Ephesians 1:21-23 NLT
[21] Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else-not only in this world but also in the world to come. [22] God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. [23] And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Good Morning!
Since God is the creator of all things — in this world, the entire universe, and the world to come, there is nothing above Him. He is above all!
So what does that mean for us?
If God, in whom we live for, is for us, then who can be against us? There is nothing on this planet that He is not above. There is no obstacle large enough in all of the universe that He cannot overcome. Therefore, when we align our hearts to His will, God will bless us, guide us, and lead us unto the proper pathways for our lives.
I often think about Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” When we study God’s word, really diving in and “eating meat,” not just a daily appetizer, but a meal that satisfies the soul, His word comes alive in our hearts. God lights up the pathways that we are to follow. He will open and close doors in our lives that guide us as we continually meet Him in His word and allow ourselves to be guided by His Holy Spirit.
But what if I mess up and go off the path?
In one of many times, I took a detour off of God’s pathway for myself. I chose to go into business with someone that, at the time, was not a believer. I decided to chase a chance to “really make it” in this world instead of being obedient to what God had for me. At first, all seemed fine, and things were going to be great. But within a year, things started to fall apart at the seams. I quickly realized that I should have listened to the still small voice within. But since I didn’t, God allowed me to mess up and taught me some HUGE life lessons through it all. It took me about 4 years of “wandering in the desert” to get my life back on track with God’s will. I truly repented for chasing after something that was not the path that God had for me, and He lovingly forgave me. At the end of that season, God proved Himself faithful and cleaned up the huge mess I made, making a way to pay off accumulated debt and putting me back on my feet in the right direction.
Would I do things differently if I knew then what I know now? Absolutely! As they say, “hindsight is 20/20.” But I cherish the life lessons that God showed me, and in the end, He was above all in the entire situation and even used it for His glory, bringing my ex-business partner to Christ. As a result, he and his wife, today, are born-again believers. So for that, I am very thankful.
God’s promises are faithful and true! Even in those times that we choose to walk in valleys or off His path, He is faithful and just to forgive us and bring us back to Himself, just as in the parable of the prodigal son, he is welcomed back into the father’s arms. God is the master of cleaning up us dirty sinners and the messes we make, forgiving us, restoring peace in our lives, and making us holy before Him. He can turn the worst of sinners into people that have a passion for Christ. Even Paul, who calls himself the worst of sinners, the one that persecuted the church for years, God cleaned up His life and used him for His glory, going on to write much of the New Testament.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT
[15] This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”-and I am the worst of them all. [16] But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
What is in your life that is an obstacle you feel you can’t overcome? I challenge you to pray and let God work out the details. He is above all. He can complete the work in you that He has set out for you since the beginning of time. His ways are far above our ways, and His thoughts far above our thoughts. We cannot even fathom or imagine how God can do what is seemingly impossible. As we yield to His will, allowing him to “take the reins,” just be obedient to His word and allow Him to do the impossible. It only takes a willing heart that wants to please Him.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
[8] “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. [9] For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are above all. I know that I can easily make a mess of my life, and I am sorry if I have chosen a pathway that you have not directed me to. Help me always pay attention to your still, small voice and forgive me when I don’t listen. Help me to get back to the place you would like me to be. If there is anything in my life that is offensive to you, please point it out and lead me to the path of everlasting life. Let my life be a reflection of your glory for those around me. Let my testimony be true and faithful to you, oh Lord. Use me for thy will and teach me your ways through your word. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad