escape the corruption

March 13, 20062 Peter 1:3His divine power has given
us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of
him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through
these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the
corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For
if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep
you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

 10Therefore,
my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election
sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Where Are You?

March 06, 2006

This is something God gave me over the past few days. I think He wants me to share it with you. Someone out there needs it.

Genesis  3

1Now ^(A)the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"  2The woman said to the serpent, "^(B)From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" 4^(C)The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and ^(D)you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6^(E)When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they ^(F)knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. 8They heard the sound of ^(G)the
LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, ^(H)and
the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "^(I)Where
are you?"

Is the God we serve not all knowing? Is He not present everywhere? Is He not all powerful? Why then would He ask Adam, "Where are you?"?

Could it have been such a good hiding place that God didn't know? Surely God could see him even if there were trees in the way. Could it be that God was checking to see if Adam would answer when He called?
Could it be that God was testing to see if Adam would lie? Or could it be that Adam was actually hidden by his sin?

10He said, "^(J)I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."

He was naked, so he hid himself. Wasn't he naked before? Why
was it necessary to hide now? I think that the sin Adam committed made him know he was naked. Was it because his sin exposed him to God? No, I think he was afraid because his sin was exposed to God. God said "Do not"' and Adam did anyway. He knew that he sinned. He knew that God would be angry. He knew that he messed up, and he was trying to hide it from God.

What about you? Are you trying to hide your sin from God?
Are you wondering where God is? Here's a hint: God hasn't moved. If you can't find Him, maybe you have moved. Maybe your sin is hiding you from His sight.

I know one thing.
If God can't find you because your sin is hiding you from
His sight, He is asking, "Where are you?" Don't be afraid. Answer Him. Confess your sins to Him and let Him forgive you. Allow Him to see you again. You won't be sorry. He is a God of Grace.

Why I'm Here

March 06, 2006I have decided to join the Phusebox community, mostly so that I can share pictures with you, but occasionally I also have some wisdom that I will share with anyone who is interested. It is highly likely that I will also be searching for wisdom from others on a regular basis.