His breath:

When dirt becomes life

Genesis 2.7

Then the LORD God formed a man from the mud of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being

Every day we take around 26,000 breaths. 4-6 breaths per minute. In the rhythm of life do we ever think about the act of breathing. When God made the first person we read in Hebrew that the word for dirt is the root word for Adam (the first man) What an incredible paradox that the fragility of humankind, made from mud but when God breathes his Ruach into the dirt life springs forth.

And so it follows that as we are made alive by the breath of God so we also take on the supernatu- ral, divinely created humanity and identity that God has given us.

We were made for a purpose not to ‘do’ but to ‘be’. Be in him, found in him, made alive in him.

Stop and breathe
Father, thankyou you are here right now. As I slow down and pause and listen to my breath, I

take in a deep long breath knowing it is your Spirit that has made me alive in you.

Stop, breathe and receive

And God spoke:

We continue our journey by considering the evocation in Genesis

Genesis 1.2ff

2Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

What does it mean when we read, ‘and God said’? In Hebrew the word, davar (word) is so much more than the words on this page that you are reading now. When God spoke it is as though his very essence, his nature, his compassion, his energy, power and life evoked and brought about something to be created out of nothing. And even more than this, the root word of davar means to bring about order. Why is this important? Because, when God speaks, he brings order in the chaos, light in the dark.

No matter what we face, whether it be trial or tribulation, the valley or the mountain, we can hold on to the knowledge that there is something different about God’s words.

His words, sounds, utterances, bring life.

Stop and breathe

Father, thankyou that when you speak , your words bring order. No matter what I might face to- day, or in the coming days, your words bring life. God may I have ears to hear the strength of your voice. Amen.

What’s in a name?

We start this journey by focussing on the very beginning:

Genesis 1.2

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The phrase ‘spirit of God’ contains the word ‘Ruach’, which when applied to God, is often indicative of creativity and divine activity. God creates, empowers, emboldens, and sustains all things, and the name Ruach Elohim reminds us of this power and facet of God’s character.

With every single breath we take, we can remind ourselves that our life force exists because of God. His breath filling our lungs as we breathe in and out. This Spirit or wind that we cannot
see, empowers us and drives us to live for the Creator in everything we do. With every breath we take, we seek to serve our God who fills us with this supernatural life.

Today, breathe
Stop and breathe
And as you do so, invite the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, mind, soul and body. A Prayer:

Father, we forget what power You’ve placed within us; your life giving Spirit that enables us to feel what you feel, love like you love and act the way you would act. Help us today, in the here and now, to stir up the dry bones within us, to call ourselves to com+e alive, so that we may be able and ready to speak forth life and resurrection in Your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Evans continues our series on Ephesians.

Helen continues our series looking at Ephesians.

We are joined by Martin Dunkley, leader of our Taking Ground family of Churches. Martin challenges us about being distinctive in the world.

Nino continues our series on Ephesians.

Laura continues our series on Ephesians.

Miles kicks off our series looking at Ephesians.

Gladys continues our Advent series looking at Mary.