Apparently God has a Smart Phone.

Ah, back to writing again.  I've spent the last several months building things, projects for a design degree I'm pursuing.  But it's just a stop along the way to a bachelor's degree in creative writing.  It's good to have the time -- taking the time -- to do the thing I do best.

It never ceases to amaze me that I can read the same scriptures over and over and yet glean something new each time.  I was reading in Matthew 4 this morning, and a couple of things struck me.  The chapter is about the beginnings of Jesus' ministry, starting with his temptation in the wilderness and then continuing on to his teaching in Galilee and the calling of Peter and John. 

The first thing I noticed was from this verse:

^8-9For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, "They're yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours." 

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but didn't Jesus in fact create all the earth's kingdoms?  And actually,  make Satan himself?  Interesting that Satan -- a created being -- apparently didn't realise who Jesus was.  Or if he did, he certainly had a lot of nerve. 

It occurs to me that I also have a lot of nerve.  I challenge Jesus' control over my life all the time -- it's just that I don't usually come right out and say it to His face.  Operative word in that sentence?  Usually.  I have been known to shake my fist at heaven a time or two -- "what is going on here, God?"  "Are you sure you know what You're doing?"

I do hate admitting that.  But it is true nonetheless.  A good reminder to stop doing it, don't you think?  The economy of God at work once again in my life, accomplishing two things at once, both showing me something new and then reminding me to straighten up and fly right. 

The second thing was from this verse:

^23-25From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government!

It is no wonder that the Pharisees were upset with him.  Anyone challenging Rome's government, and the Jewish religious government, would have been in deep trouble with them.  I knew this, but reading it again kind of refreshed that for me.  From the outset Jesus was turning things upside-down.

I know I'm no religious scholar.  But it's nice to know that God continues to reveal Himself to each of us daily.  Oh, that faithfulness!  I depend on it.

And that's it for today.  Feel free to throw that right in to what He's revealing to you.  Maybe we'll both get a little smarter, a bit more like Him. . .  that whole economy thing going on again.  Who knew the Bible was actually a time management tool?

xoxoxox