Poor in Spirit..Craig Denison Ministries

 Poor in Spirit

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The biblical concept of being poor in spirit is foundational to every aspect of the Christian life. Foundational to salvation is a heart-level acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. Foundational to experiencing God’s love is acknowledging our great need of love. Foundational to heavenly peace and joy is an acknowledgment that this world truly offers us neither. If we want all that God in his grace offers, we must pursue a lifestyle of being poor in spirit. May you experience more of the depth of God’s love this week as you discover God’s heart to minister to those desperate for him.

Scripture:“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

Devotional:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Who is this God that he would bless those who are spiritually impoverished with the greatest gift of all: the kingdom of heaven? Our God demonstrated his wealth of grace, help, and love to all who were in need through the words and actions of Jesus. Jesus, who came to reveal the heart of the Father, was undoubtedly drawn to the weak, desperate, and estranged. And in comparison to his affection for the impoverished he was incredibly critical of all those enveloped with mankind’s chief sin: pride.

Jesus’ ministry made clear what thousands of years of religion, sin, and the rule of the law obscured: the necessity of being poor in spirit to have true relationship with God. You see, even today we buy into a false doctrine that our works somehow justify us to God. Even today we believe that we must clean ourselves up, do better, work harder, or love more to have relationship with our heavenly Father. Jesus came to obliterate works-based relationship and to reveal God’s heart of unconditional, grace-filled, unchanging, and system-shattering love.

Jesus powerfully illustrates this truth in Luke 18:9-14. May his words shed light on any part of our hearts that still believe we must do something to deserve the affections of a loving Father:

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Your Father loves you because he loves you. He longs to exalt you. He longs to bless you. He longs to pour out the full extent of his loving-kindness over every possible area of your life. But to reward you for a works-based mentality is to reinforce behavior that will only harm you. It’s only in acknowledging your total and utter dependency on God that you will be able to receive the depth of his love. It’s only in serving him because you are loved, rather than to be loved, that your works will yield heavenly fruit. It’s only in being poor in spirit that you will discover yourself already perfectly and completely loved, liked, and enjoyed. You will then experience the freedom and joy that comes from uninhibited relationship with God’s limitless love.

Take time in guided prayer to search out the true condition of your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate any part of your life that is works-based rather than grace-based. Be honest with yourself and God that the fullness of your need would be met with the fullness of his love for you.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of being poor in spirit. Allow Scripture to ignite in you a pursuit of consistently acknowledging your need.

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15

“All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you think of any ways in which you are living a works-based life instead of a grace-based life. Where are you doing life in your own strength? Where are you working for the affection of God and others? Where are you striving for that which is already yours in Christ?

3. Take time to acknowledge your need before God. Be honest with the condition of your heart. Be honest with your sin and brokenness. Receive the love of God who gives it freely, not because you deserve it, but because he is good.

“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

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

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16

“To be human is to be poor” (Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel). All of us are broken. All of us are in need. The greatest symptom of our brokenness is not acknowledging it. It’s only in pride that our need goes unmet. It’s only in pride that our brokenness is without healing. We serve a good, loving Father who has always loved us. When we stop trying to prove to ourselves, God, and others that we have our lives together, we actually begin to truly live. There is overwhelming freedom, joy, and love in living with the reality that we are wholly accepted and loved just as we are. May you discover the abundant life available to you as you live poor in spirit.

Extended Reading: Psalm 51

God Sees Our Troubles..Christopher Eyte

 God Sees Our Troubles 

By Christopher Eyte

“... you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary.” - Luke 10:41b-42a 

We had a 180-mile journey ahead of us and the kids were happy enough in the back of our large estate car, which we’d owned for years, as we trundled along the motorway. I was keen to get to our destination and a reunion with my close relatives. My wife was the driver and patiently endured my awful jokes as we headed east. 

Suddenly a small light flashed on the dashboard. I ignored it. My two approaches to tech-gone-wrong are: [1] Hit the malfunctioning item with my fist, e.g. punching a flickering TV (this actually works well) or [2] Pretend I don’t see the potential problem in hope that someone with expertise will materialize, and then fix it. Anyway ... I couldn’t really punch the dashboard and I tried ignoring the light but it didn’t disappear. I got my phone and turned to the 21st century 'fount of all wisdom': Google. 

“It says the flashing symbol means the engine is overheating. If we carry on driving, it might kill the engine. We need to pull over immediately.” The overheating symbol disappeared and then the battery symbol flashed. And that was it - the engine died. My wife skilfully brought the car to a stop on the rescue lane of the motorway. My children began firing questions as we fumbled for rescue service documents. I sensed danger as the car rocked and jolted in the airflow of trucks and cars hurtling down the road beside us. 

It was a highly perilous situation, and so we got the kids out and away from the car - leading them carefully into the brambles and discarded litter behind a safety barrier. We made our way to a steel staircase below a highway sign, and I tried to sound cheerful. Neither my wife nor my kids were happy, but at least we were all safe. 

“Look!” My wife pointed to highway patrol officers who had pulled up behind our isolated car. I ran to meet them and, not being much of a jogger, leant through their open window and panted like an unfit dog, explaining the situation in between gasps of polluted air. They got us back into our car and towed us to the nearest service station facility. A road rescue man then arrived and lifted up the bonnet of the car. Oil was splattered all over the engine, and he shook his head sadly. “Head gasket has blown. It will cost a lot of money to fix.” 

We discussed our options, and he towed us to a village garage in the middle of nowhere. The mechanics told us it would take two weeks to repair and cost hundreds. I didn’t have ‘hundreds,’ but we had no choice but to leave the car with them. We still needed to get to our destination with relatives for very personal reasons, and we couldn’t return home because friends were staying in our house for a mini-break. We bundled our belongings into bags and said goodbye to the car. I was frustrated about the apples - a whole box of crisp apples from our tree. We had to leave them in the car boot, to rot. 

A local taxi took us 10 miles to the nearest city railway station. Trains were canceled. I went to the nearest hotel but there were no rooms. My phone was also out of battery. I had to hook up the charger to a socket on a wall pillar. My little son was so tired that he was lying down on the station’s dirty floor. We fed the kids an unhealthy takeaway whilst I scrolled online for a hotel. I found it - 35 miles away. The taxi was not cheap. We got there very late and my wife and I hardly slept. The next day we had to pay for another 10-mile taxi trip to get a train. 

We reached our destination 24 hours after we’d planned and enjoyed the reunion with relatives. But I had burnt through my budget for the week. We also needed a car for the school trip when we returned. We live on the edge of a woodland full of oak, birchwoods, and beechwoods expanding out to a wide expanse within the beautiful confines of a sandy beach-lined peninsula facing the Atlantic. It is impossible to get the children to school without a car. 

Yet we couldn’t afford to buy another vehicle. Car hire was not a long-term option, and we realized the intended repairs on our dead red wagon were too expensive. I phoned the garage and told them to scrap it. We returned home by train at the end of the week, however, in a far more positive frame of mind - God is gracious. An older lady in my hometown church community, a wonderful servant of God, heard about our predicament, and she kindly gave us money to buy another car, which we purchased the following week. It was an incredible moment of generosity. 

There’s one thing that stands out when I look back on those couple days of craziness with travel disruption: we didn’t prioritize prayer. I think we mumbled a prayer at the railway station whilst munching hamburgers but, otherwise, we let the immediacy of the situation get to us. 

God sees things. He sees our situations, and He is always present in whatever happens. Our responsibility is to turn it all over to him. And what’s amazing is that he understands our frailties and whimsical worrying but shows loving provision for our needs when we are in trouble. Jesus himself said that even the hairs on our heads are counted. We have no excuse to worry but every excuse to trust. A lesson that I learnt during that week when the car broke down and a kindly elderly lady bought us another vehicle! 

Intersecting Faith and Life: 

• How do you seek God in times of trouble? 
• Do you have a ‘worry list’? Spend time with the Lord and go through the list together. Talk to him about it and listen to him. 
• Set yourself a challenge such as writing out 10 Bible verses about faith in times of trouble. Learn those verses by heart.

Further Reading: 
Matthew 6:25-34
1 Kings 17:7-16
John 16:33  

Humility Is the Key to Hearing People..Meg Bucher

 Humility Is the Key to Hearing People

By Meg Bucher

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. - John 9:16

Listening to my two daughters disagree over the same side of an argument is one of the more frustrating parental experiences of my mom-life.

“NO, I’m doing my math practice first,” one instructed.

“NO, I’m doing my math practice after you,” came the retort.

“MOM!!!” they both begged for intervention. And intervention is what they need, sometimes.

“You’re both saying the same thing,” I explained.

“Ohhhh…..” giggle, giggle, ha ha…. and I poured myself a gallon of coffee.

I referee hundreds of conversations a day, and most of the time it’s because one is thinking of her response before the other is done talking. They hardly ever fully hear what the other is saying before they react. And neither want to admit to anything. It’s like a piece of crazy I can’t fix.

The Pharisees in today’s verse were no better. They were divided, and probably not fully listening to each other fully. Adults are not always more accomplished in the listening department.

They were debating over what the law said in comparison to what Jesus did. Laws are important, especially God’s laws, but how often to do we mute someone’s story because we’re stuck on a law …a rule …or a judgement. We can’t get past it, and maybe even believe they have what’s coming to them. But we need to remember what should be coming to us for our sins, and what Jesus died to give us in return.

When we struggle to understand another’s perspective, or embrace our own perplexing circumstances, it’s important to look back at the work God has already done in our lives. It’s crucial to remember the cross.

Humility is the key to hearing people.

How much hurt is caused by miscommunication? How much more do we pile on when we dig our heels in instead of apologizing in humility? Or, accepting forgiveness? Receiving a rebuke and making a change?

Jesus died to give us grace, and we are called to extend it to others. Instead of refereeing conversations and trying to change people, let’s love them for who they are …and where they are …right now. The rest is up to God …and He can handle it.

Father,

Praise You for all that You plant in us. Thank You for watering us with Your word so we may bloom in Your love. Forgive us for our lack of extension of love to others. Help us to be compassionate and understanding people, with hearts like His.

 In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for Singles..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Singles

By Emma Danzey

1 Corinthians 7:8 says, “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.”

Singleness can often get a negative reputation among the Christian community. This is never something that is told to us by God, however people love to create cliques and form ideals that unfortunately can leave others wondering where they fit in. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that it is actually good to stay unmarried.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 expands on this, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

These verses are to be an encouragement that if you are single, God is not frowning on you today, He is applauding you and motivating you to keep that beautiful undivided attention on Him. You can be fully devoted to the Lord in a way that a married person cannot. Today as we pray over singles, may we remember that they have a beautiful purpose in God’s kingdom.

Let's Pray:

Father,
We praise You for those who are single. We thank you for those who have full devotion and focus on You and your gospel. We ask that You would give them strength today to see You in the midst of their situations. Would You please help them to find great delight and joy in You. Prevent them from comparison. Protect them from the lies of the enemy that would cause them to feel discouraged in this calling that You have for them. Reveal to them beautiful blessings each day as they serve You where they are.

Jesus, bless singles with community among the church and Christian circles. Help them to feel greatly desired and wanted. Show them that they have a valuable place among Your kingdom. Help them to not be ashamed, but to know that they are honored today.

We pray for those who are called to singleness whether for a season of for life who do not want to be. Would you remind them of the great purposes you have for them in this? Would you gently catch their tears in Your bottle today? Would you speak the truth of Your Word and help them combat the attacks from the enemy? Jesus, show them that you have reasons beyond what they temporarily see for Your sovereign plan and for people to know You as Savior and Lord. Use them to spread the gospel in unique ways. Help them know how to use their time wisely.

We pray for those who are called to singleness for life. Would you give them the vision and the goals to be excited about this leading. Would You provide family structures and ways for them to invest in the next generation. Give them meaning, give them purpose, and give them hope. Guide them by Your Holy Spirit. Speak life into them daily. Help them never to isolate and become an island. Remind them of their design to be in community whatever that might look like for them.

We pray that all singles would know how wide, long, high, and deep is Your love. Give them a miraculous taste of Your presence and closeness even when they might feel lonely. Remind them of how abundant of a life they have because You are their Savior and You have redeemed them. Give them a fresh fire to spread this beautiful message of the gospel with the world and to embrace Your calling in their lives. May singles and all people remember to keep You first in their hearts and lives today and always. Amen.

The Sacrifice of Thanks-sharing..Glynnis Whitwer

 The Sacrifice of Thanks-sharing

Glynnis Whitwer

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:15-16 (NASB)

Enough. That's what I have. Really, more than enough.

More than enough clothes in my closet. Food in my fridge. Shoes spread on the floor. Cans in the cupboard.

My children have books, warm jackets, tennis shoes, pencils, and opportunities for more. I have clean sheets, soft pillows, a kitchen table, and indoor plumbing.

My husband and I have never taken our provisions for granted. Every day we are thankful for the blessings of our home and family. Yet eight years ago we were increasingly aware of what Luke 12:48b tells us, "When someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (NLT) We felt an obligation to do something more with our blessings.

So in 2005 our family of five put a plan in place to share what we had. We had enough home, enough time, and enough love. Our gratitude to God for His blessings couldn't be kept to ourselves any more. We started with some rearranging. Two of our three sons moved furniture around so they could share a room, Then we bought two little white beds, pink curtains, and some dolls. I bought matching calico comforters and guessed at sizes of dresses.

After months of planning to share what we had, two little orphaned sisters stepped off a plane gripping the hands of their new daddy and walked into our hearts and homes.

They wore "African suits" bought from the place of their birth, brightly colored dresses that hung on tiny bodies. So proud they were to own their first new pieces of clothing, wanting to greet their new family in their best. As we wrapped our arms around these little girls, our family of five became seven.

As weeks turned into months, and typical family issues mingled with trauma from our daughters' pasts, we learned God's call to share isn't always easy. Oh, at first it was great, before the first blush of excitement wore off. But the magnitude of sharing our lives with two wounded little girls was harder than we ever imagined.

When worry about the future threatened to overwhelm me, God quietly reminded me that He didn't ask me to have the answers. That's His job. My job is just to share what He has given me–my love, my home, my life–with two not-so-little girls now who call me Mama. With a heart of thankfulness, and an open hand of generosity. That's all He's asking me. That's what blesses Him.

God's Word confirms what pleases Him. Hebrews 13:15-16 teaches us that we must link thanksgiving with sharing. But it also says it will be a sacrifice: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (NASB)

As we walk together as a family, we continue to learn that showing thanks to God involves sharing, and sharing involves sacrifice. God still calls us to share out of our abundance, and it still involves sacrifice. But when we share our lives, our homes, our money, our hearts, our skills, and our time as an outpouring of thanksgiving, God is pleased.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your generosity with me. I don't deserve Your favor, and my heart overflows with thanksgiving. Help me to show my gratitude through words and actions that are pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

At this season of Thanksgiving, what can you share with someone else?

Do you struggle with sharing what you have? Consider if God is calling you to a deeper trust in Him as your provider.

Power Verse:
1 Timothy 6:18, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (NIV)