4 Minute Devotions: Sovereign Lord

What does it mean for God to be our Sovereign Lord?

Ezekiel 17:22 "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

Podcast version here

Recently, on the PBS channel, I watched a three part series on the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is one of the 20th/21st centuries unsung heroes in the world. Just because she is a rich woman doesn’t mean that she hasn’t any cares about the world. She works hard each day representing the monarchy, but she also raises awareness of many good causes throughout the entire world.

To me, the Queen is a blessed sovereign who does not rule her people with an iron fist, but presides over the Commonwealth with a loving heart. When I look back at old photographs from World War II and see her as Princess Elizabeth in her Army uniform, I am reminded that she is person who has struggled with her people through the worst of times, and who has reigned purposefully for 55 years. She epitomizes the word ‘sovereign,’ and the modern world has been fortunate to have known such a wonderful lady.

In the Old Testament, we are reminded of the sovereignty of God over the earth many times. He rules the universe and our planet in a caring and loving way. He allows us free will, to make our own choices, but he is deeply pleased when our choices coincide with His. During those moments in our lives, God becomes our blessed sovereign and we become His blessed people.

Sin, however, permeates throughout our world and hearts, which separates us from God. Normally, a ruler would cast off those who displease him or her. In this case, God sends forth His Son to be merged and blended in the midst of our struggles, in order to show us a path that will lead us back to God. The Christ child who is born amongst us will become the Savior of the world. God’s sovereignty is such that He is willing to sacrifice everything He loves, so that we might experience everything He eternally gives.

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, we thank You for the blessing of Jesus and for His sacrifice that wrought for us salvation. We praise for ruling us with a loving and patient heart. We adore You for offering us the opportunity of eternal life. In the Holy Name of Jesus our Savior, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: A Great Granda

My grandfather was a fireman in World War 2 in Britain. After working in a bombed out area, and seeing all of the devastation, he realized that his family meant everything to him. A short reflection based upon 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Podcast version here

My grandfather, whom I am named after, was a fireman in World War 2. When the Nazis bombed the houses and shipyards of Glasgow and Clydebank, Scotland, he had to go out in the midst of the carnage, inferno, and chaos, to do what he could to save lives and buildings. After he saw all of that devastation, it gave him a greater appreciation of his own family.

He was a wonderful grandfather who just loved having his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren around him. His home was open at any time to all of us and didn’t matter how loud we were or disruptive, he just sat back on his old armchair and laughed at our antics.

I once asked him what it was like to have so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What he said to me is something that I have never forgotten, “Whenever a new baby comes along, John, my heart just increases with pride and love.” If ever I am blessed to be a great-grandfather, I would very much like to experience the same.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

I love what Paul writes to the Thessalonian Church. He’s encouraging them to increase their love for one another and their faith in the Lord. It must have been an exciting time for them, because they were amongst the first churches that Paul had planted. And they must have applied Paul’s words, for to this very day, nineteen hundred years later, Christian churches still flourish in that area.

I think the lesson that we all can learn here is this: if we want to see our own churches grow, we have to be prepared to increase our love of one another, especially when new people come into our midst. If they can experience that our love and fellowship are genuine, warm, and sincere, then why would they want to go anywhere else?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ever-increasing love. As each generation is born into the world, so Your love increases for the entire earth. Help us to display and express Your love to all whom we meet, especially the newcomers in our churches. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.