Trust in God's sovereignty

 God has been revealing to me through this Advent Devotional today that I need to trust in his sovereignty in this coming year.   2020 was a changing of various jobs that I worked for a while then this current one that I do not enjoy.   I thought the YMCA would be one that would a good fit for me but they put me on furlough then unemployment.    Then I took on this Home Depot position at the end of May with the MET team.   The job pays a decent amount for a part-time position but I do not enjoy the position.  

One aspect of God's sovereignty is his purposes.  It says in Job 42:1, "I know you can do all things and your purposes cannot be thwarted."  This is a reminder that God is sovereign, has a plan, and purpose for our life.   Also,  Romans 8:28,  describes how God sovereignly works all things together for his good purposes.   Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those that love God he works all things for good, and for those that are called according to his purpose."

Second,  God is sovereign over his will for our life and the grace through inheritance he has blessed us with his Son, Jesus Christ.    Ephesians 1:11,  "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things accordance to his will."  This verse reminds us that he has predestined us grace through Jesus Christ; Ephesians 2:8-9.   God is sovereign over human events and planned certain things to occur according to his will.  Another verse Isiah 45:7-9,  shows God is sovereign over specific historical events and his righteousness stands tall.

Lastly,  God's sovereignty can be understood in the midst of his greatness and glory.   1 Chronicles 29:11 says,  "Yours O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and earth is yours.  Yours is the kingdom O Lord,  you are exalted as head over all."   This verse reminds us that God's sovereignty can be looked at through who he is and his character.   When we examine his power, when can see he is sovereign over all things in our life.    Reading this verse in conjunction with Psalm 19 can help us see and understand his sovereignty over all things. 

Let us see how God is sovereign and in control today.  God ordains and predestines us specific grace through his Son, Jesus Christ.   God is sovereign in how he is over all events in our life.   How can we remind ourselves of his power, glory, and majesty today?   Do you know God has specific purposes for your life?  

Waiting for the godly woman God has for me.

 This year with the crazy year 2020 has been for us all it has been extra hard struggling in my singleness.   It's hard to look everywhere with people all across the world in relationships even during a pandemic.  It's been frustrating to look around and see friends with kids despite this virus plagued year.  Also,  it's been frustrating with recent online godly women saying they're interested one and then not being interested another day.  Lastly,  it did not work out with a godly woman at church.  

In summary,  God has been calling me to wait on him in his leading to a godly woman to love and serve him with.    When we are waiting on the Lord for something we are seeking God for we have to do what Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not be faint."  This shows that when we wait on God for his timing then he will renew our strength in him.     God will lift us up in times of discouragement.    Lastly, he will give us strength to abide in him and not fall astray.  

Another important concept,  God has been reminding me that I need to keep surrendering this desire I have to God.    Romans 12:1-2 says, "I appeal to you brothers, by the mercy of God,  to present your bodies as living sacrifices,  holy and acceptable to God, this is your spiritual act of worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,  that by testing you will be able to discern the what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect."  This verse me how much it is necessary to keep surrendering this desire on the altar to God.    In Matthew 6:31-32,  Jesus discusses in the Sermon on the Mount how our Heavenly Father knows what we need.   God knows our needs before we even go to him or ask him.   

Lastly,  God has been revealing that I have to trust him in his plan for my life whether it's singleness for a while or marriage in his timing.   Jeremiah 29:11 discusses the concept that God has a specific will and plan for our life to prosper and be successful.  We have to trust him with whatever occurs God wills.  God knows the end to the means but not how to specifically get there.     God is sovereign and in control over my his will for my life.   1 Chronicles 29:11 says, "Yours O Lord, is the greatness, the glory, and the power, and the splendor, and the majesty, for every the heavens and earth is yours.  Yours O Lord, is the kingdom, you are exalted as head over all."

Let us wait on God for his leading in our life as we close out the year.   We need to pray for his timing in our lives.  Also,  it is important that we surrender this desire to God and trust in his leading in our life.     God is in control and he knows what he is doing.    Lastly,  it is important we need to trust in his will for our life and whatever that entails. 

Proverbs 31 woman

 God has been reminding me that he desires a Proverbs 31 woman for my life.   Sometimes I look to the outside of a woman's appearance more than her heart.   At work at Home Depot,   I have been struggling with lust off and on.  God has been revealing to me that I need to desire what is a woman's heart not just her outward appearance.   1 Samuel 8:9 says,  "For God see not as a man sees, for a man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."  

King Lamuel who wrote this Proverb describes this type of woman as one who works hard, has strong integrity, speaks wisdom and truth, and has inside beauty as well as outside beauty.  This type of woman is that others praise her for how hard she works.  People see something different in her because of her kindness and strength.  Also, she serves others in the community and in the household.    Proverbs 31 and 34 describe this type of woman making certain garments for her household and also her community. 

 Lastly, this type of woman fear the Lord, Proverbs 31:20 describes her best when the oracle says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Another definition for fear means to revere God.   This type of woman reverses God in his glory, strength, and power.  A specific type of person that fears God puts him first in all things and loves others well.  A godly woman that fears the one true God is one to be desired, verse 10 says, "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."  As men we should desire godly women who fear God and love others well.  

What type of woman are you looking for?  Are you looking to the inside of a woman's heart and not the outside?  It is important as men we look to the heart of women and not just their appearance.   We need to examine how they treat others in the community and live out their faith.    Lastly,  we need to ask ourselves does this woman fear God and not man/women? 

The Bible Project/ God Series

 The Bible Project God series has shown me my desire for knowing God and his spoken Word more intimately.   It has revealed how much we need to as believers interpret the Bible.  It has given meanings on what the biblical authors were saying during that time period.   It has helped me understand specific sayings and concepts about God.   Lastly,  I have understood more about who God is through the podcast.  

The book: Supernatural

God has been teaching me through the book Supernatural by Michael Heisler that he is a big God and to be feared. 

It also shows me that there is a supernatural realm working against the plans of God.  In addition,  this realm is shown in specific passages that we normally gloss over as believers.   These concepts we normally do not discuss in church.    Lastly,  the book opens your eyes to understand certain concepts in the Bible in that time period in a deeper way and why God ordered the Israelites to do specific things.

  Also,  God has been teaching me that he has a heavenly divine council in Job 1 called the sons of God.  These sons of God rebelled against God in Genesis 6 and formed the Nephalim/Rephalim.  This book helped me see specific concepts in the Bible I have not seen before.   I did not realize the amount of demonic forces going against God.    The main point is we have to realize the supernatural forces working against God and God wants us to be apart of his new divine council.

Delight ourselves in the Lord

In Psalm 37,  David describes the man that puts his full trust in God. Psalm 37:3-7, gives us a depiction of this kind of person.   This type of person exemplifies a life of faithfulness.  Also,  they  commit their way to God and he gives them the desires of their heart.   Another important aspect of this type of person is that a by product of their trust in God is fruitful righteousness in God.    Lastly,  this specific type of person is one that constantly waits on God for his leading in their life. 
Psalm 37:11 describes verse three in more detail describing those that are humble will inherit the land.    David says in verse 11, "But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity."  This verse gives us some context in relating back to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:5.    This Beatitude says "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."  Matthew 5:5 describes those that are like this are blessed. 
In the middle of this Psalm, David relates relates back to his earlier message of delighting yourself in the Lord in when he describes our steps being established by God being a by product of this process.  This verse makes it clear that when we are resting in who God is then he is leading us where he wants us to go.    The proceeding verse in verse 34 makes it clear that when we are resting in God, that he will sustain us in any situation.    David reminds us in verse 34, "When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the one who holds his hand."  God's omnipresence is with us leading and guiding us in all circumstances in life. 
Lastly,  David uses verse 34 as a reflection on verse seven in describing the process on waiting on God.    The first part of verse 34 says "Wait for the Lord and keep his way," while verse seven says "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him."  Both of these verses are passive when they describe us to rest and wait patiently.    This waiting for the Lord that David describes is a daily process in our lives.   When we consistently waiting on God and his leading, he will provide for us. 
Are you trusting in God and delighting in in him today?
How can you consistently waiting on God and his leading?
What will he give us when we do wait on him?

Problems in our society

The main problems in our society stem from the fact that we do not fear God and we need true revival in our country.  We as believers need to revere God and his glory. Proverbs 1:7 says, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction."   When we get away from fearing God and his glory, it leads to sins such as racism, abortion, etc.    Turning our minds and hearts away from God, leads to self gratification and sin.
Also it's important we as believers truly repent of our sins and unite together for true revival.   God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my  people, who are called by my name,  will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land."   Revival is described as awakening of something or coming back to life.  Our country will be  truly revived when we seek God's face.  All the great movements of God happen when we pray and seek God's face. 

Trust God with the present and the past

In the past three to four days God has been revealing to me another important concept.  This concept came up through reading a book,  confessing a struggle to someone, and thinking about one of my passions.    It is the practice of trusting God with certain things in your life.  The way this is formed is by trusting God with our past so we can trust him with the future.   David put this concept into practice before he fought Goliath.    Before the battle, Saul doubted David could face such a big specimen as Goliath. 
In 1 Samuel 16:34-37, David remembered how God had delivered him in the past when he fought lions and bears while tending his father's sheep. In verses 35, he trusted that God would protect him against Goliath like he protected him against the lion and bear.  While in verse 36, he remembered how God used him to kill the lions and bears, therefore he had ultimate trust he could defeat Goliath.   Also, in verse 37  David knew that God was sovereign and in control of this situation.   Lastly, in verse 37 recognized that God would ultimately get the glory in this battle.
Another area of trusting God can be seen through Proverbs 3:5-6.  In these verses the Solomon, David's son writes, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." During this section,  Solomon gives us a picture that trusting God starts with depending on God.  Also, it involves remembering that God is working in this process.  When we acknowledge God is working in this process, then we will lead and guide us where he wants us to go. 
This reminds me that I need to constantly trust God with specific struggles in life.  God has revealed to me that since he has delivered me from my driving problems in the past that I can trust him in the future.  Also,  God has delivered me from specific job struggles and he will lead me in the future.  God is constantly growing our ability to trust him.  It grows from a small thimble when we first become believers to a cup as we grow and mature.     So, in essence what can you trust God with today? 

The specific concepts God revealed to me this week

In this post I will do a quick discussion of what God reminded me of this week through church and studying the Bible.  These are important concepts to remember in our walk with God.   The first concept God revealed to me was how much it is important to depend on him in the battles we face in our life.  David was being hunted down by Saul and he relied on God's provision when we was being attacked.  Also,  he consistently asked God whether he should go in battle against certain foes he was facing.   The second important concept God revealed to me was how it's important we repent of our sins.  Wet need make this process one that we consistently do so that we die to our sinful desires and take our cross and follow Jesus. 

God's provision out of quarantine time

This week God showed me his provision out quarantine time.  God provided me this new position at Home Depot this past week.  I had been praying for another job since my YMCA position furloughed me when the lock-down restrictions started.     I had the interview on Tuesday morning and was offered the position shortly after.    God showed me that he is faithful, he is our Jehovah Jireh, and he will provide.
I am working in the MET department changing prices and doing general maintenance.  In changing prices of a product, we have to make sure the sticker is on straight and it looks good.  General maintenance requires we use this phone device and review products/displays to make sure they look good for the customers.   There's also this specific area that shows you the time it takes you to review each bay.  I get along well with the people I work with.
God showed me that when we seek him and his kingdom he provides for us. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:32-33, Jesus reminds us how we do need to worry about food, what to eat or wear, because God will provide for us.   Jesus says in verses 33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself."   When we are depending on God, seeking his kingdom, and his Holy Spirit's leading in our life he will provide for us. 

Things we can glean from the movie 1917

There are some important concepts that we can glean from the movie 1917.  It made me think of certain aspects in the Christian life that are important.  The movie brought to light certain themes that we can apply to our life.  It also made me think of those themes in terms of the war.   The movie helped me see why these themes are so important.
The first theme that was important was importance of sharing the gospel.  This theme occurred throughout the movie when the two soldiers were walking across enemy lines to deliver the message of an impending attack. This helps us see the importance of spreading the message of the gospel every day.  The gospel means "good news."  Jesus tells disciples in Matthew 28:16-20, to "go into the world and tell others about him and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them all that I have commanded you."
The second theme I saw in the movie was edification.  The two soldiers encouraged each other on their journey.  When one of the soldiers died, the soldier took the others belongings and vowed to tell the other soldiers brother about him.  At the very end of the movie, Colonel William told Officer Blake's brother about his death.  He gave him his brother's possessions about told Blake's brother about how we fought valiantly before he died.
Movies can help us see certain themes in our life or in a theological sense.  This is why I love to watch movies.  They bring out certain important principles in life.  I hope we can see themes even in simple movies as well.  Lastly, movies give us a sense of how to apply certain principles shown in our life.

Time of Lockdown

During this time of lock down,  God revealed to me certain sin my life that I needed to get rid of and cut down.  God showed me that I needed to destroy the harmful affects that porn/lust has on my life.  A friend has come alongside of me and encouraged me in these struggles.  He showed me that I need to give these struggles to God.  I recently signed up for a service called Covenant Eyes that watches the lustful types of things I look at on my phone or computer.
God revealed to me how much we need to desire a life of holiness.  Jesus died on the cross for sins and we are not to live a life bondage to our sins anymore.  The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "you are bought with a price therefore flee from sexual immorality."  God desires us to flee from the things that cause use to sin because of what he has done for us.  We are to keep our minds away from these lustful desires that pull us in.
The Holy Spirit has convicted me of these sinful desires.  He has helped me see my need to give these struggles to Jesus.  In John 16:8, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will convict you of "sin, righteousness, and judgement."  Also, in John 16:13, "when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth."  These two verses show that God has used his Holy Spirit to convict me of my sin and reveal to me how I need to surrender these sins to God.
As I close this post today I have two questions for you, how is God molding you into his image during the quarantine?  What sins do you need to surrender to God?

Contentment in God

Contentment in what we have

April 10, 2020- Luke Urban- Philippians 4:10-13;1 Timothy 6:6-7

  As I have been praying, God has been that I need to be content in who I am in Christ and it has been frustrating waiting God for a full-time job. At times, I have a sense of discontentment about not finding a wife.  As a single guy, I desire a companionship of a wife and a godly woman to serve Christ with.   Paul had this source of contentment in while he was in prison.  In Timothy, Paul tells his mentee Timothy to be content in what you have.

Paul had this level of contentment in whatever situation that he was in.  He was not moved by a changing situation or hardship that would come his way.  Paul describes this level of contentment in Philippians 4:11-12, saying “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  This story from the book of Philippians helps me realize that I need to be content in what God has done in my life and he will give me what I need in his timing.   When I rest in who God is, he will give me what I need.

It is important we find contentment in our monetary situation.  Paul tells Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is a great gain.” He goes on to say God has already provided us food and clothing, so we need to be content with that.   God will meet our monetary and physical needs. 

Dear Father, I pray we can be content with what we have.  Give us to the strength to be content that you are all we need.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi compared to Revenge of the Sith

At the end of Star Wars:Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker defeats Darth Vadar and rescues him from the Emperor.  We think Darth Vadar or Anakin is saving the Emperor but he is really saving his son, Luke Skywalker.  It turns out in the book for Rise of the Skywalker and when I was watching Return of the Jedi you can use Vader turning to the light sooner than the end of the movie.  The sins of the father will not be repeated in the son, in the Christian life we cannot let our sins and emotions overtake us.
Anakin let his sinful nature overwhelm him.  He always looked to the future and the worries of this world.  He fell into the Romans 7 mindset by doing what he did not want to do.  Through his struggles, he did not remember Romans 8:1 in his life.  Anakin fell into the trap of letting the worries and cares of his world overwhelm him.
His son, Luke Skywalker had a heavenward focus in the Return of the Jedi.  His mind was focused on the things above: Colossians 3:3.  He had a desire to see the good in his Father though his Father had chosen to go down a dark path thereby becoming Darth Vader.   Luke had surrendered to the light side and it controlled him by the Return of the Jedi; Romans 12:1-2.  By the end of the movie, the light side was producing fruit in him and he was growing into maturity; Galatians 5:22-23.
The question is who do you want to be more like the Father consumed by the dark side.  In another sense, would you like to be like the son who was consumed by the light side and redeeming those caught up in the dark side of the force.

Star Wars Pre-Ques in comparison to the virus

The battle we face today is similar to the battle against the battle in Star Wars.  There is a behind the scenes enemy who does not reveal himself right away.  Darth Sidious the evil Sith Lord hides himself in politics.  He moves up into greater position as we progresses into the story of the pre-quels.  The Jedi Council does not sense his presence until it is too late.
His real name is Palpatine, which we find out as we move through the story.  Palpatine moves to the title of Senator midway through the Phantom Menace.  Then as a Sith, he grooms Anakin by befriending him in Attack of the Clones.  This leads to Anakin defending the Palpatine as he moves to the title of Chancellor in Revenge of the Sith.  Anakin then carries out Chancellor Palpatine's order to destroy the Jedi at the end of Revenge of the Sith.
Today in this crazy world we have to put in place measures to protect ourselves against this behind the scenes virus.  The virus is lurking around us and you never know where it is until it hits us.  In the early Star Wars movies, the Jedi did not see the Emperor working behind the scenes until it was too late.  They sensed that there was an evil force at work but they did not go to drastic measures to stop him.

Wait on God

In this season of pandemic God calls us to wait on him.  A lot of people are experiencing loss of job, ability to go out to eat, to travel, and to partake in other fun things.  In these seasons of life God calls us to wait on him.  As believers in Christ we are to put our hope and trust in him and not in worldly things that do not give us joy.  Jesus Christ is our hope and gives us peace beyond circumstances.
The passage I will use to define waiting on God is Isiah 40:30. Isiah 40:31 says, "Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount on wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." First, when we wait on God we gain strength.   When we wait on God daily in these times, he will give us strength to get through these times.  He reminds us scripture while he go through these times.
Second, it says we will mount on wings like eagles.  This means that he reminds us of our hope in Christ daily,  Waiting on God allows us to trust that God is eternal.  Also, it reminds us our citizenship is in heaven.  God shows us we have to look to him for our needs.
Third, these last two go together.  Isiah says waiting on God will help us run and not grow weary and walk and not be faint.  When our daily rest is in God, then he helps us in our time of need.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30,   "Come to me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  This reminds us that when we daily rest in him then God moves through us and he will give us the strength to run and do anything in his power.  Resting in him reminds us that when we trust in his power, he gives us the ability to wait on him.

New job

In this past year, God has given me a new job.  The job is a fun job because I get to work with  kids and a wide range of people.  I have had to travel and commute across the area for the job.  I have had to implement a wide range of games for the job.  Also, I work with a wide range of  kids in the YMCA After School Programs Group Leader position.  It has been a fun job working and mentoring these kids.  I have done well in implementing new things in the job.
I am hoping and praying it moves to full-time eventually.  When I was first fired, one of the staff the hired me said it could move to full-time.  The higher up staff are really nice and helpful.  They usually help me with any aspects of the position.  Also, they give me tips on improving and various new concepts to implement.
Lastly, the job uses my gifts of being very relational.  Also, it uses my ability to work with kids and mentor others.  Also, it shows the side of me that is very high energy and fun to work with.