The Whole Earth Declares the Wonders of God.

You ever have those weeks where you just read your bible and you get so caught up that you forget to blog about it?

The last couple weeks have been crazy! I have been doing homework left and right, hanging out with family and friends and starting a twice monthly study with a friend. The study we are doing is on the Holy Spirit.

One thing that God showed me is that we often have a hard time wrapping our heads around the mystery that is our God. He is SO transparent and clear about WHO He is, that we can get confused and overwhelmed. When I say who, I guess i would more closely interpret that to be HOW He is. God shows us His love, mercy, favor, forgiveness all day long. God is slow to get angry with us, quick to show kindness, and even when we purposely do things that hurt Him, He is there, waiting, watching, hoping we will make the choice to move back to him...

As a part of the study I mentioned, we are looking at the Holy Spirit. We read through Acts 1 and 2 and the outpouring of the spirit in Acts 2. As we look at Acts 3 and 4 and see some of the miracles that happen, I notice that people begin to be surprised at the fact that the Holy Spirit is making things happen.

With such a huge history, with such a great legacy, its like they didn't know what was going on!
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
Acts 3:11-20

They were surprised, even though the very course of History was pushing them to this point? They were surprised? The bible says that the heavens "declare the glory of God" and the "skies proclaim the work of His hands." ( Psalm 19:1).

I wonder why we are so surprised when the weight of history, the weight of creation SCREAMS God's existence.

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars[a];
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33

This is the God we serve is so incredible, Verse 6 says that the stars are created by God's breath.
WOW! God is amazing, the question is, are you surprised? God wants to spend time with you!

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