The Unfathomable Sovereignty of God.....By Jennifer Waddle

 The Unfathomable Sovereignty of God

By Jennifer Waddle

“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.   - Isaiah 40:25

Every so often, we read a passage of Scripture that we’ve read many times before, yet the truth of it leaps off the page as if we’ve never read it. It catches us by surprise, offering a beautiful revelation of God’s sovereignty and glory.

Isaiah chapter 40 was like that for me recently, as I read through it with a quickening of my spirit motivated by the unfathomable sovereignty of God described throughout.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? (Isaiah 40:12-13)

What struck me most, was that the God of all creation has measured every drop of every ocean, stream, and pond in the hollow of His hand. If we were able to view the entire earth from space and see just how much of it is made of water, it would be unfathomable to imagine the Lord measuring it. Yet, Isaiah 40 confirms it.

Then, if we were to gather just a handful of dust in the palm of our hand, we would see that each particle would be impossible to count. Yet God, in His perfect sovereignty, has calculated the dust of the entire earth. Oh, the magnitude of that thought!

Each mountain, that stands high above us, peaking to the heavens and seemingly impossible to climb, has been weighed by the Lord God in a scale—one so vast, it is beyond compare.

No one is like our God. No one has ever directed His Spirit or taught Him a single letter of knowledge. His wisdom is supreme. His Word is living. Only He is able to judge the thoughts and intents of our hearts. And yet…

The unfathomable sovereignty of God has reached down in love, through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, to take broken sinful “us” into the same palm that has measured the oceans. Every thought, action, and breath we take has been calculated by the same measure God used to count the dust.

The very same Spirit who raised Jesus, victorious over sin and death, lives in us. We are His beloved. Yes, our God is unfathomable and awesome. There is none like Him. His ways are perfect, holy, and sure.

“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26

Gracious and mighty God, thank You for your unfathomable presence in our lives. We are in awe of You. Thank You, Holy Redeemer, for numbering the stars and counting our breaths. We trust You. We praise You, God, for the richness of Your word that leads us, guides us, and sometimes surprises us. To You belong all glory, honor, majesty, and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Plan for Renewal.....Denison Ministries

 God’s Plan for Renewal

Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview

One of the best aspects of spending time alone with God is being renewed daily by his word and presence. When we make space for God in our lives, especially at the beginning of the day, he is faithful to renew and prepare us for all we will face out in the world. Scripture says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Where do you need renewal? How greatly do you need God’s mercies in your life? He has a plan this week to both teach and guide you into an encounter with him that will renew you with his overwhelming goodness and love. Make space for God. Make time to encounter him. And experience the refreshing spring rain he longs to bring to heal the dry and weary places of your heart.

Scripture:“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

Devotional:    

God has an incredible plan for renewal in your life. He knows better than anyone the trials, circumstances, and people that wear you down. And he knows that you need time to be refreshed by him. Often, we seek rest and renewal from people and entertainment. Our friends, family, and entertainment can be great sources of fun and rest to be sure, but the only consistent and true source of renewal we have is spending time with our heavenly Father. Only he knows to the full extent what you need. And only he can give it to you. So, before we dive into the process of having specific areas of our lives renewed by God this week, let’s allow him to simply reveal how to rest in his word and presence.

First, let’s look at what Scripture says about our need for renewal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Because of the nature of sin and separation from God, we as humans will not live in our fleshly bodies forever. Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” But we also have the promise of Jesus in John 11:26 that “everyone who lives and believes in [him] shall never die.” We live on the earth knowing one day our earthly bodies will pass away, and we will at the same time be taken from this world to the next. But God’s desire is that while you are here in this body you would be renewed in your spirit every day. Though your body will grow weary, he desires to strengthen your spirit with the hope of an everlasting life with an all-loving God who cares for you. You can meet with God every day. You’ve been given the ability through the Spirit to rest in God’s presence, to know his nearness and love. You can have the same experience as Paul in being “renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

So, how can we experience God’s promised renewal? How do we rest in God’s presence and allow him to revive us? First, it starts with trusting that God will reveal his love to you when you meet with him. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, he asks God to love us with the same love with which he loves Jesus (John 17:26). When you ask him to show you his love, he will. When you make space to encounter him, he will fill you with his presence. Trust that God loves to meet with you and renew you.

Also, foundational to experiencing renewal is engaging in worship. You and I are created to worship. It is both our highest goal and greatest success. When you engage in worship daily, you will experience a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Last, spend time reading God’s word, allowing it to change you and lead you to obedience.You must experience renewal in areas of your life that are not aligned with God’s word. You have to spend time allowing yourself to be shaped and transformed by what God says is best for you. So much of being renewed by God is choosing to believe his word over our experience of what we feel is true.

Let your faith be stirred to encounter your heavenly Father today. You can earnestly desire to meet with him without any fear or reservation that you won’t experience his renewal. Know that when you wake up every morning, God has a plan for the time you spend with him and the ability to reveal it to you through the Holy Spirit. God earnestly desires to renew you this week. He longs to heal the wounded and dry places in your life. Spend time today meditating on God’s promise of renewal, and allow your desires to be stirred to receive all that your heavenly Father longs to give you.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promise for renewal.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2. Reflect on areas in your life that seem dry or weary. Where do you need to be renewed today?

3. Rest in God’s presence and allow his love to renew those areas of your life. Spend time in his presence. Spend time worshiping. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you God’s specific plan for renewal in your life.  Look up Scripture that applies and let it mold and renew you.

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16

May the prayer of your heart today be like David’s in Psalm 63:1-3: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Just as David looked upon the Lord in his sanctuary, you can see God daily. Just as he beheld God’s power, glory, and love, you can experience God. May you be renewed today as you step out into the world, and may God’s strength be your source as you seek to live in light of his glorious nearness.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 4

God Is at Work.....Dr. Charles Stanley

 God Is at Work

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 5:16-19

Throughout the Bible, we observe God at work in people's lives. Sometimes He acts in dramatic fashion, as in parting the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape the Egyptian army. At other times it may appear as if He's not taking any action. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother needed His help, but Christ delayed before traveling to their home (John 11:3-6).

Our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and handiwork. The Spirit cultivates spiritual discernment in us so we can understand when and where He's at work.

In addition to spiritual discernment, we must develop patience because the Lord operates according to His timetable, not ours. After being promised numerous descendants, Abrahan had to wait until he and Sarah were beyond childbearing years before she conceived. Impatience can cause us to take matters into our own hands and make mistakes.

The Lord's efforts can bring delight, as was the case when Hannah bore a child (1 Sam. 1:27-2:1). His plan can also lead through painful times, which was Joseph's experience. Before the Lord elevated him to a position of authority to help his family, Joseph was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned.

Jesus told the disciples that His Father was always at work and so was He. We will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith when we recognize the ways in which God is operating. These glimpses of His handiwork will motivate us to stay the course and help us maintain a godly perspective on life.

Your Dead Will Live.....By Debbie Holloway

 Your Dead Will Live

By Debbie Holloway

“Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy” - Isaiah 26:19.

In Luke’s account of Christ’s resurrection, angels proclaimed to the women: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (24:5-6). This joyous news must have taken them off guard. After all, they came to Jesus’ tomb bearing burial spices with which to anoint the lifeless body of their Lord. Instead, they find dazzling angels standing watch next to an empty tomb, and hear news that they will never find Christ in a place of death and darkness.

As Easter draws closer, have you considered which aspects of your life God wants to breathe life into?

Family

Many of us have strained familial relationships that seem only to worsen when we get together for meals and services around the holidays. Do you pray for the members of your family regularly? Are you willing to open up your heart to start loving them the way God loves each and every one of them? Remember,

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Friendships

If Christ’s work on the cross teaches us anything about friendships, it’s that forgiveness and grace trumps all. After all, mere hours before his gruesome death, Jesus was ignored, abandoned, denied, and betrayed by his closest friends. He could have equally been speaking of Peter, a man in his inner circle, when he begged on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Yet, even after being left alone and misunderstood, Christ still made the ultimate act of love for his friends (and the world).

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

Work

Often our “good” side is saved for our friends and loved ones, while our places of work get the short (or grumpy) end of the stick. As you ponder the work Christ did on the cross, and the glory of his resurrection, remember that our work can be a beautiful echo of his perfect work, holy and pleasing to God.

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:10-12).

Intersecting Faith and Life: What area of your life needs to come alive in honor of Easter? How can you seek Christ daily in your relationships and duties?

A Prayer of Gratitude Even When Life Is Hard.....By Tiffany Thibault

 A Prayer of Gratitude Even When Life Is Hard

By Tiffany Thibault

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:8-9

There is no doubt about it. Life is hard. People and circumstances cause us stress. World events cause uncertainty. Each day seems to bring job losses, illness, bad news and disappointments. It can become a heavy burden to bear each of these challenges if it weren't for one simple fact: The Lord loves us with His unfailing love! That means it never stops, never diminishes in strength and is for us each and every day, and in each and every situation that we experience!

This Bible is so encouraging as it reminds us that his deeds toward us are wonderful! He satisfies the thirsty and he fills the hungry with good things. All we have to do is move towards him and seek him!

Are you thirsty for a fresh word from the Lord? Spend a spare moment today reading the Bible. There are thousands of words of encouragement there to satisfy your soul, calm your mind and give your heart hope and healing.

Are you hungry for wisdom and truth in your life? Seek for it in the pages of scripture. Everything we need is written down for us between the covers.

Are you stressed? Worried? Depressed? All alone? We can find help for all these things and so much more as we eagerly seek the scriptures for the answers that we desperately need!

The Lord wants to replace all your worry with peace beyond all understanding.

He wants to remove your fear and fill you with courage.

He wants to remove your loneliness by having a richer relationship with you.

Be thankful for the good things that the Lord is doing in and through you today. He is using you to point others to him. He is using you to be his hands of love as you serve others. He is wanting you to talk with him about your concerns, your pain, your uncertainty. He is waiting to listen to you and to guide you in every area of your life.

Be thankful for the hard things that the Lord is allowing in your life. He is with you. He loves you every single second you are traveling through this pain. He is going to use this situation somehow for His glory and for your good. In the meantime, trust him, and welcome his love. Look eagerly to see the ways he is providing for you through the struggles that you are going through.

We must remind ourselves over and over of how good the Lord truly is to us. He has allowed us another day to walk with him here on earth. Thank him for this day and pray that He would guide your thoughts, your steps and your words to honor him today!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your unfailing love for me. It is always constant, and it always remains unchanging. It overwhelms me when I think of how much you truly love me.

Thank you for the wonderful deeds that you are doing for us. You created us and gave us an amazing world to live in. You have provided a way for us to eternal life through Jesus. You satisfy our thirst and you fill us with good things.

We trust our lives in your hands. We trust our every moment and our every circumstance to be provided for through your love and provision.

In overwhelming thanksgiving for you, I pray,

Amen.

Hope beyond This Life.....Greg Laurie

 Hope beyond This Life

Greg Laurie

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
—1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Not only does the Bible tell us we will live beyond the grave, but it also tells us there is hope beyond this life. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves there is life beyond the grave for the believer. The Bible says, "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

No doubt this is why the devil has tried to discredit the Resurrection over the years. This is why, ever since the first century, he has been spreading his rumors about what happened to the body of Christ. And one of the oldest rumors of all was that His body was stolen by the disciples.

But claiming that the body of Jesus was stolen actually proves the resurrection of the Lord. His friends could not have taken it, because they left the scene and were convinced He was dead. The apostles had no reason to counterfeit a Resurrection they did not even believe in themselves.

And as we look at church history, we know that with the exception of John (who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos), all the apostles were martyred for what they believed. Don't you think at least one of them would have suddenly exposed such a lie if it were a lie? But they didn't, because none of them could deny what was true: Christ was risen, Christ is risen, and He is alive.