Tag: Faith

  • Hold Fast – You are safe against the flood

    Jesus outstretched hand

    This morning, my inboxes had videos of the continuing recovery efforts post-hurricane in the Carolinas and the recent minor flooding in our local area.

    The flood waters reminded me of the presence of evil in the world today. It seems to be rising and threatening to flood over. A quick look at the world around us shows an increasing denial of the truth of Scripture with an increase in every kind of sin. It seems to wash over and threaten to carry everyone away.

    On the other hand, I was also reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit comes, He pushes other things aside and does so with far more power than evil can withstand. 

    We often think of life as a battle between those two forces… the power of evil versus the power of God. Certainly, life has those elements, but we tend to think of them as a battle of equals. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    Evil, sin, the devil, and the grave are already defeated.  Nothing, no power in all of creation, equals the power of God. Even when evil runs high and with great power, when it threatens to overwhelm everything in its path, its power is minuscule compared to God.

    God’s power holds His people safe in His hands.

    For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39 

    Death and the grave are defeated.

    When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

    Satan is defeated

    For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19-20 ESV

    The final home of all believers is a place where nothing and no one evil can come in.

    And saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:22-27 ESV

    When you watch the news, the media seems to show evil triumphing hold fast. Hold fast when you get bad news about a friend or a loved one. When the world seems to be against you, hold fast.

    No matter how high the river of evil threatens to rise, how far up the banks it creeps, or what the forecast seems to predict, we can hold fast in the arms of Jesus. Nothing can separate us from Him, and God Himself has guaranteed victory.

    When I think of that, I remember a rhyme I heard years ago. I don’t know where it is from,

    Safe in His hands

    Secure in His love

    When life gets hard

    Just look above.

    Until next time, even if you are neck deep in the rising waters, remember that God has proclaimed victory, and the river of the Spirit trumps the river of evil every time. 

    Rejoice in God no matter what the world throws at you.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Where do you find true strength

    Trial and Persecution

    Why every member is necessary

    Safe in the arms of God

  • Aurora Borealis – The heavens declare

    Northern LIghts - Aurora Borealis - reader supplied photo

    Anyone with social media knows that our sun is in a storm phase and has been lighting up the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) with incredible displays, even in places they are not even seen. Social media platforms have been lit up with photos from all over the Northern Hemisphere.

    We are currently in what NASA calls Solar Cycle 25, the 25th cycle since they started being recorded in February 1755. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation, all creating conditions known as space weather. One of the results is the more intense Northern Lights.

    Having spent many years living in Northern Alberta, I have seen the lights in their majesty hundreds of times, but they never fail to impress.

    There is something about watching the waves of light change colors while moving and dancing that is both breathtaking and soothing. If you have never seen them and get the opportunity, I encourage you to take it.

    Last night, Kathy and I decided to take a run out into the countryside to catch a glimpse. We hit a couple of promising spots, but between the light pollution, clouds, and the mountains blocking the view, we struck out. Today’s photo is reader-supplied.

    It was disappointing, but we enjoyed the hunt and the nighttime countryside.

    When I see the Aurora’s dance, I can’t help but think of the God who created them. The Northern Lights can be explained naturally with a clear scientific explanation, but the God of the Bible created all the components and set the rules by which they operate.

    The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:1-6 ESV

    Those verses are so often relevant that they might sometimes seem trite and cliche. Yet they are powerfully true.

    It takes an incredibly hard heart to look at the beauty surrounding us and not stop marveling. God’s artistry knows no limits and regularly surpasses our expectations.

    Take some time today and look at the world around us. Despite all the turmoil we see, there is beauty to be seen. Give God the glory.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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