“And God said...” (Genesis 1).

The other night I had the pleasure of listening to my almost three-year-old granddaughter recite Genesis 1:1. Her parents have started her memorizing scripture and it’s a joy to listen to her. Now for the most part she has it down, but more work is needed on verse one. Listening to her made me think that it’s been awhile since I went back to read the first chapter of Genesis. So when I got home that night, I took 20 minutes or so to read and re-read the chapter.

As I did so, I noticed the phrase “And God said”  a total of ten times in the chapter. As I meditated on that observation, a number of thoughts came to mind. However, at the forefront of my thoughts was the realization (once again) that what God says, he does. God spoke and there was light, an expanse in the midst of the waters, dry ground, vegetation, lights in the heavens, living creatures, and on and on.

Now what struck me was not the awesome power of God over creation. That goes without saying. No; what struck me is that God is still speaking today. He speaks to his people through what he has already spoken in his word. And further, the power contained in God’s voice, which resulted in creation, has not diminished one bit. That is simply to say that what God says to us in his word is equally powerful to what he spoke over creation.

Now how does that apply to you and to me? Well, I think it applies in at least two ways. First, it applies to his promises. The Bible is filled with promises that God has made to his people, to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. My Bible is filled with highlighted passages that reflect his promises. The power of his spoken word over creation is identical to the power behind his promises. What he says he does. That thought should lend great comfort to the promises we cling to when life gets tough. When he says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” he means it!

But the second way this applies has to do with his commands. Again, the power of his spoken word over creation lends equal power and authority to his commands. This thought alone is very convicting. You see, the commands of God are predicated on his power and authority as creator of all things, as God of the universe. It’s one thing for a child to say, “Mom, give me a drink,” and quite another thing when God says, “I desire that in every place the men should pray…” (I Timothy 2:8).

Friends, what God has spoken is powerful. It resulted in the creation of the universe. But it also guarantees the fulfillment of his promises and validates the authority of his commands. May the words, “And God said”  speak to your heart as it did mine this past week.

“You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

In the midst of the Sadducees’ attempt to trick Jesus, he set them straight in a very direct and powerful fashion. He didn’t debate with them, attempt to appease them, or even try to make the differences between them appear less dramatic. He told them in a very straightforward manner that they were wrong. Yet, he went further as he indicated to them why they were wrong.

Their error was twofold. First, they did not know the scriptures; and second, they did not know the power of God. May these things never be said about Wausau Alliance Church, or any of us that are part of this church! Our foundation as a church is the Word of God, and our heritage lies in trusting in the power of God. This is who we are and what we stand upon.

This has direct application for each of us, especially in the world we live in today. The highest goal of many is that we might get along peacefully. There is certainly nothing wrong with pursuing peaceful relationships with those that cross our paths. However, peace at the expense of the truth is something else.

I speak with many of you who are engaged in meaningful discussions with your co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members. In many cases, you engage them in significant discussions regarding substantial issues. My counsel to you is simple. In love, speak the truth and point them to the power of God. Show them that the Bible is relevant today for all of the issues of life. And further, point them to God’s power and eager willingness to provide them with the resources (power) they need.

My interactions with people point me to the necessity of being a person of truth as well as a person of hope. The source of truth is the Bible, and the source of hope is God’s willingness and ability to meet all of our needs. As you and I become dispensers of truth and hope (God’s word and his power), we will be more likely to attract those around us to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden … let your light shine before others… so that they may give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Join me in being a dispenser of truth and a witness to God’s power. Our world desperately needs it!

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him…
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”
(Matthew 4:20, 22)

I’m impressed with the manner in which the disciples dropped what they were doing in response to Jesus’ call upon their lives. In this passage, we see the word “immediately” used twice. The word literally means “at once.”  I’m curious as to whether we act in the same manner when Jesus calls us.

If your house was on fire, or there was some type of threat to your life or that of your children, you would act at once, would you not? Of course you would. Yet do we act in the same manner when we sense God calling us to take action, minister to others, step out in faith, or join in what He is doing in our midst? I’m sorry to suggest that for some, the answer is no.

I speak with people regularly who wonder if God is calling them to take some action, or deal with something in their life or that of their family. In some instances, the person has been thinking about taking action for many months; yet because of various reasons, a delay has taken place. Can I suggest to you that delayed obedience is the same thing as disobedience? You see, when God calls or convicts us to move forward, no matter what the action might involve, he expects us to have the same response as the disciples who “immediately left their nets… Immediately left the boat… and followed Him.”

I am willing to guess that most of us have at least one area of life in which God has been speaking, asking us to step out in faith and move forward. Perhaps it’s a family issue, work-related, child concerns, a strained relationship, an area of personal accountability or even an issue surrounding secret sin that you know is displeasing the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect, so if you sense his calling, act immediately! His call guarantees that he will equip you with the courage, wisdom and resources you need to do so.

The Apostle Paul said it best: “No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (tried or challenged) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Do you catch what Paul is saying? God’s call to action means that he guarantees you the needed resources to act. In other words: “God, please tell me what to do and then empower me to do so.” Would you think this through and see what it means in your life? Let’s commit ourselves to be people who act immediately in response to God’s leading.

“And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15).

Over the years, the topic of waiting has come up frequently on the pages of this blog. There’s a reason for that. You see, you and I will never cease to find ourselves in seasons of waiting; and as I’ve said before, we don’t wait well, do we?

Well, as I meditated on the above verse this past week, I tried to put myself in Abraham’s place. As you know, God promised him a son, a land and a people. He was able to see the fulfillment of the first part of that promise in his lifetime. Yet the final parts of the promise (a land and a people) he never completely saw before he died. Thus, his wait was never rewarded with seeing the promises fulfilled. Yet in spite of not seeing firsthand the fulfillment of God’s promises, we read that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Here is what I take away from that observation. God’s faithfulness to his promises must never be gauged by whether we see the promise fulfilled or not. In other words, he is equally faithful regardless of the timing. That can be hard to swallow at times, and for this reason. I talk to people on a regular basis that are trusting in God’s promises. Their faith is not the issue. They truly believe that God will fulfill that which he has promised. Yet their faith is stretched when they are presented with the thought that the fulfillment of God’s promises may not be realized in their lifetime. That’s tough.

Let me give you several examples. I know people who have been praying for decades for family members who do not know Christ as their Savior. In some instances, (years after they are gone) the one they prayed for came to faith in Christ.  I know others who have been praying for years for ministry situations of one type or another. It’s said that two women prayed for the nation of Laos for 80 years before the gospel reached the most remote parts of that country. Both of those examples (and many more) make it plain that the faithfulness of God is not defined by the timing of his actions. Let me repeat that; the faithfulness of God is not defined by the timing of his actions.

In that light, let me ask you this question. What have you been praying for over the past year? What have you been praying for over the past decade or longer? From your perspective, has God been slow to respond? If that describes you to any degree, I have a word of encouragement for you. The Apostle Peter put it best; “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some counts slowness.”

Friend, God is faithful to his promises. You may not see it, but that does not change his faithfulness. Just like Abraham, may your trust in the faithfulness of God be counted to you as righteousness.

I heard from Greg this morning and the team is off to begin construction and Children's ministry this morning. Please pray for a fruitful time of ministry and for Angie's lost bag to arrive.

 “For you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance… that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).

One of my favorite places to visit is Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Michigan. I spent a good deal of time at the park during my undergraduate days at Northern Michigan University. Two weeks ago, Ruth and I had the opportunity to visit the park. As we walked on the rocks littering the shore of Lake Superior, my attention was drawn to the large and weather beaten trees along the shoreline. I can only imagine the decades of harsh weather they have endured, thereby making them strong and in a rugged way very beautiful.

As I thought about that, the question came to mind as to whether their strength, endurance and unique beauty would have been possible if they had not grown on the shores of Lake Superior, thereby exposing them to very harsh weather conditions. I wonder.  Can you see how that the same principle applies to you and me?

The Apostle James understood that endurance comes through testing. No doubt, he had lived through many tests of his faith. He came to recognize that testing constitutes the incubator for endurance. That is to say that life’s trials translate into strength, endurance and beauty such as I saw in the trees that caught my attention. How does this principle apply to the things you are facing right now?

Well as you know, I have been on sabbatical for the past month. I’ve been home barely 72 hours. In the space of those days, I’ve witnessed a family endure the grief of losing a son to death, as well as another family come to grips with the loss of an unborn child. I’ve prayed with several people who are facing significant health issues, counseled with those who are enduring considerable financial trials, as well as listened to several brothers and sisters share the suffering they are experiencing. These are no small things by any means. These constitute, in James’ words, “the testing of your faith.” Yet in each and every instance, I have sensed the faith of those undergoing such things. That is to say that their faith is resulting in the increase of their endurance. Who but God works in that manner?

Can I ask you to make this personal as you consider your situation? Friends, God promises his presence and strength during seasons of trial. And as you know, he always keeps his promises. I’ve witnessed it this past week.

My prayer for each of us is that the storms of life will serve to make us ruggedly enduring, as well as faithfully strong and beautiful as the testing of our faith produces in us that which only such testing can produce, God-exalting endurance. Next time you are in Marquette, Michigan take a walk along the shore of Lake Superior. Notice the trees; they have important lessons to teach us.