In Jesus’ Name, it IS decreed by The Creator of ALL things in our ongoing testimonies, Amen.
I will ask/dare you to hold your breath for 26 seconds… the very next breath after the breath hold gives you knowledge/an idea of God’s grace!
Have YOU ever seen Oxygen? No, you can’t “see” oxygen directly because it’s a colorless, odorless gas, but you see its effects everywhere: it’s the vital part of the air you breathe (21%), makes iron rust, fuels fire, and is the foundation of life, though it’s often tied up in water or other molecules, requiring telescopes to detect in space. We are Created with a need for Oxygen!
Humans (and most life) are fundamentally dependent on oxygen for energy, building cells, supporting the immune system, and even for specialized functions like the cornea of the eye, making it essential for growth, reproduction, and turning food into usable energy through cellular respiration. It’s a vital atmospheric gas, obtained by breathing, that fuels our metabolism and sustains nearly every biological process, highlighting a remarkable connection between humans and plants, which release oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide.
Why oxygen is essential:
- Energy Production: Oxygen is crucial for cellular respiration, the process where cells “burn” glucose (from food) to create the energy (ATP) needed to live.
- Building Blocks: It combines with other elements to form essential molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and DNA.
- Immune Defense: Oxygen helps kill bacteria and fuels immune cells that fight off invaders.
- Structural Integrity: Oxygen atoms are key components in structural compounds like bone and teeth.
- Direct Absorption: The cornea of the eye absorbs oxygen directly from the air, not blood vessels, for clarity.
The Human-Plant Partnership:
- Plants take in carbon dioxide (a byproduct of our respiration) and release oxygen.
- We breathe in this oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, creating a perfect, life-sustaining cycle.
A Spiritual Connection:
- Many traditions relate the need for physical breath to a spiritual need for God’s Word or presence, seeing it as “spiritual oxygen” for the soul, drawing parallels to biblical accounts of God breathing life into humans.
Hmm! Have you tried ‘living’ without your Creator? An impossibility ONCE you ARE aware of God’s beyond AWESOME grace!
Your waking up today, a blessing! How many individuals worldwide were ALIVE yesterday but have since passed ‘on’?
Most important is to realize that before we were born, the days of our lives were numbered!
Deeper yet, our purpose here on Earth is predetermined!
Proverbs 16:4, states that God made everything for His purpose, including the wicked for the “day of trouble” or “day of evil,” meaning He allows evil for His ultimate sovereign plan, often for judgment or to develop character, not that He creates evil as a good, but uses all things, even evil acts by people, to achieve His ends, like saving humanity through Christ’s crucifixion.
Key Biblical Concepts
Proverbs 16:4: “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil” (NASB) or “day of trouble” (ESV).
God’s Sovereignty: This verse highlights God’s ultimate control over all things, even evil, using it to fulfill His larger, often mysterious, plans.
Purpose in Suffering/Evil: God uses difficult times and wicked people to test faith, develop character, and ultimately work all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), as seen in Joseph’s story where his brothers’ evil intent led to his rise and salvation for many.
Distinction from Creation: While God uses evil, the Bible generally teaches He created all things “good” (Genesis 1), and evil arises from created beings (like Satan and humans) misusing their free will, not God creating evil as an end in itself.
Isaiah 45:7 (Context is Key): Some translations use “evil,” but others use “calamity,” referring to God’s judgment and allowing hardship, not creating moral evil itself.
God has a predetermined purpose for each individual in humanity and believers, working all things according to His will, often emphasizing believers are chosen and predestined for adoption and glorification in Christ, though interpretations vary on how this interacts with human free will, with many passages highlighting God’s sovereign plan alongside human choice and responsibility. Key verses include Ephesians 1:4-5, 11, and Romans 8:29-30, pointing to a divine plan for believers to be holy, brought to glory, and for His praise.
Key Biblical Teachings on Predestination & Purpose:
God’s Sovereign Plan: God works all things according to His purpose, including choosing and predestining people for His will.
For Believers: In Christ, believers are chosen and predestined for adoption and to be conformed to His image, a plan set before creation.
Glory to God: A primary purpose for this predestination is for believers to bring praise to God’s glory.
Examples from Scripture:
Ephesians 1:4-5, 11: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight… In Love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ”.
Romans 8:29-30: God foreknew and predestined those He calls, justifies, and glorifies.
Proverbs 16:4: “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble,” showing God’s overarching design.
Reconciling with Free Will:
Many theologians see a coexistence where God’s ultimate sovereignty fulfills His purposes, while humans retain free will, operating in different realms.
God’s predestining work is seen as an expression of His love and will, even as people make choices, creating tension or mystery between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
In essence, the Bible points to a powerful, pre-ordained divine plan that includes believers finding their purpose in Christ, but discussions continue about the precise mechanics of this plan alongside human choice.