Solace in Thunder

John 12:28-29

There are a lot of storms this time of year. When there is a storm approaching or leaving, it is nice to sometimes sit outside and watch the lightning flash and listen to the thunder roll.

I can remember times when it thundered so loud that the house shook and windows rattled. We would be so startled. People would cry out in surprise and fear. Some would scream, others would just yell "Wow!" really loud.

The sound of thunder is a great reminder of how awesome our great God is.

In the bible, often times when God speaks, people compare His voice to thunder. In fact, in some cases, His voice was mistaken for thunder (John 12:29).

When I think about the fact that I have been adopted by God Almighty, and how I have been saved by the actions of the Lamb of God (John 1:29, John 1:36, Isaiah 53:5), I am thankful beyond words for the understanding that the Lion of Judah is worthy of worship (Revelation 5).

I know that no matter how bad it may get, I can still trust in my God (John 16:33).

I know that He is able to do the impossible.

I know He is bigger than any problem I could ever have...because His voice sounds like thunder!

God is AWESOME!

Beauty For Ashes

Isaiah 61:1-3

If you are over the age of 5, chances are you have experienced disappointment or heartache of some sort. It is part of the human condition.

We all have that one person in our lives that we can really talk to. The one who knows us better than any other person on the planet. The one who knows our secrets and our hopes and dreams.

For me, that person is my wife. I know I can tell her anything and it is safe with her. She always seems to have just the right thing to say.

I was married once before. The way it ended devastated me. My whole world burned around me. My ability to trust anyone was destroyed. The experience turned me into a bitter, synical man. It nearly caused me to question my faith.

But then God did what He always does. He gathered up the ashes of my little world and took them away. He traded my ashes for His beauty, and my sadness for His gladness. He bound up my broken heart and He broke down the walls of mistrust I had labored on for so many years.

Cheryl is the beauty and the gladness He sent to me (Proverbs 31:10-29).

God is AWESOME!

Firstborn

Colossians 1:18

The sun was just peaking over the horizon. The first rays of light shone through the early morning mist.

This quiet spring morning, the hearts of those who followed Him were broken and heavy with fear and disappointment. Two women walked up a path toward the tomb of their beloved Teacher. Their faces red and tear stained, their steps slow and heavy. Their hearts filled with grief and the dread of the task at hand.

The early morning silence is broken. The sound of the heavy stone being moved echoes. The ground shakes under it's weight as it is dragged away from the opening of the tomb. The courage of the battle hardened Roman guards melted at the site of this mighty angelic being dragging the impossibly heavy stone. They fall to the ground like dead men.

The stone was not moved to let anyone out. He was already gone. It was moved so that the women walking up the path could see in (Matthew 28:1-6).

Jesus, the Christ. The Great King. He lay down His life for us, and for us, He took it up again. He reached out with His strong arm and pulled us back from beyond hope's reach. Salvation has come! (John 10:14-18)

Thank you, Father, that You loved us so that You gave Your only begotten Son. Thank You for freeing us from sin and making us clean. Thank You for raising Him from the dead so that Christ Jesus could take His rightful place at Your right Hand, as the Firstborn from the dead.

Aliens

Philippians 3:20-21

As believers in Christ Jesus, we no longer belong on this planet. We have become aliens. We're on our way home.

As I walk on what was once my native soil, I am reminded that what is under my feet is now alien soil. It is a training ground....a battle ground. We are training for a war on two different fronts (Galatians 5:17, Ephesians 6:11-12).

We were dead in our sins, groping in the darkness. We were ignorant of the heavy chains binding us. We were unaware that we had been enslaved. Then the Light came. Our eyes were opened.

It is not only war for which we are being trained. We are being educated in our new culture. The culture of Heaven (Matthew 13, Matthew 18:1-4, Matthew 20:1-16). As our faith grows and the Holy Spirit teaches and guides our spirits and minds, our knowledge and maturity will expand. We are being made ready for home.

Because of God's great mercy and grace through Christ Jesus, we are no longer those pitiful, fallen dead things groping in the darkness. We have been made alive in Christ and blameless in His sight (2 Corinthians 5:17, Jude 1:24).

God is AWESOME!

The Secret Place

Psalm 18:2

We all struggle with something. Some secret shame.

Even our heroes had their moments (Luke 22:54-62, Romans 7:18-25).

I choose to call it what God calls it. Sin. Not a popular thing to talk about today, right? In fact, speaking out against some sins is called 'hate speech'.

None of us likes to be called out on what we think we do in secret. But that is exactly what the Holy Spirit does. He calls us out on it and makes us face it (Mark 4:22, Luke 12:2-3).

When the temptation comes, and that old man tries to pull your spirit back down into the dark, stand strong. Be an overcomer. And when you aren't strong enough, then call out to our Wise Father. He will be strong for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Father, thank You for being so much stronger than me.

God is AWESOME!

Payroll Signature

I was signing some papers the other day. As I was signing, I was struck with a pretty neat thought:

In the Navy, there is a term that all sailors are familiar with: 'payroll signature'.

A payroll signature is simply signing your name as it appears on your paycheck. The term is used for nearly everything. If you were signing for equipment or some sort of official form, you would be asked for your payroll signature.

When I checked out equipment, and signed my payroll signature, that meant I was responsible for the equipment until it was returned.

When I first believed on the name of Jesus, and received Him as my savior, He put a seal on me (Ephesians 1:11-14). His seal...His Payroll Signature.

God is AWESOME!

Calm Down And Eat Some Fruit Or Something

John 14:27

One of my favorite movies is 'Signs' with Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix.

One of my favorite lines in the movie comes when everyone is beginning to panic over an impending alien invasion. Mel Gibson says, "Everybody in this family needs to just calm down and eat some fruit or something." Classic line!


We live in what the world views as "uncertain times". I hear believers talking about the world economy and how things seem to be getting worse. They are wondering what to do and how we'll get through an economic collapse, should that happen in our life time.

Jesus said not to worry about such things, but to trust in Him (Luke 21:8-28).

This is why it's important to read and study God's word. We need to be aware of what is coming and not be taken by surprise (1 Peter 4:12).

Take a breath. Be still before the Lord, and trust in our Wise Father.

...Everybody in this family needs to just calm down and eat some fruit or something.

God is AWESOME!