Deep Fulfillment

"I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless." (See Ecclesiastes 2:1–11)

On the surface, Solomon was recalling a life well lived—perhaps the most enviable existence of them all. Beneath the celebration, though, lay despair and hopelessness—and one of Solomon’s hardest-earned lessons: all the pleasures, possessions, and accomplishments in the world cannot bring fulfillment. Solomon experimented with nearly everything, and he found meaning in none of it. In truth, deep fulfillment cannot be found in shallow pleasures. Fulfillment springs from things that matter, things that have an impact not just on yourself but on others as well.

Fulfillment is found in the following things:

1) HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS--It comes from investing yourself in others and allowing them to do the same for you.

2) A WELL-EARNED, GOOD REPUTATION--It comes from being quietly recognized as one who lives a life of integrity and loving concern for others

3) SPIRITUAL PEACE--It comes from having an obstacle-free relationship with God.

The above article appears in my project The Bible: 100 Ways It Can Change Your Life published by Time.

Give God the Credit

“God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!” (Matthew 5:5)

In sports, the chest-thumping athletes get most of the attention. The players who celebrate their own accomplishments are usually the ones who end up in the highlight reels. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, though, it’s the glory a verse people who get the spotlight. “God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!” (Matthew 5:5). God chooses to work through humble people because when he’s done, they will make sure he gets the glory. They won’t claim undue credit for themselves. That’s why they are blessed. Every positive thing about us is the product of God’s creation. Every good thing we do is the result of God working through us. God uses us to make a difference in this world.

Additional verses on humility: http://bit.ly/HumilityVerses

The above article appears in my project The Bible: 100 Ways It Can Change Your Life published by Time.

God is Near

"God has given us his Spirit. This is how we know we are one with him, just as he is one with us”  (1 John 4:13, CEV)

Additional verses on God's Presence: http://bit.ly/GodsPresence

God gives us salvation through his Son, Jesus. That’s the central theme of Christianity. With the gift of salvation, however, comes something equally valuable. The apostle John describes it this way: “God has given us his Spirit. This is how we know we are one with him, just as he is one with us” (1 John 4:13). How do we know we belong to God? We have his Spirit inside us. We have access to his strength when we’re tempted. We have access to his guidance when we’re lost. We have access to his wisdom when we’re confused. We have a direct line to him when we need to talk. If we think it, he hears it; when we ask questions, he answers us. How often do we thank God for such an incredible gift? How often do we take advantage of the opportunities the Holy Spirit offers?

The above article appears in my project The Bible: 100 Ways It Can Change Your Life published by Time.

God as a Friend

“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.” Job 16:20

(Additional verses on the friendship of God)

When we think of intense suffering, Job comes to mind. He lost everything: his children, his wealth and his health. His wife and friends were miserable comforters (Job 2:9; 16:2). Rather than wallowing in self-pity, though, Job turned to his true friend and advocate, one who would plead his case as a persuasive lawyer pleads for a friend. Clearly, Job had pinned all his hopes on God.

Human friends may disappoint you, disappear on you or disapprove of you. How much better to rely on your friend who is in heaven! Jesus will stand beside you and stand up for you, no matter what circumstances you face.

Question: Friends can meet many needs. What aspect of God's friendship with you do you especially appreciate today?

* Devotion drawn from the New Mom's Prayer Bible, which I created for Zondervan in 2010.

God is a Refuge

One of my favorite things to do is to take time and pray in an old, beautiful church. There's nothing like entering the sanctuary of St. Patrick's Cathedral or Fifth Avenue Presbyterian (both in New York City) and leaving behind the quiet noise of the taxis and crowded streets.


Even an old Methodist or Episcopal Church often provides a beautiful atmosphere that helps me focus my prayers. There is nothing like pressing pressing mute on the busyness of life for a few minutes to find a quiet sanctuary and refuge from the noise and stress.

GOD AS A SANCTUARY
The Bible offers many verses that describe God as a refuge--a sanctuary. Here are a few:

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” Ezekiel 11:16 

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9 

"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 59:16

REFUGE IN A FOREIGN LAND
Following Christ can be a lonely journey in a hostile world. Many of us sit in silent agony as colleagues or acquaintances ridicule some aspect of our faith. Many of us feel spiritually isolated; we know we do not fit in. God wants us to learn an important lesson from these seasons of loneliness: our true citizenship is in heaven. When you feel like an outsider, remember that you are a citizen of heaven, and God promises to be your sanctuary in these foreign lands. * 

QUESTION:
In what ways can you turn to God as a sanctuary?

This paragraph was taken from a devotion in the New Mom's Prayer Bible, which I created for Zondervan