Archive for July, 2007

God Controls Nature!

Posted in Bible Study, Christian, devotional, Faith, inspirational, Scripture on July 19, 2007| 1 Comment »

 Lake Erie
A windy day at Lake Erie, Pa, Presque Isle Park

Today we hear so many references to “Mother Nature,” regarding the extreme weather conditions. But, is it truly Mother Nature who controls these things? A look at the book of Job may just convince you otherwise.

(Job 37:1-13)

Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. “For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? “Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea. “For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance. “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. “Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.

(Job 37:1-133)

“At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. “Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth. “Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, And His lightning to the ends of the earth. “After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. “God thunders with His voice wondrously, Doing great things which we cannot comprehend. “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ “He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. “Then the beast goes into its lair And remains in its den. “Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold. “From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen. “Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth. “Whether for correction, or for His world, Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.

Does your heart tremble when you hear the awsome power of God? You see, God is Sovereign, and He can do whatever He chooses. Sometimes He causes storms, tornados, hurricanes, drought, floods and other disasters in order to get our attention and correct our behavior.  This country has gone so far astray from the Word of God that I believe He is using nature to make us realize how powerful He is.  When even a nations leaders have turned their backs on God and live in ways that are deceitful and dishonest then God may have to bring judgement on all.   He made the universe and still controls it.  As it says above He causes the storms for His purposes. What an wonderful, awesome God we have.  The one and only, all powerful; yet loving and kind full of mercy and grace.  The next time you see the lightening and hear the thunder know God is in full control.  Marvel at His power and majesty!

Read Full Post »

The Gift of Hope

Posted in Agoraphobia, Anxiety & Stress, Bible Study, Christian, devotional, Faith, inspirational, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder Support, Praise, Scripture on July 18, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Blue Bird
An Eastern Bluebird Visits Me – Thank You Lord!

 

Are you tired of the way things are going in your life? Do you have problems in your relationships? Do you feel like you are under the heap instead of on top of it?

I’ve been corresponding with people on the internet for several years now, and if there is one thing I try to leave my readers with it is HOPE. When things get really bad and everything seems out of control sometimes a little thread of hope is all we have to hang onto. But, it is this thread of hope that keeps us going.

So, what is hope anyway? The dictionary says hope is: “belief that something good may happen.“ Yes, we need to have hope, but it needs to be more sure than just a belief. It needs to be something that we can depend on. That’s the kind of hope I want.

I’ve discovered there are two kinds of hope. There is the kind we find in our natural world, which is false hope, and the kind that God gives us which is true hope.

Here are some examples of the worldly kind of hope:

“I guess I’ll buy a lottery ticket and maybe I’ll win and become a millionaire. Then all my troubles will be over.” Lots of people buy into this false hope. Yes, it is possible to win, but not probable. The odds are against us.

“I hope to get that great job.” “I hope to make lots of money and retire early.” “I sure hope the weather is good tomorrow.” “I hope my husband gets that raise.” “I wish things would get better around here.” “I wish I could be a model.” “I hope Danny Boy wins in the 7th race, I’ve put my savings on him.” “I hope I can quit smoking.” None of these hopes or wishes have any guarantees with them. They may or may not come true. They are like a shot in the dark.

Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? We all have and it’s no fun. This happens to children a lot. Maybe a child has been promised a trip to the zoo next weekend, but dad unexpectedly has to work and the family can’t go. That child is heartbroken and feels like a his folks have broken their word to him. It wasn’t intentional on their part, but to the child it seemed like it was. Other times the adults in a family are so self-centered that they really don’t care if they make and break promises to anyone. What about all the broken promises given in wedding vows?

When I was growing up I was disappointed by adults many times. They didn’t live up to my expectations. Every time it hurt me and I evidentially got so I didn’t trust anyone. Has that happened to you?

Later in life I found out there was someone I could trust and that was God. He has given me another kind of hope for today and also or the future. I know he does not lie and He does not break His Word. That gives me a lot of confidence.

My definition of Christian hope: “Hope is the essence of God’s promises.” God has given us many precious promises in His Word. These promises are to help us live our lives full of hope. He never breaks His Word, as He cannot lie. So, if you want hope that is guaranteed then go to the Bible and you will find hundreds of promises just waiting for you to mine them.

(2 Peter 1:4 NASB) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

God wants us to look to Him for hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Psalms 71:5 KJV) For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.No matter how we feel, we can and must still praise God for He is our help and hope.

(Psalms 42:11 NASB) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. Can we say that about people we know?(Hebrews 13:5 NIV) “…Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

There are so many wonderful promises in scripture I could fill a book with them. God promises us eternal life, peace, love, grace, wisdom, joy, victory, strength, guidance, that he will meet all our needs, power, knowledge, wisdom, mercy, truth, forgiveness, a personal relationship with God, discernment, counsel from the Word and much, much more.

As you read your Bible you might want to highlight the precious promises that you discover. They are like gold nuggets to be treasured and stored in your heart.

God’s promises restored me as I struggled with fear and anxiety for many years. I learned to claim His promises and that He is dependable and can be trusted to keep His Word.

God has also promised us hope for the future. We have Heaven to look forward to. And, in the meantime, we have the blessed hope, the waiting for his arrival.

(Titus 2:13 NASB) “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,”

Thank you God for the wonderful gift of HOPE!

“Hope…like the gleaming taper’s light,

Adorns and cheers our way;

And still, as darker grows the night,

Emits a brighter ray.” Oliver Goldsmith

Read Full Post »