My Perceptions and God's Greatness

 By: Lauren Thomas 

If you’ve spent any time around children, you’ll have witnessed their amusing perceptions of their world. For instance, in the car with my 2-year-old recently, he pointed out a river and exclaimed, “lake, lake!” Next, he pointed to a small rocky hill and shouted, “mountain!” Another example occurred over the Independence Day holiday, when my daughter expressed concern that the fireworks would harm airplanes flying overhead. What amused me about all these statements was my children’s perceptions and the smallness of those perceptions. Children see the world differently because, developmentally, their understanding is naturally limited. It can be highly amusing!

However, after considering these statements, I was struck by the parallels between a child’s limited understanding of the world, and my limited grasp of the bigness of God. Like a child, my understanding is limited. I am finite. God is infinite. I am the created thing. He is the Creator. I know little. He knows everything.

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

 

I see what is in front of me. He sees everything.

 

²³ “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? ²⁴ Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 ESV

 

My abilities and capabilities and capacity are small. But He can do all things, and nothing is too hard for him.

 

“I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Job 42:2 ESV

 

‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

 

I will never fully grasp all the ways God is bigger, better, greater than anything I could understand or imagine. But like a child, I can fill myself with awe and wonder at the thought of Him. I will worship the God I cannot fully comprehend, for He is worthy of all glory.

 

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

 

Reflection:

In what ways is God bigger, better, greater, than you?

What other attributes of God can you think of? How do those attributes compare to you?

How can you allow wonder and awe to fill you today in a way that moves you to worship?

Fix Your Eyes

By: Jenifer Metzger

My son recently was leading worship at church and felt lead to share something that immediately spoke to my heart. He was sharing how his son, my grandson, was having a rough time and he grabbed ahold of his son going face to face with him and told him, "Dad is right here." God is doing the same to us. He is telling us, "I am right here. Fix your eyes on Me."

When the disciples saw Him walking on

the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!”

they said, and they cried out in fear. Immediately

Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I.

Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter

answered Him, “command me to come to

You on the water.” He said, “Come.” And

climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking

on the water and came toward Jesus. But when

he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid,

and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save

me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand,

caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of

little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:26-31 CSB

In Matthew we see the same scenario with Peter walking out to Jesus on the water. We know how it goes. His eyes are on Jesus and he literally walks on the water. But as soon as he takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink.

There is so much going on in this world right now. So much chaos and uncertainty. So much pain and hardship. In my own life, I am facing something that has my heart aching. But when our world is spinning out of control, we can firmly fix our eyes on Jesus. He is our loving Father and this world spins in the palm of His hands. No matter what we face, we can trust that He is in control and all things will work out for His glory.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer

and perfecter of our faith. For the joy

that lay before Him, He endured the cross,

despising the shame, and sat down at

the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 CSB

Sister, whatever you are facing, whatever is troubling your soul, God is holding your face and saying, "Father is right here." Lean into His touch. Trust His ways.

Discussion:

1. Think about what you are facing right now. Chaos in the world, infidelity, addiction, health crisis, financial struggle, prodigal child, or whatever else is weighing heavy on your heart. Now imagine God holding you gently by the face and saying, "My daughter, I am right here."
2. Hold tight to this mental image. Every time the fear, pain, or anxiety threaten your peace, close your eyes and picture God before you.

The Gospel: To Save and Train

Gospel. It literally means “good news.” Specifically, it means that the Kingdom of God is here in Jesus who came to save us – sinners condemned – in spite of ourselves because of the great love of our good God. The Gospel is the message of our salvation.

But a subtle misunderstanding can accompany this message: that the Gospel is just for salvation. Sometimes, we might even think of the Gospel as something we graduate from as Christians, as if once we’ve been saved, we can move on to other things.

 

While the Gospel is the message of our salvation, it is so much more. Paul wrote to the church at Rome that the Gospel is 1) the power of God that brings salvation and 2) the righteousness of God revealed.

 

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17 ESV

 

So yes, we get that first part right. The Gospel is for our salvation. But if we dig a little deeper into Paul’s words, we see that there is a correlation between Gospel, righteousness, and faith.

 

The Christian progression isn’t salvation by the Gospel, then spiritual growth, having moved on from the Gospel. The Christian progression is salvation by the Gospel, moving on to training by the Gospel. The Gospel is what grows us spiritually. By recognizing our constant dependence on the Gospel, by keeping it front and center in our lives, we are moving toward growth in righteousness.

 

The gospel isn’t just what saves us, it’s what trains us.

 

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Titus 2:11-12 ESV

 

What does this mean for us practically? How can we be trained by the Gospel? It starts with awareness and daily honoring of the reality that we were sinners (who still sin), who have been saved by grace. This promotes our humility which puts us in a right posture with God and others. This also promotes gratitude for what God has done and continues to do. Finally, by living in the truth of the Gospel, we recognize and value what pleases God, as it shows us how to live in righteousness.

 

The Gospel isn’t just what saves us, it’s what trains us. As you meditate on this truth today, may God show you the power of the Gospel to transform your life.

 

Reflection:

Previously did you understand the Gospel as being for salvation only or also for growth? How often do you think about the Gospel? How does the Gospel touch your life today?

The Joys & Pains of Motherhood

 By: Joanne Viola

 

When I had my first baby, no one told me that my heart and mind would never be the same again. Nothing could have prepared me for all I would worry about from that day forward:

• getting up to put my hands on the little chests to check for breathing
• concern for choking as transitions were made to solids
• going to school, making friends, and hoping for a good education
• safety in sports
• safety as they learned to drive
• who they would marry
• jobs
• praying for their salvation

The list was endless. And, it continued as spouses and grandchildren came into our lives.

I would think most mothers go through these same emotions. Please tell me it is normal. I would like to think I am not alone.

Recently I read a verse that fell in an entirely new and enlightening manner. It made me realize these concerns are as old as the ages.

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple to be blessed. Simeon spoke to them about the Him. But it was to Mary, that Simeon spoke these words:

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, 
“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, 
and for a sign to be opposed – 
and a sword will pierce even your own soul – 
to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 
(Luke 2:34-35, NASB) 

Yes, Simeon was prophesying of the sorrow Mary would experience in the rejection and death her son would endure. But maybe, Luke, being a doctor, realized the strong attachment women have to their children.

Motherhood will cause us to pray, and pray more. What are some of the verses we can pray for our children?

• “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3, NASB) 
• “He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” (Psalm 91:4, NASB) 
• “The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 121:7-8, NASB) 

Motherhood brings the biggest joys and the deepest pains.
We won’t be able to shield them from every danger,
but we can pray and trust the One who will be with them forever.

 

Reflection: 
Has becoming a parent caused you deep pain rooted in concern for your children? What Scriptures have become a lifeline of assurance over the years that God is with them?

 

 

Image by u_jqskahw9 from Pixabay

 

 

The Song Creation Sings

By: Lauren Thomas 

Go outside. Look around. What do you see? Listen. What do you hear?

 

I see intricate plants producing spectacular blooms. I see trees that stretch arms to the sky. I see colors that dazzle me. I hear the chorus of birds and bugs and living things. I see a creation revealing and reveling in her Creator. I hear the song that creation sings.

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 ESV

 

The Psalmist here describes how creation tells us about God. The beauty of creation speaks a language that our hearts can understand. The order and design of nature speak to our intellect. In theological terms, we refer to this as “general revelation.” General revelation is God’s revelation of himself through the created world. Paul wrote about general revelation as well.

 

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 ESV

 

General revelation is insufficient to outline God’s plan of salvation. For this we need special revelation, which includes the Word made flesh (Jesus) and the written Word (the Bible). But general revelation is sufficient to reveal to humanity the “eternal power and divine nature” of God. What we see in creation is enough to fill us with awe that moves us to seek our Creator. What we hear is the song that creation sings: worship to the God who made all things.

 

Today, go enjoy nature. Listen to her declaration of God’s power and glory. Worship the Creator, joining in the song that all creation sings.

 

Reflection:

What aspect or element of nature most causes you to feel awe toward God? What aspect of God is most visible to you in His creation?