Thanks For All He Has Done

Roman 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

We often take the things around us for granted. We get use to having things happen and they become just apart of normal life. The reality is that life is not the way we see it in many parts of the world. It is not until we are stripped of our comforts and the things we take for granted are taken away from us, that we realize how good we have it. I sit in my beautiful home and thank God for providing such luxury. My coffee is ready to go at the push of a button, the water in my shower is heated to a nice refreshing temperature, and my home automatically will warm up and take the chill out of the air. All things are given by Christ and we are recipients of this blessing. It is good to often push the pause button of life and reflect on the goodness of God. We don’t do it enough, I don’t do it enough. To God be the glory for all He has done. 

Great is the Lord

1 Chronicles 29:11b Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:…

How great is our God, how great is His name. The heaven declare His glory and the elements of the earth His praise. The rocks cry out His praise for He is all powerful and through Him victory is won. We magnify the Lord for He is worthy of praise and glory. We only need to look around us and marvel at His creation. He is the creator of life. All life is given to us by Him. “In my mother womb was I made and formed” declared the Psalmist. Great is the Lord and worthy to be praised.

The Lord Is In This Place

Gen 28:16 …he said, Surely the Lord is in this place…

The presence of God is everywhere, He is not restricted by time and physical boundaries, He is omnipresence. But, there are times in our lives that His presence is especially noticeable. We sense His presence in the place of worship, He comes in a special way during times of private devotions, when it is just you and God. In the solace of your heart, His Spirit sweeps over you as a sweet aroma fragrance. You bast in His love and His glory is all around you. Jacob was afraid when God came, He was running and He knew that God knew what he had done, but we need not fear. We can come boldly to the throne of God and bow before Him and let His grace fill our lives. Yes, God is everywhere and knows everything, but having Him visit your heart and touch your soul is greater than gold and the honeycomb. Surely the Lord desires to visit you in a special way. 

Mountain Experience

Micah 4:2 …Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,…

Mountains are used through out the Bible to demonstrate different aspect of our spiritual experience. When we are at the top of the mountain we rise above the problems of life and can better see the big picture of life. Climbing the mountain is not without its difficulties. Most of the time in life we are living in the plains of this world, or scaling a mountain to get closer to God. It is good to be able to get to the top and bask in the presences of God and see His glory. But, the reality of life is that we don’t live there 24-7. We wake up each morning and go about living our daily life with new challenges and there are times we wonder where God is. And in it comforting to know that even in the valley we can see the extra footprints that appear in the sand.  There is a mountain experience for all of us. Let us not be weary in well doing, let us keep climbing till we have reached the top. 

The Call of God

Ex 31:2,3 “I have called by name Bezaleel...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship”-

The calling of God to work in His kingdom is not limited to just preachers, teachers, and missionaries. The work of God requires laborers that will use their skills to help build the kingdom of God. We are laborer together in the body of Christ to build His church. He has called some to used their skills to swing a hammer, connect wires, install the plumbing, set up the sound system, shingle the roof, paint the walls, pour the concrete, lay the carpet, and use their creativity to decorate the house of God. God has given each one of us a talent or skills that He can use to bring Him glory. “In whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) We all are part of the puzzle that will help make it happen, and each one is important to the unity in Christ and to the advancement of the kingdom of God. God calls each one us to serve Him, and He will empower us with His Spirit and knowledge to accomplish the task. It is our responsibility to answer the call and be willing to use our skills to bring glory to Him.

Death of His Saints

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”-

 It is the fate of all men to live and someday die. The passing of many in the last months brings the reality of death to the forefront to my daily thoughts. Michael, Maria, Doris Meeks, and word yesterday of Spamps mother passing away. The hope of those who live for Christ is that death is but portal into the presence of God. It is the end reward in life to be with Jesus in physical death. The Lord looks down and with great care, views the treasure of heart and extols the virtue of the soul to be of great value. His saint! The one that lives out their life to bring glory and honor to his name. He welcomes them with open arms and treasures His children through out eternity. 

God Gives The Increase

1 Thess 3:6 “But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always and desire greatly to see us (as we also desire to see you),”-  

God’s work is done by a collection of people who desire to see His kingdom come to pass. It is our responsibility to be faithful to the calling that God has called us to. Seeing an increase in numbers added to your fellowship is always encouraging, but it is not the main indicator of God’s approbation. We all plant the see, water it and cultivate the ground, but it is God who is given the glory for the increase of numbers or spiritual growth. Paul sowed the seed in Thess, but Timothy came back with a good report. and God was given the praise. May He increase in our hearts that others may see the works of Christ working in our lives.