This morning when I awakened, I was afraid. I dreamed that I had left the basement door unlocked and dangerous strangers were creeping through my home. As reality came into focus and I realized that no one was in my house, I was dismayed when my fear did not subside. I realized that my fear was actually of a different etiology. You see, over the previous few days I’d failed to diligently seek God. The Lord showed me that I had left the door to my mind unlocked. I had allowed the enemy to creep in and create shadows. The dark corners were provoking thoughts that were replacing the peace of God’s presence with fear.
Fear is a double edged sword. We must have enough of it to survive in a world ruled by evil; yet not so much that we are paralyzed into inaction. But—Did you know that there is one healthy fear we should possess above any other?
The healthiest fear we can ever possess is the fear of losing our sense of the presence of God!
Hell is the absence of God’s presence. Stop and consider that. Tragically, those who die without receiving God’s gift of salvation, will live in eternity without God’s presence. When we, as born again believers, have experienced the strong presence of God, we become highly motivated to stay close to Him because it is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. God’s presence gives us wisdom, joy, peace, and love like nothing we have ever known. It provides such a great contrast to the bondage and chains of darkness from which He rescued us!
However, our three enemies of darkness often masquerade as goodness and light.
The allure of the world, pure laziness, or the appetites of our flesh, etc., can lure us away from our diligent pursuit of God’s presence. How EASY it is to binge watch our favorite show, obsess over pleasing another person, or get lost in celebrating the beauty of creation without the Creator! But it takes consistent DISCIPLINE to commandeer our flesh into feeding our soul with the things of God. Even when I find myself having an intense quiet time with God, my phone will buzz and my attention will be jerked away. Before I know it, I’m watching some hilarious but distracting video reel! Ugh!
But remember this, my friend, we DO what we WANT! When you are born again, you CAN discipline yourself to grow your relationship with God! Anything we desire more than we desire God—WILL be what we dedicate our time and resources to. But when we desire God above all else, we WILL discipline ourselves to seek Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.
What makes us desire God?
We desire God when we are no longer ignorant of His goodness! Our enemies deceive us into believing God is not good. The proof? How much of our life do we dedicate to pursuing Him vs. everything else we think is good? But when we discover how much more satisfied our life becomes by living in His presence, no person or thing can keep us away! Incomparable love, joy, and peace flow only from God.
“The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22-25
God is the Creator of ALL good things. The fear of missing out on the best God has to offer is a HEALTHY fear.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:16-17
To enjoy the good things of God—without Him—is to cheat our soul of the greatest pleasure.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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10 Responses
Thank you. I needed this. All of a sudden I’m getting debt from over 13 years ago. I have a fixed income. I’m trying to give it to God. The company is doing very nasty things to people etc. God is good he knows 🙏
God can handle it!
I like the daily devotional
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I enjoy this one very much. It spoke to my heart. I have a long story. My granddaughter is living with me after her mother died she and mom are both members of the church l go to .since mom has died she want go to church she blames God l know but want come out and say it. Her mom was a first responser to 9/11 and died with cancer . It was a long hard battle and she is the one who found her passed away. Please pray for her she is seeing a sweet dr. We are hoping she can help. Thank you for listening. Margarette save by grace.
We will keep her in our prayers!
I needed this and I need it every day thank you
Gods word is our food and water for our soul!
Yes, u are right. That’s so close to the way I am. I agree we need to seek God with our all. Thank u.
Praise God He is so patient with us!