Creator and Lord

John 1:3 declares; “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”  The entirety of the universe and everything in it was made by God.  Yet God did not make everything to then just sit back and watch the show.   God did not create the universe and then depart for vacation and allow the universe to continue on its own uncharted, unguided course.  God exists as Creator and also Sovereign Lord.   God made all things and as Creator maintains authority over the creation.   The Creator has authority over the creation like the potter has authority over the clay (Isaiah 29:16).

We see this relationship of Creator and Lord in the earliest days of the world. In Genesis 1 Moses declares the creation of the world by God.  In verses 26-27 the final creation that we see is man as God’s crowning work.  Upon directly creating man, we can read and see God’s commands to his created people.

    Genesis 1:28, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Adam and Eve were commanded to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.   Immediately we see in Genesis the undeniable reality of God’s authority over his creation.  He is Creator and thus Lord.

We see this direct connection of Creator and Lord also in Acts 17, as Paul declares the nature of the one true living God.   

Acts 17:23-24, Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Paul clearly declares God is both Creator of all and Lord over all.  There is nothing that He has not made, and there is nothing that escaped His Lordship.  He is Lord over all.

Beautiful Utah

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Utah is a beautiful place to live.  Its landscape varies from alpine forests to desert plateaus, from lofty mountains to canyon gorges.  It enjoys distinct beautiful seasons each year. Utah boasts the greatest snow on earth, yet has miles of golden sand during its summer. The wildlife is likewise just as diverse hosting antelope and elk, bald eagles and sea gulls, and mountain lions and bears. Utah is a diverse and marvelous place that many enjoy.  People come from around the world and the US to enjoy the phenomenal skiing and national parks.   Other people choose to call it home and enjoy it all year round.  Many enjoy the outdoors through recreational activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, driving, or flying.   Yet often, for all the time, energy, and cost to enjoy Utah’s wild lands most give no notice or thought to its creator.   The created world is not simply a theme park for humanity, but points to God as creator.

Psalm 19:1 reads, The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

The beauty and splendor of the stars on a moonless night points to the majesty of God.  Admiration at the stars should result in admiration of God the creator.

Romans 1:20a reads, For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,

Romans 1 likewise teaches that the visible created world points to God.   The visible creation expresses truths about the invisible God, namely his eternal power and Godhead.    As the sun rises and sets with its brilliant display of light, it testifies to the great and mighty God.   The mighty aged mountains attest to the everlasting powerful God.  Romans 1:21 teaches that one’s response to the magnificence of creation should be thanks and praise to God.  We should praise Him as the eternal powerful God.   Do you simply enjoy His creation, or do you give Him praise and thanks?  

Are you just a weed eater and a hay burner?

Horses are incredible animals. They can be extremely useful to their owners.  You can use a horse to pull a carriage, pack out an elk, round up and rope cows, or simply enjoy a beautiful ride through the mountains. However, not all horses bring about such benefit to their owners.  The horse belongs to the owner and master and is for the purposes of the master. The master is not for the purposes of the horse.  Because of attitude, bad habits, or lack of training, many horses simply mow down weeds in a pasture or burn up hay from the stack. They are not serving the purpose of the master and are simply expensive weed eaters and hay burners. 

No one wants a horse for such a wasted purpose. Yet, have you ever considered God’s purpose for you? God is the Creator and Lord over all. He is the owner and master.  He is Lord of horses, seas, wind, waves and you and me.  Revelation 4:11 states, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” God has made all things according to His will and for His glory. He has an intended purpose for people.  His purpose is not for people to simply get rich, have fun, be famous, or be popular. His intended purpose for people is that they would have a relationship with him in which they love Him and walk with Him. We see a picture of this scenario before sin in the Garden of Eden as Adam and Eve enjoyed a relationship with God.

So in the grand scheme of life are you just a weed eater and a hay burner? Or are you serving the will of the Master?

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The phrase, "Are you just a weed eater and a hay burner" is borrowed with permission from horse trainer, Bob Toomer.

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