heavens

He Humbles Himself 

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Psalm 113:6
“Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

A few years ago my wife and I were window shopping at an outdoor mall in southern California when we stumbled onto a crowd of people huddled around a large telescope. We decided to stand in line and see what they were looking at. When our turn came to look through the view finder we were stunned. From the courtyard of the mall we were able to see the rings around Saturn. We took advantage of the moment and allowed the young man who owned the telescope to point out distant stars and even a distant galaxy. Technology has provided us with things that were unthinkable during most of human history, and there in the mall we were able to observe the heavens. I was struck both by the majesty of the heavens and by the advances of science that would allow the casual shopper a glimpse into the heavens. But I did realize that this was only possible because of the highest reaches of human development. Centuries of studying the stars had come together at that moment to provide a telescope that could view the heavens.

I often think of that when I read the Psalmists words;
“Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

What takes the height of human development to glance at, God has to bow to look into. As majestic as creation may ever seem the creator is much more magnificent. His glory is above the heavens.

Jim

 

In The Beginning

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Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

in-the-beginning-title-slide-message-series-950x712-1.jpgThe first verse of the Bible introduces us to its main character: God. This verse is not a philosophical statement, but an axiom upon which all other statements will be based. As we venture through the Bible together, we will read of the great exploits of God. We will hear of Him speaking to men, parting seas, knocking down walls, vanquishing enemies, stopping time, raising the dead, and providing salvation for mankind. If this first statement is true, if God spoke, and the worlds were formed, then we should have no problem believing there is nothing He cannot do. If we accept this first sentence of Scripture, we will have no problem accepting all the miracles that follow. We will have no problem accepting that there is nothing too hard for God, and we will live with an expectation of Him accomplishing great things in the lives of all who live surrendered to Him.

J.S. Baxter, in his commentary on Genesis, points out that this one statement is also a “basal pronouncement that undoes all false religious philosophies.”

“In the beginning God…” – denies atheism with its doctrine of NO god.

“In the beginning God…” – denies polytheism with its doctrine of MANY gods.

“In the beginning God created…” – denies fatalism with its doctrine of CHANCE.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” – denies pantheism with its doctrine of making the earth god.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” – denies materialism, which asserts the eternity of matter.

This first testimony of Scripture is not only a declaration of divine truth, but is also a repudiation of human error. As we read though the Bible together, we will be further introduced to the God of creation. We will see that He is also the God of salvation, who desires an intimate and personal relationship with all of us. It is my prayer that you will take Him up on His offer of eternal life, and walk closely with Him today.

Pastor Jim

Above The Heavens

pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Psalm 113:6 “Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

A few years ago my wife and I were window shopping at an outdoor mall in southern California when we stumbled onto a crowd of people huddled around a large telescope. We decided to stand in line and see what they were looking at. When our turn came to look through the view finder we were stunned. From the courtyard of the mall we were able to see the rings around Saturn. We took advantage of the moment and allowed the young man who owned the telescope to point out distant stars and even a distant galaxy. Technology has provided us with things that were unthinkable during most of human history, and there in the mall we were able to observe the heavens. I was struck both by the majesty of the heavens and by the advances of science that would allow the casual shopper a glimpse into the heavens. But I did realize that this was only possible because of the highest reaches of human development. Centuries of studying the stars had come together at that moment to provide a telescope that could view the heavens.

I often think of that when I read the psalmist words;

“Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”

What takes the height of human development to glance at, God has to bow to look into. As majestic as creation may ever seem the creator is much more magnificent. His glory is above the heavens.

Pastor Jim

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