In the beginning God [elohim] created
the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)
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| From https://babethebeka.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/genesis1_11.jpg |
Last
week, we began to ponder the names of God and how learning His names would
deepen our experience of Him and cause us to have a deepening love for God. The
introduction to this series within the Believing
God series can be found here: Knowing God Through His Names: Introduction
Elohim (hear elohim in Hebrew) is the first
name for God in the Bible—it is found in the very first verse of Genesis
chapter 1 (see above). Even here we discover the triune God (God the Father,
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit)—elohim
is a Hebrew masculine plural pronoun, el
is the singular form. To see Genesis 1:1 in interlinear form (English with
Hebrew below, please click here). Jesus, while on the cross used yet another
form of this word: Eloi (read Mark 15:34).
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| Photo Credit: P. Whitlach |
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. (John 1:1-3 KJV)
In John 1 we learn that Jesus was the
One who spoke all things into
existence—things seen as well as things unseen. Jesus has always existed and
will always exist. How amazing is this?!
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| Photo Credit: C. Meissner |
For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they
be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by him, and for him. (Colossians 1:16 KJV)
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| Photo Credit: P. Whitlach |
To do this, to create, truly shows God’s
power, might, and authority. His is amazingly creative! Why do we not have more
moments where we sit in awe of God’s miraculous creation?
The Name that is above all others is
ultimately the safest place to land—He is our provider, protector, creator, and
so much more!
Can you imagine, the One who created the
world and everything in it, came to earth in the most humble of ways; lived an
incredibly humble existence, walking the world He created? Mindboggling!
Amazing! Jesus came. He came to this world—the very people He created did not
accept Him. Instead, they reviled and rejected Him. Ultimately, He lost His
life to give us meaningful eternal life by rising again and returning to the
Father.
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| Photo Credit: P. Whitlach |
If we have eyes to see; we can see God’s
creative power in our lives today. He sustains our life; He sends blessings of
many types as we journey through our lives. God continues to create even today.
Just think the power that is God and
within God is still available today! How do we know this? We know this because
God never changes (read Hebrews 13:8). This being
true, should be immensely comforting as we live in a world that grows
increasingly dark each day.
Stand strong! Stay true! The smallest
light shines brightly even in deep darkness. Remember how much light a single
candle gives a dark room.
The beauty in our world should cause us
to pause and thank and praise God for the beauty in the natural world. If we
have eyes to see, there is beauty to be found in haze that covers trees resplendent
in green foliage. Likewise, we can see beauty on a bitterly cold, snowy winter
day.
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| Photo Credit: C. Meissner |
I am so glad I serve such an amazing,
creative, powerful God! What about you?
Spend some time this week pondering Elohim—Creator God. What does it mean
that God is Creator?
What part of creation do you most enjoy?
Please join with me in prayer:
God of Creation, when we pause to
consider this world You fashioned, we find ourselves overwhelmed with Your
almighty power. We simply stand in awe of You. It is hard for our finite minds
to grasp how you created this world and everything in it out of nothing;
clearly that is what makes You God of all creation. Help us to simply enjoy the
beauty You have given us for our enjoyment; may we care for it in a way that
pleases You. Turn our hearts and minds to ponder and worship You as Creator.
Thank You Elohim for all that You are
and for all that You do! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
While I was pondering this post, the
following hymn started flowing through my mind: All Things Bright and Beautiful
From My Heart to Yours,
Kim
The following resources were utilized in
preparing this post:
Praying
the Names of God: A Daily Guide by Ann Spangler, Zondervan, 2004
Hi Kim! I just love your photos here in the post. Such a wonderful reflection of how God spoke them into existence!
ReplyDeleteI hope I will always see the blessings God is sending to me, and to the world. It is sad to think that I could be so blinded to His presence in creation...and even reject Him. Much better to think about how just even the smallest light will shine for me, and for others if I will just accept it and share it.
Thank you for the inspiration and support to keep moving, and to stay strong. How I need that today, and how we all need to be reminded of how important we are to God. Thank you my friend!
Happy Weekend,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! I'm glad you like the photos! I'm thankful for friends who have the ability to capture God's creation and then allow me to use those photos on my blog.
DeleteIt's not always easy to see God's blessings through His creation, especially in the winter (at least for those who don't like snow!). It saddens me to know people see creation all around them, yet reject the One who did the creating.
I'm blessed to know that I could be of inspiration and support for you as we journey through this life.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! Blessings!
Kim