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Jul 03, 2013
Read | Isaiah 55:1-2
Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the
refrigerator, trying to find something to satisfy a vague sense of emptiness
or discontent? You aren’t looking for anything specific, but you know you
want to fill a longing. Whatever you choose will probably not do the trick,
because the empty spot is not in your stomach but in your soul.
Whether the substance is food, career, possessions, or
relationships, our souls are continually trying to find satisfaction. But
nothing in this world will fill the void. Since we were created for
relationship with God, He placed deep within us a yearning for Him. Though we
may not recognize it as such, everyone knows the feeling of dissatisfaction
that at times seeps into our souls. Any time we seek fulfillment with worldly
substitutes, disappointment and disillusionment are sure to follow.
There are two possible menus from which we can choose to
fill our emptiness. Satan’s menu is long and full of enticing things that
seem to promise gratification
and pleasure. These could include riches, relationships, prominence, acceptance, or recognition. Whatever he offers looks like the good life that will bring content--ment, but it’s a deception. God’s menu, on the other hand, is quite small. In fact, it lists just one “item”—Jesus. He is the only one who can fill the void.
Have you found the satisfaction you seek, or is there
always a vague sense of discontent in your soul? Make Jesus your highest
priority, and spend focused, unhurried time with Him, He’ll satisfy you as
nothing else can.
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The Danger in Being a Christian: It began as a Jewish sect; fierce persecution only helped it spread
Acts 8 Acts 8:1 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. In some countries, a person who becomes a Christian forfeits a good education and job. And in a few countries, a person who converts risks his or her life. One church historian estimates that more Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than in all preceding centuries put together. Yet, strangely, more often than not, intense persecution of Christians leads to a spurt of growth in the church. An ancient saying expresses this phenomenon: “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” The First Big Advance For a while, the new faith enjoyed popular favor. But very soon it involved grave risk. In the book of Acts, the persecution that produced the first Christian martyr, Stephen, ironically brought about the advance of Christianity outside its Jewish base. Forced out of stormy Jerusalem, the scatterin...
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