Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

He doesn't really need us... so, why did God create us?

King David asked essentially the same thing:

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers … what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4).

It wasn't because he needed us: "The God who made the world and everything in it … is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything" (Acts 17:24-25).

Nor did He make us because he was lonely. Long before we were here, God had the best of "company" with his Son and the Holy Spirit, as referred to in Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our own image."

Nor did He make us to feed His ego through our worship. Our Triune God is totally secure within Himself — without us.

God loved us before He created us. God chose to create us out of his great love: "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3).

"God is love" (1 John 4:8), and because of that love and His own creativity, He brought us into being in order that we might enjoy with Him all that He is and all that He has created.

Finally, God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to make us a key part of His eternal plan.

What part do we play in God's plan? From the Bible are a few key verses to remember:

1. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5).

2. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).

3. "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

4. We are part of God's ultimate plan to defeat Satan, his emissaries, and his lies, by placing our faith in the One true eternal God, our Creator (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Finally, and most importantly, our part in God's plan for eternity is to share God's good news of eternal grace enabling all who will believe to eternal life with Him — through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ and His payment in full for our debt of sin.

The Bible calls this our "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

That is why we are here, not as pawns in some cosmic chess game, or as His toy soldiers, for God has given us freedom of choice.

God may not need us, but, above all else, we need Him, for God is Love.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Thank you, NPP/SWMBO, for your prayers,

Combining these two loves of training these lovely creatures, with the ability to assist in the rehabilitation of the injured must be both a great challenge and deeply fulfilling for your friend.

My daughter had just brought home a five month old black lab pup when I suffered my fall. She and my two granddaughters drove here from New Jersey the following day, but decided not to bring him, as he's (according to her words) in that "excitable wiggle-butt puppy stage," - where he wants to love on everyone within reach.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers.

(photos below)

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Amen and Amen

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid!!
John 14:27 NIV

So many people today are looking for true, inner peace. They search through relationships, addictions, money, gadgets and even religion to try to find something that will fill the void inside. But true peace isn’t found in anything this world has to offer, it can only be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Only He can satisfy the longing in our souls and give us true, lasting peace.

God gives freely, not as the world gives. You can’t earn it, and you can’t pay for it. There’s no catch, no fine print, and no strings attached. You can rest secure that He’s not ever going to take His peace away; His peace is eternal! A life of peace begins when you invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Then as you align your thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His Word, that peace will flood every area. Peace is how we know we are following God’s plan because God’s plan always leads to peace!

If you’re looking for peace today, call on His name. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, follow His Word and allow His peace to flood every area of your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Dear God, thank You for the gift of peace which passes all understanding. I receive Your peace today and trust that You are leading and guiding me in the good plan You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Armageddun Loc: The show me state

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"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:27

"The center of God's will is our only safety."
---Betsie ten Boom...

How often we need to hear these words from Jesus! We grow weak when the troubles of life threaten us. Difficult trials come, and we grow suspicious of God, wondering if His will for us might be too hard this time. We let fear invade us and paralyze us. All the while, we forget two unalterable facts that the Bible emphasizes again and again---God is sovereign, and He is good.

There is nothing beyond God's control. Old Testament stories of the Red Sea, Jericho, Goliath, captives, fiery furnaces, lion's dens, and the like should have convinced the disciples that even when perilous threats arise, God always uses them purposely to further establish His people. Jesus affirms the sovereignty of God; He numbers the hairs of our heads and watches over sparrows. When this Jesus walks across life-threatening waters and says "It is I," fear should vanish, God is sovereign.

But God's Sovereignty often means nothing to us unless we also know that He is good. An evil or dispassionate god could be sovereign, and we would not trust Him. But the disciples should also have known from the Old Testament that the Sovereign God is kindly disposed toward His people. He Shepherds them, shelters them, nourishes them, and delivers them. Jesus has also made this clear: The Father gives good things to His children and blesses them. When His Son walks across life-threatening waters and says "It is I," it is not for further danger. It is for relief. God is good.

The wind and waves of this world are harsh. When we obsess about them, we grow suspicious of God's power and goodwill. Our courage fails us. But anyone who has a hard time making it through the storms of this life needs to clutch these t***hs like a lifeline that will pull him or her to safety. God's Sovereign power supervises everything that comes into our lives, no matter how threatening it appears. And He is---in His unchanging nature---very, very, good.

Rose42

Another good one. Its timely too because just yesterday I heard a short interview with Corrie Ten Boom. Remarkable women.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Yes, she had a remarkable life. She is such a great example of holding on to faith in Jesus during extremely difficult circumstances.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

FOR HIS GLORY

"This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3

"We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God's glory into all life."
---John Piper...

It is in the nature of man to ask why. We see tragedy in our world and we ask why. We encounter hardships in our lives or suffer loss, and we ask why. We want to know the reason for it all, the unifying purpose behind this strange, needy world. Jesus reminds us: It is all for the glory of God. The universe exists to display His splendor.

We can see many specific examples in Scripture. The Israelites were kept as s***es in Egypt in order that God might be known as Deliverer (Exodus 11:9). He led them to a near disaster at the edge of the Red Sea in order that He might gain glory (Exodus 14:4). Many psalms of David would never have been sung if not for his persecution. This man in John 9 was blind for his entire life "that the work of God might be displayed." Paul suffered in order that Christ's power might be seen (2Corinthians 12:9-10)
But we are slow. We can't help but think this universe is about us, and when life is hard on us, it doesn't make sense.

If we remember that it is all about Him, we begin to see. It all makes sense. By our captivity, He is known as Deliverer. By our sin, He is known as Savior. By our weakness, He is known as powerful. Next to our hatred, His love amazes. Every evil we can think of has the potential of being a platform for the goodness of God. It's all about Him.

Do we suffer and question God's goodness? Do we complain about our hardships? If so, we have forgotten that the universe is meant to glorify God, not us. Consider how His power might be made known in our trials. Redirect your prayers not to improve your situation but to have your situation demonstrate His glory. Thank Him for making Himself known.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

I GIVE

A BROKEN SPIRIT by Alan Smith
I have heard that there is a monastery in Greece perched high on a cliff, several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the monastery is to be suspended in a basket which is pulled to the top by several monks who pull and tug with all their strength. Obviously, the ride up the steep cliff in that basket is terrifying.

One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a trembling voice, he asked the monk who was riding with him in the basket how often they changed the rope.

The monk thought for a moment and answered serenely: "Whenever it breaks."

We are shocked that someone would wait that long before changing the rope. It only makes sense that the rope ought to be changed long before reaching that point. But it dawned on me that God operates the same way in our lives. If we were to ask God when He will change our lives, His answer might well be, "Whenever you break!"

You see, our lives can only change once we have what the Bible refers to as a "broken spirit". As long as we remain arrogant and determined to do things our way, God can't shape us and mold us. Like a wild stallion, we remain useless until we are "broken".

"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psa. 34:18)

Father, I so often want to stubbornly do things my way. Help me as I strive to have a broken spirit, recognizing my shortcomings, humbly willing to listen to Your instruction. In Jesus' name, amen.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

"What does it mean that God will not despise a broken spirit and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17)?"

Answer: Psalm 51 was written by King David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband k**led to cover his sin (2 Samuel 11). It has been said of David that he sinned big, but repented bigger. He is a model to us of what real heart repentance looks like. He wrote this psalm as an agonized cry to God for forgiveness.

Psalm 51:17 says, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” The meaning of this is connected with the verse just before it. Verse 16 says, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.”

David is stating that there is nothing we can offer God to appease Him when we have sinned. More animal sacrifices were not what God was looking for. God desires true repentance.

Many people miss this t***h. Rather than repent, they try to "clean up their act," give more, pray more, or busy themselves in other religious activity in the hopes that God will finally "get over" being mad at them. In Psalm 51, David is saying that God wants none of that. External religious activity cannot replace internal, heartfelt contrition (1 Samuel 16:7).

Psalm 51:17 points out the one thing God desires more than any other: brokenness over our own sin. When we agree with God about how bad our sin is, we take the first step toward reconciliation with Him. As long as we try to justify, excuse, or rationalize the evil of our own hearts, we never find our way back into God's presence. Repentance is the doorway to freedom.

Satan knows this and does everything he can to detract us from it. He suggests things that our selfish nature likes to hear: "Your sin wasn't that bad." "Compared to others, you're okay." "God has forgotten it already. No need to confess it." When we listen to the devil’s oily words, we veer away from the doorway to freedom and remain in bondage. We may feel remorse or regret, but neither is a sufficient substitute for true repentance (see Hebrews 12:17).

David reminds us that the only path to forgiveness is a broken heart and a humble spirit (cf. Matthew 5:3). When we throw ourselves on the mercy of God, He delights to lift us up (Luke 18:13-14). When we openly acknowledge our sin against God, turn from it, and cry out for cleansing, God promises that He will hear us and forgive (1 John 1:9).

It is interesting to note that, although David sinned against Bathsheba and her husband, David makes this statement to God: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4).

David gets to the heart of why God so h**es sin. It is a violation of His very nature. We are created in that image, but our sin mars it, like a smudge on a mirror. A broken spirit and a contrite heart invite God to clean that smudge and restore us to right relationship with Him.

Got Questions?
Psalms, Volume 1 - NIV Application Commentary by Gerald Wilson

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Amen and Amen wonderful commentary.


THE MEANING OF EVERYTHING by Adrian Rogers
all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:16b

Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light-years in expanse. And the Bible tells us that “all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only. People say, “the world needs saving.” But what the world really needs is redemption. And where is redemption going to come from? Not from a creed, code, or cause, but Jesus only.

The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages come down to two words - Jesus only.

When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of t***h will lead?

COLOSSIANS 1:16 NIV For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:27

"The center of God's will is our only safety."
---Corrie ten Boom.....

How often we need to hear these words from Jesus. We grow weak when the troubles of life threaten us. Difficult trials come, and we grow suspicious of God, wondering if His will for us might be too hard this time. We let fear invade us and paralyze us. All the time, we forget two unalterable facts that the bible emphasizes again and again---God is sovereign, and He is good.

There is nothing beyond God's control. Old Testament stories of the Red Sea, Jericho, Goliath, captivities, fiery furnaces, lions' dens, and the like should have convinced the disciples that even when perilous threats arise, God always uses them purposefully to further establish His people. Jesus affirms the sovereignty of God; He numbers the hairs of our heads and watches over sparrows. When this Jesus walks across life-threatening waters and says "It is I," fear should vanish. God is sovereign.

But God's sovereignty often means nothing to us unless we also know that He is good. An evil or dispassionate god could be sovereign, and we would not trust him. But the disciples should also have known from the Old Testament that the sovereign God is kindly disposed toward His people. He shepherds them, shelters them, nourishes them, and delivers them. Jesus also made this clear: The Father gives good things to His children and blesses them. When His Son walks across life-threatening waters and says "It is I," it is not for further danger. It is for relief. God is good.

The winds and waves of this world are harsh. When we obsess about them, we grow suspicious of God's power and goodwill. Our courage fails us. But anyone who has a hard time making it through the storms of this life needs to clutch these t***hs like a lifeline that will pull him or her to safety. God's sovereign power supervises everything that comes into our lives, no matter how threatening it appears. And He is---in His unchanging nature---very, very good.

Rose42

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Luke 12:22-26 reads, “And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. Life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouses nor barn; and God feedth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest.”

These verses ask an essential question that many, including myself, do not want to answer. Which is, are we in control of anything? Our human nature (flesh) drives us to be in control of everything concerning ourselves. And sometimes it affects other peoples lives too. When you stop to think about it, we to some degree are control freaks, some more than others. The definition of control in my dictionary means the act of controlling, the power to control, regulate, or guide. It also means to exercise authority over; direct; command.

Now we might convince ourselves that we are in control, but if God is front and center in our lives, we are not in control of anything. Just think about it, if we were in control, we would never have a bad day. And nothing would surprise us when it crosses our path. The t***h is that we don’t even have control of our next breath or if our heart will keep on beating. The fact of the matter is God is in control, not us. When I finally understood this t***h, it was liberating. I need to keep reminding myself daily who is in charge.

One thing is for sure, if God is in control, we don’t have to be! It is not an easy lesson to learn to get out of God’s way. But necessary as a soldier of Jesus Christ. So, quit worrying about your life and remember we never can lose control because we never had it in the first place. I can’t think of anyone better to run and control our lives than God and his only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Thanks, Armageddun,

This is an excellent and timely reminder of Jesus' negative viewpoint toward the worldly pursuits of purchasing an extensive wardrobe for vanity's sake, or a pantry stocked with gourmet delicacies to satisfy our human tendency to appease our own gluttony.

The curtailment of superfluous shopping, especially in a society as driven as is our own by ego to appear in fashionable raiment, eliminates material idolatry that tempts us daily in our material world, as we seek titles, honors and self-gratifying recognition without worth.

Leaning on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, while exercising the self control of eliminating the inner drive for a more palatial home, more luxurious automobile, or faster boat, is accomplished in one fell swoop, when we acknowledge that this world is not our home, for we are sojourners on our way to a mansion Jesus has already prepared for us.

We each have work to do, already prepared for us, that must take precedence, as we seek to glorify the Lord of Lords, though the strength that He provides, enroute to meeting our Triune God face to face.

Are you not worth much more than they?