Ain’t God Good!

One morning this week while savoring a cup of coffee at the dining room table, lost in thought, contemplating the busy work day ahead; I was struck by what I have frequently called a “God Moment”, when God reaches down from Heaven and taps you on the shoulder, providing you with just exactly what you need at the moment.  At arm’s reach through the window pane hangs two, very busy, bird feeders. Most mornings there is an albeit small, cacophony of raucous commotion from a growing group of finches. These little guys enjoy a friendly riot, vying for their spot at the free meal. But, this particular morning, it is the hummingbird feeder or its visitors, that captured my attention.  We usually have three ruby-throated hummingbirds that frequent our offering but the last few days have brought a few more to sample our hospitality. Their presence breaks through my “mind-in-neutral” state like shattering glass. Tiny, synchronized flight patterns, my own aerial ballet, and all I can think is…”Ain’t God Good”!

Miracles in a Thimble

These wonders of nature are, at the least, beautiful. More than that, they are a miracle that would nearly fit in a thimble. They remind me

Credit: Pixabay

that marvelous wonders can be beheld in the most simple of things. We just have to open our eyes and our hearts to take them in. Just to emphasize the point, these little emerald streaks have hearts that beat over 1200 beats per minute inside their chests. Hummingbirds breathe around 250 times a minute, even at rest. They flap their wings an average of 53 beats per second. Due to being able to rotate their wings in a complete circle, they are the only birds that are capable of flying backward. Pretty cool stuff, huh?

Back to the God Moment

As I stated earlier, sometimes God reaches out and gives us a tap on the shoulder, giving us just the right message. You may remember that in the last post, I shared that I have been suffering from anxiety issues. I believe that the Evil One is at the core of that suffering. I am getting better but God sent me an Instant Message that He surely knew I needed to speed my recovery. My message was clear. “Even in the midst of the chaos, there is beauty.” God is present wherever you are.

Credit: Pixabay

My whole countenance changed as my iridescent messengers flitted about. My heart became lighter with each wingbeat. I had a new message to share with the world within my reach. Today I would happily proclaim a message to all. Today I would make this Psalm my own.

This is the day that the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24  ESV

This day I would do as the Psalmist instructed us to do.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

Break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 98:4

Ain’t God Good!

The people in my office, the students who came to the bookstore, could all sense something was afoot. I enthusiastically shared my morning with all who inquired and the joyful noise was magnified. Those bright green marvels had done their work and brought God’s word to so many. I hope that you will take the time to slow down a little and just look around you for the beauty and marvel at the miraculous works of out Creator. Chances are, you we find your own “God Moment.”  Ain’t God Good!

Credit: Pixabay

Wonderful Creator, We thank you for the blessing of your Creation. Help us to see your hand in our lives, making us mindful of Your great love for us. Remembering that You are always with us and that You are always for us. We give You thanks and praise. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Be Not Afraid

There appears to be much debate over how many times that God tells His people not to be afraid. Some say 365 (once for every day of the year). Many reliable sources say the sentiment, if not the exact words, actually appear somewhere closer to one-third that many times, but the message is still pretty clear.  God wants us to fear only Him and if we do, we will not have reason to fear anything else. The connotation of fear of the Lord that the Bible refers to is not the “quaking-in-your-boots” sort of fear that we think of today but more a “love and obey” type of thing. Trust plays a huge part in this idea. If we obey God’s commands and trust in His promises for us, we show Him our Love (yes, that’s Love with a capital L) then God is always Faithful to His Promise. Be not afraid, fear not, or don’t be afraid are not reckless statements, not instructions to possess false bravado. Be Not Afraid (again, notice the capitalization) is a command from God Almighty meant to give us peace.

Fear Is A Liar

Credit: Naasoom Azevedo; Unsplash

We all wrestle with demons. The Evil One loves to torment and distract us. He loves to cause us to fear. Maybe we fear the future, the unknown, or just uncertainty over a job in turmoil, but as Zach Williams says “Fear is a Liar”. Fear can, and so often does, rob you of strength, of focus, of peace of mind, and in the worst cases, of the very will to live.

What is your Flavor?

We all have our particular fear, the thing that gnaws at us, keeps you awake at night. My own peculiar flavor of fear is anxiety.  Anxiety is the dis-ease that causes one a nagging disquietude, an uneasy restlessness over things that are unknown or beyond one’s power to control. It is quite debilitating and many suffer from anxiety’s clutches. We mostly suffer in silence, feeling somehow responsible for things that may or may not be real or rational. Many feel somehow less than we should be. Lots of us become ashamed of our perceived failure and we keep it to ourselves, as best we can. No one likes a public shaming. I have been suffering from just this type of fear for the last couple of months.

Credit: Pixabay

I have neglected you, my readers, but I have also neglected myself and my wife. I have given much energy, too much, to being anxious over things beyond my control. I hated it but it has been kicking my backside. I was unable to be as I truly want to be. Thankfully, through God’s Grace, I am slowly regaining my equilibrium, crawling out from under the weight of my anxiety..

Don’t be Anxious About Anything…

Paul tells us in Philippians, chapter 4, just what I need to hear (maybe over and over). He admonishes the church at Philippi that Jesus is at hand and that they should give thanks for all that they have and while rejoicing in their spirit they should pray to God, in the name of Jesus Christ to provide for their needs. The message is the same for Christians today. I obviously need these words etched onto the back of my hand. They are some of my favorite in the Bible.

 

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 ESV.

Be Not Afraid

This is some profound stuff! I have heard it paraphrased all my adult life. But until just now I had not put the second verse together with the first.  The promise in the second verse is the part to hang your hat on.  Paul is telling us that if we do a simple thing, God promises to give us a greater Peace than we can imagine. Talk to God,  He has got this! Whatever this is. We are never alone. When God is for us who (or what) can stand against us? Why be distracted by fear?   Anxiety and fear, the tools of the Devil, can have no effect in the face of God’s protection and love. Be not afraid.

Abba, I pray that you have mercy on all of us who suffer from any kind of fear. Watch over us as we sleep and bring us Your Peace.  Reveal our inner strengths to us and increase in us the knowledge that our strength comes from you, the One God Almighty. In Jesus’ Holy Name I pray. Amen