Vision for God..Craig Denison Ministries

 Vision for God

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

We serve a God of boundaries. In his limitless capacity, endless creativity, and boundless existence he still chose to create boundaries. He still had vision for what was good, right, pleasing, and perfect. And as children made in his image, we are to live, think, and create as he does. In a world marked by busyness from seemingly infinite opportunities, it’s important now more than ever for us to create boundaries. May you find freedom and joy this week as you receive vision and set boundaries under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4

Devotional:

You were created to spend time with God. Just as God’s chief desire is for relationship with you, your chief purpose in life is relationship with him. There is no life apart from him. Scripture says in Acts 17:28, “In him we live and move and have our being.”As we seek to be a people of vision and boundaries, let’s begin by looking at a passage of Scripture in which Jesus tells us the one thing that’s necessary. Luke 10:38-42 says,

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

If I came up to you and asked you what one thing is necessary, what would your response be? If I even asked you for the one thing Jesus says is necessary, what would your response have been? Jesus destroys my value system with two sentences: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Allow that truth to settle in for a minute. One thing is necessary. One thing is required: to sit at the feet of Jesus. Above everything I could do for him, he wants me to sit at his feet. Above providing for my family or serving my church, he wants me to sit at his feet.

If there is one thing we need to have vision for, it is our relationship with God. Would Jesus say that you are choosing the good portion? Or would he say that you are “anxious and troubled about many things.” Are you spending your time investing in that which Jesus promises you will never be taken away from you? Or are you investing your life in that which won’t have value past your time here.

If there is one thing to set boundaries around, it’s your time spent communing with the Father. I find myself far more concerned about whether or not I show up to work on time than I do to my dedicated time with God. I find myself far more anxious and troubled about my relationship with others than I do about my relationship with Jesus. If it’s really true that only one thing is necessary, we need to fight for that one thing above all else. We need to devote ourselves to sitting at the feet of Jesus above every other pursuit.

It astounds and blesses me beyond words to serve a God who longs for who I am more than what I can do. It stirs my heart to know that more than Jesus wants me to do something for him, he wants me to sit with him. Know today that in everything God is after your heart. He doesn’t need your service. He doesn’t need your money. He doesn’t need anything at all. God can and will accomplish everything he sets out to accomplish. What he’s after is life-giving, unhindered relationship with you.

Spend time today doing the one thing that’s necessary: sitting at the feet of your loving Savior.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the one thing Jesus says is necessary.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

2. Do you feel like you’ve chosen the good portion, or does your life feel anxious and troubled? Spend time taking an honest look at your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate what’s going on in your heart.

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

3. Take time to set boundaries around spending time alone with God. What encroaches on this crucial time? What often takes the place of meeting with God? Why can it be so difficult to fight for time spent at the feet of Jesus? Journal your responses.

In John 15:4 Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” In all we do, God desires that we abide in him. We don’t leave our time alone with God and then go out into the world without him. He isn’t contained to a place or time. His presence is everywhere. Everything we do is an opportunity for relationship with our heavenly Father. He longs to help us do our work effectively with the anointing of the Spirit. He longs to help us love our family and friends. Sitting at the feet of Jesus isn’t a time of the day, it’s a lifestyle. May you abide in God in all that you do today to his glory and your joy.

Extended Reading: John 15

How to Give Forgiveness This Christmas..Lynette Kittle

 How to Give Forgiveness This Christmas

By Lynette Kittle

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” - Matthew 6:14

The above Scripture is one many Christians like to skip right over, not wanting to address what the words are instructing them to do. They don’t even want to consider how their willingness to forgive in their own lives is related to the forgiveness they receive from God. Still, let us consider one of the greatest gifts we can give to others and, most importantly, to ourselves. 

Instead of brushing over, ignoring, or withholding our forgiveness to those we don’t believe deserve it, let us ask God to examine our hearts and reveal areas where we need to forgive. 2 Corinthians 13:5 explains how in examining ourselves, we discover whether we are the Christians we think we are. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

Who Is Deserving of God’s Forgiveness?
Many of us believe we deserve God’s forgiveness but with others, not so much. The truth is, none of us deserve His forgiveness, and there is no way we could possibly ever earn it or purchase it ourselves. None of us can attain God’s forgiveness on our own. It’s God's gift to us through Jesus. Ephesians 1:7 explains how “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Doesn’t God’s Grace Cover Unforgiveness?
As Ephesians 2:8 explains, we are saved by grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Even though we freely receive God’s gift of forgiveness, we often feel justified in holding onto unforgiveness towards others. But being unwilling to forgive reveals whether or not our hearts have truly been transformed and created as new creations in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Being unforgiving is a red flashing warning concerning our heart’s true condition. Checking to see if we harbor unforgiveness is a valid test of our faith to see if we have truly received God’s forgiveness in our own lives. If we fail this test, it indicates we haven’t truly let His forgiveness of our sins change our hearts because if it did, we would be able to forgive others. When Mary anointed Jesus' feet with perfume, Simon the Pharisee didn’t understand her actions. So Jesus uses a parable to explain it to him (Luke 7:41-43):

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love Him more? Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.”

Love Unlocks the Key to Forgiveness 

Luke 7:47 reveals the key to forgiveness.” Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Love is the key to forgiveness. Recognizing God’s forgiveness in our lives releases His love into our hearts. As 1 John 4:8 explains, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Jesus is our example of offering forgiveness to those who have sinned against us based on our love for God. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Forgiveness Marks Us
Offering forgiveness to others is a mark of real faith in Jesus Christ because forgiving others reveals a heart’s transformed condition. If we are unforgiving, it exposes a heart that hasn’t truly received God’s forgiveness. As Scripture points out, our willingness or lack of it to forgive others is a test and indicator of whether or not our faith is genuine.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you willing this Christmas to give the gift of forgiveness? If not, are you willing to ask God to help you truly receive His forgiveness so that you are able to forgive others?

Heaven is Real: 3 Reasons to Have Hope in a Hard World..Debbie McDaniel

 Heaven is Real: 3 Reasons to Have Hope in a Hard World

By Debbie McDaniel

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” - Hebrews 6:19

Heaven is real. And many of us would agree on that fact. We believe what the Bible says is true. We know that God has prepared us for so much more than we can fully see here in this world. And He has greater things still in store than we could ever even know. But how does the reality of heaven help us in the day to day of life’s struggles? How can it offer us real hope and strength right now?

1. In the midst of life’s storms, we have the hope of eternal life.

One way that heaven offers us great hope and joy is that we can be assured, no matter what we may face now, it won’t last forever. This world is not all there is. We weren’t made to find lasting hope only in this present life. For ahead of us is the gift of heaven.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

As believers, we hold the hope of heaven as an anchor for our souls. The gift of Christ paved the way for eternal life. It is a sure, steadfast, immovable hope that helps us to remember that the struggles of this world will pass away, but heaven lasts forever.

2. The reality of heaven gives us fresh purpose and meaning today.

Because we believe that heaven is real, our lives have greater meaning and purpose right now. When we know Christ, we also know that life isn’t meaningless, because God has a reason and a purpose for each day. Every day is a gift from Him. Every moment we’re breathing air is another opportunity to love and serve Him.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12

Life is short. The somber truth we often face is that none of us knows how long we have in this world. We’re not promised tomorrow. Heaven doesn’t diminish the importance of this life, but it makes us more aware of its incredible gift. It’s a clear reminder to us to stay alert and active in sharing light and love in a world that needs His hope.

3. It is a place of true joy and freedom, with no more death, suffering, or pain.

 “…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

No death. No mourning. No pain. God will be with us and He will wipe away our tears for the very last time. Heaven is a place of joy and goodness, freedom and life. If you have ever suffered great illness, disease, or held the hand of a loved one who was in such pain at the end of their life; if you have ever experienced great anguish of the soul, or have struggled through addictions, or walked a painful road through trauma or abuse; there is hope still ahead. Heaven is a place where truly, the old is gone, the new has come. The struggle and pain we carry here, will be lifted away. We will be healed. We will be set free in every way of the burdens that now weigh us down.

A Prayer for the Overwhelmed Mom This Christmas..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer for the Overwhelmed Mom This Christmas

By Alicia Searl

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14

Christmastime is a beautiful and holy time of year, causing us to pause and reflect on God’s rich love for us, soaking in all its wonders, but for the overwhelmed mom, going into this season can cause a surge of panic. As excitement and anticipation grow, so do the anxiety, frantic nerves, and seasonal stress. The daunting task of trying to please everyone around her while making memories for her precious family has officially begun, and she’s already tired. Her intentions may mean well and generally stem from a pure heart, but in due time, all this striving and giving, tirelessly aiming to satisfy family and friends, eventually leads to a place that exudes a dim glow that’s a little lackluster. 

Moms have always been rather good at stuffing down their own happiness in order to bring out the best in others. This need to create magical memories only intensifies as Christmas draws near. They pledge to themselves (pretty much every year) that this Christmas will be different. This Christmas will be more about… fill in the blank. This trail of thought is brought on by the detour she took looking back on Christmases past.  

Yet, as time goes on and the to-do list grows longer, the once deemed “holy and jolly mom” slowly gets replaced with the pale green starkness of the Grinch. Joy and peace manage to become consumed by the shuffle of events and endless demands, and the excitement quickly fizzles out with unmet expectations.

Before too long, the busy patterns of this season will have a weary momma’s heart gently whispering, “Where are you, Christmas?” Maybe you are that overwhelmed mom in need of hope. Well, let me remind you that our Savior is near! If we truly want this Christmas to be different, we must make room in our schedule to become overwhelmed by His Presence (Exodus 33:14).

This Christmas, search for ways to slip away to be removed from all the “stuff” so you can be refueled by God’s unfailing love. Carve out time to dig into His Word, stroll in His beautiful creation, sit beneath the tree and soak in its glorious glow. Let those small and precious moments that you met with Jesus prompt you to rejoice and give Him thanks and praise for all that He has done in your life (Isaiah 12:4-5).

I would like to invite you to pause and pray with me today. Let’s seek Jesus this season and let Him speak softly to your weary heart. When we stop searching for the perfect Christmas, we are met with a perfect Savior. Rest in Him today, and let His presence be the promising present of joy for your overwhelmed soul (Romans 15:13).

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, You are the true reason for this season, and I am blessed by the gift of salvation You brought to this fallen world in order to save us, to save me. This time of year, I long to create special memories for my family, but it is so easy to get overwhelmed by the pressure and demands of this season. O God, create in me a heart that wants to be overwhelmed by Your precious presence and etch that within the hearts of my children. Create boundaries in my life that allow me to be filled by Your love so I can freely share Your abundant love with others.

Lord, forgive me where I fail You. The moments I have allowed joy to be stolen from me this season due to the calendar I so quickly fill up with unnecessary events. Show me areas in which I can simplify my schedule and make extra room to be still and quiet (Psalm 46:10).  

When those events do come, and we try to bond as a family, I invite You to be the main part of our gathering. Lean in a little closer when I am met with unrealistic or unmet expectations. Speak to my heart and lead and guide me back to Who You are.

Jesus, I am so thankful for Your sweet and precious birth story. I long to be overwhelmed in Your presence this season and all year long. With love and adoration. Amen.

Christmas Lights..Ryan Duncan

 Christmas Lights

by Ryan Duncan

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12 

When I was still a child living in Illinois, my father drafted me into his yearly Christmas decorating. Every December, with the snow heavy on the ground, the two of us would bundle up and tramp outside to begin putting up the Christmas lights. I hated putting up Christmas lights. The process always took forever, robbing me of my well-deserved break from school. To make matters worse, my father had a fondness for those icicle-styled lights that were supposed to drip down from the rooftop in merry "winter-wonderland" fashion.

Except the high winds always blew the strands of light up into the gutters, so once again we would have to go outside and set them right. It got to the point where I would do anything to avoid putting up Christmas lights. I hid, I threw tantrums, I’d sulk, and eventually my father decided dealing with both me and lights was too much work and set me free. Looking back now, I regret how short-sighted I was. I was so upset at having to do a few hours' work that I never realized how beautiful our house looked when it was all lit up, or how fulfilling it was to know I had helped my father make it that way.

It’s funny how our Christian walk can mirror the experience of setting up holiday decorations. At times it can be difficult, and we can resent what we believe we're being denied, but take a look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Life offers us plenty of easy roads, and when it comes to living out the Christian life, these paths can be especially tempting. The world will tell us to go with the flow of the current of culture, to follow the past of least resistance, but God calls us to do differently. Christians are meant to reflect Christ’s glory on Earth, and this cannot be done without hard work, sacrifice, and grace. So whether you serve God through ministry, or simply through your everyday life, remember to live in a way deserving of the prize.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider whether you are running in such a way as to win the prize.

Further Reading

Matthew 6:19-21