Embracing Kingdom Hope for a Broken World
Posts tagged Scripture
Green Verses: Job 12:7-10
Mar 23rd
Green Verses: a series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Job 12:7-10
But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.
This past week I have spent a lot of time considering God’s creation. From the tiny ant, to the intricate flower, to the buzzing bee, to the multi-colored leaf, to the countless other plants and animals, creation screams of it’s Maker. It proclaims the One who has meticulously put these marvelous things together. Each of these creations points to the Creator. But this is no distant God. He did not wind up the earth and leave it behind to spin out its days. No, this God – our God – holds in His hands the very life-breath of every living thing. He is both exceedingly superior than AND intimately present with His creation.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Matthew 6:26
Mar 16th
Green Verses: a series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Often we focus on the second half of this verse which says, “Are you not of more value than they?” And given the context of Jesus words on worry, this seems to be the primary focus. Nevertheless, it is important to take a moment and note the value that the birds of the air have in the eyes of God. This verse indicates that God pays careful attention to ensure that they receive each meal. Even these easily forgotten or ignored animals are of great value in His eyes. This is not just in a vague, distant way, but in a way that involves active love. It’s only when we fully appreciate this first part of the verse that we can truly understand the second part. Ponder today about just how much God loves and cares for all of His creation.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Psalm 65:9-10
Mar 9th
Green Verses: a series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Psalm 65:9-10
You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
Pray today that God will bless the earth, His creation. Any hope we have for the earth lies in Him.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Psalm 148
Mar 2nd
Green Verses: a series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Psalm 148
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
Today, be sure to praise God along with creation. Know that you are not alone. We praise Him together with the sun, moon and stars; with the waters and the mountains; with sea creatures and land animals; with animals on the ground and in the air. God is so wonderful that ALL of creation sings His praise! Join them in that song.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Romans 8:19-23
Feb 23rd
Green Verses: a series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Romans 8:19-23 (NRSV)
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Do you groan for redemption? Did you know that we grow alongside of creation? Creation, along with us, is in a broken state. It longs to be set free and transformed. Do you long to be transformed? This past weekend I attended the memorial service for my wife’s grandmother. She was a woman who never lost sight of the ultimate goal and who allowed that future hope to shape her life in the present. Ponder for a few minutes the glorious future that awaits both you and creation. Allow that hope to infiltrate your life and live in response to the great work that awaits.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Psalm 65:5-6
Feb 16th
A series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Psalm 65:5-6
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
Where do you find hope? Perhaps the question is better phrased – in whom do you find hope? Today consider the One in whom you find hope and the great things He has done.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Genesis 9:8-10, 13
Feb 9th
A series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Genesis 9:8-10, 13
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark…. I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
I always find it so fascinating to read this chapter where 6 times God makes his covenant not just with mankind but with other living creatures and the earth. It is so interesting to see His deep care for His creation. He not only cares for creation but establishes a covenant with it. Unbelievable. If our God and Father is committed to His creation so faithfully, how should we respond?
Also consider:
Green Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Feb 2nd
A series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Friends, God is reconciling the world [cosmos] to himself. Not just people, but the cosmos, the universe. God’s reconciling work is so great that it extends to His creation. Furthermore, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ and told that God “is making his appeal through us.” What a huge honor! At the same time though, what a huge responsibility. Those who are in Christ are called to be ambassadors of this reconciliation. Ponder that for a moment. This week, pray that God might give you the strength and resources in order to serve Him well.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Psalm 19:1
Jan 26th
A series which seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Psalm 19:1 (NRSV)
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Today, be sure to take notice of God’s creation around you. Note the beauty, the intricate details, and the amazing care God put into His creative work. Praise Him, for His creation shows us a glimpse of His glory.
Also consider:
Green Verses: Colossians 1:15-20
Jan 20th
This series seeks to highlight scriptures that point to God as the Creator, His sovereignty over the earth, His redemption of the earth, and our call to participate in that redemption. Take a moment and reflect on what God might be saying through His Word.
Colossians 1:15-20 (NRSV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers– all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
