Stop and know His work

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, He stops all people from their labor. (Job 37:5-7)

Isn't God full of surprises? Yesterday, here in the DMV, we had heavy rain and 60 degree weather. This morning at 4:30 a.m. I wake up a see a few inches of snow on the ground and still snowing lightly . . . with a wind chill of 26 degrees! . . . This can only be God showing everyone His power and making us stop and know His work!

Job states that God thunders in marvelous ways. In just twenty-four hours, He has indeed told the rain to be a might downpour and He then allowed the snow to fall on the earth! He is still God!

Same God then . . same God now! I see You!!!

THE Rock!

Who is God to you? 

Do you have a special name for Him as He has been with you? We give everyone nicknames . . . why not God? Is He not special? Does He not deserve a special place . . . a special name within our hearts?

The Lord is my rock and my fort. He is the God who saves me. My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me.He’s my place of safety. I go to him for help. He’s my Savior. He saves me from those who want to hurt me. (2 Samuel 22:2-3)

David knew what it was like to be on top of the world but also how to hide from the world. He had his ups and downs . . . times of sweet fellowship with God and times of fearing for His life because of his decisions. In other words, he had a personal relationship with God Almighty!

God has been called the God of Peace, my Provider, my Leader in battle, the God my Healer, the God Who sees, etc. Do we know God well enough to have a personal name for Him? Maybe it's time we do!

He is The ROCK of ages after all . . . lean upon Him today!

Do not take His Word for granted . . .

It might sound like a simple statement, but do not take His Word for granted . . .

(Matthew 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.""

We all (Christ followers that is) love to read His Word. We love to share it when others are struggling, when they are tired, even when they are sick or even lost a loved one. However, when we need the Word for ourselves . . . like I do today . . . we sometimes take it for granted, like they are merely words!

As a teacher of high school students, this time of year is busy to say the least; proms, dinners, college signings, college visits, recommendations, and oh yeah  . . . graduations! It has been ramped up a bit this year for me as my wife and I both sponsor classes who have been tasked with planning the junior/senior prom and senior Baccalaureate celebrations respectively. To make things more challenging, my wife has been dealing with an on-the-job back injury which has limited her ability to be the active Eveready Bunny she usually is.

Whew . . . . take a breath . . . it is almost over! One event to go . . . graduation! God is able!

I am leaning on the verses above today as I am existing on fumes. We are almost done . . . the finish line is in sight. Gotta keep pushing! I will not take His Word for granted!

Anything really new?

“….assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21-23)

So here we are, a few days into 2023 . . . anything really new? He is the same God . . . thankfully. We are still the same people we were in 2022. So what has really changed but the calendar?

If we really want to change, it must be our decision making! As Paul wrote in the passages above, we must do away with old habits! We must decide to follow God more closely . . . to spend quality time with Him rather than other activities and people. If our one resolution or goal in 2023 is to be a better me, than it has to include the One who made me!

So as we go into 2023, let's start with time with God. Decide to make it better . . . not necessarily longer, but better. Make it more personal. Make it real. Make it genuine. Treat God and especially the person of Holy Spirit, like a real person . . . because He is! 

Let's give God the time and attention He deserves and we need in 2023.

Causes for celebrations

 New year...new life...new relationships?

Everyone loves to celebrate new things. . . .  new marriages . . . . newborn babies . . . new jobs . . . . new cars . . . . and in our current state, Lord willing a new home! Causes for celebrations all and rightly so. Yet as a believer in the Risen Christ, each day brings new things!

Yes we have new life in Christ due to His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection from the grave. We are now new creatures in Him, with the old passed away. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We even have a new start each day with Christ. (Lamentations 3:22-24) He has created a new heart in every believer. (Ezekiel 36:26)

So even as we face so many challenges today, cherish the fact that God makes all things new! Do not focus on the past failures or down times. Look forward to what God promises!

Try singing!

 Try singing . . . .

Ever have a day when all seems to be going haywire, then you hear a favorite song or melody, and for just a moment, for a little while at least, things seem a bit better? I think songs are what make holidays a bit brighter. Just after Thanksgiving, we begin to sing CHRISTmas carols and we start looking forward to CHRISTmas celebrations and seeing loved ones, eating Grandma's cookies, and having days off from work and school. Birthdays are marked by singing "Happy Birthday to you" as we gather around the cake and have a celebration of life. At weddings, the bride and groom dance to their song. Summer gatherings are marked with music and bbq cookouts. Music and singing simply brighten a day!

The bible is full of song. We are to be singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). We are to sing to the Lord a new song. (Psalm 96:1) With my song I shall thank Him. (Psalm 28:7) Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. (James 5:13)

Get the picture? When we are challenged . . . . when we are a bit confused . . . . when things do not seem to make sense . . . . even when all is going well . . . . SING!

He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.(Psalm 40:3)

Go into the New Year.

 As we enter 2022, please take a listen and pray for one another as we go into the New Year.

https://youtu.be/MQe4LkkUKnA

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. (Genesis 12:1-4)