god

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WE EACH HAVE A PART IN GODS PLAN

(Ephesians 2:8-10) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In the first sentence of this scripture passage, the Apostle Paul points out that we are saved by grace, not by works that we might think we deserve salvation; but it is by God’s gift that we are saved.  Then he tells us that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  However, we don’t have to think up these good works because God has already prepared them for us to do.  How do we know what these good works are?

Obviously, since God is the one who prepared our good works, we need to go to him to discover these good works he has set for us.  There are clues that are found in those abilities and talent that are inherent in our character.  There are things that we do that makes us feel fulfilled, but we need God’s direction and guidance to lead us to those specific works that he has prepared for us to do.

Doing what God has designed us to do answers the question why we are here. As we follow Gods plan for us, we discover fulfillment that gives purpose for our lives.  We are now part of a very complex worldwide team of believers. Our part fits into a tapestry where each tread has an important part of the whole picture. 

God alone knows the whole picture.  We walk by faith trusting that what he has assigned to us represents a significant part of the fulfillment of his overall plan for his creation.  What we experience when we are in line with God’s plan for us is our best possible life here on earth.

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GOD DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN

(Hebrews 12:4-6) In your struggles against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.  And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?  It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

This scripture was foundational for me as a young Christian.  One evening at Bible study, I was sitting distressed over difficulties I had been encountering.  One of the brothers came over to me and said, “the Lord told me to share this scripture passage with you.  It was Hebrews 12:4-6.”  I opened my Bible and read the scripture.  It was a perfect insight at a perfect time.  Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in what God was saying to me.  My whole perspective on Christian life was altered in those few moments.  God was disciplining me because he had accepted me as his son.

(Hebrews 12:7) Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.

Going on to read verse seven, I realized how God disciplines his children.  The hardships I was encountering were being used by God to teach me to seek him in times of trouble and to trust him to help me.  This understanding was a big step in my Christian development. 

I continued to read on, and when I came to verse eleven, I found even greater comfort:

(Hebrews 12:11) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Yes, being disciplined is never pleasant, but we need the training to stand against the devil’s schemes and our sinful nature.  Our Father in heaven desires the best for us.  He loves us and is only doing what a good father would do.  Fortunately, he is a perfect father, and he loves us with a perfect love.

I hope you find this as encouraging as I did those many years ago. I’ve learned that God can be trusted through the hard times.  He is always with us.  He is the best Father.

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RESTING WITH JESUS

(Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

(John 16:33) “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.”

Paul and Barnabas as they were returning from their first missionary journey, stopped on their way back to Antioch to encourage the new believers in the budding churches they had started.  We read in Acts14:22 this quote, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”  They apparently wanted these new believers to know that it’s not easy to be a committed Christian. 

In our scriptures from Matthew and John, we find Jesus talking about rest and peace for believers.  This is an interesting contrast with trouble and hardships, but Jesus explains how rest and peace can be found amid trouble and hardships when he says, “Come to me,” and “Take my yoke upon you.” 

I love the idea of being yoked with Jesus.  A yoke is a mechanism that binds two animals together. The animals can only go in the same direction, and they must agree.  Faith and trust are the mechanism that binds us to Jesus, and the work of God’s kingdom provides us with a direction.  When we are in yoke with Jesus, his power and strength are with us.  When hardships and difficult times come, Jesus has the power and strength to get us through.  Trusting Jesus with our lives gives us peace and rest.

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WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF ALL BELIEVERS 

(John 1:12) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John is telling us that as believers we have gained the right to be God’s children. Paul tells us in Romans 8:17 that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Collectively, all believers will inherit the Kingdom of God.  The inheritance is already ours to share with brothers and sisters through all eternity.  Okay, so we must die before we reap the full benefits but just think of all the amazing people that will be there to share the joy, peace and wonder of the Kingdom.

When we arrive in heaven, imagine who we might visit with.  Perhaps a visit with our brothers Noah, Abraham or Moses.  Maybe we could talk with our sisters Esther, Ruth or Mary.  These visits will go on for as long as we’d like, because time is not a factor in eternity.

 I’ve been reading in the book of Acts.  The people of the early church experienced some amazing moments with the Holy Spirit.  Won’t it be fascinating to meet these remarkable people. While reading in Acts and thinking of the ones who lived the stories, I had this revelation; though they lived two thousand years ago, they will be there in heaven when I arrive.

These thoughts helped me to recognize that we are full brothers and sisters.  Chosen by God from the beginning of creation to be his children.  The joy to be experienced in heaven is for all his children.  What an amazing future our Father has set before us.  Let there be in our hearts gratitude and great rejoicing at the fellowship we are destined to enjoy.

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JESUS’ UNLIMITED POWER AND FULL AUTHORITY

(Colossians 1:17) The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created: Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

I used to read the above scripture to my high school students, and then I’d share, “You know scientists are still not sure what keeps an atom together.  What if Jesus holds all the atoms together?  As you know, atoms are the building blocks of all material things, including us. If Jesus holds all things together, what will happen if he lets go?”  The purpose of this questioning was to start a discussion on the unlimited power of God.

In these words from Colossians, The Apostle Paul tells us that the Son, Jesus, has all authority over creation. Everything that we know was created through him and for him.  The Bible gives us many stories of how Jesus intervened in creation.  He wasn’t just showing off his powers.  He was demonstrating his supernatural powers for the ultimate goal of redeeming us.

I just finished reading the story of Ananias and Sapphira at the beginning of Acts chapter five.  At a critical time in the birthing of the church, Jesus demonstrated his power by striking them dead for lying to the Holy Spirit.  As we read in verse eleven, the results were to cause great fear in the whole church. Jesus obviously deemed this necessary.  He has full authority to give life and to take life. His decisions are perfect; We can’t explain everything Jesus does, but we can trust him in all things.

  We talk about Jesus’ kindness, love and care for us but often forget his sovereignty. Creation is his, and he can do with it whatever he deems necessary. Who can know the mind of the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 2:16)?  He is patient, but we should never take him for granted.  He has unlimited power and full authority over creation.  A little healthy fear seems warranted. 

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COME AND GO

(Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Jesus gives us the greatest invitation we will ever receive when he says, “Come to me.”  When we come to him, we find rest, and as we commit ourselves to him, he gently teaches us a better way to live the life that he has given us.  He doesn’t lay heavy burdens on us, but be careful, there is a tendency for us to make it hard.

I remember those early days- shaking my fist at Jesus and saying that your burden is not light; it’s hard!  In my pride, I was trying to become a Christian on my own. It turns out that Jesus was patiently teaching me to trust him and learn from him.  As time went on, I found that his burden was light because he was always there beside me.

Like his disciples, Jesus teaches us his ways to live.  As we grow in our knowledge of him and his ways, we are then ready to share the Good News about him.  We are ready to go.

(Matthew 28:19&20) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

When we respond to Jesus’ invitation to come, he calls us to share with others the new life we have received.  We are called to go.  Where are we going?  I believe that we are going into the life The Father set before us.  Some are called to go to other countries, but most of us go to those who are a part of our daily encounters.  Whether we are called to other places or to share right where we are the call to go is for us.

We come and then we go.  We do not go alone, because Jesus has promised that till the very end he will go with us.  As we share and teach about Jesus, he will guide us.  Our receiving of Jesus’ invitation sets in motion an eternal partnership with him, and together we will share the good news with all nations.

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COMPLAINING IN THE DESERT

(Exodus 16:1&2) In the desert the whole community grumbled against moses and Aaron.  The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in Egypt!  There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

I remember wondering what was wrong with the Israelites.  God had delivered them from slavery, and he did it with amazing demonstrations of his power.  Why would they not wait patiently for God to provide?  Well, the answer to this question can be easily answered; they were human beings.  How do I come to such an easy conclusion, because I am just like them.

I have recently been cured of cancer for the second time.  Not only have I been cured, but I have seen the hand of God and experienced his peace and provision through it all.  What reason would I have to complain?

After Chemotherapy, The last part of my cancer treatment was radiation.  I endured three weeks of daily radiation to my throat and neck.  One of the side effects was the complete, hopefully temporary, loss of my ability to taste, and this was coupled with a very painful sore throat.  I was told that the pain would subside, and my tasting ability should return within two to four weeks.  Before the end of my first week of recovery, I had had enough!  Trying to get nourishment was a challenge I was not winning.  Everything I put in my mouth tasted like paste, and my natural instincts said don’t eat that to the point of nausea. I was in a desert of nutrients, and yes, I began to complain.

Now I am in my second week of recovery, and I’ve had a few signs that recovery might actually happen.  With an improved attitude, I was able to stop complaining and repent before the Lord. I am relying on God’s abundant mercy for his forgiveness.   

Like the Ancient Israelites, in my fallen nature, I fell into complaining about my condition; and like them, I forgot all about the miraculous things God has done in my life.  Surviving cancer twice might be a good place to start remembering.  Being patient and trusting in God’s timing always remains the right choice.  Sometimes, in a moment of despair, we can forget that he’s for us and not against us.

So now the question is, will I become discouraged and start complaining again, or will I patiently wait upon the Lord?  I am reminded that without Jesus I can do nothing; with Jesus, I can do all things.  I’m going to give every effort to stay close to Jesus.  With his help, I can overcome my frustration and wait patiently.

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THE VALUE OF PRAYER

(2 Corinthians 1:8-12) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you helped us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Here in the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he shares about the trials he and his fellow workers experienced during their ministry in the province of Asia.  He makes sure to recognize the value of the prayers of the many brothers and sisters who prayed for them through their difficult time.

In my ongoing battle with cancer, I have been blessed with so many brothers and sisters battling with me through the power of their prayers.  Together we have seen the hand of God as he has continually blessed me with miraculous recovery from the chemotherapy, and now radiation therapy.  We have joined together to praise and give thanks to God our Father for his great care.

So, what is the value of prayer?  Praying is an exercise of faith.  In that alone, we see great value for it strengthens our faith.  Prayer has value in that we are communicating with God, and it allows for us to express the love we have for others, as we request God’s intervention on their behalf.  Prayer is an expression of love for our God and love for our neighbors.  Loving God and loving our neighbors fulfills the two greatest commandments. 

My best thought on the value of prayer is that it is a collaboration between God and his children, and, as we pray, we grow closer to God.

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JESUS GIVES US PEACE

(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

In the early days of walking with the Lord, I believed what Jesus was saying in this scripture, but I didn’t understand how to walk in his peace.  As time went on, and I had to deal with troubles and fear, I discovered that Jesus was always there with me.  I began to trust him with the challenges of life.  I began to experience his peace, and with his help, I was able to put aside fear.

Recently, I had to deal with cancer.  After two months of chemotherapy the cancer is basically gone, but I am now receiving radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from returning.  The cancer was in my head and neck, so the radiation is centered there.  To keep my head still during treatment the technicians make a mask out of a mesh material which is placed over my face and neck and fastened to the table. It is unsettling to have your head fastened tightly to a table.  Fortunately, the sessions only last about fifteen minutes.  

While facing the idea of this preparation, Jesus spoke to me that he would be right there laying beside me.  These words are with me each time they fasten me down for a session.  I am able to put aside the panic that fear might bring, and experience peace because he is with me.

The words, in John 14:7, that Jesus spoke to his disciples two thousand years ago are as alive today as they were then.  He is always with us, granting his supernatural and eternal peace.

(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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CONSIDER THE KINDNESS AND STERNNESS OF GOD

(Psalm 91:14-16) “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

(Romans 11:22) Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…

The Apostle Paul challenges us with these words,“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…” the verses from Psalm 91 show us that for those who love the Lord and acknowledge his name there is kindness.  The opposite is therefore true that for those who reject the Lord and deny his existence there is sternness.  

Why do Christians talk about a new life in Christ Jesus?  The answer is because we have entered God’s kindness.  God has rescued us, protected us, answered our prayers, been with us in times of trouble, and shown us his salvation.  The writer of Psalm 91 received God’s kindness because he had acknowledged the name of the Lord and had come to love the Lord his God.

The sternness of God is reserved for those who reject God.  His sternness has been demonstrated from the beginning.  The flood is a good example.  In response to rampant evil, God wiped out all but eight of mankind. As we contemplate this, it is good to remember that Creation belongs to God, and he will deal with it according to what is necessary to bring about his final plan for his creation.   

We have each been given the opportunity to receive God’s kindness. First, we come to believe that God exists, and, as we seek him, he builds a relationship with us.  Jesus made the way for all to enter this glorious relationship with our creator.  God’s desire is that we would all come to him.  He would much rather show us his kindness than his sternness.