God Longs for Us to Know His Love..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Longs for Us to Know His Love

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

One of the most scandalous truths of the gospel is that our Creator longs to be encountered by his creation. God longs to meet with us. His greatest desire is for relationship with us. I can’t fathom why God in all his holiness and goodness makes himself available to us, but it is the powerful truth of Scripture. God is pursuing each of us with his relentless love, seeking out those who might respond to his open invitation by opening the door of their hearts to him. My prayer is that in response to God’s desire to meet with his people we would be those who say yes to centering our lives around his nearness. May your week be marked by the reality of God’s presence and love.

Scripture:“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 8:37-39

Devotional:           

I’ve spent so much of my life striving to be loved. The overwhelming need to be loved by somebody, anybody, is at the heart of most every decision, thought, perspective, and action I make. We are created with a longing to be loved. God formed us with an insatiable need for love because he desires to satisfy that longing. You see, we no longer have to go through life wondering if we’re loved. Our God doesn’t hide his heart from us. He never holds back his love.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God demonstrated his love for us on the cross. But the cross also serves as a reminder that God will, now and forever, continually pour out his love. Not only did he commit a powerful act of love then, but he also makes his love available to us now.

Psalm 26:3 says, “For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.” And Psalm 36:5 says, “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” The love of God is continually available to us. His steadfast love is here, ready to be experienced. God longs to so satisfy our great need for love that we stop seeking it from the world. He longs to so fill us up with his unconditional affections that we would no longer strive to be loved, but simply find rest in him.

Romans 8:37-39 says,

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.

There is nothing we could ever do to separate ourselves from the love of God. As soon as we feel the need to be loved we can always turn our hearts toward our heavenly Father and simply receive a fresh awareness of his powerful, unconditional love. Stop working to be loved. Stop striving for that which is already yours. What are the affections of man in comparison to the love of your Creator? What is the fleeting, fickle praise of man in comparison to the all-consuming, powerful, and truthful love of God? May your life be marked by a peace that comes from resting in the love of your heavenly Father alone.

Guided Prayer:

1. Reflect on your need for love. In what ways do you strive to be loved every day? Who have you been seeking out love from to fill a need in your life? Where have you been striving for the opinion of man?

2. Meditate on the unconditional nature of God’s love. Meditate on the availability of his presence.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“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

“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 8:37-39

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you encounter to love of God today. Ask God how he feels about you and wait for a sense of his love. Rest in the truth of Scripture and receive the love of your heavenly Father.

“For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.” Psalm 26:3

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5

One of the most powerful truths about God’s love can be found in 1 John 4:18. Scripture says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” God’s love makes us fearless. Who or what is there to fear when the God of the universe truly loves us? What cause is there for fear when God would send his only Son to die that we might simply have relationship with him? Rest in the love of God today and allow the truth of his affections for you to cast out any fear you have. There is no reason to fear. God has you and loves you. May you find peace and joy today in response to the steadfast love of your heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: 1 John 4

The Nature of Conviction..Dr.Charles Stanley

 The Nature of Conviction

Dr.Charles Stanley

John 16:7-11

Jesus assured His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away so that the Helper could come (John 16:7)--God sends Him to convict people of their sin. Since the Holy Spirit is unlimited by time or space, He can reach out to every individual on the planet. However, His work differs with regard to believers and unbelievers.

With regard to unbelievers, God's Spirit penetrates the heart and brings awareness of wrongdoing. He reveals that according to God's holy standard, they have sinned and stand condemned by their transgression. Unbelief is the greatest sin against God, so every prick of the heart is meant to point out their need for the Savior.

As for believers, the Holy Spirit deals with them on the basis of their relationship with Jesus Christ and convicts us of disobedience to Him. In other words, He makes us aware of specific sins and the Lord's attitude about them. But He also prompts us to be accountable before Christ for our wrongdoing by confessing it and repenting.

Convicting believers of sin is an important part of the Holy Spirit's job, but He is equally delighted to make them aware of the Lord's approval. God commends righteous living, obedient actions, and loving acts done in His name.

While conviction is often uncomfortable for unbelievers and believers alike, it's a beautiful demonstration of God's love. He desires to bring us into the center of His will and keep us there for our good and His glory. The Holy Spirit's work makes that possible, if we choose to follow His promptings.

Rekindling the Fire..Rev. Kyle Norman

 Rekindling the Fire

By Rev. Kyle Norman

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

My family and I love to watch the show Survivor. We clear our schedules, make some popcorn, and watch the drama unfold. As anyone who watches the show will know, in the game of Survivor, fire represents life. So, building a fire is often one of the first things the tribe must accomplish. Furthermore, making fire is also the final challenge of the season. Making fire is perhaps the most important skill that a Survivor player can have. Despite this importance, making fire is something that people struggle with. Every season we see people gather their coconut husks and sticks beneath them and strike their flint relentlessly; they blow on every spark until they are red in the face. This can go on for hours, leaving them exhausted and frustrated.

When Scripture says we are to fan into flame the gift of God in us, I wonder if we picture the fire-making challenges of Survivor. Do we assume that fanning the flame involves exhausting ourselves with trying to whip up this blazing inferno, an inferno that sometimes, oftentimes, does not seem to materialize? And with that picture in our minds, do we find ourselves spiritually exhausted or discouraged?

The problem, of course, is that this picture assumes that we must start from scratch. We assume that we need to gather the appropriate materials, exert our effort, and create the blaze. Making fire out of nothing communicates that the fire is dependent on our ability or strength, and if a fire does not occur, then there is no one to blame but ourselves. We just need to be better or try harder.

Have you ever felt that? Have you ever believed that God’s presence and power were contingent on your knowledge, ability, or skill? Have you ever feared that, despite your best efforts, you will never be able to earn the fire of God’s presence?

When Paul urges Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God in him, he isn’t calling Timothy to work harder or try more. He is not telling Timothy that he is the one to build the fire. In fact, Paul is saying the exact opposite. Paul urges Timothy to notice the fire of God that is already present in his life. The word Paul uses literally means to “kindle anew.” The implication is that Timothy is asked to stir up the flame that is already glowing, already burning, and already moving. 

Paul wants Timothy to stop looking at all the reasons that cause him to fear, all the reasons that may keep him timid or afraid, and to notice the fire of God that burns inside him. Timothy was a young minister trying to serve God in a time of intense persecution, suffering, and turmoil. It wouldn’t be a stretch to believe that there were days when Timothy believed himself to be incapable of the task at hand.   Yet Paul encourages him to look to the fire rather than his fear. Paul encourages him to not be ashamed, to not hold back, and to walk boldly into the ministry that God called him to. 

Intersecting Faith in Life:
 What causes us to fear? Are we afraid of being rejected by family or friends? Do we fear that our Christian life won’t be as perfect or as put together as others? Are we afraid of being hurt, by other Christians, by the church, or even by God?  Living our spiritual lives in fear is to base our life with God on our ability. It’s just another version of blowing on sparks trying to create a fire. In the end, we are left feeling empty and exhausted.

This isn’t God's desire for you. We are to kindle anew the gift of God that is within us. We are to engage the fire of God that is already at work. Our lives are part of the grand story of God’s activity. Just as God had previously worked in Timothy’s grandmother and mother, God has moved in the people and places of our lives to bring us to this moment. The power of God flows in us, through us, and around us. And so we can go forward in the power and presence of God.  

The fire of God is present in your life. Just as a pillar of fire lead Israel through the wilderness, the fire of God will direct your path. Simply step forward into the places where that fire leads you. Follow the leading of the Spirit and do so boldly. God didn’t place in you a spirit of fear but one of power, love, and self-discipline. There is no telling what God will do when we allow God’s fire to move within us.

For Further reading:
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Hebrews 12:18-29

Believing God Is Pleased with Us..Lynette Kittle

 Believing God Is Pleased with Us 

By Lynette Kittle

“And the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” - Luke 3:22

Floating around the pool on a 100+ degree summer day, it was a sweet, unexpected moment when a white dove and his companion landed in the waterfall fountain for a drink. After taking several drinks and splashing around in the water, the pair flew over me as they left the water.

It was such a lovely moment, one that turned my thoughts to Luke 3:22. “And the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”

Often when we read passages like this, it’s easy to think, “Well of course, it was Jesus, God was talking about, so how could He not be well pleased with Him?”

Yet, we usually don’t believe God feels the same way about us. We tend to think He is looking at us in a critical way, seeing our weaknesses and failings rather than believing how Scripture says He sees us.

Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, everything God sees in Him, He now sees in us, too. Colossians 3:3, explains, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

Likewise, Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

When we accept God’s gift of Salvation, we, too, become His loved sons and daughters. Like Ephesians 4:24 describes, we put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. In Christ, we become God’s beloved children in whom He is well pleased.

Still, it’s a hard concept for many of us to grasp, for us to believe God sees us this way, so sometimes He helps us to understand in ways it’s easier for us to comprehend.

For example, my daughters and I have fun playing a karaoke video game called “Sing It.” In it, each player creates a virtual character, chooses a song and virtual venue, and sings to a virtual crowd. Singing into a microphone, performance scores add up. As a player excels, they are rewarded onscreen with a radiant glow surrounding their character, along with music notes flowing from the microphone.

One night in a dream, I was on the “Sing It” stage, surrounded by a soft glowing light with music notes flowing from my microphone.

In waking up, I sensed God assuring me of His pleasure in me in a way I understood, turning my thoughts to 1 John 3:1. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

A Prayer for Parenting Teenagers..Heidi Vegh

 A Prayer for Parenting Teenagers 

By Heidi Vegh

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

I am smack dab in the middle of parenting two teenage boys. It feels like only yesterday that they were my sweet, snuggly, innocent babies. They needed me, and I felt like their mommy. Today, it's hard to feel anything but their lunch maker and room cleaning nagger. I feel like they are slipping through my fingers, and I am powerless to stop them. I feel out of control most days when it comes to phone time, homework, chores, eating habits, etc. They are gaining more independence, but with that comes a level of anxiety for me as their mother. I still long to control all that they do, but I know that I need to begin to let go in certain areas, allowing them to make their own mistakes and experience the consequences of their poor choices. 

Teenagers are at a sensitive time in their development when their prefrontal cortex is stretching its legs and seeking to understand who this person is and what they will become. This is the decision-making part of the brain, and as it is still developing in these teen years, it goes without saying that they are doing things that make me want to pull my hair out. When teens appear to be rebelling, it can easily be them striving to find independence. This pulling away and desire for space is a natural part of growing up. 

Teens struggle for acceptance among peers, and as parents, we need to remind them that they are loved and accepted just as God created them, not because of how they look, what they drive, or the toys that they possess. We need to pray against the negative influence they are most assuredly receiving from their peers. We need to be the loudest voice in their life, filling their hearts and minds with the truth of God’s Word and combating the enemies' lies that are pouring into them daily.

Teens are desiring to be in control of their own lives. They want to have a say in what they do and how they do it. If we try to force things on them, this will only lead to the rebellion that we are trying to avoid. These are natural and normal parts of development for both boys and girls. The more we understand what is going on with our teens emotionally, physically, and hormonally we can begin to develop compassion for their behavior and react with love instead of annoyance and pour out acceptance and grace instead of anger and punishment. 

This is easier said than done, but I believe that God created teens with a purpose in mind, knowing full well that they would need to go through these stages to become the person He created them to be. Let's not fight against the natural process of maturation in our teens but instead partner with the Lord to assist their growth with love, spur on their independence and give them opportunities to make good choices. 

Let’s Pray

Dear God,
I lift my teenagers to you. Please give me wisdom as I parent them through these tumultuous years. I feel as though I am losing my grip on them as they are seeking independence and control of their own lives. Please give me grace when I notice that some of their choices do not bring life. Give me your words for each specific situation, and give me the ability to react with grace and love. Please protect them from the schemes of the enemy and put a hedge around their hearts and minds that would deflect anything coming at them that is not from you.

Help me to encourage them in their walk with you, and help me to speak truth and life over them every day. Help me remind them how much they are loved by me and by you. Help me to teach them that they will only reach their full potential if they include you in their life. Help me to cultivate an environment where they feel free to make choices but in a space that is bound by love and protection. Help me to let them go in the most supportive way possible without being overprotective or overbearing. 

I surrender them to you, Lord, and ask that you lead and guide them as they continue to mature and grow. Show them the right path for their life and protect them from choices that may be detrimental. Breathe your life over them every day in all their activities, and show me how to love them in the best possible way. Thank you for the privilege of parenting my children, and please strengthen our relationship every day.
Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of motherhood. Amen.