Stare into the Sun

I know "they" say not to but I like to stare into the sun. I don’t make a habit of it and I don’t really do it that often but every once in awhile I just can’t help it. Today was one of those days. The sun is intense. It’s brilliant. And it’s blinding. I was riding my bike up a pretty steep hill just as the sun was coming up over the mountain on perfect Southern California morning. I peeked into it’s splendor. Okay, I actually looked. There is something about staring into the sun that reminds of how magnificent Jesus is. Now based on numerous people telling me throughout my life not to look into the sun, I can’t recommend it. However, it does something for me.

 Psalm 8:1

   LORD, our Lord, 
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

   You have set your glory 
   in the heavens. 

Last night, at 3:14am, I was woken up when a massive thunderstorm rolled through my living room! At least, that’s how it felt. A couple of those thunder claps made the whole house rattle. I watched out the window as the night sky lit up like day-light each time the lightning fired off and it was an absolutely awesome show. Thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, my kids slept through it. Not sure how they do that.

We need your help today!

The final day of Philippians!

Read it.

Experience it.

Live it! 

Continued from yesterday

(so read yesterday’s devo first!)

It would be impossible to reveal the value of the gift He has given us-this gift is priceless. So in light of this Jesus comes to us right now and says, "Do not worry." He will take care of us. He will provide for us. He will meet all of your needs.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Stand in AWE. Be AMAZED. Humbly approach the ONE.

He is BEYOND compare. Marvelous. Glorious.

Words can’t embrace His WONDER. 

I love the prayers in the Scriptures. Part of what we learn as we follow Jesus is to make these prayers our own. Some are simple and short prayers and others are longer more heart-felt prayers. Try to make each of these your own prayers today. Let’s start with a simple one. 

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,

“Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?"

-Matthew 14:29-31

One of the dangers of following Jesus is becoming complacent: Grace becomes ordinary. Jesus’ sacrifice becomes familiar. God’s love becomes normal. The power of the Spirit becomes something we teach about but never experience. Prayer becomes boring. Life becomes mere existence.

The faith we are a part of is no less than extraordinary. Unless we constantly remind ourselves of the enormous lengths of God’s everlasting love, we will miss out on the life that God designed for us.

Today as you ponder these verses, your life, and God Almighty, let God remind you of the deep and remarkable life He has for you.