How big is the God that you believe in? It is so easy for us to bind or limit God’s ability to intervene in a situation. We are all guilty of saying things like:
“We will never recover from this tragedy”.
“We will never see any good come from this situation”.
“This person is beyond any hope”.
“Our marriage will never work”.
“My son or daughter will never get saved”.
Folks, we have a God who is interested in us, and HE is a BIG God who can do big things in our lives.
1. A God who works in the supernatural
The word supernatural means working beyond or outside the laws of nature. The God of the Bible is a God who is not bound by the very laws of nature. In fact, He is the very creator of those laws.
“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is…” Exodus 20:11
We read many times over and over again of men and women believing in the supernatural God of the Bible.
a. Noah would not have built an ark if he did not believe in a supernatural God.
b. Abraham would not have left his people and his land if he did not believe in a supernatural God.
c. Moses would not have lead Israel out of Egypt if he did not believe in a supernatural God.
d. Joshua would not have marched around Jericho for the destruction of that city if he did not believe in a supernatural God.
e. Elijah would not have challenged the 400 prophets of Baal if he did not believe in a supernatural God.
We could go on and on of men and women in the Bible who believed in a supernatural God. David, who he fought Goliath, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who was thrown into the fiery furnace, Daniel who was thrown into the lion’s dens.
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1.37
How can this be? We have a God who works outside the laws of nature. The Bible says this of Jesus Christ. Does the God of heaven still work outside of nature today?
“And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:17-22
Our God is a big God. He works outside the laws of nature.He is a supernatural God.
2. A God who can work in the hearts of men.
This is where a lot of people misunderstand Christianity.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
Christianity is a response to a man’s heart trusting and believing in the finished work of Christ for our salvation. As we will see, God knows, prepares, searches, draws, convicts, and receives the heart of a man. This is something only God can do.
“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21
God knows why you are here; He knows what you are thinking. He knows if you are really saved. God knows the secrets of your heart.
“…for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Here is when God begins to work on the heart. John said God draws the heart.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
God enlightens the heart.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
God opens the heart.
“ …Lydia…whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. “Acts 16:14
God convicts the heart by the Spirit of God.
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” John 16:8
God convicts the heart by the Word of God.
“For the word of God …is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
We see these things take place in the heart of Saul of Tarsus.We first find Saul after hearing Stephen preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The crowd was so upset at the preaching of Stephen they casted him out of the city.
“…and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” Acts 7:59
We meet up with Saul again right after the stoning of Stephen.
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:3-5
Saul took part in the murder of Christians. I Believe God used Stephen to convict or prick the heart of Saul. Under conviction Paul believed unto righteousness the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, saving his soul from the eternal fire.
In Ezekiel, God promises to give HIS chosen people a new heart.
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20
This is what happened to me the moment I believed on Jesus Christ for the saving of my soul. God gave me a new heart. Do you have a heart that walks after the ways of God? God wants to do this for every soul upon the face of the earth. This is why we pray for lost people.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Pray for your lost husband, lost wife, lost children, lost friends, neighbors, co-workers. We have a God, a big God who can work in the hearts of men.
3. A God with big plans
Did you know God has big plans for the believer?
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” John 14:1-4
Jesus Christ has been preparing a place for us, those of us who believe. Are you sure you are numbered with those to whom Jesus is talking of. One of the disciples wanted to make sure he knew and so he asked.
“…how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:5-6
Does God have big plans for you? Is Jesus Christ preparing a mansion for you? What is the alternative to these mansions? What is the alternative to being forever present with the Lord Jesus Christ?
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
What God do you believe, in the big God of this Bible, who can do the impossible? The big God who works in the supernatural? The big God who works in the hearts of men? The big God who has big plans? The big God who saves the souls of man? Will you believe in a big God with me?
jasonlapat@yahoo.com
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