IN WHAT IS OUR SATISFACTION?

DTH’S RECENT REVELATIONS

Having Covid sucks

I value energy, strength, motivation

Have felt stir crazy, frustrated, sick and tired

I value my work, and exercising all 3 F’s with my F3 brothers

My Dry January – no booze, no screens, no sweets

Have been seeking God for a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit

How can I “Fan into flame”…???

2 Tim 1:6-7

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

BUT, I HAVE FOUND…

Devotions & prayer feel lackluster / monotonous 

Fasting feels empty of return, especially with having Covid illness

Find my flesh tugging for indulgence

Connections with friends and family feels distant and superficial, lacking challenge/excitement

I am bessed beyond belief. Have I become lukewarm and complacent? Do I need all these riches and blessings? 

Revelation 3:16

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Fulfillment felt more abundant in the PNG mission field…

SO…how do I “fan into flame the gift of God” and incite greater purpose and fulfillment every moment?  With respect to being moved and led by the Holy Spirit, do we have to “feel it”?

Phil 3:13-14

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, 

    and he will make your paths straight. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; 

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

What Spiritual disciplines ought we observe daily, regardless of the outcome, to best gird up for battle? …PRAYER, WORD, BODY

James 1:22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

James 5:13-16

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Is there something clouding our ability to fully turn to God & tap into the Holy Spirit? Is there some unrepented sin or shame or unforgiveness that is impeding the full reward of walking with God? 

Gal 5:7-9

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 

1 John 2:9-11

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Gal 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Where do you get your satisfaction from? …from the work you’re doing, or validation from others, or endorphins from tough workout, or worldly distractions? Similar to marriage counseling – don’t let your identity and fulfillment exist only in your spouse. Our foundation of reliance on Jesus and satisfaction in His love SHOULD be the primary source for our fulfillment. 

Matthew 6:31-33

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Missing the usual F2 in a pandemic, how might we better pour those energies and investments of love and connection into those within our home and workplace? Develop a better friendship with spouse or kids. Take responsibility to go deeper in leading them closer to God?

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.