In the beginning

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Gen 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Eph 2:10 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
 
In the beginning of time, long before you or I were ever thought of, God had a plan for your life. Maybe you feel like you have messed up your life by bad decisions or choices you have made. But know this, “In the beginning” God was there and He will be there through out eternity. He created you for a purpose, for this time. It doesn’t matter your race, gender, build, or abilities. He created you perfectly for this time and He did it on purpose.
 
So maybe its time for your “beginning". Begin to rise up and fulfill the good works that you and I were created for a long time ago.
 
The God, who rules, loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.

You Reign

Jesus came on the scene preaching the Kingdom of God (Matt 4:17) and His last sermon before he went up into heaven He preached the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)


Jesus is King; in fact He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Rev. 19:16) and His Kingdom rules over all, (Ps 103:19)  His Kingdom is everlasting, (Ps. 145:13) and His Kingdom is established in righteousness. (Ps. 45:6)


We need to let God’s kingdom rule and reign in our lives.  Jesus said we are to pray for the kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done in our lives.  I pray that God’s kingdom and His righteousness, peace and joy will rule in your hearts, your family and church.


The God who rules loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.

What do you resolve to do?

Col 2:23  Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

You can have all the rules and regulations you want.  This time of year is notable for "new Year's Resolutions".  You can make all the resolutions you want., but they will not help you in living a holy life before God.  Christianity is not about a bunch of rules and regulations, but it is about a relationship with Christ.

Col 3:1-2  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

There must be a devotion to Jesus and the things above.  You must set your heart and mind.  Your heart is your emotions, or your affections.  What are you emotionally attached to?  What is you affection about?  What stirs your emotions?  Do the things of God stir your emotions?  Or is it something else that keeps leading you away from Christ?

The word “set” means to exercise the mind, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion.  In other words you must exercise your mind toward the things of God.  When you do this, you are not worried about rules and regulations.  You are focused on your relationship and fellowship with Christ.  When you do this, you will find yourself living a life you thought was once impossible to live, free from rules and regulations and totally devoted to Christ.

Photo Courtesy Melinda Nagy