God is reliable

i am fascinated by a new angle in which i've seen God this week. God is reliable. that simple sentence came alive for me in a fresh new way. this week as unreliable thoughts, circumstances or people came into my life i must have said that sentence to myself five or six times to remain focused. i don' t think i have ever really meditated on God being reliable. There are HUGE implications when a human begins to grasp such a lofty view of God.

i mean, if i were to really let that sink deep into my soul by letting it permeate my conditioned thinking, i am completely positive my life would look different. why is it so hard to do? in my human struggle, i have to remember to keep God holy seperate from the definition that is evolving from everything unreliable around me this very moment. when i have the right perspective everything or everyone unreliable becomes unattractive drawing me near to what is, has been and will be. God is reliable.

the deeper i dig my heels into this truth, the less disappointment has a lasting effect on my emotional outcome. just think, if we truly believe God is a reliable God, when an adverse circumstance comes our way we are able to trust him when we need him. he won't change his mind everyday about how He feels about us or our situation. he is consistent. he is stable. he is honest. he is in control. we can fully trust him with our heart. just because we do not understand God sometimes, it doesn't mean He is not reliable.

in a world that is limited, remember....GOD IS RELIABLE.

when someone doesn't pay you on time....God is reliable.
when a family member hurts you...God is reliable.
when you lose your job.....God is reliable.
when someone breaks your trust...God is reliable.
when someone disrespects you...God is reliable.
when your car gets crushed....God is reliable.
when a relationship ends....God is reliable.
when your health is failing.....God is reliable.

This week when something happens to cause you frustration or pain.....whisper to yourself...."this sucks....i don't understand....BUT GOD IS RELIABLE!"

~deep thoughts by CB...

innocent expectation

As I sit here early on Christmas morning my brain has been silenced by the sweetness of a love far beyond what I can grasp. Jesus entered our rugged world as a soft little baby. He entered into history for a time and caused a revolutionary wave that we are still feeling today. Jesus is still making history.

I love how Jesus came as a baby. It shows the innocence and sensitivity of God. I think the story of Jesus would be so different if he entered history as this reckless warrior-like thirty year old. Just picture how people would have responded. He may have been rejected all the more and written off as arrogant, forceful or void of need. But, the author of the story knew this delicate baby boy would be taken as an offering and a gift to humanity. Jesus entered the world in a position of need, yet all along possessing the power within to fulfill our needs. THAT IS POWERFUL! This revelation shows me there are times of need and times to help others in need. There is something beautiful about the giving and receiving in a relationship. There is something magical about the intimacy that is created through this transaction. You can’t have one without the other. What a model for us.

Our culture today says to be in “need”, is to be less than, unstable, disadvantaged, irresponsible and weak. This unfortunate definition has led to a revolution of control and independency. Longer term, the outcome has created not only an age of anxiety, but of hopelessness, isolation, loneliness and disappointment.

Jesus came as a baby. He was vulnerable, needing food, comfort, his diaper changed, warmth, love and a safe place to rest. Mary was the woman chosen by God to be a steward of this precious gift. The important call was placed on her life. Imagine if she didn’t step up to this kingdom task. What if she didn’t assume her role as the saviors’ mother? What if she didn’t care for the needs of Jesus?

This made me think of the call we have on our lives. I was thinking about this last night as I was driving through the canyon. There are significant times in our lives when we have to step up and make a decision that will affect the course of our lives greatly. Since we have free will, the choices we make will set a course having a particular impact either for good, bad or worst yet mediocre. I would rather make the wrong choice and have to get back to God’s best will, then to never a make a choice and live a stale life of apathy. Apathy is a deadly weight to a life of faith.

Mary chose to care for her needy baby. She gave until he was able to care for the needs of the world. He not only had compassion for those in need, he had the authority and ability to completely remove the need all together. This is the Jesus I live for. I need him. I am not ashamed to call him my Lord. If it weren’t for Jesus, I would look at the deck of cards that have been dealt to me and give up. It’s ONLY because of Jesus I have hope for an amazing history in the making.

Jesus- a baby, a savior and history maker. Much cause for celebration and hope today!