God's Sovereignty Archives - My Manna

Submit to the Sovereign

My Manna — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 22:00:00 +0000

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Ps 139:23-24)

Some people never think about God! They live and die as strangers in His world.
Others think wrong thoughts about Him!! They live and die in the shadows of superstition and confusion.
Still others think right thoughts about God!!! But somehow it makes no difference in their lives. They live and die disappointed and defeated.

Psalm 139 was written by a man who had right thoughts about God that made a difference. He lived with confidence, security and fulfillment. He submitted to God.
Let’s look at the four discoveries David made as he thought about God and the difference He made in his life.

God knows everything! vs. 1-6.
Theologians call this God’s omniscience.

God knows you personally.
We find nearly 50 personal pronouns throughout the psalm. He knows your name, nature, needs and even the number of hairs on your head. He knows you intimately, including your actions and your thoughts. He knows you sovereignly.

God is everywhere! vs. 7-12.
You cannot flee from Him.
This is a beautiful description of His omnipresence.
“Where shall I go to get away from God?” Jonah asked this and never got an answer.
You cannot hide even in darkness. God is in all places at all times. vs 11.

God can do anything! vs 13-18.
You see His omnipotence.
David says the greatest marvel of all is human birth. God can make life. He gives each
baby the genetic structure He wants him or her to have. If you leave God out of your life, you will never fulfill what you were born for.

God can guide your life! vs 19-24.
You dare not fight against Him but follow Him with all your heart.
David said he was going to serve God–a decision that led to dedication. vs 23,24.
When we put the whole psalm together, we discover a man who knows God.
You, too, can know God through Jesus Christ. John 14:9; 17:3.

God knows everything about you. Be open and honest with Him, and He can and will lead and bless you.
Strive to do His will. God made you and wants to fulfill in your life that for which He made you.
Submit to the Sovereign!

(PR)

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Under Control

My Manna — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:00:00 +0000

Some Background: In Jeremiah 10:16 we have the pinnacle of God declaring His love for Israel when He says that “Israel is the tribe of His inheritance”. The very next verse (17) God pronounces judgment on His people and casts them out of their land. In verses 18-22 we have the exact measures of the judgment of God; namely in what form this judgment will come upon the people and then in verses 23-25 we have Jeremiah’s prayer for correction, both for him and Israel.

Jeremiah begins his prayer, “O Lord, I know” Well, what did Jeremiah know? He knew that the affairs of this world are not under the control of individuals, no matter how much they imagine they are. There is a supreme power that rules and overrules and works according to its own will, whatever men may determine or desire to do. God is omnipotent and He is working out His wise designs throughout this sinful world.

This truth should be remembered by us, for three reasons…

1. It takes away our fear of man.
Why should we be afraid of someone who will die. You are a child of God and are under divine protection. The most powerful enemy of you or of the Church can do nothing to either without God’s permission. The almighty God is Master and Lord over those who imagine that all power is in their hands.
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe”. Prov 29:35.

2. It should ensure your faithfulness to the will of God.
In this passage the Lord is allowing Nebuchadnezzar to devastate His people; His people with whom He has sworn Himself, in covenant, to be their God. It is God who permits affliction. Therefore the Jews should not think as much about the instrument with which they are afflicted, but rather of “who” is afflicting. Are you afflicted? Remember it is the Lord who permits you to be tried.

Do not be angry with the secondary cause of the affliction. Rather believe that the Lord causes this for your good, for your growth in sanctification, and submit your will to God’s will. A dog that is struck with a stick will bite the stick. The stick however has no will to strike the dog. If the dog had more sense, it would bite the person behind the stick. So your struggle with afflictions must be against the causer of the affliction and not the instrument of the affliction. If there is any struggle, it is against God, your Creator.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28)

3. This truth is that our faith should be strengthened.
It is easy to trust God when everything is going great. But genuine faith trust God in a storm. In this passage there is a storm, and yet what does Jeremiah do? He prays. In the time of trial, the tried ought to remember that God has all things in his care, and that this trial is a permitted trial. To trust God in the time of trial is not easy, but it is the time of trial that displays real faith.
Trials will lead you to triumph if you abide in the Lord always.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be open to Your correction so that I might walk right before You. Give me the wisdom to know Your discipline and the courage to face it.

(PR)

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Sovereignty

MyManna — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:00:27 +0000

Do you believe that the Lord has absolute control over our universe—including all the people in it?

The best way to know the truth about the Lord is to see what He has inspired men to say about Him in Scripture. 2 Tim. 3:16.

God declares He is sovereign over . . .

• Nature.
Psalm 135:6 says, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”

God causes the rain to fall, the grass to grow, and the land to bring forth food.
There isn’t a single aspect of nature over which the Lord lacks control.

• Nations.
“He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.” Job 12:23.

God’s rule is certain and sure.
He keeps watch over the nations (Ps. 66:7), knows all that is happening, and maintains His authority over both good and evil governments (Rom. 13:1).

• Natural man.
God has control over unbelievers as well as believers.

“He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25.
He forms us in our mother’s womb, knows the number of hairs on our head, and determines the appointed times and places of our lives. Ps. 139:13; Luke 12:7; Acts 17:26.
Spiritual life as well as physical life is under His complete control. John 6:44.

When we believe God is sovereign and experience this truth in our lives, we will be filled to overflowing with peace and joy.

We will rest secure in the knowledge that no matter what is happening in our world, our God reigns.

His will shall be accomplished.
Does your life show trust in God’s sovereignty?
(PA)

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Puzzle

MyManna — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:00:55 +0000

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
You’ve purchased a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle!
The challenge is going to be enormous and time consuming-
– but you’ll have fun putting all the pieces together.
As you get started, do you know which part of your new purchase is the most important? No, not the first piece. Not a corner or edge piece.
The most important part is the box top, the picture of the completed puzzle. Without it, you don’t know how to fit everything together.
Life can be much like a puzzle. We find ourselves in various situations that confuse. Things don’t fit together. Nothing seems to make sense.
Living like this can lead to discouragement and depression.
When you look at the overall picture found in the Bible-
– life starts to make sense.
Every piece of life fits together for God’s glory for those who seek His purposes.
In every triumph and every trial- God wants to be praised. He wants to demonstrate His power, presence, peace and wisdom in every experience you have.
“Father, I believe everything in my life will lead to Your glory. May Your name be praised. Amen!”
(PA)

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Under Control

MyManna — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:00:50 +0000

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not, and on the peoples that call not on your name, for they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation. (Jer 10:23-25 ESV)
Some Background: In Jeremiah 10:16 we have the pinnacle of God declaring His love for Israel when He says that “Israel is the tribe of His inheritance”. The very next verse (17) God pronounces judgment on His people and casts them out of their land. In verses 18-22 we have the exact measures of the judgment of God; namely in what form this judgment will come upon the people and then in verses 23-25 we have Jeremiah’s prayer for correction, both for him and Israel.
Jeremiah begins his prayer, “O Lord, I know” Well, what did Jeremiah know? He knew that the affairs of this world are not under the control of individuals, no matter how much they imagine they are. There is a supreme power that rules and overrules and works according to its own will, whatever men may determine or desire to do. God is omnipotent and He is working out His wise designs throughout this sinful world.
This truth should be remembered by us, for three reasons…
1. It takes away our fear of man.
Why should we be afraid of someone who will die. You are a child of God and are under divine protection. The most powerful enemy of you or of the Church can do nothing to either without God’s permission. The almighty God is Master and Lord over those who imagine that all power is in their hands.
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe”. Prov 29:35.
2. It should ensure your faithfulness to the will of God.
In this passage the Lord is allowing Nebuchadnezzar to devastate His people; His people with whom He has sworn Himself, in covenant, to be their God. It is God who permits affliction. Therefore the Jews should not think as much about the instrument with which they are afflicted, but rather of “who” is afflicting. Are you afflicted? Remember it is the Lord who permits you to be tried.
Do not be angry with the secondary cause of the affliction. Rather believe that the Lord causes this for your good, for your growth in sanctification, and submit your will to God’s will. A dog that is struck with a stick will bite the stick. The stick however has no will to strike the dog. If the dog had more sense, it would bite the person behind the stick. So your struggle with afflictions must be against the causer of the affliction and not the instrument of the affliction. If there is any struggle, it is against God, your Creator.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28)
3. This truth is that our faith should be strengthened.
It is easy to trust God when everything is going great. But genuine faith trust God in a storm. In this passage there is a storm, and yet what does Jeremiah do? He prays. In the time of trial, the tried ought to remember that God has all things in his care, and that this trial is a permitted trial. To trust God in the time of trial is not easy, but it is the time of trial that displays real faith.
Trials will lead you to triumph if you abide in the Lord always.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be open to Your correction so that I might walk right before You. Give me the wisdom to know Your discipline and the courage to face it.
(PA)

The post Under Control appeared first on My Manna.

Under Control

MyManna — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 22:00:17 +0000

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not, and on the peoples that call not on your name, for they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation. (Jer 10:23-25)
Some Background: In Jeremiah 10:16 we have the pinnacle of God declaring His love for Israel when He says that “Israel is the tribe of His inheritance”. The very next verse (17) God pronounces judgment on His people and casts them out of their land. In verses 18-22 we have the exact measures of the judgment of God; namely in what form this judgment will come upon the people and then in verses 23-25 we have Jeremiah’s prayer for correction, both for him and Israel.
Jeremiah begins his prayer, “O Lord, I know” Well, what did Jeremiah know? He knew that the affairs of this world are not under the control of individuals, no matter how much they imagine they are. There is a supreme power that rules and overrules and works according to its own will, whatever men may determine or desire to do. God is omnipotent and He is working out His wise designs throughout this sinful world.
This truth should be remembered by us, for three reasons…
1. It takes away our fear of man.
Why should we be afraid of someone who will die. You are a child of God and are under divine protection. The most powerful enemy of you or of the Church can do nothing to either without God’s permission. The almighty God is Master and Lord over those who imagine that all power is in their hands.
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe”. Prov 29:35.
2. It should ensure your faithfulness to the will of God.
In this passage the Lord is allowing Nebuchadnezzar to devastate His people; His people with whom He has sworn Himself, in covenant, to be their God. It is God who permits affliction. Therefore the Jews should not think as much about the instrument with which they are afflicted, but rather of “who” is afflicting. Are you afflicted? Remember it is the Lord who permits you to be tried.
Do not be angry with the secondary cause of the affliction. Rather believe that the Lord causes this for your good, for your growth in sanctification, and submit your will to God’s will. A dog that is struck with a stick will bite the stick. The stick however has no will to strike the dog. If the dog had more sense, it would bite the person behind the stick. So your struggle with afflictions must be against the causer of the affliction and not the instrument of the affliction. If there is any struggle, it is against God, your Creator.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28)
3. This truth is that our faith should be strengthened.
It is easy to trust God when everything is going great. But genuine faith trust God in a storm. In this passage there is a storm, and yet what does Jeremiah do? He prays. In the time of trial, the tried ought to remember that God has all things in his care, and that this trial is a permitted trial. To trust God in the time of trial is not easy, but it is the time of trial that displays real faith.
Trials will lead you to triumph if you abide in the Lord always.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be open to Your correction so that I might walk right before You. Give me the wisdom to know Your discipline and the courage to face it.

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God is in Control

MyManna — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:30:58 +0000

Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’ (Isa 46:10 ESV)
In her song “God is in Control,” Twila Paris sings “…Hold on to all that you hide in your heart, There is one thing that has always been true, It holds the world together, God is in control….”
No matter what things seem on the surface, God is in control. Things may seem chaotic, out of control, scary, overwhelming, very painful. But when we start feeling like that, we need to stop, step back and refocus on Him, and remember that He will take care of us:
No matter how powerful people seem to be, or circumstances, God ultimately has the “last word.”
And we need to remember that even if we feel we are alone in our circumstances, we never truly are – NEVER.
Matt 28:20: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
And when we “mess up,” or when bad things happen, and we think perhaps sometimes that no good can come out of it, we are wrong. God uses EVERY thing, good bad and ugly. He uses our mistakes. He uses our pain. He uses everything to teach us, to make us grow, to glorify Him.
Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Afraid of powers or authorities?
Brainwash yourself with His following words.
Isaiah 33:22: For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us remember that no matter what, YOU are ultimately in control, that no matter what happens You know about it, and You are there to help us with it, and You will use it for good. Help us trust You more, remembering that You love us even more than our family and friends do, and that we don’t need to worry, because You are in control. Grant us Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(PR)

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Secure in the Sovereign!

MyManna — Mon, 02 May 2016 21:00:48 +0000

The newspaper reminds us of the uncertainty of life.
Things happen that are unexpected, tides turn, fortunes shift, lives end.
One of the basic needs of humans is a sense of security!
Yet, the events of the day remind us of the insecurity that comes from the uncertainties of life.
We just don’t know what’s next.
While most people look for security in something-
– the Christian finds it in the Sovereign!
In the Bible we find reasons to feel secure!
Simple but strong answers are found in Romans 8:31-36.
We are secure knowing that:
• His purpose will not be frustrated.
Since God is for us, none can be against us (Romans 8:31).
• His generosity will not be quenched.
Since He has not spared His Son, God will withhold nothing in taking care of us (v 32).
• His forgiveness will not be canceled.
No prosecution can succeed, since God our judge has already justified us (v 33–34).
• His love will not be severed.
God has revealed it in Christ, and nothing, even the ten powerful items listed here, will separate us from Christ’s love (v 35–36).
Nothing can frustrate God’s purpose.
Nothing can quench His generosity.
Nothing can cancel His forgiveness.
Nothing can sever His love from us.
None of these nor all of them heaped together can budge the fact that you are-
-dearly loved,
-definitely forgiven and
-divinely secure in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God holds us in the palm of His steady hand.
We are-
Secure in the Sovereign!

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Combined by His hands

MyManna — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:00:32 +0000

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
One afternoon, a teenage girl joined her mother in the kitchen.
The young lady began explaining to her mom everything that was wrong with her life.
She had failed an algebra test, her friend broke up with her, and she just found out her best friend would be moving away soon.
All the while, the mother was baking a cake as the young girl talked.
Finally, the girl’s mother interrupted to ask if she wanted a snack.
The daughter replied, “Absolutely! I love your cakes!”
“Here…have some cooking oil,” her mother offered.
“Yuck!” the girl responded. “That’s gross.”
“Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?” asked the mother.
“Gross, mom!” was the girl’s response.
“How about a cup of flour or a teaspoon of baking soda?” the mother then offered.
“Mom, those are all disgusting!” the girl said. “I don’t want those things for snacks.”
After a pause, her mother finally said, “Dear, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!”
God works the same way in the lives of believers!
Not everything in life is a piece of cake.
Sometimes tragedy or hardship strikes and leaves you wondering-
“What did I do to deserve this?”
or
“Why did God do this to me?”
Many times we wonder why He would even let us go through such difficulties.
However, what we oftentimes don’t realize is that when God puts all these things in His order, they always work for good!
We must simply trust Him that each of life’s events, combined by His hands-
– will turn out to be something deliciously wonderful!
Thank God for the good and bad “ingredients” He allows to come into your life.
Thank Him for working all things together for your good and His glory.
(PR)

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Submit to the Sovereign

MyManna — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 19:00:05 +0000

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Ps 139:23-24 ESV)
Some people never think about God! They live and die as strangers in His world.
Others think wrong thoughts about Him!! They live and die in the shadows of superstition and confusion.
Still others think right thoughts about God!!! But somehow it makes no difference in their lives. They live and die disappointed and defeated.
Psalm 139 was written by a man who had right thoughts about God that made a difference. He lived with confidence, security and fulfillment. He submitted to God.
Let’s look at the four discoveries David made as he thought about God and the difference He made in his life.
God knows everything! vs. 1-6.
Theologians call this God’s omniscience.
God knows you personally.
We find nearly 50 personal pronouns throughout the psalm. He knows your name, nature, needs and even the number of hairs on your head. He knows you intimately, including your actions and your thoughts. He knows you sovereignly.
God is everywhere! vs. 7-12.
You cannot flee from Him.
This is a beautiful description of His omnipresence.
“Where shall I go to get away from God?” Jonah asked this and never got an answer.
You cannot hide even in darkness. God is in all places at all times. vs 11.
God can do anything! vs 13-18.
You see His omnipotence.
David says the greatest marvel of all is human birth. God can make life. He gives each
baby the genetic structure He wants him or her to have. If you leave God out of your life, you will never fulfill what you were born for.
God can guide your life! vs 19-24.
You dare not fight against Him but follow Him with all your heart.
David said he was going to serve God–a decision that led to dedication. vs 23,24.
When we put the whole psalm together, we discover a man who knows God.
You, too, can know God through Jesus Christ. John 14:9; 17:3.
God knows everything about you. Be open and honest with Him, and He can and will lead and bless you.
Strive to do His will. God made you and wants to fulfill in your life that for which He made you.
Submit to the Sovereign!
(PR)

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