FAITH:
1 Kings 18:1-46 King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel worshiped Baal, the most popular Canaanite god. Baal idols were often cast in the form of a bull, which represented lust, power, and fertility. Baals were believed to supply rain for crops--an irony during this time of God-appointed drought.
God demonstrated, powerfully and dramatically, his superiority to all false gods, and their prophets.
Fifty-six times in the Bible the work almighty is used. Always it is used of God; never of anyone else. God is all powerful, or omnipotent. Again we are forced to use a negative to explain the concept--there is nothing he can't do. That is a staggering ides. He has no bounds to His energy.
God can do one thing as easily as He can do another. It is no more difficult for God to create a universe than it is for Him to make a butterfly, and He does everything without losing any of His strength. Isaiah 40:28 says, "The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired." God never needs to be replenished. Where would He go for more strength? There is no power outside God.
Built into absolute power is the authority to use it. God not only has the power but He has the authority to do anything He wants to do. While God can do anything He want to do, however, His will is totally consistent with His nature. That's why, for example, He cannot lie and will not tolerate sin. It is also why He shows grace and mercy. Psalm 115:3 says, "Our God is in the heavens; He does what ever He pleases." Have you ever asked the question, "Why did God do this?" He did it because He wanted to If this doesn't seem like a sufficient answer to you, it's because you don't understand God....
We worship an unchanging, allpowerful God. If that makes Him seem far beyond your ability to comprehend, that is good. If you think of God as someone simple enough for the human mind to understand, your god is not the true God.
What is your concept of God? Do you see Him as a timeless, infinite, allpowerful, unchanging, glorious being? Or do you, like many tend to minimize God's greatness, preferring to think of Him as one who may be manipulated or fooled by human hypocrisy, or one who may be mandated to do what we want. Such a view of God is utterly pagan.
A vision of the steadfastness of our immutable God brings a sense of security and stability to our unsettled lives. And the understanding that His power is unlimited and undiminishing strengthens and encourages even the weakest believer. The natural response to that is praise and adoration that over flows in a life that worships. by John MacArthur Jr.
Applying it: Is your God too small? Take a moment to pray as you contemplate God's almighty power. Ask Him to help you realize his greatness and worship him. Exploring it: God is All Powerful--Genesis 18:14; Exodus 15:6; 1 Samuel 14:6; Psalm 93:4; 115:3;, Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Revelation 19:6.
FRIENDS: Father, we want only to please you. We cherish your promise to take care of your children. And yet we often come to you with muddled ideas, unsure of what is best, uncertain of your will, questioning you. Thank you Father, for the assurance that our imperfect prayers cannot hinder your incredible power. Will you draw us ever closer to you? In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
March 23
Matthew 27:57-66; Romans 15:1-13; Psalms 69:19-36; Deut 29-31
March 24
Matthew 28:1-10; Romans 15:14-33; Psalms 70; Deut 32
FOOD: This is from one of my internet food groups: The method below is the best and easiest way I have ever found to make polenta. Absolutely foolproof, makes perfect polenta every time. And it is from an Italian site! Cheers, Doug in BC http://video. about.com/ italianfood/ Polenta-Recipe. htm
FUN:
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed.
Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said,
"Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
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