21 Days to Overflow

Day 21

Devotional: The Fullness of God

Our faith has to reach out to a place where we believe God has great things for us, and we are willing to ask for it. To get to this place we have to repent for any small thinking. We’ve all been guilty of it. We’ve all been guilty of trying to predict God’s pattern. We’ve all tried to strategize the way He can accomplish the thing we are asking for. Oftentimes, He does not follow the pattern we thought of at all. It’s because our thinking was too small.

Ephesians 3:20, puts it perfectly. “To him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” God is enough. No matter the situation, no matter the void, no matter the lack, He is enough. And He is more than enough.

We have to know that five loaves and two fish is more than enough to feed thousands. We have to know that throwing our nets on the other side of the boat will bring the massive catch we have been working so hard for. We have to think big enough to ask God to show up big in our situation and not limit Him to our capabilities. We must get out of the mindset that things have to be a certain way. His ways are higher than our ways; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. To walk in overflow, we must position ourselves to receive the fullness of God. I promise you, it will be more than you ever thought it could be.

Colossians 2:8-10 warns us to not get trapped in hollow and deceptive philosophy. We can’t let ourselves forget that we serve THE omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Lord of the Universe. We must refuse small thinking and be open to the big, amazing, supernatural things God wants to do in and through us!

This is overflow. We don’t need to know how, when, where, or with whom it’s going to happen. We just need to trust God to bring it about for our good and His glory. It’s time to throw our plans away. When we do this, we will see Him work in incredible ways.

It’s time to recognize and embrace the overflowing, Spirit-empowered life that God meant for you to live. It’s time to overflow for the glory of God!

Your journey doesn’t end here. These are just the first 21 days of your journey to overflow. Now, take the principles written about in this plan and apply them to your daily life.

Ephesians 3:16-21

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 2:8-10

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Day 20

Devotional: Faith and Action

Overflow is operating with faith in the supernatural. It makes what was impossible become possible. This is what happens when we have faith in God and walk in the supernatural.

If we do not have faith, we cannot please God. Our relationship with God is based on faith, which is itself a gift of His free and sovereign grace. When we became born-again in His grace, no one could prove our salvation by something they could give us. Even if they gave us a certificate that said we were saved, it means nothing. Our salvation is proven by the faith we have placed in the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and cleanse us of our unrighteousness. Just as we exercised faith to be born again, we continue to live for God by faith. It takes faith to have a day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. It takes faith to pray, witness, give, and minister. Everything about our relationship with God is based on faith. That’s why it’s impossible to please Him without it.

Don’t believe me that we can’t please God without faith? Just look at Hebrews 11:6. Our faith is the main ingredient to pleasing Him!

The entirety of Hebrews 11 is an amazing passage that discusses faith throughout God’s Word and what faith truly means. From Noah and Abraham’s faith to Moses and Jacob, it breaks down a number of biblical stories and how they demonstrated faith in the Lord.

And the good news is, we all have faith! Romans 12:3 discusses it. We each need to work to exercise this faith in God and trust in all that He is doing.

Almost every time Jesus rebuked His disciples, it was for a lack of faith. This is how God views faith. Lack of it draws a rebuke from Him. We have to live by faith, and it must always be growing. This is why the tests and trials come into our lives. This is the purpose of God allowing things to come at us that only He can fix. All this increases our faith. This allows God’s supernatural power to manifest in us in greater ways.

Many of the attacks you face have very little to do with the thing being attacked. They have very little to do with who you are. They have to do with who you are becoming. Therefore, Satan attacks you now, so he can attack your future. It is an assault against your faith, to keep you from your destiny. If we can allow our faith to be stirred and built, we can ward off the attacks and secure our future.

Romans 12:3

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Day 19

Devotional: Seeing What God Sees

Often, we assume nothing is happening if we cannot see it, but this is not the case at all. Think about it like this. If there was work occurring outside of the place you are in, and you could not see it, would it mean that the work would not actually be happening, because of your inability to see it? Or if you cannot see inside the grocery store across town, would that mean that no one is shopping? Absolutely not. However, this is how many of us choose to live our lives. We are saved, filled with the Spirit, and faithful to God and His church, but we are oblivious to the fact that Satan is constantly working in this realm, and so is the heavenly host.

The eyes of our understanding must be enlightened, so we may know the hope of His calling. This way we don’t have a mere surface understanding or knowledge of what His call is. Instead, we can know the depth of His calling. We can know what He wants to do with our calling.

In Ephesians 1:17-21, it speaks on this enlightenment. Paul says he is praying that the “Eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”

Later in Ephesians 6:12-17, Paul talks about the armor of God. This armor – while each piece is different – stems from a better understanding of God, His truth, His Word, salvation, and adopting the righteousness of Jesus – our breastplate. This armor allows us to defend against the enemy’s attacks and “extinguish all” of his arrows.

But we don’t only have to be on the defensive! Our sword, which Paul calls the “sword of the Spirit,” allows us to gain ground back from the enemy.

This overflow you have been experiencing has merely scratched the surface. When the eyes of your understanding are enlightened, you will walk in an unprecedented outpouring from God. God is capable of and desires to open up a realm that is not bound by time, geography, or human capability.

Ephesians 1:17-21

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Day 18

Devotional: Dreams and Visions

How can we discern the voice of God? First and foremost, He speaks through His Word, the Bible. Any time He speaks by any other means, it will always line up with His Word.

He speaks to us in prayer. He speaks to us through other believers, our leaders, and prophets. He speaks through visions and dreams.

In Joel 2:28-29, amidst his prophecy regarding the Day of the Lord, he wrote on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. It says their “sons and daughters will prophesy, the old men will dream dreams, and the young men will see visions.”

We may not know when the last days will be taking place, but knowing about this prophecy, we should be ready to experience these dreams and visions – and listen to them when they occur.

In Numbers 12:6, we see the Lord confirm the truth of dreams and visions that are had by the prophets He sends.

When we have a dream or see a vision, the first thing we must do is ask God, “Is this from You?” When we have determined through His Word and His manifested presence that it is from Him, we must next ask, “What do I do with this?” He gave it to us for a reason, so we must find out the reason.

I believe we are living in the last days, and God has promised that He would speak to us in dreams and visions in the last days. We should expect Him to speak to us in this way and listen fully when He does.

Joel 2:28-29

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

Numbers 12:6

6 And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

Day 17

Devotional: Fresh Fire

Regardless of denomination, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is available when we become believers by the grace of God.

The Holy Spirit fills us with His fire, empowering us by His presence working in us and through us.

Do you believe you are filled with the fresh fire of His Spirit?

In Acts 2:1-4, we see the Holy Spirit manifest Himself through the church body. Before this in Acts 1:4-8, we see that Peter, accompanied by John, was jailed overnight and then questioned before Annas, the high priest, and his family. When faced with this stressful situation, it says Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.

God fills us with the Holy Spirit for His glory in the midst of our hard times, but sometimes those hard times and our own hard hearts quench the fire. What needs to change in your life and heart to open the door for the Holy Spirit’s fresh fire?

Lord, fan the flame of Your Spirit in us to dispel the darkness and shine Your light in the good times and the hard times for Your glory. Amen!

Acts 2:1-4

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 1:4-8

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.”

Matthew 3:11

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:16-17

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Day 16

Devotional: The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

We began by emptying ourselves of the things that were polluting our lives and our walk with God. Then, we filled those emptying places with the Person and Presence of the Holy Spirit. Now, we are learning to walk in a lifestyle that is always abounding, overflowing, in the Holy Spirit. This started with discovering, or rediscovering, that the Holy Spirit really wants to fellowship with us on a constant basis. Today, we are going to go deeper.

Very often in the Old Testament, water represents the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. As we apply the symbolism of this prophecy to our own lives, we can see that there are varying degrees of the anointing of the Holy Spirit we can choose to operate in. For some of us, we operate in an anointing that is only ankle-deep. Some of us are waist-deep, others neck-deep. However, there are mighty currents in the river of God that put us in a position where we no longer have to stand on our own; instead, we can move in the flow of God.

In 1 John 2:27, we see a reference to the anointing of the Spirit.

We see reference to the anointing again in Isaiah 10:27, amidst the prophecy of the remnants of Israel. From this passage, we can see that the anointing of the Spirit has great power and, as the verse states, can “destroy the yoke” and burden.

We must confess before God our desire to get out of the ankle-depth and waist-depth we have been operating in. We need to ask God for such an increase that we would only be able to swim in it – for a full anointing of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:27

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Isaiah 10:27

27 And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.”

Day 15

Devotional: Communion with the Holy Spirit

We have spent a week emptying us of us. We spent a week becoming full of the Holy Spirit. Now, we transition from dealing with what is going on in us to walking in the depth of overflow. I am trusting by faith that you are already beginning to experience the incredible overflow from God.

In order for us to walk in overflow, we have to pass the point where the Holy Spirit moving in our lives is an event, and instead becomes a lifestyle. When we come to a place where the Spirit is inspiring everything we do, say, think, and feel, we are walking in communion, or fellowship, with the Holy Spirit.

This is what Paul is speaking of when he closes out his second letter to the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians). In 2 Corinthians 13:14, we see Paul wish that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with them. And he wasn’t talking about a moment of fellowship with the Spirit – he was speaking of a lifestyle.

We see the Holy Spirit as a lifestyle as opposed to an event again in John 14:16. Jesus says here that He will ask the Father for the Holy Spirit for them so that He will be with them “forever.”

What if we woke every morning and our number one objective was to commune with the Holy Spirit? What would be different about our lives if we began our days asking Him what He would have us to do with the day He has given us? The direction of the Holy Spirit would take us to places we never dreamed we could go and would allow us to accomplish things we never thought we could accomplish. The Holy Spirit desires to be in fellowship, in communion, in conversation, in revelation with us every single day. He desires to show us things in the Word, in visions, and in dreams.

2 Corinthians 13:14

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

John 14:16

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

Day 14

Devotional: Experiencing the Manifested Presence of God

As we conclude our second week in this plan, let’s focus on experiencing the manifested presence of God.

When we want the presence of God more than anything, more than a new house, promotion, honor, or a new car, He will show up in all the places we seek Him.

We have been called to the practice of the presence of God. This has become a lost discipline in the church today. Many do not even know how to practice the manifested presence of God, because they have no idea what it even is. In our corporate worship settings, we have become so controlled by getting in and out in a certain amount of time that we leave no space for God to manifest His presence among us. God does not come on our terms.

Let’s go back to John 14:21. In this verse, Jesus states the one who loves Him will be loved by the Father and He too (Jesus) will show Himself to them!

In Exodus 33:1-3 and 12-16, God gives Moses instructions for leading the Israelites. When Moses doesn’t feel up to the challenge and asks God, God says He will send His presence to lead them. While God’s presence in the Old Testament was a pillar of cloud in the day and of fire during the night, He now manifests Himself differently. Through Christ’s sacrifice and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, He now can manifest Himself through us.

We desperately need the manifested presence of God. If all we have are promises, we have missed the most important thing. We should not be satisfied to live a day without the manifested presence of God. We should not be satisfied with a church service, a prayer meeting, or any other ministry without the manifested presence of God. It is His presence that will make the difference. Jesus said if we love Him and keep His commandments, He will manifest Himself to us. We were created for this.

John 14:21

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Exodus 33:1-3

1 The LORD said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it.’ 2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

Exodus 33:12-16

12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

Day 13

Devotional: Drawing Near to God

Drawing near to God means that we seek after God with our whole hearts. This is what prayer and fasting is all about. We are not on a hunger strike to force God to do something. We are foolish to presume we can make God do anything. Instead, we are humbling ourselves through prayer and fasting for God to transform us and position us to walk in His perfect will. We remove the impediments that block our prayers from reaching the ears of God. It is about seeking God with everything in us.

We’ve read a piece of James 4:1-10 earlier in this plan, but let’s take another look. It talks all about pride and submission. It calls for us to submit to God in order to draw nearer to Him and all the good things that come with this decision to submit.

In 2 Chronicles 15:1-2, we see the Spirit of God communicate with Azariah, the son of Obed. It tells Azariah that if he seeks Him and the things of God, God will be with him. But if Azariah forsakes Him and doesn’t draw near to God, God will forsake him.

When our hearts are polluted, we develop a hardness for the things of God. When our hearts become hardened to the things of God, we cannot draw near to God. To draw near to God, I must purify myself (empty me of me), obey truth through the power of the Holy Spirit, and fervently and sincerely love with a pure heart.

James 4:1-10

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

2 Chronicles 15:1-2

1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

Day 12

Devotional: Abiding in the Love of God

Yesterday, we asked God to increase our love for Him and for others. Today, we are going to learn how to abide in this increased love.

To abide means to live in, or dwell in, in the same way we live in or dwell in our house. It is the place we reside. Abiding in love means that we can be found residing in love. When we are to be found, we can be found in love, if we abide in love. Our reading from the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of John shows us so many powerful truths about what abiding in love looks like.

John 15:7-9 talks about the power of abiding in God’s love. It says when we remain in Him and His Word remains in us, we can ask whatever we wish and it will be given to us. He does this for His glory! He loves to see His children prosper as testaments of His power, grace, and mercy.

In John 15:26, it speaks on the work of the Holy Spirit. Through our shortcomings and inadequacies, the Holy Spirit testifies to the goodness of God. Through God’s completion of us and acceptance of our imperfect selves, we bring glory to Him.

When we abide in His love, the Holy Spirit comes and accompanies us, and fills us to overflowing. Before we know it, the love of God operates in us and through us in such a way that the things that used to trip us up, keep us awake, hold us back, and make us hate, are no longer able to do any of those things. We become unconquerable when we abide in love.

John 15:7-9

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

John 15:26

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Day 11

Devotional: Increasing My Love for God

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus is tackling two issues. He not only hangs every commandment and prophecy on two things, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself, but he also ties love for God and love for people together. Jesus points out to the questioner what the Bible has pointed out to us all along: the more we love God, the more we will love people. The more we show mercy for people, the more we demonstrate how much we love God. We can never be full of the Holy Spirit and fail to walk in love.

If we hate people because of their race, their ethnicity, what they’ve done to us, or what they’ve said about us, the Bible tells us that we are a murderer. We know that murderers have no place in the Kingdom of God. If we are to walk in the Spirit, we must walk in love. Remember, all of the commandments hang on love.

Let’s take another look at 1 John 2:15-17, which we read earlier in this plan. It speaks on those that love God and those that love the world. Notice there are two separate categories. The passage makes it clear that those who harbor love for the world and its fleeting pleasures do not have the love of the Father in them.

Finally, John 14:21 is written to instruct us how to show our love to God – by keeping His commandments. When we keep His commandments, we are showing Him we respect, fear, and ultimately love Him.

While worship is important, loving God is more than worshiping His name on Sunday mornings. We have to follow His commandments, we have to love the things He loves, and we have to show love to one another.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

John 14:21

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

DAY 10

Devotional: Doing Away with Wasteful Living

We are advised to live our lives carefully and not wastefully. A wasteful life is a life that is lived to glorify ourselves, our desires, and our agendas with no regard for the purpose of God. A careful life is a life that is lived to glorify God, to be what He desires, to do His will, and to see His purpose fulfilled in our lives.

When we are full of the Spirit, our lives become obviously different to anyone who takes notice. When we no longer operate on the limited wisdom of man, and the wasteful conduct of man, it is apparent to all that we are operating in a way that is distinct from everyone else.

Ephesians 5:5-18 gives us a lot to think about. It speaks very negatively about the “fruitless deeds of darkness” and strongly advises us instead to find out what pleases the Lord and pursue it. What do you think pleases the Lord in your life? Are you pursuing it wholeheartedly?

1 John 2:16 goes on to say that earthly desires are not from the Lord. If we recognize this, why do we continue to pursue them? Why do we continue to put them in a place of priority above what we know to please the Lord?

To begin doing away with wasteful living, we have to ask God to help us stop living wastefully. We need Him to reveal what are God-things and merely good things because there are things we perceive as good, that are not necessarily sins, but are wasteful because they do not accomplish the purpose of God in our lives.

Ephesians 5:5-18

5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 John 2:16

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Day 9

Devotional: Spiritual Hunger

You can always tell when an appetite changes because it will always produce something different. If our appetites change from the things of God to the things of the world, that hunger will produce the things of the world. Inversely, if our appetites change from the things of the world to the things of God, that hunger will produce the things of God.

What is being produced in your life today? What things are coming from your day-to-day walk, speech, actions, motivations, and passions? If you are primarily producing the things of the world, your appetite has changed from the things of the Spirit to the things of the world. If you are primarily producing the things of the Spirit, your appetite has changed from the things of the world to the things of the Spirit.

If my appetite is for things like reading the Bible, prayer, and worship, both private and corporate, then I have a proper hunger. However, if I don’t have an appetite for these things, my hunger is for improper things.

Let’s see what the Bible says about hunger. In John 6:25-70, Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life. What does this mean? The disciples were somewhat confused as well. Jesus was calling Himself the source of our spiritual nourishment. He was telling us that when we are hungry, spiritually, we can go to Him and be full.

In Isaiah 55:1-2, we see this analogy used again. Those who are thirsty and hungry but do not have money are told they can drink and eat. If they don’t have money, how is this possible? Their thirst and hunger are of the spiritual type – and God’s Kingdom does not charge!

We need to get our hunger back for spiritual bread. We need an appetite for the things of God. We need to throw off being satisfied with the mundane. We need to long for the nourishment of the Word, of prayer, and of worship. Our stomachs need to growl in longing for His presence. When we do this, our souls will be satisfied, and our lives will change.

Isaiah 55:1-2

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

John 6:25-70

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 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. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

DAY 8

Devotion: Spiritual Thirst

You did it! You persisted through the painful and difficult work of emptying yourself of everything that would hinder you from receiving all God has for you. For the past seven days, you have humbled yourself, examined yourself, and rid yourself of the things that only satisfy your flesh. It has not been easy, but it has been worth it.

For the next seven days, we are setting our hearts toward being filled with the Holy Spirit. The space we have created in our lives is now about to be filled with the fullness of God. There is a shift of unprecedented proportions coming into your life. Get ready for life change.

In John 4:13-14, it describes spiritual thirst. The things of this world – the water Jesus first references – will momentarily quench your thirst, but you will thirst again. He then goes on to speak of water that will make you never thirst again. This water is the Holy Spirit. This should be the water we want.

In John 7:37-39, Jesus continues this when He says, “Whoever is thirsty come and drink.” To receive the Spirit, this everlasting water, we need to accept Jesus and believe in what He has told us in God’s Word.

We shouldn’t just be going through the motions. We should thirst for the fresh, living water that only the Holy Spirit can supply.

John 4:13-14

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 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 ch. in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 7:37-39

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, 38 Or let him come to me, and let him who believes in me drink. As the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been because Jesus was not yet glorified.

DAY 7

Devotion: Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is wicked. It is spiritually, emotionally, and physically destructive. It takes and takes, and gives nothing in return. What’s more, we see from scripture that our forgiveness from God is contingent upon our forgiving others. Eternity, literally heaven and hell hangs in the balance of our willingness to forgive. The destiny of our souls rests on our decision to forgive, or not forgive, one another.

Matthew 6:14-15 makes this principle abundantly clear. When we forgive our brothers and sisters who have sinned against us, God will forgive us. But when we don’t show forgiveness, God will not forgive us.

Ephesians 4:32 goes on to say we need to show the forgiveness that Christ God has first shown us. We need to show compassion to our brothers and sisters. How could we not? We were undeserving of the forgiveness God showed us. How could we possibly say someone else is not worthy of our forgiveness?

Understand this: we are not forgiving others for them. We are forgiving them for us. Our lack of forgiving a person doesn’t keep them chained. It keeps us chained. There is a freedom that comes when we forgive. As we pray today, the chains that fall will be falling from us. Even if people never forgive us, it doesn’t matter. We will be free. We will be made right with God.

Matthew 6:14-15

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:32

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 17:9

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

DAY 6

Devotion: Offense

Have you ever been offended?

Offense is one of the most effective tools Satan uses in his campaign to hinder the people of God. He brings down even the mightiest of people. He uses offense to keep the Kingdom of God from being its most effective. He uses offense to dismantle churches. He uses offense to tear families apart. He uses offense to divide believers. He uses offense to perpetuate emotional, mental, and even physical illness in people.

Proverbs 17:9 says that those who conceal an offense seek love, but those who repeat it separate close friends.

Canceling an offense doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t remember it and forget it entirely. It does mean you don’t bring it up and you don’t hold a grudge against your brother or sister. It means you move past it and show the forgiveness God has shown you to those around you.

In Hebrews 12:15, it says to see to it that everyone obtains the grace of God. This grace, first shown to us by God for our sins, should be passed forward. We should be quick to forgive those who wrong us! It then goes on to speak of a root of bitterness that leads to trouble. This root can be defined in many ways, but in summation, it is an offense. We cannot let others offend us to the point that we harbor bitterness against them in our hearts.

Don’t let offense take root in your lives. Be quick to forgive and be quick to ask others for forgiveness. If we want to be overflowing with the Spirit, we can’t let offense be a motivating factor in our lives!

Proverbs 17:9

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Hebrews 12:15

15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

DAY 5

Devotion: Pride

We have made it to the fifth day of emptying us of us. This has not been easy!

How many times has God asked us to do something, and we have either not done it, or we have done it halfway? This is pride. This is us saying, “I am God, and I know what’s best for me in this situation.”

Pride is running rampant in today’s world. Pride in personal prestige, pride in income, pride in ability, pride in family, and so much more. This pride is turning us away from God and making us focus on ourselves and what we can accomplish.

In James 4:6-8, James states that God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble. We need to humble ourselves in the face of the Lord to receive His favor. When we realize all we have and all we have accomplished is a blessing from the Lord, we have no room for pride.

Proverbs 16:18 adds to the danger of pride by saying it is the precursor to destruction. Pride leads to destruction! If we know this to be true, why do we continue to harbor pride over insignificant things in our lives?

To live an overflowing life, we must rid ourselves of pride. If we want to be Spirit-filled, there is no room for it. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal any hidden pride in your life so you can more fully follow Him.

James 4:6-8

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Proverbs 16:18

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

DAY 4

Devotion: Selfishness

Today, we’re focused on ridding ourselves of something that has become increasingly more common in today’s world: selfishness.

What we do, not just in church, but outside of church cannot be done with a spirit of selfish ambition or conceit. Whether we are at work, at school, with friends, with family, in the marketplace, or serving in our place of leadership, our motives matter.

The question we should be asking ourselves is not, “What is best for me?” Instead, we should be asking ourselves, “What is best for the Kingdom of God?” Our ambition should be to find the best way to do the perfect will of God.

In Philippians 2:3-4 it says to do nothing in selfish ambition or conceit. Nothing means nothing. When we’re doing everything for the good of the Kingdom of God instead of ourselves, how different will our lives look?

1 Corinthians 10:24 mirrors this principle, stating that nobody should seek their own good, but the good of others. How different would the church look if everyone operated with the good of others in mind? How different would the world look if no one operated from selfish ambition but for the good of others?

The next time we attempt to do anything for others, or for the Lord, let’s ask Him to reveal if our motivation is selfish.

Philippians 2:3-4

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24

24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

DAY 3

Devotion: Deceptions

The next thing we have to rid ourselves of to live a Spirit-filled, overflowing life is the deception of the enemy.

In John 8:44, it calls the devil a liar. But not just a liar – it calls him the father of lies. This is quite a title and definitely not given to just the average liar. Our enemy is a master of deception. Realizing this should spark us into action to defend against all of the deceptions he brings through the world.

In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul tells the church to not be deceived. Even back then, and especially now, the enemy is at work skewing the Word of God, confusing His children, and blurring morals. We can’t let ourselves be victims of his masterful deceit.

Instead, we need to root ourselves in the truth of the Word of God. When we do this, we are less susceptible to the enemy's deception and can continue to walk in the will of God without wavering.

Galatians 6:7-8

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Hebrews 12:14

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

John 8:44

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

DAY 2

Devotion: Distractions

Today, we’re focused on ridding ourselves of the distractions this world brings in such abundance. We cannot fully follow God and His will for our lives and have a total, Spirit-filled life if we are constantly getting distracted.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives instructions to the Philippi church about what they should think about. While this passage only gets into what he wanted the church to dwell on, it can be inferred about what did not make the list. Stress, anxiety, fear, and worry are nowhere to be found on Paul’s list. Instead, he said to focus on what is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, and right. When we take this step, we are one step closer to thinking the way God desires and defending ourselves from distractions.

In John 17:17, we see Jesus praying for His disciples. He asks God to sanctify them by His truth. And what does He go on to call God’s truth? His Word. This gives us insight into what Paul was talking about when he told the Phillipi church to dwell on whatever is true.

We are meant to dwell on the truth of God’s Word. When this is a priority in our lives, we won’t be as easily distracted by the things of this world. This is an integral step in living a Spirit-filled, overflowing life.

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

DAY 1

Devotion: Worldliness

We are beginning this journey by emptying us of us. The Bible tells us, as followers of Christ, those who have been bought with the blood of Jesus, who are filled with the Spirit, that we are not to love the things of this world. I know this is a stark contrast to many of the things being taught today, but we must know that, as followers of Christ, we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we are not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. This word, renewing, comes from the Greek word, anakainosis, which means to renovate. In this context, it means we are to get rid of all of our old worldly ways of thinking, acting, and living, and begin to replace these with the things of God.

In 1 John 2:15-20, it gives us some stern warnings about those who love the world, what it will cause, and what it truly means. It says if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. It also speaks to the temporariness of the world and its desires. But those who do the will of God live forever.

As we start this 21-day plan, we must strive to rid ourselves of love for the world. We cannot serve two masters – we must choose God or the world. Once we choose God, we must rid ourselves of the ungodly love that still may reside in our hearts.

1 John 2:15-20

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.