Tag: God

When Being God Just Wasn’t Enough

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He had everything that a God could possibly want.  But everything was consumed by the darkness, so He spoke light into existence and systematically set up the first day and night.  Over the next few days, He created the sky, the dry land and seas; vegetation and the trees; the Sun, moon, and stars; the sea creatures, birds, and land dwelling wildlife.  Then, as the Lord looked over everything that He had created, He saw that it was good.

But it wasn’t enough.  God, the Creator, desired to create something, someone, like Himself, something unique, someone who could oversee His creation and also relate to Him personally.  So, He created man in His own image, fully equipped with His own attributes:  reason, intellect, emotion, free will, and responsibility.  Then, He looked at man and saw that it was very good.

We were created in the image of God.  We are the epitome of His creation.

And that is very good.

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The Cost of Worship

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I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.  2 Samuel 24:24

King David once wanted to make a special sacrifice to the Lord.  So, he approached a man named Araunah, who was a Jebusite, in order to purchase his threshing floor so he could set up an altar there.

Araunah told the king to take the threshing floor at no cost and even offered him oxen for the burnt offering and ox yokes for the firewood.

David replied, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

David wasn’t going to worship God half-heartedly.  Likewise, when we worship God, we should do so with our whole hearts.  This often requires us to stretch ourselves in worship, expressing ourselves in ways that may not be comfortable for us.  The quiet, reserved person may need to stretch out a hand to the Lord in worship.  The overly expressive person may need to sit still in God’s presence.

Has your personal worship become stale?  Maybe it’s time for your worship to cost you something.

Lord, help us to never offer You worship that cost us nothing.

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Everything You Need

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul couldn’t understand what was happening to him.  Three times, he had asked the Lord to alleviate a negative situation in his life.  God answered Paul’s prayers, but in an unexpected way.  The Lord chose to not dissolve Paul’s problem.  Instead, He assured Paul that His grace was sufficient for him, even during difficult times.

God’s grace enables us to continue no matter what circumstance we may encounter.  If everyone turns against us, it will still be there to strengthen us.  His grace is never inadequate.  It will never run dry.  It never spoils.  It has no expiration date.  It is never depleted.  It never fails.  His grace, without any merit of our own that would cause Him to act so incredibly favorably toward us is certainly adequate for our own needs.  It is more than we deserve.  It is more than enough to accomplish more than we could ever imagine.

Lord, thank You for Your grace!  It is more than sufficient for me. 

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Why You Deserve More Than What You’re Getting

For God loved the world in this way:  He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  John 3:16-17 HCSB

Every so often, I look at my life and think, “You know, I deserve a lot better than this!”  Then, in my state of arrogance, I pray, “Hey, God.  It’s me.  Been working hard here, serving diligently, doing what You wanted.  Isn’t it about time I saw some benefits coming my way?”

But then I do a reality check and remember who I am and what I have done and who He is and what He has done.  Honestly, I really don’t want Him to give me what I deserve.

In Romans 6:23, Paul writes, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Fortunately, God doesn’t want to condemn us.  He doesn’t want to give us what we deserve.  Instead, He’s offered us grace.

Lord, thank You for Your grace.  It’s so much better than what we deserve.

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Be A Pepper

We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB

Do you remember the 1970’s Be A Pepper ads?  A man took a drink of Dr. Pepper while the dancing crowd around him sang, “The taste is gonna knock you out!  The more you drink the more you shout!”  Instantly convinced, the man sang out, “I’m a Pepper!”

As a child, I thought, “I want to be a Pepper too!”  I took my allowance money, ran to the corner store, and bought a Dr. Pepper.  I took a drink and waited for the music and transformation to begin, but nothing happened.  I never did become a Pepper.  It was just a lot of hype.

However, when we become a follower of Jesus Christ, the transforming power of God’s grace in our lives is not hype.  It is real.  The Father begins to grow us into the likeness of His Son.  Being a gracious God, He has provided us with His Holy Spirit, who guides us through our lives, helping us to become more like Jesus.

Lord, thank You for Your grace.  Help us to daily submit ourselves to You.

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Has Anyone Ever Delighted In You?


He was there on the day you were born.  He smiled at the sight of your mother holding you for the very the first time.  He laughed with excitement when you took your first step.  He held your hand on your first day of school.  He went to every single one of your games, plays, and recitals.  He soothed your brow when you were sick.  He remembers your nervousness on your first date.  He knows your every thought before you even think them.  He understands your quirkiness.  He loves you.  He protects you everyday in ways that you never know anything about.  He rejoices over you.  He stills your anxieties with the quietness of His love.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  He delights in you so much that He shouts for joy!

The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves.  He will rejoice over you with gladness.  He will bring you quietness with His love.  He will delight in You with shouts of joy.  Zephaniah 3:17 HCSB

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