“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.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And 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.
"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.
9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God 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.
"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.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
During December of 2020 many people kept announcing that “next year will definitely be better.” I could understand the longing, the hope and desire. Let’s face it, 2020 was rife with fear, loss, despair, and worry. I told people around me to be careful romanticizing the turn of a calendar. Who knew what 2021 would bring – floods, fires, more plagues, death, political uprisings? And it certainly didn’t disappoint. A short walk through say, the book of James or Jude, reminds us that trials of many kind befall us each and every year. It’s our response to those trials that set us apart from the world.
So often when we think of “new beginnings” we can think of them as an adventure, something exciting to embark upon. Probably something God will guide you through to success. But what if your new beginning is a result of a terrible trial? A loss? Will you still seek God and see Him at work in the midst of it all?
If there’s one man whose new beginning exemplified having to start all over, having lost it all, it was Adam. He had everything you and I could ever want. A beautiful home, plenty to eat and drink. No worries except what to name the next animal. His yoke was light. He was to be the way maker for all of us.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15
And when Adam failed to honor his end of the covenant he did what so many of us do when we fail God – he tried to hide. Instead of running to God asking for forgiveness He compounded his sins by acting shamefully. But God.
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
Millions of Christians and non-believers know the story that took place in the Garden of Eden. But when we look at God’s actions we see His loving care for humans, His unique creation. He knew Adam had failed yet notice He didn’t let him go. He sought Him out with a gentle question. He could have immediately wiped the slate free of humanity after the betrayal. Instead, God clothed Adam in new garments and gave him new skills then sent him off on a new beginning. A chance to be the first step in the long path toward the new Adam – Jesus.
And Adam, by all accounts accepted the results of his sin and moved forward into his new beginning. A life outside the walls of Eden but one in which God was fully present. Adam and Eve didn’t step outside the gates, plunk down and give up. They didn’t choose to live in shame and despair. No, they knew God. They knew God still loved them and cared for them. So they took the new direction God gave them and made a new life. I love the last few lines in Genesis 4 in which Adam and Eve are mentioned:
At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26
Adam and his family never stopped worshipping God and talking with Him even though they had suffered a great loss. They brought their first fruits to Him and stayed close to God. And their work, their new beginning, brought others to God as well. If not for their commitment to God’s new beginning laid out for them there wouldn’t have been their son Seth. And Seth led to Noah. Without Noah there wouldn’t have been a righteous man left to continue humanity. God’s plan at work. God’s plan working even when it comes out of sin or loss. It’s our job to keep trusting Him and accepting Him at His word.
I’ll be honest, for most of my life I’ve been an avowed pessimist. It’s taken a lot of work by our triune God to help me see Him in my trials. To see how He is working a good, new thing in our lives. When circumstances go wrong around me my new attitude is that God is in my midst. He does want all things to work for good. I may never know how my commitment to Him will affect the Grand Plan. But I do know He never left Adam and He will never leave you.
Have you been tempted to give up on God after a trial or loss? God is still working in your life. He’s asking you to trust Him. Call on Him today for strength to live in your new beginning.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2
Before Christmas I was listening to an episode of White Horse Inn, a podcast by reformed theologians and pastors. The episode, titled O’ Holy Night, focused on the beauty and glory of what happened that first Christmas night. They started by explaining how Mary was, in effect, barren, empty. God used her barrenness like He did the universe to create something new, something out of nothing. It was the reason a virgin was selected to show how God is the great Creator.
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be calledthe Son of God. Luke 1:34-35
Each time I hear or read of a connection that weaves through the Bible from the beginning to the middle and to the end I find myself having an “ah, ha moment.” Barring heading off to theology school and learning about all these connections in a short time span, I hope to keep hearing about the Grand Story and all its connectedness throughout my days. It’s like coming upon a complete sand dollar at the beach or a beautiful, out of place flower in an otherwise barren landscape. You, at first can’t believe your eyes; then you stoop down to look closer. And then you pop up looking around to tell someone – because it might not be true unless you can verify it. You want to share the moment, the beauty, the awesomeness of it all. Meanwhile others pass by seemingly uninterested or unseeing.
About a month ago I had the opportunity to attend a weekend workshop by Nancy Guthrie on biblical theology. For those unfamiliar with the term, it’s taking a theme found in the Bible and tracing its path from Creation to Consummation (typically Revelation). It helps us to see the Grand Story of God and all the tiny threads that create one massive character profile of our Creator. And how all stories lead us to Jesus.
I decided for this next series to take up the challenge Mrs. Guthrie gave us that weekend. To start looking at chapters in this thousands-year old story as one through various themes. And who could resist starting the new year with the theme of New Beginnings?
We live out our own lives through a long series of new beginnings. From the creation of our very being to our entry into society and from there taking on new challenges whether school or jobs, a marriage or even a marriage to the church we look toward tomorrow for that new step.
If we are blessed to live a long life, we will find ourselves with new beginnings in our families and as we reach retirement. And for some, new beginnings may be what it takes to remove ourselves from addiction, abusive relationships, broken marriages, and even criminal behavior.
In the next few months, we will walk through a number of new beginnings found in the Bible. Beginnings, like Noah that needed just one small family to see the entire Earth be reborn. Beginnings like Rahab’s that started out of selfish need and God turned to good. And beginnings like Jonah who ran as fast as he could from starting new but God, when He selects you for change won’t let go. And quiet new beginnings like that of Onesimus who sits in the background of the letter by Paul to Philemon.
We will see how the character of God shows up each time – from beginning to middle and end. How He keeps His promise to never leave us, to never forsake us even when we feel so alone. And we will see how His will is always done and it is good.
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;" Ephesians 4:22-23
My friend, you might be right on the cusp of a new beginning. It might look terrifying. It might look exciting. You might not even realize it at all until you are in the thick of it. Some of you are longing for a new beginning. I can promise you this, God’s plan is at work. He’s right there watching and guiding. So as this new year begins let’s say a prayer to the Creator. To help us hear and see what new things He wants of us. And what old things He wants cast off. He has a story to tell with you. Let’s help Him publish it for all the world to see.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26
It’s a sad state we find ourselves in where you can get more sympathy for killing cows than human babies. According to the American Life League more than 61.8 million children have been aborted since 1973. The elevation of animals over humans sees countless protests for using animals for food as “good” yet protests in front of an abortion clinic as “bad.” Any Christian who has submitted themselves to the Word of God can easily read God’s directives in Genesis where He has given man, not only caretaking responsibility but also the use of animals and plants as sustenance.
To be placed in this position by God required making humans unique. Not only did He give us the concepts of right and wrong along with various emotions but also higher brain power. While I dearly love my dog Tucker, he will only ever reach a certain level of intelligence. He’s pretty smart — kinda like a two year old child. Which makes him smart and dopey at the same time!
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15
Even someone who we might consider to be the least intelligent among us or someone with a mental disability excels in mental capacity from the beasts of the earth. As humans we can be ever thankful for God giving us brains that create and understand justice, morality, empathy, love, anger, sadness, our mortality and beauty. Our ability to not just dream of the future but to create a path to that future, be it a new building, a new method for delivering products, designing a rocket, or figuring out how to explore the depths of the sea, sets us on top of the list of the living things on this planet. God created a brain so unique in this world that it even knows how to analyze itself!
What a great gift He has given us humans! I’m so thankful for the responsibility He has given us because with it comes the tools to be great stewards of His creation.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:5
For about six months one year I barely slept. I had terrible sinus issues and when I laid down they were exacerbated. What little sleep I got was sitting up and in short bursts. Eventually, the lack of sleep caught up to me. I was so irritable and quick to cry. After a successful surgery I, thankfully, found myself back in blissful dreamland. That time showed me how important God’s structure for us truly is.
When you think about our lives, we have many structures God created for us. Besides night and day, we have our years mapped out. For many, our days are also broken up in going to work or school and coming home, hopefully with a bit of rest in between. We count our days in school until we graduate then we take a brief rest and head off to college or jobs. Our gardens are planted for Spring and Summer harvests and take a rest while we plan and prepare for Winter. Each year we mark the end of 365 days and make a plan for something new in the next. Our birthdays mark a time to evaluate what we’ve accomplished and dream big for the future. Today, marks Sunday, the first day of the new week. It also is a day of rest and time to honor God.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:Ecclesiastes 3:1
We’ve heard the saying, “the only thing guaranteed in life is death and taxes.” But that’s not really true. We know when we lay down our head at night the morning will come. We know the cold of winter will give way to the beauty of spring. We know that each day we will get older, not younger. God’s plan, His structure for us, is like so many of His gifts to us – a comfort. And it’s a reflection of who He is — the Lord of this marvelous creation that can be counted on to be with us forever and ever.
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