God of All Creation
All of world history is characterized by periods of time when dominant nations ruled large portions of the earth. Intermixed with the various kingdoms and dynasties are notable wars and battles that have scarred the earth.
Amidst the rise and fall of various earthly powers, it can be easy to forget that the Lord stands in power above everything else. Even though God’s kingdom is not as visible right now, He still guides and shapes the course of history.
It is a comforting reminder that all of the earth is the Lord’s. Nothing that happens on earth surprises Him.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the earth, thus everything ultimately belongs to Him. He sets the boundaries for every nation, and He determines where the oceans begin.
This doesn’t mean that God forces everyone and everything to do good all of the time. People are still capable of evil, and the world is still filled with pain and suffering.
But, this means that God ultimately rules over everything in creation. Even in the midst of evil, pain, and suffering, God is working behind the scenes to bring about goodness in everything. While we may not experience this fully in our lifetime, in the end God will eventually make everything right.
Take some time to consider God’s powerful place in all of creation as the Lord over everything that exists. Thank Him for His guiding hand in your own life. You can trust that God has control over the creation that He created, even in the midst of dark and trying times.
Sacrificial Love
Jesus, all powerful and completely perfect, chose to give up His life for us. He willingly went to the cross to be crucified, the most painful death imaginable, because He loved us so much.
And He invites us to do the same.
1 John 3:16 tells us, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."
How can we demonstrate this kind of sacrificial love in our own lives? How can we give our time, attention, or resources to help someone in need? Are we intentional to listen and be present for others, even when it's not easy or comfortable? Are we willing, if it comes down to it, to give up our lives for the sake of God and others?
This kind of love is challenging. It asks us to look beyond our own needs and to see the needs of others. It calls us to be selfless. The good news is, Jesus isn’t asking us to do anything for someone else that He wasn’t willing to do for us first. He knows ...
“And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.”
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