Look Up

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Look Up One
By: Ron Edmondson Monday, March 17, 2008
The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. Genesis 13:14-15 NASU

After Lot, Abram’s nephew, left him with the choice land Abram had allowed him to have, God said to Abram, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. “. Abram had humbly offered Lot the best of the land. In doing so he trusted God to care for him regardless of his current land situation. Abram (We know him as Abraham) knew that if he was to be a man who trusted God he would not be able to rest on his own strength. He would have to rely on God.

Do you know that fact? If you are a follower of God, have you clued in yet that God is not a “co-pilot”. He doesn’t “partner” with you. God wants to take over. God wants to lead your life. He wants to inhabit your every thought and move. He wants you to completely surrender everything you have to Him.

It almost sounds as if God is controlling. The fact is, however, that He is; if we will let Him be. He doesn’t force Himself on us, but if we will submit to His leadership, He will take over. That may sound intimidating, but keep in mind two things before you conclude you aren’t interested. One, God loves you more than you could ever imagine. Two, God’s ways are better than your ways. If you submit your will to God; you win!

God offers to take over your life. Consider the offer. (If you are like me; you have a few things in your life you are more than ready to surrender.)

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Look Up Two
By: Ron Edmondson Tuesday, March 18, 2008
And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6 NASU

God promised Abraham a son. God promised that even in Abraham and Sarah’s old age that would bear a child, have grandchildren, and many, many descendents. It didn’t seem possible. They were too old; too weak; too far removed from the parenting years. It was a promise that didn’t make sense; even from the God who created life. Abraham couldn’t grasp God’s bigger picture because his vision was blurred by his circumstances.

God takes him outside and says “Look Up”. God shows Abraham the stars in the sky and assured Abraham that as numerous as the stars so would his descendents be. It was in this demonstration that Abraham put his whole and complete faith in the promises of God.

I don’t know what you are going through. Maybe you want to trust that God can work things out; you’ve tried to place your faith in Him, but something keeps rocking your faith. The circumstances in your life seem to cloud any possibility that things could ever work for good. I want to encourage you; on the next clear night; to step outside your back door, tilt your head backwards, and look at the stars in the sky. Let the scene remind you of the limitless power and abundance of God.

Sometimes we have to force ourselves to look at the larger picture in order to trust God when the circumstances of our life are uncertain.

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Look Up Three
By: Ron Edmondson Wednesday, March 19, 2008


and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Ezra 9:6 NASU

You may want more than anything to sense the approval of God. You may want to follow His plan for your life, but every time you try; you fail. It seems you do the wrong thing more than you do the right thing. Even if you are better than you used to be, there’s that thing from your past that haunts you constantly. You have a hard time showing your face before God, because you feel the shame of your sins.

Can I help you? Look up and let go! God loves you more than you can imagine. His grace is sufficient for all your sins. He forgives those who confess and receive forgiveness. The choice to receive or reject forgiveness is yours. Period.

If you choose to remain in the guilt of your past then, and I say this with all due respect, you are ignoring the free gift of God’s grace. You are rejecting the very heart of the Gospel. You are choosing to live without the truth of why Jesus came, lived and died.

I encourage you to look deep into the heart of God and receive His free gift of forgiveness. Serve Him in freedom and the abundance of His love. Let not your past hinder you from the amazing future He has planned for you!

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Look Up Four
By: Ron Edmondson Thursday, March 20, 2008
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. Isaiah 51:6

We just got a new roof. They replaced the “20 year” roof; that lasted only 10 years, with a “25 year” roof. Hopefully we will get 13 years out of it. (Maybe more.) I’m not complaining. We’ve had lots of bad weather over the last 10 years. I have trees that are constantly dumping leaves and limbs on my roof. Nothing lasts forever.

Or does it? Is there something that defies the odds? Something so wonderful, so permanent, so complete that it can never spoil, fade or be destroyed… Good News! (That’s an ironic statement!) God’s salvation lasts forever. It’s not called “ETERNITY” without a good reason.

If you are a child of God, you will always be in His family. Your salvation is secured by the once for all death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died so that you and I might live by our faith in Him.

Look up to Heaven and trust in the security found in the salvation of Jesus Christ.

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Look Up Five
By: Ron Edmondson Friday, March 21, 2008


"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 NASU

Someday it will all be over (but the shouting!) Someday the pain and suffering of your life will end. Someday your unanswered questions will be resolved. Someday the separation between man and His Creator will be removed completely. Someday you will be reunited with loved ones. Some day!

I’ve quit predicting the future. I don’t know when Christ will return. I don’t know if it will be in my life time or a thousand years from now. All the signs point towards a soon coming Lord. There are days I long for His return more than others. Could it be today?

I know this though. I can have assurance that someday He will return. I am certain that He has a plan! I am absolutely positive that my God is controlling the outcome of my life; and it will be for my good! I am on the side of victory!

LOOK UP! Your redemption draws near.