Tag: creator
Week 6–Day 1–Jesus the Chief Responder!
Scripture reading for February 2: Colossians 1:16-20 ” For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things were 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.”
Who is Jesus Christ? Just looking at natural human history, there are many opinions about Jesus. Some say He was just a good man who lived as a Jewish rabbi under Roman government. Some say he was a prophet. Others said he was a rebel who added to the Jewish laws and taught rebellion and paid the penalty for that–a cruel death on a cross. Some say that He had delusions about being ‘God’s Son’ and taught that God was His Father. He stated that He was a King and the Son of God, calling people to follow Him to enter the kingdom.
This Scripture in Colossians sought to clearly explain Who Jesus is. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. He is the source of all authority and power. He existed before all things and in Him all things find their purpose and completion. Jesus is the Firstborn from the dead, giving Him preeminence over all. Jesus taught that if you saw Him, You saw the Father because in Him was all the fullness of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus responded to God’s direction to come to earth to reconcile all things to Himself, redeeming them from sin’s consequences and making peace between them and Father God through shedding His own blood on the cross. What a picture of Jesus Christ, our Chief responder and Head of the Church of all faith responders!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ. Your Word declares Jesus’ willing response to our need of redemption and restoration of peace with God the Father. Help me as a responder to His love to give Him preeminence in all things. Amen.
God’s final Word from Heaven!
Scripture reading for October 14: Hebrews 1
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-4
When it comes to God speaking to His people, God has been speaking from way before our own existence. In fact, this passage declares that God has spoken many times and in many ways to our ancestors through prophets. Prophets were people of faith in God who God moved on to speak and write out what God was saying. (2 Peter 1:21) God used prophets because sinful man had lost his ability to hear God directly. They needed an intermediary to relay what God has said and God sent those made in His image to speak prophetically and even act out God’s message in illustrated form.
But the writer of Hebrews declares that God has spoken to us all by a final Word in these last days. God sent His own Son, born of woman, to relay His final message of love and mercy and forgiveness. This Son, Jesus Christ, was the One Who created the world out of nothing by His powerful Word. Jesus was the ‘exact representation’ of the Father in that He totally obeyed His Father, doing only what the Father did and saying only what the Father said. (John 5:19-21) This Son was sent to mankind in the form of a human being, identifying with us in all ways, but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He offered His own body and blood as a payment for human sin, dying on the cross of Calvary. He rose again in victory over death and hell, and is seated at God’s right hand. His Name is above every name and His Word is forever settled in heaven. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Have you ever felt that God spoke to you? Have you considered Jesus Christ as God the Father’s final Word from heaven? How would this world view change your life if you decided to believe that Jesus is God’s final message?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ as the final message to us from heaven. I hear You speaking to me through Him! I place my trust in Jesus Christ and receive purification for my sins through faith to receive the gift of Your grace. Use me to share this Good News with those who have not yet heard this final Word of mercy and love. Amen.
In the beginning: God! (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19, Mark 1 (5 day Chronological reading plan from www.BibleClassMaterial.cogm)
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:1-3 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
God is there in the beginning as the great “I AM.” He created everything by His powerful Word (Son) out of nothing through the hovering Holy Spirit. At the beginning of Mark’s Gospel, thought to be the first written of New Testament accounts, we have Jesus Christ introduced by God the Father as He comes up out of the waters of the Jordan. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove fluttering from a torn-open heaven. God declares that Jesus is His beloved Son, pleasing to Him!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, We call out to the lost world today in Your Name to hear and receive the simple truth of One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator of heaven and earth. Holy Spirit, hover over Your Word and bring light in Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:1,9-11 “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. . . . .In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
Listen to Jesus!
Scripture reading for September 6th: Proverbs 5-7, Colossians 1
Key Scriptures: Colossians 1:15-17 “He (Christ Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all created things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Jesus Christ is God! He alone is over all creation, visible and invisible. He is over all authority in heaven and on earth. He created all things and He sustains all things. He is before all things and will endure after all things! What an awesome God we serve! We would do well to pay attention to Him in everything!
Proverbs 5:1 “My son, pay attention to My wisdom, listen well to My words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.”
Prayer: Lord, I worship You for Who You are–God Almighty, my Creator, author of all wisdom and giver of knowledge. Give me ears to hear Your instruction today and always. Amen.
Boldness to Declare!
Scripture reading for May 28th: 2nd Chronicles 6-8, Acts 17
Key Scriptures: Acts 17:24-27 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself Gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their was toward Him and find Him.”
Paul found himself in Athens among the philosophers of the city. They loved debating the latest new ideas. Paul preached Jesus Christ to them and pointed them to the Creator of heaven and earth. He stated that this God did not live in temples and was the giver of all life. He even determined each person’s residence and length of time there. This God was worth getting to know!
2nd Chronicles 7:13-14 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great knowledge and understanding of all men. Give me boldness like Paul of old to share a testimony of the Creator and redeemer. Amen.
Rejoicing in the One true God!
Scripture reading for August 21st: Jeremiah 9-13
Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 10:10-12 But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. When He is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure His wrath. “Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under heaven.” But God made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”
Idols are simply objects made in images but without life. They can do nothing for those who make them or those who worship them. In fact, they are destined to perish, along with those who hold them. But God alone is the living God who made the heavens and the earth. He is the eternal King who rules the nations! In Him we can find true life and One worthy of worship!
Rejoicing in the Living God: “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine Being is like gold or silver or stone–an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all man by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:29-31)
Christ is supreme!
Scripture reading for September 8th: Colossians 1
Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colosse to counter some false teachers that had come into the church and were adding to the gospel human traditions and philosophy. They were also promoting the worship of angels. Paul’s emphasis was on correct doctrine concerning the supremacy of Christ and proper Christian conduct and character.
“He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) One of the areas that Satan always attacks is the truth of God as creator of all things. We see this in the intellectual world of our present culture. Paul exalted Christ as the One God who created all things and who holds all things together! He exalted Him as the creator of angels and all authority, therefore supreme over all authority.
“And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:18-20) Not only is Christ the creator, but He is also the head of the Church. He earned this position by His death on behalf of sinners and His resurrection to become the firstborn back from death! It is only through His blood that we are saved! Christ is supreme!
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday August 17th, 2014
Dear Friends of Jesus,
Praise the Lord for His marvelous Word! Praise Him for the glory of creation! Praise the Lord for His righteousness revealed in Jesus Christ, the final Word from God!
Today God’s people gather again to celebrate eternal life through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! We gather united through our dependency on His shed blood, which alone can cleanse us from the power of sin and from sin’s penalty of eternal death. We gather to pray, study God’s Word, worship, and have fellowship with those on the journey of faith. Don’t miss out! Join in the celebration! The King is coming soon!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
The Hope of the Earth!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Psalms 60-66
King David was honest with his feelings and heart thoughts as he prayed to the Lord. This series of psalms has a great emphasis on David’s prayer and praise life. David had many fears and many enemies who sought his life, and he shared his thoughts with the Lord. As ruler of God’s people he had the burden of many responsibilities. He asked God to hear his petitions. Sometimes he was confident that God did hear, and at other times seemed to wonder if God would hear him. (Psalm 60:1; Psalm 61:1; Psalm 63:1; Psalm 64:1) He was a lot like me and you in this respect!
The last two psalms in this set are praise songs to the God who is the “hope of the ends of the the earth”! (Psalm 65:5) It is amazing that David was so in tune with the revealed heart of God! God’s heart has always been for all men to know and love Him. He desires close fellowship for every individual and will eventually have all nations worshiping Him! (Psalm 66:4) God is the creator, founder of the mountains and roaring seas. He has shown his wonders to all mankind through the daily provisions of man’s needs. He waters the land and brings forth grain in abundance for all peoples, just or unjust! God decorates the hills and valleys and brings joy to His people! (Psalm 65:13-14) He is the God who makes His enemies cringe before Him and all the earth will bow down to Him in praise and adoration! (Psalm 66:2-4)
Psalm 66 ends with a declaration of praise to the Lord for answered prayer! David’s doubts and petitions have ended with God bringing an answer! God’s faithfulness and love have produced new praise and thanksgiving from David and from God’s people! He truly answers prayer and is worthy of praise! He is our personal God of Hope and the hope of the ends of the earth!
“”You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, . .” Psalm 65:5
Remembering God’s enduring love!
Scripture reading for June 23rd: Psalms 104-106
One of the attributes of God is that He is good! Thankfully, God has been good to me and I have personally experienced that goodness for over 60 years! In these last three psalms, the psalmist reflects on the goodness of God to His people because of who He is. Let’s reflect with this psalmist about God, the greatest subject that the human mind could contemplate!
Psalm 104 begins praising God who wraps Himself with light! This God is clothed in splendor and majesty! (Psalm 104:1-2) He by His great power has stretched out the heavens like a tent canopy and decorated the sky with jewels of light. He is the one who used the winds as His messengers and the lightening bolts as His servants. (Psalm 104:4) He set the earth on its foundations and formed it’s surface, covering it with water. He created the plants and animals and the birds of the air and fish of the sea. (Psalm 104:24-25) This majestic God is the source of all food, breath, and life! He is worthy of continual praise for His goodness! (Psalm 104:33-35)
In Psalm 105 God is worshiped for His faithfulness to His covenant! (Psalm 105:8-9) History is filled with the record of God’s miracles and deliverance on behalf of His people. The people of God have been cared for by God’s power and wisdom. He saved them from famine through Joseph and delivered them from Egypt through Moses. God brought the people out of slavery, loaded down with silver and gold. He fed them and watered them on their journey (Psalm 105:37-41). This was because of His promises to Abraham and the covenant that God faithfully kept!
Psalm 106:1 declared God’s goodness was without limit and His love was from everlasting to everlasting! God’s love also included His discipline for He only disciplines those He loves! Some of the judgments recorded included the death of the unbelieving generation in the wilderness! God dealt with unbelief, rebellion, idolatry, grumbling and disobedience! (Psalm 106: 32-39) God’s people have had a history of unfaithfulness, but He has remained faithful and will forever!
Take a moment today to remember God and His faithfulness to you personally. Look back over your life and offer thanks and worship for God’s creation, provision, healing, deliverance and discipline that you have experienced!