God is Never Caught Off Guard

Rest Assured God Is Never Caught Off Guard

Have you ever been caught off guard?

I’m talking about one of those memorable yet awkward moments when the unexpected happens.

Usually, there are plenty of people around to laugh at your predicament.

It happened to me when I was in a community theater production of “My Fair Lady.”

caught off guard

During one of the big musical numbers, my character was right out there in front, dancing and singing along with the rest of the cast.

It was opening night and I’d invited a bunch of people to attend.

After a big dance number, the cast and I froze in position on stage to wait for the applause and closing of the curtain.

Out of the side of my eyes I saw the heavy curtain closing . . . but it was closing behind me!

For some goofy reason, I was too far forward on the stage.

The curtain closed.

There I was all by my lonesome and cringing as it was just me facing the audience.

What did I do?

The only thing I could think of.

I made up a few little dance steps and then sidestepped off the stage.

So embarrassing, but the audience got a good laugh!

The next night, believe me, I was prepared.

No more being caught off guard in front of all those people.

Without a doubt, it’s impossible to be prepared for everything.

We will all get caught off guard at one time or another and sometimes, in way more serious situations than others.

Aren’t you thankful that we have a Sovereign God who is never caught off guard?

God is Never Taken by Surprise

God is our ultimate authority.

In His greatness and wisdom, everything is working out according to His perfect plan.

The evils of sin that we see around us? God allows it.

So that people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no one else,
7 The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating disaster;
I am the Lord who does all these things. – Isaiah 45:6-7, (NASB).1

Through all of the hardships and sufferings that man’s sin has brought on the world, by our strong faith and perseverance, God is preparing us for His church – the eternal Kingdom of God.

We need men so possessed by the Spirit of God that God can think His thoughts through our minds, that He can plan His will through our actions, that He can direct His strategy of world evangelization through His Church. – Alan Redpath, Christian pastor, author and theologian.2

God Already Knows 

Discouraging news of our day

If you look at the world today, it’s easy to get discouraged.

Even so, God is never taken by surprise.

Recently, I heard an excellent sermon from one of my favorite pastors. The topic was God’s Ultimate Authority.

After acknowledging the widespread evil in our day, he said to remember this:

“God is in control of those who are in control.”

Think about that.

The headlines are daunting:

Our nation turning its back on God

Protests

The breakdown of families

Horrific crimes increasing, including against children

Every evil we can imagine

As a result, we have become a lawless nation that has turned its back on God.

It’s all very hard to watch.

Take Comfort In God’s Divine Omniscience

God is never caught off guard

This is an election year, as you already know.

The political vitriol will only heat up as we get closer to the date.

We should expect it, and pray.

Therefore, we must seek His guidance and wisdom during the challenging days ahead.

Hold onto the truth that God is not surprised, no matter what the outcome.

Here’s some encouraging words we can remember going forward.

Nothing has ever just occurred to God. Nothing has ever dawned on God. God is never caught by surprise. He is in charge every second of the way . . . up to Jesus Christ’s return. Take comfort in the fact that God’s got this, even if it doesn’t look like it. What appears to be falling apart for us is falling together for God. – Pastor Jack Wellman.

Remember, “God is in control of those who are in control.”

Let His peace that surpasses all understanding wash over you during the worst of times.

And, during those seasons of uncertainty, may you find comfort from the One who loves you unconditionally.

# # # 

1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Quotation from Alan Redpath (1907-1989), former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, as quoted from Christian quotes.info.

3 Quotation from whatchristianswanttoknow.com, from “Why America and Other Nations Have Had Such Bad Leadership?” n.d., para. 5. Web. Accessed May 3, 2024.  https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-america-and-other-nations-have-had-such-bad-leadership/

Share

Hell’s True Horror

Hell’s True Horror: Separation From God

Here’s an interesting question that people often ask on social media.

Is hell “hot?”

In fact, a simple google search pulls up over 500 million results for that very same query.

My question is: why does the “temperature” even matter?

Hell = Separation

I thought I knew what “hot” was.

Living in Texas for so many years, eating spicy hot food is a regular thing.

It all changed one evening when we went to dinner with friends to an acclaimed, James Beard-nominated, restaurant.

I ordered the dinner special inspired by famed TV chef, Bobby Flay.

Little did I know that the colorful pepper on my plate would pack such a devilishly powerful assault on my tastebuds.

The Scotch Bonnet pepper

It looked good to eat so I took a big bite.

Too late!

The scorching began immediately, reaching new heights of extreme.

My eyes started to water, my face turned red, and nothing (and I mean nothing) would quelch the intense burning.

What was that spawn of Satan that made the inside of my mouth go numb with pain?

A deceptively cheerful-sounding name – the Scotch Bonnet, which is a chile pepper often used in Caribbean cooking.

Thanks for the warning, Bobby.

According to the research, many hot jalapeños have a heat rating up to 10,000 Scoville heat units.

The heat rating of “the Scotch bonnet pepper is about 445,000 SHU.”1

It was “hot” in every sense of the word.

Hell’s True Horror: There’s No Going Back

You already know that some people describe Hell using the same word: “hot.”

You may have even heard someone say on a hot day, “It’s hotter than hell out here.”

All colloquialisms aside, the actual place called hell is not a subject to be taken lightly.

It’s real, and the eternal dwelling place for lost souls.

You don’t want to go there.

Hell’s true horror is not the heat – it’s separation from God forever.

There’s no going back.

Nothing will compare to the extremes of suffering experienced by lost souls in hell.

Hell's true horror

Hell’s True Horror: It’s Not the Temperature

In the Bible, there are several descriptions of hell including Gehenna, Hades, and Sheol.

When Jesus spoke of Gehenna hell, He was speaking of the city dump of all eternity. Yes, fire was part of it, but the purposeful casting away—the separation and loss—was all of it. – got questions.org.2

Other references to take note of:

“The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever”  (Rev. 14:11)

“The eternal fire”  (Matt 25:41)

Even acknowledging these references to a fiery-hot place, the “temperature” is the last thing an unrepentant sinner needs to worry about.

The True Horror of Hell – It’s No Joke

The torment of eternal separation from God is far worse than any physical suffering that is inflicted.

The lake of fire, mentioned only in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41). It is described as a place of burning sulfur, and those in it experience eternal, unspeakable agony of an unrelenting nature (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:45-46). Those who have rejected Christ and are in the temporary abode of the dead in hades/sheol have the lake of fire as their final destination. – got questions.org.3

Sadly, some people joke about this.

Can you imagine the pain of being denied His presence – our loving Father who created you out of nothing?

Intense sorrow and regret are the least of it.

If they must be doomed to such a state of endless misery, yet may they not have some good company there? No, none but the devil and his angels, their sworn enemies, that helped to bring them to this misery, and will triumph over them in it. They served the devil while they lived, and therefore are justly sentenced to be where he is, as those that served Christ, are taken to be with Him where He is. – studylight.org.4

It’s Important to Tell Others About Hell’s True Horror

By God’s grace, He sent us His Son, Jesus.

And, by our faith, we have an escape available to us from the eternal torment.

God desires for all of His children to be saved and to spend eternity with Him.

So, why do Christians have to talk about hell?

It certainly seems like, in today’s world, no one wants to hear about it.

Even so, it’s a much needed wake-up call for those who have not yet accepted Christ as their Savior.

There are eternal consequences for unrepentant sin.

Have you read the news headlines?

The world appears to be spiraling out of control.

But actually it’s not.

God is in control.

Bad leaders or good leaders in the political spotlight, God is still in control.

Until Jesus comes again, we should aim to live out our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.

The Good News of Salvation

It’s never too late for the lost people in our lives to turn to God and seek His forgiveness and mercy.

We have the good news of salvation to share, and it’s our responsibility to let the world know.

# # #

1 Scotch Bonnet citation [June 2015] Courtesy of bostonjerkfest.com, “The Tale of Two Peppers: Scotch Bonnet and Habenero” Web. Accessed 20 April, 2024.

2 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone? n.d., para. 2. Web. Accessed April19, 2024. Fire and brimstone

3 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What is the difference between Sheol, Hades, Hell, the lake of fire, Paradise, and Abraham’s bosom?” n.d., para. 6. Web. Accessed April19, 2024. Sheol, Hades, Hell

4 Quotation from studylight.org, from “Matthew 25: Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible” n.d., para.118. Web. Accessed April19, 2024. Endless misery

Share

Why Reverence Matters

Speaking God’s Name: Why Reverence Matters

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the apostles how to pray.

As the perfect example, He gave them The Lord’s Prayer which was a guide for them to follow, not a decree.

The first verse is, “Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name . . . “1

Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Hallowed” as meaning “Holy, consecrated, sacred, revered.”2

As Jesus taught this model of a prayer to His disciples, don’t miss His use of the word, “Hallowed”.

God is holy and should be revered above all other names.

Divine Respect: Why Reverence Matters

There are several reverential names and descriptions for God located in the Bible, including:

El SHADDAI which means “Almighty God.”

EL-OLAM translates to “Everlasting God”

YAHWEH-JIREH illuminates the promise that “The Lord Will Provide”

Devout followers in early Biblical history referred to the Lord as “Adonai” since YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH were names thought to be too sacred “by the Jews to be spoken aloud by sinful men.”3

The sacred names for God are more than just words or even titles.

The names of God express our reverence and devotion, a reminder that He is the author of all creation.

The key point in all of this is that whether we use His actual Hebrew name, or refer to Him as God, or Lord, or Lord God, we are to always show reverence to Him and His name. –gotquestions.org.4

We should never take His name lightly in our prayers.

A Powerful New Song About Why Reverence Matters

Recently, I heard a powerful song that beautifully revers the names of God.

The artist is Skye Reedy, a talented songwriter, vocalist, and worship leader based out of Nashville.

Christian songwriter and vocalist, Skye Reedy

Christian vocalist Skye Reedy

Just over a week ago, she released two new songs, including this one called, “The Names of God.”

I hope you enjoy.

Amen!

May we always approach God in our prayers with humility and awe, acknowledging both His Holiness and Sovereignty in all that we do.

# # # 

1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 “Hallowed”. (n.d.). Retrieved from Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallowed

3 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? n.d., para. 5. Web. Accessed April19, 2024. Names of God

4 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What do LORD, GOD, Lord, God, etc. stand for in the Bible? n.d., para. 4. Web. Accessed April 20, 2024. Our Lord God

5 Skye Reedy photo, courtesy of Skye Reedy Facebook post, 27 October, 2020. Accessed October 19, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=631710731809239&set=pb.100049109538982.-2207520000&type=3</span

Share

Symphony Of Colors

God Created The Symphony of Colors

God's symphony of colors

Do you have a favorite time of day?

If I had to pick one (okay I’ll pick two), it would be early morning and dusk.

The peacefulness of the morning and then, later in the day, the rich red and orange colors painted across the sky during a sunset are captivating.

My photo library is filled with pictures I’ve taken of these God-created wonders.

Sunrise symphony of colors

Each day I love to walk outside to witness God’s symphony of colors.

Sunrises and sunsets are just a few of the many reasons I delight in Him.

Don’t overlook these simple joys.

Recently, I came across a poem that captures this theme beautifully and I wanted to share it with you.

Beauty of the Morning

In the beauty of the morning
When the sun awakes the world
When the birds begin their singing
And the clouds are all unfurled.

Have you ever stopped to listen
As the darkness fades away
When the golden dawn is breaking
and heralds in the day?

If you’ve never seen the glory
of the rising of the sun
Now’s the time to do this
For at least, just even one.

Your heart will swell with praises
As you see the beauty there
You will find your spirit soaring
And your heart bowed down in prayer.

– Author unknown

With thanks to our Father in Heaven, the beauty of God’s sunrises and sunsets are a pleasant reminder that we have been gifted another new day!

# # # 

Share

Total Eclipse: A Testament to God’s Glory

The Total Eclipse: A Testament to God’s Glory

April 8th, 2024 is finally here!

As the moon moves between the earth and the sun, millions of people will witness a long-awaited (and rare) Total Eclipse. 

Total Eclipse: A Testament to God’s Glory

For those of you lucky enough to be in the direct path (and if it’s a sunny day), you’ll see the landscape around you plunge into darkness during those moments of totality.

Will it be cloudy?

Am I going to see anything?

Do these eclipse glasses even work?

By the way, be very, very careful where you purchase your eclipse glasses. You need special glasses (not regular sunglasses) to protect your eyesight.

Make sure the lenses are scratch-free, safe to use, and most importantly from a reputable source.

This phenomenal celestial event, which we are privileged to witness, is yet another reason to praise God.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll probably be emotional.

My husband and I plan to sit out on our porch to watch the amazing sight.

Don’t miss the significance of this!

The total eclipse is a testament to God’s glory.

Only He deserves our praise and worship.

Delight in God Our Creator Through the Total Eclipse

As Christians, we know that all the earth praises the Lord.

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His heavenly armies!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,
And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 They are to praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree, and it will not pass away. – Psalm 148: 1-6, (NASB).

Since the sun and moon are big news this week, how would you like to hear the sounds of the sun?

I’ve heard them, and now you can too.

It may sound monotonic and meaningless to us as humans, but to God, it is one of the sounds of His Creation.

How great is our God!

Granted, what many will witness on April 8th is spectacular, but nothing will be better than the excitement and joy of spending eternity with God in heaven.

Nothing can overshadow that.

# # # 

1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Video courtesy of NASA | Sun Sonification (raw audio). [YouTube]. July 26, 2018, Web. Accessed April 2, 2024. Retrieved from: Sounds of the Sun

Share
1 2 3 … 100