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Category Archives: Characteristics of God

Jill Richard’s Musings on the Characteristics of God based on verses in the Bible

My God is Gracious and Merciful Psalm 86:15

04 Sep

Psalm 86:15 – But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

What’s the difference? 

God is gracious and merciful. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I use these terms interchangeably. I don’t know if I even usually think about the difference between them. I was thinking, if there wasn’t a difference, why would the Psalmist use both words? To be poetic? Possibly, but I think the words were chosen more deliberately.

Merciful – Full of Mercy

So what does mercy mean?

mer·cy

1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power;compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.

2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.

3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
God is Merciful 
Again, I love the study of words. It is amazing how full the word mercy is when you look at all its meanings. Having a merciful God means that he has compassion on me. He is compassionate without me deserving it. I may deserve death, but God is merciful to me and changes my sentence from death to life with Him in heaven. He performed His biggest act of mercy or compassion on me when He saved me from my sins by sending His son Jesus to die for me. I deserved to go to hell, because of my sins that turned me away from Him, but instead he was merciful and provided me a way out so that I might not end up in hell, but in heaven with Him.
God is Gracious
So we know that gracious and merciful often go together, so what can be added by including gracious to the list of who God is? Well let’s see if the definition of gracious helps us figure that out at all.
gra·cious 

1. Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.
2. Characterized by tact and propriety: responded to the insult with gracious humor.
3. Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
4. Condescendingly courteous; indulgent.
5. Characterized by charm or beauty; graceful.
6. Characterized by elegance and good taste: gracious living.
7. Archaic Enjoying favor or grace; acceptable or pleasing.
We see by the third definition that, yes, grace is closely related to mercy. Grace is to have that merciful nature, or should I say you can’t be gracious without having a merciful nature. I like the first definition of God being described as having kindness and a warm courtesy. Today I’m going to see my Great Aunt and Uncle. They have that gift. That kindness and warm courtesy. Maybe you know someone who has that too. How does it feel to enter their home. Are you uncomfortable? NO! They make you feel good and welcomed. God wants that for us as well. He’s not trying to make us feel bad, but instead he wants us to shed our old ways so we can have nothing standing in our own way from enjoying Him to the fullest.
It’s funny, while the other definitions may not seem like they are directly related to who God is, they too make a fuller, richer picture of what it means to be gracious, and all of those things are true about our Lord.
Merciful and Gracious
God is not only going to give us another chance at life, but He’s going to be gracious in the way He does it. Because of His mercy we are able to enjoy His favor and grace as He makes us acceptable and pleasing to Him. May we grow in grace and mercy for those around us as a reflection of the grace and mercy we have received.
 
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Posted by on September 4, 2012 in My God is Compassionate, My God is Gracious, My God is Merciful, Psalm

 

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My God is…Glorified Psalm 86:11-13

30 Aug

Psalm 86:11-13 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

I will glorify your name forever.

My women’s Bible Study is currently studying John (yes still). The study is amazing and takes a nice walk through John, looking at each verse. It’s taking a while to get through it, but every Tuesday I’m awed by how each lesson builds on the last. One of the things that stood out to me this week was actually what was taught the week before (perhaps I’m a slow learner). The woman leading this video series (Karen Lippert) said that there were only two reasons someone goes through a trial. Can you guess what they are?

To strengthen our faith

The first reason she gave for us going through trials is that when we get to the other side, our faith can be strengthened. How often has it happened that the worst time in our lives actually lead to some of the best times. Even if we can’t point to a good time that resulted, we can see how that time in pain and struggle helped shape us into who we are and that we grew from that experience. I think this is the answer most Christians would probably point to if they were trying to encourage fellow believers going through a trial. My friend in Bible study likes to say, “Got to go through the trial to see the triumph” (probably not an exact quote – but you get the gist).

To Bring Glory to God

The other reason Karen gave was that those trials would in some way bring glory to God. And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Luke 18:43 Throughout the Bible you’ll find a lot of examples of how this works. The Lord does something and the people glorify Him. The things the Lord does are always intended to draw someone closer to Him. Sometimes it’s the people He healed, but sometimes it was someone in the crowd. The way we react to hardships, to disease, to frustration, these are the biggest opportunities for us to glorify God.

You’ve seen it happen. Almost all of us have been amazed by someone’s great attitude during a fight with cancer, the death of a loved one or the pain of divorce. Every struggle and pain we endure is an opportunity to bring Glory to God. I don’t know about you, but this wasn’t something that really registered to me as a reason I might be put through a trial. I think I knew I might have the opportunity to witness through a trial, but I don’t think I thought about it being the cause of the trial. I think that helps me to look at each trial as an opportunity rather than a burden. A chance to show in a clear way where I’m putting my faith. Let’s see if I can actually do it the next time something hard comes along. But with friends and Bible Study Buddies, I know that they will help me to hold myself accountable and take each opportunity to praise and glorify God.

Why do you think we go through trials?

 
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Posted by on August 30, 2012 in My God is Glorified, Psalm

 

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My God is My Guide Psalm 73:24

28 Aug

Psalm 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Why is everyone else better off than me? 

Does it ever seem that way to you? It does to me, and it did the writer of the Psalms too. In Psalm 73, you’ll hear the Psalm writer going off on those who don’t believe in God. Why do they get to have all the good stuff? They don’t know God and yet it looks like they get all the rewards.

Here’s how it reads in Psalm 73:3-12 “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.
Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;  loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. 
And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.”

They get away with everything

It seems like the rich, the worldly, self-seeking people get what they expect; riches, fame and fortune. And that may be true. They get those things here on earth, but if you don’t put your faith and trust in God, you wont have that for long. “For they have no pangs until death”. 

Until death

They have no pangs until death. But when death comes, those who do not believe in God as their savior will not know about the riches and blessings those of us who do believe will receive. Death is the final say. You know, “you can’t take it with you”!

But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

I think this is really interesting. The Psalm writer says it’s hard to understand why the unbeliever, the spiteful towards God get to have it so well here on earth. Where did he go to figure it out? He went to the sanctuary of God. Then it was revealed to him their ultimate end. We too need to go to the sanctuary of God to help us discern the things that are spiritually weighing on us. We need to meet Him in His house and talk with Him. We can talk to our pastors or priests, pray and worship God. In His sanctuary we will have His truths revealed to us so that we too might be reminded of our end – in heaven. We can walk away knowing where we’ll end up when we put our faith and trust in our Lord.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Fortunately when we are still and when we are in His sanctuary, God guides us with His counsel. He tells us through His words and sacraments what we need to know so that we might have a full, rich life in heaven with Him. As we remain in God’s counsel, we can rest assured that we will be received by Him in glory. We may not always have it easy here on earth, but this is not our home – Heaven is our home.

That reminds me of an old Hymn – I am but a stranger here – I especially like the last verse where it says, “Whatever my earthly lot, Heaven is my home;”. 

I’m But a Stranger Here
By: Thomas R. Taylor

I’m but a stranger here, 
Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, 
Heaven is my home;
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.

What though the tempest rage,
Heaven is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage,
Heaven is my home;
And time’s wintry blast 
Soon shall be over past;
I shall reach home at last,
Heaven is my home.

Therefore I murmur not,
Heaven is my home;
Whatever my earthly lot,
Heaven is my home;
And I shall surely stand 
There at my Lord’s right hand.
Heaven is my fatherland, 
Heaven is my home.

Actually – After reading these lyrics again and singing it to myself, I think I want this played at my funeral. I love it! And I want everyone to sing really loudly and with conviction! Praise God for the promise and hope of a future in heaven!

Where is your home?

 
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Posted by on August 28, 2012 in My God is a Leader, My God is my Guide, Psalm

 

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My God is…Forgiving Mark 2:1-12

24 Aug

Mark 2:1-12 – Jesus Heals a Paralytic 

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Hope for healing

The story of the healing of the Paralytic is really interesting. Obviously by this time the word had gotten out that Jesus was a great healer, and those with chronic conditions like being paralyzed now had hope of a different sort of life. The Paralytic’s family and friends were likely his caregivers, and they too had the new hope that they would no longer have to care for their friend or family member. Yes they likely loved the man they brought to Jesus, but there was something in it for them too. They had a hope that their life was going to change for the better when Jesus healed the paralytic.

“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Great – thanks a lot Jesus! Do you think the paralytic was going to be satisfied with being forgiven? What he wanted (and his friends) was that he would walk out of that place on his own. Little did they know that Jesus was less concerned with the paralytic’s physical condition than with the condition of his soul. Jesus knew that this man’s body was temporary, but with faith and forgiveness from the Lord, this mans life would continue for eternity. That’s what mattered to Jesus.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins

Jesus didn’t heal the man for the man’s sake. He healed him so that the scribes sitting there calling Jesus a blasphemer would be able to see that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins. Jesus was showing them that He had the full authority of God the Father behind Him and that He could rule over sins, health and anything else.

Jesus, a Man with all this authority chooses to forgive first

What a blessing! Our sins are often more debilitating than our diseases. Often the worry and stress we gain by our sins are contributing to our bad health. God is less concerned about our comfort than the condition of our heart. He wants us to be forgiven so that we might be drawn closer to Him. Often when we feel we’ve battled and won against one sin, we fall for another sin. Sins get our focus off our Lord and puts it back on ourselves.

Healing or Forgiveness?

Often people ask for prayers of healing for our friends and family members, but how often do we, like Jesus, focus on what’s more important, their forgiveness. Have you ever asked for prayers of forgiveness? Have you ever prayed that someone would repent of their ways and seek God’s forgiveness? Not often, I bet. As modern Americans we don’t really like people sticking their noses in our business and we don’t want to stick our noses in theirs. We don’t want to judge, lest we be judged. But I think we may want to take a page out of Jesus book and focus on what’s really hurting that person. Not that we need to judge them per-say, but that we can pray for forgiveness for those who are struggling. That they might find the freedom to live for God that only comes after we’ve been healed from our sins. After we’ve been freed from the paralyzing nature of sin. Sin that keeps us from moving forward, closer to God and our families. Sin gets in the way.

At least you have your health

I find this to be an annoying phrase. A lot of people don’t have their health. I don’t. I know I have a disease that could eventually rob me of my mobility and make me very dependent on the people around me. That burden that is created on those around you is saddening and frustrating. I’m sure I’ll be ever pleasant and easy to work with if I ever need that kind of care (I’m never cranky or bossy now – so nothing will change). But one of the things I felt I learned by finding out I had Multiple Sclerosis is what do you do when you can’t say “at least I have my health”. I can say – “At least I have Eternal Life”. My hope doesn’t rest in the years my body works, but in the work Jesus did for me on the cross. His death that worked the forgiveness of sins is more important to me than whether or not my legs work right, if I have pain in my feet, back or head. I have a hope that surpasses human understanding that would have us focus on the physical realities of this world. God is good, even when my legs don’t work. He’s more concerned about the condition of my heart than the condition of my body.

Forgiveness or Healing – which is more important to you?

 

 

 
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Posted by on August 24, 2012 in My God is Forgiving

 

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My God is…Answering Jeremiah 33:3

21 Aug

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not  known.

While he was still shut up in the court of the guard

Jeremiah had the words proclaimed as a revelation to him from God. What a blessing. To hear directly from the Lord. I don’t know that I can say that I have had that experience exactly. Wouldn’t it be great to get clear answers to our prayers? Let’s look at a couple of verses before this passage.

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it— the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:1-3

One thing I noticed is that there is a side note just before he tells us the revelation, “while he was still shut up in the court of the guard”. He got the revelation while he was alone and was shut up. Now I know that the scripture probably doesn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to talk, but I think both are needed if we really want to start discerning God’s answers for our lives.

Shut up!

When I was working full-time, I used to get really frustrated. I got tired, irritable and didn’t really want anyone else telling me how to do anything. I never stopped. I would wake up worrying, like my brain had never turned off. When my work situation changed, I found myself with a lot more time on my hands. I could stop and think. I hadn’t done much of that over the past 8 years. I felt rushed from one thing to another, not really doing any of them as well as I could have. God talks to us about stopping what you’re doing. In Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He tells us clearly that we are to be still, like Jeremiah we need to be shut up and  shut up! Do you want to know God? Be still. That’s it!

Call to me and I will answer you

You may here people say this regularly, “It was an answer to prayer.” And isn’t it wonderful when we have unexpected blessings. Sometimes we have been very prayerful, like when we’re praying for the family of someone who has passed or for the healing of someone who is sick, but sometimes we haven’t been prayerful. Sometimes, “It was an answer to prayer” is a lie. Sometimes it’s just a blessing. We didn’t actually call out to God about that problem.

I’m Hungry

My boys have this same problem with me. They say things around me like, “I’m hungry” or “I wish I could play video games.” Do you notice something about these phrases? They’re not jeopardy worthy, that’s for sure. My boys don’t often put things in the form of a question. It’s like their pontificating, not asking for anything. If they asked me, I would surely answer, “have a banana” or “have you already used up your video game time?”, but in general, they don’t ask unless I push them to put it in the form of a question.

I’m lonely

Ok, I like to be around my husband. Sometimes work gets really busy for him or he gets über focused on a hobby and I get lonely. I want some of his attention. Instead of saying, “would you come sit with me?” I say something much more passive aggressive like, “I wish you wanted to sit with me more.” (You have no idea how embarrassing that is to admit. What a brat!). While my husband was in school, he was required to attend counseling so he would know what it was like. We decided to do marriage counseling. After a few meetings, the counselor (a male) said – “Why don’t you just ask him for what you want?” My response, I want him to know what I want before I ask. But that’s not how it works with my husband or God. God wants to be in communication with us. When I talk to my husband and ask him for what I need, when he does it, I know he is showing how much he cares about me. When God answers our prayers, I think we feel the same way.

I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

If you don’t ask, you’ll never know. I have had a problem I have been wondering how to solve. I have talked about it with friends, my parents, my husband and my boys. I have asked them their opinions and they’ve all had one. Not all of them matching. Truth be told in this situation there are many appropriate options. Guess who I haven’t talked to about it. That’s right, God. In the verse above, God not only promises to answer us, but He goes on to say that He will tell us great and hidden things you haven’t known. That’s amazing. Well since I still don’t know what to do, I’m going to have to ask Him!

 

 

 
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Posted by on August 21, 2012 in My God is Answering

 

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My God is Strong Psalm 105:4

14 Aug

Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

I’m feeling pretty weak

I want to be just like everyone else. I want to have the energy other people have. But I get worn down, and then I  get cranky, or worse yet, mean. This weekend, my family and I went to family camp at Camp Lutherwood in Cheshire Oregon. We did this last year as well, and it’s likely to become a tradition. I’m not much of a camper, but they cook for you and you don’t have to sleep on the ground, so it’s not so bad.

Worn out

We go pretty much nonstop at camp, moving from one activity to another. It’s a lot of fun playing games, having adult education time and worship around the camp fire. On Saturday my husband and I went on a hike up a steep hill and then later I did archery. I don’t know if I had over done it on Saturday or what, but Sunday was rough. During brunch, I went to pour my water, and my mind didn’t seem to work correctly. Instead of getting water only in my glass, I also poured it all over the table. I don’t know what went wrong, It’s like my brain shut off. Age or MS? I don’t know which, but either way, I’m not excited about it.

I was so tired. When we got home, I fell into bed and had to wake up a half hour later for a picnic with some of my husband’s cohorts. I wasn’t in a good mood. The people and the food revived me a bit. Yesterday I didn’t do too much that was taxing, but this morning I went on a 6 mile walk, and I’m exhausted again. I was exhausted when we started the walk, and I’m still exhausted after my walk.

Seek the Lord and His strength

My body doesn’t always cooperate with me. I want to be healthy and not have to think about being so tired, but sometimes the exhaustion will not be ignored. Today as I was doing my internet marketing work, I wondered how I would be able to keep my eyes open. I realized, today I wasn’t going to be able to without the help of the Lord. I needed the Lord’s strength, because I don’t have any left of my own. I need to trust that God can get me through whatever is coming my way and cling to His promises as I face each day.

Praise the Lord that I work from home. I have finished my work for the day and as soon as I’m finished here, I can take a nap. Thank you Lord for the rejuvenation that comes with sleep. When I am weak, Dear Lord, may your strength fill in the gaps.

 

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2012 in God is My Strength, Psalm

 

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My God is…Delightful Psalm 35:27

02 Aug

Psalm 35:27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

I get it backwards sometimes

For most of my life I have started my day and ended my day with prayers that include, “Lord help me to be a blessing to others”. I know, how noble of me, right. Not so much. It’s not that I don’t want to be a blessing to others, but rather my prayer is that I wouldn’t be a pain in the … you know what. Praying that I may be a blessing was to safeguard against my own stupidity and allow for the miracle that I might be a blessing.

Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy

This part of the verse is what made me think of that part of my prayer. I also wanted others to know God, and I knew I was supposed to be a vehicle for that, but I couldn’t see how that would be done. Most of my life any compliments on my character were greeted with me saying something like, “We’ll see how long that will last.” or some such disqualification of my ability to be a blessing.

Shout for joy and be glad and say evermore

So when people would say I had been a blessing or pointed out how I might have helped them, I missed the opportunity to point it back to the Lord. I was sure it was obvious that I was not the amazing one in this scenario, but that any blessing I was came from the Lord. This portion of the verse, the idea that those who I have blessed would be able to shout for joy and be glad because of what the Lord has done through me almost brings me to tears.

“Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Over the past few years, while I’ve been living in Oregon, I have matured a lot (I am almost 40 after all – it’s about time). I have started to accept the fact that the Lord (who is Great) delights in my welfare. He cares about me, and wants me to be a blessing to others, not only for the others, but for myself, that I might be able to give Him the praise and honor and enjoy the closeness that comes with complete Trust in Him.

I’m sure many of my friends know of many of the ways the Lord has provided for us and taken care of our welfare. In Tucson, the Lord provided me with a special friend who would make the early years of parenting survivable. In St. Louis, the Lord provided friends who understood me to the core, the food bank, church, re-sell it shop and a million ways our bills were miraculously covered. Here, we have been blessed beyond all measure, with a home that has no end date. Where relationships, church and home are not transient, but an opportunity to become a part of something bigger and stronger. A place where God’s beautiful creation is a marvel.

The Lord has provided wonderfully for me, but one of the most important ways the Lord took care of my welfare was providing me with amazing parents (and my sister) who loved the Lord above everything else. I don’t think my family was a “Crazy Christian” family, but I will say a lot of conversations included the Lord (and still do). I look back at my journals, and am amazed at how many times I speak about living for the Lord. It makes me want to cry. It warms my heart to be reminded that because of my baptism as an infant, I was able to have an amazing relationship with my Lord my entire life. It is clear to me that He has delighted in the welfare of His servant.

Dear Lord, Help me to be a blessing to others. Amen.

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2012 in My God is delightful, Psalm

 

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My God is…Enriching 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

31 Jul

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in  Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

To Enrich: to make rich or richer especially by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient

That in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you

My boys are getting close to their confirmation day (in the beginning of September) and they’re currently working on a paper, practicing the Apostle’s Creed and preparing themselves to be questioned by the elders of the church about their faith. I think this verse is interesting, because it runs right along side the goal of our pastor for confirmation class. His goal is to have the confirmation students prepared to be able to speak clearly and comfortably about their faith. Not just for when people attack (and they will attack) their faith, but also that they might be confirmed – steadfast in their faith as well.

So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ

Our pastor wants the youth of our church to be prepared to face the questions of the world, so that they may be able to cling to the word without embarrassment, insecurity or anger. That they may know the views of the world as well as their Christian faith, and be able to compare and contrast those thoughts without getting wound up and agitated. Critical thinking and understanding are essential in their confirmation class. Being able to talk through the faith and their beliefs.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Confirmation in our church is such a vital part of the strengthening of faith. Being able to stick to your convictions when out in the world is challenging, and confirmation in our church is one of the tools our Lord is using to help sustain our youth when they go out in the world. May our youth be strengthened, encouraged, sustained and lifted up by the knowledge they have gained through confirmation, study and faith.

I pray that not only the confirmands, but their parents (who also attend class) will be enriched by God in all speech and all knowledge.

Do you want to be enriched in all speech and all knowledge?

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2012 in My God is Enriching

 

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My God is…Consistent – Hebrews 13:8

24 Jul

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Definition of CONSISTENT

1 archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
2 a : marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction <a consistent style in painting>
b : marked by agreement : compatible —usually used with with <statements not consistent with the truth>
c : showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom <a consistent patriot>
3: tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large <a consistent statistical estimator>
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
One of the things that I find incredibly comforting about my God is that He is consistent. His promises are true no matter when He made them. He is reliable and trustworthy. You can count on Him to do what He says He’s going to do. I think that’s one of the reasons it’s so important that we spend time in His word. In the Bible we find and learn about His promises. Those promises and truths bring peace, because of His consistency. If He was not consistent, we would not be able to have true faith in Him. He would be arbitrary and unreliable. But God is reliable.
Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity
God is free from contradiction. I will say that sometimes what we think should happen and what actually happens may seem contrary to the way we expect God to act, but when we look at our lives with the scriptures in hand, He reveals to us the ways that He works things for the good of them that love Him (Romans 8:28). This definition of consistent is used in reference to art, and I guess in that way it leads me to think about the harmony, regularity and continuity He has provided in His creation. The amazing patterns and creations He made that work so seamlessly together. The kind of consistency we see in creation doesn’t seem like it could have happened randomly to me.
Showing steady conformity to character
We know that our God is a loving God, and His consistency and patience throughout time has shown Him to have a steady conformity to character. I guess this one touches close to my heart, because as I’ve been writing these blog posts about who my God is, I have seen His character revealed in so many ways. But no matter how His character is revealed, those traits are never contrary to each other. He is consistent.
Are you looking for consistency?
 
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Posted by on July 24, 2012 in Hebrews, My God is Consistent

 

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My God is…a leader Psalm 23:1-3

26 Jun

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Great Leaders

Have you ever known any great leaders? Have you read any books by great leaders? What makes you want to follow the leader? Where are they leading you? Sometimes we’re disappointed by earthly leaders. We follow them hoping they know a better way. We want our political leaders to help our State, Country and World run better. For things to go more smoothly. We want them to make our lives easier, more exciting and more profitable. Then we find out they want those things for themselves, and when push comes to shove, they often choose themselves over the common good.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing

God has given us everything we need. He’s given us life, and more importantly eternal life. We lack nothing that is of true value. He supplies what we need. Like the sparrows, he knows our every need and supplies it. He knows each hair on our head. He cares about and for us, so we can be confident that through Him we lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

What kind of God makes us to lie down in green pastures. Have you ever lied down in green pastures? Imagine yourself, in a park near a lake. The grass is green and soft. You lie down, close your eyes and take in some deep breaths. That’s what the Lord does for you. He makes you lie down in green pastures. What an amazing God that He wants that for us. He’s not concerned about our position in the world or becoming successful. He’s concerned about your well-being, the well-being of your soul. If you have ever laid on the grass with your eyes closed, it’s likely you know the peace it can bring. If you haven’t, you may want to give it a try!

He leads me beside quiet waters

So while you’re lying there on your back in the grass, you begin to hear the water on the lake lapping up on shore. The calm sound of the waves brings you peace. It brings a rhythm to your breathing and to your heart. God is so good. He knows the power of relaxing and being refreshed. Not just from laying on the grass near quiet water, but truly from resting in Him. Knowing Him and trusting Him with all the things that are going on in your life so that in the midst of turmoil you can find that same peace you might have felt near the lake. A peace that surpasses all understanding.

He refreshes my soul

Does your soul need refreshing? God refreshes our souls. He provides the peace that is necessary for our body mind and soul to be refreshed so that we might go on doing His will in this world. He as our leader doesn’t just tell us where to go, He actually changes our soul. Like a cold glass of water on a hot summer day, the Lord, through His word, Promises and Salvation provide us with a refreshment that no water could ever provide.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake

God’s word will not mislead you. You will not be sold one bill of goods and be given another. His promises are true and can be counted on. He is not some up and coming politician who will soon disappoint. He is forever, trustworthy and true. He is a leader we can follow, and He will not lead me down any wrong paths. He will keep my way true.

Is your soul refreshed?

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2012 in My God is a Leader, Psalm

 

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