The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:14-25; 2:1-3 (day two)  

God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 1:16-18

This was Moses’ retelling of the creation event. Read now, God’s words to Job regarding the formation of the world:                                                                                                         “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
“On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7

God’s direct words for Job notwithstanding, we catch a glimpse of God in his studio as he made the world. He made the stars to sing and the angels shout for joy. Quite a picture, isn’t it. Is that you? Do you put your playlist on as you work to help you focus or to give yourself a boost? You are definitely in good company. So much of what we do each day is creative or re-creative. We are making decisions, designing, implementing. God’s choice for music as an accompaniment to industry is not only enjoyable, it is productive. Go ahead, turn the volume up…and don’t forget to sing along!

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:14-25; 2:1-3 (day one)  

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.”–1:28.

On its face, this command refers to reproduction.  Babies.  Families.  Through them, the human race was to GROW in size and strength and command of the planet God gave us.

Years ago, when I first came to FBCSA, I prayed for God to FILL the sanctuary–with His Spirit and with His people.  My sense, then and now, is that empty things don’t bring Him glory the way FILLLED things do.

We hear the same heart in the New Testament’s command for us to “be FILLED with the Spirit”.  Jesus said,  “I have come that they might have life and have it in ABUNDANCE”

God does not think in small or partial terms.  His character (and our assignment) is to FILL and BE FILLED.

“May the God of hope FILL you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.”–Romans 15:13.

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

Would you like to know God?  Serve others?  Experience peace?  Take one step today toward the Lord!  Just one step.  Tomorrow take another.  Don’t worry, you can do this! Just start and keep going.

The Creator built this wisdom into the universe.  Achievement is always a gradual, patient process.  He used the same plan.  Day one.  Then day two. Then day three.

“Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily” said the wise Son.

“Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.  He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what He deems best–lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.”–Caroline Sandell–Berg.

What will you do today that will set your life in a new direction?

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?

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!”

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?

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.

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!