In the beginning!

H- ^[X] Genesis 1:1 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. NASB The Creation Series.

E- “God (Elohim) is eternal, existing before the universe, and is omnipotent, having created the universe. Therefore, nothing is impossible with God, and He alone gives meaning to everything. No attempt is made in this verse to prove God; it was recorded in the beginning when no one doubted God.

This verse records the creation of space (“the heaven”), of time (“in the beginning”), and of matter (“the earth”), the Tri-universe, the space/time/matter continuum which constitutes our physical cosmos. The Creator of this tri-universe is the triune God, Elohim.

The existence of a transcendent Creator and the necessity of a primeval special creation of the universe is confirmed by the most basic principles of nature discovered by scientists:

(1) The law of causality, that no effect can be greater than its cause, is basic in all scientific investigation and human experience. A universe comprising an array of intelligible and complex effects, including living systems and conscious personalities, is itself proof of an intelligent, complex, living, conscious Person as its Cause;

(2) The laws of thermodynamics are the most universal and best-proved generalizations of science, applicable to every process and system of any kind, the First Law stating that no matter/energy is now being created or destroyed, and the Second Law stating that all existing matter/energy is proceeding irreversibly toward ultimate equilibrium and cessation of all processes. Since this eventual death of the universe has not yet occurred and since it will occur in time, if these processes continue, the Second Law proves that time (and, therefore, the space/matter/time universe) had a beginning. The universe must have been created, but the First Law precludes the possibility of its self-creation. The only resolution of the dilemma posed by the First and Second Laws is that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”” ^[Z] The Creation Series.

A- I am thankful for the “Institute of Creation Research” faithfully proclaiming that science properly understood supports the Creation accounts in the Bible. I first started by reading The Genesis Flood by Henry M. Morris and John C. Whitman in the 1980’s. Then the “Acts and Facts” Publication now coming on a bimonthly basis. Subscribe free.

R- O God thank you for the faith of Henry M. Morris and his successors at ICR.

Henry Luke – To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email. Enter Romans by Henry Luke and Major Ellison in Amazon or Google to review our book.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y] click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; U- I normally do not capitalize the “S” in satan; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z- Place Scripture Reference in the search feature for Bible text and notes from The New Defender’s Study Bible. Also source for quote below:

“The so-called big bang theory of the origin of the cosmos, postulating a primeval explosion of the space/mass/time continuum at the start, beginning with a state of nothingness and then rapidly expanding into the present complex universe, contradicts both these basic laws as well as Scripture.

 No other cosmogony, whether in ancient paganism or modern naturalism, even mentions the absolute origin of the universe. All begin with the space/time/matter universe, already existing in a primeval state of chaos, then attempt to speculate how it might have “evolved” into its present form. Modern evolutionism begins with elementary particles of matter evolving out of nothing in a “big bang” and then developing through natural forces into complex systems. Pagan pantheism also begins with elementary matter in various forms evolving into complex systems by the forces of nature personified as different gods and goddesses. But, very significantly, the concept of the special creation of the universe of space and time itself is found nowhere in all religion or philosophy, ancient or modern, except here in Genesis 1:1.”

Elohim – The Creator God #1

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. NASB

Prayer using the A.C.T.S. format:

Adoration – Eternal God, without beginning or ending, created the heavens and earth and everything that existed. You, Omnisapient God [All-Wise], created the vast universe fine-tuned exactly as required to allow the occupancy of the earth with people, birds, fish, and animals. You not only have amazing wisdom, but Omniscience [All-Knowledge] past, present, and future; Omnipresence [God is always present everywhere] and Omnipotence [All-Powerful]. Even today we can see the evidence of your creation in people, other live beings, the earth and water bodies, mountains and valleys, the water cycle, wind, sun, moon, and stars. I adore and honor You for Your great creation and sustaining of the universe.

Confession – I confess Father that I often rely on my wisdom and strength rather than Yours. Help me to repent of this sin, asking God for forgiveness and help to change my heart and as I persevere to turn from sin. I ask each day “Does my life reveal the glory of God to others, at my expense?” I do not want to be rebellious as the LORD described the Israelites in Ezekiel 3.

Thanksgiving – Father I am thankful that with Your great power, wisdom, and presence You loved me enough to provide to make a way for my salvation. You sacrificed Jesus ^[Z] on the cross to make salvation certain for all who believe in Jesus [John 3:16, Romans 10:9… ^[A]].

Supplication – Nothing is impossible for Creator God; therefore my problems look very small compared to Your infinite power. The only reason I am anxious are fearful is that I am taking on those problems with my finite strength and wisdom. Please help me to constantly turn everything small and large over to You with thanksgiving and great joy for Your guidance. In the name of Jesus. Amen ^[ZZ]

Henry Luke — To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email. See Romans by Henry Luke and Major Ellison to review our book. Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press or other sources.

[Notes]: A– [1] For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple [Y] click here, [2] for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, and [3] for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z- For the name, I normally use for the Lord Jesus Christ, click here; ZZ– Ideas from “Praying through the Names of God” by Tony Evans;

Aliens and the Existence of God

By Sean McDowell | October 29, 2019

Hebrews 3:4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. NLT

Do you believe in aliens? Little green men, Wookies, Klingons, whatever. Do you think there is sentient life out there in the universe? Why or why not?

Believers in extraterrestrial life point to signs such as crop circles, lights in the sky, or close encounters to support their claim. Or even if they don’t have any hard evidence, many point to the immensity of the universe and conclude there must be life out there somewhere.

A very interesting short post about the existence of aliens and  God. To read more click here.

Henry Luke

Notes: For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^Y click here, for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here. 

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from WordPress.

The Trinity – God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [Genesis 1:1 NASB]

The Hebrew word for God is Elohim. Elohim is a plural noun but it is used here with a singular verb bara.  The conclusion to be drawn is that in some sense God is both singular and plural.

The phrase “let Us” again gives the idea of plurality.

Then God said, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

After Adam and Eve sinned the Bible said, “Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—” Genesis 2:22 NASB

At the incident at the Tower of Babel, we read God saying “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”” Genesis 11:7 NASB

Isaiah the prophet recorded God saying. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8 NASB

“For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:5 NASB

The word translated, “Maker” is plural in Hebrew.

” ¹⁶ Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.” ¹⁷ Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:16-17 NASB

In verse sixteen, God the Son is speaking. He identifies the Father [the Sovereign Lord] and His Spirit as having sent Him. In the next verse, the Son is clearly spoken of as the Lord. Consequently, these verses identify the Trinity.”

Summary from this Source

Henry Luke

For how to have peace with God click here, how to have peace of God click here, and how to disciple others click here. For real-time decisions for Jesus all over the world by location and be encouraged click here.

 

 

Creation and the New Year #99

by Henry Morris, Ph.D. | Jan. 1, 2015 http://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

It is appropriate for Christians to begin the New Year by referring back to the beginning of the very first year. The first verse of God’s Word is also its most important verse, since it is the foundation on which everything else is built. Even God’s great work of salvation is irrelevant and futile without His prior work of creation, for only the Creator of all things could ever become the Savior of all things.
If a person really believes Genesis 1:1, he or she should have no difficulty believing anything else in the Bible. The very first object of saving faith (Hebrews 10:39) is the fact of special creation by the word of God (Hebrews 11:3).

The verse is comprehensive and scientific, viewing space (“the heavens”) and matter (“the earth”) as functioning in a framework of time (“in the beginning”). This space/matter/time “continuum” (as scientists call it) has not existed eternally, nor is it still being created, both of which heresies are standard beliefs of all forms of evolutionary pantheism (including most of the world’s religions and philosophies, ancient or modern). It was created—and even completed in the past.

This foundation of all foundations is, clearly, the only sure foundation upon which one should build a life, or an organization, or anything. A firm renewal of one’s commitment to special creation, as literally recorded by divine revelation in the inerrant Word of God, is thus the proper way to begin a New Year, or a new home, or a new career, or a new family, or any phase of a Christian life. This is the time to confess and forsake all doubts and trust God’s Word! In the beginning of the first year, God created all things. At the beginning of this year, we should resolve to believe and obey all things in His Word. HMM