pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: awesome


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Offering All

Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9

When we first moved to South Dakota, we lived five miles outside of a town of 150 people.  It was dark at night.  On those nights when the moon was but a sliver, the night sky was simply amazing.  In that remote location, on nights with a definite lack of man-made light and little lunar light, the stars were awesome.  To sit outside and stare at the sky filled me with the wonder of God.  To gaze up at the layers of stars that went on forever gave me a glimpse of the power and majesty of God.  Although His power and presence filled me, it was but a glimpse.  It gave me just a little peak into how high and powerful God’s ways are.

In realizing how big and powerful and majestic God is, I also realize how small I am.  This realization brings awareness of how much I need God and His Light and Love, made known to me in Jesus.  Yet as big as God is, He still knows me by name.  He formed me uniquely in my mother’s womb and He knows every hair on my head.  God hears each and every word of each and every prayer I lift up to Him.

This same God knows each sin and impure thought and … that I have.  This brings me to frequent times of repentance and committing again to strive for becoming more like Christ.  It leads me to examine what I am offering to God and what I am holding back.  Almost always I see that I am less that I could be, less than He calls me to be.  May I lay aside all within me that elevates self over God.  May I offer all of myself to the One who gave His all for me in His life and on the cross.


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An Awesome God

Think for a moment about the awesome and amazing things God has done in your life.  Think of all the miracles and ways you have seen God at work in the world.  Think of all the times you have felt His presence or have been guided by the Holy Spirit.  God is alive and well.  Our God is an awesome God!

Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out and challenged the Israelite army to send forth a man to do one-on-one combat.  He was over nine feet tall and wore heavy armor.  For sure he was an intimidating presence.  It’s not a wonder no one stepped forward.

Think for a moment of those times when you faced a crisis or struggle and your friends and family surrounded you with prayers and presence.  Think of a time when together your church has overcome a challenge.  Think of a time when you have come alongside another in need.

Goliath instilled fear and trembling in all of the Israelite army.  Day after day after day he came and called them out.  Day after day after day the army of God cowered in fear.  So many time God had brought Israel victory, often against the odds.  So often God had been right there with them.

Today we have a few Goliaths.  We have them in our own lives – priorities askew, addictions calling, busyness…  We have them in our churches – declining numbers, the question of relevance…  Today we have the same God that allowed David to face Goliath and win.  We have the same God who will help us win, even against the odds.  He is still an awesome God.  Call on Him and see.

Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 17: 4-11


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Answering As Mary Did

Advent has an “almost there” quality to it.  On the top level we are almost to the day we celebrate the birth of our king.  The day of Christ’s birth is the day that so much promise is fulfilled.  It is the beginning of the era in which we now live.

We are also “almost there” – almost to the end of the story.  On this deeper level, the day of Christ’s return has never been closer.  As we go through our daily life, it should reflect our hope and vision of His return, of a restoration of all things.  The call to be prepared should echo in how we choose to live daily.

On the deepest, most personal level, are we “almost there” in answering how Mary did?  We all hear God’s calling to us.  In His call upon our lives, are we ready to answer as Mary did: “Here I am, let it be according to your word”?  If so we must be prepared for amazing and awesome, because that is the kind of God we serve.  May we all live each day into the power and will of God, answering the call as Mary did, with hands and feet willing and a heart wide open.

Scripture reference: Luke 1: 26-38