tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72692537505877170302024-03-13T15:21:03.372-07:00Smiling with God...God speaks all the time. Here are my simple journals where I read God's word and apply it to my life. It reflects the ups and downs of life and how Jesus is there, speaking and guiding me every step of the way.Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-18282375220196148102020-10-15T10:39:00.001-07:002020-10-15T10:39:29.786-07:00He Provides Our REAL Needs<p> <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;">Acts 3:6-8</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The beggar was asking for gold and silver, he was asking for things that he thought would satisfy him. But in reality it wasn’t what he really needed. God knew that his real needs differed from what he was begging for. In those times, if you were not capable of work, or able to walk, you were just cast away to the side. Daily he was put there by someone, to just beg all day long. He did this his whole life. This is how he was born, he was regulated to fend for himself by asking for money daily. It made sense, money equaled ability to buy food and then you are able to eat. The beggar knew his place in society because of his condition, that this was his destiny and it was his plight. But then Peter and John came and instead of giving him what people normally give him, they gave him something so much more. Instead of giving something that will temporarily take care of an issue, God was about to change his life. The ability to walk enabled the beggar to enter back into society. The ability to walk also show how powerful God is. This simple miracle not only changed the destiny of the beggar, it showed off how awesome God is. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sometimes we think we need something but in reality we need something else. Sometimes our needs not visible to us because we are caught in a reality that we have just accepted. God sees through our shallow request and goes to the heart of the matter. He knows our deepest needs. There were times in life where I really needed something like money or food, and while I did need those things to survive, God knew that in order to really live I needed something else. In this case it was a change in scenery I needed. He provided that and that is when things really changed. So we should always preface our prayers for our needs with a request from God to provide our real needs. We should ask God to take care of the root of the issue not to just take care of the surface.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you Lord for this reminder that I need to ask for you to provide for my real needs not what I perceive to be a need.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-56477637765545603032020-09-17T11:41:00.000-07:002020-09-17T11:41:16.956-07:00Want answers? Pray to God<p><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;">Daniel 2:18-19</b></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Daniel and the wise men were in trouble. They knew that Nebuchadnezzer wanted results. In fact he as about to kill them all because he wasn’t getting the results he wanted. Results is something the king wanted and for most bosses, as a work need to produce. But in this particular situation, no one was able to answer the kings request to have his dreams interpreted. Now that’s not an easy task in itself, in fact somewhat impossible. So what did Daniel do? He did what everyone should do in time of trouble. Pray for help. And I am pretty sure that this wasn’t one of those, small prayers. I am sure it is one of those prayers there they were on their knees begging the Lord for revelation. They had to, He was the only one who could tell the meeting of the dreams. I mean they were in a pretty tight spot. Cry out to God is what they did and boy did God answer.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Of course, the lesson isn’t so much about the need to pray hard in times of trouble, but the lesson should be that we need to rely upon God always. Here Daniel recognized that the wisdom comes from God and God alone. You see, the rest of the “wise men” did not rely or even believe in God. Making them not wise at all. Either they were good at guessing the future, or they were being influenced by other spirits. What Daniel and his friends did was totally push into God. Totally rely upon Him to show, because he recognizes is that God is the one who provides. God is the one who shows and God is the one who will reveal. God is the one who will provide. That is the lesson here really is to remember that God is in control. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In these days we have to remember that God is in control. We maybe in situation that is tough, were we don’t know the answer at all. We have to just let it go to God and trust that He will answer. This isn’t an easy thing to do, we as humans love to have certainty in many situations, but as the famous saying goes, we have to let go to let God work.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you Lord for thank you for this reminder that it is you that provide and you that reveal. May that be close to our hearts to lean into You.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-68415119453868083112017-01-24T11:51:00.002-08:002017-01-24T11:53:26.439-08:00He is Always Around<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke 24:32</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you read this verse, you have to put it into context of what is going on here. From the perspective of the disciples here, all is lost. Jesus was just crucified, his core disciples had scattered, and the bulk of his followers have fallen away. With all that just happening, this story picks up. A few of his disciples are walking to Emmaus, a short seven mile walk (which takes about two hours depending how fast or slow you walk) from Jerusalem. On the way these disciples encountered who they thought was a stranger but it was really Jesus. For the remainder of the day these disciples had full conversations and discussions with Jesus about what just happened. But they did not realize that it was him the whole time. He taught them showed the what the deal was with the scriptures, they got all excited. Then it dawned, or it was revealed, that it was Jesus. In the midst of all this excitement and craziness, Jesus was there.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You know it is easy to just push it aside and say that God is always around you. We can know that intellectually, but to live as if Jesus is in every situation, in every aspect of life is somewhat a tough statement to really take a hold of. When you live knowing that Jesus is always there, now matter what, it changes how you view things. The disciples here were having a discussion of the scriptures. Then all of a sudden they realized that he was in their midst. He was there. Yet, he was there the whole time. When they realized that, things changed. Their perspective changed, their attitudes changed, and their focus changed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lord help us to realize that you are always around. When we recognize that you are ever present, our lives become more different because you are there.</span></div>
Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-3304550313744580252016-05-03T06:47:00.000-07:002016-05-07T07:04:04.757-07:00Call to God till you hear something....<p>Matthew 20:31-32</p><p>The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”</p><p>Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.</p><p>Sometimes it comes down to this. Calling upon God till you get an answer. Calling upon God till you hear something. Sounds desperate, but this is so necessary. It is necessary because sometimes we need to get to that point. On the surface it makes it as God that wants us to beg, but on in reality when we get to this point it changes the posture of our heart. You see, God wants us to give it all to Him. He wants us to depend on him completely. He wants us to fully be reliant upon Him and His word. Sometimes praying till we get an answer brings our heart to the point where we need to be. When we are at that point, God can be God. The amazing happens and He answers.</p><p>So what does this mean for us? It means that we have to get our hearts to the point where God is God. Were our hearts are in complete surrender to Him. When He answers, though the answer may be YES, NO, or wait our heart must not change. When all that I desire is Him, I are ready for what He wants to do. Maybe he wants to move. Maybe he wants to do some amazing things. Maybe he is ready to do something great. But what I know is that my heart must in the right place.</p><p>Lord thank you for allowing me to posture my heart closer to where you want me to be. You are God.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-39235613974757909872016-04-18T08:19:00.000-07:002016-04-19T08:33:59.494-07:00The Great Cost of Sin<p>1 Samuel 21:1-2</p><p>David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” David answered Ahimelech the priest, “The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place.</p><p>David was on the run. He was on the run from Saul. It was official, he became public enemy number one in Saul's eyes. In light of that revelation he runs to a temple. Great run to God! But that is not what really happened. Instead, what he does is to lie to everyone there. He lies to cover his behind and get the resources he needs to survive. Sounds logical. I mean it's not like he took a whole lot. Except, later we learn that Saul kills everyone in that town. Many people paid for the lie that David did. He lied to others in order to survive. However, other people paid the price for his survival with their very lives. Sin, regardless if even done with good intentions has consequences.</p><p>I was told once that though you may think you are taking something for free, someone pays for it. There is a price for your sin, a price for your actions. Sometimes we all get caught up in our own progress or our own forward progression and we ask people for support, we fail to see the cost for them. I was reminded in a podcast yesterday of opportunity cost that would be missed if we commit to something else. Decisions, especially sinful ones have a lot of missed opportunity cost to them. The lesson here is that sin has a cost, and that I as a Christian, must be very aware that of my actions. The saving grace though is that there will be a cost to our sin, our Lord God can turn what was meant for evil to good. Our God is great.</p><p>Thank you Lord for this reminder of cost of sin and the missed opportunity that it has.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-12403643650460541322016-04-16T06:52:00.000-07:002016-04-18T08:17:32.017-07:00Slow Decline<p>1 Samuel 18:8-9</p><p>Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.</p><p>The last words to Saul from Samuel was that his reign over Israel was to end. Saul was very aware of this. So when his replacement comes into place and it is obvious that there is a replacement coming, he freaks out. He becomes jealous. He becomes a control freak and then he beings the end of his reign hunting David as a criminal of Israel. But all this could have been prevented back in the other chapters as he could have give his heart to God and followed Him, with all his heart. But Saul chose not to. Thus resulting in what we see here, the beginning of the end. But it's not sudden, no it isn't it is slow fade away. Like a horrible day that never ends, is the end of Saul's reign of Israel.</p><p>There is so much to learn here, Saul has such dichotomy in his personality and it is blatant to see that there is issues, what we fail to see is that the same issues are also within us. Saul's jealousy was due to the part because he desired to be adorned and garnered with praise, his desire to be king was not out of humble origin, but of esteemed presence. He felt he was entitled to it. And what a king wanted, he got. We too like to have a certain way. Sometimes it is mostly due to our desire to do things our way. Unfortunately God's desire is not to have this type of attitude. Our attitude needs to be that of love for Him, putting Him first. If we fail to put him first we begin a slow decline to chaos.</p><p>Lord thank you for this lesson of decline. Help me to focus in upon you.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-48852312558407896472016-04-14T07:11:00.000-07:002016-04-14T07:42:52.840-07:00Partial is not complete<p>1 Samuel 15:22-23</p><p>But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”</p><p>Saul in trouble. He really did not follow the Lord in this instance. Prior to these verses, he was instructed by Samuel to absolutely destroy the Amalekites. Destroy everything, leave nothing alive behind. Which in a way is a harsh command. God wanted them totally destroyed and that is what Saul did. Well, mostly did. He took a prisoner and he kept the good cattle and was going to use it as a "sacrifice" to the Lord. Though he may have had good intentions to do that, it was not the instructions. However he justified in his head that it was okay to bring back the cattle and bring back a prisoner. A closer look at this and the issue may not have been that Saul did all this, the issue seems to be that Saul's heart was not in the right place. In prior chapters this was a common occurrence, Saul in 1 Samuel 13 breaks protocol and offers sacrifices with out the priest Samuel. In chapter 14 he issues this decree only to make exceptions for his son. There is a pattern of not following the Lord. It appears that Saul's heart is not first committed to God. Later on when Samuel tasked to find Saul's replacement he is instructed by God to not look at the outside when selecting a king, God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). Saul's heart was not in the right place. Saul's order of importance in his heart was not God first.</p><p>Now as I look at this often times I am conflicted with what is first in my life. And I have to admit that often times it is not so much that the things that I want to see done are bad, they are just not completely in line with what God wants done. God wants your heart to be 100% for Him, that is all that he wants. It means sometimes that we may have to do things that do not make sense, or take on challenges we don't want to do. The Lord though wants us to give our whole heart to Him. That may look different in many ways, but what is certain is that if our heart is not fully committed to Him, then we cannot experience the full life He has for us. It didn't happen for Saul so we can't expect that for us.</p><p>Lord sometimes I know I have split heart, now Lord I want to give it all back to you. Help me with that and help me do what is needed to accomplish that.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-73300003998906488622016-01-01T08:08:00.000-08:002016-01-01T08:32:02.551-08:00In the Beginning....<p>Genesis 1:1-2</p><p>In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.</p><p>In the beginning everything was blank. Better described, it was formless, it was empty. God did not take the liberty yet to engage in creation. It was all in His mind, it was ready, oh it was so ready. But not yet. He was just about to begin the creation. He was about to engage in a beautiful medley of creation. But that's it, it was just the beginning. He is ready to bring out the fruition of His plan, that will eventually lead to His son dying for us. God was about to start something big.</p><p>It is a new year, 2016, the start of something new. As I read this I am just perplexed and awed by God and why He did what He did. As I look into this year, there will be many things that need to be accomplished, many plans that are made. But I must remember that God is the start of it all. Though we may not know the first step, He knows the end. Therefore, on this New Year day, I just want to sit and be in wonder of Him. But also get ready, plan, and prepare for the wonders that He will bring about for this year. Being in His will is never easy. At times there is great joy, and at times there is great sorry. But as I look to this new year, I am awaiting His amazing plan and preparing to be a part of it.</p><p>Thank you Lord for this wonderful beginning. May You now begin this year right. Thank you for the past, and I am looking towards the future.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-3537446911531288172015-11-20T08:49:00.000-08:002015-11-20T09:32:13.555-08:00What's Your Treasure<p>Matthew 6:19-21</p><p>“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."</p><p>Usually we just pass by this verse and say some cliché thing like, "Oh it's all about the heart." It's such a great thing to think, but often times that's all we really do. We just think about it. Do we mean what we say? Or do we just say it? Does it really mean that our hearts is connected to Jesus and the will of our Father that we use our treasures for His kingdom? Are we really okay with not splurging money on ourselves? I'm not saying we shouldn't take care of our needs, but seriously, do we really need so much stuff? Here God is saying, what is your treasure? What are you doing with the resources I have brought you? Really everything is His, so are we using the resources for treasures here or treasures that are for His purposes and to bring glory to His kingdom. We are very selfish creatures, and self preservation and self satisfaction is built into ourselves that the very thought of giving and sharing is not even on the radar. It is a tough thing to take this heart. It is deliberate and precise way of doing things is that forces us to forego our nature focus in upon His kingdom. It's not easy.</p><p>So what's the solution? We can easily say, "Well just do stuff for God?" Yes that is true, in fact that is what I first wrote, and the last thing we really need is a "don't do that" speech. So, how can I do this. A wise pastor once told me that to "Connect everything to a soul." What you do with your money, connect it to a soul. Are people being impacted by what you are doing? Is this brining people into the kingdom? Is this helping someone? So yes, when your heart is for God's kingdom, and he desires that all come to Him, and that we make disciples, this can apply. We use the treasure He has given to connect to a soul for His glory. We must ask ourselves, "How can I bring Him glory?" This is not an easy task. Here where I live, using resources to build up riches here is not only accepted but in may ways encouraged. Storing things in heaven is more important then storing things on earth. Oh what a challenge this is. Material possessions, fame and fortune can really grip our heart and just hold us hostage. But if we attach everything to a soul, then the treasure will be well worth it.</p><p>Lord this is not an easy thing to do, and a tough thing to comprehend. But Lord I pray that you will help us who pray this, seek you and store our treasures in Your kingdom.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-82002085305507465832015-11-12T06:37:00.000-08:002015-11-12T06:55:01.949-08:00We all have a part to play....<p>1 Corinthians 12:27</p><p>"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."</p><p>We all have a part to play in this great body of Christ. We all have something to contribute. The Kingdom is so large that we all need to take part in it for the body to grow. We all also don't need to be ashamed of what we do. Though it may seem lesser to some, it is not a diminished job in the eyes of the Lord. In the Lord there are jobs that we may not find as not important. But to Him it is very importnant. In fact we all need to do our assignment from God. It is all so important. We will not be effective without each other. In Him playing our part is vital to everything.</p><p>This is kind of encouraging to me. Though what I feel like I do right now is worthless in my eyes, and not what I really wanted to do in life, but this verse gives me the encouragement to keep going. To keep the fight and keep the faith which is not an easy thing. Especially when I feel like we are fighting an uphill climb and you feel as if your skills are not worthy of greatness, or when you do things and get no recognition, or even encouragement. When everyone else gets the credit, and you get the end of nothing, in reality God is smiling. Know and keep courage that you are very important to the Body. If I continue in following the will of the Lord, no matter big or small an assignment, I will be a faithful servant.</p><p>Thank you Lord for today's encouragement that we all contribute to the Kingdom. </p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-45526645388956340042015-11-03T09:01:00.000-08:002015-11-03T09:30:03.843-08:00Driven by Emotion<p>Mark 14:10-11</p><p>Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.</p><p>Now prior to this verse we see Jesus being anointed with oil by a poor woman. Some people became indignant and were upset. Judas was the one who lead that. Not sure if he really started it, but he was the keeper of the money, and there are many references saying he was not being a faithful steward of his position. With that in mind, when he saw this act, he decided it was good idea to betray Jesus. He was so upset over the situation that he let his emotions take over and then bam, he is lead to betray Jesus. It seems that he let his emotions over the situation get the best of him and it lead him to some really bad decisions.</p><p>I can say, hey no big deal, but really, emotions can get the best of you. The NY Mets just lost the MLB World Series. One commentator said that the manager did not stick to the game plan, but went with his emotions, and it cost them the game. Not sure how true that is, but what I do know that it is easily possible to get caught up in a situation and your emotions take control. It can happen to anyone. I know in my life I can't tell you how many times I have screwed things up because I listened to my emotions. Emotions can block a good decision made in the past, and persuade me to change my mind. However, in most situations, my emotions are not correct. The solution is really that I need to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, your decision making is really clear. But that is tough, because emotions can make a made up situation feel very real, and can really distort what is true and what is false. Therefore it is no wonder that Paul says to "Put on the helmet of salvation." it is to guard your heart and mind. By doing that spiritual act, you allow God to guide you and therefore He is guiding and leading. The hardest thing for me is putting this in action. Often times I am easily pulled by my emotions. I am not always the best at this. Most of the time, I am really bad at it. But I am learning.</p><p>Thank you God for reminding me that if Your Spirit is guiding my emotions, then I won't make stupid decisions. </p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-12621921476464625842015-10-26T08:30:00.001-07:002015-10-26T11:57:58.232-07:00Old Dreams New Ones<p>Job 17:11</p><p>My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.</p><p>Yes, sometimes God breaks and shatters dreams. In this case Job has come to the realization that he has lost everything. Finances, family, friends, all of it gone. But what he doesn't know is that later in the book God blesses him with so much more. Job does not know the end yet. He is stuck in the middle. He knows only pain and suffering. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, it does not come for a long time. In fact he won't know for like another 20 chapters. The lesson here is that sometimes that in order for God to bring blessing, there needs to be a changing of things. Even when you lose everything, and you feel you are in the depths of despair, God is breaking your old dreams, to create new ones. And ones that are greater than what we could even imagine.</p><p>It is not fun to be in this part of the narrative. It is a time of great uncertainty and great unrest. It's not a great place to be in. It happened to me and I do believe that it is happening to me now. God is in the process of changing my dreams and shattering my plans, but I know that there will be better ones. I have to remember that when I am in a season where the Lord is pruning or changing, it will be better on the other side. Even if the season hurts, and there is pain and sorrow, what is on the other side is even better than now. For it is true that the shattering of dreams today is the foundation of better dreams tomorrow.</p><p>Thank you Lord for this reminder that You know the ending, I don't. I have to trust in You.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-76331119964213602042015-10-07T08:25:00.000-07:002015-10-07T08:47:19.446-07:00Set your heart...<p>Ezra 7:10</p><p>For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.</p><p>You know that studying the law of the Lord is such an awesome thing. We all need to study it and know it and have it in our hearts. But Ezra takes it to a place where, if we are serious, we should all go. Now, we know that we should all strive to know the Lord and His commands. But here in this verse is where the kicker is for most of us. It’s that little saying in the verse: “Ezra set his heart…” Ezra set his heart in the right direction. He set His heart. Meaning he willfully, knowingly, and purposefully turned his full attention to God and His laws. He set his heart on the right things. He set his heart on the Lord God. He set his heart to know His laws and by knowing His laws, Ezra gained understanding and knew God.</p><p>I just read something about how this generation can barely hold 15-20 seconds of attention. The TV, the internet, the social media, has reset our attention span to mere seconds. The result of that is often times we are just distracted. Those distractions tug our hearts in many directions. From news, to what people say online, to the latest entertainment, sports scores, and the list goes on and on. Our heart, my heart, is often time a distracted heart. I get distracted by what is going on today. So what often happens is that my heart begins to wander and drift to sometimes meaningless and stupid things. The key is to take a hint from Ezra here. It is to set your heart. Turn your attention and make it laser focused. Especially set your heart in your walk with the Lord. Set your heart to study the Law of the Lord. Meaning really set your heart to pursue God. It’s going to take effort. It’s going to take work, but in the end, the reward of knowing God and knowing Jesus is worth it all. </p><p>Lord thank you for this important daily reminder to set my heart on you.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-77494601996256958582015-08-30T18:37:00.000-07:002015-08-30T19:07:50.742-07:00When we walk away....<p>Ezekiel 8:14-15</p><p>Then he brought me to the entrance to the north gate of the house of the Lord, and I saw women sitting there, mourning for Tammuz. He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? You will see things that are even more detestable than this.”</p><p>Here the Lord is showing Ezekiel that there is something going wrong with Israel. Here a woman is mourning over a Sumerian god. The Lord is obviously grieved and saddened over this. It is not a normal thing to do for the people of Israel. They have stepped away from serving the true God. The nation of Israel has stepped away from their calling, they have rejected God, and the worst was yet to come.</p><p>I believe that the Lord is truly saddened when Christians step away from their calling and retreat away from their God. Now whether or not you believe that “once a Christian always a Christian”, or in the theory of “were you ever saved at all” we can all agree that God is not happy when it happens. Especially in this case where they not only walk away, but do the things that are displeasing in His eyes. It grieves His heart when we do it individually, when a church does it corporately, or when a nation does it collectively. So what does that mean for us who are left to absorb the collateral damage that comes along rejection God? We must pray. We pray that their hearts are changed and that they see the light of God once again. There is not much else we can do. Let God take charge and we just keep praying and obeying His commands. Stand firm in Him and be an example to all.</p><p>Lord you are in charge. We know you are saddened when those who profess to follow you walk away. We pray for them.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-230075616882887672015-08-12T06:31:00.000-07:002015-08-12T20:14:09.565-07:00We can do NOTHING<p>Jeremiah 10:23</p><p>I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own, it is not for man to direct his steps</p><p>Jeremiah knows who is really in charge. Unlike the rest of Israel, he recognizes that God is the one who is controlling the destiny of the people there. Jeremiah is fully aware that God is the one who can withhold punishment, bring peace, and administer judgement. In this statement, Jeremiah also submits. There is something submission does to people. It brings them to humbly come before God and ask what to do. It means that the individual must rely upon God for everything. And that is exactly what Jeremiah does. His reliance upon God is unprecedented. At this point there is nothing that Jeremiah can do but to whole submit his request and wait for God to execute His plan. Jeremiah’s only option is to sit and wait. His reliance is on God.</p><p>You know, there are times in life where I have come to this point. There is nothing I can do but wait on God. Couple of years ago I had a bad cold so I went in for a simple check-up. Little did I know, it was a big deal. So big my doctor couldn’t figure it out exactly. So I was sent over to a specialist. After taking x-rays and scans I had to wait for two whole days to be diagnosed. Those two days were terrible. It was not an easy time in my life. My mind raced in many directions, usually on the worst possible situation being played over and over in my mind. It’s funny how we prepare for the worst most of the time. But it made me realize that my life is completely in the hands of God the father. These are times where Jeremiah’s confession rings so true. There was NOTHING I could have done but wait for the results. Wait to see what God reveals. Sometimes it’s great news, as with me and my illness. But sometimes it’s those crazy things we cook up in our head that come to fruition. But, God is in control of it all. There is nothing we can do but to lean upon Him.</p><p>Lord thank you for this. Thank you for the reminder that though it may seem that I have control, it is You are the one who controls everything. May this be a reminder to just be wholly leaning into You.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-77077034047753639362015-08-11T08:28:00.000-07:002015-08-11T09:14:50.679-07:00Not Just offerings....<p>Jeremiah 7:22-23</p><p>For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.</p><p>Nothing wrong with rituals. I at times enjoy having going through a church service that is very ritualistic. The Israelites seem to have got that part down also, but as time goes on, it seems that the Israelites tend to forget that following God is more than just doing the rituals and going through the motions. He desires here that the Israelites actually walk the walk. His true desire is that He wants is for them to obey. He wants them to walk in obedience to Him. Offerings and sacrifices are just part of the equation The rest of it is that very important command: "Obey Me".</p><p>I have, in times, put God in a box. I separated "rituals and sacrifices" from obedience. I live my week as how I see fit then, on Sunday I go to church. I sing the right songs, listen to the message, do the normal things all other church people do. Then during the week live the way I want usually with no input from Him. But what God calls us to do is to be engulfed by His love, to be whole heartedly on fire for Him. The struggle is that we all have, like the Israelites, is that it's easy to do the rituals and sacrifice. It gives you a sense of accomplishment after where you can say, "I'm done." Done with my duties, something I can check off my "To Do" list. But that is not the heart God desires. Being close to Him requires more than just going to church on Sunday, but to have an active fellowship with Him. It includes getting to know Him through His word, to be in constant contact with Him through daily prayer, and most importantly doing what He says. I must constantly remind myself that the "rituals and sacrifices" of today are only part of the equations. The most important is to follow His commands from His word, to love others and to be in humble spirit towards Him. That is what He wants.</p><p>Thank you Lord for the reminder that Your desire for us goes beyond the rituals, but to be in whole hearted obedience to You. </p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-40741654735742093102015-05-23T07:24:00.000-07:002015-05-23T07:51:05.502-07:00Building Faith<p>Romans 4:19</p><p>No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith and he gave glory to god, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.</p><p>Here Paul talks about Abraham and his faith. He talks about how strong faith directs and guides your life. It gives you confidence and strength during times of trouble and doubt. Not only that, it gives assurance and security in life. Yet, faith is tough, it’s not easy to believe in something that is not seen and act as if it is real. Not knowing if it will happen sometimes known as suspense is what we don’t like. We like knowing. But like the popular quote says, “The opposite of faith is certainty”. We love certainty, we love knowing, we love having it written down on paper signed and sealed. Yet that is exactly what faith is not. Not knowing what will happen or if it will ever happen in your life time but trusting that it will happen. That is the nature of faith. It’s not easy. It is not ever going to be easy. But faith is what is required of us and faith is what carries us from day to day, one step to the next.</p><p>Sometimes I doubt, and when I read this passage, I wish it was easier. But would that be faith? It’s like this computer I have. I cannot tell you how many times it randomly shuts down, for no apparent reason too. It makes me so irritated and there is nothing I can do to fix it. Well, that’s not true. I can fix it, but it’s not worth it. Cost to fix is about the price of a new one. So everyday I just pray it works. But the hope is to get this replaced. But now it is faith in God that makes work like this. He knows I can’t afford it right now, He knows I need to work. So it is faith in Him that He will provide. It’s faith that He knows all my needs and I don’t have to worry about them. Notice, I said needs, not wants. God does provide, guide, and bless, but all to His will. Now this is such a stupid small first world problem that I have, I can’t even fathom the greater needs there are out there in the world. But the concept of believing in Him to do what He said He will do is all the same. Faith in God is something that is not easy, it grows and builds as we begin to lean upon Him more.</p><p>Lord I know faith is tough. Like Abraham and Paul, help all of us to strive to the faith that You desire.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-63164621699155901332015-04-28T06:42:00.000-07:002015-04-28T07:08:32.900-07:00God expects growth<p>Matthew 15:15-16</p><p>Peter said, “Explain the parable to us?” “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.</p><p>Wow. Nothing like being called stupid by God. Peter by far is the most interesting disciple. Sometimes he’s the person you admire other times he’s the idiot. Here Jesus called him “dull” But in other translations it literally says stupid. Imagine Jesus saying to you, “Are you stupid?” Nothing like being embarrassed like that. Let’s take things into perspective and take a look at this. The parable they are asking about is the one where Jesus is explaining to the Pharisees what goes in to the the mouth does not make you unclean but what comes out of the mouth makes you unclean. Pretty basic right? And really we weren’t there so I’m thinking…. maybe Jesus did not understand the question. But he is Jesus. So that’s probably not the case. Now being called stupid requires you to either one, already know something that is being said, or two it is common knowledge. So I’m thinking the disciples literally were clueless. But the disciples were expected to get this. They were expected to know the answer or at least have some sort of bearing of the answer. Apparently this irked Jesus enough to call them stupid. Why? Because they should have known better. Really, if you spend like three years with this guy seeing miracle after miracle and learning all he talks about you should be better at this right? You see, Jesus expected them to know, he expected them to gain a better understanding of what is going on because he has just poured so much into them. He expected growth. That is what God wants. He wants us to grow.</p><p>So now I look at this and find a funny story, but in reality I should take that statement and take it to heart. God expects growth, especially if we are with Him daily. He wants us to grow more closer to Him and also for us to have a better understanding of each other. God does not like stagnation, he wants and expects us to be maturing daily. Maybe that’s why Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 3:18 of being transformed to His likeness. We are to be transforming and growing and if we are not, then that is not good. Being with God requires growth. That is what he expects form us. Now why don’t we grow? There could be many reasons, either we don’t listen enough, or not pay attention, or fail to take action, whatever the case, if we fail to grow it’s our fault. So an action point I can take away from this: what and where are the areas I fail to grow? In some cases if life gets too hard, I just bail out on it. But growth cannot happen like that. Other times, I’m just lazy, I think “tomorrow”, I got to get that out of my system. What ever the case is I have to get that out and do things to grow.</p><p>Lord thank you for the reminder to grow. </p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-6825478539534105352015-01-01T05:46:00.000-08:002015-01-02T07:01:24.730-08:00He waits till you realize you need Him.<p>Genesis 2:20-21</p><p>So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. </p><p>But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.</p><p>This is an interesting. Prior to these verses, God states that it's not good for man to be alone. Then he makes Adam name all the animals. Kind of weird, but if you ask me there is something up about that. So I had to go and look it up several commentaries and see what others though about this. Surely I was not the only one who wondered why in the world did God just not make someone for Adam, seems to make the most sense. Little did I know that after some digging, it was not that God there were some that were some crazy explanations, then one that just hit me like a ton of bricks. That was this, sometimes we don't recognize that we need something till we need it. In this case, Adam didn't know he needed a helper. He felt he was doing okay, but in reality, he as not. So God made him go through the entire animal kingdom, then near the end, Adam realized he was the only one human, and lonely one at that. Then God made woman, oh and how glorious that was.</p><p>Now, this past year there was a particular time where I needed to find a drama script to fit a particular element in the service we were planning. This was a big service so I couldn't just get any script, it had to be something great. But it took me to the very last hour, and crying to God asking for any script. But at the right time He did come through. He guided me to a website that had the perfect script. So when you are the end of everything, and realize that God is the one you really need to come through, then that is when the miracle will happen. However, why not just see it sooner. If Adam just said, "Okay I'll do this God, but there is no one here for me. Can you help me out with that?" Maybe woman would have came earlier. If I just said, "Okay God, I give up lead me to the script." I'm sure he would have lead me to it perhaps sooner. So to begin this year out right, I saying, "Lord, I give up, I need you to show me what I need."</p><p>Thank you Lord for showing me what I need.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-40683056150136575672014-10-28T02:59:00.000-07:002014-10-28T07:38:02.613-07:00Jesus' Example of Obedience<p>Mark 1:38</p><p>And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”</p><p>Now there was much to do here in this town. Jesus was preaching and healing, so people were coming all over to see him here in this town. But all of a sudden, after a quiet time in the desert, Jesus tells his disciples, “Let’s go.” I’m sure the disciples were thinking what we are all thinking, “WHY?” But what see is the right thing to do is not necessarily the thing to do. Jesus knew what His mission was: to please the Father and do what He called him to do. Obedience, to the call and to pleasing the Father, that is what Jesus modeled. He knew his mission on earth was to call the sinners to repentance, be the sacrifice for all, and therefore it will bring glory to God. It seems that he does this at every level here. From the get go he was obedient to God and stayed true to the calling that God had on his life. Jesus knew what to do, when to do it, and how to accomplish it. Being obedient to God was the thing that was of most importance. So when God said “go” Jesus did exactly what he was supposed to do, go.</p><p>So what does this mean for the rest of us. I need to follow the example of Jesus and obedient to God. We need to have a better understanding that the main reason we exist is to bring God glory and how we do that is through obedience. Knowing that fulfilling the will of the Lord is of most importance. That is what God wants us to do. Each of need to live our lives is first of all concentrated to bring God glory. Therefore whatever God ask us to do we need to do. Follow Jesus no matter what. In life sometimes the more popular thing or what seem the right thing to do is one way but God is asking you to go the other way. Though it may not seem right, that is where we need to head to, following the Lord.</p><p>Jesus help me to follow your example to please the father and do what He calls.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-59765927382635137872014-09-26T04:32:00.000-07:002014-09-26T10:41:47.987-07:00When God comes after you<p>Haggai 1:3-4</p><p>Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of host: Consider your ways.</p><p>You know when God says something along the lines above, you forgot to do something. Here it seems that the Israelites were taking care of themselves going on in life, but it seems they forgot that God called them back for a purpose. To set up His temple. So what does God do, he summons Haggai to call them to order, making them step it up. Stepping it up consist of becoming who God called you to be or to do what He called you to do. Now I don’t blame the Israelites, they are building their city back. They are building their houses, their farms, their lives. It’s not a small nor easy task. So therefore God understandably gives grace, however, when the time has past that after the set up is done and they are beginning to try and make money or become profitable, that’s when He calls. He calls them back to not forget why they are there. The forgot that they are there because of God. This is a big “oops” moment for them. But maybe, they just forgot or got caught up in life, but it’s not a bad thing, they just needed to be reminded. Now He is calling.</p><p>Yesterday I saw the movie “The Equalizer”. The movie has a scene where the main character talks about the book “The Old Man and the Sea”. He describes a part of the book where the old man is chasing the fish and eventually catching it, was the biggest prize because the fish has to be the fish and the old man must be the man. A great respect was given for each, but each knew what they were called to be. Sometimes I forget who God called me to be. Between last night’s movie and this bible verse I am just reminded that God assigned me to do something. The above verses reminds me of the things God called me to. Hey I admit, I get distracted. I really do. Life has a way of doing that. I must make many decisions through out the day and there are times at the end of the day, I look back and go, oops.. I forgot to do that. But what I must not forget that I am created for His purpose and meaning. I may forget sometimes, but it’s okay, God calls back and gives me a reminder. Now, I must respond.</p><p>Lord thank you for this reminder. I know there are times where I forget why I am here. But I know Lord that I am here for Your purpose.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-49654996774660355162014-09-01T03:20:00.000-07:002014-09-04T18:12:24.940-07:00"Squirrel!"<p>Ezekiel 16:30</p><p>‘How weak-willed you are, declares the Sovereign Lord, when you do all these things, acting like a brazen prostitute.’</p><p>Being weak willed is not exactly a compliment. Especially since when God is in your corner. Being weak willed according to the dictionary means to be easily swayed, to be easily distracted. I can’t help but to think of the Doug the Dog from Pixar’s movie Up. Smart intelligent, but has the really funny moments where he is distracted by a what he thinks is a squirrel. It became termed as “squirrel!” moments. Truly funny to watch in this movie, but in real life, not so much. What God is communicating here is that the Israelites are like that, focused then all of a sudden “squirrel!” off to another thing . Maybe they might come back maybe they won’t. What is certain here is that God did not want his children to be weak willed. To be swayed by other things. He wants His children to be focused in upon loving Him and Him alone. To follow Him and Him alone.</p><p>Like Doug the dog and the Israelites, we all can easily be distracted. We can easily be distracted and not be focused in up on what God wants us to do. We can be easily swayed into loving other things or be on the wrong path just because we are human. We need often times makers or things to set before us everyday to keep us focused. I don’t want to be weak-willed but often times I am, but I want to be strong but often times I am just so distracted. So what I learned to do is that what I need is to set boundaries that keeps my focus in upon HIm. One boundary is my daily devotional time with God. This time is not only essential for growth but very a much needed time to refocus in upon God. It helps keep me on track. I know that I need this. I want to please Him, therefore if daily devotions is a boundary, then the option for ending up weak-willed diminishes.</p><p>Lord thank you for showing me this. Help me to focus in upon your will.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-31721173513716619652014-08-20T02:55:00.000-07:002014-08-20T07:35:55.685-07:00Lax in God's workJeremiah 48:10<br />
A curse on him is is lax in doing the Lord’s work. A curse on him how keeps his sword from bloodshed.<br />
<br />
This is what we to need recognize, that doing God’s work is not only a necessary thing to do but we should not be lax in doing it. The Moabites should have been focusing on doing God’s work. It’s pretty obvious here that they were not walking closely with God. Therefore this warning takes place. The word here though is not disobedience it is lax. Lax according to the dictionary means not careful enough, not strict enough, not firm, vague. It’s not disobedience, they just let things slide. It’s like they did not clean up their mess after they cooked dinner, they just left it. They got lazy, they got content, whatever you call it, they just let it go. But now the Lord is calling out on them. But I’m sure this did not do that overnight, it must have been a slow decline, a slow fade. It’s like becoming out of shape, you don’t notice it till you have hike a hill or walk a very long distance.<br />
<br />
I know becoming lax is possible, but I wouldn't think it would happen to me. But after reading this verse and just sitting on it for a bit, I realized that in many areas in my life I have become lax. I have let it go, and just didn’t tend to certain things the way I should have. However here, I hear a resurgence of what God is calling me to do. But not only for me, but everyone. He calls us to intently follow Him, with great intensity and with great zeal. Doing God’s work requires hard work and putting your hand to the plow. God calls all of us to do His work, but not haphazardly, but with great intention and zeal. Boy I needed this reminder, lately I have been just been getting by with certain things. So this is a fresh word to just get my butt in gear and do the Lord’s work.<br />
<br />
Lord thank you for this word. Help me not to be lax, but to follow you all the way.Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-20926008702018422642014-05-08T02:21:00.000-07:002014-05-08T06:43:31.460-07:00Living with the opportunity<p>Matthew 25:14-15</p><p>“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.”</p><p>This passage has been such a difficult thing to figure out. It has been something that I have been dealing with and something that I have been longing to understand. Many people see that as that God gives you talents and you got to take your talents and live for God. But what are talents. It has been explained talent to be either your real talents, or money, or something God gives you. However, there is a distinction between talent and ability here. After reading this commentary (<a href="http://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/living-dangerously">http://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/living-dangerously)</a> it seems that things make more sense here. Talent, the way we know talent, according to this passage is ability, and talent as referred to in this setting is opportunity. The property owner (God) gives each of us an opportunity (talent) to do His work according to our ability. What we do with this opportunity is our gift back to God. </p><p>This changes the way I look at life. You see, now as I look back things begin to make sense. The commentary brought up that if God really wanted to he our “bad breaks” or what some called, “a series of unfortunate events” and even our “lucky breaks” “golden opportunity” all comes from God. What we do with the opportunity is what God looks for. I have the opportunity to do God’s work, then I should go for it. Whatever the opportunity comes before me, I need to barnes that opportunity for the Lord. I need to give it all to God. That is what the Lord is looking for. He is looking for us who are given the opportunity to do it. If you have much, much will be expected. God gives opportunity. What we do with is our gift back to God.</p><p>Lord thank you for opportunity. Help me to see it and double it to bring glory back to You.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269253750587717030.post-90155627730915482842014-05-02T05:34:00.000-07:002014-05-02T20:52:22.986-07:00Steadfast love of God<p>Psalms 106:1</p><p>Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!</p><p>This is a crazy kind of love. It is the kind of love that does not let go. No matter how unfaithful or how terrible it is, God will not let go of Israel. I read a commentary saying this is what the Hebrew word “chesed” which refers when God talks about his people Israel. It is a covenant word, between God and His people. Which is sort of crazy. If you think about it, it is crazy that He even loves us. It is His nature to love us, but it is also in his nature to be holy and just. We are not allowed in His presence due to our sin, but because of His love for us, He provided a way.</p><p>This is very amazing and at the same time, just unbelievable. It just doesn’t make sense. The more I ponder this, I just find it unbelievable. I mean we are all crazy people. We ignore God, we betray Him, we do our own thing, we never get it right, but for some odd reason, He sent His son who died for us so that we could be with Him forever. That has got to be love. If you sit down and just think of this logically, it makes no sense. When you think of His steadfast love for us, then it is the only reason why this would make sense.</p><p>Lord, this concept of your steadfast love is absolutely mind boggling. I cannot fathom it. I’m sitting in awe of it.</p>Mark G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00838652505755534768noreply@blogger.com0