Two Sides of Gracious Sovereignty

   And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

   “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 

Genesis 45:5-8 NIV

There's two very different perspectives here. One from Joseph's position and the other from his brothers experience. Joseph had worked out the "why me" issues but his brothers were stuck on the "why did I do that", "if only I had" questions. Both perspectives, both experiences are covered by the gracious sovereignty of God.  

Maybe you are like me and there are a few choices, sins even, that you made that you honestly wish you hadn't made. I would be surprised if you weren't the recipient of the result of someone else's choices and actions. Some more harmful than others. "But God.." Those two words flip everything around, turning what is meant for harm into what was good, very good. This is a wonderful example of God sovereignly working all things out for good. Don't you think it is amazing that God shows us both sides; Joseph who really didn't do anything and his brothers who definitely sinned? 

In the end God worked out salvation for Joseph, his brothers and his father. So, I wonder what "salvation" God has planned for you and I? 

Father, you are Sovereign Lord, Almighty Father. You work all things out for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purposes. We are yours. Graciously work in our lives and bring salvation through us. 

Boast in God's Faithfulness

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 

2 Corinthians 11:30 NIV

Why? Because for Paul it was all about glorifying God, not himself. He wanted to show God's greatness and  God's faithfulness, not his own. 

Almost seven years ago I got bumped back from an administrative position. I did well but cutbacks pushed some of us out. Getting back in has proved to be difficult. But, several times I have had opportunities to share Christ that I probably would not have had as an administrator. Also, I recently discovered some practices that have been going on that I would not have been able, ethically, to do. I think God knew that. But, it's not about me being highly ethical, it's about God keeping me from a situation where I would be forced to be unethical or step down. 

The lesson to be learned is that in all things we seek God's glory, not our own. Our weaknesses are not problems to God. He will be great. He will be faithful.

He Will Keep You

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 NIV

The amazing truth that God himself will keep us firm to the end encourages us to keep pressing on in Christ. 

In one way it's like the Spirit is our personal spiritual trainer. He uses others to exhort us to know Christ more. He uses our consciences to direct us from harm and to the truth. In his Word we are reminded of the hope we have that motivates us to love, forgive and serve even in the darkest hours. 

In another way, God keeping us firm so that we will be blameless on the day of out Lord Jesus Christ, is the bedrock of our Christian lives. His blood, shed for us, keeps our consciences clear as we remember his death and resurrection. We are his workmanship. Get it? He decided before the foundation of the world to die for us, to save us, to make us his children. He will keep us strong to the end. 

God Wants You to Find Him.

God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 

Acts 17:27 NIV

You want to know what God's plan is? Do you want to know what God really desires? He wants us to seek him, to reach out to him and to find him. It's like a parent playing hide and seek with their little child and hiding in such a way that they'll be found. That's what God has set up this world to be like. 

The good news is that he is not far from any one of us. How far away is he? He is a seek away. What's a seek? It's the time, it's the effort involved in turning to him. Again, the good news is that if you seek him, he will find you. 

So, where are you? Or maybe we should ask, what are you seeking? Do you need to turn, to repent, from what you are seeking and seek God? Seek God. He wants you to find him. 

Are You Letting Your Hands Be Strong?

As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

Zechariah 8:13

If you channel surf you will definitely come across some fitness coach promising that if you use their system you will lose weight and feel better. Self-help programs can aid you to lose some weight and feel better about yourself to some degree. But, they all share the same weakness. Self. 

That is what makes the grace of God so powerful. Grace is built upon the Sovereignty and faithfulness of the Almighty God. His promise is to save us and make us a blessing.  If you lift weights you should have a partner who acts as your spotter. Sometimes when you need just a little help they will pull up on the bar just a bit to help you finish the set. 

The grace of God is where he does a lot more than pull us up a little bit to bring us through. Because we know that we can let our hands be strong, we can act in faith without fear. You see, having a spotter allows you to try as hard as you can without fear that you will be halfway through a lift and your arms will give out and the weights will fall back on you. Let your hands be strong. Don't be afraid to fail. Be a blessing. Be strong in the Lord!

Whose Clothes Are You Wearing?

The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes."
   Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." Zechariah 3:4

This is such a great picture of the grace of God. Because of sin we are filthy. The reality being that we can't clothe or clean ourselves. He takes away our sin and clothes us in his righteousness. In I Corinthians 1:30 Paul reminds us that the work of Christ on the cross makes Christ our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Take a moment to remember that your sins are forgiven and you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ Jesus, the Lord. 

Should You Be Afraid?

Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord.
   “Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
   an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
Jeremiah 5:22 (NIV)

Every now and then we need to just stop and remember that God is the Almighty and he answers to no one. All must answer to him. 

Sometimes we forget that God is the Sovereign Judge of all. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every person who arrogantly speaks as if they will question God with some foolish question will realize his own folly. 

As a Christian sometimes we just need to sit down in God's Presence and humbly remember that we need to fear him and tremble in his Presence. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Although I do believe that my salvation is all of grace, I also believe that I should not mess with the grace of God. God is being gracious and merciful to me because he chooses to, not because he has to. 

Father, we come before you and confess that we are sinners. We need you grace and call out for your mercy! Teach us to walk humbly before you. Praise be to you in us today!

Face It, You Sin

   If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

   My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 1:8-2:2 (NIV)

Facing up to our own sinfulness can be very humbling. The question is not if we are going to sin or even when will we sin. The issue is what do we do when we sin. We confess. Jesus in his perfect faithfulness forgives us and purifies us. Just like a baby in diapers can't clean him/herself, we can't purify our own sin. we confess, Christ cleans. That is God's grace. 

The truth is that Jesus did not die just for our sins, he was the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. I have this friend at work. He needs to know God's grace. I can see it. I know he loves his wife and daughter, but he still needs Jesus. Jesus died for him too and I have been able to tell him, in normal conversations of God's love and forgiveness. 

That is the two sided beauty of the gospel. We are forgiven and we get to share that forgiveness with others. 

Father, forgive our sins. Share you love through us. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT PLEASES GOD

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

One of the many things I don't understand is liberal theologians. People who call themselves Christians but don't believe in the infallibility of Scripture. They don't believe in miracles or the supernatural. So, anything that has to do with God working in a way that seems miraculous or supernatural, they reject. You know, things like the flood, healings, the virgin birth of Christ and his resurrection. 

The author of Hebrews reminds us that believing in God, pleases God. To come to him, you must believe he really exists. Not only do you need to believe he exists, but believe that he will reward you when you earnestly seek him. I think the earnestly seeking is the action to the inner belief. You, in your heart, believe he exists. In your actions you seek him in anticipation of the rewards of faith.

God wants us to believe and anticipate his working in our lives. This pleases God. That is amazing...

Father, to think that you are pleased when we believe in you and earnestly seek you, is amazing! Thank you for your amazing grace to me! Praise be to you in us today! 

COME ON IN

"Let us draw near to to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22

I think it was Popeye that said, "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam". The point? To God you are you are and that's all you are. No fooling God. No need to try to be what you are not. That is why Jesus died for our sins. 

Sincerity is truth without pretense. I not sure what is worse, to try to get right before you seek God, or, to think you are right when you are not when you go before God. Probably the later because then you don't think you need his forgiveness. We ALL need his forgiveness because all have sinned and fallen short of his glory. 

The good news is that drawing near him knowing that you need his forgiveness is what you are supposed to do. There are no required words, no set formulas to be draw near to God except to do so sincerely, truthfully. In Christ God says, "Come on in." 

"God, I am what I am and here I am. And I come to receive grace  and mercy." Praise be to you in us today!

CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

"I walk about in freedom,
     for I have sought out your precepts." Psalm 119:45

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
     because the LORD has anointed me
     to preach good news to the poor.
 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
     to proclaim freedom for the captives
     and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1


May God richly bless America with his freedom and grace. 

JUST SAY "NO"/ Titus 2:11-14

"For the grace that bring salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14

The Bible often puts things very simply. Just say "No". Notice it doesn't talk about how you will feel or what you might think, it just says to say "No". It reminds me of when my students sometimes want to "discuss" anything with me when they have been given a task. I will just repeat, "Get on task." Our sinful nature wants to do anything but be godly because godliness involves dying to self. 

The grace of God teaches us to rely upon the righteousness of Christ in us. We are righteous because Jesus died on the cross in place of our unrighteousness, our sin. When it comes to being tempted, and we will, we just have to learn to say "No". When opportunities for ungodliness and worldly passions arise, and they will, we need to learn to say "No". 

The mission for today: Say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions.

Father, teaches us to say "No". Praise be to you in us today!

REMEMBER THE VICTORIES: Psalm 44:1-3

"We have heard with our ears, O God;
     our fathers have told us
 what you did in their days,
     in days long ago.
 With your hand you drove out the nations
     and planted our fathers;
 you crushed the peoples
     and made our fathers flourish.
 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
     nor did their arm bring them victory;
 it was your right hand, your arm,
     and the light of your face, for you loved them."
 Psalm 44:1-3

Once, God opened a door for a job, three day after the opening was "closed". I was completely unaware of the way he moved in someone to recommend me for the job. That was about five years ago. Everything else went wrong, from the person who drafted the list of available candidates writing my information wrong to my boss not showing me the list until it was too late to have it changed. Yet, God make a way. 

What is one thing God did for you?

STRONG IN GRACE: II Timothy 2:1

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 
II Timothy 2:1

Where do I find my strength? In the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

I think of David and in the moments of his deepest need he turned to God and reminded himself of God's gracious love toward him. When his boss (Saul) whom he faithfully served to take his life he turned to God's gracious love toward him. When his enemies surrounded him and attacked him, he turned and found his strength in God's gracious love toward him. When his own son turned against him, he found strength in God's gracious love toward him.

So, turn to God and find strength in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

Father, hear our cry and show your grace toward us. Praise be to you for your grace in us today!