January 2, 2012

THE STARTING POINT

Key Verse

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

Read More READ THE CHAPTER

Central Truth

God is the Originator of life, so He is the Author of life's meaning.

Reflections

We all live in a perpetual search for meaning. Whether we look for meaning in love, achievement, amusement or the latest self-help guru, we relentlessly search to find something worthy of our existence. The opening chapter of the Bible tells us to look at the Originator of life to find life's meaning.

Verse 2 tells us that without God's hand in the soup of life, we find only chaos. "The earth was formless and empty," describes life without God's active involvement. Look at what God does. In the first three days of creation, God take the formless matter and creates order. On days one through three He makes light, the atmosphere and dry land covered in plant life. God shows us that He is an organized Being and He can bring order into the "formlessness" of our lives.

On days four through six, God fills the empty order with good things. He fills the sky with the light-bearers (sun, moon and stars). He fills the oceans with marine life and the sky with birds. Finally, on day six, God fills the land with animals and makes the first humans. God shows us that He is a relational being filling the "empty" world with life.

This chapter is not just an explanation of how the world came into being. It is an explanation of who God is and what He desires to do in each of our lives. Psalm 19:1-2 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." All creation is shouting to us, "Look to your Creator to find the your ultimate meaning!" Why do you look to other created things or created people when the Source is beckoning you to seek Him?

There is an implied promise in this chapter as well. Notice that at the end of each day's creative activity, God pronounces His work as "good." This tells us that when God sets out to make something, He is going to make it good. Are you ready to let God begin His creative work in you?

I'm looking forward to taking the Journey to the Cross with you this year!

Discussion Questions

1. How does your desire for meaning in life express itself? What things have you pursued thinking they would make you happy and fill in any voids you've felt?

2. As you think about Genesis 1, what does God reveal about Himself in the way He goes about creating the world? Are there any surprises here for you?

3. Have you given your life to God to bring order and fullness to you? Think of specific examples. What aspects of your life do you need to bring to Him today?

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.

  1. Chip Smith

    January 2, 2012 05:52 AM

    Good morning Tim. I am looking forward to this year's JTJ too! This will be the third year for me and JTJ has been a wonderful way to explore God's word together. I did find a surprise in Genesis 1. I discovered why God created me and what is my foundational purpose: I was created by God to reflect His Image and rule or take dominion over His creation (vs. 26). The reason it was a surprise is because I was not taught this in school, public or religious. Purpose and meaning in life go hand and hand. Knowing my purpose (why God created me) brings meaning to every area of my life.

  2. Tom Ashcraft

    January 2, 2012 09:53 AM

    Tim, thank you for getting us off to a great start in this year's JTJ. As I reflected on this passage, I see that God is a giver. He gave us life, a gift that itself is beyond measure, but he also gave us all that we need for life with Him as he completed his creation. He is also intentional as he created the heavens, earth, life and us with a specific purpose and in a specific order. These are certainly two characteristics of God that I can emulate as being created in His image. Our God is most definitely an awesome God!

  3. Cindy S. Brown

    January 2, 2012 10:25 AM

    Timmy: It's always exciting to start a new JTJ year, and it's especially exciting to see the kick-off is written by our beloved Senior Pastor. (I was glad Bobby Pruitt let us in on the secret that you REALLY prefer to be called "Timmy".) :-) Thank you for allowing God to work through you to bring His vision to HCBC, to our Association and to the greater Central Texas area. It's exciting to be "on mission" with my family at HCBC. And thanks for starting 2012 off for us by sharing your insights on a passage that we've surely all read dozens if not hundreds of times. From the very beginning, God created order and purpose for everything - from the great sea monsters in the deep to the twinkling stars far above us. Knowing that, wouldn't he logically have created a purpose for me? While I know I have an overarching purpose (to glorify God and enjoy Him forever), I know there is also a moment by moment purpose to my life; who I meet, where I get stuck in a line waiting, opportunities to speak my mind or hold my tongue. I will strive to live 2012 more aware of my moment by moment purpose is His creation.

  4. Val Dugone

    January 2, 2012 10:56 AM

    This passage was a great start to this day and year. I'm amazed at God's incomparable creativity and intentional order - perfectly balanced side by side. Thanks for the reminder that He is the Author and Source of those things in my life as well. I definitely get off balance when I search for significance in anything else.

  5. Gabby

    January 2, 2012 11:07 AM

    I am filled with a grateful heart this new year of 2012. On this 2nd day I find my self in search of direction in comforting those around me, and wah-la, here it is..... GOD control. He made everything & everyone. He can handle it ! My desires of knowing God more is quite clear here. Thank you for a great start Tim.

  6. John Weber

    January 2, 2012 02:06 PM

    Thanks Pastor Tim for a great kick off to this years JTJ. God's unfathomable power and love for us are evident in this chapter as we read of God's grand preparation and unfolding of the universe, the earth and advanced life; giving humans His image and spirit to accomplish His purposes. What a loving and powerful God we have!

  7. Beckye Estill

    January 2, 2012 04:41 PM

    Thanks, Tim, for starting us out this year in JTJ! I always find something new that stands out when I read this again, and this time it was how amazingly creative God is. In simple words we're told that God created all of the living creatures in water and on land, and the birds of the air. Thinking of Him doing that with every kind of beast is amazing! How creative, loving, and fun He is. Just in seeing His designs we get to know about the care He puts into things, and more of Who He is. Then knowing that He puts that same love and care into our own lives gives us hope, joy, and awe that He Who has all power and supremacy would even notice us. We come to understand the depth of His love as we see His purposes in His creation.

  8. Maria White

    January 3, 2012 08:15 AM

    Thank you for bringing ACCESS to the Bible and a wonderful blog setting. May God continue to illuminate you with ideas to touch the people.

  9. Jack

    January 3, 2012 08:18 AM

    Thanks for the insight today Tim! Ahh, being an empty-nesters it like a new start in life, but watch out for those boomerangs!!

  10. Scott Redd

    January 3, 2012 09:04 AM

    I am looking forward to building my relationship with God, family, church family, friends and work associates with the help from the 'JOURNEY' scripture readings and views. Thank you HCBC. Sincerely, Scott Redd

  11. Diane

    January 3, 2012 11:05 AM

    Although I call HCBC my church, I actually have not gone in way too long. I started off 2012 with the intent on going back to Sunday service on a regular basis. I made it this past sunday and although I missed hearing Tim, Bobby Pruitt's sermon was great. I want to actually get involved this time around and connect. Join the Journey daily devotionals gives me that lift I need when I'm at work monday - friday. Looking forward to a new and good year. Thank you, Diane

  12. Hope Fritschle

    January 3, 2012 05:24 PM

    I like question 3... "order and fullness" sound wonderful... I'm not sure I knew they could go together! I suppose God can do anything!!

  13. Michelle Polk

    January 4, 2012 10:29 AM

    This is my 3rd year in JTJ so I "upped my personal anti" to first read the scripture and come up with my own Key Verse and Central Truth. Portions of V26-28 stood out to me, that God created us in His image, both male & female, to partner together to love and to lead creation (can you hear Biblical Womanhood has taken root in my spirit?). I am not in competition with men, I am a complement to them; interdependent, not co-dependent. Together we accomplish our Creator's charge, to love and to lead and to make future image bearers. AND THEN...it got better when I read your JTJ. How marvelous that God revealed 2 precious nuggets to me yesterday (I confess, I'm a day late with my higher anti at stake ;-). Thank you for a tangible insight into our beginnings with our Creator! Blessings to you and your family this and every year! Love from all the Polks

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Tim Hawks

Tim Hawks

Hi, I'm Tim Hawks. I love being the pastor of such a progressive, passionate group of Christ-followers. My wife, Cindy, is the gifted communicator in our family. We will soon be empty-nesters with the youngest of our four children, Sam, heading off to college this year.