Post by AutumnGrace on Jan 19, 2021 7:55:33 GMT -5
God's Reset Button
January 10, 2015by Diane Eaton — Audio controls are below the devotional to listen to this devotional or to hymn music while you read
A reset button is a useful feature whenever things go berserk — like when our television screen goes jiggly or our computer freezes up. A simple push of the reset button or a click on the restart icon sets things back in order. It's amazing! Where would we be without a reset feature?
Actually, we need a reset button for life itself, because we invariably find ourselves all tied up in knots over some problem, or feeling entangled in situations which go awry or over which we have no control. Did you know that God has designed a reset button for us? All we have to do is pray, "Thank You, God, that You have all this under Your sovereign control!" This is not merely a figment of imagination or an exercise of will power. It is a gift to all who belong to Christ. It resets our thoughts, and suddenly, we see light at the end of the tunnel, and we're at ease once again.
2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (NIV 2011)
Let's consider how this principle might apply to a disruptive experience felt among many of God's people today: the reorganization and closure of local churches. This has left people feeling disoriented and uncertain. Reactions can range from placid indifference to angry finger-pointing. It's as if the computer screen has gone fuzzy … and maybe even frozen. Here is an opportune moment to press God's reset button!
How? It begins as a deliberate act of faith: In a trustful posture, we shift our attention to God. His reset button opens us to the bigger picture: God's grand purpose and promise for His enduring church. Then, we realize that nothing can stand in God's way — no number of church closures. We also discover that we ourselves have all we need in Christ, through His indwelling Spirit — a gift provided through salvation: "His divine power has given us everything we need." When we press His reset button, a new screen opens up before us. It's clear; it's beautiful; we see a message of renewed hope and direction.
1 Peter 4:12-13 – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV 2011)
This promise was written by the apostle Peter to Christians who were dispersed and scattered all over the ancient world due to rejection and oppression. They had little by way of church organization. I encourage you to read the epistles of Peter and embrace the same promises. It's an amazing message!
Actually, the entire Bible is a reset feature where we discover God's solution for mankind's hopeless entanglement in sin. We see that Christ is our only way out, our only way to be freed from our sin, to be fully forgiven and empowered to live well in a world that's gone berserk. Forgiveness is God's reset button for our guilt. Our duty is simply to press — to call out to Him. So often, we don't do that until we see no other way out.
God invites you, me, and everyone to press His reset button — not just when things go crazy — but as a life practice — in our private thoughts, our conversations, and moments of decision. The peace and joy that we find in Christ will be witnessed by those around us. It's a display of God's glory on earth — through His trusting followers. This is how we encourage one another toward faith and hope. That is our calling, is it not?
Prayer: Lord, train us to become quick and adept at pressing Your reset button — in all aspects of life — for Your glory! Amen.
From: PresbyCan Daily Devotional
January 10, 2015by Diane Eaton — Audio controls are below the devotional to listen to this devotional or to hymn music while you read
A reset button is a useful feature whenever things go berserk — like when our television screen goes jiggly or our computer freezes up. A simple push of the reset button or a click on the restart icon sets things back in order. It's amazing! Where would we be without a reset feature?
Actually, we need a reset button for life itself, because we invariably find ourselves all tied up in knots over some problem, or feeling entangled in situations which go awry or over which we have no control. Did you know that God has designed a reset button for us? All we have to do is pray, "Thank You, God, that You have all this under Your sovereign control!" This is not merely a figment of imagination or an exercise of will power. It is a gift to all who belong to Christ. It resets our thoughts, and suddenly, we see light at the end of the tunnel, and we're at ease once again.
2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (NIV 2011)
Let's consider how this principle might apply to a disruptive experience felt among many of God's people today: the reorganization and closure of local churches. This has left people feeling disoriented and uncertain. Reactions can range from placid indifference to angry finger-pointing. It's as if the computer screen has gone fuzzy … and maybe even frozen. Here is an opportune moment to press God's reset button!
How? It begins as a deliberate act of faith: In a trustful posture, we shift our attention to God. His reset button opens us to the bigger picture: God's grand purpose and promise for His enduring church. Then, we realize that nothing can stand in God's way — no number of church closures. We also discover that we ourselves have all we need in Christ, through His indwelling Spirit — a gift provided through salvation: "His divine power has given us everything we need." When we press His reset button, a new screen opens up before us. It's clear; it's beautiful; we see a message of renewed hope and direction.
1 Peter 4:12-13 – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV 2011)
This promise was written by the apostle Peter to Christians who were dispersed and scattered all over the ancient world due to rejection and oppression. They had little by way of church organization. I encourage you to read the epistles of Peter and embrace the same promises. It's an amazing message!
Actually, the entire Bible is a reset feature where we discover God's solution for mankind's hopeless entanglement in sin. We see that Christ is our only way out, our only way to be freed from our sin, to be fully forgiven and empowered to live well in a world that's gone berserk. Forgiveness is God's reset button for our guilt. Our duty is simply to press — to call out to Him. So often, we don't do that until we see no other way out.
God invites you, me, and everyone to press His reset button — not just when things go crazy — but as a life practice — in our private thoughts, our conversations, and moments of decision. The peace and joy that we find in Christ will be witnessed by those around us. It's a display of God's glory on earth — through His trusting followers. This is how we encourage one another toward faith and hope. That is our calling, is it not?
Prayer: Lord, train us to become quick and adept at pressing Your reset button — in all aspects of life — for Your glory! Amen.
From: PresbyCan Daily Devotional
