This week, I begin the final preparations for the Youth Arts Camp happening June 23–27. If you’re curious about what we’re doing—or would like to join us in prayer—please visit LCYArts.org for more information. One of my top priorities at camp is helping the kids discover their identity and purpose in Christ. As I plan our devotional times, I want to share a piece of that spiritual preparation with you today.
As you read these (likely familiar) words, listen again for the Voice of God reminding you of who you are—and Whose you are.
In the beginning, before all time, was the Word – Christ.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
He was continually existing in the beginning co-eternally with God.
All things were made and came into existence through Him.
Without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.
In Him was life and the power to bestow life, and the life was the Light of men.
In the beginning Elohim created from nothing by forming the heavens and the earth.
The Spirit of God was moving – hovering, brooding – over the face of the waters.
God created humanity in His own image and likeness, male and female.
He formed the innermost parts, knit together in a mother’s womb.
He created wonderful works that are fearfully and wonderfully made.
When he was forming in secret, nothing was hidden.
Unformed substance was intricately and skillfully woven together.
We are created for His glory.
We are called by His Name.
He wrote in His book all the days appointed for his creation, even before they were made.
He accomplishes all things on behalf of his creation.
He completes his purposes in His plan.
His works are many and varied, all made in wisdom.
We are His workmanship, His own master work, a work of art.
We are created in Christ Jesus – reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used.
We are created for good works, which God prepared for us beforehand.
We are created to take paths which He set, so that we would walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us.
He knows his plans and thoughts about us.
His plans are for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope.
Elohim,
Today we focus on you as our good Creator. Thank you for your amazing power and creativity that we see in this world and in each other. Thank you for all the good purposes and plans you have for our lives. We pray that you will help us focus our minds and hearts on our good future and our hope in you. We ask this through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. (John 1:1-4 AMP)
In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters… God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:1-2, 27 AMP)
For You formed my innermost parts;
You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was being formed in secret,
And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were appointed for me,
When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. (Psalm 139:13-16 AMP)
I will cry to God Most High, Who accomplishes all things on my behalf [for He completes my purpose in His plan]. (Psalm 57:2 AMP)
O Lord, how many and varied are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all;
The earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures. (Psalm 104:24 AMP)
Everyone who is called by My Name,
Whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” (Isaiah 43:7 AMP)
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)