"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...." Isaiah 49:16.
The closer we get to Jesus, the more we see His love for us. If you are standing far away from Him you can't see the nail marks in His hands. But when you come close and spend time with Jesus you will see His amazing love for you, that He demonstrated on the cross.
Isaiah 25 says: "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt you and praise Your Name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. ....You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. ......On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Are you struggling with your health, your finances, your job, your relationships? Worried about your family, your parents, your children? Fearful of the unknown? Focusing on the One who gave His life for yours quiets your fears. Come close to Jesus, read His words; "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45, remember the scars in His hands, He gave His life as a ransom for you. He is your Savior. "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." Luke 6:48. Even when troubles come, your life is held firm, your foundation is sure. Jesus said, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
There is no substitute for knowing that your Shepherd is near. Even when all is dark, trust that His eye is on you and that His love is proven.
"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 everything, 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." Philippians 4:8.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
The God you can know.
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us...that our idea of God corresponds as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us." A. W. Tozer
Someone told me that "we can't know God", this person believes that God is unknowable.
And yet Jesus said, If you know me, you know the Father. In John 14:6-9, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.".....Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
When I am struggling with issues in life, I come back to what I know is true about God. God is holy. God is just. God is love. God created us to be in relationship with himself and with other people. He created us to love God and love others.
When the kids were little, I would say playfully, "What are you good for?" and they would answer me, "good for loving." We would hug. They had learn from their dad and I that that was what children where for....loving. That's what God created us for, for loving.
Philip Yancey, in one of his books said; "Jesus' response to suffering people and to 'nobodies' provides a glimpse into the heart of God. God is not the unmoved Absolute, but rather the Loving One who draws near."
Do you want to know more about God. Read and meditate on the scriptures! The Word of God will show you the heart of God. The Word of God is what the Spirit of God uses to change the life of the child of God. Jesus revealed the heart of God.
"And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe" 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
As you study the scriptures, recognizing the effect that sin has had on all of creation, how it broke our love relationship with God and other people, how God had a plan from the very beginning to redeem us through the cross of Christ, remember that He created us for love. We feel like hypocrites and fools coming back and asking for God to forgive us of the same sin, again and again. But He is glad to hear from us, and He doesn't even remember that sin for which you asked forgiveness yesterday or the day before (Is. 43:25). God is the God of Grace, He wants to love you. The God who created us loves us so much that HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON to DIE that we might live with His Spirit guiding us forever into eternity (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16). That's the God who is waiting for you to spend time with Him. The God who created you for loving. The God you can know!
Someone told me that "we can't know God", this person believes that God is unknowable.
And yet Jesus said, If you know me, you know the Father. In John 14:6-9, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.".....Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
When I am struggling with issues in life, I come back to what I know is true about God. God is holy. God is just. God is love. God created us to be in relationship with himself and with other people. He created us to love God and love others.
When the kids were little, I would say playfully, "What are you good for?" and they would answer me, "good for loving." We would hug. They had learn from their dad and I that that was what children where for....loving. That's what God created us for, for loving.
Philip Yancey, in one of his books said; "Jesus' response to suffering people and to 'nobodies' provides a glimpse into the heart of God. God is not the unmoved Absolute, but rather the Loving One who draws near."
Do you want to know more about God. Read and meditate on the scriptures! The Word of God will show you the heart of God. The Word of God is what the Spirit of God uses to change the life of the child of God. Jesus revealed the heart of God.
"And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe" 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
As you study the scriptures, recognizing the effect that sin has had on all of creation, how it broke our love relationship with God and other people, how God had a plan from the very beginning to redeem us through the cross of Christ, remember that He created us for love. We feel like hypocrites and fools coming back and asking for God to forgive us of the same sin, again and again. But He is glad to hear from us, and He doesn't even remember that sin for which you asked forgiveness yesterday or the day before (Is. 43:25). God is the God of Grace, He wants to love you. The God who created us loves us so much that HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON to DIE that we might live with His Spirit guiding us forever into eternity (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16). That's the God who is waiting for you to spend time with Him. The God who created you for loving. The God you can know!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Ready While Waiting
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but in the one to come." Ephesians 1:17-21
The Prophet Habakkuk struggled with questions, why God doesn't do something about wickedness in his people, and why would God do something about wickedness by allowing those who are even more wicked to rule over his people.
Habakkuk's perspective changed as he waited to see what the Lord would say and focused the eyes of his heart on the hope he had in God Himself.
"I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint. Then the Lord said to me, "write my answer in large clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else."" Hab. 2:1-2.
"Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith." Hab. 2:4.
Jesus taught in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, to be prepared while waiting. Just as Habakkuk climbed up into the watchtower and waited to see what the Lord would do; so the Wise Virgins where ready while waiting, it didn't matter how long it took the Bridegroom to arrive, they had oil with them to keep their lamps burning (Matt. 25, also see Luke 12:35-38).
St. Augustine said, "Do not rejoice in earthly reality, rejoice in Christ, rejoice in His word, rejoice in His law...There will be peace and tranquility in the Christian heart; but only as long as our faith is watchful; if, however our faith sleeps, we are in danger."
Are you living your Christian life watchfully, being faithful to humbly wait on Lord? Keeping your faith burning by His Spirit as your meditate on the Word? Warren Wiersbe says, " it is good to wrestle with God about questions that perplex you--just be sure to stop talking long enough to listen. It is good to "be still and know that He is God" Ps. 46:10." Keep your faith burning bright while you serve and wait, by being filled daily with the Spirit as you yield to Him.
Remember what is true about God. God is Love, God is Just, God is Faithful, God will bring about His Purpose and His Plan. "But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him." Hab. 2:20. Instead of questioning God, be still and wait. Instead of scheming to make things the way they "should be", be silent before Him. Remember God is the Ruler and the Lord of all and trust that all that He decrees is for our ultimate good and for His glory, not only in this present age but in the one to come! Be ready while you are waiting.
The Prophet Habakkuk struggled with questions, why God doesn't do something about wickedness in his people, and why would God do something about wickedness by allowing those who are even more wicked to rule over his people.
Habakkuk's perspective changed as he waited to see what the Lord would say and focused the eyes of his heart on the hope he had in God Himself.
"I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint. Then the Lord said to me, "write my answer in large clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else."" Hab. 2:1-2.
"Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith." Hab. 2:4.
Jesus taught in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, to be prepared while waiting. Just as Habakkuk climbed up into the watchtower and waited to see what the Lord would do; so the Wise Virgins where ready while waiting, it didn't matter how long it took the Bridegroom to arrive, they had oil with them to keep their lamps burning (Matt. 25, also see Luke 12:35-38).
St. Augustine said, "Do not rejoice in earthly reality, rejoice in Christ, rejoice in His word, rejoice in His law...There will be peace and tranquility in the Christian heart; but only as long as our faith is watchful; if, however our faith sleeps, we are in danger."
Are you living your Christian life watchfully, being faithful to humbly wait on Lord? Keeping your faith burning by His Spirit as your meditate on the Word? Warren Wiersbe says, " it is good to wrestle with God about questions that perplex you--just be sure to stop talking long enough to listen. It is good to "be still and know that He is God" Ps. 46:10." Keep your faith burning bright while you serve and wait, by being filled daily with the Spirit as you yield to Him.
Remember what is true about God. God is Love, God is Just, God is Faithful, God will bring about His Purpose and His Plan. "But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him." Hab. 2:20. Instead of questioning God, be still and wait. Instead of scheming to make things the way they "should be", be silent before Him. Remember God is the Ruler and the Lord of all and trust that all that He decrees is for our ultimate good and for His glory, not only in this present age but in the one to come! Be ready while you are waiting.
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