“Deep within the universe, inside a large spiral galaxy, hidden among its billions stars, there exists a dwarf star named ‘Sol’.  It is a fiery furnace in the center of a beautiful solar system… a Solar System with 8 amazing planets,  5 dwarf  planets, 176 moons and billions of comets and asteroids. A place where a small blue planet may be the most special world in all universe.”

These words accompanied the most compelling four-minute video that I have watched in a long, long time. The production, posted on the internet to introduce our Solar System to elementary students, showed videos and still pictures of our galaxy that made my heart skip a beat.

The music was moving. The words, gripping. My younger daughter sat on my lap, eyes fixed on the video. My eyes filled with tears – God’s magnificence can become overwhelming when you see the universe from the lenses of a potent telescope. I was reminded of the perfection of it all, as celestial bodies hang perfectly in space, separated not an inch farther than necessary in order to keep our Solar System balanced for the sustenance of life on our planet. Many people become more skeptical when contemplating the stars. I personally become ever more convinced that there has to be a God who designed it all.

Many people become more skeptical when contemplating the stars. I personally become ever more convinced that there has to be a God who designed it all. @AJC #RechargeWednesday #universe #GodCreator
Click To Tweet

As I pondered about the vastness of creation, images of things that are currently happening in this tiny, blue planet of ours started running across my mind.  COVID. Social unrest. Economic issues. We live in a world that is permeated with pain, anger, lust and selfishness. We think our own troubles to be the center of the universe, whereas in truth, even every major issue that this world is currently facing pales in contrast with the magnitude of the God who created it all.

Life is but a vapor and yet, we stubbornly make it all about us, our agendas, our ideologies, instead of thinking about what God would have us do.  Many don’t ever stop to think that it may just be true that one day we will all stand before the One who created the stars, placing us, by design, on this earth to accomplish his plan. That day could even be today.

I don’t know about you, but I tremble at the thought. I tremble at the thought that every action and everything I have ever stood for or against will be accounted for. I tremble at the thought that there is a higher plan, a higher purpose in life than just my daily routines, my concerns and cares. I tremble at the thought that God has placed me on this tiny planet with a specific purpose in mind and that I may just miss it if I get so engrossed with my own agenda that I fail to seek him. Do you ever think about that?

I tremble at the thought that God has placed me on this tiny planet with a specific purpose in mind and that I may just miss it if I get so engrossed with my own agenda that I fail to seek him.
Click To Tweet

I believe we all should. Because as we look at the vastness and perfection of our universe, we must be confronted with the fact that, if it was indeed created, there is a God who is so perfect and particular, that He doesn’t want us to treat our lives and society as another cosmic accident.

He created life in an orderly fashion and He does care about how we live it.  What if he does have a blueprint for us to follow? What if there is right and wrong and one day He will hold us accountable for our actions? Would that change the way you see life and everything you believe in?

What if God does have a blueprint for us to follow? Would that change the way you see life and everything you believe in?
Click To Tweet

A version of this article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

LINKUP PARTY opens on Wednesdays at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP is open! This week, a science video for my daughter's school made me think about people who do not believe in Creation. Join us and share your blog!
Click To Tweet

The post Your Life is Not a Cosmic Accident {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Who is this King of glory?

Christmas is only a few weeks away. While I find it unbelievable, more troubling is the unbelief I see behind the holiday—Holy-day. 

But, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.

And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise. God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die. Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory.

Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory. @FridayKaren #JesusIsKing #Glory
Click To Tweet

Yet the phrase, “The King of glory” is only found once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. So, let’s look at the 10 verses of the Psalm for our list of 4 ways to unveil Jesus this Christmas. And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world. 

1.)  Creation unveils the King of glory.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

(Verses 1-2)

Scripture reveals how Jesus, part of the triune God, participated in creation. John 1:3 says all things came into being through Him. Also, Colossians 1:16 confirms, “For by Him all things were created….”

Even the star announcing the arrival of the Christ-child was created by Him.

Every time we gaze at a sunset, see a glimmer of light shinning through the window, stand in awe at the twinkling of stars or the ebb and flow of the ocean. It reminds us how all of creation unveils the King of #Glory @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

2.)  Holiness unveils the King of glory.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

(Verses 3-4)

The imagery here makes my soul leap and causes me to pause. David knew what it meant to stand in God’s presence. And he knew how sin separated him from God.

The Lord created our souls to desire the ascent up His hill and to stand in His holy place. But it requires we submit to the Lord’s holiness in our lives and allow Him to cleanse us from sin.

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7. 

3.)  Seeking God unveils the King of glory.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

(Verses 5-6)

The Bible encourages us to seek the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness in Matthew 6:33. To pray, seek God’s face, and turn from wicked ways for forgiveness of sin and healing of our land here on earth in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

And Hebrews 11:6 tells us God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

4.)  Salvation unveils the King of glory.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

(Verses 7-10)

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Psalm 24:10 #Glory #JesusIsKing @FridayKaren
Click To Tweet

Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes the repetitions of phrases in these verses like those in a song.

“The doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in.” Henry further notes the Lord desires to be “welcomed by us.” 

The King of glory knocks at the door of our hearts. If we open the door, He comes in (Revelation 3:20). The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.

Which of the 4 ways of unveiling Jesus speaks the most to you? Tell us in the comments.

*Scripture ESV.

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

Join @FridayKaren as we look at how the Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives. Link up is open, share your blog. #Glory #JesusIsKIng
Click To Tweet

The post 4 Ways to Unveil the King of Glory {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

These words accompanied the most compelling four-minute video that I have watched in a long, long time. The production, posted on the internet to introduce our Solar System to elementary students, showed videos and still pictures of our galaxy that made my heart skip a beat.  The music was moving. The words, gripping. My younger daughter sat on my lap, eyes fixed on the video. My eyes filled with tears – God’s magnificence can become overwhelming when you see the universe from the lenses of a potent telescope. I was reminded of the perfection of it all, as celestial bodies hang perfectly in space, separated not an inch farther than necessary in order to keep our Solar System balanced for the sustenance of life in our planet. Many people become more skeptical when contemplating the stars. I personally become ever more convinced that there has to be a God who designed it all.

As I pondered about the vastness of creation, images of things that are currently happening in this tiny, blue planet of ours started running across my mind. The horror of ISIS across the sea… senseless riots in our own backyard… the Supreme Court ruling on the redefinition of marriage. We live in a world that is permeated with anger, lust and selfishness. We think our own troubles to be the center of the universe, whereas in truth, even every major issue that this world is currently facing pales in contrast with the magnitude of the God who created it all.  Life is but a vapor and yet, we stubbornly make it all about us, our agendas, our ideologies, instead of thinking about what God would have us do.  Many don’t ever stop to think that it may just be true that one day we will all stand before the one who created the stars, placing us, by design, on this earth to accomplish his plan. That day could even be today. I don’t know about you, but I tremble at the thought. I tremble at the thought that every action and everything I have ever stood for or against will be accounted for. I tremble at the thought that there is a higher plan, a higher purpose in life than just my daily routines, my concerns and cares. I tremble at the thought that God has placed me in this tiny planet with a specific purpose in mind and that I may just miss it if I get so engrossed with my own agenda that I fail to seek him. Do you ever think about that?

I believe we all should. Because as we look at the vastness and perfection of our universe, we must be confronted with the fact that, if it was indeed created, there is a God who is so perfect and particular, that he doesn’t want us to treat our lives and society as another cosmic accident. He created life in an orderly fashion and he does care about how we live it.  What if he does have a blueprint for us to follow? What if there is right and wrong and one day he will hold us accountable for our actions? Would that change the way you see life and everything you believe in?

Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author and national conference speaker. You can now pre-buy her first book, “12 Inches – Bridging the Gap between What You Know and How You Feel About God” at Barnes & Nobles on line and Amazon. Visit her blog to read her devotionals at www.soaringwithhim.com or email her at pholbrook@soaringwithhim.com

The post What If God Has a Blueprint for Us? (Weekend Column for the AJC) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.