A man came to Jesus once and called him "Good Master". Jesus rebuked him saying that only God is good. We think of ourselves as good, but we're not, only God is good. We are born into the world, and begin as citizens of the world. Fortunately, we can become citizens of God's Kingdom. Due to God's goodness, we receive a benefit from God. We receive God's grace.
Grace is undeserved favor. We don't deserve it, but we get it anyway.
God's favor and protection is always available. It is over us like an umbrella. When we experience trouble in the world, it is because we have walked out from under God's umbrella. The umbrella remains in the same place, still available, but we have moved from under it. And we wonder why we get wet!
The umbrella is still there, if we want it. Just come back to God. Ask forgiveness, pray, get yourself back in communication with God. The umbrella will be overhead again.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Overwhelmed
Two influences are present in our lives. One is God, and His constant availability and care; the other is the influence of the world. The influence of the world is disruptive, full of strife. It pulls us away from God. We cannot isolate ourselves from the world, but we can put its distractions aside. We can lean towards God.
God sometimes seems far away, but He isn't. He is always near, always available. When He seems far away, it is really we who have left Him.
God always understands.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Psalm 142:3
David wrote this psalm when he was hiding from King Saul in a cave. How overwhelmed he must have been, having been anointed as the next King, yet chased by Saul and needing to hide. He didn't know how long he would need to remain in hiding. It might be years before he would be able to return to a normal life. David was often discouraged during these times, but by focusing on the care that God had for him, David was able to remember God's goodness. It is the very psalms that David wrote and sang that gave him the remembrance of God.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. vs. 7
God sometimes seems far away, but He isn't. He is always near, always available. When He seems far away, it is really we who have left Him.
God always understands.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Psalm 142:3
David wrote this psalm when he was hiding from King Saul in a cave. How overwhelmed he must have been, having been anointed as the next King, yet chased by Saul and needing to hide. He didn't know how long he would need to remain in hiding. It might be years before he would be able to return to a normal life. David was often discouraged during these times, but by focusing on the care that God had for him, David was able to remember God's goodness. It is the very psalms that David wrote and sang that gave him the remembrance of God.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. vs. 7
Monday, August 28, 2006
Holy Ground
Exodus 3:5-6
And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off the shoes from off thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Moreover He said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
When we are in the presence of God, we are on Holy Ground. It is God's desire that we should be constantly in His presence, constantly aware of Him, constantly on holy ground. Our desire also should be that we are constantly in His presence.
And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off the shoes from off thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Moreover He said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
When we are in the presence of God, we are on Holy Ground. It is God's desire that we should be constantly in His presence, constantly aware of Him, constantly on holy ground. Our desire also should be that we are constantly in His presence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)