We are called to something greater...

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Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

As many of you know, I had started a site called Shackle Road with the goal of helping Christian men break-free from porn. During that time, I began to discover what I might call the "real issue" is (and where the real help is needed) that many of us have stagnated in our relationship with God.

And because of this, we try to fill our emptiness with other things... indulging the flesh, living small lives, watching YouTube, scrolling on social and settling into accepting this is just the way things are.

But is that the life Christ wants for us? Mediocre? Same ol' same 'ol?

Introducing - Shackle Breakers - A newsletter dedicated helping Christians awaken their relationship with God, to overcome the things that limit us, to embrace godly character and to do the work that God has called us to do.

Here's what you'll receive... 👉 One email per week (max - please pray for me as I do this) 👉 One encouraging clip for your playlist 👉 One thing to focus your thoughts on 👉 One truth to for your heart to own 👉 One step you can take in faith today

One for the playlist

This is an outstanding video by Eric Ludy and team on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The most moving point to me is early on when Satan comes to reap out his punishment on me and it says, "the Mighty Man stands between me and my accuser..." - watch it! save it!

One for the mind

The essence of "delight" isn't just about fleeting joy or a temporary spark of happiness. Originating from the Old French "delit", it signifies "pleasure"! It paints a picture of moments that invigorate our spirit and fortify our resolve.

Psalm 37:4 reads, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This isn't a call to passive joy but a charge to actively anchor oneself in the strength and might of the Divine. It's about seeking fulfillment and purpose in a bond with the Lord, tapping into an unwavering source of power and resolve.

In this verse, "delight" stands as a challenge: to stand firm, to find your grounding in something far greater than transient worldly pleasures. It’s a call to harness the robust, unyielding strength that comes from a partnership with the Almighty, ensuring that your heart's true desires align with a purpose greater than oneself.

In a world that often measures strength by physical prowess or material success, Psalm 37:4 reminds us that the mightiest foundation is built on a relationship with the Creator, a bond that empowers, emboldens, and enlightens.

One for the heart

Have you ever paused to ponder the origin of your deepest desires? What if they were not random whims, but divinely implanted aspirations? Imagine, for a moment, that it is God who has sown those seeds of longing within your heart.

This idea, though profound, gives rise to an even more intriguing notion: that these desires are tailored specifically for you. They set you apart, making you distinct from every other individual.

My heart's yearnings are unique to me, just as yours are exclusively yours. They're not just desires; they're identifiers, fingerprint-like marks of our divine creator.

But what could this mean in light of Ephesians 4:10, which emphasizes the work that God has prepared for each of us? It suggests that these desires are not mere indicators of our unique identity but pathways. They guide our journey, aligning us with the specific tasks God has set out for us.

To embrace these divinely rooted desires is to walk in purpose, to journey in sync with God's blueprint - crafted especially for you. It's more than mere destiny; it's a divine appointment, a call to action uniquely designed for each warrior of faith.

In essence, our desires aren't just fleeting wishes. They are divine signals, pointing us to the very work that we, and only we, are meant to achieve in this vast tapestry of life.

One for the feet

1. What are your thoughts about these thing? If it helps, hit reply and tell me.

2. Can you identify something that has always been on your heart? If so, what is it? If not, would you consider praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you - even if it's for several days...

3. What if all the resistance you feel is simple a ploy of the enemy looking to keep you from accomplishing what God has planned for your life? What would you do differently then?

4. Don't let this pass and find yourself in the same spot in another year - what is one thing you can do different tomorrow to move toward the desires he's placed there?

Anyway, the site (shacklebreakers.com) is a bit of a mess, so ignore the placeholders below - unless you like that sort of thing 😁, but I felt inclined to get this out. Please consider sharing it with others - I would be really grateful.

-- Peace!