The Merciful King..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Merciful King

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

What a gift we have in the Christmas season. God himself took on flesh and dwelt among us that we might find eternal relationship in him. His coming serves as a continual reminder of his grace and pursuit of us who are lost without him. As we look to Jesus this week to celebrate who he is and what he’s done, may you find life-giving hope and foundational joy.

Scripture:

“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13

Devotional:

The ministry of Jesus is laden with acts of mercy. From acts of healing and forgiveness to meals shared with those entirely undeserving of his attention, his heart was filled with mercy for his people.

Have you ever thought that God might delight in showing you mercy? Have you ever thought that he might actually enjoy stepping into your world and offering that which you are wholly unworthy of? Does a good father loathe the times he needs to step in and forgive a child? Does a good father always force his kids to toe the line of perfection and offer only harsh words when they inevitably fail?

The very coming of Christ was an act of mercy. We who were left to try and find relationship under the law discovered our inability to live up to God’s standards. When left to live by our own strength, we quickly reveal ourselves to be made of dust. But Jesus’ coming demonstrated a part of God’s heart we still find hard to believe today. God’s desire is to step into the lives of his children and offer compassion and forgiveness where there is only failure and guilt. His desire is to pick us up even after we’ve made a mess and comfort us, while at the same time empowering us to live differently. We serve a merciful King.

Psalm 103:2-4 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Jesus bore a crown of thorns that we might be crowned with his steadfast love and mercy. Jesus, the only one deserving of God’s love, took on the guilt and shame we deserved that our lives might be marked by compassion and grace. 

In this life you will make mistakes. There will not be a single day in which you experience perfection. But Jesus’ birth, life, and death reveal to us that life is not about our imperfections but about God’s perfect love. Life is not about our failures or successes but about the God who loves us through it all.

Take time today to allow God to crown you with his steadfast love and mercy that your heart might find peace in the arms of your merciful King.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the mercy of God. Allow Scripture to fill you with faith to receive what you do not deserve.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Psalm 103:2-4

2. Where do you need a revelation of God’s mercy today? Where are you feeling frustration or guilt around your weaknesses?

3. Ask God for a revelation of his mercy. Ask him how he sees your weaknesses. Allow his mercy to lay a new foundation for your life that you might live by grace today.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” We are called to live as agents of God’s mercy. One of the most powerful ways we can reflect the character of Jesus is by offering mercy to those in desperate need of it. Don’t hold others to standards of perfection. Rather, show forgiveness and love to those who, like you, are in desperate need of grace. May you find joy in being used by God to bring light and love to others today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 103

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus This Christmas..Lynette Kittle

 Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus This Christmas

By Lynette Kittle

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” - Hebrews 12:2

It’s easy to get caught up in all the various holiday events that take place during the Christmas season: running from place to place, shopping for gifts, attending holiday parties, and preparing festive meals. In the rush and excitement of it all, it’s easy to get caught up in it and take our eyes off the real focal point of Christmas, Jesus, our prefect gift from our loving, heavenly Father (John 3:16).

Putting Gift Giving in Perspective
The desire we have to give comes from God. He is the ultimate giver, proving over and over again by His generous heart toward us. Because we are made in His image, our hearts are created and moved to give, too. However, even though giving is a God-thing motivated by love, sinful thoughts and attitudes can corrupt motives behind it, causing many to give for the wrong reasons, such as wanting to be accepted or to impress others. As well as giving to receive something in return or to buy or manipulate favors from others. All year long, and especially at Christmas, we want to keep our hearts and minds focused on God’s leading in giving to each other, asking Him to guide us in giving gifts that meet needs, and ones that have lasting and eternal value.

Guarding Our Thoughts and Minds during Holiday Movies
More than ever, Christmas holidays are marked now by watching countless Christmas movies. Along with the Hallmark Network, now Great American Family and Lifetime Networks are airing Christmas movie marathons 24/7. For Hallmark especially, most storylines never mention Jesus or leave Him totally out of the picture. So is it okay for us as Christians to watch them? Watching faithless films requires us to keep a guard over our hearts and minds, aware of how easily holiday glitz and glitter is able to lead us astray from focusing on God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus. If not kept in check, over time, the superficial holiday glamour starts to turn our thoughts to how, where, and when we will celebrate Christmas rather than looking at the One we are celebrating.

As long as we keep aware of how these movies-minus-Jesus have the potential to influence and shape our thoughts about Christmas, we can watch their entertaining holiday themes, keeping in mind how they are missing the mark when it comes to communicating the Season’s real meaning.

Filtering Jesus-less Messaging
With all of the Christ-less messaging surrounding us this time of year, we want to recognize that even though many offer bright, colorful, warm, and magical holiday atmospheres, they are selling us worldly views and outlooks concerning the meaning of Christmas. We want to recognize how Jesus-less celebrating leaves us feeling empty in the end because Santa, elves, Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, and colorful lights, overall, leave us without the hope that comes through the true, hope-filled biblical story of Christmas. Christmas without Jesus will always come up short because without Him, there is no reason to celebrate. If Jesus hadn’t been born, there would be no Savior for a fallen world that is lost, broken, and hopeless without Him.

Concentrating on the True Joy of Christmas
Fixating on holiday extras causes us to miss the true joy of the Season. Luke 2:10 explains the origin of this joy. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Whereas the world offers us temporary, surface forms of holiday cheer and happiness, the Season’s true joy is found in Jesus, a joy full and satisfying every day of our lives (John 15:11), the kind that daily strengthens and sustains us (Philippians 4:13).

Intersecting Faith and Life:
What is your vision like lately? Are you focused on Jesus, or have you found yourself distracted by holiday events? If so, take time this week to turn your eyes towards Jesus, asking God to keep your sights on Him.

Your Life Is Like the Morning Fog.. Jennifer Heeren

 Your Life Is Like the Morning Fog

By: Jennifer Heeren

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY - “Your life is like the morning fog—here for a little while—then gone.”  - James 4:14

It’s inevitable. One day you will pass from this life and go into the next. So, in light of this fact, the Bible says that whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. We are meant to bring glory to our Creator. You didn’t do anything to bring yourself into this life, so what you do with your days on earth shouldn’t be solely about you. “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Do everything out of love.

Act with love, compassion, mercy, and kindness as often as you can. Once you believe in Christ and are covered by His righteousness, your good works are no longer rubbish. They shine like diamonds to point people to your heavenly Father.

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love"( 1 Corinthians 16:13-14). You will never feel as fulfilled as when you’re serving other people in some way. Give food. Give money. Give away a possession. Give your time. Give encouragement. Give a hug. Give of yourself. You won’t regret this kind of living.

Remember that this life is short.

Even if you live to be 100, that is still a minute amount of time compared to eternity.

No one knows the day or the hour that they will be called home to heaven. Babies and young children go. Teenagers and young adults on the brink of discovering their life’s purpose go. People have passed away in every decade of a typical life. No one knows the length of their life, so we need to work on developing the breadth of it, which means making the most of each day.

We need to always remember this brevity and uncertainty. Doing so is the prescription to cure the common ailment of procrastination.

Always press forward and never give up.

I like that the Apostle Paul wanted to assure his readers by telling them that he hasn’t achieved the perfection of always living right for God (Philippians 3:12). None of us are perfect and none of us glorify God perfectly. I know I don’t. But I strive to do my best as excellently as possible each day.

I can press onward to learn from my mistakes and then do better the next time until I reach the end of my race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, called me (Philippians 3:14).

A Prayer for Us to Believe the Lord Will Do What He Says..Maggie Meadows Cooper

A Prayer for Us to Believe the Lord Will Do What He Says
By Maggie Meadows Cooper

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” - Luke 2:45

Each year as the Christmas season gets closer, my heart fills with excitement over celebrating Jesus with family and friends. The decorations, the parties, the gifts…they all occupy my mind and time. But as Christmas Day approaches, my thoughts usually turn to Mary. All she endured on that long trek to Bethlehem. Giving birth in a barn surrounded by unsettling sounds and smells. Her worries and fears for her newborn son. But most of all, I wonder, why her?

To most people thousands of years ago, Mary was just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. Until one night when everything changed. An angel of the Lord told her that she would be carrying a baby…and not just any baby…the Savior of the world. When the angel left Mary, she hurried to see her relative Elizabeth, who recognized that Mary would be the mother of the Messiah. Her baby (John the Baptist) jumped in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice! And then, in Luke 2:45, Elizabeth said, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.”

It's so simple and yet so profound, all at the same time. Mary was chosen because she believed the Lord would do what He said. Not only for those nine months. Or for that one miraculous night in Bethlehem. The Lord had to choose a heart who believed He would do what He said…for life. 

On every sleepless night, as she cradled that baby boy to the training and exhausting days of toddlerhood. From the childhood days of mischievous play and games to the stressful years of life with a teenager. As she watched her grown son gain independence as a young adult teaching others, and then as she stood at the foot of the cross her precious son died on. Mary’s story was not just on that night in Bethlehem, and I think we too often forget that.

She lived every day as a wife and mama of multiple children. She cooked and cleaned on days that were long and exhausting. But on top of that, she held in her heart the moments she “treasured” and “pondered” about Jesus that must have brought her restless nights. We know from her song that she knew scriptures and stories of God’s faithfulness passed down through generations, that she most likely knew the prophecies, and therefore knew that Jesus was a part of that story.

Early on, when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple, a man named Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Now, if that wouldn’t burden a mama, I don’t know what else would. But Mary ... I have to think that she believed God had a plan. A good plan, in spite of bad circumstances, in spite of scary things, and in spite of what she could see in those last days. It would be hard to think that Mary never feared or tossed and turned at times. But I don’t believe she ever doubted that God would do what He said. And so she was the one.

Jesus loved his mama…some of His last words were entrusting her to John’s care. And trying to imagine that scene, my heart is torn apart. It was our Prince of Peace hanging on that cross, but it was also a son and His mama. While she knew He was the Savior, He was also her baby…that same baby we celebrate this Christmas. And she believed He would do what He said. May we all have a heart like Mary’s this Christmas season and every day after.

Let’s pray:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Mary and her heart that believed when so many others wouldn’t. So often, it seems my prayer becomes, “I believe; help my unbelief.” But I long to have a heart like Mary’s. Help me believe that you will do what you say, not just for this hour, or this day, or this week, but for life. 
In Your Mighty Name, Jesus, Amen

Understanding the Hope Restored in the Birth of Jesus..Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

 Understanding the Hope Restored in the Birth of Jesus

By Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” – Luke 1:30-33

We often consider the birth of Jesus from the perspective of looking back. For a moment, I want you to put yourself in the hearts and minds of the people who were alive during this time. When you do this, it will help you understand the reason for the hope and excitement surrounding Jesus’ birth. 

Israel had a glorious past as a nation. The history of Israel began with a promise to Abraham. God told him he would make him into a great nation and give him land for his people who would come after him. Through exile and then exodus, God eventually fulfilled this promise, birthed a nation, and gave them their own land. The glory of Israel extended through the period of judges, but eventually, Israel wanted a king. The kingdom was formed first with Saul, then David, then Solomon. After Solomon, the kingdom was split into the Northern kingdom, which had ten tribes and was known as Israel, and the Southern kingdom, which had two tribes and was known as Judah. All during this time, there were kings in Israel and Judah. However, because of their rebellion and sin, eventually, the nations went into captivity. 

By the time we get to the announcement of the birth of Christ, the succession of kings had stopped. It had been nearly 600 years since there was a king on either the throne of Israel or the throne of Judah. Not only had the succession of kings stopped, but the succession of prophets had also ceased as well. It had been 400 years since there was a prophet in Israel and more than 400 years since the book of Malachi was written, which is the last book written in the Old Testament. 

The glory of Israel was long gone, and it only remained in their memory. By the time we get to the announcement of Christ’s birth, Israel was living under an authoritarian state that was governed by Rome. Herod was the king; he was not a Jew but was appointed by Rome, and while he was a brilliant man, he was also a ruthless and evil ruler. 

It is out of this place in Israel that God tells Mary that she will give birth to Jesus, that he will be great, and that he will sit on the throne of David forever. If you had been in Israel and heard this, how would you have reacted to this news? I hope you can understand why this would create such excitement and enthusiasm. In the minds of many, all that was lost was about to be restored because of this child that was born. When Jesus showed up, their hopes and expectations were lifted.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Has your hope been crushed by the circumstances of life? Life can be filled with challenging and difficult realities that can destroy your hopes and dreams. It can get to the point where you stop having expectations because what is the use? It is in these situations that you need Jesus to show up. When he arrives on the scene, he brings with him all the power and authority of heaven. Because he is with you, there is a reassurance everything will be alright. When Jesus shows up, your hope and expectations go up. This does not mean it will go the way you expect, but you can be confident the end will be for your good. Remember, the disciples and followers of Jesus were expecting him to restore the nation of Israel, but Jesus had a bigger and better plan in mind. The same is true in your situation. Let his presence give you hope and confidence to know he is with you, and the end he has for you will be greater than you could ever imagine.

Here is a quote from John C. Broger to ponder: “The hope that God has provided for you is not merely a wish. Neither is it dependent on other people, possessions, or circumstances for its validity. Instead, biblical hope is an application of your faith that supplies a confident expectation in God's fulfillment of His promises. Coupled with faith and love, hope is part of the abiding characteristics in a believer's life.”