creation – Page 2

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Known Hearts

December 9, 2023 krisshetter

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Have you ever been singing a song and someone points out to you that you’ve been singing the wrong lyrics all along? In the rom-com, 27 Dresses, there’s a scene where the two main actors battle it out over the actual lyrics to the Elton John song, “Bennie & the Jets.” It’s a hilarious take on something we’ve all probably done while singing our hearts out in the shower.

Well, while out on my walk this morning enjoying the gloriously crisp and clear Southern California day I was listening to my Christian playlist. The song “All My Praise” by Ryan Ellis came on and as I sung along I misheard the beginning lyrics which go, “Hallelujah, Christ is risen. Now every heart has a way.” Instead, I sang “now every heart has a name.” For the next half hour that oops of a line sat on my mind as I composed my Soli Deo Gloria post for today. How it’s so true that because of Jesus coming to tell the Good News, to not just Jews but every gentile, every heart could know God and be known by God.

"I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:26

That scripture is just a part of Jesus’ prayer to His Father telling of His love for us. Asking God to continue in His care for us when he departs. Do you realize there is no other God, no other religion that has this beautifully unique relationship with its believers?

When the Trinity created the world and universe — with God speaking the plan, Jesus enacting it and the Holy Spirit providing His hovering supervision — God didn’t suddenly leave us to our own devices. That’s what deists believe. That God is not working daily, loving us moment by moment while we reside on His earthly creation. It’s not a new idea, in fact U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was a famous deist. But that’s not the Bible. And to be honest, it’s not lived out reality.

I’ve mentioned before that the Christian faith is based on real people and real, historically proven events. Jesus was a real person. Fully man and fully God. Although people may wonder how that could be possible it doesn’t take away the fact that Jesus, Himself, made that fact clear over and over. If a God can create a universe then I figure He can do anything.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
²You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.  Psalm 139:1-6

Not only does God, throughout scripture show His continually loving care for us, He expresses His desire for us to know him inside and out. In fact, the Bible itself is not about a “people” or even about us. It’s an autobiography about God. It’s His way of telling us His character, His eternal plan, and most of all how much He loves us. He wants us to know Him as much as He knows us. A truly staggering idea when it comes to the concept of God and gods.

God delights when His people truly know Him, love Him, and enjoy the blessings of His faithful love, justice, and righteousness.
Thomas A. Tarrants, President Emeritus, CS Lewis Institute

God is a relational being. He exists in a relational setting amongst the Trinity. He loves the Son and the Son loves Him. They love the Holy Spirit and He loves them back in perfect unity and harmony. How could God not be the same with us? How glorious is it to know that the Creator of all things seen and unseen wants to love and be loved by us!

"If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7

My friends, we should delight and give thanks each and every day that we are known by a God who loves. A God who sent the Son to live and breathe, touch, feel, cry and laugh, suffer and celebrate just like us. A God who wanted us to have a tangible relationship to reach for when in need. A God who we can call our King, Savior and our friend.

May all Glory and Honor be our God and Creator. Amen

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Glory to God Alone

November 27, 2023 krisshetter

"For God knows that when you eat from it (the tree of knowledge of good and evil) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:5-6

Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves." Genesis 11:4

At the beginning of creation God’s desire for us was to shower us with all his heavenly glory. To have the blessings poured out on us be unimaginable. He created the magnificently endless heavens. He built the bountiful seas. He breathed life into our diverse and plentiful land. There was no lacking and no pain. We had companionship with both another human made in God’s image and with the varied animals of the land and air. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen 1: 28) He went on to describe a created world so glorious that would live under man’s stewardship. We would live without shame, without fear, without anxiety and depression, under the watchful wings of God’s love. For what more could we have asked?

The first ones were given another gift — that of free will. God didn’t created a people who couldn’t make choices. He told Adam and Eve to not eat off the tree of knowledge. Notice He didn’t take away their ability to do so. It was up to them to honor the One who had given them everything they would ever need. Instead they were led to believe they could be like God. It wasn’t enough to have God’s glory on them. They wanted to know glory for themselves.

Fast forward a few thousand years and we come to the plain of Shinar. The people were blessed with an increased population, which infers a certain amount of prosperity in being able to feed, clothe and shelter themselves. They spoke the same language and therefore could easily work together. Instead of looking to their Creator and giving Him all thanksgiving and glory what did they desire? To reach the heavens and make a name for themselves. And I have to ask, how many times a month, a week or even a day do we seek to glorify ourselves rather than God? How many times do we take credit for even just a little bit of the work we’ve done — even in God’s name? When, in fact, God provided the bricks and mortar. He provided the time and place. He gave you the ability, desire, strength and knowledge. I know I struggle with this each and every day.

“Whenever he began a new piece, Johann Sebastian Bach bowed his head and prayed. “Jesus, help me show your glory through the music I write. May it bring you joy even as it brings joy to your people.” Without Jesus’ help, Johann knew he’d never be able to complete the task. Before writing even one note, Johann carefully formed the letters J J at the top of the page. With that, the music began to pour from his soul and onto the page. When he was finally satisfied, he wrote the letters SDG at the bottom of the page – Soli Deo Gloria – For the Glory of God Alone. He hoped that when the music was played, it would point toward God.”
The Life and Faith of Johann Sebastian Bach: ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ (To the Glory of God Alone), Christianity.com

Bach apparently didn’t have this same problem that so many of us believers do. When faced with opposition to his music style he simply stated: “The main purpose of my music is to glorify God. Some people do this with music that is simple. I haven’t chosen to use a simple style, but my music comes from my heart as a humble offering to God. This honors God no matter what musical style I use.”

When I was tasked by God to start this Christian blog back in 2019, I had the frame of mind that this too would be Soli Deo Gloria. And if just one person were to read a post that brought them closer to Christ that was enough. My flesh, however, had other ideas. After about a year I found myself constantly checking the daily readership stats. Disappointed if the numbers were low or even at zero. I wrote a few series where I couldn’t feel His presence guiding me — not that the series were inappropriate or even non-biblical. They just weren’t led by the Spirit, but instead by me.

Earlier this year after the end of the Spirit-led study of the Fruit of the Spirit: Living a Full Christian Life, I listened intently for the God’s direction. And He was quiet. So I decided, instead of glorifying me through writing something on my own, I would be patient in prayer and thanksgiving.

The Lord continues to prune, change and reveal new things in my life, as He does in all believers. We can look at these times as painful and with anxiety or depression. Or we can find Him lovingly at work making us more like Him. This morning as I went out on my daily walk I turned on a podcast I regularly tune in to and its topic was Soli Deo Gloria. In God’s beautiful way, He also gifted me with a sermon yesterday on John 13:31-38 which begins:

"When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, 'Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once." John 13:31-32

You see my friends, Jesus led a simple life. One whose only ambition was to glorify His Father. By loving others, even the “unloveable,” by teaching others about the Father, by living out the Law perfectly, and ultimately giving His life for us to save us from our sins, Jesus gave all glory to God. Each and every day. With each thought and action. Not one bit was held back.

The Lord has taught me along this sanctification journey to not give in to the idea of coincidence. But instead watch and listen for His Word to light my path. So today I took to the electronic “pen and paper” to being a new 30 day series: Soli Deo Gloria: To the Glory of God Alone. I have written a 30 Days of Glory to God series which had a bit different focus. This new series will be a personal journey each day to remind me and us to not hold anything back. To not even stand in the corner of the spotlight, rather to turn its full brightness on the One who deserves it all. Our Creator, our blessing pourer, our provider, our strength and our life source. And it seems fitting to begin this the month we look forward to celebrating the great act of love by God — sending His Son to live among us.

Lest we think God is in need of our praise, however, I remind you that He doesn’t. The Triune God is complete. Which should make us love and appreciate Him even more. He didn’t have to. He wanted to love us. He chose to create us and provide for us. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. Thank you, Almighty God. May all glory and honor be given to you.

Note: When I was first directed to start this blog I wrote each day on its own and posted it immediately. I let the Holy Spirit lead my words each time. I plan to do the same with this series which means the posts will occur at different times of the day.

SERIES BEGINS DECEMBER 1-30

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His Sacrifice

August 28, 2022September 7, 2022 krisshetter

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15

Gracious God this morning I rose thinking of the Son you sent to save us. I remembered the pain He endured to show His everlasting and deep love for us. You created this plan and He completed it. In remembrance of that day I sit in awe and wonder at your glorious ways. Amen

Over the course of 30 years a survey was undertaken asking high school and college students if they would first try to save their dog or a stranger. I’m disturbed to report that 2/3 have always voted against saving the person. In newer studies, adults now vote similarly. How would you vote if asked the same question?

This study was posted online awhile back and I went to the comments section to see what people had to say. I shouldn’t have. It was more disturbing. People condemning others for being “evil,” “cruel,” and “vile.” Strangely enough, they didn’t put themselves in those categories! The folks that would pick an animal over a human (now certainly there would be instances we all might do the same. Say a person has just attacked you and your dog) fail to see their decision makes them complicit in devaluing human life.

What the surveyors have surmised is the lack of Judeo-Christian values in a person’s life or the watering down of those teachings increases making moral decisions based on our feelings. In addition, a belief in God elevates human worth over that of animals. Without that, we see the image of God brought down to having no more value than a squid.

^“9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10

Throughout the Bible we are reminded that humans were God’s special creation. So special that He gave us dominion over the earth. The earth serves us, not the other way around as some would say. When this understanding of the world’s creation is thrown out the window it’s no wonder the people of this world have turned everything upside down!

A number of my Christians friends have struggled with the fact that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. We either secretly or out loud say we hope God never asks us to do something so difficult. Yet every day parents see their children in the military risk their lives for us. Police officers, firefighters, lifeguards and others put their lives on the line for strangers. Because they believe we are worth saving.

The Bible is one of the most tested and proved documents in all history. And God’s work is all around us to see proof of His ways. There is little to no dispute that Jesus walked this earth. Or even that He died a horrible death on the cross. And whether or not a person believes He rose and ascended into heaven everyone should understand that He went to the cross that day for us. He spoke over and over about the plan ahead for Him. He didn’t die because He wanted fame. He didn’t die to save the whales. He didn’t die because of some terrible crime He committed. The Father sent His Son to die to save us. Because, thank God, He believes we are valuable. And just as our first verse reminds us, we aren’t saved just to be saved, but to spread the Word so that yes, even strangers are saved.

Friend, God in His glorious ways made us special. I love my dog, Tucker, but he won’t seek justice for me and he won’t take up arms to protect me. God made us in such a way that we can even ponder these moral thoughts. He made us so when faced with difficult decisions we can decide on A, B or even A and B. It depends on if you love God’s creation as much as He does.

Miracle Worker

August 27, 2022September 7, 2022 krisshetter

²³The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:23

Father in Heaven, you are a God of miracles. You bring light when I am in darkness through your healing powers and in ways I can never fully understand. Help me to see even the tiniest miracles that you perform throughout my day so I can lift up my voice in glory to You. Amen

If you were asked if you believe in miracles, what would you say? Your answer would probably depend upon how you define a miracle. Some might call it a rare event. What if instead, you changed your perspective and recognized that God works miracles in our lives every single day?

A standard definition of a miracle is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” And again, how would you define “extraordinary?” As I’ve grown closer to God and understanding His ways, my view of the world has certainly changed. When seen through the lens of creation being the work of God, we can find any number of impossible things made possible.

³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

I’ve been blessed with being pregnant and giving birth twice. Each time I marvelled at what was occurring in my body. A tiny human being built from microscopic pieces of the universe in a body that itself is the perfect factory for human creation. The parts all fit perfectly, just about every single time for thousands of years, millions upon millions of instances. You don’t need to know statistics to grasp how impossible that should be.

Many say “that’s just science.” Of course it is! Science is the study of God’s amazing work – where the impossible happens all the time. But let’s set human biology aside. I can state for a fact that miracles happen regularly because I have experienced them. Oh, if you had only known me 30, 20 or even just 10 years ago. You wouldn’t have seen Christ in my life. You would have seen a woman desperate for peace. Longing for joy. Fearful of not being loved or appreciated. A couple of years ago, a friend who has known me for some time commented how she could now see the work of Jesus in me. Truly a miracle. I’ve seen the same work in a few friends. Ones I thought would never change. And the change that has occurred is one that only the hand of God could’ve accomplished.

When you think “miracle” do you only think of cancer being healed? A death avoided? A financial windfall? If so, you need to rub the scales from your eyes. Just the fact that the sun rose again today was God’s miracle of creation. His glory is revealed in so many ways. Some include our continuous acts of human creation. While other times through the medicines He has placed here for us to “discover.” His miracle work is revealed each time a sinner recognizes their sin and asks God to change her and He does. And yes, whenever we are blessed financially when we need it most.

Friend, God’s glorious miracles are at work right now in your life. Like our future Eden, He doesn’t need any outside source to cause the light to shine because He makes impossible possible.

A Time of Rest

August 23, 2022September 1, 2022 krisshetter

“To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.”  Romans 16:27

Thank you, Lord for a good night sleep. As I wake today I recognize the wisdom of the gift you gave us of sleep. So that I may be re-charged each day to serve you, to spread your message of love and to give you all glory. Amen

When I woke up this morning my first thought was of God’s perfection and wisdom. His perfect plan for us and all the animals that roam the earth. It wasn’t an accident that there was night and day. There first was the darkness and then God created our alarm clock – the light.

²Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. ³And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." Genesis 1:2-3

God’s plan for us has always included a time for re-charging. Haven’t you ever contemplated on the fact that we have a world-wide understanding that at night the majority of the world sleeps? If there’s anything that we have all mostly agreed to do as part of His plan is to tuck ourselves in and give it a rest.

The restless nights, worried-filled staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning are not, however, part of His plan. He tells us over and over in His Holy Word to turn it over to Him so we can be at peace. So we can rest. So we can sleep.

Friend, we can be so thankful to God for giving us the night. For weaving into His plan a time of rest. When you lay your head down think on what He has given you as the light turns to dark. And when His alarm clock rises, give Him glory for another day to serve Him well.

Intricate Creation

August 22, 2022September 1, 2022 krisshetter

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”  Psalms 57:5

Father God, as I go about my day help me to see the world in a new light. A world that was created by you for your glory. A world so intricate and beautiful and diverse that only you, God, could’ve designed. Amen

As my dog Tucker ran along the path unencumbered with the complicated thoughts of us humans I had to stop and laugh at his simple life. Simple, in comparison to mine, but still an integral part of God’s creation.

We were on our usual trek through a local, suburban canyon which features homes on either top of the divide. Through the middle are varieties of plant life too numerous to count hiding all manner of birds, lizards, bunnies, and probably a rattlesnake or two. It even features a tiny spring welling up mysteriously somewhere along the way. And it struck me how no human on earth could create such a diverse and self-sustaining environment. We try, oh we certainly try.

There’ve been numerous attempts to create our own human-based “Eden.” In the 60s and 70s communes could be found throughout the United States, based loosely on China’s Mao Zedong’s plan for communal living. But time after time they have failed.

Although American communards worked to raise food, shared parenting and household tasks, shared financial responsibility and upkeep, the rules and organization were often lax, leading many to fail simply because there was no governing body, not enough discipline or consequence when someone did not do their part. Also, for some, drugs and sex were more important than work.
Russell Flannery, Forbes Magazine

You’ve probably heard the Romans 8 verse many times where Paul reminds us that God works for the good of all those who love Him. I can’t help but notice in so many reviews of man’s attempt to re-create what God has already made perfect that what is basically missing is God Himself.

God has already made the perfect commune for us. It’s a world that, if we were to disappear tomorrow, would continue on growing, dying, rebuilding, burning, pro-creating, flooding, blooming, blizzarding, and shining. But for what purpose? That my friends, is the ultimate pinnacle of God’s plan. In the beginning He made it for you. It’s not something we need to re-make; that would pale in comparison to the original! But it is something to appreciate in its intricately woven creation and sustainability. For that we can give Glory to God all our lives.

It Was Good

August 19, 2022August 31, 2022 krisshetter

"They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!” Revelation 7:11-12

God, you’ve done it again. A beautiful world, a beautiful moment for all the world to see. Thank you, Lord. Thank you.” Amen

I had just finished up a few hours work on the golf range and the practice sand trap (ugh). Sweat was dripping into my eyes but it felt good to be out practicing an activity I never thought I’d ever do. Admittedly, I am trying to get better so when my husband and I play together he’ll be proud of me. As I cleaned up my clubs and walked away from the range, I finally looked up to see the rest of the course spread out before me. And I couldn’t tear my eyes from what God had laid out for the world to see.

I am so fortunate to live in beautiful, almost always 75 degrees and sunny San Diego, California. High above the cliffs that border the Pacific Ocean in an area called Torrey Pines, lies the internationally famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. I have yet to challenge my novice skill against this difficult course. But for all its difficulty what it also offers is stunning views of God’s creation. And that day was no different. When you stand at the clubhouse balcony you look over the lush greens of the course which drop off sharply to the beautiful, expansive, blue sea.

⁹And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. ¹⁰God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:9-10

There’s something about looking out over the seemingly endless ocean that stuns me each time. It’s the closest description I can think of that describes God’s mystery, authority, expansiveness, and even provision.

Friend, while I was standing in awe of God’s creation people were bustling about. Rushing to get to tee times, lining up for drinks at the coffee cart, chatting on their cell phones – all normal activities. Today, when you see God’s creation laid out so beautifully in front of you, be sure to stop for a moment and think on the glory of God.

My Every Need

August 15, 2022August 29, 2022 krisshetter

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

“Dear Lord, before I even put my feet on the floor this morning I want to thank you for meeting all my needs today. I know not all my “wants” may be met but each time I am able to eat a meal, rest easy in my home, drive safely on my errands, pay my bills, find peace in my mind and joy in my heart I thank you and lift you up in glory for the love you have for me. Amen”

My BSGs recently studied the intricacies of the trinity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was great getting to know and understand to the best of our human abilities how each of the three interact with each other and with creation. The foundation of the study was that God is love. He didn’t need to make us humans because He was already complete within the trinity. They love each other and are fulfilled by each other. And glorify each other. So creating “us” became a pure act of love.

“It would be wrong to think of ourselves as God’s primary focal point and purpose; that is not the message of Scripture.” says Christian teacher, Tara-Leigh Cobble. “He created us and invited us into pre-existing joy.”

Pre-existing joy? Think about it. Throughout the gospels Jesus talks about how God loved Him before and how they glorify each other. They had love and joy and everything they needed before “us.”

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." John 17:24

So given this truth, how much more amazing is it that God cares about us? About your bills. About my aches and pains. About our fears and worries. There are those who believe that God created the world and then left us alone (deists). But every single day He answers prayers. For me, that good night sleep was an answered prayer. The fact that my husband still has a job and can provide for us is an answered prayer. That my oldest daughter has yet another day to decide to turn to Him and that my younger daughter already has are answered prayers. That I have food to eat and a strong body to serve others. For just having another day to glorify Him before my time is up.

He loves me. He loves you. He is providing for us. So each morning let us lift up our eyes and present ourselves to Him as His servants. Ready to glorify Him, ready to acknowledge His holy presence in our lives.

Wow, Just Wow…

August 10, 2022August 24, 2022 krisshetter

"Who among the gods is like you, Lord?  Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" Exodus 15:11

“Wow, God, just wow. Amen”

A few weeks ago, I was travelling across country by plane. My headphones were plugged in, my video played loud enough so I wouldn’t hear anyone around me. My snacks were laid out and my drink delivered. I was set up in my little bubble. We were heading west, chasing the falling sun.

About halfway on my journey my eyes took a break from my Ipad screen to look out the window. I expected to see a muted landscape below flying by without much interest. Instead, I was treated to the glory of God. We found ourselves skimming the tops of a blanket of cotton. Fluffy white clouds just below our plane for as far as your eyes could see. Because we were so close it made our airspeed more obvious. As my eyes adjusted to this phenomenon, I could almost feel the weight press me back into my seat like on a roller coaster. And we floated. Yes, that’s what it felt like. Floating through the heavens. Some unseen force was blowing us across the sky skimming the cotton fields. And the majesty of God was present in all His glory!

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

As I sat there watching the clouds fly beneath us, I couldn’t help but smile and thank God for such beauty. It felt as though if I could just reach through the window I would touch the Father. I can’t explain why exactly it felt different than other times I’ve seen clouds from a plane. But it seemed as though God were putting on a show for us. There was no beautiful sunset. No purple and rose sky. Just white clouds slightly below and blue sky above. And all I could say to God was, “wow….”

At that moment I realized the huge difference between believers and those who refuse to acknowledge that everything in our lives has been created. They could look out the window and think, “hey that’s really pretty.” But I looked out the window and said, “wow, what a cool thing You have done!”

I mean imagine walking up to the painting masterpiece by Piero della Francesca, “The Resurrection,” called the most beautiful painting in the world by famed author Aldous Huxley, and saying, “Hey that’s kinda pretty. It must’ve happened by accident. Some cosmic dust or something. Like maybe there was a canvas and some paint fell from a window and people accidentally stepped on it and ‘voila’ a painting is made.” There’d be no credit to the master painter. No recognition of his ability or desire to create something beautiful for the world to see.

But there is always a creator. And God is the ultimate Creator. Our recognition of that fact brings an awe inspiring sunset into clearer view. It allows us to see the Grand Canyon from a new perspective. That brief encounter I had on the plane that late afternoon with God’s glory and creation almost brought me to tears. Of joy. Knowing He loves making beautiful things whether we are present to see them or not.

A Bigger Kingdom

August 8, 2022August 22, 2022 krisshetter

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."  1 Chronicles 16:29

“Holy LORD I am so grateful there is You. You who are above all, above all kings and leaders. Above my need to be ruler of my own kingdom. Your Kingdom is full of the glory of your majesty and nothing, absolutely nothing is better than that! Amen”

I kept hearing today about the glory of God’s kingdom, His presence being above all with nothing greater than Him. Through songs, scripture and even the sermon from church. “No one, no one, no one, no one but You LORD is higher or greater” is the song verse that happens to be playing right now as I write this.

How often do we forget this? We have our tiny kingdoms that we work so hard to protect and maybe even rule over. Our schedules, our bills, our children, our stuff, our opinions – all things so much lowlier than what God’s kingdom has to offer us. And we too frequently forget to look above our kingdom walls toward His holy skies and fall on our knees in reverence.

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

I just got through reading this verse in my current study about God the Son. Yet another poke at me to remember who made it all and who is fully in charge. And even more shocking to some – who it is all for.

Look around, none of this is for your kingdom or mine. It’s all for His glory. Which, because God loves us so much, His kingdom is also ours – for those who believe and obey His commandments. He wants so much more for us. Not just our little kingdoms. Yes, He wants us to take care of all He has gifted us but for the greater kingdom. That means each time we have the opportunity to teach our kids about Him, we do. Each time we should show love and forgiveness to our spouse, we do. Each time we see the chance to use our financial gifts to glorify Him, we do. Each time we can show hospitality in His name, we do.

Friend, the Kingdom doors are so wide, welcoming and beautiful! Drop to your knees and give thanks to God He is so much bigger than this small world we have built. And turn yourself into the only offering He has ever wanted – you.