Life has a way of getting me down sometimes and when that happens, I realize my connection to my Source has become a little disconnected. Chances are pretty good that my attention has been drawn more to circumstances going on around me than to Who is in control of those circumstances. As I read through these chapters in The Message translation, I was reminded of several truths of God that I need to remember—they should be etched on my heart!
First, He loves me and wants to be part of my life. Genesis tells us He could have destroyed mankind not long after He created it. He wanted to, He thought about it. But God liked what He saw in Noah and used him to continue life. God saved humanity because of one man; Jesus died on a cross for me! That kind of love is so personal. It was personal for Noah, it is personal for me.
God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.”
But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.
Also, in Matthew, Jesus tells us that God conceived us in love and is working quietly and unobtrusively behind the scenes for us. He is working on our behalf out of love. So many times if I only took my eyes off what is going on and focused on God instead, I would see that.
When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Second, there is nothing He can’t accomplish. He is in control. He can change the minds of Kings to do His will—and get them to pay for it! Why should I worry about the outcome? It is in His hands.
God had plunged them into a sea of joy; he had changed the mind of the king of Assyria to back them in rebuilding The Temple of God, the God of Israel.
Finally, His Word is alive and living in me (thank you Beth Moore for that one)! He is present and because of His Word my life has prospered. His Word has changed me and He wants me to share that with others. We are called to make disciples.
The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith.
Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.
Father, I pray to be brimming with Your grace and energy and do wonderful things among the people in Your name. Your Word tells me how much You love me, want to be with me, and it reveals Your sovereignty. It is alive! Oh the joy of sharing that good news with others. May it continue to teach me, change me, comfort me, and grow me more in the image of Jesus. In His name, Amen
Cindy (gardnlady)
Sixty-six books in a year 