Our Awesome God

Listening Hearts Psalm 95:7–8 For he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.” Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 2 Timothy 1:9–10 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 1 John 5:1–5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping hi...

  Called With Purpose Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Our Purpose) Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Our Blessed Assurance) 2 Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (His Grace for Us) Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Our Response) 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (Our Confidence Is Because of God) Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Our Destiny) John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go ...

 Sharpening One Another Through Daily Encouragement Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Hebrews 3:13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 10:24–25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Today is sometimes called International Day of Awesomeness, a day meant to inspire others and make the ordinary extraordinary. While that may sound lighthearted, it actually reflects a deeply biblical principle. Inspiration is not merely words; it is stirring up love and good works in others. Encouragement is meant to be mutual. It is not one-sided. When we lift someone else up, we...

  Downgrading What is Perfect Music used to be beautiful sounds played on an instrument with occasional singing to compliment the lovely sounds. Now music sounds are all done by machines and sounds tinny and evokes less feeling, but singing is now a top priority. We downgraded music to lift up self. Taking something perfect and trying to make it as imperfect as we are. ​This thought struck me recently, and the more I considered it, the more it seemed to mirror something much deeper about human nature. We have become a "vocal-heavy" generation, drowning out the intricate, divine arrangements of the Creator to make sure our own voices are the loudest thing in the room. ​The Original Discord: Pride ​Humans often attempt to lower or "downgrade" God—by ignoring His laws, questioning His Word, or minimizing His authority—in order to elevate themselves, their own desires, or their own intellect. This act of self-exaltation is rooted in pride, which the Bible describes ...

  The Great Restoration Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 40:1–4 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. Jeremiah 17:14 O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Hosea 6:1 Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. Joel 2:25–26 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the ...

  The Sovereign Hand: From the Pit to the Purpose ​Genesis 37:3-4, 12-16, 18-28 ​Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. ​Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied. “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,” Jacob said. “Then come back and bring me a report.” So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron. ​When he arrived there, a man from the area noticed him wandering around the countryside. “What are you looking fo...

  From Design to Destiny Psalms 139:13-18 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body     and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!     Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,     as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.     Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out     before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.     They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them;     they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up,     you are still with me! Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.     Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.     I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Tha...