Category: A Life Worthy

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3).

He spoke, and it was.

I like that.

God didn’t go tinker around in his celestial workshop and figure out light.

God didn’t get out his Big Book of Useful Elements and look up the formula for light.

God didn’t google light.

He said, “Hey, Light…Be”

Or something like that.

Here’s something to chew on, just to keep your Thursday interesting.  Jesus is the Word of God, ya?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Jesus also calls himself the light of the world in John 8:12.

So…one aspect of Christ called forth another aspect of Christ into the universe

and into our lives

and eventually into our hearts.

I think my brain just exploded.  But in a good way.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

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 (Genesis 1:2).

As he formed this world, Beloved,

So he formed you.

When you were formless

and empty,

and shrouded in darkness,

the Spirit of God was there.

He hovered over you, and he spoke into the darkness.

What did he say, Beloved?

Oh, you know what he said.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

The heavens

The earth

That pretty much covers everything.

So, whaddya think, Beloved?  Can God handle your job situation, your broken heart, your insecurities?

That’s like asking if a master electrician is capable of plugging in a lamp.

Or if a neurosurgeon is qualified to deal with your ingrown toenail.

Or if a Navy Seal is up for traversing the kiddie pool.

Or… if God can handle your difficulties.

The answer is Yes, Beloved.

Yes and yes again.

Happy Tuesday.

In the beginning, God… (Genesis 1:1).

The best opening line.

Ever.

I mean, I’ve always been partial to, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,” but this one has it beat.

At the very start of all things, God was already here. He has no beginning—he is the beginning.

You know, I forget that on occasion.  I forget that it all starts with God.  Sometimes I get my little plan going, organize the chess pieces, then invite God along for the ride.

He doesn’t work that way.

Which, you know, is a very good thing.

From the beginning of time, Beloved.

In the beginning of your week.

God.

…neither the present nor the future… (Romans 8:38c).

Neither the present…

when I’m distracted and frazzled and busy and sad and lonely and frightened and desperate and insecure and so completely overwhelmed that I barely have time to read this silly little devotional

nor the future…

when I have no idea what will happen

…though God does

or what mistakes I will make

…though God does

or what sins I will commit

…though God does

or who will hurt me

…though God does

and I can only cling to his Word and trust and pray and hope that he really is all he promises to be.

Yes, that’s about it.

How about this: I’ll cling and trust and pray and hope for you today, and you do the same for me. Whaddaya say?

Thanks, Beloved.

…neither angels nor demons… (Romans 8:38b)

I would love to see into the spiritual world.  When I read of Daniel’s visions, or those of John the Apostle, I get hungry, wondering what it will really be like to see into that world.  I know that it’s there, and filled with unimaginable power, but I can only perceive the tiniest fraction of it.

And yet, interesting as it may be, ultimately the world of angels and demons has little effect on our eternity.  My life—your life—is hidden with Christ in God.  It’s done.

I don’t really know why or how an angel might want to separate me from God.  That’s beyond the scope of this brain to comprehend.  I can understand why a demon might—and what tactics may be involved.  I’m sure that I have even experienced the attempt, though I may not have realized it at the time.

Doesn’t matter.

You may stand at the center of a spiritual melee, but you are secure.

You may swim in a whirlpool of spiritual attack, but you will not be pulled down.

God’s got you, and nothing can take you from him.

It’s Wednesday—go get ‘em, Beloved.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life… (Romans 8:38a)

If I get squished by a narcoleptic cement truck driver on my way to work, I will still belong to God.  In fact, I will immediately be ushered into his presence, to spend eternity in his glory.  I get that.

You know…sorta.

But the “life” part, that’s something to chew on.  Life can’t separate me from God, either.  Because frankly, that’s the far more likely scenario of the two.  There are so many things out there that are designed to separate us from God’s love.  Everywhere you turn, there is darkness reaching for you.  If it were up to you, your strength, you would be swept away.

But, of course, it’s not.

God is strong enough to hold you, even when sin and fear and insecurity and doubt and laziness and despair try to tear you out of his grasp.

I wouldn’t suggest that you go out of your way to test that promise, Beloved, but you can trust it.

You can trust him.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Some days I feel like a conqueror; some days I feel like the conquered.  The “things” that Paul mentions—persecution, famine, peril, sword, and all the rest—are ever so much tougher than anything I’m likely to face today, even though it is Monday.

Three words to notice this morning: are, through, loved.

Are Do you notice that God doesn’t say that we feel like conquerors?  He says we are.  The Lord of the Universe knows our emotions—he created them.  He knows the power they have to motivate us to goodness; he also knows the power they have to confuse, to distract, to deceive us.  We say, “I feel.”  God says, “You are.”

Through When God first sent the Israelites into the Promised Land, they balked.  The enemies they saw were too many, too big, and too fierce, and they refused to go fight them.  So God rebuked his people, telling them they would stay in the desert for the rest of their lives, and their children would take the land.  At this, the Israelites had a change of heart and went up to battle—against God’s instructions.  They got whipped.  Of ourselves, we are alone, small, and afraid.   Through Christ, living in His power, we are unstoppable.

Loved We always seem to end up here, don’t we?  He loved us enough to give his Son.  That redeeming love has brought us into his family, made us his in ways that we can never fully grasp.  He has conquered sin and death—past tense, even though it may not always feel that way—through and because of his great love for us.  For you.  If you are his, you conquer with him.

You are a conqueror.

Wrap yourself in his love and charge into your Monday, Beloved.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?  (Romans 8:35)

In answer to the above question:

No one.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Romans 8:34b).

He died in darkness.

He rose as the Light.

He died as a sacrifice.

He rose as the victor.

He died in sin.

He rose in glory.

He died because he is man.

He rose because he is God.

And he stands as your intercessor.

No worries, Beloved.