Guy E. Wood

Do Good. Do Well. Honor God.

Guy's Blog

A Creator is Implied

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I was directed by one of my favorite newsletters (Morning Brew — Subscribe for FREE here) to a fascinating page highlighting a photographer’s work focused on ice huts.

Spotting the text immediately below, I was reminded of the ways in which our Creator (see Genesis 1:27) is evidenced by what we see around us.

The photographer sensibly recognizes that the ice huts “imply human form and human desires in a poignant mood of possibility.”

In other words, the mere presence of these structures imply the existence of builders with human form who have desires and mood.

If you think about this for more than two-seconds, you’ll determine that only a fool would assume that these huts just spring up spontaneously every year when the rivers and lakes ice over.

And yet, millions of people make the even more absurd assumption that everything in the universe, both seen and unseen, appeared spontaneously, rather than recognizing the one who created everything ex nihilo (i.e., out of nothing).

To ignore the fact that God created everything is not only foolish, but such a belief comes with severe consequences both in this lifetime and in eternity.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-25

Today, before it’s too late, I urge you first of all to believe in God the creator, and secondly to believe that God saves those who put their faith in his son Jesus (see Mark 16:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, and elsewhere).

Holy, Holy, Holy

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“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Revelation 4:8b

Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to something, for example, a mountain range, the bigger it becomes?

Of course, the mountains don’t actually grow. It’s just that your perspective changes.

God is like that.

The closer He draws us, the bigger He becomes.

Scripture tells us many times and in many ways the benefits of drawing near to the One who made us and calls us (emphasis added):

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25

[Let] us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

And then there’s this sweet promise, given by the God Who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18):

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

James 4:8a

Sharing: The Year of the New Normal Fascist

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Some of the language CJ uses in this story is regrettable–I actually deleted the story before I decided to pull it back out to share it–but this is worth reading because it illustrates the truth that we’re right back where we were in the 1930s as the nations of the world winked at the abuse of certain out-of-favor people groups while jumping headlong into World War Two.

And the fascists are very happy to be in this position again.

This does not end well.

Jumping off a cliff never does.

Read the story here (please pardon the language).

Give Thanks to God

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As Thanksgiving dawns today, take time to offer your thanks to God for the richness of His blessings in your life. Our Father in heaven is pleased when the people whom He adopted offer Him praise and worship.

He has every right to your heartfelt gratitude. 

If I may borrow a few lines from Max Lucado’s excellent book, Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God, here are just a few things for which we ought to offer the utmost thanks to the God of heaven:

  • We are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1)
  • We are delivered from the law (Romans 7:6)
  • We are near God (Ephesians 2:13)
  • We are delivered from the power of evil (Colossians 1:13)
  • We are members of His kingdom (Colossians 1:13)
  • We are perfect (Hebrews 10:14)
  • We have been adopted (Romans 8:15)
  • We have access to God at any moment (Ephesians 2:18)
  • We are a part of His priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
  • We will never be abandoned (Hebrews 13:5)
  • We have an imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4)
  • We are partners with Christ in life (Colossians 3:4), and privilege (Ephesians 2:6), suffering (2 Timothy 2:12), and service (1 Corinthians 1:9)
  • We are members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
  • We are branches in the vine (John 15:5)
  • We are stones in the building (Ephesians 2:19-22)
  • We are a bride for the groom (Ephesians 5:25-27)
  • We are priests in the new generation (1 Peter 2:9)
  • We are a dwelling place for the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)

And, as if that is not enough, we are told in the scriptures that God…”has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesian 1:3), and that “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

In other words, we have everything we need and more. Not because we earned it or because we are good, but because He loves us, and He is good, and He has seen fit to bless His elect. 

So, if you’re a child of God, take time today to center your heart on the God who has blessed you.

If you aren’t a child of God, why not become one?

Praise God from whom all blessings flow…

Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash

Two Choices

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Lighthouse on a dark outcropping of rocks. Blog title Two Choices superimposed.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-20

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Luke 18:18-23

Two similar requests — Leave it and follow Me.

Two different responses.

In the first case, Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately and followed Jesus.

There’s no record of any quibbling from either of these humble fishermen. They just dropped their nets — keep in mind that these nets were the very tools of their trade, their means of making a living — and followed Jesus.

The rich ruler, on the other hand, quibbled from the beginning. His question was a loaded one, as he seems to be looking to justify himself.

This rich guy’s intent was not to satisfy Jesus, but rather to have Jesus validate his goodness.

You see, he was righteous in his own mind, and rather than honestly seeking guidance, he was fishing for a compliment.

When Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, he turned away from Jesus and headed back to his stuff.

He wanted confirmation, not counsel.

So what do we see here?

Similar requests.

Dissimilar responses.

Who do you suppose answered correctly?

Who pleased Jesus?

Here’s the point: There may come a day when you’re called to leave your nets. Or your nest or your job or your girlfriend or your boyfriend or your school or your wealth or…you get the picture.

What will your answer be?

Maybe you’re actually facing such a decision at this very moment.

What are you going to do?

The choice is yours. Your response belongs to you, and nobody else. You’ll own it. 

Will you follow Jesus or your self?

What will you do?