Divine Addiction

Don't be caged.

We are addictive people. I believe we've been created that way. You've heard the song from Plumb that says, 

"There's a God-shaped hole in all of us
and the restless soul is searching. 
There's a God-shaped hole in all of us, 
and it's a void only He can fill."

Addiction to God will set us free. 

Addiction to anything else will cage us.  

It's from Acts 17:

"Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: 'People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: "To an Unknown God." So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.  The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.  

"God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  For in him we live and move and have our being."

We will be addicted to something. Let it be the One who created you and knows you best, but loves you most! He gave the very life of his Son to set you free from every shackling addiction. Feed your God-addiction by listening to Him, watching how He works, inquiring of Him, dreaming of Him, thinking about Him, thanking Him, meditating on his words, trusting Him, responding to Him, submitting to Him, and clinging to Him. Fill the hole, and be whole! 

God + me = a whole person. 

Be Free!

Did You Say Your Joy's Been Stolen?

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thes. 5:16-18. 

The will of God is a lifestyle, not a location. The Apostle Paul has defined it in these three compelling little verses.

If it seems your joy's been stolen, if you need wisdom, if you feel unloving or unlovable, if peace has been choked out and you're in the grip of worry, doubt, or confusion, practice the will of God in the way Paul has spelled it out. 

Three little tips for doing this, from our Pastor Skip:

1. Celebrate God's Favor

If you are in Christ, God is always for you, and everything He has is for you. Remember the times you've watched his favor in action.

2. Celebrate God's Revelation

Meditate on the life-changing things, deeply personal things, and grippingly motivating things He has shown you -- about Himself, about you, and about life.

3. Celebrate God's Victory

Resurrection can only come after death. Think about the places in you where Christ has brought new life. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us and gave himself for us. 

And . . . keep asking to receive more favor, increased revelation, and greater victory. It's all yours in Christ. Pray into it. Live into it!

 Joy is a divine inner quality of life that lives above circumstances; it comes from above and bubbles up from within. It's a fruit of the Spirit that has to be cultivated, by feeding it with the will of God. Feel like yours has been stolen? Take it back -- it's do-able!

Godsense

Pick up all the stuff of your life: all your belongings, your projects, your home, your job, your spouse and children, all your relationships, your hopes, dreams, failures and fears. That’s right – get it all together in a huge pile. Drop it at the Lord’s feet. Then sit down - relax - collapse - be relieved of all the burdens. And say, “Lord, make sense out of all my nonsense.”

“But when Jesus was alone with his disciples, he explained everything.” - Mark 4:34

“When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.” - The Message

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

If you will trust him, lean all of your weight on him, God will order your steps. He will untangle every knot. He will make real sense out of all the nonsense. 

Lover of My Soul

His love is unconditional.

His creation is magnificent.

His character is perfect.

His goodness is pure.

His humility is powerful.

His integrity is unprecedented.

His heart is redemption.

His tears are for the lost.

His intentions are life-saving.

His works are renewing.

His death is vicarious.

His anger was satisfied.

His enemies are defeated.

His opposition is annihilated.

His crucifixion was an overpayment.

His righteousness is imparted.

His resurrection is the centerpiece.

His life is indestructible.

His position is above all.

His rule is uncontested.

His presence is safety.

His home is security.

His steps are all-conquering.

His battles are won.

His honor is bestowed.

His leadership is tender.

His direction is triumphant.

His understanding is unimaginable.

His knowledge is available.

His wisdom is receivable.

His ways are unfathomable.

His paths are adventurous.

His ideas are infinite.

His strategies are flawless.

His plans are victorious.

His thoughts are transforming.

His mercies are refreshing.

His peace is core-penetrating.

His faithfulness is stability.

His shield is a fortress.

His protection is impenetrable.

His songs are deliverance.
His reach is limitless.

His eyes are full of light.

His countenance is shining.

His smile is infectious.

His laughter is life-giving.

His joy is hilarious.

His humor is medicinal.

His healing is miraculous.

His sacrifice is complete.

His expectation is fulfilled.

His justice has prevailed.

His forgiveness is free.

His passion is unbridled.

His truth is freedom.

His power is limitless.

His strength is cataclysmic.

His majesty is stunning.

His throne is approachable.

His grace is astonishing.

His favor is undeserved.

His embrace is empowering.
His resources are inexhaustible.

His provision is lavish.

His giving is good.

His gifts are nonreturnable.

His blessings are relentless.

His promises are everlasting.

His sayings are life-changing.

His word is delicious.

His law is fulfilled.

His discipline is freeing.

His touch is liberating.

His voice is exhilarating.

His kindness is unstoppable.

His patience is permanent.

His dominion is satisfying.

His desires for us are delectable.

His relationship is intimate.

His prophecies are revelation.

His vision is glorious.

His will is fantastic.

His invitation is amazing.

All of this – for you – purchased by the blood of Jesus.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Promises

We’re doing a ladies’ Bible study called, “Sweeter than Chocolate, an inductive study of Psalm 119.” Verse 103 says, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” In the 21st century, we can say that God’s word is sweeter than chocolate.

"All of your promises won’t let go of me" – from a great song by Desperation Band



So far, in the first 40 verses of Psalm 119, here are some of the benefits of God’s Word:

blessing

no wrong-doing

no shame

purity

rejoicing

treasure

great riches

delight

God’s goodness

open eyes

seeing wonders

no scorn or contempt

wise counsel

my life preserved

God hears me

God teaches me

conversation with God

strength

grace

freedom

steadfastness/endurance

understanding

right living

relationship with God

revival / vigorous life / health

walking in God’s ways

God’s word established in me

His promises fulfilled

reverence / worship of God

no reproach

good judgments from God

renewed life / revival

To what extent am I experiencing these things? It’s about God’s word. To the extent that I immerse myself in His word, to the extent that I hear the word, see the word, dream the word, think the word, believe it, pray it, speak it, follow it, cling to it, study it, meditate on it, walk in it, do it, and live it! This is how all these promises won’t let go of me. Let’s find more – Psalm 119 verse 41 . . .

A Year of Giving

This kind of giving makes no human sense, but sure sounds like a God idea

. . . from AOL News: "Laid-Off American Gives Away $10 a Day for a Year"

Grace Again

In his book, In the Grip of Grace, Max Lucado addresses the question of whether we can use up or run out of God’s grace and forgiveness with a tongue-in-cheek response letter from heaven:

“Dear Mrs. Smith:

I’m writing in response to this morning’s request for forgiveness. I’m sorry to inform you that you have reached your quota of sins. Our records show that, since employing our services, you have erred seven times in the area of greed, and your prayer life is substandard when compared to others of like age and circumstance.

“Further review reveals that your understanding of doctrine is in the lower 20 percentile and you have excessive tendencies to gossip. Because of your sins you are a high-risk candidate for heaven. You understand that grace has its limits. Jesus sends his regrets and kindest regards and hopes that you will find some other form of coverage.”

Will God refuse to listen to my prayers if I’m in a rotten mood, if have wronged someone without making amends, if I harbor resentment in my heart or have difficulty forgiving someone? What if I have a bad attitude or have offended God’s perfect laws and am not even yet aware of it? Will the Lord, who gave his life for me when I was his enemy, turn his face away from me because I have not come to a satisfactory level of repentance and true confession for every way, shape and form that I have not met his requirements of holiness?

On the contrary, He is waiting for me to come to Him in the middle of my unholy ways. The blood of Jesus cleanses me from all unrighteousness, continuously. I’ll be needing it as long as I am in this earthly body. It’s the righteousness of Jesus I am clothed with, as I receive again his forgiveness and grace. It’s a heart filled with gratitude that receives it, over and over. I bow at his feet, I lay my head on his shoulder, I yield to his unconditional embrace, and I am renewed again. And as I spend time in his presence, his grace enfolds me, and by association and impartation, through faith and the Word He speaks to me, I become a little more like Him again.