SOVEREIGNTY & GREATNESS

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt, M.A.

1st Timothy 6:15-6 (NLT) …The blessed and only Almighty God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He alone can never die, and He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach Him. No one has ever seen Him, nor ever will. To Him be honor and power forever. Amen.

The Scriptures are filled with passages which attempt to find words that can describe God’s greatness. Somehow every one feels incomplete. That’s because human beings don’t have the words or the wisdom to begin to describe God in all His sovereign fullness and glory. Throughout the pages of the Scriptures, however, another image of God appears – the image of a God whose greatness comes in a surprising way. Ultimately, it is not God’s sovereignty or power which defines His greatness. It is His great love.

The New Concise Webster’s Dictionary defines sovereign as “a king or queen.” It describes greatness as “very large, important.” What’s more important – God’s power or the fact that someone so powerful really loves you and me? As you go through the week ahead, take the time to appreciate God’s love and concern for you. Take time to get to know the God whose greatest desire is not to control or manipulate you, but to enrich your life with His power for joy and peace. That’s a God worth knowing better.

Can you feel God’s love for you today? The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 40:17, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now.” How does it make you feel to know God is thinking about you today? What are your needs? What areas of your life need God’s enriching today?

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your love. Thank you for the knowledge that even in your greatness, you still think about me. Father, I know I will never find words to tell you what your love means to me. Thank you that I don’t have to. Fill my heart with your joy and peace today, and enrich me with your love. I love you, Lord. Amen.

© 2008 Bryan Thomas Schmidt/Anchored Music Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. No reproduction without written permission.

LOVED & ACCEPTED

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt, M.A.

Suggested Reading: Luke 5:25-31

Luke 5:31 (NIV) Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Everywhere he went people despised him. “Sinner!” “Thief!” “Scum!” They’d called him every name in the book. Tax Collectors were friends to no one, but then Levi met a man who changed his world with two simple words: “Follow me.” Levi couldn’t help himself. He left everything and followed.

He was a simple man, the son of a carpenter from Nazareth. But after one encounter with him, Levi was so amazed that he held a banquet for all of his friends, so that they could meet Jesus, too. Never in their lives had they known such love and acceptance. Never had they imagined such peace.

Do you ever feel rejected and alone? Like an outcast? It’s time for you to meet the one who will never reject you. His name is Jesus, and once you meet Him, you’ll never be alone again. He loved you so much that He gave His life for you. Wouldn’t you like to know Him? All you have to do is just close your eyes and ask.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your love for me. I want to know you and experience your love every day. Please come into my heart and forgive my sins. Amen.

© 2008 Bryan Thomas Schmidt/Anchored Music Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. No reproduction without written permission.

SPIRIT & CREATION

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt, M.A.

Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface (NLT).”

What an awesome image that is – God’s Holy Spirit hovering over all the earth. As I think about it, I am humbled to realize that God’s Holy Spirit is still there today, hovering over the earth and all its inhabitants. It covers us like a blanket of warm joy – filling us, leading us, surrounding us as a wrapping of love within the arms of our Creator. Through the Holy Spirit, Isaiah 42:5 tells us: “God gives breath and life to everyone in all the world (NLT).” God’s Spirit is so big that nothing can contain it. He is everywhere, in everything at every moment.

As the world continues to debate creation vs. evolution, perhaps it would be a good time to reconsider the evolution of our faith through the witness of creation. I would encourage each of you to spend time appreciating God’s creation as you encounter it daily throughout this week. In doing so, you will experience God in new and refreshing ways.

Have you ever felt alone? Do you ever feel as if the Spirit of God has left you? It is in such moments that God is closest. All we need do is simply reach out and let Him wrap us with His Spirit to feel His love again. Are you resting in the arms of your Creator today? There’s no better, safer, more restful place to be.

PRAYER:

Father God, wrap me with your Spirit today. Let your hands, the hands that formed the Universe and every part of me, embrace me with your love right now that I may draw near and rest in you. Amen.

(c) 2008 Bryan Thomas Schmidt/Anchored Music Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. No reprints or other use without written permission.