Let There Be...

 

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.  Genesis 1:1-2
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.  Hebrews 11:3

I can’t remember when I first heard it, but the old sermon illustration about the creation and God’s powerful hand has stuck in my mind for decades.  It is about an old-time country preacher attempting to tell his flock about what God did to bring about everything we can see.  Having stood with Bible opened to the first chapter of Genesis he read the first two verses of Scripture, and completed his sermon in three short sentences:

In da’ beginnin’ they weren’t nuthin’.

An’ God, He reached out his’n hand, an’ cotched him a bit o’ da’ nuthin.

An’ wit da’ bit o’ nuthin’ God made somethin’…ever’thin’!

I fail to see how you can improve on that kind of preaching.

There are certain Scripture verses that stand out in my mind as formative for sound Christian doctrine of how, and why God created the universe.  These not only answer the darkness of our beginnings, but the purpose for why we exist.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.  Everything was created through him and for him.  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:15-17

In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God….So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.  John 1:1, 14

The debate on how the universe started, and how it came to be the kind of place it is, extends back generations…all of them.  The debate began in the Garden of Eden when the serpent cast doubt in Eve’s mind about whether God really said to leave the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil alone.  That question got to Eve.  She tried to defend God and said that the Lord had said to not even touch it.  This was going beyond what God had told them; God told them that in the day they ate of that tree’s fruit they would die.  With one simple question Satan muddied the waters of God’s clear teaching for humans on living a life of faith in God’s way.  And we have been stirring that mudhole ever since![1]

For Adam and Eve, and for every descendant of theirs, the whole issue has been one of faith.  We humans have a hard time taking things on faith, believing what we have not seen.  Yet, with a God whom no living person has ever seen, this is the chief requirement – that we take God’s word for our marching orders.  And, despite how small and insignificant each of us might appear, compared to, let’s say, the universe, taking God’s existence, sovereignty, and plans for us on faith is, to put it softly, putting every egg we have in this faith basket. 

And therefore we call it a leap of faith.  Believing in God is a choice which He has given us as one of those eggs in our basket.  You either believe-in, trust-in, and rely-on God…or you don’t.  The choice is entirely up to us.

For You Today

If you’ve never taken that “faith-leap” what you’ve been sensing as the missing piece in your life’s puzzle is the assurance that there is God, and He’s good, and He loves you.  That’s what’s on the other side of that nervous step of letting-go, and letting-God.  Today can be that one pivotal moment in your life. 

Trust in God.  Choose to place your faith in God’s only Son who died in your place.  He created you, and everything you can see, and everything beyond your sight.  Trust that he knows your every need.  You’ll find He’s waiting for you with open arms.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

[1] Title Image:  Courtesy of Pixabay.com    Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©

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[1] Read this account in Genesis 3:1-13

When Destination Enters the Journey

Monday, March 23, 2020

In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1

So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.  John 1:14

Genesis tells us that when humans sinned in the Garden of Eden it broke the fellowship between man and God.  But it also broke the intended destination of mankind.  We are created for relationship and residence in our ultimate destination, the presence of God.  We are His family.

Jesus had that.  As the Word, Jesus was with God.  Jesus was always at the Father’s side in unbroken fellowship since before time began.  But it was interrupted by the cross of Calvary.  He came to dwell among us and die for us.  Fellowship with God was our intended destination.  When sin shut down man’s journey, Jesus came to enter and walk the journey with us. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus promised that:

“I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”.  Hebrews 13.5b

Before September 2001 many Americans felt safe, like our borders were largely impenetrable.  Nowadays the word terrorist is a daily part of our vocabulary; it is an uncertain and anarchy-prone, tumultuous world in which we live. Our children walk their journey somewhat nervous and cynical about the future. 

And, who doesn’t get even a little concerned, (or full-blown manic) about the novel coronavirus, Covid-19?  I went into a store last week and intentionally stuck my left hand in my pocket, so I’d only use my right hand to touch things.  I did everything one-handed, and when I got back to my car, I used the left hand to drench/cleanse my right hand with sanitizer. 

Life is different than it used to be…and isn’t that the nature of a journey into the future?

Jesus came to walk this valley journey with us.  He is the destination for which our souls were created, and that for which we crave.  But Jesus does not make us wait to get there – Jesus, our destination, has entered the journey to run the race with us.  What a joy!

For You Today

The main issue here is one of faithfulness.  Jesus is eternal, and yet he walks this temporary journey with us.  When He says, I’ll never abandon you, He isn’t just talking about this week, or as long as you do everything right.  This is an eternal commitment from Jesus to each of us who follow Him. 

How comforting is that thought!  It’s good to know you have something you can count on during this difficult and uncertain journey we call life. 

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO 

Title Image:  Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For other posts on John 1 see Catch  or  And the Word Became Flesh

Grace, Truth, & Glory

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The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare.        In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth  John 1:14

A woman joined her Navy husband on his tour of duty in Japan.  To supplement their income, she got a job as secretary for the Commanding Officer at the base.  She was certain her office skills had gotten her the position, but a few weeks later, her boss called her into his office and told her she was much too quiet.  He said, the reason I hired you was your Texas accent.  I’m homesick for someone who can talk right. 

When God looked at the mess which this world had made of the perfect creation, he knew our homesickness was for Him.  When He saw WHAT He saw God knew we had to be fixed.  But He also knew we could not understand. 

So God drew us a picture with His Word, Jesus…something we could understand.  God knew the only talk we would understand would be a living, walking, loving picture – so Jesus came.  John says he dwelt among us.  The word means he pitched his tent here for a while.  That’s the story of Christmas – how Jesus came to stay here for a while, and be the picture of the God we didn’t know.

But what does that mean to me now?

The answer is found in the way you look at the picture.  Look at the perspectives John offers in the text…grace, truth and glory.

Some people only see Grace

The Bible says Jesus was full of grace.  By definition, grace is the unmerited favor, or undeserved forgiveness of God.  One day many years ago I was late to meet my wife for a luncheon date we’d planned that morning.  I forgot!  When I realized how late I was I raced to the restaurant.  The look on Elizabeth’s face made me realize just exactly how late I really was…Then the look softened, and I was forgiven.  (Brother THAT’S GRACE!) 

I don’t know how a person could be forgiven…and thankless!  But that is human nature.  Jesus once healed ten lepers; only one came back to say thank you.

The reality is, grace all by itself will degenerate into thanklessness.  You see it all the time.  God’s hand was on Billy Graham’s crusades for decades.  People respond to the offer of grace – to be saved.  When the crusade team leaves town, the follow-up begins by local churches.  Many of those who came for the grace won’t ever get involved in consistent worship and service in the kingdom – thanklessness.  That’s like throwing God’s grace in the back of your closet, forgotten like an ugly Christmas sweater.  What’s wrong with that picture?  Grace received – but no subsequent change of life. 

Grace alone is degenerative, inadequate.  Jesus said it was like a seed planted too shallow in the ground – it comes up weak, because there is no deep root.  In short order the weak plant of grace is scorched by the hot sun and wilts away. 

If you have received grace, the forgiveness of God in Christ, that’s good – but it’s not all there is to the Christian life….

Some people only see Truth

Truth is the righteous side of God.  Jesus said he came to bring a sword to divide mankind.  Figuratively, that means he came to show us the truth – that we are not basically good, with little splotches of mistakes to clean up in our character. 

Jesus came as a picture of what good really is – so that there is no question in our minds that we cannot attain goodness.  He came to show us we are separated from the goodness of God by our sinfulness.

To the Pharisees (who were a very good bunch) Jesus said, the whores and thieves will get in heaven before you!  Whoa!  If the most religious people can’t get in heaven, who can?  The truth is, nobody can get in heaven on the merits of his own goodness.  We get in only on the merits of Jesus’ goodness, and his forgiveness.

Now – that’s the truth….and it is a hard thing for most of us to accept.  Like the Pharisees, or the rich young ruler, we want to know what good thing must I DO in order to inherit eternal life.  Jesus said it plainly – you cannot DO anything.  All you can be is a sinner standing before me – I’ll do what’s necessary then.  That’s how grace and truth get together.

Grace without truth is only a warm fuzzy…there’s no gratitude that makes you useful in the kingdom.  But truth without grace is hard; there’s no joy.

Jesus was full of grace and truth; that was His glory…some people see it…

Some people see His glory

The glory of Jesus was the perfect tension between grace and truth. 

Ø His grace is seen in innocent children gathering round him.

Ø His grace is seen in a heartbroken Jesus, looking out over Jerusalem, sinful Jerusalem, crying, How often would I have gathered you under my wings…but you reject me!

Ø His grace is seen in laughter and weddings

Ø His grace is seen spread-eagle, nailed to crossbeams on the town garbage dump, as he strains to gather enough breath to cry upward, Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.

But his grace is not alone.  There is truth:

Ø There is a fiery blaze of truth from Jesus’ eyes – a laser devastating the religious leaders of his day:  Woe to you scribes and Pharisees…hypocrites!  You flim-flam the poor and then bow your head in prayer?  You are more the sons of Satan than God.

Ø He told Nicodemus the truth – You can’t be godly unless you’re born again.  You’re trying to understand the wind; I’m telling you just feel the wind.  Do it God’s way, Nic!  Nicodemus, be born again!  Let go of this life’s stuff and let me take you back to the drawing board.  I can make you NEW!

Jesus…total grace, total truth…that was His glory!

A Question

Have you seen God’s glory anywhere else?  Have you seen God in any other way?

Most people try to find God.  They look for Him in a variety of ways.

Ø They look for Him in nature.  But in nature you can only see the tracks of His glory.  That is His work, not His nature.

Ø They look for God in mankind.  But you won’t see Him there.  Certainly we were created in the image of God – but that image has been so corrupted by sin, you can only see the imitator – the evil one.  Look at the news reports of what man does and tell me that’s God (do it with a straight face).

Ø Some look for Him in literature or art.  That’s our hopes and dreams.

Beloved, the only place you will see the glory of God is in His Son, Jesus.  He was perfect grace, perfect truth, and he came to Bethlehem for us to behold his glory!

William Barclay put it this way:

In Jesus Christ the distant, unknowable, invisible, unreachable God has come to men; and God can never be a stranger to us again.

Such is the story of His glory.  We were lost, the world dark and empty in sin.  Dead, in a spiritual void.  All we are doing is marking time till the autopsy, when in death our bodies will slowly decay.  There is no life, no real joy.  There is only a coldness and fear about life.

But then there was a manger, and a cross, and an empty tomb.  Suddenly the source of life is no longer an idea, a force, a natural phenomena…God the PERSON broke-through….in grace and truth

        …And there is LIFE!    That’s GLORY !!!!

Have you been to the grace?  Good.

                                     Have you seen the truth?  Very Good.

                                                                                    But, have you been to the glory?

It’s important that you accept Him – in all His grace, in all His truth, so that you see His glory.  Because He is going to do it again – he is going to pitch his tent with us again:

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  Revelation 21.3

Accept His grace…Let go and live under it.

                                     Accept His truth…Live by it.

                                     Grace and truth – Do you see His glory?

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…Amen!

Go to Worship VIDEO 

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[1] Title Image:  Pixabay.com      All Scripture from The New Living Translation (unless otherwise stated) 

And the Word Became Flesh

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Friday, December 25, 2015

Devotion VIDEO here

So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.  John 1:14^(NLT) 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, Titus 2:11^(NLT)

This morning the waiting in Advent is ended. 

Just like that, with the first cries of a newborn baby, darkness has become light; life celebrates the completion of its long vigil, and the trees clap their hands for joy, while the rocks trumpet out the praise of Messiah’s arrival.  The ground, cursed from Eden’s fall has been reclaimed and death’s grip on humanity has been pushed aside like a feather blown by a hurricane. 

God has put on human flesh, and the universe can never be the same.

For the past several weeks, lines and phrases from a Gaither Song, “Little One”, have been invading just about every waking hour of my thoughts.  One line in particular echoes what John said about how the Word became flesh.  On that night in the stable Joseph takes the newborn child and sings to him:

Little one; in the morning when you waken,

the world will find that God has taken form.[2]

There is nothing quite like the tremendously overwhelming awakening that happens to a first-timer when you see the child that has come to be placed in your care.  I’m convinced nobody has ever been ready for it.

The first time I looked at our first child I was awestruck.  She was placed in my arms, and I almost fainted for fear that I’d drop her.  I didn’t, but it was a joy-filled and holy moment; one I’ve not forgotten in forty-four and a half years; one I could never forget if I lived to be a thousand.

But how much more amazing and profound to hold God in your arms!  When Jesus entered Mary and Joseph’s world it was the first time ever that heaven and earth were truly united as one.  In Jesus dwelt all the Godhead; that little baby was fully man-fully God…and he chose to be one with us. 

There is simply no greater expression of love.

On this Christmas Day I trust you will find some moments to ponder the gift that is freely offered to whosoever will… and take time to wonder over the mystery that He not only comes to us in flesh; He came to dwell within OUR flesh.

Now, that’s a Christmas present worth unwrapping!

You chew on that out on that Rocky Road today…and have a joy-filled and blessed day!

For You Today

A very blessed and wonderful Christmas Day from the Brownworth clan

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[1] Title image:  Gerard van Honthorst [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

[2] watch a video of the song here