Abba

Just the usual revelations of what God has been teaching me lately.

While studying about Martin Luther who lead much of the protestant reformation, I was reminded of what joy our salvation grants us. God's grace never gets old. You never outgrow your need for the gospel. You can never get tired of God's infinite and unconditional love. His Holy Spirit is so powerful at times, it overwhelms me to know that i have such a direct, deep, and intimate relationship with the living God of this universe. And i like how God gives me His entire and full attention at all times. He isn't some busy God that you have to wait in line for. In fact He's usually always waiting for us to connect with Him. But i also like how He can sweep our feet and grab our attention when we're oblivious to Him.

Anyways, going back to Martin Luther. I'm really excited with the material im reading for all my classes. I'm finally getting to learn about the church history, the great leaders of the reformation, sanctification and how to interpret scripture more accurately. Seminary is going great, i'm really enjoying it. The more my theology and understanding of God's Word increases, the more appreciation I have for His work in my life. Just pondering the assurance of our salvation and how we can have forgiveness of all our sins is just incredible. We not only get free forgiveness, but also inherit the righteousness and likeness of Jesus! There is absolutely nothing in us that would deem us worthy of His grace, and yet He adopts us as His children and beautifies us to completion. We become a new creation, by putting off our old self and putting on the new. Our souls are secured for eternity with Him. The relationship starts now, we can be as close or as far as we desire to be. If you truly want to know Jesus, then I'm positive you'll find Him if you seek with all your heart.

I also heard something on the radio that was interesting. I love how God uses history in the old testament to be examples that tie into Jesus. For instance the many similarities of Joseph and Jesus. The rapture of Noah's ark. But out of all the examples we're given, I like how many links there are between Moses and our God's redemption.

For instance, how Moses saved the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and slavery. And how they forgot how God saved them and lead them through the red sea. This is quite like how we we're once slaves to sin and how we often forget of our salvation. While they were in the desert they began grumbling and wanted to go back. Even if God presents us with trials and tribulation, it is only meant to sharpen our faith. Where God guides, He also provides. God still provided manna for His choosen people, just as Christ is our Bread of life. Then as Moses stuck a rock and water came gushing out of it, just as Christ is the Rock and pours out His living water. In short, Jesus is always completely sufficient. He is all I need. He will always provide for us. He upholds and sustains me through all storms. I am completely satisfied in Christ alone.

"God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

As I was thinking about the verses where Christ says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" He constantly mentions to ask in His Name, according to God's will and God will give us everything we need. An illustration that John Piper once used goes something like this.. "Sometimes we find ourself in a situation where we are in a coma. We are bedridden and cant move a muscle. Our legs, arms and entire body can't move, except for our mouth. Sometimes the best thing we can do to glorify and worship God is to just ask Him for His help. We can try to move around, struggle to grab something, or try to feed ourselves, but we end up just becoming fustrated relying on our own strength. Instead we could turn to our Abba Father who is always at our bedside, and just simply ask Him to help us drink a juice box or something. Abba Father will gladly tend to the cares of His children. So as we start off our days, remember to simply ask Him, and He will gladly provide through the power of the Holy Spirit.