So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. – Galatians 5:16 (NIV) If I’m honest, I love this verse and I wrestle with it at the same time. It almost seems too good to be true or “easier said than done.”

What helps me process and grasp this truth better is a fresh reading of it in another translation. In The Message it reads: My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.

Now THAT is something I can relate to: being motivated by God’s Spirit. Truly seeking to have the mind of Christ. Please know, friends, that this is a daily process. We must (intentionally) walk in the Spirit, being motivated by what the Spirit shows us – daily.

I know this isn’t easy, but it’s something I’m striving for and pray and encourage you to do the same.

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. – 1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV)

I heard Dave Gibbons speak  a couple of days ago and deeply resonated with his thoughts on churches and pastors needing to believe in the Holy Spirit more. I don’t have much to add to this powerful Scripture verse. I sincerely hope you’ll mediate on it and let it sink in. Rest in Him.

Renee Johnson is a spirited speaker and writer to twenty-somethings. She graduated from Biola University and has had the pleasure of working with the top nationally-known Christian speakers and writers at Outreach Events. Her devotional blog reaches hundreds of readers.

Renee’s mission in life is to “spur others forward” (Hebrews 10:24) using the lessons learned from her own trials to encourage others in their walk with God. Sign up for weekly devotionals at http://www.devodiva.com. Learn more about Renee and her ministry at www.devotionaldiva.com. For more information on her book, go to the book website: http://www.faithbookofjesus.com.

I had a chance to ask Renee some questions. Take a look:

1. GREG: What led you to write this book? RENEE: When I read through new devotional books year after year I eventually ran out of relevant devotionals. There were the classics such as “My Utmost For His Highest” and “Streams in the Desert” and then the fluffy ones for teenagers or women (or men) only. I decided I had had enough and started to write my own. That was seven years ago and it took me that long to learn the publishing world and to find my voice as a writer!
2. GREG: Why do you think 20-somethings in particular will benefit from reading this? RENEE: 20-somethings will especially benefit from reading “Faithbook of Jesus.” I surveyed over 300 plus 20-somethings and young adults and picked the best quotes for each daily devotional.
3. GREG: Do you think this book is good for people of all ages? RENEE: “Faithbook of Jesus” can be read by people of all ages. However, it is the first devotional book written for men and women, ages 18-35! GREG: I’m in that target age group so I look forward to using it daily!
4. GREG: Tell us a little more about your background in ministry. RENEE: I had the pleasure of working at Outreach for the past two years. I helped pastor’s plan Events and was able to represent amazing speakers such as Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, and Kirk Cameron. For me to work at Outreach was a dream come true.
5. FUN FACT FROM RENEE: My Literary Agency and NavPress found and discovered me on Twitter! For any individuals, pastor’s, or faith-based ministries wondering how to impact young people, social networking is definitely the way to go!

*** I encourage you to pick up your copy HERE.

Yesterday I was in a worship service and the worship leader broke out Mercy’s Me’s song “Word of God Speak”. I love the song, but hadn’t heard it in a while and it just hit me in a new/fresh way. The words of the song really ministered to me. I just thought I post them today…

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay

*** When’s the last time that God’s word really spoke to you?

“When the music fades, all is stripped away and I simply come…” – Heart of Worship by Matt Redman. For the last 6 months (wow – that’s half a year!) I’ve not been on a church staff. This has been a first for me. I’ve served on a church staff for the last 15 years.

I’m still involved with “ministry” as you know – speaking, writing, consulting, secret shopping, coaching church planters through ARC, etc., but for the first time Sunday doesn’t come every week – if you know what I mean.

It’s taken a while, but God is starting to capture my heart again. For the first time I’ve truly realized that my first ministry is to my family and I’ve started to take action to really be the spiritual leader of our family – leading family devotionals and prayer, etc.

In the past, I didn’t seem to take this privilege seriously or consider it my ministry. Now, I see with new eyes and God has given me a heart and vision of raising Godly kids to love, serve and honor Him with all their hearts. This is not just a new ministry, it’s my first ministry. I think I had to get out of the game for a bit to see what’s most important.

This is what matters most to me:

I’m also starting to dream again and God is planting vision and ideas in my heart for the first time in a long time. My desire is to live a life of worship and please God. That’s a little of what’s going on in my world. What’s going on in yours?

Yesterday I heard a message on Jonah. I got to thinking how many think of the story of Jonah as a myth or a cute Sunday School story, but don’t really think Jonah was swallowed by a large fish.

The truth is the story of Jonah was written historically and referred to in both the Old Testament and New Testament (by Jesus Christ) as fact.

I love stories of old like Jonah, Noah and Elijah calling fire down. I believe them with all my heart and take them literally. They encourage me, guide and direct me as I study and reflect upon them.

Yes, I know there are parts of the Bible that are parables and several parts (such as in Daniel or Revelation) that are symbolic, but where the intent was to tell or share an historical event, I believe it.

I’ve blogged about our supernatural faith before HERE. We believe in a man (also fully God) Who was raised from the dead. If we can believe that Christ was raised from the dead, is it really so hard to believe other Bible stories like Jonah, Noah, Elijah and others? What do you believe?

I’ve now seen Star Trek twice. One thing that I loved and appreciated is director, JJ Abrams, is not afraid of silence. There were several times when he’d cut away to a new shot and it would suddenly go silent – it really added a nice touch. 

I started thinking about how silence is a beautiful thing, especially in contrast to our busy lives. I wonder how often in the hustle and bustle of life that we miss out on God moments. Remember He speaks in a still, small voice and if we’re not careful, it can be hard to hear from Him. 

Psalm 37:7 – Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. 

Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God. 

Psalm 73:23-24 - I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. 24 You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.

*** My encouragement for you (and me) is to take time out to “be still” and quiet before our Creator. Listen for that still, small voice. Mind you: you have to be intentional about this or it will never happen. Now – be quiet!

God will do whatever it takes to get your eyes on Him – to get your focus, desire, trust and hope in Him; in that way, He is relentless and can go to extremes (as Scripture, myself and countless others can attest to) to get our attention.

In light of our recent economic situation, it occurred to me that God may be at work all around. I travel the country speaking on innovation. One of the ways that I teach innovation is birthed is by desperation, but I go on to say that “it’s a desperation that leads to a dependence upon the Holy Spirit.”

When you hit the bottom in your own way: maybe lose your job, your retirement, your house, your savings, your stock portfolio, your (you fill in the blank)… Could it be that it’s by design by our Creator to bring us back to trusting in Him alone?

To quote two spiritual giants and long distance mentors: “God is most satisfied in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.” – John Piper. In The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Deaf world are we listening? Because I believe God is shouting. Please understand I’m not a gloom and doom person. I don’t believe this is the end of the world and I don’t believe this is like the Great Depression. I got to hear Dave Ramsey live at his Town Hall for Hope and appreciate his sound wisdom and advice. I appreciate his perspective and the truth that he spoke that night.

However, though it may have been worse in times past, this is rough on our generation and this is a reality that we have to deal with. On my blog a while back, I spoke of God’s “pruning”. I talked about a situation that was extremely difficult, humiliating, humbling and really put me in my place. At the same time, it was wonderful, Spirit-filled, God-ordained and edifying. Our God takes the tough times and makes something beautiful out of it. Scripture is full of exhortations like this.

Now please know I’m writing this after having lost my job due to the economy; so I don’t write from theory, but from my heart. I sincerely believe that it’s in these hard times that God wants us to run to Him and run to Him first. Not to our banker, our broker, our real estate agent or even friends. First and foremost, He wants His children to call on His name and fall to their knees in worship. The Bible teaches us to “seek Him first. (Matt. 6:33)”

Also from personal experience, I know that God pursues us. He is very jealous of our idols and He, as I said before, will be relentless in getting our focus on Him. He’s constantly molding, shaping, pruning and refining us. The good news is that He has promised to draw close to us when we draw close to Him (James 4:8).

So in these days of trials, allow God to complete His work IN you. Seek Him first, draw close to Him and place your hope squarely on Him. These are days for us to truly be men and women of faith, trusting in the One who is sovereign and unshaken. God, if you let Him, will make something beautiful of the mess you’re going through. Trust Him. Listen to Him. Worship Him.

Yesterday was a wild, dramatic, memorable and life-altering day. My friend and fellow Bent Tree staff member Aaron Bensko (who is our Visual Arts Coordinator and I’ve blogged about his amazing work before) was put into the ICU, after being rushed to the hospital. 

Aaron had the flu and was at the doctor to get a shot. Apparently he passed out and when he fell, he crashed head first. He fractured his skull and had bleeding in his brain and out his ears. When I saw him in the ICU he knew me, but he looked rough and has a tough road ahead of him. 

I tell you this for a couple of reasons. To ask you to pray for Aaron and his family, but also to allow something like this to put things back in perspective – as it did for me. I, and my video intern, are working on editing video for Easter ’til late each night and will continue to for the next 2 weeks leading up to Easter. We, like many churches, are working crazy hours and running around like crazy getting ready for the big weekend. 

As I saw Aaron lying in the bed and realized that he was “out” for our Easter projects and plans (he was heading up one of our huge Easter projects that I now doubt we’ll be able to do), I quickly saw God putting things back in perspective. 

Friends, life is short and life is precious. I want to encourage you right now as you’re coming down the home stretch and feeling the strains, pains and stresses of Easter to put Christ and your relationship with him first. Remember your family and hug them. As I saw Aaron in the hospital bed, I couldn’t help but think that I would want my kids around me. So I went home and saw them for a while before heading back to the hospital again. 

I hope you have an amazing, impactful and wonderfully worshipful and creative Easter, but I urge you to keep all this in perspective and know that life is precious.

As you know, I like to keep it real on here. In my “Pruning” blog I confessed going through an extended season of living in the flesh. I think that issue is the main struggle that I constantly battle with. I know and believe that we should live and minister out of the overflow of our heart – that we should have a regular/consistent devotional life and daily quiet times, but I confess that I wrestle with doing that daily.

I’ve blogged in the past about “Noise” and “American Idol”  - this isn’t anything new for me. Maybe you can relate? Life is so busy, so fast-paced, so digital and I find I’m consumed with work, family, emails and this computer that I’m constantly staring out blogging, Facebooking, Twittering, etc. I love those tools and technologies. I know God can and is using them and I teach on them, but another part of what I speak on and will be writing about in the book is the issue of boundaries and not letting the tail wag the dog.

God knows, like David, I’m a man after God’s own heart and I truly want to spend quality time with Him each and every day and serve and live out of the overflow, but that is not a regular reality for me. I’m ashamed of that. I’m frustrated with that. I’m not giving up. I’m just keeping it real and confessing. This is tough for me. I’m not a morning person and due to medicine that I take (see my blog “Weak”), I’m always in a rush to get to work each morning. 

What are some creative ways that you’ve blocked out time for you and God so that you can serve and live out of the overflow? Am I the only one that struggles with this? Where are you at on this?