More Powerful Than Magic

More Powerful Than Magic

Exodus 7: ⁸ Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ⁹ “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” ¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

 

¹¹ But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. ¹² For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. ¹³ And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

 

============

 

Moses and Aaron did a lot of walking in their lives. They were eighty and eighty-three, respectively. They walked down Mount Hebron or Sinai and went back to Pharaoh. They performed the miracle of the rod turning into a snake. The Egyptian magicians easily did the same. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up all their rods.

 

My Observations:

• GOD demonstrated that there is an evil layer of power that is higher than humanity, but lower than HIS power.
• GOD knew Pharaoh would ask for Moses and Aaron to prove their power.
• GOD was in the process of dismantling a belief that people could be gods.

 

This set of scripture scares me. It shows there is an evil layer of power that humans can tap into that helps them do supernatural things. BUT GOD is not scared at all. HE was about to easily defeat the Egyptians and can easily protect you and me.

 

Magic is real, BUT GOD’s power is above magic. We try to reduce GOD to magical powers as shown in Hollywood, BUT HE is so much more. HE is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful and lives everywhere. HE cannot be stopped, defeated or opposed. Aaron’s rod is a demonstration of how GOD allows us to be part of HIS plan. Any magic was defeated because of GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the magicians he faced?
• Have you ever encountered strange occurrences that seemed to oppose your efforts to simply serve and worship GOD?
• Can you focus on the almighty GOD to protect you, guide you and raise you up?

 

You Have Everything You Need

You Have Everything You Need

Exodus 4: Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”

 

² So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

 

He said, “A rod.”

 

³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), ⁵ “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

 

============

 

Moses, being unsure of himself, asked GOD “What if they don’t believe me?” GOD had just told Moses to go get HIS people out of Egypt. Moses needed some confirmation.

 

My Observations:

• Moses felt insignificant, inadequate and inferior to the Egyptians who had armies, wealth and power.
• GOD asked Moses a question that HE knew the answer to, but wanted Moses to self-discover what HE was about to do.
• GOD turned the rod into a serpent to convince Moses that HE can do anything and that serpents are under HIS authority.

 

“You have everything you need,” seems to be the message GOD was giving to Moses. “All you need is the stick you have in your hand and I will do the rest,” is what I’m getting from this demonstration of power. I believe you and I underestimate the true power of GOD.

 

When we try to steer GOD by telling HIM what we need, we miss the point that HE has already provided us with everything we need. GOD was about to use a rod to defeat the Egyptians who were mistreating other humans. When you have GOD you have all you need.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the conversation HE had with him about the rod?
• Do you sometimes feel inadequate to take on large challenges GOD may want you to take on?
• Will you trust GOD and know you have everything you need to defeat the giant you are facing?

Three O’s

Three O’s

Revelation 4: Surrounding the throne on each of its sides, were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and behind. ⁷ The first one looked like a lion; the second looked like a bull; the third had a face like a human face; and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. ⁸ Each one of the four living creatures had six wings, and they were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop singing:

 

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
    who was, who is, and who is to come.”

 

============

 

Hearing the ice cream truck raised my desire for the delicious cool treat. But I had a problem. I had no money!. I went into my parents room, opened up their makeshift coin bank and grabbed enough to purchase my treat. “Where did you get the money for the treat?” my parents asked. “I don’t know” was my go to lie. “How did they know I was lying?” I asked myself.

 

• My parents were not all seeing, but they could deduce when I was lying.
• My parents were not all knowing, but they knew enough to try to keep me on the right path.
• My parents were not everywhere, but they seemed to be at the right place at the right time to keep me out of trouble.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown four beings that he could barely describe. His gruesome description was probably beautiful in person. These beings sang a song “day and night” about GOD’s holiness. They may represent GOD’s omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is all powerful and can handle any opposition I can face.
• GOD is all seeing, so HE knows when I am sincerely serving HIM.
• GOD is everywhere, so I do not have to fear when HE sends me someplace to represent HIM.

 

Omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence are human words we give to GOD because we cannot quite explain HIM. I mean, HE always was, HE is and will always be. Our minds cannot understand this being. And what we do not understand we sometimes blow off or mislabel it.

 

GOD knows my every thought, action and desire. HE knows the bad things and erases them with HIS grace and knows the good things and rewards me generously for them. Night will go away, but until it does, the four creatures will remind us of GOD’s power.

 

Challenge

• Were you creeped out by the description the writer gives of the four creatures?
• What is your view of GOD?
• Will you remove any limits you have of GOD and place your hope in HIM to experience HIS love today?

I Got This

I Got This

Revelation 1: ¹⁶ He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth. His face was as bright as the midday sun. ¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, “Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last. ¹⁸ I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead. ¹⁹ Write, then, the things you see, both the things that are now and the things that will happen afterward. ²⁰ Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars that you see in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

 

============

 

Nervous to say anything, I approached a teacher about a bully. She said, “Don’t worry I will take care of it.”  To my discomfort, she brought the bully in and talked with both of us. His bullying did stop for a while.

 

• I thought she was going to turn my problem into a larger problem.
• I thought she did not understand the urgency of the situation.
• I thought she had the authority, but was using it wrong and was supposed to punish bullies.

 

John, the disciple who JESUS loved, saw HIM in HIS glorious state. No picture or painting could depict what John saw. John fainted at the sight of JESUS because it was overwhelming. JESUS comforted John by explaining that HE has overcome death and holds the world in HIS hand.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is not worried about the sinful attacks on you and me because HE has overcome sin.
• The world may come up with a hypothesis, BUT GOD has the world under HIS control.
• No word, no situation or circumstance is unseen by JESUS, so I can place my trust in HIS solution.

 

“I got this” is a term used by someone in authority. JESUS said “Do not be afraid” because HE is the first and the last. HE explained HIS credentials by saying “I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.” HE then said “I have authority over death and the world.”  In other words, “I got this!”

 

When I turn my eyes to situations where humans feel they are in control, all I need to do is step back and give them over to GOD. JESUS, who is the Word, has a two edged sword that comes out of HIS mouth that will judge the inhabitants of the seven continents. HE has angels over your situation and mine so do not be afraid.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer fainted?
• Have you ever been overwhelmed, thinking about how messed up the world is today?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS, who has all authority and sees those who attempt to get their way, without placing HIM in their hearts, so HE can protect you from their evil plans, forever?

Reputation Faith

Reputation Faith

Hebrews 11: ³⁰ It was faith that made the walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from being killed with those who disobeyed God, for she gave the Israelite spies a friendly welcome.

 

============

 

“Let me see your paper” was said to me in a threatening tone. He knew my scrawny stature was no match for his brawn. I slid my paper closer to the edge and kept filling out the test. I was glad that was over. But then I heard him tell someone “You should sit by him next time.”

 

• I thought I was going to get beat up if I didn’t show my test.
• I was scared of the thugs reputation of beating people up.
• I was building a reputation of being a “scaredy cat” and a “professor” who could easily be pushed over and copied from.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gave another example of faith. This time it was the faith of “reputation.” The Israelites had crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptians were drowned in it while chasing them. All of the surrounding nations heard about this miracle and feared the Israelites. But Rahab feared their GOD.

 

My Observations:

• I can walk all my life in fear or I can place my hope in GOD.
• I can focus on “my” reputation, or believe that GOD will deliver me when HE says HE would.
• I can do the wrong thing out of fear or believe that GOD will protect me even when the odds are against me.

 

GOD’s reputation is at stake, not mine. I mean, when HE says HE will do something, it is HIS reputation that is at stake. I do not have to defend anything GOD said HE would do. HE is the most powerful, most high and lives everywhere. HE sees all, knows all and is above all.

 

I can place my faith in HIS reputation when mine falters. If all around me label me as weak, GOD says “I AM strong and you are in MY family.” I gladly place my faith in GOD’s reputation for delivering me every time.

 

Challenge

• What reputations are mentioned by the writer?
• Have you ever felt mislabeled by other people?
• Will you put your trust in the LORD today who brings you through all situations for HIS purpose?

Examples

Examples

John 21: ²⁵ And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

============

In the middle of the argument, I sited examples of what “I” was doing well and what the other person was doing wrong. This justification would surely bring reason to the situation. Wrong! It only made matters worse. “I wonder if I should have used better examples” I said to myself.

• There have been many times when I have tried to be heard.
• There have been many times when I stated things in the past to get my point across.
• There have been many times when I told GOD to look at the pitiful good things I just did to offset the mountain of sins I committed.

JESUS did far more than what is written. HE still does. Every hair that is grown is under HIS command. The FATHER gave it all to HIM. Every heartbeat, every breath of air is all HIS. What can I hold onto? Nothing.

• GOD wants me to truly realize everything is HIS.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to hold onto people, jobs, money and health, that are not mine to hold onto.
• GOD wants me to give myself to HIM and use my life to point to the few examples that are written about HIM.

When GOD says “love is patient, kind and keeps no record” why do I think HE is punishing me for “that” sin? Or, better yet, why do I think “that” person deserves to be punished for their sins? GOD did amazing things that are not written. HE wants me to focus on those things rather than on sins HE hasn’t even recorded. JESUS is my amazing Savior!

• When is the last time you looked at the many things JESUS has done in your life?
• Will you take a moment to look back at the many things HE has done for you and others?
• Will you praise GOD out loud today without feeling embarrassed?

Total View

Total View

John 10: ³¹ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. ³² Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

³³ The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? ³⁵ If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), ³⁶ do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? ³⁷ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; ³⁸ but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” ³⁹ Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

============

Angry at the situation, I scheduled a meeting with my boss’s boss. I was tired of my boss snooping around my desk, looking for ideas to steal and call his own. I voiced my frustrations and left. Later, I found out that my boss and my boss’s boss, were friends. I was now in trouble.

• There were times when I did not have the total picture.
• There were times when I did not see danger coming.
• There were times when I did not have enough information to make a decision.

The entire congregation, especially the leaders, were furious at JESUS. HE clearly called HIMSELF GOD and they labeled HIM a blasphemer. Unfortunately for them, they did not have the total view of the situation. They were gravely wrong.

• JESUS reveals HIMSELF to me through HIS word.
• JESUS shows me all I need to know in order to live an abundant life.
• JESUS discloses HIS will to me by giving me HIS Scripture.

“Scripture cannot be broken” is what caught my eye. This means GOD spoke specific words that HE wanted authors to write down. These words are binding and humans will be held accountable to them.

Since some of the words can be taken out of context, GOD wants me to see the total view of what HE has revealed. HE revealed that one day HE would return to collect those who believe in HIM. HE also said that while I wait for that day, the COMFORTER would be here with me. I seek the total view of JESUS.

• Are you living your life on a couple of scriptures you like?
• Are there parts of Scripture that you don’t agree with, so you discount their meaning?
• Will you seek the total revelation of GOD so you can live an abundant life for HIM today?

Limited Sight

Limited Sight

John 6: ⁴¹ The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” ⁴² And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

============

Amazed at my neighbor’s words I asked more questions. “This park has more than two water fountains” they said. “Go on” I said. But when they got to the part where they described the high number of slides and swings, I just couldn’t believe it. I had never seen such a place that had that many slides and swings. I became skeptical of the whole story. I mean the park near me only had two swing areas!

• There have been times when I did not believe because I could not conceive it.
• There have been times when I have been skeptical because I could not envision what was being told to me.
• There have been times when I denied what was said to me based on my knowledge.

When JESUS said “I AM the bread of life”, the Jews booed HIM off the stage. They immediately became skeptical of HIM because they could not conceive of GOD becoming a human through a virgin. “Joseph and Mary are HIS parents” so HE must be lying, they thought. BUT GOD knew some people would have limited belief.

• GOD wants me to believe in all of HIS word HE gave me.
• GOD wants me to believe in difficult concepts that are above human thinking.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS SON who is GOD, and became human, died because of my sins and is now alive building a place for me to reside with HIM forever.

“What parts of the Bible do I really believe?” I asked myself. Do I really believe that JESUS is GOD? Do I really believe that GOD created everything? Do I believe in demons, heaven, hell, miraculous healing, oceans that can part, life after death, eternal judgment, birth into sin, food that pops out of nowhere or someone who can raise the dead?

At one point I said “no” or “I only believe in parts of the Bible.” BUT GOD laughs at my belief, or lack thereof. GOD opened my eyes to just a glimpse of HIS amazing power. Every miracle that was ever recorded about JESUS did happen and can happen today. I am glad GOD helps me drop the limits I place on HIM.

• What limits are you placing on GOD because you have not “seen” HIM the way you want to?
• Are you skeptical of HIS love, protection, provision or power?
• Will you ask GOD to increase your faith so you can see HIM more and more each day?

It Does Not Make Sense

It Does Not Make Sense

John 6: ²² On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— ²³ however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— ²⁴ when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵ And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

============

Embarrassed to say my true background, I mustered up the courage to do so anyway. The room was full of people who had stronger credentials than me and I had barely got in wherever I applied. I stated I grew up with not much money and barely graduated from a university. Somehow I was selected to lead a group in a large corporation.

• Looking back on my path I say it does not make sense to where I got to.
• Looking back on my path I would have given up, because I never  would have thought I would be able to reach where I got.
• Looking back on the number of things that have miraculously happened to me, I would never have thought these things would happen to me.

The people tried to understand what happened though human lenses. They “saw” that there was no boat or disciples. They also “saw” JESUS did not leave with them but was gone. They crossed the sea and “saw: JESUS there. It did not make sense. BUT to GOD it made perfect sense.

• GOD says to me “I AM limitless in MY power.”
• GOD says to me “I AM all-knowing and all seeing.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

The great I AM can do anything at any time. Since this is a confusing concept, I try to make sense out of GOD by what I can “see.” When I do not like what I “see”, I question HIS power or intent. I mean I told HIM what I wanted in “my” prayer, why didn’t HE just do what “I” said?

GOD does answer my prayers, but HIS purpose for saying “no” or “wait” or “yes” has to include other people that will be blessed in the process. JESUS demonstrated HIS will cannot be stopped, even by a large body of water. HE loved me so much and never stopped HIS mission to rescue me. I am glad HE is all powerful.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Are you looking at GOD by what you can see?
• Will you stop trying to make GOD small and allow HIS unseen works to speak louder to you to grow your faith?

Too Powerful

Luke 9: ⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. ⁹ Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

============

Watch the water rise was all I could do. It had rained seemingly nonstop for days and now the area was flooded. Stopping by the edge of the river I noticed the current picking up heavy branches. Nothing could stop the water.

• I have seen rivers flood entire towns.
• I have seen rivers wipe away heavy buildings.
• I have seen rivers push their mighty force on anything in their path.

Herod thought he could have a peaceful rulership by getting rid of those who spoke of someone who could be more powerful than him. His envious, suspicious, devious nature got the best of him so he had John the Baptist murdered. BUT GOD was still there.

• GOD shows me HIS power cannot be stopped.
• GOD shows me HIS word is permanent and cannot be prevented from spreading.
• GOD shows me HIS will is impenetrable, irreversible and impeccable.

The Good News about CHRIST is too powerful to stop. Like a rushing river, it wipes out those who try to stand is HIS way. HIS protection of me is the same. Those who try to harm me befall a terrible outcome as GOD steps in with HIS might. JESUS is too powerful to stop. I am grateful for HIS rescue.

• Is your life about you or JESUS?
• Do you think blessings are held back from you?
• Will you stop thinking GOD is powerless and watch HIS mighty river pour down on the enemy who is no match for HIS torrent?

Glory

Ezekiel 10: ⁴ Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord.

============

Yesterday as I was driving down the highway I noticed the setting sun. This time the sky looked particularly strange as some of the clouds seemed to cast a glow as if they were on fire. I could not see the sun itself because of obstacles like trees and buildings, then I rounded a corner and there it was, bright, glowing and radiant!

• The setting sun is no match for GOD’s glory.
• An erupting volcano is no match to GOD’s power.
• A violent wind is no match to GOD’s infinite presence.

GOD should be pondered on a regular basis. Through rough storms and quiet streams, GOD should appear in my mind as the creator with infinite wisdom. HIS concern over me is included in this incredible artwork called life. HE opens my eyes to a new day and calls out to me to see HIM, hear HIM and be with HIM.

GOD is almighty, GOD is all knowing. GOD is all seeing. GOD is.

• Can you see GOD?
• Have you heard HIM today?
• Will you ask HIM to speak to you today?
• Will you let HIM show you HIS glory?

Make HIM Bigger

Isaiah 66: This is what the Lord says:

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting place be?
² Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.

============

Searching all over the house, I could not find my keys. I said a quick prayer “LORD help me” and in a moment I got a thought to look on the side of the bed and there they were. Another time, I could not get a bolt off of the car I was fixing. “LORD help me” were my words and soon the bolt eased its stubbornness and subsided. But when a large problem occurred I said “I wonder if I should even pray.”

• There were times when I thought GOD was small.
• There were times when I thought GOD was nothing but a punisher.
• There were times when I thought GOD was the “Man Upstairs” not paying attention to my needs.

Relegating GOD only to small tasks of finding keys or helping me fix a car or turning off the oven when I left to go to work became the norm. My faith in GOD soon followed. I did not believe HE could solve large problems because I never gave HIM the chance. BUT GOD was graceful to me.

• GOD placed me in situations where I had to trust HIM and HE did what HE said.
• GOD put me in circumstances where I had to believe only in HIM because there was nowhere to turn.
• GOD sent me to places where it was only me and HIM and I had to see that I was never alone.

Once I realized that GOD could never be contained in a building I soon saw how BIG HE truly is. HE is the GOD of the heavens and the earth. HE has all power and is everywhere. HE knows all, sees all and is in all, yet HE is concerned about finding my keys as well as any large issue I face. All HE wants from me is to love HIM through understanding HIS ways in HIS Word. That is humbling.

• Are you making GOD small by not asking HIM to meet or exceed your needs?
• Will you allow HIM to meet your needs in HIS time?
• Can you open your eyes around you and see just how large HE truly is?
• Will you allow HIM to grow you?

Little g or Big G

Isaiah 6: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

============

Looking at the pile of bills made me feel discouraged. My car was broken down, rent was due, creditors were calling and I was not making enough to pay any of them. Where is GOD when I need HIM, I thought. I went back to my ways of trying to fix all the broken stuff in my life. I asked for extra shifts, but since I was a student, I was not allowed. What was I to do?

• There are times when it seems like GOD does not care.
• There are times when it seems like GOD has left me by myself.
• There are times when it seems like GOD doesn’t have the power HE says HE has.

“Why am I so poor if GOD has so much power?” I thought to myself. I mean, look at the rich people who don’t seem to serve GOD at all, who treat people with contempt. Then I told GOD that I had tried going to church, but it didn’t work. I got another bill and no miracle money appeared in my account, so I stopped going. I was looking at GOD as a small being who only solves problems. BUT GOD wanted me to see different.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE MOST HIGH.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as ALL POWERFUL.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE ULTIMATE FORGIVER.

Having the wrong view of GOD made me think of HIM as a banker or philanthropist. I only saw what I could get from HIM, not what purpose HE had me on this earth for. I pouted and doubted but GOD was merciful. HE had me work day to day, only focusing on the blessings of that day. HE gave me the strength to carry on and eventually I began to serve HIM no matter what.

GOD blessed many and I could then see that HE has me here for more than wealth. GOD wants me to serve HIM and be wealthy in HIS kingdom. I no longer see “god” as my servant but I see “GOD” as needing to be served.

• Are you losing your faint in GOD because of your circumstances?
• Do you think GOD has left you?
• Will you stop focusing on your situation and start focusing on who GOD is and how powerful HE is?
• Can you lift HIM back to the place above your circumstances rather than getting discouraged?

Filled with Wonder

Isaiah 4: ² In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. ³ Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. ⁴ The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. ⁵ Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. ⁶ It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

============

As I looked at this passage this morning I noticed that I was left out. I’m not saying that I’m not included in the promises. I am saying I don’t have anything to do but sit here and watch.

• The LORD will be beautiful and glorious.
• The LORD will wash away the filth, HE will cleanse bloodstains.
• The LORD will create.

Sometimes I think GOD is just sitting around doing nothing but watching HIS experiment to see if I will make it out of the maze of life. As I sin, it equates to running into a wall and if I get lost it is similar to going into a dead end section of the maze. BUT GOD wants me to take off my blinders.

• GOD wants me to see only HIS glory so I won’t use my own.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS power so I won’t think I need any of mine.
• GOD wants me to see only HIS promises so I won’t get caught up pouting over what I don’t have.

Looking at GOD does not always mean looking at the answer guy who just sits and waits to fix my problems. HE is the way, the truth and the life. GOD is active in my life on a daily basis. Minute by minute HE is there. Sometimes I just need to see only HIM and nothing else.

• Can you look at GOD today?
• Will you seek only HIS face and try to please HIM?
• Will you ask HIM to show HIS might today?

Limits on the Unlimited

Job 11: ¹³ “To God belong wisdom and power;
    counsel and understanding are his.
¹⁴ What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;
    those he imprisons cannot be released.
¹⁵ If he holds back the waters, there is drought;
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
¹⁶ To him belong strength and insight;
    both deceived and deceiver are his.

============

Job was in a “woe is me” state and rightfully so.  I have gone through this many times in my life, but looking back I wasn’t really going through much.

• When I think the world is falling down around me, it truly is.
• When I think everyone is against me, they really are.
• When I think I can’t do something, I really can’t do it.

Limits are what holds me back. When I see something huge as a barrier in my mind, then suddenly I put limits on GOD. I say what HE can and can’t do then I rationalize my sinful state into the equation. I say “Maybe I’m too sinful to reach my goal” which is a statement saying GOD’s grace isn’t sufficient enough.

• GOD wants me to believe HE has limitless power.
• GOD wants me to believe HE has limitless resources.
• GOD wants me to believe HE has limitless knowledge.

When I get into a down state like Job, I have to think differently. I have to look at what GOD can do versus what my deceitful eyes can see. GOD wants me to believe HE has no limitations and HE can do the impossible.

• Are you feeling down?
• Do you think you are on your last leg?
• Can you stop thinking GOD is so small that HE won’t help you?
• Will you start believing in HIM and let HIM do HIS thing?