Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. Ricky had re-filled our coffee cups and taken our breakfast orders. Stan mentioned that earlier he’d been journaling on something he wanted to pass on to me. “What’s that?” I asked.
“How it’s easy for us to focus on provision rather than on the One who provides,” Stan relplied. “How it’s easy to focus on miracles, rather than on the miracle worker.”
“What caused you to focus on that?”
“How the crowd reacted to Jesus when He entered Jerusalem on the way to the cross.”
“How the crowd reacted? What’d they do?”
“They praised God,” Stan replied, “but that praise was for the miracles they’d seen. Too often that’s the way I am.”
“In what way?”
“I focus on what God does for me, along with what I want Him to do for me, rather than just focusing on knowing Him as Jesus described Him.”
“How’d He describe Him?”
“As the only true God.”
“Oh,” I replied, “focus on Him as the only true God who does the miracles, not on the miracles, is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “I’m to be praising God, not the miracles!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all of the miracles they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:37-38.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I focus on what you provide and what I want you to provide rather than just focusing on you as the one true God who has provided the way to you. Please forgive that foolishness and help me focus on you as the one true God who knows what I need. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted what Jesus accomplished on the cross, life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with focusing on God for who He is, the one true God, rather than on what He provides or what you want Him to provide? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to focus on Him as the one true God, rather than for any other reason? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?
Thank you for this great reminder about praising our Triune God (The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) rather than the miracles The Lord provides.
Absolutely true with ME! I find myself praising God for what he’s done for me and family and friends but rarely do I stop and just praise God for being God! He is the true miracle worker recognize him for his majestic grace healing powers but most of all for being the TRUE GOD! Thank you Tim! Looking forward to online study soon!