Living By Faith Blog

Icon

Biblical, battle-tested, real-life help for "living by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). — Steve Fuller

A surprising outpouring of God’s love

Here’s some context

What I’m going to write could be misunderstood — so here’s some context.

Left to myself my emotional life isn’t pretty — ranging from blah to neutral then back to blah — with occasional breakthroughs of discouragement.  (OK —  Jan says I’m overstating it.  Whatever.)

The point is — what I experienced this morning was unusual.

Where it started

I woke up with deep sadness about someone who left our church — and fear that yesterday’s blog post was lame.

So I got my tea, sat down at my desk, and opened my Bible.

I prayed and asked the Father to incline my heart to His Word (Psa 119:36), and to open my eyes to see Him in His Word (Psa 119:18).

I asked Him to comfort my sadness with an outpouring of His love — and to free me from fear with the assurance that this blog is in His hands.

What I got from the Word

Gen 12:17 — I saw God’s mercy — He protected Sarai and Abraham even though Abraham had chosen not to trust God.

Gen 13:4 — I saw Abraham calling on the name of the Lord — I joined Abraham in this.

Psa 5:8 — I saw David asking God to lead him and to make God’s way straight before him.  I joined David — prayed for God’s leading and confirmation and assurance and correction.

Mat 3:7 — I thought about “the wrath to come.”  I asked God to help me tremble before His wrath.  I confessed my sin.

Mat 3:11 — I was encouraged that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit — and cried out for more.

Acts 3:16 — I was encouraged that faith comes through Jesus — He gives it.  That’s good news — since today my faith makes a mustard seed look huge.  I asked Jesus to strengthen my faith.

This was encouraging.  But the sadness and fear remained.

Heading out to pray

So I bundled up with my wool hat, scarf, and coat — and headed to the creek to pray.

I started worshiping God for making the trees and sky and sun.  I praised Jesus for coming to earth as a man — and dying for me.

I told Him about my sadness and fear.  That all I needed was an outpouring of His love — a fresh touch of His assuring, comforting, satisfying love.

And then —

He poured His love into my heart.

Instantly I went from feeling nothing — to being filled with His love.

It was deeply satisfying.  I was strengthened — assured — comforted.

And it did not stop — He just kept pouring.

The length of time and strength of feeling was greater than I had experienced in years — probably since high school (1972!).

All I could do was tearfully say Thank You.  Thank You.  Thank You.

And then — He stopped pouring.  It was over.

I kept walking and praying through my concerns — but with a comforted and peaceful heart.

My take-aways

  • From time to time God does pour His love into our hearts by the Spirit (Rom 5:5).
  • This is always sovereign mercy — we can’t make it happen by our efforts (John 3:8).
  • But there are steps we can take through which God will pour out His Spirit — steps like prayer (Luke 11:13), and hearing His Word (Gal 3:5).
  • These experiences are not the basis of our faith (John 20:30-31); but they strengthen and confirm our faith (Rom 8:15-16).
  • There is no joy or pleasure that comes close to God’s love — so I’m going to press on to know Him more (Hos 6:3).

Next steps

How have you experienced God pouring His love into your heart?  How important is this to you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts — feel free to leave a reply below.

Do you know someone else whom this would help?  Send it with the “share” button below.  Or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

If you would like to receive a Saturday email giving a brief summary of the previous week’s posts, subscribe here.

 

(Picture is by dreamjay at stock xchng.)

Category: Stories from My Life, The Work of the Spirit

Tagged:

9 Responses

  1. Susanne Schuberth (Germany) says:

    Steve,

    reading your today’s post I started weeping.
    You are so honest and straight in verbalizing your inner life, you are humbling yourself in a way that God just couldn’t help exalting you by pouring out His Holy Spirit. And He will keep on doing this for sure because this site that you have created is His work.

    I can hear (= read) His voice through your words, and all the Bible verses you are quoting indicate that God is leading you all the time.
    Please, don’t give up! I’m praying for your blog because I know this kind of fear and self-doubts very, very well.

    But I was so glad to hear about your experience with God. I really rejoiced in reading your description of your inner feelings being outside at the creek. Congratulations! What a lovely God who answered to your heart’s prayers the way He did.

    Warm regards,
    Susanne

    • Steve Fuller says:

      Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Susanne — and for your encouragement and your prayers. I deeply appreciate it.

  2. derek says:

    Morning Pastor Steve,

    I just want to say that your new blog is blessing me “Out of my Socks” Honestly sharing your spiritual experences with Biblical answers is helping me in my daily walk. Thank you so much.

    All the Glory, Honour & Praise belong to our God and that is what you are doing.

    Your brother in Jesus

    Derek

    Ps:- Here in Australia the temp is 32C at the moment and we do have days bouncing at 40C so I wish I could join you “bundled up with my wool hat, scarf, and coat — and headed to the creek to pray.

    • Steve Fuller says:

      So glad to hear you are being encouraged, Derek. Thank you for taking the time to let me know — it is very helpful.

  3. Hayley Hagerman says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQN7DWjY8Iw&feature=share

    Saw this the other day after reading this post and thought you might like it 🙂

    • Steve Fuller says:

      That’s powerful, Hayley. Thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us!

    • Susanne Schuberth (Germany) says:

      Hayley,

      Thank you so much for sharing this song. It is so beautiful and relieving that we don’t have to feel love first. When I was listening to these lines, tears flooded my eyes…

      Susanne

  4. QingXiao Cui says:

    Just because I can’t always feel God’s love with my limited human wisdom and perception, just because I’m a fleshly human being and can’t possibly fully comprehend the perfection of the One who made us, just because the devil tries to lie to me and has corrupted this world, doesn’t mean God’s presence isn’t everywhere. Troubles in life will ultimately bring me closer to Him… This made me cry, and I felt conviction and God’s love. Thank you for writing, and thank God for leading me here! Praise God, and to Him be the glory! 😀

  5. Paul Thompson says:

    Romans 8:5.

Leave a Reply

Join 3,436 people who receive Living by Faith updates —

More Help for Your Faith

  • RSS Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

"I just found your blog recently, and I've NEVER found such clarity, understanding and comfort before." (Sarah)

"AWESOME. Going to mangle this sin tonight with the Promises of God." (Alec)

"If I could subscribe to only one blog, yours would be it." (Lyn)

"I think you are really on to something with this blog. I don’t know of anything else like it." (Doug)

"Excellent comment. Really well put and wisdom that is strangely lacking in much evangelical thinking." (John)

"Thank you -- I needed to hear this. So clear and concise yet captivating." (Stacey)

"Such a helpful post. I’ve bookmarked it and reread it two or three mornings just this week." (Doug)