Carrying the Presence of Christ..Craig Denison Ministries

 Carrying the Presence of Christ

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The Christmas season is a powerful and unique time of year to remember that Jesus came to make a way for us to be near God. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus built a bridge between us and God allowing us to have continual, unhindered communion with our Creator. But God can’t force us into nearness with him. Even as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live as if God is still far off. So this Christmas season, may we choose to open our hearts to the living God that we might experience fullness of joy in his loving presence.

Scripture:

“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17

Devotional:

We have the privilege as Jesus’ disciples of carrying his presence with us into the world. God in his love has chosen to use us as agents of awakening. He’s commissioned us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). And in 1 John 4:15-17 we gain an insight into the way in which God would have us make disciples:

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

“As he is so also are we in this world.” What a powerful statement! God’s plan for the world is to form and fashion us into those who reflect his goodness to others. The hope of the world rests in Jesus’ mercy and grace as proclaimed through our lives. And the only way in which we carry Jesus with us into the world is by abiding in God and allowing him to abide in us.

Do you know that you can abide in God? And not just in spending time alone with him! 1 John 4 teaches us that when we abide in love, when we love others, we are abiding in him. You see, abiding in God requires us to be where he is. It requires us to yield to his leadership and heart that we might join him throughout our day where he is already at work. Sometimes abiding requires time spent in solitude, the word, and worship. Other times abiding requires action.

Where is God at work in your midst today? Who is he pursuing and how can you join him? Who is he drawing to himself and how can you help him? If you want to be with God today, join him in seeing his kingdom of love advance. If you want to abide in the presence of Jesus, decide to live like him, empowered by his Spirit. You don’t have to live perfectly. You don’t have to be anything other than who you are. God in his power and grace has created you for a specific purpose to reveal a specific aspect of his heart to the world. Simply choose to let him in to all you are and do today that your day might be filled with his life-giving presence. Choose to carry his wisdom, love, and grace into relationship with others that in your communication, emotions, and actions you would proclaim his character.

Take time in guided prayer to find rest and purpose in the presence of Christ.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s command to abide in him. Allow Scripture to fill you with desire to center your life around the presence of God.

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” 1 John 4:15-17

2. Ask God for a revelation of his nearness. Take time to rest in his presence that you might be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

3. Ask God for specific ways in which you can love others today. Pay attention as he puts people or circumstances on your heart. Pay attention to how he would have you engage others today. Ask him for his grace and power to love others well today.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

In 1 John 2:6 John writes, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” What good are words or desires if we don’t put action to them? What does all our talk mean if we never do something about it? The kingdom of God is one that doesn’t separate faith and works. James writes, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Choose today to put action to what’s in your heart. Don’t hold back your love for others. Don’t refrain from encouraging and loving other people, even if it’s abnormal behavior for you. Step into situations and bring the presence and will of Christ. May your day be marked by the powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit to love others as Jesus did.

Extended Reading: 1 John 4

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing..Gina Smith

 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

By Gina Smith

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:12-16

I was talking with a friend recently and asked if they would be seeing a particular family member over the holidays. Their answer saddened me. You see, there has been a lot of conflict in the family. Relationships are fractured. Some members of the family don’t even speak to each other.

When conflicts persist unchecked within a family, a new ‘normal’ is established as family members become accustomed to the changed relationships. Yes, there is still an ache in the heart because of the fractured relationships, but daily life goes on. Then comes the holidays. Thanksgiving. Christmas. All of a sudden, the absence of that family member is magnified yet again. The reminder that all is not well seems to hover over any celebration that takes place. After the season comes to an end there is a lingering sadness, as decorations are boxed up and the tree is put away, that you’ve made it through another Christmas without that loved one.

Is this an all too familiar scenario for you? Can you find joy amidst this type of suffering? Can there be joy when you long for reconciliation with that beloved, estranged family member?

In the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” we see lyrics to meditate on that can cause joy to rise up within your heart even when we are facing painful family relationships.

We can find joy when we fix our eyes on the One who sent His Son to make the ultimate reconciliation possible - the reconciliation of sinners back to Himself. Of course, we will never stop praying to be reconciled to that beloved family member, but the knowledge that God has made it possible for us to be reconciled to Himself is enough to cause us to persevere in praying for Him to accomplish that in our family relationships. He is able to do that work. He is all-powerful!

Intersecting Faith and Life:
When we read the lyrics to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we can also find joy in the fact that, when we fix our eyes on God’s Son, we are choosing to lift our eyes above our painful circumstances and are focusing on Christ. This hymn tells us that the One on whom we are focusing is King, Lord, Prince of Peace, Sun of Righteousness, Everlasting Lord, Desire of Nations, Incarnate Deity, and Emmanuel.

We are also drawn into celebrating the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the resurrection of the body, and the truth of the new birth.

That is some powerful, supernatural truth, isn’t it? It is something that no one could ever accomplish - but God! He accomplished it when Christ laid aside the glory of heaven to take on human nature and become one of us. Doesn’t that make you want to rejoice? Doesn’t that give you hope? 

Let’s pray:

Father, as I navigate through this season that seems to magnify the fractured relationships in my family, I look to you and all that was accomplished when Your Son came to earth. I fix my eyes on the King, Lord, Prince of Peace, Sun of Righteousness, Everlasting Lord, Desire of Nations, Incarnate Deity, and Emmanuel, and I thank you for making it possible to be reconciled back to You. Help me to find joy in this truth amidst the suffering that I experience in this lifetime. Amen.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"

What Does “Noel” Mean?..Meg Bucher

 What Does “Noel” Mean?

By Meg Bucher

Today's Bible Verse: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” - Luke 2:11

Noel, another word for Christmas, reminds us to stop and sing of the hope we have in Jesus. Noël, the French word for Christmas, came from the Latin word natalis, meaning “birth.”

A “Christmas Cactus" only blooms during the Christmas season. I forget to water it most of the winter, re-pot it in the spring, and continue to forget about it. But my plant continues to survive beyond my ability to care for it. Annually, the first week of Advent (Christmas), it begins to flower. It’s in a pot of fairly dry dirt… on my desk… in Northern Ohio… and it’s a cactus. Yet God says, “it’s time.”

Noel is a birthday! We define time as an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end. (Merriam-Webster)Behind every human being is a baby in a womb whose life began to God’s whisper, “it’s time.” We can trust the Author of Life, and the proof is Jesus. In the town of David, God said, “it’s time,” and born was the Savior of the world. Jesus, born to hold, nurture, and love us; came to us as a vulnerable baby boy who needed to be held, nurtured and loved.

“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.  He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” - John 1:10-13

Each morning, I faithfully clean and prepare my glasses for the day with special cloth and spray. It’s worth it to me. I appreciate the view. Guess what? They’re shatterproof, too. My vision is protected.

When Zechariah lost his ability to see God clearly, his speech left with it. He doubted the vision he saw. He questioned the message. At his son’s birth, his speech returned. Jesus restored our hope with His. Might something we were previously unaware of be blocking Him from our vision?

The b-side of birth lies beyond God’s creation of our physicality. He built the possibility of hope into our DNA. A gift of grace allowed by the sacrifice of the baby boy born in the town of David. The opportunity to break free and follow Him home. The power of purpose as our feet tread the dirt of this Earth. When Christ is our personal Savior, the silence is lifted and our vision realigned… like getting new pair of shatterproof glasses. In a fresh hug of friendship defined, we are born… again. Believe. See…

“Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel… born is the King of Israel.”

“Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel… born is the King of Israel.”

-The First Noel Christmas Carol

Take time to sing in celebration! Jesus was born to save us. It’s not just any birthday celebration. Christmas is the love of the Father and peace of the Son that transcends the encapsulation of time. Birth is the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent (Merriam-Webster.) God said, “it’s time,” and like the wind blows when He says and the seas calm at His hand, Heaven came to earth embodied in His Son. We not only get to partake in this love story …we are the center of it. Can you see it? Noel! It’s time.

A Prayer for Peace on Earth..Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer for Peace on Earth

By Tiffany Thibault

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’" - Luke 2:13-14.

Peace. This world desperately craves for us all to live in peace. “Why can’t we all just get along?” We say, hoping that someday in the future, things will be different and that there will be peace among people. This longing has been going on for so many years, yet somehow it isn’t happening. Generation after generation faces dictators, war, pain, racism, stress, and chaos in society. Families are falling apart, and respect for others has diminished as people get more vocal, angrier, and more reactive.

The worse news that we hear, the more that we see evil prevailing, the more intense our longing for peace on earth. Writers have written of Utopia and movies have been made of it. Social and educational programs have been integrated into our lives to try to make an impact. However, we see over and over again that though we might make a few steps forward, we are not able to create that peace on earth that we so desperately crave. 

As winter descends upon us, I love the softness, the hush of snow falling. It brings great peace to my heart. I also love to hear the Christmas song with these powerful words: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. With peace on Earth, good will to men.” Those words mirror the words found in this Bible verse: “and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day) 

Our Bible verse does tell us that we can have peace on earth. That peace, though, cannot be found in social programs or simply adjusting our attitudes or lifestyle. That peace on earth is also not given to every person and can’t be taught or integrated into our sinful culture, which is why there isn’t peace among men. 

Obtaining the peace that this verse promises, requires a complete heart change. God promises to give peace here on earth among those who love Him, who live for Him, and who absolutely trust Him for every facet of their lives.  God's not dead, and He is not distant. He is here. He is near, longing to bring you peace. As we turn over our hearts and lives to Him, He pours out His peace into our hearts and minds. The peace He promises, the peace that He pours into our lives, is not temporary. It is powerful. The Bible tells us that: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) 

This peace that God gives us here on earth allows us to travel through the deepest heartache and the painful struggles of our lives, knowing that He is with us. He longs to flood your heart and mind with His perfect peace. Today can you open your heart to Him more, love Him more, and trust Him more? Lasting, life-changing peace on earth is only found in keeping our eyes on the Lord and resting in the knowledge that He is at work in every detail of our lives. 

Your life has a powerful purpose as you live for Him. The peace He fills you with will absolutely impact your life and the lives of those around you. This is the only real peace that can be had here on earth. Today, embrace the Lord more and allow His peace to radiate from your life, drawing others closer to the true perfect peace giver that they too can know and receive. May this Christmas season be one of you living fully in the peace that the Lord gives, and may that peace flowing from you be the reason that people turn to the Lord and discover the truth of why we celebrate Christmas as they fall in love with Jesus who is so much more than just a baby in the manger. 

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord,
Today I lay before you all my struggles, my heartache, my worry. Fill me with your perfect peace. Please allow your peace to overwhelm me, to impact me, to change my heart and my attitude. Allow your peace to flow through me. Please give me the words to speak with those around me that will leave them wanting your peace as they seek to know you, the perfect peace giver. 

In your name, I pray, Amen

Christmas Proves Your Value..Rick Warren

 Christmas Proves Your Value

By Rick Warren

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

Some people believe it’s insulting to say someone is spiritually “lost.” But it’s not. It’s actually a great compliment to be called spiritually lost. 

There’s a difference between losing something and misplacing something. If you misplace something, it means it wasn’t important to you. But if you lose it, it’s valuable enough for you to try to find it. You misplace a bobby pin; you lose your glasses.

People are only lost because they’re worth finding. Think of it this way: The value of a masterpiece doesn’t go down when it’s lost; it goes up.

When you aren’t connected to God, you’re lost in many ways. You lose your direction, God’s protection, your potential, your happiness, and your future home in heaven—just to name a few. But there’s one thing you don’t lose: your value.

You’re so valuable that, on the very first Christmas, God paid the price of his Son to find you. The most famous verse in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

You matter so much to God that he underwent a rescue mission to find you. He came to Earth as a little baby so that one day he could die on a wooden cross for your sin.

The Christmas story reveals your value. God loved you enough that, when you were lost, God sent his very best—Jesus—to get you back.

Never forget: You matter to God.