Wednesday, February 14, 2024

February 14th - Is your God in a Lamp?

“Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son….” (Romans 8:28-29)

I get mad sometimes because I rub the lamp with much prayer and do not get even one of my three wishes. But that lamp does not contain the God of the bible. He is not waiting for me to get his attention by rubbing the lamp with just the right amount of prayer and faith. T
hat is the Genie of Aladdin’s lamp, not the God of the bible. Biblical prayer gives me "peace" as I toss my worry on Him knowing that He cares about me.

“…toss your entire worry on Him, for He cares about you." 
(1 Peter 5:7)

"Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leaving you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will be making a sequel also, to enable you to undergo it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There is a "sequel" to our struggles in this life that we pray about, and that sequel is the new heavens and new earth after we are completed in "the image of His Son".

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind." 
(Isaiah 65:17)

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

Paul told us how to pray and its peaceful result.

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

My immature nature will keep rubbing the lamp from time to time, but my mature trust remains in the God of the bible, not the Genie of Aladdin's Lamp.

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His ...