Tag: creator

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The Creator Among Us: Insights from John 1:10

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:10

Explain

The term world is used in several ways in John and the Bible.

The term “the world” can speak of creation itself.  How amazing is the idea that the One who made the World became like those He created, in the place He created.  He designed mankind.  He made the idea of reproduction and human development, and then He entered into that process of human development as a baby.  He created the idea of thirst and drinking.  He created the idea of hunger and eating.  He came up with the idea of instinct and drives, and he came and became subject to those same ideas.

The term world can also speak of the world system.  Satan is called the “prince of this world”.  The idea is that of what John calls “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”  It is speaking of the things that Satan uses and emphasizes through unregenerate people to keep them blinded in their sin.

The term world can also speak of people.  I believe that this verse speaking of people that were among what He created.  He was among the people that He created, and they did not recognize Him as Creator.  This is an incredible reality that He came from eternity where no one doubts His identity, and everyone treats Him with the Honor and Worship, to come to earth where people did not know or recognize HIm for who He is.

Think about it- He was an unknown Creator coming to be Savior.

Apply

There are still many who do not know Him.  Many know Him merely as a cuss word.  To many He is merely a thought leader in the west.  There are many who have never heard the name of Jesus.  May we never keep him to ourselves.  I should speak of Him as a good steward of the manifold grace of God.

Respond

  1. How can you help get the name and message of Jesus out to the world?
  2. How can you help get the name and message of Jesus into your neighborhood?
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Our God is Creator- Isaiah- Week 8- Day 3

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Isaiah 40:23-26

Explanation:

“That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

Princes and Judges are examples of some of the most notable and powerful of the earth have no strength compared to God.

“Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.”

The word “They” here continues to refer to the princes and judges. When it says they “shall not …be planted…be sown…take root in the earth” it is saying that they are not eternally strong or rooted in their going against God.
Notice this picture of God’s action against them. He could “blow upon them…and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble”. A person’s breath is not the strongest thing about them. The breath of God makes the strongest person whither. The whirlwind created by His breath will blow the strongest around like leaves, twigs, and dust.

In verse 25 he poses this question:

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”

What is the correct answer? No one. He is unequaled in the universe and beyond. He is unequaled in both His strength and in His Holiness.

Isaiah then gives this command.

“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

Isaiah recommends for us not to find our strength in the created thing. Rather, we must look to the God that created everything. His strength and power are unequaled.

Application:
It is not a wise thing to go against the Creator God of the universe. It is in our best interest to submit to Him. The good news is that He loves us. The command given in verse 26 is instructive. We should “lift up” our “eyes on high and behold who hath created these things”. When we look to other things for strength, drive, motivation, or reason for living, we will find ourselves lacking at some point. We will find ourselves going against the Creator God. Our question should be “God, what do you want?”.

Response:
Make a list of the things God has made for which you are most thankful.

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Our God is Creator- Isaiah- Week 8- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

Isaiah 40:21-23

Explanation:
In these verses Isaiah contrasts God to the idols that he talked about. The idol is dead and must be set on a pedestal. The idol must be created. In these verses we see God is alive, and His pedestal is the earth itself. “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth”. God is not made of created materials. God is not created. God is the creator! He is the creator of the heavens. He is the founder of the earth, and pre-existed its creation. He is in control of the people in the earth. They are like grasshoppers. Even the most notable people, like princes and judges, are tiny by comparison. Our God should be praised for His creative work:

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Psalms 33:6-7

Application:

Not only is our God alive, He is the one who started life itself.  By his word the heavens were formed.  He ought to be worshipped for the gift of creation.  We ought not to worship what He has created over and above the Creator Himself.  Consider what Paul said about those who are idolatrous:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened…Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  (Romans 1:21, 25)

By our thoughts and actions we must recognize and worship the Creator God over the created thing. 

Response:

  • Name something in your life that is a created thing that is at most risk of getting worship from you that God deserves.  What or who would that be?
  • Is that person or thing more important to you than God?
  • If it is, what should you do about it?