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The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalms 19:1
David paints a vivid picture of the majesty and wonder of how creation shows the beauty of God’s handiwork. One need only look at the stars in the sky and be reminded of the power and creativity of our Creator.
In the midst of the uncertainty and challenges of life, the heavens stand as a constant testimony to God’s faithfulness and provision. Each star in the sky, each cloud crossing the horizon, speaks of a divine order and purpose woven into the fabric of existence.
They remind us that we are not alone, but rather, we are part of a grand and glorious symphony orchestrated by the loving hands of God.
In a world filled with chaos and turmoil, the beauty of creation offers us hope. It reminds us that even in the darkest of nights, there is light to guide our way. Just as the sun rises faithfully each morning, God’s love, mercy and grace are new, offering us hope for the day ahead.
When you feel overwhelmed by Your circumstances, lift your eyes to the heavens and be reminded of God’s enduring love.
The same God who set the stars in place also holds you in the palm of His hand. In Him, we find our refuge and our strength, our rock and our salvation. In Him and Him alone is our hope. A hope that transcends all understanding, a hope that never disappoints, a hope that we can be reminded of every time we look at the awesome beauty of a starry night.
Great is the Lord, and worthy of our praise!
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Psalms 1:1-2
Where to you seek answers to the things that are troubling you? Our lives abound with adversity that rob us of the joy of life.
We struggle with fear of failure so we procrastinate. We struggle with doubt, so we don’t take steps God has been nudging us towards. We worry even though God has proven over and over again that he will provide. We make promises to ourselves that we don’t keep such as I’m going to eat better and get some exercise…tomorrow.
During those times when you seek answers who do you call on. Advice for many is just a social media account away. The anonymity of the internet has made many ‘experts’, most of whom conflict with each other and some are just plain evil.
The result is more confusion and fewer answers. Those who have true purpose in life are often filled with joy because in spite of the conflicting messages of society, they are secure in who they are and why they are heard. Confidence in those two things (Identity and purpose) lead to joy.
True joy comes as a result of our allegiance to and meditation upon God’s Word, the prayerful advice of godly friends and reliance on the moving of the Holy Spirit.
The enemy screams at us through social media, physical disaster, global conflict and disease. Our Father speaks softly and confidently through His Word, His church (Godly individuals, not the organization) and His Holy Spirit.
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Hebrews 2:14
When we read this verse, we see that Satan has the power of death. This is far more than physical death. It’s spiritual death. It’s emotional death.
It’s this kind of death that keeps us from fulfilling our dreams. It’s just kind of death that keeps us from being victorious over the struggles in our life. It’s this kind of death that feeds our fears. It’s the kind of death that defines our doubt. Is this kind of death that keeps us from winning over worry.
When Jesus rose from the dead he defeated death at every level. Paul writes that because of Jesus’ resurrection the sting of death is gone. What he’s not saying here is that when a believer dies there is no pain. The pain of grief is real regardless of your faith. But when a believer dies we know we will be reunited some day and for all eternity.
By rising from the dead, Jesus offers us power over the death of our dreams, our relationships, and our ability to enjoy life in the present.
Our great enemy, Satan came to rob, steal, destroy…to bring death to us beyond the physical. He is intent on filling us with fear of the future to cripple us. His goal is to destroy our dreams of contentment. His purpose is to rob us of the joy Jesus died to give us.
Because of Jesus’ resurrection we can be victorious. Death has no power over us. Yet many who believe in Jesus still struggle with lost dreams and lost hopes. Claim the victory that Jesus bought for you on the cross every single day.
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10-11
A town close to mine, proudly holds the distinction of being the hometown of a famous professional football player. I know a few of his mutual friends, and because of that I have learned a lot about his growing up years, his personal life, and his faith.
I know a lot about him as well from press releases, and watching him play football. So, in some ways, I could say I know him.
On the other hand, I have a friend that I have known for over 50 years. I know him personally. I know much of his life story and his life struggles and his passions. We have personally walked through life tragedies together.
In one sense of the word, I know both of these men. But in another sense, my friend of over 50 years is somebody I know much deeper.
The same as true for Jesus. Knowing Jesus, in all of his power is different than knowing about Jesus. Knowing about Jesus is an intellectual experience that is often times a one time experience.
We can read stories about him, we can hear sermons about him, we can read books about him. We can be impressed with his teaching and his lifestyle.
But really knowing Jesus on a personal is a process. A process over time, a process of deepening relationship, a process of yielding more to Christ and less to our own passions.
Seek to know Jesus on a personal level. Ask him to reveal himself to you through his word, his Holy Spirit, and his church.
The more you truly know Jesus, the more you will experience his power, his peace, and his forgiveness.
For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
When God gave Moses the law, it was to show us as humans, the standards that we would need to keep to be holy and perfect before God.
There was no wavering in the law. There was no giving and taking. The standard was set, and if we did not meet the standard, we would be separated from God in this life and the next.
We would be without hope. We would never be in relationship with him.
While the law showed us God‘s holiness and standards, Jesus shows us God‘s character.
It’s almost as if God gave us the law to say here’s what I expect, and you will never be able to match that! Then he sent Jesus to say, here’s a better way.
His purpose was never to put us down. his purpose was never to destroy us. His purpose was never to make us struggle with our own thoughts and actions.
His purpose, was always to draw us closer to him. his purpose was always to give us a fulfillment and peace that nothing else could give us.
In Jesus, he gave us what we were never worthy of so that we could be what we could never achieve.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 