I described the arduous travel, daily schedule, support raising, visa application, booking flights, packing, spiritual preparation, and myriad other tasks that would fill her to-do list. Her reply to each one? “Okay.” I chalked up her unflappability to youthful naivete. Yet her calm acceptance in the face of all these unknowns impressed me. From where did such courage come?

Andrea possessed a certainty about God’s calling—His plan to use her—that made her brave. She had learned about Him as a little girl because another person followed God’s calling to bring the Baptist church van into her neighborhood to take kids to Sunday school. God’s calling weaves the threads of lives together into a wonderful tapestry of His glory. 

A man named Isaiah from long ago is part of that glorious fabric. Much of what we know about him is mingled with tradition and speculation, but he writes about a dramatic event that instilled courage to follow God’s calling. God filled Isaiah’s mind with a vision of Himself seated on His throne in a heavenly temple. God’s palpable glory overwhelmed Isaiah. Though the text doesn’t explicitly say, I imagine Isaiah dropping flat on the floor as he realizes his utter unworthiness to be in the presence of God’s holiness.

A winged creature attending God flew to Isaiah and cleansed him, removing his guilt and forgiving his sin. Then the unthinkable happened. God asked the room a question with an obvious outcome in mind (Isaiah 6:8 NLT). Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

Isaiah answered without hesitation. I said, “Here I am. Send me.” In other words, Isaiah said, “Okay.” God continues sending messengers to this day.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16 NASB)

Sin condemns people until they hear the gospel message and believe in the Lord Jesus. God called Andrea to speak His message of hope in Jesus to the people in Siberia. She’s not a member of some elite squad He chooses for this task. Indeed, God chooses every follower to participate. No excuses.

Jesus admonished his reluctant disciples about their excuses. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest. (John 4:35 NASB)

The harvest represents people in this world whose hearts God’s Spirit prepared to receive the good news of Jesus. Their situation is urgent. In fact, their lives hang in the balance. It’s time for all of us to step up and say, “Okay.”

After my phone call to Andrea that day, she checked off one after another item on that daunting to-do list until she finally ended up in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia before dawn one freezing February morning. God used her all-in attitude to spread His healing gospel and glory to needy hearts. Those who received Jesus will meet us again in heaven one day as we enjoy eternity with Him.

All that comes from one simple word—okay.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
What fears hold you back from saying “okay” to God’s call? Will you pray for the courage to obey Him?

Further Reading:
Isaiah 6:1-13

Why Is There Only One Way to Heaven?..Jennifer Waddle

 Why Is There Only One Way to Heaven?

by Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:5-6

Why did God provide only one way to heaven? Wouldn’t it have been more “user-friendly” to create many paths leading to eternity with Him?

In an attempt to illustrate God’s perfect plan, I picture a kingdom on a mountain. There is one road to the summit, leading right to the kingdom’s gates. A free map is offered to anyone who asks.

Yet, most people do not follow the map. For the road to the kingdom is narrow and not always easy to navigate. Instead, the travelers choose other roads. Wide and easy, with beautiful scenery on the way, they convince themselves that the road they’re on must lead to the kingdom! However, those paths never reach the summit. At some point, they either take a detour or simply dead end.

As people continue to trek up the mountain, I picture the Savior calling to all travelers, “Come, this is the way. Follow Me.” Yet, many go their own way, forging other paths and avoiding the One True Road at all cost.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His way is sure and His path is open to all.

What a divine blessing to be given the exact directions to eternity! There is no guesswork! There is no “re-calculating” the journey. Jesus paved the way once and for all without mistake.

God didn’t provide only one way to heaven out of a sense of arrogance or control, as some might believe. He lovingly and painfully carved out the only path that would reach.

Across the chasm of man’s sin and up the mountain of life’s journey, God gave His Son—the perfect Way. Every other road that man travels will fall short of His glory. It will dead-end. But, there is One who calls… “Come and follow Me.”

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

We want to experience God through the Bible… we really do!

But our good intentions fall flat when reading the Bible just doesn’t seem to help us experience God in a real way. What should feel alive often feels confusing and 

boring and irrelevant. But it doesn’t have to.

A Prayer for Us to Intentionally Encourage Others ..Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer for Us to Intentionally Encourage Others

By Maggie Meadows Cooper

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”  1 Thess.5:11

Stephanos, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Tychicus, Barnabus, Timothy, and Onesimus. When you hear these names, what does it make you think of? For many of us, most of these names would not “ring any bells” at all. So who were they? And why were they mentioned in Scripture?

The truth is that these names, these men, are some of the unsung heroes of the early Christian church. Not because of any bold, courageous acts that we know of but because of their everyday acts of faith and kindness. Although their mention is brief, it is powerful, and here’s why: these men were intentionally sent by Paul as encouragers of the early church. 

Now, many of you may be thinking that “encourager” doesn’t sound like a very important job, but how very wrong you would be, my sweet friends! An encourager is defined as “one who gives support, confidence, and hope or one who gives support or advice so that another will continue to do something.” Listen to the mentions of these men:

“When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.” Acts 11:22-23

“I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here…They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you…” 1 Corinthians 16:17-18

“Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.” Ephesians 6:21-22 BSB

“...we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through...” 1 Thesselonians 3:2-3

Y’all, life is hard right now. So very hard in so very many ways. Health, finances, relationships…the list goes on and, in truth, is ever-changing. From day to day, we don’t know what “bad news” might be next. It would be easy to crumble… live in fear and set a plan to dig in our heels and brace ourselves…will ourselves…to stand firm in our own strength for whatever tomorrow holds. But y’all, as Believers, we don’t have to do that. And we shouldn’t do that! Because we have a hope that the world and fellow Believers need to be reminded of. daily, hourly, and maybe even minute-by-minute. 

That is why Paul mentions these men. Because they were sent with reminders of the Hope that we have, and we should all do the same. For our family, friends, co-workers, and whoever the Lord places in our path, here are four reasons we should encourage others:

1. We need courage to stay true to the Lord. (Acts 11:22-23)

When Barnabas went to Antioch, he found some of the Believers who had been spreading the good news about Jesus to Gentiles, and they were turning to the Lord! But this outreach was not looked upon favorably by all. Just as today, when we share about Jesus, it is not affirmed or applauded by the world. But my sweet friends, we must “remain faithful to the things we have been taught…” (1 Tim.3:14) and encourage others to do the same by reminding them of all that the Lord has done (Ps.105:1). As our roots grow deeper into Him, He will give us the courage and strength for our faith to grow strong in the Truth (Col2:7-9).

2. There is power in standing together with fellow believers in speaking Truth. (1 Cor.16:17-18)

It is true that one person can shine a light. That one person can make a difference in another’s life. But there is strength in numbers. If fear creeps in or doubt begins to lessen your longing to encourage others, call in reinforcements! The Lord gave us each other for a reason! Don’t neglect meeting with other Believers (Heb.10:25) to lift each other up, as friends/”brothers” in Christ are there for times of adversity (Prov.17:17). 

3. Sharing how other Believers are growing encourages hearts. (Eph.6:21-22)

If you turn to the news on any given day, you will most likely be faced with stories full of the harsh, negative realities of this world. And if your heart is like mine, it can become discouraged very quickly. Those stories may make you question what the Lord is doing, where He is, and maybe if He even cares. But the answers to those questions are that He is working (John 5:17), He is right here with us (Is.41:10), and His heart breaks for the same things that break ours (Ps.34:18). And so, with the knowledge of this Truth, we need to make an extra effort to lift others up and share what He is doing in the little moments of our own lives and the lives of those we love. Our stories may not make the headlines, but they are still just as important and valuable and worthy of being told…and this world, those in our little worlds, need them to encourage their hearts.

4. We need strong faith to keep from being shaken in times of trouble. (1 Thess.3:2-3)

Y’all, speaking the name of the Lord has power! The ability to share what He is doing has done and will continue to do is a privilege that we have been given. The Psalmist said, “I believed in God, so I spoke” (2 Cor.4:13).  If we believe, we must encourage others to strengthen their faith so that when hard times come, they will be able to stay true, stand firm with refreshed spirits, and remember Whose they are. Satan loves nothing more than a defeated soul because in that, He has an opportunity to sneak fear, doubt, and discouragement in. That can then take root to anger, bitterness, resentment, and a host of other feelings that distance us from Truth and allow us to be shaken. 

What a gift it is to encourage others! To remind them of their intrinsic worth, the gifts they have been given, and the purposes they have been created for! And even more so, to remind them of a great big God, who loves them, is right there with them, and is worth telling the whole world about. 

Let's pray:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for all of the wonderful friends who have been an encouragement to me in my faith. Please give me the courage to encourage others in the same way, intentionally seeking and making the most of the opportunities I’ve been given. Help me to shine Your light and stand firm in challenging circumstances as I point to You as the reason for the hope that I have.
In Your Mighty Name,
Amen