Something from Nothing

"Then God said, 'Let there be light; and there was light.'" -Genesis 1:3 (emphasis added)

The power of God gives me a headache sometimes. Everything on our planet involves a beginning and end. Life is conceived, born, lived and, finally, closed with death. Marriages are conceived, experienced and shared, and, finally, end in death of one kind or another (physical, emotional, spiritual). Every relationship we have follows a natural life cycle. Watch National Geographic long enough and you see the "circle of life" played out over and again.

What I have a hard time imagining is God taking nothing and speaking something into existence. Even harder on my poor brain is considering what I'll call the non-beginning of God Himself. Without getting too off track, God has always been, is now and will always be. How can this be possible?

The overwhelming power of God's words floors me. They brought something from nothing. They stopped waves from capsizing a boat and the wind from blowing. His words brought forgiveness to the unforgivable. They gave strength to legs which had never taken a step. They commanded the realm of darkness from a tortured man and into the pigs. His words proclaimed the end of sin's deathly reach in our world and brought hope to men and women of all ages, races, creeds, societies, languages, and nations.

God's words bring something from nothing even today. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

There is no aspect of your life where the words of God cannot bring new life and redemption. There is no portion of your life where God cannot speak His word and create something from nothing. There is no limit to His creative power. There is no expiration date on His words. May the words of Genesis speak to the darkness in your life. May God say, "Let there be light', and there is light.

Work Out Your Own Salvation

You've probably heard the phrase, "Fake it 'til you make it." I'll bet a Christian came up with that one. We are great at faking a Christian attitude most of the time. The real problem comes when we think faking it will lead to making it (to be better/real Christians, to changing ourselves, to the kingdom). I've tried "faking it." It takes more work than actually surrendering myself to God and Him "making it."

Philippians 2:5 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,..." We shouldn't keep trying to fake the presence of Christ in our hearts. He actually should be there. But the best news comes in verses 12 and 13.

"Therefore, my beloved, ... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Paul and Timothy tell us to individually seek out salvation. Most of the time we read this verse and think God's telling us to work harder. But He's actually telling us to seek Him on our own. Don't rely on your friend's/parent's/grandma's/sibling's/pastor's relationship with Christ to sustain you. Work out your own salvation.

Secondly, you're not the one who does the work (or earning part). Ever. It is GOD who works in you. Just consider that part for a second. GOD is working. GOD is working in YOU. Wow. He cares enough to get His hands "dirty" in your messy life.

Finally, God does two things: 1. He grants the will, and 2. He gives the power. 

You get up some days and you despise Christianity. The church bores you, frustrates you, annoys you, embarrasses you. You're tired. You're disinterested. You just want a day off. Philippians says God can restore your will to seek salvation. God gives us the desire, the want-to, the motivation, the passion. He gave it to us the first time and He will work in you again to restore it.

He also gives you the power to have the mind of Christ (and his heart and actions, too). God gives you the power to do. Everything God ever asks of us is by His power and strength. You need to apologize to your wife or girlfriend...He'll give you the power. You need to conquer an addiction or sinful attitude...He'll grant you the power. You can't stand that co-worker who is unbearably nasty...God will change your heart and give you the power to love them.

It's so simple it seems wrong. Let the mind of Christ dwell in You. Pray this prayer:

God, use my brain to think Your thoughts. Use my mouth to speak Your words. Use my eyes to see Your people as You see them. Use my heart to love with Your love. Let Your will be my will. Give me the power I need to do what You ask me to do. Amen