Living in the Overflow: Why Devotion Transforms Everything

Salvation Is the Starting Line

Last week, I shared with our church family about the “reset” that happens in salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter preached that we must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and that in doing so we would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That’s powerful—and it’s foundational. But it’s not the finish line.

So often, we treat baptism like it’s the end of the story. Someone comes to Christ, they are baptized, and we almost breathe a sigh of relief and step back, saying, “Good. They’re in.” But Acts reminds us that salvation is the beginning, not the end. It’s the starting line of a journey that must be marked by devotion.

The “Good Stuff” of Faith

There’s a book I keep in my office titled A New Day. In it, the author tells of a new believer who came into his office after being baptized and asked, “When do we get to the good stuff?” He was reading Acts 2:42–47, where the early Christians lived in community, shared meals, prayed together, and gave generously. That brother was eager to experience what he called “the good stuff.”

And he was right. The Christian life is more than sitting in pews once or twice a week. The “good stuff” comes when we devote ourselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and living in the Spirit day after day.

Devoted, Not Convenient

Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” That’s where it begins. I love that word: devoted. In our culture, we’re used to commitments that last “as long as it benefits me.” But biblical devotion is different. It’s a settled decision of the heart: I’m in this for the long haul.

The early church showed that kind of devotion. They gathered daily in the temple courts, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. They didn’t have Bibles on their shelves—or apps in their pockets. The only way they could learn was by showing up.

If they were willing to be that committed, how much more should we—who have God’s Word on every device and shelf—be devoted?

Spiritual Starvation Is Real

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Just as we’d never dream of going days without eating, we shouldn’t starve ourselves spiritually.

And yet, if I asked how many of us went to bed last week without ever opening our Bibles, the numbers would be very different from missing meals. Why? Because physical hunger makes itself known immediately. Spiritual hunger is easier to ignore—until the soul grows weak.

That’s why so many Christians are spiritually malnourished. We’re trying to survive on motivational quotes, social media soundbites, or secondhand encouragement, when what we really need is the living and active Word of God.

Don’t Let Transformation Get Lost in Information

I want to share something that struck me as I prepared this message: “Don’t let the transformation get lost in the information.”

Yes, the Bible is a big book. It has history, poetry, prophecy, laws, and letters. It can feel overwhelming. But the Bible is not just a textbook or a rulebook. It is the very words, thoughts, and heart of God.

When I open its pages, I’m not checking off a religious duty—I’m connecting with the Creator of the universe. His Word doesn’t just inform me; it transforms me. As Paul said in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The more I live in the Word, the more I live like Christ.

Living in the Overflow

Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Another translation puts it this way: “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

That’s the key. If my heart is full of God’s Word, then what overflows will be faith, love, and truth. If my heart is full of worldly noise, then that’s what will spill out.

I often hear Christians ask, “How do I share my faith more? How do I disciple others? How do I overcome temptation?” My answer is: live in the overflow. Fill yourself so much with God’s Word that it spills out naturally in conversations, in choices, and in relationships.

The Power of Four

A study called The Power of Four discovered something remarkable: when people read their Bible at least four days a week, their lives change dramatically.

• They are 228% more likely to share their faith.
• They are 400% more likely to memorize Scripture.
• They are 230% more likely to disciple someone else.
• They experience a 20–30% decrease in sins like gossip, lying, neglecting family, and poor stewardship.

Why? Because they are living in the overflow. The Word of God is shaping their thoughts, guiding their actions, and fueling their mission.

How to Begin Devotion Today

Maybe you’re thinking, “That sounds great, but I don’t know where to start.” Let me offer three simple steps.


Conclusion: Reset to Devotion

The church in Acts grew daily, not because they had polished programs or great marketing, but because they were devoted. They were devoted to God’s Word, to prayer, to one another, and to living out their faith.

If we want to experience “the good stuff,” we must do the same. We must reset our priorities, devote ourselves to the Word, and live in the overflow. Because when we live out of the overflow, we don’t just grow ourselves—we transform our communities for Jesus.