Out In the Deep

Archive for November, 2011|Monthly archive page


Courage in Vulnerable Times

In Devotional on November 18, 2011 at 12:19 pm

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

I once found myself in a lightening storm while jogging and the close crash of lightening moved me from conceptual theology to experiential fear very quickly. Fear is the last stop after natural courses have stripped us down to utter vulnerability. There is no shame in being afraid. But faith produces the courage that fixes itself upon the hope that through the storm walks a Savior who announces, “It is I.”


The Benefits of Living Free

In Devotional on November 17, 2011 at 10:09 am

“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life” (Romans 6:22)

There are benefits to living free. Consiously choosing to be enslaved to God allows me to be set apart for His purpose (sanctification) and live a higher quality of life. The lure to return to the obsessive dominance of sin is very short sighted. It brings the dubious promise of a quick fix but even that does not pay off. A life yielded to God is one of purpose and one that will be enjoyed.


Made for Gladness

In Devotional on November 16, 2011 at 8:02 am

“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness.” (Isaiah 65:17)

I am so prone towards anger. The smallest thing goes wrong and I am in a fury. Afterwards when I stop and look up, I realize all the lies and wrong assumptions I embraced. The internal wiring in me has to change so that the natural course I go throughout my day is one of rejoicing in God’s hand. God has made my day for gladness. Look beyond the petty inconveniences.


God as witness.

In Devotional on November 14, 2011 at 5:02 pm

“and yet He did not leave Himself without witness” Acts 14:7

Some say there is nothing but rational explanations and coincidences. Others see signs of God everywhere. I am of the camp that says God shows forth Himself in the witness of creation, the pricking of our conscience, and the aspirations of our heart. These are not full revelations of God, of course. Understanding of the Divine must be sought out though never fully mastered. Nevertheless, God has no self esteem problems. Those who don’t seek Him, He lets them go their way. Those who do seek Him, He meets them.


Waiting

In Devotional on November 13, 2011 at 6:14 am

“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. (Isaiah 30:17)

It is easy (though perhaps it should not be) for me to understand God’s graciousness towards me. It is the waiting that I have a harder time struggling with. Why does the blessing not come now? Why isn’t the problem immediately resolved? When is this break through going to happen? The mental conflict always seems to be the immediate gratification that doesn’t ultimately satisfy versus the waiting expectation that God is gracious and will give his children just what they need at the time they need it.


Blessings From God

In Devotional on November 7, 2011 at 8:34 am

‎”And now it has pleased You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O LORD, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.” 1 Chronicles 17:27

David’s desire was to build the house of God. As he was doing what was in his heart, God through Nathan the prophet said “You shall not build me a house” but continued “I shall build a house for you”. Is it possible that as earnestly seek to bless God that He in turn blesses us? As we seek to do God’s will, do we find ourselves astounded to find that our lives end up richer and fuller?


The Solitary God

In Devotional on November 6, 2011 at 5:03 pm

” Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.” Isaiah 44:8

Star Wars teaches us to think that there is a strong good force and a strong evil force. Somehow, we are caught in a fight between the two. This is not Christianity. This is Dualism. Christianity teaches that there is one God that created all other things out of nothing. Lucifer, a beautiful and gifted being was given a preeminent position but allowed pride to dissipate the good God had given him and he became the Devil. Today, the Devil has no power but the power of persuasion and deception. We sin only because we listen to him and take his temptations seriously. But ultimately, the world will see that there is only one God and the ages are in His hands.


God will defend the city.

In Devotional on November 5, 2011 at 10:25 am

‎” For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” 2 Kings 19:34.

When I face problems and trials I assume that I am the center of the activity and that it is God’s job to sort things out so I can get on with a better life. How often I have to be reminded that the center of conflict is God’s plans and purposes. Whether I realize it or not, I am only a small part of a vast history that is only a small part of something far greater and eternal. God will act for His purposes and the fact that I may have a touch in it is a gift of grace.


Repentance and why it is good

In Devotional on November 5, 2011 at 10:24 am

Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to
repentance? Romans 2:4

It is sometimes thought that repentance is something we do in order to get to God. But repentance is the turning to God itself. With that understanding, the church should always reflect a culture of repentance. We are continually turning our hearts, mind and being back to God. It is not a thing of shame but a delight for our ability to repent is a result of God’s kindness.

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