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Jehovah, the Self-Existent One

June 19, 2026May 1, 2026 krisshetter

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” ” Exodus 3:14

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”” John 8:58

In conversations with my dad about God I used this analogy: If you see a beautiful watch and open it up and marvel at the craftsmanship we then assume there was a craftsman. I would point out to my dad each item around us. The table where we sat, the meal we were eating, the clothes we wore, the plants around us – all were built, planted, mixed, sewn, by someone. Everything has a creator, even us. The problem was when my dad asked, “But who created God?”

Who created God? Should be an easy question for you to answer today before your coffee when asked by an unbeliever, right? For those who know me personally they can probably hear me make this statement tinged with humor. I don’t want us to get lost in the weeds of philosophy and metaphysics today, but acknowledging God as self‑existent is essential to the Christian life.

Why? Because most other religions rely on gods which were created, limited or dependent on man.

The most honest answer we average folks can give to the age-old question of who created God is “I don’t fully understand the mystery God’s self-existence.” While we may not completely understand it, we should know and accept that He is self-derived or self-originated. We don’t come to that acceptance out of whole cloth.

I AM

When God assigned Moses the task of speaking for the Israelites, Moses rightfully inquired, “Who should I say you are?” With God’s short and mysterious answer of, “I AM who I AM” He made the bold announcement of being Jehovah – the self-existent one. (On a side note reading that scripture always reminds me of Popeye the Sailor Man: “I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam!)

“He is wholly and completely “other” and unlike anything else in the known or unknown universe. He is autonomous, operates with complete control, and is infinite in all of His power, ability, and knowledge.” For The Gospel

That “other,” as described by Pastor Costi Hinn, must be front and center of our Christian life and reverence for God. He is not us. He is not like us. He is outside us and created us. In fact, He created every single molecule. The Bible affirms this concept and Christian thinkers have wrestled with what that means.

Outside Time

C.S. Lewis has some wonderful chapters in his timeless book, Mere Christianity, on this puzzle of God’s self-existence. He surmises that God is outside time, having created that as well. He has no history and no future. He just is. If you really want to get deep one day, just think about time as a created thing. We think of it as “real” because we see the clock move, the sun rise and set, our bodies grow old. But God is above all that.

Lewis describes God in this way:

“If you picture Time as a straight line along which we have to travel, then you must picture God as the whole page on which the line is drawn…God has no history. He is too completely and utterly real to have one. For of course, to have a history is losing part of your reality (because it has already slipped away into the past) and not having another part (because it is still in the future): having nothing but the tiny present.”

God is always in the Now. Our yesterday was His Now. As is our tomorrow. He is without a beginning or an end. We should find comfort in that mystery because it speaks to His authority and power. It reminds us that He is wherever, whenever we are. He is not beholden to another.

Friends, God is not reliant on our concepts of physics, time or space. Mysteriously, He just IS. He is the I AM for time eternal. The steady rock or north star to place our sights upon.

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” Isaiah 46:9

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Wooden cross on rocky cliff by stormy sea at sunset

The Righteous Judge and the Gracious Savior

June 17, 2026April 20, 2026 krisshetter

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” Jeremiah 23:5-6

^“God made him who had no sin to be sinfor us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Fair play, unselfishness, courage, good faith, honesty, truthfulness, and a respect for human life—what do these have in common? For centuries, many called them the Laws of Nature. Today we’re more likely to file them under “human nature” or “the moral law.” And they often become a stumbling block in conversations with atheists: when you ask where “right” and “wrong” come from, the reply is, “Everyone knows what’s right or wrong!” I suspect people who stop there haven’t thought very deeply about the question.

Not everyone knows how to fix a car engine by simply “knowing.” I can’t walk into an operating room and perform brain surgery—yet we often assume we can define morality without reference to its Creator. You and I can list skills we do and don’t have; some overlap, others don’t. I’m terrible at math and good at writing. My friend is the polar opposite.

Universal Morals

Why do we universally condemn lying, cheating, and murder? Why do we instinctively admire courage and honesty? And why do we sense those virtues aren’t just preferences, but standards we ought to live up to?

“You find out more about God from the Moral Law than from the universe in general just as you find out more about a man by listening to his conversation than by looking at a house he has built…we can conclude that the Being behind the universe is intensely interested in right conduct.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Deep thinking isn’t exactly the “in thing” these days. Our attention is shaped by ten‑second videos and endless scrolling. But let’s slow down for a moment and consider where this human hunger for righteousness comes from.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” – Psalms 89:14

When God created the earth and called it good—very good—he set the standard for what “good” means. He is perfect in righteousness. Imagine there were only one potter in the entire world—and there would only ever be one. Every pot, plate, cup, or vase he makes, he declares perfect, without defect. Who would we be to dispute him? He alone makes pottery; he alone knows it.

But if you’re honest, you’re already imagining an imperfect pot—some blemish the potter “must have” missed. The unskilled, non‑potter quietly assumes he knows better than the expert. Isn’t that what we so often do with God? And isn’t that why we’ve drifted from moral laws that were once widely recognized—broken, yes, but still acknowledged as real and good? Instead, we increasingly encounter what Scripture describes: “those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). In modern terms, we call that being “gaslighted.”

Our Touchstone

When we pretend there is no Creator, we can also pretend there is no touchstone for righteousness. We can flip morality on its head. We can treat human life as disposable. But in the end, there is no escaping the truth so many try to avoid: God is the standard of perfection and righteousness.

That truth is also what separates us from Him. Sin bends our hearts toward pride—toward living beyond the gifts God has given us. We’re told, “Who are you to judge?” Our answer should be, “We won’t—but he will.”

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.– James 4:12

And friends, here is the beauty of the gospel—the love behind it, and the reason God sent his only Son. He knows the truth behind Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount:

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

Oh, those “righteous” Pharisees. On the outside they worked hard to clean up their acts and appear holy. On the inside, they were soiled—just like us. They refused (and many still refuse) to see that the only way to stand before a perfect God is for God Himself to provide the sacrifice for our sins. Only through Him—the true standard of righteousness—can we be clothed in white.

The moral law, written on our hearts, isn’t something dreamed up by a politician, preacher, or parent. It is God’s imprint on our hearts and minds—a direct reflection of who He is. And He is very, very good.

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4

Monk kneeling and praying by a wooden cross inside a dark cave during a storm

Rest, Refuge, and the God Who Holds Us

June 12, 2026April 20, 2026 krisshetter

“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.” 2 Samuel 22:3

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15

At the time of writing this, my BSGs are beginning a new study by Priscilla Shirer titled Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath. The idea of maintaining sabbath has become so foreign that, just a few years ago, the fast‑food chain Chick‑fil‑A came under fire simply for refusing to open on Sundays. The company’s founder is a devout Christian who has chosen to live out his faith publicly. Imagine—people being so riled up because a chicken restaurant honored the sabbath and gave every one of its employees a guaranteed day off.

As part of the study, we were asked why we think the world values busyness over rest. The truth is, the world often views rest as inconvenient and unnecessary. My response was this: the farther we drift from God, the more tightly we cling to the idea that success comes only through striving harder and relying on ourselves. We stop looking for rest and refuge anywhere—but within our own effort. A God‑centered perspective says otherwise:

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

True Rest

I am one of those always‑striving types. Even when I try to rest, I wrestle with guilt—feeling as though I am not being productive enough by the world’s standards. Just as I never learned how to wear makeup, I never learned how to truly wear the refuge and rest of God. I am still learning how to rest in His arms in a way that allows my work to have purpose and boundaries, and my rest to be true rest.

God taught so many of us a profound lesson about refuge during the COVID years. We lost businesses and friendships. We lost dreams, finances, loved ones, and trust in institutions. In the midst of all that loss, however, I began to recognize what I was also gaining—a deeper understanding of what God truly offers when He calls Himself our refuge.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

He became my shelter from the outside chaos. My refuge from my internal strife. He gave me the opportunity to not work and instead fully support my husband whose business was under fire each day. The Holy Spirit encouraged me to start this blog and delve deep into the ways of the Father, encouraging others along the way.

But as the world around us began opening up I felt the familiar tug at my heart and mind – “start producing and striving.” The world was pulling me from His arms again. Taking my eyes off the only thing that could give me the safety and security we all so desire.

Run To His Refuge

Friend, the Christian life is not easy street. It’s work. The world comes at us full bore with sparkly lights and gems. Always wanting more, being better, doing more. But the psalmist reminds us:

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11

I want to sing for joy while resting safe and secure in His arms. Last year I chose two scriptures to memorize. It wasn’t until I started researching for this post that I realized both focus on God’s promise of refuge. It was obviously something on my heart!

“My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God will help her when the morning dawns.” Psalm 46:5

The LORD commands us to rest and find refuge in Him. It’s the only place we can find perfect peace. Let’s all make it our priority today to swim against the world’s current of ceaseless striving. Take time this week to turn all your troubles over to Him and rest in Him.

I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say by Horatio Bonar (1846)

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quench’d, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise,
And all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of life I’ll walk,
Till trav’ling days are done.

Bighorn sheep standing on rocky terrain with mountains and a colorful sunset in the background

The Lord Provides

June 10, 2026April 17, 2026 krisshetter

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:1-19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

The story in the Old Testament of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his God-given son is the cause of so much anxiety about God. These scriptures have led to many deep discussions into the night by my friends, all mothers. The horror of being asked by God to not only release a child to death but to also be the one responsible for that death seems unimaginable and cruel.

It’s important to notice that Abraham didn’t go gleefully to the hill where the sacrifice was to take place. In fact, you get the impression he was taking his time, slowly preparing the funeral pyre. What he did go with was the ultimate trust that God would provide. God had already provided for Abraham in many ways, not the least of which was resurrecting Sarah’s womb so they could have the very child he led up the mountain.

Commentators say, and I agree, that Abraham not only trusted that God would provide a substitute sacrifice but also that if one were not given, God would be able to resurrect Isaac. Somehow, he had already developed the deep insight into Jehovah jireh, the God Who Provides.

Complete Trust in the Provider

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” Luke 12:24

When the bill arrives or the diagnosis comes, do we trust God’s provision as fully as Abraham did? Do we believe Jesus when He tells us how much more valuable than birds are we! Or do we scoff at His words when He commands us:

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Luke 12:22

I think we get a bit confused by His promises for provision. While yes, God provided water from a rock. Or miracles of a place to stay, a check to cover rent right when needed, or even a baby when we have been deemed unable. Those are amazing experiences of His provision!

Day to day however, we should be so thankful for the more mundane. The physical ability to go to a job. The job itself. The education that got you that job. The paycheck from which you can buy food and pay the mortgage. The strength to wrangle your kids when you just don’t feel well. That solution suddenly revealed to a nagging problem.

The idea of seeing our lives as being provided for by God was foreign to my dad. He told me once, “I’ve done everything on my own, by myself.” One day I finally pointed him to the many miracles when God intervened during his 80 years. As I listed them all, my dad became quiet. He had never reviewed his life through the lens of God’s provision. He had never stopped to contemplate that someone “out there” was watching over his needs.

When we see the thousands of ways Jehovah jireh works in our daily lives we become people of thankfulness. I believe we also become people who, in the name of our LORD, become providers for others.

Our Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Friends, sheep don’t worry about what they are going to eat or where they are going to sleep. They don’t even seem to worry about any dangers on the perimeter of their wooly lives. They trust completely in their Shepherd. That is the picture Jesus paints for us throughout the Gospels.

^“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

We are such independent people and being likened to sheep really rankles us. That’s because our sinful nature begs and brags about doing everything ourselves. This striving without ceasing brings us separation from the God who loves you so dearly that He wants you to come to Him for all your needs.

Whatever worry is on your heart and mind today, bring it to God. Bring it to the Father who is the giver of all good gifts. I hope you will also ask Him how you can be a blessing in return.

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35

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Jesus holding a child's hand walking on a meadow path surrounded by flowers and trees

Perfect Patience for Imperfect People

June 5, 2026April 15, 2026 krisshetter

“The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression;” Numbers 14:18

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

When my youngest daughter, now 28, was a toddler I found myself praying the same prayer every day throughout the day. “Lord, give me patience!” At times I prayed in exasperation but often I prayed through tears. She is a lovely young woman, now with toddlers of her own; a woman full of love for the Lord.

As a child, however, she was relentlessly busy—emptying cupboards, climbing counters to reach what I had forbidden, and leaving toys in my path. Rarely idle and endlessly creative, she moved with a confidence that suggested my “no” simply meant I hadn’t yet understood her reasoning.

A friend who was never going to have children once told me to not break her spirit. Teachers loved her wit and creativity even in Kindergarten. I responded to them, “You don’t have to live with her.” She always wanted more – more things, more activities, more of me, more, more, more. I loved and love her dearly but I was at my own wit’s end most days when she was little.

More Than Just Patience

One Sunday our pastor at the time spoke the words I so desperately needed. “If you keep asking for the same thing from God over and over and you aren’t seeing any fruit, then maybe it’s time to ask for something different.” In that moment I realized I wasn’t praying wrong – I was praying too narrowly. I had been fixated on patience as if it were something God handed out in isolation, rather than part of a much richer work He was doing in me.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

You find “patience” nestled right in the middle of the fruits of the Spirit. But surrounding it are so many other good gifts He provides. I started asking for God to help me release those other aspects of the Holy Spirit. I needed to slow down, be kind, have joy in what He had blessed me. Instead of demanding, I started co-working with my daughter. I sat calmly with her talking about trust and my desire for her safety. Patience came to me through other gifts.

His Patience Is His Mercy

This struggle with patience didn’t just shape my parenting—it reshaped how I see justice, mercy, and grace. We should all seek to be patient and merciful to others as God has so graciously done for us throughout our years. It’s why Christians must push back against the concept of “karma.” You notice most people who invoke the idea do so in glee of someone else’s suffering? And yet we all deserve some sort of punishment, probably every day. For things we said, thought or did or for those things we didn’t.

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18

The LORD has been patient with this world for millennium. He promised never to flood the earth again with His wrath against sin and evil. Instead, He sent prophets armed with His Word to warn people and to plead with people to trust in Him and Him only. He even sent His son to take our punishment we so rightly deserve.

“But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.“ 1 Timothy 1:16

Friend, His patience is a perfect gift for us imperfect people. We should never say we can’t come to Him because of our failures. He is waiting for us to seek Him so He can lavish us with forgiveness. He doesn’t grow weary in His waiting. However, we are promised that one day the waiting period will be over. We will all face His eternal justice.

When non-believers question, “Where is your God?” We can faithfully answer that He is in the midst of us, patiently waiting for them to repent. For now, we thank Him for the patience He shows us and the unbelievers we love. We can thank Him too for the patience He has gifted us through the Holy Spirit.

As for me and my daughter I can be so thankful for how patient He has been to both of us. Thankful for how much He has loved us. He has blessed us with a beautiful relationship filled with joy.

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15

Hiker overlooking river valley with snow-capped mountains and sunrise

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, proverbs, religion, scripture, Uncategorized, wisdom

He Knows All Things

June 3, 2026April 14, 2026 krisshetter

“Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

Of all the blog posts I’ve written so far in this series it’s this one that I’ve spent the most contemplating. It’s not for lack of material to work with; no, it’s the abundance that has caused me to ponder my focus.

God’s omniscience shows up in scripture in various ways, both in the obvious and not so obvious. It’s why I chose the two pieces of scripture to get us started. One exemplifies the idea of God knowing exactly what we think and feel. While the other represents God’s knowledge of everything in the natural world. He is not only everywhere and all-powerful; He sees and understands all.

“By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before Him; for whenever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” 1 John 3:20

The Apostle John apparently was paying attention during Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. If you drill down into all that Jesus taught and can be found in Matthew 5-7, He’s talking about God knowing our thoughts and hearts. Even back in the book of Isaiah God told His people not to come with empty sacrifices; He wants our hearts. This was the downfall of Cain.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

There is no place to hide, as the post on God’s omnipresence reminds us. He is both physically everywhere and knowledgeable about all. To truly grasp God’s mercy we must understand this.

No one gets away with anything. God is a just God and cannot let sin go unpunished. We should be thankful for that. Conversely, we should be eternally grateful that the punishment for our sins has already been paid. As Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.” We may not understand it all but we don’t need to.

“God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.” Life Principle #5, Charles Stanley, 30 Life Principles

When we completely accept as truth the “3 O’s of God,” as I once titled a blog post on His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, we let go of our wills and submit gladly to the power of Christ. When we accept that the Holy Spirit is not just the angel on our shoulder balancing the red devil on the other, we move into a Christian life free of bondage to sin.

His Eternal Wisdom and Knowledge

“Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13-14

When James tells us in His book to seek God’s wisdom if we are lacking, he’s simply building on the truth of God’s omniscience told throughout the Old Testament. From the creation of the world to leading His people out of Egypt and the wisdom books to prophets foretelling both the first and second coming of Christ, we can see God knowing what came, what is happening and what is to come. All knowledge and wisdom finds its source in Him.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” Romans 11:33

Friends, when we realize this truth, we can laugh when scientists “discover” something “new.” In fact, I read there are at least 10 major scientific ideas found in the Old Testament. For example, long before explorers circled the earth pronouncing it round, Isaiah tells us, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22).

Rest In His Insight

Honestly, when we feel lost, unsure, unseen, unheard, unloved by those around us in this physical world it can be very discouraging. But God. He sees you, has wisdom and knowledge to impart to you, and loves you. He has a plan laid for you and for me. And it is good.

Countless Stars: At a time when people believed the stars could be easily numbered, Scripture declared the opposite: “As the host of heaven cannot be counted…” (Jeremiah 33:22). Modern astronomy reveals billions of galaxies each containing countless stars. The more we look, the more we discover that it’s truly an innumerable multitude sparkling in our night sky. Science and The Bible, Bible Hub

Fragmented wooden statue head and limbs in desert sand under cloudy sky with sun rays

The Lord in the Midst of You

May 29, 2026April 12, 2026 krisshetter

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” 1 Kings 8:27

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20

A quick look up on Wikipedia will inform you that the Egyptians at one point had 17 gods of war. When one Egyptian city went out to battle another, they brought their gods to fight alongside them. When the Assyrians and Babylonians came up against Israel, they too carried their idols on the backs of slaves. Assured that with their gods in their physical midst the battle would be theirs. Yet when Moses and Joshua faced the fierce Amalekites all they had was Moses’ arms. But was that all they truly had?

“And he called the place Massahand Meribahbecause the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Exodus 17:7

This verse sits just prior to the story of the great battle against the Amalekites. The Israelites once again, believed God had left them without food or water. The LORD told Moses to strike the rock so that water would flow freely from it. Afterwards, we find Moses naming the place as he so often did, when God performed a miracle. I would imagine their question, “Is the Lord among us or not?” caused God to further show His omnipresent state with the ensuing battle. The Israelites didn’t need an idol carried into battle, they only needed hands lifted to Him.

All throughout the ancient world idol worshippers felt compelled to have an object on their person or in their household in order to be in the presence of the gods. But I love this (long) piece of scripture from Isaiah mocking this concept:

“He (the carpenter) cut down cedars,
    or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
    or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.
It is used as fuel for burning;
    some of it he takes and warms himself,
    he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
But he also fashions a god and worships it;
    he makes an idol and bows down to it.
Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
    over it he prepares his meal,
    he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
    “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”
From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.
He prays to it and says,
    “Save me! You are my god!” Isaiah 44:14-17

And yet, modern “spiritual” people still do the same with beads, rocks, and stones. If you wear a special bead bracelet then you are protected by some sort of god or spiritual being. A bracelet probably made in China by child labor. I prefer the God who is omnipresent like the one Paul describes here:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

This God is everywhere with us at all times, throughout all time. We don’t need to conjure up some spirit out of our craftsmen’s hands. We, through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, have the Holy Spirit living in each believer. We are His temple, His dwelling place. Wherever we go, He goes.

There are so many other beautiful truths about God’s omnipresence in the Bible but this Psalm is a standout to bring the point home.

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

I want to be held fast while in my car, in my bed, on a plane, in the presence of believers and non-believers. And knowing that He sees me everywhere should also hold my feet to the fire to remember to whom I belong.

“Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24

For the believer in the western world, we can easily forget that we need this God to be with us throughout our days. But think about the believers in hostile lands such as Egypt, Somalia, Nigeria, North Korea, and unfortunately too many other places. Even without a Bible in their hands, they can know the truth, that God is with them. God the Father was with the more than 20 Nigerian Christians slaughtered by Islamic terrorists over Easter. Now they are with Him in His arms for all eternity.

Friends, may we never face the terror some of our brothers and sisters face in defense of our Savior. What we more likely face each day is the clash of cultures. We face decisions to stand up for our faith or be ridiculed. I pray each time you do, you remember the LORD is in the midst of you. He is with you always.

Sun setting over calm ocean with dark storm clouds, rain, and lightning

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Before the Omnipotent God

May 27, 2026April 11, 2026 krisshetter

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalms 107:29

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26

I read there are 365 instances of the phrase “fear not” in the Bible. I would venture to say they all come from the mouth of either angels, Jesus or God the Father. The visitations of heavenly beings were not cherub-like, Hallmark babies with wings. No, their awe-inspiring sight led prophets such as Isaiah to proclaim:

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

In other words, he was scared witless. So frightened by the sight of El Shaddai, the LORD Almighty, our omnipotent God, that it brought Isaiah to deep conviction of his sin and unworthiness before Him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone holding a Precious Moments angel and be brought to that state of mind.

He Rules and Reigns

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21

God’s omnipotence is not limited to personal encounters— He governs all of history. In the book of Daniel we see the almighty God at work throughout the visions and events. We are reminded that kings, rulers, presidents, etc, are only in their positions because God alone allows it. He uses all of them for His plan and purposes. So much so that Isaiah also gave us these words from God: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

It’s not just governments that are under El Shaddai’s rule. As we read in the opening verses, all nature is under His command. We are to “fear not” when faced with disasters. That seems like a difficult task, doesn’t it? We have the benefit of looking back over the “men in the boat” scriptures from Matthew and Mark. But the disciples did not. They were in the boat, in the moment, in the storm. And they were terrified, especially thinking Jesus couldn’t care any less. They discovered He was fully in control of nature at all times.

He Can and He Will

When disaster strikes, fear whispers the same lie: either God cannot help, or He will not. This is why remembering God’s character matters. He is Creator and Deliverer. He loves us. He sees our needs—even when His ways are beyond our understanding. He is all‑powerful.

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” – Revelation 5:11-12

Friends, if we could honor God’s omnipotence with fear and trembling like the angels and so many of the saints in the Bible we would be strengthened daily. From Mary Magdalene to Abraham and Philip to Elijah they dropped to their knees in amazement, wonder and a bit of fear. Our God is not the god of the Wizard of Oz – an old man hiding behind a curtain using man-made efforts to control the world. The God we trust and believe need only speak or just breathe and the world obeys.

While we may not all have the benefit of a visitation like Cornelius or Joseph, we can see His power and might daily in His Creation. We can read and believe of the work He has done, is doing and will bring to completion in the final times when He comes in all His glory.

“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” Revelation 19:6

We’re about halfway through our 30 days of Reverence! If you missed a post, click here! Be sure to follow the blog to receive your post in your email.

Wooden cross on rocky hill with sun setting and rays of light

The Consistent Mercy of God

May 22, 2026April 11, 2026 krisshetter

“But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!” Nehemiah 9:31

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

A few years ago, I was asked to disciple a young woman who was new to our church. I realized early on that as a result of her not knowing the Bible she also didn’t really know or trust God. Wanting to give her what she needed, I asked which parts of the Bible interested her most. She answered, “I want to know more about the God of the Old Testament.” Her reasoning? She couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea that the merciful God she gravitated towards in the New Testament was the same as the wrathful one in the Old.

Now, some of you may think the same. That olde God who destroyed whole cities and their entire populations certainly isn’t the same as the new God of mercy and love, correct?

If you’re thinking that way, I encourage you to read the book of Isaiah. Yes, you’ll find God’s anger and wrath in those scriptures. You’ll also find his long suffering and mercy towards His people.

“Turn to the Lord and pray to him,
    now that he is near.
Let the wicked leave their way of life
    and change their way of thinking.
Let them turn to the Lord, our God;
    he is merciful and quick to forgive.
“My thoughts,” says the Lord, “are not like yours,
    and my ways are different from yours.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.” Isaiah 55: 6-9

After years of turning their backs to God, He still holds out his hand to His people imploring them to come. To receive His mercy and love and rest. In fact, the Old Testament is rife with God warning His people and then giving them another chance. Of being disrespected and still promising green pastures for those who believe and trust in Him. Throughout the Psalms we read of God’s unexplainable mercy to those who aren’t deserving of it.

“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9

I mentioned in the last post about God’s love that the Old Testament is a love story. A story between a God and His people. He woos them, protects them, and shows endless amounts of mercy. And when He’s finally had enough, He allows their actions to have serious consequences, mostly by the hands of pagan nations. Yet in the Old Testament we also see God’s promise of the final mercy. Isaiah chapters 7, 9 and especially 53 all prophesy of this hope and mercy to come—the Messiah.

Mercy Fulfilled in Christ

But the God of the New Testament shows no wrath, correct? In this case might I suggest you watch the Passion of the Christ? To whom does God show no mercy and why? Jesus. Our sins need to be taken to account in order to stand in front of a perfect God come Judgment Day. In the Old Testament he required frequent deaths of animals to partially cleanse the people of their sins. In the New, He puts His Son through a terrible death so that we may obtain His ultimate mercy.

Understanding this truth became deeply personal when I was out walking one day. I began visualizing what Jesus went through before and during the Cross. I wanted to feel as though I was there in person watching and agonizing with the disciples. They didn’t know at the time why God required this to happen. They were constantly confused when Jesus spoke of His impending death. But we know why.

So I imagined the excruciating pain He experienced for me and broke down in tears. Not just in the fact He was in pain. No, more so that He was in pain FOR ME to receive less than I deserve from God.

Got Questions has an interesting take on the concept of God’s mercy:

“Mercy is such an exceptionally complex concept that several Hebrew and Greek words are used to express the dimensions of its meaning. Synonyms like compassion, lovingkindness, favor, and steadfast love often appear in Bible translations to illustrate the idea of mercy. A brief biblical definition of mercy is “the gift of God’s undeserved kindness and compassion.”

You find all these synonyms in Jesus’ sacrifice. They are spread throughout the Old Testament as well. The Israelites were rescued out of Egypt and immediately started complaining. And God gave them food and water. They complained they didn’t have a king like other nations and He gave them King David. They complained, we complain, they sinned, we sin. And God gave us Jesus. The most merciful act anyone could hardly imagine; To save us from eternal hell.

There’s a very poignant song performed by Steve McWirther called Come Jesus Come. The chorus goes like this:

Come Jesus Come we’ve been waiting so long
For the day You return to heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need you right now come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn’t home
Come Jesus come

It’s a beautiful plea to God. I recognized one day that although I was personally ready for the day of Jesus’ return a few of my loved ones are not. It made me think of God’s mercy. He is right now allowing His Word, in both the New and Old Testament to be shared; for the truth of His mercy to be received before He comes in judgment of all humanity. Our merciful God is gathering all His people before the final days. His mercy is not a past story or a future hope alone—it is an open invitation right now.

“Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

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Sleeping lamb cuddled gently in human hands

The Shepherd’s Pursuing Love

May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 krisshetter

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-2

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

In the last week of my BSG’s study on the Book of Ruth, Pastor Alistair Begg asked, “When have you, like Ruth, wondered, ‘Why?’ about God’s providence and generosity?” It was interesting that most of our group answered with the negative in mind—“Why did this terrible thing happen?” But Pastor Begg was actually pointing to Ruth’s honest confusion in response to unexpected kindness. In Ruth 2,

“I (Boaz the farmer) have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

At this, she (Ruth) bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

She wasn’t questioning punishment; she was marveling at kindness in light of her position.

Chosen With Love

My own “why” answer to the study question was along the same lines—a question I often thank God for in my life: “Why did You choose me when I didn’t even know You? Why have You blessed me so richly and changed me for the better?”

In past posts, we’ve talked about the importance of remembering. For me, it has been essential to my sanctification. When I look back on my life “before Christ,” I remember the ways I sought comfort apart from God, especially in sexual immorality. To that I added anger, unforgiveness, pride, and selfishness. And I still at times, now that I am “in Christ,” ask: why?

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11

And this is His answer: He loved me while I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8). Just as He loved you, dear friend—not after you cleaned up your act, but before. Before you were even born. It’s hard to grasp that kind of love, isn’t it? Maybe that’s why so much of the world rejects it. It can’t possibly be true—and yet it is.

Our Loving Shepherd

As I considered today’s post, I thought about simply including all of Psalm 23—the familiar “The Lord is my Shepherd” psalm. I’ve always found it interesting that it’s so often associated with death, when it speaks so richly about life and love; the good life held in the arms of our loving Shepherd.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.^"Psalm 23:6

What a comfort to know this love. A God who loved us before we were born and who follows us all the days of our lives! A Shepherd who protects and provides for His sheep—and His sheep know His voice. This God is Jehovah-Raah: the Lord is my Shepherd.

No matter how long we’ve walked with Christ, we can look back and see moments we’re grateful He loved us—even then. Some are blessed to have known that love early; others, like me, recognized it later. Either way, His timing is perfect. As I’ve slowly grasped what His love means, chains have broken, wounds have healed, and my love for Him has grown year by year.

In a post from a while back, we talked about God the Creator. On the sixth day, He crowned His creation by making humanity in His image and declared it not only good, but very good. And with that began a love story—a love that never leaves us or forsakes us. When we turn our backs, He still calls, “Come back to Me, your Shepherd.”

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:26-33

How beautiful is this picture of God’s love for us—to be held secure for all eternity. Today, let us rest in the love of God: the One who defines love, who is Love; the God who loved you then, loves you now, and will love you forevermore.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a humble heart, recognizing that Your love is the foundation of all existence. Your love is beyond measure, beyond comprehension, and it surpasses all human understanding. I am in awe of Your boundless love that extends to every corner of creation.

Lord, I pray that Your love may envelop me completely. Fill every fiber of my being with Your unconditional and transformative love. Let it penetrate every thought, every word, and every action. Help me to experience the depth of Your love in every aspect of my life.

I surrender myself to Your love, knowing that it is the greatest force in the universe. Thank You, dear Lord, for the immeasurable gift of Your love. May it be my constant source of strength, joy, and peace. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, who embodied Your love fully. Amen.

Author Unknown, Bibleversesnow.com

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