The Trinity of God

I admit the Trinity is a difficult concept to grasp. I don’t expect, in this life, to fully understand it. But one of the things that helps me is to think of each member of the Triune God in relation to their role in my life. Peter hinted at this when he said that we, as follower of Jesus Christ, have been …

… “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood” … 1 Peter 1:2

Notice each member of the Trinity is referenced:

• “the foreknowledge of God the Father” -- God the Father as the One who created us and knows us.
• “the sanctifying work of the Spirit” -- God the Spirit as the One who sanctifies and empowers us.
• “Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood” -- God the Son as the One who died for us and redeems us.

Think of it this way. One day a guy was eating his sack lunch on a park bench across street from a beautiful mansion. During that hour, he overheard three different men claiming that mansion was theirs. It turned out, each was telling the truth. The first man was the architect - the one who designed the house. The second was the owner - the one who bought it. The third was the tenant - the one who lived in the house and cared for it.

The Triune God has each of these roles in your life as well. God the Father created you and knows you inside out. Jesus bought you with His precious blood. And the Holy Spirit resides in you, empowering you to live according to the way you were designed and redeemed. God is with us every step of the way.

New website at church!

Check out our new website www.greenvalleychurch.com with some great new videos and features. Just launched today.

The Beatitiudes Backwards

I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on the Beatitudes lately and this morning it struck me that they also work backwards. This has been a transforming discovery for me. Here’s what I mean:

• If we really appreciate how amazing it is that we have been welcomed into the kingdom of heaven, it makes us poor in spirit (humble and empty of ourselves).
• If we know that God’s redeeming comfort is available, it allows us the therapeutic freedom to mourn.
• When we ponder how remarkable it is that we will one day inherit the earth, it produces a healthy meekness in us.
• When we experience God’s ability to satisfy us, it only makes us hungry and thirsty for more.
• If we have really know God’s mercy, we will show God’s mercy.
• When we take the time to gaze upon God, it purifies our heart.
• If we realize that we truly are God’s children, we will look for ways to promote peace around us.
• And if we are secure as citizens of heaven, we will even be able to face persecution, knowing that eternity is on our side.

This was so helpful for me. What do you think?