Filling Our Lives with God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Choose Whom You Will Serve—A Full House Begins with a Decision

Joshua called his people to make a clear choice: to put away the gods of their ancestors and serve the Lord with sincerity and faithfulness. This call is not just about a physical house, but about the generations, the family, and the legacy you are building. The decision to serve God is not a one-time event but a daily commitment that shapes your home, your bloodline, and your future. Even when the world around you changes, and old battles try to follow you into new seasons, you have the authority to declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Let this be the foundation of your home and your heart. [51:00]

Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV)
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or home where you need to make a clear decision today to serve the Lord, rather than letting old habits or influences linger?

Day 2: It’s Not Enough to Clean—You Must Fill the House

Jesus warns that simply cleaning out your life—removing sin or bad habits—is not enough. If your heart remains empty, those old struggles can return even stronger. Many people focus on what they’ve given up, but forget to invite God’s presence to fill the void. Christianity is not just a list of do’s and don’ts; it’s a relationship that fills every part of your life with purpose and power. Don’t just sweep your house clean—invite Jesus to dwell there, so that emptiness doesn’t become an open door for old battles to return. [53:09]

Matthew 12:43-45 (ESV)
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Reflection: After letting go of something unhealthy, what is one specific way you can invite God’s presence to fill that space in your life today?

Day 3: Be Filled with the Spirit—Let God’s Presence Inhabit Every Room

A clean house is not the goal; a filled house is. The Bible calls us to be filled with the Spirit, which produces fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When God’s Spirit fills your heart and your home, there’s no room for anxiety, division, or old habits to move back in. Don’t settle for a life that just looks good on the outside—let the Holy Spirit fill every room, every relationship, and every moment. When you do, the enemy has no vacancy to return. [01:03:59]

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Reflection: Which “room” of your life—your thoughts, your relationships, your work, or your habits—needs to be intentionally filled with the Holy Spirit today, and how can you invite Him in?

Day 4: Relationship Over Rules—Don’t Reduce Faith to Do’s and Don’ts

It’s easy to make faith about following rules, but Jesus wants a relationship, not just religious behavior. When you focus only on what you’re not supposed to do, you miss the joy and freedom of walking with Christ. The basis of your salvation is not your ability to keep every rule, but Jesus’ finished work and His desire to fill every part of your life. When you fall short—and you will—He fills in the gap. Let your faith be about knowing Him, not just keeping score. [01:28:22]

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Reflection: In what ways have you been measuring your faith by rules or failures, and how can you shift your focus today to deepening your relationship with Jesus instead?

Day 5: Fill Your Home with God’s Presence—Make It a Daily Practice

Your house—your life, your family, your space—will always be filled with something. If you don’t intentionally fill it with God’s presence, other things will take up residence. Pray over every room, play worship music, and set the spiritual atmosphere in your home. Even if it feels awkward, make it a priority to declare that Jesus is King in your house. When you do, you’re not just keeping out what doesn’t belong—you’re inviting in the One who brings peace, joy, and blessing to every part of your life. [01:41:03]

Psalm 127:1 (ESV)
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Reflection: Will you take time today to pray over your home—room by room—and invite God’s presence to fill every space, making Him the true King of your house?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a community to celebrate the progress and growth God is bringing to our church, both physically and spiritually. We recognized the hard work and faithfulness of our leaders and volunteers, especially honoring Pastor Sam for her dedication and impact. As we move forward with new spaces and new members, we’re reminded that progress is often messy, but it’s a sign of God’s movement among us.

The heart of our time together centered on the idea of a “full house”—not just a church building filled with people, but lives and homes filled with the presence of God. Drawing from Joshua 24, we saw that Joshua’s declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” was not about a physical structure, but about a generational commitment to God. We also looked at Jesus’ sobering words in Matthew 12, warning that it’s not enough to simply clean out our lives from sin or bad habits; we must fill the empty spaces with the Holy Spirit, or else risk falling back into old patterns, sometimes worse than before.

Too often, we reduce Christianity to a list of rules—what we can’t do, what we must avoid. But the call is not to an empty, rule-based religion, but to a living relationship with Jesus. When we focus only on “not sinning,” our lives still revolve around sin. Instead, we are invited to focus on living for Christ, letting Him fill every room of our hearts and homes. This means inviting Him into our daily routines, our relationships, our struggles, and even our entertainment choices. It’s about more than just removing what’s wrong; it’s about intentionally filling our lives with what is right—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We were challenged to examine what we allow into our homes and hearts, to pray over our families and spaces, and to make room for the Holy Spirit to dwell. The goal is not perfection, but a house so full of God’s presence that there’s no vacancy for anxiety, division, or anything that doesn’t belong. As we move forward, let’s not settle for a swept and empty house, but a full and vibrant one, marked by the presence and fruit of the Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. Cleaning Out Isn’t Enough—Filling Up Is Essential It’s not enough to simply remove sin or bad habits from our lives; if we leave our hearts empty, we create space for old patterns or even worse things to return. Jesus warns that an empty, swept house is vulnerable. True transformation comes when we invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of our lives, leaving no room for the enemy to return. [53:09]
2. Christianity Is a Relationship, Not a Rulebook Reducing faith to a list of do’s and don’ts misses the heart of the gospel. When we focus only on what we’re not supposed to do, our lives still revolve around sin. Instead, we are called to a living relationship with Jesus, where our motivation shifts from obligation to joyful participation in God’s work and presence. [55:34]
3. What You Fill Your House With Shapes Your Life Just as a house left empty will eventually fall into disrepair, a life not intentionally filled with God’s presence will be filled by something else. We must be intentional about what we allow into our homes—our music, our conversations, our habits—and actively fill our spaces with prayer, worship, and the fruit of the Spirit. [63:59]
4. The Spirit-Filled Life Leaves No Room for the Enemy When we are filled with the Spirit, the enemy finds no vacancy in our hearts or homes. This doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges, but it does mean that anxiety, division, and temptation have no place to settle. The fullness of God’s presence is our best defense against the return of old struggles. [66:55]
5. Progress Is Messy, But God Honors the Process Whether it’s physical construction or spiritual growth, progress often comes with mess and discomfort. We may not get everything right, and sometimes we’ll fall short, but God is more interested in filling our lives with His presence than in our perfect performance. The journey is about making room for Him, one step at a time, and trusting Him to fill every empty space. [88:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:56] - Church Updates & Building Progress
[05:04] - Honoring Our Leaders
[28:05] - Celebrating Pastor Sam
[30:33] - Blessing and Testimony
[31:35] - Worship and Prayer Invitation
[40:54] - Technical Challenges & Team Appreciation
[53:09] - The Danger of an Empty House
[55:34] - Relationship Over Rules
[57:52] - Focusing on Living for Jesus
[63:59] - Filling the House with the Spirit
[66:55] - No Vacancy for the Enemy
[71:16] - What Are We Letting In?
[74:01] - Filling with Love, Peace, and Prayer
[79:12] - The Power of Influence in Our Homes
[82:25] - Healing, Growth, and Moving Forward
[88:22] - Letting Jesus Fill Every Room
[101:03] - Announcements & Youth Events
[103:20] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV) — > “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Matthew 12:43-45 (ESV) — > “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — > “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Observation Questions

In Joshua 24:15, what does Joshua mean when he says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”? Is he talking about a building, or something else? ([45:44])
According to Matthew 12:43-45, what happens when a house (or life) is left empty after being cleaned out? What is the danger Jesus warns about? ([53:09])
The sermon mentioned that “progress is messy.” What examples were given about how this is true in both the church building and in our spiritual lives? ([05:04])
What are some things the pastor said people often let into their homes and hearts that don’t belong there? ([01:11:16])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Joshua made a public declaration about his household’s commitment to serve the Lord? What impact might this have had on his family and community? ([45:44])
Jesus warns that simply removing sin or bad habits isn’t enough; we must fill our lives with something better. Why is it so important to fill the “empty spaces” with the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit? ([53:09])
The pastor said that focusing only on “not sinning” still keeps our lives centered around sin. How does shifting our focus to living for Jesus change our motivation and daily choices? ([57:52])
The sermon talked about intentionally filling our homes with prayer, worship, and the fruit of the Spirit. What might this look like in practical, everyday life? ([01:14:01])

Application Questions

The pastor challenged us to examine what we allow into our homes and hearts. Is there something specific (music, media, habits, attitudes) that you feel convicted to remove or change? What’s one step you can take this week? ([01:11:16])
Think about your daily routines. Where is there “empty space” that could be filled with God’s presence—like prayer, worship, or reading Scripture? What’s one new habit you could try this week to fill that space? ([01:14:01])
The sermon said, “When we focus only on not sinning, our lives still revolve around sin.” Is there an area where you’ve been more focused on avoiding the wrong thing than pursuing the right thing? How can you shift your focus? ([57:52])
The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Which one do you most want to see grow in your life right now? What’s a specific way you can practice it this week? ([01:03:59])
The pastor encouraged us to pray over our homes and families. Have you ever done this before? If not, what’s holding you back? If yes, what difference did it make? Would you be willing to try it this week? ([01:14:01])
Progress in our spiritual lives can be messy and uncomfortable. Is there an area where you feel “under construction” right now? How can you invite God to fill that space, even if it’s not perfect yet? ([05:04])
The sermon said, “The goal is not perfection, but a house so full of God’s presence that there’s no vacancy for anxiety, division, or anything that doesn’t belong.” What would it look like for your home or heart to be “full” in this way? ([01:28:22])

Sermon Clips

Regardless of what you've faced this week, regardless of how good or, or how bad the week has been, if nothing else, you serve a God that is seated on the throne and still in control. And on your worst day, he's still in charge. So because of that, you have a reason to celebrate. [00:33:31] (18 seconds) #CelebrateGodsSovereignty

Churches fail because we make you wait till the last possible minute to have a meeting with the Lord. And hopefully there's enough time for you to pray through. And so we open up this part of our service for if you have a need, if you've brought something in here, you can come to the altar during this time of worship. You can release what you brought in here so you can receive what God has for you. [00:34:03] (20 seconds) #AltarTimeForHealing

Look, Jesus is teaching us something extremely important here, he's giving us a sobering warning. It's not enough to just clean out the house of your life, you must also fill it up. See look, many people they will deal with their sins, they will break habits, they'll turn away from wrong things, but they're still empty on the inside. [00:51:47] (28 seconds) #FillYourLifeNotJustClean

Where we have failed is we have made Christianity a list of do's or don'ts. We've made it, in fact if I was to ask you today what is it, what does it mean to be a Christian, many of us it would not take long for us to get into what are we not allowed to do. [00:52:15] (18 seconds) #ChristianityBeyondRules

I don't have to come to church, I get to come to church. The week is stressful, why wouldn't I come to a place where the Lord is glorified and the breakthroughs are celebrated. [00:56:05] (15 seconds) #ChurchIsAGift

Don't focus on not sinning. You were forgiven of your sin when you accept—if you've accepted Christ you were forgiven of your sin. Don't focus on not sinning, start focusing on living for Jesus. [01:00:27] (16 seconds) #LiveForJesusNotSin

Religion without the relationship creates a good looking clean house that is empty and while it'll look nice over time it will fall apart but when you invite Jesus to dwell in your house in your heart not just rearrange the furniture and paint the walls all of a sudden the house gets full because a full house is a filled house. [01:04:36] (38 seconds) #RelationshipOverReligion

You can clean out and purge everything but if your house is still empty there's room for those spirits to get back in. If I clean out all the ways the kingdom of hell has gotten into my house and into my temple but I don't allow the presence of the Lord in, I am opening the door for the kingdom of hell to move back in. [01:13:45] (26 seconds) #FillYourHouseWithGod

Have you allowed him to fill up every room? What if he wants to fill up your job and it requires you to go out of your way to serve somebody that's above you that doesn't appreciate you? What if it requires you to go through a season of sickness that you can take every pill, you can go to every doctor, you can pray at every altar call and it just doesn't get fixed? What if it requires you to fight a battle that you've been able to win a hundred times but for some reason this season you just can't overcome it and he's saying I want you to deal with this so that I can prove to you I'm faithful in the middle of this? [01:28:44] (56 seconds) #FaithInTrialsProvesGod

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to fill your house with the Spirit?

How can Christians prevent spirits from returning after cleansing?

Why is relationship with Jesus more important than rules?