Hopefully, each book we have covered so far has given us special insights into our God and his desire to draw us near to himself. Deuteronomy is no different. It recounts the history of the nation, its highs, and lows, to a new generation of Israelites who were not there to witness the miracles of God.
Up to this point, we have looked at Genesis through Leviticus. I hope each book has helped you learn something important about God and what he wants for you. Genesis is a book of beginnings: the beginnings of us, of sin, and just as importantly; the beginning of God’s love story with us. Exodus is a book of redemption: God redeems his people from sin and self; walks with them and moves heaven and earth for them. Leviticus is a book about relationships: God is a holy and just God who wants to have a personal relationship with his people. Leviticus details how we can approach God and have fellowship with him.
Continue reading “Numbers: a book about God’s faithfulness.”
The book of Leviticus is a book seldom finished. Many start the book with the intentions of finishing it but after enduring rule, after rule, they give up and move on. The result is that many of us never really appreciate the beauty of the book nor understand the big picture lessons.
Last week we started this article on becoming grace centered. I believe that this is a necessary and long overdue shift within the church. A move toward a gentler and more compassionate faith seems to be more in keeping with the heart of Jesus himself. Today we will continue with the second half.
Recently, I have been reading a lot of materials about this movement within the churches of Christ toward becoming more grace centered. It is quickly becoming the most important and at the same time, the most controversial movement within the church today. Continue reading “Grace Centered”
God is “the fount of every blessing.” He is the center and source of every good thing (James 1:17). He gives good things to those that ask him (Matt. 7:21). He gives perfect peace to those who fix their minds upon him (Isa. 26:3). He saves to the uttermost those who obey him (Rom. 8:38). We owe everything we possess to our God; every good thing to him. He is the maker of our bodies and the giver of our spirits; and in him “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
God is to be infinitely trusted, not by the presumptuous and self-righteous, but by the humble and obedient. There are at least four reasons why you cannot go wrong by trusting God.
The first reason is because God is infinitely good. He made the world, the universe, and everything in it (Gen. 1:31). The only thing wrong in God’s creation was choice. By choice man brought in Sin and Satan. All of God’s works are perfect; done in goodness; everything evil in this world is due to our sins and the author of sin, Satan. God is good even when he chastens his children, and punishes the sinner.
The second reason why God is to be trusted to the utmost is because of his infinite power. God is infinitely able to bless and keep those who put their trust in him. He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think. In Eph. 3:20-21 it says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (ESV)
The third reason for trusting in God is based on his love. He is love. In 1 John 4:8 it says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (ESV). God is infinitely willing to save and to bless those who come to him in Jesus. He is not willing that any should perish, that that all should be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
The fourth reason for implicit trust in God is the fact that he is faithful. Our heavenly father is not forgetful about his promises. God, our creator, never forgets or betrays us. He is utterly and absolutely trustworthy. In 2 Peter 3:9 he says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (ESV) This truth is evident in all that he has done for us. His faithfulness is manifest in both his mercy and his wrath. Even the unbreakable laws of nature are evidence of God’s faithfulness. His laws are dependable.
In view of these things, Solomon was right and wise in his summation that states, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13, ESV).
The world around us is an amazing, interlocking system that is immeasurable. It’s vastness, intricacy, and might is awe inspiring. It reflects an almighty intelligence. The vast orbits of the planets around the sun; the orbit of the moon around our little planet, and the amazing precision of each of them demand someone or something far more powerful than us to set it all in motion. Our precise location within this universe (the goldilocks zone) is so precise that even a slight variation would be catastrophic. Continue reading “Moving from the temporary to the eternal.”
In addition to true faith, a right choice, and a firm, unyielding purpose, every winning Christian “soldier of the cross” needs to look forward to the reward. Life as a Christian is hard and it can be overwhelming at times but if we focus on the reward that is promised to us, it will help motivate us to stand strong. Continue reading “Focus on the reward.”
How Deep the Father’s Love
By David A. Sargent
It’s a fascinating story that comes out of the 1989 earthquake which almost flattened Armenia. This deadly tremor killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of all the confusion of the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he discovered the building was flat as a pancake. Continue reading “How deep the Father’s love”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 