Christianity – Page 6 – Denise's Scriptural Photography

A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven

Seasons come and seasons go, but God stays true through all.

As we transition from Summer to Fall, we surely become aware of this, not only by the cooler temperatures, but also by the display in colors of the leaves. Where I live, it is a season we get to enjoy. The leaves lose their chlorophyll, allowing the true colors to come forth. It is also a time of harvest from all the Summer growth. In Fall, we prepare for the season of Winter, where we rest and enjoy the reap of the harvest, while waiting for the renewal and refreshing that Spring brings. God speaks about this in His word, in Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV,

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”

Each season has its purpose. Every year the Summer, season of growth, closes with the change of color in the leaves, becoming Fall. Fall is a time of change and harvest. As the leaves fall to the ground, a yielding to the next season of Winter is taking place. Winter is a season where we rest and enjoy the harvest. Then, once again, Spring arrives, bringing with it a fresh newness. It is a season of new beginning, planting and hope. The cycle starts once again. All the seasons have their “purpose under heaven.”

Surely, this is true in our own lives as well. All the times and seasons have a “purpose.” We learn; we apply and grow. We reap; rest and trust God through it all. Let God show you His “purpose under heaven” for you. Then take your opportunity; share it in due season and He will bless you beyond your dreams.

If you keep God first, He will keep you first.

In All Things

In our life, we seem to focus on the large concerns, to petition God to help us with. This is not wrong; He wants us to come to Him, in all things. However, in our focusing on these, we sometimes miss all the multitude of little things, God is doing. When I first read the Bible, cover to cover, I was astonished at how many of our daily sayings were there. These sayings I heard and used throughout my life. This, once again, solidified the fact of God’s existence and word for me.

This picture is of a glorious sunset, painting the sky red. Admiring this sight, I was reminded of the saying, “Red sky at night, sailors delight, Red sky in morning sailor take warning.” I’ve heard and used this saying many times, and there it was, rooted in the scriptures. For a new Christian, this was a discovery from God. It may seem like a little thing, but nothing is minimal with God. As you wait on the Lord to answer your prayers, look for all the small blessings along the way. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking He isn’t there! He surely is there, guiding your way. Let the word and signs He gives, light your way.

“He answered and said to them, when it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’” Matthew 16:2 NKJV

He is in all things.

Prayer

In remembrance of 9/11/2001

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those
        who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever. Amen.

1979 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer

God’s Earth And Sea, It Was Good!

What was it like, before He created the earth and all that is in it? God has no beginning and no end. We are unable to understand how this is possible, as finite beings. We have a beginning and an end. The earth itself has a beginning and will have an end as well, but God Himself has no beginning or end.

Sometimes when I read the Bible, I try to visualize how it might have been at that time. Try to imagine what it was like before creation, when only God existed. I also wonder what creation could have looked like as God spoke all into existence. Take a minute, close your eyes and try to envision before and after creation. He created the heavens and the earth. Things only begin for us in Genesis 1: 1-2.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” NKJV

If you ever want to see nature, in its innate raw beauty, Alaska is a place you should consider going. On a cruise along the Inside Passageway, you see the landscape in all its natural form. Early one morning, looking at the mountains and water, in this photo, I thought about creation. Could it have looked something like this? Genesis 1:10 came alive to me, prayerfully this picture, along with God’s word will speak to you also. We truly have an awesome God.

Genesis 1:10 “And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” NKJV

His creation was beautiful in the beginning and still is today. His word and promises, to us continue.

In The Beginning…

On an Alaskan cruise, out in the Pacific Ocean, I enjoyed a miraculous sight. The sun was setting, closing the day, while the moon was rising, beginning the night watch. My thoughts went to Genesis 1:1 NKJV,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

As we read further into the story of creation, I realized the truth of this account as I gazed upon the sky. In Genesis 1:16 NKJV we read,

“Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.”

Simply put, I was in awe and wonder of our God, who did this in the beginning, and faithfully continues to do this daily. How can we think that there is no proof God exists? Everywhere we look; we see that He is real, His creation and His word reveal this to us continually; they coincide. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, this truly is the word of God.

“From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 NKJV

“Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!” Psalm 148:3 NKJV