Spiritual

YOU CAME TOO LATE TO CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE…


Spiritual Blog - Fearfully and Wondrfully Made

Psalm 139:13-16 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”  NKJV

 

It is impossible for me to consider the human body and not believe in a creator and creation.  It is impossible for me to consider the function of the human body and believe in the theory of evolution.  When I consider what we know from medical science about the human body’s makeup and function I find it beyond my ability to believe in chance.

When I consider the human body as a finely tuned precision machine I only have to go to the heart to stand in awe.  It is estimated that the human heart beats 103,689 in a single day and the blood travels 168 MILLION miles each day.  We are told that the digestive system processes 7.8 pounds of waste and our lungs take in 438 cubic feet of air daily.  That is nothing short of incredible.  We are told that our bodies have over 200 different kinds of cells and there are 5 trillion cells overall.  Then, when I take the knowledge that it all began with a single cell, a fertilized egg, no larger than a small dot.  That cell becomes two cells, then four, eight and so on.  Each cell or group of cells performs a specific function and produces tissue, bone and all the parts of the human body.

The heart pumps the blood, the liver (which has over 500 functions) helps to rid the body of poisons, stores vitamins and the brain interprets the electrical signals and functions as a light speed computer sending commands throughout the system.  The human body has the capacity to self-heal if provided the right fuels and care and like no other creature on the planet functions, communicates and creates.

To ask me to believe this all just happened is more than I can muster faith for.  I believe the Bible that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I believe that God designed our human bodies and Adam was created from the dust of the earth and became a living soul when God breathed the breath of life into him.  I believe that God spoke the worlds into existence, hanging the stars, sun and moon in place, aligning the planets and determining the perfect planetary orbit for earth to cause it to be conducive for life and human existence.  I believe that God knew and determined what I would look like before my parents copulated and conception occurred.  When did I begin?  I began in eternity past in the heart of God and will live eternally in His presence. 

Yes, we are fearfully and wonderfully MADE or CREATED we did not just happen.  We live and move and have our being through Him.  Some scoff at my simplistic view of man and attempt to tell me that science does not validate my beliefs but I challenge you to consider the human body, all the works of science and the Bible.  I believe that if you do you will have much the same experience an atheistic Russian scientist who accepted Christ.  When asked what caused him to believe in God.  He replied, “My thumb.”  He went on to declare that the function of the thumb was beyond his ability to explain away and was so absolutely perfect he could see not possibility but a creator.  You may scoff at that too but if you seek to dissuade me from believing in God and Creation you have arrived too late.  For, I know whom I have believed and am persuaded…

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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THE CHRISTIAN ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY…


Spiritual Blog - Entitlement 1

Luke 17:5-10 – “And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.  7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?  8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?  9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.  10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'”  NKJV

 

I have heard well-meaning and well-intentioned Christians and some preachers speak of God being obligated to them because of their faith or obedience.  This passage is problematic to that view and while I am not suggesting that God does not commit Himself to us we should never develop the attitude that He owes us anything or is obligated to our directives.

The request was “increased faith” and in responding to that request Jesus went far beyond what one would have thought and addressed what I call a “Christian Entitlement Mentality”.  He spoke of the seeming smallness of faith but illustrated its power and potential.  He then addressed something that is often overlook regarding faith and that is “obedience”.  Jesus addressed this in the Centurion whose servant the LORD healed.  The Centurion demonstrated his understanding of authority and the chain of command and in response to that Jesus said, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.”  That is powerful.

Here he speaks of a servant after having done his daily chores and labors who coming in from the field.  The servant was being obedient doing what he was supposed to do.  Jesus asked if they thought the master would say to that servant, “Come at once and sit down and eat?”  He did not wait for their response but informed them that this would not happen.  The master would tell them to prepare him something and after he had eaten they could eat.  He concluded by asking, “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?  I think not.”  He then says, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.  We have don what was our duty to do.” 

Spiritual Blog - Entitlement 2

Some have made this message about the impossibility of man living before God without sin but He did not say “sinful servants” rather “unprofitable servants.”  We have earned nothing in our service.  We have not established a heavenly bank account from which we withdraw at our choosing.  If God blesses us it is “unmerited favor” not because we deserve it or have earned it.

God does not “need” our service, He chooses to allow us to participate in the Kingdom.  Our ability to live and perform His commands and our assignments is by Grace.  When we do what is right we are simply doing our “duty” not “earning” favor with or obligating God.  The best service we can offer is mingled with imperfections and we continually come short but God in His incredible grace and mercy will bear with us and He chooses to lavish His good things on us because of love not because we earned it.

Please avoid a Christian Entitlement Mentality it will pervert and destroy our relationship with God and tends to create an elitist mentality that is counterproductive to the Kingdom of God.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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GOD DIDN’T CREATE A FICKLE FRAGILE PLANET…


Spiritual Blog - God Fickle Fragile Planet

Job 38:4-7 – “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding.  5 Who determined its measurements?  Surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  6 To what were its foundations fastened?  Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”  NKJV

 

So much of what I hear today from politicians, newscasters, activist and even Christians regarding man destroying the planet is reflective of an attitude toward God that, in my view, is non-biblical.  God is either God or He isn’t.  God either knew what He was doing when He created everything or He didn’t.  I do not believe God created a fragile or fickle planet and it has survived a long time and will be here after most of us, if not all of us are gone.

God challenged Job to explain the creation of the earth knowing Job was completely incapable of such an exercise.  When I hear politicians, newscasters and even those in the scientific community attempt to explain or define the planet, atmosphere, greenhouse gasses, carbon and so much more I hear something that almost always discounts God.  God hung the stars in place and determined the orbit of the planets.  This is God’s creation that we are standing on and He has declared that when it is destroyed He will be the one initiating it not man.  I know, I know some say it will be nuclear war that destroys it and while God might allow that to be a part He does not have to have any help from man to do what He does.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’s, and its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.  For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.”  God did that, not man.  I have encountered the Grace of God and in my heart He lives, therefore I believe Him.  On most things, the scientific community is in disagreement.  Some of the attribute things to chance and man and others recognize the work of design and a designer.  You can find some scientist to support almost any theory you want to advance.  I had someone lash out at me recently because I believe in Creation not Evolution.  They asked how I came to that conclusion and sarcastically said – PRAYER?   Well, I base my belief on the Bible, factual evidence in science and the many unconnected dots required to believe in evolution.  So, if you believe we evolved from a single celled amoeba, crawled out of the ocean or our ancestors were tree swinging apes be my guest.  I do not, I believe the Bible.

I fully believe that God knew exactly what man would produce in technology and industry.  I am confident that when He created this planet and the universe He took into account EVERYTHING!  That is not to say that I do not believe we need to be good stewards with regard to our planet and pollution or the environment.  Litter is offensive to me for many reasons and while we can and should do things as good stewards living in fear of man destroying our planet is, in my view, a slap in God’s face and questioning of His power and ability.

If I can believe He can keep my soul and give me eternal life believing He can maintain the planet is small in comparison, at least in my mind.   God bless you and enable you to fully enjoy life to the full.  Blessings!

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WHEN YOU FEEL FORSAKEN…


Spiritual Blog - Forsaken

Psalm 22:1-2 – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?  2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.”  NKJV

 

I’m sure those words are familiar and you recall them as the word of Jesus as He hung on the Cross, “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani?”   The Bible translates that for us as, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”  Upon crying out those words our Lord breathed His last and died.  The devil and much of the world thought it was over and despair hung over many of His followers.

Jesus had wrestled with His assignment in the days and possibly years prior to this event.  We find it recorded in the Gospels how in His agonizing in prayer in the Garden that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.  The greatest suffering Jesus could endure was the Father turning His back on Him as He became sin for mankind.  It was not turning His back on Jesus but turning His back on sin and that momentary separation was almost unbearable for our Lord.

I have experienced being forsaken by people and the pain was excruciating.  I have had times that I felt my prayers were nothing more than words falling from my lips unheard and unheeded by God.  The pain that results emotionally and physically is beyond description.  It was in those times that I had to hold firm to my confidence that God’s word is true and God is a keeper of His promises.  I could not feel Him and could see no evidence of His presence or concern but my heart and mind refused to relinquish my grip on His promise and in due time He responded.

When you are or feel forsaken that sense of hopelessness never leaves, day or night.  You are emotionally drained, relationally impaired and often find that it affects your physical body.  Sleep is often impossible.  You find yourself incapable of concentration and productivity.  The feeling or sense of isolation and abandonment is with you 24/7 as an unshakable tormentor.  It is in those times that you must determine to maintain your confidence and trust.  That is possible providing you have established a spiritual bank account from which to draw in your time of barrenness.  How do you do that?  You maintain a steady diet and habit of communing with the LORD in prayer, praise and worship as well as your intake of spiritual food from the Word of God.  You also draw from the strength that has been infused into you by the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter.

I am not saying you will experience a time when you feel forsaken but IF YOU DO remember.  Do not cast away your confidence.  Having done all to stand, STAND!  He will never leave you nor forsake you.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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TRUST – We All Do, but in Whom or in What???


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalms 20:7-8 – “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.”  NKJV

 

I had a person tell me once, “I have no faith in anything.”  I thought they were joking and laughed.  My laughter inspired such anger and it was then difficult to communicate and educate as to the fallacy of that statement.  We all have “faith” or “trust” in something or someone and none are totally devoid of faith or trust, as his statement suggested.

I have experienced losing faith in someone or something but every day I demonstrate faith and trust.  I trust the chair to hold me up when I sit down.  I do not think about it, I have experienced the dependability of the chair or chairs and now trust without question.  I trust the restaurant in which I order a meal to prepare it properly, maintain a certain level of cleanliness and sanity.  My trust may be and has proven to be misguided at times but my overall experience allows me to trust without giving it a second thought.  This is true in many areas of life.

I know some who are so distrusting of banks and other financial institutions they have literally buried their money or hidden it at home to insure its safety.  I know some who have become so cynical and distrusting of people they are unable to develop any meaningful relationships in life and are lonely and miserable.  I know some who are so trusting they are frequently taken advantage of but continue to trust time and again exposing themselves to hurt.

The Psalmist raised this issue that some trust their ability or possessions (chariots or horses) and the result is that things and self can and often do fail us.  The contrast was that rather than relying on the arm of flesh those of faith TRUST by remembering the Name of the LORD and rise and stand upright in the midst of difficulty and triumph.  The issue is not “Do We Trust?”  The issue is “Whom or What Do We Trust?”  God created in us the ability to trust otherwise we would never have turned to Him and received His mercy and grace.

Trust is easy to offer but once violated it is incredibly difficult to regain.  The words, probably Solomon’s in Proverbs 25:19 are applicable.  He says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.”  I am sure that most have experienced a foot or other portion of their body which has become strained or sprained as well as having a toothache.  Those are incredibly painful experiences.  If you have a sprained foot or ankle walking is most difficult and if you have a toothache you can focus on almost nothing else.  Likewise placing confidence in someone who is unfaithful, untrustworthy and unreliable brings disappointment that is almost unbearable at times.  Man will fail but God will not.

So “who” or “what” do we trust?  I pray that we become like the Psalmist and remember the name of the LORD our God and place our confidence in Him.  God is completely reliable and has promised to NEVER leave or forsake us.  If He says it, He will do it.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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BEING THANKFUL… But to Whom…


Spiritual Blog - Thankful

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  NKJV

 

             I have been concerned about the mindset of people, especially in America, for some time.  I read something recently that caused me to, once again, examine America as a Christian nation or as a nation that is truly thankful to God.  I still believe that the majority of Americans believe in God, the God of the Bible.  I do not know what percentage actually serve God with a whole heart but I do believe that based on what people believe, America could still be called a Christian nation.

I love history and value books like they were gold mines from which I can glean nuggets that are priceless.  Reviewing our American history I find that our first President, George Washington acknowledged his thankfulness and confidence in God unashamedly and without castigation by those demanding the mythical separation of church and state as a constitutional mandate.  In 1789 he proclaimed a “day of public thanksgiving and prayer” and implored the heavens to “pardon our national and other transgressions” while urging the citizenry to practice “true religion and virtue.”  He would probably be impeached and most assuredly censored today for such a proclamation and request.

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln urged Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”  Imagine that proclamation today and consider the outcry from the media, the leftist and activist.  Lincoln would have been ridden out of town on a rail but he was unabashed in his willingness to acknowledge God’s hand in the affairs of this nation and our need of His help.

President John F. Kennedy said, “More than three centuries ago, the Pilgrims, after a year of hardship and peril, humbly and reverently set aside a special day upon which to give thanks to God.  They paused in their labors to give thanks for the blessings that had been bestowed upon them by Divine Providence.”  He then quoted the Bible saying, “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.”   That was America of old, the America of my youth and I long for a return to that attitude in this nation, in our churches, homes, businesses and world.

I do not own, nor will I, this book but it is used in schools to teach our children about Thanksgiving.  The title is “The Very First Thanksgiving” by Rhonda Greene.  One review of the book said, “This is a beautifully illustrated picture book for young children about the original Thanksgiving feast but there is one caveat, this book nowhere mentions God, who is after all the reason for the holiday.”  The author carefully avoids mention of God in the presentation which is perfect for the politically correct who want to dismiss God from society.

Today we are witnessing an assault on the Christian faith and while we just celebrated Thanksgiving my question is to whom or what are people giving thanks?  Children today are told to be thankful but God is not mentioned in the equation.  It is time that we return to the basic principles of our faith and teach those under our care whom we are to be thankful too!  Sadly, we are, by our action or inaction, giving thanks to everything but God and that is tragic and disastrous.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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SEX CHANGES – Transgender and God…


Spiritual Blog - Sex Changes

Psalm 139:13-16 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”  NKJV

             I am troubled with the hoopla over Bruce Jenner deciding he was truly a woman and going through the extensive effort to become one.  Truthfully, he cannot be a woman for his chromosomes remain the same before and after.  I heard a psychologist say that people who engage in this behavior have a mental health issue and I would not argue that.  This whole “transgender” fervor and the overt and covert declarations that God blew it in creating people troubles me deeply.

The question I have and until now have given it little public expression is:  “What will people like Bruce or Caitlynn Jenner say to God when they stand before Him?”  Will they tell God He blew it?  Obviously they believe He did so how do we square this type of behavior with the Bible?

David declared in Psalm 139 that man is “fearfully and wonderfully made” and that God knew our members, parts, gender, etc. before we were even conceived.  If we believe that God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent how do we reconcile the suggestion that He screwed up in creating us?   Bill Gothard said years ago that those particular physical characteristics in each of us were marks of ownership and a recognition that God did not make mistakes.

I guess if we press this to the limit we would have to question other cosmetic attempts to fix what God created in our human bodies.  Honestly, I do not know how to answer these questions although I have an opinion.  I have not thought, researched and prayed it through to the place of have a core conviction regarding some things.  I know in my own heart that since I am a Creation of God and God is Perfect I have to believe that He knew what he was doing in creating me flaws and all.  He made me a male, gave me the particular physical traits that I have and since He knows the end from the beginning I believe that He did or allowed it for a reason.

I was not created 6’5″ and while each of us undoubtedly, as some time, have questioned why some part(s) of our bodies were created as they were.  I have found in this inquiry that I understand some of them and others I simply accept.  Why are some members of the same family able to dip into the gene pool and have a full head of hair and others given to male pattern baldness?  There are so many physical traits that we could delve into but if we accept what God has created and focus on Him not some perceived deficiency in us we will be ahead in the game of life.

I am convinced that if I lament the abundance or lack in a particular physical aspect of my physical frame I will open the door to the devil to create an unhealthy condition in my heart.  I will be prone to question God in all things not just those particular things.  I will miss the reality and truth that I am ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ and my frame is His design as is my gender.

I really would not have the audacity or courage to stand before God and say “Sorry Father, but you blew it when you created me.”  We are told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and if we do not like the temple can that spill over into not liking the architect of the temple?

I find myself looking at this matter and although I probably won’t give it a lot of time, I sense that we are going to be dealing with people in church and life who have questions that we need to have answers for.  I would ask that you examine your heart, search God’s Word and prepare to give answers to those who challenge and honestly inquire.  We are to be ready to give answer to every man for the reason of hope that is in us.  Know what you believe and why?

God bless you!

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THE POWER AND PROBLEM OF FEAR…


Spiritual Blog - Fear

1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  NKJV

 

The more I examine the words of Jesus, as found in the Gospels, the more I realize how powerful and problematic fear is in the lives of believers and non-believers.  Some have suggested that, in the Gospels, there are 125 times when the LORD issued something as an imperative.  He instructed us to “love others” and many other directives.  The number one theme in the Gospels is appears is found in a variation of the words “do not be afraid”, “fear not” and “have courage” which we find 21 times.

We know that LOVE is a central tenet of Christianity but the power and problem of fear is so great that our LORD focused on it more than He did love.  FEAR as John tells us in 1 John, “has torment”.  FEAR causes paralysis and encourages one to draw back, hold back or slink into the shadows in hiding.  FEAR keeps us from loving as God loves because we are afraid of being hurt.  FEAR makes the risk greater than the reward and immobilizes us causing us to draw inward and not let others get too close.

FEAR negates generosity highlighting the possibility of lack and creates a scarcity mentality which leads to a spirit of poverty and miserliness. If we fail to give freely and cheerfully we close the door to blessings in our lives.  Remember that Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and IT will be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  FEAR says, “If I give there will not be enough to care for my own family and needs” and thereby shuts the windows of heaven.

FEAR is contagious.  I have witnessed fear spread through people like a wildfire and a deadly disease.  FEAR, in a sense, creates spiritual amnesia and we forget the good things and the blessings of the LORD in our lives.  We forget to remember!  When fear takes over “security” becomes our god and we dare not venture outside our safe parameters.  We become hesitant and unwilling to venture out into the deep and cast our nets for the unknown brings horror to our hearts.  We cannot get out of the boat and walk to Jesus because of Fear.  FEAR negates faith and paralyzes potential.

FEAR is incredibly powerful in our human lives and Jesus recognizing the problem instructed us to guard against it and encouraged us to “look heavenward”.  He repeatedly promised to be with us.  The question is which will be most powerful in our lives, FEAR or FAITH?  The answer to that question is demonstrated in our actions not just our professions.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day He has created.

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WHERE COULD I GO???


Spiritual Blog - Where

John 6:61-69 – “When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?  62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   NKJV

  

James B. Coats of Summerland, Mississippi wrote a number of Gospel songs including the classic, “Where Could I Go But to the Lord.”  As with many of the timeless songs of faith Coats captures truth that resonates with virtually hungry heart and person desiring to find true spiritual freedom.

The song begins with the plight of man in the midst of a sinful world and the neediness of human beings.  The first verse also captures the visual that often we are facing the temptations and tempest of life with a sense of aloneness.  In that time of desperation many realize there is only one place to turn and that is God.  If we are needing a refuge for our soul, a friend to stand with us in all things and at all times what other source can we turn but God?

He continues to tug at our heart strings in the verse, “Neighbors are fun I love ’em everyone.  We get along in sweet accord, but when I face the chilling hand of death…”  In that time of facing eternity there is only one real source of comfort and strength and that is God.  He draws out of our emotions the joy of life with friends and the wonderful fellowship we have together but when the chips are down and the clouds roll in there is only one true source of strength and that is God.

In our text Jesus presented some difficult truths that caused many to realize the commitment was more than they were willing to make.  After he and the disciples witnessed the multitude turning away Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  It is here that Peter uttered the words that are captured in this song.  Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Simply, “Where Could We Go But To You Lord?”

Life is sometimes like a peaceful sea and at other times like a raging tempest with the waves billowing ready to crush our vessel in its anger.  In those times of terror we realize that outside God there is no safety but we are sheltered in His arms and in Him there is peace that transcends human comprehension.

            God bless you and be with you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

 

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IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO…


Spiritual Blog - God

Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  NKJV

 

The Gospel Song written by Stuart Hamblen, “It Is No Secret What God Can Do” was recorded by almost every major recording artist a few decades ago and has been a favorite of those who love Gospel music for years.

Stuart Hamblen captured the hearts of many when he wrote this tune and the first verse identifies the reality of human failure.  It seems that with each passing day we are reminded again and again of our inability to hit the mark and how often we stumble in our walk.  In our own strength living the Christian life is an impossibility and something we should never forget.

In the second verse Hamblen reminds us of how often we long for strength and courage to face the daunting task of life that is before us and how easily we become discouraged.  His words are an encouragement as he declares, “Do not be dishearted for I have news for you.”   It is here that he begins the incredible reminder and source of powerful encouragement as he writes:  “It is no secret what God can do.  What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.  With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.”  This reminder of God’s incredible longsuffering and tender mercy is so refreshing in our daily struggle to walk before Him and be perfect.

I love how Hamblen continues declaring that in God there is no night because He is light and we are NEVER alone.  The comfort that no matter where we are we are at home because we are IN HIM.  He then reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Jesus as he pens the words, “There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side.  Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”  Why?  Because it is no secret what God can do!  What He’s done for others He will do for you.  He stands before us with His arms of love and mercy wide open calling for us to “Come unto Unto Me.”

As Paul declares in our text, God is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all that we can think or ask!  Think about that!  Exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all not some but all that we can think, imagine or even dare to ask.  That is the God we serve and His power is immeasurable beyond all human comprehension.  That God does not operate in secret but has openly declared through the words of Jesus in Luke 12:32, “Fear not little flock, for it is My Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…”   God is more desirous to bless us than we are to be blessed.

Remember God openly showers His love, mercy, grace, peace, protection and provision upon His children.  Stop living in fear and walk into His arms and receive from Him Life and that more abundantly!

            God bless you richly is my prayer!

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