Before the earth's foundation...

Sometimes, no almost all the time, when I open my copy of God's word to man I find some very exciting, but challenging, verses. One of those verses is Ephesians 1:4. It reads "...He chose us (you and me) in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." How amazing that even before He said "let there be light He thought of plan for your life! And in another place He said, "before I formed you in the belly I knew thee and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet into nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Isn't that so powerful, even before you were conceived God was developing a plan, a beautiful mission that fits you perfectly. Before you were anything at all. He even placed you in the right year and perfect place to be able to fulfill that plan (acts 17:26). It is amazing to see this lived out by reading biographies of people like Jonathon Goforth the Canadian missionary to China. Just little things that "just happened" to him show how God's plan was being fulfilled. Like the time an older gentleman gave him a book on missionaries that he found so intriguing. And also the school he "ended up" going to played its role in bringing him to the orient. Even the cruel mocking he received from classmates were leading him to China. God even gave us our unique desires because they fall into His plan for our lives. When we seek Him (with a pure and humble heart) He fulfills those desires (Psalms 37:4, Philippians 2:13). Maybe He gave you a passion for music, use it to serve Him. Maybe He gave you athletic ability, use it to reach others (like Tim Tebow). Or perhaps you like working numbers and work in an office, reach out to your co-workers. I believe God gave me a love for horses and a desire to help young men. I am just waiting Him to connect the dots. Because no matter how I try I can't bridge that gap. You are where you are for a reason, SHINE!

"Call unto me, and I will

answer thee, and shew thee

great and mighty things

which thou knowest not"

(Jeremiah 33:3)

Love Letter From God!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

A Beautiful life!

The other Sunday while sitting in church the song "A Beautiful Life" really stood out to me. The life described in the song wasn't one of "following your dreams", or "a story of extreme success", It was one of almost complete service! The line's "I'll help the sick and poor and weak", and "words of kindness to them speak" were just some of the convicting phrases unfolding this Beautiful Life. It reminds me of the verse that tells of pure religion. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep one's self unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Why is that undefiled religion? Why isn't something like faith, prayer, or meditation undefiled religion? "Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (I Corinthians 13:13). That was the last verse of a very good chapter on love? The Apostle Paul described love as the "final bar", the goal for all Christians, even higher than faith! Even the words in red say "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Love is what sets us apart from the rest of the world! But our love is not one of just having love, but is carrying it out. The rest of I Corinthians 13 describes love as an action, not only a feeling. Love without action, is dead. So the challange of "A Beautiful Life", and "Pure and Undefiled Religion" really hit home for me. Do I show His love to others? Do I lift my desires above others? Do I pull over the help the stranded motorist? Or reach out to the young person who is struggling with temptation? Or the smaller things closer to home, like family? Am I living "A Beautiful Life"?

True Evangelical Faith Cannot Lie Sleepy

For It Clothes the Naked

It Comforts the Sorrowful

And it Gives to the Hungry Food

And it Shelters the Destitute.

-Menno Simons