A Revelation for the New Year – yes, it is not misspelled. I meant revelation not resolution, although you may want to include it as a resolution…..
The Universe is Expanding
Did you know the Universe is expanding? I recently read of a cosmologist (a person who studies the science of the origin of the universe) who claims the Universe is expanding. According to this cosmologist, who happens to be a Christian, the universe is expanding at the speed of light. Apparently I had missed the memo as everyone I talk to already knew the universe is expanding. And it has been expanding at the speed of light since the moment God spoke the universe into being. Now, do you know why the universe is expanding at the speed of light in all directions and has been since God spoke it into being?
The universe is expanding at the speed of light in all directions and has been since God spoke it into being because —– it’s not big enough. It is not big enough for what? – you are likely thinking. I know you are ready for me to get to the point, please always remember and never forget that in order to be a good leader of middle school age students and middle school minded teachers you have to be a bit dramatic and a bit of a smart aleck, and I really enjoyed leading middle school.
The universe is expanding at the speed of light and has been since God spoke it into being because it is not big enough to hold all the Good things God has planned and prepared for those who love Him.
Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, Chapter 2, verse 10 says ‘For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do Good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You are likely thinking now, Mike, how does me doing good work equate to the Universe not being big enough to contain all that God has planned for those who love Him. Two ways; one, when I do Good work (when I capitalize a word like Good, I mean of God, or as what God has planned for you) When I do Good work, I tend to get a bigger Blessing than those who are receiving and from my own experience I am confident that is or will be true for you as well. Two, we are promised, by a God who cannot lie and keeps His promises, in the book of Luke, chapter 6 and verse 38 “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
However, if you are giving just to get, then you likely violated number one and what you are doing is not a Good work, so little to no likelihood of having your lap running over with what you receive.
I recently read of a Dennis the Menace cartoon in which Dennis and his pal Joey were given fresh cookies by Mrs. Wilson, Dennis’ kindly neighbor. As they walked away, Joey asked Dennis, “What did we do that was good enough to get these fresh cookies.” Dennis said, “We did not get cookies because we are good. We got cookies because Mrs. Wilson is good.” The same holds true for those of us who love the Lord. We do not get Good things because of what we do, or give, but because God is Good. And, as His followers who love Him, we are as adopted sons and daughters.
Adopted kids hold a special place in the heart of adoptive parents. Both my sons are adopted. I do not claim to know anything about parenting or how parents feel about their own blood-related children, but I do know that ours are held in extremely high esteem – regardless of what they do – by their mother and I. Maybe it is because of the high price we paid of waiting many years and paying a cost that was a sacrifice for us – seems to be a correlation there in what Jesus paid for all of us. I already stated, I do not have the answers. All I know is that we love our sons, and God loves us.
One thing I do know is that God has Good things planned for me and you. I hope you do not miss out on any of it. Be Purposeful in the New Year in receiving all God has for you and giving of yourself and your things and be prepared for the bounce back….
May the Good Lord take a liking to you!
mike
Leadership on Purpose
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. – James 1:17
God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good. Genesis 1:31
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15
Because you are sons, God has sent for the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6
Cowboy Logic: Sometimes you just have to throw the reins over the horse’s head and hang on!
Inspiration for this post – other than the Cowboy Logic – came from a book by Clark Whitten “ Pure Grace: The Life Changing Power of Uncontaminated Grace”
If you would like to know more about how to love the Lord your God with all your heart, please email me at mike@edsas.com and I will gladly respond. Blessings for 2015, mike