GODS OF PLEASURE: Day 3

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:  When you have been stressed, upset, or overwhelmed...how have you experienced God bringing peace, consolation, or pleasure to you?

Search your memory banks throughout the day.  The Apostle Paul claims in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God comforts us in all our troubles.  Is it possible that God comforting us in our troubles only works if we are open to receive that comfort.  Find ways to take breaks throughout the day and spend some time in silence.  You may need to really think hard about when God has comforted you.  For some it is easy - but for others, it could be as yearly as 4 years old.  Make a note of as many memories come to mind.  It isn't a contest - but don't stop thinking once you find one example.  Let this be what is going on in the background of your mind today.

This Evening

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."  1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Open your mind.  Quiet yourself.  Think about how God might comfort you or bring you the desires of your heart.  Quiet and silence isn't necessary for this to take place.  Consider writing, drawing, or listening to music or white noise.  You might also light a candle and keep your eyes on the flame as you reflect.

What did you notice about how God likes to comfort you?

Scripture and Prayer  

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life."  John 3:16

Its hard to believe that God loves us as much he does.  What does it mean to you that God so loves you that he came himself and died on a cross so that the two of you might be in relationship together?  Sounds like the best love story that might ever take place in the history of the world...

Do you believe it?  Do you know God loves you?  Do you believe God wants to comfort you - in even the darkest places that you might be afraid of?

God's light shines so bright that darkness cannot hide from God's light.

Do something now - through prayer or rest or art or writing ... anything that will help you remember God's love for you...and when you are finished - pray in your own words that you would accept God's love for you as a gift - a gift that is so steadfast and faithful that there is no earthly comparative.