“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us,” ~ Ephesians 3:20
By definition, God is that which there is nothing greater than. Though science still fuels the debate that all we see has come about by random chance and natural processes, the intent, purpose, and design of creation demands an architect – a creator. When we observe our natural world we see an immeasurable amount of power. From water falls to tornadoes, storms to earthquakes; even the blinding, blazing power of our sun, power surrounds us and astounds us. Much of it we can neither imagine, nor control. If the creation is so great and powerful, how much more the One who made it? Why do we fear God will let us down? Certainly there is the tension that we may or may not be in line with his plan and purpose. We cannot stop and earthquake; we certainly cannot thwart the plans of God. However, once we connect with God and surrender to his plan and purpose, what do we think he cannot do? Notice the scripture says that he is “able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.” We have not dreamed of a thing that God cannot do. Additionally, that power is “at work within us.” How does it make you feel to know that when you align yourself with God, you are a vessel for his power? This passage goes on to say, “to him be the glory in the church.” God’s ultimate power and ability displayed in our feeble and broken lives brings glory to his name. God will not fail us because to do so would be to fail his self. So then, why do we so often fear that God will let us down? Because you are ignorant, not only of his power, but also of his heart for you. It is difficult to imagine that this great and almighty God cares for little old you, but he does. The disciples of Jesus would ask of him in a time of trial, “You do care if we perish, don’t you?” He does. In fact, it is for this reason the Son of God – God in the flesh – gave his life on the cross. If God would ever hold out on you, it would have been there, at the cross of Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stands forever as a declaration of God’s power, and loving faithfulness. Can you trust that?
Weekly Devotional: March 21, 2010
Words to Grow On
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18
There are many names for fear. We call it nervous, timid, hesitant; it reveals itself in frustration and anger, and it too often is our default reaction to challenges and trials. Why is it that fear is so prevalent in our society, our community, and our lives? In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells him that, “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of love, and of power, and of self-discipline.” This, at the very least, implies that fear is directly opposed to love and power and self-discipline. We cannot live by fear and live in God’s love, by His power, and maintain self-discipline. Fear leads us away from God. When Adam and Eve fell to sin in the Garden of Eden, they tried to cover over their shame and guilt with fig leaves. Since that wasn’t working so well they hid from God when they became aware of his presence in light of their guilt. We do the exact same thing. Out of fear of judgment and consequence we try to hide our guilt, failure, and shame behind the fig leaves of good works, the blame game, and outright lies. This, of course, only increases our guilt, intensifies our shame, and bolsters our fear. If our guilt and shame is a source of our fear, and we cannot un-sin or erase our guilt, then how can we escape the prison of fear? Love. Not just any love will do. Our human love is little more than a wavering emotion. It falls dismally short of true love. True love is an attitude of sacrifice for the sake of another – even if they do not deserve it. True love was demonstrated once and for all at the cross of Jesus Christ. The very essence of God’s nature is love, yet we impose our limitations and failures on God and hide from him. We hide behind, anger, denial, and ignorance. What we need is to allow our unhealthy fear to develop into healthy fear – reverent fear – by taking a step toward God through trusting confession of our failures, rebellion, and weakness. Until we can experience the mercy and grace of God, we will never truly know the love of God. Until we know the love of God, we will never be free of fear. We need to come out of hiding. If God’s love would fail at any point, it would have been at the cross. His love, His mercy, and His grace are more than enough, “not just for your sins, but also for the sins of the world.”
Weekly Devotional: March 14, 2010
Words to Grow On
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16
There are many things we know, and many more things that we only think we know. It is one thing to have an intellectual ascent to an idea; to have an answer. It is quite another to know something intimately, when the idea or answer becomes a part of us, it takes up residence in our lives, and it totally and radically changes the way we think, speak, and act. God is with us. Most Christians believe that, but do they know it? One reason many devout and sincere believers fail to have the Word living in them, that is, actively impacting their worldview and lifestyle, is because we do not really know what these truths mean. The disconnect is at the application. We understand what the Bible says, we come to believe it as true, but we fail to live by it. “The Spirit of God dwells within us.” True, but what does that mean? Another reason that we fail to see the power of God and His truth in our life is because we fail to see God’s presence in our very lives. God is at church, he is with the preacher, but is He there with you in line at the grocery store? At school? At work? Do you live like the Spirit of God is within you? What was the Temple in Paul’s day? What happened there? How does your life, as a Temple of God, reflect the activities of the Temple in Paul’s day? What changes do you need to make to get your Temple, your life, in order and functioning like the dwelling place of the Most High? We cannot grow unless we feed ourselves through meditation on God’s Word. As we meditate, we must also prepare to apply God’s truth. To be His Temple means that the Spirit of God is present and active in your life, that you meet with Him and encounter and experience Him regardless of when and where. The Spirit of God bears fruit – evidence – that He is at work. The fruit about which the Bible speaks are various character traits that develop as we learn and live by God’s word. In this way we are transformed and made new. We process information differently and make our decisions by different standards. You are His Temple, and this is what happens within His Temple: we draw near and know God more and more so that we can reflect Him to the world around us.
Weekly Devotional: March 7, 2010
Words to Grow On
“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” ~ Genesis 3:16
When we read this line in Genesis 3 , the men give a hearty “Yeah baby,” and the women roll their eyes. This statement is not a good thing – for either party. The desire God is speaking of is not of a sexual nature, but rather one of position. The wife’s desire will be for the husband’s position of authority. Since these words were spoken, a great feminist movement has been gaining momentum fueled by the failures of men. Because guys typically look out for themselves first, women are often left to fend for themselves, or worse, do the man’s job. The feminist claims that “We can do anything a man can,” which may be true, in the short term. In the long run however a woman in a man’s role only causes greater harm. God has structured the family based upon what works best for all involved. Husband and wife are meant to be a team – a partnership that benefits society. Upon their union in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were told to multiply and subdue the earth. They were, together, to have dominion over creation under the lordship of God. Each has their own purpose and function. When we operate within that God-ordained structure, everything prospers. When we put ourselves in God’s place, presume to know better, and feed our ego assuming different roles, the family suffers, and society suffers. The second part of this statement is a warning. As the wife pursues the husband’s role of leadership, he will exert his authority. Neither is this a good thing. Men have a tendency to defend their pride out of fear. If we do not go passive, we will rise up as aggressors and misuse that authority. In order for this partnership to be effective, each member needs to understand and respect the role of the other. It is natural to want more – to climb the ladder so to speak – but that is pride. Pride fuels division. Unity is required to build a healthy marriage and a powerful partnership. Submission is another misunderstood concept. It means to place one’s self under the covering of another’s authority. In Ephesians, Paul says that we are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Wives are to do this by respecting their husbands and placing themselves under the covering of his authority. Husbands are to submit by acknowledging the lordship of Christ over them and loving their wives “as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her.” We are all under authority. The challenge is to become comfortable with where God has placed us within that structure, and to thrive there.
Weekly Devotional: February 28, 2010
Words to Grow On
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” ~ 1 Peter 3:7
I find it ironic that “the church” is so quick to defend traditional marriage from attack when “the church” is doing as much, if not more damage to this sacred covenant than any other group. When it comes to divorce, separation, and malcontent the statics are just as high within the church as they are outside the church. The fact is, we more closely resemble the world in this area than we do the kingdom of God even though we claim to have it right. The marriage relationship is intended to prosper us and reflect the relationship between God and his bride, the church. When we read the words of scripture we get hung up on words like “submit” and “respect,” but what it really comes down to is the necessity of sacrifice. Women naturally love, and men naturally speak the language of respect. This is why the women are commanded to “respect their husbands” and men are commanded to “love their wives.” We are to sacrifice natural instinct and make an intentional effort to relate to, and connect with, our spouse. It is also natural to give only what we feel the other deserves. The scripture says, however, that husbands are to be considerate as they live with their wives and “treat them with respect as the weaker partner.” This means, men, that you must take the initiative and be the first to offer grace, support, instruction, and encouragement. You must lead in building the powerful partnership of marriage. We men like being in authority, or at the top of the chain of accountability, but we fail to be faithful with that post. We are given a divine example to follow, “as Christ loved the church.” We are given divine instruction to “do to others as we would want them to do to us.” We are required to make our wife the exclusive human covenant relationship as the husband is commanded to even “leave his mother and father and be united to his wife.” As we respect her as the “weaker partner” we cannot expect her to compete with work or hobbies or other relationships. Though we often seek happiness and rest, what we need to realize is that we will really only find it when we fulfill our role in the partnership of the marriage covenant. We need to get marriage right. When we do, her needs will be met, our wives will more eagerly fulfill their role, and your needs, husband, will be met too. Where are you lacking or longing? How do you need to take the lead to fix it? Your wife is with you…and for you. It must start with you.
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