RETREATING WITH GOD

“Guilty.” That’s what the judge pronounced at the end of the trial. When the word rang in Susan’s ears, she stood there in shock. She was convinced she would be cleared of the charges. Never in a million years did she think she’d be sent to prison. But that was about to become her new reality.

Susan was sentenced to five years for her crime, soon to be separated from her husband and two young children. Her freedom was about to be snatched away. No friends, no luxuries, not even the chance to see her kids’ school programs. She wouldn’t enter her home for half a decade.

Our story is much like Susan's. Find out why in today's audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

1 John 2:1-2 NIV

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE 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 [email protected]  

Join me as we go inside my new book, How to Meet with God, on Release Day, today, May 1. This is the audio track from my Facebook Live minutes ago. It's quite a bit different than the Retreating with God episodes, but I promise you'll be fed and challenged.

Hear about how to receive 4 Earlybird Bonuses, including the Audiobook. In addition to that bonus, the Meeting with God Journal Page, a special short audio, 7 Quiet Time Killers and How to Overcome Them, and a book preview from a future book of mine, Better Than Gold: God's Blueprint for Wisdom.

You can reach out to me with questions or comments at [email protected]. 

Life happens and our joy is sucked right out of us. We’re blindsided by getting fired, losing a good friend, receiving a call from our child’s principal’s office, or . . . you fill in the blank. 

You might be in that place right now. I hope today's audio devotional can lift you up.

KEY PASSAGE:

Hebrews 4:12-16 (NIV)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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 [email protected]  

The journey in the here and now is full of trials and hardships. We can choose to let the hardships capture our senses. Or we can let our minds flash forward to the eternal victory we will experience – thanks to Jesus. Today, we'll dwell on Scriptural truths that will turn your heart from doubt and discouragement to joy.

KEY PASSAGE:

Revelation 19:1-9 (NIV)

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

for true and just are his judgments.

He has condemned the great prostitute

who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.

He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!

The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,

all you his servants,

you who fear him,

both great and small!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

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 [email protected]  

Tomorrow, all eyes will be on baby Jesus, the Father's gift to all mankind. However, as we know, he was much more than a baby.

In our audio Christmas Eve Devotional, we'll consider his identity as "Lord." For me, when I do that, I settle into a spirit of stability and rest. The word “Lord” gives me perspective. Jesus is in control. Everyone and everything report to him. I feel stronger after addressing Jesus as Lord. It’s like hitting “reset” in my mind and spirit. While we don't want to lose sight of his coming to this earth as a baby, let's remember that it is a snapshot. 

KEY PASSAGE:

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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 [email protected]  

Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. listeners. Here's a special Thanksgiving devotional that applies to all of us, no matter where we are or what day it is. May God touch your heart.

Season 3 is coming April 1! Premiering the day after Easter, we have a refreshing new format and a new name, Retreating with God. Engage with Jon Fugler in a short interactive devotional three days a week to help you know Christ more deeply. Listen to the preview to know what to expect.

While in the middle of recording his audio book of SILENCE YOUR INNER PHARISEE, Jon lost his temporary crown. But it didn't stop him from recording this final episode of the season. Coincidentally, the topic of this episode is "pain" and how it can draw us to Christ. 

Jon features a moving story included in his book. It's the story of how physical pain has drawn Jim Van Houten closer to the Savior. Jim cites three Bible passages that help him make it through:

While going through intense physical pain, Jim has also experienced tragic emotional pain with the loss of a son. Jim and his wife, JeanneKay, told their moving story in previous episode. We have included it in this episode. Witness the power and comfort of God in their lives.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

SILENCE YOUR INNER PHARISEE: Ditch Performance and Embrace Radical Freedom in Christ.

Take the free Spiritual Self-Assessment

Contact Jon

It's summer grilling time, and Jon Fugler was the meat this week. Moody Radio Chicago was the setting this past Monday. Here's how they described the show, which is the content of this episode of the podcast:

Today, on Karl and Crew Mornings, we discussed overcoming performance Christianity.  What does it look like to arise above the notion that performance equals faith?  It's not about what we do for Christ...it's living with Him (John 15:5).  Our special guest was Jon Fugler.  He is the Founder and CEO of Fresh Faith 24/7.  We highlighted his book, "Silence Your Inner Pharisee", and he unpacked his own testimony of overcoming performance Christianity.  

LINKS:

Get Jon's book Silence You Inner Pharisee: Ditch Performance and Embrace Radical Freedom in Christ 

Take the free Self-Assessment

Stream Karl and Crew each weekday morning on Moody Radio.

It's a celebration! A few minutes ago, I was on social media with a live event -- my Book Release Celebration and Dedication of SILENCE YOUR INNER PHARISEE: Ditch Performance and Embrace Radical Freedom in Christ.

This episode is the audio from that live stream. Go behind the scenes with me and hear the core message in the book. It's a book of stories-- my story, your story and the stories of believers who have experienced freedom in the relationship with Christ. Each story comes from a different angle.

Be encouraged as you listen.

LINK AND RESOURCES:

Silence Your Inner Pharisee (Kindle)

Silence Your Inner Pharisee (Paperback)