SCRIPTURE
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
SPOTLIGHT
Is anyone not interested in knowing about their “BEGINNINGS?” People love answers to questions, such as “Where did I come from?” or “What are my roots?” In 1977, the TV mini-series entitled, “ROOTS” traced the family history of a young African boy to the United States of America. Many people became interested in learning about their beginnings after watching the mini-series. Websites like “Ancestry.com" can trace your DNA to search for your roots.
Many people believe that a better understanding of their own life can be found in their roots. How will that information prove beneficial if you discover your ancestry has been traced to a self-centered, mean spirited people, with less than kind qualities? That is why you need to read the first book of the Bible.
Genesis is the title of the first book in the Bible. A Greek word which means “origin,” Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God….” It is the book of beginnings. If you want to trace your origin, read Genesis. You will discover your world-wide connections. This first book identifies the beginning of the world, human history, race, marriage, family life, civilization, nations, sin and redemption. Life’s biggest questions are answered in Genesis.
The word “beginnings,” simply means when something starts. Birth is the beginning of life. Planting seeds is the beginning of the harvest. A sunrise is the beginning of a new day. When you discover your origin, you can discover your destiny. When you know where you began, you can know where you are to go.
The universe exists and is centered on God’s thoughts and activities. Again and again, Genesis underscores this truth. Denying this truth causes you to lead a hit and miss, trial and error, get up and fall down way of life. You will never fully understand your potential, or achieve your greatest fulfillment.
Reading Genesis will help you discover where to begin life. You learn that you were made to have a personal relationship with the One who created you. God has designed a path for you to follow. Genesis 1:26-28a, states, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in His Own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…." You can only experience the highest heights of life when you experience a close relationship with your Creator. You can only reach your greatest potential and achieve your highest fulfillment by following your Designer’s plans.
So when will you begin to really understand life? When will you begin to live, reach your highest potential, and achieve your greatest fulfillment? To discover these answers, you need not begin by knowing who your great, great, grandfather was, but you do need to begin by personally knowing your “Heavenly Father, Almighty God.” God created you, loves you, has a design for your life, and desires you to personally know Him. Are you ready to experience your greatest “BEGINNING?”
SOMETHING TO DO
Write down one good thing about yourself. God gave that to you.
Thank God for that one good thing.
Now, write down one way you can use that good thing in a profitable way today.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you God for the ________________ that You have created in me.
Today, help me to use my__________________ for Your glory and my good and the good of those around me.