Running on Empty

Too many of us in the Body of Christ are running on empty.

It was never God’s intent for us to be empty. God is a God of plenty. He is able to fill us completely.  Recently in a time of praise and worship, I had a strong revelation that Jesus IS able to fill every person who has ever lived and who ever will live. Billions of people. Maybe even trillions. He IS able to fill each of us every minute of every day and His tank will NEVER deplete.

Jesus is NEVER running on empty.

So why are we?  How do we get filled to become more like Jesus?

Our in-filling is hinged on one thing – Jesus.

There are so many distractions in our world clamoring for our attention.  For me, in addition to these worldly distractions, there are also distractions in my own head clamoring for my attention.  It’s what is in my SIGHT and the THOUGHTS in my mind that distract me.  I venture to say it’s the same for a lot of you.

These things I’m seeing and thinking are leading to anxiety and stress.  They lead to lack of hope and excitement for tomorrow.  Boy, am I painting of a picture of the world today!

BUT we can take heart.  We are not of this world.

How do I know this?  The Word of God says it is so.  And the Word of God is Jesus Christ Himself (John 1:1,14). Infallible truth!

Friends, this is the key we need to have in the palm of our hands.  We are not of this world. We are merely here as God’s ambassadors to share Jesus ~ to share hope and eternal life with everyone He puts in our path.  This life is temporary. It is going to be painful and we are going to experience trials and tribulations BUT we are overcomers and we are given abundant life in Christ Jesus.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Look at this verse.  What is the very first thing that pops in your mind?  This is key to getting us out of this world and into God’s Kingdom.  Do you see and feel the fear?  Or do you see and feel the excitement of the abundant life?   Be honest with yourself.  Please.  It is critical to overcoming.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of if your first thought is destruction and fear.

It’s actually necessary for us to see the fear first so that God can open our eyes to life beyond the fear which is only in Jesus.  If we see the fear, we should be excited that God revealed this to us now.  Once revealed, we can look to the second half of this awesome verse.  Jesus tells us He came to give us life and not just any life but abundant life!

Jesus is the fullness of life.

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Colossians 1:19-20

If we dwell in Him we, too, will have fullness of life.  Jesus is peace and He’s given us His peace so that we do not have to live in fear and anxiety worried about tomorrow.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:9-10

We are complete and full in Jesus. His power is ours.

But we must seek Him daily in prayer and in His Word.  Don’t worry if you don’t currently have a hunger for Him.  What gives us that hunger is Jesus Himself?  He does all the heavy lifting for us.

All we have to do is open His Word and start reading.

Obedience opens up a new world to us.  The eternal world. As we begin reading His Word, we will quickly find that He is reading us.  We think we need to understand His Word as we read it but He is the one giving us the understanding we need in that moment. And that understanding will differ from day to day depending on what we need.

The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is active. It performs exactly what is needed in that moment for each of us. His Word will never return to Him without accomplishing what it purposes to accomplish.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

He fills us when we are in His Word.  It’s that simple.

Let’s stop making it so difficult.

Open up your Bible today and get filled.  He will give you a passion and hunger as you continue to press in to His Word.  If you don’t currently read your Bible daily, I challenge you today to try it and see for yourself if I’m not right.  Begin reading and commit to reading every day for the next couple weeks.  You will find that it is addicting and consuming and filling all at the same time.  As you open your Bible to begin reading, say this simple prayer.

Father, open up Your Word to me today. Holy Spirit, give me wisdom, revelation and insight into the very thing that I need. Jesus, fill me with Your Word – with You – today. In your holy name. Amen.

God desires our communion with Him. Prayer is communion with God. As we read His Word, talk to Him as if He’s sitting right there with you.  Ask Him to help you understand those things you may not understand. Along with reading His Word, begin talking to Him throughout your day. Bring Him into every minute of your life. This pleases Him immensely.

This is why we were created ~ to simply be with Him.

I love you all and I am happy to help anyone get started if you don’t currently read your Bible or if you don’t know where to start.  It’s the key to living the full and abundant life and it’s vital to our well being. It’s that important.

Stay in the Light and the Love,

Eva