God

If My Dad Was God For A Day

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She was writing the final paper for her senior year in college. The professor assigned the topic for the class. They had to answer one question. What would the world be like if your dad was made God for a day? This woman felt she was at a huge disadvantage. She grew up in a home with a single mom and little to no contact with her earthly father. So. How would the world be different if her earthly father played God for the day?

This woman said that her thoughts and opinions shaped the world and God’s place in it based on who her earthly father was. She perceived God to be absentee, unpredictable and emotionally disconnected, uninterested in her life. That was almost a mirror reflection of her relationship with her earthly father. She realized she had an inaccurate view of God and needed to change it. So, the following year she enrolled in seminary so she could learn a more accurate understanding of who God is.

Not all kids growing up in the same household have identical view of their fathers. Each kid’s personality and strengths and weaknesses are different, so a father will interact with each child in a unique way. Some who knew my dad might see him in a different light than how I see him. If they were telling this story, he might look a bit different. But isn’t it the same when we have opposing views of God? We may see God differently than someone else does. It all depends on our experiences and our views of many different elements of life.

It is an interesting question. And I thought I would put it to the test. What would the world be like if my dad was made God for a day? I’m basing my description on my dad’s chosen life’s work, not on his personality traits or strengths and weaknesses.

My dad was a farmer, so you could say that he worked from home. A normal day in the life of my dad would see him working on his farm. His workday would start with feeding the pigs. Then, he might sort the pigs into different categories. He would consider which ones were ready to be sold for slaughter and which ones to keep for growing the herd. If some pigs were ready to give birth, he would move them to the nursery. The job of a pig farmer seemed to revolve around sorting and feeding his pigs.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty. Revelation 4:8

On another day, my dad might work in the fields from morning until evening. In the spring, he would plant corn and soybeans. In the fall, he would plant the wheat and harvest the corn and beans. He would harvest the wheat in the summer or early fall. The work of a grain farmer consists of cultivating the ground, planting the seed and harvesting the crops. And praying for rain.

There was always work to be done in the fields. The soil had to be prepared for the crops that would be planted. There was plowing and cultivating the ground in order to soften the soil, because the soil had to be ready to accept the seeds that were sown in it. Once the crops were growing, fertilizer would be added for a plentiful harvest. At certain times in the growing process, he would till the land to remove weeds that had popped up between the rows of crops. If weeds weren’t removed, they could overtake the crop and there would be no harvest. Weeds had to be kept under control.

As farming methods progressed, my dad would use the no-till method of planting where the soil would not be disturbed until the seed hit the ground. The previous crop that had died back would be left in the field, and a new crop would be planted directly over it. This would prevent soil erosion. There was never any expectation that the seeds would plant themselves or the crops would harvest themselves. The farmer must do the work of planting and harvesting.

A farmer’s work is never done. If my dad wasn’t working in the fields or with the pigs, he might be repairing his farm equipment. There were tractors, combines, trucks, plows, disks, cultivators, planters and possibly other tools I can’t quite recall. The man was busy from morning to night. And on beautiful sunny evenings, he would load his family in the pickup truck to drive around the countryside admiring the fields of crops.

Everyone may not agree with my dad’s method of farming, but his work always produced great results. His crops produced a higher yield that other farmers in the area. He knew that the secret to a huge harvest was to start with healthy soil and the best seeds. My dad had a proper understanding of raising healthy and productive crops.

Now knowing what a day in the life of a farmer looks like, what would the day look like if he was God? With my dad’s background in farming, I could see him as a nurturing God. As a discipler and a disciplinarian. He would be interested in feeding the souls of his people, but he would also discipline those who are going astray from his teachings. He would mentor those who are eager to know more about him and what makes him holy. He would sort the wheat from the chaff, the good fruit from the rotting fruit.

If my dad was God for a day, he would produce a huge harvest, because he had been faithful with the little he had been given. His crops would be able to provide for many who are less fortunate. He would feed the hungry and teach them how to feed themselves. His hard work would not be in vain. His talents were proven to be good, and he loved his work.

Not everyone approves of God’s ways, but his work always produces the best results. Perfect results, actually. He can do no wrong. The good news for my dad and for everyone is that he will never be God. There is only one God, and no one compares to him. And when we look at the truth of God that is found in Scripture, there’s only one story to tell about God. Our opinions and life experiences don’t change who God is or what he does.

Trouble Spotted Ahead

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I believe Jesus could return at anytime to take his followers home with him. We’re seeing prophecies being fulfilled. We’re witnessing the changing of the guard as it relates to morality and acceptance of blatant sin. There is military unrest throughout the world. Countries once thought enemies have shaken hands. Countries once thought friends have parted ways. Citizens of countries throughout the world have been put on notice that the clamp is tightening on personal freedom and autonomy. Privacy is pretty much a thing of the past. Food shortages are said to be coming soon.

I read an article recently that caused unwanted anxiety. If the warning is true, a catastrophic event could occur soon and you may never read what I’m writing. Or the supposed event may have already passed without fanfare. If the warning is false, life will continue as normal for the time being. All future stability in the world is up for grabs. Some call these warnings conspiracy theories. Others note them as plain conspiracies that will eventually play out in front of our lives. I’ve read that we should pay attention to what is being said about future catastrophic events. I assume we should consider ourselves warned. If the crazy words are being said, then someone has possibly planned to cause destruction. And many lives will be endangered or ended. Only time will tell.

Regardless of what does or doesn’t happen, at the moment, all our hearts are still beating. The sun is shining. The weather is muggy in my neighborhood. And American flags are flying. It looks to be a good day. No one knows at this point what the end of the week will look like. But isn’t that the case for any week?

It just so happens that I was reading in Psalms this morning and came across some chapters that were like a salve to my anxious heart. My soul is at peace, but my physical being is at times shaken by the news and speculations that I read. Perhaps I shouldn’t read them, but I want to be in the know. I’m not one for surprises. But I also know that I can’t plan for every disaster.

But back to the Psalms. The soothing words were written long ago by men facing uncertain times of their own. Their nation, too, had turned its back on God. They too were facing known and unknown enemies. Yet there were some who were faithfully serving God. They were obeying his commands and following his lead. But because their leaders had bowed to false gods, the nation was unstable.

What we must remember is that the enemy we’re facing is unseen. He’s lurking. He’s pushing. He’s gaining power where he once would have none. And he’s being allowed to expand his reach further and further into civilization. He wants full and total control. And there will be a day when that happens. But it isn’t today. Yet he still causes major friction and turmoil in hearts and in homes. In leaders and in followers. In cities and in countries. Yet he is not the savior of the world. He is the world’s worst enemy. But he wants the world to think of him as friend and savior. That he is not. He is Satan. The enemy of our soul.

So during the times of turmoil in my heart, these Psalms are a balm of peace. The one constant, unchanging element of life is God. He is always present, even when times are uncertain. And these Psalms speak peace and comfort in those uncertainties.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Psalms 42:1-2

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalms 42:8

For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. Psalms 43:2-3

Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. Psalms 44:5-8

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalms 46:1-3

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalms 46:6-7

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalms 46:10-11

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.

Jim Bailey

Happy Birthday, America

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This week America celebrates another birthday. Two hundred forty seven years ago, America launched its quest for freedom. But did you know that July 4th wasn’t the actual day that freedom was declared for this young country? No. The American Revolution started in April 1775. The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress decided to declare independence. The document was actually signed on August 2nd. And it wasn’t delivered to Great Britain until November 1776.

So, what actually happened on July 4th?

July 4th is the date the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. The document was dated July 4, 1776. That date has stuck with the document from the beginning and was declared a national holiday in 1870. Almost one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, legislation was finally put in place recognizing July 4th as the official national holiday.

For almost twenty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the country didn’t celebrate that monumental occasion. It was practically forgotten until John Adams wrote a letter in 1817 complaining that the country seemed uninterested in its past. History repeats itself, wouldn’t you say?

In April 1818, Congress passed the Flag Act. The act ensures that the American flag has thirteen stripes. Alternating red and white stripes. There will be a star for each state admitted to the union. Since 1818, there have been twenty-four versions of the flag, representing each new state admitted since then. Any new version of the flag is effective on July 4th of the year after the new state’s admission.

Francis Bellamy wrote the first pledge of allegiance in August 1892. In its original form, the pledge read: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In 1923, the following phrase was added:  “the Flag of the United States of America”. In 1954, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God” to the pledge in response to Communist threats.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All Americans should be proud of the country we represent. We should never take lightly the freedom that has been fought for and won by our soldiers. Many have given their lives for our freedom. Let’s honor their sacrifice and not give away what was given to us by previous generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord , the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalms 33:12

America has been billed as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But look at us. Our personal freedoms are being threatened. And bravery seems to be in high demand. So what has changed? It appears as though our nation has forgotten that we are to be a nation under God. Where have we put God? It seems that for years this country has been in a downward spiral, due to the fact that we moved God out of control.

Our country started out on a biblical foundation, yet we now find ourselves living in a land that is governed by unbiblical principles. Anything and everything goes. Oh. God has never chosen America as his favored people. He gave the favored status to the nation of Israel. And it was from Israel that the Messiah came to earth. God’s only Son was born to a virgin named Mary. The Messiah came to earth and died for our sins long before America arrived on the scene.

And yet, this country that became a superpower is threatened today by forces unseen. Oh. We see the threats. We hear the threats. Fellow citizens use mean words to attack our liberties. Other nations seem to believe we’re no longer a viable threat, so they spew their own threats at us. We have bullies in office and others are vying for the job. We don’t know how this nation will survive or thrive if current conditions remain the norm.

Yet we must remember. God is an ever present help in times of trouble. No matter what happens in this country. No matter who wins or loses any election. No matter if we agree with the decisions handed down from the highest court of the land. God is in control. He does not waver and he does not bow to anyone. God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Our nation, great as it is, isn’t the superpower we must worship. The superpower in charge of all creation and of all times and of all things is God Almighty. We will all bow and worship him at some appointed time in the future. May his name be praised.

God is Able

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Life is hard for a lot of people right now. Just watch the news, and you’ll see a senseless war that’s been going on for far too long. Thousands of people have been killed. Millions more are homeless. And still the fighting continues. Cities are decimated. Lives are changed forever. Will the madness ever end?

In the greatest country on earth, we are in shambles. Someone leaked a very confidential piece of information earlier this year, and we’re even more unsettled than we already were. People are on edge. Whose right is more important, yours or mine? The born or the unborn? The markets have been tanking, while gas prices have risen. Interest rates are rising. We’ve been warned of shortages. Famine in some parts of the world are expected in the coming years. We wonder what this world is coming to.

And then even closer to home, we have someone who’s received a diagnosis that has shaken them to the core. Someone else has lost their job. Others are having difficulty making ends meet. And yet the sun comes up every morning and sets each evening. So we keep breathing in. Breathing out. And life goes on. Even if it’s hard. Life goes on.

A billionaire who once was the leader of the free world has announced he’s once again running for office. Many opinions float amongst us about that issue. Another billionaire just bought the largest social media platform. He’s unblocking all types of once censored information and blocking others who track his whereabouts. He’s causing heads to spin. He’s recently announced he isn’t suicidal. Just in case. And a third billionaire has been arrested for one of the greatest financial frauds of all times. Only time will tell what’s on the horizon for him and his victims. Do these men think their money can buy the safety and comfort of the world? Don’t they know that the Savior of the world has already been born? And he was killed by those deeply opposed to him.

We ask why all this is happening? Why now? Why?

Should we be afraid? Are we headed toward really difficult times? Will lives be at risk? Will we face a recession or depression? Or another lockdown? Will mandates become the norm? Are those some of the many questions swirling in people’s heads these days? Is this what we will call normal from here on out? People are anxious and unsettled, because life continues to throw twists and turns never before navigated.

Oh. There was once a large group of people. A nation. And they were afraid. There were headed on a journey to places unknown. God told them not to be afraid. He would fight for them every step of the way. He had fought for them as they were foreigners in a land for four hundred years. Now he was delivering them from slavery. And he had a magnificent plan laid out for them. All they had to do was obey him.

All they had to do was obey God.

He went before them as they traveled through the wilderness. He performed miracles in front of their eyes. He made a path in the middle of the river so they could walk on dry ground. He provided food when there was none. Their clothes didn’t wear out throughout this forty year journey. God was with them every step of the way. He provided for all their needs. All they had to do was obey him.

All they had to do was obey God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Oh. These people weren’t perfect. They complained. They disobeyed. They did their own thing. They turned from God. And they were punished. They learned the hard way that obedience always pays. God must be first. It’s that simple.

God planned to move them to the land he had promised them. He was with them throughout the journey. He knew the land they would settle in had everything they needed. Plenty of space for everyone. Plenty of food. Plenty of land for the livestock. Their new homeland was filled with abundant goodness.

God also knows our lives on this earth. He knows when we struggle to trust him. He knows when we’re fearful. He knows when we turn from him. He knows when life seems too much to bear. He has plans for us that are far beyond our imagination. But he also requires our obedience. God is able to provide abundantly more than we could ever hope or imagine. We must trust him, not only in the good times, but also in the trying times.

All we have to do is obey God.

Even during uncertain times, God is with us. We will be fearful when we face the unknown. We will be consumed with the cares of the day. But God is our refuge and strength. God’s abundance doesn’t necessarily mean material wealth or happiness. It means God is with us through all of life’s unexpected turns.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalms 46:1-3

If we’re God’s child, we are surrounded by him. So why do we fear when troubles come? He goes before us and he goes behind us. He paves the way. He fights for us, so we are to be still. We don’t need to fight. We are to obey. We must let God direct us. Our problem is that we want control. We want to be in charge of making decisions. We don’t want to follow God. We want to be God. And that can’t happen. That won’t ever happen.

So in our attempt to pave our own way, we forget that God is able through his mighty power to accomplish more than we could hope or imagine. He will walk with us through the darkest nights. He’ll be beside us when the waters surround us. He is in control. Always and forever.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

God is able to do so much more than we can imagine. But he only does those things that fit within his purpose. He could calm the raging storms of our lives right now. He could turn the tide in these uncertain times. He could heal every sick and hurting person. He could open doors that are closed. He could right all the wrongs that have ever been done to mankind. I’m not saying he won’t do these things. But he will if they fit his plan and purpose. And if his plan is for his people to go through deep trials and testing, then he will be with us. He won’t leave us to suffer alone. Oh sure. Suffering is hard. Pain is unbearable. Loss is unfathomable. But God is good. And God is good all the time.

We must separate our hard times from God’s goodness. In our difficulties, God is still good even though he allows those difficulties. He will walk with us through the storms of life and through the fires of oppression. He is the one and only holy God.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord , your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3

Does Your God Fall Over?

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The Israelites were at it again. They had turned their backs on God again. And again. And God kept reminding them through his prophets that if they didn’t repent and return to obeying him, they would be severely punished. But they didn’t listen. They made their own gods and worshipped them. But when life got tough. When the drought and famine came along, and neighboring countries defeated them, then they cried out to God. Where are you? They asked. Why aren’t you taking care of us? And all the time God had been speaking through his prophet to turn back to him, they had ignored him. And now they wanted his help.

“When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, ‘Why has the Lord decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the Lord our God?’ “Then you will give them the Lord ’s reply: ‘It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me. So I will throw you out of this land and send you into a foreign land where you and your ancestors have never been. There you can worship idols day and night—and I will grant you no favors!’ Jeremiah 16:10-13

We can’t just fall in step with the majority and worship the god of the moment. Whatever is visually appealing isn’t what should take priority in our lives. We see in Isaiah that the Son of God was not attractive at all. He was ordinary to a fault. Yet he was God. He was worthy of our praise, our adoration and our allegiance.

This is what the Lord says: “Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol. They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
Jeremiah 10:2‭‭-‬5 NLT

I wonder what God would say to us today. Does his rebuke still stand? We in this world who have made our own gods out of so many man-made items. Do our gods stand on their own today? Or do they fall over?

As long as it’s still today, we have time to repent and turn from our false gods. What do you say we do that? Let’s not make unto ourselves any graven images. Let’s serve the God who is fully capable all on his own of doing anything and everything.

I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness without repentance; salvation without regeneration; politics without God; and Heaven without Hell.

William Booth

The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power. Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jeremiah 10:14-16

How many gods do we need? After all, there is only one true God who rules the universe. All other gods are man-made who can do nothing. They’re worthless. Why do we spend so much time worshipping them? They can’t hear us when we pray. They don’t know our needs. They do nothing for us but leave us feeling empty.

Look now, people of Judah; you have as many gods as you have towns. You have as many altars of shame—altars for burning incense to your god Baal—as there are streets in Jerusalem. “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress. Jeremiah 11:13-14

I know, Lord , that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. Jeremiah 10:23

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

Why not worship the one God, the one true God who knew us before we were even born? The God who knows the number of hairs on our heads. He who created us knows everything about us. The number of days we will live. He knows everything we will do and say. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly. And he still loves us. He’s ordained our lives from the moment of conception to our final breath. He’s created us to worship the Creator of life, not the creation. How often do we consider the One who created all things?

Does your god fall over? Can your god pick you up when you’ve been let down? When life is crashing all around, does your god comfort you? If you feel comforted for awhile, does the comfort last? When you need your god the most, is he available? Does he hear you? Or provide for you? Do you trust your god?

Come every one who is thirsty in spirit;
Come, every one who is weary and sad.
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus –
All that you’re longing for; Come and be glad!

I will pour water on him that is thirsty;
I will pour floods upon the dry ground.
Open your heart for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me I will be found.

Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage?
Weary of earth-joys, so false, so untrue?
Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing?
List to the promise, a message for you.

Child of the Kingdom, be filled with the Spirit!
Nothing but fullness thy longing can meet.
’Tis the enduement for life and for service.
Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet! 

Lucy Rider Meyer

Above All Else

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God knew David. He knew the good. the bad. the ugly. God called David a man after his own heart. Even when David sinned. And he sinned badly. But what sin is good? But oh. David stole someone else’s wife. She became pregnant. So he had the husband killed. Lust. Adultery. Premeditated murder. And after all that, God still said that David was a man after God’s own heart.

And God was right. He always is. David is the only person who God says is a man after his own heart. For God knew that David would always do what God wanted him to do. Read it for yourself.

God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’’ Acts 13:22

To be the only one God mentions in that way says something. Oh. God knows everything. So he knows. He knows the intentions of your heart. Even before you do.

God knows if you will do everything he wants you to do.

I have to ask myself. Do I have a heart that runs after God? Do I seek him above all else? Where do my interests lie? Will I do everything God wants me to? Is it even possible? I mean. I want to. But. What are the choices here?

Oh sure. David was human. He messed up multiple times. He did things out of turn. But every time he found himself outside of God’s graces, he admitted it and ran back to God. He was God’s and God was his. No matter what. David served only one God.

Oh. David had his faults. But he had strengths that continued to draw him to God. He was loyal. He loved fiercely. He was humble. He was honest. He had inner strength. He took risks. He served only one God. He spent time alone with God.

How great you are, O Sovereign Lord ! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! 2 Samuel 7:22

There is something for us to consider.  When we fail.  When we disobey God.  When our sins are made known to us.  Who do we run to?  What god do we turn to?  Do we automatically run back to the God of the universe?  Or do we run to the god of the credit card?  Or the god of the bottle? Or the god of the trashy novels?  Or whatever that fake god is we run to to soothe our hurting hearts.

And does it work? That running to false gods? Does it take the pain away? Does it solve the problem? Does it lessen the anxiety? Does it pay the debt? Does it heal the relationship? Does it remove the sadness and unloved feelings?

If you’re not running after God’s own heart, then whose heart are you running after?  Your own?  Most likely.  Who else’s heart would you turn to?

Where could I run to?
Where could I go?

Even then. There is a choice to make. We can always choose to run back to God even after we’ve run far from him. Even when we’ve committed those sins that break us. Even when we’ve hurt others and ourselves. God continues to love us and beckon us back. We can choose to have a heart for God. We can choose to run back to him. We can choose to do everything God asks us to do. We can.


How Big is God

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I remember the song. I remember the singer. He had a big voice. He sang big. He was a big man, yet he sang about how small he was. Compared to God. Compared to God, he was a heartbeat. He was a soul. He was loved.
He was part of God’s plan.

But compared to God, what was he?

The man just won his sixth Super Bowl. He won his first Super Bowl in his second season of play. He’s played in eleven Super Bowl games. And some think he should have already retired. But he keeps playing. He says he isn’t done yet. Some people think he’s a god. Some people are tired of him.

But compared to God, what is he?

A billionaire is the President of the United States. Another billionaire is talking about challenging him. Billionaires. Some people think they’re gods. Sometimes they think they are, too. There are over two thousand billionaires in the world today. They’re richer than ever. They can buy anything. Do anything. Live anywhere. Travel anywhere. Have anything their hearts desire.

But compared to God, what are they?

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Isaiah 40:25

Though man may strive to go beyond the reach of space
To crawl beyond the distant shim’ring stars
This world’s a room so small within my Master’s house
The open sky’s but a portion of His yard

How big is God? How big and wide His vast domain
To try and tell, these lips can only start
He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe
Yet small enough to live within my heart

As winter’s chill may cause the tiny seed to fall
To lie asleep till waked by summer’s rain
The heart grown cold will warm and throb with life anew
The Master’s touch will bring the glow again

–Stuart Hamblen

Only God has held the ocean in his hands. Only God has measured the heavens with his fingers. Only God knows the number of hairs on my head. No one but God knows the number of times this heart of mine will beat. No one but God knows the weight of the earth.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. He doesn’t need advice or instruction. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

Some use his name as a swear word. They take his name in vain without a single thought to what they’re saying. Little do they know that God has many names. Sure. God is small enough to live within my heart. But belittling him and who he is by using his name in vain makes the speaker even smaller. Oh. People do it all the time without a second thought.

He feeds the birds. He cares for the flowers. Won’t he do the same for me? He saw me and knew me when I was in my mother’s womb. He searches every heart. He knows every thought. He sees every troubles.

He sends the snow like white wool. He scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stone. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.

Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold and weighed down with silver chains? The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. No one can measure his greatness. May his name be praised.

The God I Know

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Oh.  Heavenly Father, God and Creator of the Universe.  You knew me before I was born.  You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  You numbered my days before I breathed my first breath.  You alone decided I would be born, and you alone will decide when my days are complete.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made by You.

You alone planned my days.  You know my accomplishments.  You know my failures.  You love me in my most lovely days, and you love me when I’m less than lovely.

You go before me and you follow me.  You surround me with your presence.  You work for me.  You fight for me.  Your heavenly armies follow me.  I can never escape from your Spirit.  Your hand guides me.  Your strength supports me.  You equip me for your work.  I am never far from your thoughts.

You search me.  You know my thoughts.  You read my mind.  You hear my words.  You test me.  You know my anxious thoughts.  Yet you still love me.  You won’t turn away when I call.

You are the first and the last.  The alpha and the omega.  The beginning and the end.  You never had a beginning and you’ll never end.  You are always.  You are eternal.  You are everlasting.

Oh.  You are three in one.  God, you are the Father.  Jesus Christ, you are the Son.  Holy Spirit, you are my Guide.  All of you complete the never-ending circle of the one and only God.  There are no limits to what you can do.  You are powerful.  You are able to do anything and everything.   At any time.

You are the God of peace.  You are kind.  Compassionate.  Loving.  Generous.  You meet all my needs and provide me with blessings.  Your grace is free and undeserved.  Your mercies are new every day.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Revelation 22:13

Your ways are beyond understanding. You are a good good Father. You know best.  You love unconditionally.  You love the lovely and the unlovely.  You are merciful and yet you’re just. You will repay and you will punish.  But oh.  Your blessings are unfathomable. Your love is endless.  Your grace is unearned.

You love everyone. Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in your sight.  The lame. The blind. The sick.  The homeless.  The rich.  The poor.  The thief.  The artist.  The CEO.  The hourly worker.  You love those who are hurting. You love those who have hurt others.  You love the honest.  You love the liar.  You do not discriminate.

You allow Satan to tempt and trick your people.  You allow wars and disease and famine.  You allow untimely deaths and accidents.  Job loss.  Destruction.  Horrible crimes.  You could stop these, yet you don’t.  You allow nature to take its course.  You allow the sun to rise and set every single day.  You allow mankind to choose you or not to choose you.  You’ve given us a free will to live our lives as we see fit.  With you.  or without you.  And through it all, you love us.  No matter what we choose.

You offer forgiveness.  No questions asked.  You stand waiting for us to choose you over everything else we hold dear.  You offer eternal life.  You offer a heavenly reward.  You gave your Son.  For everyone.

Your work is never left undone. You finish everything you start.  You work thoroughly and perfectly.  You are the Master Creator, creating works of art for your pleasure and purpose.  You are the Master Carpenter, building an eternal home for those who follow your ways.

Through everything, you never change. The good. The bad. The ugly. You’re constant. You speak only the truth. You don’t lie. You keep your promises. In your own time.  Because for you a day is a thousand years and a thousand years is a day.  Time is nothing to you. Yet you created time.  In those 7 days, you created day and night.  Dark and light. Sun and moon.  Sea and land.  Food and flower.  Creature and man.

You are the final Judge.  You will have the last say about how I’ve lived my life.  You alone will decide if I am worthy to enter heaven’s gates.  Oh.  I’m unworthy.  But you alone, God, will determine my eternity.

You correct me when I’m wrong.  You counsel me when I need guidance.  You challenge me to trust you when I’m out of my comfort zone.  You carry me through the most difficult of times.

God, you are fair.  You judge and punish as you see fit.   You are impartial.  You decide who will rise and who will fall.  You allow rain to fall on the just and on the unjust.  You have enemies, but you fight cleanly and fairly.

God, you never change.  You’re always right.  You have the final say in all matters.  No one is better than you.  You alone determine the outcome of all events.  You alone are God.  You are the only God.  The one and only God.  All knees will bow to you at some unknown time.  All lips will confess you as Lord at the appointed time.

Bless your holy name.  Amen.

 

Fair Weather Fan

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I am a fan of a certain football team.  I love it when they’re winning.  I cheer for them when they beat their opponents.  I sit and watch the game when they are playing well.  I’m proud to call them my team when they have a winning season.

But there are times when I look the other way.  When the team just can’t seem to do anything right in a game.  When the score is lopsided and not in their favor.  When they’re not playing well.  Well.  I tend to walk out of the room.  I find something.  Anything else to do but watch my team humiliate themselves.  It’s too painful.

I’ve never attended a game in person.  I can say it’s because I don’t like big crowds.  Or that tickets would be impossible to get.  Or that I don’t want to sit outside in uncertain weather.  But really.  What would I do if I went to a game and my team didn’t really show up to play?  I couldn’t sit through it.  I would need a way out.  I would need to escape.  My heart wouldn’t be in the game.

My team is often in the news.  When they’ve won an impossible game.  When they have a winning record.  When their star player makes an incredible play.  When there’s talk of the national championship.  But there are times when they’ve been in the news for all the wrong reasons.  It’s disheartening to hear talk of a great team or coach or player who has played poorly or acted foolishly.  Rumors fly.  Speculation is rampant.  The full story is never told publicly.

I admit it.  I am a fair weather fan.  If things aren’t going well with my team, I look away.  Oh.  I walk away from the game.  Oh.  I love that team.  But my support is only skin deep.  Does that mean I’m not a fan?  Or.  Does it mean I speak with my lips and not from the heart?  I haven’t sold out completely to the team I call my own.  Is that a double standard?

Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.  Matthew 12:30

I am a Christian.  I have asked God to forgive my sins.  I have vowed to follow Christ for all my days.  I love it when he blesses me.  I am thankful when he answers my prayers.  I am humbled when he shows his love to me in ways I never imagined.

There are times when God doesn’t answer the prayers I want him to answer.  Or he doesn’t answer in the way I wish he would.  There are times he allows me to walk a rocky road.  There are days when it seems he’s not fighting for me.  But the thing is.  I have to know and accept the truth about God.  I know he is always fighting for me.  He is working hard for me.  Always.

God is always with me.  He fights my every battle.  He walks every step with me.  When the going gets tough in my life, he’s right there with me.  He doesn’t give up on me when I give up on the situation.  He equips me to do the work he has set out for me.

God loves me.  Always.  It doesn’t matter if I return his love.  His love never changes.  Even when I act unlovely.  Even when I fail.  Even when I turn my eyes to smaller gods.  He still loves me.  When I come running back to him, he’s waiting with outstretched arms.

So how can I be disappointed in my God.  How can I walk away when I know he never gives up on me.  I can count on God.  I can trust him.  And I do.  This is one team I choose to stay with no matter what happens.  God is my God and I am his.  We are in this fight together.

People Watchers

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We have a neighborhood cat.  He roams the neighborhood at all hours of the day.  And night.   He walks through everyone’s yard.  Through the wooded ravine.  Down the middle of the street.  This cat knows more about the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood than any kid who lives here.   He’s always out and about.  Checking out the latest happenings.  He pops up just when you least expect him.

It seems that he’s always in my yard at the most inconvenient times.  He likes to taunt my dog.  He brings out the worst in my dog.  He knows what causes my dog to go ballistic.  He keeps coming back for more.  I think he enjoys having power over another animal.  He’s always on the prowl.  I don’t know why the neighbors allow their cat to roam.

There are people watchers.

A boss who likes to watch their employees.  Eavesdrop on conversations and butt in when they feel they’re the wisest voice around.  They publicly humiliate others.  They take advantage when it isn’t theirs to take.  They abuse their power all in the name of concern for others.

A teacher who studies her students as avidly as her students study for a test.  She watches her students’ behavior.  She wants to know if someone if cheating.  She gives awards for best performance or perfect attendance.  She looks for signs of abuse and neglect.

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.  Proverbs 15:3

There are other people watchers.  Watchers not of this world.   Watchers with good intentions.  Watchers with evil intentions.

Satan is known to roam the earth.  He’s even admitted it.  He doesn’t keep it a secret that he watches people.  He looks for people he can devour.  He searches for Christ followers who he can trick into following him.  He makes people sick and diseased.  He slyly convinces people to do things his way.  He pretends to be someone else.  Be on the lookout.  He’s coming for you.

There is still another people watcher.  His eyes search the earth for different reasons.  He wants to give strength to people who are fully committed to him.  He’s looking for the wise.  He’s constantly observing everyone on the earth to see what they’re doing.   He can see the entire human race all at the same time.  He is omnipotent.  He can be everywhere all at once.   He isn’t a magician.  He is God.

It seems to me that God and Satan are watching the same people.  God is watching His followers.  Those who are committed to him.  He’s looking for us, so he can strengthen us.  He will work for those who are fully committed to Him.  We are his job.  He works to protect us.  He is our helper.  Satan, on the other hand, is looking to fool us.  To trick us.  To tempt us.  He’s a deceiver.  He pretends to be a friend, so he can manipulate us into being like him.  That’s no friend.

Whether we want him to or not, God is watching us.  We can’t hide from him.  He has our best interests in mind.  He knows ahead of time the struggles we’ll face.  He sees us at our best.  He sees us at our worst.  He doesn’t take advantage of us.  He loves us.  No matter what he sees.