Lately, I have seen so much bad stuff going on around me (at least that is what it seems to be). Pregnancies being lost, marriages on the brink, teenagers filled with anger and rebellion, disease taking over bodies...I could go on and on. Sounds depressing, right?
As I work on a Bible study on the Book of Esther, I am reminded of God's providence and sovereignty. Esther's story is such a great example and reminder that God is always in control. Just when we think God isn't paying attention to these horrible circumstances, just when we think that He obviously has more important things He is tending to, scripture reminds us that even if we may not see it with our two little eyes--God is at work!!
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who WORKS out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will," Ephesians 1:11
"for it is God who WORKS in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13
God is at work in every situation, whether it is good or bad. Just when the Jews thought they would all be killed according to Haman's plans, we see God's work in the situation. Before any of those plans were created, God was already orchestrating His plans to place Esther, a Jew, in the role of Queen of Persia. From human perspective, the situation looked hopeless. It looked like there was only one possible outcome. It looked like God had turned His back. However, unbeknownst to all of them, God was at WORK!!
Does your situation look hopeless? Does it look like there is only one possible outcome? Does is it seem as though God has turned His back on you? Remember, God is at WORK!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Christianity vs. Religion
A couple of weeks ago the pastor of my church made a great point.
He said that you spell religion D-O
You spell Christianity D-O-N-E
What a simple way to explain it. All world religions minus Christianity require works to attain salvation. With all other "religions," you must pray certain prayers, reach a higher level of enlightenment, be at church every week, give a certain amount of money, do more good than bad, and so on and so on.
There is ONE faith that stands alone: Christianity.
It is not a lifestyle.
It is not a set of rules to follow.
It is not a way of morality.
There is nothing you can DO to be saved because it was DONE on the cross. As Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished."
I could never do enough good things to stand before the Holiness of the Perfect God. Thankfully, Christ did it all. It is DONE...there is nothing more I can DO...but choose to surrender.
He said that you spell religion D-O
You spell Christianity D-O-N-E
What a simple way to explain it. All world religions minus Christianity require works to attain salvation. With all other "religions," you must pray certain prayers, reach a higher level of enlightenment, be at church every week, give a certain amount of money, do more good than bad, and so on and so on.
There is ONE faith that stands alone: Christianity.
It is not a lifestyle.
It is not a set of rules to follow.
It is not a way of morality.
There is nothing you can DO to be saved because it was DONE on the cross. As Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished."
I could never do enough good things to stand before the Holiness of the Perfect God. Thankfully, Christ did it all. It is DONE...there is nothing more I can DO...but choose to surrender.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Proof
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13: 34-35
In addition to telling others the Good News of salvation in Jesus, we are called to demonstrate it in another way: love. Jesus said that others will know we are His followers if we love each other. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ the same way Jesus loves us. What a high standard to meet!
Today I am praying for God to help me to make it a priority to demonstrate love above all other things. Not the emotional, feel good, passionate kind of love. The love that Jesus demonstrated--sacrificial love. Love that puts others before myself. Love that costs me everything and you nothing. I'm thankful Jesus provides us such a perfect, worthy example.
In addition to telling others the Good News of salvation in Jesus, we are called to demonstrate it in another way: love. Jesus said that others will know we are His followers if we love each other. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ the same way Jesus loves us. What a high standard to meet!
Today I am praying for God to help me to make it a priority to demonstrate love above all other things. Not the emotional, feel good, passionate kind of love. The love that Jesus demonstrated--sacrificial love. Love that puts others before myself. Love that costs me everything and you nothing. I'm thankful Jesus provides us such a perfect, worthy example.
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