Sunday, May 6, 2018

Time not Thyme



I was telling Marion the other day there's a song lyric I closely relate to from the song 1985 by Bowling for Soup.  See I'm constantly trying to get ready to go to work, get enough to eat as in two meals, and workout before I have to be at work. I am a huge fan of 80's cartoons so its another reason why I relate.  Minor tidbit 1985 was the year Thundercats and G.I.Joe were released.  "She hates time make it stop."  I pretty much hate time but if we didn't have a concept of time the Apostle Paul could not make certain statements work in scripture.  Mankind needs time but God exists apart from it.  Galatians 4:4-7 "But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts prompting us to call out 'Abba Father.' Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.  And since you are his child, God made you his heir."  

See God's recipe for our salvation did not include thyme but time.  Galatians 4:4 in the English standard version starts with the words "In the fullness of time."  I wrote a statement a few years back that said something odd because writers do that we just write short thoughts for later.  "The clouds were pregnant with rain."  "Fullness of time" is an issue here of the absolute exact perfectly timed moment.  See it had to be the right time for the census, Roman occupation, cross as a form of execution and more.  It all lined up with Jesus life including the genealogies and stars in the sky for the wise men to follow.  God had it all worked out.  Ephesians 2:7 "So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us , as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus."  

Christ's death and resurrection and when it happened in time was not unplanned.  Romans 5:6-8 "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."  The timing issue of it all was brought forth by God's love and he continues to do stuff in his time.  


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Sunday, April 29, 2018

Constant One

Constant One

This blog deals in Hope.  I have a friend named Clyde who calls himself the Hope Giver.  I have mentioned before that I who have prayed for hope so many times am still blown away that God can find a way to use me to share hope with others.  As much as we as Christians desire hope we are to show unbelievers the Hope we have in Christ.   I am so thankful for God's word and his promises of hope.  See this blog has been Ephesians 3:20 come to life.  "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."    Pastor Micah has a term that he used a few years back in a sermon called "leveraging technology."  Here we are reading passages of scripture and listening to Christian music online and God uses that to reach people.  I've had people lately who read the blog tell me how much they appreciate it.  I show up and pray and post what God shows me to do.  I've said it so many times I want to be the least important part.  That all being said God has done more than I could ever imagine when I started this blog journey.  I still am shocked when people tell me they read it.  

Someone this week needs to be reminded that God never sleeps or slumbers and the many other promises in this powerful short chapter.  Just 8 verses filled to bursting with hope.  

Psalm 121

"I look up to the mountains-- does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.  The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.  The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe."  
















I don't normally explain a song I put on here but I was thinking of the aspects of God being our protector and the next few songs seem to fit so well in regards to God protecting his children.  I wasn't originally going to put these here but I heard the D&K song on the way home from church and I normally relate it to fighting to protect my wife but today it just reminded me of God fighting battles for his people.  









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Sunday, April 22, 2018

Beauty in the commands

Beauty in the commands.

You hear a lot of people complaining about the do's and don't's people think of with God's commands but he put them in place to better our lives not ruin them.  Psalm 119 is a celebration of them.  Verses 89-96 are amazing because it displays things God has done for the author and us as well and deals with the preservation of God's word.  

"Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.  Your faithfulness extends to every generation as enduring as the earth you created.  Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.  If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.  I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.  I am yours; rescue me!  For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.  Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.  Even perfection has it's limits, but your commands have no limits."

We need to seek out God's commands for our lives.  I did a blog a few years back referring to a device in fiction called a Wayfinder's stone.  It was a stone one affixed to their shoe to light up and show you the right path.  God's word shows us the right way to go.  Verse 105 of Psalm 119 says this.  "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."  

See we have paths to choose in life whether to follow God or not.  That always brings us to a crossroads.  Some have seen this before but others haven't see there's an image that comes to mind for me when I think of Crossroads.  





Jeremiah 6:16 "Stop at the crossroads and look around.  Ask for the old, godly way and walk in it.  Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you reply 'No, that's not the road we want!'"  


Choose carefully!



























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