God Said

ByJim Stephens

God Said

GraceNotes Daily Devotionals 2019 is based on a reading plan that takes us through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in a year. Each day I’ll include the reading for the day at the top of the page. I’ll be reading from the NLT.

Reading: Genesis 1-2; Luke 1 Scripture: 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3 NLT) The phrase “God said” is repeated nine times in Genesis Chapter One. There are several other phrases in this chapter where God is the active person: “God created, God saw, God called, God named, God patterned, God planted, God blessed.” The Genesis account of creation is entirely God-initiated.

God thought about creation, spoke his intention, and it happened. Then he reviewed it, approved it, and spoke the next phase in the process. It originated in his thoughts and was activated by his word. I purpose that 2019 be a God-intentioned, God-originated, God-created year for me, my family, and those I influence. I resolve to give greater attention to the things God has already spoken concerning his purpose. I resolve to give greater attention to listening for his current word. I resolve that more of my thoughts, words, and actions will be God-originated and God-initiated than ever before.

Friends, will you resolve with me that 2019 will be for us a “God said and I responded” year, a year of God’s creative initiative, and our obedient and faith-filled response? May 2019 be for you and me a year defined by the words, “God said.” May our response be as Mary’s response to the words of the angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 NLT) Prayer: Father, Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing me this far! I ask for me and for my friends around the world who are reading this devotional, that 2019 be a year defined by “God said,” and by our response, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Help us to listen carefully and attentively, believe simply and completely, and obey quickly and wholeheartedly. Amen.
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