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GOD’S INVISIBLE QUALITIES

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God’s invisible qualities are present in our life.

~ Lisa Blair

Contrary to popular belief, too many of us, Christians, are blind to the invisible world God created for us. We do not see the pure wonderment of his Workmanship. The Arabic version says that His properties are invisible to us because they can only be known through the eternal power and Godhead. When we are aligned with the Father, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, the beauty and magnificence of the world are revealed to us. We begin to see the light of nature that His people have enjoyed since the beginning of time.

We begin to see the unity in all things and start to understand that nature, man, and all of the things of this earth are one, created by the Great Creator. Our passion for God’s presence is present in all things. The revelation of his Supremacy becomes visible through the invisible realm of His creation.

If nothing else, this should turn us from our wicked ways, fall to our knees vowing obedience and dependence upon Him who created us and leave our heathen/worldly lifestyles behind.

I have a Christian friend who shared that he had fallen away from the Lord. It was a slow tug back into his old life and was awakened when he was struck with an illness and taken to ER. His words are – ‘always stay alert,’ stay in the spirit, and see the invisible workmanship of the Lord, humble yourself to His way, His will, and His light.

Acts 1:8, KJV reads:

“But ye shall receive power, after that, the Holy Ghost comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

In this scripture, power (dynamai) refers to strength, the force of power behind supernatural events, i.e., the creation of the earth and all that is in it; the power of Jesus to work miracles because He is God. The power is seen in the crucifixion of Christ.

As believer’s, we are called to witness to those who are blind and destined to live in what they see, the sins of this world. ‘Paul teachers that every man, that has known God or not has rejected this knowledge of God and replaced it with idolatrous thoughts of another of their own making.(one passion ministries)’ As witnesses, we must share the invisible workmanship and wonderment of God’s world, both supernatural and natural, they are gifts from God and His sacrifice made to open our eyes.

Romans 1:20 NLT (Tyndale House) reads:

20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

God’s invisible qualities are visible to those who believe. We have no excuses for falling short of denying ourselves and sharing the Good News.  Paul warned that God is not pleased with His followers who fall subject to their worldly sorrows, do not repent, and once again pick up their cross. We should do all we can to stay in God’s good graces. Do not look back to salvage your blinders. We have no excuses.

Images – YouVersion.Bible.com.Roger Coles; Google Images

References: Romans 1:20, YouVersion.Bible.com; Romans 1:20. BibleStudytools.com; Romans, 1:20,21 Commentary, preceptaustin.org; Romans 1:20. KJV Word Study Bible. Nelson Thompson Publishers; No Excuse – Romans 1:19-23. Onepassionministries.org

Refer to my Post – We Are the Light

Also, visit my website, My journey as a blogger began in 2017.

Prayer and Freedom Go Hand-In-Hand

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We are commanded to pray for our leaders and in that thank God for our freedom, especially in trying times.

~Lisa Blair


Crosswalk.com posted this prayer today,

Dear God, 

Thank you for freedom, and the price that was paid by Christ so that we could live free.  Thank you for establishing the foundation of our land on the truth that a nation under God is blessed and secure.  

Thank you for godly leaders who have gone before us, and led faithfully and humbly before you.  We pray for our President, for all those in authority who lead today, and for those who will lead tomorrow.  Give them your wisdom, fill them with courage, help them to press in close to you to hear your heartbeat for our nation.

Today, we are free to worship you. We are free to pray.  We are free to read your Word.  We are free to speak.  We are free to share. And for this, we are incredibly grateful.  

Thank you Lord that your Presence is with us in whatever we face today, and in the future, and that your power goes before us.

In the Mighty name of Jesus,

Amen.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” Psalm 33:12

Crosswalk.com

Chastisement

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God provides and meets our needs as a loving Father, but like a loving Father he will also chastise us for our sinful actions. ~ Lisa Blair

As a young child we observe our parents and those dear to us to guide our development. They instruct us and direct us, we listen and we learn, but learning tends to couple itself with making mistakes either intentionally choosing not to follow directions, or unintentionally, mistakenly omitting instruction.

Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Deuteronomy 8:5 ESV

As children of God we learn about the life of Jesus Christ through reading and studying the Bible. God instructs us through His Word. We learn about the characteristics of Christ through God’s Word. We learn how God forgave the Israelites over and over again. The Old Testament and the New Testament provide our guiding principles, and like our ancestors, when we do not meet the standards, they and we are often chastised.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Revelations 3:19 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14 ESV

Not In Control Of Our Lives

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Circumstances outside of our control often undo expectations and plans. Life is outside of our control. The pandemic is changing our lives. Life, as we planned, no longer exists.

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Dreams have been dashed. Jobs and career positions have been lost, and the unknown remains bleak. That is the world nonbelievers live in; they created their own destiny and have nothing to rely on but themselves. However, believers rest on God’s Word. We did not create our own destiny; God gave us life and a path. Scripture declares, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3. If we trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not in our own understanding and submit to Him, He will make our paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

I am not saying that we will not experience hardship and loss; we will. The difference between nonbelievers and believers is that we find comfort in knowing that God provides. Loss is temporary. Paths can be forged, and we do not fear death because we possess eternal life.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Our God sees us through the darkest moments, He directs our way, and carries us when we can no longer withstand the pressure. He told us He would never give us more than we can bear, though what we think we can carry and what He believes we can bear are two different things. It is during these moments He challenges us to be courageous, to have courage.

In times of great distress, we are challenged to grow. We are challenged to put His Word into practice. He tells us to depend on Him and not what we see. He tells us, all things work for the good for those who love Him and have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.

All believers are called according to His purpose. Knowing this assures us that the darkest days are numbered, and we will once again see the light of day. This assurance proves our faith is stronger than our circumstances. It is stronger than our losses. Faith determines our new path, and can sure up the old. We are victorious. We have victory through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about the things we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

We are overcomers. As long as we trust God, we can live in peace amid the storms of life. Internal peace is spiritual peace. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 We can face the loss and setbacks through the struggle. We can see God operating in our lives as minute details become visible of the signs He presents. When we put the pieces together, we can begin to see the bigger picture, much like viewing a crossword puzzle. Will all of the pieces arrive numbered like a do-it-yourself piece of furniture, no. Will we experience setbacks, yes. Will we give up and give in to the circumstances that many would say are crippling and can not be overcome, no. Philippians 4:13 affirms we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

The author of 1 John 5:4 wrote For everyone born of God overcomes the world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Pandemics are outside of our control, but its outcomes are not outside of our Lord’s authority. This is the time we are called to stand, and as Ephesians 6:13 declares, having done all stand. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 tells us, God’s grace is sufficient for us, His power is made perfect in our weakness, and we should boast about our weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on us. Paul tells us when we are weak; we are strong.

Scriptures – Biblegateway.com; Images – Google Images

Choose To Walk In The Light

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God tells us there will be dark times, but we do not have to allow the dark to absorb us; nor do we need to enter into a state of darkness and depression. Yes, these are dire times, how many thought we would live in a global pandemic, isolated due to sheltering-in-place, and uncertain of the future? Not many I would imagine, especially if we live in the United States, where we feel immune to all of the world’s woes.

Non-believers live in a state of darkness, but (the) believers who find themselves in a catatonic state caused by the pandemic, also find themselves in a state of darkness. Do you depend entirely upon God, or do you speak the words but rely on your wisdom? Those who live in the Light, live with God who is in the Light, and is Light. John writes in I John 1:7, ESV, “But if we are living in the Light, as God is in the Light, then we have fellowship with each other.”

The Light removes the sense of isolation that sheltering-in-place causes. Being in the Light means that God is with you in the Light. He is present in your life and in constant communication with you. He cleanses you from your sins. Sin is anything that is not of God, such as depression (not diagnosed), timidity, feelings of failure, uncertainty, and more. Satan likes nothing more than separating us from our Father and curtailing our fellowship with other believers.

If you watch the news, people are finding ways to communicate and find a sense of light, but are they really in the Light, or is it an imitation of Light manufactured by the carnality of needing to be with others. Pure Light comes from God, and despite our circumstances, we remain in the Light. His Light provides peace and a sense of calm amid the global pandemic we find ourselves in today. His Light is truth that He is always with us and will not forsake us in any situation that evolves.

When we allow ourselves to doubt God because we are overwhelmed by the darkness that pulls us in, we are in effect calling God a liar. The gospel truth is – God is truth and truth ensures our salvation. If we know we are saved and abide in the Word, we are abiding in His Light. We are not controlled by the desires of this world. “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness we lie and do not live according to the truth.” (John Piper) No pandemic can separate us from God.

Think of this pandemic as our testing ground. We proclaim to be Christians but does our behavior confirm our relationship with the Lord, or suggest that there is no relationship? We either have a relationship with Christ or we do not, it is black and white, no grey areas. Do we falter or do we stand? Do we allow the uncertainty of death and destruction to overpower us or do we rest in the truth that God is all power and all truth? Do we stand in the Light or do we watch the darkness slowly engulf us?

One certain way to remain in the Light is to maintain fellowship with other believers, who can support us when we doubt or fall from the truth joining those who live in fear and a state of desperation. Truth gives us hope not to despair, our faith ensures us that there is life after this one we are currently experiencing.

“If we have truly accepted Jesus as our Savior, we have done so by taking His Word into our hearts and accepting it as the agent of our salvation (James 1:21). We must be prepared on an ongoing basis to use it to make necessary ‘course corrections’ and keep us in His Light – or as the case may be, get us out of Satan’s darkness as quickly as possible.” (Hal Hammons)

The Light will give you peace in the darkness. Choose to walk in the Light.

Image – Google Images

Scripture – Biblegateway.com

Resources – Let Us Walk in the Light of God. John Piper. desiringgod.org. February 1985; God Is Light. Hal Hammons. Bible.com. February 2010