Although I have been a Christian for most of my life, there has always existed an uncertainty on the character of God. Growing up in Sunday school, God was presented to me as "Jesus Daddy." Although this is a powerful and true statement, to a five year old this statement was way over my head.As I have continued to grow in my faith, there seemed to be a gray area on who God said he was. AS such, I decided to study the character of God more closely. In my life, the enemy has always attacked me on two things: Who God said I was, and who God said He was.
In Exodus 3:14 God says to Moses, "I am who I am." While this seems simple enough, I have come to discover that God is says He is the following:
God is our Lord: In historical perspective, a Lord was someone who ruled over the land. They were the people who were responsible for protection, decision making, and guidance over the people.When examining the character of God, All of these qualities are matched in his character and exemplified in his Reign. Unlike the era in history where Lords ruled temporarily, Gods reign is forever... he is our Lord Forever.... Our protector... our ruler
God is Almighty- It used to be that when I thought of the word "Almighty" I though of Jesus with really strong muscles. Although this may be true (I personally don't know I have never seen him...) the word "Almighty" in the dictionary is annotated as meaning "unlimited power." --- AS in, God HAS UNLIMITED POWER!!! He can do ANYTHING!
God is our Friend- Isn't it nice to know that when everyone else betrays us, when ever we feel lonely or forgotten, that we have a friend in Jesus? As cheesy as that is, it is the truth. God is our friend. He doesn't care about what name brands we wear or how we fix our hair, He just wants to hang out with you and love you and be friends with you.
God is our Father- This is a biggy. I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a home where my daddy loves me. But I am not ignorant to the reality that not all fathers share the same greatness that my earthly father does. But we as Christians do all share our heavenly father---- one who is a king- thus making us Royalty-- one who will not abandon, abuse, neglect, of hate. He is gently, and loving, and wants to give us our inheritance.
God is our Husband- In the movie Jerry McGuire, there is a scene where Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger exchange the always cheesy line of "you complete me." While this may seem romantic and iconic, it is the farthest depiction of what love and reality should be. Two incomplete people should not come together in love hoping to be fulfilled by the love of one another-- Instead, they each individually need to come to the realization that God is Love-- and ultimately the only one who can satisfy and complete us. So turn to your Husband, that is your heavenly husband, and ask him to complete you so that he may bless your marriage later.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
NO FEAR
2 Samuel 22: 18-20 says, " He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me to a broad place, he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
As I approach graduation, I find my life in transition. I am going away to college and venturing into a world new and unfamiliar. Without the security or foundation of my family, I nervously enter into a stage of my life that may cause pain and some discomfort. I must admit, for a time, I was afraid. I was afraid of being alone. Afraid of the distance. Afraid of myself and my ability to say "no". Afraid of loosing relationships. It seemed that wherever I let my mind wander too, the more fearful I became. But something I have come to realize is that living a life of fear and worry was not how God intended for us to live. As 2 Samuel displays, He promises to rescue us. He rescues us because he DELIGHTS in us. This word does not mean "kind of loves us" or "tolerably likes us" but instead conveys the truth that he is filled with so much joy just being apart of our lives. We should not live in fear, but in affirmation of his love and his ability to rescue us. He Saves, because he loves.
Although we face trial, he promises to be there with us, carrying us when we can not find our feet to walk.
As I approach graduation, I find my life in transition. I am going away to college and venturing into a world new and unfamiliar. Without the security or foundation of my family, I nervously enter into a stage of my life that may cause pain and some discomfort. I must admit, for a time, I was afraid. I was afraid of being alone. Afraid of the distance. Afraid of myself and my ability to say "no". Afraid of loosing relationships. It seemed that wherever I let my mind wander too, the more fearful I became. But something I have come to realize is that living a life of fear and worry was not how God intended for us to live. As 2 Samuel displays, He promises to rescue us. He rescues us because he DELIGHTS in us. This word does not mean "kind of loves us" or "tolerably likes us" but instead conveys the truth that he is filled with so much joy just being apart of our lives. We should not live in fear, but in affirmation of his love and his ability to rescue us. He Saves, because he loves.
Although we face trial, he promises to be there with us, carrying us when we can not find our feet to walk.
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