“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”  (Ez 26:36 NIV)

Delineation between good and evil

When I think of what it means to be hard hearted and evil, I think of some of the characters I saw as a child in old Disney films, such as the jealous evil queen in Snow White and the wicked Cruella Deville, in 1,001 Dalmatians. These early Disney films had a very clear delineation between good and evil and left no doubt as to who was good or who was evil. 

Not so much today!

The lines have become blurred. One example is the Disney movie, Maleficent, which is a sympathetic version of the evil villain of Sleeping Beauty. Instead of being pure evil in this film, she is depicted as being simply misunderstood. I imagine this fuzziness about good and evil is confusing to today's children.

The Bible clearly defines evil

“He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.’” (Mark 7:29-23 NIV)

We must hate and reject evil

“Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10 NIV)

Reject every kind of evil

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.” (Isa. 1:16 NIV)

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 NIV)

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21 NIV)

“But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:21 NIV)

Therefore

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18 NIV)

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nea 9:6 NIV)

God can handle anything!

In a past posting, I spoke about the complexity of the incredibly small atom, and how God Himself, is the force that holds neutrons and protons together, (see Col. 1:17). But, not only is He able to handle the smallest things, He can also handle the largest things!

Just consider the distant stars!

“Is not God in the height of heaven? Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!”  (Job 22:12 KJV)

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.” (Psalm 33:6) 

“For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.” (Psalm 97:9 NIV)

“This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” (Isa. 68:1 NIV)

Nothing, in fact, including any problem you may face, is too big or too small for our God to handle!

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27 NIV)

Therefore

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Col. 1:15-17 NIV)

Atoms are the basic building blocks of ordinary matter 

Atoms can join together to form molecules, which in turn form most of the objects around you. Atoms are composed of particles called protons, electrons and neutrons.

The mystery of what holds the atom together

 The nucleus of an atom is positively charged while electrons are negatively charged. The neutrons are electrically neutral, and so the electric force won't hold them in. Furthermore, the protons are all positively charged and so they all repel each other. This creates a big physics dilemma. If everything within the atom is negatively and positively charged and naturally repel each other, what is it that holds them all together? The answer to the question is debated much with many theories, both old and new, involving things like quarks and gluons. Physicists all agree that there has to be some other force that holds protons and neutrons together, but that's were their agreement ends - it all comes down to guesses and theories.

The so called, “strong force”

Even though they are not in agreement as to what it is that holds atoms together, physicists have named it "the strong force." In addition, they claim the strong force is also responsible for binding the quarks and gluons into protons and neutrons.

All things were made through Jesus

All these physics discussions are frankly beyond my ability to wrap my brain around. I have chosen a simpler answer found in the Bible, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:17 NIV). That explains it to me! 

Therefore

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:1-3)

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14 NIV)

Jesus talks to a woman at a well

The longest one-on-one conversation with Jesus, recorded in John 4:4-26, is with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. On a hot day, when Jesus was worn out and thirsty from a long journey, He stopped at the well to rest and to get a drink of water. A Samaritan woman was there, drawing water from the well, and He spoke with her. The conversation was unusual because Jesus didn't follow the well-established religious rules of the day.

First, he was traveling through Samaria rather than walking around it, as most Jews do to avoid Samaritans. Second, Jews weren't supposed to speak with Samaritans. Third, men weren't permitted to speak with women without their husbands present. Fourth, rabbis had no business speaking to shady ladies such as this one.

The woman focused on the law; Jesus focused on grace

"You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman," she reminded him. "How can you ask me for a drink?" (John 4:9 NIV).

Jesus kept the conversation focused

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. (John 4:10 NIV).  After more questions from her, “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” (John 4:13-14 NIV).

The woman misunderstood Him

She thought Jesus was talking about the regular kind of water and therefore meant that she wouldn't have to get water from the well anymore as she usually does, so she asked Him for some. “The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.'" (John 4:15 NIV)

Living water is a different kind of water!

Like many people today, the woman at the well misunderstands what Jesus meant when he said, "The water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14 NIV). He was actually talking about the Holy Spirit. This is made clear in the seventh chapter of the gospel of John, when Jesus identifies the "streams of living water" that flow from within those who believe in him as the Holy Spirit. “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (John 7:37-38 NIV).

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:25 NIV)

Completely saved!

That means totally, entirely, wholly, thoroughly, fully, utterly, absolutely, perfectly, unconditionally, quite, altogether, downright; in every way, in every respect, one hundred percent, every inch!

How is this possible to be saved completely?

Two reasons are given in the passage at the top of the page.

• First reason: You are saved through Jesus. The verse says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him…” You are saved completely because It's done through Jesus. 

 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 NIV)

And because your salvation is through Him, you can have complete confidence that He will keep it completely safe! 

 “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 KJV)

• Second reason: Jesus lives to intercede for  you! The verse says, “because he always lives to intercede for them.” To intercede means to mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; Intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, and advocate. This is what Jesus does for you! “

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 2:5-6 ESV)

Therefore

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil.1:6 NIV)

“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.” (2 Chron. 16:9 NKJV)

Have you ever watched little children at play in a public playground? The children will often look up to make sure their parents are looking at them. Every now and then, a child will say, “Look, Mommy! Look, Daddy!” Naturally, the parents are watching because they love and care about their children.

It's wonderful to know that God loves us (John 3:16) and constantly keeps His eyes on us, too!

I know He watches me!

One of my all-time favorite gospel songs, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, was written by Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel in 1905. The lyrics were inspired by a story in Matthew 10:29, which tells how God knows when a small sparrow falls to the ground, and yet, we are more valuable to Him than they. The chorus is very joyful, and I often have it running through my head.

“I sing because I’m happy.

I sing because I’m free.

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.”

Therefore

“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:18 NIV)

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.” (Ex. 4:2 NIV).

When things seem dire, it's easy to lose hope

Perhaps your supplies are low, and the need is very big; it even looks impossible. But, be encouraged: when you follow God’s instructions and you do what He says to do, He can cause what you already have in your hands to produce miraculous results.

The Bible is filled with many examples of this.

• A boy’s lunch feeds thousands

Jesus prayed over a small amount of loaves and fishes, then placed them into the hands of His disciples, and the miracle continued as the loaves and fishes kept dividing in their own hands as they fed thousands!  “Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” (Matt. 24:19b NIV)

• A desperate mother’s last meal doesn't run out 

A mother was down to her last, and all seemed hopeless for her and her son! She told the prophet Elijah that she planned to eat her last meal and then die!

Elijah instructed her to use her remaining flour and oil to prepare a meal for him, demonstrating a remarkable act of faith, and assured her that her food would not run out! He blessed her for following his instructions. The food she already had did not run out! (1 Kings 17:10-15)

• Moses had a staff in his hand

A Pharaoh's daughter rescued Moses, a Hebrew baby, from the Nile River (Ex. 2:5). Then, he was raised and educated to become a leader. However, his life took a harsh turn when he defended a fellow Hebrew from an Egyptian beating. He killed him and tried to cover up the crime (Ex. 2:12), but was found out and then fled to live a hidden life for the next 40 years in the backside of the desert. Then one day, God spoke to him out of a flaming bush (Ex. 3) and told him that he was to do what seemed impossible—to deliver the Hebrew children from Pharaoh’s evil control. Moses was filled with fear, objected, and gave God excuses for why he couldn't do what God had said. Then God asked him a question, “Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.” (Ex. 4:2 NIV).

Moses had a staff in his hand! It was a walking stick! It was merely a piece of wood! But it’s what God worked His power through to enable Moses to do miraculous things, like parting the Red Sea (Ex. 24:21).

So, what has God placed in your hands?

It doesn't really matter what it is, big or small; God can use it if you have the faith to allow Him to! (Heb. 4:2)

Therefore

“Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” (Prov 16:3)

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col 3:17 KJV)

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11 NIV)

Pray humbly 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV)

Check your motives

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 NIV)

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jer. 29:12 NIV) 

Pray at all times for all things

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13 NIV)

 “Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." - Corrie Ten Boom

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:26 NIV)

It is wonderful that we can talk to God who chooses to hear us!

We are made righteous because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:9). And, because of it, we can approach God boldly through the thing called prayer. (Heb. 4:16)

Prayer is having a conversation with God

“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Prob. 15:29 NIV)

“The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” (Prob. 15:8 NIV)

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV)

 "Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." - Max Lucado