All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
It is important to examine what we believe about the Bible because if we don’t believe it is true and authoritative, we won’t put much stake in what it says. Do you believe it is the word of God? Do you believe it is true and trustworthy? Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, gives final instructions to a young man he has been mentoring as his own life is coming to an end. He shares a very important truth about the Bible…it is breathed out by God. Yes, it was penned by actual men, but it was fully inspired by God. It is the one source we have of complete truth by God. When in doubt, always refer to the Bible as the source for knowledge and truth about God and how to live your life. Though the Bible is full of adventures, heroes, villains, triumphs, and failures, it is not a mythical fiction novel. It is a true story with real people and a real hero who saves the day – Jesus. Paul continues with how the Bible – these inspired words from God – can be used: for teaching, for reproof (pointing out errors in our thinking or living), correction (showing us the right way to live), and training us in righteousness (moral living). The purpose, Paul continues, is so that we may be complete. In other words, so we can be who God created us to be and be fully equipped to do every good work He has in store for us. It is exciting to think that the God who created everything has good works planned for us to do. Our life has incredible purpose. By understanding God’s word and truth, we get to be an active part of God’s perfect plans. Questions: Do you believe the Bible is the word of God? How does this truth impact your view of the Bible? Do you truly believe your life has a good purpose and God has good plans and works already in store for you?
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For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16
Not only did God create humans in His image and likeness, He uniquely created YOU. The way you look, your personality, your quirks, your talents…all of you. The God who created the universe fashioned you on purpose, for purpose. Another truth about God is that He is omnipotent (ALL-POWERFUL). He has no limitations. There is nothing in existence that God doesn’t have power over. God is also omnipresent (ALL-PRESENT). He is everywhere all the time…past, present, and future. And God is omniscient (ALL-KNOWING). There isn't a single thing that can be known, past, present, or future, that God isn't aware of. You have free will to make decisions – good or bad. You choose. God doesn’t force you to do anything. God also already knows what you will do. The choices you will make and the choices others will make that impact you. He sees it all. He is never surprised by anything. God knew you long before you were born. Nothing is hidden from Him. All of your days are known to Him. Knowing everything, He says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Fearfully… as in with awe, the root of awesome. YOU are created exactly how a perfect God created you for the life and plans set before you...and God doesn’t make mistakes. Questions: Does it freak you out a little or give you comfort that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present? Do you believe you are fearfully and wonderfully made just the way you are? When you are tempted to feel down on yourself, whisper to yourself, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and God doesn’t make mistakes.” When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:5-7 Unlike the other pieces of creation that God spoke into existence, we were formed by the mighty hands of God; awakened by the holy breath of God. God created Adam, the first human, from dust and breathed life into him. Life is formed from mere dust and the hands and breath of God. God makes beautiful things from ashes. The Hebrew word for breath is ruach (roo-ah), which even sounds like an exhaled breath. It is also used for the word Spirit. The Spirit of God brings us life. Imagine being Adam and feeling air being breathed into your body, starting in your nostrils, and working its way down to every part of your being. Adam comes to life for the first time and stands face to face with God. This is the first human with the breath of God flowing through him. Everything is perfect and complete and holy. This is our beginning! Question: The human body is incredible when you think about it. No two fingerprints are alike. All of our parts and organs and air and blood work together to keep us alive. What is the most incredible thing to you about the human body that God created?
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26a,27
When you look in the mirror, do you see the image and likeness of God? You should! This is how God created you. When you look around at those you interact with each day, do you see the image and likeness of God? You should! This is also how God created them. Did you catch how the words of God begin this declaration? “Let us…” Who is the “us”? Another truth about God is He is one God in three persons…God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three were there in One from the beginning. God is community. We were created for community to support and rely on one another. We weren’t created to do this life alone. It is hard and we need each other. Sometimes we will be the one encouraging and sometimes we will be the one being encouraged. Man was the last thing that was created on the sixth day. When all other created things and beings were made, God declared it, “good.” When man was created and added to the world, God declared it, “very good.” (Genesis 1:31) You are created in the image of God…and it is very good. Challenge: The next time you have a disagreement with someone or they rub you the wrong way, take a minute to remind yourself that they are created in the image and likeness of God. Do you think this could help change your mindset about them? The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun… Psalm 19:1-4
First, God creates light. He separates the light from darkness, calling one day and one night. Though God has been around forever, this was the first day as we know it. The verses that follow tell us He next created the atmosphere and divided it from the oceans (which He also created), He created land and divided it from the water, He created vegetation. The sun, moon, stars were created to fill the sky. He created creatures to fill the sky and water. Finally, He created creatures to fill the land, at which time man was created. Incredibly God’s creation itself points to the glory of God and the beauty of His handiwork. It is a universal language with no speech or words or voice needed. It is declared throughout the world, whether in a crowded city or a remote village. Though we speak different languages and have different cultures throughout the world, when we lay on the grass outside on a clear night -- no matter where we are -- we all look at the same moon and the same stars. We are all kept warm by the same sun. We are all formed by the same Creator. Creation declares how big our God is, His masterful engineering, His exquisite artistry, and His unmatched goodness. Not with spoken language, but with colors, connection, order, and beauty. We get a glimpse of God when we take in His masterful creation. Question: What about creation speaks the most clearly to you with regard to God’s glory and attributes? In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning, God created… The first two things we learn about God is that He has always been here and He is a Creator. Before anything, God was here. Before atoms, dust, land, sky, water, stars, animals, humans... before it all, God was here. The way the things of the world are connected and work together is orderly and extensive. Creation is rich with intricate details, textures, colors, and smells. God is a creative Creator. How would you decide what color something should be when there were no colors? Or what shape something would be when there was no form? Or what its purpose would be? How did God create everything from nothing? God said, “Let there be…” (Genesis 1:3). God SPOKE things into existence. He imagined it, and with His WORD it was formed. Nothing is by accident. What God says happens! His Word is powerful! This is a truth we can count on always. If God can create beauty, form, and purpose out of nothing, He can create beauty and purpose out of even our messes and mistakes. He is the Master Creator. Nothing is too big or too impossible for the Creator of all things who has always been and will always be. Questions: Have you ever given thought to how everything was created or how something can be created out of nothing? What are some of the most creative aspects of God you see in the world around you? What do you think about the power of God’s Word? |
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