Category: Theology

  • A Single Blade of Grass

    All nature points us towards God

    a blade of grass setting seed

    It’s just a single blade of grass that’s going to seed. It’s such a  common sight that we walk right by and never pay attention to it.

    Yet, in it’s own way this grass is a miracle. The original designer of this plant programmed it to grow, and when it reached a particular state of maturity, to produce the seeds needed to replicate itself. There are more seeds because it is likely that they will not all get the chance to germinate or mature to fruition.

    We don’t think of it as miraculous because it is commonplace. We have all seen it happen millions or even billions of times without giving it any thought.

    The fact that it happens so often numbs us to the miracle. The design is the work of the master designer. While this particular blade of grass can trace its ancestry to another plant, likely on the ground nearby, the first grass had to come from somewhere.

    The fact that it, or anything else in the material world, even exists is something beyond proper comprehension. 

    We see God’s handiwork, the evidence for His existence, everywhere we look. The problem is that we grow so used to seeing it that we become numb.

    All of nature cries out in witness to God.

    The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky aboveproclaims his handiwork.Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:1-6 ESV

    Those who persist in not believing stand condemned.

     For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:18-21 ESV

    Stop now and then and look at the world around you, then give praise to the one who created it all. This same creator loves you enough to die for you.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • Dragon Slayer

    artist rendering of a dragon wings outstretched

    A book I read prompted me  to think about dragons and dragon slayers. In various genres and mythologies, a community or society is under the tyranny of a giant dragon, serpent, or other seemingly impossible-to-defeat threat. The world longs for a hero, and eventually one rises out of obscurity to take on the mighty beast (or arch criminals, terrorists, or whatever) and set them free. 

    What people don’t understand is that this type of story is based on truth. God created a utopian world, and the people were mesmerized by the serpent (also referred to in places in Scripture as a dragon), fell under its spell, and the utopia was gone.

    They had traded walking with God in the Garden for a world of increasing rebellion and destruction. The dragon rules the hearts and minds of most. In fact, all are spiritually dead. After a long wait, a hero arises in obscurity (the Lord is incarnate, born to a poor peasant girl in a manger in a strange town in the middle of nowhere). As He grows in wisdom and stature, the opposition to Him grows, and they kill him. If the story ended there, it would be disastrous. 

    The Scriptures tell us that He was raised from the dead and was seen by many. He ascended back into heaven, where He intercedes for us. He sent us the Comforter, also known as the Holy Spirit, to guide us on the path to redemption.

    When the time is perfect, He will return to redeem His people and remove the dragon from power.

    The Bible isn’t a myth or a story. It is truth, the myths and stories reflect a built in desire to see and know the truth. People often suppress the truth and settle for myths. They reject the true hero and attempt to save themselves, embarking on an impossible quest. Perhaps they identify with the serpent or dragon and long to create their version of the world, where there are no consequences to their actions and they can do as they please.

    The return to a utopian, righteous society ruled by a just and perfect ruler isn’t a dream. It’s a reality for those who follow Jesus. His followers may face physical death, but they are brought to life spiritually and will be resurrected bodily.

    The true story of the dragon and the slayer is the story of God and His people. It is the Old and New Testaments and is given as a gift from a revelatory God.

    From the opening pages until the closing words, the story is one of the victory of the king, the story of the true hero who slays the dragon and the freedom of those who will follow Him.

    Jesus speaks of the fate of the dragon in John’s Revelation of Christ 

    Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. T his is the first resurrection.Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:1-10 ESV

    My friends, the world is presently under the sway of the dragon, but the hero has already arisen and been victorious. What we see now are just the serpent’s death throes.

    Until next time, rejoice in the risen victorious Lord.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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