A lot of people believe that God created the world. I hope you're one of them. {If you're not, go read Genesis 1.} But a lot of people also believe that, after creation, He left the world to run on its own. That life's progression is left to chance, or fate. That we're in control of our own destinies. I disagree. I believe that God is still involved in this world. I believe that He cares for every single part of our universe moment-by-moment. I believe that He is a "hands-on" God, that He is constantly working in our lives. How do I know? Psalm 65:6-13 [HCSB]: You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar [...Read More]
Who is God?
July 19, 2012 By 3 Comments
I'm reading through Psalms right now, and am thoroughly enjoying it. The other day I read Psalm 18, a favorite of mine since high school. I love how it shows so many aspects of who God is... and especially portrays Him as a refuge, a champion for His people, and a rescuer. Here are some things about God that I underlined in this chapter: He is our strength. He is our rock and our fortress and our refuge. He is our deliverer. He is our shield and our stronghold. He is worthy of our praise. He hears us when we cry to Him. He rescues us. He delights in us. He rewards our righteousness. He is merciful, blameless, and pure. He is our light. He is perfect. He [...Read More]
Where is God in all this? – and a LinkUp
June 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Horrific unconstrained wildfire in Colorado. Land and homes ruined beyond repair. Scary decisions regarding healthcare. Uncertainty in our country's future. In light of the past week's national headlines, you might be wondering where is God in all this? He is still here. Still with us. Still guiding us. And yes, still protecting us. Things could be so much worse. There is so much evil in this world, sin is so prevalant - can't you see the restraint of His Spirit in our country, even amidst the most unsettling of events? Man is so utterly depraved, evil could be so much more rampant than it is. Psalm 145 gives us a great reminder for times like these [8-9]: The Lord is gracious [...Read More]
Love loves unto purity.
June 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
George MacDonald was a pastor and author in the late 1800s. He penned a volume called Unspoken Sermons in 1867. This is an excerpt from one of those sermons, "The Consuming Fire" {emphasis mine}: "Nothing is inexorable but love. Love which will yield to prayer is imperfect and poor. Nor is it then the love that yields, but its alloy. For if at the voice of entreaty love conquers displeasure, it is love asserting itself, not love yielding its claims. It is not love that grants a boon unwillingly; still less is it love that answers a prayer to the wrong and hurt of him who prays. Love is one, and love is changeless. For love loves unto purity. Love has ever in view the absolute [...Read More]
He Alone is God (TTB12 Week 7)
February 11, 2012 By 1 Comment
What stood out to you this week in your Bible reading? For me, it was one statement that got repeated over.and over.and over.again: I am God, and there is no other. I am the Lord, and there is none like me. You know how they say that "repetition aids learning"... Well, this one statement was repeated at least 6 times in just 1 chapter last week (Isaiah 45). I guess God wanted Israel to realize that there was truly none like Him. And since we have this same Word in front of us today, He must want us to also realize and meditate on the truth that He alone is God, and there is absolutely no one else like Him. "To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be [...Read More]
Six Comforting Truths from Isaiah 40
February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I just completed my daily reading for TTB12... and now I have Handel's Messiah going through my head. And a whole host of other hymns and songs that were written from the contents of this chapter. It starts off proclaiming comfort to God's people, specifically to His chosen nation of Israel. After centuries of captivity and persecution, they will someday have lasting peace and freedom, when God Himself shall reign in their midst (see Revelation 21). But that comfort is for us Gentile believers as well! What can we find comfort in? First, that God's glory will someday be revealed in its entirety to all of mankind, from all times and all races and all belief systems. We won't see just the [...Read More]
