We cannot survive without God’s love living in our hearts. This must be the focal point of our lives. This world does not have what our souls need.“Man cannot live by bread alone.”This statement from Jesus is major direction for our lives. The world—and the things of this world—cannot give us life. We can’t live on trinkets. If we try, our souls will perish.
Many people desire a closer relationship with God. So they try cleaning up their lives (that’s good), they read their Bibles (that’s good), and they listen to sermons (also good). But the one thing God desires most is direct contact—talking to Him as a friend. Telling Him directly how much you love Him. Speaking to Him as someone dear to you, and giving Him the chance to speak back—because He loves you deeply and has things to tell and reveal to you. He is so in love with you and wants that closeness. So instead of settling for indirect contact,…
I came across this quote again today and wanted to share it. "Our greatest fear should not be in failure but in succeeding in things that don't matter."— D.L. Moody
I was reading in a devotional this morning, and this statement caught my attention: "How little man knows and senses My need for love and companionship. I came 'to draw men unto Me,' and sweet it is to feel hearts drawing near in love—not for help, as much as for tender companionship. Many know the need of man; few know the need of Christ."
A child gains peace by being connected to its parents, and if they are good, loving parents, great peace is gained because of that connection—knowing that their parents will be there for them. If they get sick, they will lovingly care for them. If they get hurt, the parent will bind up the wound and give them a loving kiss. Great peace and security come from this relationship. What we are connected to can bring great peace or great turmoil. Our connection to God can bring great peace to us. Jesus said, "My peace I give to you." That peace…
On February 20, I drove back to Asbury University as the revival was in progress. I had been there in 1970, when God came to our chapel service and wanted to take part in this revival too. I didn’t know if I could get in as the day before fifty thousand people showed up, but I went anyway. I arrived at midnight, thinking that the meeting was no longer going on, but to my surprise, it was. Because it was so late, the huge crowds were gone and I was able to get in. I entered the chapel, went forward…
Much of Christianity is man-centered: thanking God for all He has given us—our food, our salvation, the forgiveness of our sins. Even common expressions like “God is good all the time” and our continual asking for things, followed by thanking Him for supplying our needs, all revolve around us. This is good. We should be grateful. But if we are not careful, this approach to God may be backward. Yes, He loves us and provides for us, but is this the kind of relationship He is looking for? Is He just an endless provider, or is He a lover who…
In the book of 1 John, John makes an amazing, profound, and all-encompassing statement—one of the most powerful in the entire Bible. He writes: "GOD IS LOVE." This statement tells us what God is. In our culture, God is defined in many ways, but here, John makes it clear: God is love. The emphasis must be on love because that is who He is. But understanding love can be challenging and confusing. Anyone who has fallen in love knows this struggle. How does it work? What is this mysterious thing called love, and what is it not? Sorting this out…
How do we go deeper with God? There is a desire in the heart of man to be connected to the eternal God. He is our Creator, our true Father. He is the one who passionately loves us. There is also a great desire in God to be closely connected with us. God’s passionate desire is to be one with the people He created. Jesus’ whole life on earth was spent calling people into a relationship with Himself. His last prayer before He was betrayed was: "Father, My desire is that those You have given Me (as a love gift…
I choose You, Jesus. I choose to go into You and live. You are my choice. You are my location. You are where I choose to dwell—inside You. This is the one location in all the universe I choose to make my address. All other homes are not suitable. All other homes are just run-down shacks compared to You. Thank You, Jesus! You are a home where I can live, and You are inviting me to come. You have prepared a home for me, and that home is You. You love me so greatly that You want me to dwell…