Journal entry from 10-17-04

Colossians 1:16-20

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

God created all things. Everything we see, have seen, or ever will see is God's masterpiece. Thats a true statement because it says it right here in His Word. So since that is true, God comes before ANYTHING He created! He holds everything together. Think about the layers of this earth. The mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide is perfect. God holds that together. Thats awesome. Not only does He hold it together so we can breathe and stay alive, He does it while He holds all the layers of the moon together, The mixtures of gas in the sun, and other things we dont even know about! That's awesome. God also while He is doing that, loves us enough to be present with us and listen to us and hold our little lives together. Amazing! Now, why would we honor the creation instead of the creator. When somebody invents something, We enjoy their creation but we give the honor and thanks to the creator. (If you are a Christian, you thank God for using that person and creating the materials used in their invention.) Verse 16 says at the very end, "for Him". All things were not created for us. Everything was created for Him right? We are the ones who get to use the things He has created right? How does this fit together? You probaly already guessed it. We are to use the things that God created but in doing so, tracing everything thing back to Him and praising Him in His creation. So, God created everything for us to use and give Him praise for. That means God created it for Himself becuase He uses that for Christians to praise Him! Why would God create the world with trees and animals? For us to use and in doing so, giving Him glory. We are His, He created us to please Him. That's all we are here for. We were not created to seek our own pleasure. It's not about us. It's about Him. Simple. I am asking God that He will make this more and more real to me in my life. I pray that you guys will get this too.