Oct 2
Submitted by Mike on 10/02/2022 12:26 PM as 2022


  Today let us continue in the book of Genesis. We are going to look at a couple passages and let’s see how we can apply them today in our daily lives.

 

Genesis 1:11-12

(11) And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. (12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:20-25

(20) And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. (21) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (22) And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. (23) And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (24) And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. (25) And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 

   Here we find God creating all the vegetation and the animals to fill the Earth. Last week we learned that we were to have dominion over them. We were to care for and nurture God’s creation. The Earth was set up to be a perfect place for man and all the earth’s elements to live in perfect harmony. Not until Adam and Eve ate of the fruit were they cursed, and would now deal with in Genesis 3 verses 17 and 18, thorns and the not so pleasant side of what should have been a perfect world. They would be cast out of the Garden of Eden which was a place of perfection.

 

  In todays society we here a lot about man made global crises pertaining to endangered species and the preserving of the environment. In one sense, we can definitely say that many of the Earths crises are manmade. Because we have sinned and continued to sin, there will never be perfect harmony between man and earth’s elements. God made it that way as we see in verses Genesis 3 verses 17-18. Clearly though, what the earth has to offer is made for mankind. God tells us so in Genesis 1:29-30. God pretty much hands over all the things of this Earth that He created for us to have and consume.


Questions to ponder.


What responsibility do we have in "preserving” the resources God has provided us when he has given them to us to use?


If these resources are truly from God, will we ever run out of the necessities we need, coal, oil, gas, water, crops, cattle, etc…?


Are some of the global crises we hear about possibly made from God? Remember the plagues of Egypt in the book of Exodus.


 Would love to hear your thoughts.

 


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COMMENTS


[ posted by Kimberly, 10/03/2022 05:30 PM ]

All true Mike.    We are put here to have dominion.    God created everything for us.   I don't know the answer for if we will ever run out of the resources, aside from a cataclysmic event.   I have heard of areas being overfished.    I do believe that God "allows" things to happen.  A lot of the events that are taking place are destined to happen, when you read Revelation.    We do have a responsibility to preserve our resources.  keep our water sources clean, even keep the land in good shape for our crops.    

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[ posted by Priscilla, 10/03/2022 10:54 PM ]

I agree with Kim, much like the stewards who maintained control and watched over and cared for a kingdom while the king was away, man was given the task of caring for the earth and that must come with some expectation that we not just preserve but use wisely what we consume.  
 
Like Kim I do not know is we will ever run out or if God will decide to end this world before we get that far.  But we do know that areas can be over developed (fished, logged, industrial pollution etc) causing hardships not just for native animal and plant life, but for the native human population living in these areas that also rely on these resources.  This effect shows how we are not being good stewards of Gods world.
 
To say that God "causes" or makes natural disasters is not quite correct. (it is all just a part of nature and what that   We do know that he allows them to happen, because they do.  However sometimes a disaster can bring about a greater good. Look at the cross, mankind killed God (Jesus). God allowed this to happen to bring about the greater good which is Salvation.  Some disasters can bring about unity, compassion, the effort for each man to help his fellow man, etc.  We never know what comes out of each.  What good or bad came out of the Covid pandemic on the microscopic adn macroscopic level?  Our own intellect and observation of the results at large are limited - God alone knows what good has or will come of it.  
 
In the end, all we can do is pray, pray for understanding, wisdom and the ability to see how WE can take a tragedy and turn it into something that can give God the Glory.  Ex: let's say your house was broken into and your TV taken, perhaps God was telling you, "You need to stop watching so much TV and spend more time in prayer and reading scripture."  Or something I have had happen to me; I lose my job of 15 years.  I was working too many hours and the drive was very long.  I got 4 months to spend at home and enjoy some time with family before having to find another job.  - THANKS BE TO GOD. 
 

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[ posted by Mike, 10/04/2022 12:54 PM ]

Luke 12
 
22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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[ posted by Cindy, 10/05/2022 12:08 PM ]

Yes, God gave us dominion over all things on earth he created.  We are to be stewards of the earth to take care of it.  He created all of this and I don't think he would give us the authority to destroy it.  Damage it, yes.   Which is created by more and more industrial causes, etc.   Adam and Eve had one job...." to work it and take care of it."
After the flood man was given another chance to get it right, and God promised  to not destroy the earth again.   And once again He said to " be fruitful and multiply" and "fill the earth."  
 We are able to create and destroy... nature,  our lives, relationships, etc.  But God gave us a finished product and it is our job to watch over it, guard it, protect and preserve it. I think that would also include our daily lives.
 
As for natural disasters, we know God used the weather many times to punish.  The devil  also used it against Job. ( lightning, and  mighty winds)   In Isaiah 45:7 God says He "forms the light and darkness, I make peace and evil, I do all these things."
Discipline usually follows punishment, right?  So I agree with Priscilla about her comment about in bad things there is always some kind of Glory for God's purpose.  In the old testament God wiped out entire  families,  villages...with no consideration of guilty or not guilty. They were all punished and smited.  We do not see that anymore in our times. Yes many deaths occur in areas of disasters.  But many do survive.   Does the devil have influence?    After all, he is the "ruler of this world" John:12:31 and "roams the earth to and from to devour"  1 Peter 5:8,  "prince of power of the air " Eph 2:2.  It could be possible he has the ability to have some affect?      
Just as God allows people to commit evil acts/crimes, couldn't God also allow the consequences of humanitys' sin to be reflected on earth as natural disasters?
If we are to believe that the devil is here to destroy us and the earth, it is because he knows that  the "new earth"  will be with Jesus' return. God and Jesus will reclaim/regain this earth. The devil is intent to do as much damage as he can during the time alotted to him.   
 God is in control of all things...good and bad.  He does provide for ALL of His children, but I do think He does permit Satan and his demons to exercise their limited will over the earth and its people.
We have to maintain the faith and be assured it is all working for His Glory and everlasting good.
 
And lastly, isn't it odd that natural disasters are always defined as "and act of God"???
Why is every days beauty and weather not defined the same way? 
I know when I have my cup of coffee watching the sun coming up from the sidewalk, I see the beauty and thank God for the day. I see the sunset while I am taking my evening walk and thank God for its beautiful colors.   Those are also "acts of God."
 
  

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[ posted by Priscilla, 10/06/2022 07:20 PM ]

Nicely said Cindi!

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