Jim Burns Homeword Daily Devotional for Parenting and Christian Family

God used a 24/7 prayer line to bring hope to thousands. See how
<< HomeWord, with Jim Burns

HomeWord - July 20, 2007


What Fuel are You Running On? 
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 5:19-20

No one can debate that the current rise in gasoline prices is driving most people crazy.  Despite the forces that have contributed to the price hike, many of us would do just about anything to pay less for those precious gallons of gas.  Just about a month ago, I took my four-wheel-drive truck for a short trip up to the mountains.  It didn’t take long to experience a major shock when the final bill for filling up the gas tank topped $50.  If it had been possible, I would have tried about any other type of fuel just to save a buck or two.  Most scientists say that we are getting closer to the wider availability of alternative fuels for our automobiles.  These may come from corn, from garbage, or from a series of batteries charged by the sun… who knows?  But even with the new fuels, our vehicles will have to be modified to run effectively on them.  Think about it.  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your car could run on any type of fuel?  Maybe one day we’ll be sitting around with our friends asking each other, “What type of fuel are you running on?”

Have you ever considered what type of fuel your heart was designed to run on?  Did you know that just as a vehicle needs the right kind of fuel and the body needs its fuel of food and rest to work properly, so the heart of a person has been designed by God to run best with a full tank?  You know what fills the tank of the heart?  Worship.  Worship is essentially a life lived in vital communion with God.  Once the heart is vibrantly alive by the presence of God, that energy is then released in a lifestyle that continues to honor Him.  Believe me when I say that there is nothing that gets the “motors of the heart” running more than a life lived in relationship with Jesus, and according to His purposes.  Loving people, loving God, and living our lives as ambassadors for His Kingdom will not zap the inner resources of those who are being constantly “filled up” by the fuel of worship. The worship of our God – whether experienced through song, silence, confession, prayers, longings, acclamations, tears, shouts, bowed heads, lifted hands or obedient lives – is what keeps us in the place where life has its most powerful meaning. 

You can try other fuels for your life, but eventually, your tank will run dry.  Relationships will disappoint you. Work will not always satisfy your desire for ultimate purpose in life.  Your money can disappear, and achievements don’t always pan out to bring our lives what we thought they might bring.  Real significance and fulfillment can only be experienced with the fuel of worship.

To comment on today's devotional, click here.


       

GOING DEEPER:

1. What really gets you going in life?  What brings you the most excitement and energy?  Can that thing or activity provide you with the “abundant life”?   Why or why not?

2. What fuels your heart?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 119; Psalm 113; Ephesians 5:15-21


HomeWord
Encouraging Parents…Building Families

Other FREE resources from HomeWord and Jim Burns:
-
7 Minutes to Being a Better Parent
-Download HomeWord's daily broadcast
-Get your toughest parenting questions answered
HomeWord provides bottom-shelf, real-life, practical resources ranging from 411 (information) and 911 (crisis resources) to help parents.


More HomeWord, with Jim Burns Articles