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“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)
May we create a spirit of thankfulness in our hearts for what God has given us.
Without God, our life is formless and empty. We hover over the surface of the deep, the pit of despair. Deep in our darkness we cannot see, but the Spirit of God is there, hovering over the surface. God is our hope. He brings order to our formless and empty life. In our darkness we feel the Spirit’s presence. We only need to reach out to God, to cry out to him to bring order to our life.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. – Genesis 1:1-2
© 2019 CGThelen
I praise you dear God for the majesty of your creation. I praise you for the vista of mountains in the daylight that leaves us breathless. I praise you for how that same mountain ridge is so strikingly different and amazing at sunset. I praise you for the beautiful detail within that mountain range from majestic trees rising high above to a towering waterfall tumbling down a steep cliff into a relaxing stream that nurtures the smallest flower. I praise you for the sights and sounds of your creation: the bubbling brook, the wind in the trees and the sound of crickets in a warm night. Only you dear Lord give us so much in this world you created for us. May we forever sing our praises to you dear Lord for what you have given us.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20 (NIV)
© 2019 CGThelen
When I look at the stars at night, I cannot comprehend the vastness of the universe you created dear God. I feel so insignificant gazing at the heavens. I feel like a lone grain of sand on an infinite beach of stars.
Yet I praise you dear God that you don’t see us as insignificant in your eyes. Just as you ordered the universe, you have ordered our lives. I praise you that as believers in Jesus Christ you count us worthy to serve you. That you value us in your kingdom. All praise to you dear God for giving us life. May we bring honor to your name today.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? – Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
© 2019 CGThelen
In the most intricate details of nature, I see the hand of our creator God. I see the rhythm of your order in the rising and setting of the sun and the phases of the moon at night. I see the creek water gently flowing, gently nudged by your hand. I see the minute detail of a flower with your finger print imprinted on it in vibrant colors. With each breath I experience the life you have given me. I am amazed that we are created in your image. You care about the intricate details of our life.
With morning light today, may we sing the praises of your creation. May we lift your name high in thanksgiving for this world and your creation. May we express gratitude for the life you have given us. Give us courage to follow you dear Jesus, to stand firm with you. May we this day be an example of a life lived for you dear God. May we make an impression on others for your name sake.
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” – Psalm 96:11-12 (NIV)
© 2019 CGThelen
As the sun rises this morning I think of how you dear Lord have ordered everything on this earth. From the atom to the universe there is order in your creation. I praise you for the beauty of your creation; the vibrant colors, the smells and the feeling of sand between our toes. All the earth sings of your praises.
I think of the day when sun and moon will be no more and your glory will fill the day. Darkness will no longer be present. Your very presence will envelope us. We will see what we know by faith. May your Spirit dear God fill us this day. We praise you Lord for your creation, for creating us, for giving us the path to eternal life through your son Jesus. All praise to you our living and gracious God.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. – Isaiah 60:19-20 (NIV)
© 2019 CGThelen
#ThrowbackThursday — This post originally published August 9, 2010.
I stood in awe at the undeniable splendor of it all. A deep orange sun setting upon the lake as it painted the clouds above with hues of pink and lavender. The sound of waves lapping the shore and a gentle wind upon my face added to the beauty. I took in a deep breath and marveled at the scene before me.
For a brief moment I took my eyes off the sunset and glanced at the shore behind me. I was surprised to see a large crowd of people gathered along the beach to watch the sun sink into the horizon. There before us was undeniable evidence of God’s creation in all its brilliance, yet I wondered how many would leave without thanking God or praising him – how many would slip back into the darkness of unbelief?
In Romans 1:20 Paul tells us, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Evidence of God’s presence surrounds us each day. He is there reaching out to us through his creation, his Word, his spirit and his people. God’s desire is to restore us to him through his son Jesus.
How often do we get so absorbed in the things of this world that we fail to recognize God at work in our life. How often do we see the beauty around us, but not acknowledge the source. How often do we get to the end of the day and realize we “neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him” (Romans 1:21 NIV). Paul cautions us in Romans 1:25 not to be like those who “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.”
While the picture above gives you a glimpse of the sunset I saw that day, it cannot compare to actually being there. The same is true with God. A sunset is only a glimpse of the eternal beauty we will experience when we are reunited with God. They are daily reminders that God continues to reach out to us. He has given us a way to rid ourselves of the darkness of this world and to be reunited with him through his son Jesus. “He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). It is up to us whether we chose to believe in Jesus and follow him or settle for the artificial beauty of this world that will fade away like a setting sun.
© 2010 CGThelen
