The Genesis Factor Pt. 1

Genesis- literally the "coming into being or existence" from the Hebrew "bereshit" literally "In the beginning."

I asked myself, "what does this have to do with me?" God asked Job. "where you there when I laid the foundations of the Earth?" Job was not. So, most certainly I didn't have a hand in it either. Does that mean that Genesis is nothing more than and archaic story that documents our glorious yet humiliating beginnings? Sadly that is what it would seem.

But.....look closer. Does life not spring forth from all around us everyday?

Genesis 1:26-28 NIV

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. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

God has granted us dominion over all living creatures in the earth. Although we ourselves have no power in and of ourselves, we are given limited access to our Father's unlimited power. The power to create and the power to destroy. This is the Genesis Factor.

How could a being so great and powerful entrust to us, the weak, frail and flesh-minded the power of life and death? Does God not know the wickedness that resides in the heart of a man? God's plan was never for us as His creation to carry the role of demi-gods. Instead, He desires to have us become a part of His "master plan".

Being created in His image, we are ingrained with a desire to create life and sadly apart from Him the will to destroy it. As disciples of Jesus Christ, being a part of God's ongoing creation draws us nearer to His heart.

Unfortunately, after the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the heart of man was severed from the heart of God. This separation has left us with the unquenchable desire to create and destroy without the pure and Holy motives of a Father whose only purpose is to love and be loved by His creation.

In Pt. 2 of this little snippet we will explore what creation means to us as children of the Creator and why our part in Genesis is as important today as it was when Adam breathed his first breathe of life in the Garden.

Hope to see you soon for part 2 of the Genensis Factor.

Blessings,

Gabriel

Barbarian Disciple

OK. I'm back!

Hey everybody! Long time no see. Yeah it's been a wild and crazy summer. I will be sharing all the amazing things God has and is doing in my life. But right at this moment I want to tell you guys and gals that no matter where you are at this exact moment, the Creator of the universe loves you.

Look around you and for just a moment be still and reflect on the unfathomable complexity of the world around you breath in. Now try to imagine how great and powerful the being is that could have created all of this not to mention the heavens above us. That wonderful and infinite being wants you to know one thing in this moment.....

HE LOVES YOU!

He wants to wrap HIS arms around you and embrace you in a way you have never even imagined.

I ask that for your sake and because of the love HE has for you that today you focus on the world around you. I pray that you will see HIS great might around you and open your heart to the love HE has to give.

Love and Blessings,
J. Gabriel
Barbarian Disciple

Who's in Control?

Sometimes finding the path you're supposed to be on can be a daunting task. It's mind boggling to me how one minute you are smack dab in the middle of what you believe is God's will for your life and then BAM chaos ensues. It's like going downhill on a bike. Things seem fine as you pick up speed and enjoy the ride but before you know it you're out of control as you accelerate faster and faster. Then you're stuck with a decision. Do you try to stop and regroup or let go and let God take steer you in the right direction? That's a scary place to be. Everything in you wants to hit the brakes and regain control but is that what God wants. Or does He want you to trust Him that He has you right where He wants you? Is this where you're supposed to be in the first place? Is God putting you in a place where you must rely on Him? Have you lost your way or is the Father just working to expand and stretch your faith?

Paul states in 2Cor 1:8-9, 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,s about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. NLT.


Is God moving in your life in a way that forces you to rely fully on Him. His word leads me to believe that in this life that is where we should live. Complete and total surrender to His will, fully relying on the Holy Spirit to carry us, guide us and direct our steps. It is then that we find ourselves out of control but completely in His will.

This life is not ours. It was purchased with a price. God bought our lives with the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. When He did that He gave us the unique privilege and honor to live for Him and the name of His son, Jesus. In return we can trust that He will fulfill all of His promises made to us in His word. He will never fail us. He will provide all of our needs. The righteous will never be forsaken and we have been made righteous in Christ.

I pray that this week you and I will begin to look at where we are at this exact moment and ask our gracious Father if it's time to let go of the handle bars and learn to rely on Him. He will not fail us if we humble ourselves and submit to His authority.

Then we will truly begin to live.

Blessings to you all,
J. Gabriel
Barbarian Disciple

Temple......

If the body is a temple, mine is in need of some home improvement. Just rode 10 miles on the mountain bike and man did it hurt. Think it's time to change that. If I can't discipline my body how can I ever discipline my spiritual life? Don't think biking is my thing though. Gonna start hitting the gym again. This could be the start of something great. I'll keep you abreast of my progress. If you don't hear from me in a few days, call for help. LOL

L'chai- to life,
Gabriel
Barbarian Disciple

On the way back from Florida. It was an awesome trip. So wish I could just travel all the time. Hang out with people from other churches and help people in need