The Proverbial Brick Wall

Penned Pebbles stops here… 

… a few inches from actually hitting the wall. This blog has taught me much, but mostly it has taught me that blogging is different for everyone. I’ve read many blogging tips, from finding the perfect niche, template, plan, and focus to blogging regularly and on schedule. I wanted blogging to be a perfect God-centered, Christ-exalting part of my life without taking over my existence completely. But. It. Did.

I’m not saying that the entries here are lacking, and pray that they will continue to bless you and others as you grow in Him. There are many good posts and lessons here that have taught me to trust God more! But there is also much amiss, not in these pages but in between, where life and faith meet. Not using God’s time and resources wisely is not God-honoring or Christ-exalting, no matter how carefully I polish the deep gems of God’s truth.

Of course I was aware of this. The more I blogged about faith, the more apparent it became. So, I thought I’d start two blogs, one for faith and one for work. Silly me! Because of all the talk about focusing on a niche, I thought I had to separate my God-centered thoughts, prayers, devotions, and reflections from the rest of my daily doings. Silly me!

It was after I’ve started my ‘doing’ blog that I’ve realized just how lacking I was. Penned Pebbles seemed so polished, while the goals of This Good Steward grew more and more frustrating. I’ve soon realized that blogging is so much easier than juggling time, people, resources, and projects.

It has become most apparent to me, that in order to get things done, I have to stop blogging or talking or both. This realization has tempted me to just stop blogging altogether. But, like a crack addict, I keep coming back! Well, not back here (except for today) but there.

Writing is my pick-me-up when I’m stuck in life’s quicksand, and it’s my sedative when things get a little too crazy. Oftentimes I can’t wait to plant some revelation in the heart of bloggy land, while real life beckons me to tangibly believe — to step out of the virtual safety net of polished words to prove the things I yap about already.

So friends, faith is doing and believing. Mere blogging and believing just won’t do – not for me. Maybe I’m the oddball here, but since I cannot separate faith from work, or my blogging about faith from my living and moving in faith, I’ve decided to throw the perfect blogging niche and schedule out the proverbial window and blog sporadically as time permits, at one site only, about everything, at the risk of confusing everyone with my inability to compartmentalize.

Of course, you are more than welcome to follow me, but be forewarned; life will read a lot less polished and a lot more lived.

See you there!

Truth be known, I like it here. So, I’ll be back from time to time, not to write, but to look back upon the many words that have taught me, and the many friends who have met me here with much truth and kindness. Thank you!

Mother’s Day Reflections

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

…

The more I reflect on Mother’s Day, the more I see its beauty reach far beyond the myriad of flowers and gifts, hugs and cards. I see a beauty that outshines them all, even within the sometimes empty vases and unsent cards. I find that being a mother has been the greatest privilege. Of course, if I am completely honest, I’ll have to admit that motherhood has not always struck me as being great or even a privilege, but looking back through different eyes and a renewed heart, I can now see the immense treasures that have emerged from it.

I can’t even begin to tell you how often I must remind myself that all my failings are not lost in God’s great grace, providence, and sovereign will, and that His mercy has prevailed despite my imperfect past. God is the author and perfecter. If I succeed in motherhood, all praise is due Him. If I fail miserably in motherhood, all praise is still due Him, not so much for my failings or their consequences, but for His immeasurable grace and redemptive work through Christ in spite of them all!

If God can raise the dead (and we were all once dead in sin), He can certainly redeem my wrongs and raise all my children from death to life in Christ. Is anything too hard for Him? Why then do I still pray and wait, wait and pray? I still pray because God is patient! Look, herein lies the beauty of it all, while I’ve been praying and waiting, waiting and praying, God has been changing and shaping me. Yes. Me! God has diverted my eyes from them to my own selfishness, my own self-righteousness, and my own idols.

Most patiently, God has been teaching me to walk, rather than just talk—to actually live out my words according to His Word. He has been showing me the difference between saying and doing, between giving and hoarding.  I could not fool God by merely praying, “This child is Your child” and not let go of it. I could not tell God, “This child is Your child” and thereby shun my responsibility to do right by it. Whom was I fooling? Not God!

Did God not know me when He entrusted me with children? Of course He did! He also knew just how miserably I would fail, how much I’d come to rely on Him, and how much He would love and shape me in the process. I’ve learned much, but no matter what I have accomplished or failed to accomplish through my life’s work, nothing will ever compare to the treasures of motherhood that spring from the redemptive heart of God and not my skewed measuring rod.

Although I am an empty nester with recurring bouts of regrets and doubts, God has repeatedly blessed me with greater faith, trust, love, perseverance, forgiveness, grace, and peace, not because all is well (all is not well) but because God is good and knows well His plans and how they will work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

All the cobwebs of my yesteryears seem to be made of pure silver and gold in light of God’s mercy and grace, new every morning. There is no darkness found in Him, or variation, or shifting shadows. These are all results of my own vacillating or doubting, and not of His divine and steadfast guidance. I am a mother, a praying, trusting and believing mother because God is good!

May all the mothers who read this be encouraged. It is never too late. God doesn’t make mistakes, but gives beauty for ashes. God makes alive what was dead! God turn’s a mother’s failures into her precious prayers and is pleased to have her, as His own beloved child, to come to Him with all her children and all her hopes for their redemption. Her love, hope, growing faith, and gratitude bring Him much glory and delight. And, will He now give her stones or a scorpion?

But You sent “thine hand from above” (Ps. 144:7) and drew my soul out of that profound darkness because my mother, Your faithful one, wept over me to You, more than mothers weep when their children die. She, by that faith and spirit which she had from You, discerned the death in which I Lay, and You heard her, Lord. You heard her and did not despise her tears when, streaming down, they watered the ground under her eyes in every place where she prayed.”

~ Excerpt from Saint Augustine’s
The Confessions of St. Augustine

May all new mothers and mothers to be who are blessed to be called by His name, read on and be encouraged to persevere, to do right in spite of all trials or opposition. Great is your reward!

I cannot tell how much I owe to the solemn words of my good mother. It was the custom, on Sunday evenings, while we were yet little children, for her to stay at home with us, and then we sat round the table, and read verse by verse, and she explained the Scripture to us. After that was done, then came the time of pleading; there was a little piece of Alleine’s Alarm, or of Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted, and this was read with pointed observations made to each of us as we sat round the table; and the question was asked, how long it would be before we would think about our state, how long before we would seek the Lord.

Then came a mother’s prayer, and some of the words of that prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is gray. I remember, on one occasion, her praying thus: “Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.” That thought of a mother’s bearing swift witness against me, pierced my conscience, and stirred my heart.

I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the young heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring.

Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me. How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come? I thought her lips right eloquent; others might not think so, but they certainly were eloquent to me. How can I ever forget when she bowed her knee, and with her arms about my neck, prayed, “Oh, that my son might live before Thee!” Nor can her frown be effaced from my memory, — that solemn, loving frown, when she rebuked my budding iniquities; and her smiles have never faded from my recollection, — the beaming of her countenance when she rejoiced to see some good thing in me towards the Lord God of Israel.

Excerpts from Charles H. Spurgeon’s
AUTOBIOGRAPHY (Volume 1)

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Scripture References:

Colossians 2:13
Luke 15:24
Ephesians 1:11; 2:1-10
Jeremiah 32:17, 32:27
Matthew 19:26
Romans 8:28-30; 9:23
James 1:17
1 Timothy 2:15
Isaiah 61:3
Luke 11:12-13

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Thank you for giving me your time and feedback!

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Yes!

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

…

Y is for Yes!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

My ‘Y’ post seemed almost ready, punctuated front and back with a glorious Yes and Amen, yet something seemed lacking.  So, I tweaked and thought. And then I prayed and sought. And then I tweaked and thought some more. I even tried to turn the thing into a poem, which always works when I feel cornered! Then I remembered a question our pastor had asked—the kind that answers itself almost immediately. And then I hit delete!

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. Revelation 5:1-4

Why didn’t God Himself open it? If God Himself had opened it, instead of much weeping, there would be only weeping.

Have you ever left church not remembering a thing that was preached, save one? It was this one thing that followed me like shadow into every  thought, all week long, and into the next.

Yes, God, whose pure holiness, wisdom, and justice exceed all, could have opened His own book. But, a strong angel thundered a question—one that had to be answered! Who would be worthy? Who?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

No man!

“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross.” Matt 27:40

Come down He did! The Word of God, fully God, came from glory to be fully man—not to save Himself, but us!

And one of the elders saith unto me, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” [5]

Christ has prevailed, has withstood all that God’s holiness and justice require, and has met the price of every sin at every age with purest grace and mercy! Christ is worthy!

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. [6,7]

And the angels, beasts, and elders sang a new song!

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” [11,12]

This is why I deleted my initial ‘Y’ post. It failed to point where it should have been pointing all along. It caved in on itself! “For, no matter how many promises God has made,” whether one or a zillion, “they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” The focus is on Christ, not the promises or even their immutability! Does it matter how immutable truth is, if you’re without it?

The promises are ‘Yes’ only in Christ, who alone is worthy to meet God’s perfect justice with mercy for our sake and His glory! All God’s great, unalterable and precious promises will make us weep, and only weep, if we should meet God without faith in Christ!

And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Petra O. Hefner

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“[God] 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.” 2 Timothy 1:9

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Thank you for your visit!

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Uzzah

“They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart…” 1 Chronicles 13:7

…

U is for Uzzah

.

Uzzah,
son of Abinadab,
your name means strength
with arms stout enough
to put the ark
of God
on a cart.

.

Uzzah,
son of nobleness,
what were you thinking
when you chose an ox
to pull the ark
of God
on a cart?

.

Uzzah,
son of a Levite,
why was the ark not carried
on reverent shoulders
in honor
of God
and His glory.

.

Uzzah,
Son of impulse,
was the ark with you so long
that you should forget
that the law
of God
is most holy?

.

Uzzah,
Son of presumption,
did you assume God’s holiness
to be a mere convenience
you could claim
of God
to excuse sin?

.

Uzzah,
son of error,
life fell the moment you tried
to undo sin by adjusting
the holy ark
of God
with your hand!

.

Petra O. Hefner

Scripture Reference: 1 Chronicles 13

“Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” 2 Chronicles 19:7

Further thoughts and ramblings…

How quick we are to right our wrong choices by placing the problem with something or someone else—the rut in the road, or the ox that turned aside. How quick we are to cover or try to fix a wrong—the perilous result of our disobedience—by using yet another wrong. We try to adjust that which is holy, perfect, immovable, and blameless (God’s law) with our unholy, imperfect, sinful hands (actions). But sin cannot expect to touch or adjust what is holy and expect to live!

Sin is the opposite of holiness, not its companion! God’s holiness does not excuse but execute sin by its own unsullied essence . But the holy—the holy son of God can touch what is holy, and live! Righteousness purifies, but sin only causes more sin and death! Therefore, Christ, and only Christ, can rightly right what is wrong, or raise what has fallen dead by His own perfect obedience. Christ is the only acceptable propitiation for sin!

The fault is never with God, His holiness or His law. God’s law condemns us because it is perfect and we’re not. It is never ever the other way around!

God is perfectly and righteously holy and without fault. If the ark had been carried as prescribed by God’s perfect law, this chapter of the bible would probably not exist. But here it is, teaching us that God’s law is perfect and that we should not try to adjust it to make things easier for us! If we do, our ox will stumble and cause a great mess!

Christ is our only hope!

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17

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Thank you for reading!

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Precious Words

“Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” John 8:15-16

…

P is for Precious Words, Not Rocks

John 8:2-12

And early in the morning he [Jesus] came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery…

Those sitting around Jesus must have been absorbed in His words.  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him…. That’s how the enemy works, he interrupts! He disrupts with sin and accusations, and expects immediate recoil at what he’s dragged in.

and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.”

Now, if  the accuser were to display our own sins, we’d be very quiet and careful to speak. But oh, how ready and careless we act and accuse when sin falls on someone else.

“Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.

The accuser knows how quickly our fingers point. He understands the mind of Eve—the minds of men—our minds—so easily distracted, defensive, and worried, and so easily persuaded to claim and taste that which belongs to God alone; in this case judgment and condemnation.

“But what sayest thou?” All eyes must have landed on Jesus, waiting. All mouths must have gasped, all carnal thoughts polluted with yet more sin.

But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

God’s impeccable  composure cannot be unraveled, neither can His righteousness be caught off guard like some unsuspecting prey! Rather, it exposes all intent and all thought before it is even birthed!

Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground. Was this not the same finger that engraved the law into stone tablets? Was this not the same finger that wrote Belshazzar’s judgment upon the palace wall? (Exodus 31:18, Daniel 5)

Jesus stooped down to touch the ground that has been tainted by iniquity since man’s first and fatal sin—as though he heard them not.

The scribes and Pharisees waited, waited for a chance to accuse God Himself. The crowd waited, waited for judgment to fall far, far from their own sin and upon some other wretch.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

He lifted up Himself, and spoke words that all of us should hear! “He that is without sin among you…” And again he stooped down. God stooped from His glory, to a temple courtyard, to the ground. And there, with His finger, He touched the dust from which He had fashioned man in His own image and for His own pleasure, purpose, and glory. What did His finger write this time, words of forgiveness? What did He see in the dirt, His own bleeding face, the cross on His back?

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

One by one the rocks dropped! Why is it that I am still holding mine? Why is this lesson so hard to learn?

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?

Jesus had lifted up Himself from the ground on which He wrote—the ground that He Himself had cursed to judge man’s sin—the ground from which dust has been returning to dust ever since! And He looked at the woman! He looked at her as He now looks at us—utterly sinful, lost and condemned by His own perfect law, and in dire need of His grace and forgiveness.

She said, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Jesus spoke the most precious words ever spoken: “Neither do I condemn thee.” Can you grasp what this means? Can you? “He that is without sin…, let him first cast a stone.” But, He, who was without sin, did not cast a stone!

Can you see the immensity of grace even here, as He forgives and saves a life condemned to die? “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” How could she? How could she now sin, without breaking the heart of Him who loved her like no one ever has? Her heart would break even at the thought of sinning this way again!

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We too need forgiveness, in the midst of our own temple courtyards–our hearts! Oh, that the One who could rightly condemn us, would forgive us instead! Oh, that we would stoop to His feet to hear those precious words spoken even unto us! “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Petra O. Hefner

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory, great things he hath done!
~Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

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Thank you for reading!

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Omnipotent

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6

…

O is for Omnipotent…

…

It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent. ~Jeremy Taylor

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

…

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
end all
except all glory
and honor
due Him
and in Him
and from Him
and through Him
because
He is
immeasurable
majesty immutable
unstoppable
all power-full
eternal
wisdom!

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
do all
except lie
because
He is
truest truth
complete
eternal truthfulness
without shifting
shadows.

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
break all
except His own
Word
because
He is
first and last
forever
faithfully true
and truly
faithful.

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
be all
except tempted
to evil by evil
because
He is
purely pure
perfection
perfectly distinct
majestic majesty
wholly holy holiness
complete
righteousness
found
only
in Him.

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
deny all
except His own
authority
because
He is
fully God
completely divine
divinely conceived
fully man
as her seed
and His promise
fulfilled!

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
share all
except His glory
because
He is
Himself
most glorious
justice and mercy
His own worth
and word
satisfied
and glorified
most powerfully
through Christ
the Just
and Justifier
of all
who have
faith
in
Him!

Almighty
all-powerful
God only can
condemn all
except His own
righteous Son
because
He is
complete
righteousness
risen
in glory
returning
to judge all
and to wake all
dead
to self and sin
to life
to live eternally
alive
and justified
in Him!

Petra O. Hefner

How foolish is every sinner. Can we poor worms strut it out against infinite power? Oh, that every obstinate sinner would think of this, and consider his unmeasurable boldness in thinking himself able to grapple with omnipotence! What force can any have to resist the presence of Him before whom rocks melt, and the heavens at length shall be shriveled up as a parchment by the last fire! As the light of God’s face is too dazzling to be beheld by us, so the arm of His power is too mighty to be opposed by us. ~Stephen Charnock

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Scripture References:

Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37; Job 42:2; James 1:13;  Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Romans 1:16, 3:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Mark 12:24; Hebrews 1:3

Thank you for visiting!

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Limited

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Corinthians 6:9

…

L is for Limited

…

Heaven is Limited

Heaven is limited, but God is not. God is all-powerful, able to forgive the most hideous sin, and able to save the vilest of sinners.

Then why is heaven limited? Heaven is limited because God is not!  God is more than all-powerful, and more than able. God is also knowledge-able! God is more than a powerhouse of unrestricted, unlimited ability. God is also just, wise, righteous, faithful, loving, and holy!

A judge may be powerful enough to convict someone to life in prison or even death by execution, but only a just judge would pronounce such a sentence on someone who was actually proven guilty and deserving of such a penalty. Only a just judge would release an innocent man back into society. Let’s say that such a judge were not only just but also very wise and extremely trustworthy. We’d have an admirable judge.

Let’s further say that such a judge were not only powerful but all-powerful, not only righteous but all-righteous, not only very wise but also all-knowing. What kind of judge would we have then? Not likely one we’ve ever met! Let’s go even further and fathom that in addition to being extremely trustworthy, this judge were also so completely faithful and true to His own word, that He would seal it with his own blood—his very own life! You’d have a judge that some would want all the time and others would want to eradicate. Add holy as well, and you’ll only just begin to scratch the surface of who and what God is!

Most of the people I know fight for life and wish that life could last forever, and a good many of them wish for better than this life has to offer and hope for heaven. But how many would truly want an all-powerful, all-righteous, all-knowing, most faithful, just, and holy God to rule, not only all of earth and heaven, but also all of us as our sovereign Lord and King forever? God’s word states that in reality no one seeks after God. No, not one! (Romans 3:10-18)  It is by God’s grace only, that anyone would ever truly love and obey Him! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Heaven is limited!

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When an eagle is happy in an iron cage, when a sheep is happy in water, when an owl is happy in the blaze of the noonday sun, when a fish is happy on dry land – then, and not till then, will I admit that the unsanctified man could be happy in heaven. —J C. Ryle

If you cannot give your heart to God now, how is it possible you could enjoy God’s heaven hereafter? Heaven is unceasing godliness; it is to be in the presence of God and His Christ for evermore. God is the light, the food, the air of heaven. It is an eternal Sabbath. To serve God is heaven’s employment, to talk with God is heaven’s occupation. Oh, sinners, sinners, could you be happy there? To which of all the saints would you join yourselves? By whose side would you go and sit down, with whom of all the prophets and apostles would you love to converse? Surely it would be a wearisome thing to you; surely you would soon want to go forth and join your friends outside. —J.C. Ryle (Home at Last!)

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Thank you for reading!

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Knows All Perfectly

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33

…

K is for Knows All Perfectly

God has perfect knowledge of His own being and all created things in their entirety from the smallest to the grandest affair and all the divisions of time and through all eternity. The unconscious finds no place in Him, but embraces all things perfectly and effectively!

…

God is Omniscient

God
knows
All
perfectly
and understands
everything
without limits.

1 John 3:19-20, Job 37:16, Psalms 147:5

God
knows
All
fully
and sees
everything
everywhere
and exposes
the darkness
within all lies
the wicked
and the good
are all
fully
known.

Proverbs 15:3, Ezekiel 8:12

God
knows
All
exactly
and perceives
everything
in every living thing
everywhere
and calls
each star
by name
and reveals
each minute detail
within
every thought
exposes every flight
of fancy
falling
like sparrows
sold
and notes
each moment
spent.

Psalms 147:4, Matthew 10:29

God
knows
All
completely
and measures
everything
in each life
and weighs
every experience
considers
each one’s work
entirely
examines
every motive
and traces each
thought perceived
always
watching
each
resting and walking
and eyes
every waking
and sleeping
secret
in every dwelling
place.

Psalms 33:13-15, Proverbs 5:21,Psalms 139:2-3

God
knows
All
entirely
and detects
everything
in each word
on every tongue
and comprehends
meticulously
each misery
in every sorrow
and feels
all tears
and hears
each suffering
of every man’s sins
always checking
from afar
each intent
closely
searching
every heart.

Psalms 139:4, Exodus 3:7, Psalms 139:1-2, 1 Chronicles 28:9

God
knows
All
instantly
and recognizes
everything
in every peculiar particle
particularly
every hair
numbered
under His knowing
eyes
and spots
each blemish
and charts
everything
from every angle
in every age
from all eternity
frames every ancient thing
and everything ever known
before anything
ever began
in Him.

Matthew 10:30; Acts 15:16-18, Isaiah 46:9-10

God
knows
All
precisely
and scopes
everything
in every man
and wholly conceives
creation
even before creating
anyone
ever chosen
to believe
His plan
of salvation
by faith alone
completely
and totally controls
every prophesy foretold
and marks
the exact hour
of each suffering
and fully holds
all wisdom
revealing everything
except that day or hour
known only
to Himself.

1 Peter 1:20, Mark 13:32, Acts 3:17-18, Galatians 1:15-17, 1 Peter 1:1-2

God
knows
All
purposely
and masters
everything
in every plan
for each man
in every choice
from all eternity
according to His good
pleasure
and uncovers
each mystery
ever hidden
to reveal
Himself
in Christ.

Ephesians 1:9-12, Ephesians 3:6, 8-9, Colossians 1:25-26

Petra O. Hefner

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No humble, broken, contrite soul, shall lose one sigh or groan after him, and communion with him; no pant of love or desire is hid from him,–he sees in secret; no glorious performance of the most glorious hypocrite will avail with him,–his eyes look through all, and the filth of their hearts lies naked before him.” —John Owen

And yet…

Suppose for a moment that Jehovah could not see the works and know the thoughts of man. Would you then become more careless concerning him than you are now? I think not… the doctrine of divine omniscience, although it is believed, has no practical effect on our lives at all. The mass of mankind forget God. — C. H. Spurgeon

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Thank you for Visiting!

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It

“He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see…” John 12:40

…

I is for It

Can you see It,
the light that shines
from the pages of his book?
It waits for your attention.
Your eyes are open
but you are looking in
at your sin.

Can you see It,
the shadow that sweeps
across the grave on your hill?
It waits for your everything.
Your eyes are open
but are you looking in
at past sin.

Can you see It,
the lie that polishes
the isles of your iniquities?
It waits for fresh approval.
Your eyes are open
but you are looking in
at more sin.

Can you see It
the old man’s back
laden with burning burdens?
It waits for your explanation.
Your eyes are open
but you are looking in
at every sin.

Can you see It,
the twig that sails
along the rills of the river?
It waits for fresh fruit in vain.
Your eyes are open
but you are looking in
at only sin.

Can you not see It,
the truth that reveals
God’s absolute forgiveness?
He died that we might live!
Your eyes are closed
but you are looking out
at the Cross
of Calvary!

Petra O. Hefner

“And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. Where they crucified him…” John 19:17-18

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Four Things

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2

…

F for Four Things

Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer. —E.M. Bounds

I don’t think prayer moves God, as though He were a rudder on my ship, but I do believe that prayer moves me! Prayer moves me closer to God, closer to His holiness, closer to my need of Him, closer to real humility, and closer to total submission. It moves me closer to the truth of true faith and further away from self and sin. It moves me to my knees! Prayer moves me to care more for the things of God and for the hearts and souls of men. Prayer moves me closer to the cross, further from the grave and hell, and closer to His heaven.

God hears prayer. God hears me! God hears how close I’ve come, hears my groaning, hears how I struggle with imperfect words and wandering thoughts. He hears the battle I fight against my sin and selfish self. He hears the weight of my wants and pressing needs and overwhelming obstacles. He hears them all within my lack of words. He hears the fatigue, the silence, the deep sigh, my imperfect love. He hears my heartache, my longing not to recite another hollow phrase. He hears me wrestling and resting in Him. He hears me cling to His promises. He hears my fleece. He hears me finally believing. He hears me burning my thankful tears into His chest.

And God does more than hear. God heeds each prayer. God pays utmost attention to the slightest move I make in heart or speech or sound or act or thought or silence. He tends to every seed sown, considers every intent, saves every supplication and weighs each careful and each careless word. God’s attention is limitless. He regards every detail. Nothing escapes His mighty arm and outstretched hand.

And God always answers. Always. He knows exactly when I need more waiting, more trusting, more forgiving, more humility, less things that gratify and more things that purify. He takes false hope and gives true faith and trust in Him. He gives me ashes for real content and beauty for everlasting joy in Him. He knows when to give in and when not to cushion the fall. He answers everyone’s need before my lips can form their first plea.

And God delivers. He brings manna, and quail, and water from rocks. He sends ravens to feed my hunger and storms to quench my thirst. He sends the rain to purify my springs, and fire to burn away the dross that wrecks me. He prunes my limbs and fills my cups to overflowing with mercy. He brings spring blossoms and tender reeds, lush meadows and fruit laden trees dripping with laughter. He fills one barn and empties another, lifts high my lows and remembers my long forgotten prayers. He always delivers sufficient grace and mustard seed faith to move mountains!

Petra O. Hefner

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Thank you for reading!

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