Let There Be Light! Genesis 1:3

The phrase “Let there be”, is not the same Hebrew word used for “Created”, in Genesis 1:1. Actually the Hebrew word for our English phrase “Let there be”, means to exist. The word “created”, means to bring into existence. So in Genesis 1:1, God created the heavens and the earth. My question is when God finished creating the heavens and the earth did light exist? Were the lights out until verse three? I know the global carbon tax supporters wish the sun would go away! Some Christian’s do not let their light shine! Some theologians have come up with the gap theory? That is there were millions of years that transpired between verse one and verse three? I believe they were trying to reconcile the difference between the age of the earth as claimed by some scientists! Science does show us that the earth and all the planets are the same age! We cannot measure time without light! I believe light existed at the end of Genesis 1:1. In verse two we see the earth was surrounded by darkness and formless! It was covered by water and surrounded in darkness! Were all the other planets in the same condition? Why earth? Remember Lucifer got cast out of heaven with one third of the Angels for rebellion! We know where Lucifer or Satan hangs out is darkness and destruction! Lucifer though he owned the earth as he does today but God intervened as He does today! With no light being able to penetrate the cloud surrounding the earth Satan thought he had his hell on earth! Then in verse two God moves upon the earth and light breaks forth into the earth! Before I got saved God’s light was always here in the earth! He just let a little of His light into my soul and I got transformed! A new day! Let me put a disclaimer here! Benjamin Franklin said that if you are to live by Faith you have to throw reason out the window! Why? Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden used reason and made a bad choice! They did not have all the facts! Only God knows all the facts because he created all the facts! Our knowledge is limited! Even if we have a million facts about anything or anyone and lack one fact we will make a wrong choice! This is “reason” enough to trust God! This is why all Judgment is left to God! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com

Surprised By Joy!

This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent helps us to shape and impact our culture. The Christmas story is ripe with revelation! Luke1:30 The angel appears to Mary! Of all the Prophets Isaiah had the most revelation about the coming Messiah! Isaiah Chapter 9. Isaiah focused on this Prophetic message. We have a gap of time between the old and new testament of 400 years. It is sometimes called the years of silence. About as much time as the Jews were in slavery in Egypt. No Prophets spoke and no further revelation was given during these silent years. The stage was set at the end of the old testament and the curtain was drawn. Is God silent in your life? Have you been listening for Him or just too busy? Then after 400 years of darkness the curtain is split in two! Light appears from darkness! At a time least expected! God will surprise you! Do you have an expectation from Him? God came into my life when I least expected it! Has He come for you? Advent is about Him coming to you! Do you need to welcome Him? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the East following His star showed up in Jerusalem. King Herod heard about this and was very disturbed! He was rattled! Herod was jealous! King Jesus was a direct threat to him. Herod the Great was from Idumea and was a descendant of the Edomites who were the family of Esau. These descendants of Esau were always attacking Jacob’s family. Remember Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the Edomites vanished from history. Herod ordered an abortion of all the children two years old and younger and knives thrust into the bellies women that were pregnant. Yes, the Devil believes in Christmas! The world worships power, position and influence. Not much room for a baby. It is interesting how God uses vulnerable people to accomplish His work! God uses two pregnant women to prepare the way for the Savior of the world! Do you qualify as vulnerable? Homeless, pregnant, broken, betrayed, on dope, rejected, divorced or disabled? Are you without hope? Then you qualify for God to use you in a big way! He is looking for people who will be testimonies for Him! Pass the test and trust God at His Word! The baby Elizabeth was carrying(John the Baptist), leaped for Joy in her womb when Elizabeth heard the news from Mary about her visitation and God’s plan for the King and Son of God to be born by her! Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit! Luke 1:39-41. Do not try to live without the Holy Spirit for He gives you the power to live a victorious life! Without the Holy Spirit you will be like the Pharisee’s who knew about God but did not know Him! Luke 2:25-26. Next an old vulnerable man named Simeon who was just and devout got surprised by the Holy Spirit with Joy and was told he would not die until he has seen the Christ. Luke 2: 36-38. Here we see Anna a Prophetess and widow most of her life who served in the Temple get surprised with Joy! Do you lack surprise? Is life dull and routine? Hopeless? Broken dreams? Remember Joy is a gift! God does not just give joy but He is Joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy! Joy is not happiness. Our Constitution says we have the right to pursue happiness! Happiness you have to pursue or try to chase down by your own efforts! It depends on the economy, politicians, health, ect. Joy is a gift and never earned! The price has been paid for you! Galatians 5:22. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are the enemies of Joy? Pride, self, criticism, sarcasm, ect. Do you find fault with everything? Do you leave any room for beauty? No room for Jesus in your Inn? Have you been wounded or hurt by someone? See the beauty of God! No one on earth loves you like Him! He will never leave you or forsake you! He is different from us! I am not offering you a Christian but Christ Himself! Never lose your fascination, awe and wonder for Him! Go for beauty and be surprised by Joy! Joy is a person and not a benefit! The Holy Spirit is a person! The benefits come with the person and not apart from Him! Psalm 16:8-11. Do not get fixed on our cultural problems. Important but not your focus! Rather than be a student of culture be a Worshipper of God! Set the Lord before you. Have fullness of Joy and pleasures forevermore! You can hear bad news but still have Joy. Turn off the news networks this season and enter into His rest! Focus on Christ! Spend time with Him! The word time means, :”To Honor.” Psalm 16:9 Rest in Hope! My heart is glad and rejoices. Joy is an inside job! Your body rests secure. An external God who gives internal pleasure. From without to within! Joy comes at unusual times and unusual places through unusual persons! Is your heart prepared to be surprised by Joy? Source; Sermon notes taken from message given by Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday December 15, 2013.