So, I'm doing my best to escape the heat outside. I'm enjoying the air conditioning of my little corner of the office. Truthfully, today is much better than yesterday in regards to the heat outside. You see, I live in Arizona (the hot part of AZ). Today, at this moment it is 107 Degrees. Yes, one hundred seven is what I said, and it was hotter yesterday. It is so hot outside, that 4 minutes in direct sunlight, your shirt gets that "out of the dryer" warmth.
Now, I have heard this (and some of you may have as well)...you know, the... "if you think it's hot here, Hell's a whole lot hotter." That is not the topic that I am going with here. Just try to follow me. I hope I make sense, even to myself.
God gave the sun to give warmth, energy, and light for life on this planet. It is not only a testament to His creative genius, but of His ongoing love for all of His creation (which includes you and me). I was just thinking about the magnitude of the sun's power and how easily we see this everyday.
Well, think of this... the One (God) made the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) This tells me something unique about God. He is much more powerful than the sun because He made the sun and all of the stars. The Scriptures of the Bible share with us, that God is also so full of light, holiness, that "Our God is A Consuming Fire." (Hebrews 12:13)
If the light of the sun sends us running to find shade to hide from it, imagine the grand presence of the One & Only Holy God. We would have no where to hide from His shear awesome (right way to really use that word) presence.
And yet, even in His holiness, God made a way for us to approach Him through faith. (Hebrews 4:14-16). His, One & Only Son, Jesus Christ came to offer Himself as the sacrifice for Sin. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)
The Bible says that because we are frail, mortal, imperfect, (none of these are surprising) & sinful people; we have no way possible to stand before The Mighty, Immortal, Holy (absolutely perfect), Sinless God. This amazing God loves us so much that His sinless Son would take on the punishment for our sins. The Bible puts it this way "He became sin Who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died on a cross according to the scriptures and was raised 3 days later according to the scriptures (1 Corinthian 15:33-34). Jesus is the One & Only Son of God (100% God, 100% Man) and He is alive. He resurrected from the grave.
And now for those who believe and know Jesus as the King Who Reigns, The Savior that Rescues, and God who loves them more than they could possibly know...they are His children (John 1:12). God also does something incredible. He sends the Holy Spirit (God Himself) to dwell in the hearts of the believer.
The Consuming One that everything melts like wax before him (Psalms) chooses to dwell with us. I believe that is why those who are so passionately in love with Him, feel His consuming fire (of love, grace, truth, & holiness) burning deep inside.
Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. To give His life as a ransom for many. The ransom has been paid for you. If you do not know this and want to know more...contact me or the nearest follower of Jesus Christ. If you already had heard this before...Here's some news.
Jesus really loves you.
Jesus really frees you.
Jesus wants you to know Him more.
