Wonders, Day 4

There are days that I wonder how shallow my faith can be....really! I wonder if I can stand up and shout my beliefs from the roof tops. Would I do it if that is what God calls me to do? Would I be too embarrassed?

I think sometimes our society makes God like a light switch. On when we need Him, Off when things are going alright. I know it isn't a part of our salvation to always get our relationship to God perfect but sometimes we just don't give him enough. He is the Creator of the Universe and we seem to always want Him on our terms.

Daniel 3:13-18 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? "Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this
matter. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

There are moments when we are called out to stand up for our God over the gods/men of this world. Are you prepared to do that even if God doesn't deliver you from the persecution? It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of our new President. It is easy to focus so much on him or any idol/celebrity that it takes relationship for the One who truly loves you. How much of your faith will you compromise to help keep peace?

Heavenly Father my heart is heavy with the thoughts that I won't be strong enough to stand for You when I am called to. I pray for your strength, for all of us Lord.

The O's of God, Day 2

The O's of God, Day 2

Omnipotence is defined as the almighty God's expectation for human beings to obey Him, and He holds them responsible for their thoughts and actions. He has created all things and sustains them by the Word of His power. He is the all-powerful Lord.

Interesting how our thoughts are just as important as our actions. That God can sustain all things by the Word of His power. Are there things that have died because of our words? Are there things that are being sustained because you speak life into them? Who speaks life into you, who sustains you?

Omnipresence is defined as the nature of God who is not like the other idols and God's that can only be worshiped in one place or that are dead and buried. God reveals Himself in the Bible as the Lord who is everywhere. God was present as Lord in all creation, and there is no escaping Him. He is present in our innermost thoughts. Even as we are formed in the womb, He knows all the days of our future.

Omniscience is defined as the knowledge of God, who knows our thoughts from afar. He is acquainted with all our ways, knowing or words even before they are on our tongues. He needs to consult no one for knowledge or understanding. He is the all-knowing Lord who prophesies the events of the future.

The following Psalm is one of my favorites. Take a moment to read it. If you can print it out, put it somewhere that will remind you of who God is and who you are because of Him. Read it often, commit it to heart, believe it.

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Please Continue to pray for Kathy L. this week.

Lord, today I pray for the elections. That you will be in this moment with us, our thoughts and our actions. Will you hep us to focus on you and your Word. If we haven't voted yet, Lord, I pray that you will help us to vote so that it pleases you. Lord, I pray that we understand our importance as Christians in deciding who will be our leaders. Mostly, Lord, I pray that you be honored in this election.