Open and Receptive

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

(I dedicate today's thoughts to friends who presently are facing difficulties and hard decisions without knowing the outcomes. For them, faith has become tenuous and their inner world seems torn. Even so they have not let go of the hand that holds them tightly.)

There are times I want to be so filled up with all that God offers , that I squish when I walk! God is a God of extravagance. He does not use an eye dropper in meeting my needs. He wants to fill me completely with joy and peace. He wants me to abound in hope.

Give people anything in this world. Pour it on them lavishly. Friends, wealth, importance, notoriety, honor, prestige, property....the list is endless. But if their life is absent of joy, peace, or hope those things in and of themselves will not satisfy the longings of their heart. That's why Scripture says a man's life does not consist of the things he owns. The accumulation of external things will never accomplish an internal work.

Many times we make the mistake of thinking a change of job, circumstance, or possession will bring us joy, peace, and hope. But those are needs that can only be supplied by God. We must ask Him to connect us to Himself in such a way that the supply gets through to us. The Bible gives us roadmaps. For peace ~ trust in the Lord with all you heart. For joy ~ rejoice in the Lord always. For hope ~ look onto Jesus.

Imagine praying this verse over yourself or a loved on daily. Replacing the word "you" with the word "me" or with your loved one's name. It is then that God can begin that internal work that brings about radical change.

Father, Your extravagance is beyond my comprehension. Fill me completely. Amen.