Tag Archives: God is in charge

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Everything I NeedTo Know About God

I Learned in Genesis 1

Give It Some Thought: Good morning, and Happy January 2. If you began the New Year yesterday with a “Through the Bible” reading plan, you likely started at the beginning, Genesis 1. And in this opening chapter, we find all that we really need to know about anything and everything, which is simply yet profoundly this: God did it! In fact, in the Bible’s opening line, the first thing we discover about God is that he is the creator of all, and the second thing we learn is that he hovers over the chaos, bringing order, beauty, and glory from it. And that should be of great comfort as we begin the journey into an uncertain year ahead, for that is God’s ongoing, unstoppable, flawless work in me—and you, too!

Moments With God // Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

The first thing we learn about God in reading the Bible is that he is the Creator. The second thing we learn is that he hovers over the chaos and brings order, beauty, and glory from it.

Now the writer of Hebrews tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). Jesus, who is God, whom John tells us was the agent of creation (John 1:1-4), is still actively creating and ordering in the lives of his followers.

I am grateful that through Jesus, creating and ordering is still God’s activity in my life. He still forms beauty and glory from my unruly, empty, dark, chaotic life. And while it seems that I am a long way from being finished, I am at the present moment his workmanship (Eph 2:10).

Thank God for a Creator who finishes his work, for “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6).

Enough said. God did it! God is at work! God will finish it. Cheers to the year ahead!

My Offering of Worship: What do we learn from Genesis 1? Simply this: God did it. He started it all from nothing; he is shepherding what he started; he will bring it to the completion he desires—he will finish it in fine fashion. That includes his work in your life, too. Take a moment to offer your gratitude for the Author and Finisher of your faith.

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Who’s Really In Charge?

PREVIEW: News flash, the president is not really in charge — no president really is. And as the people of God, we must not forget that! God is in charge. Economies, presidents, and even nations come and go, but, as David says, “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever!” Sure, poor economies affect our day-to-day lives; so do bad presidents and evil empires. But just remember, they will come and go. It is the purposes of God’s heart that transcend the current state of affairs in our world.

Who Is Really In Charge - Ray Noah

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 33:10-11

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Every four or eight years, new presidents stand before the American press for their first prime-time press conference. Almost without fail, the main subject of their public address is the worsening national economy — an alarming upswing in unemployment, inflation, home foreclosures, rising interest rates, bank failures, and a host of other bleak economic indicators. It is almost like new presidents are reading the from “The New Presidents’ Playbook.”

These presidents understand that much is riding on their ability to communicate with the American people and convince them that their plan to bail out our economy must be supported, and if it isn’t, the damage done will be irreparable. Agree or disagree with these presidents’ plan for prosperity du jour, one thing you’ve got to give them, they are (usually) extraordinary communicators with astonishing brainpower and off-the-charts winsomeness that make half the country want to put their hope in his or her plan.

But, news flash, the president is not really in charge — no president really is. And as the people of God, we must not forget that! God is in charge. Economies, presidents, and even nations come and go, but, as David says, “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever!”

Sure, poor economies affect our day-to-day lives; so do bad presidents and evil empires. But just remember, they will come and go. It is the “purposes of God’s heart” that transcend the current state of affairs in our world.

So today, as you consider the current president’s roadmap to peace and prosperity, and as you listen to the endless debate heating up the halls of Congress in Washington, DC as to how our problems can be solved, you really should pray for these leaders—they really need your help and mine. Actually, they seriously need God’s help.

But at the end of the day, I would suggest that you hitch your wagonload of hope to God’s star — because he’s really the One in charge.

And he always will be!

My Offering of Worship: Pray for your leaders today—like them or not. They really do need your help, and most importantly, they need God’s help.

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Who Really Controls The White House

It Is Not The Current Occupant

Synopsis: This one truth trumps—no pun intended—all your concerns: God is in charge! He allows politicians to be elected, he keeps presidents on a short leash, and at the end of the day, whether rulers rule well or not, God will accomplish his purposes. He is in control—he reigns over all! History is really His story. It always had been, it is right now, and it shall be tomorrow. Let that give you great comfort and cause you to be much saner in the next election season.

Who Controls the White House

Moments With God // Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Hey all you Republicans out there, relax, the president is on a short lease. And for all you Democrats, you need to chill out, too. For those of you who still believe it’s all Donald Trump’s fault, or for anyone who’s convinced President Biden is the Antichrist, lighten up! If you’re thinking the man or woman who occupies the Oval Office will be the one calling the shots, think again:

God is in charge!

I love how Daniel 2:20-21 reminds us that all the political convulsing we do, especially in an election cycle is ramping up—which in today’s world means all the time—is really nothing more than a tempest in a teapot when stacked up against the plans of the Almighty:

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.”

Now I’m not saying that politics is unimportant or that the upcoming elections won’t have consequences. The truth is the party given the power to rule greatly affects the cultural-moral-spiritual direction of America and the person in the Oval Office has great bearing on both the outward strength and the inner fortitude of our nation. It matters, and as believers, we are obligated to be well informed and actively engaged in our political process. But can I remind you again of this one truth that trumps—no pun intended—all your concerns?

God is in control!

God allows politicians to be elected, he keeps the president on a short leash, and at the end of the day, whether rulers rule well or not, God will accomplish his purposes. He is in charge—and in control. As someone has correctly said, history is really His story. It always had been, it is right now, and it shall be tomorrow.

God rules!

I hope that gives you great comfort, and I hope it will allow you to be a little saner and kingdom-focused as the politics of the election season heats up well beyond the point of sanity.

I love what Benjamin Franklin said at Constitutional Convention of 1787: “God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

Let me say it one more time just in case you missed it:

God reigns!

Take A Moment: Read I Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Now, like the current occupant of the Oval Office or not, pray for your president every day this week! It will please your Heavenly Father!

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Jesus Led Me All The Way

He Is Sovereign ... Thank God!

Do you cast all your cares on God, knowing that he cares for you—and not only cares, but is competent to carry you all along the way? Do you know that God is sovereign over you—even the smallest details of your life are within his control? Whether you do or don’t does not diminish the fact that God is leading you all along the way. There is no question: God has taken charge of you.

The Journey// Focus: Numbers 33:38-39

While the Israelites were at the foot of Mount Hor, Aaron the priest was directed by the Lord to go up the mountain, and there he died. This happened in midsummer, on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after Israel’s departure from Egypt. Aaron was 123 years old when he died there on Mount Hor.

Do you trust God to watch over every day of your life? Do you believe that he is involved even in the minute details of all your moments? Can you relax about tomorrow, knowing that it is securely in God’s hands? Do you cast all your cares on him, knowing that he cares for you—and not only cares, but is competent to carry you all along the way?

Whether you do or not doesn’t diminish the fact that God is leading you all along the way. There is no question: God is in control of you. Even the day of your death is foreknown by God, which means that you will not live a day longer, nor die a day sooner than what your Creator will permit. We see that in Numbers 33 when God invited the High Priest of Israel, Aaron, up to the mountain to take back the breath of life that the Creator loaned him on the day Aaron was born. And in a very real sense, in the realm invisible to the human eye, when it comes time for you to die, God will invite you to give back what he loaned you—the breath of life—and he will exchange it for eternal air that will never be reclaimed from your lungs.

Yes, when you wing your flight to realms of day, this your song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way. Praise his holy name!

King David offered this amazing insight about the Creator’s sovereign care over his life in Psalm 139:2-3, 7-12, 16,

You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways…
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me…
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You…
And in Your book the days fashioned for me,
They all were written,
When as yet there were none of them.

As David prayerfully, worshipfully exclaimed, “such knowledge is too lofty for me!” (Psalm 139:6)

God is in charge of you, whether you are conscious of it or not. So why not practice awareness of the presence of God in your moment-by-moment life? It is better than carrying the weight of the world around on your shoulders!

Going Deeper: Reprint the above verses taken from Psalm 139, and read them morning, noon and night every day this week. Practice awareness of God’s presence and declare his sovereign control over you. It is the best way to live.

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No Stopping The Unstoppable God

He Will Perfect That Which Concerns Me

Read: Psalm 138 // Focus: Psalm 138:8

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.”

“God will perfect everything that concerns you.” (Psalm 138:8, NKJV) I have heard my wife use King David’s phrase many times in her public prayers. I like that thought, don’t you? Nothing will stop God from fulfilling his purpose for my life—nothing!

That was the essence of David’s thinking in this psalm. Nothing could get in the way of what God had in mind, that is, God’s perfect will for David’s life—not even his own fleshly desires. That’s the caveat to this truth: the perfecting is of that which is according to God’s will, which of course, is what ought to concern us more than anything else in this life.

The New Testament writer Jude capture the essence of this truth in his benedictory prayer when he wrote, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25) Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote similar words in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

How comforting and empowering to know that if we are passionately pursuing God’s purposes, God has passionately committed himself to fulfilling his purposes in us. No matter what things may look like—horrible circumstances and hateful people notwithstanding (Psalm 138:7)—God will never abandon the work that he has lovingly and painstakingly invested in us, and he will ultimately bring that work to perfect completion.

What David had discovered was that when we are for God, and when God is for us, we cannot lose! 2 Chronicles 16:9 reminds us this profound truth,

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Wow! God so desires to fulfill his purposes in this world that he is actually scouring the earth looking for fully devoted people in order to release his enabling power in their lives. Is your heart fully committed to him? If it is, then God will find you, and sooner or later you will come into the greatest joy that anyone can ever experience in this life: God fulfilling his purposes for you and through you.

Yes, God will perfect that which concerns you!

Making Life Work:What are the obstacles standing in your path to pursing God? According to Psalm 138:8, God will repurpose those stumbling blocks into building blocks. Try praying a thanksgiving prayer for everything that seems to impeding your progress. Then ask God to empower you to work with him to use those very things to perfect you. Pray this risky prayer: “God use this to shape me.”

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God Did It!

Essential 100—Read:
Genesis 1 & 2

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” ~Genesis 1:1

Could there be a more important statement in Scripture than this simple, matter-of-fact, one line explanation of how everything got here, including you and me?  “In the beginning God created” explains it all!

We don’t know how long he took doing it—if the seven days are literal 24-hour periods or if they are epochs of time; we don’t know the details of how he planned and executed creation; we don’t know if he created dinosaurs or unicorns or Big Foot. There is a lot more about creation that we don’t know than what we do know.  But we know the most important fact about it:  God did it!

That’s the one piece of essential information out of the untold billions of facts we would love to get our brains around that we do have, and that is really all that matters.  That is not to say trying to figure out the “what, when, where, how and why” of creation are not important—they are. It is a worthy pursuit.  But the “who”, well, that one has been settled: God did it!

And just as important, perhaps even more important, are the ramifications of that fact.  If God did it, then he owns it.  He has a right to call the shots about how it will operate, and how we are to operate within it.  He made it for his purpose and glory—and that includes you and me. He is the Creator, we are the created, and therefore all of life is to be lived for his purpose and glory. There is no better use of the oxygen we breathe in, which he created, by the way, than to carry out the purposes and live for the glory of the Creator!

 “To live and work for the glory of God cannot remain an idea about which we think once in a while. It must become an interior, unceasing doxology.”  ~Henri Nouwen

Furthermore, since God did it, he certainly has the power—and the motivation—to care for his creation.  And that, too, includes, you and me. What a comfort to know that there is a Creator who holds the universe in his hands and sustains it by his will.  Life is not the product of random forces and the future is not at the mercy of impersonal fate.  Creation is in good hands, and you and I can sleep in peace tonight knowing how we got here, what is keeping us going, and where we are headed.

Yeah, God did it, and that’s a good thing.

Reflect and Apply:  Take a moment to think about the personal ramifications of the “God did it” truth revealed in the very first line of the Bible.  Can you truly say that the way you live your life is aligned with the Creator’s purpose and glory? If not, speak with him about the necessary adjustments you need to make.