In the Prophets and the book of beginnings
(Genesis), I am particularly struck by the awesome nature and power of our God,
his might and dominion and yet his love and compassion; it’s almost beyond
comprehension for me. What a mighty God we serve. I realize I struggle to
praise and worship God as he deserves.
"And
mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in
fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole
mount quaked greatly” (Ex 19:18; KJV). The people of Israel were terrified.
"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his
train filled the temple." (Isa 6:1). The seraphim or heavenly beings worshiped God most high crying: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the
whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa 6:3). Isaiah tells us that God’s
voice caused the door posts of the temple to shake and his presence filled the
temple with smoke (Isa 6:4).
This
same mighty God also expressed such love (Zeph 3:17) and compassion for his people
Israel (Mic 7:19).
Reflect
on our God today; find time to just praise and worship him for who he is, not
what he can do for you.
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In
first Timothy chapter 6 Paul admonishes his son in the Lord to avoid people
that want to argue with God’s word and those who chase after money. He even
says to flee these things (verse 11) but to pursue God’s will: “righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (KJV). Righteousness is to be in
right standing with God; Jesus won this for us by his death and resurrection (2
Cor 5:21) but we have to learn to walk in it. Godliness is to be God like and again,
is something we grow in as we study his word and allow the Holy Spirit to
change us. Our very walk with God is a walk of faith (Gal 3:11) and the Bible
tells us that faith works by love (Gal 5:6) but requires patience (Heb 6:12).
The primary way we grow our faith is by studying God’s word (Rom 10:17).
Meekness
(also translated gentleness) is an interesting word. Meekness is a fruit of the
Spirit as are love and patience (Gal 5:22-23). To be meek is not to be like a
mouse but it means to be confident in the power and victory we have in Christ
with our emotions and power under control. This is well illustrated in 2 Timothy
2:24-25, where Paul exhorts Timothy not to quarrel but to teach and correct
with humility, gentleness and patience.
So,
what do we get out of all of this? Well, don’t run after money, be teachable,
be humble and run after Jesus every day; aim to be more like him. If we seek him
first, all the other God things will be added to us (Matt 6:33). Keep on
pursuing Jesus this week.
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“Break up your fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12).
This exhortation was also made by the prophet Jeremiah concerning the lives of
God’s people (Jer 4:3). In agriculture, fallow ground is uncultivated land,
unbroken and covered with weeds and thorns. The Lord showed me that as a
Christian we can have fallow ground in our own lives. As born-again Christians
our spirits are new and in fellowship with God (John 3:3-6) but our bodies and
souls are not. It is our job to renew our minds (Rom 12:2) and discipline our
bodies (1 Cor 9:27) with God’s word and power.
Fallow,
or unregenerate areas in our souls or in the things we allow our bodies to do,
will limit how God can move in our lives. Carnal Christians, or ones who still
operate to a great extent under the dictates of the flesh (soul and body), very
much limit God. These are the people who received the seed of God’s word amongst
the thorns, in the parable of the sower (Matt 13:3-8). Such people could be
Christians, but carnal ones, still very much living in the world and influenced
by worldly priorities.
We
need to let God plough up the fallow ground in our lives by the word of God and
the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). We need to ask God to show us areas
in our lives that need to change; He will show us and help us to change. Then
we can live on Gods level and enjoy the peace, prosperity and fullness he has
for us.
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Check
out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way:
Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.
In Genesis
18:14 (KJV) we read: "Is anything too hard or for the Lord?" This is
what the Lord said to Abraham when he told him that Sarah would have a baby in
her old age. Jeremiah told the Lord: "there is nothing too hard for thee"(Jer
32:17) and in Job 42:2 Job told God: "I know that thou canst do every thing,
and that no thought can be withholden from thee”.
In Matthew
19:26 we read that with God all things are possible. The Greek word used here for
possible is dunatos and it implies that when we try to do things in our own
strength nothing much is accomplished but God can do what for us would seem impossible.
The Angel Gabriel told Mary, the mother of Christ: “For with God nothing shall
be impossible” (Luke 1:37). Finally, Ephesians. 3:20 reads that God can do:
"exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think". Do you get the
picture? Don’t bang your head against the wall, just give your challenges to God.
If you are trusting God for something impossible then allow these verses to
encourage you; stand on them - and keep on standing.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
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others.
“That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto
his death” (Phil 3:10). Paul said that his goal in life was to know Christ and
the power of his resurrection. Think what power (the Greek word dunamis) was
needed to raise Jesus from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). We get our English word
dynamite from the Greek word dunamis.
That
same power dwells in us (Rom 8:11), brings life to our mortal bodies, empowers
us to be witnesses for him (Acts 1:8) and in fact, makes us like Jesus (2 Cor
3:17-18). Wow and double Wow.
Eph
1:18 also indicates that God’s power (the Greek word kratos) in us is the power
of dominion or authority. As born-again believers, we walk in the authority of
Jesus over the devil. Jesus took back all power and authority from satan through
his (Jesus) death and resurrection (Eph 1:21-22). What a victory we have in
Jesus. But Paul also went on to say, in Philippians 3:10, that we must also be
willing to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and death. We have to die to self
and live for Christ, no matter how much persecution or difficulty this may
bring; are we willing? The benefits are truly amazing.
Please
pass this on. All right reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.