Read or listen to today's devotion at http://odb.org
Bible reading: Psalm 29
How big is the god you worship? Did your god make light out of no-light? Did your god create life out of no-life? Did your god bring into being the entire universe? Does your god know the names of each of the billions and billions and stars? Does your god hold the foundations of the world in his control? Can your god tell you the number of hairs on your head?
The God of the Bible does all these things ... and more. His power and majesty are beyond our comprehension. We try to limit this God. We treat Him like some cosmic ATM machine: insert our prayers (demands) and out pop the answers we were expecting. Are we too busy working ... working even in churches ... to stop to contemplate the glory and mystery of God?
Are you worshiping a convenient god you made up to suit your own needs? Or do you fall prostrate before the Master of the Universe?
Showing posts with label God's Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Power. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Jesus' Light Shines Through Our Weakness
In the places we are weak, Jesus is strong. When we admit our weaknesses and turn them over to Him, He can use them to demonstrate His power ... to us and to others. II Corinthians 12:9 makes that plain: "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." It's not our power that overcomes our weaknesses but God's power.
We have nothing to be afraid of; nothing to be ashamed of; nothing to hide. God can turn our weaknesses into strengths.
We are but empty jars of clay. It is the master who can make use of us. II Corinthians 4:6-7 tells us: "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves."
Think of a piece of cloth. Hold it up to the light. It is where the cloth is most worn and weak that the light shines through the brightest. In a like manner, God's light shines through our weak spots onto others. They can see God at work in our lives and are blessed by our worn spots.
God can use our quiet, humble spirit more than our prideful, boastful self. I Peter points out: "but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." We are more valuable and more useful when we admit our faults and seek His power.
His spirit of power and His presence go with us through our day. Take heart from Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Take a chance today. Instead of trying to cover up your weaknesses, expose them to the Light of God's love. Let Jesus' light shine through your weakness.
We have nothing to be afraid of; nothing to be ashamed of; nothing to hide. God can turn our weaknesses into strengths.
We are but empty jars of clay. It is the master who can make use of us. II Corinthians 4:6-7 tells us: "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves."
Think of a piece of cloth. Hold it up to the light. It is where the cloth is most worn and weak that the light shines through the brightest. In a like manner, God's light shines through our weak spots onto others. They can see God at work in our lives and are blessed by our worn spots.
God can use our quiet, humble spirit more than our prideful, boastful self. I Peter points out: "but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." We are more valuable and more useful when we admit our faults and seek His power.
His spirit of power and His presence go with us through our day. Take heart from Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Take a chance today. Instead of trying to cover up your weaknesses, expose them to the Light of God's love. Let Jesus' light shine through your weakness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)