Who's My Master?

Originally published on June 30, 2015, four days after the Supreme Court legalized Gay marriage

"Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!

For the LORD has spoken:

'I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows its master,

the donkey its owner's manger,

but Israel does not know,

my people do not understand.'"

Isaiah 1:2-3

The past few days have been quite eye-opening.  After the news came out that the Supreme Court had narrowly decided to legalize gay marriage nationwide, I was shocked to see the opinions of many self-professing Christians who celebrated the decision.  I wondered how anyone claiming Christ as Lord and Savior could buy into such a morally corrupt belief.

While I tend to think we have reached new lows as both a society and a people of God, I read the words found in the prophecies of Isaiah and I realize there really is nothing new under the sun.  We have been here before, and the problems are quite similar as to the ones facing the nation of Israel.  While beasts of burden instinctively know who their master is, man is quite another story.

Without Excuse.  He left His mark on everything He created, giving His image-bearers clues to His character.  The consistency and predictability of the rising and setting of the sun and moon speaks to His steadfast, unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6).  The delicate intricacy of a flower reveals His love of beauty and His attention to detail (Psalm 139:14).  The joyous singing of the birds each morn gives me a glimpse of how much He adores the praise from His designed creatures (Psalm 66:4).  There are constant reminders of Himself throughout creation.

Therefore, I am without excuse when I turn away from Him and choose to follow my own darkened heart (Romans 1:20).  Even more, those who truly have repented of their sinful ways and have put on Christ Jesus as Lord experience the benefit of the Holy Spirit to guide, convict of sinful ways, and empower to live a holy life (John 7:39, Titus 2:11-12).  Consequently, I grieve His indwelling Spirit when I act as if I know no better by living according to my flesh and as if I belong to the world (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

I am without excuse when I choose to believe as the world does instead of trusting in what my conscience knows is right.

Rebellion.  I've seen plenty of rebellious children in my day, some right under my own roof.  In fact, I'm so familiar with defiance because my heart often disregards the leading of God's indwelling Spirit.  But there is more to this rebellious spirit than meets the eye.  

When I fail to acknowledge God as sovereign, that He is my master through faith in Jesus Christ, I am in a sense dissenting from God's righteous judgement.  I am saying that I think my way is better than His, that I know better or can see more clearly than He can.  I am bucking His authority over me as His child and am instead bowing to a different god, one who is more like me, is socially acceptable and morally lenient:  A god with whom I am more comfortable.  This kind of idolatry, however, is not welcomed in the kingdom of God, and therefore belongs not in the heart of a Kingdom dweller (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

For example, Gay marriage is not marriage at all, but is a cheap substitute created by man to serve his sinful purposes.  Since God did not create it, I, as His child, have no business supporting it let alone rejoicing in it's lawlessness (Matthew 19:4-6, Genesis 1:27, 2:20-25).  Doing so defies the very nature of love which does not "rejoice at wrongdoing"  (1 Corinthians 13:6).  Real love did not win out that historic day, and to profess so is to blaspheme a holy God whose very nature is love (1 John 4:8).

When I as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ turn away from God's standard of holy living, I have become rebellious against Him (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Clueless.  His ways are difficult, going against my nature, conflicting with my natural desires (Romans 7:15-25, Galatians 5:17) .  Therefore, when I come up against God's infallible wall, His standards and law, I must either adjust myself and my way of thinking until I agree with it, or I reject it.  I cannot, instead, try to conform God into someone with whom I am more comfortable, a cuddly, Father-time type character who looks the other way when it comes to the sin I welcome into my life.  This is called idolatry and it is a serious offense to God because I am creating a false god who doesn't mind my sin (1 Corinthians 10:6-14).

Who is my master if I rejoice in sinful lifestyles, refusing to warn those who are perishing of the consequences of their actions?  It may not make me popular, but can my conscience let me ignore the suffering all around me or even support those who are doomed to destruction (1 John 3:4-10, 2 Peter 2:4-10)?

I am acting as if I were clueless to God's true nature when I create an altogether false god to worship in His place.

I call myself a Christian yet do I know who my Master is?  I would be wise to let God examine my heart in terms of my response to the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling of June 26, 2015 and all subsequent actions by its supporters, including the aggressive agenda to indoctrinate our children into believing gay marriage is a healthy alternative or the endorsement of a former president claiming Jesus would approve .  I am without excuse as to God's immutable character yet often rebel in my desire to fit in with the world, acting as if I were clueless as to the nature of God.  In these ways, beasts of burden seem to have more sense than I.  Who is my master, anyway?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can honestly open my heart to God so He can test my intentions.

When do I support a cause without truly understanding its root or implications?

How do I follow my own understanding instead of trusting God?

Can God and His Word be Trusted?

"'This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth,

the LORD who formed it and established it--

the LORD is his name.'"

Jeremiah 33:2

The people of Judah needed a little reminder of Whom they were dealing with.  They needed to be retold Who it was that was sending them warnings of the coming judgement lest they ignore the messages and continue on with their own plans.  It's important to keep in mind that God was behind the words spoken to them by Jeremiah the prophet so that they had no excuse for rejecting Him.

I often need a similar reminder of Who is behind the script recorded on the pages of the Bible.  Or Who is responsible for that still, small voice that sounds as a warning to turn the other way, or as a guide at moments of indecision, or as a comfort just when I need it.  It's so easy to disregard, to write it off as my own imagination or to ignore as irrelevant or out of date.  God gave to Jeremiah a qualifier of sorts right up front:  Here is why you can trust My Word.

Authority.  "Who died and made you king?  You are not the boss of me!"  I remember using these lines on the playground whenever a particularly controlling classmate would try to give me orders.  I instinctively knew my peers did not have the authority to give me orders and it incensed me when they tried to do so. 

God, however, does have the authority to give orders, to enforce obedience to His commands and to make decisions on my behalf.  As LORD, He has the right to manage my affairs and by His name I know that He is in charge of all that I see, of everything that exists.  It is all His responsibility to rule.  Since He is the King of the world, it is my place, then, to submit to His authority.  He is worthy of my respect.  His Word is meant to be observed.

I can trust God and His Word because He possesses all authority under heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:21, Matthew 28:18).

Power.  He spoke the world into existence.  Where once there was nothing, He created something.  Once He finished making all things, He was perfectly able to guide His masterpiece much like a talented conductor directs every musician in his orchestra.  He has the ability to know the thoughts of each of His children, to perfectly understand every unique personality, to coordinate the lives of millions of subjects, to care deeply for the plight of humans (Psalm 139:1-6, Matthew 10:29-31). 

Because of God's great power, there is nothing He cannot do.  He is not bound by the constraints that restrict me as a human.  He operates outside of the boundaries of time.  Yesterday is the same as tomorrow for Him and the distant future is like today.  The laws of nature keep me from flying, or growing younger, or coming back to life once I'm dead.  God does not have these same limitations.  Nothing is off-limits for Him.  He can stop the sun, or part the waters of a sea, or cause a fortified city to crumble on its own (Joshua 10:13, Exodus 14:21-22, Joshua 5:13-6:20).  He can bring life back to a man three-days-dead, spontaneously combust a drenched altar, and restore skin ravaged by leprosy through a simple dipping into the Jordan (John 11:43-44, 1 Kings 18:30-35,  2 Kings 5:14).  There is nothing God cannot do, so great is His power.

I can trust God and His Word because He is all-powerful and mighty to save (Genesis 18:14, Zephaniah 3:17).

Supremacy.  He is above all things.  There is nothing that is greater than He.  He sits high upon His throne, reigning over all the earth (Psalm 97).  The earth is His and everything in it (Psalm 24:1).  The Lord is sovereign over every detail, every power, every authority.  Even that which seems invincible is under His thumb.  He rules over all of His creation.

Even though the world seems out of control, God is still firmly in control.  Even though my life often feels out of control, God is still firmly in control.  Even though the rampant evil looks to be sending all of mankind into a tailspin, nothing happens outside of His will.  He is supreme over every detail of my life; nothing falls outside of His domain.  While I may feel my problems are my responsibility to solve, they actually fall within His area of expertise.  He may not move world affairs in the direction I would if I were in control, or resolve my issues to my liking, but I can be assured that His way is better for His children and will give Him maximum glory.  

I can trust God and His Word because He has supremacy over all, and His plan is a good one.

It can be hard for me to trust God and His Word.  When it comes right down to it, I may wonder why I can place my faith in Him.  To ease my mind, He reassures me with the reminder of His authority, power and supremacy.  When I recall such truths, I am compelled to take Him at His Word.  Can God and His Word be trusted?  Yes, they can, no matter what.  But it takes faith to do so.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to do what He's telling me to do.

When do I doubt His plan, wondering if it could be the best He has for me?

How am I usurping His authority by trying to be in control of my own life?        

The LORD Reigns

"The LORD is king!  He is robed in majesty.

Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty

and armed with strength.

The world stands firm and cannot be shaken."

Psalm 93:1 NLT

Who is king of the world?  It is not Leonardo Dicaprio's character Jack from the movie Titanic as he so famously proclaimed while perched on the bow of the iconic ship.  It's not the president of the most powerful country, or the head of the United Nations.  God is the one who reigns over all things.  

As king of the world, the Lord reigns over all my struggles, governs the entire earth, ruling over the details of the world.  Since He reigns in such majesty, how does this affect me and the way I live my life?

Nothing.  I love watching the Veggie Tales, not just because they are entertaining and make me laugh, but there is a deeper reason to pay attention to "Larry's Silly Songs" and Veggie versions of familiar Bible stories like Rack, Shack, and Benny (Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego thrown in the fiery furnace), Dave and the Giant Pickle (David and Goliath), and Josh and the Big Wall (The battle of Jericho).  I enjoy these programs created for children because I find there a powerful truth about God that resonates deeply.

One of these songs is the infectious, "God is Bigger than the Boogie-Man."  The lyrics are catchy and the tune gets stuck in my head, but the thing that sends me back for more is the message: God is bigger than anything that scares me.  While I may no longer fear the mysterious monster lurking under the bed at night, there are things that send my heart to racing.  Cancer.  Terrorism.  Financial disaster.  Sudden tragedies.  The what if's twist my stomach into a knot.  Reminding myself that He is more than able to handle my problems, protect me through any disaster, and preserve my life sets my heart at ease.

Moses faced an impossible situation as he led the Israelites on their 40-years of wandering through the desert.  In response to the complaints of the masses over discontent with the manna God had provided, God instructed Moses to proclaim to the people that He would give them enough meat to eat for an entire month, gorging them into learning a lesson from their faithlessness and ingratitude.  Thinking practically and thus limiting God, Moses questioned how He would provide such a quantity of meat.  God simply replied, "Is the LORD's arm too short?" (Numbers 11:4-23)  

Nothing is too much for God; He is more than able to handle any problem I face.

Everything.  It's not that I doubt that God is in complete control, but I often forget that fact.  Especially in the face of a crisis, a difficult dilemma, or a danger that threatens.  When I'm sitting in the doctor's office receiving the news every human dreads, or suddenly facing single motherhood after a dozen years of marriage, or attacked by a gang of thugs as I walk through my neighborhood, it's easy to feel like my life is spiraling out of control and that I have nowhere to turn.

God, however, is firmly planted on the throne.  He is not pacing the floor, wringing His hands with the thought of trying to handle what I face.  His majesty is absolute, and He knows exactly how to deliver me from or through the sickness while supplying all the strength and peace I need to endure, to serve as my husband and the Father of my children, to dispatch a battalion of angel warriors in my defense.

Everything is under God's command, He is never worried about anything that occurs in this world.

Power.  What kind of power does it take to generate something from nothing?  Or to create such a wide variety of species like what we see in the world?  Or to take what was meant for evil and somehow use it for my good?  The power of God is beyond compare and cannot be fathomed (1 Chronicles 29:11).

With such a God as this at the controls, I can expect great things from Him.  I can pray big prayers and look for mighty acts.  The power of God can change a stubborn, hardened heart, can enable me to do what I can't picture myself doing, can empower me to thrive even though conditions are not conducive for prosperity.  God can do it.  And He will if I will only believe (Mark 11:24).

The power of God is beyond my ability to comprehend but not greater than my capacity to believe.

When looking around at the chaotic state of the world, I could wonder, Sheesh, whose in charge around here, anyway?  Even though it may look like a freight train barreling down the track out of control, God is King.  He is firmly planted on the throne so that nothing is too much for Him, everything is part of His domain, and the power He wields is beyond compare.  With such a King as this, I can rest easy, knowing that all things are in good hands.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust the sovereign Lord.

When do I doubt God's ability to do the impossible?

How do I pray puny prayers?       

Time to Praise

"'I asked the LORD to give me this boy,

and he has granted my request.

Now I am giving him to the LORD,

and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.'

And they worshiped the LORD there.

Then Hannah prayed:

'My heart rejoices in the Lord!'"

1 Samuel 1:26-2:1

Solomon recorded his deep thoughts about the seasons of life.  He said, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)  None of us are exempt from death, heartache or loss. Each of us experiences laughter, tears and anger.  Every action is appropriate in certain times of life.  

I often think in such a way about the praise I give to God as well.  It's easy to honor God and extol His goodness when my life is going well.  Hannah modeled a more appropriate time to lift His name on high, however, and its not a time I would usually think about stopping and giving praise to God.  She intentionally rejoiced in the Lord at a time that must have been quite stressful and heartbreaking for her as a new mother.  She praised the Lord in the moment of her greatest loss, her selfless act of surrender, her unspeakable sacrifice made out of gratitude to the God she loved.

Instead of feeling sorry for herself or second-guessing her decision, Hannah wholeheartedly praised the Lord while she gave her only, beloved son, the gift given by a merciful God, back in service to Him.  The boy would never again sit at her table, or sleep under her roof, or play on her floor.  She would miss out on seeing him grow into a man.  Still, her heart rejoiced.  For what?  For all she knew about the Lord.

He Saves

I was at the end of my rope, although I was ignorant of this reality.  I was helpless to save myself, drowning in my own sin.  At just the right time, Jesus came to give His life as a sacrifice for me. (Romans 5:6)  He took the punishment my sin deserves so that when I realized the depth of my depravity and my great need for a Savior to rescue me from certain death, I could accept the lifeline He so mercifully offered.  As I grabbed hold, I entered from death into life. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

God is by definition a Savior.  David wrote a song about this aspect of the Lord after he was mercifully rescued from the hand of Saul who was out for his blood.  "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  (Psalm 18:2)

In the same way that David experienced first-hand this saving character trait of God, I too can taste His deliverance if I let Him.  Not only can I experience true freedom from guilt and the heavy burden of works that comes through faith in Christ, but I can also be freed from despair, heartache or a meaningless living.  He is not a one-time Deliverer, but a perpetual Savior.  

Therefore, when I feel as if I am deep in the darkness, unable to move forward and seemingly destined to stay in the pit, I can find help from the God who saves.  I can refocus my attention on Him instead of only concentrating on the suffering that seems to define my life.  Keeping my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith, serves as a lifeline that will pull me up out of the mire.  (Psalm 40:2)

Similarly, when it seems I will never be free from the pain that pierces my heart, destined to mourn my loss for the rest of my days, my Deliverer hears my cry and begins the healing process.  Slowly, the pain subsides and the wounds are knitted together until I find myself singing a song of joy.

He also is the only One who can release me from a mundane life.  Instead of living for myself and working only to provide for my needs, He will usher me into a way of life that brings joy, grace and never-ending mercy as I serve Him wholeheartedly.  While I used to focus on what the world told me was important, my Deliverer shows me the futility of living such a life and ushers me into a garden of peace as I delight in His presence.  

In the same way that Hannah praised God in the midst of difficulty, I can lift up His name as my Deliverer, no matter my circumstances.

He is Holy

Set apart.

Sanctified.

Higher.

Perfect.

Hallowed.

Divine.

These are some words that can describe what it means for God to be holy.  As such a God whose ways are higher than mine, and whose thoughts are far superior to mine, I must constantly keep this holiness of His in mind. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

He has resources of which I know nothing.  Due to His superiority, I can't begin to fathom how He will work out a situation, bring about healing or provide for my needs.  It is not my place to understand how He will do something; that is my Father's business.  Instead, as His dearly-loved child, it is my place to fully rely on Him, expecting great things from Him.  (Matthew 6:32-33)

Many times, however, I limit God.  I expect circumstances to work out in a way that I understand, or according to what I've experienced or already know.  If I don't give God room to be God, I won't get to see Him work in ways that blow my mind.  If I only expect the ordinary, I will never get to see His extraordinary ways.  If I don't give Him a chance to work, instead providing for my own needs and solving my own problems, I miss out on the awesome privilege of soaring on wings like eagles.  (Isaiah 40:31)

In the same way that Hannah praised God in the midst of difficulty, I can lift up His holy name, expecting the unexpected from a God whose ways are unfathomable.

He is Sovereign

He worked hard to build up his savings, investing money for the future.  He did everything the financial experts advised.  On that infamous day, however, he lost much of the nest egg he had worked so hard to grow.  The man who was wise in the eyes of the world had failed to take into account the sovereignty of God and ended up being proved as the fool he was. (Luke 12:13-21)

It's easy for me to think my position is secure.  After all, I have plenty of insurance to cover any and every possible tragedy and there is sufficient money tucked away in different accounts to provide for me and my family for the rest of my life.  I'm sittin' pretty, I think.  Then the stock market crashes, or terrorists attack, or some other catastrophic event occurs.  Hmm, I didn't think of that, I realize as my whole world crumbles down around me.

Only God can give life. (Deuteronomy 32:39) He extends mercy to those upon whom He desires to have mercy. (Romans 9:15) He brings the rain or withholds it, depending upon His plan. (Amos 4:7) I cannot even take a breath without Him granting it to me. (Job 12:10) I am completely at His mercy.

Each of us are living in a world that was created by God.  This is not my world, but my Father's.  Therefore, I must remember that nothing happens outside of His knowledge and anything that enters into my life must first pass through His hands for approval.  Since He is a good God, then, I can rejoice in His provision. (Psalm 136:1) I can rest easy in His strong and competent hands.  I can let Him have control, letting go of my own feeble attempts to somehow manipulate His creation to fit into my own plan.

In the same way that Hannah praised God in the midst of difficulty, I can lift Him up as sovereign over all things, willingly giving control over to Him.

I don't easily think of praising God when the going gets tough.  Instead of focusing on my circumstances, however, I can begin to do as Hannah did, and praise God for who He is, no matter my situation.  I can remember His saving, holy, and sovereign nature, making every moment the perfect time to give Him praise.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God despite what I see going on around me.

When do I expect ordinary things from God instead of watching for amazing feats of His might?

How do I limit God in my day-to-day life?   

Real Answers

"Heal me, O LORD,

and I will be healed;

save me

and I will be saved,

for you are the one I praise."

Jeremiah 17:14

Self-help books line the shelves at the local bookstore.  Advice on how to get through any difficulty can be found all around me.  Experts are eager to share their methods of restoration or treatment for a wide variety of disorders, sicknesses, relationship problems, ailments or difficulties.  Relief can come from many sources.

Relief, but not peace.  Alleviation, but not healing.  A Band-Aid, but not a cure.

How can I find lasting peace, healing and a genuine cure for the issues that plague me?  


God.  

When I allow God to have access to my life, giving it over to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, the work He accomplishes in my life will be authentic, powerful and enduring.

Allow Him

Have you ever tried to make a 2-year-old eat his peas, use the toilet, or go to sleep?  If you have, you know it boils down to a battle of the wills. My will against his will.  I can't make him do any of these things.  I can make him stay at the table, sit on the potty and lay in his bed, but I can't force him to eat, go to the bathroom or fall asleep.  He must bend his will to mine in order for compliance to occur.

It is the same with me and God.  He can't force me to do anything because He created me with my own ability to desire and choose for myself.  If I don't yield to Him, He can't have access to my life.  If He did try to force His way on me, He would only succeed in my stubborn will pushing back against His.  And although His will is much stronger than mine, He is a loving and gracious God who waits for me to surrender to Him before He works in my life.

When I allow God the right of entry into my heart, He will accomplish mighty works never before experienced in my existence.  A changed heart. . .a healed hurt. . .a restored relationship. . .the way of salvation. . .

If I want real change to happen in my life, it will only come from bending my will to God's, and allowing Him to have His way.

Seek Him

My husband has a buddy who is preparing for his first bodybuilding show.  His friends and family are telling him that he needs to step up the cardio training if he wants to be ready in time but he insists that he'll be prepared.  When he looks in the mirror, he is not seeing what everyone else is seeing.  He is only seeing what he wants to see.

It's the same with me.  I can look at myself or my situation and only see what I want to see.  If I focus on the negative, I will only see the harmful and destructive things happening around me.  

If I concentrate on my own abilities, I will think victory depends on me.  

If I home in on my accomplishments, I will see my success and position in life as a result of my effort.

God is a jealous God.  As my Creator, He belongs in the highest position of importance in my life. But it is easy to let other things creep into that top position.  When this happens, I fail to recognize His hand in my life.  

The Israelites were no different in their struggles with this kind of rebellion against God's rightful position.  In fact, God gave this message to the prophet Ezekiel regarding His chosen ones.  ". . .you are living among a rebellious people.  They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people."  (Ezekiel 12:2)

When I seek God, I will find Him.  And when I find Him, I will see the world around me with new eyes. . . eyes that are focused on Him and His wonders! 

If I truly want to see the reality of God's continuous work in all the details of my life, I have to look with new eyes.  

Wait for Him

I love keeping track of the weather forecasts.  There is something about knowing what kind of conditions I can expect for the day that makes me happy.  I do notice, however, that no man can truly predict whether or not it will rain, for instance, with 100% accuracy.  God set the planet into motion in a predictable way, allowing scientists to study patterns and correctly guess how things will turn out based on their data, but God is still in control.  

He could throw a wrench into those expectations by making it snow when rain was expected.  Or He could turn a hurricane over the ocean when everyone was expecting it to continue over land.  Or He could calm a stormy sea with a single command. 

Life is no different than the weather.  I may think I will get a certain outcome if I take a certain step, but all things are under God's dominion.  I may have an order in which I want events to occur, but God is in charge of the timing.  I may think I have God mostly figured out, but then He throws me a curve ball.

Once again, God used Ezekiel to address this issue of His sovereignty with His people. God said, "Son of man (Ezekiel), the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.'  Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any long; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"  (Ezekiel 12:27-28) 

I can't predict the timing of any events in my life, nor can I control them.  Instead, God holds the position of authority over my life and it is better if I wait for Him and His timing.  After all, who knows the mind of God or understands His ways?

If I want to live a life of inner peace it will only happen if I wait on Him and trust Him for His timing.  

I can find relief or remedies from many different sources.  But if I want real answers, I must allow God access to my heart, seek Him so I can see all the good He is doing around me, and wait on His perfect timing for all things.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will seek the real answers that come from knowing God on a personal level.

When do I turn to other sources for a quick fix?

How do I betray my impatience in the way I fail to wait for God to provide my needs or solve my problems?

Revival

"For we know, brothers loved by God,

that he has chosen you,

because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power,

with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. . .your faith in God has become known everywhere. . .

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,"

1 Thessalonians 1:4,5,8,9

Man is an animal.  God is dead.  There is no God.  Science makes God unnecessary.  Truth is what I believe it to be.  Love is love, I don't see the difference whether it is lesbian, homosexual, or heterosexual.  Ending a life is a choice.

These are statements that are floating around the Internet and are easily accessible to anyone spending any time in cyberspace.   If I am searching for God, it is easy to read about these beliefs and start doubting.  Once uncertainty creeps into my mind, it is a small step to simply turn my back on God.

But God's not dead!  He's alive.  Take a moment and watch this video from the Newsboys to see what I mean.

Maybe I'm not seeing God's Hand in my life because I'm looking in the wrong place.  Maybe I'm not giving Him a chance to work in my heart because I've hardened it against Him.  Maybe I'm immune to His miracles because I'm dead on the inside.  

God is not the problem.  I am the problem, and the real evidence of God's existence is in what takes place inside of me once I give my life to Him.

Alive 

Anyone who has experienced the convicting pressure of God's hand upon them knows that God is alive and He is living within them.   All who have witnessed the transformation of a hard, stubborn heart into a soft and pliable spirit knows that God is with them.  Every person who has felt a peace that makes no sense in the middle of turmoil or trial knows that God lives inside of them.  

God is not an object carved from wood or stone.  He is not a myth created by man.  Neither is He an impotent being.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is alive. . . and He is living within me.

The only way to know for sure, however, is to give the living God a chance for yourself.  As David said in Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."  The evidence of God's living existence is found in the changes He has wrought within me.  I am not the same person I was before I met Him.  

God has left His imprint upon the hearts of all those who give their lives to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Powerful

Whenever I witness a thunderstorm, I ponder the power of God.  As I cower under this tiny sampling of His might, I think about how His power was never more evident than in the creation of all things.

 My God has the authority to speak the world into existence!  He said the word, and light came into being.  He uttered one syllable and the newly formed earth was teaming with creatures.   It took only one breath blown into the nostrils of man, and Adam came to life. 

This kind of power is unlimited.  Combined with His perfect justice, love, grace and mercy, it becomes evident that this is a God who is able to help me in all situations.  Whether I am facing cancer, divorce, death, loss, or calamity of any kind. . . God is powerful enough to save me.

Once again, David as a man after God's own heart knew a little something about the power of God.  He said, "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.  Our God is a God who saves." (Psalm 68:19-20)

Over the course of several years in my past I worked in three different gyms.  Even though each facility was different, there was one thing they all had in common.  The guys who were the strongest and lifted the heaviest weights were the ones who were the most inconsiderate, leaving their big plates and heavy dumbbells out for someone else to put away.  They used their strength for their own good but not for the good of anyone else.  

Thankfully, this observation does not apply to God.  He is mighty and merciful, strong and loving, great and gracious.  The Lord acts in great power coupled with amazing love.  As the Apostle Paul said to the church at Ephesus, "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 NLT)

The Lord is a powerful God who is able to do all things.  He can mend a broken heart, repair a estranged relationship, or give hope where none exists.  As the missionary Andrew Murray said, "Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation."

The evidence of the power of God in my life is in the amazing feats and loving acts that are meant for my good and the good of those around me. 

Sovereign 

Anyone who believes God does not exist has not really examined the intricacies of life.  Imagine the timing and amount of planning it takes for a single life to intersect with another at just the right moment.

A friend of mine was recently telling me about how she was taking her car in for repair.  She didn't have much money and was grieving over the high estimate.  Knowing she needed to have the work done, she headed over to the shop, trusting God that He would make it all work out.

As she was driving, she came upon a friend of hers who waved her down.  He hopped in the van and proceeded to direct her to a friend of his who was able to do the work for half the cost in a fraction of the time.  God had orchestrated this chance meeting and turned it into a huge blessing for my friend.

Each of us has experienced similar incidents that showcase the dominion of God.  The Israelites certainly witnessed many events that demonstrated God's control over all things.

When they were still slaves in Egypt and God sent Moses to ask Pharaoh to let His people go, God sent plague after plague to afflict the natives.  Then He sent this message to the king of Egypt through Moses. "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that  I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."  (Exodus 9:16)

Every meeting God orchestrates, every need He meets, every calamity He prevents, is done in order to lift up His name throughout all of creation.

God's sovereignty is made known through every breath that I take and every miracle that occurs, whether or not I recognize it.

God is not dead, He is surely alive and it is time for a revival of sorts.  It is time for my heart to be revitalized toward the One who made made me, who will live within me if given the chance, who has the power to do all things and who is in control of every aspect of every life.  

No, God is not dead.  It is I who is dead. . . . and it is time for me to wake up!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will look for evidence of God in the details of my life.

How do I explain away the miracles that God orchestrates each day?

When do I fail to recognize the gift God has given me with every single breath that I take?

Faith of the Flawed

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

This is what the ancients were commended for. "

Hebrews 11:1-2

A deceiver, a schemer, a trickster, a young boastful boy, a rich, spoiled man with a temper, a bunch of whiners, a prostitute.  This sounds like a list of people I may have found at the local prison, serving time for any number of offenses.  In reality, this is a partial list of the characters that have been placed in the so-called Hall of Fame of Faith as those who we are to look to as examples of impressive faith. 

Faith, you see, is not based on the uprightness of my character or on my ability to live up to God's standards.  As a sinful being, this would mean I could never possess faith.  Instead, faith is the ability to believe God will deliver despite what I see around me.  Even though I know the weakness of my character.  Regardless of how many flaws I possess. 

Faith is more about who I believe God to be and not at all about who I know myself to be.  Anyone can have great faith.  Faith comes with learning more about the greatness of God.

Faithful

One thing these ordinary people of great faith knew about God is that He could be trusted to deliver on His promises.  For instance, the Lord promised an old, sterile couple that not only would they deliver a child in their old age, but that the husband would be known as the father of many nations and all peoples of earth would be blessed through him.  They believed that God was good for His word.

Since God is faithful, the problem of my worry, then, lies within myself, not in God's inability to provide for my needs.  He is perfectly able to take care of me.  My problem is that I don't want to let go and let Him take care of me.

Worry is focused thinking on any one thing.  As I turn a problem, issue, or dilemma over and over in my mind, analyzing it from every angle and thinking of all possible solutions, I am worrying.  Jesus told us we do not have to worry because our Father in heaven knows what we need.  He said when we worry, we are being men and women of little faith.

God is faithful to take care of me.  I can either choose to dwell on the difficulties of life, or I can release the troubles from my mind and let Him handle it for me.

Faith is trusting that God will deliver.

Sovereign

I will never forget my feelings of complete and utter lack of control as I endured a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 2001.  During those terrifying 45 seconds, I experienced the most vivid understanding of God's sovereignty.  There was absolutely nothing I could do to save myself or to stop the earth from trembling.  As I watched my house shaking and felt the waves under my feet, I cried out to the Lord in absolute submission.  My life and the lives of my family were completely in His hands, at His mercy.

That understanding has never left me.  God is always in control and my life is always in His hands, but I sometimes tend to think I have some semblance of power.  In reality, I only have what He allows me to have and He is gracious to give me so much. I must constantly remind myself the lesson of the earthquake.

Faith is knowing that God is sovereign.

Jealous

The men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11 understood that God is a jealous God.  Many of them lived during a time when it was common to see carven images of any number of creatures who became "gods" or "idols" to the people. 

As the Lord told his people through the prophet Jeremiah, these gods are, "Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” (Jeremiah 10:5) 

Those who possessed great faith demonstrated their respect for God by not worshipping these widely-accepted idols.  Instead, they placed the Lord in the position He deserves; as their one and only God.

Even though we don't see carven images erected in prominent places in today's homes and public squares, we do face perhaps a more insidious threat.  We commonly worship at the altar of widely accepted, yet false, lines of thinking. 

There is the common attitude of acceptance of all belief systems as truth.  Or the desire to fit in superseding the importance of showing a respect for God in all situations.  Or even letting a "can-do" attitude replace a "Let Him" approach.  Or perhaps the most seemingly benign; the false conviction that "God helps those who help themselves."

Each of these common mind-sets are dangerously similar to worshipping an idol because it replaces God as the only One deserving of praise with my comfort and abilities as the most important consideration.  If I give God the highest priority, setting Him above all other things, then I am truly showing Him the honor and reverence that He deserves as the Creator of all things.

Faith is giving God the highest position.

I may not be listed in the Hall of Fame of Faith, but I can possess the faith of these saints.  I can trust Him to take care of me, acknowledge his complete sovereignty and give Him the highest place of honor in my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will grow in my faith.

How do I show disrespect for God in my attitudes and beliefs?

In what way do I trust in my own abilities rather than in God's capacity to take care of me?