Our Dependence on God
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their land. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.’’ (Acts 17:26-28)
Happy 244th Independence Day! On this day, we commemorate our young nation’s independence from Great Britain. In 1776, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife stating, “the celebration should include pomp and parade…games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” Although we have celebrated the 4th of July that way for years, the 2020 celebration may be different – due to all the guidelines in the midst of a pandemic.
For believers, this is proof that this world is temporary, and all things are fleeting. Our hope should not be placed in the things and the pomp of this world -- but only in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The global pandemic and recent tensions unfolding in our nation should bring us to this profound reality: our total dependence should be on God. In John 15:5, Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Life without Christ is meaningless! The current state of our world reveals to us our vulnerability and the uncertainty of life – bringing us to an awareness that we are actually dependent, not on ourselves, but on our certain and dependable God. It is only in Christ that we live and move and have our being, as Acts 17 teaches.
The times in which we live ought to humble us – humble us enough to bring us to our knees in genuine heartfelt prayer. So today, as we celebrate America’s Independence in some different ways, I want you to pause for a moment and pray for the hand of God to move over our nation and our world:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of grace today. We exalt Your Holy Name for You are good and Your mercies endure forever. With humble hearts, we seek Your forgiveness and mercy. May You lift up Your countenance upon us and give us Your peace that transcends all understanding. Be gracious to us, O Lord, and uphold us with Your righteous right hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May this Independence Day be a reminder that our dependence is in God alone!
By George Donkor
Happy 244th Independence Day! On this day, we commemorate our young nation’s independence from Great Britain. In 1776, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife stating, “the celebration should include pomp and parade…games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” Although we have celebrated the 4th of July that way for years, the 2020 celebration may be different – due to all the guidelines in the midst of a pandemic.
For believers, this is proof that this world is temporary, and all things are fleeting. Our hope should not be placed in the things and the pomp of this world -- but only in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The global pandemic and recent tensions unfolding in our nation should bring us to this profound reality: our total dependence should be on God. In John 15:5, Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Life without Christ is meaningless! The current state of our world reveals to us our vulnerability and the uncertainty of life – bringing us to an awareness that we are actually dependent, not on ourselves, but on our certain and dependable God. It is only in Christ that we live and move and have our being, as Acts 17 teaches.
The times in which we live ought to humble us – humble us enough to bring us to our knees in genuine heartfelt prayer. So today, as we celebrate America’s Independence in some different ways, I want you to pause for a moment and pray for the hand of God to move over our nation and our world:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of grace today. We exalt Your Holy Name for You are good and Your mercies endure forever. With humble hearts, we seek Your forgiveness and mercy. May You lift up Your countenance upon us and give us Your peace that transcends all understanding. Be gracious to us, O Lord, and uphold us with Your righteous right hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May this Independence Day be a reminder that our dependence is in God alone!
By George Donkor
Recent
Archive
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us Worthy