GODS OF PLEASURE Day 1

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Ponder:  Where have you learned to turn for comfort?

As a child, what comforted you?  Was is food?  Was it an inanimate object like a teddy bear, blanket, or book?  How about toward an activity like sports or music?  Maybe being around other people or being alone comforted you.  Consider these questions throughout the day.  There is no right or wrong answer.  Just think about the different ways you have been comforted in your life - perhaps as a child, a teen, and an adult.

This Evening

Try to describe or even draw three places, things, or people that brought you comfort as a child.  Sometimes, this kind of activity can trigger deep emotion.  Do not be afraid of that emotion.  Rather than withdrawing from your feelings connected to any memories, go deeper into them trusting God is with you.  If you have an emotional reaction, you might even find it helpful to ask Jesus, "what do you have say to me about this?"


Imagine Jesus watching you as a child.  Look at how he loves you - how he delights in you.  Take notice about how he responds to the way you comfort yourself in different phases of life.  Does he delight in the way you are comforted?  Would he like to comfort you himself?

Scripture and Prayer  

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."  -2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 makes mention of "fleeing youthful passions."  When we are consumed with the idea of feeling good and experiencing pleasure, we take a less mature and more self-centered disposition in our relationship with God.

This activity and these reflections would be easy to be turned into ways of imposing condemnation and guild upon yourself.  DON'T DO THAT. There is NO SHAME in Christ Jesus.  Nothing you were awakened to today is a surprise to God.  He knows the depths of our hearts and loves us the same.

God, I need you.  My life has taken many turns that have led me away from you, including ways that I attempt to comfort myself in times of stress or discomfort.  But the truth is, nothing but You could possibly satisfy me - only you know how to fill me with your righteousness, faith, love, and peace.  Cleanse my heart oh God.  Help me to release myself completely to you.  Show yourself to me and continue to invite me into relationship with you.  I love you, Lord Jesus.