My Journey Journal

Here’s one of those cool things we learn about God because He tells us about Himself.

 

Anyone can thank God regardless of how they understand Him.  There are certainly greater steps to be taken in knowing Him personally but anyone can and should thank Him.

 

In this letter Paul spells out things about God for mature believers (Romans 15:14 – “I am satisfied … that you are… filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.“).

Paul states that God has revealed Himself to all people.  He says that God has shown His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, clearly to all people through nature.  Read more... (269 words, 1 image, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)

The Principle: Standing in the Gap

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
Ezekiel 22:30 NLT

 

 

God does not need anything from humans.  He doesn’t need help with things, He doesn’t need praise from us; He doesn’t need our money in the offering plate.

He allows us to join Him as He brings about His plan.

   Read more... (1105 words, 1 image, estimated 4:25 mins reading time)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26 – 27 ESV

 

 

Our church is studying what it means to be members of the church.  Recent lessons are on unity within the church and building one another up.  As I read the passage above I was struck by Paul’s command five verses later:

 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Ephesians 4:31 ESV  Read more... (1081 words, 3 images, estimated 4:19 mins reading time)

Often those of us that follow Jesus can find it emotionally challenging to let go of the shame of our sins.

 

 

It is valid to experience shame that accompanies our guilt before the only holy God when we are in our sinfulness for He is perfect and we aren’t.  The sense of shame that accompanies our recognition of how we’re sinful, however, isn’t God’s ultimate goal.  Our recognizing Him, coming into a right relationship with Him on His terms then worshiping, glorifying and enjoying Him is.  Once we’re forgiven based on the blood sacrifice of Jesus, He sees us through His grace as perfectly sinless; the shame should lead to repentance and then freedom and a deep sense of value as we realize the living God loves us but often we get hung up on what demons, our messed up human brains and our fellow humans tell us.  Read more... (804 words, 2 images, estimated 3:13 mins reading time)

 

I’ve made the mistake of thinking my salvation is primarily about me.  To be sure, God’s love is for me but a deeper reason He saves is for His purposes and to bring glory to Himself.

In my myopic existence I don’t focus my attention on Jesus.  I often consider my benefits and blessings, which are truly benefits and blessings and I should recognize them as such and thank God for them but His purpose goes beyond just saving me; He saves me as a testimony to His faithfulness, His grace, His love, His patience and His sovereignty.  His desire is to see all people choose Him and enter into an eternal relationship with Him but in Paul’s case, specifically:  Read more... (475 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)