Main Character

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day five)

In the beginning God created… v. 1

The Bible is viewed by many, as a collection of history, poetry, and moral teaching.   In reality, the Bible in its entirety is a story, a true story. It’s a grand narrative that explains our existence, gives meaning to our daily lives, and encompasses every other story on earth. The first sentence of the bible introduces God as the main character (The Bible is about God). He is creating and designing the world as He wants it to be. No sin- no imperfection, everything reflecting His glory, power, and majesty.

It is tempting to read Genesis as just history (many do). Yet because of the dynamic nature of the story being told throughout scripture, this part of the story is a part of our story. However, we must know and understand who the main character is!! From there we begin to understand who we are. But we must start where the story starts.  What can we learn and understand about God in Genesis chapter 1?

It is Good

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day four)

From the very beginning, there was a separation between darkness and light.  Darkness was the characteristic of the formless void, without God’s intervention.  When God spoke and light was created, there has been a separation between darkness and light ever since.  Light has been characteristic of the Spirit of God’s presence.  Light overcame darkness…it always does.  Holiness will always triumph over evil…it always does.  God’s Spirit in our lives will overcome the darkness of evil surrounding us…it always does.

In the darkest days and moments of our lives…when discouragement and despair seems to overtake us…don’t let the lies of Satan convince you that there is no way out of the darkness.  God created light…His Spirit is light…and no power of darkness can overcome it.  We can trust in the all-powerful, unchanging, ever present God of the Universe, our Creator, to have victory.  Our victory has already been won by the work of Jesus on the cross.  And God said, “It is good!”

Mercy

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day three)

“God created the heavens and the earth.”  Open any older edition of the King James Version Bible, and you’ll see that the first book of the Old Testament carries this heading: “The First Book of Moses, Commonly Called Genesis”.  The Hebrews used to understand that the universe submits to the person of God himself, but 430 years in Egypt had all but eradicated that knowledge.  The cosmology, ethical system, and culture of the Egyptians had set the parameters of their thinking, leaving them to believe that they were at the mercy of the world around them.  But Moses re-introduced them to the Maker of the heavens and the earth, revealing to them that human beings are not at the mercy of the universe, but at the mercy of God.  Have you forgotten that?

Fingerprints

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day two) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. vs. 1

…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:19-20

Have you ever looked at a painting and just knew who the painter was, or listened to a piece of music was knew instantly who wrote it? They may have signature styles, colors, techniques that make their work stand apart. It is their creative fingerprints. When you experience that art you understand a bit about the artist. What do they value, how do they see and understand the world that they are a part of.

Every pebble, mountain, fish, forest, baby, and star holds the fingerprints of the creator of the universe. Through them we can see what he values, what he thinks about the world that he created. The infinite variety, the frailty of life, and the simplicity a cloud. He wants us to notice.

Big Bang

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day one)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”–v 1.

Scientists call it the “Big Bang”.  For years the prevailing view was that the universe had always existed in some “Steady State”.  Then, new evidence came that shifted opinion in the direction of an instantaneous beginning at some distant point in the past.

The conflict between science and religion is well known.  Our purpose this week (as we study Genesis chapter 1) will not be to resolve the tension.  It is interesting, however, that science has (at least on this point) come back around to the place that believers have been for centuries.

It is a grand, life-restoring, wisdom-giving story!  Story not because it is fiction, but story because that is the form in which an infinitely artistic God gave it.

Instantly (and then gradually Genesis will also tell us).  By His word and according to His will.  Creation!

Big Bang?  Big God!

Feet first

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day seven)

“But go, tell the disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.”–16:7.

It is a pattern with God.  A struggle for me.  “Walk now, see later” whispers the Spirit. Obedience before confirmation.  Feet first.  Eyes second.

I am learning this lesson again.  Like the disciples, I find myself on the threshold of a new chapter.  Exciting.  Unfamiliar.  What I think I need is to see the Lord.  To hear His assurance.  What I actually need is to get forward to the place that He is telling me to go.  When I get there, He will meet me. He promises!

“Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign that I have sent you; when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”–Exodus 3:12

Go and then you will know!  I value assurance.  He values obedience.

Resolute

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day six)

“…just as he told you.” Mark 16:17

It is no surprise to us, but Jesus did exactly what he said he would do. He followed through; he completed the task; he stuck to his word. He wasn’t all talk and no walk. He wasn’t all theory and no practice. He didn’t just flirt with redeeming the world (all those who would believe and call on his name); no, he actually redeemed the world.

This is helpful for us because it reminds us that the foundation of the Gospel is action. The Gospel was born in action, and thus gives birth to action for those who belief, affecting what we do by changing who we are. Jesus lived it, and so should we.

It’s a Heart Condiition

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day five)

Mark 15:31 “In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were … saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.” Did they really just say that Jesus cannot save Himself? Even after seeing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? (A greater sign) Why would they think, much less say Jesus cannot save Himself? They surmised that because Jesus wouldn’t use His power, then He didn’t have it. Their love for the praise of people and self-serving power kept them from understanding Jesus. They had no point of reference or heart for mercy, love, or self sacrifice. So they mocked it. However, Jesus’ heart understood completely- “unless a grain of wheat falls” (John 12:24). Jesus knew if He saved Himself He would not save others.
Only the Holy Spirit can change a human heart to understand and value this kind of perspective. May our hearts always demonstrate and easily recognize sacrificial love, mercy, and obedience.

Keep Your Focus

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day four)

V.16 – “When the Sabbath was over…”

Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome were observing the Sabbath rules.  These were the principles that the religious leaders, who had just crucified Jesus, had so distorted and misused.  Have you ever known someone who rejected the church, saying, “They are just a bunch of hypocrites there”?  They are rejecting an institution established by God because of the failure of men.  These ladies maintained their obedience to God’s laws and were not distracted to disobedience by the sins of men.

Are we guilty of rejecting God’s Word because we see someone else’s distortion of the Truth?  Do we allow the focus of our heart to be sidetracked because of the sinfulness of others?  These ladies obeyed God’s laws even when it was not represented well by the very ones that should be their leaders in faith.  Keep the eyes of your heart on God and His Word…don’t be led to disobedience by the faithlessness of others.

Seriously

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day three)

“They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”  What to make of this verse?  It has no “I-can-do-all-things” ring to it.  It doesn’t urge us onto the evangelism trail.  And it sure seems to tamp down the joy.  Where’s the confidence, the eagerness, the breezy optimism we’ve come associate with this ancient Sunday morning?  Do these disciples just need time to clear their heads before donning an Easter bonnet?  Or do we rather need to learn from them: to take seriously as they took seriously that the world they knew—and took comfort in—had indeed been swept away, and they didn’t yet know how to live?  Their fear reveals not an unenlightened mind, but a perception of God’s footprint.  We should all be so afraid.