RETREATING WITH GOD

Jon Fugler FRESH FAITH 24/7

Join us for an interactive devotional with author and Christian leader Jon Fugler. Be nourished and challenged to know Christ more deeply as Jon leads you on a short personal retreat three days a week. Discover and experience the Read-Reflect-Relate approach to God and his Word.

  1. Oct 23

    Dealing with Heart-Wrenching Loss [Friday, #447]

    How can joy be restored in our lives when we are going through a time of heart-wrenching loss? When we lose someone close to us, indescribable emotions take over. Whether a loved one’s death comes slowly or suddenly, the finality of it all has a profound effect on us. There’s no formula for restoring joy in our lives in a season of loss. This isn’t a math equation. The ebb and flow of life isn’t predictable.  I do know that our Savior’s healing touch is an element in restoring joy. Allowing him into our loss and sorrow is critical. Can we move from sorrow to joy instantly? I don’t think so. It’s a journey. Let's look at that journey today in our audio devotional. KEY PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. RESOURCES: Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org. Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.  Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

  2. Oct 21

    Do You Laugh Much? You Should [Wednesday, #446]

    They say that laughter has a healing effect on the body. In fact, the Bible tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV). Laughter may even release some happy hormones. In any case, laughter is indeed good for the soul. When was the last time you had a real hearty laugh? What brought it on? The thought of that memory makes you smile, I’m sure. I think we all need to set everything aside and laugh. Not just a snicker. But the kind of laugh you just remembered. One that’s out of control. Even embarrassing. Why is it that Christ-followers are often the least happy people in the bunch? Let's face this head-on in our audio devotional today. KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 4:4-8 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. RESOURCES: Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org. Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.  Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

  3. Oct 16

    Pride: Poison to the Soul [Friday, #444]

    We call it pride. God calls it sin. We all struggle with it. We see it in others yet we’re blind to it in ourselves.  Jesus demonstrated the opposite quality, right up to his final breath on earth. Hanging on a cross, he pronounced about humanity (for whom he was dying), “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 ESV) We often misinterpret Jesus’ intention. These words weren’t only for those who were torturing and ridiculing him. They were for you and me. Let's look at this more deeply in today's audio devotional. KEY PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh, and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. RESOURCES: Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org. Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.  Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

  4. Oct 14

    Jesus and Everyone Else [Wednesday, #443]

    I’m sure you’ve called out someone’s salvation at one time or another. “Jim can’t possibly be a Christian.” “I know Barb’s not a Christian. Look at the way she lives.” I understand. I do a bit of salvation analysis at times. And I shouldn’t. I think we will be surprised, when we get to heaven, who is there — and who is not. What if we spent more of our time sharing the Gospel instead of judging whether someone is a believer or not? Jesus was great at this. The New Testament has several examples. The woman at the well (John 4), Zacchaeus (Luke 19) and Matthew, who walked out on his profession to follow Jesus (Matthew 2). Let's explore this further together today. KEY PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-20 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. RESOURCES: Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org. Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.  Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

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Join us for an interactive devotional with author and Christian leader Jon Fugler. Be nourished and challenged to know Christ more deeply as Jon leads you on a short personal retreat three days a week. Discover and experience the Read-Reflect-Relate approach to God and his Word.