archives
archives
Do you find yourself being ineffective as a Christian, powerless to make an impact in other people's lives? Incapable of influencing (in a good way) the person God has put in your path? Maybe it is because of our view of who He is is wrong. Chip Ingram “Until we begin to grasp how different God is from ourselves, we will continue to suffer from the 'shrinking god syndrome' and fall into idolatry.” Daniel 11:32b "...the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Again, look at who is God vs. who we make Him out to be in our mind Is God... ...An Old Man like in the "Wizard of Oz"?
...A Law Enforcement Officer or Principal? • Someone to be feared, walk around with a billy club • Ever-present policeman ready to bop on the back of the head • Be the kill joy • Always there to nag ...A Good luck charm, Santa Claus, Genie in a bottle, or Mr. Rodgers?
...A Landlord?
...Like your Dad?
Rob Bell “The writers of the Bible seem very interested in describing WHO God is.” Example #1: truths from the O.T. 1. In the O.T. God told Moses in Exodus his name is “I AM” Example #2: Truths specifically from the Psalms 1. Monday – we saw in Ps 51:1-4, 6 (turn & read) that God is a God of confession and exposure; he wants us to “confess” or “agree with” Him in the areas of our life that we have missed the mark. As a result of that confession if we are contrite and real he will be faithful and just to extend mercy and blot out our sin 2. Tuesday – we saw in Ps 62:1-2, 5-9 (turn & read) we see this image of God in the form of a rock, steady, strong, unbreakable, a refuge and he invites us to look upon this rock, study it, examine it, trust in it. 3. Wednesday – we saw in Ps 73:23, 26 (turn & read) the God is a God that is continually with us. That He wants us to hold his hand, and He wants us to draw strength from Him 4. Thursday – we saw in Ps 78:1-8 (turn & read) God desiring for us to imitate His teaching both in method and principle: That we should tell the next generation about the Lord's parables, secrets of the Kingdom, ancient teachings, and right lessons we have learned from our parents 5. Friday – we saw in Ps 84:10 (turn & read) we serve a God that if we spend 1 day in his courts we will soon realize that day would be better than a thousand day of living the good life in a wicked house. Example #3: Truths from the N.T. Scriptures 1. In the N.T., God became flesh! 2. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God: 3. All of God's FULLNESS (The deity) dwelled in Jesus: 4. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father and if we know Jesus we know who God is: Jn 14:9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and {yet} you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how {can} you say, "Show us the Father'? So if we want to know who God is, we have to closely examine Jesus.
Want to know who God is…look at Jesus! Tozer writes, “To be right we must think worthily of God. It is morally imperative that we purge all ignoble concepts of Him and allow Him to be in our minds what He is in the universe.” I hope as you continue through Psalms you will let them speak of who God is and wants to be in your life. My challenge to you today is simple… 1) What steps do you need to take to think more right of God?
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