Getting to Know You

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 Most people go on reality TV shows to find love or win money. But twin sisters Emily and Molly, who recently competed on The Amazing Race, had another reason for being on the show. Born in South Korea and separated at birth, the sisters were both adopted by families in the United States. Thanks to DNA testing, they found each other at the age of 36. One year later, they were traveling the world together on The Amazing Race. As Molly said in an interview, “It was a really nice way to get to know each other in a very unconventional setting. We would have never gotten this close had we not been able to spend time without phones or away from family, just one-on-one together.”[1]

We might know about God, just as the sisters eventually knew about each other, but we should seek to know Him on a far deeper level. As we run the Christian race, are we looking to get to know God more, or are we distracted by our phones and the busyness of life? Take some time today to step away from the distractions of everyday life and spend time getting to know your Heavenly Father more. We are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. J. I. Packer David Jeremiah

Knowing the Heart of God

1 Corinthians 13:11-13 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Most of us long to feel truly known by those we love. That makes sense because we were created in God’s image—He also desires to be intimately understood and loved by us. Just as you don’t want to be known for only the superficial details of who you appear to be, it’s not enough to simply know about the Lord. He wants us to learn how He thinks and feels, what’s important to Him, and what His purposes are. Of course, it’s impossible for us to completely know His mind. In Isaiah 55:9, He tells us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” The depth and breadth of His mind is so great that we will never be able to fully grasp it in this lifetime. However, we can better understand God’s heart by seeking Him and learning from His Word. If we desire to walk in His ways, we must first genuinely know Him. Just as we come to know our friends better by sharing experiences together, we’ll also understand God better the longer we walk with Him. God wants you to seek Him with all your heart, and He promises that when you do, you will find Him (And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer. 29:13). So, the next time you’re feeling a need to be better understood, turn to the One who understands you perfectly. Even more importantly, ask Him to help you know Him better.

Lord of All

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV).

 Stress. Discouragement. Sadness. Fear. These and many more have the power to make us feel as if God has completely abandoned us to our own fates. They attack our joy, our home, and our self-esteem, BUT God is present in every one of our darkest circumstances; leaning in to comfort us and be our strength. In this season of Lent, as we seek God’s face and learn to rely on Him a little more, we have but to look up and see Him in all His wondrous Creation!

Uncertainty has been the new stress in many of our lives in the last few years as we have seen an increase in pandemics and natural disasters. I have heard more “end time” conversations out of church than before. Christians and non-Christians alike are fearful of what disaster may come next. They nervously watch the news wondering if our country will be struck with the next devastating earthquake, or if the tsunami waves across the pacific would be strong enough to reach our shores. I, too, have been among that audience and have found myself drawn into the worry of unpredictable weather and precarious illnesses. If you find yourselfamong the fearful and uncertain, then I pray that Psalm 46 can be a source of encouragement for you today.

This Psalm is a song praising the Almighty; God in all His glory! Our Lord who controls the wind and the seas obey His voice; our God who moves the mountains with His mighty hand says,“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  I believe that all that is happening in our world today is God trying to call us back to Him; that we might allow Him to be our refuge in times of trouble. Know that our God, in all His power, wisdom, and love, is the Lord of all and He will give you the strength you need to face all the uncertainty today might bring.

Suggested Prayer: Lord Almighty, you are with me in the ugliness of this world just as you are with me in the beauty of your creation. Walk with me through the uncertainty and be my strength. Make my heart be still and know that you are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tis thought is from Daily Encounter. Comment at their site: Lord of all

The Shattered Mirror

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Dustin Stradley woke up on a jailhouse floor in an orange jumpsuit—with no idea how he had gotten there. His drinking was out of control. When he was released on bail, he went home and looked in the mirror. “I was disgusted with what I saw. And so, I…just punched the mirror and shattered the mirror and fell down and just started bawling, crying.”

Dustin’s dad gave him a Bible with a note saying, “This is God’s love letter,” and Dustin eventually gave his heart to Christ. “I realized God loved me, period. Even though I did all these things, God loved me exactly like I am. And He wants to have a relationship with me now.” God made us in His image, but we’ve all broken the mirror by our sins, addictions, and flaws. But God can restore us! His love for us enables us to love Him in return. Choose to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength today. God met me right there, and He’s doing the same thing for all of us. It’s not about earning more of God’s love. He loves you right now, exactly like you are. Dustin Stradley – David Jeremiah

The Blessings of God

Ephesians 1:3-14 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. We all face difficult times, and when we’re in the midst of them, we may feel as though God isn’t blessing us. But even in the midst of hard times, we experience many of His amazing gifts; we just have to open our eyes to them. Below are several examples of blessings that we can enjoy on bright or dark days: • We are assured that our almighty God chose us before the foundation of the world and predestined us to be adopted as His children (4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, Eph. 1:4-5). • Jesus Christ redeemed us, providing salvation through His death and resurrection (7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace). As a result, believers receive a brand-new nature and daily forgiveness (Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Cor. 5:17; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9). • The Holy Spirit resides within all who trust in the Savior. He guides, warns, and fills us so we are never without counsel or comfort. He also seals us so that our eternity is secure (In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,  Eph. 1:13). • Our Father prepares an inheritance for us that is imperishable (to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Pet. 1:4). We may experience momentary troubles, but we can look forward to living eternally in God’s presence, where there is joy and no suffering. In painful situations, it may be easy to feel as if God’s hand is not resting on your life. But believers have wonderful spiritual blessings at all times. So express gratitude, even in difficulty.

A Hot Mess

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 Talk about “cleanup on aisle 5!” A truck in Memphis, Tennessee, hit a retaining wall and crashed, spilling its load of Bertolli alfredo sauce. The road was closed as workers struggled to clean up the sticky, high-calorie sauce and the thousands of broken glass jars.[1]

We all make messes, don’t we? Remember the time you dropped the pizza upside down on the kitchen floor? What about the time the garbage bag broke before you got it into the bin? Or that awful moment you opened your mouth and said something impulsively? Sometimes we make a mess spiritually—yielding to temptation, neglecting our devotions, losing our temper, engaging in a habit we know is displeasing to our God. We need to guard our heart carefully and repent of sins promptly. We should also remember that God doesn’t stop loving us when we mess up. At times we might think that God’s love for us stops when we sin. But that’s not true. God compassionately loves us in spite of our sin. Thank Him today for His compassion and love, and seek to please Him always. No matter what storm you face, you need to know that God loves you. He has not abandoned you. Franklin Graham – David Jeremiah

Three in Person

A Broadcast with R.C. Sproul

How can we distinguish between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while still maintaining belief in one God? Today, R.C. Sproul continues his careful study of the doctrine of the Trinity.

LISTEN NOW

God Is for Us

Romans 8:31-34 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Throughout life, there will be times when our sins and failures might lead us to conclude that God is disappointed or angry with us. When that happens, we need to fix our eyes on the truth of Scripture and ask the questions Paul posed in Romans 8: • “If God is for us, who is against us?” (v. 31).Our heavenly Father proved His loyalty to mankind when He delivered His own Son over to death in order to save us. • “Who will bring charges against God’s elect?” (v. 33).  No accusation against us can stand, since at the moment of salvation, the Lord justified us. This means we were legally declared righteous, while still in our sinful condition. No one can reverse this transaction and make us guilty again. • “Who is the one who condemns?” (v. 34). Although Satan rails against us, Jesus’ death and resurrection are proof that we are right with God. Christ took our condemnation and gave us His righteousness in return. Now He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us. When doubts about the Lord’s love and faithfulness arise, focus on truth. If we judge His loyalty to us by our circumstances or feelings, we will never get an accurate view of God. True security lies not in our good performance but in our relationship with Christ, and no one can take that from us.

The God Who Suffers – Part 1

Claude Mariottini Few people today truly know the God of the Old Testament. Most Christians focus their study of Scriptures almost exclusively on the New Testament. For many, the God of the Old Testament is a violent God, a God of wrath, and an evil deity. Consequently, the view of a God who suffers with and because […] Read more of this post

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How Great Thou Art

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all.”¹

 

Life often feels frenzied and hectic. We hurry from one appointment to the next, returning phone calls, texts, and emails: checking off our seemingly endless to-do lists. Sometimes we only sit and rest out of sheer exhaustion.

 

This past summer, my family had the privilege of vacationing in South Lake Tahoe, up in the Northeastern mountains of California. We hiked hidden trails that led to beautiful waterfalls and exceptional scenic views that, quite literally, left me breathless. As we stopped to rest it was impossible to not stand in awe at God’s perfect creation; something not easily appreciated when we are caught up in the busyness of life. To be out in nature with no phone signal and no pressing agenda, has no comparison. In the undistracted stillness it was easy to notice nature as it was intended to be appreciated. The sound of a rushing waterfall in the distance, the buzz of a bee in a nearby flower and the call of a bird to its flock. The sky was a brilliant blue and the horizon seemed endless. God created all of this for you and me to enjoy, unaltered.

Read the rest: http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=2428