This edition of “Aches and Praise” is coming to you from Arizona, where there is no snow, except in the higher elevations. Karen and I had a wonderful time in Tulsa, where we participated in the Missions conference of Tulsa Bible Church last weekend. It is encouraging to see what the Lord is doing around the world! Flying from Tulsa to Phoenix via Salt Lake City, we saw some majestic mountains and then we went to the Grand Canyon, which is not only a World Heritage site, but also a testimony to God’s judgment of sin. The prevailing wisdom of the world is that the Colorado River eroded the area over millions of years, but I believe that God used a worldwide Flood to judge the world after Noah and his wife and family entered the Ark. There are a number of articles on the Internet regarding this. Here are links to two:
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/grand-canyon-facts/grand-canyon/
http://creationtoday.org/grand-canyon-proof/
In the second article, the author writes: “Two people can often look at the same thing and come to opposite conclusions. The Grand Canyon is a perfect example. Evolutionists use it as proof that the earth is billions of years old, claiming that the Colorado River carved the canyon over millions of years. Bible-believing Christians interpret the canyon as a spillway from Noah’s Flood. One believes it formed slowly, with a little water and a lot of time. The other believes it formed quickly, with a lot of water and a little time. What a stark difference.” At the Grand Canyon, it was neat to see the look of wonder on the faces of people from all over the world. What a breathtaking site!
It is sad to think that many people reject God’s Word, while marveling at His creation. In his book “Parables” Dr. John MacArthur shows how the Lord Jesus answered His critics with a gentle answer. Referring to the lawyer who tested Jesus in Luke 10, he writes: “If that lawyer had only confessed his own guilt and admitted his inability to do what the law demands, Jesus would have been ready to offer him an eternity of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and true love … Both this man and the rich young ruler asked Him specific questions about how to inherit eternal life, and He answered by confronting them with the law’s demands. But for those with ears to hear, He constantly made it perfectly clear that eternal life is not earned through legal merit; rather, it is the gracious inheritance of all who truly put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.”
May we commit ourselves completely to the Lord, trusting Him to direct our steps in ways that bring glory to Him.
saw him with eyes of compassion… Compassion does not originate in religion or responsibility but in a relationship with God.” – Dr. David Jeremiah
In His grace,
Steve