Let There Be Light

Let's begin by reading Genesis 1. The true beginning. God spoke. Now, you understand that there was nothing before the heavens were created. God is the only one who can create something from literally nothing. God created the heavens and placed our earth within it. The earth was without form, empty and dark. That's how life is if you don't know God. It has no form, no meaning. It is empty. Someone may say, "But I have lots of friends". I'm not talking about friends. I'm talking about an emptiness inside that no thing or person can fill. Life is dark without God, as well. In darkness, you have no direction. You feel your way around, but you are never sure of where you are going. Notice in Genesis 1:2, that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Even in the formless, empty darkness of life, God is there. He's hovering. Awaiting the next move. That move is your move. In verse 3, God says, "Let there be light, and there was light". Now, the sun and the moon and the stars weren't created yet. They aren't created until verse 14! So what was the light? The light was God's glory filling the earth. There is so much in these first three verses, we could sit here for weeks, marveling at these words. Do you have a friend to talk to about the Word? I do. My friend, Angela, and I have spend hours and hours over the years discussing God's Word together. It's such fun! We marveled at these first few scriptures today. We talked of the glory of the Lord. His glory is discussed and noted throughout the Bible. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of the Lord and the skies proclaim the works of His hands." Psalm 148: 5 says, "Praise Him all you heavens and all you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord. For He commanded and they were created". In the book of Isaiah, Isaiah had a vision in chapter 6. He saw the Lord seated on His throne and, "the train of His robe filled the temple." There were angels all around and they were calling to one another. They were saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory." The whole earth is full of God's glory!!!!! What a wonderful sight. Isaiah saw the earth in the spirit and it was glorious - literally! Guess what. When you become born again, His very Spirit comes to live inside of you. The glory of the Lord surrounds you. I was at an airport with a friend. We went to a restaurant at the airport for breakfast before the plane left. The man serving us food saw light on us. It was the glory of the Lord. Can you find a few scriptures on God's glory? How about one on creation? Dig around this treasure of God's Word and share what you find below in Comments. Walk in His glory today! Know that it surrounds you. Let your light shine!

Is There a God?

Your first leap of faith in believing in God is believing the mere fact there is a God. Is there a master architect? Is there a mastermind behind all of this beauty? How does the body work? How did all of your parts and pieces form into an intelligent human being? Why is there one planet in our universe that is habitable? What about animal instincts? How do the birds know when to build a nest, how high it needs to be, how to build it in such a way that the wind can't knock it down? What about vegetation? The plants we have create within them the seeds needed to "recreate" themselves. Certain vegetation comes with fruit that is contained in some sort of skin (apples, oranges, bananas) that a human can peel and eat. Not only does it taste good, it has all the nutrients needed to sustain human life. Now if all these things were evolved independently, they somehow and at some point must have decided to work together to help each other. Plants said, "I'll produce things needed for oxygen and food", water changed so animals and man can drink it and rehydrate, the atmosphere decided on just the right amount of gravity. It said, "I'll make light in the day and cool things down at night". Some animals decided that they would be food supply. As a matter of fact, somebody decided the food chain. Some animals missed that vote. Yes, it all sort of worked itself out. Now believing all that takes faith!!!! OR....there is a God who is so big and powerful and wise who did all of this. You can't see Him, so how do we know he exists? You see Him in His creation for one thing. Have you ever looked at a beautiful painting or sculpture? Was the artist there for you to meet? Probably not. Someone told you there was an artist who created that piece. Maybe his name was Michelangelo. Did they show you a picture of him? No. Did you believe he existed many years ago? Sure, why not? There is his artwork, it didn't create itself!!! Hmmmmm. You believe that? A master artist did that creation? Hmmmmm. Well, only simple people believe that. After all, we can't see this artist. You know where I'm going. There always is a master artist, architect, musician because things don't create themselves. This universe (and that includes you) were created by God. Let me show you His art. Take a look at the Hubble Photo Gallery on my links. Look at the photos of the universe beyond. Think about who did all this. Don't ask why, just take a minute to enjoy the beauty. Does an artist need a reason to create beauty? No.

Beginnings

Everyone wants a new beginning. Somehow we think if we do something somewhere else or with someone else, things will change. Not always the case. New beginnings are sometimes excuses to stop (through boredom, etc.) and find something new and exciting. But unfortunately, unless God leads you to that new place, the same problems will arise. I'm not sure there are "new beginnings". Not sure who came up with the term. It sounds exciting. But there was really only one real beginning. It was in the creation of the universe. The vast universe that scientists says is still being created as it continues to expand is God's handiwork. After all, He never said stop, did He? You are one of His "really good" creations. Your life began at birth. From that time on, your life is a series of journeys. Depending on your perspective, the journeys can be pretty fun! God has a plan. His plan worked really well until He took the big risk and created man. I wonder if He thought twice. Oh well, He did it and His perfect world got a little upside down when we came along. Do you have a child? Remember life before a child? Don't think about it. It was calm, controlled and peaceful. Are you glad you completely changed your life with a child? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, right? I know, though, you would be heartbroken without them. God's the same (after all, you are created in His image). He had second thoughts, too. Remember the flood? At least Noah made it! He does love His children. He let you share all this beauty with Him. This blog on creation will be fun. Please feel free to comment. Would love to hear what you know about creation. Join the discussion and let's learn all we can about this cosmic reality we live in.

Now It's Clear!

Okay, I get it now. It all is making sense. Paul saves the best for last. Read Galatians 6:11-18. The big question was why? Ever have someone do something and you ask why? Was it something that doesn't make sense? The Jewish Galatians had it made. Their Messiah had come. Their world was fulfilled. The prophesy of the coming King was accomplished. Why go back to the law? Why pull others out with them? Why cause division? Paul tells us why right here. In this letter, we see Paul being very pointed to these Galatians. They persecuted Paul. Why? To undermine his influence in the churches. They challenge his authority and call. They charge that living in grace would cause "lawless living". Paul defends himself and his message in this letter. He is an apostle of Jesus Christ (Chapters 1-2), he defends salvation by grace (Chapters3-4), he defends the new freedom from the law and legalism as well as freedom from sin (Chapters5-6). He's pretty frank with his words describing these Jews. He says they are disturbers, perverters, hinderers, false brothers, people pleasers, manipulators. Come on Paul, tell us what you really think! Not sure that he had many friends here in Galatia. Let's get back to chapter 6. The question remains....why? The first reason is found in verse 12. "Those who are trying to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised". Why? Verse 13, "The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ". He points to their own hypocrisy in verse 13, "they don't obey the law themselves". The world and , unfortunately, wayward believers are going to try to pull you off track of your freedom in Christ and your call. Why? They are people pleasers. What really counts to Paul and should count to us? It's found in verse 15, "......a new creation". 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!". The only price "the new" has is the price you pay from the world and worldly believers. Are you willing to pay the price to follow Christ? Paul made that choice. He said in verse 14 that "the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." Crucified means death. All gone. Bye bye. Live this new life of yours through and for Christ. It's an adventure for sure. In closing I quote our brother Paul. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers."

Amen.

Gentle!

WOW! Galatians 5:26. Conceited, provoking and envying each other. Now in Galatians 6 a caution to be gentle and reaping what you sow. Why is Christianity so complex? Why are Christians so complex? Gee! Verse 3 says, fulfilling the law of Christ is done by carrying each other's burdens. I thought it was being the best Christian out there! Oh yes, that would be the law. Law being - you must perform to be accepted by God. Grace being - you are accepted by God. Period. It's everyone else who may or may not accept you. At least the Galatians had that problem. Must have been a fun group to be around. Verse 4 says they shouldn't compare themselves with one another. Fortunately that doesn't happen these days :) . Verse 9. Ever get tired of doing good? You only get tired of that if you need others to affirm you. As believers, affirmation comes from God. Your acts of doing good come with a wonderful plus. They make you feel good! Don't let your right hand know what you left hand is doing. A great old saying. Just enjoy the random acts of kindness and service you are blessed to perform. I remember hearing a story of a rich man who yearly gave thousands of dollars away at Christmastime to random people. Why? Because he wanted to. I'll bet it was his favorite time of year. He didn't tell on himself for years. I think someone ratted him out! Read verse 10. If you have an opportunity today, or tomorrow, do good to someone - especially another believer. Reward in heaven is much better than here. It will make you feel good that someone's day is better because of you. It's our secret! I won't tell anyone!

Works Verses Fruit

I hope you had a great weekend. I know I did. Let's continue with Galatians 5:16 - 26. Just the title of this post tells it all. You can have two ways of living. You can live by works or have fruit appear from your life. I prefer fruit appearing, don't you? The sinful nature and the Spirit are contrary to each other. There is a conflict here. Living in a sinful world there will be conflict. The key here is to be led by the Spirit (verse18). How do you get in the mode of being "led by the Spirit"? Well, first you must know what the acts of the sinful nature are. These are listed in verses 19-21. Keep reading the list, you'll hit one that applies to you. I promise. So, now you know what that nature does, so if you do one of those, it's not from the Spirit. Okay, now look at the fruit of the Spirit. The word "fruit" is singular. It means all of these manifestations of the Spirit led life are all one fruit. Fruit really means what is produced in your life by the life you lead. Verse 24 says you who belong to Christ have "crucified your sinful nature with it's passions and desires". So, we are to "keep in step" with the Spirit. I picture the Holy Spirit walking with me wherever I go. When I feel one of the works of the flesh rising within me, I have the Holy Spirit to lead me away from the temptation and not only that, but the Holy Spirit empowers me to make the right choice. Then the fruit shows up instead. I teach art at a local school. It's a Christian school. When the children begin to act up, I remind them them have the Holy Spirit in them, therefore they have self control. So, if you begin to act up, remind yourself, you are in step with and empowered by the Holy Spirit at all times. Let the fruit appear in your life. Verse 26 - let humility rule! Remember, it's not you doing the work, it's God.

• "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
• For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippines2:12,13

What is Freedom For?

Freedom!!!!! Sounds good! Yell "FREEDOM" now! Doesn't that sound good!! Your flesh hears that and says, "YIPEEE! I can do anything I want!!! I can bite and devour others!!! Get even!!!" Your Spirit hears that and says, "YIPEEE! (Your name here) is now free to love unconditionally, serve others, experience true freedom!!!". Listen saint. The battle is over. It's over, it's over. The flesh loses. Do you really feel better when you operate in Galatians 5:13 and 15 by taking your freedom and sin and bite and devour others? You really are miserable if your are operating this way. I encourage you to try another tact. Do something wild like....serve someone - with no expectation of getting anything in return. That's real service. Just do it for the sake of doing it. Let your reward be one that make you feel good inside. The Bible says things done in secret will be rewarded openly. God sees. He's a really good rewarder. Isn't that all that matters? If you want the joy that comes with helping others, joy will have to be the only thing you need for thanks. How about that crazy and wild verse 14? Love thy neighbor as thyself. Your neighbor will not be nice sometimes. Your neighbor will have a bad day - maybe many bad days. Can you love him through it? Like you love yourself? Verse 15 says if you,"bite and devour others" you will be consumed and the "others" may be devoured also. Do you really want to do that? I heard someone say once that their goal in life was to destroy a former friend's business and ship them home. The hate eventually got to point of physical threats. WOW! What a sad person. Does that sound like a God plan? Not according to Galatians 5:13-15. The flesh takes you to places you don't want to go. How do you fight these thoughts and feelings? Serve and love - unconditionally. Then you can't be hurt and you can't hurt others. Jesus says for us to be perfect as He is perfect. How? James 2:8. Operate one law - the "royal" law of love.