These Two Things

by Billy Williams
Genesis 1:1,2 (MSG)

First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

I love this verse, I always have. I love the way it is written -- no explanation of where God came from, no long dissertation on existence, just this: God created the heavens and the earth, period. A few months ago I heard a new take on this verse. The lead singer from Switchfoot posed this question to an interviewer: “What is the very first thing we know about God? Is it that He is holy? Is it that He is just and merciful or that He is all powerful? No, the first thing we know about God is that He is creative. “First this: God created...” I love that! The second thing we learn is that God is a protector. God’s Spirit brooded (verb; 2 To protect (young) by or as if by covering with the wings) like a bird above the watery abyss.

Here in the first three sentences of God’s Word His deep character is revealed as our loving, protecting Creator. And I, created in His image, have these attributes breathed into me, to create and to protect, or brood over, the things that God cares for.

Father, let me be always reminded of Your wonderful creativity. Let me see You in the simple and the complex of my day. Remind me that You are protective of me as Your creation and You still brood over the entire of creation.

What Do You Think?

by Billy Williams

Matthew 26:66 (NIV) “...What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

I find it interesting that the scripture says “He” is worthy of death, not his “offense” is punishable by death. They had left the reason of the law and had made Christ Himself the offense. The question I have for myself is, “Is He worthy of death?” I would have to respond, “Yes!”



Note that the question is not does He deserve death; it is a question of His worthiness. Without knowing, His accusers attested to the fact He alone was worthy -- though I am sure they did not understand the depth of their indictment. I struggle with the fact Christ had to endure punishment and death to reunite me with God the Father, yet I know this sacrifice was necessary and it really doesn’t have to make sense for me to believe in the worthiness of Christ to cover my sins by his death. 1 Corinthians 1:18,23-24 says, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 23 ...but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”


God, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You that You do find Him worthy of death, my death, so that I can live with You in eternity.

We Interrupt this Program

by Billy Williams

Matthew 17:4 (MSG)
Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"

This is so me; I get caught up in what I think I should be doing that I almost miss the moment as it happens, interrupting God before He can complete the thought. I (much like Peter) am a doer. I tend to rush ahead and put my own plan into action to show what God has done. Was it wrong that Peter wanted to build a memorial to what he was seeing happen so that others could know and remember what took place?

The story here is not that Peter’s intentions were wrong -- the story is that we need to see what God is doing before we rush out and start a pile of stones. Always, in the Old Testament, when God did a great thing they would make a memorial or build an altar. But here God was doing a new thing. Verse 5 says God then interrupted Peter: “While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: ‘This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.’” What Peter and the other disciples almost missed completely was an intimate moment between God the Father and God the Son, with a few close friends thrown in.





God, teach me patience. Keep me from being busy piling rocks while missing the true moment you wanted to share with me. Open my eyes to Jesus, your delight, and teach me to listen to Him.

This Side of History

by Billy Williams

Matthew 9:2,3 (CEV)
2 Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, "My friend, don't worry! Your sins are forgiven." 3 Some teachers of the Law of Moses said to themselves, "Jesus must think he is God!"


It is so easy for me to stand on this side of history and say to myself, “Those arrogant fools don’t get it; of course He is God.” But doesn’t that make me just as arrogant? How would I have reacted or, better yet, how would I react now if someone showed up and claimed to be able to do what only God is capable of? It is often harder to believe than not to. Interestingly enough it is those in this story who are not encumbered with the teachings of the law who see Christ for who He is and readily accept His forgiveness and mercy without theological question.

With all of the commentaries and Christian resources available, I need to make sure that I don’t miss “seeing” God because I am focused on what I “know about” God. I have one of the greatest blessings at my fingertips -- the Bible and the ability to see the story of God incarnate in Christ in linear form.

Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for allowing me to live in this time in history where I can read your story. Guard my heart, that I would stay open to who you are and what you are doing. Increase my knowledge of you but, more importantly, increase my heart.

One Bride for Seven Brothers

by Billy Williams

Mark 12:25 (MSG) After the dead are raised up, we're past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God.

For the title of this post to make sense you have to read Mark 12:18-27. I have read this passage of scripture countless times; tonight it hit me totally differently. I enjoy my marriage and the thought of eternity without Brenda as my spouse is a bit unnerving.

We are created as relational beings -- it is the basis of all we do and seek. Is the unsettled feeling in my soul about this passage driven by my fear of or lack of intimacy with God? It is so much easier to hold that intimacy and ecstatic connection with our earthly mate than with God, who we cannot physically touch or see.

The purpose of my marriage on earth is to teach me the intricacies

of love and relationship; at its best it is a shadow of what my relationship with God will someday be. To love my spouse like God loves me, unconditionally. To be loved without boundaries and with no lifespan time limit -- eternally. As we live out each day with each other, we should strive to love and interact with the eyes of God, in preparation and anticipation of being his eternal bride.

God, show me how to live in the now as I will live in eternity -- to love as I will be loved, to bask in the love of my wife and to love her with passion.