Tag: Attributes

Is God Always There?

Published on by James TravisLeave a comment

Job here asks if God is always there?

Does not he see my ways
and number all my steps?

Job 31.4

In context, Job is saying that he has taken a vow of purity and chaste conduct, particularly with what he allows himself to look at (v.1). He says, in defence of his conduct, that should he have violated this then God would surely know and would surely have sent calamity for this reason (vv.2-3). 

Although Job is defending his conduct, we can take the principle and take great comfort from it. He uses the omnipresence of God (His being everywhere) as a character witness, and we can take the same attribute and draw comfort from knowing that God is never far from each of us (Acts 17.27). 

Whatever you are doing today, however you are feeling today wherever you are going today, take comfort from knowing that God goes with you, that there is nowhere we can go to escape His presence (Psalm 139.7), and that He is a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46).

Is God always there? Absolutely. Call out to Him and see just how ‘there He is.

1. Meek

Published on by James TravisLeave a comment

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is NOT weakness. Meekness is a quality that doesnʼt simply pertain to the outside world. It is an attitude of the heart. Itʼs inward. Most of us know that there is quite a difference between something you do outwardly and the attitude you have inwardly.

Meekness is the word you would use for an animal that has been domesticated, trained, and housebroken. Itʼs like a tame horse. A horse has the power to throw you off of it, but when it is tamed, you can put a saddle on it and reins and it will go where you lead it. A meek person is like a body builder holding a baby. A meek person has power, but that power is under Godʼs control.

Meekness is a Christian quality because it is the attitude of Jesus, who was constantly noted for the dominant characteristic of meekness, and when Christ is in us, we begin to exude meekness in our responses, reactions, and demeanor.

Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5 in some translations as “gentleness” (the more accurate word is ‘meekʼ). Notice that Jesus says those who are meek will truly inherit the earth.

The world may reject you–but you will inherit the earth.

7 Attributes of Christians (According to Jesus)

Published on by James TravisLeave a comment

Today we’ll pause our regular devotionals and read a series written by my friend, Pastor Pilgrim Benham. 

Chances are you have heard of the Tour de France, the famous bicycle race in Europe—but have never heard of the worldʼs shortest bicycle race in India. Hereʼs why this race is different:

All of the racers line up at the starting line, ready to go. Theyʼve got their stretchy riding pants, helmets, water bottles, numbers on their backs, even corporate sponsors!

The starting pistol goes off and the racers jump onto their bikes. But nobody goes anywhere. They all stay put. You see, the object of this race is to see who can go the shortest distance possible within the specified time limit. Racers are disqualified if their bike tips over or if their feet touch the ground. The cyclists inch forward just enough to keep their bikes balanced. They canʼt go backward.

At the end of the race, when the gun goes off, the cyclists who have gone the farthest are the losers. The racer closest to the starting line—which, in this case, is also the finish line—is the winner. A little ironic, right?

Some things in life are like that, they are just backwards! The kingdom of heaven is like that: it is a backwards kingdom compared to this world. This backwards kingdom was explained by Jesus through a teaching called, “The Sermon on the Mount”. He begins His sermon with what we call the Beatitudes. These are less about things we do—and more about things we intrinsically are as citizens of heaven—as recipients of the Gospel. Someone once said that if you wanted to get to know the human race, just take the Beatitudes, turn them upside down/reverse them, and you would get a good idea of what the human race is all about. I couldnʼt agree more.

The Beatitudes are a stark contrast—a breath of fresh air—in a world of selfish, prideful, wealthy, power-hungry pollution. Godʼs kingdom is a kingdom of paradoxes. The Bible tells us that the only way to save your life is by losing it. To become strong you have to be weak. To truly live you actually have to die, to self. Look at Matthew chapter 5, starting in verse 5, and notice how Jesus describes the Christian. They are marked by at least seven characteristics.

Though these are not exhaustive, they are instructive:

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousnessʼ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

From tomorrow we will look at one characteristic each day with Pastor Pilgrim.

Pilgrim was born to two Christian hippie parents in the late 70‘s. At age 4 he made a decision for Christ and repented of his deep 4-year stint of sin and depravity. Raised in a Christian home, Pilgrim learned of and followed Jesus through his childhood and teen years. In youth group at age 13 Pilgrim made a profession of faith and desire to follow Jesus into full-time ministry.

Over All I Know – Thursday Music

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Today another song by Vertical Worship, who we also heard from here, with a song called Over All I Know. Focusing on the atttributes of God, the song is upwardly focused and sings praise to God based on who He is and what He has done. We open with 

You tell mountains they must fall and they fall

You tell oceans to be still and they’re calm

You tell sickness it must leave and it’s gone

In my weakness God I know You are strong

Jesus not only walked on water in Matthew 14.22-33, but calmed storms in Matthew 8.23-27. He healed on many occasions, more than 25 times, including the resuscitation of Lazarus in John 11, and Jairus’ deceased daughter in Matthew 9.

The chorus repeats some wonderful truths about Almighty God,

You are the One above it all,

I stand in awe

You’re the God over all I know

No higher name,

no greater throne,

You stand alone

You’re the God over all I know

God is truly above all, before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1.17), He is everlasting and eternal (Psalm 90.2), and is enhroned forever as King over His creation (Psalm 29.10, 1 Chronicles 29.11-12).

His name is above all names (Philippians 2.9), and He alone is worthy to sit on heaven’s throne (Psalm 11.4, 1 Kings 22.19, Revelation 4.2).

This line is then tagged a few times, and herein lies our devotional for today,

I believe it, I have seen it, My God is over all

Do we believe this?

Do we believe that everything written above is true of Almighty God?

Have we seen it?

Have we seen His goodness and mercy and love around us? We need to be careful not to equate experiences alone with the presence of God, He is always there whether we feel it or not, but, have we seen His power around us? Have we seen His handiwork in the world? Have we seen Him working through those around us for His glory and the edification of His people?

If we believe this, and we have seen this, we can confidently say with a perfect mix of head and heart, of evidence and experience, of faith, hope, and love, that

I believe it, I have seen it, My God is over all