Acts 17:24-25
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else."
God gave me my very breath, and gives every living thing breath. Breath begins with a small movement of a muscle between our chest and our abdomen, and consists of a puff of air. But this simple concrete description doesn't begin to touch on the complexity of breathing. Certainly Paul had no knowledge of what is involved with breathing. But he knew how literally vital the process of breath is to us. We are incapable of giving life. God is the only one. God gives us breath and life.
Holy Lord, you are everything, and you created everything. I know you gave me my very breath, and I am thankful. There is no one above or before you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Acts 17:24-25
Since the beginning of humans, when God breathed the breath of life and created Adam, breath has been an important concept. I love the hymn, “Breath on Me, Breath of God.” It speaks volumes in its requests lines:
1. Fill me with life anew
2. Until my heart is pure
3. Until I am wholly thine
4. So I shall never die
The breath of God is all we need to be the person God wants us to be.
Prayer: Gracious God, Your breath both inspires me and consoles me always. Amen
Breath
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023
Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
Paul starts out by telling them that God is the Maker, and not the one who was made. God was not created by man; He is the one who made man and everything else that exists in all the universe. He is the creator of all things. This was one of the problems in Athens. They didn't really believe that God is in complete control…
Acts 17:24-25
Paul is unambiguous. God is not served by human hands. While it is true that we, as the family of believers are God's hands and feet in the world, this function is one of thanksgiving for our blessings, not some sort of service payback. Our life in and from God is not transactional. It is out of God's love and infinite grace that we have our lives, our every breath. This cannot be paid back but can and must be honored by endless thanksgiving in the form of becoming more like Christ.
Prayer - God of infinite grace, my praise and thanksgiving knows no bounds. Help me to help other see and understand the depth of Your love…
Acts 17:24-25
I keep hearing the words of the hymn “Breathe on me breath of God” fill Me with life a new! What a powerful statement that is and he does fill Me with life a new!
Precious God, I pray I will continue to hear, feel, and receive your constant breath….