BRANDON J. SUTTON
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Character Traits

10/18/2020

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“The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.” – Isaiah 40:28 NLT
 
Character can be defined as the distinguishing features, qualities or traits that make up the nature of a person. As individuals, we all possess some desirable and undesirable character traits. While man may shift between constructive and adverse behaviors and thoughts based on our circumstances and feelings, God is not a man (Numbers 23:19) and His character never changes.
 
God is ordinary. Now, before you label me a heretic, listen to what I am saying. I am not saying God is not great, the LORD is great and is to be highly praised; His greatness is beyond understanding (Psalm 145:3). I am not saying God is not almighty, He is the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come (Revelation 1:8). I am not saying God is not omniscient, the eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3). What I am saying is, what we view as extraordinary, is ordinary to God because it is consistent with His character.
 
God’s Character:
 
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny himself.”
– 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV
 
The air I breathe is a miracle to me but not to the One who created man out of the dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). The sun rising in the morning is astonishing to me but not to the One who spoke light into the darkness. My existence is a mystery to me but not to the One who knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5) because it is who God is.
 
We attribute many traits to God. He is infinite (Colossians 1:17), immutable (Malachi 3:6), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10) and loving (1 John 4:7-8). Those qualities make God both unpredictable and consistent. While His methods may change, His essence remains the same. We should then judge God’s character not by our situation, circumstances or thoughts, but instead by who He has proven Himself to be – a way maker, miracle worker and promise keeper.  
 
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8 NIV
 
God of the Ordinary:
 
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
– Philippians 2:13
 
We often miss what God is doing for us and saying to us because we are waiting on a sign or feeling. Every breakthrough will not come in the form of immediate relief or restoration. Likewise, every miracle will not result in the Red Sea parting or manna raining down from Heaven. The most astounding blessings you will receive from God are right in front of you. God often reveals His love, grace and mercy through ordinary people and circumstances. So, take a moment to appreciate the things God has already blessed you with.

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Measurements

10/4/2020

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“Stop judging by external standards, and judge by true standards."
 – John 7:24 GNT

I enjoy cooking. Now, my wife may tell you that I cook the same five meals all the time, but nevertheless I enjoy it. When preparing a meal, I discovered that there is nothing more important than using proper measurements. Too much or too little of an ingredient can alter the appearance, taste and your opinion of a dish.

Have you ever mismeasured God? Have you ever thought He was in a relationship that He was not in, or have you ever left Him out of an important decision? Did your mismeasurement lead to an outcome that you were not expecting? Inaccurate measurements of God will leave you spiritually disillusioned.  
We often measure God through tangible things, through the things we can see and touch. So, the car, spouse, children, job and money become the way in which we quantify God’s love for us. Those mismeasurements will alter the way we see and experience God because eventually we will lose what we idolize.
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  • If Joseph had measured God’s purpose in the pit, he would have quit before the palace.
 
  • If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had measured God’s existence when they were thrown in the fiery furnace, they would have missed His presence in the flames.
 
  • If the 5,000 had measured God’s power by the two fish and five loaves of bread they would have missed His provision.
 
  • If Mary and Martha had measured God’s affection by His perceived absence, they would have missed resurrection.
 
  • If the woman with the issue of blood had measured God’s word by her condition, she would have missed her healing.
 
  • If the man blind from birth had measured God’s miracles by his sight, he would have missed the light of the world.
 
Do not measure God’s love, grace and mercy by what hurt, frustrated and humiliated you. If you do, then you will miss who He is and the abundant life He wants to give you.
 
Where I would use a measuring cup, a veteran cook uses experience. How you measure God today, is based on how you previously experienced Him. If you witnessed Him be healer, comforter and provider before, then when difficult times arise, you can take heart in knowing that He will be those things again. God is willing to do more in your life than you can ask or imagine if you measure Him correctly. 
 
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” – Hebrews 12:28 NIV

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