Tomorrow

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is it own troubles. Matthew 6:34 AMP

This theme of 'not worrying about what will happen tomorrow' seems to be one God is continually working on in me. Each day something presents itself and I start to think, 'How are we going to fix that? What will happen tomorrow if this situation doesn't change?

And then when I sit and talk to God about it, He always reminds me, 'focus on today and use what is in your hands. I have got tomorrow covered.'

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things comes up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 The Message

What an act of self-discipline it is to give your entire attention to what God is doing now. It takes a conscious decision to not go down the 'control' path or the 'worry' path. It is much better to go down the 'take it to God' path. Yes, it is a case of casting our cares and trusting God with every aspect of our lives, big and small. 

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

It is a case of daring to believe that He cares so much about us that His grace is sufficient for whatever is going on. And regardless of how ill-equipped we feel.

And then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. 

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 The Message

Question for today, what is concerning you right now? Whatever it is, it is not too big for God. He is the creator of the universe. His grace is sufficient for you, me and everyone else He created. Why not take time now to tell God about your concerns, and then leave them with Him, expectant that He will take care of them. And during the day, when the temptation comes to worry or be concerned again, remind yourself, 'No, I left that one with God today. I am waiting on Him'.

In Him we have ...

In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favour, which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Ephesians 1:7-8 AMP

I am a bit of a 'list' person, so here is a list of what we have In Him, according to the above scriptures...

1. Redemption - deliverance and salvation

2. Forgiveness of our shortcomings and trespasses

3. His gracious favour

4. Every kind of wisdom and understanding

What a set of gifts to be given - eternal life, mercy, grace and everything we need to live our life here on earth as He intended. Don't you just want to stop and worship Jesus? Somehow saying 'thank you' seems so inadequate.

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:6-8 NLT

Let's choose to have praise on our lips today, despite what is going on around us. 

Let's meditate on His Word and do everything in His Name.

Let the Word of Christ - the Message - have the run of your house. Give it plenty of room in  your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3:16-17 The Message

Jesus, we love You. We praise You. We give You our lives today.   Please help us to yield to all You want to do in us and through us today. Thank you Jesus. Amen

Applaud GOD!

On your feet now - applaud GOD!
Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 
Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For GOD is sheer beauty, all -generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Psalm 100 The Message

Three of our children received their school reports yesterday. As I read them, all I could do was say, 'Thank you God for your restoration in their lives. Thank you for bringing them through some very difficult times. Thank you that they are thriving, each in their own unique way. It is only by your grace. Thank you.'

Yes, it is easy to thank God when things in life is going well. But what about when they are not going well. How do you thank God when a doctor has just told you that 'There is a mass in your daughter's brain'? Well, for me, I couldn't thank God - not right then. 

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

It took three days for me to come to a place where I could say thank you God - not for the tumour as that wasn't from Him - but thank you for all that He had done before that diagnosis - things that He had put in place to help us through those three days. Some of those things had seemed like just every day things, like just having done a lot of cooking so the freezer was full of food. Some were more a definite God intervention, like my Mother getting her passport back the day before we received the news about Victoria, so she was able to come over immediately from New Zealand. Some of them God had been working on for years, such as placing us in this neighbourhood, developing strategic friendships which would alert us to Victoria being unwell. 

He is a good God. There is always plenty to thank Him for.

I will thank You and confide in You forever, because You have done it [delivered me and kept me safe]. I will wait on, hope in and expect in Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your saints (Your kind and pious ones). Psalm 52:9 AMP

Question for today, when was the last time you took time to give God a heartfelt thanks for all He has done for you? If you are looking at your life and finding it difficult for something to thank God for, maybe start with the basics - a warm, dry home, running water, food to eat, the blessing of living in a country that isn't at war and lets not forget the biggie - eternal life - the promise of living forever with God in heaven because of what Jesus did for us. It doesn't take time for that Thank You list to grow. And then, in Godly confidence, thank Him for what He will do. 

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP

Such hope

Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favour) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Romans 5:2 AMP

Through Jesus Christ we have access to God's favour. Here is how The Message version says it,

And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:2 The Message

Can you picture yourself doing that this morning - out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting your praise? What does God's grace and glory look like to you? Are there areas in your life that you having difficulty seeing God's grace in? If so, ask Him to show you His grace. It is there.

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. Romans 5:3 AMP

This is where that phrase 'count it all joy'  comes to mind. I remember a few years ago, when we were experiencing pressure, affliction and hardship simultaneously, I would get in the shower and say to myself, 'count it all joy Wendy'. Over and over again I would repeat it to myself. The children would be arguing in the midst of the turmoil, and again I would say to myself, 'count it all joy Wendy'. It would be good to be able to say that I was able to 'count it all joy' but that is not the truth. Even today, as I reflect on some of the those times, the tears still come. But amid the tears there is praise on my lips.

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Romans 5:3-4 The Message

Passionate patience - or as the Amplified version calls it - maturity of character.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Romans 5:4 AMP

Approved faith and tried integrity - unfortunately (but really fortunately) only comes through those times of having God as the only option. The times when were is no way, other than turning to Him and trusting that He will come through for you. Trusting and hoping that He has a plan and it is good.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 AMP

Do you really believe this verse? That hope in Jesus will never disappoint? That hope in Jesus will never delude us? That hope in Jesus will never shame us? I could suggest that you, ask God to help you come to a place where you can believe this, but I have a sense that that could involve unwittingly inviting one of those seasons of pressure, affliction and hardship into your life, so I will leave that up to a conversation between you and God. 

But if that season does come, these scriptures, Romans 5:2-5 are definitely good to have on your lips and in your heart.

In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary - we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans 5:5 The Message

If you are in one of those challenging seasons now, can you close your eyes and see that for your life - you trying to round up enough containers to hold everything that God wants to give you, not even a stadium full of containers is enough - His love and favour for you is endless. He alone is our hope.

Not in your own strength

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:13 AMP

After a couple of days of fighting off a cold, and thinking this is just slowing me down at a time when there is so much to be done for our business at End of Financial Year, I open my Bible this morning and the above scripture is in the centre of the page. And there is the gentle whisper, "Not in your own strength Wendy, not in your own strength." Okay, I start to breath again, reminding myself, it is not about what I can do, but it is about what He can do through me - if I yield.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMP

This day is the Lord's day. It is the day that He has made.

This is the day which the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT

It is His day. We are His children. He has given us all we need for this day. He has given us enough time to do what He wants us to do today. He has given us the gifts and skills to do what He wants us to do today. He has surrounded us with the people that we need to do what He wants us to do today. He gives us the inner strength to do what He wants us to do today. 

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:13 The Message

Question for today, are you looking at your day thinking, 'How am I going to do this? How am I going to get this all done? What am I going to do about this situation?' 

If yes, then why not take the time to lay down your own plans for the day, and talk to God about His plans for your day. 

Ask Him the How and What questions. Ask Him to give you the priorities for the day, what does He want you to do when? 

And just remember to listen to what He says. I guarantee that if you do this, at the end of the day (which may not turn out as you had planned) you will be able to see that God's plan is always best.

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've been doing from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Philippians 3:12-13 The Message

Jesus

She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Saviour], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end of scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 AMP

Today, some scriptures to meditate on. Be expectant that God will reveal more of the truth about His Son to you. 

There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book. But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is]. John 20:30-31 AMP

Believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him - what does that mean practically in our lives, in our thoughts, words and actions?

Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:36-37 AMP

Because of Jesus we are more than conquerors, and have a surpassing victory in every area of our lives. Some times we have to declare this in faith while we wait for the manifestation. Let's ask God for the strength and faith to make that declaration today and every day.

But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11 AMP

Jesus - the name above all names. Let's choose to lift His name high today, above everything, declaring His goodness and faithfulness over every circumstance. There is no other name.

The refining process - are we yielding?

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will hear and answer them. I will say, It is My people; and they will say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13:9 AMP

Have you been through God's refining process lately? I think we are in that refining process every day. However, in my experience there are definitely times when there is some 'heavy heart refining' going on. 

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 AMP

Job had a sense of God's bigger plan and His intimate knowledge of each of us.

But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for is, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. Job 23:10 AMP

Sometimes when we enter the major refining season, we don't even realise that is what is happening. All we see is negative circumstances. It can take a while to lift our eyes and see above the trial, and see that God has a greater purpose. He is working in our hearts, refining them. Purifying us to be full of uncluttered love for Him. In those times, He wants us to do as Job did.

My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary good. Job 23:11-12 AMP

Job knew he had to stick with God. 

For us, imperfect people, we need to do the same. Each day, regardless of what is going on, we need to make the choice to say Yes to God, and Yes to His refining process. We need to yield if we want to even come slightly close to reaching the goal of living as Christ lived on earth.

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that is possibly I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11 AMP

Questions for today, has God got you in a 'heavy heart refining' process right now? Are you yielding to Him or pushing away, saying 'it is too hard' ? If you are pushing away, why not ask God this morning to help you yield and give Him permission to do the refining work He has planned for you. He will answer you personally because He loves you more than you can imagine.

I'll deliver the surviving third to the refinery fires. I'll refine them as silver is refined, test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they'll pray to me by name and I'll answer them personally. I'll say, 'That's my people.' They'll say, 'GOD - my God!' Zechariah 13:9 The Message

The joy of the Lord

And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Nehemiah 8:10b

How, in the midst of difficult times, does the joy of the Lord become our strength? I believe 1 Thessalonians gives us a clue ...

And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way, from verse 5

When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! - taking the trouble with joy, the joy with the trouble. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 The Message

We become imitators of Christ. We stay close to Jesus. We learn how Jesus responded in the difficult times. We do the same. We lay it all down and say,'God, not my will, but Yours'.

And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire. Matthew 26:39 AMP

We listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We listen and obey. We let Him access our heart and teach us to look at things from His eternal perspective, not our 'five minute' perspective. We accept that He is sovereign and He has a bigger purpose.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom from the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV

We read His word, and we read His word, and we read His word.

Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to be a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 AMP

Question for today, are you looking for the joy of the Lord to be your strength? If so, why not take some time today to meditate on the scriptures above, and ask God to show you what, in your life, needs adjustment to allow His joy to reign in you? But be patient, as in my experience, this is a daily process that can take a while - don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight, keep asking and keep adjusting.

Encouraging last words

Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you.
And I love all of you in the Messiah, in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16:23-24 The Message

As you have probably gathered, I love God's word. And one of the things I really love is the way Paul finishes his letters, with messages of hope, love and encouragement. Messages that every time I read them make me think, wow, thank you Jesus for loving me and giving me life.

May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh yes! Galatians 6:18 The Message

Oh yes indeed - what a prayer. Let's receive that today.

Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves. Philippians 4:23 The Message

We know from what we read about Paul that he had a handle on grace. He had experienced God's grace first hand in a big way. And he never forgot what Jesus had done for him.

Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:23-24 The Message

Pure grace - something that is so difficult for us to understand, until we, like Paul have an experience of it. But it is available to us every day, so let's not ignore it or discount it, let's receive it.

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13-14 The Message

Paul understood who the Holy Spirit is and the power He bought into his life. He knew how to submit to Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Something we too, need to be constantly asking God to help us do.

In some of his letters, Paul finished with some quite definite instructions, that again are so relevant to us today ....

And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you! 1 Timothy 6:20-21 The Message

Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. Titus 3:14 The Message

But Paul's overall message is one of grace - grace that is sufficient for us, every day, in every thing we do. So today, let's choose to both receive grace and be givers of grace, in Jesus Name.

All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. All our praise is focussed through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! Romans 16:25-27 The Message

Let's be near to God

Yesterday I was reading this scripture ....

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him]. Song of Songs 2:4 AMP

What a beautiful picture - love waving over our head as a protecting and comforting banner. 

And then look at the next few words, 'when I was near him'.

We always have a choice, to draw near to God or to move away from Him. He is always there, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are the ones who move and change.

The words Charlotte chose to write on that picture above (that she made for me last year and is now laminated and on my desk), remind me of that choice .... 'God is with you and I hope you are with him to.' Every time I read it I think, 'Yes Charlotte, you are right, I need to be with God, every day.'

Sometimes we do feel like running away, especially when it looks like prayers aren't being answered. But those times are when we need to press in more to God. Ask Him what is going on. Ask Him what we need to change. Make the declaration, loud and clear - 'I am trusting You alone God to sort this out'. These are the times when we are given an opportunity for our faith to rise.

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrews 11:6 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way,

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Message

It is always a good choice to come nearer to God. 

Question for today, are you choosing to draw nearer to God regardless of what is happening around you? Are you going to choose to be near Him, with his banner of love and protection over you?

He has lifted up a horn for His people [giving them power, prosperity, dignity and preeminence], a song of praise for all His godly ones, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 148:14 AMP

Peace to you!

Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture). John 20:19-20 AMP

Can you remember a time in your life when you lacked peace? It may have been years ago, or yesterday, or maybe even today. You may have felt tense, agitated, unsettled or despondent. These are all feelings that Jesus came to give us freedom from.

Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you! Luke 24:36 AMP

Every day, every moment, we have the opportunity to cast our cares on to Jesus, and receive His peace in return.

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 AMP

Here is how The Message version puts it

Pile your troubles on GOD's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22 The Message

Sometimes though, and I don't know why, we have trouble giving those burdens, those troubles, completely to God. So in the process of learning how to completely surrender them to Him, we often have to make a choice to continually surrender them, until we hold them no more. I suppose, once again, it comes down to the issue of trust. Are we really able to trust that God has it sorted and He will help us out?

Question for today, is there something that is robbing you of peace, that you are having difficulty putting (and leaving) on God's shoulders? Let's take some time to ask God for forgiveness for not fully trusting Him, and then give that situation to Him for the last time. If tomorrow you feel that peace going, remind yourself, "No, I am not going to let go of this peace. I have given that situation to God. He has it, He is helping me, He is for me."

Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

Finally this is a beautiful worship song that I often play in times of needing to receive more of God's peace in my life - The Benediction by Matt Redman.

Who has all the answers?

I saw this sign the other day, here in Auckland, and just had to stop and take a photo of it. Some times it may seem like God doesn't have the answer either - but He does and we need to keep trusting that He does. He knows it all. 

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.

Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favour that God has to ask his advice?

Everything comes from him; 
Everything happens through him;
Everything always ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33-36 The Message

Today, let's choose to yield to Him and His ways. Let God be God of our lives.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! Romans 11:33 AMP

You are of greater worth

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And [yet] not one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God. But [even] the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 AMP

This morning I felt that God wants to remind us that we are of greater worth to Him. The Message Bible puts it this way

"What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail - even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries. Luke 12:6-7 The Message

He loves us so much, that He wants to spend eternity with us - yes, you and me.

For God so greatly love and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 AMP

He loves us so much, that He gave us Jesus - life.

But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life. John 4:14 AMP

Questions for today, do you believe you are of greater worth to God? Do you believe that God wants to spend every moment of eternity with you? Do you believe that Jesus has given you life? 

If you are not sure how to answer these questions, why not take some quiet time today to talk to God about these things, and ask Him to help you believe that you are of greater worth to Him.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 AMP