All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

for each day and forever (May 31, 2022)

This matters.

Listen to this podcast here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/414371cc/for-each-day-a...

Pretend it is morning. You have just let the hens out of the coop and grabbed your cup of coffee to start your day.

Then what . . . how will you order your day?

When a disturbing event occurs, how will you handle it?

When you encounter a loved one who is really upset, what will you do?

What kind of music do you listen to while driving to work?

What kind of shows will you watch in the evening?

What will you read before bed?

We started looking at Ephesians 1.1-2, in which Paul referenced that grace and peace flow from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… which made me think about my personal view of God, and the difference what I believe about him makes in my own life. Every simple and grand action, every little or big decision I make is likely affected by my view of God.

Because if you could believe what this respondent said: God is my Father, my friend, my light. He is who I think about on every decision I make, good or bad. He stirs my heart to be like his son Jesus & to become a teachable person. I want to please my God. He is my blanket of love & security, & when I peak out, he holds my hand & guides my steps. He is truly my strength.

Wow!

What we believe about God determines everything about us.

We saw the other day that you and I have differing views, differing experiences with God. Each of our ‘up-bringings’ influenced our views of God … and in turn, whatever we have experienced has affected how we think of Him. And in whatever way we have invited God into our lives, well . . . that too has had an impact on our definition of God. If you are willing to do the hard work, there is a lot to think about and ponder; and honestly, these are the things I love pondering!

Whether or not I am cognizant of it, how I define God determines pretty much everything about me. It determines who runs my life – is it just me? Or someone else’s idea--perhaps reverence and respect for my parents, heritage, culture or faith tradition . . .? Or, in throwing all of that out - as my airplane friend, Jess - raised as a Jehovah Witness - once she abandoned the religion of her parents, decided she did not want much to do with God at all, if he is even there.

What I believe about God, and how he fits into my life establishes

who or what I look to for truth

guidance

purpose

strength, and whether or not

I look to God’s Word for my instruction and understanding.

My knowledge and awareness of God establishes my place in the world . . .

My role to be ‘in’ the world, yet not defined by it. . . . for as Paul instructed, I should not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Romans 12.2

…living as a transformed woman of God, not conformed to

the culture’s standards or ideas. (a rather tall order)

What I think about God gives me a right understanding of myself as a human being, known by God before I emerged from my mother’s womb … For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body- Psalm 139.13-16a

At the grocery store yesterday, I exchanged a few words with a fellow who had recently moved to my town from Queens, New York, to take care of his mother. As I turned to walk away, I said “God bless you” - and then saw something on his face. “Do you believe in God?” I queried. And as I have seen so many times before, he gestured with arms out, palms upward that there is Something, but . . . yeah, well I think we actually got here through extra terrestrials. Hmmm. . . now that is a stark contrast to believing I was intentionally created and designed by God!

What I think about God … knowing he told me that I am~

~Created in the image of God - So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. Genesis 1.27

~Given a unique purpose, For I know the plans I have for you … Jeremiah 29.11

One of surrender to a mighty, loving, good God …

One of humility to love and serve people

~Saved by faith, to live with him forever, because of the great grace of God. Ephesians 2.8

~Encouraged to live a life worthy of the Lord, and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…

Colossians 1.10.

Friend, choose to walk in joy and learn to live in contentment

Determine what matters most, for each day and for eternity, by settling the score that God is who he said he was. Creator. Savior. Lord. Good Shepherd. Almighty One. The Friend who sticks Closer than a Brother... Remind yourself as you awaken, then establish your priorities accordingly! What you think about God matters ~ not just for today ~ but forever.

The Great I AM by my friend Melody Noel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLLDxdjrcP4&list=RDEMnsAxRULBesv...

Think and grow your faith!

Christine

PastorWoman.net

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