Fascinating

Fascinating: God is referred to primarily as "LORD God" in Gen 2, then opening in Chapter 3. But, Eve following the example of the serpent, in their conversation, does not (will not) call Him LORD (YHWH - known as the covenant name of God). They refer to Him only as God (Elohim, which is great, but in this context minimizes Him). What an example to us. The enemy of our soul will attempt to get US to minimize our God as well. Make Him less than He is - attempt to remove covenant.  We will NOT conform to such a thing!

Stand Still

Theologian Blaise Pascal wrote in 1660, "Hence it comes that men so love noise and movement." (OH, in the 1600's THAT was NOTHING!) We know NOISE and MOVEMENT these days. To Job was said, "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." (37:14). Stand up, stand still in order to hear better and in reverence of what might be said; and with silence, that it might be the better received and understood.  May we too take pause, stand still - tune out the noise and consider God!

The Valley

This week at Bible study, we are looking at Psalm 23:4. David writes of walking “through the darkest valley.”

Valley.

Isn't it interesting, that we strive for the mountain tops, but once there, we turn and gaze back down at the now declared 'beautiful' valley below? Charles Spurgeon said, "We find that most men confess that God is God of the hills, but they forget that He is also Lord of the valleys." Even though we long for the mountain tops, there is beauty in the valley. It is THERE that the waters flow down to. It is from the valley that we can only look up.

Valleys are to be explored (Deut. 1, spies come back with good report). They are a place to wage war (1 Sam. 17, David & Goliath). Valleys are for freshwater (Gen. 26, Isaac's servants dig 3 prosperous wells). A valley is a place of rebuilding (2 Chron. 33 Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall). There is victory in the valley (Judges 6 & 7 Gideon over the Midianites, 2 Sam. 8 David’s victories). Valleys mark boundary lines (Joshua 18, division of the land). Valleys are a place for dwelling (Gen. 26:17).

Valleys are not to be feared, or just to be admired from the mountain top; life basically happens in the valley. May we not always be looking beyond our valley but learning and exploring and thriving in the valley.

Be the Sermon

Often, Jesus would sit on a hill and preach His word, but most often He would be the sermon. Servanthood.  May we follow His example. Be the sermon.

God is SOVEREIGN

God is Sovereign. Theologian A.W. Tozer wrote: “God’s sovereignty is the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” [The Knowledge of the Holy]. To do so, God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Present and absolutely free to execute His will and carry out His eternal purposes. God IS authority over ALL. He, on His throne of the Universe, is subject to none. As Arthur W. Pink wrote, “God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases.” None can thwart Him; none can hinder Him. And God said of Himself, “I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire.” (Is. 46:9a-10, NET). Hang in there folks – God’s got this!

Freedom

Freedom. A most precious thing. Not only do we celebrate our country's independence, but we are obligated again to look at God's freedom. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (Jn 8:36, NIV). FREE! Because of Jesus, we are free from sin and its penalty. We are free from restraints, we are 'unfettered' - a word not used today but holds great promise. A fetter was a shackle or chain around the foot, being unfettered means - once released, now capable of movement. Peter wrote, "Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules." ( 1 Pet 2:16, MSG). It paints the picture of an animal once tied up, with limited movement, and is finally freed, released from its chains, but runs wild and runs through the rose garden tearing everything up. May our freedom be used wisely. As Paul wrote, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." (Gal 5:13, NLT) Freedom for us! Freedom to share love with others.