Where is the power, is it in the thunder? Or is it in the lightening? The true power is unseen and unheard for it is the interaction f tiny particles - electrons and neutrons? What of God? 15 Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. 16 All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together. Isaiah 45:15-16 English Standard Version (ESV) There are those who refuse to believe for they say if God existed there would be scientific provable evidence. One as powerful as the God proclaimed by the Hebrews and those foolish Christians would make Himself known with indisputable fact. He would have no need to hide for He would be no match for the mere mortals He created. Why does God hide? For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Rom. 1:17 (KJV) Which does God desire, to be feared and hated or loved and adored? God does not reveal Himself in these days as He did in times past because in those times past (before the flood, during Sodom and Gomorrah, the exodus) He was feared and hated for He dared to show His power. In these present days He has come to us as a baby to grow up among men and show men as well as teach them that He loves and desires love. He says we should trust in His love and not in His power. His kingdom is of the heart (soul) not of His arm (might). Is He the God who hides? Is He weak? No, He reveals His power in His love for you. You are more precious to Him than conquered worlds or slaves bent by the lash. It is for this reason that He died for your sins. Every time that you see the flash of lightening or the roll of thunder, think of the unseen power of God who loves you.

A little sin makes a person human. At least that is what some people believe. Even some preachers say that a little sin is necessary to keep you humble. Sin has become an out-dated thing to be pitched from modern society like blue-laws. Mis-deeds, mistakes are better words than sin. Even the old standby of “everybody” does is are preferable to labeling moral failure sin. So, just how bad is sin? 1 Pet 2:24 (ESV) "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." If sin is NOT so bad, then why the severe punishment of Adam and Eve? Banishment and the SIN nature past to posterity…for disobeying one rule? If sin is NOT so bad then why the concern about Cain’s murder of Abel? …he was just “acting out” in response to God’s dissatisfaction with his sacrifice? If sin is not so bad, why did God give Israel the Law? Why did Israel wander for 40 years in the wilderness? …perhaps the 10 spies had a low self esteem...hence their fear of the Canaanite enemy? If sin is not so bad, then why did Achan’s whole family perish with him? Why did God take the kingdom away from Saul? …it was just some extra sheep they took for sacrifices… If sin is not so bad, then why the DEATH of Ananias and Saphira for misspeaking? Why the countless animal sacrifices in the OT? Sin is so bad that an innocent man died on a tree to remove it from your life!

New York Giants fans are very pleased tonight because their team won. Each fan feels like a winner but not a single fan played in the game. You are part of a winning team, you aren’t sitting in the stands eating hotdogs, but you are engaged in the action. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor. 12:27 (NIV) We are the Body of Christ, the Church, and we share in the victory of Christ over death and sin. The scoreboard shows us as the winner. Jesus rose from the grave and defeated death and the penalty of sin. He gave that hard-won victory to those who will believe in Him, the church. As the New York Giant fans celebrate let us remember that every Sunday is our celebration day. We share in the victory and therefore celebrate with each other in God’s house. “See what God has done! Amen!” Today may be one of the worst days of your life and you may have tears. Just remember that the score is already posted, verified and in the record books – The Lamb Wins. Your Heavenly Father loves you and has your home prepared. Today is just a day in the journey so pass through it with your head high and your faith intact for you share in the victory of all victories.

Do you know what muscle memory is? Professional athletes are what they are because they train their bodies to do the same motion without thinking about. Take a tennis player, they swing the racket the same way every time they serve the ball. They pitch the ball the same height every time, the racket meets the ball the same every time. The only way this is possible is for them to do the same motion hundreds of thousands of times over years of practice. They do have natural ability but their muscles have to “remember” those motions. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:17 (NIV) Jesus told us what we needed to know about doing God’s will. He taught His disciples. He set the example. He taught them how to pray. He explained what we are to do in Matt. 28:18-20. (Look it up it you don’t know it) Accepting Jesus is a one-time action in your life. Becoming His disciple is a life long training program. “Now that you know these things ….. you will be blessed if YOU DO THEM.” Believe it or not He has already told you what God’s Will is for you life and it isn’t some secret knowledge. In exercise it is called “repetition” or doing “reps”. Doing the same thing over and over until it becomes second nature. Hey, Jesus said, “Be born again” and Paul taught that that new birth brings a “new nature”. Doing the things Jesus told us to do over and over and over will make that new nature the one nature you live by. “Now that you know these things!”

There are many heart-warming stories about dogs that have lain on the graves of their owners. Loyalty is one of the most admirable qualities in not just dogs but humans. There is nothing that warms our hearts more than having a friend remain loyal when all others turn away. But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News everywhere. He wanted all those who are not Jews to hear that Good News. So I was saved from the lion’s mouth. 2 Tim 4:17 “But the Lord stayed with me.” Paul’s comfort while enduring prison was “Jesus, the Lord”. We read in other verses where disciples and friends abandoned Paul. One, turned back into the world and I’m sure that was hard for Paul to take. “But the Lord stayed” with him. Of this we can be sure – “the Lord will stay” when others leave. You never have to feel that you are alone or that no one cares for your soul. Jesus will stay with you.