Creation in the Psalms

By: Kimberlee Mendoza

O Lord God Almighty, who is like you?

You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

 You rule over the surging sea;

when its waves mount up, you still them...

The heavens are  yours, and yours also the earth; 

You founded the world and all that is in it.

Psalm 89:8-9, 11

Have you ever been humbled by the magnitude of God's power as you feel the roar of waves pound against the shore or stood in awe of God's beauty and creativity as you gaze at a breath-taking sunset? Creation declares the magnificence of God and no where in the Bible is this more clearly expressed than in the book of Psalms. The Psalms are filled with beautiful, poetic verses that exalt God's creativity, magnify his glory, and extol his power all through the prism of creation. In Psalm 19:1, David writes "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

The psalmists understood that the universe is a beautiful portrait, proclaiming the power and splendor of its creator. In Psalm 98:7-9, the writer declares "Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth." These verses beautifully illustrate the song of creation. The sound of crashing waves, the roll of thunder, the rustling of trees blowing in the wind- all speak of the glory of God.

In Psalm 95:4-7, the psalmist writes "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our God our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." This Psalm is instructive to us. The writer begins by proclaiming God's power as witnessed in creation. He then calls the people of God to respond accordingly, by bowing in worship. The call to worship God is the natural overflow of a heart that has witnessed his greatness.

The psalmists reflected on the power of God in creation and it produced poetry of worship. Doing this requires a certain degree of meditation, reflection, and silence. Training our minds to magnify God and not our problems, will produce spiritual health and a depth that will enable us to transcend our circumstances. Rich is the woman who has found the blessing in recognizing the immensity and majesty of God and her relative insignificance before him.

The most amazing part of this all is that although our lives are very small and represent one tiny speck in the sands of time, God knows each one of us by name. This is the same line of thinking that led David to write "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all  the earth...When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:1, 3-4). 


This is a life-changing reflection, if we allow it to capture our hearts. The creator of the universe is thinking about you and thinking about me. The God who knows every star by name, also has every hair on your head numbered. The one who spoke the mountains into existence, knows your every down-sitting and uprising and knows every thought you will ever think (Ps. 139).  God is not so immense and powerful that he cannot hear your every whisper and every cry.  He who spoke and created the foundations of the world, is a loving God who is intimately acquainted with all your ways.

May these beautiful truths regarding the character of God cause us to worship him through his displays of creativity and power and to find comfort and assurance that we are not only known by him but loved by him as well.

Rest for the Weary

From Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-29).

These words spoken by Jesus, nourish my soul every time I read them. It is comforting to know that when I am overwhelmed and burdened by the worries of this life, Christ calls to me and promises rest for my weary soul.

His rest comes when I put my trust in Him. As I consciously yield myself to Him, trusting His plans for my future, I find the peace I have been longing for.

His rest comes when I finally stop trying to control my life. When I stop striving and trying to manipulate people and events. As I learn to not only accept but embrace His timing and provision in my life, I find the rest He promises me.

His rest comes when I surrender the fear that hinders me and steals my joy. As I magnify Him rather than my anxiety, my fears are assuaged, my faith is strengthened and I find peace.

His rest comes as I allow Him to heal the wounds of my past. When I invite His grace to cover me and heal my heart, my soul is released from unforgiveness and bitterness. And I find His rest.

Jesus offers rest for the weary soul. The rest he offers is active, not passive. It is life-changing and transformational. Obtaining this rest requires my life. My whole life. It requires trust. It requires me to surrender my hopes, dreams, fears, and doubts. Some of these things are easy to surrender and some are terrifying. Truthfully, most of us really do think we know what is best for us. Jesus encourages us to learn from him and reminds us that the life he offers us is not burdensome or difficult to bear. As we endeavor to trust Christ and live surrendered lives before Him, we will find rest for our souls. 

Granola Recipe

Courtesy: Tina Burke

Tina made this for Bible study yesterday & It was like heaven in a cup along with greek yogurt & a couple of fresh blueberries. I think it was to yogurt chips that won me over. Definitely will be making this! Will post a pic when I do : )

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds, chopped 

1 cup pecans, chopped

3/4 cup sweet coconut, chopped fine

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup dried cranberries

---------------------------

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer into a large bowl and add dried cranberries and mix until evenly distributed.

(I add about a cup of yogurt chips and/or chocolate mini chip)

Embracing Forgiveness

From Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

The heart of the gospel is that we are all sinners, in need of forgiveness, and that Christ died on the cross to set us free from the power and ultimate consequence of sin.

As believers, we are assured that all our sins- past, present and future- are forgiven.  This is perhaps the most powerful and liberating aspect of coming to Christ.  Regarding sin, the psalmist declares “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).  Similarly, the Apostle John writes “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  The Bible declares that God’s forgiveness is limitless and, where sin abounds, His grace will abound all the more (Romans 5:20). 

Although there is no sin so terrible or shameful that it cannot be forgiven, there are some sins that are harder for us to release than others.  Sometimes, the memory of past sin continues to haunt us even after we have repented.  In this way, Satan exploits our feelings of shame by whispering that we are not good enough or that God would never use us; that he does not really love us; or by telling us if people knew what we had done in the past, we would be rejected.  We must remember that Satan is the father of lies.  If he can trap us in his web and deceive us into believing that we are condemned by our past, then he keeps us in a state of discouragement, limits our effectiveness and steals the freedom that comes through GRACE.  We are the most powerful for the kingdom of God, when we are firmly convinced that we are forgiven from every transgression- no matter how dark or ugly or shameful.  In Isaiah, God declares “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

Can you imagine if King David or the Apostle Paul allowed condemnation or shame to prevent them from embracing forgiveness and fully living for God?  Think of how the course of human history would be changed!  King David paved the way for the temple to be built and penned some of his most beautiful psalms after his sin with Bathsheba and after he wrongfully had her husband Uriah killed.  How? Because David had experienced the grace of God and he was firmly convinced that he had been forgiven of all his trespasses.  Similarly, the Apostle Paul preached the gospel all around the world and wrote nearly half of the New Testament, in spite of his past persecution of the Church.  How is this possible?  Paul encountered the living God, on the road to Damascus, and was cleansed from all his sins.  The forgiveness of God liberates the soul and empowers the believer to live victoriously.

Only when we are convinced that we are forgiven, can we truly be free from the shame and condemnation of sin.  I have found it helpful, when I am reminded of past sin, to acknowledge that it was for that specific sin that Christ died.  When my thoughts condemn me, I imagine God wiping each sin away and cleansing each shameful memory.  Accepting His forgiveness also requires me to trust His promise to cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.  This step is intentional. Trust is purposing in my heart to believe God and fully embrace His forgiveness in my life.

Field Trip Thursday March 15

We will be heading out to Kahler Russel Park (735 N. Glendora Ave.) for our March Field Trip. We are meeting at 9:30 AM. Now, I hear this park is awesome for young kids because it is fully enclosed. This makes it easier to keep an eye on them while we share life together. Bring snacks/lunch/water. See you there! (Let us know if you want to come, but need a ride under the "contact" page).

"True Joy" from Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

In the English language, we tend to use the terms “joy” and “happiness” interchangeably.  However to the Christian, there is a grand distinction.  Happiness is a delightful state but it is a feeling that shifts like the blowing winds.  Joy, on the other hand, is less of a feeling than it is a state of being.  Joy is a down-deep hope in the goodness and beauty of God.  Joy is rooted in the belief that we serve the God who proclaimed to Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)”.  Unlike happiness, joy is not a transient emotional state.  Rather, it is a lens by which we view our lives and the world around us.  True joy is anchored by the character of God and trust in His promises.  True joy produces gratitude and thanksgiving. 

Because joy is not dependent on our life circumstances, it is possible to have joy in spite of incredible sorrow and pain. A dear friend of mine recently experienced a miscarriage.  The loss was shocking and her heart is broken into a thousand pieces.  She is experiencing great sorrow but I have witnessed her joy in the midst of this terrible trial.  This is true joy.  It transcends circumstances like sorrow and grief and it is powerful.  Joy buoys the soul from sinking when the waves of tragedy and despair come crashing in.  This is the joy that leads the believer to worship through pain.  This is the joy that enables a believer to have gratitude during loss.

This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:3-5, when he says there is joy in suffering- that the trials of this life produce endurance. And this endurance develops character and, ultimately, gives us a hope that does not disappoint.  This lasting, beautiful, powerful hope is why there is joy even in the midst of suffering. 

Dear Father, Please be my hope.  Renew my joy and help me to trust your plan for my life.  Help me to shift the focus off my circumstances, so I can worship and magnify you.  Teach me how to cultivate gratitude and thankfulness in my life, that I may bring you glory.  Amen.

Play Group This Thursday, March 1

March is already upon us! Please join us this Thursday morning at 9:30 in the worship center  for songs, crafts, playtime, snacks, fellowship & more! There is no cost, but we have a box for donations. Feel free to send an email or leave a comment if you have any questions!