The Lord's grand design 

 
Nehemiah 9:6

Scientific investigation has enabled the human race to understand much of creation. But it has not found the answers to a fundamental questions: Why and how does the universe exist? The various theories all start with the assumption that matter or energy existed in the first place.

So where did they come from? God created all things–out of nothing. He existed before anything else and spoke all of creation into being. He is not a part of creation, but the universe reflects something of who he is, just as a work of art gives us insight into the artist.

When some scientists suggest that the entire universe is a product of chance and billions of years of development, they deny an obvious fact: everywhere we look there is overwhelming evidence of grand and detailed design. God clearly decided to show his glory in creation.

If God put so much care into creating the flowers, the animals and the physical laws that hold everything together, how much more care went into creating us–for we are made "in his own image" (Gen. 1:27)!

Think about the wonder and grandeur of God's creation and give him thanks. Then pray that God will help you fulfill his purpose for you in his marvelous world.

Further Study: Genesos 1; Isaiah 45:12; John 1:10; Hebrews 11:3

Daily Bible 

It's Time to Cultivate Unity Pt. 3 
by John Dawson, In'tl. President of YWAM
(part 3. To see entire article go to www.ywam.org, search on "articles" by John Dawson)

The day I was chosen to become our next president, I had been meditating on the strange story of the Recabites in Jeremiah 35. Please look it up and read the story. You will see that at the end of the great public drama in which the prophet has contrasted Judah's faithlessness to the Heavenly Father with the Recabites' faithfulness to their earthly father, that Jeremiah turns to this strange family and pronounces an astounding blessing. Jeremiah 35:18: "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered. Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Jehonadab, son of Recab, will never fail to have a man to serve me." They were simply refraining from building dwellings, cultivating land and drinking wine, all activities that are morally neutral. Why did they receive God's favor? The issue here is faithfulness to the founding generation, respect and gratitude for those who had gone before. Generational harmony is no easy matter. The demonic realm has invested itself into the divisions between generations. I have come to believe this is the most important reconciliation issue of all. The prophet Malachi announced that the ministry of Messiah would "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers" in the closing words of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:6). We are at a moment of generational transfer. Will we receive the blessing? Look at this example from the Bible: "Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:9-10). Here we see Moses commissioning Joshua as the young generation prepares to enter Canaan; something powerful is released when three generations are in alignment. I have just spent several days living with and listening to our founders, Loren and Darlene Cunningham. What a privilege we have to build upon the foundation of such lives. Family, let's honor our pioneers, strengthen the bonds of love, and put our hands to the work God has given us. Grace to you. No promise from the Lord given to our pioneering generation will fail. No weapon formed against our current leadership will prosper. Nothing can hinder the new generation in its inheritance. Only let love, humility and worship prevail. The Lord most high is author and finisher. If HE is for us, who can be against us.

 
We don't discover our gifts and callings by searching, but by serving. --Loren Cunningham

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