CHAPTER 33: THE BLESSING OF CREATIVITY 2024
Somewhere around 1916, the Reverend Harry Bultema, a very controversial pastor, and the author of the book, Maranatha, a pre-millenium look at the Church of Christ said, and I quote, “It is foolish to oppose our Creator because since He made us, He can break us. It is foolish to oppose our Creator because since He made us, He knows what is best for us. It is foolish to oppose our Creator because we owe the greatest obligation to Him.”
Isaiah 45: 9 “Woe to him who strives with his Maker!
What is the blessing of creativity? The results, of course. We could stop there, really, that says it.
“Left of Bang – The Marine Corps Combat Hunter Program” is a book, written by Patrick Van Horne. In it there is a phrase I like.
“Learning is impossible without humility. We encourage confidence, not cockiness.” Patrick Van Horne from his book.
Psalm 90:12
English Standard Version
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
“Teach us to number our days.” Great scripture. It brings to my attention the wasting of time. I can waste time doing things I shouldn’t do. I’ve wasted a lot of time doing things I shouldn’t do. The Blessing of Creativity if inspired to do “not good things” would yield unprofitable. Then God has to unwind our stupid ideas. And that’s only if you let Him teach the errors and consequences of our actions. Thank you Jesus for teaching. Please help me make lemonade out of these lemons, my Savior, I’m sorry.
On the other hand, the Blessing is obedience. Creativity as the Lord directs in the discernment of the spirit. To make my point, let me quote from the book, “The Art of War” by Sun Tau.
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win…”
Long story short, start with God, stay with God. If you have trouble believing that God can and will guide you turn to scripture. There are many stories of God’s hand moving men, even nonbelievers who said, “okay.”
In the book of Isaiah it is said that God used King Cyrus to liberate the jews from Babylon around 500 BC. King Cyrus was not a believer and yet Cyrus, guided by the hand of God, prevailed over Babylon, liberated Jews and got to read about it before it ever happened. You see, interesting fact, God predicted, in the Word, that King Cyrus would do this 200 years before Cyrus was born. Can you imagine, King Cyrus read the scripture about himself that was written before he was even thought about! Clearly if He knew what Cyrus was to be born for, He knows about you and what you were born to do.
Isaiah 45: “What are you begetting”?
Begetting means be born. What are you born to do? Man has created a rocket ship, a coffee pot, a furniture set, a tractor, writings on paper, language skills, gifts, crayons. Why? How?”
Genesis 1:27
New International Version
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Human beings are amazing and now you know why as stated in Genesis 1:27 “in His own Image.” But, we all need to be careful. With such a brain that God has given, we have the tools to be great or vicious. Creativity is a powerful tool, an asset given to us by God, who is a divine being, so the gift is a divine gift. I am not a divine being, so if I am not a divine being, how do I use a divine gift given to me by God. I ask Him what He wants me to do with this creativity —- to show me how to use the gift. Without that prayer, I will do the wrong thing with a very powerful creativity.
2 Corinthians 8:11American Standard Version
11 But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
The blessing of creativity is completing a project and looking at what the Lord has done in me, for me and with me. What if it’s wrong, or it doesn’t work? It depends on what is in your heart. Is it “money, property and prestige” for “your glory” or “people places and things, that He’s given you” for “His glory.”
In God, trying is not failing, failing is not losing, learning is living and living is loving and loving is God and God is all
knowledge/wisdom/mercy…, ah and strength to do what needs to be done.
(A quote by Patrick 2024, we assume a notion planted in my head by the Holy Spirit)
A quote by Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor 161-180 AD:
“If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.”
Leo Buscaglia, a great American author born in the 20’s said this;
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”
Ephesians 2:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What is a good idea? What is a bad idea? Trap or blessing? What is your heart? I can tell you this, the gospel says big or small, responsibility is key.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 New King James Version
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Luke 16:10 New Living Translation
10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
So am I to say that the blessing of creativity is finishing an idea? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I to say that the blessing of creativity is actively pursuing God’s angle on the idea? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I saying it is a blessing to receive a divine gift? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I saying more? Yes, so much more. It is a Divine Gift to ask God what to do with your Creativity and to let Him guide you through the process.
Do what He has for you, today, magnificent ideas, Holy and good, make them stay that way — His way, not yours. He knows what’s best in His will be done. Remember creativity is powerful, very powerful!
“Jesus Christ is the Embodiment of the Truth and all that is True. All Truth belongs to God and there is no other Truth on the market. Should anyone say, “this is my truth” or “well, that’s just your truth” they have denied the fundamental reality of what the Truth is – It is an absolute attribute to God and without God, it is a falsehood, a counterfeit reality. It’s to pretend.”
1 Corinthians 12:4c New King James Version (NKJV)
4 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..
Profit of all, good thing to remember. I don’t want me in it anymore. Rather let creativity come from the breath of God, to solve challenges with His direction, I really want to do things right!
James 1:16-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Design has no boundary of time. It is the non-linear part of the mind. I get an idea and can think about it completely in a few seconds. Application is linear — how to get that idea done in a 24 hour day. Both of them, used correctly will change your life, irrevocably forever, for the better.
Galatians 1:11-24 New International Version
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Blessings, for me, are the instructions of a Miracle. The Miracle is a perfect gift God has given to you. Be careful the enemy does not steal it.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 New King James Version
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and [a]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Creativity is a powerful tool, and can be used for good or not so good. Remember these words, and test your ideas, lest they be manipulated by the powers of “terror.”
1 John 4:1-3 New King James Version
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
What about when I’m not sure of myself and others tell me to move ahead? Or the opposite, I’m sure of myself and others tell me not to move ahead? Exciting moment, every time it happens.
Hebrews 11:3
New King James Version
3 By faith we understand that the [a]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Chapter 33, The Blessing of Creativity. God still holds the title on the Ideas that come from His Creativity, the Blessing is that you get to use them for His Glory in Kingdom work.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
English Standard Version
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.ISAIAH 47:9 For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me.
Things created from my creativity are not meant to be a distraction from God,— rather a reminder of Him…
Matthew 5:13-16 New King James Version
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
President John F. Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961 said, and I quote, “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
Perhaps in our own creativity we should, “ask not what God can do for you, ask what you can do for God…”
a quote by Chris DeMint January 2024
Amen, hallelujah, glory be.
Chapter 33 The Blessing of Creativity 2024. (John, let’s go!)
