A Taste of God’s Glory

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By Julian Wells

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?” (Psalm 113:3-6 NIV)

When my wife and I decided to purchase our home here in the mountains of North Carolina, perhaps the greatest selling point for me was this western view of the mountains.

At the time, I don’t recall anticipating the splendor that view would reveal at sunset each night and the countless moments of wonder and worship those sunsets would inspire. Sometimes they take my breath away. Every evening they draw me nearer to my Creator and give me a taste of his glory.

“Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one.” – C.S. Lewis

Crucified With Christ

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By Julian Wells

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV).

This is a beautiful verse and one many Christians can recite by heart without really giving much thought to its implications. But If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us are living life on our own terms, in our own strength, guided by our own wisdom and asking God to bless us in those efforts.

Christ wants to do immeasurably more than that, more than we can ask or even imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) But it requires dying to self, crucifying our flesh with all its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24), and completely surrendering our lives to Christ, giving the Holy Spirit free reign over our hearts.

That is the kind of faith Paul had, and in his day, it turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6) I believe it can do so again.

 “I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to him.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

Living Faith

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By Julian Wells

“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing- if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? … Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘the righteous will live by faith.'” (Galatians 3:2-5, 11 NIV)

While we may not wrestle with reverting to the law as was the issue Paul was addressing with his letter to the Galatians, we do still struggle with the mindset of the law. We are too content to live the Christian life with the limited resources of our flesh, seldom accessing or experiencing the limitless power of God that is at our disposal.

Paul is speaking here of a living, active faith- a faith that undergirds, guides, and empowers everything we say and do. A faith that sets us apart in the eyes of those we encounter. A faith that moves mountains, results in the abundant life Jesus desires for us, and brings glory to God. A faith that energizes the Spirit within us and unlocks the power of God to do all that we can ask or even imagine.

Lord, help me to experience that kind of faith by looking more to you and less to my own human efforts which must be so puny in your sight.

“Faith is a divine work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different people, in heart and spirit and mind and powers, and it brings with it the Holy Spirit.” – Martin Luther

A Morning Reflection

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By Julian Wells

“I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps. 121: 1-2 NIV)


On those evenings when the sun’s rays penetrate the clouds in the western sky and bathe the peaks below as in this photo taken yesterday, inevitably the Holy Spirit calls this verse to my mind.

How blessed I am to be able to gaze upon these mountains from the comfort of my deck, ponder such verses during my quiet time, and be assured that no matter what trials, circumstances, or temptations should come my way that day, I don’t have to face those challenges alone. I have an omnipresent Helper who is perfect in his love, infinite in his wisdom, and sovereign in his control and who tells me in His Word to ….

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

 

Sovereign In His Control

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By Julian Wells

“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Ps. 103:19 NIV)

God is sovereign in his control, having supreme authority and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future. Take a moment to ponder that truth. It will give you a whole new outlook on the mess it seems our world is in sometimes.

“How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. Eternal years lie in His heart. For Him time does not pass, it remains; and those who are in Christ share with Him all the riches of limitless time and endless years. God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” – A.W. Tozer