BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

OCT 2001 This was the first article by Keith Butler to be published in "BVOV." God Creates With Words by Keith Butler We know that the creation of the earth was begun and completed by God over a period of six days, but how did He do it? Did He use some cosmic hammer or ethereal pickax? Did He form the mountains and dig the seabeds of the earth with some heavenly shovel or with His own fingers? Genesis, the “book of beginnings,” launches us into our first lesson in “theology” (or the knowledge of God). In the third verse of the first chapter we discover that God created light with words. God said it and, instantly, it was. There is a miracle in God’s mouth that brings whatever He speaks into existence. “And God said, Let there be light,” and there it was. The original Hebrew text says God literally said, “Light be!” and light was. I am told that certain scientists came up with the “big bang” theory, the idea that the universe was formed by a big explosion hundreds of millions of years ago, because radio telescopes have detected a weak, echo-like signal that is still emanating through space. Perhaps this “echo” is actually a lingering remnant of God’s spoken command: “Light be!” The record in Genesis 1 takes us through each of the six days of Creation, painting the cataclysmic events of those moments in broad strokes without regard for specific details. God didn’t major on the minors in the first chapter of Genesis. His goal wasn’t to chronicle the Creation process in exact detail or to provide scientific proof for His own existence. It seems His chief goal was to drive home a point of eternal importance to His highest creation. Ten times in 10 verses in the first chapter of Genesis alone, we read, “And God said….” This may seem a little repetitious to some, but it is clear to me that God is using the power of repetition to reinforce His main point in Genesis 1: God said, and it was so. In Your Mouth, Too! How does God create? He does it with words. The miracle of it all is that we are to create with our words too! Not only is there a miracle in God’s mouth, but there is a miracle in your mouth as well! When God breathed the divine breath of life into Adam’s lungs, He also endowed mankind with the creative power of speech and declaration. He planted a seed of divine inspiration, or breath, within us. And He expects His seed to be a “seed-bearing seed”—as with all other seeds He created. When God says a thing, it comes to pass. God has the force of faith because He believes that what He says is going to happen. We should, too. How can you and I begin to rule and reign in the earth as sons and daughters of God when the world is so filled with sin, pain and lack? The Spirit of God dwells within us and gives us the ability to succeed. We are able to rule and reign in this earth because we do it God’s way, in total agreement with and faith in His Word. When we speak God’s Word in faith, it is as if God Himself is speaking the Word through us. It is God’s Word that cleanses and renews our minds and opens the door for us to operate with the mind of Christ instead of the mind of the flesh. The Spirit of God uses the Word to conform your will to His will, and it is through God’s Word that His creative power and ruling authority was delegated to you by Christ through His Name. The written Word of God is your legal writ. It is your “power of attorney” and King’s commission in writing that certifies your calling and position in Christ. The rest is up to you. The real key to getting your prayers answered and seeing your professions of God’s Word come to pass is simple: Align yourself with God’s Word and purposes before you declare anything. Then your heart, mind and mouth will be in one accord with the Spirit and Word of God. 22 : BVOV

• Cover