Who is your God

Who is your God? Is He in complete control? Scripture tells us that God's will (sovereign will) will cannot be changed, that it will be completely fulfilled (Daniel 4:35). So if God's will will be done and that He is in full control. Does this challenge our attitudes and our worry warts? If God is in control why do we worry and why do we "woe is me"? Is God not in control and His will will be done no matter what.
    This is something that I had in class a week or so ago and some other circumstances have challenged this in my life. But every time I want to worry or I want to complain to my mind the truth is recalled about who God is. So if you are worrying or you are having the woe is me attitude who is your God. Is He in control and will His will be accomplished. Or, is your god weak and inept? Is your god of your own designs?

Colossians 1:1-3

    So you may wonder why the title of the this post  is  the first three verses of the New Testament Epistle to the Colossians written by the Apostle Paul. The answer is twofold, first where I am attending graduate school our theme for the school year is "New Creature Living" taken from Colossians in the third chapter. Secondly, our chapel speaker yesterday Dr. Jim Berg spoke about meditation and scripture memory. Dr. Berg, spoke on using the MAP method of meditation and scripture memory (to find out more see his website or contact him through Bob Jones University). Out of this message I was challenged that my scripture memory is severely lacking and I have decided to memorize the book of Colossians. So to begin I am working on the first three verses.
     Colossians 1:1-3
       1 "Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother"
       2 "To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:"
       3 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father."

    So you may be wondering what is basically the salutation line of an ancient letter of teaching (an epistle) have that is profitable? Doesn't Paul tell us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all scripture is profitable but how can an introduction be profitable? Well today for me verse one was especially close to my heart. Today is much like last Friday in that I had a bad attitude about going to school and was annoyed at myself for not getting enough done and that I always feel like I have to much to do. I was feeling really glum for myself then I went to my first class which we call Friday Preacher Boy's. Today Dr. Bob Jones III spoke to us from Ezekiel and one small thing (not even his main point) that Dr. Bob said struck at me, that if Ezekiel had not been sure of his calling that he would not have ministered to Israel as he did. We are in a day much like Ezekiel with a nation that is sinful and stubborn, who do not want to hear the Word of God. This point of assured calling and my poor attitude made me cry out to God in silent prayer asking for confirmation of my calling. Then I remembered the words of Colossians 1:1 "Paul and apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..."

   Yes I may be feeling sorry for myself and have a bad attitude and I should not, because as overwhelming and oppressive feeling the responsibilities now are, I have assurance that I am not called to the task now or future tasks by my own will but by the will of God. I can remember the day in which I was called by God to be a proclaimer of His word (no I did not have a vision), I can remember the evening of brokenness at camp where I   re-submitted myself to God's call, and I recall the multiple times God has reaffirmed His call through times of ministry and the joy brought by being in the will of God. Now I take comfort in a sure call by God knowing that it is His Will that I am here today studying, and He is with me as He promised and I can say with Paul "I can do all things through Christ Jesus".

May Jesus Christ be Praised


[Scripture from the  ESV]

Why Can't I just fix it?

For those who may actually read this blog and don't know me personally I am married. You may think that is not unusual news but what you also don't know is my wife has a long term illness. To give you some background 3 months before we were married my then fiance got sick which was unusual but mimicked flu like symptoms and what the doctors thought was the early onset of Arthritis. Well the Arthritis thought was not great but not morbid or cataclysmic. However, the doctors missed some of the symptoms thinking they were nothing but the flu and my fiance (at the time now my lovely wife) kept getting sicker. To make a really long story shorter this all culminated in a trip to the ER which went into CCU and a couple weeks later came out with hope, some healing, and the burden of long term illness. My wife has had ups and downs but has been progressing on the healing path but because of the illness has days that are not so good. Or if she is having a good day but then does an involved activity, it wipes her out. For instance my loving wife today went grocery shopping while I had my brain turned into more mush by grad school. For her endeavor to take care of me and our house she is totally wiped out and exhausted. At this point she struggles to be anywhere near sociable or even approachable and many times need to rest. Now comes the reason for the title, me I am an on the go person though most of the time I wish I could stay at home. I usually maintain 2 - 3 jobs plus active ministry and being in the National Guard. With all of this I have a go until you completely collapse mentality and when she has to rest I must fight my urge to think why can't you keep going, then the Lord is gracious enough to remind me that she is the weaker vessel and needs my care. Then with that prodding of the Spirit another desire embraces me of "Why Can't I just fix it?" In my typical man mentality I can fix coffee makers that go on the fritz (even when it is inconvenient) and I can fix cars, houses, and even computer that people manage to literally cook or obtain 88,826 virus infections. So even thought I am not Mr. Universe or Superman I can fix many things why can't I fix this and make my wife healthy. I see her tired, worn out and hampered by disease and my heart hurts because I desire to make all things right for her. But, this is where I must trust in Jesus Christ who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, about whom the Apostle Paul says works all things for good to them that love Him. So in my desire to fix things for my wife I must make sure I am fixed on Jesus Christ and the I am actively loving Him knowing and trusting that He does do all this for my good. One day maybe I can look back and see all the reasons for this burden but today I must trust. This is my struggle, having the one I love carrying the burden of sickness and though I cannot take the burden away as much as I may wish I can get under and help her carry it.