Click bait!. With new technology, I can see who reads our letter, when they open it, how many times, what they click on and much more. The truth is, only 36% of the people who receive an email in the religious category even open it. So, if you are reading this, we thank you.
I have something to say and I want you to read it!
Sovereignty of God
We know God is in charge. We know that He, ultimately, will take care of us. We know God has called us to Nicaragua. Knowing these things gives us assurance of provision and assurance of protection. We don’t believe that because we are doing what God has called us to do, he will not lead us into difficult situations. That is not a biblical view of God. Often times we will face difficult situations, hardships, droughts, and famine. It is how we respond in those times that our lives are strengthened. Colossians 1:17 states that “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” God told Jeremiah in chapter 32 verse 27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
We have to rely completely on Him. If we put our faith in men or anything else, we will come up short every time. God is steadfast and unchangeable. Psalm 135:6 says, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”
Giving up
So if all our effort come short, the only thing left to do is give up. Literally give it all to God. Put it in His hands. Giving up, or surrendering is the only option. We are surrounded by a Holy God. As we studied the attributes of God last month, we studied the Omnipresence of God.
Psalm 139: 7-12
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
12 Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
The Bible tells us that we are enemies of God.(Romans 5:10) He is the one that said “Let there be light.” How could we ever win in a war against our Creator. We can’t win. The only “good” option is surrender. We give up. Repentance is rarely talked about any more. But, it is admitting that we, in ourselves can’t fix it. We are wrong. it is also a turning form our sin and a turning to God. Repentance is something we are granted. It is not ours. Acts 11:18 says, “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” Have you been granted repentance? It is not in our human nature to desire to turn from our wicked ways. Our human nature is wicked. Our hearts are darkened. God must give us light. We have to turn form trusting on our own power or ability, and turn to the work that has been done on our behalf by Jesus. Not just on the cross of Calvary, but the perfect sinless life He lived. Because of His perfect life, He fulfilled the law. When He was on the cross, the sin of Believers was transferred to Him. When we trust in what God has done for us through the cross of Calvary, the righteousness of Christ is imputed or transferred to us. That is how we gain our righteousness. We take on the righteousness of Christ. My good deeds or your good deeds or merits would never be enough to earn you entrance into God’s family. In fact, the Bible tells us that all our righteousness is like a filthy rag. We can’t do anything good. There is none righteousness. Even when drug dealers buy a poor man food, they don’t do it to glorify God, so it is really not good works.
If you really believe that Jesus, God incarnate, died and rose from the dead, wouldn’t that change everything?
How can people believe that and not be transformed into something new? John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” There is no power in us to become a child of God. The power is in God Himself and is given to us. May God grant you the power to surrender to His will and believe on His Son. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them,“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Luke 10:20 says, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
We love you! The Gass Family
That they may know Christ..... 