Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

Addicted to God

Hebrews 11:25-26 say, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." The world tries to distract us with its cares, soliciting and seducing us. The world will ask those of us that are living by faith and walking in the spirit, "Why can't we distract you? Look at all of this stuff. Why aren't you fixing your eyes on this?" We're looking past all of it because we can see Him who is invisible. They can't see Him, but we can. Our course is set. The treasure, the Pearl of great price, can't be comprehended by the natural, carnal mind.

Many of us get distracted at times, but I want you to see the word "choosing" in that 25th verse. Being rich toward God is about choice. It's not fate. The lusts and covetousness of this world are not irresistible unless you continue to feed yourself with them and become addicted. Have you ever been addicted to anything, under its power and compulsion? In a relationship, have your ever been addicted? You couldn't keep from having to see or call that person. Have you ever been addicted to a substance like heroin, cocaine, coffee, tea or Coca-Cola? Have you ever been addicted to exercise, working out, or shopping? Have you ever been under the power of anything other than the Spirit of God? At what point are you on the scale of the world or things controlling your life versus being rich toward God?

Did you know that you can be addicted to God? That's good. "Covet the best gifts" (1 Cor. 12:31). Are you lusting and coveting the best gifts? Do you want to see the benefits of living purely in the Spirit to where you can speak a word in season; or you prophesy, and it comes to pass? Do you desire words of knowledge that are absolutely right on the mark that deliver people's lives? The gifts of healing could operate to where you can be moved by the Spirit of God and lay hands on the sick and see them recover. The power of the gift of the working of miracles could be to where you can call fire out of heaven if necessary. Why don't we covet those things? "Covet...the best gifts: and yet I shew you a more excellent way." Love one another. Are you coveting the ability to lay your life down, love and become the servant of all? Where your treasure is, that's where your heart is. What dominates your life?

Choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, the great cloud of witnesses, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Sin is pleasurable. Don't let anybody tell you it's not. Yet do we understand that this life is a vapor. The rich man received his reward, and being in hell he lifted up his eyes, saying, "Is there some way that the poor beggar could come and touch my tongue to quench this fire?" Which realm do you want to be rich in? Are you willing to accept that what you have and where you are right now is the result of the sovereign working of God in your life and that you are right where he wants you at this moment? Be content with everything--but pursue godliness. The identification with Christ is greater riches.

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