DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-01-02
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Genesis 1:1
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

OBSERVATION: I believe that some of the most powerful words in the Bible are included in our Scripture today! Before there was anything in the universe, there was God! In yesterday’s blog we looked at some of the concluding verses of the Bible and we saw where God was calling us home to Glory – so we know He is waiting for us when this universe becomes non-existent, at the end of time. The sun arose this morning, not of its own accord, or by happen-chance, but because God placed it in the sky and orchestrated its rising and its setting for each day His children need it. He always was, He always is and He always will be! That’s my God! Do you know Him?

APPLICATION: I believe that one thing 2020 taught us, is that we live in an uncertain world, where mankind could only hope to try and find solutions to protect us against what has already occurred, and in hopes that they could build our immunities against a recurrence of that. World governments could prepare financial budgets based on past experience and on things that they plan to do that will involve certain finances, but no one in the whole world had a financial plan for COVID, nor did they have a budget in place to help scientists prepare for a medical solution that would prevent thousands of deaths. I was so overwhelmed in awe as I started my time through the Bible again! For I was reminded in the very first chapter of the Book, that God not only created the universe, but He went on to create everything that mankind would need to survive. I was enthused by the way the CEV version explained how God commanded each thing into being – major things that we often take for granted, such as light (and darkness); water; the sky; land; living creatures, and so on. As He reflected on all that He made, He was proud of it and happy with the results. Perhaps a great reminder for His created beings (you and I) to recognize these things and praise God for them, for they cannot be replaced by the ingenuity of man, should the need ever arise! I was also reminded that if God was so pleased with what He made, why on earth do we allow Satan to misguide us into complaining about: no sunshine today; no rain for the past month; if only I was as handsome/beautiful and slim as that popular movie star; lack of money (notice that money wasn’t even mentioned!!), etc. God made us as we are for His good purpose, why mess that up? God gave us all we need, why complain? God loves us unconditionally, why fret, doubt and become disheartened? God created us, everything around us, and also everything we will need after life here on this earth. We are truly blessed and can safely enter this new year knowing that God is in control of it all. If He leaves us here for a while longer – to God be the glory! If He’s ready for us in Heaven – to God be the glory! There is no other like our God! Glory to God in the highest!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that You will touch the lives of Your children, that You created, and that You provided everything for. Please convince each one that You are true to Your Word and that we can rest assured that, come what may in 2021, it will not occur without Your knowledge and without You power to overcome it, or take us out of it. Your inspired Word is filled with words that describe the glories of heaven, where there will be no more sorrow, no pain, no diseases, and other things that seem to worry us. Please help us in this temporary position here below until we arrive forever glorified at Your feet. Thank You Father for Your love and Your patience with us as we endure the challenges of earth. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!