January 10, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for January 10, 2021: Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11: Theme: Baptism of the Lord: Song: Spirit Song UMH 347 Genesis: Since it is the beginning of the year, it is fitting that we start at the beginning of the bible – the creation story. The story does not start at the beginning of creation, it starts at the beginning of order in the world. This story shows that from the beginning of order, God has wanted humankind to be a major part of that creation. It is our job to maintain that order. God has left a lot of responsibility in our hands. This verse covers the first day of creation. After God is done for the day – he says and it was good. And yet there is still 6 more days of work to complete. Perhaps God knew that there would always be unfinished business in creation for man to complete. There are some things that still need to be corrected in order to call it good. Psalm 29: This psalm is a celebration of being co-creators with God. We get to work, but as we see God’s creation first hand, we can’t help but to be in awe and to worship God. As we watch God in action, we see that his source of creation is his voice. All he has to do is to speak, and the world appears. Perhaps that is why Jesus Christ, who is also with God is the WORD – the one who makes it all so. As we watch God at work in creation, we too are blessed with peace and abundance. The beginning of the psalm calls us divine beings, created with the purpose of living a blessed life with God as the center. Questions: When have you watched God at work in creation? Do you see the awe of God when you are in nature? How can we speak the future into being? What does it mean to be a divine being?