You probably grew up singing about a fountain flowing deep and wide. That fountain, though not explicit, is the fountain of grace. Did you know why we need a fountain grace to flow deep and wide? Because of the depth and width of our selfishness.
The vein of narcissism runs deep and wide through our core. We are born with a streak of darkness and sin so deep only a deeper and wider fountain of grace can overcome it.
"Moreover the law entered that offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,..." (Romans 5:20)
The valley of our selfishness is nowhere near as deep as the valley of grace. The chasm of our narcissism is nowhere near as wide as the bridge of mercy.
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm103:11,12)
God's forgiveness is deeper than deep, wider than wide.
Showing posts with label restoration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restoration. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Something from Nothing
"Then God said, 'Let there be light; and there was light.'" -Genesis 1:3 (emphasis added)
The power of God gives me a headache sometimes. Everything on our planet involves a beginning and end. Life is conceived, born, lived and, finally, closed with death. Marriages are conceived, experienced and shared, and, finally, end in death of one kind or another (physical, emotional, spiritual). Every relationship we have follows a natural life cycle. Watch National Geographic long enough and you see the "circle of life" played out over and again.
What I have a hard time imagining is God taking nothing and speaking something into existence. Even harder on my poor brain is considering what I'll call the non-beginning of God Himself. Without getting too off track, God has always been, is now and will always be. How can this be possible?
The overwhelming power of God's words floors me. They brought something from nothing. They stopped waves from capsizing a boat and the wind from blowing. His words brought forgiveness to the unforgivable. They gave strength to legs which had never taken a step. They commanded the realm of darkness from a tortured man and into the pigs. His words proclaimed the end of sin's deathly reach in our world and brought hope to men and women of all ages, races, creeds, societies, languages, and nations.
God's words bring something from nothing even today. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
There is no aspect of your life where the words of God cannot bring new life and redemption. There is no portion of your life where God cannot speak His word and create something from nothing. There is no limit to His creative power. There is no expiration date on His words. May the words of Genesis speak to the darkness in your life. May God say, "Let there be light', and there is light.
The power of God gives me a headache sometimes. Everything on our planet involves a beginning and end. Life is conceived, born, lived and, finally, closed with death. Marriages are conceived, experienced and shared, and, finally, end in death of one kind or another (physical, emotional, spiritual). Every relationship we have follows a natural life cycle. Watch National Geographic long enough and you see the "circle of life" played out over and again.
What I have a hard time imagining is God taking nothing and speaking something into existence. Even harder on my poor brain is considering what I'll call the non-beginning of God Himself. Without getting too off track, God has always been, is now and will always be. How can this be possible?
The overwhelming power of God's words floors me. They brought something from nothing. They stopped waves from capsizing a boat and the wind from blowing. His words brought forgiveness to the unforgivable. They gave strength to legs which had never taken a step. They commanded the realm of darkness from a tortured man and into the pigs. His words proclaimed the end of sin's deathly reach in our world and brought hope to men and women of all ages, races, creeds, societies, languages, and nations.
God's words bring something from nothing even today. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
There is no aspect of your life where the words of God cannot bring new life and redemption. There is no portion of your life where God cannot speak His word and create something from nothing. There is no limit to His creative power. There is no expiration date on His words. May the words of Genesis speak to the darkness in your life. May God say, "Let there be light', and there is light.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
What Sorry Means
My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Hoffman, used to tell us to be careful when we say, "I'm sorry." She would tell us, "'I'm sorry' means 'I'm going to change.'" After all these years I realize just how important it is to be determined to change my behavior. It's not enough to just say the words "I'm sorry;" you have to be prepared to be changed.
The danger we all face is thinking we can change ourselves. We believe we can grin-and-bear-it or gut out change in our lives. Sometimes it even looks/feels like we're winning the battle. But if we could truly change our core sinfulness then there would be no need of Jesus.
The Bible says our hearts are wicked and deceitful in a far greater proportion than they are good. Only by giving up the battle to Christ Jesus and His power will true change come. When you make the mistake you must run to Jesus and ask His forgiveness, believing He grants it. And you must surrender yourself again to Him. You're telling Him, "I want my life to be different and I know only You can do the changing."
The danger we all face is thinking we can change ourselves. We believe we can grin-and-bear-it or gut out change in our lives. Sometimes it even looks/feels like we're winning the battle. But if we could truly change our core sinfulness then there would be no need of Jesus.
The Bible says our hearts are wicked and deceitful in a far greater proportion than they are good. Only by giving up the battle to Christ Jesus and His power will true change come. When you make the mistake you must run to Jesus and ask His forgiveness, believing He grants it. And you must surrender yourself again to Him. You're telling Him, "I want my life to be different and I know only You can do the changing."
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