John 1:1–3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…
We are reconciled in Christ
Acts 26:23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Hebrews 10:19 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Having boldness, without reservation, we can enter into the holiest of holies by the blood of Jesus to receive mercy and grace. Our prayers reach the Father. The veil that separated us from Him was rent from the top to the bottom. In Jesus we have a high priest who loves us and gave His life for us. We can draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith.
The blood of Christ has washed us clean from the evils of this world. Our bodies are the temples of Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
We trust in the truth of Jesus Christ. The moment we believe our souls were sealed with Holy Spirit of promise. He is the down payment until the redemption of the purchased body we live in.
Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
This present time is not to be compared to the glory of the manifestation of the sons of God. Before Adam sinned God knowing all things put the plan of redemption into place. We will be delivered from the corruption of death and the redemption of our bodies.
Christ was made sin, He that knew no sin, that the world through Him could be saved. God’s love is beyond human understanding. Faith is abiding in the truth of God’s word.
Proverbs 12:12, "The root of the righteous bears fruit." The Hebrew word for "root" in these two verses, seres, communicates the idea of a tree whose roots provide firmness and permanence. The same word is used in Jeremiah 17:7-8 to describe those who trust in the Lord and put their confidence in Him. Like those of a tree planted by the water, our spiritual roots are strengthened by God's Word, which provides the nourishment we need (Psalm 1:1-6).
As Jesus would later tell His disciples in John 10:10, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come to give abundant life to all who believe in Him. This abundance can include earthly blessings like financial provision, physical protection and health, but it primarily refers to spiritual blessings like love, joy and peace as well as the promise of eternity with Jesus no matter what trials we experience on earth (John 16:33).
And as we stand firm on the foundation of faith in God, our lives rooted in Him become legacies of His faithfulness, producing fruit for generations to come (Proverbs 12:12).
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dew fall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the One Light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word
Music here -- Morning has broken – Cat Stevens
"Morning Has Broken" is a Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and was inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, then set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, "Bunessan".“SabbathMoments”
As dads, we accelerate or stifle, release or repress our children’s giftedness. They will spend much of life benefitting or recovering from our influence. But remember, our kids were God’s kids first. We tend to forget this fact, regarding our children as “our children,” as though we have the final say in their health and future. But we don’t. Wise are the parents who regularly give their children back to God. In the right time and the right way, God will give your child back to you. Max Lucado
Colossians 1:15-18
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. The New King James Version
Jesus Christ makes the Father and the Spirit visible to people. Paul later draws on the notion of resembling God when writing about how people should treat one another.
Jesus as the Image of God in this context, the Greek word used here, prōtotokos, affirms Christ’s supremacy and sovereignty over all things. In its old testament context, prōtotokos refers primarily to preeminent status, as the Israelites recognized the firstborn son to have special privileges.
Firstborn could denote a priority in time or in rank. The word does not describe Christ as the first being created in time because the hymn proclaims that all things were “created by Him” and that “He is before all things.” Jesus is the eternal One who was before all creation.
The idea of firstborn in the Hebrew culture did not require that one be the first son born. This was not the case with either Isaac or Jacob. But they were the firstborn in the sense that they were rightful heirs to the line of their fathers. Being firstborn referred more to rank and privilege than to order of birth.
Since Christ is God, He is supreme in rank over all creation. Yet He is not only the transcendent deity who created us; He is the One who died on our behalf and was subsequently raised from dead. Thus He is also the firstborn from the dead. The first One who experienced the true resurrection. This emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all creation. Christ is the One who created all things, whether they be material or immaterial, seen or unseen. All things were created through Him and for Him: Not only did Jesus create all things; everything was created for His purposes where Christ is said to be the “heir of all things”. But the glory of the earth, the heavens, or the sun, moon, and stars cannot be compared with the glory of His new creation.
Following the celebration of Christ’s authority over all creation, this early Christian hymn proceeds to proclaim His authority over the church. He is the head of His own body, which is the church. No one should underestimate the significance of the church, for it is in fact Christ’s body. The sovereign Creator of the universe, as Head of the church, provides leadership and oversight over it. No wonder He is so jealous for it.
Christ was the first to be raised from the dead. His own resurrection guarantees that the church will one day be resurrected. The NKJV Study Bible
In some cases, the special status of the firstborn was applied to a son who was not born first. For example, Isaac was not Abraham’s first son, yet he inherited blessings that indicate that he was treated as the firstborn. Jacob bought the birthright from Esau and swindled for the blessing, as well. When Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, he transferred the blessing of the firstborn son, Manasseh, to his younger brother, Ephraim.
Firstborn of All Creation these terms refer to earthly creatures and spiritual beings. There is nothing outside the scope of Christ’s sovereignty. Since all things—natural and supernatural—were created through Him, they are subject to His authority.
The head indicates Christ’s leadership of the Church. His authority and empowerment enable the body of Christ to grow and mature. Head of the Body, the Church, the Greek word used here, ekklēsia, refers to an assembly of people. In Christian contexts, it describes the people who assemble in the name of Christ. Ekklēsia refers to Jesus’ resurrection, which Paul regards as a template for the resurrection of all believers. Faithlife Study Bible
Ephesians 1:20–23 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come…
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
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