Devotional Spirituality

SylviaOn a trans-Atlantic flight, the airline provided me with a little travel kit. There was a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash for not offending; a comb for looking good; and socks to keep my feet cozy.

There was also a light-blocking sleep mask, ear plugs to muffle all sounds, a warm blanket to snuggle up in, and a pillow for my head. I made my nest in climate-controlled comfort with someone to periodically serve me mass-produced, pre-packaged, warmed-over food and be available for my needs at the touch of a call-button. The finishing touch in the travel kit was a "Do Not Disturb" sticker. The humor of it hit me: if we are honest we spend most of our days like that. Our baggage is checked through to Destination Heaven, and we are meanwhile settled in climate-controlled comfort, wearing our "Do Not Disturb" sticker. Don't bother to wake me till we get there.

Do you want more of God's presence? He is causing your holy hunger to want something He is poised to give: more of His glory. He will not abandon you or leave you unfulfilled. Be enormously grateful for what God has shown you, but there is more still, so never be content with the present level of your intimacy with Him. Holy hunger for Him compels you to seek Him earnestly, even desperately. If you desire more of God and more of His gifts, His mercy and grace are working in your heart. Like the apostle Paul, keep pressing on toward the prize for which God has called you: to enjoy His presence forever, starting now.

God promised these benefits to God-seekers: He will let us find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13).
He will hear, forgive, and heal the land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
He will show us His gracious favor (Ezra 8:22).
We will not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).
He will give us life (Amos 5:4).
We will understand justice (Proverbs 28:5).
He will give us all the essentials of life (Matthew 6:33).
He will answer our prayers of faith (Hebrews 11:6).

God is pleased when we pursue Him and communicate with Him in our own unique way. Pursuing intimacy with God is different for each person, and it will be different for the same person in different seasons of life. God is pleased with our fellowship with Him in prayer (Prov 15:8) and in His Word. He is pleased when we delight in Him as a Person (Ps 34:8) and in His greatness (Ps 46:10).

Join the cry of another God-seeker in Psalm 63.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

 

Devotional Audio & Video

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Reflections to Consider

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Devotional Publications

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Publications

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Devotional Music

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Music

  • Magnificent

    Few songs capture the entrancing, humbling, overwhelming awe I experience in the presence of God. Magnificent, a song by U2 Read More
  • I'll Go Crazy

    I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight Every generation gets a chance to change the world - U2 Read More
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Devotional Reflection

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Best of EM Bounds on Prayer +

    This is a compilation of some of the writings by E.M. Bounds. I've read a fair amount of books on Read More
  • Prayer - Does it Make Any Difference, Philip Yancey +

    Contemporary classic that probes the meaning of prayer for 21st century believers, and provides extended, personal anecdotes from a wide Read More
  • Prayer, Ole Hallesby and Clarence J. Carlsen +

    This is a little known work which has a significant impact on those who read it. Read More
  • From Unceasing Thinking to Unceasing Prayer +

    Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • A Sanctuary for the Holy Spirit +

    In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will guide your paths. Proverbs 3: 6. It is a bit of a Read More
  • I Believe in the Holy Spirit +

    The I Believe series, of which Rector Michael Green is the editor, illustrate basic Christian teaching in practical, understandable language. Read More
  • Depending entirely on the power of the Holy Spirit: George Muller +

    The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to the church in her collective capacity, to abide with Read More
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, by Dr. Wayne Grudem +

    A fascinating discussion of the nature of prophecy in the 21st century, by Wayne Grudem. He became Research Professor of Read More
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