GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 14

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

ONE WITH THE SOVEREIGN MASTER

(Matthew 17:24-27)

(speaking of the coin in the fish’s mouth for taxes)

CHRIST’S SOVEREIGN KNOWLEDGE

Christ was totally in control of the situation.  As already explained, He was inside the house when the conversation between the tax collector and Peter took place outside. Yet  when Peter came into the house we read, “Jesus spoke to him first.”  Christ’s question proved that He had full knowledge of the verbal give-and-take that took place outside.

Isaiah wrote, “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”  (Isaiah 65:24).  Christ has His eyes riveted completely upon us.  The conversations whispered behind our backs; the thoughts that never give birth to words; the pain of relationships that will be ruptured in the future – all of this is already known to Him.

A collage professor was sitting at his desk, correcting examination papers just turned in by a very large class.  He glared from behind the tall stack of papers just as the last student approached him, paper in hand.  The student had gone fifteen minutes beyond the time limit, so the professor with a wave of the hand rejected the student’s paper.  But the student drew himself up to full stature and asked, “Do you know who I am?”  The professor replied, “No, how do you expect me to know the names of all 115 students in this class?”  Whereupon the student quickly stuffed his paper into the middle of the big stack!

Though it is possible to take advantage of the limited knowledge of a professor, Jesus knows who we are.  He knows what we are trying to hide;  He knows what others are trying to hide from us.  His knowledge encompasses the universe.  Scientists teach us that the same basic elements used to make the star are the building blocks from which our bodies are constructed.  Understandably so, because they have the same Creator.  In the same breath David speaks of both the physical universe and human  experience as a part of God’s unerring providence.

 In Psalm 147:3-5 we read:

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

He counts the number of the stars;  He calls them all by name.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;  His understanding is infinite.”

The Lord who counts the stars also counts the number of hairs on our head.  Truly His understanding is infinite!

Are you giving comfort to a child who is wondering what life will be like tomorrow?  Be encouraged because Christ Himself was a child.  Are you a teenager?  Christ Himself was a teenager, understanding full well the temptations and challenges teenagers face.  He lived in a police state, was slandered, lied about, and spat upon.   When you and I come to die, we can be assured that our Lord has already passed behind that curtain making it safe for us to enter.  He knows all things both actual and possible

Jesus saw the coin the the depths of the sea, but He also sees the thoughts hidden in the depths of our hearts.  All things are present to Him.  Whatever your circumstance…….

JESUS KNOWS!!!

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2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him……

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Psalm 139:1-2

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

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1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

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Jeremiah 17:10

I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

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Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

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Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

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Philippians 1:6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Proverbs 19:21

There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

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