by Brigitte Straub
**Do you want to be satisfied, but how? What does a heart at complete peace look like? http://thelife.com/study/strugglecontent.html?section=struggle_contentment
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1 Darby Translation).
Refreshing and renewal! Are you needing that today? Life can wear us down, and we can become wearisome and tired of the business of life. We often tend to believe that there are people or things that can help us rejuvenate; perhaps a vacation… But, the truth is, we have everything we need in God.
True Satisfaction Is in Him
David knew and understood that his cry for more could only be quenched by the living God. Psalm 42:1 says “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
Whether we realize it or not, there is an insatiable desire within each and every one of us for renewal from the Living God because we can only be truly satisfied in Him.
The Living Water
In John 4:14 Jesus says “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But, the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
And again, John 7:37-39 He says “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive….”
This invitation to an abundant life is for you! This life, can only be found in Him.
The Spirit of God is given to us liberally without reproach. We just have to receive, drink, and partake of Him. He IS Love, He IS Peace, HE is Joy, He is your Hope, Strength, Deliverer, and Conqueror, Almighty God, Father, Friend and first Love. In faith, receive all He is.
When we are satisfied by Jesus we also become channels of spiritual refreshment for others as well! How wonderful!
~Holy Spirit, I welcome You here in my midst. Come and fill me up. Fill me to overflowing so that others will be touched by You! I come and drink from You. I receive all You are and all You have for me. You are all I need and all I desire. Thank you for Your presence.
Questions: How can we be truly satisfied by God? What is the result of being truly satisfied?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/brigitte-straub/
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March 14th, 2008 at 4:41 am
YES GOD IS THE LIVING GOD.FOR THOSE WHO THIRST HE IS THERE.
March 14th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Good morning, dear sisters in Christ. Margaret and Debra, I read your responses yesterday and I, too, pray for you and lift you up. That is encouraging news Debra about the Christian doctor and counselor. Margaret, how blessed you were to be able to hold your mother’s hand during her passing to Jesus. I pray daily for my mother’s salvation.
Brigitte, you asked:
“How can we be truly satisfied by God? What is the result of being truly satisfied?”
For me being “satisfied by God” I suppose comes from knowing Him, loving Him, and serving Him. I had never thought about being “satisfied by God” before in those exact terms or words. To me that comes through faith, which He even gives to me. As I seek to be obedient and to know Him more through reading His Word and prayer I feel peace, love, and contentment. Then He am also blesses me through encouragement from others and, also, when I am able to encourage others in return.
Have a good day everyone.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I noticed that when I come to God and ask him to refresh me and encourage me He answers my prayer. I needed it the last couple of days and he refreshed me.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Thank YOU JESUS for letting us know in YOUR word continuously that You are the one that satisfy.
Quoting Judy:
For me being “satisfied by God” I suppose comes from knowing Him, loving Him, and serving Him. I had never thought about being “satisfied by God” before in those exact terms or words. To me that comes through faith, which He even gives to me. As I seek to be obedient and to know Him more through reading His Word and prayer I feel peace, love, and contentment. Then He am also blesses me through encouragement from others and, also, when I am able to encourage others in return.
I could not agree with you more Judy. There’s nothing that JESUS cannot do for us. HE is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM. As I put my hands into HIS hands and HIS hands in mine I felt secure. Whatever I asked HIM HE answered it into so many ways to develop me, fill me with HIS joy, quench my thirst and satisfy the longings of my heart. I’m truly blessed and feel satisfied in my relationship with HIM. HE is all in all to me. I would like to sing a song to confirm HIM in who HE is to us.
FATHER, so unchanging
JESUS, YOU’RE my ROCK of PEACE
HOLY TRINITY, I depend on YOU
I call out to YOU, again and again
I call out to YOU again and again
You are my rock in times of troubles
YOU lift me up when I fall down
all through the storms
YOUR love is the anchor
My hope is in you alone!
I sing this song frequently because GOD (Father, Son and HS) is my completeness.
GOD bless sisters
March 14th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hi,
I have read your daily blogs,which I just ran across this week,and find them very encouraging.
I need refreshing and renewal every day.I find that in praying,studing God’s Words,and mediating on them.I also have a personal relationship with God.God is the source that I come to get refresh in my spirit and renewal of the mine.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I so need refreshing from God, I’ve been hit left and right with disappointment, frustration, in personal situations, on my job, with family members, with my church, everything just starting falling apart and it’s just a grim reminder that I cannot depend on “man” any “man” no matter who it is, no matter what you do for them, no matter what kind of loyalty you’ve had to someone, or no matter how much you go out of your way for, they will always fail you, no matter what. I have a trust issue, and this is why I have a trust issue, I trust no one because the minute I do they stab me in the back, I’ve let go and let God over and over with different people, family, etc., but it still continues to happen. I was happy and fulfilled with Gods joy and love then boom a brick wall lands in my footsteps and knocks my teeth in and it takes me weeks or even months to recover…
Why do things like this happen? I know better than to put my faith in man, yet it still bothers me when someone fails me.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:54 am
notify
March 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
what a great devotional
March 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
So much truth in today’s message. There is a beautiful chorus that we sing at church that talks about coming to the river to drink, and that is how I feel about going to a quiet place with God. How I need to drink deeply of Him in order to have what I need to meet each day.
Thinking of the challenges that so many of you face and particularly Debra at this time as my husband and I are not walking hand in our Christian walk either. I have begun recently to pray each morning for the Holy Spirit to fill me so that the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness will be what flows from me no matter what comes at me. God is good and I have become a much easier person to live with! Not without fault, but better!!
March 14th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Most gracious heavenly Father, You hold the heavens and earth in Your hand, and lovingly care for all Your creation! Nothing happens without Your divine permission, and so we can trust You with our lives, thanking You for Your daily blessings and for the trials that You lay before us. We know that all good things come from You; help us to see the fire of our trials as good for us, refining us as gold! Lord, we often encounter people in our lives, who hurt us, disappoint us, betray our trust, and challenge our walk with You. Satan knows this, and he tempts us to become angry, impatient, unforgiving. Thank You, Lord, that You offer grace to resist these responses, enabling us to return blessing for evil! The power of Your Holy Spirit in us sets us free from the confines of our human nature, transforming us, that we would become more like Your Son. Grant us the confidence to live as overcomers here on earth, by the power of Your Spirit!
March 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Marilyn,
Beautiful prayer and very helpful to me…Thank you Lord that you speak through these beautiful women who minister to us through their heartfelt prayers. I pray each of us will look to Jesus today in every situation and as Marilyn said “to give us the confidence to live as overcovers here on earth, by the power of Your Spirit”. Amen
Have a lovely day everyone. Thinking of you and praying for everyone from across the seas…Donna
March 14th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Donna, what a thrill it is to share our love for Jesus from around the globe! :) Thank you for your kind words, and may God use our prayers as He works out His will in our lives!
March 14th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Dearest Francine,
I hear your heart. I understand what you are saying. It seems like the people I have trusted most and loved dearly are the very ones who have let me down. Personal situations…yes, my family…my parents who betrayed me and through their action or lack of action, I lost much of my childhood.
Friends? Yes, of course…as I looked to them to fill the empty spaces of my heart….those longings to feel accepted and loved, yet even unknowingly, they let me down. Some of it….due to my expectations…some without their knowledge or intent, but simply being human.
My job….oh yes. Five years ago….my job not only changed, but I had a new boss. We clashed from the first day and much to my shock, I had a huge and ugly confrontation with her. It has never been my nature or personality to have a confrontation with anyone….well, maybe my husband…..:-). Nothing tho, to this extent. I controlled my tone of volume in my voice…. and mostly chose my words, however, I let her know , without doubt, the differences I had with her and the Administration.
I truly believe that if it had continued, I would have had a heart attack or stroke….because she affected me so and made me so angry. My husband began to pray about it…..it wasn’t an overnight thing, but the Lord changed both of us. I was struggling with the way I had always done things. She was taking on an Administrative position and responsibility, she had never known. I had been working in that position for 15 years. She came into her position with new ideas.
Long to short, when I began to submit to her authority, which was right….she began to change. I began to change and today, I believe, we have a very good working relationship. I respect her authority over me and she respects my experience. Thank the Lord things changed…as I was not of an age to begin a new career.
I struggle today with acceptance. I probably need more of that from my friends and those around me ..because I did not get it from my family…at least unconditionally. I was kicked in the face, in a sense….certainly slapped in the face and ridiculed by those that should have loved me and accepted me.
I have come to realize that the Lord does not give all of us an easy road. In fact, I am learning, and only recently, that many I have believed had the easy road, have not. I have learned that my story is not the only story…. my faith has not been as strong as many… and I love so deeply ….which has made me vulnerable to be hurt very deeply. I take very personally how people make me feel….and my heart has been broken many many times.
I do know this tho…….that He has called me by name and through Him…through believing….He is mine! When I go through the waters (and I have), He is and will be with me, and through the rivers, the current has not and will not overflow me….. and when I walk through the fires, tho I feel burned……the fire has not and will not singe one hair on my head. How wonderful is that kind of love and acceptance. There is no one like Him!
He is my refuge during difficult times and I must hang on to the promises and know He never leaves me…yet grieves when I grieve. If I allow and reach out…takes my hand and leads me though those times.
I will never understand why the Lord allows things to happen in this world. It is a sinful world tho………and there are lost people or those who do not walk daily with the Lord. Many times, we cross paths……and we are hurt…..emotionally and many times physically. I do know this….that…if I did not experience the fires in my life…..there would be no refining….without floods, no rescue and without testing….no belief.
I have mostly grown through such times and I am ashamed to say that. I could have been more faithful ……in prayer and reading scriptures….and grown that way…..but I have not done that.
Please know I am not saying this is your story….not at all, but it is my story.
I know He is my Savior and He is my Lord in my life now. I look to Him for answers, yet….His thoughts are not mine and I don’t understand the whole picture, nor will I, until I meet Him Face to face.
The glorious day that happens, I believe all my questions will be answered. Praise God.
Dear Francine………know you are in my prayers…as I do feel your pain, discouragement and difficulty with trust. I know the others here will be lifting you in prayer……
March 14th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Dear Francine I like Patti & you have had my share of so called good Christian Friends turn their backs on me,walk all over me when I am down, lie about me to others, desert me when I am at my lowest point in life. I have gone to the same church for over 20yrs but 4yrs ago due to health problems I was unable to attend & I was also having anxiety attacks.I am not proud to say it but it has now been well over 4 yrs since I have attended church. Has anyone missed me? Where did all my friends go?? Did they phone me no, come to visit me to see how I was no, I am embarrassed to say not even my Pastor came. But I have to accept that, I honestly am not mad or upset as what good would that do? We are all Human & have hurt people unintentional in our life time & we would be liars if we said other wise, but God is good & faithful & forgives us. From this experience I pray that I will be aware of those who are missing from church & phone or visit them as I start going again this coming Sunday.(please pray for me as I am nervous) Francine I too will be praying for you. The result of me being truly satisfied by Him is living, acting, displaying the fruits of the Spirit each & everyday of my life with His Help. I am not perfect & never will be but I strive each day to be more & more like Him in all I say & do. Romel H. I LOVE that chorus you wrote, it is such a worshipful & a beautiful song thanks for printing it out. Marilyn your prayer is just so Beautiful! Hugs Linda!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Dear Linda R
How wonderful that you are feeling ready to go back to church.
Will certainly pray that you are welcomed with open arms by many, but even more so that you will really experience God’s Presence and His delight to have you back in His house and worshipping with His people. May He go with you indeed! Patricia
March 15th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Dear, dear Linda, I am so saddened by your feelings of discouragement by the apathetic responses of your church family in your long absence! I, too, have been in your same shoes, feeling disregarded when missing from church classes or functions. Walking through the halls at church, seeing cliques engaged in warm conversation, wanting to be included, but not. I don’t think they know the hurt others feel by their seeming exclusivity. Many of them are friends socially, and their gathering at church is only an extension of their relationships. I understand your hurt, my sweet sister, and more importantly, God understands it! And, may I assure you, that His heart grieves for His children who are ‘left out.’ A God of compassion, He sees His sheep who are apart from the flock, and He lovingly picks them up and holds them close. This, I’m sure, is the peace you feel in the midst of hurting! I have come to see that God has allowed me to feel this sense of ‘not mattering,’ that my heart would be burdened for those who share this hurt. You DO matter to Jesus, and to the multitude of beautiful Christian women who frequent this site! Your church is surely dimmer with you missing! May God bless you as you return there, as He welcomes you back into His house of worship!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Precious Linda R
Wish you could be multiplied many times over as YOU and your loving, caring ways represent what all “Buildings” should contain! YOU have overcome the personal hurts experienced by those that didn’t keep in touch as they should from the church family…and done the “Golden Rule” here at the blog…And I loved what Marilyn just wrote..and it is so very “apropros”..Your building must have been dimmer without your radiant light in there..and am cheered and heartened thinking how it will flood with HIS beautiful light in you this Sunday!!! Hallelujah….You’ve been a special “ministry of encouragement” here and HIS daughter in every way..Will lift you this Sunday as you return.. and they are blessed to have you in their fellowship! You will have a “sensitivity” and genuine caring and will notice someone missing from the flock..Just like your Heavenly Father, whom you adore..does…HE has used you here as a special missionary of encouragement, too!((((((Linda)))))))
March 15th, 2008 at 11:35 am
DEAR LADIES
PLEASE PLEASE THIS EASTER SEASON PLEASE PRAY FOR ALANTA GA. AND THE TORONADO THAT WENT THROU THERE LAST NIGHT. OUR OWN PRESEICES FRAN D LIVES IN A SUBERB OF THAT CITY. SHE EMAILED ME AND SHE AND HER FAMILY ARE OK BUT SHE SAYS ALANTA IS A REALLY BAD OFF.
CHRIS T.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
LINDA R I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AS YOU RETURN TO CHURCH TOMORROW. IT IS ALWAYS HARD WHEN THOSE WE TRUST AND LOVE HURT US.
LOVE
SHARON B
March 15th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Linda R., I pray you will be warmly greeted and reached out to tomorrow as you attend church.
The part that you wrote about wanting to be aware of others hurting or missing really speaks loudly of Christ reflecting in you. You wrote, “From this experience I pray that I will be aware of those who are missing from church & phone or visit them as I start going again this coming Sunday.”
You have a hurt and instead of lashing back, being full of anger and unforgiveness, you see a ministry , a purpose, a calling. I am praying and will be praying for you. Bless you dear sister!
Love & Prayers, Judy (Sending you a BIG hug!)
March 15th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Patti and LindaR,
I was really saddened by your comments today, but at the same time was touched to see the power of God working in your lives. Your sharing rings true for so many of us. Feeling rejection is awful, but we all know that our Loving Father in heaven will never reject us. Linda, I am so proud of you that you are ready to take that step tomorrow and return to church. You have so much to give there as you have given us so much here. I pray that you will have a most blessed day as you go to worship.
Sleep well and wake refreshed everyone. Praying for all the needs here. Love and Blessings, Donna
PS. Fran, Things went really well my first week at work. I am so thankful for everyone’s prayers and pray that what I do at work will be for the glory of God. Amen
March 16th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Donna L….
Am sooo proud of you and like LindaR you are taking your beautiful light into that workplace daily and it will shine and bless those around, too.
Am lifting our precious Linda today as she returns into her building with her radiant light, too..And want you to have this Palm Sunday card that came into my mailbox this week. It seemed perfect for Linda’s and other’s days today, too. I don’t think the card people would mind my posting. The music is so lovely ..and Linda like me left it on while she did her mail! It blesses:
http://www.alighthouse.com/palmsunday.htm
Donna, you are special and have blessed us all so many times..Your caring heart “reveals” in all you write and your prayers of agreement bless us all, too! Much Love across the miles to Australia to a Precious Daughter of HIS!!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
For Chris…
Bless you dear, loyal Sister in HIM…With weather here our mailbox was overloaded as computer off a large part of yesterday…Am just now catching up..and appreciate your kind prayer request for Atlanta area so much! It is an amazing thing that no deaths happened here and minimal injuries..and this is truly Prayer and the Lord when you view the destruction it did in our downtown area. One beautiful man in the Cabbagetown area nearby whose home was destroyed..Gave God the Glory for surviving it.. and the glow on his special face in that powerful interview said it all! Thank you, dear Chris..and all you dear ones who lifted our area! We Praise the Lord here today for a glorious Palm Sunday day and peaceful, sunny weather..Thank YOU, Lord!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Hi Ladies! I just want to give you all a Great Big Thank You for All Your Prayers as I went to Church Today for the first time in over 4 yrs
God is So GOOD!!! The Service was wonderful but what was extra special was as I have shared on the blog before about a very, very close friend who one day over 5yrs ago just decided not to be my friend anymore We used to have coffee etc all the time and then it just stopped & there was no real explanation as to why. I was heartbroken but determined not to be bitter or angry but just continued to pray for her and her family. Well, this morning in church she came up to me and Gave Me A Hug and then Sat with me through the whole service & at the end we had a nice visit & I told her I would love to have coffee sometime & she said she would call. I am so, very thankful for the Lord giving me the Strength to go to church & for my long lost friend to come up to me & give me a hug etc and for All You Wonderful Ladies who prayed for me. May The Lord Richly Bless Each & Everyone Of You! Hugs Linda!
March 16th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
What a joy to celebrate all these victories!
March 17th, 2008 at 2:15 am
Oh Linda,
Praise the Lord!!! What joy I sense in your writing…I am so happy for you and pray that you will be drawn to church every Sunday. What a delight it is to hear about your long lost friend too. I remember when you shared about her with us some time ago. I pray that your relationship with her will grow and grow. Lovely news and what victory as patricia said. Love and Hugs to you dear sister….Donna
March 17th, 2008 at 5:12 am
LINDA R I AM SO GLAD ABOUT YOUR FRIEND YOU MUST BE SO HAPPY. I SENT YOU A EMAIL ASKING ABOUT YESTERDAY BEFORE I READ THIS. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU
SHARON B
March 17th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Donna L. Thank you so very, very much for all your prayers,and I so appreciate prayers for me to continue to keep going each Sunday from now on as I know I have too but also know that satan is going to try to talk me out of it too, but I need to be in Church with my husband every Sunday. Also I appreciate your prayers about the relationship between my friend and I as I truly do pray it will grow & grow again. God is so Good To have given me all you wonderful Christian Ladies that have been praying for me and I Truly thank each and everyone of You! Hugs Linda!!
Ladies Can I Please Ask You All To PRAY For Toni G. She Really Needs Our Prayers!!! God Knows What She Needs We Can Just Pray, I Know Toni Will Truly Appreciate It! Thank You & May God Richly Bless Each & Everyone of You! Hugs Linda!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Sweet Lord, we thank You for the wonderful reunion blessing that You provided our dear sister Linda with when she returned to her church family last Sunday! The chorus of praises and worship were surely sweeter to You, knowing that this precious daughter of Yours was present there! May Linda feel such belonging there, that she is drawn to return each week! Thank You, also, for prompting her friend to come and sit with her, and we ask, Lord, that You restore the loving connection that they once enjoyed, sisters-in-the-Lord sharing their love for You and each other! Father, we also lift up our dear sister, ToniG to You, asking for Your grace and mercy in her life right now. For needs unknown to us, for wisdom, for courage, for guidance, and for protection — and mostly for Your love, which covers all things! Surround her with Your presence, that she would feel safe and assured of Your love! We pray all these things in the most Holy Name of Jesus, Amen!
March 18th, 2008 at 4:04 am
LINDA R
I WILL BE PRAYING FOR TONI G AND HER NEEDS. ALSO AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP TO GROW WITH YOUR FRIEND FROM CHURCH
SHARON B
March 20th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Wow!!! It is so encouraging to read all the comments. I recently turned my life back over to God after a long rough few years of being away from God. I went through a horrible divorce after an abusive relationship. I have three awesome little boys and I am trying really hard to show them that God is the only way. I ask God daily for strength and wisdon as I know he has a wonderful plan and future for us. There are days when I feel worn down and hopeless but in those times Im learning to cry out to God and he reminds me that he is taking care of me and my boys. I dont know if any of you ladies have heard “In better hands now” by Natalie Grant? This is my favorite song and it really speaks to my heart I listen to it often when I feel the hurts from the past sneaking up on me. I am new to this web site and I just want to tell you ladies that your comments and stories are such an inspiration to me. God bless all of you.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
kc bless you and your boys
sharon b
March 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Welcome KC! :) Enjoy the feast on this site! You will be loved, prayed for, comforted, encouraged, challenged, and fed by the Holy Spirit through His faithful ministry here! Ordinary women with extraordinary love!
March 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
K. C. Would like to add my welcome to the site. Patricia
March 20th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hi K.C. I too would like to welcome you. You will definitely find & make lots of new friends here. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!! Hugs, Linda!!!
March 20th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I just wanted to thank all the ladies who have given me encouragement on this devotional I wasn’t ignoring your gracious comments its just due to the nature of my job I don’t have much time to reply I received everyone of your comments (thanks to my husband who bought me an iPhone)be blessed all you wonderful ladies! ;-)