Sometimes it is hard looking at our friends, seeing them move into gorgeous new homes, driving swanky new cars, or jetting off to far away places on vacation after vacation. We get a little envious at times, don't we? We'd like a new home - ours is good, but it doesn't have all the features their new ones offers. We wish our cars ran as smoothly with less visits to the mechanic shop, but they still get us places we need to be. We have desires to explore islands afar, but a simple tent in the woods is all our budget will allow at present. Yet, when we stop to think on this just a little, we might just remember how truly blessed we are in this life - all because of the extravagant generosity of God!
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. (Romans 11:33-36 MSG)
Answer the question honestly - have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God? We probably all would find we have so much in the way of "riches" right in our own possession and we either don't see them, or we have been taking them for granted all this time. The immediate blessing that likely comes to mind is the incredibly unfathomable acceptance of each of us into the family of God. We are not from royalty, but we have been adopted into a family of incredible royalty! Now, there's a blessing for us to truly consider! What about the blessings of our ability to do simple tasks which we take for granted so very often? Things like brushing our teeth, combing our hair, and buttoning our own clothing. As a nurse, I have seen thousands over the years lose this very ability - through the effects of crippling arthritis, spinal cord injuries, or neurological assaults on the brain. We just don't know what a blessing it is to be able to complete these simple tasks until we find ourselves unable to do them!
Now that you have thought of a few blessings you maybe have taken for granted, it is important for us to keep in mind that we'll never figure out God. Try as we might, God's wisdom, grace, and unconditional love are unfathomable to us in their totality - we get bits and pieces of these, but not really a full understanding of them! Everything comes from him. Everything happens through him. Everything ends in him. Everything! All we "possess". All which seemingly just "happens" in our day. All are a result of him being the Lord of our lives. Nothing is by our own creation - we are nothing and able to create nothing without him. Nothing is by our own efforts - he gives us the breath and strength to undertake the task at hand. When we stop to consider one word that might describe God, we could probably sum him up with the word "Everything". When we stop to consider what we are without God, we think of one word: Nothing. So, if we want "everything" - we are really saying we want more of God - not the blessings, but the ONE who blesses us in ways we cannot possibly comprehend.
Before we start wishing for more of what we "think" we need, maybe we should start asking for more of what we "really" need! God is never more honored than when we bring our need to him. It is in the acknowledging of our dependence upon him that he is brought honor. Apart from God, we really possess nothing. In God, we are blessed with and through everything! It is not just what we possess, but what possesses us! God's greatest glory is not found in us figuring him out - - it is in us honoring him with our obedience and love in spite of the fact we don't understand all he does and all he is! Our "unlimited blessing" is really most rewarding when it is realized in the courts of God. Just sayin!
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. (Romans 11:33-36 MSG)
Answer the question honestly - have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God? We probably all would find we have so much in the way of "riches" right in our own possession and we either don't see them, or we have been taking them for granted all this time. The immediate blessing that likely comes to mind is the incredibly unfathomable acceptance of each of us into the family of God. We are not from royalty, but we have been adopted into a family of incredible royalty! Now, there's a blessing for us to truly consider! What about the blessings of our ability to do simple tasks which we take for granted so very often? Things like brushing our teeth, combing our hair, and buttoning our own clothing. As a nurse, I have seen thousands over the years lose this very ability - through the effects of crippling arthritis, spinal cord injuries, or neurological assaults on the brain. We just don't know what a blessing it is to be able to complete these simple tasks until we find ourselves unable to do them!
Now that you have thought of a few blessings you maybe have taken for granted, it is important for us to keep in mind that we'll never figure out God. Try as we might, God's wisdom, grace, and unconditional love are unfathomable to us in their totality - we get bits and pieces of these, but not really a full understanding of them! Everything comes from him. Everything happens through him. Everything ends in him. Everything! All we "possess". All which seemingly just "happens" in our day. All are a result of him being the Lord of our lives. Nothing is by our own creation - we are nothing and able to create nothing without him. Nothing is by our own efforts - he gives us the breath and strength to undertake the task at hand. When we stop to consider one word that might describe God, we could probably sum him up with the word "Everything". When we stop to consider what we are without God, we think of one word: Nothing. So, if we want "everything" - we are really saying we want more of God - not the blessings, but the ONE who blesses us in ways we cannot possibly comprehend.
Before we start wishing for more of what we "think" we need, maybe we should start asking for more of what we "really" need! God is never more honored than when we bring our need to him. It is in the acknowledging of our dependence upon him that he is brought honor. Apart from God, we really possess nothing. In God, we are blessed with and through everything! It is not just what we possess, but what possesses us! God's greatest glory is not found in us figuring him out - - it is in us honoring him with our obedience and love in spite of the fact we don't understand all he does and all he is! Our "unlimited blessing" is really most rewarding when it is realized in the courts of God. Just sayin!
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