Only Jesus Fills the Empty Space

Jesus satisfies what nothing else can. Only Jesus fills the empty space. 

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35 (ESV)

Everyone experiences empty spaces.

Sometimes disappointment, grief, loneliness, fear, uncertainty, unmet expectations, or even success creates them.

And we often try to fill those places with relationships, achievements, possessions, entertainment, or busyness.

Things life offers us but never really satisfies us deep in our soul.

But all these things still leave us wanting more.

Because every substitute eventually runs dry.

Our Deepest Need is Jesus Himself

Our deepest need isn’t more of what the world offers. But our deepest need is Jesus Himself.

“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9 (NIV)

Jesus Gives Living Water That Never Runs Dry: Jesus Fills Us

The world offers temporary satisfaction. But Jesus offers eternal satisfaction.

When we continually come to Him, His life begins overflowing into ours.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” John 4:13–14 (ESV)

Jesus Makes Our Cup Overflow

Read More…

Walking in the Spirit Every Day of the Week

What if walking in the Spirit became part of our daily lives? And we lived a life consistent in words and actions Sunday through Saturday.

I relate the the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 7 when he describes doing what he doesn’t want to do, and not doing what he wants to do. And the Lord is the only One who can deliver him from this dilemma—and deliver us.

So when Paul addresses not giving in to the desires of the flesh in Galatians 5, walking in the Spirit is the antidote.

Let’s dig into what it looks like to walk in the Spirit daily.

Walking in the Spirit Requires the Holy Spirit’s Power

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to think, speak, and act in ways that honor Christ every day. We need the Holy Spirit’s power to live faithfully.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

When Our Actions Match Our Words

People notice whether our conduct aligns with our profession of faith. When our lives reflect the truth we proclaim, we are a living testimony.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to think, speak, and act in ways that honor Christ every day. We need the Holy Spirit's power to live faithfully. Share on X

Daily Walking in the Spirit

Sometimes people confine faith in God to Sunday worship. Instead, we demonstrate real faith in our homes, workplaces, relationships, and decisions throughout the week.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Living and walking in the Spirit keeps us out of slavery to our flesh and sinful desires. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

Read More…

Thank You Jesus for Finding and Saving Me

“Thank You, Jesus, for finding me when I was spiritually lost, loving me when I was undeserving, and saving me through Your grace. My life is a testimony.”

At sixteen years old, I heard the true story of John 3:16. For God so loved Karen, that He gave His only Son, that if I believe in Jesus, I will not perish but have eternal life.

And my life was forever changed.

My name is Karen Friday and this is my redemption story. I was lost, now I’m found. I was blind, but now I see. Jesus rescued me from myself, other gods, sin, spiritual death, and the enemy.

The blood of Christ covers me. God saved me. I’m redeemed. The heavenly Father gave me eternal and everlasting life. I’m a new creation. I walk in freedom and victory over the power of darkness.

Abundant life is mine. Jesus is mine. The Holy Spirit lives in me. There’s an empty tomb and a risen Savior center stage in my story. Because God is alive and well, it is well with my soul.

Lost Until Jesus Found Me: Thank You Jesus

Before Christ entered my life, I was searching for purpose, peace, and fulfillment in places that could never satisfy. Like a sheep that wandered away from the shepherd, I was spiritually lost and unable to find my own way back.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 (NIV)

"Thank You, Jesus, for finding me when I was spiritually lost, loving me when I was undeserving, and saving me through Your grace. My life is a testimony." Share on X

Jesus Came Looking for Me

The beautiful truth of the gospel is that Jesus did not wait for me to find Him. He pursued me with His love, mercy, and grace. Even when I ignored Him or went my own way, He continued calling me to Himself.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (ESV)

His Grace Saved Me: Thank You Jesus

Read More…

Not Missing the One Necessary Thing: Jesus

We may immerse ourselves in good things, godly things, and even in ministry. But if we miss Jesus, we’ve missed it. Because it’s possible to be surrounded by spiritual activity and still miss the Person at the center of it all. Jesus is the one necessary thing.

My husband Mike and I have spent the majority of our married life in ministry. Much of the ministry God called us to was in the church: me in women and student ministry and Mike as a youth and lead pastor. And our calling included mission work as well.

But even ministry leaders and followers of Christ sometimes lose focus. Like:

Distracted with kingdom busyness, but miss the Holy King. Jesus.

Do good without knowing our good God intimately.

In His service, but not sitting at His feet.

1. Good Things Can Become Distracting Things: One Necessary Thing

Not every distraction is sinful or a bad thing. Sometimes the greatest distractions are good, noble, and spiritual activities that subtly replace intimacy with Jesus.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:7–10 (ESV)

Paul’s focus was not merely ministry but knowing Christ above all.

Am I pursuing Jesus, or merely pursuing things about Jesus?

2. Religious Activity Without Relationship

Read More…

Freedom Worth Celebrating: America And Jesus

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, I’m grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation. But I’m even more thankful for the day Christ set me free and gave me new life. A freedom worth celebrating.

That’s a freedom no government can grant and no circumstance can take away. 

We celebrate Independence Day because remembering shapes our gratitude. In the same way, Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to remember His faithfulness and deliverance.

Do we intentionally remember our own “day of deliverance” in Christ? The day we came to know Him as Savior and Lord.

My day of deliverance happened one night at a church revival when I was sixteen.

So what are our many piritual freedoms?

We celebrate Independence Day because remembering shapes our gratitude. In the same way, Scripture repeatedly calls God's people to remember His faithfulness and deliverance. Share on X

Freedom in Christ Worth Celebrating

Jesus frees us from spiritual captivity. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)

Real freedom comes when the Son sets us free. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (ESV)

True freedom means nothing masters us. (see 1 Corinthians 6:12)

Seeking God’s precepts helps us walk in freedom. “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

Freedom Always Has a Cost

America’s liberty came at the cost of sacrifice. Our spiritual freedom came at an even greater cost—the cross. Grace is free to us because it was costly to Jesus. Jesus’ blood spilled on Calvary’s cross to set real freedom in motion. But it never stopped at the cross. Jesus rose from the dead securing our spiritual freedom for all time.

Read More…