January 2018 – Page 2

Abounding in Steadfast Love

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”

Psa 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Psalms 36:5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalms 92:2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Psalms 119:90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

Psalms 146:6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

Hebrews 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Do you ever question God’s faithfulness, promises, steadfast love, mercy, and truthfulness? Keeping a proper mindset toward God requires us to have a continual desire to know and understand Him more and more. Having a hunger and thirst for Him that is not quenchable. Having heart, mind and soul choice to honor and obey Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised to do. When you read His word believe it. When you read His word praise Him. When you read His word trust it. When you read His word rely on it. When you read His word cling to it. When you read His word obey it. Praise the creator and author of all there is because He has reached out to His creation and offered eternal life to all who would choose to be forgiven of their sin through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Knowing God’s grace and wrath

Psalms 88:4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

There are times we get sideways with God. It is by our own choice and actions. We may encounter times when it appears we are like the Psalmist who is living under God’s wrath and coming to a point in their life when they realize their only hope is in God. They come broken and wanting to be restored. I recently read an article by Joseph Scheumann about God’s wrath and want to share it with you.

The doctrine of the wrath of God has fallen on hard times. In today’s world, any concept of God’s wrath upsets our modern sentiments. It’s too disconcerting, too intolerant.

We live in a day where we have set ourselves as the judge and God’s character is on trial. “How can hell be just?” “Why would God command the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites?” “Why does God always seem so angry?”

The fact that so many people struggle with these questions, and many more like them, means that more than ever right thinking is needed about the doctrine of God’s wrath. It is needed for motivation for Christian living, fuel for proper worship, and as a toolbox to confront objections to Christianity.

Here are five biblical truths about the wrath of God:

1. God’s wrath is just.

It has become common for many to argue that the God of the Old Testament is a moral monster that is by no means worthy of worship.

However, biblical authors have no such problem. In fact, God’s wrath is said to be in perfect accord with God’s justice.

2. God’s wrath is to be feared.

God’s wrath is to be feared because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). God’s wrath is to be feared because we are justly condemned sinners apart from Christ (Romans 5:1). God’s wrath is to be feared because he is powerful enough to do what he promises (Jeremiah 32:17). God’s wrath is to be feared because God promises eternal punishment apart from Christ

3. God’s wrath is consistent in the Old and New Testaments.

It is common to think of the Old Testament God as mean, harsh, and wrath-filled, and the God of the New Testament as kind, patient, and loving. Neither of these portraits are representative of Scripture’s teaching on the wrath of God.

We find immensely fearful descriptions of the wrath of God in both the Old and the New Testament. Here are just a few examples: The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

4. God’s wrath is his love in action against sin.

This is counter-intuitive, but hear me out.

God is love, and God does all things for his glory (1 John 4:8; Romans 11:36). He loves his glory above all (and that is a good thing!). Therefore, God rules the world in such a way that brings himself maximum glory. This means that God must act justly and judge sin (i.e. respond with wrath), otherwise God would not be God. God’s love for his glory motivates his wrath against sin.

5. God’s wrath is satisfied in Christ.

Here we have the ultimate good news: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Because of Christ, God can rightly call sinners justified (Romans 3:26). God has done what we could not do, and he has done what we didn’t deserve. Charles Wesley rightly exulted in this good news:

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died he for me, who caused his pain!

For me, who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He hears us

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Job 6:2 “Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Psalms 88:1 O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

Psalms 27:9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Nehemiah 1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

Even in our darkest moments God is there. When all around us seems to be in turmoil and chaotic God is there. When we turn to Him we find rest for our soul. When we turn to Him we find light in the darkness. When we turn to Him we find peace in the chaos. Our troubles are known by our Heavenly Father. He cares for us and has promised to be our strength, our shield, our hope, our place of refuge.

Kicking and Screaming

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”

Psalms 86:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalms 69:16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Psalms 90:13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!

Psalms 119:132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

Psalms 84:5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

Psalms 138:3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Zechariah 10:12 I will make them strong in the LORD, and they shall walk in his name,” declares the LORD.

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Why is it important to have the right source for inner strength? Where does true inner strength come from? How does it appear in our life? Living this side of eternity will have it’s battles. Walking into these battles there are times we walk with God, times God carries us through them, and times when He drags us kicking and screaming through them. In Him alone will there be strength to face whatever comes our way. In Him we have no fear of tomorrow. In Him there is peace that passes all understanding. The times we walk with God to face head that which is before us are during times when His Holy Spirit fills us, we are listening and in tune with His leading, we walk fully trusting and relying on His power. The times He is carrying us are during those times when life hits us with a punch so hard it takes the wind from our sail and we can’t seem to move or find out way through it. He picks us up and carries us in His power, strength, might, and love. His arms wrap around us and we find comfort, refuge, and hope. The times He drags us is when we don’t listen, we shut Him from our life, we walk apart from Him and try to go our own way. We think we are in control and have no need for Him or His word of truth. It seems as though God drags us into a battle so big with so much uncertainty, where we truly can’t seem to find our way through it. Our own strength is drained to a point we quit kicking and screaming and seek Him for we have tried to handle it on our own. We find peace, hope, joy, and comfort. I don’t know where you are but the best place to be is humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying God. Spend time in His word and build your faith in Him who can do all things. In Hi who can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.

Slow to anger does not mean we are guiltless

“All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

Psalms 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalms 111:4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.

Psalms 130:4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Psalms 130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

Numbers 14:18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God’s mercy, grace, kindness, slow to anger, wondrous works, redemption, and steadfast love are to be praised. We ought to honor and glorify Him for these. We ought to live like these mean something to us. They are not to be disregarded or taken lightly. They are to be the first thought that comes to mind each morning and the last thought meditated in the evening. Are they? Our time is consumed by things of the this world that try to rob us from remembering these attributes and promises of God. If we do not take care the cares of this world will soon blind us of the wonders and works of God. Neglect and complacency so creep into our daily lives. I am not sure we fully understand the magnitude of this choice. To keep them front and center in our heart and mind is a choice. A good place to start and a good place to remain is reading His word. Keeping His word in our heart and mind continues to remind us of Him and how great and awesome He is. Lord keep me from believing any lies from the enemy. Help me to live in the truth of your word.

He does not deal with us according to our sins

“For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

“Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Luke 1:58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

Psalms 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Psalms 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalms 116:8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

Job 33:18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:24 and he is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;

Isaiah 38:17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.

Satan tells us lies. Our own sinful nature believes them sometimes. Satan will continue to throw our past sins into our mind and tell us we are no good and remind us of things we used to do. Satan wants us to forget promises from God. He wants us to live defeated, complacent, lukewarm, without victory, with wavering hope, little faith, no peace, and without joy. God says; He will not repay us according to our sin, our past sins are no more, they are cast behind His back, they are as far as the east is from the west, we are redeemed, we are forgiven, we are a child of Him, we have been brought back from the pit of hell.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

The path to eternity in Hell is certain without Jesus Christ. The path to eternity in Heaven is certain with Jesus Christ. There is no forgiveness of Sin apart from Jesus Christ. The path to forgiveness for all past and future sin is through confessing them to God and trusting in, clinging to, and relying on Jesus Christ and through His redeeming work on the cross. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. We can be confident, by faith, that we are forgiven and our sins are washed away. We can live victoriously and give glory and praise to God for His steadfast love, grace, and mercy.

I will glorify You forever and ever

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Psalms 104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

Psalms 145:1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

1 Chronicles 29:13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

1 Corinthians 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Revelation 19:5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Sometimes we get side tracked and don’t remember the blessings we have been given and are living with. When we forget there is no doubt that being thankful, grateful, singing praise, shouting for joy, commending His might acts of grace, mercy and love, are also left behind. Look at David and his comments stating that “I will give thanks”, “I will bless you name”, “I will sing praise”, “Bless the Lord O my soul”, and then again where multitudes of angels, creatures, elders saying “worthy is the Lamb”. We were bought with a great price for a single purpose, to bring us into fellowship with God where we would humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey Him. We would praise Him and with thankful hearts glorify Him with all we think, say and do. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Blessed the Lord.

Let me hear in the morning

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth,”

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

Psalms 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

Psalms 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

Psalms 27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalms 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Job 34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

John 6:45-46 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

Jeremiah 32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Matthew 6:23 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The call to us is to have a heart, mind, and soul that desire God and to serve Him in a way that honors and glorifies Him. Notice the heart of the men in scripture who comment on their want to be led by God. Teach me, show me, lead me, guide me, deliver me, show me, and instruct me. How are they different than the way we are looking at God. It appears they had a deeper desire and longing to honor and glorify Him. Our lives seem to be so much easier than theirs. Technology allows us many benefits that were not part of their daily lives. The ease in our life made by travel, communication, medicine, heating, cooling, freezing, computers, clothing……. should make us more thankful and grateful for God allowing industrialization and technology to flourish. We seem to think this is all done with the hands and mind of man. All of this seems to have moved us further and further away from God to the point He is a second thought in times of trouble rather than the first thought. There is so much in our culture that says “you don’t need God” but the fact remains we do. What does it mean to have a heart, mind, and soul desiring Him? Read these scriptures again and see where others before us have put God in their lives. The importance of this should not go unnoticed. Seek Him, Desire Him, Honor Him, Worship Him, Listen to Him, Follow Him, and Obey Him.

God is Great

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.”

Psalms 86:10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Psalms 77:14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Exodus 15:11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

Psalms 105:5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

I will meditate on your majesty and wondrous works. When I read this, two approaches to looking at and meditating on seem to happen. The first is I start remembering various wonders that are recalled in scripture – creation, Noah’s ark, judgement – flood, Abraham and promises made and fulfilled to him, Joseph, Pharaoh, Moses, Splitting the Red Sea, water from a rock, numerous times of God intervening in battles when all seemed lost, numerous times God called out the sin of a nation and performed judgement on them, battle of Jericho, stopping of the Jordan river, prophets, David and Goliath, manna, Jonna and the whale, John the baptist, Jesus and all of the miracles He performed, death and resurrection of Jesus, sending the Holy Spirit to indwell all who believe. This list of what has been recorded can go on and on. The second thing I start to remember is His wonders that I have seen in my life. Saving me from an explosion, softening my heart and mind and bringing Dawn and I to a place where we saw the absolute need for salvation, Saving us, guiding us, giving us 4 sons, giving us two daughter-in-laws, so far, blessing us through out our lives together, answering prayers, teaching us, correcting us, revealing to us, confirming to us, speaking to us and using us in ways that are through His leading, putting people into our lives, and making His promises alive in our heart and soul. Behind all of these there are many more specifics and all are at the hand of God. No life is wasted when it is placed in the hands of God. Spend time today thinking of and meditating on His greatness, grace, mercy and love.

His testimony is true

John 21:24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John 20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Job 26:14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Psalms 40:5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

Psalms 71:15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—

Job 11:7-9 “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.

Psalms 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:26 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

All of these scriptures reflect a common theme, the greatness of God and our inability to understand the depth and width and height of it. I like the hyperbole in John, Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written“. Just because we can not fully understand it doesn’t mean we can’t think about it. In fact it is good for us to think about it. Trying to understand and know God is good for our heart, mind, and soul. Meditating individually on His love, mercy, grace, power, strength, might, wisdom will flood our minds with unsearchable truths and build our faith in how limitless God is. He knows all, He is all powerful, and by His word alone all there is was created. He knows our thoughts and intents. He knows the beginning from the end. He is full of steadfast love. This love has been shown many times in many ways but the one that demonstrates it fully is through the sacrifice of His Son for the redemption of everyone who believes and the promise of eternal life with Him, forever and ever. God is not limited or confined to what we can understand and know about Him. Paul said this in Ephesians; Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, and this is the stumbling block to many. They just do not see God as God. They do not believe in His grace, mercy, power and love. They even might be at a point in their life where they say there is no way God can forgive me and all the things I have done. God is not limited by what we think. His word comes with promises of forgiveness, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There is no end to what He can do. Do you want to know heart, mind, and soul deep cleansing of sin? Come to Him who is able to cleanse us whiter than snow. Come to Him who stands at your heart door and is wanting to come in and make you whole, forgiven, and forever with Him throughout eternity. The other option is to reject Him and His offer of forgiveness which leads to a life on earth without purpose or true hope, joy, peace, and love. Out of all of the decisions made in life there is no other that has eternal consequences so wonderful or so terrible.