We Have to Stop Taking the Supernatural out of Salvation

"You can't save yourself, but we know someone who can, and He is strong enough to save."

Another Promise

⁷ “ For the Lord GOD will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.
(Isaiah 50:7, New King James Version)

A light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out...

Just as the Light of Eärendil gave light to Frodo in the darkest of times, so to are God's promises and acts of providence for the Christian.

The middle of last week things were very bleak. Things were just getting tougher and darker all week long, and I had to minister to a bunch of kids the end of the day. I finally got to Wednesday afternoon, and I didn't know how I was going to smile the next day. (Usually I can fake it when I need to.) I prayed and read some psalms for a while, and afterwards decided I would apply for a few more jobs, and God gave me the possibility of a job interview. It didn't materialize as I wanted, but it was the hope I needed. It was enough for me to know once again that God is watching out and caring for me. I am so thankful not only for God's promises but the way He works through providence to bless us, and remind us that He cares personally for all his sheep.

Safe in the Hands of Christ

I heard these two songs back to back on the radio the other night. Very powerful.

God's Promises are the Key to the Dungeon of Despair

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, New King James Version)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, New King James Version)

Cling to these promises as you press on.

...Yet not Crushed.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10, New King James Version)

I look forward to the morning, in the meantime I can only trust God.

A Promise of Blessing for those who Help the Helpless

I ran across this verse the other day, and it was such an encouragement. I try to be there for those in need. When I read it, it seemed like a promise God would bless me. If you are not helping those in distress, start doing it. God promises to bless those who help those in need.

Psalm 41:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

Psalm 41

The Psalmist in Sickness Complains of Enemies and False Friends.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

¹How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.
²The LORD will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

I don't think I would have noticed the verse if I hadn't been reading in my NASB. Most the other translations render the word "helpless" as "poor".

As Long as You are Glorified

When the storm clouds billow and grow dark and the seas rage, remember the times of sunshine and calm. The same God who was gave us the pastures will carry us across the mountains.

This should quiet our restless hearts

God is good.

God is love.

Nothing can change those facts.

Will you let God chisel EVERYTHING that is not like Him?

I watched this video again last week, and it struck me in new ways. Below the video are some of the thoughts this video sparked.

Chisel or Control? This is one of the great questions of the Christian life. Will we let God take complete control of our life, and remove anything and everything that is not like Him? This is the command we are given in Proverbs 3:5-6, and the great call on the Christian to the life long process of sanctification, and mortification.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6, New King James Version)

This is the challenge the Rich Young Ruler faced when he went to Jesus to find the way to eternal life. (Luke 18:18-23) Some have argued that this story, tells of someone whose money kept him from eternal life. It is actually the story of Christ putting the chisel to what this man treasured most. When he asks the way to eternal life, he claims to be a moral man and Christ doesn't dispute that. Instead Christ asks the man to trust that God can take care of his financial and earthly needs by getting rid of his riches. In this case the Rich Young Ruler chose control over the chisel and it cost him eternal life.

Will you acknowledge, and trust God with everything in your life? Will you let Him chisel away ANYTHING that is not like Himself? Are you willing to trust every plan, desire, dream, and fear to Him? The Rich Young Ruler wasn't and it cost him eternal life. If you are, ask God to take control of EVERY aspect of your life, including that part you want to cling to the most. Be careful. It will be a very tough ride, but it will also be very good.

When You Feel Overwhelmed, Look at the Stars...

For me the stars are one of the greatest reminders of the power and love of God. Over the past year there have been points where I have been overwhelmed with life: fears, difficulties, sin, and at least two of those times God has stopped me and shown me the stars. Those have been beautiful moments of standing in awe before a great and loving God.

The same God that hung the stars, knows their number, ordered them across the heavens, and gives them to us as a gift, loved us enough to send His son to die and forgive us while we were still sinners.

Enjoy the stars, as well as the rest of God's creation, and the next time you are overwhelmed go in a field, look at the stars, and stand quietly before God

³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?

(Psalm 8:3-4, New King James Version)