March 2nd - The Beginning of the Ages - Genesis 1:1

"In a beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. As for the earth, it came to be a chaos and vacant, and darkness was over the surface of the abyss." (Genesis 1:1)

"Elohim" means mighty ones. "Yahweh" is the formal name for the Elohim. In this beginning everything in our universe that was needed to accomplish the plan of Elohim (the mighty ones) came into existence - Science calls this event a singularity, or the "Big Bang". 

"For thus says Yahweh, Creator of the the heavens; He is Elohim, the Former of the earth and its Maker, He established it; He did not create it a chaos; He formed it to be indwelt. I am Yahweh, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:15)

The original earth was created to be inhabited, yet the Bible says it became a vacant chaos. 

“As for the earth, it came to be a chaos and vacant, and darkness was over the surface of the abyss." (Genesis 1:2)

That is all we are told about that period of time, the first age. Apparently, heavenly beings (angels) were created either before or after the Big Bang and some were given dominion over the original earth and all other planets in the universe. My view is that these angles rebelled against Yahweh resulting in the planets of the universe becoming the vacant chaos. I think is rebellion is the "disruption of the world" spoken of in the book of Ephesians. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the heavens, in Christ, according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world..." (Ephesians 1:3-4)

March 1st - God's Plan For Humanity

During March I try to summarize in writing my understanding of the plan of God for humanity - reminding myself that His plan is really good news!

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, is saying the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is coming, the Almighty...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Origin and the Consummation." (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)

"..there is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is, and we for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all is, and we through Him..." (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

There is one Father God and there is one LORD,  Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, made the ages.

"On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son,whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature..."  (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The LORD made the ages as the stage from which He would reveal the Father to His creation. To do so, evil was needed as a contrast to good. Evil humbles humanity so they may be taught about righteousness.

"I applied by heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of evil God has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it." (Ecclesiastes 1:13)

"Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore, He shall direct sinners in the way; He shall cause the humble to tread in right judgment, and He shall teach the humble His way." (Psalm 25:8-9)

The Father sent the Son, our LORD Jesus, o ransom humanity from evil. 

"The Father has dispatched His Son, the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14-15)

"In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loves us, and dispatches His Son, a propitiatory shelter for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

As a sinless Man, the LORD Jesus gave His life not only to ransom humanity from evil, but to reconcile us to His Father.

"There is one God, and one mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent ransom for all..." (1Timothy 2:5)

"...to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens." (Colossians 1:20)

This reconciliation will be finished at the end of the ages when God has become "All in all" of His creation.

"Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)

Most of humanity has lived and died without hearing about God's plan and purpose for the ages. And, even those who hear usually deny the truth of the salvation and reconciliation of all. Nevertheless, God has planned it and the "LORD, Jesus Christ" made the ages so that the will of the Father and Son could come to pass.

"...to head up all in the Christ - both that in the heavens and that on the earth - in Him in Whom our lot was cast also, being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will." (Ephesians 1:11-12)

February 28th - Pursue the Goal.

"...be racing with endurance the contest lying before us, looking off to the Inaugurator and Perfecter of faith, Jesus, Who, for the joy lying before Him, endures a cross, despising the shame, besides is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"...toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

The Apostle Paul could say in the midst of his suffering...

"For I am reckoning that the sufferings of the current era do not deserve the glory about to be revealed for us.." (Romans 8:18)

Abundant life after death without any suffering and sorrow. That is our hope, and it is the promise of God in the Bible for all of us. But many do not grasp onto this hope in times of trouble because they have never heard about God's plan.

“Now the God of all grace, Who calls you into His eonian glory in Christ, while briefly suffering, He will be adjusting, establishing, firming, founding you. To Him be glory and might for the eons of the eons. Amen!" (I Peter 5:10-11).

The eons/ages were created as a stage for God to demonstrate His Love.  So, I am sure that the goal set before me and my family is to be delivered out of death and into the eternal Kingdom of God.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 11:38-39) 

February 27th - Keep Climbing

"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:32-33)

The Greek word for "tribulation" is “thlipsis” and carries the idea of using or feeling pressure. Life is designed by God so this tribulation/pressure we feel is part of God's plan for humanity.  Sometimes we put pressure on others and sometimes we are pressured. 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...” (Matthew 5:11-12)

When under pressure I imagine myself going up a hill against a cold high wind. The easy thing to do would be to turn around and let the wind push me swiftly back down into the valley.

Yet I keep moving forward up the hill…

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 11:38-39) 

"...be racing with endurance the contest lying before us, looking off to the Inaugurator and Perfecter of faith, Jesus, Who, for the joy lying before Him, endures a cross, despising the shame, besides is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"...toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

I am going to try and keep my nose into the wind as I climb out of the valley of the shadow of death toward the summit where I will finally and eternally be conformed to the image of His Son.

 "For those God knows, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29)

Is there any not known by God from the beginning? I think not!

February 26th - The Great Accomplishment

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

"Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue should be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father. So that, my beloved, according as you always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, with fear and trembling, be carrying your own salvation into effect, for it is God Who is operating in you to will as well as to work for the sake of His delight." (Philippians 2:9-13)

“Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

"The salvation of the whole human race is what God proposed in the creation. It is what Christ came into the world to effect, and for the accomplishment of which he was given all needed power in heaven and earth. To this end he died the death of the cross, and thus tasted death for every man; and I submit that such self-sacrificing love cannot suddenly cool, or readily give over to endless torment souls for which it willingly suffered. I should be ashamed of myself, if, believing in God and in Christ, I still feared their ultimate failure in this great work of redemption, whose history fills the Bible." - Thomas J. Sawyer (1804-1899)

God will accomplish what he sent Jesus into the world to do - save it.

It is the Great Accomplishment!

February 25th - All is out of God

The Scriptures reveal that ALL is out of God; that God is over ALLl; and that God will be ALL in ALL.

"Out of Him and through Him and for Him is ALL" (Romans 11:36)

"God and Father of ALL, who is over ALL and through ALL and in ALL" (Ephesians 4:6)

"...ALL things shall be subdued unto Him, that God may be ALL in ALL" (I Corinthians 15:28)

"ALL things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28)

Some things are hard in this life, but when ALL is said and done, even the evil will have worked out for our good. 

"For God locks up ALL together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to ALL. O, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! For, who knew the mind of the Lord? or, who became His adviser? or, who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him? seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is ALL: to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen! I am entreating you, then, brethren, by the pities of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice, living, holy, well pleasing to God, your logical divine service, and not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect." (Romans 11:30-12:2)

"I am entreating you, then, I, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit with the tie of peace: one body and one spirit, according as you were called also with one expectation of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL, Who is over ALL and through ALL and in ALL." (Ephesians 4:1-6)

"For He (Jesus the Son of God) must be reigning until He should be placing ALL His enemies under His feet. The last enemy is being abolished: death. For He subjects ALL under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that ALL is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him (God the Father) Who subjects ALL to Him (Jesus). Now, whenever ALL may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be ALL in ALL." (1 Corinthians 15:25-28)

"Now He Who is searching the hearts is aware what is the disposition of the spirit, for in accord with God is it pleading for the saints. Now we are aware that God is working ALL together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls also, and whom He calls, these He justifies also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also. What then, shall we declare to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:27-31)

February 24th - The Bible, our gentle Instructor

"Now stupid and crude questionings refuse, being aware that they are generating fightings. Now a slave of the Lord must not be fighting, but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, bearing with evil, with meekness training those who are antagonizing, seeing whether God may be giving them repentance to come into a realization of the truth, and they will be sobering up out of the trap of the Adversary, having been caught alive by him..." (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

In writing my thoughts I determined to try to use more quotes of the Scripture than my own thoughts. I knew from the above Scripture that the timing of a person coming to the realization of the truth is up to God. Paul informs me that there...

"...are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

I do not write to correct anyone. I read the Bible and meditate on its words for myself before I share what they tell me. If I am wrong I trust God will be "giving me repentance to come into realization of the truth". 

My views are not intended to "generate fightings", they are intended to help me... 

"...to the unity of the faith and the realization of the son of God, to a mature man.." (Ephesians 4:13)