In The Beginning

After God had finished creating the angels, he went on to his next act of magnificent wonder; the Universe. Six days was all he needed to bring this incomprehensible masterpiece into existence. What awesome power and glorious intellect where united in those six days to bring about this our beautiful habitation.beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

I would like to consider the heavens to begin this study, for I believe them to be the best calculated to inspire our minds with a proper sense of the staggering magnitude of our God. The word of God correctly states that they declare his glory. Here are a few facts which are known about the heavens and their size. I will begin with the galaxy in which our earth is located. That is the Milky Way galaxy, as it is called by scientists, home to anywhere between 50 and 100billion stars possibly even more, and over 100,000 light years across at its widest point . Assuming that some of you might not know what a “light year”is, I will explain. A light year is the distance which would be traveled in a year at the blistering speed of light. Now if you where able to go the speed of light it would only take roughly 1 second to go around the earth 7.5 times and as we all know there are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in a hour, 24 hours in a day, and 365 days in a year. It is amazing to think that in just one day you would circle the earth 648,000 times, let alone an entire year. Yet, if 1 inch where to represent one of these light years, our galaxy would be over a mile and a half wide! If our galaxy where the only one it would be mind boggling enough but it is just one of what some say to be at least 500billion other galaxies! Yet, God made it all in less than one day. Set in perfect order and symmetry trillions upon trillions of burning orbs, without the least problem or flaw, and knows them each by name. Yet, the end of time will see him roll them all up as if they where no more than a scroll. Feeling small yet? As the song says ,we are awfully small and not as strong as we think we are. Yet, the heavens are not the only thing that he created in that six day period. Let us continue to wonder at the wisdom and power of our creator, through the contemplation of the intricacy and beauty of our planet earth.

Our planet earth is rather small in caparison to the vast domains of outer space yet, it is no less awe inspiring. Think of its verdant pastures, bubbling streams, mighty rivers, and the oceans mightier still. Think on the trees and flowers. The mountains , rain forests , and deserts all beautiful in their own way. Think of the clouds and storms. The rain and snow. The invisible wind whose might can not be resisted when it is in its full strength yet, is at times so gentile it can lull a child to peaceful rest . There are animals also, of every sort and kind, each with its own peculiar ability and usefulness. Then there’s us humans of whom the Bible says “we are fearfully and wonderfully made”. More so than the animals for that higher spiritual nature which was given us at our creation . Everything we need for life is here graciously provided. All of this made for are benefit by our great and merciful God. Whether we go to the highest mountain or the deepest ocean; the driest desert or the most verdant jungle; we are certain to find the wisdom of our creator written on everything we see and hear.

What glorious thoughts are these. How fitted to fill our hearts with praise and admiration to the only one who is fully worthy of both. Our God is an awesome God. So far above anything our minds can imagine or conceive that the Bible says that his thoughts are above our thoughts; even as the heavens are above the earth. Let it suffice us to know this and honor him for it.
Like the old song says so beautifully,
“ O Lord my God When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder . Thy power through out the universe displayed.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art!” Amen!

Thougts on a Incomprehensible Saviour

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Here the inspired prophet Isaiah writes one of the most awe inspiring messianic prophecies of the entire old testament. It is a prophecy so packed with meaning that it will take us an eternity to unravel its full meaning and import! So let us begin now, by the grace of God, to delve these unfathomable depths of the wisdom,power,mercy,and love of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. I will begin with his name,Wonderful. This name will represent the first part of this our study.

Wonderful in Power

When we first think of the power of God inevitably our minds turn to that power of his which we will call, creative power. John begins his gospel with this thought and so I would like to begin this study with the same. How better then could we begin than with those, if I may say, wonderful words of John.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The same was in the beginning with God.All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Here we see our wonderful Saviour as the creator of all things whether they be in heaven or earth.Those precious hands which where nailed to that cruel cross, created the angels and the seraph. It was he that called out into the darkness and there was light.How shall our tongue describe him where shall our praise begin. Let us begin thinking on his creative power by contemplating his great power in the creation of the angels.

In Ezekiel 1:5-25 we read some stunning as well as mysterious descriptions of the creatures which surround the throne of God. Again,in the book of Revelation we read many more glowing descriptions of these mighty beings. John in Revelation 10:1-3 describes a mighty angel thus; And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. Can you imagine such a sight as this? Yet how much greater must he be that created such a glorious being? The soldiers that guarded the tomb of Christ,when they saw the angels that rolled away the stone,fell down as dead men. The shepherds to whom the tidings of Christ birth where brought, where said to be sore afraid at the sight of these beings. How much more glorious must their creator be? How much more fearful? He spoke and they came into existence. Can we comprehend such wonderful power? Can our feeble minds grasp it's infinite magnitude and glory? It is then no wonder that these great beings sole purpose is to praise,honor, and obey this,their great and wonderful creator; for, their very beauty and greatness is a continual testimony to the fact of his great power,glory,and honor. Yet, even in this glorious throng not all where as humbled as they ought to have been.

Let us not forget that great arch angel who once led the great seraphic choirs. Who in his pride fell from thence to become the arch enemy of his creator and king. Yet,let us remember that even he with all of his demonic host bear witness to the great and everlasting power of Christ their creator.For, though they are many and strong ,yet, he by himself is still their master and they can not make one move without his permission. Though their lies deceive great men and overthrow great nations though,they blind the hearts and minds of men and take them captive at their will nevertheless, their wonderful creators plan marches on in victory; showing them to be but creatures bound to his will. Let us stop here and contemplate and wonder at the power of Christ in the creation of the angels and when we have stretched our minds to their utmost length, let us stop and say with the prophet, in a new and invigorated sense, his name shall be called Wonderful! Amen.

Morning Commute

This Monday morning while driving into work I was struck by a thought that for a moment staggered my mind. It was brought on by the sight of the interstate near our home which was packed with motorists all going for different places and for different purposes. What struck me about this rather, normal sight was the fact that all of these people including myself were in God's hand each of our prospective days had already been planed in every point, we would not take one step that God did not already know about. Think about it, not one of us knew what our day might hold. Some of us would have good days and some bad. Our life might suddenly be thrown into tragedy and sorrow. This might be the last of our days. None of us really knew. But God knew. We and everyone else on earth were and are in his hands, our lives ,not our own. Each of us is part of God's great plan which will culminate in Christ's second coming. Yet, do we, even those of us who are Christians, realize the vast implications of this rather well known doctrine? I don't think we do, because if we did getting rich would not be a priority it would not even be a goal. We would not be pushing our children to be good athletes while forgetting about their souls. Some would say but I want to be wealthy so that I can give more.To them I say, Remember the widow's mites. Our lives are far to short and far to important to waist them in any thing less than pursuit of the kingdom of God and his righteousness in what ever sphere God has placed us.

Christ Conquers Alone

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me,” was Christ’s agonizing call when on the cross. Who, alive today can say that they have been completely forsaken of God? The answer to that question is, no one. For, we still derive breath from him, indeed, our very life is upheld by him. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, was completely forsaken of God yet he bore it, and breathed another breath, thus proving that he himself was God and that he had life in himself . So there he was suffering what no mortal man could suffer. Experiencing the complete absence of his father and yet continuing to live. Oh, what wondrous love is this? That Christ Jesus chose to continue living, so that he could suffer the full brunt of God’s wrath, because of his undying love for us!

And when I think that God, his son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross my burden GLADLY bearing he bled and died to take away my sin.