There’s No Hiding

In review of Psalm 139:7 it says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

Bottom Line:

God is everywhere, there is no escaping is presence

What this means to me:

There is no where I can go that you can’t see or influence.

Sometimes we don't let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us that they won't like. I'm reminded this morning that God already knows everything about me, even the number of hairs on my head, and he still accepts and loves me. God is with me through every situation, in every trial; protecting, loving, and guiding. He knows and loves me completely.

God is omnipresent, he is present everywhere. Because of this, I can never escape from his Spirit. This is good news, because no matter what I do or where I go, I can never be far from God's comforting presence. When I feel worthless or even begin to hate myself, I can remember that God's Spirit is ready and willing to work within us. I should have as much respect for myself as my Maker has for me.

God’s presence has no limit. I can cut myself off from people, but I cannot hid from God. When I am in the dark and feeling totally alone, God is still there. He knows my movements before I even make them. He knows my thoughts before I think them. He knows my words before I speak them. His ways are higher than my ways. He sees my secret sin. He also sees my good deeds that no one else sees. His point of view is out of this world, and His Word promises that He will repay evil for evil and good for good.

Given this, I should consider today if I have any unconfessed sin. If so bring it before the Lord and start a new chapter in my life. Get things right and get plugged into God. It is the only way to live a successful life.

God With Us - The Testimony of John the Baptist

This morning I was reviewing John 1:19-28:

Earlier in this chapter we learn that God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John was not the light, but simply a witness to tell about the light.

When asked by the religious leaders who He was, John the Baptist replied without any hesitation that "He was not the Messiah or the Christ."

They then asked if he was Elijah or the Prophet they were expecting? He replied "no"

After being prodded further, John replied using the words of the prophet Isaiah, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, clear the way for the Lord’s coming!” (Isaiah 40:3 - time is short, do not be afraid your God is coming, he brings his reward with him as he comes)

They then asked, If you aren’t the Messiah, Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize? John told them, “I baptize with water, but among us is someone you do not recognize. Who’s ministry comes after mine. I’m not even worthy to be his slave.”

The story takes place at Bethany, which is an area east of the Jordan River.  In this passage I’m given further information about John the Baptist, and about some Religious leaders who want to know who he is and why he’s doing this.

While John is Baptizing he replies their questions and quotes Isaiah 40:3 in reply to who he is and what he is doing.  John replies in a manner that the religious leaders should have understood, they were familiar with Isaiah. John also indicates that the one they expect will come after him, and very soon (someone here in the crowd that you do not recognize.)

Like John I too can be a voice that helps introduce Jesus to others. John 1:23 “John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” (NLT)

This morning I stop and thank you Father for providing Christ the Messiah. Through my belief in Him and I am brought back into a right relationship with you and find meaning for my life.

Bottom Line:

God has come to dwell among us, be ready to accept Him.

What this means to me:

This passage reminds me that I should never hesitate to identify with Christ. Like John the Baptist, my life can be used to help point others to Jesus through my testimony and my life. I should be ready to provide a reason for the hope that I have. It's not my job to convince them, but only provide my experiences and story.

God Will Always Be With Me

In review of Matthew 28:20 it says, “... And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Today's verse comes from the last paragraphs in Matthew 28. Within this Jesus leaves us with the great commission.

As is told, the eleven disciples then left for Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they say him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.  Jesus told his disciples that "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

In this passage Jesus leaves us with specific instructions to make more disciples, ones that can in turn make more disciples. He tells us he will be with us always.

There are times when I may feel as if God has left me all alone to handle the struggles in my life. However, He tries to remind me over and over in His Word that even when I cannot feel Him, He is still with me. Reading the Bible and praying, in both good and bad times, is the most effective way to strengthen this confidence that God is always with me.

This morning, I desire Your presence Lord in my life, but that is just silly, because You are always with me. You never leave me. You never walk away because You are bored or mad. You never leave me on my own, yet sometimes I do feel alone. Please open my heart and mind to help me know You better. The more I know You, the less likely I am to be fooled by lonely feelings. Thank You for Your everlasting and always-present love. In Jesus’ name.

Bottom Line:

God will always be with us.

What this means to me:

God is with me even when I cannot feel him. I should never feel abandoned.

God Is Never Far Away

In review of Isaiah 55:6 it says, "Seek the lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near."

Bottom Line:

Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call on him, he is near.

What this means to me:

I can always count on and rely on the Lord, he is never far away. I should learn to call on him more often and letting him know what I need or what I’m concerned about.

What I’m learning is that God never moves away from me. Isaiah reminds me of this in this verse. There are times when God seems far away, however when this seems to be happening it more likely related to me moving away from God than Him moving away from me.  This can happen because I can put in a barrier between myself and God through un-confessed sin and not wanting to deal with something he is bringing up in my life to deal with.

It is far better for me to not drift away from God but rather to continually make it a priority to meet with Him frequently. If I wait too long, it It may be harder to turn back, or worse yet, God may come to judge the world before I decide to turn to him.

In summary, God wants to give me so much, I only need to remember to turn to him. He is always present and ready to hear from me.