God Was, God Is, And God Forever Will Be

Today’s Scripture…

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the first day.        Genesis 1:1-5 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…

Today’s passage has some great thoughts to meditate on today…

In the beginning, God….  Before the earth ever had its first day, God was there.  God had big, beautiful plans for the heavens and earth before they even existed.  The truth is, any big, beautiful God-sized plan begins with God, even yours (Jer. 29:11).  Have you taken time this year to say to God in a “heart to heart” way that you understand that He is God, and you aren’t?  Have you taken time to let God know that you want to embrace and pursue his God-sized plans for your life?

The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters…  When God first started his creative work, it was formless and empty… but God was at work and He hovered close to His work.  It may seem that for God to do God-sized things in us, big changes will need to take place.  We may feel that we are so far from anything that God could use in a big and beautiful way, and the truth is we probably are.  But just as God hovered close to his creative work in the beginning, He hovers close to us (Is. 40:11).  Have you thanked God that He hovers close to you?  Have you celebrated the truth that His mercy endures forever?

And He separated the light from the darkness…  In the beginning, God made a separation between what was light and what was dark.  It was an essential “first step” that would set the stage for the big, beautiful things to come.  If we really want God to do some big, beautiful God-sized things in and through us in 2009, don’t be surprised if God starts calling on you to separate from the sin that He knows is in your life.  We all have dark places, where sin has crept in and we have allowed it to reside.  God points it out not because He hates us, but because He loves us.  He loves us so much He sent Jesus to earth to die on a cross to take it away.  Don’t resist his call to expel the dark places.  Have you spent any time in confession this year, agreeing with God about the things in you that are sin and asking Him to remove them through Jesus?

Do you really believe God can do some big, beautiful God-sized things through you in 2010?  The truth is, He made a world out of nothing and He can make anything He chooses out of us, if we will make it our passion to know Him and love Him.

Kingdom Focused! 

Flora M. Kynard, author of

Prosperity Renewal: 14 biblical Principles for Truee Financial Freedom

info@prosperityrenewal.org

www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with Him.

12 Things We Should Be Thankful For

This year has been a season of trials for many but our situations are never our destination just a time of preparation. In this season of thanks and giving  take time starting TODAY and write down a list of things that you are thankful for. Here is a list of 12 Things We Should Be Thankful For from my pastor’s (Pastor Chad Selph of First Baptist Allen) November 12th sermon notes:

“TWELVE THINGS WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from th Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).

1. T – I am thankful for teachers (Ephesians 4:11).
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…” (Ephesians 4:11, NIV).

2. H – I am thankful for home (Ephesians 5:21-6:4).

3. A – I am thankful for animals (Genesis 1:24-25)

4. N – I am thankful for neighbors (Galatians 5:14).

5. K – I am thankful for kids (Matthew 18:1-6).

6. S – I am thankful for Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
“are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15, NIV).

7. G – I am thankful for grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

8. I – I am thankful for intercession (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness” (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV).

9. V – I am thankful for volunteers (Isaiah 6:1-8).
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV).

10. I – I am thankful for the incarnation (John 1:4).

11. N – I am thankful for our nation (Romans 13:1).

12. G – I am thankful for God being God (James 1:17).

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5, NIV).

ARE YOU LED OR ARE YOU DRIVEN?

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 (AMP)
We call it life in the fast lane.

We have never had so many comforts and conveniences designed to lift the burden, ease the pressure, and lighten the load. Yet we have never had so much stress and anxiety! That’s because we have never learned that God has a personal plan for our lives. He usually gives it to us day-to-day, hour-by-hour, and sometimes moment-by-moment.

He did not ask you to design the plan, He only asks you to seek Him and discover it. Peace does not come from winning the World Series or becoming president of the company. Usually what it costs to get there and stay there is our health, our families, and our sanity.

Child of God, real peace comes from knowing that everything in your life is in God’s hands and is fitting into His plan because He loves you and has committed Himself to this eternal principle: Everything will work out for your good and His glory.

Blessings,

Flora