In God We Rest

For those of our readers in the United States, we are accustomed to seeing the words, “In God We Trust” on our paper currency. If we do, this is a good thing. And if we do, we follow the words He has given to us. One of those things He tells us is to observe the Sabbath once a week. He wants us to rest.

We can choose to do this or not. But we have to choose. Let’s consider for a moment what our choice should be based upon. What makes sense to me is considering God’s position. He created everything. He rested on the sixth day. He asks us to rest on the sixth day. Given how intelligent He would have to be to create this universe, doesn’t it make sense that there would be a reason He wants us to rest? If there is such a reason, does it also not make sense that there would be something more linked to resting, some positive thing, some blessing? We all want the blessings of God, right? Seems like then there is but one choice.

In God we rest…

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High God. We thank you for all You have provided, including this day of rest. Please touch the lives of Your people today, and add Your blessing to their rest. In Jesus name. Amen.

Where Do We Spend Our Time?

It is important in life with God that we make decisions. One of these decisions is where we spend our time. God will move His kingdom forward. He wants us to be a part of that. It comes down to one point.

God has given us a great gift in the form of salvation and life. What we can give back is helping spread this to others.

Prayer
Father, please help us do be a part of You moving Your kingdom throughout the earth. We love You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Thank You

This is written on Friday due to the technical difficulties we had with our provider on Thursday. It causes me to be thankful for the days it does work. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my friends.

Prayer
Father, I thank You for watching over us. I thank You for the blessings You give us everyday. In Jesus name. Amen

Recognizing The Enemy

When we are beset with troubles seemingly from those around us, it can be easy to see these people as either temporary or permanent enemies. While it is true that God will defend us from these people and situations, these are not the real enemies. It is the power behind these people that are our enemies. The good news is, even these powers are already defeated.

In Ephesians 6:12-18 we see that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual darkness behind the flesh and blood. When we defeat that dark spiritual force, the flesh and blood have no power or standing and lose by default. Paul goes on to make reference to the armor of God that we must use in this battle. While there are many interesting references to this armor in the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament that reveal much about what this armor is and how to use it, we will not address that here. What is important to know is where the defeat of these dark spiritual forces originates. Interestingly enough, the ground work was laid in the time of Moses. The first defeat originates at the first Passover.

In Exodus we see the story of Moses and the children of Israel in Egypt. The Israelites were being treated badly. They God called Moses to go to Egypt to get the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert to keep a feast. What feast did they eventually keep? Passover was the first. The signs and wonders done by Moses in the first nine plagues lead up to the tenth plague – death of the firstborn. God gave Moses the directions for the Israelites to keep the first passover. Here is where it gets interesting. In Exodus 12:12 it says

For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.

It is Passover, and the keeping of it, that regularly empowers us to defeat the dark spiritual forces because it celebrates the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus.

Prayer
Father, we praise and thank You as the One True Living God, the Most High. We ask that You remember the sacrifice of Your Son, and defeat the dar spiritual forces that rise up against us. In Jesus name. Amen.

One More Reason

Today as I was thinking of the blog, it occurred to me that there is both edification and comfort to be found in considering the reason Jesus came and dies for us. One more reason. In Isaiah 61, the passage Jesus read in the synagogue that cause quite a stir, tells of the Messiah’s mission. I have always found verses the first three verses to be very compelling. However, it was another verse that today made me realize that there was yet another reason that I can find comfort, and can rebuild my spirit when I am down.

In verse seven it says that instead of shame, we will have double honor. Instead of confusion we will rejoice in our portion. We will, in our land, possess double, and have everlasting joy. This means while we are here on this earth this will come to pass. This caused me to be comforted. Somtimes when I see those that do not seem to want to serve God prospering when I am struggling, I get confused and feel shame. No more. It only means my promise is yet to come. Now that is worth rejoicing over!

Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die and rise again for us. It seems crazy to me, and I could not do it, but I thank You for it. I thank You that I will see, in my land, the time when I have double what I ever had. Thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.

When Things Go Wrong

When I logged in this morning to do today’s post, the site was not up. We use GoDaddy, so I was surprised to find they have no disaster recovery plan, apparently. I was told that 50% of the time people would be able to get to the site. Why do I mention this? Because I am so glzd that God is not like GoDaddy. God is available 100% of the time! Yeah!!!

Prayer
Father, thank You for always being there for us. Thank You for not having service interruptions. Thank You for being more reliable that we humans. In Jesus name. Amen

God’s Comfort

We had a great time of worship Friday night. It was good to see and hear people playing music to God. Yesterday and today as I thought about it, I wondered exactly where it fit in the grand scheme of things. Some may think that there should have been more people there. Some may have been more focused on the “production”. As I have thought about it, it reminded me that it is God who is in control. If we do what He says He makes the pieces all come together in the end. In praying about it this morning God told me to read Psalm 113. What a great message in that psalm! It speaks of us praising God, and of His deliverance. It addresses the great need that we have and that He will raise us up out of that need and make us to sit with princes. Praise God!

Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us a renewal every morning. Thank You for Your never failing love. Thank You that You always take us out of the ashes, and make us to sit with the princes. Thank You for being God. In Jesus name. Amen.

What To Do When All Else Fails

Life is a series of events. We can choose to watch it go by, or be engaged in it. God calls us to be engaged. I have a friend that struggles with day to day life. I tell my friend about God. What more can we do? We can live as God would have us live, celebrating the life He has given us.

On the sabbath, this means to rest.

Prayer
Father, please grant your people a day of rest. Please let You people experience all You have for them every day, and let them know You are on their side. In Jesus name. Amen.

Worship Events

Today there will be no posting as we are having a Community Worship Event! Check out www.wildernessworship.com for more details.

For The Kingdom And Its Residents

This morning looking out my kitchen window I see that the forest has “greened up” so much that I can no longer see through it to the meadow. It creates a semi-private space where I can experience God. Looking into the semi-light of sunrise in this woods, I asked myself, “What am I most thankful for this morning.” I recalled going out for dinner with my wife last night and striking up a discussion with the waitress who turned out to be a believer. I thought of similar recent experiences, and I realized what a blessing it is to share the kingdom with fellow believers.

Sometimes it is just nice to know that there are others out there with challenging experiences. We can join together sharing the good and the challenging experiences with each other. What we each ultimately come to is praise and thanksgiving to God. We unite the kingdom when we come together. Praise God.

If you are in the Michiana area, you may find these upcoming worship events something you want to participate in over the next few weeks. Check out: Community Worship Events 2013

Prayer
Father, Thank You for the others in the kingdom. I appreciate them all. It is so good to meet fellow Christians and join together in speaking praises to You for all You have done for us. It is my great joy to share the kingdom with those that are in it and those that will soon join. Thank You. In Jesus name. Amen