Tag: divine nature

34.v. “In the beginning, God created”

 

Genesis 1:1  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.  

 Nehemiah 9:6     “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

 Job 38:4    “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

 Psalms 33:6     By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

 Psalms 33:9   For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

 Psalms 104:24    O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

 Psalms 121:2    My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

 Psalms 148:5    Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.

 Ecclesiastes 12:1   Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

 Isaiah 40:26   Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

 Jeremiah 10:12    It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 

 Acts 17:24    The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

 Colossians 1:16-17    For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 Hebrews 11:3   By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

 Revelation 4:11   “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

 Romans 1:19-20   For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Isaiah 65:17   “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

 Revelation 21:6    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.

 Revelation 22:13   I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. (Henry)

The universe was built by the Creator to be his own property; to be the theater on which he would accomplish his purposes, and display his perfections. There is no other reason why the universe exists at all than that such was the will of God; there is nothing else that is to be explained. No one can contemplate this vast and wonderful universe without seeing that He who has made it is worthy to “receive glory, and honor, and power.” (Barnes)

We are not self-existent. We were formed from nothing at the pleasure of God alone. He spoke and all things came into existence. What He has created, He knows, He created it. Everything in heaven or earth that is either seen or unseen was created by God, by His wisdom and power for His pleasure. Even you. This same One and Only God who created heaven and earth and all that is in it created YOU. I am not sure how our free will works into all of this creation, but sure enough, we have been given it to either choose to believe, honor, glorify, worship, trust, obey, follow, and rely upon Him, or to deny, reject, turn away from, refuse, cast aside, dismiss, ignore, shut out, or give at arm’s length. It is in this “free will” where we intentionally choose our eternal destiny of heaven or hell. These too were created by God. How sad is it that multitudes of God’s creations past, present, and future intentionally choose eternal hell in torment forever and ever? Man’s worldly wisdom tries very hard to explain away creation by God and many believe these lies willingly at their eternal demise. Blessed is the person who lives all their days with the single purpose in all they think, say, and do, to bring honor and glory to their Creator, Savior, Redeemer – God.

20.s.”But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

 

Romans 11:25  Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

2 Corinthians 3:14  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Romans 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Israel is a chosen people, blessed by God, and used by God.  Great promises were given to them.  Great miracles and acts of power were shown to them.  Great mercies were given to them.  Jesus, the man, entered into this world through them.  Jesus, the Son of God, came to redeem them and save them from the curse of death. Jesus’s ministry was first to them.  Jesus did many signs and wonders among them. Jesus was rejected by them. The message of the Gospel was proclaimed through them.  After Jesus’s resurrection, they rejected Him again.  Paul is explaining that this mystery of God is all part of God’s plan and purpose.  At some point in the near future Jesus Christ will return and whatever veil has been placed over their eyes of understanding will be lifted and they will come to worship, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ.  This veil has not been placed over (gentile) our eyes of understanding.  No, the Gospel has been made clear and all of creation bears witness to us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that out of God’s grace, love, and mercy He calls out to all of mankind to believe in/on Jesus Christ.  There is no hardening or darkening or veil over us.  We clearly see and, thereby, clearly reject or accept/receive this precious gift of forgiveness, salvation, and redemption through Jesus Christ.  We have no excuse.  When we die and are immediately ushered into eternity and stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment, we will have no grounds to stand on. A person’s receipt/acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ in this life determine one’s destiny for eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.  There is no veil that blocks our understanding of the gift of God through Jesus Christ.  It is out of a pure rejection of God’s grace, mercy, and love whereby we are judged guilty.  God gave us His written Word, sent His Son to pay the price of sin, and did many witnessed and recorded signs, wonders, and miracles so that we would see and know of His love for us.  This is made clear in, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” We are without excuse when we reject this great and precious gift of grace, mercy, and love.

18.r. “And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

John 15:22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: They hated me without a cause.’

 Ezekiel 2:5    And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

 Romans 1:20    For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

 Acts 17:30    The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

 Ezekiel 33:31-33  And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.  And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.  When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

 2 Corinthians 2:14-16   But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,  to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. 

 Luke 12:46    the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.

Because Jesus did come to and speak to the world, they knew something of God that they did not know before. This made them without excuse for hating and rejecting Jesus and His Father in heaven. Jesus did among them the works which no one else did, and they still hated and rejected Him. (Guzik)

People will say and do many things in their lives, some good, some bad, and some irrelevant.  Live has a way of drawing us into things of this world and I guess rightly so.  The hard part is, while in this world, not to be blinded  by its offers of peace, joy, happiness, and purpose.  They are lies.  While we may be part of this world, we live in it, we should not allow it to distract us from humble service, honor, glory, obedience, trust, and reliance in and to Jesus Christ.   

God’s Word is a heavenly scent to those who believe and to those who do not it is either unnoticed or it is a stench to them.  Those that reject the heavenly fragrance from God’s Word reject Him.  Those that reject Him are guilty of sin.  Those that reject Jesus Christ, reject God and are guilty of sin.  Those that reject the heavenly fragrance of the Holy Spirit’s leading to salvation, reject the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God. They are guilty of sin.  “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”  “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.”  “ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

With all that is going on right now in the world our prayer should be for the heavenly fragrance of God’s Word be ever so powerful in our lives and also in the lives of those who do not know Him.  

18.p. “Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.”

Psalm 8:3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

 Psalms 144:3   O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?

 Psalms 111:2    Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

 Romans 1:20     For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

 Isaiah 40:17    All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

Let’s review a little high school science, shall we? First, a light-year. A light-year is a measurement of distance. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second, so a light-year is the distance light travels in one year. If you do the math, that comes out to about 5.9 trillion miles.

So—a light-year is a distance of about 5.9 trillion miles. Obviously, we have no earthly references for such a distance. For example, the distance around planet Earth is only 24,900 miles; the moon is 238,900 miles from the earth; the sun is 93 million miles from earth. None of those numbers come close to the distance of one light-year—about 5.9 trillion miles.

So one light-year is a distance that none of us can really identify with. But that makes the following facts even harder to comprehend.

The galaxy in which planet Earth is found—the Milky Way galaxy—is huge. It contains between 100-400 billion stars, and possibly that many planets. Its diameter is between 170,000-200,000 light-years. Now we’re getting somewhere. One light-year is 5.9 trillion miles, and the Milky Way galaxy may be 200,000 light-years in diameter.

But hold on—we’re not talking about the big numbers yet. Our Milky Way galaxy is part of what is known as the Laniakea Supercluster, a collection of 100,000 galaxies like the Milky Way which stretches out over 520 million light-years. In miles, that is 520,000,000 multiplied by 5,900,000,000,000—a number I can’t compute because I don’t have a calculator that has room for that many zeros! To travel from one side of the Laniakea Supercluster to the other would take 520 million years traveling at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second).

Finally, if you have any breath left, consider this: It is estimated that there are some 10 million superclusters like the Laniakea Supercluster in the known universe.

Is it any wonder that the psalmist, David, wrote, “When I consider Your heavens . . . what is man that You are mindful of him…?” (Psalm 8:3-4) Think about yourself, an individual person. Now think about the immensity of the universe I have just described. God is bigger than the universe He created, yet He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7)! How is it that God is immense and personal at the same time? All we know is that He is. (David Jeremiah)

God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  Why is it that we don’t surrender and lay at His feet all of those hurts, fears, anxious thoughts, and pain?  Certainly, He can do more than we ask or can imagine. He loves us!  He sent His son to redeem us! He has prepared a place for us!  Don’t let the worries and cares and troubles of this world hinder you from seeing and the awesomeness of God.  It is in these glimpses of His majesty that we find new reasons and purpose for hope and faith in Him.

 

Not ashamed

“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

Psalms 95:7  For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,  when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

Psalms 48:14     that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Psalms 67:6     The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

Psalms 115:3     Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Exodus 15:2    The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him

Jeremiah 31:33     For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 1:19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Hebrews 3:7  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,  do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,  where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’  As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”  Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” – When I think about God not being ashamed, it makes me think a bit about my daily actions and thoughts.  some days it seems as though I am only giving a few nods Gods way.  This is not what life of honor, service, obedience, and full commitment should be like.  Trusting in, relying on, clinging to is not only for times of immediate need.  It is a way of life.

Who satisfies you with good

Psalms 90:14  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalms 36:7   How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psalms 63:3     Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

Psalms 65:4     Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Psalms 103:3     who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,  who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Zechariah 9:17    For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!

Psalms 23:6     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalms 85:6    Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalms 86:4     Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Psalms 149:2     Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Philippians 4:4     Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Psalms 145:7     They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.  The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

John 3:16     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:1     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

2 Peter 1:4     by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

What are we looking for to satisfy us?  Where are we looking for this satisfaction to come from?  How do we know what true satisfaction is? The world continually throws lies to us in what will satisfy us.  These lies come in the form of how much better our life will be, how much higher others will think of us, and how much better we will think of ourselves.  Are we satisfied with the precious promises of God?  Are we satisfied with His purposes and plans for our life? Are we satisfied with His grace, mercy, and love?  Or, are we looking for more in the wrong places?  Trying to find satisfaction outside of the presence, purpose and plans of God is like chasing wind.  It is always elusive.  When was the last time you went to buy something and had such high hopes of it giving you satisfaction – in the end it was just another thing that did not fully satisfy.  It was temporary.  The only lasting satisfaction is found in and through Jesus Christ, with a desire to humbly serve, honor, follow, and obey Him.