Sometimes we humans feel very small - and with good reason!
We are microscopic on our planet. The total human population could stand within a surface area of 200 square miles, whereas earth's volume is 260,000,000,000 cubic miles. Yet "our" Earth is a mere pinhead beside its sun. The sun is but one star among millions across space so vast as to defy comprehension. At jet travel speed, reaching the nearest star would take us about a million years.
In the grand scale of time and space we seem utterly insignificant. When we feel lost and lonely, who feels with us? Who sees our few, fleeting moments? Who cares about our troubles?
Sometimes, beneath the night sky, David also feels small and vulnerable. David hears the Creator's importance loudly announced by the power and order in the universe.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens! (Psalm 8:1)
David recognizes that the sheer scale of the universe seems to rule out any "importance" for humans. He asks,
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? (Psalm 8:3-4)
How incredible - that the Creator of all this cares for me! Yet the very proof for God's majesty also shows our place of responsibility. God expects us to read and honor that evidence. Even little children know awe and wonder: "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise" (Psalm 8:2). David recognizes how much God invests in each human:
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands (Psalm 8:5-6)
Try an experiment: Let the magic of your favorite music play along the edges of your mind. Wonder at your ability to enjoy such ethereal beauty. Picture, in any attractive setting, the meal you find most delicious. Savor it. Appreciate the aesthetic qualities of taste, aroma, color, form and texture. Feel the warmth of embrace, the joy of eyes that meet and understand. Let the gift of "love" fill you with awe.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Can This Be God's Will?
Your success in life's race depends on your reason for running. One of Aesop's fables tells of a dog that stumbled upon a hare. Swift and determined, the hound chased the hare over many miles. Finally, the hound gave up in exhaustion. Seeing the race, a by-stander praised the hero-hare. He mocked the loser. Indignantly the hound replied, "You forget that it is one thing to run for your dinner and another to run for your life."
Many people are "running for their dinner." They are smart and driven. Yet they are pursuing just one more job to pay the bills. Their highest goal is to provide for the body's needs and pleasures. "'Let us eat and drink,' you say, 'for tomorrow we die!'" While this quote sounds like a beer commercial, it actually comes from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (22:13). He is describing a pervasive view of life in both his day and our own. As many discover the hard way, this worn out view of life is empty and meaningless.
Our bodies will fail and fail far too soon. "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). What business person would invest in a market he knows to be rapidly and finally declining? Yet that same shrewd investor forgets the greatest truth about profit and loss. "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
Jesus encourages you in your search when he advises, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:27). Don't run for your dinner, run for your life!
While on earth, food was about the last thing on the mind of Jesus. He begins His special work by fasting for forty days (Luke 4:2). Later, He turns down the offer of a much-needed meal. Why? "My food," He answers, "is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" (John 4:34).
The will of God! This alone fills and satisfies Jesus. He craves soul satisfaction as a starving man craves food. He calls us to have this same priority in our lives: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31-33).
Many people are "running for their dinner." They are smart and driven. Yet they are pursuing just one more job to pay the bills. Their highest goal is to provide for the body's needs and pleasures. "'Let us eat and drink,' you say, 'for tomorrow we die!'" While this quote sounds like a beer commercial, it actually comes from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah (22:13). He is describing a pervasive view of life in both his day and our own. As many discover the hard way, this worn out view of life is empty and meaningless.
Our bodies will fail and fail far too soon. "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). What business person would invest in a market he knows to be rapidly and finally declining? Yet that same shrewd investor forgets the greatest truth about profit and loss. "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
Jesus encourages you in your search when he advises, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:27). Don't run for your dinner, run for your life!
While on earth, food was about the last thing on the mind of Jesus. He begins His special work by fasting for forty days (Luke 4:2). Later, He turns down the offer of a much-needed meal. Why? "My food," He answers, "is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" (John 4:34).
The will of God! This alone fills and satisfies Jesus. He craves soul satisfaction as a starving man craves food. He calls us to have this same priority in our lives: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31-33).
Monday, October 13, 2008
Healing Through Scripture (Pt. 3)
There is a healing for every problem,affliction, heartache and pain....
I have many issues in my life that I have to and have,healed from. I talk to many people that seem so unhealthy and unhappy as they battle everything from satan to grave illnesses. I want to feel good and be enriched through the grace of God- I know you do to! Here are a few issuses many of us,or loved ones might be dealing with. I encourage you to take these scriptures and 'pray-read' them-(using the scriptures as you pray to the Lord). This is a powerful form of healing that connects us to the Father and heaven. We all need healing and no one is better at granting it unto you,than God!
1. Back Problems Luke 13:11-12
2. Diabetes Psalm 107:20, Jeremiah 33:6
3. Eyes Isaiah 35:5,42:16& Mark 8:23,Deut 34:7
4. Feet 1 Samuel 2:9, Psalm 116:8,Proverb 3:23
5. Fire/Flood Isaiah 43:2
** Make a liar out of the devil who has tried to trap you and/or loved ones into thinking there is no way out to your problems,conflicts and suffering- God bless you all!
I have many issues in my life that I have to and have,healed from. I talk to many people that seem so unhealthy and unhappy as they battle everything from satan to grave illnesses. I want to feel good and be enriched through the grace of God- I know you do to! Here are a few issuses many of us,or loved ones might be dealing with. I encourage you to take these scriptures and 'pray-read' them-(using the scriptures as you pray to the Lord). This is a powerful form of healing that connects us to the Father and heaven. We all need healing and no one is better at granting it unto you,than God!
1. Back Problems Luke 13:11-12
2. Diabetes Psalm 107:20, Jeremiah 33:6
3. Eyes Isaiah 35:5,42:16& Mark 8:23,Deut 34:7
4. Feet 1 Samuel 2:9, Psalm 116:8,Proverb 3:23
5. Fire/Flood Isaiah 43:2
** Make a liar out of the devil who has tried to trap you and/or loved ones into thinking there is no way out to your problems,conflicts and suffering- God bless you all!
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