As we journey through the Bible in one year, we start at the very beginning – literally. Genesis. It describes how the world as we know it was created, and by Whom. There are two things I’m reminded of in these passages.
First, God can do anything. On the first day, He created light, saw that it was good and separated it from the darkness. The light He called day and the darkness He called night. Next came the heavens, the earth, and vegetation. It wasn’t until the fourth day that God created the sun and the moon. I find it utterly amazing God made day and night before there was a sun. Creation in and of itself declares the power and creativity of our heavenly Father. But light being created before the “expected light source” demonstrates God is the creative source of absolutely everything --- even light without the sun. No matter how bad life’s circumstances may be, as long as we trust in God we can have hope. God is able to make a way where there seems to be no way. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7)
Secondly, there is great power in spoken words. God spoke our world into existence with His words. He simply said, “Let there be…” and it WAS. As we read throughout the first chapter of Genesis, we see over and over how His words created good things. You and I are made in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Our words hold within them power as well. If we follow God’s example, we will use our words for good and not evil. Kind, positive and encouraging words help create self-confidence, determination and success in others while degrading, negative and critical comments bring nothing but destruction. A great New Year’s resolution is to carefully choose the words we speak, so they always bring glory to God.
One last comment on the first day of reading through the Bible in 2011…I encourage you to read the daily scripture assignments aloud, even if it’s just to yourself. Romans 10:17 tells us “faith comes from hearing the message”. Let us hear God’s message every day and live a faith-filled new year!
by Susan Rutledge, Pastor of Children & Family Ministries
Great thoughts, Susan! They made my day when I woke up and found them on my pda. I especially like the part where you point out that God made light before He made the sun and the moon. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I've read through Genesis --- even done studies on it. And yet that aha moment only came to me as I read through it again THIS time. God's Word comes alive inside us every time we open it up!
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