God Is... Sovereign Creator

By Nick (My Experience As...)

Created by Love

When we approach God one of the hardest things to accept is that He doesn’t need us. As a parent I might have thought at one point I didn’t “need” my children, but they define me. I am a dad. I can’t be a dad without children. More than that, I can’t image my life without them. I need them. They make me whole.

God is nothing like that.  He is whole and complete without us.  Some may feel that He is “more” with us, but that would make him less than infinite. That is what makes Creation such an incredible event.

For an eternity, that is an infinite span into the past (I say span instead of time because time as we might be able to comprehend didn’t exist because it assumes a beginning), God existed and needed nothing. At some point He made a decision to create.  In one instant nothing existing and in the next instant everything existed.

Science points to this instant. In my “I Owe You an Apology” series I delve into this in detail, but there is so much more than just the science.  In creating the very foundation of … well everything, God wrote a giant “I love you” across the Universe.

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Remembering God's Goodness

By Pat

I am not a person who likes to dwell in the past. I am really not a grudge-holder, and when it comes to forgiving I don't have much trouble (except when it comes to myself!). I know that Jesus renews His followers daily, so I have never found it useful to remember how people used to be. Thinking about incidents from my past that I can't change do me no good in my current walk with the Lord. I am a changed person as we all are, and I am thankful every day. There are, however, times when I don't just recollect the past; I cling to it.

In those times when I find myself in a spiritual drought, the thing I do the most is look back at my other periods of weakenss, doubt and fear and remember how God got me through it as only He can and brought me out stronger than ever. I remember the incomparable, incredible feeling of knowing that I had finally heard God's voice, felt God's touch, in a way that was meant just for me. I remember, and it comforts me. I dwell in those past encounters with God, and my heart is warmed with the knowledge that my current state of spiritual drought will one day be remembered as a time of spiritual growth.

I am very thankful for the vivid memories of past times of struggles and how God reminded me that I am not alone. They sustain me and give me the strength to go on, sure of the fact that I am safe in God's arms, and I do not walk alone. Although I may be unsure of the length of the dark tunnel I am going through, I know my Conductor will take me through to the light again. I know because He's done it before. I remember!

"Blessed in the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Is... Almighty

By Jason V (Ponderings of a Pilgrim Pastor)

God Almighty Rules Over All

"The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all." (Psalm 103:19)

Do you remember when you first discovered that your dad was not really all-powerful?  When I was a small boy, I really did think my dad could do anything.  My dad is pretty handy and big (over 6' 5"), so to a small 6-year-old, he seemed like Superman.  Yet like all of you, I had to endure the hard, slow realization that my dad was not, in fact, omnipotent, until, as a teenager, I wondered if my dad could do anything right at all.

Some people (even those who call themselves "Christian") think that our typical childhood experiences with our earthly dads is a model for what should happen to our view of God over time, as we mature in our faith.  As crises and conflicts come, they reason, we ought to see that a world full of evil is incompatible with an all-powerful and all-good God.  Since we all believe that God is good, we must then abandon the idea that God is all-powerful in favor of a God who looks a lot more like our limited and fallible dads.

The Bible gives us no room whatsoever for such a pale view of God. In Scripture after Scripture, God shines through with radiance as the great and glorious King of the Universe. "Nothing is impossible with God," the Bible boldly proclaims time and again (see Luke 1:37 and Mark 10:27). When God's people doubt His power in Isaiah 59:1, "Surely, the arm of the LORD is not too short to save."

When Jesus came, He demonstrated the Almighty power of God.  Jesus showed unmistakably that nothing could stand in God's way or frustrate His will.  God was mighty enough to create life in the womb of a virgin.  He was mighty enough to use a wicked king's edict to get His Son to the proper place to be born, Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2).  He was able to use dreams and visions to deliver His Son from the hands of a murderous tyrant (read Matthew 2). 

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Walking With Me

By Pat

A few days ago I was playing outside on the swings with my little granddaughter, Annie, who just turned two. She wanted to go down the sliding board, so as I lifted her to help her up the steps, she said, "No, me do it myself!" I said, "Okay, you do it!" and removed my hands from her. She carefully made her way up to the top, not knowing my hards had been there only inches away to catch her at the slightest slip. When she finally got to the top, she broke into a big smile and victoriously said, "ME DID IT"!

It reminded me so much of my relationship with God. I am very quick to say, "I did it!" Whatever successes I may have, hurdles I jump, mountains I climb, or victories I achieve, I sometimes say I did it, forgetting that I didn't really do it at all...God did it! God gives me everything I need, every moment or every day. Whatever I'm doing, God is right there with me, hands and arms outstretched, ready to catch my every fall and protect me from danger...able to boost me along and give me the strength and courage to forge ahead.

Just as Annie couldn't see me behind her keeping watch over her, I can't see God, but I know He's there/He told me so, and I believe it! And so, I will try to be more mindful and remember that without God, I can do nothing. I AM nothing. With Him, I can say say, "God and I did it!"

"The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:5-8)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Is... All-Glorious

By Dusty (Reflections on the Life of a Christian)

God is Worthy of Glory

God is worthy of all glory. He alone is consistently deserving of our praise. Even the majesty and splendor of creation exalts His name.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)

"I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." (Psalm 57:9-11)

"Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)

There is no other like God. No one can compare to Him. He is worthy.

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