Does God Know My Name

Carolyn and I ate at a new Italian restaurant this week.  Lilly, the owner, came by our table, called us by name and made us feel welcome.  She favored us with her personal attention for a few minutes.  We felt special.

Our friend Niko does the same when we go into his restaurant.  He gives us his direct and personal attention.

These business owners recognize us and treat us with special care simply because we are friends. 

And then there is God.  We question, ponder, wonder:  Does God know my name?  Has he forgotten me?  Is God my friend?

Take heart my friend.  God does know your name.  He has you in His sights.

Read some of these powerful reminders of God’s care and love for you.

Isaiah 43:1b-3

“Do not fear.  I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, for you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers – they will not overwhelm you.  And when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.  The flames will not consume you.  I am the Lord your God.’

John 10:14-15

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

John 10:3

“To him the gate keeper opens the gate, and the sheep hear the master’s voice.  He calls each one by name and leads them.”

Jeremiah 1:5

“Even before I formed you in your mother’s belly I knew you.”

Don’t you see?  God has been thinking of you from the beginning moments of your life.  He does know your name. 

He knows you like pecan pie, hate broccoli, wear a size nine shoe, you favor the color blue, you walk with a limp on a rainy day, and you like to arrive early for most appointments.

We are ever on God’s mind.

He never takes His eyes off us. 

We hold his attention all the time.

Be encouraged.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Builder to Teacher

 He was a carpenter.  He was good at his craft.  Nothing was his specialty and everything was his specialty. 

In his years of carpentry, he built myriads of cribs, cabinets for homes, work benches, tongues for wagons, and just about anything else his customers asked for.

He once made a toy baby-rattler with a little monkey trapped inside a cage for an especially close friend.  It was the delight of the child, and the parents never forgot.

Yet today nothing remains of his skill as a carpenter.  One would be hard pressed to find even a board from a bed sawn by this master craftsman.

One day, he walked away from this life.  He left it all behind – the

tools, the sawdust, the apron, and the constantly dirty fingernails.  He marked out a new occupation – that of a teacher.  He had no classroom to call his own.  He had no credentials, yet he became a teacher.

He never wrote any books.

He never penned a resume or drafted a syllabus for his classes, yet he taught, and his words echo down through the ages and reach us even today.

His voice was never recorded so we don’t know if he had a soft or loud sound, spoke with an accent, stuttered, had trouble rolling his r’s or spoke with a nervousness in his voice. 

He spoke and taught nevertheless. 

Today, we do have examples of his teachings.  His words live long after he passed from this earth.  His words echo from the ages past, for they are immortal words of hope, life and of redemption.

This builder turned teacher is called Jesus, the Christ, and his influence as a teacher has changed the course of the world.  Armies have marched for him and against him.  Men receive his words and curse his words.  People praise him and despise the mere mention of his name. 

And yet …

Yet his influence lives on. 

Here are some of his teachings.

“Come unto me all who labor and are heavy with burdens.  I will give you rest.”

“Peace I give unto you, not as the world gives.”

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

“Don’t let your hearts be trouble.  If you believe in God, then believe in me, for in my father’s house are many rooms.  I am going to prepare a place for you as well.”

“I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never be hungry; the one who believes in me shall never thirst.” 

“Surely I tell you; whoever believes in me shall have everlasting life.”

“Love your enemies, bless them who curse you, do some good for those who hate you, and pray for the ones who spitefully use you and persecute you;”

These are just a few of the words our builder-turned-teacher spoke while on earth.  They hold the power of life and encouragement, hope and redemption.

I pray that your heart is encouraged today by this teacher – Jesus, the Christ.

His carpentry work is long decayed.  His words still bring life. 

Praise be to God!

Internet Church

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Impossible-God's Favorite Word

Here is a strong word of hope for you today.  Take heart – God has not abandoned you nor this world. 

When we look around at today’s world landscape, don’t we find ourselves shaking our head and wondering where it will all end?  I do. 

And then I’m reminded of this:

“For with God nothing is impossible.”

Those words were spoken to Mary, the mother of The Christ, when she was told of her role in birthing the Christ-child.  She wondered, pondered, fretted and worried.  And then God’s angel showed up. 

For with God nothing is impossible.

Those are powerful words; hope-filled words; grace-filled words.

I love this quote:

So, my friend, take heart.  Stand solidly on the word of God and keep your faith intact. 

God is still around and watching. 

“He never slumbers nor sleeps.”

~Psalm 121:3

That is some mighty good news for today.

Be encouraged.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

The Napkin in the Tomb

Easter’s Evidence of Hope

It was, at first appearance, an obscure object.  A simple napkin.  In this place in time, it was used as a burial piece to cover the face.

The face it covered was The Christ. 

Obscure. 

Small and insignificant. 

Who gives a mere napkin a second thought?  

(John 20:3-10)

In Jewish tradition, every young boy knew the significance of the napkin used at a banquet, especially the one used by the Master.

Tradition says this about that.  The servant boy had one job – to set the table exactly as the Master wished.  That meant every plate was to be in place, every piece of silver and every serving tray was to be exact in its placement a well.  And the napkin was present.  But there is more.

After the Master had finished eating, he would wipe his mouth, clean his fingers, brush the napkin through his beard and then wad up the napkin and toss it on the table.  The wadding was a signal to the servant that he could now come in and clear the table.  The banquet was over.  We are finished here.  Done.

If, however, the napkin was neatly folded and left to the side of the plate, that meant something entirely different.  It said:  “I will return.”

I WILL RETURN!

Christ did not casually crumple and toss the napkin before leaving the tomb.  He took care to fold it and leave it in its place, separate from the grave clothes. 

The signal was given. 

Hope sparked in the hearts of those who understood.

I WILL RETURN!

It is yet one more message for all of us.  Let it speak loud and clear. 

   The world is troubled. 

   Danger lurks on all sides. 

   Christ was taken from his followers and loved ones. 

   Yet the message speaks. 

I’m coming back.  Don’t clear the dishes. 

Better analogy.  Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  If you believe in God, then trust in me.  I am going to my Father’s house.  There I will be preparing a place for you to join me.  And I Will Come Again.

John 14:1-4

~Is your Easter blurred by events happening all over this globe?

~Are you worried that we may not see 2016?

~What about next Monday?

He speaks through a simple folded napkin.  “I may have left the tomb, but I haven’t left the scene.  My presence is with you.  My physical presence will come again."

Hope abounds through the Easter story.

Hallelujah, He Is Risen!

Hallelujah, He Will Come Again!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time