Author: kezha1

Paul asks these rhetorical questions after being accused of giving Christians a license to sin in Romans 5:20…”The Law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” But here rather, Paul is explaining the unearned and unmerited free gift of God’s favor to all mankind called Common Grace…which is the doctrine of sovereign grace God bestows upon all of mankind regardless of their election. But as Christians, we have died to sin, so we can’t continue in it. Now this doesn’t mean we’ve somehow become sinless…by no means! It simply means that sin is no longer our master.

In Ezekiel 10:1-11:23, Ezekiel was witness to the departure of God’s glory… almost reluctantly leaving the Temple in Jerusalem before the city fell. But here, Ezekiel has the unique opportunity to see God’s Presence return in all His glory, power, and dominion. During His Ministry here on earth, Jesus foretold the disciples of His return. (Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27) And in Revelation 1:7, John also speaks of His Second Coming…of returning just as He departed…but with an universal manifestation of His Divine glory and power for every person on earth to simultaneously witness.

Psalm 91:15 reassures us of God’s promise…that regardless of what happens, He will be with us in time of trouble. For nothing can ever break our relationship with Him. Paul rhetorically then goes on to ask…can trouble or hardship, or persecution or famine, or nakedness or danger ever separate us from God’s love? The answer is an emphatic no. That’s because God’s love holds fast even when everything is falling apart around us and the odds seem to be totally against us. For nothing in all creation can ever tear us apart from God’s Divine love.

In the familiar story of Noah and the ark, God’s instructions to him were precise on the building of the boat…and Noah followed them carefully and to the letter. Genesis 6:22, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” But when Noah, his family, and all the animals were safe within the ark, it was the Lord Himself that shut them in…sealing them safely within the ark. (Genesis 7:16) We may think that it’s us that keep our home safe with all our locks and video cameras. We may think it’s our wise and prudent stewardship of our money that has enabled us to live comfortably. But in reality, it’s the hand of God that guides, protects, and supports everything that will ever happen to us in our life. (Psalm 37:24 & Psalm 139:10)

In the familiar story of Jacob wrestling with God there were a few things that only added to this match. Jacob was not only struggling with God, but with the painful awareness that he had sinned against his brother…and even though apparently he was a man of considerable strength and craftiness, Jacob was no match for God. So instead of admitting his wrong, Jacob struggled. A whole lot of what we call “struggling” is simply, like Jacob, delayed obedience. We know deep down what’s right and wrong, the Holy Spirit has been hammering home the cold hard truth, but still we choose to have a tug-of-war of the wills between God and ourselves…but in doing so, we’re just prolonging the inevitable. For God is Sovereign and He knows best. And beside, He is God and we are not.

Without a clear guiding vision and purpose in life we can rapidly lose sight of God. Like a ship without a Captain or compass, we can easily stray off course and become reckless. It begins with little regard and discipline to pray and read the Bible daily. We start making excuses, and begin to do things based on our own initiative rather than seeking God’s counsel. We justify and rationalize our disobedience rather than admitting and repenting of our sinful ways. And soon, we are totally undisciplined with no moral compass to show us the way. So remember, it says here that happy is the person that is continually seeking God’s Divine guidance for hope and direction…for it will bring great blessings.

From the very first moment they met, Jesus called Simon by his new name, Peter…which is Greek for rock. (John 1:42) By doing so, Jesus was assigning, & redefining Simon Peter’s character and destiny…even though at the time, it would be years before he was stable and mature. But after the Resurrection, we see the prophecy fulfilled as Peter becomes one of the most important representative apostles and foundation in the early Church. (Ephesians 2:20) So remember, Jesus will lead us by calling out what He sees in us…even when we can’t see it in ourselves yet.

God is still writing our story. There are many chapters yet to come. So why do we keep trying to steal His pen rather than trusting the Author of Life to write the perfect story for us? It’s crazy to think we know more about our story than God does…for only He knows how the story will end as Creator, sustainer, and finisher of the universe. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that it’s God Who has begun a good work in us, and it’s only Him that will carry it on to completion…accomplishing His plan & purpose until it’s fully achieved in our life. So quit trying to take His pen.

God’s grace is lovingly and undeservedly given to us, yet we struggle to afford this same grace to others so many times during our day. Romans 5:17 tells us that His grace is abundant, glorious, (Ephesians 1:6) and poured out lavishly. (I Timothy 1:14) So why are we so stingy with our grace to others? II Peter 3:18 urges us to, “Grow in God’s grace.” Which means as we receive, so we are to in return give to others.

Our God is trustworthy to bring His people through afflictions, but many times in our lives we will find ourselves inundated and swallowed up by stress, frustration, and overwhelming anxiety because of serious illness, loss of a loved one, or a traumatic experience. But we need to remember… when we feel like we’re drowning in an ocean of dread, our Savior, Jesus Christ, walked on those very waters and commanded the ferocious waves to subside.. and He will do it again for us. For the floodwaters may be dark and deep, and we may feel we’re powerless and will be swept away…. but God assures us that He will be with us and bring us through it all.