All things are from Him

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life... But the hour is coming, and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth, for the father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:13,14,23,24)
This morning was for me, and many an exceptional time of worshiping the Father with all our hearts. Of being filled again with the living water. As a dear friend reminded me this past week

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. (Psalm 36:7-9)

This was especially real for me this morning in corporate worship at our church. A time of brokenness and fellowship with God the Almighty. Our Redeemer. Our only Hope.
I think with brokenness on what is going on in Haiti and we weep with the people there. What devastation and carnage. The number that is getting tossed around for people that have died is around 1.5 times the population of our county. I can't even wrap my mind around the suffering. But at times like this I cling to word of God. For in the shadow of his wings we find refuge.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:18-25 (emphasis added)

We suffer. They are suffering. In some ways far more than many of us will ever experience. It is to remind us how much we need a saviour. Because of sin Creation has been subjected to futility. Because of sin we have earthquakes where tens of thousands of people die. Because of sin we have death. Some day we will be freed from death. O death where is your sting?!
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger (earthquakes?), or the sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come , nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Some are suggesting that God is not in control of the situation by stating that he would never allow or cause it to happen, or that it happened as a curse upon the people because of their former pacts with the devil, or even current pacts. I do not pretend to know these things. This I do know. God is all powerful. Omnipotent. He either directly causes or allows all things that happen on the earth for a reason. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (emphasis added) We also know this great comfort:
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (emphasis added)

We also have the story at the beginning of Luke 13.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

The point is that when we see these things or hear of them we should repent, and call others to do likewise. And praise God that he is merciful that these things do not happen to all of us continually. And that even more he upholds us that are in Him and keeps us so that nothing can separate us from Him. And even better He works all things for His Glory! And that is for our good.



57. God whose ways are unsearchable

58. Friends who encourage us though scripture

59. Praying people

60. the smell of snowmelt

61. tears that refresh

62. fog

63. hoarfrost



64. a son's laughter

65. my wife's caress

66. safe travel for friends

67. fresh tales of God's working in Africa

68. mercy on sinners like me

69. trials that grow patience

70. tastebud awakening calzones


71. that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

72. snow crystals