pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Creation


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Supremely Good

Reading: Genesis 1:24-2:4a

Genesis 1:26 – “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take care of the fish…”

Today we conclude the first creation story, reading about days six and seven. These time frames separate acts of creation. They may or may not be 24 hour periods. The sixth “day” begins with God speaking into existence the “livestock, crawling things, and wildlife.” God again saw that this was good.

Next God says, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take care of the fish…” Note that the language is different. The words “us, make, our, image” imply a collaborative effort. Most theologians read this team effort as involving Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is also an implication that humanity does not merely come from the other parts of creation like the earth growing plant life. One cannot read these words and not understand that humanity is to care for this earth as God does and would. We are to do so because we are not merely made from the elements of this earth. We also carry some of the divine within ourselves.

At the end of this period God looks at the creation and declares that it is “supremely good.” From the chaos and disorder at the beginning to the completed, ordered, purposeful world, it is now supremely good. The world was as it was intended to be. And then God rested. God set aside a day, making it holy. It was a day without work. Later this will become known as the Sabbath – a day to rest, renew, and recharge physically, a day to reconnect with God. This too is part of God’s goodness, order, and purpose. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, in the story, the process is finished. Day 8 begins our tenure as caretakers or stewards of this world and all that is in it. Lord, help humanity to reclaim our role, especially in the ways that we care for one another. May we see and treat all of humanity as brothers and sisters also created in your divine image. Amen.


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This Wonderful World

Reading: Genesis 1:1-23

Genesis 1:4 – “God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness.”

Today we read the first part of the first of two creation stories that begin the book of Genesis. As the story starts, the earth is without shape and the sea is dark. There is no order to anything. God’s first act is to say, “Let there be light.” As the light appears, “God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness.” Day and night are created, bringing more order to the world. As the story unfolds, God continues to bring good, to bring order, to bring purpose into the world. All of this reflects “who” God is and reveals God’s intent for “what” the world should be.

God then creates the sky, the seas, and the land. God speaks and plant life grows. This too has order and purpose and goodness. The plants are designed with seeds, indicating a purpose and an ongoing plan. God then creates lights – sun, moon, and stars – to govern day and night, seasons, sacred days, years. And on day 5 God speaks into being the creatures of the sea and sky. These too are designed to multiply and reproduce. Each of these days carries a tag line: “God saw how good it was.” All that God does is good. This is “who” God is.

God’s speaking and creating with only words can be hard to grasp in a real, scientific way. So it is important to remember that this is not a scientific accounting of how the world came into being. This, again, is a story about who and what God is. God’s nature is inherent in creation: goodness, order, purpose, planning. As we continue tomorrow, we delve deeper into the “what.”

Prayer: Lord God, these beautiful words reveal you to us. The creation was sweeping and grand, powerful and amazing. Your thoughts explode into a million paths, creating this plant and then that one and those over there. You are an awesome God. Thank you for this wonderful world. Amen.


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God’s Presence, Goodness, and Love

Reading: Psalm 19

Psalm 19:8 – “The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.”

Psalm 19 celebrates God’s presence with us. David first recognizes God in the created world. The Psalm begins, “Heaven is declaring God’s glory.” This is evident in God’s “handiwork.” To take in the vastness of the stars, to feel that limitless power, is to sense and feel God. Yet God’s handiwork is also small and intricate, like a spider web or like a tiny seed that yields a beautiful flower. David also recognizes God in the passing of time. One day to one night, over and over again, reveals God’s good plans for our world. David acknowledges that the sun, moon, and stars do not literally speak, yet the presence of God in them reaches out “to the ends of the earth.”

Starting in verse 7 David turns to God’s “instruction.” He is speaking of the Torah, the collection of laws and commands that governed his life. Following these, David gains wisdom. They gladden his heart and give light to his eyes. The Law is true, worth more than gold, “sweeter than honey.” David finds great reward in keeping God’s will and way. This too is evidence that there is a God, one who ordered not only creation, but life itself. As a follower of Jesus, we also find joy in keeping God’s will and way. We find that doing so, we have a relationship with our God. Within this relationship we experience peace and hope, assurance and contentment, comfort and guidance. Loving God and loving neighbor yields a life centered outside of self, a life that truly reflects God’s goodness and love.

In the closing verses, David shares another way that he experiences God. Fallible and sinful as we are, God is overflowing in forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. This is because God created us to be in relationship – with God and with one another. Again and again God cleansed and restored David to right relationship. Our rock and redeemer will do the same for you and for me. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your presence in the world – yes, in the heavens but also in the tides, in the spring growth, in the gentle snowfall. Thank you for pursuing us, for seeking us out, for desiring to be in relationship with us, and for being willing to do whatever it takes to keep us there, loving us unconditionally. This day may we honor you by reflecting your love and goodness into the world. Amen.


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Worthy is the Lamb

Reading: Revelation 3-5

Revelation 5:5 – “Don’t weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has emerged victorious so that he can open the scroll.”

Chapter 3 concludes the messages to the seven churches. The church in Sardis looks good on the surface but is really dead. They need to remember what they first learned, changing hearts and lives. If so, their names will be declared in heaven. The church in Philadelphia has little power but they have stood strong. They will be pillars in heaven, names written there. And Laodicea… neither hot nor cold, just lukewarm. This church is perhaps most relevant today. Jesus is about to “spit them out.” They are “miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, naked.” Yet Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If they hear and open the door, he will come in and be with them. If they emerge victorious, they will sit with Jesus on his throne in heaven.

Chapters 4 and 5 shift to heaven as John enters his second Spirit-led trance. At the center God sits on the throne. 24 elders on thrones surround God. There are seven torches and four living creatures before the throne of God. The creatures have six wings and are covered all over with eyes. They never rest but praise God, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” The elders join in the praise, declaring God to be the one worthy of glory, honor, and power.

John then noticed that there is a scroll in the hand of God. He weeps because no one is worthy to open it. Then an elder says, “Don’t weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has emerged victorious so that he can open the scroll.” The Lamb, Jesus Christ, comes and takes the scroll. The elders, the living creatures, millions of angels, and all of creation praises and worships the Lamb, the one who was slain. What a glorious day it will be!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reality check as we began today. Draw us out of the comfy middle ground. Empower us to stand boldly for you. And thank you for the peak into heaven, for the reminder of your majesty and power, for the reminder of who and what the Christ child will be and become. All praise and honor and glory are yours! Amen.


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Rooted and Built Up

Reading: Colossians 1-2

Colossians 2:7 – “Be rooted and built up in him [Christ], be established in the faith, and overflow with thanksgiving just as you were taught.”

Colossians, as a whole, presents a beautiful picture of Christ as the fullness of God, as the agent of creation and redemption, and as the one who empowers the church to faithful living. In the face of rival, more worldly teaching, Paul presents a Christ fully capable of changing and transforming hearts and lives into a new, holy, and blameless way of living.

Colossians begins with thanksgiving and a prayer. Paul offers thanks for their faith in Christ and for their love of all of God’s people – both outcomes of Epaphras’ teaching. The message of hope has been growing and producing fruit in all of their good works. Paul prays that they will be strengthened and will grow in their knowledge of God’s will. He prays that they will endure hardships with patience so that they “can take part in the inheritance” – eternal life.

A hymn about Christ’s work comes next, in verses 15-20. This hymn celebrates Christ as the creator of all things and as the glue that holds all things together. Christ is the one who reconciles all to God – including those in the Colosse church. Paul encourages them to stay rooted in their faith. He warns against this “philosophy and foolish deception,” these human rules. Paul encourages them to live in and with Christ: “Be rooted and built up in him [Christ], be established in the faith, and overflow with thanksgiving just as you were taught.” Being baptized into Christ’s death, Paul says, now live alive in Christ. Stay connected to Christ, Paul implores. May it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us in our walk of faith. Open our hearts and minds to the fullness of Jesus Christ. Help us to truly be reconciled to you, living as light and love in this world. Guard us from the false teachings of the world and of the evil one. Root us deeply in Christ. Establish our faith on the rock. Empower us to faithful living through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


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God’s Plan, Our Role

Reading: Ephesians 3-4

Ephesians 4:1 – “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.”

In today’s reading Paul shares God’s plan for the church and then unpacks how followers are to be a part of that plan. In chapter 3 Paul shares that it has been God’s plan all along to include “every ethnic group” in the body of Christ. Paul declares that this “secret plan” has always been to include the “Gentiles” – a term often used by Jews to describe ALL non-Jews. This plan was accomplished through Jesus, who gives every believer “bold and confident access to God through faith” in Jesus. Paul then prays for the church, asking God to strengthen them through the Spirit and to reveal the power and enormity of God’s love. In these ways the believers “will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.”

In chapter 4 Paul unpacks what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. With chapter 3 in mind, he begins, “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I encourage you to live as a people worthy of the call you received from God.” Paul calls the church to be people of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He reminds them of what unites them: there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.” Paul also reminds them that each was gifted to be a part of “the working and building up the body of Christ.” Each has a role to play. We each have a role to play in this task.

Paul then calls the believers to a mature faith, away from living like the Gentiles (now meaning all those outside the faith) and into living as a “new creation” in Christ. Paul invites them to “clothe yourself” in the image of God. He is connecting here to their baptism, where they literally de-robed and then rerobed, symbolically taking off their old self and clothing anew in Christ. Paul closes the chapter with the call to be “kind, compassionate, and forgiving,” modeling what Christ did for them. This too is our role. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in your love that reaches out to all people. We celebrate your grace that has no limits. Fill us with your presence this day and employ each of us for the building up of the body of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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New Creations

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 4-7

2nd Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!”

In today’s reading Paul first reviews their conduct and the “results.” He and his fellow apostles received their commission just as they received God’s mercy – from Christ. They have publicly proclaimed the gospel, preaching Jesus as Lord, living as “slaves” for Jesus’ sake. Paul then acknowledges that this “treasure” is in “clay pots” – fragile themselves so that God’s power can be revealed. Hard pressed in many ways, they are being handed over to life.

Along these lines, Paul recognizes that as this “tent” is torn down, the soul has a place to go, “eternal and in heaven.” Yes, he says, we groan now under the weight of this earthly life. Yet, living by faith and not by sight, Paul and companions continue to live for the “one who died for them.” Paul then declares, “If anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!” Just as God reconciled the world to himself through Christ, Paul invites the Corinthians (and us) to be reconciled to God. He begs them and us to receive God’s grace.

In chapter 6 Paul revisits the hardships of his ministry. Through it all they have served with the Holy Spirit through God’s power, offering love and truth. He invites the Corinthians to open their hearts once again to their ministry. Paul invites them to cleanse themselves from all that contaminates. Paul also expresses the encouragement he received from Titus’ visit to Corinth. He knows that his last letter hurt them, but rejoices that it produced changed hearts and lives.

We too can experience moments of conviction that can lead to change. Whether through the Holy Spirit or another believer, truth and love can lead us to changed hearts and lives. May we receive, allowing the Spirit to make us new creations in Christ, transformed a bit more into his image.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us, these fragile clay pots, into ministry for you today. Guide us and use us to reveal your power as we proclaim your love and healing to the broken and lost. May our lives be spent for the building of your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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“Water” to “Wine”

Reading: John 1:1-2:12

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.”

Today we begin the Gospel of John, written about 30 years after Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John tells the story of Jesus, Son of God, dwelling among human beings, giving life and the Spirit to those who receive and believe in him as the Son of God, as Lord and Savior.

The Gospel begins connecting Jesus to eternity. Channeling the words and feel of Genesis, John establishes Jesus as the “Word” who was with and is God. In Jesus is light and life. John declares that Jesus is “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” Even though the light shone on all people, Jesus’ own people didn’t recognize or welcome him. Even so, “the Word became flesh” and dwelled among humanity, revealing grace and truth, making God known.

The religious leaders sent representatives to ask John, “Who are you?” He tells them he’s not the one, not Elijah, not a prophet. Pushed further, John says he is the one “crying out in the wilderness” preparing people to receive Jesus. The next day (very Genesis-like) John sees and names Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Baptizing Jesus, John sees the Spirit descending and resting upon Jesus, “the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”

The next day the first disciples are called – some by Jesus and some by one another. On the third day, Jesus is at a wedding in Cana. Here we find a great mother-son exchange. The wedding hosts have run out of wine and Mary brings it to Jesus’ attention. He replies, “My time hasn’t come yet.” Likely looking straight at Jesus, Mary tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” The water jugs are filled and it turns into wine – the best wine. Jesus’ glory is revealed. The disciples believe in him.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for taking on flesh, for stepping down out of heaven’s glory to bring it to earth. Your light continues to shine into the darkness of our world and our lives. You continue to turn the “water” of our lives into the best possible “wine.” Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.


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A Sad Saga – Then and Now

Reading: Jeremiah 1-4

Jeremiah 3:11 – “Then the LORD said to me: Unfaithful Israel is less guilty than disloyal Judah.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Jeremiah begins with context. He ministered to Judah in the years that led up to the exile. The prophet has been claimed since the womb. Even so he tried to evade the call: I’m too young. God says, no, you’ll go where I send you and you’ll say what I tell you. And, don’t be afraid. Prepare for battle, but don’t fear, I’ll be with you. Judah’s sins are laid out. They’ve abandoned God, they worship idols, they think they can save themselves.

In chapter 2 God longs for what could have been. Israel followed God in the wilderness and entered the land of plenty. But they turned away, rebelled, chose Baal over God. Israel forsook the living water and dug wells for themselves – ones that failed, ones that couldn’t hold water. And even though they became skilled at sinning and even though their clothes were stained with the blood of the poor, they still claimed innocence before God.

In response God declared that the prostitute could not return to God. That would be illegal. Jeremiah invites Judah to look at Israel. Her sins led her into exile. Israel has ignored God and received “divorce papers.” Even with this warning and Israel’s example, Judah continued to walk in sin. God declared, “Unfaithful Israel is less guilty than disloyal Judah.”

In chapter 4 God offers mercy to Israel, inviting them to return, to get rid of their idols, to choose truth, justice, and righteousness. God invites Judah to break up the rocky soil of their hard hearts, to dedicate themselves to the Lord. They too refuse. Jeremiah then foresees the coming devastation, recalling the state of earth before the creation. The earth will grieve and heaven will grow dark with sadness. But God won’t change the plan. Desolation is coming. And even then, even with this news, Judah still gets all decked out, looking for another lover, seeking to find help on their own. Sadly, this “lover” will be the one who seeks and takes their life.

Prayer: Lord God, what a sad saga we read today. What a tough road Jeremiah had to walk. What a clear choice Judah had before them. And, alas, things are the same today. We have a clear choice: life through you or death by the ways of the world. The Spirit joins your word and your son’s example. And we can still rebel, still be faithless. Lord have mercy. Lord, strengthen us for the battle. Enrich the soil of our hearts. Walk with us, O God. Amen.


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Truth and Contentment

Reading: Proverbs 30

‭Proverbs 30:5 – “All God’s words are tried and true; a shield for those who take refuge in him.”

Today’s words of wisdom come from Agur, an otherwise unknown man. He was likely not an Israelite. Massa is connected to Assyria. In the first few verses he admits that he had no knowledge of God. He was tired and exhausted. Questions about creation drew him towards God. Finding God, he can now declare, “All God’s words are tried and true; a shield for those who take refuge in him.” Agur recognizes God’s power and might. This is a first step in gaining wisdom and understanding.

Agur has two requests of God. First, may he be a man of truth. He asks God to keep fraud and lies far away. Second, he seeks contentment. He doesn’t want to be rich or poor. “Give me just the food I need.” We reflect this idea in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Truth and contentment are two core pieces of our faith.

This is then contrasted with foolish behavior. Fools curse mother and father, they are arrogant and greedy – ready to devour the poor and needy. Agur then writes of power that are never satisfied, perhaps analogies for the greed and lust of the fool. The grave and the barren womb always long to be filled. The desert and fire consumes all before them. In the next verses he recognizes things large and small that amaze him. He finds pleasure in God’s creation. Is this not an extension of truth and contentment?

Agur closes by calling out to the foolish and arrogant. He invites them to cover their mouths, ceasing their evil words and behaviors. May we too guard our words, offering good words, silencing the evil.

Prayer: Lord God, open our eyes to your presence and guidance in our lives. Bring for a contentment in you and a trust in your word. Fill our hearts and mouths with your truths. Lead us to walk in the way that leads to life eternal. Amen.