Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, July 19, 2016
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “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” (John 1:1–4).
If there is one thing that drives success or guarantees failure in one’s life, its one’s perspective on life origins. I am talking about from where do I come, specifically. If I believe that my existence is a peculiar arrangement of explosive happenstance, my lifestyle will manifest the unfortunate reality. If I believe that a holy God with all power at His disposal knew me before I was created, and had a plan for me as He formed me in my mother’s womb, even the sky is not expansive enough to encompass my trajectory.
The plans my God has for me are so far above human comprehension that it is my privilege to encounter the mind of God. Those plans which will order my every step on His path until He comes.
We are not talking about this so you can know God’s plans for me. This is for you, too! I am delighted to walk with you through the glorious book of John who had a special grasp of the love of Jesus and was pleased to cooperate with the Spirit to share this gospel message.
Before There Was A Beginning
His opener here particularly enthralls me. He gets right to the crux of the matter. He says that from before there was even a beginning (this is what his opening phrase means), there was God, the Word was ever present with Him, and the Word was His eternal equal. Not only that, the Word who is later identified as Jesus Christ, created all things (including you) because in Him is bound life itself. Nothing seen or unseen that was created happened without Him. Let your mind grasp this. Meditate on it. All of the beauty of the world, majestic animals, breathtaking flowers and trees, stunning peoples, and powerful forces in nature were conceived and birthed from the mind of Christ. This is why it is absolutely critical to become acquainted with and motivated by Him.
We are living in the last days, and some of what I have seen on the news lately has been eerily reminiscent of the days right before the flood that destroyed the world in Noah’s days. People that clearly do not embrace guidance from a loving Creator have been taking orders from Satan to spew hatred and deception. Intelligent, well decorated, and successful people say all kinds of evil and masses cheer in agreement. I have watched the most inhumane acts occur in viral videos. I have seen families fall apart and children abused. My point is, if we would just embrace the plans of our loving Creator, we could eliminate poverty, hatred, vice, murder, and all evil in all its forms. Unfortunately, this is not what the Bible predicts.
Can You Make Some Time?
Even with the impending crises, the Bible does teach that we all can turn our hearts over to God. We all can experience God’s will in our lives and help others do the same. But this requires that we become honest with ourselves, embrace life as it is in Christ, and cooperate with His plans.
Are you willing to make yourself available to the brilliant Creator who has incredible plans for you? Will you start afresh today with me? He is exceptionally pleased when we cooperate with Him to hasten His return because not long after, He will eradicate sin once and for all. Let’s begin marching in that direction right now, shall we?
