Are you totally aware of your surroundings?

One morning as I awoke and sat the Lord spoke this rather interesting thought into my spirit. Are you totally aware of your surroundings?

He took me to search the scriptures. Did you know there are 195 Bible Verses about Nature and 190 Bible Verses about Creation.

See that the Lord has placed these verses there for a reason, remember every word in the Bible is inspired by Him 2 Timothy 3:16.

Let’s look at 5 of them, and maybe in your study time you might like to grab a concordance and search more out.

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 95:3-5

“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is his, forHhe made it, and His hands formed the dry land.”

Romans 1:20

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Psalm 104:24-25

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.”

Colossians 1:16

“For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

I Love this last verse He lead me to, read it again and pause there, Especially in the place we are currently in with world-wide pandemics and strife.

“For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Let’s stop here for moment. how often do we try to be the judge of what He has created and what He has not?

Like: This person is not of God, this place is not of God, this insect or animal is not of God, this ruler or authority is not of God.

But, this verse seems to confront these thoughts! Hang on you might say, what about what they are doing, the hurt or affect they are causing, that definitely can’t be of God right?

Yes, you may be correct on this, for although the Lord created man, He gave him freewill. But over the years men and woman that have been in very dark places, with agenda’s that were outside God will, Found Him and not only were their lives changed for ever, But they become some of the best advocates and witness of Him.

Remember Paul and his transformation, from an encounter with Christ on his way to slay Christ followers. Many Christ followers of the day were against Paul, when Christ was for him, for He knew that Saul was created to be Paul.

Yet, even after Saul had his transformation, the Christians of the day were against him. Was anyone praying for him, rather than against him? Hmm do we have anybody we pray against when we are called to pray for them?

Here’s a story of a ruler, when he got in as ruler the town and city started spreading and agreeing to what this man was bad and evil, and guess what that’s who he became! Many justified what they were seeing as reason for what they had done and said. But the interesting thing is he did not start out bad and evil, he was created this way by those he ruled over through their words, comments and actions. What his life would have been like if those he ruled did the opposite! What if they had encouraged and prayed for him with words of hope, excellence and that all He was created for would come forth in and through him, that ultimately he would encounter Christ.

I believe the reason why there are so many verses on nature and creation in the bible is about revealing God! That even when we are not able to hear God, we can see Him through the clouds in the sky, the sunrises and sunsets, the flowers, trees, birds and animals. Even in the middle of lock-down we can look outside through windows and see the Lord through creation and nature. We can encounter Him in these moments, either subtly or dramatically.

These encounters help us to understand His Goodness, so in turn we can pray, encourage and bless others in word, action and witness.

In conclusion here are a few verses to verify this: We encourage you to take these up as a challenge and sit with the Lord

Ask Him how you are going with honouring, praying and encouraging those in authority over you (in your home, bubble, church, governing you)?

Ask Him where He’s inviting you to make changes to your attitude or thoughts?

Then you have a choice with how willing are you to adapt change, and how much you trust Him to lead you into all Truth and His Will as it is in Heaven here on Earth.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1 Peter 2:17  – “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor”.

Romans 13:1 – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.

Jeremiah 29:7 – “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper”.

Father, we declare that You are Good and that we see Your Goodness and Hand of Beauty everywhere we look, for all creation tells of Your love. Jesus we invite You to examine our heart attitudes towards those in authority over us at home, in business and in government, and ask that You would give us strength and humility to make any changes in our heart attitudes, words, or actions to those in authority over us, as You reveal them to us. Would You show us how You see them, and who You created them to be, so we can speak that out over them and see it come to pass.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries