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.
Truth Changes Everything
Think about the best news you've ever received in your life. Maybe it was a doctor walking into a waiting room and saying, "The surgery went perfectly." Maybe it was a phone call that said, "You got the job." Maybe it was two lines on a pregnancy test you'd been praying for.
Good news changes everything.
But none of those moments, as incredible as they are, even come close to the truth delivered on the first Easter morning:
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Jesus had been crucified publicly, brutally, and officially. He was wrapped, sealed in a tomb. There was no question. Jesus was dead. It was true.
But when His followers Mary and Mary Magdalene arrived to grieve? The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And an angel met them with the most stunning announcement in human history.
But the angel doesn’t just tell the women the truth. He invites them to look for themselves. To step inside. To experience the...