God is BIG Enough!
Over the past few weeks at Journey, we have been talking about the names and character of God. Each week I have said, "the more we know about God the more we can trust Him."
We have seen Him as Elohim - the "Creator" and our "Powerful God." The we saw Him as El Roi - the "God Who Sees." He is always there when we need Him. He protects and provides for His children. We have also seen Him as El Shaddai - the "Almighty" and "All-Sufficient One." We have seen Him as "Jehovah" - He gave us His personal name because He wants to know us personally. We have seen Him as Lord - "Adonai." We have seen Him as the "Healer God" - Jehovah Rapha. And this past Sunday we talked about God as Jehovah Jireh - The Lord our Provider.
The reason many of us feel God isn't answering us or isn't providing for us is because of our vision of what His answer looks like. When we pray, we ask for what seems to be the real issue - "a bill to be paid," or "for healing for someone," or whatever. And the truth is, God could snap His finders and you could be wealthy beyond description or completely healthy. However, God is not just into quick fixes. He is about the bigger picture of our lives...the bigger picture of the entire kingdom of God.
It is like tapestry. The top of the tapestry is beautiful - full of colors and design. The bottom is a different story entirely - hundreds of knots, pieces of thread hanging everywhere, no noticeable design. Where BEAUTY is a word that describes the top...a word that would describe the bottom would be CHAOS.
We are focused on the chaos of our lives - not enough money for the bills, too few customers, health problem still not resolved, stress at home, and on and on.
God is looking at the top - the finished product of our lives. He is more concerned with what it takes to teach us to be godly and develop character than the "quick fix" in our lives. Simply put - the problems and stresses that you are dealing with right now, have an eternal purpose.
Maybe you have been praying the same prayer for a while:
- "God, I need more money..."
- "God, I need a different job...or I need a job that I like..."
- "God, I need to be healed...my spouse or child needs to be healed..."
- "God, I want peace in my home..."
- "God, I want to be married..."
If our prayer has not been answered to our satisfaction (I just laughed out loud - "our satisfaction" - that's kind of funny) we probably need to change our prayers. Remember Paul's words...
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
So when we find our prayers not being answered like we wanted or in the time frame we wanted, we would do well to change our prayer...
"God, I have been asking for (your specific prayer request) for some time now. I know you are so powerful and could answer my prayer instantly if you chose to..."
- "is there something in me that needs to be changed?"
- "is there sin in me that needs to be dealt with?"
- "what am I supposed to learn about you through this time?"
- "is there some action you have already told me to do that I am not yet doing?"
- "God move in my life however you choose to...I trust you."
...or any number of other prayers that open our hearts and minds to what HE wants to do in us. It is at this point that we will see God in a new way...
God is BIG Enough!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
His masterpiece
Becoming His Masterpiece
Recently at Journey we talked about the fact that God is making us into masterpieces. But if you are like me, when you woke up today, that may not be how you "felt." Maybe you are tired from the holiday yesterday and you just tried to do too much...or maybe you worked on the holiday. Maybe you awoke to a spat with someone in your home. Whatever the reason is, you don't feel too much like a masterpiece.
Remember this verse?
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Jeremiah 17:9
Don't live on the shifting sands of your feelings. The enemy, the devil, does so much damage there. Instead, choose to live your life on the reality of God's love and faithfulness.
One of the greatest ways to experience God's best is to alter the way you live to fit what He says - simply when He shows us something, we obey. On the other side, when we are constantly wanting more and more, we develop a selfish life that is never content.
However, when we live our life for the glory of God, there is power and peace that happens. Everything we do, we do for HIM. That is the mentality.
Johann Sebastian Bach placed "S.D.G." on the bottom of every musical score he wrote. S.D.G....Soli Deo Gloria...For the Glory of God Alone.
What would happen if there was an SDG:
- on the bottom of the proposal you did at work
- on our report cards at school
- on our homes and marriages
- on our kids lives
- on our bank account
- on our relationships with friends
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
If we made it our goal to live that way, in whatever we do or say, our lives would be so different. God would be freed up to do so much more in us and through us.
For the Glory of God Alone! He is creating a masterpiece...this is just one more way we can cooperate with His process.
Recently at Journey we talked about the fact that God is making us into masterpieces. But if you are like me, when you woke up today, that may not be how you "felt." Maybe you are tired from the holiday yesterday and you just tried to do too much...or maybe you worked on the holiday. Maybe you awoke to a spat with someone in your home. Whatever the reason is, you don't feel too much like a masterpiece.
Remember this verse?
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Jeremiah 17:9
Don't live on the shifting sands of your feelings. The enemy, the devil, does so much damage there. Instead, choose to live your life on the reality of God's love and faithfulness.
One of the greatest ways to experience God's best is to alter the way you live to fit what He says - simply when He shows us something, we obey. On the other side, when we are constantly wanting more and more, we develop a selfish life that is never content.
However, when we live our life for the glory of God, there is power and peace that happens. Everything we do, we do for HIM. That is the mentality.
Johann Sebastian Bach placed "S.D.G." on the bottom of every musical score he wrote. S.D.G....Soli Deo Gloria...For the Glory of God Alone.
What would happen if there was an SDG:
- on the bottom of the proposal you did at work
- on our report cards at school
- on our homes and marriages
- on our kids lives
- on our bank account
- on our relationships with friends
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
If we made it our goal to live that way, in whatever we do or say, our lives would be so different. God would be freed up to do so much more in us and through us.
For the Glory of God Alone! He is creating a masterpiece...this is just one more way we can cooperate with His process.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
So this morning, i am getting messages from my TweetDeck. There is some activity, so i go and check it out and there are some absolutely obscene random comments from some guy to his peeps. DOH!
I blocked that because i don't need to have that kind of obscenity flooding my eyes and mind. BUT here is the question, God has called us to be salt and light. No question there...just fact! But how do we keep ourselves separate and make a difference? I almost didn't write the question because of how much of a simpleton i sounded like, but give it some time in your mind. It is not as easy as it sounds.
Another thing that makes this less than simple is that many of us have a past. Past mistakes, past sins, past patterns, and even past addictions. It is not good for some to get involved, because though they mean well and want to stand for God, it is in those times that they fall again.
Just thinking outloud. We ARE to make a difference, but we need to make sure we don't compromise along the way or even fall in the process.
I'm out!
I blocked that because i don't need to have that kind of obscenity flooding my eyes and mind. BUT here is the question, God has called us to be salt and light. No question there...just fact! But how do we keep ourselves separate and make a difference? I almost didn't write the question because of how much of a simpleton i sounded like, but give it some time in your mind. It is not as easy as it sounds.
Another thing that makes this less than simple is that many of us have a past. Past mistakes, past sins, past patterns, and even past addictions. It is not good for some to get involved, because though they mean well and want to stand for God, it is in those times that they fall again.
Just thinking outloud. We ARE to make a difference, but we need to make sure we don't compromise along the way or even fall in the process.
I'm out!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Passionate killing
It happened again. People who are passionate about a point of view compromising and confusing the very point they are passionate about.
Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in church, of all places. Dr. Tiller is best known as the late term abortion doctor. It is also thought that he broke laws in doing so. But to kill him. WOW! That defeats the very thing you are upset with him for - killing babies. I realize he is not innocent and that those babies are, but that is not the way we operate in a civilized environment.
Now there are several issues at play here, I realize. It appeared that his church condoned it, based on things said from a congregant and the fact that he was serving as an usher when he was shot. Pastors need to wake up and stand up. What kind of difference could this pastor have made if he would have help him more accountable or possibly even taught the word (and I am making an assumption here based on what we can see that the pastor was not doing either of those things).
It also seemed that he was allowed some place of leadership even being one who compromised what the Bible teaches. I realize that being an usher is a place of service, but in many larger churches, those places of service are held by deacons or other leaders.
Where do you draw the line? His wife was in the choir. If there is such a compromise of the truth, do you stop all family from serving until there is change and repentance? Probably needs to happen.
BUT - for someone to decide to be judge, jury, and executioner is completely wrong and sinful. He was trying to make a point and in the process, compromised and confused the very point he was trying to make - LIFE!
God help us be your people. Standing for you in a strong, clear way.
Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in church, of all places. Dr. Tiller is best known as the late term abortion doctor. It is also thought that he broke laws in doing so. But to kill him. WOW! That defeats the very thing you are upset with him for - killing babies. I realize he is not innocent and that those babies are, but that is not the way we operate in a civilized environment.
Now there are several issues at play here, I realize. It appeared that his church condoned it, based on things said from a congregant and the fact that he was serving as an usher when he was shot. Pastors need to wake up and stand up. What kind of difference could this pastor have made if he would have help him more accountable or possibly even taught the word (and I am making an assumption here based on what we can see that the pastor was not doing either of those things).
It also seemed that he was allowed some place of leadership even being one who compromised what the Bible teaches. I realize that being an usher is a place of service, but in many larger churches, those places of service are held by deacons or other leaders.
Where do you draw the line? His wife was in the choir. If there is such a compromise of the truth, do you stop all family from serving until there is change and repentance? Probably needs to happen.
BUT - for someone to decide to be judge, jury, and executioner is completely wrong and sinful. He was trying to make a point and in the process, compromised and confused the very point he was trying to make - LIFE!
God help us be your people. Standing for you in a strong, clear way.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I can't beleive they did that...
It has been a while since I have gotten on this site...i am so bad. :)
Alright, so have you been let down lately? Hurts...doesn't it?
I was talking to someone recently about that. They have experienced so many let downs in the recent past but they seemed to be in control of it all until the last one. The last letdown released all of the previous letdowns in a way that brought them all out like they were fresh. It was a very painful time.
I have also experience hurt and what you might classify betrayal...at least out and out lies. Here is one that is kind of funny now...for my birthday one year, a friend gave me three golf lessons with a local pro (who was also a member of our church). I called to set up a lesson. Mid-way through the lesson, i was talking to my golf pro and mentioned how nice this was for my friend to do this for me. BLANK LOOK from the pro. I asked, "did he call you and set these lessons up?" The answer "NO." Awkward moment! Let downs. Sometimes they are embarrassing...sometimes PAINFUL!!!
It the past few years, they have been more painful. More like betrayal...lies of many shapes and forms. There were a few times that it brought feelings to the surface that sent me into my shell to hide from it all.
As I processed, I think the Holy Spirit was reminding me that I have let many down in life, too. I remember promises that I have made to people that I dropped the ball on.
I was reminded of three things - easy enough to write but difficult to carry out...
1...God is ALWAYS there and will NEVER make promises and drop the ball. He will never leave me or forsake me. God will not disappoint.
This is not cliche...it is real. Someone that is going to read this is saying, God didn't do something I needed Him to do for me last week or last month. Really?! Or is it He didn't answer you the way YOU wanted Him to? He is always there and always answers in the way that is best...for you AND so His name is magnified.
2...Make it your desire to faithful to all. Someone will still say you let them down somewhere along the way. But when you say you will do something, do it. When you say you will be somewhere, be there. Be faithful and responsible in your relationships.
3...WHEN people let you down - release it as soon as you know you are holding on to it. Sometimes this is instant and sometimes it takes some time to realize that it has been dormant in your heart. Let God have it. Say, "God,I need you to take this. I don't want to hold on to this. I don't want this to eat at me."
Let downs happen. Nothing we can do about it. What we CAN do is choose a different way to deal with it.
Alright, so have you been let down lately? Hurts...doesn't it?
I was talking to someone recently about that. They have experienced so many let downs in the recent past but they seemed to be in control of it all until the last one. The last letdown released all of the previous letdowns in a way that brought them all out like they were fresh. It was a very painful time.
I have also experience hurt and what you might classify betrayal...at least out and out lies. Here is one that is kind of funny now...for my birthday one year, a friend gave me three golf lessons with a local pro (who was also a member of our church). I called to set up a lesson. Mid-way through the lesson, i was talking to my golf pro and mentioned how nice this was for my friend to do this for me. BLANK LOOK from the pro. I asked, "did he call you and set these lessons up?" The answer "NO." Awkward moment! Let downs. Sometimes they are embarrassing...sometimes PAINFUL!!!
It the past few years, they have been more painful. More like betrayal...lies of many shapes and forms. There were a few times that it brought feelings to the surface that sent me into my shell to hide from it all.
As I processed, I think the Holy Spirit was reminding me that I have let many down in life, too. I remember promises that I have made to people that I dropped the ball on.
I was reminded of three things - easy enough to write but difficult to carry out...
1...God is ALWAYS there and will NEVER make promises and drop the ball. He will never leave me or forsake me. God will not disappoint.
This is not cliche...it is real. Someone that is going to read this is saying, God didn't do something I needed Him to do for me last week or last month. Really?! Or is it He didn't answer you the way YOU wanted Him to? He is always there and always answers in the way that is best...for you AND so His name is magnified.
2...Make it your desire to faithful to all. Someone will still say you let them down somewhere along the way. But when you say you will do something, do it. When you say you will be somewhere, be there. Be faithful and responsible in your relationships.
3...WHEN people let you down - release it as soon as you know you are holding on to it. Sometimes this is instant and sometimes it takes some time to realize that it has been dormant in your heart. Let God have it. Say, "God,I need you to take this. I don't want to hold on to this. I don't want this to eat at me."
Let downs happen. Nothing we can do about it. What we CAN do is choose a different way to deal with it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)