We Can Know God

This week Justin Morton is the writer/speaker for Our Daily Walk.

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.
Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2hw6bx

This week in our daily walk we have been examining the God that we serve. We have looked at how God is omnipresent, omnipotent, all-knowing, and loving and forgiving. As we come to a close this week I want to reassure everyone listening that we can know God. I’m afraid too many people today do not feel it’s possible to have a relationship with God because they do not feel they can know God.

David said, “The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God” (Psa. 14:2). God is watching to see if man understands. Will we understand everything? No. There is lots we will never know. This however, doesn’t mean there are things we can’t know.

In Romans chapter 1 Paul talks about how there were some people who knew God and yet did not honor Him. He said, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Paul makes it quite clear that it is possible for one to know God. These people knew God and yet chose not to honor or give thanks to Him.

Maybe some of you listening this morning have at one time known God. Maybe at one point in your life you had a relationship with Him but now

you don’t. Maybe you have failed to honor and give thanks to Him. Maybe you are one who has never known God. I want everyone to know that God is someone we can know.

In verses 19 and 20 Paul makes this statement, “because that which is known about God is evident within them, For God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Did you hear what Paul said? God made Himself evident to all men. Ever since the beginning of time, since that day He spoke this world into existence, His invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen. All anyone of us has to do is open our eyes and look around us. God has made Himself known to man through His wonderful creation.

When we open our eyes and look around we are able to see that God is a God who cares for His creation. When He created man in His image He placed him in an environment where his needs were met. Today, we all live in an environment where all of our needs are met. We live in the greatest country there is. We have so many freedoms that help us to have our needs met.

When we open our eyes and see the people around us, we are able to see and know the love that God has for His creation. Think about what He did for us. He sent His only son to die a shameful and horrific death in our place. Paul said, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5.8). When you look around and see the people you love and care about the most, always remember the price that was paid for the ones you love. God sacrificed His loved one for us and our loved ones. That says it all about who God really is.

It is my hope and prayer that we will all strive everyday to work on building our relationship with God by getting to know Him better. The best way to get to know Him is by studying from His word and opening our eyes to the world around us. God truly is amazing. What wonderful blessings He has provided for you and me.

Our thought for the day: “There is much I do not know about God, but what I do know has changed my life.”

May God bless you in your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Justin Morton, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

God is Loving and Forgiving

This week Justin Morton is the writer/speaker for Our Daily Walk.

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/ytvr48

This week we have been examining the God that we worship. Yesterday we looked at how God is everywhere always. There is no place one can go to hide from God. Everything we do is open to His eyes.

Since God is everywhere and sees everything, there is nothing that can be hidden from Him. Thus, when we sin and mess up, God knows about it. If this were the end this would make life for us unbearable, knowing that God sees when we sin and do things that go against His will. How fortunate we are that we serve a God that is loving and forgiving. When we sin and mess up, yes God knows about it, but He is willing to forgive us. John said, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1.8-9). John makes his point plain and simple. If we confess our sins God will forgive us of our sins because He is faithful and righteous.

In John chapter 8 we see the forgiveness of Jesus first hand. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman they caught in the act of adultery to Jesus to test Him. They pointed out that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman. Upon hearing what they had to say Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. The scribes and Pharisees continued to persist that He answer the question. Jesus responded, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one they departed. Jesus looked at her and said, “Where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more” (Jn. 8:1-11).

This woman who was caught in the very act of adultery should have been stoned to death. Jesus thought otherwise. He was willing to forgive the woman even though all those around her were not. Jesus knows that we are weak and sinful. He understands that we are all sinners. Paul said, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3.23). Jesus loves us so much that no matter what, He is willing to forgive if we are truly willing to repent.

I have heard some people make the statement that there is no way that God could ever forgive them. Some of you may feel that God can’t forgive you for something you have done. You may feel that you are too far gone for even God to reach out to and forgive. I want all of you to know that’s not possible. God’s love and forgiveness can cover a multitude of sins. Paul tells us that there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God (Rom. 8.35-39). No matter what your past is like, God loves you and is willing to forgive you if you will only repent.

As has already been mentioned, Jesus is the greatest example of forgiveness. In Luke 23 we read about the crucifixion of Jesus. As He was hanging on the cross after having been beaten, spit upon, mocked, and humiliated, Jesus uttered some of the most beautiful words the Bible records. In verse 34 He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” After enduring the greatest pain and suffering the world has ever known, Jesus prayed to God for forgiveness on behalf of those who were killing Him.

The world has never known a more loving and forgiving individual than Jesus Christ. It is my hope and prayer that all of you will come to understand the forgiveness that can be found in Jesus Christ.

Our thought of the day: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future” (Paul Boese).

May God bless you in your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Justin Morton, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

God Is Always Watching

This week Justin Morton is the writer/speaker for Our Daily Walk.

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2fwg4v

I have often heard young people say, “No one will ever know what I’m doing. There is no way my family will ever find out.” In some cases young people are correct, their parents may never find out about what they are doing. They may even be able to keep things a secret from the people they spend the most time around like their friends. However, one thing is certain. Although what we are participating in may not be public knowledge, it is known by someone and that is God.

God’s eyes are upon man, watching everything he does. One of Job’s friends, Elihu, said it best when he said, “For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves” (Job. 34:21-22). Did you hear that…there is no darkness or deep shadow where those who are doing evil may hide themselves. God is eternal and omnipresent.

We all need to realize and understand that we cannot hide from God. Even if what we are doing is unknown to men, God still sees and knows. David said, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night, Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You” (Psalm 139:7-12).

What an encouraging and terrifying passage at the same time. David tells of how God is always there no matter where we are. We cannot hide from him. From heaven to sheol, the two vertical extremes to the wings of dawn and the remotes part of the sea, the two horizontal extremes, God is always there. David says that even the darkness is not dark to God and the night is as bright as the day. David’s point is clear, no one can outrun or hide from God. He is always there watching us.

This verse is terrifying because it points out that God sees everything man does. When we say something that intentionally hurts someone’s feelings, God is there. When we are at work and telling an inappropriate joke to our co-workers, God is there. When we sit down at the computer and begin to view images that are both inappropriate and sinful, God is there. When we become involved with someone who is not our spouse, God is there. There is nothing that we can keep God from knowing.

This verse is also encouraging because it points out that God sees everything man does. When we say something that helps to encourage and build someone else up, God is there. When we go to visit those who are sick and in the hospitals, God is there. When we put our arm around one who has just lost a loved one, God is there. When we bow our heads to offer up prayers of thanksgiving, God is there. When we gather on the first day of the week, God is there. Just as God sees everything man does that is evil, God also sees everything man does that is good.

Many people have a misunderstanding about the omnipresence of God. They believe that God is looking down from heaven on the sons of men waiting to place a check next to our names when we do things wrong. Yes, God does notice the sins that we commit. God hates sin and cannot overlook it. But God also desires for us to do good. He notices the good things that you and I do and that makes Him happy.

My hope and prayer is that all of you will come to the realization that God is everywhere-always. He is omnipresent. He watches you everywhere you go and that is something that we should all be thankful for.

Our thought for the day: “Sometimes it seems like God is difficult to find and impossibly far away. We get so caught up in our small daily duties and irritations that they become the only things that we can focus on. What we forget is that God’s love and beauty area all around us, every day, if only we would take the time to look up and see them.”

May God bless you in your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Justin Morton, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

All Things Are Possible

This week Justin Morton is the writer/speaker for Our Daily Walk.

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/ysakre

The Israelites were God’s people. He loved them and always took care of them when they needed Him. Yet, there were times when the children of Israel doubted God’s power to take care of them. Numerous times throughout their history we see Israel fail in their trust of God. When faced against what they believed to be the odds, the children of Israel became afraid.

It may seem amazing to us today that they could doubt God and His power. After all, was this not the people who witnessed the waters of the Red Sea part? As they were departing from Egypt and being chased by Pharaoh’s army, God divided the waters so that they were able to pass by on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). Can you imagine the amazing sight this must have been to not only the children of Israel but also to the army of Pharaoh? Just picture standing on the edge of the beach and watching the waters begin to roll back and divide in the middle. This had to be one of the most amazing sights the people of Israel had ever seen, at least an unforgettable sight, right?

In Exodus chapter 16 we read how Israel began to grumble and complain in the wilderness that they would die from hunger. They told Moses and Aaron how good they had it in Egypt as slaves. Think about this. These people were rescued from Egyptian bondage. As they were traveling away from Egypt God parted the waters of the Red Sea for His people to cross on dry ground and then released the waters so that the Egyptians drowned. God showed His great power by coming to their rescue before, why are they afraid they will die from hunger. They have God on their side. Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:27).

The children of Israel should have never worried about dying in the wilderness. They should have trusted in God to take care of their needs, after all, “all things are possible with God.” Many times you and I are just like the people of Israel. Things happen in our lives and we begin to wonder whether or not God is powerful enough to handle those situations. Many times we become scared and fearful and even worry ourselves to the point of becoming sick. Why? Why do we allow this to happen? Every time I begin to worry more and become fearful, I am demonstrating my lack of trust in the ultimate power of God.

Think about it. You and I have more proof than anyone including the children of Israel. We are able to read about all of the marvelous things God has done. Things like the history of Israel in the wilderness and how God provided for His people. We also read about how Jesus used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a multitude of people (Jn. 6:8-14). We are able to read about how Jesus rose from the grave after three days and appeared to multitudes of people. Everyday that I live I have an opportunity to see the awesome power of God. I am able to view the wonderful world that He has created. I am able to interact with His greatest creation of all, people.

Folks, we have no reason to ever doubt the awesome power of God. Are bad things going to happen in our lives? Yes! Are things going to happen that we do not understand? Yes! Are things going to happen that hurt us and cause us pain? Yes! But God is awesome and mighty in power. No matter what we have to endure in our daily lives, God is able to use His mighty power to use those situations for good (Rom. 8:28).

I believe that Jesus said it best when He said, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? Oh, you of little faith” (Matt. 6:30). Jesus tells us that if God takes care of the little things in life, like the birds and such, how much more is He going to care for His children (Matt. 6:25-34).

At times it’s tough. As humans we are unsure about what to expect. We are scared how things are going to turn out. Always remember…”all things are possible with God” even those things that we don’t understand. God is powerful enough to take care of all our needs.

Our thought of the day: “Nothing is too big for my God to accomplish, and nothing is too little for Him to use in accomplishing it.”

May God bless you in your daily walk.

He Knows Us Best

This week Justin Morton is the writer/speaker for Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/25583d

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.

If you could know anything about your future, what would you want to know? Some people may want to know what their children are going to do when they grow up. Others may want to know who their children are going to marry. Still others may chose to know when they are going to die. We all have things about our lives that we wished we knew. Although we cannot know what the future holds there is one who does know, God.

God knows everything there is to know about us even before it happens. David said, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether” (Psa. 139:1-4).

God knows all things, the future, our thoughts, and everything about us. There is so much about our lives that we don’t know or understand. Yet, God knows our future. David said, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet here was not one of them” (Psa. 139:16). God is able to see and know everything. He knew me before I was born. He knows what is going to become of my life even before it begins. Jeremiah wrote, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord” (Jer. 29:11). The plans that Jeremiah is referring to has to do with the captive’s future. God knew what was going to happen in their future. He had plans!

He knows the same about us. Although I might not know nor understand why certain things happen, God knows. Although I might wonder why a certain thing happened to me and not someone else, God knows. The fact that God knows about my future and has plans for me should be comfort enough.

I have heard many people make statements about how glad they were that no one was able to know their thoughts. Not only does God know about our future but God also knows about our thoughts. The psalmists said, “The Lord knows the thoughts of man” (Psa. 94:11). David pointed out that God knew the thoughts of man from afar and was intimately acquainted with all our ways, even before we speak a word, God knows it (Psa. 139:1-4).

Think what it must be like for God to know the thoughts of His people. Those things that we think no one else knows about. How painful it must be for Him to know the secret things of His children. Those things that we think about people other than our spouse, God knows. The things we think about the people who get on our nerves and test our patience, God knows. The secret thoughts we keep locked up in our mind and never let out, God knows. “He is intimately acquainted with all my ways” (Psa. 139:3).

I want everyone to know that God knows you. He knows everything there is to know about you. He knows your thoughts, your future, everything about you. How many people can we say that about? There are very few people who know me really well because I don’t allow most people to know me. I want to keep people at a distance. Yet, no matter how hard I try to keep it from God, I can’t. God knows me inside and out and He knows you as well!

The people who know us the best are usually the people we love the most and have the best relationship with. What about God? I promise you there is no one who knows you better than God. He knows everything there is to know. Why not give in to Him and accept His love and grace. As I said earlier, the people who know us the best are usually the people we have the best relationship with. I ask you, how is your relationship with God? He already knows!

Our thought of the day: “When we can't piece together the puzzle of our own lives, remember the best view of a puzzle is from above. Let Him help put you together” (Amethyst Snow-Rivers).

May God bless you in your daily walk!

© Our Daily Walk, Justin Morton, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.

Worshipping The Unknown

This week's devotionals are presented by our youth minister, Justin Morton
Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2e7y48

Good morning and welcome to our daily walk.

Every Sunday morning millions of people fill auditoriums all across this great country in order to worship. We get up early on Sunday morning, put on the best we have, fight to get the kids dressed and ready to leave on time, load our families in the car, scream at each other the whole way to the building and then walk in as if we are ready to offer up meaningful worship to God.

Look around next Sunday morning and notice the expression on most faces. Notice the way everyone is so easily distracted from what they need to be doing. People gather every first day of the week with the intent to worship God. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the proper understanding of who they are worshipping. Thus, they are easily distracted because of their misunderstanding. This week I would like for us to look into the God that we serve.

In Acts 17 Paul is at Athens preaching on Mars Hill. He tells the people that he observed that they were religious. The problem was that he saw an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown God” (Acts 17:22-23). These people were just like us today. They gathered together to worship just like we do. They wanted to do what was right. They were religious people like us. The problem was that they, just like many people today, did not understand the God that they worshipped. Paul explained God to the people and some men joined him and believed (vs. 24-32).

If we want our worship today to be meaningful and uplifting, then we must have a better understanding of the God that we serve. In John 4 Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “You worship what you do not know” (v.22). How many of us does this describe? There are many things about God that we do not know but that doesn’t mean we can’t know God. If fact the Bible reveals a lot about God. In Psalm 90 we read, “Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God” (v.2). The psalmists point out that God is eternal. This means that He had no beginning and has no end. He has always been and will always be. This helps to explain the intelligent design of the universe. God has always been, thus making Him responsible for the creation of the universe.

We can also know that God is wise. The wise man said in Proverbs 3, “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens” (v. 19). It is obvious when one studies the complexity of the universe that someone must have known what they were doing. Everything is precise and exact. There is no other way to explain it other than by a wise supernatural being.

God is also mentioned as being faithful. The psalmist said, “I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. For I have said, lovingkindness will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish Your faithfulness” (Psa. 89:1-2). The psalmist said that he would make known God’s faithfulness with his mouth. The Bible is clear that God is faithful. Throughout God’s word one will find several promises, both conditional and unconditional. No matter which it is we read about, we can know that God will be faithful to those promises.

Not only is God faithful, but God is also love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.” The fact that God was willing to give His son as the ultimate sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind demonstrates God’s love. It not only demonstrates His love but it demonstrates that He is love. John said, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (I Jn. 4.8). God is love.

It is my hope and prayer that we will all come to a better understanding of the God that we worship.

Our thought for the day: “People see God every day, they just don't recognize him” (Pearl Bailey).

May God bless you in your daily walk.