April 13, 2021 – Reflection on “In The Beginning!”

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

Reading through the first chapter of Genesis and seeing the measured way God created the heavens and earth tells me a great truth. He prepared a place for us to live before He created the first man and woman. We can depend on this truth in the New Testament: In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also. John 14:2-3.

This new beginning was spoken into being. I like that light is first on His list. There are so many reasons why. It is to help us open our eyes and understand more than can be seen, and also God’s underlying WHY. Everything He created comes because He loves us.

Each Spring, my favorite season, brings the assurance of how God values growth, not only as the sprouts shoot from the earth He prepared. We can watch a baby grow in stature and understanding. We can watch a bloom come to blossom, then wilt and die. This is the picture of the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we celebrate.

As we watch God’s Creation on earth continue, we wonder how it does not falter or fail. God’s creation will continue its cycle until God puts an end to it. Man does not have this power. The sun will rise, there will be harvests, the stars and the moon will shine in the night. The tides of the ocean will follow its pattern, lapping at the seashore and the uncountable grains of sand.

What is the Why? God is Love! Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:7-8.

What is this thing called love? How does it begin? First, there is the hearing the Word of God and believing. Then trusting God and taking Him at His Word, and growing Faith in Him. Then comes not only loving God, but loving others by forgiving them and not being offended. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3.

Perhaps you desire to have peace in your heart and your attitude.  Here is a verse that will bring God’s Peace. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Job 23:7a.  KJV. What we think, colors our attitudes and is not hidden. Look for the blessings in life, and dwell on these things, and this becomes a strength and joy to others. A sure assurance of Hope in God and His Son becomes our way.

How can we begin again? Is God’s mercy enough to forgive me? Yes, indeed. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.

We can begin new each day by walking and talking with the Lord. Not just asking for something, but telling Him our desires and our concerns, plus praising and adoring our Lord. There is an old hymn we used to sing about Showers of Blessings.  The last verse: There shall be showers of blessings, If we but trust and obey: There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His Way.

Filling our hearts and minds with our Lord and begin to see His glorious creation as a reminder of His Great Love for all races on earth. May we learn to love like God does. And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it. “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you.” Isaiah 42:5-6.

And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be His God and He will be my son.” Revelation 21:5-7.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.