#3. Jan. 19, 2015 2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All Passages are from the NIV.
Genesis 1:1-3 “1. In the beginning(A) God created(B) the heavens(C) and the earth.(D) 2 Now the earth was formless(E) and empty,(F) darkness was over the surface of the deep,(G) and the Spirit of God(H) was hovering(I) over the waters.3 And God said,(J) “Let there be light,” and there was light.(K)”
“In the beginning God”, creation begins with God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jn1:2-3, Ps. 104:30)! When the creation account is discredited as it is today God is minimized and mostly rejected. For those who believe the Bible, creation makes sense. We may disagree as to the length of the 7 days in the story, and we struggle with the physical realities of the world: dinosaur bones and carbon dating but let us all agree that, “In the beginning God created”! We know that all is created out of nothing (Col. 1: 16) As secular scientists learn more about the marvels of creation evolution is inadequate to explain the intricate design of our universe so the term “intelligent design” is now being used. It does not explain what we know about God and His creation. God does not need His creation or us, He is complete in Himself: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, complete in love and complete in fellowship, nothing is needed. Even so God chose to create to glorify Himself. Creation is good, very good! Free will is included, man must chose to love God in the beginning and so today. There is more here than we as humans are able to get our minds around because man did choose to rebel against God. Yet God continues to love and provide a way back to Him, (Gen 3:15, Jn.3: 16) but more importantly, Eph. 1: 3- 14 “For he chose us in Him (Jesus) before the creation of the world”. Wow! God has a plan for us (Jer. 29:11).
On the first day God creates light. What kind of light is this? Verse 4 says God separates the light from the darkness. Is this physical light? Probably, but there is more since the sun, moon, and stars were created on the fourth day. Perhaps light for the eyes, but here we are talking about God’s light (Rev. 22:5). Darkness is the absence of light; evil is the absence of God’s light. What we are talking about besides light for the eyes is justice, compassion, grace, salvation, and the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The light of life! (Jn. 8:12)
1. The creation story is encouragement for us; from the beginning of creation God had us in mind.
2.From the beginning of creation God’s salvation was prepared for us. (Eph. 1)
3. God continues to create. (II Cor. 4:6; 5:17-18) 4. God’s creative power today is directed to salvation and reconciliation and He calls us to share it with Him. (II Cor. 5: 17-21)
Heavenhigh 