The Art of God
For an artist, there's a true honor and joy in showcasing their work. Others are able to witness the creativity and craftsmanship of the artist while being captivated by the story behind their artwork.
In 1 Chronicles 16:24, the writer calls God’s people to display God’s greatness among all nations, showcasing His marvelous deeds for others to witness and come to know this divine artist—God, the creator of the universe.
Each day is an opportunity for us, as God’s people, to showcase God’s glory through our words and actions. And just as artwork captivates distant onlookers, our lives should draw others in to witness and experience God and His story of redemption. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
So, consider these three ways you can embrace the call to display God’s glory as you engage the world around you:
In a world desperate for hope, we have the true joy and honor of showcasing God’s glory as a part of His story of redemption.
Day 20 of the reading of the gospel of Luke
Luke 20
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, and spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a ...
Believing Beyond Norms
Mary was a young girl immersed in the quiet rhythms of Nazareth when an angel announced that she would bear the Son of God (Luke 1:31). The typical response to hearing this might be fear, or shock, or awe. Instead, Mary responded with belief—a belief that what the angel was telling her was the truth. “May your word to me be fulfilled,” she said to the angel (Luke 1:38).
Witnessing this unwavering faith, Mary's older cousin Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged Mary's faith and blessed her: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
In these simple words, we hear a reminder to anchor our faith in the unwavering truth that God is faithful to fulfill His promises according to His Word. Elizabeth's statement, "Blessed is she who has believed," is more than an observation; it's a present affirmation. The emphasis isn’t just on the fulfillment of these promises, but on the blessing that comes from believing ...
“Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: the third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister. And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his...