The Inescapable God
God Reveals
1 Chronicles 29:14-19 (The Message)
14-19 "But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand. As far as you're concerned, we're homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us. God, our God, all these materials—these piles of stuff for building a house of worship for you, honoring your Holy Name—it all came from you! It was all yours in the first place! I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily. And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly—what a joy! O God, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided."
For Reflection
Even though it all belongs to God we attach value to things we falsely assume to be our property. The giving of things to God is a sign of our commitment to Him. It is the recognition that what we think we possess is His Not a substitute for the giving of one's self, but a ritual that acknowledges our dependence upon Him. Giving is the act of surrendering one's self to God.
Pray that you will give as God has given to you. Pray that you surrender yourself to the living God.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
It All Belongs to God
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
Genesis 1:26-31 (The Message)
26-28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
29-30 Then God said, "I've given you
every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food."
And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Six.
For Reflection
Human kind reflects the image of God, The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are not Gods, but, God-like. Spend some time today thinking about how human kind reflects God. To what extent are you merciful, gracious, slow to anger, faithful, and abounding in steadfast love? God is in you. Listen and you will hear Him speak.
Pray that you recognize the likeness of God that resides within you. Pray that you will be worthy of the creation He as made for you and in you. Pray to seek and find the godliness in others.
God Reveals
Genesis 1:26-31 (The Message)
26-28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
29-30 Then God said, "I've given you
every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food."
And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made;
it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Six.
For Reflection
Human kind reflects the image of God, The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are not Gods, but, God-like. Spend some time today thinking about how human kind reflects God. To what extent are you merciful, gracious, slow to anger, faithful, and abounding in steadfast love? God is in you. Listen and you will hear Him speak.
Pray that you recognize the likeness of God that resides within you. Pray that you will be worthy of the creation He as made for you and in you. Pray to seek and find the godliness in others.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Creator of all the Earth
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
Isaiah 45:9-13 (The Message)
8-10"Open up, heavens, and rain.
Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!
Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;
sprout right living.
I, God, generate all this.
But doom to you who fight your Maker—
you're a pot at odds with the potter!
Does clay talk back to the potter:
'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'
Would a sperm say to a father,
'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?'
Or a fetus to a mother,
'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"
11-13Thus God, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says:
"Do you question who or what I'm making?
Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?
I made earth,
and I created man and woman to live on it.
I handcrafted the skies
and direct all the constellations in their turnings.
And now I've got Cyrus on the move.
I've rolled out the red carpet before him.
He will build my city.
He will bring home my exiles.
I didn't hire him to do this. I told him.
I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
For Reflection
God is the creator of all. Who are we to question The Creator! Here, through the prophet, Isaiah, God tells it like it is. It is not a threat, but rather a statement of fact. Being at odds with the Potter will surely result in doom. Not because of God's action, but because one's choice carries consequence. It is not a threat, but rather, a recommendation.
How has your concept of God limited him to human traits? How has God surprised you by doing the unexpected?
Pray that you are open to see the works of God. Pray that you hear His plan for you.
God Reveals
Isaiah 45:9-13 (The Message)
8-10"Open up, heavens, and rain.
Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!
Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;
sprout right living.
I, God, generate all this.
But doom to you who fight your Maker—
you're a pot at odds with the potter!
Does clay talk back to the potter:
'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'
Would a sperm say to a father,
'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?'
Or a fetus to a mother,
'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"
11-13Thus God, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says:
"Do you question who or what I'm making?
Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?
I made earth,
and I created man and woman to live on it.
I handcrafted the skies
and direct all the constellations in their turnings.
And now I've got Cyrus on the move.
I've rolled out the red carpet before him.
He will build my city.
He will bring home my exiles.
I didn't hire him to do this. I told him.
I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
For Reflection
God is the creator of all. Who are we to question The Creator! Here, through the prophet, Isaiah, God tells it like it is. It is not a threat, but rather a statement of fact. Being at odds with the Potter will surely result in doom. Not because of God's action, but because one's choice carries consequence. It is not a threat, but rather, a recommendation.
How has your concept of God limited him to human traits? How has God surprised you by doing the unexpected?
Pray that you are open to see the works of God. Pray that you hear His plan for you.
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Faithful Creator
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
1 Peter 4:12-19 (The Message)
17-19It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!
If good people barely make it,
What's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.
For Reflection
NPR's All Things Considered, carried an interview with Ingrid Betancourt who in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency of Colombia, was captured by FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia. She was brought deep into the jungle, chained to a tree with eight other hostages, tortured, underfed and forced to march through the rain forest for six years.
At one point the interviewer, commenting on the loneliness and boredom, revealed that she had a couple of books, Harry Potter, and a dictionary. Ms. Betancourt added. "and a Bible." She read the bible from the first page to the last. She said that it changed her relationship to God because she had to answer questions honestly, "...like do I believe that he [Jesus] was resurrected? ...is that possible? She concluded that, "It [the story of God and the Christ event] could not not be true." You can hear the whole interview at: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=130108179&m=130126389
Many, including perhaps in some instances Paul, had revelations during times of dire stress and captivity. Viktor Frankl wrote, in 1946, Man's Search for Meaning after imprisonment in a German concentration camp. During that horrendous time Frankl came to realize that God shows us that the salvation of human kind is through love and in love.
Life can be difficult. Have faith that God is on the job and that hope will carry you to glory. This week try to find God in the midst of troubling times.
Pray for those who suffer in the service of God. Praise God for His stead fast faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Wait on the Lord.
God Reveals
1 Peter 4:12-19 (The Message)
Glory Just Around the Corner
12-13Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 14-16If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!17-19It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!
If good people barely make it,
What's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.
For Reflection
NPR's All Things Considered, carried an interview with Ingrid Betancourt who in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency of Colombia, was captured by FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia. She was brought deep into the jungle, chained to a tree with eight other hostages, tortured, underfed and forced to march through the rain forest for six years.
At one point the interviewer, commenting on the loneliness and boredom, revealed that she had a couple of books, Harry Potter, and a dictionary. Ms. Betancourt added. "and a Bible." She read the bible from the first page to the last. She said that it changed her relationship to God because she had to answer questions honestly, "...like do I believe that he [Jesus] was resurrected? ...is that possible? She concluded that, "It [the story of God and the Christ event] could not not be true." You can hear the whole interview at: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=130108179&m=130126389
Many, including perhaps in some instances Paul, had revelations during times of dire stress and captivity. Viktor Frankl wrote, in 1946, Man's Search for Meaning after imprisonment in a German concentration camp. During that horrendous time Frankl came to realize that God shows us that the salvation of human kind is through love and in love.
Life can be difficult. Have faith that God is on the job and that hope will carry you to glory. This week try to find God in the midst of troubling times.
Pray for those who suffer in the service of God. Praise God for His stead fast faithfulness to those who believe in Him. Wait on the Lord.
Friday, September 24, 2010
God Promises an Awesome Thing
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
Exodus 34:1-10 (The Message)
1-3 God spoke to Moses: "Cut out two tablets of stone just like the originals and engrave on them the words that were on the original tablets you smashed. Be ready in the morning to climb Mount Sinai and get set to meet me on top of the mountain. Not a soul is to go with you; the whole mountain must be clear of people, even animals—not even sheep or oxen can be grazing in front of the mountain." 4-7 So Moses cut two tablets of stone just like the originals. He got up early in the morning and climbed Mount Sinai as God had commanded him, carrying the two tablets of stone. God descended in the cloud and took up his position there beside him and called out the name, God. God passed in front of him and called out, "God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Still, he doesn't ignore sin. He holds sons and grandsons responsible for a father's sins to the third and even fourth generation."
8-9 At once, Moses fell to the ground and worshiped, saying, "Please, O Master, if you see anything good in me, please Master, travel with us, hard-headed as these people are. Forgive our iniquity and sin. Own us, possess us."
10-12 And God said, "As of right now, I'm making a covenant with you: In full sight of your people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the Earth, in any nation. Then all the people with whom you're living will see how tremendous God's work is, the work I'll do for you. Take careful note of all I command you today. I'm clearing your way by driving out Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Stay vigilant. Don't let down your guard lest you make covenant with the people who live in the land that you are entering and they trip you up.
For Reflection
Merciful and gracious is our God. Slow to anger is our God. Steadfast and faithful is our God. To what extent does your every day life reflect our God?
Pray the prayer Moses prayed.
God Reveals
Exodus 34:1-10 (The Message)
1-3 God spoke to Moses: "Cut out two tablets of stone just like the originals and engrave on them the words that were on the original tablets you smashed. Be ready in the morning to climb Mount Sinai and get set to meet me on top of the mountain. Not a soul is to go with you; the whole mountain must be clear of people, even animals—not even sheep or oxen can be grazing in front of the mountain." 4-7 So Moses cut two tablets of stone just like the originals. He got up early in the morning and climbed Mount Sinai as God had commanded him, carrying the two tablets of stone. God descended in the cloud and took up his position there beside him and called out the name, God. God passed in front of him and called out, "God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Still, he doesn't ignore sin. He holds sons and grandsons responsible for a father's sins to the third and even fourth generation."
8-9 At once, Moses fell to the ground and worshiped, saying, "Please, O Master, if you see anything good in me, please Master, travel with us, hard-headed as these people are. Forgive our iniquity and sin. Own us, possess us."
10-12 And God said, "As of right now, I'm making a covenant with you: In full sight of your people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the Earth, in any nation. Then all the people with whom you're living will see how tremendous God's work is, the work I'll do for you. Take careful note of all I command you today. I'm clearing your way by driving out Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Stay vigilant. Don't let down your guard lest you make covenant with the people who live in the land that you are entering and they trip you up.
For Reflection
Merciful and gracious is our God. Slow to anger is our God. Steadfast and faithful is our God. To what extent does your every day life reflect our God?
Pray the prayer Moses prayed.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
God's Justice
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
Psalm 103:6-10 (The Message)
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He dosen't't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He dosen't't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
For Reflection
Yesterday I sat in a car with three too many kids. The constant drone of banter nearly drove this old quiet loving man nuts. Every game was an argue game. Each understood the meaning of fairness because each short argument evolved to that issue.
God's concept of fairness is not necessarily human kind's concept honed over the many years of child hood and adolescence. He doesn't treat us as we deserve (Thank you Very Much!). He may even use those whom we question. To what extent do you show similar justice?
Pray that you have the wisdom to allow to God the judgment of just deserts. Give thanks for the mercy He has shown you. Pray that you exemplify the just God that serves you and that you serve.
God Reveals
Psalm 103:6-10 (The Message)
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He dosen't't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He dosen't't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
For Reflection
Yesterday I sat in a car with three too many kids. The constant drone of banter nearly drove this old quiet loving man nuts. Every game was an argue game. Each understood the meaning of fairness because each short argument evolved to that issue.
God's concept of fairness is not necessarily human kind's concept honed over the many years of child hood and adolescence. He doesn't treat us as we deserve (Thank you Very Much!). He may even use those whom we question. To what extent do you show similar justice?
Pray that you have the wisdom to allow to God the judgment of just deserts. Give thanks for the mercy He has shown you. Pray that you exemplify the just God that serves you and that you serve.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
God's Forgiveness
The Inescapable God
God Reveals
Psalm 103:1-5 (The Message)
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
For Reflection
Sounds like an insurance salesperson's list of benefits! The difference is these blessings are guaranteed. They are given freely, but they are not free. Blessings such as these come at a cost. One must give one's self to God. Sacrifice self for eternal life. Not earned. Not deserved. Rather, by the grace of God, given to anyone who repents and follows The Way.
Pray for those who walk in darkness. Pray for those who do not know the blessings of a loving God. Pray that you may become a conduit of grace.
God Reveals
Psalm 103:1-5 (The Message)
David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
For Reflection
Sounds like an insurance salesperson's list of benefits! The difference is these blessings are guaranteed. They are given freely, but they are not free. Blessings such as these come at a cost. One must give one's self to God. Sacrifice self for eternal life. Not earned. Not deserved. Rather, by the grace of God, given to anyone who repents and follows The Way.
Pray for those who walk in darkness. Pray for those who do not know the blessings of a loving God. Pray that you may become a conduit of grace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)