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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3
in the beginning.
the before time.
in the eternity.
in the beginning was God and was Jesus, The Word.
Jesus was with God. they were together. with each other.
and Jesus IS God.
Through Jesus all things were created. All the universe. All the sky. All the plants and animals and angels and amazing things we see and dont see.
Jesus made them all.
There was nothing made that He did not make.
There was nothing made without Him.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 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.And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning. I’m sure John is intentional in his choice of words, in the beginning. linking Genesis and Jesus together.
He 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
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
John 1 says The Word became flesh and dwelled with man. Jesus came and lived with normal humans, as a human himself. The Word became flesh… and moved into the neighbourhood. One of the wonders of what Christmas really means is the reminder that Jesus demonstrates who God is to us. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. Jesus made God real and real personal. He came and dwelled with His creation, He loved and touched and felt and lived.
there’s just something about Jesus.
when He walks into a room people take notice.
He captivates attention.
People of every age and every stage want to be with Him. near Him.
He’s Jesus.
King of the Universe. Lord of Lords.
Saviour.
This is extraordinary! God, creator of the universe, namer of the stars, who spoke and formed the world from nothing, became one of the very creatures He created. He became a man. A human!
I’ve been reading Philip Yancey’s THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW so reading John 1 again with fresh eyes makes me fall in love with Jesus even more, makes me more awed by His actions and His coming. The King of Glory, born. a child. a baby. crying. breastfed. nappies. then childhood and adolescence. into manhood. Jesus. our Lord. touching people. healing people. walking with people. living life. the glorious and the mundane.
God so loved the world that He stepped down from a holy throne and became human so that you might touch, see and absorb His grace and, in turn, reflect His glory. So compelled by our imperfection, perfection became human. @stickyjesus
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honour, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth. John 1:14 AMP
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45: 4-7
as i read this i am so impressed by joseph and his attitude. remember his BROTHERS sold him into slavery – a potential death sentence, but a life sentence of sorrow and hardship at the least. and this time for joseph also involved prison. not luxury accommodation. not an easy life to live. yet he extends grace and welcome to his brothers and honour towards God, who is ultimately in control. he is aware that his journey has resulted in the salvation of his people, that his position as prime minister means he is responsible for the survival of his family and nation. and that that positioning was orchestrated by God.
it takes great faith and faithfulness and surrender and submission to God to have this attitude.
How many times in the 22 years since he was sold into slavery by his brothers did Joseph fall to his knees and beg God to know the answer to a question often on all of our lips: Why? As he sat in the pit…why God? As he worked as a slave…why God? As he sat in prison… why God? And now, looking back he can see the fingerprints of God on his life story. The master’s hand cared for him and guided him to this point so that he may care for his family. Joseph could just as easily been vengeful or bitter. I think many people would be. He could have been smug and callous toward his brothers. But he choose to see this moment as the answer to his prayer “Why?” and not be blinded by his circumstance.
But you have to look for the answers. It’s easy to be blinded by bitterness and be angry at God for all the bad things that happen to us. If the first step in healing is asking God “Why?” then the second step is to learn how to wait for his answer and then see it when He shows you. Joseph had to wait 22 years yet he remained faithful to his Lord. I believe God will always show us the answer to our question in His time, when the answer is complete. Until then we must place our hope in the Sovereignty of God.
It’s like watching a great composer create a new masterpiece. We see notes being inked out one at a time and often they don’t sound good in of themselves. Then we see a phrase and the hint of a melody. Then at least we hear the full score being played and it takes our breath away it is so perfect and beautiful. The end result is what was always in the masters plan… that is why He is the master. youversion note
many people would turn their backs on God and reject Him, be angry with Him, feel unloved and rejected themselves by God.
but Joseph didnt. perhaps he had moments, late at night, in the darkness of his cell, where he prayed and wept and was overwhelmed by his circumstances.
but at this end point we see that he had processed through his feelings and that he had reconciled himself to knowing that God is God and God is GOOD and he honours Him and shows commitment and surrender to His ways. Joseph’s circumstances went from bad to worse as he went down into Egypt and yet he recognized the sovereignty of God even in the negative circumstances.
take the opportunity of the prison to pray.
take the opportunity of the prison to be transformed.
take the opportunity to surrender.
because sometimes the prison is the path to the palace and in the palace God requires men and women of God who live for His name and fame and will be obedient to His will.
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. Genesis 45:14-15
what a moment of reconciliation. for all of them. i wonder if any of the brothers had pondered about where joseph was, if they had sleepless nights worrying about him and regretting their actions. i wonder how it affected their own lives, if they were in a prison of guilt and a slave to their past. i wonder if they dreaded ever meeting their brother again and how he would react to them. but joseph kisses and embraces. weeps and forgives. how amazing is that. its obvious that joseph has spent time dealing with any feelings of anger and resentment and rejection and has forgiven his brothers well before seeing them in person.
dont let something fester inside us – if joseph had carried onto any bitterness or forgiveness he may have rejected his family and allowed them to return to israel and perish. bitterness destroys. forgiveness continues the cycle of hurt and hurtfulness.
"Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you." Corrie Ten Boom
SIX REASONS TO FORGIVE
1. We are commanded. In our obedience, God is honored.
2. It brings healing.
3. There is reconciliation in forgiveness.
4. We imitate Christ.
5. Sets us free from burdens we were not intended to carry.
6. We take away a foot hold from Satan.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
How do we forgive when we don’t feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart? We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete. I believe God honors our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please him when we choose to forgive. He completes the work in his time. We must continue to forgive (our job), by faith, until the work of forgiveness (the Lord’s job), is done in our hearts. @ about christianity
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. Genesis 39:2-4
Joseph had a call to be a leader.
then he was sold by his brothers into slavery.
at this point most people would curl up into a foetal position and cry and give up.
not joseph.
he lives out his call, even in slavery.
he lives out his call of leadership in potiphars house, being promoted into position.
when God is with us, no matter the circumstance, we are blest.
when God is with us, no matter what is going on, we can have peace and prosper. we can have success even though circumstances may be incredibly difficult!
the best thing in life to covet is the favour of God – we should live a life that pleases Him, no matter where we are and what circumstances say.
circumstances for joseph shout deny God, suffer and be angry and depressed. that’s how the world often reacts today.
but joseph made a choice. His life was in God’s hands. He would trust God and live by His ways to please Him, no matter where.
and God rewarded Him and blest Him and raised Him up THROUGH His circumstances.
God will place you in dark places to shine for Him.
oh and did you note the phrase THAT THE LORD WAS WITH HIM…? God was with Joseph, even in slavery. this is what made Joseph stand out to his master, this was the distinguishing element. God was WITH joseph.
The immediate evaluation is not always accurate. when we begin to face misfortunes in life there are other factors that cloud our evaluation, all the racing thoughts the stress and worry, the scrambling to try and fix the situations quickly… stop, calm down, then evaluate with a clear head. Joseph went through this as well, bet his first thought when his brothers threw him in a pit, "this can’t get any worse" then ito did… sold into slavery, what else? facing execution because of his masters wife. At the beginning everything was all bad, but what was the end result? He became the second in command of Egypt. Genesis 45:5 Lifes ups and downs can definetly get confusing and cause stress. But never forget that God is with you. What could He be pruning and preparing you for? from youversion notes
choosing the right path begins with SUBMISSION, not information, not even direction. submission specially to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead. Submission to the One who knows what’s best for you better than you know what’s best for you. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Notice he doesn’t say “most of your ways.” he said ALL. Solomon didn’t leave any wiggle room. in all your ways means in all your dating ways, in all your marriage ways, your entertaining ways, your morality ways, your educational ways, your professional ways, your financial ways. he wasn’t just peaking of your sunday ways, your religious ways, your prayer ways. all means all. in every arena of your life, we are to acknowledge God. so what does that mean? to acknowledge god means to recognize who he is and respond accordingly. what is the proper response to God? submission. we are to recognize god’s authority over every component of our lives. we are to seek and submit to his will in every area of life. that is, in al our ways. Andy Stanley – Principal of the Path
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Genesis 37:1-8
this passage is our introduction to someone i find personally challenging and encouraging and inspiring: Joseph
Joseph’s life story looks crazy when you look at it, when you look back his dreams and the call of God upon his life and the living out of the call. As a young man he dreamed of leadership and destiny but first had to endure the rejection of his brothers, to the extreme – they sold him into slavery – where he was promoted and then falsely accused and sent to prison for many many years. Then when it looked like the light at the end of the tunnel he is forgotten for more years. Over 17 years pass in Egypt. And then SUDDENLY he is promoted again and is living his dream.
I read these interesting verses in psalm 105 the other week while thinking more about THE PROCESS…”He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.” Psalm 105:16-19
Until what he foretold came to pass, until the Word of the Lord, until his dreams of leadership and destiny, until the Lord proved him true… until the right time… until Joseph was ready and the times were ready. There was a bigger picture.
"God often uses our challenges as stepping stones to the higher purposes of God." – James Robison
There are lessons to be learned in the process. Lessons about ourselves, lessons about how to work with others, lessons about how to relate to God.
Process isn’t just about skills its also about character.
Process is all part of it. Its not less important that the destination and the success.
Joseph had some big lessons to learn and lots of process to live through. God had a plan and a purpose and was with Him in the dreams, in the well, in slavery, in prison and in the rising to power and the salvation of Israel and his family. His life is a demonstration of the faithfulness of God and how we should hold onto our dreams.
perhaps joseph had to learn some humility and discernment. as a young man it seems he skited to his brothers about his dreams of greatness. it was for this reason (and other character issues!) that they so disliked him and hated him that they sold him into a life sentence of slavery. character is very important to God and i think very important for a servant of God, for someone in ministry, to be totally aware of and working on. we are all flawed yes, but that is not an excuse for staying ugly in our character. we are called to transformation.
The great things God will do through you are going to grow in the soil of persistence, prayer, obedience and sacrifice. That means there will be plenty of plowing and pruning. That’s the way living things grow, whether you’re talking about vegetables or vision. The process is a time of strengthening. The process is the place where you lay down your pride and learn to rely totally on God. Most importantly, the process is the way we grow to know God. And that’s really the whole point. Steven Furtick
God will eventually test you in all areas of your life, but He will not let your trials become greater than you can bear. Let God use trails to help you grow. Do not try to measure your progress, your strength, or what God is doing. His work is not less efficient because what He is doing is invisible. God does not transform you on a bed of light, life and grace. His transformation is done on the cross in darkness, poverty and death. Francis Fenelon in 100 days in the secret place
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,
"Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 15:1
after these things – these things being: abram leaves his own land and travels to an unknown destination which God will reveal, a famine strikes the new land and he and his family move to egypt where some stuff goes down, abram and lot separate and have their own lands, God promises great things about all he can see, abram rescues lot from the 5 kings war…
after these things God speaks to abram again and reassures him – that He, God will be a shield for this man and that He will provide for him and reward him. this is a great call to trust God, a great call to look for things unseen and to not be dismayed by the circumstances we face.
Abram had just been through battle and the Lord had protected him and he had victory yet his heart’s desire was not yet met. His heart’s desire was for a son. God would have already known this for He knows the desires of our heart. Abram walked so close with God that he knew he could talk with Him as a friend and open his heart to Him and say what I really desire is a son.
God desires us to walk this way with Him too! He desires for us to tell Him our hearts desires. Yes, He knows them already but, I believe, He likes to hear us petition Him for it. When we speak it out loud it builds our faith. Abram’s faith was built up when he petitioned God for a son because God promised him a son. He could then stand on faith that God would give him the desire of his heart.
Are you in need of healing, financial help, a mate, your household to be saved? Then speak with God! Tell Him your hearts desire and then stand in faith.
from youversion note
Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir." And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:2-6
Abram longed for a child, a descendant of his own. this was the great reward he longed for. and God promised him thus. and abram believed.
When God told Abraham he would have children, he believed it because he knew god is righteous and doesn’t go back on his word or lie. Why are we not believing God to he righteous!? When we doubt, we doubt that God is truthful enough to stand with his promises. youversion note
i love what Romans 4:17-19 says about this promise and abrams faith.
As it is written: I have made you a father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed— the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, So shall your offspring be. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead— since he was about a hundred years old— and that Sarah’s womb was also dead Romans 4:17-19
Abram believed that even though circumstance looked impossible that nothing is impossible for God. that if HE spoke it and promised it that HE was ABLE to perform it and complete it.
there was quite a space of time between the promise and the fulfilment for abram and sarai. during this time they were tested and in a way, they gave up faith and tried to shortcut God. that challenges me to remember the promise – to remember what God has said – and to trust in that and to trust that though i dont know the HOW that God is powerful and great and good and that He is ABLE to fulfil His promises.
i always take great hope and encouragement that though i may not understand the times or the seasons or the HOW something will work out, that God is GOD and that God is GOOD and that God is GREAT and that He is my heavenly Father, the creator of the universe, who knows how many hairs i have on my head and who rewards those who diligently seek Him. i take great hope as i read about abram and sarai and how God worked in their lives and through their lives. their life and their story teaches me to hold on and have faith.
what promises are you believing in and waiting to see God outwork? have faith. keep trusting.
Sometimes all we need to do is come out of the box that we live in, [tent] and look up to God [sky/stars], and trust in God. youversion note
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves Genesis 11:4
who are we living for?
ourselves?
our ambition?
to make a name for ourselves?
or for God?
to build His kingdom?
to serve Him?
how often do we try to build our own lives and towers of security? if we build our own name we will be secure and successful… if we have the best and brightest career we will be happy and satisfied…
where does our security come from? what should the tower in my life be?
Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
vision is good. but our vision must be a God vision, to build for Him and to seek Him and to walk with Him. these early people had a united vision – but it was to build for themselves – to build for their fame – to establish their own kingdom.
its times like this we need to read and take note; Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6
things in the bible are not isolated reports or testimonies they are lessons for us to learn from.
when reading i am always asking myself 2 questions:
1. how can this be real in my life?
2. what does this reveal about God and who he is to me?
i also believe that as we read the Word that it “gets inside us” and transforms us and strengthens us and guides us. The Word challenges us and challenges us to draw near to God and to walk in his ways. it reveals who God is. it encourages me to trust Him, to believe Him, to have faith in Him. i believe that as we make intentional time to read it that we are blessed, because God rewards those who seek Him and those who obey Him and those who trust Him.
God intervened and stopped the tower from being built in a dramatic way. He scattered the languages which led to the scattering and disunity of the people. it reminds me that God is in control of not just my life but the nations and though the news may paint a world out of control what the reality is that the world needs Jesus and salvation and hope that only God can give. and that God does intervene in global situations. i want to live my life for HIS fame and HIS glory!
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 6:8-9
Noah walked with God. walked – not just a one off thing, a decision, a moment, but a constant doing, a constant activity, a constant relationship.
Noah was different from the people of his generation. He walked with God and listened to God and obeyed God. He lived not for himself but for God and God’s ways and God’s will. He was influenced by God, not the people around him, not his community or peer group or workmates or neighbours. He lived for God and to please Him. today the world looks pretty similar to how it is described in Genesis 5. we live in dark days where people live for their own selfishness and greed, where they murder and rape, steal and cheat. we live in a time where permissiveness is at an all time high and where sin is accessible with the click of a button. in this day and age we must remember noah, and walk with God, and be influenced by God. lets not be ashamed of standing out and being different. lets not be ashamed to be godly and obedient, to walk with God.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. Genesis 3:1-4
"Did God really say ….?" ooooh what a question! this one seemingly simple question plants the seed of rebellion, it plants doubt. did God REALLY say? It is the same question that is whispered every time there is a choice to follow God’s purposes or follow your own.
did God really say? talk about sneaky and crafty… the weapon the enemy often uses – still uses – is getting us to doubt the Word of God – doubt His promises – doubt His revelation – doubt His will – doubt His goodness. our relationship with God is founded on faith and doubt corrodes that faith.
don’t listen to the did God really say? fight back with THE WORD OF GOD SAYS… have a but God says in your heart that is ready to fight back and counter the lie. this is why knowing the truth and the Word is really important… because it plants the Word in our heart ready to defend and strike!
Why is it so important to spend time with Jesus every day? Because He will give us the exact instruction and comfort we need to handle all He sees coming our way—how to act and, even more challenging, how to react in every situation. It is the perfect measure of His peace, packaged up just for us. With great expectation, we can stick it in our pocket and carry it with us. Lysa TerKeurst
We need to read the Word and store it in our hearts – it keeps us from sinning and living selfishly and to remind us of His promises and love and kindness…
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Jesus when He was in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil used the Word of God to rebut his schemes and devices. each time Jesus was presented with a “did God really say?” He rebuked the devil with a THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.
“The Scriptures call the Evil One the "father of lies." We see that right away in Genesis 3:1. Our first introduction to him as a character in God’s story already includes him setting out to deceive Eve.” youversion note
The Essential 100 Challenge (E100) helps you get an overview of the Bible… without getting bogged down. The Plan guides you through 50 Old Testament passages and 50 New Testament passages — The Essential 100 — so you can see the big picture of God’s Word, and form a daily Bible reading habit in the process. E100 is an achievable way to have a "through the Bible" experience; it’s the Bible reading plan people love to complete.
the thing about the E100 that i love is that it gives you a good grasp of the major themes of the bible and the major people so that as you continue on reading the Word you have a greater understanding or overall picture to context things with.
personally i love the M’Cheyne Bible plan, which you can also find on YOUVERSION, featuring four different readings for use in both family and personal devotions. Each day has two passages from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and one from either the Psalms or the Gospels. In one year, you read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. i have done this plan for the last 5-6 years.
back to the E100 for today.
God said, "Let there be light." And so light appeared. Gen 1:3
And God said . . . and there was
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
God said "let there be". . . and it was so
this phrase, this speaking, this commanding and then this doing and this creating is probably one of my favourite things about genesis 1. God speaks and there was. there was nothing, and then God spoke and that thing He wrapped words around became reality. that is raw power. amazing. i love that that is who our God is, esp with the emphasis on the Word of God and Him speaking to us and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and speaking to us and how Jesus in john 1 is the Word of God made flesh. dont ever underestimate God speaking to us… His Words are powerful and creative!
"The world is not here by chance, nor is human life a biological accident. God brought it all into existence." – Billy Graham
The earth produced plant life: plants yielding seeds, each according to its kind, and trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. Gen 1:12
my son had lots of questions about creation last night so we read this chapter ourselves together. i like how the bible makes it plain and clear. animals after their own kind. plants after their own kind. not evolved. not from apes (his big question). not this through to that. this was made and it stayed as this. that was made and it is after its own style and species and kind.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen 2:7
We are a living soul when God breathes into us. it makes me then think how in john 3:3 it says we must be born again, that how ephesians 2 says we are dead in our sins…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5
what the creation narrative does for me is make me realize how big and majestic and amazing and how awe inspiring God is. He isn’t just my personal saviour or my best friend but He is a cosmic creator and so much more unfathonable in power – its like looking at my house on google earth and then going out on a wide zoom lens to see Auckland, New Zealand, Planet Earth… and then i know there are unvierses unseeable with even the greatest telescopes still out there.
this God, the creator, the universe breather, the one who holds everything in His hand is the one i walk with, the one who calls me into relationship with Him, the one who speaks to me, the one who loves me. mind blowing.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3
in the beginning.
the before time.
in the eternity.
in the beginning was God and was Jesus, The Word.
Jesus was with God. they were together. with each other.
and Jesus IS God.
Through Jesus all things were created. All the universe. All the sky. All the plants and animals and angels and amazing things we see and dont see.
Jesus made them all.
There was nothing made that He did not make.
There was nothing made without Him.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 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.And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning. I’m sure John is intentional in his choice of words, in the beginning. linking Genesis and Jesus together.
He 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
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
John 1 says The Word became flesh and dwelled with man. Jesus came and lived with normal humans, as a human himself. The Word became flesh… and moved into the neighbourhood. One of the wonders of what Christmas really means is the reminder that Jesus demonstrates who God is to us. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. Jesus made God real and real personal. He came and dwelled with His creation, He loved and touched and felt and lived.
there’s just something about Jesus.
when He walks into a room people take notice.
He captivates attention.
People of every age and every stage want to be with Him. near Him.
He’s Jesus.
King of the Universe. Lord of Lords.
Saviour.
This is extraordinary! God, creator of the universe, namer of the stars, who spoke and formed the world from nothing, became one of the very creatures He created. He became a man. A human!
I’ve been reading Philip Yancey’s THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW so reading John 1 again with fresh eyes makes me fall in love with Jesus even more, makes me more awed by His actions and His coming. The King of Glory, born. a child. a baby. crying. breastfed. nappies. then childhood and adolescence. into manhood. Jesus. our Lord. touching people. healing people. walking with people. living life. the glorious and the mundane.
God so loved the world that He stepped down from a holy throne and became human so that you might touch, see and absorb His grace and, in turn, reflect His glory. So compelled by our imperfection, perfection became human. @stickyjesus
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honour, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth. John 1:14 AMP
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