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Have you ever wondered, Why am I going through this? Why is this happening to me?

Why do I have to suffer? Why hasn’t my life turned out the way I thought it would? Why am I stuck in this job? In this town? In this (insert your situation).

Have you ever thought things like…I thought that when (insert event here) happened, I would be happy? I thought when I (insert: had children, got a house, got that great job, joined that wonderful church, moved to such and such a place, believed in Jesus, our kids grew up, etc) all my troubles would be over.

Why do believers go through hard times? Why does God take us through heartaches and headaches?

I thought God promised to bless us. I thought he had abundant goodness stored up for us, as he says in Psalm 31:

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you…Psalm 31:19

God does have abundant goodness stored up for us. And he never ceases to love us and bless us. And he has the most wonderful plans for our lives. As he says in Jeremiah:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

But God’s ultimate plan for us is far more wonderful than anything we could ever have imagined when we cried out to him to save us. 

When I first prayed to Jesus to save me, I was living in a cockroach infested basement apartment in Philadelphia. I was miserable. A slave of my sin. I didn’t even use the word “save” when I prayed, because I didn’t know I needed “saved.” I cried out to him to help me. Just to get me out of my misery. Little did I know the wonderful plans he had for me. Little did I know his ultimate goal for my life.

Later, I found out that Jesus did want to save me, but not simply from a self-inflicted miserable life.

God wanted to save me from my sins. From his wrath my sins deserved. And I found out that he saved me by becoming a man, living a life of perfect obedience, then taking my guilt upon himself and enduring God’s wrath in my place on the cross, so he could count his righteousness to me when he gave me faith to believe in and call on him.

I found out that one of God’s incredible plans for me was to rescue me from my sins and adopt me as his son into his family.

But I didn’t know God had other incredible plans for me.

I found out that God had plans to bless me. To bless me, yes, in a thousand different ways. To bless me with his Word and his multitudes of promises. To bless me by giving me his counsel and direction in life. To bless me with a wonderful wonderful wife, and incredible children, and to give me wonderful friends and let me serve him in a church. He blessed us by providing for us all our lives, by healing me again and again, and helping me in a thousand different ways. 

But he also took me through lots of hard hard things. Family things. Things in our church. Oh man, things I never would have expected.

You know what I mean? Have you ever thought “I didn’t think it would be this way. I never thought I would find myself here. I never thought things would be like this in my family. I never thought I would have to face these trials. I never pictured my life being like this.

When God takes us through the dark valleys it’s not that he has forgotten his promises to bless us. It isn’t that God doesn’t want us to be happy and fulfilled. God takes us through many trials and “tribulations” because he has a much greater goal for us than I could ever have imagined. He has a much greater joy in store than any blessings this world can give.

So what is God’s ultimate goal for his children?

His ultimate goal is to make us like Christ. To conform us to the likeness of his Son, that we might enjoy infinite, perfect, unimaginable fellowship with him for all eternity. That we will reflect the glory of Jesus as we gaze upon his infinite majesty and worship him forever. He tells us in 2 Corinthians…

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

As we behold the glory of Christ in his word, in worship, in prayer, in fellowship, God changes us, transforms us – incredibly – “into the same image” – into the very image of Jesus, “from one degree of glory to another.” Paul told the believers in Rome:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

Someday, we will be like Christ. Conformed to the image Christ. We will radiate with his glory. We won’t be gods, but we will be like our God. And we can’t begin to imagine what that will be like. C.S. Lewis put it this way:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which,if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” – C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

My Dad, J.J., who I am slowly turning into, used to say, “When I get to heaven, I won’t know who your Mom is, because we won’t recognize each other, because we will be so glorious.” To which I would reply, “Dad!! We are going to know each other. You’re not going to have to walk around heaven asking everyone, “Have you met my wife, Jonalee? I know she is up here somewhere but I don’t know what she looks like.”

But Dad knew we would all be so glorious, we won’t look like we do now. Somehow we will reflect the glory of Christ.

This is the work God began in us when he saved us. Paul told the Philippians: 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

When God saved you he began a good work in you – the good work of transforming you into the likeness of his Son. That’s what God is doing in us. That’s his ultimate goal for us.

At times I have been discouraged at my many weaknesses and failures. I have said at times to Kristi, my wife, “I’m such a loser.” I’ve made so many mistakes, have so many weaknesses. Now I’m not an Eyore, and I don’t tend to wallow in self-pity. But I’m often aware of how far I have to go in this “transformation process” the Lord is doing in me. 

But the good news is, no matter how much of a mess you are, God is all-powerful, and unstoppable in his power and his purposes to make each of us into the likeness of his Son. God will not fail to do what he promised. That is why Paul could say to the Corinthians, who were a real mess:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 1 Corinthians 15:49

God’s goal for you is to transform you and conform you to the image of his Son.

How does God do this? He transforms us by the power of the Holy Spirit. And he uses his Word. When we read and meditate on his word, when we listen to his Word preached. When our fellow believers encourage us and speak his word in love to us, God transforms us. He changes us as we look to him in prayer. As we obey him, as we seek to bless others, he makes us more and more like Christ.

God also uses every hard thing he takes us through to make us like Jesus.

He produces patience and perseverance in us. He produces Christlike trust in God as our Father. He teaches us to rejoice always and give thanks for everything. Whether God blesses us with abundance or brings us low his goal isn’t our temporal happiness, but our eternal joy in making us like his Son.

God is in the process of making us like Christ. His goal is to make us servants like the ultimate Servant. To make us humble like the ultimate Humble One, Jesus who though God, humbled himself and became a man. God is making us like the Obedient One, who rather than give in to temptation, trusted every word of God.

So what are you going through today? Whether you are enjoying a season of abundance and blessing, or going through the hardest time of your life, someday it will all be worth it. Someday you will be conformed to the likeness of Christ. Even if you feel like you are a mess. Like you are a modern Corinthian. Well, even if you are, you aren’t too far gone for God to change. Day after day, little by little, he will make you like his Son. And though you may fail, God will never fail.

We are weak, but he is strong. And nothing can stop him from fulfilling his plans for us.

The post What In the World Is God Doing In My Life? appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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Why should we persist in prayer? Why should we keep asking God to help us, provide for us, save our children, or change impossible situations?

So often when we pray it feels like nothing is happening, nothing is changing. Why should we keep going? Why should we keep asking?

Over and over again, the Lord tells us to persevere in our prayers. To not give up. Over and over he promises that he is a God who answers prayer, who loves to give gifts to his children, who has a perfect timing to answer our prayers. Here are x number of reasons we should persist in prayer:

We should persist in prayer because God promises us that if we persevere in prayer we will reap with joy

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 (Memorize)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

1. We should persist in prayer because God promises that our labor in him (including prayer) is not in vain

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

2. We should persist in prayer because Jesus promised us if we keep asking, seeking and knocking we will receive an answer

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10

3. We should persist in prayer because we can’t see all that God is doing through our prayers.

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

4. We should persist in prayer because God has abundant blessings stored up for us

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! Psalm 31:19 (Memorize)

5. We should persist in prayer because since God did the big thing (saved us), he encourages to ask for other lesser things

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10

God told Israel: Hey, I am the Lord, your God. I delivered you from slavery in Egypt. I saved you from Pharaoh and his army. You could never have done that yourself. Now, if I did this big thing, do you not think I will feed you? Open your mouth wide – ask me for big things, anything, all your needs, and I will fill you.

God saved us from our sins and Satan. We were dead in our sins. We could never have saved ourselves. So if God did the big thing, let’s open our mouths wide – ask him to save your children and descendants. Ask him for that job. Ask him to provide all you need. If God saved us he can do anything else we ask.

6. We should persist in prayer because our prayers delight God and he delights to answer them.

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. Proverbs 15:8 (Berean Study Bible)

If our prayers are delightful to God, he takes pleasure in answering them. When God answers our prayers it brings him glory. It produces (or should produce) thanks and praise to him. God is no Scrooge, clinging to his blessings. Our God delights to pour out blessings. Our God is the lavish God who didn’t create just one kind of tree or butterfly but thousands and thousands.

7. We should persist in prayer because God promises to reward those who seek him in faith

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (Memorize)

8. We should persist in prayer because God promises that he hears our prayers and will answer them

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15

9. We should persist in prayer because God cares for us and invites us to cast all our cares on him

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

10. We should persist in prayer because God is good to all who wait for him, and patiently seek him

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:25-26 (Memorize)

11. We should persist in prayer because Jesus himself told us to persist in prayer and not give up

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8

12. We should persist in prayer because our God is a loving Father who loves to bless his children, who loves to give good gifts to his children

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

Most parents love to bless their children. I probably spoiled my children when they were little. And even now, I love to bless my children and grandchildren. How much more does our heavenly Father give good things to us when we ask him.

In all these wonderful promises, God encourages us to persevere in prayer. So whatever you are seeking from God, don’t give up. Don’t quit asking him, no matter how impossible it seems to you. Our God is a faithful God. He doesn’t lie, or forget or change his mind. He will keep his promises to us.

The post 12 Powerful Faith-Building Reasons Why We Should Persist In Prayer appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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Do you really need to be involved in a church?

Can’t believers just worship Jesus on their own? Why do we need to be involved in “organized religion?” It seems like a growing trend that many Christians don’t believe they need to be part of a church. 

Yes, we can and should worship and love Jesus individually. But we should also worship, pursue and love him with others. In fact, it is essential and vital to our spiritual lives and health as believers.

Here are 12 crucial reasons why every Christian should be part of a local church

1. We need to be built together with other believers

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Eph 2:20-22

2. We need brothers and sisters to encourage, exhort, challenge, and build us up in our faith, and we need to encourage and build up others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom… Colossians 3:16

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

3. We need to worship together with others

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Psalm 149:1

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you Psalm 22:22

4. We need to be stirred up by others to love and good deeds

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

5. Because Jesus is uniquely present when believers gather together

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

6. Because the church grows as believers meet together and use their gifts

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

7. We need to benefit from the gifts of others and serve others with our gifts

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

8. We need brothers and sisters to pray for us and they need us to pray for them

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

9. We need to be taught and fed and equipped by pastors and teachers

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3

10. We need to witness to unbelievers together with others

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:14

11. We need to love others, bear with the weak, help new believers

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:1-2

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

12. We need to be part of a church for the sake of our children

Children need the example of their parents and other believers in worship, loving others, listening to God’s word. We may not realize it but our example of commitment to God’s people will speak volumes to them.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Psalm 78:4

The primary place parents teach their children is in their own families and homes as they live life together. But it is important that our children see us worshipping with others, serving and loving others, and pursuing teaching and instruction in God’s word.

You need the church and the church needs you! God never intended for us to live the Christian life alone! I need others to care for, encourage, teach, and challenge me, and I need to do the same for my brothers and sisters.

Remember, you are not just a body filling a spot in a pew. Look around. Others need you! You may not feel like you have anything to offer others, but God’s word says that you do. So if you’re not involved in a local church, ask the Lord to guide you and show you where he wants you to be.

Photo by John Price on Unsplash

The post 12 Vital Reasons Each Of Us Should Be Part Of A Church appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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Before Jesus saved me, I lived essentially for my own happiness. I wanted to make myself happy. I never actually said that, but I believe that deep down that was the driving force in my life. I learned to play guitar and got into a rock band because that brought me pleasure. I became an art major in college because painting and drawing made me happy. I wanted a girlfriend essentially for my happiness. And I had no idea how self-centered I was, how selfish I was. 

And when I cried out to Jesus, it was initially essentially for my own happiness. For relief from my ever-increasing guilt, and ever-increasing slavery to sin. I didn’t pray, “Jesus, please save me for your glory. I want to live a life to glorify you.” 

I’m so grateful God is so longsuffering, loving and patient with me. 

Eventually, the more I read and heard God’s word, the longer I followed Jesus, he revealed the main reason he saved me – for his glory. God saves us, yes, because he loves us, and because  he is so merciful. But I believe the primary reason he creates us and then saves us is for his glory. And he is not some vain, self-centered God who just wants all the glory. The more we see and know God’s glory and give him glory, the more joy we experience in him.

Our greatest goal in life should be to know and delight in our Lord, and to bring him glory.

Our greatest goal should not be to be successful or famous or rich. Our greatest desire should be to know our God, and to live to serve him and glorify him. As it says in the Psalms:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1

We should desire to glorify God because he is worthy of all glory and honor

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

And God tells us in 1 Corinthians:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (10:31)

So how can we glorify God?

We may think that those who glorify God are those who have extraordinary gifts, maybe like preachers or missionaries or people like Mother Theresa. You may think, “How can I glorify God? I have to drive an hour to work every morning through heavy traffic. I work all day at this boring job. I drive home, and have to take care of my kids (if you have kids) or pay my bills, and clean up the kitchen after supper. I have to cut my grass and pay my bills. My life is ordinary and I’m not some powerful evangelist. How can I glorify God?

God tells us that each one of us can glorify him in numerous ways. Here are some ways every one of us can glorify God.

1. We glorify God by letting our light shine before others

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We can let our light shine before our unbelieving relatives on holidays, by serving them. By being cheerful. By not grumbling when we don’t get our way. We can let our light shine before our children every day by serving our spouse, and by demonstrating thankfulness, patience, love, forgiveness. 

We can let our light shine before our co-workers by not joining in with office gossip and grumbling about our boss. By looking for ways to serve our fellow workers. By seeking to be the most cheerful person in the office. 

2. We glorify God by participating in advancing the gospel

We are not all called as evangelists, but we can all share in the advance of the gospel. One way is by praying that God will bring his kingdom to the earth, to this nation, to your town. Hopefully your church proclaims the gospel. By welcoming new people, giving to the church, and serving in the church’s ministries, you help advance the gospel. You can advance the gospel by serving in your church’s children’s ministry or teen ministry. You advance the gospel by serving on the worship team as you sing of God’s power and glory. You help advance the gospel by serving on the projection team as you project Scriptures during the message.

We can pray that God will raise up laborers for the harvest. There are many ministries that help the poor and share the gospel with those they help. By supporting these ministries we help advance the gospel

3. We glorify God by working heartily at whatever we do

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

When Paul exhorted his fellow believers to work heartily, he was primarily addressing “bondservants” to serve their masters heartily. But ultimately they were serving the Lord and that he would reward them. They may not have felt like they were glorifying God, but Paul said they were. They would bring glory to God by working heartily as bondservants, even though they may not have chosen to do that or desired it.

You may be stuck in a job you don’t like, but you can glorify God by doing your work heartily for the Lord, and not for your boss. And Jesus will reward you.

4. We glorify God by giving him thanks and praise

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12

We don’t need to be in church to give thanks to God. We can thank him in the car, in our kitchen, on the way to class. We can thank him when we wake up in the morning for the gift of sleep and his protection during the night. We can thank him for the sunrise. For our health. For every heartbeat and every breath he gives us.

5. We glorify God by worshipping him together with others

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:3

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. Psalm 107:32

I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you. Psalm 35:18

6. We glorify God by doing good deeds

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Our unbelieving relatives, neighbors, fellow students, and co-workers are watching us. They want to see if Jesus has really changed us. There are all kinds of ways we can do this. It might be as simply as offering to get your neighbor’s mail when they’re out of town. Or going over and helping your neighbor shovel his driveway after a snow. Do whatever good you can, serve others whenever you can, not in order to earn salvation, but because Jesus has saved you and changed you.

7. We glorify God by trusting him and persevering in trials

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5

It is so hard to continue to trust God when we or a loved one is suffering. But when we trust that God is good, loving and faithful, when we trust that he will keep his word, that brings him glory. Especially when in his timing, he acts and keeps his promises.

I know many believers who have suffered greatly, yet they have continued to worship God, believe his word, and live for him. This brings him so much glory. It is easy to praise God and thank him when we experience his blessings; but it takes such great faith and honors God so much to praise and worship him when we can’t see the answers. For all you who are trusting him in the midst of darkness and pain, know that you are bringing glory to God.

8. We glorify God by turning away from sin

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sine a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Paul told the Corinthians to “flee from sexual immorality.” In this way each one was to “glorify God in your body.” We glorify God by living holy lives. By fleeing sin. 

9. We glorify God by serving others

Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

When we serve others, we do it by “the strength that God supplies” – and that brings him glory. I don’t have a natural inclination to serve others. I want to serve myself. But God calls us all to serve. So I must ask him for strength and desire, which he always gives me. Jesus humbled himself and came as a servant (Philippians 2), and when we serve others, we imitate Christ and bring glory to God.

10. We glorify God by bearing fruit.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

As we live for Jesus, the Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives. We don’t do it ourselves; the Holy Spirit does it in us and with us as we seek to obey Jesus. And Jesus said in John 15:8 that as we bear fruit it glorifies the Father, because people see that it is God who really did that in us.

As we grow in love, and kindness and gentleness and all the fruit of the Spirit the Father is glorified. We prove to be Jesus’ disciples and he is glorified.

11. We glorify God by being generous to the poor

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, theyf will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 2 Corinthians 9:10-13

Paul told the Corinthians that their “sowing” to the poor believers in Macedonia would “produce thanksgiving to God” and was “overflowing in many thanksgivings to God,” and the recipients would “glorify God” because of their generosity.

Let us all make it our goal in life to glorify God every day, in everything we do, in any way we can. God loves to use us weak vessels for his glory. In fact the weaker you feel, the more glory God will get when he uses you to bring glory to himself.

The post 11 Powerful Ways Every Single Believer Can Glorify God appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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If you’re like me, you don’t spend much time thinking about God’s mercy.

I know from reading Scripture that God is merciful, and I recognize that God’s mercy is important…

…but I just don’t spend much time meditating on and rejoicing in God’s mercy.

It’s not on my radar on a daily basis.

This is a problem.

In Luke 7:47, we’re told that he who is forgiven little loves little. In other words, our love for God is directly connected our forgiveness by God. The more we’re aware of and in awe of God’s mercy toward us, the more we’ll love and delight in God. The more we revel in the reality of our forgiveness, the more we’ll overflow with love and passion for God.

So if we want to love God more (and I do!), then we must spend time reflecting on and marveling at the staggering, stunning, breathtaking mercy of God.

With that in mind, let’s spend a few moments meditating on God’s mercy together.

What Is God’s Mercy?

We often lump the mercy of God and grace of God together, treating them as if they’re the same thing. But the reality is that mercy and grace are two different things, and if we’re going to delight in God we must rejoice specifically in his mercy.

So what exactly is God’s mercy?

To say that we received the mercy of God means that we didn’t get what we deserved.

Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve. Mercy is NOT receiving what we do deserve.

Psalm 103:10 says, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”

Isn’t that a glorious truth? God doesn’t deal with us according to our sins. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve.

Psalm 130:3 says, “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?”

If God treated us according to our sins, we could NEVER come to him. We couldn’t know him, couldn’t have a relationship with him, couldn’t draw near to the throne of grace. But because of God’s mercy, he doesn’t treat us as we deserve.

What Do We Deserve?

In order to truly grasp the height and depth of God’s mercy, we must spend some time meditating on what our sins against God deserve. We must reckon with the depth of our depravity if we want to understand the glorious mercy of God.

Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us just how deep and dark our sins against God are:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

It doesn’t get any worse than that, spiritually speaking. We were dead in our transgressions and sins. We were actively following Satan, joyfully giving into the sinful passions of our flesh, willfully engaging in all manner of sinful activity.

We didn’t want God and didn’t rejoice in his ways. We were spiritual rebels, going our own way instead of pursuing God. We didn’t love God, didn’t give him the praise he deserved, didn’t thank him for his abundant blessings in our lives. We were entirely focused on ourselves and what we wanted.

What did we deserve? We deserved the wrath of God. We deserved to be punished for eternity in hell. Our rebellion against God was no small thing. It was cosmic treason. We spit in the face of the King of the Universe. We hated God and truly deserved to experience his wrath.

But because of God’s mercy, we didn’t receive wrath.

What Did We Receive? God’s Mercy

Amazingly, we didn’t receive what we deserved. Instead of receiving wrath, we received mercy.

Ephesians 2:4-5 puts it this way:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…

Isn’t that absolutely glorious? God is rich in mercy and full of love toward us. Instead of pouring out his wrath on us, he forgave our sins, saved us from his wrath, and made us his children.

Instead of punishing us, God poured out the punishment for our sins on Jesus on the cross. Jesus received the wrath that we deserved so that we could receive the blessings of God.

We are adopted, blessed, and beloved. We are united to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit himself dwells within us. Once we were separated from God by our sins. Now nothing can separate us from the love of God.

God’s mercy is greater and richer and deeper and higher and wider than we could possibly imagine. He has poured out abundant, overwhelming mercy on us and we should be filled with overflowing joy.

Charles Spurgeon said:

God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.

Let us praise God for his overwhelming, glorious, never-ceasing, sin-covering mercy. Let us rejoice in this incredible mercy and as we meditate on the mercy of God, let’s be filled with love for God.

The post God’s Mercy Is Greater Than We Can Imagine appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?

And how can you experience it every day?

In 1 Corinthians 2:16, the Apostle Paul says, “‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’” But we have the mind of Christ.”

On the surface, this seems like a really strange verse, doesn’t it? What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? How can we have our own mind AND the mind of Christ?

Is this kind of like the fruit of the Spirit, where we’re supposed to actively put on the mind of Christ? Or is it more passive? How do we even receive it in the first place?

What Does It Mean To Have The Mind Of Christ?

To have the mind of Christ means that we have the spirit of God dwelling in us. The Holy Spirit enables us to understand God’s plan of salvation and how Jesus is at the very center of that plan.

Instead of being conformed to this world, we are being renewed every day.

How Can You Have The Mind Of Christ?

Are you ready for some REALLY good news?

If you believe in Jesus Christ, then you ALREADY have the mind of Christ.

Here’s the profound, staggering truth that we need to understand: if we love Jesus and delight in his death and resurrection, it’s because God has given us the mind of Christ.

In verse 12, Paul says, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”

Did you catch that? We have received the Spirit who is from God so that we might understand the things freely given to us from God.

In other words, God put his Spirit in us so that we might understand and delight in the gospel. We were dead in our transgressions and sins. We were blind and hopelessly lost. The gospel seemed like insanity to us before we had the mind of Christ.

But God didn’t leave us dead in our sins. He made us alive in Christ and gave us eyes to see the beauty of his Son. Jesus himself, the living Son of God, now dwells in us, and we truly do have the mind of Christ.

The gospel, which once seemed so foolish to us now seems beautiful. The things that once seemed foolish now seem glorious. The death of Christ on the cross, which once seemed like insanity, is now clearly seen as our only hope of salvation.

It’s an absolutely incredible thing, isn’t it?

We didn’t create this glorious internal change. God did it. He was the one who put his Spirit in us and caused us to come alive spiritually. He is the one who has given us the mind of Christ.

The Spirit Of God Versus The Spirit Of This World

In the previous 15 verses, Paul tells the Corinthians about how he proclaimed the message of the gospel to them.

This gospel message was VERY different from what the Corinthians were used to hearing.

They were used to hearing lofty speech and grand oratory.

The “super apostles” (who were no apostles at all) who had invaded the Corinthian church were all about delivering big speeches full of worldly wisdom.

The super apostles spoke in spectacle.

They spoke in ways that would appeal to the senses of the Corinthians. They were all flourish and flowing speech and, “Hip hop, hooray!” If smoke machines and lasers had existed back then, the super apostles probably would’ve used them.

The gospel, on the other hand, is not a message of worldly wisdom. In fact, it’s a “foolish” and “stupid” message in the eyes of the world. It’s the message of salvation through a crucified king, which, on the surface, doesn’t make any sense.

In verses 1-2, Paul says, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Paul didn’t come come on the scene with a flash and a bang, dropping pearly, worldly wisdom. He didn’t speak with the kind lofty speech that would gather a rowdy, cheering crowd.

Rather, Paul decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul didn’t deliver motivational speeches that would help the Corinthians live their best lives now. Instead, he preached nothing but Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection.

He preached a “foolish” message.

This gospel message makes ZERO sense to the world. This is why Paul says in verses 7-8:

“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

It’s also why he says in verse 14, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

In our natural state, apart from God’s intervention, we simply cannot understand the things of God. The gospel seems like foolishness to us. It comes across as a message of garbled nonsense.

Now, all this should raise one enormous question: why do we believe in and treasure the crucified and risen Christ when the rest of the world despises him?

Think about that for a moment. Why do you love Jesus while many of your neighbors and coworkers don’t? What makes you any different from them?

The difference is that you have the mind of Christ.

Do Not Be Conformed To This World

Because we have God’s spirit in us, we should seek to live and think and love in ways that please and honor God.

In Romans 12:2, we read, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

As we read the Bible, pray, and fellowship with other Christians, our minds are renewed and we are transformed. We think God’s thoughts and His desires become our desires.

A Grateful, Prayerful, Humble Response

How should we respond to the truth that God has given us the mind of Christ?

It seems to me that THREE responses are appropriate:

Prayer

Gratefulness

Humility

First, we should be incredibly, overwhelmingly, staggeringly grateful. There was a time when we didn’t have the mind of Christ and the gospel seemed like stupidity to us.

If God hadn’t intervened, we never would’ve believed in Christ. If God hadn’t looked upon us with great mercy and pity, we never would have had spiritual life.

But because he is rich in mercy and love, God saved us from our sins and made us alive together with Christ. He breathed spiritual life into our dead souls and actually came to dwell in us. He united us so closely to Jesus Christ that Paul could say we have the mind of Christ himself.

It’s truly and utterly glorious.

The second way we should respond is by praying for those who don’t yet know Christ. We should intercede for our friends and family and coworkers who don’t yet know Christ.

We should pray that God would do for them what he did for us. That he would put his Spirit in them and make them alive spiritually.

That he would give them the mind of Christ.

Finally, we should respond with deep humility. We did absolutely nothing to deserve or earn or achieve our salvation. God did everything. He was the one who put his Spirit in us and caused us to believe in Christ. We didn’t go looking for him. Rather, he drew us to himself.

The only appropriate response to having the mind of Christ is a deep, reverent, thankful humility.

The post You Can Have The Mind Of Christ! (here’s how) appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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The Bible tells us that faith is crucial to our lives as believers. The Christian life is a life of fighting the good fight of faith.

As Paul told Timothy…

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

Paul told the Ephesians they needed faith in every circumstance of life:

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16

A shield is used in battle. We need the shield of faith because Satan is constantly bombarding us with “flaming darts” – lies about God, accusations, doubts.

Our Christian lives begin with faith – Jesus saves us when we believe the good news of him and all he has done for us. But that is just the beginning. We must continue in our faith, and it is not easy. Satan’s goal is to make us doubt our God and not believe his word. But we can grow in our faith as we fight this good fight. So how do we do this? Here are 9 ways we can strengthen our faith:

1. We can strengthen our faith by consistently taking in and meditating on God’s word

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9

If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word. – Charles Spurgeon

2. We can strengthen our faith by memorizing God’s Word

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119.11

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31

When we memorize God’s word, we store it in our hearts and the Holy Spirit brings it to mind when we are tempted to sin or to doubt. He brings it to mind when we are downcast and discouraged. He brings it to mind when people sin against us and we are tempted to retaliate. 

I have found that music helps me memorize God’s word more easily. I have put together a number Scripture songs to help me and others remember verses. You can check them out here:  http://bit.ly/2M7IR7U. I also recorded a number of Scripture songs called “Hide the Word” which can be found on Spotify and iTunes.

I usually begin my devotions with 10 minutes of reviewing Scriptures I’m trying to memorize. One way you can memorize Scriptures is simply by reviewing them on a daily basis. You can write them on notecards or in any number of apps and look at them on a regular basis. Pretty soon you’ll have God’s word stored up in your heart. And along these lines….

3. We can strengthen our faith by calling to mind God’s love, mercies and faithfulness.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

What produced hope in the author of Lamentations? Reminding himself of God’s steadfast love, his daily mercies and great faithfulness. When we are tempted to doubt or fear or lose hope, we must aggressively and actively remember our God. We must “call to mind.” This is another way of lifting the shield of faith and wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

4. We can strengthen our faith by remembering that God is our Father and he poured out Christ’s blood to adopt us

My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, HE is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. Hallelujah! -Charles Spurgeon

If God has given his very Son to save us, will he not help us in every other way? If Jesus poured out his blood to redeem us will he forget us? I love this verse in Isaiah:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

Even human parents devote themselves in love and care and compassion on  their infants. What mother doesn’t care for her nursing child? God says how much more does he care for us. Humans may fail at times to care for their children but God promises he will never ever forget us. Reminding ourselves of our Father’s love will strengthen our faith.

5. We can strengthen our faith by obeying God’s word

Every time we obey God’s word we sow seeds we will reap someday. When we pray we sow seeds that will produce a harvest in time. And one of the ways we “reap” is to find our faith strengthened, especially when we see God answer our prayers. 

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Notice how Paul says the Corinthians would reap for their giving: They would reap bountifully, they would experience grace in abundance, they would have “all sufficiency in all things at all times” they would “abound in every good work,” God would increase their harvest of righteousness, and enrich them in every way to be even more generous.

When we obey God in any way, by “sowing” in prayer, or sowing our finances, we will reap, and that will strengthen our faith.

6. We can strengthen our faith by listening to preaching

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

God’s word works in us when we hear it. It encourages us, instructs us and strengthens our faith. That is why it is so important to be a part of a church where we can regularly hear God’s word preached.

7. We can strengthen our faith by fellowshipping with others. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Ephesians 4:15

We don’t strengthen our faith simply by listening to preachers, but believers strengthen one another. We are to encourage one another, and remind one another of God’s promises. And when we worship together and sing God’s word, we strengthen our faith.

8. We can strengthen our faith simply by asking God to give us more faith 

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

When the man humbly admitted to Jesus he was weak in faith and needed help Jesus didn’t rebuke him, but healed the man’s son. So often we have not because we ask not. Ask Jesus to strengthen your faith and he will.

And don’t forget that God can use the smallest and weakest faith.

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

9. And finally we can strengthen our faith by keeping our eyes on God rather than our circumstances 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (Berean Study Bible)

Remember how Satan got Eve to look at the forbidden fruit:

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

When Eve looked at the fruit in front of her, she took her eyes off God. 

And remember when Peter walked on the water? He was doing great until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to look at his “circumstances”:

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:28-30

We can strengthen our faith by reminding ourselves that God is in control, that God is faithful, that God won’t forget his children. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. If we focus on the wind and waves around us and take our eyes off our Savior, we’ll begin to sink. But if we keep our eyes on Jesus, if we ask him to give us faith and help us in our weakness, he will lift us up.

The post How Can I Strengthen My Faith? appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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Good news! GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS.

The God who made all things and who holds the universe together wants to answer YOUR prayers.

You don’t have to twist his arm or convince him against his will. God really, truly LOVES to answer prayers.

Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about how God answers prayer. In this guide, we’re going to look at:

Why God responds to prayer

The ways God answers prayers

Verses about God answering our prayers

Why God Answers Prayers?

Why does God respond when to our prayer? After all, he’s the one who rules the entire universe. Why would God stoop to respond to our prayer requests?

Several reasons.

God Answers Prayer Because He Loves You

First and foremost, because he loves us! God loves you! You are his precious, beloved child, bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. God is your heavenly Father, and he loves to give good gifts to you when you pray.

In Matthew 7:8-12, Jesus said:

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

When you come to God in prayer, you’re praying to the one who absolutely loves to bless you. An earthly dad knows how to give good gifts to his kids. How much more does God love to bless you in response to your prayers.

Because It Honors God When We Call Upon Him

One of the main reasons God invites us to pray is that he is glorified through prayer. When we pray, it shows that we are dependent upon the Lord. We absolutely need Jesus to work mightily in our lives. We need him to provide for us, strengthen us, and encourage us.

The Lord is glorified as generous, powerful, when he responds to a prayer request.

God Answers Prayer In Three Ways

So how does God answer our prayers? In three ways:

Yes

No

Later

Sometimes God says, “Yes,” to a request. When we ask him for something, he gives us exactly what we as ask for.

Other times, the Lord does not give us what we ask for. Not because he doesn’t love us. It’s the opposite, in fact. Jesus often says, “No,” because what we’re asking is not actually good for us or what we really need. God wants the absolute best for us and only withholds things that aren’t good for us.

And then sometimes God waits to give us what we’ve asked for. He’s wise, loving, powerful, good, and in control of all things. When the time is right, he’ll provide exactly what we need, when we need it. Until the answer is, “No,” we need to keep praying, seeking, and knocking.

Does God Answer All Prayers?

Yes, he does. It may not be the answer we expect, but it’s always the absolute best thing for us. We can always be confident in God’s heart for us. It’s full of love, full of generosity, full of grace.

How Do You Know God Answers Prayers?

Because the Bible says that God always responds to the prayers of his people. God wouldn’t invite us to pray if he didn’t plan on doing awesome things in response.

The verses below show many of the amazing ways that Jesus responds to praying people.

Bible Verses About Answered Prayer

Let’s take a look at all the Bible verses about God answering our prayers.

1. …if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) 2. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) 3. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14) 4. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2) 5. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5) 6. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24) 7. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. (Jeremiah 29:12) 8. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12) 9. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18) 10. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3) 11. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20) 12. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 13. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) 14. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (Psalm 18:6) 15. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:15) 16. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16) 17. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6) 18. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16) 19. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7) 20. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) 21. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. (Matthew 21:22) 22. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26) 23. Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. (Psalm 118:5) 24. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:8)

Everyone Who Asks Receives!

If the Bible makes one thing clear, it’s that prayer is powerful! So don’t stop praying, even if you don’t see anything happening right away. You don’t know all the amazing things that God might be up to!

And if you need more encouragement, read the powerful prayer quotes.

The post The POWERFUL Ways God Answers Prayers (super encouraging!) appeared first on The Blazing Center.

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But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit“? 

Does this mean our day is filled with supernatural feelings and impulses such as while we are driving we hear a voice say “Turn left and drive two blocks then stop your car get out and go into the building on your right. Walk up to the fourth floor and knock on door 412. There you will meet a man wearing a Beatles T-shirt. You are to tell him to stop listening to ‘Imagine.’”

This is not what it means to walk by the Spirit. It is possible that the Holy Spirit could guide us to do something like this, but that is not what the Bible means by “walk by the Spirit.”

To walk by the Spirit means to obey the Holy Spirit. To live life according to the leading of the Spirit. But first of all…

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. There is one God, who exists in 3 persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There are not 3 Gods, but one. This is a mystery. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is not a force or power. As a person he knows us, speaks to us, leads us, helps us, strengthens us and changes us.

How does the Holy Spirit lead us?

First of all the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

When we believe in Jesus, we are born again by the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in us.

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own 1 Corinthians 6:19

The Holy Spirit actually lives inside every believer. He doesn’t direct us from the outside, but from our inner being.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

Isn’t this wonderful! God himself takes up residence within us. He never leaves us. Never takes a break. Even when we are not aware of his presence he dwells in us.

The Holy Spirit begins his work of sanctifying us, changing us, making us holy, making us like Christ

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

We “behold the glory of the Lord” through Scripture, through prayer, through meditating on Jesus, by fellowshipping with other believers. And this passage tells us that as we do that the Holy Spirit “transforms us into the same image” – makes us more and more like Christ, “from one degree of glory to another.”

David knew his need for the Holy Spirit to help him and change him when he prayed:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

The Holy Spirit begins to produce fruit in us

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24

The Holy Spirit speaks to us and instructs us, primarily through the Word of God.

Paul knew that the words he spoke were not mere human wisdom but were the words of the Holy Spirit.

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

Through God’s word, the Holy Spirit warns us of the dangers of sin, and convicts us of sin

So to walk by the Spirit means we obey the Word of God and the Holy Spirit’s reminders of God’s word moment by moment.

To walk by the Spirit also means that we play a part in our sanctification.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t automatically transform us into the likeness of Christ. We must obey God. We must act upon God’s word. We must sow to the Spirit. We must “walk.” We are not robots.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9

To walk by the Spirit means we do not “sow to the flesh,” or obey the desires of the flesh. The flesh is what remains of our sin nature. At one time it was our dominant nature and ruled us. When we turn to Jesus, he saves us, makes us new creations, gives us a new heart and fills us with his Spirit. We are no longer slaves of sin and our old nature. Now the Holy Spirit empowers us to obey him. But we can still be tempted to sin, though now we no longer have to sin.

So to walk by the Spirit means we turn away from sin and do good. We do not sow to the flesh, but to the Spirit.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17

So how do we walk by the Spirit?

Take in God’s Word on a regular basis

Because the Spirit spoke God’s Word, reminds us of God’s Word, and helps us to obey God’s word. 

Pray

Ask God to help you. Ask him to deliver you from temptation and sin and help you to live a life worthy of the Gospel.

Obey God’s word

Do not sow to the flesh. Turn away from sin. Flee temptation. Sow to the Spirit. Love others, thank God for as much as you can. Do good. Bless others. Encourage others. Pray for others. Give to the poor. 

To walk by the Spirit means that by the Spirit’s power and help, we obey God and live every day, moment by moment, to obey and glorify God.

The post What Does It Mean “To Walk By The Spirit?” appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

A few weeks ago I pulled onto a side street out of the parking lot of a local grocery store, and suddenly, a horn was blaring at me. When I looked in my rear-view mirror there was a person behind me gesturing obscenely and apoplectically (I hope you’re impressed at my vocabulary) and yelling at me, though I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I hadn’t seen him and I’d made him hit his brakes and slow down for a few seconds.

Now, I don’t live in New York City, where this would probably be normal behavior. I live in a small town where you can be anywhere in 7 minutes. So I’m sure I didn’t make this guy late for any appointments. But he was sure angry. I thought, “Man, you must be really annoyed all day long if you got this upset because I pulled in front of you.”

Most people would not consider anger a sin. Hey, it’s not my fault. It’s YOUR fault. YOU made me angry by pulling in front of me. You made me angry, wife, by not buying toilet paper when I told you we were running low. You made me angry, kids, by goofing around and wrestling when I told you to get in bed. YOU, YOU, YOU….” 

How can anger be a sin when others cause me to be angry? Hey, it’s their fault, right?

We’ll look at that in a minute. But the first thing we need to remember is that God commands us not to give in to anger. Anger is a sin (most of the time). So how do we overcome anger? Here are 6 powerful keys:

1. We can overcome anger by remembering that anger is a sin

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31

Usually, anger is a sin. There are exceptions. For example God himself exercises righteous anger at sin and actions that dishonor him:

In Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple…

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

In Mark 3:5, Jesus feels righteous anger toward the Pharisees for their hardness of heart:

And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Jesus was not only angry but he was grieved at the same time by their sinful condition. He was righteous in his anger at them, but saddened by how lost they were. What a lesson for us!

2. We can overcome anger by understanding the roots of our anger

God’s word tells us that our anger is not caused by other people, but springs out of flesh and its sinful desires.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. James 4:1-2

James doesn’t say the cause of our quarrels and fights is those idiots who sin against us. No, he says that our “passions” and desires within us are the roots of our anger. He says we “covet and cannot obtain,” so we fight and quarrel. In other words, we want something and can’t get it, so we get angry and fight and quarrel to try to get what we want.

Here is the most helpful question to ask ourselves when we are feeling angry:

What is it that I want right now that I’m not getting?

This question has changed my life. This question has helped me again and again to overcome the temptation to anger in my life. I try to ask myself this question when I’m tempted to be angry. What is it I want right now that I’m not getting? Well, I want that person to respect me. I want them to see things my way. I want that person to think well of me.

When someone pulls in front of you and you need to slam on your brakes, before you get all apoplectic, ask yourself what is it you want that you’re not getting? Well, I want to go where I want to without any delays. I want all traffic to clear out before me so I can get there fast. I don’t want to slow down. I want every light to turn green just before I get to it.. I want all things in this world to serve me.

3. We can overcome anger by remembering the results of anger

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Ps 37.8

Anger “tends only to evil.” In other words, it leads to more sin. It makes things worse.

Anger does not good. It will not make others do the right thing:

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20

We often think that our anger will make others do what we want them to. Parents think that their anger will intimidate their children to doing what they should. I once heard that parents’ anger may move their children to obey, but will actually produce little Pharisees, who obey outwardly, out of fear, but not inwardly from the heart.

Anger opens the door for the devil.

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Anger gives the devil the opportunity to lead us to bitterness and division, and broken relationships. 

So when we are tempted to vent our anger on someone, or just pound our fist on the seat of our car or grumble under our breath, remember, it’s not going to do any good; it will only make things worse.

4. We can overcome anger by taking the log out of our own eye

“Owwww! Owwww! Now you’re getting too close to home, Mark. It’s not me it’s them.” Well, Jesus has news for us. He tells us that we probably have much bigger faults than the things that anger us about others. In Matthew 7, Jesus says:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Now the thing about “eye logs” is that we aren’t aware of them. We have a huge log sticking out of our own eye and we are so focused on the speck in our brother’s eye. We judge them. Often anger is a form of judgment. We get angry at our children when they are goofing off and wrestling with each other instead of going to bed like the little soldiers they should be. But do we always instantaneously obey the Lord? We lay on our horn when someone pulls out in front of us, but have we never done that? Ok, maybe someone has really hurt us, so we are really angry at them. And maybe with “righteous” anger. But we need to remember how we have sinned against the Lord, and he forgave us. Which brings me to the next point:

5. We can overcome anger by forgiving others

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is so critical in overcoming anger toward others. If anyone had the right to not forgive others, it was Jesus. Though he was perfectly sinless, he was unjustly arrested, accused, beaten and scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, and crucified like a criminal on a Roman cross. Yet he cried out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24).

God has forgiven us of all our sins. Every single one. How can we not forgive others for their sins against us? 

People will sin against us. People will wound us and hurt us deeply. They may never ask our forgiveness. They may never see how devastatingly they have hurt us. It is not easy to forgive someone who has betrayed us or stolen from us or brought horrific pain into our lives. I’m not saying it is easy. I’m not saying that we will have a relationship with them if we forgive them or that we must be friends with them or trust them. But we must forgive them. And only Jesus can help us do that. Which brings us to the next point.

6. We can overcome anger by praying for those who sin against us

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28

We can’t hold on to anger when we are asking God to bless someone who has offended us. Anger won’t change anyone’s heart, but prayer can. And with Jesus’ mighty help we can not only overcome our anger toward someone, but we can love them and even do good to them. Jesus can not only change the hearts of those who sin against us, but he can change our heart. Anger will rob us of joy and lead us into further sin. But when we pray and forgive and do good to others, it will bring peace and joy into our hearts, and we will experience more of God’s love.

Forgiveness is an act of God.

And we need his supernatural power to do that. We cannot overcome anger in our own strength. But we can in Jesus’ strength. When we believe in Jesus, we are new creations. We are one with Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us, who will give us the power to obey our Father. We have access to the throne of grace, where Jesus is interceding for us, and waiting to pour out his grace upon us.

Jesus is greater than our anger.

And God is transforming us each day to become more and more like Jesus. When we forgive others, when we put our anger to death, when we love and bless and do good to others we bring glory to God. And that’s what it’s all about. It’s not about our vindication or getting what we want or having others treat us the way we think we deserve, but it is about bringing glory to God.

So when tempted to anger, we can not only ask, “What is it that I want right now that I’m not getting” but “How can I respond right now in a way that will bring glory to God?” 

That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Let’s make that our goal today and every day. To bring glory to God. 

Photo by Moose Photos from Pexels

The post 6 Powerful Keys To Overcoming Anger appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

But God.

I would argue that these are the two sweetest words in all of Scripture. Yep, I know that’s a bold claim. After all, all Scripture is absolutely precious. Every word is from God, breathed out by him for our joy and so that we might know him.

But there’s something especially sweet about the words “But God”. They sum up the glory of salvation in an incredibly succinct, yet powerful way.

Let me explain more of what I mean.

Dead In Our Trespasses

In order to understand why the words “But God” are so sweet, we must first understand how dire our condition was apart from God.

Ephesians 2:1-3 paints a bleak picture of what we are like before God works in our lives.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

What an awful, hopeless picture. We weren’t just sort of dead in our trespasses and sins. We weren’t mostly dead with some hope of bringing ourselves back to life. We were completely and totally dead with no hope of ever having spiritual life.

And we also were actively following Satan and doing the things that pleased him rather than God. We loved our sin and sinned with great relish.

We carried out both the passions of our flesh, those wicked desires that dishonored God.

To top it all off, the wrath of God was upon us. In fact, the Scripture says we were by nature children of wrath. Because we were born with a wicked, sinful nature, the wrath of God was upon us from the moment we were born.

Are you starting to see just how dire our situation was? We had ZERO hope of ever rescuing ourselves from such a bleak, dark, spiritually barren situation.

If we’re going to understand the beauty of the words “But God” then we must come to terms with who we were. We truly were spiritually dead. We were gladly following Satan. And we were actively, zealously carrying out the sinful desires of our flesh.

We had no desire for God and didn’t want him interfering with our lives.

Titus 3:3 puts it this way:

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

We weren’t neutral toward God. The Doobie Brothers sang, “Jesus is just alright with me.” Jesus was NOT just alright with us. We were opposed to God, opposed to Jesus, and opposed to the Holy Spirit?

Why?

Because we were slaves of sin, foolish, filled with malice, and hateful toward other people.

To say that we were in bad shape spiritually speaking is the understatement of the century. We were in absolutely hopeless shape.

There was absolutely NO way we could be saved by our own strength.

Someone had to intervene on our behalf.

We were in desperate need of God. We needed those sweet words, “But God.”

But God

The sweet, precious good news is that what is impossible for man is not impossible for God. When God comes on the scene, you never know what might happen. And something glorious indeed did happen.

You could say that the gospel is a great reversal. We expect one thing to happen���

…but God does something different entirely. Something completely unexpected and beautiful.

Christ Died For Us

Christ died for us when we were still sinners. As it says in Romans 5:7-8, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Maybe, just maybe, a person might be willing to die for a righteous man.

But God isn’t like us.

God demonstrates His own love for us by sending Christ Jesus to die for our sins on the cross.

As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God Made Us Alive Together With Christ

Ephesians 2:4-7 puts it this way:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We were dead in ours sins but God made us alive.

We were hopeless until the Lord rescued us.

We were willing slaves of Satan but God set us free.

But God.

Such sweet, powerful words.

Because of his great mercy and love for us, he caused our spiritually dead hearts to surge with life. He entered in the graveyard of our lives and caused our dead bones to come alive. He breathed life upon us and we came alive.

But God.

Joined To Christ, Blessed For Eternity

And that’s not all. He also joined us to Christ. Once, we were joined to Satan, but God rescued us from Satan and joined us to his Son, Jesus Christ.

In fact, we are so closely joined to Christ, that it’s as if we’re seated in the heavenly places with him. Just as Christ sits in the heavenly places, so we also have a place next to Jesus.

But God.

And it keeps getting better and better. In the coming ages, God is going to keep pouring out the immeasurable riches of his grace upon us. He is going to continue heaping blessing upon blessing on us, from now throughout all eternity.

God saved us so that he could bless us forever.

Isn’t that absolutely staggering?

The words, “But God,” truly do change everything.

Once we were enemies of God. Now we are seated at his table as his children. Once we were slaves to sin. Now we have been set free from sin and can pursue righteousness and holiness. Once we were members of the kingdom of darkness. Now we are citizens of heaven and joined to Jesus.

Once we were under the wrath of God. Now we’re under his constant blessing.

To be saved by God is a truly glorious thing, isn’t it?

Charles Spurgeon put it this way:

To be snatched from the devouring fire, or saved from fierce disease, just when the turning point has come, and death appears imminent, these are also occasions for crying “Saved!” But to be rescued from sin and hell is a greater salvation still, and demands a louder joy. We will sing it in life and whisper it in death and chant it throughout eternity—saved by the Lord!

Delighting In The Words “But God”

How should we respond to these glorious truths? With overflowing, joyful, unceasing praise to God. If God had not saved us, we would be in hell. If God had not rescued us, we would have no hope. If God had not put his life in us, we would have no reason to be joyful.

But God has saved us, rescued us, and put his life in us.

So let us praise God with all that we have. Let us thank him every day, many times per day for all that he has done for us.

We have a good God who has done such good things for us.

The post Why “But God” Are The BEST Words In The WHOLE Bible! appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

Of all the people on earth, believers in Jesus Christ have hope. Incredible hope.

God gives us many promises that he will bless us in this life. He promises to meet our needs. He promises to protect us and deliver us from evil. He promises to lead and guide us. He promises to give us his joy and peace. He promises to care for us when we go through hard times and comfort us in sadness. Jesus promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He promises to “make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters” (Psalm 23). God gives us many reasons to hope in him in this life.

But our hope in Jesus is not primarily for this life. As Paul says in Colossians:

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven…CO 1:3-5

As much as God gives us hope for things in this life, our ULTIMATE HOPE is laid up for us in heaven.

It is “laid up.” God is keeping it there safe and sound. It won’t disappear. We won’t get to heaven, full of hope, and hear God say, “I’m sorry, your hope is no longer here. I gave it to someone else.” NO! Our hope is “laid up” in heaven. It is waiting for us. And we won’t be disappointed. Our hope is more amazing and wonderful and beautiful than we can ever imagine.

What is the hope laid up for believers in heaven?

Although we can’t possibly fathom how wonderful it will be, God tells us a few wonderful things to look forward to in his word. Here are a few aspects of the hope laid up for believers in heaven:

We will gaze upon the infinite beauty and glory of Jesus for all eternity.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

We shall see him “as he is.” In all his infinite glory. Remember what Isaiah saw when God gave him a glimpse of heaven?

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3

Isaiah saw seraphim, the highest angels in heaven, glorious beings who had never sinned. Yet they could not look upon God’s glory directly, but had to cover their faces with their wings.

Yet we who Jesus saved and washed by his blood will gaze directly upon his face. “We shall see him as he is.”

When Jesus was physically on earth he prayed: 

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

We will gaze upon Jesus’ glory. His INFINITE glory. His glory that has no bounds. We will never tire of gazing upon his glory. There will always be new, unimaginable, awesomely beautiful, breathtaking aspects of his glory to amaze us.

What a hope laid up for us in heaven!

But wait, there’s more!

We will be like Jesus

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

We shall be like him in his glory. I can’t even imagine that. We will not be gods, we will not have his infinite glory, but somehow we shall be like him. We shall reflect his glory and beauty and character. As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Even now, as we behold Jesus’ glory in his word and prayer and worship and our thoughts, God is transforming us into “the same image, from one degree of glory to another.” 

We will be like him. If these two things – seeing Jesus’ glory and being like him – were our only hope that is laid up in heaven that would be incredible. But wait, there’s more!

Jesus will pour out his infinite comfort and joy upon us

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

We will have NO MORE TEARS in heaven. No more sadness. No more mourning. No more grieving because loved ones have died. No more sickness. No more tragedies. No more grieving over our children or grandchildren. No more worries. No more dread.

NO MORE PAIN! No more cancer, disease, depression, anxiety, birth defects. No more aging, Alzheimers, corona, flu. 

No more sadness. No more hard times, affliction, disappointments. “For the former things have passed away.”

We will have eternal joy

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

In heaven we will be in God’s presence forever. We will have “fullness of joy.” God will pour out upon us “pleasures forevermore.” I can’t even imagine what that will be like. Jesus said to his disciples,

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

When we believe in Jesus, he puts his joy in us, but that is only the beginning. In heaven our joy will be “full.” And our joy in heaven will be Jesus’ own joy. The very joy of God himself. The very joy of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

But wait, there’s more!

In heaven God will reward us for obeying and serving him

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

God has eternal, everlasting rewards laid up for us for every tiny act of kindness and mercy we’ve ever done to “the least” of Christ’s brothers and sisters, because we did it to him.

Not only will we see Jesus’ glory, be like him in his glory, have every tear wiped away, be filled with Jesus’ joy and be rewarded, but we will have new imperishable bodies. Heavenly bodies. We will be with our loved ones at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We will sing heavenly praises with the saints and angels in heaven.

We can’t even begin to imagine all the joys and pleasures God has laid up for us in heaven. So as much as we hope in this life, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and our future joy with him in heaven.

The post What Incredible Hope We Have! appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

These are times of tragedy, sadness, fear, anxiety, wearing masks, sheltering in, social distancing, Zoom meetings, wanting to go back to work or school, boredom and just plain tiredness of it all like we have never seen before.

But we who believe in Jesus know that He is always at work in all things, and causing all things to work together for good for those He redeemed. But what “good” could God be bringing about through this pandemic? As John Piper said: “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of three of them.” We cannot possibly fathom all He is doing. But here are a few things I am sure he is doing…

First, God is showing us how much we need him.

We need God for every breath, and every heartbeat. We need God to protect us, to provide for us, to sustain us, to give us hope, to give us joy, to give us…EVERYTHING. We don’t sustain our own lives. Anything and everything we have is a gift from him. This time is a good reminder of how much we need God. Recently the news said we will probably have meat shortages. This has never happened in my life. What a reminder of our need for God. He is the one who must put food on our tables.

Another thing God is doing is humbling us and humbling our nation

The United States is not in control of its own destiny. This nation can’t make itself great again, and it never made itself great. The only reason our nation has so much is because God in his kindness and mercy has poured out thousands of blessings upon a people didn’t deserve a single blessing. The United States cannot control this virus. If we come up with a vaccine to prevent this disease or medicine to treat it, that is a gift from God. All medical knowledge is a gift from God. 

For believers this is a good and humbling reminder. We know that we are not in control, that we are not great, but it is a good reminder for us, as Peter says:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

It is humbling to pray. Humbling to cast all our anxieties upon God. Humbling to admit that we can’t solve our own problems.

A third thing God is doing is building patience into us

Most of us hate to wait. We want this to be over now. We want to get back to work now. To get together with our families and friends now. But waiting is good. And God makes us wait throughout our lives. As it says in the Psalms…

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope…Psalm 130:5

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

God is building patience in us through this virus. And he will continue to build patience in us for the rest of our lives.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12.12

Next, God is using this pandemic to move us to pray

In this time, churches are having more prayer meetings than ever before. Yes, they are zoom or other virtual meetings, but many believers are crying out to God together now. More and more churches are gathering (albeit virtually) to fulfill Matthew 18:

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:18-20

Another thing God is doing through this virus is building contentment in us

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

I bet most of us have never thanked God for toilet paper before. I don’t think I ever thanked Him for toilet paper. Many of us probably never or rarely thanked God that we could push our shopping carts through stores overflowing with whole aisles devoted to snacks and chips and aisles devoted to pet supplies and twenty kinds of coffee makers.

If we only have food and clothing, will we be content? I hope I would be. I know there are nations where they are so poor it is a struggle to get food. I pray the Lord would use this time to help me grow in contentment.

Also, God is using this time to teach us to trust him

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

We must trust God to provide for us, to protect us, to get us through this. We must trust God’s word that he is good and loving when we don’t understand how he could allow tragic and sad things to happen. We must trust that God is sovereign. We must trust that God is infinitely wise. God is using this time, and he uses every affliction and trial to build our trust in him.

Another thing God is doing now is using this time to move us to care for others

Just this morning a woman in our church contacted us and said she had been baking cinnamon rolls and asked us how many she and her husband could drop off at our house. I know others who have made meals for friends that are sick. Many are calling others to see how they are doing in this time. This is wonderful. Rather than being consumed with how tired or bored or miserable we are, let’s look to the interests of others.

The most important thing God is doing now is making believers more and more like Christ

This is the good work God began in us when he saved us. He didn’t simply save us from our sins and the punishment we deserved, but he adopted us as his own children. And he began a work of transformation, making us more and more into the image of his Son.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

God uses every situation to make us more and more like Jesus. Just as Jesus trusted his Father when he was in the desert for 40 days being tempted by Satan, so must we trust our Father now, and become more like Jesus. Just as Jesus trusted his Father when arrested, scourged, mocked and nailed to the cross, so must we trust our Father as we go through this time. Hopefully it will end soon, but if it doesn’t, we can trust that our heavenly Father is working in our lives, conforming us more and more to the likeness of Jesus.

God is doing more than we can imagine through this time. Someday in heaven, we’ll look back and see all he did in and for us as he took us through this valley. We will see how he was with us. We will see his wisdom and love and power. And we will see how he transformed us into the likeness of his Son.

Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels

The post What In The World Could God Be Doing In This Time? appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

Today is “quarantine” day 40 for me.

40 days of going nowhere, except for an occasional walk in the neighborhood with my wife. On day 30 I thought about singing the old song “30 Days in the Hole.” Didn’t sing it – not the best lyrics. Yesterday in a “Zoom” prayer meeting, a friend of mine mentioned that after God brought Israel out of Egypt they wandered through the desert for 40 years. 40 years! And they didn’t even have TV or Facebook or Zoom. And I have been tempted to be unhappy about 40 days. I guess it could always be worse.

Which got me thinking afresh about grumbling and complaining.

Most of the time, we do this without giving it much thought. I mean, it feels kind of natural. Grumbling doesn’t seem like a sin. Complaining feels like the natural thing to do when you have to wait 3 days to get your groceries delivered. Is it that wrong? Here are some reasons why we should not grumble and complain ever, and especially now when we can be tempted to more than usual…

First of all God’s commands us not to grumble:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing Philippians 2:14

So when we grumble and murmur in any situation, we disobey God. Complaining is a sin. It is disobeying God’s command to rejoice always and in everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). So if for no other reason than to complain is to sin, we should not do that.

Why is complaining a sin?

Complaining is a sin because it is an act of unbelief.

When we grumble about anything, we are saying that God is not good. We are saying that He is not sovereign, that he is not wise or loving to allow us to go through whatever we are going through. A good question to ask ourselves when we are tempted to mutter is “What am I believing about God right now?” Do I believe He is loving? Do I believe he is in complete control of all things? Do I believe He causes all things to work together for my good?

Complaining is a sin because when we do we are not living by faith, but by our feelings.

We are focusing on our circumstances, not God. We are trusting ourselves more than God.

Complaining is a sin because when we grumble we think only of ourselves.

Hey, it is MY will that matters. MY happiness. MY plans. I’m not getting what I want. Hey, I know what is best for me. 

Complaining is a sin because it is a bad witness.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14-15

When we grouse and whine, we are not “blameless and innocent” – we are not acting like “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” We are failing to “shine as lights in the world.”

People are watching us, especially when we go through hard times. Unbelieving friends and relatives are watching us. Our children are watching us. When Paul and Barnabas were arrested unjustly and beaten and thrown into prison, the other prisoners watched them…

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them… Acts 16:25

Paul and Barnabas were probably bloody and bruised. They were in some kind of “bonds” (v26), probably some kind of stocks or chains. If anyone had reason to complain it would have been them. But instead, they were praying and singing hymns to God. They were shining like lights in that black prison. And when God sent an earthquake and all the prisoners’ bonds fell off and the prison doors were opened, none of the other prisoners tried to escape. They watched Paul and Barnabas to see what they would do. And when the jailer, thinking that everyone had escaped was about to kill himself, Paul stopped him and told him that everyone was still there. So the jailer fell down trembling and cried out “What must I do to be saved?” And Paul and Barnabas were able to lead him and his whole family to the Lord.

People are watching us. Are we shining like lights in this dark world? Or do we act just like everyone else?

Complaining is a sin because when we complain we influence others to do the same.

Again, what kind of example are we setting for our friends and children and co-workers?

And complaining is a sin because when we do, we are thinking only of ourselves.

We are certainly not thinking about Jesus and what we can do to glorify him. We aren’t thinking about those we are influencing. It’s all about ME. What I want. My time. My pleasure. My finances. What I am not getting. What I have to go through. ME, ME, ME.

In addition to all these things, grousing and grumbling DOESN’T CHANGE A THING!

It doesn’t make anything better. It certainly won’t move the Lord to bless us. It won’t kill the corona virus. It won’t make this time of quarantine the least bit more pleasant or short. Whining just makes us feel worse. Makes us more miserable. More negative. It robs us of joy. 

Well, you might ask…

WHAT SHOULD WE DO INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING?

First, we can do nothing in our own strength. We need the Lord’s help and grace to keep all his commands. So first we should:

PRAY!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

It’s humbling to admit we need God’s help. It’s humbling to admit we aren’t in control. That we are weak and needy. But when we humble ourselves before God he “exalts us” – that is he lifts us up. And God wants us to cast all our anxieties on him, because amazingly, he cares for us. The God who created the universe deeply cares for you and me.

So rather than grumble, let’s pray. Let’s ask God to give us strength and patience and joy in this time. And let us ask God to help us obey his command to rejoice and give thanks:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We don’t rejoice and give thanks because people are sick and dying, or because we are out of work or stuck in our homes, but we rejoice in God. We rejoice and give thanks that God is sovereign, and that he is working all things together for our good. We rejoice that he loves us, and that he sent his Son to die for our sins and save us from God’s wrath and adopt us as his children. We rejoice that someday we will be with him, gazing upon his infinite beauty, and there will be no more tears and sadness. And another thing we can do…

We should try to get our minds off ourselves – to think about how we can serve others, take an interest in others, encourage others.

Even as I was working on this blog post I got a text from a man in our church that said, “Good morning Mark thinking and praying for you and your family.” That is how to overcome the temptation to complain and grumble – to think and pray for others. 

How can we pray for those we know who are sick, or working on the front lines in hospitals, personal care homes or in missions? How can we help those in need? How can we serve our families and friends in this time? The more we can focus on the Lord and others, the less we will be tempted to complain about what we don’t have or can’t do.

I’m sure there are many more things we can do to combat our corona complaining. How about you? What have you found that helps you?

Lord Jesus, help us. Help us remember to cast our cares on you. Help us to shine like lights in this dark world. We need you Lord. We want to glorify you in everything we do and say and think. Thank you that you care for us so much, and thank you that you will help us in this time and always.

Photo by Alison Leedham from Pexels

The post How to Combat Our Corona Complaining appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

I never imagined I would be so tired of being in my house. 

Why, I haven’t been to Walmart in over a month. Haven’t gotten together with my children or grandchildren in person. Haven’t gotten together with our friends. I sit on my couch and watch our church services on YouTube. This is a crazy time.

I can’t imagine how horrible this time is for so many. People who have lost loved ones. People who have been horrifically afflicted by this virus. Hospital and personal care home workers. People in poor nations who can’t get food. Unimaginable. My pathetic “shut in season” is nothing compared to what multitudes have to endure.

Actually, for every believer, much of the Christian life is about enduring.

When I first became a believer, I pretty much believed that all my troubles were over. And my biggest trouble was truly over. Jesus had borne the wrath that I deserved in my place on the cross. But my troubles weren’t all over. Little did I realize as a new believer, that the Bible is full of verses about the need for believers in Jesus to persevere and endure many troubles in this life.

Believers will suffer. It’s not all health and wealth, folks. We will suffer. But in our suffering, we also have hope that unbelievers don’t have. Here are a few verses that say Christians will suffer:

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

There are times we will be brokenhearted. Times we will be crushed in spirit. We won’t go through just a few afflictions, but “many.” But in all these, we can call on the Lord and he promises to be near us, save and deliver us.

So how do we endure? How can we persevere?

First of all, we endure in God’s strength, which he promises to supply:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus… 2 Timothy 2:1

Paul didn’t encourage believers to live the Christian life in their own strength, but in God’s strength. Supernatural strength. The very strength provided by the maker of the universe.

Second, we endure by “looking to Jesus” to see how he endured. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus endured more than we can ever imagine. He endured the hatred, unbelief and rejection by the religious leaders of His day. He endured the weakness of his disciples, and their abandonment when He was arrested. He endured the beating, scourging and mocking by Roman soldiers, then endured being nailed to the cross, and hanging there in unbelievable pain for 6 hours, while the Jewish leaders continued to mock and insult Him. And the most unimaginable thing He endured was when His Father credited all our sins to Jesus as if he had committed them, then poured out his wrath upon Him and punished him for all of our sins. In essence, Jesus experienced hell on the cross. Yet He endured this for the glory of His Father and our salvation.

How did Jesus endure all he did? When we look to Jesus’ endurance what do we see?

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus endured the cross by keeping his eyes on “the joy that was set before him.” He kept his eyes on the throne of God, where he would reign. He kept his eyes on the glory he would enjoy in heaven. 

Even in this life, we endure many things by keeping our eyes fixed on an eventual reward.

Athletes endure training and exercise and practice by looking forward to finishing a marathon, or winning a victory or simply getting in shape and feeling better. Students go to class, sit through lectures, write papers and study for exams because they look forward to getting a job.

How much more may we endure in this life by looking forward to the day we will be with Jesus, face to face.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Someday we will not have to endure any more. Jesus will wipe all our tears away. There will be no more affliction, sadness, heartbreak, disappointment. No more sickness, pain, fear, anxiety, depression. Nothing to worry about.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

We are God’s children. He loves us. As our Heavenly Father, he will protect and help and pour out his steadfast love upon his children. But wonderful things are coming – in heaven we will be like Christ. “We know that when he appears we shall be like him.” We shall be sinless. We shall be perfectly conformed to Jesus. We shall reflect his glory.

C.S. Lewis said:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.”

Of course we will not be “gods and goddesses,” but we will be “like” Christ. We will be filled with his beauty and glory. We will be sinless. We will be transformed into his likeness. 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

This is what God is doing in us in this life. Everything God brings into our lives or allows to come into our lives is to make us more and more like Jesus. Whatever we go through is designed by God to conform us more and more into the likeness of Christ. 

That is how we endure. By continually looking to Jesus, and by fixing our gaze on him and what he fixed his gaze on – heaven and its joys and rewards and glory.

Third, we endure by crying out to God, and asking him to help us.

God tells us to bring all our cares and worries and needs to him.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah Psalm 46:1-3

We endure by running to our “refuge and strength,” our “very present help in trouble.” By crying out to him.

Fourth, we endure by regularly taking in God’s word:

Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word! Psalm 119:28

God’s word strengthens us. As we regularly meditate on God’s word, we will be like trees planted by streams that refresh us. And despite suffering we will bear good fruit in season. Our “leaf does not wither” – we keep going. We keep enduring. We keep producing fruit.

We endure by fixing our eyes on Jesus, by keeping our eyes on the goal: seeing him face to face and being with him and like him in heaven. We endure by regularly meditating on his word and crying out to him in prayer.

There are many other ways we endure: by fellowshipping with the saints, by seeking to serve others, by rejoicing in all things, by praising and thanking God constantly. 

Let us make our goal to bring God as much glory as we can while going through the trials of this life, both large and small, knowing that someday he will reward us.

Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU from Pexels

The post 4 Ways To Endure Through The Hardships Of Life appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

During this pandemic, I have been checking the numbers every day. How many cases in the United States; how many deaths.

I check the stats for the cities where my children and grandchildren live, and the numbers where my wife and I live. I haven’t been with my children or grandchildren in person for almost 4 weeks now. The coronavirus is always on the news. When my wife and I go for a walk in our neighborhood, we cross the street every time someone is approaching us on our side.

But in times like these, I want to remember to lift up my eyes above the cares and worries of this life, to see the One who is in charge of it all.

The One who is greater than it all. We all need to do what Isaiah 40:26 tells us:

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. Isaiah 40:26

We need to lift up our eyes and focus on the One who created the stars and the galaxies. First, Isaiah says that God calls every star in the universe by name.

According to physics of the universe.com, “There are an estimated one hundred billion (100,000,000,000) stars in our own Milky Way galaxy, although some estimates range up to four times that many, much depending on the number of brown dwarfs and other very dim stars. A typical galaxy may contain anywhere between about ten million and one trillion stars.”

Did you catch that? In our galaxy, the Milky Way, there are 100 to 400 BILLION stars. No one knows exactly. That’s a pretty loose estimate – 100 to 400 billion. And that is just in ONE galaxy! Wikipedia says there are TWO TRILLION GALAXIES! How anyone can even begin to estimate that?  And where do scientists say the edge of the universe is?

Paul Sutter, an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University and the chief scientist at COSI (Center of Science and Industry ) Science Center, says we can’t observe any “edges” of the universe, but he says,

“And what’s outside our observable limit? That one’s easy: It’s just more stuff, like galaxies and black holes and new, fantastic varieties of cheese. It’s forever unreachable by us, sure — but it’s still over there.”

Wow, that’s a lot of great cheese! Sutter also says the universe is 13.77 billion years old. How in the world do scientists even guess that? Why not 13.76 billion years old?

But here’s the thing: God tells us in his word that he created EVERY SINGLE STAR, and he calls EACH ONE BY NAME, and because of his infinite power, NOT ONE IS MISSING. 

God knows the name of every single star in the universe. If we could soar past the view of any telescope, and pick a star, and ask God, what is this one named, He would immediately tell us. He knows the name of every star in the universe. And it is by His mighty power that not a single star ever goes missing.

In the book of Hebrews God says this about Jesus: 

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…Hebrews 1:3

Jesus upholds the whole universe by “the word of his power.” By a WORD! He doesn’t strain. He doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t need to take a break. 

Compared to the infinite greatness of God, the whole universe is but a tiny speck. Less than a speck. The universe, as big as it seems to us, is finite. God is infinite. 

Now, Isaiah wasn’t trying to give us a science lesson. His point was this: If God created every single star, and named each one, and never forgets a single star’s name, and upholds and sustains every single star, HOW MUCH MORE will He care for His children! If He remembers the names of every star HOW MUCH MORE does He know your name and He will never forget you!

In another passage in Isaiah, God says:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

God says that it would be extremely rare for a mother to forget her nursing child or fail to have compassion on her baby, although in this fallen world, it could happen. But God says, even though a loving mother might accidentally forget her child, He will NEVER forget His children.

Our mighty God, who upholds every single star in the universe, who called them all by name, and never forgets a single one, will never forget you or me.

Our God is infinitely great and sovereign over the whole universe, and this God knows every single one of us. And for every one of us who have believed in Jesus, He called us by name and He loves us with an everlasting love. If He poured out the blood of His Son to pay for our sins, will He not protect us during this pandemic? And even if He allows us to get sick and die, He will take us to himself in glory and wipe away every tear from our eyes and fill us with His infinite joy as we behold His unimaginable glory and beauty forever.

It is right for us to be concerned about this virus, and it is fine to follow the news and the numbers. But let us continue to lift up our eyes to the One who will never leave us or forsake us. Let us have compassion and pray for those who have suffered and lost loved ones in this horrible affliction. And let us ask Him to protect us and ours, and to have mercy on this world, and use this to turn multitudes to Him and save them. 

The post In Times Like These, Let’s Lift Up Our Eyes appeared first on The Blazing Center.

[stephenaltrogge-blog]

I can’t remember anything like this corona pandemic in my entire life.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to contract the virus or to have a loved one sick or die from it. So far, I haven’t had to endure anything other than staying in my house for a few days. I don’t know how long this will go on or how much it will spread. I hope it touches no one I know.

But even if the corona virus doesn’t touch me, I know this. I should not be surprised when I have to walk through fire in this life.

When I was a young Christian, I attended a Bible study where the pastor leading it taught that it was not God’s will that believers should ever be sick. That if you were sick it was because of your lack of faith. He said that we needed to “confess” we were healed. So one week when I got the flu, I began to confess over and over again, “I am healed. In Jesus’ name, I am healed.” I kept saying it over and over all day long, as I felt worse and worse. Finally, around 4 in the afternoon, I felt so bad I finally said, “I’m not healed. I am….SICK! Jesus, please help me!”

Christians get sick. Christians go through every kind of affliction. They suffer from depression and anxiety. They get cancer. Loved ones die. Children walk away from the Lord. If you have been a believer for any length of time, then you know what I am talking about.

Hey, what a cheerful blog post. But wait, there’s more! God promises that in every single hardship we go through, he will be with us and uphold and protect us.

In Isaiah 43, he says:

But now thus says the LORD,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43.1-2

God tells us that we will walk through hard times. But we should not fear, for He created us, redeemed us, and will always be with us. 

GOD TELLS US WE WILL PASS THROUGH TRIALS

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

I would not be telling you the truth if I said you will never suffer if you follow Jesus. The opposite is true. The Bible promises that disciples of Jesus will go through many and various trials.

Note, God said WHEN you pass through the waters, WHEN you walk through fire, not IF you pass through the waters, or IF you walk through fire.

The New Testament tells us we will all suffer in various ways.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. JA 1.:2-3

We will meet trials of VARIOUS KINDS – our faith will be tested in order to produce steadfastness or perseverance.

 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 PE 1.6-7

Peter says that even gold, which doesn’t last, is tested by fire. How much more precious than gold is our faith. If gold is tested by fire then the genuineness of our faith will be tested as well. And that will result in God being glorified when Jesus returns. Gold is tested by fire; our faith is tested when we are “grieved by various trials.”

It’s easy to believe that God is good and loving and faithful and in control when everything is going our way and his blessings are easy to see.

But it glorifies God so much when we trust and continue to believe in him in the midst of trials, when his love and power are not as obvious. We who trust and hope in Jesus will not have carefree, trouble-free lives. But we believe 2 CO 4.17:

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

When we get to heaven, our grievous afflictions will seem light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory they have produced. This glory will be so great it is “beyond all comparison.”

Even though we know this, when we suffering, we can still be tempted to fear. So God tells us “fear not”

THOUGH WE WILL ALL PASS THROUGH TRIALS, WE NEED NOT FEAR 

But now thus says the LORD,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, (1)

Isaiah wrote these words to the nation of Israel, who because of their sins, had been taken into captivity in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, who was powerful, brutal and cruel. He was the kind of king who would throw you into a furnace if you didn’t bow to his image or throw you into a lion’s den if you prayed. He was not a nice guy. Can you imagine the fears Israel had to deal with? They were in a strange land under a cruel king. Yet God tells them “Fear not…”

It would be like if ISIS conquered our nation and deported us to Syria and God said to us “Fear not.” I can imagine people who heard Isaiah might have said, “Fear not? Isaiah, look around. We’ve been ripped from our homes and deported to Babylon. We’re slaves to this horrific king Nebuchadnezzar. Who knows what’s going to happen to us?

We aren’t facing what Israel faced but we are always tempted to fear. It is part of our human condition. Fear involves the future. We are tempted to fear suffering in the future, for ourselves or our loved ones. During this current pandemic we can be tempted to fear for our children and grandchildren, and for ourselves. 

We may wonder where the money will come from to provide for our family. We are tempted to fear for their health and safety. I have said to my wife a few times over the years, “I used to think that when our children were grown and out of the house, everything would be easy.” Wrong. In some ways it’s harder now because we carry burdens and hopes and concerns for our kids, and now we have grandchildren to be concerned about. 

None of us  know what the future holds, so we can be tempted to fear.

But God gives us powerful reasons to trust him.

WE HAVE POWERFUL REASONS NOT TO FEAR, BUT TO TRUST GOD

First, we should trust God because he created us

But now thus says the LORD,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

God says to Israel: I created you. I formed you. You belong to me. You are my possession. In Deuteronomy God had said:

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7.6

Israel was God’s “treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Would he not care for his treasured possession?

A friend of mine built some beautiful handcrafted tables in a local coffeeshop. Do you think that after all the thought and work he had put into creating these beautiful tables that he would thoughtlessly wreck them?

God says to Israel, “I created you! I formed you! You’re my treasured possession.” Do you think I won’t protect and deliver and help you?” He says the same to us: “I made you a new creation in Christ my Son. Do you think I won’t protect you and care for you?”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 CO 5.17

Secondly, we should trust God because he redeemed us

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine. (1)

To redeem in the Bible means to pay a price. To pay a ransom in exchange for someone, to pay a price to buy someone back. 

Isaiah’s words looked forward to what God would do to redeem us: God would pay the ultimate price to pay for our sins and save us  – the infinitely precious life of His Son. That’s how much God loves us. Jesus never sinned. He always perfectly obeyed his Father. But He paid the redemption price. He paid for our sins on the cross so the Father could forgive and adopt us. 

THIS is why we should “Fear not” – for God has redeemed us, called us by name. We are His, precious in His eyes. and He loves us. He has called us by name – individually. And we are His. 

The more we pay for something, the more precious it is to us. God could not have paid a higher price to redeem us. If He had sacrificed all the angels in heaven, it would not be equal to one drop of His Son’s infinitely precious blood.

So when we pass through the waters, when we go through rivers, when we walk through fire, we can be absolutely confident that God loves us. He is not punishing us. He has redeemed us with the blood of his Son. He has called us by name. We are his. Anything that he takes us through is because he loves us intensely. We may not understand it, and we can cry out to him, but let us never forget, He loves us so much He crushed his Son to redeem us. He will only do good to us.

Third, we should trust God because He is personally with us

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

God is not far off from us when we are going through hard times. When I first got saved, I thought God was probably so busy running the universe, He didn’t care about my little problems. But that is simply not true. God promises “I will be with you.” This is where faith comes in – we don’t always feel like God is with us. We can feel like God has abandoned us. But He has promised to be with us.

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah PS 46.1-3

God is A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE – he is very present – right here – not far away.

So how do we “Fear not”? How do we combat fear when we must walk through floods and fire? By remembering that God created us anew in Christ – we are His treasured possession. God redeemed us – paid the highest price to rescue us from our sins – the blood of His Son – that is how valuable we are to him. And has promised to be with us – he will never leave us nor fosake us, not even for 5 minutes. He will never let us go. That’s how we fight our temptation to fear.

Photo by Emiliano Arano from Pexels

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