11/14/18 GOD’s BREATH
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD GOD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. [King James translation]
John 20:21-22 HE spoke to them again and said, “As the FATHER has sent me, even so I am sending you,” Then HE breathed on them and told them, “Receive the HOLY SPIRIT.”
[Living Bible]
Summary
The book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is about origins and beginnings. The very first words, in the first verse, in the first chapter, in Genesis are: “In the beginning GOD….” The book of Genesis describes the origin of light, darkness, day, night, the heavens, the earth, land, vegetation, the moon and the stars. The book of Genesis also describes the creation of birds, fish, animals and humanity.
The creation of humanity makes it very clear that human life came from “the breath” of GOD. Life came from LIFE. Humanity’s origin in an external world came from breath. Just as a baby in the belly of its mother womb is dependent on its mother for everything, we too are dependent on GOD for everything.
The Genesis story also reveals that humanity, once created, just like a newborn baby, started to take breathing for granted, forgetting about its origins and total dependence on GOD.
When humanity began “new life in CHRIST,” through HIS death and HIS resurrection, that life again began with “breath.” John 20:21-22 states that “HE [JESUS] breathed on them” and they received the HOLY SPIRIT.
GOD’s breath is essential for life and for living----something we should never forget!
AIR QUALITY & BREATHING & EXERCISE
Many cities are experiencing poor air quality. Sometimes the problems are due to air pollution caused by traffic, wind-blown dust, burning wood, smoke, construction, agricultural operations, power plants or other activities. Because of the frequency of “bad air days,” many cities and towns have developed systems of air pollution alerts.
Many local newspapers and local television and radio stations will often provide assessments of the air quality in an area. There are also national, state and local websites that provide useful information on the air quality and various medical alerts for “at risk” populations (e.g. children, seniors, those with respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), babies and others).