Beyond the Weekend: GOD IS...
People have a lot of thoughts about God. Some say he is angry and vengeful. Some say he is a buddy or best friend. But what does Scripture tell us about God?
Understanding the character of God matters. It changes how we meet him in our everyday lives. It changes how we understand the world around us, and his work in it. And it changes our prayer life and how we talk and hear from him. Understanding the character of God leads us to living lives of obedience and worship.
Join Pastors Aaron Buer, Jeff Manion and Brad Holmes in our 10-week series GOD IS ..., a study on the identity and character of God, and learn how your faith can grow as you know God better.
Generosity in Creation
Read: Psalm 65 Listen: Psalm 65
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:10-11
Creation is the moment when God first makes his generosity public. God does not create the world because he is lonely or bored. Rather, God creates out of his generous fullness. God creates the world to share himself with people. It is through creation that God shouts: “I am here! I am creative! I am good! I am wildly generous!” The psalmist also declares that God is generous. He sees God’s generosity in watering the earth to grow grain and crops that feed and sustain people (Psalm 65:9-11).
God's generosity is evident in the everyday blessings we often take for granted. We often thank God for the food he provides. But, we may miss how the goodness of the meal shows the kindness of God. When we savor a tasty meal or admire a stunning sunset, we're invited to see beyond the physical experience. We can appreciate the generous creator behind it. This view can turn our normal moments into chances for thanks, wonder and worship. It reminds us that we serve a generous God who delights in blessing his creation. When we taste a summer salad, we taste the goodness of God. He is great, good and generous.
TODAY: Food that brightens the soul is supposed to point us toward the Creator. As you eat today, taste the goodness and generosity of God. Notice the colors and savor the flavors. Remember how he waters the earth to make food grow. Take a moment to thank him for providing you with food that nourishes your body and brings joy.
JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Read Isaiah 17-19. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Consider how God makes himself known to the nations through Jesus.
