Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Lent 19: Preternatural ease

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
preternatural \pree-ter-NATCH-uh-rul\ adjective

Meaning:
1 : existing outside of nature
2 : exceeding what is natural or regular : extraordinary
3 : inexplicable by ordinary means; especially : psychic

Example Sentence
Louis Armstrong's preternatural talent set him apart from the other musicians of his day, and his style and compositions have influenced generations of performers.

We have it all figured out. Just like Jesus’ disciples did. Their rabbi Jesus, with his extraordinary powers and abilities, would become ruler of Palestine, drive out the oppressors, and make them important officials. “When will you take the reins of the Kingdom?” they asked a final time, after his resurrection.

We sometimes think we’re on the right track, too. We can see the way things are going. So we launch out and proclaim the future—only to find out God had something entirely different planned. One word from Jesus, sometimes through a verse of scripture or an insight during prayer, can change the entire direction of our thinking and behavior.

His preternatural wisdom keeps the universe together. “He holds all things together by his powerful word,” said the writer of Hebrews. What confidence and ease we have in his provision today, whether working through piles on our desks or meeting with people.
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God's peace to you today!

*The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. Proverbs 10:20–21 NLT

*[Jesus] "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45 NLT

*In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5 NIV

*
In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:2-4 NIV

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