Do We Know Him?..Craig Denison Ministries

 Do We Know Him?

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:“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

Devotional:           

Of all that God longs to reveal to us, his children, he most desires that we would simply come to know him. Of all the great mysteries, truths, plans, and longings of his heart, he most desires that we would find all our satisfaction, joy, and purpose in relationship. Jeremiah 9:23-24 describes this profound desire in the heart of God. Scripture says,

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.

What greater knowledge is there than that of God? What greater pursuit exists than knowing the heart of our Creator, the God who would lay down his life to make himself available to us? You and I can know God in deeper, more transformative ways than we can know anyone else. Through the blood of Christ, God has made himself more available and nearer to us than we have yet to discover.

Psalm 46:10 is a powerful and incredible command of the Lord. Our heavenly Father says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In a world wrought with the hectic chaos of task after task, God says to us, “Be still and simply know me.” In a world founded on the principles of earn and receive,  God has an open invitation before us to know him apart from any merit of our own. We can know God simply because he desires to be known. We can know God simply because he loves us right now, as we are.

More than God desires any work of our hands or any gifting he could place within us, he wants us to know him. So often we get caught up in the works of the kingdom and forget that our chief purpose in life is simply to be enjoyed by God and to enjoy him in return. This life is meant to be about relationship above all else. It’s meant to be about continually encountering the heart of our heavenly Father that we so often live without.

Out of all that we know, may we know God himself the best. Out of all the knowledge and wisdom we can gain from Scripture, may our highest pursuit be a true, intimate knowledge of its Author. Out of all the earth-shattering works set before us, may we know the God whom we serve. And at the end of our days, may our lives have been chiefly marked by a true, passionate, intimate relationship with our heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the availability of knowing God. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire to know God above all else.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

2. What pursuits are higher in your life than knowing your heavenly Father? What is a higher priority to you than simply having relationship with God? Take an honest look at your heart, time, actions, and perspectives.

3. Ask the Lord to help you be someone who is simply enjoyed by him and enjoys him. Ask him to help you cast aside all other pursuits that aren’t in line with this chief pursuit. Make space and time to “Be still, and know that [he] is God” (Psalm 46:10).

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

Recentering our lives around relationship with God is a process in which God has total patience and grace. He knows that you will only center your life around that which you chiefly enjoy. He knows it takes time for him to become your chief joy. But this is most definitely the highest, most important process you can pursue. When he becomes your chief joy, all other aspects of life find their proper place. When he becomes your chief joy, your emotions will no longer be subject to the fickle, fleeting things of the world, but rather grounded in the unshakable, unchanging nature of your heavenly Father. May you offer your whole heart to God today that you might fully enjoy him. May his love and presence be the foundation of your life. And may you seek relationship with him above all else.

Extended Reading: Psalm 46

Assurance in Trials..Dr.Charles Stanley

 Assurance in Trials

Dr.Charles Stanley

Romans 8:32-39

We all experience hardship, and trials can shake us unless we cling to truth. Let me share three assurances to remember when troublesome circumstances arise.

First, God will always meet our needs. This doesn't mean He provides everything we want. Instead, the Lord will bless us with all that is necessary to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His goal is to sanctify us, not simply to satisfy each immediate desire.

Second, we're never alone. God promised to be with us always (Heb. 13:5). Loneliness often accompanies hardship, so we may feel deserted or opposed by family and friends. But our Father has sent His Spirit to be with us and in us, until the day He brings us to heaven (John 14:16-17). He is all we need--our advocate, guide, helper, and comforter. Recognizing His intimate presence gives us confidence in the midst of trials.

Third, God's love is eternal. Regardless of our circumstances or poor decisions, His care is unconditional--even when He reprimands us. Loving parents allow disobedient children to experience the consequences of wrong choices; they recognize the benefit of learning from mistakes. Of course, there are also times when we are negatively affected by others' wrong actions. Even then, God is sovereign and allows only what will bring good in His followers' lives.

In difficult times, we can remember that God will meet all of our needs, is always with us, and loves us forever. Though Jesus said we would face troubles in this life, He offered encouragement: The ultimate victory is His. So keep in mind that trials are fleeting, whereas our Father's love is forever.

Remember God is Faithful..John Barnett

 Remember God is Faithful

By John Barnett

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

What should be our response to what we've learned through Revelation 19 this week and last? Look at verse 19:10 again: "I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." There are two gems in this verse: 1) worship God, and 2) see Jesus.

Worship God by giving Jesus your consecration. Focus on the reverent presentation of all you have to God, which is your spiritual worship: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).

Worship God by yielding to Jesus: "Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. . . . It came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight" (Luke 24:27-31).

Worship God by earnestly living for Jesus: "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow" (1 Peter 1:10-11).

Make a Choice to Live in Hope: To live in enduring hope, reaffirm today that you will not let anything interfere with consecrating your body and your life to Him. Ask the Lord to empower you to not walk in pride, to not walk undisciplined in lust, to not let anything wicked be before your eyes, and to not let your hands be used for things that defile and thus grieve and quench the Holy Spirit. Make this commitment to Jesus: By Your grace, I will not let myself be any less than a consecrated sacrifice to You. That is how you can worship the Lord as He deserves.

So then, I exhort you to choose to see Jesus as Faithful and True. See Him as the faithful One who always speaks Truth. See Him as the One who will never break a promise. See Him as the One you can always trust!

A Prayer for the Discouraged..Andy Lee

 A Prayer for the Discouraged

By Andy Lee

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Discouragement is dangerous. It’s one of the greatest tactics of the enemy, because discouragement ushers in doubt, and doubt makes us question our calling or even worse, our faith. Discouragement stirs frustration and apathy. It whispers to our hearts that we aren’t good enough, nothing will ever change, or we heard God wrong. Discouragement strips our courage to continue, but our God is bigger than discouragement.

God knows the human heart. He knows our weaknesses, and that is why as he prepared Joshua to step into Moses’s shoes to lead the Israelites into the Promise Land, he knew Joshua and the generations of believers to follow would need this command and promise.

But this is not just a command. This is an assurance. Another way to translate this scripture is: “Have I not appointed you?” God was reminding Joshua that God himself had chosen Joshua for this position. God had prepared him. God believed in him, and God would never leave him.

Perhaps this is why, centuries later, as Paul sat chained in a prison cell, discouragement did not silence his pen. Despite his lack of freedom, Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in prison through his letters to the churches. Chains did not stop him because he never doubted his call nor the presence of Jesus.

Discouragement only holds power over us when our eyes are fixed on failure or disappointment rather than the promised presence of God. When we lean heavily on our feelings rather than Scripture, we risk allowing the giant of discouragement to threaten us as Goliath did David. Remember how David responded to Goliath’s taunts?

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.” - 1 Samuel 17:45

Not only did David knock down this giant with one smooth stone, but he also used his sword to cut off Goliath’s head. The giant’s lips would never again speak words of discouragement and doubt. This bully was silenced by the power of YHWH working through a little shepherd boy who had been appointed by God.  

For those of us discouraged today, may we stand up against discouragement. Let us grab our swords of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and stand up against our feelings. May the Lord help us lean on Scripture and practice His presence in prayer. God has called us. He is with us.

Let’s pray:

Dear God,
We are so easily discouraged. Social media constantly reminds us that someone else seems to be doing a better job, has a stronger marriage or is a better parent. Our success pales in comparison to others, and even though we know better, we can’t silence the taunts of discouragement weighing down our hearts. We want to quit. We’ve lost our courage, our strength to continue. We need you.

Lord, please speak louder than the doubts. Lead us to scriptures that speak into our circumstances and remind us of your presence and promises. Your Word is active. It’s sharper than any double-edged dagger. Pierce the lies. Silence the foe and clean out the wounds infected with doubt.

We want to serve you in the workplace, in our marriages, and in our families knowing without a doubt that you called us to these places. You will not, and you have not forsaken or left us. Open our receptors to your Presence and our ears to your voice. Forgive us for our doubts and fears and help us trust your truth more than our feelings.

Thank you, Lord, for the trials of faith. Thank you for this discouragement because it draws us to you. It keeps us humble. Just as Joshua couldn’t go into the Promised Land without you, neither can we. On our days when we feel we’re finished and should quit, give us a glimpse of hope. Show us why it’s not time to change directions. Show us you’re here. Don’t let us measure success with the world’s measuring stick. Give us an eternal perspective.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Gratitude in Affliction..Dr.Charles Stanley

 Gratitude in Affliction

Dr.Charles Stanley

At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings. But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change? A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks. By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.    

Believe and trust the Lord. Only by viewing life from a scriptural perspective can we understand His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.

Accept the situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed. If we truly believe He's working for our good (Rom 8:28-29), we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then we can say "Thank You."

Submit to God in the circumstance. Although we may not like the situation, knowing that God "[is] good and does good" (v. 68) allows us to confidently place our lives under His authority.

Draw from Him the strength to endure. No one has the ability within himself to endure hardships with gratefulness. Only by relying on the Lord can believers go through adversity with an appreciative heart.

Now, think about that circumstance you would like changed, and with a new mindset, offer this prayer to God: "Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority, and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude."