The Sea and God's Glory

While recently cruising through the Gulf of Mexico I was impressed with the vast amount of water all around - its length,  its width and its depth. Everywhere I looked all I could see was water. Where did this water come from? How did it get here? As the earth rotates, what makes it adhere to the earth and not fling away into space?  The Bible says, "And God said let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place and let the dry land appear and it was so. And God called the dry land earth and the gathering together of the waters he called the seas and God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:9-10).

The seas with all the water they contain did not appear by chance; they were planned and created by God. In fact, the world and everything in it was created for God's glory. The Bible says "The whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:3). So when we look at creation we should think of God - His greatness, His power, and His majesty - not just for us to enjoy, but for our minds to be focused on Him and His glory. When you look at creation - be sure to enjoy it, but also be ready to give glory to God.

Walking Confidently Into the Future

Because of our human nature it is so easy for us to dwell on that which has been a disappointment, discouragement, or a defeat from the past.  However, God has a better idea for us.  He wants us to place our lives in His hands and confidently walk with Him into the future.  Listen to His instruction in Isaiah: 43:18-19.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

All of us need to have minds ("perceive it") that are willing to forget ("the former things" and "do not dwell on the past") and eyes that are ready to focus on His new work ("new thing").  May that be our prayer and the action for us as we progress in the New Year.

What's In a Name?

When I was in elementary school I was fascinated with a teacher by the name of Bonnie Sue.  Of course, everyone, including me, called her, “Teacher.”  Her name wasn’t unusual, but it had meaning for me because she was a wonderful, loving, caring teacher.  What’s in a name?  A verse of Scripture that is read and re-read every Christmas presents four names for Jesus which are not only beautiful names but names that have great significance for all mankind.  These names also help explain why He came to this earth.  “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

1)    Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.  He not only came to give unusual help and wise advice to everyone who wants to receive it, but He also delights in providing this help for you and me.  Are you willing to receive counsel that He offers?  Read the Bible, His Word.  Listen to Him as you read and meditate.  Obediently do what He commands.

2)    Jesus is the Mighty God.  He has strength, power and might that is unparalleled.  Just imagine: this awesome power of the God of the universe is available to you and me today.  He is the source of strength to live day to day whether we are going through the valleys of uncertainty or the mountains of joy.  Have you come to Him for strength during a time of need?  He wants you to experience His might and His power.

3)    Our Lord is the Everlasting Father.  There is no beginning or end to Him so we can count on Him no matter what the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  He will not leave us.  As a Father He is also a personal God in whom we can find joy and delight.  Have you come to Christ and experienced His loving, caring hand?  He always stands with open arms to receive individuals into His forever family.

4)    He is the Prince of Peace.  He is quick to remove everything that disturbs and disrupts peace while at the same time He provides calmness and quiet assurance.  Through Him we can have the peace of God to calm us through uncertain circumstances and peace with God whereby we become children of God through our personal faith and trust in Him as our only Savior from sin.  Have you come to Him for both these kinds of peace?

What is in a name?  Lots.  But in the name of Jesus there is contained so much more than in any other name.  With Him there is fullness of joy forever more (Psalm 16:11).  As you celebrate Christmas this year and as you begin the new year, let Jesus be your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, Your Everlasting Father and your Prince of Peace.

The Beauty of Fall

When I think of the fall season the one word that comes to my mind is beauty.  As fall sets in we begin to experience cool mornings and notice that the leaves on trees begin turning color.  Have you ever wondered why and how leaves change color? Why does a maple leaf turn bright red?  Where do the yellows and oranges and browns come from?

To answer these questions we must remember that leaves are food factories.  Plants take water from the ground through their roots and receive carbon dioxide from the air.  They use sunlight to turn the water and carbon dioxide into glucose, which is a kind of sugar.  A chemical called chlorophyll helps make that happen and gives plants their green color.  As the days of fall get shorter, trees shut down their food-making factories and live off the food they have stored during the summer. When the green chlorophyll disappears it leaves small amounts of yellow and orange, which unbeknown to us, have been in the leaves all along.  In maple trees glucose is trapped in the leaves and the sunlight plus the cool nights cause them to turn into a red color.  The brown color in the leaves of oak trees is made from wastes that are left in the leaves.  It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful colors we enjoy in the fall.

When we think of the beauty in the trees and the leaves we need to remember that all this began with creation.  “Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so.  The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:13-14).  The Apostle Paul reminds us of God’s creative and sustaining power when he said, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).  What a wonderful God we have who gives us this wonderful beauty all year long, but particularly in the fall.  With Solomon of old we can affirm, "He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). I’m so glad that God enjoys beauty and delights in sharing that beauty with you and me.

Back to the Basics

If we want to do our best in any endeavor in life it is important to get “back to the basics.”  Basics are always crucial because they provide a foundation making it possible for us to encounter greater possibilities.  Many children and youth experienced getting back to the basics in the school classroom or on the sports field this fall.  I’d like to encourage all of us to get back to the basics, but do so in the area of spirituality.  Here are several action points you might take to help you build the spiritual foundation of your life:

First, spend time in God’s Word so you can begin to grow or continue to mature in Christ. The Bible tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).  Second, talk to God daily.  Prayer is communion with God and it is something that He desires from us.  Scripture encourages us to “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:17-17).  Third, learn to praise and worship God.  God has done so much for us and He is supremely worthy of our praise.  The Psalmist challenges us to “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs…Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:2, 4).  Fourth, be obedient to what God’s Word teaches you.  Obedience to God’s Word is the best way to reveal to others that you believe what God says.  Obedience simply takes God’s Word and puts it into practice in life.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

Don’t forget that getting back to the basics is fundamental to help us construct a strong foundation for life.  The Bible reminds us to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever!  Amen” (II Peter 3:18).  Maybe this fall would be a good time for all of us to get “back to the basics” spiritually.  Are you ready to join me?

The Work of Preparation

Most everyone knows that Olympic athletes don’t just show up at an event, participate, stand on the podium, and get a metal hung around their neck. To receive a metal takes much more than that. Hours, days, weeks, months, and years go into preparation and training.  Each athlete puts himself through a rigorous training regimen, all with the ultimate goal of Olympic gold.  Sometimes I’m afraid people approach living the Christian life without much thought of spiritual preparation or training. The Bible says, “Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do.  So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too” (1 Timothy 4:8, LB).  Why not take time now to prepare and train yourself spiritually so you can be all you need to be for the cause of Christ?

Being Connected

On a recent vacation when I was out of range of Wi-Fi or did not have a proper password for a local hotspot, I discovered how important it is to be connected.  Not having the connection when I desired it, or thought I needed it, was frustrating.  Since I did not have a source of power, I was hindered in my effectiveness.  This situation reminded me of how important it is to be connected spiritually.  If we do not tap into God and experience His divine source of power we are hindered in our spiritual development and become ineffective.  It is so easy to think that we can get along quite nicely without God, but when we do so we actually deceive ourselves and lose the effectiveness that we should have.  The Bible reminds us that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (II Peter 1:3).  Being connected with God gives us much more than human strength; it gives us God’s divine power that is so necessary to live a fruitful life that pleases Him.  Are you connected to God’s spiritual energy source?  (Check out John 1:12)