In a thread began by 'brokenone', 'when I am full, I am free', in Devotional Thoughts 8-29-08, she quotes Milton Vincent; 'To the degree that I am full, I am free'.

As Paul said of the Ephesians, we have all gratified the cravings of our sinful nature, but as Christians we should no longer be doing so.

His prayer is interesting; that they/we would grasp God's love in order that we would be filled with the fullness of God. It is as we are able to grasp God's love, that we are able enjoy His fullness. Grasping His love does what fearing His wrath lacks the power to do.

The water in a glass can be completely dispelled by adding oil. The more oil you add, the less water remains. It is the same with our sinful nature.

Sometimes, out of fear, we try to get the water out so God will want to come in. Good luck. It can't be done. That is the wrong approach. From one who has wrestled with sinful cravings for many years, I can almost say forget about them. Instead, simply focus on adding oil by filling yourself with God.

It is really quite simple. Garbage in, garbage out. It hinges on what we put into our minds. In the 50's, David Wilkerson decided to spend from 10 - 12 each night seeking God instead of watching TV.

5 years ago, being more of a morning person, I committed to seeking God in the mornings. What began as 1 - 5 mornings a week, has now turned into 6 - 7. I read and journal my thoughts. It is the highlight of my day.

As we fill ourselves with God, we become aware of things that are contrary to Him and His ways. What we used to think nothing of, now seems unclean. It does not have the appeal that it had.

It takes time, but it is really that simple. The extent to which we fill ourselves with God,
determines our propensity to live above our sinful nature.

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Mike Jones

Quote: 'The extent to which we fill ourselves with God ...'

That says it all, and more.

Seeking God should be the hightligt of the Christian's day. If it isn't, we should ask ourselves why not?

Thanks for the thoughts.

God bless.

Thought I would repost the quote referenced in the original post:

“On the most basic levels, I desire fullness, and fleshly lusts seduce me by attaching themselves to this basic desire. They exploit the empty spaces in me, and they promise that fullness will be mine if I give in to their demands. When my soul sits empty and is aching for something to fill it, such deceptive promises are extremely difficult to resist.

Consequently, the key to mortifying fleshly lusts is to eliminate the emptiness within me and replace it with fullness; and I accomplish this by feasting on the gospel. Indeed, it is in the gospel that I experience a God who glorifies Himself by filling me with His fullness. . . . This is the God of the gospel, a God who is satisfied with nothing less than my experience of fullness in Him! . . .

Indeed, as I perpetually feast on Christ and all His blessings found in the gospel, I find that my hunger for sin diminishes and the lies of lust simply lose their appeal. Hence, to the degree that I am full, I am free. Eyes do not rove, nor do fleshly lusts rule, when the heart is fat with the love of Jesus!”

- Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians (2008), 45-46.

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Danielle

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Mike Jones

A vessel must be cleansed and emptied before
it can be filled and used !!


D. L. MOODY

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Martin G. Smith