non-denominational

Your Life And What Comes After (6): Why God Created Everything

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Why did the man in our story build a house? Because he wanted to use his carpentry skills, show his ability at house-building, and—most importantly—create a place to share with his family, a place they could call their own.

He built a home where they could live in and enjoy life together. His children could arrange their own rooms and paint the walls their favorite colors. His wife could plant and care for a garden. They could put up a swing set or play volleyball with friends out in the big backyard.

They could add rooms and other spaces as needed, build a treehouse in the big oak tree out front, plant more trees and shrubs around the property, and watch them grow over time. They could add value to the home that was already built.

The man’s home was a workspace, a playground, and a wonderful place for him and his family to live together.

That is why the man built his house—to be a home.

And that is why God created the universe—to be a home for His family.

What Does God Want?

God desires a family to love—and to love Him in return. The world is the home God built for His family. We are the family with whom our Heavenly Father seeks to share His love, life, and goodness.

Ephesians 1:4–5 (KJV)
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…

There it is again: “the good pleasure of his will.” God created the universe because it pleased Him to build a home for the family He desires.

And that family is us—you and me. We are the objects of the Creator’s endless, limitless love.

So What?

Now we know what God’s purpose in creating everything was—and still is. But what about us? What about you and me?

How do we fit into God’s grand plan and purposes? What is our purpose, and how is it connected to God’s purpose?

We will dig into the answers to those questions—so stay tuned.

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Joshua

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Here are four awesome quotes about the sixth book of the Bible, Joshua.

Origen of Alexandria (3rd century)

“Joshua, the son of Nun, is a figure of Jesus Christ; for he leads the people into the promised land, as Jesus leads believers into the kingdom of heaven.”
— Homilies on Joshua

Augustine of Hippo (4th–5th century)

“It was not Moses, but Joshua, who led the people into the land of promise—showing that the Law brings us to the border, but grace brings us in.”
— Sermons on the Old Testament

John Calvin (16th century)

“In the victories of Joshua, God displayed that the land was given not by human strength, but by His own hand and promise.”
— Commentary on the Book of Joshua

Matthew Henry (17th–18th century)

“Joshua’s book is a record of God’s faithfulness in the performance of His promises, and of Israel’s duty in the enjoyment of them.”
— Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Joshua

Your Life And What Comes After (5): Building A House

Rick TryonLeave a comment

There was a man several years ago who moved with his family to an area of the country where he had never lived before. He was a total stranger in the new town.

The man was a skilled carpenter by trade, but no one in the entire county knew that—or anything else about him.

After living in a small rented cottage with his wife and children for a few months, the man set about building a new house in which to live.

He took his time and worked hard and carefully on the house because he wanted the final result to reflect his great skill and workmanship. He used quality woods, such as cedar and fir, because only the very best materials would do for his new home.

After a year or so, he finished building the house, with his family name in magnificent carved oak set above the front door as a finishing touch. It was beautiful. In fact, it was the most beautiful house in the entire area. People would stop as they passed by to look at it, and they were amazed at the man’s skill and wisdom in house-building.

Now everyone for miles around in that county knows who the man is, and his name has become famous there.

God Builds a House

So, why did God create the universe and everything in it, including you and me?

To answer that question, we should look at what God Himself says. One of the main ways God speaks to us is through the Bible, so let’s look there.

Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

God made the whole universe and everything in it to show who He is—to display His glory, power, wisdom, and love. Why? Because it pleased Him to do so.

And because He wanted to share His creation with someone. More on that to come.

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Deuteronomy

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Here are four interesting and insightful quotes about the fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

“Deuteronomy is the great book of moral and spiritual challenge, calling on each generation to see itself as part of the covenant story and to choose the way of life.”
— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

John Wesley

“In Deuteronomy, God gives His people a second law, not because the first failed, but to press it upon their hearts with greater earnestness and love.”
— John Wesley, Methodist founder

Christopher J.H. Wright

“Deuteronomy is a manifesto of God’s mission—revealing how a redeemed people are to live differently in a world of injustice, idolatry, and oppression.”
— Christopher J.H. Wright, Old Testament scholar

Matthew Henry

“The book of Deuteronomy renews the covenant and reminds us that God’s laws are given for our good, to keep us close to Him and safe from the snares of the world.”
— Matthew Henry, Bible commentator

Something About Mary

p.s. tryonLeave a comment

Recently reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke regarding the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would have a son in miraculous fashion, I began thinking more fully on the cultural implications for Mary.

Mary would have been a teenager when Jesus was born, and Joseph would probably have been in his 20s, possibly even close to 30. This is the accepted cultural information found everywhere one looks. However, my questions weren’t related to the age of Mary or Joseph.

What about Mary’s parents? We know nothing of them except that Mary and Joseph’s marriage had been arranged. That takes involvement of the parents.

Logic must therefore reign as we ponder Mary’s situation. Her parents must have raised her diligently in the instruction of their faith. They must have at some level supported her unplanned pregnancy, as they did not reveal it to religious authorities. Otherwise Joseph, her betrothed, would not have thought about “putting her away privily” (Matthew 1:19). Religious authorities could have judged her and caused her to be stoned.

What about Mary and Joseph’s friends, extended family, and work relationships? We can’t remove this couple from their community and social life. The gossip must have been intense after Jesus was born and people began counting months since the time Joseph took Mary as his wife as the angel instructed.

Matthew 1:18-20
“Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being as just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her if of the Holy Ghost.”

Mary had to trust God with confidence that no matter the looks and whispers, she was in His will.

Mary received the angel Gabriel’s declaration with faith. “Be it done to me according to thy word,” (Luke 1:38) was a declaration of acceptance of God’s will no matter the cost. Culturally the cost could have been her life. At the least, gossip and shunning. She would have been well aware of the cultural laws.

When she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth before her and Joseph came together in their marriage, Elizabeth called her blessed because she believed.

Luke 1:45
“And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Elizabeth’s prophetic greeting to Mary must have greatly comforted the young girl’s heart and mind. Her cousin provided further confirmation of the things Gabriel announced. And Mary must have been greatly comforted to see proof of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, as Gabriel also had told her.