Tuesday, March 9, 2010

I Am Weak, but He Is Strong

Do you think you are weak or powerless? Do you think you cannot do anything? Well, let me tell you something. You are, and that is the simple reality. There is another glorious and amazing fact I have to tell you, though. Our Father in Heaven has all power! He spoke the world into existence and gives us breath to breathe and measures the whole universe with the span of his hand. A span is from the tip of your pinkie to the tip of your thumb, when you make a Y with your hand. Think of how big that is! Scientists have not even discovered how gigantic the entire universe is. Our God is enormous and we are small, but He empowers us and uses us to do big things, to impact those around us for His glory. I recently read on The Rebelution blog about a person who did great things through God's help.
"John Shea graduated from college with high honors, accepted a job at a major company in New York, earning $60,000 a year, was offered admission to numerous prestigious law schools, and full-ride scholarships from several – all by the age of "
Guess the age at the end of this sentence..... 17. Yes, he was 17. This teenager was empowered by God to do great things. We must be dependent on the grace of God to give us strength and grace to do everyday things. Father, help us be dependent on you for all things. Accomplish great things through the youth of Village Park Baptist Church. Use us for your purpose and your glory. Amen. Soli Deo Gloria- to God alone be the glory!

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Sovereignty of God

The word sovereignty means top authority or supreme authority. God cares about and controls every aspect of our lives. Whether it is the food we eat, the clothes we wear, or what surgeon we get for a major operation. Yesterday, Sammie, Stephanie, and I were going to go to Flagstaff to help some friends with a church ministry. We started going up Oak Creek Canyon and found out that it was closed and had "no Flagstaff access." We called Lanie Pegalo, the missionary we were working with, and she told us that it was windy and rainy and that the roads would be bad. It would have been dangerous for three teenagers to be driving in and it was better for us just to stay home (despite the fact that we would have been very late). It was a little disappointing at the time. This morning, my dad had to go up there for a doctors appointment. On his way up, he texted me and told me that Flag had gotten some snow and the roads were a little bit icy! Our all-wise Father knew there would be bad weather and planned it so that we would not be able to go up. Even though it was disappointing at the time, God had a plan to protect us. No matter what we think of the situations or the trials that come into our lives, God has a plan for them. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Also, Jeremiah 29:11 says, " 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' " Our plans are not always God's, but He is wiser than us and His plans are better than ours. We just have to trust that He is sovereign in all things.