Thinking God’s Thoughts … For Sure

ALL – Psalm 28:1-9
ALL – Proverbs 20:24-25
OT – Ezra 3:1-4:24
NT – 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4

Interesting passage for the day: But, strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:16b, The Living Bible

Thought: Have you ever wondered what’s on God’s mind? I have a hard enough time figuring out what’s on my wife’s mind, and she’s human! You’d think I could understand her thoughts easily enough … but not so. But knowing the mind of God—how incredible would that be?

Now, for the astonishing revelation: Paul says that Christians have the mind of Christ! Perhaps not the mind of Christ in ALL of its infinitude and knowledge and majestic intelligence, but we have the mind of Christ to a not-insignificant degree. In fact, part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry as He lives in us is to reveal to us the thoughts of God! We know what the Creator and Overseer of our souls thinks! We know the life and heartbeat of God’s intentions and desires for us!

If we know God’s thoughts, then we know reality. And if we know reality, we can live in it.

Question: As a follower of Jesus, is there anything you’re “supposed to believe” that you aren’t sure about? As you look at the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings (which will agree with one another), are you ready to live in the reality that God teaches? What will that look like for you?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Love One Another More and More

The message, preached on April 4th, 2010, covered 1 John 4:7-21, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. John teaches believers again about what it means to love. We are to love redemptively, like Christ; we are to love by revealing the Father; and we respond to God in love by loving one another. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.

Beyond Understanding

Daniel 8; Psalm 123; Proverbs 29:2-4

Humanity is amazing. The progress people have made in understanding the world and the principles that govern its cycles since the Enlightenment is astonishing. The rate at which technology advances is blindingly fast. We are constantly learning, and very little—almost nothing—seems to be beyond our understanding.

Until God speaks.

Thankfully, God usually speaks to us in words and concepts simple enough for us to hear, understand, and respond to. God now and then chooses to remind us, however, that He is God and we are not. And in those cases, He reveals to us truths that are beyond our understanding, even though they are revealed to us in our own languages.

After seeing a vision about the rise and fall of kingdoms, as well as the (temporary) desecration of Jerusalem and the temple, this was Daniel’s response:

I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. – Daniel 8:27

Exhausted. Ill. Appalled. Daniel was overwhelmed. The vision was too much for him; it was beyond his understanding—yes, even Daniel could be overwhelmed by God’s revelation.

Father, Your work is beyond my understanding! I praise You for Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your guidance. Thank You that You are in control, even when I am nowhere close to being in control.

Anyone else feel overwhelmed by things God has revealed? What has God revealed that is beyond your understanding?