A sight of wondrous beauty I see: no ordinary baby
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Today's Bible Verse
Thursday, April 22, 2021
A Sight of Wondrous Beauty I See
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Purposes, Plans, and Pursuits
Zap! Uh! We did it. Imagine that.
Checking the time log we find ourselves having gone way back in time to those biblical days of Noah, after the flood. Take a look around. Notice all the people -- multitudes: men, women, and children -- Noah's descendants.
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We hear their reasoning, "Let's make a name for ourselves so we won't be scattered over the earth." But God also hears them and is saddened at what they desire to do, without regard for the desires of their Creator. "If as one people, speaking the same language, they have begun to do this," the Almighty reasons, "then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them."
Of a sudden we, too, find ourselves swept away to another time, to the New Testament era, hearing the words of Jesus, that He will build His church and nothing, not even the gates of Hell, will overcome it.
Continuing our travels through time, we find ourselves hundreds (or thousands ) of years beyond the days of
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"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need," (Matthew 6:33 NLT)
Genesis 11; Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31.
Coming next month The Time Had Fully Come.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
God's Desire for All Peoples
Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Cain. Later, she conceived a second time and gave birth to Cain's brother Abel. (Read Genesis 4-9.)
So God decided to wipe man off the face of the whole earth. Yet, there was one -- Noah -- who found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8).
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The flood covered the entire earth 150 days than receded.
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Yet, every inclination of man's heart was still only evil all the time; the evil one continuing deceptively to nurture man's evil nature with pride, immoral conduct, greed, and every evil intent. (See Luke 17:26; cf. 1 Peter 3:19-21.)
But God never gave up on His human creatures. He continued His plan to prevail -- that His kingdom might reign throughout the earth.
To one named Abraham, God promised, "... All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." And at the perfect time, God brought His Son to humanity, the Son of God and born of the seed of Abraham -- the blessing for all peoples. (See Genesis 12:1-5; Galatians 4:4.)
In the New Testament, we see Him. Jesus is His name (the "Immanuel," as mentioned in the Bible at Isaiah 7:14, which means "God with us," Matthew 1:23). He came into the world to restore fallen humanity to the Heavenly Father.
As Abraham was called, and Jesus called His 12 disciples, so God continues to call people today, to leave their "comfort zone", go as He directs, and go where they may not know, seeking first God's kingdom among all peoples of the world. (See Matthew 6:33.)
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Nevertheless, the foundation was laid for future missionary work in China. Others soon followed, seeking first God's desire for His Kingdom to reign among the Chinese. Without Robert Morrison's faithfulness, the work of Hudson Taylor founder of the China Inland Mission (now OMF International), as well as that of Gladys Aylward, and Jonathan Goforth might not have taken place.
Today, multitudes worldwide wait to hear God's Good News for all peoples. And God waits to hear other "Robert Morrisons" answer just as enthusiastically, "I want to be a missionary!"
Coming next month Purposes, Plans, and Pursuits
Impressions
From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of
these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank
you for your support via PayPal.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
A More Secure Trust
It was written a long, long time ago: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God..." (Psalm 20:7-8).
We are living in tumultuous times today, no denying. Natural disasters, economic failures, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and the like, seem to be on the rise. Some may ask, when troubles, dangers, and setbacks arise, "Oh, where is God in all this?" Or, as Job's wife confronted her husband when they lost everything (the Bible tells us), "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9).
To her, Job replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good things from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).
As Job reflected on his loss, he realized, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).
In threatening times, and times of disaster, when the bottom seems to have dropped out of everything, some will believe God is far away. But He is where He always has been: on His throne and still in charge of it all. Reigning in the lives of believers, He cares for our every need. Our task in this mortal time is simply to trust and obey, to be ready to go where He wants to send us to declare His glory among the 'nations'. (See 1 Peter 2:9.)
He has a "better idea" for our lives and the 'nations' than what we can ever dream up for ourselves -- a better idea, a better purpose. In Him, we have a more secure trust. We need not live in fear of crashing stock markets, natural disasters, or even "global warming". He cares for us all ever so lovingly and sufficiently, and in Him, we have a peace that the world cannot take away.
At the age of 70, George Muller set out on evangelistic tours, traveling 200,000 miles worldwide, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom in many lands and in several different languages. Muller never told anyone of his financial needs, but "only" prayed, and all-sufficient God always provided all Muller needed.
There is no barrier or limit -- age or otherwise -- to what God can accomplish through one who realizes his more secure trust.
Coming next month God's Desire for All Peoples.
Impressions
From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of
these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank
you for your support via PayPal.