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    • Jesus desires relationship

      Posted at 9:00 am by sneuhofer, on April 23, 2018
      Colossians 1: 15-18 (MSG) “We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.”

      He stepped out of His perfect heaven to set an example for us to follow and to show His love for us all. He didn’t come into this world ruling with an iron fist or clothed in the adorning robes of kings and princes. He chose to come in the most humble form, a baby. We see His earthly life and ministry revealed on the pages of scripture.

      “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53: 2- 3 NIV)

      Even though this world didn’t accept Him, His great love for us crossed every imaginable boundary; social, political, racial.  He served all; the outcasts, the homeless, the poor, the sick. He was blameless, spotless, and sinless; yet He chose to take on the sins of the world – your sin, my sin – so we could be delivered once and for all from the power of sin.

      “All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him. In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.” (John 1: 3- 5 NCV)

      The God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth, sustainer of all life desires a close and personal relationship with each and every one of us. So much so, He made a way for everyone who believes in Him to be with Him forever. It is only through Him that we experience abundant life and will live forever in His eternal kingdom.

      Just think about it…God wants a relationship with me. It just blows my mind sometimes. He loves me completely and unconditionally. He sees me at my absolute worst and still accepts me as I am. Loving me so much, He doesn’t want me to stay the way I am. He wants me to be more like Jesus. So, Jesus walked this earth not just to show me how to live and love others, but to die a horrendous death on the cross so I could experience freedom in Him. He wants the exact same thing for you too.

      Do you know anyone who would sacrifice their own son just for you?  God did. He loves us that much. Believe it….it’s true..the only unconditional love you will ever experience.

      How is your relationship with Christ? Do you spend time everyday getting to know Him by reading the pages of His word and praying? Do you rely on Him in every area of your life? Are you learning and growing in Him?

      It has been my experience that on days I don’t talk to Him or crack open my Bible (or the app on my cell phone) my day seems empty  – like something is missing – sometimes downright overwhelming. When I try to handle the things of my day in my own strength I fail miserably. But those days that I choose to spend some time reading His word and talking with Him throughout the day, are the most rewarding and fulfilling – even if they are tough.

      Father, may I never tire of reading your word and talking to you in the mornings and throughout the day when I have a free moment.

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      Posted in Christian living; Christian growth | 0 Comments
    • Is waiting hard for you too?

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on April 20, 2018

      I think waiting is hardest when it’s needed most

       Good, bad, or even an unknown outcome… waiting IS hard…it’s neither easy nor fun. I think Tom Petty got it right when he penned the lyrics “the waiting is the hardest part.” As tough as this may be to hear…it’s important to remember that even though we might begin to think God has left us high and dry…it’s simply not true. God is still on the throne, He’s very much in control of our situation, and is most assuredly working to accomplish His larger plan.

      There are so many examples in the Bible of people having to wait a really long time for “something to happen.”

      Noah was patient while he and his family were on the Ark and waited for God’s perfect timing.  (Genesis 8:6-16)

      Sarah wasn’t so patient. She took matters into her own hands when she felt she was too old to bear a child. She decided to “help God” by giving her husband another woman. By reading the story Genesis 16) and the events as they unfold, I wonder if Sarah regrets the day she tried to interfere with God’s timetable.

      Throughout the Psalms, we read about David crying out to God during his times of wait. There are three Psalms I want to draw your attention to: Psalm 13:5 – 6; 27:14; and 40:1-4. In these Psalms we see examples of David waiting patiently for God to act. In chapter 13, David encourages us to hold onto our faith. In chapter 27, he encourages us to be strong and courageous during the “wait.” Lastly in chapter 40, we draw on four benefits while waiting:

      1. God lifts us out of our despair
      2. God will set our feet on solid ground
      3. God will secure our steps
      4. God will give us a new song

      I think sometimes if we didn’t have to “wait on God” we would think we could handle things in our own strength. When this happens God doesn’t always get the glory for the things He’s doing in our lives. When we wait, God shows up and does what only He can do…the miraculous. God is at work on the Plan A He has for our lives. In His Kingdom…there is no Plan B.

      Isaiah 40:31 (GW) Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.

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      Posted in Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27, Psalm 40, waiting on God to act | 0 Comments
    • Gentle reminders from my dog

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on April 19, 2018

      Psalm 31:3 (NCV) “You are my rock and my protection. For the good of your name, lead me and guide me.”

      I love reading through the book of Psalms when I need to be reminded of God’s ever guiding presence and protection as I walk through this somewhat chaotic world. I find words there that describe who I am in Christ, who He is (words that describe His character) and what He offers when I come to Him. This morning, I found this example in the first verse of Psalm 31. Here, David is coming to God seeking refuge. David often prayed for God to be his refuge and deliver him from his enemies. David knew he could trust God as his refuge, and his shelter from danger and distress. David was confident he could find protection and safety in God.

      In God, David was confident, safe, and protected (who I am in Christ). Why did David know this? Because David trusted God and knew He was a safe place (who God is – His character). When David sought God for protection, he knew God would guide (what God offers) him in the right direction.

      The character of God hasn’t changed since David’s time. God is just as much our refuge and security today. We can find protection in Him just like David did. I was reminded of this truth this past summer. I was in my home office and began to hear thunder off in the distance. Not thinking anything of it really, I continued to work….until I heard this big clap of thunder. The sound was as if the thunder cloud was directly over my house. A second after the crack of the thunder a bolt of lightning lit up the rainy grey sky outside my window.

      “Whoa, that was close!”

      Immediately my black lab was at my side shaking like a leaf. She hates thunderstorms but what she has learned over the course of her life is that she can run to me for protection from the storm. We typically cover her up with a blanket and in the security of the blanket she finds peace. In the same way, I can run to God for protection and refuge from the storms of my life. He will keep me safe in His shelter and hide me in his Holy Tent (Psalm 27:5 NCV).

      It is up to us to trust God completely – with everything we are and everything we have. We can be confident that God is true to His character and will deliver and protect us.

       

       

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      Posted in God my refuge, protection, storms of life | 1 Comment
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