Beginnings
Read This Week: Genesis 1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 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. So God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God, he created them; male and female. – Genesis 1:1 & 27 NIV
The book of Genesis deals with the beginning of all things. In fact, the word genesis in Hebrew actually means in the beginning. In other languages, it is translated as origin or source. Any of these translations make sense as this first book of the Bible unpacks and describes in literary, historical, and spiritual form the beginnings of the cosmos, of human beings, of cultures and people groups, as well as their interaction with, relationship to and separation from God and one another. All the while, Genesis is the telling of the eternal story of God, his sovereignty, and his plan of redemption for humanity.
As it begins, Genesis 1:1-2 is a banner heading and a summary of creation as he makes the universe and the earth. It moves from general to specific: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (general). The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep (specific). At the start of Scripture, this text progression establishes three important things about God and the whole of the cosmos.
One, God is pre-existent and transcendent. He is uncreated and matchless as a being. Two, nothing existed before Him as there was no material or chaos before His spoken word. And lastly, God is supreme over his material and creation. He is not under it or inside of it but over it. Furthermore, we see that the Lord is not only the creator, but he is the designer and sustainer of what he alone has made and given life. He has the authority, power, and capacity to be all three.
God then creates light for three specific purposes, as seen in v. 14-17. To distinguish between day & night, to mark the passage of time, and to illuminate the earth. But He does not name the two sources of light. He does not ascribe names, which shows that they are created things not worthy of the glory and worship that belong only to Him. Elohim goes on to make land, sea, and sky animals according to their own kind and blesses them to multiply and reproduce (v.24-26).
Finally, God creates his most prized formation in the universe – mankind. The one he takes the most meticulous care with by creating them in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (v.27). This detail cannot be overlooked in reading Genesis or the whole of Scripture. The basic and central principle to the creation of man and woman is that we are made in the image of God. It is the unique reference and characteristic given to people above animals and any other living thing. The imago dei (image of God) distinction of human beings and their nature sets us apart from all of God’s designs. It establishes our identity, purpose, meaning, and connection to the divine.
One cannot help but be filled with wonder, humility, and joy at the truth and knowledge that we are image bearers of God and a reflection of his person. In light of the entirety of this chapter and reading about all God created and designed, it is overwhelming to think that we are the only ones he specifically made this way. It should cause us to do nothing more than worship Him and praise His name in spirit and truth while radiating His glory to the rest of creation. As we go through Genesis together over the next year, consider and reflect on these moving words from one biblical commentator:
“Let your heart take in the grandeur of God’s wisdom and power. Let your soul rest in jaw-dropping awe of his majesty. Let yourself be humbled by how little you know and how few things you are able to do. Begin to embrace the utterly laughable irrationality of ever thinking that in any situation, location, or relationship, it would ever be possible for you to be smarter than God. Laugh at the delusion of your own grandeur. Mock the illusion of your own glory. And in humble gratitude for the grace that humbles, bow down and worship. After you have bowed down and worshiped, get up and serve this One of awesome glory. Refuse to question his will. Refuse to let yourself think that his boundaries are ill-placed. Be thankful his majesty is your protection, his glory is your motivation, his grace is your help, and his wisdom is your direction.”
This week in Genesis, chapter 1 I got a song today
Today is a new day with our Lord. Today is a new day with our Lord we are blessed blessed we all were made in the image and likeness of our Lord let’s be fruitful, mindful of others, Sharing God’s , love joy, comfort it’s a beautiful world from the skies to the waters, the sun to the moon the mountains to the streams. It’s a beautiful, wonderfully made world from the fish in the water to the birds of the air. We are thankful thankful for the creator of the world our god our God thanking you our father God.
Amen
We all could be thankful for the love of our God and then he gives us hope every day and also knowing that he’s always with us and we’re always better with our Lord in our lives. Thank you, God.
This is what I got from God in Genesis 1. In this chapter I commanded light to shine out of darkness. By faith you understand I created the world. In the new heaven and the new earth, I Myself will be the light. I also divided the waters. The waters of the land are separated from the water vapor in the sky. I made the sun and the moon to be for signs. and seasons. I created birds and sea creatures and then other animals. All animal life that I created was created “according to it’s kind.” I made all of you in My image. It means humans possess personality, knowledge, feelings and a will. This sets you apart from all plants, and animals. You are able to make moral judgements and you have a conscience. You possess spirituality, and are made for communion with Me. You can communicate with Me. Before I ever created man I decreed that man would “have dominion over the earth.” The first thing I did for man and woman, was to bless them. Man can not fulfill My plan for him, unless he populates it. My work of creation was very good. There was no death or decay on earth at all. There was evening and morning. My good world is a place where heaven and earth overlap. Its a place where I and humans are meant to rule alongside each other, bringing life and flourishing to all of creation. Work for Me everyday, and rest in Me every night. I must have all the glory of all the benefits, you receive from these things I created. When man and woman were made, it was to glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
What this said to me was I need to make right moral judgements that God has given me the ability to do. I am able to communicate with Him directly. I have work to do for Him everyday. I need to continue planting seeds in others since He planted seeds in me.
We have a Father who is a good good Father who loves us very much ❤️
God was showing me and saying
I had a plan before I started creating
I created a world for you to enjoy
I have a purpose in all that I do, I equip you to fulfill the work I have for you every day, for all my children.
All that I did was work and as you work you can enjoy what you do because you do it for Me and with me!
It’s always about your heart in everything, because when you care, you take care of everything and that’s important, I made man and women to take care of all I created, people that care will take care of each other for Me and that shows that you belong to Me because you care and that’s good!
What this means to me is very good
Father God drew my attention to all that He created it was good, He created everything for us, He was loving us before He even created us, because He cares
He was blessing us in all that He did!
He was excited to show off for us, that’s what I see!
As He was creating He could see how beautiful everything was for us and what He created it was a wow
When I make something for someone I get so excited I can’t wait to see that smile
So I know how He feels He loves to show off for us!
Thank you God for all you have done and continue to do❤️
God said 7 times in chapter 1
Like in verse 3 And God said, “Let there light” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it;
That it was good, I know after I get to make something, or do something especially for Father God it’s good and I’m blessed to be able to bless someone else it’s a wonderful thing!
Father God wants me to enjoy everything I do because it’s good whatever I’m doing I get to and He wants me to feel blessed to do it because I’m working for Him and with Him and it’s good ❤️
I love this song because that’s who God is
A good good Father
He is loving and kind and He knows what we need before we even ask!
He just loves it when we do ask Him, put Him first, when we trust Him, and do it with Him!
I Love Genesis 1 because it shows How much He cared before He even created this world, He worked hard and He enjoyed doing it for us!
He is calling us to go deeper in love, His love and it’s always going to be good!
Thank you Father God for Your perfect Love that covers us✝️
Good Good Father
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never alone
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a word
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, love
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
And You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
(You’re a good, good Father)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are)
(And I’m loved by You)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am)
This Week in the Life: Genesis 1
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-0723-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-0723-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-0723-Worship2.wav
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