Embracing New Beginnings Through God's Creative Power

 

Summary

God is a God of new beginnings, inviting us to embrace today as a fresh start. The opening lines of the Bible, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth," remind us of God's power to create and renew. This phrase, a merism, signifies the totality of creation, emphasizing that everything that exists is a product of God's creative power. Unlike other ancient creation stories, the biblical narrative highlights a single, all-powerful God who continuously engages with His creation. This ongoing creation means that every moment, every breath, is a gift from God, a chance to experience His presence anew.

The concept of continuous creation assures us that God is actively involved in our lives, offering us opportunities for renewal. This is not just a historical truth but a personal invitation for each of us to experience God's renewing power. The story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, marked by the Passover, symbolizes a new beginning for God's people. Similarly, God offers us new beginnings, just as He did for Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

In our lives, we may feel the need for a "do-over," a chance to start afresh. This requires a power beyond our own, a divine intervention that God is willing to provide. Whether it's in our relationships, careers, or personal struggles, God invites us to seek His renewal. A practical way to engage with this renewal is through a prayer framework, A-B-C-D-E, which helps us process our struggles and invite God's creative presence into our lives. By acknowledging our antecedents, beliefs, consequences, and disputing them with God's truth, we can experience the effects of His renewing power.

Where do you need a new beginning with God? Whether it's in serving, relationships, finances, or personal growth, God is ready to create something new in your life. Embrace this day as a gift from God, and let His creative power lead you into a new beginning.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Continuous Creation: God is not a distant creator who set the world in motion and left it to run on its own. Instead, He is actively involved in every moment of creation, continuously bringing life and renewal. This means that every moment is an opportunity to experience God's presence and creativity in our lives. [03:49]

2. The Power of New Beginnings: Throughout the Bible, God offers new beginnings to His people, from Adam and Eve to Moses. This is a reminder that no matter how much we have messed up, God is always ready to offer us a fresh start. We are invited to embrace these new beginnings and allow God to renew our lives. [05:15]

3. The A-B-C-D-E Prayer Framework: This practical tool helps us process our struggles and invite God's presence into our lives. By identifying our antecedents, beliefs, and consequences, and then disputing them with God's truth, we can experience the effects of His renewing power. This framework can be a powerful way to find new beginnings in our spiritual journey. [07:41]

4. Disputing Negative Beliefs: When we write down our negative beliefs and bring them before God, we can begin to see them for what they are—distortions of the truth. By inviting God to help us dispute these beliefs, we can find freedom from the lies that hold us back and experience His renewing presence. [10:32]

5. Embracing God's Creative Presence: God's ongoing creative work in the world invites us to live in His presence and seek His renewal in every area of our lives. Whether it's in our relationships, careers, or personal growth, God is ready to create something new. We are invited to embrace this day as a gift from God and let His creative power lead us into a new beginning. [11:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:42] - Embrace Today
- [00:59] - The Power of Creation
- [01:25] - Understanding Merism
- [01:52] - Israel's Unique Creation Story
- [02:32] - Continuous Creation
- [03:08] - God's Ongoing Involvement
- [03:49] - Living in God's Presence
- [04:04] - Renewing Creation
- [05:02] - New Beginnings in the Bible
- [06:12] - The Concept of Do-Overs
- [07:13] - A-B-C-D-E Prayer Framework
- [09:05] - Disputing Negative Beliefs
- [11:15] - Embracing God's Creative Presence
- [12:15] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing New Beginnings with God

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
2. Exodus 12:2 - "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year."

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Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" signify about God's role in creation? ([00:59])
2. How does the concept of "continuous creation" differ from the idea that God created the world and then left it to run on its own? ([02:59])
3. What was the significance of the Passover in Exodus 12:2 for the Israelites, and how did it represent a new beginning for them? ([04:19])
4. How does the sermon describe the A-B-C-D-E prayer framework, and what is its purpose? ([07:41])

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the idea of God being actively involved in continuous creation impact one's understanding of His presence in daily life? ([03:49])
2. In what ways does the story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt serve as a metaphor for personal renewal and new beginnings? ([05:02])
3. How might the A-B-C-D-E prayer framework help someone address and transform negative beliefs in their life? ([10:32])
4. What does it mean to embrace God's creative presence in one's personal struggles, and how can this lead to renewal? ([11:46])

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on an area of your life where you feel the need for a new beginning. How can you invite God's creative power into this situation? ([06:12])
2. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by negative beliefs. How might the A-B-C-D-E prayer framework assist you in disputing these beliefs with God's truth? ([10:32])
3. Identify a relationship or situation in your life that could benefit from God's renewing presence. What practical steps can you take to seek His renewal? ([11:46])
4. How can you incorporate the practice of acknowledging God's continuous creation into your daily routine to enhance your awareness of His presence? ([03:49])
5. Think about a past experience where you received a "do-over" or fresh start. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's grace and renewal? ([05:56])
6. What specific actions can you take this week to embrace today as a gift from God and seek His guidance for a new beginning? ([00:42])
7. How can you use the A-B-C-D-E prayer framework to address a current struggle or challenge in your life? What might be the first step in this process? ([07:41])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Active Presence in Creation
God's continuous creation is a profound reminder that He is not a distant deity but an ever-present force in our lives. Unlike the deistic view of a creator who sets the world in motion and steps back, the biblical narrative reveals a God who is intimately involved in every moment of creation. This ongoing creative work means that every breath we take is an opportunity to experience God's presence and creativity. It is a call to live with an awareness of His active involvement in our lives, recognizing that each day is a gift filled with potential for renewal and transformation. [03:49]

Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of God's active presence in your daily life today?


Day 2: Embracing New Beginnings
Throughout the Bible, God offers new beginnings to His people, demonstrating His willingness to renew and restore. From Adam and Eve to Moses, each story is a testament to God's grace and the power of a fresh start. This is a reminder that no matter how much we have messed up, God is always ready to offer us a new beginning. We are invited to embrace these opportunities for renewal, allowing God to transform our lives and lead us into a future filled with hope and purpose. [05:15]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a new beginning, and how can you invite God into that process today?


Day 3: The A-B-C-D-E Prayer Framework
The A-B-C-D-E prayer framework is a practical tool that helps us process our struggles and invite God's presence into our lives. By identifying our antecedents, beliefs, and consequences, and then disputing them with God's truth, we can experience the effects of His renewing power. This framework encourages us to confront the lies we believe and replace them with the truth of God's Word, leading to spiritual growth and transformation. [07:41]

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Reflection: What negative belief are you holding onto that you need to dispute with God's truth today?


Day 4: Disputing Negative Beliefs
When we write down our negative beliefs and bring them before God, we can begin to see them for what they are—distortions of the truth. By inviting God to help us dispute these beliefs, we can find freedom from the lies that hold us back and experience His renewing presence. This process of disputing negative beliefs is not just about changing our thoughts but about allowing God's truth to transform our hearts and minds. [10:32]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one negative belief you can write down and bring before God today, asking Him to reveal His truth to you?


Day 5: Living in God's Creative Presence
God's ongoing creative work in the world invites us to live in His presence and seek His renewal in every area of our lives. Whether it's in our relationships, careers, or personal growth, God is ready to create something new. We are invited to embrace this day as a gift from God and let His creative power lead us into a new beginning. By living in His presence, we open ourselves to the transformative work He desires to do in and through us. [11:46]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's creative presence in a specific area of your life today?

Quotes

"God is a god of new beginnings, so take a deep breath, let go of yesterday cause it's gone. Embrace today for this day is God's gift to you. Lift up your heart to him and together you and I are going to discover how to find God everywhere and how to begin again with him." [00:00:28]

"The opening lines of the Bible, in the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth, my friend Ron says that phrase is his favorite phrase in all of the English language because it suggests to us that there is a God who is a good god of new possibilities and queen slates and Fresh Starts and that's what we're going to learn together." [00:00:55]

"God has never stopped creating. Every moment that ticks off on the clock, every leaf on these gorgeous trees that I'm seeing, every bird that I hear singing and warmbling right now, there's turkeys in the background every once in a while, the leaves on those, every one of them exists because God says coming to me and coming to being coming to being." [00:03:12]

"God is also the god of what might be called renewing creation and here's what gets real personal. It was an 11th century Rabbi named Rashi, and he said there was an ancient rabbinic teaching that the Bible actually ought to start with Exodus chapter 12 verse 2. Now he wasn't actually trying to rearrange the Bible, it was a matter of interpretation." [00:04:02]

"God gave a new beginning to Adam and Eve when they messed up. God gave a new beginning to Noah, he gave a new beginning to Abraham, he gave a new beginning to Moses, and here's the thing, he wants to uh give you a new beginning. There was a old movie City Slickers, and one character that just messed up his life so bad." [00:05:13]

"But of course it takes a power that we do not have to make a do-over spiritual reality, but the God who said do it again to the son, the God who gives a do-over to the son every morning and a do over to the Moon every night gives you and me a do-over. So where do you want to do over?" [00:06:02]

"Several years ago I felt so defeated and discouraged because of a pain in my family and the phrase that kept going on in my mind was my poor broken family, and then a friend said to me words that changed my life. She said, um what does a healthy family look like for you, and I realized that I could let go of the pain." [00:06:33]

"I read about this actually just as kind of an exercise in mental health mental hygiene from a psychologist Martin Seligman a number of years ago, but I've adopted it to a form of prayer that I find really helpful. He says if you're struggling with something that gnaws at you, a sense of failure or worry or depression and you need a new beginning." [00:07:18]

"Think about this framework a b c d e, and I have carefully crafted that here for you. You walk through a is for antecedent, write down what's been going on. It's very helpful to write this down when you're anxious or stressed or worried, and you write it down it has a way of helping it not just ruminate forever." [00:07:41]

"Then D is where the creative presence of God comes in then D is I dispute it, and then after I've done that what are the effects so I will give you an example of this. I've been working really hard thinking about this series to walk through with you. I'm very excited about it I think the book of creation is so amazing." [00:08:19]

"How do I dispute these beliefs, what would God say? I've done like 500 of these episodes by now I preached my whole life long it would be unusual if that were all just gone in an instant. Plus I would admire somebody who still struggles and still seeks to learn the best they can even if they're in a difficult situation." [00:10:35]

"Where do you want a new beginning with God? Maybe it's to serve in a new way, maybe it's to find a new project, maybe it's in a relationship, maybe it's in your financial life, maybe it's caring for your body, maybe it's on an intellectual adventure, maybe it's a new beginning of reading God's word stunning through Jenison coming to see it in a new way." [00:11:49]

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Transcript
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