F4S: It's interesting how those involentary organs in you are not in your own control, but they are in God's as this should be. What's love got to do with it?

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

It's interesting how those involentary organs in you are not in your own control, but they are in God's as this should be. What's love got to do with it?

A lot. God is much smarter and wiser than you and I are. Put your life is in His hands -- it needs to stay with Him. Close. 

You have a beating heart and breathing lungs—these "involuntary" functions are sustained by God. Let Him start and finish His work in you.
  • Job 12:10: "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind".
  • Psalm 139:13: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb".
  • Acts 17:25: "And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else".
  • Job 34:14-15: "If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and return to the dust".
  • Psalm 66:9: "He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping".
  • Proverbs 21:1: "In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him".
  • Psalm 73:26: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever".
  • Genesis 2:7: "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being".
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Believers, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit... You are not your own; you were bought at a price".
  • Isaiah 42:5: "He who created the heavens.. who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it".
God sustains all life here, and He remains totally sovereign over all. The Bible says...

"From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’" Acts 17:26-28 nlt

These Athenians had been looking for the new, but many missed new life in Christ (vv. 16–34).

In Athens, they “spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (v. 21). How like our world of foolish, confused people today! Their feverish quest for novelty overshadows the search for reality. Paul’s sermon was a masterpiece of solid tact and sound teaching, and a few people were converted (born again spiritually). Paul offered them “newness of life” for free through Christ's Cross experience, death, and Resurrection (Rom. 6:4), and many outright rejected it. 

"And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories. 27 This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’" Acts 17:26-28 amp

Like we Often See, the Athenians in Greece were mocking the Word, says Wiersbe (Acts 17:15–34)

Paul came to Athens as a sightseer and became a soul-winner! This famous city was a center of religion and culture, but all Paul could see was sin and superstition; one ancient writer said it was easier to find a god than a man in Athens. Paul disputed with the Jews in the synagogue, but had little or no success. He then followed the pattern of the Greek teachers and took his message to the market (agora) where the men assembled to discuss philosophy or to transact business.

Two main philosophies controlled Athens at that time. The Stoics were materialistic and almost fatalistic in their thinking. Their system was built on pride and personal independence. Nature was their god, and they believed that all nature was gradually moving toward a great climax. We might say that they were pantheistic. The Epicureans desired pleasure, and their philosophy was grounded in experience, not reason. They were almost atheistic. Here we have two extremes in philosophy, and Paul confronted them both with the Gospel of Christ. The Athenians scorned him, calling him a “babbler,” which means “a seedpicker.” They thought he was preaching two new gods when he spoke of “Jesus and the resurrection.” (“Resurrection” in Gk. is anastasia, and perhaps they took this for a proper name.) The Greeks led him to the Areopagus, their official court, also called Mars’ Hill. There Paul preached a great sermon.

He began politely by saying, “I see that you are very religious” (not “too superstitious” as in KJV). He called attention to an altar dedicated “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD,” and he used this object to preach to them the True God about whom they were ignorant. He presented in his sermon four great truths about God:

A. He is the Creator (vv. 24–25).
The Greeks believed different theories about creation, and even held to a form of evolution. Paul clearly stated that God created everything and did not live in temples made by men. God gives life to all; man can really give nothing to Him.

B. He is the Governor (vv. 26–29).
He appoints the boundaries of the nations. Through His government of the nations, He seeks to make men seek Him and find Him. Paul even quoted a Greek writer (v. 28) to show that God is p 325 the sustainer of life. This does not mean the Greek poet was inspired, but rather that his statement agreed with divine truth. Again Paul diplomatically pointed out that their temples and images were foolish and ignorant. We need this reminder today!

C. He is the Savior (v. 30).
Paul wipes away the great Greek culture by calling it “times of ignorance”! With all their wisdom and culture, the Greeks failed to find God (see 1 Cor. 1:18ff). God has commanded men everywhere to repent; and if they repent and believe, He will forgive.

D. He is the Judge (v. 31).
God has appointed a day of judgment, and the Judge will be His Son, Jesus Christ. God proved this by raising Him from the dead. If we trust Christ today, He will save us; if we reject Him, tomorrow He will judge us.

The reactions of those listeners were so varied and mixed up: some mocked (this is very often the lame attitude of pagan people and their cultures and philosophy). Some put it off. Remember not to decide is to decide. They delayed, but some believed!

That chapter presents three different attitudes toward Christ and His true Gospel. Have you seen and heard these attitudes in the world today? Some people are open to the truth and some with hard hearts choose to remain closed. These worldly folk openly oppose the Word. Many today mock the gospel message or postpone making a decision for eternity. Some people feel the Spirit's conviction, repent, and receive the living Word of God (Jesus). They receive grace and believe in the Lord. Paul left the results with God. He did his part and kept right on going as a faithful, fruitful servant, and with that same sense of urgency, so must we!

Hey, God loves you, man, too much to leave those organs and muscles in your hands.. Your life and how long you live is in God's hands. Think about the muscles and organs inside you that do their thing regardless of what you decide. These involuntary bodily functions that sustain your life are gifts from God.

It is daily interesting to me how He loves me (and you) so much that He keeps all those organs and muscles in His hands not mine.

Your life and how long you live is in God's hands--please leave it that way!

People would have to stubbornly plan to foolishly not leave it that way (Listen, everyone, will still exist in one of two places throughout all eternity).














Listen, you are SO loved by God. Please learn what so, to know and fulfill the purpose for which you were created for. It's true with these organs, you don't tell those organs inside you what to do or not do.. like the heart, kidney, liver and lungs etc. operating automatically without conscious effort, to sustain your physical life. Those basic functions are in God's hands.

The real Christian never needs to strive in the flesh, and consciously "force" spiritual life through sheer willpower; rather, just abide. The Holy Spirit that sustains the believer’s spiritual life and growth.

Automatic Sustenance: Just as one does not need to consciously tell their heart to beat to stay alive, the believer relies on the "involuntary" work of the sovereign Holy Spirit to maintain their spiritual life. Grace vs. Works: This was used to contrast legalism (trying to force spiritual growth) with living by grace (allowing the Spirit to work).

What are those involuntary muscles and organs God designed to sustain your life without your conscious control?

I. Involuntary Muscles (Muscles You Do Not Control)

These muscles operate automatically under the autonomic nervous system, and they work day and night, whether you are awake or asleep.

1. Cardiac Muscle

  • Heart

    • Beats about 100,000 times per day without you commanding it

    • Pumps blood, oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells

    • If God didn’t sustain this rhythm, life would end within seconds

“In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10)

2. Smooth Muscle

Found in the walls of organs, vessels, and systems:

Digestive System

  • Esophagus (swallowing reflex)

  • Stomach (churning and mixing food)

  • Small intestine (peristalsis and absorption)

  • Large intestine (moving waste)

  • Gallbladder (releasing bile)

  • Pancreatic ducts (enzyme delivery)

Cardiovascular System

  • Arteries and veins (vasoconstriction & dilation)

  • Capillaries (exchange of oxygen and nutrients)

Respiratory System

  • Bronchi and bronchioles (airflow regulation)

  • Alveoli (gas exchange)

Urinary System

  • Ureters (moving urine to bladder)

  • Bladder wall

  • Urethral sphincters (largely involuntary)

Reproductive System

  • Uterus (contractions)

  • Vas deferens

  • Ejaculatory ducts

  • Fallopian tubes

Eyes

  • Iris (pupil dilation and constriction. If you get cataracts due to the UV and IR rays, then go deal with it. Doctors with some medicines are there for a reason, duh!)

  • Ciliary muscles (focusing)

Skin

  • Arrector pili muscles (goosebumps)

II. Involuntary Organs (Operating Without Your Permission)

1. Brain (Autonomic Control Centers)

  • Medulla oblongata (breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure)

  • Hypothalamus (temperature, hunger, thirst, hormones)

  • Reticular activating system (wakefulness)

You don’t tell your brain to keep you alive do you—it does so because God designed it that way.

2. Lungs

  • Automatic breathing rhythm

  • Oxygen intake and CO₂ removal

  • Even in sleep, anesthesia, or unconsciousness

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)

3. Liver

  • Detoxifies blood

  • Produces bile

  • Regulates glucose

  • Stores vitamins and minerals

  • Synthesizes proteins and clotting factors

You have never once had to tell your liver to do its job better. Would it open you if you did?

4. Kidneys

  • Filter blood 24/7

  • Regulate fluid balance

  • Maintain electrolytes

  • Control blood pressure

  • Stimulate red blood cell production

“He gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:25)

5. Pancreas

  • Releases insulin and glucagon

  • Maintains blood sugar balance

6. Endocrine Glands (Hormonal Control)

  • Pituitary (master gland)

  • Thyroid (metabolism)

  • Adrenals (stress response)

  • Parathyroids (calcium balance)

  • Pineal (sleep rhythms)

You don’t manage hormones—God does.

7. Immune System

  • White blood cells

  • Antibodies

  • Inflammatory response

  • Memory cells

You sleep while God’s army guards your body.

8. Digestive Enzymes & Secretions

  • Saliva

  • Gastric acid

  • Bile

  • Pancreatic enzymes

  • Intestinal enzymes

Every meal is processed by systems you do not control.

9. Circulatory System

  • Blood flow

  • Blood pressure

  • Oxygen transport

  • Waste removal

10. Nervous System (It's Autonomic)

  • Sympathetic (fight/flight)

  • Parasympathetic (rest/digest)

Even your own ability to rest well is governed by God’s design.

III. What's The Spiritual Parallel? 

Just as you do not command your heart to beat, you do not force spiritual life and growth to occur by sheer willpower. There is zero spiritual growth independent from the Word. 

Physical life is sustained involuntarily

Spiritual life is sustained sovereignly

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Grace vs. Works. What lasting good can you really accomplish on your own? 

  • The body lives because God sustains it

  • The believer grows because the Spirit sustains him

  • Striving kills joy

  • Rest produces fruit

“Abide in Me.. apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4–5)

Rest Not in Passivity or Laziness—I'm  Talking about A Vertical Trust Thang.

You don’t strive to keep your heart beating.

You don’t strive to digest food.

You don’t strive to oxygenate your blood.

Don’t strive from nine to five just to stay spiritually alive. Abide in the Vine. 

Opt to rest in the finished work of Another.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9)

IV. God Loves You Too Much To Leave Life in Your Own Hands.. Or To Leave You The Way You Are!

Does God really love the sinner unconditionally? How so?

Q: If life depended on your own discipline alone, you would already be gone into eternity.

Hey God is kinder than to allow everything.

What does God hold? He holds:

  • Your breath

  • Your heartbeat

  • Your days

  • Your growth

  • Your purpose

  • Your eternity

“All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)

V. Word Up!

Us from dust. Hey Clay, choose to repent and get right with God and Christ. Then stay on this Potter’s wheel.

Don’t leap off.. onto a heap of confused, directionless humanity. I've seen too many hopeless jumpers in my day here in Dallas. Many people feel despair every day. I hate that, never plan that selfish act! Don't jump off the wheel, purposing to fix yourself.


Jesus paid a price for you -- the full price on the Cross. Don’t take the clay of your life if ya will.. into your own hands. You aren't the ultimate Potter who knows best. 

He has been shaping you since before you were born.

He knows how long you will live.

He knows why you were made.

He knows where He is taking you.

“My times are in Your hand (God).” (Psalm 31:15)

Perhaps you need to visit the gym some more, but you really were fearfully and wonderfully made, and you are even more wonderfully loved by God than you now know. 

Want to visit: @kurtwvs at 10:02 AM