Our God is Great

Did you sing it as a child?

“Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do. My God is so great so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are His, the rivers are His, the stars are His handiwork too. My God is so great so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do . . . FOR YOU!’

Or maybe your roots go even a little farther back to,

“He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine. He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine. Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell. He is my Father so their mine as well. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, I know that He will care for me.”

John W. Peterson

There is truly none like our God. None can compare! His greatness goes back far beyond what we know as history. “. . . Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth . . .” (v. v.21&22) His greatness is historical.

His might is also universal. “Lift you eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (v. 26) There is no place where our God is not. His greatness is universal.

Marvelous phenomenon . . . His might, His greatness, His strength, His power are not diminishing as the years go by. “. . . The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. . .” His greatness is eternal!

We can draw from Him when we are weary, trust Him for more strength when ours has failed. “. . . But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (v. 31)

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How Great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great thou art!

How great thou art!

Stuart K. Hine

Our humble praise we bring, Almighty King! We wait on You alone — we hope in You! Our love — our lives are Yours!

Take it with You

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his

understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28

He Knows

While the tempest howls with fury--

There is One who stands by me.

He is not surprised or worried--

He has calmed a many sea.

 

When it threatens to rush over--

When my heart is broken, torn.

I must trust Him--Knowing He

can see the pathway through the storm.

So, if He calms the tempest-

Or He guides me safely through.

I must leave it with the Master--

For He knows just what to do!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it with You
"But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserveme for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" II Timothy 4:17-18

Taking Possession

Remember the excitement of receiving the keys to your new place to live? Perhaps it was a different apartment . . . Or maybe it was your first home to “own.” You were excited and could hardly wait to “take possession” and make it identifiably yours.

You weren’t looking to move in your neighbor’s furniture, or set up their array of family pictures. You weren’t planning to store their tools in your garage, or take along their unique fishing rod. You endeavored to make your place of living “homey” for you and your family by “taking up possession” and moving right on in.

In our individual, personal, intimate relationships with our God, He has land that He wants us to possess! If we are blessed with a Christian heritage, he doesn’t want us to endeavor to make it to Heaven on Grandma’s religion, or try and “sneak in the pearly gates” on Mama’s prayers. (By the way, that won’t work anyway!) Perhaps none of our family before us has made the choice to follow Jesus — He wants us to know we are still candidates to follow Him earnestly and completely. He has much more of Himself He desires to give us, much more of Himself that He wants us to possess.

However possessing isn’t always an easy “walk in the park.” it involves commitment, dedication, seeking Him, walking in obedience . . . Faith in action!

Joshua was a decisive leader who did just what it took to possess what God had for Him — He put his faith into action. When Ephraim and Manasseh came requesting more territory because their numbers were so great, they were given the hill country . . . But they had to clear it first! Cut down the trees . . . And all the hard work along with it to possess their land. He encourages them in the face of their enemies that they are strong, and can do what is necessary to possess what they need so desperately.

The only thing that is absolutely necessary for us to possess is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a relationship that can grow richer and fuller with each passing day. Once we begin pursuing Him with a passion, what we really think we “need” becomes swallowed up into the reality of who He really is. He really is all we need! Let’s pursue Him, let’s possess Him, let’s take the spiritual ground He has for us . . . Whatever the cost, today!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG 

 

Take it with You

"You are numerous and very

powerful. You will have not only one

allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and it’s farthest hills will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”             

Joshua 17:17B-18

“How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers, has given you?" Joshua 18:3

Off the Crutches

It was a beautiful wedding rehearsal. The bride and groom had the happy glow of being in love – but even more beautiful was their obvious love and commitment to the Heavenly Father.

The rehearsal dinner found us enjoying great food, and Christian company. As we sat around the table, soon our conversation turned to the love of all of our lives – Jesus! Reflection was a part of the evening – reflecting on the miracles around us, as well as the miracle of His guidance in our own lives.

We were rejoicing in the realization of how God guides each of us so perfectly – when we listen to Him. How he begins to remove things in our lives we lean on – “crutches” if you will – as we grow in Him – and into His likeness.

In a flash, the Holy Spirit brought across my consciousness – God is the Healer! He doesn’t want us to live crippled in our spirits – He wants to make us whole. He wants to walk beside us – not as a crutch, but as a Savior, as a Friend. He wants to empower us to live complete lives in Him – that’s why He so patiently removes our “crutches.”

Sometimes the “removing” process can be quite painful. Sometimes we don’t view it as necessary – or may even be wondering what this circumstance is all about! Sometimes we aren’t even aware we are using certain things as a crutch – or that they are taking a place within us that Jesus desires! But, the Master planner sees all. His loving heart longs to reveal Himself to us as ALL WE NEED! Why? Because HE IS!

And . . . when we need to lean, HE is the One we need to lean on! He can hold us, help us, listen to us, AND make us whole. No “crutch” in our lives can do what HE can!

Take it with You

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

Out with the Trash!

   Saturday morning was here again! "Why do we always clean on Saturday?" asked one of my smaller children. We gave the explanations of why our family "does what it does." We want the house to look nice for Sunday . . . we want to be ready for another week . . . (I left off the, "and we don't live like pigs around here!:)
   This particular Saturday was different. My husband and I were going to help out a friend, so, we discussed who should do what, and left a detailed list before leaving for part of the day. When we returned, the house looked great. Everyone seemed calm, and on task.
   As the day progressed, it soon became evident that one job had gotten "missed" in the agenda of things. Fixing supper found me with a dilemma. There simply was no more room in the trash can, and beside the trash can were bags that had been gathered from other areas in the house.
   I didn't even have to "check the list." I knew who hadn't finished their jobs! It simply had to be taken care of in order for life to continue in an "even flow." The responsible person had to step up and be responsible!
   This scenario kept replaying in my mind. I thought of the "planning session" my husband and I had at the beginning of the new year. Planning to "declutter," to reorganize, to get on "out with the trash." Through these simple things, my mind was drawn to the Word of God.
   The Apostle Paul clearly speaks to us of our spiritual responsibilities in Ephesians chapter 6: 25-32. There is some "trash" we need to PUT out and KEEP out of our lives! Put away lying -- and sinful anger -- not allowing the sun to go down on your wrath. KEEP OUT the devil -- don't give him ANY place. Put away stealing -- work hard instead, so giving to the needy can be a part of your lives. Watch what you say!!! NO corrupt word -- only words that build up and bring grace.
   He sums it up in the last two verses of the chapter: "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
   Out with the trash! No room in the life of we as believers for this kind of trash! We have to put it out and keep it out!
   And, in it's place we can have the sweet, gentle Holy Spirit to cleanse us and fill us up with Him

Unstoppable, Unshakeable, Immovable Faith

   Fear of the unknown is something very real. Once you let it in, it seems to take over! Your "inner eyes" are constantly darting around, keeping an eye out for the next blow. Sometimes it is so heavy in your chest you find it hard to breathe. What if? Somehow imagining the worst possible follows those words when fear holds us captive.

   There are instances when the fear is brought on by our own human minds which are overactively haunting us with the endless possibilites of things that "could" happen. Being human, we are often subjected to the negativity our culture around us imbibes. How could we possibly believe for something good? Pumped into our brains on a regular basis is the relaying of disconcerted events.

   Fear can also be brought on as an oppression to the soul to stop our faith walk. God asks us to do something and before we know it, we are hit with all the "impossibilities" to complete the task. Our inadequcy, lack of resources, overwhelming sense of "too much to do," concern over what other people will think . . . they all have a root. It's name is fear.

   Tragic circumstances can also be a cause of continued fear. When something has happened to us that has rocked us to the core, there is a natural process to work through the shock, the emotions of the event, the fear of something else happening.

   Grounded or ungrounded, fear makes us a prisoner. It locks us into a bondage undesired by our Heavenly Father for His children. His Son, Jesus, came to set us free! (John 8:36)

   The fact of the matter is, once we have accepted Him as Savior, and are walking in His light, His promises are for us. They are truth. His Word has held Christians through the worst of circumstances, and the best of circumstances. The assurance found within these precious promises holds us through the unsteady waters -- giving us the assurance that the Anchor of our soul will never leave us nor forsake us.

   With the foundation of our faith resting in the Rock solid fact that God is, and God is LOVE, we can allow Him to fill us with the perfect love that casts out fear. (I John 4:18)

   He calms our fears. He holds us close. He challenges us to follow His lead -- where only He knows the way, and only He can provide. With our eyes fixed on His face, the Light drives away the shadows.

"Oh, God. I turn my face to Yours -- and while my human eyes cannot see -- Your very Presence fills my being and I know that You are with me. Willingly I follow -- and while I do not know the future, I rest -- knowing as I walk close to You, You will faithfully lead me -- HOME! Cast out any fear with Your perfect love. Grant me a growing faith, I pray, In Jesus' name, Amen.'

Take it with You

"Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

(Matthew 10:31 NKJV)