Laced With Grace

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! (Psalm 33:6-8 ESV)

My husband is a stargazer. He is completely fascinated with the beauty of the night skies. The past few months have brought some really incredible and exciting viewing opportunities.

First, there were Venus and Jupiter brightly shining in the night sky, side by side. Plainly seen with an unassisted eye, these two planets looked like tiny stars orbiting together; but the aid of our telescope allowed us to view some of Jupiter’s moons.

Then Saturn came in to view. Saturn shimmered and sparkled brightly, lighting up a clear sky. However, that was nothing compared to the view of Saturn with a telescope. Suddenly, the far away planet became the highlight on artist’s canvas with a black drop sky in the background. Saturn’s rings are beautifully seen in the telescope, almost as if it were a simple drawing. I don’t get as excited about stargazing, but seeing Saturn’s rings was quite spectacular.

Finally, this past weekend, we had a super moon where the moon was brighter and larger in the night sky. My Facebook feed was evident of the excitement others shared too. It was fairly unanimous – people were getting out to see the super moon and enjoy its uncommon beauty.

Last Friday, I had the privilege of taking my children to sit in on lectures by Ken Ham from Answers In Genesis. He very eloquently and convincingly shared with the children the truth about creation and God’s ultimate roll in it. They left amazed and in awe of our glorious creator – God of the Universe. It struck me at just how much “faith” it would require to believe that this is all the product of chance, just a big explosion of atmospheric gases culminating into this picture perfect galaxy we live in. I mean, really, stop and think about it. Think about the likelihood of gases in the air exploding and the beautiful rings around Saturn being the end result? Or the moons perfectly placed around Jupiter. Or our own moon controlling the tides on earth to such a perfect degree that there isn’t flooding or catastrophe? I really believe that process requires much more faith than that of a loving, creator God who created the world with a plan and purpose.

The beauty of the night sky is only a fraction of a marvel of God’s creation. There are so many amazing aspects of God’s creation just waiting to be explored, in space and on earth. So stop for a moment and reflect on your favorite part of creation. Is it the stars of the night sky? What about sunrise or sunset? Or the beauty of a white sand beach or the cool breeze from the top of a mountain?

I would love to read your comments on your favorite marvels of God’s creation.

The conference really got me thinking about what a loving God we serve. If our God can create something so wonderful, isn’t he quite capable of taking care of us? Just like the universe, we aren’t a product of chance either. We are made in the image of God, known and chosen before the foundation of the world. He truly loves us and will provide in need. Whatever we face, we can rejoice in knowing the creator knows us.

God created the earth with a plan of redemption found only in his son, Jesus Christ. As Psalm 97:6 says,

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

Lets pause and rejoice in His glory and righteousness!

In Christ Alone,

Dana

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

It was gut wrenching news that sent me to my knees.  Another job layoff.  It hasn’t even been two years since the last one.  But this time, with no severance pay and no unemployment benefits, it is different.  February 29^th was to be my husband’s last day under his current contract.  We were facing financial disaster and it was coming quick.

We’ve been through two job layoffs before.  During both of them our family came through unscathed.  We were never late on a payment, not even a mortgage payment.  However, both of those layoffs had severance and unemployment.  Doubt was taking root and I wasn’t finding much to be thankful for.

In the Precept class on Daniel I am leading, Kay Arthur spoke about giving thanks in all our circumstances.  Yet looking at our situation, no job opportunity in sight and a shaky, weak economy, it almost seemed impossible to let go and not panic.  However, by practicing giving thanks and having faith work together for me to believe God at His word.

I can thank God that He isn’t surprised that my husband lost his job.  He is still sovereign and in ultimate control.  While I struggle with wracked nerves, giving thanks and acknowledging that God can handle the situation does build my faith.

Well, February 29^th has come and gone.  My husband’s contract ended and by God’s grace and provision, he has a job.  So I am giving thanks that God once again worked his hand in our desperate situation.  I am also giving thanks that trials build my faith and help me to further trust God and His word to us.

I loved this quote from Mueller:

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” 

Giving thanks and having faith is pleasing to God.  He wants us to trust him.  That is why he gave us promises in the Word.  Hebrews 11:6 says,

“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.”

To God be the glory, great things he has done!

It is already January 11th. How are your resolutions going?

The typical working out more has not gone so well for me. I just can’t seem to make it to the gym.

However, there is one resolution I made that is going well and I am really excited about.

Shortly before Christmas I saw Tim Challies post about the 3650 Challenge. This is a Bible Reading system designed by Professor Grant Horner where you read 10 chapters a day. Bible reading plans have never worked for me in the past, and committing to 10 chapters a day seemed like a sure way to set myself up for failure. Eleven days into January, I am doing well and really enjoying it.

For this devotion, however, I simply want to share why I am encouraged daily in reading all around God’s word. I want to share one verse from some of the 10 chapters from today’s reading (I started early, thus Chapter 12):

Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

Genesis 12:2
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Romans 12:2
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.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Job 12:23
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away

Psalm 12:5
“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Acts 12:11
When Peter cam to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

I can’t recall the last time I just read through the Bible and I am loving soaking up the Word of God. By the way, I still “study.” I am starting to lead a Precept Upon Precept class today and preparing to lead another one in coming weeks — so study is a must. However, this plan has really opened up an encouraging quiet time of simply reading. Everyday I am amazed at how God’s words are so intricately woven together.

I understand this plan isn’t for everybody. But I would love to encourage you to read through the Bible. Find a plan that is right for you and go with it. You will be blessed beyond anything you can imagine.

In Christ Alone,
Dana