Tag Archives: God

February 20
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“Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’  So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!”  (Matthew 12:13, NLT)

Oswald Chambers reminds us: “God does not give us overcoming life — He gives us life as we overcome.”

The first task in our partnership with God is obedience.  Too often, we say to God, “Show me, and I will go,” when God is saying to us, “Go, and I will show you.”  To do the latter is to live by faith in God.  To do the former is to live by common sight and human insight alone.

Today’s scripture illustrates for us the way in which our heavenly Father works — which is the same as it was centuries before in the call of the “father of the faithful” — Abraham (who was previously named Abram): “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1)

It each case — including our own in our day — the great work of God begins with our personal commitment through obedience.  Stretch out your hand.  The overcoming power of God has never been nearer!  – Luther

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February 16
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“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.  ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'”  (Matthew 26:40-41, NIV)

We are full of potential!  Of all of the external influences that conspire to limit our achievement and hobble the power of the spirit within us, physical fatigue is arguably the most formidable.

Then, we are tempted to excuse our failure to follow-through on our physical limitations: We are old (or young); we are ill-positioned; we are exhausted; we are handicapped.  Jesus did not expect the disciples to do more than any of them were able.  He never did. He expected only that they watch with Him for 60 minutes.

Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to pray as we stand watch; and watch as we “stand” praying.  Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to include those nearest to us in the task.  What might have been the outcome, despite their fatigue, had the 11 disciples chosen to (as Paul and Silas did some years later in prison; please see Acts 16:22-26 for the full story) pray and sing hymns to release the spirit; energize the flesh — and see the power of God come down?  The spirit is willing!  – Luther

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February 14
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St. Valentine’s Day

“We love him, because he first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19, KJV)

There will be chatter aplenty today on the topic of love, and rightfully so: It’s Valentine’s Day!

The scriptures tell us that we were always loved.  Loved before we had achieved anything.  Loved before we had become anything.  Loved before we had done anything.

The scriptures tell us that we were always loved with the purest love: God, because God is love.  He loves us on our bad days and our good days; and, as Paul related in the book of Romans, chapter 8: There is nothing that can ever separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.

The devil wants us to doubt the love of God.  Somehow, that fact got me to thinking of a story by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), who wrote a story titled, “The Ugly Duckling.”  (Click here to read the story.)  As you recall — or re-read — this wonderful childhood tale, did you see this important fact: The ugly duckling always was a swan!

Others may not see you as a swan, but God does.  Others may not treat you as a swan, but God does.  Others may tell you what you are not (and they may be right); but instead listen to what God says you are — and Whose you are.

He loved us at the beginning — and He loved us first.  He will love us at the end.  He will love us always.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  – Luther

 

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