Meditate: God is a river of goodness

“God is a river of goodness streaming down to men through the person of Jesus Christ.”— Charles Spurgeon

“Rivers of Water in a Dry Place” via FI

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God is our. . .

Recently I participated in some training of Christian leaders who gathered to learn more about God and His Word.  One of the other presenters did a great job teaching on the doctrine of God.  As I listened I was stirred again as I reflected on who God is and His work of grace in so many of our lives.

All this year a friend of mine from my college days has been blogging on the various aspects of God.  Recently he has reminded me that God is our Creator and God is our Guide.  I would commend Mark’s posts to you. They are rich, practical and full of breadth. There is no more important matter than how you think about God.  Check out Mark’s blog today!  Read it to your family. Recommend it to your friends.

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Clouds!

Clouds always fascinate me.  They are always different in shape, texture, and depth.  The other day, the feeling of fall pervaded the air and even though it was not raining, thick, dark clouds filled part of the sky. In other parts the sky appeared clear and crisp.

The majority of the references to clouds in the first books of the Bible pertains not to the clouds with think of but rather to that which lead the Israelites by day and later to that which hovered over the Tabernacle.

But as we progress through the NT, we are reminded of God’s control and intimate design of clouds.

“Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,” (Job 38:37, ESV)

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5, ESV)

“He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;” (Psalm 104:3, ESV)

Clouds are even mentioned in a figurative way in regard to our redemption.

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22, ESV)

I’m fascinated by clouds. I think most of us are.  Recently a photographer took some pictures of clouds as he rode in an airplane with an open door some 21,000 feet  above the ground.  Click here to see his photographs which are nothing short of stunning!

Later today when you see clouds reflect on your redemption, on God’s amazing creativity and of His lordship as He rides the clouds!

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A loving thing to do today: Listen

In Life Together from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“The first service one owes to others in the community involves listening to them. Just as our love for God begins with listening to God’s Word, the beginning of love for other Christians is learning to listen to them. God’s love for us is shown by the fact that God not only gives us God’s Word, but also lends us God’s ear. We do God’s work for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. So often Christians, especially preachers, think that their only service is always to have to “offer” something when they are together with other people. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. Many people seek a sympathetic ear and do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking even when they should be listening…Those who cannot listen long and patiently will always be talking past others, and finally no longer will even notice it. Those who think their time is too precious to spend listening will never really have time for God and others, but only for themselves and for their own words and plans…This impatient, inattentive listening really despises the other Christian and finally is only waiting to get a chance to speak and thus to get rid of the other.”

Want to learn more about listening?  Nathan Bingham explores how you love others by listening in this post from which I found the above quote.

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