God said, “Let there be light” and there was light (Gen. 1:3). There was no hesitancy or delay in the response to “Let there be light.” Immediately, light “popped” into existence. In the absence of nothingness came matter.

God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear” and it was so (1:9, 11, 24). There was no flicker of doubt as to what would be once God spoke. He said . . . and it was so.

God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion [and] be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it (1:26, 28).” Mankind’s continued triumph inside of the created order argues for the ongoing fulfillment of this divine directive.

God said and it was so. There is no moment of delay between what God wills to do and what is done. We make promises we cannot keep. We have desires that go unfulfilled and hopes that lie dashed on the shores of failed expectations. None of this exists in God. What He wills to do He does.

God has never known failure. God has never met an unbent knee that did not carry out His will or an obstinate will that did not fulfill His purpose. Psalm 135:6 assures me the truth of this idea, “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” Psalm 115:3 buttresses the foundation on which all of creation is based, “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”

As is our tendency, we want to know “What’s in it for me?” “What does this do for me?” As a believer I can be assured that all God has spoken will come to pass. His promises though future bring present hope. Think with me of just a few of His promises:

• He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matt. 28:20, John 14:18).
• His grace will always prove sufficient (2 Cor. 12:8).
• He has forgiven me of all my transgressions (Col. 1:28).
• I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
• He is preparing a place for me (John 14:2).
• He is coming again to receive me unto Himself (John 14:3).
• He will always provided a way of escape with every trial that crosses my path (1 Cor. 10:13).

Friend, God said it and it is so. Study the Scripture in order that you might discover all that is yours because He said so. It is His desire. This is what He has willed and as such it shall come to pass.

Today, see just how unfathomable the riches are that are in Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:8). And in seeing . . . know that it is so.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series When Winter Comes.

Unfortunately, Christianity is more noted for what we do or not do than for who He is, what He has done, and who His people now are because of it. Do we openly and regularly celebrate the nature of His cross-work and confirming resurrection?

Christians are different than non-Christians for the simple reason that we are forgiven of all our transgressions (Col. 2:13). As Christians we no longer carry the burden of guilt that daily and habitually grind the non-Christian into fine dust fragments of what it means to be made in His image. We no longer live with fear of the unknown or of God. We have a peace that passes all human understanding (Phil. 4:7). Christians are different because we live contented lives and die with hope (1 Thess. 4:13).

Christians do not live with the burden of trying to please their God and somehow in ways unknown they try to stumble into His favor and blessing (Eph. 1:3, 1 Thess. 5:23, 24). Christians do not carry grudges or judge people ruthlessly or live intolerant lives toward those who are different in culture, worship, or belief (Rom. 14). Christians love their enemies and do good to those who despitefully use them (Luke 6:27). Christians forgive even as they have been forgiven (Eph. 4:32).

Christians live well only because they have been forgiven and find themselves in a state of peace with their God. That is who we are. Christians find their ultimate pleasure in Christ and do derive pleasure in His gifts, but they never confuse the two (1 Tim. 6:17). Christians are satisfied with who Christ is, what He has done, and who they now are in Him.

Christians, despite their circumstances, joy in the joy of others and find all they need met in Him who never lacked (Col. 2:10).

Sometimes what we do is a far cry from who we are or rather who He is. But who He is, is who we are and who He is, is what we do. We are not living to please Him; we live because we please Him. As we live in a winter season, let us not forget that our convenience and comfort are not the ultimate goal of creation, but His glory and our dependency on Him in whom all things will be summed up, “things in the heavens and things on the earth (Eph. 1:10).”

I would encourage you to put your mind on these things (Col. 3:1-4). Think on those things which speak of His deep love for you in rescuing you from hopelessness and eternal damnation. Think about your redemption, justification, sanctification, His propitiation, and your position. It is on Him that we are to “hang our hat.”

When you really think about it, “What do you need that you do not already have in Him?” My desire is to see Him in His fullness. After that, nothing else really matters.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series When Winter Comes.

Every believer has gone through periods when they simply do not have the motivation to read their Bible, pray, or even want to attend church.

For those of us in the Midwest we are very much accustomed to the 4 seasons of the year.

Winter is that season of the year where everything lies dormant and appears dead and unyielding. The two bookends to winter’s tenure are the seasons of transitions; fall and spring. Fall leads us into winter and spring leads us out of winter. Summer is somewhat enigmatic. Because of our present schooling year, summer becomes a time of family vacations, cookouts and visitation.

I enjoy the seasons. Each one makes me glad for the other three. In the summer I look forward to winter and in the winter I look forward to the summer. One of the tremendous beauties in our seasons is the changing of the leaves. Many in the Mid-West take time out to run up North for the changing of the colors. Even here in our own communities we find the color of the leaves breathtaking.

We have come to appreciate the colorful Maple tree. The Maple leaf turns bright red and yellow and ignites the entire landscape with its transitory beauty. Within a few short weeks all of its leaves will fall away and it will stand as a naked sentinel over the snow covered ground. Its life seems all but gone. Nothing appears to move from either within or without. Yet soon enough spring happens and new life is brought forth.

It is at the end of the winter season and before full spring that the Maple tree yields its sugary treasure of Maple syrup.

The Christian life is very much like the Maple tree and its seasonal life cycle. All of us have a fall where our leaves begin to drop off and we enter a period of time that appears to be barren and unfruitful. The winter months of life are often preceded by a brilliant display of activity. Yet how are we to understand our winter seasons? Winter can be a time of tremendous dryness. Our skin cracks and flakes and moisture is crucial during this period of time. We become depressed and we struggle against this season of the year.

When I find myself struggling spiritually and/or emotionally drained, how am I to find comfort and rest? The issue for me is making sure I understand what is happening in my life from the perspective of God and not that of my circumstances or feelings. I do not think many of us actually consider how we view life. If God is not in control, and in some sense each individual is, then one’s worldview is best represented by a pane of glass that has shattered and splintered into a million unconnected pieces.

If God is in control, then life is to be viewed as a mosaic or multi-pieced puzzle that has a singular over-arching picture comprised of a million distinct though connected parts. The season we call winter is an intentional and connected part of God’s singular over-arching picture. If for no other reason, winter makes us appreciate the other three seasons of life.

Should you find yourself in a winter season, let me suggest four thoughts. First, be still-which implies slowing down. Second, stop trying to figure out how to resolve the problem. Most of the time where you find yourself is bigger than you. Third, trust God to be God. And finally, rest in His control.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series When Winter Comes.